Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
Stranded American sent back home, Guyana keeps baby By Dale Andrews American Dellicia Honore is back in the United States of America but not with her newborn baby, who remains in the Georgetown Hospital being evaluated, while waiting on the completion of the processing of documents to enable him to be reunited with his mother. The woman was escorted out of Guyana accompanied by a local social worker who will hand her into the care of US psychiatric officials in America. This was after she was discharged from the Observation Ward of the Georgetown Hospital after a little over a week of psychiatric evaluation. Kaieteur News understands that Honore, 37 was picked up from the Observation Ward around 07:45 hours by US Embassy officials, an immigration officer and the social worker who has been handling her case. According to Social Activist Mark Benschop who has been looking into the woman’s interest ever since she had her baby taken away from her, Honore left the Observation Ward under the impression that she will be given her baby. However this was not the case. “I tried to ensure that she left the ward in a peaceful state of mind. Those who travelled with her will have to explain why she did not get her baby,” Benschop said. While Benschop is claiming that Honore was deported without her baby, a source close to her case maintained that she was not deported but rather had her stay in Guyana revoked. “She was given ninety days to stay in Guyana and she did not complete her stay…it is a forced
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
Dellicia Honore leaving the GPHC Observation Ward for the CJIA, Timehri yesterday. expulsion,” Benschop charged. This newspaper tried unsuccessfully to ascertain from Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee or Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell the reason for the woman’s hurried removal from Guyana. However, a source explained that since the woman was destitute in Guyana, a decision was taken to have her stay cut short.
Kaieteur News understands that the US embassy provided the airfare for her as well as the social worker who is accompanying her. The woman arrived in Guyana on September 27 on a one way ticket in an advanced state of pregnancy and was allowed by local Immigration personnel at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri to stay for 90 days. During that time to now, she racked up unpaid bills at a few local hotels until she delivered her baby at the New Amsterdam Hospital. She was subsequently picked up outside the United States Embassy in Georgetown where she was seen wandering with her four day old baby. At the time she was broke and had nowhere to stay. The baby was reportedly dehydrated and thanks to the intervention of the Child Care Protection Agency, the child was rescued and taken for medical care. Honore was subsequently admitted to the Observation Ward after the welfare department of the Ministry of Human Services secured a court order to commit her there. But yesterday she was discharged from the facility and immediately taken to the CJIA, Timehri where she boarded a flight for her homeland, minus the baby. “The baby’s papers are not ready. As it is, the baby is Guyanese because he was born here. However he could
get an automatic American citizenship because of his mother and that process could take a month,” the source said. The source disclosed that Honore had registered her child in Guyana. “She even gave him a name,” the source added. This newspaper was told that the decision to send the woman back t o t h e U S , although it was clear that the child could not travel with her, was due to the fact that Guyana does not have the proper facility to care for the woman’s psychiatric needs. “Over here, she was just being confined, while in America she would be in a more advanced facility,” the source explained. According to Honore’s grandmother, the woman was a teacher before she suffered a mental breakdown “This woman is not stupid, she is just sick. She was off her medication and once she gets that, she is okay. Nothing was done wrong to her in Guyana. We were very nice to her,” the source added. Head of the Child Care Protection Agency Ann Greene had told this newspaper last week that once she was cleared by the Psychiatrist, Honore would have been allowed to take her child home. But from all indications, that has not been the case. “We cannot put the child in her hands right now at such a tender age. It would be insensitive to the child’s needs,” the source explained.
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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
Penny wise, pound foolish Today we repeat an editorial we had published earlier this year in the face of queries about the state of the economy. All too often one has been hearing the saying, “A penny wise and a pound foolish”. What this really speaks to is someone going all out to save a penny but the cost of saving that penny has been a pound. Guyana has been the victim of the pennywise pound foolish syndrome to the extent that it is hurting the country more than anything else. The Skeldon estate modernization programme is only one. From the outset there was talk that a lot is not right. People in the know saw the faults and cried out. The government decided that it would press ahead with other aspects because there was a default liability period. Four years later the fault remains and Skeldon is a hopeless waste of time and energy. It is also a waste of sugar cane because it uses much more cane to make a tonne of sugar that any of the other sugar estates. Even the condemned estate turned out to more efficient than the new Skeldon factory. We tried to be penny wise when we sought to investigate the deal that permitted Omai Gold Mines to operate in Guyana. The then President Cheddi Jagan decided that Guyana under the People’s National Congress had undersold the rights to the gold. After the investigation the government was remarkably quiet. It took a lot of pressure to get President Jagan to release the findings of his investigation to the National Assembly. The findings were that Guyana actually got a better than expected deal. It was the same thing with the sale of what was then Guyana Telecommunications Corporation. Again it was felt that the corporation had been undersold. Once more an investigation was launched. We saw more of this behaviour when President Jagan with support from Prime Minister Sam Hinds suggested that the loans secured by the PNC administration to construct the Essequibo Coast Road and to resurface the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway were to large, that Guyana did not want to create additional expenses to add to its large debt. Today, the nation has regrets about both roadways. The Essequibo road in the first instance took an inordinately long time to be completed. It took three contractors, one of whom had to be taken to the courts and had its equipment forfeited. That road is a far cry from what it should have been. To make the situation worse, the government has had to spend even more money on that road to the extent that some believe that the total cost was more than the contract the PNC negotiated. The most glaring of the penny wise pound foolish syndrome involves the Soesdyke/Linden Highway. When the highway was commissioned in 1968 the contractors said that it was intended to last for twenty years. They had calculated the traffic, made allowance for the growth in traffic and for vehicles of increasing weights. At the end of the twenty years the PNC government set about soliciting money to do an extensive rehabilitation of the road. This project would have seen the resurfacing of this road but Prime Minister Sam Hinds followed President Cheddi Jagan and said tha the money was too much, that all Guyana wanted was money to do some patching. We have patched and repaired sections to the extent that some people have died while negotiating these sections. When the road was first built the contractors took into consideration the rainfall and the need for emergency parking. Fortunately the emergency parking slots remain but the signs proclaiming these have fallen due to the absence of maintenance. But it is the inability to keep water off the road. After a period of rainfall there are large puddles of water which could cause vehicles to hydroplane. This is certainly what the government did not contemplate when it opted to be penny wise and pound foolish. Sadly, the government has also not seen it fit to protect the lives of those that ply the highway, portions of which have collapsed. One must wonder why?
Sunday October 27, 2013
Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Forestry and mining need much greater vigilance DEAR EDITOR, Guyana’s rivers and forests hold the key to the survival of the society as we know it. Yet Guyanese citizens know next to nothing about how wisely or efficiently these vital sectors are being managed. The recent publication (SN 25/10) with respect to the REDD+ programme illustrates how little we know. The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is not challenging the accuracy of the reports, but is very concerned that matters so vital to our future are ringfenced against effective democratic oversight by opaque language and complex processes. The revelation that mining is responsible for 93% of de-forestation in Guyana
in 2012 seems astounding. While virtually everything about mining generates unease, it still comes as a shock to learn the extent to which the sector is out of control. The draft REDD+ Report containing this information also points out that between 2011–2012 there was a 25% increase in de-forestation rates, carrying Guyana into the zone where financial penalties begin to eat into the payments Guyana can expect from Norway. Most of the devastation, the Report states, is to be found alongside rivers and roads, suggesting that forest degradation is the result of small-scale mining. One has to make that assumption because of the unvarnished nature of the
information made available. Are we to understand that the official forestry sector only accounts for 7% of deforestation? Can we expect more detailed information, for example, on how much the Rusal operations in Kwakwani, or the revival of manganese mining in the North-West, or the Chinese forestry concessions contribute to this alarming rate of de-forestation? Who is building the roads to remote concessions and how much do they contribute to undermining - literally - the REDD+ programme? This information is not readily available. Too few people know and even fewer of those who provide official information are trusted enough to be believed.
Again, the GHRA is not challenging the validity of the figures, much less defending the free-for-all in the mining sector. We are concerned about the absence of democratic oversight of these sectors. Nothing about the REDD+ programme, for example, is straight-forward. A torrent of acronyms and technical terms defend them from being understood or influenced by concerned citizens. Procedures for dispersing Norwegian funds are tortuous in their complexity, presumably to counter every imaginable scam that corrupt governments might be inclined to try. Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association
Sunday October 27, 2013
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Govt. must let us know when they will address concerns about NCN, NICIL, and NIS DEAR EDITOR, I have observed that many organizations are calling for the Opposition to support the passing of the anti-money laundering and terrorism legislation, having been silent over time about corruption, bribery, nepotism, etc which even the blind can see, feel and smell. If these organizations are really serious and interested in transparency, good
governance and the rule of law, then they should demand that all information regarding NICIL, the Marriot, CJIA, etc be made public so that all those who support the present government can get to know the facts. What is not desired is the crying and wailing of the government and these private sector groups, flooding the media with their crocodile tears. Beyond this, the
government needs to let us know how soon they will address the concerns about NDIA, NCN, NICIL, NIS, etc which are festering sores on our national psyche. Also, the Opposition parties should urgently reform GECOM which has a tainted past under the present Chairman who was the spin twin of the Chief Elections Officer, and who lacks credibility. Further, the government
needs to let the public know how even a junior minister has amassed more wealth than Burnham, Hoyte and the Jagans put together. After all, supporters of the PPP are concerned that the present leaders of the party have the guts to claim that they are following the example of Cheddi Jagan. Cheddi was never perceived/accused/ suspected of stealing from
How can the custodians of our nation be so inflexible? DEAR EDITOR, The more one tries to understand and comprehend Guyana’s politics and politicians the more dispirited and pessimistic one becomes about Guyana’s future development prospects. It is near impossible to comprehend how the custodians of our nation can be so inflexible, and even reckless, when it comes to ensuring that the nation’s best interests are advanced and preserved. At a time when the stakes are so large for our country, we see our politicians playing small. Small in the sense that what only seems to matter is the advancement and preservation
of the party to which they belong. It’s as though they have collectively decided “we will do what’s best in the interests of our parties’ chances at the next election cycle.” I find this, and I’m sure many others, a very troubling and unfortunate stance that a small emerging country, such as Guyana, cannot withstand or even accommodate. The constant wrangling and quibbling is swiftly becoming the norm among the political elites. On one side it is tough to get any action on important issues and initiatives and on the other end we find a nonchalant and casual approach to nixing any initiative or legislation that is in the country’s best interests.
The end result has been deathblows after deathblows to legislating and implementing many important initiatives for Guyana. Who suffers? Well, just the rest of us who constitute “the people.” One must not, and cannot, lose hope though. I believe that we still have well meaning men and women among our political establishment who are willing to say enough is enough and start to do what is right for Guyana. A simple telephone call from one side to the other to genuinely deliberate and engage on AntiMoney Laundering and Countering of Terrorism Bill, establishment of the Public Procurement Commission,
identifying senior board officers of the Integrity Commission, and developing an open and inclusive mechanism to ensure a hydro plant is developed are just a few areas to start the proverbial “ball” rolling. It can be done! It must be done! However, the question remains, are our politicians listening or even care? I guess only time will tell. Clinton Urling
the public purse. With his passing and that of Janet Jagan along with the exit of Moses, Ralph and other stalwarts, the PPP has now gone to the dogs. The current and immediate past President are fine examples of non-leader material. What they excel in is ‘busing like blackguard
women’ in public. The others in the PPP mimic these rantings and are all obsessed with devouring the sustenance of the poor and powerless in our country. Their avarice and greed have no limits and has been increasing by geometric progression. Ed Singh
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Sunday October 27, 2013
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The responsibility of reparations Burnham and Jagan got only 38% of the registered voters in 1953
DEAR EDITOR, I have read the joint statement on reparations in Stabroek October 12 by Duane Edwards, Melissa Ifill, Charlene Wilkinson and Tacuma Ogunseye. I share the approach for wider participation and dissemination of information on this subject, so that trusted individuals can be involved in this process. This is an ancestral responsibility and not to be taken for granted. I have also read Eric Phillips’ response to their letter and I would like to make a clarification on what he did not say, which requires me to outline how ACDA, the organization that Eric interacts with, is constructed. ACDA’s affairs, public and internal, are overseen by committees which are subject to ‘The’ Steering committee. Eric never in the context of Reparations, before the recent Caribbean meeting, participated with the whole ACDA Steering committee on this subject. There’s deja vu with his current letter, and one written by Eric on line, in defence of Minister Frank Anthony in the high handed way that the Minister handled the 1823 Monument placement. President Ramotar is holding the top political public servant position but he should not have mandatorily presumed that he needed not to consult the interest group organizations to appoint a representative/s on their behalf. This is outside of his political jurisdiction to preside on.
Reparations transcend the State of Guyana. It encompasses references beyond the political existence of the current Guyana. The representative on the committee to represent more than half of this population that lie within the realm of the ancestral responsibility due to the descendants entitled for Reparations, must rest within their trust and not that of a ’familiar’ of the State’s liking. ACDA, in the knowledge that we alone cannot speak for all entitled to embrace Reparations, ex., Georgetown, East and West Coasts of our counties, Linden, Berbice and other river communities etc., participated in a gathering with representatives of several groups concerning the item of Reparations, and certain initiatives were agreed upon. Eric again was absent from that meeting, resolved in what appears to be his singular quest. In his letter to the above mentioned brothers and sisters,[ Who were not at that meeting] Eric recited an ironic statement “Envy is never a good negotiating posture and discontent because of self interest is a poor way to live. And it is not the African way.” I should add another African statement that defines an entire and greater philosophy... “That one does not eat his own flesh” This covers Incestuous behaviour both physically and metaphysically, and applies to those who pretend to conduct business on behalf of the tribe outside of their knowledge, through which others may undermine them, while he who eats his own flesh benefits, thus the paradox and superficiality of Eric’s recitation, an illusive
construct of words, that requires an apology. This PPP Government due to its overwhelming insincerity to national development without personal kickbacks, its pathological nature of dishonesty, separates Guyana from the rest of the Caribbean in the context of Reparation representation. Let me present a nightmarish metaphor. Suppose Reparations towards Guyanese receives $100. Euros. Immediately that would be placed in NICIL and with Winston Brassington presiding over every pence, in whose interest? Next, we will be told that reparations, an Ancestral responsibility, has been converted towards national debt write offs. It was agreed tentatively that the State is allowed a representative, a protocol presence, but the chaperone duties must remain with the confidant/e of the groups mentioned. All Guyana listens to Parliament, and does not miss Bro’s Ram and Gaskin, I have a fair idea about the transparency of public funds accountability under this administration. Thus, the question of reparations which has been an issue for decades after colonisation, which during the not so cold war shrank into the background, now, at the disposal of this administration, is a terrifying concept. Today It does not matter which of the former Plantation Nations that has spiralled reparations back on the rhythm of the drums. Its calling is to all, and its responsibility commands the councils to steer the course. I will close with the Biblical resolution [Genesis 15, 15.] on our conduct towards our secular duties to our young and unborn, that we fulfil our political, historical and cultural obligations, “ And thou shall go to thy fathers in peace;” Barrington Braithwaite
DEAR EDITOR, In the first three weeks of October 2013 the independent dailies, the SN and KN, published quite a few columns and letters on the farcical power sharing and national unity talks of the PPP and PNC that lasted from 1975 to 1985. Some PPP supporters harked back to the days of “national unity” when Burnham and Jagan led a united PPP to victory in 1953. It was Dr Jagan’s, and the PPP’s, narrative that they had achieved “unity” with a resounding victory at the polls with PPP winning two thirds of the seats. But was it really a landslide victory as it appeared to be. The 1953 elections were held under the first past the post system and the 18 seats that the PPP won was not a true reflection of the wishes of the people. If anything that election highlighted the weaknesses of the first past the post system. Of 205,296 registered voters, only 152,231 citizens voted and the PPP captured 77,613 votes. The PPP got 51% of votes cast but only 38% of the registered voters. So in real terms it was not a landslide victory as the PPP narrative made it out to be, as 62% of the voters did not vote for it, although the PPP was the only nation- wide organized party. One cannot rightly claim that the results reflected “national unity.” The results merely reflected the pre existing absence of hostile racial competition for political power. Prior to the 1953 elections, only the educated and propertied were allowed to vote and those classes of people had voted in elections before and were therefore experienced voters, except of course the first timers. Up to the 1947 elections such voters voted on issues rather than race as was evidenced with African voters consistently electing Indians
such as Debedin, Edun, and Jacob rather than their African opponents. That explained why Indians in 1953 voted for PPP African candidates rather than Indian candidates. With the advent of universal suffrage in 1953 the uneducated masses in the rural and urban areas, especially the sugar estates and the depressed centres in Georgetown voted for the first time and it was those voters who gave the PPP victory. In 1953 the educated and propertied classes were suspicious of the PPP’s communist rhetoric and voted for the conservative candidates who received 49% of the votes cast. Almost 30% of the registered voters stayed home. It meant that Burnham and Jagan had failed to rally the entire country to their cause. It is instructive to learn how they won over the uneducated voters because that set the stage for the political unrest that would begin to unfold in 1955. Dr Mohan Ragbeer, who knew all the main political actors and usually kept notes for them, in his recently published book, “The Indelible Red Stain,” recorded the manner in which Jagan secured the rural Indian votes and Burnham those of the urban depressed. Dr Ragbeer in 1961 at his sister Hardai’s house where Jagan had gone to collect his monthly donation, had this to say to Jagan, “ ..they say you bamboozle country coolies with words they don’t understand, with your wonderful smile and charm and your white wife; they say you make claims of being the first to do this or say that, when in fact some of the people you blast were the very ones who started to push for self government, and long before you and Burnham came on the scene; in other words with or without you two, self-government and independence would have
come about in the fifties. Many believe and Tulla Bunoye used to say that you delayed it, only now you blame everyone else and tell estate people that. You can’t get away with that among sophisticated folks, so you destroy them with words.” Burnham did not have a white wife to aid his political ambitions but he had oratory skills which he used to befuddle and dazzle the illiterates with words, sometimes wrongly used. Dr Ragbeer wrote, “ Burnham referred to a poor man as a ‘tatterdemalion or caitiff’ rather than tramp or beggar. In one speech he called his listeners ‘faex populi’ and ‘frugres consumer nati.’ He referred to party and union leaders as ‘dramatis personae,’ and to followers as ‘our fellowship or solidarity of men of like minds.’ His opponents were ‘Jacobins,Finians’ and ‘assorted quislings and their puppets.’ He talked of ‘scrimmages’ and ‘casus belli’ and ‘lex talonis.’ He promised his supporters a ‘cornucopia of ingesta and a plethora of ambrosial libation’.” And so Burnham mesmerized and hypnotized his supporters and led them into mob politics against the PPP in the early 1960’s that destroyed the social and moral fabric of our society. When Burnham was confronted by world renowned historian and scholar Dr Walter Rodney in the 1970’s, his use of Latin phraseology deserted him and he chose to deal with Walter by way of assassination in June 1980. It was the culmination of criminalized politics that Burnahm had initiated in the 1960’s. Those who contend that Burnham had “vision” must explain where was his “vision” when he started mob politics and when he murdered Dr Walter Rodney. Malcolm Harripaul
This is unadulterated nonsense by any standard DEAR EDITOR, I read with shock the contention of Mr. Pollard, SC, in the October 24 edition of
the Stabroek News, that defence counsel has no ethical obligation to disclose an association with members
of the jury. The learned Senior Counsel claims he arrived at this conclusion after “research”; the particulars of
which he failed to disclose. The Effect of this argument is that it is proper and ethical for defence counsel to have friends, colleagues, and possibly relatives on a jury! The outrageousness of this argument is plain to the rational mind. Perversity of justice is the obvious consequence. No civilized justice system will permit such travesty. I challenge anyone to prove me wrong. I am not a lawyer, but Mr. Pollard’s contention is unadulterated nonsense by any standard. SundarNauth
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
St. Vincent Govt. launches 12-year development plan Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves displays a copy of the Plan while making the feature address. (IWN photo)
KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent - The Government on Friday launched the National Economic and Social Development Plan 20132015 with Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves saying that it will be a roadmap for any administration here over the next 12 years. “We are seeking to do something in the socio-economic sphere to build a home-grown consensus as to where we should be going,” Gonsalves said at the launch, which comes two days ahead of the celebration of the nation’s 34th anniversary of Independence. The Plan offers a vision for improving the quality of life for all Vincentians and is anchored in the achievement of eight “superarching goals”, the Government says. The goals are: 1. High and sustained levels of economic growth. 2. Reduced unemployment and poverty levels. 3. Improved physical infrastructure and environmental sustainability. 4. High levels of human and social development. 5. A peaceful, safe and secure nation. 6. A technologically advanced workforce. 7. A deep sense of national pride and cultural renaissance. 8. Regional integration. Gonsalves, delivering the feature address at the launch of the Plan in Kingstown, noted that citizens in 2009 rejected proposed changes to the nation’s Constitution. The government had argued then that the changes would have made the constitution more home-grown. “And in this one, the politicians have not been out-front,” he said of the Plan, which seeks to improve on previous Plans which spanned the period 1947 to 1995. “Now, we have put down our marker. We, as a people have put down our marker in consensus,” he said, adding that there has been wide-ranging discussion, and that the Government has brought in foreign experts to suggest “a body of ideas which we may be able to incorporate in it” and also drew on local experiences and the local condition. “If someone wants to challenge the bases, the premises and this outcome document, I am willing to engage in a debate on that subject. And don’t threat it flippantly, this Plan,” Gonsalves said. “Threat it as s serious effort, home-grown, where we are engaged, as a civilised people, in an act of self-mastery.” Gonsalves acknowledged the possibility that there might be “another perspective, another set of ideas, different to these. “But I will wager that whatever happens in the political sphere over the next 12 years,
that anybody who comes to the crease has to take guard with this. … If this tells you that you have to bat on middle and leg, that is where you have to bat. You can’t go and bat outside of the off stump. Don’t let anybody else fool you about that,” he said. “This is a consensus for socio-economic development. I am not telling you it is a blueprint. But when you go to the next election and you see the manifestos of the two major political parties, if you don’t find the ideas here reflected in both of them, then you know one of them [is] wrong,” said Gonsalves, whose Unity Labour Party will seek a fourth term in office in general elections due by the end of 2015. “And I will wager too that both manifestos will be reflecting what is in here because they constitute a consensus,” he further said. “We have had too much unserious discussion by people who don’t understand a number of these kinds of questions and people who are just too glib without a sufficiency of reflection.’ But Gonsalves also anticipated and responded to some of the criticism of the Plan, most notably the absence of a framework for the private sector. “… if it is critiqued that it doesn’t provide a lot of details as to what other sectors would be doing other than how the State is fashioning the framework in this partnership, it is because it is not a centrally-planned regime, not a centrally-planned economy, in which the State has control over the level of foreign direct investment and of domestic investment and what is possible in all of the sectors, in a specific timeframe or what is likely to be accomplished,” he said, Gonsalves said the Plan speaks to the principal areas for attracting investment and assistance in the development of the domestic private sector — working with the cooperative sector and the State. “I want the point to be clear. This is not the Soviet Union, nor indeed East Germany or Cuba - particularly Cuba in a more pristine centrally-planed economic phase,” Gonsalves said. “This is a Plan, which has to take account of the realities of our own economic structures and systems. So if you expect detailed predictions or plans for what different sections of the private sector would be doing, you are not going to get that here. What we are doing is to set the frame and the broad polices which would be required to have the optimal development.” Gonsalves further said the Plan is “not cast in concrete. “You provide a framework, you give it focus but it has a sufficient flexibility, which permits amendments, alterations…
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Anti-money laundering laws…
Dem boys seh
Worried banks want quick resolution DE SCAMPS LIKE BIG THING to Parliamentary stalemate The bankers’ association has joined calls by the private sector for adjustments to the laws to halt the flow of dirty money through the financial system. In a published statement in yesterday’s Kaieteur News, the Guyana Associations of Bankers (GAB) urged for action to end the current political impasse which has left the amendments to the Anti–Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act (AML/ CFTAct) in limbo. The Bills laid earlier this year are critical to stop impending sanctions against Guyana for not having proper mechanisms in place to reduce the likelihood of monies, derived through illegal means, ending up in the hands of terrorists, Government said. Guyana has until next month to pass the legislations in the National Assembly before a regional review by an oversight body. However, the legislations when tabled earlier this year by Government were sent by the Opposition to a special select Parliamentary committee to be studied. This was despite protestations by Government that the country could face sanctions. Earlier this week, in the absence of the Opposition, the Government completed work in the select committee and announced that it be taking it back to the National Assembly for debate and hopefully passage. According the banks, a strong AML/CFT legislative framework is fundamental to the continued functioning of all of Guyana’s commercial banks, in accordance with acceptable international standards. “It is important that Guyana enact the recommendations of the CFATF (Caribbean Financial Action Task Force) which include certain amendments to the current law that are comprehensive and satisfactorily compliant with all international and domestic requirements.” GAB members include Bank of Baroda, Citizens Bank Guyana Inc., Demerara Bank Limited, Guyana Bank For Trade and Industry, Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited and the Bank of Nova Scotia. According to paid advertisements, in terms of implications from the nonpassage of the laws in time, Guyana could very well see bank-to-bank relationships and business between the country’s commercial banks and foreign banks be halted for an unknown amount of time. “This includes relationships with commercial banks in sister CARICOM territories. The foreign banks may opt not to do business at all with Guyana’s
banks if Guyana’s AML/CFT laws do not meet the standard required by the requisite AML/ CFT bodies (in this case the CFATF) and are thereby inadequate to provide those institutions with the requisite level of comfort to conduct business with local banks.” There had been many warnings of implications but no real clarity until now from the banking sector. Also likely to be affected is adequate access to foreign exchange in a timely manner. “Members of the public may experience difficulty in sending to or receiving money from overseas through commercial banks and cambios if the correspondent banking relationships with foreign banks is jeopardized as there may be no bank to bank relationships to foster this activity. Payments in a timely manner to persons overseas for provision of goods and services may be affected.” Likely to be affected also will be the “Letter of Credit” issued by Banks in Guyana which could be refused by the overseas banks. “The total effect of the foregoing is that the impact to the integrity of the local banking sector could significantly reduce the level of international financial activities that Guyana’s commercial banks can engage in.” GAB made it clear that a strong AML/CFT legislative framework is fundamental to the continued functioning of all of Guyana’s commercial banks in accordance with acceptable international standards. The issue has sharply
Local banks have called for political agreements to solve the impasse on anti-money laundering laws. divided the National Assembly with theAlliance For Change, the smaller of the two Opposition parties, saying it is willing to consider backing the legislative changes once Government agrees to establish the longoverdue Public Procurement Commission. A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), Parliament’s largest Opposition faction, has made it clear that it has not made an input in the legislations and is unlikely to back it in the current format when it is tabled in the National Assembly sometime next month. The current 10th Parliament has been mired in deadlocks, including budget cuts since the 2011 General and Regional Elections. For the first time in 18 years, the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic lost its majority, although retaining the Presidency.
The one-seat edge held by the combine Opposition has been proving difficult with the ruling party now seriously considering heading to snap elections. The issue of the antimoney laundering legislations has drawn not only the banks, but the insurance companies and private sector bodies.
Fuh de last three weeks de Waterfalls paper start fuh expose some of de scampish deals that Jagdeo think woulda remain in de dark or stay secret forever. When de story start fuh come out people overseas and nuff in Guyana call pun dem neighbor fuh cut out de thing and even print out de thing and study every word like when school pickney a study fuh exams. In any other country people woulda gone to jail wid dem exposure. In some country riot woulda bruck out. De exposure of de corrupt deals wha de Waterfalls paper throw out mek people get numb. Poor Donald, he get dumb. And some of dem who get expose had de nerve to get vex. Dem cuss de Waterfalls paper but people cuss dem back. Now plenty people want to know if dem ain’t got no way fuh tek back all de things that dem thief. Some of dem call and ask why dem couldn’t get such sweetness. Dem boys want tell dem people wha ask that question that is who pass dem hand, keep dem mouth shut, dem is de people who get de best deal. People don’t know why Jagdeo hustling fuh build a Marriott. Dem boys mouth ain’t stitch up or got scotch tape pun it. Dem boys hear de true story de other day. A man tell dem boys that Badal buy de stock feed plant just after Jagdeo became president and de same Badal, didn’t give nobody dem piece. Nuff people get vex and de straw bruck. In de end Badal tek over all de shares and lef Jagdeo and Brazzy without any. Dem keep dem eye pun he all de time. When dem Pegasus sell dem want that too and Badal outsmart dem again. And again he ain’t give dem no small piece. Dem get more vex. Dem boys seh that dem did try fuh mash up de feed market and didn’t get through. Now dem using de Marriott fuh fight he and all because he refuse to pay a big piece and not a small piece as dem boys think it was. De Sanata is de biggest complex so dem boys can see that de scamps never like anything small. Talk half and keep you eyes everyday pun dem scamps.
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Abandoned Timehri toddlers find love in foster homes By Dale Andrews Three years ago, I received a telephone call informing me that the police had rescued three children aged five, three and six weeks old. They were abandoned by their mother in a shack at Timehri. Such news was rare at that time, and although I had covered a case of a physically challenged child being tied to a bed and left alone in a shack on the West Bank of Demerara, I was not prepared for what I was about to experience. I know that many fathers abandoned their children but one would hardly expect a mother to do likewise especially when a six-weekold is involved. But while children are being abandoned every day, there are many who are willing to take them into their homes and give them a life that they might have only dreamed of. These are the foster parents and I was pleasantly surprised when, earlier last week, I met one of them who has graciously taken one of the abandoned Timehri trio, Baby Sonia, into his home and is giving her a life that many children will envy. Even her two older siblings exhibited a glow that clearly spelt out that they too are being afforded a decent life in foster care with a separate family. I was so impressed with
The shack at Timehri from which the children were rescued. the bond they still have, although they have been separated at such a tender age. I was told that at the insistence of the older brother who had cared for them while they were on their own, there is an arrangement for them to see each other at least four times a year. But to really get a clear picture of how they ended up where they are now, we have to go back to June 2011. I can vividly recall when I first got the report of the police discovering three children left alone for days in a shack aback of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri, along the road leading to the Dakara Creek. Thanks to the caring neighbours, the police at Timehri were informed and along with officials from the Ministry of Human Services
Child Protection Agency, rescued the children. Initial reports had stated that the children’s mother had left them in the care of a 66year-old physically challenged male foster relative, while she reportedly went to purchase snacks at a shop. Days later neighbours, realising that the woman had not been seen for a while, moved into the shack, only to find the children living in squalor. They said that the sixyear-old was doing his best to care for his two younger sisters. The two female ranks from the Timehri Police Station who responded, reacted as many mothers would, crying bitterly, upon seeing the children. To this day the children’s mother has not returned and
there are reports that she has started another family somewhere else in Guyana. One of the concerned neighbours had said that the children’s mother had been known to leave them alone for days, so at first there was no major alarm. At the time, the eldest of the children, a boy, who was five years old, would only say that neighbours had been providing them with meals, but they had to sleep alone at nights. I had taken photographs of the rescued children immediately after they were taken into the protective custody of the Child Care Protection Agency. When I saw them on Wednesday through an arrangement with the head of the CPA, Ann Greene, I was impressed by the way they had “matured”; their mannerism and language were impeccable. The older brother, Ronaldo, is now seven years old and along with his now five-year-old sister, they are in one home and attend a private school. When I asked him about his real mother and father, he was quick to point out “We don’t have no daddy!” About his mother, he said that he does not know where she is and when his little sister tried to suggest that their mother was at home, he reminded her that they were left alone at home. He told me that his mother had left the home telling them
Seven-year-old Ronaldo and his five-year-old sister are fond of books. that she was going to a nearby shop. “We were sitting in the verandah whole day, waiting on her, then I see her (pointing to his five year old sister) drop to sleep and I carry her to her bed. But mommy didn’t come back at all,” he said. The young man spoke of feeding his six-week-old sister with the pot of tea that his mother had left on the stove, while he and his other sister spent hours at the neighbour in order to get something to eat. “I used to light the candle, make tea for baby Sonia…Mommy had a big pot
it was full and I used to dip it (tea) out and feed her. In the night I put on pampers on her and put her in the corner and we will sleep.” The morning after their mother disappeared was the dawn of a new life for them. “She (five year old) started crying, Baby Sonia started crying.” Thinking beyond his age, Ronaldo took the older sister over to some neighbours and allowed her to play with the aim of drowning away their loneliness and hunger. But he kept his baby sister with him all the time. “I Continued on page 14
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Sunday October 27, 2013
Growing up in a children’s home saved my life - Journalist, Leroy Smith Had he not been given food and shelter by those at the Alpha Children’s Home in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Journalist, Leroy Smith believes that he would not have been alive today. Smith said that at age 28, he had seen his mother only four times. His maternal grandmother was his saviour and shining armor; she did everything she could to take care of her daughter’s five children. “I was the youngest,” he said, explaining that after a while, the pressure became too much for his old grandmother to handle, and that she needed help in taking care of her grandbabies. Her helplessness caused Leroy to be shipped from one home to another. “It wasn’t easy,” he said, noting that one day, his grandmother, the only woman who he has ever called “mommy” met some persons from the Convalescent Home and explained her situation. “When she told them about us, they asked her to take the children for them to see us. One of the nurses liked my sister and she took
her into her care.” Leroy’s innocent smile captured the eyes of another nurse named Jennifer Marshall, who not only welcomed him into her Ogle, East Coast Demerara home, but also wholeheartedly accepted him into her life. Leroy started attending school and all was going well; his grandmother would frequently visit and take him to visit his siblings wherever they were staying. He was happy, but this was short lived. “Ms. Marshall got through to go to Antigua, and I stayed with her sister for about a year, and then I was sent back to live with my grandmother.” It was the first of several such situations that the little boy would face in the next few years. Returning to his grandmother, Leroy began attending Tucville Primary School. During that time, his older brother was living at the Alpha Children’s Home in New Amsterdam, Berbice. His brother had reached age to leave the home, and Leroy’s grandmother felt that
the best thing she could do for her youngest grandson was to send him to a place where he could be properly taken care of. Leroy was nine years old when he became a resident of the Alpha Children’s Home; his memories aren’t that vivid, but Leroy recalls that leaving his grandmother felt like they were millions of miles apart, and that he felt bad. A few weeks of living in the Alpha Children’s Home proved to be an eye-opener for Leroy; he became much more cognizant of his surroundings and the way people operate. Leroy said that he was forced to learn about life and the ways of the world from an early age; he knew that he would have to stand up for himself and be brave. Recalling his six years spent at the home, Leroy said that it was the best thing that has ever happened to him, stressing that “if it wasn’t for me living in a home, I would not have been alive today.” He added that it was never a boot camp, since the home had rules which would apply to any regular
household. Leroy, who has been a reporter for eight years, said that he found it exciting; his friends all lived under the same roof, his tummy was always satisfied and he always had clothes to wear and supplies to attend school. Leroy said that the perception that people have about orphanages and children’s homes may not always be correct, since there are benefits to living in such institutions as opposed to living on the streets with no food, clothing or shelter. He recalls the home receiving donations and the goodies being stored in one room and loaned to the children. “If we wore a shirt to go a function or so, we would have to come and put it back in the storeroom. Ms. Boyer used to joke “yal come tek off back the people clothes and put it up,” a smiling Leroy Smith said. He explained that an overseas church based in Atlanta catered for the needs of the home and its occupants. Leroy praised the caretaker of the home, Doreen Boyer. He describes her as a very strict woman who always ensured that the children were properly cared for. “I remember one time, we did something wrong, and a staff of the home punished us
Leroy Smith by sending us to bed hungry, when Ms. Boyer found out, the woman had to get up from her bed and cook for us. We finished having dinner around 10 pm that night,” Leroy said. He was fond of her, but after a while, she too exited Leroy’s life. A year before Leroy became eligible to leave the Alpha children’s Home at Berbice, he moved to another branch of the home at Atlantic Gardens on the East Coast of Demerara. Leroy moved back with his grandmother and completed school, securing satisfactory marks at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC). The church also facilitated Leroy’s tertiary education. During his time studying, Leroy said that he opted to meet his father- Leroy Peters. “I have met my mother four times in my whole life...my grandmother had told me about my father and so I went to look for him” Leroy said that after meeting his father, he found out that he had three other brothers also
named Leroy, and that he was the eldest. “When I met him, he explained to me why we had lost contact and so, and I think he wasn’t wrong...I also felt good that he named his other sons after me; I didn’t feel forgotten,” a smiling Leroy Smith said. Leroy said that his experiences taught him not to depend on anyone for anything, so he opted to apply for a job. With the passing of his grandmother, a devastated Leroy knew that he had to make something of himself, not only for himself, but for his grandmother, who had always done the best she could for him. Leroy’s first job was as a technical operator at the National Communications Network. His aim was always to become a Reporter and after a few years of work this became a reality. Reflecting on what life would’ve have been like without the guidance of his grandmother and the shelter of the children’s home, Leroy said that he would have been dead trying to do it alone.
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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National environmental strategy 40 Early Childhood Development needed for green economy Practitioners certified by UG
The protection of the population from hazards, and the preservation of the environment from further degradation so that it can be transformed into a “green economy” is what A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is calling for. This they posit is achievable through a national environmental strategy that the Peoples Progressive Party/ Civic should implement. Opposition Leader David Granger in a press briefing held recently at his office in Hadfield Street, said that “APNU is convinced that Guyana’s favorable geographical location, rich mineral and natural resources should be conducive to developing a ‘green economy’ – one that generates growth and human happiness in ways that are consistent with economic exploitation of those resources.” Granger defined the green economy as one where sustainable social and economic prosperity, coupled with environmental security is achievable for the current generation to satisfy its needs without “jeopardizing the opportunity of future generations to satisfy theirs.” According to Granger, there is a need for the establishment of a national environmental strategy that would focus on the major environmental issues plaguing the Guyanese populace. He opined that “Guyana’s biggest problems are those of air and water pollution, deforestation, coastal zone conservation, flooding, marine litter, public health, solid waste management and damage to rivers and forests by poorly regulated mining and logging practices. These are all harmful to the people’s health and well-being.” Elaborating on the issues, Granger outlined that air pollution poses a serious health threat to residents
- Granger
living close to rice and saw mills, who inhale the dust and develop respiratory complications. Providing an example he posited that “residents of the West Bank of the Demerara River in the mining town of Linden endured decades of dust pollution. They have all called on the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Health to investigate industries which discharge dust into the air.” Granger added that Marine litter also constitute an environmental hazard because it consists of manmade material that does not decompose easily, when thrown into the Marine and coastal environment, and forms a buildup of waste. “ Evidence indicates that the vast majority of marine litter comes from land-based sources such as municipal landfills located near to the coast, riverine transportation, untreated municipal sewage, overflows from commercial agricultural and industrial facilities and recreational activities on the coast,” Granger established. Speaking to the issue of public health, Granger emphasized that particularly within the interior regions; “reckless mining practices and water pollution” have contributed to the persistence of diarrhea, vector borne, chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Due to the stagnant pits that have been abandoned, the prevalence of Malaria has risen. He said “Rivers are still the main, sometimes sole, source of fresh water for drinking, bathing, washing and for travelling to farms for
Leader of the Opposition David Granger hinterland communities, but the courses of some rivers have been altered by erosion and tailings from the mining industry. Residents have frequently complained of skin disorders after using river water.” Meanwhile, on the issue of solid waste management Granger outlined that this area “remains the single, greatest challenge to people living in the city, towns, neighbourhoods and villages all over the country. Municipalities lack the resources to improve the collection and safe disposal of debris and waste,” he stated. The opposition leader is convinced that the national environment strategy would help in formulating policies that would aid in curbing the environmental ills that exist, thereby guarantying a green economy, which he posits would be beneficial since it, would “generate more than enough wealth to transform the hinterland into a land of prosperity. There could be enough money to finance the schools, security and infrastructure that are the foundations on which to build and equitable society.”
Aimed at ensuring that Early Childhood Development (ECD) is given the crucial attention it requires, some 40 individuals were this weekend certified as Early Childhood Development Practitioners by the University of Guyana (UG). A simple graduation ceremony was held at the Education Lecture Theatre of UG’s Turkeyen Campus. The programme which is sponsored by the United Nations Children Fund, (UNICEF) caters for caregivers in Regions Two, Four, Six, and 10. They were drawn from public and private Day Care Centers and Play Groups across the country, including the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the municipalities. According to Programme Coordinator, Godryne Wintz, the training is aligned with CARICOM’s regulatory framework and standards for promoting early childhood development. The mission of the programme is to provide a standardized education and training programme for practitioners in the early childhood service sector within the context of the CARICOM Regional Qualification Framework. Wintz disclosed that 16 of the 25 participants attained distinctions, and five gained credit in Level One of the programme. In Level Two, five of the
15 participants attained the level of distinction while eight attained the level of credit. Wintz said that that statistics show an increase by 64% in the number of students gaining distinction at Level One this year as against 40% in 2012. Level Two she said has remained constant with 30%. The courses offered at Level One are: Introduction to Child Development, Health Education, Introduction to Child Care Curriculum, Parent Involvement, Child Care Profession, and Child Care Practicum. The Level Two programmes are just as diverse, including: Child Care Profession, Social Development of the Young Child, General Health Issues and Practice, Sensory and Motor Development, Cognition and Communication, Curriculum Planning and Evaluation and Child Care Practicum. Wintz explained that the Level One programme is geared at providing practitioners with the requirements for obtaining or performing at entry level jobs within the setting of providing child care services, whereas Level Two is a bit more complex, and caters for those wanting to pursue a higher level in that field. “A minimum grade point
average of 2.0 is considered acceptable for a pass. Against this criterion, 92.5% of the 40 practitioners successfully completed the programme,” while three practitioners need to complete the programme requirement to meet the minimum level. It was emphasized that since children learn faster from birth to three years old, the role of the graduating practitioners are vital, and needs to be given more importance in society. Wintz said that a successful graduate of this programme will be able to employ and promote childrearing practices which can positively shape children’s attitudes towards learning, and influence their overall care and development. In this regard, she said that the aim of the programme is to develop the relevant knowledge, practical skills and attitudes which will allow ECD practitioners to effectively carry out their duties. Once equipped with the skills of this programme, Wintz assured that persons will have greater responsibility for the children in their care. She offered too that the programme provides competencies needed for advancement into higher level training programmes in the area of early childhood.
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ImmigrationINFO (Immigration News For Our Community)
VISITOR VISAS –
Business & Pleasure As an immigration attorney, the most frequent question I get asked is “How can I get a visitor or tourist visa”. Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The visitor visa is a noni m m i g r a n t v i s a f o r persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). Persons planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose, such as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc, must apply for a different visa in the appropriate category. Travelers from certain eligible countries may also be able to visit the U.S. without a visa, through the Visa Waiver Program. VISA WAIVER PROGRAM: The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The thirty-six countries that participate in the VWP are: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.
QUALIFYING FORA VISITOR VISA: Applicants for visitor/ tourist visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that: (1) the purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment; (2) they plan to remain for a specific, limited period; and (3) they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit. It is important to note that the officers at the U.S. Embassy have discretion in granting and denying applications for visitor/ tourist visas. Each U.S. Embassy has specific application procedures so it is recommended that you check with your local U.S. Embassy for application fees and requirements. APPLICATION PROCESS: You must: 1) complete the online visa application (Form DS-160) and pay an application fee and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview. You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. You must schedule an appointment for your visa interview, generally, at the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at any U.S. embassy or consulate, but be aware that it may be difficult to qualify for a visa outside
Gail S. Seeram of your place of permanent residence. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. PASSING THROUGH A U.S. PORT OF ENTRY: Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. U.S. Custom and Border Protection has the authority to deny admission, and determine the period for which the bearer of a visa is authorized to remain in the United States. At the port of entry, an Immigration official must authorize the traveler ’s admission to the U.S. At that time the Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay permitted, is stamped. Those visitors who wish to stay beyond the time indicated on their Form I-94 must contact the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to request an extension of stay. The decision to grant or deny a request for extension of stay is made solely by the USCIS.
Sunday October 27, 2013
Abandoned Timehri toddlers... From page 11 had her in my hand…we just had the tea for her,” he told me. He was reluctant to say he was hungry and only admitted it when his sister chided him. “When Baby Sonia drop to sleep, we went fishing and catch a big fish like this,” he said, opening is hands to show me the size. The neighbour cooked it for them and that kept them going for a while. He recalled when after days of being alone and malnourished, they were taken to a holding facility where they were later seen by their foster parents who eventually took them into their home. I got the distinct impression that these are the best days of their young lives so far, since their present dwelling is a far cry from the shack they were taken from. “They show us our own bedroom. We had stuff, we were playing. Our bedroom is nice, we have pictures on the wall and stuff, like Spiderman,” he said. They see their foster mother as their real mom, for every time I ask about their mother they call the foster mother’s name. Both Ronaldo and his five-year-old sister maintain that they are quite comfortable in their foster home although, he pointed out that he may want to see his mother sometime, maybe to ask her why she abandoned them. “But no I won’t go back with her; I want to stay here (with my foster parents). I like the dog, Cocoa, I get to walk her on holidays,” Ronaldo said, while his bubbly little sister kept correcting him every time he slipped up. “We get macaroni and cheese,” she blurted out. Head of the Child Care Protection Agency, Miss Ann Greene had praised the police
Two-year-old baby Sonia has also found a caring foster home. for the work they did in rescuing the children. “The baby showed signs of neglect, like diaper rash, but nothing serious…. The baby is too small to remain in an environment like that (Red Cross),” Green had informed two years ago. Soon enough, a foster home was found for Baby Sonia and I had the privilege last week of seeing her with her foster father, a banker by profession. He told me that since she has come into his family’s life, she has been a blessing to them. The foster father explained that he and his wife had one child and they were having a bit of a difficulty getting another. “We were always on the look out to see what would happen. Then by some strange luck of coincidence we saw the case (of the three abandoned children) and my wife got very interested from day one.” He said that his wife contacted the agency and they signed up for the Foster Care Programme and soon enough they have provided a home for Baby Sonia. I could not help notice
New GECOM commissioner was allegedly fingered in vote manipulation Newly sworn in Guyana Elections Commissioner (GECOM) Athmaram Mangar was fingered by internal officers for allegedly trying to manipulate votes in the 2006 general and regional elections. According to a source Mangar was then a computer programmer at GECOM when the discovery was made. The source went on to explain that it was very surprising that Mangar was chosen as . Efforts yesterday to contact officials from GECOM proved futile yesterday. Mangar, was recently sworn in as a replacement for former PPP/C Commissioner Jaya Devi Manickchand who resigned. As GECOM workload increases in preparation for Local Government elections long overdue, GECOM has already demarcated the 71 district boundaries and constituencies. Vincent Alexander, a Commissioner of the Guyana Election Commission, back in July, had suggested that there was a deliberate attempt to manipulate the results of the 2011 General and Regional elections. The 2011 elections was a crucial one at which the ruling party, for the first time in 20 years, lost its voting majority in the National
Assembly—by one seat. According Alexander, former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Gocool Boodoo’s action, in his preparation and near flawed declaration of the results of the 2011 elections, giving the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) a parliamentary majority, was no mistake. Immediately after the 2011 elections,Alexander had highlighted a discrepancy in Boodoo’s calculation that had excluded the 25 constituency seats and only taken 40 seats into consideration. Boodoo’s original calculation had given the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) 33 seats with 48.57 percent of votes, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) 26 and Alliance For Change (AFC) six. However, the “accurate” calculation resulted in the PPP/C being given 32 seats, APNU 26 and AFC seven, giving the opposition the majority in parliament. Alexander, who sits as a Commissioner in representation of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) said that Boodoo was singularly responsible for converting the vote count into seats.
how she clung to her foster father’s shirt sleeve as he carried her around the room and if I was not aware of who she is, I would have been convinced that she was his biological child. “She’s doing fine. She’s attached to both parents but a little more to me. She’s a very fun loving person and I guess that is why she would gravitate towards me,” the foster farther said. He revealed that Baby Sonia has certainly brought his family luck, since they have since had another baby to go with the older daughter they had before. “I strongly believe that that is what happened; she brought us luck. The baby is one year old now and they play well together and everything.” Even his older child has welcomed baby Sonia into the family with glee. “Actually she was very excited. It was something that she was open to. We were discussing with her for a very long time, so she took on the role well, in fact, she a great help now. She’s ten years old,” the foster father said. There are just some minor challenges with her feet which are being corrected by the use of special shoes, and a little drooling, which is attributed to later development. “We’ve had to endure quite a lot of clinic visits too,” he said. And Baby Sonia is not too different from his other two children. “I think to some extent she blends well, even though she’s different she looks kinda like us. She looks a little more like my wife while the other two looks like me,” the foster father said. “This is one that is high profile because it was publicized…Being a foster parent is a priceless type of activity…It is for one who really open up their home and their heart to take a child and provided that care for a child. If you can provide that care for a child, you just save an entire generation,” Ann Greene said. Guyana will be celebrating foster care month from November 1.
Sunday October 27, 2013
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Guyana gets self-imposed birdwatching ambassador By Sharmain Grainger Although Guyana can be deemed a splendid birdwatching destination for tourists, there is perhaps an existing glitch in terms of how this remarkable tourist feature is marketed. Well at least this was the deduction after birding enthusiast Bill Harvey disclosed that never has Guyana come up in his attempts to find intriguing birding sites. However, Harvey who hails from Washington D.C., United States, has had recent cause to conclude that Guyana may be the ‘land of many waters’ but it is probably one of the best kept secrets in terms of birdwatching. According to him, he has been on birdwatching expeditions throughout the United States, Europe and Central America in the quest to satisfy his craving. His passion is, however, never truly satisfied, as he continues to seek out new birdwatching destinations, an enthusiasm he has embraced since the 1980s. But Harvey, a nurse by profession at the George Washington University Hospital, was completely caught off guard when arrived here last week and learnt that Guyana is in fact one of the best watching destinations in South America. His intended trip here was totally unrelated to birdwatching but rather, his medical profession. He along with 20 others from the US hospital were on a week-long voluntary medical outreach mission, a
Domestic violence is increasing; each day women are under attack by spouses who failed to maintain the relationship and were let go. Restraining orders issued by the courts are useless because the aggrieved spouse is not restrained. Another woman is going to be violently attacked and although neighbours would try to save her, many would retreat because they claim that the police insist that domestic problems should be left to the people involved. Two women would meet a violent fate this week. ** There is going to be a huge public reaction over the death of a child. Of course, the police are going to be blamed for poor investigation. At the same time the police are going to
move aimed at rendering support to the Ministry of Health. A number of surgeries were conducted at both the Georgetown Public Hospital and West Demerara Regional Hospital by the team members, who had also sought to share their expert knowledge during education sessions for local medical staffers. But after the official part of the visit was ended, it was time to engage in some leisure time. And according to Harvey, he was able to meet a remarkable young man by the name of Andy Narine, Vice President and Founder of the Guyana Amazon Tropical Birds Society. Narine, according to Harvey, was only too eager to take him along with five other members of the overseas team on a birdwatching tour. The tour was in fact centred in the Botanical Gardens and Narine wasted no time in making a pitch for local tourism as he eagerly showcased what Guyana has to offer in terms of bird watching. “I have never met such an enthusiastic young man and he was just showing us everything...I was expecting a typical city park with a few bird species...perhaps things that I have never seen before, but nothing too dramatic..” But according to Harvey it wasn’t long after reaching the Botanical Gardens that he was absolutely amazed to be confronted with one of the most amazing birds he has ever seen – a Toco Toucan. The Toco Toucan, also
listen to the families rather than examine the facts. The fear would erupt when talk of vigilante justice surfaces. ** Another road accident is going to hit the nation and once more the police are going to say that they are doing all they could. The solution rests with harsh sentencing by the courts, but the magistrates would say that the law is of no help until they are amended.
known as the Toucan or Common Toucan, is arguably the largest and probably the best known species in the toucan family. In the words of Harvey, “it is one of the most gorgeous birds in the world.” “I couldn’t believe that such an amazing bird was right there in the heart of the city...It was a world class experience,” said Harvey, who ecstatically recalled how it was nothing less than an adventure to see the various bird species. And according to him, the birding tour was complete with the relevant tools including binoculars and “an unbounded love and enthusiasm for the environment and obviously for country.” But although the medical team was set to leave yesterday, Harvey has been so encouraged by what he saw that he has made the decision to remain here awhile longer. In fact he has plans to see more of what Guyana has to offer as a tourist destination. “My wife is a little angry at me, but I am going to stay a bit to see Rock View and the Canopy Walk...and I have heard they do an incredibly good job..,” said Harvey, who commended the customerrelations he has thus far experienced. Not only will a thrilled Harvey be able to get 20 per cent off of his extended sightseeing stay, but he has been provided with a fascinating
Birding enthusiast Bob Harvey and a colleague of the George Washington University Hospital, Doctor Nilda Salaman. and detailed plan to visit Guyana’s interior. “One day I will be on a boat, another day I will be on the Canopy walking...It is completely laid out in a way that is so easy for me and I am so excited to visit the interior,” Harvey said. According to him, it is quite unbelievable that
Guyana is not on the “radar” of many overseas tourists, particularly birdwatchers. This may be the case, he noted, because most persons may opt to embrace the programmes offered by National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institution. “I remember being in Costa Rica for two weeks bird
watching, but no one mentioned Guyana...But believe me, the next time I am with a group of 20 birdwatchers for two weeks they will hear about Guyana.” “I don’t know if word of mouth will help or not, but Guyana has certainly found an ambassador in me,” asserted a smiling Harvey.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 27, 2013
Bury me in a shallow grave By Michael Jordan Had the killers buried her a few feet deeper, it is quite likely that Basmattie Moonsammy would never have been found. She would have just vanished like so many others before her; written off as just another troubled, runaway teen. But then it rained that August, and the downpour led police to discovery of the body, and the young men suspected of killing her. But did they? In late July 2012, Basmattie Moonsammy, also called ‘Manda,’ a student of Woodley Park Primary, disappeared from her parents’ Woodley Park Village, West Berbice home. When days passed and she failed to return, her mother, Padmoutie
‘Padma’ Dyall, a domestic worker, visited the Fort Wellington Police Station and reported her missing. It was not the first time that the troubled teen had disappeared. She was a frequent runaway, but would always return a few days later. On the morning of Saturday, August 4, 2012, Maniram Jainauth, a Woodley Park farmer, was working in his rice field around 10.30 hrs when he saw something partially buried in the mud. On checking closer, Jainauth realised that the ‘something’ was a corpse, buried in a shallow grave but unearthed by recent heavy rains. The farmer instructed his wife to contact the police. Detectives removed the soil and discerned that the victim
was a young female. The victim was lying face-down. She was wearing a shirt and brassiere; her underwear was pulled down to the knees, a length of cloth was knotted around her throat. Checking into the teen’s background, detectives were told that Basmatte shared a relationship with a 20-year-old man who lived at Bath Settlement. They also learnt that less than a year before Basmattie’s murder, the same youth had been acquitted of the murder of another teenage girl. That victim was 13-yearold Kavita Panday, a second form student, whose body was fished out of a trench aback of Block ‘D’ Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, on September 8, 2008. The area around her left
eye was black and blue and there was a mark on her left side. Her tights, underwear and the skirt she was wearing were at her knees. Forensic evidence suggested that the victim was still alive when she was submerged in the trench. The accused was only 16 when he was charged. He was acquitted in October 2011. A few days after Basmattie’s body was found, police visited the suspect’s Bath Settlement home and took him into custody for Basmattie’s murder. Two other youths were also detained. The suspect’s parents, meanwhile, vouched deeply for his innocence and even filed a report, at the Complaints Desk in New Amsterdam’s Central Police Station, into claims that he
Shallow grave
Basmattie Moonsammy
was assaulted. The parents denied that the suspect and Moonsammy shared a relationship, while painting an unflattering picture of the slain girl. “A murder story happened four years ago and that story done— and just so they came and arrested my son… just so they come and arrested him on Sunday,” the father said. “So anything happening now, they coming and hold him,” the father had told Kaieteur News. According to the parents, their son was at home the entire week that Basmattie had disappeared. A few days later, police were forced to release the young fisherman and the
other two suspects. Investigations into the murder of Basmattie Moonsammy, the troubled teen who often ran away from home, are now apparently at a standstill. If you have further information on this case or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office or by telephone. We can be also be reached on telephone numbers 22-58458, 2258465, or 22-58491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s : mjdragon@hotmail.com.
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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=== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ===
Who will be the first? There has to be a first. There will be no first. The PPP has announced that it has established its own integrity machine to investigate acts of bad behaviour by its members both senior and ordinary. It started off rather comically. A press conference was called to inform the nation and the usual silly behaviour took away from the publication. With all the money the PPP spends on election campaigns, you would think by now it would have acquired the service of an experienced PR guru. Any public relations practitioner would tell you if you are going to announce the establishment of any organization, then you have to have in front of you the complete package. Mr. Rohee at his press conference didn’t have half of the package. Maybe just the skeleton. First, Rohee could not
name all the members of his new disciplinary mechanism; just two. Secondly, he couldn’t say when they would be named. Why then not wait until you have all the items in place then go public with what you have? You are bound to invite ridicule when you call your press conference and you cannot provide important details. But by now this country is familiar with the unimpressive style of the PPP. There must have been talk that this would go nowhere, because long ago, the PPP proclaimed that it had established an anti-corruption entity at its head office. Obviously it never existed, because if it did it caught no one and then just died a natural death. Why this new formation? It could be related to the contemplation of a snap election. Despite the self-
delusion cocoon it dwells in, the PPP must know that it is burdened with mountains of criticism from inside and outside of Guyana about corruption and abuse of power. Herein lies the birth of the integrity thing. But realpolitik inside the PPP has murdered the formation even before it could walk. The function of an integrity committee at Freedom House is fraught with grave danger and it will not stay alive. It cannot. There has to be an indictment. Who is going to be the first apparatchik to be hauled before the inquisition? There will be none. If the PPP is going to collect a few underlings and investigate them to use as election propaganda, it will not work. The boomerang will have destructive consequences. It is like your
regular drug world reality. Once a low level drug trafficker is disciplined, he brings down the whole house, because he feels he has been made a scapegoat. He knows those above are the worst culprits and they are not punished. This is the realpolitik ghost inside the PPP. If you drag a low level regional councilor for corruption in front of your committee, he has information that can embarrass his higher comrades. If he feels he is being fed to the wolves, he will sing like a bird unless you threaten him with his life. He would refuse to be used because he would question why him and not the big bosses inside the party. There is a whole school of second and third tier party leaders that have direct knowledge of who took a bribe, who is into corruption,
who benefits from the underworld. Could the PPP take a chance and embarrass one of these underlings with public exposure? The answer is no. The party will not do it. And it will not do it for reasons why it has not done it in twenty-one years. It cannot pick on a wrong-doer without running the risk of the accused speaking out. Just one example will suffice. Look what happened to Mr. Jagdeo after his common-law wife felt that she had enough. Another strong factor that will kill the integrity circus is the very reason for bringing it into being. If it is an election game, then that very game will be its antithesis. Who is going to do the field work for the election campaign if you drag off party functionaries to be tried for indiscipline? The very party members who should be in
Frederick Kissoon front of the inquisition waiting to be given their sentence are drowning in miasmic depravities? Corruption is so pervasive in the central corridors and in the NDCs that once a functionary is under investigation, other party stalwarts will rebel. They will become scared that they too will be used for election purposes. They will go to their respective party bosses and demand a halt to the inquiry. The big joke is that the party kings will have to agree, because they are buried deeper in the corruption mud.
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Book Review… Ann-Margaret Lim is a poetic force. Whether in classical mode via her sonnets, villanelles or free verse offerings, she manages to capture the travails of life, genealogical fault lines, cultural fissures and the dystopia that bedevil some states. It is haunting but hopeful with resilience and redemption that are ever lurking. The book’s opening salvo, The Journey explores a family ruptured by the exigency of circumstances, and forms the thematic encasement of this compelling work. It is tinged with race, xenophobia and the hiccups of acclimatization. It is reclamation of a new identity and the Jamaicanization of people from China. Like a stream into a river the theme flows effortlessly.
Kaieteur News
Sunday October 27, 2013
Orchid delivers strong statement on Identity In The Darkening, Lim seamlessly sustains the tempo. Yes, she recoils at the bitter pill of migration: ”They sent me away to be a slave - a brown boy in a yellow country, she pierces the veil of the unknown music, culture is that balm, giving comfort to the despaired: “But there is one last hope for light - this tending of the verse that springs from my father who strummed banjo strings, blew into his harmonica and sang Chinese opera.” Lim bursts with empathy. She identifies with the history and plight of Haitians - the women and children...It is the spiritual paradigm evident in Kingston Blues where we read with eyes downcast: “The Cactus bites and Trench Town is what it was; a place where children know how to starve and women how to weep.” For the Mother and Child, lamentations blare: “I held my child and cried for my mother and child woke that Tuesday to die…” She continues: “For the memory of Toussaint and Dessalines; for the Haitians never mentioned in the books; for the Haitian with the monkey on his back. Why was there a price for the air you breathe in Haiti? Blood
Book: The Festival of Wild Orchid by Ann-Margaret Lim Critic: Dr Glenville Ashby seeped down into the vein of our earth and I held my child and cried.” Throughout there is a persistent feminine, matrifocal element – the Madonna and the Child. It’s an infusion that clothes her work with warmth and sensitivity, yet it remains steely. Ever the subtle activist, she rebels against traditional roles and invites nature to speak for her. ”Give me a god like the sea or gloomy clouds; to love the folding, unfolding mountains to search, to comprehend, to serenade.” Later, she stands her ground, defending theological ideologues against the Black Man’s God. There is a healthy paradox in Lim’s work that is richly authentic. That she has become the quintessential poet is hardly in question. Lim, a seed nurtured in Caribbean soil, immerses herself in past and contemporary cultures. She embraces music and dance: Jerk smoke, Expectation – the scent of the night and the stars wash their face to stay up for the dance.”...... But dolorous feelings of estrangement, embedded at the cellular, ancestral levels
return, mercilessly. In September 11, 1987, she intones: “There is no Bob, no Peter, no Free I. They are coming to kill us.” It is a national…a cultural assassination. The Dance journeys from 1986 to 2006, and the world it seems, has stood still. Libido is rampant, sensibilities rule, and sound judgment is tossed. Anything unlikely is imminent. There’s a room spraypainted in blood that has not been rented in weeks; you pass there to go to the toilet. Lim is caught in a psychological labyrinth, a painful journey. Hers is a haunting past and a dubious future filled with trepidation, and foreboding, culminating with ”Heritage,” - arguably, the seal of her work. It is a literary tsunami, conjuring in a single sweep, a tortuous road of personal abandonment, genocide and a dissociative quest. Heritage is frighteningly dark, philosophical and cryptic. It ripens the imagination, leaving a slew of frown brows. She is figuratively magical: “I emptied my womb today; little men popped out with running mouths, milling lies like haggling mosquitoes. I watched glued to the corner, bracing…this figure sporting a sheepish look tumbled out of me…it accused me of birthing evil, stretched one scaly hand
in, ripped out my womb and walked.” Echoes of William Blake!! “The Festival of the Wild Orchid” delivers on multiple levels, capturing life’s vicissitudes and the struggle for ancestral reconciliation and identity. It transcends personal struggles and sentiments, and trumpets a call for universal atonement. Undoubtedly, Lim’s work proves a tour de force of
major historical significance. Email: glenvilleashby @gmail.com Follow me on Twitter@glenvilleashby/ www.glenvilleashby.com The Festival of Wild Orchid by Ann-Margaret Lim, 2012 Peepal Tree, UK ISBN 13: 9781845232016 Available: Amazon.com Rating: Recommended
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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My column
Last week I examined the decline in the use of English and while I might have been distracted, I still feel strongly about the apparent decline in the language. Surprisingly, there are people who feel that I am ignoring what happened in the past. One of those is my friend Harry Gill, a remigrant. This week the Education Ministry summoned a press conference to announce that Guyana had copped five of the eight awards given by the Caribbean Examinations Council. At that forum I took the opportunity to confront Harry Gill about a letter he had written to me and which he had published in the Chronicle. But before I take Harry to task, I must examine the statistics that are being presented to me. Minister Priya Manickchand, for example, says that her government has spent extensively on education and today the nation is reaping the rewards. She informed me and the
other reporters that prior to the advent of her government, only eight per cent of the people who wrote the external examinations passed English. The pass rate for Mathematics was also equally ridiculous. Many of us find that impossible to believe. Even Minister Manickchand was aware that passing English and Mathematics was a given; it was expected and our friends all passed—at least most of them. For the percentage to be so low, it must be that a larger number of us were writing the examinations. Yet there is a contradiction. Minister Manickchand said that no more than thirty per cent of the teachers who operated in the classroom were trained. She said that there were also fewer schools. If that was the case, then few of us were writing the examinations. Assuming that we kept failing so miserably, I am left to wonder how it is that so many of my schoolmates who migrated copped top jobs in their adopted country. But this is not about a
debate, it is about what Harry Gill presented to me as a World Bank report. If indeed it is a World Bank report then there are two things, the World Bank was slipshod and less than professional or it was so biased against the former administration that it was prepared to release distorted information. When I described the education system as calamitous, I never realized that I was touching a nerve. One day Harry Gill came to me and informed me that I had paved the way for him to release information that he had suppressed. He declined to say what information until I received a letter from him. I read the letter and informed him that the letter was full of misinformation. Like so many of us, whatever is written about us by people outside the country is gospel. Mr. Gill in a most haughty retort asked me if I was questioning the World Bank report. This report spoke of things being so bad in Guyana financially that the
government actually slashed the salaries of headmasters. As long as I have been living in this country - and that means all my life - this has never happened. No one who worked with the government could ever say that they took home less money by way of salary than they had been earning from the same employer. But there is this so-called World Bank report talking about a headmaster earning something like $773 a month in 1990. This is so blatantly untrue that anyone who was working at that time would recognize the falsehood. A low level public servant in 1990 would have been earning at least $9,000 per month. But according to Harry Gill, this fact was contained in a World Bank report. The very report goes on to state that in 1992 a head teacher was earning $1,708 per month. In 1992 Roger Luncheon would tell you that he was earning $60,000 per month. He was not in Government and he could not claim to be among the elites
of the day. If indeed the information was garnered from the World Bank report, then whoever prepared the report certainly mixed up the figures, because the headmaster would have been earning no less than $25,000 per month. There are many of those headmasters around who must know what they earned. Sadly, Harry modified his letter to the Chronicle because he actually wrote that the salary plummeted to $773 a month, some time after it was at one time some $1700 a month. There I was, asking him if at any time in the history of the country he could recall anyone having his salary slashed. That is a difficult question to answer, so all he would say was if I was questioning the World Bank report. I do use the language of the common, uneducated person. It is a very colourful language and aptly descriptive as well. I used some of that to inform Harry about my thoughts about his
Adam Harris World Bank report. I have since asked the Ministry of Education to provide for me the salary scales that prevailed in the years preceding the 1992 elections. I have been promised the figures and I am a very optimistic person. I do know that the Americans played a very important role in reinstalling the PPP to power. I am not willing to concede that the role involved fabricating reports. One thing is clear; I must now look at the reports issued by international organisations.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 27, 2013
Procurement Commission goes hand-in-hand with Anti-Money Laundering Legislation By Dominic Gaskin AFC Treasurer Guyana has a dismal track record when it comes to good governance and the implementation of laws and regulations. The result is that we have become an extremely corrupt country with widespread criminality at all levels. Much of the money entering and circulating in our economy each year represents the proceeds of criminal activities such as narcotrafficking, gun running, illegal fuel importation or undeclared gold exportation. A lot of the propertypurchasing and construction taking place, whether residential or commercial, is for the purpose of diluting inexplicable wealth into transported holdings. Many have turned a blind eye to this situation, quietly enjoying the trickle-down benefits of all
these activities, while ignoring the tremendous long-term harm accruing to our society and our economy. The AFC is particularly concerned with the effects of this criminality on the Government of Guyana, and the scope for collusion that it presents. Tasked with implementing policies to fight crime, while at the same time being the biggest spender within our economy, the Government is a vulnerable entity when it comes to facilitating the process of money laundering. The current political impasse surrounding the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Bill has brought into focus the nexus between corrupt governance and organized crime. The Alliance For Change has taken a clear position, linking its support
for the Bill to the establishment of the constitutionally mandated Public Procurement Commission designed to monitor and regulate the awarding of Government contracts. This is not optional. This is a constitutional requirement which the Government has refused to implement for over a decade. The AFC believes that the Guyanese public deserves the benefits of both an effective and independent Public Procurement Commission and strong antimoney laundering legislation. The Government has now taken to scare-mongering in order to get the AFC to back down from its position, and is targeting the business community with its doomsday warnings. Some have joined them in their efforts, without so much as acknowledging the option for Guyana to have
both the AML/CFT legislation and a Public Procurement Commission. Their only concern is for the quick passage of the AML/CFT Bill in order for Guyana to avoid being black-listed by the international community. Unfortunately it is not that simple. The issue of Guyana’s compliance or noncompliance has to do with a list of forty-nine recommendations, developed by the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF), and recognized as the international standard for combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) is an associate member of the FATF and has endorsed these recommendations. Its main objective is to achieve the effective implementation of, and compliance with, the FATF recommendations and, in doing so, it is guided by comprehensive Mutual Evaluation Reports (MERs) carried out for each of its member countries. The CFATF holds two plenary meetings each year, one in May and the other in November, at which these
MERs are adopted, additional reports presented, and decisions made regarding follow-up processes required for each member. It subsequently issues a Public Statement identifying those members whose strategic deficiencies pose a threat to the international financial system with regard to money laundering and financing of terrorism. On May 30 of this year, after its plenary meeting in Nicaragua, CFATF in its Public Statement described Belize and Guyana as “Jurisdictions with strategic AML/CFT deficiencies that have not made sufficient progress in addressing the deficiencies or have not complied with their Action Plan developed with the CFATF to address the deficiencies.” It also called on its members to “consider the risks arising from the deficiencies associated with each jurisdiction”. In addition, the statement warned, “If Guyana does not take specific steps by November 2013, then the CFATF will identify Guyana as not taking sufficient steps to address its AML/CFT deficiencies and will take the
additional steps of calling upon its Members to consider implementing counter measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana, and at that time CFATF will consider referring Guyana to the Financial Action Task Force International Cooperation Review Group (FATF ICRG).” Before attempting to decipher what these seemingly vague statements may augur for the average Continued on page 38
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Some of the lands being developed by private firms on the East Bank of Demerara SUNDAY SPECIAL OIL SEARCH IN DISPUTED GUYANA/ VENEZUELAWATERS HALTED …NO ASSURANCES ANOTHER VESSEL WILL NOT MEET SAME FATE FOREIGNAFFAIRS MINISTER The hunt for oil by Guyana in the now disputed waters will have to halt until the maritime delimitation is formally settled with Venezuela, as there is no assurance that another vessel attempting to conduct a survey in that location will not meet the same fate. This was confirmed by Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn RodriguesBirkett, who in a telephone interview with this publication, said that there is no formal maritime border in place with Venezuela hence the recent incident involving the RV Teknik Perdana. Minister RodriguesBirkett explained that why Guyana maintains that the vessel was in Guyana’s Jurisdiction is through equidistance mapping. She said that under international maritime law, where there is no
formal delimitation of the maritime border, a line can be drawn using equidistance. “We drew our line and they drew their line,” said Rodrigues-Birkett. She explained that where the confusion arises is that the border line drawn by Venezuela cuts across to Guyana’s coast. PRIVATE DEVELOPERS AWARDED LANDS BEFORE IT WAS ADVERTISED …OPPOSITION SAYS FULL BLOWN PROBE NEEDED The Opposition has expressed alarm over admissions earlier this week that Government gave out lands to private developers over a year ago but only recently opened the process publicly to other players. “Our party remains resolute in our statements that all is not well in the housing industry. We have been saying all along that the whole process stinks of nepotism. That is why we will be asking for Minister Irfaan Ali to come clean and tell us the details of the deals that have been worked out with these private developers. We believe that
The injured Travis Semple at the GPHC
there is a cover-up for what is clearly a giveaway of state lands.” Member of Parliament, Khemraj Ramjattan, is referring to investigations that his party, the Alliance For Change (AFC), and A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), are carrying out in relation to state lands that have been earmarked for housing, but large swaths have ended up in the hands of private developers. MONDAYEDITION SPEEDING BIKER LOSES HAND IN THREE-VEHICLE SMASH UP - OTHERS INJURED A speeding motorcyclist suffered a severed right hand, while several other commuters were also injured during a fourvehicle smash-up that occurred at around 20:00 hrs Sunday on the Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice Public Road. Travis Semple, 28, of Hopetown, West Coast Berbice, had to undergo emergency surgery at the Fort Wellington Hospital to remove his mangled limb. He was subsequently transferred by ambulance to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, along with his friend, Abocy Lynch, 28, also of Hopetown, West Berbice, who suffered a broken right leg. At least four others were treated at the Fort Wellington Hospital. It is unclear which man was the pillion rider. According to reports, Lynch and Semple were travelling at a fast rate on motorcycle CG 8402, and were attempting to overtake a line of cars heading east, when they collided with a car, PMM 4719. This resulted in the car veering out of its lane, and slamming into a black Premio, PMM 8207, which was heading in the same direction as the motorcyclists. The Premio is registered to Wesley Saunders of Barron Street, Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, and was being driven by his wife, Marisska. There were four other
occupants, and they were all injured.. SPECIALTY HOSPITAL MAYSUFFER SAME FATE AS SKELDON AND AMAILA – RAMJATTAN The new Specialty Hospital that the government intends to build may end up being a Skeldon Sugar Factory that’s overpriced and faulty, according to Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan. Ramjatan told Kaieteur News Sunday that while he is not
ever built a specialty hospital. As such, he said that the company is now “begging” other companies to come on board to aid in the construction. He further opined that the project should be halted, since it mirrors the ‘Fip’ Motilall fiasco, where Motilall was given the contract for the access road and the licence for the construction of Amaila Falls Hydro Project. This was despite revelations that Motilall had no knowledge of building roads.
more time to study the bills and make recommendations. The private sector and insurance have already expressed worry, publishing whole page advertisements in the dailies over the fallouts of the delay. Guyana has until next month to amend its laws to assure the international community that the country has taken mandatory steps to reduce the possibilities of dirty monies passing through its financial system, via money transfers and otherwise, to finance terrorism. Failure will
Local banks have reported that they have started to feel the squeeze with the delay of the passage of critical anti-money laundering bills. an expert on how Specialty Hospitals are priced, he knows that taking into consideration the corrupt disposition of the government and its propensity for profiting from kickbacks, the specialty hospital may very well be overpriced to cater for that. The contract for the construction and furnishing of the specialized equipment necessary for the hospital was given to Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited of India. According to Ramjattan, he knew of a reputable and legitimate consulting company from India that had built Specialty Hospitals before, which submitted a bid for this Surgical Speciality Hospital at a lower price than the one Surendra Engineering provided. Ramjattan said that there is no evidence to date to show that this company
TUESDAY EDITION ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LAWS … US BANKS START SEVERING TIES WITH GUYANA Guyana’s failure to pass anti-money laundering laws is being felt in the banking sector with at least one overseas financial institution reportedly severing ties locally. The news would come even local lawmakers continue to wrangle over the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, No. 12/2013 (AML-CFT). In August, the bill was sent by the Opposition to a special select committee of the Parliament, despite protests by Government over the approaching deadlines. The Opposition said that it wanted
see Guyana being blacklisted with question marks over likely over transactions originating locally. On Monday, the banking association said that it is busy preparing a statement calling for politicians to band together and have bills passed. AMAILA, MARRIOTT, BERBICE BRIDGE FINANCING STRUCTURE, PROPOSED FOR NEW DEMERARA RIVER BRIDGE
The Guyana Government is gearing to embark on yet another mega project and has opted to use the same debt and equity financial structure utilizing a public private partnership as was the case with the Berbice Bridge, the Georgetown Marriott and the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project. Continued on page 37
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 27, 2013
Guyana should be gearing for a ‘green economy’ The first principle of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development states that “Human beings are at the centre of concerns for sustainable development. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with nature.” It has not been quite so in Guyana. The health, wellbeing and quality of life of the population in both hinterland and coastland have not been central to government policy. The People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) administration has no c o m p r e h e n s i v e environmental protection strategy to ensure that human concerns are satisfied while economic goals are pursued ‘in harmony with nature.’ Guyana’s favourable geographical location and abundant assets should be conducive to developing a
‘green economy’ – one that generates human happiness in ways that are consistent with economic exploitation of its natural resources. A ‘green economy’ is one that sustains economic prosperity, environmental security and social well-being. It allows the current generation to satisfy its needs without jeopardising the opportunity of future generations to satisfy theirs. The PPPC administration’s failure to embrace the idea of a ‘green economy’ and to promulgate a comprehensive national environment strategy is perplexing, in light of the evidence of climate change and continuing, man-made damage to the environment. There is no good reason why there should be so much disarray in policy, damage of the environment and danger to people’s lives. Guyana’s biggest
problems are those of solid waste management, coastal zone conservation, flooding, public health, and damage to rivers and forests by poorly regulated mining and logging practices. A strategy is needed to protect the population from hazards, to preserve the environment from further degradation and to sustain development. Air pollution is a serious health hazard. Residents on the coastland close to rice mills and saw mills, affected by dust, have complained of respiratory illnesses. Residents of the west bank of the Demerara River in the mining town of Linden endured decades of dust pollution. They have all called on the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Health to investigate industries which discharge dust into the air. Coastal zone management
received patchy attention only as part of the government’s Low Carbon Development Strategy which sought to generate carbonabsorbing plants. The planting of salt water-tolerant mangroves along the East Coast Demerara foreshore, as part of the administration’s efforts to strengthen this country’s capability to prevent or mitigate floods, started only in January 2009. It is too early to calculate its effects. Deforestation has been the most visible consequence of the ‘gold rush’ in the hinterland, especially over the past decade. The mining sector is now larger than ever. Its sudden expansion, however, spawned a new ‘entrepreneurial’ class of persons with little mining experience and foreigners, some here illegally, with little concern for the country’s long-term development. Many new operators brought earth-moving equipment and introduced techniques which resulted in increased deforestation, riverine
pollution and environmental damage. Many new miners seemed unaware of, or unconcerned about, mining legislation and regulation. Mining districts – especially in the Barima-Waini, Cuyuni-Mazaruni and Potarao-Siparuni Regions – have been scarred by barren, treeless landscapes; minedout tracts; discoloured, siltladen creeks; eroded river banks; toxic pools of stagnant water and debris of used tyres, torn tentage and broken equipment. Solid waste mismanagement remains the single, greatest challenge to people living in the city, towns, neighbourhoods and villages all over the country. Municipalities lack the resources to improve the collection and safe disposal of debris and waste. Marine litter – consisting of man-made, solid material that does not decompose easily, which has been thrown into the marine and coastal environment – results in a continuous build-up of refuse. Evidence indicates that the vast majority of marine litter comes from land-based sources such as municipal landfills located near to the coast, riverine transportation, untreated municipal sewage, overflows from commercial agricultural and industrial facilities and recreational activities on the coast. Public health has been threatened by reckless mining practices. The courses of creeks and rivers have been altered by erosion and tailings. Surrounding settlements and
farms flood during the rainy season. Residents have frequently complained of skin disorders after using river water. Noise from the dredges which operate on a continual basis with pumps removing water from the pits working into the night and fumes of fuel and smoke are a nuisance. Water pollution has been blamed for the persistence of diarrhoeal-, vector-borne-, chronic respiratory- and cardiovascular diseases. Malaria has become more prevalent in places where stagnant water in abandoned mining pits provides breeding places for mosquitoes. Rivers are the main, sometimes sole, source of fresh water for drinking, bathing, washing and for travelling to farms for hinterland communities. Guyana’s mineral and natural resources, efficiently exploited and properly employed, would be more than enough to transform the hinterland into a land of prosperity. There could be enough money to finance the infrastructure, schools and security which are essential to the ‘green economy’ and which are the foundations on which to build an equitable society that is ‘in harmony with nature.’ There must be new thinking if Guyana’s natural resources are to be harnessed for environmentally responsible growth, the long-term creation of a ‘green economy’ and the prospect of a good life for all Guyanese.
Sunday October 27, 2013
From page 27 Government is currently inviting ‘expressions of interest’ from “local and foreign parties interested in being a Partner in the design, construction and Financing of the New Demerara River Bridge.” In the call for partners, Government said that the project will be implemented using a Build Own Operate Transfer (BOOT) model, “in a manner similar to the Berbice Bridge.” According to the Guyana Government, the responses received from the call for expressions of interest will be used to guide the selection of a partner or partners who will work with government to design and implement the project. The project will see the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), headed by Winston Brassington, creating a special purpose company, “financed by debt and equity contributions following a public/private partnership model.” The call for expressions of interest states clearly that “The GoG is not bound to accept any Expression of Interest.” WEDNESDAYEDITION NEW DEMERARA RIVER BRIDGE…JAGDEO, BRASSINGTON MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO HIJACK PROJECT - APNU’S HARMON Bharrat Jagdeo and Winston Brassington must not be allowed to hijack the process and be involved in the workings of the building of a new bridge across the Demerara River. This is the view of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian Joseph Harmon, who stressed that his party is in support of the building of a new structure, but is wholly against any involvement of Winston Brassington and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). Harmon in an invited comment on Tuesday said that NICIL should be banned from being involved in any infrastructure development projects. The APNU Executive said that there is enough questionable information in the public domain regarding NICIL and as such, the President should ensure that the company and Brassington no longer undertake these projects. NICIL and Brassington have been at the forefront of several large projects mired in controversy such as the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, the Berbice River
Kaieteur News
Bridge and the Marriott Hotel. Asked why NICIL would be the vehicle to pursue the project and not the Ministry of Public Works, Harmon said that it is because of the involvement of former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. “We don’t want these people (Jagdeo and Brassington) involved.” BUDGET CUTS DELAY HINTERLAND DEVELOPMENT - PRESIDENT RAMOTAR The long standing issue of land titling in the hinterland regions could soon see a resolution with the inking of a US$10.7 Million contract by the government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The signing took place during the Seventh Annual meeting of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) at Liliendaal on Monday. The five-day forum is the highest at which Amerindians’ concerns are ventilated. Among the topics that are usually discussed at the high level sessions are the progress of community development projects (CDPs), presidential grants, and land titling. This year’s conference is being held under the theme, ‘Culture of Good Governance for Sustained Village Economies.” President Donald Ramotar noted that the signing of the Amerindian Land Titling agreement is critical to complete the titling of 13 Amerindian communities, as well as the demarcation of 33 villages, which is to be carried out in the next three years. Referring to the progress made in Amerindian development projects, the President noted that the Government of Guyana has “come a long way,” despite the fact that “some forces” attempted to stop the project. “There is a very important role for the opposition in a democracy, and their role is indispensible; but not to obstruct progress in our society,” the President said, alluding to the budget cuts that were orchestrated by the opposition in 2012 and 2013. He spoke about the rejection by the Opposition of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Plant. He expressed dismay over the collapse of the Amaila Project which could have afforded Guyana some savings and could have made an enormous contribution to the infrastructure development in the interior. The Head of State said that had the Opposition not
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cut $18.4 billion from the 2012 budget, the land titling would have started a year ago.
ROGER LUNCHEON DEFENDS NICIL’S INVOLVEMENT IN NEW RIVER BRIDGE
THURSDAYEDITION ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING LEGISLATION … GOVT. GOESAHEAD IN SELECT COMMITTEEWITHOUT OPPOSITION
Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, has defended the involvement of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) in the pursuit of a New Bridge across the Demerara River. He said that the project is not intended to be an exclusive Government undertaking. Dr. Luncheon said that the Ministry of Public Works deals exclusively with Government business. NICIL, he said, in its
The Guyana Government, in the absence of the political opposition, has wrapped up the work of the Special Select Committee tasked with the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill and is currently finalizing its report. This was
confirmed on Wednesday by Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, who said that the Bill will be returned to the Full House for a debate as early as possible. Contacted Wednesday for a response, A Partnership for National Unity’s Joseph Harmon said that the opposition will not be voting in support of the Bill taken to the House by Government because it did not have an input. He said that Gail Teixeira “eyes pass the opposition.” Teixeira is the chairperson of the Special Select Committee and would have been the person to move to have the Committee wrap up its work and return the amendments to the Bill to the Full House for a debate. The Alliance for Change has also signaled its non support for the Bill to be returned to the House without the input of the political opposition. Asked to defend Government’s decision in the face of the possibility of the Bill not being supported by the political opposition, Dr. Luncheon told media operatives, Government has an obligation to pursue the enactment of the Bills before the November 18 deadline. He said that he is still hopeful that the opposition would be supportive of the amendments to the Bill when it comes up for a debate and vote.
articles of association, was created to pursue such partnerships. A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is vehemently against the pursuit of the New River Bridge using NICIL which is headed by Winston Brassington. Dr. Luncheon said that it is in the articles of association and in the memorandum of NICIL to undertake on behalf of Government such an engagement.
Multilateral School. With 18 grade one passes she was able to secure the second place nationally when the results were unveiled a few months ago. Her classmate Zimeena Rasheed, with 18 grade one passes and two grade two passes, was declared the top national CSEC performer, but was however awarded the Most Outstanding for the Caribbean in the area of Technical Vocation. And although Queen’s College was not in the most outstanding circle last year, two of its students were among those bestowed with the titles of the Most
residents had spotted his u n c l e ’s decomposing remains since Thursday night. Initial reports had indicated that the victim had been beheaded, but police later confirmed that the corpse was merely in an advanced state of decomposition. The body was brought to Parika at around 19:00 hrs Friday before being taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home.
Outstanding in Science and Most Outstanding in Business Studies this year. Cecil Cox with 16 grade one passes is the top performer in Science for the Caribbean, while Sasha Woodroffe claimed an equally prestigious achievement in Business Studies. Also securing a position as the Most Outstanding candidate in Humanities is Rafena Mustapha of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan Secondary School.
Whyte, of 47 Bel Air Gardens, Georgetown, was discovered on the seawall in the vicinity of Conversation Tree with a single gunshot wound to the head, early yesterday afternoon. John was known as a businessman who owned properties across the city. According to an eyewitness, around 2:00 pm yesterday, while working at a nearby store, he was startled by the sound of a loud explosion. “I hear the big boom, so I tell me boss must be some truck tyre explode, ‘cause dem ting does usually happen out deh. But then a m a n w a l k p a s s and seh Bobby (John) just shoot he self out pon de seawalls,” the source said. The man added that John’s family quickly rushed to the scene only to find the elderly man lying across the seawall. Relatives of the dead man begun to visit the scene and left as they each got a glimpse of the body. The family was however tight lipped about what might have prompted the suspected suicide. People using the Rupert Craig Highway were surprised at the heavy police presence that caused traffic to back up. This continued until the body was removed to a city funeral home.
FRIDAYEDITION GUYANASECURES FIVE OF EIGHT 2013 CXC AWARDS
SATURDAY EDITION FARMER’S BOUND BODY FOUND
Guyana has again etched its name comfortably into the annals of history having attained five of the eight Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC)’s awards available to candidates who performed exceptionally Region-wide at this year’s sitting of the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination. At an emergency press conference on Thursday in her Ministry’s boardroom, a proud Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, revealed the names of the top performers. Claiming the CXC award for the Overall Outstanding Achievement is Yogeeta Persaud of Anna Regina
The bound body of a 27year-old farmer who had been missing for several weeks was retrieved Friday from the Bonasika Creek, Essequibo River. Relatives identified the victim as Anthony Evans, of Pomeroon, Region Two and said that he had been missing for six weeks. A nephew who spoke to Kaieteur News said that Evans had a dispute with another man who resides near the Bonasika area. This newspaper understands that the man had suspected that Evans was involved in a relationship with his wife. However, the suspect has not been detained. According to the nephew,
BUSINESSMAN KILLS SELF ON SEAWALLWITH BULLET THROUGHMOUTH The body of 70-year-old Deryck John, called Bobby
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 27, 2013
Procurement Commission goes hand-in-hand... From page 26 Guyanese citizen, it would be useful to examine the path chosen by our Government that landed us in this predicament in the first place. Guyana joined CFATF in 2002 and had its first mutual evaluation as part of CFATF’s second round of Mutual Evaluations in 2006. Guyana’s next Mutual Evaluation Report was adopted at CFATF’s May 2011 plenary meeting, and was based on an on-site visit to Guyana by an evaluation team during the period 18–29 January 2010. The team met officials and representatives of all relevant Guyana government agencies as well as the private sector. In that report, Guyana was rated partially compliant or non-compliant on a total of forty-one recommendations, and as a result was placed on CFATF’s “expedited followup” regime and ordered to report at every plenary meeting on progress made to correct the deficiencies identified in the MER. It needs to be noted here that the follow-up process is only applicable to members whose ratings show significant deficiencies. Where the failings identified in the reports are particularly serious, the plenary can
decide on a more expedited timetable for follow-up reports, rather than the twoyear norm. This was the case with Guyana. In successive follow-up reports, Guyana’s improvements were not considered substantial, and the country has now been placed in enhanced follow-up, which is a further downgrade in the follow-up process. The latest report refers to the “high level mission” which visited Guyana in March of this year. It needs to be stressed that a “high-level mission” represents one of the final steps in CFATF’s process of dealing with noncompliant members, with the next step being the above mentioned Public Statement. Then came the famous letter from CFATF (deliberately withheld from the political opposition) dated April 10, 2013 and addressed to President Ramotar, expressing, among other things, concern that his government had been unable to provide the high-level mission with a timeframe for passing the relevant legislation. Less than two weeks later, on April 22, the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism
(Amendment) Bill was tabled in the National Assembly. From that point on the Government assumed a sense of urgency, and began issuing repeated warnings about the consequences of not approving the bill before the next CFATF meeting at the end of May. But for Guyana to have been placed on expedited follow-up by CFATF in 2011 and then moved through the various stages of enhanced follow-ups, is a clear indication that the PPP-C Government has failed over many, many years to effectively address the issues of money laundering and financing of terrorism. The Government of Guyana would have been aware of the FATF recommendations for over a decade and could have done a whole lot more to enact adequate legislation and to strengthen its monitoring, investigating and enforcing capabilities to achieve better compliance ratings. Instead, it dragged its feet and stalled, while pretending to the international bodies that it was serious about combating money laundering and financing of terrorism. Now that it has suddenly realized that FATF and CFATF
are more than just talk shops and are capable of sanctioning non-compliant countries, it is seeking to blame the political opposition for what may happen when this kicks in. While the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill is supposed to address a significant number of the recommendations with which Guyana is not in compliance, its passage alone will not be sufficient to immediately remove Guyana from the follow-up process, since other deficiencies will remain. It is also unlikely that this PPP-C Government, which has allowed lawlessness to pervade its society and an informal economy to boom to its current extent, can suddenly pull the plug on this fountain of wealth without affecting many of its friends and constituents. One is therefore forced to wonder whether the PPP-C has any intention of Guyana’s becoming fully compliant with the recommendations of the CFATF. It is as a result of the Government’s handling of this matter over a considerable period of time, and not simply the non-passage of untested legislation, that Guyana has been cited in a CFATF Public Statement. The immediate consequence of this is that Guyana may now face enhanced due diligence for financial transactions with
reporting entities in compliant foreign countries. In other words, financial institutions in more compliant countries may be legally bound to require additional documentation when transferring money to or from Guyana. It is possible that the CFATF Public Statement is specifically directed at CFATF member countries and that, for now, only these countries may be required to consider the money laundering or financing of terrorism risks arising from Guyana’s deficiencies. What happens next d e p e n d s o n C FAT F ’s November plenary meeting. If, as is quite likely, Guyana is deemed not to have taken sufficient steps to address its identified deficiencies, then the next Public Statement will call on members to consider implementing counter measures to protect their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks emanating from Guyana. These counter measures may differ from the enhanced due diligence measures currently recommended, depending on the guidelines in place in individual jurisdictions. Again, this call may be limited to CFATF members. However, should CFATF make good on its threat to refer Guyana to the Financial Action Task Force International Cooperation
Review Group (FATF ICRG), then Guyana will receive the attention of a much larger number of countries. FATF issues two levels of statements for its members’ consideration following its thrice yearly meetings. The first is the Public Statement which lists (currently thirteen) countries with strategic deficiencies. The second is known as the “Improving Global AML/CFT Compliance: On-going Process” document and lists countries which have provided a “written highlevel political commitment to address the identified deficiencies”. This list currently comprises twenty countries. Trinidad and Tobago was removed from this list one year ago after it made significant progress in improving its AML/CFT regime. Interested persons may wish to enquire from the business community in that country what the effects were of being listed as deficient by FATF. The AFC urges the Guyanese public to insist on the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission. It also calls on the Private Sector Commission and the Insurance Association of Guyana to issue a statement, of similar proportions to their full-page advertisements for passage of the AML/CFT bill, in support of the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission as provided for in the Public Procurement Act of 2003.
Sunday October 27, 2013
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Michael Jackson regains crown as top-earning dead celebrity Michael Jackson regained the title of the highestearning dead celebrity in the past year, easily surpassing Elvis Presley and cartoonist Charles Schulz, Forbes magazine said on Wednesday. After being pushed into second place by Elizabeth Taylor last year, Jackson, who died in 2009, was back on top with estimated earnings of $160 million in the 12 months from October 2012 to 2013. “He earned the bulk of his bucks from two Cirque du Soleil shows, his Mijac Music catalog, recorded music sales and his half of the Sony/ATV publishing empire - which includes the copyright to hits by the Beatles, Lady Gaga,
Eminem and Taylor Swift, among others,� Forbes said. Presley was a distant second with $55 million, followed by Schulz, the creator of the Peanuts comic strip, who came in third for the second consecutive year with $37 million. Taylor dropped to fourth place with earnings of $25 million, a huge dip from last year when her estate pulled in an estimated $210 million with much of it from the auction of her jewels. Reggae star Bob Marley rounded out the top five with earnings of $18 million. The singer, who died of cancer at the age of 36 in 1981, has sold more than 75 million albums
in the past two decades, according to Forbes. Nobel-prize winning physicist Albert Einstein, dropped one place to No. 8 this year with earnings of $10 million, while Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera, who died in a plane crash in December at the age of 43, was new to the list at No. 13 with $7 million. Forbes compiled the list by talking to estate managers, lawyers and licensors and analyzing estimated posthumous earnings between October 2012-2013. The full list can be found at forbes.com/dead-celebs. (Reuters)
Michael Jackson
Sunday October 27, 2013
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Top CSEC awardees do Essequibo, Guyana proud - HM By Gary Eleazar “You made your communities proud; you made Essequibo proud and you made Guyana proud.” These were among the words of praise, encouragement and gratitude that were heaped on Guyana’s two outstanding students at the most recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination. They graduated from school on Friday last. Yogeeta Persaud and Zimeena Rasheed, both of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, were adjudged the two most outstanding in the Caricom region, securing between them 36 grade one passes at one sitting. Persaud was aedjudged the Top Overall CSEC Student in the Caribbean, while Rasheed secured the Best Technical Vocational CSEC Student. Rasheed was also the Valedictorian for her school and was adjudged the best graduating student. The graduation ceremony was attended by several of the Education Ministry’s top brass and scores of proud parents and supportive students. The Charge to the graduates was delivered to the students by University of Guyana Lecturer, Kurt Gonsalves while the feature address was delivered by Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. PROGRESS NOT AUTOMATIC Punctuated by inspirational renditions of music from students and melodious steelpan pieces by students of the New Opportunity Corps, 172 students observed their rites of passage out of secondary school. They were presented with Diplomas, Certificates and a host of awards. Head master of the now premier secondary school in Region Two, Lalljet Ruplall, described the past academic year as an extremely successful one. He reminded them of the words of the late Martin Luther King who had said “that human progress is not automatic or inevitable, it requires sacrifice.” In his headmaster’s report, Ruplall gave an update of the activities and triumphs that the school would have achieved over the year, including participating in Mashramani and a host of other co-curricular activities and competitions such as dance, debate and sports. He presented an analysis of the results of the 172 students that wrote the CSEC examination across the 28 subject areas offered by the school. Ruplall spoke of the 100
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall interacts with the top three performers of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School for 2013. per cent pass rates in Economics, Agricultural Science and Biology. According to Ruplall, the performance of the top two was not only remarkable but also history making. He said that this is the first time in history that any student would have written this many subjects at the CSEC level. Rasheed wrote 20 subjects and passed all, securing 18 grade ones in the process. A great deal of the success of the students, according to Ruplall, has to be attributed also to the dedicated service of the teachers of the school as well as the close involvement of the parents in the activities of the institution. PARADIGM SHIFT Following the head master’s report, a group song and the distribution of Diplomas, the packed venue turned their attention to the
featured speaker of the evening, who immediately reminded the top achievers that their performance was not only the best in Guyana but also in the entire Caribbean. For this achievement, Nandlall said, they have made not only their parents, community and county proud, but alsothe nation at large. The performance of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School represents a paradigm shift in the education system in Guyana, he said. This shift, he said, is directly related to the level of investments being plugged in the schools across the nation to the point where this year the single largest allocation for any sector was in education. He said that it is no longer a case where schools perceived to be the ‘top schools’ are in Region Four
and would receive preferential treatment. “Twenty years ago when results were announced only a few exclusive schools in Georgetown excelled. The people who could have afforded to go to those schools were by and large the children of middle and upper class people and persons who enjoyed a particular economic standing in our country, so only those schools were producing those exceptional result.” This, Nandlall said, has changed, and added that gone are the days when teachers in certain schools would be unable to effectively discharge their duties because of a lack of chalk among other necessities. “Because of the systematic change in both strategy and allocation of resources we see the results that we are seeing,” said Nandlall.
GUYANANEEDS YOU He said that in today’s environment, the children of ordinary working people all across the country are exposed to the type of quality education that was once only available in Georgetown. Nandlall did concede that that the education system is not in the most pristine state and that there still is a lot of work to be done, “but phenomenal progress has been made and that must be recognized and acknowledged.” In his message to the graduating class, Nandlall also pleaded with the students to recognize that they have a duty to develop their community and country as a whole utilizing the education
they would have secured. “You have a duty to your country…Too many of our talented people are going elsewhere; we need you to stay and use your talent and exceptional ability. Use your education to mould your community, Essequibians, and your country.” “Guyana needs you…we are investing in young people because you are the future of our country.” VALEDICTORIAN Champion debater and impromptu speaker, Rasheed, the 2013 Valedictorian, reminded her fellow graduates that departing Secondary School did not mean that the journey was over. “Rising to pinnacle,” she said, was no easy feat and that it required hard work, dedication and “burning the midnight oil.” She said that the results that have emanated from the graduating class of 2013 of the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School, demonstrate the quality of work done at the institution. “It shows that with every stakeholder involved our school can do as well or even better than any other school in Guyana.” In crediting the teachers and institution, Rasheed said that in many instances there are cases where there are limitations such as inadequate resources but what makes the difference, according to the Valedictorian, is how those resources are maximized. “I believe that the administration and staff did this quite well through my five years at Anna Regina Multilateral School.”
The Quest for Knowledge refreshes the mind, recreates the spirit, and motivates the body. It creates enthusiasm and desire to live an exciting and full day in spite of the routine.
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Sunday October 27, 2013
NOSTALGIA: ONCE UPON A TIME IN NEW AMSTERDAM By Ralph Seeram One of the highlights of visiting the Botanical Gardens was to see the manatees; there were two living among the “water nut lilies”. Parents out for an evening stroll brought their children for a glimpse. The manatees did surface frequently; some visitors to the NewAmsterdam Botanical Gardens sometime tried to feed them. New Amsterdam did have a Botanical Gardens; it was a beautiful garden, well laid out with palm trees, a variety of flowers, ferns and benches to relax. It also housed a gazebo, a lovers’ den at night, where many New Amsterdamers were conceived. It was a place where families can go to relax, to be among nature; where children could run around and play. You could always find a peaceful corner to meditate. Some of the younger folks might be wondering what I am talking about. There is no sign of a botanical garden ever being in New Amsterdam. It was where the High Court is located at the corner of Princess
Elizabeth Road, Vryheid Street and Esplanade Road. There is a lot of history in the gardens, because the same compound once housed the seat of government of the then country of Berbice. Berbice was a separate country— New Amsterdam was its capital— until the three counties merged to become British Guiana in the 1830s. It was a beautiful time to live and grow up in New Amsterdam which was a very clean and peaceful town, a friendly town where almost everyone probably knew each other, where you were always greeted with a friendly “good morning” or “good afternoon”. I thought it ironic when I read the opening ceremony for the celebration of the 122nd anniversary as a Municipality. The ceremony which was held at the “Government House”, just across from where the Botanical Gardens and the very historic Court of Policy building were housed. The town is celebrating its 122nd Anniversary as a Municipality but its founding and history goes back a 100 years beyond 1891 when the Municipality was established. New Amsterdam, Guyana’s oldest Municipality is over two hundred years old, so the natural question one would ask is what progress has the town made in its 200 years of existence. If you are a visitor to the town today, you have to ask yourself, what progress. I visit my hometown (don’t get me wrong, I love my hometown) and I am ashamed to see the filthy condition the town is in. There was a time when the town was very clean, when the Town Council had a team of people just to keep the drains clean and cut all overgrowth and
bushes. There was never an issue of flooding in the town unlike today “if rain set up the town flood”. I go to Vryman’s Erven a once neat and clean laid out housing, and I am appalled at the condition of the place, laced with potholes, overgrown bushes and garbage among some beautiful houses. This was a town that was very independent, one that provided its own electricity and water, where blackouts were not as frequent as they are now, because the Municipality once owned the electric and water supply plants. Do you know Republic Road (Back Dam Road) used to be the place to take an evening stroll; the parapets were clean, those large trees that lined the road had their trunks painted with “whitewash” which made the place even more attractive. As it got darker a few lovers could be spotted behind the huge trunks of the trees. In addition to the Gardens, parents often used to take their kids for a stroll to the Esplanade, sometimes for a band concert
conducted by Mr. Randolph Bennet. One could also take an evening walk to the New Amsterdam stelling to enjoy some fresh sea breeze (at least when mosquito and sand fly not in season). I go to New Amsterdam and my friends take me outside New Amsterdam for entertainment. People used to come to the town for entertainment. Penguin Hotel used to be the place to stay or for entertainment. I recall my brother hosting his wedding reception there. Penguin Hotel has made moves to recapture its glorious past as a center for entertainment and culture. It has been promoting poetry night and other cultural activities. Wedding receptions, conferences are back and hotel rooms are upgraded. There was a time when visitors only stayed at the Penguin Hotel or Church View Hotel. Fast forward to the present, one wonders what can bring the town back to its glorious past. First the town has to get rid of the filth and garbage. I
know that recently the Municipality has entered an arrangement to have the garbage picked up at regular intervals. What is needed is cooperation of its residents, the resources of the people need to be harnessed, but it takes a special kind of leader to harness people. We need to get back to the old self help days, which I must say is a credit to the then PNC government. The Mayor and Town Council would be wise to call on former Mayor of the Town Errol Alphonso for his expertise in mobilizing people to have projects done. It’s not a major task to clean up the town; all it needs is the cooperation of its residents and the business community. A large blame for the insanitary condition of the town lies with the business community who need to see theirs and their customers’ garbage disposed of properly. These New Amsterdam businessmen can start by placing receptacles so the
public can dispose of garbage in containers rather than litter the streets. The residents need to be re-educated on keeping their environment clean. I think the young people who grew up in the filthy town take it for granted that that is how things are, not knowing how clean the town was. Then Mayor Alphonso had the people doing quite number of self help projects especially in Smythfield and Angoy’s Avenue (Cow Dam). The town needs to address the needs of youths, provide outlets like Community Centers and playfields for youths. The town has been experiencing frequent blackouts recently and I have been asked to complain about it, so can anyone from GPL say when the blackouts in New Amsterdam will end? There Preya; I asked the question. Don’t expect many answers from GPL. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmil.com
Three CJIA employees sacked Three employees were dismissed from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) after they were found soliciting money from passengers, while on duty. The three sacked employees have been identified as two ramp attendants and an Airline security staff, who had worked over the past two weeks. Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, said that although the persons involved are not directly employed by the airport, the penalty given to them is in keeping with the airport’s zero-tolerance approach to
any such act, which only serves to tarnish the reputation of the Corporation and its Stakeholders. Ghir stressed that under CJIA’s rulebook, stealing and soliciting passengers for money are serious offences. “It is my hope that others, who are tempted to bend the rules will see that we mean business. CJIA will not condone such gross dishonesty,” he declared. Against this backdrop, passengers are being urged to demand receipts for payments made at check-in, and encouraged to report all
requests for money or bribery by staff of the airport. Further, passengers should also note that there is no additional charge for carrying frozen or cooked foods in their baggage, unless they are overweight. CJIA is advising passengers to report any misconduct of its staff to the Supervisors or Managers of the respective Airlines or the Airport Duty Office (ADO) on telephone numbers 592-2612261/600-7022. Caribbean Airlines Airport Manager, Carl Stuart, commended CJIA’s
management for taking such action. “Actually we support and respect any initiative put in place to improve the customer experience.” He added that CAL has a strict policy for monetary transactions. There is a designated agent for that purpose, and signages advising passengers to collect receipts that are visible. Apart from the ticketing desk, the Departure Tax Office, Red Cap Porters and Secure Wrapping Service are the only other channels where money should be exchanged.
Sunday October 27, 2013
12 years later…
Kaieteur News
2001 police shooting victim sentenced - Father says son never to 40 years in US
By: Javone Vickerie Many Guyanese may remember the tragic events of 2001 but none of them can compare to the touching story of 12-year-old Vincent Griffith Jnr who had his leg amputated after he was shot during a police raid in New Amsterdam, Berbice The now 24 year-old was mistakenly shot by police on December 12, 2001 at Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam. Police were raiding a house in search of wanted man, Mark McKenzie. They later said that they were surprised by the young boy who was hiding in a wardrobe in the house. Following the incident the young man along with his father initiated a suit in the Supreme Court, seeking compensation for the injuries and for the scars and trauma Vincent sustained. Reports in the media stated that Griffith Jnr had been offered $1.7M as exgratia compensation from the government. Not accepting liability for Griffith’s shooting, Attorney General Doodnauth Singh (SC) on that occasion wrote in a letter to Griffith’s attorney Joseph Harmon, that the “State is amenable to paying the ex-gratia compensation and the cost for prosthetic legs for Griffith as he grows older...” Singh further indicated in the May 23, 2002 letter, his availability to meet to discuss
Vincent Griffith and conclude the settlement. The letter stated that the $1.7M figure was computed after a detailed analysis of the principles and case law. The boy’s father, Vincent Griffith Snr, told other publications in that time that he was not willing to accept the offer, which he described as disrespectful to his son who had dreamed of becoming a football player. THEINTERVIEW Nearly 12 years later, I had an opportunity to sit down with the boy’s father 59-yearold Vincent Griffith Snr who
lamented that since the 2001 shooting his son never overcame the trauma he faced having his leg amputated. Griffith Snr who now resides in the United States of America, “I go America and come back they said they take the story out of court to settle it.I go two, three times and all I keep hearing they need to mek appointment and when you ready for them no body never there”. Every time he returned to Guyana to update the matter there is never a solution to the issue. The father bemoaned that since the shooting incident, his son’s life changed for the worse. He was recently sentenced to 40 years imprisonment in the US for maliciously attacking a cleaner at an Airport in Virginia. “It does bring tears to me eyes when people ask me bout me son. Me son didn’t had no kind of life after then. Like the shooting and the police just cross me son. I tek me son and carry he to the States in 2002 and all the time he de doing good going to school,” the weeping father said. Griffith told me that his son later received a prosthetic leg through a US insurance company and was progressing excellently until one day on a trip back to Guyana, the past of the 24 year-old began to haunt him. “When we come here
Local philanthropist dies at 97 The body of devoted philanthropist Harry Saran Ramsaroop, was cremated on Friday at the Ruimzeight crematorium site, West Coast Demerara. Ramsaroop, who died on Tuesday, was the proprietor of the Dharm Shala Home of Benevolence. He was 97. He was the son of the late Pandit Ramsaroop Maraj, founder of the home. Mr Ramsaroop continued to serve the less fortunate in society after his father developed health-related complications in October 1950 at the age of sixty. Ramsaroop’s daughter, Kella Ramsaroop, told this newspaper that her father had no major health complaints for a man his age. The Dharm Shala was officially declared open in 1929 by Rev C F Andrews, who was an admirer of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1939 the same Christian chapel in which the service
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Harry Saran Ramsaroop
was conducted, was built, and in 1941, the Dharm Shala extended its service to Berbice, with a building of similar capacity to its Georgetown counterpart, a Hindu temple and a chapel. The Dharm Shala continues to grow,
accommodating hundreds of the less fortunate and destitute people at 11 different locations across the country. Mr. Ramsaroop would be remembered as always devoted to the work of his father throughout the years.
recovered from trauma
couple years back we go to Prime News and like two days after the news, me and me son see the man wuh shoot he, Karim Baksh, promoted to inspector,” the man said. Griffith further explained that his intention on that trip to Guyana was to leave his son here but after Griffith Jnr begged him to return to the US he took him back with him. “If I de know I should have left him right here.” THE MOMENT HIS SON’S LIFE CHANGED “He stay just suh and start freak out because he seeing a set ah flashbacks like Baksh shooting he again so we try fuh get him help but nobody ain’t do nutten. We run all over and he just keep getting worse,” the father said. Griffith Snr said that his son would go missing from his home on a number of occasions, leaving his entire family traumatized. The man explained that his son would regularly make trips to the Virginia Airport in his wheelchair. “Nuff time the police dem does have to calling me fuh I
come for me son and then they got nuff times they police dem does have to bring he home,” the father cried. Young Griffith’s life changed forever, after he attacked a cleaner at the Virginia Airport. “He gone again nobody ain’t know where the man deh. One day I deh sit down watching TV and all I see is a news come up with me son. Me son beat up some woman at the airport,” the father said. The father told me that his son was later charged with rape, attempted murder and abduction. On his visit to the Red Onion State Prison in Virginia the still grieving father said that his son explained to him that he had a flashback of 2001 while a cleaner was sweeping. “How the lady been sweeping in the same motion it he remember Baksh shooting he and he start attack the lady and he seh from long he de want hold on pon Baksh fuh doing he wuh he do he and he start punch up the lady,”
the father explained. Griffith Snr said that his son was charged by the courts he was then offered a plea deal by Virginia Police. “I told him not to take no plea deal and they give he a public defender.” Griffith Snr said that his son after two years accepted a plea deal which would allow him to be discharged of three charges and only serve a three-year sentence. “I tell he no don’t accept it let it go to the jury so that the Jury would understand. They even bring four different Psychiatrists fuh see if he could stand trail and all them said he could stand trial,” the father said. The crying father told me that he sat in the court room patiently waiting for his son’s case to be called only to be stricken by the news that the his son will serve a forty year sentence for the crime he committed. Griffith explained that because his son was never sworn in as an US citizen, chances are that after his forty years sentence he will be deported to Guyana.
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Kaieteur News
SERVICES
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Profressional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,6626045,223-8115
1 Honda CRV (PKK series) Auto, F/P, mags, A/C, crash bar. Price $1.9M- Call:6215902/225-1400 Honda CRV 2002 model, automatic, fully loaded alarm. Price $3.2M- Contact Rocky 621-5902/ 225-1400
Professional and affordable landscaping and tree trimming services. Budram’s Landscaping ServicesCall:656-1326/678-0058 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call:2259032,647-2943 For a free Gospel package text your complete name & address to 675-7292 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 Need help making your business better – call:2643320 GI Joe – For if and when you need skill worker – for interior locations – Tel:665-4603 Kashmir make-up studio & spa: Specialized airbrush artist/ esthetician for an exceptional lookContact:665-5979/698-0114
1 Toyota Double cab pickup (4door) manual (5l- Diesel) 4x4 -$3.5M Contact Rocky: 6215902/225-1400 Driven Auto Sales – New Arrivals Sale – Unregistered fully loaded Toyota Sienta $2,250,000 & Madza Axela $2,350,000 – 643-6565; 2269931 Leroy Trident car 250 CC, 4 doors, power window, $750,000 cash or credit Tel 227-3939, 621-4000 Hilux Surf 4 Doors, minor parts needed, sold as is $800,000 Tel 227-3939, 6214000 Nissan Maxima, fully powered needs repairs sold as is $375,000 cash 227-3939, 621-4000 Mitsubishi 3000GT sports car, fully powered, $1.8 cash or credit available Tel: 227-3939, 621-4000 Stretch limousine, Lincoln Town car, fully powered $7 million or credit available Tel 227-3939, 621-4000 Trike Can- Am style motorcycle, 200cc new, unregistered $550,000 neg or credit Tel 227-3939, 621-4000
LAND FOR SALE Prime business land for sale by owner – 120x40 – Contact:225-1831 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.2M – Call: 675-7292 Are you selling your land in Parfaite Harmonie? – Call:675-7292 10 Acres land at Long Creek – Contact:699-3723
AA60 Toyota Carina - Price: $350.000 negotiable – Call:660-8404 BUY/SELL VEHICLES OR PROPERTY; SAVE TIME + MONEY USING PHOTO ADS – WWW.GYTRADER.COM ; TEL: 651-4300, 670-4300
Soesdyke -57.21 acres of land 215’.36x8, 755’.2- near Linden H/way Junction - $125M negotiable. B&G’s Realty – 227-4125;617-9717 32 Acres for sale, Lot 5 Content Mahaicony, E.C.D: US$175,000: Call:813-3194 2 1 9 : rpooran@tampabay.rr.com
For sale, 212 PMM – Tel: 6442489 2- 2007 Toyota AvensisCall:698-0674 AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Audi, BNN RZ mini buses, AT170, Marino. Cash or terms- Call:680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 One Madza Axela PPP series – Price negotiable – Contact:668-4135/771-5403 1 Toyota Hilux single cab. Excellent condition, first owner- Call:657-3707 One registered NZE Corolla – call:652-3820; 665-4529 1 Toyota – IST, Fun cargo, AT192, AT212 Ceres, Hilux D4D pick up, Tundra Tel:6445096,697-1453 1- Spacio PPP series; reasonable price, excellent condition – Call:652-0709, 268-3572 1 Suzuki Vitara Jeep; immaculate condition; fully Powered- Tel:694-6027 ( Price negotiable) 2002 Honda fit, 1 owner, pearl white, Areo, fogs, AC, CD, Remote Start - $1,950,000 – (negotiable) – Tel:613-4617 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, IST, Runx, FielderCall:652-3820/665-4529 Axio -$2.9M, Premio - $2.6M, Spacio registered PRR $2.2M; Trade- in available for Axio – Tel:697-0294 One Toyota RZ minibus, BHH series. Price negotiableCall:668-5180 White 2008 Tacoma 4x4 lift kit, off road tyres. Excellent condition- Call:610-5370
Business land for sale Soesdyke Linden HighwayPlease Call:678-7355 Land for sale @ Lot 144 Stewart Ville West Coast Demerara – – Street Contact:610-8674, 621-8005 or 862-218-5078 S o e s d y k e – l a n d 166.00’x131.98 - $4.5M negotiable; B&G’s Realty – 227-4125;617-9717
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Skid Steer Thomas with Japanese Kabota Engine – Call:259-1370, 650-3447 Cheapest- Premio, Pitbull, Manual Buses & Hilux- Call: 616-7635
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 MASSAGE American Style massage services- Call:678-7499 LAND FOR SALE Transported house and cultivated Lot at 3D – Anna Catherina Canal No.1 Polder; owner migrated – Tel:6649923 At Blankenburg Public Road, W.C.D. 38x150 & 39x150 $16M each- Call:666-3619
HILUX SOLID DEF PICKUPS, unregistered, in excellent condition – Call:691-2077 EUROLUXAUTOS: 2011 Mercedes C250 AMG, sport from UK, only 10,000 miles! Like new, $9M/ nearest offer – Call:604-7806 EUROLUXAUTOS: 2009 UK made Vauxhall 2 doors/ 2 seater sport convertible 13,000 Miles , $3.5M or nearest offer – call:604-7806 First Class Auto: Premio, Axio, Passo, Runx, Allex, IST, Fielder, Raum – Call:609-8188; 602-6307
Sunday October 27, 2013
VEHICLE FOR SALE 2007 Toyota BB, fully loaded, unregistered special price $2.350M – 617-2891 MRR Autos: Unregistered fully loaded; 2004 Toyota Raum - $2.250M – Tel: 6571796; 626-9590 Toyota Premio; PPP series, HID Lights, DVD, Deck, reverse camera - $2.3M Negotiable – Calll:687-7017; 625-9111 1 Honda Fitt PMM 4223; with rims and CD player; Immaculate Condition - $1.3M Negotiable – Tel:610-1818, 618-5140 1 Super costom mini bus GPP 4462; with rims & CD player; Immaculate Condition - $2.3M Negotiable Tel:610-1818, 6185140 Two Toyota Tacoma 2006 unregistered: 4wd $3.9M & 2wd $3.1M- Call:662-1396/ 678-0573 1 – Toyota – Caldina Wagon, AT170 Corona, 1 Nissan E24 Caravan – Tel:644-5096; 6971453 One Toyota G-Touring wagon, rims – excellent condition – contact: 622-7831 New RX8 (Red) rotary 7 speed engine, new rims, tires, music kickers, lambo doors – Tel:680-2095 Crash Toyota Vios. Asking $750,000 as is- Call:617-7113 1 Toyota AE 100 Sprinter; automatic, fully powered magrims – Price: $850,000 – Contact Rocky – 621-5902; 225-1400 Mitsubishi Pajero (Immaculate condition); automatic, fully loaded, 4×4, price $2.8M- Contact Rocky:225-1400 or 621-5902 AT212 Carina (private), automatic, fully powered, A/ C, CD player, price $1.350Mcontact Rocky:225-1400 or 621-5902 Toyota extra cab pick-up (22 R engine) manual, (EFI) 4×4, (GPP series) price $2.5MContact Rocky 621-5902/ 225-1400 1 Toyota Hilux extra cab (5LDiesel). Manual, fully loaded $3.1M- Contact Rocky 6215902 or 225-1400 1 Toyota Ceres (4 doors car). Automatic, fully powered, mags, alarm $775,000Contact Rocky 621-5902 or 225-1400 Toyota Tacoma (2006 model)VVTI engine, automatic, fully loaded, 22" chrome rims $4.3M- Contact Rocky 6215902/ 225-1400 1 Toyota Raum (PKK series) Auto, F/P, A/C, alarm. Price $1.350M- Call:621-5902/2251400
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
Pitbull pups fully vaccinated - Call Johnny: 628-9884 WHOLE SALE PLUCK CHICKEN- CALL:6760931 Honda welders; 270 amps – 15,000 watts generator – Tel:611-5114/220-4495
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 Potting Soil and quality cow mould- Call: 656-1326/678-0058 Tundra ‘Woman Driven’ Tel:627-1983 Playstation 2, & playstation 3 and X-box 360 console for sale – Tel:644-6012
Pitbull puppies 8 weeks old; de-wormed and fully vaccinated – Tel:624-7991 Massey, Yanmar Ford 5000 Logging/ Agriculture Tractors, parts, Loader & Ford Truck- Call:615-1578/ 694-3595: Tools & Chainsaw668-2831
One Ford 8210, Tractor $4M – Contact: 648-9940
Playstation 2 and 3 games for sale – Tel:644-6012
1- 5705 John Deere tractor, 1Rome plough 20 dish, 1- 1630 Bedford truck articulated with 2 trailer- Call:693-4596 Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call:672-2566
Generator; diesel engine 400 Volts/50HZ 3 phase; Texila American University; Goedverwagting Campus – Tel:222-5224,222-5225
Original Games- Call:6722566 1 going sawmill with new equipment, customers, land space, ideal for exporting containers; side to Public Rd – Tel:624-8683 10 weeks white/blue gray pitbull pups fully vaccinated – call:616-8131 2 Ice machine, 1 smoothe machine, small fridges – Tel:231-0655, 683-8734. One popcorn machineCall:639-2410 Pre-painted and unpainted corrugated zinc sheets at affordable prices- Call Tel:2267054 3 piece suite for sale. Suitable for a small sitting room- Call: 621-6662
1 Pool table cloth, ball , cue stick, pokets, rubber , coins, shoot, chalk, springs, rocks call: 669-9927 Exclusive designed: Sarees; Indian made – Price $6000.00 – Contact Tel:216-1210 or 648-8961 Chicken Hatchery (Robbins), 28,000 eggs capacity fully ready, $ 6Mor credit available Tel: 227-3939 621-4000 Diesel Generator, 3 cylinder Lister pitter (England) key start, 15 kva, $750,000 cash or credit 227-3939, 621-4000 Generac Generator 15 kva, portable, $550,000 cash or credit available Tel 227-3939, 621-4000 22" Chrome Rims with Tires 6 holes $295,000, 18" Chrome Rims with Tire $125,000: 2273939, 621-4000
Short fluffy pups, de-wormed & vaccinated - $10,000 – Call:220-4247 2- M132 Lavarda Combine, 122RB Dragline, 3- Pressure pump 4x3 for gold field, 12640MF tractor 4WD, 1385MF tractor- Call:627-0447
Clarke forklifts 2000, 3000, 4000 Lb, lifting capacity make an offer Tel: 227-3939, 6214000
1 CAT standby 3306, 194 KVA 3 phase 60 cycle- Call:641-8472
Diesel Generator silent 28 kva SDMO John Deere engine, missing Fuel Pump, Panel, Avr make offer 2273939, 621-4000
1-20 Cu.Ft Frigidaire freezer – Contact: 602-5755 Hifi Sound Connection: Car Audio, Pro Audio, complete sound system generator.Call:610-1230/673-5828 Cute puppies with guard dog instinct- Call:645-0240/6850942
Diesel Generator silent 28 kva SDMO Mitsubishi engine, parts missing make an offer 227-3939, 621-4000
60FT Antenna (Mass) for Radio, TV, Cellular, with cables, brackets, sky light make offer 227-3939, 6214000 (Continued on page 56)
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 55
City Hall not audited Berbice, Lethem, EBD... for several years - Millions being pocketed -official
Town Clerk, Carol Sooba A reliable source from the City Hall is insisting that millions of dollars of taxpayers’ monies are being stolen under the leadership of the Town Clerk and that this is being facilitated by a crooked system that continues to exist. The source said, “Whilst the council has fallen into disrepair, the system at this point remains shady and it should be made clear that the Town Clerk, Carol Sooba, is not doing anything about it. Sooba is not interested in preparing any Financial Statement because the loopholes would expose the millions of dollars being pocketed.” “This council has not been audited since 1996. And, you can’t expect corrupt people to improve any system that they have crafted to serve their unquenchable thirst for taxpayers’ money.” “The system at City Hall needs restructuring and Sooba who claims that she
is serious about making a difference has not demonstrated in any way that her words have any merit.” The Council, the source explained, will only plummet to the ground if the systems are not fixed. “What is Sooba afraid of? Why can’t she get the system in order and prepare the necessary financial statements so that the council can be audited?” The source also said, “Several efforts have been made for the Municipality to get its records in order for the 2013 Audit but its Clerk, at this point, is not interested in that. Also troubling, is how the government or the Opposition can just let this glaring breach of the Municipal and District Councils Act, continue to prevail.” The source then made reference to the 2011 report of the Auditor General (AG). “According to the report, the sum of $282M was voted for capital subvention to municipalities and local community councils, enhanced environment and improved community services, improved drainage and irrigation facilities. “On December 31, 2011, the full amount was granted to 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and six municipalities. Now, in this regard, the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana, requires the accounts of Municipal and District Councils to be made up yearly, not later than four months after the end of the financial year to which they relate, and for those accounts to be audited by the AG as soon as practicable.” The report also noted that ten of the NDCs were never audited since their establishment and that the City hall is yet to produce its financial report to substantiate the money that was allocated to them. Moreover, when this newspaper contacted Ms. Sooba to answer on the state of their financial records and the allegations of the millions being pocketed under her leadership, she directed this newspaper to its publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, who has no affiliation with the financial department of the council. Sooba said, “Listen, all the answers you want to your questions, direct them to your boss, Glenn Lall. He has all the records of City Hall and knows more than we do. That’s all I have to say.”
The Abigail Column Neutral party needed to mediate disagreement
DEARABIGAIL, ‘David” and I have been married for 4 years. I recently learned that he has been in touch with a former co-worker. Friends saw him having lunch with her. I also saw a short email from her, saying, “Hi! Same time, same place. Looking forward to it.” And it was signed “Love”. Needless to say, I brought this to Bill’s attention. He admitted they’d had lunch a few times, but said it meant nothing. Bill explained that they are
good friends. To me this is obviously more than just a coworker relationship. I told him I wanted these “dates” stopped immediately, as this relationship could only lead to trouble. He agreed to stop. Last week, he told me he was going to meet a male friend for a drink. I checked his e-mail and learned that he met up with this woman. I am hurt by this betrayal. David now says I’m being ridiculous and he has no intention of ending the lunch dates. I am devastated. I told David it would be best if we separated to give both of us time to think. How do I get rid of a husband who refuses to leave?
Devastated Dear Devastated, David should not have met with this woman without your knowledge and approval, but I don’t believe it is an affair. It sounds like he misses his job, wants to keep up with the gossip and enjoys her company. Unfortunately, your extreme reaction has turned it into a power struggle and a major marital crisis. Unless you want a divorce, I urge you to find a neutral third party - a counselor or family friend who can mediate your disagreement and help you find a way back to each other before it’s too late.
From page 8 could assist low and middle income families to find jobs easier and create economic spinoffs that could help those communities.” The other area on the East Bank Demerara corridor that is being considered for a commercial zone is within proximity to the Demerara Distillers Limited. Activities in that area would focus on packaging, manufacturing, fabricating and even some amount of modern warehouse storage. He said that a lot of interests have been expressed for creation of a commercial zone on the East Coast Demerara but finding appropriate lands has proven difficult. There is also an industrial site in Berbice at Belvedere. This economic zone comprises companies involved in manufacturing and packaging. They are in an advantageous position owing to the proximity to the Surinamese market. This linkage is expected to get closer with Guyana and Suriname exploring the possibility of having easier
access to both countries. “This industrial zone also has tremendous potential for the development of our economy,” he added. The Minister stressed that the planned Deep Water Harbour for Berbice is not a standalone development that would also build a large commercial zone. “Create commercial and industrial opportunities.” He related, “One of our major challenges is the present port facility in terms of the draught. Large ships have difficulty coming in. And, you know it’s economies of scales at the end of the day business is about having competitive advantage. The larger ships that can come into your port means the less cost of transportation, less trip per load and the deep water harbour would correct it. It would create many new economic zones that would
have added value to the existing industrial zone.” Government plans to establish another industrial site at Silicia City on the Soesdyke Linden Highway. This initiative is part of the development of a new town. “Silica City is designed in a way heavy emphasis would be placed on the economy. Once we can generate the right level of economic activity in Silica City it would be a pull factor in terms of getting people more motivated to that area,” he said. According to Ali, industrial sites are important to cover the economic transformation Guyana is experiencing, particularly with hydropower in the pipeline. “It is important for the creation of employment for the trickle down and distribution of wealth in new economic zones, and growth centres,” he noted.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 27, 2013
(From page 54) VACANCY
FOR SALE
WANTED
PROPERTY FOR SALE
24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistantCall: 663-1751/684-2838 Secretary – Written application to Shakoor ’s Seafoods, 80 Industrial Site, Eccles EBD.
73" 3D TV Mitsubishi Like new Make Offer 227-3939, 6214000 Play station 3 complete $70,000, new Acer Laptop in box $50,000, Wii system complete $55,000 Tel: 2273939 Samsung Galaxy Note2 new $105,000, I phone 4S $85,000, Blackberry bold 4 $60,000, Iphone4 locked $45,000 2273939 Clean Garden Earth & builders waste also Bobcat rental, excavating, clearing & leveling done- Call:616-0617 or 663-3285 Cheap earth delivery to spot E.C.D and E.B.D- Call:6279977 or 698-0182
Porters to work in Grocery stall, Stabroek marketTel:226-9800/683-9500
Property for sale- Call:6275416
Vacancy exist for one experienced cosmetologist on the EBD ( Grove) Contact: Ms Rashrie call:652-5800 One internal auditor 30-40 years – CAT Level “11” – Apply to: 147 Durbana Square Lamaha Gardens. Trainee refrigeration/Ac technician – Tel:231-0655/6838734 NPIC now hiring Telemarketing Agents for full time & part time shifts – Tel:216-3295/6 (Diamond) (Opposite Secondary School) Receptionist – must be computer literate and have one year experience in similar capacity – Contact: 231-0320 for information. Wanted security guards & drivers to work nights – Please contact: 223-3534 or send CV to Lot 1 Chapes Street. Devine Beauty Salon: 1 nail station for rental, 1 hairdresser fully certified. Also Bleaching products for sale- Conact:6892693 Porters, woodmizer mill and moulder operator & tractor driver (Timber Grant)- Call Richard 609-7675/233-2614 Gardener/handyman $3,000 p e r day to work in New Providence. Previous experience is necessary Call:265-7550 Courtney’s Boutique: Stall B Bourda Market Behind Wireless Connections) – need experienced sales person – Tel:227-3407
EDUCATIONAL Private tutor – teaching, reading, writing, grammar at home – Tel:696-7467 Institute Academic Supremacy; East Street, 4 building before Balwant Singh Hospital – Forms 1-5, CXC, adults/classes – Call:226-8468, 690-5008 Nehemiah Comprehensive School; evening classes: Integrated Science, Human and Social Biology – Call:226-0847 for more details.
8GB flash drives – wholesale $2,000 each – Call: 256-4001, 256-3464 – At Mohamed’s Internet Café Enmore.
WANTED 1 Plot of land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie – call:6757292 1 Plot of land to buy in Eccles & Herstelling - $3M offer – Call:675-7292 Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary education- Call:612-1595 Experienced wood worker power tools, laminated work – Tel:614-9277 2- Waitresses & 2 – Bartenders – call:698-0977/ 679-5112 One welder – age 18-25yrs; gas & Arc welding 21 Broad Street Charlestown GT – Call:225-2835, 643-9125 Experienced dispatchers & drivers @ Princess HotelCall:265-7076/616-5419
TO LET One 3 bedroom upper flat at Zeeburg – W.C.D - Contact No: 613-8928 One- 3 bedroom upper flat apartment @ Industry, E.C.D - Call:613-4057 1 Room apartment at ‘B’ field Sophia- Call:661-3801 Furnished executive one or two bedroom suite in Diamond. Ideal for foreigners. Call: 609-2466. One semi furnished apartment to rent; preferably couple or single person – Tel:223-2742;225-7454;6128305 Bottom flat in Nandy Park E.B.D – Call:661-6771 Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: As low as $5000 per nightCall: 668-0306/ 602-8769/ 694-7817 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 679-7139 East Coast - $40,000, Kitty $120,000, Atlantic Gardens – US900, Providence –US1300 – Call Diana – 227-2256; 6269382 Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours- 2271218 Business spot at 14 Peter’s Hall public road, E.B.DCall:233-5110/668-0309
Contract cars- Contact City Taxi Service- 660-1100/2267150 Attractive live in waitress Call:228-5129 1 – Domestic to work 3 days per week, preferably from East Bank; Age: 45-50 – Tel: 689-6965 Live-in domestic & attractive waitress, must know to cook – 18-30yrs; boarding & lodging free, salary $50,000 monthly – Tel:610-5043 Skilled painters, tillers and semi skilled labourers – Tel:615-7526; 668-9863 NPIC now hiring experienced Telemarketing Agents, for full time & part time shifts – Tel:216-3295/6 (Diamond opposite school). GREENHEART AND PURPLE HEART LUMBER – TEL: 653-9752 One female general worker for shift system (8hrs)- Call:2256337 East Bank Sawmill needs Labourers immediately; good salary – Accommodation provided – call:683-5759, 6098727 TRUCK DRIVER FOR DELIVERIES, LABOURERS WITH EXPERIENCE BUILDING MATERIALS, SALES WOMAN AND CASHIER WITH EXPERIENCE – TEL:2318529 Night watchman 7pm to 7am for Sheriff Street store. Mature old male preferredpermanent job- Tel:604-2164
1 Handy Man, 1 Small Engine Mechanic 3yrs experiencecall: 233-2408. Two guards for a marine company; one manager for a mining company. Attractive salaries. Call 223-7165; 2268645; 223-5180 One gardener; contact M. Vieira Houston Estate or call: 623-1202
One –Two storey business property (transported) @ Brickery public road, E.B.DCall: 660-8128 VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, generator, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call:592-6248704/592-684-9203 Prime 2-storey concrete building 80x23, 6 bedrooms, 2 master bedrooms @ Leonora next to Primary School – call: 652-0709, 268-3572
GI Joe – Jetmen, Marak men, operators and other skilled men – Tel:665-7603 One bartender to work in Kitty area- Call:675-3061/610-8269 Two storey building 172 Parafield Leonara WCD – One cook to work in Interior. Call:227-7675, 619-3503 Salary $100,000- Call between One (1) 2- storey 5 bedrooms 8am-6pm 664-5199 recently built house, $25M; One handyboy to work in Mon Repos E.C.D Interior. Salary $80,000- Call (Transported) – Tel:617between 8am-6pm 664-5199 9316,220-0818, 651-0744 General LABOURER, Kitty - $30M, Section K C A R P E N T E R S , $39M, Queenstown -$23M, GARDENER, security Duncan Street -$38M – Call guards to CARE FOR Diana: 227-2256; 626-9382 DOGS, Land of Canaan 111 Collinswood Avenue, location, 266-4427 Nandy Park, EBD – One working male to share 2 Contact:616-9775;687-0835 bedrooms apartment Section K C/Ville – 2 flat 3 Call:662-1414/231-0494 bedroom solid Building. FOR HIRE $22M negotiable – B&G’s One truck to transport goods Realty- 227-4125; 617-9717 into the interior for more info Prime Property for sale – – contact:602-5755 Light Street, Alberttown – Contact:639-3619, 619-7299 Agriculture Road: 2 Storey 3 bedrooms house; land 600x36Ft - $17.5M – Tel:6122522 2 Storey Concrete building on corner spot in Zeelught FOR RENT E.B.E $ 12 Million Tel: 2273939 621-4000 PRIME BUSINESS SPOT LOCATED AT 251 Prime commerical property, THOMAS STREET LOTS Albertown, 4 lots with OF LAND SPACE PLUS business, (Nut Centre) price BUILDINGTHEREON.TEL: neg. Tel 621-4000, 2273939 683-4803. 2 Storey business premises: Fully furnished apartment in 94 Campbell Avenue, C/VilleNandy Park, suitable for a Call:680-8857/647-300-4294 single person or couple- Call: 619-4824 for further information. One 3 bedroom 2 storey concrete house in Parfaite Harmonie – Rent: $45,000 CAR RENTAL monthly – Call:622-1782; 6585803 and 264-0042 Premio, vitz call: 679-7139 One three bedroom; Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 225preferably family – Call:226- 7126/ 226-36939659; 667-3124 dollysautorental@yahoo.com/ Apartments Unfurnished: 1 www.dollysautorental.com bedroom $50,000 and Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup$55,000. 2 Bedrooms $60,000 Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 a month furnished US $500 – US$1,000 a month - First Choice Car Rental: Cars as low as $5,000 per Contact:231-0845 day- Call:668-0306/694Ogle sea side - 3000US$; 7817/225-6337 Diamond – 800US$, 5 Wings Car Rental- Call: 687Bedroom – Ring:231-2199/ 4116 618-7483
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Two more lawyers admitted Property Holdings Inc. to the Bar Association headed by Brassington Most recently admitted to the Guyana Bar Association were Ms Kimberly Alison Yearwood and Ms Valensia Turkessa Yansen whose petitions were read to Justice Franklyn Holder by Attorneyat-law Ronald Burch-Smith last Thursday at the High Court. Yearwood, age 24, lives in Tuschen on the East Bank of Essequibo. She attended the St Rose’s High School and was outstanding at both CSEC and CAPE examinations. She went on to complete Sociology at University of Guyana in 2007 as a precursor to law, attaining a 3.8 Grade Point Average. In 2008, Yearwood was accepted to the University’s Department of law and graduated with a distinction. In 2011, she was accepted to Hugh Wooding Law School. Currently, Yearwood is employed with Duke’s Law Firm. She is the daughter of Claudette Moore and Ronald Yearwood. Yearwood said she is spiritually inclined, having been mentored by her pastors at the Salvation Army. She said she is forever indebted to her mother and younger brother, Alvin Moore, who made the greatest sacrifices to send her through law school. She is also grateful to her cousins, aunts and uncles, who, on many occasions, left themselves undone so that she would not be in need while on her journey in Trinidad. Yearwood enjoys the art of poetry and Soca song writing. She plays an active social role in the community as volunteer teacher and youth mentor. The new lawyer is interested in criminal law but is also competent in civil rulings. Valensia Turkessa Yansen was born to Donna and Mark Yansen. She attended the Friendship Primary School on the East Coast of Demerara, before attending the St Rose’s High School in Georgetown. At an early age, Yansen imagined and considered that her professional ambition was to become a Medical Doctor. In secondary school, she focused her studies to specialise in Science subjects, and her fascination with Chemistry, Physics and Biology grew. However, upon
owes City Hall $$M
Attorneys Valensia Turkessa Yansen (left) and Kimberly Alison Yearwood after being admitted to the Bar writing CXC, she said she realised that she was not mathematically inclined. She however graduated from Secondary school in 2009 with favourable grades. After Secondary school, Yansen worked at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) as an Orthopaedic Technician for three years. While there she said her ambitions to become a medical doctor were rekindled and intensified, although her proficiency in mathematics remained a challenge. After GPHC, Yansen said she applied to the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the University of Guyana to pursue studies in Biology, but during her interview with the Head of that Department, it was quickly pointed out that gaining a high grade in Mathematics was a key criterion. Still eager to attain the status of a professional, Yansen said she pursued studies in the Social Sciences instead, and in 2004 she completed a diploma in Safety
and Security Management, followed by a Bachelors Degree in International Relations (with credit) in 2008, and further, in 2010, a Degree in Legal Laws LL B (also with credit). The young lawyer then proceeded to the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago from 2011 to 2013 to undergo the most challenging stint of studies, as she described it. Nonetheless, Yansen completed the Legal Education Certificate (LEC) in June 2013 and graduated on 5th October, 2013. “On mature reflection of my life and my studies so far, I am proud to say that my consistency, dedication and resolve have helped to move me from the wishful and failed dream of being a medical doctor, to the reality of now being a qualified and ambitious Attorney-at-Law.”
Whilst admitting that $5M or even $20M cannot aid City Hall in executing its works, Town Clerk Carol Sooba in her selective debt recovery campaign has seemingly ignored those who owe in excess of $100M. According to a source at City Hall, Property Holdings Inc, created by National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) headed by Winston Brassington, owes City Hall $156.7M for rates and taxes on six properties. A request to waive the interest of $91.1M on the properties was sent to City Hall through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. According to City Hall’s statement of Accounts as at October 14, 2013, Property Holdings Inc. owed City Hall $108.8M for the property at A13-14 Water Street, South Cummingsburg. That amount dates back prior to 2009. The interest asked to be waived is $63.2M. The document revealed that Property Holdings Inc. owed $1.1M for the period 2011 to 2013 for the property situated at 8AWater and Holmes Street, South Cummingsburg. The amount being demanded is $922,500. It was noted that for 27 Main Street, South Cummingsburg, Property Holdings Inc. owes City Hall $11.8M in rates and taxes. That amount owed is for prior to 2009 to 2013. In addition, the sum of 26.9M is owed for
Lot 304-5 East Street, South Cummingsburg. The document stated Property Holdings Inc. owes $5.2M for Lot 15 Werk-enRust for the period prior to 2009 to 2013. And, from 2009 to 2013 $2.5M is owed for the property at 18 Lamaha and Peter Rose Street, Queenstown. According to the source, with the interest deducted from the amount owed the amount demanded equals $65.5M. He believes it is this amount Sooba referred to at a press conference when she admitted that taxpayers owe $64M and no legal action is being taken. The source emphasized that Guyana Fisheries Ltd. located at A Street, Meadowbank/ Houston owes City Hall $274.2M. In addition, a Councillor of the Mayor and City Council Llewellyn John, who is said to be supportive of Sooba, owes City Hall $7M and legal action has been taken to obtain the amount, the source said. According to the source, it is clear that City Hall’s legal
Winston Brassington
Marcia Nadir-Sharma action initiated against Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall by Sooba was an act of malice on behalf of the Government. Lall, via his newspaper, Kaieteur News has been exposing corruption within Government and was blamed for the Government having a minority in Parliament.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 27, 2013
Vendor critical after throat Berbice, Lethem, EBD slit by jealous ex-lover are emerging industrial A 45-year-old woman whose throat was slit early yesterday by her jealous exlover is now battling for her life at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Denise Hope, a clothes vendor on Regent Street, Georgetown, was also stabbed in her back. Her attacker, Godfrey Lammy, a former member of the Georgetown City Constabulary was later arrested. Police said that 60-yearold Lammy was arrested at Sister’s Village, West Bank Demerara, approximately five hours after he attacked his lover. Kaieteur News was told
- Suspect later arrested on WBD that two months ago, Lammy was ordered by the court to stay 150 feet away from the now injured woman but according to a vendor, “He still does come around” her and threaten her. According to reports, around 06:30am yesterday, Hope was heading to her vending spot when the suspect ‘suddenly’ appeared in front of her, wearing a black hooded vest. “He parked his car and he hid at the corner of the church and as soon as she was near, he jumped out and hugged
her. She was telling him to let go of her when he pulled out a knife and slit her throat and stab her in her back,” an eyewitness said. She added that Hope, a Tucville, Georgetown resident ran into the Universal Church to seek help but “two Brazilians hold her by her foot and hand and bring her out and put her to lie down on the concrete.” This newspaper was told that after the suspect attacked Hope, he got into his car and drove away. “That man is cruel. He stripped his son’s mother on Lombard Street, Georgetown and kicked her in a drain. A man had to give the woman his shirt. He also hit his daughter’s mother and now the woman can’t see from one of her eyes,” a friend of Hope’s said.
sites - Irfaan Ali
- Industrial sites, commercial zones being created to accommodate housing drive With Guyana’s economy experiencing steady growth traditional industrial sites at Coldingen, Eccles, and Ruimveldt will now include others at Lethem, Berbice and sections along the East Bank Demerara corridor. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali, said that this development is part of Guyana’s strategic growth plan involving the creation of new housing areas and new economic zones. They are complemented by the establishment of commercial and industrial zones or industrial parks. These would ensure that development within these new centres is sustainable and self generating. “By this, we mean that holistic development and sustainable development must be able to meet the socioeconomic needs of the population that the
development is targeting,” he said. Ali said that there are key areas where industrialization, manufacturing and commercial activities are becoming more intense outside of the traditional industrial zones such as Lethem, where a new industrial park is blossoming. Lethem is situated in Region Nine and borders Brazil. Within recent years, Government has been touting Lethem as the new economic hub. Only recently, Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd opened a branch in Lethem adding to the community’s banking sector which houses a branch of Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry. According to the Minister, Lethem is an area of tremendous potential for agroprocessing, manufacturing and warehousing, which are important for any border town. “This area offers an
opportunity to access a larger market in terms of population in Bon Fim and Boa Vista. So there is tremendous interest in the Lethem commercial zone. The influx of commercial banks also is testimony to the fact there is great projection in terms of the economic viability of Lethem as a major economic commercial zone,” he said. He said that the second area of focus is the East Bank Demerara, where a massive housing development is ongoing resulting in the shift in population. In light of the low and middle income extension of the Eccles Housing Scheme a light commercial zone has been created. The Minister emphasized that the intention of having the light commercial zone close to housing is to generate employment. “That (Continued on page 55)
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
General election when it’s due - PM
Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, second left, presents cheques to assist in Divali celebrations to Satnarayan Maharaj, secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha, left, Forbes Persad, PRO of SWAHA, and Dr Akenath Misir, second vice-president of the National Council for Indian Culture. The Prime Minister hosted a dinner to mark the observance of Divali at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s on Thursday evening. PHOTO: ANDRE ALEXANDER Trinidad Guardian - Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar says general election will be held in 2015 when it is constitutionally due and not before. “We made several commitments to the people of T&T and as long as God gives me life, health and strength, I will continue to do what I said, what I would do, which is to put the needs of citizens first, to call elections when they are due, even if the pollsters predict it may not be beneficial to my government and I,” she said. She was speaking on Thursday night during Divali celebrations at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. The next general election is due to be held in 2015. Persad-Bissessar also promised not to negotiate the business of the country with “criminal elements.” “We made commitments not to negotiate and make deals with criminal elements, no matter how politically expedient that may seem to be and to conduct the business of government in a fair and transparent way,” she said. “No longer must we make governance decisions in the interest of the privileged few but in the interests of all citizens.” During her address she called out to other members of the coalition government who were present at the ceremony. “I acknowledge my brothers and sisters of the partnership who are here tonight and who have stood with us to improve the quality of life of everyone,” she said.
“All that we have accomplished over the past three years are as a result of our unity. I want to commend the members for staying true to the collective mandate you gave us.” The Prime Minister also said the Government cannot solve all the nation’s problems on its own. “Very often we get caught up in the illusion of a superhero, of one entity being able to achieve it all. But that is not the reality. One organisation, the Government, on its own can never solve the challenges we face daily. But as a united force we can overcome many things,” she said. Secretary general of the Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha Satnarayan Maharaj, who also spoke at the event, said since last year Hindu astrologers had determined the date for Divali. “This year there have been public discussions on whether Divali should be on
November 2 or on Sunday, November 3. Our local Hindu astrologers taking into account the different time zones of India and T&T, quite clearly decreed that Divali would be celebrated in T&T Saturday, November 2.” He said “political miscreants” are responsible for trying to confuse the electorate on the date for Divali and the election date for the St Joseph by-election. “Political miscreants added a touch of political conspiracy when the St Joseph by-election was announced for Monday, November 4,” Maharaj said. “I wish to emphasise that our religious calendar was printed November last year with Divali clearly marked as falling on Saturday, November 2. This calendar was released on November 28, 2012, long before member of Parliament Mr Herbert Volney totally miscalculated the politics of T&T.”
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Sunday October 27, 2013
Italy’s right could split after Berlusconi move: lawmakers ROME (Reuters) - Italy’s political centerright could split, lawmakers said yesterday, after Silvio Berlusconi resurrected his old Forza Italia party and suspended the People of Freedom (PDL), part of the wobbly left-right coalition government. Several parliamentarians allied to the former prime minister were critical of Berlusconi’s move, and five senior PDL members boycotted Friday’s meeting where the decision was made. Forza Italia (Go Italy!) was Berlusconi’s party when he first entered politics in 1994, and although he said it would support the government of Prime Minister Enrico Letta, just as the PDL has done, it has caused a rift among his followers. “My absence at the president’s office was motivated by my total opposition to the proposal to dissolve the PDL... to return to a Forza Italia which I have never been a part of,” Senator Carlo Giovanardi said on his website. Giovanardi added that the center-right could split into two allied groups: Forza Italia led by Berlusconi and a PDL led by its current secretary Angelino Alfano. Alfano led an internal party revolt earlier this month that thwarted Berlusconi’s attempt to bring down Letta’s coalition. Prominent PDL official Fabrizio Cicchitto told La Repubblica newspaper he saw the center right becoming a “two-pole system”, and said the decision to wind down the PDL was not valid until ratified by a vote at a December 8 party conference. In emailed statements, some lawmakers continued to sign off as members of “People of Freedom” while others switched to use “Forza Italia”. Despite signs of strain, many party officials played down divisions and tried to present a common front. “The return of Forza Italia will signal a new season of success for the center right,
Silvio Berlusconi
Berlusconi will know how to find unity!” former PDL Education Minister Mariastella Gelmini said on Twitter. Those allied with Alfano are known as “doves”, seen as moderate and more reluctant to undermine the government. Berlusconi loyalists are described as more hardline “hawks”, who frequently threaten to bring down the government unless it cuts taxes. Estimates by Italian newspapers said Alfano’s faction would be big enough to keep Letta from losing his government majority should Berlusconi’s group withdraw its support. But the turmoil could further hamper efforts by the coalition to force through reforms and spur growth in the euro zone’s largest economy, stuck in its longest postwar recession. Berlusconi, 77, who has dominated the political right for two decades, faces expulsion from parliament following a tax fraud conviction. The media tycoon is also embroiled in other cases on charges including corruption and paying for sex with a minor. He maintains the trials against him are attempts by biased judges to destroy a political opponent.
Israel dismisses reports Iran halting higher-grade enrichment JERUSALEM (Reuters) Israel yesterday dismissed as “irrelevant” reports that Iran had halted its most sensitive uranium enrichment activity, and said Tehran’s nuclear program must be dismantled. A senior member of Iran’s parliamentary national security commission was quoted as saying Iran had stopped refining uranium above the 5 percent required for civilian power stations, as it already had all the 20percent enriched fuel it needed for a medical research reactor in Tehran. But diplomats accredited to the U.N. nuclear watchdog said they had no confirmation Iran had halted enrichment of uranium to 20 percent - a sensitive issue because it is a relatively short technical step to increase that to the 90 percent needed to make a nuclear warhead. “The discussion on whether or not Iran has ceased 20 percent enrichment is irrelevant,” said an Israeli
official. Israel fears its arch enemy Iran is developing atomic weapons capability, and has hinted it could attack the Islamic republic to prevent it from getting the bomb. Iran says its nuclear activities are entirely peaceful. “Even if Iran stopped 20 percent enrichment, it is still equipped with advanced centrifuges that allow it to go from a level of 3.5 percent enrichment to a military grade 90 percent within a few weeks,” the official added. World powers seeking a diplomatic solution to the nuclear dispute with Iran want it to stop enrichment. Iran indicated in talks that resumed in Geneva last week that it might scale back its program to win sanctions relief. Israel, believed to be the Middle East’s only atomic power, says Iran must be stripped of enrichment capabilities. “The international
community must ensure the complete dismantling of the Iranian military nuclear program, and until then sanctions must be stepped up,” said the Israeli official. Western officials have said Iran must stop enriching uranium to 20 percent, increase the transparency of its nuclear program, reduce its uranium stocks and take other steps to reassure the world that it is not after nuclear weapons. Iran and six world powers - the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany - said that this month’s talks in Geneva were positive and constructive. Negotiations are due to resume there on November 78. The meeting was the first since Iranian President Hassan Rouhani came to office in August promising to try to resolve the nuclear dispute and secure an easing of sanctions that have severely damaged Iran’s oildependent economy.
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
United States tracked Merkel’s phone since 2002: report BERLIN (Reuters) - The United States may have bugged Angela Merkel’s phone for more than 10 years, according to a news report yesterday that also said President Barack Obama told the German leader he would have stopped it happening had he known about it. Germany’s outrage over reports of bugging of Merkel’s phone by the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) prompted it to summon the U.S. ambassador this week for the first time in living memory, an unprecedented post-war diplomatic rift. Der Spiegel said Merkel’s mobile telephone had been listed by the NSA’s Special Collection Service (SCS) since 2002 - marked as “GE Chancellor Merkel” - and was still on the list weeks before Obama visited Berlin in June. In an SCS document cited by the magazine, the agency said it had a “not legally registered spying branch” in the U.S. embassy in Berlin, the exposure of which would lead to “grave damage for the
relations of the United States to another government”. From there, NSA and CIA staff were tapping communication in the Berlin’s government district with hightech surveillance. Quoting a secret document from 2010, Der Spiegel said such branches existed in about 80 locations around the world, including Paris, Madrid, Rome, Prague, Geneva and Frankfurt. The magazine said it was not clear whether the SCS had recorded conversations or just connection data. Obama apologized to Merkel when she called him on Wednesday to seek clarification on the issue, Der Spiegel wrote, citing a source in Merkel’s office. Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung also said Obama had told Merkel he had not known of the bugging. Merkel’s spokesman and the White House declined comment. “We’re not going to comment on the details of our diplomatic discussions,” said
Caitlin Hayden, a spokeswoman for the National Security Council at the White House. The rift over U.S. surveillance activities first emerged earlier this year after reports that Washington had bugged European Union offices and had tapped half a billion phone calls, emails and text messages in Germany in a typical month. But it appeared close to resolution after Merkel’s government said in August just weeks before a parliamentary election - the United States had given sufficient assurances they were upholding German law. Germany will send intelligence chiefs to Washington next week to seek answers on the allegations around Merkel’s phone. Obama ordered a review of U.S. surveillance programs after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked documents that raised alarm in the United States and abroad.
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China leader promises ‘unprecedented’ reforms at key Party meeting BEIJING (Reuters) - A top Chinese leader has promised “unprecedented” economic and societal reforms at the Communist Party’s much anticipated plenum meeting next month, state media reported yesterday. Yu Z h e n g s h e n g , t h e fourth-ranked member in the elite Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party, said the closed-door meeting would “principally explore the issue of deep and comprehensive reforms”. “The reforms this time will be broad, with major strength, and will be unprecedented,” he said, according to the official Xinhua news agency. “Inevitably they will strongly push forward profound transformations in the economy, society and other spheres.” Yu’s comments are among the first from China’s top leaders about the plenum, where President Xi Jinping is expected to press for greater economic reforms. The broad reform agenda
is expected to steer the world’s second-largest economy, which is experiencing slowing growth, from a reliance on debt-fuelled investment to a more balanced model driven more by consumption, services and innovation. The meeting will mark the third time China’s elite 200member Central Committee has gathered since a leadership transition last year. Historically, third plenums in China have served as a springboard for key economic reforms. Political reform is not expected to be a major point of discussion. China’s cabinet has called for greater effort in revamping the economy because a recovery is not yet solid. China’s $8.5 trillion economy grew at its fastest pace this year between July and September in a rebound fuelled largely by investment, although signs are already emerging the pick-up in activity may lose some vigor. China still expects to meet its economic targets for this
year, including growth of 7.5 percent. China this week launched a new benchmark lending rate, aimed at letting markets set the cost of funds and reducing distortions that have led to excessive investment and overcapacity now dogging the economy. At the plenum, the reform agenda is likely to feature financial and tax reforms, but may also address persistent issues such as hastening urbanization through land reforms and liberalizing China’s household registration system, which restricts migration between rural areas and cities. Critics have said that vested interests, especially state-owned enterprises, could stymie reforms. Former leader Deng Xiaoping launched historic reforms at the third plenum of the 11th party committee in 1978 to rescue the economy from the verge of collapse after Mao Zedong’s disastrous Cultural Revolution.
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Sunday October 27, 2013
Sunday October 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Suriname former president quits parliament PARAMARIBO – In an unexpected move former president Ronald Venetiaan resigned Friday from Suriname’s parliament. In a letter to Speaker of the House, Jenny Geerlings-Simons, the former head of State announced that from October 27, 2013 he will no longer be a member of parliament. In an interview the former leader didn’t present any specific reason why he is resigning and why now. “I just want to give younger persons the opportunity to serve in this capacity”, he said. Venetiaan’s seat in parliament will now go to his fellow party member Hesdy Pigot who was also his secretary during his presidency.
According to former speaker of the House, Emile Wijntuin, Venetiaan during his entire political career, starting as a minister of Education in 1973 and later as president, kept his integrity. During all those years not once was his name mentioned in any corruption scandal, controversy or whatsoever”, said Wijntuin. Ronald Runaldo Venetiaan (born June 18, 1936) served as the 6th, 8th and 9th President of Suriname. His first term as president ran from 1991 to 1996 after which he lost in the elections to Jules Wijdenbosch. In 2000 however, he regained his former position on the New Front banner, receiving an absolute majority of 37 from
KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Regional Governments have been told to heighten online security measures due to increasing attacks by cybercriminals. According to the Chief Executive Officer for the Caribbean Cyber Security Centre, James Bynoe, attacks by cybercriminals will be a major problem for the region due to the increasing skill of hackers and the growing resources available to use in committing cybercrimes. He said region has made it on the radar of international criminal cyber networks, with two countries being attacked recently. “We have seen attacks within the last two weeks in Barbados, in the Cayman Islands and this is something that we should expect to continue. This is not an issue that can be solved
by one organization or one Government. We just have to get smart and pull together to ensure that Caribbean ICT resources are protected. There is no way to combat this and it’s a very, very pressing and clear and present danger to us.” He said islands in the region are exposed because of their size and suggested that governments pool resources to facilitate a stronger defence against cyberattacks. “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel, we can take a look at what’s happening internationally and modify it across the region. Because our islands are so small, it does not take much for a hacker or someone trying to do something malicious to scan our entire country.
Region vulnerable to cybercrime
51 votes in the Parliament. In 2005 Venetiaan defeated Rabin Parmessar of the NDP to secure a third term as president. In his first term Venetiaan implemented a Structural Adjustment Programme which put the
Surinamese economy which was in shambles after the 1980-1987 military dictatorship was thrown out of office through democratic elections, back on track to recovery. In 2000 again Venetiaan was elected to lead
the nation after president Wijdenbosch ran the economy to the ground once again. During his second and third term Suriname recorded record economic growth of over 5 percent and gained the status of a middle-income
country. During his first tenure Suriname became a member of the Caricom in 1995. With a total of 15 years Venetiaan, a physicist and mathematician by profession, is the longest serving Head of State of Suriname.
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Kaieteur News
East Coast Cricket Board Trophy Competition
Bravados, Fairfield among winners in last Sunday’s action
Bravados and Fairfield were among the teams that recorded victories last Sunday when play in the East Coast Cricket Board Trophy Competition continued. Lusignan, better Hope and Ogle also recorded wins according to a release from the ECCB. Here are the full results of the matches played: Bravados vs Avish Auto Sales at Unity: Avish Auto Sales won the toss and batted first, making 153 runs for 7 from 30 overs; Krishna Arjune made 47 N/o, Shiv Daalchand 31 runs and Chris Surat 28 runs. Bowling for the Bravados; Carl Gilkes 5-0-363 and Alex Cully 6-0-17-2. Bravados in reply made 155 runs for 5 from 25.5 overs. Garfield De Roche made 36 runs N/o, Jousha Lakan 26 runs, and Carl Gilkes 22 runs N/o, Bowling for Avish Auto Sales, Krishna Arjune 6-0-343. Bravados winning by five wickets. Fairfield vs Mahaica Sports Club at Fairfeild: Mahaica Sports Club won the toss and batted first making 118 runs all out from 31.1 overs. Prakash Choutie made 32 runs and S. Chandraj 25 runs. Bowling for Fairfield Sewedail Naidu 7.4-0-19-3 and Richard Chatura 8-0-27-3. Fairfield in reply made 119 runs for 9 wicket from 30.4 overs; Wasim Mustapha made 29 runs. Bowling for Mahaica Sports Club D.
Suresh Budhu Better Hope (2)
Ravi Singh Better Hope (2)
Persaud 6-0-15-3, S. Chandraj 6-0-24-3 and A. Lovell 8-0-323. Fairfield winning by 1 wicket. Ogle (Blue) vs Lusignan (B) At Ogle: Lusignan (B) won the toss and batted first making 207 runs for 9 from 40 overs. A. Andersen made 41 runs and B. Samroo 33 runs. Bowling for Ogle (Blue) Anthony Bento 8-0-37-5 and Sahadeo Ramkellawan 8-0-242. Ogle (Blue) in reply making 161 runs all out from 33 overs. Adrian Persaud made 42 runs and Brian Sookram 35 runs. Bowling for Lusignan (B) Steve Alick 7-0-32-2 and A. Andersen 4-0-17-1. Lusignan (B) won by 47 runs. Better Hope (A) vs Golden Grove (A) at Better Hope: Better Hope (A) won the toss and batted first making 287 runs for the 6 from 40 overs. Suresh Budhu made 108 runs N/o. Chris
Deonarine 47 runs and Ravi Singh 44 runs. Bowling for Golden Grove (A), Orin Gardner 8-0-42-4 and Winston London 8-0-39-2. Golden Grove (A) in reply made 186 runs all out from 33 overs; Richard Woolford made 43 runs and B. Reid 27 runs. Bowling for Better Hope (A), Ravi Singh 8-0-31-3 and Rasheed Rohoman 6-1-38-3 and Suresh Budhu 5-0-25-2. Better Hope (A) won by 102 runs. Lusignan (A) vs Ogle (Red) at Lusignan: Lusignan (A) batted first making 146 runs all out from 34 overs; Steve Ramdass made 51 runs and Kumar Bishundial 32 runs. Bowling for Ogle (Red) Anand Persaud 8-0-37-3 and Anora Gomes 3.4-0-20-2. Ogle (Red) in reply made 147 runs or 4 from 33 overs. Kemraj Dindial made 46 run N/o and Darshanand Pooran 32 runs. Ogle winning by 6 wickets.
Payless Variety Store Cycle Meet
Greaves captures feature for 21st win of the season Alonzo Greaves notched up his 2 1 s t w i n o f t h e season when he crossed the finish line comfortable ahead of Robin Persaud and Raynauth Jeffrey in the feature, school boys and invitational 35-lap contest at the 2nd Payless Variety Store 11-Race Cycle Meet held at the National Park, yesterday. The Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) member rolled over the line in One Hour 18 Minutes 07.05 Seconds to beat last year’s winner, Persaud who had clocked One Hour 18 Minutes 42.19 Seconds. Greaves won three of the prime prizes on offer, Jeffrey two and Persaud one. Enzo Matthews copped fourth place whilst fifth and sixth went to Hamza Eastman and Alex M e n d e s , r e s p e c t i v e l y, closing out the top six of
an event that was described as successful by Managing Director of P a y l e s s Va r i e t y St o r e , Joseph Ramkumar. R a m k umar, who witnessed the exciting final event, complimented the riders for making the activity a success and promised that the third edition, next year, will be more rewarding in terms of the prizes. The businessman took the opportunity to present a gift to organizer Hassan Mohamed who will be celebrating his 68th birthday, tomorrow. Manager of Payless variety Store Lisa Ramkumar presented the gift to Mohamed. Following are the results of the other races. Event Laps Positions BMX 6-9 years 2 Sherwin Sampson, Jeremiah Harrison,
Alexander Leung BMX 9-12 years 3 Sherwin Sampson, A m m o G o m e s , Ta r a n Garbarran BMX 12-14 years 3 Rawle Small, Jaled Jackson, Kemuel Moses BMX Open 3 Jamal John, Shamar Dass, Adrian Sharma 12-14 boys & girls 3 Jamal John, Raphael Leung, Alfie Sonoram Veterans Under-50 5 Shameer Baksh (12m 14s), Junior Niles, Shurland Sue Hang Veterans Over-50 5 Linden Blackman, Virgil Jones, Courtney Hackett Veterans Over-60 5 Maurice Fagundes Juveniles 10 Hamza Eastman (25m 50s), Mario King, Andre Greene Mountain Bikes 5 Richard Charles (14m 06s), Ozia Macaulay, Clyde Jacobs
Sunday October 27, 2013
Cancer Awareness Cycle Road Race
Teams promise to excite in the sports most lucrative race
Today’s Digicel Cancer Awareness 80-Mile Cycle Road Race is not just a race but an event that is aimed at heightening awareness about Breast Cancer in this month of October that has been dedicated towards this dilemma. Weekes of planning and training by the organisers (Roraima Bikers Club & Guyana Cycling Federation) and the competitors will be put to the ultimate test today when the race pedals off from Five Corner on Sir David Rose Avenue (Mackenzie), Linden at 07:30hrs this morning. Over 100 riders are expected to face starters orders, all eight clubs affiliated to the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) will be fielding cyclists, while a number of unattached and casual riders are also anticipated to be in contention. The largest first prize ever in the history of the sport is at stake ($240,000) while the biggest prize pool is also on offer in the four categories that will be on show, seniors, juniors, ladies and veterans. Seniors and juniors will battle over 80-miles staring in Linden and finishing at the
entrance of the National Park, Carifesta Avenue. The ladies and veterans will pedal off at Splashmin’s Fun Park, Linden Soesdyke Highway to also finish at the same point as the seniors and juniors. Some new measures will be put in place to ensure a smooth flow and control of the race, marshals and accredited vehicles will be used by the organisers to ensure a quality and high standard activity. Only officials will be allowed on the southern side of the road at the finishing line while all Team and Management vehicles will have parking at the National Park Car Park. Members of the public who will be coming out along the race route are asked to wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness and to
urge the riders on. Race Route: Starting point is at Five Corner on Sir David Rose Avenue (Mackenzie), continuing East along Sir David Rose Avenue, South onto the Linden Soesdyke Highway, South onto East Bank Public Road, East into Mandela Avenue turning at Distribution Services Limited (DSL) and continuing North on Mandela Avenue into Sheriff street, West onto Rupert Craig Highway, West into Public Road Kitty, West on Carifesta Avenue, South into Camp street, West on Thomas Lands, North into J.P Latchmansingh Highway, East into Carifesta Avenue. Competitors will then ride the Outer Circuit of the National Park for two laps before the contest ends at the entrance of the National Park, Carifesta Avenue entrance.
Faf du Plessis: South Africa allrounder fined for ball tampering BBC Sport - The International Cricket Council has fined South African allrounder Faf du Plessis 50% of his match fee for ball tampering against Pakistan. Television replays showed Du Plessis, 29, rubbing the ball over a zip on his trousers on day three of South Africa’s second Test against Pakistan in Dubai. Du Plessis pleaded guilty to an ICC Code of Conduct offence relating to “changing the condition of the ball”. The umpires were forced to change the ball, and applied a five-run penalty. South Africa went on to win the Test by an innings and 92 runs to tie the series 11. Match referee David Boon confirmed the decision to fine Du Plessis, who bowls legspin, in an ICC statement for breaching Law 42.3 of the Laws of Cricket, Boon said: “I am satisfied that the player ’s actions warranted the umpires applying the ICC Test Match Playing Conditions. “That includes the laying of a charge under the ICC
Faf du Plessis Code of Conduct against Mr du Plessis in respect of changing the condition of the ball. “After discussions with Mr du Plessis, he has elected not to contest that charge. “I am also satisfied that this was not part of a deliberate and/or prolonged attempt to unfairly manipulate the condition of the ball, and that the imposition of a fine of 50% of his match fee is
appropriate considering the circumstances.” The last time a five-run penalty was issued for ball tampering was during the 2006 Oval Test between England and Pakistan, when the tourists were adjudged the guilty party. Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq reacted angrily and decided not to continue the Test in protest. Australian umpire Darrell Hair duly awarded the game to England - the only forfeited match in Test history. This month, the ICC amended its laws regarding the condition of balls, saying “if a player responsible can be identified” the ball will be changed, a five-run penalty will be awarded and the player responsible will be reported. Altering the condition of the ball is a level two offence under the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which carries a penalty of 50-100% of their match fee and/or suspension from one Test or two one-day internationals for a first offence.
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Former national boxing champion Jeff Roberts establishes gym in Berbice Recently Guyana’s amateur boxers did reasonable well at the recently concluded inaugural Junior South American Games which was held in Peru. The four man boxing team that made the journey included three from New Amsterdam, Berbice in Flyweight Michael April (52kg), Junior Middleweight Travis Fraser(69kg) and Bantamweight Joel Williamson (56kg), the other being Tefon Greene(49kg). The boxers all did made the country proud when they returned with medals. Fraser led the way with a silver medal while his teammates all won bronze medals. Fraser and April formerly of the Tiger Eye Boxing Gym and Williamson formerly of the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym are all proud of their achievements and are looking forward for more success. Their ultimate aim is to make the Olympics, win medals and become world champions. One of the men responsible for the height the sport once reached in the ancient county previously feels that they could achieve their goal. The name Jeff Roberts is no stranger to the ears of sports lovers in Berbice and Guyana. Roberts, who coaches the young boxers, is a former amateur and professional multi weight boxing champion in Guyana. Roberts represented Guyana at the amateur level on numerous occasions and as a professional, won titles in the Bantamweight division in
1980 and the Featherweight title three years later is on a mission to take the sports back to the heights it once reached in the ancient country. Roberts, who lived for some time overseas, is now back home and has established his own boxing gym, the Roberts Champion Boxing Gym (RCBG) where he has over 20 young boxers under his care. The training base is at the People National Congress (PNC) building at Strand and St Magdalene Street in New Amsterdam. His re-entry into the world of coaching has gained immediate success, with his three charges recent endeavours. Although proud of their achievements, Roberts was quick to say it is just the start of a long and rigorous journey ahead. He cautioned the boxers not to get ‘swell headed’. He feels that they all have potential to
Ten years ago, officials of the Guyana Beverage Company (GBC) acquiesced to a request from the administrators of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club (FCFC) to offset the huge expenses needed to facilitate the development of their institution. Thereafter, the beverage company has sustained the deal and yesterday morning administrators of the club joined with some of the players and trooped to the Diamond ECD headquarters of the sponsors where they received an affirmative nod and the news that Guyana Beverage Company has extended the chivalry for another year to the tune of some $1.6M. Managing Director of the donating firm, Mr Robert
Selman, was joined by his PRO, Shamieza Yadram, President of the FCFC, Wayne Forde, Coach, Sampson Gilbert and Secretary (FCFC), Daniel Thomas. He once again expressed delight in supporting the club and reiterated the power of the sport in the developmental mix. Mr Selman said that the sport is in dire need of support and called on government officials and those of the business community to join forces to improve the fortunes of local ball weavers. The GBC boss strengthened his view of the power of sport to unite nations by highlighting the benefits that can be had; “I never really heard of Morocco until their participation in world
Arranges a card for November 9
Jeff Roberts
live their dream, stating that with the right training, guidance and necessary support they will make it to the top. He said that the young pugilists have created history. ”It is the first time in Amateur Boxing that we have three young junior boxers from the Ancient County age’s 17-years-old representing Guyana at the same time and all winning medals.” He said that all the boxers are from very poor home circles and needs every support that they can get. Roberts unselfishly trains his charges every day especially when they are training for competitions. Roberts apart from coaching is not sitting down. He has organised a 12 bout boxing card that will include the top amateur boxers around and will showcase it as a Berbice verses Georgetown card. The event is slated for Saturday 9th of November at Matthew Allen Road (Stelling road) New Amsterdam. According to Roberts, the event is being promoted to help the boxers keep active and to help in promoting the sport in Berbice. “If we don’t keep activity for these boxers then we run the risk of them losing some of what they are being thought.” He said the card will feature the three fighters that recently returned from Peru. He said that there are a few other youngsters who have
impressed him and will be keen to show off their wares. Roberts lashed out at the boxing officials for sitting back and wanting things to come on a platter. “They cannot just sit down in Georgetown and hope that Guyana will produce boxers. They have to get off their laurels and go and scout around the county to find boxers.” He is very disappointed that after the boxers returned he was not even given an acknowledgement by the officials not even a phone call to say thanks or well, done. “The boxers don’t happen by themselves.” He feels that in the future if so many boxers come from one gym then that coach should be one of the coaches accompanying the boxers. There are a lot of things that one has to undergo when under such intense training and one of the better persons that should be with them is their personal coach, especially when you have so many boxers from one gym. He said the boxers underwent rigorous training prior to leaving Guyana in their quest for championship honours. He is grateful to opposition leader David Granger for allowing them the opportunity to use the building. He is also using the opportunity to call on the government and the business community for support in helping him to keep the youngsters off the street and away from illicit activities. (Samuel Whyte)
Winston Murray Memorial softball set for November 24
The Winston Murray Memorial Ten\10 softball competition is set for November 24 at GNIC ground. The winning team will take home a trophy a n d $100,000, the runner up a trophy and $60,000 while each member of the winning and runner up teams will be given a medal.
There will also be awards for the man of the match, best bowler and batsman in the final. Only invited teams will be allowed to take part and among them are Brikery XI, Omesh XI, Regal and Trophy Stall. Teams can contact Samuel Kingston on 614-9536 for more information.
From page 69 accused of accosting Chapman at the MSC Court, after which, Roberts sought the intervention of the Federation. The nation federation then convened an independent panel comprising of Chairperson, Attorney-atLaw, Emily Dodson, Sports Personality, Neil Barry and Guyana Defense Force, Major, Kenlloyd Roberts to hear the appeal of Roberts on May 2 this year. The panel submitted a report that found the following: (a) Condemnation of the conflict of interest and the appearance of bias as the complaining witness, Joe Chapman, signed all of LABA's correspondence after the December 30, 2012, hearing. Specifically “no person involved in the hearing should have any involvement in the disciplinary process… It may have been felt that Mr. Chapman had a vested interest in the outcome… He ought to have recused himself from further participation in the disciplinary process…” (b) “There is a well-established common law concept that disciplinary procedures must satisfy the require-
ments of natural justice. Natural justice means fairness in all aspects, i.e. disciplinary procedures/rules must be fair, clear and transparent in the way they are set up and in their application which must also be consistent.” (c) “The suspension for six years was felt to be grossly excessive and while sports associations must have the right to discipline those who contravene the rules, the punishment must be proportionate to the offence.” (d) “The Committee opined that justice was not served to the Appellant and that in the interests of justice the six year suspension and the $15,000 fine against the Appellant Dwayne Roberts be and is hereby quashed. The Appellant is permitted to participate in any LABA sanctioned basketball activities after May 13, 2013.” It was those tenets that the LABA refused to accept with Chapman citing illegality of the panel that was set up, which resulted in the Federation suspending the Linden sub-association. But all that is now history with this latest development.
Matter resolved!...
Guyana Beverage Co. commits to another sponsorship deal for Fruta Conquerors FC
Mr Forde gratefully accepts the cheque from Mr Selman in the presence of Ms Yadram (extreme left),Coach Gilbert (2nd right back), youth players and other staff members. football,” exhorted Mr Kellman. He also highlighted the benefits accrued by Trinidad and Tobago through
the cricket exploits of world renowned cricketer, Brian Lara. “It can be done for Guyanese; the players need
the support otherwise they will lose heart,” pronounced Mr Selman. Mr Ford agreed with Mr
Selman and echoed his views that local ball weavers would benefit immensely from the (Continued on page 57)
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Petra Organisation/Courts (Guyana) Pee Wee Schools Football Competition
Oie’s late strike sends West Ruimveldt into semis Michael Oie became an instant hero after netting the winning goal for West Ruimveldt in their exciting quarter-final clash against nemesis St. Gabriel who they edged 2-1 when action in the Petra Organization/Courts (Guyana) Pee Wee Schools Football Competition continued yesterday, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. It was another fiercely contested encounter between the two sides whose rivalry has now become a well documented story since both teams always seem to reserve their best showing whenever they battle each other with West Ruimveldt prevailing for the second time in two weeks by the narrowest of margins
- tournament favourites St. Pius stay unbeaten to make it to the semi-final where they play Tucville. The vocal band of supporters that came out to urge on their respective teams got an early glimpse of what was in store when St. Gabriel’s Raymond Bandhu opened the scoring after three minues of play when he fired low into the net after receiving a cross from the left side off a free kick. Oie, who has been an inspiration for the West Ruimveldt unit four minutes later, negated St. Gabriel’s advantage by hitting a right foot shot to the right side of the goal courtesy of a pass from the left flank.The half came with no addition to the scoresheet and everyone
present sensed a rivetting final period showdown and the two rivals did not disappoint as they traded attacks with deadly counterattacks that kept the game on a knife’s edge and spectators gasping with anticipation of who will buckle first. West Ruimveldt eventually sealed their passage to the semi-final round through the ever present Oie, who was left unchecked inside the penalty area following a cross from the right side and he swivelled expertly, before lashing home from close range. It was a complete lapse in concentration from the young lads of St. Gabriel’s, but
a gift for the victors. In other quarterfinal results, Tucville thumped Enterprise 5-2 compliments of a DeAndre Linton hat-trick in the 15th, 27th and 39th. Colwin Best added for the winners in the 30th minute, while an own goal in the 38th minute sealed the win. Netting for the losers was Antonio Canterbury in the 34th and 40th minutes. East La Penitence edged St. Margaret 1-0 through a Leroy Yaw strike in the fifth minute. Tournament leading goalscorer Bevney Marks continued his stupendous form with another mesmerising performance
after hammering in another treble in their 4-2 triumph over F. E. Pollard. Marks netted in the third, seventh and 26th minutes to lead them into the semi-final where they will face East La Penitence for a place in the final. Kamacy Davis was also on target for the winners after firing in a solitary goal in the 39th minute, while Jamal Wayne bagged a brace in the 10th and 19th minutes respectively for F.E. Pollard. The semi-final line-up reads: West Ruimveldt versus Tucville and St. Puis tackle East La Penitence. Meanwhile, in the battle of the 9-16 positions, Marian Academy defeated Ketley Primary 2-0 through goals
from Alastair Phyll and Ricardo Percival in the fifth and 25th minutes respectively, while South Ruimveldt edged Redeemer Primary 1-0 compliments of a Tierece James 23rd minute strike. St. Stephen’s edged J.E. Burnham 2-1 through a Joshua Lindie brace in the 14th and 15th minutes, while North Georgetown led by a Tyriq Saunders double in the fourth and 36th minutes hammered St. Ambrose 5-0. Joshua Denny, Gregory O’Neil and Tyrese Prescod in the 10th, 26th and 28th minutes correspondingly completed their tally. The competition returns to the Thirst Park ground next Saturday.
GT&T National Indoor Hockey Championships
Cadets, GCC Tigers impressive In another thrilling performance in the men’s first division competition, the Cadets and GCC battled to a 6-5 finish in favour of the Cadets as the GT&T National Indoor Hockey Championships continued on Friday evening, at the National Gymnasium. GCC’s Orland Semple began a fine performance on the evening by converting a third minute penalty stroke to give his side the 1-0 lead. Young Aroydy Brandford managed to even the score with a swift drive into the circle to finish between the goalkeeper’s legs and even the scores.
Brandford added another to their total before full time as the game hung in balance until the very end. With the scores still at 1-1, the Cadets rattled off a volley of goals to end the first half with a 5-1 lead. Cadets Goalkeeper Laured Stewart gave the performance of the evening as he kept the GCC strikers at bay despite numerous penalty corner attempts, winning over the crowd with his reflexes and dexterity between the uprights. GCC, however, took a tactical risk that paid off in the second half as they opted for a kickerback rather than goalkeeper for most of the second half
Mayor Green Inter-Ward/ Village Football tourney set for November 10 at Tucville
The Mayor Hamilton Green 79th Birthday 7-a-side Inter-Ward/Village Football tournament will be contested on November 10 at the Tucville Ground. The one day football extravaganza will open at 3:00pm with the preliminary phase before the winners advance to the respective quarterfinals, then semifinals and final. This the 32nd year of the Mayor ’s birthday football tourney, will see eight matches in the preliminary phase. Bourda play North Sophia, Kuru Kururu tackle South Sophia, Leopold Street battle East Ruimveldt, Bagotville oppose Tiger Bay, Meadowbrook take on Berlin,
Goed Fortuin come up against Alberttown, North East Lap Penitence clash with Charlotte Street and Kitty tangle with Newtown Kitty. Several corporate entities and persons have lent their support to the event so far. Among them are GT&T, MACORP, Chris Fernandes, Ricks and Sari, who will give hampers of their products to the winners, Guyana Lottery Company, New Thriving Restaurant, Eddie Grant and Giftland Office Max. Lennox Arthur, former national player and coach, is the coordinator of the event. Fans are encouraged to come out and enjoy an action packed evening of 7-a-side football.
Sonia Jardine
Robert France
Kerensa Fernandes
Alan Fernandes
and changed the direction of the match. The managed four goals in short time to the Cadets one as the momentum swung in their favour and the extra man giving the Cadets no end of difficulty. The Cadets managed to hold on for the victory by 6-5 to place themselves above the defending champions at the end of the pool round. Aroydy Brandford’s two goals for the Cadets were matched by teammates Hilton Chester and Captain Jamarj Assanah, while Semple and Kevin Spencer scored doubles for GCC with Andrew Xavier adding a single. The Hikers never looked troubled in the other men’s first division clash with Old Fort as the top pool round finishers cruised to a 7-3 victory. Captain Robert France put in an outstanding performance in finishing with 4 goals to his credit, while Shane Samuels and Yonnick Peters added one each for the Hikers. Tony Cole, Dwight
McCalman and Ascofu Simon each scored a goal in Old Fort’s effort. Top Ladies side GCC Tigers, showed no mercy to newcomers Old Fort as they drowned them with a 23-0 performance in the women’s competition. Captain Sonia Jardine finished with game high 10 goals, including the first 5 for her side. Jardine’s sister and National center forward Kerensa Fernandes added 7 goals, Tricia Fiedtkou and Ulrica Sutherland scored two each, while Tiffany Solomon and Sandy Roopnarine scored one each. The Spartans cruised to a 6-0 victory over Revelation with Captain Gabriella Xavier and young Shania Riley scoring two each, while Samantha Fernandes and Aliyah Gordon added singles. The Hikers Recruits completed their unbeaten r u n to continue their
dominance of the men’s second division competition with an 8-2 beating of Old Fort. Featuring many of the Cadets first division players, the Recruits were in charge from the opening whistle and were up 4-0 by the half. Striker Leon Bacchus dominated the score sheet once again with a hat-Trick to his name, while the other Recruits goals came from Aroydy and Ryan Brandford, Michael Harding, Jamarj Assanah and Joshua Carew. Shaquille Thomas managed a double for Old Fort. In the lone Veterans match of the evening, GCC continued to crush all-comers as they defeated Old Old Fort by a 122 margin. Brothers Alan and Philip Fernandes led the scorers with 4 and 3 goals respectively while overlapping defenders Damon Woodroffe and Marcus Fiedtkou scored doubles and Fernandes sibling Stephen added a final
goal to the team’s tally of 12. Former nationals Ivor Thompson and Dexter Wyles scored on each for Old Old Fort. The men’s first division semi-finals feature the Hikers against Old Fort and Cadets repeating last night’s duel with GCC. The ladies competition finds the Tigers sitting comfortably at the top of the pool with 9 points, Spartans and Divas await the outcome of Saturday’s matches to break their deadlock for second with 6 points, Revelation has 3 points and Old Fort has thus failed to get off the mark. The men’s second division sees the Hikers with 6 points ahead of GCC and Old Fort with 3 each and Saints bringing up the rear. The vets’ competition sees GCC leading the pool with 9 points followed by the Hickers and Old Old Fort. Th finals will be contested today from 16:00 hours.
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GCC retain GCA\NBS second division title By Zaheer Mohamed Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) successfully defended their Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)\ New Building Society (NBS) second division 40-over title when they defeated Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) by 5 wickets in the final yesterday at the Everest Cricket Club. MYO won the toss and decided to bat and found themselves in early trouble at 38-4, but Shafeek Ishmeil and Zamal Khan brought their team back into the game with a fifth wicket stand of 50 before Khan was dismissed for a well played 43 which included five fours. MYO then lost 2 more quick wickets before Ishmeil and Richard Latiff added 60 for the seventh wicket to steady their innings. Latiff went for 24 with one four and one six while Ishmeil departed for 65 which contained two fours and three sixes. No other batsman contributed meaningfully as MYO were dismissed for 170 in 39.3 overs. Winston Forrester was the pick of the bowlers with 4-41 from 7 overs, while pacer Bernard Bailey claimed 3-4 from 7 overs. GCC were off to a bright start with Forrester and Martin Pestano Belle adding 56 for the opening stand before Belle was taken off Imtiaz Pooran for 34 (5x4). Parmanand Parsram then uprooted the stumps of Khemraj Jaikarran for 10 to give his team some hope. But Forrester and Elon Fernandes dented any hopes of an MYO victory with a third wicket stand of 84.
The pair took advantage of some sloppy fielding by their opponents; rotated the strike nicely and wasted little time in dispatching the bad balls. Forrester was then dismissed for 54 which contained three fours and two sixes. When Fernandes departed for 40 with two fours and a similar number of sixes, the writing was already on the wall; GCC reached their target in 30.4 overs ending on 1715. Parsram snared 2-25 off 7 overs while there was one each for Imtiaz Pooran, Gittens and Ishmeil. Forrester received the man-of-the-match and best bowler awards, Ishmeal took the best batsman prize and Jaikarran collected the best fielder accolade. Members of both teams received medals while MYO took home a trophy and $70,000 and GCC a trophy and $100,000. Also receiving awards for outstanding performances in
The Bartica Community is expected to come alive mid next month when a collaborative effort between the Guyana Boxing Association and Red Earth Promoters S.D.L.M. produces fruit. GBA and Red Earth have come together to take amateur boxing to Bartica and will stage the Champion of Champions competition at the Bartica Community Centre Ground on November 15 and 16. At yesterday’s launching held at the Vashie’s Night Club GBA president Steve Ninvalle called the partnership the beginning of an epic journey that will conclude with the improvement of the sport. ”It is a simple but significant step in the effort to enhance the sport. We see it as another fitting example of our Endeavour to decentralize the sport in Guyana,”
Ninvalle said. “It is partnerships such as this that is needed to take boxing off of life support and it is my wish that this evolves into an annual event.” Ninvalle noted that over 20 of Guyana’s best amateur fighters will make the trip to Bartica to participate in the two-day event. “This event serves a twofold purpose. It is a shot in the arm for boxing while it does a mountain of good for the Bartica community,” Ninvalle added. According to Ninvalle, GBA Technical Director Terrence Poole is expected back from Kazakhstan shortly and will join with National coach Wincel Thomas to run the tournament. Banks DIH, under it Banks Premium Brand is the main sponsor of the tournament. Branch Manager Leonid Tobin, while congratulating
The victorious GCC team display their prizes along with representatives of the sponsor and GCA. the preliminary round were Azeem Azeez of Transport SC for the best bowling
performance (5 wickets versus GCC), Devon Lord of GCC for taking the most
wickets (15), Chien Gittens and Zulfikar Ali of MYO the batsmen with the most runs
(101 each vs GDF and St. Stanislaus respectively), Gittens batsman with the highest runs 278, Azeez the MVP in zone A (98 runs and 13 wickets) and Gittens the MVP in zone B (278 runs and 6 wickets). Speaking at the presentation ceremony Bobby Majeed the IT controller of NBS, said they are happy to sponsor the tournament for the second straight year adding that the entity recognised the need for corporate involvement in cricket. He congratulated GCC and lauded GCA for a well organized tournament. President of the GCA Roger Harper congratulated both teams for playing good cricket through out the competition and thanked Everest Cricket Club for hosting the final.
Sammy readies for ‘special’ series Jamaica Gleaner - MIAMI, Florida - Two slips, gully, deep point, cover, mid-off. West Indies pacer Ravi Rampaul stands at the top of his run-up. It’s November 2011 and India’s master batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, goes through his predelivery ritual. He is six runs shy of his 100th international century, as the West Indies played the hosts at Tendulkar’s home ground at Mumbai. Rampaul puts a rising ball just wide of Tendulkar’s off stump, willing a shot out of the iconic batsman; picking his edge and sending the ball cannoning straight into the arms of Darren Sammy at second slip. History delayed as the little master walks back to the pavilion on 94. “We were probably the most
hated people in India at that time,” Sammy joked of himself and Rampaul. The West Indies skipper, who is currently here with members of the regional unit in a first-of-its-kind team-bonding exercise - which started in Orlando on Sunday before moving south to Miami - is getting ready to lead his team into two Tests and three oneday internationals against the Indians, put together as a celebration of Tendulkar’s 200th and final Test match. It will also mark the 150th Test appearance by Windies cornerstone, Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Sammy, while underlining that his team will not be in the
mood for handouts or favours to Tendulkar and his team, can hardly wait to get started. “I grew up watching both gentlemen and I remember as a little boy growing up, I remember telling myself that if I made the team by 18 (years), I may play with my childhood hero (Curtly) Ambrose; by 19 (years), Lara (Brian) and all these guys, I played with them. Lara captained me and Shiv (Chanderpaul) and has been the cornerstone of our batting and it’s good to play with him. He going over that milestone of 150 Tests and it’s special to be part of it and share that with him,” Sammy noted. “What these two gentlemen have done is amazing. Shiv has had 15 or so years of
international cricket and Sachin has 24 years, and to do what they have done over the last two decades is testimony of their willpower. Both gentlemen are very humble and that’s why I know when we go there the stands will be full, because he is a people’s cricketer - they both are and I wish them all the best,” added Sammy. The West Indies play India in the first Test at Kolkata from November 6-10 before moving to Mumbai for the second Test (November 14-18), which will mark Chanderpaul and Tendulkar’s respective milestones. Both teams will face each other in ODIs on November 21, 24 and 27.
Amateur Boxing extravaganza set for Bartica November 15, 16
President of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle, (second from left) is flanked by Bartica NDS vice chairman Stephen Belle (left) Banks DIH Bartica Branch Manager Leonid Tobin (third left), Shawn Wilson, Ishwar Dass (second from right) and Leon Nurse (right) during yesterday’s launching. GBA and Red Earth Promoters, disclosed that his company was happy to be part of the event. “We are proud to play a part in making this event a reality and we are certain that it will serve the com-
munity well,” Tobin said. Also present at the launching was NDC vice chairman Stephen Belle as well as members of Red Earth Promoters. Belle disclosed that amateur boxing is new to
Bartica and interest is already high in the community. ”The NDC is supportive of this event and I expect a very large crowd every night,” Belle said. According to Shawn Wil-
son, chairman of Red Earth Promoters, the intention is to make the tournament an annual one with the hope that it will help Bartica produce a national, and possibly a world boxing champion.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday October 27, 2013
Excitment anticipated at Rising Sun Rodeo today The day has finally arrived and fans will trek to the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park Arena, West Coast, Berbice for their grand Rodeo today starting at 11:00hrs. The Rising Sun Rodeo Committee event is expected to be a ‘one of a kind life time experience’ and with the Ministry of Tourism also adding the activity to its calendar of events, thousands of visitors, tourist those from the interior and ‘coastlanders’ alike are also expected to swarm the venue for the ‘wild day of action on the coast.’ All the Vaqueros and other participants from overseas and other parts of Guyana, including the far flung interior areas have all arrived for what is expected to be a day filled with thrills skills and spills. Over the past week the organisers used the opportunity to formalize preparations and made sure every system is in place. The venue was also tested with a few trial runs during the week using most of the cowboys that are expected to be on show today. According to coordinator and President of The Rising Sun Rodeo Committee, Inshanally Habibulla, all systems are in place for the action. The venue has been given a spruced up with more rails added and the old ones replaced. The ground has also been graded and
prepared. The number of participants has increased significantly with the overseas contingent from Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela along with those from Lethem, t h e R u p u n u n i Savannahs and the Corentyne River being involved in exercises on the Rising Sun Turf during the past week. According to information, Fazal Habibulla and his West Berbice Posse, which makes up the bulk of the local brigade from the Abary, Mahaica and Mahaicony River areas, were also in action and are well prepared to defend their turf. Over 12 different activities in the various categories are slated to be staged and millions of dollars in prizes including cash and trophies are up for grabs. Among the activities listed to be held is the steer roping, bare back bronco, which should also see the females getting into action. There are also male and female barrel race, wild cow milking, calf roping, wild bull riding, Saddle bronco and the popular Tug O War event and the return of the Rodeo King competition. The various winners and other outstanding performers will be presented with monetary incentives, trophies and other attractive prizes. A number of business entities have come on board
Some of the vaqueros that will be in action today pose with coordinator Mr Habibulla.
to help sponsor the event. Among them are Banks DIH Limited, AH and L Kissoon, Trophy Stall Bourda Market, Muneshwar Guyana Limited, Hablaw Meat Centre, Chester Fry Bush Lot West Coast and Rising Sun Cattle Ranch. Any lat minute information can be had by contacting Inshanally Habibulla on tel No 623-4495, and 623-5453, or 2323295, Fazal Habibulla at Chester Fry Bush Lot West Coast Berbice on Telephone No 232-0232 or 657-7010,6486522 or Donald or Zaleena Lawrie on telephone no 2254530, 225-4565. (Samuel Whyte)
Super Sevens Basketball begins on Burnham Court today According to a release from Yolo Entertainment, which is owned by Kirk ‘Chow Pow’ Jardine, all systems are in place for t o d a y ’s j u m p b a l l i n G e o rg e t o w n Amateur Basketball Association ( G A B A ) / Y o l o Entertainment ‘Super Sevens’ Basketball Challenge at the Burnham Court. “All of the major basketball clubs will be showcasing their skills in their bid to cart off the $100,000 first place prize,” the release said, adding that twelve games are slated for today from 2pm. President of the GABA Michael Singh, said in the release that he is pleased with the efforts of the Yolo Entertainment group and is happy to see quality basketball on Burnham Court. Some of basketball’s greatest moments occurred at Burnham Court, he added.
Kirk Jardine Yolo Entertainment will be presenting basketball stalwarts Mark Agard and Eon Andrews with awards for their contributions to the sport. They both have immensely contributed to the sport of basketball over the years and have represented Guyana on many occasions. “Many back in the day could not come up with the
formula to defend the crossover and speed off the dribble of Mark Agard, while others have painful memories of Andrews elbow and rebounding force within the paint,” the release said. Thirty two teams are expected to compete, with ballers from as far as Melanie on the east coast, forming teams to participate. The tournament is opened to all ballers countrywide and will come to a climax on November 4 at the same venue. There will be beverage and food bars with Stereo Sonic Sound System providing entertainment. Mackeson, Clear Waters, Hinds & Statia Financial Services, Creative Jewellery & Pawn Shop, Upscale, Precise Printing, ONRM, The Garage, HJTV, 94.1 FM and Star Party Rentals are the main sponsors of the event.
Some action that can be expected today with very uncooperative wild horses and their determined riders.
Brusche’s Classic IV bounces off in Linden tonight - Defending champs, Pacesetters take on Jets Following the confirmation late yesterday that the way is now cleared for basketball to be played in Linden and the 4th B r u s c h e’s Classic will get u n d e r way tonight with defending champions Georgetown’s Trinity Grid Holdings Pacesetters taking on Amelia’s Ward Jets at the Mackenzie Sports Club. G e o r g e t o w n ’s T H G Pacesetters is seeking to capture their third championship in the t o u r n a m e n t ’s f o u r y e a r history. The clashes between Georgetown and Linden teams date back to decades of epic encounters and so far Pacesetters have won twice with the other going to Wismar Pistons. They face a tough
o p p o n e n t i n A m e l i a ’s Wa r d J e t s i n t h e l o n e fixture tonight which bounces off at 8:30pm a f t e r the march-past of teams. Meanwhile, United States-based James Brusche, Hewley Harry and Keith Alexander/Gittens along with Trevor Gittens will conduct a clinic at the MSC Court from 9am. Some 30 students from ten Primary Schools have been chosen to attend the oneoff session. James Brusche is one of three brothers who represented Guyana and have seen it fit to have this annual tournament played to generate interest and develop the game. The various teams have been given balls and T-Shirts, which will be used in the opening
ceremony which will include Regional Chairman, Sharma Solomon. The Brusche Basketball Foundation has organised this tournament, which is a straight knockout format. The other city teams are Colts and Ravens, who will play on Wednesday in Georgetown. B u t t o n i g h t ’s g a m e should see the experienced Stephon Gillis, Naylon Loncke and guard, Travis Burnett, who have all played senior national basketball for Guyana taking their challenge t o S h a n e We b s t e r a n d his brother Allister in collaboration with their guards, Kevin Joseph, Neil Simon and Rodwell Pellew.