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Marriott, CJIA projects should be halted- AFC, APNU Pg. 10
- US$130M loan one that country can ill-afford at this time Restoration at last
Schoolboy alleges sexual abuse by policeman Pg. 3
Esteemed Psychiatrist Dr. Frank Beckles is a 'Special Pg. Person' 18
This bus stop at Craig, E.B.D. has been finally restored by the Craig/Caledonia NDC to look like this.
Pg. 17
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Sunday April 22, 2012
A police Lance Corporal is now under close arrest following allegations from a 13-year old boy that he was sodomised twice within two days. The schoolboy was found yesterday in the Cop’s East Coast Demerara house by ranks attached to the Cove and John Police Station after they received word that the boy had been held there for two days. The policeman has denied the allegation which is being vigorously investigated.
Kaieteur News
This new revelation of sexual abuse plunges the police force further into crisis, following the much publicised rape scandal that forced Henry Greene out of the office of Commissioner of Police. Kaieteur News understands that the schoolboy, who attends a secondary school on the East Coast of Demerara, had previously been arrested for wandering in the Vigilance district when the policeman was stationed there. The two of them struck up
a relationship after the lad was placed before the court and sent away on $10,000 bail. According to a source, since then the Cop reportedly would contact the teenager via telephone. On Thursday last the teen got into minor trouble at his school and fearing that he would be scolded by his grandmother with whom he lives, sought refuge at the home of the policeman. The policeman who lives alone willingly obliged. The teenager told police
that his first sexual encounter with the policeman occurred at 01:00 hour on Friday and this was allegedly repeated yesterday around 05:00 hours. Police sources said that they received word that the teenager was locked in the house and hurried there to rescue him. The boy was found there in his school uniform. The policeman was contacted and told of the allegation while the youth was taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital for a medical examination.
Teen in Black Friday collision to undergo surgery to repair face Eighteen -year- old Brandon Dickson, who was hospitalized after a vehicular accident caused him serious injuries, was yesterday discharged from the hospital. The teen is however expected to undergo surgery to reshape his face. Dickson of Lot 105 North Ruimveldt and his 22-yearold friend Christopher Rogers of 192 West Ruimveldt were tossed some distance away from the point of impact after they collided with a Carina on the night of Black Friday, a little more than a week ago. The teen who was the pillion rider at the time, was travelling with his friend on Broad and Lyng Street around 21:00 hours when the
accident occurred. According to eyewitnesses, the boys were coming out of Lyng Street, about to cross Broad Street when they clipped the rear of the car, causing it to swerve and end up in a nearby trench. The boys on the other hand were hurled into the air. They smashed into a wall and then fell to the ground. The teens were both taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital. Rogers was
treated for a broken shoulder and a broken leg. He was released from hospital a few days later. Brandon however suffered major injuries to the face. He was placed in the High Dependency Unit (HDU) for at least five days. He was then released into the male surgical ward. It is believed that when the Dickson smashed into the wall he went face first. Because of this, at least three of the teen’s molars were
knocked out of his mouth. When the teeth were retrieved from the accident scene, they were still embedded in the gum. Signs of the accident were still obvious. A facial imprint was left in the mud where Dickson landed. Half of his face had sunk into the ground. As a result, Dickson’s jaw was broken as well as his nose. Doctors had to cut a hole through the teen’s throat (Continued on page 51)
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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210
Editorial
CRUNCH TIME
Unquestionably we are witnessing a new dispensation in Guyanese politics. In fact we might be very well witnessing a new definition of politics in our land. The elections delivered us with the executive controlled by one party and the legislature controlled by the other two that managed to secure seats – the APNU and AFC. That fact alone intimated - since the several small, micro parties had disappeared – that there was a shakeout in the political landscape. It would appear as is the shakeout continues. The arena this time is not the hustings but the normally more staid chambers of Parliament Buildings. In the first engagement, there appeared to be a modus vivendi struck between the two opposition parties and they secured the Speaker and his deputy for their ‘side’. The next salvo became a stalemate as the government resorted to the courts to test the opposition’s premise on the composition of Committees. And finally came the budget. This, now, was what politics was supposedly all about: who gets what, when and how. And here we began to see some cracks in the Opposition’s facade. Before the elections and even after, the opposition announced that they were convinced there was tremendous ‘waste’ in governmental spending – summarised in the annual budget. They vowed to excise these and spread the savings to other more ‘worthwhile’ programmes. So far; so good. But when the first three Ministries came up before the Assembly – now dubbed the Committee of Supply –the AFC demanded cuts that guaranteed that hundreds of workers – albeit contract workers - would have to be purged, APNU blinked. These workers, after all were part of APNU’s “traditional” constituency. Good old fashioned politics triumphed and the AFC was irked to say the least. The table had been turned on that party; it was presented as ‘Scrooge” – not a desired appellation for the modern politician. Then the government announced that the long term electricity subsidy for Linden would gradually be phased out. Linden represents an interesting political conundrum in Guyana. Named after Burnham, it still became a hotbed of WPA activism in the 1970s. The PNC later crippled the town after it brought in a foreign operator WISROC that reduced in 1990 the already depleted workforce from 3000 to 1400. When the PPP was returned to office in 1992, it tried valiantly to woo Lindeners: in addition to the electricity subsidy, there was water distribution, a new hospital, taking over US$30 million of the bauxite debt to make privatisation possible etc. Against this background, it was not unreasonable to assume that the government felt that it was time to reduce the subsidy – in a phased manner. The perennially cash-strapped GPL in the same budget was being propped up with an injection of $6 billion – which would stave off an imminent increase in tariffs (presently at $64/kilowatt/hr) - but at least all consumers would benefit. It would not be fair, they argued for Linden to continue paying $5-7 per Kw/hr. In negotiations with the government, APNU evidently agreed – but only after demanding and receiving several concessions from the government. Again good old fashioned politics operating – especially since some of the concessions concerned Linden. The AFC however, did not agree. It is not clear at this point as to why they had not attended the opposition’s negotiation session with the government but immediately denounced the agreement as a ‘sell out’ by APNU. It had already castigated the proposal when first floated by the government as a ‘spiteful’ move. Reacting to outrage in the community where it had received solid support, APNU furiously back-pedalled from their earlier commitment. We believe that the new politics - where parties are only reacting to their constituency’s parochial views - does not bode well for our country’s future. One cannot blame communities for seeking to protect their own interests. But it is the task of responsible politicians to look at the overarching national interests and to strike a reasonable balance. Politicians making hay at this time may see it all go up in flames – along with the country.
Sunday April 22, 2012
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We senior police officers reject Rohee’s ‘ass-kicking’ statement DEAR EDITOR, We wish to record our distaste and outright rejection of the public utterances by the Minister of Home Affairs that he will be kicking ass at the community policing workshop on Sunday April 15, instant. It may be that the free and easy ride that the minister has enjoyed after dealing with some spineless officers at the highest levels has made him delusional so much so that he appears to believe that his own puerile prattle playing to a gallery. We have noted the indecent haste with which he interposed himself in the Ramnarine affair and it is to our regret that we are forced to remember that when they came for Ramnarine we said
nothing, but please don’t let Mr. Rohee believe that he will come for any other and no one will say anything. We noted the lethargy that characterized the minister’s approach to our now former unlamented head and his refusal to pronounce his loss of confidence on someone who had placed the image of the GPF in grave jeopardy. We observed the silence which surrounded the Simon Mc Bean affair under the illadvised stewardship of Henry Greene and we note Rohee’s statements that retired assistant commissioners have skills which are needed. What nonsense! Does that man even listen to himself? All that qualifies
one to be retained postretirement is a pliant nature and the ability to keep a low profile with the occasional posterior brown nosing that some of us are not comfortable doing. Rohee’s habit of summoning officers to his office must stop. Again Ramanarine was right about the intrusive nature of politicians which in our view has been facilitated by weak officers at the highest levels. The man is unbelievably delusional if he really expected Greene to return to that office and get the level of respect usually granted to its holder. We can only surmise that Rohee’s intemperate outburst may be symptomatic of a latent hatred for all things
which remind him of authority as reposed in the GPF and its members. This emotion is likely to be reflected in a desire to humiliate and destroy. Why else would someone of such influence remain silent in the midst of the Greene saga except for foolish utterances, if not to give citizens a readymade whipping boy in the GPF. We fear that such an attitude which is probably a carry-over from his past does not augur well for a good professional relationship. When your attempts at brow beating fail what do you intend next Rohee? Signed 11 Senior Police Officers Guyana Police Force
Sunday April 22, 2012
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Contract workers become political stooges to survive the life term of their contracts DEAR EDITOR, The politically appointed squadron of contract workers has rendered re-organisation of the public service in Guyana ineffective as these contract workers serve at the pleasure of their respective ministers not necessarily in the interest of the state as their security of tenure is nonexistent. The PPP is increasingly replacing civil servants with contract workers and such a system compromises the institutional capacity of the state as core competencies are not being developed for the long term. This is a revolving door strategy that has destroyed the public service. It is this type of public service that procures for the
government some 100 contract workers on the protest line for their political masters during the 2012 budget debate. Prominent among the protestors was Guyana’s chief diplomat Elizabeth Harper, Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. One is no longer at a loss as to why Guyana is where it is with its diplomatic relations. The reason for this protest is at best questionable when it was the AFC that advocated for a 20 percent wage increase for the workers, while the PPP government only offered 8 percent in 2011. The AFC has committed to advocating for a cadre of qualified and experienced workers in the public service
and putting an end to this political machinery of contract workers that the PPP government is exploiting. This leaves room for highly skilled technocrats to be engaged in contracts because of their niche skill-sets while the drivers and accounts clerks on contract can secure permanent jobs within the establishment as public servants at a living wage. If one is to look at the table below carefully, a contract worker is rendered into a political stooge of the Minister if that person wants to survive the life of their contract, while a public servant has the ability to have security of tenure and independence from political instruction
Public Servant vs. Contracted Employee
It is clearly a case of “champagne socialism” at its best in Guyana, with the PPP interested only in the uses of the working class but not in the working class itself. The action by the Public Service Ministry to hire some 6,000 contract workers is an abuse of the letter and spirit of what contract employment ought to be in the State sector. Public servants do not have to accept “crumbs” from the PPP “prince-lings” who continue to rape the treasury for their multi-million dollar mansions and luxury assets,
a dichotomy singled out by Mrs. Nadira Jagan, daughter of the founders of the party to the ire of the PPP cabal. The PPP has skillfully contrived to mask their surgical deflowering of the public service as they prepare to devour it. The said PPP told public servants that the government can ill afford higher wages as they rolled out an annual menu of 5 percent wage increases. Yet, this said PPP government in the last 10 years has found a treasure pot to pay for all the pet “fetishes”
of the political elite such as the billions of dollars in travel expenses for former President Jagdeo on his “air miles to nowhere” and to pay for its foolish economic blunderings such as the production retardation at the Skeldon Factory, saddling the taxpayers with a price tag of Continued on page 6
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Kaieteur M@ilbox One or all of the State-owned pools must be open the public DEAR EDITOR, I refer to an article in the Stabroek News of Saturday, April 21, 2012 in which the Minister of Sports told the press that as far as he knows the Colgrain Swimming Pool is open to the public. He knows full well that none of the three State owned swimming facilities are accessible to the general public. The emphasis is on the word “general.” It is downright deliberate deception for any Government Minister to say that these pools are available to the public to swim. Here are the facts. Colgrain – only members of swimming clubs. Castellani – only invited guests and those given permission by Office of the President. Aquatic Centre – for competitive swimmers only and invited guests. I live near the Aquatic Centre and I see that the favoured ones make use of it after sundown. The elites have Castellani pool now they have moved into the Aquatic Centre. I have to pass that place daily and you should see how the elites enjoy themselves in the night. No one has mentioned that the Ministry of Sports built a gym with public money inside the National Service Sports Club on Carifesta Avenue. Only the privileged few can use it. I go on the seawall every afternoon and that gym is always closed. It is used
when the kings and queens of Guyana feel the need to exercise. It is a total shame that APNU abstained in cutting the estimates for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports. What needs to be said is that the political kings and queens also swim at two private pools at Pradovile number one. None of the three State owned structures has a walk-in privilege the way the National Park, the Botanic Gardens, the Promenade Gardens, etc do. Why do I have to join a swimming club to attend Colgrain? Why should someone spend money to join a club when all they want to do on a hot day after a torrid day’s work is just walk into one of these facilities and have a swim as it was with the Luckhoo structure in the seventies? When a group of us (Malcolm Harrypaul, Mark Benschop, David Patterson, Gerhard Ramsaroop and Michael Carrington) protested the private operations of these pools our point was unambiguous – make all three into a walk in place but on different days. So from Monday to Wednesday it is Colgrain. From Thursday to Friday it is Castellani. From Saturday to
Sunday, the Aquatic Centre. Alternatively, allocate one of them to function like the Luckhoo pool. We reject outright the edict that the public should not access these structures openly. You can charge a fee to support maintenance but one or all of these pools must have a walk-in privilege because they are owned by the State which acts on behalf of the Guyanese people I don’t have to join a gym to exercise in the National Park. I don’t have to belong to a Botanic Society to play with the animals in the zoo. Why must I join a club to enjoy Colgrain. I am informing the Minister that there will be police involvement in this matter because all six of us plan to arrive at one of these three waterways and just jump in and swim and will refuse to be ejected. Let them call in the police. That is our dedicated intention. While we are doing this, APNU which has not pronounced on the issue can join us for a swim. It may clear the heads of the leadership when they go up to Linden to persuade the people there about their role in the electricity affair Frederick Kissoon
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Kaieteur M@ilbox There will be no progress on this front unless there is a shift to more revolutionary means of intervention DEAR EDITOR, The recent demonstrations over matters of public policy reminded me of a poignant passage of scripture written in the book of Mathew; “these brothers of mine; you did this to me Matthew 25-34-35. There is an endless stream of individuals who pontificate in the letter writing columns and s o m e i n t h e i r o w n columns and in the Blogosphere on the plight of the poor in Guyana; especially the plight of the Afro –Guyanese who have been subjected to second class citizenship in their own land. What I find interesting is that most of the participants in this debate are from the intellectual class, and even though many of them do great service by sensitizing the rest of us to the issues of the day their efforts fail to move the bar, and at day’s end nothing substantial is achieved in the fight for racial equality and human dignity. Having studied several models, I am convinced that there will be no progress on this front unless there is a radical move away from empty platitudes and a shift to more
revolutionary and direct means of intervention. The African Guyanese who are suffering due to the PPPC regime’s failed education system or lack of equal access to opportunities (Jobs, capital etc) don’t need rhetoric. These people need to first and foremost be organized. What is needed in Guyana is family focused community building and neighbourhood organizing campaigns. If these oppressed groups remain unorganized and underserved, then no amount of picketing and letters to the Editors will alleviate their conditions. By organizing, residents can learn to build communities from within and to own and guide the community development process. Furthermore, with an organizing capacity building component, the community can build the desperately needed political will and muscle to change policies that impede the progress of their communities or discriminate against them. Empowerment must begin from within. The oppressed need to develop a new awareness of themselves as individuals, but also as people in a
Contract workers become... From page 5 $40 billion dollars. It has also over the years found monies to pay its unqualified political favourites in sinecure super salaried appointments of $700,000 and $800,000 per month plus fringe benefits. It also found $10,000 to $15,000 US dollar per month tax free for nepotistic appointments for loyal expatriates who further the political cause of the government. The Guyanese people are not dense. They are furious and are anxious to be rescued from this squanderous cabal. So what we are observing from the PPP today on the streets is more fear mongering and pure political pomposity; their obvious forte. Sasenarine Singh
community context, who individually and collectively set and achieve goals. Women must be empowered and trained to lead these community groups. Mothers must be taught how to be good parents, then how to be good community leaders and organizers. Community leaders should be recruited from the ranks of the oppressed. Talk is cheap and writing about a subject highlights it to those who could read, but does nothing for the man who cannot even afford to buy a newspaper. Mr. Editor our brothers and sisters who are suffering don’t need letters and beautifully written columns; they don’t need pickets, lectures and forums where great orators preside. They need to be organized at the grass-root level. They need to be given the tools, and taught how to lead and bring their communities together to agitate for the change that is needed. They need to understand that with a superior level of organization they can be a potent political force, and they can then agitate successfully for the change that is needed. Mr. Editor someone once told me; being poor is relying on people who don’t give a damn about you; being poor is people being surprised that you are not stupid; being poor is people being surprised that you are not lazy; being poor is having to live with choices you did not know you made when you were 14 years old. They don’t need words they need action; they need to be organized! Mark Archer
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Why are we not developing our tourism ‘gold mine?’
DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me once more to give a brief evaluation (from my own perspective) on the recently held Conference on Sustainable Tourism. As one who had the privilege of interacting with the numerous foreign reporters and travel writers present, I thought it would be good to show another face on how the conference was perceived and accepted by others. Therefore I’ll use the instances as was told to me by the journalists, so we can have a balance on how they felt. 1. Trip up the Essequibo sponsored by Mr. Brian Tiwari to Forts Island and Zeelandia, and The Teperu Falls and Quarry. The writers felt that the trip was an excellent opportunity to see Guyana on another level. The food at the quarry was super. However, the boat ride which is lengthy in general added to some tiredness since the group had to be back in Georgetown by a particular time to attend the opening of the conference. They wanted to spend more time exploring the Old Dutch Forts. However, since some arrived the very same day, the departure time had to be pushed back, which added to the small time window for the visit as their departure time was pushed back to late in the morning. 2. Conference Opening Ceremonies The pomp and pageantry at the opening lent to the usual grand style that is a regular feature at such conferences. The parade of flags by the Guyana Defense Force was superb, except for the absence of the many hoteliers who run businesses
in Guyana. More invitations should have been extended for persons to attend the opening ceremony. 3. Feature Addresses The Prime Minister did an excellent job in his delivery of the feature address. The message from former President Jagdeo was also a welcome feature. However, it was felt that since schools were re- opened that day, maybe some senior formers and possibly industry study students from the University of Guyana should have been invited. 4. General Sessions The general sessions were well conceptualized and to the point. The absence of hotel operators was again very much evident. The opinion of some was that the conference attendance fees were a little too steep for such persons. We must remember however, that every participating journalist or travel writer is invited to cover the conference, and therefore their travel, accommodations and boarding are the responsibility of the host country. These funds are usually added to the fees for hosting the conference. This is the reason there are always fees to attend these conferences. We can’t pay for the coverage we earn through the travel writers and journalists. In general the conference was well organized except for a few minor glitches. The fact that the President had returned in time to host a reception in their honor was also a welcome event. Again even with the good ambiance of State House and its well manicured grounds, some were a little disappointed that they had to live with fruit juice and rum punch. They really wanted to put some licks in our world rated liquors. After the event, most of them had to settle for a wash-down at various spots in town, which provided the owner/
operators some sales and allowed the foreigners to dump some dollars in our economy. President Ramotaur’s interaction with the journalists in the stately living area of the Presidential Home was also seen as accommodating and personal. The journalists did welcome such an opportunity. Minister Irfan Ally was seen as very visionary on the subject of the industry’s future, except that they wished the conference was held at a time when parliament was not in session and his attendance would not have been interrupted. However, with the news that the tourism budget being left as it was presented, all of the writers felt that Guyana will enjoy the best of their writings and complements. Finally Editor, the sightseeing trips to various points in our country took the cake. All of our visitors were impressed in every aspect. The big question however, was why we are sitting on such a large gold mine and not developing it. Don Bobb from United Nation’s Radio in New York questioned why he was unable to purchase a post card or memorabilia from the Kaiteur Falls visitor center. Irwin Claire from Jamaica asked when Guyana will position itself for the world to see this unique destination. In answer to the many questions, I re-iterated the President’s statements that Guyana will be represented at the Caribbean Week festivities in New York in June, as well as a tourism confab he will host for business persons and Guyanese in the Diaspora, while he attends the UN General Assembly in September. Kudos was also given to Minister Ally who was able to sneak out of parliament on the closing night to come and say farewell to the visitors and special invitees. All in all Editor, we had a great conference, and our respective sustainable locations won us three of the four top prizes for efforts to remain within the confines of sustainable tourism development. We must act now and start the process of creating awareness and promoting Guyana to the world. Except for some minor glitches, Guyana you did us proud and well. It’s Trinidad & Tobago’s turn next to host STC-14. Bobby Vieira
Sunday April 22, 2012
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Kaieteur M@ilbox China and North Korea hold highest-level talks since rocket BEIJING (Reuters) - China and North Korea yesterday held their highest-level talks since Pyongyang staged a rocket launch that drew international censure, and they exchanged views about the tense Korean peninsula, according to an official Chinese news report. Wang Jiarui, the head of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s International Department, met Kim Yong-il, the Korean Workers’ Party director of international affairs, for “strategic” talks between the two ruling parties, the Xinhua news agency reported. “Both sides thoroughly exchanged views on developing exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese and North Korean parties, on developments on the Korean peninsula, and on other international and regional issues of common concern,” said the report which did not mention the recent failed rocket launch. China conducts many of its high-level
contacts with North Korea through party channels, rather than traditional diplomatic ones. This meeting was the most high-level between them since Pyongyang defied international pressure and pushed ahead with a rocket launch on April 13, which it said aimed to put a weather satellite into orbit. Critics said the launch was intended to enhance North Korea’s capacity to design a ballistic missile that could deliver a nuclear warhead capable of hitting continental United States. But the rocket quickly fizzled out and crashed into the sea. China has fended off calls for harsher pressure on North Korea, its neighbor and long-time ally that it sees as a strategic buffer against U.S. power. But Beijing joined other powers in backing a United Nations Security Council statement condemning the North’s rocket launch and warning Pyongyang of consequences if it carries out another launch or nuclear test.
UN authorises full Syria monitor mission
The United Nations voted yesterday to send 300 unarmed ceasefire observers to Syria, but the United States warned it may veto a new mandate for the force because its patience was “exhausted.” In the restive Syrian province of Homs, the first dispatch of UN observers arrived to monitor a shaky ceasefire, as two civilians were said to be among at least 11 people killed across the country, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Under UN Resolution 2043, the military observers will be sent for an initial period of 90 days if UN leader Ban Ki-moon determines it is safe for them to go. Sporadic clashes between government troops
and army deserters have rocked Damascus in recent weeks, ahead of the shaky ceasefire between the government and rebels that went into effect on April 12. Monitors say more than 200 people have been killed in Syria since then. Russia’s UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, whose country played a leading role in drawing up the resolution, told the UN Security Council that the measure was of “fundamental importance to push forward the process of the peaceful settlement in Syria.” The United States, however, warned it may prevent the renewal of the mission after the first three months, while urging greater international pressure on the government of President
Bashar al-Assad. Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the United Nations, told AFP that Ban must make a “careful judgment” about conditions in Syria before sending the larger contingent of unarmed monitors there. (AFP)
WA S H I N G T O N (Reuters) - Europe was pressed by other world powers yesterday to take strong measures to fix its debt-heavy economy and restore growth to a level that would lift the cloud hanging over the fragile global recovery. A day after top economies agreed to lend more money to the International Monetary Fund to help contain Europe’s debt crisis, the IMF’s governing panel said the euro area must cut government debt burdens, make bold economic reforms and stabilize its financial systems to restore growth. Debt problems will resurface unless these steps
are taken, the head of the IMF’s governing panel, Singapore Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, warned. “What was really critical in all our minds was to get back to normal growth over the medium term and preferably sooner rather than later, in other words within two to three years,” he told a news conference. “If we don’t get back to normal growth, if we don’t get GDP back to its potential levels, than fiscal sustainability is not p o s s i b l e e i t h e r, ” h e warned. In its policy statement the IMF panel warned against overly harsh budget cuts that could have negative
consequences. “In advanced economies further actions are needed in many countries to achieve credible fiscal consolidation and government debt reduction, while avoiding excessively contractionary fiscal policies,” it said. The United States also piled on pressure. “The success of the next phase of the crisis response will hinge on Europe’s willingness and ability, together with the European Central Bank to apply its tools ... flexibly and aggressively to support countries as they implement reforms,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told the IMF’s steering committee.
Ban Ki-moon
IMF presses Europe to contain debt crisis
There is no way a majority of those election absentees were PNC supporters DEAR EDITOR, I liked the essence of Kissoon’s analysis in his article titled “Scotland in the UK; Georgetown in Guyana” (KN, April 12, 2012). Kissoon got a lot of his analysis right. However, he was completely wrong when he stated “...the PNC could have clinched victory if 130,000 registrants did not stay away... My point on this page, months before the election campaign began, was that a majority of those no-show registrants would be PNC supporters.” Absolute hogwash from Kissoon. There is no way a majority of those election absentees were PNC supporters. If that 130,000 is reduced by 10 percent for migration, we have 117,000 absentees. Kissoon is engaging some serious delusions of grandeur when he claims that at least 58,500 of those absentees were PNC supporters. A review of historical demographics rejects Kissoon’s contention. The African population which is the PNC’s bread and butter support and which accounts for at least 90 percent of its total vote in every election since 1992 has been stagnant since 1980. Past electoral results for the PNC also repudiate K i s s o o n ’s t h e o r y. T h e PNC’s highest ever vote tally is 165,866 in 2001 when 91.71 percent of the electorate voted. 2001 represents the absolute peak of PNC’s electoral performance in Guyana’s
history. The tragedy of that 165,866 votes is that it was never enough to win a plurality or majority of the vote. It was never good enough to win a single election. Even if we transpose those 165,866 votes to election night of November 28, 2011 when the PPP delivered its worst ever electoral performance, the PNC/APNU still comes in second. That 165,866 votes cannot even win a majority in 2006 when Guyana experienced its lowest turnout ever. The problem for the PNC, like the PPP, is not just a matter of turnout. It is a matter of demographics. The African and Indian populations are declining while the Mixed and Amerindian populations are growing. The latter groups are not voting for race parties and are not voting period. So are some traditional PNC and PPP supporters too. Also, the PPP always gets a higher percentage of the Mixed and Amerindian support compared to the PNC/APNU. The PNC is a party that relies almost singlehandedly on its African base for its voting support. That formula cannot win an election, ever. The factors above confirm why APNU/PNC cannot ever win power. It is a stark reality Africans in Guyana have to face. The only way APNU/PNC became part of an opposition majority in Parliament was because the AFC managed to secure
former PPP supporters to its side. APNU got lucky in the 2011 election because a split in the Indian vote and t h e A F C ’s a b i l i t y t o capture some of the PPP’s Mixed and Amerindian support reduced the PPP’s ability to win a majority. Kissoon is right that some Africans have walked away from the PNC because of this dilemma of the PNC/ APNU always coming second. Despite the PNC/APNU recapturing its base in 2011 in a highly energized turnout of PNC supporters, APNU/PNC still came up 26,000 votes short of the PPP which had its worst electoral performance. I strongly believe PNC supporters will have to make a major personal political decision at some point. They have to determine whether supporting a party (APNU/PNC) that surrendered its greatest advantage in having a combined opposition acting together in battle against a strong political foe (PPP) is really deserving of their support. The bottom line here is that Africans have to take a long and hard look at this bleak future of political wilderness facing them with the PNC/APNU. M. Maxwell
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Sunday April 22, 2012
Dharm Shala celebrates 91 years of existence CARICOM nationals Dharm Shala, the longest The Dharm Shala existing humanitarian charity committing crimes in Guyana, and possibly the Caribbean, yesterday On checking her luggage, in T&T celebrated its 91st they found a silver-wrapped
anniversary. The occasion was marked by a thanksgiving ceremony held at the Saint Francis of Assisi Church, opposite the Dharm Shala located at 140 King Edward and Sussex Streets, Albouystown. It was graced by the presence of many wellwishers, including Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, and radio and television personality, Ron Robinson. Soothing musical renditions were offered by pianist, Mrs. Marilyn Dewar, and Mr. David Dewar. The charity was founded in 1921 by the late Pandit Ramsaroop Maraj, who was so moved by the plight of the destitute in and around his area, that he gave up his trade as a jeweler and devoted his life to helping the needy. He was born on November 3, 1889 at Friendship,Wakenaam, on the Essequibo River and was the younger of two brothers. This “Home of Benevolence for all Races” has been serving the less fortunate in our society for precisely 91 years now. His life’s work was accomplished via the medium of the Hindu Religious Society, which was also
founded by him, and which in turn set up and managed the Dharm Shala, or the Home of Benevolence for All Races. The Pandit’s main focus was to have the organization focus on housing the poor and providing religious, medical and educational facilities for them. But because of the unavailability of buildings and finances at the outset, the Dharm Shala started off less ambitiously with a soup kitchen. There was assistance from a few
businessmen and other Albouystown residents. The Dharm Shala was officially declared open in 1929 by Rev C F Andrews, who was an admirer of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1939 the same Christian chapel in which the service was conducted, was built, and in 1941, the Dharm Shala extended its service to Berbice, with a building of similar capacity to its Georgetown counterpart, a Hindu temple and a chapel. After the Pandit
developed health-related complications in October 1950 at the age of sixty, his work was continued by his son, Harry Saran Ramsaroop, who also gave up his thriving job, to serve the less fortunate in our society. Harry, who is now an old man, continues the work of the Institution. The Dharm Shala continues to grow, with the less fortunate now being housed in 11 different buildings across the country. Ron Robinson, during an address to the gathering, asked that persons come forward and assist in whatever little way they can, to aid the less fortunate.
Deputy Commissioner Mervyn Richardson said there has been an increase in CARICOM nationals entering the country to carry out criminal activity. Richardson was speaking at Friday’s daily news briefing at the Police Administration Building, Portof-Spain. This came on the heels of the arrest of a Jamaican national at the Piarco International Airport on Thursday night. The 39-yearold woman, from Montego Bay, Jamaica, was arrested and appeared before an Arima magistrate Friday. A report said around 7.40 pm, officers of the Organised Crime, Narcotics and Firearms Bureau searched the luggage of the woman, who arrived on board flight BW 415 from Jamaica.
package allegedly containing compressed plant-like material with a weight of 1,372.5 grammes with a street value of $20,000. “We are investigating the number of CARICOM citizens coming into the country with drugs,” Richardson said. “We have seen a marked increase since last August, and that is the extent that we have found a relation between us and Jamaica.” He said other agencies throughout the Caribbean are assisting, including Jamaican law enforcement. Asked about the problems with the 21st-century policing initiative, Richardson said: “Those complaints have not come to my ears. We have challenges and teething problems, but those problems are new to me.” (Trinidad Guardian)
Police investigating Cayman Islands Premier GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — The Governor of the Cayman Islands says Premier McKeeva Bush is the target of a second police investigation. Gov. Duncan Taylor made the announcement late Friday during a news conference with visiting British Overseas Territories Minister Henry Bellingham. Taylor did not elaborate
and referred all questions to police, saying they would likely not comment because the investigation is ongoing. Bush told Radio Cayman that he knows of no investigation against him and that he has done no wrong. Taylor last year told legislators that police were investigating Bush for alleged financial irregularities. No outcome of that investigation
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 9
Shadow Minister for Human Dem boys seh Services and Social Security Dem Waterfalls reporters BY VOLDA LAWRENCE Given the laying of the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 2011-2015 in this National Assembly in August 2011, one would have thought that Government’s agenda would have clearly embraced this document. The document states “Steadfast commitment to policy measures elaborated in this PRSP is likely to set free the country’s vast potential in human and natural resources.” Further, the document outlines the seven-pillaredstrategies around which these goals would be realized. Yet, the non-reference to this document in this 2012 Budget presentation is rather surprising. The reality is that the Finance Minister’s budget has little or no sound provision to fulfill those objectives. No mention has been made of three of the four pillars— Good Governance, improved social services including better provision of Safety nets, and special intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. The Finance Minister’s performance during the reading of the ‘Sectoral Performance’ section was hilarious. He broke out into a melodious crescendo and his body began to bounce in a dance like fashion as he sung of the 21 sectors outlined on pages 7-9 of the Budget where only three of those sectors experienced negative growth in 2011 while the remaining 19 sectors had growth ranging from two to 19%. No doubt, the men and women who worked to make
that possible must be congratulated for their sterling performance and A Partnership for National Unity so congratulates them. This 2012 budget can be likened to an inflated balloon for the 18% of Guyanese who fall within the Extreme poverty bracket and the 36% who fall within the Moderate poverty bracket. The Hon. Minister did not indicate how this growth would impact on the realization of the 7 pillaredstrategy. One would have expected the government to address in a comprehensive manner the seven-pillars set out for the Economic and Social Transformation of Guyana to at least remove the very real perception amongst Guyanese that the Government would have penalized those who did not vote for them or those who just did not vote. POVERTY Amongst our poor: working poor, single parents, elderly, powerless and disabled, there was hope that with the increased growth, which the Minister gleefully spoke about, there was the expectation that there would have been some new measures to address the way additional income was distributed; that the Government would have sought to reduce the high degree of inequality in the distribution of income, thereby setting Guyana on the way to attaining rapid reduction in the number of those persons living in poverty; but this expectation was short-lived. The Minister did not at any time during his presentation mention the
amount allocated in his estimates to address, tangibly, the inequalities which exist between the haves and have nots. Rather, a glance at page 15, Table 7 of volume one of the estimates, subscribes to the view that this budget is antipoor, anti-ordinary citizen, anti-vulnerable group; more than ever, it is one which only takes care of the boys. The Minister spoke of his Government’s commitment to invest in the Social Sector, but as the old adage states, ‘the taste of the pudding is in the eating’. The Minister should tell this nation, given all that he said, why the allocation for the Ministry of Labour Human Services and Social Security was reduced by $214.M, and more particularly, why the allocation to Social Services – Other Charges decreased by $210.4M as against the allocation for 2011? Is this the strategy to reduce or lessen the burden on those in the poverty bracket? THE ELDERLYAND PENSIONERS Family members, individuals, and public institutions must meet the challenge for survival of our Elderly each day. The longterm care that is necessary for these individuals more than ever in Guyana is regarded as a responsibility of the family, even as life expectancy continues to rise and greater demands are made. Having spoken of the six consecutive years of growth the Minister in addressing our most vulnerable groups, made three profound statements for which he deserves three awards.
Foreigner fined for verbally abusing Magistrate An American-based Guyanese, who directed a number of expletives at Providence Magistrate, Leslie Sobers, was fined $25,000 after pleading guilty to the charge of indecent language. The man was further charged for not complying with orders given to him by authorities. Glen Thomas, who verbally abused the Magistrate, was said to be residing in the United States. He appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Friday last and pleaded not guilty to the not complying with authorities matter. The prosecution was however not in receipt of the file since a mix up led to the file going to Providence Magistrate’s Court.
The defendant explained to the court that he was on vacation and he did not know that the man he abused was a Magistrate. He said that his outburst was as a result of an accident that almost occurred. Thomas however revealed that he never disobeyed any orders given by the police. He said that he was off loading some articles that had been shipped over for him when the police told him to make his way to the Brickdam Police Station which he said he did. The man was ordered to pay the fine while the prosecutor’s file was sent for in order to have the facts of the charge related. Attorney at law Mark Waldron intervened to offer some assistance on behalf of the defendant. He related that
the charge made out by the police was bad and the matter should be thrown out. It was initially found by the court that the failing to comply charge did not indicate whose orders the defendant had disobeyed. There was no name or identification in related to who gave the orders. It was however related to the lawyer that the charge could be amended since it was not a major omission and the prosecutor could easily retrieve her file and request the amendment of the charge where the authority’s identification would be included. Outside of the court, Thomas paid his fine and vowed to police officers that he was leaving on Saturday and that he would never return to Guyana.
Those are: •?$600. per month or rather $20. per day increase for the Elderly; •?$400. Per month or rather $13. Per day increase for the vulnerable; •?$10,000. on the tax threshold for persons working for $50,000 a month and below. It is now known that the pension to the elderly has been increased by $2,500 per month, to $10,000 per month. The Minister has proceeded without paying any heed to the shifts in age distribution in Guyana, given that those aged 65 and over have exceeded 10% of our population. The World Bank 2009 Report reveals that persons 60 years – 65 years or older have been steadily increasing during the past decade. Is the Minister unaware? When is he going to address this issue? Not many elderly persons in Guyana fall into the category of those who use their wealth and financial capability to head households. The majority of those who are found in this category would be spending their remaining days somewhere in North America. This therefore, leaves a large percentage of our Continued on page 14
frighten to get sick De people at de Waterfalls paper frighten to get sick because dem got to go to de Georgetown Public Hospital. And de reason that dem frighten is because dem buss de bag pun de hydroclave. When dem see de project and dem keep dem mouth shut was alright but dem talk and cause problem. Now even when dem go in de hospital fuh report dem got to duck and hide because dem frighten de guards might act on instructions that come from above fuh detain dem. What is worse is that if dem get sick dem might get a strange injection that might mek dem and all end up in de hydroclave. But de Waterfalls paper ain’t done checking pun all who disappear wid money. Dem got dem eye pun Bee Kay who tek on more contract than he can handle and who always getting penalize. Dem boys seh that all de government doing is talk because Bee Kay never pay one cent and nobody ain’t doing nutten. De GRA boss man call pun he fuh he taxes which is millions of dollars. Dem boys ain’t hear nutten more bout that. Is like if a big one call down and tell de GRA boss man to back off. Dem boys also got dem eyes pun Rob Bert. He is a fine one. When he was Minister of Agriculture he use to get nuff money from de budget. Dem boys ask he bout some project and just fuh tek shame out he eye he carry dem to de back dam. But he had a plan. As soon as dem reporter meet de back dam he tell he people fuh drive way and lef dem. And he was de one who promise to carry dem to visit all de project that he set up. He didn’t know that dem woulda see de cock wuk and that is wha get he vex. That is why Uncle Donald move he. But dem boys still got dem eye pun he. Dem watching to see if he gun tek out some of that money from when he was Agriculture Minister and buy property like de one who never had money but who got property all over de place and still got de nerve fuh sue because dem boys talk bout one. Talk half and watch out fuh more than half.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Marriott, CJIA projects should be halted - AFC, APNU
Not a priority…
Government’s intentions to spend more than US$170M on two major projects is not going down well with the Parliamentary Opposition parties. They say that the investments are not priorities to Guyana at this time. The two projects under fire are the proposed Marriott Hotel and the planned expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. With no immediate clear evidence that both projects even makes economic sense at this time, both the Alliance For Change (AFC) and A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) are now calling on government to rethink the investments. In the case of CJIA, Government has announced that it will be putting US$20M ($4B) of government funds while the remaining US$130 will be coming from a “soft loan”, via the Ex-Im Bank of China. Regarding the Marriott Hotel, Government says that it could be placing up to US$27M of taxpayers’ funds in the 197-room facility to be built in Kingston, west of where the Pegasus Hotel is currently located. That project, inclusive of a casino, could cost up to US$60M. Government is now seeking private investors
- US$130M loan one that country can ill-afford at this time through an arrangement with Republic Bank (Trinidad) Limited. According to APNU’s Parliamentarian, Rupert Roopnaraine, Government’s arguments in justifying the Marriott Hotel’s construction centre on a need for an international branded hotel to boost tourism. “I am in favour of anything to boost tourism. The question is whether in the condition of scare resources, if it is the best allocation of the taxpayers’ money. Our last adventure is the Buddy’s Hotel (now Princess Hotel and Casino) and that did not go all that well. As far as I am aware, they had to make some creative arrangements to get the money repaid.” The Parliamentarian was referring to the fact that Government, in a bid to recover monies that it had invested to make Buddy’s ready for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, was forced to buy rooms in advance for future events. EMPTY ROOMS A number of other hotels that had been constructed for
that event have since been sold as rooms remained empty. “I don’t know whether we should be putting money here. The argument is that it gives Marriott a competitive edge over the hotels. It makes the playing field not level. A lot of hotels are not receiving taxpayers’ dollars. They would now have to compete against a new hotel coming in… this seems to be unfairness to the hotel industry,” Roopnaraine said. In the case of the CJIA expansion, Roopnaraine noted it is no secret that Guyana does not have the volume of air traffic that would justify the investments to be made. Last week, Transport Minister, Robeson Benn, told Parliament that Government was banking on the Asian and African markets to boost air traffic to Guyana. “It seems to me again as if they putting a whole lot of funds into the operations with a view (to benefit from future traffic. I don’t believe it (the investment) is justifiable at this stage.” AFC Parliamentarian, Moses Nagamootoo, stressed that both the CJIA and Marriott are not projects that will immediately create “tremendous employment”
The Immigration section of the Arrival Department at CJIA. for Guyana. This comes when there are constant criticisms over Government’s spending from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), state-owned company that manages state assets. Managing the proceeds of the sales of some of Guyana’s assets by NICIL has raised questions with pressure mounting on government to transfer billions of dollars, said to be around $60B, to the central account-- the Consolidated Fund. “Whether it is US$19M or
US$21M…the hoteliers are saying that there is no question in Guyana with regards to hotel accommodation,” Nagamootoo said of the Marriott. With Government plugging the private sector as the engine of growth, it would not be unthinkable that local hotel owners may also want to ask for additional incentives and concessions to boost their capacity, he said. “And therefore, I think that it is discriminatory and
unreasonable to use people’s money, the taxpayers’ money.” ANOTHER EXPANSION? Speaking on the US$150M expansion for CJIA, Nagamootoo was puzzled about Government’s intentions. “We have been talking of expansion. Now we are being told about a new airport. We had expansion. We have had new facilities installed. We have had new radar installed with an improved airport tarmac. “We put in landing lights, (Continued on page 51)
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Four minors rescued from sexual slavery Thankful to Women Miners’ Organization, Bartica Police
From left: President of Guyana Women Miners’ Organization, Simone Broomes, Member, Marian Sheppard, rescued teen, and Member Donna Chapman Four teenage girls escaped sexual exploitation in Region Seven “gold bush” thanks to collaborative efforts by the Guyana Women Miners’ Organization and ranks of the Bartica Police Station. Their perpetrators were apprehended, on Friday, by ranks that went in search of the teenagers at the prostitution house in Oko Backdam. Three of the girls are currently with the organization while one of them has returned home. Ranks were made aware of the situation through the Women Miners’ Organization, which aided in the girls being rescued. One of the teenagers had earlier escaped into the bush in search of help because she refused to “pick fare.” She encountered a man who helped her get out of the area. Someone contacted the organization’s President, Simona Broomes, who then notified ranks of the Bartica Police Station and a member located in Bartica, Irene Sears. Officers of Guyana Geology and Mines Commission at Itaballi toll bridge were alerted that the teen was coming out from the backdam in a truck. They were asked to keep her safe just in case she arrived before ranks and Sears. However, the ranks reached Itaballi hours before her arrival. Scared, clad in torn clothes and mud stained, the girl traveled to Bartica with the team. There, she related her horrifying tale, which led ranks to travel by night to rescue the other three girls and apprehend the human rights violators. The teen was given clothing and food by members of the organization. During an interview with Kaieteur News, Friday, the 16year-old, who hails from East Berbice, said that a barber in
Berbice recruited her to work as a shopkeeper in the interior. Owing to financial woes at home, she accepted the job for $80,000 per week unknowingly to relatives. Three other girls (two 15-yearolds and another 16-year-old) were also recruited. A woman, who presented herself as Abigail, assured her that she was going to work as a shopkeeper. The other girls were promised employment at other shops in the backdam. The woman collected the teenagers, last Sunday, from Berbice and took them to Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. There, they spent the night. One of the girls was chosen from the line-up to sleep with the woman’s son. Even when, they had to sneak past the checkpoint at Itaballi nothing seemed amiss to the teenager either. Upon arrival at Oko Backdam, on Tuesday, the girls were sent to bathe at the creek since there is no washroom at the bar. They were given small rooms, each containing a single bunk bed and a shelf. “When night come she got we walking all de time and I turn and ask she if I ain’t selling in the shop anymore and she said just now… Men start coming and eventually she call me in the corner and tell me when the men dem talk to me I must say short time, two pennyweight and long time three and a half pennyweight.” The teen claimed that she was confused when the woman told her that but eventually it became clear that she was expected to sell her body. “But like the other girls knew what they suppose to do cause they de talking to the men dem…and the woman send we fuh sleep cause like only seven men been there,” the teenager said.
“I wanted to go home cause I didn’t know what going…I expect fuh start selling in the shop…so I guh on de road and I see some men stand up and I ask them fuh phone call and they seh go up de hill… I see two girls and they give me a call to my mother… I told her I want come home and she start fuh cry.” The teen said her absence from the brothel enraged the woman. “She send her son to call me and me seh I coming just now and couple minutes after Abigail come and start slapping me up and asking if this is wah she bring me here for. I jus walking and anything can happen to me and I start cry,” the teen added. The girl was taken to the bar where she was forced to engage in conversations with men as part of the woman’s marketing tactics. Without giving up hopes of leaving, the teen asked the different men she conversed with to help her escape. Finally, a young man volunteered some assistance but she was unable to escape immediately. The duo walked under the dark sky with torchlight to the hilltop to call her mother. On the way, the man told her that a truck was leaving the interior the next day and she could leave with it. Their conversation was interrupted by one of the woman’s sons who went in search for her. “She sent her other son for me…When we go back to the place the woman start cussing up and shouting at me…I stand up and start cry and they lock me up in the room so I can’t come out… I cry whole night and them laughing me,” the teen said. She related that she felt like a prisoner because they locked her in the room. “Next morning they opened the door and tell me
washout everything and give she back the clothes she buy… I put on back my clothes... She tell me I owe she.” The girl recounted that the woman took her to another hilltop and attempted to throw her off during an altercation. An enraged Abigail called the teen’s mom demanding money and threatened to prostitute the girl. The opportunity to escape was presented when she was left alone on the hilltop. The teen walked until she met the man who assisted her. “I see a man and I talk to he and den he call a truck and I see back the boy I talked to the night who he seh woulda drop me off… The truck only breaking down and a man in de truck only touching me. I de afraid so I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want they rape me.” The teen said she was relieved to meet Irene Sears from the organization. While the teen was safe away from the sex business, the police were on their way to rescue the other teenagers. The three teenagers who were in Bartica at Sears’s residence, yesterday, spoke about their stay at the brothel
and their rescue. Though, this was not the first time in the interior under those circumstances for two of the teenagers, they claimed that they were tricked into prostitution. The girls recounted that they were forced to do striptease. At first, they had refused but the woman threatened to send them home. As such, two of the girls (one of them was menstruating at the time) agreed to strip since they needed to send home money. The girls said that their families are very poor and are in need of financial assistance. But the other girl was prepared to go home and stood her ground not to strip. According to the teen, the woman gave them a concoction of Guinness, Banko Wine and another unknown substance to drink to put them in the mood to strip. Following that session they were sent to rest. Around 2:00 am, Friday, three commands were issued for them to open their doors. It was the police. Since the girls were resting the police allowed them to continue whilst their perpetrators, the woman, her husband and
another woman were handcuffed. The girls were taken to the Bartica Police Station and they were issued similar courtesy to that of the first teenager who escaped by the Women Miners’ Organization. According to Broomes, an Officer Moore at the police station played an integral role in rescuing the minors. Cognizant that if word had gotten back into Oko that the police were aware of the situation the woman would have fled, Broomes suggested. She said that organization is grateful to the police for their swift actions. Broomes emphasized that her organisation’s scattered membership across the interior enables members to assist the vulnerable. She said that those involved in transporting persons who are being trafficked should also be held responsible. Broomes said that the teens stand to benefit from skills for life training in areas such as heavy duty operator and drivers. The teenagers expressed heartfelt thanks to the organization and police for rescuing them.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
No child is a ‘slow learner’ United Associates’ workers again - says former OECS consultant Senior lecturer at the University of Guyana, Dr Henry Hinds, former OECS Consultant and Stanford University graduate, is urging teachers and the nation at large not to place children into intelligence categories such as bright, dull, and slow learners. He was delivering his feature address to teachers at the third Biennial Guyana Teachers’ Union Conference in New Amsterdam recently. Dr Hinds said that it is not really nice to “define children as subnormal, abnormal, slow learner...We are all slow learners...Could we compete in ‘Dancing with the Stars’?” He said that research today has revealed that “intelligence is not that one thing you inherit....and we now know that there are different kinds of intelligence— dancing, athletics, singing...we now know that there are multiple intelligences..we all have the various types but not in the same way”. Dr Hinds added that this has serious implications for teachers, since they have to be aware that all children can learn, but “all children cannot learn everything in the same way which means that we have got to allow children to display the kinds of talents they have—Every child has some talent...the work of teachers is to find that talent”. The lecturer said that
when we recognise that children can do something, some of them would not be left in the margins. Rather every child will have a chance to achieve. He also urged educators to hold high expectations for all students and to create a caring environment...”And try in every way to reduce the level of discrimination and inequity where it exists”. Speaking about how teachers grade their students, he noted that the aristocratic ideology (from the British) of grading students today in our schools “where we like to rank people...’I come first and you come second’ and at the end of the school year, there were lots of comparisons”. But, he questioned, what happens to the child “who came last in everything?” “What do you do with that child? How do you repair that damage? We know how to deal with success; we do not know how to deal with failure”. Comparing children’s performance to ensure improvement and devising strategies to bring about improvement is what should take precedence over ranking students’ performances in school. “Why do you want to rank the children?” he questioned. Dr Hinds, whose specialty is curriculum evaluation, praised the various forms of assessment being done at
various steps in the Primary school education, the National Grade Six Assessment. “I am pleased that the Ministry of Education is not giving a one- shot Common Entrance. Instead, students are graded at various points, Grade Two, Grade Four, etc...Teachers might try to teach the test, but again, I think that’s why we pay headmasters and headmistresses a little bit more than we pay teachers, to ensure that teachers give the children a full experience— they’d still pass the test in an enriched way”. Dr Hinds also urged the GTU to ensure there is a systematic study of the Caribbean teacher in a Caribbean school with Caribbean children, since to date, there has not been such a document or study, rather an overflow of that kind of information about North American schools and teachers. A research in the OECS recently found that even though boys and girls pass the common entrance exams, more girls have better results. “We must not jump to conclusions that girls learn better than boys—but we should ask under what conditions? Some people have argued that it is because we do not have many men as teachers, girls are doing better, but you have got to do the research to find out if that is truly so”. He noted that in CXC, boys do better than girls in Maths and girls do better than boys in English every year. “The union has a challenge— don’t let us just say that this is so, the union has to be forefront in research...”
protest long overdue wages
The guards during their small protest outside the United Associates Office in Kingston Security guards employed with the United Associates Security and Domestic Services Incorporated, staged a protest over overdue payments, in front of the company’s office in Kingston. Though without placards, the workers, who said that they have not been paid for the past three months, did not fail to have their plight heard by passersby. They made it clear that not only are they being underpaid, but they are also being paid two to three months apart, on a regular basis. Trying to withhold her tears, one woman noted that she has become almost accustomed to black tea. “I am not ashamed to say… I does hardly get to feed my children. Right now my rice bucket empty… flour, sugar,
everything done. Me and children practically starving,” another woman noted. The workers, most of whom are single parents, noted that though monies for National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and other taxes have been deducted from their salaries, no contributions have been registered in their names. “I working here for over ten years, and NIS has no contribution paid for me from United Associates. When I went there and de girl check the computer, nothing was there for me. She said all I could get is a grant. I have to go back in three months. It’s not fair that all my 11 years gone down the drain with nothing, but late payments, underpayments, and no NIS contributions,” one Miss Daniels said. The workers said that the administration has no care if they are starving or not. “It so unbelievable… these people don’t even care whether we getting fuh we eat or not. And just for the record, many of us are not,” one woman said. “We can’t go to GPL, GT&T, GWI or we landlords
with these plights. I have already been evicted,” the woman added. The company’s General Manager, Mr. Austil Ogle, said that he was not aware of the protest, but took the opportunity to explain that though the company has a record of untimely payments, the current situation is to be attributed to a glitch at the bank. Ogle said that his company has millions of dollars in overdue payments to Guyana Revenue Authority and the NIS. He added that as a result of this, the company has been experiencing problems in obtaining contracts, and as such, the company has to await payments from the customers to pay staff; which in this case, is the Ministry of Human Services whose cheque was received only recently. Nonetheless, the workers are all preparing to pay a visit to the said ministry’s office in the Stabroek Market area on Monday, regarding their “unfruitful labour”. They are also calling on the opposition parties to assist them.
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 13
Granger holds stakeholders Bharrat Jagdeo’s pension …denies agreeing to any still to be effected forum in Linden hike in electricity rates Leader of the Opposition, David Granger along with Rupert Roopnaraine last evening met with members of his party and major stakeholders in the mining town of Linden at a stakeholders meeting to clarify ‘certain misconceptions’ that were being peddled about A Partnership for National Unity “selling out” to the PPP with regards to the electricity tariffs proposed for the community. In an emotionally charged atmosphere, residents packed the Len conference room to hear from the ‘horse’s mouth’ whether APNU had indeed sold them out. Granger said that he made the trip to Linden after discussions with the Region Ten Chairman, Sharma Solomon and Regional members of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon and Rennison Morian. They had expressed concerns about the line taken by the PPP administration, particularly as expressed by the Prime Minister in the National Assembly on Thursday, in which he made a certain statement. Granger said that many people in Linden felt that the statement was prejudicial to their best interest, and subsequently voiced their concerns. He however noted that it is the policy of APNU to ensure that there is no attempt to increase the tariff of electricity without dealing with the fundamental problems affecting the people. “So we had met with the PPP side to ensure that the interests of Lindeners and Region Ten residents generally were put on the table. “So we did not agree to the proposal which is in the budget, for the increase in electricity rates. What we agreed to was the
commencement of an economic programnme to relieve the poverty and other problems in Region Ten. And it is only after those problems are solved that we would pay attention to increasing rates. We made it quite clear that we were concerned with the welfare of the people in the region.” Granger said that he was pleased with the two sessions in Linden, one on NCN, and the other at the stakeholders conference, where he sought to clear the air. But some Lindeners are still skeptical and they voiced their concerns about many issues. Some said that they are prepared to take action with or without the support of theAPNU. Many issues were raised, including the numerous promises with regard to economic development, which persons contend remain just promises. Mention was made of the promise to resuscitate the Alumina plant, and the still to be completed deep water harbour. During the heated discussions Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon said that Lindeners have themselves to blame for a lot of the problems they face, “because we put our future in the hands of people, when we should take our future in our own hands.” Solomon later confessed in an exclusive interview with
Kaieteur News that he is cautiously optimistic about a freeze in the proposed tariff increase, and what will result from the presentation by the Minister of Finance. “But I have been given the assurances by the leadership of the APNU that they have not committed themselves to bring further hardship to the people of Region Ten. And I think that is the core issue that we’re discussing because an increase in tariffs will bring further hardship on the people. “We’ve advanced a position to them that this matter should be taken completely off the table, and to only be discussed further maybe in the next two years, after the preliminary issues that were already on the table, such as jobs and the monopoly on the TV station, and all the other issues would have been addressed in a fundamental way.” Since the reading of the budget presentation by Dr Ashni Singh, Lindeners have been becoming increasingly perturbed over the proposed electricity hike. Several protests were later staged with the most recent on Wednesday. Tempers flared as many persons had vowed to burn anything green, after reports circulated in the mining Town that APNU had conceded to the implementation of increased tariffs.
Pension and allowances voted on for former President Bharrat Jagdeo are yet to be effected. This is according to the Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh, who this past week informed the House that “the option to make regulations has not been exercised to date.” He was at the time responding to a question posed by A Partnership for National Unity’s point man on finances, Carl Greenidge who had posed the query for a written reply by the Finance Minister. Greenidge asked if the Minister would inform the House “whether he has presented to the National Assembly the regulations under which the provisions of the ‘Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act of 2009 are to be given effect, if so, when was this done?” APNU’s executive member, Desmond Trotman, filed a writ in the High Court, last December, to reverse the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2009. The affidavit was drawn by Attorney-At-Law, Christopher Ram, on behalf of
Trotman. The Attorney General was sued as the representative of the State of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. The writ is seeking a declaration that the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2009 which purports to amend Article 181 (2) of the Constitution without complying with the special legislative procedure laid down by Article 164 of the Constitution is unconstitutional, null and void. The Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act was passed in the National Assembly during the Ninth Parliament on April 30, 2009. It was assented to by the then President Bharrat Jagdeo in May 2009. The writ asserted that sections of the Act violate Article 181 (2) of the Constitution in that they fall outside the scope, meaning and intendment of a pension and gratuity granted by the said article. According to Article 181 (2) of the Constitution, “A person who has held the Office of President shall receive such pension or, upon
the expiration of his term of office, such gratuity as may be prescribed by Parliament. Any such pension or gratuity shall be a charge on the Consolidated Fund.” Section 2 of the Former Presidents (Benefits and Other Facilities) Act 2009 provides several benefits for every person who having held the Office of the President and ceased to hold that office by virtue of the provisions of Article 92 of the Constitution or otherwise, during the remainder of his lifetime. Some of the benefits highlighted in the writ are services of personal and household staff including an attendant and a gardener; provision of vehicles owned and maintained by the State; an annual vacation allowance equivalent to the cost of two first class return airfares provided on the same basis as that granted to serving members of the Judiciary; and a tax exemption status identical to that enjoyed by a serving President. Th e s e regulations referred to are the ones that Greenidge had sought clarification on.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
ImmigrationTALK
Changes in Visa Processing Fees By Attorney Gail S. Seeram On April 13, 2012, the Department of State adjusted visa processing fees. Some fees were increased and others were reduced. The Department is required to recover, as far as
possible, the cost of processing visas through the collection of application fees. For a number of reasons, the current fees no longer cover the actual cost of processing nonimmigrant visas. The nonimmigrant visa
fee increase will support the addition and expansion of overseas facilities, as well as additional staffing required to meet increased visa demand. Here is a summary of the changes to the nonimmigrant visa processing fees (in U.S. dollars):
Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees
Gail S. Seeram
Here is a summary of the changes to the immigrant visa processing fees (in U.S. dollars):
Immigrant Visa Processing Fees
Bogus passport tendered to obtain $2.5M lodged with Supreme Court Two brothers have engaged the police in trying to find out who was responsible for withdrawing $2.5M that was lodged in a city bank through the Supreme Court. The money was discovered missing when one of the brothers, Terrence Gill, turned up in Guyana for the Easter holidays to claim it after six years. The money was part payment for a property they owned on Second Street, Alberttown. Court officials are claiming that someone purporting to be the property owner had presented identification to claim the money some time in 2005. But Terrence Gill is adamant that it was not him since he had not returned to Guyana since 2002. Melvin Gill told Kaieteur
News that in April 2005, he was instructed by the Chief Justice to lodge the money with the court as a settlement with his brother, Terrence, over a property at 100 Second Street Alberttown. Terrence Gill resides in Washington DC, USA and the money was to be paid to him upon him presenting himself with proper identification. The money was therefore lodged by the Supreme Court, with a city bank, earning interest as was instructed by the Chief Justice. “I learnt about the money in 2006 and I figured that my money was safe,” Terrence Gill told this newspaper. He arrived in Guyana on April 6, last, with the intention of enjoying the Easter holidays and making arrangements to collect the money that was there for him.
Five days later he went to the Supreme Court Registry to collect but was immediately met with some suspicions. “At first they were trying to trace the money. They took my passport and after a few minutes they came back and told me that they will contact me later.” Terrence Gill said that he left the Registry and contacted the staff there the day after. His suspicions grew after repeated requests to speak to the person he had dealt with the day before were met with “He’s busy”; “He’s at a meeting”. On Friday April 13, Gill got the shock of his life when he turned up at the Registry only to be told that someone had withdrawn the money. The person had produced a passport #032752 bearing his name which the court had accepted to justify instructing the bank to make the payment.
“They told me that the person came with a legit passport, and I told them it can’t be. I got a little upset and walked out,” Gill told this newspaper. He was shown the signature that the court accepted as his, and was most flabbergasted since it bore no resemblance whatsoever to his. Gill contacted his brother who had made the arrangement with the court and he too was devastated to learn about what had transpired. The persons had managed to secure a cheque from the city bank where the money was lodged for the initial $2.5M as well as the interest it had accrued. The police were eventually contacted and an investigation was launched. Terrence Gill said that he has no intention of giving up the matter since he intends to return to Guyana some time soon to spend the rest of his life.
Shadow Minister for Human... From page 9 elderly dependent on family members for support. Those who depend on pensions to survive must face the high cost for food, medical attention and transportation, amongst others, and most often live below minimum standards. This Budget offers no hope for them to be relieved from their impoverished conditions. The figures for those who apply for Old Age Pension tell a sad story. There has been a steady increase from some 2,500 every year from 2006 to the first half of 2008. A substantial increase of 2,900 from the last half of 2008; in 2009 -3,009, in 2010 – 3,500 and for the first quarter of 2011 some 800 new applications were made. These figures highlight the plight of the elderly in our midst more so of our Elderly seeking Old Age Pension and those who continue to work. This is surely a dire situation for our people.
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Feisty Archer's Home resident turns 103 Celebrating her 103rd birth anniversary, on Friday, was the longest and obviously oldest resident of Archer's Home, Celestine
Shipley. Even at her age, Ms. Shipley was well polished, making sure she had sprayed perfume, and applied face powder, before making an
appearance before the media, saying that she can't look and smell old. The centenarian giggled when she was teased about dressing up to please her boyfriend, rebuking the teasers and sharing with them that the “boyfriend ain't know de wuk”. The face of the visually impaired centenarian lit up when she heard the voices of her loved ones making jokes and extending to her, their heartfelt wishes. H e r g r a n d d a u g h t e r, Sandra Barker, said that though she knows not very much about the life her grandmother lived, she does know that she had always paid a keen interest into the lives of her family members and relatives. “Even today she advises us. Or when I would visit she would ask me about everybody. Her memory is phenomenal” Barker said. Reminiscing about when her granny was in her 80's,
Barker recalled Shipley walking from her home in Charlestown to theirs on Mandela Avenue, just to give them a couple of bananas, one of Ms. Shipley's favourite eatables. She was born and lived for a short while on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway, before moving to the city where she resided in Ketley Street, Charlestown. Ms. Shipley had also resided in Barbados for a few years with her common law husband. The union bore three children, all of whom she outlived. When her husband died, Ms. Shipley continued living in her Charlestown home alone. Her family said that it was her undying independence that prompted them to put her in a home, but by then she was already in her late nineties. “She always wanted to do things for herself-- cook, wash, everything. We were scared that she might harm
The centenarian: Ms. Celestine Shipley, munching on some bananas herself, so we brought her here,” Barber explained. It was only recently that Ms. Shipley stopped doing things for herself. She is, however, still very feisty and jovial. One of the stories that Ms. Barker said she will never forget being told by
her grandmother, was of an accident many years ago when her grandmother was travelling in a steamer boat which capsized. She was saved by a young man, thus living to see the second century of her life. (Rehana Ashley Ahamad)
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
Meet the lovely Crystal Seeram who is a model that loves fashion designing, and is presently working on a clothing line titled “Crystal's Collection. She describes herself as having a soft spot for children, the elderly and disable.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Esteemed Psychiatrist Dr. Frank Beckles is a 'Special Person' By Sharmain Grainger In summary, Dr Frank Beckles can be described as a simple and humble person who lives life each day with absolutely no regrets and fully embraces the philosophical notion to “live and let live.” This is perhaps one of the reasons that his approach to his profession over the years has been one of ease and a fervent desire to ensure that his patients understand that it is perfectly normal to seek mental health services. Dr Beckles has for more than a decade been offering his expertise in this part of the world; he is one of two well known qualified and registered psychiatric doctors in Guyana. Psychiatrists have been referred to by some as a dying breed of health professionals in these parts, although there are reports of some who practice though they are not qualified. Interesting to note is that while he is not a born Guyanese, the renowned psychiatrist has, since 1997, opted to render his service locally rather than doing so in greener pastures where compensation would, by far, be more lucrative. Born Frank Neville Beckles on September 18, 1934, in Christ Church, Barbados, to parents Winslow and Ines Beckles, he was the sixth of seven
children. His parents, now deceased, were both Guyanese – his mother a home-maker and his father a Minister of Religion, attached to the AME Church. Dr Beckles revealed that in the early 1930s, even before his birth, his father's Ministerial profession saw him being posted, with his family, to Barbados. He recounted that as a youngster he attended the St Giles Boy School. In 1945 his father was again forced to relocate - this time it was
leaving examination. He went on to the privately-run Parkinson's High School to the point of Junior Cambridge, after which he grooved into his first working experience. As a sales clerk at Wreford's Hardware, a general store owned by a British National, Frank was a hard worker in his attempt to earn an income to help contribute to his relatively poor household. “We were poor, to say the least, so me and my siblings had to start
“I listen to my patients and many times I have to reassure them that visiting a psychiatrist does not mean that you are mad. Mental illness is a condition that must be addressed as urgently as any physical injuries. The time for stigmatising persons with such needs should be left in the past. ” to the United States, thus the family could not have immediately followed. The next best thing was for his mother to pack up with her children and return to Guyana. “We returned to New Amsterdam, where my mother had family...already my bigger brother and sister had settled there with our grandmother.” The young Frank was soon enrolled in the Mission Chapel Primary School and would continue there until he completed the school
The certificates mounted on his wall speak volumes
working as soon as it was possible,” he reflected. It was during his stint at the hardware store that he recalled being approached by a friend who mentioned the possibility of him joining the teaching profession. “He just came into the store and asked me if I wanted to be a teacher. Of course I said why not...and he told me all I needed to do.” Frank would soon introduce himself to the headmaster of the Cotton
Tree Government School and by the beginning of 1952 he was a Pupil Teacher. He remained at the Government School for approximately one year before seeking a transfer to Cumberland Methodist School. He left the latter school in 1955 for the United States in response to an invitation from his father. His arrival there would soon see him taking up employment at the first job he landed, at a School Uniform Packaging Plant. “When you got there (United States) you had to take whatever job you could and so what I basically did was offload trucks and take packages to the floor where the uniforms were packed.” He remained there for a mere three months, as he was able to secure a job with the United Nations as a clerk. This would last until 1957 when he was drafted into the US Army. During his stint in the Army, Frank worked as a technician to an ophthalmologist. He was soon introduced to the ways of a laboratory technician with the assistance of a friend, having been informed that this was a lucrative area to follow. It was while he was in the military, Frank, a dashing young man in his early 30s, met and became friendly with one of his sister's girlfriends. The two would a
Dr. Frank Neville Beckles
few years later be joined in holy matrimony, a union which produced three children – two boys and one girl. After 21 months in the Army, Frank was allowed to leave the military in pursuit of furthering his education. He first attended the George Washington University where he completed a Bachelor's of Science in Zoology. He was subsequently channelled into medicine. But according to him “I didn't have any calling of such.” Nevertheless he believes that he always had a subtle passion for the field. His entry into the field of medicine was at first overshadowed by doubt and questions of whether he was really ready for that arena. He recalled that it was a friend who literally rescued him from this phase of uncertainty. “My friend had become a Dentist and he pretty much took the same course that I did...so we were talking about what I would do next, since I was sure I wasn't adequately prepared for medicine...He simply told me 'If I can do it, you can do it too'.” That was enough encouragement to send him to apply to Howard University School of Medicine where he was soon accepted. Completion of his medical programme saw him undertaking his internship at the Public Health Service System of Hospitals in Baltimore. At the time, he and his growing family were living in Washington D.C., and as such he was tasked with a one-hour commute every day. He remembers his internship as being very good as it entailed general rotation and so “I was being involved in the various areas
of medicine...I found it very interesting.” Hoping to spread his wings as a physician, the young doctor, driven by ambition, decided to join the Peace Corps. This move was spurred by his interest in international medicine and an underlying passion to return to the West Indies. “I somehow wanted to give back something, but there were many interventions occurring in between, so I didn't get back for quite a while.” Instead of being recruited as a physician, as he had expected, Dr Beckles was retained by the Peace Corps as an administrator and shuttled off, with his family, to Gabon, a State in West Central Africa, to manage the affairs of the American Volunteer Programme. His stay there would last only six months as the authorities of the State soon became suspicious of foreigners, forcing them all to leave. The Peace Corps would then ask Dr Beckles to head to Niger, another West African locale. “The experience there was fantastic...Niger was really all desert with a river running through it and it was captivating,” he fondly reminisced. Unable to shake his desire to practice medicine, after two memorable years in Niger, he returned to the United States, leaving the Peace Corps to be the practicing physician he had envisaged. He started off rendering outpatient services at the very hospital he completed his internship, in Baltimore. By this time he and his wife made the decision to separate, with their children remaining in the care of his wife in Washington. Absorbed in his (Continued on page 47)
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
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THE MEANS TEST FOR OLD AGE PENSIONS SHOULD BE REINTRODUCED If the present tariffs enjoyed by the people of Linden are unsustainable in the medium term, then paying pensioners in Guyana $10,000 without a means test is even more unsustainable. The government and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) have reached an agreement which will see an increase in old age pensions from $7,500 per month to $10,000, and rise of 30%. There are many pensioners living outside of these borders who do not qualify under the present residency requirement for this pension, but this is not going to deter some of them from wanting to have this equivalent of US$50 per month. Who knows, some of them may already be receiving the present old age pension even though they do not qualify. There has been great controversy over the number of pensioners in Guyana. The late Sheila Holder from the Alliance for Change had gone to great pains to point out that there are anomalies with the number of persons who are said to be registered for old age pensions.
Right now we are told that the figure may be around 40,000. With a population estimated at around 720,000, and with a life expectancy still perhaps below 60 years, and with pensions payable at age 65 (which is believed to be higher than the average life expectancy) it is hard to fathom how there can be 40,000 pensioners resident in Guyana. With 40,000 old age pensioners, it means that each month the government has to find 400 million dollars or 4.8 billion dollars per year just to pay old age pensions. This is clearly unsustainable. This is not to suggest that the old age pensioners do not deserve $10,000. They do. In fact, they deserve $20,000 per month. Unfortunately, however, if old age pensions are going to be sustainable, there cannot be universal coverage for resident Guyanese. Because of the perceived discriminatory way in which the PNC had administered pensions during its time in power - when pensioners had to prove that they did not have the means to survive before receiving the pensions - the PPP/C government when
it took power in 1992 decided to do away with the means test. The result was that once you were sixty-five years of age you qualified for old age pensions. So whether you were rich or poor, whether like some of the old fogies in public office who are earning hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus half of this as NIS pensions, everyone sixty-five years or over and now permanently resident in Guyana, qualified for old age pension. It should not be so, because this is unsustainable. Old age pension is not an earned right. It is a form of social security which was usually granted to those without means. The ultimate social security programme is the National Insurance Scheme. That is a contributory scheme in which pension benefits are paid at age 60, once you have the requisite contributions. A person can end up earning a NIS pension which is as much as 50% of their average salary over the last five years of their employment. That is an earned benefit, because the contributors to the NIS had paid premiums that qualify for
this benefit. Old age pension on the other hand is not a contributory scheme. As such, it should only be for residents who have never worked - those who do not qualify for the minimum NIS pension. However, right now there are persons who work for hundreds of thousands of dollars and who get a fat cheque from the NIS each month, and still they will claim that miserly $7,500 (now $10,000) in old age pension. This category of employees should not be getting old age pension, because it is not an earned scheme and they are already earning enough. At the same time, there are persons who do not qualify for NIS and whose working
days are over. These are the persons who deserve a higher old age pension. What is even more disgusting is that there are Guyanese overseas who believe that they should be also receiving old age pension, and based on the numbers that are being thrown out, there is a suspicion that some nonresidents may be on our old age register along with persons who may have padded their real age. This is why pension reform should first involve sanitizing the old age pensions register. The names on that register need to be gone through to ensure that only those eligible qualify. If increases in old age
pensions are to be sustained, a decision will have to be made in relation to all social security pensions, holistically, because there is no way that the government can sustain increases, even to compensate for inflation. As such, the government should move towards an integrated social security system in such a way that a means test is reintroduced for old age pensions. Otherwise, future generations will be burdened with heavy taxes to fund these old age pensions.
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Sunday Special BRASSINGTON MISLEADS NATION ON MARRIOTT DEAL
Kaieteur News
HIV ON THE DECLINE IN GUYANA
Colombia, President Donald Ramotar asked Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon to “talk” to Greene, mainly to ask him to clear out his office. But if he doesn’t walk on his own, the source said he will be given marching orders, as the government has no intention of keeping him in office. KITTYTAXI DRIVER SHOT DEAD
Director of NAPS Dr. Shanti Singh NICIL’s Head, Winston Brassington A senior government official may have been attempting to mislead Guyana over details of the Marriott Hotel deal, with opposition parties now vowing to raise even more questions in Parliament. Both A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), which make up the Opposition in the National Assembly believe that, despite statements to the contrary by Winston Brassington, head of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), Government is in fact offering guarantees to a number of yet unknown private investors that could see them recovering their investments ahead of the government using taxpayers’ money, should the project fail. The implications of that are despite Guyana’s intention to invest US$27M into the project, its name would not be first on the list to be repaid. The multi-million dollar project has come under fire especially as Guyana continues to struggle with problems to fill the many empty rooms that plague hotels across the country. Over a week ago, Brassington, during an interview with Kaieteur News, said that there is no Government guarantee on the US$27M debt that is being facilitated by Republic Bank (Trinidad) for the Marriott Hotel project. Government has entered into a syndicated loan arrangement where Republic Bank (Trinidad) is managing the process. The particular loan is one that is provided by a group of investors and which through an agreement will allow the investors who are part of the syndicated loan arrangement to get back their monies ahead of any other in this case, ahead of Guyana, which is plugging a massive US$27M into that project.
The HIV prevalence among the general population in Guyana has been steadily decreasing since 2004 from 2.4 percent to 1.07 percent in 2011. Additionally, the proportion of all deaths attributable to AIDS has also steadily declined by 56 percent since 2002. According to Guyana’s Global AIDS Progress Report 2010-2011, there is a body of evidence which suggests that the epidemic is stabilizing in the country. Monday Edition GREENE TO BE GIVEN MARCHING ORDERS IF HE DOESN’T RESIGN - GOVT. OFFICIAL
Police Commissioner Henry Greene The Guyana government will remove embattled Police Commissioner Henry Greene from office if he refuses to resign, a top government source said Sunday. But the decision to fire Greene or have him resign could involve him returning to his Eve Leary, Kingston headquarters. If that happens, the source said Greene will only be there for a “brief” period, possibly a week, to allow for the installation of a new Commissioner. “You cannot just fire the Commissioner; there are constitutional provisions that have to be followed to allow for a transition,” the well placed source told this newspaper. Kaieteur News understands that before leaving for the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena,
Balram Jadoonauth A 24-year old taxi driver was shot dead in front of his Lot 25 Dennis Street, Campbellville, home in the wee hours of Sunday. Balram Jadoonauth also known as “Sanjay” a driver attached to the “GR” Taxi Service, was reportedly shot in the chest and back shortly after arriving home in his car. He managed to drive a short distance away before crashing into a lamp pole. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Relatives are certain that robbery was not a motive, since the young man was still wearing his gold chain and rings. He also had all his money in his wallet. Tuesday Edition OPPOSITION SET TO VOTE AGAINST $211M BUDGETED FOR NCN, GINA Opposition Parliamentary parties have signaled intentions to vote down some $200M that Government has allocated for the Government Information Agency (GINA) and the National Communications Network (NCN) in this year’s National Budget. It will more likely feature as one of the major items for disagreements in the new dispensation in which the government does not have the voting majority in the National Assembly. The news came even as the Opposition Leader, Brigadier General (rtd) David Granger, complained to Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, of the coverage provided especially by GINA on the ongoing Parliamentary debate of the 2012 National Budget.
According to the Speaker Monday, he has since asked GINA’s Director, Neaz Subhan, to reply to the written complaint of Granger. Granger ’s party, A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), has reportedly prepared a dossier of several instances where GINA allegedly did not include APNU’s presentations in the state-controlled reports of the proceedings. Parliamentary opposition members of APNU and the Alliance For Change (AFC), who asked not to be named, disclosed that they do not intend to vote for provisions which include subsidies and provisions. Unfair coverage by both NCN and GINA is nothing new with the issue raising its head in the lead-up and during last year’s General and Regional Elections. There have also been numerous complaints by local, independent station owners over what they said was unfair competition from NCN which manages the country’s only authorized radio stations. Even the independent watchdog, Electoral Assistance Bureau, has slammed the amount of airtime and coverage by the two agencies given to opposition parties. Wednesday Edition BUDGET DEBATE… US$15M THROWN ON CHOPPING BLOCK The Leaders of the Combined Parliamentary Opposition made their intentions clear Tuesday as the presentations to the 2012 Budget debates came to an end, by sending an unwavering message that it will be altered and tailored to reflect the will of the people at the recently concluded General and Regional Elections. On Wednesday the House was set to dissolve itself into the Standing Committee of Supply, where each allocation will be
Sunday April 22, 2012
addressed specifically by the Members of Parliament, at which time various amendments can and seemingly will be made. Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition, Brigadier (retd) David Granger, in his maiden presentation to a Budget Debate, declared that March 30, 2012, represented the end of an era. The date that Granger referred to was the occasion of the presentation of the 2012 Budget by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh. Granger declared that the time has come to an end where “we witnessed the attempt of a minority to craft a budget on its own and impose it on a majority…this is the last time we will see an attempt to introduce a budget not in consonance with the public will.” Even as Granger addressed the areas where the budget needs to have a greater focus, the Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, called for accurate reflections on the nation’s finances and drew reference to bank accounts with monies held by NICIL, GGMC and GFC, among others, for which he said that billions are not reflected in the budget. Had there been any apprehension that the opposition will not seek to slash sections of the Budget, Ramjattan submitted for consideration slashes in the form of a motion to the tune of some $3B (US$15M). Ramjattan has put up for the chopping block allocations to the Ministries of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Housing and Water, and Culture, Youth and Sport. TRUCK DRIVER BATTERED TO DEATH Police on the East Coast of Demerara have their work cut out trying to determine who killed 31-year-old truck driver, Jadesh Dass called
‘Baby-o’, of Chelsea Park, Mahaica, whose body was
Dead: Jadesh Dass discovered with its skull bashed in, early Tuesday morning. Dass’ body was found around 02:00hrs by his relatives and colleagues, a few feet from where he had parked the truck he was driving on the Unity, Mahaica New Road. From all appearances, Dass, who was on his way to the sandpits, was forced to stop his truck on the dark and lonely thoroughfare by his killers, who then killed him before dumping his body on the nearby parapet close to the trench that runs parallel to the road. Such was the brutality of the attack on Dass that pieces of his skull were left at the spot where his body was lying. Investigators have almost ruled out robbery as a motive since the cash that Dass was carrying was still intact. They however detained one of Dass’ neighbours for questioning, after reports surfaced that the truck driver was involved in a relationship with his wife. Thursday Edition MINISTRIES’ WORKERS PROTEST AFC PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS Hundreds of employees of Government Ministries and other agencies on Wednesday protested a proposal by the Alliance for (Continued on page 38)
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
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Ravi Dev Column
SELF CONTROL AND CONTINUITY When my family gets together for our annual reunion, we invariably linger over old photographs and videos. One video goes back to 1988: we’re driving towards Parika and I recorded some shacks built on the swampy reserve adjoining the Zeelugt public road. In my running commentary I predicted that within a decade those shacks would be transformed into comfortable homes. And so said; so done. I could be so confident with my prediction because I felt I knew the mentality of the people, who, at the time were taking a huge risk that the government would not bulldoze them off the land. They still retained much of the cultural trait brought by their forbears from India that impelled them towards owning a house rather than renting one. VS Naipaul captures the drive in his epic, “House for Mr Biswas”; the house was a trope for a particular view of life. To rent a house was to somehow accept that you did not have the self control to save in
There will be good news for public servants because the government has recognized that it needs to listen to the voice of the opposition. Already the old people have benefited. But this is not the end of the good news from it. The very young also have something coming to them in the form of better conditions at school including a meal which the less fortunate will welcome. But there is going to be a lot of issues before these things could be achieved.
order to build your house: that you assure continuity for your children – your future. This capacity to save, by people who were at best grubbing out a day to day existence from cane cutting, farming or fishing, was sustained by a willingness to delay their gratification. C o n s p i c u o u s consumption was not a part of their repertoire. The old cultural trait to look to the future to ensure that their children lived ‘better’ was reinforced by the newer immigrant mentality adopted after their arrival in Guyana. They were here to ‘make it”. Today this willingness to imbibe self control, plan for the future and defer gratification to ensure that the plan gets accomplished in the face of humble circumstances, is fast disappearing. We are now generally living and consuming for the moment, but still want to see our lives improve over time. We want to “suck cane and blow whistle at the same time.” It can’t be done so we end up frustrated; sink into
despair or demand handouts. Some, of course, use force and take what they want. From where have we imbibed this new ‘don’t give a damn’ attitude? For one, in any group there will be some that go against the grain. But generally it’s as a result of outside pressures and influences – cultural and otherwise. In the Caribbean, there are aspects of the dominant Creole culture that present some of these pressures and influences. And this has been part of my rejection of the assimilationist imperatives in the present dominant mode of ‘integration’. As Malcolm X said in an analogous context, “Why integrate into a burning house?” Back in 1984, there was an International Roundtable in Guyana to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. Then Prime Minister Desmond Hoyte delivered an address: “Towards 2034: A Deeper View of the Horizon” in which he made some pertinent remarks on the refusal to live for the future.
** The extent of electricity theft would be revealed because of the situation in Linden. The government is not prepared to tolerate the high commercial losses so in
order to ease the pressure on Linden it is going to look around the country. Many large businesses would be exposed, but political affiliation would prevent prosecution. Instead these companies are going to pay the sums levied on estimate by the power company. This is going to be a talking point, especially in some sections of the media. ** Impossible as it seems there is going to be another devastating fire. Again the root cause would be carelessness.
Because my assertion about Creole culture can be (and have been) egregiously misinterpreted, I quote rather liberally from Mr Hoyte’s address. “...one of the most pernicious consequences of slavery was that it bereft the slave of a vested interest in the future by imposing upon him the need to be constantly preoccupied with the exigencies of the moment. Indeed...the African slave on a WI plantation found himself in a world without horizons. His condition circumscribed within very narrow limits not only his physical but also his spiritual being. It deprived of the cohering and creative influences of his social organisation and his culture. “Uprooted from his natural milieu, no longer able to fulfil his civic and religious duties, he was robbed of his spiritual points of reference. His personality disintegrated and, in a word, he suffered “social death”. It is not to be wondered at, then, that his outlook was little
informed by any curiosity beyond the immediate, by any speculation about the distant future. “And so, lacking a social motive, he developed no interest in, or aptitude for, making long term arrangements. Moreover, the colonial polity which succeeded the era of slavery did not provide the former slave and his descendants with significantly greater incentive or opportunity for cultivating these pursuits. Thus, there persists in our society, even to this day, a reluctance to focus too intently on the future. “It is critically important, I believe, that we should analyse and understand this phenomenon of our lack of interest in the future and our failure, generally, to plan in a serious methodical way with respect to it.” While Mr Hoyte’s address focused on the need for planning at the country and international level, it is important to note that he grounded the fundamental
Ravi Dev
lacuna at the individual level. And it is here that I believe that in the present, twenty-eight years after his warning we must begin. The question is, “Can we teach our selves how to live for the future?” The evidence shows that we can. (To be continued)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Death of a detective’s wife By Michael Jordan If buildings could speak, then surely the house on Front Road, West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, would reveal what exactly happened just over a decade ago; would tell us how a cop’s pretty wife ended up with a bullet in her head, and an unlicenced gun by her side. Patricia James’ relatives think they already have the answers as to who pulled that trigger. They are certain that it wasn’t Patricia. Her father went to his grave believing that he knew who had snuffed out his little girl’s life. But like the other relatives, and the detectives who handled this case, they just can’t prove it. Patricia James was an attractive 19-year-old student of the Cyril Potter College of Education when she married Police Corporal William Henry in December 1996. He was in his thirties. They had no children and they lived in West Ruimveldt. At around 09:00 hrs on Saturday, October 9, 1999, several residents heard two gunshots. The sound came from the couple’s home. Detective Corporal Henry would later tell investigators that he was washing some clothes outside of the house when he heard the shots. He then ran inside and found his wife lying lifeless on the couple’s bed. An unlicenced handgun was in one of her hands and there was a bullet hole in her head. Detective Corporal Henry contacted his colleagues and informed them of the tragedy. Police investigators placed the dead woman’s hands in plastic bags to
- How did Patricia James end up with a bullet in her head and an unlicenced gun by her side?
preserve any gunpowder residue, before having the body removed. They also ‘bagged’ Corporal Henry’s hands and escorted him to the East Ruimveldt Police Station. There are reports that the weapon with which Patricia had been shot was seized during a raid on the East Coast of Demerara. When one finds someone dead with a bullet in the body and a gun in one hand, suicide is usually the first thought that springs to mind. But Patricia James’ relatives were sure that the young teacher hadn’t taken her own life. One family member who entered the house shortly after the woman’s death said that he saw three half-packed bags with Patricia’s belongings nearby. Family members said that she had
Patricia James indicated that she was severing the relationship with her husband, and the halfpacked bags seemed to indicate that she was preparing to move out.
She had also told a close family member that she had received death threats. A similar report was also allegedly made to a group that assists battered women. According to this family member, Patricia had slept at a friend’s house on Friday, October 8, 1999, the night before her death. This friend reportedly brought her home next day. Under police escort, Detective Corporal William Henry attended his wife’s funeral, where he received a cold reception from Patricia’s angry relatives and close friends. He did not go to the cemetery. And it soon appeared that the relatives’ suspicions were justified. While the forensic investigators found no trace of gunpowder residue on Patricia James’ hands, their tests indicated that there was gunpowder residue on Corporal Henry’s hands. With everything seeming to point to murder, and with Patricia’s husband as the prime suspect, investigators
sent their report to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dennis Hanomansingh. According to reports, DPP Hanomansingh was preparing to recommend that Corporal Henry be charged with murder, when Henry’s attorney dropped a bombshell. He informed the DPP that the forensic test that the forensic team had used was an outdated and unreliable one. In fact, scientists had discovered that the “dermal nitrate test” or “paraffin test,” was so unreliable that international forensic experts had abandoned it. The seasoned legal expert told the DPP that the evidence would not stand up in court. (Kaieteur News was informed that local forensic experts now use a more internationally accepted test for gunpowder residue). Presented with this
information, the DPP had no option but to inform the investigators that Henry could not be charged. But a relative of Patricia James says that they were promised that an inquest would be held into her death. That has not been done. Thirteen years after her death, relatives of Patricia James still want to know how she ended up dead, and who took her life. If you have further information on this case or any other, please contact us at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown office or by telephone. We can be reached on telephone numbers 225-8465, 2258491, or 225-8458. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s : mjdragon@hotmail.com.
SEEKING HELP TO LOCATE RELATIVES OF EIGHT CHILDREN KILLED BETWEEN 1969-1970 Michael Jordan is trying to contact relatives of eight children who were murdered between March 20, 1969 and June 1970, by Harrynauth Beharry, also known as Harry Rambarran, Charles Bissoon, Charles Pereira, Anant Persaud and Maka Anan. Some of the victims are Basmattie, an eight-year-old schoolgirl from Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara. David Bacchus, 15, of Tucville, 11-year-old Mohamed Fazil Nasir, of Number 78 Village, Corentyne, Mohamed Faizal, of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Jagdeo Jagroop, Mohamed Nizam Ali; Paulton of Hogg Island, Essequibo; Orlando Guthrie, of Grove Village, East Bank Demerara. Please contact him via his email address mjdragon@hotmail.com., or on telephone numbers 22-58458, 22-58465, or 22-58491. HeI can also be contacted on 6452447.
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
They chose me. I’m not alone, my country’s with me Last Wednesday evening, I tuned in to channel 9 to see Prime News. The screen screamed; “Up next, Prime News.” But it was taking a few minutes to come on. I used the remote to roam. I clicked to channel 6. I’m glad I did. There was a panel of senior employees from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) discussing taxation. I stood with my mouth and eyes wide open when one of the discussants said that property tax formed three percent of total taxes collected for last year. The next day, I called Eton London, a former student of mine, and one of the persons on the programme. I wanted to be sure I heard right that it was three percent. He confirmed that she said it was three percent. Something is eerily wrong here. A few years ago, the GRA bossman, Khurshid Sattaur sent me eight property tax forms with the demand that I had one week in which to
submit them. I called him and we spoke. My point was that none of my colleagues at UG got them; in fact none of my friends in the wider society received them. Sattaur was his usual self. He questioned. “You don’t want to pay your taxes?” Since then I have been paying property tax. Now readers need to know that the term is misleading. It is assets tax you are submitting, not property. You have to value all the assets you have. Important to note is that you cannot vary the value of the cars. If the car was a million dollars in 2000, you have to keep putting that amount each year on the form. For individuals, depreciation is not allowed by law. So when I total up my dead car, my daughter’s old car, my house, my savings in the bank, my books, electronic stuff and furniture, I pay property tax every year, including last week when we sent off our submission.
Now something is deadly wrong here. If I can pay property tax then surely the total intake cannot be three percent. If a poor church mouse like me can have assets whose value causes him to pay property tax then the complete collection cannot be three percent. One of the answers, of course, is that Khurshid Sattaur singled me out. He did not send out his demand to the other thousands that it should be going to. In choosing to target me, Khurshid Sattaur did what Walter Willis and other public servants did last week outside of Parliament. But poor David Ramnarine is the only person that has to face an inquiry for a statement he made to the press. Public servants (as we clearly saw last week) can openly picket in the streets but David Ramnarine cannot speak to the press. The head of the airport and Walter Willis were happy to speak to
the press while in the picket line. Now if Willis, a senior public servant, can openly denounce the AFC in a street demonstration, why can’t David Ramnarine give a clarification on a police matter to the media? Of course no one asked Sattaur why no one else at UG was sent the forms except me. But I filled them in and have been doing that every year since. I do it because though I know they have chosen me I will not be deterred. I accepted that a human rights crusade comes with consequences. They chose only my contract at UG to terminate without reemployment. They chose only my house to leave the weeds in the trench. They chose only me to throw filth on. They chose my wife to
hound her out of her public sector job. Jagdeo of course handed me a libel suit. They chose me to keep in the Brickdam lock-ups for three days for two minor traffic offences that carry a nominal fine. They chose me to publish a yearly three hundred letters on in the Chronicle. Yes they chose me. But I carry on because I am not alone. I have Guyana with me. I went to Wismar last Thursday to hear about the APNU sell out on the electricity tariff and I was welcomed. I went to join the protestors on the sugar estates last month and I was welcomed. I went to listen to the complaints of the people of Cane Grove on their dust problem, and I was welcomed. I joined the demonstration
Frederick Kissoon against the deplorable public road in Glasgow, Berbice, and I was welcomed. I sat with Michael Carrington on the open pavement in the middle of Stabroek Market square drinking a Malta and I was welcomed. Yes they chose me. But I listen everyday to the Charlie Chaplin song “Smile” and I keep faith with the Guyanese people.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Prostitute scandal challenges U.S. Secret Service’s proud culture (Reuters) - They are screened so carefully that their families are interviewed before they are hired. They hold top-secret security clearances, are trained to use lethal force and stand inches from the leader of the world’s most powerful nation. U.S. Secret Service agents are also drilled almost from Day One on the need for probity, discretion and solid morals. “You will be exposed to so many new experiences, challenges and, yes, temptations - a Secret Service agent can sometimes be perceived as celebrity. We are not,” a top official warned a 2002 graduating class of agents. The self-image of the Secret Service’s proud, but insular, culture has been challenged like at no time in modern history by allegations that agents took prostitutes back to their hotel rooms in Cartagena, Colombia, last week on the eve of President Barack Obama’s arrival for a hemispheric summit. Six employees, including two supervisors, have either resigned, retired, or been proposed for firing. On Friday, the Secret Service said a 12th employee had been implicated, placed on administrative leave and stripped of his security
clearance. The question now is whether what happened in Cartagena was an isolated incident, the actions of agents who failed the Service’s high standards - or something more systemic in a 146-year-old agency first founded to combat counterfeiting. ‘NOTASYSTEMIC SORT OF THING’ Former top Secret Service officials, and the agency’s many defenders, insist that the scandal is both unprecedented and no reflection of the Secret Service as a whole. There have been individual instances of Secret Service employees caught in “difficult” situations in the past, but nothing on this scale, said Ralph Basham, a former Secret Service director. “But it’s not a systemic sort of thing. It’s not a fiber that’s woven through the fabric of the organization. Generally it’s individuals who just do something stupid and get themselves in trouble,” he said. The Colombia incident was an anomaly, Basham said. “The sheer number of people who decided to engage in this, that’s what is shocking.” Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan, a 29-year veteran, has so far won
plaudits from U.S. lawmakers for quickly launching an investigation and being transparent about the agency’s handling of the scandal. And, so far, no recent incidents of similar misbehavior have surfaced publicly, reinforcing those like Basham who say Cartagena was extremely unusual. The Service’s defenders are quick to point out that the employees under investigation were not members of the presidential protective detail. Those are the agents considered the cream of the agency who stick close to the president when he travels, watch crowds from behind dark sunglasses, and have suits fitted so they hide their weapons. Those in Cartagena, which included members of the lesselite Uniformed Division — who operate metal detectors and stand guard at various posts on site — were support personnel who came over on the plane to Colombia that brought the president’s armored vehicles. And yet, two of them were not rank-and-file employees, but supervisors. IMAGE TARNISHED? But to critics and the public such distinctions may be too fine a point, and the image of government agents gone wild in a foreign land threatens to tarnish the agency, with Secret Service already turning into a double meaning for racy jokes. The 2002 graduates were lectured by a top agency official that “your daily conduct must be better than that which is technically legal - your compass must point to
that which is right with a clarity and precision that reflects your commitment to this new responsibility.” The statement, from a document released in 2007 under the Freedom of Information Act, provides a glimpse into how the agency’s newest members start their careers. Secret Service agents at work in public are generally seen but not heard. Their physical presence is quite visible around the president ready to shield him from any threat, but they tend not to draw attention to themselves as individuals. The Colombia incident has revealed that after hours, not all Secret Service employees practice discretion. A woman in Cartagena said she met American men in a salsa bar the night of the incident who bragged “we’re the bodyguards of the most powerful man in the world.” She said she did not accompany them back to a hotel. David Chaney, a Secret Service supervisor who was allowed to retire over the incident, posted photos of himself protecting former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on his personal Facebook page. He included this comment: “I was really checking her out, if you know what I mean?” “That really bothered me. And I’m no moralist. But ... when it’s your job to be protecting someone, especially when that person is a female, to be making those types of remarks and be posting them, is absolutely indefensible,” Representative Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security
Committee, told CNN. Chaney’s Facebook site also shows connections in many cities, many of them young women, including flight attendants and university students. Among his 391 “friends” is a blonde in a provocative pose who boasts: “I party like a rock star, look like a movie star, play like an all star ... BABY I’M A SUPERSTAR.” Her page, which also includes a vulgarity, links to a pornographic web site. UNDER PRESSURE The Secret Service has long been proud that its agents are ready to face danger at any moment - to take the proverbial bullet intended for the President. It is more than mere bluster. One agent died in the failed assassination attempt on President Harry Truman. Another was wounded shielding President Ronald Reagan in a 1981 assassination attempt. After President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot, an agent flung himself onto the car in which they were riding and shielded the president and first lady with his body. The agency protects the president and vice president and their families, as well as visiting foreign dignitaries. No president has been “lost” under their watch since the 1963 assassination of President Kennedy. Yet behind the impassive visage of Secret Service officers sometimes lies the fallout from intense stress; mind-numbing boredom of long, event-free shifts; and family stress due to dedication to the agency and
unpredictable travel schedules. “Fatigue, stress, fear, domestic woes, alcohol and drug abuse, and every frailty of human nature permeate the Secret Service, and though the bulk of the force either rises above or tamps down the pressures, many agents battle a range of demons from the bottle to burnout,” Philip H. Melanson wrote in “The Secret Service: The Hidden History of an Enigmatic Agency.” In February 2002 some of Vice President Dick Cheney’s agents wrapped up their shift in San Diego, went to a local watering hole, and tossed down some beers, Melanson recounted. “Many drinks later,” the book says, four agents were in a melee with 15 civilians, one of whom later admitted to trying to take an agent’s gun. The agent then allegedly bit part of his ear off. After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Secret Service faced stress of another kind, as its missions expanded. Yet if the Secret Service needs testimony that events like Cartagena are indeed an exception, it has the best possible witnesses: those it has protected. “I think the Secret Service are outstanding. They did a brilliant job taking care of me and my family,” said Senator John Kerry, a former Democratic candidate for president. “Maybe some few people made a terrible mistake,” Kerry said. “I have nothing but praise for the Secret Service. And I think this is not characteristic of the Secret Service I know.”
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 25
My column
The government must account for our money The change in the composition of Parliament has resulted in a new dispensation when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money. For one, the government must be prepared to explain these expenditures when the opposition believes that they are exorbitant. This current sitting of the National Assembly brought this forcibly home. For example, the Alliance For Change saw some things that appeared to be outside the ordinary. One of these things was the number of contract workers in the public service. There was a time when employment in the public service was strictly by application and confirmation by the Public Service Commission. Once employed, people were expected to serve their thirty-three and one-third years in order to qualify for a pension and gratuity. Life was pretty straightforward. However, in recent times, the government employed people outside the Public Service Commission at rates that were higher than what the average public servant earned. This bred discontent in the heart of those who were not contract employees. The government justified this by saying that the contract employee was short term and therefore would get his pension and gratuity during his tenure. But the
opposition, like the traditional public servants, noticed that the people who got these contracts were more or less people close to the government. The upshot was that the opposition decided that contract employees were those people who were being paid for their services. The Alliance For Change decided to challenge this practice and voted to cut contract employment. The government retaliated that this was an attack against the labour force. It is now known that the Alliance For Change failed to get contract employment out of the system. Its partner in the opposition did not vote to support it. This vote made me realize a few things. For one, the government had to cut deals and President Donald Ramotar was not opposed to cutting deals. And the world of politics is about deals. All over the world the ruling party seeks accommodation with members of the opposition. However, the public has a lot that it expects to happen and no number of deals can change the way the public feels. There has been a lot of money spent on services during the past few years. The most recent was the hydroclave system installed in the compound of the Georgetown Public Hospital. In the past, the press accepted the figures presented and that was that.
However, there is a new dispensation, one that has some reporters scared and at the same time, has officials wondering at exposures that may not be above board. All of a sudden they are not comfortable because sections of the media now have them under the microscope. When the hydroclave was commissioned the authorities presented a figure. The other sections of the media took those figures and ran with them because that was how the reporters in Guyana behave these days. The society began to ask for investigative reporting and but for the resilience of a newspaper owner, Glenn Lall, this might have remained a pipe dream. He listened to his reporters and opted to take the chance that they may make mistakes and in the event of legal action, put his money up for any defence. It was that support that led to the disclosures now emanating from the hydroclave installation. One explanation for an unusually high cost is now being attributed to a slip of the tongue. Chief Executive Officer of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Michael Khan, had told a reporter that the shed that houses the hydroclave system was erected at a cost of $60 million. Contractors looked at the construction and said, “No way.” Someone in authority
must have questioned Mr. Khan, because he issued a statement that put the cost of the shed at $21 million. He then continued that when he said $60 million he had $16 million in his head. I wondered how a chief executive would call a figure of $60 million when he meant $16 million. If someone were to ask me the cost of my house by no stretch of imagination would I say $40 million when I have $7 million in my head. From the time I utter the figure I would know that I am talking something so out of the way that even me would not believe it. We are now at the stage where the people who authorized the hydroclave must open up to the people of Guyana. They want many things, not least being better wages and salaries. One official has promised to explain all that went into the hydroclave. But this is only one case. There are so many and the public is looking to the press for answers. When the government opted to award a contract to ‘Fip’ Motilall for the construction of the road leading to the Amaila Falls, immediately Kaieteur News knew that this was not above
board. The newspaper checked Motilall’s credentials and literally begged the government to not proceed down that road. The government was arrogant. It talked about people destroying Motilall’s character and about the newspaper simply attacking the project for the sake of attack. In some countries the people behind the award of the contract would have been sent packing. Not Guyana. The road is costing so much more than it should and this would have not been the case had the government simply heeded the findings of Kaieteur News. There are other expenditures being undertaken and the press, with the new dispensation, is looking at these. That is why I am not happy that the government is providing a subvention to the state media. These are operating in the same environment as the private media. There is no subvention for the private media. If the state media were not seeking advertisements I would not have minded the subvention. Instead, the government is giving it money to counter the exposures by the private
Adam Harris media and to pull the wool over people’s eyes. This cannot be fair. Will the parliamentary opposition allow these subventions to pass? I hate to believe that this will be the case. Meanwhile, no one is paying the private media to protect the man in the street— the people of Guyana. This is where we expect the new parliamentary dispensation to mean something.
Page 26
The Alliance For Change (AFC) won a major victory when the Minority Government agreed to give Old Age Pensioners $10,000 per monthly, and forced it to back off from the pittance it had offered by way of G$20 a day increase. The AFC was determined to trim the budget, starting with the “fat cats” on milliondollar contracts and perks, to find money for the poor. This sent the minority government into panic mode and, for the first time in Guyana’s parliamentary history, Ministers and Government MPs went on the picket-line in protest. The government bureaucrats went on overdrive in their propaganda, and tried to malign the AFC, especially its Chairman, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan. They fooled some ordinary contract workers, telling the big lie that they would ALL lose their jobs; and used them as a barricade behind which some of the “fat cats” on super salaries and allowances were hiding. The Minority Government shuddered at the possibility of a combined opposition using its parliamentary majority not only to trim the budget but
Kaieteur News
reduce VAT, suspend increase in electricity tariff for Lindeners, set up immediately the Public Procurement Commission to prevent waste and corruption, etc. It therefore sought to divide the opposition. It is in this context that the AFC is baffled that APNU has chosen this historic moment to go into bed with the PPP, and make what appears to be secret deals. The APNU/PPP engagement is viewed with suspicion firstly, that the AFC was locked out from the “talks” and secondly, when it appeared that a “deal” was struck, the door was opened for AFC to legitimize the backroom arrangements. We want to make it clear that AFC was not a party to the exercise of placing Parliament at the feet of the Executive, and working out deals with the President when all concessions ought to have been made on the floor of Parliament, in keeping with transparency. Some leaders of APNU have expressed a concern that budgetary cuts could result in loss of jobs. But this was never what the AFC was about. We demanded that Government provide us with the salaries of the 25 highest paid in each department,
including advisors who enjoy multi-million packages, and Government refused to do so. We also identified areas where no explanations were provided for billions of dollars in expenditure and decided on cuts if no satisfactory answers were given in Parliament. The AFC also wanted to restore professionalism to the Public Service by allowing educated, trained and skilled Guyanese, especially the young, to openly enter the public service on the basis of their qualification and merit, and via back-door connections. We wanted to grow the labour sector in a disciplined way, and allow it access to trade union representation, collective bargaining, pensions and other retirement benefits. Because of our clear and unequivocal position, at least one Minister has made a commitment to encourage recruitment through the formal procedure, in the future. We want to make it very clear to you the people of Guyana that it was the AFC’s position during the budget debate, that the scissors be used in judicious cuts on the bloated government’s bureaucracy, on excursions
abroad, extravaganza and billion-dollar projects not approved by a procurement commission. Our goal was to secure jobs by bringing employees into the civil service where they would have union representation, thus preventing the government from using them as their tools, or firing them as they see fit. In other words, we want to put an end to PPP cronyism and nepotism. Further, the intention of the AFC was to find the billions of dollars of tax payers’ money which the PPP Minority Government has allowed to be kept in so-called “company” accounts, like NICIL; or hidden away in slush funds in several inaccessible accounts. We want all moneys including those coming (initially $5 Billion) from the sale of Guyana’s share in GT&T, to be placed in the Consolidated Fund. If we grow the national pie, there would be enough to go around, and to make life better for our workers, pensioners, and other marginalized and disadvantaged folks. No more should this Minority Government be allowed to say glibly that it cannot afford to pay more, or repeat like a parrot the old, broken, song, “the next five years” in which to expect better. We welcome the increase in old age pension, but the
Sunday April 22, 2012
struggle continues for a decent social assistance envelope, and for income tax to be cut incrementally, from this year, by just over 3%. The APNU/PPP dealers know that the AFC will not dance in their party unless we can openly discuss these burning issues, including reduction of Jagdeo’s presidential pension plan (J/ PPP). As for the people of Linden, AFC applaud their struggle and say to them that we remain firm on our commitment to suspend the increase in electricity tariff whilst pressing for new jobs for the people in their rapidly depressed community, to restore their access to television service, remove the dust nuisance, etc.. But we will not get into their politics. It is up to Lindeners to decide whether or not APNU has turned its back on them. It became clear that the PPP is afraid of the combined opposition. During the elections campaign it had generated fear among IndoGuyanese that AFC was “in bed” with PNC. During the budget debate the PPP condemned AFC and praised APNU. That was the set-up for the back-room engagement. Simply put, we are witnessing the colonial politics of divide-and-rule in its worse permutation. The AFC continues to stand on a ground of principle, not to surrender Parliament to
the Executive, and to prosecute the fight with dignity. We welcome the support for the good cause from Mr. Lincoln Lewis, the leader of the Guyana Trades Union Congress, and we are encouraged by thousands who now proudly exclaim, “Stay on course AFC!” In the next round, we expect that APNU will not disappoint the people on the issue of stopping waste of their moneys on propaganda machines like GINA and NCN. Even if we remain alone, we will not stand down in the fight against ‘pork-barrel’ projects, sweetheart deals and abuse of freedom of speech and equal access to the state media, including Chronicle, which daily malign and assassinate the character of AFC leaders with apparent impunity and recklessness. The AFC will not succumb to any pressure to compromise with the PPP or bargain away the rights of the poor, the working people and our industrious patriotic business class. We will continue to fight to cut some $3 billion of taxpayers’ money from exorbitantly priced projects that would not be of benefit to low income earners and are often done below standards. We will not deviate from our position, even though we may be the only Movement to take a principled stand. A luta continua!
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
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THE ARTS FORUM is a platform that accommodates multiple voices exploring themes and issues of concern to the peoples of Guyana, the Caribbean, and the Diaspora. As such, the views expressed by guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of the Directors of THE ARTS FORUM Inc. **************** Recently, there has been a spate of letters to the local Press on the subject of ethnicity, multiculturalism and identity. Editorials and columnists are also expressing views concerning the nature and dynamics of our society. We are a people who derive from various ancestral groups with equally diverse cultural sensitivities. But what and who are we in the New World? We are Indian, African, Portuguese, Chinese, Mixed races, Amerindian, in addition to being Guyanese. Are we also an indistinguishable Creole mass? Are we living in discrete cultural blocks, peacefully, side-by-side? Are we a multicultural society? Are we a plural society? And most important, do we have a national policy that recognises our cultural diversity and pays equal respect to all our cultural groups? These questions remain relevant if only because they hinge on questions of identity. The quest for identity remains fundamental. **************** This thoughtful article by ABU BAKR offers another perspective to consider the society we inhabit and contribute to. It adds significantly to the current discourse and is well worth pondering on. The Arts Journal welcomes responses to its Columns.
DEFINITIONS OF WEST INDIAN SELFHOOD BY ABU BAKR A lot of the success we have enjoyed in the Caribbean – a dynamic and creative culture that has, in its artistic forms, become exportable and universally respected, a tradition of achievement and scholarship in the political as well as the academic realms, a sifting and re-working of the age-old cultures from which we were brought into dynamic new forms, the self-confidence, the resilience…may be said to have been possible only because we are in this crucible in this point in history. A lot of the stress – political, racial, religious, existential and mental – may be said to be due to precisely the same factors – time and place and our adaptation to it.There is an unending conversation we have with our selves, both internal and other-directed, that has focussed on the comprehension and delineation of just this factor. The earlier generation of trained Caribbean people who discussed these matters is dying out. Their successors are now in middle age, and the books already passed to another generation. One notable thinker on these matters merits remembrance if only for his reconceptualisation of the discourse. Edouard Glissant, who was short-listed for the Nobel Prize in 1992, when Walcott won it, died last year. He is best known to an Englishspeaking public for his work on Caribbean “identity.” The Martinican writer and philosopher was an important contributor to the discussion on the question of who we were, are, and, in essence, wish to be. Of how we see ourselves and wish to be seen. And, importantly, of who, objectively, we were in relation to others. In the French Caribbean as elsewhere, the writer’s death in February of 2011 was treated as a loss of
Abu Bakr significance. Glissant had notably been considered one of the thinkers who, adopting the thesis of René Menil, had moved the definition of the West Indian from the dominion of a culture fixed in a “negritude,” or in any other label that emerges from a primordial and essential racial category. He is therefore best remembered as an advocate of Menil’s “Antillanité” (Caribbeaness), proposed as an elaboration of the idea that the historical process had spun us out of the gravitational zone of a single and simple race-based identity. We had been caught instead, in a universal and permanent process that tended to a mixing of both racial and cultural elements and the creation of a new personhood. A mixturemetissage – what he and other francophone contributors call a “Créolité”. A sort of “creolitude” in which the Caribbean man, viewed in all his racial diversity, is defined not as his “roots,” but more, as Dennis Williams once wrote, as a sort of “rhizome” branching off and out from a mother tree that flourished in India or Africa or elsewhere. Glissant has universal relevance for the fact of his concordance with and assertion of the idea that all human societies live the same process. Understandably, he had been principally writing in and
of a region where the biological and existential aspects of “race” were refashioned by attitudes formed in the colonial era. Where the mentalities of opposing extremes, and a certain stress were evident. It was evident in the frank denial of the African element in the Dominican Republic (a new racial classification, the Taino “Indio”, was legally invented to efface and replace the Africanity of the mullato). In the fact that, in contrast to the Dominican anti-African decree, many Spanishspeaking nations lived in negation of their Amerindian heritage and presence. The contrasting attitudes to race and identity surged forth in the power of Garveyism and other movements that inserted the freed slaves and their descendants in a triumphalist back-to-Africa narrative that rejected the region as a new home. It revealed its underlying pathologies in a certain obsession with the absurd precision of twenty or sixty descriptive terms for each combination of black and white blood, for each nuance
Ameena Gafoor of colour and its crown of hair. Members of the black race were living an existential malaise in need of urgent resolution. The other races, beneficiary or not of the system, were equally deformed by the prejudices generated in the system. Glissant, whose “Le Discours Antillais” is considered a major treatise on the question of West Indian identity, is in a historical timeline post-Césaire, and almost contemporary with Fanon. And if the matter of identity immediately evokes the works of three francophone writers, a poet, a psychoanalyst, and a litterateur like Glissant whose production included poetry, novels and essays, it is because the French colonies have suffered the irritant and scourge of a demeaning racism in ways that we, as former British West Indians would find exaggerated, unimaginable. The late Professor Rex Nettleford, one of the most important Anglophone Caribbean writers on the question of identity, may be thought of as a sort of proponent of antillanité who recognises the objective fact that the dominant element cohabiting with the European culture was African, at least for descendants of Africa in the region. What Glissant was to do was to integrate the IndoCaribbean, Amerindian and other “minority” populations, into a conceptual cultural architecture that displaces the African element from the foreground, and grants preeminence to an evolutionary
process in which all the races are seen as cultures in constant mutation, propelled forward by the stimuli of the larger environment as well as the internal changes that come with their adaptation to the new circumstances. The accent shifted from “race” to “process.” This interaction of the various cultural elements in the Caribbean may yield, it is to be remarked, interesting results. For when one looks at Rastafarianism, perhaps the principal identity product now associated with African sojourn in the West Indies, one finds diminished the roles that Indo-Jamaicans played in developing both doctrine and practice. (Leonard Howell, founder of Rastafarianism, lived with an Indian community in his hill retreat of the Pinnacle, and it is believed by some that ganja use by Rastas, perhaps even dreadlocks, vegetarianism, and a certain asceticism associated with Rastas may have had their origin with Howell – the Gurgaon guru and his IndoJamaican community.) The above example demonstrates the dangers of a totalising discourse such as “negritude.” A totalising discourse consumes and obscures the diverse racial and cultural elements that pour into the foundation of a modern identity in any given locality. It is as “universal” in its own hegemonic sense as is Naipaul’s conception of a universal culture outside of
which one finds only “margin” and a peripheralised role and existence for the Others. Glissant argued that reality in the Caribbean demonstrates the limits of any conception of culture as uniform, static or monolithic and any submission to the idea of a hegemonic “universal culture.” Patrick Chamoiseau, Raphael Confiant, and Jean Bernabé are other writerproponents of antillanitecréolité. Many others continue to contribute views on the question. And there must be reasons why the question remains relevant. One of the reasons, one must be sure, is that the Caribbean exists in an intellectual and quotidian ambiance in which the governing European powers had themselves given an extraordinary weight to the question of race and by extension, culture. Defining oneself as “the master race” imposes a certain self-interrogation on others in (Continued on page 37)
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Nagamootoo bemoans PPP's “loss of values in public life” By Gary Eleazar This past week, the debate on the 2012 Budget concluded and the Parliamentarians have since resolved into a Standing Committee of Supply to consider the estimates of the allocations individually. There were several empathic presentations during the debate and the Finance Minster, Dr Ashni Singh, even observed what he called a linguistic competition along with an excellent display of oratorial skills. Truth be told, there were also several less than lacklustre presentations from both sides of the aisle, at times. There was, however, in all of the banter, tit-for-tat and sometimes constant heckling, an interesting point raised. The House remained still and all attention was focused on Brigadier (rtd) David Granger as he made his maiden presentation to a Budget Debate. The Leader of the Parliamentary Opposition stressed that the majority of Guyanese today don't know who “Burnham and Cheddi
Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan board an airplane to England and India in 1953, a special period in Guyana's political history, according to Nagamootoo
are.”He was referring to Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Dr Cheddi Berret Jagan, both deceased. Both are also credited as founders of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) which in itself has an impressive political history and currently rules the Guyanese halls of power. A PPP SPAWN On Nomination Day, in the days before the
the few men alive today that can legitimately lay claim to working closely with the indomitable Dr Cheddi Jagan. The two rubbed shoulders to the point that there was/is a passionate debate as to whether Dr Jagan had picked Nagamootoo to be his successor and head the political giant that is the PPP. During a Parliamentary
“He (Dr. Jagan) was incorruptible and we are seeing now the floodgates of sleaze in public life…It's telling us that they have certainly lost their way.” November 28, 2011, General and Regional Election, Moses Nagamootoo dropped a political bombshell (the magnitude of a nuclear attack on the local political front) when he confirmed rumours that he had left his beloved PPP, which he called home for decades and would join with the Alliance for Change. Nagamootoo is one of
break this week, Nagamootoo told this publication that he does not believe that the context in which Granger made his comment was really meant to send a signal that Guyanese really didn't know of “Cheddi and Burnham”. He opined that the Brigadier was suggesting that the men and their contribution may not be an
important enough feature to highlight as prominently as it does in a 2012 debate about monies to be spent for this year. Nagamootoo ventured to speculate that what the Brigadier meant was that it was not important enough to focus in 2012, on a 28-year rule of the PNC which ended two decades ago or a particular tenure in office for Dr. Jagan several-odd years ago also. PPP DIVIDED AND LOST Speaking to the current crop of leadership in the PPP it was acknowledged that the President, Donald Ramotar, is a student of the Jagan Doctrine, but Nagamootoo had far less flattering, and even more descriptive words for the younger corps of leaders in the party. Nagamootoo said that the PPP “has certainly gone astray from the Jagan ideals”. He said that some of the current leaders in the party
Moses Nagamootoo seem to have lost their way in “underscoring the legacy of Cheddi” which has been one that focused on the issue of “lean and clean”. “He was incorruptible and we are seeing now the floodgates of sleaze in public life. It's telling us that
they have certainly lost their way.” “What you are finding is this new breed of leaders has not really gravitated to the essential core of what I call Jaganism, which is morality in public life, humility, (Continued on page 34)
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Nagamootoo bemoans PPP's... (From page 31) absence of arrogance. Jagan gave value to public life,” Nagamootoo reflected. He said that Jagan was a man that portrayed himself as a selfless person, not inspired by material acquisition or uninhibited greed. “These are values in public life that we seem to have lost and the new people on the PPP bandwagon, they allow themselves to be captive of the fact of power and not a fact of service.” Nagamootoo was at the time responding to a pool of names of Cabinet Ministers all of whom would have been still very young at the time Dr Jagan died some 15 years ago. “Power tends to make them arrogant and disdainful,” which he said manifests itself in a “cuss up, cuss down mode”. He suggested that, “if they imbibe service as part of their political culture, they will know it comes with humility and that they have to do things differently.” Nagamootoo drew reference to occasions when he would rise to speak in the House of Assembly from the opposition benches, “whether in a substantive manner or to simply ask a question, and they have a wolf pack that would come after me howling, because they are intolerant of any other view and more so intolerant of a view they perceive should be silent.”
NADIRA JAGANBRANCIER Nagamootoo recalled that when he made his presentation from the benches of the AFC to the 2012 Budget, he attempted to highlight some scathing remarks that emanated from the biological offspring of Cheddi and Janet Jagan. “I referred to Nadira (Jagan) and they had a big howl, the wolf pack went on the offensive.” Nagamootoo suggested that the 'Parliamentary wolf pack' he was referring to, did not want him to have Nadira Jagan's observation of the party leaders recorded on the Parliamentary Hansard. The former PPP stalwart said that Mrs. JaganBrancier's comments served as a serious indictment on the party and its current leaders. He said that not only is she, the daughter of two founders of the PPP, but a political operative, bred by the Jagans. “As she said, she did not have much time (with them) but the little time was quality time.” Nagamootoo in seeking to qualify the statements made by Mrs. JaganBrancier, said that as a child she “had become a victim because of her parents own sacrifice…in her own life she had participated in small struggles.” Nagamootoo said that she had a disposition, in which she wanted to emulate
her father and she was drawn to the PPP because of the values that her parents had instilled in the political movement. Values, he said, that she “looked to enhance particularly the poor and the disadvantaged.” He pointed out too that the daughter of the legendary leader “is revolted by what she has seen…it it has become a departure from the ideals of her parents, which attracted her to making her own sacrifices. I know her, and she is very passionate in her commitment to people and her commitment to her country, and I believe that she is not only disappointed, but feels betrayed.” JAGANITES VS JAGDEOITES Nagamootoo has a morbid prediction for the party he once called home even though he says that, “I suppose it will never cease to be Jagan party.” He opined that, “there is going to always be a struggle of opposites in the party…those who have betrayed the Jagan ideals, (and) there will be the Jagan loyalists who would constantly repudiate them and try to put them aside.” Speaking ominously Nagamootoo said, “And those who like the Jagdeoites, the new kids on the block who came with their own background, not necessarily one of commitment and one of
sacrifice, they would try to assert their own way, their own mode of doing things.” Nagamootoo was drawing direct reference to former President Bharrat Jagdeo, who served at the helm from 1999, hence being de facto head of the party. He said Jagdeo developed a loyal following, with many maintaining allegiance to him even after he demitted office a few months ago. “I believe there would be a constant battle between the elements inside the party…between those who feel that the Jagan ideals are best for Guyana and those who feel that you don't need Jagan, he is dead and gone.” Nagamootoo says that he recalls a function he had attended some time ago, where another party stalwart said, “don't worry with Jagan, Jagan dead and gone.” Nagamootoo says that as he recalls, this is a statement that left many persons feeling offended. FORBES BURNHAM “For us, it is not Jagan as a person, and I suppose the same could be said of Forbes Burnham…Forbes Burnham had an intellect that attracted people to him.” Nagamootoo on turning his attention to the other individual credited with founding the PPP said that, “He (Burnham) was in many w a y s a v i s i o n a r y, a developmentalist who
Nadira Jagan-Brancier looked into the future and had placed on the agenda for Guyana this need for self reliance, the need to focus more on Guyananisation.” Nagamootoo suggested that there will continue be an appeal for certain values that are associated with Burnham “in the same way there will continue to be an appeal to the values associated with Cheddi Jagan…so it is not simply the issue of two legendary leaders, who for me are the maximum legendary leaders that this country has seen.” In concluding, Nagamootoo boldly opined
that he has seen materialise in the Alliance for Change, a dream of Cheddi Jagan where Guyana could return of the politics of the 1950s. This, he said, was a time where there was a united political movement motivated by the interests of the people of Guyana. “That's why we (AFC) describe ourselves as the rainbow coalition, and before Dr Jagan died, he had always said that he wanted this country to return to the politics of the '50s…1953 when you had a united movement….it was a united national movement.”
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Decisions on Cuba rooted in politics, not principle By Sir Ronald Sanders US President Barack Obama vetoed Cuba’s attendance at this month’s Summit of the Americas in Colombia for domestic political reasons. He was not alone in applying domestic considerations. Every other hemispheric leader adopted a position on Cuba that related to his/her own political concerns. Canada’s Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, supported Obama in denying an invitation not only to the Colombia Summit but also to the next one in Panama in 2015, because he had an eye on the importance of maintaining a close link to the US. The US is Canada’s biggest trading partner, and to preserve that position, it is as well that the Canadian government be seen by all parties in the US as supportive of US policies. Of course, unlike other countries in the Western Hemisphere, including all who now call for Cuba’s participation in the Summit of the Americas, Canada has always maintained diplomatic relations with Cuba and trade has continued briskly between the two nations. Therefore, notwithstanding Fidel Castro’s lambasting of Stephen Harper after he criticised Cuba’s human rights record, there is more than enough economic benefits for Cuba in its relations with Canada for the Castro government not to allow this event to mar the overall association between the two countries. As for the Caribbean countries, almost all of them
now benefit from Cuba’s scholarship programme for their young people to study at Cuban Universities, as well as Cuba’s programme of supplying doctors and other forms of technical assistance. They know that the Cuban government provides this assistance at great cost to itself. The resources could be used to address serious problems within Cuba, not least shortages of food and medicines. They also know that Cuba is now no military threat to the United States and has no interest in military adventurism anywhere in the hemisphere. Further, despite the fact that Cuba still remains on the US State Department’s list of “state sponsors of terrorism”. Caribbean governments also know that this listing is without foundation and should be abandoned. In calling for Cuba’s inclusion in meetings of the Summit of the Americas – in the face of opposition from the US government Caribbean governments are paying back Cuba for its generous assistance to them. Of course, Barack Obama is correct when he makes the following observation about Caribbean governments and the relatively-new “democratic” governments in Latin America: “I am sometimes puzzled by the degree to which countries that themselves have undergone enormous transformations, that have known the oppression of dictatorships or have found themselves on the wrong side of the ruling elite, and have suffered for it, why we would ignore that same principle
here.” It is obvious that Obama, the man, is concerned that “Cuba has not yet moved to democracy, has not yet observed basic human rights.” It is the same concern that Stephen Harper identified. There is validity in the unease, and the Cuban government must do more and do it more openly – to end its regime of intolerance to dissent and its resistance to political change. Other countries in the hemisphere, including all the nations of the Caribbean, have learned to accommodate political dissent, to respond to demands of workers, to hold elections, and to change governments by peaceful means. The question that always arises on this issue is whether Cuba should be encouraged to undergo the required change by isolation or by engagement. The US has chosen isolation through the trade embargo and resisting Cuba’s attendance at the Americas Summit. The matter of membership of the Organisation of American States (OAS) is no longer relevant, since the Castro government has described the organisation as “an unburied corpse”. But, that is more bluster on the Cuban government’s part than an accurate assessment of the OAS. The organisation is now more concerned with democratic governance in its member states than it used to be, and the Cuban government would find it difficult to measure-up to the criteria for securing and maintaining membership.
Neither Obama nor Harper has sought to defend their denial of Cuba’s participation in the Americas Summit while they engage with China in several fora despite the latter’s human rights record. Yet, if they argue that engagement with China is essential to promoting change, it should be equally necessary in Cuba’s case. Hence, they should drop their objection to Cuba’s participation in the Summit and use it as a forum for setting and applying principles to which all countries, including Cuba, would have to adhere. But, Obama, the President of the US who is seeking another term in office, has to deal with carrying the State of Florida in the upcoming Presidential election. Florida, where many influential antiCastro, Cuban-Americans live, is important to winning the Presidency. Given the strong antiCastro feeling, Obama could not afford to offend the Florida electorate by agreeing to the Cuban government’s participation at the Colombia Summit, nor could he signal now that he would agree to its attendance in Panama in 2015. Like every other leader, domestic politics dictates
international policy, even when it leads to actions that are plainly unproductive. A clear indication that anti-Castro sentiment is very much alive and well in Florida is the passage by the legislature last March of a Bill designed to punish the Castro government by restricting state and local governments from signing procurement contracts with any companies that do business with Cuba. The constitutionality of such a bill has been questioned since “only the federal government (and Congress) has the legislative competence to conduct foreign policy and impose sanctions”. But, it would be a foolishly daring Obama who would veto the Bill. Domestic politics in the US trumps a more sensible policy of engagement with Cuba. The crazy thing is that it suits the Castro regime since they can continue to blame the “Yankee imperialists” for the deprived conditions the Cuban people suffer. For the Cuban leadership, as for all other hemispheric leaders, the imperatives of domestic politics triumph. (The writer is a
Sir Ronald Sanders Consultant and former Caribbean diplomat) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com
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DEFINITIONS OF WEST... From page 27 your company who do not share the same genotype and are culturally different. The African, a Hausa or Yoruba in an earlier definition, emerges in the Caribbean from the particularised tribal identity to enter a “lumpen” sub-group labelled “African”. The Indian-Ahir or Dube or Brahmin in the land of his origins, is slowly transformed into a massified “Indian” by the mutational process we stated as being both externally and internally driven. And, in a society concerned with hierarchies, the new men from old continents recommence the process of ranking based on the new categories learnt and acquired plus some of the old values they brought with them and chose to retain. The notable thing with Glissant and the other French Antillians is that the discourse is really entrapped in a dialogue with and about the European world and its philosophies. The discourse, unfortunately, often occults the ideological battle in which some of our societies are now engaged. The battle is for the end to an afro-european hegemony that extends from the laws and behavioural codes to the dominance of language in all its meanings, and the political ramifications therefrom. The fact is that we are now working with a system formed in other circumstances and with the dominance of codes and values long since elaborated. We have been creolised. And hence “The Creole” however he may wish to racially define himself, is, essentially, product and heir of a “total” system in which the official underlying values are neither Yoruba nor Ibo or Fon, or Hindu, Muslim and Chinese, but European and Christian. And this in spite of what family life practices or the variety of religious beliefs would showcase. The institutions, and the ideological scaffolding, with which the nations are constructed are invariably Euro-American in their origin. The Indo-Guyanese, or Indo- Trinidadian, or Guadeloupean, etc., figures incontestably as mere witness and a sort of movie extra in this, for us, the essential process. His contribution is rarely sought and seldom given equal weight. As such “multicultural” forms are confined in a rigorously delimited “freedom of religion” modality which exerts the narrowest of influence on the laws and codes of the new communities. Divorce or inheritance
procedures, as all aspects of personal law, commercial law and practice etc. define the creole as a provincial in a larger scheme having its locus of generation elsewhere. The fact is that having been thrust into the cultural universe of the European West, there is no escaping. The change is ontological, epistemic. One literally becomes a new creature – an Afro-European or Indo-European or Amerindian-European, and so on. And the fact of our detachment, in the case of immigrants, from the continents of origin, renders the metissage all the more complete on the surface and profoundly embedded. And it is in this sense that the “creolistes” are right. The template we inherit will remain in place. A disengagement from the national creolo-centric project becomes impossible. Indian parties (the significant minority in three Caribbean territories) once in power, merely change names and hair type while maintaining many of the cultural biases of the system they inherit. The experience in multiconfessional or pluri-cultural societies has not proven that different peoples can, without great stress and often violence, retain all of their differences while sharing the same territorial space and achieving real equality. Nor has it been shown that creolisation, to which all are subject, can be reversed. Anywhere. ABU BAKR is a Guyanese born analyst, educated in Guyana and France and now lives in Europe. He is currently preparing a book of essays on “the politics of race, place and gender” with reference primarily to continental Europe, Africa, India and the Caribbean. The main idea behind this work is that each of these elements of identity is and has historically been radically modified by changes in the social order such as colonialism, or by migration etc. The ancestors of the dominant groups also re-defined themselves and were redefined by their new circumstances. The editor, Ameena Gafoor, may be reached on Telephone: 592 227 6825 or E - m a i l : theartsjournal@live.co.uk VOLUME 7 NUMBERS 1 & 2 of THE ARTS JOURNAL will shortly be on the bookshelves of all leading bookstores in Guyana, or from the editor, or from bernadettepersaud5@hotmail.com
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From page 20 Change to slash monies allocated for the payment of contract employees. Some of the protestors explained that while they were not forced to protest they were encouraged by their colleagues who announced that they should “stand up for their rights.” A few nurses explained that they were “urged” by co-workers to protest because they would be losing their jobs if the AFC succeeded in cutting the budgets for the various Ministries. Yet some staff from the Ministries quietly told this newspaper that they were “ordered” to gather in front of the Parliament Buildings by their superiors. OLD AGE PENSION HIKED TO $10,000 Following an early meeting at Office of the President between Head of State, Donald Ramotar and Opposition Leader David Granger, prior to
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Wednesday’s round of sessions in the House, it was agreed that the old age pension increase as announced by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh will be increased further. Dr Singh reported to the House that following the meeting for which a range of proposals was put forward by Granger, the Government agreed to make the increase payable from May 1. The Finance Minister told the House that a delegation from A Partnership for National Unity had put forward a number of issues for discussion with the issue of old age pension increase gaining immediate favour with the President’s team. Dr Singh said that Government will be examining how to effect the necessary adjustments to fund the increase for the old age pensioners. On Friday March 30, 2012, the Minister of Finance had announced a $600 increase
for old age pension but despite his trumpeting the increase, it was slammed as an insult to pensioners by the Combined Opposition. Dr Singh in his budget presentation had said that the government would have increased the payable old age pension from $7,500 to $8,100 — a $600 increase that was scoffed at. Following the first session of the House on Wednesday, Granger explained what had transpired. The Opposition Leader explained that at the end of the debates aspect of the 2012 Budget sessions, APNU was invited to a meeting at the behest of Speaker of the House Raphael Trotman, where both the Alliance for Change and Government were represented. Friday Edition MORE TV LICENCES TO BE GRANTED Extra-Parliamentary talks/ meetings between A
Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Head of State Donald Ramotar, continue to bear fruit as was reported to the House by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds. The Leader of the Government side of the House on Thursday disclosed – even as the Members of Parliament were about to continue perusal of the budget estimates in detail – that Brigadier (rtd) David Granger and his APNU delegation had met with Ramotar to “avoid unnecessary collisions in the exercise we are engaged in.” According to Prime Minister Hinds, the Government has since agreed to, upon application, issue several more televisions licences for the people of Linden, as well as the remainder of the country. “In relation to television stations which exist in Georgetown and the coast, being available in Linden and across our country, our government will shortly be granting, on application, additional over the air television broadcast licences all over Guyana including Linden.” On the issue of the increase in electricity tariff for Lindeners, Hinds reported that while the streamlining of the tariff with that of GPL is inevitable, Government has agreed to have the increases effected in a more gradual manner. APNU, AFC PART WAYS ON BUDGET CUT FOR HOUSING MINISTRY’S SECURITY
Sunday April 22, 2012
Following the brouhaha that erupted as a result of the submission of a motion by Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan, threatening budget cuts of in excess of US$15M ($3B), the first opportunity to pursue the effect of the motion came as the House resolved itself into the Committee of Supply. This was on Wednesday, during the consideration of the Current Expenditure for the Ministry of Housing. Ramjattan had sought clarification on the security allocations for the Ministry, which was increased from $7.3M to $18.8M. Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali, proceeded to inform the House that the Ministry had approached the Special Constabulary Department with a view to having them expand the security services to include some additional buildings. Ali said that the department informed the Ministry that as a result of limited manpower, such a request could not be accommodated. He pointed out that as a result, the Ministry had to resort to private security firms, and proceeded to state that through a public tendering process, RK’s Security Service was awarded the contract. The Housing Minister explained that the contract price of $18.8M emanated from that process. This explanation however, did not find favour with Ramjattan, who promptly informed the House that he would like to have the $18.8M allocation
slashed by $9.8M. He called for a division of the votes to be reflected, at which point in time the main opposition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), abstained from voting. As a result, the call to slash the amount was defeated 32 to 7. APNU abstained from the vote. Following the refusal of APNU to support the cut, Ramjattan declined to put forward any other amendments seeking to slash allocations. He expressed disappointment with APNU’s decision to withhold its support for the $9.8M cut. Saturday Edition HENRY GREENE GONE Embattled Police Commissioner Henry Greene has resigned. Greene offered to go into retirement Friday via a letter to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, according to a brief statement from the Office of the President. “By letter dated April 19, 2012, addressed to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Mr. Henry Greene, DSM, has offered to retire as the Commissioner of Police of Guyana,” the statement said. “His Excellency Donald Ramotar, President of the Republic of Guyana has accepted his offer with immediate effect,” it added. A top Government official had indicated earlier this week that the government was stepping up the pressure on Greene to resign over the sex scandal that has been dogging him. The official had said that Greene would be fired if he refused to resign. Before leaving for the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia, President Donald Ramotar reportedly asked Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon to “talk” to Greene, mainly to ask him to clear out his office. But sources close to the Commissioner stated that another contributory factor to Greene’s decision to step down was the sudden death of his mother. Mrs. Irene Enid Greene passed away yesterday in Ohio, USA. She was 83. Greene said that there is only so much a person can take. He added that the matter took a toll on him and his immediate relatives. He stopped short of blaming his mother’s death on the scandal and subsequent public outcry for his head. Greene’s fall from grace began in December last year, when a 34-year-old mother of two claimed that the Police Commissioner raped her after forcing her into a city hotel.
Sunday April 22, 2012
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Childhood Obesity May Raise Odds of Adult Liver Cancer (HealthDay News) — Adults who were obese as children are at increased risk for liver cancer, a new study suggests. Researchers looked at the birth weight and body-mass index (a measurement of body fat based on height and weight commonly called BMI) of more than 165,000 men and 160,000 women in Denmark born between 1930 and 1989. Of those participants, 252 developed hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer in adulthood. The study authors calculated that at age 7, the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma increased by 12 percent for every one-point increase in BMI. By age 13, that risk increased to 25 percent. Therefore, as units of BMI
increased into adulthood, so did the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. This was consistently similar across both genders and all ages. Other factors associated with liver cancer include alcoholism, infection by hepatitis B and C, and other liver diseases. But the study results did not change when participants with these factors were removed from the study, which indicates that childhood obesity was the major factor in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, the researchers said. The study was slated for presentation Thursday at the International Liver Congress in Barcelona. “Childhood obesity not only leads to the development of many
adverse metabolic conditions — such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease — but also fatty liver disease, which may subsequently result in liver cancer,” Dr. Frank Lammert, a scientific committee member of the European Association for the Study of the Liver, said in an association news release. “The importance of maintaining a healthy childhood BMI cannot be underestimated,” Lammert said in the release. “These alarming study results point to a potential correlation between childhood obesity and development of liver cancer in adulthood.” Data and conclusions presente d a t m e e t i n g s should be considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.
Vitamin C May Lower High Blood Pressure
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that large doses of vitamin C may help reduce hypertension in adults. The study, which was published in the current issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that the nutrient can cause a moderate decrease a person’s blood pressure. What are the details of the study? The study was what is referred to as a “review” study, which means that it looked at and analyzed previous research for patterns and observations. In this case, scientists looked at the data from 29 previous clinical trials involving more than 1,400 people in order to reach their conclusions, according to the Baltimore Sun. What did the study find? Preliminary conclusions would suggest that consuming large amounts of vitamin C, in this case, at least 500 milligrams per day for an average of eight weeks, can have a positive, though moderate, effect on someone suffering from hypertension. This amount is the equivalent
HIV Raises Anal Cancer Risk in Women, Study Says (HealthDay News) — Women with HIV are at increased risk for anal cancer, a new study finds. Researchers at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City looked at 715 HIVinfected women and found that 10.5 percent had some form of anal disease and about one-third of those women had precancerous disease.
“Anal cancer was widely associated with HIV-infected men who have sex with men. But now, this study reveals anal precancerous disease in a high proportion of women with HIV,” Dr. Mark Einstein, director of clinical research in the division of gynecologic oncology and a professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, said in a Montefiore
news release. The increased risk of anal cancer in HIV-infected women is likely because HIV is associated with human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes nearly all anal cancers, the researchers said. The study appears May 1 in the Journal of AIDS. The researchers said their findings suggest that all HIV-
Sunday April 22, 2012
infected women who have abnormal findings on tests of anal tissue samples should be referred for high resolution anoscopy, a visual examination of the inside of the anus. In addition, all HIVinfected women and men should be considered for anal cancer screening, the researchers said.
of roughly five times the current daily recommendations. How is vitamin C believed to work? According to Prevention, vitamin C may be able to maintain or protect the body’s levels of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide’s function is specifically to help maintain healthy blood pressure. Past research revolving around the health benefits of vitamin C have focused on the nutrient’s possible role as a diuretic. As such, it may help the kidneys to more efficiently rid the body of excess sodium and water, which has the effect of lowering blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. What are the Johns Hopkins researchers recommending as a result of their findings? Nothing yet. Dr. Edgar R. Miller III, one of the lead researchers in the study, said in the team’s official press release that it was too soon to
Health Tips:
recommend a specific course of action. Further study is required to determine the exact effects of vitamin C on blood pressure. What has been the critical response to the study’s findings? According to WebMD, the researchers involved in the study have themselves pointed out that the studies that they analyzed were usually small. They also pointed out that some of the patients in question were being prescribed blood pressure medication, which could have skewed the results. Additionally, this initial study was not designed to prove whether there were any long-term benefits of taking higher doses of vitamin C. In particular, there was no evidence to suggest that taking large amounts of vitamin C would lower a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular issues or having a stroke.
Seniors Need Their Nutrients
(HealthDay News) — Everyone should eat a healthy, balanced and nutrient-rich diet, especially seniors, who have special nutritional needs. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says these nutrients are especially important as we get older: · Vitamin D and calcium, through fortified foods, low-fat dairy products, leafy green vegetables and fish. · Vitamin B12, through fish, seafood, lean meats and vitamin B12-fortified cereals. · Fiber, through fruits, vegetables and whole grains. · Potassium, through fruits, vegetables and lowfat dairy products. · Polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats, rather than saturated or trans fats.
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
How to Curl your Hair without a Curling Iron Curling irons use heat to curl the hair. Regular use of curling irons can damage the hair due to the excessive heat produced. The good news is that you can have soft and manageable ringlets in your hair without the use of harsh curling irons. The results are often temporary but your hair is saved the trouble of having to undergo harsh heat treatments. Here are some of the ways in which you can curl your hair without the use of a curling iron. Tips to Curl your Hair without a Curling Iron HAIR BRAIDING Hair braiding is a primitive form of curling the hair but it gets the desired results. Your hair will look naturally curly for a few hours. Wet your hair and divide them into sections depending on the number of braids you want. Now tightly braid the wet sections and secure with a rubber band. Let the hair remain braided for the entire night. Open up the braids in the morning and you will see soft and gentle waves in your hair. Brush them out and set the waves with a styling mousse or a gel. BOBBY PIN CURLS These curls were popular in the 70’s when the use of heating irons and curlers was still a new concept. This method works well on short hair. Divide your hair into small sections and wet them. Twirl the sections around your fingers tightly and secure them at the base in a loop formation. Secure them with bobby pins. Now spray some styling mousse or gel on the hair to let it set in place. Open the bobby pins after some time to see tiny ringlets in your hair. THE USE OF FOAM ROLLERS
This is a fairly simple and doable technique of curling hair for most young girls and women. Purchase some standard foam rollers from the market. You can pick up different sizes depending on the size of the curls that you want. Wet your hair and brush them out after applying a styling gel. Now divide your hair into equal sections and secure them tightly in the foam rollers. Let the rollers stay on the hair for a few hours. Unroll them after a few hours. You will see beautiful and soft curls in your hair. This method works great if you have an important function or event to attend. BLOW-DRYING While blow-drying uses heat, the heat is fairly tempered and does not do extensive damage to the hair. Wash your hair and make sure you put in a leave-in hair conditioner. Now take a thick bristle brush and pull out each section of your hair such that it is stretched. Twist the section of the hair around the brush and apply a low blast of heat from the blow dryer on that section. Now remove the hair from the brush and let it hang softly on the nape of your neck. Repeat the process for all the sections of hair. Whatever method you choose, protect your curls by using a gentle shampoo and applying special curl setting, styling cream to keep your curls in place.
SOLUTION FOR LAST WEEK’S SEARCH & FIND
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Born Loser
ICE FISHING A blonde wanted to go ice fishing. She’d seen many books on the subject, and finally, after getting all the necessary “tools” together, she made for the nearest frozen lake. After positioning her comfy stool, she started to make a circular cut in the ice. Suddenly, from the sky, a voice boomed, “THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE.” Startled the blonde moved further down the ice, poured a Thermos of cappuccino and began to cut another. Again from the heavens, the voice bellowed, “THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE.” The blonde, now quite worried, moved down to the opposite end of the ice, set up her stool, and tried again to cut her hole. The voice came once more, “THERE ARE NO FISH UNDER THE ICE.” She stopped, looked skyward and said, “Is that you Lord?” The voice replied, “No ... this is the Ice-Rink Manager....” ************** EXECUTION Three women were about to be executed. One was a brunette, one a redhead, and the other a blonde. The guard brought the first woman, the brunette, forward and the executioner asked if she had any last requests. She said no, and the executioner shouted: “... Ready ... Aim ... !! and suddenly the brunette yelled, “EARTHQUAKE!”. Everyone was startled and looked around. She escaped. So they brought up the redhead and asked if she had any last requests. She said no, and the executioner shouted: “... Ready ... Aim ...!! and suddenly the redhead yelled “TORNADO!” Everyone was startled and looked around. She escaped. By now, the blonde had it all figured out. They brought her forward and the executioner asked if she had any last requests. She said no and the executioner shouted: “... Ready ... Aim ... !! and the blonde yelled, “FIRE!” ************** THE MIRROR There was once a magic mirror in a ladies room in a bar. If one stood in front of this mirror and tells the truth, one is granted a wish. However, if one tells a lie, *POOF* you are instantly swallowed up by the mirror, never to be seen again. A redhead of questionable looks walks into the Ladies Room and stands before the mirror and says, “I think I’m the most beautiful woman in the world.” *POOF* The mirror swallows her. Next, a rather large brunette stands before the mirror and says, “I think I think I’m the sexiest woman alive! *POOF* The mirror swallows her. Then an absolutely gorgeous blond comes in and stands before the mirror and says, “I think...” *POOF* ************** THE BLONDE’S TV A blonde went to the appliance store sale and found a bargain. “I would like to buy this TV,” she told the salesman. “Sorry,we don’t sell to blondes,” he replied. She hurried home and dyed her hair, then came back and again told the salesman “I would like to buy this TV.” “Sorry, we don’t sell to blondes,” he replied. “Darn, he recognized me,” she thought. She went for a complete disguise this time, haircut and new color, new outfit, big sunglasses, then waited a few days before she again approached the salesman. “I would like to buy this TV.” Sorry, we don’t sell to blondes,” he replied. Frustrated, she exclaimed “How do you know I’m a blonde?” “Because that’s a microwave,” he replied. ************** NICEGUY One night a teenage girl brought her new boyfriend home to meet her parents, and they were appalled by his appearance: leather jacket, motorcycle boots, tattoos and pierced nose. Later, the parents pulled their daughter aside and confessed their concern. “Dear,” said the mother diplomatically, “he doesn’t seem very nice.” “Oh please, Mom,” replied the daughter, “if he wasn’t nice, why would he be doing 500 hours of community service?”
Garfield
Non Sequitur
Peanuts
Shoe
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Country profile: Right at the heart of Europe and with a history intertwined with that of its neighbours, Slovakia has proudly preserved its own language and distinct cultural traditions. It was part of Czechoslovakia until the “velvet divorce” in January 1993. The subsequent independence years can be divided into several chapters.
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
SLOVAKIA Germans and 600,000 ethnic Hungarians from thenCzechoslovakia and the confiscation of their property, remain a sensitive issue in relations with neighbours. FACTS
OVERVIEW
Prime Minister-elect Robert Fico
The story in chapter one revolved around frosty relations with the European Union and Nato combined with rejection of economic reform. Chapter two saw a complete change of direction and moves to embrace all three, culminating in EU and Nato membership in 2004. For the first five years after independence, there was growing international criticism of the lack of respect for minority rights and the democratic process shown by the authoritarian prime minister, Vladimir Meciar. He led a string of coalition governments, pursuing nationalist and populist policies until October 1998 when an alliance of liberals, centrists, left-wingers and ethnic Hungarians ousted him, forming a new coalition with Mikulas Dzurinda as prime minister. During Mr Dzurinda’s term of office (1998-2006), Slovakia forged ahead with an economic reform programme and saw a boost
in foreign investment. His government also tried to improve the lot of minorities. Slovakia’s ethnic Hungarian community constitutes about a tenth of the country’s population, and the status of this substantial minority has long been a source of tension between Slovakia and Hungary. Mr Dzurinda’s government oversaw Slovakia’s entry into the EU and Nato, but its economic reforms made it unpopular with voters, and in 2006 it was replaced by a centre-left coalition led by Robert Fico. Mr Fico’s government relied on the support of the Slovak National Party, and his premiership was marred by controversy over treatment of the Hungarian minority. Slovakia also has a significant Romany population which suffers disproportionately high levels of poverty and social deprivation. The post-war Benes decrees, which called for the expulsion of 3 million ethnic
Full name: Slovak Republic Population: 5.5 million (UN, 2011) Capital: Bratislava Area: 49,033 sq km (18,932 sq miles) Major language: Slovak Major religion: Christianity Life expectancy: 72 years (men), 80 years (women) (UN) Monetary unit: 1 euro = 100 cents Main exports: Manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment GNI per capita: US $16,830 (World Bank, 2010) Internet domain: .sk International dialling code: +421 LEADERS President: Ivan Gasparovic Ivan Gasparovic defeated former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar in the second round of the presidential elections in April 2004 on the eve of EU entry. During his election campaign he supported EU accession but criticised the minority government’s EUoriented economic reforms. In April 2009 Mr Gasparovic became the first president of Slovakia to win
re-election, when he defeated his centre-right challenger, Iveta Radicova, in the second round of voting by more than ten percentage points. He received more than 55% of the vote. The president appoints the prime minister. However, parliament exercises legislative power. Prime minister-elect: Robert Fico Mr Fico’s leftist Smer party won a landslide victory in early general elections in March 2012 - the first time since independence that a party had gained an absolute majority in the Slovak parliament. Slovak premier-elect Robert Fico during a TV broadcast on 11 March 2012 The centre-right coalition of Iveta Radicova, which had governed since June 2010, was routed in a poll dominated by a corruption scandal that engulfed its main parties. Known as a straighttalking populist, Robert Fico was born to a working-class family in the provincial town of Topolcany in 1964 and trained as a lawyer in Communist Czechoslovakia. He became a member of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia in 1987, and after the Velvet Revolution of 1989 joined the Party of the Democratic Left (SDL) - a successor of the Communist Party of Slovakia. In 1999 he founded his own party, Direction-Social Democracy (Smer), when it
became clear that the SDL was a spent force. He raised his public profile by sharply criticising the radical economic reform programme implemented by the centre-right governments of Mikulas Dzurinda (19982006), which although hailed by investors and international financial institutions was not popular with ordinary Slovaks. Mr Dzurinda’s policies were seen as having stimulated growth - earning Slovakia the nickname of “the central European tiger” - but were associated with high levels of unemployment and were seen as having a disproportionately negative effect on low wage-earners and welfare recipients. During the 2006 election campaign, Smer strove to project itself as a modern, socialist and pro-European party, but found it hard to maintain this image after it had formed a government in coalition with various ultranationalist and populist parties who were also opposed to Mr Dzurinda’s policies. Mr Fico led Slovakia into
the eurozone during his first stint as prime minister in 20062010, but his government’s record of deteriorating relations with the country’s Hungarian minority also tarnished its reputation in the eyes of the EU. Smer emerged as the largest grouping in the 2010 general election, but was unable to form a government and was ousted by a centreright coalition led by Iveta Radicova, Slovakia’s first female prime minister. Ms Radicova’s government collapsed in October 2011 in a dispute between the coalition partners over whether Slovakia should support an expanded eurozone bailout fund, and the corruption scandal that broke in December completed public disillusionment with the ruling coalition. Mr Fico made defending the eurozone and boosting social welfare two of the main planks of his 2012 election campaign. He has promised to introduce higher taxes for the rich, but has also pledged to stick with the previous government’s policy of reducing the deficit. MEDIA Private network Markiza has the highest share of the TV audience. Public TV has a relatively small audience. Cable and satellite TV are widely watched, as are channels from the neighbouring Czech Republic and Hungary. All major newspapers are privately-owned; the bestselling daily is the tabloid Novy Cas. Privately-owned Radio Expres and the first channel of public Slovak Radio are prominent players in the radio market. Azet.sk is a leading online portal. The constitution guarantees a free press. However, the Press Act, which obliges newspapers to publish responses from individuals who say their reputation has been harmed by an article, has introduced “the dangerous concept of an automatic right of response”, Reporters Without Borders said in 2010. By June 2010 there were 4.1 million internet users (Internetworldstats).
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
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Esteemed Psychiatrist Dr. Frank Beckles... (From page 18) profession, he recalled that the first week he returned to the hospital, he was introduced to Bio-Feedback and Self Regulation, which in simple terms, relate to the regulating of one's physiology. He was tasked with further developing this approach having taken over from another doctor, even as he managed the outpatient department. His involvement in the Self Regulation Programme would soon draw his interest to the area of psychiatry, so much so that by his third year at Baltimore, he decided to further his studies at the University of Maryland's Institute of Psychiatry and H u m a n B e h a v i o u r. “Working in general practice I found that there were many problems that my staff were baffled by and I was fascinated by the role the mind played in those baffling illnesses, and that is what drove me towards psychiatry.” His studies in psychiatry commenced in the 1970s and by 1981 he was a fullfledged psychiatrist. He retired in 1988, but decided to engage a private practice soon after. Still burdened by the need to give back to the Caribbean, he left for Barbados in 1991 with the intention of practicing and settling there. However, he soon found that there was a need for mental health expertise in Guyana and soon introduced his practice here as well. At first he travelled back and forth,
visiting once every month to meet with his growing clientele. By 1997 he was able to set up an office in Guyana and has since started a steady private practice here. Although his practice has not been spared from economical challenges, Dr Beckles noted that he has chosen to remain here because of his love for Guyana. “It is not cheap living in Guyana any more, but I simply love Guyana, and offering my skills here. Guyana has always and will always be my home... that can never change,” he passionately asserted. He disclosed that presently there are a sufficient number of people accessing his psychiatric service located at 302 Church Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, to make it economically feasible for him to stay without a second thought. Although he lives today with no regrets, as according to him “life is too short to have regrets”, he does reflect on a time in his life when his expertise could have been used to save someone very close. He lost both of his sons when they were young adults - the second of the two he would learn, only after his demise, was perhaps bipolar. Also known as manicdepressive disorder, Bipolar Disorder is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a category of mood disorders defined by the presence of one or more episodes of abnormally
Always willing to listen: Dr. Beckles conversing with an employee elevated energy levels, cognition, and mood with or without one or more depressive episodes. Dr. Beckles reflected that since he was not living with his son on a day-to-day basis, he was oblivious to his condition, and no one had seen it fit to bring it to his attention until after he (his son) took his own life. T h e h i g h l y accomplished Dr Beckles said that he is ready and willing to pass on his wide psychiatric knowledge, in the hope that persons in the society are not forced to suffer from mental illness.
With a keen listening ear he is able to discern the best way to help address his patients' mental health needs. “I listen to my patients and many times I have to reassure them that visiting a psychiatrist does not mean that you are mad. Mental illness is a condition that must be addressed as urgently as any physical injuries. The time for
stigmatising persons with such needs should be left in the past. ” As such, he is among the few advocates calling for more awareness of mental illness and the need to plug more resources to ensure that it is adequately addressed. Dr Beckles' understanding of mental illness is so extensive that he has been duly rewarded with a number of accolades and is
from time to time asked to render his serve at private facilities including the privately-operated St Joseph Mercy and Davis Memorial Hospitals. His dedicated and unwavering support to the area of mental health has been recognised as substantial which is the primary reason he has been chosen as this week's 'Special Person'.
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaneville has deplorable roads
A section of the Kaneville road
Residents of the small community, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, for the second time, have accused the Government of turning a blind eye on them and the condition of their roads. Residents of the community which is east of Samatta Point and the Grove Housing Scheme, complained that they are disappointed over the situation. According to one resident, the then President
Bharrat Jagdeo, during a community meeting in 2004, challenged the residents there to hold the government to task as $250M has been earmarked to be spent on drains and roads, electricity a n d w a t e r . The promises of the then President were questioned. The villagers are now calling on President Donald Ramotar to do “something about the road.” One resident, Sheriza K u m a r, s a i d t h a t h e r
husband's vehicle would frequently land in the huge pot holes through her street and would end up in the work shop constantly. “When we watch the TV we does see the government awarding contracts but we nah hear about this road. We living under this pressure for years now; it is getting over bearing,” Shane Zamat claimed. Taxis refuse to go in some streets late in the night because of the pot holes.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Ramsammy blames EU for $4B bailout of GuySuCo By Gary Eleazar Minister of Agriculture, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, sought to defend the $4B bailout for the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Friday evening and blamed the European Union, as well as the movement in exchange rates between the Euro and US dollar. The House, at the time, had resolved itself into the Committee of Supply for the third day to consider the estimates for the Agriculture Ministry. The bailout for GuySuCo is represented in the budget estimates as a subsidy from the Agriculture Ministry. Dr Ramsammy told the House that the releases will be from the Finance Ministry and will be utilized to meet operational expenses. The subject Minister said that there is no clear programme earmarked to be financed from the $4B and rather it will be but part of the pool of resources to meet “operational expenses.” He told the House that GuySuCo had signaled that in terms of its budget it is likely to face a deficit this year, “and the Government has signaled its intention to support GuySuCo by
….subsidy will not pull sugar industry out of financial slump - Dr Ramsammy meeting t h e p r o j e c t e d deficit.” To this e n d , a n d i n s e e k i n g c l arification on the need for the $4B bailout, Volda Lawrence of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) told the Minister that such a financial position “don’t just happen.” S h e s u g g e s t e d that some reasons for such a financial position for the Sugar Industry would be precipitated in part to poor management and shortfalls among other factors. The Agriculture Minister quickly informed the House that it was the short notice of the 36 per cent price cuts from the European Union which has caused the debacle. This explanation however did not find favour with APNU’s point man on Finances, Carl Greenidge, who quickly reminded the House that he was on the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific sugar producing countries) and reminded that the Cotonou Agreement which paved the way for the sugar cut, was inked in early 2000. Even before this, the EU had signaled its intention to cut the preferential pricing for
Guyana sugar. Greenidge told the House that Dr Ramsammy was incorrect to say that there was no notice from the European Union and insisted that even on the Minister’s position of short notice he will differ. “I dif f e r o n t h e shortness of the notice…The ACP was well aware for a long time that the changes were coming.” Dr Ramsammy said that he was quite aware that the EU had signaled the intention of making the price cuts but it was an “intention.” He sought to impress on the House that the actual price cut caught GuySuCo off guard and that the problem was further compounded by the volatility in the exchange rate between the Euro and US dollar. Dr Ramsammy did remind that as it relates to the Euro, US Dollar exchange rate Guyana has benefited in the past from the movement but on this occasion this is not the case. A s s u c h he said that Guyana has negotiated with the EU to have payments made to Guyana this year with US dollars.
“We hope that with this input that GuySuCo would reach its 265,000 tonnes this year and that with the remedy of the problem at Skeldon we will see a GuySuCo that will be operating at a deficit that is less and soon reach profitability.” On the issue of oversight in relation to the bailout of the industry and in response to APNU’s Lawrence, Dr Ramsammy told the House that there is a Cabinet Committee in place. He said that there is a National Action Committee through the Ministry of Finance and also as part of Cabinet oversight that is
looking at the activity and the functioning of GuySuCo. The Minister insisted that the problems started with the EU sugar cuts and were compounded by the loss in terms of the Euro against the US dollar. Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh when he presented the 2012 budget had indicated that the government will be providing some $4B to the sugar industry in the form of support. There was a mixed reaction to the announcement by the Finance Minister but when the occasion presented
itself to adjust the amount the opposition did not venture to oppose the bailout. To date there has been only one substantial challenge to any of the allocations and that was defeated when APNU abstained from voting. Alliance for Change Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan had submitted a $9.8M slash to a security allocation for the Housing Ministry after the substantive Minister failed to satisfy the Parliamentarians’ request. The allocation was for $18.8M, up from $7.3M. Ramjattan unsuccessfully proposed to slash that vote.
Overweight lorries a huge problem on roadways The Public Works Ministry is faced with a huge challenge to have trucks and other heavy duty vehicles that traverse Guyana’s roadways, comply with weight restrictions. This is according to Head of the Work Services Group, Rickford Lowe. He said that over the past two years, the Ministry has been conducting a survey to ascertain the nature of the problem. It found that 60 percent of the lorries plying the roadways are overweight. To have this reduced, the Ministry has been visiting the major offenders and advising them on how to best load their trucks so as to comply with the laws governing weight limitations.
- Public Works Ministry “However, this programme is so large that we are seeking policy direction and waiting on Cabinet papers, because there would be severe economic impact if we pull off more than 60 percent of the lorries plying the roadway,” Lowe stated. He emphasized that by year-end the Ministry is hoping to get more serious with the enforcement of weight limits. Currently, under the Ministry’s Weights Control Project, which started about two years ago, there are large fixed scales installed at Takutu Bridge, Demerara Harbour Bridge and Wismar Bridge.
This programme is supported by the InterAmerican Development Bank. There are additional portable scales that assist from timeto-time in carrying out weights control campaigns. Lowe admitted that there is need to bring order to weight restrictions on the Linden to Lethem stretch. “We need more resources right now… We are not really geared to police the Linden to Lethem road that is 500 km long... We are negotiating to extending the programme in the hinterland,” he said. He assured that implementing weight controls is a work in progress.
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
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From the Diaspora ...
KUDOS TO MR. GRANGER FOR DEMONSTRATING POLITICAL MATURITY By Ralph Seeram If events of the past few days in Parliament can be used as an indicator, Guyana has entered into a new era of political maturity and cooperation. This no doubt bodes well for the continued social and economic development of the country. While President Donald Ramotar must be congratulated on this development, I think the greater credit should be given to opposition leader David Granger and APNU who by their actions, demonstrated that they are prepared to put the interest of the country before politics. I am sure that the most ardent critics of the PPP Government must have been startled by the level of cooperation APNU has given in approving expenditures in
the Government 2012 budget now before Parliament. No doubt there are some elements in both the PPP and APNU who are not happy with this development. Shortly after the last election, many Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora expressed the view that the elections results giving the combined opposition a oneseat majority in Parliament was a blessing for Guyana. There was also lots of rhetoric from both sides of the political isle speaking of putting country ahead of politics. One must remember that before the elections David Granger gave a commitment of cooperation whether APNU wins or loses the elections, of course it was not open ended, and never the less he did made a commitment of putting
Goldsmith disappears, family worried Thirty-three-year-old goldsmith, Budhram Persaud, has been missing for over a week, leaving relatives fearful that he may have come to harm. Persaud, called ‘Buffa’, of Lot 895, Thirteenth Street, Diamond New Scheme, East Bank Demerara, disappeared on Saturday April 14. He has not been seen since and his mobile phone has been turned off. Relatives said that Persaud was last seen in the company of another goldsmith at a night spot at Industry, East Coast Demerara. The relatives said that they were told that he eventually left in a taxi between 21:00 and 22:00 hrs, and indicated that he was heading home. A sister told Kaieteur News that they checked at the nightspot and some staffers confirmed that he was at the location. They were also told that he had boarded a vehicle from an Industry taxi service. However, the employees at the taxi service were unable to identify the driver. Fearing the worst, relatives checked various hospitals and even a mortuary, but have found no trace of the goldsmith. They have made reports at the Sparendaam Police Station and the Grove/Diamond Police Station. The sister said that while he sometimes stayed out overnight after having a few drinks, Persaud would always return home the following day. She said that he did not appear to be troubled, and his belongings are all at home. When he was last seen, Budhram Persaud was wearing a pair of grey and white threequarter pants, light-grey t-shirt, camouflage hat and black slippers. Persons with information about his
Budhram Persaud whereabouts can call 679-2972; 668-0408; 22-65498, or the nearest police station.
the interest of the people first. I had an interview with David Granger in Orlando before the elections. I mentioned in an article that he came across as a very sincere person, and was very concerned about the direction the country was going in terms of vast corruption in the Government, and its lack of attention to youths. I also said that I did not think he would make a good politician because he seemed to be too honest. Politicians are seldom honest. In the last few days he proved me wrong. He has demonstrated that he is an astute politician. His “point man” on the 2012 Budget Carl Greenidge led the charge in “softening up” the PPP on its Budget, opening the way for him to come in to negotiate concessions from the PPP. Some may want to praise the PPP for making concessions to APNU in the current budget debate, but one must realize that the PPP had no other choice. It had to cooperate or face new elections. Many felt that if the country was led by the former President Bharrat Jagdeo, in the present Parliament the choice would have been elections instead of cooperation. To this end President Donald Ramotar should be commended. One has to ask what are the alternatives to cooperation? Obviously it was new elections. And who stood to gain or lose by such an exercise? The only people that stood to lose were the opposition parties. Both
APNU and the AFC stood to lose their present leverage in the present Parliament. Why? There is a distinct possibility that the PPP would have regained their Parliamentary majority. The PPP had nothing to lose as there is no doubt that they would have emerged with the majority votes, winning both the government and Presidency again. In a previous article shortly after the elections I said that approving the 2012 budget will demonstrate whether there is political maturity. This budget is the “big test”. So far APNU and the PPP have shown to the Guyanese public that they are willing to put the interest of the Guyanese people first. APNU needs to let the Guyanese pensioners know that it was they who secured an increase in their benefits;
they should not let the PPP steal their credit. Some people might be asking where the AFC fits in the equation. Recent events show the political immaturity of the AFC. Think about it. While APNU has been negotiating to put more “bread on the table” for ordinary folks, AFC has been trying to do the opposite, “taking bread off the table”. When I read that AFC moved to terminate contract workers at the Ministry of Sports, the reality of this stupid idea touched me personally. I have a very close and personal friend of over forty years, who dedicated his entire working life to sports in Guyana. I am always his house guest when I visit Guyana, and I know that he is a contract worker at the Ministry of Sports. Sometimes I think he puts sports before his family, always traveling to
the outreaches in Guyana to promote sports. When I read about cutting his job, my thoughts were how was he going to pay his bills, mortgage, utilities, food and support a son in college. I have seen what the cost of living is in Guyana, and for one to be out of a job presents a serious crisis. Now multiply my friend by a few thousand of his fellow contract workers and you realize the disastrous consequences of the stupidity of AFC action. Sure they may be some “fat cats” to use the AFC term but taken as a whole, the AFC created public relations for themselves. In political terms most of these ordinary contract workers could be the very opposition party’s supporters. Some leaders in the AFC need to put aside old grudges and put the interest of the Guyanese people first. If they don’t know how, go ask David Granger.
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Kaieteur News
SERVICES Permanent &Visitors Visa Applications Professional Immigration Consultant Room E-4 Maraj Building 225-6496/662-6045. WANTED East Coast Guyoil wanted day & night pump attendants, washman, manager, office assistants & sales girls. Call: 684-2838, 671-3983 One manager/clerk to work in Indian Boutique (Georgetown). Call: 2278096, 226-7015, 638-8500 Porters & sales girls apply with written application at Lot 1 E Dennis& Milton Street Campbellville One live in domestic. Contact:658-9495 / 627-2550 Female workers needed 3 subject or sound secondary education. Age 18-28yrs. Call: 225-7307
WANTED Drivers for car/van/canter, 3 years experience. Call: 2250188, 225-6070 Live in/live out babysitter/ clerk/domestic. Call: 2250188, 225-6070 One live in or out maid & experienced sales girls. Call: 264-3356, 253-3149, 668-3985 Manager’s Assistant general duties including Custom and Bond, Security Guards, accommodation available. Call: 676-6700 1 Tutor to teach Form 1, apply Bissan’s Trading, 94 King Street. Call: 227-7306
Taxi drivers. Call: 225-3234
Care taker to live on Linden H/Way farm couple or elderly male and dog Friendly. Call: 666-7480
Maid/Helper cosmetologist. Tel: 227-4799, 223-5451.
One night security. Call: 2335235, 667-5717, 623-2728
Excavator Operator, Mechanics (Caterpillar, Perkins & model M Trucks) Jetmen, Marrack, sailors. Call: 223-5273-4
Porters to work on water truck $15,000 per week. Must be from the W.C.D. Call: 6848231
One live in maid. Call:2235324 Sales girls and porters boys a 127 Regent Street opposite Broadway Fashion Avishkar Building. Call: 666-3877 One maid, one cook. Contact: 223-5273-4 Experience taxi drivers, dispatchers and bus drivers. Call: 265-7076, 616-5419 Live in maid/ cook apply Marie. Telephone no#2261445, 226-8094. Excellent Salary The resort in Mabaruma North West, looking for people to run restaurant. Call: 688-0072, Mrs. Eva, 6926307 Mr. R.Narine One experienced salesperson to work in cosmetics store on East Coast. Age 25-45. Call: 6421141 One experience TM driver to work in interior. Call:6420176,670-1052 Sell us your old house in G/ Town or East Bank area. Call: 669-9843. Get cash right away 1 general domestic East Bank Area. Call: 614-4358 1 experience sales girl. Call: 663-2953, 682-4159 Office clerk; CXC English/ Mathematics. Call: 225-4492, 225-6070 One male to work in interior $60,000. Call: 686-2201
2 Mechanics to work in Trinidad work permit available. Call: 684-8231 Cooks/ waitress and bartenders to work in Kitty area. Call: 226-7054 One mechanic to work in supply E.B.D. Call:624-7036 1 experience waitress apply @ Mambo’s Bar, 93 Barr St. Kitty. One live in domestic to do general house work, no cooking. Call:639-7700 Counter servers, kitchen assistant Handy Boys, Cleaners. Apply Hack’s Halaal 5 Comerence St. Bet9-11am E&N Beck 3 Princess Machinist/ crankshaft machine operator. Apply in person. Urgently needed live-in waitress to work in bar, reasonable salary offer. Call: 259-0574 Looking for (2) saw men to work in interior, (1) female to work in shop $80,000. Call:686-2201 Sales girls. Call: 225-6631, 9am-5pm Seamstress to cut from patterns. Call: 225-2598, 6410784 Sales representative to work in electronics store. Apply 68 Robb Street, Nut Centre Waitress @ Diamond Gate Liquor Restaurant and Bar, Lot 18 Belmont Mahaica. Call: 228-5013, 622-5599
ONLINE SHOPPING NO COMMISSION, WEEKLY S H I P M E N T S , AFFORDABLE RATES, FREE PRIVATE MAILBOX T E L # 2 3 1 - 5 7 8 9 FREIGHTLINKEXPRESS@ GMAIL.COM WE FILL OUT PASSPORT & VISA FORMS:USA, UK & CANADA TEL#231-5789 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer. Omar:231-0655,6838734 We refill HP cartridges for $1,800. Call:650-7699 Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & Stoves. Ultra Cool: 225-9032, 647-2943 Looking for a Job? Office, domestic & need assistance. Contact: Angela:694-0096 6 weeks Dressmaking course. Morning & evening. Call Sharmela: 225-2598, 6410784 US & Canada Visa application services. Call: 643-6630, Family Discounts Available. For all general construction, carpentry, masonry, painting etc, affordable cost. Call: 6487013, 231-0821 Repairs to gas stoves, deep fryers, washing machine, electric stoves. Call: 686-6209 Let US attorney assist you with your Visa application. Call: Mrs. Elias:233-2338 WANTED Scrap metal. Call: 616-0617, 663-3285 Domestic to live-in- Mon to Sat, no cooking. Call: 6397700 Domestic to come & go, no cooking. Call: 639-7700 Two experienced waitresses to work in interior. Contact: 616-7543 One Christian maid to work in Georgetown, serious enquires only.Call:225-2940, 225-0350 Two male shop assistants to work in Georgetown & the interior, serious enquiries only. Call: 225-2940, 225-0305 Experienced sewing machine operators. Call: 220-4337 To buy 1-22 Dragline. Call: 616-0617, 663-3285 Live-in domestic must know to cook and 1 waitress, salary 50,000 monthly. Call:610-5043 Persons/family to live & take care of farm @ E.C.D, attractive salary offered. Contact: 690-1943, 691-8021
Sunday April 22, 2012
VACANCY Have an interest in customer service? Then be apart of Q! Call:220-0401, 225-6466 Salesgirls & salesboys. Apply Avinash Complex Water St. Georgetown. Call: 226-3361, 227-7828
FOR SALE Dell computers complete with 19” monitor LCD from $69,000. Future Tech. Call:231-2206, 644-6760 Roofing shingles $5,995 per bundle. Call: Mr.Skepmire: 227-5195
1 refrigerator & washing machine technician/ Trainee. Call: 683-8734, 231-0655
Going cheap UK used truck engines Perkins 1006 series. Call: 661-3043
1 experience sales clerk, apply in person from 8:00am to 5:00pm at stall ‘4’ Bourda Market behind Wireless Connection
1 new Centurion 5000 W generator at $175,000, 1 new gas stove at $125,000, 1 32 inch LCD TV at $115,000. Call: 694-5371
Fish cleaners- Eccles. Call:233-2546, 675-6467
Spares for washer, microwaves, fridges, stovetimers, gear boxes, pumps etc. Contact:225-9032, 6472943
One live in maid/ nanny 3045 yrs, long term employment. Call: 656-1284 Security guards apply in person to P.Ramroop & Sons, 23 Lombard Street, with references from previous employers. For Driver, Checker & Accountant, Good Hope branch Rosignol, Albion. Contact: 330-2399, 623-5920 Sales clerk porters, drivers with lorry license, apply with written application 2J’s General Store. Call: 225-2350 Apply in person to P. Ramroop &Sons, 23 Lombard Street, with reference from previous employers Beauty specialist certified in body massage and facial salary $50,000-$65,000. Call: 231-0320 TO RENT One Bobcat Skid Loader for rent. Please contact: 6103575
TOUR Suriname vacation shopping site-seeing 28th April1stMay, trip. Contact Matthew:639-2663, 6655171,644-0185, 227-8290 FOR SALE Pool table cloth, ball, pocket, Q-Stick, rubber, coin shute, chalk, tips, coin. Call:6699927, 668-7805 330 Bedford truck & Parts, 580C Hymac and 753 Bobcat. Call: 616-0617 Electronic Treadmill $80,000, serious enquires only. Call: 641-9379 Live meat birds-chicken. Contact: 691-8021, 690-1943 1 – 2001 Toyota Klucer, Diplomatic, all four, PLL series, mid-size SUV, clean. Price $5.4M neg. Contact: 642-37-86, 660-0824.
Toyota Starlet 2 E Turbo engine with gearbox and ECU: Call: 624-7155. NARS lipgloss, eyeshadow & Clinique lipgloss. Tel: 6698374. Bread tapes. Call: 231-8819 Short fluffy puppies vaccinated & dewormed $12,000. Call: 220-4247 Gold detector water proof, headset & battery charger. Call: 216-0160, 609-7625 90 KVA Generator, portable 110/220, 1 phase & 3 phase. Call: 642-1141. 1200 hrs. Games for PS2-$900, PSP$900, PS3-$2600, Xbox 360$2600, Xbox 1-$2000, WII$1600.Call: 672-2566, 2653231 Clean garden earth and builders waste, also Bobcat Rental excavating clearing and leveling. Call: 616-0617, 663-3285 1 washing machine, 1 dryer, 1 PS3 160GB 100,000. Contact: 650-7719 Yamaha outboard engine parts for 115HP-200 HP, Crankshaft fat & fine top, pistons, bearings. Call: Terry665-9405 2003 GMC Savanah Cargo Van, great for business, huge space & power $2.5M. Call: Terry-665-9405 Generator diesel, silent 27KVA 400 Gallon tank; key start like new $1.8Milliom. Call: 621-4000, 690-6000 Generac 15000 KVA or 15KVA 110-220 key start gas, $850,000 each. Call: 621-4000, 690-6000 Onan 25KVA or 37KVA gas or propane 110/220/360/400 volts $650,000. Call: 621-4000, 690-6000 Dell Dual Core computer + LCD monitor, 2GB RAM $59,000. Call: 225-3709, 6410537, 691-2077 1 Tundra, 1 Perkins engine & Welder 400 amps. Call: 6605462, 611-5114
FOR SALE 1 Daf 45 flat bed, 26 Ft tray. Call:609-7803 1 complete audio system, alphansonic 2400W, Rockfordfosgate 2000W, 1 Pioneer Inbox 5000W, Clarion/crossover. Call: 6570529 Used: QSC Amps MX2000 & MX3000, Roland sampler SP-404, Rcf speaker: 12" & 18", celestion speaker: 15". Contact: 644-3390 Titan parts, engine DIFF etc. Call:648-2075 One 18’’ television, white flat playstation 2 along with controller, CD $50,000. Call: 678-3724, 227-7175 Mark II GX100 excellent condition music, set, alarm, HID, rims, 1.3M (Negotiable). Call:698-5046, 696-2721, owner migrating New pressure washers 2600 PSI Honda, 3000 PSI, 2500 PSI 6.75 HP. Call: 627-7835 1 Xerox copy centre model C123, 1 Mercury outboard engine 55HP. Call: 617-4087 Slightly damage zinc sheet. Call: 226-7054 1 German Shepherd & one Rottweiler, vehicle gear box. Call: 647-4040, 696-5151,2200270 1 BM Lenovo laptop, brand new, $60,000. Call: 681-2111 Shipping barrels; blue 55 gal plastic $5,000 each. Call: 615-9314 Peavey Amps, PV-800, PV3800, CS-400, Machie Mivez, EQ and more. Call: 615-9314 QSC Amps, RMX series, AU models, CD jogllers mixer etc. Call: 662-6024 1 330 Bedford Turbo engine, 3000 PSI pressure washer, power horse 2’’ water pump, 1 ½ Ton forklift Nissan. Contact: 617-7691 1 Overhauled & repainted Ford 5000 tractor with Boughton Winch. Call: 6619318 One brand new aluminum 15 feet with engine. Call: 6128668 1 Kawasaki Ninja Bike, 2009CC. Contact: 677-1218, 216-0317 15-15-15 fertilizer. Call: 2662711, 609-4594 RX7 2002 Model, price negotiable. Call: 223-5273-4 2 Leyland Daf double Axle. Call:678-1317 Pluck chicken for sale. Call:682-8236 Eggs for sale. Call:682-8236 (Continued on page 56)
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 55
The Abigail Column I’m sick of waiting for him to make up his mind DEARABIGAIL, I have been seeing ‘Mike’ for six months, and from day one we both agreed that we do not want to be in a relationship. I’m 29 and he’s 34. But over time we have developed feelings for each other. ‘Mike’ is recently divorced after seven years of marriage. He tells me he
doesn’t want to lose me, but it’s hard for him to commit for fear of being hurt. ‘Mike’ talks to other women and goes out, while I have basically committed myself to him. He gets upset if I talk to another man. He says I’m his best friend and he’s afraid a relationship would change that. I don’t know what to do anymore. Neither one of us would be OK if the other
started dating, but I’m sick of waiting for him to make up his mind. Should I move on? In Limbo Dear In Limbo, Yes, you should. But not before telling ‘Mike’ exactly why, because the arrangement you have right now is unfair to you. If you don’t, you and ‘Mike’ could wind up being “best friends” forever and nothing more.
Sunday April 22, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Applying greater force will not get you farther towards your relationship goals today. You can't push people to be where you want them to be -they have to get there on their own. ****************** TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): You and a friend are getting closer and closer, and it seems like each of you is the other's biggest fan! But this mutual admiration society the two of you are getting started is big enough for a few more members, so be careful that the two of you don't send a message that no one else need apply. ******************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Today, you need to understand the difference between a fight you can win, and a fight you just need to walk away from. You've been wasting a lot of energy and patience on a series of obstacles that just aren't going to go away any time soon, and today it might be best if you moved on to more fruitful challenges. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Odd ideas are going to be popping into your head left and right today -- and the crazier they are, the better! You've got to destroy all of your conventional wisdom about what will and won't work, in all parts of your life. ******************** LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Your partner thinks he or she knows best about a certain project today, but you know better -- or at least you think you do. ********************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): Today, your feelings will only get in your way and distract you from doing what you need to do. So if you are working under a tight deadline right now, you need to switch your
focus away from emotional ideas and toward analytical t h i n k i n g . ********************** LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Your life has been delightfully calm lately, but it turns out that's not exactly what you wanted, after all! A growing part of you is longing for some adventure, some conflict, some drama -- something you can really sink your teeth into. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21): Do not let the arrogance of someone else get under your skin today -- it won't help anything. You will get frustrated, but they will remain blissfully ignorant of how abrasive and annoying they are being. ********************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): Someone who is usually polished and totally put together will reveal one of their more minor flaws today. ********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): Are you feeling too restricted by a relationship? Do you think you're being suffocated by this person? Just a bit? Before you follow your urge to run away from them in order to regain your freedom, stop! *********************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): How can you move beyond past mistakes when you won't let yourself forget them? The only person who is still beating you up over what you did is you -- so stop it! You are a wonderful person who isn't perfect, but then again, no one is. ********************** PISCES (Feb. 19 - March 20): Your inner poet is going to help you handle stress today, so don't fight it. Relax and open your mind, and you will find poetry in what you would normally call noise or clatter or banal chitter-chatter.
DTV CHANNEL 8 09:25hrs. Sign On 09:30hrs. Turning Point 10:00hrs. Kickin’ It 11:00hrs. Lab Rats 12:05hrs. Movie: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble 13:40hrs. Movie: Astro Boy 15:15hrs. Movie: Finding Buck McHenry 17:00hrs. Mr. Young 18:00hrs. Faith in Action 18:30hrs. Know Your Bible 19:00hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00hrs. Once Upon a Time (New Episode) 21:00hrs. Movie: Firelight 23:00hrs. Sign Off NCN CHANNEL 11 02:00hrs – Movie 05:00hrs – Inspiration 05:30hrs – Newtown Gospel 06:00hrs – NCN 6 ‘O’ Clock News(R/B) 06:30hrs – Tomorrow’s World 07:00hrs – Voice of Victory 07:30hrs – Voice of Islam 08:00hrs – Lifting Guyana to Greatness 08:30hrs – President’s Diary 09:00hrs – Ravi D Show 10:00hrs – Bollywood 60 Minutes 11:00hrs – IPL#29 Mumbai vs Kings XI Punjab 12:30hrs – Perpectives 13:00hrs – Dharma Vani 14:00hrs – Feature 14:30hrs – Catholic Magazine 15:00hrs – Feature 16:00hrs – Family Forum 16:30hrs – Shape 17:00hrs – Farmers’ Connection 18:00hrs – NCN Week in Review 18:30hrs – Guysuco Roundup 19:00hrs – Close Up 19:30hrs – Kala Milan 20:00hrs – Feature 21:00hrs – Feel the Beat 22:00hrs – IPL#29 Mumbai vs Kings XI Punjab (Delayed) IPL#30 Deccan Chargers vs Kolkata Knight Riders (Delayed) NTN CHANNEL 18/ CABLE 69 05:00h - Sign on with the Mahamrtunjaya Mantra 05:00h - Mediation 05:15h - Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Inc Presents 05:30h - Queenstown Masjid Presents Quran This Morning 06:00h - R. Gossai General Store Presents Krishna
Bhajans 06:15h - Jettoo’s Lumber Yard Presents Krishna Bhajans 06:30h - Muneshwar Limited Presents Krishna Bhajans 06:45h - Double Standard Taxi Presents Krishna Bhajans 07:00h - Ramroop’s Furniture Store Presents Religious Teachings 07:30h - The Family of The Late Leila & David Persaud Presents Krishna Bhajans 07:45h - Sankar Auto Works Presents Krishna Bhajans 08:05h - Sa Re Ga Ma Live with Joel & Natasha 09:30h - Guytrac presents Krishna Bhajans 10:00h - In Loving Memory of Three Flames - Satyadeow “Sash” Sawh, Rajpat Raj Sawh & Phulmattie “Julie” Persaud 10:30h - Teaching of Islam 11:00h - Dharmic Milan 11:30h - Guyana’s Entertainers Platform 12:00h - Hinduism in a changing world presented by
Pt. Ravi 12:30h - LETS TALK WITH LAKSHMEE 13:00h - IPL 5 MUMBAI INDIANS v KINGS X1 PUNJAB 16:00h DECCAN CHARGERS v KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS 19:00h - Geet Gaata Chal Live with Joel 20:00h - Ganesh Parts Presents - BHAGAVAD GITA ( Discourses in English) Serial 20:15h - Birthday Greetings/ Death Announcement & In Memoriam 20:30h - Indian Soap -Choti Bahu 21:00h - Indian Soap - Yahaan Mein 21:30h - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 22:00h - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 22:30h - Indian Soap - Punar Vivaah 23:00h - Sign Off with the GAYATRI MANTRA
Guides are subjected to change without notice
Page 56
(From page 54)
Kaieteur News
VEHICLES FOR SALE 99 Honda Civic Leather interior. Call:648-2075 Just arrived: Allion and Premio, tel: 624-2000, 6221610
TO LET Short term apartments Eccles. Call:679-7139 Herstelling-$130,000, V/ Hoop-$450US. Steve:6995490 Building-16000 sqft , yard50000 sqft, can be used for Bond, factory etc. Contact:2257643, 225-7493
UNREGISTERED ALLION, PREMIO, SPACIO, RUNX, ALEX, 2 TON CANTER, AVENSIS, VEROSSA, 212. CALL:677-7666/ 610-7666 Hilux 4x4 solid Def pick up, Diesel, long base, excellent condition. Call: 623-0243 Verossa PNN. Call:665-3067, 228-2609
Furnished/ unfurnished 1-2 Bedroom apartment from $50,000. Call: 216-2363, 6834700
1 Toyota Super Custom bus; late GMM series. Immaculate condition, fully powered, price negotiable. Call: 6487109, 686-4818
Furnished 2 bedroom apartments in linden, for short term guests’; internet available. Call: 614-4415, 4444704
Big blowout sale: offers on luxury cars, BMW sports 635CSI, Lexus LS400, BMW 740 IL. Call: 646-8326, 6121486
Eccles-60,000-US1100, Nandy Park-US800, Hotel & Bar US3500, Apartments Bonds etc. Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382
Unregistered Black Spacio, Silver Premio; reverse camera, Cerisor. Call: 6970294, 220-9514
New 2&3 bedroom apartment, prime location Diamond AA block X. Call:682-3483 Furnished & unfurnished apartments. Call: 602-5089, 676-0399 Short term apartments. Call: 667-1549 Four (4) bedroom apartments. Contact: 6828875 Two bedroom house t rent. Call: 663-9816 Fully furnished 3 bedroom top flat US$950, 2 flat residence/business US$1,200, Furnished 3 bedroom G$120,000, unfurnished 2 bedroom top flat G$65,000, 2 bedroom apt G$45,000 609 2302/645 2580/ 233 5711 1 (28x60ft) first floor building for rent located in Diamond. Call: 266-0422/347-299-5570 1 bedroom studio for rent Atlantic Ville $60,000 month furnished. Call: 616-3825 One bedroom bottom flat @ LBI. Call: 220-7399
CAR RENTAL Progressive auto rental, cars from $3,500 per day. Call: 643-5122, 656-0087, www.progressiveautorental.com Premio, 110 Corolla. Call: 679-7139
Toyota Diesel Prado Excellent Condition Diplomat Vehicle. Call:624-6702 1 Toyota pickup V6 SR5 4WD. Call: 642-4779 1 RZ Mini bus series BKK. Call: 667-9629 Unregistered Mitsubishi enclosed canter. Call: 6229123, 679-8056 One private RZ minibus immaculate condition. Call: 649-1290 Galant $1.1M low miles, excellent condition. Call: 6479520 3 Ton enclosed Canter unregistered. Call: 617-2891 3 Ton 4 wheel drive Canter unregistered. Call:617-2891 2004 Mazda RX 8, body kit, fully loaded, black unregistered. Call: 617-2891 1-RZ Mini bus unregistered. Call: 617-2891 Tundra-$3.2M, GX110$3.5M. Steve:699-5490 Unregistered Premio & Allion with TV, mags, back Cam. Call: 609-8188,602-6307 1 TK 330 Lorry with B Dump. Call: 228-5220, 616Driven Auto-unregistered, Toyota BB, Passo & Sineta. Fully loaded and lowest price. Call:643-6565, 226-9931 1 Toyota Hilux 4 runner, 4 WD excellent condition price 1.8 neg. Call: 673-7113, 669-5972 Red sports BWM635 CSI reduced to 950,000. Call: 6468326, 612-1486
CAKE & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery, tel: 670-0798. Wedding dresses for sale & rental. 1-lb character cakes $5,000, pastries at whole sale prices. Call: 223-9497
EDUCATIONAL Learn Spanish. Call: 673-1232 Register now for full time & adults CXC classes. Call: 6835742, 227-7627 Princeton College Forms 15, CXC adults’ classes’; $1500 a subject S.A.T/ Phonics etc. Call: 690-5008, 611-3793 Reading and writing lesson with personal private tutor. If this is your need. Call: 6494247 Computer classes for 2012 common entrance student 5 courses $25,000, Micrographics Technology, Parika/Vreed-En-Hoop). Call: 264-3057 Special Diploma Package for CSEC Micrographics Technology, Vreed-En-Hoop/ Grove/Parika Highway. Call: 264-3057 Professional tutoring in designing & dressmaking. Call: 627-3257 DATING SERVICE Immediate link-Singles 1880yrs. Confidential: Tel: 223-8237, 648-6098. (No text) 8:30am-5:00pm MonSun (Both phones same hours). VEHICLES FOR SALE One EP 71 Starlet, 1 AE 91 Sprinter, 1 Mitsubishi RVR and Pajero-JR, 1 Nissan Pathfinder PMM, 1 Honda EFI 2004. Call: 644-5096,697-1453 Mercedes Benz 190E fully skirted, customized interior work need repairs $650,000. Call: 621-4000, 690-6000 Cherokee Lorado, 4 doors AC Windows, power locks PHH series $1.950.000.Call: 6214000, 690-6000 Mercedes Benz 5-300, fully powered, armored, DVD system $3.5 million. Call: 6214000, 690-6000 Mercedes Benz A-140 fully powered, sound system PMM Series $2.8 neg. Call: 621-4000, 690-6000 Mazola 3- fully loaded, rims, immaculate condition PNN series. Call: 650-0979 Blow out sale!!! Allion, Spacio, Buses, Wagon, Raum. Cheapest:616-7635
Sunday April 22, 2012
MASSAGE American style massage services. Call: 609-4036 Treat yourself to a relaxing massage. Call: 622-6256
PROPERTY FOR SALE Two story wooden and concrete building located at 14 ‘A’ Kersaint Park, L.B.I., E.C.D land measuring 75ft, by 75ft, kitchen cupboards, window grills, 6 bedroom, alarm, system,concrete fence and drains, large storage bond adjoining property price 21 Million (negotiable). Call: 643-2403, 227-2712 East Bank-12M, Prashad Nagar-40M, Republic Park25M, Sheriff Street-150M. Diana: 227-2256, 626-9382 Aubrey Barker Road 30M, Daniel’s Town Essequibo $18.5M, Diamond $15.5M, Atlantic Garden $18.5M. Steve:699-5490 Agricola-$15M, Kingston$17M. Steve:699-5490 Kitty-$14M- $24M, Kingston $16M, South- $25M, B.V- $10M, Queenstown- $35M. Diana: 2272256, 626-9382 Courida Park US$330,000, P/ Nagar G$36m, D’Urban Street G$37m, Campbellville G$51m, McDoom G$23m 609 2302/ 645 2580/233 5711 L.B.I G$31m, Industry G$76m, Agricola G$21m, CC Eccles G$22m, Blankenburg G$20m, Tuschen G$12m609 2302/645 2580/233 5711
Rising Sun Turf Club, Lions Clubs of Durban Park and Bartica says thanks The principals and organizers of the recently held one day horserace meet staged at the Rising Sun Turf Club are extending their profound gratitude to the several sponsors who helped in making this Horserace Meeting possible. Among those the organisers are extending gratitude include: Banks D.I.H. Ltd, Digicel Guyana, Hand-In-Hand Insurance, MJ’s Super Market, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Mr. A. Teixeira, Ryan & Reuben Grocery’s, Aruwai Mining, Lion Doobay Service Station, Lion M. J. F. M. R.D Khan, Nazam Kassim Hardware Store, Stephen Belle (Zen’s Plaza),Mazaruni Mining company, Mike & Tessa Grocery, Philip Persaud, Dr Dwight Walrond, Dave Scott Service Station, Kamal Thakur, Lioness Ava Abrams, Toucan Industries, Eon Ferrier (Five Star Mineral), Bobby Rasul El Dorado Trading, Francis ‘Chico’ Chichester, Lion Terrance Adams, Carlotta Warner, FOR SALE OR RENT Double butcher stall @ LaPenitence Market. Contact: 665-9498, rent or sell for Sunday LIBRARY Closing down sale; text, university, novels & others from$100 up. Call: 223-8237
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Cosmetology courses. Tel: 225-6026, 682-2604 Quality yourself in Cosmetology or nails, make up, Register, Limited spaces. Call Abby: 216-1950, 6197603, 666-5241 Fashion Empress; upstairs Satro Building 10% all hair services from Monday – Thursday 50% off all pedicures. Call: 602-2337 For the best in hair nail, pedicure, manicure lashes, waxing etc, please. Call Leoita. 602-2337 Arita Harris. Certified courses in Nail Art & Technology from $6,000. E.B.D. 669-4511.
Chaterpaul Deo (Chen Sing) Katice Ross, Hablaw’s Meat Centre, Errol Baptist, Pomeroon Oil Mills, C. E. M. C. O, Carmelita & Clive Thomas, GIOTECH, Dennis Deroop, Unitech Awning (Ray), Khyume Baksh and Family, James Singh and Family, Leanna’s Kiddie Park, Lions Club of Durban Park, Lions Club of Bartica, Chester Fry of B u s h L o t We s t C o a s t Berbice, Rising Sun Cattle ranch, Colin Elcock, Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market, Senior Council Marcel Crawford and the authorities of the Rising Sun Turf Club and all others would have contributed in one way or the other to make the race meet as success including the various media houses especially the Kaieteur news. The principals of the RSTC and the Lions Clubs will like to assure horserace fans that racing of the highest standards will continue to be held at the venue. Turfites are urged to disregard the incidents of indiscipline that occurred which were totally out of their hands, but the work of a few who are totally bent on having things their way. Those infractions were dealt with as quickly and condignly as possible. The next race meet by the club is scheduled for May 1st.
Mandessa Moses rearing to go as 22nd edition Friday Night... From page 58 titles. Several of these boxers are currently in stiff training for in anticipation of the WBC 50th anniversary championship that will see fighters from the various confederations battling for prestigious titles and lucrative purses. The current Friday Night Fights is organized by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) and the National Communication Network (NCN). Admission price remains at $1000 with children being asked to pay half that amount. Bell time is 20:00hrs.
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 57
“Good cricket by West Indies and Australia, but what about the rules?” Colin E. H. Croft Note, please, that Australia’s Head Coach, Mickey Arthur, reminded, when his team arrived weeks ago for T-20-I’s and ODI’s, that “West Indies should not be underestimated!” The former South African Head Coach was so correct that, unbelievably, West Indies could share the Test series too, later this week! That is no mean feat. Few expected West Indies to be in this pleasant position against what was supposed to have been a ‘superior’ team in all aspects and formats of the game. They shared T-20-I’s 1-1, and ODI’s 2-2, with one tied. Now, all West Indies must do to draw the Test series is win Test No. 3! Illustratively, the only truly seasoned West Indies players selected so far, from those available, are the indomitable Shiv Chanderpaul, and still persevering, if unbelievably unlucky, Fidel Edwards. Wrapped around these are players who all try hard, some who seem confused, and a few who are below par! I hope that no-one is being carried away with these ordinary but encouraging achievements, as this Australian 2012 touring team to West Indies may have massive reputations - all hype - but no real bite! Like West Indies, except for some seasoned performers, they too have been below what is expected! The veterans, Australia’s Michael Hussey and West Indies’ Chanderpaul, have been so far ahead of the rest of their respective teams that all in each team should simply observe them at the crease, then, at least, try to concentrate and focus on jobs at hand, as they do. Mike and Shiv have been phenomenal! In that magnificent Test No. 1, in Barbados, which Australia won, by three wickets, Chanderpaul made 103 and 12; Hussey 48 and 32. In Test No. 2, QPO, when both teams were in serious trouble at specific times in the game, the “old men” prospered as if they only really thrived on and relished the challenge! When Hussey came to the crease; 1st innings, QPO; Australia were wobbling at 167-4. When he made his first error, dismissed for 73, his team was a respectable 297-7. He must have known that a 1st innings score over 300 could, possibly would, be a match-winning innings. Hussey batted brilliantly!
Chanderpaul’s and West Indies’ case was worse. “Tiger” came to the crease with West Indies on their knees; 38-3. When he too was flummoxed into his error, by Nathan Lyon, he had made 94, West Indies within striking distance of Australia’s 311, at 231-6. Unfortunately, his team soon capitulated badly too! Hussey and Chanderpaul have proved their almost invincibility, effectiveness, usefulness and value as only few anywhere in world cricket can do. Kemar Roach and Ben Hilfenhuis have also done quite well, with the ball, for their respective teams. At least these relative youths are showing their mettle too! Roach is fast approaching cult status. Getting ten wickets at QPO is not at all easy to do. Only few West Indians have achieved that. Roach always looks purposeful, focused and determined. While some question his languid, lethargic approach to the bowling crease, his missiles normally strike home well! Hilfenhuis is different, depending much more on normal swing, especially on these lifeless West Indies pitches - if you are a fast bowler - to get batsmen out. With leaden feet, West Indies top order batsmen have, time and again, been badly found out against sustained swing, even if Hilfenhuis is not that quick!
So, I am convinced that International Cricket Council comprises of personnel who had no toys as youths! Their much publicized and terribly maligned Decision Review System, (DRS), unless fully I mean 100% - implemented, with all of its components, simply – there is no other way to put this - does not work! Worse than that is that Match Officials seem fully outwitted, or is that dimwitted, by their own importance. How could any presiding match official decide that, if this so super DRS is not operational, that the damned cricket should not go on? Where does cricket get these arrogant incompetents from? As former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding said on commentary for Test No 2, Queen’s Park Oval, “Test cricket has been played since 1877/78, with West Indies playing from 1928. How come match officials cannot start a game-day on time because of malfunctioning of a tool invented in 2008?” How indeed! Imagine this then! You are travelling over some ‘pond’ – Atlantic, Indian or Pacific Ocean, or even Caribbean Sea – when Captain or Co-Pilot of your Boeing 777, or type which Caribbean Airlines will soon use to fly to London, in June; Boeing 767; informs that one of the two main engines had failed! Do you think that the
flight crew would simply suggest then that “we all gon now dead?” Far from that! Training and experience kick in, sequences that begun with single-engine aircraft up to big jets. Not always easily, they do what they must do. They fly the aircraft, on one engine, until they can land safely! How dare these idiots that run international cricket decide that they, as impudent as they are, could not start cricket, on time, with the sun sizzling down, because there was no electricity to run the minimal parts of the DRS system used at QPO? What gives these people the right to desecrate cricket at all thus? Umpires have been doing their duty, from clubs and schools, to Test cricket, for eons. While it does take some time to respect and trust international umpires, most are fully respected and trusted, as most players know that, regardless, umpires are trying their best, even if they sometimes make mistakes too! For high-lighting the very
obvious limitations of precious, present DRS system, as used for West Indies v Australia, West Indies Head Coach Ottis Gibson has been fined – punished – for telling the ICC that their system does not work. There really is some merit to that saying that “the law is an ass!” Or is that ICC? As a great friend of mine who captains B-777’s regularly over ‘ponds’, suggested, “If I ran my flights as ICC runs world cricket, I and many would be dead every week!” Enough said! It really is quite stupid that ICC chooses to ‘punish’ cricketing personnel who actually try to bring this game from disrepute! Anyway, we can only hope that Windsor Park in Dominica provides a sparkling track, with consistent bounce and speed. West Indian spinners, none of them, are presently good enough to dismiss this Australian team twice in one game, so let the more successful fast bowlers have
Colin E. H. Croft some help, please! West Indies batsmen need more consistency than they have produced. Darren Bravo and perhaps recently reprieved Narsingh Deonarine have had starts, but not continuing on. The younger top order batsmen have all struggled, while captain Darren Sammy should, by now, realize that swiping is dumb! Test No. 3 may again come down to Chanderpaul and Hussey for respective teams, but if West Indies could win this final Test, it would bode well for immediate and distant future too, since it would indicate that resilience, team unity and understand game parameters are getting into their minds well. Enjoy!
Page 58
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
===LETTERS TO THE SPORTS EDITOR=== Mandessa Moses rearing to go as 22nd edition Friday Night Fights loom Proportional representation of women It’s approximately one week to fight night and the boxers scheduled to appear on the 22nd edition of the monthly Friday Night Fights scheduled for the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on April 27 next are all applying themselves diligently in their respective gyms and ready to turn in respectable performances. One only needs to visit the respective gyms to verify the truth of this statement. On Friday evening last, Mandessa Moses turned in a brilliant display of power punching and skill as she faced off with several prominent amateur boxers at the Andrew Lewis Boxing Gym (ALBG), Albouystown. She is scheduled to match gloves with a Brazilian after her original opponent; Trinidadian Tiana Sosa opted out of their 8 rounds lightweight fight. This has become a regular occurrence for Moses whose awesome punching power and superb ring generalship have seen her compiling an almost impeccable record but for an earlier loss to Barbadian Wendy Allen. Several attempts to avenge this loss proved futile since the Bajan has concocted every excuse in the book to avoid the matchup. With a paucity of credible opponents, Moses was forced to look outside of her weight division and most of her recent bouts were catchweight affairs against
opponents that outweighed her by as many as 50 pounds. In her last outing she defied a similar weight advantage enjoyed by Pauline London to romp home with a unanimous verdict. The concentration employed by Moses seems to suggest that irrespective of whom her opponent, she is ready to throw down the gauntlet. Top amateur pugilist, Richard Williamson found this out when he engages in several rounds Friday evening last. Holding a high guard and looking compact and well toned, Moses unleashed a two fisted assault that had the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym representative covering up. Moses also sparred among a few other top amateurs before turning to muscle building exercises, skipping and a hectic session if calisthenics. The pleased expression on Lennox Daniel’s face as he took his charge through her paces said it all. He endorsed that indeed he was pleased with Moses’ advancement and said that she was in the best shape of her life. Though he shied away from making an outright prediction, Daniels said that he is not ruling out an early end in his charge’s favour. Hardly anyone knows Anson Green, a young debutant scheduled to match gloves with another debutant, David Thomas in a 4 rounds welterweight scrap. With no one in his division to
engage in sparring sessions, Green opted for several rounds with Edmond Declou. The latter fighter certainly did not spare him and really give him a baptism of fire. Punches reigned supreme as Declou pushed the young debutant to the hilt. To his credit Green withstood the punishment like a man and retaliated with crunching blows of his own. Meanwhile, Green’s opponent, David Thomas had already wrapped up sessions so we were unable to assess his conditioning and skill. One thing is certain though; he will have to dig very deep to pull off this one. An interesting bout looms. The Kwesi Jones/Shawn Corbin bout is still in limbo and up to the time of writing this article the organizers were trying feverishly to make the fight possible or find a suitable replacement. In the meantime, Jones is working ardently at the ALBG in the hope that the bout will come off. Fans will also be entertained with several other bouts including the Iwan Azore/Jermaine King 4 rounds jnr/welterweight shindig as well as then usual 4 amateur bouts. The ProAm cards commenced some two years ago and so far several pugilists in Guyana and around the Caribbean have benefitted immensely, winning local and Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) (Continued on page 56)
needed in new GCB constitution
DEAR EDITOR, Given the new dispensation for the governance of cricket in Guyana via the IMC, albeit temporarily until a new constitution is tabled; there is an absolute necessity for women to be instituted within the new administration of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB). Within the parliamentary mechanization of Guyana, women are in fact proportionally represented and have a voice of unlimited influence and command. Ironically though, neither the International Cricket Council (ICC) nor the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) have such appreciable representation on their executive body, even though Women’s cricket have evolved globally and are attracting considerable attention. I believe that should it become constitutional for women to sit on the executive arm of the GCB (at least two), then the county boards will have to respond and ensure that the women are being represented at that level as well. I am indeed impressed with the herculean and applauded efforts of both Angela Haniff, who continues to excel as the Secretary of the Berbice Cricket Board and Emily Dodson. They have continuously and tirelessly championed the cause for women’s cricket development in Guyana. Ms Dodson was a member of the previously constituted Cricket Development Committee of the GCB and made an invaluable contribution. Unfortunately she became frustrated by the poor response to women’s cricket and the continuing disinterest that has stymied the progress that has reaped the emergence of a few women cricketers that have gone on to represent the West Indies with pride. The new Guyana Cricket Board must ensure that there is a presence of women on
the executive and that their voices are heard with sincerity. The chairman of the Interim Management Committee (IMC), the legendary Clive Lloyd has publicly expressed support for women’s cricket and therefore such hindsight should be acknowledged with some degree of conviction by the relevant stake holders that will govern cricket at the highest level in the future. In Essequibo, women’s cricket is virtually nonexistent and remains a sorry indictment of the numerous female players who do not have any recourse to showcase their talent. Instead they are being embarrassed when they are abruptly called to play against their counterparts without prior preparation. It was only during last year’s senior female inter county tournament that the team was dismissed for a mere ten runs against Demerara! Such callous approach will only lead to further annihilation of the female players and even worse, spells a hopeless future for those who want to make the game a career. The female cricketers continues to earn far less than their male counter parts, both locally and regionally and they are even forced to find suitable venues to play, because of competition with the males. Their welfare must be given some serious attention and it has to start from the top where there are women of worth and repute that can skillfully and systematically administer cricket, once they are given that constitutional authority. The new GCB constitution should have such a clause for their meaningful contribution to the game and for their interest. Yours’ Faithfully, Elroy Stephney
DEAR EDITOR, I am not certain how accurate the report is, that appeared in the GC, dated April 15,2012 and headlined “AAG Petitions for Track in National Park.” It was noted that Mr. Colin Boyce, President of the AAG petitioned for a Track to be built at the National Park to The Director of Sports, Mr. Neil Kumar. Shouldn’t such petition/request be addressed to the Ministry of Sports which is headed by Dr. Frank Anthony? It was also reported that Mr. Colin Boyce (Pres. of the AAG) is hoping to host the 2012 National School Championships which is schedule for November 2012 at the Synthetic Track at Leonora. I was under the impression that the office of the Guyana Teachers Union in collaboration with the Ministry of Education is solely responsible for any decision/s of the host venue. Perhaps the President of the Guyana
Teachers Union, Mr. Colin Bynoe or The Sports Chairman, Mr. Seon Bristol (GTU) might want to spare sometime and make a public commentary. The dailies on Thursday, November 24, 2011 carried a report that the 2012 National School Championships is likely to be headed to Region 2 (Essequibo) and it came from the office of The GTU....Respectfully to the people of that region, it is my opinion that it will be a disaster because the event will not be highly supported to the maximum. Indeed at one point I stated for the record that I am very much in support of the meet held at Leonora, but the way I look at the current situation from the reports in the dailies of the Synthetic Track, I think it is wise to have the event kept at The National Stadium. Respectfully to The Co-operative Republic of Guyana...It is also my personal opinion that it will be absolutely a waste of time to ever bid for any International Track Meet to the IAAF when the Synthetic Track is finally completed. Guyana does not possess the resources available and Track and Field is seen as one of the poor man’s sport in Guyana. My best bet for any International Meet will be Jamaica or Trinidad. Track and Field will never get the full attention and resources needed like wonderful “Cricket” gets...Face it. That’s the reality. Yours Faithfully, T. Pemberton
Track and field…a poor man’s sport in Guyana
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 59
CFU Club C’ship 2012...
AAG NATIONAL YOUTH, JUNIOR & SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP...
Alpha beat Milerock 2-nil, but qualification to next round still in limbo
Bollers astonishes Ageday and James in 200m
By Sean Devers Spearheaded by a brace from talented striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams on either side of the half-time break, National Club Champions Alpha United defeated Linden Club Milerock 2-nill last evening in the feature game of their final group match in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club championship at the Guyana National Stadium. Group Leaders InterMoengotapoe of Suriname got past Curacao side Hubentut Fortuna 3-2 in the opening game of the double header to move to nine points and advance to the next round which is set for May 1-6 in Trinidad and Porto Rico. Alpha had to win last evening to ensure a second place in their zone since Hubentut Fortuna, like the Georgetown based Club, began yesterday with a win and a loss in this group of the competition. While the top team of each group automatically qualifies to the second round, only the top placed second placed team of all the groups will join them in the next round and Alpha could only have themselves to blame if they miss out on the trip to Porto Rico. Alpha squandered several goal-scoring opportunities against a team which finished pointless in the group and were hammered 7-1 by the Surinamese when the teams met. Watched by a handful of die-hard fans under floodlights and a clear sky, Abrams put Alpha ahead in the 7th minute as he pounced on a rebound from Custodian Darius Frank just in front of the goal mouth after Andrew Murray’s shot was blocked. Abrams then calmly patted the ball past the Keeper and Alpha were on their way. Alpha, who missed too many chances when they battled the Dutch side, again struggled for penetration and wasted several opportunities to score in both halves of an encounter which produced few sparks and was void of quality set-pieces and had fluctuating ball possession. While Alpha controlled most of the play they struggled to finish and the live-wire Abrams hit the right cross bar seconds before the half-time whistle as the ball was blocked by a Milerock defender. Ten minutes into the second stanza, Abrams hit the cross bar from just inside the
Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams 18 yard box while Dwight Peters wasted an opportunity to make it 2-nill when he hammered the ball directly to the Keeper from close range after breaching the Milerock defence. “Our overall performance was not very impressive. Too many wasted opportunities and giving away possession too easily, especially in the attacking third,” Coach Dwayne Dover said after the game. Ron Fiedtkou showed some spunk for Milerock with out being allowed to score before Abrams again found the back of the net in the 80th minute to give Alpha their second win and in three games and condemn Milerock to their third consecutive defeat in a game of ordinary standard especially towards the end when both teams seemed to tire. While it is understood that the Guyanese club enjoy a better position than the second place team in the Haiti group it was unclear if they were ahead of the number two side in the Antigua group and a hope Dover informed that by late last night he should have known if Alpha would advance. “We were below par in fitness and if we qualify we have to make use of the limited time and work on especially our fitness and finishing,” Dover remarked. Alpha finished with six points from three games and scored five goals and conceded two to give them a goal average of +3. In the curtain raiser under sunny skies, InterMoengotapo, spurred on by goals from the group’s leading goal scorer Stefano Ryssel (70th), Ives Vlyker (65th) and Jimmy Patrick who scored his third goal from the penalty spot (44th) beat Hubentut Fortuna 3-2. Jose Adrino Chacas Gomes (45th) and Dwight Belliot (60th) registered consolation goals for Hubentut Fortuna who had previously lost to Alpha 3-1.
University of Guyana student, Elton Bollers alienated himself from CARIFTA Team athletes, Chavez Ageday (21.30s) and Stephan James (21.50s) in boy’s junior 200m, blasting to a superb 21 seconds to leave the spectators and athletes in the pavilion at the Police Sports Club ground astound when the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) National Youth, Junior and Senior Championship got under the starters orders. Police Progressive Youth Club (PPYC) Tiffany Carto (25.20s) won the girl’s junior 200m ahead of Guyana Defence Force Tiffany Smith (25.50s) in the absence of her major rival, Letitia Myles. PPYC, Shawn Semple shocked his opponents in the senior’s 400m after clocking 50.10 seconds leaving Patrick King (50.20s) and Trevor Scotland (50.90s) to battle for the other two positions on the podium. Quacy Simpson of Mercury Fast Laners (MFL) and Natricia Hooper of Running Brave (RB) won their 400m in the youth category in 53.30 seconds and 1:00.4 seconds respectively. The 100m women’s saw sprint queen, Alicia Fortune (RB) repeating her superb performances for the year in 11.60 seconds ahead of her club mate Neisa Allen (11.80s) and PPYC Akelia Alves
- Championship continues today
Shawn Semple celebrates after winning the men’s 400m ahead of Patrick King and Trevor Scotland. (12.30s). GDF’s Akeem Stewart won the men’s version in 10.60 seconds ahead of PPYC’s Terry Easton (10.80s), Keith Roberts (11.10s) while Tevin Garraway separated himself from the field in Youth 100m clocking10.80 seconds. Jevina Straker (Junior 800m-2:18.70s), Andrea Foster (Youth 1500m-5:10.50), Nathaniel ‘Brother’ Giddings (Junior 5000m-16:47.20s), Ornesto Thomas (Youth 1500m-4:25.40s), Devon Barrington (Junior 800m2:05.60s) and Alika Morgan (Senior 5000m-19:03.40s) won their middle distance events in their respective categories. In the field events, Juanita Hooper of PPYC leaped away with the senior Long Jump
Kennard Memorial Turf Club pre-Independence Race meet set for May 20 The Kennard Memorial Turf Club stages its Pre Independence Horse racing meet at their Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice Racetrack on May 20 and seven races are carded for on the day’s programme. If less than five horses commence any race, the organisers have the right to reduce the prize money after consultation with the owners or cancel or refrain the event, while at least five horses must start any race before a third prize is awarded. At least seven horses must commence any race before a fourth prize is presented. Entries close on Sunday May 13 and no late entries will be accepted. Most of the country’s top racehorses are expected to be entered. Owners/Trainers can have their horses entered through Justice Kennard (tel number 226-1399, 225-4818 or 623-
7609), Roopnarine ‘Shine’ Matadial (tel 325-3192, Ivan Dipnarine (331-0316) or Assistant Secretary Isabella Beaton (325-3007 or 6937812). The Provisional programme read: L Class W/A over 5 furlongs:- first prize $100,000, 2nd 50,000, 3rd 25,000 G & Lower W/A over 7 furlongs:- first prize 250,000, 2nd $125,000, 3rd $63,000 I2 & Lower W/A over 6 furlongs:-first prize 180,000, 2nd $90,000, 3rd $45,000 K&L W/A over 6 furlongs:-1st prize $120,000, 2nd $60,000, 3rd $30,000 3 yrs (Guy and WI bred) over I mile:- 1st prize $350,000, 2nd $175,000, 3rd $88,000 D & Lower W/A over 1 Mile:- 1st prize 500,000, 2nd $250,000, 3rd $125,000 being the main event. H & Lower W/A over 6 furlongs:- 1st prize $200,000, 2nd $100,000, 3rd $50,000
covering a distance of 5m32cm ahead of her club mates, Tracy Moses (5m15cm), Cindy Fraser (4m96cm) and Latoya St Hill (4m95cm). PPYC’s Alita Moore (Junior) and Ieasha Parris (Youth) also won their jumps in 5m33cm and 4m82cm. Leon Bishop of GDF bounded to 6m81cm in the men’s Long Jump ahead of Patrick King’s 6m73cm and Quincy Payne 6m53cm leaps; Samuel Gray’s 5m82cm leap led him to first in the youth category, while Joven Wright won the junior boys jump with a leap of 5m04cm. PPYC conducted clean sweeps in the throw when Shiekele Scott (SP-9m26cm), Clarence Greene (D33m51cm), Latoya Rodney (D- 26m68cm) and Julio Sinclair (D-45m63cm) launched their throws in the Shot Put (SP) and Discus (D). The Championship continues today at the same venue from 11am with what is expected to be mouth watering action for the spectators.
Elton Bollers, 200m junior boy’s winner.
Page 60
Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Georgetown Turf Club horserace GCC draw with All Greys 3-3 in meet/Gymkhana on today a fiery showdown at Bourda - raffle to be drawn
Nigel James displays some of the trophies and the raffle prizes that will be on offer today. All is set for the Georgetown Turf Club of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara horserace meet and Gymkhana today which has a total of 1.5 million dollars in cash prizes to be won. The meet which has an impressive field of 64 horses entered for the action and all the races will be of the same distance of 1200m. Action gets underway at 12:00pm. The feature race, H &
Lower, will see horses such as Prospect Pride, Sir Ballgy and The Gump, just to name a few vying for top prize of $375,000. The I & Lower registered horses will be contesting for $140,000, $70,000, $35,000 and $20,000. The I & Lower will see the winner walking out of the turf with $130,000; K & J and L & Lower winners will have in their possession $110,000 and $100,000 respectively.
Shane, Red Dragon, Cat Thief, Red Light and Pinky will compete for the top cash prize of $80,000 in the Cart Horse Class; the second and third place winners will receive $40,000 and $20,000. Horses competing in the U/ Classified Class will be battling for $90,000, $45,000, $25,000 and $12,000. There will also be a raffle drawing; the funds from the raffle will be going directly to the club to aid in its development according to the President of the Turf Club, Nigel James. For more information, contact Nigel James, President of the Georgetown Turf Club: 665-5611. The club suffered a big setback with the last minute pulling out of a few key sponsors but will go ahead with their programme and has assured that all systems are in place for an exciting day of racing.
Players from the two teams battle for supremacy during the highly entertain encounter. The heat was on from the sound of the opening whistle with continuous attacks by both teams hoping to open the score sheets and go forward. But in the end the pair held onto to drum out a 3-3 stalemate after the furious exchanges.
The All Greys pressed hard into the Bourda Boys’ half and capitalized on a defensive error with a counter attack that saw Azad DeAbreu’s shot in the 3rd Minute finding the back of the goal to take the score to 1-0. However, immense pressure displayed by the
Over 50 entries received for Bush Lot United Turf Club race meet on Sunday April 29 With Just one week away over 50 horses have been entered so far for the Bush Lot United Turf Club one day horserace meet slated for Sunday April 29 at the club’s entity Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice. With the facilities taking on a brand new look with massive renovation being done to the entire arena most horse owners are relishing the opportunity to have their animals’ race on the newly laid sward. The Bush Lot racing club was out of racing for close to 12 years and has only made a comeback in 2011. This is the first race meet for the 2012 season. Eight races are listed for the day with prize money totaling over $2.5M in cash trophies and other incentives up for grabs. The Banks DIH sponsored feature F and Lower event has so far attracted a top notch field with Damascus Dream headlining the entries which also includes Stormy Lass, Top of the Line and Gabriel’s
Gold among others for the top money of $400,000 and trophy over 1800M. Damascus Dream and Gabriel’s Gold are among those entered for the G class 1400M contest with the likes of Sea Breeze and Miss Regina also being among the early entries for the $250,000 winners take and trophy. The three Year old maiden event has a winner’s money of $150, 000 over 1200M and as so far attracted Miss Karina, Feels like Gold, Rock Sonia and Rosetta. The Gump, Dream Girl and Royal Salute will be in another head on collision as they compete in the H class 1200M race against Prospectors Pride and Romeo among others for the $120,000 and trophy. The event for I3 Maiden horses over 1000M for a winning purse of$100,000 and trophy. There is a race for animals classified L1, 2 and 3 for animals three years and over 1200M with the winner set to collect $100,000 and a trophy. The J and lower race will
The newly renovated Bush Lot Facilities. taking on a spanking look.
see the likes of O So Sharp, Mr Kool, Triple, No Body Knows, Lil Axe and She is Royal competing for the $80,000 and a trophy over 1000M. The race for group one horses for a winning money of $60,000 and trophy will be a 1000M affair. Among the other sponsors on board so far are Buddy Shivraj, The Shariff Racing Stables, Rommel Jagroop, the trophy Stall Bourda market and GT&T.
Senior Council Marcel Crawford is the legal advisor to the club. According to coordinator Lakeram Sukhdeo, Turfites are encouraged to come out early as the day’s meet will be scintillating. He stated that those attending the race meet will be able to view the activity in comfort with the tremendous improvements undertaken. Among the work done was the renovation and
covering of the Grand Stand, the relaying, grading, leveling and rolling of the track and the installation of new Washroom and toilet facilities with running water. Interested persons can make enquiries with President R. Jagit (tel 232-0231), Secretary Arjune Singh on 688-4764 and Treasurer Lakeram B. Sukhedo on Number 232-0558. Race time is 13:00 hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
Bourda Boys broke through the All Grey’s defence and Mark Sargeant in the 8th Minute finished with a all out dive to deflect a ball which slipped past Goalkeeper Whitehead and leveled the score 1-1. The attack continued with both teams sharing almost equal possession of the ball. It was the Bourda Boys who edged forward once more to 2-1 when Keon McKenzie in the 21st minute tapped in a slick pass from Stuart Gonsalves which had beaten the veteran defenders. The second half began with the same pace and intensity and it was the veterans who took the score to 2-2 with a blistering shot by Azad DeAbreu in the 42nd Minute. The Bourda Boys responded with the same sly stick-work when Meshach Pierre worked his way down the wings of the field and passed a ball to Patrick Edghill in the 54th minute who hammered his shot into the back of the Nets to take the game to 3-2. With the game on the edge of completion, the veterans fought on and Azad DeAbreu drew the score once more in the 59th Minute with his shot which deflected off of the keeper’s glove into the back of the goal. This adds another draw and an exciting match for the John Fernandes 2nd Division League. More exciting action was set for yesterday at the Saints Ground.
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
Chelsea Edghill
By Edison Jefford Chelsea Edghill has a natural competitive character, and it is perhaps the sole reason why she has her lean frame towering above her peers in a country that has its limitations when it comes to the exposure of players and the different styles available for competition. We sat down for 15 minutes for an exclusive interview since she became the lone medallist on an enterprising national junior table tennis team of over 20 players at the Caribbean Championships in Cuba, and it was difficult for the top player to hide her passion. Edghill is a competitor and it may be the one attribute of her personality that makes her a beacon for the sport in Guyana. Chelsea is a champion in every meaning of the word; losing in whatever she engages is not an option; she must win, and that inspires her performance. “I need to train more, get more table time, improve physically and I need to be exposed to much more tournaments, training camps and to play much more different styles of players in Guyana,” Edghill answered when asked to assess the level
of her game at the moment. Playing against the region’s strongest and more prepared junior players from hosts, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, Edghill’s silver medal performance was a beacon of light for the Guyanese contingent that was plummeted to darkness against the techniques of the seasoned countries. In the Girls U-15 finals, despite a valiant effort against Idalys Lovett Valdez from Cuba, who had training stints in Germany before the Caribbean Championship, Edghill lost 8-11, 10-12, 7-11 and 8-11 in a performance that was remarkable given Guyana’s all-round showing. She believes she could have beaten Valdez to win the gold medal and would not concede that the Cuban is better than her even though Valdez was the top ranked player in the contest. She would rather admit that she lost because of lack of exposure to different techniques. “It is so limited here in Guyana; you play the same person here one, two, three, four times and it gets boring after the second time. It’s really hard like that, you start in the U-15, you go to the U-
CHELSEA IS A CHAMPION 18, then the U-21 and it’s the same players you’re likely to meet all the way through, you cannot improve like that if you are playing one style over and over,” Edghill complained. Her sojourn at the Caribbean Championships two weeks ago has led her to believe that she must be exposed to a Latin American circuit as soon as possible. Asked how she will balance playing on a circuit and her education at the Bishop’s High School, Edghill said that her research showed that there are circuits available during the summer and Christmas breaks. She informed that her club, the Malteenoes Sports Club, where she trains under the guidance of former national men’s player, Idi Lewis, and female player, Lisa Lewis, is very serious about her development and exposure to as many regional tournaments as possible. “If I could get like four (circuits) a year, I know I will remain on par with my international peers. When I go to the competitions, persons from the CRTTF (Caribbean and Regional Table Tennis Federation) keep telling my managers ‘oh why you don’t get her on the circuit’, but if there is no sponsorship, I really can’t go anywhere,” the 14-year-old Edghill indicated. “Tennis is really expensive. You have gears; my blades are over US$100, when I get older, my blades will become over US$300 and my rubbers are US$50 per side, not to mention my playing sneakers and other training stuff,” she continued, making the point that the gap between her and accessing international circuits really depends on the necessary funding. Edghill has had steady growth since she won the Caribbean Championships’ U-13 gold medal in 2010, the same year she won the National Sports Commission ‘Junior Sportswoman of the Year ’ Award after other dominant performances in
Mahaicony ‘A’ and Melanie victorious in Mahaicony Jamboree Sports Day The Mahaicony ‘A’ team won the Football competition, while Melanie took championship honours in the Basketball competition when the Triple C Production and South Turkeyen Sports Committee held the Mahaicony Jamboree Sports Day at the Mahaicony Community Centre ground recently.
In the Football Final, Mahaicony ‘A’ beat Paradise 1-nill after Delbert Wilson scored the winning goal in a competition played in memory of the late Gordon Bynoe. The home team took the Bynoe and family and Mr and Mrs Moore trophy. Attorneyat-Law and MP Joseph Harman donated two
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footballs to the Mahaicony team, while the GFF donated one and Ken Phillips donated a cash prize. In the Basketball competition, Melanie got the better of Mahaicony in the final 14-12 and took home the trophy donated by Triple C Production. The competition was coordinated Chris and Johnny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell.
and out of Guyana. However, most pundits, including three-time national table tennis champion and Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) General Secretary, Godfrey Munroe believes that Edghill must get the relevant training overseas
to help her remain on par with the region. The failure to do so may result in some disparity as she moves up to compete in the older age groups. But that’s futuristic. Asked what her immediate goals are, the passionate
athlete said that she will medal at Latin American Championships in Mexico in July that will ensure that she qualifies for the Caribbean team. What is certain is that Chelsea’s solo efforts keep the Golden Arrowhead on its flag-pole in the sport.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday April 22, 2012
Malta Supreme / Hugh Ross Classic Bodybuilding & Fitness Show...
GT&T 10/10 nationwide softball cricket Super-16-Round...
Regional C/ships unveiled; Fitness Express on board
Rockaway Auto Sales X1 A, Karibee Boyz, Falcon Girls & All Star Conquerors into ¼finals
The head table at yesterday’s launch from right, Andre Poonai (Technical Coordinator), Jamie Mc Donald of Fitness Express, Alison Yhap (Secretary/Treasurer), Franklin Wilson (PRO & Marketing) and Dexter Garnett (Sponsorship 7 Finance). The Third edition of Guyana’s premier bodybuilding show, the Malta Supreme / Hugh Ross Classic Body Building & Fitness competition has taken on a new dimension this year with the organizing committee announcing that a number of Regional (Sub) Shows will be held leading up to the grand show on July 28 at the National Cultural Centre. At the Windjammer International Hotel yesterday, Technical Coordinator Andre Poonai disclosed plans for the Regional Shows which he said will number four and are set for the Bauxite Mining Town of Linden on May 12, Uitvlugt Community Centre Ground on May 19, the Demerara Cricket Club Ground Queenstown on May 26 with the final show set for
Rose Hall, Corentyne, Berbice on June 2, 2012. Poonai noted that the four shows will take on the form of a Fitness Fair apart from the on stage competition which is designed to ensure that the best bodies are going to collide at the National Cultural Centre for the finale. Two athletes from the various categories (Bantamweight, Lightweight, Middleweight, Heavyweight & Figure for women) would be chosen for the finals at the NCC. He stated that the HRC Committee decided to take on this challenge of multiple shows in order to have better quality bodies on stage informing that it would be a great challenge for the organizers but believed that it is necessary. Touching on the Fitness
New boy Fudadin arrives... From back page supportive. I owe alot to them. They kept me going during the tough periods and now I just want to make the most of this opportunity at the international level.” After a few moderate seasons at the first-class level Fudadin made a breakthough this year. He was the second highest run-scorer in the recentlyconcluded Regional 4 Day competition. He made 576 runs including two centuries at an average of 48 runs per innings. He described himself as a confident player who always looks to build an innings. “I am feeling relaxed and confident at the moment. Everyone has welcomed me into the team. I knew some of the others from before — I played
with Shiv and Narsingh in the Guyana. I also played with others in the youth teams (West Indies Under-15 and West Indies Under-19) and the West Indies A Team. It’s just a matter of fitting in and doing what is required,” Fudadin said after Saturday’s training session. “I was watching the series very closely before I was selected and you could see the determination and the commitment by the players in the team. I’m happy to come into that kind of environment. It is every boy’s dream, once he starts playing cricket, to play at the highest level and I am closer to my dream. But the dream doesn’t end there. I’m looking to take every opportunity I get and make the most of it and build a career from there.”
Show initiative, Poonai said that they are aiming to educate patrons at the various events about the goodness of having a healthy body and inculcating healthy eating habits noting that athletes take great pains to develop attractive bodies but it’s a lot of hard work and discipline that brings the desired results. “We will be pushing the healthy lifestyle initiative which obviously, brings excellent results and benefits to life in general. These events will also be for the entire family with the castle for the kids to have a fun time while we would also be having games for adults apart from our sponsors having the opportunity to set up booths to showcase their products and services.” Fitness Express was also unveiled as a sponsor which will be providing supplements and vitamins for the athletes who will be selected for the final show in July. Manager of Fitness Express, Jamie Mc Donald informed that apart from his company providing supplements and vitamins, he would be consulting the selected athletes personally to ascertain their specific needs and provide for same during the run up to the grand finale. Mc Donald expressed delight at once again being a partner with the Malta Supreme Hugh Ross Classic which has set a high standard for the sport in Guyana. Some of the other sponsors on board are The City Mall, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Mohamed’s General Store, Fazia’s Collection, Banks DIH – Malta Supreme, Hand In Hand Insurance Company.
HAT-TRICK BOY!!! Kumar Bishundial (center) highfives one of his team mates as they celebrate his feat On another riveting day of action blessed with excellent weather and a steady Atlantic breeze across the Everest Cricket Club Ground, fans were treated to some fantastic cricket and when the dust was settled, Rockaway Auto Sales X1 ‘A’, Karibee Boyz, Falcon Girls and All Star Conquerors all booked their respective places in the quarterfinals of the 3rd GT&T 10/10 nationwide softball cricket competition. From the beginning of the tournament which is being run by the Guyana Softball League on a knock-out format, teams have had to be on the ball and yesterday was no different as Rockaway Auto Sales X1 ‘A’ rocked their way to a commanding 8wicket win over D’ Edward Sports Club in the days feature game. Falcon Girls made light work of Speed Boat who they defeated by 25 runs in the main supporting game, Karibee Boyz also displayed excellent form in disposing Falcon by 8-wickets while the opening game of the day saw All Star Conquerors living true to their name when they took care of business against Jungle Strikers by 6-wickets. In the feature game, Rockaway won the toss and invited D’Edward Sports Club to bat first. Excellent bowling backed up by efficient fielding resulted in the Essequibo side being bowled out for 62. Kevin Jawahir was the top scorer with 21; Tony Ramanand made 19 and Jaipaul Heeralall 13. The star of the bowling for Rockaway was Kumar Bishundial who took the first hat-trick of the Super-16-round, conceding 10 runs. He was well supported by Mahendra Ramlakhan (2-8) as the D’Edward batsmen could not
handle the pair; three of their batsmen went via the run out route. Needing 63 to win, Rockaway went in pursuit of the target in businesslike fashion with their two main strike bowlers coming back with the bat to lead them home. Ramlakhan was unbeaten on 31 when victory was achieved at 64-2 off 7 overs with Bishundial contributing 21. D’Edward lost their first 3 wickets before the end of the second over and never recovered thereafter. Both teams lost their first wicket off the first ball of their respective innings. The main supporting encounter, a female clash between Speed Boat of West Bank Demerara and Falcon Girls of Leguan, saw the former winning the toss and electing to field. Falcon Girls accepted the offer and proceeded to smash 106-4 off their 10-overs; Estell Lewis leading with 31 (5x4), Lateka Blackette 16, Nikita Trotz 15 and Aliza Azad 10 the main contributors. When Speed Boat batted, they encountered rough waters which resulted in their engines backing down as they ended on 81-4; Natasha Skeete tried her utmost to take the attack to the bowlers but eventually fell for 32 (2x4), Joan Ann King contributed 10 as they lost by 25 runs. Falcon Girls clearly has mastered the art of bowling in this 10/10 version of the game which Speed Boat has clearly not found an answer to. In another exceptional display of tight bowling and proficient fielding, Karibee Boyz, hailing from the Ancient County of Berbice lost the toss to Leguan’s Falcon who decided that batting first would have done the trick for them but their choice ended
up backfiring. When their 10-overs expired, they were well short of a competitive total, ending on 69-6 with Zaman Mustapha (25) the only batsman to offer any resistance to the stifling bowling of the Karibee Boyz, one of the teams fancying their chances of going all the way to the grand final and winning the championship. With a powerful batting line-up and the solid opening pair of former Guyana T20 batsman Imran Khan who made his name in the Stanford T20 competition and Sharmindra Hardyal, Karibee Boyz flayed the Falcon bowling attack to reach 70-2 in just 5.5 overs. Khan smashed 36 (5x4 1x6) with Hardyal batting through the innings to end on 19. Falcon paid dearly for dropping Khan in the first over. All Star Conquerors brushed aside Jungle Strikers by 6-wickets in the day’s opening encounter. Batting first, Jungle Strikers failed to strike at full throttle and were limited to 78-6 off their 10 overs. Donica Lyle hitting 22, Shenella Adams 14 and Natasha Dos Santos 11. In reply, All Star Conquerors eased to 79-4 off 7.3 overs; Akilah Castello led with 23, Annazette Carew 18 and Nadeena Dasrella 17. The final four quarter finalists will be decided today when defending champions Wolf Warriors face Affiance; Speed Boat Sports Club play Platinum Jaguars Senior in the two male games, while in the female competition, Wiruni Conquerors play Rising Stars X1 and Mora United oppose Mike’s Wellwoman. Play starts at 10:00hrs at the Everest Cricket Ground, Camp Road.
Sunday April 22, 2012
Kaieteur News
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t r o Sp New boy Fudadin arrives full of confidence Roseau, Dominica — It has been a long journey from the playing field at the Rose Hall Cricket Club to the West Indies team, but Assad
Fudadin has made that journey and now he is looking to take more strides forward. The confident left-
hander had his first day among his new team-mates in the West Indies camp on Saturday, as the Windies prepared for the all-
important third Digicel Test against Australia at Windsor Park. First ball on Monday is 10 am (9 am Jamaica Time). As a boy growing up in
Assad Fudadin
the Rose Hall area in the county of Berbice, the softspoken Guyanese said he “enjoyed playing some cricket” but his first love was track and field. He excelled in sprints and the jumps and had visions of representing his country on the world stage. He made the switch to cricket in his early teens and it is the gentleman’s game which has brought him international attention. “Around age 13 I started to pay more attention to cricket and realised that I had the skills to play well at a competitive level,” Fudadin said. “Some people told me I had ‘it’ in me and could go places if I put in the work. I followed the good advice. Two years later, I was in the Guyana Under-15 team and that year I was in the West Indies team which played in the (Under-15) World Cup in England.” That team also included Ravi Rampaul and Denesh Ramdin and the West Indies won the tournament with a superb victory in the final at Lord’s. “At that stage track started to take a backseat and I started to work hard and concentrate on my cricket. I got some success and
decided to continue. I started to dedicate a lot of time to developing my game and I quickly realised that in order to be a success in the game of cricket I had to be disciplined and always willing to learn,” the 26year-old added. “I progressed through the ranks playing at the Under19 level for the West Indies but I did not have the success that I was looking for. I kept working hard and I’m happy that the selectors have put their faith in me.” Fudadin is only the second player from the Rose Hall Club to be selected for the West Indies. The first was allrounder Royston Crandon, who played a single One-Day International back in 2009. “I would say I was fortunate ... the club was opposite my house and my school was close by, so I didn’t have far to go. My family put education first so I had to make sure I did my school work before I could play cricket,” he said. “I received support from everyone in my family. My parents, my brother Abdel, who also played Under-15 for Guyana, and my wife Akeema have all been very (Continued on page 62 )
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