Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
Fly Jamaica hopes for positive word on nonstop GT/NY flights after 60-90-day deadline Fly Jamaica (FJ) officials are keeping their fingers crossed that after the stipulated 60-90 day time period has elapsed, there would be a positive outcome of the new airline’s permission to travel non-stop from Guyana to United States. It was mentioned during a press conference with airline executives yesterday that the request is under consideration and should take no more than three months for a response. The meeting which was held at FJ’s local base, Wings Aviation, at the Ogle Airport, saw airline Director Roxanne Reece expressing the “unfortunate” situation befalling the airline when it was grouped with Caribbean Airlines as receiving subsidies from its government. Reece told the media that FJ had applied to fly the direct Georgetown/New York route. Two days later, Caribbean Airlines (CAL) also applied to fly the route. She said that the airlines were then grouped as having the backings of their government. Reece clarified however that FJ is a private airline with no financial ties to any government. She said that FJ is optimistic about the outcome since the whole purpose for requesting to travel the route is to ease the woes that the flying Guyanese public is facing. THE FJ EXPERIENCE In the meantime, the executives were enthusiastic about what they say is the Fly Jamaica experience; selling tourism in a family atmosphere. Board member and FJ partner Christine Steele said that some 25 flight attendants have been in training for more than a week now and are being groomed for excellent customer care. She said that passengers can expect a family
atmosphere with the attendants being of various ethnic backgrounds and bringing their own uniqueness. Steele said, “We are trying to let everyone who comes on board feel like family. Each day we speak about how important our customers are. The difference with FJ is that we are going to be customer friendly, very customer friendly.” Customers can be guaranteed a whole new flying experience with the features added to the FJ package. Reece explained that passengers can shop on board the flight and not the ordinary stuff, but jewelry, phones, SIM cards, phone cards and other such items. She said arts and craft of Jamaica and Guyana will be promoted, along with the countries’ various cuisines. Passengers might even be graced by the famous chefs who are likely to be featured in the airlines cooking magazine. Fly Jamaica will also have constant promotions where persons win free trips, inclusive of accommodations. They can win free concert trips, while the company says it will be promoting shows with big name artistes in the ports that they travel. Additionally couples can get affordable marriage packages once they fly with FJ. Reece said they are working with hotels about ‘resort weddings’ so that a couple can get discounts once they fly with the airline. Tours are also a part of the deal. The company is to offer sports tours, cooking tours etc. It is hoped that Guyana and Jamaica can trade their tourism, Reece said. She stated that the Jamaican people are excited to be sharing their airline with Guyana in that while the Jamaicans can enjoy Guyana’s lush green rainforest, Guyanese can enjoy their sun-kissed sparkly blue water beaches. Outside of that, to give a
true sense of quality customer service FJ says it is hoping to partner with other airlines and companies to better services that are offered. For example, LIAT was mentioned for a short flights partnership since the airline (FJ) with its Boeing 757 will find difficulty in making short stops. Reece said, “We are not just selling seats, we are tourism...” She added, “We hope to form alliances with other companies because we feel that there is enough business in this part of the world for everyone, just a matter of cooperation.” SECURITYAND SERVICE PROVISION On the topic of drug trafficking, Reece said the company is very concerned about the issue since that is an ongoing issue in Guyana. She said that there is need to improve the security situation to lessen the incidence of drug trafficking, while mentioning the quality of persons employed and the incentives to deter persons from getting involved and pursuing their duties effectively. The company is also looking to its own security, Reece said. She said that FJ will be putting measures in place to deal with the issue. FJ has hired some 40 Guyanese, 25 of them as flight attendants. The executives say that are being groomed to serve in a family-like setting. There are two Guyanese pilots working with the company with another of Guyanese parentage. Reece explained that with any airline, there can be mechanical
failures when asked about back-ups in an event of delays. She noted that the company already has leasing set ups that in the event that something happens and the plane is unable to meet schedule then a charter would be in place within a couple of hours. From next week FJ’s call centre will be fully operational. Reece said customers can look forward to round the clock service since bookings can be made at any hour, even one and two o’clock in the morning. FJ will be making eight non-stop flights and two connecting. The routes are Guyana/Jamaica/ New York, New York/ Guyana or New York/Jamaica/ Guyana.They will fly non –stop to Toronto Canada and back and non-stop Guyana/ Jamaica and back. Fly Jamaica has entered the market at a time when Guyanese were literally begging to be rescued from the GT/NY monopoly which CAL enjoyed. Customers were paying high ticket fares, while complaining about poor service. It was even harder to compete on the route with CAL receiving a $300M fuel subsidy from its government and causing other airlines to back out. Others such as EZjet and Red Jet entered and failed, while Delta pulled out after claiming low profits. Guyanese may get another option to choose from if Travel Span returns to Guyana with its chartered flights later in the year.
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Play Your Role Well In traveling life’s pathway, we each have important roles to play. Some are conductors and some soloists, but the rest are heroes in the supporting cast and necessary to complete the assorted tasks in life. The “stars” would be greatly diminished without the individual heroes supporting their performances. The magical accents of the percussion section might sound random and out of place, unless you could also hear the music they accompany. Even one member of an orchestra doing less than their best could hamper the harmony of the musical piece. So, even though you may not receive the attention of the other performers, your contribution is invaluable and an integral part of the success of the whole in the life you lead. When you do your job well, you inject your own unique energy into the task. Each of us has a different personality and a different talent, just suited for the different roles we support. We can look around us at any moment and identify with the nurturing people we work with. Doing your job well displays your humility and gratitude, while learning the lessons that move us towards our goals. When you are fully present in the job you do, you bring the fullness of your mind, body, and spirit to the moment. Your contribution is enhanced by the infusion of your talents and abilities, and when you give them willingly, they attract the right people and circumstances to your experience. That’s playing your role to your very best. You are giving your best to the world and making it a better place for all of us to live in.
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
Reparations Now! Last June, in our editorial “Justice Denied”, we pointed out that even though the Organisation for African Unity (OAU) took up the call for Reparations in 1993 in their Abuja declaration, there was never much enthusiasm from official quarters in pressing the demands. This lacuna was created primarily because these leaders wanted to pander to western countries to collect “aid”. In the 2001 UN Durban Conference against Racism, the Final Document declared: “We acknowledge that slavery and the slave trade… are a crime against humanity, and should always have been so, especially the transatlantic slave trade.” This was a Declaration that was supposed to galvanise the world into action: there is no statute of limitations against genocide. Yet sadly, the matter of reparations again was again placed on the back burner. At the official celebrations of the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the OAU (now the African Union -AU) in May, not a word was mentioned. But in the side conferences, it is to the credit to the Caribbean that Professor Hillary Beckles from UWI delivered a powerful lecture based on his book ‘Britain’s Black Debt: Reparations for Caribbean Slavery and Native Genocide’. In detailing undisputed facts relating to the harms of slavery, he reiterated the necessary first step to securing reparations. Professor Beckles and his colleague Dr. Verene Shephard have been unflagging in their efforts to place the issue of Reparations in every fora, including Caricom, where they were given a hearing. At the 34th Conference of the Heads of Government of CARICOM in Trinidad and Tobago in last July, in a milestone decision, the leaders agreed to the establishment of a National Reparations Committee in each member state. The chair of each committee would sit on a CARICOM Reparations Commission while the Heads of Government of Barbados (Chair), St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Haiti, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago would provide political oversight. In what could only be described as exhibiting unusual alacrity, last week, representatives of governments, civil society, academia and individuals fighting the cause of reparations for native genocide and slavery, met during September 15-17 for the first follow up activity. Guyana was represented by the Minister of Culture Dr Frank Anthony, Director of Culture Dr James Rose and Executive Member of the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA). Unlike many other countries, Guyana has always been undivided on the issue of the demand for Reparations. Back in 2007, when Britain held a year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of its abolishment the despicable slave trade, President Jagdeo had observed caustically that now they had acknowledged their role, maybe they would take the next step of making reparations. This call was reiterated in 2011 during the UN sponsored, “International Year for People of African Descent” and again by President Ramotar earlier this year. We believe that the time is ripe and right for the demands for reparations to be pushed to its conclusion. As we pointed out in “Justice Denied”, at the beginning of June, in an historic out of court settlement, the British Government agreed to pay £20 million to some 5000 of Kenyan citizens who had fought for independence of their country but had been tortured by the colonial government. Foreign Secretary William Hague said the British Government admitted they had tortured many of the 25,000 Mau Mau fighters detained during the State of Emergency they had declared in 1952. He averred that the British did not condone “acts of inhumanity.” We reaffirm our conclusion: “In 2011, the British High Court in London had rejected the veterans’ claims that the British Government should accept the liabilities of the colonial regime. However, it permitted demands for compensation to proceed and this was appealed by the government. The decision of the British government to pay the veterans changes the entire situation, not only in relation to the claims of the Mau Maus but to claims for reparations made against the British government for what they did to Africans and their descendants, who they brought as slaves to the “New World”.
Sunday September 22, 2013
Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Responding to a political grasshopper DEAR EDITOR, Mr Kit Nascimento has once more lived up to his reputation of defending any cause for a fee. On Thursday, he was the moderator at a press conference hosted by Winston Brassington on the controversial Marriott hotel. Perhaps this position proved to be too heady for him to appreciate what he was really supposed to do. The fact that there were seven reporters from Kaieteur News could in no way “monopolise the press conference to the exclusion of other media.” “It was my determination not to allow it.” Let it be clear that the very professional Nascimento then left his seat to remind Stabroek News of the said press conference. We did not hear the conversation but we
believe that Stabroek News told him something dirty because no reporter turned up. For starters, it is the moderator who determines who asks questions. Kaieteur News could have had 100 reporters at the conference. If Kit Nascimento had so decided then none could have asked a question without his approval. But so engrossed was Nascimento with being a moderator at Brassington’s press conference that he claims that he took a decision to limit each reporter. That was an unnecessary decision because Kit was in the position of God at the press conference. The truth is that Kaieteur News has been a strong critic of the Marriott project, much to Winston Brassington’s
chagrin. It did not escape notice and the recording would show that as soon as a reporter identified himself as being a staff member of Kaieteur News Brassington looked at Nascimento. Vintage Nascimento then does what he was once good at. He links me to the reporters attached to Kaieteur News. I am also the Editor-in-Chief of Prime News and I attend press conferences in that capacity. Anyone who tuned in to Prime News would have seen two stories, voiced by me, on the press conference. But Nascimento writes that I led the reporters to pack into the press conference of press briefing. He claims that I was there as a Kaieteur News reporter. I blame his poor eyesight and memory since I introduced myself as a Prime
News reporter. A week earlier Nascimento was the moderator at a press conference hosted by BK International to lambaste Works Minister , Robeson Benn. He was as critical of the government’s accusation of a stone shortage as he was of the criticisms against the Marriott. This was the Nascimento who proclaimed that Minister Benn should explain the stone shortage allegation but who supported Brassington who found any question about money and expenditure to be confidential. Poor Robeson Benn did not have Nascimento to tell him to say that the report on the stone was confidential. Nascimento then becomes a critic of Kaieteur News and (Continued on page 6)
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
Mr. Nascimento is trying to Vishnu Bisram more Democratic than Maxwell make the Marriott Hotel DEAR EDITOR, In a response (KN Sep 16) to my NACTA poll (published in KN Sep 15), Maxwell called me all kinds of names which are not worthy of a response. I am surprised that Maxwell engages in such gutter-like comments. He is quickly replacing Freddie as the laughing stock of basal guttural utterances unworthy of a man of his intellect. I will not respond to the name calling but to one accusation stating that I “defend undemocratic (electoral) practices”. On the contrary, I have historically stood on the side of free and fair elections at all levels in every society. I spent most of my life fighting electoral riggings in Guyana that eventually led to the PNC caving in to demands from the international community to allow Guyanese to choose their own government rather than for Burnham, Hoyte, Reid, and Green to choose the government for the people. And I also joined friends in struggles against electoral frauds elsewhere including Zimbabwe ,
Haiti , Trinidad, Central America , Philippines etc . I have no evidence that there was fraud at the PPP August 2013 Congress and if there was fraud it must be condemned. No evidence was presented to me. Maxwell claims he has evidence; he should take it to the authorities to nullify the vote. Evidence of fraud at PNC Congress was public knowledge. Maxwell and I take opposing positions on elections. He is okay with rigging in the PNC and manipulation of voting within the AFC but is against manipulation of voting at PPP Congress. My position is all elections, including party election, must be fully democratic and open to the entire population. Party leaders, executives, etc. must not be chosen by delegates. And if there are going to be delegates, there must be open, democratic votes by communities to choose the delegates representing their communities. In my response to
Maxwell (KN Sep 11), I clearly laid out my position that all parties should hold elections among all its members to choose executives and also have primaries to nominate candidates for parliament and local governments. Voting must be based on a principle of one person one vote thereby reducing (if not completely eliminating) prospect of any kind of electoral manipulation. In America, political parties are not private clubs but public institutions open to all regardless of ethnicity. No one (eligible citizen) can be denied membership in a political party and no one can be denied an opportunity to seek a party position or run for electoral office as a candidate for a party. We need that kind of democratic system in Guyana – not limited democracy as Maxwell advocates for the AFC and PNC. I should have the right to join the PNC and be able to contest for leadership against Granger and have every (Continued on page 6)
stench smell like perfume
DEAR EDITOR, Even Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo couldn’t best the cuss-out in Mr. Kit Nascimento’s Kaieteur News letter, “A wholly unprofessional attempt to monopolize a Press Conference” (21st September, 2013). The way he is behaving he has to be getting a hefty sum of taxpayers’ money to make the stench on the Marriott Hotel smell like perfume. Imagine his indignation when the media is using a strategy to expose it. If it were not for Kaieteur News, the PPP would have already sold out the country. The Stabroek News is always playing catch-up. The Guyana Times covers up and promotes the criminality as acceptable. The Guyana Chronicle is a rag sheet. Mr. Nascimento thinks if this country had different libel laws Kaieteur would be in trouble. I think if this country has better laws, the corrupt would be jailed and Mr.
Nascimento’s career would be in the cesspit where it belongs. No, Mr. Nascimento, Kaieteur News has not corrupted the practice of journalism in our country; in fact you are trying to corrupt the minds of people to see Kaieteur in this light when you cannot hold a candle to what this paper has over the years done to save Guyana. Hope everyone noticed when Mr. Nascimento finished cussing out the newspapers he ended his letter by promoting a television schedule for people
to watch the press conference on the corrupt Marriot scheme he is telling us is good for us. This is Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo signing off as Mr. Kit Nascimento, or Mr. Kit Nascimento who was signing off as Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo! These two men are cut from the same cloth. Mr. Nascimento is just like the PPP and when he throws a curve ball at the government it is not because he is angry with them but because he is wants in on the action. Suresh Ramkellawan
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox The AFC is practicing AN APPEAL TO MESSRS GRANGER AND RAMJATTAN consensus politics DEAR EDITOR, Huge commercial buildings are going up all over Georgetown. Surely, all Guyanese must welcome them once there is
no sordidness to their financial origins. However, the role of the State is to ensure the equal distribution of wealth. Anyone who studies the economy of
Europe would see the graphic difference it has with the US. Capitalism does exist in Europe but there are vast areas of State involvement all over Europe that resembles socialism. Even in the largest capitalist country in Europe, Germany, the welfare state and free university education are manifestly pronounced. Europe accepts that there is a valued role for the State I welcome the five story commercial business place that opened up at Albert and Lamaha Streets. But I noticed that the public embankment that lies next to the trench on Lamaha Street has been turned into a road for parking. It would appear that the business owner paid for this. Guyanese would know that the embankment was emptied by force three years ago when the Government ordered the squatters off the land to run high-powered electrical lines My question; is the business place paying a rent or has the land been made available to it freely by the State. If it is a free facility then
this policy has tremendous implication for the equal treatment of citizens. I would like the owner of the business place to know that I am not offering a criticism of his operation. All I am trying to do is to situate the State within the context of the distribution of wealth in a country. My point is that if a huge part of public land could be made available for parking for this owner then the State is facilitating him. The State then has to do the same for others. For example, on Vlissengen Road, vendors on the large parapet, especially on Irving Street and by St. Joseph’s School and Camp Ayangana are constantly moved by the Ministry of Works. I would like to appeal to Messrs. Granger and Ramjattan to ask Minister Benn what is the status of this large parking facility at Lamaha and Albert Streets. If the dwellers were told that it was unsafe because of the high tension wires, aren’t drivers at risk too when they park there? Let me conclude by welcoming this gigantic business place but I repeat, the State’s role is to ensure citizens are treated equally. As long ago as two thousand years, Plato’s Republic acknowledged that the State must not appear to be a discriminating agent in the eyes of the lower classes Frederick Kissoon
DEAR EDITOR, In trust-building someone has to make the first move and act in good faith. THE AFC has done that. The AFC has supported the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project and is willing to support the Firearms Bill. Hence, the AFC are practising CONSENSUS POLITICS.
It is upto the PPP/C to act in good faith and put the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) on the table. There is a difference inbetween holding the PPP/C Government ACCOUNTABLE than holding it to RANSOM....hence, citizens to ransom. Sean McLean
Responding to... From page 4 of me more than anything else. He claims that it pains him that “Harris, hiding behind the thinly disguised pseudo name ‘Dem boys seh’. I never had to hide. In fact, at one time my name was attached to the column. But what gets Nascimento going is the fact that having been paid by Brassington, he must attack the column that attacks Brazzy almost daily. Should Kaieteur News pay
Nascimento to moderate a forum on the Marriott, the very Nascimento will crucify Winston Brassington. And it is all for a few dollars. He cussed out the PPP until Bharrat Jagdeo invited him over. He got into bed with the PPP. When BK paid him he jumped into bed against the PPP. He is the type of person they would call a soup drinker. I am steadfast in my beliefs and in my loyalty. Adam Harris
Vishnu Bisram... From page 5 member be given the right to vote for or against me. Similarly, Maxwell should have the right to join the PPP and contest for leadership against Ramotar with the PPP members or supporters, not delegates, deciding who they prefer. Equally so, Dr. Ravi should be allowed to join the AFC and contest for leadership against Ramjattan
and let all the members decide who is a better leader. Why should we accept a political leadership arrangement among a handful of individuals – that is corrupt machine politics. Maxwell suggests that we should wait some years before AFC opens up its leadership elections to full participation by delegates - not all its members but delegates. Why should we wait for democracy to take a foothold in the AFC? Let it happen now! And why should only delegates have the right to vote? Let all the members vote! In Trinidad , the three parties have agreed to give their members the right to choose executives (including leader) although they are yet to reform the process to allow members to choose candidates for office. Empower the membership and supporters of parties in all aspects of the electoral process as is done in America ! If we are true democrats, let the people choose. Guyanese Americans are granted full rights to join parties and run for leadership in America . Why should the same not happen in their own country? Maxwell should endorse my position that PPP, PNC, AFC and other parties empower their members and supporters. Clearly, when one examines positions on democracy, Vishnu Bisram has more democratic credentials than Maxwell. Vishnu Bisram
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Relatives of missing plumber City Hall mum on National call on Taxi driver for info Hardware construction
Almost one year after elderly plumber, Desmond Gillis, disappeared without a trace, relatives are still hopeful of receiving some closure to the situation so as to move on. Gillis, of Lot 64 South Vryheid’s Lust, East Coast Demerara was last seen on October 26, 2012 roaming in the Sophia, Georgetown community. He was 76 years old at the time of his disappearance. Donna, the eldest of the man’s nine children, recounted that she learnt of her father’s disappearance only after a neighbour of his contacted her with news that her father had left his home the previous day but had not returned. The elderly man had been residing alone in his Vryheid’s Lust home for more than 10 years. For this reason, the neighbours would regularly check on him. From the news that she received, Donna gathered that her father had walked from Vryheid’s Lust and was making his way through the Sophia community when he was questioned as to where he was going by the neighbour who had informed her of her father’s disappearance. The neighbour had reportedly been working in the community when he saw the elderly man passing through. Donna said that to the questions, her father replied that he was going to his deceased sister’s Pineapple Street, East Ruimveldt home
STILL MISSING: Desmond Gillis to visit relatives. “The friend said that he didn’t looking too nice, like he was exhausted. So he put him in a taxi to go to East Ruimveldt.” Donna said that while he did not visit the family house often, it was not an entirely strange happening. She said that prior to his disappearance; the man had been experiencing a loss of memory and seizures. “He would tell you that he was going to tell you something and then forget what it was. He told me sometimes that he would wake up and forget where he is,” she stated. She said that on one occasion after “catching fits” on the road, the elderly Gillis woke up on a hospital bed and questioned what he was doing there. Donna said that two weeks before her father disappeared,
she invited him to live with her. She said that the man had initially accepted the invitation but sadly declined to move in when the time came. “He said that he don’t want to live with nobody”. After receiving the news that her father had never arrived at the East Ruimveldt home, nor had he returned to his Vryheid’s Lust home, Donna said that she launched a frantic search but no one seemed to have information that would lead to his discovery. “I check the hospital, the mortuary and Lyken’s Funeral Parlour. And I keep checking but nothing is coming up,” the man’s distraught daughter said. She added that even after lodging a missing person report at the Sparendaam Police Station and placing notices after notices in the newspaper, her father’s whereabouts remain unknown. What is equally unfortunate is the fact that family members were unable to make contact with the taxi driver who supposedly dropped the elderly man to his destination. Family members are now desperately requesting that the taxi driver, whose car Desmond Gillis entered, come forward with any information that could lead to his discovery. Contact can be made on 220-1492/ 651-7080. “We just need the closure. If he’s alive, we want to find him. If he is dead, we want to bury the body.”
Cop under close arrest for beating up family in police station A Unity, Mahaica couple wants the police to take stern action against one of its ranks who they allege assaulted them in the presence of his colleagues at the Mahaica Police Station during a drunken rage on Friday night. Chandradat Gurudat is alleging that the rank even threatened him, his wife Radika and his mother Sita with a knife when they went to the station to sort out a domestic matter. According to reports, the rank, who had to be restrained by his colleagues, was subsequently placed under close arrest after the intervention of the Divisional Commander and his deputy. The incident which occurred around 17:40 hours reportedly caused a number of persons, including a Regional Councilor for the Opposition A Partnership for National Unity, (APNU)to converge at the station to demand that action be taken against the rank. Gurudat told Kaieteur News that he, his wife and his mother were invited to the station to deal with an allegation made against them. While at the station, the rank who was offduty approached Gurudat’s wife and made some suggestive remarks to her. “He tell she ‘you have on a nice eagle vest. You want to go home without it?’ he was using a lot of foul language and was standing in front my wife,” Gurudat, who is a tailor, told Kaieteur News. He said that he did not immediately intervene because “I know if I do police something, especially in the station, what would happen.” Reports state that at that time a female corporal was in the station and saw what was
taking place and tried to get the rank to desist from his embarrassing behaviour. The rank persisted and demanded that Gurudat’s wife answer him and when her mother in law upbraided him, he dealt her a slap across her face. “After he slap me mother, he turn around and slap me wife and scramble she by she hair. Me wife fall and he tek a chair and lash she with it. When de corporal see what he was doing, she get up with a speed but she couldn’t handle he. De man turn to me and push me into the wall and start cuffing me, but only one cuff catch me on me neck,” Gurudat explained. He said that the rank then ran into the station’s enquiries office for a knife threatening to “kill all alyuh”. “We run out de station and when me wife fall down, is another police who was in a shop across the road who come and carry me and me wife to de Mahaicony Hospital,” By then word had reached the Commander and a patrol unit was dispatched to the Mahaica Police Station to assist in restraining the out-of-control rank. When this newspaper arrived on the scene, several persons had gathered outside the station, having been attracted by the commotion. When things had cooled down Gurudat and his wife subsequently returned to the station and gave statements of what had transpired. “I don’t know this rank but what I know was that he was very disrespectful,” Gurudat said.
… Land deemed to be council reserve
Details are not forthcoming on a construction currently underway at the Ruimveldt Industrial Site. A steel structure is being erected on what had been described as a plot of land reserved for the city. That land had reportedly been released to National Hardware, a hardware supplier, for use as a parking lot. National Hardware currently operates in the former Lysons factory, located opposite the land. However, the land has now been fenced and construction is in full swing to put up a building. According to City Mayor, Hamilton Green, permission has been granted for the building. He referred Kaieteur News to City Engineer, Colvern
Venture, for more details. Venture disclosed that permission has indeed been granted for the building by the City Council. This was based on an application, he said. He did not give details of the application. Questioned under what circumstances permission can be granted for buildings to be
erected on reserve lands, Venture referred this newspaper to Town Clerk (ag), Carol Sooba. However, calls to her went unanswered and messages to her office were not immediately returned. Government has expressed a growing intolerance for squatting on reserves along with illegal occupation and construction.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Govt. sacrifices billions of tax dollars to enrich private partners
Winston Brassington
Bharrat Jagdeo
Dr. Ashni Singh In recent years, the Guyana Government has been pursuing a number of largescale infrastructural projects. However, while Government has been putting in large sums of money, it does not control the companies that run these projects. Rather, the ownership has been inexplicably placed in the hands of the private investors. Three projects have recently been coming under intense scrutiny. These are the Berbice River Bridge, the Marriott Hotel and the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. One common personality running through all three is Winston Brassington. It is noted too that all the projects
were initiated by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. MARRIOTT HOTEL The Marriott Hotel is being built by Atlantic Hotels Inc (AHI) which Brassington heads. The final cost is projected at US$58.5M. Marriott is being funded by a mix of US$12M in equity and the balance in loans. The Government has already provided US$19.5M— US$15.5M by way of a loan and US$4M in equity. And this does not include the cost of the seven acres of perhaps the most exclusive land in Guyana. Additionally, the government has also spent US$2.7M to re-route the sewerage system for the hotel. And recall, too, that the US$19.5 M came from the sale
of the GT&T shares, the proceeds of which should have gone to the Consolidated Fund. One question is, “What has Brassington done with the other US$5M received on the first installment and what is he planning to do with the other US$5M due to be paid shortly?” An unnamed private investor has been asked to put US$8M of the equity/ investment money, and for that will own the majority 67 per cent of AHI which will own the Marriott. The Government for its $19.5 M will get 33 per cent. But here is what Brassington, the sole Government representative in AHI (Marriott) has agreed to: the
Government will not receive any interest for the US$15.5M loan and will further be the least of priorities, when it comes to the order of who gets repaid. No one is clear about the status of the project as most of the Government money has now been spent. Brassington is busy looking around and talking with a private investor and Republic Bank Limited of Trinidad to help source the balance of the funds required. BERBICE RIVER BRIDGE The Berbice River Bridge was constructed at a cost of US$49.5B. Government was responsible for a whopping 90 per cent of the investment. Yet its financing and control structure was designed for
private local companies to reap the benefits. Government through NICIL, headed by Brassington, contributed the land for the approach roads for the Bridge and also paid US$0.5M in compensation to displaced residents. The government also built the road for US$8.5M, and invested US$5M. The initial private investors only contributed US$1.6M. NICIL is entitled to receive over US$0.5 M each year on its investment. NICIL, chaired by Dr. Ashni Singh and headed by Brassington, has told the Bridge Company not to bother to pay. In other words, the State loses over US$0.5M ($100M) each year in dividends
foregone. The Government does not have a single member on the board of directors for the Berbice Bridge Company. The Government has also agreed never to collect a penny in taxes from the Bridge Company or any of the private investors. It is like Queens Atlantic all over again. In this case Brassington and NICIL have been at the forefront of a project which has resulted in what has been said to be one of the most expensive toll charge in the world. AMAILA FALLS HYDRO ELECTRIC PROJECT The Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project was also designed in the same vein. The government in its official (Continued on page 55)
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 9
Dem boys seh Guyana to set its own deadline to enact Anti Money Laundering Bill Brazzy tek Kit under - Teixeira hopeful that opposition pushes he wings, fuh a fee through, Granger wants to take his time Guyana missed the August, 26 deadline that was purported to have been set by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF). Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall says that Guyana will now “surely” be blacklisted. At that time the AG spoke nothing about Guyana being given another chance to get its act together. In fact, the Minister had said that Guyana will be sanctioned based on the report he submitted; the one which didn’t indicate that Guyana enacted the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. However, last Thursday, Presidential Advisor Gail Teixeira, at a Government’s post Cabinet briefing said that Government is now “cautiously optimistic” that the Opposition will have a change of heart and quickly pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act. Teixeira said that Nandlall briefed Cabinet about the most recent developments subsequent to his presentation to CFATF. According to Teixeira, the AG disclosed that CFATF had deemed the report incomplete. She said that incomplete designation was due to Guyana’s inability to pass the Bill in the Tenth Parliament of Guyana for the stipulated time. The Presidential Advisor said that despite being apprised about the current situation regarding the Special Select Committee on the Bill, CFATF still insisted on a definitive date from Guyana at which Guyana will enact the Bills. Teixeira indicated that that date must be set so that a new report can be submitted before November when CFATF is scheduled to meet again. Teixeira opined that the recent past behavior of the Opposition in general but
especially with regards to the Bills does not say well for the future. She said that in the meantime, however, while CFATF noted favorably the non legislative interventions by the executive which accounts for 20 percent of the recommendations by CFATF, further progress is being urged. Teixeria, as the Chairman of the Special Select Committee set up to fine tune the Bill, said that as soon as the recess comes to an end she will be convening a meeting with the hope of reaching an agreement. But on Friday last, A Partnership for National Unity Leader, David Granger said that APNU is not bound by “these bogus deadlines that the government keeps coming up with. We are bound by the precepts of good governance; and we want to ensure that the errors of the existing financial intelligence unit and the existing act do not repeat the flaws. “We now have an obligation to the people of Guyana to ensure that any amendments clog the loopholes and give the people of this country an act that is more or less water proof…We are taking our time to ensure that we listen to civil society so that we can
APNU Leader, David Granger
Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira
get the best…We are not going to be rushed into making another bad Act. We have too many of them already. Guyana missed the August 26 deadline after the Opposition members, who were all in attendance at a Special Select Committee meeting, moved a motion to adjourn all meetings at that level until October. The motion was moved by APNU member and former Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge. It was seconded by Alliance For Change (AFC)’s Khemraj Ramjattan. Members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), at that time, told Kaieteur News that Guyana is already “dark gray listed” and that the Government itself is linked to acts of money laundering. It was also noted that the party doesn’t believe that the August 26 deadline really did exist.
Further, Greenidge asserted that “Government itself is tainted by criminalities that bedevil our system…The PPP have been accused, and in some cases, proven to have associations with people who have been charged with all sorts of criminalities like fraud and money laundering in the United States. The government is very friendly with these types of people.” Only after the work of the committee is completed and a revised Bill presented to the National Assembly along with a report from the committee, can the Bill be voted upon and passed.
When Brazzy pick up de paper de first thing he does read is wha dem boys seh. Well he decide to get Kit fuh help he attack de Waterfalls paper. He pay Kit out of de NICIL money, de same Kit who join wid de Private Sector fuh criticize de Marriott project because it threaten some of de private sector people who in de organization. Imagine Kit cuss de Marriott one time then try fuh support it de next time. This is de same man who cuss de Pee Pee Pee, he cuss Janet, he cuss Cheddi and he cuss and he cuss everything. He sit down wid Desmond Hoyte and Forbes and cuss. Bharrat ketch up wid he and shake some dollar in he face. Right away de man tun round and cuss Desmond Hoyte. That is de Kit who is a professional switch. Imagine Donald even give he a new four by four fuh look good. De government pay fuh de four by four out of de NICIL money. But dem boys seh that when you don’t stand up fuh something you gun fall fuh anything. Kit got to be careful that he don’t fall and lef he tail in de air. Dem boys gun do he wha Brazzy, de Rat and de Bees doing to de country wid all dem project. Brazzy got to be thinking bout skyscraper because everything got a high price. Brazzy also mek everything confidential. He pass a law that now mek thiefing confidential. Don’t ask de Bees about wheh dem get this set of money. That is confidential. That is why all dem scamp love Brazzy. He know bout dem saint. He does pray to nuff. He is de saint of de thieves in de system. Kit is a saint too. He is a saint of soup drinkers and grasshoppers. Now when people go to court fuh thiefing when de magistrate ask dem a question, all dem got to say is that it confidential. “Who you rob?” “It confidential.” “Wheh you hide de money?” “It confidential. Ask Brazzy.” Talk half and mek everything confidential.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Roger Khan was in phone contact with Suriname Pres. Bouterse in 2005/2006 – DEA records Media reports have surfaced that convicted Guyanese drug trafficker, Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan, was in telephone contact several times with Suriname President, Desi Bouterse, before his arrest and 2009 incarceration in the US. A Dutch evening newspaper, NRC Handelsblad, yesterday reported that the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has records from a satellite phone belonging to Khan in which the mobile number of Bouterse came up. The calls took place between late 2005 and mid-June 2006. Khan, 41, was jailed for a total of 40 years in October 2009 by a New York court after being arrested in Suriname in 2006, flown to Trinidad and handed over the federal agents of the US. However, he will only spend 15 as the sentences on the three charges will run concurrently. President Bouterse, at the time of the alleged calls, was a Parliamentarian in that neighbouring, former Dutch territory. In a U.S. diplomatic post in 2011 leaked by the WikiLeaks website, there was “social and operational links” between Bouterse and Khan. But there has never been any hard evidence presented. Bouterse’s lawyer, Inez Weski, reportedly declined to comment on the links only denying that there is no link. Citing intelligence sources, NRC Handelsblad said that Bouterse and Khan appeared to be part of a drug network, to which Piet Wortel, alleged to be one of Holland’s biggest drug traffickers, and Dino Bouterse, belonged. Dino Bouterse is the son of Bouterse who was arrested by Panamanian authorities late last month on drugs and weapons charges and handed over the US. He has appeared in court there. The trial of Wortel scheduled to begin in December, is one of the largest Dutch drug cases in
years, media reports have said. Piet Wortel is said to be a powerful figure who rubbed shoulders with Holland’s rich and owned media empire targeting sports broadcasting. Khan, the report said yesterday, is expected to testify at the trial via a video link from his US jail. Khan was given 15 years for conspiracy to import cocaine into the US; 15 years for witness tampering and 10 years on the 16-year-old illegal possession of firearm charge, which originated in the state of Vermont. He had entered into a plea bargain deal with US prosecutors on March 2009. Prior to his arrest in Suriname, Khan managed several businesses in Guyana, reportedly owning an island in the Essequibo River, a construction firm and controlling a forestry concession. He was accused of running the infamous ‘phantom’ killing squad responsible for the deaths of several persons linked to criminal activities. In 2006, after police issued an arrest warrant for him, Khan had publicly said in an advertisement that he was fighting criminals on behalf of the government. He later fled to Suriname where during a drug bust was arrested along with his bodyguards with 200 kilos of cocaine. Regarding Bouterse, in 2000, he was sentenced in the Netherlands to 11 years imprisonment after being found guilty of trafficking 474 kilos of cocaine. Bouterse always denied being guilty and defended his conviction by claiming that the star witness in the case, Patrick van Loon, was bribed by the Dutch government. According to Wikileaks cables released in 2011, Bouterse was active in the drug trade until 2006. Europol has issued an arrest warrant for him, but since he is President, he enjoys immunity.
- about to testify in Dutch trial Wikileaks cables from US embassies released in 2011 revealed that Bouterse was involved in drug-trafficking until 2006. Khan was believed to help Bouterse’s financial situation by giving him the means to supplement his income through narcotics trafficking. According to the cables, Bouterse met Roger Khan several times in Nickerie at the house of MP Rashied Doekhi, who is prominent member of Bouterse’s political party. The
cables also report that Bouterse and Khan were plotting to assassinate then minister of Justice Chan Santokhi and Attorney General Subhaas Punwasi. Khan’s lawyer, Robert Simels, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for instructing a hit-man to kill the star witness in his client’s case. However, the hit-man turned out to be a government informant who secretly recorded the conversations with Simels.
Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan
President Desi Bouterse
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Child Care Protection week 2013
“We want communities more involved” - Ann Greene By: Javone Vickerie With its mission to stamp out violence against children in Guyana, The Child Care and Protection Agency will be looking at ways to get communities more involved as Child Protection Week 2013 begins tomorrow. Under the theme, “Joining Hands for Effective Child Protection Services” Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency Ann Greene said that the need for community involvement is crucial in the fight to protect children. “There is a notion that there is only one agency that protects children and when things happen people say I wonder what the child protection agency doing or I
wonder what the ministry doing…effective child protection will take responsible families and communities working together,” Greene said. Greene also believes that every person in society has a moral responsibility to protect children. “We only know of a child that is being abused if someone contacts us and how this thing going these days we might need a child protection officer for every street,” the Director said. Greene said that engaging the community to get involved and having them understand that is it no longer ‘business as usual’ has become a herculean task for the agency “You hear something happening next
door, things banging and people just shutting up the doors and locking the windows and ignoring it. You need to be your brother’s keeper,” Greene reiterated. She added that in order to fully stop domestic violence and violence against children, persons have to be more aware, responsible and report to the relevant authorities the abuse of any child. In the wake of last week’s event where a 14 month oldbaby drowned in a trench just outside of his Sophia home, Greene said, “This is where communities can get involved. If one parent is going to a school to pick up a child where other children in the community attend why is it that we can’t volunteer everyday and pick all of them
up and make sure they reach home?”. CORRECTIVE PUNISHMENT Most of us can attest to the fact that as children attending school or at home, once we did something deemed wrong, teachers or parents would correct us with a few or an abundance of lashes. Our ancestors believed that ‘heat’ on our skins prevented us from becoming ‘bad individuals’ in society just like the good book says “spare not the rod and spoil the child”. Greene on the other hand believes that “no child should be exposed to violence”, adding that the social norm now is for parents to beat their children when they do something wrong. She is however adamant that “punishment should not hurt.” “Everybody say there were beaten as a child and they turned out great, my question to them is how do you know this? You might have been better if you were not beaten,” Greene said. The Director further stated that ‘beating’ creates a vicious cycle of violence, noting that “Hurt people, hurt people”, and discipline should not hurt. Greene also believes that corporal punishment represents the cultural mindset of society which has
been passed down throughout the years. “We are finding new ways of disciplining children and that is what people need to understand; you don’t need to hurt them in order to discipline them,” Greene said. She further explained that since the whole issue of abuse in the home has risen considerably, the agency is providing counseling to parents who have issues in disciplining children. “If you look at our data, ‘hurt’ is in the home for a child and the home is proven to be unsafe for a child. This is the place where a child is supposed to feel safe and secure and the parent is the major perpetrator,” the Director lamented. Greene believes that more emphasis needs to be placed on educating parents on how to discipline their children. “Being a parent is the only job you don’t need qualifications”, Greene said. According to Greene, many young parents who visit the agency are not psychologically ready to be parents adding that the children of such parents are more vulnerable to abuse. EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN (RENTA BABY) Have you ever taken a walk on the pavements of downtown Georgetown and seen children begging for money with their thumbs in their mouths, or were you ever stopped in the street by young children who ask for signatures and donations for a club or organization? According to Greene, these children are being exploited. “When you give children money on the road, you are taking part in the exploitation of children. No one should give any child money and I
Director of The Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Greene want to send that message to persons out there,” Greene said. She gave the example of a young man who begged on the streets to fund his father’s drug habits. “He used to have to dodge his father because he used to turn him upside down and collect all the money he had,” Greene said. Greene said that child exploitation of this sort is widely practiced in Guyana. There has however been a significant decrease in the number of children who illegally solicit funds from persons on the streets. Greene also highlighted the case of a woman who rented a baby to solicit sympathy while begging for money at city banks in Georgetown. “This woman use to take this child and go beg in the streets and the mother of the child use to get paid in return,” Greene said. The child was eventually taken away from the mother by the Child Protection Agency. “Children rarely overcome abuse and they have secret pains which they take into adulthood. It later affects their relationships”, Greene asserted.
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 13
APNU calls for more “forceful response” to Venezuelan army invasion Leader of the Opposition, Brig David Granger, has said that the Government of Guyana should have been more forceful in its response to the recent invasion of the country by Venezuelan soldiers. “We have not heard or learnt from the government that there is going to be a forceful response,” Granger said. This stance, he noted, has served to portray that this administration has “other interests”, of which he declined to state the specifics. “Obviously they are more interests… I don’t want to call it… They might have other interests.” The entry of the foreigners into Guyana via the Eteringbang border base had occurred on the same day that their President Nicolas Maduro was visiting Guyana on state business, on August 31. According to the country’s El Universal online newspaper, the contingent of 45 Venezuelans, including armed soldiers and research students “were on a mission to carry out a civil exercise of sovereignty.” However, the visit had shortly after been deemed an act of provocation by certain fringe groups in the foreign country to embarrass their President. “It is clear that it (the mission) was undertaken by
Part of the Venezuelan Contingent that invaded Guyana on August 31 Leader of the Opposition, David Granger
Former Commissioner of Police Winston Felix
persons who did it with the aim of “insulting the President of Venezuela,” the Opposition Leader said. Former Police Commissioner and Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Winston Felix, further identified that the “armed visit” by the foreign army was a breach of sovereignty towards Guyana. “With the military, it is not unusual for them to cross border relations, but they are not allowed to cross with firearms. You would have to
leave your firearm at one end and report to your counterparts at the other side of the border,” Felix explained. Granger, in concord with Felix, explained that “the act of sovereignty is meant to create an international incident and demonstrate the attitude of certain people in Venezuela to the Guyana Government and also to the Maduro administration.” Although it was affirmed that the Venezuelan delegation had offered “an apology” for the breach in the
agreement under which they were allowed to enter the country, the Opposition leader is calling for a more authoritative approach to dealing with the matter so as
to ensure that it is not repeated. He reminded that it is not the first time that the Venezuelans have “attempted” to invade the
country. However, contrary to action taken on this occasion, the previous administrations had “drawn the line to ensure that there is not recurrence.”
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Kaieteur News
Thirteen year-old appeals for help to save her life Urgent financial assistance is needed to save the life of a thirteen year old girl, who is diagnosed with a rare tumor of the brain. Local doctors diagnosed Gabrellia Motayne, a student of South Ruimveldt Secondary School, with lowgrade astrocytoma, fourteen days ago. Low grade astrocytoma is an uncommon brain tumor made up of malignant neoplasms of the central nervous system which are fatal in a great majority of patients. The child has been referred to an overseas based neurological center for immediate surgery and treatment. However, this type of surgery, will cost, USD $43, 129, 00 which is equivalent to almost GYD $9 million. Motayne’s relatives have since raised $ 4.5 million, but there is still need for at least GYD $5.4 million to cover the entire operation.
Gabrellia Motayne “We are grateful whatever way people can help us right now physically, financially and even through prayers,” the girl‘s mother, Sharmalitta Motayne told this newspaper. She said that her daughter began to show signs of the illness two months ago with an episode of migraine headaches, fainting and blurred vision. “My daughter has had a history of migraines but recently it began to affect her
vision, she developed blurred vision in the left eye. I decided to take Gabrellia to the eye specialist, but we were referred to the Balwant Singh Hospital. Doctors there conducted a MRI which revealed a swollen nerve at the back of her left eye which is connected to a tumor in my daughter’s brain. Doctors told me that she would need immediate surgery and treatment which is not available in Guyana…. We have since made contact with a neurologist in Trinidad and paid $4.5 million which will be used for the initial testing process… but we still need $5.4 million to pay for complete surgery and this money needs to be available by next Tuesday or Gabrellia will not get the surgery she needs” Relatives say that the tumor is rapidly developing since the thirteen- year old now has distorted vision from Continued on page 51
Sunday September 22, 2013
ImmigrationINFO (Immigration News For Our Community)
U.S. Visa Lottery Open from Oct. 1 – Nov. 2 Attorney Gail Seeram The visa lottery programme will be accepting applications for the 2015 Diversity Visa Lottery programme from October 1, 2013 to November 2, 2013. Each year, the Diversity Visa Lottery programme makes 50,000 permanent resident visas available to people from eligible countries. The Department of State chooses the winners of the Diversity Visa Lottery programme randomly through a computergenerated lottery drawing. Anyone selected under the Diversity Visa Lottery programme will be notified directly by the U.S. Department of State through the mail. Applicants can check the status of their application to see if they are a winner by visiting www.dvlottery.state.gov. If
the winner is granted permanent residency, s/he will be authorized to live and work in the United States along with their spouse and children under age 21. There are four basic entry requirements for the Diversity Visa Lottery programme. Native of Eligible Country: Applicants must be a native of an eligible country. Natives from the following countries are not eligible to apply because they sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the United States during the past five (5) years: Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Peru, South Korea, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. If you were born in a country whose natives are ineligible but your spouse was born in a country whose natives are eligible, you can claim your spouse’s country of birth—provided that both you and your spouse are on the selected entry, are issued visas and enter the United States simultaneously. Second, if you were born in a country whose natives are ineligible, but neither of your parents was born there or resided there at the time of your birth, you may claim nativity in one of your parents’ countries of birth if it is a country whose natives qualify. Education or Work Experience: Applicants must have either a high school education or its equivalent (completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education) or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to perform. Photograph: Recent photographs of the applicant and his family (spouse and unmarried children under age 21) must be submitted with their application. Note, a group or family photo will not
Gail S. Seeram be accepted. Separate digital passport style photos of each family member must be submitted with the Diversity Visa Lottery application. Since the application is submitted on-line, the digital photos are also required to be submitted on-line. Note, this is the most cumbersome part of the process because if your photo does not meet specific requirements, your application will not be accepted on-line. Application: The Diversity Visa Lottery application is accessible only at www.dvlottery.state.gov and must be submitted online. Note, when your application and photo have been accepted on-line, a confirmation screen will appear and this should be printed for your records. Remember to keep a copy of your confirmation page from the online registration entry submission because you can conduct a status check on your visa lottery entry starting May 1, 2014 by returning to www.dvlottery.state.gov, clicking on Entrant Status Check, and entering your confirmation number and personal information. Entrant Status Check will be the only way to find out if you were selected through the visa lottery. If you require assistance in submitting your visa lottery application, contact our office by email at Gail@GailLaw.com or call 407292-7730.
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Ravi Dev Column
Regulate the market Last week was the fifth anniversary of the collapse of the US investment firm Lehman Brothers, which at the time everyone thought would have resulted in a massive shakeup of the neoliberal go-go market fundamentalism. The degutting of the regulation of financial markets was an integral component of the neo-con world-view that swept the developed world since the 1980s. But amazingly, as we look around, not much has changed since then - apart from the crisis spreading to Europe. The neo-cons had not just pushed for a “nightwatchman” state that would shrink the government’s role in the economy, but one that rejected governments taking any responsibility for alleviating the condition of the poorer elements of society. On the other hand, the loosening of the regulatory framework over the financial sector that had been painstakingly installed after centuries of struggle were all jettisoned on the altar of “small government”. This
The more people think that they have a grip on a situation the more they find that nothing has changed. Everybody believes that the crime wave of 2002 and 2006 was over until they awoke to find that a new gang had taken over. This gang is using weapons left behind by the other gang. The difference is that there is a man who is controlling these weapons. He is loaning them and while the underground can actually find this man the police cannot. That is because those policemen who find the man accept a payoff. However, the police are
retreat from social responsibility resulted in the most dramatic transfer of wealth to a small segment of every country that adopted the new dispensation (the “1%”, did not raise many eyebrows. The bottom 99% would be satisfied with the spills that “trickled down” and dream of sitting one day at the top table). It fitted in perfectly with the ethos of the age. That ethos was articulated a half-century ago by the influential thinker Ayn Rand, summarised in her novel “Atlas Shrugged”, which still sells 150 thousand copies annually. Basically, Rand derided altruism (“breeds immorality and evil”) and trumpeted selfishness (“the highest virtue”). “If you saw Atlas, the giant who holds the world on his shoulders, if you saw that he stood, blood running down his chest, his knees buckling, his arms trembling but still trying to hold the world aloft with the last of his strength, and the greater his effort the heavier the world bore down on his shoulders — what would you tell him to do?”
“To shrug,” wasn’t the pithy answer. She lionized the human ego, rejected God as an artifice for the expiration of human failures, extolled the separation of state and the economy, and promoted governmental deregulation. Rand inspired a devoted band of followers including Alan Greenspan. He was given the opportunity, following the crucial neo-con takeover years, as Chairman of US Federal Reserve-1987-2006, to put their theory into practice. And it seemed to work. By the nineties after Clinton completed the gutting of substantive financial regulating by allowing regular banks to join the securities investment frenzy, the bullish stock market silenced all but a few, who were derided as Jeremiahs - until the house of cards came crashing down by 2007. Basically, the flaw with the neo-con model went to the very core of their central premise – the exaltation of selfishness. They miscalculated the power of its corollary - greed, which
going to get a break. A man in their custody, in exchange for a drastically reduced sentence, would reveal the information. ** For the next few weeks there will be a spate of road accidents, from vehicles driving into trenches and canals to collisions because some drivers refuse to heed
traffic signs. It is as if the shadows above want to make up for the reduced loss of lives last year. There is no solution except serious penalties for the creators of the accident but the laws do not allow for this. ** A sexual predator is going to be exposed because a woman who has been shielding him. He will make an attack on the woman’s daughter. The woman is going to attack him violently but she fails to hurt him. That is how the police are going to get involved through the Child Protection Agency.
had been kept in check, however tenuously, by the old regulatory framework. A chastened Greenspan now admits the “flaw” in his model: self-regulation in an arena of greed unbound is, performatively, a recipe for disaster. In practical terms, the model raises what is known in economics and related fields as the issue of “moral hazard”. It identifies the ever-present dilemma posed when people who are insured become more inclined to take risks, since they believe that they are protected. Where does one then draw the line? Business and entrepreneurial behaviour is at the bottom, a matter of taking risks, and society is willing to have those who take risks receive the rewards – if, on the whole the entire society benefits. And this last point was the motive behind governmental regulation.
For instance, early on when the corporation was invented as a “legal body” to encourage investments without threatening personal assets, there were laws enacted to ensure that the facility was not flagrantly abused. Closer home to the present crisis, banks were heavily regulated to ensure that depositors’ money was secure, because the state had given them a virtual and literal power to create money. They were forced to be conservative but steady. However, in the deregulatory orgy of the nineties, many other institutions were allowed to solicit funds from the public and deploy them in highly speculative ventures. The low-interest policy of Greenspan encouraged borrowing which grew into mind-boggling proportions with the governmental subprime policy. Banks wanted a piece of the action; the law
Ravi Dev
was changed and they were allowed to enter the world of high-flying investments – including the newly discovered Philosopher’s Stone - derivatives. If not directly, then through various and sundry financial affiliates – some created specifically for this purpose. In Guyana, we have blithely gone along with the liberalisation mantra. What has saved us up to now (apart from the Clico and Hand in Hand debacles) is the undeveloped state of our local financial industry. The government should re-look at the regulatory framework to discourage moral hazard scenarios.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
The case of the murdered goatherd By Michael Jordan On October 12, 2001, as she had done since her husband’s death, Savitri Prasad left her home to collect her herd of goats. But this time, she did not return. It was unusual for Prasad, called ‘Aunty Glory’ not to be at home by 17:00 hours, and so when 18:00 hrs passed and she still had not shown up, her three daughters began to worry. One of the daughters went to her aunt’s home to enquire about their mother’s whereabouts, but that aunt said that she had not seen Prasad. As news of ‘Aunty Glory’s’ disappearance spread around her hometown, Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo, villagers began gathering at her home. Not understanding how someone could have disappeared in their quiet and peaceful village, residents formed a search party. Deep into the night, close relatives and friends along with villagers combed Zeelugt village in search of the mother of three. Indrouty Mana, one of Prasad’s sisters, had said that when one of her nieces called to enquire about their mother, she became annoyed. “I usually pass she at Silk Cotton dam near a light post in the afternoons waiting for
her goats. But that particular day, I went home early so I didn’t see she. Night did done fall when one of she daughter come by me and ask me if I see she. From the time she ask me that, I realised that something wrong.” The niece also said that their mother had gone to collect the goats since earlier that day but had not returned. “She tell me that she mammy left about 3:30 in the
morning fuh go for the goats and that dem can’t find she. Right away we start asking people in the area, but nobody ain’t know where she gone. People tell we that dem see she standing at the light post, but them ain’t know when she move from deh.” After the search ended that evening, the missing woman’s sister and other relatives went to the Leonora Police Station and made a report.
The following morning, October 13, at about 06:30 hrs, the search party again began their search for the 48-yearold woman. “Every morning she does open the goats dem and dem does go down by Boerasirie Creek side to graze, and when afternoon reach dem does find dem way to the public road where she does be waiting for them,” Mana said. She said that as the persons searched they ended up at Boerasirie Creek. Upon arrival there, one of the villagers saw what looked like a red shirt floating. A short distance away, another villager found a pair of underwear and a red flag. Knowing that the woman had left home wearing a red checkered shirt, the villagers took a long piece of wood and attempted to pull the item to shore. As they did so, they realised that it was not only a shirt; it was the missing woman. By the time the dead woman’s close relatives reached the creek, the police had already covered the body and were preparing to take it to the funeral parlour. “Oh my gosh! When I hear that dem find she I couldn’t believe it. She doesn’t go to the back there. I don’t know how she end up
there. Since she husband died about two years before the incident I did tell she to sell out dem goat but she tell me that if she sell dem she gun feel like if she selling she husband out, because he buy dem for she. He was a headmaster,” the woman’s sister said. She said that after her eldest sister ’s body was found, the police took some ‘sniffer dogs’ in the area. According to the woman, her sister’s post mortem revealed that she had died from a broken neck. Her body bore wounds to the right side of the head, face and left forearm. Police had already ruled out robbery as a motive for the killing, since Prasad was still wearing her two gold rings when her body was discovered. Two days after her death, investigators detained a Guysuco ranger. His long boots and gloves were taken and examined for possible evidence. Residents had told police that the ranger was in the Boerasirie Creek area the day Prasad disappeared and claimed that he was acting in a suspicious manner the same night. During interrogation, the ranger reportedly told investigators that he and Prasad had a relationship and that he had no reason to kill
her. He also said that he would frequent the woman’s home. But the dead woman’s relatives said that Prasad had no relationship with the ranger, and that they never saw him at the home. What happened to Savitri Prasad that day is yet to be answered. A close relative told this newspaper that the ranger committed suicide shortly after being released from police custody. That prompted villagers to believe that he might have indeed killed the woman. “My sister was a good woman and a good mother,” her sibling recounted. “She and everybody used to live good. She never used to get into any problem. Today she three daughter left without a mother and a father. She didn’t deserve to die like that.” If you have any information about any other unusual cases, please contact us by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office. Our numbers are 2258465, 22-58458 and 2258452. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address: mjdragon@ hotmail.com
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Will racial tribalism forever dominate Guyana? Guyana is enduring a syndrome of violent robberies. It has been going on for years and it touches every part of Guyana and every race. Our Chinese and Brazilian residents have witnessed brutal robberies in which the victims have died. The General-Secretary of the PNC was violently attacked by thieves in his home. I did two columns on the Wild West madness in the mining areas of Guyana where horrible robberies have led to the deaths of many persons, and from my research, none of the victims are East Indians. Suddenly, the Muslim Youth Organization (MYO), Ravi Dev, and the AttorneyGeneral (AG) discovered a dimension of the syndrome that should arouse curiosity in our academic community and in political parties. Let us quote the MYO; “The recent upsurge in criminality bears a sinister likeness in the modus operandi of the 2002/2003 crime wave, where efforts were made to destabilize our country.” Mr. Dev in his column last week wrote that he endorsed the sentiments of the MYO and posits that it brings into focus the need to balance the police force along ethnic lines. The AG implied that politics is at work in the recent attacks on families in the countryside. Now, one will hardly express surprise at Mr. Dev’s expression. He does not hide his political opinions on the race problematic of Guyana. The AG is pandering to the PPP constituencies. And the MYO is a religious body that should not have gone in that direction. Surely, religious people ought to know better. Subsequent events have showed that what the AG, MYO and Ravi Dev have adumbrated was fictional and that this country is definitely doomed. When
sociological crimes are committed and you rush into a village and tell an ethnic community that the robbers are from another race group, then you are instigating the death of your country. Dev, the AG or the MYO have not pointed fingers at the PPP or East Indians for the bestial home invasion of the PNC’s top man. Dev, the AG or the MYO have not commented on the non-stop crime wave in south Georgetown that inevitably takes the lives of African Guyanese. Dev, the AG or the MYO have not written on the possibility that the constant imprisonment of African youths for possession of tiny amounts of marijuana may be a plot by the PPP to demoralize the African youth. With attacks in Wakenaam, the West Coast and the Corentyne, the nation is being told by persons from the East Indian community that the infamy has a political motive. This is horrible thinking that will destroy Guyana sooner than later. Subsequent events have proven the MYO, Dev and the AG wrong, but sorry is not a word we are going to hear from these quarters. Let us describe the subsequent events. Police investigations have led to the discovery of a gang that has been robbing and killing victims. Some of the members have been captured and charged. One was killed and a police bulletin has been issued for another gang leader. The people who did the arrest were the police, which we all know are predominantly African Guyanese. Then soldiers joined the search. The army is predominantly African Guyanese. Up to the time of writing, none of the gang members have confessed to taking instructions from politicians and activists from any anti-
government organization. So where does this leave the race conspiracy theory of the MYO, the AG and Ravi Dev? But let us go over to New York. For this column, I did some painstaking research. I have found out that over the past ten years, most of the victims of nasty robberies on Guyanese have been Guyanese Indians. Is there a conspiracy by the Americans to target
East Indians in New York? The MYO is a 99.5 percent Indian organization. Mr. Dev is a pro-Indian activist. The AG belongs to a predominantly Indian party, the PPP. They have a Godgiven right to speak how they feel about the sociology of Guyana, but civilization does not give the right to any human to shout fire in a crowded cinema. The AFC,
ACDA, PNC and other groups have not pointed to any conspiracy from Freedom House when Africans are robbed and killed in Guyana. Indian rights activists must act more responsibly. More importantly, the society must speak out against what the MYO, Dev and the AG have implied. We are not going to remain a country if we keep fanning the
Frederick Kissoon flames of racial and racist tribalism in this country. All the old racial conflicts around the world are dying or have abated, except for the one in Guyana.
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Book Review: By Dr Glenville Ashby: Contributor J.A. Roy Bodden’s “Patronage, Personalities and Parties: Caymanian Politics from 1950-2000” requires detailed study. It is a chronicle, a political canvas, of sorts, that encapsulates the sensibilities of political actors. It offers an epistemological insight into human behaviour steeped classism, elitism and power. Bodden pens this oeuvre with a searing passion that is palpable. His thesis is scholarly, provocative with a pedagogical appeal that is undeniable. His stellar background as an academic with ministerial experience should quell naysayers and those on the other aisle of the political debate regarding the Caymans’ future. There is no question that patronage, cronyism, and partisanship have enticed and damned the souls of men and women in influential position.
Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
The Cayman Islands: Behind the Veil Bodden is well aware of this perennial decadence, especially in underdeveloped nations, and he goes out on a limb to argue his case. A LAND OF CRONYISM AND PATRONAGE The Cayman Islands, according to Bodden is riddled with political cronyism with an oligarchic carapace that is difficult to pierce. The political elite stifled the will of Caymanians through negligence and political bullying. But why haven’t Caymanians forcibly resisted their coloniser at a time in Caribbean history that was rife with movements that pulled the rug from under the feet of the British and their quislings? This is the $64,000 question. RACE, PREJUDICE AND HEGEMONY While other islands saw the radicalisation of Trade Unions and the explosion of black consciousness, there was a diffidence that characterised the Caymanian underclass. Bodden opines.
The main reason was the asphyxiating grip of the patrons, who brooked no challenge to their stranglehold on Caymanian politics and society. Clearly, a frontier mentality arose where an oligarchy “controlled the economy through business houses, turtle schooners and investment in infrastructure/”. Bodden bristles at any denial or minimisation of racism. He cites Walter Rodney: “no people can enslave another for centuries without coming out with a notion of superiority….” THE WEST INDIAN FEDERATION AND THE CAYMANIAN RESPONSE Bodden recalls the drive toward a West Indian Federation as pivotal in the history of the Caymans. An interesting paradox emerged as the elite feared that its inclusion will threaten the island’s racial composition amid a progressive view, that, as a ‘satellite’ entity, the ‘Islands’ will be at a gross
disadvantage. THE STRUGGLE FOR GENDER EQUALITY The author also explores the systemic disenfranchisement of women. He writes. “…as early as 1948 a group of Caymanian women had written to the then Commissioner demanding participation in the electoral process. Caymanian women...demonstrated vociferously during and after the 1958 election.” There were other legal obstructions to empowerment in the form of the Sex Disqualification (Removal Law) and the Cayman Islands Administration of Justice Law which excluded Caymanian women from serving as Jurors.” THE PRIVILEGED CLASS This study uses a psychosocial barometer to understand socio-political problems. This is a surely lesson in political ontology. The justices and the vestrymen – the progenitors of paternalism hoisted themselves on a pedestal of entitlement. Bodden tells a woeful tale, unafraid to identify the “apparatchik.” He is convinced that constitutional imbroglios have spawned a paralytic, anemic nation. Political patronage defined as a “political phenomenon offering advantages of cash, jobs….,” is linked to “hegemonic incumbencies that guarantee candidates’ reelection. However, the rise of populism replaced political masquerades and the will-o’the wisps of the old guard, in the form of the Cayman Vanguard Party (CVP) in the late 1950s. CAYMANIAN POLITICS Bodden later introduces the Unity Party, The Progressive and Dignity Team, the National Democratic Party and Independents. Candidates hone their stagecraft as they
vie for political ascendancy, against a backdrop of demagoguery and swift boating (an American neologism that defines disingenuous attacks on opponents). He reserves his encomium for Orman Paton and marvels at the adventurism of Mc Keeva Bush, while acknowledging the early contributions of Duncan Merren and Annie Bodden, among others. AN IDENTITY CRISIS Bodden avoids histrionics and acrimony. His admonishment, though, is foreboding. He impugns the colonial mentality and American consumerism that have choked a Caymanian archetype. He adds that if a nation is “defined as a land whose citizens….. share a common culture, sense of identity, heritage and traditional roots, the Cayman Islands fall short.” Divining the future of the Caymans is a challenge, for
behind the veneer of its quixotic appeal, there brews a sentient disquiet. It is social schizophrenia, a drama played out behind closed doors, pitching protectionism against more liberal views of governance. While political malaise is not sui generis to Caymanian society, any attempt to salvage a polysemous territory with entrenched tribal networks, will prove an epic task for the most vaunted of social thinkers. Feedback: glenvilleashby@gmail.com Patronage, Personalities and Parties: Caymanian Politics from 1950-2000 by J.A.Roy Bodden Ian Randle Publishers, Kingston, Jamaica ISBN: 978-9766375133 Available: Amazon.com Highly recommended Image saved as The book cover of Patronage, Personalities and Parties
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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My column
There are problems at GPHC, Michael In the past two weeks I have been receiving complaints about the operations at the Georgetown Public Hospital, which to my mind is the b e s t h e a l t h institution in Guyana. I arrive at that conclusion because I know many of the doctors who work there and I have seen the care provided by the hospital. Recently a lot seemed to be going wrong at the hospital and I knew where it all began and with whom. I will start this week; in fact, I will start with what happened on Saturday September 21, this year. I am at home, barely out of bed when I get a call. A man’s wife is in the final stages of her pregnancy. She goes to the hospital and fails to get medical attention. The man does the only thing he understands; he goes to Kaieteur News, gets my number and calls me. I heard the panic in his voice. He tells me that his wife is in pain and I simply tell him to go back to the hospital and demand that his wife be examined. He probably did because he has not called me again. On Friday I heard another horror story out of the hospital. A renal failure patient goes to the hospital for a session of dialysis. A doctor is informed, but this so-called medical professional informs a nurse that he is off duty. I do not profess to remember all the details, but I do know that the man did not get his dialysis and he died. On Friday night, some people in a car crashed in the vicinity of the Dynasty night club. One of the victims is a Canada-based woman. Three of the occupants of the car are rushed to the hospital
shortly after midnight. By five yesterday morning they had still not even been attended to. These are just some of the horror stories coming out of the hospital. Earlier this week, a woman from the North West District is discharged from the hospital. She has a catheter in her arm. She goes to the nurse to inform her that the catheter is still in place. Lo and behold, the nurse asks the woman in as brusque a manner as most uneducated people could, “You ain’t see ah doing something?” The woman leaves the hospital, but fortunately an employee who knows her spotted her with the catheter in her arm and turned her around. A nurse eventually removes the instrument. My son informed me that one morning, perhaps about one o’clock, he rushed a girl to hospital. The girl had been suffering a serious allergy attack. He said that he was made to sit in the waiting room until five that morning—a wait of four hours —before he could access medical attention. He said that while there he saw a man bleeding from the neck. This man, too, had been sitting there just waiting. My son said that he called out to somebody whether they wanted the man to bleed to death. Only then did the man get attention. Chief Executive Officer, Michael Khan, is keen to ensure that the hospital is seen as a professional institution. He does not take kindly to negative reports about his hospital and I can understand that. However, his Mother Hen
persona simply allows the nurses to get away with murder. For one, the nurses, when they realize that their substandard work is going to get exposed they either run to security or to Michael Khan with the name of the person who is going to do the expose. I remember the days not so long when nurses were proud people. They loved the uniform and they displayed it with pride. They jealously guarded their relationships with patients. That is not the case today, and it all began when Dr Leslie Ramsammy as Health Minister, announced that h e w o u l d c ounter the migration of the qualified nurses by recruiting
hundreds. Three things happened here. For one, the qualification of those recruited left a lot to be desired. Then there was the training. He did not increase the tutors, so from the days when there were no more than thirty fully qualified nurses a year, the tutors were expected to train five hundred. It does not take much to understand how watered down is the training. The third thing is that these new nurses suddenly behave like public servants; they are disrespectful of authority and are notorious clock watchers. Two of them get dismissed and they dared to invoke the press. It turned out that they were absent or late
repeatedly. One of them claimed that she had a right to leave her post to go to lunch, regardless of the time. Even doctors seem to have forgotten the Hippocratic Oath. They are seen chatting while people desperately need medical attention. This would not happen at a private hospital. Even the doctors who behave l e s s t h a n professional at the Georgetown Public Hospital would behave professionally at the private hospital. The feeling is that the money is the calling card. I also hear that some of the nurses moonlight. Again, they are like Jekyll and Hyde—two different characters —depending on
Adam Harris where they happen to be working. I am going to have a chat with Michael Khan, in the interest of the people who need the services at the hospital ,and I am going to have reporters hound the nurses who feel that the society owes them.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Democracy delayed is democracy denied By Khemraj Ramjattan, AFC Leader The results of the 1992 Regional and General Elections in Guyana which saw the PPP/Civic gaining power was heralded by that Party and its supporters as, ‘A Return to Democracy.’ Translated from its Greek meaning, ‘rule by the people’, democracy caters for the widest possible representation of the people and the inclusion of as many views as possible into the functioning of a fair and just country. Real democracy extends beyond holding periodic elections. It encompasses systems that make provision to prevent the manipulation of the masses by a few and limits the power vested in an individual or a small group of individuals. Democracy is about governance by the
people for the people. By the book, Guyana has, more or less, all the main ingredients to promote a democratic state. The recipe looks right. The cooks appear like cooks everywhere else. However, the pie that is served up is missing some key ingredients. Many Guyanese who have tasted it painfully say “But I ain’t taste any democracy here!” Twenty years on, the Guyanese people are forced to once again endure another struggle to see the emergence of democracy. It seems the country has come full circle. Our Constitution, the Supreme Law of our country provides for an Ombudsman. Article 191 vests the Ombudsman with authority to investigate complaints of maladministration or the violations of persons’ rights, especially when such complaints are leveled against
the government or high officials of the State. Since 2005 the PPPC Government has failed to have an Ombudsman appointed. This is an omission which is flagrantly in breach of the Constitution and a deviation away from what one would expect in a truly democratic society. Again, our Constitution by way of Article 121 provides for a Human Rights Commission. Since the passing of the Constitution (Amendment), Act of 2001 that provided for the establishment of the Human Rights Commission, the PPP/ C Administration has failed to have this Commission set up. This could only be seen as an orchestrated attempt to subvert Human Rights in Guyana, an area where the present administration continues to fail badly. The Guyana Constitution,
Article 71, recognizes the importance of Local Government as a vital aspect of democracy. By preventing the holding of Local Government Elections through its non-assent to the four Local Government Bills that were recently passed in the House, the PPPC Administration has basically subverted our Constitution and made a mockery of their post 1992 mantra, ‘A return to democracy.’ The results of local government elections will see the coming into being of local authorities that are truly representative of the people of the respective Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and will effectively remove the cronies imposed by the Minister at his whim and fancy. Local Government Elections are the effective, lawful and most democratic way of empowering people and communities. It is the building block of democracy. But to shamelessly contrive a deferral of these Elections by not assenting to the four Bills recently approved by the National Assembly through the device of shelving them at the Attorney General’s Chambers, instead of transmitting them to the President, beats all! This is as outrageous as it can get. Failure to have a properly
constituted Integrity Commission for some three years now is but another example of institutional mal-governance and unaccountability. According to the Integrity Act, this Commission is vested with authority to investigate complaints of breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials. Breach of the Code would include such acts as: taking bribes; engaging in discriminatory practices; receiving gifts for reward for services; conflict of interest violations; using documents or information for personal benefit; using public property for private use; engaging in sexual misconduct; and, giving private interest a higher priority than public duty. When one looks at the list of persons obligated to make declarations to the Integrity Commission and considers this in light of the blatant display of new wealth by public officials, especially our new Sultanate, understanding the slothfulness in establishing the Integrity Commission becomes elementary. Among those public officials who are obligated to make annual declarations to the Integrity Commission are the President, Ministers, Parliamentarians, Permanent Secretaries, Regional
Executive Officers, Chief Executive Officers of State Agencies, Presidential Advisors just to name a few. Then there is the deliberate non-establishment of the Public Procurement Commission which was constitutionally mandated by article 212 W since 2001. The Procurement Act of 2003 was passed and its sections again mandated that the Commission must come into being and to sit at the apex of the procurement hierarchy. The archdukes of unprincipledom, namely members of the PPP/C Government, now argue after the passage of a whole decade, that they want a noobjection power to remain in the Cabinet for contracts of $15M and more before they establish it. The delay in the establishment of this Procurement Commission has seen so much corruption it is just obscene. So much gorging at the trough, and awards to friends, family and favourites, it stinks to high heavens. Unless and until the PPPC moves to correct these deficiencies and uphold the Constitution, Guyana’s aspiration to a democracy remains unfulfilled. And democracy delayed is democracy denied.
Sunday September 22, 2013
SUNDAY SPECIAL HANDFUL OF COMPANIES CONTROL $$$B STATE CONTRACTS Amidst growing concerns over the quality of work offered by contractors on Government projects, the administration has admitted that it is not happy. As a matter of fact, the current system of procurement, to hire contractors, may need some revamping, said Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn. The official was on Friday (Sept. 13) responding to questions relating to the quality of work delivered on Government contracts and the fact that Guyana may be seeing just a handful of firms awarded the majority of projects worth billions of dollars. There have been heavy criticisms about roads breaking up in the matter of months, cost overruns, delays and of contracts being taken away. There have also been widespread accusations of collusion between Government engineers and supervisors and contractors. However, to date, there have not been any arrests made nor have there been any public examples of guilty contractors or government officials. CONTROVERSIAL MARRIOTT HOTEL… DEAL BEING FINALIZED WITH UNKNOWN PERSON - GOVT. DENIES BVI INVESTOR The Guyana Government has denied that it received an offer from a British Virgin Islands (BVI) incorporated investor to buy the Marriott Hotel building as it is at this stage for US$10M. The claim was made by Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan, who said that the offer was made as a result of Government, “finding it difficult to attract the investors and syndicated loans” to complete the hotel. Chairman of Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), Winston Brassington, has since indicated that the company is in the closing stages of a deal with a foreign investor and that the name of this investor will be announced when there is financial closure. He said that “in general, private investors are usually reluctant to make premature public disclosures about their business and in this case there is greater apprehension to do so, given the hostile and unwelcoming political environment created by the Opposition parties.” He said that the private investor is aware, and acknowledges, that given its intended relationship with the Government of Guyana, it will
Kaieteur News
be required to make a public announcement which it is prepared to do at the appropriate time. Brassington in a statement said that construction to the Marriott Hotel and Entertainment Complex remains a priority for the Government of Guyana. MONDAY EDITION C’TYNE SHOPKEEPER FOUND BOUND, MURDERED - WIFE OBSERVED PERSONS VIDEO-TAPING HOME Just three days after Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell urged citizens “not to press the panic button” over the recent surge in violent crime, the bound body of an elderly Corentyne shopkeeper has been found. Abdul Majid, 70, of Lot 12 ‘A’, Number 70 Village, Corentyne, was found in his store with his feet tied with a length of electrical cord at around 10:30 hrs last Sunday. A sum of cash and a quantity of jewellery is reported to have been stolen, police said. Reports indicate that Majid and his wife were attacked by at least four persons who had visited the shop under the pretext of making a purchase. The victim and his wife, Kamrun Nesha Majid, operated a small shop which sells mechanical and electrical spares to rice farmers and tractor owners in the Upper Corentyne area. The store had been in operation for the past nine years. It was located in a separate building from the victim’s home. Mrs. Majid suggested that the men who killed her husband were individuals who had been scouring the area in recent weeks. She told Kaieteur News that she had observed, on several occasions, four men pulling up with a minibus, video- taping the premises. Mrs. Majid alleged that she had informed ranks at the Springlands Police Station about the suspicious activities, but was told that police needed the licence number of the vehicle. The woman said that she was unable to provide this information.
GOVT. TAKES OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHINESE DEFECTS IN CJIA Not only has the Guyana Government agreed to pay half a million dollars for a toilet in the new Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), it has also amended the international best practice standards, to take on responsibility for any defects in the works being done by the Chinese Contractor. The Guyana Government and China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) signed the US$150M contract, a day before the hosting of the General Elections in 2011, but not before amending the international standards. According to the international standards, “the contractor shall give all notices, pay all taxes, duties and fees, and obtain all permits, licences and approvals, as required by the Laws in relation to the design, execution and completion of the works and the remedying of any defects and the Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Employer harmless against and from the consequences of any failure to do.” TUESDAY EDITION GUNMAN KILLED, TEN CAPTURED IN SHOOTOUT - GANG LINKED TO WAKENAANAND METENMEER-ZORG ROBBERIES/ MURDER Residents of the West Coast Demerara community of Meten-Meer-Zorg were Monday caught in the centre of a movie-style shootout between police and gunmen that ended with one suspect dead and ten others in custody. Police sources linked the gang to the murder, two Tuesdays ago, of Zulficar ‘Vicky’ Namdar, 25, and the recent attack by heavilyarmed bandits at the home of a prominent Wakenaam businessman. Kirk Bacchus, of Paradise, East Coast Demerara, was slain around 10:00 hrs on Tarla Dam, allegedly after
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shooting at police ranks, who were pursuing him and an accomplice in a taxi. Eyewitnesses said that Bacchus was wearing a shirt which identified him as a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) employee. Two other suspects were captured in the community, while a third, who was armed, escaped. Police sources said that ranks subsequently rounded up eight more suspects believed linked to a massive gang. Sources said that the suspects are from Parika, East Bank Essequibo, Georgetown and Paradise on the East Coast of Demerara. Police said that they recovered a loaded 9mm pistol and impounded two vehicles that the gunmen had used. Kaieteur News understands that police recovered a second handgun Monday evening. AFC WANTS FORENSIC AUDIT OF JAGDEO, BRASSINGTON ASSETS With Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI) still negotiating with a foreign private investor for two-thirds ownership of the Marriott Hotel, still under construction in Kingston, the Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, has since charged that there
is undoubtedly a fraudulent intent in the way the project has been configured. The Guyana Government upon completion of the deal being negotiated will own a minority stake in the Marriott Hotel. Ramjattan has since called on Head of State, Donald Ramotar, to enforce the resolutions of a Parliamentary Motion that had called for a forensic audit into the operations of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), which is headed by Winston Brassington. Ramjattan says that the personal assets of Brassington and members of NICIL’s Board, his connection to former President Bharrat Jagdeo and his inner circle and even the assets of Jagdeo himself must be scrutinized “So that the truth be known!” WEDNESDAY EDITION METEN-MEER-ZORG MURDER, WAKENAAM ROBBERY… SUSPECTS CONFESS - SAY FRIEND OF MURDER VICTIM TIPPED THEM OFFABOUT VALUABLES Some of the suspects in Monday’s movie-style shootout have reportedly confessed to being involved in the robbery at MetenMeer-Zorg in which Zulfikar Namdar was slain, as well as the recent attack at a Wakenaam businessman’s house. But a source said that none of the men admitted to shooting Namdar, and pinned his demise on gang member Kirk Bacchus, who was slain during Monday’s confrontation with police. Up to late Tuesday, some eight suspects were in custody. They included a Meten-Meer-Zorg man who is a friend of the Namdar
family. He is said to have tipped off the gang that the victims kept large sums of money, including cash for an orphanage, on their premises. The informant was at the grocery when the bandits attacked, and his alleged associates had reportedly even placed him to lie on the ground with other customers. 800MW hydro project at Mazaruni…Trinidad firm has no agreement to conduct studies – Prime Minister Hinds An agreement between Government and a Trinidadian firm to conduct studies in Mazaruni, Region Seven, for the construction of a hydro-power dam, expired since 2010, Energy Minister, Sam Hinds said Tuesday. As such, the Prime Minister in a statement stressed that there exists no Memorandum of Understanding between the company and Guyana. “ENMAN Services Ltd. had applied for and was granted an MOU in 2001 to conduct studies at the Takwari site, which was amended a few months later, substituting the Turtruba site. That MOU was amended from time to time, eventually expiring by effluxion of time in July 2010 and ENMAN Services Limited was duly informed,” Hinds said. ENMAN, last year, unveiled an ambitious energy project involving Trinidad and Tobago in which a US$700M submarine power cable will link the two countries, with the intention to sell excess electricity from the twin-island Republic to Guyana. ENMAN’s President Donald Baldeosingh also announced last September during a visit to this country, that his company has developed a number of (Continued on page 39)
There is growing unhappiness over the current system used by government to evaluate contractors and award contracts for state jobs
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Guyana’s social civil restlessness Guyana is facing relentless restlessness as a result of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)’s chronic maladministration. Simmering civil unrest has become part of the prevalent pattern of public protest against the perceived mismanagement of public security, public works and public schools. Guyana, in the new millennium, has become more continuously insecure and unstable than ever before, owing to the high rate of criminal violence and low quality of life. The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana was moved to express its deep concern that the recent spate of criminal violence was “causing citizens to believe that a new wave of anarchy
and lawlessness is in the making.” The Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce complained “We need to press the panic button. It is time to panic…I am asking that something drastic be done about the increase in crime here.” The Number 66 Fishermen’s Coop Society complained that pirates continue to attack and rob fishermen on the Corentyne Coast. Guyana Police Force statistics confirm just how bad the public security and human safety situation had become. There had been a six percent increase in serious crimes – murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape and
kidnapping – at the end of August, in comparison with the corresponding period in 2012. There were 155 more reports of serious crimes from 1st January to 31st August than for the same period in 2012. There was a three percent increase in robbery under arms at the end of August, with 692 reports compared to 672 for the same period in 2012. The statistics indicate an increase of 10 per cent in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms. The public education system is plagued by problems. Some schools, many in Georgetown and East Coast Demerara, were unable to start classes on the first day of the new school term. Difficulties included insufficient class space and
unkempt schoolyards. Over a hundred Grade Six students of the St Agnes Primary School were locked out of their respective classes during the morning period owing to insufficient space. The Beterverwagting Practical Instruction Centre and the Moblissa Primary School were unprepared for their students. Parents of the Port Kaituma Primary School in the Barima-Waini Region and La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School in West Demerara protested against the deplorable sanitary conditions which posed a threat to the health of their children. It is no surprise that the Global Burden of Diseases Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2010, released by the World Bank, has placed Guyana among the worst performers in Latin America and the Caribbean. The World Bank described the Study as the largest, systematic, scientific effort to quantify levels and trends of health loss due to diseases, injuries and risks. The death of a child in the Wai Wai village of Masakenari in the Rupununi Region – as a result of a diarrhoea outbreak in September – confirmed Guyana’s unfavourable health rating. That was a grim reminder of the deaths of ten other children who died from gastroenteritis earlier this year in
the Barima-Waini Region. There have also been sporadic protests by citizens to call attention to their grievances. Irate residents blocked access to the 58 km-long Ituni-Kwakwani road to protest the deplorable state of the road which was damaged by the movement of heavyduty vehicles. Minibus drivers in Bartica expressed their anger after a key road became almost impassable, one year after millions of dollars were spent to fix it. The United Minibus Association of Bartica and residents at that time had embarked on protest actions for repairs to be made. Restlessness is rife. The current social crisis is the result of a series of policy blunders by the PPPC administration in its approach to governance over the past two decades. The PPPC’s first miscalculation is based on its misunderstanding of the consequences of its social policy. The fact is that an unprecedented number of people in this country are now living in slums, squatter settlements, shantytowns and depressed villages. The poorest people – particularly the unemployed, uneducated youth – and the poorest parts of the country are generally badly served by public utilities and amenities. This fact has generated a social crisis that is affecting
public health, public security and public services – including education and social protection. The poor are often more exposed to risky events and situations than the rich. The combination of wrong-headed policies with a restive poor population is the dangerous consequence of the PPPC’s model of governance in this country. The PPPC’s second big mistake is its misapplication of an obsolete, over-centralised model of direct management of local communities. This is exemplified by the central government’s atrocious treatment of municipalities and regional democratic councils and its destruction of neighbourhood democratic councils. The PPPC’s disregard for community sensibilities and interests has triggered antiadministration attitudes in many communities around the country. The PPPC’s third mistake has been its miscalculation of the illusory efficacy of ‘bruteforce’ police power. Strongarm tactics are too costly and too easily tend to overestimate the effectiveness of law enforcement in dealing with the poor. It is a result of its misguided policies and misplaced priorities that the administration claims to spend billions on public services and public security but actually achieves so little.
Sunday September 22, 2013
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Sunday September 22, 2013
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
including: the Audit Office of Guyana; Public Service Commission; National Procurement and Tender Administration Board; Director of Public Prosecutions; Judicial Service Commission; Integrity Commission and Commission of Information. Thus far, of the seven agencies identified for scrutiny, only five have agreed and have proceeded to name their representatives to meet with officials of MESICIC, which will include a Sub-Group made up of three representatives from Haiti and one from Trinidad, who are scheduled to arrive between October 6 and 7. However, the actual review will take place on October 8, 9 and 10, according to Presidential Advisor, Gail Teixeira.
From page 27) “giga” projects that involved Trinidad and Guyana in a major way. At a massive US$4.2B, the projects include an aluminum smelter in Guyana for US$560M; a deepwater port for US$700M; industrial park for US$250M; hydro plant for US$2B and a training institute for US$70M. THURSDAY EDITION T&T LAW FIRM PREPARED LEGAL DOCUMENT FOR BVI INVESTOR IN MARRIOTT Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, is maintaining that the people behind the Marriott Hotel, specifically Winston Brassington, former President Bharrat Jagdeo and the Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh are in talks with a British Virgin Islands (BVI) Incorporated investor for the purchase of two-thirds of the Marriott Hotel. Ramjattan on Wednesday named the investor as Ace Square Investment Inc., registered in the BVI. Under BVI law, there is difficulty in accessing information as to shareholders and directors of companies, according to Ramjattan, hence there are no names behind the company as yet. The AFC leader further pointed out that recently, the law firm of Pollonais and De La Bastide out of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), was asked to, and did prepare a ‘Guarantee’ to be signed by Ace Square Investment Inc. That document however has not been signed as yet. Chairman of Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI), Winston Brassington, when asked about the transaction Wednesday, told this publication, “no comment.” The AFC Leader said, too, that there are other strategies being pursued by the architects of the project. He said that Republic Bank in Trinidad and Tobago has set up a subsidiary in that country to solicit investors to raise the US$27M to see the completion of the project. DISCIPLINED FORCES COMMISSION… A MORE PROFESSIONAL POLICE FORCE IS NEEDED –AFC The Alliance for Change (AFC) says the recommendations of the Reports of the Disciplined Forces Commission that were researched and studied years ago should be implemented for a more professional Police Force, since the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, is not capable of handling his portfolio and the national assembly has no confidence in his reign.
Chinese construction workers on thye sixth storey of the Marriot plastering concrete This was the deduction of Leader of Alliance for Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan at a press conference, Wednesday, at Sidewalk Cafe, Middle Street. The President, in accordance with the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 21 of 2003 of the 16th May 2003 for the constitution and appointment of a Disciplined Forces Commission, appointed Ian Chang, Justice of Appeal as Chairman; and Charles Ramson; Anil Nandlall; David Granger and Ms Maggie Beirne, as members. Ms Beirne resigned from the Commission and, on January 14, 2004, Professor Harold Alexander Lutchman was appointed in her place. The four forces into which the Commission was required to inquire were the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Guyana Prison Service and Guyana Fire Service, the heads of which were the Commissioner, Chief of Staff, Director and Chief Fire Officer, respectively. Ramjattan said the recommendations include recruitment of more qualified personnel with higher qualifications, other than a mere five subjects at CXC. FRIDAY EDITION UNNAMED INVESTOR TO OWN 67% OF COMPANY WITH US$8M NICIL IS ONLY INVESTOR IN US$58M MARRIOTT HOTEL The Guyana Government is to date the sole investor in the Georgetown Marriott Hotel given that Atlantic Hotels Inc. (AHI) is yet to have financial closure for US$39M of the US$58.5M required for its completion. This was among the revelations made Thursday by AHI’s Chairman, Winston Brassington, during a special media briefing held at the
Page 39
NCN studios in Georgetown. Brassington told media operatives that while the AHI would have executed a number of agreements with Republic Bank and the private investor, who he is still to name, there is no financial closure. He said that AHI is looking to have this aspect of the deal concluded by year end, so that the hotel can be completed and opened toward the end of next year. “We haven’t closed but we have every confidence it will close soon,” said Brassington. The private investor, he said, is expected to put in US$8M in the project and will have majority ownership of AHI. The unnamed private investor will own 67 per cent shares in the company while government will own 33 per cent. Brassington said that the equity for the project will be coming from the unnamed private investor. Another US$4M is to be invested by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). US CLEARS TRAVELSPAN FOR FLIGHTS TO NY FROM DECEMBER After months of complaints, the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be getting brighter for Guyanese air travel passengers who have been grappling with alarmingly high fares. TravelSpan Incorporated is set to begin direct flights between New York and Guyana starting December 14th, officials of the company confirmed Wednesday evening, hours after meeting with Transport Minister, Robeson Benn, and Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali. TravelSpan also plans to introduce a scheduled service before the first half of next year. This latest development in the aviation
sector would spell positive news for Guyanese who have been faced with high air fares reaching almost US$1,600 per return trip from the US, using the lone carrier, Caribbean Airlines (CAL). Later this month, new carrier, Fly Jamaica, partially owned by Guyanese pilot, Ronald Reece, is also set to make its first landing in Guyana, to take up flight to New York as well. CAL has been under fire from Guyanese and the Government for the prohibitive fares, with the Tourism Ministry summoning principals of that Trinidadianowned airline to Guyana to explain the situation. CAL was granted flag-carrier status by the Guyana government earlier this year with the hopes that stability to the sector and fares would be positively affected. President of TravelSpan Nohar Singh, and Rob Binns, a board member, disclosed that Government has no objections in granting the necessary clearance for flights to start December. Already, the US Department of Transportation, which regulates air travel in that country, has given its green light. SATURDAY EDITION OAS TO PROBE STATE OF CORRUPTION IN GUYANA The state of corruption in Guyana will be placed under the microscope next month when MESICIC, the mechanism for follow-up on the implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, undertakes an onsite visit here. Moreover, the mechanism, which is a body of the Organisation of American States (OAS), will require that seven oversight bodies appear before it
CPCE EXPELS TRAINEES OVER POOR ATTENDANCE, GRADES ...CAN RE- APPLY NEXT YEAR “We want the kind of cream of the crop, so if people are not psychologically, intellectually and socially ready for the programme, I think it’s fair for them to take some time and sort themselves out and come back,” said a senior official. The future training of more than 80 teacher-trainees of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) is therefore now in jeopardy after they have been asked to leave the college due to poor attendance and poor grades. The trainees, who hail from almost all of the training centre branches across Guyana, have made less than the required 80 per cent attendance, thus they have been barred from writing the final exams. Others have had unacceptable exam results over the time spent at the college, and thus have been asked to leave. Nineteen teachers from CPCE Johns centre have been asked to leave. They all have the option
of taking ‘leave’ from the college and re-applying next year; but one thing is certain, they will not be accepted back into the college during the ongoing academic year. Kaieteur News was reliably informed that some of the trainees sought an audience with the CPCE Board as well as other senior officials within the Ministry of Education (MoE) but the college has stood its ground—the trainees cannot continue under their present underperformance. METEN MEER ZORG MURDER SPEEDBOAT OPERATOR, WIFE AMONG 8 CHARGED Pandemonium broke out around the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Middle Street, Friday as eight of ten suspects detained for a murder and several robberies, were remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry. They all appeared in court for the brutal murder of Met en Meerzorg grocer, Zulficar Namdar. The eight defendants, including a woman who is the mother of one, were not required to enter a plea when the indictable charge was read to them by the Chief Magistrate. The defendants who faced the murder charge were Jermain ‘Yankee’ Williams, 36, of Gas Station Street, Anna Catherina; Esan Lawerence, 33, of Vreed-en-Hoop Jetty, West Coast Demerara; Delwyn Croft, 32, of 589 Tuschen Housing Scheme; Khyran ‘50 cents’ Khan, 26, of Parika Railway embankment, and Samuel Bacchus, 38, of East Ruimveldt Squatting Area. His brother, Kirk Bacchus, was shot and killed during a confrontation with law enforcement officers shortly before the arrests. Also facing the charge were Andrew ‘Sonic’ Chandler, 34, of 80 West Met en Meerzorg, Alan Dorsett, 38, of 601 Zeelugt, West Coast Demerara, and his 31-year-old wife Cassindra Singh.
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 51
Margaret Osborne celebrates 101 in style By Kiana Wilburg The person who said 40 is the new 30 certainly never met centenarian Margaret Irene Osborne; a feisty lover of “good music”, and the wonders of life. Osborne, who celebrated her birthday yesterday, makes 101 seem like the new 30. In this mystery we call life; there are many things to be thankful for. But one of Osborne’s greatest accomplishments is that she lived a life that was fulfilling and well spent. Born on September 21, 1912, the dedicated Anglican is one who also enjoys Pentecostal services and is the daughter of the late John and Rebecca Babb. Osborne grew up in the village of Hague, West Coast Demerara. In her younger days, she attended St Jude’s Primary School at Blankenburg, a village some two miles east of her home, and later attended sewing classes. Osborne was surrounded by family and close friends yesterday to celebrate another year in good health
and strength. She told me that it was only until she was 32, that she found true love, her husband –Herbert Osborne. “In my young years, when the times were different, you never use to do certain things by yourself. Males were not allowed to visit the house at any time and if you were going anywhere you were accompanied by a cousin or siblings and in some cases, even your mother,” she expressed. June 3, 1944, marked a very integral part of her life. It was the day she pledged her life to her one and only, and vowed that she would stay by his side through sickness and in health for as long as they both shall live. And, she kept that vow. She honoured those sacred matrimonial words until her soul mate passed away in 2006. The Osborne family settled for some time in Linden. The centenarian was a home maker and the manager of the house whilst her husband worked with the Bauxite Company. Mrs. Osborne was always known by her family members to be a strong woman who
supported her family during the seemingly gray patches of life. This has been evident throughout her life to all that are close to her. A case in point was when her husband was unemployed for some time. This brave woman worked several jobs which were domestic in nature and did what she could to provide for her family. With her hands clasped and eyes lowered, as though she remembered one of their favourite moments together, she said, “And even today, I …I still miss him. He was an excellent father, husband and friend. We did so many things together. And you know, when I tell him not to do something he would never do it. He listened to me. I sure do miss his companionship.” As she took a deep breath, and rose her stare from the ground, she smiled and told me with much enthusiasm that she feels blessed to be alive and thanks the Lord for her three children; Orlton, Jeanette and Ian Osborne. After the death of Mr. Osborne the sprightly
Over 3,000 feet GPL wiring seized at scrap metal dealership
Some of the wire at the scrap metal dealership The Guyana Power Light (GPL) Company unearthed 3000 feet of service wire from a scrap metal dealership located at Princes and Bishop Streets yesterday. These wires include duplex and triplex service wires along with supplementary wiring used by the power company. Reports reveal that GPL visited the dealership and discovered the wires. The police were called in to assist with its removal while charges are pending for the dealer. On several occasions, people have removed copper wires from utility cables, which they sell on the scrap market. Several power poles
across the city have seen thieves destroying and removing the earth cables causing the power company to grapple with extra costs to replace the fixtures. GPL officials noted that
the power company is now forced to shell out money to replace the copper cables. To prevent a recurrence, the power company is replacing the cables with aluminum ones. After lobbying to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, scrap metal dealers were allowed to partially export, but copper was banned. This ban was later lifted. Theft of copper wire from utilities occurs primarily at substation transformers, utility poles or from the back of service trucks. The thefts have several adverse consequences, including the obvious economic impact service disruptions, and possibly personal injury or death for persons involved in the theft or subsequent recovery efforts. GPL says it is paying increasing attention to this growing problem and has begun to investigate and implement measures for deterring thefts, and protecting facilities.
Thirteen year-old... From page 14 both eyes. “She currently not able to see properly from both her eyes, we have to do almost everything for her. It has been hard on her since the diagnosis; it has gotten worse because she is taking it on….” Motayne is scheduled to undergo corrective brain surgery in Trinidad next week. Relatives are hopeful of acquiring the necessary funds before Tuesday, September 24, 2013. The public can contribute to Gabriella’s surgery by making deposits to Citizen’s Bank account number # 218757254.
grandmother who has two great grandchildren, moved to Georgetown where she now resides with her daughter, Jeanette. The centenarian who is affectionately referred to as, “Nen Nen,” enjoys good health. She also has a very good memory and her vision and hearing still remain intact. “Oh no, I do everything for myself…with the assistance of my daughter from time to time. But I can clean, bathe myself and press and all of that for my age,” she said in a most confident tone. While she enjoys reading the newspaper and continues to have a keen interest in politics, this grandmother loves a good conversation and catching up on old times with her family. When asked about her favourite dish, she said, “Well… I like me chicken and any other food could come after. I am usually contented with what is given to me.”
Margaret Irene Osborne
It was funny when she told me some of the things she hates about this era, in particularly, “rude children.” “I love children. But when they start to behave like upstarts I don’t like that. Back in my day it seemed children were more mannerly. But I always maintain the adult position when I am speaking
to young people but, goodness, I just can’t get along with the rude children sometimes.” The Christian centenarian who loves being candid, said that her advice to the young women of today would be, “Walk in the way you should and trust in God. He will never fail you.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Bad habits of Guyanese at home By Ralph Seeram I could not believe what I was seeing, the woman opened a large handbag and packed three boxes of the food in her handbag. I am not sure if I was shocked or surprised but I was about to tell her she was only entitled to take one box. Then I thought better of it and let it go. I will soon discover she was not the only one and that such a behavior is one of the bad habits of Guyanese at home. During my recent trip to Guyana I made it a point to observe people’s behavior. I mentally tried to compare their behaviour back to the days before I left Guyana. You would be surprised how the society has changed, or I should say deteriorated. Let’s take the incident I mentioned in my opening
paragraph. The occasion was the dedication of the playground equipment at the New Amsterdam Special Needs school a few weeks ago. Food and refreshments were catered for the invited guests. The food was in prepared food containers while the water and soft drinks and bottled water were in a cooler. They were placed in way so people can serve themselves. Big mistake; people went taking multiple boxes and refreshments, they did not even form a decent line, there were no consideration for the next person. It was me, and me and I later discovered, family. Not even during the food shortage of the 70s did people behave like that. People waited patiently for hours for a little supply of cooking oil etc.
I asked my friend, Mara, to state what was responsible for this behavior. He said that they have to take food home for their children, husband, sister, brother etc. This behaviour however is not limited to food. I attended a wedding earlier this year in Georgetown, a rather classy wedding, by any standard. Favors/gifts were placed on the tables for guests as a memento for the wedding. Some adults were sending their children to pick up the favors off the tables, and were placing them in a shopping bag. I had to tell the kids to return them to the tables. We all know of the garbage situation in Guyana, the filth can be seen be seen everywhere, foam boxes and plastic bottles in every drain, trench, or on streets. I would be very embarrassed to take a friend to Guyana to see the filth. I might have to bypass Georgetown and fly straight to Kaieteur Falls, the interior and back.
Guyanese tend to blame the government for the garbage mess. It’s not the government that throws garbage in the streets and drains. It is true the government has a responsibility for garbage pick-up, but it is people that litter the place. If I throw a piece of paper in the street in Orlando I am subjected to USD$100 fine. If you transport those same Guyanese to Florida, they will not litter the streets. On my recent visit, my friends and I were “hanging out” in front a popular New Amsterdam restaurant around 11pm. There was this young lady who after finishing eating, threw the foam container on the ground in front of her. My friend, who is in the environmental business, approached her and asked her to explain why she threw the container on the ground. She couldn’t say why, could not give an answer, she just felt it was okay to litter, and that’s the problem, you have. The other side of the coin is the business that sells the products; it would seem that most of the businesses especially the food vendors don’t feel they have a responsibility to keep the environment clean. Check all the stores in Guyana see how many have a garbage can for their customers or the public. While my friend was
questioning the young lady about being irresponsible, I pointed out to him that there were no garbage cans in sight in front of any of the business, so in a way she had no alternative. It should be made compulsory for all business to provide garbage containers inside and outside their premises. You can’t ask people to keep the environment clean without providing containers for garbage. I discovered another bad habit— the begging mentality. One of my friends was a former mayor of New Amsterdam, so while we were having some beers, I heard someone greet him, then another and still another approached him. I am saying to myself that my friend is still popular, until I saw him giving them money. One wanted a “food”, the other beers and the other “a blessing”. I am told this is the trend among young people. They feel that other people are supposed to give them something. This also fits in with the corruption in various Government agencies where employees feel they are entitled to a “lunch money” before they can do the job they are being paid to do. Guyana seems to me as being “one big party”, everybody having a good time. Bars, rum shops and restaurants are at every street
corner doing well. The people only want “brand name products’ and all things “foreign”. A word for those in the Diaspora, careful with that phone call you get from your family or friend from Guyana asking for money. Most of the time it is not for what they tell you. They will give you a “deh bad story” but most of the time it is to support a lavish life they want to live. Sitting next to me on the plane to Guyana was a musician going to perform in Guyana. He told me they love to perform in Guyana. While they may get an audience of a few hundred or a thousand or so fans at a performances abroad, in Guyana the crowd is in the thousands. They make good money in Guyana. Then I come to hear loans are available for persons to purchase tickets and clothes for these shows. You wonder where the priority of the Guyanese youth these days is. I tell you Forbes Burnham must be very uncomfortable in his grave. In Orlando we have not bought peppers for the last five years; it’s all from our garden. I go to Guyana and see people with large yards buying “greens” which they can plant. They are the ones that cry out “how ting bad”. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email ralph365@hotmail.com
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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AFC debunks accusations of party corruption The Alliance For Change, (AFC) has debunked accusations of widespread corruption within the party. AFC, Councillor for Region Six, Haseef Yusuf, is alleging, that members of the executive arm of the AFC continue to indulge in a host of corrupt practices, which includes the mismanagement of funds within the party. His accusations were made public via sections of the state media, recently. Yusuf pointed to instances, where significant sums of money were donated by the overseas chapter of the AFC, but were not accounted for in entirety, due to the lack of proper financial records keeping within the party. The Regional Councillor related to one case, where the financial statement which ended on February 2012 showed a surplus of $464,643 yet members were told after the 2011 Elections that the AFC owed Mrs. Cathy Hughes in excess of $7 million. Yusuf accuses the AFC “top guns,” of complementing each other’s corrupt practices. He made mention of AFC Chairman Nigel Hughes, who rescinded his resignation from the
AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan group, even after revelations that he had been company secretary of Amaila Falls Inc. Party treasurer, Dominic Gaskin, says this is a desperate attempt by Yusuf to destroy the credibility of the political party, which generally depends on goodwill of the public for financial support. “Whatever money comes in through donation is deposited in our bank accounts…We have a process. Whenever money is withdrawn it has to be accounted for.” Gaskin called the
allegations made by Yusuf, “outrageous,” he said that there is no corrupt management of funds since annual financial statements are presented at the party’s national conference, held every two years. “Most of his concerns have to do with the 2011 post elections period. During the elections period, there were a lot of advertisements done for the campaign. “We used’ Video Mega Inc, which is owned by Ms. Cathy Hughes, to do our advertising. The company extended us a line of credit production and placement of ads. It is normal business for any participating group to have outstanding debts after elections.” Party Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, said that the AFC has satisfied the requirements of transparency and accountability. He explained that the party has a financial administrative arm, which is managed by “a registered not for profit company, AFC Inc.” “ A l l o u r p roperty— motor bikes, vehicles everything— that we own are in the name of that company. Executives or members of AFC
are not paid…We are the only political party using this company method, which has had audited statements. We have sent our returns to the company registrar; we are on the ball, in relation to transparency. “I have challenged the other parties to do the same… We have a private auditor; our returns are filed and form a public record. At
our last national conference, a complete declaration of our income and expenditures was made…” “We spent approximately $90 million at the last elections. Other political parties used up much more funds.” Ramjattan says that the party regards Yusuf as a former member since “he has not renewed his membership
to the party for past two years, since the PPP won the elections…He does not represent the AFC. He is trying to tarnish the reputation of the party” He explained, however that the party, does not have the legal authority to recall the regional councilor, “but we have asked him to resign from the party and we are asking him again publicly.”
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Kaieteur News
FOR SALE
FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
Pitbull pups for salecall:223-9497
LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $18,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. BLACK PLASTIC BAGS W/S- CALL:695-4785/6137437
1 Silver grey Mitsubishi Cedia Lancer, PLL series, mags, A/ C, CD, automatic drive $1.350M neg- Contact:6397806/680-4752/645-7390
ALYEA’S AUTO SALE: PREMIO 2002/2003, AXIO 2008. ALL PRICES ARE NEG. 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK- TEL:2317284/622-3823
Generators, refrigerators, TVs, amplifiers, tools & DVD players- Call:261-2988 Used Fridge, freezers, stoves. American madeCall:667-3733 Energy saver bulbs - Call: 680-6374 WHOLEPLUCKCHICKENCall:676-0931/686-7180 Live/pluck chicken-Call:6504421/220-9203 15-15-15 Fertilizer in damaged bags- Call:266-2711/609-4594 1 Honda ATV 450 bikeCall:626-3817 Chicken Hatchery 26,000 eggs capacity, selling complete with all racks etc$6.8 Neg-Call:621-4000 Household and office furniture, automotive parts and equipments, pipes, hand trucks. Affordable prices. Sale final- Call:698-6391 Daily Pork wholesaleCall:266-2711/609-4594 Massey, Yanmar Ford 5000 Logging/ Agriculture Tractors, parts, Loader & Ford Truck- Call:615-1578/ 694-3595: Tools & Chainsaw668-2831 7 Weeks old Tibetan Terrier fully de-wormed & vaccinated - Call:650-4649 Metal Drums Corks- Contact Ravi @627-1751 or 673-3974
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 NEW TABLE MODEL SEWING MACHINE with motor- Call:609-8132/6728569 One minelab GPX 5000 gold detector, going cheap. Call:677-9230/693-0675 Pure Rottweiler Call:650-8496
pups-
Pitbull pups fully vaccinatedCall Johnny:628-9884 Potting Soil and quality cow mould- Call:656-1326/6780058 4 German shepherd pups. Mother’s black, father’s white. They are six weeks old- Call:677-4364 1 German Roller & 1 Hauler Truck (Low bed)Contact:681-2995 Mix bred puppies for saleContact:253-3114 or 692-0126 Video recording spy pen $6,500- Call:671-6177 Air, split, relay and blow valve, clutch cylinder, alternator for Leyland Daf truck- Call:691-1161/2643268 Premium and slightly damaged corrugated zinc sheet- Call Tel: 226-7054 Chest draw, bed frame, gas bottles, corner stand & salon items- Call:625-8522
TOUR KAIETEUR FALLS Day Tour US$150. Manaus-Brazil US$800- Call:231-6663 Suriname return trip 12-16 October. Shopping siteseeing lots of funCall:644-0185/639-2663/ 227-8290/665-5171
Used DVD duplicators $50,000, Xbox 360 $70,000 & power tools- Call:621-7497 Ice machine, smoothie machine & small fridgesCall:231-0655/683-8734 One Mitsubishi Canter GNN 4613 series. Also household articles- Call: 698-8100/ 266-5191 Just arrived: Spring Filled Mattress from the US, Queen Size & King size etc. Call:624-6471
PEN PAL Male seeking female friendCall:693-9795 Female seeks single wellcultured males for penpals. Ages 21-23. Text Devika 6220027
150E Rebel for sale- Call:6284940 Cheap earth delivery to spot E.C.D and E.B.D- Call:6279977 or 698-0182 Clean Garden Earth & builders waste also Bobcat rental, excavating, clearing & leveling done- Call:616-0617 or 663-3285 1 AT 170 Carina, AC, mag rims- Call:675-0724
Toyota Camry SV40, crash can be fixed. Sold with documents $375,000- Call:621-4000 1 Nissan X-Trail, year 2006. Price negotiable. Excellent condition- Contact Vishaul @ 612-6867 Blowout Sale!!!-Unregistered fully loaded cars: Toyota Sienta $2,350,000, Toyota IST $2,275,000 & Mazda Axela $2,400,000- Call:643-6565/2269931 Mitsubishi Pajero (Immaculate condition); automatic, fully loaded, 4×4, price $2.8M- Contact Rocky:225-1400 or 621-5902 AT212 Carina (private), automatic, fully powered, A/ C, CD player, price $1.350Mcontact Rocky:225-1400 or 621-5902 Toyota extra cab pick-up (22 R engine) manual, (EFI) 4×4, (GPP series) price $2.5MContact Rocky 621-5902/ 225-1400 1 Toyota Hilux extra cab (5LDiesel). Manual, fully loaded $3.1M- Contact Rocky 621-5902 or 225-1400 1 Toyota Ceres (4 doors car). Automatic, fully powered, mags, alarm $775,000- Contact Rocky 621-5902 or 225-1400 Toyota Tacoma (2006 model)VVTI engine, automatic, fully loaded, 22" chrome rims $4.3M- Contact Rocky 6215902/ 225-1400 1 Toyota Raum (PKK series) Auto, F/P, A/C, alarm. Price $1.350M- Call:621-5902/2251400 1 Honda CRV (PKK series) Auto, F/P, mags, A/C, crash bar. Price $1.9M- Call:6215902/225-1400 Honda CRV 2002 model, automatic, fully loaded alarm. Price $3.2M- Contact Rocky 621-5902/ 225-1400 Hilux Surf 4 doors, automatic, 4 wheel drive, needs minor repairs $950,000- Call:6214000 Hilux Surf 2 doors, automatic, 4 wheel drive, needs minor repairs $875,000- Call:6214000 Mitsubishi 3000GT in excellent condition, CD player, 18" rims and more $1.9M cash- Call:621-4000 Trident car 250cc, new, power window, CD player $450,000 cash- Call:621-4000 Stretch limousine for sale, seats 10 persons, fully powered, excellent condition $6.9M neg- Call:621-4000
One Toyota Regious, Price $1.6M- Call:262-0218/6410748 Nissan Frontier: Automatic, extra cab, four wheel drive, GPP series. Owner leaving country. $2.6M negotiableCall:602-1271 1 RX8 Mazda: A/C, stick gear, wheel, lights, fog lamps, fully powered, PPP series, low mileage- Call:653-2477 Toyota Altezza, PNN, tiptronic- Call:622-0108 Unregistered Toyota Tundra 4x4 and Toyota mini buses now in stock- Call:674-5911 or 647-7676 1 Low Bed (hauler & trailer), 1 Freight Liner Hauler, 1-48ft trailer- Call:613-6979 First Class Auto: Allion, Verossa, Axio, 212- Call:6098188/602-6307 110 Corolla, Vitz- Call:6797139 1 Leyland DAF GNN 2131 Call:259-1370/650-3447 1 Toyota Verossa: HID, leather seats & mags. PPP series- Call:618-7618 1- 1RZ minibus BNN 3760 automatic $2.1M neg. excellent working conditionCall:628-0310
Sunday September 22, 2013
WANTED 1 person to work in snackette 3pm-9pm between ages 1825- Call:226-2320/ 193 Charlotte street G/Town One male cook to work in Interior- Call:666-6836 Contract vehicles with experience hire car and mini bus drivers- Call:645-0025
Wanted crash or damaged vehicles to buy- Call:6171773
Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665
Night cleaner for a school in Lamaha street from the Alberttown/ Queenstown area- Call:619-4824 For an appointment
One live-in or live out maidcall:668-3985/264-3355/6837936 2 Carpenters & 2 masonry ($6000 per day). 2 LabourersCall the office from Mon-Fri (7am-4pm) 265-3586 Male or female to draw and sell cones from machineCall:610-2978 Boys to learn mechanical trade, attractive salary. Preferably from the W.C.D and W.B.D- Call:697-3756/ 616-6007 General workers @ Secret Villa, Land of Canaan. Eight hours shift- Call:2665243/266-5245 One mechanic to repair minibus and Solid DEF vehicle to work in InteriorCall:666-6836 1 Whole day maid for East Bank area- Call:614-4358
One Mitsubishi canter. Latest series, 15ft tray- Call: 254-0247/613-2150
Experienced taxi drivers- Bus drivers. Apply with written application- Call:265-7076/ 616-5419 Bill writers and porters to work in Grocery stall, Stabroek market- Tel:2269800/683-9500
Nissan X-Trail, PLL series, one owner. Going cheapCall: 269-0432/686-0323
Experienced male dispatchercall:686-7862 or 600-1700 (8am-5pm)
Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, IST, Runx, FielderCall:652-3820/665-4529
1 maid must be able to cook a variety of healthy dishesCall:668-0306/694-7817
One Toyota IST 2004 model: 16" rims, DVD, HID price $2.3MCall:621-7497/ 623-6600
1 male baheir must know to cook Indian dishes & 1 Jetman- Contact Tel:667-5717
1 Pearl white Premio: Chrome rims 17 inch, TV, Back-up camera- Call:624-6471
Tailors at Paul’s Tailor ShopCall:223-8266/680-8046
AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Audi, BNN RZ mini buses, AT170, Marino. Cash or terms- Call: 680-3154 One RZ Minibus BMM series, Price – $ 1.9m Negotiable: Call – 233-3703
Decent girls to work in the interior of Guyana- Call:6090695
Experienced Dispatcher, contract cars & drivers- Call: 613-0419.
2 Pitbull buses, 2 Runx, 1 Premio, 1 Allion, 1 Corolla Fielder, 1 new model Raum & 2 Spacio. Never registered- Contact:6096458/623-6070/675-2912
1 Toyota Marino: AC, mags, CD player & alarm $725,000. 1 Toyota Tundra V6 engine & 20" mags $3.1M negCall:619-1047
WANTED Live in attractive waitress, must have secondary education (18-25 years). Boarding & lodging free, $50,000 monthly- Call:6103974
General help with lorry license, puri cook, snackette attendant, domestic helpCall:676-6312/626-2629 To buy 1 Bedford truckCall:616-0617 or 663-3285 Experienced sewing machine operators- Call:220-4337
Urgently needed 1 plot of land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie- Call:675-7292 One female dispatcher at Classic Ride Taxi Service, 18 Hendbury Ave. Nandy Park, E.B.D- Tel:233-5227 Wanted to work in Salon on percentage: Nail technician and Hair dresser. Clients required- Call:644-5362 TV technician must be able to repair projection & regular TVs. Full time/ part time @ Cummings & MiddleCall:621-4000 Person to operate Sign Business, should know how to make all number plates & vinyl signs- Call:621-4000 One sewing machine for upholstery- Call:643-8905 DRESSMAKING Enid’s dressmaking certificate classes from Elementary to advance: 66 sixth St. Albertown: 2239106/695-3876: sewing done here
CAR RENTAL Premio, vitz call: 679-7139 Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693dollysautorental@yahoo.com/ www.dollysautorental.com First Choice Car Rental: Cars as low as $5,000 per day- Call:668-0306/6947817/225-6337 Fab’s Rental: Cars to RentCall:671-6051/609-6890 (Continued on page 54)
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
The Abigail Column Attraction to other men stops woman short of altar
DEARABIGAIL, I have been dating a wonderful man I’ll call ‘Shane’ for a year and a half. He has most things that I want in a partner, and I often feel he’s better than I deserve. We’re in our late 20s, and Shane is saying he will soon need some kind of idea where we are going in the future. I’m having trouble with the notion of committing to
him forever because I’m still attracted to other men. (I haven’t been involved with anyone else since starting to date him.) More worrisome, I’m afraid I’ll meet someone I’m more attracted to a few years down the road. How can I be sure that Shane will make me happier than anyone else I might meet in the future? Yonette Dear Yonette, You say Shane has “most” things you want in a partner. Yet I sense that you’re not as
physically attracted to him as you think you should be. If this man does not appeal to you, then face it - he’s not for you. Of course, regardless of how attractive one’s partner is, there are no guarantees that anyone - male or female won’t meet someone who is different and appealing at some point in the future. But those who are mature and committed usually realise they have enough invested emotionally in their marriage and children that they can resist temptation. It’s called being an adult.
Sunday September 22, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): You’re standing at centre stage, ready to set the world on fire with an exciting announcement and while family responsibilities may slow your progress a bit, you’re still determined to change the course of your life for the better. ***************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): A past incident that you kept locked in your heart is demanding your attention. It’s no longer possible to pretend that this situation never really bothered you. ***************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Changes are occurring within your social circle, which is a bit dismaying. You draw great strength from your friendships, and it’s hard to conceive of what life will be like if a pal moves away, gets married or changes jobs. ***************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): If you feel as though you’ve outgrown your current job, you’re probably right. Fortunately, that’s all about to change and while your new position may require you to spend longer hours at the office, you’ll also receive tremendous benefits from this arrangement. ***************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): The prospect of going on a far-flung journey becomes a distinct possibility today. Be sure that your passport is upto-date and that you have all the necessary visas before booking a flight, or chaos could ensue. ***************************** VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Big changes are destined on the financial front, and some of them may be challenging. It may develop that you owe a friend or large organisation quite a bit of money.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Surprising news on the relationship front could reach your ears over the next few days. If you have a partner, you may learn that one of you is forced to relocate because of business. It may be time to decide whether you want to keep your love alive or part as friends. ***************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): You’re more determined than ever to ship yourself into shape. Skip the fad diets and insane workout regimens. Opt instead for a sensible program that won’t bore your taste buds or strain your muscles. ***************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): If you’re single, be prepared to have your world rocked by a sexy flirt who is new to your social circle. This person may have a hypnotic effect on you, prompting you to do and say things that are totally out of character. ***************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Although things look promising on the home front, you should heed a few warnings. A business or romantic partner may not be keen on the changes in store. ***************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): An astonishing bit of news prompts you to look at a close relationship in a whole new light. It seems as though this matter concerns a sibling, neighbour or cousin. ***************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): If you want a raise or better paying job, put the wheels in motion today. While you may be asked to assume heavier responsibilities, the sacrifice will be worth it in the end.
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Govt. sacrifices billions... From page 8 pronouncements had said the US-based project developer, Sithe Global, will own the majority shares in project. Like the case of the Marriott, Sithe Global was supposed have majority ownership of the project by investing US$157M as an equity partner. Leaked confidential documents, however, have since revealed that the government had in fact committed to invest the same amount- US$157M but was getting a minority share (40%). Sithe Global was going to be repaid its investment annually but would still control the company; even when its investment was down to one dollar. Government moved to Parliament to increase the debt ceiling so that it could
guarantee the loans by way of the Power Purchase Agreement. In essence, Government would have invested US$157M, guaranteed the loan from China Development Bank, and allow an illegal monopoly situation in electricity. And once again, neither Sithe Global, the China Development Bank, the IDB, nor any of Amaila’s contractors would have paid any taxes for the full twenty-five years, inclusive of the construction period. Another feature of the agreements is what Chris Ram on his website last night described as the “Brassington Clause.” He said that “The public in Guyana must know nothing about the transaction because Brassington says the private investor must be protected.”
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
(From page 54) TO LET Fully furnished Vacation home with all amenitiesCall during working hours227-1218 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call: 6797139 Secret Villa apartment, fully furnished apartments Landof-Canaan E.B.D- Call:2665243/266-5245 Harmony Inn: Apartments fully furnished, airconditioned apartments: $5000 per night- Call:6680306/602-8769/694-7817 For immediate rental, one bedroom apartment with all modern amenities $500USD monthly- Call:623-4498 or 649-2251 Hutsonville, E.B.D: Furnished 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms Bungalow with modern convenience US$550 - Call:697-4131 Campbellville $100,000, BelAir $80,000-US$1200, Atlantic Gardens US$900, Lamaha Gardens US$1500Call Diana @626-9382/2272256 One kitchen/ canteen at Secret Villa apartments, Land of Canaan, E.B.D- Call:6680306/689-5838 Newly built apartment @ W.C.D- Call:698-6496 1-3 bedrooms house at Good Hope Phase 2, E.C.D- Call:6939795 One two bedrooms bottom flat house at lot 60 back street McDoom Village, E.B.DCall:233-0044/682-3988
SERVICES Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Profressional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,6626045,223-8115 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) Professional and affordable landscaping and tree trimming services. Budram’s Landscaping ServicesCall:656-1326/678-0058 We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call:225-9032,647-2943 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Pandit Chrishna Persaud Justice of the Peace, Commissioner of Oaths to Affidavits & Marriage OfficerCall:225-6344/642-5165 Brian Moe @642-3543: Computer Technician: Home and Office visits at your comfort!! FB:brianmoe.165 Upholstery, recovering of sofas chairs, recliner, couches and more- Call:613-5132
FOR RENT Rooms- Call:225-9223 2 Bedrooms apartment, fully furnished @ 266 Atlantic Gardens- Call:220-3735 Coolers and ScaffoldingCall:657-0424
SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773
MASSAGE The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available - Call:657-5979 American Style massage services- Call:678-7499
For the best rates, call us on 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491
1 Barber chair & 1 hairdresser chair $5000 weekly- Call:602-7960 Furnished short term apartment houses to rentCall:687-3017 Fully furnished apartment in Nandy Park, suitable for a single person or coupleCall:619-4824 for further information. 1 Republic Park furnished US$1200. South Road (business) US$2000. Lamaha Gardens US$1200 (office space)- CallVish Realty 612-7377 3 Bedrooms downstairs apartment @ 19 Goedverwagting, E.C.D $40,000 - Call:222-9098/6504687 Business Spot to rent at 14 Peter’s Hall, E.B.D- Call:2335110/668-0309
PROPERTY FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
‘BB’ Eccles- Concrete house 3 bedrooms upstairs, downstairs 2 self contained apartments, 2 bedrooms each toilet & bath $28MCall:227-8409/660-4764
Corolla Axio - TV/ DVD $2.875 - Call: 697-0294
Painted 2 storey concrete building 53x26, transported property at 69 Jackson street, Daniels Town, Essequibo CoastCall: 618-2517/ 660-6739 VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, g e n e r a t o r, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call: 592-6248704/ 592-684-9203
2006 UNREGISTERED PREMIO FULLY LOADED $2.8M. 2003 UNREGISTERED SPACIO BODY KIT, FULLY LOADED $2.25MCALL:642-7295/617-2891 1 -2004 Madza RX-8 6 speed needs an engine, 1 -2004 new model Noah. Both never registered- Call:664-3755 1 Mazda Axela late PPP series- Call:664-3755 Toyota Sprinter AE110. Top condition $1.1M negotiableCall:611-3210 or 690-9168
1 House and land @ lot 69 New Hope, E.B.D- Call:2663643/663-2574
New ATVs: Introductory price $1,450,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234
One two storey three bedrooms concrete house in Parfaite Harmony. Price $17M neg. Call:622-1782/ 658-5803/264-0042
New 2013 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabsCall:691-0234
2 Houses on land on public road @ Parika VillageCall:260-4353/650-3008 Better Hope $15M, West Bank $8.5M, Section ‘K’ $40M, Robb street (2 buildings) $125M- Call Diana @626-9382/227-2256 One Charlestown property with business potential- Call: 673-5882 Two storey wooden & concrete building. Located at Duke street, KingstonCall:227-2157 Property for sale- Contact: 699-9926 Paradise, E.C.D: Concrete modern 2 bedrooms, front and rear verandah. Concrete fenced large lot- call:2252626/ 225-3068 Paradise, E.C.D: Concrete modern 2 storeys, 4 bedrooms- 2 masters. Concrete fenced large lotcall:225-2626/ 225-3068 Haslington, E.C.D: Building ‘A’, concrete/ timber modern 2 storeys, 7 bedrooms, grilled & fenced. Building ‘B’, 3 apartments, fenced- call:2252626/ 225-3068 Modern 2 storey house/ business place @ Anna Catherina public road, W.C.D. Ideal location for any business- Call:276-1548 2 Storey transported property at 311 Herstelling, E.C.D- Call Sonalall @ 718-843-1691 or Datsy @231-2284 Two storey house, six bedrooms & two kitchen @ block ‘8’ Tushen, E.B.ECall:650-2982 Prime Business property for sale by owner- Call:6865083/611-9646
1 RZ Toyota Hiace minibus, working condition- Call:6625614 Toyota AT192, AT212, AT170, Ceres, EP71 Starlet, G-Touring wagon, Tundra, Tacoma- Call:644-5096/6971453 1 Hilux pick up Solid DEF $1.7M, 1-D4D Hilux pick up, 2007 year model $3.5MCall:644-5096/697-1453 1 Leyland DAF 60 single axle & dump- Call:216-1315/6136615 1- AA60 Carina- Call:6895254/643-0332 Norpan Auto: Premio, Raum, Fielder Wagon, Alex & Vitz. Some credit availableCall:269-0432/686-0323 1 Spacio ‘P’ series. 1 owner, excellent condition, Price reasonable & 1 AT212 PLL 3937 $1.150 neg.- Call:6520709/268-3572 Sand truck for sale- Call:6861616 or 255-0690 Nissan Maxima fully powered, needs some repairs $500,000- Call:621-4000 Cheapest- Premio, Spacio, Hilux, Stick Gear Buses- Call: 616-7635 BUY/SELL VEHICLES OR PROPERTY save time and money using photo ads www.gytrader.com- Call:6514300/670-4300
VACANCY
LAND FOR SALE
Highly motivated individuals needed for sales leadership training, earn $50,000- $100,000 as you learn- Call:225-7560/680-8218
Kuru Kururu 20 acres with farm house and creek. 26 acres with creek- Call:2615500/643-1861
Vacancy for girl to work in bar, age 18-25- Tel:256-4096 Trainee refrigeration & AC technician- Call:231-0655/ 683-8734 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistantCall: 663-1751/684-2838 1 Female Clerk- Call:231-5171 1 Hiab truck driver- Call:6292912 Jump Start your Career!!! Phone: 220-0401-3 or 220-3488 to schedule your Interview Or Email:recruitment_guyana@ qualfon.com Hire Car drivers from E.C.D @ A1 Taxi- Call:220-1000 Experience cleaners- Call:2258572 between 7am- 9am Vacancy exists for carpenters and security. Apply at Alabama Trading Georgetown ferry stelling Car wash attendant needed, within Alberttown/ Cummingsburg area Call:694-4148 or 225-6296 Sales person for Plant Shop 18-25 years. Must have secondary education- Call between 8:00am-4:00pmTel:648-1821 Young lady between the ages 18-25, to work @ a Spa. For pedicure & manicure. MUST HAVE EXPERIENCECall:219-4101/667-7211
CAKES & PASTRIES Sarah’s Pastry & Edibles: We wholesale & retail Dhal Puri, pizza, donuts, Jamaican chicken & beef patties etc.Call:687-1241/609-5441
FOR RENT LEARN TO DRIVE B & C Driving School: Lot 5 Hadfield streer Lodge- call: 225-0150, 229-7258 ,680-6826
House for rent @ E.B.D 114X20 $10,000 monthly (single male). 1- 14x30 $15,000 for couples- Call:619-8173
Providence: Next to the stadium & with infrastructure. Enquire 6158810 or 668-3100 House lot for sale: Friendship, Diamond, E.B.D & in Mocha- Call: 223-0733/ 692-8513 House Lot 50’x100’ Tuschen, W.C.D. Near to main road $3.1M (no agents)- Call:609-8132/6728569 Parfaite Harmony $1.1M & $1.2M- Call:675-7292 10 Acres of lease land at Long Creek- Call:699-3723 To lease with option to buy, 5 acres fruit bearing landsCall: 261-2988 2369.664 Sq/ft of land @ Victoria village, E.C.DCall:225-2626/225-3068 32 Acres for sale, Lot 5 Content Mahaicony, E.C.D: US$175,000: Call:813-3194219: rpooran@ tampabay.rr.com FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table - Call: 277-0578
EDUCATIONAL I.A.E (Camp street): Forms 15, lessons & adult CXC classes: Maths, English, Business & Science- Call :223-0604/ 683-5742 Electronic Course- hands on training. Starting 2nd October. Abdul electronicsCall:226-655/225-0391 Advance Diploma in computer technology: Windows7, Office 2013 6 months course @ MicroGraphics Technology Vreed-En-Hoop- Call:2643057 Kids Computer Courses $4000 monthly @ MicroGraphics Technology Vreed-En-Hoop- Call:2643057 Cheap Online Shopping 3lbs @ MicroGraphics- Call:2643057
Sunday September 22, 2013
SUNDAY SPECIAL HANDFUL OF COMPANIES CONTROL $$$B STATE CONTRACTS Amidst growing concerns over the quality of work offered by contractors on Government projects, the administration has admitted that it is not happy. As a matter of fact, the current system of procurement, to hire contractors, may need some revamping, said Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn. The official was on Friday (Sept. 13) responding to questions relating to the quality of work delivered on Government contracts and the fact that Guyana may be seeing just a handful of firms awarded the majority of projects worth billions of dollars. There have been heavy criticisms about roads breaking up in the matter of months, cost overruns, delays and of contracts being taken away. There have also been widespread accusations of collusion between Government engineers and supervisors and contractors. However, to date, there have not been any arrests made nor have there been any public examples of guilty contractors or government officials. CONTROVERSIAL MARRIOTT HOTEL… DEAL BEING FINALIZED WITH UNKNOWN PERSON - GOVT. DENIES BVI INVESTOR The Guyana Government has denied that it received an offer from a British Virgin Islands (BVI) incorporated investor to buy the Marriott Hotel building as it is at this stage for US$10M. The claim was made by Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan, who said that the offer was made as a result of Government, “finding it difficult to attract the investors and syndicated loans” to complete the hotel. Chairman of Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), Winston Brassington, has since indicated that the company is in the closing stages of a deal with a foreign investor and that the name of this investor will be announced when there is financial closure. He said that “in general, private investors are usually reluctant to make premature public disclosures about their business and in this case there is greater apprehension to do so, given the hostile and unwelcoming political environment created by the Opposition parties.” He said that the private investor is aware, and acknowledges, that given its intended relationship with the Government of Guyana, it will
Kaieteur News
be required to make a public announcement which it is prepared to do at the appropriate time. Brassington in a statement said that construction to the Marriott Hotel and Entertainment Complex remains a priority for the Government of Guyana. MONDAY EDITION C’TYNE SHOPKEEPER FOUND BOUND, MURDERED - WIFE OBSERVED PERSONS VIDEO-TAPING HOME Just three days after Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell urged citizens “not to press the panic button” over the recent surge in violent crime, the bound body of an elderly Corentyne shopkeeper has been found. Abdul Majid, 70, of Lot 12 ‘A’, Number 70 Village, Corentyne, was found in his store with his feet tied with a length of electrical cord at around 10:30 hrs last Sunday. A sum of cash and a quantity of jewellery is reported to have been stolen, police said. Reports indicate that Majid and his wife were attacked by at least four persons who had visited the shop under the pretext of making a purchase. The victim and his wife, Kamrun Nesha Majid, operated a small shop which sells mechanical and electrical spares to rice farmers and tractor owners in the Upper Corentyne area. The store had been in operation for the past nine years. It was located in a separate building from the victim’s home. Mrs. Majid suggested that the men who killed her husband were individuals who had been scouring the area in recent weeks. She told Kaieteur News that she had observed, on several occasions, four men pulling up with a minibus, video- taping the premises. Mrs. Majid alleged that she had informed ranks at the Springlands Police Station about the suspicious activities, but was told that police needed the licence number of the vehicle. The woman said that she was unable to provide this information.
GOVT. TAKES OVER RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHINESE DEFECTS IN CJIA Not only has the Guyana Government agreed to pay half a million dollars for a toilet in the new Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), it has also amended the international best practice standards, to take on responsibility for any defects in the works being done by the Chinese Contractor. The Guyana Government and China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) signed the US$150M contract, a day before the hosting of the General Elections in 2011, but not before amending the international standards. According to the international standards, “the contractor shall give all notices, pay all taxes, duties and fees, and obtain all permits, licences and approvals, as required by the Laws in relation to the design, execution and completion of the works and the remedying of any defects and the Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Employer harmless against and from the consequences of any failure to do.” TUESDAY EDITION GUNMAN KILLED, TEN CAPTURED IN SHOOTOUT - GANG LINKED TO WAKENAANAND METENMEER-ZORG ROBBERIES/ MURDER Residents of the West Coast Demerara community of Meten-Meer-Zorg were Monday caught in the centre of a movie-style shootout between police and gunmen that ended with one suspect dead and ten others in custody. Police sources linked the gang to the murder, two Tuesdays ago, of Zulficar ‘Vicky’ Namdar, 25, and the recent attack by heavilyarmed bandits at the home of a prominent Wakenaam businessman. Kirk Bacchus, of Paradise, East Coast Demerara, was slain around 10:00 hrs on Tarla Dam, allegedly after
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shooting at police ranks, who were pursuing him and an accomplice in a taxi. Eyewitnesses said that Bacchus was wearing a shirt which identified him as a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) employee. Two other suspects were captured in the community, while a third, who was armed, escaped. Police sources said that ranks subsequently rounded up eight more suspects believed linked to a massive gang. Sources said that the suspects are from Parika, East Bank Essequibo, Georgetown and Paradise on the East Coast of Demerara. Police said that they recovered a loaded 9mm pistol and impounded two vehicles that the gunmen had used. Kaieteur News understands that police recovered a second handgun Monday evening. AFC WANTS FORENSIC AUDIT OF JAGDEO, BRASSINGTON ASSETS With Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI) still negotiating with a foreign private investor for two-thirds ownership of the Marriott Hotel, still under construction in Kingston, the Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, has since charged that there
is undoubtedly a fraudulent intent in the way the project has been configured. The Guyana Government upon completion of the deal being negotiated will own a minority stake in the Marriott Hotel. Ramjattan has since called on Head of State, Donald Ramotar, to enforce the resolutions of a Parliamentary Motion that had called for a forensic audit into the operations of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), which is headed by Winston Brassington. Ramjattan says that the personal assets of Brassington and members of NICIL’s Board, his connection to former President Bharrat Jagdeo and his inner circle and even the assets of Jagdeo himself must be scrutinized “So that the truth be known!” WEDNESDAY EDITION METEN-MEER-ZORG MURDER, WAKENAAM ROBBERY… SUSPECTS CONFESS - SAY FRIEND OF MURDER VICTIM TIPPED THEM OFFABOUT VALUABLES Some of the suspects in Monday’s movie-style shootout have reportedly confessed to being involved in the robbery at MetenMeer-Zorg in which Zulfikar Namdar was slain, as well as the recent attack at a Wakenaam businessman’s house. But a source said that none of the men admitted to shooting Namdar, and pinned his demise on gang member Kirk Bacchus, who was slain during Monday’s confrontation with police. Up to late Tuesday, some eight suspects were in custody. They included a Meten-Meer-Zorg man who is a friend of the Namdar
family. He is said to have tipped off the gang that the victims kept large sums of money, including cash for an orphanage, on their premises. The informant was at the grocery when the bandits attacked, and his alleged associates had reportedly even placed him to lie on the ground with other customers. 800MW hydro project at Mazaruni…Trinidad firm has no agreement to conduct studies – Prime Minister Hinds An agreement between Government and a Trinidadian firm to conduct studies in Mazaruni, Region Seven, for the construction of a hydro-power dam, expired since 2010, Energy Minister, Sam Hinds said Tuesday. As such, the Prime Minister in a statement stressed that there exists no Memorandum of Understanding between the company and Guyana. “ENMAN Services Ltd. had applied for and was granted an MOU in 2001 to conduct studies at the Takwari site, which was amended a few months later, substituting the Turtruba site. That MOU was amended from time to time, eventually expiring by effluxion of time in July 2010 and ENMAN Services Limited was duly informed,” Hinds said. ENMAN, last year, unveiled an ambitious energy project involving Trinidad and Tobago in which a US$700M submarine power cable will link the two countries, with the intention to sell excess electricity from the twin-island Republic to Guyana. ENMAN’s President Donald Baldeosingh also announced last September during a visit to this country, that his company has developed a number of (Continued on page 39)
There is growing unhappiness over the current system used by government to evaluate contractors and award contracts for state jobs
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Islamists claim gun attack on Nairobi mall, at least 39 dead NAIROBI (Reuters) Gunmen stormed a shopping mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi yesterday, killing at least 39 people including close relatives of Kenya’s president and children, in an attack claimed by the Somali Islamist group al Shabaab. Shooting continued hours after the initial assault as troops surrounded the Westgate mall and police and soldiers combed the building, hunting the attackers shop by shop. A police officer inside the building said the gunmen were barricaded inside a Nakumatt supermarket, one of Kenya’s biggest chains. “We got three bodies from this shop,” said volunteer Vipool Shah, 64, standing a dozen meters from the supermarket entrance and pointing to a children’s shoe shop where blood lay in pools. Shah turned to a nearby burger bar where piped music still played and food lay abandoned. “And a couple of bodies here.” The attack appeared designed to achieve maximum global impact by targeting a place frequented by Westerners as well as Kenyans. France said two of its citizens were dead, the U.S. State Department said it had reports that American citizens had been injured, and Britain said its nationals had undoubtedly been affected. Al Shabaab, which has links to al Qaeda and is
battling Kenyan and other African peacekeepers in Somalia, had repeatedly threatened attacks on Kenyan soil if Nairobi did not pull its troops out of the Horn of Africa country. “The Kenyan govt (government) is pleading with our Mujahideen (holy warriors) inside the mall for negotiations,” the group said under its official Twitter handle @HSM_Press. “There will be no negotiations whatsoever at #Westgate.” Another al Shabaab tweet read: “For long we have waged war against the Kenyans in our land, now it’s time to shift the battleground and take the war to their land.” President Uhuru Kenyatta said more than 39 people had been killed, among them close members of his own family, and more than 150 others wounded. “We have overcome terrorist attacks before. We will defeat them again,” he said in a sombre televised address, promising to hunt down and punish the perpetrators. The assault was the single biggest attack in Kenya since al Qaeda’s east Africa cell bombed the U.S. embassy in Nairobi in 1998, killing more than 200 people. In 2002, the same militant cell attacked an Israeli-owned hotel on the Kenyan coast and tried to shoot down an Israeli jet in a coordinated attack. The Kenyan presidency
said on its Twitter feed that one wounded gunman had been arrested, but had died in hospital. William Hague, foreign secretary of Kenya’s former colonial ruler Britain, said: “Such attacks will never weaken our resolve or the resolve of the people of Kenya to defeat terrorism.” Tiles at the mall were smeared with blood, bullet casings were strewn on the floor and shop windows were shattered. A policeman dragged the corpse of a young girl across the floor and laid her on a stretcher. Two policemen lay on the floor with guns trained on the supermarket entrance. Some local television stations reported hostages had been taken, but there was no official confirmation. Kenyan forces first entered Somalia two years ago to try to stem incursions by al Shabaab. Al Shabaab, which Kenya blames for shootings, bombings and grenade attacks against churches and the security forces, had threatened before to strike Westgate, a mall popular with the city’s expatriates, as well as other soft targets such as nightclubs and hotels known to be popular with Westerners. One woman leaving the building told a journalist that one of the attackers had told all Muslims to leave the area. Survivors told Reuters at least one of the attackers was a woman.
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Merkel eyes third term in first German vote since euro crisis BERLIN (Reuters) - In the first German election since Europe’s debt crisis erupted four years ago, voters are likely to give Angela Merkel a third term today, but may force her into a coalition with her leftist rivals and catapult a new antieuro party into parliament. The vote is being closely watched by Berlin’s European partners, with some hoping Chancellor Merkel will soften her approach towards struggling euro states like Greece if she is pushed into a ‘grand coalition’ with the Social Democrats (SPD). But major policy shifts
seem unlikely because the center-left SPD, whose campaign stalled after a gaffeprone start by its lead candidate Peer Steinbrueck, agrees with the thrust of Merkel’s approach even as it accuses her of weak leadership. Voting is due to begin at 8 a.m. (0600 GMT) and the first exit polls will be published at 6 p.m. (1600 GMT). Some 62 million Germans are eligible to vote. Roughly a third described themselves as undecided in the run-up to the election, adding to the uncertainty. The most recent opinion
polls show support for Merkel’s conservative bloc her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU) - around 39 percent, some 13 points ahead of the SPD, the secondbiggest party. That virtually guarantees that Merkel, whose staunch defense of German interests during the crisis has sent her approval ratings soaring over 60 percent, will stay on as chancellor. In power since 2005, the 59-year-old Protestant pastor’s daughter from East Germany has presided over a robust economy and booming labor market. Her modest “step by step” leadership style is criticized abroad but applauded by many at home, where she was cheered as “Mutti”, or Mum, on the campaign trail. What remains unclear is whether Merkel will be able to continue atop the centerright government she has led for the past four years. Her current partner, the business-friendly Free Democrats (FDP), has seen its support slide from a record 14.6 percent in the 2009 vote to just 5 percent in recent polls. Unless they perform better on election day, Merkel will probably be forced to court the rival SPD, with whom she governed in a rightleft coalition between 2005 and 2009. Voters abandoned the SPD after that experiment, and there is deep resistance within the party to working with Merkel again. Should the SPD refuse altogether, she could turn to the environmentalist Greens. A more likely scenario is that the SPD swallows its pride and agrees to talks, while demanding a high price in return for entering government with Merkel.
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Syria meets deadline for chemical weapons disclosure AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Syria has handed over information about its chemical arsenal to a U.N.-backed weapons watchdog, meeting the first deadline of an ambitious disarmament operation that averted the threat of Western air strikes. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said yesterday it had “received the expected disclosure” from Damascus, 24 hours after saying it had been given a
partial document from Syrian authorities. It said it was reviewing the information, handed over after President Bashar al-Assad agreed to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons in the wake of a sarin gas strike in Damascus’s suburbs last month - the world’s deadliest chemical attack in 25 years. Washington blamed Assad’s forces for the attack, which it said killed more than 1,400 people. Assad blamed rebels battling to overthrow
him, saying it made no sense for his forces to use chemical weapons when they were gaining the upper hand and while U.N. chemical inspectors were staying in central Damascus. The timetable for disarmament was laid down
by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov a week ago in Geneva when they set aside sharp differences over Syria to address the chemical weapons issue. Their plan set a Saturday
deadline for Syria to give a full account of the weapons it possesses. Security experts say it has about 1,000 metric tons of mustard gas, VX and sarin - the nerve gas U.N. inspectors found had been used in the August 21 attack. The U.S. State
Department said on Friday, after the OPCW announced Syria’s initial declaration, that it was studying the material. “An accurate list i s v i t a l to ensure the effective implementation,” spokeswoman Marie Harf said.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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“CLT-20 2013-14 could be the final fling for Trinidad & Tobago’s cricketing Red Force!” Colin E. H. Croft When captain Denesh Ramdin and his Red Force team left Trinidad & Tobago earlier this week, they, more than likely, had a bit more on their always very confident minds than just trying to play excellent T-20 cricket or planning to get to knock-out stages, even probably winning Champions League T-20 2013/14. In the back of their minds, or in the minds of the team’s think tank, must have been, or at least should have been, thoughts that this could very well be their final fling as a playing unit in international tournaments, representing the Caribbean with all players as fully indigenous natives of Trinidad & Tobago! As official sporting ambassadors for the twin island republic, Red Force 2013/14 know that they have a tremendous heritage to uphold in CLT-20 2013/14, a very high standard that has been set by this particular team themselves in past competitions in which they had been included. They certainly have made a splash! With Caribbean Premier League more than likely to produce our representatives for Champion League T-20 2014/15, Red Force, who have done brilliantly last half decade, will want to finish with a great flourish. Already, the team based in T&T for CPL, “Red Steel”, comprises several players not born in T&T, some, as is the norm elsewhere, not even born in the region. CLT-20 2013/14 is likely the very last bastion of special, single, real “home”
T&T Red Force
representation, for any country or island involved in Caribbean cricket. When they easily beat Jamaica in that first Stanford final in February 2008, by an overwhelming nine wickets, with 64 deliveries still remaining, that started a fantastic, well-orchestrated journey that has seen Red Force represent the region in all but one of Champions Leagues T-20 competitions to date. Only Guyana, who won Caribbean T-20 in 2010, beating Barbados by just one run, with one delivery remaining, thusly representing the Caribbean at CLT 2010/2011, had managed to break the almost stranglehold that T&T seemed to have had on the ambassadorial role for our country/club cricketers. T&T’s fully dynamic bowlers in that inaugural
Stanford final were Ryad Emrit, Samuel Badree, Sherwin Ganga, Dwayne Bravo and Dave Mohammed, whose 4-20 from 4 overs made him “Man of the Final.” William Perkins, Ramdin and Lendl Simmons quickly slashed 92 required in 9.2 overs, captain Darren Ganga’s men winning at a canter. The rest of that 2008 team were Kieron Pollard and Richard Kelly. Since then, Trinidad & Tobago has suffered somewhat from its own successes, with some of the players no longer in that team five years later. Others, in a way, have defected to richer, more prosperous pastures, continually balancing that choice of playing for country or club/franchise that pays much more. In 2013/14, T&T’s team is much changed. Ramdin,
Distance athletes clash... From page 64 trophies. Banks DIH under its Powerade and Aqua Mist brands are also partnering with Courts for the race that will doll out $100,000 each to the open male and female winners. Second place will pocket a sum of $80,000; third $60,000; fourth $40,000 and fifth $20,000 for fifth place. The top junior male and female athletes will win $60,000 while second, third, fourth and fifth get $40,000, $30,000, $20,000 and $10,000 respectively. The Masters women 35 and above and men 40-54 earn prize monies of $60,000, $40,000 and $25,000 for first
Nathaniel Giddings to third while the Masters men 56 and above will pocket
$40,000, $25,000 and $15,000 for first through third. Courts will be hosting the race for the third consecutive year since its re-introduction in 2011 and the race forms part of the company’s commemoration of 20 years since commencing operations in Guyana and is part of giving back to the community. Persons, who usually walk in the National Park or on the Seawalls, are also encouraged to participate in the event that has a 3km Walk/Jog, geared for the corporate community, family and friends of staff and anyone who wish to participate.
Badree, Emrit, Simmons and Sherwin Ganga are still there, all matured, for both country and region, over the last five years, but there are new faces too. Adrian Barath and Darren Bravo, 23 and 24 respectively, are just starting to achieve real cricketing maturity, while 25 year old Shannon Gabriel has recently emerged as a fast bowler with much potential. Ravi Rampaul, at 28, has again recovered from injury
and has done really well for T&T and West Indies since making his international debut in 2007, while 30 year old Navin Stewart, and especially Sunil Narine, who at 25 has already perplexed the world’s best batsmen in T-20’s, make up the bowling attack. Two nearly 22 year olds, left handed Evin Lewis and right handed Yannick Ottley, have pushed into T&T’s team with superlative batting efforts, while the emergence of 17 year old wicket-keeper batsman Nicholas Pooran has been mercurial. Always hustling Jason Mohammed completes team and batting line-ups. But it the players that Red Force has lost along the way, but whom will still play against them in CLT-20 2013/14, that seems amazing, all tremendously talented and game changing personnel. Dwayne Bravo plays for Chennai Super Kings, Kieron Pollard appears for Mumbai Indians, and Kevon Cooper represents Rajasthan Royals. Trinidad & Tobago have produced almost two full T20 teams! Red Force’s finest hour was certainly the 2009/10 CLT20 final, when, highly unfancied to get that far in the competition, they met, and
Colin E. H. Croft lost that final game to Australia’s New South Wales. It was not close, NSW winning by 41 runs, courtesy of a superb all-round display by former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who made 48 from 31 deliveries, including five sixes, then getting 2-10 from two overs. In 2011/12, T&T had to play in a qualifying tournament, even after doing so well in 2009/10. It was deemed by organizers that Guyana’s effort in 2010/11 was so poor that next West Indies representatives would have to qualify. That T&T did, with aplomb too, even if they did not get to the eventual final four! In 2012/13, T&T had to qualify again, but could not even get to that 2nd rung. Now, for probably the final time ever as a country unit, T&T’s Red Force has to pull out all of the stops, to win CLT-20 2013/14. Enjoy!
Vettel storms to ... From page 64 Mercedes, who was just 0.091 seconds behind. The second row for Formula One’s only night race will be occupied by Lotus’s Romain Grosjean and Vettel’s Australian team mate Mark Webber. “Pole is the best position to start from as it is tricky to pass on this track but it’s such a long race, so there are plenty of opportunities for all of us... we usually get a safety car in this race, too,” Vettel told reporters. Lewis Hamilton will start in fifth place in the second Mercedes while Alonso languished in seventh, outqualified by Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa. Vettel has looked unstoppable since the second practice session on Friday and although he set the quickest time ever around the demanding 23-turn circuit early in the final qualifying round, he had a nervous wait to be sure of pole after gambling that the time would suffice. “It’s a weird feeling to stand in garage with two
minutes to go, it’s much worse when you watch the others and there’s nothing you can do,” the champion told reporters after Rosberg just missed out.“I was watching the sectors times closely. Mark started with a purple (fastest) sector and Nico and Romain then had a purple sector, but fortunately my last sector was strong enough. “It was a great feeling, I’m very happy with the result. The car has been phenomenal all weekend.” ROSBERG DELIGHTS The pole position was the 41st of Vettel’s career and fifth of the season and with Alonso so far back on a circuit that is notoriously difficult for overtaking, only a tropical downpour or a series of safety car periods looks like preventing the German from extending his lead on Sunday. Rosberg was disappointed not to have overhauled the triple world champion on his final flying lap but still delighted with his overall performance. “It was very close and it was a pity because one tenth
more it would have been possible, but second is still a good result and gives us a good position to start the race tomorrow,” the German said. “We are confident about our race pace so I think a great result is possible.” Like Red Bull and Mercedes, Lotus have a car that suits the rigors of high downforce tracks like Singapore and despite team mate Kimi Raikkonen nursing a bad back and managing only 13th on the grid, Grosjean drove brilliantly to qualify third. “The car has been okay today and if we look at the number of laps we have done this weekend, it is not too bad,” the Frenchman said. “The team made a good decision for the strategy and it is good to be in the front for this grand prix.” The top 10 was completed by McLaren’s Jenson Button, Toro Rosso’s Daniel Ricciardo and Sauber’s Mexican rookie Esteban Gutierrez, who reached the third round of qualifying for the first time in his career.
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Exciting day of racing anticipated for Bush Lot United Turf Club race meet With just one week away from race day all systems are in place and all roads are expected to lead to the Bush Lot United Turf Club, Sea View Park, West Coast Berbice as thousands are expected to swarm the venue for the much anticipated one day horse race meet. The meet, which is organised by the Bush Lot United Turf Club (BLUTC) in collaboration with the Inshan Bacchus Trucking Service and Nazrudeen Mohamed ‘Junior’ of Jumbo Jet, has so far attracted over 70 entries and with entries expected to be closed today a number of horses are also scheduled to be entered. Meanwhile, with the hype building and the weather heating up again, some of the major stables have increased their entries. Top stable Jumbo Jet, Shariff, Elcock, Jagdeo, Crawford; Singh’s among others are all on board with multiple entries. Their final figure is not yet known. The brand new Jumbo Jet staring gates will also be used. Over the past few days a number of stables and owners were busy fine tuning their animals for what is expected to be the clash of all of the major champions in the respective divisions. Seven races are listed on the day’s programme with over $7 M in cash and prizes up for grabs. A number of the country’s top horses have already given an indication of taking
part in the day’s action. Among them are such as Elle’s Vision, Swing Easy, Donut Prince, Fresh Again, Country Armagh, Settle in Seattle, Grande De Roja, Zelick, Africanist, Joyful victory Who is on the Case, Force Entry, Ameera’s Joy, Unsettled, Cat Messiah, Charismatics Boy, Celebrating Love, City Tune, Fresh Again, Prospectors Pride, California Strike, Silent Night, Top of the Line, Marathon man, Got To Go, Silver Jet, Another Jet, Settling Jet, It’s my Day, Nobody wants me, It’s My Turn, Princess Alicia, I Want Revenge, Rosetta, Blame The Jockey, Rosanna, Mary Ann, Royal Empire, Captain Crook and Golden Key, Traditional man, Silent Lizzy, Treacle, Prince Bayaya, Sweet Return, Smarty Light, She So Special, Gold Rush, Miss Karina, De Gump, Savion, Monsoon and Bridal Stone Corner among others. The Feature race will be for horses classified ‘C’ and with the animals set to cover a distance of one mile for a top first prize of $1.2M and trophy. The horses classified E and lower, one mile event, will be for a top prize of $600,000 and trophy. An encouraging $500,000 and trophy over six furlongs is available for the winner in the three Year old event for the Guyana and West Indies bred and born horses. A similar $500,000 and
trophy is available for the winner of the event for two year old Guyana and West Indies Bred horses over five furlongs. The race for horses classified G3 and lower will be a six furlongs affair with the animals running for a winning purse of $400,000 and trophy. The ‘I’ and lower event is also over six furlongs for a winning purse of$200,000 and trophy. The J and K class match up will see the winner pocketing $150,000 and trophy over six furlongs. Among the sponsors on board so far are Banks DIH Limited, Buddy Shivraj, Jumbo Jet, Trophy Stall Bourda Market, Inshan Bacchus Business Enterprise, Lekeram ‘Buddy’ Sukhdeo, Mohammed ‘Nanko’ Shariff Business Enterprise, Phagoo General Store, Eron Lall Civil Engineering and Construction, Baijnauth Sawmilling, Darmin Chattergoon, Romel Jagroop construction, Premo Baldeo, Rohan Oudit construction among others. The individual performers including top jockey, stable and trainer will be presented with trophies compliments of The Trophy Stall, Bourda Market and the organisers. Further enquiries can be made with Coordinator and Treasurer Lakeram B. Sukhdeo on Number 232-0558 or 672-0810 or President R. Jagit (tel 232-0231). Race time is 12:30 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
Vettel storms to Singapore pole position
Lotus F1 Formula One driver Romain Grosjean of France (L), Red Bull Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Germany (C) and Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany (R) stand together after the qualifying session of the Singapore F1 Grand Prix at the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore September 21, 2013. REUTERS/Tim Chong SINGAPORE (Reuters) Sebastian Vettel continued his imperious march towards a fourth consecutive Formula One world championship by storming to pole position at the Singapore Grand Prix
yesterday after dominating the two days of practice. The Red Bull driver, who is 53 points ahead of Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso with seven races remaining, clocked a fastest lap of one minute
42:841 seconds around the floodlit Marina Bay Street Circuit. The German will be joined on the front row by compatriot Nico Rosberg for (Continued on page 63)
Sunday September 22, 2013
MYO\RAF’s 10\10 Inter-Jamaat Softball
Gittens slams half century as MYO beat Success by 8 wickets A fine half century by Chien Gittens steered Muslim Youth Organization (MYO) to an eight wicket victory over Success when action in the MYO-Raf ’s Variety Store InterJamaat 10\10 nationwide knockout softball cricket competition continued last Sunday. At MYO, Success batted first and made 141 for 5 in their allotted 10 overs. Asif Singh scored 66 not out and Zahir Persaud made 51. Richard Latiff picked up 3-32. MYO responded with 143 for 2 in 8.4 overs. Gittens led the batting with 60 not out while Safraz Esau 44. Farm A defeated Farm B by 10 wickets in another fixture. Farm A managed 116 for 6 in their allotted 10 overs, batting first with Avinash Sookdeo top scoring with 31 while Lennox Marks supported with 30. Budhan Baksh took 2 for 30. Avinash Mohabir then blasted an unbeaten 93 and got support
from Ricky Sargeant who scored 17 not out as the defending Champs Farm B knocked off the required total in 8.2 overs, ending on 117-0. New Mosque overcame Queenstown by 31 runs. New Mosque rattled up 100-5 in 10 overs after taking first strike. Samir Baig 23 and Neil Samaroo 21 were their leading batsmen. Riyaad Najab captured 326 for Queenstown who were bowled out for 69 in 9.1 overs in reply. Javid Kayume and Omar Kadir scored 19 each; Samir Baig snared 4-15 runs. MYO got the better of New Mosque by 10 wickets. New Mosque batted first and made 92 for 6 off their allotted 10 overs. Neil Samaroo made 26 and Imran Ayube made 25. Timur Mohamed was the pick of the bowlers with 3-10 runs. MYO replied with 94-0 in 6.2 overs. Gittens continued his fine form with an unbeaten 58 while Richard
Latiff made 27 not out. At Affiance, Essequibo Coast, Fair Field beat Adventure by 6 wickets. Adventure took first strike and scored 140 for 3 in 10 overs. Fazeer Khan made 74 while Zakie Salim contributed 23. Bowling for Fairfield Fhazaad Khan took 2-18. Fairfield replied with 141-4 in 8.3 overs. Abdul Sabr top scored with 49 and Zameer Mohamed cracked 48. Nazir Khan and Ihwaas Baksh picked up 1 wicket apiece for 15 and 20 runs respectively. The competition concludes today at MYO with Wakenaam facing Adventure at 08:00hrs before MYO take on Fyrish Small Masjid in the first semifinal at 09:30 hrs. Farm B will then clash with the winner of the Wakenaam and Adventure game in the second semifinal at 11:00hrs which will be followed by the third place play off and final.
Distance athletes clash at Courts 10k today Distance runners, Dennis Horatio, Cleveland Thomas, Lionel D’Andrade, Nathaniel Giddings and Winston Missenger will have a common focus today, which is to topple the road race king, Cleveland Forde when Courts hosts its 10km Road Race Classic today. The race will begin at 6am in front of Courts, Main Street, proceed North to the Seawall Road, east along the Seawall Road, continue east along Rupert Craig Highway northern carriageway to turn at Church Road, Rupert Craig Highway southern carriageway into Kitty Public Road, South on Vlissingen road, west on Lamaha Street, south on the eastern carriageway on Main Street, turn around at the cenotaph to finish on the western carriageway of Main Street in front of Courts. The two outcomes of today’s Courts 10km Road Race Classic are easy to deduce; it’s one of two things; either the band of Forde’s opposition implement a plan to rival the prolific road runner or Forde continues to exhort his dominance on the local scene. Either which way, today makes for interesting rivalries with revenge at the back of the minds of Forde’s opposition. Forde’s one of
Euleen Josiah-Tanner
Cleveland Forde
Cleveland Thomas
Jevina Straker
the Caribbean’s best distance runners and is defending Courts 10km champion. He will be out to reinforce his dominance today. The female race is a clearer scenario with Euleen JosiahTanner likely to win easily. Her closest rival in this contest will most likely be Jevina Straker. Guyana Defence Force’s, Ashanti
Scott will also be on the road to compete this morning. The race will have five categories, namely Junior (age 16-19); seniors (Men 2034) and (Women 20-39); Masters (Women 35 and over); Masters (Men 40-54) and Masters (Men 56 and over); all categories will attract cash prizes and (Continued on page 63)
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Tribute to the Trailblazers Part III
Statistician Charwayne Walker continues his look down memory lane on the performances during West Indies ‘B’ or junior Team tours in the 1980’s. With the current tour by a Windies junior (A) Team currently underway in India, Walker reflects on the past tours and it must be noted that several players involved in these tours have gone on to represent the senior WI team, many with distinction. Zimbabwe must be credited for hosting four West Indies (B) Teams tours. The Africans, who were vying for test status, hosted the West Indies (B) teams in (1981), (1983), (1986) and 1989. Although the West Indies Cricket Board never reciprocated in a home series against Zimbabwe from 1982 – 1990 the Africans must be applauded for their role in giving the West Indies Test Reserves exposure to first class action outside of the Caribbean. This is a tribute to the trailblazers part three. West Indies (B) team tour of Zimbabwe 1986. West Indies (B) vs Zimbabwe President X1 (October) 2nd, 3rd and 4 at Harare Sports Club - match drawn: Umpires: P. Latham and A Stone. Toss - West Indies (B). Zimbabwe President X1 first Innings 296 All out 96.3 overs. Skipper Dave Houghton 119, C.D. James 41, G.A. Paterson 31. Bowling for West Indies (B) Anthony Merrick took 4 for 33 from 18 0vers, Javan Ettienne 2 for 50 from 22 overs, Eldine Baptiste 2 for 84 20.3 overs.
Carlisle Best
Eldine Baptiste
Phillip Simmons
Carl Hooper
West Indies (B) first Innings 160 All out 51.1 overs. Eldine Baptiste 55, Ralston Otto 30, Carl Hooper 21. Bowling for Zimbabwe’s President X1, M.P Jarvis 3 for 17, C.J. Cox 4 for 71, K.G. Duers 3 for 51. President X1 second innings 139 for 9 declared 50 overs. G.A. Paterson 31, G.C. Wallace 27. Bowling for West Indies (B), Eldine Baptiste 6 for 52, Phillip Simmons 2 for 53. West Indies (B) 2nd Innings (target) 276 reached 227 for 8 from 77 overs. Carl Hooper 88, Andrew Jackman 45 not out. Bowling for Zimbabwe President X1, M.P Jarvis 3 for 49, C.J. Cox 3 for 94, D.H. Brain 2 for 44. 50 overs match October 5th at Harare Sports Club Zimbabwe won by 37 runs. To s s We s t I n d i e s ( B ) umpires: R. Jackson and Platham. Zimbabwe Innings (50 overs) 213 for 9 in 50 overs
I. P Butchart 52, Dave Houghton 34, A.C Waller 35. B o w l i n g f o r We s t Indies (B) Vibert Greene 3 for 41 from 10 overs, Phillip Simmons 2 for 31 off 8 overs, George Ferris 2 for 41 from 10 overs. West Indies (B) in reply 176 All out 43.3 overs Carl Hooper 84, Eldine Baptiste 38, Livingston Lawrence 26. Bowling for Zimbabwe A.J Traicos 3 for 55 from 9 overs, Pew. Rawson 2 for 17 off 7 overs, M.P Jarvis 2 for 24 from 10 overs. Four day match October 10, 11, 12 and 13 at Harare Sports Club: West Indies (B) won by an innings and 58 runs. Toss: West Indies (B) Umpires K: Kanjee and P. Latham. Zimbabwe first Innings 162 All out 63.2 overs R.D Brown 44, E. A. Brandes 22. Bowling for West Indies (B) Anthony Merrick 4 for 55, Eldine Baptiste 3 for 32, Carl Hooper 2 for 12. West Indies (B) First
Innings 356 for 6 declared off 84 overs Philip Simmons 107, Carl Hooper 77, Andrew Jackman 75, Carlise Best 44. Bowling for Zimbabwe P.E W Rawson 4 for 96. Zimbabwe Second Innings 136 All out 45.3 overs E.A. Brandas 31, A.C Waller 28. Bowling for West Indies (B) E. Baptiste 5 for 40, Vibert Greene 2 for 1, Anthony Merrick 2 for 41. 50 overs match 12th October Harare Sports Club. West Indies (B) won by 8 wickets (umpires) R. Jackson and K. Kanjee. Zimbabwe Innings 268 for 6 off 50 overs; G.A. Paterson 122, Dave Houghton 48, A. H. Omar Shah 46. Bowling for West Indies (B) Skipper Carlisle Best 2 for 23. West Indies (B) in reply 272 for 2 35.5 overs Phillip Simmons 166 not out, Andrew Jackman 64 not out , Carlisle Best 30. 50 overs match 19th October at Bulawayo Athletic Club - West Indies (B) won by 147 runs. Umpires E. Gilmour and P. Latham. West Indies (B) 280 for 7 in 50 overs. Livingston Lawrence 117 not out, Phillip Simmons 48, Carlisle Best 40. Bowling for Zimbabwe I. P. Butchart 3 for 52 from 9 overs. Zimbabwe 133 All out 39.5 overs Andy Pycroft 24, G. A Paterson 22, Dave Houghton 18. Bowling for West Indies (B) Eldine Baptiste 4 for 32, Vibert Greene 3 for 18. West Indies (B) vs Zimbabwe President X1. Three day match October 21, 22, 23: match drawn; umpires J. Bullings and K. Kanjee. West Indies (B) first innings 414 for 6 declared off 104 overs; Julian Charles 185, Livingstone Lawrence 63, Ralston Otto 62 not out, Carlisle Best 52. Bowling for President X1 D. H. Brain 2 for 80, E.A.
Brandes 2 for 115. President X1 First Innings 239 All out in 105 overs - C. A. T Hodgon 52, C.D. James 30, A. H. Omar Shah 25. Bowling for West Indies (B), Eldine Baptiste 7 for 92, Vibert Greene 2 for 74. Four day match West Indies (B) vs Zimbabwe Harare Sports Club October (25, 26, 27, 28): West Indies (B) won by 10 wickets. Umpires K. K a n j e e a n d D C Moore Gordon. Zimbabwe first innings 170 All out off 68.5 overs; P.W.E Rawson not out 52, Dave Houghton 39. Bowling for West Indies (B) Anthony Merrick 4 for 69, Vibert Greene 2 for 20, Eldine Baptiste 2 for 29. West Indies (B) first Innings 174 All Out in 59 overs, Carl Hooper 34, Carlisle Best 32, Eldine Baptiste 32, Ralston Otto 29. Bowling for Zimbabwe E.A. Brandes 5 for 56, P.E.W Rawson 3 for 44, M.P Jarvis 2 for 51. Zimbabwe Second Innings 76 All out off 40.2 overs, I. P Butchart 22 not out, A. C. Waller 18. B o w l i n g f o r We s t Indies (B), Vibert Greene 3 for 11, Eldine Baptiste 3 for 18, George Ferris 2 for 10, Anthony Merrick 2 for 29. West Indies (B) 2nd Innings Target 73 runs. Captain Carlisle Best 58 not out, Phillip Simmons 15 not out.
New Amsterdam A triumph in Berbice Table Tennis competition Richard Bacchus, Floyd Conway & Joshua Lalbachan teamed up to represent New Amsterdam ‘A’ and defeated Corriverton ‘A,’ comprising of Gibran Hussain and Sherwin Sahadeo to take top honours 3-1 when the curtains came down on the Berbice Table Tennis Sub Association 8 teams Table Tennis tournament at the Port Mourant Training School, September 15 last. Activities were conducted under the auspices of the Guyana Table Tennis Association and got underway on Sunday September 8 with the round robin segment which saw four teams from New Amsterdam and a similar number from Corriverton divided into two groups. The winner and runner up from
each group advanced to the semifinals and those winners faced off in the finals. Former National U15 player, Joshua Lalbachan, was in devastating form and defeated Gibran Hussain 3-2 and Sherwin Sahadeo 3-0 to lead his t e a m t o v i c t o r y. N e w Amsterdam ‘A’ also won the doubles with Lalbachan teaming up with Bacchus to defeat Hussein and Sahadeo 3-2. C o r r i v e r t o n ’s l o n e w i n came from Hussain who defeated Conway. The organizers will select players for the second annual Berbice Open Table Tennis Championships later this year. That tournament will be staged over a two days period and sponsored by overseas based Guyanese,
Berbician, Souvenir Ranmdyal, a 2009 Hall of Fame Realtor of Queens NY; several overseas based Guyanese are expected to participate. Earlier in the second semifinal, the New Amsterdam A squad of Bacchus, Conway and Lalbachan made light work of the New Amsterdam ‘C’ team of Tony Amerally, Levan Butchey and Ryan Anderson, whipping them 3-0. Meanwhile, in the third place play off, the New Amsterdam “B” team consisting of Nicholas Lawrence, Stephan Sankar and Jordan Conway, rebounded from their semifinal loss to Corriverton ‘A’ and defeated the New Amsterdam ‘C’ team 3-2 to finish third.
50 overs match November 1st Harare Sports Club. Zimbabwe won by 106 runs. Umpires R. Jackson and D.C. Moore-Gordon. Zimbabwe Innings 261 for 8 wickets 50 overs, Skipper Dave Houghton 59, Andy Pycroft 58, A. C. Waller 41. Bowling for West Indies (B), Anthony Merrick 3 for 57 from 10 overs, Eldine Baptiste 2 for 53 from 10 overs. West Indies (B) in reply 155 All out 32 overs, Skipper Carlisle Best 57, Vice Captain Ralston Otto 31, Bowling for Zimbabwe I. P. Butchart 3 for 31 from 6 overs, A. J. Traicos 2 for 18 from 5 overs, E. A. Brandes 2 for 25 5 overs. 50 overs match 2nd November at Harare Sports Club - West Indies (B) won by 8 wickets. Umpires: R. Jackson, DC Moore Gordon. Zimbabwe Innings 128 for 6 off 44 overs, Andy Pycroft 46 not out, PWE Rawson 28. Bowling for West Indies (B) Eldine Baptiste 2 for 15 from 7 overs. West Indies (B) in reply 132 for 2 from 19 overs. Phillip Simmons 75, Livingstone Lawrence 32. Bowling for Zimbabwe A. J Traicos 1 for 13 from 5 overs, E. A. Brandes 1 for 36 off 6 overs. West Indies (B) team to Zimbabwe 1986 Carlisle Best Captain: Barbados Vibert Green – Barbados Ralston Otto Vice Captain – Leewards Eldine Baptiste – Leewards Livingstone Lawrence – Leewards George Ferris – Leewards Anthony Merrick – Leewards Carl Hooper – Guyana Andrew Jackman – Guyana James Adams – Jamaica Phillip Simmons – Trinidad David Williams wkt – Trinidad Julian Charles – Windwards Javan Ettienne – Windwards
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Kaieteur News
Russell hat-trick can’t save Windies A
ESPNCricinfo - Bangalore, India - Bat first, win the match. That has been the pattern in all four limited-overs games in this tour. On none of those occasions has the side chasing even gotten close. With no overcast morning conditions to factor in, batting first was a no-brainer for Yuvraj Singh as India A piled on an imposing 214. West Indies A’s resistance was all too brief as they collapsed to 121 to on a day in which all three departments particularly the fielding - went off the rails. It was a strong comeback for the hosts after conceding the one-dayers 21 after winning the first game. A run-riot was expected with the match being played on the same surface in which West Indies piled on 312 in the third one-dayer. The start provided by the Indian openers was electric. Length deliveries were pulled, slower balls were easily clipped, the spinners too were ineffective with the new ball and by the end of the Powerplay, India had raced to 74 for no loss. Sloppy catching, though, made the score look better than it was. Unmukt Chand was let off twice, on 22 and 42, and both were sitters. Veerasammy Permaul had it covered at deep midwicket,
and managed to spill it. Chand later skipped down the track to the spinner and looked to loft across the line, and Jonathan Carter ran forward from deep square leg, but put down a regulation catch. His charmed life ended on 47, when, ironically, he was taken brilliantly by Kirk Edwards, who was running backwards from square leg, nearly colliding with the fielder from the deep. Such pieces of fielding were a rarity in the innings though. Yuvraj and Kedar Jadhav built on the start with a blistering stand of 80 off 38 balls. Jadhav’s innings was a mixture of powerful lofted drives and deft touches to third man. The ground fielding was poor at parts as the West Indians allowed easy runs to flow. Jadhav was harsh on the spinners, stepping down the track and lofting over the sightscreen. The crowd expected another special from Yuvraj, and he didn’t disappoint, slogging the spinners and punishing full tosses from the seamers. A low full toss from Andre Russell disappeared over deep midwicket, and the following ball only just cleared the rope, when the fielder back-pedalled over the rope. Yuvraj reached his fifty
with a six over long-on, and for the fourth time in as many games, made it worthwhile for the spectators. The penultimate over produced a bizarre passage of play when West Indies were gifted four wickets in four balls. Jadhav was at the head of the procession when he top-edged to long-off. Yuvraj tried to slog the next delivery over the on side, but didn’t pick the slower ball, and was caught within the circle. Naman Ojha was the unlucky hat-trick victim as he tried to clear deep cover, but was caught by the sweeper Permaul. There was a hush as Russell and his teammates rushed to the boundary, amused at the turn of events. Yusuf Pathan departed the next ball, caught at long-on off another slower ball. India went from 189 for 3 to 191 for 7 in the space of six balls, all in the pursuit of boundaries. It’s possible that Russell may have been a touch embarrassed too at the end of the over, as he languidly walked to the umpire to pick his cap. There was no spring in his step because the damage had already been done. West Indies had a daunting task ahead of them. India’s catching was superior in comparison and as a result halted West Indies
early as they looked for big hits. Rahul Sharma picked up his first five-for in T20s to wrap up the game in just 16.2 overs. Andre Fletcher threatened briefly, but West Indies failed because of their inability to put on any partnerships of note. Kieran Powell, the West Indies A captain, admitted his team were complacent in the field. “The catching has been a problem since the 3rd onedayer. After I had the huddle with the guys we got better. I think we were a bit complacent today in the field. It’s one of the things we have to brush up on before the four-day matches. We can’t afford to let them off the hook and we’ve seen what can happen if we do.” Summary Scores: India A (Toss): 214/7 (20 Overs). Yuvraj Singh* 52, Unmukt Chand 27, Kedar Jadhav 42; Andre Russell 4-0-45-4, Ashley Nurse 4-0-18-2, Veerasammy Permaul 4-0-351. West Indies A: 121 All Out (16.2 Overs). Andre Fletcher 32, Devon Thomas+ 21, Nkrumah Bonner 21; Rahul Sharma 3.2-0-23-5, Yuvraj Singh* 4-0-24-2, Vinay Kumar 3-0-22-2. Result: India A won by 93 runs (Series: India A 1-0 West Indies A).
Sunday September 22, 2013
Haye postpones Fury fight after cut in sparring
Haye was taking part in his final sparring session when he suffered the cut. (Action Images) LONDON (Reuters) Former world heavyweight champion David Haye has had to postpone a September 28 bout with fellow-Briton Tyson Fury in Manchester after suffering a cut over his left eyebrow in training. Haye , w h o l o s t h i s WBA belt in July 2011 to Ukrainian Vladimir Klitschko, was sparring with Croatian Filip Hrgovic on Friday when he suffered the wound that needed six stitches. Promoters Hayemaker Boxing said in a statement that the stitches would have to remain in place for between five and seven days. No date
was set for any rescheduled fight. “Even when everything seems to be right on track, sometimes life throws you a curveball,” said the 32-yearold Haye. “I will somehow have to try and make the best of this horrible situation. But, right now, I’m in bits about what has happened.” Haye’s previous planned fight, against Germany’s Manuel Charr, was cancelled in June when the Briton suffered a hand injury. He has not fought since July 2012, when he beat compatriot Dereck Chisora. Fury is a former British and Commonwealth champion.
1st South American Youth C/ships
Boxers, Swimmers give Guyana dream start Urged on by President and Secretary General of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), K. A Juman Yassin and Hector Edwards, Guyana’s athletes made a great start to their medal quest at the inaugural South American Youth Games which started yesterday with swimming, cycling and boxing in Lima, Peru. Boxer Michael April warmed the hearts of the GOA top brass, Chef-de-Mission Dr, Karen Pilgrim, his Coach Wincel ‘Naka B’ Thomas and fellow pugilists with a clinical display as he demolished the challenge of Bolivian opponent, W. Choque in their 52kg 3-round contest. The confident April who hails from the County of Berbice, peppered his taller opponent with some good combination and crisp jabs throughout the contest. The
April defeats Bolivian, 3 counterparts draw byes Bolivian did get in some punches of his own but April kept the pressure up and came out the victor in the end. Commenting on his win, April said he worked hard for it and is thankful to God, his Coach and fellow boxers for their support. He also thanked the GOA for affording him the opportunity to start his career for Guyana on a positive note. It is also the first victory in the ring for Guyana at these Games which are expected to be a consistent affair among South American countries. Coach Wincel Thomas had an excellent start which saw all his fighters going through to the second round. Apart from April, Tefon Greene (49kg), Joel Williamson (56g) and Travis Fraser (69kg) all drew byes to the second round of action.
Thomas disclosed that they are not certain when the other fighters will be in action, it can very well be today but that will be known at the weigh-in this morning. Commenting on April’s victory, Thomas said he is very elated with the win and the fact that all his pugilists have gone through. “I am really pleased with the way things have gone for us so far, April applied himself well, followed instructions and has reaped the rewards. We still have more fights on our hands, but we have been preparing hard, the weather here is cold and that in itself is a huge challenge which we have been dealing with so far and intend to continue the path to more success for these boxers and our nation.” Making the weight in their
respective divisions Thomas disclosed, has been challenging, he has had to make them follow a strict diet along with a disciplined training routine to counter the weather. Swimming Coach Sean Baksh also voiced his pleasure at the performances of his three swimmers who all achieved Personal Best times in their events yesterday. OmarAdams clocked 1’02.07 in his 100m freestyle race, his entry time was 1’ 04.79. Hannibal Gaskin in the same event registered a time of 1’ 00.74 erasing his previous time of 1’ 01.79, he finished 5th in heat two of three competing out of lane 6. Gaskin clocked 1’ 06.05 in the 100m butterfly having entered with a time of 1’ 07.89. Female swimmer Onika George was not to be outdone as she posted a new personal best time of 29.36 in the 50m
GOA President K. A Juman Yassin congratulates Michael April on his victory freestyle lowering her previous best of 29.88. Baksh described the achievements of his athletes as very good noting that the competition here is top class. On Friday evening, the athletes were part of the official opening ceremony of the Games which was held outdoors in very cold conditions that they are not accustomed to. The ceremony also went way past the original cut off point and this would have put the athletes who were competing on the
opening day under some amount of pressure. Today, the swimmers would be in action again, Adams and Gaskin will compete in the 50m freestyle while George will compete in the 100m freestyle and her pet event, 50m backstroke. The cycle Road Race is also on today with Guyana taking part in the male and female categories. Crystal Lambert is the female rider while Akeem Arthur and Shaquel Agard are the male representatives who will be in action.
Sunday September 22, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 67
Pepsi Inter-County Cricket:
Barnwell spurs Demerara to emphatic win against E’bo By Sean Devers Demerara Captain Christopher Barnwell scored the first ton in this year’s opening round of the Pepsi Inter-County 50-over Cricket competition against Essequibo at Bourda yesterday before returning to grab two wickets as the defending champs won in emphatic fashion by 120 runs. Barnwell’s pugnacious 101 from 85 balls led Demerara to 322- 8 when their 50 overs expired to give them two bonus points for scoring more than 300 runs in their innings. Trevon Griffith (48), Zaheer Mohamed (49) and Rajendra Chandrika (39) also offered support for the home team. Led by half-centuries from Vishwanauth Lall (59) and Kemo Paul (51), who put together 90 for the sixth wicket, Essequibo recovered from 73-5 to 198 all out in 43.3
overs with Barnwell, Mohamed, Steven Jacobs and Amir Khan taking two wickets each on a slow track with variable bounce. The start of the match was delayed by 12 minutes when Ricardo Adams was declared in the Essequibo team but was not allowed to play by the GCB and it took the approval of Barnwell to prevent Essequibo, without a win at this level against Demerara since 1980, from playing with 10 members. Playing in scorching sunshine on a fast outfield, Demerara lost Robin Bacchus (3) at 30-1 when the lefthander was hit high up on his pad and seemed unlucky be given LBW to fast bowler Gilford Moore who represented the CCC at the Regional level. Griffith, one of six openers in the top order, missed a sweep at 92-2 and instinctively prevented the ball from hitting his wicket
with his glove when two runs away from his fifty. He was given out ‘handle the ball’ after hitting seven fours from 51 balls in his innings. Griffith joined Leon Johnson who fell in similar fashion on his InterCounty debut at Albion as a 16-year-old when he tossed the ball to the bowler Mahendra Nagamootoo who appealed. Demerara were soon 92-3 when Shemroy Barrington fell to 18-year-old left-arm spinner Herry Green for a duck. Chandrika was soon removed by Anthony Adams as Demerara slipped 107-4, while Jacobs (14) failed to control a ball which bounced on him from off-spinner Fredericks and was caught at short third man at 134-5. Barnwell used his IPL experience to great effect and found the gaps with ease as he reached his fifty with consecutive sixes off Fredericks who had produced
a tidy spell until then. Barnwell and Derwin Christian (26) added 88 for the sixth wicket and were especially severe on Jason Heyliger who had 2-66 from eight overs with Barnwell in particular playing some glorious shots in his magnificent hundred. When Christian departed at 226-6 in t h e 38th over, Mohamed joined Barnwell whose 101 was decorated with 10 fours and five sixes from just 85 balls. Barnwell continued his onslaught before Jason Heyliger got his man at 261-7. But by then the platform had already been set for Mohamed and Paul Wintz (23*) to share a 57-run stand which was broken when Mohamed was removed by Jason Heyliger at 318-8. Green (2-38 from 10 overs) was the only Essequibian to escape punishment. Essequibo began their
chase in promising fashion with the left-handed Fredericks playing some delightful cuts behind point for boundaries before a bullet-like straight drive nearly took left-arm speedster Andre Stoll’s ankle with it to the boundary. Kevin Boddie also entertained the handful of spectators with some thumping shots before the 40run stand was broken when Stoll had Fredericks caught at point for 24. Jason Heyliger (1) was bowled by Barnwell before Jacobs bowled Boddie (29) behind his back to leave Essequibo, who only had a two-day Camp before the start of this competition, on 64-3. It was soon 69-4 when Dellon Heyliger (5) was trapped LBW to the talented Barnwell and at 73-5 when Khan got rid of Vijay Surujpaul for a duck, the lads from the Cinderella County
must have been hoping that a fairy Godmother waved her wand to stage a recovery. With their team in deep trouble of being bowled out below the 150 mark, to hand Demerara two more bonus points, Lall and Paul staged a grand fight back with an attacking partnership before Lall, who got to his fifty with consecutive sixes off Mohamed, lofted the offspinner to long-off at 163-6. Paul kept going but he got little support from the tail as the last four wickets fell for 35 runs with Paul, who hit five fours and a six from 85 balls, being last out. The match was watched by DCB President Raj Singh and the man-of- the- match award was presented to Barnwell by DDL’s Pepsi brand executive Larry Wills. The competition continues on Tuesday when Demerara, who lead the points table with six points, face Berbice at Bourda.
Senior boxers encamped Ricardo Adams suspended for World Championships by GCB for three months A very busy period for the administrators of amateur boxing and boxers themselves over the past two weeks continues with the encampment of a team of senior boxers in preparation for the World Championships in Kazakhstan next month. President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle told Kaieteur Sport that on the heels of the junior team of boxers leaving for the South American Youth Games in Peru last week, the seniors were called up and put into camp under the watchful eyes of veteran Trainer Terrence Poole and Cuban Francisco Roldon at the Andrew ‘Sixhead’ Gym in Albouystown. The boxers chosen are Dennis Thomas (Middleweight) and Imran Khan (Bantamweight) of the Police Gym, Eon Bancroft (Welterweight), Bert Braithwaite (Light Welterweight) and Ron Smith (Welterweight) all of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Stefan Gouviea (Light Weight) of the Harpy Eagles Gym. Ninvalle was high in praise for the assistance from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and its
Ricardo Adams (right) and his E’bo Manager Moses Ramnarine before the GCB hearing at Bourda yesterday. Steve Ninvalle
K.A. Juman Yassin
President K.A. Juman Yassin, who he described as going beyond the call of duty to assist in the encampment of the boxers of both squads. He stated that the GBA is trying to see as best as the funding presents itself to send boxers to every possible overseas engagement to improve their preparation for major events in the near future. Of recent local fighters have been to Barbados, while a junior team is currently in Peru and the seniors are preparing for Kazakhstan. One Coach, Sebert Blake, is down to leave this week for Hungary on an Olympic Solidarity Course organised
by the GOA. That apart young fighters were involved last evening in Linden in the Mackeson sponsored Fight Nights programme sponsored by Ansa McAl. That programme moves to Georgetown on Sunday at the Cultural Centre Tarmac and to New Amsterdam, Berbice October 5. The GBA had pledged earlier, to keep their boxers busy with the aim of improving their ability for overseas engagements and have been true to their word despite financial and some other challenges as they hope to one day soon realise the dream of additional Olympic medal holders to join current lone medalist Mike Parris.
National Under-19 cricketer Ricardo Adams has been suspended for three months from all cricket played in Guyana which is under the jurisdiction of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) after a hearing at the GCC at noon yesterday. The Essequibian was prevented for playing in the Pepsi Inter-County 50 overs match yesterday although he was named in his side’s starting eleven when reports surfaced that the Wakenaam born all-rounder who now resides in Tuschen in East Bank Essequibo, had broken Curfew and faked illness while on National duty in St. Kitts
last month. According to the GCB during his ban, Adams must attend professional counseling sessions, which will be provided by the Board to help him with his problems so that he can return to cricket early next year a more focused individual. The decision was made by Executives of the GCB yesterday following a debriefing with the coach of the National U-19 team, Adrian Amsterdam, and the Manager, David Black. After debriefing, the Executives allowed Adams to explain what transpired in St Kitts. He was also represented by his Essequibo team Manager Moses
Ramnarine the former Essequibo off-spinner. “He agreed that the major allegations made against him were true and apologized to the Board, the Coach, and the Manager; stating that he would not repeat his mistakes again,” the GCB informed yesterday afternoon. The 18-year-old Adams, who has represented Guyana at the under-19 level for the past four years, was informed that he could not play in the 2013 Pepsi competition, on the day of the first game after the issue was raised at an executive meeting of the GCB on Friday night. (Sean Devers)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday September 22, 2013
F&H Printing 2nd Countrywide Million Dollars GFF Premier League plus Competition set to commence Friday preparations going excellent The F&H Printing Establishment, located at 90 John Street Campbellville, has concluded plans and will commence it’s 2nd “Countrywide Million Dollars plus” Competition on Friday , September 27, 2013 with the commencement of the Corporation Zone at F&H Establishment. The club segment will commence on Monday September 30, 2013 at Dynasty Sports Club, Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt. Mr. Hazim Hakh, Managing Director of F&H Printing Establishment and a dominoes fanatic, is convinced that dominoes can be developed into a national calendar event, if proper structures are put in place and the development of the game fostered. To demonstrate this conviction F&H sponsored a competition of this nature last year (2012) and after seeing the response vowed to make this a calendar event. Negotiations are currently ongoing with other business entities in an attempt to make this year’s competition even bigger and better. Last year’s competition
- President clears the air on K&S Organisation’s claims
budget amounted to 3 million dollars of which cash prizes totalled 1.7 million dollars and will be no less this year. The competition is expected to attract teams from Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, East Bank Demerara, including Timehri, West Bank Demerara, Mahaica/Mahaicony area, East Bank Essequibo, Essequibo Islands, Essequibo Coast, East Berbice, West Coast Berbice, Corentyne, including Canje and New Amsterdam, Bartica, Linden/Kwakwani, Mahdia, Port Kaituma, Lethem and Mabaruma. Mr. Hakh also mentioned that like last year a corporation’s zone will be formed to encourage teams from private businesses, ministries, corporations to participate. Last year the
Ministry of Health placed 5th overall in the competition and also carted off the prize for the best performing corporation team. The first and second place teams among every six corporation teams will be guaranteed a place in the playoffs. Also, a zone for all female teams is still being mulled. The playoffs among qualifying teams will commence on the afternoon of Friday November 15, 2013 and the competition will conclude with the final being played on Sunday, November 17, 2013. Playoff matches and the final will be played at the National Gymnasium. The Official Launch of the competition will take place tomorrow at F&H Printing Establishment Headquarters at 5:00pm.
Petra Organisation/GCA conduct Coaching Workshop
Resource Personnel Gilbert Sampson expounds on one of the topics at yesterday Beginners Coaching Workshop, at the Ministry of Education ground. In keeping with its aim to foster the development of the game, Petra Organisation, organisers of t h e C o u r t s P e e We e Schools Football Competition in collaboration with the Guyana Coaches Association (GCA) commenced a two-day Beginners Coaching Workshop for teachers and coaches responsible for preparing the teams participating in the upcoming tournament. The Workshop which is being conducted by personnel from the GCA
started yesterday at the Ministry of Education Ground and is expected to conclude today and among the topics that are being discussed are: the role of the coaches and age related exercise, Environment Health and Safety, Practical Warm Up, Practical Fun Games, Nutrition and Hydration, Injury prevention and Treatment and Technical Development. In opening remarks, CoDirector of Petra Troy Mendonca stressed the need for the players to be prepared under proper
conditions. He also emphasised the importance of stakeholders adopting a more proactive approach and utilise whatever resources are available. Mendonca urged the participants to be very receptive at the seminar even though it is being conducted by local personnel, while promising the Organisation input in spearheading a collaborative effort that will involve all stake holders in addressing the apparent absence of a proper structure within the youth system.
By Rawle Welch With the Opening Ceremony and first round of matches of the Guyana Football Federation Premier League slated for the Mackenzie Sports Club ground on Sunday, October 6, President of the entity, Christopher Matthias, expressed satisfaction about the progress made to date to this newspaper on Friday when asked about preparations for the staging of the event. “The preparations have been progressing excellently and we expect a great opening in Linden on October 6, at the MSC ground,” Matthias said. Close to $7million in prize monies are anticipated to be shared between the top four teams with the winning team taking home $3million, runners-up-$2million, third place-$1million and fourth place-$500,000, while all participating teams and association will be given a percentage of the daily gate receipts which will be presented five (5) days after the submission of the gate receipts reports. Matthias added that the GFF has also instructed that all referees, coaches and former national players be allowed to enter any venue that games are being played free of cost. He said the referees and coaches will be given identification cards to ascertain their eligibility to enter the venues, while the past national players will be required to register with the GFF to qualify for a pass. Meanwhile, Matthias also
Christopher Matthias sought to clear the air on the controversial issue of the Kashif & Shanghai’s Annual Football Extravaganza which reports have stated is being held hostage by unhelpful actions from the GFF. The GFF Head in setting the record straight informed that the Federation received a letter from the Guyana Women’s Football Association on August 28, 2013 which purported to act on behalf of K&S Organisation asking that during the period November 2013- January 1, 2014 they be granted permission to stage the tournament. Matthias said that save and except for January 1 no other specific dates were mentioned in the letter which is one of the requirements for hosting tournaments. He added that the GFF “will stop no one from hosting any competition once they comply with the rules of the Body and once the dates that they’ve applied for does not conflict with the GFF’s list of activities.” Matthias listed some of the requirements needed to host a
tournament and they include a copy of the rules and fixtures, budget, a letter of confirmation from the respective clubs stating that they have no objection to playing in the competition, a letter of no objection from the member association and that the clubs are in good standing with the association, a letter of commitment or lodging of prize monies from the corporate sponsors stating that they are prepared to honour their commitments and levy fees. The GFF Boss told this newspaper that they’ve had letters of complaint from three associations of corporate sponsors not honouring their promised obligations, pointing out that such developments serve to reinforce the need to ensure that all applicants desirous of staging tournaments adhere to the rules set out by the Body for the good of the game. Matthias in response to the question of what timeframe has been allotted for local fans to see the ‘Golden Jaguars’ in action again, informed that national coaches have been identified and a Technical Committee set up that will work under the guidance of Vice-President (Technical & Tactical) Ivan Persaud and the Committee will be appointed on October 1, 2013. According to Matthias, its mandate will be to formulate a National Development Programme and to encourage its adoption throughout every football playing community in the country. He revealed that the GFF will be looking to develop the game at every level and one of the main focuses is to get a team prepared to compete in the 2016 Under-23 Olympic qualifiers.
Guyanese Athlete to Compete in the IBJJF No-Gi Pan Ams For the first time Guyana will be represented at the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu F e d e r a t i o n ’s N o-Gi Pan American Championship on September 28th, 2013. Twenty six year old Andrew Hooper has been a pioneer within Guyana for Brazilian JiuJitsu in the last year, having studied under Master Renzo Gracie in NYC and NJ, USA since 2009. He is confident in his quest for gold and continues to share the art of BJJ within Guyana with hopes of inspiring future world champions and the overall growth of the sport. Mr. Hooper would like to extend his gratitude to
Andre Hooper (left) collects his sponsorship from Jamie McDonald of Fitness Express recently. his sponsors Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd. and “Fitness Express”
Owner Jamie McDonald who made his participation in the games possible.