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September 10, 2013 - Vol. 6 No. 37 - Price $80
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GDF probes armed “visit” of
Venezuelan soldiers into Guyana - Foreign Affairs Ministry said group claimed it’s doing border research Part of the group of Venezuelans who went on an expedition to the Essequibo, guarded by the Venezuelan army (El Universal photo)
‘DJ Cheddie’ gunned Guyana will definitely down in Tucville be blacklisted - Nandlall - alleged shooter caught, beaten by residents
Supenaam stelling consultant kept - banned by secret bribery account World Bank
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Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
National library seeks to preserve literacy in Guyana - Celebrates 104
Y
esterday marked World Literacy D a y, a n d coincided with the 104th anniversary of the establishment of the National Library. Chief librarian of the National Library, Gillian Thompson, explained that throughout the years, the institution has sought to preserve and foster Literacy in Guyana. “From the beginning year, we held several competitions, quiz, debate, champion readers, essay and short story competitions, with public school, inmates of correctional institutions all in quest to encourage reading especially amongst the teenagers. We had our award ceremony in August, where the winners walk away with hampers just to encourage reading.” Thompson held that the use of technology has resulted in a decline in the level of literacy and contributed to significant decline in young readers. “The shortened form of
writing that is the internet language contributes to the decline of the use of books so we don't mind if the children use the internet to research, the computer, tablets, Ipad, nook readers, kindle fire as long as the use it productively to read and expand their mental capacity, and level of literacy.” “Over the decades, the National library was a premier source for research and books of all sorts. We used to have lines down the steps and to the gates we didn't even have space to accommodate the people coming to the library. “However, in 2011, we noticed a sharp decline, most of them coming out to use the computer so we have to encourage them to use the books…. Our competitive activities helped in this regard we see persons joining the library and still doing research.” Yesterday, in addition to the 104 years as a public library, Thompson said that winners of competitions and
years as an Archive
Members of the Lions Club, students and teachers of Thomas More Primary school participate in 15 minutes reading exercise. those dubbed “champion readers,” visited several public schools and lecture on the importance of reading and literacy as part of an education month project.
“We decided to let a group of our champion readers, age ranging from nine years old to adulthood visit public school to have a discussion on benefits of
reading. “Among the schools visited today ( yesterday) are Queen's College, New Guyana School, St Roses High School, Government
Technical Institute, Cyril Potter College of Education, C h r i s t C h u r c h Secondary….It was all well received by the (continued on page 15)
Tuesday September 10, 2013
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Kaieteur News
Guyana will definitely be blacklisted - Nandlall
T
aking into consideration that Guyana has missed the August 26 deadline stipulated by Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) for the amendment of the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall has noted that “we will surely be blacklisted.” Nandlall, at a People Progressive Party (PPP) press conference, yesterday, at Freedom House, said that the report which Guyana submitted on the
- Says government is working on non legislative components of the Anti-money Laundering bills aforementioned date ought to have indicated that the Bill was passed in the National Assembly and the laws are now there. The AG said that Guyana will be assessed by that very report come November 13. He emphasized that when CFATF continues its assessment of Guyana, the country will be placed on a list of delinquent nations. Nandlall said that the Bill remains set for continuing
consideration when Parliament resumes but noted that by then it will be too late. He also noted that once placed on the blacklist it takes time before a country can be removed. He pointed out that Trinidad and Tobago was blacklisted since 2005 and it was only removed from that list in 2011. He added that when blacklisted, other countries are invited to act as they see
Gonsalves meets Ramotar for bilaterals
Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, D r. R a l p h G o n s a l v e s , yesterday thanked staff members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat for their work in promoting regional integration. He rallied them to “keep the faith”. “Sometimes it might look as if we are marking time, but we have been making some good progress in some areas. We have more to do and I want to thank you for soldiering on and working together. I hope in the new year we can redouble our
efforts,” he said. Prime Minster Gonsalves, who holds the Transport portfolio in the CARICOM Quasi Cabinet, assumes the Chairmanship of the Community in January. He was in Georgetown on a two-fold mission – to visit the CARICOM Secretariat and to hold bilaterals with President Donald Ramotar. During his visit, Prime Minister Gonsalves held discussions with CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and members of the Secretariat's Executive
Management Committee. Briefly addressing staff members, the Prime Minister said that his visit to the Secretariat was in preparation for his assumption of the Chair. He identified a “bundle of issues” that are germane to the integration movement that he will place focus on including trade among CARICOM Member States and with external partners, job creation, transportation, economy, free movement and hassle free travel, governance and climate change mitigation.
fit. “It has a domino effect; our banks will suffer, it will affect Western Union,” he said. Ties can be completely severed. The AG noted however, that, Government is working to ensure that the non legislative components of the Bill are complied with. He said that Government launched numerous initiatives including the establishment of a National Task Force. Guyana missed this deadline after the Opposition members, who were all in attendance at a Special Select Committee meeting, set up to fine tune the Bill, moved a motion to adjourn all meetings at that level until October. The motion was moved by APNU member and Former Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge. It was seconded by Alliance For Change (AFC)'s Khemraj Ramjattan. Members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), at that time, told Kaieteur News that Guyana is already “dark gray listed” and that the Government itself is linked to acts of money laundering. It was also noted that the party doesn't believe that the August 26 deadline really did exist.
APNU's shadow Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams had said that the “artificial deadline” is not a threat to APNU since Guyana is already on a “dark gray list” He added that more people are to make presentations to the committee, including the Bar Association. Greenidge raised a concern that the draft didn't take into consideration, “aspects” that the opposition is of the opinion, need to be taken into consideration. He said that the act of itself has several inadequacies and the draft as well is insufficient. “As usual all the power is placed in the hands of the executive…Government appoints the Commissioner of Police, the head of Customs, the judges; it basically arranges the appointments of those who will supervise the operation.” F u r t h e r, G r e e n i d g e asserted that “Government itself is tainted by criminalities that bedevil our
system…The PPP have been accused, and in some cases, proven to have associations with people who have been charged with all sorts of criminalities like fraud and money laundering in the United States. The government is very friendly with these types of people.” The former Finance Minister said that the current legislation should have allowed the government to deal with incidents of money laundering, but doesn't. Only after the work of the committee is completed and a revised Bill presented to the National Assembly along with a report from the committee, can the Bill be voted upon and passed. I n J u l y , C FAT F confirmed Guyana's deadline for amending the legislation with respect to the amended Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. Roger Hernandez, Financial Advisor of CFATF had told Kaieteur News that amendments to the legislation have to be passed in the National Assembly and enacted before August 26, so that it could be submitted and analyzed.
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Losing the joys of the printed word Yesterday, the entire country should have halted whatever it was doing, grabbed a book and read. Of course the exercise allowed for people to read their e-mail, web chats and just about anything that contained the written word. The occasion was World Literacy Day and it meant a lot to the administrators in the Education Ministry. For one, English is supposed to be the mother language of the Guyanese people but from recent results less than forty per cent of the students writing the examinations in school exhibit a grasp of the language. Many cannot spell basic English words and the vast majority do not have a vocabulary. This did not happen overnight. Perhaps the decline in understanding the language coincided with the rise in inflation that priced books out of the reach of the ordinary man. Having to choose between a book and food on the table, it goes without saying what the choice would have been. But the schools must accept some of the blame. Over time the Ministry of Education had grown accustomed to modernizing its programme. The Americans had already taken possession of the means of global communication so they fashioned what should be the teaching standards. The principle was that spelling was not important. Once the child could express his thoughts then nothing more was needed. Guyana accepted that irresponsible standard of education and before long we began to produce people who cared less about what is right or wrong in the spoken and written word. Today, there are teachers who like their children cannot spell; some cannot write a proper sentence and still others who would never promote reading because they, themselves, do not read and do not like reading. Reading is perhaps the most single important thing in the world. It is a skill that transports people to various heights, to places imagined and to depths previously unimagined. Many have learnt of others in strange lands by simply reading about them so that when there was an encounter it was not as though there was need to reinvent the wheel. Reading opens the mind. It is the one activity that forces reasoning and enables one to marshal facts. The various writers of yesteryear were able to convey their emotions in words. The poets were able to leave the ballads and the sonnets over the years. There was no doubt about their intentions or about their target. Many of those who read the sonnets were reduced to tears, such was the power of the written word and the emotive force they had. The songwriters were not far behind and in this day and age people still sing along to the lyrics of certain songs. Again it is the power of the word that creates this emotion. That is why there is the belief that nothing will ever eclipse reading. It is an activity that even the blind enjoys. One of the greatest benefits of reading is the expanded vocabulary without which no conversation could be complete. Many a lecturer beseeches his ward to learn a new word every day. The new word would come out of a book. Reading is a dying skill these days. Gone are the days when people rushed to buy books; when they found that the best way to develop their attention span was by reading. In fact, there was the all-round development. Through reading people learnt to listen, to reason and to better express themselves. This is not so today. Nobody today ever saw people really crave knowledge. That was before the advent of television and before radio became ubiquitous. There was often a young child reading the newspapers aloud to a group of people who sat around, sorry that they could not read, but glad that they were still learning what was on the printed page. Today, despite the preponderance of schools and the access to the institutes of learning one gets the impression that there is a growing level of illiteracy. And it is sad that this is happening again in this country that had one of the highest literacy rates in the world.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
I will continue to work with major policy stakeholders for the benefit of all
DEAR EDITOR, I, respectfully, would like to respond in detail to Mr. Carl Greenidge’s letter titled “In most economies private businesses seek out opportunities to invest” (SN 08.09.13). In relation to the Amaila Falls Hydro project, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) has maintained a singular position in this regard which calls for both government and opposition leaders to agree on the protocol for procuring the services of an independent, reputable regional or international investment firm to review the economic feasibility of the project and propose recommendations that all parties and stakeholders and, in particular, the Guyanese citizenry can accept. Our position was predicated on a fundamental belief to achieve a political convergence of positions between the government and the opposition against the backdrop of an active stream of public commentary. We
believe that a credible third party’s assessment would ease fears and doubts while ensuring that the people of Guyana receive the best arrangement in going forward with the project. Mr. Greenidge’s tone in his letter was quite surprising, because the GCCI always strives to maintain good relations with all important policy stakeholders in Guyana, and APNU is no different in this regard. In fact, on September 4, I led a Chamber delegation for a cordial and substantive meeting with APNU leaders Mr. David Granger and Mr. Lance Carberry. For two hours, we discussed the many challenges impeding Guyana’s national competitiveness as referenced in the C h a m b e r ’s r e c e n t l y p u b l i s h e d “Competitiveness Manifesto.” The meeting ended with both sides agreeing to continue discussions in an atmosphere of good faith relations and productive dialogue for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Can the people trust the PPP anymore? DEAR EDITOR, We were disappointed after reading in the KN on September 3rd, 2013, that “President non-assent to bills, Rohee advises APNU to go to court.” The President’s refusal to assent to the Local Government Bills is most unfortunate and reveals the deceptive nature of the PPP cabal who supported the Bills unanimously in Parliament but is now saying the Bills are unconstitutional. The PPP does not want to have local Government elections. It will expose their poor political support, hence their unpopularity with the people. Granger and APNU did not fall for the PPP ploy, but Ramjattan and the AFC did. And even though the AFC MPs voted to support the Amalia project, the PPP has criticized them for their late support. We want to make it very clear to the opposition, especially the AFC, that the PPP’s Stalinist style of dictatorship does not allow it to bargain, compromise or give anything to the opposition. Simply put, it is all or nothing for the PPP. Having seen Rohee’s statement, will the people now hear from the Private Sector Commission, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the US Ambassador? The PPP has asked for equal representation on the Local Government Commission and the Opposition handed them their wish with the intent of giving the people a chance to renew the local Government system. All and sundry are fully aware of the risk of the Opposition move, since such a situation can result in deadlock on the Local Government Commission, but the people’s right to have local government elections was more important than whether the Commission has 7 or 8 persons. But knowing the deceit and lack of morality of the PPP and its poor track record, the opposition should have demanded in writing from Ramotar that he would assent to the local government
Bills after their passage in Parliament. But they did not and the country is now heading for a constitutional crisis. Now the “wolves in sheep clothing” in the PPP have gotten all their way on the Commission. They have no political appetite to hold local Government elections since they are aware that they cannot win another majority. This PPP Government is unrighteous and continues to con the unsuspecting opposition on all the political moves. We call on the opposition to demand that the PPP set a date for local government elections. After all, it has been almost 20 years since such elections were held. When will some of our politicians learn that the PPP will cede no political ground? The majority opposition must stop making the Parliament into a rubber stamp for the PPP. Those in the opposition who think that this has nothing to do with politics should get out of politics rather than compromise the people’s rights and political wellbeing with their fuzzy ideas on what is in Guyana’s long term national interest and what is in their short-term political interest. Those who are drinking soup cannot ignore the fact that the bellies of thousands are burning every day in Guyana and they do not need a dysfunctional opposition that cannot do the basics to ease that daily burning. The future is simple - local Government election before April 2014 or mass protest countrywide. Linden is in a mess, Leguan is in chaos, LBI/Better Hope is in disarray, Whim/Bloomfield is in disorder, Corriverton is in turmoil, Kwakwani is in uproar and Georgetown is in a very confused state. The people cannot continue with such unstable situations any longer. They do not trust the PPP anymore. The time for fancy speeches and promises is over. Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh
I also take this opportunity to address erroneous assertions made by Mr. Greenidge in his prolix letter. He accused me of being offended, outraged and even insulted by his call for our domestic – or rather, indigenous – private sector to invest in the Amaila Falls Hydro project. This could not be further from the reality. The fact is when the Kaieteur News reporter approached me about Mr. Greenidge’s view, I merely offered an opinion suggesting our local private sector might not be in the most ideal position to invest at this time and hence the reason why no party has come forward to do so. When viewed with breadth and depth within a globalised context, our private sector is still relatively small and it would constitute a stretch to label even our largest indigenous firms as medium sized within a suitably comparable international context. Our indigenous private sector, still in a critical formative stage but nevertheless maturing gradually, lacks currently the financial capacity to invest in large infrastructure projects. And, in the case of Amaila where the proposed project has yet to be undertaken successfully in Guyana, it is reasonable to assume that members of the local private sector would be justifiably apprehensive about undertaking a potentially significant financial investment for such a project. Additionally, many indigenous firms lack the experience, capacity, expertise or capabilities to execute such a large and innovative project (as considered within Guyana’s context). Our country’s economic history is riddled with comparable examples. In the early 1990s, the government of Guyana finalized an agreement with Atlantic Tele Network (ATN), the parent company of GT&T, to operate a 20-year monopoly licence to provide telecommunications services to the nation. Why didn’t Mr. Hugh Desmond Hoyte and Mr. Carl Greenidge, then president and finance minister, respectively, go with an indigenous firm and preferably ink a non-monopoly agreement for providing telecommunications services. I would suspect the same issues that preclude our companies now from investing in Amaila were precisely the concerns affecting them in the early (Continued on page 27)
LITERACY?
DEAR EDITOR, I had cause to reset my cell phone after it fell and the battery became dislodged from the unit. This occurred at 10:53 a.m on International Literacy Day. The message which appeared on the display screen read:”Time and date is needed to be set after restarting due to battery change.” Imagine this is what we, the reading public, endured from an international company on International Literacy Day! No wonder we have frequent low grades in English exams. Grammar and sentence construction have taken flight. Sydney Scott
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
“I am a nobody…” Animal Rescue: One day at a time DEAR EDITOR, I am a nobody. I live in Guyana. I was born and bred here. I have no hopes of migrating. I have family overseas, but I never approached them, nor did they suggest that I be ‘sponsored’. I live here because I never considered migrating. I have a middle class job. I have a small bank account. I believe I have a survivable pension at the end of my working life, if I make it that far. I know many Guyanese, or many in the world for that matter, are not as fortunate to achieve the level of my existence. I see it daily. Now Editor, I suppose you and your readers might wonder why I started out by saying that I am a nobody. It is because of this. I live in a country where I am invisible. I don’t mind being invisible mind you. I relish being invisible - your life is supposed to be trouble-free. However, if you are invisible in Guyana, you are destined to suffer. I don’t know anyone in authority. I don’t know any high or low level policeman. I don’t rub shoulders with any minister or big
businessman who knows a Minister. I don’t know any leader of the Opposition. I have no contacts at Georgetown Public Hospital or any of the private health facilities. I don’t know any influential reporter. I don’t have ties to any political party. I am a nobody - like many Guyanese. As a result, we suffer. We suffer because institutions (both private and public) and public services, rarely operate how they are supposed to operate - with efficiency and objectivity. If you don’t know somebody, or somebody doesn’t know of you, there is not much impetus to offer an efficient and objective service. How often you join a line at a service-based entity (public and private) and you see someone in the line pull out a cell phone and in a couple of minutes is called out of the queue to be served? How often you visit the Passport Office and whilst you camped out since dawn to ensure you beat the lines, you notice someone walks in and is served right away? And I don’t mean like a (Continued on page 27)
DEAR EDITOR, I read RA Narine’s letter to your newspaper dated Aug 30/13 regarding a foal standing over its dead mother on the East Coast Road at BV. I received many calls regarding that foal and told the callers that foals, like humans, mourn their losses but with luck and the right kind of help from their owners, or good Samaritans, they can survive. When I read Ms. Narine’s note that the foal was still mourning the mother’s death, I called Maria, a young animal lover, and we went looking for the foal armed with bran, molasses and water. While driving up the East Coast Road, past Le Ressouvenir, we noticed a very sick dog searching for food; we stopped, picked him up and continued to BV to look for the foal. We did not find the foal or the mother and assumed that the NDC took care of the dead horse; hoping that the owner found the foal. We stopped at a private clinic at Mon Repos where the very sick dog was put to sleep. Local residents told us of a dump site not far from the Golf Club, so we took the
Railway Embankment road and drove past the Lusignan entrance. But we only got as far as Annandale when we noticed a donkey tied on a very short lead to a post. We stopped, thinking the owners were at least kind enough to leave water for him (it was 2:00 pm and very hot). We exited the vehicle to further check on the condition of the donkey and to speak with the owners; to our horror we saw the water was in a paint can with paint still in it. The water was chalky and thick. The donkey was not in the best of condition, to say the least. I called out to the apparent owner and a couple walked over. I asked why they used a paint can, but they didn’t seem to see anything wrong. I explained that the donkey provided their livelihood and they needed to take care of it. Maria and I made the lead longer and we got the bran, molasses and water from my car and found a clean bucket among the garbage lying all over the parapet. The donkey immediately started drinking the bran mixture; we asked the owner
for more water and the donkey drank a second bucket full. We then asked the owner to put the donkey into their yard where there was shade and lots of grass, and they readily complied. We promised to return with medication for the bruises the donkey had on his neck. We also left them with molasses and bran for a second meal. We finally found the Lusignan entrance and made our way to the dumpsite to dispose of the dead dog. It was a bumpy road with lots of garbage lying on both sides, so we just followed the trail. When we arrived at the dumpsite with the dead dog, another horror awaited us; we saw a dog who lost one leg after being run over by a tractor. All she could do was drag herself around with her front legs. Her bottom was raw and she was skinny and tired, trying to scratch herself but to no avail; the workers said she had been like that for quite some time. They told us they do not accept dead animals at the dump site, but they would take the dog and bury it. We asked permission to
take the injured dog with us, they put it in our kennel and we made our way back to the private vet where it was euthanized. On our way back to Georgetown on the Railway Embankment Road we saw a dead dog in the middle of the road. I stopped my vehicle, Maria got out, put on a pair of disposable gloves and moved the dead animal off the road to the grassy area. This is pretty much an average day in the life of an animal rescuer in Georgetown. You leave home with one goal in mind and end up doing something quite different. For every suffering animal observed by travelers along the roads and highways, there are dozens of cases of animals in need that go unseen or unreported. We have to unite our voices on behalf of all animals. We need more young and dynamic animal rescue volunteers like Maria. They don’t need many resources, just good eyesight, a passion for helping animals and a win/win attitude for getting people to look at their animals in a more positive way. Syeada Manbodh
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Cuban-trained doctors undergo supervised internship ahead of registration - CMO “In my mind there is no violation of any criminal law or breach to any legal health protocol,” said Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud. He was responding to allegations levelled by the Guyana Medical Council regarding the registration of recent Cuban-trained doctors. Among the allegations by the Medical Council is that an unlicensed Cuban-trained doctor was found to be practising at the West Demerara Regional Hospital recently. The comments which were attributed to Chairperson of the Council, Dr. Vivienne Mitchell, also revealed that several of the Cuban trained doctors are still to receive their certificates and transcripts which will allow them to be registered to practice locally. But according to Dr. Persaud, although several of the newly trained doctors, are yet to be registered as fullfledged practitioners it is not unusual for them to be placed at various Regional Health facilities as part of an
internship period. The internship period, which has an 18-month duration, usually follows the formal medical programme in Cuba and is characterised by graduate doctors basically learning how to integrate themselves into the local system. “As graduate medical doctors they are allowed to work along with the teams at the various hospitals... they can interview patients, they can collect information and they can help out in small ways,” said Dr. Persaud. According to him the graduates are expected to “listen to how interviews are done, observe how physical examinations are done and though they may have done some of this in Cuba there might be some things that they need to do in the Guyana context.” However, the CMO asserted that the graduate doctors are not allowed to operate unsupervised and certainly are not authorised to “write up treatment or even prepare a certificate for leave.”
“I have no difficulty in saying that they are assigned to do this; we do this with medical students and the interns,” said Dr. Persaud who underscored that the graduate doctors are allowed to function as part of a well supervised programme even as they await documents to facilitate their certification and subsequent registration by the Medical Council. Dr. Persaud said that an assessment booklet, which takes on the form of a report card, is assigned to each graduate and serves to measure their individual performances throughout the course of the internship period. The booklet, according to him, also details that each graduate is required to rotate and learn the local health system which entails them understanding and learning how to prepare various
medical forms even as they transition from Spanish to English. According to the CMO although there might be some concerns about the functioning of the graduate doctors, he is currently not
While Junior Finance Minister, Juan Edghill has categorically stated that the government is in full support of the public procurement commission, he is insisting that Guyana will not suffer from any disadvantage from the stalled implementation of the Public Procurement commission. Edghill stated, “Government is in full support of the procurement commission which is responsible for monitoring the process involved in ensuring that the procurement of goods, services and the carrying out of works are conducted in a
fair, equitable, transparent manner. However, it is quite unfortunate that it is being used by political forces, mainly from the opposition, as a bargaining chip to support other legislations.” “The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) should be paid attention to as part of the accountability framework that the government has put in place through its legislative agenda.” Minister Edghill said that what is required now is an agreement at the political level about the names and the submission to go forward.” Moreover, it was reported that there was a timeframe that
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud
in a position to have them remain at home until they are in receipt of their certification. “They are young and energetic and they could be learning all the time. To me having them in the system is simply a learning process,” added Dr. Persaud. And this practice has been ongoing for more than 40 years, even with graduates outside of the Guyana/Cuba medical programme, a state of affairs the Medical Council is very much aware of, insisted the CMO. And although there are some changes that the Council has been seeking to introduce, Dr. Persaud underscored that “the Council has a right to assess the situation...I myself sit on the Council and we had gone to pains at the last meeting to explain where we are with this process.” In the meantime, though,
Dr. Persaud said that efforts are being made by the Health Ministry’s Liaison person in Cuba, who has not only been in constant contact with the Public Service Ministry (which is responsible for the Guyana/Cuba medical programme), but has been working to get all relevant documents together. The Liaison person is also tasked with ensuring that all relevant documents are translated and notarised, as according to Dr. Persaud, the newly trained doctors were tutored at a number of institutions across Cuba. “These doctors were not students in one place and each of them (institutions) may have procedures that would require Academic Board and University Council approval and all kinds of other things before a certificate is finally issued,” explained Dr. Persaud.
No procurement commission, no problem - says Edghill
Junior Finance Minister, Juan Edghill was agreed upon for the establishment of the PPC last year. The Minister said that he was not aware of any agreed time frame. He said, “I am aware that at the political level, there is dialogue that is taking place with regard to this particular matter.” “While the government is prepared to go to the table of negotiations and talk about getting this all important commission in place, one hand can’t clap. We still need to get the support of the opposition. “It is a clear case that the opposition with its one-seat majority shows no regard for the concerns or views of the government. It is a ‘take this or nothing approach,’ and that is what we have from them as it relates to simple matters like the commission.” “You are talking about
timeframe but you have an opposition that is using its vote; so how could I or anybody from the government dictate when something would be concluded with such a mood coming from the opposition?” Edghill stated that he does not believe that the government should be tied to a time line to implement something when you have to have the engagement of the opposition. When the Minister was asked about the compromises that the government is seeking, he stated that at the political level, “Government has already said that Cabinet’s role in offering no objections to contracts is something that we feel strongly about. How could you be asking us to be accountable for projects and the spending of money when you don’t have a say?” In this present model of PPC, Edghill said that while the government is seeking to protect their agenda, the opposition has already named publically who are their representatives and those individuals have been persons who have been publically rehearsing and echoing opposition sentiments.” He fears that the PPC will only be a reflection of what is going on in parliament. Edghill further explained that Guyana suffers from no disadvantage of the non establishment of the PPC as (continued on page 10)
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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T&T Finance Minister unveils $61.3B Budget (Trinidad Express) Finance Minister Larry Howai yesterday delivered a $61.3 billion national budget. Among the measures *Tax allowance of 100 per cent up to $40,000 per vehicle for CNG conversion to take effect in Jan. 2014. *Legislation to counter illegal fuel bunkering and quarrying, which proposes fines up to $500, 000. *100% increase in fines for littering; from $2000 to $4000. *Customs duties to be
increased for new and foreign used vehicles over 2.4 ccs except those used as maxi taxis. *A deficit budget of $6.3 billion. Total revenue $55 billion; Total expenditure $61.3Bn. Budget to based on an oil price average of US$80 per barrel & natural gas price of US$2.75 m per mmbtu. *Allocation of ministries; Education $9.8 billion; National Security $6.5 billion; Health $5 billion; Public Utilities $3.8 billion;
Tuesday September 10, 2013
No changes to existing PetroCaribe agreement - Paulwell
T&T Finance Minister Larry Howai Housing $2.7 billion; Local Govt. $2.4 billion; Works $2.4 billion; Agriculture $1.3 billion. *Govt expects to earn more from non-oil sector ($32.6B) than oil sector ($23.3B). The allocation to the various Ministries are as follows: Education and Training : $9.820 billion National Security : $6.497 billion Health: $5.096 billion Public Utilities: $3.786 billion Housing: $2.708 billion Local Government: $2.448 billion Works and Infrastructure: $2.431 billion Transport: $2.324 billion Agriculture: $1.324 billion The Budget debate will resume on Friday, September 13th, 2013.
The Government of Jamaica has reportedly secured a guarantee from the Venezuelan Government that there will be no change to the existing PetroCaribe agreement during Jamaica’s four-year deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This emerged from talks on the weekend involving Phillip Paulwell, Jamaica’s Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, and Venezuelan officials. The discussions took place during the 11th Meeting of the PetroCaribe Council of Ministers in Haiti. Mr. Paulwell Sunday night gave RJR News details on the agreement reached with Venezuela. “We put to the government of Venezuela the fact we do have an IMF agreement that have certain strictures, and that during the life of this agreement we have to ensure that we do not have any difficulties with other arrangements, and the life of the agreement does go
through until 2017. So we have put to the Venezuelan government that there be no changes to the arrangement within the PetroCaribe and they have assured us as such.” The development comes a month after Venezuela gave the assurance that there will be no increase in interest rates on PetroCaribe loans. Under the IMF agreement, PetroCaribe remains a critical funding arrangement for the Jamaican government alongside money to come from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). And, Mr. Paulwell is to make a major announcement this week concerning a new arrangement for Jamaica to clear its PetroCaribe debts to Venezuela. The Minister disclosed that the tradecompensation mechanism is to be fast-tracked. “We are also pleased that they have decided to fast track the trade compensation mechanism that will allow us to trade our goods and
Phillip Paulwell services in lieu of payment of the debt in foreign currency. On Wednesday of this week we have a very important announcement to make in relation to a hot commodity that will be traded,” added Mr. Paulwell. Under the PetroCaribe arrangement, Jamaica pays Venezuela a percentage of the cost of the oil it receives. The remainder is set aside as a loan, which is payable over 20 years at an interest rate of one per cent.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
She is, in her own words, “a fiercely independent woman”. She boasts that she does not have to depend on any man to maintain her and her four children. The truth is that her man has long abandoned her and harbours no ambition of supporting the four children she bore him. She lives with her mother and has a string of male friends from whom she refuses to take a cent. Three of the four children are of school age. The eldest is no longer at school and spends the greater part of the day sitting on the stairway watching the traffic go by. The Ministry of Education has provided uniform vouchers for the three school age children. Whether you are rich or poor, you are entitled to these
Kaieteur News
uniform vouchers. But despite collecting three vouchers, none of the three school age children are attending classes for the present term. When asked why the children are not going to school, the fiercely independent mom claims that she does not have passage to send them to school. Yet this same mother can be seen donning the latest fashions and is ever so often at the hairdresser having her hair done. She is also a party animal on weekends and is known to be out late at nights, safe in the knowledge that her mother will babysit the kids. This fiercely independent mom is not an isolated case. There are many more like her who always find an excuse for
not sending their children to school, thus depriving them of an education. The present school term is in its second week now and there are many children who are absent from school. Many of them have not even bothered to register and thus the school to which they are assigned have no record of them. Some action needs to be taken against these defaulting parents who find convenient explanations for keeping their children away from school. It is no longer acceptable to offer the excuse of not having money to buy uniforms. In fact, even in the rice flour days, this was never a legitimate excuse. The government offers a uniform voucher which may not go the full nine yards but which,
given the prices of materials, goes a far way to outfitting children for school. The unfortunate thing about this uniform voucher is that both the rich and the poor benefit from it and some multimillionaires have been known to urge their children to uplift the vouchers at schools. These vouchers are supposed to be used only for uniforms but Guyanese have found creative ways at some places- not all- to use the vouchers for purposes other than uniforms. The universal distribution of uniform vouchers should be discontinued. Instead the Ministry of Education should target those extremely needy cases in which some parents genuinely have financial difficulties in outfitting their
Canadian recycling company disappointed with government’s response to proposal By Latoya Giles President of the Panther Recycling Company, Michael Mosgrove, says that he is deeply disappointed with the reaction of Government with regards to his proposal to set up a recycling plant in Guyana. When contacted over the weekend, Mosgrove told Kaieteur News that his company has received “little” with regards the programme
or his willingness to invest up to $26M and create the much needed jobs that come from such a programme. Mosgrove told Kaieteur News that he became interested in this project over a year ago and that his company should have been up and running by now. He said that he has been calling several persons from the Ministry of Local Government but he has not received one response. “It
Dem boys seh ...
Guyana now like a hire car Every country always got a plan to mek sure that it do de right thing. For example, all dem country does watch dem population grow and plan how dem gun keep up de electricity. Not Guyana. Now dem boys claiming that Guyana ain’t got no energy policy. Because it ain’t got no policy dem still got blackout. Some morning people wake up and believe that is still night. That is because de lights people turn off de lights. To this day Guyana don’t know how much power it need to supply all dem industry. That is why GNIC shut down de foundry. Because of no energy policy people in dem house sitting down one minute and de next thing de appliance ain’t wukking. Dem boys was watching TV just suh when de whole screen go black. To this day de TV ain’t wukking. People does deh sewing when de machine does stop wukking just suh sudden. De truth is that because de country ain’t got an energy policy, de power station does push up de current when it believe other people ain’t getting enough. It does tek current fuh operate just about everything. Because of no policy poor Dindyal complaining all de time how he can’t get enough pole. Just like de current Dindyal short of pole and nobody can change that situation. If things wasn’t suh serious dem boys woulda seh that de people trying fuh run a cook shop. Donald never do business and he running a country which is a big business. He surround heself wid people who ain’t know nutten better than to hustle wid wha deh in de treasury. Dem like a car driver who does wait till he car run out f gas before he full up again. We wait till all dem GPL plant breakdown to fix dem. Dem gun wait till de next blackout to plan de energy policy fuh de next day. Talk half and wait fuh de next blackout.
would cost the country not a penny and would start to give the public pride in the community.” Mosgrove’s Company which brought a bright idea on how to curb the garbage situation in Guyana had approached Government with a “recycling” plan. His company had offered the government a Bio diesel section to the facility, but was asked not to include the bio mass facility as there was a large US$800 million electric proposal on the table. Mosgrove said that Panther Corporation has the best systems in the industry and a complete recycling programme from the house or business to the plant. He added that they are well aware and they fully understand that the landfills are still problematic, but their biomass is the solution. He explained that the facility goes hand in hand with their recycling sort modules and takes any biomass that cannot be reused to an incinerator to generate electricity. Mosgrove told Kaieteur News that the system can generate upwards of 80 MW of power, basically half of what has been recently rejected and would cost considerably less. He said that a contract with GPL could be free to Guyana. The company’s investment in Guyana would address all solid waste problems with one complete programme. He noted that Guyana can benefit in so many ways. The country would have a first measure of pick-up that helps all Guyanese to take back the pride in their communities and
have a clean environment. The programme would hire up to 5000 people directly and indirectly and provide manufacturing for the recyclables to be marketed worldwide. Last year the Canadian-based recycling company embarked on a project in Jamaica to build the first solar-powered recycling centre representing a multibillion-dollar investment and the prospect of thousands of jobs being created. The company invested US$26 million to construct and outfit a 30,000 square foot modular facility in Retirement, St James. With the approval of the St. James Parish council and the Mayor of Montego Bay, Panther has signed an MOU with the Parish. Over the last several months Panther has worked with all the parishes to establish a National Recycling Program. Although it was taking time there has been great progress with each and every parish. Minister within the Ministry of Local Government Norman Whittaker had told Kaieteur News that of the nine companies which had placed bids for Governments recycling proposals, three have been shortlisted. The Minister had said that he could not divulge the names of the three companies that have been shortlisted. Whittaker said that there is currently a special projects department in the Ministry which is handling the proposals. He said that he not could stipulate a time when the names would be made public, but noted that it would be before the year ends.
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children for school. It is not difficult for those really needy cases to be identified. The Ministry of Education also needs to come down harshly on those parents who keep their children away from school without just cause. There is little excuse which can be made for this practice. Guyana is fast becoming an individualistic society but despite this there is great deal of humanity within all communities in Guyana and when it comes to children there are many persons who if asked would readily push their hands in their pockets and help someone in their community who may need help in sending his or her kids off to school. There are persons who would be reluctant to give monies to adults because they may not be sure what that money will be used for but when it comes to children, persons will give and give generously. As such, there can be little excuse for any parent keeping their children away from school because that parent cannot afford the uniforms. Not in Guyana. There used to be a time when there was a special unit that used to go around arresting kids and their parents when these kids were not at school. The media always seemed to be in tow
on these operations. Many parents have faced embarrassing publicity because of these operations which unfortunately only capture an insignificant population of absentee students. It is time for a better approach to be adopted and for a hotline to be dedicated for persons to call in and report cases where children are away from school. In addition, schools should be required to produce a report to the Ministry of Education about those children who are frequently absent so that the social workers from the Ministry can visit these students can ascertain the problem and see what assistance can be rendered. The big stick approach will not work. What is needed is for investigations to be done and where it is found that parents were neglectful in not sending their children to school action, including support, should be rendered. But where there is no justified reason, then charges should be filed against the neglectful parents.
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Kaieteur News
Public sensitisation on Anti-Money Laundering Act on PSC’s agenda An aggressive move to sensitise the public to the possible outcome of failing to amend the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act, is being embraced by the Private Sector Commission (PSC). And according to Chairman of the PSC, Ronald Webster, “We intend to start doing a lot of work on this...We are going to try progressively over the next few weeks, to put over to the public what the impact could be.” Webster insisted, during a conversation with this publication, that it is essential that the amended Anti-Money Laundering Act be put in place even as he noted that “every country on the globe has got to have these things in place and we can’t afford to be the one left out.” Government has not been able to solicit the support of the majority-holding parliamentary opposition to facilitate the requisite amendment to the Act, which according to Government, “is of national interest to Guyana and should transcend politics as it stands to benefit efforts to stem corruption and money laundering.” Webster said that the PSC has been engaging Government as well as the opposition with a view to encouraging the passage of the stalled Bill since without its implementation Guyana runs the risk of facing international sanctions. However, Webster is
convinced that the time is crucial now to enlighten the public about the state of affairs. “I don’t think that the public really knows or understands the depth of the situation we could find ourselves in.” The PSC, Webster said, had meetings over the last two weeks with various agencies regarding the importance of the amended Anti-Money Laundering Act and according to him, “it is grim. If we mess up on this one the impact on the economy is going to be awful.” He observed for instance that 80 per cent of all insurance policies are underwritten overseas and if there are difficulties remitting funds to the underwriters and s o m e t h i n g happens here then there is no coverage. In fact such a situation had occurred in Trinidad, a territory that was able to recover fairly quickly because of its massive oil wealth and linkages, Webster noted. Antigua because of its failure to put measures in place is even today blacklisted even though it has corrected everything, he added. Webster further alluded to a recent investment seminar held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, which saw several calls being made for Guyana to steer-clear from the potential impacts associated with the absence of the amended Anti-Money Laundering Act. Another issue of concern
PSC Chairman, Ronald Webster that has been gaining the attention of the PSC is that of the Amaila Falls Hydropower project, which Webster said has been a matter that was extensively highlighted in the public sphere. “We played our role because we can’t run our business unless we know what is going on. And where Amaila is concerned we did a lot of work; I personally, as well as, other members in making sure that the figures we were hearing were in fact accurate,” said Webster. According to the PSC Chairman Guyana is in dire need of an efficient hydropower dam and we need to see such a project resuscitated as quickly as possible.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Corruption in GGMC? By Kiana Wilburg Officials of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) have refuted claims o f l a n d permits being acquired illegally. He also addressed the perception that the complexion of their system is one of corruption. On June 29, last, Kaieteur News reported some views expressed by US Ambassador, D. Brent Hardt and Canadian High Commissioner, David Devine, during a two-day seminar which was aimed at examining the challenges facing Guyana’s Investment climate. The diplomats said that Guyana’s rich extractive industries have attracted the attention of many overseas investors. And with the increased gold prices during the past years, Canadian companies have expressed a keen interest in investing in Guyana. However, of much concern, are reports about the “long waits to acquire land permits and the corruption involved in obtaining the said documents.” Speaking on the issue was Administrative Coordinator
- Illegal mining permits a mere perception, says GGDMA officials of the GGDMA, Colin Sparman, who said that when the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment came into being in 2012, there was a review of some of the processes within the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), one of which included the awarding of different licences and /or permits. These were put on hold for various reasons. Kaieteur News understands that for some time, conflict surrounded particularly, the Amerindian titled areas and extensions to these lands which led to an administrative hold on these. The protected areas which came into being sometime around then were excluded from mining. Sparman explained that there was a backlog of work in the system, some due to problems with the verifications of claims. He said, “For these lands to be legally claimed, they had to be verified and the verification process takes some time. GGMC officials
would have to go out on the ground where the miner would mark off his claim and they would verify it.” Among many of the other issues that needed much attention were cases where the officials also discovered that there were unlawful allocations for some claims where persons might have been paying rentals for them for years. Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Rickford Vieira asserted that there is simply no possible way for land permits to be acquired illegally. “Too many mechanisms are in place for such to even occur.” Vieira noted that while the system was clogged up for some time due to changes that were imperative, the backlog of work has been cleared up since August. “The wait would not be so long anymore.” “Staff worked overtime to bring about a state of normalcy in the processing system.”
No procurement commission, no problem - says Edghill From page 6 there are other mechanisms in place. “In the present law, the National Procurement and Tender Administration offers a contract whilst cabinet would only play a no objection role. We don’t give out contracts, the tender board does that. If someone who would have tendered for a job and they feel aggrieved, there is a process that they are asked to go through. The Board having received notice, based upon the law, will have to move to what is called a Bid Protest Committee.” “In the bid protest committee, you have a representative that comes from the Attorney General’s
Chambers, a representative of the procuring entity involved with the bid and a representative that is named by the Ministry of Finance, hence making it a threeperson committee which is bound by timeline.” “After you would have lodged your protest, the committee would be in place by a number of days. Having received all the details they would make their pronouncement within a number of days. “It’s not a long drawn out process. While the Bid Protest Committee is doing its work, you can’t go ahead with the contract because you have to await the decision so it carries with it the same relief
granted by a court but with greater swiftness.” The Minister stated that in an effort to bring about greater accountability and strengthen the evaluation process, in 2012, some changes were made to the format of the procurement process. He said that there was a change in the format of the bidding documents which was done to ensure that all parties are aware of all the information that will be required on which they would be judged to determine who will be the most successful bidder. He said that the change significantly strengthens the evaluation process.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Supenaam stelling consultant kept secret bribery account - banned by World Bank A prominent Canadian company which did work for Guyana, including on the construction of the controversial Supenaam Stelling in Essequibo, is being sued by a former employee for bribery. Mohammad Ismail is claiming that SNC-Lavalin kept a secret account called “Project Consultancy Cost” which in reality was used to pay bribes to secure contracts. SNC has also done work on the four-lane road between Georgetown and Providence and the Mahaica to Rosignol roadway. The case, according to Canadianmanufacturing.com website, has seen Ismail, a Toronto-based engineer and his one-time boss being charged. The engineer has since sued. Ismail, 49, was fired from the engineering company in 2011, a year before he and his former supervisor, Ramesh Shah, 61, were charged by the RCMP with attempting to bribe Bangladeshi government officials in relation to the Padma Bridge project. Shah had been a VicePresident and Ismail was the Director of International Projects at SNC-Lavalin in Toronto. The two were arrested following a raid on the SNCLavalin office in Oakville, Ontario in September 2012 at the request of the World Bank. A trial date has yet to be
announced. In his civil suit against SNC-Lavalin, filed in March, Ismail alleges that the engineering giant ignored the harassment, intimidation and “callous” treatment he said he received from his supervisor, dating as far back as 2007 when the two worked together on a project in Guyana. Ismail claims that the ill treatment caused him to develop a psychiatric disorder. He also addresses the alleged bribery issue, claiming that his supervisor prepared and used a template containing the “Project Consultancy Cost,” or PCC, accounting code. The World Bank, in relation to an investigation into the Bangladesh bridge project, claimed that the PCC code was SNC’s euphemism “to indicate the cost of the bribes to be paid.” Ismail said the code was used in several project proposals and he was ordered to use it, according to documents filed in a Toronto court in May. Ismail claims that he refused and submitted the Padma Bridge proposal without the PCC, or bribery payment. The use of the template that contained the PCC was one of several “unethical” things that Ismail alleges he was directed to do, according to his wrongful dismissal lawsuit. Ismail also claims he was forced to break promises
Accused of bribery: Ramesh Shah Accused of bribery: Mohammad Ismail that had been made to clients and sign fake agreements. “The Plaintiff states that he, as well as many others, brought to upper management’s attention, both verbally and in writing, Shah’s ‘wrongdoing’ including the PCC,” Ismail says in his reply to the statement of defence. The allegations have not been proven in court. Ismail is seeking at least $300,000 from SNC-Lavalin for wrongful dismissal, mental distress and other damages. SNC-Lavalin denies the allegations in a statement of defence filed in April 2013. SNC-Lavalin says Ismail was let go from the company on April 5, 2011 due to a “number of performance issues,” according to the statement. “Subsequent to Ismail’s
Port Kaituma killing ...
‘Tall man' jailed for nineteen years Supreme Court Judge, James Bovell-Drakes, yesterday sentenced Lawrence Rambarran, 38, of Cat Walk, Port Kaituma, Region One, to 19 years in prison for the 2009 hacking to death of his reputed wife, Deborah Anne Allen. Rambarran was initially indicted for murder but later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. Deborah Anne Allen, was reportedly slashed to death with a cutlass on July 15, 2009, after an argument. According to reports, Rambarran, his wife and others were drinking alcohol at the time. Rambarran was under the influence of liquor. He purportedly became enraged, after he saw a man leaving a bathroom and being followed by his reputed wife who was
pulling up her pants. This caused him to 'get certain ideas.' The accused subsequently admitted to his involvement in his wife's death and expressed remorse. The matter was prosecuted by State Counsel Miss Natasha Backer while Defense Attorney Peter Hugh, provided legal representation for the accused. According to a probation report given to the court, Rambarran, called 'Tall Man', was employed as a carpentercontractor in Region One. As a child, he only attended school for eight days and worked to earn money to assist his mother and younger siblings. The accused, however, has a criminal record, given that he previously wounded
Lawrence Rambarran his brother-in-law one year prior to killing his reputed wife. He was charged with attempted murder and placed before the Mathews Ridge Magistrate's Court. The matter was discharged after the complainant declined to offer further evidence and was suitably compensated.
termination, SNC-Lavalin obtained additional information about Ismail’s involvement in the payment or proposed payment of bribes to individuals involved in construction projects,” the statement of defence says. The company says it is relying on this information as “after-acquired cause,” according to the statement of defence. The term is used to describe employee conduct that may be used to justify a dismissal even though it was unknown to the employer at
the time of the firing. The lawyer representing Ismail said SNC-Lavalin “basically threw him under the bus.” “This is a typical situation where a large employer is scapegoating its junior employee,” said Bram Lecker. SNC-Lavalin declined to respond to Lecker’s allegations. “We cannot comment on cases presently before the courts in order not to prejudice their outcome, except to say that all such decisions are taken very seriously,” spokesperson Lilly Nguyen said in a statement. In April, the World Bank barred SNC-Lavalin from bidding on any of its development projects for the next decade after investigating the company’s practices in projects in Cambodia and Bangladesh. At the time, the Globe and Mail and CBC reported that the company paid “consultancy costs” between 2008 and 2011 to win several development contracts in Africa and Asia.
The engineering company said in May that the allegations had been addressed and resolved. SNC-Lavalin has come under close scrutiny around the world since it disclosed in March 2012 that an internal investigation uncovered $56million in payments to undisclosed agents. The document led to the departure of former CEO Pierre Duhaime and several other executives. Duhaime and former vicepresident Riadh Ben Aissa have been charged with fraud over allegations that $22.5 million was used to win the Montreal super-hospital contract. Ben Aissa has been jailed for more than a year in Switzerland on alleged corruption, fraud and moneylaundering in North Africa. His brother Rafik Benaissa has filed a lawsuit against SNC-Lavalin, alleging SNC-Lavalin caused him harm by using his brother as a “scapegoat” w hile protecting its interests in Libya in the face of political change.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2013
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The PPP 2013 congress: Dictatorship versus reality Mr. Ralph Ramkarran has done an interesting analysis on the recent election that came out of the PPP congress last month. He argued that Anil Nandlall who came in fourth at the voting to select the 35-member Central Committee was not elected into the Executive Committee by that 35-member unit. Mr. Ramkarran said that there was a campaign at the congress against Mr. Nandlall. Is the failure of Mr. Nandlall to secure a seat on the policy-making Executive
a manifestation of the divorce between PPP members and a core of its leaders? If your answer is no then that answer runs into problems when you consider that Mr. Kellawan Lall brought third to last yet won a place in the Executive and is elevated in terms of authority in that he occupies a seat in the PPP Secretariat and chosen to be the editor of the party’s organ, Thunder. Any analyst is bound to see a disconnection between the general membership and that core of leaders in that an apparatchik is placed fourth
in congressional voting but is out of the policy-making body yet another party leader that lay at the bottom of the table finds a place in the executive. This interpretation here is neither a comment on Mr. Nandlall or Mr. Lall. I simply point out the facts as the voting went. The frequent letter-writer that goes under the name M. Maxwell did an interesting statistical outlay in last Sunday KN of the voting patterns for the last three PPP congresses including 2013 and concluded that the 2013 voting results were tampered with. If they were or were not, time is running out on the PPP for open, democratic voting from among its membership to chose its party leaders. We are in 2013; years before we reached the 21st century, this was the way party leaders were chosen. Go around the world to the most powerless
parties that are not close to winning the government and they elect their leaders from among their membership. Our neighbor, Trinidad, allowed a free vote in the UNC and the party’s leader Basdeo Panday was beaten. In the PNC, the party the PPP loves to hate, they have now incorporated the primary system where hierarchical members compete with each other. Even if you take into account the accusation by Dr. Faith Harding that her competitors were given an advantage over her candidacy, she could not have made that statement if there wasn’t an open contest. On a related matter, Mr. Ramotar publicly acknowledged that at the congress groups of delegates sought to campaign against Mr. Jagdeo. This was good for democracy in the PPP. Mr. Jagdeo is capable of defending himself and had delegates within the congress that could have confronted the points of his detractors. But it raises the question again of a disjoint between the PPP membership and its highly centralized
leadership. The PPP would hardly have selected delegates to its congress if they were critical of the PPP. These are beneficiaries of the party and people active in the district committees. One must assume then that a negative campaign against Mr. Jagdeo did not mean a vilification of the PPP but directed against Mr. Jagdeo himself. Surely this calls for analysis. After twelve years of the presidency and just twenty two months after his left office, there were delegates openly hostile to Mr. Jagdeo. Those critics must have identified some reasons why Mr. Jagdeo should not have been in the party’s hierarchy. It is possible that they were trying to keep Mr. Jagdeo out because they believe that he has taken the PPP far away from its original mooring? These developments have implications when one looks at the possibility of snap poll. If the PPP dismisses the Nandlall/Lall/Jagdeo scenarios at the just concluded congress and regards Mr. Ralph Ramkarran as a disgruntled gentleman, then it will be a pattern that is
Frederick Kissoon so characteristic of authoritarian tradition, meaning that authoritarian leaders just cannot muster enough mental fortitude to comprehend the world around them. There is nothing in the PPP’s chemistry to suggest that the party will reflect on what happened at the congress and internalize the lessons of history. A majority of Guyanese may be wrong in the reason they offer for the scare the PPP got when they saw the results of the 2011 election results. The scare was there alright but the reason is another matter altogether. That core of leaders actually believes that the Indians were so assured of a PPP victory that they didn’t bother to go out to vote. Dictatorship and reality are opposites.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
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Kaieteur News
Guyana's stone imports needless BK International says that it is at a loss over the Government's intentions to import stone for infrastructural works. According to the company, it has more than adequate supply for the market demand. BK International held a press conference yesterday in response to an article published in Chronicle about Government's intentions to importing stone to satisfy growing demand. The Chronicle article stated that “The President said he had recently reviewed the pending and ongoing infrastructural works in the country and realized they were beset by challenges, one of which is the inability of the local quarry establishments to produce adequate amounts of stone to satisfy current demand.” Public Relations Consultant for BK, Kit Nascimento, said, “There is no shortage of stone in the country …the president has been wrongly and badly advised.” According to Gail Tiwarie, Director responsible for materials, the Kingston site has
- says BK International
BK's Kingston site with a surplus of stones waiting to be purchased approximately 10,000 tons of stone in stockpile, and another 10,000 tons at the quarry which is producing over 40,000 tons of stone per month. Supply is greater than demand, she said. The decision to import stone apparently comes reportedly from contractors complaining that they are not getting access to, and limited supply of stone. “President Ramotar said many contractors already have works ongoing in other sectors, but have been unable to start on new contracts they have been awarded because
their resources are otherwise tied up. And all this can be blamed on the shortage of stone, needed to complete construction of infrastructural works,” the Chronicle reported. However according to Ms Tiwarie, Sales and Marketing Director of BK quarries Inc “I do not have any outstanding orders from any contractors pertaining to uplifting materials or orders for materials.” She added that the factors that one can deduce for contractors' slow works are the high levels of rain as
well as the recent decision by the company to limit the credit customers. For the past two years the credit line for the company has exceeded $50 M which the company is finding difficult to recoup. As such a hold has been put on issuing credit for stone, with a requirement for payment being made on delivery of materials. A c c o r d i n g t o Nascimento it appears to be that contractors are claiming there is no stone when there is because they are short of the capacity to pay for it. An
example was made where a company received an order from a “big contractor.” The contractor, Dalip, wanted stone and actually claimed that none was available. Brian Tiwarie was contacted and told by Dalip that BK International did not have any stone available. As the contractor discovered, nothing could have been further from the truth. CONCERNS OVER STONE QUALITY In addition to the complaint of unnecessary importation of stones BK Inc
has also expressed concern about the imported stone which he Tiwarie said is known as slate stone. It is being imported by Gafsons with Government permission for the construction of roads and buildings. A c c o r d i n g t o Nascimento, his company is more at a loss at the government's decision to import slate stone to be used in construction; it is an inferior stone and should not be used for road construction. Its load (continued on page 24)
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Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
GDF probes armed “visit” of Venezuelan - Foreign Affairs Ministry said group soldiers into Guyana claimed it doing border research By Leonard Gildarie The army has mounted a probe to determine whether its soldiers, guarding a border base at Eteringbang, erred in allowing a group of Ven e z u e l a n s , t o e n t e r Guyana in somewhat strange circumstances on August 31. The group, called "My Map of Venezuela also Includes Our Essequibo", reportedly came to “carry out a civil exercise of sovereignty”. The group was accompanied by armed members of the Venezuela Army, according to El Universal, a newspaper in that neighbouring Spanishspeaking country yesterday. While there was no explanation what exactly the exercise involved, online Wikipedia explains that sovereignty is the quality of having independent authority over a geographic area, such as a territory. The visit is now being seen as an act of provocation by certain fringe groups in Venezuela to embarrass President Nicolas Maduro who came to visit Guyana on state business the same day. Venezuela is claiming a large swath of Essequibo. The issue has been rearing its head from time to time but took backseat under the administration of Ve n e z u e l a ' s f o r m e r President Hugo Chavez. Chavez, who died earlier this year, had agreed to have the matter settled by a UN G o o d O ff i c e p r o c e s s . Jamaican-born Norman
Girvan, an expert of international relations, was appointed back in 2010 to see the process through. During his visit on August 31, both Maduro and President Donald Ramotar expressed commitments to the Good Officer process. H o w e v e r, b a c k i n Venezuela, the issue has been rumbling in the media with former army officials and members of the Opposition calling for it to become one of priority for the Maduro administration. ARMY PRESENCE A c c o r d i n g t o Venezuela's El Universal online newspaper yesterday, “On August 31, while Ve n e z u e l a n P r e s i d e n t Nicolás Maduro was paying an official visit to Georgetown, Guyana to offer economic and social support to that country, 45 Venezuelans went on a mission crossing the Cuyaní River and into the GuyanaVenezuela disputed area accompanied by officers of the Venezuelan Army.” Law student, Ricardo de Toma, a member of the organization, is quoted by El Universal as saying that "We came here to carry out a civil exercise of sovereignty, but we do not understand what was Nicolás Maduro doing there (in Guyana)." Also there were administrator Jorge Luis Fuguett, and internationalist Rajihv Morillo. De Toma was critical of his President's visit, saying that in spite of the mining
Guyanese and Venezuelan officers talking in Eteringbang (El Universal photo)
A Guyana flag in Eteringbang, where the expedition landed. (El Universal photo) projects Guyana has been developing in the Essequibo disputed area, and the granting of oil concessions in front of the Venezuelan Atlantic front by Guyana, Maduro's bilateral was to
spread an “ideological model." El Universal published a number of photos of the visit by the group. One of them showed a Guyanese flag on a property at Eteringbang,
where the group landed. GDF also has a base at that border area. Another photo indicated a soldier donned in what appeared to be GDF clothing in conversation with an armed member of the Venezuelan army. Yet a third photo was of a GDF official being recorded on camera and speaking to members of the group. However, it is the fourth photo which seems worrying and which GDF officials said it will investigate. According to the photo, persons wearing what
appeared to be Venezuelan army outfits and armed with guns were awaiting members of the group to board a boat. There was another vessel nearby. El Universal said that the photo depicted “part of the group of Venezuelans who went on an expedition to the Essequibo, guarded by the Venezuelan army (Handout photo).” HIGHLY UNUSUAL Yesterday, a senior official of the GDF said that a report of the incident has (continued on page 23)
A Guyanese officer received the boat with Venezuelans on board (El Universal photo)
Tuesday September 10, 2013
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Kaieteur News
Wanted bulletin issued for Rondy Jagdeo in biker's murder
P
olice have issued a wanted bulletin f o r c i t y businessman Rondy Jagdeo (also called Randy Jagdeo) in connection with the murder of Kirk Davis, who was gunned down outside his Eccles, East Bank Demerara home last week Tuesday. The bulletin gave Jagdeo's date of birth as August 19, 1985. He is of East Indian ancestry, is stout in build and fair in complexion. His last known address was Lot 159 Third Street, A l e x a n d e r Vi l l a g e , Georgetown. A n y o n e w i t h information that may lead to the arrest of Rondy Jagdeo is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers 2256411, 225-2227, 226-7065, 227-1149, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.
apologises to Chris Jagdeo for any inconvenience the mistake may have caused. Kirk Davis was riddled
Wanted for murder: Rondy Jagdeo
Kirk Davis
Commissioner of Police Leroy Brumell had told Kaieteur News on Monday that police are certain of the p e r p e t r a t o r ' s i d e n t i t y. Brumell stated that the suspect disappeared on the very night that Davis was slain, and that police had received reports that he had
either gone to the interior or Suriname. In the Monday edition of the Kaieteur News the suspect was inadvertently identified as Chris Jagdeo in the actual article on the subject. Chris Jagdeo is Rondy Jagdeo's cousin. Kaieteur News sincerely
National library seeks to preserve literacy in ... From page 2 administrators, teachers and students of the schools.” The National Library collaborated with the Ministry of Education on the 'give a book project.' Hundreds of books were distributed to the public by the National Library yesterday. “ W e h a d a n overwhelming response from the time we started, people keep coming eager to get their copy of the books. We distributed all sorts of books, resource booklets that can used in schools, fictional story books for children and so forth. “ Thompson stressed that all the reading materials were free of cost to the public and as such are not to be sold. Meanwhile, members of the Stabroek/Georgetown Lions Club visited the Thomas More Primary School to conduct 15-minute reading sessions with several grade level classrooms. Odessa De Barros, President of the Georgetown/Stabroek Lions Club said that a literacy project was initiated in partnership with the Education month observance and World Literacy Day. “We did this project (yesterday) in accordance with the give a book idea.
We chose Thomas More Primary School located on D'Urban Street to conduct a reading exercise and donate books to enhance the library so that every child would have something to read.” The club donated 350,000 books to the School. Lions clubs will conduct similar exercises at other educational institutions in observance of Education
Month. “We will be visiting day care centres, and schools for the handicapped during this week where we will be donating books. We also have a health project to conclude our activities for Education Month.” The school also received donations of books from the National library and the Ministry of Education.
with at least 15 bullets during a brief confrontation outside his Seventh Street, Eccles, East Bank Demerara
residence. Police said that Davis was killed over an affair that he was having with the shooter's wife.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
Pirates rob Corentyne fishermen in two separate incidents
P
irates attacked and robbed several fishermen in the Upper Corentyne area last Sunday and yesterday in two separate incidents. According to Acting Chairman of the Number 66 Fishermen's Co-op Society, Mr. Parmeshwar Jainarine, in the first incident, a group of five fishermen left for the seas Sunday night. The men were approached by four masked men and robbed of $400,000 worth of fish and glue. In the second incident on Monday evening, another group of fishermen was robbed of $500,000 in fish and glue. The pirates also
carted off their fuel and groceries on the boat. The Acting Chairman stated that to date, the fishermen have not approached the Society to make a full report either to him or the police, of what transpired during the two attacks. It could be because they know that the perpetrators will not be caught and dealt with, he said. Piracy has been on the rise along the Corentyne River and Mr. Jainarine stated that fishermen are committing the acts against their own, in a bid for survival in the moneymaking industry. He made a
call on all fishermen across Guyana, especially those plying the trade in the Corentyne River to stop these attacks and to stop attacking each other on the high seas. “There is enough fish out there for everyone,” he stated. Meanwhile, no charges have as yet been laid against the four pirates caught in a daring daylight attack and robbery which took place early July in the Corentyne River. The Suriname Coast Guard quickly accosted the pirates and whisked them away to Nickerie where they were arrested. The Guyana army had expressed
concerns about this fact that the pirates were taken into Suriname by the police. The police over there held an ID Parade on We d n e s d a y a n d t h e fishermen positively identified the pirates. According to a source, one reason that the men have not been charged as yet is that the law enforcement officials could be working to ascertain and prove whether the pirates were ever involved in recent hijacking incidents and murder of fishermen along the Corentyne River. Since the i n c i d e n t , Corentyne fishermen are scared to venture out to the
Parmeshwar Jainarine lonely seas to make a daily living. In fact, things could not be any better in the Corentyne fishing industry. At least more than 10,000 people in the Corentyne area depend directly on the fishing industry: from the time they go out to sea to the moment they export the catch. Over 75 per cent of the fish exported out of the country comes from the Number 66 Fisheries. “We supply the export in Georgetown to places like Pritipaul Investment, BEV Enterprises and Gabadoor as well as four or five other
companies.” “Every day, the industry is getting bigger. If you look at the sugar industry and rice, there are setbacks in the market. But on the international market, there is demand for fish and fish is more healthy for eating because people realize it is more healthy than meat for food”, Former Chairman of the Co-op, Mr. Pravinchandra Deodat, is currently out of the country and will be returning to Guyana by year end. In the meanwhile, the Treasurer, Mr. Jainarine has stepped up as Acting Chairman of the body.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
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Kaieteur News
Dementia victim fleeced of home, son says A By Leon Suseran
n 82-year-old man of Albion, Corentyne suffering from dementia was allegedly wheedled into transferring ownership of his multi-million-dollar house and land while having drinks with a few persons couple months ago. A former mayor of New Amsterdam and popular engineer in Guyana decades ago, Mustapha Ally—a U.S. Citizen-- returned to Guyana a few days ago from New York and found locks on the gates to his property. There are several buildings on the land with a large yard-space. After securing a High Court Injunction granted by Justice Rishi Persaud, with the help of his son, Arif Ally, to evict the illegal occupants, Ally and his son turned up at the house armed with police o ff i c e r s a n d a C o u r t Marshall, to show the occupants; However, a fight broke out, the occupants allegedly manhandled Ally in the presence of the police and refused to give up occupancy of the house and land. Ally and family also say that they are not getting the full support of the local police whom they accuse of siding with the perpetrators. The matter has escalated to such a point that the U.S. Embassy is keeping a close eye on the situation. “ We w e n t w i t h a n injunction to evict them but they've got thugs there, so we went with a M a r s h a l l — M r. [ Ry a n ]
The property which is under siege right now
Crawford and our own security force—ex- police officers and the warrant was served on Navinder Persaud by the Marshall and we got a police officer from the Albion Police Station.” Arif Ally, on Saturday, stated that his father became an acquaintance to the two named individuals when they visited the home a few weeks ago to purchase a safe after their pawn shop on the Corentyne was burnt down. It is believed that the individuals are brothers. Arif stated that he met them three months ago after they visited the house to purchase the safe from Mr. Ally. “They —Navinder Persaud and Veejay Cipriani came to my father to buy a safe three months ago,” Arif said. Arif stated that the individuals have virtually taken over their home and
have moved in. They have been occupying the property for several weeks now and claim to have all legal paperwork for ownership, even though Mr. Ally is still in possession of the Transport in his name. Arif added that the two individuals claimed to have paid his father US$42,000 for the property “and today they said they paid US$85,000 and a month ago they claimed to have paid him US$150,000 in New York.” This, the individuals claimed to have paid Ally while socializing with him at the house a few weeks ago with drinks and food. But Ally has severe dementia and cannot remember collecting any such amount of cash “and they knew that and they were bringing him alcohol and cigarettes and getting him drunk.” “He never had a Bill
of Sale or nothing—no money was ever given to him,” claimed Arif. He also claimed that the individuals seized his father's bank card and passport. “He could not leave [the country] when he wanted to. Eventually they returned the documents to him after what they did what they did—I don't know what papers they cooked up—and that's when we came back and evicted them.” Ally said that he had been living at the house for over 40 years, even though he would go back and forth between USA and Guyana at times. He was instrumental in constructing the Canje River Bridge and the Albion Sports Complex decades ago. T h e r e w a s a confrontation on Friday evening after the Allys along with the daughters of their
Mr. Mustapha Ally
maids, arrived at the house with the security forces and Marshall. The Allys locked the gates with their locks after which the individuals allegedly abducted Mr. Ally with the two girls and kept them in the house all night. “But when the police came, they [the individuals] removed their locks to make it look as if it was only my
lock on the gate.” Arif stated that his father was in the home all night without food or water. His father and the girls were let out of the house and compound around 07:30 hrs Saturday, and “they locked the gates…he could not have gone back into the house.” “The US Embassy called (continued on page 21)
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Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
Education Ministry distributes Partnership crucial to improving free books on World Literacy Day literacy - Education Minister
A bold pupil reads to Minister Priya Manickchand
The Minister distributing books at the Education Ministry yesterday. Yesterday was World Literacy Day. The students from St. Rose's High School took the opportunity to protest in front of the Ministry of Education head office on Brickdam while education officials were distributing books to the public. Clifton Inniss, the chairman of the St. Rose's High School ParentTeacher's Association told this newspaper that the sixth
formers do not have a classroom because there is a problem with the allocation of space between the high school and the St. Agnes Primary. “We have a problem with the allocation of space and the Ministry of Education is not doing anything about it. They are not addressing the issue so we decided to protest in front here and we will do so until the problem is solved,”
Inniss stressed. Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, made a presentation of the complete set of Guyana Classics to the Education Ministry. The books will be donated to schools across the country. Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand thanked Dr. Anthony for the donation and advises persons to read more.
Under the theme “Literacy for the 21st Century”, the Ministry of Education and by extension schools across the country, joined countries around the world yesterday to observe International Literacy Day. But the observance yesterday was certainly not limited to schools but rather a wide cross-section of the country embraced activities which fell under two strategic campaigns designed by the Education Ministry. The campaigns “Give a Book” and “Drop Everything and Read” not only encouraged persons to give a book away but also to embrace a move to stop everything and read for 15 consecutive minutes which commenced at 11:00 hours. But the activities all started as early as 09:30 hours at the Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, Stella Maris Primary School. This was however no coincidence as it was this very school that Education Ministry, Priya
Manickchand, had attended as a young child. She not only interacted with the teachers and members of the Parent/Teacher Association but also took time to chat with pupils and also to have them read to her. During her brief visit at the school the Minister commended the school's literacy corner which was being utilised by a number of pupils. And according to the Minister, promoting literacy and education on the whole, requires a crucial partnership between Government, the Ministry of Education, teachers, parents and children as well. “This is like a relay (race)...all these partners must work together and if you have one weak leg then the whole race will be lost,” asserted the Minister, who insisted that “everybody has to play their part and be very strong.” Moreover, she noted that President Donald Ramotar and his Cabinet
currently have education high on the Governmental agenda since “we are working towards ensuring that children are able to learn.” It is for this reason, Minister Manickchand noted that the Education sector is usually afforded a great portion of the national budget which translates in “us being able to give you more services...” In fact the Minister committed to the pupils yesterday that the Ministry of Education will continuously work hard “to bring to you all that we planned; change things that need to be changed and renew programmes as they need to be renewed.” But in doing so, the Minister said that not only are teachers required to be committed to their job but pupils must also be disciplined and respectful to their teachers, even as she noted that must embrace their role “as the first teachers their children will ever encounter.”
A group of pupils taking advantage of the Literacy Corner at the Stella Maris Primary School
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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UG unions express concern over changes in university statutes Concerns are heightening over significant changes being processed at the University of Guyana. The 2013-2014 academic year greeted stakeholders of the country’s highest learning institution with several major implementations which they say, changes the university’s statutes and employment conditions “without any or very minimal input from the very academic community these changes are purported to benefit.” In a statement to those concerned, the Guyana Senior Staff Association (GSSA) and University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU) said that the Council, based on a submission from Vice Chancellor, Dr. Jacob Opadeyi, took the decision to amend the statutes
governing deanships. They said while the original statute reads, “The Dean of each Faculty shall be appointed by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor on the nomination of the Board of that Faculty from among the members of the Faculty eligible to hold office,” the amendment reads, “The Dean of each Faculty shall be appointed by the Principal and Vice-Chancellor from among the eligible members of the Faculty, after he would have consulted with the Board of the specific faculty.” The unions believe however that the amendment is unnecessary and potentially injurious to the University. They are concerned that the process of fundamentally changing the academic orientation of the
university is being done silently and “one might be tempted to say clandestinely – no one knew that the amendment was on the table for consideration, and the document was submitted to council members a mere two days prior to the meeting.” “Unionists say that there was therefore no time for university groups represented in council, including the academic board and committee of deans, to discuss the proposed amendment.” Additionally, they said the VC did not solicit the views of academics across the campus. The union noted some acceptance on the recommendations of the Trevor Hamilton Repot, but worries that Professor Opadeyi is displaying a
International Suicide Prevention Day ...
tendency of going it alone. “We have urged in a meeting with him that he seeks ‘buy in’ for these myriad changes that he believes necessary and if no such ‘buy in’ is secured that he reconsiders his approach and/or proposals.” The union continued that “under the original statute, although the faculties nominated individuals to serve as deans, such individuals couldn’t be appointed unless the VC agreed – thus the VC had considerable power – though not sole power. “With this amendment, the current and any subsequent VC will now be responsible for identifying and appointing the Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Deans and Heads of Departments (HOD) - a situation where all those who hold senior academic appointments will be beholden/accountable to one individual.” “With the Council dominated by partisan political appointees, the long term implications of this amendment are even more disturbing and do not bode well for the autonomy and independence of the University,” the union contended.
“There are several revisions that would complement the amendment proposed by the VC– including autonomy for faculties and the deans having control over faculties’ finances. These however have not been proposed. Moreover, it is instructive to note that under the amendment, deans can also be recalled for non-performance. No process governing recall of deans was proposed so this will also presumably be at the will of one individual – the VC.” The union is adamant that “a nomination from the faculty allows the dean to enjoy the confidence of his/her colleagues and the individual will likely secure their support.” The Unions said they were dismayed that the process utilized by the VC to select HODs “was not truly consultative and it lacked confidentiality, which then led to fracture and discord in several departments.” The VC has been attempting to force a lecturer in the faculty of Natural Science to take up the headship although she has refused it, union members were advised that all academic contracts obligate staff to
attend meetings at the department and faculty levels and to discharge all teaching, consultation, marking and examination duties for courses assigned. “It does not obligate anyone to take up headships or deanships if one is unwilling or unable to do so.” It was however proposed that if the amendment stands, the process employed to appoint deans should be a truly consultative one and the process be clearly outlined. The union noted that after consulting the University of the West Indies, they were advised that, “the consultation process utilized by that university was highly confidential and entailed (a) the VC consulting either individually or jointly, the Assistant Deans, HODs, the outgoing dean (if not being reconsidered for the deanship) and senior faculty members and (b) other faculty offer their recommendations in writing (either individually or jointly).” The union thus recommended that a similar structure be institutionalized and employed, if the amendment is retained.
One death by suicide every 40 seconds - IASP Stepfather, brother-in-law remanded for sexually assaulting 13-year old
By Rabindra Rooplall Nearly one million people worldwide die by suicide each year. This corresponds to one death by suicide every 40 seconds, according to the statistics. International Suicide Prevention Day will be observed worldwide on September 10 and experts believe efforts at government level with the involvement of the community can help bring isolated souls back to normal life activities for prevention of suicide. Experts say the suicide rate locally is approximately 20 per 100,000 population and it has been consistent for years. Suicide has also ranked seventh among the ten major causes of death in Guyana for years, averaging around 200 deaths annually. According to International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP), the number of lives lost each year through suicide exceeds the number of deaths due to homicide and war combined. A large proportion of people who die by suicide suffer from mental illness. The organisation noted that recent estimates suggest that the disease burden caused by mental illnesses will account for 25 per cent of the total disease burden in the world in the next two decades, making it the most important category of ill-health (more important than cancer or heart diseases.) Statistics further reveal
that a significant number of those with mental illnesses who die by suicide do not contact health or social services near the time of their death. In many instances, there are insufficient services available to assist those in need at times of crisis. Lack of access to appropriate care is one of the many factors that magnify the stigma associated with mental illness and with suicidal ideation and behaviour, and the IASP noted, this type of stigma, which is deeply rooted in most societies, can arise for different reasons. One of the causes of stigma is a simple lack of knowledge. Experts say that this type of stigma can be directly addressed by providing a range of community-based educational programs that are targeted to specific subgroups within the society (that is, by age, educational level, religious affiliation, and so forth.) It was noted that
discrimination can prevent or discourage people affected by mental illnesses and/or suicidal ideation or behaviour from seeking professional help or from returning to their normal social roles after receiving treatment for an episode of illness or crisis. Thus, IASP stated that one extreme example is the criminalization of suicidal behaviour, which still occurs in many countries. “In both high-income and low- and middle-income countries stigmatized conditions such as mental illnesses and suicidal behaviour receive a much smaller proportion of health and welfare budgets than is appropriate, given their huge impact on the overall health of the community,” the IASP stated. Unless stigma is confronted and challenged, the organisation noted that it will continue to be a major barrier to the treatment of mental illnesses and to the prevention of suicide.
Two men who allegedly took turns sexually violating a 13-year-old girl whom they were supposed to protect are now in prison awaiting trial. The men, who are both in their late 30s and are close relatives of the teenager, were charged separately for sexually assaulting her on separate occasions. The incidents allegedly occurred at the home the child shared with her mother and other relatives at Melanie Damishana. One of the men, who happens to be her stepfather, was placed on $600,000 when he appeared before an East Coast Demerara Magistrate on May 20 last, charged with
rape. Kaieteur News understands that he is still to post the bail. He was joined in prison by the teenager’s brother-inlaw who was remanded when he too faced a Magistrate at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court on a similar charge. According to reports, the child, whose mother works in the interior, was left in the care of her sister and brother in law earlier this year. It is alleged that her brother in law bought her a cellular phone, which he used as an inducement to have sex with her. This according to the prosecution went on for a while without anyone’s
knowledge until the teenager’s stepfather arrived from the interior. The police are alleging that the stepfather observed the teenager’s brother in law making sexual advances towards her and he threatened to reveal this to the child’s mother. He reportedly used the threat to seduce the child. But this time the child could no longer keep it in and she confided to a friend, who in turn told her aunt. The matter was subsequently reported to the police who arrested both men. After an intense investigation, they were both placed before the court.
Dementia victim fleeced of ... From page 19 and wanted to know if he [Ally] can go freely in and out of his house—they said the most they can do was to send a local police from here…but these police know these people by first name! Everybody's been paid off— I don't know how this can happen in this country!” complained Arif. They're bribed-they're corrupt—they're taking money to look the other way.” Arif stated that the family cannot deal with this situation. They are also fearful for their lives. They are currently staying at a relative's home a
few blocks away from the house and plan to leave for the United States as soon as possible. The next court hearing is planned for Friday at the GT High Court. “When someone has dementia, and you're fed alcohol, it gets worse…you don't remember stuff, you get forgetful.” When asked what the family's next move is, Arif stated that they will continue to fight to regain control of the house and compound. “What they did was fraud…the transport is still in his [his father's] name.” Additionally, Arif stated
that his family being staunch Muslims has found that the individuals have desecrated the property, too, by taking swine into the compound. When Kaieteur News turned up at the house on Saturday, a group of persons appeared at the gate and prevented the reporter from entering the compound. They stated that Mr. Ally no longer lives there and that he was overseas. Lawyer for the Allys, Sanjeev Datadin, said that the courts are being disrespected because they are allowing the people to disregard a legal order of court.
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Kaieteur News
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New RX8 (red) rotary 7 speed engine: new rims, tyres, music (kickers), lambo doors- Call:627-8786 1 Hilux pickup solid DEF, 2 ton winch, crash bar etc. Call:644-5096/697-1453 2006 BMW 320i unregistered- Call:660-6799 2008 Toyota Premio- call: 615-4114 Female driven Honda CRV 2003: Leather seats, Tv/Nav Immaculate condition $3.1M - Call:622-4107
TO LET Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenities- Call during working hours- 227-1218 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 6797139
One 2 storey building with 8ft drive way with two apartments bottom flat in Kitty- Contact Ameer 6955815
1 Low Bed (hauler & trailer), 1 Freight Liner Hauler, 1-48ft trailer- Call:613-6979
3 Furnished apartments located in Industry, E.C.DCall:222-6001
First Class Auto: Allion, Verossa, Axio, 212- Call:6098188/602-6307
Short term apartment available- Call:687-3017
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
German Shepherd pups. Tel: 619-6086/699-7077.
Natural beauty salon & spa: Grove Market Street EBD tele:265-4138,652-5800 specialized in everything for women & children
One Tractor Ford driven 600 HRS. Excellent condition price $3 million negotiablecontact Junior:261-5304/2615030/665-4611 Toyota 110 Sprinter. Top condition $1.1M negotiableCall:611-3210/690-9168/ BBpin-27017D39 One Toyota Raum PKK series, A/C, remote start, excellent condition $1.275 Neg- Call:612-6693
41 Acres at Silver Hill/ Moblissa Linden Highway $18M Neg- Call:223-7181/ 627-4900 Wa i a k a b r a , Linden Highway: 1,409’ x 403’ or 13.73 acres. Concrete house thereon. West of Highway- Call:619-4152 Parfaite Harmonie $1.2M, $1.3M, $1.4M & $900,000Call:675-7292 Land for sale @ 14th Avenue first corner Diamond new scheme- Call:610-0901/6805112 Business land for sale Soesdyke Linden HighwayPlease Call:678-7355
Transported corner lot 58’x30’ at Garnett and Republic streets, NewtownCall:601-6000 46 House lots residential area between Charles & Peter Sts. Parika, E.B.ECall:622-6971
Refurbished three bedrooms house Freeman Street $60,000 monthly- call: 695-2631 Diamond $35,000, Paradise $40,000, Kingston US$900, Kitty$65,000- Call Diana @227-2256/626-9382
1 Toyota- AT212, AT192, Ceres, EP71 Starlet, Tundra, E24 Nissan van- Call: 6445096/697-1453
LAND FOR SALE House lot for sale: Friendship, Diamond EBD & drafting of house plans call: 223-0733, 223-0730, 692-8513
400 acres land for sale in the Demerara River; suitable for agricultural- Call:622-7881/ 658-1426
A.V.S Auto Sale: 2009 Ford F150 newly registered $6.6M negotiable, like brand newCall:688-9078/227-3728
Dell laptops & desktops complete computers from $45,000 Futuretech call: 2312206
Original Games- Call:6722566
One Nissan 4x4 4 doors pick up, excellent condition price $3 million negotiable- contact Junior:261-5304/261-5030/ 665-4611
VEHICLE FOR SALE
For sale by owner: House and Land @ D’Edward, W.C.B.- Call: 689-2973/6983703
Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call: 672-2566 30KVA Waker Neuson super silent generator on wheels, 2012. 5630 Skid steer BobcatCall:662-7388
1 Leyland DAF 60 single axle & dump- Call:216-1315/6136615
1 Leyland DAF single axle hauler truck with 40ft Trailer Call: 683-0632 ‘BB’ Eccles- Concrete house 3 bedrooms upstairs, downstairs 2 self contained apartments, 2 bedrooms each toilet & bath $28M- Call:2278409/660-4764
Pure bred American Akita puppies for sale $200,000Call:639-8924 or 227-4674
1 RX8 Mazda: A/C, stick gear, wheel, lights, fog lamps, fully powered, PPP series, low mileage- Call:653-2477
Toyota Altezza, PNN, tiptronic- Call:622-0108
Daily Pork wholesaleCall:266-2711/609-4594
One stall (3 in 1) at La Penitence market. Also 1 glass cooler 110 volts & one 125cc Jailing ScooterCall:695-5815
MASSAGE
Tuesday September 10, 2013
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School @First Federation Building- Call:225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
Apartment/houses for rent from US$400 and commercial rentals. Phone: 621-6888, 6524492 Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: $5000 per night- Call:6680306/602-8769/694-7817 Two bedrooms furnished apartment- Call:665-2548 DRESS MAKING Enid’s dressmaking certificate classes from Elementary to advance: 66 sixth St. Albertown: 223-9106/ 695-3876: sewing done here
CAR RENTAL A i d a n ’s C a r R e n t a l & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Wings Car Rental- Call:6431131 Premio, vitz call: 679-7139 Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693dollysautorental@yahoo.com/ www.dollysautorental.com (Continued on page 23)
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 23
‘DJ Cheddie’ gunned down in Tucville
(From page 22)
- alleged shooter caught, beaten by residents A 37-year-old former disc jockey (DJ) was gunned down at around 20:30 hrs yesterday as he sat with friends outside the Turning Point snackette at Tucville Housing Scheme. Sheldon Cheddie also known as “DJ Cheddie,” of Lot 39-949 Jackson Street, Tucville, was shot at least seven times by one of two
men who rode up to him on a bicycle. He died as he was being rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. The alleged shooter was apprehended after some of Cheddie’s associates gave chase on motorcycles. He was taken to the GPHC under police guard and treated for minor head injuries.
The alleged shooter at the GPHC hospital last evening
Dead - Sheldon Cheddie called “DJ Cheddie”
Kaieteur News understands that the alleged gunman gave his name as Omal Williams. He is said to be 33 years old and a resident of Berbice. An eyewitness told Kaieteur News that Cheddie and several of his friends were sitting under a tent near the Tucville area known as Turning Point when the two rode up on a bicycle. There was no exchange of words and one of the two men walked up to Cheddie and shot him at least seven times. The two, according to eyewitnesses quickly rode away. However, while some of Cheddie’s friends rushed him to hospital, others pursued the alleged shooters. They managed to apprehend one of the men,
GDF probes armed “visit” of... From page 14 been compiled for the attention of the Defence Board. The senior army official, who asked not to be named, admitted that the visit by the Venezuelan group on the same day that President Maduro was here was a highly unusual one. He also said that officials in the area turned back the armed Venezuela ranks but allowed the rest of the group in. Cross border visits between the two countries are not unusual with quite a number of Venezuelans working in the goldfields in Essequibo. However, when it was pointed out that El Universal photo and story is claiming that the Venezuela soldiers entered Guyana's territory and proceeded on an expedition, the army official said it would indeed be a serious matter if it was so. GDF would now be proceeding to investigate the matter further. Yesterday also, Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, said that from initial information, there was indeed a group who claimed they were doing re-
search. “The preliminary information available to me indicates that a group of Venezuelans came to Guyana via Eteringbang. They indicated that they were students and sought permission from the relevant Guyanese authorities to enter Guyana. That permission was given. They further indicated that they were doing a research in relation to the border.” The Minister also said that she was advised that there were “security officers” with the group. “I do not have any report of any "military exercise" and will not speculate. I await a full report on the matter.” During his visit here, President Maduro said that the territorial dispute between the two neighbours have been fostered by “oligarchs” of his country. He recommitted to strengthening ties between both countries. Venezuela has been growing as an important trading partner to Guyana, especially with the lucrative oil-for-rice deal under the PetroCaribe arrangement. Venezuela had claimed more than half of the territory
WANTED Live in domestic & waitress, living accommodation free, salary $50,000 monthlyCall:610-5043
of Guyana at the time of the Latin American wars of independence, a dispute that was settled by arbitration in 1899 after the Venezuela Crisis of 1895. In 1962, Venezuela declared that it would no longer abide by the arbitration decision, which ceded mineral-rich territory in the Orinoco basin to Guyana. The disputed area is called Guayana Esequiba by Venezuela. A border commission was set up in 1966 with representatives from Guyana, Venezuela and Great Britain, but failed to reach agreement. Venezuela vetoed Guyana's bid to become a member of the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1967. In 1969 Venezuela backed an abortive uprising in the disputed area. Under intense diplomatic pressure, Venezuela agreed in 1970 via the Protocol of Port of Spain, to a 12-year moratorium on the dispute. Venezuela refused to renew the protocol. However, with changes to the governments of both countries relations improved, to the extent that in 1990 Venezuela sponsored Guyana's bid for OAS membership in 1990.
CONTRACT CARS @ CITY TAXI SERVICE CALL: 660-1100
identified as Omal Williams, in East La Penitence, and inflicted a beating on him. Up to press time he was being treated at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Meanwhile, at the hospital the dead man’s father, Keith Cheddie, was unable to provide a motive behind his son’s brutal slaying. He told Kaieteur News that he received a call from his daughter who informed him about the shooting. The man said he rushed to the hospital only to be given the tragic news. Mr. Cheddie told Kaieteur News that his son was a former disc jockey, and then he started trading. He finally started doing a business with a friend. He did not describe the business. The man further told Kaieteur News that his son was involved in an accident a few weeks ago and was home. The dead man leaves to mourn his parents, siblings and five children.
One live in & one live out babysitter from 12-8pm- Call: 225-6070 Workers to work on farm at Yarrowkabra- Call:265-3586 One experienced person to look after layer birds in the Interior- Contact:666-6836 Cleaner- Call:225-3234 Experienced Dispatcher, contract cars & driversCall:613-0419/600-4066 Spaces to rent in La Grange, Vreed-En-Hoop, Tuschen & Diamond (for lessons). Preferably by main roadCall:684-7403 Tutor needed at E.B.DCall:657-8732 Female for live in domestic duties, salary $55,000. Small family. Care taking duties. Driver- Call:6102978 Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665 One live-in or live out maidcall:668-3985/264-3355/6837936 Workers wanted for wash bay, male & female- Call:6694676 General domestic maid on E.B.D; 1 Handy Man, 1 Small Engine Mechanic 3 yrs experience- call:233-2408
TOUR Suriname return trip 12-16 October. Shopping siteseeing lots of fun- Call: 6440185/ 639-2663/ 227-8290/ 665-5171
One live in domestic to work in Mahicony River. Serious inquiry- Call:225-6571 One Welder must know to do grill work- Call:613-3879 Attractive live in WaitressCall:228-5129 Attractive live-in waitress to work in bar, attractive salaryCall:686-4818/699-6994
FOR RENT 1 Barber, Salon chair nail station $5,000. LG space for office etc. $2,500- Call: 6027960 Business Spot to rent at 14 Peter’s Hall, E.B.D- Call:2335110/668-0309
1 General domestic. Must be able to prepare vegetarian meals. Apply @ Alabama Trading G/Town Ferry stelling Stabroek 2 Carpenters with own tools & 2 mason with own toolsPlease call:265-3586 1 Whole day maid for East Bank area- Call:614-4358 3 Wash Bay attendants to work- Call:227-5169
VACANCY Male bond attendants/ porters & cashiers. Send in application & passport size photograph @ Survival Shopping Complex 173 Sheriff St. Call:227-5286-89 Hire Car drivers from E.C.D @ A1 Taxi- Call:220-1000 MedexPharmacy Assistant, 5-8yrs experienced in Pharmacy or medical field. Full time basisCall:660-3766/658-3882 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant- Call:663-1751/6842838 2 Receptionists, 1 Salesgirl & 1 Cashier. 4 CXC subjects required for cashier: Apply with application @ 27 Norton & Creen streetsCall:225-5501 Data Entry Clerk: CXC, Acounts, QuickBooksEmail application to gjphonecardinvestments @gmail.com Cool Square Inn lot 30 Daisy street We s t Ruimveldt for security/ handyman, apply in person- Call:225-7407 Night Dispatcher for a Foreign Trucking Company: UG Graduate, 7 days a week 12 midnight to 8am. $120,000 monthly- Contact:673-5475/ 624-0001 Industrial Electrician, Welders, Fabricators, Skilled Machinist & Trainees: Technical Services Inc. 1823 Eccles Industrial Site, E.B.D (1) Male Accounts Clerk. Experience in preparing VAT, NIS & P.A.Y.E, must be computer literate- Call:6144358 for more info Cashier: Apply to Marcos Trading, experience would be an asset. Address:11 North road LacytownCall:225-9445 Pump Attendant @ Shell Service Station Providence, E.B.D: Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm12pm)-Tel:265-7305 Cashier/Sales order Clerk: CXC, Experience- Email application to gjphonecardinvestments @gmail.com
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2013
GPHC attendant critical after two Bicycle thieves rob women in Middle vehicle smash-up A 33-year-old attendant attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) is in a critical condition and her relatives are upset since the health institution apparently does not have a bed in its Intensive Care Unit to put the woman who works there. At around 12:00hrs on Sunday, Nicola London, a mother of four, of Lot 8 Paradise, East Coast Demerara was in a route 45 minibus heading to the bus park when a car, PPP 8025 ran into the back of the minibus at Camp and Lamaha Streets. London and several other persons were rushed to the GPHC where she remained in a critical condition and the other patients were discharged. Yesterday, London’s relatives were upset. They claimed that the woman is a staff member at the facility but
she still cannot be put on a bed in the ward in which she was supposed to be placed. The mother of four is unconscious and is on a life support machine in the Accident and Emergency Unit (A&E). She was supposed to be transferred to the hospital’s ICU since Sunday but because the ward in congested, she remained in the A&E. “She is working here and they don’t have a bed to put her on. How is she going to get the right care in the A&E? They have a bed there and attached her to a machine,” the injured woman’s family told Kaieteur News yesterday. London’s mother, Cicely, said that the doctors did not tell her anything about her daughter. “They are only telling us that she will be ok. That’s all but when we see her, she is on a life-machine and she is not responding to
Road, La Penitence - residents no longer feel safe
London at the hospital yesterday anyone.” This publication was told that the drivers for both
vehicles were sent on bail and have to visit the station at 10:00am every day.
International Literacy Day …
773 million people around the world cannot read-UN There are more than 773 million young people and adults around the world who cannot read, according to the United Nations. Worldwide, at least 250 million children of primary school age cannot read, write or count. Twothirds of them are women. United Nations senior officials highlighted the role of literacy in achieving a more sustainable future, stressing that knowledge can help combat poverty and improve people's livelihoods. “In our knowledge-based era, literacy is a foundation for a more just, inclusive and sustainable world,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message for World Literacy Day. “Literacy enables people to gain access to information to improve their health and nutrition, widen their liveli-
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hood options, cope with environmental change and make informed choices,” SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-Moon said on the Day, observed annually on September 8. Mr. Ban underlined the importance of investing in education, noting this is an
investment in human dignity, development and peace. “I urge all countries to make education and literacy national priorities and to work with partners across society to advance these goals. By promoting literacy, we can help millions of people write their own chapter of opportunity in their lives and our common future.” The latest data from the UN Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics shows that most of the world's illiterate adults live in South and West Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Illiteracy also remains a persistent problem in developed countries, with UNESCO data showing that one in five young people in Europe had poor literacy skills in 2009, and some 160 million adults in
Guyana's stone imports ... From page 13 bearing capacity is way below the required standard. For certain the quality of the stone is well below the quality of that supplied by BK Inc. To substantiate their claims a test was conducted in BK's geology laboratories to ascertain the quality of the crush stone. The imported slate stone was subjected to the same test as the granite stone that is being mined by BK Inc. What was found was that the stone is more porous, and has a higher rate of failure
when placed under pressure as opposed to the granite stone used by BK. According to Julian Archer, the company's Civil engineer and quality control specialist, the difference between slate stone and granite stone is 20 per cent in absorption, meaning that the slate stone will take more asphalt when used in construction of roads. He further spoke of the wear index which shows a difference in the strength of the stone in this case by 11 per cent. In effect the slate stone
would last a shorter period of time, because of the wear index it would be unable to bear heavy loads as opposed to the granite stones being used locally. If the government wants to import stone then it should import quality stone. There is a bureau of standards but it is just turning a blind eye. This is according to Brian Tiwarie. A price comparison was shown with slate stone cost over $9000 dollars per ton while BK's granite sells for over $8,500 dollars per ton.
countries belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and development (OECD) are functionally illiterate, which means that they do not have the skills needed to function in today's environments such as the ability to fill out forms, follow instructions, read a map, or help with their children with homework. This year's theme for the Day is “Literacies for the 21st century,” chosen to highlight the evolving range of literacy skills required to full participate in today's connected societies. “Literacy is the first condition for dialogue, communication and integration into new connected societies,” said UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova in her message for the Day. “Young people need new skills to enter and succeed in the job market: knowledge of several languages, understanding of cultural diversity, lifelong learning. Literacy is the key for acquiring knowledge, interpersonal skills, expertise and the ability to live together in community – all skills that are the foundations of modern society.”
Despite the resuscitation of the Middle Road Community Policing Group just three weeks ago, eight women were reportedly robbed on Sunday night by the infamous bicycle thieves. One of the victims said, “I was going home by some friends. It was a group of us and we had just returned from getting something to eat. My stuff was at my friend’s house in Middle Road but they robbed my other friends of their money, jewellery and cell phones. I don’t live here but I was told stories of people that are robbed from time to time by men on bicycles but it is just sad to know that patrols have not increased since these complaints.” Residents of the community categorically expressed that they no longer feel safe despite the Ruimveldt police Station being so close. They added, “We heard that the community police group was brought back but what in
good heavens could that do? What purpose will it serve? Why patrols ain’t increase? It has been months since we are complaining about these bicycle thieves and it seems as though nothing is being done. Are they waiting for someone to die then to pay attention to the issue? It is just overbearing.” The frustrated residents are calling on the higher authorities to address the issue. “It seems as though after a certain time you can’t walk through this neighbourhood without fear that you might be robbed. We are talking about this bicycle thieves issue long now but it is evident that nothing is being done about it.” Kaieteur News understands that while the number of women robbed is still unclear, the Ruimveldt Police Station has confirmed that the robberies did indeed occur and four men on bicycles were the perpetrators.
Toddler drowns in Pomeroon The Roberts family of Jacklow, a Community located in the Upper Pomeroon, was forced to cancel a planned visit to church Sunday morning to launch a search for their two-year-old child who went missing moments after he was dressed for Church. Reports emerging from the Pomeroon River indicate that two-year-old,Teyon Roberts, whose mother Barbara Roberts, had dressed him ahead of other family members for Sunday Church, apparently walked out some distance to the family’s landing and fell overboard. At the time his parents were said to be inside their Jacklow home making final preparations before they disembark their home for church. A frantic search was launched by family members, who discovered the child’s lifeless body next to the family boat which was moored at the
landing in the Pomeroon River. The Roberts indicated that little Teyon Roberts was fond of boats and would get excited whenever he was dressed. The family members were subsequently assisted by their employer to transport little Teyon Roberts’ lifeless body to the Oscar Joseph Hospital, at Charity where a doctor later pronounced the toddler dead. The police at the Charity Outpost was also informed. In August another toddler drowned in a trench at her grandparents’ residence, at Charity Housing Scheme, after she apparently wandered away from her cousins and fell unnoticed in a trench close by. The parents who lived at Grove, East Coast Demerara, had brought the child to the Coast to spend a vacation with her grandparents.
Man, 29, succumbs at GPHC Adrian Roberts, 29, one of four American citizens detained at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, last year, succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation yesterday evening. Roberts, who was granted bail, suffered a worsened medical complication and was
taken to the hospital sometime last week. After his condition deteriorated, he was transferred to the facility’s Intensive Care Unit where he later succumbed. Yesterday, at the hospital, relatives were hesitant to speak to the media. They however said that they are
making arrangements to transport the body to the United States. On October 12, 2012 four persons were en-route to America via a Delta flight when they were pulled in for a routine search. That search allegedly unearthed a quantity of drugs.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
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Kaieteur News
Diamond-Grove Lions Club and Princess Hotel collaborate to 'drop everything and read' In recognition of World Literacy Day, yesterday, the DiamondGrove Lions Club in collaboration with Princess Hotel joined the rest of Guyana and dropped everything and read at 11.00 am. President of the Club, Petal Ridley, emphasized that the importance and joy of reading is to develop peoples' minds and add value to their knowledge base.
She reminded that reading is part of one's daily functions not only on the job but in their family life and by extension the community at large. The hotel staff was very enthusiastic and read well beyond the allotted 15 minutes. Many promised that following this event, they would ensure that their children undertake daily reading exercises.
Guyana has great potential in agro-processing - but is hindered by the unavailability of cheap power President Donald Ramotar on Wednesday stressed that Guyana has great potential in agroprocessing but added that the industry is severely hindered by the unavailability of cheap energy. The President was at the time delivering the feature address at the sod turning ceremony for the Qualfon Guyana site for the call center campus. This campus which would be built at Providence, East Bank Demerara, is expected to expand Qualfon’s capacity in Guyana and bring an estimated 6,000 new jobs over the next five years. President Ramotar told the gathering that it was important for government to bring the Amaila Falls Hydro Power into reality. He told a story of a man who had bought a bottle of peanut punch made for Banks DIH, but was packaged in Barbados by the Pinehill group. According to the President all the ingredients such as milk, peanuts and sugar, can be readily available in Guyana. He also stressed that with the dairy (milk) production from the Mahaicony and peanuts from the Rupununi, and even though sugar is struggling Guyana has enough to outmatch Barbados. “So why is it that we make peanut punch in Barbados for Guyana’s market? ….it is simply because energy here is too expensive,” the President told the gathering. The President also stressed about how
important technology was for Guyana. Ramotar said that technological investments will put the country in new ratings which would definitely broaden Guyana’s economy. “Government always wants to broaden the economy so that we are not just dependent on a single product,” Ramotar said. With this in mind the President said that is why his government continues to strive to make the country more attractive for investors. President Ramotar added that his administration would continue to tap into critical projects in the ICT sector as well as other aspects of the economy including the energy sector, thus the importance of the Amaila Falls Hydropower project.
Staff of Princess Hotel and members of the Diamond-Grove Lions Club dropped everything and read.
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Tuesday September 10, 2013
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
“I am a nobody…” I will continue to work with major... From page 5 big official or big businessman. I mean like an ordinary man or woman, who despite being ordinary, is not invisible. He or she knows somebody. Remember Freddie Kissoon’s experience the other day when he used his contacts to get expedited passport services? The same happens at police stations. How often have you heard (or know people who told you) the consistent excuse offered by ranks at police stations that they have no transportation, or that the issue being reported is a private dispute, but then they act as agents of certain persons in similar scenarios? Heaven forbid if you are stopped by a traffic rank and commanded to drive to the station! If you don’t know somebody, you are destined to suffer for the rest of the day, guaranteed. People who are nobody suffer the most at police stations. I invite any person in authority to do spot visits and talk to the persons being persecuted in police stations. But then again, because they are nobody, there will be no impetus to visit. Also, everyone seems to be in a hurry. The taxis, the minibuses, the motorcycles, the bicycles, the pedestrians, the Ministers, the President etc. They all seem to be late for some life-threatening appointment. No road rules apply to the above persons.
The cutting in lines, the abuse of the turning lane to go straight on, the abuse of the sirens - the list goes on and on. Then there is this feeling in the air anywhere you go in Guyana that you should tread on eggshells. One should avoid confrontations, even if it is to stand up for your rights, especially if you are a nobody like me. It just feels like life has no worth in Guyana. It can be snuffed out and no authority does anything about it, if it is willed by those who know somebody. Ironically, or not, the foreigners in Georgetown now seem to have learned to survive easily here. The Police, especially, are at their beck and call. It is easy to be rid of a nobody like me. That is why I give way, I concede and remain silent in my long lines, I just watch on and grimace inwardly. Some may say that I am a coward. I agree. I am a coward. I don’t want to be a statistic. I don’t want to lose my life because some idiot cuts in line and I have a few words with him. I don’t want to be victimised because I lodge a complaint about a policeman’s behaviour in my district. My country Guyana is all about who you know or who knows you - I challenge anyone to honestly state the contrary. And, if you’re nobody like I am, then I pray that God protects and keeps you safe. Rama Bhajan-Singh
From page 4 1990s. That is, the lack of sufficient financial and expert capabilities. I’ll illustrate further by using a more current example. Everyone knows that oil and gas represent enormously lucrative and profitable economic ventures and Guyana’s geography provides solid investment opportunities for our indigenous companies. It then begs the question about why no domestic investing in offshore exploration activities is occurring currently. Why are only international firms leading the charge in that regard? Again, financial and capacity constraints restrict our indigenous private sector from undertaking such investments to the extent that they can withstand any potentially serious riskinduced impacts. I hope that Mr. Greenidge, upon reflection, will rethink his position stating “the claim that private businesses in Guyana cannot afford to invest in Amaila is silly.” It really isn’t a silly proposition, but one instead that is grounded in economic and empirical realities. To wit: no single entity or group of “domestic” companies has come forward to proceed accordingly when the international investor Sithe Global withdrew from the project. As it relates to the private sector’s contribution to the national treasury – or, what we commonly call the “taxpayers’ money” – I maintain the private sector pays a proportionally larger share of such contributions and is concurrently responsible in-
directly for the personal income taxes paid by private sector employees. I concur with Mr. Greenidge that it is not a form of benevolence but rather a “civic duty” to pay taxes. That assertion applies to both the private sector and to individual contributions; hence, it’s not blasphemous, but rather in order, to say that whenever government spends, it is in fact spending “our” (that is, the people of Guyana) money, whether our motivation was a result of an imposition or civic responsibility. In this context of “our” we, therefore, logically cannot exclude the significance of the
private sector’s contributions. In closing, I will refrain from speaking further on Mr. Greenidge’s attempts to link and align me to the government. That is okay, because in my tenure as president of the GCCI in the last one and a half years, I have seen attempts from both sides of the political divide tying me to the opposite side. I accept the realities of this dynamic because I will continue to articulate the Chamber’s positions reflecting objectivity and impartiality on matters of national policy and strategic
economic importance. Furthermore, I will continue to work with all major policy stakeholders in and out of Guyana to help secure, for the benefit of all Guyanese citizens and residents, a nation growing wisely, steadily and prosperously. Clinton Urling
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Tuesday September 10, 2013
Russia proposes Syria chemical weapons deal to avert U.S. strike (Reuters) - As President Barack Obama struggled to rally Congress and the American people behind military action in Syria, Russia seized on a remark by his Secretary of State yesterday to say Damascus should save itself by handing over its chemical weapons. John Kerry was quick to dismiss as hypothetical his own comment that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad could avert U.S. strikes by surrendering his chemical arsenal to international control. But Assad’s ally Russia quickly turned it into a firm proposal that was “welcomed” by Damascus and echoed by U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon. Rebels fighting Assad’s forces on the ground, where hundreds are being killed by conventional bullets and explosives every week, dismissed any such weapons transfer as impossible to police and a decoy to frustrate U.S. plans to attack. The White House said it was “seriously skeptical” but would take a “hard look” at the proposal. Kerry later called Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to tell him that while his remarks had been rhetorical and the United States was not going to “play
games,” if there was a serious proposal, then Washington would take a look at it, a senior U.S. official said. With President Obama preparing to make his case in television interviews later last evening to Americans wary of involvement in another distant war, the armaments proposal could complicate his task - or give the president an alternative to military action. The outcome of votes in Congress remains hard to predict. Obama has argued that Assad, fighting to continue his family’s four-decade rule in a civil war well into its third year, must be punished for what Washington says was a poison gas attack on rebel areas that killed over 1,400 people on August 21. The president surprised friends and foes by turning to Congress for approval, delaying any U.S. response. Asked by a reporter during a visit to London whether there was anything Assad’s government could do or offer to stop a U.S. military strike, Secretary of State Kerry answered: “Sure. He could turn over every single bit of his chemical weapons to the international community in the next week - turn it over, all of it without delay and allow
the full and total accounting. But he isn’t about to do it and it can’t be done.” The State Department later said Kerry had been making a rhetorical argument about the impossibility of Assad turning over chemical weapons, which Assad denies his forces used. RUSSIAN PROPOSAL Less than five hours later, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he had put what sounded like Kerry’s proposal to his visiting Syrian counterpart during talks in Moscow. Walid al-Moualem said Damascus welcomed the Russian initiative - while not spelling out whether Syria would, or even could, comply. Russian President Vladimir Putin has blocked U.N. action against Assad and says Obama would be guilty of unlawful aggression if he launches an attack without U.N. approval. Lavrov said: “If the establishment of international control over chemical weapons ... makes it possible to avoid strikes, then we will immediately get to work with Damascus.” Lavrov said Russia was also urging Syria to eventually destroy the weapons and become a full member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical
Weapons (OPCW). Shortly afterward, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon took up the same theme, saying that he might ask the Security Council to end its “embarrassing paralysis” over Syria and agree to act. Asked about Lavrov’s proposal, Ban said: “I’m considering urging the Security Council to demand the immediate transfer of Syria’s chemical weapons and chemical precursor stocks to places inside Syria where they can be safely stored and destroyed.” Ban has said that any action that lacks the approval of the world security body could worsen the situation in Syria. U.N. chemical weapons inspectors were in Damascus at the time of the mass poisoning, which Assad and Putin have blamed on rebel forces. Ban said that if the evidence they were able to gather - after lengthy bargaining over their movements with Syrian officials - proved the use of toxins, the world must act. Syria, which has never signed a global treaty banning the storage of chemical weapons, is believed to have large stocks of sarin, mustard gas and VX nerve
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agents - the actual use of which is banned by a 1925 treaty to which Damascus is a signatory. White House officials made clear their skepticism of the feasibility of the Russian proposal. Syria is a battleground where access for foreign experts would be dangerous. And it would be very hard to verify whether all sites had been sealed. Years of cat-and-mouse maneuvering between U.N. weapons inspectors and Saddam Hussein in neighboring Iraq show how difficult it might be to enforce any arms control orders on a timetable that would satisfy Washington in the midst of a war. Obama planned six television interviews yesterday and is to speak to lawmakers at the Capitol today before a televised address from the White House in the evening. The Senate will hold a test vote tomorrow. A survey by the newspaper USA Today
yesterday found majorities of both houses remained uncommitted - reflecting broad and growing public opposition to military action. A Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Americans’ opposition to a U.S. military strike against Syria was increasing. The poll, conducted September 5 to 9, indicated that 63 percent of Americans opposed intervening in Syria, up from 53 percent in a survey that ended August 30. About 16 percent of Americans surveyed said the United States should get involved down from 20 percent on August 30. Inside Syria, meanwhile, government forces launched an offensive to wrest back control of an historic Christian town north of Damascus yesterday, activists said. In the past six days, the town of Maaloula has already changed hands three times between Assad’s forces and rebels, some of whom are linked to al Qaeda.
Conservative leader Solberg sweeps into power in Norwegian election
Norway’s main opposition leader Erna Solberg
(Reuters) - Norway’s opposition Conservatives, promising tax cuts and better healthcare, won elections in a landslide yesterday but faced tough coalition talks with a populist party that wants to spend more of the accumulated oil riches and curb immigration. Led by Erna Solberg, a former girl scout leader who has overcome dyslexia, the Conservatives promise to diversify the economy away from oil, privatize state firms, and reduce some of the world’s highest taxes rates to give the private sector more breathing room. Solberg, 52, will become Norway’s second female prime minister, as well as its first Conservative prime
minister since 1990. At least the top two cabinet posts and possibly the top three are likely to be filled by women. “Today voters have given a historically strong victory for the center-right,” said a tearful Solberg, nicknamed “Iron Erna” for her tough stances when she served in cabinet between 2001 and 2005. “We will give this country a new government.” Norway has enjoyed rare economic success during the past decade, escaping Europe’s economic crisis with little more than a scratch, as its booming offshore oil sector lifted per capita GDP to $100,000 and a huge public sector insulated the economy. But growth is now
slowing, competitiveness is stagnating, and the government’s record on critical social services is mixed. Voters have accused outgoing Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg of wasting a once-in-a-lifetime economic boom. With 76 percent of the vote counted, the Conservatives, the populist right-wing Progress Party and two centrist parties that campaigned together to oust Stoltenberg were set to collect 96 seats in parliament, 11 more than needed for the majority. Stoltenberg and his allies collected just 72 seats and the prime minister announced he would step down after eight years and two straight terms in office. MINORITY GOVERNMENT? The trickiest task for Solberg, who will become prime minister on her third attempt, will be to tame the anti-immigration, anti-tax Progress party, which will enter
government for the first time. Although Progress has toned down its rhetoric, it is seen by some as too radical for government, and once had among its members Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people in 2011 in a gun and bomb attack targeting Labour. The small Christian Democrats and Liberals, one of whom will be needed for a majority, are not keen on teaming up with Progress, objecting to its policies on immigration and spending, raising the prospect that Solberg may lead a minority cabinet. Norway has a long history of minority governments, which tend to be stable, due at least in part to laws that do not allow for early elections. SPENDING Bringing Progress into government could force Solberg to make concessions on spending, taxes and perhaps even make a symbolic gesture on immigration.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
BRBC 1st Div. 50-Over KO Cricket resumes
Foo’s 73 & Motie’s 5 for 16 guide Albion to final The inaugural Berbice River Bridge Company (BRBC) first division 50-over knockout cricket competition resumed at the semifinal stage recently after an almost four mouth break due to the prolonged rainy season. Albion were led to an easy victory on account of a well composed 73 from Jonathan Foo, while Guyana Under-19 left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie snared 5-16 to lead their team to victory over arch rivals Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets thus earning a place in the final. Enjoying home advantage in a game reduced to 45 overs per team as a result of overnight rain, Albion Community Centre sent in to take first strike, had an opening stand of 83 in 23.4 overs between Sewnarine Chattergoon (39) and Kandasammy Surujnarine (35). Both batsmen however fell in quick succession, West Indies batsman Narsingh Deonarine fell for 4 and Albion’s latest recruit Anthony Bramble 2 as Albion slipped to 124 for 4 in 25.1 overs. Foo came to the rescue by first putting on 52 for the 5th wicket with Devendra Bishoo (26) and then 39 for the 6th wicket with David Latchaya (24) before he {Foo} fell for 73 (5x4
2x6) at 215 for 6 in 43.4 overs. Albion eventually reached 224 for 9 in their 45 overs. For Rose Hall Town, former West Indies batsman Assad Fudadin bowling medium pace took 3 for 51 from 9 overs and Berbice offspinner Eon Hooper 3 for 31 from 9. Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets were given a flying start by Renwick Batson and Guyana Under-19 batsman Askay Homraj who between them put on 39 in just 5.5 overs. After Homraj fell for 18, Fudadin joined Batson and they added another 67 in the next 16.5 overs before Fudadin was caught behind off Motie for 29, leaving Rose Hall Town at 106 for 2 after 22.4. However without a further run added, legspinner Bishoo removed Batson for 52 (5x4 1x6), then Berbice Under-19 all-rounder Sharaz Ramcharran, bowling offspin, snapped up three wickets, including all-rounder Rajiv Ivan for 11. With Motie going full flight the batting never recovered as Rose Hall Town lost their last 8 wickets for a mere 42 runs to be all out for 148 in 38.2 overs. Motie ended with figures of 5 for 16 from 7.2 overs and Ramcharran 3 for 19 from 9.
Tuesday September 10, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): It’s no fun for others to wait for your response to issues that are important to them. You may not think it imperative to give answers to propositions or reply to correspondence, but someone else may disagree. ****************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): You’re heavily involved in family affairs and keen to encourage a loved one’s schemes and dreams. ****************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Your time is at a premium, you’re already working to a strict schedule and further demands come your way. Make an early start in sorting out your priorities and stick to your original intentions. ****************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Nervousness or timidity can blight relationships and cause unnecessary misunderstandings. ****************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Refuse to allow trivial matters to distract you from what you should be getting on with. Impulsive acts should also be avoided. ****************************** VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You’ve always had faith in your judgement; but dare you rely on intuition alone today? Your sixth sense will be your greatest asset in situations where it’s difficult to make up your mind. LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22):
Not everything will go according to plan and patience is needed to get through some aggravations. At the same time, not knowing what you might be doing from one moment to the next will prove extremely refreshing. ****************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): You need to be one step ahead of those who are inclined to be manipulative or controlling. ****************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): Don’t make any new and unnecessary agreements or take on obligations which you may come to regret. ****************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Pay no heed to those who accuse you of being old fashioned and conservative. If you prefer to stick to familiar routines and traditional methods, why let anyone talk you out of this? ****************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Allowing your partner to have his or her say won’t mean anything if you aren’t really listening. You have your views and they’re unlikely to change but at least make it look as if you’re considering what they have in mind. ****************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Tension and unease mars a close relationship. Cast your mind back over the past few weeks and you will see where you’ve been going wrong.
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GCA’s executive laments unavailability of grounds in the city Chairman of the Competitions Committee of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Shaun Messiah yesterday lamented the unavailability of cricket grounds in the City for noncricketing events. At a time when the rain seems to have abated there is a backlog of matches dating back to last year due to clubs renting their grounds for softball matches and other events, thus depriving the GCA of completing their competitions. “This weekend for instance we were told that Everest has rented their ground for both Saturday and Sunday, while Bourda is unavailable on Sunday. MYO is also unavailable. This is making it difficult for us to complete our fixtures on schedule and we have a first division competition from last year that has six rounds
remaining,” Messiah stated. The 42-year-old, who still plays at the first division level for Transport Sports Club (TSC), says his own club has been affected by the completion of fixtures on time before and there are trees growing on the TSC ground which has not hosted cricket since the other facilities have been upgraded over two years ago. “Our team practices at the YMCA ground and once the TSC surface is firm enough weeding of the ground should commence. We (GCA) don’t have access to grounds like Queens College since we don’t have a Curator to send there,” Messiah stated. “The bad weather and the unavailability of the grounds have combined to put a spoke in the wheel of our competitions but we are using whichever grounds we can,” Messiah stated.
Shaun Messiah “While the clubs have the right to choose what events they rent their grounds for in an effort to sustain funds for maintenance, they should be reminded that they have cricket teams playing in the competitions and most of them are cricket clubs,” the GCA official concluded. (Sean Devers)
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Tuesday September 10, 2013
Nadal takes down Steyn raring to go after Djokovic to win U.S. Open three-month break
Dale Steyn © ICC
ESPNcricinfo - Dale Steyn, the South Africa fast bowler, has said he is excited to get back on the field after three months away from any competitive cricket. Steyn, who last played against West Indies during the Champions Trophy in June, said at the time that he was carrying no fewer than five injuries. As a consequence, he was forced to miss South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in July. Steyn’s first assignment will be the Champions League T20, which starts on September 17. He is to fly out today to join the Sunrisers Hyderabad, his IPL franchise. “There’s nothing better than a bit of game time,” Steyn said in Johannesburg on Sunday. “Playing a Twenty20 game, you’re still out in the field on your feet. You’re still bowling your overs at high intensity. “After the Champions Trophy in England, people will remember I didn’t play a lot of cricket there. I ended up with about five injuries walking away from that tournament. I
had a side strain, groin, glute, neck and a bit of an ankle problem.” Steyn admitted that the first month of rehabilitation involved little more than taking it easy. “The doctors said I had to be off my feet for the next four weeks. I had four weeks where I did absolutely nothing, where I did no running or gyming.” He has since then stepped up his training in anticipation of the Champions League T20, and South Africa’s series against Pakistan in the UAE in October. “I’ve had four weeks where I’ve been training really hard. I’ve [got] back to the gym, running and bowling. “Two sessions a day for an hour and a half in the morning, then get back again in the afternoon. I haven’t been going to bed so early since I was in primary school, so it shows that I’ve been working quite hard.” With the wickets in the UAE expected to offer little in terms of movement and bounce, Steyn chose to take a pragmatic approach. “You always want to play on wickets that are green and moving around. You don’t always get those opportunities. That’s why we play cricket. “We get to play in some of the more difficult places in the world. If you just played at home, you could be a fantastic bowler with great skills on easy wickets to bowl on. It’s nice to go and test your skills somewhere where those skills are rarely tested. There’s not a lot of movement through the air, not a lot off the deck, so that’s nice. It can be frustrating at times, but that’s why we play these games.” With South Africa No.1 in the Test rankings, Steyn said it will be vital to keep the momentum going. “It would be fantastic if we could go there and win because it would hold us up there in that No.1 spot for a bit longer. It would make it difficult for other teams to knock us off that podium.”
NEW YORK — For a moment, Rafael Nadal was somewhere he never usually goes. Deep into the third set of yesterday’s U.S. Open men’s final, a heavy Novak Djokovic forehand pushed Nadal back behind the baseline, where he tripped over his own feet and tumbled, seemingly in slowmotion, to the ground. In that instant, the fall seemed symbolic, a turning point. Nadal promptly faced triple-break point and the prospect of Djokovic taking a two-sets-to-one lead. Point by point, Nadal dug himself out of the hole. An ace – his only one in the match – got the game to deuce. Four points later, he had a most improbable hold. Six points after that, he’d broken Djokovic to take the third set, 6-4. Nadal’s body hunched over, and he pumped his fist. Vamos! he roared. Turning point, indeed. Nadal broke Djokovic twice in the fourth set and held on for a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 win. It is the second U.S. Open win of Nadal’s career, his 13th overall Grand Slam championship. Djokovic, too, is a previous U.S. Open champion. As expected, the match felt more like a heavyweight fight than a tennis match. The two men had faced off 36 times before, each quite familiar
Rafael Nadal reacts after winning a break point in the fourth set. (Robert Deutsch USA TODAY Sports) with the strengths and weaknesses of the other, each prepared for the grueling physical challenge that awaited Monday night. They didn’t disappoint. Rallies routinely lasted 10 or 20 shots. One - the first time Djokovic broke Nadal, in the second set - went 54 shots. It, rightfully, earned itself a standing ovation from the Arthur Ashe stadium crowd. The match teetered back and forth, momentum changing ever-so-slightly and ever-so-frequently throughout the four sets. Nadal won the first set easily in 42 minutes, then watched Djokovic elevate his game to match him. In the second set,
Djokovic relied on his best weapon – his return – to pressure Nadal, breaking the Spaniard twice in the process. Entering yesterday’s match, Nadal had been broken just once throughout the entire tournament. Djokovic’s combination of stellar defense and breathtaking groundstrokes earned him an early break in the third set and what appeared, briefly, to be control of the match. At the time of Nadal’s fall, Djokovic was just a couple of points away from taking the set. Nadal snatched it from his grip, despite hitting just six winners the entire set, to Djokovic’s 17.
WI stars converge on Papua New Guinea Jamaica Observer - Papua New Guinea will get a taste of cricket Caribbean style this week when current and former West Indian stars touchdown in Port Moresby to participate in the annual Cricket PNG Don’t Drink and Drive Legends Bash. West Indies Cricket OneDay International captain Dwayne Bravo, who has signed on as a development mentor and ambassador to Cricket PNG, will be joined by Kemar Roach and Ritchie Richardson for a week of activities the likes of which the nation has never seen before. In a first for Cricket PNG, the Don’t Drink and Drive Legends Bash will be a beach cricket tournament held in the coast village of Hanuabada, due to the ongoing redevelopment of the Amini Park precinct. Former Australian Test player and current Cricket PNG CEO Greg Campbell says
that the impact of the trios visit will be huge. “Papua New Guinea is a cricket-mad nation and our team has historically always looked up to West Indies cricketers,” said Campbell. “In fact, the West Indies were the first international team to tour PNG back in 1975 and our cricketers look to emulate their entertaining style of play and their spirit of the game.” “The atmosphere and excitement in the air that Dwayne Bravo, Kemar Roach and Richie Richardson are coming to town, has been astonishing,” he said. In addition to participating in the beach cricket carnival the three West Indian greats will be involved in a number of other promotional and development initiatives to kick start Bravo’s Ambassador Role with Cricket PNG. The Ambassador role will see Bravo make sponsored visits across schools,
academies and rural communities throughout greater Port Moresby. The objective of these visits will be to assist with junior participation programmes and use cricket as a platform to motivate and inspire PNG youth. Bravo will also act as a mentor to Papua New Guinean cricketers, who are beginning to make a genuine impact on the world stage with more than a handful catching the eye of talent scouts within professional T20 franchises around the world. Campbell says that Bravo’s profile, achievements and experience will play a crucial role as PNG enter the most important six months in the ICC Associate member’s history. “We wanted to align our top players with a mentor and a powerful global superstar, who could inspire them with his presence and his
Dwayne Bravo, Richie Richardson and Kemar Roach invaluable international experience and guidance. Dwayne Bravo has achieved incredible heights of success within both West Indies Cricket and on a global scale, and as the current captain of the West Indies ODI squad, we felt he was the perfect candidate.” Bravo too is excited by the opportunity: “Advancing the game of cricket in developing nations of the world is something I have always wanted to become involved in. A cricketer today is a role model to millions and I wanted to use this
opportunity to pass my knowledge, skills and expertise onto promising new talent and use my own experiences and leadership aptitude, to motivate youth across the world.” PNG, who are ranked 19th in the world, will participate as a national team in the inaugural South Australian Cricket Association (SACA) T20 Premier League that begins this month. They will then travel to Dubai in November to face off against the cream of the crop in the developing world of cricket when they take part in
the ICC World T20 Qualifier, where a top-six finish would see them qualify for the 2014 ICC World T20 in Bangladesh. Then in January PNG will cap off a huge few months when they fight for one of the remaining two spots in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 at the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in New Zealand. Activities with the West Indian players begin on Thursday in Port Moresby with the Pacific MMI Don’t Drink and Drive Legends Bash taking place in Hanuabada on Friday.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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John Fernandes Insurance Services IOC still to get back Armstrong’s Ltd Second Division Hockey League Sydney Olympic medal GCC subject Airbenders BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Disgraced retired cyclist Lance Armstrong has yet to hand back his Sydney 2000 Olympic medal to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) nine months after he was stripped of it, officials said yesterday. The American lost his seven Tour de France titles last year and in January admitted to years of performance-enhancing substance use in the most spectacular drugs case in recent years. Following his public confession, the IOC ordered the return of the bronze medal he won in the time-trial at the Sydney 2000 Games and declared the race results void. IOC Vice President Thomas Bach, who also heads the IOC’s juridical
commission, said the former rider had not challenged the decision to strip him of his medal. “We still do not have the medal back,” Bach told an IOC session in the Argentine capital. “We will continue to work with the United States Olympic Committee to get this medal back as requested in our decision. “This (the IOC’s January) decision has been communicated to Mr Armstrong and the USOC. This decision has not been appealed neither by Mr Armstrong, nor by the USOC and what we are lacking, sadly, is getting back the medal. Legally the case for the IOC is closed.” The once-revered athlete
is battling to hang on to what remains of his reputation and his earnings and is fighting several lawsuits, including one from the U.S. Justice Department. In February, the Justice Department said it was joining a fraud suit filed in 2010 by Floyd Landis, a former Armstrong team mate. Landis filed the suit under a federal law that allows whistleblowers to report fraud in exchange for a reward. The U.S. Postal Service paid $40 million from 1998 to 2004 to have Armstrong and his team mates from Tailwind Sports wear its logo during record-breaking wins. At least $17.9 million of these fees went to Armstrong, according to the government.
to another defeat
Lance Armstrong (REUTERS)
Starc set to miss Ashes with back injury ESPNcricinfo - Mitchell Starc is unlikely to play in Australia’s home Ashes campaign after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back. Starc flew home from the ongoing limited-overs series in England due to back soreness and scans have shown that his injury will rule him out for “a prolonged period”, almost certainly meaning that he will be unavailable for at least the
start of the Ashes, if not the whole series. Australia have already suffered similar injury blows in their fast-bowling ranks with James Pattinson sent home from the Ashes tour of England and Pat Cummins ruled out of the coming home summer, both with stress fractures of the lower back. Starc, 23, was Australia’s third leading wicket taker during the unsuccessful Ashes campaign in England
with 11 wickets at 32.45, and he would have been a likely starter for the first Test at the Gabba. “Mitch Starc had scans following his arrival back to Australia and they have shown an early stage low back stress fracture,” Justin Paolini, Cricket Australia’s chief medical officer, said. “His management plan will be determined in the coming days but he is expected to be unavailable for a prolonged
period.” Pat Howard, CA’s general manager of team performance, said it was disappointing that Starc had succumbed to a stress fracture but that young fast bowlers were particularly susceptible to such injuries. In releasing the details of Starc’s injury, CA stressed that few fast bowlers in Australia’s history had bowled as many deliveries in Test cricket as Starc and Pattinson by the age of 23.
GCC subjected Airbenders to their second defeat for the week when they inflicted a crushing 7-1 over them as play in the John Fernandes Insurance Services Second Division Hockey League continued recently. Airbenders, comprising members of the national women’s hockey team, is heading into their final preparations for international competition and is using the local league to compete against tough male opposition, before leaving to compete in the Pan Am Cup in Argentina later this month. At the starting whistle, Airbenders seemed to have difficulty penetrating the wall of blue before them as the GCC strikers pressured them creating several early turnovers. Their defence, however, held firm, denying the counterattacks and they soon found their rhythm and strung together some creative attacking moves of their own as the game remained goalless, before the deadlock was broken when skilful GCC striker Stuart Gonsalves pounced on a loose penalty corner rebound to hammer home his shot for
the 1-0 GCC lead. The pace of the match lifted as the previously guarded Airbenders pressed for the equaliser which came two minutes later through striker Cora Towler who neatly deflected a pass from the top of the circle to tie the game. With the Airbenders depleted bench playing a major factor in the second half, as four of their players are overseas, the faster and stronger men wrested control in the second half under the unforgiving morning sun. Stephen Xavier struck first for the Bourda boys in the second half with a powerful penalty corner blast 3 minutes after the resumption to recapture the lead by 2-1 for GCC. Young Mortimer Stewart then led an unanswered onslaught of goals in the final twenty minutes with his 50th minute goal followed by a double from Kareem McKenzie, a second of the match from Stuart Gonsalves and a single from Captain Shad ‘Jack Sparrow’ Fernandes. Matches continue on the coming weekend at Saints ground with the Hikers versus Saints and Old Fort versus All Greys.
Mexico face U.S. with little room for error
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann reacts during their international friendly soccer match against Bosnia in Sarajevo August 14, 2013. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic NEW YORK (Reuters) Mexico face the United States in Columbus, Ohio today knowing that anything but a victory would seriously compromise their aim of a place in next year’s World
Cup finals in Brazil. While CONCACAF group leaders Costa Rica can secure their place in the finals with a victory in Kingston against bottom-placed Jamaica and the United States, despite
their 3-1 loss to Costa Rica on Friday, remain well-placed in second spot, Mexico are becoming increasingly desperate. After a 2-1 loss at home to Honduras on Friday - just the second time ‘El Tri’ have been defeated at their Azteca Stadium in a World Cup qualifier - coach Jose Manuel ‘Chepo’ de la Torre was fired and replaced by Luis Fernando Tena who coached the national team to the London Olympics title last year. Mexico have failed to win at the Azteca in four qualifiers and are currently in fourth place in the six-team qualifying group from CONCACAF, leaving them outside the three automatic qualification slots. With two games remaining after today’s round of games, Mexico face the real possibility of finishing fourth and being forced into a twolegged playoff with New Zealand for a place in Brazil unless they can start to turn
things around with a victory at Crew Stadium. With little time to make changes in personnel or tactics, Tena said he will not be trying anything revolutionary against Juergen Klinsmann’s Americans. “We have to face this with complete responsibility,” said Tena, who will be without suspended midfield general Gerardo Torrado. “We have to prepare ourselves mentally and adapt. The team will maintain the same players and the same fundamentals. In three days, we cannot carry out big changes.” REALITY CHECK Mexico, long the top team in CONCACAF, have always qualified since 1982, although they were banned by FIFA from the 1990 World Cup in Italy after fielding over-age players in a youth tournament. The United States’ 12game winning run, which spanned July’s title-winning
CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign, ended with a comprehensive loss to Costa Rica on Friday and Klinsmann also has to deal with several key absentees. Striker Jozy Altidore and defenders Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron all picked up yellow cards and are suspended while influential midfielder Michael Bradley has also been ruled out after suffering a left ankle sprain during warmups prior to the start of the match. Klinsmann has drafted in Houston Dynamo midfielder Brad Davis and San Jose Earthquakes center-half Clarence Goodson along with two players who are with Mexican clubs, Tijuana midfielder Joe Corona and Tigres midfielder Jose Torres. A win could be enough for the United States to book their flights to Rio, if Honduras get a result at home to Panama on Tuesday, but the manner of their loss to ‘Los Ticos’ will have been a reality check for the Americans.
“Every time this process goes on it’s never easy, it is always unpredictable,” said midfielder Landon Donovan. “There are a lot of ups and downs. We’ve been on ups recently and now this is a down. We’ll have to see how we recover and see what we’re made of,” he said. In Kingston, Costa Rica will be without their key playmaker Christian Bolanos and first-choice goalkeeper Keilor Navas, both due to yellow card accumulation. Head coach Jorge Luis Pinto likely to turn to Patrick Pemberton as his replacement. Honduras, in third place and unbeaten at home, are on a high after their superb win at the Azteca and they are sensing a real chance to reach the finals for just the third time. But Panama, despite the disappointment of their goalless draw at home to 10man Jamaica on Friday, will be a tough nut to crack even without suspended defender Roman Torres.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Aubrey Major writes to CONCACAF IAC honours weightlifting champ President Jeff Webb on K&S tourney It has been brought to the attention of Kaieteur Sport that Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, has written to President of CONCACAF Jeff Webb on perceived unfair treatment in relation to the staging of their annual yearend tournament, which now seems in grave doubt. Kaieteur Sport has obtained a copy of that letter and will carry in its entirety so our readers can assess for themselves the situation. Here is the full text of the letter: DEAR MR. WEBB, I was forced to write you these few important lines to bring you and CONCACAF’s attention of another brewing court matter in Guyana and am seeking your intervention in a proactive way to bring about an immediate settlement before any legal action is taken. My name is Mr. Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, a former executive member of the Guyana Football Federation and a Co-Director of the Kashif & Shanghai Organization that was organising the biggest club championships in the Caribbean for the past Twenty-Three Years. Mr. President, as an executive member of the GFF during the time of your visit along with FIFA representatives as part of your visiting team, I fully supported your quest for a speedy resolution in the matter in the civil Court between the Guyana Football Federation and the Georgetown Football Association led by the GFF current President Mr. Christopher Matthias, who was the Secretary of the GFA at the time and we all agreed at a settlement with pardon from any further sanctions by FIFA, in the best interest of the game here in Guyana and to work together for the good of the game. Please be informed that The Kashif & Shanghai Organization has created its own football season during the Christmas period Twenty-Three Years (23) ago to date and over the period we worked very closely with the Federation for the growth and development of the game and its players that we had collaborated with the Federation for a four (4) years period to assist the Federation, who was not enjoying a good relationship with the public and cooperate Guyana at the time. We used this tournament to develop the National Programme by inviting scouts out of Trinidad to come and be a part of the season and identify players that was successful through Mr. Keith Look-loy and Jamaal Shabazz, who we brought and later took over the Guyana Golden Jaguars. We also brought the World famous legend King Pele in 2009 to grace the tournament with his presence and to give the players an opportunity to meet, greet and have some insight from him to better themselves as players, as well as we had the distinguished privilege to have at the time the President of CONCACAF and Vice President of FIFA Mr. Austin Jack Warner in our mist to declare open the tournament, the best kept secret in the World, and from thereafter he pledged his support and sponsorship for the tournament a promise he had kept. Mr. President during the period of the Court injunction between 2010-2012 we were faced with a parallel tournament hosted by Georgetown Football Association and sponsored by Banks DIH Beverage Company, all because we had honoured the rules of the GFF not to include any Georgetown teams
inside the tournament due to their suspension and Court Injunction against the Federation. Now that things are back to normal by your visit and both parties signed a MOU and after the elections of the Federation, which changed leadership of the sport, the vindictive acts by the current executives and support from the GFA, the Kashif and Shanghai Organization tournament is now in limbo after Twenty Three (23) consecutive Years. We approached the Federation on our proposal for a new format to be compatible to that of the FIFA World Cup, we were now told that we have to apply to host the tournament, while Georgetown also applied to host their tournament during the same period as they did in 2010--12. We had a meeting with the Federation seeking answers to the hosting of the tournament despite we had sent in our new format a few months before the GFF elections and only to be told that we have to apply through an affiliate of the Federation, which we did and yet still we did not get any form of communication from the Federation, but now hearing through split press that we will have to move our tournament to Easter if we wish to host it. Please be further advised that the tournament has been part of the calendar of events of the Federation over twenty years as well as the calendar for the Ministry of Tourism that you will read about the tournament while traveling Internationally to Guyana, and most Guyanese fix their vacation for that period of the tournament, so to tell us that we have to move to make way for Banks DIH and the GFA, we think it is very unfair to us in our Twenty-Fourth year, hence my reason to write you this mail. Please note: that during the Christmas season in 1989 where the tournament started on Boxing day and finish on January 1,1990 with only four (4) teams it was difficult to have teams participate in the tournament during that period, now after establishing this period for us without interfering with other tournaments during the years and now to have it hijacked from us would not go down just like that after we were upholding the rules of the Federation against Georgetown teams participating despite those teams form the core of best teams in the Country. I will attach the resolution for your guidance and to be proactive with this situation that is now unfolding before our eyes. We are available to meet with you and members of the executives to discuss this situation to give you a firsthand information in order for you and your team to make a pronouncement on this developing situation in a speedy way, since it is already September and we would like to engage our sponsors to host the 24th Edition of the tournament. Looking forward for you and CONCACAF’s intervention. Regards Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major.
IAC Members presenting Shewdas with the $500,000 cheque He has performed credibly even amongst world renowned lifters and for his efforts, Gumendra Shewdas copped gold in the 53kg Class to become Guyana’s youngest weightlifting world champion when he competed at the World Junior and SubJunior Powerlifting Championships in Killeen, Texas, U.S.A. recently. To this effect, officials of the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) joined several government Ministers in Berbice last Saturday evening at the Tejmohall Roof Gardens, Corriverton, Berbice where Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud, presented the lad with a plaque while officials from the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (Springlands) and those from the IAC presented him with a cheque for an undisclosed amount and $500,000 respectively. Several other government officials were also present including Region 6 Chairman, Mr. David Armogan, former Region 6 Chairman and General Secretary of the PPP, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha, MP, Faizal M. Jaffarally and other IAC members including Neaz Subhan and Evan Radhay Persaud. Mr. Armogan lauded the achievement even as he reminisced on other great performances from other sports stalwarts the likes of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan among others. “This is a first for Guyana and I am confident that this young man will go on to procure many similar
An employee of GBTI Corriverton branch presenting Shewdas with another cheque accolades,” exhorted Armogan. He further noted that the entire country should be proud of the athlete’s achievement even as he dubbed him a role model for other weightlifters. Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Leslie Ramsammy hailed Shewdass ‘Guyana’s new national hero’ while saying that he is a prime candidate for a gold medal in the imminent 2016 Brazil Olympiad should the sport feature. “I believe that our best chance of this accolade is possible and we should work to ensure that when this becomes an Olympics sports, that Guyana field a team of powerful power lifters the likes of Gumendra,” he said. Minister Persaud praised Gumendra but pointed out
that he did not do it alone. The Minister recognized the efforts of the coach, Egbert Jackson and dubbed the union ‘a partnership for unity.’ Persaud urged Guyanese to draw lessons from Gumendra’s experience and victory saying that Guyanese can overcome challenges while rising to the top, nationally and internationally. In response, Gumendra thanked his many benefactors and said that he could not have made it without the support of his family, coach and team members and the Corriverton community. The Upper Corentyne Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UCCCI) will also host the champion at a special dinner later this month.
T & T complete T20 sweep against Windwards ROSEAU, Dominica CMC — Trinidad and Tobago defeated the Windward Islands by seven wickets on Saturday to make a clean sweep of the two-match Twenty20 series at the Windsor Park Stadium last weekend. Batting first, the Windwards made 138 for five with a second-wicket partnership of 76 between Johnson Charles (51) and Andre
Fletcher (28). Kavem Hodge also contributed with an unbeaten 39 from 30 balls, while Sherwin Ganga bagged two for 34, bowling for Trinidad & Tobago. In reply, openers Evin Lewis (44), and Adrian Barath (29) provided a good start for the Trinidadians on their way to victory. Unbeaten knocks from Denesh Ramdin
(29), and Jason Mohammed (14) saw Trinidad & Tobago reach 139 for three from 14.5 overs. The Trinidadians won the first match by five runs on Friday after the Windwards reached 148 in reply to the visitors’ 152 for three. Trinidad & Tobago are preparing for the Champions League T20 in India, which starts on September 17.
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Stag launches inaugural Troy Cook Memorial Football tournament C
a m p t o w n Football Club with support from Ansa McAl under its Stag Beer Brand launched the inaugural Troy Cook Memorial football tournament yesterday, with the beverage giants underscoring its unswerving support for the development of local sports. Ansa McAl’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Darshanie Yussuf stated that event’s such as these highlights the company’s commitment to sports on a national level, noting that they will continue to help develop sports and communities in the process. S t a g B r a n d Representative, John Maikoo, reiterated his brand’s association with football, adding that the company is elated to be the sponsors of yet another football programme, which is aimed at continuing to proliferate the development of the sport. “The Stag Brand is pleased to be associated with football again. It’s our first competition within the Georgetown Football Association (GFA), and we have the cream of the crop amongst eight teams. Stag wants to promote football, let the best team win,” Maikoo said. Founder of the
Stag Beer Brand Representative, John Maikoo, Ansa McAl PRO Darshanie Yussuf, Camptown Asst. Sec/Treasurer, Aferya Denny, Camptown Founder, Rudy Bishop, and Event’s Coordinator, Richard Mittelholzer welcomes the Troy Cook Memorial tournament. Campbellville-based club, Rudy Bishop, believes that Camptown is a community team and a hub of sporting activities. “This tournament will give us the opportunity to resuscitate and recapture that glory,” Bishop noted during his address. “The aim is to move from strength to strength and try to expand the tournament every year. Good luck to the team that will win it for the first time. Hopefully it will be Camptown,” added Bishop, who was open with his support for his football club in the contest. E v e n t C o o r d i n a t o r, Richard Mittelholzer thanked Stag for their initial support and informed that the coordinators intend for the tournament to be sustained for a lifetime. He
ECB regrets the passing of Madholall
T
he cricket community in Essequibo was left in a state of shock with the passing of former Guyana U-19 all rounder Shivnandan Madholall. Madholall who also represented Essequibo at the senior level passed away recently at his home at Reliance, Essequibo Coast after he fell ill. He was thirty. Public Relations Officer of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) Nazeer Mohamed told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that members of the board were saddened with his demise and said that the board would like to express sympathy to his relatives. Mohamed indicated that Madholall was a talented player and was about to make a comeback to the game after sitting out of
Shivnandan Madholall the recently concluded 50 over tournament. Madholall also captained the West Indies U-19 Development XI and played for the Imam Bacchus, Cotton Field and Lima cricket clubs in Central Essequibo. He left behind two children and is expected to be cremated tomorrow.
said that with Stag in the midst in a major way, he believes the competition is in good hands. The tournament that will be contested over four playing dates will feature eight teams competing under a knockout format. The eight teams are Alpha United, BK Western Tigers, Camptown FC, Fruta Conquerors FC,
Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Pele FC and Santos FC. Riddim Squad has been named as an alternate team in the event that any of the aforementioned sides are unable to participate. The victorious side will receive $500,000, while second and third place finishers will pocket $200,000 and $100,000 with
trophies respectively. The official random draw of the tournament was done at yesterday’s launch. Fruta Conquerors is expected to oppose GFC in the opening encounter at 6pm on Friday, while Santos will battle Pele in the feature game at 8pm at Camptown Ground. The remaining fixtures include Alpha
United battling GDF and tournament hosts, Camptown locking horns with Western Tigers on Sunday at the Camptown venue, which will host all matches. Patrons, who are attired in the colours of their respective teams when they are competing, will be given a reduced entrance fee to all games. (Edison Jefford)
West Indies women set for tough home season ESPNcricinfo - Clyde Butts, the chairman of the West Indies selection committee, believes England and New Zealand women’s tour to the region this season will help develop the women’s game locally. New Zealand arrive first for a bilateral ODI series with West Indies beginning October 6, which will be followed by a T20 tri-series also featuring Ashes-winners England, who will stay back for a three-match one-day tournament which culminates on November 3. “We need these tests and rivalries. To have two of the three top women’s teams playing in the Caribbean will do a lot for women’s cricket and I expect our team to be ready and able to be competitive against them,” he said. “We always want to play top-level opponents like Australia and now, we have two. We’ve clashed with India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in the past and with England and New Zealand, I can only see us improving by playing them.” West Indies have announced a 17member training squad, which will be preparing from September 22 to 30 in Jamaica; with the final squad of 13 for the series against New Zealand chosen at the camp’s end and Butt was optimistic about the home team’s prospects. “Looking at the past year or so, our ladies have done well,” he said. “At the last ODI World Cup, we made the finals and our 50-over squad reflects how good we are. Most of the players from that tournament have been retained.
Stacy Ann-King could make her first appearance for West Indies since the 2012 World T20 © ICC/ Mainoor Islam Manik They are capable and we saw this in the regional performances (last month in Grenada).” He picked out 18-year old uncapped batsman, Chinelle Henry, as one to watch. “Chinelle is a capable player and strikes the ball very nicely. We expect some good things from her in the future. She has been around the Jamaica team for a long time, but she is still very young,” said Butts, while voicing concern over the high reliance on senior players like Stafanie Taylor, Deandra Dottin and Anisa Mohammed. “I haven’t seen much new talent coming through and I hope it changes. We need new players to emerge to blood in.” However, Butts was excited at the
return of Stacy-Ann King, who last played for West Indies during the World T20 last year. “Stacy can play at the highest level. She’s been batting well recently and her bowling’s improved. She’s one of our better fielders and is a capable allrounder. She still has a lot to offer West Indies cricket so we shouldn’t write her off just yet.” Squad: Merissa Aguilleira, Shemaine Campbell, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Chinelle Henry, StacyAnn King, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Natasha McLean, Anisa Mohammed, Subrina Munroe, Juliana Nero, June Ogle, Shaquana Quintyne, Shakera Selman, Tremayne Smartt and Stafanie Taylor.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday September 10, 2013
GOA updates media on 1SAYG - we are hoping that this will be the start of the careers of a lot of our young athletes - Yassin By Franklin Wilson A 30-member strong contingent of athletes and officials will leave these shores next Tuesday to represent Guyana in 7 of 17 disciplines at the inaugural South American Youth Games (SAYG) slated for Lima, Peru, September 9 - 29. Guyana Olympic Association President, (GOA) K. A Juman Yassin, Chef-de-Mission Dr. Karen Pilgrim and five of the seven Coaches/Managers met with the media at Olympic House yesterday to give a brief on preparations to date. P r e s i d e n t Ya s s i n reminded that funding for this trip is being borne by the GOA which will also provide track suits, shirts including polo as well as haversacks. The organisers of the event donated 16 Air Tickets for the Guyana team. “We are hoping that this will be a start of the careers of a lot of our young athletes, this may the road to Rio for some of them if not, this should be the road to Tokyo for most of them.” Athletics Coach Julian Edmonds, while stating that his charges will be ready to take on their peers, complimented the GOA for affording the athletes much need time to get acclimatized to conditions that the athletes are not accustomed to. “We’ll have about five to six training sessions and from all indications the weather is going to be a bit cold so we will have time to acclimatize and to give of their best. All of these athletes are in good shape,
GOA President K. A Juman Yassin (centre) and Chef-de-Mission Dr. Karen Pilgrim (3rd right) sharing the head table at yesterday’s press conference with from right, William Howard, Linden Johnson, Julian Edmonds, Sean Cozier and Sheridan Thomas. three of them competed at the just concluded Boyce/ Jefford championship and they are currently preparing for the school championships in November.” Weightlifting Coach Sean Cozier informed that his athletes have been hard at training, Sheriah Melville, who will compete in the Over 63kg category, was scheduled to return to Guyana last evening from the Pan American Youth Championships held in Cancun, Mexico. President Yassin noted that weightlifting has been on the decline for sometime but is urging all involved to encourage more persons to become involved in the sport. Guyana Amateur Weightlifting Association Secretary, Deion Nurse, had stated sometime ago that they will be focusing on youth development. “We need to encourage more lifters, powerlifting seems to be surging and going ahead but weightlifting is an Olympic sport and is more technically advanced and for the three
member team, two are females, so we need all of us, try to encourage persons to get into the sport.” Dr. Pilgrim, who spoke on behalf of the swimming team, informed that Onika George is the most experienced member and is the only local swimmer to have qualified for the Carifta Games. The other two athletes, Hannibal Gaskin and Omar Adams recently returned from the Goodwill Swimming championships in Barbados where Gaskin won bronze in the 200m Freestyle. “All of them I think will certainly do at least personal best times and I believe they will try to bring back a medal or two.” Boxing Coach Sheridan Thomas said that of the four boxers, two have international experience, Travis Fraser who will be seeking to best his opponents in the 69kg class and Joel Williamson who’ll match gloves in the 56kg category. “Right now we are winding down training at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym along with the Cuban
Coach. We know they are physically fit; we’re looking at getting them prepared for international competition, Olympic style boxing, so I’m satisfied with how they are coming along and I know we will get good results.” Howard informed that the cycling team is a well oiled unit with Akeem Arthur medaling at the recently concluded Junior Caribbean Cycling Championships; Shaquel Agard also competed at these championships. The two are the most experienced of the fivemember team, this will be the first time that Guyana will be sending mountain bike riders to compete overseas, the two are Stepano Husbands and Alonzo Ambrose; Crystal Lambert is the lone female of the group who will make her international debut. “It’s an opportunity for them to showcase their talent and ability, the fact that they will get time to acclimatize is a plus for them and we applaud the GOA for making this a reality. We hope that
they will give a good account of themselves. This is also an opportunity for them to match their skills and capabilities against those within our hemisphere.” Ya s s i n t o o k t h e opportunity to remind the media that the sport of Boxing is the only one that has brought an Olympic medal to these shores, but believes that there needs to be a concerted effort by all concerned so that our boxers can really be exposed. “I know this month the boxing had applied for funding to the National Sports Commission to send a team to Chile, unfortunately that didn’t come through and the team was not able to go. The reason I mentioned this, is that every opportunity we get, our boxers and other athletes should be exposed.” The GOA head noted that when you look at the boxers who would have won medals at the Commonwealth and Olympic games, they would have been fighting over 100 and 200 amateur fights. “And so, unless we get them
involved and exposed we would not be doing them good. So when they go and they are not successful, well, there’s a reason why.” The opening ceremony for the 1SAYG will be held on September 20, Boxing is slated for the 21st to 25th, Cycling 21 – 26, Badminton 24th, Swimming 21 – 26, Athletics and Weightlifting 27 – 29 and Table Tennis 27 – 28. The other countries participating are Argentina, Aruba, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, P a n a m a , P a r a g u a y, S u r i n a m e , U r u g u a y, Venezuela and hosts, Peru. Meanwhile, Yassin also reported that works on the GOA Headquarters has been progressing and they are about to move to the second phase. To date he said that they have expended about 60 MILLION Guyana dollars. The GOA will also be assisting the Guyana Rugby Union with funding to have Mr. Spencer Robinson assist the union in its quest to qualify for the Commonwealth Games.
CPF ratifies Shewdas’ Sub-Junior World Records Gumendra Shewdas
The Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation (CPF) has ratified and issued certificates confirming that Guyanese SubJunior World Champion Gumendra Shewdas holds records in the 53.0kg Sub-Junior Class for the Squat, Deadlift and Total. Shewdas accomplished those records at the Pan American Championships which were held in Orlando Florida on July 2, 2013. The records were ratified since the Pan Am Championships were conducted in accordance with the rules of the International
Powerlifting Federation (IPF). The Deadlift record stands at 207.5kg; Squat 182.5kg and Total 497.5kg. The other Guyanese lifter in the Commonwealth Record books is Winston ‘Little Master’ Stoby who competes in the 74.0kg Master 1 40-49, Category. Stoby holds the Squad record of 272.5kg achieved on October 2012 in Killeen, Texas, USA. Stoby also holds the Squat record of 255kg in the Masters 11 (50-59) and Total of 667.5 all achieved in Killen, Texas, last year.
Commonwealth Equipped Sub-Junior men’s Records as at September 9, 2013: From the day he reaches 14 and throughout the full calendar year in which he reaches 18 Weight Lift Weight Date & Location 53kg Squat 192.5 2 July 2013 Orlando Florida USA “ Benchpress 107.5 “ Deadlift 207.5 2 July 2013 Orlando Florida USA “ Total 497.5 2 July 2013 Orlando Florida USA
Tuesday September 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Sukhram wins Zaman leads Satro to Sanasie LGC tournament 40 over title in Leguan
N
ational ladies champion Christine S u k h r a m clinched victory as the local golf season resumed last weekend with a Medal Play Club Tournament at the Lusignan Golf Club. The reigning Guyana Open ladies title holder shot net 71 from gross 81 playing off 10 handicap to secure the win from a field of 28 golfers in perfect conditions after recent inclement weather had forced the suspension of the season. Mohanlall “Santo” Dinnanath finished second on a countback after he also shot net 71 from gross 75 playing off four handicap. The ladies had their way as Joaan Deo captured the third position with 72 net from gross 93 playing off 21 handicap. It was the perfect start for Sukhram as she prepares to defend her Guyana Open title in two months time. Several major tournaments are lined up for the next two months including the prestigious Guyana Open which normally attracts players from the United States, Canada, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. The Digicel Classic will
By Zaheer Mohamed
Christine Sukhram also be held a week prior to the Guyana Open and there will also be the Players Championship sponsored by Citizens Bank as well as other sponsored tournaments. Meanwhile, members of the Lusignan Golf Club are expected to participate in the Annual RBTT sponsored Suriname Open in the neighbouring republic later this month. Players interested in competing are asked to register with the Club in anticipation of the tournament in the Dutch territory.
nd
GCA\NBS 2 division 40 over tourney
Yadram, Hiralall spur GYO to victory
H
alf centuries from Kamesh Ya d r a m a n d S u r e n d r a Hiralall enabled Gandhi Youth Organization (GYO) to beat Third Class by 121 runs in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)\New zBuilding Society(NBS) second division 40-over competition Sunday. Yadram slammed ten fours in a top score of 66 and got support from Hiralall who made 53 (7x4), Richard Hoyte 39, Dereck Koulen 28 and Bhaskar Yadram 27 as host GYO rattled up 249-7 off their allotted overs, batting first. Alvin Castello grabbed 3 wickets for Third Class. The visitors were bowled out for 128 in 29.5 overs in reply. Andre O’ Neil was their
Surendra Hiralall leading batsman with 31 (3x4, 1x6), while Shivnandan Roopnarine made 22 (4x4) and Trevor Hussein 21(4x4). Hoyte returned to take 3-26 and Yadram claimed 2-39.
A fine all-round performance by Mustapha Zaman guided Satro to a 62 runs victory over Young Warriors in the final of the Anand Sanasie 40-over cricket competition which was contested last Saturday in Leguan. Zaman top scored with 35 (4x4) which landed the best batsman award, then returned with the ball to take 2 wickets as Satro successfully defended 219 in front of a fair size crowd. He and Shivindra Hemraj gave Satro a bright start after they elected bat on slow Enterprise pitch by adding 42 for the opening stand before Hemraj was run out for 17. Satro then lost 2 more quick wickets before Zaman and Shazaad Razack featured in a fourth wicket stand of 52 to steady the innings. Razack was dismissed for 27 (1x4, 3x6). Left arm spinner Oudit (only name), Omesh Dhanraj and Tyrone Narine brought Young Warriors back into the contest with consistent b o w l i n g b e f o r e Huckumchand Savitir and Trevor Whyte beefed up their team’s total with 27
Members of the victorious Satro cricket team with LCC president Virendra Chintamanie (far right). each; Satro were bowled out in 29.1 overs. Dhanraj grabbed 3-37, Oudit picked up 3-45 and Narine had 2-32. Young Warriors reply got off to a bad start when Brian Murray was run out for 03 with the score on 09. Medium pacer Zaman then bowled Dhanraj (04) with out addition to the score to leave Warriors in trouble. Satro bowlers continued to apply the pressure as Young Warriors lost wickets at regular intervals before Narine and Oudit steadied the chase somewhat with a
seventh wicket partnership of 76. The duo rotated the strike nicely and wasted little time in dispatching the bad balls. Narine was eventually dismissed for 40 (4x4, 1x6) while Oudit made 30 (3x4, 1x6). Tulsieram Premnauth was the only other batsman that showed fight with 24 (3x4, 1x6). Savitir, Whyte and Kevin Gordon backed up Zaman with 2 wickets apiece; Young Warriors were sent packing for 157 in 25.1 overs. Narine was given the man of the match prize while
Shazaad Razack was the competition’s best bowler. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, president of the Leguan Cricket Committee (LCC) Vi r e n d r a C h i n t a m a n i e congratulated Satro for winning the tournament and thanked Anand Sanasie, the secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board for his sponsorship. He also paid tribute to Young Warriors and stressed the need for a longer version of the game to be played on the island.
GCA\Banks Malta U-13 tourney
GYO, TSC and Everest are latest winners G
andhi Youth Organization (GYO), Transport Sports Club (TSC) and Everest Cricket Club recorded victories in the final preliminary round of matches in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA)\Banks Malta Supreme U-13 25 overs tournament last Saturday. At GYO (13:30 hrs), the host defeated Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) by 53 runs. GCC batted first and scored 262 but suffered 12 dismissals in their allotted 25 overs which reduced them to 142. Extras led with a healthy 48. Chandra Mohan proved unplayable capturing 5 wickets without conceding a run while Pradesh Balkissoon claimed 4-3. GYO responded with 335-4 in 25 overs ending on 295. Balkissoon made 17. At the said venue at 09:30 hours, Transport Sports Club (TSC) overcame Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) by 15 runs. TSC posted 270-6 in 25 overs batting first. Adrian Hinds scored 15 and Mark Baptiste 11; Sachin Singh picked up 3-10 and Dequain Bamfield took 2-16. DCC replied with 325-7 off
their allotted overs. Jospice Jones was their leading batsman with 20 while Alphius Bookie chipped in with 17 as off-spinner Joel Spooner captured 3-18. A t M u s l i m Yo u t h Organization (MYO), Everest got the better of Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) by 14 runs. Everest managed 213-11 in 25 overs. Mahendra Khemraj was the only batsman that made it into double figures with 10 while extras contributed 67. Sachin Basdeo snared 3-9, Joseph Jeffery 2-6 and Tyen Hick 2-13. MSC suffered 15 dismissals in scoring 199 in 25 overs in reply. Sase Norville made 22 and Mark Wong 11. Nicholas Sattaur was Everest leading bowler with 4-10 while Sachin Bhola claimed 3-6 and Sachin Ramroop 2-14. GYO lead the points table with 74 followed by Everest on 64, TSC 41, DCC 34, GCC 26 and MSC 16. The
Joel Spooner
semi finals are set for Saturday with GYO hosting DCC and Everest playing TSC at MYO. Meanwhile the Brain Street U-15 semi finals will be played on Sunday. GYO will entertain GNIC and Everest will travel to DCC. (Zaheer Mohamed)
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GCC’s Steven Xavier about to hammer a shot past the Airbenders goalkeeper.
John Fernandes Insurance Services Ltd Second Division Hockey League
GCC subject Airbenders to another defeat Nadal takes down Djokovic to win U.S. Open Rafael Nadal poses with the championship trophy after defeating Novak Djokovic at the U.S. Open. (Robert Deutsch USA TODAY Sports)
GOA updates media on 1SAYG Stag launches inaugural Troy Cook Memorial Football tourney
Zaman leads Satro to Sanasie 40-over title in Leguan
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