Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 7

Only one of 858 suspicious activity reports reached DPP - FIU By Kiana Wilburg The details of Annual Report for the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) for the year ended December 31, 2011, leave many financial critics bewildered, particularly by the fact that out of 858 reports of suspicious activity; only one reached the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). And nothing became of that single case either. The report revealed that as of December 2011, the FIU commenced receiving monthly threshold reports on financial transactions from four categories of reporting entities; the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Cambio dealers, Licenced Financial Institutions (LFI) and Money Transfer agencies. With regard to the GRA, it made clear that someone who

enters or leaves Guyana with foreign currency amounting to more than US$10,000 or its equivalent, has to make a declaration to an authorized office on a “Declaration of International Transportation of Currency” form. As for the cambio dealers, it said that up to the end of 2011, there were nine licenced and active cambio dealers and all purchases of foreign currencies equivalent to or above $400,000 and sales of foreign currencies equivalent to or above $1M were to be reported to the FIU. It said too that there were eight licenced and active LFIs at the end of 2011 and deposits or cash transactions equivalent to or above $2M were reported to the FIU. At the end of that year also, there were five money transfer agencies that were active and all

incoming and outgoing money transfers around $200,000 were reported to the FIU. During the year 2011, the FIU received monthly threshold reports from those reporting entities. For GRA, there were 1,077 reports, for cambios, 2,520 and for LFIs - 7,582. There were also 29,713 reports from money transfer agencies. In addition to reporting financial transactions that met the monthly threshold limits, all reporting entities reported “Suspicious Activities/ Transactions” as is required and set out in the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. A suspicious transaction, according to the report, was defined as any transaction that causes a reporting entity to have a feeling of apprehension or mistrust about the transaction.

This suspicion may be based on a complex or unusual large business transaction by a customer or unusual patterns of transactions that have no apparent economic or lawful purpose and is inconsistent with the profile of the person carrying out such transaction(s). The report noted that the Suspicious Activity Reports (SARS) received from Money transfer agencies were based mainly on the agency’s analysis of the value, number of and frequency of transactions or clients receiving or sending funds that did not make economic sense for any of the parties involved. For the year 2011, the FIU received a total of 858 Suspicious Activity Reports. There were none from the GRA or cambio dealers but there were 14 from licenced institutions and

Three charged in Berbice prison fracas - Fourth man on the run Almost four months after a fracas which occurred in the New Amsterdam Prison in which four high profile prisons (members of a gang) were seriously injured. Three men (of another gang) have been charged with attempted murder including the mastermind and leader of the gang. A fourth man who was released from the prison about two weeks ago is on the run. Randolph Rodrigues called ‘Shoulders’ and Jason Mc Kenzie called ‘Psycho’ - in jail on murder charges -and Colwin Cort called ‘Dutchie’ who was on remand on a charge of wounding, appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs Marcus yesterday in the Sisters Magistrate Court, East Bank Berbice and were refused bail. The fourth member of the gang,Alan Samaroo called ‘Scare Them’, who was incarcerated on a charge of robbery under arms, was freed a few weeks ago and has since disappeared from the jurisdiction. The men are accused of, on Tuesday 23rd May 2014 at the New Amsterdam Prison, unlawfully and maliciously

Carged: Randolph ‘Shoulders’ Rodrigues

Jason ‘Psycho’ McKenzie

Colwin ‘Dutchie’ Cort

wounding four fellow inmates who were members of the other gang. Those injured were Davendra Harricharran, called ‘Bara’, 27, of Nigg Squatting area, Corentyne, Berbice, who was on remand on a charge of robbery under arms; Adbussulum Azimulla called ‘Sato’, 31, of Lot 183 Hampshire ,Corentyne, Berbice, who is on remand for murder; Quamy Bhagwandin, 32 of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, who was incarcerated on a charge of break and enter and larceny and Clarence Williams called ‘Wild Hog’, 41, of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam who is incarcerated on a charge of possession of narcotics for the purpose of

trafficking. According to Prosecutor Sergeant Godfrey Playter the prison melee was a reprisal for what took place earlier in the day, when one of Rodrigues’ gang members, Kevin James, was beaten by the members of the other gang. The situation was quickly brought under control and the four wounded men were rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital before they were transferred to the GPHC. A subsequent search of the

facility in the evening had unearthed four cutlasses, cell phones, SIM cards and batteries, penknives and scissors, among other illegal items. An inquiry was subsequently launched by the authorities. Files were prepared and sent to the DPP for advice and charges were recommended against the four perpetrators. The accused will have to return to court on September 30.

844 from money transfer agencies. The report noted too that the figure, 858, included recurring subjects who were reported several times for suspicious activities during 2011. The FIU subsequently requested financial records from local licenced financial institutions on thirty-six (36) Suspicious Subjects/Activities. It noted that six of those requests were made as a result of Suspicious Activity Reports received from local Law Enforcement Agencies. Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack had made it pellucid that the more than 800 reports of suspicious transactions were never forwarded to her office. The DPP had said in her letter to this publication that according to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009, the FIU shall compile a report and send it to the competent authority, if having conducted its analysis; it has reasonable grounds to suspect that the transaction involves money laundering, proceeds of crime or terrorist financing. According to section 2 of the Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 “competent authority” means the Director of Public Prosecutions, and includes any person authorized by him/her on that behalf. “The FIU has only sent one such report via letter dated December 21, 2011 from the Director of the FIU. The DPP by letter dated January 9, 2012, responded to the letter stating that the information contained in the Report was insufficient and requested that documents and statements in support of the information in

the Report be provided to the DPP. To date, the DPP has not received any response,” her letter had stated. Carl Greenidge, the financial point man of A Partnership for National Unity said that the 2011 FIU report was the last one submitted to the NationalAssembly in 2013 when the government was trying to get the Anti-money laundering Bill passed. Greenidge said that no explanation was provided as to why the report was late. The economist made the point that reports of suspicious transactions which according to the report, “cause the reporting entities to have a feeling of apprehensiveness or mistrust” seem to be very limited, in that it is mainly in the arena of money transfers that the FIU has received reports of such transactions. “In 2011, the FIU received 14 suspicious reports from licenced financial institutions and 844 from money transfer institutions, apparently other than cambios. The FIU in turn asked for information from the competent authorities in relation to 36 suspicious activities. That number or ratio is rather appalling,” Greenidge had asserted. The Shadow Minister of Finance reminded that one commentator had suggested that this situation may have been the result of both inexperience in the institutions and lack of analytical competence and key staff in the FIU.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 17, 2014

The mining sector…

Slapdash royalty/tax system allows for corrupt negotiations By Kiana Wilburg For years, the investment agreements made between the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment and potential investors for the mining sector have been done on a case by case basis. Hence, each agreement is different. But while this may bring with it various benefits tailored to suit both parties, when it comes to the applying royalty and tax system, some investors are worried about the implications of such a scheme which they believe to be “ad hoc.” They are also of the view that while some local investors are made to “follow the righteous path” and adhere to certain regulations, some foreign companies are being allowed to benefit from “unprincipled” arrangements. The behaviour of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has done little to mitigate suspicions of corruption and favouritism. Case in point would be the fact that the aforementioned entities are unable to clearly state whether BOSAI owes Guyana

Logging scandal… By Abena Rockcliffe A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, Joseph Harmon, who sits on the Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources, has dismissed what he referred to as a frivolous excuse put forward by Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud, as he sought to justify the absence of valueadded processing in the timber industry. In this context, valueadded is the process of turning timber into lumber, furniture, paneling, flooring, cabinets, musical instruments, veneer, plywood, house logs and a host of other wood products. Because these products are worth more than raw timber, such manufacturing is called “value added processing”. Harmon said

silent on the status of the matter. Withthisinmind,investorshave posited that the “slack” agreement with the company and the fact that it is taking the authorities such a long time to determine whether or not the business should pay royalties, should be more than enough to ensure that the Ministry’s royalty and tax policy be revised. Calls to Williams and Minister Robert Persaud went unanswered yesterday but Rickford Vieira, GGMC’s Commissioner, informed this publication that it is not the role of the Commission to be involved in effecting changes when it comes to royalty and tax policy, but that of the Minister (Robert Persaud). Vice Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Moses Nagamootoo said that no investment can be considered to be a viable one if there are suspicions that the playing field is not even. He posited that investors need clarity on such royalty and tax policies. The attorney at law said that his party would most definitely speak about this matter for not only do the investors require a rational policy but also the country, so that its citizens are not hoodwinked by the sweetheart deals that would

have been negotiated between the government and certain companies. Nagamootoo concluded that the “slapdash manner” in which the royalty and tax system is, allows for corrupt negotiations. Critics have said that it is ironic that government also spoke to the need to address tax and royalty in the National Development Strategy (NDS) but most of the ideas have not left the drawing board. Under the category, Issues and Constraints, the NDS speaks of the need for proper address of investment and the tax system. In terms of a fiscal strategy, the NDS proposed that there will no longer be any special agreements in respect of the mining sector. It said that the fiscal regime should be structured in such a manner that it could be applied to a variety of projects and in a number of circumstances, without wasting time and resources in devising a unique set of arrangements for each project, as is currently the case. Understanding that investment is critical in propelling the economy into the 21st century, the document explained that at the same time investors require competitive terms and conditions, and solid assurances

that the investment environment will be stable. The NDS highlighted that Guyana’s current tax structure for the mining sector is not, on the face of it, competitive. It includes charges of five percent royalty on gold, three percent on diamonds, and a thirty-five percent corporate income tax. Both the royalty and the corporate income tax are located in the upper echelons of international norms. With specific reference to tax and royalty, the NDS said that any Government of a mineral-rich developing country, such as Guyana, that is interested in expanding the mineral sector with foreign investor involvement, and that is eager to reap substantial benefits from it while ensuring both technical and economic efficiency in exploitation, should have in place a fiscal regime that satisfies, at least, certain criteria. This includes ensuring that the tax system is so structured that it may be expeditiously applied in a variety of projects and circumstances. It mentioned as well that the process of formulating a unique fiscal regime for each project is not only time-wasting, but often creates confusion. It posited that a standard fiscal regime is one of

the most attractive elements of policy to investors. From an investor’s viewpoint, the NDS states that the royalty rate and the free equity provision which have become standards in most mining agreements in Guyana are somewhat controversial. “The royalty rate of 5 percent, which has been pointed out is at the very top of the international scale, also causes special problems in the case of gold, where it encourages leakages of the product across the hinterland borders to neighbouring countries, and other forms of evasion. In this case, a complicating factor is that the borders are quite permeable. Indeed, access to neighbouring countries from some hinterland mining districts is easier than access to Georgetown. Hence in practice the attempt to sustain the royalty rate above that of Brazil’s, for example, results in reduced declarations nationally.” Also of significance is the fact that it noted that investors also contend that royalties, because they are payable whether or not losses are incurred, are in some respects unfair. These fiscal changes recommended by the NDS are yet to be implemented.

on issues that “are beneficial to stakeholders in the value-added sub-sector.” The seminar was scheduled after Chinese company Bai Shan Lin and Indian company Vaitarna were criticized for exporting large amounts of logs even though years-old promises for valueadded forestry have gone unfulfilled. The Minster said, “We can talk from here to the top of Mount Roraima about valueadded in any area of our economy, but unless and until we definitively address the matter of energy we would just be having a good talk.” Persaud said that government has been insisting that foreign companies investing in Guyana include value-added products as part of their agreement. He said too that the concept of value-added produce is something the administration has been pursuing for a number of years in all sectors of the

country’s economy. But Harmon is not in full agreement with the Minister’s take on the issue. The MP told Kaieteur News that while cheap energy is crucial to any manufacturer, the companies that have actually signed up for these value-added products should have and most likely known before about the conditions under which they were going to operate in Guyana. “Persaud is being a little disingenuous when he is seeking to say that because you don’t have cheap energy is almost an excuse for these people not to perform their legal obligations under the incentive regime given to them. They know the constraints they are coming to deal with and it is not something they just stumbled upon. All these foreign companies get all these benefits and are failing to honour their promises. Persaud should not provide excuses for Vaitarna and Bai Shan Lin for

failing to do what they were supposed to do years ago,” Harmon stated. He conceded that cheap energy is essential for a vibrant manufacturing sector, but said that the companies have actually signed on to deliver on the value-added products and will be under the microscope, “there is no excuse for them.” Harmon sought to explain in layman terms that “Before a woman goes into a relationship with a man she assesses him and does a background check. She examines the man for loyalty and his moral and financial standing and then decides whether she wants a relationship with him. She does not enter the relationship and then complain that the man cannot afford to buy her even a pair of slippers. Similarly, the foreign companies, Bai Shan Lin and Vaitarna, cannot enter into a business relationship with Guyana without first examining what the country

has to offer and what constraints it can afford to deal with. The Minister of Natural Resources cannot come and say that cheap energy is the reason why there has been a delay in the companies fulfilling their obligations. There is no excuse.” Even though Bai Shan Lin International Forest Development Inc. is yet to actually receive a logging licence, the company has teamed up with four companies in joint ventures to export billions of dollars worth in timber monthly. Many Guyanese, through letters to the editors, have expressed dissatisfaction in what is happening and both the Alliance for Change (AFC) and APNU have been vocal on the issue. AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes had told Kaieteur News that if the Party gains executive power at the upcoming elections it will promote value-added processing.

- Nagamootoo

AFC Vice Chairman Moses Nagamootoo millions in royalties or not. The political opposition has been probing the issue via the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources for some time, but despite a contractual agreement made with BOSAI, a definitive answer as to whether the company must pay royalties is yet to be established. APartnershipforNationalUnity had called on the entities to make a pronouncement on this matter as soon as possible and the Chairman oftheGGMCboard,ClintonWilliams had promised several months ago thatthematterwouldhavebeendealt with within ten days. However, the Ministry and GGMC have been

Harmon shuns Persaud’s defence on absence of value-added processing

that the Minister has to come better when defending such a big issue and has to stop thinking of the Guyanese people as naïve. Harmon’s comments were made in response to the defence put up by Minister Persaud as he addressed the fact that Guyana is failing to maximize the potential of the timber industry by not enforcing valueadded export as a must. Persaud recently told a gathering at the Guyana Forestry Commission that it is all fancy talk if one of the biggest hurdles of value-added processing—cheap energy—is not crossed. The minister was at the time addressing a seminar

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

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ENJOY YOUR HOT CHOCOLATE The happiest persons I know are never the wealthiest. My happiest friends are simply the ones that are more contented with what they have. I tried explaining this to a friend who saw me recently and began complaining how I have a lovely home, a nice car, and a fat bankbook while he is still struggling to make ends meet. I tried to explain to him that there were many things about his life that he ought to be proud off; that even the poorest man has enough to be happy if he would instead of looking at what other people have, try to value what he owns. I came over as a lecturer and could not connect with my friend who I have known for many years. As I left him, I kept wondering how better I could have made my point to him that he has everything that

should make him happy, except that he is looking in the wrong places. When I went home, I went straight to my email, and as usual there was a fair amount of mail including quite a lot of the regular make-you-feelgood stuff which I often quickly highlight and trash. However, since I was troubled by my inability to get through to my friend, I decided to read some of these emails which are circulated widely over the internet. We hardly know the original author of these mails. A friend sends it to a friend who sends it to another friend and the chain continues until it reaches you. The mail in question came to me from our publisher. It was entitled Hot Chocolate. It says exactly what I wanted to say to my friend but could not say in the way I wanted. I will repeat the message here in its entirety and ask the

Dem boys seh...

Knock back got a big man crying There is an old saying, ‘When yuh dig hole fuh yuh mattie you fuss does fall in.’ Some of de people that dem boys expose suh vex that dem doing wha dem does do best, plan fuh dem boys. In short, dem digging hole fuh dem boys. Dem dig hole fuh other people before and fall in. When dem did come out dem look plucky, plucky. Dem lose de Pegasus, dem lose de stockfeed plant and dem nearly lose dem mind. Dem got short memory because dem digging hole again. People have been calling to say watch your backs, they are getting desperate. They are up to something, be extra careful. Dem boys want to say thanks to all and still continue to pray daily fuh dem. One of dem boys friend send his reaction to all those who have been writing, leaking confidential information in sections of the press and to de ones who running to the courts to choke dem boys. “Whenever life gets difficult and it seems like the intensity has been turned up, that’s a sign you are closer to your victory. When those lies are bombarding your mind, when you’re tempted to get discouraged or feel like throwing in the towel, that’s not the time to back down. That’s the time to dig your heels in and put on a new attitude because you are closer to your

victory. ‘Maybe you’ve had a lot of things come against you. Instead of getting discouraged, instead of going around sour and bitter, you need to say, “I’ve come too far to stop now. I’ve been through too much to back down. I realize the reason the intensity has been turned up is because I’m about to embrace my victory!” Keep standing, keep praying, keep hoping and stay in faith even when the intensity gets turned up!” Imagine one of dem who like dig hole running to de Chronicle to complain. As dem boys seh, running to de Chronicle is de best thing he can do. When he was digging hole he leak documents to de Chronicle. Now he begging de Chronicle fuh tek he out of de hole that he dig. He seh that he going to beg de court fuh help he, too. He and Brazzy got to hug up and hold hand. Dem boys seh that wid tears in he eyes he complain to Mark at de Chronicle how nobody ain’t helping him—not de labour union, not de human rights commission and not de government. Dem boys want to know if he did beg fuh help when he was persecuting all who de government didn’t like. Talk half and watch how dem digging hole and crying.

original author to forgive me not knowing his or her identity. I dedicate it to my friend who felt unhappy about his not having the material pleasures of life. Here goes: A group of graduates, well established in their careers, decided to go and visit their old university professor, now retired. During the visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives. The professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large mug of hot chocolate and an assortment of cups – porcelain, glass, crystal, some

plain looking, some exquisite – telling his guests to help themselves to the hot chocolate. When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said: “Notice that all the nicelooking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. That cup that you are drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what

we drink. What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, not the cup; but you consciously went for the best cups. And then you began eying each other’s cup. Now consider this: Life is the hot chocolate; your job, money and your position in society are the cups. The cups are just tools to hold and contain life. The cup you have does not define nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us.

God makes the hot chocolate; man chooses the cup. The happiest people do not have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything they have. Live simply, Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. And enjoy your hot chocolate.”

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 17, 2014

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Placating mechanism or election gimmick? The talk on the street is that the free transportation to commuters in sections of Region Three by the Government is an election gimmick. It is naïve for anyone to think that the Government leaders suddenly got hit by the Road to Damascus fever and have become generous to the Guyanese people. In all my years as a political activist and academic analyst, the PPP Government, maybe with the exception of Cheddi Jagan (but it was Jagan who cancelled duty free cars for UG lecturers in 1995), has been the most

uncaring and insensitive post-colonial regime in the British West Indies. I will argue in any international forum that the PPP is far less socialist than any administration in the CARICOM region from the sixties to now. Even Tom Adams of Barbados, Eugenia Charles of Dominica, and Bruce Golding of Jamaica, who were avowed free market advocates, had a more realistic approach to working class conditions. Someone like Edward Seaga, in Jamaica, was far more a working class sympathizer, even though he

was a more neo-liberal leader than Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar. Under the present cabal which is a Jagdeoite formation (there is one Ramotar creation in power since he became President and if you find one he/she had their discovery under Jagdeo) ,there is a ruthless approach to economics with a shameless partisanship to big business, the nouveau riche class and the wealthy strata in general. The Jagdeo/Ramotar combination is the most procapitalist government CARICOM history has

produced. The Jagdeo/ Ramotar pact would make some right-wing, neo-liberal European Prime Ministers look like activists of the FARC in Colombia. Why all of a sudden, this government has become generous to working class commuters? The free transport is administered by a Minister who reminds one of the apartheid system in South Africa. For years now, this man’s Ministry has been chasing poor vendors off the public parapets (not pavements in Georgetown) around Guyana, vendors that

you would find in abundant supply in most capitalist countries in Europe. In New York such vendors proliferate. In my archives I must have done five articles on this atrocity. Up to two weeks ago, I saw this Minister’s Ministry chasing a female teenager from the parapet. She was selling manufactured bottle water. I was so incensed and with the invocations of memories of apartheid, I intervened with a maddening aggression. Suddenly this man loves poor people and is elated to provide free transport for working class commuters. This freeness has come just weeks before the Government will be forced to resign after a no-confidence motion in Parliament. Isn’t the timing obvious? But though it appears to be an election goody, I see the context differently. I am convinced that the PPP will not accept the no-confidence vote and call elections three months after. Two strategies the PPP will adopt. One is to ask the Chief Justice to rule that the no-confidence motion is a violation of what the Constitution stipulates. The PNC and AFC have to be stupid to contest that writ. Secondly, since the writ will be ignored by the AFC and PNC, the PPP will stay in office with the excuse that it is waiting for the ruling by the Chief Justice. My opinion is that the court’s decision will be long after the three-month period is up. In the meantime, an enraged PNC and AFC will be on the warpath persuading the

Frederick Kissoon population to reject an illegal government. It is in this context, I see the transportation freeness. The Government will pile on more goodies as we get nearer to that no-confidence vote. The objective is to appear as a caring, generous regime with the hope that the people will reject the post-vote anger of the AFC and PNC. I agree that I may be splitting hairs here. Even if the coming goodies are intended to placate the population and get them to ignore the illegal nature of the PPP in power, a general election is inevitable before November 2016 when it is constitutionally due, barring any no-confidence vote. Therefore someone can argue that the generosity will in the end become an election strategy. I am not contradicting myself here. I can see the point of a critic saying that placating or no placating, the freeness is tied to the inevitability of elections. But the analyst has to be concerned with causal factors. I am contending that the planning of these free things is essentially to make the PPP cabal look good in the face of anger by the opposition that will soon be unleashed on what the opposition will call an illegal government.

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Dr. Goolsarran relinquishes Transparency Inst. presidency

Dr. Anand Goolsarran Dr. Anand Goolsarran, President of the watchdog body, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI), Dr. Anand Goolsarran, has resigned because of an overseas commitment. According to TIGI, the resignation is with effect from September 1. In the interim, George Fraser will take the role of Acting President until TIGI holds its next Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2015. Dr. Goolsarran was elected as President of TIGI in 2013, having previously served as Vice President. “He has stated his intention of resuming his active movement with TIGI upon his return to Guyana in

the future,” the body said yesterday. Fraser returned to Guyana in 2012 after a career as a diplomat, businessman and private investor in the AsiaPacific Region. “He is an experienced Sinologist with more than three decades of exposure to China’s global profile in government and business. He is enthusiastic about TIGI’s work as a part of a global network that challenges corruption from international and local sources.” His first hand experience of Hong Kong’s success in fighting corruption and China’s recently intensified efforts to halt this scourge has resulted in strong a conviction that similar successes can be achieved in Guyana, TIGI said. The body said it is also welcoming the return of Nadia Sagar, TIGI’s first president, who has accepted a request to rejoin the Board of Directors. The board also has as members Calvin Bernard; Esther McIntosh; Dhanmattie Sohai; Gino Persaud; Compton Meerabux and Arif Bulkan. TIGI has been vocal on a number of key issues including the Marriott Hotel.

Miner hospitalised after beating

The injured Dellon Benjamin An Ondeerneeming miner who claimed that he was beaten and robbed of $27,000 by two young men on Monday night last; near his home, remains a patient in the male ward at the Suddie Public Hospital. Doctors have since performed an emergency operation on 21-year-old Dellon Benjamin. He sustained a huge wound to the left side of his head, forehead, left arm and in his back. Onicka Raphael, Benjamin’s sister who visited her injured brother yesterday morning at the Suddie Public Hospital, told this publication that her brother left their Ondeerneeming Sand pit home around 8pm, Monday, for a shop nearby. Raphael said moments later, upon her brother’s return, two young men confronted him in an aggressive way. Raphael said one of the young men was carrying a long stick and the other had a bottle in his possession. Raphael said that the one with the stick was on top of her brother, while the other one was inflicting stabs about her brother’s body with the bottle which he had broken. “Wha’ you doing to me brother man, you ah kill meh brother?”Raphael said she screamed at the assailants. Raphael said the two men got away after inflicting the severe beating on her brother. Benjamin was later transported to the Suddie Public Hospital where doctors performed emergency surgery on him. Meanwhile, police have reportedly apprehended one of the suspects at the Suddie station.

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Prosecution closes case in Patentia schoolboy murder trial After calling her last witness to the stand yesterday, State Prosecutor Diana Kaulesar closed her case in the matter for which Quancy John, an expoliceman, is on trial for murder. John is indicted for the murder of Patentia Secondary School student, Kelvin Fraser. John of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, allegedly shot and killed the 16 year-old schoolboy, in the vicinity of the Patentia Secondary School, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on June 7, 2010. He is currently on trial before Justice Franklyn Holder and a mixed 12member jury at the High Court. According to reports, Constable John, who was attached to the Wales Police Station, WBD, was on patrol with other ranks, when they responded to a report that a group of schoolboys were smoking what was suspected to be marijuana in the vicinity of the school. The students, who were dressed in casual clothing, reportedly ran helter-skelter upon seeing the policemen. John, who was armed with a shotgun, is said to have fatally shot one of the

Kelvin Fraser schoolboys in a bid to capture him. The policeman had claimed that the youth was accidentally shot during a scuffle, but was later interdicted and charged with murder. Several witnesses have testified in the matter. They include the school’s Head Teacher, Gloria Gobin; a former student of the school, Prem Seecharan; the victim’s grandfather, Leslie Fraser; former policeman, Ranwick Jack-Smith; Police Inspector Corrine Marshall; Police Detective Elson Baird and Deputy Superintendant, Linden Lord. Last Thursday, Police Detective Elson Baird told the

court that Officer John claimed that the schoolboy grabbed the shotgun and a fight ensued; it was during this time, he claimed that the firearm went off fatally injuring the teen. Yesterday, the Prosecution closed its case after the court heard testimony from Ballistics Expert, Sergeant Eon Jackson. The witness told the court that he had examined the firearm and ammunition used in the incident. He said that on June 14, 2010, the items were handed over to him by Police Inspector, Corrine Marshall. The items, which he identified as a 12- gauge maverick pump action shotgun and matching cartridges were wrapped in separate parcels bearing police seals and identification numbers. Another envelope, Sergeant Jackson said, contained twenty-seven number five (5) lead pellets and a shot cup, all components of the cartridge. He noted that the weapon and ammo could be identified by specified markings, which were affixed to them. The ballistics expert had told the court that he had

examined the shotgun, and found that it was in working condition. During his testimony, the witness explained that five pounds of pressure must be applied to the trigger of the gun, before it could have been discharged. However, while under cross examination by Defence Attorney Glenn Hanoman, the witness noted that although there was no safety lever on the firearm, it could not have been discharged easily. He said that force or pressure must be applied to the trigger before a round could have been discharged. He further explained that “neither yanking nor pulling action” could have been sufficient to discharge the firearm. The witness later emphasized that in discharging the firearm ‘’pressure,” must be applied to the trigger either deliberately or by the person holding onto it. The shot which was discharged is said to have wounded the teenager at the upper left side chest, near his collar bone. On Monday, State Pathologist Dr. Vivekananda Bridgemohan told the court that Fraser had died from

ACCUSED: Police Constable Quancy John shock and haemorrhage, due to the gunshot injury. He said that based on the wound he had examined; the teen would have been shot at close range and died almost instantly. Dr. Bridgemohan said the pellets which entered the teenager’s body damaged

a lung and several of his internal organs. Yesterday, Sergeant Jackson said that in his expert opinion, if the firearm was discharged closer than two feet away from its target, there wouldn’t be much spreading of pellets about the body.

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Massive bids submitted for Ruby paved road upgrades The Agriculture Sector Development Unit (ASDU) under the Ministry of Agriculture retendered for the upgrading of access roads and bridges for Ruby paved road. The bids were opened yesterday by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main Street. The bids were divided into two lots: A&B.

Still under the Legal Affairs Ministry, bids were tendered for the resurfacing of a concrete driveway.

Meanwhile, under the Ministry of Finance, bids were submitted for the supply of computers and accessories. The bids were divided into six lots:

Duo caught on camera stealing phone The Finance Ministry also received bids for the renovation of a building, external work (car park, bridges, fence and gate). The bids were divided into two lots:

Four bids were opened for the procurement of calibration instruments to upgrade its scientific laboratory (Meteorological Equipment) for the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport received two bids for the construction of Synthetic Track and Field Facility, Leonora West Coast Demerara (WCD) Phase three- Lot-8 – Construction of Tower Foundation, Electrical Building and Transformer Pad.

Eight bids were opened for the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) for the supply and delivery of cables and accessories for 60HZ frequency conversion at Shelter Belt Compound.

The Ministry of Legal Affairs received bids for minor repairs and painting to external top flat of its Main Building.

Keno Thompson and Joel Gittens, both 23, and of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, were charged with simple larceny and placed on $40,000 bail each when they appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the New Amsterdam court. The two men were caught on camera stealing one Black Berry Torch cellular phone, valued at $65,000. The incident occurred on September 8 at Evil Eyes Audio and Video Store of New Amsterdam.

According to Prosecutor, Sergeant Godfrey Playter, on the day in question the owner, Tonya Semple, left the phone on the counter of the store with the sales clerk. The two accused walked into the store and saw the phone. They quickly hatched a plan how to steal the device. One of them engaged the sales clerk in conversation while the other picked up the phone. All their actions were caught on camera. The men are scheduled to return to court on October 14.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Opposition, PSC deliberate on economic engagement

The lunchtime meeting between PSC and APNU

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) met with the Parliamentary Opposition on Monday and renewed relationships as well as introduced the new PSC Executive. There was much deliberation on areas for collaboration and major breakthroughs regarding a comprehensive economic engagement with the political parties—A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and

the Alliance for Change (AFC). This, the PSC said, is to be facilitated in the ongoing National Competitiveness Strategy for Guyana. The PSC told the media that it has plans to engage the PPP in the near future to hear of the Party’s views regarding a wide range of matters of a social, economic and political nature.

Wednesday September 17, 2014

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 Used electrical motor, 60HZ, 440Volts, 30HP, 6 0 H P, 7 5 H P, 1 2 5 H P, 150HP,200HP (in excellent condition) contact: 601-3194 or 266-2207 Games for PS2, PS3, XBOX360, WII, consoles also available - Call: 6722566, 265-3232 Yamaha outboard engines, various sizes, tundra wheels, boat trailer – Tel:220-1981, 690-1945 1 Lincoln generator welder 250 amp, 1 Lister Welder, 2 Cylinder - Tel: 609-3028 American bully purely bred pups razors edge bloodline Contact: 6674845, 220-7933 Dressed and mill cut lumber: Kabukalli, silverballi, greenheart, crab wood etc – Call: 688-6579 Auto transmission from 1995 Toyota Land Cruiser with transfer box, torque c o n v e r t e r, s h i f t e r, computer - $250,000 OBO Tel: 626-0018 One Thread Mill, almost new Call: 680-6211 Snorkels for 1996-2013 Nissan Patrol. Snorkels for 1996-2002 Prado - $75,000 each - Tel: 626-0018 Pork $300 LB in 25Lbs, Salted Pork - $300LB, George & Hadfield Streets – Tel:6094594, 266-2711

Kaieteur News

VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl, office assistant & handyman- Call: 669-4755/ 695-9880 Experienced female accounts clerk, apply in person with application at Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek. International Cruiseline Purser officer, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionist, storekeeper, cleaners, electrician, carpenter, plumber, musicians etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880 Need one auto body work man Experience in Welding, Spray Painting & Filing. Call Trini 617-8757 LORRY DRIVER and Factory Assistant living on E.B.D, GUARD for Land of Canaan, accommodation available. 266 4427 Work from home & earn $5,000-$20,000 daily Contact Jobfairworld - Tel: 233-6517/ 622-1957, www. jobfairworldwide.com, free training available Maid / Receptionist, shift work - 25yrs & older - Tel: 223-6284 Bartenders, male Supervisors, caretaker/ Security – 25yrs & older for Restaurant – Contact: 2311908/231-1912 Male security to work in Coverden E.B.D – Apply @ Alabama Trading, Ferry Stelling Stabroek Exist for an experienced accountant. Apply to 21-22 Hinck Street – Georgetown. Email: gavinhec@gmail.com

Deck Facing/ radio molding for when changing original deck for Allion, Premio, Titan, Tacoma . Tel: 626-0018 Bearings 32228, 23224, etc Tel: 662-9889 All sizes in outboard motor & diesel generator, Toyota Tacoma, Ford F150 – Call:682-5474 Brand New wedding dress for sale! Never used, price negotiable – Tel:609-9372, 689-6293 One 1200lbs ice machine $200,000 negotiable – Call: 231-0655, 683-8734 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

VEHICLE FOR SALE We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call: 680-3154 Noah Spacio, Premio, Rav4, Reverse Camera, TV registered and unregistered Tel: 697-0294 Smart Choice Auto unregistered Spacio (old & model) Allex, Voxy, Bluebird, Premio-Call:652-3820,665-4529 One Hilux 4 door pick up off Road Wheels, Off Road Suspension, A/C - $2.5M Negotiable - Tel: 699-1300 Mercedes Benz 1986 original “Baby Benz” air locks, automatic, good condition $2.5M Neg – Call:614-6655 Expat Driven Madza Axela Call: 664-5114 Toyota Raum, FunCargo, AT212, AT192, EP71 Starlet, L-Touring Wagon, Hilux Surf 4 - Runner & Vigo - Tel:6445096, 697-1453 2001 Toyota RAV4 PMM, DVD, Chrome rims - $3M, 2005 Toyota Avensis PSS, Alloy rims, TV/CD - $3.4M Call: 609-1218 First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Spacio, Fielder, Sienta, Runx, Bluebird – Tel:609-8188, 602-6307 One Toyota NZE Fielder for sale – Call: 600-2050, 646-2050 Toyota Glanza - $900,000 negotiable - Tel: 650-3327, 670-7206 Unregistered Premio $2.3M Negotiable, fully loaded – Tel: 226-5473 Toyota RAV 4 PKK Series, lady driven, good offer – Call: 609-8425 1 Toyota land cruiser Prado PMM Series – Call: 2195354, Monday to Friday – 8:15-4:15PM, Saturday 8:151:15PM

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807/ 690-6494.

LAND FOR SALE At Eccles Housing Scheme - price $5.5M - negotiable Call: 616-6000 Prime Land @ Corriverton, 1.3 Acres, roadside land suitable for gas station/ hotel/ shopping mall, etcCall: 626-6245 Parfait Harmonie $1.3M & in a high income area - $2.6M (100ftX50ft), Herstelling $4.5M (110ftX56ft) –Tel: 6757292.

Page 23

WANTED

SALON

FOR RENT

Over edge and straight stitch operator to work at garment factory-Call 222-2541Monday to Friday. Sales girl and live in maid. Contact: 264-3355, 683-7936, 668-3985

Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

Porters, One general domestic - Apply Lot 10 Vlissingen Road Survival Wholesale Bond. One office clerk & Secretary Call: 265-3586 Bartenders to work at an out of Town Hotel - Call: 6427963, 226-9768 Cashiers, salesgirl, porters and a domestic maid, Apply to 1E Dennis & Middleton Streets Campbellville Waitresses to work at an out of Town Hotel - Call: 6427963, 226-9768 One Chef/Cook to work at Out of town Hotel - Contact: 642-7963, 226-9768 Barber position at Top Salon, top salary minimum, 1 year experienced needed Contact: 614-6655 General Live in domestic to work out of town – Tel:6142464, 225-1276 Experienced cashier, counter clerks, pastry makers, cleaners, apply @ Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. Someone to work a grass cutting machine - Tel: 6690366 Counter attendants, Roti/ puri cooks, apply @ Shanta’s, 255 Camp + New Market Street One housekeeper to clean house, wash & iron clothes Call: 225-6492 Couple or small family to live and work at New hope E.B.D Tel: 266-2711, 609-4594 Two 20" containers-Call: 6481821. Urgently needed a driver between the age 30-50 to drive an East Coast bus & to work whole day – Contact: 688-4388/675-3514 Porter & Canter driver, must be from W.C.D 40yrs and older - $30,000 – Call: 6848231 One male or female to work in the interior in a shop – Tel: 669-6030 General domestic maid @ Diamond Contact: 626-8003/ 223-7357 Florida Real Estate, We buy all Low & High income house lots in Guyana- Tel: 652-2018 Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary school education- Call: 612-1595 One cook to work in a kitchen in the interior – Tel: 681-6044

One 2 bedroom fully furnished apartment for overseas rental only Contact: 682-9021 SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 662-6045 Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 6273206

GT TOOL RENTALS: PUMPS; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM; SANDING MACHINE 30% OFF, SAWS & DRILLS (FOR SALE) – CALL: 6750767, 667-2535 Bar & Restaurant - Contact: 669-0366 for more information 2 bedrooms semi-furnished apartment (3rd Floor) in Cummings Street, Georgetown- $100,000 per month- Call: 226-4419/ 6632600 One nails table – Tel: 602-5469 Place for bond/office or otherCall: 680-9905

Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call :225-9032, 647-2943 For the best in landscaping, the most reliable & trustworthy landscapers call us @ 648-1821 Design Team Neher. FOR LOW COST: REPAIRS TO FRIDGE, FREEZER, A/C UNIT, MICROWAVES, TV & WASHING MACHINE CALL: 629-4946 OR 2254822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655,683-8734 Ladies want to lose weight in 6 weeks & gain muscles on your butt & legs- Contact Personal Trainer @ 679-8388 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING AND ESTIMATES FOR ONLY $15,000- CALL: 6949843/227-2766

EDUCATION IAE (Secondary Educational) 194 Camp Street, register for Forms 1-5, Lessons, CXC Adult Classes for repeaters & beginners - Tel: 223-0604; 683-5742 Institute of Academic Supremacy Forms 1-5, CXC Adults Classes for repeaters / beginners $1200, Grade 6, 9 Lessons - Call: 231-5678, 690-5008 Foundations of home nursing, child care & care for the elderly courses - Call: 692-2063, 613-0803, between 7am to 3pm and 8pm to 10pm

Hello the doctor is back, have your gas stove repaired and service – Tel:601-0595, 6851301 FOR SALE/FOR RENT American pool table – 2770578 Located @ Lot 5 Block ‘K’ Waller’s Delight W.C.D - 4 bedrooms all self contain. Price $2500000 / per month $100,000 - Tel: 674-4929/ 6620187 WANTED Salesgirl @ Christine Fashion &Variety Store, Lombard Street – Contact: 626-8003/ 227-8529

ACCOMMODATION Harmony Inn Furnished apartments for local & overseas visitors - $5,000$8,000- Tel:668-0306, 6947817, 218-1400 Aracari Resort W.B.D. One mile from harbor Bridge – Rates $40USD, Double occupancy, breakfast included – Tel: 264-2946 (Continued on page 24)

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Colwyn Harding removed from GPHC…

Doctors made no attempt to operate on him - CEO

(From page 23)

PROPERTY FOR SALE 3 Storey business property @ Middle Street G/Town opposite GPHC, 2 business property @ Whim Public Road Corentyne – Call:2315171, 619-7134 Two storey concrete house (26X45 ft), 4 bedrooms, 3 washrooms, grilled with electronic security @ Granville Park, Beterverwagting - Tel: 6726169 Property at New Road Vreed-En-Hoop - Contact: 617-9230, 269-1406 2 Storey wooden & concrete with 3 bedrooms situated in Canal #2 W.B.D– Tel: 6868173 3 Bedrooms, large kitchen, big balcony, land space (can hold 4 houses). @ East Canje, Berbice. GYD$15 M neg. Tel: 917-622-0934, 305964-5389, 333-6386. Parfaite Harmony, Corner Lot, house with business (Salon, Grocery, Boutique) $19M - Tel:695-2268 2 Storey concrete house fully furnished, 3 large bedroom, grilled, 2½ bath, concrete yard with large front - $26M – Tel:669-1028 One 25X50 2 storey building - $15M & One house lot $1.2M @ La Parfaite Harmony W.B.D - Contact: 622-1782, 687-7553 Fully A/C, suitable for business, address: Section ‘C’ Enterprise. For more info contact: 668-2230, 626-3901 One furnished house @ Parfaite Harmonie - $4.3M – Call: 601-3469, 600-1062

TO LET 1-4 bedroom upstairs & downstairs situated at 422 Diamond Housing Scheme, Fully grilled – Contact: 6943266, 600-1316 Furnished and unfurnished two bedrooms apartment & rooms in Eccles, for short or long term – Tel: 690-6494; 225-3234 DRESSMAKING Jean offers courses for dress making, curtains, floral arrangements, cake decoration - Lot 153 Barr Street -Tel: 618-1706, 670-2653

MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Be pampered by beautiful masseuses, new attendant Candy, four hands massages, drinks available – Tel: 657-5979 Happy Touch Day Spa: Come & Experienced heavens touch, visit us today! – 668-4554 Bright be the Road you are Walking, Light be the Load you are Carrying, Sweet be the Home you are Staying,Happy be the Day you are Foreseeing - Have a Pleasant Day

By Romila Boodram Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan is claiming that no doctor at the institution informed Colwyn Harding’s mother, Sharon, that one of his body parts had to be replaced. Harding was rushed to the institution on Monday to seek medical attention after section of his intestine collapsed into the colostomy bag he uses to defecate. His mother told some sections of the media that she removed her son from the hospital later that day and took him to a private doctor after doctors at the GPHC attempted to perform an operation without giving her the details. The mother related that she was only informed that her son had to have one of his body parts removed, but she objected. She claimed that “something” was suspicious. However, Khan, in an

interview with this newspaper yesterday, expressed dissatisfaction with the mother’s claims. He said that Mrs. Harding’s statement is not factual. “I am very upset that she would make those statements about the hard working people at this hospital,” GPHC’s CEO expressed. An official at the hospital who asked for his name to be withheld said that this could be a move by the Hardings to get the public’s attention. “They were in the spotlight for months, but now the news about Harding has diminished, so I am guessing this is their way of getting attention. My point is, since the last time they were here at GPHC, they made negative allegations, so why come again?” the official said. He continued, “Whenever I hear about Colwyn Harding, I think about Kim Kardashian (an

American television and social media personality). They are always doing something or the other to grab attention.” Harding is the individual who filed a lawsuit against the Guyana Police Force seeking $100M in compensation. He claimed that he was sodomised with a baton by a policeman who was stationed at the Timehri Police Station and beaten by another. The 23-year-old was hospitalised at the GPHC earlier this year and medical practitioners had diagnosed him with a strangulated inguinal scrotal hernia. An inguinal hernia is a bulge that occurs in the groin region. According to medical practitioners at GPHC, it occurs because of a weakening of the muscles in the lower abdomen and “not because of rape.”

Colwyn Harding A severe beating to the abdomen can cause hernia. On July 17, last, Harding appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry to face a violent robbery charge for allegedly mugging a woman, Cheryl Ann Hope, in front of a popular city store. According to the allegations, Harding made off $30,000 cash and three Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphones costing $360,000 from the woman in front of Ashmins on Hadfield Street, Georgetown. He was placed on $75,000 bail.

“Free big bus” system angers private operators The recent implementation of the “free big bus transportation system” by the Ministry of Public Works at the Stabroek Bus Park has angered some minibus drivers who operate in that district daily. While the move by the Public Works Ministry now threatens the livelihood of some hard working drivers who depend on the transportation system to sustain their families, the Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, said that the action was enforced due to minibus operators withdrawing their services, in an effort to force passengers to pay higher bus fares than the stipulated amounts. Benn noted that his Ministry will continue the free transportation exercise in an effort to force minibus operators to the bargaining table, and stop them from exploiting passengers. The big bus transportation service is also expected to reduce the crowds of passengers who are left stranded on the bus park in the afternoons, due to the lack of minibuses operating on the East Bank of Demerara, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Coast Demerara and East Coast Demerara routes. Some drivers recognised that the big bus transportation system was initiated by government due to recent strike action by the Route 44 buses (Georgetown/Mahaica) for higher fares. But the Routes 32 and 42 minibus drivers are displeased with the government’s deployment of the big buses, since they claim to have made no demands for higher fares and deny exploiting passengers. Michael Anthony, a bus driver operating on the Georgetown/Parika route for the past eight years, said, “Let them go to the Route 44 passengers and give them free drop, because is the 44 bus drivers start the strike and now all of us got to suffer.” Route 44 minibus drivers who went on strike said that the government refused to permit a $20 increase in their bus fares and instead introduced the free bus transportation system. The drivers said that government’s decision will cause them to lose profits since many passengers are eager to access the “free” transportation. Rohit Shiopersaud, a Route 44 driver who has been in the business for the past five years, said “the 44 bus drivers only wanted a $20 raise in the fare but out of spite, the government prefer to invest millions in taxpayers’ money to provide the free transportation.” Jonathan Daw, another driver operating on the Mahaica Bus Park, said that “we wanted a $20 raise in the bus fare because we have to make longer trips than the other buses and also consume more fuel. Now they deploy these big buses in response to our strike, which is really unreasonable and unfair.” Meanwhile, in a press release disseminated yesterday, the United Minibus Union said that they are in no way associated with any minibus strike on fare increases taken by non-members of the union. The Union noted that it is ready to meet with the authorities to discuss these and other matters affecting minibuses in Guyana.

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 25

U.S. pledges 3,000 troops to fight West Africa’s Ebola crisis (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will send 3,000 troops to West Africa to build treatment clinics and train health workers to try to halt the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, U.S. officials said yesterday, as the United States widens its response to the crisis. The U.S. plan, a dramatic increase from Washington’s initial response last week, won praise from aid workers and officials in the region. But health experts said it was still not enough to contain the epidemic, which is quickly growing and has caused local healthcare systems to buckle from the strain. U.S. officials said the focus of the military deployment would be Liberia, a nation founded by freed American slaves that is the hardest hit of the countries affected by the crisis. The worst Ebola outbreak since the disease was identified in 1976 has already killed nearly 2,500 people and is threatening to spread elsewhere in the continent. A senior official with the U.N. World Health Organization said the Ebola outbreak requires a much faster response to contain its spread to tens of thousands of cases. “We don’t know where the numbers are going on this,” WHO Assistant Director General Bruce Aylward told a news conference in Geneva, calling the crisis “unparalleled in modern times.” Obama was set to formally announce the U.S. plan later on Tuesday during a visit to the federal Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. His plan calls for sending the 3,000 troops, including engineers and medical personnel, to build 17

treatment centres with 100 beds each, train thousands of healthcare workers and establish a military control centre for coordination of the relief effort, U.S. officials told reporters. The White House said the service members will not be responsible for direct patient care. Obama’s announcement marks his second within a week of a new mission for the U.S. military, following last week’s speech outlining a broad escalation of the campaign against the Islamic State militant group in Iraq and Syria. ‘WELCOME NEWS’ Liberians hailed the word that U.S. troops were coming, recalling a previous military operation in 2003 that helped stabilise the country during a civil war. “This is welcome news. This is what we expected from the U.S. a long time ago,” Anthony Mulbah, a student at the University of Monrovia, said in the dilapidated oceanfront capital. “The U.S. remains a strong partner to Liberia.” In Liberia, a shortage of space in clinics for isolating victims means patients are being turned away, then infecting others. The initial U.S. response last week had focused on providing funding and supplies, drawing criticism from aid workers for not deploying manpower as in other disasters like earthquakes. White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters travelling with Obama on Air Force One to Atlanta that the United States anticipates that its troop commitment “will galvanise the international community” to act. “People around the world, knowing that the United States Department of Defence

is involved in this effort, can have some more confidence that the effort is well run, that it will be well executed and that they can contribute to the effort knowing that they’ll have the necessary resources to succeed,” Earnest said. Ebola spreads rapidly, causes fever and uncontrolled bleeding. The latest outbreak has killed more than half of its victims. Its impact has been greatest in Liberia and neighbouring Guinea and Sierra Leone. The virus has so far killed 2,461 people, half of the 4,985 people infected, and the death toll has doubled in the past month, WHO’s Aylward said. Aylward said it could be weeks or months before treatment centres can be built with enough beds to isolate those with the disease and stop its spread. U.N. officials issued stern warnings of the scale of the task ahead, saying the cost of the response had multiplied tenfold in a month to $1 billion. A previous forecast of 20,000 Ebola cases no longer seemed high, one said, as weak West African healthcare systems have been overwhelmed. The outbreak was first confirmed in the remote forests of southeastern Guinea in March, then spread across Sierra Leone and Liberia. A handful of deaths have also been recorded in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. The disease has crippled weak health systems, infecting hundreds of local staff in a region chronically short of doctors. The WHO has said that 500 to 600 more foreign experts and at least 10,000 more local health workers are needed. “It is not enough to provide protective clothing when you don’t have the people who will wear them,”

Thousands to be evacuated after ‘critical’ alert issued for Philippine volcano CNN) — Thousands of people are being evacuated from the area around an active volcano in the Philippines after the country’s seismology agency issued an alert saying a hazardous eruption could happen “within weeks.” Mount Mayon, which towers over the city of Legazpi in the central Philippines, has shown “a noticeable escalation of unrest,” the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a bulletin late Monday. Molten lava and volcanic gas are making the mountain’s crater glow red, it

said. The agency raised the alert level to “critical” for Mayon, which is famed for its near-perfect conical shape . Critical is the agency’s third highest alert level after eruption and imminent eruption. Authorities in the region of Albay responded yesterday by launching efforts to relocate more than 10,000 people from a 6kilometer radius around the volcano, the official Philippines News Agency reported. The seismology agency said 39 rockfalls, caused by breaches of a bulging lava

dome at the volcano’s summit, had been detected over the course of Monday. It also said low level volcanic earthquakes had been recorded. The raised alert level “means that Mayon is exhibiting relatively high unrest and that magma is at the crater and that hazardous eruption is possible within weeks,” the agency said. Previous deadly eruptions Situated on the island of Luzon, about 330 kilometers (205 miles) southeast of Manila, Mayon is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.

Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama said during a visit to Sierra Leone. The U.S. deployment revives memories of Liberia’s war years, when Monrovia residents piled bodies of the dead at the U.S. embassy to persuade Washington to send troops. In 2003, a U.S. mission helped African forces stabilise Liberia after 14 years of war, in which some 250,000 people are thought to have died. Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who wrote to Obama last week to plead for direct U.S. intervention, was due to address her country on Wednesday. Guinea and Sierra Leone have not yet commented on the planned U.S. deployment. ‘OUR FRIENDS’ “We know our friends in times of crisis. The U.S. has always been there for us,” a senior Liberian government official told Reuters, asking not to be further identified. The U.S. intervention comes as the pace of cash and emergency supplies dispatched to the region accelerates. Washington has sent

about 100 health officials and committed some $175 million in aid so far. Other nations, including Cuba, China, France and Britain; have pledged medical workers, health centres and other forms of support. Critics, including regional leaders, former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Peter Piot, one of the scientists who discovered Ebola, have said international efforts have so far fallen woefully short. “It is now up to other governments to equally scale up their support in Sierra Leone and Guinea,” Piot, now director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told Reuters. “These efforts should make a difference for those infected, and help to reduce transmission. However the big challenge is to stop transmission in the community, which requires profound knowledge of local beliefs and behaviours,” he added. Many neighbouring African countries have shut borders and cancelled flights to affected countries, making

the humanitarian response more difficult. A draft U.N. Security Council resolution on Ebola, obtained by Reuters, calls on U.N. member states, particularly in the region, to lift general travel and border restrictions.” The resolution could win approval later this week. In a speech to the United Nations, the president of medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which has some 2,000 staff members fighting the disease in the region, said other countries need to follow the U.S. lead. “We need you on the ground. The window of opportunity to contain this outbreak is closing,” Dr. Joanne Liu, said. “We need more countries to stand up, we need greater deployment, and we need it now. This robust response must be coordinated, organised and executed under clear chain of command.” Pic as health workers Caption ; Health workers spray bleach solution on a woman suspected of having contracted the Ebola virus in Monrovia, Liberia

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Ukraine ratifies EU deal, offers special status to rebels (Reuters) - Ukraine ratified a sweeping agreement with the European Union on Tuesday - an issue at the heart of the Russia-West crisis over its future - and sought to blunt the independence drive of Russian-backed separatists by offering them temporary and limited self-rule. But though Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko savoured a historic triumph with parliament’s seal of approval for the EU deal, his

peacemaking efforts drew derision from separatists and some mainstream politicians, while his military reported three more deaths of Ukrainian servicemen despite an 11-day ceasefire. “No nation has ever paid such a high price to become Europeans,” Poroshenko told parliament referring to the bloody conflict that has gripped Ukraine since his predecessor, Viktor Yanukovich, walked away from the EU pact last

November in favour of closer ties with Ukraine’s former Soviet master, Russia. After Yanukovich fled to Russia in February in the face of huge street protests, Moscow denounced a proWestern “coup” against him, annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula and subsequently backed armed pro-Russian separatists in eastern regions in their drive for independence from Kiev. The chain of events has provoked the worst crisis between Russia and the West since the Cold War. The United States and its Western allies imposed sanctions against Moscow over a conflict with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine in which more than 3,000 people have been killed. Just moments earlier, at a closed session of parliament, deputies voted in support of Poroshenko’s plan to grant “special status’ to the ‘people’s republics’ proclaimed by the separatists. Poroshenko elaborated the plan after reluctantly agreeing to a ceasefire on Sept. 5 following battlefield losses and heavy Ukrainian

casualties which Kiev said were caused by Russian troops entering the fight on behalf of the rebels. The law would grant selfrule to separatist-minded regions for a three-year period and allow them to “strengthen and deepen” relations with neighbouring Russian regions. It would allow the heavilyarmed rebels to set up their own police forces and hold their own local elections in December. A separate law also crucially offered freedom from prosecution to separatists who have been fighting government forces - though there would be no amnesty for those involved in the July 17 shooting down of the Malaysian airliner nor people involved in purely criminal acts. “These l a w s a r e a n attempts to create a chance for the gradual peaceful settlement of the crisis in the Donbass,” political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said. “It has to be understood that other variants for the

development of events are either freezing the conflict, or war in which Ukraine can lose the whole of the Donbass and possibly even more.” REBELS DENOUNCE But they quickly drew criticism from both sides. Rebel leader Andrei Purgin told Reuters in the separatist-held city of Donetsk: “The basic part of the document which forsees us politically staying on Ukrainian territory - that is, naturally, not acceptable.” “We will insist that any political unions with Ukraine are not possible now in principle,” Purgin said, renewing charges against the Ukrainian military of violating the Sept. 5 truce. No breakdown of the parliamentary vote was given after the closed-door session. Poroshenko risks falling foul of his supporters in the pro-Western establishment if he is perceived as laying the ground for a permanent breakaway state within Ukraine and under Russian protection, similar to those in other ex-Soviet states such as Moldova and Georgia. “I consider it absolutely

wrong to vote capitulation after all these losses. We need peace, and not a truce but not at any price. We consider these draft laws to be a complete capitulation,” said Oleh Tyahnibok, leader of the nationalist Svoboda (Freedom) party, before the session. “No-one gave the President the right to put the fate of the people of the Donbass (the industrial east) into the hands of terrorists. If this law comes into force it will only lead to an escalation of the conflict,” Andriy Senchenko, a deputy of the Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party, said before the closed session. Incidents of mortar shelling in and around Donetsk continued to put the ceasefire under pressure and claimed further lives. “The terrorists and Russian forces have stepped up thei r s h e l l i n g o f positions of the ‘antiterrorist operation’,” said military spokesman Andriy Ly s e n k o . T h r e e m o r e Ukrainian soldiers had been killed overnight, he told journalists.

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Venezuela airline crisis makes travelers ever more inventive CARACAS - (Reuters) Buses across jungle borders, boats through Caribbean waters and private flights from small airfields have become a new norm for departing Venezuela as a multi-billion dollar pay dispute turns the country into something of a ‘no-fly’ zone. Major international airlines have slashed seat availability by half since last year, pulling many routes entirely in a spat with Venezuela’s socialist government about the repatriation of $3.6 billion in ticket revenue. The dwindling supply has sent prices spiraling for available seats, and led to a surge of more inventive travel itineraries via circuitous routes and other means. Hiring a seven-seat private plane, such as a Learjet 55, costs upwards of $2,500 per hour, said private pilot Carlos da Silva. Used to flying super-wealthy clients, he is now receiving calls from groups of middle-class Venezuelans looking to share costs. “There’s been a surge in demand because people are desperate,” added another pilot Nicolas Veloz who

estimated demand was up at least 20 percent in recent months. Venezuelans unable to afford private planes or find a rare seat on a commercial flight are taking more laborious trips across land and sea. On a recent morning at Caracas’ tiny Rutas de America bus terminal, 39year-old Yane Gonzalez was about to take a four-day trip across the Andes via Colombia to the Peruvian capital Lima thousands of kilometers away. “Of course I’d rather fly!” said Gonzalez, who was giving up her work selling snacks at a kiosk in Caracas to begin a new life in Peru. “But we go to the airline and they have no seats.” The airline problem, the latest manifestation of multiple strains across the Venezuelan economy, derives from a government requirement that domestic ticket sales be in local currency. Some 24 airlines have built up the equivalent of $3.6 billion in bolivars but are unable to convert that money into hard currency,

according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This is due to delays in authorizations from the government which, for over a decade, has operated strict foreign exchange controls. “The country unfortunately is disconnecting from the world economy and runs the risk of deeper isolation,” said Jason Sinclair, an IATA spokesman. “It simply is not sustainable for the airlines to fly to a country where they cannot be paid.” Negotiations are underway and around a third of the airlines have reached agreements in principle but the terms are incomplete and “lack any form of guarantees”, Sinclair said. International airlines have cut seat availability in and out of Venezuela by 49 per cent on last year, IATA said. Major airlines including Air Canada and Alitalia earlier this year suspended all flights, citing safety concerns and difficulty in repatriating revenue. Alitalia began flying again earlier this month, though with a limited service.

Jamaica government to review e-cigarette ban KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Less than 24 hours after it announced an immediate ban on the importation of electronic cigarettes, Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson said he plans to meet with stakeholders amid suggestions that some concessions could be granted. An e-cigarette is a batterypowered vaporiser, which simulates tobacco smoking, by producing an aerosol that resembles smoke. On Monday, the Ministry of Health advised Jamaica Customs to immediately cease

clearance of electronic cigarettes already in the island and halt importation of the item. The decision was criticised by cigarette distributor Carreras, which said that the stance taken by the Ministry would impact thousands of Jamaicans and businesses. But Dr. Ferguson said the decision was made by a technical team and based on all the factors involved, it will be reviewed. “Persons must be given adequate time to deal with the present situation and (concerning) any question of

permit they should have adequate time and public information before it is done. “Therefore my decision is that after consultations with the Permanent S e c r e t a r y, m y C h i e f Medical Officer and my director (and) we will withdraw the position until further notice,” Dr. Ferguson said, adding he was also prepared to meet with the stakeholders to hear their concerns. “I will be giving the stakeholders time to deal with the present situation while we are engaged in conversation,” he said.

Nicolas Maduro

A plethora of others, including American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines, slashed most but not all flights earlier this year. European airlines including Lufthansa and Iberia have also cut routes. Caracas was American Airlines’ first destination in South America more than a quarter-century ago but the carrier cut almost 80 percent of its weekly flights to Venezuela in June. The airline said it is owed $791 million. It

still runs 10 weekly flights to Venezuela from Miami, though these can now only be paid for abroad in hard currency. A Miami to Caracas return on American Airlines a six-hour flight - for next month is listed at $2,000. A comparable flight from Miami to Bogota, in neighboring Colombia, is around $750. Though his ministers are in discussions with the airlines, President Nicolas Maduro has cast the problem as part of an “economic war”

against him by capitalist foes and has threatened airlines that pull out with permanent expulsion. “Whoever leaves Venezuela in the midst of this economic war doesn’t return ... because Venezuela must be respected,” said Maduro. He has kept the socialist policies and currency controls of his predecessor Hugo Chavez, who died of cancer last year, but he faces a plethora of problems from shortages of goods to high inflation and an economy that analysts say is in recession. Venezuela’s domestic carriers are also struggling because they find it hard to obtain dollars to import parts for maintenance. This has led to a severe shortage of flights, adding to angst for travelers. “There are aircraft just sitting on the tarmac (at public airports) because they don’t have parts,” pilot Veloz added. Some travelers are finding friends or companies with boats to take them to the nearby Caribbean islands such as Aruba, Curacao and Trinidad where onward flight availability to popular destinations like New York or Miami is much easier.

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‘Clinical’ Knights knock out Mumbai Real rampant, Liverpool...

A substandard batting performance from defending champions Mumbai Indians led to their elimination from the Champions League as Northern Knights won their third qualification game in a row. An all-round display from Knights handed Mumbai their second loss in three matches, a six-wicket defeat that ensured Knights and Lahore Lions qualified for the main tournament. All three teams were in the fray to advance to the next stage and

Mumbai had to win the match, by any margin, to qualify. But once they were put in to bat, their task became an uphill one when they were reduced to 46-5 by the Knights seamers in the 11th over. The lower order helped them recover, but the chase of 133 was made easy by the Knights openers who steered them to another convincing win. Knights were hardly bothered in the chase, despite losing four wickets, as their openers put on a domineering

stand of 83. Anton Devcich took charge initially and a calm Kane Williamson rotated the strike from the other end. Northern Knights 133 for 4 (Williamson 53, Devcich 39) beat Mumbai Indians 132 for 9 (Pollard 31, Styris 3-21, Southee 3-24) by six wickets. Scores from the other game: Lahore Lions 164 for 6 (Hafeez 67, Maharoof 3-28) beat Southern Express 109 (Mubarak 35, Cheema 3-15, Riaz 2-20) by 55 runs. (ESPNcricinfo)

Wednesday September 17, 2014 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): It isn't exactly all lightness and harmony at home today, Aries. There's tension in the air and it manifests in silly family arguments. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): This could be a particularly stressful day, Taurus. Your workload is heavier than ever, thanks to the increased responsibility you've taken on. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Your self-confidence may be a bit low and you could doubt your abilities right now, Gemini. Don't get depressed or disheartened. Your skills are excellent. Try to look at your situation objectively and pinpoint *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Today you may feel bored and frustrated with your life's direction, Cancer. You feel buried under responsibilities, with no time left to do what you really want to do. You have other interests to pursue but no time to pursue them. It's frustrating. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): You're less optimistic and energetic than usual, Leo. Your mind feels sluggish - your whole body does, in fact. You're either coming down with the flu or completely and thoroughly disheartened. This would be a good day to take some time off. Issues from the past may come back to haunt you. Perhaps you should address them once and for all. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You may be discouraged about money matters today, Virgo. Perhaps a raise you'd been hoping for didn't come through. Perhaps a professional project didn't work out as you expected. Now is the time to put your ingenuity to work and figure out a way to earn the money you need.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): If work is beginning to feel more like a burden than a joy, it may be time to rethink your job, Libra. Your personality is such that you need lots of room to stretch and grow. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 - NOV 21): You're especially in tune with the environment and the people around you today, Scorpio. Such sensitivity is new to you, and you aren't exactly sure what to do with the myriad messages that come into your head, seemingly out of nowhere. *************************** SAGITTARIUS(NOV22-DEC 21): You're drawn to public service, Sagittarius. This desire propels you to volunteer your services with a group of some kind. You may feel a bit awkward at first, but your natural leadership abilities will soon kick in. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Don't take everything at face value today, Capricorn. Information you receive might not be accurate. Someone could be repeating gossip or even creating it just to have something to talk about. Don't take part in the discussion.

*************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): You may be feeling a bit on edge today, Aquarius. Your self-confidence is shaky and you may feel in need of new challenges. The tedious tasks you have in front of you don't inspire your imagination or creativity. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): You and your mate may be experiencing some differences of opinion. It seems you each have definite ideas about some of life's fundamental values and they aren't completely in sync. Make an extra effort to communicate, Pisces.

From page 30 remaining. It was almost just like the old days at Anfield as Steven Gerrard scored an added-time winner to get Liverpool’s return to European competition off to a winning start. The Reds captain, so influential on European nights of the past, stroked home a very late spot-kick to give his team a 2-1 win over spirited Ludogorets. It usually takes something special to upstage Mario Balotelli, who scored the first goal for the club since his £16m summer transfer from AC Milan, but the Bulgarian minnows almost achieved it when substitute Dani Abalo rolled in a 90th-minute equaliser. However, when Javier Manquillo was brought down by goalkeeper Milan Borjan, only signed at the weekend because of suspension and injury to Ludogorets’ first two choices, Gerrard assumed the role for which he has become synonymous. Italian striker Ciro Immobile scored his first goal for Borussia Dortmund as the German side produced a dominant performance to outclass Arsenal 2-0 in Group D. Gabonese striker PierreEmerick Aubameyang added another early in the second half to help Dortmund to a fully deserved 2-0 win. Elsewhere in Group D, Galatasaray striker Burak Yilmaz netted a stoppage-time equaliser to deny Anderlecht a first away Champions League win for nine years in a 1-1 draw in Istanbul. Anderlecht - who have finished bottom in all seven

Defeat Lusignan... From page 33 over; Andre Gomes making 88 with 6 sixes and 6 fours. Bowling for Lusignan Gaganand Suknanand took 2 – 35, Narvan Singh 1 – 26 and Kumar Bishundyal 1 – 33. Andre Gomes was declared Man of the match. President of the East Coast Cricket Board, Bissoondyal Singh, at the presentation ceremony, congratulated both teams for reaching the final and for playing goodcompetitive cricket. He also thanked the sponsor Elizabeth Styles of Port Washington, New York and Miami for their continued support for the game throughout Guyana. The Announcement that the company will be renewing the sponsorship was greeted with loud applause from the players and spectators.

group stage campaigns since they reached the last 16 in 2000/01 - looked to be on course for a hard-earned victory after taking the lead early in the second half through Dennis Praet. Galatasaray - now under the guidance of former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli - grew stronger during the closing stages and were eventually rewarded when Yilmaz crashed home following a powerful run by Aurelien Chedjou to earn the hosts a share of the points. Olympiacos got their campaign off to a winning start as they recorded a 3-2 victory over last season’s finalists Atletico Madrid in the Group A clash at Karaiskakis Stadium. Arthur Masuaku opened the scoring for the hosts and Ibrahim Afellay doubled their lead after 31 minutes before Mario Mandzukic pulled one back for Madrid before half-time. Konstantinos Mitroglou made it 3-1 midway through the second half before Antoine Griezmann struck right at the end for Diego Simeone’s side. Juventus forward Carlos Tevez ended his Champions League goal drought with both goals in the 2-0 defeat of Malmo. The Italian champions had struggled to make an impact until Tevez ended a 14-match wait for a Champions League goal with his eye-catching

strike just before the hour mark in this Group A opener. Tevez then made sure of the victory in the 89th minute, curling home a fantastic freekick from just outside the penalty area. Zenit St Petersburg made the ideal start as two first-half goals set them on their way to a comfortable victory at 10-man Benfica. Hulk opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute and the home side’s hopes of getting back into the contest appeared remote when goalkeeper Artur was dismissed for a professional foul. Former Benfica midfielder Axel Witsel then doubled Zenit’s lead midway through the half and although the Russian side could not add further misery to their opponents, they ensured they began Group C with an important away victory. Joao Moutinho’s secondhalf goal ensured Monaco’s return to the Champions League after a ten-year absence ended in victory against Bayer Leverkusen at the Stade Louis II. Monaco, back in the group stages for the first time since the 2004/ 05 season, were second best for much of the contest but Moutinho’s 61st-minute goal settled the match after Leverkusen had wasted a number of chances to take the lead. (fifa.com)

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Letters to the Sports Editor My passion, the game I have FRAUD IN EAST COAST CRICKET? fought long and hard for its betterment in my country ‘Football’ DEAR EDITOR, I have devoted 17 years (1996-2013) of my football career to the National Programme and I have seen it all. Today, it’s clear to see that the current leadership of the GFF doesn’t have a clue about the way forward for Guyana’s football. It is extremely saddening that things we as players, Kayode Mc Kinnon, Howard Lowe, Richard Reynolds, Gregory Richardson, Collie Hercules, Christopher Nurse, and the numerous other players that I have not mentioned have fought for over the years have been disregarded and thrown out the window. No matter what sport you play, the principles that make a successful team are universal. It’s a strong foundation, development and preparation. The current leadership of the GFF lacks the philosophical view of these three components; to drive the organisation forward and transcend expectations. The youths are the future of tomorrow, however how can we comprise a National

Team in two weeks with 99% youth (not coming from any National Development Programme) and expect success? However, I commend each one of these players for their efforts under the circumstances. “But GFF let us be real” The key part of a successful National Programme is building a strong foundation and it is the area that the GFF has pushed aside. The future of the National Programme lies within our youths and one can only expect long term success by developing strength in its foundation. It is important in the transitioning phase to have a good blend of players to allow the experienced players to pass on their knowledge before their exit out of the National Programme. “It’s clear the GFF doesn’t share that view.” I have learnt in life when someone doesn’t know something you cannot get annoyed with them. However, I cannot stand by and say nothing. We need to acquire the services of football oriented personnel to run the

affairs of football in Guyana. Personnel that will build a strong foundation, and put proper structures in place for continued development and success of football. For too many years football has been played in the office and not on the field. The game of football is a doing thing and not a talking thing. In this world there are three types of people (1) People that make things happen (2) People that don’t make things happen (3) People that destroy things when things happen. The GFF had an opportunity to maximize on the hype from the Golden Jaguars’ quest for qualification in the recently concluded 2014 World Cup. However, they let it disintegrate, so it is clear to me that the GFF is one of the people that destroy things when things happen. A drastic change is needed in football in my beloved country of Guyana one which I hope comes soon for the benefit of the sport I love. Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard

DEAR EDITOR, Recently I had cause to question the legitimacy of the East Coast Cricket Board and their Executive Committee. It seems as though someone was paying rapt attention as suddenly we hear about ECCB Elections and the formation of an East Coast Cricket Committee. The publicity craving former President of the ECCB, Mr. B. Singh, suddenly announced that the East Coast Cricket Board had elections on the 10th August 2014, something no one knew about and apparently remains a mystery as most of the clubs I spoke to never received notices for the meeting. This individual chose this statement to the public at an unrelated event rather than

make the elections a public spectacle as he usually did in the past. In fact, Mr. Singh had a “selection” rather than an election as he never sent out or published a notice to the member clubs on the East Coast and used under aged players attending a summer camp to hold so called “elections”.The truth remains that the East Coast Cricket Board has dissolved as no elections were held since 2009. Also, it is impossible for Mr. Bissoondyal Singh to even run for the presidency as the ECCB Constitution prohibits anyone to be in office for more than five years. It is fraud to pronounce that the ECCB had elections when 90% of the clubs on the East Coast have no knowledge of the meeting.

The individual involved continues to display his hypocritical tendencies. However, on the positive side, I understand that something good has resulted from my letter as some responsible members on the East Coast have banded together and formed an “East Coast Cricket Committee” which has received the blessings of the Demerara Cricket Board. This Committee has been mandated to keep cricket playing on the East Coast all the way up to Abary and to represent their clubs and players on the DCB, in the interim. Way to go East Coast and DCB!!! Yours Sincerely, Anand Dyal Cricket Lover

Real rampant, Liverpool leave it late

Blind cricketers seek help from GCB and Government Three Guyanese Cricketers have been selected on the West Indies Blind Cricket team for the next Blind Cricket World Cup in South Africa later this year and according to Assistant Manager Guyanese Theresa Pemberton, the Guyana Blind Cricket Association has written to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Guyana Government for assistance. Guyanese Anthony Robinson, Kevin Douglas

and Leroy Phillips have been selected to participate in the fourth Blind Cricket World Cup in Cape Town, South Africa from November 25th to 9th December 2014. “The Guyana Blind Cricket Association has written the Guyana Cricket Board for bats, gloves and gear bags. We also asked the Government to assist us with funding to make it possible for the Guyana contingent to be able to participate. We are still

awaiting word from both parties” Pemberton disclosed. There will be a Camp in Barbados from the November 16 before the team wings out to South Africa. There will also be the World Blind Cricket Council Meeting on November 23 and 24 in South Africa and Pemberton (Guyana) and Barbadian Carison Henry are the West Indies delegates attending that meeting.

Cristiano Ronaldo takes an early run at tow Basle defenders as Real Madrid started the stronger side Real Madrid opened the defence of their UEFA Champions League title with a 5-1 mauling of Basle in Group B at the Santiago Bernabeu. Nearly four months on from securing La

Decima in Lisbon, the record winners showed glimpses of their brilliant best and, after an own-goal from Marek Suchy got the ball rolling, Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and James Rodrguez

all found the target in seven first-half minutes. Derlis Gonzalez grabbed one back for Basle but Karim Benzema completed the scoring with ten minutes (Continued on page 29)

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New guidelines for women’s football development programmes - FIFA doubles funding FIFA is set to double its development funding for women’s football for the next four-year cycle and has this month released the FIFA Wo m e n ’s F o o t b a l l Development Programmes and Guidelines 2015-2018 as part of the preparations. The guidelines provide all 209 member associations (MAs) with the necessary information to apply for and b e n e f i t f r o m F I FA’s women’s football development programmes for 2015-2018. They have been developed based on feedback from member associations and confederations as well as players, coaches, referees and officials who participated in the 20112014 programmes. In total, there are nine

dif ferent types of programmes for MAs to choose from, focusing on four main areas of football development – competitions, management, education and promotion. This includes the Live Your Goals campaign launched in 2011 to inspire more young girls and women to get involved in football. The new guidelines also outline FIFA’s ten key development principles for women’s football, which were defined by the FIFA Task Force for Women’s Football and approved by the 64th FIFA Congress on 11 June 2014. Additionally, MAs have another useful resource in the form of the new brochure Women’s Football: Progression, Rise and Challenges published recently on FIFA.com.

Future football stars in the making.

MAs can submit applications to the FIFA Development Office in their respective region on a yearly basis by mid-October. A standard budget request and financial report form

h a v e b e e n c reated to ensure financial transparency – an i m p o r t a n t a s p e c t f or FIFA-funded programmes in line with the General R e g u l a t i o n s f o r F I FA

Development Programmes that came into force in July 2013. FIFA expects and helps its member associations and the confederations to support a n d d e v e l o p w o m e n ’s

football. A lot of progress has been made but there is much more work that can be done by the global football community to harness its true potential for growth. (FIFA.com)

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Maturana backs Trinidad CCL experience instructive for Alpha United & Tobago resurgence Panama City, Panama – Former Trinidad & Tobago Head Coach Francisco Maturana believes the Soca Warriors have the tools to return to the World Cup and in the top flight of CONCACAF sides. From 20082009, the Colombian icon guided the Caribbean power to 18 wins in 32 games. Speaking to CONCACAF.com at the FIFA/CONCACAF/CONMEB OL Conference for National Coaches and Technical Directors in Panama, Maturana recalled fondly his time with T&T and remains optimistic that it will improve after missing out on a second straight World Cup. “I would be glad to see Trinidad & Tobago start doing well in the future,” Maturana said. ”I got to know the players and they are good guys, but they have to work very hard. You see how good other CONCACAF teams are

Francisco Maturana playing, like Mexico, United States and Costa Rica. It is very competitive, so they have to work very hard.” Maturana retired from coaching in 2012, his last coaching engagement was with perennial Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Nassr. He now sits on the FIFA Football Committee, tasked with inter-

institutional relations between the football’s governing body, confederations, clubs, leagues and member associations. Maturana urged CONCACAF members in attendance to review thoroughly the information presented at the symposium and implement measures to lift their football. “All the aspects discussed here are quite important,” expressed Maturana. “The CONCACAF teams have to decide which pieces discussed can be useful.” I n a n outstanding coaching career, Maturana led national teams of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru and Trinidad & Tobago national, as well as top-flight European clubs like Atletico Madrid. In 1989, he managed C o l o m b i a ’s A t l e t i c o Nacional to the Copa Libertadores title. (CONCACAF.com)

Alpha United (red jersey) in CONCACAF Champions League action against Honduras’ Olimpia on August 5, 2014. (Photo: Adrian Narine) With just a single game remaining before his team wrap up their 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League sojourn, Alpha United head coach Wayne Dover believes that the experience offered many lessons for the future. Thanks to three straight Group 5 defeats, Alpha have already been eliminated from the competition. The

Hammer lost both games against Olimpia (1-0 home, 6-0 away) and fell to the visiting Portland Timbers (41). It still must make the long trip to Portland for a September 23 fixture. The results have taken their toll on his players, Dover admitted. “We have lost 3 of the 4 games to date and it has its effect on the team in terms of their confidence,” said Dover. “However, the coaching staff is working diligently with the players to rebuild that confidence going into the final game away on the 23rd of this month.” The successful local coach is of the view that competing at the CONCACAF level is challenging for non-pro

teams. “ T h e r e ’s a s e r i o u s disadvantage,” he noted. “The pro teams are better o rg an ized , h av e w ellstructured leagues, good infrastructure to train and play games, much fitter and tactically disciplined players.” Dover, though, has identified a number of positives. “I’ve learnt how easily you could be dismantled if you are not organized in your games,” he commented. “I’ve learnt how important it is to take your chances when you create them. I’ve learnt that there’s no room for mistakes at this level. You must be disciplined tactically for more than 90 minutes at this level.” (CONCACAF.com)

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Wednesday September 17, 2014

DCB congratulates Johnson The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) has extended congratulations to Leon Johnson, one of its most disciplined and hardworking cricketers, on his debut to Test cricket in the West Indies home series against Bangladesh. In a release the DCB notes, “Of significance also is the fact that Leon’s debut coincides with the special 500th test milestone of the WICB and will always be a memorable one for us all. Johnson became the 48th Test cricketer out of Guyana and has made a promising start to his career with two well constructed innings in his first match, 66 and 41 respectively. We are overjoyed by his performance and sincerely wish him many more such innings and better ones in the future.” The release continued, “His selection doesn’t come as a surprise to us. After

Leon Johnson making his first-class debut nine years ago, Johnson has emerged to be the most dependable batsman in the longer version of the game for Guyana. His cricket has improved immensely over the last few years and he is ripe for cricket at the West Indies level. We at the DCB are confident that he would be a

vital player on the team in the years to come as he is a solid middle order batsman but also possesses the right temperament, technique, and skill to bat anywhere in the batting lineup.” “For many Guyanese the most memorable series with Johnson for Guyana would be the Regional 4-Day last year where he stood out as the only Guyanese batsman to score heavily and consistently. After missing the first three games due to a knee injury, he came back and scored 110 against Leeward Islands, and finished as Guyana leading run scorer with 295 runs averaging 59.00. Leon was also awarded the GCB Male Cricketer of the year in 2013. Johnson is a young, talented and smart player. We wish him a successful future as a cricketer and leader along with his other endeavours,” the DCB release concluded.

Ogle are Elizabeth Styles/ECCB 1st Div champion

Defeat Lusignan in thriller Ogle Sports Club are the East Coast Cricket Board Elizabeth Styles 1st Division champion after beating Lusignan in a thriller. Lusignan who won the toss and elected to bat in bright sunshine with an enormous crowd watching, started well with Brian Sattaur and Steve Ramdass opening the batting, reaching 51 without loss when Sattaur was brilliantly run out by Adhoya Joseph from fine leg for 26 (3 X 4s). Somnauth Bharrat joined Ramdass and batted beautifully before he was caught by Chris Pattadin off the bowling of Andre Gomes for 54, blasting 5 sixes and 1 f o u r. Vi s h n u R a m j e e t opened his account with a massive six and began rotating the strike. Ramdass, who played a supporting roll, was eventually out caught for 36 (2 X 4s and 1 X 6). Leon Morgan’s arrival at the crease saw some explosive batting from Ramjeet who belted 6 sixes and 2 fours and was caught behind for a well played 64. Morgan fell shortly after for 26 (2 X 6s). Kumar Bishundyal and Shazim Ali came together, Bishundyal contributed only 2. Narvan Singh and Ali batted out the remaining overs ending with a total of 237 for 6. Bowling for Ogle Sports Club - Anand Persaud

Andre Gomes collecting his man-of-the-match trophy from ECCB Vice-President Mr. Raymond Barton. 3 – 48, Sahadeo Ramkellawan 1-35 and Andre Gomes 1 – 25 were the leading bowlers. Chris Pattadin and Andre Gomes started positively for Ogle as the large and vocal crowd urged them on. Reaching 37 -0 in the 6th over then 50 – 0 in the 11th over the two batted stylishly, stroking the ball to all parts of the field. Ogle reach 100 – 0 in the 19th over with Pattadin reaching a half century. Gomes suffered a minor injury and retired hurt at 41. Azimul Haniff then joined Pattadin. Pattadin shortly after was out caught for 54 (3 X 6s, 1 X 4). Brian

Sookram the next batsman, immediately blasted three sixes making 22 in 10 balls. Gomes resumed his innings and batted steadily as the game evolved into a thriller with 40 required from 32 balls. Haniff was bowled for 45 (2 X 6s, 1 X 4), Khemraj Dindyal the new batsmen made 9. Tulsiram Balkarran came and was run out for nought. Anand Persaud contributed 5. Gomes was joined by Devindra Ramtahal. Requiring 9 from 12 balls, Gomes was dropped by Morgan at long on. Ogle eventually reached 238 – 6 in the 40th (Continued on page 29)

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Hill Foot Vipers, Kairuni Rising Stars advance in Linden Softball C/ship

All Stars Conquerors Hill Foot Vipers and Kairuni Rising Stars recorded wins over Calcuni Club and Hill Foot Strikers when play in the Linden Softball Inter Community Championship continued last Sunday at the Bayroc Community Centre. Vipers lost the toss, batted against Calcuni and amassed 222-7 in 12 overs. Avinash Mohabir led with 89 runs and Sham Lall, 59. Damion Campbell bagged 342 in 3 overs. In reply Calcuni were all out for 68 runs in the allotted 12 overs. Ivor Johnson top scored with 2 4 . Av i n a s h M o h a b i r grabbed 4-7 in 2 overs and Lamtie Hinds 4-24 in 3 overs. In the second game Kairuni Rising Stars won by 3 wickets. Hill Foot Strikers batted first after losing the toss and reached 103-7 in 12 overs. Rajin Mohabir made 37 while Clint Patior grabbed

4-20 in 3 overs. Rising Stars replied with 104-7 off 11 overs, Arnold Abrams and Marly Bharrat scored 16 and 14 runs respectively. Safraz Samaroo bagged 2-19 in 3 overs and Raj Dyal 2-30 in 3 overs. In the lone female game, All Star Conquerors showed supremacy by hammering Swan Sports Club by 10 wickets. Swan Sports Club were only able to score 58-7 in the allotted 12 overs, Jessica Adrian 21 and Shadana Adrian 15 were the top scorers. Allison Duncan had 2-14 and Malinda Jeffers 216 both in 3 overs. All Stars Conquerors eased to 69 without losing a wicket. Rushelle McCurdy’s 37 and Charlene Isaacs’ 20 doing the job. All Stars will meet Wairuni in the finals on October 5, 2014. The next semifinal will be played on

Sunday at the same venue. Bad Boys, the only male team from Linden left in the competition, will be looking for victory over Kairuni Rising Star. The event has been sponsored by Banks DIH, Regal Stationery and Builders Lumber Yard. Meanwhile, the Bayroc Sports Club T20 Hard Ball competition commenced on Sunday last with Central Star taking on Bayroc who reached 213-8. Devon Belle hit 43 and Leon Moseley 42; Devon Belle bagged 5-14 and Delon Williams 4-15 for Central Star who were sent packing for 58. D. France made 25; A. Jones was the main wrecker with 3-25. The competition continues this Sunday with two matches; Bayroc Sports Club taking on Christianburg Club and Uprising opposing Retrieve Warriors. (Jacquey Bourne)

Powerlifting Seniors set for November 9

Guyana to host 2015 Caribbean C/ships The cream de la cream of strong men and women in Guyana will collide on Sunday November 9 when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) hosts their senior championships at a venue to be announced shortly. The decision was made when the GAPF executive recently met. Athletes are asked to take note that

registration for this event will close on November 2; no late registration would be accepted. Also, participation at seniors is a prerequisite for selection to national teams. Athletes who for some reason are unable to compete must present a medical certificate and must be proven fit to compete at any meet local or international after missing

senior nationals by a physician. Apart from Guyana hosting the 2015 Caribbean championships, the GAPF has informed that athletes can look forward to the South American Championships slated for Brazil and the C o m m o n w e a l t h P o w e r l i f t i n g Championships set in December in Canada.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 17, 2014

2nd Dhaka Bank Test

Shiv’s 30th ton, Benn’s 5-Wkt haul spur Windies to 2-nil series win By Sean Devers in St Lucia in Association with Mike’s Pharmacy, Raj Singh Insurance, Universal Sports Store, Carib Beer & Rex Resorts St. Lucia Shivnarine Chanderpaul feasts on Bangladesh’s bowling and yesterday at the Beausejour Stadium in St. Lucia, the 40-year-old lefthander stroked a solid unbeaten 101 on the fourth day of the second Test and together with left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn’s sixth five-wicket haul, helped the West Indies to a comprehensive 296-run victory with over a day to spare. Chanderpaul, in his 158th Test, became the 10th batsman to score 30 Test centuries, he shared in an unfinished 166-run partnership with Jermaine Blackwood (66*) as West Indies took their score 269-4 before they declared when Chanderpaul reached his ton, leaving Bangladesh 489 for an improbable win. In the end Bangladesh were bowled out for 192 despite an accomplished 64 from Tamin Iqbal, 56 from Mominul and a cameo 39 from Shamsur. The 33 yearold Benn bagged 5-72 and Jerome Taylor 3-39. Chanderpaul, the manof-the-match, now has 683 runs in his last seven innings against Bangladesh, who only managed to dismiss him once (when he was ill and batted at number X1) during that period while his undefeated innings yesterday was a world record 48th for the man from the

Kraigg BraithwaiteMan-of-the-series (WICB Media Photo/Randy Brooks)

Suleman Benn village of Unity. Resuming on 208-4 in bright sunshine, Chanderpaul and Blackwood approached the situation yesterday in positive fashion with Chanderpaul taking his overnight 63 to 101 in 47 minutes while 22-year-old Blackwood reached 66, (his second Test fifty) after starting the day on 43. Chanderpaul, with an angled face hit Shafiul for the first boundary of the day to third man and paddle swept Mahmudullah to fine leg for four. Blackwood chipped into Shafiul and hammered the pacer through cover for four while Chanderpaul, cut a short lifting delivery from Shafiul to the point boundary to move in the 80’s. Blackwood then pulled Mahmudullah for four much

to the delight of the noisy crowd of mostly school children in the ground as both batsmen dispatched the bad balls with disdain on a track which continued to get better as the game progressed. When Chanderpaul turned Mahmudullah for a couple to square leg he had reached his 30 Test ton. Chanderpaul, who has been playing at this level since he made his debut against England on his home ground Bourda in 1994, leaped in joy and kissed the pitch to celebrate yet another landmark as he moved to within 368 runs of Brian Lara’s West Indies record of 11, 953 Test runs. Chanderpaul, who passed Sir Donald B r a d m a n ’s 2 9 t o n s yesterday, joined Jacques Kallis as the only second batsman to remain undefeated throughout a Test

series having played a minimum of three innings and scored 200-plus runs. Kallis did so against Zimbabwe in 2001. By Lunch, Bangladesh were 55-2 with Shamsur, who counter attacked the West Indies pacers in a cameo 39 (4x4) and two hooked sixes off consecutive balls from Taylor, being taken on the deep mid wicket boundary as he attempted another six when Taylor bowled short to leave Bangladesh on 47-1. Benn got one to bounce and turn to find the edge of Anamul’s bat for Ramdin to take his sixth catch in the match before the righthander had scored to leave the tourists on 48-2 and in danger of losing with a day to spare. However, after the interval, resolute batting by Tamin and Mominul held up the West Indies as they could not dislodge the pair in the entire post Lunch session as they put together 61 carefully constructed runs and by Tea Bangladesh were battling for survival with Tamin on 43 and Mominul on 31. The Bangladesh resistance was as frustrating as it was becoming all too familiar for the West Indies and as over after over proved unsuccessful, the body language of the players showed how they felt. Pacers Kemar Roach, Taylor and Shannon Gabriel

Jermaine Blackwood

found the flat track hard work while Benn bowled too flat and Leon Johnson was used as a part time offspinner as the confidence of the batsmen increased the longer they batted with Tamin, who played an array of delightful shots, reaching his 16th fifty. Mominul soon got to his fourth fifty and the partnership progressed to 110 before Tamin, who has four tons to his name, lost his concentration and skied Benn to short mid wicket after facing 181 balls and batting for 226 minutes in his 64, the stand was finally broken an hour after Tea at 159-3. Mahmudullah was trapped LBW to Gabriel for a duck before Mominul hit a full toss from Benn to Gabriel at short mid wicket, two wickets falling at 160. Nasir (2) played back to a quicker ball from Benn and was LBW as Bangladesh wobbled to 167-6. Skipper Mushfiqur Rahim has been his team’s rock in this series with scores of 48 not out and 116 in St Vincent and yesterday he was Bangladesh’s last hope of taking the contest into the final day today. Taijul once again showed no intention of getting behind Gabriel and was in all sorts of trouble as he fended at some lifting deliveries from the Trinidadian. But it

caught and bowled to claim his sixth five-wicket haul and second in two matches to leave the score on 173-7. But this West Indies team lacks the ‘killer instinct’ of past teams and Darren Bravo soon put down his second catch to let off Rahim on six at 183-7 as Bangladesh frustrated the Caribbean team. Rahim stuck around for over an hour for his 11 before he had his middle stump rocked by Taylor who collected his 100th Test scalp when he trapped Rubiul in front for a duck in the same over. Roach then scattered Rubiul’s stumps to wrap-up the series 2-nil in the final over of the day. Kraigg Braithwaite was named man-of-the-series while Chanderpaul said winning the Test match was the most important thing. “That was our aim from the beginning. We just tried to get as much as we could in the first innings, and then see where we could go,” he added. When asked about not being dismissed in this series the veteran left-hander said “Can’t think about getting out… need to think about batting the next day and hopefully I can maintain my unbeaten run for as long as possible” “Let’s see how far I can go” Chanderpaul responded when asked about his age and how longer will he play.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday September 17, 2014

Recent encouraging performances source of confidence - Persaud

The Group 4 racer Danny Persaud (left) seen supervising preparations of his Mazda Miata at the team’s garage recently. Asked to give the reason for his success this season which has seen him upstage rivals whose machines possess far more power than his Mazda Miata, local racer Danny Persaud summed it up with one word ‘reliability’. Persaud, who lies second in the points standing in the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship behind countryman Krisitan Jeffrey, sat down with Kaieteur Sport on Monday to talk about his preparations for the upcoming Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club September 28 Meet scheduled for the South Dakota Circuit. The local speedster, who campaigns in the Group 4 category, recently produced a stunning performance at Wallerfield in Trinidad and Tobago, during the second leg of the CMRC, returning two first places and a second from as many starts to be crowned champion driver of the day. Speaking with this newspaper, Persaud, who is yet to receive his car following the team’s return from the T&T sojourn, said

he was among the few drivers not to be affected by the bumpy nature of the track that saw quite a few drivers being forced to retire through mechanical issues. Commenting on his chances at the upcoming Meet, Persaud informed that he will be using it as a warm up as well as to test the reliability of the machine with all efforts pointing to the third leg of the CMRC slated for November right here in Guyana as the real examination. “The car has been performing well, we have been able to get it to remain reliable throughout the season and while we may be at a disadvantage In terms of horsepower, our reliability has been the real key for us and we hope to continue to use it to our advantage for the remainder of the season,” Persaud said. Persaud, who is usually reserved in his comments, said his renewed confidence is as a result of his encouraging performances at both legs of the Series so far and racing on home turf in front of family, friends and supporters will

definitely provide even more impetus for him to exceed even his own expectations. Asked to comment on the current status of the sport on the local calendar, Persaud said it has been quite a while now that motor racing has begun challenging the two more established disciplines such as cricket and football and was confident that November the attendance and overseas arrivals will be unmatched when placed against the fortunes of the other sports locally. He extended thanks to Banks DIH, who he referred to as a strong supporter of his exploits and Buy Me Auto Sales, two entities that has stood behind him for a very long time. Meanwhile, Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey leads the CMRA individual points standing with 85 points and he is followed by Danny Persaud who is 11 adrift, while another Guyanese Paul Vieira has 43. In the Country standings, T&T leads on 314 followed by Barbados with 300, Guyana in third on 297 and Jamaica in the cellar on 151.

GDA ‘A’ Class Tourney Steve Bacchus eyes top honours after carting off ‘B’ Class championships Steve Bacchus amassed 23 points and carted off championship honours in the ‘B’ Class category when the Guyana Draughts Association (GDA) staged their Annual Draughts Championships at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue, last Sunday, 7th September. Tyron David and Wilson amassed a similar amount of points but the former player clinched the second place slot after benefitting from the tie break system with Wilson closing off the podium places. Bacchus will attempt to replicate this feat when the players return to contest the ‘A’

Class, hundred squares category this Sunday, September 21. This will not be as simple as it sounds since he will have to get past strong players, the likes of national champion, Jairam, Khemraj Pooranmall, Mark Braithwaite and Michael Francis, all class players. Registration for this weekend’s tournament begins at 09:30hrs while the first draught would be moved half an hour later. Members are urged to arrive at the venue by the stipulated time as registration closes at 11:00hrs and late entries will not be accepted.

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Diamond Jubilee 1939 – 2014

BCB office renamed after Leslie Amsterdam

Michael Amsterdam, Mortimer George, Oscar Ramjeet and Malcolm Peters formalise the renaming of the BCB office in memory of the late Leslie Amsterdam. The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has renamed its Dr. Cheddi Jagan Street, New Amsterdam Office “The Leslie Amsterdam Cricket Office” as the Board’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration continues. The Leslie Amsterdam Cricket Office is a permanent tribute to the former Berbice and Guyana opening batsman who later served Berbice cricket for over 30 years as an outstanding administrator. It was noted by Chairman of the BCB Special Events and Diamond Jubilee Committees, Hilbert Foster, that the late Leslie Amsterdam who was born in 1934 was perhaps the greatest administrator to have been involved in Berbice and had served the game beyond the call of duty. Amsterdam was credited for keeping the BCB on course during the mid 1980’s when the majority of experienced administrators migrated. He served as Vice President in 1968/1969, President in

1969, 1st Vice President from 1970 to 1986 and again as President from 1987 until his death in 1999. Amsterdam was Vice President of the Guyana Cricket Board from 1987 to 1999, national selector 1969 to 1998 and was the West Indies Cricket Manager versus India in 1983. Foster deemed Amsterdam as a role model administrator and called on current administrators in Berbice to follow his example of honesty, dedication and passion for the game. BCB President Keith Foster and First Vice President Anil Beharry both hailed the role of Amsterdam in their careers as Administrators as it was Amsterdam who asked them to serve. The elder Foster described Amsterdam as a visionary who was full of ideas and a leader who was open to the criticism and constructive ideas. Beharry stated that the late President was his mentor and was his

rock during the early tenure as Board Treasurer. Former BCB President and GCB Vice President Malcolm Peters stated that the County of Berbice and its players would always be indebted to the outstanding contribution of Amsterdam. Peters, who served under Amsterdam in several roles stated that the establishment of a permanent BCB office was one of his achievements along with main emphasis on the all round development of both players and administrators. Former BCB Secretary Mortimer George who has written four books on Berbice cricket stated that Amsterdam was a staunch advocate for Berbice and used his contacts on the Guyana Cricket Board to obtain resources for the development of the game. Former BCB Secretary Oscar Ramjeet and eldest son of Amsterdam Mr. Micheal Amsterdam officially launched the Leslie Amsterdam Cricket Office.

Stag Beer / EDFA Senior League – Rd 2

Four teams earn a point each Second round action in the Stag Beer sponsored East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) Senior League got off to an even start on Sunday last at the Victoria ground with both matches ending in 1-1 draws. Contesting the feature game, top of the table Victoria Kings were held by BV Triumph United. The home team took the lead in the 36th minute when veteran Aubrey Gibson rocked the nets. The home side was hardly able to enjoy the advantage as another seasoned

campaigner, Delroy Deen responded in like manner for BV four minutes later. The opening game also produced a similar score line, bottom of the table Sparta United battling back against Golden Stars who took the lead 16 minutes on through Randy Stoby. Theon Carr secured an even share of the points for Sparta when he found the back of the nets in the 60th minute. Three matches are slated for this weekend. On Saturday, Sparta will be in action again, this time against Buxton Stars from

16:00hrs at the Buxton ground. A double header is slated for Sunday back at Victoria, Buxton United will face Mahaica from 16:00hrs with the Kings taking on Ann’s Grove in the main attraction.

t r o Sp 2nd Dhaka Bank Test

Shiv’s 30th ton, Benn’s 5-Wkt haul spur Windies to 2-nil series win P.34

Shivnarine Chanderpaul attains his Century. (WICB Media Photo,Randy Brooks)

Shiv Chanderpaul's kisses the pitch on reaching 100. (WICB Media Photo,Randy Brooks)

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