Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 24, 2015

Letters... Where your views make the news

Kaieteur News Opposing the unity talks is the position of Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

A FAILING justice system Hidden away among the list of the 2015 budget proposals presented to the nation by the Minister of Finance on August 10, 2015 was a promise that seems to have escaped the public’s attention. It was the promise to tackle problems in the criminal justice system, especially the backlog of cases and crime, both of which remain a major issue facing the nation. The large number of backlog cases, some of which date back to more than a decade, is troubling. That there is a backlog of cases is not in doubt but what is troubling is that there are some suspects languishing in prison much longer than the length of time they would have spent had they been convicted. This is absurd. It is wrong! The present Attorney General while in opposition had spoken of this judicial abnormality of the dispensation of Justice but so far he has done nothing to remedy the situation. While this is a failure of the justice system, the buck stops with the APNU+AFC government. The Chancellor of the Judiciary has admitted that the number of backlog cases is in the hundreds and it is unlikely that the number can be reduced in a timely manner on the current schedule and resources available. However, for the Chancellor to say that the judicial backlog of cases is not unique to Guyana is a cop out. Even if that is the case, why is it taking so long to find a solution to the problem? What has he done to reduce the backlog of cases? It seems that this issue is not a priority for the powers that be. After four months in office, the government, particularly the Attorney General, has remained silent on the issue except to say that the government will appoint more judges and magistrates to speed up trials and reduce the backlog of cases. Guyana’s justice system is somewhat antiquated and is stretched to its limit. The courts are not fully computerized; statements and testimonies are still being handwritten by clerks, magistrates or judges. Urgent action is needed by the government to modernize the justice system and reduce the backlog of cases. The shortages of magistrates and judges mean that the backlog of cases will not be reduced anytime soon and that many suspects will be remanded for years in overcrowded and dirty prison cells. Then, there is the absence of witnesses who after years of delay of cases have relocated. Some have accepted bribe not to testify, and others are murdered to prevent them from testifying. The reality is someone would be freed because of the lack of evidence. It is true that Guyana is not the only country with a backlog of cases and while some efforts have been made over the years to reduce them, a physical check of the facts revealed that access to the justice system in Guyana is much longer than in several other countries. On a population ratio basis, Guyana has the least number of Justices presiding in the criminal courts. Currently, there are only three justices presiding over each Criminal Assizes Session in Demerara, one in Berbice and one in Essequibo. It is clear that the justice system is failing the people and immediate action is needed to end this injustice. A wise jurists once said that justice delayed is justice denied. During the last ten years, the only attempt by the former PPP administration to solve the problem was to increase the statutory complement of judges from 12 to 20 but the party did not provide the courtrooms and chambers for them. The APNU+AFC government should consider adding more judges to the bench in the three counties in order to make a significant dent in the backlog of cases. This is perhaps the answer to the problem. Time to demand justice for the ordinary people.

just a few henchmen at the top of the PPP DEAR EDITOR, I would like to add my two cents to the now vexing question concerning national unity moves by the present leadership of the APNU/AFC coalition. Indeed it seems vexatious from the point of view of the leadership of the PPP, a main stakeholder in the proposed talks, with their recent rantings and ravings of their disappointment with Moses Nagamootoo being chosen to lead the talks for the government side. Their explanation so far was not indicated with any sense of reason, and justifiable cause. Maybe it will be wise to remind the PPP leadership of the events of a similar nature in the history of the political attempts to formulate a government of national unity in the past. I am referring to the dialogue initiated by the then President Burnham and Opposition Leader Jagan in the mid 80"s. Then as it is now, the governing PNC named its representatives to meet with the representatives of the PPP. Suffice to mention here that the reps of the PNC were no other than Ranji Chandisingh and Halim Majeed, who

were both former leading members of the PPP and who had defected and joined the PNC! The reps for the PPP were led by Feroze Mohamed and others and the PPP then had no qualms of discussing such an issue of national importance with these gentlemen who were part and parcel of the PPP! If it was not important then, why is it important now with Moses Nagamootoo, a former strong man of the PPP? It goes to show the nature of the present PPP leadership, who by all indications is not interested in genuine national development of the people, which could have been fostered by a government of national unity! These gentlemen at the helm of the PPP are only interested with selfaggrandizement, which they enjoyed while being the government. I am absolutely sure there were no consultations with the rank and file members of the PPP, on this issue. As such, the ravings and rantings of the PPP in the public domain, opposing the unity talks, are just what it is, the positions of a few henchmen at the top

of the PPP. Maybe it will be a timely reminder to the membership of the PPP that before the talks in the 80"s, widespread consultations were made with the ordinary members of the PPP on the issue. Members of the Central Committee of the PPP were dispatched to different parts of the country to hold meetings with the membership. Very noteworthy to mention here is that I was part of such a consultation process, being an ordinary member of the PPP membership in the Corentyne, and most important of all, it was Moses Nagamootoo, who was dispatched to my area to deal with the issue! So Moses, having gone through this process, has the experience and know how to engage in this sort of thing. The PPP leadership is just a sore and bitter group of grumpy fellows who thinks the world is them being in government! They are the most unpatriotic set of people in this country! Eight of them, who think they have the right over 200000 people to choose for them! Bhoj Tharay

Stop playing the blame game and get on with your work DEAR EDITOR, Recently, I have noticed increasing calls for a comprehensive audit to be undertaken at the Mayor & City Council, calls I believe every taxpayer and indeed every citizen should join if they want to see their city properly managed. Let me first debunk this claim by Junior Finance Minister Jaipaul Sharma who asserted that because the City Council is a part of the Local Government

system, therefore it is beyond the control of Central Government. That is bunkum. The government over the years has pumped hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars into the City Council in addition to its yearly subvention and therefore has a right and obligation to see that this money was properly spent. Additionally, the Auditor General of Guyana has a responsibility to audit the accounts of all public agencies,

including Ministries and other government bodies, including Local Government to ensure that all monies are spent responsibly and for the purposes intended. The Audit Office can conduct financial audits of all publicly funded entities, including donor-funded entities, Local Government agencies and Trade Unions in Guyana, if they (Continued on page 31)

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

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

It’s the PPP\C that destroyed Have we not suffered sugar and rice and Guyana enough under the ‘us DEAR EDITOR, It seems that the political opposition party is set out to divide Guyana once more and to create crisis for this new Government so that it will be ungovernable but it will not happen. On Friday 18th September, 2015 I attended the opening of the Annual Berbice Expo, which was designed to promote businesses but I was amazed when the PPP Region Six Chairman, who was a speaker, set the tone for it to be a political stage for propaganda work on behalf of his party. The Chairman seems to be living in another world and needs to educate himself about the reasons why Guyana is in this situation after twenty three years of dictatorship, high corruption and bad governance due to his party. The Chairman spoke of the crisis in the sugar and rice industries and lay the blame solely at the feet of the APNU+AFC government. His remarks seem to be of his leader, full of nonsense and no substance. I will not put word for word as to what he said but let me educate him and his party’s corrupted cabals as to why the two industries are in this crisis at this time. The rice industry may be in this situation because the PPP\C has failed to tell the

famers during their 2015 elections campaign that the Venezuela Rice Deal was coming to an end and that new markets auth to be looked into. His party failed to tell the farmers of the empty PetroCarib Fund and why the middle man on the deal was ripping off the farmers. We heard the PPP and RPA’s Seeraj calling on the government to pay the farmers what they never earn for a bag of paddy. But they fail to tell the public and farmers that it is not the government that is buying the paddy but millers, so the millers have to make that commitment. They fail to say that the last crop farmers took their paddy to the millers without knowing the price, but today PPP and Seeraj want government to commit itself towards paying the farmers. What nonsense! The PPP\C is the one that started to bailout the millers; they were not bailing out farmers, yet they say that they were bailing out the farmers so that they can replant their crops. The Chairman talks of the twenty three billion dollars that was said to be for the rice industry in the 2015 budget but said nothing was for the farmers. The Chairman then went on to deal with the sugar industry and talks of the

crisis. Well he said that after a long time the industry is surpassing its target and went on to say that it was achieved today under this government because of the 2013 turnaround plans.....lol ......so out of touch. How can the workers in 2015 cut canes that were planted in 2013 to achieve the day’s pay? It is not the PPP plan that is helping the workers but the new system in place and good management that was put in place by this APNU+AFC administration. Under the PPP, workers were robbed of making the day’s pay but since the new crop started they have been making said weekly. So the Chairman needs to educate himself and tell the people, why was the treasury of Guysuco empty when the new administration took office and why was Raj Singh going to close the industry down in May 2015?. This was never told to the workers or Guyanese before the elections. The Chairman then talks of the decline in businesses but yet the expo saw an increase in booths\business this year. He said that we cannot go on like this for too long and the country is not moving forward. Well, my advice to him is to ask his corrupted cabals to return the monies and properties that they took (Continued on page 31)

Time is of the essence DEAR EDITOR, Time is of the essence. This I strongly feel, and so too I hope the new government is inclined. The past PPP government was accused time and time again of blatant bribery and corruption. Who knew, knew, and for sure some of the members of the current government also knew. So what has happened so far in the rule of the new government? Not much from the public standpoint. Forensic audits are ongoing, paper trails are being followed. The public has provided some leads and

information they know of. It is a beehive with the auditors, with past officials and with current officials. Has any charge of corruption been as yet laid? Nope! The charge against Minister Westford was laid despite the fact that she was responding to an amnesty offer and on the face of it seems not in keeping with that amnesty. For that reason I would discount it, which means that no charge of corruption has as yet been laid. Time is of the essence. The new government has

to get charges laid without delay. Get some cases going. There is no need to bargain and settle behind closed doors, while the public is kept in the dark and losing faith. Take the bull by the horns and act. Time is of the essence I say. Carl Veecock

and dem’ syndrome? DEAR EDITOR, I cannot say that I am materially rich as yet and neither can I say that I enjoy the best of health at present but I could have been in another man’s land working to build his nation but I opted not to. I chose to come home and do whatever I can to contribute to nation building. In this time when many see Guyana’s future as bleak, I believe we as a nation at home or in the Diaspora should realize that we are all Guyanese at the end of the day and we are a people who need each other. Our nation has suffered for a long enough time because of divisive, selfserving vices and the people have spoken at the polls. It is a crying shame that some who believed it was their birthright to remain in the walls of power are still disillusioned or cannot get it into their thick skulls to say the least and move on. Were you of the people, by the people for ALL PEOPLE (Democracy) you would have still been in office but that is clearly not the case. That’s another story by itself. Beyond selfish thinking, I believe we need to be each other’s keepers. Crime is consuming us and creating fear for us all. All of us, as E M P L O Y E D O R UNEMPLOYED as we are, are feeling the squeeze in some area of our lives, some more than others because of those we trusted to be in charge before in the recent as

well as the distant past. So disrespected are we that Venezuela wants to take away that which is rightfully ours. We are a divided nation and be you Indian or African or whatever, we are all Guyanese who will either grow together as a united people or die as a divided nation and when we do, those we leave behind us will be servants seeking a better life in another nation to be scoffed at. Yes, some of us have suffered injustices under the past government and we want revenge but what good is revenge when it only serves to create an even bigger divide. Decades later where are we as a people, as a nation? Have we not suffered enough under the ‘us and dem’ syndrome, as the greed of a selected few in an inner circle became rich. I personally believe that we were not born in this rich land by chance and none of us can be truly happy unless we stop looking at each other as us and them. We can either see this new season as one that brings us hope of unity, one that makes us strong as a nation or we will all suffer. I have seen my homeland, our Guyana cry with tears of mothers as their sons’ blood painted the streets and I wonder why it is so. We all have a part to play in making Guyana the gem of the Caribbean that it really is. It is not by chance that we are geographically positioned where we are, and outsiders know this because they see

what we can be and they want what we have yet we are busy fighting each other blindly. Yes we have our personal issues but if we cannot change when circumstances demand, why should others even consider much less respect us as a people? For too long we have been divided and the time is ripe for change where all can be proud to say I AM GUYANESE! A chain is only as strong as its weakest link so it’s either we provide support for one another or we will be disrespected as weak divided fools. Beyond this place of wrath and tears looms the horror of the shade yet ye must be unafraid knowing that we are the captains of our soul and the ship called Guyana. The change starts with the man or woman in the mirror; stop littering, pick up that paper. A people united can never be defeated! Until the day I die I shall forever be proud to say I am Guyanese and I am for Guyana! If you feel the same despite your race I suggest you do the same. Mondale Smith

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

China’s Xi promises better investment climate as Boeing announces China plant

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) is introduced by former U.S. Former National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at a policy speech to Chinese and United States’ CEOs during a dinner reception in Seattle, Washington. REUTERS/JASON REDMOND Reuters - Seeking to project a sunny climate for U.S. business, Chinese President Xi Jinping said yesterday his country planned to greatly reduce restrictions on foreign investment, as Boeing announced plans for an aircraft finishing centre in China, its first outside the United States. Boeing’s long-expected move into manufacturing in low-cost China followed its news of a big order for some 300 planes from China, valued at about $38 billion at list prices. But the finishing centre plan has not been popular with labour unions and attracted the ire of leading Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump, who said it would take jobs away from the United States. Xi’s stop on the West Coast is the first leg of a weeklong trip to the United States and offers him a chance to highlight China’s cooperation with U.S. companies before he heads to Washington, where he will contend with the full spectrum of irritants in relations, from tension in the South China Sea to human rights. “We are working to create a new open economic system, push forward reform of foreign investment management and greatly reduce the restrictions on foreign investment,” Xi told a gathering of U.S. and Chinese business executives

in Seattle, including Apple Inc (AAPL.O) Chief Executive Tim Cook and Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRKa.N) Warren Buffett. “GM and Ford can increase their investment in China.” China has repeatedly pledged to loosen restrictions on foreign investment as it tries to improve inefficient state-owned firms and adopt market-friendly policies to stave off slowing growth, but foreign business groups say that so far action has not kept pace with promises. U.S. investors would like a bilateral investment treaty that would give them increased access to statedominated industries such as telecommunications and financial services. Xi said a key part of China’s reforms would be to reduce the scope of the current “negative list” on foreign investment, adding, “Our positive list will be bigger, a longer list. We will continue to build an open and law-based environment.” Chinese regulators issued a negative list of prohibited and restricted industries for foreign investors in March, though business lobbies have complained that the government has been reluctant to cede too much control over sectors it deems central to national interests. Xi also said China would greatly strengthen protection of intellectual property. But U.S. business’ concerns

about cyber attacks from China went unanswered. “Commercial attacks on companies like ours are real,” Dow Chemical Co (DOW.N) Chief Executive Andrew Liveris, who attended the event, told financial news channel CNBC. “The Chinese can no longer just turn a blind eye to that... this is our No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 concern right now.” Xi also toured the Everett, Washington, factory where Boeing makes its largest aircraft, and was shown a demonstration on board a 787 Dreamliner, which is popular with Chinese airlines. Before his arrival, Boeing Co (BA.N) confirmed it had won orders and commitments for 300 planes from China. Boeing later announced plans for a new plant in China to paint, finish interiors and deliver its 737 airliner, showcasing the new spirit of cooperation touted by Xi. Several Boeing workers protested outside the Everett plant. “We don’t have a problem with China. We have a problem that this could equate to machinists losing jobs,” said Joel Hetland, 57, a structures mechanic on the 787, waving a sign. “They (Boeing) don’t have to worry about the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) there, they don’t have to worry about human rights, they don’t have to worry about the 40-hour work week.”

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EVERY PREGNANCY IS A RISK There is no such thing as a risk-free pregnancy. Each pregnancy carries its own risks. Among the risks are the health and well being of both mother and child. While most pregnancies in the end turn out okay, there is no guarantee that things will always work out fine each time. And when things do go wrong, the effect is devastating. Two years ago there was a case of a mother and her unborn child dying due to complications of her pregnancy. This past week another mother succumbed after a third C-section. The incidence of maternal deaths is an indicator that most countries try to reduce. Guyana has been no different and has been making progress in the reduction of

maternal deaths, that is, until the past few years. The data available for non-governmental sources, and which has been published publicly, suggest that there has been an increase in the maternal mortality rate after a sustained period when these rates were falling. The difficulty with the numbers is that after having improved for a period, episodes of maternal deaths can cause the maternal mortality graph to dip appreciably, and convey the impression that there is a serious problem locally with maternal health care. Guyana has not reached that stage as yet, but every death should be taken seriously and should be investigated to ascertain the

causes which will help in developing strategies for the reduction of maternal deaths. In the end, maternal deaths can be reduced, but will never be totally eliminated. Nor can there ever be complications absent. In fact, what is needed is a public sensitization campaign to remind expectant mothers that there are always risks to every pregnancy and to drive home the importance of proper pre- and post- natal care. Every mother knows the anxiety and trepidation associated with pregnancies. There is the happiness in knowing that you will soon give birth to a child, but there is equally the concern about the risks of complications that may arise.

It is something that we should never lose sight of, more especially when there are maternal deaths, and all kinds of assessments are being made as to what went wrong and who is to blame. It is important that the authorities try to establish the causes of any complications, more so when these complications lead to deaths. There is in place an automatic system of investigating these issues, but there is also the suspicion that this system can be compromised so as to cover up any negligence. As such, it is important that there is a credible system of evaluating maternal deaths and complications. This system should enjoy the confidence of the public. The team undertaking the review of these cases should

comprise persons who are believed to embrace the highest professional standards. It can comprise both local and foreign professionals. With technology today, the review process can include persons who are resident overseas, since there are a variety of means of having the data transmitted overseas for evaluation. Instead of us therefore quarreling as to the work of the team that is supposed to investigate these deaths, Guyana should be moving towards establishing a mechanism that would enjoy greater public confidence. And the best way of achieving this is to incorporate a few overseasbased professionals as part of the review process.

But let there be no illusions about the risks involved in pregnancies. There will be risks involved, and those who are pregnant must be prepared for these risks. This is why it is also important that every pregnancy be registered, so as to ensure that pre-natal care is provided. This in itself does not necessarily remove risks, but it will help in the early identification of risk factors and dictate the need to take certain actions.

Australia promises to share tips on border security Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjatan has said that he would welcome the Australian Government’s offer to share information on how it dealt with issues related to border security. The issue was among several other securityrelated matters discussed yesterday when Minister Ramjattan hosted Australian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Ross Tysoe during a courtesy call. Mr. Tysoe arrived in Guyana yesterday to conduct bilateral meetings with several Government officials. His visit ends tomorrow.

Mr. Tysoe is a Senior Career Officer at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Based in Trinidad and Tobago, he also holds accreditation as Australian High Commissioner to CARICOM. At the meeting with Minister Ramjattan, the discussions focused on issues such as the treatment of refugees, border security, deportation, gun amnesties, territorial sovereignty and potential for economic development. According to a press release from the Ministry of Public Security, the two men shared current

practices and experiences in Guyana and Australia, respectively. Discussions then ensued with regard to areas where improvement and assistance was needed in Guyana and possible solutions which could be utilised. “The Australian High Commissioner offered to share with the Government of Guyana information on how the Australian Government dealt with certain issues related to border security, which the Hon. Minister stated would be most welcomed,” the ministry’s statement said.

Dem boys seh ...

Speedboat service bite Babbie and others BT Jagdeo promise that de PPP wouldn’t sleep again until it get back in power. But Venezuela standing pun Guyana head and got we pun we toes. De same Jagdeo, from de PPP, ain’t see it fit to put out a statement or to seh a word up to now. That is he idea of love fuh Guyana, de same country wha that man rule fuh 13 years. He sitting down quiet and not saying a word. If Soulja Bai think this man love Guyana he better think again. He better keep that SOB far. Put him pun Australia doorstep. Or better still, put him in prison. Dem boys seh when he talk about PPP can’t sleep he right in one sense. Nobody who thinking about jail can’t sleep. And is de forensic audits and investigations wha going on

got he, Jagdeo, and he kavakamites, dem, like that. When dem boys see de statement that Jagdeo mek that he party wouldn’t sleep until dem get back in power, a lot of things got through dem boys mind, immediately. Dem boys seh, yes, “Jagdeo really love Guyana, but he love all Guyana fuh heself, he friends and he family.” Put dem back in power and all Guyanese would got to pay rent to walk, drive and glide, much less to live in Guyana. De way he was carrying on wid de assets of Guyana, giving dem away like de Sanata Complex wha worth over US$40 million. He give Babbie fuh next to nutten. And that is only one he give Babbie that dem boys talking about now. Den you got de projects

he embark on. De same Babbie put little or nutten and end up owning de hog share. De Berbice Bridge is glaring. De whole nation was begging dem to reduce de toll but because of de love dem had fuh Guyana, dem seh no. It tek Soulja Bai to start de speed boat service to mek dem beg now fuh let dem sit down and talk. Dem boys plan fuh whisper in Soulja Bai ears. “When dem call tell Moses or Li’l Joe fuh tell dem he hoarse and he can’t talk and that he don’t know when de hoarseness gun go away to talk to dem.” In shaat, don’t stop de speedboat service, Soulja Bai. Talk half and show dem that you love Berbicians more than Jagdeo and he PPP wha can’t shut dem eye.

Ramjattan expressed his appreciation to the Australian High Commissioner for his visit and the parties agreed to maintain communication with the prospect of collaboration in the future. The Ministry of Public Security said it will continue to work together with international partners to seek areas of collaboration that will enhance the effectiveness of the Security Sector in Guyana and maintain the safety and security of the country’s citizenry.

High Comm. Ross Tysoe

Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

PPP Govt. encouraged contractors to ... From page 3 transported by trail and air from Georgetown into Kato by the contractor. “I don't know if you would have visited it, but I think if you are given the opportunity to see

how remote the area is and how difficult it would be to get all of the necessary elements in; I think that my discussions with our Buildings Manager really suggest to me, that this is quite a feat get-

ting a secondary school built in that area and getting everything in,” said Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam , in responding to q u e s t i o n s a b o u t t he project in August.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 24, 2015

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The stupendously stupid People’s Progressive Party

My September 10, 2015 column was captioned, “The PPP has learnt and will learn nothing from history.” The argument was that the PPP does not care to appear as decent, credible politicians in the eyes of the world and it damages their chances of people offering admiration. I went on to argue that the PPP’s approach to philistine, crude, cruel and crazy behaviour by its leaders is never a sane one. The most uncouth, uncivilized conduct among PPP leaders goes unnoticed because in the

PPP’s hierarchy no one cares to notice. I looked at the appointment of Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick by the PPP to represent its interest in GECOM. I opined that these were two bad choices because of lack of credibility. I suggested that these personalities who tend to alienate humans wherever they go, will do the same in GECOM. My column was published

on the September 10. On September 22, Benn and Shadick were sworn in. Here is the headline of one media house coverage of the swearing-in; “Mild drama at swearing in of PPP nominated GECOM Commissioners.” What was the drama about? Shadick refused to use the religious book that all Commissioners are given. She brought her own. She refused the pen that Commissioners used to attach their signature that as a matter of protocol, is offered by State personnel in the Office of the President. This was a petty mind engaged in petty nonsense that will be greeted with joy by similar petty minds in her party. When Jagdeo, Rohee, Ramotar, Teixeira, and others read that newscast, Shadick will be given a heroic reception the type “Satyra Gyal” got when she displayed nasty, filthy, unbecoming conduct at the home of the American Ambassador. Luncheon called the foul-smelling philistinism of “Satyra Gyal” a “feral blast” at the Ambassador.

Of course, readers must be uncomfortable to know that Shadick is the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Guyana. One can safely say that at the next meeting of the UG Council, she may take her own table and chair and when the coffee lady comes around the table, she may go under her skirt and pull out her own bottle of Café Pele, teacup, spoon and sugar. This has been the type of personalities the PPP has chosen since Cheddi Jagan founded it over sixty years ago. The older generation may recall that Premier Cheddi Jagan appointed his tailor as manager of Guyana Electricity Corporation (now GPL) and President Cheddi Jagan placed his chauffeur on the Board of the Coop Bank in 1993. If this appears to you to be facetious and light, then it is factual and has been properly documented. There is no question in this columnist’s mind that what Shadick did will be greeted in the PPP with elation. It is called psychological nihilism—a process whereby a person’s psychology is fixated on the

bizarre and the macabre. What the PPP, especially under Jagdeo, did not accept and will not accept is how the world works and as the PPP got steeper in permanent electoral victories, the PPP couldn’t distinguish between a politician’s moral abomination and a politician’s scatology. How the world works is not that complex to understand even if you do not believe in a creator. It goes like this- people do not accept judges who are habitual drunkards; priests who hobnob with little girls; educators who are seen cussing down at nightclubs, politicians who are always brawling in the streets. They are disappointed when they see such standardbearers falling down and they withhold their admiration. Unfortunately the PPP doesn’t care about these shocking abnormalities. The President of the country defended what Bheri Ramsaran did to a social activist, then when he was shown video clips of how unapologetic Ramsarran was, the next night, the President didn’t accept what he saw. The PPP brushed aside criticism of its own parliamentarian, Dr. Vinya

Frederick Kissoon Persaud, who made reference to Ramotar ’s defence of Ramsaran and Rohee showing voters his middle finger. Persaud insinuated that these perversities may have caused the loss of votes in the 2015 General Election. No matter how atrocious is the moral conduct of its personnel, no matter how philistine is the behaviour of its leaders, no matter how well dressed in gutter morals are its leaders, the PPP cannot bring itself to see the inner sickness of such deportment. So Ramsarran, Nandlall, Jennifer Westford and “Satyra Gyal” are back in Parliament. “Killaman now works at Freedom House and “BruckUp” Benn and Shaddick of all people are assigned top posts. The good thing about all of this is that the PPP is gone from power.

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Thursday September 24, 2015

Security threat at John Fernandes Ltd. prompts port security exercise

A driver being searched

The stocks being opened and searched

Searches being conducted on the vehicle In response to an unspecified threat that port authorities received on Tuesday last, security officials from John Fernandes Ltd., and the other wharves in the city increased the port security level to level two in keeping with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code. In addition to the increase, Kaieteur News was able to view a security exercise

in progress. Items destined for shipping, along with the vehicle and personnel that brought them were thoroughly checked for contraband. The ISPS code is a mandate used by Governments around the world to prescribe security protocols to detect threats and ensure that preventative measures can be taken. In addition to stopping the import/export of narcotics, it has also helped to net arms

and ammunition through its implementation. Mark Archer, the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) for the John Fernandes Ltd., confirmed that the security level had been raised to Level Two, based on the ISPS code. “The scenario is that we have received a threat, of an unknown type and due to that we are forced to raise the security level. So, based on

the port facility security plan, this is the process that has to be followed, “he said. At security level two, he explained, the police would cordon off the area and search the vehicle and stocks. Once that is finished, he said, the vehicle is then escorted to the ship side, where the stores will be delivered to the ship. “In the ISPS code there are three levels, level one is ordinary procedures, level

two is security level and level three is a shutdown of the port,” he said. “The threat was of an unknown type, but it was credible. So, because of that we had to raise the security level.” During level two, port security personnel, who are trained by United States Coast Guard, are mandated to thoroughly check every vehicle and all items entering into the port facility. While an

official present stated that there has been no seizure of a serious nature recently, he noted that whenever contraband is uncovered, the culprit is immediately detained and the police summoned. The exercise is done annually and involves collaboration between Port authorities, the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Guyana Police Force.

Thursday September 24, 2015

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Marriott in danger of defaulting on Republic Bank payments …final price tag remains a mystery, Casino stalled Marriott Hotel is reportedly in danger of defaulting on a payment to Republic Bank. The newly installed Chairman of the Board of Directors, Beverly Harper, however insists that Marriott is in no danger of defaulting on any of its payments, and that the hotel is in fact currently turning a profit. Whatever payments are owed will be made. Beverly Harper, the Ansa Mcal Chief Executive Officer (CEO) was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors at Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), the Special Purpose Company established to own the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. The new board was installed earlier this month with its other directors. They included Laurie London, Derrick Cummings and Patricia Bacchus. AHI was previously headed by Winston Brassington and Marcia Nadir-Sharma. This publication spoke with Harper briefly yesterday and queried the state of affairs at the company, and she insists that while tabulations are still being made, the hotel is in fact making a profit, and will be able to make its payments to Republic Bank. A well-placed insider told this publication, however, that the Marriott Hotel, some six months after its opening earlier this year, is currently unable to make any repayments—principal and interest—on the US$15.3M that was secured from that bank as part of a syndicated loan. The property is mortgaged to Republic Bank as a result of the transaction. AHI had initially approached the bank to secure a consortium of investors to the tune of US$27M but this was cut short as a result of court action filed by then opposition Member of Parliament, Desmond Trotman. That court action resulted in only US$15.3M being transferred from

the installation of the new board earlier this month there has only been one meeting and no decisions have been

AHI’s newly installed Chairman, Beverly Harper Republic Bank to Atlantic Hotel Inc (AHI) for the multimillion dollar hotel. That banking institution currently has a lien on the property and almost seven acres of land. Scheduled to operate at a loss for a number of years before reaping a profit, as well as taking on additional loans following its opening, Harper told this publication yesterday that mere months after opening its doors, the Marriott Hotel is in fact making a profit. She was however unable to provide any details in relation to what level of profits is being made. She was also unable to provide any details in relation to the final cost for the construction of the Marriott Hotel, since works have been stalled on the Casino and Entertainment Complex of the facility. The final cost will have to also include interest accrued during construction of the hotel in addition to the millions spent for the preparation of the site, including the destruction of the Luckhoo Pool and the sinking of a Well facility to supply the hotel with water. The Casino and Entertainment Complex of the facility was proposed at an additional US$16M. According to Harper, since

made on the Casino and Entertainment Complex which is currently at a standstill. The Marriott Hotel was

proposed to be constructed at a cost of some US$58M. Of that amount US$8M was supposed to have come from

private investors while, a US$27M syndicated loan was sought from Republic Bank (continued on page 28)

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 24, 2015

Legal challenge over Technocrat status of Govt. Ministers - CJ to commence hearing substantive case Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang has decided to proceed with substantive hearing of the constitutional challenge, which seeks to bar two members of the Government from sitting in the National Assembly as Technocrat Ministers. The matter was filed by PPP member Desmond Morian. Morian questioned the appointment of APNU+AFC members Winston Felix and Keith Scott to Parliament as Technocrat Ministers, since according to him, their names were not extracted from the coalition’s list of candidates. He argued that they did not fit the criteria for the positions. The applicant is being represented by Attorney at Law, Anil Nandlall. Attorney General, (AG) Basil Williams and the Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, are named as respondents. The matter continued before the Chief Justice, yesterday. On a previous occasion, the AG had essentially argued that although the Court has exclusive rights to deal with the matter, it was incorrectly placed before the Court. He explained that instead of a motion, the issue should have been presented by way of an election petition. It is the AG’s position that the court has no jurisdiction to deal with the issue, as such. He held that at this stage of the hearing, the issue

of jurisdiction should first be dealt with by the Court before moving to the substantive proceedings. Justice Chang has noted that since the preliminary arguments touch and concern matters in substantive case, he will, out of an abundance of caution, proceed with hearing the case in its entirety . Taking all the preliminary points into consideration, the Chief Justice said he will rule at the end of the substantive hearing. The matter is set to continue before the Chief Justice on October 14 at 13:30 hours. According to the motion, Morian is seeking a declaration that Felix and Scott are not lawful members of the National Assembly and an order that they be prevented from sitting in the Assembly unless their names are extracted from the coalition’s list. His applicant cited articles 60, 103, 105, 160 and 232 of the

Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Chapter 1:01. The PPP had strongly objected to the appointment of Scott and Felix as Technocrat, (expert or skilled in their field) Members of the National Assembly. The party via a statement had contended that “Articles 103 (3) and 105 of the Constitution and laws pronouncing on the eligibility of appointment of Technocratic Ministers, do not confer Technocratic status on these persons already sworn in by President David Granger as Ministers”. The Party added that Felix and Scott are listed on the APNU+AFC National Top Up list of Candidates at numbers 24 and 46 respectively. “These views of the PPP have been shared with the Parliament Office. The PPP is urging that the Constitution and relevant laws be respected and calls on the Clerk of the National Assembly not to administer the Oath as Member of Parliament to these persons,” the party had urged. In his defence, the Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs had insisted that the appointments were perfectly legal. Isaacs told the media that a closer examination of the said Articles, 103 (3) and 105 of the Constitution would reveal that they do not adequately define a nonelected Member.

The Guyana Police Force is seeking the assistance of members of the public in tracking down three men who escaped from the Lethem Police Station a week ago. The men, Don Peters, Michael Mc Donald and Tiagio Da Silva who were all on remand for various offences, including break and enter and larceny, managed to cut through the lock securing the station lock-ups and made good their escape last Thursday, September 17. They face escaping from

lawful custody charges. Police say Don Peters is 28 years old and his last known addresses are St. Ignatius, Central Rupununi and Bon Fin, Brazil. Michael Mcdonald is 20 years old and his last known addresses are also listed as St. Ignatius, Central Rupununi and Bon Fin, Brazil Tiagio Da Dilva, 28 is a Brazilian by birth. The fact that the men have connections in neighbouring Brazil, it is widely believed that they have fled there, and

local police are hoping that their counterparts in the Portuguese-speaking country would assist in their capture. The police say anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Don Peters, Michael Mc Donald and Tiagio Da Silva is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers, 226-1333, 225-2722, 225-6411, 225-8196, 772-2087, 772-2005, 911 or the nearest police station. All information will be treated with strict confidence.

Chief Justice, (Ag) Ian Chang

Police issue wanted bulletin for Lethem trio

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

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CJ commences hearing arguments to strike out Elections Petition Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang is hearing a summons, to have the recently filed Elections petition struck out. The elections petition was filed on behalf of PPP/C member, Ganga Persaud, on June 23, last. According to the document, Persaud and members of the former government are questioning the validity of the May 11 polls which declared the APNU+AFC Government winners. Persaud named the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, and leaders of the eight political parties, which contested the last elections as respondents, in the matter. Lowenfield’s Attorney, Roysdale Forde, has filed a summons in the High Court, requesting that the petition

which seeks to challenge the outcome of the recently held General and Regional elections, be struck out. Forde requested that the elections petition be struck out on the grounds that sections of the petition failed to disclose reasonable cause of action and are frivolous and vexatious. Following chambers proceeding on Tuesday, Forde, told reporters that Persaud’s failure to detail certain information in the petition is the main basis of requesting a dismissal of the case. He posited therefore that the Chief Justice has made a decision to first hear the summons of dismissal before proceeding with the other summons filed in relation to the petition. However, Attorney -at –

law, Anil Nandlall, has noted that there is no need for further and better particulars. Nandlall is representing Persaud and the PPP/C in the matter. In the affidavit, the attorney asserted that the particulars provided in the election petition were sufficient for the respondents to ascertain the case against them. He detailed that the applicant listed 28 grounds in the petition. In the petition, Persaud, who was appointed Election Agent of the List of Candidates for the PPP/C, claimed that the elections were “unlawfully conducted” and the result of the elections was affected or might have been affected by unlawful acts or omissions. He underscored that the

Man jailed for “Not a blade of ... From page 24 unshaken by Venezuela's latest action.” He three years bereiterated encouragement for “all; opposition

Terry Stewart, of Triumph, East Coast Demerara, will have to spend the next three years in prison, after he pleaded guilty when he appeared before Magistrate Rondel Weever, at the Blairmont Magistrate Court on Monday. Stewart was carrying marijuana in his backpack. According to the prosecution, on September 20, at D’Edward Village, West Bank Berbice, Stewart was observed behaving in a suspicious manner. He was stopped and searched by the police and the drug found.

included, to work with our government towards the security, happiness and prosperity of our great country, Guyana.” Elaine Evans and her friend Dolly, 74, also joined in the protest. Evans said, “This is our country and Venezuela ain't got any right to be claiming it. Is God who has given us this land and suddenly them playing long hearted because we find oil?” The septuagenarian said, “While I am not strong enough to be on the frontline I am on my knees and I am encouraging Guyanese to get in the mode of prayers against that bully and God will see us through.” (By Mondale Smith)

elections were not held in conformity with the Constitution of Guyana and the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03. As such, opposition essentially requested a recount of all ballot boxes for the last elections and fresh elections were also called for. However, in a summons filed on behalf of Chief Elections Officer, last month, Attorney-at-law Roysdale Forde requested that the elections petition be struck out, on the grounds that sections of the petition failed to disclose reasonable cause of action and are frivolous and vexatious. The summons followed a request by Attorneys representing respondents in the matter, for further and better particulars specified in paragraphs 8 subparagraphs 1- 15, of the petition. According to the document, those paragraphs

must be struck out, as they are in breach of sections 140 (2) of the Representation of the People Act Cap: 1:03. The summons also outlined that the claims in paragraphs 8 subparagraphs 1- 15, of the petition failed to provide facts to support the claims that the elections was rigged. The PPP/C had claimed that the entire electoral process was flawed; that it contained many procedural errors and instances of fraudulent and/ or suspicious actions. “Unrest, fake statements of polls (SOPs) and multiple voting were among several causes cited when the PPP/C filed its elections petition.” The presence of “huge mobs” at several polling stations and other strategic places, particularly in Region Four, were also cited by the party as another cause for intimidation and fear which in turn “rendered it impossible

for polling and counting agents, duly appointed candidates to carry out their duties and functions properly. Nandlall in a subsequent summons requested an order directed to the Chief Election Officer. He requested that Lowenfield produce for inspection and examination for the purpose of the Elections Petition, the parcels of all election papers and documents, including those he received from the returning officer of each electoral division under section 102 of the Representation of the People Act. . They would include all the electoral list containing the names of the persons entitled to vote, all issued ballots, all unused ballots, all votes cast by electors, all statements of poll issued at specified polling divisions; all certificates of counting issued in respect to the votes cast at each and every polling division, and all polling books used at each and every polling station. The matter is slated for continuation on Friday.

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Thursday September 24, 2015

Happy Eid-ul-Adha to one and all! As the celebration of Eid-ul-Adha i s o b s e r v e d t o d a y, K a i e t e u r N e w s extends heartfelt Eid greetings to the Muslim Community and the rest of the country.

Also extending greetings is the c o a l esced A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change Government and a few other organizations whose messages are below:

Government of Guyana On the occasion of Eid-ulAdha, we are reminded of the value of sacrifice and obedience to God. The Government of the Cooperative Republic Guyana recognises the importance of this sacrifice which symbolises selflessness and faith and wishes our Muslim brothers and sisters Eid Mubarak. Eid-ul-Adha is a time when Muslims reflect on the values of self-denial by making a sacrifice in honour of God Almighty. Prophet Abraham’s great act of submission is thus regarded as an example of genuine surrender to the will of God.

In today’s society brotherhood of humanity can advance further if there is a greater appreciation of the need to incorporate the lessons of this great sacrifice into our daily lives. The Government would like to thank the Muslim community for all their contributions and charitable work towards the betterment of Guyana and looks forward for their continued leadership in this regard. This is also an appropriate occasion for us to reaffirm the call for national unity among our people. We are a people of diverse origins but a common destiny and it is

imperative that we cooperate for the purposes of national advancement. We face challenges of living in a globalised world and unjust threats to our national sovereignty and we need each other to overcome these challenges. The onus is on us as a nation to work hand in hand with people who have faith in the essential goodness of humankind. The message of Eid-ulAdha is an example of the discipline and commitment needed, if we are to build Guyana into a nation which affords a good life for all Guyanese.

Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) salutes Guyana’s Islamic community on the occasion of one of their more inspiration festivals of their faith. Eid-ul-Adha stands out for a variety of reasons. The lessons of sacrifice and service emanating from Ibrahim’s obedience to God’s command to sacrifice his son are as powerful today as they were unprecedented in Mecca thousands of years ago. The Eid-ul-Adha story is also strikingly similar to the Christian version in the Holy

Bible. The message of obedience to the divine wall and the need for sacrifices before achievement is, therefore, still universal. FITUG urges Muslims and all Guyana to explore briefly the powerful origins of Eid-ul-Adha. It will be discovered that the Supreme Creator finds ways to test the sincerity of faith of so-called believers. And it will be realized that selflessness can eventually bear fruit even for an obedient adherent to righteous beliefs and guidance.

Sacrifice for progress is needed in the Guyana of today. FITUG sees the need for give-and-take and compromise in national life and undertaken even if one party feels that it will “lose” something somehow. Sacrifice is often a forerunner and ingredient for success – at both personal and community/national levels. May this Eid-ul-Adha festival 2015 inspire Muslims to influence all Guyanese to higher causes of service and obedience in the national interest. Happy Eid-ul-Adha

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) The People’s National Congress Reform extends Eid-ul-Adha greetings to all Guyanese, but more especially to our Muslim Brothers and Sisters, we say Eid Mubarak. The preparedness of the Holy Prophet to make the supreme sacrifice, as proof of his total commitment to the teachings of Allah, should inspire us all to strive towards the ideals of brotherly love, peace, justice and empathy towards one another.

couple was imbibing when an argument ended in a fight. It was during this time that the woman took a knife and stabbed the man in his neck. The woman was subsequently nabbed on Sunday by the police after the matter was reported. The man was rushed to the New Amsterdam hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He has since been transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for further emergency medical intervention. The woman had reported that she was the recipient of years of domestic abuse. She said that she has lost a number of babies, that one of her fingers has been paralysed and one of her thumbs has been damaged due to the abuse. It was further learnt that the woman is partially responsible for the state she was in

Dianne Mc Calmon because on a number of occasion whenever the matter was reported to the police and action taken the woman herself would go and withdraw the matters. Prosecutor Bristol ob-

latter regard, it should be remembered that it was the PNC Government, under its Founder Leader, Forbes Burnham, which paved the way for each of the country’s major religious groups to observe their holy days as National Holidays. Our Party remains committed to ensuring unity in diversity so that our beloved country can experience real development and progress. Mubarak!

Anna Catherina Islamic Complex Islam celebrates two great festivals annually, Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. The first is the great festival that follows the month of Ramadan and the second occurs about two months later, when an animal is sacrificed in commemoration of the steadfastness of Prophet Abraham and his son Ishmael. This festival, incorporated in the great pilgrimage to Mecca, is also observed all over the Muslim world at the same time. The underlying importance of this festival is the spirit of sacrifice (qurbani) in memory of Prophet Abraham’s great act of faith many centuries ago. Eid-ul-Adha is a time for Muslims to learn the value of self-denial by making a sacrifice of the things we love, to God almighty. Prophet Abraham’s great act of submission is thus regarded solely as an example of genuine surrender to the will

Sheet Anchor woman charged with attempted murder The woman who left a knife stuck in her husband's throat and then went to hide, but was subsequently nabbed, was on Wednesday charged with attempted murder. Dianne Mc Calmon, 31, a mother of four, aged 13, 10, nine and six, of Lot 99 Sheet Anchor Village, East Canje, Berbice appeared before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver in the Fort Wellington Magistrate's court and was granted bail. Police prosecutor Inspector Grace Bristol told the court that the woman attempted to murder her husband Daniel Persaud, 35, a fisherman of the same address on September 19. According to information the couple has been together for 14 years. It is understood that they shared an abusive relationship. It is alleged that on the day in question the

It is only by the personal commitment of each Guyanese citizen to the above stated ideals that our country can develop into a Nation characterised by unity, harmony and a sense of decency. The PNCR has always been and will always remain respectful of Guyana’s cultural and religious diversity and believes that our diversity has worked and can continue to work to the country’s advantage. In this

jected to bail on the grounds of the nature and gravity of the crime. She also stated that the man is still hospitalized in a critical condition in the Georgetown Public Hospital and that after committing the crime the woman had escaped. The woman however told the court that since her incarceration she has not seen or heard from her children and does not know about their whereabouts. She also told the court that since she was arrested no relative has visited her. Appearing as a friend of the court attorney at law Kim Kyte John begged the court to grant bail to the woman. Despite strenuous objection by the prosecutor the magistrate granted bail in the sum of $150,000 and transferred the matter to the New Amsterdam Magistrate's court for hearing on October 5.

of God and is to be followed as such. Today, more than ever, human beings need to incorporate the lessons of this great sacrifice into our lives. Qurbani offers lessons to all persons aspiring to become leaders or who are leaders. God had said to Abraham, “I have made you the father of many nations”. Because of his faith, God had made him both a prime example of true faith among men and also the father of the faithful. God approved both his faith and trust and accordingly decreed that those who had faith likeAbraham were to become his sons and be blessed like him. Therefore, any leader must display the character of our great Prophet Abraham, especially his willingness to sacrifice everything he loved, for the ultimate hereafter. No one can be blessed with leadership, if he displays no feeling, care and love for his fellow human beings. The world in which we live faces us with difficult choices. Our guidance comes from our willingness to turn toward God and to find peace within ourselves. Then and only then will we feel content in our choices. Our global society could and should be an example of co-existence and cooperation, of mutual benefit and human concern.

Muslims need to create an inner environment of peace and faith, of tranquility, nonviolence, and security. Then we can hope to find solidarity and to create cooperation by supporting one another, standing by one another in what is good and right and needed for success, growth, and sustainability. We are to let everyone know the true basis of Islam, its real values, its true principles, its way of life based on pluralism, democratic principles, faith, and mutual respect. Islam abhors and condemns terrorism and aggression, espouses peace and security and safety for all people regardless of nationality or religion or gender or race. Let us not forget our poor and needy brothers and sisters as we observe this festival, by sharing our sacrificial offerings with them. It is our sincere hope and prayer that we are able to affirm the unity possible among Muslims, and between Muslims and other religions. We face the challenges of living in a globalized world where there is greater alienation and distance between classes of individuals based on economics and education. We must work hand in hand with people who have faith in the essential goodness of humankind.

Marriott in danger of ... From page 13 and the National Industrial and Commercial Investment Limited (NICIL) putting in an additional US$19.4M. This did not materialize and Brassington at the time had blamed, among other things, the court action which stalled the release of money from Republic Bank. NICIL ended up putting in some USS$35M into the project, the majority of which comes as an interest free loan with a 15 year hiatus on repayments. AHI is also currently the subject of a forensic audit ordered by Government and this publication understands

that this process could be completed within two weeks time. Kaieteur News was told that a preliminary list of queries was submitted to Executive Director of the AHI, Brassington at the end of last month and he has since submitted a detailed response which is being assessed by the State Auditors. This publication understands that following an analysis of the responses proffered by Brassington, subsequent queries could be made after which time a final report would be submitted to Finance Minister Winston Jordan.

Thursday September 24, 2015

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No database of assets or asset distribution kept - Public Service COI hears By Sunita Samaroo Before an attentive audience workers who have been employed for years in the Public Service Department, formerly known as the Ministry of Public Service, made several starting revelations. They said that the Ministry was void of a database to keep track of its assets or their distribution. Workers told Commissioners that copyright violations for software were being encouraged at the level of the Ministry. New staffers in all Ministries were not treated to orientation and training programmes available at various Ministries were exclusive to those selected. Statements were also to the effect that a number of recommendations for improvement in the public service from specialists, unions and even staff upon their return from foreign training programmes, were ignored. As the second day into the Public Service Commission of Inquiry got underway, its Chairman, Professor Harold Lutchman along with Commissioners Sarah Jones and Samuel Goolsarran heard calls for in-depth job analysis to guiding job descriptions, a performance appraisal system, reviewing of public service rules as well as the mandatory retirement age. They were told that motivation was lacking in the public service and training and development were areas that should be addressed. First to testify was Gail Williams, a Senior Personnel Officer attached to the Department of Public Service, within the Ministry of the Presidency. Williams stated that she has been trained in Industrial Relations, Commonwealth Training in Public Ser-

…calls made for reintroduction of merit system vice Administration, Human Resource training in Japan, among others. From her training in Japan, Williams prepared a paper seeking to advise the former People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration on approaches that can be adopted seeking to reintroduce performance appraisal in the public service. According to her it was never implemented. The training, she affirmed, was useful but its impact was never realised. At this juncture, Professor Lutchman queried whether it was a commonplace for persons to be sent on training and despite successfully completing them and returning to these shores with a slew of ideas; the implementation aspect is met with a certain level of resistance because the hierarchy may be ignorant of the new concepts. She said that various consultants made recommendations to have the performance management appraisals reintroduced into the public service. A similar approach, she said, exists for promotion but not for merits. “We don't have the merit increment system…I know that representation has been made to the then government time and time to have it in place, but I do not know what is the mechanism that is holding it back,” expressed Williams. At present, she said there is no incentive for those public servants who would go beyond the call of duty. They were under a system where those are given annual increase, the same as those whose performance is bare

Assistant Development Coordinator, Ryan Cumberbatch offering testimony before the Public Service Commission of Inquiry yesterday minimum. Williams recommended the reintroduction of performance appraisal which will merit persons for performance between the minimum, mid and max scale. The practice has been abandoned but Williams recalled that initially there were different percentages attached to each merit level. “We should have a proper appraisal system, with a proper merit increment scheme,” said Williams. Merit, she highlighted, was only part of the appraisal system. The system should pave the way for improvement to public servants in need, in form of development training, inter alia. “My dream for the public service is for a more strategicdriven public service: set our goals, set our plans that we have for the public service and we work towards that,” expressed the Senior Personnel Officer. Williams is a member of a

Guyana stands ready to protect ... From page 2 confirmed that Government has not heard from the Brazilian envoy as yet as it relates to speaking against the matter. Government has described the actions of Venezuela as one of aggression, warning on Tuesday that its citizens in the border areas are to be on the alert. These latest moves by the neighbouring country would follow a number of actions, including the recent refusal to approve a new ambassador to that country. Top army officials in Venezuela claimed that the troop buildup was for “operational exercises”. Speaking to reporters at his Vlissengen Road offices on Tuesday, President Granger disclosed that he re-

ceived reports that Venezuela has been making “extraordinary” military deployment in eastern Venezuela. That area is immediately west of Guyana. The President was convinced that the deployment was linked to Venezuela's claims on a large section of Essequibo and on parts of the Atlantic Ocean which belong to Guyana. “…Very provocative and we feel that Venezuela is treading on a dangerous course at this point in time. But rather than making a peaceful resolution of the matter, Venezuela seems to be pursuing a very offensive and aggressive course,” the president had told reporters. Venezuela news reported

that one of the pieces of equipment is the Pechora M-2 weapon which has the capability of shooting down cruise missiles and stealth aircraft. Photographs circulating on the internet showed the weapons being transported on trucks which are said to be equipped with radars. According to President Granger, relations with Venezuela appeared not to be getting better and would come at a time when Venezuela is embroiled in a major controversy with its own neighbour-Colombia. Venezuela's aggression to Guyana took on harsher tones in May after US-owned ExxonMobil announced a significant oil find in concessions belonging to this country.

department of key functionaries in the personnel department, keeping an eye on all personnel functions in every ministry across the country. She said that they keep an inventory of authorized position, evaluate and grade those positions, examine allowances and make recommendations. Williams was questioned on the benchmark system inherited in 1994 that catered for 75 positions across the public service. She explained that with the advent of new job titles, they evaluate and graded the position based on the “family” in which it may fall. The system, she suggested, should be reviewed as some of the positions listed have been made obsolete because those functions are no longer required or carried out in the manner prescribed as well as technology replacing some functions. “There is a performance appraisal system but there is no merit for performance so what happens in most cases, prior to 2013, persons who are in the system ten years ago and persons who are now employed were in receipt of the same remuneration,” she said. She stated that they have had requests from agencies and the unions to have increase in allowances for persons living in far-flung areas, addressing market-price and the realities of spending a dollar in the city as opposed to far off areas, among others. She said though it was presented to the then administration and reportedly considered, it never came to fruition. Kemo Benjamin, Junior Human Resource Management Consultant, attached to the Personnel Department in the Department of Public Ser-

vice told Commissioners that there are peer-to-peer discussions among peers as it relates to job dissatisfaction. To this end, he is suggesting efforts be made to motivate employees. “I don't think persons are as motivated as they need to be.” For current staff, he pushed for training, stating that development was necessary. He said that many have entered the public service but were never exposed to training or orientation so they became stagnant. Benjamin, himself, said that he had never been exposed to management training but will soon be given an opportunity to do so. “There isn't any orientation. They are introduced to the staff and they tend to orient themselves,” Benjamin said in response to question by the Commissioners. He said there are various training programmes that are run off by departments within the various ministries but it is offered to select persons. Benjamin is a member of a team that creates reviews and updates job descriptions; manage and update the database, among others. The consultant stated that there needs to be more job analysis before job descriptions are crafted for jobs at a certain level. He advocated for a review of the Public Service rules, which he said are rigid. He said a review of the rules was done during the Public Management Modernisation Programme by the Chief Personnel Officer at the Ministry. He said a review was suggested by him with intention of formulating HR policies, seeking to shift from a rulebased approach to a modern policy-based approach. It was never accepted, Benjamin said.

Benjamin advocated too, for the age of retirement to be changed, since in his view persons reaching 55 are oftentimes fully functional and mentally agile. The consultant said that systems should be in place for public servants to interact and provide feedback and suggestions as it relates to areas they think need to be improvement to upper management. Fair treatment, he said, was needed across the board. Assistant Development Coordinator within the Department, Ryan Cumberbatch, was the last to take the stand. Cumberbatch oversees the ICT infrastructure, maintaining the network, assists in inventory preparation, among others. He said that PSM has one human resource database and it never had any for assets and distribution. He spoke to the need for such and added that these are areas they are currently exploring. From an IT perspective, Cumberbatch took umbrage to the fact that the finance department does not issue money for computers. “That hampers us a bit,” he said. Cumberbatch told Commissioners that the department is using computers as old as nine years old. They would have to ship parts into the country when repairs are necessary. “More emphasis should be placed on ICT (Information Communications Technology) in terms of budget. Things like software are not catered for so what you find is, you have to hack and crack so maybe if they budgeted for legal stuff it would help our copyrights issue.” It was said that information technology has advanced to the point where even video calling is possible.

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Kaieteur News

FOR RENT

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. PARTY DECORATING: balloon creation, back drops etc. for weddings, birthdays, anniversary etc. Make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES,AIR-CONDITIONERS, WASHINGMACHINES,TVS, MICROWAVES,FREEZERSCALL: 629-4946 OR 225-4822 REPAIRS & SPARE, FRIDGE, FREEZER, A/C, WASHERS, STOVES CONTACT NICK: 6831312, 627-3206 Floor sanding & Lacquering House plans, Estimate & painting, Boat for Santa Mission - Call: 650-4362 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building. visadocumentsgy@yahoo.comCall : 225-6496, 662-6045 Jadesco: offers architectural designs, civil engineering estimations, construction & rehabilitation -Call: 612-0468; 629-3605 or email: jadesco15@gmail.com Eagle’s fridge re-gas @ 99-100 New Market Street - $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 223-5818 INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included. Desmond Repair Services Fridge, AC, gas stove, microwave, washer, etc on the spot repairs –Call: (592)6788683; 687-9709 Landscaping: Palms, largest varieties of plants, Used in every one of our unique landscapes- Call: 648-1821/ 219-0468 FOR SALE/RENT American pool tables –Call: 277-0578

WANTED Supervisor to work at hotel in charity rtilak@adamantiumholdings.com or contact 223-5273/4 Experienced hire car driver & dispatcher @ Princess Hotel Providence-Call: 616-5419 Two female bartenders at Tajoes’s Sports Bar, Pouderoyen W.B.D must have good communication skills –call: 264-0041/ 6841838 1Cook to prepare local / international dishes for catering establishment – Call: 660-4904; 223-5621 between 9am-2pm 1 Receptionist between ages 19-25 to work at Ourominas, 120 Regent Street BourdaContact: 612-6672 Honest, experienced sales clerk. Apply at Nanda’s Boutique-223 Camp Street, next to Gas Station Urgently needed live in waitress –Call: 670-2323 One welder fabricator, to work in workshop on the West Coast, on a percentage basisCall: 679-4992

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 One bedroom apartment for couple -$30,000 monthly – Call: 223-3958 or 660-9463 One four storey building at Lot 14 Croal and Lden Street to rent- Contact 6631876 1-3 Bedrooms upstairs, 1-2 bedrooms downstairs for rent @ Cornelia Ida W.C.D – Contact: 277-0108 3 Bedroom upper flat for rent at Vreed-En-Hoop JunctionCall: 661-0162 Business place to rent for Supermarket or Restaurant or Bakery-Call: 665-6919 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 6750767, 627-5098 Business place to rent at Mon Repos E.C.D four two bedroom apartment for rent at Block 8 Mon Repos E.C.DCall: 618-1754; 681-1508; 2206168

One live in maid –Tel:6755256 Field sales agents @ Max Consultancy & Accounting Services, preferably males, must be experienced in this field –Call: 223-1855 Senior Mechanic to work in Georgetown –Call: 218-5105 Single Nurse wanted to care for elderly woman 25-35, life changing opportunity – Call: 687-5837 1 Cook for family in the interior-Call: 677-8484 Farm in need of, Large quantities of Paraquat- Call us today: 219-0468 One pastry maker, must also be able to make finger foodsCall: 660-4904; 223-5621 between 9am-2pm

WANTED Two experienced General Managers for a hinterland operation. One experienced General Manager for a crusher. Applicants should contact 644-4284 or 223-5180 Attractive salaries offered 2yrs Experienced seamstress – knowledge: flat/ over lockers/ Serger machines, meeting of deadlines/target a must; preferably E.C.D Contact: 270-4852 & 645-5533 One domestic to work in Diamond- Call: 216-2502 Straight stitch/Over edge machine operators- Call: 2222541 (8:00am-4:00pm MonFri) One hotel/club manager to work on the Essequibo Coast: Contact: 615-6172; 226-9768 We buy land with or without title only residential house lots, Farm, Herstelling, and Eccles-Call: 611-7223; 6042207

Thursday September 24, 2015

VACANCY Male & female workers, accountant, checkers, bond clerk @ RA Soda Factory Rosignol West Coast Berbice: Tel: 330-2399; 6235920 Drivers, Drink machine operator, anyone with mechanical ideas @ RA Soda Factory Rosignol West Coast Berbice: Tel: 330-2399; 623-5920 One maintenance worker with at least 5yrs experienced to work @ ice factory meadow bank wharf –Call: 231-1408; 642-9191; between 8am-2pm 1 Driver to drive delivery truck – apply at Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Branch manager wanted to work in New Amsterdam, attractive salary –Call: 6093650 Diesel Mechanics to work at Mining Firm must have knowledge of Perkins engine & excavators- Contact: 2269768 One experienced driver/ purchaser. Must have recommendations, must between35-45years old – Contact: 226-9768; 661-5307 Indoor Salesman with sales skills, secondary education, customer friendly @ Key Food Trading, Mc Doom, next to Post Office . E&N Beck Establishment: experienced milling machine & late operator, experienced driver with police clearance & reference-Call: 225-6272; 2275273 Office assistant Sales Clerk preferably with experience and from West Coast Demerara- Call: 254-1801 Manager wanted, for horticulture nursery, On lower Linden Highway- Call: 2190468 Housekeepers/cleaners, females only- Contact Aagman Restaurant/ Email: aagmanrestaurant@gmail.comCall:219-0161; 219-0158 Engineer for road work contact 223-5273/4 Hauler operator contact 2235273/4 Foreman for road work contact 223-5273/4 Motor grader operator contact 223-5273/4

Waitress to work a bar- Call: 612-2522

Compactor operator contact 223-5273/4 One ice machine operator to work at ice factory on Meadow Bank Wharf, please Call: 231-1408; 642-9191 between 8am-2pm

Female domestic to work in Trinidad- Call 1868-683-1528

Driver @ Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7

SALON -Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal, Mabelline. -Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257 Affordable salon services: pedi, mani, wash & blowout, facials, etc $2,500 each. Vogue @ Kalyan Mall, Lamaha Street. Tel: 647-1773/660-5257

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. One new 6" land dredges complete. 4 Cylinder 4.236 Perkins Engines price $4M negotiable – Call: 645-4133 or 225-3818 Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also – Call: 672-2566; 265-3232

TO LET Space for office, stationery, cosmetic store, salon etc @ Star Central Mall, Leonora, W.C.D-Call: 227-1876; 6950246

1 Aqua Sol water heater price$150,000 negotiable, interested person can contact: 264-2946

One bedroom apartment Grove, E.B.D -$36,000 –Tel: 642-1956

Transported property in Tuschen Scheme, Main Road/ bank loan available$10.M negotiable-Call: 6848231 4 Gold claims located in Mining District #5, Wanamu Calalu, area Barama River – Contact: 690-7932

Furnished 2 bedroom apartments in Nandy Park, parking available. For further information – Call: 619-4824

Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc Call: 225-9032, 647-2943

Space for office, internet café, stationery & like business @ Nandlall’s Building, ground floor, 217 South Road, G/ Town-Call: 227-1876 or 6950246 Bottom flat for rent in Diamond-Call: 678-3388

Reduced Prices: Dell/HP laptop & desktop computers complete, from $49,000, free games and educational software @ Future – Call: 2312206

Three bedrooms executive concrete top flat in South Ruimveldt Gardens –Call: 218-1949

VACANCY Porters to work at Covenden, E.B.D, apply at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling. Custodian, able bodied female 35-45yrs, serious enquiries only-Call: 223-9006; 223-5282 Computer literate person with CXC, 1 computer IT person, apply at Trophy Stall Bourda Market. Male sales representative @ Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7 Maid, 38-50ayears @ Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7

MASSAGE Relaxing massage servicesCall: 674-8147

Mazda Axela: 2008 service, excellent condition, price $1.5M negotiable, serious enquiries only-Contact Shawn: 668-3412, Farida: +1868-318-0650 1 Motor Car, 1 Toyota Corolla (AE91), PGG3474-Call: 6844094 One male Mastiff/Doberman large breed, ears cut, vaccinated, de-wormed, 6 months old-Call: 233-0570; 629-7426 Land at Schoonord (Next To Demerara Harbour Bridge), 45' X 100' $ 6 M, 60' X 100' $ 7.5M- Contact 650-0402 / 260-4988 Pools table (slate) & house hold items –Call: 616-0398; 676-7643; 269-0916 Sheet sets 100% cotton full & queen, bed throws, pampers & wipes @ Aubrey Barker Road, Tucville BridgeCall: 626-6335 Automatic Gate opener, garage door opener, chainsaw 51 HP, Dell Projector –Call: 644-4582, 662-8665 1-1000 gallon fuel tank at (New Amsterdam Location) Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7 Continued on page 31

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Letters... Where your views make the news

Our community is being plagued by a few small but rather irritating problems DEAR EDITOR, As a resident of Schoonord, ParFaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara for the last 31 months, I have enjoyed the tranquillity and cleanliness of this new housing scheme. However, our community has been plagued with a few small but rather irritating problems, namely; 1. The perpetual presence of approximately 50 cows that roam the village, making life extremely uncomfortable for residents. These cows have destroyed vehicles, fences, houses, parapets, and are creating a rather filthy environment, especially in the mornings. Owners enter the community almost daily, to catch cows, apparently to sell. This practice often causes confusion, with these “cowboys” chasing these animals around the village, lasso and all. We have raised these issues with the owners, who show scant regard for our requests to have their animals removed. Some have even threatened violence. I have been trying to plant some lawn grass to enhance my parapet but this has failed over the last two years because of the destructive nature of these cows and horses. 2. An estimated 30% of house lots in the area have not been occupied, leading to extremely thick and tall brush thriving in the area, often reducing 12 ft., two way roads, to single lane thoroughfares. 3. Home owners and those currently constructing their dwellings continue to encumber the roadways with the wanton dumping of loads of sand onto the road, often leaving them there for months. This practices must be curbed. Lawlessness cannot continue unchecked. 4. Since moving into Schoonord, residents have experienced, at least twice per month, severe and prolonged bouts of “low voltage”. As recently as Sunday 20th September, 2015,

we had to endure this type of power failure from 5:30am to approximately 11:30pm. Though many telephone reports were made to GPL throughout the day, the problem took almost 18 hours to be fixed, since the emergency crew communicated to us that they only received our report at 5pm the said day. This type of incompetence cannot continue! 5. The ParFaite Harmonie housing development has been in existence for more than ten years, however, not a single resident has received a landline telephone service from GT&T. This is unacceptable and must be speedily corrected. Residents have grown tired of the excuses by this utility company. We have been subjected to some extremely poor and unreliable internet service from GT&T resellers. Some of us who can afford to, are paying $7,500 for 500 kbps (receiving 200 during the greater part of the day, and approximately 700 kbps from 11pm to around 5am), while GT&T has upgraded to a lowest speed of 1.5 Mbps at a cost of $4,999, $2,500 less than what residents pay for approximately 1Mbps less of speed. This I find extremely unconscionable, unfair and unethical. There must be some sort of agreement between these resellers and GT&T, one of which must be fairness to the end-user, who is the customer. I therefore plead with the Management of GT&T to kindly ensure that resellers deliver value for money to customers, especially in areas such as ParFaite Harmonie. We are aware that other issues related to the perpetual upkeep of parapets, drainage systems etc. will be improved once the necessary Local Government organs are reconstituted and made effective with the advent of Local Government elections, the community still expects that certain basic services will be provided to residents. Jeumayne Dummett

Stop playing the blame game and get... From page 4 believe all is not well within that agency (as we all know is the case at City Hall for years now), without being invited to do so by the particular agency, in this case the Mayor and City Council. Secondly, there is a most absurd letter in the press that has been authored by the Georgetown City Council’s Public Relations Officer in which she has clearly overstepped her mandate as she seeks to represent her bosses at City Hall. In this letter, she is calling for an audit to be done on the spending of the $500M that was handed over to the Ministry of Local Government under the watch of then Minister Mr. Norman Whittaker, for cleaning of Georgetown under the “Clean up my country” project and for which she said there is not much credible evidence of works done in the City. Yet I see

this very administration using numerous skip bins that were made available through this “Clean up my Country” initiative’, some of which they have painted over with the new ‘Green City’ slogan, deliberately. Of course, they are trying to mislead citizens into believing that these are new resources. She then goes on to list what she considers to be indiscretions committed by the former Town Clerk, all the more reason why there should be a forensic audit conducted at City Hall for then and now. The role of the City’s PRO should be to promote the image and identity of our capital rather than to get involved into politics and to seek to denigrate the previous administrators. Just stop playing the blame game and get on with your work, providing the tax payers with a proper service, which they are entitled. Debra Gibson

It’s the PPP\C that destroyed sugar... From page 5 away from the taxpayers to its rightful place so that the Government can work without trying to find monies to fill the holes they left. I don’t think this government will ever fake Guyanese like the PPP, and moreover, I don’t think that the PPP is capable enough to represent the people of Guyana anymore due to people making statements that are out of touch and substance with the current reality. I must compliment Mr. Norman McClean for his presentation and for the time he took to educate this Chairman during his speech. I must also thank the honorable Prime Minister Moses V. Nagamootoo for setting the record straight and making the Regional Chairman realize that he lied to the people.

I will like to advice the Chambers that in the future they need to ask the Regional Chairman, if he is still there, to make responsible statements and to be truthful in what he sets out to say, because businessmen may want to stop supporting whenever those propaganda machines are speakers. The Chambers should now publicly warn the Chairman for making the opening ceremony of the 2015 Berbice Expo political and to avoid such in the future. This APNU+AFC Government will continue to serve the people and all the people of Guyana in the next five years with honesty, transparency, accountability, integrity and equal opportunity. It’s a Unity Government. Abel Seetaram

CAR RENTAL

From page 30

DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

EDUCATION Princeton College Forms 1-5 (5000) CXC adult classes $1,500 a subject, Phonics/ Grade 2,4,6,9 lessons Call: 231-1209, 690-5008,657-7398 Individual tutoring available for CXC Accounts, for guaranteed excellent graderCall: 654-1723 -$2000 monthly

FOR SALE 2-LL 7000 F.G Wilson Alternators (600KVA) Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 226-6150-7 120z. glass jars with Acid protective covers suitable for jam, achar, etc- Wieting & Richter Ltd-Call: 2266150-7 VEHICLE FOR SALE We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 ACCOMODATION Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parika: Bar-B-Que & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc – Phone: 260-4504. Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor /Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504; 685-6934

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Mazda Axela, PTT series, low mileage, e x c e l l e n t condition -owner migrating Tel: 649-0956 Toyota Rush- Unregistered $3M negotiable; Honda CRV 2003 model PSS 2018- $3.1M negotiable, pre-order any vehicle. Call: 655-3400 1 Unregistered 2006 Toyota Rush -$2.8M negotiable , unregistered 2007 Mitsubishi Convertible, both fully loaded -$2.8M negotiableContact:629-2314 1-192 Carina AC, Alarm, music deck, PLL/HC series now -$650,000 negotiable, owner migrating-Call: 6873241 One Honda CRV Immaculate Condition 17" mags, CD, AC, price -$1,850,000 negotiable – Call: 626-2884 Kaw a s a k i N i n ja 650R, excellent condition, lime green $650,000 asking price Tel: 655-2561 Unregistered pit-bull bus (3M) Noah, Voxy (1-8)-Call: 603-9700 One 1.5 Ton Toyota Toyoace Canter, good working condition-Contact: 623-1202 2 Unregistered new models Tacoma, Step, Crash Bar, Alarm, bed covering, mag rims, etc-Call: 695-6461 or 6397758 Pitbull minibus-Call: 6886316; 603-4494

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461. 2 Storied transported concrete property upstairs 2 bedrooms, downstairs 2 bedrooms, fully grilled, block ‘8’ MonRepos, E.C.D -$18M- Call: 625-1514; office 231-7255 1 Flat house on 1 acre land with chicken pen & fruits tree at Unity E.C.D- $11M-Call: 642-7898 Business Property for sale @ Friendship Public Road –Call: 621-6878 One-two storey house with four bedrooms at 160 Stewartville, land -50’X120’, building 24’X60’ – price $10.5M –Call: 220-9419; 627-9794 2 Storey 45x35 concrete property, lower flat incomplete. Land 65x120 @ Diamond N/S 5th Avenue,E.B.D- Call: 664-5052 House and land for sale, situated at lot 95 La Penitence Street Albouystown. Call: 687-5851; 1604-589-1852 Transported Property @ Grove/Diamond, 3 bedrooms, 1 self-contained, concrete fence, grilled store room & Shed, (45X26) – Call: 660-1353, 216-4338

1 AE100 Toyota Sprinter: AC, CD, Mag fully powered never worked hire in excellent condition $875,000 –Call: 619-1047 2007 RAV4-$5,800,000, 2007Allion-$2.9M, 2009 IST $2.8M, 2007 Duelis -$4.6M, 2007 Fielder -$2.4M – Call:226-8953 2007 Premio - $3.3M, 2006 Ractis - $2.2M, 2006 Escudo $4.3M, 2006 Rush -$3.0MCall:609-3650 HB Yellow 192, good condition -$650,000 – Call: 647-0271; 684-2539 Unregistered Fielder Wagon, Spacio, fully loaded, rims, camera, bodykit, HID, dark interior-Call: 617-5536 Old Model Toyota Mark2, good working condition$340,000 – Call: 667-8561 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154

LAND FOR SALE 33 Acres prime agriculture land located at Plantation Flensberg W.B.D-price negotiable-Contact Erick Boodhoo: Call: 654-6229; 627-0556 Eccles $5M, Parfaite Harmonie -$1.2M, $1.5M $2.8M, Zeelugt -$2M, Uitvlugt -$2.5M- Call: 6117223; 604-2207 Concrete fenced land in residential high income area at Republic Park, Water, light, etc-Call: 233-0570 1500 Acres Transported land 4 Miles from Bartica, 2 Miles River front, sand, loam, forestry, rock quarry, farming, resort-Call: 6031266; 625-9788 House lot & land for sale in OND Essequibo- Call: 6474824, price $2M

Page 32

Kaieteur News

Thursday September 24, 2015

Egypt’s Sisi pardons 100 prisoners, including Jazeera journalists Reuters - Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi pardoned 100 prisoners including three Al Jazeera television journalists, yesterday, a day before he plans to head to the annual United Nations summit of world leaders. The Al Jazeera journalists, Canadian Mohamed Fahmy, Egyptian Baher Mohamed and Australian Peter Greste, were sentenced to three years in prison in a retrial last month for operating without a press license and broadcasting material harmful to Egypt. Greste had already been deported in February. A spokesperson for the Canadian government said that Canada was pleased with the pardon and it would help arrange Fahmy’s departure from Egypt. “Our families have suffered so much since the beginning of this trial and we’re very happy that President Sisi took this action and released us,” Mohamed

Al Jazeera television journalist Mohamed Fahmy gestures as he celebrates with his wife Marwa Omara after he was released from Tora prison, in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday. REUTERS/AL-YOUM AL-SAABI Fahmy said. “I will continue fighting for press freedom... I know there are other defendants who are still in prison related to this case,” Fahmy said. The pardons were

Ex-Bissau military chief jailed over plot against president Reuters - A former head of Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces, held under house arrest for the past month, was transferred to a military prison yesterday over his suspected involvement in an aborted plot to kill President Jose Mario Vaz, his lawyer and police said. Rear Admiral Jose Zamora Induta, who headed the volatile West African nation’s military from 2009 until he was pushed out in 2010 by General Antonio Indjai, returned from exile in Portugal in July. Police sources said they had driven Induta to the Mansoa prison, around 50 km (30 miles) northeast of the capital, on the orders of a

military tribunal in connection to the August plot and other crimes. Induta’s counsel confirmed the transfer. “By virtue of the law and my position as lawyer of the rear admiral, they should have notified me beforehand. But alas, everything was done without my knowledge,” said Jose Paulo Semedo. Induta has not spoken in public about the accusations, and Samedo would not make a statement on his guilt or innocence. Former Interior Minister Marcelino Cabral announced the existence of the foiled plot, which included a plan to kill President Vaz, on the private radio station Nossa Radio in August.

reported by security sources and Egypt’s state news agency, which said they included prisoners who violated a 2013 law banning protests without a permit, as well as some who were sick. “This comes in the framework of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s initiative to release a number of youth, which he launched ... in December,” it said, quoting presidential sources. Human rights groups have accused Egyptian authorities of widespread violations since the army toppled the country’s first democratically elected president, Islamist President Mohamed Mursi, after mass protests against his rule two years ago. “While these pardons come as a great relief, it is ludicrous that some of these people were even behind bars in the first place,” Amnesty International said in a statement. “Those pardoned today include only a fraction of the hundreds of people across the country who have been arbitrarily arrested, and unlawfully detained,” Amnesty said. Egyptian security forces arrested dozens of activists last year for violating the 2013 protest ban. Also among the released were 16 women, including Yara Sallam, the news agency said. Sallam was arrested last year along with other activists accused of violating the protest law. “These pardons will be little more than an empty gesture if they are not followed up by further releases of those arbitrarily detained, respect for the right to freedom of expression and assembly, and accountability for perpetrators of gross human rights violations,” Amnesty said.

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Berlusconi’s party crumbling as defections in Italy mount Reuters - Forza Italia, the centre-right party of former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, was hit by a wave of desertions yesterday, raising questions about its political future. Eight Forza Italia parliamentarians, including an ex-minister, announced they were leaving the group just days after two other party heavyweights said they were quitting. The high-level desertions have laid bare the strife at the heart of a once-dominant party, whose support has subsided as Berlusconi struggles to revive his floundering fortunes. “Forza Italia has exhausted its reforming zeal,” three of the defectors, Peppe Ruvolo, Pino Galati and Saverio Romano, wrote in a statement, saying the party was now at the whim of populist trends. Several party fugitives look set to join the parliamentary ranks of Denis Verdini, one of Berlusconi’s closest aides, who walked away from Forza Italia in July and has created a new group in the Senate. That has been taken as a sign he is ready to work with centre-left Prime Minister Matteo Renzi. Other renegades said they would join the ranks of independent parliamentarians. Forza Italia led an alliance that won almost half of the vote at the 2008 general election, but its support has fallen sharply since the scandal-plagued Berlusconi resigned as prime minister in 2011 at the height of a European debt crisis. Berlusconi himself was expelled from the

Senate in 2013 after he was convicted of tax fraud and his interest in politics has appeared to wane since then. An opinion poll published in la Repubblica newspaper earlier this month put support for Forza Italia at 11 percent, its lowest level since Berlusconi formed the party 20 years ago making it just the fourth largest political force in Italy. Berlusconi has refused to be drawn on whether he will accept overtures from his old ally the Northern League and forge a new electoral alliance, with newspapers suggesting he was wary of playing second fiddle to a once junior partner. Following Wednesday’s mass walkout, he promptly cancelled a meeting with Forza Italia senators scheduled today. Party leaders in the upper house accused their former political friends of selling out. “An attempt to crush the centre-right is underway, with low, sinister interests at play that will not bring the perpetrators any advantage,” Paolo Romani, the head of Forza Italia in the Senate, wrote in an open letter to the Italian president. The centre-left government has a majority of less than 10 in the 320-seat Senate and has denied accusations it has struck any underhand deal with Verdini. Bucking the trend, Nunzia De Girolamo, a parliamentarian who quit Berlusconi’s ranks in 2013 in an initial wave of desertions, said this week she was returning to Forza Italia.

Page 33

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 24, 2015

US gives Jamaican govt. thumbs up BANNED FROM THE HOUSE, Dr Rowley returns as Prime Minister

Junior energy minister Julian Robinson (2nd right) cuts the ribbon marking the start of phase three of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Project (REEEP), which is a partnership between UWI and the US Department of the Interior. He was joined by US Ambassador to Jamaica Luis G Moreno, director of the Interior Department’s Technical Assistance Programme, Cynthia Perera (left); and bursar of the UWI, Mona campus Elaine Robinson at the Port Royal Marine Lab on Monday. (PHOTO: ASTON SPAULDING) Jamaica Observer - US Ambassador to Jamaica Luis G Moreno says the Jamaican Government is to be commended for having ministries dedicated to energy and climate change, especially at a time when the world is growing increasingly climate conscious and is moving towards alternative sources of energy. “There are many other countries in the world, firstworld countries [included], without a minister of energy,

but Jamaica understands the importance and that should be respected,” Moreno said. His comment was made in the context of Monday’s launch of the third phase of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Project (REEEP) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Port Royal Marine Lab, which will see to the installation of renewable energy and energy-efficient infrastructure at that facility, its sister lab in Discovery Bay,

St Ann, and the Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park. REEEP is a partnership between UWI and the US Department of the Interior’s International Technical Assistance Programme (USDOI-ITAP). It began in 2012 and was introduced to develop a plan to mitigate the impact of climate change and improve energy efficiency, as well as to educate the public on these two crucial environmental concerns. The partnership, Ambassador Moreno said, is an avenue to help liberate people from the high costs of energy. Director of the Technical Assistance Programme, Cynthia Perera, explained that the primary function of the project is to provide the selected facilities with resources so that they can in turn educate the public on issues of energy and climate change.

Trinidad Express - On the night of May 6, 2015, then Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley was suspended from the House of Representatives after Kamla Persad-Bissessar and her government used its simple majority to pass a motion to suspend him on the basis

of his emailgate claims. When Dr Rowley walks into the Parliament chamber yesterday afternoon, he returns as Prime Minister and the woman who led the no-confidence motions against him will be on the opposite side, with some of the members who voted him out.

Holness Says Uncommitted Voters Don’t Want Change

Andrew Holness

The Gleaner - Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), Andrew Holness, is

urging uncommitted voters to get off the fence saying those who don’t vote are simply

expressing a desire for things to remain the same. He threw out the challenge to the uncommitted even as he urged party members and supporters to seek to attract these persons to the JLP. Holness says the JLP must shape itself into the political organisation that best represents the views, dreams and aspirations of Jamaicans who are frustrated with the political process. He says it’s important Labourites reach out to uncommitted voters because they have the power to impact the political landscape in a significant way. He was speaking Tuesday at a Divisional Conference in the South Manchester community of Grove Town.

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Divided EU leaders to offer Osborne courts Chinese cash for Syria refugees investment in high-speed rail

Migrants stand behind a gate as they wait to board buses inside a registration camp in Opatovac, Croatia yesterday. REUTERS/MARKO DJURICA Reuters - European Union leaders could promise billions of euros in new funding for Syrian refugees at an emergency summit yesterday where they will also try to patch up bitter divisions over the migration crisis. Meeting for dinner a day after interior ministers overrode furious objections from four eastern states in a vote that will distribute asylum-seekers around the bloc according to mandatory national quotas, government leaders will try to focus on ways to curb the inflow of migrants that has hit records this summer. But feelings are running high as chaotic crowds and varied responses from national capitals have seen borders close inside Europe’s cherished passport-free Schengen zone and diplomats expect “theatrics” from some of the 28 leaders as each seeks to shore up domestic support in the face of fears of immigration. “Today ... a concrete plan must finally appear in place of the arguments and the chaos we have witnessed in the last weeks,” said European Council President Donald Tusk, who will chair the 28 leaders’ first full EU summit in three months. On a day when the Greek island of Lesbos saw 3,000 people land in dozens of dinghies from Turkey, Tusk

said arrivals that already exceed half a million this year were likely to increase and that Europe must “regain control of our external borders” or risk destroying the Schengen system and the “European spirit”. He forecast agreement on more help for refugees who stay in the Middle East, via funds for U.N. agencies, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and others. “Frontline” states like Greece and Italy should also get help on their frontiers notably to register new arrivals and deport those who do not qualify for asylum. Around the Council table, German Chancellor Angela Merkel may face criticism of her move last month to take in more Syrians, an action some say fuelled the inflow. The German leader stressed on arrival that it was time for Europeans to work together. “Faced with a great challenge, it cannot be that Europe says ‘We can’t handle this’,” Merkel said. “That’s why I say again and again: We can do this.” Re-elected Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Italian Prime Minister Matteo

Renzi will hear calls from the north to use new EU support - both in money and manpower - to tighten controls on the bloc’s Mediterranean frontiers. Establishing a principle of “relocating” some asylumseekers has been a key demand of Rome in particular, which wants to end a rule that states they should remain in the first EU state they enter. Northern countries accuse Italy and Greece of undermining the Schengen area by simply letting migrants move on unchecked. Renzi said a package of EU-run relocations and deportations and EU-funded frontier forces meant Rome’s partners had finally accepted demands it has been making for years to spread the load of migrant arrivals from Africa onto southern Italian islands. Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orban, was expected to offer a typically robust defence of the razor-wire fencing he has erected to keep out migrants and his view, shared in some other excommunist states, that Muslim immigration is unwelcome.

Reuters - Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne will open bidding during a visit to China today on 12 billion pounds of contracts to build a highspeed rail line, the latest effort to bring Chinese cash to Britain. Osborne will also seek Chinese backing for 24 billion pounds of investment projects in northern England. Inviting bids on seven contracts to build the first phase of the high-speed rail link between northern England, the central Midlands and London, the British government said it would encourage Chinese firms to link up with domestic companies. In remarks released by his office, Osborne said Britain and China were entering a “golden era of cooperation”. The push for investment from the world’s secondlargest economy has been criticised by some who say it exposes Britain to risks in the Chinese financial system and ignores concerns about

George Osborne human rights. Osborne, who wants to make China Britain’s secondlargest trading partner after the United States, has responded by saying he disagrees with Beijing on rights issues but wants to engage. He has led a delegation of senior ministers and

business representatives on a week-long trip to China to strengthen economic and financial ties. Osborne has already promised 2 billion pounds of support for a Chinese-backed nuclear power plant in Britain and agreed steps to link up China’s equity markets with the City of London. The 43 billion-pound rail project, called High Speed 2, has divided opinion in Britain because of its rising costs and the potential impact on the countryside and local communities. The proposed route would link London to Birmingham, and the northern cities of Manchester and Leeds. The first phase is due to be completed in 2026 and the second phase in 2033. The project has attracted a growing number of jointventure partners such as Carillion , Kier and Eiffage and possible collaborations between firms like Ferrovial, BAM Nuttall and Morgan Sindall and Costain and Skanska.

Russia plans second big military base near Ukrainian border Reuters - Russia is planning a second major military base near the border with Ukraine, where NATO accuses Russian troops of helping pro-Moscow separatists fight Kiev’s forces. The new base will house 5,000 soldiers and heavy weaponry, according to public documents and people working at the site. It is further east than one under construction in Belgorod region reported by Reuters earlier this month but still close to the border with separatist-held parts of Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region, where there has been heavy fighting.

The bases are part of a Russian military buildup along a new line of confrontation with the West, running from the Black Sea in the south to the Baltic in the north, which carries echoes of the Cold War-era “Iron Curtain”. Russia has also increased its military presence in Syria. NATO and the proWestern government in Ukraine say Moscow uses bases on the border with the former Soviet republic as staging posts to send troops across into areas where almost 8,000 people have been killed since April last year. Moscow had annexed

Ukraine’s southern Crimea peninsula a month earlier but denies having any troops in eastern Ukraine. The documents show the Russian defence ministry intends to turn an old military depot in the town of Boguchar, in Voronezh region, into a major base with dozens of buildings and special facilities for more than 1,300 armoured vehicles and ammunition.

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Thursday September 24, 2015

Anjue and Hamlet Park at Giant slayers Monedderlust... hope to correct that failing Cornette, Delwin Fraser, page 38 Mahaicony to host gymkhana, From lending support will be Kevin very early in the SEL and Tyrone Lewis, Delroy Fraser, Layne Jnr., Kimba Braithwaite, today’s game will tell how Desford Williams and Eusi Delbert Wilson, Kelvin much work has been put in, Phillips. horserace meet Sunday Buxton United’s Joseph and custodian Alwin in that regard. Captain Selwyn

Once again after a lengthy absence, horseracing action returns to Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara on Sunday when the Anjue and Hamlet Park’s race track stages a grand one day Gymkhana and horserace meet for the lower class horses at the club’s track at Branch Road Mahaicony. A number of races are carded on the day’s programme with millions of dollars up for grabs including cash trophies and other incentives. There are expected to be races for J, K, L and lower categories of horses. There will also be races for cart horses, cow horses among other exciting events.

Reports out of Mahaicony are that a lot of improvements have being done to the facilities. The track, which is a grass track, is the only one in the country and has been upgraded recently. Persons interested in having their horses participate in the day’s proceedings are asked to get in touch with Mr. Amernauth Kirtipaul on Telephone numbers 623-1009 or at the Arjune and Hamlet race track, Mahaicony Branch road. Outstanding jockeys, trainers and stables will be presented with trophies compliments of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market. Race time is 12:00hrs. (Samuel Whyte)

Brothers Dominoes team will be hosting a 20/20 tournament from 14:00 hrs today at Andrea Foo Sports bar, Best Road Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara. Entrance fee is $10,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $100,000, runner up $40,000 and third place $20,000. Meanwhile Rugged chalked up 51 games to win the Wiltshire/ Whitee Sports bar

tournament which was held recently at Best Road. Determine placed second with 47 games while Saddam finished third on 44. Rawl Peters and Gordon Steven made 11 each for the winners, while Godfrey Samuels and Andrew Grosvenor made 11 apiece for Determine. Saddam leading players were Gillian Hyman and Leroy Edwards with 10 each.

Mc Donald. The opening match-up at 6:00pm between GDF and Buxton will be intense as both teams will be going all out to get on the points sheet. The GDF looked solid in the first half hour against Monedderlust but as the game matured, the Army boys faded and were not playing as a cohesive unit, succumbing to the speed and constant challenges from Monnedderlust. They {GDF} will however

Brothers Dominoes team 20/20 tournament on today Headley

Thursday September 24, 2015 ARIES (MAR. 21APRIL 20) You can evade the issue as usual by being affectionate, fun loving, and far too active for your lover to catch on.

LIBRA (SEPT. 24 -OCT. 23) Be sure to get involved in self improvement programs that will bring you in contact with interesting people.

TAURUS (APR. 21MAY 21) Controversial subjects should be avoided at all costs. Your involvement with groups will raise your self esteem.

SCORPIO (OCT. 24 NOV. 22) Don't expect the whole family to be overjoyed. Don't expect romantic encounters to be lasting.

GEMINI (MAY22-JUNE 21) Don't be afraid to say what's on your mind. Difficulties with females you live with could cause emotional stress. Take the initiative and go after your goals.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 23 -DEC. 21) You can make new connections through friends or relatives. Fitness or weight loss programs will help your self esteem.

CANCER (JUNE 22JULY 22) You must get out and mingle. Don't tell others of your plans. You may find travel to be most rewarding.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22.JAN. 20) Do not get upset over trivial matters. Don't make those you live with feel unloved or unworthy. You can put in some overtime and make extra cash.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG 22) You have made an accurate assessment of the situation and have come up with ideas that will save money. Someone you least expect could be trying to make you look bad. Arguing won't help.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 21 FEB. 19) Don't count on your friends to be loyal when it comes to doing things. You can win points with children if you take the time to show interest in their accomplishments.

VIRGO (AUG. 23 -SEPT. 23) Try not to be overbearing where family is concerned. A romantic infatuation from your past may surface if you frequent places that you both used to go.

PISCES (FEB. 20-MAR. 20) Family outings that aren't expensive will be enjoyable and help strengthen ties. Delays are evident. Minor health problems could result through exhaustion.

Isaacs marshalling the defence will have to step it up a few notches as Buxton’s main strike force; Clive Andries will be a constant bother. Isaacs will find able assistance from his man between the uprights, Oswald

challenge for a win will centre around Andries, Jason Cromwell in goal, Dillion Wright, Fitzroy McLean, Esan Hamer, Jeremiah Thorne and Denver Dennis among others. Another enthralling evening of football awaits the fans.

Rugby World Cup 2015... From page 42 game to pin back the Fijians and took control when Pocock twice finished driving mauls. The Wallabies opened up the Fijian defence three minutes into the second half

when Kepu showed nimble footwork to touch down. But they failed to capitalise on this commanding position to win the extra point that both England and Wales managed in their opening matches.

From page 39 Shizuoka prefecture, arrived for his record tilt sporting dapper white slacks and a Panama hat. Job done on the track, the Japanese iron man proved he was a dab hand at the shot put, tossing a best effort of

3.25 metres before calling it a day. “I can’t think about retiring,” said Miyazaki, whose next competition is next month’s Japanese Masters Championships. “I have to continue for a few more years, to show my gratitude to my fans.”

set the... Japan’s ‘Golden Bolt...

From page 37 in a 239-run opening stand in the fourth test of that 1948 series, while Guyanese fast bowler John Trim bagged seven wickets in the match which West Indies won by an innings and 139 runs to take the 5-test series 1-nil. Test record of Weeks, Worrell & Walcott Weeks-48 tests, 81 innings, 4455 runs, h/score 207, Ave. 58.61, 100s-15, 50s19 Walcott-44 tests, 74 innings, 3798 runs, runs, H/ Score 220, Ave.56.68, 100s-15, 50s-14 Worrell-51 tests, 87 innings 3860 runs, H/Score 261, Ave.49.48, 100s-9, 50s-22

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

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What cricket means to West Indians (Part 3)...

Headley set the standards of batsmanship By Sean Devers The great George Headley, who moved to Jamaica from Panama as a preteen, followed up his 179 in Barbados by becoming the first West Indian to score two hundreds in the same Test (114&112) at Bourda and set the standards of West Indian batsmanship. His outstanding contribution with the bat will always be mentioned whenever the great West Indies batsmen are discussed 100 years from now. Headley, who was born on May 30th 1909 to a Jamaican mother and Bajan father, finished a fine series with a splendid 223 in the final test on home soil. He was called the ‘Black Bradman’ and ‘Atlas’ because he carried the West Indies batting on his shoulders in the early days. Although his career was put on hold for nine years between 1939 and 1948 due to the Second World War, he scored 10 centuries from 22 tests at an average of 60.83 and is among the greatest batsmen produced by the West Indies. It must be remembered that Headley, in those days, batted on uncovered pitches, had very little protective gear, and had to expend immense energy when traveling by boat for long periods in substandard conditions. He also had very little batting support in a team that almost totally depended on his contribution in the 1930s. He captained the West Indies in one test in 1948 to become the first black man to lead the side after becoming the youngest West Indian to

score a test century. He is still the oldest West Indian to play test cricket; completing his illustrious career when he was 44 years, 226 days. He died on November 30th 1983 at age 74. His son (Ron Headley) played two tests for the West Indies while his grandson (Dean Headley) represented England 15 times in tests. In 1931 Trinidadian George Grant led the West Indies on their first tour to Australia and despite two tons from Headley, lost the five test series 4-1. Australia won the fourth test at Melbourne by an inning and 122 runs in two days. No test match in the history of the game has been shorter than two days and six teams hold the embarrassing record (as of 2015) of defeat in two days. Sixty-nine years later, England beat the West Indies at Leeds by an innings and 39 runs as West Indies suffered only their second test loss in two days. After losing 2-0 in the 1933 series in England, the West Indies won their first test series in 1935 at home when, under the leadership of Grant, they beat England 2-1 in the four test series with Headley making 270 not out in the final test. After the 1939 series to England war broke out and the West Indies did not play again until 1948 when Headley, now past his prime, became the first black man to captain the West Indies; leading the side in the first test against England in Barbados. Gerry Gomez took over from Headley in the second test in Trinidad after Headley

George Headley was often called the ‘Black Bradman’.

was injured in the first match. In the first test of the 1939 three-test series Headley had become the first West Indian to score two centuries in a Lord’s test with 106 & 107. However this achievement was in a losing cause as Len Hutton and Denis Compton scored hundreds to give England the match and a 1-nil win in the series. Sir Everton Weeks scored 137 in the final test which ended in a draw. In the Third test of the 1948 home series against England (the first test series in the Caribbean in nine years) Goddard took over from Gomez as captain to become the first long term West Indies skipper, leading the team in 22 matches including the memorable 1950 series in England.

In the 1948 inaugural series against India, one year after India gained independence, 28-year-old Robert Christiani (107) became the first batsman from British Guiana (now Guyana) to score a test century. He batted at number eight in the order and shared in the record of most centuries (4) in the same West Indies innings in a high scoring first test in Delhi in November 1948.This record was later equaled in 1983 against India and 2005 against South Africa; both times at the ARG ground.

THETHREE Ws IS FORMED After hitting a ton against England, Everton Weeks who was later knighted, hammered four consecutive centuries and still holds test cricket oldest batting record of most consecutive hundreds (5). He fell 10 runs short of a sixth successive century when he was run out. He however disclosed years later that he felt he was hard done by the umpire (who did not have the technology available today) since he was sure that he had made good his ground.

Weeks’ seven consecutive scores of over 50 in Test cricket is still a record today although Andy Flower, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Kumar Sangakkara and most recently Chris Rogers have equaled the feat. The three Ws, Weeks, Worrell and Walcott played together for the first time in a test match in the second test of the 1948 series in India. In those days teams traveled by boat from one continent to another and it was disclosed that the hotel conditions were atrocious when compared to the fivestar accommodation which is now common place for touring international teams. “In the 1948 tour to India we traveled on trains which had no food bars and players were constantly falling ill with dehydration. This was my first tour and I thought this was how it was supposed to be. We were proud to be test cricketers representing West Indies and we did our job without complains. Many of us were not sure if we would be still employed when we returned from overseas tours and the money we were paid was nothing compared to what the present players make,” Weeks revealed in 2006 at a Reds Perrier Sports Foundation organized ‘Night of Nostalgia’ in Guyana. Alan Rae and Jeffery Stollmeyer recorded centuries (Continued on page 32)

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Sydroy Nedd Inter Ward/Village 7-a-aside KO F/ball concludes today The Mayor’s Cup Organizing Committee and the family of the late Sydroy Nedd, led by Nedd’s younger brother Senior Superintendent of Police Nigel Hoppie, organized Inter Ward/Village 7-a-side knockout football tournament in West Demerara to coincide with what would have been Nedd’s 60 th birth anniversary, will conclude today. The two-day tournament began on Sunday at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground. Teams are battling for a first prize of $100,000, second $50,000, third $30,000 and fourth $20,000. Quarter-final action kicks off today from 16:00hrs. Wales and Grove will lock horns in the first match before Pouderoyen face-off with Sara Lodge, Uitvlugt battle Goed Fortuin and host Den Amstel oppose Stewartville. The Semi-Finals will see the winner of the first

match coming up against the winner of match three and the winner of match two playing the match-four winner for a place in the final which will be contested under lights. The losers of the Semi-finals will meet in a third place playoff just before the grand final. Star Party Rentals and Proprietor, former national cricketer Lennox Cush, have provided the lighting for tonight’s action. Nedd was a former President of the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) as well as the Uitvlugt Football Club. He was also a footballer. He was Manager of Guyana Football Federation teams and Assistant coordinator of the Mayor’s Cup Organizing Committee before he passed away in September 2011. The tournament will be conducted under the auspices of the GFF and by extension FIFA and all relevant rules will apply.

GFF extends Invitation to serve on Executive Committees of the GFA and GBFA The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) General Congress at its June 26 Extraordinary Congress, held at the Marriott Hotel, voted to include two new members under its umbrella; the Guyana Beach Football Association (GBFA) and the Guyana Futsal Association (GFA). The mandates of the two Associations are outlined in Article 2 of the Statutes of the respective organizations which is to foster and promote the game of Futsal at all levels, providing opportunities for

recreation, representative matches and elite competitions, for players, coaches and other members of the sports community. Through the Normalisation Committee, the GFF is inviting interested individuals who are desirous of serving on the Executive Committee of these Associations. Those willing to serve must be 18 years or older with prior involvement in organised football and must come with no criminal background.

Submissions must be received on or before Thursday October 01, 2015. The elections of the Executive Committees will be conducted on October 23, 2015 in accordance with the Statues of the respective Associations. Copies of the Constitutions can be uplifted from the GFF General Secretariat at lot 17 Dadanawa Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, Guyana or a request can be sent to email: gff@networksgy.com to receive a digital copy.

Thursday September 24, 2015

Stag Elite League...

Giant slayers Monedderlust face Fruta Conquerors; GDF and Buxton hunt first points By Franklin Wilson When the Stag Elite League football train makes its first stop at the Tucville ground today, fans can look forward to two potentially heartwarming encounters with two of the teams seeking to build on their first round wins while two others will be hunting points in order to stay relevant even though its early days yet. On Saturday last at the #5 ground West Coast Berbice, home team Monedderlust sprung the biggest surprise of the tournament yet when they slayed the mighty Guyana Defence Force 3-2 coming from behind. Fruta Conquerors were pushed to the hilt but were able to stave off Buxton United by the lone goal of the match which came in the dying stages of the clash. Teams would have revisited their respective strategies and will be seeking improved performances in every area as this attractive league motors on. At stake is some 15-million dollars. Conquerors goal scorer Eon Alleyne will be fancying his chances of increasing his tally today and with home advantage in their favour, Monedderlust will have to find ways of keeping him at

Jermaine Junor in control for Fruta Conquerors against Buxton on Saturday night last. bay. Goalkeeper Alex Murray will be aiming for another clean sheet against the Berbice side which is being coached by Gordon Braithwaite but from what they would have displayed against the GDF in terms of their speed and endurance, Conquerors’ main tactician Calvin Allen (Head Coach) will have to devise ways of nullifying the Berbicians. Apart from Alleyne and

Murray, younger brother of former national Andrew Murray, Dillion Williams, Jermaine Junor, Chavez Hescott and Captain Trevon Lythcott will have to combine efforts to carve out a win. Monnedderlust will look to their goal scoring trio of Kevin Sullivan, Captain Travis Henry and Kevin Cottoy to shape another memorable win for them. Also (Continued on page 32)

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Japan’s ‘Golden Bolt’ sets 100m world record in centenarian race

Hidekichi Miyazaki celebrates after clocking 42.22 seconds to set a 100 metres world record in the over-105 age category in Kyoto, western Japan (Photo: AFP) KYOTO, Japan (AFP) – A fleet-footed Japanese centenarian raced into the Guinness World Records reference book on Wednesday and declared himself a “medical marvel” as he continues to stalk sprint king Usain Bolt. Hidekichi Miyazaki,

dubbed “Golden Bolt” after the fastest man on the planet, clocked 42.22 seconds in Kyoto to set a 100 metres world record in the over-105 age category - one for which no mark previously existed a day after reaching the milestone age. “I’m not happy with the

time,” the pint-sized Miyazaki told AFP in an interview after recovering his wind. “I started shedding tears during the race because I was going so slowly. Perhaps I’m getting old!” Indeed, so leisurely was his pace that Bolt could have run his world record of 9.58

FLYING ACE CYCLE Club receives donation

Businessman and cyclist Samuel Mootoo (left) presents the uniforms to founder and coach of the FACC Randolph Roberts in the presence of some young cyclists.

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he Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) was recently the recipient of a donation, compliments of former cyclist and businessman Samuel Mootoo. Mootoo, who still rides and has a business establishment at Main and St John Streets in New Amsterdam, recently donated a set of riding uniforms, inclusive of T-shirts and pants to the FACC. Recently the club recruited a number of young and budding cyclists to its fold. The cyclists who are mostly from the Corentyne area are all attending school and are expected to feature prominently in the upcoming school athletics and cycling championships. Most of the uniforms will be presented to the young cyclists. The donation was made to club founder and coach Randolph Roberts at a simple ceremony at the businessman’s office in New Amsterdam.

According to Mootoo he recognized the excellent work Roberts has been putting in on a daily basis in helping the young riders fulfilling their dreams. He said as a cyclist himself and a businessman he recognized that it is costly to take part in the sport, thus the decision to come on board and assist. He decided to throw his support behind the youngsters so as to give them the necessary support at the beginning. He also used the opportunity to call on other businessmen to come forward and assist the club. Roberts stated that the uniforms will go a far way in assisting the young cyclists in fulfilling their dreams. He also thanked Mootoo for recognizing the work of the club and wished him well in his activities. Roberts also used the opportunity to call on other business persons to come forward and assist the club. (Samuel Whyte)

four times, or practically completed a 400 metres race – a fact not lost on Miyazaki. “I’m still a beginner, you know,” he said, grinning from ear to ear. “I’ll have to train harder. Training was going splendidly, so I had set myself a target of 35 seconds. I can still go faster.” “I will say this: I’m proud of my health,” added Miyazaki, the poster boy for J a p a n ’s t u r b o - c h a rg e d geriatrics in a country with one of the world’s highest life expectancies. “The doctors gave me a medical examination a couple of days ago and I’m fit as a fiddle. “My brain might not be the sharpest but physically I’m tip-top. I’ve never had any health problems. The doctors are amazed by me. I can definitely keep on running for another two or three years.” Dressed in his trademark red, tight shorts hiked alarmingly high, Miyazaki

got off to a wobbly start before finding a gentle rhythm and trotting across the finish line to loud cheers, greeted by his greatgrandchildren carrying bouquets. Cheekily, he celebrated by striking Bolt’s famous “lightning” pose before being presented with a certificate from Guinness officials. DREAM RACE Asked about Bolt’s latest heroics at last month’s athletics world championships in Beijing, Miyazaki screwed up his nose and said with a chuckle: “He hasn’t raced me yet!” The twinkle-toed Miyazaki, who holds the 100 metres world record for centenarians at 29.83 seconds, insisted there was still time for a dream race against the giant Jamaican. “I would still love to compete against him,” said Miyazaki, who loses valuable seconds because he

cannot hear the starter’s gun go off. “Two or three years ago Bolt came to Japan and said he wanted to meet me. There was a call about it but I was out and he left without meeting me. I felt deeply sorry.” Miyazaki, who was born in 1910 – the year Japan annexed Korea and when the Titanic was still being built – only took up running in his early 90s and prepares for races by taking a sneaky catnap. He stands just 1.53 metres (five feet) tall and weighs in at 42 kilograms (92 pounds). He trains religiously by popping a kilogram weight into a rucksack and going for daily walks around his local park in Kyoto, where he now l i v e s . “ I t ’s a l l a b o u t willpower,” Miyazaki said of his need for speed. “You have to keep going.” Japanese television crews jostled as Miyazaki, a native of tea-growing (Continued on page 36)

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Thursday September 24, 2015

Swiss authorities ask FIFA for access to GCA competitions continue this suspended general secretary’s emails ZURICH (Reuters) Switzerland’s Attorney General Michael Lauber has formally asked FIFA to give investigators access to the email accounts of the global football organization’s suspended General Secretary Jerome Valcke. “The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has requested FIFA to get access to all email accounts of J e r o m e Va l c k e , ” a spokesman for the office said in an email.”These email accounts are under seal by FIFA so far. The OAG has not received access to J. Valcke’s email accounts until today due to FIFA sealing them.” Valcke, the second-in-command to President Sepp Blatter at FIFA, was put on leave and “released from his duties” last Thursday after allegations he was involved in a plan to re-sell 2014 World Cup tickets at a big mark-up, pending an investigation by the FIFA ethics committee. A source close to FIFA said late on Wednesday in response to questions from Reuters that it was never the organization’s intent to withhold Valcke’s emails

Then FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke walks away after attending a news conference in the southern city of Samara, Russia, June 10, 2015. (REUTERS/MAXIM ZMEYEV) from prosecutors and that it was likely they will be handed over to the Attorney G e n e r a l ’s o f f i c e o n Thursday (today). A FIFA spokesperson said: “We are committed to collaborating with the authorities and it is an ongoing process.” Access to emails could give Swiss investigators insight into potentially valuable information about Valcke’s work, and that of other officials, within the t r o u b l e d b o d y. S w i s s investigators have been looking into FIFA corruption in a parallel probe to that being carried out by the U.S. Department of Justice

(DOJ). In May the DOJ indicted 14 football officials and sports marketing executives on a series of corruption-related charges, with seven arrested in Zurich just before a FIFA congress. Valcke, a 54-year-old Frenchman, has been in the job for the past eight years and is the highest profile figure in the corruptionplagued organization to be targeted during the current series of scandals. Ticket dealer Benny Alon produced documents last week claiming there was a deal between his company, JB Sports Marketing, and Valcke. The former Israeli football player said he

agreed in 2013 to pay cash to Valcke to secure plum World Cup tickets in Brazil. He said the plan was to then to sell the tickets to fans at a markup and split the proceeds with Valcke, though he added that the deal was never completed. “As for JB Sports M a r k e t i n g , F I FA h a s delivered information to the OAG,” said the spokesman for the OAG. Valcke’s lawyer last week “unequivocally” denied the allegations, labelling them as “fabricated and outrageous”. The Valcke case was handed over on Thursday to the Investigatory Chamber of FIFA’s Ethics Committee and he could face a possible ban from future involvement in the game if he is found to have broken FIFA ethics rules. Lauber said last week that his investigation had so far gathered around 11 terabytes of electronic data and that 121 different bank accounts have been flagged for suspicious activity. The Attorney General also said that his office had conducted house searches in western Switzerland and seized apartments in the Swiss mountains that may have been used to launder money.

weekend

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he Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) will continue with its first and second division competitions this weekend. On Saturday at 13:00 hrs, Police will play Guyana Defence Force at Malteenoes SC (Cyril Garnath and Javed Persaud the umpires). On Saturday in the New Building Society second division 40-over at 10:30 hrs, UG will travel to Everest (Andrew Allen and Deon Feassal), GCC will host Diplomats (Shannon Crawford and Abena Parker), GYO will tackle MYO at DCC (Linden Matthews and Joseph Jeffery), GNIC SC will entertain Third Class (Randolph Rose and Zaheer Mohamed) and Sophia will journey to GDF (Heuvel Cunha and Edward Bowen). On Sunday at 10:30 hrs in the same competition, Sophia will battle Transport SC at GNIC SC (Nolan Hawke and Parker) and Ace Warriors will travel to Malteenoes SC (Garnath and Persaud).

ECCB/ELIZABETH STYLES Competition continues Sunday

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he East Coast Cricket Board ( E C C B ) otherwise known as the East Coast Demerara Cricket Association (ECDCA) / ELIZABETH STYLES Competition

continues on Sunday 27 September. This forty (40) overs competition will see several matches being played. The Club of the tournament will take three hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($350,000) while there will be prizes and trophies for the second placed team and the player of the final. Fixtures for Sunday are: Enterprise ‘Busta’ Sports Club (B) vs Golden Grove at Enterprise Community Centre Buxton “Carl Hooper” Sports Club vs Enterprise ‘Busta’ Sports Club (A) at Buxton Community Centre Lusignan Sports Club (A) vs Mon Repos Sports Club (A) at Lusignan Community Centre Better Hope (A) vs Better Hope (B) at Better Hope Community Centre Meanwhile, a date for the East Coast Cricket Board Trophy 2 Division final between Better Hope Sports Club (B) and Bravados Sports Club will be announced shortly. Please note that all matches will be played strictly in accordance of the rules and regulations of the ECCB (ECDCA) with regards to the preparation and availability of the host facilities. For further information kindly call Mr. Raymond Barton on 6260223 or Mr. Davteerth Anandjit 617-8502. th

nd

Thursday September 24, 2015

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GVF makes donation to Buxton Youth Developers School

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Robin Phillips (left) accepts the one of the balls from GVF head John Flores in the presence of students.

he Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) continued its drive to expand the game - the entity presented a quantity of balls and a net to the Buxton Youth Developers School at a simple ceremony held on Tuesday. President of GVF, John Flores was excited by the prospect of what can happen as result of this initiative. He was optimistic about the possibility

of the sport developing within the community to the point that they are able to field senior and junior teams at local competitions and expects that youths especially, will benefit from the donation. Robin Phillips, who received the equipment of behalf of the school, thanked the GVF and explained that of the six school days (Monday Saturday), Friday and Saturday are set aside for

sports. The GVF intends to continue its expansion drive but is yet to announce their next stop as they now have to give significant attention to the remaining events on their calendar for 2015. A premier league for males and females’ elite teams and the Tradewind Tankers International tournament are scheduled for October and November respectively.

Everest CC host Central Renegades in T20 fixture tomorrow

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he Everest Cricket Club Masters team will be hosting Central Renegades Sports and Cultural Club of Trinidad and Tobago in a T20 fixture tomorrow. Prior to the game the Guyana Media XI will take on Laluni who successfully defended their softball title at the recently concluded Amerindian Heritage games, in another T20 affair. The Everest CC will be using the event to raise funds for their continued works on Cricket development with emphasis being placed on two indoor batting strips. On Saturday the Trinis will travel to Enterprise for another T20 game. Teams for the upcoming fixtures; Everest Cricket Club (Masters) - Rajesh Singh (Capt.), Sahadeo H a r d a i o w, S h a h e e d Mohamed, Hemraj Garbarran, Ravindranauth Seeram, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sunil Dyal, Rohan Sarjoo, Rakesh Gangaram, Ronald Jaisingh, Anwar Rahaman, Saeed Khan, Jameel Ali and Daniel Singh. Central SCC-Ravi Ramsaran (Capt.), Sheldon Sanchez, Narine Bidhesi, Joel Poliah, Junior Poliah, Clifton Rajkumar, Sharaz

Mohammed, Christopher Balchan, Anthony Ragoo, Anthony Ramroop, Deodath Pragg, Nelson Roodal, Matthiew Alexander, Anthony Narine Jr., Vishnu Ramrattan, Rawle Joggie, Ryan Myrah, Vijai RamkelĂ wan and Vishan Harrilal.

Guyana Media XI- John Ramsingh (Capt.), AvenashRamzan (VC), Shahrukh Imran, Ishaka Jackman, Treiston Joseph, Akeem Greene, Kizan Brummel, Clifton Ross, Orlando Charles, Ravi Persaud, Diquan Murray,

Rawle Toney, Jermaine Neblett and Merthel Sammy. Laluni Sports ClubJulian Mohabir (Capt.), Alex Dundas (VC), David Francis, Elroy Henry, Jared Persaud, Troy Domingo , Sunil Sarjoo, Collen Ben, Alvin Williams, Derick

Teyjnarine, Romel Kehdu, Ruel Allyen and Glen Campbell. Reon Shuman (Manager). Enterprise Busta Sports Club- Seemangal Yadram (Capt.), Chatterpaul Singh, Latchman Yadram, Jitlall Jowherlall, Karan

Ramdoon, Mankat Balkissoon, Rohan Mangal, Tameshwar Ramkarran, Rajesh Balram, Kaleel Mohamed, Nandalall Seebarran, Roopdeo Narine and Vishnauth Gobin. Action gets underway at 09:00 hrs tomorrow.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday September 24, 2015

Celta stun Barca 4-1 to go top in La Liga BARCELONA (Reuters) Iago Aspas scored twice as Celta Vigo sent Barcelona crashing to a 4-1 defeat to go top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid’s clash against Athletic Bilbao later on Wednesday. After disappointing spells at Liverpool and Sevilla, Aspas is back to his best this season having returned to Celta and struck clinical finishes in either half against a Barca side who were far from their normal dominant selves. Nolito, a former Barca youth player, fired his fifth goal in as many games to put Celta ahead after 25 minutes with a pinpoint curling drive from the left of the area. Aspas then chipped the ball over keeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen for the second minutes later. It was clear that it was not going to be Barca’s day when Lionel Messi struck the woodwork after 52 minutes with only keeper Sergio Alvarez to beat and then Aspas raced clear and slotted home on 55 minutes. Barcelona’s Neymar scored from a tight angle after 80 minutes but Celta substitute

John Guidetti volleyed in their fourth minutes later. Celta lead La Liga with 13 points, one more than Barca after five games, while Real are on 10 points having played one match fewer. The players in the blue of Celta could have been mistaken for Barca the way they pressed the visitors back with their quick movement and link-up play. Ter Stegen could only get his fingertips to Nolito’s strike into the top corner and then Gerard Pique hesitated in possession on the halfway line with the ball finding its way to Aspas who ran through and lifted the ball over the keeper. After the break Barca pressed forward but left themselves wide open at the back. Messi hit the woodwork and then shortly after Aspas latched onto a long punt forward, evaded a challenge from Dani Alves, and found the corner with his shot. Messi set up Neymar for a consolation while Guidetti was then given space in the area and cracked the ball home.

Celta Vigo’s John Guidetti (R) scores a goal against Barcelona’s goalkeeper Ter Stegen during their Spanish first division soccer match at Balaidos stadium in Vigo, Spain September 23, 2015. (REUTERS/MIGUEL VIDAL)

Rugby World Cup 2015: Australia 28-13 Fiji BBC Sport - Australia made a stuttering start to their World Cup campaign as

they failed to earn a bonus point in their win against Pool A rivals Fiji in Cardiff.

An even start saw Australia’s Bernard Foley and Fiji’s Nemani Nadolo

trade penalties, before the Wallabies took control with two David Pocock tries. Prop Sekope Kepu stepped over from close range to extend their lead after the restart, before Fiji fought back. Ben Volavola reduced the gap, only for Foley’s penalty to ease Aussie fears. However, the Wallabies’ inability to make their dominance count and score a fourth try to earn a bonus point means they are already a point behind England and Wales in a group containing four of the world’s nine best

teams. Michael Cheika’s side looked on course to match England’s four-try victory over Fiji last Friday after a clinical first-half performance. But, after scoring their third try within seconds of the restart, Australia lost their way as Fiji battled back with their free-flowing attacking approach. Aussies among favourites Holders New Zealand are the overwhelming favourites to defend their title, but the Wallabies have been touted as the team most likely to stop the All Blacks.

Australia have made great strides since Cheika took over last year, with the 48-year-old coach tightening up the Wallabies scrum, while refusing to compromise their adventurous attacking p l a y. A n d a r u t h l e s s performance in the opening 40 minutes at the Millennium Stadium seemed to justify Australian expectations of mounting a realistic challenge to lift their third World Cup. After weathering early pressure, Cheika’s side began to use their kicking (Continued on page 36)

GABA TAKES ACTION TO

strengthen administration - suspends practice sessions at Sports Hall

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he Georgetown A m a t e u r Basketball Association (GABA) has suspended its scheduled practice sessions at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall until all affiliated clubs submit requested information ahead of a League the sub-association is planning. Below is the full letter that Kaieteur Sport has seen that was sent to clubs: “ D e a r T e a m Representatives, This mail serves to notify all ‘Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association’ registered clubs that access to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), specific to

Andrew Hercules GABA approved practice sessions has been suspended with immediate effect. This suspension will be

upheld until the submission of ‘Clubs League Requirement’. Only Clubs that has submitted the required information to GABA will resume regular practice sessions at CASH. Should you require assistance or have any concerns going forward, please do not hesitate to response via same medium. We believe that you can be a valuable part of our association and look forward to seeing positive actions”. GABA President, Andrew Hercules, had sent out the letter, and was among the first, on behalf of the Plaisance Guardians Basketball Club, to submit his information.

Thursday September 24, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 43

Scotland down ‘A question of remorse,

JAPAN 45-10 not ability’ - ACU chief

BBC Sport - Scotland ran in five second-half tries as they opened their World Cup campaign with victory over Japan at Kingsholm. Greig Laidlaw’s four successful penalties out of five gave the Scots a 12-7 advantage at half-time, Amanaki Mafi having crossed for Japan. John Hardie and Mark Bennett touched down after the break and Tommy Seymour raced clear for the Scots’ third try. Bennett’s second score secured a bonus point and Finn Russell celebrated his 23rd birthday by crossing late on. Japan had caused a major upset when they beat South Africa 34-32 on Saturday but, despite a spirited first half, they were overwhelmed by Vern Cotter’s side, who now top Pool B. Mafi scored after a successful line-out and Ayumu Goromaru converted but that 7-6 advantage would be Japan’s only lead in the match as Laidlaw largely kept his composure with the boot before the Scots fully took control. Game-breakers make difference for Scots Some of the attacking rugby Scotland produced was sumptuous. They did it against a team that was tiring but there was pace and wit in the backline and a reason to believe big things are to come. Bennett and Matt Scott were outstanding, cutting through the Japanese defence and causing mayhem. Scotland have often toiled miserably when it comes to breaking down defences, but not now. In Bennett and Scott in the midfield, the electrifying Stuart Hogg at full-back, the predatory Seymour on the wing and such cleverness at half-back in Russell and

GCUSA AGM set for Nov. 26 The Annual General Meeting of the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCUSA) is set for November 26 at Police Sports Club, Eve Leary at 17:00 hrs. Members are asked to make a special effort to attend and among the item on the agenda is Election of office bearers.

Laidlaw, Scotland are not lacking in game-breakers anymore. MAFI INJURY THE TURNING POINT The game turned when Japan suffered the cruel loss of their totem Mafi to injury early in the second half. The back row forward had been a colossus. As soon as he was carried off on a stretcher, Scotland ran amok. When he departed it was still just a two-point game and Scotland were beginning to wobble. His exit had the twin impact of demoralising Japan and galvanising Scotland. Eddie Jones’s team quickly tired and they were picked off relentlessly and clinically. Hardie and then Bennett found gaps on Japan’s right for Scotland’s opening two scores and the pace of Seymour and Bennett left opponents trailing in their wake as the bonus point was secured. Russell added gloss to the scoreline under the posts, with Laidlaw converting four of the five tries.

ESPNcricinfo - The ICC’s anti-corruption unit chief, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, has said the reintegration of Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif in international cricket should depend not on their form but on the level of remorse for their roles in spot-fixing during Pakistan’s tour of England in 2010. “They’ve been punished,” Flanagan told the ICC website. “They’ve met their punishment. It’s now a matter, I think, for their home board to decide whether they should ever grace an international cricket team again. That’s not just a question of ability, that’s a question of their remorse, their realisation of how wrong their behavior was, and their willingness to use that negative experience of theirs in education programme, so there are a whole range of elements in the decisionmaking process. “So, I can think one thing personally, but I mustn’t ever let what I think personally

Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir are free to play cricket. (Cricketlobby) prevent the professional discharge of my responsibility, and my responsibility was to bring those players to justice, and they were brought to justice.” Amir had pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him by the Crown Prosecution Service, but Butt and Asif did not. They were imprisoned in England for various durations and banned by the ICC for different lengths of time, and became eligible for

international selection again only in September 2015. Butt and Asif, however, are undergoing rehabilitation programs and will only be allowed to play the top-level cricket after February 2016, though they are free to play club and grade two cricket in Pakistan. Apart from the three Pakistan players, the only other cricketer penalised under the ICC code for corruption was Marlon

Samuels, who was banned for two years in 2008. A criticism of the ACU has been the small number of prosecutions it has effected since its formation in 2000, but Flanagan felt that was unfair. “Well, you know, my background is policing, and since time immemorial, the creation of formalised policing, prevention has always been much more important than detection,” he said.

t r o Sp

Giant slayers Monedderlust face Fruta Conquerors; GDF and Buxton hunt first points

This Monedderlust player is too quick for GDF’s Jeffrey Perreira to contain, Perreira’s teammate Delwin Fraser (#9) observes the action.

Rugby World Cup 2015:

Scotland down

Australia 28-13 Fiji JAPAN 45-10

Australia on attack during their match with Fiji. (Getty Images)

Hardie’s try came shortly after Japan had lost Mafi to injury. (SNS)

GABA TAKES ACTION TO Swiss authorities ask FIFA strengthen administration for access to suspended

- suspends practice sessions at Sports Hall

general secretary’s emails

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