Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news
MY SUBMISSION FOR THE GUYANA PRIZE
DEAR SIR, I see the Guyana Prize for Literature has been awarded, which is why I am now writing this letter. On December 8, 2010 from the Anna Regina Post Office I sent by registered parcel post to the Secretary of the Management Committee of the Guyana Prize for Literature, at the address as published in the newspaper, a parcel containing six copies of my published first novel ‘A Little Hut in Heaven’. I also submitted the submission form duly filled out, asking that my novel, a work of fiction, be considered for the Guyana Prize. I received no acknowledgement of receipt. On January 10, 2011, by registered post again I sent a letter to Mr. Al Creighton enclosing a stamped selfaddressed envelope and a blank sheet of paper asking that Mr. Creighton drop me a line saying whether or not the parcel was received. Both the parcel and that letter seemed to have fallen into a black hole, as onto now there is not
the slightest indication that he or anybody else has received or seen them. I would like to know what happened to my entry. Maybe it is not the type of novel that could win the prize, because admittedly it is for adult reading, and it commenced with a scene out of the Hindu religion, which in Guyana is yet verboten. Then it is not in the usual Guyanese literary format. It is not about slavery or indentured labor, and there is nothing about jumble or old hige or moongazer or dead Dutchmen in it. It seeks to tell the story of life in Guyana from the early sixties to the date of death of Dr. Jagan. It is seen through the eyes of two neighboring families, one East Indian, and the other African and their immediate friends. There is a running commentary on the political evolution of the country during that period. I think there are people who will not like how I painted the characters of the two main leaders. There is sex in it as I tried to show the behavior of
The woes of the Parika Facade DEAR EDITOR, On August 20, 2013 your newspapers carried a story, “Legit Parika Facade Residents want squatters removed.” As an R.D.C. Councillor, I have raised this matter with the Chairman. Ms. Kathlene Armstrong of A.P.N.U. did the same but nothing has been done and several property owners are denied proper access to their homes. In one ease, the owner Jonell Van Daimen has to gain
access to her own home through a neighbour’s yard. The Region Three Chairman gets angry when this matter is raised, but nothing is being done to stop this lawlessness of squatting in front of people’s homes. Because of this, Parika Facade is faced with a big nuisance problem due to poor drainage. AFC Councillor Region Three Harry Narine
women following their liberation, and the jettisoning of the old concept of sexual exclusivity in marriage. I even tried to suggest a new kind of marital behaviour, to ease the growing problem of domestic violence. There are discussions on many topics of interest, all done by the characters themselves in the novel, and here again some people may not like what they read. So I know the book could be regarded as controversial. If it is not the kind the judges or Mr. Creighton like they could at least drop me a line saying so and offer some constructive comments that could guide me in my next effort. Hope one of them sees this letter, or if it is brought to the attention of Mr. Creighton he could now send me a reply. Kumar Doobay
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
City Hall well-being declines DEAR EDITOR, Please refer to a letter which appeared in your Kaieteur News issue of Friday, September 20, 2013: “City Hall’s Town Clerk is persecuted” page 4. I suspect that R. Williams is an insider with a hidden agenda. Obviously, this would have affected his sense of reasoning and objectivity, and betrayed his hypocritical concern for the Council. Be that as it may, I wish to make two points: First, the writer has clearly missed it. The ‘Greens’ are not the problem. It is the woeful lack of the three M’s — Money, Management and Manpower. Even with its meager resources, the City Council is failing miserably to provide core services such as drainage, garbage collection and public health services, to citizens because it is led by an individual who is unfit, unqualified and untrained leading the administration. Every day, the Council is forced to complain about this officer. She does not understand her role or position. This is evident
from all the news reported in the media to the public. It is true that under the stewardship (or the lack of it) of this acting Town Clerk, the health and wellbeing of the City has declined frightfully. Yet, in the face of it all, the acting Town Clerk is attempting to illegally terminate the contract of one of the garbage contractors, employed by the Mayor and City Council. Second, on the question of corruption, it must be noted that in every instance where corruption was found and dealt with, it was the elective Council who initiated the process. There is no evidence that the acting Town Clerk has had anything to do with rooting out corruption. It is a falsehood peddled by friends of the acting Town Clerk. Finally, one would have thought that R. Williams would have, at least, taken the trouble to check the facts before rushing to pen a letter to prop up the acting Town Clerk. What a shame. The public deserves that respect. Aubrey James
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 25, 2013
All major projects flawed ‘Cobra’ gets 78 years …something has to and will be done — Granger Opposition Leader David Granger is saying that the work of former President Bharrat Jagdeo and his then government, in the signing of a “suite of flawed deals” has left the Opposition with a tedious task. Granger, during an interview, said that his party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), now has to review “all those flawed projects” in an effort to ensure that the coming Guyanese generation can still be chanced a bright future. The politician noted that the suite of flawed projects includes the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric project, the Skeldon Sugar Factory, the Marriott Hotel, the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme, the e-Governance fibre optic cable and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) expansion. According to the Opposition leader, these projects are terribly flawed by the absence of best practices and good governance. Granger told Kaieteur News that “all these projects are big, glamorous, alluring projects but all have flawed deals.” He said, “APNU was not in existence when most of these deals were signed. We are now trying to go through the agreements to see how we could adjust Government policies to conform to international best practices and for them to actually make sense.” Granger informed, “We cannot say at this point and time that we will obstruct or prevent. We first need to find out all we can. But as far as we are concerned, where it is legislatively possible; we are going to try to bring those projects back into the National Assembly so that they can be thoroughly ventilated. “ TROUBLED PROJECTS The Berbice Bridge, which has been tagged
US48M, is one of the projects that still attract criticism from various citizens. Wealthy investors, even after the completion of the bridge, remain the principal beneficiaries of that bridge. It has been said that the State has been foregoing revenues so that the privileged investors can earn dividends. The price to cross the Bridge by vehicle is more than was required to cross with the ferry. Dr Janette Bulkan, in a letter had asked, “How can the price for crossing a bridge be more than crossing with a ferry which has to burn fuel 2,200 per car versus the Demerara River Bridge toll of $200 per car?” A Berbician, Dr. Bulkan said that while the Berbice River Bridge was being constructed, “the majority of poor Berbicians might have thought that they would be paying the same toll as the Demerara River bridge commuters. “They lost corn and husk; there is no alternative cheap ferry. They must use the Berbice River Bridge.” Next was the Skeldon Project. Guyana now carries the debt burden of the white elephant named Skeldon Sugar Factory whose costs to date has exceeded US$200M. Then came the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Project which was the brainchild of the then president, Bharrat Jagdeo. That project costing around US$27M attracted much criticism. Government set aside US$9M for the first 30,000 laptops. The aim is to distribute 90,000. Each laptop has a government price tag of US$299. The Marriot Hotel, US$58M, has been dubbed “a project to suck the life out of Guyana”. The still unnamed investors are set to benefit most from the project while, the State, through
Opposition Leader David Granger NICIL, will be investing just as much for less benefits. Winston Brassington, NICIL’s Chairman and Chairman for Atlantic Hotel Inc, the special purpose vehicle set up to drive the Marriott project, would have had to be consulting with himself to make deals for the projects. Other issues raised were that there has been no independent risk analysis, Guyana is not a tourist destination, and there are already many hotels in the city. Also, no Guyanese has been hired to work on the construction of the hotel. The US$40M Government’s Information Communication Technology (ICT) project referred to as the fibre optic cable project which has already missed numerous deadlines is another project that was under scrutiny. The quoted cost is likely to be significantly increased as Alexei Ramotar, Project Manager of E-Governance Unit, said that local contractors who had bid for the project initially had underestimated the task. The Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project is one of the more popular flawed government deals. The controversy that has surrounded the venture has been endless. But some of the issues of the project include the fact that it will become outdated five years Continued on page 14
By Zena Henry Twenty-one-year-old Tyrone Rowe called ‘Cobra’ was yesterday sentenced to 78 years imprisonment by a High Court judge following a guilty verdict returned after four hours deliberation by a 12-member mixed jury. Rowe, who appeared confident, sang that he would be freed, even as he was being escorted back to the courtroom under heavy security. Rowe was however visibly shocked when he heard that the jury unanimously found him guilty. The accused, whose address was given as Lot 268 Independence Boulevard, was said to be one of the men involved in a robbery/murder which took place in the East Coast Demerara community of Plaisance, in 2010. Justice Navindra Singh told Rowe that based on the use of a firearm during the robbery he would get five years, for the death of the victim, Troy Collymore called ‘Collie’ and ‘Nelly’ during the course of a dangerous felony, he received 10 years. For previous criminal matters, Rowe got three years, while the remainder of the sentence was attributed to Collymore’s murder. The court noted, however, that Rowe’s sentences will not run concurrently. State Prosecutor Teshana Lake told the court that Rowe had other matters against him, particularly robbery under arms. She said she is aware that the accused is currently serving two sentences. The four-day murder trial saw some nine witnesses testifying on behalf of the prosecution. This included the mother of the deceased and a police eyewitness who placed the accused at the scene of the crime. Constable Neil Thornhill testified that at Victoria Road, Plaisance, there was a shooting by armed robbers resulting in the death of Collymore. He told the court that the victim had been shot by a fairskinned gang-member. The officer later identified Rowe
Tyrone ‘Cobra’ Rowe being escorted from the courtroom. who was seated in dock after stating that he was one of the men who committed the robbery. Attorney for the accused, Hookumchand, had asked the officer under crossexamination, and he admitted that apart from the gun which the fair-skinned man used to kill the victim, he could not say whether the other guns held by the other robbers were real. The officer said further that he attended an Identification Parade at the Brickdam Police Station where he picked out Rowe among eight half-naked men on parade. The witness also noted that the men on parade were dressed alike, but told the court that he had identified the “right man.” Chandrika Datt told the court that on the day of the incident he was in front of his pharmacy with Collymore and an overseas-based friend when someone came to purchase something from his business place. Datt said that upon raising his head, someone pointed a gun in his direction while approaching. The individual then relieved him of his jewellery and two bags he had in his possession. He said that at the time, Collymore was standing in front of the pharmacy when he was lashed in the face with a gun. The witness recalled hearing two sets of gunshots. He remembered one of his friends calling for him, saying that he had been hurt. When heading in the direction of his wounded friend, he then saw Collymore’s motionless body. He said further that when he attended the identification parade in September of 2010,
Rowe was not the man that he picked out. Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh had also given a testimony on the victim’s cause of death. He said that Collymore was shot in the head and would have died immediately. In an unsworn statement, Rowe told the court that he was innocent of the offence and that he was not at the scene during the 2010 robbery. Several days after, Rowe, 17 at the time, surrendered to police in 2010, they instituted four charges ranging from murder to damage of property. He had prior to that found himself on a list of Guyana’s most wanted. Heavily handcuffed and shackled, Rowe had made his appearance before then Acting Chief Magistrate, Melissa Robertson at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. He was charged for Collymore’s murder and was accused of robbing Mark Hunte on May 16, 2010, of articles valued $160,000. A third charge stated that Rowe, armed with a gun, robbed Troy Collins, of gold and diamond jewellery valued $1.4M. He was further accused of damaging one mirror at the Brickdam Police Station on September 4, 2010. A $1M reward had been offered for information leading to Rowe’s arrest. Rowe is one of the first persons found guilty of murder given an alternative sentencing since legislation against the death penalty was changed. Two years earlier, the accused would have been sentenced to death.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Green growth is not necessarily good Earlier this year there was a global Global Green Summit which was held in South Korea. The feature speaker at that summit was former President of Guyana, Bharrat Jagdeo. A number of propositions were made in his presentation. But the focus here is on two, around which much of the present discourse about green development is focused. The first of these propositions is that inclusive green growth is the only form of growth that makes economic and societal sense. This is a statement that conceals more than it reveals, because it advances very little reasons as to why other forms of economic growth make no sense. Since the end of the Second World War, various models of economic growth, most of which have had little to do with protecting the environment, and almost all of which have been
concerned with increasing production and consumption, have led to progress and development. Indeed, for the Asian Tigers, their development was constructed on a model that encourages mass production driven by increased industrialization. This industrialization was by no means green. How does one therefore justify the claim that green growth is the only form of growth that makes economic sense? It may make sense if one is absolutely and uncompromisingly committed to what is deemed sustainable development, which argues that since there are finite resources available to any nation, these resources should be exploited in a manner that does not jeopardize the interests of future generations. Green development is linked to this vision. It is development that is
environmentally conscious, aiming to reduce the negative environmental effects of development and promoting development that seeks sustainable use of natural resources. This is the relationship between green development and sustainable development. But is sustainable growth the only form of economic growth that makes economic sense? Apart from the example of the Asian Tigers, the experience of many countries would suggest that it is not. For example, the American economy was built on extensive and rapid exploitation of its vast natural resources. China’s prominence today was built on a long period of heavy industrialization which has laid the foundation for a strong economy. Now that both of these contrasting countries have achieved a certain level of internal development, they can now
Dem boys seh
Marriott money getting some cat fat Only in Guyana banana can tun plantain. Believe it or leave it. Only in Guyana under Brazzy, de Rat and Ash Knee who suppose to know bout money does tek money from a bank wheh de interest certain and put it in place wheh only a fraction of de money does get interest. De Rat and Ash Knee send Brazzy pun TV fuh convince de nation that de Marriott is a good investment. Brazzy mek he face like de place wheh de smart fly get ketch and talk like if he doing de nation a favour. He tell de nation how he got money in de bank and getting two per cent. He write de contract fuh suit heself. De contract claim how he Brazzy gun get 6.2 % interest if he put he money in de Marriott. But when dem boys check dem find out that Brazzy was not telling de truth, not even a part of de truth. Dem boys seh dem find out that he putting
US$20 million in de project. Out of that, onefifth getting 6.2 per cent and de other fourfifth getting that same hole wha ketch de smart fly and wheh Brazzy face gun end up. And is not a square hole or a rectangular hole. You do de Maths or get Ash Knee or de Rat fuh explain how one-fifth of US$20 million getting 6.2 per cent interest is better than de same US$20 million getting 2 per cent in de bank. 2% of US$20 million equals US$400,000. And 6.2% of US$4 million equals nearly US$250,000. Brazzy, Ash Knee and de Rat throw away a guarantee profit of US$400,000 every year and tek US$250,000 a year by putting de money in de Marriott. These people deserve to spend taxpayers’ money? You think dem stupid? Dem spending de money fuh enrich and to fatten dem cats. Some of dem cat fat like Brazzy‌ but that is another story.
focus, because of the strength of their economies, on some degree of promoting green development , but by and large these countries will pursue forms of growth that are pro-production and proconsumption. The point being made is that there is no precedent of any rich, great or powerful nation being constructed on the principle of green development. But today, developing countries, which are trying to improve the lot of their people and who have a great deal of natural resources to exploit, are being asked to defer that development in order to pursue green development. In other words, green development is being used to keep developing countries in check. The second highly questionable proposition made is because much of the discourse about green growth is about the costs and not on the opportunities and benefits. Well, by its very nature green growth
emphasizes certain costs, the cost to the environment, the cost to the animal and human species, and the cost to future generations. The very notion of green growth is premised on these costs which proponents of green growth argue, need to be arrested before they lead to ecological death and unsustainable development. And where exactly are we to find examples of the benefits and opportunities of green growth? Where are the examples of thriving green economies? There are none. By foisting this idea of green growth on us, what the developed world and their lackeys are promoting is the notion that poor developing countries should delay rapid economic take-off in order to preserve the environment. Unfortunately these very economies made it clear during the financial crisis that they were not prepared to sacrifice the development of their people in order to meet environmental standards.
This is where the real debate should be located. To what extent are the powerful nations of the world prepared to ensure compliance with international environmental standards so as to ensure that green development is also promoted in their countries. These rich countries are not interested in green development. They are delegating that task to the poor countries of the world and selling them this mistaken idea that it is in the interest of poor countries to have green development. Ironically, these poor countries will have to procure the new technologies of green development from the very rich countries, thus perpetuating the historical relationship of dependency which has created two worlds: one for the rich and the other for the poor.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 25, 2013
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The golden gold industry I ran into a highly placed person who is also a top PPP second-tier PPP leader. He is quite known in Guyana, though he is not in the core leadership of the PPP. He said to me that there is a problem on his mind that he is reluctant to raise as a matter of priority within the PPP. He did say that at the PPP’s congress last month, he had mentioned his vexation to three of the PPP policy-makers and they did concede that what he is talking about needs the exigent attention of the Government. He suggested that I run a column on this predicament and I smiled when he intoned; “Freddie, after all Guyana is your country, so it is not a
favour you are doing the government.” I agreed with his point, but I did warn him that if I wrote the column I would lay the blame on his party which has been in charge the past twenty-one years. This gentleman told me that the past President, Mr. Jagdeo, the current President and the entire leadership of the PPP and Government have the statistics on gold declaration and they all know that more than seventy percent of gold taken from the earth of Guyana is not declared and Guyana loses tremendously. He intoned; “Freddie I am telling you what I know, the figure is seventy percent.” He went on to say that the
average Guyanese would find unbelievable, the yearly amount Guyana loses in conspiratorial gold smuggling out of the country. He puts it at dozens of billions of dollars every year. I liked his reasoning when he brought in the Trinidadian comparison. He described Trinidad as a first world country and according to him that country reached there because it has a golden industry which it took possession of and carefully watches over – oil. He looked at me and declared, “Freddie, we could be like Trinidad because we got what Trinidad has, but we are throwing it away.” He meant the gold industry.
Two things I could see clearly when he spoke; he has inside information on the vast amount of money Guyana loses to gold smuggling and he is frustrated that the party he belongs to does not care. I shifted the argument away from the gold industry and went into the direction of politics. I queried why a political party that literally is in control of the gold fields of Guyana and could use that money to make us become like Trinidad is not interested. He didn’t have an answer and I suggested one to him. I looked him in the eyes and told him that we are getting poorer in Guyana; that we will not become like Trinidad in a million years and
our misery will continue, because the PPP lacks the nationalist spirit that so permeates the poor Third World countries that have become developed states like Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Trinidad etc. I was bold enough to tell him that once President Burnham had come to the knowledge that such vast amounts of gold were illegally leaving Guyana, he would have thrown all the resources he had at his disposal to stop it. I made it clear that my statement on Burnham came from deep within my heart. My advice to him is to use his position in the PPP leadership to get them to see that the gold industry is Guyana’s version of Trinidad’s oil reserves and we could make Guyana better by stopping those billions from leaving. I did say to him that I will play my part by doing the column and he must do his by campaigning for tighter governmental supervision. I even suggested that the Guyana Government could invent some ingenious way of forming a public company to invest in the gold industry,
Frederick Kissoon but such a venture must involve the major opposition parties. He didn’t want to discuss corruption in the Guyana Government that interconnects with the gold industry. It was pellucid to me that he was not comfortable discussing the weakness and sins of the PPP. His mission was to get me to use my column to highlight a major concern of his – the money Guyana is losing to undeclared gold, particularly by foreign gold miners. I did agree to this article, not only out of his persuasion, but also because I know what is happening in the gold industry, the media knows, the opposition parties know and the average Guyanese is well aware that their country is full of gold and it is being carted out of the country everyday without benefits coming their way.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Queens Atlantic lone bidder for OP warehouse services A lone bid, submitted by Queens Atlantic Investment Inc., was opened yesterday for the provision of warehouse services for Office of the President (OP) at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) at the Ministry of Finance, Main Street.
Under the Ministry of Health bids were submitted for the procurement of additional pharmaceuticals laboratory reagents and consumables.
Meanwhile, the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) received a solitary bid for the procurement of CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) systems.
Courts Guyana turns sod for US$5M warehouse at Eccles
The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment received bids for the procurement of motor vehicles.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) received bids for the rehabilitation of an entrance and parking area.
Under the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) received bids for the construction of Plant shed, nursery and fence at Hosororo, a community in the Barima-Waini region of northern Guyana, on the west bank of the Aruka River.
From left Clinton Urling, Guillermo Siman, Sam Hinds, Clyde De Haas and Ashni Singh turning the sod of the site where the Courts warehouse will be built. NAREI received bids for the construction of solar dryer and potting shed at Hosororo.
Still within the sector, NAREI received bids for the construction of living quarters at Hosororo.
And NAREI received bids for (Lot 1) the supply of shade materials and (Lot 2) supply of irrigation equipment.
The Ministry of Finance received bids for the construction of a building.
The Ministry of Public Works received bids for the rehabilitation of sections of the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway.
Courts Guyana is poised to open a spanking new stateof-the-art warehouse complex at Eccles on the East Bank of Demerara. The furniture and appliance giant purchased the four acres of property in 2011 for the purposes of expanding its holding capacity to increase the efficiency in how products are offloaded and transported to its sales outlets, and to increase the amounts of products that can be stored for transshipment. A sod-turning ceremony was held yesterday on the site at Eccles to symbolically usher in the construction of the facility. Among those present were, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, performing the duties of President; Minister of Finance Ashni Singh; Executive Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Unicomer Group (a foreign company that Acquired Courts Caribbean in 2006) Guillermo Siman; President of Guyana Chamber of Commerce and Industry Clinton Urling and CEO of Courts Clyde De Hass, along with their respective representatives. Siman speaking on the
60,000-square ft. distribution centre which will soon be constructed, said that the impetus for the establishment of the building came in the wake of much needed storage which the older Courts warehouse was no longer able to efficiently manage. He posited that “this facility is being designed following world class logistics standards, featuring high density racking to increase our storage capacity, which will benefit local manufactures as they will have an opportunity to increase production for distribution at the proper time to our store. We will feature specialized forklift trucks for the stacking of the goods and our staff will undergo special training to operate this equipment.” Siman further stated that 18 loading bays will be featured in this new design
that will allow the loading trucks to turn around at a faster rate, thereby making the delivery process more efficient, which will benefit customers. He declared that “this investment of US$5M and retail expansion of company stores, demonstrates our company’s confidence in the economy of Guyana.” Prime Minister Hinds, GCCI president Urling and Finance Minister Singh all spoke to the benefits that Courts Guyana has over its 20 years of existence delivered to Guyanese. This includes the successful implementation of Hire purchase, the Foreign Direct Investment that the company and private sector bodies have contributed towards the growth of Guyana’s economy and the raising of the quality of life of persons.
When we pause and experience silence, we discover answers that activity does not have time to reveal. During your day, take three-minute “vacations”. Relax and re-energise. Take time out to feel the peace of silence.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 25, 2013
National Geographic Explorer anchors in Guyana The vessel, National Geographic Explorer
With 220 passengers on board, the National Geographic Explorer cruise ship, yesterday anchored in the Essequibo River at Lau Lau, in proximity to the Baganara Resort. As part of the ‘Epic South America’ expedition, the vessel will be sailing on local
waters for two days, to explore Guyana’s coastline and some of the Islands. The expedition has an itinerary of 38 days, with 15 destinations to be covered. In speaking with the local media, Captain Oliver Kruess said that this is a first official visit to Guyana, noting that
there were three prior expeditions to neighbouring countries, the last being more than 18 years ago. “Traditionally, we would just sail by. When visiting French Guiana, Devil’s Island, they (the visitors) always looked along your coast, into your river and it was always
“gosh, someday we would like to come and explore”, and this year, it becomes a fact,” Kruess said. He added that in recognizing Guyana’s infrastructural developments, the trip was planned. “We contacted partners and said well, look, we have that idea, we would like to bring a ship into the Essequibo River, and we would like to offer activities off the ship…Can you offer some quotations to get us to the beautiful sites that are in range of the river? And the partners we found said yes, no problem, come,” Kruess said. He expressed that there is much excitement about visiting Guyana, since despite the fact that it is a prime destination for small expedition ships, not many have had the opportunity to come here. “Definitely you can expect that we will be back…It is an international group, but the vast majority is from the United States,” Kruess noted. The captain also revealed plans to have groups in smaller boats journey the coastline, so as to explore nocturnal creatures. “Our goal is to give our guests popular scientific interaction into Guyana. They will be exploring here, the Essequibo River this (yesterday) afternoon, using our own boats,” he explained. Kaieteur News also caught up with Tyrone Turner, a contributing photographer to the National Geographic Network. He pointed out that while there are no immediate plans to prepare a documentary on Guyana, the tour will feature lots of video and still images. An optimistic Turner added that they are hoping to discover exciting things about Guyana, and that he would love to return to the ‘land of
Minister Ali and Captain Kruess (right) exchange tokens of appreciation. many waters’, to provide coverage. At present, the photographer said that of the two days the group will be spending in Guyana, he is especially looking forward to exploring the pristine forest, the wildlife, and the Kaieteur Falls, while enjoying the local cuisine. Turner explained that he lived in Brazil for two years, and that certain things about Guyana, like the shrimp trawlers, remind him of home. He said that this is the first time he is on the ship as a team member, and that it is surprisingly comfortable, especially with the very interesting people on board. “We’re giving presentations, and talking about things,” Turner added. It was also explained that Guyana’s culture and music will also be looked at and discussed among the explorers. The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), along with the Tourism Minister (ag) Irfaan Ali, took representatives from the various media houses on a
tour of the ship. While on board, Minister Ali and Captain Kruess exchanged tokens of appreciation in the form of plaques, after which Ali made some brief remarks. He wished the passengers an enjoyable stay. “I hope that your stay here, though short, would be one that is enjoyable, one that is fruitful, and one that is indeed amazing enough to ensure that you recognize the very fact that you are in one of the 50 destinations of a lifetime, here in Guyana,” he said. The Minister joked that he hopes that Kruess and his explorers would be the ones to find the ‘Golden City of Eldorado.’ And should they not be so lucky, Ali said that there is something more beautiful to discover- “the natural beauty, which exists here, is beyond any wall of gold.” Minister Ali also informed the tourists that “we are developing our country based on the Low Carbon Development Strategy Continued on page 14
A section of the explorers being addressed by one of the tour guides in the Ship’s lounge.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
62 sittings and over $105M spent in Tenth Parliament…
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12 Bills assented to in 2012
Since its first sitting in January 2012, the Tenth Parliament has been one filled with drama as its members struggled over the unusual situation where the combined Opposition held a one-seat voting majority. There have been walkouts, a vote of noconfidence, and refusal by President Donald Ramotar to assent key Bills on the grounds that they are unconstitutional. Along the way, there have been criticisms that not much work has been done in what is Guyana’s biggest stage where laws are made. The 65-member National Assembly is currently on a two-month annual break and due to reconvene next month. In total, there were 62 sittings, according to figures provided by staffers at the Parliament. Each sitting of the National Assembly costs approximately $1.7M, making it just over $105M spent between January 2012 and the last sitting in August. This amount includes food costs, transportation for Members of Parliament who live in the hinterland, hotel accommodations, paperwork and overtime for staffers. MPs also have oversight authority on various aspects of the economy including Natural Resources, Finance, Public Works, Housing and Social Services. These committees, too, are meeting from time to time and also come at a cost. Then there are also special committees established to look into matters pertaining to legislation, among other things. There were 138 meetings from the 23 or so committees of the National Assembly between January 2012 and August this year. In total, 56 resolutions were passed from motions tabled by both sides. Last year, according to information from Parliament, there were just 12 bills that were made into law. Four of them were supplementary appropriations or financial bills pertaining to monies to be spent from the government coffers. Also passed were the Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2012; Income Tax Amendment Bill 2012; Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2012; Summary Jurisdiction Procedure Amendment 20132; Official Gazette Bill 2012 and Civil Law (Rights of the Persons in Common-Law Union) Bill 2012. This year, up to August, 10 acts were passed, according to figures from Parliament. There were no indications as to how many were assented to by the
President. These included the Music and Dance Licence (Amendment) Bill 2012; Sexual Offence (Amendment) Bill; Business Names Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012; Deeds and Commercial Registries Authority Bill 2012; S u p p l e m e n t a r y Appropriation (Three for 2012) Bill 2013; Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill; Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Bill 2012; Local Authorities (Elections Amendment) Bill 2013; Supreme Court of Judicature (Appeal) Amendment Bill and Constitution Amendment Bill. Last year, key Bills by both Government and Opposition were tabled to allow new players in the telephone and telecommunication business. However, because of ongoing negotiations between Government, Digicel and GT&T, the debate of the bills have been delayed. Also in limbo are the antimoney laundering Bills which are set to be debated in the next session, which starts in October. Failure to pass the Bills in time for a November deadline set by international anti-money laundering bodies could very well see Guyana attracting financial sanctions that could affect banking and money transfer transactions. A major piece of legislation that was voted down by the Opposition was the Firearms Amendment Bill, which Government insisted is critical to reducing gun crimes in the country. Another legislation change that ended up in trouble was the Former Presidents (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill 2012, and the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment Bill) 2012. The latter seeks to restore the Constitutional status of the “independent entities”, under the Constitution.These include the Guyana Elections Commission, the Courts, the Office of the Ombudsman and other such agencies. The Former President (Benefits and other Facilities) Bill of 2012 seeks to cap the various benefits granted to former Presidents and thus protect taxpayers’ money.
There have been questions whether enough work has been done in the 10th Parliament. With the reduction of the National Budget by the Opposition two years in a row, the situation in the National Assembly has been more than tense as both sides of the House battle for ground on legislation. The situation took a turn for the worse when the Opposition blocked two pieces of legislation for the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, leading to the Government saying that the venture was dead until a new investor is found. With the administration making it clear that it will not okay some of the more important legislation tabled by the Opposition, it is unlikely any improvements will happen in a hurry in the next Parliamentary session. Already, the Opposition has said it has done what it was voted in for. “We have been asking lots of questions…on the radio licences; the airport expansion; the Marriott…so many other issues. We have tabled many motions and it is democracy at its best. We have had no confidence motions. It is settling differences in the National Assembly rather than on the streets,” said Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, on the performance of the 10th Parliament.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 25, 2013
GPSU biennial conference opens today The 20th Biennial Conference of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) will open today a n d continue until Friday under the theme, “Relentlessly Pursuing Good Governance, Decent Work, Social and Economic Justice” The Conference is the highest decision-making forum. Delegates from Georgetown and the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana are expected to review the Biennium as well as plan and make recommendations for the Union for the next two years. Prime Minister Samuel
Hinds will deliver the feature address and declare the Conference open at the National Conference Centre. The proceedings get underway at 09.30 hours. Other features of the Opening Ceremony include an address by GPSU President Patrick Yarde and the presentation of prizes for the GPSU 90th Anniversary Domino competition. The Business Sessions of the Conference will be held at the GPSU headquarters, 160 Regent Road and Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Bourda, Georgetown, daily from 08.00 hours.
All major projects... From page 8 after its commencement, being then useless to the Guyanese population. The project despite its high cost will not be catering for the entire nation. There has also been much secrecy surrounding the project, including government equity and the real value of the plant as opposed to the purported cost. Finally, there is the US150M CJIA project. The most recent and worrying issue with this project is the discovery that Government has amended the international best practice standards to take responsibility for any defects in the works being done by China Harbour Engineering Company, the contractors. The general concern with these projects, Granger stressed, is that this generation of taxpayers and generations to come will end up paying for projects that may never live up to expectations - the Skeldon Sugar Factory being a prime example.
National Geographic... From page 12 (LCDS). That is, we’re committed to the global community for the safeguard of our forest, in exchange for carbon credit, in the carbon market.” In welcoming the crew in a “traditional Guyanese way”, Ali told the passengers that a little cocktail reception will be held in their honour. He said that this will allow for the explorers to have a taste of one of the world’s finest rum, Eldorado 25; one of the world’s finest beer - Banks Beer; and the multicultural cuisine of Guyana. Ali also urged the travellers to have a taste of the creek water, as well as a piece of labba, “because that’s the saying, once you have black water and labba, you’re bound to come back”.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Education Minister to meet Friday with protesting parents at Parika Education Minister Priya Manickchand is set to meet parents of the Parika-Salem Primary School on Friday after protests continued at that Region Three facility yesterday. According to Alethea Baird, President of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), an education official who visited the school yesterday said that the Minister was prepared to meet with executives of the body to hear their complaints. On Monday, parents locked the gates in protest of conditions, citing overcrowding and other health threats. Regional education officials who arrived to meet with parents refused to allow Jaipaul Sharma, a Member of Parliament for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), to stay. That led to parents walking out of the meeting
saying that the representative had a legitimate right to be present. Among other things, parents are complaining about the fact that the primary school was overcrowded with bat droppings falling on students during classes. Flooding and leaks were also among the concerns raised. The parents claimed that a new secondary school was built within the compound without consultation with them, leading to more overcrowding. Toilets for both teachers and students were in a mess with the compound not conducive for learning, Kaieteur News was told. Yesterday, the parents again locked the gates, before police were called in and an agreement was reached for Friday’s meeting. The protests at Parika follow one from last week at
Parents and students blocking the gates again yesterday at the Parika-Salem Primary School
another West Bank Demerara school, the new La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School, which suffered fire damage in March this year. Parents there
also locked the gates complaining of conditions. In both cases, parents said that despite raised issues with the regional education
officials on occasions, it all fell on deaf ears. Under the education system, at the district level, the Ministry of Local
Government is responsible for the schools, while the Ministry of Education is charged with the wider policies on the national level.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 17
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 21
VYC launches interactive Math and Science project Even before the announcement of this year’s Education Month theme, the Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC) Inc. has been making interventions in the education sector to ‘transform’ teaching techniques to suit modern classrooms. Since July 2012, the VYC, a non-profit organisation with focus on the development of the lives of young people, has worked to enact a system in the classroom that embraces practical learning as opposed to conventional teaching. With this initiative sprung the Afterschool Interactive Math and Science Project. Following the completion of a successful run of the project’s one-year pilot in August, it was officially tabled to be integrated into the nation’s education system, with the Ministry of Education signaling its support. The Afterschool project was officially launched at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, on Monday. According to Science Teacher Ronald Forde, the project’s aim was to “breathe life into Math and Science” and to deliver content in such a way that students are able
Sponsor Jaime Buitrago (left) and Chairperson of the VYC Board, Bonita Hunter, perform the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon, as St. John’s College student, David Jeffrey, looks on to interact with learning materials and exercise their abilities. He said that this aim was seen as a means of stimulating renewed student
interest in these subjects that they take on with fear; while making the process fun. As the name suggests, the project encompasses Mathematics and Science
Alleged arsonist in Parfait Harmonie fire claims he’s being framed Fifty–four year–old Godfrey Douglas, the man accused of burning his matrimonial home at Parfait Harmonie to the ground last Thursday says he is being framed. Douglas, who is still on the run from police, contacted Kaieteur News yesterday asking to tell his side of the story and “clear his name “. He is adamant that he was not in the vicinity of the house at the time of the incident and says he only learnt that the house was destroyed on the morning following the fire. Douglas, who says he hasn’t “…been able to eat or sleep since the unfortunate incident”, disclosed plans of retaining a lawyer and turning himself in to the police shortly. The father of three also refuted allegations made by his wife, Anettia Douglas, that he was an abusive husband, claiming instead that he was the one who suffered years of mistreatment at her hands. “The last ten years of my life was pure hell…. It was like living with a demon. It was constant nagging, accusations, quarrels and verbal abuse from the time I awoke until I went to bed at nights. If I had anywhere else
to go I would have left…Everyone, including the police, is always sympathetic towards women and abuse ….I don’t have a problem with that, but lots of men are enduring abuse from women every day. “ Describing his wife as extremely ‘jealous and possessive’ Douglas said most of the quarrels in their home stemmed from her constant accusations of him being promiscuous. Relating the day’s events leading up to the fire, Douglas, who works as a security guard at a city school, says he was asked to run an errand by a teacher and was about to comply when his wife turned up at his place of employment requesting he take her home . “ I told her I would do so when I am finished doing the favour for the teacher, but she said I am lying , and accused me of planning to go somewhere with another woman” Douglas said he asked his wife to await his return and proceeded to carry out his errand, but instead the woman followed him, verbally abusing him loudly. “This woman cussing me loudly on the road and even pelt me with the helmet for the
motorcycle. She started calling out to people on the road and telling them I am a whore and all sorts of things ‘ The man said that exasperated, he rode away and left her after telling her he was going to buy a beer to ‘ cool his head.’ “Somehow this woman find me at the rum shop and came and started making a set of noise there too…. I ain’t even get a chance to take a proper sip. I just put down the bottle and went home “ The disagreement continued at home, according to Douglas, with him resorting to telling his wife that he would leave the premises and sleep elsewhere for the night, but the woman tried to stop him. “ We have so many fights that many times I would leave and sleep at the school overnight and come back next morning when she cool down, but this woman stand in front of the wardrobe and refused to let me get my clothes.” Douglas claimed that he “moved” his wife out of the way and took his things, prompting the woman to run past him shouting she’s “going to get him locked up (Continued on page 30)
classroom sessions for Grades Nine and Ten that are held after school hours. So far, the sessions have been accommodating students from 11 Secondary Schools in Georgetown and are being held at two locations, the VYC Office, Durban Backlands and the St. John’s College. The one-hour sessions are held three afternoons per
week and are facilitated by six teachers from the varying schools who had been recruited by VYC. VYC Trainer, Quincy Richards, said that even the teachers had partaken in training sessions designed to help them animate their teaching sessions so as to reach students. He said of utmost consequence was the need to direct teachers away from the traditional manner of teaching and to incorporate practical activities into the lessons of these vital subject areas. “It involves being practical more than anything else. The teachers were encouraged to try as much as possible to engage the students in the learning process; to get them highly involved,” Richards noted. Among the techniques that were encouraged was the use of projectors to demonstrate visually processes that may be difficult to comprehend. The Science Teacher, during his remarks, enlightened as to how the piece of machinery can effectively aid in the learning process. “Imagine students’ eyes fixed on a screen showing the entire Germination process. Imagine Physics topics Speed and Velocity - being taught through video sports such as car racing, and a cooking session being used to teach Measurement and
Evaporation. This is what ‘Transforming Classrooms for the Twenty First Century’ means,” he said. Deputy Chief Executive Officer (DCEO), Donna Chapman, while underlining that the Ministry of Education supports the initiative, urged that measures be taken so as to integrate other schools outside of the 11-school bracket into the project. She said that the initiative is especially timely since it focuses on two of the key Secondary School subjects, since they are critical in competing in the global market. “Guyana needs more Scientists and Mathematicians.” She reminded that all jobs and everyday life demand Science and Mathematics skills. “It is said that Mathematics helps students to develop analytical and critical thinking skills, the ability to reason in a logical way and the ability to recognize patters and apply them to situations.” Directing her remarks to the students, the DCEO advised that they make good use of the opportunity being presented to them. She urged that with the new approach being taken in the Science field, Guyana should see more participation in the Sagicor Science Competition in the coming years. (Tiffanne Ramphal)
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 25, 2013
More traffic diversion GRA branches now authorized in the city - GWI to register, examine vehicles Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is continuing with the upgrade of sewerage pump stations and the installation of delivery mains under the Government of Guyana (GOG) and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) US$10 million Georgetown Sanitation Improvement Programme (GSIP). According to Orin Browne, Project Manager (GWI) ‘pipe-laying has commenced work from the Princes Street and Louisa Row Junction. Pipes will be installed along Louisa Row to the end of Cemetery Road and Sussex Street’. He further stated that ‘sewer pipes will also be laid along Sussex Street going west to the Sussex and Charles Street Junction’. GWI is advising all customers residing in or traversing on the
aforementioned streets that there will be minor traffic diversion, breaking of roads and noise associated with the use of heavy equipment. Meanwhile, the company is advising customers from Calcutta to DeHoop, East Coast Demerara, as well as customers of Weldaad and Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, that all well stations serving these areas are experiencing low voltage due to generation problems affecting the Guyana Power and Light Company (GPL). This has resulted in reduced levels of water service. Affected communities include the entire Mahaicony/Mahaica area as well as the Mahaica Hospital. GWI indicated that it is working closely with GPL to restore normal service and regrets any inconvenience caused. Customers with concerns or questions can contact GWI’s Customer Service Call Centre on 227-8701/03/04 or e m a i l customercallcentre@gwi.gy. Customers can also post via social media at w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / everydropcountsgy
Vehicle owners not living in the city and fearing long lines at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) now have the option of using the outof-town offices to conduct business. According to GRA, effective immediately, all its Regional Integrated Tax Offices will start offering examinations of vehicles for purposes of registration, transfers, change of use, colour, change of registration and duplicate registration. “Other services that would be offered include issuance of Motor Vehicle Licences for Yellow Cabs and enclosed goods vehicles. Motor vehicles owners within Georgetown and its environs will continue to access these services at the GRA Headquarters at 200-201 Camp Street,” the authority said yesterday. The offices include Linden in Region 10; Corriverton and New Amsterdam in Region Six; Parika in Region Three; Lethem in Region Nine; Bartica in Region Seven and Anna Regina, Region Two. According to GRA, the measures were introduced in
Motor vehicle owners within Georgetown and its environs will continue to access motor vehicle related services at the GRA’s headquarters at Camp Street the “interest of providing convenience for the public in the processing of motor vehicle related transactions…” Commissioner-General Khurshid Sattaur said that motor vehicle owners within Georgetown and its environs
will continue to access these services at the GRA’s headquarters at Camp Street. “There has been notable improvement in the time taken for persons to renew their Motor Vehicle Licences and to conduct other business with the agency following the consolidation of all of GRA’s Georgetown operations; and the agency is anticipating a similar customer service experience in the regions.”
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Several of GRA’s offices, including Customs, Licence Revenue Office and its administrative arm were moved to the Camp Street building which was once owned by CLICO. That building was later transferred to the National Insurance Scheme, which is renting the building to GRA. The consolidation of the GRA offices was done to reduce overhead costs, Government had said. Up to recently, the Camp Street headquarters was processing the registration of vehicles, with examinations continuing to take place at the Smyth Street office where the Licence Revenue Office was housed until earlier this year.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
Murdered TSU rank…
SUSPECT ARRESTED
Police have detained a 27year-old Kitty resident suspected to be the gunman who killed Tactical Services Unit rank Michael Cumberbatch on Monday night. But investigators are reportedly looking at two possible motives for the execution-style killing. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect was arrested at around noon yesterday near the West Bank Demerara end of the Demerara Harbour Bridge. Police had reportedly tracked the suspect to the area after being tipped off that he was staying at a friend’s home at La Grange, West Bank Demerara. The man, whose hair was braided, was reportedly dressed in the same clothing—an orange-coloured shirt and grey pants—that eyewitnesses said that he was wearing when he shot Cumberbatch. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect, who was previously charged with armed robbery, admitted that he was in the North Sophia area on Monday night, but denied that he had shot Constable Cumberbatch. He is likely to be placed on an identification parade today. Two associates of the suspect were also taken into custody yesterday. Police had detained three other individuals on Monday night, but it is unclear whether they are still in custody. Kaieteur News understands that detectives have received reports that the gunman shot Cumberbatch
The murdered man’s home.
TSU rank Michael Cumberbatch because he believed that the policeman was having a relationship with his wife. However, some police sources have suggested that the assailant may have mistaken Cumberbatch for another policeman who also lives in Sophia. Residents have told investigators that they saw the suspect “walking up and down” in the North Sophia area on Monday prior to the murder, and that the suspect had been enquiring about someone called ‘Quacy.’ But the slain policeman’s wife, Lillian Cumberbatch, provided another motive, when she told Kaieteur News that she found a threatening note that someone had written to her husband. Mrs. Cumberbatch said that she
located the note yesterday while searching in the couple’s car for her spouse’s identification card. According to Mrs. Cumberbatch, the note stated ‘you come with your boys on my turf and shoot up and make my boys run, and I will make you lame.’ Someone had written a phone number, and the word ‘killer’ at the back of the note, she said. Mrs. Cumberbatch said that she has handed the note over to the police. Mrs. Cumberbatch told Kaieteur News that her husband and members of the ‘bike squad’ had gone on a raid in Sophia some time ago. She suggested that the individuals that the ranks had targeted were behind his death.
Recounting the events leading to her husband’s death, the woman said that she was at home with her husband and children on Monday night when someone rapped at the door and asked for ‘Quacy.’ The woman said that she told the visitor, whose hair was braided, that no one by the name of ‘Quacy’ lived there, and the visitor left. But she said that the man returned ten minutes later and again banged on the door while asking for ‘Quacy.’ By this time, the family had gone to bed. Mrs. Cumberbatch said that she looked outside and observed that the visitor appeared to be drunk. She told her husband what she had observed, and Cumberbatch went outside to the visitor and ordered the man to leave. According to her, the stranger asked “who you talking to?”… “and then Michael (Constable Cumberbatch) said ‘what you got in your hand?’ She then heard gunshots. On looking outside, Mrs. Cumberbatch said that she saw her husband lying on the ground and the alleged killer fleeing the scene. The wounded policeman was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he succumbed Mrs. Cumberbatch said that she had always been apprehensive about living in North Sophia, but her husband would reassure her that she was safe. “He would say there is nothing to be afraid of. I am a policeman and people respect me.”
Page 27
Page 28
Kaieteur News
PROPERTY FOR SALE
FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
VEHICLE FOR SALE
House size 32’x24’ unfinished, land 80’x40’. Location Lusignan- Price $10M neg- Call:617-5714
LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $18,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.
One Toyota Regious, Price $1.6M- Call:262-0218/6410748
1 Nissan X-Trail, year 2006. Price negotiable. Excellent condition- Contact Vishaul @ 612-6867
Painted 2 storey concrete building 53x26, transported property at 69 Jackson street, Daniels Town, Essequibo CoastCall: 618-2517/ 660-6739 VERSAILLES: Furnished 5 bedrooms, self-contained rooms, modern facilities, g e n e r a t o r, beautiful landscape, gated community- Call: 592-6248704/ 592-684-9203 Newly painted 6 bedrooms house, garage & concrete fence $15.5M neg- Call:6195332/604-4174
Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 Large copier machine for multiple printing on large scale- Call:600-0036/223-1719 One minelab GPX 5000 gold detector, going cheap. Call:677-9230/693-0675 Pure Rottweiler Call:650-8496
pups-
Pitbull pups fully vaccinatedCall Johnny:628-9884
One Charlestown property with business potential- Call: 673-5882
Potting Soil and quality cow mould- Call:656-1326/6780058
One 2 storey building with 8ft drive way with two apartments bottom flat in Kitty- Contact Ameer 6955815
4 German shepherd pups. Mother ’s black, father’s white. They are six weeks old- Call:677-4364
‘BB’ Eccles- Concrete house 3 bedrooms upstairs, downstairs 2 self contained apartments, 2 bedrooms each toilet & bath $28M- Call:2278409/660-4764 Robb Street $125M, Kitty $30M, Section ‘K’ $40M, Princess Street $62M- Call Diana @227-2256/626-9382 Prime property with business potential close to Leonora Primary School public roadCall:652-0709/268-3572 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table - Call: 277-0578
1 German Roller & 1 Hauler Truck (Low bed)Contact:681-2995 Mix bred puppies for saleContact:253-3114 or 692-0126
Hilux Surf 4 doors, automatic, 4 wheel drive, needs minor repairs $895,000- Call:6214000
Suriname return trip 12-16 October. Shopping siteseeing lots of funCall:644-0185/639-2663/ 227-8290/665-5171
New ATVs: Introductory price $1,450,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234 New 2013 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabsCall:691-0234 1 Hilux pick up Solid DEF $1.7M, 1-D4D Hilux pick up, 2007 year model $3.5MCall:644-5096/697-1453 1 Leyland DAF 60 single axle & dump- Call:216-1315/6136615 1- AA60 Carina- Call:6895254/643-0332
Premium and slightly damaged corrugated zinc sheet- Call Tel: 226-7054
1 Pearl white Premio: Chrome rims 17 inch, TV, Back-up camera- Call:624-6471
GPS system Map (76)Call:600-0036/223-1719 Ice machine, smoothie machine & small fridgesCall:231-0655/683-8734 One Mitsubishi Canter GNN 4613 series. Also household articles- Call: 698-8100/ 266-5191 Just arrived: Spring Filled Mattress from the US, Queen Size & King size etc. Call:624-6471
Games for sale: X-box & Play Station. Large land @ Bagotville, W.B.D $6.5MCall:600-0036/223-1719 Energy saver bulbs - Call: 680-6374
15-15-15 Fertilizer in damaged bags- Call:266-2711/609-4594
KAIETEUR FALLS Day Tour US$150. Manaus-Brazil US$800- Call:231-6663
2006 UNREGISTERED PREMIO FULLY LOADED $2.8M. 2003 UNREGISTERED SPACIO BODY KIT, FULLY LOADED $2.25MCALL:642-7295/617-2891
Video recording spy pen $6,500- Call:671-6177
Live/pluck chicken-Call:6504421/220-9203
TOUR
Corolla Axio - TV/ DVD $2.875 - Call: 697-0294
Norpan Auto: Premio, Raum, Fielder Wagon, Alex & Vitz. Some credit availableCall:269-0432/686-0323
Pitbull pups for sale- call:2239497 VEHICLE FOR SALE
Shop your vehicle online and save more than buying it there. Duty free letter accepted - Call:663-0584
Claims Gold land @ Ekeruku- Call:600-0036/2231719 Samson Nuts & Bolts for sale, pick-up winches 135,000 lbs- 6.1 Ton-12V- Call:2580559 One stall (3 in 1) at La Penitence market. Also 1 glass cooler 110 volts & one 125cc Jailing Scooter- Call:695-5815
Sand truck for sale- Call:6861616 or 255-0690 One Toyota Minibus BJJ series, price $650,000 negotiable- Call:682-9003/6210161 Mitsubishi Galant $1.1MCall:645-3605 One 3000 Ford Tractor for sale- Call:622-3197 1 Toyota Allion PNN seriesCall:225-0709 Hilux Surf 2 doors, automatic, 4 wheel drive, needs minor repairs $795,000- Call:621-4000 Mitsubishi 3000GT in excellent condition, CD player, 18" rims and more $1.9M cash- Call:621-4000
Toyota AT192, AT212, AT170, Ceres, EP71 Starlet, G-Touring wagon, Tundra, Tacoma- Call:644-5096/6971453 Nissan Frontier: Automatic, extra cab, four wheel drive, GPP series. Owner leaving country. $2.6M negotiableCall:602-1271 1 RX8 Mazda: A/C, stick gear, wheel, lights, fog lamps, fully powered, PPP series, low mileage- Call:653-2477 Toyota Altezza, PNN, tiptronic- Call:622-0108 Unregistered Toyota Tundra 4x4 and Toyota mini buses now in stock- Call:674-5911 or 647-7676 1 Low Bed (hauler & trailer), 1 Freight Liner Hauler, 1-48ft trailer- Call:613-6979 First Class Auto: Allion, Verossa, Axio, 212- Call:6098188/602-6307 110 Corolla, Vitz- Call:6797139 1 Leyland DAF GNN 2131 Call:259-1370/650-3447 1 Toyota Verossa: HID, leather seats & mags. PPP series- Call:618-7618 1- 1RZ minibus BNN 3760 automatic $2.1M neg. excellent working conditionCall:628-0310 New model 212, AC, alarm & 15" rims. Excellent conditionCall:667-9013 One Mitsubishi canter. Latest series, 15ft tray- Call: 254-0247/613-2150 Nissan X-Trail, PLL series, one owner. Going cheapCall: 269-0432/686-0323 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, IST, Runx, FielderCall:652-3820/665-4529 One Black Toyota Vios in excellent condition, $1.7 million negotiable- Call:6892373
Trident car 250cc, new, power window, CD player $450,000 cash- Call:621-4000
1 Spacio ‘P’ series. 1 owner, excellent condition, Price reasonable & 1 AT212 $1.150 neg.- Call:652-0709/268-3572
Stretch limousine for sale, seats 10 persons, fully powered, excellent condition $6.9M neg- Call:621-4000
NZE, HC series, 1yr old. Chrome mirrors, wood finish, rims, CD player & alarm. Price $1.8M- Call Shahab 613-5484
Toyota Camry SV40, crash can be fixed. Sold with documents $350,000Call:621-4000 1 Silver grey Mitsubishi Cedia Lancer, PLL series, mags, A/ C, CD, automatic drive $1.350M neg- Contact:6397806/680-4752/645-7390
ALYEA’S AUTO SALE: PREMIO 2002/2003, AXIO 2008. ALL PRICES ARE NEG. 40 CROAL STREET STABROEK- TEL:2317284/622-3823 1 Jailing Scooter CF74 first owner- Call:268-3468/ 6667908
Wednesday September 25, 2013
WANTED One male cook to work in Interior- Call:666-6836 Experienced Dispatcher, contract cars & drivers- Call: 613-0419. Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665
WANTED Urgently needed 1 plot of land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie- Call:675-7292 1 Arc/ acetylene welder/ fabricator. Driving an asset. Excellent rates- Call:6102978
2 Carpenters & 2 masonry ($6000 per day). 2 LabourersCall the office from Mon-Fri (7am-4pm) 265-3586
Contract Cars @ Gem’s TaxiCall:667-9013/627-9424
Live in attractive waitress, must have secondary education (18-25 years). Boarding & lodging free, $50,000 monthly- Call:6103974
Attractive live in WaitressCall:228-5129
Boys to learn mechanical trade, attractive salary. Preferably from the W.C.D and W.B.D- Call:697-3756/ 616-6007 General workers @ Secret Villa, Land of Canaan. Eight hours shift- Call:2665243/266-5245
Experience Taxi driversCall:667-9013/627-9424
1 House to buy- Call:6757292 Experience Graphic ArtistCall:225-1445/225-1478 Live in waitress- Call:6439007/ 697-2978 Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary school education- Call:612-1595
One mechanic to repair minibus and Solid DEF vehicle to work in InteriorCall:666-6836 Experienced taxi drivers- Bus drivers. Apply with written application- Call:265-7076/ 616-5419 Bill writers and porters to work in Grocery stall, Stabroek market- Tel:2269800/683-9500 Experienced male dispatchercall:686-7862 or 600-1700 (8am-5pm) 1 male baheir must know to cook Indian dishes & 1 Jetman- Contact Tel:667-5717 Tailors at Paul’s Tailor ShopCall:223-8266/680-8046 Wanted to work in Salon on percentage: Nail technician and Hair dresser. Clients required- Call:644-5362 Decent girls to work in the interior of GuyanaCall:609-0695 Night cleaner for a school in Lamaha street from the Alberttown/ Queenstown area- Call:619-4824 For an appointment Live In Live Out Babysitter Domestic- Call:225-6070 One live in & one live out babysitter from 12-8pmCall:225-6070 Sales Representative. Apply in person with written application @ Rite Price Wireless stall 13&14 ‘A’ Bourda Market
LEARN TO DRIVE B & C Driving School: Lot 5 Hadfield streer Lodge- call: 225-0150, 229-7258, 680-6826 Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964
CAR RENTAL Wings Car Rental- Call:6431131 Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 6987807 Premio, vitz call: 679-7139 Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 225-7126/ 226-3693dollysautorental@yahoo.com/ www.dollysautorental.com First Choice Car Rental: Cars as low as $5,000 per day- Call:668-0306/6947817/225-6337 Fab’s Rental: Cars to RentCall:671-6051/609-6890 (Continued on page 29)
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Letters... Where your views make the news
TIME FOR A FRESH START DEAR EDITOR, All well-thinking and law abiding Guyanese should be very angry with President Ramotar and by extension the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, and the ruling PPP cabal in their weak, inept and feeble attempts to reduce the horrible crime wave in Guyana. The citizens irrespective of their political affiliation must join together in condemnation of this regime because crimes affect all. The armed bandits do not discriminate based on party affiliation. The spate of armed robberies, murders and the many banditry gangs are segments of the much wider and deeper problem of disorder and economic inequity in society and lack of jobs for the youths—all of which are poisoning and sapping the confidence of the good and decent citizens of Guyana. The PPP regime has done absolutely nothing of substance to reduce crime and protect the people. It appears as though Rohee and the PPP cabal are in la la land. According to the media, long before the police had finished investigating two murders in the city, another triple murder had taken place — the victims including two businessmen on the Corentyne and the other in the nation’s capital. And even as those investigations were on going, the police were engaged in a gun battle on the West Coast Demerara which left a young man dead. And recently, it was revealed that a police rank from the tactical squad was murdered. Is the cabal blind and deaf that they cannot read and see what is going on? On the Corentyne, which was once a haven of peace and tranquility, Berbicians are quaking following the murder by armed robbers of yet
another member of that community. This time a rice farmer was robbed and killed and his wife severely beaten as they relaxed at home listening to music in their hammock. All across Guyana the fear factor is going through the roof—stretched thin by the woefully inadequate personnel and material resources of the police as they struggle to contain violent crimes. This suggests that the PPP cabal does not care about the people because of their unyielding position not to deal effectively with crime and the skyrocketing murder rate. This corrupt and uncaring regime does not understand the depth and extent of the crime problem. The importance of life and law and order must come first in any society if that society is to become productive. Guyanese from every nook and cranny of the country are suffering from the fear factor of crime. They cower every time they hear the gunshots at nights. When will the PPP deal with a problem that is undermining the very fabric of the nation? How can the PPP spend the taxpayers’ money to build the Marriott Hotel and to pay Nascimento to tell tales on television but not provide the police with adequate resources to fight crime? The exciting mega projects aimed at breathing new life in Guyana’s economy will not work if evil men armed with guns continue to maraud the way they do now. It is time for a fresh start in Guyana and it should be based on “National Unity and Human Development which is currently advocated by David Granger, Joseph Harmon and others in APNU. This means that there is renewed hope for a new direction for Guyana. Dr. Asquith Rose
(From page 28) FOR SALE
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Page 30
Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 25, 2013
BACIF produces 1000kg SUSPECTED HOUSING masses for GNBS FRAUDSTER CAUGHT - Company’s expansion continuing apace
Managing Director Peter Pompey (right) points to the 1000kg masses which the Company manufactured for GNBS. Despite being faced with numerous challenges that inundate our society, among which include the constant departure of skilled workers from these shores, limited technology, high cost of financing for research and development and more directly, the shortage of high quality scrap material owing to the lucrative export market, Brass Aluminium & Cast Iron Foundry (BACIF) has been able to withstand the aforementioned. A company whose main area of business is producing engineering castings and offering machining and fabricating services to the major productive sectors in Guyana and the Caribbean, the entity recently took another quantum leap with the manufacture of fortyeight (48) units of masses totaling 8,800kg - eight of which weigh 1000kg - for the Guyana National Bureau of
Standards (GNBS). This marks the second time that BACIF has been retained to produce the item, which according to Managing Director Peter Pompey is a significant achievement. Located in West Ruimveldt, BACIF has been around for the past 30 years as a company, but was founded much earlier by the late Claude Geddes with its key clients coming from the sugar, mining and timber sectors. Pompey informed that the entity has been able to procure business from Caribbean countries as well, and pointed to Jamaica as being one of those regional partners. “Currently we are in the process of manufacturing two of the largest crystallizer worm gears for Jamaica and I can tell you that the engineering expertise that is required to ensure precision has to be of the highest
standards,” he assured. Another component that the company has recently embarked on is the production of fire hydrants that can be used in the infrastructural development currently ongoing within the country, especially in some of the new housing areas. Pompey said the advancement of the hydrants will be fashionable and conducive for the local environment and will require minimal maintenance and a product that could be available in hardware stores across the country. Quizzed on how the company has been able to remain viable in the industry, he pointed to the dedication of the staff and the painstaking effort of the management to uphold high standards as among the vital elements that have ensured its competitiveness in the sector.
A bogus land dealer who was wanted by police was caught yesterday during a daring daylight sting operation. It could have been a scene from the movies. The scam artist got the shock of his life when he turned up confidently to carry out another fraudulent transaction expecting to receive liquid cash. Instead, he found himself in handcuffs, being whisked away to the police station. Sources say the con artist whose aliases include “Yusuf Stuart” and “James Stuart” was wanted by the police for a variety of scams involving illegal sales of land, carried out in the last year - the most recent being the sale of a house lot to a woman for a total of $3M. Police have identified the suspect as 48-year-old John Stewart of Heath Street, Golden Grove, East Bank Demerara. Kaieteur News understands that the man sold the land to the woman under the name ‘Yusuf Stuart.’ Posing as a representative of the Lands and Surveys Commission, he reportedly informed the victim that he had land to sell in Kuru Kuru. After paying for the land in full, the woman then visited the Lands and Surveys Commission and received the shock of her life when she was informed that there was no such land that was sold in the area. The victim then reported the matter to the police and a sting operation went into full swing. As part of the operation yesterday, an investigator pretended to be a potential buyer of land worth $600,000 for agricultural uses. As was planned, the officer waited patiently along
The arrested suspect being escorted from the scene. with another officer for the swindler to turn up at the Maraj building where the deal was to take place, all the time keeping in contact with the fraudster. His most recent victim, the woman whom he had sold the land to, was not far off waiting to identify him. The trickster soon turned up casually dressed in a yellow T-Shirt, blue jeans, and sporting a black cap, ready to carry out another hoax. He calmly introduced himself to his “potential client” as James Stuart, shook hands and invited him (the police officer) upstairs to begin the transaction. However, as soon as the ‘quack’ turned his back to go upstairs, the law enforcement officers grabbed his hands and slapped a pair of handcuffs on them. The scam artist’s face registered horror and dismay when he realized that he had been given a taste of his own medicine and had been
beaten at his own game by the police. When asked if he had known why he was being arrested, Stuart serenely answered, “I don’t know why they arrested me. A chap was supposed to buy some land from me to plant rice and that was it”. He is adamant that he had the lease for the land which he was about to sell. When confronted by the woman to whom he had sold the illegal $3M plot of land, and asked by the police if he knew her, the impostor said, “Oh, Sonia, yes, I know her very well”. Stuart was then taken to the Lands and Survey Commission where it was confirmed that he had no affiliation with the agency before he was duly hauled off to the lock ups. In recent times several land scams have been uncovered with victims being fleeced of millions of dollars.
Alleged arsonist in.... (From page 21) for good.” The man said his pleadings with her not to go fell on deaf ears, following which he gathered some of his belongings and headed to his place of employ where he spent the night. “She does always go and make false reports against me and the police does want lock me up, so since she say she’s going to the station I pack my things and leave ‘cause I know if the police find me there what will happen… I never burn that house down. I sweat to build that house, why would I burn it down?” he questioned. According to Douglas, he was on his way back home on the morning after the fire when someone stopped him on the road and informed him that the house was destroyed and that the police are on the hunt for him. He says he has been in hiding ever since. Last Thursday, the one-flat home shared by the couple at 548 Recht-Door-Zee, Parfait Harmonie went up in flames. Anettia Douglas had told his publication that she was at the Police Station making a report against her husband when she got the news that a house in her area was on fire. Instinctively, she said she knew it was hers. Godfrey Douglas is wanted by the police for questioning in the matter.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
Stronger intelligencegathering needed - APNU’s Felix Guyana does not manufacture arms and ammunition yet many weapons are reaching the hands of criminal elements. The porous nature of Guyana’s borders and a weak intelligence-gathering system are contributing factors for these unlicenced firearms being easily accessed. This notion was expressed by Winston Felix, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament, during a recent interview with this publication on the increase in crimes involving illegal firearms. Felix, a former Police Commissioner, and his colleague Opposition parliamentarians, in March 2013, voted against and defeated the second reading of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill 2012. The Bill was piloted by Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, and that was essentially the reason why the Opposition did not vote in favour. The Opposition had passed a motion of noconfidence against Rohee, last year The Bill sought to fill a loophole within the system that allowed trafficking of firearms. As it is, trafficking of firearms is not unlawful but possession of an unlicenced firearm is. Also, possession of a firearm component is not unlawful. One can have all components of a firearm and can’t be charged once those are disassembled. Felix opined that APNU’s action did not contribute to the increase in gun-related crime. “Right now there are sufficient provisions in the Firearms Act to deal with persons who come into possession of firearms. The Bill we shut down, in itself, would not have prevented persons from acquiring arms or deterring them from acquiring arms illegally. In fact, there is legislation right now that deals with that issue. That was just an upgraded law”. But Attorney General Anil Nandlall is contending that the crime situation is linked to APNU’s non-support of the Bill. However, all is not lost. According to Alliance For Change leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, his party will retable the Bill as a private members’ Bill coming from his party. Explaining APNU’s position, Felix stated that ranks of the Guyana Police Force have to be sufficiently trained and paid, systems developed, and adequate resources must be provided and effectively managed. In addition, a comprehensive crime-fighting strategy is needed before the Force
APNU’s Winston Felix could talk about modernization. “The Force cannot be run by persons who want to micromanage the Force from their political offices. The Force has to be trained to act professionally. The Government must come up with a policy which the police must be given to execute. We have not seen that policy unfolding as yet.” “Under the existing Act any component of a firearm you are found with you can be charged as if you had the entire firearm.” Stressing that Guyana does not possess the technology to manufacture arms and ammunition, Felix pointed out that the sprawling hinterland and porous borders to neighbouring countries allow the flow of these unlicenced firearms. “For example, Rupununi has several crossings which the Force or any other agency cannot control. As such, people transporting illegal items could enter the country undetected. In addition, items including undeclared gold could leave the country undetected. “We have to improve surveillance of our borders. We have to be able to detect those who come in with illegal items, those who leave with items that they were supposed to declare. We have to be able to control our borders and until such time, we would not be able to keep out illegal firearms,” Felix stressed. Providing recommendations to the undesirable situation, which is a threat to national security, Felix said the Force needs to urgently detect these illegal items internally, because criminal elements are operating brazenly in the City, hinterland communities, mining camps, and other heavily populated areas. “That is why I emphasized training; good detective work must be able to unearth and must be backed up by a strong intelligence-gathering system. The Force cannot work without a strong, prime intelligence-gathering system to support its operations at this time of its existence.”
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kenya says ‘defeated’ mall militants, five dead, 11 held NAIROBI (Reuters) Kenya’s president said yesterday that his forces had “defeated” Islamists from Somalia’s al Shabaab, had shot five of them dead and detained 11 others suspected of killing 67 people after storming a Nairobi shopping mall. It remained unclear after Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation on television whether the four-day security operation at the upmarket Westgate centre was completely over, or whether any militants were still at large or hostages unaccounted for. “We have ashamed and defeated our attackers,” Kenyatta said, adding that bodies were still trapped under rubble following the collapse of part of the building late in the operation. A fire began on Monday which officials said was started by the gunmen. Sixty-one civilians and six security personnel had been confirmed killed in the four days of bloodshed, Kenyatta said. Five of the attackers were shot dead and 11 suspects were in custody: “Kenya has
stared down evil and triumphed,” he said. The president added that he could not confirm intelligence reports that a British woman and two or three Americans might be involved. Forensic scientists were involved in trying to identify the nationalities of the “terrorists”, he said. “Towards the tail end of the operation, three floors of the Westgate mall collapsed and there are several bodies trapped in the rubble including the terrorists,” he added. The death toll had previously been put by officials at 62. “These cowards will meet justice as will their accomplices and patrons, wherever they are,” said the president, who thanked other leaders for support and used his address to both praise the response of the Kenyan people and call for national unity, six months after his election was marked by ethnic tensions. Kenyatta had rejected the militants’ demands that he pull Kenyan troops out of its northern neighbor. As part of
an African peacekeeping force in Somalia, Kenyan forces have pushed al Qaedalinked al Shabaab on to the defensive over the past two years. Kenyan officials have announced the imminent end of the siege for the past three days - something al Shabaab spokesmen have mocked in commentaries and in postings on social media. Some hours before Kenyatta spoke, the group said its militants were still holding out with hostages and that there were “countless dead bodies” still inside the complex. “There are countless number of dead bodies still scattered inside the mall, and the Mujahideen are still holding their ground #Westgate,” the group said on its Twitter feed. “The hostages who were being held by the Mujahideen inside #Westgate are still alive, looking quite disconcerted but, nevertheless, alive.” It described its fighters as “unruffled and strolling around the mall in such
Kenya Defence Forces soldiers take their position at the Westgate shopping centre on the fourth day since militants stormed into the mall yesterday. (REUTERS) sangfroid manner”. In an audio statement posted via Twitter, al Shabaab spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage called the militants’ action a “deadly thrust” by “loyal soldiers seeking to rewrite history”. If Kenya failed to pull troops out of Somalia and free al Shabaab prisoners it should “expect black days”. The attack has come at a time when several violent Islamist groups from Mali to Algeria, Nigeria to Kenya tapping into local grievances but all espousing an antiWestern, anti-Christian creed - are striking at state authority and international interests. Earlier yesterday, the Kenyan military said its forces were carrying out “mop up operations” in the building. The Interior Ministry earlier said security forces were in control of the mall and that all the hostages had been released. Images from closedcircuit television inside the mall during the attack, published in a Kenyan newspaper yesterday, showed two militants, casually dressed and wearing ammunition belts. One held an assault rifle. Al Shabaab confirmed that the two men were part of the group that attacked Westgate. Kenyan Foreign Minister Amina Mohamed told PBS television in the United States that “two or three Americans” and a British woman were among the militants. She said the Americans were “young men, about between maybe 18 and 19” years old. She said they were of Somali or Arab origin and had lived in “in Minnesota and one other place”. Al Shabaab, which said it had been in communication with its members in the mall,
dismissed the minister’s comments. “Those who describe the attackers as Americans and British are people who do not know what is going on in Westgate building,” al Shabaab’s media office told Reuters. A British security source said it was possible that Samantha Lewthwaite, the widow of Germaine Lindsay, one of the suicide bombers who killed more than 50 people on London’s transport system in 2005, was involved in the Nairobi siege. When asked about reports that Lewthwaite, dubbed the “white widow” by the British media, was directly involved in the attack in Kenya, the source said: “It is a possibility. But nothing definitive or conclusive yet.” Lewthwaite is thought to have left Britain several years ago and is wanted in connection with an alleged plot to attack hotels and restaurants in Kenya. U.S. security sources said they were looking into information from Kenya that residents of Western countries, including the United States, may have been among the militants. U.S. President Barack Obama, whose father was born in the east African nation, offered help, saying he believed Kenya - the scene of one of al Qaeda’s first major attacks, in 1998, and a neighbor of chaotic Somalia would continue to be a regional pillar of stability. Somalia’s prime minister appealed in Geneva yesterday for international support to combat al Shabaab but said a military solution to their insurgency alone was not enough. Abdi Farah Shirdon said: “We still have a difficult
journey ahead of us. A military solution alone is not enough, promotion of rule of law, greater regional cooperation and economic stability and provision of public services are all key factors that complement the military effort.” The attack on the mall is the worst such incident in Kenya since al Qaeda killed more than 200 people when it bombed the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi in 1998. When fighters from its Somali ideological counterpart stormed the mall on Saturday, they hit a highprofile symbol of Kenya’s economic power. Kenya has sent troops to Somalia as part of an African Union force trying to stabilize the country, which was long without a functioning government, and push back al Shabaab. It has also suffered internal instability. President Kenyatta, who lost a nephew in the weekend bloodbath, faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court for his alleged role in coordinating violence after disputed elections in 2007. He denies the charges. British Defense Secretary Philip Hammond said he believed six Britons had died in the attack. Other known foreign victims are from China, Ghana, France, the Netherlands and Canada. Kenyan officials said the total death toll was at least 62. Conflicting comments have fuelled speculation about the attackers’ identity. While the foreign minister said there was a woman attacker killed, Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku had said on Monday they were all men but some had dressed as women.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 33
Obama urges U.N. to back tough consequences for Syria over chemical weapons (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama urged the United Nations yesterday to back tough consequences for Syria if it refuses to give up chemical weapons and urged Russia and Iran to drop their backing of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Speaking to the U.N. General Assembly, an annual gathering of world leaders, Obama laid out U.S. priorities for the volatile Middle East and North Africa. He stressed that the United States wants diplomatic outcomes to
festering disputes, but does not rule out the use of military force or direct action against extremist threats. Obama stepped back from launching unilateral military action against Syria early this month, setting in motion a diplomatic effort that led to Russian assistance in persuading Syria to agree to give up its chemical weapons after a poison gas attack on August 21 that U.S. officials say killed 1,429 people. With Syria’s promise not yet fulfilled, Obama’s
challenge at the United Nations was to persuade world leaders to join in applying pressure on Syria with a U.N. Security Council resolution that includes tough consequences should Assad not surrender his chemical weapons stockpiles in a verifiable way. “The Syrian government took a first step by giving an accounting of its stockpiles. Now, there must be a strong Security Council resolution to verify that the Assad regime is keeping its commitments,
Obama pledges diplomacy with Iran, but no Rouhani meeting UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama yesterday cautiously embraced overtures from Iran’s new president as the foundation for a possible nuclear deal, but a meeting between the two leaders failed to materialize, underscoring entrenched distrust that will be hard to overcome. In a speech to the United Nations General Assembly, Obama said he was determined to test President Hassan Rouhani’s recent diplomatic gestures and challenged him to take concrete steps toward resolving Iran’s long-running nuclear dispute with the West. But in a sign of the difficulties the two countries face in trying to seize a historic opening, U.S. and Iranian officials were unable to orchestrate a muchanticipated handshake between the leaders on the U.N. sidelines in New York. Even a brief encounter would have been symbolically important given that it would be the first direct contact between U.S. and Iranian heads of government since before the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the U.S.-backed shah. “There will be no meeting,” a senior U.S. official said. “We indicated that the two leaders could have had a discussion on the margins if the opportunity presented itself. The Iranians got back to us. It was clear that it was too complicated for them to do that at this time given their own dynamic back home.” Rouhani’s recent gestures, including agreement to renew longstalled talks with world powers on its nuclear program, have raised hopes
Hassan Rouhani for a thaw in relations between Washington and Tehran after a long period of estrangement. But even as Obama welcomed signs of a “more moderate course” by Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the world should not be fooled by Rouhani’s “soothing words.” The Israeli leader said Iran was trying to mask its continued quest for a nuclear bomb, something Tehran denies it is seeking. “Conciliatory words will have to be matched by actions that are transparent and verifiable,” Obama told the annual gathering of world leaders in New York. Differences over Iran’s nuclear program and skepticism about Rouhani’s
intentions, especially from U.S. lawmakers and close U.S. ally Israel, have cast doubt on the prospect for any immediate breakthrough between Washington and Tehran. Seeking to keep expectations under control, Obama said suspicions between the two countries were too great to believe their troubled history can be overcome overnight. “The roadblocks may prove to be too great but I firmly believe the diplomatic path must be tested,” Obama said. Obama suggested that Rouhani’s overtures could provide the basis for an elusive deal to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and said he had instructed Secretary of State John Kerry to press a diplomatic effort along with other world powers. But Obama stopped short of offering any concessions such as a softening of sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy. There had been feverish speculation that Obama and Rouhani might greet each other in passing at a U.N.hosted luncheon but the Iranian president skipped it. The reason was because alcohol was served with the meal, according to Press TV, Iran’s English-language broadcaster.
and there must be consequences if they fail to do so,” said Obama. The worry from the U.S. side is that Russia might veto any U.N. resolution that contains an explicit threat of military force against Syria. Prospects for an agreement between Russia and the West on a draft resolution may be improving, with Western powers giving up on what U.N. diplomats call a “trigger” clause for automatic punitive measures in the event of Syrian noncompliance. Obama said if Syria ultimately surrenders its chemical weapons, that should energize diplomatic efforts to persuade Assad to give up power after 2-1/2 years of civil war in which more than 110,000 people have been killed. Obama had an explicit message for Assad’s two biggest backers, Iran and Russia: The notion that Syria can return to a pre-war status quo “is a fantasy.” “It’s time for Russia and Iran to realize that insisting on Assad’s rule will lead directly to the outcome they fear - an
President Barack Obama increasingly violent space for extremists to operate,” he said. He also seemed to specifically reject Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent criticism of Americans’ belief of “American exceptionalism,” a view that Obama has repeated, as have other U.S. presidents, to justify U.S. intervention abroad. “Some may disagree, but I believe that America is exceptional - in part because we have shown a willingness, through the sacrifice of blood
and treasure, to stand up not only for our own narrow selfinterest, but for the interests of all,” he said. Obama announced the United States will provide an additional $339 million in humanitarian aid to ease the Syrian refugee crisis, including $161 million for people inside Syria and the rest for surrounding countries. In his 43-minute speech, Obama tried to boost prospects for Middle East peace as the United States seeks to nurture direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. Obama, met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday and next week will sit down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the time is ripe for the international community to get behind the pursuit of peace. Amid concern about the rise of violence in Africa after an attack on a mall in Nairobi, Kenya by the Somali militant group al-Shabab, Obama said the United States must reserve the right to defend its core interests.
Quake kills 45 in Pakistan, creates new island in sea QUETTA, Pakistan (Reuters) - A major earthquake hit a remote part of western Pakistan yesterday, killing at least 45 people and prompting a new island to rise from the sea just off the country’s southern coast. Tremors were felt as far away as the Indian capital of New Delhi, hundreds of miles to the east, where buildings shook, as well as the sprawling port city of Karachi in Pakistan. The United States Geological Survey said the 7.8 magnitude quake struck 145 miles southeast of Dalbandin in Pakistan’s quakeprone province of Baluchistan, which borders Iran. The earthquake was so powerful that it caused the seabed to rise and create a small, mountain-like island about 600 meters (yards) off Pakistan’s Gwadar coastline in the Arabian Sea. Television channels showed images of a stretch of rocky terrain rising above the sea level, with a crowd of bewildered people gathering on the shore to witness the rare phenomenon. Officials said scores of mud houses were destroyed by aftershocks in the thinly populated mountainous area near the quake
epicenter in Baluchistan, a huge barren province of deserts and rugged mountains. Abdul Qadoos, deputy speaker of the Baluchistan assembly, told Reuters that at least 30 percent of houses in the impoverished Awaran district had caved in. The local deputy commissioner in Awaran, Abdul Rasheed Gogazai, and the spokesman of Pakistan’s Frontier Corps involved in the rescue effort said at least 45 people had been killed. In the regional capital of Quetta, officials said some areas appeared to be badly damaged but it was hard to assess the impact quickly because the locations were so remote. Chief secretary Babar Yaqoob said earlier that 25 people had been injured and that the death toll was expected to increase as many people appeared to be trapped inside their collapsed homes. Local television reported that helicopters carrying relief supplies had been dispatched to the affected area. The army said it had deployed 200 troops to help deal with the disaster.
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UK opposition woos voters with cheap energy pledge LONDON (AP) — Britain’s main opposition leader wooed voters yesterday with an alternative to austerity, vowing to reward Britons suffering a “cost-ofliving crisis” in the wake of the global financial meltdown. Labour leader Ed Miliband told his party’s annual conference in the seaside resort of Brighton that if he won the 2015 election he would freeze gas and electricity prices for 20 months — a pledge he used to underscore his willingness to stand up to the powerful on behalf of voters. The pledge drew praise from Labour supporters, but criticism from energy firms. “Freezing the bill may be superficially attractive, but it will also freeze the money to build and renew power stations, freeze the jobs and livelihoods of the 600,000plus people dependent on the energy industry and make the prospect of energy shortages a reality, pushing up the prices for everyone,” said Angela Knight, chief executive of Energy U.K., which represents the country’s big power companies. Labour has struggled to win back voters since the party lost power in 2010, after 13 years in office, having been in power when the global banking crisis erupted in 2008. The 43-year-old Miliband
Ed Miliband has been painted by opponents as ineffectual, and his once-socialist party, which has shifted toward the center since the mid-1990s, is wary of appearing too leftwing. Miliband made no pledge to reverse the current Conservative-led government’s austerity measures, which have seen billions cut from public spending and thousands of jobs eliminated. Miliband said a Labour government would “stick to strict spending limits to get the deficit down.” But he promised policies to ease the pain on what he has called the “squeezed middle,” from more housebuilding to better mentalhealth services and tax cus for small businesses.
Miliband accused Prime Minister David Cameron’s government of failing to stand up to big corporations and other “powerful interests,” and said Britain’s economy had become skewed in favor of the wealthy few. “For generations in Britain, when the economy grew, the majority got better off,” he said. “And then somewhere along the way that vital link between the growing wealth of the country and your family finances was broken. They used to say a rising tide lifted all boats. Now the rising tide just seems to lift the yachts.” Speaking to party members for an hour without notes, Miliband said he had taken risks in running for the party leadership, standing up to the powerful Rupert Murdoch-owned press and defeating a motion in Parliament authorizing British military action in Syria. He blamed government policies for Britain’s sluggish recovery from its post-2008 recession. The U.K. economy is about 3.3 percent smaller than at its peak in the first three months of 2008, and many people’s earnings have fallen in real terms. “In 2015 you’ll be asking: am I better off now than I was five years ago?” Miliband said. “And we already know the answer for millions of families will be no.”
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Egypt warns Hamas over Sinai border (Reuters) - Egypt has warned of a military response if Hamas or other Palestinian groups try to violate Egyptian security, increasing tension over what Cairo says is support from Gaza for Islamist militants operating in the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt’s army says militants from Hamas-run Gaza have staged joint attacks with hardline Islamists in North Sinai, where the government has ramped up security operations after a surge of violence set off by President Mohamed Mursi’s downfall in July. Foreign Minister Nabil Fahmy told the Londonbased newspaper al-Hayat there was “tension” in Cairo’s relationship with Hamas, an ideological offshoot of Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood. He suggested Hamas was not helping enough to secure the border. The Sinai militants expanded into a security vacuum that emerged after president Hosni Mubarak was ousted by a popular uprising in 2011. “If Hamas proves through actions and not words - and unfortunately there are many negative indicators - its good intentions, then it will find an Egyptian party that ... protects the Palestinian side,”
Nabil Fahmy Fahmy said. “If we feel that there are parties in Hamas or other parties trying to violate Egyptian national security, our response will be severe,” said Fahmy, foreign minister in the army-installed cabinet that came to office after Mursi was deposed by the army. Asked whether any response would include a closure of the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt, Fahmy said: “Options are military-security, and not options that result in suffering for the Palestinian citizen.” The Rafah crossing is the only way in and out of Gaza not controlled by Israel, with which Egypt made peace in
1979. Fahmy did not elaborate on what kind of military action Cairo might take. Hamas has denied Egypt’s accusations. A spokesman for the Hamas government said Fahmy’s comments “contradicted Egypt’s history and role in protecting the Palestinian nation”. Fahmy said: “There are very many flaws in the Hamas relationship with the former (Mursi) regime, and the relationship of Hamas, or other Palestinian Islamist parties, with terror activity in Sinai.” Mursi, deposed on July 3 after mass protests against his rule, is being investigated on accusations of conspiring with Hamas when he escaped from prison during the uprising against Mubarak. Egypt’s army spokesman said at a September 15 briefing the military was clearing buildings deemed a security threat at a distance of up to one km (0.6 miles) from the Gaza border. The spokesman declined to accuse Hamas directly of attacks, although he said hand grenades stamped with the name of the Palestinian group’s armed wing, the Qassam Brigades, had been found in the security sweep under way in Sinai.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
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Colombian President tells U.N. Brazil speech at UN lashes out at US spy program the drug war has not been won UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The “war on drugs” has not been won, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos told the United Nations yesterday, exhorting the world body to add teeth to a special session on drugs in 2016. “Right here, in this same headquarters, 52 years ago, the convention that gave birth to the war on drugs was approved. Today, we must acknowledge, that war has not been won,” Santos told world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, referring to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961. “And I say this as the president of the country that has suffered more deaths, more bloodshed and more sacrifices in this war, and the country that has also achieved more results in the fight against this scourge and the mafias that underpin it.” Colombia is the world’s largest exporter of illegal cocaine, despite an intense crackdown on guerrilla armies that have intertwined themselves with drug cartels. Armed conflict in Colombia has killed more than 220,000 people in the past 50 years, Santos said. He challenged Colombian guerrillas who have joined
Juan Manuel Santos forces with drug traffickers to respond to his government’s overtures to end the armed conflict through dialogue and said failure would condemn his South American country to many more years of bloodshed and pain. Santos made similar statements about the failure of international cooperation to fight drug trafficking last year at the Summit of the Americas, when the Organization of American States was commissioned to study new approaches to combating illegal narcotics. The studies were delivered in May, Santos said, proposing that the United
Nations give them serious consideration in time for a socalled Special Session on Drugs in 2016, proposed by Mexico and accepted by the world body. Last month, Santos said he was ready to start peace talks with the smaller of Colombia’s two leftist rebel groups, the National Liberation Army (ELN), to try to end half a century of war. His government last year opened peace talks with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and though the talks have been turbulent at times and progressed slowly, neither side has walked out. Without naming the rebel groups, Santos also called on the FARC and the ELN to seize what he termed a historic moment. “The guerrillas will have to decide whether they opt for an honorable and longlasting peace, or whether they will insist on the war,” Santos said. “The time for decisions has come. If we come out empty-handed, we will condemn our nation to many more years of bloodshed and pain” he said. We can’t miss this opportunity. Future generations and history would not forgive us.”
Barbados seeking to lure investors from Britain and United States BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Finance Minister Christopher Sinckler is leading a delegation to Britain and the United States hoping to attract new investments to Barbados. The delegation, which includes Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Dr. Delisle Worrell, will meet with bankers and potential investors with a view to updating them on this island’s recent economic performance. “In addition, they will have one-on-one meetings with large institutional investors who usually purchase emerging markets sovereign debt or who may have previously purchased Barbados’ international bonds,” a government statement said. Sinckler said that he anticipates that the four-day trip “will assist in preserving Barbados’ credit worthiness, while maintaining the confidence of prospective investors that this country is an economically stable and
Christopher Sinckler secure place to invest”. Earlier this year, the
Central Bank said the local economy had contracted during the first six months of the year with the main foreign exchange sectors – tourism and international business and financial services -also suffering a decline. It said that the local economy grew by just 0.6 per cent and among the priorities for the future will be to reduce spending “in the economy so as to balance the inflows and outflows of foreign exchange “and also “to revive economic growth led by tourism, international business, agro processing and alternative energy”.
UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Brazil’s president delivered a stinging rebuke yesterday to the United States over its surveillance program that has swept up data from billions of telephone calls and emails that have passed through Brazil — including her own. Addressing the U.N. General Assembly on the first day of its annual meeting, President Dilma Rousseff accused the U.S. of violating Brazil’s sovereignty with what she called a “grave violation of human rights and of civil liberties.” “In the absence of the respect for sovereignty, there is no basis for the relationship among nations,” Rousseff said. “Friendly governments and societies that seek to build a true strategic partnership, as in our case, cannot allow recurring illegal actions to take place as if they were normal. They are
- Brazilian President uses UN speech to accuse US surveillance of violating Brazil’s sovereignty unacceptable.” Last week, she shelved an upcoming state trip to the U.S. in a show of anger over the U.S. National Security Agency program. Brazil is an important hub for trans-Atlantic fiber optic cables. The NSA, tasked with intercepting potential terror communications, also reportedly hacked into the computer network of staterun oil company Petrobras. Rousseff said the NSA also collected economic and strategic corporate data, as well as messages by Brazilian diplomats, including to the United Nations, and from her own office. She said Brazilian citizens’ personal data “was
intercepted indiscriminately.” “The arguments that the illegal interception of information and data aims at protecting nations against terrorism cannot be sustained,” Rousseff said. Brazil “knows how to protect itself. We reject, fight and do not harbor terrorist groups,” she added. Rousseff said she has demanded an apology from the U.S. and assurances that the electronic snooping will stop. The Obama administration has said its surveillance program does not examine the context of the intercepted messages without evidence they are suspicious.
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Caribbean records significant decline in new HIV/AIDS infection UNITED NATIONS – CMC - The Caribbean, which ranks second behind subSaharan Africa for HIV/AIDS infection rates, has led the world in reducing the number of new infections between the period 2005-2011, according to a new United Nations report released here. The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said an estimated 2.3 million adults and children were newly infected with HIV in 2012, representing a 33 per cent reduction in annual new cases compared to 2001. In the same time period, new HIV infections among children fell 52 per cent to 260,000 in 2012, UNAIDS said, noting however that deaths from AIDS-related illnesses in the Caribbean fell by 48 per cent. UNAIDS said the Caribbean has led the world in reducing the number of new infections with the rate falling by 42 per cent between 2005 and 2011. “Certainly, in the region, there has been substantial progress in the past 10 years or so, not only in treatment availability but also in prevention of transmission from mother to child,” said Michel de Groulard, a senior programme advisor at UNAIDS’s Caribbean office in Trinidad and Tobago.
“Some countries have switched to universal access of treatment and others are on the way to it,” she added. Latin America and Caribbean regional manager for the International HIV/ AIDS Alliance, Ruth Ayarza, said governments have responded with better access to treatment in the region. “In many of the countries, we’re working in, there definitely has been an increase in support from regional agencies,” she said. But Ayarza said more than 13,000 people became infected with HIV/AIDS in 2011, the most recent year for which data are available, bringing the total number of cases to 230,000 in the region. The UN Millennium Development Goal 6 calls for an end to the rate of new infections by 2015 and a reversal of the spread of the virus as well as achieving universal access to treatment for HIV/AIDS. “Not only can we meet the 2015 target of 15 million people on HIV treatment, we must also go beyond and have the vision and commitment to ensure no one is left behind,” said Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director. The report also found that greater access to antiretroviral treatments led to a 30 per cent
drop in AIDS-related deaths from the peak in 2005. By the end of 2012, some 9.7 million people in low- and middle-income countries have accessed antiretroviral therapy, an increase of nearly 20 per cent in just one year, the report noted, adding that significant results have also been achieved towards meeting the needs of tuberculosis (TB) patients living with HIV, a figure down 36 per cent since 2004. UNAIDS said domestic spending on HIV has also increased, accounting for 53 per cent of global HIV resources in 2012, even as donor funding plateaued at its 2008 levels. Spending on HIV and AIDS was estimated at US$18.9 billion in 2012, but UNAIDS said an estimated US$22-24 billion would be needed annually by 2015. The report also found that progress has been slow in ensuring the respect of human rights, securing access to HIV services for people most at risk of HIV infection, particularly people who use drugs, and in preventing violence against women and girls. UNAIDS said gender inequality, punitive laws and discriminatory actions are continuing to hamper national responses to HIV and concerted efforts are needed to address these persistent obstacles to the scale up of HIV services for people most in need.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
DOMINICA’S CARICOM SHOPPING LIST ROSEAU, Dominica CMC – The Dominica government yesterday provided a shopping list that Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries should examine as efforts continue to deepen the regional integration movement. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, speaking to reporters after his Cabinet met with a delegation from the Guyanabased CARICOM Secretariat, said the list included the need for hassle free travel, air and maritime transportation, renewable energy and food production among others. The CARICOM delegation, which is being led by the Officer in Charge of Human and Social development, Myrna Bernard, is winding up a twoday visit exercise as part of a
Roosevelt Skerrit series of consultations across the region gathering information on a five-year strategic plan for CARICOM. “We made a very strong recommendation to the consultants in that we believe we need to create a single
regional information, communication and technology space that should result in low broadband costs and the removal of long distance charges for calls in the region as we have done in the OECS (Orga nisation of Eastern Caribbean States) in our negotiations with Cable and Wireless,” Skerrit said. “We believe the same can be done with the broadband to create greater access to ICT for our region because that’s going to be a very critical area in respect to health, education, even with regards to agriculture. “We believe with this single ICT space, the ICT market will attract some international providers in the region that will improve the technology available and so forth,” Skerrit said.
IMF gives thumbs up to Jamaica’s economic progress KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) yesterday praised the Jamaica government over its economic policies and said the island’s economic reform programme remains strong. IMF Resident Representative, Bert van Selm, in a brief statement recalled that an IMF mission to Jamaica had indicated that policy implementation under
Jamaica’s Fund-supported economic reform programme has been strong. “Economic reforms continue to progress, and all structural benchmarks through end-August were completed on schedule, including the presentation by the government of a conceptual framework for a fiscal rule, to entrench fiscal discipline over the medium term.,” he added. Earlier this year, the IMF approved a US$932.3 million loan under its Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Jamaica. The fouryear EFF is intended to support the Portia Simpson Miller government’s comprehensive economic reform agenda and formed a critical part of a total funding package of two billion US d o l l a r s f r o m J a m a i c a ’s
Bert van Selm multilateral partners including the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), with each having preliminarily agreed to allocate US$510 million over the next four years.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
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Govt. slams brakes on all contracts Trinidad Express - The Government has “slammed the brakes” on all contracts and negotiations between this country and SNCLavalin, Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said Monday. This includes the $2.2 million contract the company was awarded earlier this year to design the Penal Hospital. Moonilal told the Express in a telephone interview that the Government has asked the Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) to “rethink and revise” their choice of contractor after it had been widely reported in the international media that the controversial Montrealbased construction company had been slapped with a tenyear ban by the World Bank from participating in any projects funded by that organisation. SNC-Lavalin’s
involvement in the construction of the Penal Hospital has become a heated political issue since it was reported in June that the company was awarded a $2.2 million contract to design the hospital. Opposition MP Colm Imbert subsequently raised his concerns in Parliament, pointing out that the World Bank had banned SNC and over 100 of its affiliates over alleged corrupt practices. He also alleged that Trinidad and Tobago’s High Commissioner to Canada Phillip Buxo worked at SNC-Lavalin. Imbert also filed a motion in Parliament earlier this month calling on the government to terminate all its existing contracts with SNC. Over the last few weeks, SNC-Lavalin has been making international headlines for allegations of bribery by former executives in Libya,
Dr. Roodal Moonilal Algeria and Bangladesh. In April, the World Bank blacklisted the company from bidding on any projects funded by the Bank for ten years. Yesterday, Moonilal, chairman of the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago (UDeCoTT) Jearlean John, as
well as the company’s chief executive officer Kurt Ramlal, chief operating officer Greer Quan, and director Shankar Bidaisee, met with Canadian High Commissioner Gerard Latulippe, CCC official Mariette Fyfe-Fortin, and High Commission representative Christa Robinson to discuss SNCLavalin’s track record and challenged with the World Bank. While the CCC has expressed its satisfaction that since the scandal at SNCLavalin the company has since enhanced its ethical and corporate governance structures, Moonilal said the government has recommended CCC rethink its choice. Moonilal added he had received the CCC’s due diligence report on SNCLavalin and will review it and get back to the Canadians. Asked whether he
thought the fact that SNCLavalin had initially been awarded the contract would affect the country’s ability to obtain future World Bank funding, Moonilal said no. “This project is being funded through the Government, not the World Bank. It will not affect the relationship with the Bank or the Canadian Government. The Government does however take into consideration the recommendations and findings of the World Bank,” he said. Trinidad and Tobago has also embarked on government-to-government relations with China. In June 2013, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced US$3 billion in concessional loans to Caricom. One of the criteria is the involvement of Chinese firms in the construction and development processes. Trade Minister Vasant
Bharath has told the Express in June that China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC) would be coming to Trinidad to discuss and evaluate possibly setting up dry docking facilities in the La Brea area, through government-to-government facilitation. CHEC is a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC). The CCCC has also been debarred by the World Bank since January 2009 until January 2014, sanctioned under the Bank’s fraud and corruption policy. Bharath told the Express yesterday in a brief telephone interview that the CHEC was one of the companies shortlisted to work in Trinidad, but EtecK was currently conducting a valuation of these companies and will take into consideration all these aspects.
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Wednesday September 25, 2013
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Boxer, Travis Fraser fighting for gold... From page 44 today. First up at 10:10hrs, she will play Daniella Ortega of Chile followed by a clash with Candela Molero of Argentina at 16:00hrs. Her final match of the day will be against Daniela Damino of Ecuador at 18:00hrs. Coach Linden Johnson and his charges have been hard at training every day since arriving and said that he is looking forward to good things form the duo. Badminton players, Narayan Ramdhani and Ambika Ramraj will be back in action today.
Kaieteur News
ULSC to celebrate first anniversary with softball tourney The Unity Lancaster Sports Club (ULSC) will celebrate its first anniversary on October 12, and to mark the occasion, the club will stage a grand knockout softball competition on Sunday at the club’s venue from 10:00 hours. Over $100,000 in cash and prizes will be at stake during the day’s activities. Apart from trophies, the champion
Wednesday September 25, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Try not to take things too seriously today, Aries. Realize that the best plans are sometimes the ones that were never made in the first place. Keep the lines of communication open and don't discount things that sound off the wall at first. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 MAY 20): This is a tremendous day for you, Taurus. You may find that dreams really can come true. Make sure you stay abreast of communication and periodicals. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 JUN 20): Don't get discouraged if it seems like everyone but you is getting a piece of the pie, Gemini. Your time will come, but it probably won't be today. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 JUL 22): Make some room for long communications with good friends, Cancer. This is an important day to get the word out to people you love. Keep things light and energetic, which you do well anyway. Express your showmanship and make sure your bright presence lights up every room you enter. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): You may be the party-pooper today unless you do something to remedy your serious tone, Leo. This is a day for light, social activities and fun-loving times with friends. Don't worry if things don't seem rational. Sometimes it's the unlikeliest route that ends up being the best. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You're the missing piece of the puzzle today, Virgo. As a result, people will look to you for answers. The good news is that you'll have them at the ready. Trust yourself.
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LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): You may run into trouble if you penetrate too deeply today, Libra. Keep things light and energetic if you can. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Give your adventuresome, worldtraveling spirit room to soar, Scorpio. This is a good time to embrace and express your dreams. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): Stop planning and start doing. There may be pressure to leave your normal routine and do something on a whim, Sagittarius. Although this may not be your usual way to do things, it certainly isn't a reason not to. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): The answer for you today is "yes." Explore, reach out, and expand your mind to the far corners of your world and beyond, Capricorn. There's no need to be tied down to reality. Don't restrict yourself to linear thinking. Take time out and enjoy the clouds. *************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Today you should take action in areas where you usually keep quiet, Aquarius. The more you explore your mind, the safer you'll feel in your external reality. Be confident of your dreams. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): There's a light, uplifting flavor to the day, Pisces, which you should latch onto and take charge of. You'll find that there's a rather dreamy yet expansive quality to this energy that encourages you to soar higher and achieve more.
team will receive a ram sheep, while the losing finalist will collect a ram goat. According to a release from the ULSC, balls will be provided for the competition, which is open to all teams. The entrance fee per team is $1,200 and interested teams can register by contacting ULSC’s member R. Goolghar on 671-9076. The ULSC release stated, “The achievements of the club during the past year include erecting billboards to honour cricket legend Shivnarine
Chanderpaul and past president Chetram Singh, launching a cricket academy for the youths, holding a fun park for children in the community, acquiring a boxing gym, holding a raffle and improving the main pavilion and the ground by expending more than $500,000, purchasing uniforms for the club’s Under-15, Under-19, senior and Over-40 teams, handing out bursaries to top SSEE students and equipping the pavilion with chairs and
domino tables.” The club will also establish a karate section shortly, as well as organise gifts for hundreds of children during the upcoming Christmas season and give free lessons to students preparing for SSEE. A medical outreach and blood drive are also part of the club’s plans.
GSPG dominoes set for Sunday The Good Success Policing Group (GSPG) dominoes competition is set for Sunday at Amit Ramnarine residence in Good Success, Wakenaam. Entrance fee is $3,000 and action gets under way from 09:00hrs. Among the teams slated to take part are Under Dog, All Star, Sea Wall Boys, South Pole, Maria Johanna and Melville. Chairman of the GSPG Moses Ramnarine said that all policing groups on the island are invited to take part. Trophies and cash prizes will be up for grabs.
Troy Cook Memorial Football finally kicks off today The Stag Beersponsored Troy Cook Memorial Football Tournament, which was launched more than two weeks ago, will finally kick off today at 6:00pm at the Camptown Ground with Pele taking on Santos. The Guyana Defence Force is expected to play Georgetown Football Club in the other game at the same venue today. The tournament will continue on Friday when Riddim Squad will battle Camptown FC and Western Tigers take on Conquerors. According to a press release, the winners will play each other on Sunday before the tournament concludes next Wednesday. It was disclosed at the tournament’s launch that the victorious side will receive $500,000, while second and third place finishers will pocket $200,000 and $100,000 with trophies respectively.
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Cavalier Sports and Tour Club 10K event
Chappel Caesar carts off the spoils; Thomas Rouse continues winning ways Chappel Caesar walked a brilliant race to romp home ahead of favourite, Jamal Janeere and take the honours when the Cavalier Sports and Tour Club (CS&TC) staged a 10k race walk event around the Melanie Damishana ECD community Sunday September 22 last. Janeere finished in second place with Tamuel Pile completing the podium spots. Romona Janeere was the first female to cross the line with Odessa Beveney and Odessa Moffat filling the second and third place spots respectively, while Shakeida Janeere carted off the spoils in the junior category leaving Clarisa Bunwari and Agape London in her wake Seventy nine years old Thomas Rouse emulated his feat of the previous event and once again won the veterans’ category ahead of Desiree Armstrong. Meanwhile, the walkers were refreshed along the journey through the corporate input of Banks DIH Ltd as well as the Chairman of the Buxton/Foulis NDC,
Mr. Rouse is a senior citizen but he showed his mettle by crossing the line first in his category Randolph Blair, while trophies and medals were donated by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, Ricks and Sari Ltd and Chairman of the Green Path Foundation, Charles Griffith. The walkers also benefited from the largesse of the Guyana Tourism Authority which
distributed tourism material to all participants and officials. The walkers will be at it again in another event slated for Sunday September 29 dubbed the ‘Golden Grove Village Walk’ from the President’s College to the Golden Grove Market and back to the place of origin.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Ronaldo Mohamed to tour Australia in Tri-Nation Series Georgetown Cricket Club all-rounder Ronaldo Mohamed will tour Australia with a squad arranged by a Trinidad and Tobago Company call “All Sport” for a Tri-Nations International U16 Series against a team from India and the School Sport Australia. The Tournament will be centered at Bradman Oval and the International Cricket Hall of fame and involve both a Twenty20 and Fifty (50) over Series. It will commence on the 16th November, 2013 at venues in Bowral and Wollongong and conclude on the 30th November, 2013. The team will also play an ACT Under-17 team in Canberra, Australia after which the team will travel to Adelaide, South Australia for an excursion and a match against the State Under-17 team. Also on their way to
Ronaldo Mohamed Australia, California Cricket Academy will engage the Caribbean boys in a match in San Francisco on November 16. The Guyana Cricket Board
(GCB) has indicated its approval of Mohamed’s participation, deeming it a valuable exposure. The GCB will purchase an air ticket and facilitate his travelling to Trinidad and Tobago where he will join the rest of the squad for a Camp from September 27 – 29. Mohamed is the lone Guyanese selected in the squad which includes 11 Trinidadians and two Grenadians. Several years ago “All Sport” had established a working relationship with “School Sport Australia” to do exchange visits for the development of young cricketers. So far, “All Sport” has hosted Australia U-16 team twice in the Caribbean, and it 2010, they took an invitational team from Trinidad and Tobago with the inclusion of Guyanese Brian Sattaur.
Canal Six romp to victory in Jeet Brothers dominoes
Garbarran bowls Everest to a 7 run win over Stock Feeds XI
SPONSOR Soomdat Jeet (second from left) hands over the winning trophy to Canal Six skipper Chibar Seopaul while other teammates look on.
Everest Masters captain Rajesh Singh displays the winning trophy in the presence of team mates. Man of the match Hemraj Garbarran is on Singh’s left. A four wicket haul by man-of-the-match Hemraj Garbarran propelled Everest Masters to a 7-run win over Guyana Stock Feeds XI in a feature 20-over softball match sponsored by Trophy Stall of South Road last Friday evening at the Everest Cricket Club. Everest batted first and scored 193-9 off their allotted 20 overs. Shaheed Mohamed top scored with 45 (5x6), while Rupie Shewjattan supported with 39 (2x4, 3x6). Avinash Sookdeo claimed 2 wickets for Stock Feeds XI, who in reply were bowled out for 186 in
19.5 overs. Rawl Reid was their leading run scorer with 52 (4x6) and Rudolph Gentle made 36 (1x4, 3x6). Garbarran grabbed 4-13. Everest received a trophy. In an earlier match sponsored by Savage softball team, Stock Feeds XI defeated Speed XI by 16 runs. Jermine Ramroop stroked 65 while Rawl Reid scored 53 not out as Stock Feeds XI posted 204-9 off 20 overs, batting first. Arjune Persaud captured 3 wickets and Patrick Khan 2. Speed XI showed some fight before they were bowled out for 188 in 18 overs in reply.
Jermine Ramroop Khan top scored with 65 while Orlando Charles made 30; Reon Jonathan snared 4-20 and Reid 3-22. Stock Feeds XI collected a trophy.
CANAL Six used their home advantage to great effect to emerge winners of the Jeet Brothers sponsored three-way aggregate dominoes competition which culminated at Ernest Shop, Canal, West Bank Demerara on Sunday. Entering the third and final leg on 157 games, a mere one game lead over archrivals, International Six on 156 with Wild Bunch trailing on 141, the homesters eased to a comfortable win with 86 games to end with an unassailable 243 games. International Six, who scored 77, ended in the second position with 233 games, while Wild Bunch, who once again faltered, ended in the cellar spot on 203. In Sunday’s encounter, Canal Six were led through consistent scoring from
Kedar Seopaul (16), Chibar Seopaul (16), Avie Persaud (15), R. Sukhai (13), Abdool Gafoor (13) and Scotty Ramroop (13). The top players for International Six were Martin Permaul with 16 games, while there were 13 each for Hilbert “Bumpy” Ali and Soomdat Jeet. Terrence Damon marked 16 for Wild Bunch while his teammate Junior Ramchurejee and Wayne Austin who had two flawless sittings with 6 games apiece of International 6 were the lovebirds of the event. Apart from copping the winning trophy, Canal Six three top players — Kedar Seopaul (46 games), R. Sukhai (44 games) and Chibar Seopaul (41) were recipient of watches and caps. For International Six, Ron Callender with 31 games in
two matches and Intikab Ali with 40 in three were the two best players and were awarded caps while Wild Bunch’s Sean Crawford made 41 games for Wild Bunch and also received a cap. The runners-up also collected a trophy. Hilbert “Bumpy” Ali, who had the distinction of registering a double love in the second leg, collected a watch and a cap for his fine effort Wild Bunch’s skipper Jermaine Jackson had already copped a cap for sharing the first love in the tournament, achieving the feat in the first leg. Apart from those incentives, donor Soomdat Jeet, who resides in New York, had also presented three packs of dominoes to Everest Cricket Club and one each to the three participating teams.
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 41
Solomon rolls back the years America’s Cup: Oracle Team USA to win the Courts Golf tourney draw level with Team New Zealand
Maurice Solomon (fourth right standing) with other winners while Courts Managing Director Clyde DeHaas and Lusignan Golf Club President Jerome Khan are sitting. Maurice Solomon rolled back the years to win the Courts 20th Anniversary Golf tournament last weekend at the Lusignan Golf Club. The veteran Solomon shot net 67 from gross 84 playing off 22 handicap to battle his way to victory in the Anniversary Classic hosted by the local furniture giants. There was a keen tussle for the second position with B. Harry (15 handicap) getting the better of Alfred Mentore (7 handicap) on a
countback after both players shot 68 net. Mentore, however, secured a second prize when he won the Best Gross of 78. Joaan Deo playing off 21 handicap recorded gross 91 for net 70 on her way to claiming fourth position. Deo was also among the Courts winners last year. Nearest to the Pin was William Walker. Courts Managing Director Clyde DeHaas congratulated the winners and all the players who participated in
the tournament. He said Courts was extremely happy to be part of the development of golfing in Guyana. He encouraged the Lusignan Golf Club to get more youths involved in the sport locally. Courts Public Relations Officer Kester Abrams said that his Company has sponsored several major sporting events this year to coincide with its 20th Anniversary celebrations being observed during September.
Endorsement of coconut...
From page 42 to take more and more of these stimulants. Eventually the athlete becomes addicted to these nerve stimulant compounds while at the same time becoming severely dehydrated. Just after Beijing, research showed that Gatorade as the electrolyte drink of this century was to be replaced. Scientists and Nutritionists all over were looking for a natural electrolyte drink from a vegetable or fruit with all the ingredients of the formulated Gatorade. How was this possible? When Jamaica for years had been producing coconut water and using it naturally to reduce high blood
pressure and rehydrate athletes who have never came up with any adverse analytical findings. How does ZICO give you Oomph? In order for you to get what you need out of your body, you have to give your body what it needs. If I am not properly hydrated, no degree of coaxing can get my body to accomplish what I ask of it. Our Jamaican name brand companies have sat back and allowed Pepsi-Co and CocaCola to buy out Brazilian coconut water companies Amacoco and Zico and take over the lucrative coconut water market worth billions. Coconut water sales have
increased four folds in the past two years. Zico Coconut Water is endorsed by a host of athletes including Julian Mancuso, Bryan Cla y, and Jordon Rapp. The super stars such as Madonna and Rihanna have also endorsed coconut water. We have coconut water in our backyard, we have our brand athletes such as Usain and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Why did we not produce an electrolyte drink with coconut water endorsed by brand name Olympians and patent it? Our marketing of our sport stars with Jamaican products has again been found wanting.
Oracle (left) and Team New Zealand battle in the Americas Cup. (ACEA/Gilles Martin Raget) BBC Sport - Oracle Team USA levelled the America’s Cup at 8-8 against Team New Zealand to take the competition into a winnertakes-all final race today. The defending champions clinched their sixth and seventh straight wins on Tuesday to complete a stunning comeback from 8-1 down in San Francisco. The Americans forced two penalties on the Kiwis at the start of race 17 and surged to a 27-second victory. Oracle trailed after two legs of race 18 but hit back to win by 54 seconds. The challengers have been within one race of victory since last Wednesday, but have been thwarted by Oracle’s resurgence and a series of races postponed by unfavourable wind conditions. Oracle have won 10 races in all but were penalised two points before the regatta began for illegal modifications to their smaller 45ft catamaran in the warmup series. Needing just one win to clinch the America’s Cup for
the third time, and first time since losing to Alinghi in 2003, Team New Zealand were in need of a better start than in recent days. But in fresh winds on San Francisco Bay, Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill forced his counterpart Dean Barker into committing two rightof-way penalties as the boats headed for the line, and made the most of the gap created to stay well clear throughout the fiveleg race. Barker put his boat in a better position before the day’s second race as the Kiwis won the sprint to the first mark and were still leading around the downwind gate. But Oracle surged past as the boats fought a tacking duel upwind and the holders raced clear to take the regatta into a deciding day. “It doesn’t matter how stiff the challenge is, the boys stuck their heads down and outground the other team. Ve r y impressive,” said Australian Spithill. “What gives us confidence is we’ve really
improved the boat. It’s just going great. We’re looking forward to getting on the racetrack and having one hell of a fight. It’s the most exciting day of all of our lives and we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” Team New Zealand, who beat Italy’s Luna Rossa in the challenger series final, dominated the early stages of the event and surged to a four-wins-to-one lead with a faster boat upwind and slicker crew work. The holders were rattled and played their one postponement card to delay racing and give them time to alter their 72ft catamaran. They also called u p B r i t a i n ’s f o u r- t i m e Olympic champion Ben Ainslie from the training crew to the tactician role in place of American John Kostecki. The two teams won two races apiece in the following days before the Kiwis edged to match point on Wednesday. After several races were called off because of strong win d s , New Zealand were deprived of overall victory in race 13 on Friday when uncharacteristic light winds meant the 40minute time limit for a race elapsed with the Kiwis two minutes from glory. Since then, Oracle have been unstoppable and the Larry Ellisonbacked outfit have won nine of the past 11 races to set up one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the 162year-old competition. The winners of the event get to decide the format and venue of the next America’s Cup.
David slams 126 to steer...
From page 42 Tamarind Root. In scores from the matches played: At Edinburg, Edinburg beat Rising Youth by 165 runs. Edinburg 353 for 7 in 40 overs with Danny David 126 and Zahir Hussain 80. Rising Youth 188 in 33.1 overs with Calvin Adams 63, Reuben Balkumar 34, Sahid Ally 27, Denny David 4 for 19 and Zahir Hussan 4 for 50. At Gangaram, Gangaram Strykers beat Canefield by 3 wickets. Canefield 184 in 33 overs with Khemraj Sumair 70, Amir Budhu 41, Bharrat Pooran 3 for 24 and Naresh Dhanraj 3 for 26. Gangaram Strykers 186 for 7 in 24 overs with Bharrat Pooran 53,
Rakesh Ramsamoj 32 and Khemraj Sumair 2 for 28. At Bush Lot in West Berbice, Hopetown United beat Bush Lot New Generation by 32 runs. Hopetown United 130 in 17.5 overs with Delorn Wayne 30, Gerald Moonsammy 5 for 22 and Searl Richmond 3 for 16. At Albion Front, Albion Travellers beat Tamarind Root by 1 wicket. Tamarind Root 84 in 23.2 overs with Dev Loooknauth 29, Korendra Algu 5 for 15 and Satesh Hiralall 2 for 27. Albion Travellers 89 for 9 in 16 overs with Dilip Rangasammy 4 for 18 and Riaz Khan 3 for 16. At Lovely Lass, Bush Lot Challengers beat Achievers
by 8 wickets. Achievers 79 in 22.1 overs with Asif Khan 3 for 15. Bush Lot Challengers 81 for 2 in 14.1 overs with Asif Khan 31 not out. At D’Edward, D’Edward Warriors beat Blairmont Community Centre B by 28 runs. D’Edward Warriors 117 in 23 overs with Rameshwar Ramkissoon 27. Blairmont Community Centre B 89 in 33 overs with Omesh Mangal 28. At Letterkenny, Letterkenny Young Star beat Whim National by 1 wicket. Whim National 147 in 26 overs with Eon Mangal 27 and Jairam Tilkuram 3 for 27. Letterkenny Young Star 148 for 9 in 29.4 overs with Chitra Jagdat 39 not out.
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Kaieteur News
Brisbane Heat v Titans, Group B, CLT20, Mohali
Titans quicks defend low total ESPNcricinfo - Less-thanperfect batting and excellent bowling usually make for tight contests and today was no different, with both teams being dismissed on a fast Mohali pitch. Titans bounced back from being all out for 123 to beat Brisbane Heat by four runs in the most exciting finish of this year’s tournament. The loss, the Heat’s second, drastically reduced their chances of making the semi-finals. Heat had lost their first match in similar fashion, too, failing to chase Trinidad & Tobago’s 135. Today’s pursuit posed a similar challenge but they disintegrated against controlled fast bowling. They needed 11 of the final over, bowled by Marchant de Lange, but they lost three wickets instead, two to runouts. The match ended with de Lange bowling Alister McDermott. Titans needed a strong performance to defend a low total and de Lange led the way, pulling his team out of the batting rut with pace and verve. Debutant Matthew Gale’s four wickets had put the Heat in a strong position, but their wayward batting cost them on a quick surface, the kind Australian sides are supposed to be familiar with. Titans captain Henry Davids once again opened the bowling with Roelof van der Merwe’s left-arm spin, but it was the quick Rowan Richards who provided the breakthrough by dismissing Joe Burns. De Lange then hurt the chase by striking twice in the fifth over: Peter Forrest’s clip was caught at square-leg, and Cutting top-edged an 89kph ball he didn’t know much
Marchant de Lange bowled Alister McDermott to win the game for Titans © BCCI about. Heat captain James Hopes and Dan Christian attempted to revive the innings and they almost did with a 44-run stand for the fourth wicket, but they fell in quick succession. Christian’s stumps was shattered by Richards, while Hopes fell to van der Merwe after having survived a missed stumping the previous ball. The rising asking-rate needed to be brought down but the Heat lower order continued the struggle against pace. Morne Morkel and David Wiese bowled well too, picking up a wicket each, but de Lange and Richards were the most impressive. De Lange finished with three wickets, after a tense last over. Heat’s batting failure followed a dramatic Titans collapse after the South African side had made a strong start. Gale dismissed Jacques Rudolph in the
second over, but Davids and Heino Kuhn counterattacked immediately during the fielding restrictions. They were particularly harsh on Alister McDermott, who conceded 16 in his first over, the sixth of the innings. The second wicket had added 69 in quick time when Kuhn skied Ben Cutting after making 31 off 27 balls. Davids followed soon after for 39 off 31 balls, run out while attempting a risky single. Wickets tumbled quickly thereafter, with the big one AB de Villiers - also getting run out after a mix-up with Farhaan Behardien in the 15th over. The rest of the batsmen threw their wickets away, with the last three falling in the 19th over bowled by Gale. A total of 123 seemed below par at the time, but Titans’ quicks proved it was just enough. Scores: Titans 123 (Davids 39, Gale 4-10) beat Brisbane Heat 119 (Hopes 37, de Lange 3-13) by four runs.
NBS 2nd Division B’ce Cricket
David slams 126 to steer Edinburg to 353-7 Former Berbice Under-15 All-rounder, Denny David, highlighted the latest matches of the 2013 New Building Society Second Division 40Over Cricket Competition when he turned in an outstanding all-round performance for Edinburg in their match against Rising Youth. When Edinburg took first strike, David slammed 126 which included 20 fours and 2 sixes and which together with 80 from Zahir Hussain, the two of them putting on 230 for the 5th wicket-steered Edinburg to this year ’s competition high 353 for 7 in their 40 overs. David came
back with his off-spinners and took 4 for 18 from 5 overs, while pacer Hussain took 4 for 50 from 8 overs to restrict Rising Youth to 188 in reply. Bharrat Pooran took 3 for 24 and scored 53 to help Gangaram Strykers defeat Canefield by 3 wickets despite Khemraj Sumair’s 70 for Canefield. Medium pacer, Gerald Moonsammy’s 5 for 23 from 5 overs could not save Bush Lot United New Generation from losing to Hopetown United, while off-spinner Korendra Algu’s 5 for 15 from 6.2 overs helped Albion Travellers get the better of (Continued on page 41)
Denny David
Wednesday September 25, 2013
High Court revokes stay on BCCI SGM ESPNcricinfo - The Delhi High Court has dismissed Lalit Modi’s appeal to issue a restraining order that would prevent the BCCI from holding the special general meeting (SGM) on September 25, when the board is expected to decide on a ban for Modi. A single-judge bench of VK Shali, after a twoday hearing, overruled the stay order imposed by the Patila House Court, where Modi had filed the application. It is understood the BCCI will go ahead with the SGM, which will be chaired by the president N Srinivasan, in Chennai. According to the BCCI’s lawyer, CA Sundaram, the High Court concluded that the board’s notice to Modi was issued correctly and the trial court should never have passed the stay order. “The judge said Mr Srinivsasn continues to be the president. He is vested with the powers of the president even if Mr Dalmiya may be doing the day-to-day activities. The notice was correctly issued and the trial court could not have given an ex parte
Lalit Modi’s appeal has been refused by the Delhi High Court © AFP injunction against a special general meeting. Such an order ought not have been passed at all by the trial court.” Earlier this month, the BCCI Disciplinary Committee had found Modi guilty on eight charges of “indiscipline and misconduct,” and said that the final sanction would be decided during the SGM. On September 21, Modi
approached the trial court where his legal counsels Swadeep Hora and Abhishek Singh argued before district judge Ruby Alka Gupta that the SGM notice, circulated by BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel on September 2, was illegal since Patel’s appointment was not in accordance with the BCCI constitution. Since only the president of the BCCI can fill up a mid-term vacancy of a principal office-bearer, Patel’s appointment by a working committee meeting with the president having stepped aside was illegal, they contended. The trial court then stayed the SGM. The BCCI had challenged the trial court’s order by approaching the High Court on Monday. SGMs, which strictly discuss a pre-fixed agenda, require a three-quarter mandate for a decision to be ratified. This effectively means that 24 votes would be enough to get Modi banned in a house of 31 votes, including 27 full members, National Cricket Club in Kolkata, Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, All-India Universities and the president’s vote.
Endorsement of coconut water by Bolt, Fraser-Pryce An opinion piece by Dr Rachael Irving of Jamaica Jamaica Observer During the spring of 1965, a Gator football coach asked a kidney specialist why football players lost so much weight during training and urinated so infrequently. The specialist deduced that the players sweat so much that no liquid was available for urination. The specialist researched the effect of heat on the human body and realised that intense exercise produces sweat, but also reduces energy, strength and recovery. The players were losing electrolytes mainly sodium and potassium and the loss was upsetting fluid balance in these athletes. The doctor and a team collected samples from the Gator footballers and found that their blood sugar or carbohydrate and blood volume were low. The doctor prescribed bottles of water with salt and sugar spiced with lemons for the footballers. The effect was phenomenal. The Gator footballers started to outclass most of their rivals and was dubbed the ‘second half ‘ team because of their endurance. This prescribed electrolyte drink that rescued the footballers was labeled Gatorade.
Dr Rachael Irving Fast forward 45 years and the world was searching for something to replace Gatorade as all athletes need electrolytes and carbohydrate to replenish energy during competition and exercise and Gatorade had longed served its purpose. Let looks at how the body used nutrients during exercise or competition. Carbohydrate broken down as glucose is the main source of fuel that provides energy or ATP which is necessary for performance at high intensity. Protein and fat also provide energy. However, it is sugar and electrolytes and water that the body really relies on during intense, quick muscular contraction or competition. Electrolyte
replacement is therefore a part of the athlete’s routine. Many sport drink companies try to fool the athlete into believing that he or she needs an Energy drink. Energy drink is often laced with stimulants. A stimulant drink contains many unnatural or synthetic compounds. These synthetic or chemicals bind to neurons and activate these nerve cells. This sets off a firework in the athlete’s system much like you see during the 4th of July celebration and eventually the energy is consumed all at once which forces the athlete (Continued on page 41)
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club benefit Andy Murray recovering in from bridge company cheque donation hospital after back surgery The Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) handed over a cheque valuing GY$282,000 to Mr. Hilbert Foster, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday last. This amount covers the total cost/ expenses of the 2013 Knockout 50-Overs Cricket Competition. On September 21, 2013, the final cricket match was played and the Albion Cricket team proved victorious in winning the tournament. The Administrative Supervisor of BBCI handed over the wining prize and trophy to Devendra Bishoo, Captain of the Albion Cricket Team for winning the competition. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BBCI, Mr. Omadatt Samaroo stated that, “This is not the first instance that the BBCI has come on board to sponsor events of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club/Berbice Cricket Board and now BBCI has decided to become an Official Sponsor of both Clubs.” The BBCI made a financial
Mr. Amarnauth Singh, Administrative Supervisor of BBCI handing Over a Trophy and Wining Prize to Devendra Bishoo Captain of Albion Cricket Team donation of GY$50,000 to the Club for its Charity Programmes for the Elderly and Less Fortunate, donated a trophy to the Club’s Annual Awards Ceremony 2012 for the Cricketer of the Year – 2011. He added that in 2013 the BBCI has sponsored the Club’s Annual Tribute to Retired Teachers Programme
on the eastern and western sides of the Bridge; donated two trophies for its 22nd Annual Awards Ceremony for the most committed player for 2012 and most promising player for 2012 and also donated 80 medals for the Tribute to Teachers and Students. The company, he noted, decided to come on board
mainly due to the fact that cricket in Berbice (East and West) has progressed and created a great attraction to Berbicians. “Also, it must be noted that the Berbice Cricket Board has done outstanding works in creating a pastime for youths thereby keeping them away from drugs and crime,” Samaroo stated. The Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI), he added, not only plays the role of collecting tolls and facilitating vehicles crossing the Berbice River Bridge and vessels transiting through the Retractor opening and under the High Span but also, “discharges its corporate responsibilities and more importantly played an integral part in the development of education, sports, supported national events and made donations to charitable and non – charitable organizations in close proximity of the Bridge or in Region 5 and 6. The Company had also sponsored events in other counties and as far as the hinterland.” (Leon Suseran)
Powerful Perera trumps T&T... From page 45 after themselves even without much assistance from Shikhar Dhawan. Trinidad & Tobago were in control for the most part of the second innings, but Thisara Perera’s fearless hitting narrowed the gap between the runs required and balls remaining to take Sunrisers home in a tense chase of 161. The first game of the day - between Titans and Brisbane Heat - was a lowscoring one, with the fast bowlers taking control in helpful conditions. However, as the evening wore on, the dew became a factor and the margin for error was minimal for the bowlers, who struggled to bowl the lengths they wanted. Sunil Narine’s parsimonious and incisive spell of 4 for 9 kept T&T in the hunt but Perera not only managed to survive him but ensured he stayed till the end. Perera’s knock had its fair share of slogs that only connected thin air, some dangerously close to the outside edge, but he cleared the rope four times and his timely boundaries ensured Sunrisers were always in the hunt. Dhawan gave Sunrisers a start with a brisk 23, but when he popped the simplest of catches to Navin Stewart, it was game on. It was then down to the experience of JP Duminy to restore some order,
Darren Bravo smashed a 44-ball 66. (BBCI)
but his run-out - caught ballwatching - gave T&T the edge. Sunrisers were going at seven an over when Duminy was dismissed, and the required rate was over nine. Perera walked in and smashed his second ball for six, over long-off. T&T had to be careful not to feed him length balls on middle and leg, Perera’s favourite hitting zone. Rayad Emrit made the
mistake of bowling there and was duly smashed for a four and six off consecutive balls to deep midwicket. Narine had a struggling Hanuma Vihari stumped for 18 and proceeded to bowl out a wicket maiden, silencing Darren Sammy who opted to see off T&T’s best bowler. Perera released the pressure the following over with two boundaries off Emrit. He
had a lucky escape on 32 when he pulled Ravi Rampaul to deep midwicket, only for Lendl Simmons to palm the ball over the rope while attempting a tough catch. Emrit’s final over cost T&T as he leaked 23. He started off with two wides before getting smashed by Sammy over deep midwicket. The dew may have been responsible for the low full tosses which were put away. Poor catching didn’t help T&T’s cause either as Sammy was also let off in the same over. Narine returned for his final over to nip out two wickets in two balls, but Perera’s was the wicket T&T were desperate for. It came down to seven needed off the last over but Perera showed enough trust in Karn Sharma, who sealed the win in style with a six over deep square leg. After losing the toss, T&T had been boosted by Darren Bravo who adopted a similar aggressive approach on a surface that was seamer friendly. T&T looked set to post much more, but the Sunrisers seamers shared seven wickets between then to keep them down to a competitive 160. Scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 164 for 6 (Perera 57*, Narine 4-9) beat Trinidad and Tobago 160 for 8 (Bravo 66, Sammy 2-21) by four wickets.
Andy Murray gives the thumbs up during his recovery in hospital after back surgery. (Andy Murray on Twitter) BBC Sport - British number one Andy Murray has tweeted a picture of himself in hospital with his thumbs up after minor surgery on his troublesome back. The 26-year-old Scot says the first thing he said when he came round from the operation was: “Did I win?” Murray is unlikely to play again this season, but hopes to begin his pre-season training in Miami in November. The world number three underwent surgery in an attempt to sort out a disc
problem in his lower back. The injury forced him to pull out of the French Open in May, although he recovered in time to become Britain’s first male Wimbledon singles champion since 1936. His defence of the US Open was ended in the quarter-finals but he helped Great Britain beat Croatia in the Davis Cup before having surgery. He is set to miss this year’s remaining tour events, including November’s World Tour Finals in London.
Haye sets February date for Fury fight LONDON (Reuters) Former world heavyweight champion David Haye’s postponed fight with Tyson Fury has been rescheduled to February 8 in Manchester, promoters announced on Tuesday. The fight between the two Britons had been scheduled for September 28 but had to be called off after Haye cut his left eyebrow in sparring. “News of the date in February is music to my ears,” said Haye, who lost his WBA belt in July 2011 to Ukrainian Vladimir Klitschko. “I was absolutely devastated this weekend, and felt as though I’d let a lot of people down. But now, with
this new date, I couldn’t be happier.” Haye, who called off his previous planned fight against Germany’s Manuel Charr in June when he suffered a hand injury, defended his decision to spar so close to the fight. “Sparring eight days before a fight is nothing new or unusual,” he said. “I’ve done this before fights in the past and never had an issue. “These things sometimes happen in training, and to suggest I decided against wearing a head-guard, or that the cut was premeditated, shows a clear lack of knowledge and understanding.”
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Kaieteur News
1st South American Youth Games
Wednesday September 25, 2013
Pepsi Inter-County cricket
Narayan Ramdhani advance Barnwell spurs Demerara to win against to Badminton quarterfinals Berbice to claim consecutive MOM Awards - Adams (200m free) & George (100m back) achieve PB’s By Franklin Wilson in Peru Guyana suffered mixed fortunes on day one of the Badminton competition which shuttled off yesterday at the Instalociones de Badminton del Club Regatas, a massive Multi Purpose Sports facility in Lima, Peru, yesterday. Fielding the two youngest players in this segment of the 19-Sports inaugural South American Youth Games (1SAYG), Narayan Ramdhani competing in the Singles, came back from one set down to defeat Lizama Bastian of Chile, it was the second loss for Bastian which meant that he was knocked out of the competition. F e m a l e c o m p e t i t o r, Ambika Ramraj was not able to put up much of a fight, losing to Surinamese opponent, Santusha Ramzan in straight sets, 213 21-9. Ramdhani, started his match a bit nervous but as the game progressed he grew in confidence to upstage his Chilean opponent who had lost his opening match to Suriname’s Opti Soren 2111 21-14. In a close tussle, Bastian took the first set from Ramdhani 21-19. At the break after the first set, Ramdhani’s Coach, Gokarn Ramdhani was able to motivate the young player to the extent that he upped his game from the start of the second set which he took at 13. The third and final
set, like the first, was a close contest but young Ramdhani kept his focus and urged on by President and Secretary of the Guyana Olympic Association, K. A Juman Ya s s i n and Hector Edwards along with C h e f - d e - M i s s i o n , D r. Karen Pilgrim, he brought the bacon home prevailing, 21-18. Having already earned a quarterfinal place, Ramdhani will take on old nemesis Soren Opti of Suriname in the final group match today. In six outings, the G u y a n e s e , t w o y e a r ’s younger than Bastian, has never beaten the Surinamese but will be approaching this game with confidence. Commenting after the win, Ramdhani said that while starting a bit nervy, the game was fun for him and he is looking forward to taking on Opti t o d a y. Fourteen-year-old Ambika Ramraj was not able to overcome the cold weather and was brushed aside by Ramzan. The second youngest player on the G u y a n a t e am will play Daniela Macias of Peru today. On the cycling track, Shaquel Agard placed 14 out of 16 riders in the 5km Time Trials in 8 Minutes 21.73 Seconds which was won by And r e G o h r o f Brazil in 6 Minutes 59.76 Seconds. C o l u m b i a ’s John Rodriguez came second in 7 Minutes 07.51
Seconds with another Brazilian, Rodrigo Dos Santos taking the third spot in 7 Minutes 20.03 Seconds. On the distaff side, Aruban rider Cherley Van Den Linden sprung a pleasant surprise when she prevailed in the 3km clash, finishing in 5 Minutes 05.12 Seconds. Brazilian, Ana Paula Casetta had to settle for third in 5 Minutes 06.35 Seconds with Ecuador ’s Ester Galarza next in 5 Minutes 07.36 Seconds. The swimmers were again in business against some of the best in the business as they sought to hold their own. While not springing any upsets, the young Guyanese were able to better chip away at their previous best times. Onika George bettered her previous 100m breastroke time of 1 Minute 20.24 Seconds by posting a new standard of 1 Minute 20.16 Seconds. Omar Adams was the other swimmer to set a new standard for himself. He clocked 2 Minutes 21.67 Seconds in his 200m freestyle race having entered with 2 Minutes 25.47 Seconds. Hannibal Gaskin also swam the 200m free and clocked 2 Minutes 15.78 Seconds, a bit slower than his Personal Best of 2 Minutes 14.77 Seconds. The trio will take to the Pool tomorrow again after a rest day today. Boxing, B a d m i n t o n a n d Ta b l e Tennis will be contested today.
By Sean Devers Demerara Captain again led from the front with a wonderful all-round performance to spearhead his team to an exciting three wicket win against Berbice with one over to spare in their Pepsi Inter-County 50- over cricket encounter yesterday at Bourda. The 26-year-old righthander hit six fours and five sixes in a confident 72 to follow up his ton and Manof- the match performance in the first round and helped Demerara to 252-7 in 49 overs in reply to the 250-8 made by the visitors. Barnwell retuned with the ball to snatch 4-59 despite a belligerent 72 from legspinner Devendra Bishoo, who clobbered four fours and two sixes and tried to rescue Berbice from 159-7 with a 63 run stand with Romario Shepherd who made 38. Played in brilliant sunshine on a slow track and fast outfield, Berbice lost four early wickets but recovered somewhat as Devon Clements struck two fours in his 30. But the 27-year-old Bishoo, who has played 11 Test matches, and Shepherd waded into the Barnwell and Kellon Carmichael, whose 10 overs cost 62 runs and produced a single wicket. The host let Berbice off
MOM Chris Barnwell collects his Award from DDL Pepsi brand executive Larry Wills as Pepsi brand marketing Assistant Trishwanti. the hook as they went on an all-out attack. The last five overs cost 64 runs to give them a challenging total. After the early demise of openers Trevon Griffith and Andrew Lyght Jr, Rajendra Chandrikar who scored 62, joined Barnwell and together they put on 117 for the third wicket to steady the ship. Derwin Christian who made an unbeaten 29 and offspinner Shaquille Williams then kept their heads to see Demerara home.
With 10 needed from 12 balls Williams smashed fast bowler Keon Joseph for an exquisite square drive four and finished the contest in the penultimate over with a disdainful cross batted shot as he danced down the track to the lively Joseph. Berbice, who will lose leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie and batsman Shemron Hetymer to the West Indies under-19 team, play Essequibo in the final preliminary round at Bourda tomorrow from 09:15hrs.
Boxer, Travis Fraser fighting for gold medal today Table Tennis players open bid for glory
Bravo, Simmons, Sammy... From page 47 as champion. While the tournament did not take off in 2009, representative from Glory Entertainment Andre Phillips is hoping that this year will be a success as they try to attract partners to make the tournament an annual event. Carib will sponsor this year ’s competition, but the organisers are still working out details of that sponsorship. The cost to stage the tournament is approximately US$ 250,000, Phillips said. At the official launch of the tournament at Carib Brewery Compound in
Champs Fleurs yesterday, tournament director William Wallace confirmed that Bravo, Simmons, Sammy, Russell and Smith have all committed themselves to being part of the competition. He i s h o p i n g t o a d d We s t Indies power hitters Kieron Pollard and Chris Gayle to that list. The tournament will see 12 all-rounders divided into four groups of three with the winners of each group moving into the semi-finals. The matches will be a one-on-one contest between two players. Each player will bowl two overs against his opponent, with the all-
rounder scoring more runs winning the encounter. When batting, the allrounder will be partnered by a non-striking runner, while the bowler will be supported by neutral fielders. If the batsman is out three times, his innings is closed, with three runs being deducted from his total score for each dismissal. In addition to the cricket, there will be other attractions for fans, including live performances by guest artistes. Tickets for the tournament went on sale Monday at Cellular Planet outlets nationwide at a cost of $60.
From right, Shemar Britton, Linden Johnson and Chelsea Edghill. Guyana could land its first gold at the 1st South American Youth Games in Lima, Peru today when Travis Fraser takes to the ring in the 69kg final. Fraser drew the bye to the gold medal match and has indicated that he is seeking to bring home the bacon for his country. His Coach, Wincel Thomas is quietly confident that his charge will do the job for himself and country.
Fraser has been of tremendous assistance to Thomas with the other three boxers as the Assistant Corner man. Now, all the attention will be on him this afternoon. Meanwhile, Table Tennis will take centre stage for the first time with the Singles competition. Shemar Britton, drawn in Group 2, which has seven (7) players, will play two
matches today. First up, he will take on Santiago Kacwicz of Uruguay at 09:30hrs then he will match racquets with Kalvin Shi of Panama at 17:30hrs. Guyana’s most decorated youth player, Chelsea Edghill, a confident and assertive player, will be matching skills with four (4) other players in Group 1 and will be contesting three matches (Continued on page 39)