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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Former Minister of Education Soesdyke siblings on multiple charges Dr Dale Bisnauth laid to rest East Bank fatal accident…
Two brothers faced multiple charges on Monday following last Thursday’s accident which claimed the lives of Denzel Thomas and Quincy David at New Hope, East Bank Demerara. One brother is accused of driving while unlicenced and causing the death of his two passengers, while the other is charged with permitting his sibling to be at the wheel of the vehicle when it crashed. Both siblings were in the car when the tragedy occurred. Curtis Peters, a 35-yearold miner of Adams Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, was charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving when he appeared before Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty at the Providence Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that on April 4 last, on the New Hope, East Bank Demerara Public Road, he drove a motor car in a dangerous manner causing the death of Denzel Thomas. It is also alleged that on the same day he drove the said motor car in a dangerous manner causing the death of Quincy David. The charges were indictable and the accused was not required to enter pleas. He was placed on $350,000 bail.
It is also alleged that on April 4 last, at the New Hope Public Road, East Bank Demerara, he drove a motor car without being the holder of a valid driver’s licence, and on the same day, drove the said motor car while not being a policy holder of insurance and provided a police officer with false information knowing same to be false. To these charges Peters pleaded not guilty, and was placed on a further $50,000 bail. Meanwhile, Peters’ brother, Deon Wilson, also of Adams Road, Soesdyke, was yesterday charged with permitting a breach of insurance, permitting unlicenced driving and providing false information to the police. The charge states that on April 4 at the New Hope Public Road, East Bank Demerara, being the registered owner of a motor car, PFF 284, Wilson, an electrician, permitted his sibling, Curtis Peters, to use the same vehicle, although Peters was not a policy holder with respect to a third party insurance policy. Wilson was also charged with providing false information to a police officer. To all the charges Wilson pleaded not guilty. He was placed on $50,000 bail.
Curtis Peters was represented by Attorney-atLaw Roger Yearwood, who, in his bail application, told the court that it was indeed unfortunate that lives were lost. He noted that his client was not a flight risk, while adding that the offense (causing death by dangerous driving) is a bailable one. However, Prosecutor Shellon Daniels requested that conditions be set for bail, and Peters was asked to lodge his passport. He will return to court on May 9. Denzel Thomas, 24, of Coverden, East Bank Demerara and Quincy David, 21, of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, were killed when the car in which they were travelling slammed into the base of a utility pole at New Hope, after swerving off the East Bank Demerara public road. Quincy David was employed at the Bounty Supermarket outlet at Grove, East Bank Demerara, while Thomas operated a shop at Coverden. A third passenger, 16year-old Amanda Lloyd, of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, sustained minor injuries. Curtis Peters and Deon Wilson reportedly escaped with minor injuries.
Dr Bisnauth’s body being borne out of Burns Memorial Presbyterian Church The Burns Memorial Presbyterian Church at Irving and Anira Streets, Queenstown, overflowed with hundreds of people from all walks of life yesterday, as Guyana bade farewell to esteemed former Education and Labour Minister, Reverend Dr. Dale Bisnauth. Among those in attendance were President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand and other members of the Cabinet. Other distinguished attendees included Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman, APNU Parliamentarian, Dr Rupert Roopnarine and former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Many whose lives Reverend Bisnauth touched
paid tribute by reflecting on his contribution to the social, cultural, religious and academic development of Guyana. He was remembered as “a gentleman, an academic and historian, who served the body of Christ and his country well.” Some compared his political contribution to society to those of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr Bisnauth was also a writer and a member of clergy. His publications include A Short History of the Guyana Presbyterian Church (1979), History of Religions in the Caribbean (1989), and The Settlement of Indians In Guyana: 1890-1930 (2000). He was appointed the Minister of Education in October of 1992, on the accession of the PPPC to
office and he held the portfolio until March 2001.Bisnauth later became the Human Services and Social Security and subsequently served as Minister of Labour, under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration. Up until the time of his death, Bisnauth served as the Chairman of the Board of Industrial Training and he was also the Associate General Secretary for the Caribbean Conference Churches and Pastor at the Guyana Presbyterian Church. Dr. Bisnauth died of heart complications last Thursday, April 4, at the Caribbean Heart Institute. He was 76 at the time of his passing. Following a heartfelt funeral service, the body of the former Minister was taken to the Crematorium site at Good Hope, East Coast Demerara.
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Kaieteur News
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Breakdown of 2012 D&I spending needed before any more $$$ goes to sector - APNU MP By Zena Henry For allocations to Drainage and Irrigation to be approved, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Rupert Roopnaraine says a breakdown of the $7.1B spent last year should be provided for scrutiny before any more money goes to the sector. In his contribution to the 2013 budget debates in the National Assembly, Roopnaraine asserted that, “Such a breakdown will reveal to what extent past funding in the sector impacted on the development of drainage and irrigation.” He pointed to farmers being disrupted in areas of Hope/Dochfour where construction on the Northern
Relief Channel Project (Hope Canal) is ongoing. “The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) under an EPAapproved management plan, should have ensured that D and I structures affected were replaced for continuous service, but, In fact very little has been done in this respect and farmers continue to suffer because of lack of irrigation.” Roopnarine asked to whom the computerized model of the East Coast Demerara Water Conservancy was presented, as mentioned by the Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, and when were recommendations for improving water flows and drainage presented. The Finance Minister stated that in 2013, $6.5B was budgeted for final payments towards the completion of the
Northern Relief Channel, and associated drainage structures as well as pumps and pump stations in four regions, but to that, Roo p n a r a i n e s a i d t h e National Assembly needs to know how much was spent on the project so far and on what. He asked for the final cost of the project and ancillary works to make the project operational and when the project will be completed for flood waters to be discharged from the EDWC. Roopnaraine affirmed that the Hope Canal Project which entails a road bridge, a sluice etc. was pegged at US$20M, “but no one knows for sure what the final cost will be and that is perhaps why yearly supplements are being made to keep the project going.” Before relating to other matters such as the Low Carbon Development
Broke GuySuco proposing fat salary, perks for new boss - Dr. Roopnaraine
- APNU MP says Skeldon Sugar Project is an extravagant disaster The cash-strapped Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is actively considering appointing its absentee chairman, Raj Singh, to head the Corporation for the sum of US$25,000 (G$5M) per month, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine has claimed. But it is a claim the government quickly scrambled to dismiss. Roopnaraine is the spokesperson on agriculture for APNU, the largest opposition bloc in Parliament. Further to the “princely” salary, Roopnaraine claimed that the government was also considering adding to the package two houses for Singh plus uncapped perks. “How does the Minister expect this largesse to be greeted by the already demoralised managers and restive workers across the Corporation?” Roopnaraine asked. But Parliamentarian for the ruling PPP, Bibi Shadick, denied the claims made by Roopnaraine. The APNU MP’s shocking claims were contained in his contribution to the budget debate, in which he said that the sugar Corporation is “mired in these financial doldrums.” Further, he painted a bitter picture of the state of the sugar industry. He spoke of low labour turnout on all the estates. Roopnaraine said that the desertion of the canefields by the workers meant that the factories were standing idle fifty percent of the time during the crops, waiting for the cane that never came.
This must also have meant that during a substantial part of this time the factory workers had to be paid for idling as the factory idled. “This migration away from the industry is not a new phenomenon. It has been continuing steadily since 2000 and has now reached crisis proportions,” Roopnaraine stated. He said that between 2006 and 2012, Guyana collected compensation payments from the EU of $24.7 billion. “Why should GuySuCo be in such a near terminal condition?” he asked. The new Skeldon Factory, hailed by the government as a boon to the survival of the sugar industry, remains a basket case. “A factory that was designed to operate efficiently at 350 tons an hour is hobbling along at the rate of 196 tons cane an hour,” Roopnaraine stated. As further evidence of its woes, he said the grinding time lost for mechanical reasons at this spanking new state-of-the-art factory was 550.51 hours, accounting for over 25% of the time lost at all the other estate factories for the entire year 2012 - 2130.55 hours. The total industry production for 2012 was 218,069 tons, the lowest in over two decades. At Skeldon, production was a total of 33,309 tons of sugar, not the 100,000 tons projected. “The bitter pill has to be swallowed: the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project
APNU MP, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine [SSMP] is an extravagant disaster,” Roopnaraine stated. Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy said that while it has not performed as expected, the Skeldon Factory is already showing its potential and will be able to meet its targets by 2016. “The truth is there is a silver lining and we will succeed in reaching our goal and sustaining production at over 400,000 tons per year,” he stated. Ramsammy said the success of sugar in the future has nothing to do with the gloom and doom of the enemies of the industry, but it depends on those persons who toil day by day in the sugar industry, the employees of GuySuCo. “In these difficult times, when challenges seem more than opportunities some may feel the need to savagely attack our efforts. But the workers and managers have been sticking to the task at hand – reconfiguration of the industry for another century of leading the economic growth of Guyana,” he stated.
Strategy (LCDS) and the mining sector, Roopnarine opined that it would be useful to look at fundamental principles relating to land-use policy and the management of natural resources with objectives of avoiding deforestation and degradation, provision of ecosystem services, responsible exploitation of natural resources and to create and promote enterprise with low carbon footprints. “For such an integrated approach to land-use planning and the effective implementation of the law, carbon development strategy, an absolute prerequisite is transparent dialogue and ongoing discussions at all levels so that communities, regions, public and private sectors are informed and have their perspectives and expectations taken on board.” A d d i t i o n a l l y, Roopnaraine is of the belief that a Special Select Committee should be formed for meaningful dialogue on the evolution and implementation of the strategy. On the issue of mining, the APNU MP stated that, “The unprecedented growth of the mining sector, led by the surge in gold production, brings with it new challenges.” He pointed to
new mining areas to be explored, the development of a manganese mine, bauxite mining in Bonasika and advanced exploration of uranium in the Mazaruni. But to these new developments, Roopnaraine said he sees no evidence that the government is alert to the new challenges ahead and that the University of Guyana, Technical Institutes and Trade Schools would need resources to produce the skills for the new mines. He related that the development of a strategic plan for small and medium scale gold and diamond mining is required. “We should ensure titling of se l e c t e d h i n t e r l a n d mining communities,” he stressed, since according to him, many interior settlements are still classified as “unorganized”. He said there needs to be a review of the government policies allowing Amerindian lands to be extended to cover lands currently held by miners. He also mentioned that the Women’s Miners Association is requesting from the government greater intervention into the work of the females, as well as highlighting the need for better amenities for women
on a whole while in the interior areas. In relation to the usage of bauxite resources and reserves by Bosai and Rusal, Roopnaraine asked whether royalties and taxes were being paid on time and whether the entities are satisfying conditions of their respective licences. Also on the topic of agriculture and agricultural diversification, the APNU member highlighted that the Mayor and City Council is still trying to install the basics at the city a b a t t o i r, while the Agriculture Minister spoke of advanced efforts on livestock advancement. Roopnaraine pointed out that meat is not being exported from Guyana and before this can be done, the country must first satisfy international standards for meat preservation and exportation. “The artificial insemination and embryo implant programme is a good initiative, but that alone would not leave the cattle industry out of the slump. Urgent consideration must be given to the establishment of communal pastures across the country if we are to rescue this ailing industry,” he concluded.
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Politics and Religion The passing of Reepu Daman Persaud and Dale Bisnauth, within a week of each other, brings into focus the intertwined roles of religion and politics in Guyana. Persaud was a Pandit or priest of the Hindu religion while Bisnauth was a Christian priest of the Presbyterian denomination. They were both Ministers of Government in the present administration. While the western tradition speaks of the ‘separation of Church and State’, this has never been interpreted to mean that members of ‘the Church’ could not enter politics. The injunction, instituted explicitly in pioneering democracies such as the US and the French Republic at the end of the 18th century, forbade an official role for “the Church” (broadly interpreted in modern times as including all religions) in the affairs of states. Prior to this, the Catholic Church has literally been the kingmaker in Europe and played a powerful role in determining state policies. In the colonies, including our own British Guiana, the Church however, worked very closely with the colonial governments which placed them in charge of the educational institutions. These linkages were sundered in the early 1960s and in 1976 in Guyana when all schools were nationalised. But both here and in Britain, priests or clergymen were always represented in politics, albeit in their private capacities. Sometimes the Churches also took an official stand against the government when they felt that they were acting against the moral interests of the country. In the sixties, the Roman Catholic Church openly opposed the PPP regime, which it dubbed ‘communist’ and ‘godless’. During the seventies and eighties, almost all the older Christian denominations worked with forces lobbying for ‘free and fair’ elections as the PNC regime worked closely with the Christian Pentecostal Churches. Dale Bisnauth, first came to public notice when he wrote for the Caribbean Council of Churches’ regional newspaper, “Caribbean Contact’. That newspaper took an explicit stand against the PNC regime’s illegitimacy and Bisnauth’s columns reflected that posture. When Cheddi Jagan decided to go into the 1992 elections with a “Civic” component, Bisnauth was one of the candidates from the Civic list. He was made Education Minister and later Minister of Labour, but in neither position did he allow his religious affiliation to overtly colour the positions he espoused. Persaud, on the other hand, had been a political activist from his youth - concurrent with his role as a Hindu Pandit. The two roles explicitly fed into each other: as a pandit he was able to command an audience in the PPP’s traditional Indian constituency and his political usefulness grew with his ascendancy in the mass Hindu organisation, the Guyana Maha Sabha. The political and religious nexus became quite explicit in 1969, when the Maha Sabha was taken over by a faction under the leadership of Sase Narine, Speaker of the House of Assembly, who was supportive of the PNC. The Hindu Pandits’ Council also threw its weight behind the PNC and its leader Gowkarran Sharma was made a Minister in the PNC government. Persaud launched the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha in 1974 and soon most of the Mandirs affiliated themselves with the new organisation. The Dharmic Sabha performed an interesting balancing act in the political arena. While it did not bring out its members in open protests or other political activities, it provided a forum for politicians from the PPP to reach large audiences at its gala events such as the Annual Phagwah Parade. In addition, many of its local and national officials were members of sister PPP affiliates such as GAWU and the RPA. Dale Bisnauth’s passing will not have any effect on his Church’s role in politics, since he did not try to influence that body in a political direction. Reepu Daman Persaud’s departure, on the other hand, will leave a vacuum in the Dharmic Sabha, that will be difficult to fill. His daughter Vindhya is already a PPP MP, but she is neither a pandit nor one with linkages to the grass-roots. Be that as it may, politics and religion will continue to be intertwined in Guyana.
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
GBTI cannot make up its own rules DEAR EDITOR, I am responding to Mrs. Collette Lyken-Ramdial’s letter (KN 03/04/13) which attempts to answer my charges about a most unfair business practice at her bank. Her response was rather juvenile, elusive and selfcontradicting to the point where a sane observer might suspect acute comprehension deficit. To aid understanding and illuminate her postulations, I will restate the gist of my letter with extreme rural simplicity. I raised no objections to the policy for requiring two forms of ID; that is a reasonable policy and a fair request of your customer. What is revolting is the policy to reject statutory state documents as proof of address simply because you do not like the process the state uses to acquire the information. GBTI cannot make up its own rules that repudiate, ignore or apply private discretionary powers to facilities created by statute. a. A driver’s license is required by law (Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act
(MVRTA) Sec. 25) to contain the address, signature and photo of the holder and it is valid in its entirety for three years. b. MVRTA Chapter 51:02 mandates a certificate of registration for a motor vehicle in which there is an address of the owner among other information c. MVRT Regulation 15 provides for an annual Licence for a motor vehicle containing the address of the owner d. Then there is a Certificate of Registration for Taxpayer ID Number (Income Tax Amendment Act # 15, 2006) which contains a TIN, Name and Address e. Business Names Registration Act Chapter 90.05 provides for a certificate of registration containing the name and address of the owner The agencies involved in the preparation and issue of those documents are the Deeds Registry, Guyana Revenue Authority and the Guyana Police Force. By rejecting the information contained on those documents is equivalent to usurping the authority of those agencies and setting up your own parallel state apparatus.
If they continue in that trend what would prevent GBTI or any other private organization from rejecting a name change as stated on a Deed Poll? The laws of Guyana do not give management and staff of GBTI the luxury to highhandedly discriminate on which pieces of information they will reject while the documents are still valid. This is so even if GBTI does not agree with the process used to operationalize the law. The bank should lobby the government and the National Assembly to tweak the provisions of the law to block the loopholes and expel that which is causing discomfort. One cannot just sit around a corporate boardroom table and create private legislation that prohibits and/or renders invalid certain parts of these documents that have their groundings in statute. GBTI was willing to accept a driver ’s licence for ID purposes but not as proof of address. That is counter intuitive and amounts to GBTI being a law unto its own self. My contention is that
these documents on their own are valid in their entirety and are materially sufficient to meet the requirement of the Financial Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act of 2009, as a proof of address. But it is a very dangerous indulgence for a private entity to treat legally established document with contempt, it sets the stage for anarchy and a failed state where the law of “to each his own” becomes the order of the day. Further, how can a private corporate entity deny a person the right to make and tender an affidavit of oath? An offer to tender a sworn affidavit that the address stated on the official documents is the one where I currently reside and where the bank can send regular correspondence, the bank refused this and insisted that I get a utility bill or something that came through the post. Can you imagine where we are going as a country if this type of corporate pontiff begins to rear its ugly head all over Guyana? Lenno Craig
being purchased one cylinder at a time and shipped in via aircraft rather than on the Government steamer. (Weight?) Education Sector – When will the Mabaruma Secondary school building be completed? The Contractor is off on another contract and is successfully playing the dog in the manger game. Of course this is allowed in Region 1. He will still be paid
in full even if the school is not completed in the next ten years. What about the number of suicide cases involving school aged children? Minister Whittaker did not mention that his Administration is looking into that scenario. There is more but I wait for the Hon Minister’s next sleep talking episode in Parliament. Resident
Minister Whittaker must address these facts DEAR EDITOR, It is amazing how the Hon. Norman Whittaker could deliver such a lengthy speech in his sleep. It is either that or Mr. Whittaker has not visited Region One in a long time; just enlightening the unsuspecting public. Health Sector – Mabaruma Hospital is a glorified Health Hut which houses a wholesale depot for icicles being distributed by
the wife of a senior official at the Hospital. The freezer at the mortuary is not working. A Power Washer purchased with Hospital funds is now in the hands of an associate of the same senior official at the hospital; there is so much talk about nepotism – whose wife supplies greens etc to the Mabaruma Hospital? Oxygen for the Hospital is
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Lack of respect for the dead and the ill is cold-blooded DEAR EDITOR, Reading the “Demerara Waves” article of April 9, 2013 captioned “Govt. opposition divided ….” has strengthened our belief that difference of opinion is healthy in a democracy. However, we were not only shocked but totally disappointed with the opinion of Guyana’s million dollar per month Presidential Advisor and Chief Whip, Ms. Gail Teixeira, who said the funerals of former MP’s Reepu Deman Persaud and Rev. Dale Bisnauth “would not affect the time-table for consideration of the estimates. …(that) MPAllen’s absence from the National Assembly due to illness was not an issue….life goes on.” Her comment on the ill-health of APNU MPAllen is a clear reflection of the mind of a beast and definitely not of a human being. Such cruel, cold-blooded and merciless statement by Ms. Teixeira has no place in our dear land of Guyana. It could harm and destroy the mindset of our loving sons and daughters. Ms. Teixeira has done it again. She has lost it. She is not
only clueless as to the role of the private media in Guyana (as indicated in one of our previous letters) but she also has no compassion for human beings, the deceased or the ill. Is Ms. Teixeira not having respect for the dead, especially her fallen PPP comrades? Is Ms. Teixeira not having any empathy for her fellow MP, Ron Allen who fell ill on the floor of the National Assembly? What kind of person is Ms. Teixeira? We trust that all the voters who work in the trenches for the PPP, to take note of the uncaring and insensitive nature of the PPP leadership. These heartless Stalinists are not interested in the welfare of the masses be they their supporters or not. Based on her poor and hopeless performance we have concluded that her million dollar per month salary cannot be justified. Ms. Teixeira has not only misinformed Parliament on several occasions but in 2006 she also misled the United Nations when she said her Government is taking “increased measures” to
“root out the perpetrators of violent crimes.” That very year, more than 150 persons were murdered from crimes ranging from drug trafficking, and robbery to domestic violence and Ms. Teixeira has done nothing. Last year, 137 persons were murdered, mainly as a result of domestic violence and robberies. So what has Ms. Teixeira and her PPP cabal done again? Nothing! And to label the opposition racist for pointing out that the contract signed between the Jagdeo/Ramotar cabal and the Chinese contractor to build the Marriott Hotel excluded the use of Guyanese labour is shameful and a disgrace to the people of Guyana. We urge the people to demand value for their money and for the government to justify the one million per month salary paid to Ms. Teixeira. We also urge the combined opposition to remove the estimates earmarked for the payment of super salaries from the budget. Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh
A tribute to an icon DEAR EDITOR, I write on behalf of myself, the Board of Directors and Members of the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc., and its Guyana Chapter, and the Arya Samaj Movement of Toronto and the United States. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud’s family, the members of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the PPP/Civic Government and people of Guyana on the passing of Pandit Reepu D. Persaud, a legend to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, a religious and political icon of our nation. He had a remarkable passion and he demonstrated a lifelong commitment to religion, culture and politics. His demise was received with great sadness to our organization, and the entire Guyanese community. There isn’t much we can say or do to ease your pain of separation. However, please take comfort in knowing that our prayers and thoughts are with the entire family, friends and all his acquaintance during this very difficult time.
We recognize that there is much pain involved in letting go of someone so dear to you and so loved by you, but we encourage you to surrender your pains to the feet of God Almighty, knowing that God is capable of and will remove the pain of separation. A d d i t i o n a l l y, be assured in knowing that God loves you, He is holding out His arms to comfort you at this critical juncture of your life , and with our collective prayers , God will strengthen your heart and help you find the solace that is deserving of such a compassionate and caring individual. Pandit Jee was one of those extraordinary people who will never be forgotten in a lifetime. He will be remembered as a man whose life was devoted to the service of others and whose vision was marked by his determination to reignite the torch of Hinduism, culture and spirituality to the entire nation. He will be celebrated much remembered for his simplicity, kindness and compassion that he has shown to so many.
His life was like a sunbeam that lit up the world around him, his family and friends. Now that he is not here with us, we can bask in the rainbow of loving memories that will live forever in our hearts. It won’t be the same without him by any means, but we will go on as best as we can and look forward to the day we will meet him again in eternity, the City of Mukti. We shower our blessings and prayers and trust each of you will draw strength from God, your many spiritual friends and family who want to help you through this very difficult time. As the people of Guyana mourn the passing of Pandit Jee, I pray that the opportunity will be taken on all sides to carry on his great vision and to work with renewed momentum towards peace, stability and prosperity for all Guyanese. I remain the humble servant for the poor. Pt. Suresh Sugrim President, Humanitarian Mission of NJ Arya Samaj Mandir Inc
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Wednesday April 10, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Reepu Daman Persaud - an iconic commodity DEAR EDITOR, It appears as though we are in the season of the Great Reaper”. Last week it was Gentleman, Reverend Dr Dale Bisnauth. Today it is “The Great Soul, Reepu Daman Persaud, OR”. As a measure of the man his name was a household iconic commodity across Guyana and in the Diaspora. I first encountered Reep at a yagna at the Hindu Temple some time in 1973, at Joanna, Black Bush Polder where I was teaching at the time. I remember asking a question of Reep at the
yagna as to explain the concept of “reincarnation” and his accounting for the increasing larger numbers of human souls on the planet from the time of the writing of the great books on Hinduism. He asked for time to research the issue and then to get back to me. He was always among the people. From the plantation of Diamond, on East Bank Demerara to the Hallowed Halls of Parliament is a tremendous upward mobility. Reep walked that walk in the footsteps of his leader, Cheddi Jagan, from Plantation
Port Mourant. That climb by itself took fortitude, guts and determination but to upturn the old established order in the Hindu superstructure of the Guyana Hindu Maha Sabha which enjoyed all the intriguing support of L.F.S. Burnham at the time makes Pandit Reep’s achievement even more noteworthy. The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha stands testimony to that lifework of achievement by Reep. After I resigned and walked away from the PPP in 1996, Reep was the only
senior Party and State functionary who sought an interview with me in his office where he told his Caucasian Secretary that anytime this Gentleman (me, the writer) came to his office he must not be made to wait but must be granted an audience with him, the Minister, immediately. After my walk out from a District Conference of the Georgetown District of the PPP in 1996 not even Prakash Ramjattan, Moses Nagamootoo nor Roger Luncheon made any such attempt, even though so instructed by Janet Jagan to
“You better go and bring him back”. During that discussion, Pandit Reep attempted to get me to return to Freedom House and resume my assignments. He asked me what I wanted. “You want 3000 acres of land? I will sign and give it to you now but I want you back at your desk at Freedom House!” I replied that all I wanted was to be appointed to the position I had applied for and that was as Secretary to the Drainage and Irrigation Board. He replied that he was aware of my application and suitability for the job but that Cheddi did not want to pay the salary commensurate with the position through grant funding. Reep rose to high office in the Government of Guyana. As a Vice President and was awarded the high distinction
of an Order of Excellence, OR. However Reep was denied the position of Prime Minister to succeed Sam Hinds who had become, through constitutional provision, Head of State on the death of Cheddi Jagan, The intrigue of Janet Jagan was to upset the applecart of the PPP and it has, as we all now know, to the present distress of the PPP. Reep was an authority on the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Reep is now gone and I would hope that he has left some record as to the truth of the intrigue of those days of Party and State succession. History and future generations of Guyanese will demand nothing less! Rest in Peace my dear friend! It is a path we must all walk in single file! Lionel Peters
DEAR EDITOR, I read with delight the pronouncement by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce that in dealing with the situation of airlift into and out of Guyana, he is willing to make “ a few proactive moves in the local airline industry”. He also intimated that a holistic approach to the issue was part of his plan. This is encouraging and demonstrates that there is some concern by the Government for the problem faced by travellers to and from Guyana. It is one of the few destinations within the region where passengers are held hostage by its country’s Flag carrier. As a Guyanese with vast experience in the Aviation industry, I see no reason why, taking the Hon. Minster at his word, this dilemma cannot be rectified. We must however start on the home-front. Hon. Minster, I have just completed the full certification of Fly Jamaica which was issued with an Air Operators Certificate and associated Operations Specifications by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA). They were also issued their Operations Specifications by the Federal Aviation Administration (US) and Licence approval by the Department of Transport (US). This airline which operates a 200 passenger Boeing 757 (same type of aircraft operated by Guyana Airways and GA2000), which it owns, commenced
scheduled operations into New York on February 14, 2013. Although Fly Jamaica is based in Jamaica and heavily supported by the Jamaican Government and people, the CEO of Fly Jamaica is our own Guyanese aviation entrepreneur and owner of Air Guyana (Wings Aviation), Captain Ronald Reece. I am sure that the Guyanese community is aware of his thriving Domestic Air operation located on the Ogle International Aerodrome. I am proud to say that having managed the team of JCAA Inspectors for Fly Jamaica certification, I am in a position to pronounce on its safety, personnel experience and standards. These I can assure you are very high. Fly Jamaica is now seeking to expand into new routes and acquire addition aircraft for its cadre of experienced pilots and Flight Attendants. As the saying goes “charity begins at home” but I would say “business begins at home”. Hon. Minster I believe that the Government and People of Guyana have an excellent opportunity to demonstrate their appreciation towards a son of Guyana soil by you extending an invitation to this first Jamaica / Guyana aviation venture – Fly Jamaica. This can be the first step to Guyana solving its airlift problem. Lt. Col. (Capt.) Egbert Field Manager, Flight Operations Oversight Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority
Government Embraces Public/ Private partnership to Augment Airlift Service
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
Letters... Where your views make the news
A new look at the criminal justice system DEAR EDITOR, The recent observations by the Director of Public Prosecutions followed by comments from other high officials may indeed serve as the needed catalyst to move the Guyana Police ‘Service’ to a higher level of performance in the criminal justice system from investigative and prosecutorial standpoints. However during my brief hiatus from the keyboard I came across a novel (at least for Guyana) contribution to the whole scenario of criminal prosecutions. I am referring to the intervention called “victim impact statements” (VIS) which puts the victim’s perspective in the spotlight before the court. VIS first appeared in the United States during the 1970s as the primary means by which crime victims provide input into the sentencing process. As early as 1982, the President’s Task Force on Victims of Crime’s Final Report issued a recommendation that called for “judges to allow for, and give appropriate weight to, input at sentencing from victims of violent crime.” The then Attorney General endorsed the use of victim impact statements by stating that judges should “Provide for hearing and considering the victims’ perspective at sentencing and at any early release proceedings.” The concept was introduced in Canada in 1988 and is now an important component of the sentencing process.We hear ad infinitum of the rights of victims in response to outcries about the right to a fair trial for the accused particularly when fatalities occur at the hands of the police. But - we need to ask, what are we doing to ensure that the victims’ rights are protected? Or, put another way can we really say that we empathise with the victims of crime when we really have not provided them with the avenues to be heard apart
from giving evidence as virtual complainants? Maybe we need to examine the merits of VIS in the little space available in these columns. I wish to make it clear that this offering does not by any means intend to differentiate between serious crime and other types/categories but refers to crime generally. One important lesson learned in the Canadian experience is that the mere introduction of a VIS regime has not resulted in widespread use of the statements since only a minority of victims seems inclined to be part of the process. However, for the minority of victims who do submit a statement, the VIS provides an important outlet for expressing themselves to the court and participating in the sentencing process. However, the most obvious criticism of the VIS is that it can have an adverse effect on crime victims who are disappointed when they feel that their participation has not brought about some preconceived result at sentencing. Therefore those tasked with the responsibility must ensure that they provide crime victims with a clear idea of the purpose of the VIS. We read constantly of victims of crime being unaware of the status of investigations etc., but as early as 1981, researchers, mental health practitioners and criminal justice professionals recognized that
victims who receive information about their criminal cases and are allowed to have input into the criminal justice process have a higher degree of satisfaction with the justice process, and experience a higher degree of closure to their victimization. In much the same way that a pantheon of experts is sometimes called upon to supply all sorts of plausible reasons why a defendant felt pressured to commit a crime, it is only fair that the victims (or their survivors like Mothers in Black etc.) be given the opportunity to have a more significant role in criminal justice proceedings. Therefore it might be a good idea to explore the possibilities of drafting legislation and policies which give crime victims a strong and active voice through the use of VIS. In that regard, the authorities (if they are so inclined) would be required to draft comprehensive guidelines, protocol and model victim impact statement instruments to address the needs of both the justice system and the victim. These instruments could be designed for specific audiences including police, judiciary, parole board etc. This will serve to show that we are all listening to the victims of crime, and demonstrating an awareness that crimes impact not only the direct victims, but to a greater degree our communities in general. Patrick E. Mentore
A disturbing construction DEAR EDITOR, I am a very disturbed resident of Campbellville. The reason is that there is this massive construction at the corner of Sheriff and Garnett streets. My family and I have been greatly affected by the noise and dust pollution. It is almost 19:00hrs and the workers are still drilling and hammering.
I have two children, four years old and four months old. My babies need to have some quiet time to sleep; this is ridiculous. I do not know how much more I can handle and who are the relevant authorities to whom I can make my complaint. I wish you could shed some light on this problem in your news paper. Ms. Adrian
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Wednesday April 10, 2013
Budget 2013 debates...
When Govt. starts tightening up, we will start lightening up – AFC “When it starts tightening up, we will start lightening up,” said Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, of the Government, when he offered his passionate contribution to the penultimate session of the final day of debating the 2013 national budget. Speaking of proposed plans to cut various segments of the budget, Ramjattan asserted that “we have to do what we have to do to ensure that that Government across the floor comes to its senses.” In his lengthy presentation, the AFC Leader pointed out that the impression is often given of the opposition that “we are the dragons...as if we are the “Bad Johns” in the place,” but according to him, moves to make alterations and amendments to the $208.8 billion national budget, which was recently presented by Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, are in fact a reflection of the fact that “we are thinking of the people out there.”
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds
AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan
“But no says the other side, absolutely no. They say that we want to do damage to the workers of this country. That is the last intent we would have ever had, but it is not part and parcel of it at all, but the reconfiguration of a budget that could have occurred during a more sincere dialogue process is now not there.” However, Ramjattan did
commend the crafting of the budget by the Finance Minister and his team, at a time when there are challenges internationally, locally, as well as regionally. He however pointed out that the AFC is convinced that the budget could have been a better one, had the Finance Minister sought to incorporate points that were presented to him weeks ahead of the budget
presentation. He even alluded to the tripartite consultation process which was introduced last year, through which a couple of points were highlighted for inclusion in the budget but were not. Turning his attention to the presentation of PPP member, Reverend Kwame Gilbert, who underscored that “we are where we are and it is better than where we were,” Ramjattan noted that the statement is in indeed a fact, but countered by noting that “incorporating what the opposition had, we could have been far better than where we are.” Taking the spotlight immediately after the AFC Leader, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, insisted that Government has remained committed to the task of preserving a policy environment that is conducive to economic growth and social development. Moreover, he insisted that “it doesn’t just happen, it needs the right circumstances to bring it
about and the result was a seventh consecutive year of rear growth in our economy, associated strong m a c r o e c o n o m i c performance...and visible improvements not perfection...in our regulatory and institutional environment.” As such, Hinds insisted that every Guyanese citizen should feel some level of satisfaction or sense of reward in that “our work has brought us a seventh successive year of real growth... not that we have not had years of growth before...but we had been fluctuating.” “Seven consecutive years of growth amidst what is happening globally, in our region and even locally, should grab our attention, as it says that we have been doing some things right and some things good, and we might very well be on track to realising the dreams of our present and past generations,” the Prime Minister added. He alluded to
Government’s efforts to bring into place the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, which is aimed at alleviating the challenges currently faced by the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) while at the same time lowering the cost of electricity. This development, he said, will seek to slash generation cost by half - indicative of a drop of from 26 cents to about 12 cents an hour per kilowatt. There are also moves, according to the Prime Minister, to upgrade the transmission system, even as he announced that by the end of the year the Berbice and Demerara interconnected systems should be in place, with several new substations being realised. “These will greatly improve the provision of electricity to our customers...” said the Prime Minister who was on a mission to extensively share his views on the various development projects that have been engaged by the Government to ensure that all citizens could benefit.
is very easy for an investor to make that step to come to Guyana,” Lee-Chin noted. Further he stated that his team includes officials from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica and Portland
Holdings. The bank, he said, is eager to find ways to enter the financial service industry of Guyana, while Portland Holdings has a more general approach to investing. “To start off, we will be looking at the choices and then narrowing it down by virtue of our understanding, Agriculture is definitely an area we want to explore as well as the telecommunication sector, since we see the need for more competition in this area.” He added that his team will now return to Jamaica and carefully access the possibilities in terms of where they will be heading. “We are engaged and we will now sit and assess Guyana in relation to where we are going with our portfolio. From what we have seen so far, Guyana will move to the top of the table because of the openness of the Government for investing.” During the team’s two-day visit, meetings were held with the Ministers of Finance,
Natural Resources and Agriculture. Michael Lee-Chin is a business magnate, investor and philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of Portland Holdings, a privately-held investment company which owns a collection of diversified operating companies in sectors that include media, tourism, health care, telecommunications and financial services. Amongst other positions, he is currently executive chairman of AIC Limited, a Canadian mutual fund, and the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica. Lee-Chin’s wealth has been estimated as high as US$2.5 billion, and Canadian Business magazine has named him as one of the richest people in Canada. In 2003, he made headlines when he donated US$30 million to the Royal Ontario Museum. He also provided a US$10 million gift to the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.
Jamaican billionaire eyeing investment prospects in Guyana
Over the past two day, a team of investors headed by Jamaica-born Canadian investor and billionaire Michael Lee-Chin has been in Guyana meeting with Government officials about possible investments in the near future. An international specialist in Financing, Mr. Lee-Chin led the team which was invited by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Before leaving for Jamaica yesterday, Mr. Lee-Chin met with media operatives where he spoke about his visit. First the philanthropist said he was pleased with the warm Guyanese hospitality. He said the agenda was certainly helpful in his team coming to a conclusion that “there is a very long runway of opportunities in Guyana’s economy”. “We want to be a part of those opportunities and to do what we can to bring capital to the country… and do what we can to bring the requisite expertise; to do what we can to bring more wealth and to
Jamaica-born billionaire Michael Lee-Chin (L) and Presidential Advisor Odinga Lumumba. enhance the life of the average Guyanese and to make the phenomenal potential that Guyana has not just potential, but a reality.” He added that he was extremely pleased with the
calibre of Government Ministers he met during his visit as they all showed great experience, passion and knowledge in their respective sectors. “I was impressed with the type of leadership. It
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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THE PPP IS PREPARING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF ELECTIONS The PPP has taken umbrage at the suggestion that it is preparing for the possibility of elections. It has revolted at the idea that the individual tax measures announced in the Budget are sweeteners intended to win support from the electorate should the opposition reject the Budget and thus force elections. But from all indications, the PPP is readying itself for the possibility of elections. It is preparing for this possibility should the opposition refuse to assent to its Budget or decide to cut the Budget. The Speaker will once again be a pivotal figure in what is the outcome of the Appropriations Bill. It will be up to him to decide whether when the National Assembly retires into the Committee of Supply and the time comes to approve the Appropriations Bill whether he will entertain cuts or whether he will be guided by the ruling of the Chief Justice to the effect that the Budget can only be rejected to approved but not reduced. In a separate ruling, the court had indicated that where the courts of law pronounce on constitutional questions, these are to be treated as binding. The opposition parties
feel powerless in the National Assembly without the power to cut, but they fail to recognize that the power to reject is far more powerful that the power to cut and instead of threatening to cut they should be threatening to reject, thus forcing the government to negotiate. The risk that the opposition faces in so doing is two-fold. On the one hand the timelines are narrow and if the deadline for the Budget expires then they are effectively forcing elections. The opposition is not ready for elections. However the government is ready for an election and is just waiting for an excuse to dissolve parliament. This is the second risk that the opposition is courting. All indications, in fact, point to a government that is in a state of readiness if not for elections, for the eventuality of elections. The PPP is covering its bases. It knows that if the Budget is not passed or if it has to go to the courts to ensure that any cuts are reversed, that it will also have to seriously consider how long it will tolerate, what for it, is an intolerable opposition. And the only way out of the entrapment of the opposition is through elections.
Dem boys seh...
Polygraph gun send dem to hospital Dem got graft and graph. Nowadays all de people talking about is de graph like if dem doing Maths. In Maths you got to plot graph to get a true measurement of things. Dem boys seh that in de government dem got people who ain’t got to plot no graph to know how much money dem got. Then dem got polygraph. Dem boys know that nuff ah dem people in Parliament should tek de polygraph because dem got something scampish bout dem. Of course dem does try to hide dem scampishness but de polygraph gun expose all. Now one and two of dem don’t thief. All of dem know bout thiefing and some of dem does thief and this is when de polygraph got to come in. Dem boys done prepare de question. One question got to be if dem ever tek anything that is not dem own. De other question got to be how much. De man asking de question gun need more than one machine because de extent of de lie might mek some of dem stop wukking fuh good. One man fuh sure can’t tek de polygraph test but fuh sure, if was graft he woulda deh at de front of de line. But he would never go near a polygraph machine. From de time he pass de machine would start to record. Nobody ain’t got to ask no question. But as dem boys seh, de longest rope got an end. Some of dem get really worried, because dem boys did tell dem that de Man above don’t like wicked and evil and dem wha crooked gun get de final call. Two of dem run fuh a medical checkup and one of dem try to get to a doctor but he wife tell he wait. And while he waiting all dem doctor calculating how much dem gun charge because when people frighten is then dem does fork out de money. De other day a doctor tell a li’l boy that he got cancer and it gun cost de parents a million dollars. When de parents go to de Minister and de Minister send dem to de same doctor. De doctor get vex because he couldn’t charge. He too woulda fail de polygraph. Talk half and prepare fuh de polygraph.
The PPP is already signaling that it is getting itself ready for elections. It has fanned out to its constituencies to repel any attempt by the opposition to reject or cut the Budget. Its propaganda machinery is working overtime in countering, and at times, spinning some of the presentations on the opposition. In the event of the budget not being passed, the PPP would be well positioned to blame the opposition for this development and gain public sympathy. But of greater note was the PPP’s line-up during the Budget debate. It used the
Budget debate to give greater exposure to a number of its second–tier leaders. In fact, it enhanced the public profile of these leaders by handing them the major responsibility of leading the PPP’s charge on the Budget. The person who led-off the Budget debate for the PPP was Irfaan Ali. This was totally unexpected and he was followed by other youthful and dynamic leaders such as Rev. Kwame Gilbert and Dr. Vidhya Persaud. They were all very impressive in their individual presentations and this was what the PPP was interested in displaying. It wanted to show the country that the
PPP has depth that the party is not going to go under but will remain strong and vibrant because it has second–tier leaders who can ease into the positions of the top leadership when the time comes. But the decision to have this sort of order in the Budget debate also helps to put the PPP in a state of readiness should elections have to be called. The second–tier leaders would have already been primed by these debates; would have already gained visibility and recognition, and would thus be ready for the campaign trail. The opposition parties
seem to have been stunned by all of this. So flat-footed were they caught that they seem to have forgotten to walk out of the National Assembly when the Minister of Home Affairs made his presentation on the Budget.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Freddie Kissoon Column
PPP’s gambit versus Ramotar’s insecurity The talk is that the government will call a general election if the 2013 Budget is voted down. Inside the PPP there is bound to be fierce debate. The tantalizing question in debating a snap poll is the mind of Donald Ramotar. Ramotar should be the last person to want to face early elections. First, he didn’t bring victory the last time. Secondly, his competitors inside the PPP would argue that they stand a better chance of going over the fifty percent mark this time. Thirdly, if the PPP loses the plurality this time, Ramotar would have only served eighteen months. The choices facing Ramotar are either to take five years then call it George or risk
being one of the shortest serving heads of government in modern times. Ramotar will be more inclined to go with 2016, because he can’t be that stupid to believe he will be the PPP’s candidate in 2016. Commonsensically then, Ramotar should stick with his five-year tenure. One suspects that it is what he will do. The curiosity is if he has the authority inside the PPP to reject a snap election decision. In the scheme of things in Guyana, the President of the country is the big and bad man in every sphere, whether in his party or in government. Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo as President were totally in charge of governmental and party
affairs. Under Mrs. Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo, the PPP leader and the President was not the same person, but the President was the person who ruled the party. The break with this pattern came with Ramotar. It is no secret in this country that the route Mr. Ramotar used to achieve the presidency and the behindthe scenes power of Mr. Jagdeo leave President Ramotar without total control. It is no secret either that since the assumption to power of Ramotar some key PPP players who were circumspect or careful about their mouthing off under Mr. Jagdeo behave as if they are in charge since 2012 began. This newfound boldness is coming from the old stalwarts
and some new faces. Their public, political posturing definitely gives off the impression that Donald Ramotar is not completely in control of the direction power is going. Assuming what I have postulated here has evidential integrity then Donald Ramotar is in trouble in resisting a snap poll decision. I will stick with what I have posited here and go further and say Ramotar will advise Freedom House against a snap election decision, but there will be a fight. It is simply not in Ramotar’s interest to return to the voters eighteen months after November 2011. What is the reason for the PPP wanting early elections? Three reasons stand out.
First, the old Stalinist ideologues are so inebriated with Machiavellian power that at the psychic level they are tormented that the National Assembly is the only receptacle of authority in Guyana not under their aegis. This columnist takes the position that the old guards want fresh elections simply because they view the loss of Parliament as a laceration to their hubris, hauteur and pomposity. For them it is a personal insult. It has damaged their messianic ideology and they cannot live with that. Secondly, the young ambitious monsters are supporting the demand of the Freedom House gerontocracy because it gels with their uncontrollable ambitions. About five of them want a snap poll because they feel the PPP will win and their raging desires will be fulfilled – they become president. Thirdly, in the PPP as a whole, the feeling is that another round of voting will favour the PPP, because it has the money for the campaign that the AFC and APNU lack totally. Added to this is the deep belief of the PPP’s upper and second tier leaders that both the AFC and APNU have lost support and are
Frederick Kissoon vulnerable to decimation. The trouble with psychology in general is that it is deceiving. The greater trouble with psychology is that when possessed by dictators it leads to selfdestruction. The psychology of the PPP leaders instructs them that the AFC and APNU are weak and losing ground. What is completely shut out from the collective mind of the PPP leadership is that they are losing ground faster than their two opponents. Shut out from the heads of all PPP leaders is the philosophical lesson that human beings are generally decent people who do not accept and approve of human indecency and will reject cruel leaders that hurt their fellow citizens. A snap poll will bring selfdestruction to people too ignorant to understand the lessons of history.
Notice
Parents of students attending the St John’s Community Secondary School, West Coast Demerara, are being advised that the institution was closed yesterday April 9, 2013, to facilitate urgent remedial repairs. This is according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education which outlined that the move was due to unforeseen circumstances. Moreover, today, Wednesday, April 10, 2013, a shift system will be put in place for the displaced students to be accommodated at the Den Amstel Secondary School from 07:30 to 11:30 hours and 12:00 hours to 16:00 hours at the St John’s Secondary School.
Baby with fractured skull…
Dad on grievous bodily harm charge A 19-year-old man appeared yesterday before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on his three-week-old daughter was read to him. According to Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte, on April 2, the defendant and his commonlaw wife, Simone Yankana, were engaged in a heated argument at their Quamina Street residence. Their exchange of words lead to a fight and the defendant allegedly dealt a kick which missed Yankana and struck three-week-old Shamier Yankana. It was later determined that the infant suffered a fractured skull
which resulted in bleeding in and around the brain which was revealed in a CT scan at the Georgetown Hospital. Though the defendant was not required to enter a plea in the indictable matter, the prosecution objected to bail based on the fact that the infant still remains a patient at the hospital and is in an unstable condition Further, it was noted that if he is granted bail, the possibility exists that he may not return to court for his trial and may tamper with the witness, Simone Yankana, so as to influence the court’s course of justice. Bail for the defendant was subsequently refused and the matter is scheduled to be recalled on May 10.
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Wednesday April 10, 2013
Broadcast Authority cannot revoke licences without cause - Shadick - MP insists she will not be bullied The Guyana National Broadcasting Authority has no mandate or legal power to revoke broadcast licences, unless the Authority has good reason, Bibi Shadick said yesterday. Shadick chairs the governing board of the authority. Speaking in the National Assembly on Monday evening, Shadick said she would not be bullied by protests calling for the revocation of licences issued by former President Bharrat Jagdeo the very month he left office. The People’s Progressive Party Civic Member of Parliament said that when Jagdeo granted radio licences in November 2011, he effectively put an end to the monopoly on radio broadcast held by the state-owned and controlled National Communications Network. “The Board of the Guyana National Broadcast Authority has never discussed the revocation of any licences and is not authorised to revoke any licence by law, except for cause, and no such cause has been brought to us,” she said.
However, Shadick said that while the Authority cannot withdraw licences, everyone who has a licence, including those who were granted one by Jagdeo, must meet the requirements under the new Broadcasting Act. As such she said she will not bow to pressure being exerted by protests against the Jagdeo-issued licences. “I have never succumbed to bullyism, don’t expect to succumb to bullyism and I will not head a Board which will buckle to those things,” she declared. Shadick took a swipe at one broadcaster who was granted two licences under the pre-1992 government of the PNC. She said the current government has not made accusations against those who were granted licences before the PPP took office. She said that entity, which she did not name, is among those broadcasters who are yet to comply with the new Broadcasting Act. However, she explained that broadcasters are being given time since the regulations are new and persons need time to comply.
AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo
PPP MP Bibi Shadick
Shadick asserted that when the Broadcasting Act came into effect on August 28, 2012, broadcasters had 21 days within which to seek permission to continue to broadcast. She said everyone who wrote asking for permission to continue was granted such permission. Shadick stated that all entities, including those issued licences by Jagdeo, were asked to reapply for new licences and comply with
requirements under the new Act. She said that there are currently 36 continuing broadcasters, 14 of whom have complied with all the requirements under the new Act and are on their way to being granted licences. Shadick said that others are yet to meet all the requirements but are being given time. With regard to the Region Ten administration, which has been clamouring for its
licence to broadcast, Shadick said that the board is only authorized to grant licences to a company or trust. She said that the Region Ten administration has been urged to get some persons to set up a company or trust and apply for a licence and once they do so, “a special meeting” of the Board would be called to review the application. Alliance for Change Parliamentarian Moses Nagamootoo has called for the withdrawal of all the radio frequencies that were handed out by Jagdeo, declaring that there will be no compromise on the matter. “It is disgraceful and scandalous. This is naked nepotism,” Nagamootoo declared. Jagdeo doled out radio frequencies mostly to close associates of the ruling PPP/ C regime, in a move that Nagamootoo also described as lawless and discriminatory, since the process was not transparent. One recipient, Telcor & Cultural Broadcasting Inc., whose principal is Ruth Baljit, the sister of Robert Persaud,
was granted five radio frequencies in November, 2011. New Guyana Company Ltd., publishers of Mirror newspapers also got five frequencies. “This is the company for which I worked as a journalist for some 22 years,” Nagamootoo told the National Assembly. According to the AFC Member of Parliament, at present, the Mirror’s press is non-functional. The newspaper has been outsourced for printing by Guyana Times, owned by Jagdeo’s best friend Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, “and the printery to Ed Ahmad, another friend of Mr. Jagdeo.” In addition, multiple frequencies have been allocated to Dr. Ramroop. Then in 2010 there were cable licences given to Brian Yong and Vishok Persaud, he added. Nagamootoo reminded the National Assembly that except for a few, all the recipients of radio frequencies are connected with the PPP; are themselves high state officials, and are associated with Government leaders as “comrades, friends or relatives”.
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Diamond car park to be relocated again Road construction ongoing near the area being vacated
The temporary car park at Diamond The Diamond Housing Scheme’s temporary car park, situated on the eastern shoulder of the East Bank Demerara Public Road, will soon be relocated to facilitate road widening works from the ‘high bridge’ at Demerara Distillers limited (DDL) to the housing scheme entrance. While the contractor, BK International, executes works in the area, the park will be situated in front of one of the commercial banks in Diamond, says an engineer of
the Public Works Ministry. According to the engineer, following the completion of the stretch into a four-lane roadway, there will be no accommodation for a car park along the thoroughfare. Arrangements are being discussed with the Ministry of Local Government to decide on a suitable location. The roadside vendors would be relocated to the same area in which the car park will be permanently placed, he added.
The car park is situated near DDL ‘high bridge’- a spot many deem dangerous. In fact, many persons had complained of the taxis obstructing the smooth flow of traffic and the cars parking along the public road. The taxi drivers were evicted from two previous locations. The park was first located inside the Diamond Housing Scheme near the entrance but they were forced to remove and the spot was taken over
by the M&M Snackette. The drivers formed a new park along the roadway but were also forced to relocate. According to the engineer, Government is eyeing two areas for the possible location of the park. The first option is inside the Diamond Housing Scheme on the market tarmac, which is not being utilised at the moment.
This would require the spot to be a designated route so minibuses could offload at the tarmac. The roadside vendors would be relocated to the tarmac. As such, the tarmac will essentially be satisfying its purpose. The other option revealed by the engineer is to erect a facility near to the area where a second entrance to
Diamond Housing Scheme is expected to be constructed. This option also caters for the roadside vendors. The relocation of the car park would have happened last year but the road widening project was stalled. Only within recent weeks the contractor resumed works on the multi-million-dollar project.
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Wednesday April 10, 2013
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
Businesses alarmed over cell phone ‘texting’ problems in workplaces One of the country’s foremost business organizations says it has been receiving numerous reports that the usage of cell phones in the workplace has been adversely affecting production. The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) is now preparing to conduct a survey to determine which sectors are most affected. The findings will determine where measures are warranted. According to GMSA in a statement yesterday, the cell phone abuse is not only affecting production and productivity but has resulted in loss of man hours, and threatens the general safety of the workplace. “Employees reportedly spend long periods of time chatting, texting and playing computer games during the hours when they should be working. Several member companies have informed the association that their internal Human Resources regulations have already addressed the issue stating that cellular phones should not be utilized during specified hours.” However, GMSA stressed that this directive is often observed in the breach and employers are concerned that the practice could present situations that affect employees’ safety as well as the integrity of equipment and machinery. “Some company heads reported that they have successfully enforced ‘No Exemption’ policies and have instituted specific compulsory measures for storage of employees’ personal items. The GMSA’s Board of Directors has acknowledged that this practice by many employees, not only in the manufacturing and services sectors, would obviously result in reduced
Production is being affected by too much cell phone use in the workplace, GMSA said yesterday. production time.” GMSA also noted that more importantly, it will affect the quality of end products due especially to inattention on the production line. “Extrapolated, poor quality of Guyana’s manufactured products will hinder the association’s efforts to source international expertise and financing to effectively upgrade our products and production capacity to international standards, and allow them fair competition on Caribbean and international markets.” The association is now considering several options to address what has become a problem in the workplace. “A number of the association’s members have raised the issue seeking a policy solution. In addition, recent discussions have pointed to indiscriminate use
of cellular phones and handheld radio transmission sets by members of the public in banks and hospitals despite posted admonitions and warnings that the signals could affect sensitive equipment.” The GMSA said it is cognizant of the fact that telephones, cellular phones and other instruments of communication are work tools, especially in marketingtype operations and at certain levels of business. “However, the call for greater awareness of and adherence to business time restrictions by employees functioning at management and non-management levels is apropos in every factory, service facility and office.” GMSA’s membership comprises of shippers, construction firms, jewellers, garment makers and loggers.
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Opposition gearing to size-down budget aided by one-seat majority – Govt. Government is convinced that the parliamentary opposition is gearing to take advantage of its one-seat majority to dreadfully alter the 2013 National Budget. At least this is according to Minister of Amerindians Affairs Pauline Sukhai when she and other party representatives took the spotlight on Monday at a People’s Progressive Party/ Civic press conference held at the party’s Robb Street, Georgetown, headquarters. This state of affairs, according to Sukhai, “leaves no doubt in our minds that the true intention of the opposition alliance of the Alliance for Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) is to use their one-seat majority in a callous and irresponsible manner.” This intent, according to the Minister, was especially evident when an opposition member in making a presentation to the National Assembly was armed with a folder depicting a scissors about to cut a $1,000 bill. Minister Sukhai was at the time seeking to make reference to APNU’s Jennifer Wade during her contribution to the budget debates last week.
And according to Minister Sukhai, it is the ruling PPPC’s conviction, too, that the opposition seems confused, as they themselves are giving out conflicting information as highlighted by a statement by the Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier Retired David Granger. Sukhai pointed out that “Granger is quoted as admitting that there is a little bit for everyone in the budget, yet he goes on to add that he is not satisfied with the budget.” But the Amerindian Affairs Minister noted that the ruling party will continue to rely on outreaches to highlight its intent to fight for a better future for all Guyanese. Moreover, she added that moves are currently being made to withstand the attacks of the opposition against the administration’s efforts. Sukhai disclosed that the PPPC has commenced a series of budget outreach meetings across the country which represent a follow-up on a set of similar engagements the party had prior to the crafting of the 2013 budget. The budget which was recently presented by
Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, was described by Sukhai as “the largest in our nation’s history and undoubtedly the best so far, as it is reaching out to the needs of all classes and demographics in our country.” “Our series of meetings thus far have seen communities expressing support for the provisions contained in the budget and frustration at the opposition’s posturing...This also follows public support of budget 2013 from the private sector organisations across the country as well as other groups and agencies,” declared a confident Minister Sukhai. According to her, the responses to the outreaches that were held over the past weekend have been positive as persons of all backgrounds are welcoming the measures in place. As such the Minister said that “it is clear that the people of Guyana want development and progress to continue...This is even more necessary since our political opposition seems interested in having our people in a perennial state of confusion based on their misinformation campaign.”
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Guyana needs complete revamp of Governance framework – APNU By Abena Rockcliffe As Budget debates wound down yesterday, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Desmond Trotman sought to squeeze in his recommendation for a complete revamp of Guyana’s governance framework. Even as he stressed that “need”, the Member pointed out a series of examples of
abuse of power and conflict of interest being demonstrated by the current regime. Therefore his suggestion was that the first change be a decentralisation of power. Trotman told the Assembly that power needs to be decentralised at both the central and local government levels. At the central level, he
asserted, the 1980 Constitution needs further amendment, including decrease of the power of the office of President. In addition, the Member said that critical institutions are required to be established or strengthened in order to provide much needed checks and balances. At the local government level, Trotman
recommended that there is need for strengthening and extensive reform, including a reduction of the power of the Local Government Minister and a strengthening of regional and municipal powers, likewise those of the Central Government. He then paused to ask “But will this power-hungry, minority Executive Government facilitate such structural change or will it continue to stymie constitutional progress?”
Trotman soon made no qualms to say that “Guyana requires a new paradigm of political cooperation and an attitudinal transformation, particularly on the part of those who have been in office for the last 21 years and who deserve a failure grade of ‘F’, as far as good governance is concerned.” The first government Minister whose “misconduct” Trotman chose to highlight was the Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh. According to Trotman, Singh’s “conduct seems to know no bounds or any sense of professional decency.” He asked, “How can a Finance Minister be Chairman of NICIL and therefore, in fact, he is reporting to and advising his very self? This is an absurdity.” Trotman continued his speech saying that the truth is that every decision of the Government is informed by “arrogance and the expectation that an ever loyal and partisan constituency will return it to power.” The Member then asserted that consultation is not in the government’s dictionary, citing as examples that attempts were made to “increase the electricity tariff in Linden and appropriate the Plaisance Community Centre playfield, without any consultation with the communities.” As Trotman continued his focus on Ministerial code of conduct, he said that when he listened to the Junior Finance Minister
APNU MP Desmond Trotman speak of government’s proposals to address the question of corruption; “I wondered which planet he came from. It is clear to me that he does not understand that when you are part of the problem you cannot be part of the solution. Listening to him I got the impression that he has promised a miracle to resolve this tremendous crisis. It seems as if he has not learned his lesson. He ought to know since November 28, 2011 when he promised the PPPC that with Jesus’ assistance he will deliver Guyana to them and failed, that he is incapable of delivering miracles. He failed in 2011 and will fail today if that is what he believes he can do.” The House erupted, but before a point of order was put forward, Speaker Trotman intervened correcting the Member as he informed that “What the honourable Member said was that if Jesus was in Guyana he would have voted for the PPP.”
Ailing APNU member resigns from Parliament Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman yesterday announced the resignation of the ailing A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Richard Allen who collapsed last week during Budget debates. Kaieteur News understands that Allen was discharged from the Georgetown Public Hospital yesterday morning. Word is that Parliament Office also received his letter of resignation yesterday morning, leaving a vacancy on the APNU benches. The combined opposition, without a replacement will no longer have the majority in parliament. In fact there would be a gridlock since the opposition and government would have the same amount of representing Members in Parliament. However, this publication understands that
Resigned: Richard Allen APNU is not about to let that happen since the party has reportedly already earmarked a replacement. Allen will be replaced by Renita Williams. Williams hails from Moruca, Region One and was part of the APNU’s National Top-up List.
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Craig/New Hope road turn is a death trap - residents By Keeran Danny Frequent accidents, some deadly, within proximity of the turn at Craig/ New Hope along the East Bank Demerara Public Road are worrying residents, who believe the stretch is a “death trap”. The residents have varying theories for the regularity of accidents. But they are of the opinion that the erecting of road signs, more police presence, and reconstructing that section of the road/bridge could reduce the carnage at this turn. According to a male resident, about 15 years ago the road was upgraded and since then no major maintenance works were carried out. A few years ago, some signs and reflectors were installed along the road and on the bridge that is on the turn. The resident recalled that during a community meeting he had asked for road signs warning of the turn to be installed on the roadway. To date, there are no signs warning drivers, particularly strangers to the area, of this “dangerous” turn. Even with the minor adjustments, accidents
continue to occur. “On average, there is a fatal accident in this area every two years, while almost every other day there are vehicular accidents,” he reflected. “If you travelling a road every day and know a pothole there you will divert, but strangers don’t know the pothole there. For instance, some people travelling from Berbice to reach the airport don’t know about the turn and don’t navigate it properly. “Only de other day a vehicle a man and his wife were travelling in run off the road. Like the man didn’t expect de turn and he keep going straight and they end up in de trench”, the resident recounted. Just last week, two young men were killed and a teenager was injured when the vehicle in which they were traveling slammed into a utility pole and into a fence after swerving off the road. According to a female resident, while accidents occur at random times, the majority occur during the wee hours of the morning. She suggested that perhaps the passengers were those destined for the airport. “I observed that is when
Residents living in proximity to this turn are worried about the frequent accidents that occur here
flights coming in and going out…around 2 o’clock or 3 o’clock in the morning, traffic does be heavy. I believe sometimes they tired and sleepy and lose focus on the turn in the road.
Knowing the traffic flow the police should be on the road around that time,” the resident said. Sharing experiences of some accidents she witnessed, the woman
recalled that last November on her birthday there was a terrible accident on the public road and not too long after a motorcyclist rode into a parked truck injuring himself. She opined that speed
and drunk driving could also be other reasons for the accidents. She said that vehicles sometimes approach the area at high speed and the drivers do not even reduce their rate at the turn.
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Kaieteur News
IMF deal in weeks – Govt. looks to growth as agreement expected by month end Jamaica Gleaner - The Ministry of Finance and Planning has subdued its glee in reacting to the likelihood of an inked deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by month end, which could result in a cumulative drawdown of around US$2 billion from the Fund, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the World Bank over the next four years. “We are looking very good. Technically, there is an agreement, but in reality, we don’t have it as yet,” stressed a senior official from the ministry. “The fact is a formal agreement is very likely to come.” While Minister of Finance, Planning and the Public Service Dr Peter Phillips sat in a Cabinet meeting, word emerged from the IMF that after more than a year of deliberations, Jamaica was well on its way to securing a deal as the board would discuss the prioractions requirements by the end of the month. “Since the conclusion of a staff-level agreement with the Jamaican authorities in February on an economic programme that can be supported by the Fund, the authorities have submitted documentation to the IMF to confirm that all prior actions have been met,” read the statement released to the media. “The important thing now is to complete the reform programme and put the country firmly on the path of growth and job creation,”
Phillips told The Gleaner last evening. deadline thwarted The Gleaner reported a fortnight ago that the March month end approval deadline was being thwarted by discussions involving the IDB and the World Bank over whether more than US$750 million, announced by the IMF under a new extended fund facility, should be increased. Word emerged yesterday that Fund management would submit to its executive board a 48-month arrangement under the extended fund facility (EFF) in the amount of SDR (Special Drawing Rights) 615 million (about US$958 million, or 225 per cent of quota), with the recommendation that it be approved. “In addition, the Fund has engaged with the authorities and its development partners on the financing for the programme, including
through important contributions from the IDB and the World Bank,” the IMF release stated. Acknowledged decision This was corroborated by the World Bank and the IDB, which, in a joint release, stated that they had acknowledged the decision by the IMF to present the proposal for a new extended fund facility to its board. “This is an important reflection of that institution’s confidence in Jamaica’s macroeconomic stabilisation programme,” the joint release stated. The two multilaterals praised the Jamaican Government for its move to secure the agreement. “Jamaica has taken the bold decision to tackle the structural impediments to growth that have hindered its development for decades.” The joint release stated that pending approval by their respective boards of directors, the World Bank and the IDB have each preliminarily allocated US$510 million in financing over the next four years. This, they said, supplements the support provided by the IMF. The two multilateral institutions stated that they stood ready to assist the Government in its efforts to bring about sustained growth. However, ministry sources have warned that anticipating a date for a drawdown from the IMF before the agreement is signed would be premature.
CASTRIES, St. Lucia President of the Civil Service Association (CSA) Mary Isaac has confirmed that members of the public sector union have voted to end the three-week strike and return to work yesterday. The CSA has accepted the government’s condition that members of the union return to work to facilitate continued negotiations, especially in light of new proposals submitted by the CSA. The news comes hours after CSA members held a placardbearing march through Castries protesting over what the union describes as unfair treatment from the government in the wage-increase negotiations. Isaac told St. Lucia News Online this evening that after a “fruitful” meeting with the Government Negotiating Team (GNT) last Friday, the members, after the end of Monday’s march, decided to “meet the
government half way”. Isaac said the move was taken because the government “reached out to us when they had a meeting with us last Friday”. In that meeting, Isaac said the CSA representatives “tabled a set of new proposals” which the GNT said they would consider on the condition that the workers return to work. “The GNT said they would not respond to our proposals while workers are on strike… they would not respond under duress,” she said. “They (GNT) have shown good faith by meeting with us,” the union president pointed out. The CSA had previously refused the GNT’s offer to call off the strike first before negotiations could continue. Asked if this new decision stemmed from pressure, after all the other public sector unions signed onto government’s fourpercent wage offer, Isaac
admitted: “We were pressured to go a different route in terms of looking at a different way of settling the matter as opposed to negotiating the 9.5 percent… We were able to arrive at a better compromise due to the pressures that were inserted on us.” The news also comes hours after the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture released a statement on the impasse, calling for the matter to go to arbitration. The Chamber stated: “The St. Lucia Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture is strong in its conviction that industrial unrest is not a very useful tool in the current delicate economic circumstance of the country and as such believes that the time for arbitration has arrived. Clearly dialogue has run its course. The Chamber thus insists that the parties proceed forthwith to arbitration.”
Dr Peter Phillips
St. Lucia civil servants vote to end strike
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Richards’ letter leaked: PM slams ‘breach of trust’ Trinidad Express - Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar Monday expressed her Government’s deep concern over the “highly questionable and clandestine breach of trust” between the Office of the Prime Minister and “persons purporting to represent the Office of the President”. Responding through a release from the Government Information Services Ltd (GISL), the Government responded to an article published in this week’s Sunday Express which was headlined: “Max scolded PM over Section 34”, and which quoted from a letter sent to the Prime Minister from former president Professor George Maxwell Richards on the Section 34 issue. The release said: “From information at our disposal, the Office of the Prime Minister was in no way involved in the leak of the information.” “Under well established convention, correspondence between His Excellency the President, and the Honourable Prime Minister is treated with the strictest confidence between both
Kamla Persad-Bissessar office holders, and therefore it was a matter of deep concern to the Honourable Prime Minister that information of this nature was leaked to the media,” the Government release stated. It added: “What is of equally disturbing concern for the Prime Minister is that the newspaper article in question came less than 48 hours after a High Court judgment representing a vindication of the Government’s efficiency and expeditious manner in treating with the Section 34
issue, and the way in which it was handled.” The release said that in response to a request from the former president for information on the issue, the Prime Minister had written to him on December 13, 2012, providing scrupulous detail about a number of material facts in the matter, as requested by the (then) president. That correspondence was marked “Personal and Secret”. “Apart from what clearly has been a clandestine and highly questionable breach of trust between the Office of the President and the Office of the Prime Minister, the timing of the article in question appears to have the effect of maligning the good name of the former president. The Honourable Prime Minister does not in any way condone any surreptitious attempt to bring the Office of the President into disrepute,” the Government release concluded. This is not the first time that there has been a breach of the confidentially in correspondence involving the two highest offices.
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Guatemala war trial puts past closer to president GUATEMALACITY(AP) — Guatemala’s struggle to deal with the war crimes of the past, including bringing an aging former dictator and his officers to justice, is hitting the country’s current leader. A former soldier testifying at the genocide trial of exstrongman Efrain Rios Montt, now 86, directly accused President Otto Perez Molina of ordering pillaging and executions during the 36year civil war, which killed a total of 200,000. Rumors and accusations had surfaced about Perez
before, but without proof or formal charges. He has called Thursday’s testimony “lies.” But the testimony continues to shake the country, days after Hugo Reyes told a stunned courtroom: “The soldiers, on orders from Major ‘Tito Arias,’ better known as Otto Perez Molina ... coordinated the burning and looting, in order to later execute people.” Prosecutor Orlando Lopez said Reyes’ testimony is 100 percent credible, but he has to study the accusations before he can say whether
they would result in criminal action. “Right now I’m focused on the Rios Montt case,” Lopez said Monday. “I don’t know what will happen after that.” Reyes, 47, a protected witness testifying by video from an undisclosed location, said he arrived in September 1982 to Nebaj in the western state of Quiche as a military mechanic assigned to team of engineers. He knew the commanders, including Perez, because they also were in charge of the engineering unit. He told the court that
Perez, then an army major, ordered soldiers to burn and pillage the area, an Ixil stronghold. When Reyes used the nickname “Tito Arias,” some in the courtroom gasped, recognizing Perez’s nomme de guerre, which Perez himself acknowledged in a 2000 newspaper opinion column. In the same column, Perez wrote that he was assigned to Nebaj in July of 1982. But Perez said he researched Reyes’ record with the Defense Ministry and that he didn’t arrive until
November 1983, after Perez had left. “I have nothing to hide. I did not participate in a single situation where someone died that was my responsibility,” Perez told reporters on Friday. “I’m not going to deny that I was in Nebaj; it’s true. But I was there to rescue the civilians, combat the armed guerrillas and help the civilians.” A U.N. truth commission said state forces and related paramilitary groups were responsible for 93 percent of the killings and human rights violations that it documented, committed mostly against indigenous Maya. Yet until now, only low or middle-level officials have been prosecuted for a war that ended in 1996. Rios Montt is the biggest by far, on trial along with his former head of intelligence, Jose Sanchez, in connection with the deaths of 1,771 Mayan Indians during the military dictatorship he headed from March 23, 1982, to Aug. 8, 1983, during which he led a U.S.-backed counterinsurgency against guerrillas. Perez, who retired as a general, made his military career as an intelligence specialist, one of the most influential sections of the army. He helped negotiate the 1996 peace accords and emerged as one of the moderate military leaders. He easily won the presidency in late 2011 from voters tired of the lack of law and order in a country run by gangs and drug traffickers, and has long insisted there was no genocide. His election more than a year ago was criticized at the time as a return to the military rule of Guatemala’s past. But Perez has since been credited with not standing in the way of efforts to prosecute accused leaders such as Rios Montt, the first former president in Latin America to
Otto Perez Molina be tried on genocide charges. But now the testimony is leading to him. “This is the second time the name of Otto Perez Molina has come up in the courts,” Guatemalan Nobel Peace laureate Rigoberta Menchu said Monday, noting that the first time was in a Spanish National Court in another case against Rios Montt. “It’s important that the courts see all the evidence, judge the reality and determine what happened ... that the executive branch doesn’t interfere just because the president is linked to the process.” Perez wrote in a 2000 opinion piece for the Guatemalan newspaper Prensa Libre that he used the nickname “Tito.” He wrote in that column that as a major he arrived in Nebaj in 1982 and spent nearly a year there, “an experience that left an indelible fingerprint on my personal and professional life.” Perez said he was the commander of a team fighting in the Ixil Triangle as part of the Task Force Gumarkaaj. According to prosecutors, the task force acted on orders set out by military leadership, including to attack and remove “noncombatant civilian populations.” Court documents say that all Maya Ixil were declared internal enemies.
$1M call – Myrie seeking punitive damages Barbados Nation Jamaican Shanique Myrie has asked the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) for almost BDS$1 million in damages from Barbados for the treatment she received on her first trip to Bridgetown three years ago. Myrie’s attorney at law Michelle Brown revealed Monday that the more than US$400 000 they were asking for should be paid as moral and punitive damages for what Myrie went through after she arrived at Grantley
Adams International Airport on March 14, 2011. In addition, lawyers representing the 22-year-old Myrie want the seven-judge panel to award costs and special damages that could take the overall judgment to near BDS$1 million. Brown also urged the court to set guidelines to prevent a recurrence of what her client alleged she went through since it could have implications for freedom of movement in CARICOM.
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Kaieteur News
Colombians march in polarizing bid to make peace with FARC (Reuters) - Waving balloons and dressed in white, tens of thousands of Colombians marched in Bogota and across the nation yesterday in a polarizing gathering for peace that critics slam as a show of support for Marxist FARC rebels. Throngs of people chanting “We want peace” advanced toward the capital’s main square, Plaza Bolivar, a few blocks from where former presidential candidate Jorge Eliecer Gaitan was assassinated on April 9, 65 years ago. “The nation is expressing its rejection of violence, violence that has caused so many wounds and so much pain,” President Juan Manuel Santos said as he joined the mass. The march, backed by leftist politicians Ivan Cepeda and Piedad Cordoba, aims to show a united front against violence and in favour of peace. But it has divided the nation, with many believing the movement is a launch pad for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, to enter politics. Santos late on Monday called on the nation to reject what he called “enemies of peace” and join the march to show support for his historic bid to bring an end to five decades of bloodshed with the rebels.
Juan Manuel Santos “Peace is the sublime objective of any society,” Santos said. Colombia, at war with the FARC since 1964, in November launched a controversial bid to negotiate peace with the rebels during talks in Havana, Cuba. Critics say Santos is negotiating behind the nation’s back and handing the FARC whatever they want. Former President Alvaro Uribe, once a Santos ally, charges that the FARC, mostly funded by extortion and drug trafficking, will trick the nation as it has in previous peace talks and get away with crimes without being punished. Uribe said the FARC has helped fund the march. “My opposition to the peace process isn’t against
peace, it’s against impunity,” Uribe said on his Twitter account. Government and rebel negotiators are seeking common ground on a fivepoint agenda, beginning with the thorniest issue of rural development and land reform. Social inequality in Colombia’s vast rural territory is considered the root of the conflict - with land ownership concentrated in very few hands. “This movement shows the people of Colombia are completely decided in favour of peace,” Cepeda told Reuters on Tuesday. “We are negotiating peace in Havana but today shows the process is backed by multitudes,” the lawmaker said. The march is being held on the anniversary of the murder of Gaitan, a leftist politician gunned down as it became clear he would win the 1948 presidential election and fight for the rights of the poor. His death unleashed a wave of violence and paved the way for the founding of the FARC. Latin America’s longestrunning insurgency has left tens of thousands dead, seeded vast rural and mountainous areas with landmines and left scores of villages and towns economically isolated.
Warner says he will not resign
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Embattled National Security Minister Austin “Jack” Warner says he has no intention of resigning from his cabinet post accusing his detractors of trying to prevent the coalition People’s Partnership government of successfully dealing with the crime situation in Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking at a public meeting of the ruling United National Congress (UNC) in Barataria along the east west corridor on Monday night, Warner also made reference to international media reports that he is implicated in a probe being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) into the financial affairs of the world football governing body, FIFA, of which he was once its powerful vice president. “What they have with Jack Warner. They go after his family…my son in the US…they say Jack Warner must resign because a newspaper … say, Jack
Austin “Jack” Warner Warner of course was involved in something that must be investigated. “It had an AG (attorney general) whose brother was convicted of murder, they ask him to resign. “Nobody ever called me, nobody ever investigate me…tell them fellars to leave me alone,” he added. Opposition politicians have intensified their calls for
Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar to dismiss Warner, who is also chairman of the ruling party, from her cabinet, after the international news agency, Reuters published the story about the FBI probe. Reuters News Service in an exclusive report late last month said that an FBI probe into alleged corruption in international soccer has recently intensified after investigators persuaded a key party to be a cooperating witness, US law enforcement sources said. The news agency quoted the sources as saying that Daryan Warner, the son of the National Security Minister is assisting the probe, but could not say who might be charged, or when. Prime Minister Persad Bissessar has already indicated she will not be rushed into making any public statement regarding Warner and that diplomatic efforts to get Washington to assist her administration have so far proved futile.
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Financial institutions welcome IMF statement on Jamaica KINGSTON, Jamaica – AP - The International Monetary Fund announced Monday that debt-swamped Jamaica could receive up to $958 million in a four-year loan package to stabilize the Caribbean country’s limping economy. In a statement, the Washington-based IMF said it will recommend this new “extended fund facility” for the island to its executive board, which is expected to consider officially approving the deal at a meeting before the end of April. The IMF said Jamaica has successfully met all mandated prior actions. It says the success of a new program depends on Jamaica’s strengthening of public finances, approving a set of reforms, and debt sustainability, among other measures. “Recognizing the sacrifice involved for the Jamaican people, the strategy also aims to minimize the impact on the poorest and most vulnerable,” the IMF statement said. Overall, Jamaica’s punishing debt load is over 140 percent of gross domestic product.
Portia Simpson Miller Roughly 55 percent of government spending goes to whittling it down. With 20 percent going to wages, that leaves just 20 percent for education, health, security and other government functions on the tourism-dependent island of roughly 2.7 million inhabitants. In February, Jamaica launched a debt-swap program to satisfy conditions to forge a new pact with the IMF and halt what Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller described as a “serious economic crisis.” It was the second debt swap program
offered by a Jamaican administration in the last three years. The total package in the pending IMF deal announced Monday was roughly $200 million more than a tentative staff-level agreement announced earlier this year. For over a year, Jamaican negotiators have been trying to forge a new agreement with the international lending institution after a previous one forged in 2010 fizzled out after providing $1.27 billion in a standby loan. Simpson Miller has said that a new program was critical to boosting investor confidence, making necessary reforms and unlocking hundreds of millions of dollars from international organizations. Shortly after the IMF’s announcement about reaching a pending agreement with Jamaica, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank said they have each preliminarily allocated $510 million in financing over the next four years for the island, supplementing the support provided by the IMF.
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North Korea urges foreigners to vacate South Korea PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — North Korea yesterday urged foreign companies and tourists in South Korea to evacuate, saying the two countries are on the verge of a nuclear war. The new warning appeared to be an attempt to scare foreigners into pressing their governments to pressure Washington and Seoul to act to avert a conflict. Analysts see a direct attack on Seoul as extremely unlikely, and there are no overt signs that North Korea’s army is readying for war, let alone a nuclear one. Despite the warnings of an impending war, there was no sense of panic in North Korea’s capital, Pyongyang, yesterday. Scores of people of all ages were armed with shovels, not guns, as they planted trees in a forestation campaign. The national flag fluttered across the city as North Korea marked the 20th anniversary of late leader Kim Jong Il’s appointment as chairman of the National Defense Commission. In the evening, women donned traditional Korean dresses
and danced in plazas across the country to celebrate. The call from the AsiaPacific Peace Committee for foreigners to leave South Korea was the latest in a series of statements aimed at ramping up anxiety abroad about tensions on the peninsula. “The situation on the Korean Peninsula is inching close to a thermonuclear war due to the evermore undisguised hostile actions of the United States and the South Korean puppet warmongers and their moves for a war against” North Korea, the committee said in a statement carried by state media. White House spokesman Jay Carney called the statement “more unhelpful rhetoric.” “It is unhelpful, it is concerning, it is provocative,” he said. North Korea has been girding for a showdown with the U.S. and South Korea, its wartime foes, for months. The Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the peninsula still technically at war. In December, North Korea
launched a satellite into space on a rocket that Washington and others called a cover for a longrange missile test. The North followed that with an underground nuclear test in February, a step toward mastering the technology for mounting an atomic bomb on a missile. Tightened U.N. sanctions that followed drew the ire of North Korea, which accused Washington and Seoul of leading the campaign against it. Annual U.S.-South Korean military drills south of the border have further incensed Pyongyang, which sees them as practice for an invasion. Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un enshrined the pursuit of nuclear weapons — which the North characterizes as a defense against the U.S. — as a national goal, along with improving the economy. North Korea also declared it would restart a mothballed nuclear complex. Adm. Samuel Locklear, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, told the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington yesterday that he concurred with
Kim Jong Un assessments calling the tension between North Korea and the West the worst since the end of the Korean War. “The continued advancement of the North’s nuclear and missile programs, its conventional force posture, and its willingness to resort to asymmetric actions as a tool of coercive diplomacy creates an environment marked by the potential for miscalculation,”
Locklear told the panel. He said the U.S. military and its allies would be ready if North Korea tries to strike. Heightening speculation about a provocation, foreign diplomats reported last week that they had been advised by North Korea to consider evacuating by today. However, Britain and others said they had no immediate plans to withdraw from Pyongyang. South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who has sought to reengage North Korea with dialogue and humanitarian aid since taking office in February, expressed exasperation yesterday with what she called the “endless vicious cycle” of Seoul answering Pyongyang’s hostile behavior with compromise, only to get more hostility. U.S. and South Korean defense officials have said they’ve seen nothing to indicate that Pyongyang is preparing for a major military action, and there was no sign of an exodus of foreign companies or tourists from South Korea.
Still, the United States and South Korea have raised their defense postures, as has Japan, which deployed PAC-3 missile interceptors in key locations around Tokyo yesterday as a precaution against possible North Korean ballistic missile tests. In Rome, U.N. SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon described the tensions as “very dangerous” and said that “any small incident caused by miscalculation or misjudgment” may “create an uncontrollable situation.” Also yesterday, citing the tension, North Korea pulled out more than 50,000 workers from the Kaesong industrial park, which combines South Korean technology and know-how with cheap North Korean labor. It was the first time that production has been shut down at the complex, the only remaining product of economic cooperation between the two countries that began about a decade ago when relations were much warmer.
European Union reaches deal on tough oil, gas anti-corruption law (Reuters) - European Union negotiators on Tuesday reached a deal on a law that will make oil, gas, mining and logging firms declare payments to governments, as part of efforts to end poverty in resource-rich nations by ensuring the wealth is shared out. It echoes tough legislation passed in the United States last year, which has led to a court challenge brought by industry body the American Petroleum Institute. Now that the EU text has been decided, it requires endorsement from parliament and member states, which should be a formality. Ireland, holder of the rotating EU presidency, has said it aims to finalise the dossier, part of a wider law to
simplify accountancy requirements, before the end of its presidency in June. European Commissioner Michel Barnier, who is in charge of regulation, welcomed Tuesday’s deal as bringing “a new era of transparency to an industry which is far too often shrouded in secrecy”. A major sticking point in talks, which dragged on over months, was the issue of exemptions. Oil companies said they were necessary to take account of the law in certain regimes in which they operate, but major EU governments, including Britain and France, supported watertight requirements. The EU law orders firms to report payments at project as well as country level, beginning at a threshold of 100,000 euros (85,142
pounds), higher than some campaigners had hoped, but far below the million-dollar level resource firms had said was practical. Oil companies contacted by Reuters did not have any immediate comment, while non-governmental organisations were enthusiastic, although Oxfam said the EU could have been even bolder and included the telecommunications and building sectors. Bono, co-founder of campaign group ONE said Tuesday’s deal was “a gamechanging breakthrough”. “Transparency is one of the best vaccines against corruption, and now citizens the world over will know what their country’s resources are really worth,” he said in an emailed statement.
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Kerry promises steps to Senate to cast first gunhelp Palestinian economy control votes tomorrow
From left: John Kerry and Benjamin Netanyahu TEL AVIV (Reuters) Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday he had agreed to work with Israeli and Palestinian leaders to boost economic growth in the occupied West Bank as he seeks ways to revive Middle East peace talks. Speaking after a threeday visit to the region, during which he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Kerry told reporters he would provide full details of the economic plans next week. “We agreed among us ... that we are going to engage in new efforts, very specific efforts, to promote economic development ... and to remove
some of the bottlenecks and barriers that exist with respect to commerce in the West Bank,” he said. “We intend to try to create the conditions for peace so that we can resume negotiations between the parties in a clear and precise, predetermined manner,” he said at Tel Aviv airport. Kerry, who flew on to London for a meeting of G8 foreign ministers, was on his third visit to the region in less than three weeks, a mediation effort spurred by U.S. President Barack Obama’s trip to Israel and the West Bank last month. But neither man has put forward any new initiative to encourage a return to negotiations that collapsed in
BEIRUT (Reuters) - The pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights yesterday accused a rebel battalion of torturing civilians and extorting money from them in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo. Torture, kidnapping and summary killings have become a daily aspect of Syria’s uprising-turned-civil war. But the Observatory, a British-based group with a network of activists across Syria, said it felt compelled to single out the Badr Martyrs’ Battalion, a unit of the Free Men of Syria Brigade (Ahrar Suriya), after collecting a large number of witness accounts pointing to frequent detentions and torture. “These types of incidents are increasingly common on both sides, unfortunately. Many of these people are civilians, not fighters. Incidents like this degrade the revolution that people started,” Rami Abdelrahman, head of the Observatory, said
in a telephone interview. Abdelrahman emailed pictures of a man who he said had been tortured by the group. The man’s legs had the skin torn open in several places. His back was covered in open lash marks. The man told the Observatory he had sustained the injuries while being detained for three days. Other residents told the group that the same unit of Ahrar Suriya, which o p e r a t e s n e a r A l e p p o ’s government-held district of Ashrafiyeh, had forced refugees as well as local residents to pay protection money. More than 70,000 people have been killed in the revolt against President Bashar alAssad, which began as peaceful protests but has degenerated into civil war. The United Nations says both sides have committed human rights violations, though it has documented more abuses by Assad’s forces.
Syrian opposition group accuses rebel unit of torture
2010 in a dispute over Israeli settlement-building in the West Bank, which Palestinians fear will deny them a viable state. “Economic growth will help us to be able to provide a climate, if you will, an atmosphere with in which people have greater confidence about moving forward,” Kerry said. “But I want to emphasize, and I emphasize this very strongly, this is not in lieu of or an alternative to the political track. It is not a substitute. The political track remains the primary focus.” A World Bank report published last month said that Israel’s West Bank checkpoints and restrictions inflicted long-term damage on Palestinians’ ability to compete in the global market.
(Reuters) - The Senate will cast its first vote on President Barack Obama’s gun-control proposals tomorrow, but Democratic Leader Harry Reid said he was unsure if the bill could gain the 60 votes it needs to overcome Republican procedural hurdles. Reid called on Republicans to drop their attempt to block debate on the gun legislation, but Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said there was no bipartisan support for the effort. Obama’s proposals to expand background checks for gun buyers and ban assault weapons and highcapacity ammunition magazines were sparked by the December massacre of 20 children and six adults at a school in Newtown, Connecticut. The administration has struggled to gain support for gun legislation in Congress in the face of intense opposition from the National Rifle Association, the powerful gun lobby. To push the case for action to curb gun violence, some families of the Newtown victims were brought in from Connecticut on Air Force One to lobby Republican and Democratic senators on Capitol Hill this week. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania are trying to hammer out a compromise on background
checks, which appears to be Obama’s best hope for meaningful legislation, but Reid said he would not wait to see if they could reach a deal. “We’re moving forward on this bill. The American people deserve a vote on this legislation,” Reid told reporters after a lunch meeting with his fellow Democrats to discuss strategy. He said he hoped for an agreement in the meantime on background checks that would be offered as an amendment to the base bill, which was passed by the Democratic-led Senate Judiciary Committee on a party-line vote. McConnell said he and his fellow conservatives would press ahead with the filibuster. “The one (Reid) indicated he was going to try to move to clearly has no bipartisan support,” McConnell said. Another centerpiece of Obama’s efforts, the renewal of a ban on the sale of militarystyle assault weapons, appears headed to defeat, and a proposed 10-bullet limit on
ammunition magazines also looks to be in trouble. Obama, who has called the day of the Newtown massacre the worst of his p r e s i d e n c y, t r a v e l e d t o Connecticut on Monday to appeal for action in Congress. But a Senate aide said there is strong, bipartisan support at this point for only two proposals: a crackdown on gun trafficking and school security improvements. The gun legislation will need 60 votes to break the Republican filibuster. Democrats control only 55 Senate votes, meaning Republican support will be needed to move to debate and a vote on passage. On Tuesday, Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona repeated his earlier criticism of the effort to block the bill and called on his fellow Republicans to allow a full debate. “It’s incomprehensible to me that we would not move forward with debate and amendments on an issue this important to the American people,” McCain told reporters.
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Iran unveils uranium sites, Italy’s Bersani meets Berlusconi renews defiant tone to seek end to impasse
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — With words of defiance, Iran announced two nuclearrelated projects yesterday that expand capabilities to extract and process uranium — modest advances in Tehran’s atomic efforts but ones symbolic of its refusal to slow nuclear work even as talks with world powers over the disputed program remain deadlocked. The twin sites reflect Tehran’s goal of greater selfsufficiency through the entire nuclear fuel cycle from uranium mines to enrichment labs. Yet the timing — just days after the latest round of negotiations ended again in stalemate — reinforces a broader suggestion that Iran plans to push ahead with nuclear projects even at the potential risk of threatening the dialogue with U.S. and other envoys. It also could amplify questions about Iran’s commitment to the talks — which have, for the moment, hushed earlier talk among its adversaries about military options — and embolden calls by some U.S. lawmakers
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for even tougher sanctions. Iran’s gambit appears built around its drive for formal acknowledgment from Washington and other capitals of its “right” to enrich uranium, the process to make nuclear fuel. Iran, in tandem, wants the West to pull back on sanctions in exchange for some nuclear compromises. The West and its allies, however, seek to rein in Iran’s nuclear efforts and fear that the enrichment program could one day produce
material for atomic weapons. Iran says it only seeks nuclear reactors for energy and medical use. But the tone from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was taunting yesterday to mark the anniversary of I r a n ’s f i r s t u r a n i u m enrichment in 2006. “You could not block our access to nuclear technology when we didn’t have it. How can you take it from our hands now that we have it?” he said, addressing the West. “Iran has gone nuclear,” he added, reiterating past declarations that Iran has comprehensive nuclear expertise. “Nobody will be able to stop it ... Cooperation with the Iranian nation is the best solution for you.” In Jerusalem, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry repeated that Washington remained “open to negotiation” within limits. He later called the expanded uranium work “not constructive.” Kerry added: “President (Barack) Obama could not be more clear: Iran cannot have and will not have a nuclear weapon.”
ROME (Reuters) - Italian center-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani met his center-right rival Silvio Berlusconi yesterday to discuss the election for the next president of the Republic, offering hope of a breakthrough in the deadlock left by elections in February. “It was a good meeting but we’re at the beginning,” Enrico Letta, deputy leader of Bersani’s Democratic Party (PD), told reporters in parliament. He said the meeting had focused only on the issue of the next president, not on any possible deal to form a government, which has so far proved impossible for the deeply divided parties to secure more than 40 days after the election. Letta said there would be further meetings in the next few days with Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PDL) and other parties but said no names were discussed yesterday’s meeting, intended to prepare the way for the start of the presidential election process on April 18. The election of the next president, to succeed Giorgio Napolitano whose term ends on May 15, is the next big test for the parliament, which is split between the two traditional center-right and center-left blocs as well as the anti-establishment 5-Star
Pier Luigi Bersani Movement. It is unclear how far any accord over the presidential election will clear the way to a deal that would allow a government to take office but the tone struck following the meeting was much more cordial than it has been in recent days. “It was useful to get clarity on the criteria we need first to agree on a range of names, then on a person who can unite the country,” Letta said. “In a moment of great division we feel a strong need to give a signal of unity to the country. That’s why we want to try to find unity around a name we can both support,” he said. In a separate statement, PDL secretary Angelino Alfano said the next president
would have to be acceptable to his party although he did not repeat Berlusconi’s previous demands that the center-right should choose the head of state. “The president must represent national unity and therefore cannot be, or even appear to be, hostile to a significant part of the Italian people,” he said. No clear favorite has emerged although several names have been floated including former prime ministers Romano Prodi and Giuliano Amato and former European Commissioner Emma Bonino. The vote for the next president will be vital because with his mandate about to expire, Napolitano no longer has the power to dissolve parliament and call new elections and it will be up to his successor to find a way out of the deadlock. Bersani, who won a majority in the lower house but fell short of the Senate majority which would have allowed him to govern, has so far refused Berlusconi’s demands for a “grand coalition” between the two rival forces. The other main force, the 5-Star Movement led by excomic Beppe Grillo, has refused any alliance with either of the big parties it blames for Italy’s deep social and economic crisis.
European pension proposals could cost UK business 450 billion pounds
(Reuters) - British businesses could face a 450 billion pound bill as a result of plans to force pension funds to protect themselves from risk with extra capital, data from Europe’s insurance and pensions watchdog showed. This could hamper companies’ ability to invest and also force some pension schemes to close. The estimate from the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA) shows the impact of new capital requirements on final salarylinked pension schemes, where benefits are based on salary and duration of employment. The 450 billion pound estimate is in line with a worstcase scenario contained in figures the UK Pensions Regulator produced for the British government last year. “This confirms that any such new rules would harm businesses’ ability to invest, grow and create jobs, and
Steve Webb many more (pension) schemes could be forced to close,” Minister of State for Pensions Steve Webb said in a statement yesterday. The British pensions industry was also critical. The National Association of Pension Funds said the high price tag would have a highly damaging effect for the retirement prospects of millions of UK workers. “Businesses trying to run final salary pensions could be faced with bigger pensions
bills to plug an astonishing 450 billion pound funding gap,” Joanne Segars, chief executive at the NAPF, said. The new capital rules, known as Solvency II, were originally aimed at the insurance industry but the European regulator is proposing to adapt them for the pensions sector to improve standards of governance, risk management, valuation and calculation of minimum capital requirements. Britain had the highest funding requirement out of the countries covered in the European watchdog’s assessment, which were Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Earlier on Tuesday, the European watchdog rejected calls for it to cut capital charges on insurance companies’ infrastructure and private equity investments, which politicians are pushing as a way to boost long-term growth.
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Bids to repair 13 city schools opened $450M sea, river defence works slated for Berbice A number of large sea defence contracts along with repairs to several city schools are slated to be awarded soon with several tenders opened yesterday to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. During the process at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), at the Ministry of Finance yesterday, it was
disclosed that 13 schools across the city, under the Ministry of Education, will be repaired. Bids for the repairs are ranging from $2M to over $9M. The school earmarked for repairs are St. Winefride’s Secondary, Richard Ishmael Secondary, St. George’s High, La Penitence Primary, St. Pius Primary, North Georgetown Secondary, Lodge Secondary,
Kingston Secondary, F.E. Pollard Primary, Agricola Primary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, St. Joseph High and Roxanne Burnham Nursery. Tenders were also opened under the Ministry of Public Works for river and sea defence contracts in both East and West Berbice. At Abary/Profit, West Coast Berbice, some 630 metres of rip-rap sea defence will have to be built. An engineer’s estimate said that the works will cost $305,660,300. The bids:
Some 250 metres of rip-rap sea defence is also to be built at Hope, West Coast Berbice. The engineer’s estimate of the cost is $135,390,500 while the bids opened were:
In East Berbice, Region Six, tenders were also opened for rehabilitation works on the river from Cumberland to Sheet Anchor, Canje River. The engineer’s estimate is $12,080,000 with the bids being:
Similar works are also slated for Vryheid, Canje River, East Berbice. The engineer’s estimate is set at $11,072,000 while the tenders opened were:
Again, under the Ministry of Public Works, companies placed tenders for two lots for the supply of “concertainer floodline units” and for geo-textile tubes, scour aprons and geo-textile filter fabric. The bids opened were:
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Increased allocation for controversial agencies an insult to National Assembly - Nagamootoo Opposition Member of Parliament Moses Nagamootoo has accused the People’s Progressive Party Civic government of insulting the National Assembly by increasing allocations to a number of agencies that fell under the axe last year. In a scathing attack on the minority administration during this year’s budget debate, Nagamootoo said that the 2013 budget was tailored to satisfy the “insatiable appetite of the parasitic and bureaucratic, class.” “In defiance of this National Assembly, it has revised upwards and restored the cuts made for contracted employees, many of whom are the super-salaried, million and multi-million-dollar cats on sinecure employment. Last year, they got an additional $100 million. This year, government has upped the lottery for contracted employees to $7.8 billion. The number of PPP activists on Office of the P r e s i d e n t p a y r o ll has increased.” He stated that “the
defiance is compounded with insult, as cuts for the PPP propaganda machines - the Government Information Agency (GINA) and the National Communications Network (NCN) - have not only been restored, but increased!” Last year the opposition with its one seat majority created a legal crisis when it slashed huge chunks from the national budget which was air marked to fund a number of government agencies that they felt were unfavourable to the opposition. “A gauntlet of arrogance and defiance has been thrown into these hallowed halls of the National Assembly,” Nagamootoo declared. “This type of reckless use of our people’s money has characterized all postJagan PPP governments. They have spent money as if it were cheap as “bussie” (rice husk),” he added. According to Nagamootoo, in the past 13 years, the PPP Government proposed budget allocations amounting to
$1,588,000,000,000. (Over one and a half trillion dollars). “Assuming we have a dollar bill measuring 6 inches, and given that the circumference of our Earth is 1.6 billion inches (1,577,727,360 inches), the budget sums would dollar-ondollar, wrap the circumference of the earth some 6,000 times (6,039 times),” he said. “What have we to show for this colossal amount? Today, the PPP comes here and boasts that we are fixing old roads and building new ones; we are breaking old bridges and making new ones; we are scrapping the new airport and building a newer one; we are fixing our broken down sugar industry; we are fixing the failed electricity system. This PPP is a ‘we bruk am; we fix am’ government.” Nagamootoo said that there is no doubt that Guyana’s growth rate has been positive over the past few years, averaging above four percent annually. However this growth, he said, has not been miniscule to budgetary allocations over the years.
The former PPP/C member of parliament explained that in the past six years (2007 thru 2012), total budgetary allocations were $825B as compared with $471B in the previous six-year period (2001-2006). “These allocations increased by $373 billion or by 126%. The least that could be expected was a reasonable return for the people’s monies and a 4% growth could, dollar for dollar, be a very modest, if not disappointing, return,” Nagamootoo said. He said that this year, the government is asking for $208.8B, $85 billion of which would be for new projects, without addressing concerns of transparency and accountability. He assured that his p a r t y, t h e A l l i a n c e F o r Change, is not against projects, but it is demanding that there be feasibility studies, to ascertain if these projects are the best alternative use for the country’s money. “We have to ask the hard questions: Do we need a new airport costing $30 billion when only 12 years
ago, we modernized the existing airport at a cost of $6 billion? Should our government not try to get reliable and affordable airline services before pouring billions into a new airport? With Delta going soon, air transport would be a nightmare. Price gouging has started. Even with a new airport, not having a viable aviation plan, Timehri will continue to be an airline cemetery - Universal, Travelspan, Red Jet, EZjet, and soon, Delta.” According to Nagamootoo, it is evident that the post-Jagan PPP governments lack vision, proper planning, and have abandoned all claims to a really sustainable development strategy. This government, he said, has plans that are eclectic, that shift and change, to suit prevailing opportunistic needs for enrichment of a few. He said that while the government wants support for its spending spree it has failed to deal effectively with corruption. For instance, he noted that the government has not
addressed the vexed issues of putting surpluses from NICIL, Lotto & Wildlife Funds, and moneys from dead bank accounts, into the revenue stream. He called for appointment of a Chairman of the Integrity Commission, and for the Secretariat to be fully staffed and equipped to conduct investigation into the assets of all office holders, and slammed a call by a government MP for the establishment of a code of conduct for ministers. “Let us make public these assets. A code not enforceable in law cannot work! It’s a recipe for Cover Up!” “We need to implement the An t i - M o n e y Laundering and Countering Terrorism Act, and to give teeth to the toothless poodle-style Intelligence Unit. Not a soul has been investigated, much less prosecuted, for moneylaundering, and Guyana is wrongly being seen as a haven for money-launderers, drugs trafficking, etc.,” Nagamootoo stated emphatically.
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Kitty seawall killing…
Vehicle slain youth rented was used in attack on couple last month - investigators The Toyota Raum, which slain teen Jamal Harris had rented hours before his death was also used in a robbery at the seawall last month, sources close to the investigation said. In what seems like an eerily similar report, Kaieteur News was told that sometime in March, a young woman alleged that she and her boyfriend were in a car near the seawall when two young men who were armed with knives attacked them. She is said to have told police that the robbers relieved her of a BlackBerry phone and the vehicle keys. It is alleged that a black Toyota Ram, with the same licence number as the one that
Harris rented, then drove to the scene and picked up the robbers. After Harris was stabbed on Monday, an unidentified individual in the same vehicle took him to the Georgetown Public Hospital and then left hurriedly. Police have said that the teen was stabbed while he and an accomplice were attempting to rob a vendor at the Kitty seawall. They have detained Harris’s assailant, as well as two brothers whose family owns the vehicle he was using. A source said that at least two acquaintances of the dead teen are also in custody. According to sources, detectives questioned the seawall vendor who confirmed that Harris was slain while the teen and an accomplice were
attempting to rob him, armed with a handgun. But Harris’s relatives and his girlfriend yesterday still insisted that he was not a criminal. His mother, Yvette Smith, told Kaieteur News that information provided by an eyewitness indicated that her son was killed when he unwittingly went to pick up some friends who were committing a robbery on the seawall. Ms. Smith said that she went to the Kitty seawall area on Monday night in an attempt to learn more about her son’s death. The woman said that she spoke to a vendor who said that she had seen Harris being held and stabbed with a broken bottle, though police reports indicate that a knife
was used. According to Ms. Smith, the vendor said she saw two men running on the seawall on Sunday morning. She said that one of the men was speaking on a mobile phone. Ms. Smith claimed that she was told that shortly after, the occupant of a black vehicle drove up, and Harris exited the vehicle. The vendor allegedly heard Harris shout to the men: “why y’all running and y’all call me?” It is alleged that another vendor and others then confronted Harris, while remarking ‘you is the person that they call to come fuh dem? Okay, we will deal with you.’ Ms. Smith said that she
Dead: Jamal Harris was told that the men and her son began to scuffle, but the men held his hands while another man broke a bottle and stabbed him. Kaieteur News was told
that Harris and another friend rented the vehicle for $5,000 around 17:00 hrs on Sunday, while indicating that they were “going to the creek.” Harris’s girlfriend, Tandika Hinckson, told Kaieteur News that he had picked her up in the rented vehicle from her mother’s house in Tucville, and dropped her off in Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge. Some time later, she received a call from an individual who said that that Jamal Harris had been stabbed. The mother and the victim’s girlfriend insisted that he was gainfully employed and had no reason to turn to crime.
“This is a cardboard budget painted to look like concrete” - APNU The Opposition last evening offered government a last-ditch opportunity for talks on the 2013 National Budget. Ahead of the deliberations to approve the estimates of the $208.8B budget, Opposition Leader, Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger, in sounding a warning that there could likely be no support from his side, described the budget as a piece of cardboard “painted to look like concrete” and lacking substance. Granger was the last speaker of the Opposition to argue on the budget before Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, took the floor again to make his case why the measures and the budget should be passed. According to Granger, government in crafting the budget did not meet in any meaningful consultations with the opposition parties in the National Assembly, and such it is an exclusionary budget that does not cater to the realities of Guyanese, making it more of an anti-poor, anti-people and anti-progress budget. He also opined that President Donald Ramotar’s input seemed to be sorely missed. Granger zeroed in on the lack of resources by the budget for the long outstanding Office of the Ombudsman and the Public Service Appellate Tribunal. “It does not also have meaningful allocations to provide a critical road from Linden to border town Lethem nor any meaningful plans to combat the crime situation in the hinterland,” Granger affirmed. The Opposition Leader
Opposition Leader David Granger was convinced that the budget lacked meaningful measures to provide employment for the young. Regarding old age pension, he asked: “How far will $12,500 go?” “It does not also tackle the development of the University of Guyana. A minority administration cannot ignore the people’s will.” He said that Guyana will continue to face the same challenges as nothing has changed. “It is worse than a mistake…it is a blunder.” Making reference to government’s misuse of public funds, Granger said he has learnt that state employees were taken to the hinterland and used to paste posters against an opposition Member of Parliament, Sydney Allicock. “How do we vote money to pay for markers? We have to teach them a lesson.” Granger dwelled in length on the security situation going back to the early 2000s where many were killed.
The Opposition Leader warned that the country’s budget should not be treated like “an Annual General Meeting of some corporation”. “There is a general aura of gloom and prolonged security crisis with the cost of living remaining the very real of issues. While there has been growth, it is jobless growth.” Granger made it clear that A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) believes that a better Guyana can be achieved by offering citizens a first class education with communities combining energies through integration. The Opposition Leader, a former army head, railed against the delay by the administration to deal seriously with the reformation of the country’s security sector, pointing out that it took two years after a critical report was handed over for there to be action. “Security reforms must include dealing with administrative issues, career planning, integrity and public communication.” He continued: “Poverty can be reduced, but only by good governance.” But all is not lost. While the opposition was intent on not supporting the budget, it was willing to craft a more realistic one with government. The combined Opposition, inclusive of APNU and the Alliance For Change, has a one seat majority and last year used it, following the 2011 General Elections, to cut $20B from the 2012 budget. However, government restored the amount, which affected the state media and the Office of the President, following a controversial court ruling.
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- Engineers to fix small generator soon
The Mahdia Power and Light Company
Generators in the facility
For the past two months, Mahdia Power and Light Company has been rationing its energy supply to the community. An engineering team is expected to be in Mahdia soon to fix the small generator that is nonoperational at the moment, says Courtney Handy, Manager of Mahdia Power and Light Company. According to Handy, when the small generator is fixed, the hours that electricity is provided to the community
will increase. But 24 hours power supply from Sunday to Saturday will not be possible. He claims that the area is currently receiving 17 hours power supply daily from Monday to Friday and 24 hours on weekends. The energy company turns on and off its large generator at 16:00 hrs and 8:00 am the next day (respectively). Handy said that this time period was chosen because Mahdia is known to have a busy nightlife.
Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of Region Eight Works Committee, Mohamed Gafoor related a different scenario to this publication during an interview yesterday. He noted that the community is only receiving 12 hours of power and this is proving to be of great inconvenience to persons who want to diversify their businesses from mining. Gafoor said that the power company has a four cylinder Perkins generator and could not burn
the six drums of fuel to provide 24 hours electricity. Apparently, that is being claimed by the company. He stated that the company’s main reason for rationing of electricity is the high cost of production. However, residents are paying $100 per kilowatt and even with the reduction in hours, their electricity bills remain the same as if they were receiving 24 hours power, he said. Apparently, the company only purchases diesel from the GuyOil gas station for $56,000 per drum, while a drum of diesel could be obtained from other sources for about
$52,000 per drum. In addition, if Government provides a subvention to the company, it should be able to provide 24 hours electricity daily. In response to Gafoor’s claims, Handy emphasized that the company has two generators - one large and the other small. The small generator which provides power to Mahdia is down and so the large generator is being utilised, though not to its full capacity. He said that the large generator is a six-cylinder engine and uses six drums of fuel. If it were to be fully maximised it would utilise more fuel. In fact, the large
generator has the capacity to provide electricity to neighbouring Campbelltown that is without electricity. However, he did not comment on the amount of money residents pay in relation to the rest of the country. He clarified that sometimes a previous amount would be added to the current month’s bill and so the amount is inflated. Nonetheless, the situation is rectified. Handy said that if Government were to give a subvention the company would be able to increase the hours, but 24 hours electricity would still not be provided.
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Food for the Poor Guyana launches $$M agri project in C’tyne By Samuel Whyte Food For the Poor (FFP) Guyana Incorporated along with the St Francis Community Developers (SFCD) and the United States Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. D. Brent H a r d t o n Friday commissioned the first phase of the Shining Star Community Developers of Corentyne’s multi-milliondollar agricultural project at Limlair Village on the Corentyne. Doing the honours were United States Ambassador to Guyana Mr. D Brent Hardt, FFP senior project manager Ms Andrea Benjamin, along with SFCD founder and CEO, Alex Foster. The Shining Star organisation is a part of the SFCD network of groups that come under its umbrella of organisations that work in both Regions Five and Six. The project is part of the Shining Star Community Developers’ efforts to establish a model Integrated Agricultural Farm. It includes the establishment of several ponds on the plot of land, the procurement of 8,000 tilapia fingerlings, and the construction of several drains to allow for effective irrigation and the installation of a security light system and setting up of various agricultural plots using the greenhouse effect. The tilapias are expected to be reared per batch in five
ponds once the project is completed. According to Ms Benjamin the aim of the project is to promote social and economic development in the community. This will be done through the creation of jobs for the unemployed, life skills training specifically in aquaculture, rearing of the tilapia, marketing and finances, and the promotion of food security and sustainability. The genesis of the implementation of this project in Limlair is the fact that there has been rapid economic decline in the community. This has resulted in a high level of poverty which is characterized by everincreasing unemployment and a spike in the crime rate. The project will help to aid the economic development of the community through the creation of job opportunities and skills training, specifically in the area of aquaculture. It is expected that an average of 24 persons will be trained in the rearing of the tilapia and the maintenance of the ponds during the nine-month lifespan of the first batch of the fish. Another benefit is the creation of healthier food options for members of the community. Ambassador Hart in brief remarks lauded the work being done by both the FFP and the SFCD and congratulated the Shining Star group for being able to clinch the deal. He mentioned the
tremendous benefits that could be derived from the large scale rearing of tilapia which have lucrative markets in USA and Europe. The group, also with the help of SFCD, has already successfully launched a chicken-rearing programme and agricultural nursery project. FFP also took the opportunity to hand over some expensive agriculture items to the Shining Star Community Developers group, including a mechanical agricultural tiller and a gasoline water pump which will be used to develop the model farm at Limlair, specifically the plant husbandry. The donations are part of Food For the Poor Guyana Inc’s efforts to promote rural community development, particularly in the areas of agriculture and culture. Ms Benjamin stressed that FFP is pleased to be working with both the SFCD and the Shining Stars group and thanked the two entities for their “hard work and dedication in getting the project completed in a short period of time”. She also expressed gratitude on behalf of the FFP to Mr. Foster for his vision and foresight in working to expand the project beyond the initial scope envisaged. Residents were most grateful and expressed their heartfelt thanks to Ambassador Hardt, FFP and SFCD.
Ambassador Hardt, Ms. Benjamin and Mr. Foster release some of the fingerlings into one of the ponds
A young resident of the village cuts the ceremonial ribbon with assistance from United States Ambassador to Guyana, D. Brent Hardt, FFP senior project manager Ms Andrea Benjamin and St Francis Community Developers founder and CEO, Alex Foster
Delay ploy by parliamentary opposition could create uneasiness – Irfaan Ali Government on Monday lashed out at the parliamentary opposition, insisting that it is attempting to engage a delaying ploy to hinder the passage of the $208.8 billion 2013 National Budget which was recently presented by Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh. During a press conference held at the People’s Progressive Party headquarters (Freedom House), Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, explained that historically a line-by-line consideration of the estimates is undertaken one day after the completion of the budget debates. However, he noted that the opposition has indicated its unwillingness to do so. Reports are that the opposition has plans to thoroughly review the budget presented by the Finance Minister before proceeding with the line-by-line considerations of the proposed estimates. But according to Ali, “we have not had anything officially from them to say these are the reasons or we
want you to consider these things. Suddenly we have been given this surprise that they want to delay the consi d e r a t i o n s o f t h e estimates.” Such a tactic, according to the Housing Minister, has the potential of creating uneasiness within the society. According to him, Government’s position is that “we should move immediately with considerations of the estimates as we have historically done.. .When you leave a gap like that we have to be very, very careful,” the Minister asserted. He informed too that the opposition had all year been in the position to make statements, pointing out too that “they had prebudget and during the b u d g e t t o c o n s i d e r all aspects of the estimates and I think that they should be in a position of readiness.” According to Ali, even before the budget was announced, Leader of the Alliance for Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, had indicated that he would cut it, an indication that “he has already defined in his mind what he
wants to do.” Ali recounted too that during the course of the budget debates, which commenced last week, one opposition member called it “dead on arrival”, while another member said that “it would not see the light of day” as even another said that “certain segments would not be approved” thereby sending varied signals. “It is clear they have something in their minds, but I think we should get o n w i t h t h e p e o p l e ’s business and consider the estimates and move on,” said Ali on Monday. Among the areas that the parliamentary opposition have been eyeing for a cut include the allocations to the Government-owned National Communications Network and the Government Information Agency which were targeted last year. Also among the areas being considered for a budgetary slash are the subventions that have been awarded to the ailing Skeldon Sugar Factory and the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated.
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Lamaha Gardens land issue…
Return playground in two weeks or face legal action - residents warn By Zena Henry Vowing to “wait no longer” for the return of the designated playground land in Lamaha Gardens to be returned to the community, residents of that area are threatening immediate legal action if the “illegally” sold property is not returned to them within two weeks. The residents said that they are sending a message to the government to return the property, since it has been cited that, “various irregularities,” occurred during the sale of the property. Since the land at Lot 142 Durbana Square was sold between December 2012 and February last, residents have been furious over the sale which they said was never communicated to them,
Residents met outside of the controversial plot of land yesterday
although they were the “holders” of the property. A meeting was reconvened yesterday to discuss the way forward in obtaining the lost property. But what may have triggered the residents even more is that the new owner
reportedly dug u p t h e property, in an attempt to have residents desist from using the property for their children to play. The residents were again up in arms when they saw the state of the
controversial plot of land and the move by the new land owner as “vindictive and without cause”. Neville De Santos who occupies the lot next to the controversial plot of land told Kaieteur News that he
Plaisance transmission tower…
Relocation of piles not an indication that location being changed - Project Manager The removal of piles from the Plaisance Community Centre ground is not an indication that Government has rescinded its decision to erect one of its E-governance transmission towers there, says Alexei Ramotar, Manager of the E-governance Unit. Residents, who sat under the pavilion yesterday, ‘guarding’ the playfield, were elated when the contractor removed the piles from the East Coast Demerara location. They are determined not to leave until the hole that the contractor dug to erect the tower is filled. The residents were of the impression that Government had recanted its decision following their heated interaction with Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill. But it has since been revealed that the E-governance Unit is using the material to commence works on another site along the East Coast Demerara, while the impasse is being addressed. Ramotar did not want to comment on whether Government has decided to find an alternative location to erect the tower, but did confirm that the timber piles are being relocated to be utilised at another site. Earlier this month, residents of Plaisance protested the erection of the tower on the community playground. The protest
Several residents sitting under the pavilion yesterday
actions caused the Chinese contracting firm, Huawei, in collaboration with its subcontractors, to temporarily halt works. The project is subcontracted to Colombian, Trinidadian and Guyanese contractors. Ramotar and Government’s Chief Engineer Walter Willis had indicated that Government was going to erect the tower at another location. Subsequently, Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon said “Government will not allow this project to be hijacked and to be treated so irresponsibly.” The residents were adamant that they would not
allow Government’s imposition. On Saturday, Edghill and Ramotar, tried to negotiate with residents, but were unsuccessful. Residents returned to the playground yesterday to ensure that no construction works were carried out. They were greeted by a team removing the piles, said to be going to La Bonne Intention, further up the East Coast. Residents are convinced that the most suitable location for the tower is where the first Guyana Broadcasting Corporation tower at Sparendaam was before Government moved it across
the Demerara River to La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. This, residents claimed, was to facilitate the building of mansions for close associates of the administration at “Pradoville 2”. According to Ramotar, the first tower was relocated because it was in the flight path of Ogle Airport. In addition, that tower was for radio communication while this new tower is a telecommunication medium and would not serve its purpose near the seawall. Ramotar stressed that the transmission tower does not let off radiation harmful to people’s health.
was maintaining the land for some 28 years and that it was heart rending to see what the land’s owner had done, knowing that over the years he had invested significantly in its maintenance. The residents had argued that if things were to continue the way they were going, by the time the land was returned to t h e community it would have been considerably damaged. The residents are however looking forward to filing an injunction to have the land accessed or prescriptive rights to the property, since it had been the community’s property for over 40 years. General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress Lincoln Lewis and Alliance for Change’s David Patterson made themselves available to lend support to the community. Lewis opined that the Lamaha Gardens land sale was only one of the many underhand deals made to take away and/or undermine the rights of persons. So far, the Chief Cooperative officer Kareem Adbul-Jabar who sold the property after liquidating the community’s Co-operative
Society has taken the Ministry of Labour’s Permanent Secretary, Lorene Baird, t o c o u r t , i n a n attempt to have his job returned to him. Since the sale of the Lamaha property, claims were made that Abdul-Jabar had “illegally” sold the property to a governmentconnected businessman. He was sent on administrative leave and was supposed to face the Public Service Commission, but was instead fired. Lamaha Gardens residents continue to defend that the community land is theirs and was designated for the purpose of recreation. The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has also claimed the property since they said it was the property of parent co –op society Civil Service Association. The union had asked that the property be returned to residents and that a full investigation into the land’s sale is made public. Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul had indicated that the investigations into AbdulJabar’s a c t i o n s w e r e concluded, but the results were never made public.
Unidentified bodies found in Berbice River The bodies of two unidentified men were found yesterday in the Berbice River. Kaieteur News understands that one of the badly decomposed corpses was retrieved near Plegt Anker, East Bank Berbice. The victim is about five feet ten inches tall, and was clad in a pair of blue long pants with a black leather belt, as well as a brown, long-sleeved jersey, with a yellow tee-shirt and navyblue vest beneath the jersey. Kaieteur News was told that shortly after the first body was retrieved, police received information of a second body in the river. Kaieteur News understands that the bodies were spotted since Sunday but the police did not respond immediately.
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Wednesday April 10, 2013
Parliamentary see-saw stalls budget passage…
The Opposition is standing in a very lonely place by denying support - Dr. Ashni Singh In what was a political see-saw, filled with yes and no votes, the consideration of the estimates of the 2013 National Budget has been held up. The opposition in the wee hours this morning voted against starting consideration of the estimates today, and has signalled its intention to weed out projects it says will continue to fester corruption and excesses – a charge the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh dismissed as an old argument. The Finance Minister said that the opposition is standing in a very lonely place when it comes to their denial of support for the budget. He pointed to the private sector and other stakeholders welcoming the measures contained in the budget. The government wanted the consideration of the estimates to begin as early as today. The opposition wants it to start on Monday and that’s what
happened just after midnight. In a Business Sub-Committee of the Parliament, the opposition outnumbered the government (Five-Four) and had its way. That report of the committee was taken to the House for a vote to adopt the report. In a bold move, the government called Dr Vindhya Persaud out of mourning her father’s death so that it could have a solid position to force the consideration of the estimates to begin from today. With 33 seats, the opposition has a one-seat majority in the House. With Dr. Persaud in the House, it evened up the numbers on the government and opposition sides, given that APNU had one member less given the hospitalisation of Mr. Richard Allen. With even votes on both sides, as Parliamentary rules go, the motion was not carried, and was returned to the Business Sub Committee. With the motion not
Dr. Ashni Singh carried, the government brought its motion for a schedule for the consideration of the estimates, and with equal votes as well, the vote was not carried. The intention of the government seemed clear – if consideration of the estimates begins today, it would rob the opposition of its power to deny support for certain items. The opposition is required to give a 24-hour notice of its intention to cut
spending. The Prime Minister drew attention to Standing Order No.8, suggested that the consideration of the estimates could start today. The Speaker reverted to Standing Order 74 (4) which states that if the vote is “negative” the matter has to go back to the Business SubCommittee. A compromise position now is certain for the way forward. The Prime Minister proposed that the Assembly resume at 14:00 hrs today, but with equal votes again, that too was denied. With no clear majority on either side, the Speaker said the Assembly has to recommence on the roll over date, which is at 14:00 hrs today, as per the Standing Orders. The Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, sought to soften the opposition by quoting from the manifestos of the two opposition Parliamentary parties. He said some of the measures proposed in their plans are already being implemented by the governing PPP.
There is no definitive time when the consideration of the estimates, line by line, will begin; but when that time comes, the government hopes it will get the entire $208.8 budget passed. That is not likely to happen. The Finance Minister expressed disappointment with the positions taken by the opposition. He said that Parliamentarians must be able to set politics aside and be guided by that which is good for Guyana. He said that even if the opposition speakers wanted to be critical, he would have expected some honesty, since some of the promises made by the opposition parties to their supporters in the last election are being delivered by the PPP. Dr Singh again trumped up the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric and Marriott Hotel projects as being good for Guyana and once more committed to sharing the details with the opposition behind closed doors. He maintained that full details cannot be disclosed to
the public because of confidentiality clauses in some of the agreements. Dr Singh stressed that the government would be the last to say that everything is perfect in Guyana. He said that every day the government wrestles with the reality that there are things to fix. The Finance Minister denounced the objections by the opposition as “unsubstantiated,” arguing that they were saying no just for the sake of saying no, disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing. He expressed hope that there might still yet be time. He said that whilst there was the opportunity for political rhetoric, the critical time is when the Speaker will put the vote for the passage of budget item by item. The Finance Minister expressed the hope that the opposition would use the time between now and the consideration of the estimate to reflect and recognise that every single measure in the budget is good for Guyana.
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Kaieteur News
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MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 Sign on 05:30hrs - Dharan Kai AwazThe Voice of Dharma 06:00hrs - Islamic Perspective 06:30hrs - News Update 07:00hrs - DAYBREAK 08:00hrs - Dabi’s musical 08:30hrs - Avon DVD Musical 09:00hrs - GINA programme 09:15hrs - Top Notch Music Break 09:30hrs - Caribbean Temptation Music Mix 10:00hrs - Amanda’s Costume jewellery musical 10:30hrs - Future Vision Music Hour 11:00hrs - Comfort Sleep 11:30hrs - The View 12:00hrs - Village talk 12:30hrs - The Young and The Restless 13:30hrs - Days of Our lives
Wednesday April 10, 2013
14:00hrs - General Hospital 15:00hrs - Katie Couric Show 16:00hrs - The Bold and The Beautiful 16:30hrs - Cartoons 17:00hrs - Birthday and other greetings
17:15hrs - Death Announcements/ In Memoriam 17:30hrs - Sitcom 18:00hrs - Aracari Resort Hour 19:00hrs - CNN News 19:30hrs - News Update
20:30hrs - DJ Stress Update 21:30hrs - English Movie: Tonka 23:00hrs - News update 23:30hrs - English Movie: Tonka continues Sign Off
Guides are subjected to change without notice
Wednesday April 10, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): Today’s exciting New Moon in your sign is a great time to start a project, so clear out the old and bring in the new. Your self-confidence may be running strong, but don’t get so wound up in what you can do that you let the morning slip away without actually putting an idea into motion. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20): You’re standing on the edge of something big, but the Aries New Moon lands in your 12th House of Escapism today, making it crucial to move out of your fantasies and into the real world. Don’t let your fear of change come between you and your goals. GEMINI (May 21–June 20): The Aries New Moon falls in your 11th House of the Future, prompting you to take a risk to make your dreams come true. You feel as if you must act quickly or lose the potential of the moment. CANCER (June 21–July 22): Today’s spontaneous Aries New Moon in your 10th House of Public Status triggers personal conflict about your professional role in the world. People may be making demands that pull you out of your comfort zone. You might not want to go the distance until you realize that revealing your vulnerabilities is a better option than not showing up at all. Take a chance and open your heart. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22): Your life is busy now that the enterprising Aries New Moon activates your 9th House of Big Ideas, tempting you to reach even farther. However, success may feel hollow if you are always yearning for something else. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): Anyone who thinks you can’t go the distance now just doesn’t know very much about you. You are wired to a power source that keeps you strong, even if you don’t express it all the time.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): Your objective sense of social balance is called into action today by the Aries New Moon landing in your 7th House of Relationships. You won’t fall victim to anyone’s biases even if others are in disagreement with your perspective, allowing you to facilitate a workable compromise. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): The Aries New Moon’s emphasis on your 6th House of Efficiency can be challenging if you feel like you aren’t being allowed to do your chores your own way. You want to apply your intensity and focus on something you already started, but unexpected circumstances may require you to suddenly change direction. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): Your previously hidden motives may be revealed now, yet you don’t necessarily feel more vulnerable. Actually, you want others to know who you are and what you are doing since the Aries New Moon falls in your 5th House of SelfExpression. CAPRICORN(Dec.22–Jan.19): Today’s Aries New Moon’s presence in your 4th House of Foundations reminds you there is much to be gained by withdrawing to take stock of your feelings. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): It’s a busy day with the Aries New Moon occupying your 3rd House of Communication. This lunation can initiate a cycle with unexpected news that widens your perspective and presents a path that you had not previously considered. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20): This is a great day to make decisions, for the Aries New Moon lands in your 2nd House of Self-Esteem and your values seem perfectly clear to you. You are certain of your intentions and you have a good sense of what needs to be done to accomplish your goals.
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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::: Letter to the Sports Editor :::
WHY LOWER THE BAR MARLAN COLE? DEAR EDITOR, “While the level of any sport is normally determined by the level of administration in place, Administration nevertheless, is the most important, but yet still is the most unthankful area of work”. And, I still support the notion of the philosopher, who once said, “If one were to ask me for the prerequisite of being involved in sport? I would say the first prerequisite is to be happy”! Marlan are you happy with the current state of the c o n t i n u e d underdevelopment of football in Georgetown? That within the fourth month of the year, there is no public evidence when the GFA, 2013 season will commence? Further, over a two year period how many competitions were played in Georgetown, which can be equated with the Troy Mendonca led administration, of which you were the former Hon. Secretary, and I, the former Asst: Sec/Treasurer? So, in actuality Marlan, I was completely disappointed to have read in the publication of K.N. 03.04.13 an article captioned “Cole endorses Matthias for GFF President”. While I would agree Cole is entitled to express his own opinion. The individual nevertheless cannot be overtly serious to state among his reasons “instigating
Constitutional reform”! Was any measure of Constitutional reform achieved in Georgetown that now entails the General Secretary, replacing the Honorary Secretary, along with the nullification of convening the Annual General Meeting (Halfyearly) that didn’t occur in 2011? If, not, then it’s a Constitutional violation, since any constitutional amendment has to be ratified by the General Council, then submitted to the GFF for enactment. Marlan, from an honest perspective, I have absolutely nothing against any form of religion, which includes the one you embrace. But what I’m totally against are “those who shelter under Christianity, and resorts to unchristian principles” So when an individual’s personal profile paints a rosy picture of a Christian background, and in the same context resorts to a “colossal lie” that he was the 1st Vice President, of the GFF, in 1999, definitely I have a serious problem. As a defender and upholder of spiritual consciousness, “I wrestle not against flesh or blood, but against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness that exists in high and low places”! Be it at the GFF and or the GFA, or anywhere else i t ’s
Plucky Bajans hold Young Boyz in Under-17 Championship Jamaica Observer CHORRERA, Panama — Jamaica are all but assured of a place in the quarter-final stage of the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, despite twice giving up the lead in a 2-2 result against Caribbean rivals Barbados at the Estadio Muquita Sanchez Monday. Raffique Bryan opened the scoring for the Young Reggae Boyz with a deft lob in the seventh minute, but the speedy Shaquille Boyce pulled Barbados level with a fine finish 10 minutes later. Jamaica captain Junior Flemmings (37th minute) notched his second goal of the tournament — both penalties — to restore the advantage heading into the half-time interval. However, a mere 10 minutes into the second period, the plucky Bajans emphasised their fighting spirit when Shakille Belle
booted in the equaliser from close range, after reacting quickest to a header off the cRossbar. The Jamaicans have two points from as many matches to lead Group A — after previously drawing with hosts Panama. Barbados and Panama, who play each other today, follow with a point each. A victory for either will see Jamaica advance to the quarter-final as the secondplaced team from the group. A draw, which would leave all three teams locked on two points, could also put the Jamaicans through. Only the top two countries from each group will progress to the quarterfinal stage. The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be staged in the United Arab Emirates from October 17 to November 8.
manifested. Finally, Marlan with your ambition, ultimately higher than your position, in retrospect do you honestly feel that by endorsing Matthias you would be successful in your bid of becoming the GFF’s General Secretary? Or would the Petra – Organisation, of which you are a Co-Director, be contracted to coordinate
Youth Football for the GFA? As was reported in another section of the print media, a few weeks ago, compliments of the Vice President, with the relevant responsibility. And is it not illogical that a GFA, Vice-President, who served as a Manger for the Golden Jaguars, saw it not fit to defend the rights of players when it was needed most, isn’t he then guilty of supporting
the very dictatorial policies that you are accusing Major of, then be included on Matthias’ slate when his club abstained from voting for the GFA nomination process? Protocol would dictate that he should have withdrawn! Isn’t this a case of a disjointed GFA, with a lack of vision to transform the true development of our nation’s football?
And how is it the person you have endorsed gives no consideration for under-11 football (Pee-Wee) in this national development plan? By the way how come you failed to extend an invitation to the individual to witness the Milo under-20 Inter Schools third place play off and Finals? Maybe that could have enhanced his CV’s. Lester Sealey.
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Battle of wits as top scrabble players compete in Amaila Falls Hydro Inc Open tourney The battle of words will resume this Sunday April 14 when the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) host the Amaila Falls Hydro Inc open tournament at the Malteenoes Sports Club, Thomas Lands and the nation’s top word formers will battle it out for top honours. With national champion, Abigail McDonald’s absence for two tournaments on the trot, James Krakowsky and Moen Gafoor had ruled the roost finishing first and second respectively. McDonald returned for the last staged GASP Open about two weeks ago and carted off the spoils. This weekend, she will try to replicate that feat in what is building up to be a heated battle of wits. Other than those three players, several others will throw in their lot, all with ambitions of winning lucrative prizes donated by the sponsors. The distaff group will be represented by Ruby Cummings, Grace Hercules,
Wednesday April 10, 2013
TTCB T\20 League
Carmichael leads Aranguez to victory Guyanese Kellon Carmichael turned in a commendable all round performance to guide Aranguez to a six wicket victory over Moosai when the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board Twenty\20 league continued recently. Host Moosai won the toss and elected to bat first and amassed 179-6 in 20 overs with Nicholas Alexis scoring 57, while Robin Bacchus supported with 53, and Navin Stewart 31. Bowling Aranguez, Carmichael claimed 2-35 and Jamal Phillips 2-40. In reply the opening pair of Carmichael and Jonathon Cabralis got Aranguez off to a flying start putting together 90 in the first 10 overs. Carmichael made 50 from 32 balls (7x4, 1x6), while Cabralis scored 47 and Michael
Abigail McDonald
Moen Gafoor
Yvonne Murray and a host of others while Orlando Michael, Maurice Munru, Leon Belony, Michael Benjamin and Wayne Cave among others will comprise another group of hopefuls, all with an eye on the top prize. Attractive prizes will be won by the top three finishers while there will also be a special prize for the best player outside of the top 10
ranking. The registration process gets underway at 09:45hrs while the tournament commences at 10:00hrs sharp. Those players arriving on time for the registration will pay $500 while latecomers will pay $200 more. Persons with boards and clocks are asked to make a special effort to have them at the venue by 09:30hrs.
Brown 34 as Aranguez reached 180-4 in 19.3 overs. In another match; Diamond beat Esmeralda by 5 wickets. Batting first Esmeralda got to 118 for the loss of nine wickets after their 20 overs. They were led by an unbeaten knock of 27 from Akeel Mollon, while Gajanand Singh also chipped in with 27. Anand Ajodha did most of the damage for Diamond with 4/16. In their turn at the crease, the somewhat struggling F&E Diamond squad reached 115 for five with one ball remaining. However, Surujnarine blasted a six sending F&E Diamond to a victorious 121/5 after 20 overs. Vishal Singh top scored with 47,while Surujnarine finished on 34 not out.
GCA\Noble House Seafoods 2nd Division semis
Police, GCC march into final Police Sports Club and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) have cemented their places in the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association\ Noble House Sea Foods Second Division 2 day tournament after the latest round of matches last weekend. At the Gandhi Youth Organization ground, Police won the toss and batted first, making 390 for 8 in 71 overs. Randolph Knights hit a belligerent 111 (7x4, 7x6), while Pernell London struck 81 (13x4, 1x6), Sheldon Agard hit 73 (11x4) and Troy Benn 65 (8x4). Bowling for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Nakeitho Nestor took 4-77 from 13.3 overs and Paul Castello 3-115. GDF replied with 180 for 8 innings closed in 38 overs as two listed players failed to
Devon Lord turn up. Jeremiah Harris made 48 and Paul Castello 33. Kelvin Leitch captured 4-62 from 14 overs and Fitzroy Cully 3-18. Police in their second innings reached 149-4 in 27 overs before the umpires and captains agreed to call off
play. Cully scored 56 (9x4, 2x6) while Ameer Mohamed made 50 not out (6x4); Randy Lindore had 2-38. At GNIC, the host won the toss and batted first, scoring 258 all out in 49 overs. Marc Nicholson led with 113 (19x4, 2x6) and received valuable support from Ronale Bourne 77(2x4, 1x6). Left arm spinner Devon Lord grabbed 5 for 52, while Kevin Plants took 2 for 38. GCC in reply batted the remainder of the match to score 407 in 94 overs. Treon Forde top scored with a brisk 91 in 111 balls, Devon Lord faced 137 balls for 69, and number 11 Plants made 56 not out in 64 balls. Plants and Samuel McKenzie who remained not out on 27, added 83 for the last wicket stand. Pacer Rawle Merrill had 3 for 73 and off spinner Premchand Sookdeo 2 for 87.
AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli banned for three matches
BBC Sport - AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli has been suspended for the next three Serie A games for insulting a match official during the clash against Fiorentina. The 22-year-old had already picked up a onematch suspension after being shown his fourth yellow of the season in the 2-2 draw. The forward then insulted one of the referee’s assistants at the end of the game and had his suspension increased. He will miss the matches against Napoli, Juventus and Catania. The Italy striker has scored 10 goals in 11 games for club and country in 2013. The former Manchester
Mario Balotelli (right) has been suspended for the next three Serie A games for insulting a match official (Reuters) City man was recently fined by his club after he was caught smoking in a train toilet. Milan are third in the
table, four points behind Napoli, who are currently sitting in the second automatic Champions League spot.
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
BCB names 14-man squad for Inter County U-15 tourney The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Junior Selection Committee, chaired by Leslie Solomon has named a 14-man squad for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter County Under-15 tournament. The team would be led by promising batsman Joshua
Bakewell maintains... From back page a role model organization that his company was pleased to be associated with. He stated that the Bakewell Second Division and Under-17 teams have over the years made his company very proud with their positive attitudes on and off the field including the many developmental programmes they have embarked on and completed over the years. He urged the club members to maintain the standard for excellence and to strive for greater success in the future. Apart from the cricket sponsorship, Bakewell also cosponsors the club’s annual charity programmes, annual review magazine, awards ceremony, cricket academy and proeducation campaign.
Mayor Green call for... From back page focusing on the budget and feels that now is a good time to beseech them to demonstrate an understanding of the football community. “I would like to implore our decision makers to see the game from a broader perspective otherwise football would be stagnated,” chided the Mayor. He also advocated a need for football administrators to pay attention to the nursery. “I would like to see programmes that incorporates players from as young as 3 years old,” said Mr. Green. He envisaged that such ploys could result in future national teams consisting of solely
Karthik and Rohit crush Daredevils
Harrichand of Albion with Joel Seetaram as his deputy. Team selection was based on performance in the Tenelec Under-15 Inter Club tournament and also the National Communication Network Inter Zone competition. The full squad is as follows:
Name Club Adrian Sukwah (WK) Albion Kyle Michael Tucber Tyrell Peters Police Matthew Hardial Albion Titus Webster Achievers Filon Crandon Courtland/Tucber Steve Deonarine Tucber Joel Seetaram Edinburg Joshua Harrichand Albion Joshua Gobin RHTY&SC Rameshwar Somwaru Blairmont Sylus Tyndall Big Star Veramoottoo Semwansanie RHTY&SC Bramsat Singh Bush Lot Stand by players Kris Ramnarine Bush Lot Kevin Sinclair Police Vevakanand Jagit Albion Gavin Chatterpaul No.72 Zameer Inshan Blairmont Danil Samaroo Port Mourant The Manager is Leslie Solomon.
locals instead of mostly overseas based players. Meanwhile, Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams has registered five goals to top the goal averages and was awarded a microwave oven donated by Keishars and a mattress from A H&L Kissoon’s Ltd. Alpha United player Philbert Moffat was adjudged the Most Valuable Player and received a special prize from Giftland Office Max. Additionally, each Alpha player received a hamper of Ricks and Sari products donated by that organization, while Namilco donated a beautiful trophy for the winners which was presented by Afeeze Khan. (Michael Benjamin)
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Dinesh Karthik made 86, his highest score in the IPL © BCCI
innings, Ponting dived quite a distance to his right at cover to take a stunning catch to dismiss Unmukt Chand. It was the opener’s second first-ball duck in the tournament, but it was also the most unlikely bowler-fielder combination. The bowler was Harbhajan Singh, who had a history of run-ins with Ponting, but now they were hugging in joy. David Warner hit boundaries with regularity at the other end, swiftly moving to 50 off 34 balls, but frequent
wickets didn’t allow Daredevils to settle into a rhythm. Warner fell for 61 off 37 deliveries, and Manprit Juneja’s 49 was the only other sizeable score. Rishi Dhawan’s direct hit from midwicket to run out Juneja was the final act in Mumbai’s impressive fielding performance. Scores: Mumbai Indians 209 for 5 (Karthik 86, Rohit 74*) beat Delhi Daredevils 165 for 9 (Warner 61, Juneja 49) by 44 runs.
Police reward outstanding...
ESPNcricinfo - Dinesh Karthik’s explosive innings blindsided Delhi Daredevils and turned Mumbai Indians’ horrific start into the first 200plus total of the season, one large enough to secure a 44run win in their first home game. Rohit Sharma gave Karthik support at the start of their 132-run partnership, before turning it on himself at the end to help his team secure their second victory in three games. Mumbai had lost their openers in the first nine balls of the innings - Ricky Ponting caught by Mahela Jayawardene for a duck, Sachin Tendulkar run out by Jayawardene for one - but Karthik played like a batsman who has had solid scores in his first two games of the season. After seeing out three overs quietly, Karthik took 15 runs off an Ashish Nehra over. He dominated the thirdwicket partnership with Rohit, reaching 50 off 29 balls. Rohit was on 12 at the time. Mumbai reached 80 for 2 in 10 overs, and made it to the 100 mark in 12 overs. Karthik went ballistic after reaching his fifty. He raced to 86 off 48 balls, taking his last 36 runs off 19 balls. He pulled the ball with glee, and his onside play was entertaining. Karthik was perhaps the least likely among the Mumbai top four to get the orange cap, but he is now the first this season. Rohit batted at the right pace, letting Karthik take more strike during their stand. Later he played second fiddle to Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu, who blasted two fours and two sixes in his eight-ball 24. Rayudu helped Mumbai take 22 runs off the penultimate over from Irfan
Pathan, who had begun the evening with a maiden over, and Rohit’s final-over treatment of Nehra - 20 runs took his team to 209 for 5. Mumbai got off to a stunning start when they began defence of their 209 runs. Off the first ball of the
From page 41 going on through the media, Boyce and I share a relationship that goes way back to our childhood days,” Hutson stated. “That relationship has never been tarnished, and I would like to congratulate the awardees for the efforts they made as we look to build athletics together,” he concluded. Awardees: Most Outstanding Senior Male: Winston George/Julio Sinclair; Most Outstanding Senior Female: Natasha Alder; Most Outstanding Junior Male/Female: Clarence Greene/Alita Moore; Most Outstanding Youth Male/Female: Tevin Garraway/Ayesha Parish; Male/Female Sports Personality: Keith Roberts/Leota Babb/Donna Ferguson; Most Improved Athlete: Kevin Bayley; Most Discipline Athlete: Calvin Thomas; Most Supportive Male/ Female Parent: John Grimes/Cheryl Solomon; Male/Female Athletes of the Year: Julio Sinclair/Natasha Alder; Most Outstanding Primary/Secondary/University Student: Roseamon Solomon, Tisha Grimes, Carlwyn Collins.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 10, 2013
::: Letters to the Sports Editor :::
Welch’s Penalty Must Be Retaken! DEAR EDITOR , In the interest of “Fair Play” and utilizing the FIFA10 points must system! I am hereby appealing to the Match Commissioner; Referee, 2 Assistants, Fourth Official, Technical Staff and the Spectators to allow Kaieteur News Sports Journalist, Mr. Rawle Welch the distinct privilege of retaking his penalty. Despite
the fact that absolutely no contact whatsoever was made when he chose to dive in the penalty area, with his successful appeal for the foul being upheld. However, his ensuing spot-kick was way off the intended target of the goal (8’ H x 24’ W) and unbelievably uprooted the corner-flag, that eventually broke in two. And much to the dismay of disgruntled fans
Georgetown Turf Club stages Gymkhana event April 23 Late last year, the organizers of the Georgetown Turf Club (GTC) had staged a Gymkhana event that titillated the animalistic veins in those that witnessed the event. Indeed fans were treated to thrills, spills and unbridled fun to the extent that they had called for more. In keeping with its social responsibilities to provide entertainment for their fans, the management of the GTC has once again organized a similar one day event at its Mocha Arcadia EBD facility on Sunday April 23 next. Attendees will be treated to a variety of events with two major races, the U Classified and the cart horse race over a distance of 6 furlongs. Activities get underway at 12 noon and organizers have disclosed that there will be music and a well stocked bar. GTC management is urging Guyanese of all walks of life to attend the event so as to ensure the reinvigoration of the sport.
and supporters, the match ended prematurely, due to a non-replacement of the corner-flag! Whose fault it is? As such it befuddles my mind as to how Mr. Welch would have arrived at his subject matter: Sealey was not so clever after all”. After all, indeed, I never claimed to be. But what indeed I do know is that within my letter writings my internal qualities, from a spiritual perspective would always be my guide! And in so doing it would always find a greater degree of disfavor, among my adversaries. My thoughts, aims and objectives would always be of servitude to the unknowledgeable, many of whom almost on a daily basis, seek a solution to a football issue, which at times I would say confide in your club or association executive, and then return. Editor, in a subtle way, and before I respond to some of the questions posed by Rawle my greatest fear is after
the conclusion of the GFF’s AGM, is that the GFA can very well end up without having a voice (representative) on the GFF’s executive! This is simply because of their choice of its Presidential candidate, who in my estimation had a strong case contesting the Vice Presidency or Committee Member; as I had publicly expressed previously! Now in response to the questions: Firstly, the focus of my letter and definitely not article was to seek an answer, as to: Why highlight the negatives of both Messrs: King and Major, two of the four Presidential candidates, inadvertently fail to mention Ivan Persaud, while portraying Matthias, your perceived choice for the Presidency in a positive light! Secondly, I have never endorsed Major for the Presidency of the GFF, but rather was supportive of Troy Mendonca, Colonel Bruce Lovell and Alfred King which was ever before the nomination process began, and was also conveyed publicly. Thirdly, from a layman’s standpoint, previously I had
penned a letter questioning the Federation’s decision to forfeit the rights of hosting the home match against Mexico. While another questioning the financial gains derived. So, in actuality doesn’t, both of the aforementioned holds the entire GFF executive accountable, including Major? But what of the General Council, whom I refer to as the “toothless poodles”? Why is it excluding Georgetown, any two of the associations and affiliates saw it not fit by way of motion for an emergency meeting to be convened to discuss the two pertinent issues? Finally, and out of honesty Rawle, I still hold you in light esteem as a sports journalist. And I myself will always call a spade by its rightful name. Whereas whatever agreement existed between the Kashif and Shanghai Organization and the GFF, in relation to the former’s role in the World Cup Qualifiers, is an answer that the GFF’s General Council should have demanded! Moreover, since you are aware of the inner workings of sports association; By the
way did the GFA executive saw it fit to move a motion, and seconded for former president, Colin Klass to be debarred from holding office again? If questioning the suitability of an individual contesting the presidency of the GFF, is being interpreted as mudslinging, then maybe from a sports journalist’s interpretation his right to research all and sundry must be done efficiently, since “Distortions, Half-Truths and Plagiarism” cannot be overlooked. While I await the retaking of the spot-kick, in the same manner I await the arrival of a “looking glass from Bausch & Lomb” to envisage one iota of evidence, that football in Georgetown has developed over the past two years! And it can be used as a model for other associations to emulate. All in all I have stuck within the guidelines of football and have not diverted to personal agendas outside the ambits of the sport, in the manner that was highlighted in last Sunday’s publication of your newspaper by an individual namely M. Noel, all due to my professionalism. Lester Sealey.
Erskine throws support behind Major for GFF top post DEAR EDITOR, I, Royston Erskine, most people in the football fraternity may know me as All--In-One, knows that I live and breathe football! I am a flag bearer for Guyana Golden Jaguars and Pele Football Club, a proud one too. There is only one other person I know, that takes football as seriously and regards it with as much passion as I do and that person is no other than Mr. Aubrey “Shanghai” Major. He goes further, as he is actively involved in its management to ensure that the sport is developed through players development and exposure and still seeks players foreign exposure through the unmatched connections he has establish over his 28 years in the sports from the grass root level. I personally asked him to lookout for Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson during my time serving as President of Pele Football Club and he delivered on his promise, paving the way for Jackie Chan first professional
contract with Joe Public after convincing Technical Director of Joe Public at that time Mr. Keith Lookloy to invest in Richardson. Because of his vision for Guyana to compete at the Caribbean, Concacaf and World level, drove him to seek overseas exposure for players in the professional ranks to bring about a new mindset in the players development and Jamal Shabazz’s visit to Guyana that lead to the Golden Jaguars boosting a full squad of overseas players along with a few locally based players. His vision led to the Historical performance of the team on two occasion between the period of 2004 2006 in the Digicel Caribbean Cup, achieving the longest winning streak and best mover in the FIFA Rankings that led to the historical World Cup showing, reaching the semi-final round of the Concacaf zone for the first time. I am a strong believer that because of his holistic views of football in Guyana and his
dedication to the sport, for more than a quarter of a century, makes him more qualified that any of the other candidates I have seen. It will take a lot of hard work to move football in Guyana to where we want it to be, and I could not think of a harder worker or someone with more knowledge of how to move it forward than Aubrey “Shanghai” Major, with the team of businessmen he surround himself with. I can now feel and see the future of the game taking off in the right direction that I always think I would never live to see and here I am, having a new mindset for the future of the game here in Guyana, after reading and seeing that a team of reputable businessmen has come forward to pledge their support for a new direction of the game as a business. Electing him as President of the Guyana Football Federation can only be seen as a wise and easy decision. Hardcore Fan. Royston Erskine (All-InOne)
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
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WICB Regional 4 day tourney Net-Rockers FC fully supports Guyana, Jamaica clash at Matthias for GFF top post Having had the opportunity as a member of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s general council to listen to the various presentations by the presidential hopefuls contesting for the top seat of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), the executives and members of the Net-Rockers Football Club after careful deliberation have unanimously concluded that M r. Christopher Matthias is the man best suited to effect the much desirable change to advance the business of football in Guyana. While we felt that Mr. Ivan Persaud and Mr. Alfred king made decent impact with their affluent presentations, clearly exhibiting general prognosis of what is needed for football development in Guyana, it must be noted that their poor track records, having both had illustrious opportunities in their respective capacities over the years to help salvage the dying sport, have certainly dwindled their impetuous efforts to garner the support they seek. Needless to mention, Mr. Aubrey Major, who has given his opponents a walk over due to his no show at the presentation, was red carded without consideration by our entire membership on the premise that he is a remnant
Collis Gifth of the Colin Klass regime who presided over the embattled GFF and is now seeking for a straw to hold onto for all the other palpable reasons too copious to mention. On the other hand, What is noteworthy about Mr. Matthias’ presentation and advocacy, is the fact that he understands the environment that is needed to foster the true development that the sport fervently needs, and he has undoubtedly captivated the entire general council as he graciously massaged our minds to cordially understand that regardless of who assumes that seat come April 12, we cannot have the change we envisage unless we first have an environment that is conducive, one of equity where all members, associates and affiliates are
fully empowered and are given equal opportunities, an environment where the general councils are the board of directors and the supreme decision makers, where those elected are elected to serve and not be served, an environment of transparency and accountability, an environment that allows for constitutional reform that can ardently address all the anomalies affecting this beautiful sport, and last but by no means least an environment where the players who makes the sport are the ultimate beneficiaries. As one of the elite football clubs within the UDFA we certainly embrace these principles and is adamant that he will be the impetus of positive CHANGE much to likeness of what he has demonstrated in his many different administrative capacities over the years, and it is in this regard that the NetRockers Football Club is in full support of a Christopher Matthias’ led GFF whom we are confident that once given the opportunity will adequately make the best representation that will develop players and most importantly transcend Guyana’s football to new heights. Collis Gifth President, Net-Rockers FC
Mitchell warms up for National Juniors with impressive win
Tirana Mitchell CARIFTA Games 200m bronze medalist, Tirana Mitchell warmed up for the National Youth and Junior Championships, April 2021 on Sunday with an impressive win against her Under-20 rival Alita Moore in the 100m at the Annual Police Relay Fair. Moore also represented
Guyana at the CARIFTA Games in the Bahamas. Mitchell also returned on Sunday leading from the front to help her Club, Mercury Fast Laners to a second place finish in the 4x100m relay behind Police Progressive Sports Club. Police veteran sprinter, Leota Babb was too good for the surging Ebony Nelson on the last leg of the relay. But the second place finish will be nothing short of a victory for Mercury against more established clubs competing at the annual competition. Police’s Winston George dominated both the 100 and 400 metres events while leading the Police ‘A’ team to a one sided 4x100 metres win after a great start on the first leg. Running Braves Athletic Club won the distance medley relays that featured Devaughn ‘Scooby’ Barrington and Cleveland ‘Fish’ Thomas on their team. For the females, three-
time CARIFTA Games 1500m gold medalist, Jevina Straker and Under-17 CARIFTA 400m representative, Avon Samuels dominated that version of the event. Police Progressive Sports Club won the 4x400 metres male race after a dominating performance that left Running Brave Athletics Club in a distant second place finish while the Guyana Defence Force took third. Among the juniors, Running Brave Athletics Club dominated when the prodigy, Jevina Sampson took control on the anchor leg after having a major lead from her teammates Straker, Samuels and Ruth Samagon. The day ended with the 4x200 metres event when Mitchell again proved to be the most important link of the chain with a brilliant s tart that propelled her Mercury team to a victory over the Running Braves and Police respectively.
National Stadium today
By Zaheer Mohamed Host Guyana will be looking to be first team to beat Jamaica in the 2013 West Indies Cricket Board Regional 4 day tournament when they clash today at the Guyana national stadium, Providence. Jamaica with 4 wins from 4 matches are atop of the points table with 48 along with the Windward Islands, while Guyana who lost three out of their five matches so far are in fifth place with 18 points gained from one win and a draw. Despite boasting a number of talented players the host batting has been inconsistent throughout the competition, with a number of players unable to capitalise after getting good starts, thus giving the bowlers below par scores to defend. The opening position is certainly a cause for concern. Rajendra Chandrika whose shot selection left much to be desired can count himself lucky to be retained for this game and along with Assad Fudadin who is once again expected to open the batting, must give Guyana a good start and take the pressure of the middle order. Leon Johnson, Narsingh Deonarine, Chanderpaul Hemraj and Stephen Jacobs would have to bat for long periods if Guyana are to post challenging totals. Ronsford Beaton who is no doubt one of the most exiting young fast bowlers in the region leads the Guyanese bowling attack; however it will be interesting to see if the selectors go with Paul Wintz ahead of Keon Joseph, who is genuinely quick, in the final eleven.
Veerasammy Permaul Devendra Bishoo and skipper Veerasammy Permaul will take care of the spin department with support from Deonarine and Jacobs. Wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble is also capable with the bat but needs to control his nerves and focus more behind the stumps. Zaheer Mohamed deserves another chance after scoring a half century and performing creditably with the ball earlier in the tournament. Guyana will be with out the experience duo of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan, both players doing duties on the English county circuit. In an invited comment coach of the Guyana team Esau Crandon said he expects a victory in their last game of the season. “We are looking to end the season on a high, it’s an important game for us since no team were able to beat Jamaica so far. There are lots of positives to play for and individuals goals as well”, added Crandon.
Jamaica, the most dominant team so far in the competition will look to continue their winning streak. Xavier Marshall and Brenton Parchment are capable of posting a decent opening stand, but it be interesting to see how they handle the pace of Beaton and Joseph if selected. The battle however will be between the Guyanese spinners against the visitors’ middle order which includes Simon Jackson, Tamar Lambert, Dave Bernard Jnr, Jermin Blackwood and Danza Hyatt. Carlton Baugh who played an important role in Jamaica’s victory in the Super 50 last Sunday, is capable to bolster the lower order. Andrew Richardson and Sheldon Cotterell will share the new ball, while Odean Brown and Nikita Miller are fine spinners. An exiting contest is anticipated at the game starts at 10:00 am. Teams: Guyana; Rajendra Chandrika, Assad Fudadin, Leon Johnson, Narsingh Deonarine, Stephen Jacobs, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul (Capt.), Paul Wintz, Ronsford Beaton, Keon Joseph, Zaheer Mohamed, Devendra Bishoo and Chanderpaul Hemraj. Esau Crandon (coach) and Alvin Johnson (manager) Jamaica; Brenton Parchment, Xavier Marshall, Simon Jackson, Dave Bernard Jnr, Tamar Lambert, Jermin Blackwood, Nkrumah Bonner, Danza Hyatt, Nikita Miller, Carlton Baugh, Andrew Richardson, Sheldon Cotterell and Odean Brown. Junior Bennet (coach) and Donovan Senior (manager).
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday April 10, 2013
9yr-old outstanding as GKC holds first Quarter Grading Examinations for 2013 The Guyana Karate College (GKC) on Sunday March 30, 2013 held its first grading examinations for the year 2013 at its main dojo located at the Malteenoes Sports Club in Thomas Lands in Georgetown. The timing of the examinations coincided with the visit of 9th Degree Black Belt Shihan Frank Woon-aTai, who is visiting from Toronto, Canada where the headquarters of the world karate organization, the ‘International Karate
Daigaku’ that he heads is located. His visit to Guyana is on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of karate in Guyana. Seventy-two (72) students undertook their grading examinations on this occasion. Spearheading the list of Karatekas successfully promoted were 9 year old Hannah Farinha, of Marian Academy, Kerry Ramkumar of Timehri, Matthew Hurry, Antoine Herod and Bharat Jhiant all of whom achieved
Chanderpaul guides GYO to victory Tagenarine Chanderpaul stroked seven fours in an unbeaten 78 as Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) defeated Enmore in a feature limited over game played on Sunday at Enmore. The home team batted first and scored 151-8 off their allotted overs with B. Ramlakhan and R. Hiralall scoring 29 each, and Sheik Mohamed supported with 20; Chanderpaul snared3-15. GYO then responded with 153-5 in 31 overs with Chanderpaul leading the way. Ricky Hoyte chipped in with 25 and Wazeer Mohamed 24. N. Ganesh grabbed 3 wickets for Enmore. GYO received a trophy, compliments of Tiger Sport.
Successful Karatekas at the end of the Grading Examinations the rank of Shodan, or more commonly known as first degree Black Belt. Following them from second kyu to first kyu (Brown Belt) were Khalid Adams of Marian Academy, Zane Low, Ashley Seelall and Kenrick Cheeks. Stefon Smith was outstanding and the only person to have skipped from
7kyu (Orange Belt) to 5 kyu (Blue Belt). Promoted from third kyu (Brown Belt) to second kyu (Brown Belt) were Rachael Ramlall, Rebecca Ramlall, Mickelly Rahaman, Zackary Persaud, Rajiv Lee, Ahren Singh all of Marian Academy and Arvin Seelall and Brad Reynolds.
A number of Karatekas of the GKC are still to be graded as several of them are currently out of the jurisdiction of Guyana engaged in Easter Holiday travel, or otherwise engaged in the remote areas of the country. Arrangements are being put in place to make possible the undertaking of
their grading examinations. After leaving Guyana, Master Frank Woon-a-Tai will be moving on to other Caribbean destinations under the purview of the International Karate Daigaku including Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.
Wednesday April 10, 2013
Kaieteur News
LABA holds team briefing to launch Linden Secondary Schools U-19 championships today The Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) will this afternoon launch the 9th Annual Linden Secondary Schools Under-19 basketball championships with a team briefing for the six participating schools. The briefing will take place at 4:00pm at the Macaw Boardroom in the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) building, formerly known as the LEAP. The main aim for this afternoon’s session is to apprise the competing schools; Linden Technical Institute who are the defending champions, Mackenzie High, Linden Foundation secondary, New Silvercity Secondary, Wisburg Secondary and Christianburg Wismar Secondary Schools about the expectations of each contesting schools. The competition rules and the fixtures for the tournament which bounces off on Monday will be distributed also.
The tournament will run for ten days and the opening day Monday will see the six schools involved in a March Past and at the official opening where one game is scheduled to be played in what will be an initial round robin format before the top four schools advance to the semifinals and then the final on May 1 at the MSC Hard Court. Schools are asked to send their coaches or team managers and at least one student to this briefing. The LABA, who will this year stage the championship, formerly organized by the Victory Valley Royals basketball club, has appealed for assistance from local sponsors to come on board as they have already secured sponsorship for the trophies and medals from sponsors in the United States of America. Players must be born after December 31, 1994 to be eligible to participate in this championship.
GCA\Hadi’s World Incorporated-City Mall 1st Division (2-day) tourney
Police arrest GDF Police Sports Club defeated the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) by an innings and 125 runs in the lone fixture of the Georgetown Cricket Association\Hadi’s World Incorporated 1st Division 2 day competition played last weekend. GDF won the toss and elected to bat, and were skittled for 91 in 28.5 overs. Off spinner Jason Heyliger grabbed 3-28 while Latchman Persaud took 3-30. Police then rattled up 350/
9 declared in 79 overs. Essequibian Rayon Fredericks led with 76, while Shameer Fazal chipped in with 60, and Vishal Jaigobin made 58 not out. Pacer Trevon Garraway was GDF’s most successful bowler with 3 for 88, while J. Jones took 3-38. Trailing by 259 runs, GDF scored 134 all out in 40.5 overs, batting a second time. Garraway returned to hit an unbeaten 64; Ryan Rajmangal claimed 2-2, Vishal Jaigobin 2-29 and Randolph Reynolds 2-39.
Berbice Board selects Elite squad for U-19 training camp In preparation for the imminent Inter County Under19 tournament, the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) has announced the names of a 30man Elite squad for training which includes national Under-19 Captain Shawn Perreira, Gudakesh MotiKanhai, Romario Shepherd and Shimron Hetemeyer who all played for Guyana last year. The full squad reads: Shimron Hetemeyer, Quacy McPherson, Leon Andrews, Nick Ramsaroop, Avishkar Sewkarran, Parmanand Narine, Sharaz Ramcharran, Devin Baldeo, Arif Chan, Martin Singh, Karamchand Ramnarine, Ashkay Homraj,
Hakeem Hinds, Shailendra Shameer, Derek Narine, David Latchaya, Parmanand Ramdhan, Shawn Perreira, Kevon Jawahir, Avinash Wajid, Gudakesh MotiKanhai, Suresh Dhanai, Romario Shepherd, Grisean Grant, Nial Smith, Kamesh Sugrim, Brandon Persaud, Daniel Lewis, Kareem Mentore and Darius Nedd. Training would commence today, Wednesday April 10 under the supervision of Senior Coach Julian Moore. The GCB Inter County Under-19 3-day and One Day tournaments are expected to bowl off on April 24.
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Police reward outstanding athletes - Boyce, Hutson share podium
Deputy Superintendent of Police and Police Sports Officer, Colin Boyce (sitting, right) and AAG President, Aubrey Hutson (sitting, left) join the various awardees at the Police Progressive Sports Club Annual Awards for a photo opportunity. The Police Progressive Sports Club continued its tradition of rewarding outstanding athletes last Friday night when it held its Annual Awards Ceremony, reminiscing on what was described as a dominant year for them in local athletics. President of the Club, Pauline Massay, deemed last year ’s performances “something to be proud of” while highlighting the 2012 achievements of the Club. The Award Ceremony was held at the upper hall of the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary. Former Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) President, Deputy Superintendent of Police and
Police Sport Officer, Colin Boyce delivered the featured address for acting Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell, who was scheduled to give the featured address. Boyce negated the assumption that becoming a Police Officer is a prerequisite for being part of the Police Progressive Sports Club and challenged the AAG on its Awards criteria, which Boyce believes did not accurately represent the achievements of his athletes. “Once you are a part of the Club you don’t have to be in the Force even though there will always be opportunities in the Force because you get to earn a
living and train, but it is not mandatory to join the Force,” Boyce stated in the address he presented. “I do not know which process they used for the AAG Awards, but I wonder how Alika Morgan was picked over Natasha Alder,” Boyce questioned, adding that the AAG officials needed to be reminded that the AAG sanctions the Police Games and Inter-Services Athletics Championships (ISAC) at which Alder was outstanding last year. He alluded to the perception that the AAG officials may have overlooked Alder because of her performances at those
competitions, which the AAG does not administrate. However, by virtue of AAG sanctioning the meets, the performances should have been considered, Boyce argued at Awards Ceremony. President of the AAG, Aubrey Hutson said in a brief remark that his relationship with Boyce is good. He thanked Boyce for his service, stating that those CARIFTA Games performances are testament to the fact that athletics was on its way up. “First I must say that Boyce needs to be congratulated for the hand he had in the 2013 CARIFTA team. Despite what has been (Continued on page 37)