wednesday, june 10, 2015 | guyanatimesgy.com
Ramotar unafraid of Govt’s forensic audit
Completely convinced that the widespread allegations of a corrupt People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration is utterly fallacious, Central and Executive Member of the Party and Former President Donald Ramotar said he fully supports any forensic audit spearheaded by the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government to
detect the slightest evidence of illegality and unscrupulousness within the former administration.
In fact, Ramotar pointed out that both the APNU and AFC, when in Opposition, constantly accused the PPP/C Government of being involved in all sorts of misconduct but yet, since occupying office, they cannot find any evidence of such; now they have to resort to using a “microscope” with the hopes of discovering something amiss. “The way they spoke about corruption in our country when they were in the Opposition, I think it should not be difficult to find corruption. The fact that they are not finding anything tells you that what they are saying is not true. I think they should bring in experts from abroad, if they want to bring in, and let them audit the big projects,” he said.
Contrary to the information being peddled by the APNU/AFC, Ramotar insists and maintains that the PPP/C has nothing to hide. “I am very convinced that these
projects had no corruption in them. The Marriott, we had public open bid tender…the Amaila Falls, we had partnership with Blackstone, a reputable company. It is surprising the distortion and lies peddled in the press before elections; and up to now they are saying they want to set up some body to look for this or that. If they have to get a microscope to look...I would have thought they would
have just walked in and find these things with the way they were behaving,” he insisted.
With this in mind, Ramotar reiterated that the PPP/C has nothing to hide and this is clearly evident in the fact that the APNU/AFC is yet to uncover something fraudulent or corrupt. He assured that they will not and thus challenged them to pursue the forensic audit.
Recently, the Cabinet granted approval for forensic audits to be conducted in 30 state agencies, national projects and private ac-
counts. Finance Minister Winston Jordan had disclosed to the public that the new Government will be investigating agencies such as the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) with the hopes of discovering evidence of corruption.
Jordan explained that the audits are being conducted to determine how the assets of the state were sold, disposed of or transferred under
the previous administration. According to reports in other sections of the media, funding for the project will come from “international and independent donors”. The Government has since contracted several private auditing firms. Also, reports indicated that the APNU/AFC Government has no interest in using the country’s audit office to conduct the investigation. In fact, the Government assured that highly qualified, credible and competent persons will be selected to carry out this critical task.
Don Gomes leads picket exercise
…over Venezuela’s maritime decree
Two men, including optometrist Don Gomes, on Tuesday hosted a protest in front of the Venezuelan Embassy on Thomas Street, Georgetown, calling for the country to desist from its claims to the
Essequibo Coast. Amidst shouts of “leave our country alone” and “Essequibo is our own”, the men stood in the hot sun on the streets calling for the recent decree issued by Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro, which sought to lay further claims to Guyana’s territory where oil was recently discovered, to be retracted.
Don Gomes, an optometrist and one of the two men who took part in the protest action, told the Guyana Times that the President of Venezuela has no right to lay a claim on Guyana’s territory, especially since the area was found to have oil. He noted that the Essequibo Coast belongs to Guyana and Venezuela should accept that.
He, however, said that he was prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure that sovereignty prevails. “I am here to register my disgust with the President of Venezuela making a decree just to claim our land and our oil fields. This is our time; Exxon Mobil is our friend, the US is our friend, and we want to get out little oil to build our nation. Now he decides, all of a sudden, by a decree that everything is their own. Well I suspect that he will be sending in his forces and all like that, and I suspect also that he is waking up a giant. We might be a small nation, but we are people determined to protect our resources and our country, even if it cost us our lives. We are very determined people. They didn’t hear David Granger is danger?” Gomes said.
Another activist, Dennis
Atwell, related that Venezuela was taking advantage of the fact that Guyana was a peaceful country. Atwell said that his hometown was on the Essequibo Coast and as such, he was not prepared to let the matter slide easily. To this end, he has urged all Guyanese to come out and to support the protest actions since it is the country of all Guyanese which is at stake.
“I am calling on all Guyanese, all right thinking Guyanese, to come out here. This protest shall be long and relentless. We shall not give up; Essequibo belongs to Guyana,” Atwell said. The men posited that they intend to protest for as long as it takes for Venezuela to retract its claims.
In March, the Government issued a strong message to the Government of Venezuela over Venezuela’s decision to write the Exxon Mobil oil company objecting to its decision to begin drilling for oil in Guyana waters.
The Guyanese Government had informed Caribbean Community, Union of South American Nations, the Organisation of American States, the Commonwealth, as well as the United Nations Secretary General, about this recent action by Venezuela. Venezuela continues to claim some parts of Guyana’s territory as its own although settlement on the issue was completed decades ago.
The Guyana Defence Force has since made it clear that it is ready to defend Guyana against any intrusion by Venezuela.
Former President Donald Ramotar
Finance Minister Winston Jordan
Two men, Don Gomes and Dennis Atwell, outside the Venezuelan Embassy on Tuesday
wednesday, june 10, 2015 |
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, June 10 – 11:30h-13:00h and Thursday, June 11 – 13:00h-14:30h
The Berbice River Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, June 10 – 10:45h-12:15h and Thursday, June 11 – 12:00h-13:30h
FERRY SCHEDULE
Ferries will be departing the Parika and Supenaam stellings : 05:00h, 11:00h and 16:00h daily
WEATHER TODAY
Thunderstorms can be expected in the morning, with heavy rain showers dominating throughout the afternoon. Light rain and thundery showers are expected in the evening over coastal regions and near inland locations. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees and 28 degrees Celsius.
Winds: Easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.02 metres per second.
High Tide: 10:57h and 23:35h reaching maximum heights of 2.37 metres and 2.41 metres respectively.
Low Tide: 04.27h and 16:59h reaching minimum heights of 0.86 metre and 0.82 metre respectively.
Venezuela restates illegal maritime boundary claims
In its first official comment since issuing the new decree that claims most of Guyana’s territorial waters in the Atlantic Ocean off of the Essequibo Coast, the Venezuelan Government has restated its illegal claims on Guyana’s sovereignty and has accused the David Granger-led Administration of provocation backed by the United States of America.
During a press briefing in the neighbouring State on Tuesday, its Foreign Affairs Minister Delcy Rodriguez, declared that Venezuela maintains its position and considers the Arbitral Award of 1899 null and void. The South American country also called on the new A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government to stay in the regulatory framework of the Geneva Agreement.
In addition, Minister Rodriguez was quoted by Reuters as saying that until the maritime boundaries dispute is resolved, “there can be no unilateral use of these waters”.
On Saturday, reports surfaced that President Nicolás Maduro has issued a decree on May 27, claiming most of Guyana’s Continental Shelf. The APNU/AFC Government on Monday released a statement via its Foreign Affairs Ministry saying that the new extension is a flagrant violation of international law. The Government of Guyana further outlined in the release that it does not accept the decree, warning “any attempt by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to apply that instrument in an extra-territorial manner will be vigorously resisted by the Cooperative Republic of Guyana”.
However, a translated release from the Venezuelan Foreign Affairs Ministry on Tuesday, which the Minister read during the press conference, detailed that the neighbouring Government has categorically rejected the statements made by the Guyana Government, pointing out that it constitutes a provocation and even threatens the Bolivarian peace of diplomacy.
According to Minister Rodriguez, it is unacceptable that Guyana would assume this position especially with a controversial territory. The Minister highlighted it is recognised that this sea area is subjected to the amicable settlement of the territorial claims, as envisaged in the Geneva Agreement.
Furthermore, Rodriguez
outlined that the only appropriate way to resolve this dispute is through the International Laws, the Geneva Agreement and the Good Officer mechanism under the figure of the Secretary General of the United Nations. On the other hand, the Venezuelan Minister noted that her Government is surprised that Guyana has allowed such a powerful transnational company, as ExxonMobil to venture into disputed territory between the two countries.
Rodriguez advised the Guyana Government that the exploration activities being conducted in the Stabroek Block should be ceased.
“The new Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana exhibits a dangerous policy of provocation against the Bolivarian Venezuela of peace, supported by the imperial power of a US multinational, ExxonMobil, which must be rectified in the short-term.
This unfriendly policy of provocation will be defeated by the force of reality imposed by the foreign policy
of peace and friendship between Venezuela and the people of Guyana itself,” the release declared.
This latest action by Venezuela to extend is claim over Guyana’s territorial waters, comes in the face of President Nicolás Maduro’s upset over oil exploration and concessions granted by Guyana to the US oil and gas giant to explore some 23,000 square kilometers of the Stabroek Block.
Editor: Nigel Williams
Tel: 225-5128, 231-0397, 226-9921, 226-2102, 223-7230 or 223-7231. Fax: 225-5134
Mailing address: 238 Camp & Quamina Streets, Georgetown
Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, sales@guyanatimesgy.com
Editorial
Crime concerns
When a new administration takes over the reins of government, they are usually given a “honeymoon period” in which they are not challenged too aggressively.
However from the reports in the press, it appears that the criminals in our midst have not only ignored the honeymoon for the new Minister of Public Security and the Police Force that falls under his bailiwick, but have actually upped the ante in challenging them.
In the first four months of the year, there was an average of 14 murders per month but following the elections that rate has increased by at least 50 percent. And this rise in murders is reflected across the spectrum of crimes, especially in armed robberies.
We do not believe it is useful to speculate on motives behind the increased criminality, but call on the government to send a strong message that it will be tough on crime. But in this regard, the new government might have made two missteps.
The first one was for the President to announce, in almost his first official act, that he was pardoning 60 persons who had been incarcerated for what must have been misdemeanours.
It appears, however, that this act could possibly have had the unfortunate consequence of signalling that the new administration might be soft on crime.
After all, no matter how innocuous the crimes the pardoned persons might have been committed, the magistrate or other judicial official must have had some rationale within sentencing guidelines to impose the sentences, after the usual pleas for mitigation.
The other crossed signal was for the new President and Minister of Public Security going beyond his remit to place on hold the reorganisation by the Commissioner of Police of his top brass.
Here was the top cop signalling to the criminals that in the new dispensation he was tweaking his apparatus to deal with the just announced slight increase in crime so that it did not get out of hand.
And it did get out of hand as we know to our cost. Whether this was a matter of “correlation” or “causation” is somewhat academic right now, since the “hold” on the reorganisation of the top tier of the Police Force has now been lifted.
In order to get a handle of the spiralling crime rate, the new administration has to understand and accept that the political campaign is now over and both its rhetoric and its actions must be directed towards curbing crime and not scoring points against the previous administration.
Take for instance, the action of the Junior Minister of Social Protection upstaging the Bartica Police by leading a charge of her old Women Miners colleagues against “Trafficking in Persons” (TIP) in a hotel. It turned out to be just a case of illegal entries and expired entry permits.
What the Junior Minister, who boasted in Wild West style, “I is Broomes, and I making a sweep”, must have done was to demoralise the Police who accompanied her because they could have conducted the same raid with much less fanfare and local annoyance.
If she had passed on the “tip” she claimed she received on “TIP activity” to the local Bartica Police, it is very likely that using their contacts in the community they would have found out it was going to be a wild goose chase.
To further reinforce the point that the new administration needs to focus on better policing and not “one-upmanship” is underscored by the same Junior Minister claiming “substandard” accommodations for the Bartica Police.
This might all be true, but wouldn’t it have been best to bring the said conditions to the attention of the Minister of Public Security so that he could work with the Police administration to rectify matters?
The issue of citizens’ security was one of the two the top issues in the campaign. It should now be deal with condignly.
APNU/AFC concocting explanation why they cannot fulfil promises
Dear Editor, The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has noted with interest the recent absurd claims about hundreds of billions of dollars being siphoned off annually.
The mere absurdity of this statement should be obvious too all. In a country where the national budget is $200 billion, the mere illogicality and impracticality of $500 billion being siphoned off every year
should be obvious to all.
The de facto APNU/AFC government can provide no sensible explanation of where this money was being sourced, how it was being siphoned off, and by whom and to whom.
Put simply, where did this $500 billion a year come from, how was it siphoned off, who siphoned it off, where did it go, and who benefited from it?
The simple fact of the matter is that the APNU/AFC is
now caught with a serious problem on their hands. Never having intended to deliver any of the promises in their manifesto, they now need to concoct an explanation as to why they will not be meeting those promises.
As a result, they are now making the most outrageously absurd claims, with one aim in mind, to justify their total and complete failure to deliver on any of their false and empty promises. The plain truth is that the political dishonesty of the de facto APNU/AFC government is about to be disclosed by their failure to deliver any of their first 100 day promises. And the stage is being carefully for this great betrayal to be perpetrated on the Guyanese people.
PPP/C
By not naming MPs, PPP/C can force new elections because of GECOM’s rigging
Dear Editor, It’s Guyana’s new PNC coalition crisis. Right now there are no PPP/C MPs, none have been named, and none officially gazetted within the legal time frame required for all to be included simultaneously with all other parties’ MPs.
GECOM’s half baked pie is without the entire lot of 420 blackbirds. It does not set up who is the king.
Moreover, that Kaieteur News article of June which erroneously reported that the Clerk of the National Assembly Mr Sherlock Isaacs said “that should PPP/C MPs miss the first six consecutive sittings in two calendar months, they would essentially lose their (32) seats, which would be declared vacant”, currently has no jurisdictional authority on any MP. Only sworn in MPs come under the Standing Orders
and Speaker. No legal violation occurred, no sanction is necessary..
Legally, only GECOM has responsibility to procure the list of MPs from the PPP/C. Should the PPPC play hard to get and refuse to provide the list - they are not legally compelled to do so by law - the Speaker cannot legally fill any seats which he may declare vacant.
The PPP/C can, by non cooperation with a perceived evil as a sacred duty (Gandhian non-violence), force a new snap elections all over again just by doing nothing.
With Venezuela in its aggressive sabre rattling mode, all is not hunky dory should those Guyanese citizens in Venezuela were to be all expelled, their property seized and they had to return home with a Guyana government in crisis.
GECOM is required by
law to fulfill this most critical function to include and conclude its official duties by official gazetting the complete 2015 election results. It has failed to do so. The May 26 deadline came and passed with no one minding the store.
Why is violating the law a GECOM birthright and equally true for some others? No one is above the law, including GECOM or its staff. Face it.
GECOM is damned if it does and damned if it does not.
They compound their illegalities by public conformation of official negligence in not simultaneously including all the legally required information at the same time when and if they proceed to print the Gazette.
First, by its negligence, then by omission, they make matters worse. Leaving out the names of the PPP/C MPs officially disenfranchises and
invalidates the entire 2015 elections.
Is GECOM prepared to send the country down the sewer? Which court will uphold breaking the law or breaking part?
Either the reporter or the Clerk should quote which National Assembly Standing Order allows the democratic will of the people to be overturned in their absence by declaring their seats vacant. The onus was certainly on the reporter and editor to do what is right. Such lack of professional oversight needs more vigilant oversight and rectification.
But there is no crisis as ominous as this may appear. The ball is both in GECOM’s and the PNC coalition’s court to become humble to the PPP/C. Time ticks on.
Sultan Mohamed
Carl Parker campaigned for the APNU/AFC coalition
Dear Editor. I read a letter in the Guyana Times on June 8 by one G Persaud under the headline, “Urgent response needed”. Carl Parker is known in the Rupununi region to be a PNC/APNU political activist. His name appeared on the APNU+AFC coalition lists of candidates for Region Nine (Upper Takatu/Upper Essequibo) in the regional elections as well as its geographic
constituency list of candidates for the May 2015 general and regional elections.
Parker campaigned for the APNU+AFC coalition. Parker is now the acting Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Nine, which is clearly seen by many concerned residents as a political appointment by Minister Bulkan.
The REO Ms Claire Singh, her Deputy Mohamed Arjune and Assistant REO Karl Singh have been sent off on “leave”
with absolutely no respect for the Public Service Commission (PSC).
But the PSC needs to “wake up” and carry out its constitutional mandate of dealing with the current inflow of “political appointees” into the Public Service through the back door.
The PSC needs to be vigilant. At the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MOIPA), there are presently three political elements who claim to be working there in
top positions. Are they public servants or “political appointees”? Who is next to go on “leave” as well at the MOIPA?
It is my understanding that the teacher who claimed to have been slapped by a former Presidential Guard at Aishalton village is very busy at the MOIPA. Would the MOIPA now be occupied by an army of APNU+AFC cronies?
J Cummings
A girl doing yoga at Trolltunga (Troll’s tongue), a piece of rock jutting horizontally out of a mountain 700 metres above Lake Ringedalsvatnet in Norway (Twisted Sifter)
The Swami and the columnist
Dear Editor, Bonita Harris’ letter (June 4) came as a breath of fresh air. It was timely, coming after the May elections, as political sentiments are soothing in Guyana.
In her letter, Ms Harris made reference, among other things, to the important work that Swami Aksharananda has produced in Guyana at the school he founded, the Saraswati Vidya Niketan in Cornelia Ida.
She questioned the “charges of racism made against Swami Aksharananda”. Readers may remember that the charges of racism were made by Frederick Kissoon, who had written four missives, to which Aksharananda has not penned any direct response.
In those letters, Kissoon, who has access to several media platforms, liberally used language and labels uncharacteristic of that of a seasoned academic (“barefaced”, “poisonous”, “Indian supremacist”, etc).
A friend, Malcolm Harripaul, noted that perhaps the narrative found in Kissoon’s letters did more to keep some Indians in the PPP/C camp rather than moving them closer to the coalition.
In the same letters, Kissoon made reference to novelist Ryhaan Shah, founder of ROAR Ravi Dev and myself. I wish to offer the following remarks for the benefit of interested readers:
One, Kissoon’s narrative communicates the impression that there was a collaborative conspiracy of sorts among Ryhaan Shah, Swami Aksharananda and myself to advocate on behalf of the PPP/C.
For the record, such presumed conspiracy is a figment of his imagination. This is not our forte. Ryhaan Shah was addressing the issue of “Indianness” and Aksharananda was addressing the attacks against those who readily branded Indians as racists because they expressed support for the PPP/C.
Two, as if to further tarnish the reputation of the Swami, Kissoon wrote, with absolute certitude, that Swami Aksharananda was a founding father of ROAR. For the record, Aksharananda was never a co-founder of ROAR, overtly or covertly.
Three, the verbal attacks against the Swami on his way to Georgetown at Vreed-enHoop following the election
were not necessarily coincidental. Elections do evoke the passion in us.
I rather suspect that Kissoon has contributed to the creation of an environment with his vitriolic narrative that led to the verbal attacks on Swami Aksharananda.
Not being a psychologist or psychiatrist, I would not venture so far as to convene on Kissoon the label of a self-hating Indian, as some have done, but I am more inclined to believe that perhaps Kissoon lacks an understanding of a rich cultural tradition or that he may have rejected an important element of himself that defines his cultural background.
After all, on more than one occasions, he proudly revealed to us that “I am not an East Indian”.
Four, a few years ago, following the launching of my book in Guyana, “Against the grain”, I was accosted by Raphael Trotman in the lobby of Hotel Tower.
My memory fails me a bit as I cannot recall for sure if Khemraj Ramjattan was present, but there were several others who accompanied Trotman, all dressed in impressive attire.
Trotman, the former Speaker of the National Assembly and now Minister of Governance within the Ministry of the Presidency of the coalition government led the discussion. He impressed upon me to encourage Ravi Dev to join the AFC.
I agreed to convey the message to Mr Dev, but I cautioned Raphael that Dev may have retired from active politics. He then asked me if Ryhaan Shah (who had graciously facilitated and chaired the book launching) would be interested. I assured him I will convey the message to Ms Shah as well.
The resume of Kissoon’s “Indian supremacists” were well known in Guyanese political circles, but I suppose their record was not enough to deter others from enlisting their support on their political bandwagon.
Finally, Kissoon is known to me for many years, ever since my initial correspondence with him dating back to the 1980s. He has metamorphosed over the decades, as we all have.
He had been helpful to me at one time and I wish to now publicly thank him for the assistance he provided.
Dr Baytoram Ramharack
The wise learn from the successful
Dear Editor, Guyana is a unique country and the recently held, or to be more exact, rigged elections has bought much to the surface.
Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that so much hate existed for one section of the population in Guyana. Or is it that I have been too naïve?
It is true that people tend to project themselves onto others, expecting others to
Passive resistance...the plight of our stolen democracy
Dear Editor, With the convening of the 11th Parliament in Guyana there should be a non co-operation pact between the PPP/C and the de facto regime. I say this on the basis of a no recount stance by the regime hence the denial of the people’s right to know who won the last general elections.
Then, we have no choice but to hold a silent vigil until our voice is heard. We are firmly entrenched in our belief that the May 11 elections were rigged and we will not lose sight of this nor will we relinquish our claim in calling for a recount.
When that would have been accomplished we can move on. Barring this there will be passive resistance coming from our side of the house.
This would be the order of the day from this time henceforth. Until the vexing issue of a recount is effected the struggle continues. We will not flag nor fail we will continue our protest until this goal is reached.
We will not be deterred. let those who are in office provide the evidence that they have won, show us! Show tangible proof just get into those boxes
and it will calm our fears, we will be satisfied.
Don’t tell us we have lost, show evidence of this, proof that is clear aboveboard, beyond the shadow of a doubt. Come on get it real you do bask in victory when this cannot be proven. How did you get there?
Wherever it leads, whatever it reveals, we must have a recount, it is our truth and reconciliation barter for anything that deals with trust and respect for the newly installed coalition.
They ask us to work with them, but how could we, when there is so much distrust?
How can I be safe to go along with you when I cannot trust you? These are the questions I put to the Granger team.
Presently they are on a vicious manhunt to get those persons perceived to be supporters of the PPP/C . Innocent citizens are being fired from their jobs for no apparent reason other than their perceived political affiliation.
These vile satanic moves by the PNC/APNU is the signature statement of that party. It is is a clear case of discrimination so structured to demoralize the party.
But I have news for them this will only strengthen
ours and the peoples resolve that we have a de facto government in place. It would have been their mistaken belief that being vindictive and spiteful towards certain members of the population they would have gained the approval of the people.
They think that their witch hunting tactics is going down well and is having the desired effect of rallying the people against the PPP/C.
But this would backfire on them, because the people - including their own supporters - who are accustomed to the fair and even handed ways of the PPP/C would baulk at the idea of PNC/APNU’s victimization; they watch in disbelief at the horrors meted out against fellow Guyanese.
The people would have come to the stark realization that Guyana belongs to every one of us irrespective of race, religion, political persuasion, or sexual orientation, and to discriminate against a fellow citizen based on the jaundiced view that he/she is of a different political persuasion is violation of my human rights.
At the present moment many are sickened at the rampant discrimination and arbitrary dismissals.
So, at the opening of the 11th Parliament there should be a boycott coming from the PPP/C’s side, signaling our continued agitation for a free and fair process.
We are convinced that we were put out of office by a biased process and this has to be urgently addressed if confidence in the democratic process can be restored.
When we eventually take the seats given to us - not that we have lost - but seats that was foisted upon us the PPP/C should sit their in total silence while the government carry on their pantomime show. Let them carry on their “thiefing show”. We would engage them in healthy debates on issues relating to the people of this great country but when it is time for a vote we should refrain from doing so. We would not hinder the de facto Government from running its show.
Finally, it would be written in the history books that the PPP/C would have done all that was legitimately possible to bring to the attention of the international community the plight of our stolen democracy.
Neil Adams
Security Minister not acting consistently against rogue cops
Dear Editor,
This commentary was sent to the other media and as was expected was not published. The new Minister of Home Affairs (I mean National Security) has mandated the Police Commissioner to fire a couple of cops whose names were affiliated with wrong doings.
It did not go unnoticed that the Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, as a lawyer, was involved in one matter for a plaintiff against one of the cops – a case of selective, self interest justice? It seems more like revenge.
After criticism of his directive, the Minister announced intention to dismiss all rogue cops – that may mean firing 90 per cent of the Police Force for people have been complaining about virtually all the cops being involved in rogue behavior.
Ramjattan is an experienced lawyer in the criminal court. He stood up for accused persons on the presumption of innocence and the right to have due process in law.
Now he wants people to be fired without protection of their constitutional right –the very action he accused the PPP/C government and those he wants fired of violating.
I support the Minister on his efforts to cleanse the Police stables; the stench is unbear-
able. But he cannot pick and choose which cops to go after. There must be consistency across the board.
Also, cops, like other citizens, even if they are bad cops, must be given due process regardless of the criminal acts for which they are accused; they cannot be fired at whim at a Minister’s calling. And why go after only Indian cops?
It is highly inappropriate and irregular for a Minister to direct the firing of people – a process must be followed. This process, as the Minister knows, is guided by time-honoured principles, rights and the rule of law.
The firing of the two cops is a “resolved matter”; they are no longer before the courts. As terrible as their acts, for which they must be punished, they have been cleared and are back at their jobs.
There are more urgent matters than revengeful action that need resolution. For example, police officers stood by and did nothing while a party’s candidate was savagely beaten on May 11 – they should be disciplined.
A party’s activist home was invaded and set ablaze while officers stood by and did nothing – they should be disciplined.
It is also alleged that the fire officers did not do all it
could to save the Indian man’s and neighbors homes. When will the Minister instruct the DPP to investigate these matters and take actions?
The Minister or Government’s role in judicial matters is to ensure there is fair play and equality before the law. The government’s responsibility is to make sure justice is served. But it is not the government’s role to intervene in judicial matters – to be the judge, jury, and executioner.
The APNU/AFC government cannot give instructions whom to fire – it would be doing the same thing for which it criticized the previous regime.
Firing a Police Officer or a staff member is a legal issue. If a police officer has already been punished or cleared, he cannot suffer double jeopardy. As a lawyer, Ramjattan is aware of this legal principle.
One of the “rogue cops” who the Minister directed be fired was reprimanded, served probation, and allowed back on the job.
The second cop also went through that process. If justice was not properly served then, the aggrieved party should have pursued an appeal or another legal recourse before the statute of limitation.
be like them – a thief sees everyone a dishonest; a pathological liar does not believe that people can be truthful; an honest person sees others as essentially honest beings, etc. And a racist sees everyone as racist too.
The wise learn from the successful instead of burning with envy and hate.
Observer S D (Name withheld)
Dear Editor I wish to respond to a letter published on June 4 in another section of the media under the headline, “Former Chief Elections Officer Boodoo resigns from Local Gov’t –Regional Executive Officers likely to be replaced”.
In Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo), known as the Rupununi region, the Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ms Claire Singh was indeed replaced. She was replaced by Carl Parker, an APNU+AFC political activist, campaigner and regional candidate at the May 2015 gener-
al elections.
The Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO) and the Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) have been sent off on leave. Politically this is another way of saying that you are fired. What manner of inclusive democracy is this?
The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) should cleanse itself from gross hypocrisy when it speaks about “inclusive democracy” now under the APNU+AFC Government (Catholic Standard, June 5).
Many in the business
No government must sanction this unlawful act. The legal society cannot close its eye to this action; it must speak out against violation of a legal rule. The Minister and the new political administration must not get involved in judicial matters or seen to be politically directing justice and police matters. That was how Burnham and the PNC started in 1965 resulting in the consolidation of the dictatorship. While I feel the police service must be reformed and cleansed of its corrupt elements, the police, as indeed employees at all state entities, must be given due process. There is much evidence to put away many of them.
To act otherwise, is not only illegal but unethical as well. It may be wise for the Minister to reconsider his action in the interest of the wider citizenry. Government must not follow a political path, but a legal path, to justice.
The cop (s) cannot now be fired for the same crime as reprehensible as his (their) actions were. He should have been punished initially if indeed he committed the crime. But if he was cleared, for whatever reason, and the Minister does not like the judgment, the Minister cannot now impose his own judgment. That is a violation of basic law.
Vishnu Bisram
What manner of inclusive democracy is this?
sector at Lethem including Amerindian communities were shocked and disturbed having learnt that Carl Parker, a known character of interest, is now the new REO for the Rupununi region. They all asked in dismay what will now become of the Rupununi? Parker did not perform well when he held the positions of District Development Officer (DDO) based in the Aishalton village of South Rupununi and Assistant Regional Executive Officer (AREO) when he was based at Lethem. But contrary to the knowl-
edge of Rupununi residents, this is what the Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan said about Carl Parker: “This was a professional officer who was prevented from executing his duties and forced out from the public service because he sought to bring professionalism and non-partisan political considerations.
“So I think we need not to forget that the current acting REO was an officer within the public service and based in that very jurisdiction.”
Bob Melville
International Day for Yoga, June 21...
Yoga sensation for the nation: Tip 6
By: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh-Guyana (Hindus for Selfless Service)
Today we take the pleasure in bringing you one of the most common positions in yoga; Padmasana (lotus pose). In Sanskrit, Padmasana is derived from the words pad-
ma (lotus) and sana (seat or throne). As simple as it may seem, Padmasana is considered to be an intermediate to advance pose and may not be comfortable for beginners. In simple terms, Padmasana (lotus pose) is sitting cross-legged with the spine vertically straight, making it ideal for meditation and concentration.
Interestingly, the lotus, a sacred aquatic plant, is one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols. Padmasana is significantly related to Buddhism in the religious arena. Buddha himself has even been shown standing with each foot on a separate lotus. Traditional Hindu texts claim that Padmasana destroys all disease and awakens kundalini (a dormant energy residing at the base of the spine that can be awakened through meditation and yoga).
Getting into Padmasana With palms down, sit on the floor with legs stretched straight out in front of you. Bend the right knee and bring the lower leg up into a cradle. The outer side of the foot should settle in the crook of the left elbow, while the knee should set-
tle in the crook of the right elbow. Clasp hands outside the shin and hold this posture for a few moments.
To lengthen the spine, lift the front torso towards the inner right leg, but try not to round the lower back. Explore the full range of motion of the hip joint by gently rocking the leg back and forth. Repeat this process with the opposite leg. Come back to sitting with the legs stretched out in front of you. Now, bend the right knee and bring the right ankle to the left hip crease, allowing the right foot to face upwards. Settle the foot into the hip crease. Repeat this process with the left leg and right hip crease. Remember not to cross your legs the same way every time you try this pose. Make sure to alternate bringing your right and left legs in first.
Padmasana is a position which is said to have many benefits. Some of these benefits are:
I. Opening up of the hips
II. Stretching of the ankles and knees
III. Calms the brain
IV. Increasing of awareness and attentiveness
V. Helping to develop good posture
VI. Keeping the spine straight
VII. Helping to keep joints and ligaments flexible
VIII. Stimulating the spine, pelvis, abdomen, and bladder
IX. Restoring energy levels
X. Easing menstrual discomfort
Consistent practice of this pose throughout pregnancy is said to help ease the pains of childbirth. Now, we are assuming that you would be getting on the floor within the next few minutes to practice Padmasana (lotus pose). Once practiced, you would be able to enjoy the aforementioned benefits which would help you to lead a healthier lifestyle. We trust that you enjoy this tip while awaiting another.
PADMASANA
PPP/C says Govt dishonest, disingenuous about $500B allegations
The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) says it has noted with interest the recent absurd claims about hundreds of billions of dollars being siphoned off annually.
The Party’s statement comes on the heels of assertions by the recently appointed Minister of State and Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency, Joe Harmon, that the Government was seeking international help after a world bank report had showed that close to $500 billion was being stolen every year.
Harmon maintained that the Government would move to establish and make operational a State Assets Recovery Unit (SARU) which would track down the monies and other assets to ensure that they are brought back into the public’s coffers. He said that SARU is part of a multi-pronged approach to stamp out graft and will be independent, away from the political direction of the administration. It will comprise of members from civil society agencies, the business community and the Guyana Human Rights Association.
PPP/C General Secretary Clement Rohee
He noted reported of instances where several vehicles belonging to the state were transferred under questionable circumstances the week leading up to the May 11 Elections, explaining that the Unit will also be dealing with this issue.
The Minister has also based his position that over $500 billion could be missing based on some research work done by Professor Clive Thomas on the underground economy and the state’s financial management status quo. “In a coun-
Venezuela restates illegal...
From page 3
The Maduro decree, which was issued exactly one week following the discovery of oil in Guyana’s water, covers the location where the drilling exercise is being conducted. Following the discovery of hydrocarbons, the oil and gas company on May 20, reported the discovery of oil-bearing rock in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.
ExxonMobil said the Liza-1 well has encountered more than 295 feet of highquality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs. The well is the first on the 6.6-million acre Stabroek Block and has been drilled to 17,825 feet. It was drilled by ExxonMobil local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd.
Earlier this year when ExxonMobil was about to drill an exploratory well in the area, neighbouring Venezuela objected, stating that the drilling area is part of its territorial sea. The Maduro Government even wrote the Executive of ExxonMobil to cease the drilling activities. However, backed by Guyana and its home-based country as well as other in-
ternational organisations, the US-based company went ahead with the drilling. Guyana has since requested that Venezuela not interfere in its development activities, broadening the territorial rift between the neighbouring countries.
Venezuela has repeatedly laid claim to the area being explored, ignoring an 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award, which was declared as the full and final settlement of the boundary between the two South American nations. With Venezuela’s obdurate insistence on its position, Guyana is considering judicial settlement of the boundary. Nevertheless, the Venezuelan Government has expressed its desire for peace feelings to the “brotherly people of Guyana”. Additionally, the neighbouring Foreign Affairs Minister has reaffirmed an invitation to Guyana’s own to an early meeting of political dialogue in order to “continue along the path of cooperation and overcoming the historical dispute, which had its genesis in fraudulent actions of former colonial powers against Venezuela”.
try where the national budget is $200 billion, the mere illogicality and impracticality of $500 billion being siphoned off every year should be obvious to all,” the PPP/C statement read.
The main opposition party contended that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government can provide no sensible explanation of where this money was being sourced from, how it was being siphoned off, by whom and to whom.
The PPP/C maintained that the simple fact of the matter is that the APNU/ AFC is now caught with a serious problem on their hands. Since it never intended on deliver any of the promises in their manifesto, it now needs to concoct an explanation as to why they will not be meeting those promises.
The PPP/C also explained that the plain truth is that the political dishonesty of the APNU/AFC Government is about to be disclosed by their failure to deliver any of their first 100-day promises. “And the stage is being carefully set for this great betrayal to be perpetrated on the Guyanese people,” the PPP/C noted.
Findlay fired as PS of Labour Ministry
Patrick Anthony Findlay, who has been serving as acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security on Monday had his services terminated by Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence.
Findlay, who spoke to Guyana Times on Tuesday evening, related that he was told by the senior Minister that given the fact that the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security had been subsumed into the Ministry of Social Protection, his post of Permanent Secretary of the Labour aspect had become redundant.
As such, Findlay said that he was told that his services would no longer be required by the Administration and he was subsequently sent on three months leave. He remains doubtful that he will be recalled or asked to render any other service to the Ministry.
Findlay joined the Public Service in 2010 as Administrator of the newly-formed Men’s Affairs Bureau. He was then appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary in 2012 with responsibility for several key services at the Ministry, including Men’s Affairs and Countering Trafficking In Persons. In 2014, he was promoted to acting Permanent Secretary in the Labour Ministry and oversaw the operations of
the five Departments under the Labour arm of the Ministry. When the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) submitted its List of
had appeared on it as
for
Candidates on Nomination Day to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), his name
a candidate
the Party.
Former PS Patrick Findlay
Mon Repos man found murdered in home
… 3 in custody
A59-year-old man was discovered dead in his home, with suspected stab wounds about his body on Tuesday morning at about 10:30h.
Dead is Pooran Lalchand, a shop owner, of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD). According to information received, the deceased was discovered by his son, Kurt (only name given) when he went to check on his father after concerned neighbours raised an alarm.
When Guyana Times visited the scene, some neighbours were only then hearing of the incident as they were making their way home from work.
The few neighbours who were at home around the time the incident occurred were almost negligent to the events of the day and could not say when exactly the incident occurred.
They explained that customers kept approaching the shop and calling for him but got no response. This went on for a while until finally; a concerned neighbour summoned his son who lives a few corners away.
The son reportedly returned with the Police and it was then neighbours realised that the man was suspected
to have been murdered.
A Police release indicated that two men and a woman have been arrested and are in Police custody assisting
with the investigations.
The body is currently at the Lyken Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Homeless man steals pepper sauce, gets community service
– Magistrate bewails case jacket’s errors
Ahomeless man was sentenced to a community service sentence at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday, after admitting to stealing a bottle of pepper sauce in a time of need.
The accused, Tony Persaud, was charged for stealing a bottle of pepper sauce valued $1000 on June 6, while at Bourda Street from a stall belonging to the Virtual Complainant (VC), Sunil Beharry. He was brought before Magistrate Annette Singh in Court 11 to answer to the charges.
The prosecutor told the court that he removed the pepper sauce around 23:00h that night and was caught
by
Beharry himself.
A Police Officer was nearby and promptly apprehended the accused when he was told by the owner of the theft. The prosecution also described Persaud as having no fixed place of abode when he was brought before the court.
The defendant told the court that he is 31 years old and lives at Bourda Market, where he could be seen in the daylight hours working as a porter, labourer, and other odd jobs needed by the stall owners at the Bourda Market.
He expressed his regret for committing the offence to the court, stating he was hungry and had thought of
getting some money after selling the pepper sauce. Persaud said he was willing to work and pay back the Virtual Complainant (VC) for the pepper sauce he had taken.
Magistrate Singh heard his pleas and stated that he may not be able to pay back the value of the pepper sauce. She thus sentenced him to commit 15 hours of community service at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.
Several amendments had to be made to the case jacket that detailed the case against Persaud. After the Magistrate had read the charge before the court, amendments had to
be made to the VC’s name, which had been Sonny Persaud.
Amendments also had to be made to the charge itself as the accused had been charged under the Criminal Offences Act, which would have made him liable to serve a minimum of three years imprisonment and implied a higher level of theft than what was committed.
This was pointed out by the prosecutor, and Magistrate Singh made the relevant amendments after checking it was alright with the defence. Persaud was instead charged under the Summary Jurisdiction Act Section 66C.
Eyew tness
New Parliament...
...the long and short of it
Today a new Parliament’s being ensconced - the 11th Parliament since Independence. Guyana just came off what might be termed our “short Parliament” - the second the PPP/C had to endure since free and fair elections were returned in 1992.
Both were brought about by the Opposition - the PNC in 1997 rioting in the streets and its surrogate APNU backing a “No Confidence” Motion - which the government had to avoid by committing political hara kiri.
There are some folks out there who’re worried that this “short Parliament” might be followed by a “long Parliament” like the one in England back in the day - 12 years or so. All this Eyewitness can say is “not to worry”.
This 11th Parliament has all the signs of falling apart at the seams even before the APNU/AFC’s first term is over.
Just look at what’s supposed to take place today at the Public Buildings. After the MPs would’ve been sworn in, they’re supposed to elect the Speaker. Now as all us may remember, the coalition had agreed to have a denizen of “civil society” to occupy this rarified office.
And here in lies the rub - APNU and AFC can’t arrive at a consensus as to who this paragon of impartiality should be. But rather than using the “dispute settlement mechanism” they placed in the Cummingsburg Accordtoss the matter to Dr Harold Lutchman to chew over and give a pronouncement - we’re told they’ll vote on the matter in Parliament!
Now if the PPP/C were going to that august House, it could’ve been an interesting occasion. But as it is, the AFC - with all the 12 MPs it bargained for - will be swamped by the 21 APNU Brigade.
The disparity in numbers is what the economists call “outcome determinative”! So once again the AFC comes out with the short end of the stick - and gets the stick! But this Eyewitness guesses they’ll swallow hard and put a good face to being ground into the dust.
Remember the AFC leader’s reaction to the President chairing the Cabinet? “Oooooo! What an officer and a gentleman!! And don’t I just love his voice!”
But old people say even a rat will bare his teeth if he’s cornered. And the AFC’s being cornered so tightly if it doesn’t bare some teeth soon, it might just end up being spayed. And a spayed rat is not a pretty sight! Has anybody been keeping count as to the ways they and their Accord have been violated?
But hey!! Maybe nothing will come out of the violations. Some victims start identifying with their violators, no?
Stockholm Syndrome in Guyana’s Parliament?
...new message?
If the Parliament gets around to electing the Speaker (and APNU/AFC might do this by deciding to share the Speaker and Deputy Speaker and locking out the absent PPP/C), the next order of business would be for the President to deliver Guyana’s equivalent of “the state of the union” message.
But even though we’ve heard a heck of a lotta rhetoric about “unity” there ain’t gonna be any “union” today down at the Public Buildings.
It’ll be quite a feat to even suggest “unity” with the representatives of 49.3 per cent of the people outside Parliament yelling that they’ve been “cheated, not defeated”. This Eyewitness guesses that the PPP/C will prove to the naysayers that they can represent their supporters while being OUT of Parliament.
Those supporters just want to know which part of democracy would be violated if there were to be a recount of the ballots.
After all if the PNC got a recount in 1997 with a gap of 40,000 - what’s the principle of saying “no” to 5000?
...new position
In case some MPs appear confused, expect old returnees to feel a sense of disorientation after sitting on the “other” side of the house after 23 years in the Opposition benches!
The man’s home is now a crime scene as investigations into the suspected murder continue
Attorney files motion to reverse Broomes’ ban on PSC
Another legal action has been brought against the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, with this time Junior Social Protection Minister Simona Broomes’ decision to cease the Public Service Commission (PSC) from conducting interviews to fill posts in various public offices, being the subject.
Attorney Euclin Gomes has moved to the courts to have the decision by Broomes reversed, saying that it is his “national duty” to ensure that those entrusted with the sovereignty of Guyana act in due compliance with the Constitution when discharging their public functions and constitutional duties.
The legal action was filed by former Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall on behalf of Attorney Gomes. The proceedings name Attorney General Basil Williams as the Respondent in the matter.
On May 28, Broomes issued a letter to the Secretary of the Public Service Commission advising that all interviews and meetings of the Commission are to be ceased forthwith until instructed by President David Granger.
The letter states “It has been brought to my attention that there are alleged clandestine efforts to fill vacancies within the Public Service and more particularly, within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, (now Ministry of Social Protection) and these interviews are to be conducted tomorrow. Please be advised that all interviews and meetings of the Commission are to cease forthwith until further instructed by his Excellency, the President, David Arthur Granger’s notice.”
According to Gomes, this action is a violation of the Constitution, hence it is null and void. Therefore, Gomes is asking the court to issue a declaration that the Public Service Commission, “… in the exercise of its functions, that Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”.
In addition, the Attorney requests the court to declare that the letter issued by Broomes to the PSC Secretary is “clearly in violation of the letter and spirit of Article 38(G), 201 and 226 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,”
According to Attorney Gomes in the court documents, Article 201 states: “subject to the provision of this Constitution, the power to make appointments to public offices and to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices shall vest in the Public Service Commission”.
He further pointed out that Article 226 (1) says “save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, in the exercise of its functions under this Constitution a Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority” while adding that Article 38(G) of the Constitution guarantees the integrity of the Public Service and further insulates it from political influence.
Gomes underscore that the abovementioned letter is in flagrant violation
of those three constitutional articles. The matter has been scheduled for hearing on June 17 at the High Court.
Tax reform committee to be set up – Finance Minister
Government will be keeping its promise to review the tax system and this process will begin soon, according to Finance Minister Winston Jordan.
During a recent interview with the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Minister said, “The 100day agenda that talks to the review of VAT, etc, those are attracting immediate attention. Within the 100 days, we are expected to put together a tax reform committee that is expected to look in a more long-term way about taxes in general.”
He pointed out that as the Minister of Finance, he does not favour ad-hoc approaches to taxation, “particularly if you do not have the benefit of a study to know what would happen if you do x, or you do y, but I
agree with the public, you should clamour to pay low taxes. Citizen Jordan will be clamouring for low taxes, but Minister Jordan is a different story, and every time somebody makes a demand for reduction and has all the right reasons, you have to know what the reduction will result in, in actually loss of revenue, or gain in revenue.”
He added that he learnt that in terms of what you call ‘poor people items’, there are 150 of these that are already exempted from Value Added Tax (VAT). “There are little that is left that could attract further zero rate, so it makes for good appeal, so when you look and see there is almost nothing left, to entertain further reduction is to narrow the tax base.”
It was pointed out that a reduction in some areas
could result in an increased tax rate, but already there has been a call for the reduction in the rate. “Now when you look at it on two sides, there’s a clamour on the revenue side to reduce, effectively reducing revenues. There’s a clamour on the expenditure side to effectively increase wages.”
This increase, Minister Jordan said, would effectively increase expenditure. As Minister in the “hot seat”, he said that he has to look at all of these factors and ensure there is “a judicious mix”. He explained, “You’re not going to please all the people on the expenditure side, and you’re not going to please all the people on the revenue side who are asking for the decline. What you’re hoping for is a balance and you’re hoping that it will net out at the end of the day.”
Social Protection Minister promises comprehensive solution to Lombard St residents
Residents occupying an area along Lombard Street, Georgetown have been given the assurance that while there may not be an immediate solution to their issues, there will be a comprehensive one in the not-so-distant future.
Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence gave this assurance over the weekend when she visited the residents living along the Lombard and Broad Streets area. The Minister told the residents who are currently living under deplorable conditions that their voices were heard at the recent elections, and now it was the new Government’s time to make interventions.
The residents were, however, reminded that the changes which are needed will not happen overnight as their issues are wide-ranging, but it will take strategic planning for a comprehensive solution, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.
Minister Lawrence advised the residents, many of whom live in cramped shacks and are forced to sleep on the floor that the new Administration will be working to bring about better housing solutions that will cater to individual needs.
Acknowledging that there are some challenges when persons are issued with house lots and cannot
afford to pay for them, and the issue of high mortgage, Lawrence said the new housing plans would see homes being built to suit the individual needs of families at a cost they can afford.
The Minister told the residents that she was not pleased with the conditions under which the children are forced to grow up as the environment is not conducive.
Some residents informed the Minister that they applied to the Ministry of Housing for a house lot several years ago, and they were
still waiting. Other residents said they were invited into the Housing Ministry and asked to pay $200,000 cash in order to acquire houses under a Food For the Poor initiative. For many of the residents that amount was too high, and they were not given any time to acquire it. In the interim, the Minister urged the residents to be patient as she reiterated that the relevant authorities are working on new strategies to address their concerns.
Junior Social Protection
Minister Simona Broomes
Attorney Euclin Gomes
Republic Bank Apprenticeship Programme produces Guyana’s future Bankers
− first CBET trained Bank Clerks
The Republic Bank of Guyana has once again showed its commitment towards the edification of the nation’s banking system by produc-
ing its next line of Bankers with their Apprenticeship Training Programme. On Tuesday, the bank held a graduating ceremony at the Savannah Suite of the
Pegasus Hotel for its 32 graduates who successfully came through its 7th Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme.
The training pro-
gramme is an annual seven month training done by Republic Bank for persons interested in being a part of their workforce. It offers secondary school graduates the opportunity to experience the working world in a nurturing, safe and professional environment.
The Managing Director of the Guyana branch, John Alves, told attendees at the ceremony that their main objective for the training is to “support national professional development, by moulding and guiding each group in readiness for their respective options”. He added that the bank’s overachieving aim is to improve lives, foster dreams, positively shape circumstances, hone potential and reward excellences.
This, he said, is what the training gives to their employees, the skills and confidence necessary to do their job competently and unwaveringly. The Managing Director said the training grounds each apprentice into, not just the protocols of banking, but the world of work and professionalism.
Director Alves indicated that the programme does not only wish to shore up the professionalism of their workers, but also to be prepared for every necessity whether it be first aid, helping those in need, or simply having fun. This was seen in the many adventures the graduating class went on during their training. These included trips to Baganara Island,
visits to the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, and first aid training. Wholesomeness was fully embodied in the curriculum of the programme. The Director urged the graduates to embrace this principle, detailing that “professionalism, dedication and integrity” should be their mantra; “with these you have the power to succeed.”
In addition, the Managing Director elaborated about the Competency Based Education (CBET) which was added to the apprenticeship programme this year, making the 20142015 graduating class the first group to benefit from this programme. He stated that a registrant of the Council for Technical and Vocational Training (CTVET) of Republic Bank is now able to offer and deliver CBET. As such the graduates received their National Qualification Certificate as a certified Bank Clerk issued by the CTVET.
Hollis Kellman, the Manager’s Assistant of Foreign Business of the Water Street Branch of Republic Bank, told the group that they should feel quite privileged to participate in this “unique programme” as it basically makes them well rounded individuals, prepared and armed for the working environment. She urged them to use these skills well to push themselves as much as possible in whichever field they may branch off into.
A full number of 32 graduates received certificates of completion from the Republic Bank on Tuesday evening. However, four of the graduates were particularly highlighted for their great achievements during the training. There were six prizes given out and three of those went to Cassandra Sunthgolam from the New Amsterdam branch of the Republic Bank. The prizes, “Most Disciplined Apprentice”, “Most Effective Presentation” and “Best All Rounder” were given to her by the Managers after witnessing first hand her dedication to her work, the professionalism she embraced and the fact that she epitomised the bank’s goal of a well balanced worker. The other prizes of “Best Business Proposal” went to Hugh Babb; “Most Congenial Apprentice” to Crystel Rodney for her ever ready smiles, friendliness and pleasantness; and “Most Improved Apprentice” went to Nikita Emmanuel. Motivational Speaker, Dr Marlon Hestick had an opportunity to address the young graduates on Tuesday evening, highlighting the importance of the opportunities in the whole. He told the graduates that it is indeed a privilege to be chosen from many, but emphasised that “time and opportunity comes to all”, adding that it is alright to fall along the way as long as you “fall forward”.
The 2014-2015 graduates of the Republic Bank Youth Link Apprenticeship Programme
3 nabbed during robbery spree at Anna Catherina
Govt fires “Fireball” Shury …claims she has not reported for duty
Ranks of the Guyana Police Force on Tuesday arrested three bandits who were seemingly on a robbery spree along the West Coast of Demerara (WCD).
According to Police Public Relations Officer Ivelaw Whittaker, the arrest was made on Tuesday morning following the men’s second robbery. Information from the Police revealed that around 05:45h on Tuesday, two of the men entered the home of 54-year-old Wazim Khan of Anna Catherina, WCD, through an open door.
One of men was armed with a handgun and held
Khan at gunpoint. They then escaped after taking possession of a video camera and a cellular phone.
Meanwhile about three hours later, around 09:15h, four men held up another man, Ramesh (only name given), at Hague Backdam, WCD. One of the men in this incident was also armed. The perpetrators relieved Ramesh of his bicycle and made their escaped. However the victim quickly raised an alarm and nearby residents responded. After being informed of what transpired moments ago, the residents summoned the Police, who responded promptly.
Cummingsburg Accord
With the assistance of the residents, the Police conducted a search of the area and apprehended three of the four men. In addition, an unlicensed .38 revolver along with two matching rounds, as well as the stolen bicycle, were recovered.
While the identities of the captured men were unknown at the time, they were positively identified as those who had earlier carried out the armed robbery at Anna Catherina. The trio was taken into custody to assist with investigations.
On the other hand, Police are continuing in their efforts to locate the fourth perpetrator.
Nagamootoo claims not bothered by nixing of Cabinet chairmainship
Despite signing onto an agreement which explicitly states that the Prime Minister, who was drawn from the Alliance For Change (AFC) party, should be the Chairman of the Cabinet, Moses Nagamootoo has said that he is not bothered or in any way affected by President David Granger reneging on that agreement and chairing the proceedings of the Cabinet. However, the AFC and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have set about to resolve issues surrounding the breach of the accord.
Nagamootoo, who was at the time speaking to media operatives on Monday at the Parliament Building, said that the Cummingsburg Accord was not negotiated by him and he is not bothered by the breach since the Government was working as a team. “The chairmanship of the Cabinet belongs to the President…it is not an issue that I find that upsets me. It’s not upsetting to me because I think we are working as a team and while the President is in the country and...has something to say to the Cabinet, then one wouldn’t expect the President to just move away into a side room,” the Prime Minister stated.
The first official Cabinet meeting convened by the new administration was chaired by Granger and not Nagamootoo, as is stipulated under the Cummingsburg Accord signed by APNU and AFC parties to contest the elections. When asked about this, leader of the Alliance For Change Khemraj Ramjattan told another section of the media that he too was unperturbed. He offered that it was the first official meeting and President Granger, as Head of State, would have had to address the Ministers; and he for one wanted to hear from the President. “He (the President) had a number of things (to say) that I was very proud of.
Listening to him, as to what he would like to see happen in this next Government...it is clear to me that he had to speak because the man is our President,” Ramjattan was quoted as saying. “We want this coalition to work. We know how fragile coalitions can be and we know how people out there who do not like the coalition will want to prick us with these little sensitive matters so that they can literally take us over the brink,” he added.
Commentators had pointed out after the signing of the accord, that to have the Prime Minister chair the Cabinet when the President is available is a breach of the Constitution. Article 106 (3) of the Constitution states, “Cabinet meetings shall be presided over by (a) the President; (b) in the absence of the President, the Prime Minister; (c) in the absence of the President and the Prime Minister, such Minister as the President may designate.”
In accordance with the principles of statutory interpretation the word “shall” indicates an obligation as opposed to discretion on the part of the President to delegate the responsibility to another functionary outside of the conditions laid out in Article 106 (3).
According to the February 14th Accord, the President shall, among other things, delegate the responsibilities of domestic national affairs and the chairing of Cabinet. Other responsibilities delegated to the Prime Minister should have included recommending ministerial appointments and providing the organisational structures of Ministries for the approval of the President; appointment of head of agencies and nonconstitutional commissions, with the required and agreed democratic mechanisms of consultation and domestic security (Home Affairs). The parties had also agreed that Cabinet positions would be allocated on a 60/40 basis between APNU and the AFC, respectively.
Country first Nagamootoo further went on to state that the Accord was not worth more than the country and, as such, those were minor things. “We have an active President and we have to make this Accord work; make this coalition work; and for me the things that are minor irritancies I won’t elevate to any importance,” he said. However, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who spoke to the Guyana Times, said that such a provision in the Cummingsburg Accord, which was signed between the two parties on February 14, largely violates Guyana’s Constitution. While Nagamootoo is to chair Cabinet meetings even if the President is in Guyana, Nandlall said that this was a violation on the part of the Prime Minister in the Constitution.
In addition to the breach in the chairing of the Cabinet, the Accord was not followed by the new Government for the allotment of 40 per cent of the Cabinet positions to the Alliance For Change (AFC), with no explanation forthcoming from either side of the coalition.
National Director of the Community Development Council (CDC) Philomena SahoyeShury has lashed out at the Government for what she has described as a ridiculous dismissal letter that was addressed to her by the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon.
The reason for her dismissal is stated in the letter: “The Office of the President has taken the decision for you to be dismissed for not reporting for duty since 12th May, 2015.” It was also stated in the letter that in light of her dismissal, her emoluments are forfeited. SahoyeShury refuted these claims saying that it was not her duty to report to the Office of the President but that she has her office at 34 A North Road, Lacytown, Georgetown. She also pointed out that there were no visits to her office to verify these allegations of her not reporting for duty.
During an interview with the Guyana Times, SahoyeShury revealed that she will not be adhering to the letter, saying “I am not prepared to negate my office as National Director of the Community Development Council unless it is proven beyond a shadow
of a doubt that I did not come to office”.
It was also explained that four other staff of the CDC including Amit Ramdath who is the National Coordinator of the CDC, and Sahoye-Shury’s Confidential Secretary, Natasha Corrica have been sent on leave.
She expressed concern as it relates to the recent incidents where a number of employees within the Government have been dismissed. She believes that the decision to dismiss her was arbitrary and was a result of her political affiliations with the People’s Progressive
Party/Civic (PPP/C) “How could they hope to run a country when in a lot of areas, they are doing as they see fit? I am concerned in asking if there is proper investigation on these persons before you relieve them of duty,” Sahoye-Shury said emphasising her belief that these dismissals are all part of a witch-hunt on the new Government’s part. “To tell me that I am dismissed without coming here or sending somebody here to verify and certify that I am operating … I will say that these people are ruthless,” Sahoye-Shury stated.
The political activist stated that she was unfazed by the letter as she was prepared to fight and has already engaged her lawyer, but her concerns lay with the persons who would benefit from the work done by the CDC. She reflected on the many projects that are currently on hold such as sewing classes, block-making, bee-keeping and tilapia-rearing which are aimed at bettering the lives of poor community members across the country. She revealed that a large number of persons have already vowed to support her in her fight to retain her office.
Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo
CDC National Director Philomena Sahoye-Shury
Killing spree continues: 9 murders in 7 days
As the worrying crime rate continues to spiral, Guyana recorded an alarming eight deaths in the space of six days.
Over June 3 to June 8, the Police reported on several matters that resulted in persons being killed or injured during criminal activities, including both victims and perpetrators. During this period, some seven persons died. Six other persons lost their lives during the course of May 29 to June 2.
This week saw two persons being killed in separate robberies and one per-
son injured; one man was fatally shot during an argument; a couple were murdered in their home; one man was executed and another was injured in the same incident, while a woman was chopped to death by her partner. Furthermore, another man was killed after he opened fire on a Police Officer, injuring him. In addition, two decomposed bodies were found.
An unidentified man was found floating in the Cozier Canal, Region Two. He died from drowning. Then, the decomposing body of 41-yearold Sasenarine Baljit, of Clifton Settlement, Port Mourant, Corentyne, was discovered on Friday at the Tain Backdam, Corentyne, with suspected shotgun injuries.
This comes two days after the village was plunged into shock, following the discovery of the bodies of Parbatie Vijrauren and Ramdat Persaud of Tain.
The woman’s former common-law husband, 26-yearold Ian Boodhoo, was arrested and confessed to the double murder. He was subsequently charged and remanded to prison.
Promoter Manu Durant, 40, of Atlantic Ville, East Coast Demerara, was involved in an argument with another man at a popular night spot on North Road, Georgetown, during which he was shot to his chest.
The incident occurred around 04:30h on Thursday. He was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed to the inju-
ries a few hours later. His assailant was nabbed on Saturday at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River. Meanwhile, on Saturday, a brazen day-
light robbery attempt on popular businessman Neezam Khan resulted in him sustaining a gunshot injury along with one of his attackers being killed, while another was injured. Reports revealed that Khan, who is a licensed firearm holder, was at a snackette in Grove, East Bank Demerara, when four men on two on motorcycles approached him.
Robberies
One of the men was armed with a handgun and held up the businessman, relieving him of his jewellery. The businessman was shot to his left arm during the process; however, he managed to open fire on his attackers. One of them, Michael Grant, was hit to his chest and pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.
Another perpetrator, Curtis Vasconcellos, shot
to his neck and right hand. He has been admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital under guard. Police are currently hunting for the two other assailants who fled the scene.
The next day saw Police Officers shooting to death a young man who had escaped from custody after injuring a rank. Eighteenyear-old Regan Richards, of One Mile Extension,
Wismar, was arrested on Sunday and taken into custody at the Wisroc Police Outpost.
However, while there, he managed to overpower Police Constable Victor Fausette and took away his service revolver.
The teenager shot the Police rank above his left ear and escaped with the firearm. Ranks went to Richard’s home, where they came under fire from the teenager. The Police returned fire, hitting him to his body. He was taken to the Mackenzie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Around 21:40h the same day, a group of men were under a shed at North Sophia, Georgetown, when a car drove up and a man armed with a firearm exited, discharging rounds in their direction. Colin Kendall called “Bow Foot” of North Sophia was hit about his body and subsequently pronounced dead on arrival
at the Georgetown Public Hospital. Another man identified as Keith Nedd was hit to his left side and was admitted to hospital where he was treated before being discharged. The gunman escaped in the waiting car.
Then on Monday, 18-year-old Keith Daniels was fatally stabbed during a robbery. It was reported that around 01:50h, the teenager was walking home with a relative when they were confronted by three men.
One of the men was armed with a sharp object, which he used to stab the teenager to his chest.
The three perpetrators escaped while the injured young man was rushed to the hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival. On Tuesday, a 42-yearold woman was hacked to death by a man she shared a relationship with.
Reports revealed that the woman, Carol Shako of Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, had an argument with the man during which she was struck to her head and chopped to her neck with an axe. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Diamond Diagnostic Centre. The suspect has been arrested.
Ram, Goolsarran contracted to perform state audits
Financial forensic audits of several state agencies began in earnest on Monday, and a number of private auditing firms have been contracted to conduct the probes.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan, speaking to media operatives on Monday at the Parliament Building, related that the Finance Ministry has contracted private independent firms such as Ram and McRae, Hinds and Associates, former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran, among others, to begin the audits into the operations and transactions of 30 plus agencies.
Both Christopher Ram and Goolsarran were staunch critics of the previous administration and had commented publicly before on the financial statuses of a number of the agencies being audited.
According to Minister Jordan, in an effort to ensure transparency and accountability, the audits are being done by a wide field of persons and not confined
to one firm or individual.
The Finance Ministry had expected to commence financial audits of at least four agencies on Monday, three of which are the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Gold Board (GCB) and National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL)
While Minister Jordan could not say whether audits had indeed begun in all of the mentioned agencies, he indicated that Goolsarran, who is tasked with the audits for those agencies, had iterated to him his intentions of beginning as soon as Monday and he was positive that those had gone through.
The audit will target these agencies which, under the previous administration, were allowed to remain as offline accounts and did not follow the correct procedure of having their revenues placed in the Consolidated Fund, Jordan stated.
Earlier the Finance Minister had stated that
he had unearthed that the Consolidated Fund is heavy in over draft, whilst the previous Government was maintaining several offline accounts.
In terms of the offline financial records, the Ministry has already started closing accounts with balances that should have gone into the present Consolidated Fund. The Ministry is also examining other accounts and doing forensic audits for funds like Petrocaribe, lotto, wildlife and those related to GGMC, GGB and NICIL.
The Minister said that once these audits are completed, the Finance Ministry will be better able to ascertain the balances in these offline accounts and will then transfer those to their rightful place, which is the Consolidated Fund. Jordan said that while the administration will not practice witch-hunting in any of the agencies, if it is found necessary for individuals to be sent home on leave to facilitate the audits, it will be done.
Police car ignites at Enmore Station
The early morning rush in Enmore, East Coast Demerara, was brought to a temporary halt as a Police car caught fire in the compound of the Enmore Police Station on Tuesday.
Residents going about their daily activities, schoolchildren and those traversing the Railway
Embankment watched in disbelief as the front portion of the Nissan Sunny mysteriously went up in flames around 08:00h.
Ranks stationed at the facility, with assistance from public-spirited citizens, formed a bucket brigade in a desperate attempt to put out the blaze, but their efforts initially proved
futile. It required the use of a fire extinguisher from a nearby business to prevent the blaze from engulfing the vehicle, and possibly spreading to the building in the compound. From all indications, the fire started in the bonnet of the car. It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.
Christopher Ram Former Auditor General Anand Goolsarran
The vehicle caught afire around 08:00h on Tuesday
Injured: Police Constable Victor Fausette
Dead: Manu Durant
Dead: Colin Kendall
Injured bandit, Curtis Vasconcellos
Sidelined Solomon denies financial impropriety
Faced with the possibility of being replaced as Chairman of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Sharma Solomon is now battling fresh allegations of financial impropriety at the helm of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). However, he is insisting that his stewardship is an open secret and that the allegations have no basis in fact.
The Guyana Times was told that Solomon does not enjoy the confidence of the leadership of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), nor the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), to be returned as Chairman, although he is more popular than other possible contenders for the post. Solomon had openly challenged the current leader of the PNCR, President David Granger, for the post of leader of the party.
In a statement, Solomon dismissed statements circulating alleged financial impropriety. “It is unfortunate the region has returned to an era where those who disagree, find being disagreeable an appropriate conflict resolution tool. In the three years as APNU-elect Regional Chairman and a member of the PNCR, I have been accused of receiving millions of dollars from the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) and other sources. I can say to you this much my people, with very little resources given to me as Campaign Manager, Region 10 had the best showing for the coalition at the May 11 Elections in votes, turnout and reducing the PPP/C numbers. The people of Region 10 have stood tall and have been a formidable force against those who threaten our tranquillity and sought to trample our rights. Despite our political diversity on regional matters we have operated as one region.”
He said an understand-
ing of how the RDC functions would reveal that the administrative line of authority is the Regional Executive Officer, who is the RDC’s Chief Financial Officer and administrator of all executive duties. “The Regional Chairman is the political head and presides over the Council in developing policies, deliberating on the execution of the programmes and the management of the region. The Regional Chairman represents the region’s interests at the national level, such as the Drainage and Irrigation Board.”
Solomon said, during his stewardship, every effort has been made to keep the Government honest and accessible to the people. “This was done through walkabouts, community meetings, an open-door communication policy, regional media programmes and having the media present at RDC’s meetings.” He said the RDC was manned by councillors from the PPP/C, AFC (Alliance For Change) and APNU. These meetings were robust and none were spared scrutiny and accountability.
Additionally, he said, on the Rebuild Our Future Programme (ROFP), this was conceptualised out of
the cooperative spirit exhibited during our 2012 struggle and the need to keep it alive in furtherance of the region’s development. “This programme includes the burial of our three Martyrs on August 1, 2012 and some support for their families, also rebuild the One Mile Primary School, the establishment of the Linden Martyrs Monument Park and the establishment of the television station.” Solomon said that the ROFP has a Working Committee and is administered outside of the day-to-day administration of Region 10 which is independent of this management and is with the participation of stakeholders.
He said the money garnered for the ROFP is accounted for by the professional accountant of Wilson’s Consulting Service in Linden, deposited at Citizens Bank and audited by D Bahadur & Co Chartered Accountants in Georgetown. This was at the insistence of the Council, which is made up Councillors of all three of the political parties.
“There is no need to assassinate my character to justify to Guyana, and the people of Region 10, the purported exclusion of my name from the Regional List. I have served the people of this region with pride, integrity and humility and, in this information age, my record is easily verifiable. I remain humbled and grateful for the opportunity presented to serve the people. Though some may think I am extinguishable, Region 10 and those who desire a politics of development and not a politics of destruction and tear down, rest assure you will hear from and see Sharma Solomon. I am Guyanese and will continue to play a positive role in the development of our people and this dear land,” Soloman said.
Main Street night club murder accused freed
The man accused of killing his friend outside of a night club on Main Steet, Georgetown last month, Andre Gomes, walked out of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday a free man.
Gomes, a resident of Craig Street, Campbellville, made his last appearance on Tuesday morning when Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry told him that he was free to go.
The accused was alleged to have accidentally shot Nigel Isaacs, a resident of Guyhoc Gardens, Ruimveldt, on May 10 when he dislodged shots at an errant driver in front of a Main Street night club. According to Police reports, on the day in question around 00:25h, the driver of HB 4024 ac-
cidentally collided with a parked vehicle bearing registration number PPP 7994, which belonged to Isaacs. The driver did not stop after the collision, but drove away.
Gomes, who is a licensed firearm holder, shot at the driver when he refused to stop. However, his shots were not accurate and hit his friend instead.
Isaacs was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, but succumbed to his injuries later that day.
Gomes was subsequently arrested.
At the first court hearing, Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told the court that the shells at the murder scene were a match
All set for convening of 11th Parliament
…as new, old MPs get orientation ahead of today’s sitting
The Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, has assured that all systems are in place for the grand opening of the 11th Parliament by the new President, David Granger, today.
Isaacs, speaking to the Guyana Times on Tuesday, related internally that all measures were already in place to deal with all issues of the Parliament, while externally, final touches were being carried.
Isaacs said that, on Monday, an orientation exercise was hosted for the Members of Parliament (MPs), particularly the new ones, to ensure that they become acquainted with the rules, procedures, Code of Conduct, how to present a Bill, and benefits which come with the post.
This is even as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is yet to submit its list of Parliamentary representatives to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) for the names to be gazetted and declared as final. To this end, Isaacs said that as far as he was aware, the PPP/C will not be present in Parliament today.
Attended only by members of the ruling A Partnership for National
Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Isaacs oriented the new membersSimona Broomes, Winston Jordan, Nicolette Henry, Dominic Gaskin, Michael Carrington, John Adams, Jermaine Figueira and Audwin Rutherford - with the policies, rules and regulations which governed the National Assembly.
In the meantime while this was ongoing, the PPP/C had not yet submitted its list of representatives to GECOM. Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo noted that according to the legal stipulations, the PPP/C can turn up to the reconvening on Wednesday, if they decide to take up their allotted 32 seats.
He, however, noted that if this is not done, then they have six sittings, or three months, during which they can also make their appearance. If this is not done, then their seats will be declared vacant and will not be able to make any representations in the National Assembly.
Questioned, however, on whether this will affect the sitting of the National Assembly, Nagamootoo replied in the negative. He noted that the work of
the Government and the Parliament will continue. Asked though, how the coalition plans to deal with the setback since they would need the PPP/C or two thirds of the National Assembly to embark on the Constitutional reform, Nagamootoo said that they will cross that bridge when it comes.
The current APNU/ AFC administration won close victory in the 2015 General and Regional Elections with 207,200 votes, while the People’s Progressive Party/Civic secured 202,694 votes. Given the results of the elections, APNU/AFC secured a representation of 33 MPs in the 65-seat National Assembly, while the PPP/C secured 32 seats. The former ruling party has however refused to accept the results of the elections, deeming it a ‘”rigged” process. As such, the PPP/C has said that it is still facilitating discussions on whether it will take up its allotted seats in the National Assembly and if it does, who will be its representatives.
President David Granger, in the meantime, has issued the proclamation for the 11th Parliament to be reconvened on Wednesday June 10, 2015 at 14:00h.
for the gun of the defendant. However, Gomes’s Attorney, Mark Waldron, told the court that the charge against his client seemed premature considering the fact that the post-mortem had only been done earlier that day.
He also mentioned that the Police have evidence that there was another issue that triggered the shooting whereby his client was almost robbed. He indicated more information was needed to shed light on the circumstances that led to Isaacs’s death.
According to reports, the Chief Magistrate had sent the matter for advice to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) whence the order came down for Gomes to be released owing to the lack of evidence.
Sharma Solomon
Regional
Argentina hit by transport strike
Amajor transport strike in Argentina has brought parts of the country to a standstill as unions protest against high taxes and inflation.
The 24-hour walkout, the second in three months, affects bus, train, plane and underground services.
Swathes of the capital Buenos Aires ground to a halt after people were unable to reach their jobs. The country’s powerful transport unions are unhappy with the income tax floor and high inflation in the country.
With people unable to access
parts of the city or use public transport, many businesses and schools were forced to close. All domestic flights and some international flights were cancelled.
Tuesday’s strike also disrupted waste collection, freight transport and port activity after a number of smaller unions joined the protest.
The three transport unions are protesting against a bid by the Government of President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner to cap salary increases at 27 per cent, complaining that the figure does not match the forecast 30 per cent in-
12-yr-old girl is 1st in Caribbean to contract Zika Virus
The mosquito-borne Zika virus, also referred to as ZIKV, has now reached the Caribbean, with a 12-year-old girl in the Dominican Republic becoming the first person to contract the virus. The pre-teen has been hospitalised in a private clinic.
This development comes a month after cases were reported in Brazil, prompting the Pan American Health Organisation to issue a warning about its potential to spread to other countries. Caribbean countries subsequently put their residents on alert.
The Zika virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes aegypti mosqui-
The University of the West Indies (UWI) has been challenged to launch a study into the value of locally-grown foods and their benefits to individuals’ health.
Senior Assistant General Secretary of the Barbados Workers’ Union, Orlando “Gabby” Scott, encouraged the tertiary institution to carry out research and experimentation on locallygrown foods to demonstrate “the richness and nutrition-
to, the same mosquito that transmits Chikungunya and dengue. The virus is similar to dengue with symptoms that include fever, joint and muscle pain, conjunctivitis, headache, weakness, rash and swelling of the lower limbs.
After the bite of an infected mosquito, symptoms usually appear following the incubation period of three to 12 days. They last for four to seven days. No deaths due to the Zika virus have been recorded worldwide to date.
The Zika Virus was first isolated in 1947 in a Rhesus monkey in the Zika Forest, Uganda. It was first isolated in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. (Caribbean 360)
al benefits that may be derived from local foods and fruits like guava, mango and cherry, against the imported ones like apples”.
In addition, Scott urged the creation of “Caribbean branded” healthy menus; fashion innovative features in relation to workplace wellness programmes; and the crafting of ideas that could convert the Caribbean’s environment like its beaches, woods and other areas into attractive venues for physi-
flation expected this year. They are also calling for tax cuts as they say the threshold salary subjected to income tax has not been updated to keep pace with inflation, hitting lower earners.
Official figures put inflation in Argentina last year at 24 per cent, but private estimates reckon it was closer to 40 per cent.
Juan Carlos Schmid, Head of Argentina’s Dredging Workers Union, said the strike would send a “strong signal” to the Government that takes power after December’s general elections.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Panama ex-leader faces wiretap probe
Panama’s Supreme Court has launched an investigation into allegations that ex-President Ricardo Martinelli ordered illegal wiretaps.
Martinelli, who governed from 2009 to 2014, is already under investigation over corruption allegations. The former President has denied any wrongdoing, saying he is the victim of a “political persecution”.
Investigators say more than 150 people, including politicians and business people, were spied on illegally. Among the alleged victims of the wiretaps are high-ranking members of the oppositional Revolutionary Democratic Party, as well as lawmaker Jose Luis Varela, who is the brother of current President Juan Carlos Varela.
They allege that their phones were tapped and that the Martinelli’s administration prepared dossiers against them containing intimate information. One alleged victim said that her private emails and messages to members of her family were monitored and recorded.
Investigators said the wiretaps were carried out by members of Panama’s National Security Council, who used sophisticated spy technology bought from Israel, which has since disappeared.
Two former directors of the
4 missing at sea after leaving Martinique
Asearch is on for four men who have been missing at sea since they left Martinique for St Lucia five days ago.
The four left Fort de France on a pirogue early last Friday morning and were expected to arrive in Rodney Bay that same day. However, they never reached their destination and have not been seen since their departure.
Officials in Martinique deployed aircraft to look for the vessel and a team of local Marine Police officials has also joined in the search effort. There are no clues so far about the whereabouts of boat captain Wilfred Deterville and his passen-
gers.
Family members have told local media that they are desperate for answers. The captain’s daughter, Yolanda Deterville, told St Lucia News Online that her father was transporting groceries and was accompanied by Rudolph and Kurt Richard, and a third man whose name she could not recall.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Fort de France, Martinique had issued an “overdue” alert on its Twitter page Sunday afternoon. It said it was concerned about “the unexpected”, a seven-metrelong green and black vessel. (Caribbean 360)
National Security Council, Alejandro Garuz and Gustavo Perez, have been called to give evidence in the case. They were arrested in January in connection with the alleged illegal wiretaps. Martinelli has not returned to Panama since leaving the country in January, days before the Supreme Court voted in favour of having him investigated over alleged corruption. He is believed to be living in Miami, Florida. (BBC News)
HSBC to cut as many as 25,000 jobs and sell Brazil, Turkey units
HSBC (Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation)
Holdings Plc, Europe’s largest bank, plans to eliminate as many as 25,000 jobs and sell operations in Turkey and Brazil to help restore profit growth.
Under a three-year plan, HSBC will reduce the number of full-time employees by 22,000 to 25,000, or about 10 per cent, it said in a presentation to investors on its website on Tuesday. The sale of businesses will lower headcount by a further 25,000, helping cut annual costs by $4.5 billion to $5 billion by the end of 2017. The bank left its profitability target unchanged.
Chief Executive Officer Stuart Gulliver, 56, is looking to restore investor confidence in a bank battered by scandals and surging compliance costs. Since taking over in 2011, he’s announced more than 87,000 job cuts, exited about 78 businesses and reduced the number of countries the bank operates in.
“HSBC is a big bank to move and they’re definitely moving in the right direction,” said Chris White, who helps oversee about US$6 billion, including HSBC shares, at Premier Fund Managers Ltd. in Guildford, England. “A lot of it feels like it was broadly as expected.” (Excerpt from Bloomberg)
cal activity and the promotion of health tourism, for visitors and locals alike.
He made the comments while addressing Monday’s opening of the Cave Hill Campus’ Annual Wellness Week in Lecture Theatre One of the Roy Marshall Teaching Complex, which holds the theme “A Path to Fitness: Let’s Embrace the Change”. Scott lamented that Barbadians appear to accept non-communicable diseases as a natural occur-
rence, often holding the idea that if their mother or father is diagnosed with one of these, so will they.
Speaking on this fatalistic attitude, he suggested that citizens must understand that their lifestyle choices determined the onset of these illnesses and therefore, it was what they did to keep healthy in the present that determined whether or not they were healthy in their future.
(The Barbados Advocate)
Bus stops and train stations were left empty as workers went on strike
Former President Ricardo Martinelli
“Gabby” Scott
Delhi’s Law Minister held for “fake degree”
Indian Police have arrested Delhi’s Law Minister, Jitender Singh Tomar, amid allegations that his law degree is “fake”. Tomar, who belongs to the Aam Admi Party (AAP), faces charges of forgery and cheating if he cannot prove he attended university.
The Las Minister has dismissed the claims as “baseless”, but the university says it has no record of his attendance. The AAP, which was elected in Delhi on a pledge to fight corruption, says the arrest is politically-motivated. “He has been arrested without any notice or prior information. What is BJP
(Bharatiya Janata Party) Government doing?” party leader Sanjay Singh told the Times of India.
Delhi’s Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia told the Economic Times of India that the AAP was being targeted. “This arrest is illegal. There is an emergency-like situation. This is supposed to be a democracy... Maybe it is an attempt to teach the AAP a lesson.”
Tomar had submitted documents showing that he held a law degree when he ran for office.
The Delhi Bar Association filed a Police complaint against Mr Tomar on
Tuesday, after it repeatedly requested him to provide proof of his qualifications.
The association’s Chairman, KK Manan, told Z-news that they “first received complaints about Mr Tomar’s qualifications in January” and then again in February.
The Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University has previously said that it has no record of the Law Minister receiving his degree. Tomar responded that the university had not denied that he was a student and that “there are so many students they could have forgotten”.
(Excerpt from BBC News)
Greece submits new reform plan to EU, IMF
Greece has submitted a revised reform plan to the European Union (EU) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). It comes days after Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras rejected a set of reforms put forward by EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker.
The EU and IMF want further economic reforms before they release €7.2 billion of bailout funds. The reform plan comes a day before Tsipras meet French President Hollande and German Chancellor Merkel.
Last week, Greece “bundled up” a €300 million payment to the IMF, delaying the payment until the end of June when a total of €1.5 billion is due to be paid.
Among the plans being put forward by the Government, it is believed Greece is willing to increase VAT, but still maintain three rates: a standard rate, a reduced rate for food and medicine and a further reduced rate for books and hotel accommodation. Greece has also conceded ground on pensions and the country’s primary surplus target, moving closer to
creditor demands over the primary surplus.
The EU and IMF want the economy to run a primary surplus of one per cent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) this year and two per cent next year. Athens prefers a target of 0.6 per cent of GDP this year and one per cent next year.
The Greek Prime Minister warned earlier on Tuesday that a failure to reach a deal on Greece’s bailout, which expires at the end of the month, would be the beginning of the end for the Eurozone. (Excerpt from BBC News)
UN presents Libya unity plan
The United Nations (UN) has presented a draft proposal for a Libyan unity Government to warring factions in an attempt to stabilise the conflict-torn country.
The plan, unveiled at talks in Morocco, addresses terms of a truce and disarmament of armed groups. UN special envoy Bernardino Leon urged the Libyans to back the proposal. Since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has descended into chaos and seen jihadist groups fighting for control of the oil-rich nation.
Islamic State (IS) militants have recently managed to gain a foothold in Libya’s cities of Derna and Sirte.
On Tuesday, the militants said they had seized a power plant near Sirte, which a military source confirmed.
According to the privately owned Libyan alWasat newspaper, the insurgents took the facility after a militia linked to the authorities in Tripoli withdrew.
BBC correspondent Rana Jawad says with the gradual spread of IS, most of Libya’s warring militias are now facing a common
Around the World
Hong Kong warns against S Korea travel
Hong Kong has issued a red alert warning against travel to South Korea, which is battling an outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The warning means South Korea is considered to pose significant threats to tourism, and Hong Kong residents are advised to cancel non-essential travel.
South Korea confirmed a seventh death from the MERS infection on Tuesday, and 95 infections. The outbreak is the biggest since MERS was first detected in the Middle East.
The latest victim was a 68-year-old woman with a pre-existing heart condition.
She was infected at the same hospital as all the other victims so far.
The Hong Kong red alert is its second-highest level, and says people should “avoid non-essential travel to Korea, including leisure travel”. The warning said anyone who did still visit South Korea should “avoid unnecessary visit to healthcare facilities” and take precautionary measures, including wearing a mask and washing hands.
Ko Wing-man, secretary for Food and Health Bureau, said the measures had been taken in part because of the “frequent communication between Hong Kong citizens
and South Koreans”.
Hong Kong was badly hit by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, which was brought to the territory from Southern China by a doctor, so it is sensitive to new disease threats.
Eight new Mers cases were confirmed in South Korea on Tuesday, a significant drop from the 23 new cases reported on Monday. As of Monday, 2500 people who may have come into contact with the virus were under quarantine, said the Yonhap news agency, and nearly 1900 schools have been closed. (Excerpt from BBC News)
US man to be freed after 43 years in solitary
AUnited States (US) judge in the state of Louisiana has ordered the release of an inmate who has been in solitary confinement for more than 40 years. Judge James Brady also banned prosecutors from trying Albert Woodfox, 68, for a third time.
He has been in solitary confinement since April 1972, after he was blamed for the death of a guard during a prison riot. Woodfox was tried twice for the guard’s death, but both convictions were later overturned. He denies all the charges.
threat that did not exist when they declared war on each other.
“Today, the people of Libya have their eyes on this gathering, on you, in the hope that you’ll save your country and your people from protracted conflict,” Leon told Libya’s two rival Governments at the talks in Skhirat. “I am full of hope that this draft represents a fair and reasonable way forward.”
The UN plan calls for a one-year-long national unity Government and says that the Parliament elected in 2014 is the only legislative body. (Excerpt from BBC News)
He was confined for 23 hours a day, with an hour outside his cell to “walk alone along the tier on which his cell is located”, according to court documents from a case challenging his
prison conditions. Exercise was permitted three times a week and there were restrictions on “personal property, reading materials, access to legal resources, work, and visitation rights”.
Originally convicted and imprisoned for armed robbery, he was found guilty of murder after a riot where prison officer Brent Miller was stabbed to death with
a lawnmower blade. On Monday, Judge Brady ordered the unconditional release of Woodfox and said a third trial could not be fair. Woodfox is currently being held at a detention centre where he was placed in isolation ahead of his trial. He is one of three men who were held in solitary confinement at the maximum security Louisiana State Penitentiary and known as the “Angola Three”, as the prison lies next to a former slave plantation called Angola. The other two men, Robert King and Herman Wallace, were released in 2001 and 2013 respectively. Wallace, also convicted over Miller’s murder, died soon after his release pending a new trial. King’s conviction was overturned. (Excerpt from BBC News)
Nigeria court drops child bride murder case
Acourt in northern Nigeria has dropped charges against a 14-year-old girl accused of using rat poison to kill her 35-year-old husband.
The Kano State Government asked that the case be dismissed because she was a minor who had been forcibly married. The girl is to be freed from de-
tention following the ruling, reports the BBC’s Habiba Adamu from the capital, Abuja.
When the case was reported in 2014, it threw a spotlight on the issue of child brides and forced marriages in Nigeria. The girl’s father had forced her to marry the 35-year-old man, Police said. She admitted to killing her
husband by concealing rat poison in his food, the Police in Kano stated at the time. The Islamic Police in Kano and many other parts of northern Nigeria are trying to stop parents from forcing children into marriages. The region has a majority Muslim, and a mixture of a secular and Islamic system of Government. (BBC News)
Delhi’s Law Minister, Jitender Singh Tomar
Individuals are wearing masks to prevent contracting MERS
Albert Woodfox
wednesday, june 10, 2015| guyanatimesgy.com
Coalition agrees on Scotland for Speaker
Bandits rob cellphone store at Anna Regina Market
Averting what could have possibly been a major division within its ranks the Alliance For Change and A Partnership For National Unity (AFC+APNU) coalition on Tuesday agreed to elect renowned Guyanese lawyer, Dr Barton Scotland as the next Speaker of the National Assembly.
Dr Scotland, a Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara resident, is expected to be nominated first during today’s sitting of the National Assembly and then voted into office.
As of Monday, the fledgling coalition was unable to reach an agreement as to who will be the next Speaker of the National Assembly and Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had even hinted that the three nominees would have been put to a vote and members will be free to elect someone of their choice.
The Cummingsburg Accord which brought the parties together has stipulated that the parties would choose a Speaker from civil society. The AFC had nominated Attorneys Stephen Fraser, who was one of its candidates for the 2006 election and Roysdale Forde for the post, while APNU had nominated Dr Scotland.
Questioned on the matter by Guyana Times on Monday at Parliament Buildings, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had related that as it stood, three names were being considered by the two parties for the position. Harmon noted that while the possibility exists that Scotland will become the next Speaker, it was too premature to make a full pronouncement, since the other two nominees are still being considered, and as such, the House will have to take a vote.
However, General Secretary of the AFC, David Patterson told Guyana Times that as far as he was
aware, discussions on the matter were still ongoing. He noted that while the three men were indeed being considered, the coalition is hoping that all three names will not be proposed in the House on Wednesday to be voted upon, but rather just one. “We do not want three names on Wednesday so we are still having discussions to narrow it down to one name,” Patterson said. He had cautioned that even when that one person would have been decided upon, that nominee will still have to be voted in by the Members of Parliament on Wednesday. On the other hand, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo related that the names of the men were simply names mentioned but were by no means, the nominees. He explained that in order to be considered for the position, the Members of Parliament will have to nominate the person and then a vote will be taken. This, he stated, cannot be done until today. It is not yet clear whether the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) would be taking up its 32 seats in the National Assembly or if it will be nominating anyone for the position. However, because of the Government’s one seat majority, it is expect-
ed that the individual nominated by the Administration will be elected Speaker. Scotland is an Attorney with a private practice in the areas of national resources and investment law, negotiations and international law. He holds a Master of Laws degree and a PhD in International Law. He is a member of the Bars of Guyana, Barbados, St Kitts and Nevis and England and Wales. Scotland held various diplomatic posts and once headed the Department of International Economic Cooperation under the late President Desmond Hoyte. He served as an advisor to the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 2012 and was part of the team that accompanied then Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in April of that year when she made an oral presentation in support of Guyana’s submission for an extended continental shelf to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York. Scotland is also an acknowledged expert on the Law of the Sea. Scotland also served as a Commissioner on the Caricom Competition Commission which was launched in 2008 and later became its Chairman.
Region 2 Education Department hosts Sexual Offences Act workshop
Teachers from the eight secondary schools and 38 primary schools in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) on Tuesday participated in a Sexual Offences Act workshop hosted by the regional Education Department’s schools welfare unit.
The workshop, held at the Regional State House, was aimed at informing teachers about the Sexual Offences Act as well as providing them with an indepth understanding of how to deal with matters of sexual abuse in the school sys-
tem.
Opening the workshop was Regional Education Officer Bharamdai Seepersaud, who said that child abuse, especially sexual abuse, has of late been a concern of the Department.
Seepersaud said that as such, the Region Two Education Department believed that teachers needed to understand the Act and also be aware of pertinent cases.
The Education Officer acknowledged that there has been an increase in sexual abuse of students in schools,
and the workshop served to empower teachers.
She said that children were also being encouraged to speak out if they are being abused or are troubled by issues.
Seepersaud also said that there was need for a strengthened relationship between the Police and the Department in dealing with such cases. She added that most cases of abuse were before the court.
The workshop was facilitated by Senior Welfare Officer Hamandeo Haimraj, the Regional Education
Officer herself and Education Officers from Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Breveley Shewran and Zufzuar Hakh.
The Senior School Welfare Officer highlighted that children needed to confide in someone whenever they were being abused. He said the culture that gives rise to incest and sexual abuse has to be broken and parents needed to be more vigilant and responsible.
At the end of the workshop, teachers got the opportunity to interact with each other.
...cart off $3M
in items, vendors call for tighter security
By IndrawattIe natram
Bandits on Sunday morning broke into Anil’s Wireless Connection cellphone store located in the Old Anna Regina Market, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and carted off some $3 million in electronic gadgets.
The two masked men were caught in the act by the store’s surveillance equipment around 01:30h, removing tablets, iPads, laptops and the latest models of cellphones.
Police in G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands) have called in many persons for questioning, but no arrests have yet been made.
The proprietor, Rovindra Singh, who was in a state of shock, told media operatives that he now has to start from scratch to rebuild his business. The businessman was alerted about the breakin by a neighbouring businesswoman. He said the two masked men gained entry to
threw away all the manuals; the footage showed that the bandits were barefooted and wipe everywhere they touched,” he added. It is the first time his business has been robbed.
The businessman has printed hard copies of the surveillance footage and has called on the general public to assist with the investigation. Persons are also asked to report if they are sold any phones cheaply.
Vendors at the old market area are calling for the hiring of a private security firm. Vendors who spoke with Guyana Times said that the Anna Regina Town Council does not have proper security and vendors are at risk. “We have millions of dollars in worth and yet not proper security.”
They are calling on the Town Council to step up and strengthen security around the market area.
his business from the eastern market fence.
He explained that security around the market area was very weak and businesses can be easily targeted. He said that “the footage show everything, the guard on duty heard the noise, but yet he was not aware, he was also seen on the footage with a bottle in his hand”.
Singh said, after the robbery, the area was combed and a handbag with some documents was found in a garbage bin not far away.”They
The councillors of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) were scheduled to meet Tuesday evening to discuss the issue of security at the old market area. Town Clerk Diane Critchlow said they have seen the surveillance footage and will be working to fix the problem and address the vendors’ request.
She confirmed that the guard who was on duty was found under the influence of alcohol and said necessary disciplinary action would be taken against him.
Caught on camera, one of the bandits during the robbery at Anil’s Wireless Connection
One of the bandits ransacking the store
Dr Barton Scotland
Region Two teachers participating in the Sexual Offences Act workshop at the Regional State House
Investments in emerging economies’ infrastructure surging
– public-private projects in energy, transport and water sectors hit
US$107.5B
Total infrastructure investments in 139 emerging economies – for projects with private participation in the energy, transport and water sectors – rose to US$107.5 billion in 2014, driven largely by increasing activity in Brazil, according to an update released on Tuesday to the World Bank Group’s “Private Participation in Infrastructure” database.
The data, covering the period from 1990 to 2014, reviews more than 6000 projects across 139 lowand middle-income economies, providing a rich source of data on private infrastructure investment in emerging markets.
“Our update reveals that the top five countries with the highest investment commitments in 2014 are Brazil, Turkey, Peru, Colombia and India,” said Clive Harris, Practice Manager, Public-Private Partnerships, World Bank Group. “These five countries together attracted US$78 billion, representing 73 per cent of the investment commitments in the developing world in 2014.”
The increase in the global investment commitments total is mainly due to increasing activ-
ity in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Region, which captured US$69.1 billion – much of which is attributable to investment commitments in Brazil, Colombia and Peru, which together accounted for 55 per cent of the global total. Brazil’s large stake is a continuation of a recent trend: Brazil captured 24 per cent of global investment in 2013 and 42 per cent in 2012. In 2014, Peru saw the completion of 11 deals totalling US$8.1 billion. Eight of the 11 deals were in energy, while the largest project – the Lima Metro Line 2, at US$5.3 billion – was in the transport sector. The metro line will stretch 35 kilometres and eventually connect Lima with Callao, including the international airport.
New players
The update finds that the total for 2014 is 91 per cent of the five-year average for the period from 2009 to 2013. It is the fourth highest level of investment commitments ever recorded, exceeded only by levels seen from 2010 through 2012.
In addition to noting the many increases in 2014, the data also revealed investment commitments
The increase in the global investment commitments total is mainly due to increasing activity in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) Region
declined in China and India. Investment commitments in China in 2014 were US$2.5 billion, its lowest level since 2010. Investment commitments in India also waned in 2014, dropping to US$6.2 billion. Sub-Saharan Africa saw an especially steep fall from $9.3 billion in 2013 to $2.6 billion in 2014, because of a drop in activity in the energy sector. However, 2014’s fig-
Kaieteur News article misleading
Dear Editor,
The Guyana Police Force is responding to an article published in the Kaieteur News June 9 under the headline, “Police criticised for handling of Wismar shooting”, which dealt with the shooting of Police Constable Victor Fausette at the Wisroc Police Outpost on June 7.
The Guyana Police Force wishes to state that contrary to the allegation attributed to Constable Victor Fausette’s mother, Marcel Bobb, in the article, to the effect that “up to late Monday afternoon, no one from the Police Administration had visited her son or spoken to her, personally”, the Police Force has been in contact with her since the very night of the incident on a continuous basis.
The Divisional Commander of “E” Division, where the injured rank is stationed, Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus, made telephone contact with Marcel Bobb, via her cell phone, during the night of the incident in which he apprised her of the incident and expressed the Police Force’s concern over
the injury to her son.
He also indicated to her that, at the time of their conversation, efforts were being made to transport the injured Constable Victor Fausette to the GPHC, by an ambulance.
During the morning of yesterday June 8, Inspector Oswald Pitt of “E” Division visited Police Constable Victor Fausette at the GPHC, at the behest of the Divisional Commander.
In addition, during yesterday morning the Police Welfare Officer, Assistant Superintendent Loraine Saul, visited the Hospital in order to see Constable Victor Fausette, but was unable to do so as he was in the recovery area of the ICU.
However, she was informed of his condition by hospital personnel.
Consequently, Assistant Superintendent Loraine Saul returned to the hospital for the lunch period visit yesterday June 8 where she was able to see the injured rank and was informed by another relative that Marcel Bobb would be returning to the hospital for the afternoon visit.
As a result, the Welfare Officer returned to the Hospital during the afternoon where she met with Marcel Bobb.
She also expressed the Police Force’s concern about the incident and assured Marcel Bobb of the Force’s readiness to assist in every way possible with the care and welfare of Constable Victor Fausette.
During their conversation the issue of some urgent medical amenities for use by the injured rank in hospital, as well as some other matters, were discussed and have since been dealt with.
Divisional Commander
Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus also met with Marcel Bobb during his visit to the Hospital to see the injured rank today June 9.
The Guyana Police Force has responded very positively in this matter involving Constable Victor Fausette, which is in keeping with its policy of utmost care and concern for the welfare of its members.
Ivelaw Whittaker
Police Public Relations and Press Officer
ure was closer to levels seen before 2012, and the emergence of activities in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal is particularly encouraging.
Regionally, LAC led the other regions, followed by Europe and Central Asia (ECA); East Asia and Pacific (EAP); South Asia (SAR); and the Middle East and North Africa (MNA). Sub-Saharan Africa
(AFR) experienced the lowest amount of investment. The Middle East and North Africa (MNA) region, which had a much smaller total of commitments of $3.3 billion, also saw increases compared to the previous year.
The energy sector had the largest number of new projects, but the sector with the greatest total of investment commitments was the transport sector, receiving US$55.3 billion, or 51 per cent of total global investment commitments. Consistent with the trend in previous years, roads attracted the most investment commitments with US$28.5 billion in 33 projects, about the same number as in 2013. Four out of the top five road projects were in Brazil, with the fifth-largest project in Turkey. Airports captured the second-highest investment commitments total with US$13.2 billion devoted to five projects.
The World Bank Group’s “Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI)” database is the leading global source of data on PPI trends in the developing world, covering projects in the energy, transport, and water and sewerage sectors.
Exercise of constitutional power has become matter of public commentary
Dear Editor, Historically, the prerogative of the Sovereign was emblematic of residual powers inherent in the dispensation and devolution of the justice system.
Post-Independence Constitutions and more particularly, the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, articulated that extra-judicial component to be given expression on appropriate occasions.
Compendiously and justifiably described as the “Prerogative of Mercy” in the marginal note to ART 188 of the aforementioned Constitution this power is exercisable by the President of our Republic by way of a comprehensive range of relief; viz, by way of Pardon, respite, a reduction in severity, a remission of the whole or part of punishment or forfeiture due to the State.
In the exercise of this prerogative he is required to consult with “such Minister as may from time to time be designated by him” (ART 188(2)).
The exercise of this constitutional power has in the recent past become a matter of some public commentary and for this purpose it may be useful to observe that in
1996 during my first experience in the Office of the Attorney-General, an initiative was undertaken to bring some measure of relief to the justice system, creating undue stresses caused by overpopulation of the Prisons.
At that time, quarterly Reports of the population of the Prisons, specifying the types of offences, sentences, remand prisoners, etc, under the hand of the Director of Prisons, were sent to the Attorney General for his information and consideration.
The compiled list made me feel a sense of judicious unease. It is my recollection that the Camp Street Prison housed three times the constructed capacity.
This gave rise to my concerns as the Principal legal advisor to the Government, which had responsibility for the justice system.
On my initiative, it was determined that the then Deputy DPP, Ian Chang, Cecil Kilkenny, the Director of Prisons, the Minister of Home Affairs Mr Feroze Mohamed would meet at the building in Camp Street, west of the Prisons.
Some hours after, consensus was reached that a proposal for the remission of the remaining sentence of
prisoners with six months or less to serve pursuant to ART 188(d) would be taken to Cabinet for discussion and recommendation to the President.
It was collectively agreed as well that persons convicted of violent, sexual and narcotic offences would not be considered for relief and the proposal, once approved, would be a bi-annual feature.
The first batch consisted of at least 100 persons but shortly after I demitted office and am unaware of Cabinet’s decision.
For the purposes of completion, the Minister designated under ART188(2) need not consult the Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy before so advising the President but he may do so if he is so minded.
This power, executive in origin but extra-judicial in execution, is nonetheless constitutional.
In the final analysis, to the extent that the constitution is empowered, the Courts become empoldered.
Justice Charles R Ramson, SC, OR Rtd (Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs)
SUDOKU
ARIES (March 21April 19)
TAURUS (April 20May 20)
(May 21June 20)
CANCER
Attend local cultural events, or head to regions that inspire you. Don’t limit yourself to the same old routine. Investigate the neighbourhood or an unfamiliar destination in order to discover something out of the ordinary.
You can expand your job prospects and your circle of friends by becoming more involved in community affairs. New friendships will result in more exposure for your ideas and plans.
Don’t compromise your good name. Trying to impress others by embellishing what you have to offer won’t work. Personal and professional dealings will solidify faster if you are up-front.
LEO (July 23Aug. 22)
VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)
Be a participant. Your community will benefit from your talents, and you will learn more about the environment you live in. Important friendships will result from your involvement in local affairs.
Excessive debt or overspending will leave you in a vulnerable position. Stick to your budget and limit major expenditures until your financial situation has stabilised. Stop being so generous.
Dwelling on past regrets will lead to a loss of confidence. Focus on positive goals. A change in attitude will improve your image and increase your chance to advance.
LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)
Don’t feel guilty if you pamper yourself once in a while. Everyday pressures can take a toll on your health, and making a point to do the things you find most relaxing will help.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)
Set aside some quiet time and give your mind the freedom to wander. A calming atmosphere will spark your imagination and help you formulate and initiate your ideas.
CAPRICORN (June 21July 22)
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)
Difficulties getting along with others will quash any hope of group activities. Consider devoting your time and attention to something you can work on all by yourself.
(Jan. 20Feb. 19) (Dec. 22Jan. 19)
The constant pursuit of career goals will limit the time you spend with loved ones. Leave room in your schedule to bond with those who mean the most to you.
AQUARIUS
PISCES
(Feb. 20March 20)
A changing economy will keep you on your toes with regard to investments. Time you spend researching and developing your financial plans will be well spent. Utilise and market your skills with precision.
Use your initiative. Waiting for someone else to lead the way will slow down your progress. Step up to the plate and make things happen.
GEMINI
Peanuts
Calvin and Hobbes
dilbert
arCHie
− GFF awaiting Attorney General’s approval
With the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) still battling Government for the approval of citizenship of English quartet Neil Danns, Matthew Briggs, Marcel Barrington and Sam Cox, Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz called up replacements Chris Camacho, Pernell Schultz and Kevin Beaton ahead of today’s 2018 World Cup Qualifier against St Vincent and Grenadines.
The Golden Jaguars will face the ‘Vincy Heat’ at the Arnos Vale Stadium from 15:30h but will have to do so without the services of four key components of their squad.
The approval of citizenship for the players is now in the hands of newly appointed Attorney General Basil Williams.
Following consultation with Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Minister of Citizenship Winston Felix, it was recommend-
ed that the matter be looked at by the Attorney General who would further advise on the processing of the documents.
The aforementioned players qualify to represent Guyana through their Grandparents; something that’s not unique in sport and is not an isolation actuality as in the case of the Golden Jaguars.
In fact, a number of Guyana’s Female women football team members, popularly known as the ‘Lady Jags’, have all qualified to represent Guyana at the world stage through their Grandparents and had done so with outstanding success, following their participation at the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup in Cancun Mexico.
According to Laws of Guyana Citizenship Act, Chapter 14:01, section 4 (1) “A Commonwealth Citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, being of full age and ca-
pacity, may, on making application, therefore under this subsection to the Minister in prescribe manner, be registered at the discretion of the Minister as a citizen of Guyana if he satisfies the Minister that he: (C) has had part-
Pietersen relishing CPL chance
Kevin Pietersen says he is “incredibly excited” to take part in the 2015 Caribbean Premier League, with the explosive batsmen set to play throughout the duration of the tournament.
Pietersen will return in the colours of the St Lucia Zouks after featuring twice for the franchise in the latter stages of group matches last season.
“It’s a brilliant tournament. I had such a small little opportunity last year but everyone was so welcoming. I love the way the West Indian spirit is in terms of the way they go about their sport,” said Pietersen.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun, but I’m there to do a job”Kevin Pietersen
“I started a few good relationships last year but you can’t maintain those because I was only there for three or four days. This will give me a good opportunity - I get three or four days before the first game and then the first game and then the duration of the tournament so this will be a lot better.”
Pietersen has fond memories of playing in the Caribbean, having won the World T20 in 2010 with England - in which he was named player of the tournament after scoring 248 runs at an average of 62.
Speaking exclusively to cplt20.com in the lead up to the CPL, which starts in Barbados on June 20, Pietersen added that he is looking forward to the challenge of balancing the
fun, party atmosphere with the competitive nature of the cricket.
“I’ve always wanted to be successful on the field so this is going to be a test in the
ence in the Caribbean is Zouks’ batsmen Andre Fletcher. The right-handed opener produced the Zouks top individual score last season, 78, after spending a net session with
Kevin Pietersen
Caribbean having played 15 years of cricket and 10 years of international cricket! It’s the biggest party in world sport so I might find it a little bit difficult and I think I might have to use the optional practice sessions on occasion!
“But no, I am just looking forward to it, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I am there to do a job, my job is to score runs, my job is to hand over knowledge to the youngsters and to help the team hopefully win a few games and get us over the line and that’s why I’m there.
“The opener Fletch was outstanding last year. I started to do some real good work with him” - Pietersen
“If you get that part of it right, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the other part too,” added Pietersen.
One player who is set to benefit from Pietersen’s pres-
Pietersen - and it is a relationship that Pietersen is keen to rekindle when he arrives on the islands.
“The opener Fletch was outstanding last year,” he said. “I started to do some real good work with him just on his batting because he had struggled. I had a couple of sessions with him so it was nice to spend some time and then for him to play the next game and to get 50, 60, 70 in that game.
“Those are the kind of experiences that I like. I like passing on my information to the youngsters and just building cricket knowledge within the team circle.”
The St Lucia Zouks get their 2015 CPL campaign under way on Sunday 21 June at Beausejour Stadium when they take on the Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel. (CPL.com)
Late replacement for Golden Jaguars named
of
Citizenship for key players
ly such residence and partly such service, throughout the period of five years ending with the date of his application, or such shorter period so ending as the Minister may in the special circumstances of any particular case accept”
Section nine of the Act also states that “the Minister may at his discretion, if application therefore is made to him in the prescribed manner be any alien or British protected person of full age and capacity who satisfies him that his is qualified under the Second Schedule for naturalisation grant him a certificate of naturalisation, and the person to whom the certificate is granted shall, on taking the oath of allegiance, become a citizen of Guyana by naturalisation with effect from the date on which that certificate is granted”.
The World Governing body of the sport – FIFA – allows a player to represent any national team, as
long as the player has citizenship of that country, FIFA implemented a significant new ruling that requires a player to demonstrate a "clear connection" to any country they wish to represent. FIFA has used its authority to overturn results of competitive international matches that feature ineligible players.
Meanwhile, Shabazz pointed out that “Given the family ties and what FIFA allows and the Guyana Constitution, I think it's an opportunity to reconnect Guyanese in the Diaspora with home. Don't be fooled these lads are all Guyanese and there is precedence”
The Golden Jaguars Head Coach believes that “this is indeed a test from Allah because we want our best possible team. Guyana is for Guyanese home and abroad, but we will go forward whether lightly armed or heavily equipped putting our trust in Allah”.
WICB/WIPA to honour cream of the crop
The annual cricket awards ceremony, jointly put on by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), will be held this evening at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston.
The third joint staging of the WICB/WIPA Awards is set to recognise outstanding players’ achievements in 2014. It will be broadcast live throughout the region on Digicel SportsMax. Cocktails are scheduled to be served at 6:00 pm.
At the launch at the Pegasus last month, the WICB President Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron and the WIPA President and Chief
Executive Officer Wavell Hinds both highlighted the importance of combining the entities for the regional awards function.
There will be 12 award categories for players who have excelled in regional and international cricket. Territorial teams will also be recognised for achievements.
Batsmen Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo; allrounder Dwayne Bravo; Test captain and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin; and spinner Sulieman Benn are nominated for West Indies Player of the Year.
In the women’s equivalent, batters Stafanie
Taylor, Deandra Dottin and Kycia Knight; and spin bowler Anisa Mohammed are the nominees.
The WIPA and WICB will each name one recipient for the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Former great West Indies cricketers who have been knighted will also get recognition and will be dubbed members of the ‘Sir’s Club’. They are Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards, Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Richard Richardson, Sir Andy Roberts, Sir Wesley Hall and Sir Curtly Ambrose.
The guest speaker at the awards function will be Sir Hall. (Windies Cricket)
Woods to play more golf to improve form
Fourteen-time major winner Tiger Woods has said he will play more golf this summer to improve his world ranking.
Woods, the world number one a year ago, is now ranked 181 after finishing last of those who had made the cut at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio.
The 39-year-old endured the worst round of his career on Saturday, carding a 13-overpar 85 on day three.
“My back is good enough. I am fully committed to playing more golf all this summer,” said the American.
Woods, who has played only five tournaments this season,
said he would now start listening to his caddie, Joey LaCava.
“Joey keeps telling me this past week, ‘take it easy on yourself, you haven’t played much golf’,” said Woods, who will play four times in under two months from next week.
“’You never played last year and you haven’t played much this year. Tournament golf takes time’.
“I hate to say it when he’s right, because as a player you always want to be right, but he is right.”
Woods, who won his last major seven years ago in the US Open at Torrey Pines, is changing his swing.
He began working with consultant Chris Como seven months ago and said it would take time for the improvements to be implemented.
“I’ve had times like this in my life where I’ve gone through these periods, but you just have to fight through it,” said Woods.
“I’m committed to what I’m doing and committed to the changes. Once I start to snowball and get more solidified, then that’s when things start coming together.
“You just don’t go from one to 10. We’re taking it one, two, three, four... all the way to 10.” (BBC Sport)
Jamaal Shabazz
Bishoo jumps into top 50
West Indies legspinner Devendra Bishoo has jumped into the top 50 of the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers, following an outstanding bowling performance in the First Test against Australia in Dominica last week.
Bishoo has climbed ten places from 53rd to 43rd after a convincing bowling performance landed him with first innings figures of six for 80.
The 2011 ICC Emerging Player of the Year leapfrogged team mates Jason Holder (50th) and Shannon Gabriel (51st) in the latest rankings released by the ICC.
Meantime West Indies middle order batsman Marlon Samuels has moved up two places in the ICC Player Rankings for bats-
men.
Samuels who top scored for West Indies with 74 in their second innings against Australia now shares 28th spot with Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan.
Also West Indies test debutant Shane Dowrich, who scored 15 and 70, against Australia, has entered in 75th position.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was dropped from the West Indies team for the current Australia Test series, is the highest-ranked West Indian in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen.
In the Reliance ICC Team Ranking, Australia are in second place with a rating of 108 points, while the West Indies remain in eighth spot with 84. (CMC)
GHB filters junior squad to 20
The Guyana Hockey Board has reduced its men’s national junior squad to 20 players as preparations intensify for the team’s participation in the Player’s Tournament, scheduled for Trinidad & Tobago from August 1.
The final team will be selected at the beginning of July, to take part in the tournament which is expected to attract teams from Pakistan and Mexico as well as the Caribbean.
This cycle of the national junior programme started in August of last year with the staging of an under-19 de-
Thompson dubbed Most Outstanding Female Athlete at Wingate Awards
By TreisTon Joseph
US-based Guyanese junior sprinter Brenessa Thompson was named the Most Outstanding Female Athlete at the 2015 Wingate Awards Ceremony on Monday evening.
Thompson, who represents Guyana at International events, is a student at the Medgar Evers College Prep High School in New York and holds the 100m record in the Public Schools Athletics League (PSAL).
In her acceptance speech, Thompson thanked her parents as well as her coaches (Shuan Diets and Nicola Martial) for their continuous support.
“One of the most important things I learned from my coach is to always be honest with yourself and it will take you very far in life, it was a pleasure representing Medgar Evers High School,” Thompson stated.
Thompson is expected to continue her sprinting career with Texas A&M while representing Guyana. (Treiston Joseph)
velopment camp. 37 players were then selected to form the national squad which has been in training since October 2014.
The programme made a successful start to its international duties on the team’s developmental tour of Trinidad in December of last year, where they trained on the artificial turf and won three of their four matches against club side Paragon and Trinidad’s national junior squad.
This tour is the second phase of the two year programme which is preparing the team that will
represent Guyana at the Pan American Junior Championships scheduled for Toronto, Canada in May of next year.
Aside international tours, the squad competes in local tournaments as a unit and individual players will be sent overseas to compete for foreign clubs to gain exposure and experience.
The 20 man squad includes four new comers who were not part of last year’s touring team in, Eleomar Silva, Meshach Sargeant, Troy Hodge and Isaiah Hope. The team will also be without the services of out-
standing play maker Jamarj Assanah who has aged out of the programme and the injured Omar Hopkinson, who were both part of last year’s team. The squad is as follows: Mark Sargeant, Medroy Scotland, Kareem McKenzie, Keon McKenzie, Daniel Hooper, Shaquille Leung, Meshach Sargeant, Rosario Ramsammy, Eleomar Silva, Aroydy Branford, Andrew Stewart, Leon Bacchus, Stephon Sprosta, Deheron Wilkinson, Hilton Chester, Paramanand Dindial, Shemar Boston, Troy Hodge, Ato Greene and Isaiah Hope.
Guyanese born Lewis says he ‘made wrong choices’ after prison release
Former England allrounder Chris Lewis says “wrong choices” led to him being jailed for cocaine smuggling as he was released from prison on Tuesday.
Lewis, capped 32 times at Test level, was convicted in 2009 and served less than half of a 13-year sentence.
He said money concerns in 2008 had led to him attempting to smuggle £140,000 worth of dissolved cocaine into the UK.
“I became afraid of what the future held, and at that point the thinking went awry,” said the 47-year-old.
In an interview with the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) he said: “I made choices. They were the wrong choices and I say sorry for them.
“I’ve had six years in jail and until recently I would still look around and think ‘wow you’re in jail’. That was not part of the plan. I never saw that coming.”
Lewis was born in Guyana but moved to Britain aged 10 and went on to make 189 first-class career appearances for Leicestershire, Surrey and
Nottinghamshire.
His Test debut came in 1990, taking 93 wickets and averaging 23 with the bat over six years.
Despite playing his final first-class match in 2000, he attempted a return with Surrey’s Twenty20 side in 2008, but was hindered by a hip injury.
Lewis and ex-basketball player Chad Kirnon were sentenced in May 2009 after being found guilty of carrying a liquid form of cocaine into Gatwick Airport on a flight from St Lucia.
“On a physical level jail has not been hard. It’s a hard mental exercise to stop yourself from thinking negatively,” said Lewis, who served his sentence at High Down prison in Sutton, Surrey.
“For 24 hours a day you’re a prisoner. It’s nice to be back - and I don’t mean being outside - I mean back being me.”
Lewis added he would be “100%” happy to work with the PCA to help prevent young cricketers from making wrong choices. (BBC Sport)
Brenessa Thompson displays her awards
Devendra Bishoo
Chris Lewis
National Junior Team pose with their Trinidadian counterparts following their developmental tour of Trinidad in December 2014
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Buttler and Root tons take England to record total
Jos Buttler charged to England’s second-fastest ODI hundred, off 66 balls, to push Joe Root’s thumping 71-ball effort into fourth place as England lived up to their pre-series talk of releasing the shackles of a debilitating World Cup campaign (and arguably 20 years of one-day cricket) with a batting display of unbridled aggression to pass 400 for the first time in their history.
England recovered from a mid-innings wobble through a world-record seventh-wicket partnership of 177 in 17 overs between Buttler and Adil Rashid, the legspinning allrounder playing his first international innings since 2009, who went to his maiden ODI fifty from 37 balls, after Root and Eoin Morgan added 121 in 15 overs for the third wicket.
Despite being six wickets down at 30 overs, Buttler and Rashid barely thought about defence for a moment as they played New Zealand at their own game. Rarely, if ever, has an England side played with such style throughout a full 50 overs. Buttler, who holds the record for England’s quickest ODI hundred off 61 balls, needed just 24 deliveries for his second fifty.
The innings was rounded off by Liam Plunkett swinging England beyond 400 - their previous highest ODI total was 391 against Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in 2005 - and his two sixes took the tally to 14 in the innings, which was the most they had ever struck.
Trent Boult made the major inroads for New Zealand, removing both openers - including Jason Roy to the first ball of the match - then returning to end Root’s magnificent hundred on his way to 4 for 55. Those wickets encouraged Brendon McCullum to bowl out Boult by the 33rd over - although that was only an extension of his World Cup tactics - but without the rested Tim Southee, and a lesser extent the injured Corey Anderson, he did not quite have the same depth of resources to quell England’s extraordinary second charge. Mitchell McClenaghan was taken for 93 from his 10 overs, the fourth-most expensive figures for a New Zealand bowler. It will barely be remembered, but England’s latest new era in one-day cricket - something that has come
the 37th over, Buttler would also bisect the same gap off the same bowler when he was on 33.
around with every four-year cycle since 1992 - did not have the most auspicious of starts when Roy, playing his second ODI but batting for the first time after the rain-ruined match in Ireland, drove the first delivery of the day, from Boult, to Martin Guptill at backward point.
The response, though, was an enlightened one from England as they lived up to their promise of aggression by taking on the New Zealand new-ball attack. Root and Alex Hales added 50 in seven overs, forcing Brendon McCullum to turn to spin, in the form of his brother, as early as the fifth over before Boult struck for a second time when Hales top-edged a pull.
Then came the first major stand of the innings as Root and Morgan - two of the most established players in a young side - took up the cudgels in a 93-ball partnership which left the Edgbaston crowd in raptures and put McCullum under the sort of pressure he has not often felt in one-day colours in recent times.
Morgan’s first boundary was a confident strike over long-off against Nathan McCullum and one of outcomes of England’s aggression was an earlier-than-usual reduction in New Zealand’s slip cordon to the pacemen. Root benefited when he edged McClenaghan between the keeper and Ross Taylor at a wide lone slip to bring up his fifty from 41 balls. Later, in
Nathan McCullum’s fifth over was taken for 16 and Morgan greeted Grant Elliott with a six over long-off before another, slightly less convincingly top edged over third man against McClenaghan, brought up the hundred stand off 84 balls. McClengahan hit back, though, when he pinned Morgan lbw and the England captain could not save himself with the DRS. The innings then stuttered when Root, shortly after reaching his hundred, charged Boult and edged behind followed by Ben Stokes dragging the same bowler on to his stumps. The battle of the debutants went the way of New Zealand when left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, supported by an attacking field that encouraged Sam Billings to try and play through the leg side, had Billings lbw although he needed the DRS to over-turn the on-field decision. It meant England had lost 4 for 31 in seven overs to leave them on 202 for 6 with still 20 overs remaining. What followed was breathtaking. Rashid struck the first six of a partnership that would include seven of them when he took on Santner, whose seventh over then cost 19 as the pair started to find top gear and Buttler went to fifty from 42 deliveries. Ten of the last 14 overs of the innings went for double figures, including 18 off the 47th bowled by Elliott. Rashid had been given a life on 37 when Matt Henry’s hands, rather the ball, broke the stumps in a run-out attempt.
Buttler gave a tough chance to deep midwicket on 90 which Taylor could not gather as he ran in and in the next over went to his second ODI hundred with a drilled boundary through the off side which had been peppered throughout his innings. He was eventually caught at square leg and Elliott claimed two in two balls in the last over before Plunkett finished a grand innings in grand style. Now to see how Brendon McCullum and co. respond. (Cricinfo)
eduCatIon
Jos Buttler reached his second ODI hundred off 66 balls
George, Barrington, Thomas warned, fined by AAG
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has issued a warning letter to Ornesto Thomas, Cassey George and Devon Barrington for their unsportsmanlike conduct on Sunday at the National Senior Championships.
Thomas and Barrington
were involved in a heated exchange of words after the
men’s 800m final that resulted in Barrington throwing a closed fist at Thomas, while George, after dropping out of the women’s 800 metres final, used indecent language towards the track officials and winner of the event Andrea Foster.
AAG President Aubrey Hutson also noted that all three of the athletes have been fined 50 per cent of their total earnings for the meet.
Hutson pointed out that the decision to issue a warning letter as well as fine the athletes was a collective one by the coaches involved as well as the technical director of the meet.
The letter, according to Hutson, also stated that should any of the three athletes behave in such a manner for the remainder of the year, they will be suspended.
Ambrose fears for cricket’s fast bowlers
Curtly Ambrose never used to say very much when he was a cricketer. It is why he has called his new autobiography Time To Talk, and the early impressions are that not much has changed.
“I’m not a big talker,” he says, a trifle forebodingly, at the start of our interview.
“Some guys like to be in the media every day, all the time, talking about themselves. I wasn’t one of those players. Plus, I always preferred to let the ball do the talking for me.”
A tally of 405 Test wickets testifies that cricket balls in the hands of Ambrose did not talk; they shouted. But, as it turns out, Ambrose certainly can talk when the mood takes him, and what animates him most is not talking about the past, but about the present. He sees unresponsive pitches all over the world, the rise of Twenty20, increasingly restrictive regulations on bowlers. And he concludes that cricket is a game becoming dangerously rigged in favour of the batsman.
“I’m not so sure if I would have lasted very long in this modern era,” he says, most alarmingly of all. “Because there are too many things against fast bowlers. I played with a lot of passion. I thrived on competition. And presently, the competition isn’t as fierce. There’s no excitement. That’s one of the reasons why some spectators have stayed away from Test cricket.
“When you look at all the things that are against
Fifa scandal: Alejandro Burzaco resurfaces in Italy
An Argentine wanted by the US in connection with the investigation into allegations
that he was not in his room when police acting on extradition requests from US authorities raided a hotel in
of corruption at Fifa has turned himself in to police in Italy.
Alejandro Burzaco was the president of Argentine sports marketing firm Torneos y Competencias and one of 14 current and ex-Fifa officials and associates indicted over the scandal.
Interpol had issued an alert requesting his arrest.
He disappeared following the arrest of seven Fifa executives on 27 May.
Swiss media reported
the Swiss city, but was having breakfast and so was not arrested.
Mr Burzaco, who also has Italian citizenship, walked into a police station in the northern Italian city of Borzano along with his two lawyers on Tuesday.
He is being held in a cell in Borzano police station, officials told Spanish news agency Efe.
The US Department of Justice alleges that Mr Burzaco conspired to win and keep hold of lucrative
the bowler, it’s a joke. For instance: in one-day cricket, a fast bowler oversteps the front mark, bowls a noball, gets penalised with a free hit. Now, how can that be fair?
“Look at the wide situation as well. Sometimes a ball pitches on the stumps, shifts down the leg side and misses the pads by half an inch. And you call a wide. How can you justify that? The batsman doesn’t get penalised for anything. The bowlers have no margin for error. It’s ridiculous. The game is too one-sided.”
England’s recent Test series against New Zealand was terrific entertainment, breaking records for scoring and run-rate. But it is part of a broader trend in Test cricket that is seeing more runs being scored more quickly than at any point in recent history. Matches like Australia’s three-day win against West Indies
in Dominica last week are becoming ever rarer. For Ambrose, it has all gone too far. “There is no better sight in Test cricket, than a great fast bowler versus a great batsman. Spectators love the excitement. If I bowl a bouncer and the batsman smacks you out of the park, that’s excitement. Next thing, you hear from the umpire: ‘That’s one for the over.’ Now the fight is over.
“As a bowler, you want to be convinced that the batsman can do it again. He should be allowed to bowl another bouncer, or even two. I’ve seen someone like Sir Viv Richards versus Dennis Lillee back in the day, and there’s no better sight. Sir Viv will hit a few out of the park, he’ll hop and skip for a few, and that’s excitement. The people who are making these rules are killing Test cricket slowly.”
Ambrose will admit a personal interest. As the West Indies bowling coach, he is trying to rekindle the region’s passion for fast bowling: the same art that saw them dominate world cricket for two decades. In many ways, he was one of the last great custodians of a proud tradition: since he retired in 2000, not a single West Indian bowler has taken 200 Test wickets. Perhaps it is no coincidence that in the same 15-year period, the West Indies have won only four series against teams other than Zimbabwe or Bangladesh. They have not beaten Pakistan in a series since 2000, Australia since 1993, or South Africa ever.
“For the fast bowlers that are playing now, the pitches in the Caribbean are a big, big turn-off,” Ambrose says. “The pitches have become very flat, not good for fast bowling. The guys who are taking wickets in regional competition now are spinners, because the pitches are terrible. Until we get better cricket pitches, we will continue to struggle.”
And yet for all his dire warnings, Ambrose remains an optimist at heart: a true believer in the redemptive qualities of Test cricket. He felt a surge of pride every time he stepped out to represent the West Indies, and in tandem with coach Phil Simmons, he wants to restore that simple pride to the current team.
“Cricket is the only sport that unifies the Caribbean,” he says. “No politicians, no other sport, can unite us. That’s why we, as past cricketers, try to educate the younger generation. They don’t quite understand fully what cricket means to Caribbean people. They figure it’s a sport, it’s a game. But it’s more than that.
“When we were the best team, you could tell. The stadiums were always filled. Everyone had a radio to their ear. That’s all we had: cricket. There was a period when for 15 years we never lost a series. That’s probably unheard of in any sport. So I was very proud to be a part of that. Unfortunately, today we’re not the same team. But given time, we’ll get back.” (Windies Cricket)
CONCACAF cancels Under-15 Boys’ Championship
media rights contracts from regional football federations by paying up to $110m (£72m) in bribes.
‘Fugitives’
An Argentine judge ordered his arrest after he was named in the US indictment for racketeering conspiracy and corruption.
Judge Marcelo Martinez de Giorgi warned Mr Burzaco and two more indicted Argentine sports executives, Hugo and Mariano Jinkis, that they would be considered fugitives if they did not turn themselves in.
The whereabouts of father and son Hugo and Mariano Jinkis is currently unknown.
Interpol issued “red notices” for their arrest, along with Mr Burzaco and three others, on 1 June.
Mr Burzaco was dismissed from Torneos y Competencias on 3 June.
The company has denied any involvement in the alleged bribery.
In a statement released on 27 May it said it regretted “being caught up in a case of this nature, which hurts its prestige and reputation forged over more than 30 years of hard work and professionalism”. (BBC Sport)
CONCACAF has cancelled its Under-15 Boys’ Championship scheduled for Cayman Islands and Jamaica in August.
The regional body made the announcement in a release that did not include a reason for the cancellation.
The statement said the Under-15 development tournament has been postponed until further notice but made no mention of the bribery scandal which has engulfed the game worldwide.
“By decision of the CONCACAF Executive Committee, CONCACAF regrets to advise of the postponement until further notice of the
CONCACAF Under-15 Boys’ Championship 2015,” the statement read.
The news is seen as not just a blow to youth football in the region but also to the Cayman economy, as the tournament was expected to provide a late summer boost to hotel and service sector.
Over thirty regional squads as well as squads from Brazil, England and the Oceania Football Confederation’s Vanuatu were among teams down to compete in the regional competition.
“CONCACAF is committed to restoring a full slate of complementary youth development tournaments in the shortest possible time,” the release said.
“This includes our objective to re-schedule the Under-15 Boys’ Championship, at the soonest opportunity”.
The Under-15 Boys’ Championship is part of CONCACAF’s grassroots programme, which has been championed by Jeffrey Webb, the former FIFA Vice President and until recently president of both Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) and CONCACAF. Webb is among several FIFA officials imprisoned in Switzerland fighting their extradition to the United States, accused of being involved in a $150 million bribery and racketeering scheme. (CMC)
Alejandro Burzaco
Cassey George
Aubrey Hutson
Ornesto Thomas
Curtly Ambrose
BCB names strong female team for Inter-County Tournament
The Dhierendranauth
Somwaru-led senior selection panel of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has named a strong team for the upcoming fe-
male senior Inter-County Tournament.
The team, which includes four West Indies cricketers, were selected after several intense sessions. All-rounder
Shemaine Campbelle has been appointed captain, while fast bowler Tremayne Smartt is her deputy.
Apart from Campbelle and Smartt, fast bowlers Subrina Munroe and Erva Giddings have also represented the West Indies.
The full team reads: Shemaine Campbelle (Captain); Tremayne Smartt (Vice Captain); Melanie Henry; Katana Mentore; Natasha Gangoo;
Tamesha Cort; Trishanie Cort; Shenetta Grimmond; Plafianna Millington; Erva Giddings; Subrina Munroe; Sherika Campbell; Steffi Rodney and Devona Frank.
Eight reserve players have also been named, and they are: Nagama Budhu, Shana Vanderstoop, Shabika Gajnabi, Erica Batson, Diana Prahalad, Christine Quintyn, Monet Crandon and Aleema Arokium.
Former national player Andre Percival and Abena Schultz have been appointed as Coach and Manager respectively.
Golden Jaguars, Vincy...
“Our Technical Director, Keith Ollivierre, saw a few matches with the Guyanese a while back, but that was all the information we have, even though we have heard that they will be bringing in a number of overseas-based players from Europe and even Brazil, to boost their team,” Huggins said in an interview last week.
Chance to rebound
The last time the two sides met was at the 2012 Caribbean Championship where the Golden Jaguars lost 1-2 with Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson scoring the lone goal.
Derrick Carter; Defenders
Matthew Briggs, Collin Nelson, Jamaal Smith, Adrian Butters, Samuel Cox and Dwain Jacobs; Midfielders Vurlon Mills, Ricky Shakes, Brandon Beresford and Christopher Nurse (Captain), Kanata Manning, Trayon Bobb, Walter Moore, Eon Alleyne and Neil Danns; and Forwards Emery Welshman, Sheldon Holder, Marcel Barrington and Daniel Wilson.
Gayle backs Pietersen to play for England
West Indies Superstar Chris Gayle has added his voice to debate on the controversial English batsman Kevin Pietersen saying he should be representing England in all formats of Cricket.
Pietersen was sacked by the England and Wales Cricket Board after last year’s whitewash Ashes defeat in Australia.
The record-breaking batsman was hoping for a recall to the England side after apparent pre-season encouragement from new ECB chairman Colin Graves.
But even after his maiden triple-century for Surrey on Monday, he was informed within hours by England director of cricket Andrew Strauss that there is no imminent prospect of him playing for England again.
“He should be playing for England, there are no two ways about it,” said Gayle.
“They [the ECB] must
have their reasons but we would love to see your best player in action, out in the middle, entertaining. It doesn’t matter what format – Test, 50-over, Twenty20 – he’s a class player”.
Strauss was Pietersen’s Test captain in 2012, when he discovered the batsman had sent “provocative” texts about him to opposition players from their native South Africa.
Strauss has confirmed
that Pietersen is “not part of our plans” for the Ashes summer citing a “massive trust issue” between himself and the 34-year-old cricketer.
Pietersen will play for the St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League due to start later this month.
“One of the best players England has ever produced. But it’s your loss. KP is looking forward to the CPL. England don’t want him? We will take him,” said Gayle who took his tally in three NatWest T20 Blast innings to 328 as Somerset defeated Hampshire by eight wickets last Friday.
“He (Pietersen) will entertain the fans. We will make some sales off him, sell some tickets. It should be fantastic. The CPL is going to be one big party.” (CMC)
Of the team that played in the 2014 qualifier that reached the penultimate round, Christopher Nurse, Ricky Shakes, goalkeeper Derrick Carter, Vurlon Mills, Collin Nelson, Trayon Bobb, Walter Moore, Jamaal Smith and Dwaine Jacobs are the returning players with Shabazz crafting a younger side.
The squad reads: Goalkeepers Akel Clarke and
The Technical Team comprises Shabazz, Assistant Coach Wayne Dover, Goalkeeping Coach Andrew Hazel, Equipment Manager Trevor Burnett, Managers Mark Xavier and Faizal Khan, Trainer Anson Ambrose, and Physiotherapists Duane Saunders and Beverley Nelson.
Amazon Warriors training...
The South Americabased franchise finished runner-up in the first two seasons, losing to the Jamaica Tallawahs in 2013 and the Barbados Tridents last year.
Prior to the Player Draft in February, the Guyana Amazon Warriors had Narine, Simmons, Ramdin and batting all-rounder Christopher Barnwell as the retained players from last year, while they picked up the remaining 11 during
the Draft process, five of whom had previously represented the franchise.
Malinga, Dilshan and the Guyanese trio – leftarm spinner Permaul, fast bowler Ronsford Beaton and opener Trevon Griffith – have all returned to the franchise, while the newcomers are Perera, Hodge, Akmal and the Guyanese quartet – veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, leg-spinner Bishoo, batsman Assad Fudadin and
seamer Paul Wintz. Guyana Amazon Warriors squad reads: Denesh Ramdin, Sunil Narine, Lendl Simmons, Tillekaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Brad Hodge, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Assad Fudadin, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Umar Akmal, Trevon Griffith and Paul Wintz.
Cornelius Huggins
from back page from back page
Erva Giddings
Subrina Munroe
Tremayne Smartt
Shemaine Campbell
Kevin Pietersen
Chris Gayle
Hero MotoCorp is new title sponsor of Caribbean Premier League
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) on Tuesday announced the appointment of Hero MotoCorp Ltd, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, as the new Title Sponsor of the league for a period of one-year.
With this sponsorship, the much-awaited third season of CPL will be known as the ‘Hero Caribbean Premier League’.
Synonymous with some of the marquee sports partnerships in India as well as globally, New Delhi (India)-headquartered Hero MotoCorp has for long had a steadfast commitment towards promoting various disciplines of sports including cricket, golf, football and hockey.
Hero has been associated with cricket for over two decades in various capacities. In 2007, Hero was the Global Partner of the ICC World Cup, held in West Indies.
In CPL 2014, Hero MotoCorp was the Presenting Sponsor of CPL teams, St. Lucia Zouks, and defending champions, Barbados
Tridents.
Richard Bevan, Chairman, Hero Caribbean Premier League, said: “It is our pleasure to have the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, as Title Sponsor of CPL. Hero has been one of the leading sponsors of cricket throughout the game’s history, and it is a testament to CPL’s growing success that the event will now be known as the ‘Hero CPL.’ We look forward to Hero’s support and to making Season 3 of the CPL the biggest yet.”
Pawan Munjal, Chairman, Managing Director and CEO, Hero MotoCorp Limited, said: “Hero MotoCorp has been associated with sports, and particularly cricket, for well over two decades. The game of cricket has for long remained the most popular sport in India, and also in the Caribbean. As Hero rapidly expands its glob-
al footprint, we have been forging strong associations with sporting icons and events as part of our global brand building initiatives.
CONCACAF Zone 2018 World Cup Qualifier… Golden Jaguars, Vincy Heat square off today
By AvenAsh RAmzAn
ead Coach Jamaal
HShabazz believes playing with “courage and confidence” would be critical for the Golden Jaguars today when they face host nation St Vincent and the Grenadines in the second round of the CONCACAF Zone 2018 World Cup Qualifier.
The match will kick off at 15:30h at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, with the return match on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, at 19:00h.
Shabazz, speaking to Guyana Times Sport on the eve of the match, said despite a minor glitch with the foreign-born players not being granted the necessary documentation, the mood in the camp is very upbeat.
“The mood in the camp is very good, very upbeat despite the fact that some of the foreign born players will not be able to play in this first game, mainly [Neil] Danns, [Matthew] Briggs, [Marcel] Barrington and [Sam] Cox, but the
way we prepared the team, we’re happy with the squad we have still, and I think that it’s important for us to play with courage and confidence, knowing fully well that this is a two-game situation,” Shabazz said. Commenting on the
a dangerous opponent.”
According to the latest FIFA ranking, the Golden Jaguars are ranked 158, while host nation, known in football circles as ‘Vincy Heat’, is at 112.
Good results
game plan, Shabazz said, “We’re going to try to absorb the early onslaught, and try to play smart and stay compact as an ‘away’ team will want to go against
The home team is coming off some good results recently after storming to the 2015 senior Windward Islands title with a maximum six points.
Head Coach Cornelius Huggins said he was extremely happy with the preparations of his team, even though some players "have some little niggles,” but, according to him, the medical team do not see these much of a bother.
The coach has also welcomed three overseasbased to the set-up: Brad Miguel, a 21-year-old striker who plays in the lower leagues in the UK; 23-yearold defender Jamie-Jardine Lofthouse-Smith, who is currently attending Stetson Hatters on a football scholarship in the USA; and Gavin James, a 26-yearold striker who plays with Flackwell Heath also in the lower League in the UK.
Huggins said it was great to see players with connection to the island wanting to play, but warned that they will not just walk into the team; they will have to fight for a place.
Huggins expressed confidence in his team even as he admitted not having any recent information on the Guyana team.
Caribbean cricket and cricketers have always been highly popular in India and in many other parts of the world, and our title sponsorship of the CPL is a logical extension of our long-term association with the game. We look forward to a highly exciting month of cricket in the Caribbean.”
Renowned international cricketers, Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi, will join the Caribbean’s finest cricketers, Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo. The tournament will also witness participation of talented local players from the Caribbean region.
CPL 2014 attracted a massive global audience in excess of 65 million. This number is expected to break all previous records to post record participation of spectators from around the world. (CPL Release)
Amazon Warriors training camp to start Thursday
The Guyana Amazon Warriors’ first step to winning the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the first time will be taken on Thursday when the official training camp gets underway at the
Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
New Head Coach Carl Hooper, who resides in Australia, has already landed in Guyana and will lead the players through their drills ahead of the June 20 start of the Caribbean’s mega T20 tournament.
The foreign-based players – Australian Brad Hodge, Pakistan’s Umar Akmal, Trinidad and Tobago pair Sunil Narine and Lendl Simmons, and the Sri Lankan trio Tillekaratne Dilshan, Lasith Malinga and Thisara Perera – are expected to arrive in Guyana in time for the start of the camp.
Wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin and spinners Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul are currently part of the West Indies squad for the Test series against Australia, and they are expected to link up with the Guyana Amazon Warriors unit for the opening game against defending champions Barbados Tridents on June 20.
Hooper, who previously worked in the now defunct Antigua Hawksbills set-up, said during an interview with Guyana Times Sport recently that the Guyana Amazon Warriors squad is a balanced one, and he is confident the franchise can go one step further and win the title.
Carl Hooper
Hero Caribbean Premier League 2015...
Pawan Munjal
Richard Bevan
Jamaal Shabazz