Kaieteur News

Saturday Edition

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September 14, 2013 - Vol. 7 No. 36 - Price $80 kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Website:http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Three years later, $600M Supenaam

Stelling falling apart - section collapses under riceladen truck

GEA Directors “Edghill's comments on the still unknown Procurement Commission are - Prime Minister, Dr. Luncheon silent

repulsive,” - Anand Goolsarran

Barbados immigration feeds laxative to suspected cocaine swallower

Kaieteur News

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Saturday September 14, 2013

Three years later, $600M Supenaam

Stelling falling apart

M

ore than three years after b e i n g commissioned, the $600Mplus Supenaam Stelling in Essequibo, which provides a critical link to the capital, has started to fall apart. A section of deck slab leading to the ramp that allows vehicles to load into the ferries has collapsed, forcing transportation officials to restrict heavy vehicles and leaving rice farmers angry over the delays. This latest incident would bring to fore the questions of the quality of work on government projects. This particular project, because of its costs, problems and importance, had sparked an inquiry involving the contractor, BK International, the government nor the consultants taking blame.

Yesterday, Transport Minister Robeson Benn, confirmed that repairs have been done to the hole and an assessment team is carrying out other checks to ascertain whether additional emergency works will have to be done. The concrete stelling is built on piles. The Minister disclosed that about two weeks ago, workers noticed erosion in a particular section of the concrete stelling. It quickly developed into a problem about six days ago and collapsed under the weight of a laden rice truck heading for the city. It left a gaping hole through which people could see the Essequibo River. Engineers managed to repair the problem using steel sheets. As a result of the problem, Benn said, a decision was taken to restrict the weight of vehicles from

22 tonnes to 16 tonnes. While the restrictions have been lifted, they have caused delays. Both the Chinese ferries, MV Sabanto and MV Kanawan, which ply the Supenaam/Parika route, are now working two return trips per day to ease the backup. Kaieteur News understands that several rice millers and other cash crop farmers are badly affected. One of the measures in place during the repairs was to allow the trucks of a certain weight to pass over the stelling into the ferries and then have them repack the rest of their cargo in the vessels. This inconvenience had left farmers and drivers upset, the Minister admitted. However, drivers at Supenaam refuted claims that they were allowed 16tonnes limit‌It was more like nine. Some of them have been

- section collapses under rice-laden truck

The repairs to the hole in the stelling. stranded at the stelling for as many as four days. George Magwah, who worked for Imaam Bacchus

and Sons Ltd, said that he was unable to make the trip for the past four days and remains unsure whether he would be traveling to Georgetown anytime soon. Another truck driver, who works for Golden Fleece rice miller, Nazmul Hakh, said that his employers spent almost

$700,000 to effect repairs to the damaged area but his truck was not allowed. Some of the rice was destined for Venezuela as part of the oil-for-rice deal under PetroCaribe agreement. Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor, Bohawanie Persaud, visited (continued on page 14)

Saturday September 14, 2013

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Kaieteur News

Education rally sees biggest turn out ever By Abena Rockcliffe

T

he National Park came alive, yesterday, with youthful exuberance as the Ministry of Education hosted is annual rally. The event was dubbed the biggest since the beginning of the initiative. Thousands—inclusive of students, teachers and M i n i s t r y officials—participated in a march which was a part of the 'education rally'. The crowd, consisting of children of all ages, marched from Independence Park (Parade Ground) to the National Park. They moved east along Middle Street, continued north along Camp Street; marched east along Lamaha Street marching in the eastern direction, then into Albert Street and north into the National Park. President Donald Ramotar arrived about 25 minutes after the contingent reached the National Park. He was heartily welcomed with more than one round of applause by the over nine thousand that were awaiting his arrival for the progamme to begin. As the President walked along the tarmac, waving to those in the stands, it was almost like a competition to see which stand could have hailed the president with the loudest shout and applause. The programme, chaired by Assistant Chief Education

Officer (secondary), Melcita Bovell, was kicked off with a dance to an upbeat instrumental. The colours worn by the dancers along with their energy, brought about a good start for the proceedings. Those dancers consisted of children from four different schools. The older students came on just after with white and turquoise costumes, as they continued the entertainment with another dance. The trend changed after the second dance and all stood for the pledge. If there is no other resolution from yesterday's activity, at least it was proven that most—if not all—of the students there yesterday, knew the pledge. The Minister of Education smiled as she listened to the unity in which the pledge was recited. The speeches started with Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, who kept his short; but insisted that education must come first at all times. Sam said that it was a proud day for education officials and by extension, the nation. He said that he is heartened to see the National Park enlivened with youthful enthusiasm. Next to the podium was Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand. The Minister told the students that when she looks upon them she sees that the best is yet to come. She proclaimed that with academic acceleration,

President Ramotar reaches out to some students

Guyana will quickly become the envy of the world. She painted the possible picture of Guyana becoming a country that will see no citizen in want; a country where all are equal and service will be extended to every part of the country. Minister Manickchand said that, that can only become a reality if all are “educated to the max.” The Minister said that the “education business” is a very serious one, and one that cannot be successful with only one or two parties. It is like a relay race where every leg counts, she added.

During the march, a St John's College student holds up a pertinent sign

Minister Manickchand noted that for Guyana to be the best it can be, there must be political will and support from the government. There must be a strong education ministry and passionate teachers with the will to do their jobs. She identified the last two runners in the relay race—strong students and good parents. Manickchand said that if any leg is weak, “we will not get as far as we could go.” She then sought to highlight what has already been covered. The Minister said that the President's presence there signaled that “the government got your back.” The Minister said, too,

that her Ministry is committed to work its hardest to ensure each has the best opportunity; “so the Education Ministry's leg is strong.” She then addressed teachers and acknowledged those who are already more than teachers. “But, to those who are not doing your best, be the type of teacher you wanted to be when you entered college.” Manickchand urged that those teachers point out what went wrong address it and enter into a resolve. Of course the children promised to be a strong leg in the race and so the Minister moved on to address the parents.

She appealed, “We need you (parents) to be strong in this race be there for your children. She said that there is a need for good parents, good a u n t s , g o o d uncles…basically good role models, “or won't get best. You don't need to be a scientist; we just need you to pay attention. Be the persons to guide your children along a right path and once we have a good partnership, we will (continued on page 18)

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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

HOW INDEPENDENT CAN ONE BE?

When a public servant becomes so frustrated at the antics of politicians that he wants to retire or resign then one can see how politics intrudes into public life. Generally, the politician is supposed to be operating apart from and outside the realm of the public servant. The colonial masters clearly understood the principle of separation of powers so they had a public servant dubbed the Permanent Secretary to head the public service and to act as the bridge between the political directorate and the public service. Needless to say, there were many a clash between the politician in the person of the subject Minister and the permanent secretary because the Minister often believed that he or she knew best, the workings of the Ministry. However, the staff at the lower level was protected from the politician. Objective conditions lead to change in situations. Somewhere along the way the lines between the politician and the professional became blurred. The politician became all powerful and pretty soon he found that he had direct access to the low level public servant. The age of the paramountcy of the party had arrived. The British who left the people with a legacy of separation of powers now found that the country that they left was different and the difference was something that the British themselves never contemplated. The courts are far removed from the corridors of political power. The president of the country appoints the judges but he cannot sack any judge, neither can he instruct a judge to hand down a decision one way or the other. Yet, given the political influence and that judges, like people in every society , would have certain political leanings there are those in society who would swear that there are judges who would never hand down a decision to impact the government. The Guyana constitution is founded on three pillars. These are the Executive comprising the president and the members of Cabinet; the Parliament and the Judiciary. Each is independent of the other and while there is interaction none can dictate to the other. The Speaker of the national Assembly is considered a creature of the politicians. In Guyana he is appointed by the political party or group of parties with the largest bloc of votes. Until now the party with the largest bloc of votes formed the government and often had a majority in the National Assembly. This party therefore appointed the Speaker and held control of the Speaker. With a minority government the Speaker comes from the Opposition but because he did not come from among the opposition his independence is unchallenged. Also unchallenged are the other members who perform the services that ensure the functioning of the National Assembly. We therefore come to the Clerk. This past week he lamented the attempts at dictation. He claimed that these were so much that he was prepared to quit. Something is wrong here. This man is independent of the courts and the politicians. He cannot be sacked in the same way judges cannot be sacked at the whims of some Government functionary. However, it must be that the vestiges of party paramountcy is still very evident because the Clerk of the national Assembly feels constrained to bow to the whims and fancies of the politicians. It is unfortunate that he has allowed himself to be so frustrated that he foresees a stress-related stroke. This man who should not have to worry about tenure suddenly finds himself making scathing remarks about the National Assembly. When a man can describe this current sitting of the National Assembly as the worst in his career, surely the politicians must take note of their actions and their general demeanor. The Clerk feels pressured by the government and the opposition alike when he should simply ignore them. The truth is that while he is independent of their actions he is beholden to the government for his retirement benefits. It is sad that the level of independence is actually an illusion, dependent on the dictates of the politicians who form the government. Paramountcy is not dead.

Saturday September 14, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

Hijacking the machinery of State DEAR EDITOR, The quality of political leadership being delivered to this society from some quarters has to stop and the people are called to take action. Constitution and laws are dead at their heart unless activated by the people, taking into consideration the spirit and intent of these instruments. When elected officials believe they can misrepresent them to subvert public interest and subjugate the people this is an act of hijacking the machinery of State and it can only stop when the people match steel with steel. For too long we continue to live with government officials violating the laws to deny citizens their rights, yet at the same time the opposition is conditioning people to think extraparliamentary activities are unwarranted when they themselves seem incapable of holding the Executive accountable. The bills passed in the National Assembly expressed the will of the people. The Guyana Constitution

allows any member (i.e. opposition and government) to bring any bill to the House and where such has conformed to parliamentary standards, people’s rights, debated then approved or denied, it is considered the act of the entire body. And where such has been voted on and the executive acts inconsistent with the decision, it is violating the will of the people. The parliament as the people’s supreme decision-making organ cannot be treated with contempt once its actions are consistent with the Supreme Law (Constitution). So when the President makes statements to the effect that if bills do not have Executive input - which for him means approval - he will refuse assent, he is either being badly advised or demonstrating to this society a fundamental intellectual incompetence of government and how it functions. Further, Clement Rohee’s recent statement that the opposition is bullying the Head of State when it calls for bills to be assented is a clear demonstration

of constitutional ignorance and political thuggery. In a society where there is self-government, unless otherwise stated, the Head of State or Head of Government is the people’s chief public servant, not the people’s master. And in the instance of Guyana, where we are not only an independent nation but also a republic, the head of state and head of government (president) is the head servant of the people. This is a fundamental understanding the president and his team are overlooking, unaware of, or seem not to care about. And since the primary function of Parliament/National Assembly is the power to legislate and when this body, having upheld due diligence, allows a president whose role is to assent or decline bills, to decline same based on immature reasoning and beyond the constitutionally stipulated time and the people stay silent, then we become willing participants to the contempt these officials are showing us, their (Continued on page 5)

It’s amazing how people can change for a variety of reasons DEAR EDITOR, Up until I read his statement about the opposition running the risk of becoming obsolete, I had a high regard for Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo and was considering him both a friend and a patriot - but alas, it is amazing how people can change for a variety of reasons. His statement must be seen in the widest context of our total socioeconomic environment change. He and I, one time sat as members on the GWI board; first question, why as Chairman he has not tackled the question of water hydrants for the City, which he once felt was a necessity. Yes, we can always have signs and symbols of progress and development while we crush the human soul. Perhaps Mr. Dookhoo – a Guyanese may not appreciate this fact - massive buildings and great development while the gap between the haves and the have nots widens at an alarming rate. We have an educational system that is producing a minority of top flyers, but also a majority underclass, perpetual poverty and discrimination. David Granger put it accurately - Educational Apartheid. I assume Mr. Dookoo knows history; history is always a good guide. I invite him to share these sentiments taken from the poem “The Slave-Trade Merchant” (1840), by R.R Madden. “Behold, the peace that’s owned by him who feels he does no wrong, or outrage when he deals in human flesh; or yet, supplies the gold”. It continues. “To stir the strife, whose victims you behold…Perhaps the Cuban merchant too, may think in guilt great chain, he’s but the farthest link, forsooth, he sees not all the ills take place, nor goes in person to the human chase…Of course he only furnishes the pelf.” And I wish to conclude with - “to human suffering, sympathy, and shame, his heart is closed

and wealth is all his aim”. The emphases are mine My Dear Ramesh, we understand where you’re coming from, but we have a duty to defend, protect the majority, some who are being marginalized. Beyond this, must we preside over the destruction of our rivers and the environment with heavy equipment while a few build castles, while the poor live in depressed areas and must protest for basic facilities like roads, water and good schools. Visit some areas where once you had clear streams now polluted. What will you tell your children and their children when they see no marine life in the interior – gaping holes, dirty holes - where even reptiles and snakes would not venture. But I forget this, the children of certain folks will not be here to see the

mayhem, they’ll be comfortable elsewhere with the wealth generated at our expense. No thought for the Amerindian who can no longer survive in his surroundings. Must we give up our country to aliens whose only interest is the mighty dollar, RMB, Rupee etc? Mr. Dookhoo, you must comment on corruption, and narco trading, which in Guyana is a form of development, clearly part of these very projects you trumpet about, but as Carl Greenidge said, if Amaila Falls is so glorious, you and your group should invest. The old folks say ‘put your money where your mouth is’. Next time I’ll provide you a list of deals that we call “development” but which leave a lot to be desired. Let us hear from you the other side. Hamilton Green, J.P., Mayor

The monotonous outpourings of some letter-writers

DEAR EDITOR, I continue to be dismayed by the monotonous outpourings of some letterwriters to your newspaper who seem incapable of even looking at our Guyanese situation from any other perspective than their own narrow-minded, holier-thanthou positions. Apart from the questionable validity of the negative hypercritical stance they have adopted in their voluminous offerings, I wonder whether they are even qualified to comment on our internal affairs. I cannot recall any positive contribution these Roses, Singhs, Maxwells, Hinds, etc., have made to Guyanese advancement in any form whatsoever.

I would like to stress my previous proposal that those who feel they know better than the actors in the government must realise that they have a real obligation to offer their services to improve the situation, rather than stand back and try to gain prominence by just condemning and disparaging, which approach can only lead to degradation, both internally and externally. I would like to commend the recent line taken by your newspaper to air as many different viewpoints as possible, as this can only result in an inclusive discourse among our people and pave the way for unity and harmony within our nation. Roy Paul

Saturday September 14, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news

Thanks for the Kallicharran coaching news DEAR EDITOR, I write to thank your newspaper for featuring “Kallicharran helps promote cricket in US” (KN Sep 13). I can’t stress how grateful we are to you for keeping us informed about the activities of yesteryear ’s sporting legends — it is like listening to old, great music. In America, it is almost impossible to read about cricket events in the mainstream or even community media. I do some coverage of local cricket in the NY area or when I visit Ft. Lauderdale, and occasionally we get some scores of league games in a couple community newspapers that are published weekly. In New York, we always want to know about the state of cricket in other locales and your featuring of the above named article keep us abreast of the state of cricket in the Maryland area, where tens of thousands of South Asians and West Indians are settled. Also, we long to read about the activities of former great Guyanese cricket stars like Rohan Kanhai, Alvin Kalicharran, Basil Butcher, Lance Gibbs, Joe Solomon, etc. and as such lap up news stories relating to them eagerly looking forward for more. Like me, I am sure all Guyanese are heartened to read about the role of Alvin Kalicharran in promoting

cricket (gratis) in the greater Maryland area (D.C, Virginia) and elsewhere in America. This came about because of an agreement made by the Governor of Maryland who has developed a close relationship with South Asians and the Chief Minister of the State of Maharashtra (home of Bollywood). Kalli, based in London, has also promoted cricket in NY and Florida. And I have distinct memories of him and Rohan Kanhai playing exhibition games in New Jersey during the late 1980s against an India eleven captained by Sunil Gavaskar and that also included Gundappa Vishwanath, the great batsman of the 1970s. I was in London last month and met a lot of Guyanese and West Indians who said only great things about Kalicharran as a batsman – the greatest player of spin bowling, even though he batted at number three or four. And at a wedding in Toronto (my niece got married to a Gujerati who once lived in London) in early August, Indian nationals, visiting from London, spoke glowingly about Kalli – they relate to Guyana in terms of its great sporting personalities like Clive Lloyd, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, and Ramnaresh Sarwan. The Indian nationals spoke of his destruction of the Australian great Dennis Lillee in a one-day match in the 1975

World Cup when Kalli scored 78, hooking Lillee for several sixes. In India, Kalli is also well respected by crazed cricket fans as I found out in several visits. In my England visits, people described Kalli as being simple and humble, deep into his religion and family life, and driven by a passion to promote cricket. Stories were told of his expressions of gratitude to those who encouraged and motivated him to play cricket. In particular, one story was told of Kalli publicly praising Tain resident Inderjeet Ramjee (popularly called Uncle Hindu, the shopkeeper) after a game at Warwickshire for helping him with his big break in playing for Berbice and Guyana, and then being selected for the West Indies. As the story was told, Uncle Hindu used to offer a lot of financial assistance to Alvin after seeing his talent from childhood as a batsman. When Kalli was to travel to Georgetown to represent Guyana in a game, he missed the bus from Port Mourant early in the morning. It was Uncle Hindu who drove him so he could partake in the game and Kalli shone with the bat to move up the ranks. Uncle Hindu showed up at a Warwickshire game unannounced and when Alvin saw him, he (Alvin) was

Hijacking the machinery... From page 4 employer. Additionally, with regard to the resignation thought by the Clerk of the National Assembly, this is not the best approach to fixing a broken/lawless system. He is encouraged to press the authorities (executive and national assembly) to provide the Parliament with the appropriate staff to carry out the requisite functions. APNU, in drawing attention to the constitutional requirement regarding the president assenting to bills and the parliamentary Standing Order, is clear, and the Clerk should be encouraged that efforts are being made to give meaning and respect to these instruments, which he

has a duty to protect. For the purpose of these instruments is to guide conduct and ensure management of the people’s business within the ambit of acceptable norms. Finally, the three branches of government are underpinned by checks and balances to ensure the people’s wellbeing is served. The role of the legislature is to obey and make laws, represent the people’s interests, and oversee the executive consistent with the aforemen-

tioned; the executive’s role is to uphold the laws and frame its policies in conformity with them; and the judiciary adjudicates behaviour to ensure conformity to the laws (local and international). Were each branch to understand its role and assiduously carry out its functions, this country would be further along the continuum. And we, the people, must see to it that our business is being properly conducted. Lincoln Lewis

shocked and moved to tears. As told to me, Alvin announced to his team mates that he “owes his big break in cricket to Uncle Hindu. Without this man, I would not have been a cricketer here today and if he had not driven me in his Land Rover to my game when I woke up late and missed the bus, the world would not have seen me. I am very grateful to Uncle Hindu”. Alvin autographed his bat used in the game and gave it Uncle Hindu. The bat is now in the possession of Uncle Sugrim, Hindu’s brother after Hindu passed away some years ago. As Sugrim is aging, he told me he faces he quandary of deciding what to do with the prized bat. (As an aside, Sugrim told me that when he first came to London in 1956, a year later he met Rohan Kanhai, in a bus in Brixton, and Kanhai introduced him to Garfield Sobers who Kanhai called his friend, and who was also in the bus. Sugrim and Kanhai used to play soft ball as young boys in Bound Yard, Port Mourant. Sugrim described the great Kanhai and Sobers as friendly, simple and humble,

and noted that all the cricketers from Guyana and the islands, in spite of their outstanding performances, had struggled to find acceptance in a colour and race-conscious England. Like Kalli, Kanhai, who is also settled in England, also promoted cricket in England and did a lot of coaching.

I wish to thank Kalli for his stupendous efforts at promoting cricket in America, and Kaieteur News for providing coverage to Kalli’s coaching in Maryland. I am certain Guyanese Americans enjoyed your feature on Kalli’s coaching in Maryland. Vishnu Bisram

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Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 2013

Govt. insists that stone is in short supply Government yesterday insisted that several of its projects remain under threat from a stone shortage despite assurances from one major producer that all is well and there is no need for the aggregate to be imported. The quarrel over the “shortage” has drawn salvos from both sides in recent days with the administration coming up against BK International, one of the country’s biggest contractors, who also manages a stone quarry in Essequibo. Yesterday, during a press conference at his Kingston office, Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, said that the mere fact that stone is being imported, and that there is a price increase of around 40 per cent over two years, is evidence enough that there is a shortage. This was in response to a BK International statement that there was no shortage. Several senior officials of the Ministry were present at the press conference. “There is a stone shortage in Guyana and it is only some

Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn and his senior advisors, insist that Government will import stone to meet critical demands. misguided members of the media and some operators who may have a perverted vested interest who would be… promoting the line that there is no …shortage.” The shortage, according to the Works Minister, has resulted in the importation of stone by some contractors in

order to meet demands. Benn said that if this situation is not addressed now, the price for stone will continue to increase unabated and the supply deficit will also increase. “Important capital projects such as the expansion of the CJIA, rehabilitation of the West

Coast Demerara Road, East Coast Demerara Road, Sheriff- Mandela roadway as well as routine maintenance works, private constructions and new housing development will be stymied.” According to figures from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC),

Barbados immigration feeds laxative to suspected cocaine swallower On the eve of a Caribbean Court of Justice decision on a case in which Barbados immigration officers are accused of violating a Jamaican visitor, word has come of another matter to be filed. The mother of Trinidadian, Don Baptiste, said she has secured the services of a lawyer after Barbadian police whisked her son away to hospital upon his arrival at the Grantley Adams Airport, and fed him doses of laxative hoping that he would pass out sachets of drugs they accused him of ingesting in an attempt to take it past airport security. The police found nothing. The 43-year-old man told local media that he had arrived from Trinidad last Saturday morning for a threeday rendezvous with his USbased girlfriend, but on arrival was approached by Barbados police officers who questioned his purpose of visit, then took him to the island’s main medical centre,

Queen Elizabeth Hospital, for xrays and scans, and subsequently fed him laxatives. “They took me to the hospital to prove that I had swallowed drugs,” Baptiste told the Daily Nation newspaper Thursday edition. “They did not find any. They used different methods to detect if I had. They give me a liquid to drink to induce diarrhea. My bowels moved numerous times and they did not find anything. I was in the hospital for three days,” he said. The newspaper splashed a photograph of Baptiste lying on a hospital bed to which he was handcuffed. He was later released and allowed to go free Monday night. The CCJ is set to hand down a ruling on October 4, in the case brought by Jamaican Shanique Myrie, who claimed she was sexually assaulted and subjected to derogatory remarks by Barbadian immigration

authorities at the airport during a visit to the island in March 2011. Along with a claim for compensation for damages, Myrie is asking the CCJ to determine the minimum standard of treatment applicable to CARICOM nationals entering Barbados or any regional territory consistent with an agreement of Caribbean heads of government. Guyanese, who have been turned back in droves when attempting to visit Barbados, can relate to the alleged treatment of Myrie, and now Baptiste. Statistics tendered in the Myrie CCJ trial show that 2,128 Guyanese nationals and 1,485 Jamaicans were refused entry into Barbados between 2007 and last year. These are the highest refusals for persons of any nationality. Many of those selected to be sent back to Guyana were usually placed on what was termed ‘the Guyana bench’,

where they claimed to have been subjected to harsh treatment before being put on flights back home. Baptiste, a mason/ carpenter, described his treatment as “totally devastating, and embarrassing and most of all inhumane”. He said that the handcuffs were placed on him the moment he entered the hospital. “They did not give me anything but peas, Quaker Oats and orange juice to make sure that you did not have any solids in your system. I had no privacy, they had to come and look at my faeces, “ he said. He missed the date for the short meeting with his girlfriend who had to fly back out. “I never went to the hotel. I came straight from the plane ... and I spend my vacation in hospital,” he said. “I come here to breeze my head for a little bit because I ain’t see my woman for so long, when I lock up, she in the hotel, when I out, she gone”.

five quarries owned by BK, Toolsie Persaud and Baracara Quarries, among others, produced over 483,000 tonnes of boulders, crusher run, sifting and other stones last year. Government project demanded 1.16 million tonnes, clear indications that there is a shortage. The Ministry said it has since advised the administration to import stones as quarries have not been producing enough to meet local demands. Benn did not rule out a possibility that there may be cartel-like operations by the quarries to drive prices up by producing less, creating a demand as a result. “Over the past few years, the quarries have not been producing adequate amounts of stone to satisfy the domestic markets’needs. Contractors have repeatedly complained that some quarry products were being rationed by the suppliers. This high demand chasing very low supply has led to an unhealthy situation of price escalation and poor time performance by contractors generally.” The Ministry said it did a fly-over of the quarries in operations and it is clear that most of them have only a few days’ supply. This includes the quarry belonging to BK. “Recently, officials from the Ministry of Public Works conducted an investigation of the quarries located on the Essequibo and Mazaruni Rivers and observed very little

activity and few stockpiles of aggregates on site.” The Minister was also critical of the quality of crusher run supplied by BK which has failed analysis test and found unsuitable for road works and has been rejected. “Contrary to what was reported to the media, official data from GGMC and reports from engineers, consultants and contractors all conclude that there is a significant deficit in the supply of stone products in Guyana.” The average monthly demand for aggregates in 2012 was about 97,000 tons for housing and public projects such as roads, sea and river defence projects. “An example to consider is the Sea Defence sector where under the 9th EDF for 2012, a total of 418,762 tons of boulders were required to adequately complete the work program for that year. During that same period the total quantity of boulders supplied was 129,622 tons resulting in an overall deficit of about 70 per cent.” BK is set to take media workers on a visit to its quarry at Teperu, Mazaruni, to prove that it has adequate stockpiles to supply the market. The company claimed that it may have to export the surplus. During a press conference earlier this week, Public Relations consultant for BK International, Kit Nascimento, said that President Donald Ramotar had been wrongly and badly advised about the stone situation and that there is no shortage. According to Gail Tiwarie, Director responsible for materials, the Kingston site has 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. This was disputed by Benn yesterday who said photos of the flyover of the company’s quarry proved otherwise. The company challenged Government to produce one contractor who can say there are no stones available at BK International. Benn also disputed claims that stones imported are not of the right quality or of slate. The price of stone has moved from $6,500 to almost $11,000 per tonne.

Saturday September 14, 2013

Kaieteur News

Americans want diplomacy on Syria, are unmoved by Obama speech: REUTERS/IPSOS POLL WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Three-quarters of Americans support efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria through an international agreement to control chemical weapons, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll that shows steady opposition to U.S. military action. The poll of 776 Americans, conducted over three days this week, indicates that just 25 percent of Americans oppose diplomacy to deal with the crisis that was ignited by the August 21 chemical attack in a Damascus suburb that U.S. officials say killed more than 1,400 adults and children. The survey reflects the anti-war sentiment that has shadowed President Barack Obama’s request for congressional authorization for a military strike against Syrian President Bashar alAssad’s government in light of the chemical attack. The United States has blamed Assad’s government for the attack, while Russia and Assad say it was the work of rebel forces. An offer by Russia, an ally of Syria, to help put Syria’s stock of chemical weapons under international control

Barack Obama

has raised the possibility of an agreement that could help Obama avoid an embarrassing rejection from a skeptical Congress, or an unpopular military action. The U.S. Senate, led by Obama’s Democrats, has postponed a vote on a military authorization measure while the administration pursues a diplomatic course on Syria. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have been meeting in Geneva. More talks involving the United States, France and Britain are scheduled next week in Paris. The poll found that Obama’s speech to the nation on Tuesday had virtually no effect on Americans’ reluctance to engage in Syria’s civil war after a decade

of U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. In polling of 1,386 Americans conducted Monday through Friday, about 62 percent said the United States should not intervene in Syria, virtually the same percentage as a week earlier. Reuters/Ipsos pollsters also found that most Americans were not swayed by Obama’s argument that the United States had a compelling interest to get involved in Syria to stop the spread of chemical weapons and protect U.S. national security. About 65 percent of Americans said Syria’s problems were “none of our business,” the same percentage that said so two weeks earlier.

India’s Modi crowned as opposition prime minister candidate (Reuters) - Hindu nationalist Narendra Modi was crowned as the candidate for prime minister of India’s main opposition party yesterday, cementing the remarkable rise of a leader adored by business but tainted by deadly religious riots that broke out on his watch. On a path that from humble roots as the son of a tea-shop owner to running for leadership of the world’s biggest democracy, Modi has methodically built a fervent fan base. But, a deeply polarising figure, he has made many enemies along the way, even within his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Supporters believe he has the drive needed to salvage a sagging economy and make India a regional superpower. Detractors see an authoritarian extremist who could fan sectarian tension in the religiously diverse nation. India is due to hold its largest-ever general election within eight months. Modi’s elevation means the poll will pit the business-friendly chief minister of Gujarat state against the centre-left Congress party, which critics say looks jaded after a decade at the head of a fractious ruling coalition. Modi’s success at chaperoning Gujarat’s economic growth was for years overshadowed by religious riots just months after he took office in 2002. At least 1,000 people died in the violence, most of them Muslims at the hands of Hindu mobs. A crowd of jubilant Modi supporters gathered outside the BJP’s headquarters in New Delhi ahead of the formal decision to name him the party’s candidate for prime

minister, dancing, setting off firecrackers and handing out sweets. BJP president Rajnath Singh made the announcement in a brief statement to journalists. “I will work hard to achieve victory for the BJP in 2014 elections,” Modi said afterwards, describing himself as a “small party worker” from a small town. Modi, anointed as candidate just days before his 63rd birthday is known for rousing speeches and biting attacks on the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that leads the Congress party. The government’s final years have been tarnished by graft scandals and the poor performance of Asia’s third-largest economy. Modi’s main opponent may be Rahul Gandhi, an establishment insider who represents the fourth generation of a dynasty that has governed India for more than twothirds of the 66 years since independence from Britain in 1947. Gandhi’s late father, grandmother and great-grandfather were all prime ministers. By comparison, Modi is a self-made success who has presided over a decade of double-digit growth in Gujarat, bolstering a thriving manufacturing sector and earning a reputation as efficient administrator who speaks the language of business. Gandhi sought to diminish Modi’s achievements at a rally this week, contrasting the Congress party’s welfare programmes for farmers and the poor with Modi’s business focus.

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THE POLICE FORCE NEEDS MORE RECRUITS FROM THE MIDDLE CLASSES You are not going to improve the professionalism and performance of the Guyana Police Force by simply having a strategic management team located outside of the existing management apparatus seeking to devise plans for the entity. You are not going to root out corruption and improve the crime fighting capabilities of the Guyana Police Force by simply pumping more monies and resources into that institution. You are not going to restore confidence in the Guyana Police Force by even implementing the recommendations of the Disciplined Services Commission, as well intentioned as they are. You are not going to achieve an efficient force by simply improving the training of members, establishing forensic capabilities or even paying the ranks more money. In fact, the situation is as such that no matter how much you increase the pay of staff, there will still be an unacceptable level of bribe taking and slackness within the institution The Guyana Police Force needs a total revamp, one that will entail removing or retiring

at least ninety per cent of the existing staff. The diagnoses of why the imperfect police force inherited upon Guyana’s Independence came to such a sordid state are well known, but the narrative is often selectively read so as to avoid facing the reality of some of the central developments that led to the decline in public policing. This development was the failure to accede to recommendations made by the International Committee of Jurists who had recommended just after Independence that the force be made to be more reflective of the ethnic make-up of the society. Such a balancing would have encouraged greater public confidence by the public in the force which is a fundamental requirement for improving policing and ensuring greater public safety. The second development was the food crisis of the seventies which led many ranks into corruption. The Guyana Police Force has never, in fact, recovered from the corruption that many of its members were forced to enter into because of the food crisis of the late seventies and eighties in Guyana.

Dem boys seh...

SAM AND LUNCHEON GET DUMB

These days dem have a report that things short. Well times got to change because shortage was Burnham middle name. Everything use to short wid Burnham. Even de money dem men carry home use to be short. Well dem boys seh that things can’t short these days; is either people want to thief or dem got things to hide. BK getting blame that he stones short. Of course that sound strange because people expect fuh hear that stone small or non-existent but certainly not short. Bharat tell de PUC that wallaba short. That is expected because dem ain’t got too much hard wood around. De people who monitoring de situation don’t believe that anything short; is just that somebody got something to hide. Sam and de Lunch Man hiding de name of de people who deh pun de GEA Board of Directors. Fuh certain de people pun de Board is all of one clique. Dem boys seh that all of dem got to be in a position to offer kick back to dem friends. When dem boys ask Sam and de Lunch Man who deh pound e Board Sam mouth slip and he go to answer ‘Brazzy” and de Sharma boy and he wife but then he shut he mouth. He know that dem boys woulda point out de family connection. That ain’t good governance but is de kind of government that passing now. When people ask dem question dem either give wrang answer or dem don’t answer. This time around dem shut dem mouth and nobody couldn’t get dem fuh answer. It look like we going back to de days when Burnham people use to watch you full in you face and ignore you question or when Rob Earth and Jagdeo watch you full in you face and lie. Dem can’t see God face. Fuh sure Burnham ain’t see it. Talk half and watch out fuh de lie.

It was this crisis more than any other that destroyed the morale of ranks because many of them had no compunction of shame in demanding a box of Chinese food in order to turn a blind eye to some indiscretion. As a consequence of the police losing their pride in their badge, the public began to increasingly see these ranks as irritants and as an object of ridicule. The norm became that if you did something wrong on the road, however harmless, the police would not give you a warning because they were looking for something. The norm also became that since some police may be looking for something, you did not have to worry about breaking the law because a little something would go a far way to avoiding the book being thrown at you. The culture of corruption that has been bred in the

Guyana Police Force since the food crisis of the late seventies and eighties is endemic, too pervasive and too entrenched to be rooted out or reversed. Instead, what is needed is rebuilding a brand new Guyana Police Force one in which recruits enter to pursue a career in policing rather than simply hoping to cash in on the action. There is a need to return to the good old days when policemen joined the force not because of the pay but because a police rank was a respected member of the community. That respect is gone because the police force allowed it to go down the drain by not taking enough pride in their job by refusing enticements to be unprofessional. There is a need to return to the days when policemen could be relied upon to settle

disputes not always by waving the big stick but by offering counsel and advice to citizens. There is need to return to the days when most of the ranks in the Guyana Police Force were drawn from the middle class and lower middle class. These ranks saw a respectable and a rewarding career in the police force. Today you will not find many middle class and lower middle class persons wishing to join the police force and that is because they got turned off by the politicization of the force in the seventies and eighties. Increased recruits from the middle classes will increase the chances of there being more

hardworking, decent and honest cops seeking a career rather than a mere hustle. What is equally needed is for greater public confidence in the Guyana Police Force. Instead of the administration making excuses about the persons of certain ethnic groups not wanting to join the force, there should be an affirmative action policy to encourage greater diversity and an investigation as to how the internal culture within the force deters minorities from staying on in the institution.

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Venezuelan armed visit… Former Police Commissioner and Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Winston Felix, said that the recent “armed visit” by the Venezuela Army was a breach of sovereignty towards Guyana. On August 31, last, a 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. According to Felix, usually if foreigners enter Guyana at any land border they have to report to the police. However with the military it’s not unusual for

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There was a breach of sovereignty - Felix them to have cross border relations but they are not allowed to cross with firearms. “You would leave your firearm at one end and report to your counterparts at the other side of the border,” Felix explained. The former commissioner said that he has seen this in operation since he worked at certain border locations. Felix said that it was a malicious incursion on behalf of the Venezuelan army. It seemed to put Guyana in a situation that it was their sovereign territory and we must reject that. We said one time that “not a blade of grass and we should not resile from that,” Felix stated. The army has mounted a probe to determine whether its soldiers, guarding a border base at Eteringbang, erred in

allowing a group of Venezuelans to enter Guyana in somewhat strange circumstances on August 31. 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 Venezuela’s former President Hugo Chavez. Chavez, who died earlier this year, had agreed to have the matter settled by a UN Good Officer process. 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. However, back in 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. Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, said that from initial information, there was indeed a group who claimed they were doing research. “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 G u y a n a . T h a t 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

Winston Felix 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.” Venezuela had claimed more than half of the territory 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 Essequiba 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.

Joseph Pollydore Street fire…

Not enough evidence to prove mother was not home Despite countless eyewitness accounts that a mother of six was not at home at the time of a raging fire which claimed the lives of her two children, investigators have not gathered enough evidence for a conviction. On August 27, Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene, said that based on investigations after the tragic fire the mother claimed that she was at home at the time of the fire and the son who was lucky enough to escape with minor burns confirmed this. “If the investigation shows that she was not at home at the time of the fire, I would recommend that she be charged,” Greene said. Thomas on that same occasion refuted the allegations by residents that it was a normal practice of hers to leave the children unattended at home to attend

parties. “I did not leave my children alone at home, especially Shania. She is my last child out of six and I love all my children,” Thomas said. “You see when these things happen everybody comes out and say yes we did see her come out of a car, but when it is time for these same eyewitnesses to come forward and recall what they saw in the court of law no one shows up,” the source said. The source further stated that although investigations are still ongoing, persons who are desirous of providing the information can still do so. “The investigations are not over, so anyone who wants to come forward and give statements can do so.” The source said. Greene told Kaieteur News yesterday that Thomas who is still recovering is now working with the agency; participating in counseling

sessions. Speaking about Thursday’s incident involving a 14-month old baby who drowned in a drain just outside of his home, Greene said, “I have always said that parents need to be more responsible when it comes to their children. You just can’t go and leave your children unattended even if you going to the shop.” A much anticipated post mortem report last week revealed that both children who perished in the early morning Joseph Pollydore Street fire died of smoke inhalation. Both autopsies were done at the Georgetown Public Hospital by Government Pathologist Dr. Vivekanand Brijmohan. The Guyana Fire Service confirmed that the blaze was caused by an unattended candle which was left in one of the bedrooms. Adam Marshall, 11, and his eight-year-old sister, Shania Marshall were reportedly trapped in the bottom flat of their heavily-grilled apartment, despite efforts by residents to rescue them. Their mother, Odessa Thomas, 36, and their 13-yearold brother Andre Marshal both suffered burns to their hands and were admitted to the Burns Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital and have since been both discharged.

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Parents protest for new building for St. Agnes Primary ‘They should stop worrying about Marriott Hotel and build us a school’ - PARENTS Parents of students attending the St. Agnes Primary School were once again armed with placards as they protested for a new school building. In front of the Education Minister’s Office on Brickdam, yesterday, parents and members of the ParentTeachers’ Association (PTA), expressed concerns that their children are made to study in “not so conducive” conditions. “Every time it rain, the place would flood out, and the mosquitoes would bite up the children dem and suh. How is that healthy? And plus, these are students who writing examinations in a couple months,” one parent said. Another added that it was only two days before the new school year started, that garbage accumulated from the previous school term, was disposed of. Parents also told Kaieteur News that their children would relate seeing rats swimming in stagnant sewage in the yard and beneath the floor boards. Apart from the insanitary conditions, parents said that they are particularly concerned about the ongoing dispute between that school and the administration of the adjoining, St Rose’s High, over space. The two schools share a large compound on Church Street, Cummingsburg, Georgetown. Parents related that the continuous feud is not only an inconvenience to the students, but also a distraction to those preparing to sit the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) in a few months. As the new school year commenced earlier this month, more than 100 grade six students were locked out of their classrooms. The parents then protested. “Enough is enough. We need a new school”. The protestors also

expressed safety concerns, since the old wooden building has only one entrance/exit. “Suppose fire break out in deh now, wah gon happen to we kids? God forbids that happen. I know for a fact children gon left stranded in da place,” one mother opined. “This is not fair to these students. When they fail, is not the Ministry’s future gon go down the drain, is the students…we children. They need a school. That should be priority,” one parent noted. Subsequently, Chief Education Officer (CEO), Olato Sam visited the public education institution, and the students were allowed back inside. Nonetheless, parents complain that their children are continuously being “bullied” by those of St. Rose’s High School, for their classrooms and additional space. Sam had then promised that these and other issues affecting both parents and students would be resolved. The parents believe that “Government should stop worrying about building the unnecessary, unwanted, Marriott Hotel, wheh only all the “big ones” gon be. They should start thinking about what would happen to poor and middle class children if they don’t get a proper education.” While the parents continued to complain that nothing has been done, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, said that she is not surprised at the protest action, but finds it disappointing, especially since agreements were made on the issue, yesterday (Thursday). In an invited comment, the Minister said that she is aware of the issues affecting the students, and that works are continuing to address them. Minister Manickchand also noted that a meeting will soon be held with the PTA.

Students of St. Agnes Primary School stand in the sewer at the only entrance/exit to their school

Some of the protestors in front of the Education Minister’s Office yesterday

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Edghill’s comments on the Procurement Commission are repulsive - says Anand Goolsarran The sentiments expressed recently by Junior Finance Minister, Juan Edghill, on the Public Procurement Commission have attracted many comments from knowledgeable minds, in particular, Anand Goolsarran of the Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. Minister Edghill was reported as saying that Guyana stands to suffer no disadvantage from the nonestablishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC). Goolsarran, a former Auditor General, has emphatically stated that it is regrettable that the Minister would even make such a remark. “When one travels around the country and observes the substandard work being performed, the significant delays in the execution of contracts, the exorbitant prices being charged, and over-payment to contractors, among others, one cannot help but to conclude that something is terribly wrong with our system of public procurement.” In light of the stalled PPC, Edghill has stated that other systems, such as the bid protest committee, are in place to address the concerns of aggrieved bidders in a fair and transparent manner. Goolsarran, however, who after scrutinizing the comment, expressed that even though the Minister feels that there are adequate safeguards without the Procurement Commission, the constitutional requirements provide for an effective system of oversight of the public procurement process. He said that this is more so, given that the members of the commission are required to be professionally and technically competent, independent and impartial; and to enjoy the confidence of Members of the National Assembly from both the Government and Opposition sides. With regard to the review process to which the

Minister refers, he contended that the Procurement Act does provide for this. He said, “A bidder, whose tender proposal was rejected, may submit a written protest to the procuring entity within five business days of the contract award decision. If within the five business days, the procurement entity fails to review the protest, the bidder may submit a request for review by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB). “The procuring entity shall make the relevant records available to facilitate the review by the Bid Protest Committee. A written decision is then made within 15 business days of the conclusion of the review during which period the final contract award is suspended.” Goolsarran said that he is not aware of any bidder, who was dissatisfied with the award of a contract, and who filed a request for a review by the NPTAB. “Cabinet (of which the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh is a key member) reviews all procurement whose value exceeds $15 million, as submitted by the NPTAB. Cabinet may only reject the proposed award if the procurement entity fails to comply with the applicable procurement procedures but it has 21 days to do so. When this happens, the matter is referred to the procurement entity for further review.” He said that he is not aware of any situation where Cabinet objected to an award. Given the overwhelming involvement of the Government in the public procurement process, Goolsarran said that it is understandable why dissatisfied bidders will not want to file any protest for fear that they may not be able to win any future award of contracts. He stressed that it is for this very reason the Public

Procurement Commission which is a constitutional, independent and impartial body, be in place to oversee the process. Goolsarran said, “in response to a question from the Opposition during the 2012 budget debate, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, had stated that the Commission would be established by June 2012.” “In a previous sitting of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds had also given the assurance that the Commission would be established soon.” Despite these assurances, Guyana is still devoid of a Commission. “Quite recently, the Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira, contradicted Attorney General, Anil Nandlall when she made the startling

disclosure that the Government’s side was not in favour of relinquishing Cabinet’s role in the procurement process. “She contended that on the day the Act was passed, there were last minute changes to phasing out of Cabinet’s involvement. Despite this, the Government’s side voted in favour of the Act. She has now indicated that her party would seek to have the Act amended to remove the requirement for a phasing out of Cabinet’s involvement.” Goolsarran added that the Government’s position of retaining Cabinet’s role in the procurement process as a permanent feature will only serve to nullify the effects of the establishment of the Commission and the constitutional provisions on the matter. “It is a signal that the

Anand Goolsarran Government is not inclined to place confidence in the work of the Commission despite its reported relationship with the Legislature; its membership to comprise experts enjoying the full confidence of the

National Assembly; members’ ineligibility after serving two non-consecutive terms; and right of appeal to a Tribunal and thereafter to the Court of Appeal against any decision of the Commission.”

New doctors being prepared for health sector

Some of the new doctors set to join the health sector shortly The Ministry of Health is set to plug some 181 additional Cuban-trained doctors into the local health sector to complement a recently introduced batch of

70. This publication understands that at least 30 of these new doctors will be dispatched in the new week to various health facilities and will function

under close supervision. The most recent batch graduated in Cuba and will be joining their colleagues over the coming month after they complete orientation and training sessions that have been introduced by the Ministry of Health. An orientation session for the new doctors was in fact held yesterday in the Resource Centre of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and included a general induction that entailed the review of the policies, programmes and services of the Ministry. They will also be exposed to training in completion of all

medical records in keeping with the laws of Guyana. The new doctors are also slated to be enlightened of the principles of working within the public service. Additional training will include Advances in Labour and Risk Management (ALARM) and Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Pediatric Life Support (PLS). Training in ALARM will be done in batches of 60 doctors and according to a statement issued by the Health Ministry, this process has already commenced at the Ocean View Convention Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

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APNU will not take blame for the crime situation …the problem is solely with government

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Partnership for National Unity yesterday said that it would not take any responsibility for the recent sprawl in crime. Rather, it would lay the blame solely at the feet of government, said APNU's shadow Home Affairs Minister Winston Felix. According to Felix, a f o r m e r P o l i c e Commissioner, the problem is the incompetence of a government which has been in power for over 20 years and an incompetent Home Affairs Minister who has been there for six years and has done nothing. Felix opined that none of the programmes mounted by

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee has been successful. “In school when you did something right you would get a star from the teacher…Let's see how many stars he would get,” Felix said. Felix explained that his party had taken a principled position against the minister when it voted and passed in parliament the no confidence action against Rohee. “The Minister isn't producing; the people are suffering so we threw him off…Why must we keep him? He was not being useful,” Felix stressed. Felix said that the police should first identify the areas that are more vulnerable to

crime. He explained that over the past week from looking at the various incidents one could determine that the area targeted was the coastland. He said that there is need for more patrols to target those areas at certain times. Felix said that the force should also work on developing the intelligence system. “From looking at the crimes you would see that

they are well planned and executed.” “I've been advocating where sensible counter police administration can be mounted,” Felix explained. He said that the force should engage the public to get support which is very critical. “We are experiencing a self satisfying situation with the government, but when we look at the people they

still feel weak and vulnerable,” Felix added. He said that the government should exhaust all possible means to get the criminals off the streets. Felix also said that the force should try to enhance its investigative capacity. He said too that the force needs to keep its human resources rather than lose them to other fields of employ. Touching on the increase

use of guns, Felix said the country's porous borders are still the biggest challenge as they allow the freedom for weapons smuggling. “Because of the sprawling and literally nopolice borders people come and leave easily without any fear that they will be caught. With that freedom people can bring in firearms and other illegal items.” Felix said.

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Man swallows razor blade to protest constant police harassment Ryan Samaroo

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New Amsterdam man who is well known to the authorities has been hospitilised under police guard at the New Amsterdam hospital after it is alleged that he swallowed a razor blade. Ryan Samaroo, 23, called 'Scare them' of Angoy's Avenue, New Amsterdam, allegedly swallowed the razor blade while in custody. According to information, Samaroo who is known to the authorities, reportedly expressed frustration at being arrested constantly by the police so he decided to swallow the blade. He was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he remains warded under police guard. Samaroo was being held in custody along with his brothers Tony and Alan on a joint charge of robbery under arms. Investigations are continuing.

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Three years later, $600M Supenaam Stelling falling ... From page 2 the facility but was initially barred from touring the affected area. He was highly critical of the current state of the facility. "The scale is deteriorating; the railing also is falling to pieces. What really are we as (Essequibians) to use?� The Councillor claimed that because of problems with the scale, workers at the stelling are forced to place iron sheets in order for trucks to be weighed, not desirable situation. Region Two Chairman, Parmanand Persaud, said that he visited the stelling and has reported the matter to the authorities. The Supenaam stelling, with costs mounting over $600M, has been a major embarrassment with several mishaps since it was commissioned May last year. In May 2010, the stelling ramp buckled under the weight of a heavy vehicle, days after it was open to ferry traffic. Ferries were forced to revert to the Adventure Stelling which government had hoped to abandon. This particular stelling had been in use for more than 100 years. Following the collapse of the ramp which effectively closed the stelling, the administration under pressure, ordered a report on the incident and tasked Prime Minister Samuel Hinds to oversee investigations. Two private engineers were hired to

investigate the incident. There had been meetings with several of the parties involved in the construction of the stelling, including the contractors, BK International; the Ministry of Local Government, which was the executing agency; the Ministry of Public Works; the supervisors, Vikab Engineering and the designers, SNC Lavalin. The contractor, BK International, distancing itself from the incident, took media houses on an inspection shortly after and stated that modifications on the ramp by the Ministry of Public Works had caused the problems. Late in April 2010, an extra pontoon being installed by the Ministry sank while work was being done to attach it to the ramp. While the project was budgeted for $431M, repairs and modifications were made pushing the figures closer to the $600M mark. The modifications were to accommodate the two new ferries. That contract to modify the stellings at Supenaam and Parika were also a w a r d e d t o B K International. The stelling has been viewed as a good investment for Essequibo which overtime has been heavily dependent on river t r a ff i c , i n c l u d i n g t h e government-run ferries to c o m e t o t h e c i t y. Government has said that travel time from Essequibo to Parika would have been cut by a couple of hours.

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Kaieteur News

Electricians updated on “new� wiring codes Local electricians met with government technicians on Thursday during a workshop to talk about developments in the wiring business.

The Unserved Areas Electrification Unit and Government Electrical Inspectorate, which fall under the supervision of the Ministry of Public Works, on Thursday hosted a workshop targeting electrical engineers and contractors. The presentations, focused on new wiring standards and the importance of proper grounding for buildings. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, during the session at the Umana Yana, noted that in the early 1860s, there was not any electricity, and the path being trod now is the one developed countries pursued in the improvement of their electricity sector. The Prime Minister who has responsibility for the energy sector, emphasised that the electricians have an opportunity to make a contribution to Guyana's development just like those in the early generations to take their respective nations forward. He called on the workshop participants to do so with a sense of service to the people while assisting them to meet their needs in the least expensive, but at the same time safe manner. Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn noted that there has been tremendous growth in the sector and the workshop was aimed at reviewing how to respond and better the electrical standards. He urged that the new principles be adapted as quickly as possible, in keeping with the fact that professionals in the field are behind in some aspects and there is need for the transition of the entire body. Chief Executive Officer, Hinterland Electrification Programme, Horace Williams, explained that for the last three years, steps have been taken to introduce new regulations and wiring standards. This process started with consultations in

various parts of the country with contractors to raise awareness about the new requirements. Since then, the Government Electrical Inspectorate has been gradually introducing various aspects of the regulations and standards. In this regard, today's workshop sought to engage electrical contractors to make them more aware of the requirements for safe electrical installations. During the session, the participants looked at grounding since many people do not understand the importance of that aspect of electrical installation, and even the electrical contractors sometimes overlook its importance. This is being emphasised because grounding protects from electric shocks and some amount of lightning strikes. Another area of importance is the working space for electrical equipment, as some contractors have a tendency of putting panel boards within tightly cramped spaces, making it difficult to access the panels. Williams is also encouraging building owners to engage licenced electricians for their electrical installations.

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No immediate DNA testing facilities at Forensic Lab

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nstallation of equipment for the forensic laboratory at Turkeyen should be completed by October, but DNA testing will not be incorporated just yet. Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, made this disclosure on Thursday, following a media briefing at the Home Affairs Ministry Conference Room. “The physical work of the building is virtually complete; what is being done now is the installation of equipment,” Rohee said. “Equipment is being installed by a team from Barbados. The security features of the lab are also being installed. We have been given the assurance that by the third week of October, this highly technical work will be completed.” He said that laboratory employees have already been hired and the staffers will sign their contracts soon.

- Rohee The Home Affairs Minister said that the Office of the President has asked that there be capacity in the laboratory for DNA testing. However, this will be done after other work is completed. “What we have decided to do is complete what we have set out to do in accordance with the plan for the completion of the lab, because we don't want to d e l a y, f u r t h e r, t h e commissioning of the lab. We will complete what we have started, and on completion of this, we will then move to the next stage, so we will then look at ways and means of incorporating DNA testing into the functioning of the lab.” Local detectives have been continuously hampered by the absence of DNA testing facilities. They have

had to send samples overseas at prohibitive cost and have also had to endure lengthy delays in obtaining results. The Force first used DNA testing in the still-unsolved 1993 murder of security guard Monica Reece. DNA testing was also used to identify the remains of the Lindo Creek massacre victims and in the murder of bank clerk, Sheema Mangar. In December, 2012, Government signed a $450M contract with Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited for the construction of the forensic laboratory at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus. The project is funded by the Inter American Development Bank in partnership with the Guyana G o v e r n m e n t . On December 14, 2012, a US$1.688 M contract was signed for the supply of equipment for the laboratory. Law enforcement officials also appear optimistic that the laboratory will greatly enhance the investigative capabilities of the Guyana Police Force.

Saturday September 14, 2013

Education rally sees biggest ... A section of yesterday's gathering

From page 3 win the race.” President Ramotar told the children that they now have the golden opportunity to realize the dreams of generations and generations of Guyanese who struggled to move the country to a better place. He said that there is now the capacity to take things higher and it should be an honour as “young builders to be given the opportunity to take Guyana higher. President Ramotar stressed the need for a good education. He said that the

most important aspect of development is having quality citizens. He said that the world is changing at a rapid pace and as those changes continue, education will always remain important. “And the process of education will continue throughout our lives.” He told the students that education not only helps one to acquire a job; but equips one with the necessaries to be able to think critically, to be able to cope with the changing world that we live in. “We cannot stand still and be

contended with what we achieve; we must strive for greater heights.” On the moral aspect of things, the President urged the gathering to always be ready to lend a helping hand. He said that in addition to the course subjects, “pay attention to moral upbringing. Honesty is the best policy,” This year's education theme is “Transforming classrooms for 21r century, it was said yesterday that the theme underscores Ministry of Education's commitment for the education system.”

Saturday September 14, 2013

Page 19

Kaieteur News

Vice Chancellor insists Elderly man found dead with needle in his hand “nothing new” in UG statutes

I

The man on the pavement yesterday. The lifeless body of an unidentified man was yesterday morning discovered on the pavement of Muneshwer's Limited, at lot 19 – 20 Commerce Street, According to a source, the body was discovered around 7:00 hours by stallholders who work in the vicinity and employees of the said enterprise. “Well they does got a set a dem sleeping out here when the night come but by 5:30 when the market pickup with people coming to put out there stalls we does wake them up,” a stallholder said.

The stallholder added that when a worker of the enterprise began waking vagrants who were asleep on the pavement, the man was unresponsive. “He touched him a couple a times and called out at him but he didn't move. Then we realize that the man was lifeless,” an eyewitness said. When Kaieteur News arrived at the scene, the lifeless body was still on the pavement. The wrist of the dead man bore a small transparent tube wrapped with tape an indication that the man was

in a medical institution being transfused with intravenous fluids. People said that the man might have escaped from the Georgetown Public Hospital where he may have been a patient. The body had no visible marks of violence. “Nobody ain't do him nothing how he fall asleep is just so he left,” a stall holder said. The man who is of East Indian decent, between the ages of 65 and 70 is currently at the Lyken's Funeral Parlour awaiting identification.

ncompetency on the part of a senior academic official within the University of Guyana has resulted in the tertiary institution losing a Master's programme. This disclosure was made by Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Jacob Opadeyi. During a recent press conference where he sought to defend moves to have Heads of Departments be nominated rather than merely be elected by fellow members of the University fraternity, he said that this move was premised on a decision to better reflect the existing Statute of the University. He pointed out that “there is nothing in the Statutes that is not in the existing one.” He however said that the newest development within the University to be noted is the recall of a Dean. According to the VC, “Where a Dean is not performing, you cannot allow that person to just continue on...and we have cases like that in this University.” Alluding specifically to the case which resulted in the University losing the Master's programme, Opadeyi said that a lecturer managing the programme

was not performing and “nobody could touch the person until when that person's term is finished and the University lost the Master's programme because of that.” He explained that in the current Statute of the U n i v e r s i t y, t h e Vi c e Chancellor appoints the Dean based on the nomination of the Faculty Board and that has not changed. “What has changed is that it is not going to be by elections process...” Professor Opadeyi asserted. He explained that the election system could have shortcomings if, for example, 60 per cent of department members vote for a particular person to function in the capacity of Head of Department while 40 per cent vote dissimilarly. According to Professor Opadeyi it is more than likely that the elected individual would show his/her allegiance to those who voted in his favour and opt to ignore those who didn't vote favourably. “No organisation has a way where people elect who is Director (and) elect who is t h e P e r m a n e n t Secretary...We have no say on those matters, but our system allows for the nomination among those

persons and this makes them accountable to the VC,” said Professor Opadeyi. But the unions representing the University workers - the UG Senior S t a ff A s s o c i a t i o n a n d University of Guyana Workers' Union – are adamant that the VC has in fact amended the statutes of the University and employment conditions. They are insisting that this decision was made “w ithout any or very minimal input from the very academic community, these changes are purported to benefit.” They said while the original statute (relating to the appointment of Deans) reads, “The Dean of each Faculty shall be appointed by the Principal and ViceChancellor 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 that the amendment is (continued on page 20)

Kaieteur News

Page 20

Saturday September 14, 2013

Corentyne cattle farmer claims brutal attack, beating by stray catchers

A

Port Mourant cattle farmer claims that he was brutally attacked and beaten by eight stray catchers armed with c u t l a s s e s o n Tu e s d a y afternoon. The man said that at the time he was bringing home his 16 head of cattle. He and his wife are calling on the Minister of Home Affairs to launch an investigation into this latest complaint against the Home Affairs Ministry. Villagers also reportedly witnessed the incident. Sookdeo Singh, an employee of the Albion Estate, stated that he was taking home his cattle into Rambella Street, Port Mourant around 17:25 hrs on Tuesday, something he usually does at that time. He added that he had the necessary red flag and allowed the cows to cross the public road. Suddenly, he stated, a white car pulled up and the men emerged, each armed with a cutlass. “The stray catchers jumped out of the

car—PMM 1018-- and started to beat me and throw away my bicycle.” “They started to beat me up and fired chops on me—all of them get one, one cutlass and they cuffed and kicked me in my stomach and back.” He stated that he did not resist the men when they wanted to impound the cows. He questioned why the stray catchers did what they allegedly did to him. Singh added that four of the stray catchers drove him in the car to the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost, while the others took charge of the animals at Port Mourant and led the cows to the Albion Police Station animal pound. Singh claimed that the police at the outpost refused to give him a medical to take for medical attention at the Port Mourant Hospital. “The refused and they sent me to Whim Police Station where they gave me a medical.” He further claimed that the CID officer at the outpost “gave me two slaps.” Tillawattie Singh stated that she was at home when

Sookdeo Singh displaying his injured back

she heard that “some people pull her husband into a white car and gone with he.” She immediately left for the Albion Police Station. She

arrived to see the clothes that her husband wore, all torn and “he skin get lots of marks.” Nine head of cattle are

currently impounded and the Singhs say that they do not know where the other seven head are at the moment. The police at Albion claim that

Vice Chancellor insists “nothing new” ... From page 19 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 meeting.” With this amendment, the unions believe that the current, and any subsequent VC, will now be responsible for identifying and appointing the Deputy Vice Chancellor, the Deans and Heads of Departments – a

situation where all those who hold senior academic appointments will be beholden/accountable to one individual. “ Wi t h t h e C o u n c i l 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 c o n t e n d e d . “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,” outlined a

statement from the unions. Moreover, the unions have observed that under the amendment, deans can be recalled for nonperformance although no process governing recall of deans was proposed. “ This will also presumably be at the will of one individual – the VC,” the unions have noted.

they will not divulge any information about the animals' whereabouts, except that they (the Singhs) will have to pay a fine of $72,000. “I need justice. I want the Minister to know this. We are humans. This is abusing human rights in this country. I depend on the cows for my milk and my husband was with his cows and the flag!” “Where will I find $72,000 to give the government that we are serving? They can't give no answer about the cows even though the public told them what they see. So I decided to go to someone for assistance—whether the opposition or somewhere. This is bullyism!” The woman stated that she is angry because her husband was with the animals during the time they were caught by the stray catchers, “and everybody see it and the villagers were begging them to stop beating the man.” A neighbour who witnessed the incident, Sanjay Ramcharran, stated that they “beat the man and took away the cows and they had cutlasses and throw him in the car and drive him away.” The Ministry of Home Affairs launched its stray-catching initiative a few months ago in Berbice to rid the road of stray cattle. Each impounded animal will result in the stray catchers being paid $5,000. Efforts to contact the Station Sergeant of Albion Police Station yesterday proved futile.

Saturday September 14, 2013

Kaieteur News

GPL nationwide raids uncover 3,921 Illegal connections

IMMIGRATION INFO: Immigration News For Our Community Attorney Gail S. Seeram Through this “Question & Answer” column, our goal is to answer your immigration questions. We appreciate your comments and questions. If you have a question that you would like answered in this column, please email: Gail@GailLaw.com. Question #1: My cousin who has a 10-year US holiday visa. She plans on getting marry to her boyfriend who will soon become a citizen of the US. She wants to know if she can get marry in the US and then return to Guyana and await her sponsorship. Anxiously awaiting your reply. Answer #1: It is faster if your cousin marries in the U.S. while visiting and process immigration petitions in U.S. (only three months) versus returning to Guyana where processing can take one year. Question #2: Hi, can u tell me how far is the sponsorship for single child by permanent mother? Answer #2: If the child

is under age 21 then visas are available (with no backlog) and processing time is one year. If child is over age 21 then there is a seven-year backlog and visas being issued right now for petitions filed on or before February 2006. Question #3: I just have one question regarding the US sponsorship. My husband is in the United States for one year and a half. He got his green card and he came back and we got married and he applied for a permanent visa for me on April 5, 2013. He also hired a lawyer to help with the paper work. I just wanted to know how long it takes for my visa to be issued since I already checked the status and it shows initial review. Answer #3: According to September 2013 visa bulletin, there is no backlog for visas for the spouse of a permanent resident (or green card holder). However, the processing time can take up to one year. Your husband should be receiving an approval notice no later than

Gail S. Seeram October 2013. After date, he will receive request for visa fees and other documents from the National Visa Center. Question #4: I live in Guyana. My mom filed a petition for me in 2008 June as F2B family preference then she upgraded the petition in November 2009 to F-1 category when she became a US citizen. I am single and have no children. I would like to know how long more do I have to wait? Answer #4: According to September 2013 visa bulletin, visas are available for petitions filed on or before September 2006 for F-1 preference or unmarried child of a U.S. citizen. So, you have about a two-year wait.

Suicide rash send shockwaves in Barbados Though the worry may be small when compared to what happens in Guyana, Barbados is now into soul-searching following five apparent suicides in five weeks. The last incident was over the weekend, and in a country with a national average of seven persons per 100,000 in a population that fluctuates just below 300,000 according to World Health Organization 2006 figures, this rash of death by people at their own hands would create shock waves. For that same year, Guyana registered 52 deaths by suicide for every 100,000 persons in a population estimated to be just over 750,000. A sign that many societies are yet to treat such loss of life with the seriousness it deserves, is that accurate figures on these deaths are difficult to come by. The fifth death in Barbados was of 56year-old Selwyn Sobers, who neighbours found hanging in his home Sunday, two days before World Suicide Prevention Day. The other suspected suicides were a young woman, Monica Marshall-Wilkinson, whose body was found at the bottom of a cliff on August 2; 49-year-old David Layne, who was found hanging on August 6; 18-year-old Chevonne King, who was also found hanging on August 30; and a police recruit, 30-yearold Darwin Downes, who is believed to have shot himself in the head at the Regional Police Training Centre on September 1. Prior to these, there were two reported cases of death this year believed to be by suicide. One person is said to have jumped off a high building in June and the other was found hanging in July. Prominent Barbadian priest, Father Clement Paul, who counsels many distressed souls, said money is not usually the problem, but a breakdown in the traditional family relationship. “In the Caribbean we had our own family structure. It was mother, father, grannies,

Page 21

aunties and the village that reared the child. The teachers and principals were the other parents; now all that is gone. Now children are having children and nobody is mentoring these young people. The family is no longer sacred,” Father Paul said. He also blamed modernization and technological advances for contributing to social dislocation. “Technology is making islands out of people and no man is an island.” Clinical Psychologist and University of the West Indies Lecturer, Donna Maynard, agreed with Fr Paul. “We have adopted this individualistic culture in Barbados that is alien to our way of life,” she said, and added, “We have lost a lot of family connection through migration and death”. Anderson Kellman, a Psychologist and Counselor opined that young people are no longer resilient, “At the first sign of difficulty they want to give up. Also, the whole idea of sanctity of life is under attack. People shoot and kill one another over small things and suicide is only a step from that because it is violence against yourself.” Guyana’s Member of Parliament, Dr George Norton, last week quoted statistics from research commissioned by Dr Frank Beckles showing 501 reported cases of suicide here over a five-year period from 1995. Dr Norton did not comment on whether there is scant regard for the sanctity of life in Guyana as the Barbados scenario painted by Psychologist Kellman, but called on Government to come up with a new plan because a 2007 strategy failed to halt what he described as an epidemic here. “The so-called National Suicide Prevention Strategy apparently has been abandoned and something else needs to be done,” he said. Regardless of the reasons, these two regional territories of vastly different sizes share a problem of suicides among their people.

A total of 3,921 illegal electricity connections were detected and removed during the period January to June, 2013, as part of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. ongoing exercise to reduce commercial losses resulting from electricity theft. The campaign, an initiative by the Power Company since 2007, has been intensified over the past six months. There were 111 raids by GPL technical teams, spearheaded by representatives from the company’s Loss Reduction Department and the Guyana Police Force carried out in communities along the East Bank, West Bank and East Coast of Demerara, Berbice and Georgetown and its outskirts. The highest number

of illegal connections detected and removed, 2410, were discovered in Sophia and other Georgetown locations. A whopping 260 persons were arrested for the illegal diversion of electricity. The rate at which cases are completed and the number of conviction however, remains a huge hurdle to overcome. In 2007, a total of 2,760 persons were arrested for the diversion of electricity. A further 1,490 of these cases are still pending at various Magistrates’ Courts. So far

549 persons have been convicted and fined with some of the perpetrators given up to two years’ imprisonment. The Electricity Sector Reform Act (1999), with amendments in 2010, clearly outlines severe penalties for perpetrators guilty of electricity theft. GPL has been pursuing every case from the criminal and civil aspects with some convicted persons being sentence to periods of imprisonment while being back billed for up to 24 months by GPL.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 2013

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FOR SALE

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Hell the doctor is back! Have your Gas Stoves repaired and serviced- Call:601-0595/ 220-4073/220-5785

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(Continued on page 23)

Saturday September 14, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Indian judge sentences Delhi rapists to die for ‘gruesome crime’ TOUR Suriname return trip 12-16 October. Shopping siteseeing lots of fun- Call: 6440185/ 639-2663/ 227-8290/ 665-5171 To Suriname: Leaves 23rd return 26th September. Sightseeing & shopping. Hotel inclusive in packageCall:444-5148

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An Indian student displays “NO RAPE” message painted on her hands during a demonstration to demand death sentence for four for men convicted of rape and murder of a student on a moving bus. (AP Photo) NEW DELHI (Reuters) Four men were sentenced to death yesterday for raping and murdering a woman in New Delhi last December, satisfying a public clamor for them to be hanged for a crime that forced India to confront its culture of violence against women.”These are the times when gruesome crimes against women have become rampant, and courts cannot turn a blind eye to the need to send a strong deterrent message to the perpetrators of such crimes,” Judge Yogesh Khanna said in a ruling that capped one of the most notorious criminal trials in modern Indian history. Cheers went up from a crowd inside and outside the Delhi courthouse when lawyers rushed out to announce the sentence, which had been widely expected after Khanna found the four men guilty this week of “coldblooded” rape and murder. The victim, who was raped for an hour and tortured with an iron rod on a moving bus, became a symbol of the dangers women face in a country where a rape is reported on average every 21 minutes and acid attacks and cases of molestation are common. “The increasing trend of crimes against women can be arrested only once the society realize that there will be no tolerance (of) any form of deviance against women,” said Khanna. He ordered the men to “be hanged by neck till they are dead”. In a symbolic gesture, he broke the nib of the pen so that it could not be used to sign another death order, court officials said. Lawyers for all four men said they would appeal, which means their execution could still be years away. The case will go to the High Court and then Supreme Court. If

they confirm the sentences, the final decision will lie with the president, who has the power to grant clemency. India, with its poorly trained police force and clogged courts, is struggling to curb violence against women. Social commentators say patriarchal attitudes towards women have not been diluted by more than a decade of rapid economic growth. Reports of rape, dowry deaths, molestation, sexual harassment and other crimes against women rose by 6.4 percent in 2012 from the previous year, the government said. One of the defense lawyers, A.P. Singh, suggested in court that Khanna had bowed to political pressure after top politicians, including the country’s interior minister, said the death penalty was assured. There was no immediate comment from the judge, who left the courtroom after delivering his ruling. Interior minister Sushilkumar Shinde denied that there had been any political interference, telling a TV news channel: “No judicial authority can be influenced by the government.” The sentence threw a spotlight on India’s paradoxical attitude towards the death penalty. The country’s judges hand down, on average, 130 death sentences every year but India has executed just three people in the past 17 years. There are currently 477 people on death row. In November, India ended what many human rights groups had interpreted as an undeclared moratorium on capital punishment when it executed a man convicted for the 2008 militant attack on the city of Mumbai. Three months later, it hanged a Kashmiri

separatist for a 2001 militant attack on parliament. Although the Supreme Court ruled in the 1980s that the death penalty should be imposed only in the “rarest of rare” cases, opponents say the reality is quite different. Indian courts sentenced 1,455 prisoners to death between 2001 and 2011, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. One of the four men sentenced yesterday, gym instructor Vinay Sharma, wept as he was dragged out of the court, where police with riot gear had formed a barricade to keep crowds back.

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Saturday September 14, 2013

GEA Directors still unknown …Prime Minister, Dr. Luncheon silent Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, yesterday committed to having the Government Information Agency (GINA), disseminate the names of all of the directors of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) but up to press time, this was not forthcoming. What GINA did in fact disseminate was a statement by Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, that “the GEA is being run reasonably well.” Hinds said, too, that there has not been any, and there is no intention to keep secret the names of the members of any Board. “Indeed, our HPS (Dr. Luncheon) reads out those names at his regular post-Cabinet meeting press briefings.” This however did not obtain yesterday when Dr. Luncheon was asked specifically to name the directors of the GEA. He said that he could not recall the names and that GINA would make the names available. ANNUAL REPORTS Responding to the fact that it is only this year that the GEA submitted its annual reports, 13 years after its formation, Dr. Luncheon said that this does not necessarily mean that the agency had not been doing any work during that time. “The fact that 12 years of reports are available suggests that these people have not

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds been slacking…They have been abiding, maybe not 100 per cent in completing their statutory responsibility,” said Dr. Luncheon. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Hinds in his response to two previous articles published this week in relation to the GEA said that they have little substance, much conjecture and suggestions, and seem intended to create confusion and illusions of corruption. He said that as Minister responsible for the operations of the Electricity and Energy Sector, “I sense a need and a duty to set the record straight, dispel any erroneous concerns and doubts, and assure the majority of our Guyanese people, as well as others, that the GEA is being run reasonably well, as well as any other corporate body in Guyana, whether publicly or privately-owned, in the context of Guyana today. “ The Prime Minister conceded, however, that the GEA was many years late in

beginning to have reports for tabling in the National Assembly. He said that the GEA is currently in possession of its Audited Accounts and reports up to 2012 audited by the Audit Office of Guyana. This, he said, would be tabled in the National Assembly soon after sittings are resumed in October. He said further, that as of now, GEA is in compliance with all of the relevant reporting requirements, which include the Companies Act of Guyana and the International Financial Reporting Standards. HARD TO BELIEVE Financial Analyst, Christopher Ram, who had highlighted the questionable accounting practices and late reporting of the GEA, in an invited comment yesterday on assertions made by Hinds, said, “Prime Minister has ministerial responsibility for energy and must know that the Guyana Energy Agency is governed by its own Act and

Christopher Ram

Dr. Roger Luncheon not the Companies Act…GEA is a statutory body, not a company.” Ram said that he “still finds it hard to believe that Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, could write such a letter.” According to Ram “I am a bit more understanding of his lack of knowledge about International Financial Reporting Standards particularly since he is no worse off than the Auditor General, Deodat Sharma.” Prime Minister Hinds did make reference to the GEA Act to point out that the legislation only requires that the Audited Financial Statement be tabled as against the need for an Annual Report. He said that the GEA Act further prescribes, “that the Minister determines what level of details any other report accompanying same should include.” ACCEPTABLE DEALINGS

Regarding the fuel imports transaction by the GEA, Hinds said that since the 1980s, much consideration has been given to the question regarding the role of the agency in the arrangements by which Guyana has been acquiring all of its petroleum fuel. This, he said, was done, taking into account the role of GEA’s predecessor, the Guyana Natural Resources Agency (GNRA): whether as trader, in principal, or as an agent. According to Hinds, the Auditors, at that time, recommended the treatment and presentation, which is reflected in the Annual Financial Reports. Hinds reported that the GEA accepted and complied with that ruling, and has had the impression that whilst other Auditors might have required that these transactions be represented

differently, either way is acceptable. This method of accounting practised by the GEA, had been a bone of contention raised by Ram in his analysis over the handling of over US$350M in fuel transactions under the PetroCaribe arrangement with Venezuela. The financial analyst yesterday explained that the GEA’s role in the importation and distribution of oil under the PetroCaribe Agreement is as an agent of the Government of Guyana. “Accordingly, the GEA cannot treat the value of the oil imported and sold on behalf of the Government as its income…The money belongs to the State.” He said that to compound “the accounting abomination, the GEA shows the cost of the oil as Office and Administration Cost in its accounts!”

Activist express dissatisfaction about Venezuelan invasion Activist Mark Benschop on Wednesday staged a oneman protest outside of the Venezuelan Embassy in Thomas Street, expressing his dissatisfaction about the way the Venezuelan soldiers invaded Guyana. Holding a placard stating “Venezuela needs to apologize to Guyana”, Benschop said, “I am out here of course to register my concern and dissatisfaction about the manner in which the Venezuelan government feel that they can disrespect our sovereignty and the people of Guyana”. He added that although both countries profess to have a great relationship, there should be no act of provocation such as neighbouring soldiers marching across Guyana’s border, heavily armed. Benschop said that the Government of Guyana, “to him”, has been satisfied after a letter was sent to the

Mark Benschop protesting in front of the Venezuelan Embassy on Wednesday Government of Venezuela requesting an explanation for what happened. “It is

unacceptable because 72 hours has since passed since this incident occurred.”

Saturday September 14, 2013

Australian outfit moves closer to building large scale gold mine An Australian outfit, which has concessions in Region Seven, is now moving to build a large scale gold mining operation. According to the Government regulator, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in a notice to the public yesterday published in Kaieteur News, Pharsalus Gold Inc. has submitted an application to EPA for an environmental authorization to undertake the mining project within the Hicks/Kaburi Concession situated at Black Water Creek, Kaburi Area, Region 7. “This project would entail the development of an open pit mine that involves, clearing of vegetation, removal of topsoil and blasting of hard rock, construction of: processing f a c i l i t y, l a b o r a t o r y, cyanidation facility, power generating facilities and ground water wells. It would also include upgrading of an existing access road,� the notice said. According to EPA, according to regulations, an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required before any decision to approve or reject the proposed project is taken, since the development may have significant impacts on the environment. EPA said that members of the public have 28 days to make written submissions to the agency, raising questions which they want answered in the EIA. Pharsalus Gold Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Australia-based Azimuth Resources Limited. The company, in areas known as Smarts and Hicks, part of an 1100 kilometer square concession, was

acquired by vendor agreements and direct grants to Pharsalus Gold Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Azimuth Resources Limited, according to information published on EPA. It is intended that Pharsalus will operate an open cut mine, processing plant, tailings storage f a c i l i t y, m i n e s i t e accommodation and additional infrastructure required to recover and to process ore for the recovery of gold. Development and operation of the mine site will be done in several phases with power for mine site operations provided by nine one-megawatt diesel generator sets. Pharsalus said that the mine site will be serviced by road and air with a new access road to connect the mine site to the Amaila Falls Hydropower service road. A permanent airstrip will be constructed also. It will be constructed along with security and a terminal building. The ore exploitation rate will result in a mine life of 15 years or more depending on the final processing rate. The process plant will have a nominal capacity of an estimated 600,000 tonnes to 750,000 tonnes of ore per annum, designed to produce up to 110,000 ounces of gold per annum based on an average overall recovery of 92 per cent.

Kaieteur News

A drill rig of Pharsalus in action at Hick Prospect, West Omai Project.

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Saturday September 14, 2013

Opposition describes removal of CAL’s subsidy as a “hoax” PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley yesterday described as a “hoax” the removal of the multi-million dollar subsidy provided to state-owned Caribbean Airlines (CAL) that had been heavily criticised by other regional governments. Finance Minister Larry Howai, delivering the TT$61.3 billion (One TT dollar= US$0.16 cents) national budget on Monday, said that the subsidy, which was estimated at US$40 million last year, would come to an end from October 1 this year. But in his response to the budget, Rowley said the removal of the subsidy was yet “another hoax on the people of this country. “Another act of naked and unnecessary deception on the part of the Minister of Finance. Why couldn’t the

Dr. Keith Rowley Minister just come clean and tell the taxpayers that we will still be providing huge sums of money to CAL but it would not be called fuel subsidy but it will still be a subsidy and your money anyway.” Rowley said that Howai had implied that removal of

the fuel subsidy would mean cost cutting of at least over TT$250 million for the airline to be viable. “The Minister says that he was assured that this would have no impact on ticket prices. How could a serious Minister of Finance make such an announcement,’ Rowley asked, questioning also whether Howai, who had reportedly received a TT$10 million package to quit his job as a senior banker to take up the government post, would use the funds to subsidise tickets for travellers. Rowley said that Howai had “shameless” during his budget presentation made “about “re-capitalization” of the airline” adding that it was nothing more than a further attempt to deceive the population by the coalition People’s Partnership government.

T&T’s environmentalist dismissed from UWI PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Environmentalist, Dr. Wayne Kublalsingh, who has been staging a daily protest outside the office of Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar over the construction of a multi-billion dollar highway in the south of Trinidad, has confirmed his dismissal as a lecturer at the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI). “I respect and understand their position,” said Kublalsingh, who was a parttime lecturer for 16 years. Kublalsingh said his contract with the UWI, where he taught “Introduction to Poetry” was not renewed this academic year. He said during a meeting last week with the Department of Liberal Arts he was informed that in the interest of the students, his situation had become “volatile. “It seemed to have stemmed from the beginning of the campaign, when I was warned by the police that I would be held liable and could be arrested if the crowd here

became too large,” Kublalsingh said, referring to his ongoing protest outside the Prime Minister’s office. UWI principal Professor Clement Sankat told the Trinidad Express newspaper that Kublalsingh’s part-time tenure was being reviewed since last November, when he staged a 21-day hunger strike outside the PM’s office. “Changes took place.” Sankat said, adding “we had to make some changes whilst he was fasting. And that was the responsibility of the department. We had to get on with the students’ work, students had to be taught”. Kublalsingh who has been staging his protest outside the Prime Minister’s office for the past 40 days, said he is now prepared to dedicate himself fully to protest of the highway project. Kublalsingh last month began renewed his protest action less than a year after he staged a 21-day hunger strike to force the Trinidad and Tobago government to halt the construction of the multi-billion dollar highway.

Kublalsingh said while he would not be engaging in another hunger strike, he would nonetheless be protesting peacefully the construction of the Debe to Mon Desir segment of the TT$$7.2 billion (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents) San Fernando to Point Fortin highway project. The 53-year-old environmentalist said that he and members of the Highway Re-Route Movement would be protesting outside the Prime Minister’s office until she meets with them and makes her position clear on whether she will abide by the James Armstrong report. Kublalsingh met with President Anthony Carmona and Opposition Leader Dr. Keith Rowley on the matter and is due to meet with the head of state later this month. Last month, Kublalsingh accused Prime Minister Persad Bissessar of abruptly ended a meeting with the group to discuss the matter. Last year, civil society groups, including the Joint Consultative Council, mediated between the government and the Re-Route Movement resulting in the establishment of an independent review committee, headed by former Independent senator Dr James Armstrong. Last month, Prime Minister Persad Bissessar urged those opposed to the construction of the highway to reconsider their action as she opened the first leg of the highway.

Saturday September 14, 2013

Kaieteur News

CUBAN LIGHT BULB TRIAL: Spencer’s alleged companies paid $115 million Jamaica Gleaner - Henoy Russell, a former executive at the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) yesterday morning testified that five companies, alleged to be controlled by former junior energy minister Kern Spencer, received payments totalling $115 million under the Cuban light bulb programme. Russell, the former financial controller at the PCJ, was giving testimony at the corruption trial of the former junior energy minister and his former personal assistant, Colleen Wright. Russell said the largest payment of $80 million was made to Universal Management Development

Kern Spencer Company. He testified that $15 million was paid to Shipping Logistics; $4 million

to Caribbean Communications Network; $850,000 to Caribbean Protection Securities Limited and $720,000 to Fuels of Jamaica. Former accused-turnedcrown witness Rodney Chin has already given evidence that he established the entities, but said he was only acting as a front man for Spencer. According to Chin’s testimony, the companies were controlled by the former junior minister. Spencer and Wright are on trial for money laundering and illicit enrichment arising from the implementation of the Cuban light bulb programme.

Venezuela’s president creates council to fight economic ‘sabotage’ CARACAS (Reuters) Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro launched a state council on Thursday he said would counter economic “sabotage” by oppositionlinked business leaders he accuses of artificially creating product shortages. Starting next week, inspectors working for the “Superior Organ of the Economy” will begin visiting private companies, including warehouses and transport firms, involved in food and basic consumption goods, he said. The OPEC nation has struggled in recent months with shortages of consumer products such as corn flour and toilet paper that critics say result from a clumsy currency control system that limits the flow of imports. “I call on the whole country to join this battle for the economic security of the nation, the battle to ensure steady food supplies for our

people,” Maduro said during a televised meeting with progovernment activists. He said anyone who saw irregularities should call a special phone line, “0-800SABOTAGE,” to file reports. The president said opposition leaders had been holding meetings in Venezuela and abroad, and he accused them of planning to limit food production, reduce the number of cargo vehicles in circulation, and create long lines at supermarkets as part of a plot to destabilize the country. Maduro’s critics dismiss such accusations as conspiracy theories peddled by his administration to avoid assuming responsibility for economic problems created by the rigid regulations of private enterprise. The new state council comes in addition to two existing consumer protection groups that have strictly enforced a set of price

Nicolas Maduro controls that businesses say sometimes force them to sell below production costs. Maduro’s mentor, the late socialist leader Hugo Chavez, was revered by millions of Venezuelans who benefited from his oil-financed social programs ranging from cheap groceries to new homes during his 14-year rule. Maduro, who narrowly won an election in April following Chavez’s death from cancer, has vowed to continue his predecessor’s legacy.

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Saturday September 14, 2013

U.S. and Russia at a ‘pivotal point’ in Syria talks G E N E VA / B E I R U T (Reuters) - U.S.-Russian talks on eliminating Syria’s chemical weapons program have reached a “pivotal point,” a U.S. official said, and both nations said yesterday they wanted to renew efforts to negotiate a peaceful end to the war in Syria. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met in Geneva to discuss a Russian proposal under which Syria would sign international treaties banning chemical weapons and hand over its stocks of such weapons to the international community for destruction. The U.S. official said the two sides were “coming to agreement” on the size of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles and talks were continuing today. U.S. President Barack Obama, after a meeting in Washington with Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, reiterated that he will insist any deal on Syria’s chemical weapons is “verifiable and enforceable. In Washington, senior

Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, left Lakhdar Brahimi, UN Joint Special Representative for Syria, centre, and John Kerry, US Secretary of State, right, arrive for a meeting to discuss the issue on Syrian chemical weapons,yesterday. (AP Photo) Obama administration officials said the United States does not expect a U.N. Security Council resolution formalizing the deal to include potential use of military force due to Russian opposition. Independently of the

United Nations, Obama has threatened the use of force in response to an August 21 chemical weapons attack in Syria that U.S. officials say killed around 1,400 people. But as part of negotiations toward a U.N.

resolution, the United States sees no benefit in trying to include the potential use of force. Russia holds a veto on the Security Council and has previously used it on three occasions when Western powers sought to condemn

Assad over the war in Syria. President Vladimir Putin has said the proposal on chemical weapons will only succeed if the United States and its allies rule out the use of force. The U.S. officials who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity said the U.N. resolution could include a range of consequences should Syria refuse to give up chemical weapons in a verifiable way. Those consequences could include increased sanctions. After meeting U.N. envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, Lavrov and Kerry said they hoped to meet in New York in about two weeks, around September 28 during the U.N. General Assembly, to see if they could schedule a new international peace conference on Syria. The talks between teams led by Kerry and Lavrov, which began on Thursday, are at a “pivotal point” and are continuing into Saturday, the U.S. official told reporters in Geneva. Kerry told a joint news conference: “We are committed to trying to work together, beginning with this initiative on the chemical

weapons, in hopes that those efforts could pay off and bring peace and stability to a wartorn part of the world.” He hoped a date might be set for peace talks, but added: “Much ... will depend on the capacity to have success here in the next hours, days, on the subject of the chemical weapons.” Lavrov, voicing regret at the failure of an international accord reached in Geneva last year, said he hoped a “Geneva 2” meeting could lead to a political settlement for Syria. “We agreed ... to see where we are and see what the Syrian parties think about it and do about it,” he said. Assad’s Syrian opponents, many of them disheartened by Obama’s failure to make good on threats to launch military strikes in response to the August 21 gas attack, say they see no place for Assad after the war. However, neither side has been able to finish the fighting, leaving the country’s territory divided and its people in misery, including 2 million who are now refugees abroad.

Saturday September 14, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Saturday September 14, 2013

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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic win Davis Cup matches BBC Sport - US Open champion Rafael Nadal continued his fine form as he crushed Sergiy Stakhovsky 60 6-0 6-4 to give Spain a 2-0 lead over Ukraine in their Davis Cup World Group playoff. Nadal, 27, triumphed at Flushing Meadows with

victory over Novak Djokovic just four days earlier. “I am here to try to help the team,” said Nadal, who is also set to play in today’s doubles. Serbia’s Djokovic was also in action, beating Canada’s Vasek Pospisil. Djokovic’s 6-2 6-0 6-4 victory in front of a partisan

home crowd in Belgrade gave his nation a 1-0 advantage in their semi-final match, before Milos Raonic beat Janko Tipsarevic 5-7 6-3 3-6 6-3 10-8 to level the tie. The Czech Republic lead Argentina 2-0 in the other semi-final after victories for Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych over

Saturday September 14, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Is it time to take a more drastic approach to solving a problem, Aries? If you've made several attempts to resolve your trouble to no avail, it might be something to consider. As long as drastic doesn't equate with destructive, you may find it works to try something more aggressive. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 MAY 20): Tap into your creativity to unblock your emotions today, Taurus. This can be a more powerful tool than you realize. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 JUN 20): You may need to deal with disapproval today, Gemini. This will likely come from someone you see as a superior or authority figure, perhaps a parent or teacher. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Taking time alone is essential for everyone, Cancer, but recognize when you're isolating yourself to the point where it's unhealthy. If you ask why you're taking this time and answer because you're avoiding something or someone, you need to reconsider. Things will only build and get worse under these conditions. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Watch out for the greeneyed monster today, Leo. It can rear up before you even say the word "jealousy" if you're not on your guard. Many situations that cause this feeling are born of insecurity. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You may feel insecure about your appearance today, Virgo. This can be a vicious cycle, and the end result is almost always negative. Rather than picking yourself to pieces, find ways to accept your looks.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Jealousy might rear its head today, Libra. The key to coping with it is to understand why you feel insecure. If you're jealous of a partner, why is this? *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Arts and crafts may hold your interest today, Scorpio. Even if you lean more toward sports, an artistic streak likely runs pretty strong in you. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): Getting along with others may prove challenging today, Sagittarius. The planetary aspects can have you isolating yourself. You might feel impatient and easily annoyed. If this is so, stay solo if you can. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19):Don't be surprised if you're a little weepy today, Capricorn. The day's planetary influences could enhance your sensitivity to everything, including your feelings. Let yourself cry if you need to - it can be cleansing. *************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Obsessive thinking may be something you need to look at today, Aquarius. Common areas for such behaviors are in the pursuit of money, power, success, and romance. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20):Don't act impulsively today, Pisces. It can be easy to confuse this with spontaneity, but one has more thought in it than the other. Look before you leap! Think everything through from decisions to projects to contracts. for hurt by being gullible.

Juan Monaco and Leonardo Mayer respectively. Spain, champions three times in the past five years, must win their tie to remain in the elite World Group and avoid dropping into one of the regional second-tier zone divisions. With team-mate Fernando Verdasco having recovered from a set down to beat world number 40 Alexandr Dolgopolov, Nadal can win the tie if he and Marc Lopez beat Vladyslav Manafov and Denys Molchanov in today’s doubles. “Once I have made the effort to come here, to play the doubles is only a small extra effort,” added Nadal. “Hopefully we can finish the match tomorrow and then I can rest on Sunday.”

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Sreesanth gets life ban ... From page 36 players deserve no leniency whatsoever.” The players, minus Chandila, were summoned by the board to present their case in the disciplinary committee meeting in Delhi. Sreesanth, Chavan and Chandila were arrested by Delhi Police on May 16 in Mumbai, for the alleged fulfilling of promises made to bookmakers, along with eleven bookies including Amit Singh. Royals later suspended their players and the BCCI set up an inquiry into the matter, headed by its Anti-Corruption and Security Unit chief Sawani. Apart from the action taken by the board, the players face possible prison sentences should they be found guilty in a court of law. They were among 39 persons named in the Delhi Police’s chargesheet on alleged corruption in the IPL in July, charged with criminal conspiracy, cheating and dishonesty under sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act.

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Young Warriors Cricket Club congratulates Shimron Hetmyer on Windies U19 selection The Universal DVD Young Warriors Cricket Club of East Canje, with a base in Cumberland, East Canje, has extended congratulations to their bright and upcoming cricketing star in Shimron Hetmyer. In a release, the club stated, that the president and members of the Universal DVD Young Warriors Cricket Club congratulates 16 year old opening batsman Shimron Hetmyer of Canefield East Canje on being selected on the West Indies U19 cricket team that has been chosen to challenge their counterparts from Bangladesh a number of matches later this month in Guyana. According to Secretary/ Treasurer of the club, Anil Beharry, Shimron is an exceptional talent, and with proper focus and guidance, he is sure will soon make the West Indies senior team. He stated that the classy young opener’s talent was spotted from the tender age of six and

Shimron Hetmyer has been improving since then. According to Beharry the club will like to advise Shimron to keep his feet grounded, for many good cricketers coming out from the area failed to reach the highest level because of getting too big to fast for the game. In the release, Beharry said that despite the challenges faced by the club, they continue to produce

good cricketers and is one of the top clubs in Berbice. Beharry also took the opportunity to call on parents in the Canje area in particular to send their young kids to the club to play the game. He like other officials is upset by the many youngsters that are left to the mercy of gang leaders and drug traffickers which are prevalent in the entire Canje area. The club hopes that Shimon’s success will rub off on other youths in the area and young players in the club especially and at the same time motivate parents to supervise the kids and make sure they are involved in productive activities and to join the club. The club continues to strive to provide a good facility for its cricketers and plead with citizens in the area to assist in caring it. Hetmyer, apart from cricket, is also a talented footballer, athlete and basketball player.

World Boxing Council reaches out to past boxing champions Can this be a lease on life for Terrence Alli? Asks Michael Benjamin How many times have we read of the rags to riches stories in the boxing fraternity that have raised our hopes of attaining wealth beyond belief one day? ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson earned in excess of USM$350 during an illustrious career yet was reduced to a poverty stricken state that forced him to engage in bankruptcy proceedings. As a matter of fact, history is replete with pugilists who after earning hundreds of millions leave the sport penniless and in dire straits. Most boxers have been known to be ghetto urchins that have had to bare their fists to survive everyday so fighting became a way of life hence their success in the boxing ring. Boxers have been known to make miraculous transitions from rags to riches but have faltered in the academic department. As such, the big time promoters and managers have been less than honest and have used their fighters as pawns while raking in the larger percentages of the purses. When they are finished squeezing that boxer to a pulp, they move on to other gullible pugilists leaving the former one broke and struggling for existence. Boxing organizations are there to overlook the smooth

Terrence Alli running of the sport and, as in the case of the USA, the State Athletic Commission entertains complaints from disgruntled boxers against managers, promoters et al before launching investigations and resolving disputes. Recently, there has been a positive shift in the arc when World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman announced the inauguration of an initiative where officials of his organization have designated approximately $US250, 000 for the first distribution of aid, to some 30 former world champions, to guarantee these heroes don’t have to endure old age in abject poverty and misery. The WBC Charitable

Fund has gathered proposals on behalf of former champions around the world, who’ve fallen on hard times. They’ve been placed before the Selection Committee of the WBC Charitable Fund and the Nevada Community Foundation, who research, decide and allocate to those pugilists in dire need of such support. The money for the Charity Fund was derived from a WBC auction of exquisite HUBLOT watches, in which twelve of the greatest WBC Champions were presented with superb time pieces. Further, twelve exact replicas went under the hammer and earned one million dollars which was thrown into the kitty to help the cause. According to a circulated release from Sulaiman’s office, “It is in this way, the World Boxing Council fulfills its dream and its pledge, proving to the World that the sport of boxing NEVER forgets the great boxers of its history. And that with the years of life that God grants them, they can and will live with dignity and respect.”One wonders whether officials of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) can make representations on behalf of former world rater, Terrence Alli!

Saturday September 14, 2013

Mo Farah relishes Great North Run clash with Kenenisa Bekele

Distance legends Kenenisa Bekele (right), Mo Farah (centre) and Haile Gebrselassie. (PA) BBC Sport - Mo Farah has promised “a great show” when he takes on Ethiopian legends Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie in tomorrow’s Great North Run. The trio, who have 12 world titles and seven Olympic golds between them, will compete over the half marathon course between Newcastle and South Shields. “I’ve got the track speed but it all depends on how the race goes,” said Farah, now focusing on marathons. “The most important thing is not about time, it’s putting on a great show.” Farah, 30, became only the second man after Bekele to win both the 5,000m and 10,000m golds at single editions of the Olympic Games and World Championships with his double distance success in Moscow earlier this year. Three-time Olympic champion Bekele, 31, is making his competitive halfmarathon debut tomorrow,

and Gebrselassie has recorded by far the quickest time over the distance of the three men. The 40-year-old set his best time of 58 minutes 55 seconds - the 11th fastest in history, and nearly a minute and a half inside Farah’s best - in Phoenix,Arizona in 2006. He also won the Great North Run of 2010. “It’s a unique race this weekend, and everybody wants to see a wonderful moment,” said the Olympic 10,000m champion from Atlanta and Sydney. “I am well prepared and on Sunday we will see.” Farah was due to take part in last year’s race but pulled out after the birth of his twin daughters disrupted his training. The Somali-born Londoner will focus on road running next year, competing in the London Marathon after completing half the distance in 2013. And his coach Alberto Salazar has suggested Farah may compete in the marathon at the Rio Games in 2016 rather than defend the track titles he

won at London 2012. Last year’s winner of the women’s race, Tirunesh Dibaba, returns to defend her Great North Run title after winning world 10,000m gold at Moscow. Her main opposition will come from fellow Ethiopian Meseret Defar, the reigning world and Olympic champion over 5,000m. Today, a high-class field takes to the streets of Newcastle and Gateshead to compete in the Great CityGames. Britain’s world 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu moves down in distance to compete in the 150m, while James Dasaolu, Dwain Chambers and Harry Aikines-Arteetey make up the home contingent in the men’s 100m. Hannah England, Jenny Meadows and Eilish McColgan (mile), William Sharman and Tiffany Porter (110m hurdles), and Chris Tomlinson (triple jump) are among the other Britons competing.

BCCI working on SA tour substitute ESPNcricinfo - The BCCI is believed to be working on a back-up plan for the troublehit tour of South Africa in November and December. It could involve hosting an ODI tri-series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka and the details are likely to be discussed in Chennai on Saturday, when officials from the three boards attend an Asian Cricket Council meeting. The ACC meeting is scheduled two days before Cricket South Africa chief Haroon Lorgat and BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel meet in Dubai on the sidelines of an ICC board meeting to try and resolve the impasse over India’s tour of South Africa. If a tri-series is organised, it will effectively replace the

limited-overs leg of the bilateral series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the UAE, but it would also mean either a cancelled or severely curtailed India tour of South Africa. Sri Lanka and Pakistan are set to play two Twenty20 internationals, five ODIs and three Tests from December 11 to January 20. The limitedovers leg concludes on December 27. India’s calendar includes a short series against West Indies in November and a tour of New Zealand from January 19. The only option for CSA is to host India for two Tests, three ODIs and a Twenty20 international from December and ending with the New Year’s Test. A tri-series in India would cut into this

space. PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmed and SLC secretary Nishantha Ranatunga are expected to represent their boards at the ACC meeting. The ACC is headed by BCCI president N Srinivasan. The CEO of ACC, Syed Ashraful Haq, has also arrived in India. The schedule for India’s tour of South Africa was announced by CSA on July 8 but it immediately fell into problems and the schedule has not been endorsed by the BCCI. Though there has been no official statement, it appears the sticking point seems to be CSA’s appointment of Lorgat as its chief executive despite a series of run-ins between Lorgat and the BCCI during his tenure as ICC chief.

Saturday September 14, 2013

Kaieteur News

India, NZ tour a tough duo - Gibson

Graeme West, Ottis Gibson and Saqlain Mushtaq at a media conference. (Windies Cricket) ESPNcricinfo Bridgetown, Barbados - Ottis Gibson, the West Indies head coach, believes the impromptu India series will be the most stern test for his team’s progress since their T20 World Cup title in Sri Lanka. Gibson admitted that he was eager for the India Tests after many pundits failed to rate the West Indies Test victories over Zimbabwe and Bangladesh as noteworthy. “If you look at the last six Tests we played, we won them. It’s been good progress but I know people aren’t considering them as big wins,” Gibson said. “Against India however, we can really gauge the progress. I’d never discount wins against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh though because they are upcoming and talented but India will be an immense challenge and we’re looking forward to it.” He alluded to Chris Gayle as a key factor for the upcoming series as he feels the team is stronger, especially with players like Sunil Narine garnering more experience. The IPL has also bred familiarity for his players on

India pitches, which he hoped would boost their chances. “We were in India a couple of years ago and played good cricket, but didn’t win. Now the team dynamic is different, and with Gayle back, we’ll give a tougher run. “Then, against New Zealand, we’ll be looking to move to number five in the Test rankings as that’s our aim. I want to put some distance between us and them but they gave England a tough time in the Tests, so it won’t be easy. India into New Zealand is a tough duo to tour.” Gibson stated that while they weren’t expecting the India series, he was confident they would be sufficiently prepared with a fitness testing at month’s end and a small training camp prior to departure in October. With New Zealand looming after and a January return home for his charges, Gibson did add that rest was needed, as well as family downtime, for his players. “It’s a challenge. We were preparing for New Zealand and now everything gets fast-forwarded for the India series. It just sprung up and the guys will spend a long time away from home.

We have to get the balance right, but we’re preparing to get the cricket aspects right first. I’d like my players to have their family time, so we’ll sort this out.” Gibson also warned that the T20 laurels needed to be put to bed for the time being to focus on the other formats. “Test cricket is getting exciting. We can’t forget about the T20 World Cup defense but we need to park it for now as it’s a little bit away. We’ll defend that because we believe we have the best T20 players in the world. Once we keep the same core and mentality from the last World Cup, we’ll repeat in Bangladesh.” He was more critical of their ODI performances and added that the selectors were moving closer to formulating a core 15 for the 2015 World Cup in Australia. “We know our ODI team is hit and miss at the moment so we, and the selectors, are concerned. We’ve changed leaders and we have time to prep for 2015. In the next six to twelve months, we’ll assess and have a core unit. We have world-class players for various situations so we’ll see how it goes.”

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Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 2nd Test, Harare, 4th day

Harare promises thrilling final day ESPNcricinfo - This Test has been played with pay strife and load shedding as the sightscreens, but Zimbabwe were five wickets short of lifting that gloom momentarily. Misbah-ul-Haq stood between them and only their fifth Test win against teams other than Bangladesh, their first since 2001. It seemed they had given up a significant bit of their advantage as they lost their last six wickets for 78 and as the Pakistan openers attacked them for quick early runs, but Tendai Chatara and Prosper Utseya pulled Pakistan back with timely strikes. Pakistan themselves were chasing a bit of a landmark: a win here will be their thirdhighest successful chase, and their first of a 200-run target in close to last 10 years. Having fallen behind over the first three days, Pakistan tried the classical big-team trick: bowl tight and let the opposition batsmen make the mistake, and try to demoralise them when they bowl. The first part worked well. Rahat Ali led a bowling unit that aimed for the cracks as opposed to trying anything spectacular. The scoring stalled with in-and-out fields in place. Three of the six Zimbabweans to be dismissed today fell to poor shots. But when Pakistan’s batsmen tried to dominate the bowlers, though, they couldn’t keep it up for long enough. Chatara struck the first blows with wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali, and Utseya accounted for the dangerous Khurram Manzoor for 54, and Asad Shafiq. That batting freely would be difficult was evident for the morning session. Rahat and Abdur Rehman began with the simple plan of landing the ball near the crack that runs down the middle of the pitch.

The ball would jag either side after hitting the crack, and a wicket always looked around the corner. Rahat first got Vusi Sibanda, who batted at No. 6 because he was unwell on the third day. The pressure - the two bowled the first 12.4 overs of the day for just 25 runs - was palpable. When Saeed Ajmal came on to bowl, Malcolm Waller saw release in a short and wide ball, but failed to keep it down and gave point the catch. Junaid Khan, the other change, hit the crack even more regularly. Once when he did, the ball moved away from Elton Chigumbura, beating his outside edge. From a similar area, the next ball didn’t move, but the muscle memory had already drawn Chigumbura across, and the edge was taken. The chaos continued after lunch when Brendan Taylor ended his fighting innings with a limp drive at a full and wide delivery. The lead hadn’t yet reached 250. Richmond Mutumbani now began to attack, scoring 21 off the 25 balls he faced after Taylor got out. Those crucial runs added, he got a leading edge toAjmal, followed shortly by a flailing pull from Tendai Chatara. Chatara was much more effective when it came to bowling. The Pakistan openers had somewhat rattled the Zimbabwe bowlers a bit as they began to walk at them and drive prodigiously. By the end of the seventh over, they had reached 29. Only one of those 29 was run. Taylor then called on Chatara. Hafeez continued to walk down the wicket. His premeditation consumed him. First he pulled a ball he should have been cutting. If this one fell short of mid-on, the next early walk down the wicket resulted in a leading edge that was swallowed by mid-on. It was followed up by a beauty to Azhar, a length ball that held

its line in front of off, squaring the batsman up and hitting the off stump. All this didn’t deter the first-innings half-centurion, Manzoor, who remained positive and kept attacking loose deliveries. The attitude seemed to rub onto Younis Khan too: they added they added 44 in 11 overs. Zimbabwe refused to let up, though. Utseya, despite being hit for two fours by Manzoor, troubled him with the dip he got. Soon after Manzoor reached his second fifty of the match, he fell to the dip. He pushed forward to defend, but the ball dropped shorter than he expected, and popped up for a bat-pad catch. Younis soon moved too far across to a straight delivery from Brian Vitori, losing his leg stump. Between them, the top four hit 21 boundaries in 99 runs. Attacking the inexperienced bowlers seemed something that was discussed beforehand. With four wickets down for 100, though, Misbah went back to the way he has become used to. For company was Asad Shafiq. They defended and defended, but they - Shafiq in particular - never really looked comfortable. Vitori especially troubled him from round the stumps, a wide angle that has got him more than once in this series. Shafiq’s end, though, came to Utseya when he went back to cut a ball that wasn’t short enough, and edged it through to Mutumbani. Misbah and Adnan Akmal saw off the remaining 9.4 overs without further incident, making sure neither team could sleep more comfortably than the other. Scores: Pakistan 230 and 158 for 5 (Manzoor 54, Chatara 2-29, Usteya 2-40) need another 106 to beat Zimbabwe 294 and 199 (Mawoyo 58, Rahat 5-52).

World Cup 2022: Qatar chief rejects calls to move finals BBC Sport - The head of the Qatar 2022 World Cup has rejected calls for the tournament to be awarded to another country. Governing body Fifa is expected to move the tournament to winter to avoid Qatar’s high summer temperatures. And Football Association chairman Greg Dyke said the tournament might have to move location if a suitable time to play in Qatar could not be agreed. But Hassan al-Thawadi insists there is “no reason” why Qatar should not host the event as planned in 2022.

“We’ve worked very, very hard to ensure we’re within the rules of the bidding, within the rules of the hosting agreement,” he told BBC Sport. “At the same time we’re delivering on all the promises that we’ve made. We’re working very hard to deliver it. The commitment is there. “[Qatar] is the right place, the Middle East is the right place, We are representing the Middle East, it is a Middle Eastern World Cup. The Middle East deserves to host a major tournament.” Fifa president Sepp Blatter is determined to

switch the 2022 World Cup to the winter as summer temperatures can reach 50C in the Middle Eastern country. Blatter, 77, has admitted the governing body may have made a “mistake” in awarding the tournament to Qatar in the summer. “A summer World Cup is what we bid for. It’s the original plan, and we are going for it and we are moving ahead with it,” said Al-Thawadi, who is Secretary General of the Qatar 2022 Organising Committee. “I’d like to assure everybody that it is not an

impossibility to host the World Cup in the Qatar in the summer. “It will be an amazing World Cup whether it is in June July or November December or May or January February at any moment in time we are ready to host- we are ready to host this at any time.” FA chairman Dyke told the BBC in August that a summer World Cup in Qatar, who defeated rival bids from South Korea, Japan, Australia and the United States in December 2010, would be “impossible”. The Premier League has taken an opposing stance, with chief

Hassan al-Thawadi executive Richard Scudamore insisting the tournament should go ahead in the summer.

However, Europe’s leading clubs have said they are “open” to the possibility of a winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the European Club Association (ECA) believes it is “probably” better to switch the finals to winter. The ECA is an independent body representing the interests of Europe’s leading clubs. Ten English clubs are members Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday September 14, 2013

GSCL Inc. 12/12 bowls off today RHTYSC Pepsi U-19 cricketers Defending Georgetown Softball Cricket League Incorporated (GSCL Inc) 12\12 champions Memorex will be hard hard-pressed to retain their title when the second edition of the tournament bowls off today at the Everest Cricket Club from 10:00hrs. Fans can expect a keenly contested tournament since teams such as Universal DVD Titans, Trophy Stall, Regal XI, Wolf’s Warriors and Speed Boat will compete for the top prize of $600,000 and a trophy; the second placed team will receive $200,000 and a trophy. The Man-of-the-Series will receive one three-piece living room suite, the best

Regal XI Privnauth Motilall is expected to lead his team bowling attack batsman and bowler will each walk away with $5,000 and a

trophy and the Man-of-theMatch in the final, $10,000 and a trophy. Twelve (12) teams were placed into four groups of three and will contest the preliminary rounds of the tournament on a round robin basis, with the two top teams advancing to the quarterfinal which is set for next Saturday, with the semifinal and finals being contested the following day. Director of Sport within the National Sports Commission (NSC) Neil Kumar is expected to deliver the opening remarks, before the action bowls off with two group matches being played simultaneously.

donates school bags to BCB

Caribbean Badminton Championships 2013 individual tournament

Guyana experience mixed fortunes in latest play The AGE GROUP Events continued Wednesday at the Caribbean International Junior Championships (CAREBACO) which is being held in San Juan, Puerto Rico September 8-15, 2013 and Guyana suffered mixed fortunes. The Under-19 & Open Events also commenced where over 15 countries are participating. Matches played for the Guyanese Players resulted in: Under-13 Mixed Doubles Semi-Finals: Priyanna Ramdhani (Guyana) & Leon Cassie (Trinidad) defeated Michael Constantine (Trinidad) & Shezelle Mctyson (Jamaica):

21-16, 21-17 to reach the finals.Priyanna who was troubled by a very high fever and cold due to the cold airconditioned venue was awakened 10 minutes before her match, but was still able to take over the game to help them reach the Finals. Priyanna Ramdhani was down to play Two Finals this week: Under-13 Girls Singles and Mix Doubles. Under-17 Boys Doubles Semi-Finals: Narayan Ramdhani & Jonathan Mangra (Guyana) lost to Shane & Sean Wilson (Jamaica): 21-11, 21-11. Under-17 Girls Doubles Semi-Finals:

Nadine Jairam & Meshonn Persaud (Guyana) lost to Arisleyda Orbe (Dominican Republic) & Christina Hastings (Jamaica): 21-8, 21-5 Under-19 Boys Singles: Noel Shewjattan (Guyana) lost to Jason Ramjas (Trinidad): 21-11, 21-5 Under-19 Boys Doubles: Noel Shewjattan & Narayan Ramdhani lost to Aleandra Solas & Pedro Zapata Santana (Puerto Rico top Seeds): 21-7, 21-5. Open Singles Round Two: Nicholas Ali (Guyana) lost to Luis Rodrguez (Dominican Republic): 2114, 21-15.

Banks DIH Sports Programme to climax today at Thirst Park Banks DIH 2013 Sports Programme will climax today as employees battle for supremacy at cricket, football, dominoes, pools, billiards, table tennis and darts at the Sports Club at Thirst Park starting at 08:00 hours. The programme will get underway with cricket with Berbice Branch squaring off against Essequibo in the 12-over aside cricket semi-final match at 08:00 hours with the winner meeting Soft Drink Plant in the final. The teams to compete in the Dominoes playoff are Stores ‘A’ and ‘B’, Presellers, Vehicle Workshop ‘A’ and ‘B’, Maintenance Wo r k s h o p , Linden, E s s e q u i b o , B a rtica and Essequibo branches. The contestants for the King Dominoes competition

are Quincy Bailey, Sinclair McPherson (Soft Drink Plant), Satesh Harrinanan (Stores), Terry Liverpool, Lawrence Rodney, Shawn Clementson (Vehicle Workshop), Geoffrey La Rose, Sherlock Simon (Linden), Lakerram Alli, Cerran Ragoobeer (Essequibo), Devon Fraser (Bartica), Rayan Faria and Andre Lewis (Berbice). Eleven female players will square off for the Queen Dominoes title and they are Shaundel Easton, Shauna Jones (Linden), M. Dugid and R. Gilford (Berbice), Alexis Grenado (Personnel), G. Ferguson (Sanitation), Dianne December (Bartica), Ann Josiah (Security), Simone Armstrong (Rum Factory), Sheron Douglas (Electrical) and Sherry Martins

(Laundry). Trisco division will clash with Berbice, while Stores will meet Linden with the winners advancing to face Sales and Distribution Warehouse in the five-a-side Football playoff. The players to contest the pools playoff are A. Boodnah, Dave Singh, David Hunte, M. Gajadhar, R. Shivraj, Anthony Xavier, H. Baksh, Mortimer Stewart and Jeremy Jailall. Mortimer Stewart and Anthony Xavier will compete in the Billiards final. Five players Rayan Faria, Michael DeFreitas, Andre Lewis, Troy Peters and Mubiano King will contest the table tennis playoff. The presentation of prizes will take place at the Company’s Annual Staff Meeting and Awards presentation.

Phaffiana Millington of the RTY&SC Pepsi U-19 team hands over the bags to BCB Secretary Angela Haniff (right) in the presence of club mates. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club’s Pepsi Under-19 cricket team on Tuesday last donated 30 schools bags to the Berbice Cricket Board. The donation was done under the Rose Hall Town Pepsi Under-19 Personal Development Project and the RHTY&SC Pro-Education Campaign which targets youths in Berbice. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the Club strongly believes in the importance of education as it was the foundation to a successful future for youths. The donation of the school bags to the Berbice Cricket Board by the Pepsi Under-19 team marked the conclusion of the distribution of $1M worth of school bags to school children across Berbice. The RHTY&SC School bags for Sports Programme was supported by numerous Companies, Church groups, Lions clubs and the general public who all

donated school bags. DTV-8 assisted the programme by airing free Television commercials asking for donations of school bags and the long serving Secretary/CEO expressed gratitude to everyone who contributed. Foster, who recently resigned from the Berbice Cricket Board for health reasons, stated that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club would continue to assist the Berbice Cricket Board as it has done in the past since the club was committed to the development of every cricketer in the ancient county. He advised the Board to make sure that the school bags were distributed to less fortunate cricketers in an effort to get them to stay in school and obtain an education. Foster expressed his disappointment that other sports clubs in Guyana have not gotten on board the Antidrugs and Pro-education Campaign. In a modern world

where technology is taking over, it is vital that every sportsperson get an education if they want to be successful. Foster challenged all clubs to place emphasis on educating the minds of their members. Secretary of the Berbice Cricket Board Angela Haniff, in accepting the donation expressed gratitude to the Pepsi Under-19 team and the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club for their continued investment into the welfare of young cricketers. Haniff praised the Club for being a true friend of Berbice cricket, noting that the progressive club had over the years sponsored dozens of programmes for the Berbice Cricket Board and used its influence to raise millions of dollars for the Board. She disclosed that the school bags would be distributed to cricketers from first divisions clubs and members of the Berbice Cricket Board.

Fun and frolic as Ministry of Foreign Affairs host fun Day and 10/10 Tapeball Cricket Thirteen teams drawn from within organizations in the Public and Private Sector will vie for honours when the office assistants within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs host a fun Day and 10/10 Tapeball Cricket Competition at the National Park, Sunday September 22 next. Participating teams are drawn from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of the President, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Culture,

Youth and Sports, Caricom Secretariat, National Insurance Scheme,NationalCommunications Network, Guyana Police Force (Recruits), National Milling Company and Courtney Benn Construction Ltd. There will also be a King and Queen Dominoes competition and the winning team receives the Gary Best Rear Admiral and Irfaan Ali, Minister of Housing and Water trophy. Otherwise trophies and medals were donated by Ministers Frank Anthony, Priya

Manickchand, Jennifer Westford, Jennifer Webster and Clement Rohee. Members of the corporate community have also donated prizes including R&T Taxi Service, Star Party Rentals, Trophy Stall, Bourda Market and South Road and Bourda Street, Woodpecker Products, Trophy and Sports Store and FedEx. Coordinator of activities is James Lewis who can be reached for further information at telephone numbers 628-1656 or 672-6169.