Kaieteur News

Saturday Edition

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August 11, 2012 - Vol. 6 No. 30 - Price $80 kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Website:http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Fiery Friday at Linden Anger boils over at Police pre-dawn teargas offensive Buildings razed on both sides of river Joint Services deny operation to clear barriers See stories & Police say suspected acts of arson Six detained for various offences photos on p. 3 and centre

Cops shoot suspected bandit p.

9

- gun stashed in briefs

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 11, 2012

Saturday August 11, 2012

Kaieteur News

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“Fiery Friday” at Linden Anger boils over at Police pre-dawn tear gas offensive Buildings razed on both sides river Police say suspected acts of arson Joint Services deny operation to clear barriers Six detained for various offences Anger at a surprise tear gas offensive, smoldering debris from buildings burnt to the ground, and a battle to keep the streets clear, characterized the town of Linden yesterday as the government put off a key meeting intended to hammer out a deal and return the town to normalcy.

The protest against electricity tariff increase in the town is now into its fourth week and Lindeners are maintaining their demand – for the increases to be withdrawn and for President Donald Ramotar to meet them and thrash out the events that followed the first day of the protest when three residents were shot dead by Police.

Palpable tension gripped the town in the wee hours of the morning as conflagrations raged on both sides of the Demerara River. A total of six buildings and two vehicles were destroyed.

Residents claimed that the mayhem started when ranks of the Joint Services swooped down on the community in an effort to remove barricades, using teargas to disperse those present, and even throwing canisters with the pungent substance into people’s yards.

A nurse at the town’s main hospital confirmed that one of the tear gas canisters was hurled into the office of the Chief Executive Farouk Riyastat, and he had to be rushed to the emergency room along with his secretary.

The Joint Services Coordinating Council (JSCC) denied that it was involved in any operation to clear barriers in the early morning hours yesterday at the western end of the Wismar Bridge.

In a statement, the Council said that at approximately 02:20 hours, protestors raised an alarm that the Joint Services were on their way to clear barriers, “but that was not the case at all.”

“As a result, protestors and supporters numbering thirty, including women, stormed past the Joint Services Standing Patrol on the western end of the bridge and lit the bridge afire at the centre.

The Joint Services Standing Patrol summoned the Police and the Fire Service.

The Police cleared the protestors using tear smoke and the Fire Service put out the fire. By the time the fire was out, more residents came out of their homes and the

situation deteriorated. The Joint Services did not escalate the situation at Linden.”

The day was dubbed “Fiery Friday” by many of the residents who stressed that they had never experienced anything similar.

First it was the Linden Salvation Council building and the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Church at Silvertown, Wismar, and another edifice aback of it, which housed the old GECOM Office. Those went up in flames in the wee hours of the morning.

A few hours later on the Mackenzie side, at least four buildings were also ablaze among them, structures which housed the offices of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Linden Care Foundation and Linden Electricity Company Incorporated (LECI) and the IDCE (Institute of Distance and Continuing Education). A canteen was also razed. The Linmine Secretariat annex was the only structure left standing. Two trucks belonging to LECI were also ruined.

The burnt buildings up until recently stood a mere stone’s throw away from the Linmine Secretariat building which was gutted on July 18, the first day of protest in the community. The incident occurred shortly after the shooting to death of three Lindeners, allegedly by police.

In both instances yesterday, no fire tender made it to the scene, because of blockades, which included logs, burning tyres and broken bottles, on the roads.

At Mackenzie, several heaped up tyres were used to light a huge fire at the Five Corner. Some traffic was allowed to certain areas in the

town.

The Wismar fire reportedly erupted at the old GECOM building after it was claimed that police ‘shot’ tear gas canisters into a group of individuals indiscriminately.

The building reportedly belonged to Phillip Bynoe.

There are conflicting reports as to the origin of the fire.

Canisters of tear gas were also reportedly thrown into a few yards in Silvertown, with the result that residents had to run out of their homes in the wee hours, and seek refuge in the nearby New Silver City School. Some of the affected included babies and senior citizens.

When this newspaper arrived on the scene, people were seen running down the streets with rags and pieces of clothing covering their faces.

Others rushed to get water to wash their faces and bodies.

The atmosphere was acrid from the burning buildings along with the tear gas.

A number of persons vociferously condemned this action by the police, who came in for further criticism after reports were made that they threw away ration from at least one food camp.

Residents reacted by hauling a huge log to the Wismar end of the Mackenzie/ Wismar Bridge, right under the noses of the soldiers who remonstrated with the crowd.

In the end it was the soldiers who were forced to back down.

FIRE IN MACKENZIE No one seemed to know how the buildings on Casuarina Drive, Mackenzie,

caught fire; but the GRA Office was the first to go up in flames. Then it was the LECI building.

Because all of the structures there were wooden, they ignited quickly forming a huge inferno. The heat from these burning buildings was so intense, that residents stood some distance away watching.

Some public-spirited citizens and a few soldiers, assisted in removing several pieces of furniture and appliances from the Linden Care Foundation premises.

Nothing was retrieved from the other buildings.

The toll booth, GEA booth and Linmine security huts were also torched. These booths were located at the Mackenzie end of the Wismar / Mackenzie Bridge.

Meanwhile, late yesterday afternoon the Guyana Police Force issued a release in relation to the incidents saying: “At about 02:10h. on Friday August 10, 2012, ranks of the Joint Services observed that a fire with the use of tyres, wood and other combustible materials was set on the wooden portion at the Wismar end of the Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge.

“A crowd of persons had gathered at the location of the fire and in efforts to have them remove in order that the Guyana Fire Service personnel can extinguish the blaze, the police were forced to resort to the use of tear smoke.

The crowd was dispersed and the fire extinguished. The Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge is still in use and the Joint Services are maintaining security.

Later, at about 07:00h. another crowd of persons came across the WismarMackenzie Bridge from the Wismar end with the apparent intention of immobilizing a front-end-loader that was parked in the vicinity of the

bridge on the Mackenzie side.

Persons placed themselves on the roadway in front of the machine, but were eventually removed and the equipment was shifted to another location.

While the police ranks were dealing with the persons around the front-end-loader, it is suspected that other persons from the crowd set a fire which resulted in the destruction of the toll booth and the LINMINE Security guard hut located at the Mackenzie end of the bridge.

Fires caused by suspected acts of arson have destroyed a number of buildings in the Linden community.” The release then identified the buildings that were destroyed, and continued: “Efforts by the Guyana Fire Service personnel to get to the scene of the fire at the office complex were hampered by obstacles blocking the roadways and which also caused the destruction of the wheels of one of the firetrucks. Six men have been arrested by the police pending investigations into various offences and are in custody.”

SLEEPLESS NIGHT Most of Linden was uneasy on Thursday night, and many residents complained of not being able to sleep as they were agitated over flyers that were dropped by the Joint Services, and reports that additional troops would be deployed to the area, to clear the roads “by whatever means.”

The troops came in by river, according to reports, and landed at the Mackenzie / Wismar Bridge.

Their presence in the

mining town served to further stir up residents. They reacted by burning tyres and reblocking roads. Many roads in Linden have been blocked for over three weeks now in protest against the imposition of increased electricity tariffs for the community.

During this period there have been several clashes between residents and the police, who along with the Joint Services have been fighting a valiant but losing battle to clear the roads.

Residents, including major stakeholders in the town, have resolved not to ‘retreat or surrender’ until the electricity tariffs are withdrawn.

They have vowed not to accept Government’s ‘on hold’ proposal, which was put forward by President Ramotar a few days ago.

Many Lindeners have opined that the government has shown total disrespect to the people, as not once during the entire period of protest has any government Minister visited the town.

The President has expressed that he will not visit the area once the situation remains the same in terms of blockades. Meanwhile, a few persons were detained at the Mackenzie Police Station, in relation to the attempted burning of the Mackenzie/ Wismar Bridge, and the torching of the toll and GEA booths, according to reports.

(See photos on centre)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 11, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news

Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Is the hydro project on hold?

The silence on the part of the government about certain projects is not only alarming, but it is also disheartening to anyone who is seeking to follow the national development trends of the country. On many occasions there would be announcements of development plans; people would sit with bated breath, because the announcements would hold out so much hope for a country that has long been in the doldrums.

In this day and age there are many people who still confuse Guyana with Ghana; who only recognize the country if someone mentions Jonestown. In the United Kingdom, perhaps because of cricket, the names Clive Lloyd and Rohan Kanhai would give the listener an inkling of where the country really is.

In the United States, because of the criminal nature of some Guyanese and the drug connection with countries like Colombia, the country may be well known, but only as a drug transshipment point.

Development moves may have made the country more recognisable. When President Bharrat Jagdeo took his Low Carbon Development Strategy to the rest of the world in the face of climate change fears, suddenly he became more of a household name than the country he represents.

With all the talk about clean air and lesser reliance on fossil fuels which are said to be fuelling global warming, Guyana should have been better known as a country that was walking the walk and talking the talk. Indeed it did take the first step in the walk when it announced the construction of a hydroelectricity facility that would have slashed the nation’s imported fuel bill by more than fifty per cent.

Further, the country would have reduced its carbon emission which, by international standards, is nothing to shout about. However, the country would have been able to sell its carbon credits for more money, supplementing what it was about to receive from Norway.

There was a lot of noise when the government announced the hydroelectric project. There was to be the construction of the road to the site; the contractors had already been identified and the loans had been all but tied up. The government had agreed to spend a sum of money and so avoid the higher final cost; the major contractor had indicated its contribution and the size of the loan had been agreed on.

The people of Guyana were very aware of the debacle that followed the award of the contract to Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall and Motilall’s failure to construct the road. But even after the contract had been taken away and the new road contractors, identified, there were deadline adjustments.

By now, the actual construction of the hydroelectric facility should have begun, but the project seems to be heading in the same direction of a previous attempt to construct a hydropower facility nearly forty years ago. The road is far from complete nearly a year since it should have been and the major loan is still to be secured.

We were warned that the longer it would take to finalise the loan agreement, the more costly the project would be.

There was a mad rush to finalise the loan before the Chinese appreciate their currency vis-à-vis the United States dollar.

This loan finalization programme should have been completed by June. This has not been done and there has not been a word from the government. There has also been total silence on the state of the road being constructed. It is as if the project has ground to a halt.

Perhaps the people of Guyana have become apathetic about anything that pertains to development; perhaps the media have lost interest in the project because it is moving at a snail’s pace. But the government has a right to give the nation a report card. It is spending the people’s money.

We do know that for nearly a year, reporters were promised a tour of the road project. That promise is still to be fulfilled. Perhaps the media would still be given a tour and an explanation. But the nation needs to be kept abreast of the loan agreement. They have already been given one project cost.

Is President Ramotar a puppet?

DEAR EDITOR, Reading the letter titled “Present PPP strategies full of Jagdeo’s fingerprint” (KN, August 6, 2012), I was blown away by the following statement from Messrs Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh: “It’s been six months and we are yet to see President Ramotar being his own man. When will he be his own man? Is this how we will run this country; as a surrogate President fronting for the Guyana’s Putin?...

What is wrong with Ramotar?

With the Constitution on his side, why is he so spineless?”

This letter raises some brutally honest questions about Mr. Ramotar’s presidency. Are we really seeing a Putin-styled presidential surrogacy at play in Guyana where Mr. Ramotar is really a front for the former President Jagdeo as was the case in Russia when Medvedev was a front for Putin? The only way we properly make a determination is to examine what has happened before and after Mr. Ramotar’s securement of the presidency.

Firstly, Mr. Ramotar could not ascend to the presidency without winning the PPP’s candidacy. In order to win that candidacy, Mr. Ramotar

required the backing of the majority Jagdeoites who control the PPP’s Central Committee and who have voted to suspend the PPP’s constitutionally-due congress in 2011.

Jagdeoites mean those who were loyal or connected to former President Jagdeo, those who gained position, promotion, recognition and power at his behest and appointment and those who served him in close advisory capacities.

Secondly, Ramotar ran on a platform of continuing Jagdeo’s policies. He stuck to that platform even when evidence was streaming into the PPP’s campaign machinery that disgusted PPP supporters were planning to stay away in droves and some were planning of switching to the AFC largely because of the degeneracy of the Jagdeo regime.

Ramotar evidently had no clout in the campaign direction and strategy. His campaign was dictated by one of the biggest Jagdeoites, Robert Persaud.

Thirdly, even after the fallout from the election and the loss of the PPP’s majority despite incredible campaign spending, Mr. Ramotar has made no firm steps to

sufficiently separate himself from the Jagdeo policies. He has maintained that perilous course. Fourthly, any glance at who surrounds Mr. Ramotar reveals his special distinction.

He has incredulously managed to surround himself with more Jagdeoites than Bharrat Jagdeo himself.

Not only were the Jagdeoites from the previous Cabinet recycled and kept but known Jagdeoites were awarded by Ramotar with ministerial posts. Known Jagdeoites like Ganga Persaud, Alli Baksh, Anil Nandlall, Nanda Gopaul and Juan Edghill could not obtain ministerial appointments under Jagdeo. They did under Ramotar.

In Guyanese parlance, some would be very tempted to deem this as ‘eyepass’, particularly when a ‘bishop’ with zero experience in finance and economic policymaking at state planning level becomes the Junior Finance Minister.

Or when a junior lawyer who has not secured silk and who has demonstrated nothing of stellar legal scholarship in his past becomes the Attorney General. One has to wonder if these are Ramotar’s picks or

someone else’ picks handed to him to rubberstamp? Fifth, despite his expected sordid performance as the PPP’s campaign manager and his legendary failure as Agriculture Minister, renowned Jagdeoite, Robert Persaud, got the juiciest Cabinet position as new Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment just as offshore oil exploration is taking off and the mining industry has reached new heights.

To add insult to injury, the known incompetent simply did not get this new special position, he took some powers and responsibilities away from the President and Prime Minister.

Sixthly, it looks like those Jagdeoites who voted for Ramotar on the Central Committee to become the PPP’s presidential candidate were rewarded. Only two new ministers, Gopaul and Edghill, were not Central Committee members whereas the none of the fired ministers (Shaikh Baksh, Charles Ramson, Manzoor Nadir, Manniram Prashad) were CC members.

Seventh, Mr. Ramotar has been a nearly invisible leader in the past eight months.

Ministers have been more (Continued on page 7)

Some observations on Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly DEAR EDITOR, Since I returned home in February this year, Thursday was the second time I went to the National Assembly to witness the debate on the two financial papers tabled by the Minister of Finance.

My first observation was the presence of two senior officials of the Ministry of Finance to assist the Minister in answering questions.

These two officials would have reached retirement age almost a decade ago, and given their advanced age, it would appear extremely difficult for them to cope with the day-to-day full-time demands that are associated with the work of their respective offices.

That apart, in all probability, these officials would have retired from the Public Service and were therefore were in receipt of the usual lump sum gratuity and reduced monthly pension.

Yet they are allowed to remain in their respective positions and enjoy enhanced emoluments as contracted employees with a twenty-two and one half per cent gratuity every six months. This would be in addition to duty-free concessions every three

years for a reconditioned motor car and/or access to a state vehicle and a chauffeur, and 24 hour guard service, all at the expense of the state and hence the taxpayers of this country.

I am not against the rehiring of retired persons in circumstances that are justifiable, for example, the exigency of the work situation, or until a replacement is found.

However, it is wrong for a person to retire in a position today and continue the next day in the same position at a significantly higher salary and for an extended period of time.

Such a situation would have a demoralising effect on the staff of the department or agency concerned, especially the number two person who would have aspired to head the department or agency concerned. It would also have not only an adverse effect on mobility within the organisation but also a militating effect against attempts to have a truly professional public service. It also does not speak well for succession planning.

At the United Nations, if it is necessary to engage the services of a retiree, he/she has to occupy a lower

position and for a short period, as a consultant. In other words, the retiree is engaged “off-line” vis-a-vis the authorised establishment.

In addition, the retiree cannot earn more than $20,000 in any one year otherwise he/she has to forego his/her monthly pension.

He/she cannot have both, unlike the situation that currently prevails in the Guyana Public Service, which may very well be unprecedented in the Public Service of other countries.

I recall my own case where the UN Board of Auditors was desirious of delaying my retirement by six months to facilitate preparations for the all important board meeting which took place last month, coming at a crucial point in

the history of the Board. It was an exigent circumstance.

Yet the Secretary General declined the Board’s request since he had already made it a policy that there will be no extension of the retirement age. As a result, the recruitment procedures for my replacement had to be fasttracked to ensure that my successor was in place before I demitted office.

It is my sincere hope that those in authority will reflect on the issue I have raised and take appropriate measures to address what I consider a significant deficiency in our system of governance.

In the interest of keeping this letter short, I shall address my other observations in another letter (s).

Anand Goolsarran

Disbelief at $1M obeah price DEAR EDITOR, I read your article yesterday about the obeah price tag of nearly $1M and was left shaking my head in disbelief at the stupidity of some people parting with that kind of cash.

When will these knuckleheads learn there is no

such thing as obeah? It is all a scam. I discussed this and other articles of similar nature in my book “Stupid Me? Stupid You!” Read it people, and do not fall prey to charlatans with their promise of cure and whatever else they would get you.

Jerry Rajkumar

Saturday August 11, 2012

Kaieteur News

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

Educating CSEC grads at UG remains a huge challenge DEAR EDITOR: KN should be commended for giving frequent attention to the issue of higher education in Guyana. With that thought in mind, I read the first three paragraphs of your editorial “Higher Education” (KN of 10th August) with immense interest as they gave the impression that the entire editorial intended to address the huge challenges surrounding the admission of CSEC graduates into the University of Guyana.

Unfortunately, the editorial digressed into rehashing the same arguments about the importance of research made in recent KN editorials.

More than rehashing, the editorial could also be accused of peddling a few inaccuracies. It remains wrong, for instance, to suggest there is a dearth or absence of research at the university. And it is also wrong to assert that academic staff is evaluated mainly on teaching hours.

The complaint, in fact, from some staff has been that research is given too much weight in staff evaluation and too little credit is given to the strenuous effort made in the faculties to deliver quality graduates.

On the research matter, I have recently in these very columns directed your attention to the annual university research day where research on a wide spectrum of topics is presented. I now draw your attention to a similar conference this week organized by the Faculty of Health Sciences. We need not quibble about the relative importance of social issues (which KN seems to favour)

as compared to health issues or, for that matter, environmental or engineering issues. All are critical for national development.

I wish to move the topic away from research, as the editorial does not require additional responses to those I have already offered in your columns.

Instead, I wish to dwell on the more difficult issue raised in your editorial, which is the admission policy of the university that allows entry of CSEC graduates, many with as little as five subjects.

The editorial is correct in pointing out two things: the extreme burden this policy places on the university’s resources and, secondly, the fact that the CAPE regime forces students to operate at a strikingly higher level than CSEC not only in terms of their ability to do research but also to apply and integrate knowledge. Not surprisingly, CAPE students fare better at UG. The university, however, has long accepted students with only CSEC, too many of whom are underprepared intellectually and mentally.

While a good case could be made for this policy to remain relatively intact, there has not been enough debate unfortunately both nationally and within the campus on effective strategies to get these young students up to university speed.

Individual faculties continue to try their own approaches, but one cannot point to a set of general guidelines on, say, course design that are based maybe on best practices, teaching experience or research findings to deal with this student preparation gap. The Faculty of Technology (and, I am sure, others), for example,

favours and has tried preuniversity courses, smaller class size, tutorials and responsive course outlines.

But success has been elusive. Failure rates remain too high at UG and rightly constitute a foremost concern among staff and administration on the campus.

In the search for solutions, however, one encounters a debilitating and almost insurmountable hurdle. It concerns the young student’s attitude to his/her own education and advancement. Call it the selfmotivation deficit.

In the faculty with which I am most familiar, the most revealing behaviors and attitudes that highlight the self-motivation deficit are the view of failure by many students as a petty matter and their lack of desire to exploit easily available opportunities and resources to lift their performance (such as attending class tutorials, using the library, consulting with lecturers, and making use of the massive amount of educational material available online). Is this attitude due to a lack of maturity in our teenagers? Are secondary schools neglecting to instill in students self-discipline and desire for success? Are parents equipped to play a role? What can the university do to develop affective abilities in students (attitude, values, appreciations, motivations, etc) in addition to cognitive ones?

Of all the performance challenges facing the university, the task of converting the playful teenager with CSEC passes into an effective engineer, social scientist, or agriculturist must be at the top of the list.

Sherwood Lowe

The politics of Donald Ramotar DEAR MR. EDITOR, In reference to the letter

by Rose et al. in KN a few days ago, there are some who might say that “Joey” just recently supported the PPP in the last elections and now, only eight months later, he now criticizes this Ramotar government; there are others who might say that “Joey” didn’t get position or money and that is why he is critical. I want the public to understand that when I campaigned with the PPP in 2011, I made it crystal clear that I was offering the PPP “critical support”, an invention of my father when he was in opposition to the PNC rule.

I was denied membership in the PPP and told that I was in the Civic component, which I found out quickly, was a farce because PM Sam Hinds never carried out the mandate given by President Cheddi. But Mr. Ramotar promised that after the elections he would convene and strengthen the Civic- to this day he has never even tried to accomplish this, even after I wrote him on many occasions not even an acknowledgement of my letters which covered many pertinent topics, such as corruption, the art of compromise and accommodation with the opposition, etc. I am willing to release all my correspondence with Ramotar to the general public at anytime.

I have never, at any time, asked the PPP for position, power or monetary largesse I operate at a different level

than those who run the PPP today and my father always told me to look at the other side of the coin when one is making decisions in life and that is why I do not regret supporting the PPP - because there’s no Civic after Hinds’ betrayal of my father’s wishes - as I saw firsthand how they operate from the ground up and how they think.

I met good people in the PPP who still long for my father’s presence but they have to pick his cudgel up and change the outlook of this great party that Jagan built and Jagdeo pulled down, with the assistance of the Robert Persauds.

Mr. Editor, the campaign which was headed by Robert Persaud was a disaster with his concentration on “hipgyration politics”, wastage of money, having Jagdeo act like a toothless pitbull, talking “stupidness” most of the time and Ramotar’s failures to keep the grass roots organization intact while doing nothing much to solve local concerns nationwide and then Persaud is rewarded with a Ministry he can never run, especially when one looks at his dismal record at

Agriculture. This man is so full of ambition to be President of Guyana when he is way out of his abilities especially in the new ministry Ramotar (Jagdeo) specially created for him – no wonder the miners have called for his removal. I can assure everyone that the day the PPP endorses Robert Persaud for the presidential spot is the day Guyana is finished as a nation.

But what bothers me about the PPP is the absence of Jagan’s fire in the belly to speak up; like the Ramkarran situation where no one from the PPP voices an opinion of support for the idea that Ramkarran, since he departed the PPP, should be made Prime Minister and given, besides Hinds’ overall responsibilities in Government, direct responsibility to head and organize a strong Civic component to satisfy the express wishes of Jagan.

So, Editor, I apologize to Rose et al. for my positions in the past, but with no regrets because I follow the political principles of Mahatma Gandhi and I quote his words: (Continued on page 7)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 11, 2012

Neesa Gopaul murder ...

Accused committed to High Court trial Bibi Sharima Gopaul and her former lover Jarvis Barry Small were yesterday committed to stand trial at the next appropriate sitting of the High Court for the murder of Gopaul’s daughter, Neesa Lalita Gopaul.

The two accused made their final appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

The continuation of the Magistrate’s ruling concluded yesterday with the court finding that enough evidence had been led by the prosecution to find a case of murder against the accused.

On Thursday, last, the Chief Magistrate determined that a Prima Facie case had been made out against the accused, and they were both asked to lead their defence in the matter.

The accused both reserved their witnesses for the High Court and gave unsworn statements alleging their innocence.

Small however added to his statement that he did not kill Neesa Gopaul, and had nothing to do with the crime.

In the presence of his lawyer Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, Small again added to his unsworn statement to which he later signed his name.

Addressing the evidence, Small said that he knows nothing about the dumbbells (spherical exercising weights) that were purported to be his.

He said he lived at Gopaul’s

home and while there, he exercised with weights, however when he went back to his wife and children, he took nothing from Gopaul’s house.

Small continued that the statement against him by Neesa Gopaul was given at a time when he and the coaccused had a court case at Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court, and the statement, he said, was given out of animosity, because he never had sexual relations with the teenager.

Small closed the statement by saying that he only told the police that he did not murder Neesa Gopaul. During the confrontation, he said he told officers that the dumbbells were not his, and he maintained his innocence.

All this time, the dead girl’s mother looked blank. She seemed detached from what was taking place, staring without distraction at the Magistrate. Small on the other hand seemed calm and collected.

When the court’s decision was made, the two accused appeared almost expressionless, as if they knew what was coming.

Small’s wife, Marceline, fought to hold back tears, the hurt on her face was however obvious.

The murder of the former Queen’s College (QC) student came as a shock to the country and had its share of condemnation for its gruesome nature. Several public institutes had been

denounced for what was described as “the system failing the deceased.” Citizens also mounted protests after the teen’s murder.

The almost two-year long preliminary inquiry (PI) saw several witnesses testifying against the accused. They included co-accused Bibi Gopaul’s father, who was deemed a hostile witness since he was not co-operative in giving evidence on the prosecution’s behalf. Simone De Nobrega, a main witness in proving the case against Gopaul, had testified about an alleged conversation pertaining to the manner in which the former QC student was killed.

Investigators such as detectives and crime scene photograph e r s also testified, while a Barbadian forensic analyst was retained to prove the dead girl’s identity and that she was the daughter of the coaccused, Bibi Gopaul.

Neesa Gopaul’s body was

Batavia $1B cocaine bust…

Magistrate Haymant Ramdhani is expected to make a ruling on a no-case submission next Friday in the matter against five accused who are facing charges of possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Deonarine Singh, Randolph ‘Fatboy’ Singh, Clyn Collier, Terry James and Garcia Luis Alberto were charged for trafficking some $1B worth in cocaine on June 19, last.

Yesterday the matter was called at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court, where their lawyers, Vic Puran and Glenn Hanoman made no-case submission on their clients’ behalf. It was pointed out to the court that the men were not found in the boat or anywhere near the vessel in which the cocaine was found.

Instead the men were found on an island which was

Neesa Lalita Gopaul found at Madewini along the Linden/Soesdyke Highway tucked inside a suitcase that was partially submerged in a creek.

A rope was wrapped around the body and on its other end, dumbbells were attached, apparently in an effort to keep the body under water.

A family on an outing made the discovery when they became aware of an offensive smell.

Jarvis Barry Small

Bibi Sharima Gopaul

Inside the suitcase, a passport (Number 0730108) bearing the name Neesa Lalita Gopaul, along with a bank card, was found.

Following investigations, Bibi Gopaul and her then lover were accused of murdering the teen. When the two accused first appeared in court, Prosecutor Lionel Harvey had indicated that Neesa Gopaul

went missing on September 23, 2010 and a report was made by the mother at the Leonora Police Station on September 25.

Harvey had explained that articles found at the crime scene had led to the arrest of the accused. The girl, with most of her head missing, was discovered on October 2, 2010.

Magistrate to make ruling on no-case submission heavily populated.

Further, the Magistrate called on the police to close the case as he will be making a ruling on the next occasion.

Also during the court hearing, the Magistrate as well as the lawyers expressed their concern over the tardiness of the police arriving in court with the exhibits which were supposed to have been in court for a specific time. When the matter was called, the court was told that the exhibits were still on a boat in the Essequibo River on its way up to Bartica.

On June 9, 2011, at Batavia, Cuyuni River, members of the Police Narcotics Branch acting upon information, seized 149kg of cocaine. The cocaine was intercepted, 24 kilometres away from the mining town of Bartica.

The cocaine was

reportedly hidden in four fivegallon containers on the boat that carried the name Amor.

Following the bust, Venezuelan national Luis Alberto Garcia; Deonarine Singh, 41, of Friendship, East Bank Demerara; Randolph Singh, 32; Clyn Collier, 34, of South Ruimveldt and Terry James, 20, of Kurtuku, Cuyuni, were jointly charged with trafficking in narcotics, and

appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where they were remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The matter was subsequently transferred to Bartica.

Recently an investigation was launched into the same matter after a quantity of the cocaine went missing while being shipped to Bartica by police ranks.

Wages, Hours of Work survey begins this week The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security will launch its Occupational Wages and Hours of Work Survey on Wednesday, August 15, to gather relevant data from across various occupations.

The survey is expected to provide the Ministry with information essential to evaluating conditions of work and employment costs.

Wages of employees vary according to the level of education, skill, occupation, type of industry, size of establishment and geographical location among other variables.

According to the Ministry yesterday, data collection and analysis of wages and hours of work will enable effective career planning and counselling; facilitate efficient allocation of educational resources and overall educational planning; and provide data to potential investors, employers, workers

and trade unions.

July 2012 will be used as the reference month, hence, information would be secured from businesses’ wages and salary sheets for the reference period.

The Ministry warned that the law requires businesses to submit information on labour statistics to the Ministry of Labour “The Ministry assures that confidentiality stipulations will be strictly adhered to protect businesses participating in the survey. The final report will highlight trends in industries without identifying specific businesses. The Ministry is also urging businesses to participate to ensure a high response rate, which will allow for greater accuracy in the statistics reported.”

To date, the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security has completed seven surveys of this nature, the first of which was conducted in 2003.

Saturday August 11, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 7

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

Is President Ramotar a...

From page 4 vocal and forceful in dealing with matters which Ramotar’s predecessor, Jagdeo, would have routinely handled and addressed.

Eight, outlandish acts of cronyism are still par for the course such as an unqualified individual being appointed Chairman of a failing sugar industry that feeds 100,000 mouths directly and indirectly. One gets the impression that Mr. Ramotar is being deliberately shielded to project him as weak and vacillating. This will probably be used against him later in a mutiny where he is pushed to resign and to hand power to one of the Jagdeoites. One gets the distinct impression that Mr. Ramotar does not have a choice as to who surrounds him. His Cabinet is now dominated by Jagdeoites.

The party’s executive leadership committee is dominated by Jagdeoites who control the majority of the Cabinet. This may be a case of a nice guy who made a terrible choice or

a case of someone being targeted, acquired and set up to carry out a plan.

In either case, Mr. Ramotar is stuck. As a dogmatist, an ideologue and one of the PPP’s staunchest party loyalists, he will not launch any resistance for fear of an explosion or implosion debilitating the party that is already reeling from the election shock. Maybe the agitators behind the throne recognized his trait of unyielding party loyalty and realized they could exploit it.

Messrs Dr. Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh are correct when they ask “With the Constitution on his side, why is he so spineless?”

For the constitution offers Mr. Ramotar many outlets to free himself if he is badgered by the Putins. His failure to act knowing fully well he has the constitutional powers as president to change course will confirm his failure. By no means, Ramotar could honestly tell the Guyanese people after what

happened on November 28, 2011, that staying the course of mismanagement, oligarchic enrichment, corruption, venality, ineptitude, cronyism, nepotism and immorality is fine.

By no means, he could admit that economic development largely achieved on a rampantly corrupt contracting system that redistributed taxes from all into the hands of a few, oligarchic and plutocratic entitlement and immense criminality led by drug trafficking is fine. The puppet talk will only increase the longer the debacle continues unchanged under President Ramotar.

M. Maxwell

The politics of Donald Ramotar

From page 5 “I would like to say to the diligent reader of my writings and political positions and to others who are interested in them that I am not at all concerned with appearing to be consistent in my search after truth. I have discarded many ideas and learnt many new things. Old as I am in age, I have no feeling that I have ceased to grow inwardly or that growth will stop at the dissolution of the flesh.

What I am concerned with is my readiness to obey the call of truth, my God, from moment to moment, and therefore, when anybody finds any inconsistency between any two writings or political position of mine, if he still has faith in my sanity, he would do well to choose the latter of the two on the same subject.”

Mr. Editor, the goodness, humility and progressive nature of President Cheddi’s PPP is no longer with us as these factors are now supplanted by the current leaders with ”onto thyself”, “an eye for an eye” and “winner take all”, a policy dictated by former President Jagdeo and followed by Mr. Ramotar.

I have told Mr. Ramotar repeatedly that he’d have to practice the political art of

compromise and reason with the opposition but my words fell on deaf ears and that is why Mr. Ramotar should heed the words of the Mahatma: ”Evolution of democracy is not possible if we are not prepared to hear the other side. We shut the doors of reason when we refuse to listen to our opponents or, having listened, make fun of them. If intolerance becomes a habit, we run the risk of missing the truth. Whilst with the limits that nature has put upon our understanding, we must act fearlessly according to the light vouchsafed to us, we must always keep an open mind and be ever ready to find that what we believed to be truth was, after all, untruth. This openness of mind strengthens the truth in us and removes the cross from it if there is any.”

Regardless of the character assassination of President Cheddi by the Freddie Kissoons of Guyana, Jagan still remains the Matahma of Guyana and just as the Congress Party which Gandhi built fell apart by corruption, nepotism and greed, the same will happen to the PPP as it sheds the great principles which Jagan operated under for all of his political career.

Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr.)

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Saturday August 11, 2012

Saturday August 11, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 9

THE END OF LINDEN PROTESTS It was an unfortunate climax, but the writing was always on the wall that the protests in Linden would have ended in chaos and violence.

The cause had been won, but the protestors had long forgotten what they were initially struggling for. The protests began to careen into activities that took on a life of their own and overran the original demands of the protestors.

What began as a protest over electricity rates eventually turned into mass outrage over the killing of three protestors and then to the waylaying of vehicles, the payment of tolls, and other financial opportunities for those who could exploit the crisis.

While the talks were going on between the Regional administration and the government, these activities were seen as lending to the negotiating strength of the people of the area, but no sooner had firm agreements been reached the confusion began, because those who were profiting from the protests had to put up a final resistance to see if their own” struggle” could continue.

The opposition parties had to have known that this would have happened.

History would have taught them that it is easy to call a protest, but it is hard to call it off.

In 1999, the Guyana Public Service Union learnt that lesson when it called a general strike of its membership. After over fifty days on strike, during which its protests were taken over by political elements who used open intimidation against persons who wanted to work, agreement was reached for a tribunal to examine the wages issue.

The union had won an important victory and was confident that the tribunal would have eventually seen the justness of their cause and ruled in their favour.

This in fact did happen, but when the strike was called off, those who were benefiting from the chaos that was being generated by the strike, opposed the decision to end the industrial action.

Those who were on strike seemed to be lost as to what to do and total confusion took over - the leadership of the union having to be escorted out of the union headquarters after a hostile reaction from those gathered outside.

The protests in Linden yesterday degenerated into violence, with many buildings being set on fire. One can only

Dem boys seh ...

All dem hustlers learn from De Rat Life is about a hustle. And dem boys ain’t talking ‘bout hustling woman. You got to have your head pun yuh shoulder all de time because de road ain’t easy. They gat hustlers all over the world.

In America, people like Madoff and Stanford get lost away for big-time hustle. Dem stupid. Dem get ketch.

In Guyana, dey gat nuff hustlers too. Most of dem don’t get ketch. Dem too smart and dey got serious backin’. Fifty percent of dem become politicians and de odder 50% kantractors. Yuh can’t go wrang deh at all!

Yesterday, de papers talk ‘bout a security guard who fall sick and tek a big lash. Imagine yuh can be so sick and gat plenty money and can’t go to de doctor, but yuh gat a whole million to pay yuh matty guard fuh try and cure yuh sick by doing a obeah wuk.

Imagine de woman ain’t get cure de fuss time. She ain’t get cure de second time. She keep paying till she eventually realize she getting con. She call de police. De police an all did wan laff when dem hear de story.

Dem boys seh dat de police shoulda really charge de one who pay the money because she stupidee.

But is de kantractors and politicians dat really tek de cake when yuh talking about hustlers. Dem gat dey own mighty hustle going on. It sophisticated to de highest and even de courts in Guyana can’t deal wid it. De hustle set up so sweet that the money does rotate from de guvment to de kantractors and into dem Bees pocket.

Dem set up nuff company and put dem friend and family fuh run dem and den arrange fuh de company dem get nuff contract. Is billions dey tiefin’. If dat is not international hustle den dem boys ain’t know nuttin ‘bout hustle.

Dem boys know de house of cards crashing down one by one.

And dem protestors too know how fuh hustle. As soon as Sam Blinds talk ‘bout increase in electricity rates fuh dat town, dem decide fuh do a quick hustle.

De electricity place bun down. De reasoning is simple. No electricity building…no bills. Dem smart. Dey learn dat hustle from De Rat and all dem Bees.

Talk half and hustle out de odder half.

hope that there were security guards at work who can identify those who were responsible for the arson so that the necessary criminal charges can be laid.

There has been agreement on a technical committee to examine the electricity tariff issue and there has been an agreement at least between APNU and the government on the terms of reference. The tariff increase has also been put on hold and discussions are likely to continue between the sides on other issues.

The protest however has gone its own way, and now it will be difficult for its leaders to bring it back in line and summon the resources to be prepared for the commission of inquiry and the technical review of electricity tariffs.

This situation of confusion after protests has happened many times before.

People take to protest, and in the end to call it off is a problem.

The opposition recognized this problem and that is why from very early

they sought to make the Minister of Home Affairs a scapegoat. This was to deflect the protestors’ rage away from the political organizers of the protests.

They quite shamelessly never called for the resignation of any top police official, but tried to make Clement Rohee the fall guy, because they could have predicted the political fallout when the time came to bring the protests to an end.

Already the AFC is sitting uncomfortable. It has taken the most disgusting position one can take: that the commission of inquiry could not enquire into the organization of the protests.

This stance has two dangerous objectives. The first is to use this objection to see whether the protests can be sustained. The AFC in this regard should hang their heads in shame.

The second objective is to try to deflect criticism from the organizers of the protests because the AFC knows that in that process it could be

Kwakwani residents reiterate call for ferry service Residents of Kwakwani, Region 10, have once again made the call for a ferry service from New Amsterdam to their community. During a meeting in the area this week, the residents petitioned Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud to plead their case.

In wake of the current situation in Linden situation, the residents said that their farm produce is left in the community at a loss to them.

Farmers complained too that they are not getting to bring into the community basic items which are needed.

The Minister was told by residents that they had raised the issue sometime ago with Works Minister Robeson Benn and the promise was made, but to date nothing has materialized. They further complained that the condition

of the roads leading to their community is also an issue given the ever-changing weather patterns.

However, Minister Persaud informed the residents that as recent as Tuesday the issue was discussed at cabinet level and Minister Benn had explained that the issue remains an available vessel to ply the route. Persaud told residents that the matter would be followed up again with the Public Works Minister.

Also during the meeting, it was noted that there is the need for a commercial bank in the community. Minister Persaud said they would inform the commercial banks and it would be up to them to fulfill the request, since none of the banks are governmentcontrolled.

burnt.

It does not matter whether the government and APNU agreed to a specific need to inquire into the organization of the protests. Any Commission of Inquiry into the events of July 18, last, would enquire into the organization of the protests, even if there is no specific clause to that effect in the terms of reference.

Equally, there is no need for the terms of reference to be specific about the electricity issue. That is going to be central issue of the inquiry, because that is the nature of commissions of inquiry.

So there is no need to

quibble about what the commission will look at. The commission will look at everything, both things that are antecedent to the deaths of the men on the WismarMackenzie Bridge and developments subsequent.

In the meantime, one has to wonder who the opposition parties will move a motion of no-confidence against for yesterday’s arson.

Cops shoot suspected bandit - gun stashed in briefs

Police shot an armed motorcyclist at around 20:00 hrs yesterday during what sources said was a botched robbery in Thomas Street, North Cummingsburg.

A 41-year-old woman who was standing nearby was accidentally shot in the leg.

The man, said to be of African ancestry, was shot at least four times in the chest and upper body. He was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) but a source said that his chances of survival are slim.

Police reportedly retrieved two handguns from the wounded man and also impounded the CG motorcycle he was riding. One of the handguns was reportedly stashed in the man’s underwear.

A police source said that an accomplice of the wounded bandit managed to escape. Also injured was Yonette Cummings, a Thomas Street resident. She was struck in the right leg.

Cummings told Kaieteur News that she was standing on the roadside when a motorcycle and a minibus suddenly stopped nearby.

She said that the occupants of the bus then opened fire.

The woman said that she felt a ‘stinging’ on her right leg and fled back to her residence. It was then that she felt blood running down her leg and realised that she had been shot. A neighbour then took her to the GPHC. At press time, police were still trying to identify the wounded man.

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 11, 2012

GPL unable to guarantee generation …36-yr-old unit still operating capacity by year-end at Garden of Eden

By Gary Eleazar Even as Guyanese brace for word on the impending electricity tariff increase, word has surfaced that in a matter of a few months, a large portion of the generation capability on the Demerara grid, and its continued reliable operation, cannot be guaranteed.

This information surfaced as a result of the request for some $5.3B by government for the purchase of a 26 MW Plant.

Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, at the time of the debate on whether to approve the money or not, had cause to eventually circulate a document titled “Justification

for 26MW Power Plant.”

The information supplied

by Dr. Singh to the House on Thursday evening revealed that two Wartsila plants that had been commissioned in 1993 will have reached their

The Minister cautioned that while the units have been maintained over the years, their “continued reliable operation cannot be guaranteed.”

According to the

“As can be seen from the forecasted generating capacity, if additional capacity is not installed urgently, GPL will have to undertake statutory load shedding in 2013,” – Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh 20-year ‘economic lifespan by next year.

These units supply 22MW of the total demand which currently peaks at about 79MW.

information supplied by Dr Singh, also, another ‘Crossley’ Unit that supplies an additional 2.5MW from Garden of Eden is “beyond retirement.” This unit is said to be currently 36 years old.

To compound the situation further, the Finance Minister says that according to projections, demand for 2013 is expected to increase to 85MW. This will occur at a

time when a further 11MW from the Kingston plant will be taken offline.

According to Dr Singh, in relation to the latter occurrence, Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) has already executed a contract with Wartsila for the frequency conversion of the 22MW plant there.

This conversion process is expected to take some six months, commencing in December this year.

“With the frequency conversion making 11MW unavailable and another 11MW at Garden of Eden achieving 20 years, overall generating capacity in Demerara would reduce from 80MW to 58MW with peak demand.

As can be seen from the forecasted generating capacity, if additional capacity is not installed urgently, GPL will have to

undertake statutory load shedding in 2013.”

The plant which the Finance Minister proposes for installation comprises “three Wartsila 20V32 generators which will be located at Vreed-en-Hoop. Each machine is rated at 8.7MW.” He says that Vreed-enHoop is a new site and bulk storage facilities for heavy fuel oil are included in Wartsila’s supply scope.

During the course of the debate, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds had indicated that, the nation is now facing an impending electricity tariff increase.

Hinds, was at the time defending a $1B Supplementary request which was being debated in the House for GPL. The $1B was being held in abeyance following its gutting from the 2012 Budget, but was approved yesterday.

At the time of the revelation by the Prime Minister, he was responding to queries related to what measures had been put in place to address the defects at GPL which have led to more than 30 per cent technical and commercial losses.

Hinds explained that at the time the power company had been preparing its budget, it was realized that the company would require some $10B to meet shortfall.

He said that Government eventually committed to supporting the company to the tune of $6.5B. As a result of the shortfall from what had been requested, Hinds explained that the company had to defer maintenance among other measures to meet its cash flow requirements.

According to Hinds, the company has been holding off any increases for the past four years, but prevailing situations would force the company to increase its tariff.

He did not announce when such an increase would take effect.

Saturday August 11, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 11, 2012

Saturday August 11, 2012

WANTED 1 Cook to cook for a family in the interior Call: 697-1513 Survival Shopping Complex, Sheriff Street, one driver (Lorry License), one inventory clerk Call: 227-5286-90.

Driver/ Salesman, Lorry Licence, Clean Driving Record. Call: 266- 4427 Caretaker & cleaner, couple to work & live on location in Georgetown Call: 6282388,643-3903 Live in attractive waitress Call : 228-5129 East Coast GUYOIL (day & night) pump attendants, sales girls, Managers, house keepers, Office assistants call: 684-2838, 680-5223.

2 Ranch hands, to work in the Abary Creek roping on horse back. Call: 232- 3295, 623- 4495 1 lumber yard labourer Call: 226-3736 Live in maid or live out Call: 668-3985, 264-3355-56 Waitress for night shift @ Container Bar Vryheid’s Lust Public Road E.C.D Call: 220-3810, 658-5357 Individual to work in printer.

Must know Coral Draw well and be approachable Call: 662-1170

Kaieteur News

Page 15

CAKES & PASTRIES

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery, tel: 670-0798. Also Wedding dresses for sale.

1 225 KVA Generator, 1 Hiace Canter, Premio, 3 light towers, car batteries Call:624-2000

Honda welder generator, 12002 Toyota Tundra Call: 2204203, 611-5114

EDUCATIONAL ACADEMIA: CXC lessons forms 1-5 & Adults. Only $1000 per subject per month.

Call: 600-3775

MAC STUDIO FIX POWDERS $7,900, SACHA 2in1 $2,000 MAKE UP – top Brands, BLACK OPAL $2,700 Tel :647 -1773

Princeton College, Forms 15, CXC adults classes for slow learners, reading classes for children Call: 6905008, 611-3793

100 Honda scrambler bike, Electric wheel chair, call: 2336161, 651- 8870

Imperial College-Jan / June CXC 2013. Full time / Lessons /Adults classes.

Payment packages & discounts available. Call: 683-5742, 227-7627 Live and work in Canada, Get Canadian Certification as a Caregiver Call: 227-4881 or 416-674-7973 Register now at Community College $15,000 per term at Form 1 Call: 227-0218 Learn Spanish easy Call: 6731232 Enroll now at Double B’s school for cosmetology courses as low as $5,000 each Call:676-4556,649-2930

PROPERTY FOR SALE 1, 2 Storey wooden & concrete house situated at Bloomfield Public Road Berbice Call: 642-0110, 6906520 20X40 Two flat concrete building @ Kitty. Price $22M Negotiable to be seen Call: 668-9512, 223-2570 Bel Air Park $55M Negotiable Call: 619-4682 Cumming Street $21M, Queenstown $21M, Campbellville $30M, Prashad Nagar $29M Diana 227-2256, 626-9382 1 – 2 Storey Building (Back House), 5 feet passage way New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, price $9M Call: 254-1082

Skilled lathe operator, Skilled Arc/Acetylene welder, High Rates offered Call: 227-1830

WANTED

Live in/ Live out Babysitter/ Domestic Call: 225-0188, 225-6070

1 male sales clerk, 1 porter Call: 225-2313

Security/ Watchman Call: 225-6070, 225-0188

1 Domestic Call: 648-5397

One experience hauler driver. Apply in person Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.

New or used tyres 18.5x26 Call: 609-8727, 227-1088

1 Nanny Call: 648-5397

One male shop attendant, age 18-22 years Call: 2257794

General male receptionist shift work able body- Hilton Crest International Hotel Call: 223-6284

One domestic, must be capable of cooking & baking Call: 223-9725

One yardman/gardener, Age 20-60 yrs Call: 223-5273-4

Refrigeration A/C, Washer trainee Call: 231-0655, 683-8734

Accounts Clerk with CXC Accounts and/or knowledge of Peachtree or Quickbooks Call: 266-4427

One live in domestic, age 3545, salary $45,000 Call: 6925478, 661-1301

Pressure washer Honda 3100 PSI $130,000 Call: 614-8564

LAND FOR SALE 1 ½ acre, 48ftx1300ft V/Hoop Call: 627-9351

Big Hanover Timehri area 92 acres of transported land 1 mile x 420ft wide $40M negotiable. B&G’s Realty 227-4125/617-9717 2 house lots at Blankenburg Public Road W.C.D, 39 x 150, 38 x 150, $16M each Call: 6580132 Soesdyke- Transported land 132x166 vacant $5.5M, B&G’s realty Call: 227-4125, 617-9717, 682-4094 Lot 31 Queenstown Public Road/ Lots 226, 227, 228, 229, Adjoining Sand Reef 261, 263, 265 Essequibo Call: 2275429

3 persons to sew garments Call: 624-3797, 225-4673 between 10am-4pm

SALON Make up courses, artist trained & certified in Trinidad: 660-5257,647-1773

Able body male to work on farm, age 18-35 yrs, living accommodation provided Call:689-0795, 629-4190

1 handyman to work $35,000 per month, living accommodation and meals free Call: 628-1756, 228-5655

Summer special Cosmetology, Nails & Makeup Call Abby 216-1950,6665241,619-7603

Diving Suit, call: 613- 5158, 265- 3449 2-60-180 Leyland Daf in working codition Call: 6281756, 228-5655 Doberman rotweiler, fully vaccinated Call: 218-3155, 641-6423 2009 Seadoo Jetski, 18ft x 7ft fiberglass speed boat 175 YAMAHA, call: 233- 6161, 651- 8870 1 stainless steel meat saw, meat grinder, display freezer cold storage room, call: 6518870

1 Pool Table, call: 669-9927

Caterpiller backhoe model 426c. Call: 651- 8870, 233- 6161

Toyota Starlet EP71 Call:6482075 Brand new 2.5ton Pallet Jacks Call: 614-8564

COMPUTER SALE, Dell 6x745 system with LCD monitor.Dell 610 laptops Call: 626-6335, 231-8414 One 225 HP $1.1M & 150 HP $950,000, Yamaha outboard engines, many more small outboard engines available Call: 699-1711 Baby chicks available weekly, fully vaccinated, Mr.D.Lallbeharry 371 Craig Public Road E.B.D Call: 6269589 6 cylinder Perkins engines (complete). Contact Mr.George 223-0847, 678-5333 Brown eggs in small or large quantities Call: 689-0795 or 629-4190 ALL PURPOSE & STRAIGHT STITCH, Sewing machines from $15,000, Be early. Call:645-7243 Male enhancer Viagra $4,000 Call: 638-1627

One female to work in the interior, age 30-45, salary $80,000 Call: 661-1301, 6925478

2005 Tacoma 4 cylinder, call: 651-8870, 233-6161

Honda pressure washer 3000 PSI, 1 dual car deck, 1 HTC phone from Google, 1 Samsung Galaxy Nexus Call: 666-4000

Dell Computers, Price Negotiable Call: 680-4276

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Driver/Salesman with clean Lorry Driving Record Call: 266-4427

Dell computers complete with 17&19 inch LCD from $50,000 Future Tech 2312206

Assorted Green Heart and Hard Wood; suitable for fence and scaffolding.

Please contact: 641-4952

TOURS SUMMERTIME TRAVEL MANAUS-BRAZIL, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, SURINAME (4) days tours, 27A New Road , Vreed –en-Hoop WBD Tel: 592-264-2851, email: scoutkelly@yahoo.com

1 Bobcat & trailor Call:6460101

One Bobcat 5185 Turbo, excellent condition, low hours Call: 610-3575

Xerox photocopier 5645,5655&5675, models recently imported & refurbished from USA Call: 643-5182,669-8803

Pure breed German Shepherd and Rottweiler pups, vaccinated and dewormed also 2 adult Rottweiler dog Call: 220-6879 1 – Yamaha ATV motorcycle 450CC, model 2003 with winch & 4WD, duty paid Call: 663-5494,260-2909 One ERF Hauler & 40 foot trawler Call: 653-4455 One Cargo Van 2004 Black Chevy V6 engine Call: 6103575 Set magrims 20’’, hot water pressure washer 3500 PSI, Sthil chainsaw, 1997 Ford Hauler Call Raj 686-7553 SAMSUNG CHRONOS 7 LAPTOP INTEL CORE i5, 8GB MEMORY, 750GB HDD, 14'’ LED HIGH D E F I N I T I O N , WINDOWS 7. NEW / SEALED $180,000. TEL: 683-3161 Farm @ Yarrowkabra Soesdyke Linden Highway Call: 684-7957 One 6 ton equipment trailer equip with electric brakes Call: 610-3575 Champion pure breed rottweilers pups, both parents imported, grandparents are international champions from dog show Call: 685-2584

SERVICES Permanent &Visitors Visa Applications Professional Immigration Consultant Sabita - Room E-4 Maraj Building 225-6496/ 223-8115/662-6045.

We refill HP cartridges for $1800 Call: 650-7699 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call:2310655,683-8734 Omar Mahadoe’s Construction, reliable services for your building, contact Tony Tel 618-3523, 669-7376. For free estimates and plans.

ONLINE SHOPPING-NO COMMISSION, WEEKLY S H I P M E N T S , AFFORDABLE RATES, FREE PRIVATE MAILBOX, TEL # 231-5789, FREIGHTLINKEXPRESS@ GMAIL.COM SUMMER PROMO FREE SHIPPING ON ALL CLOTHING FOR J A M Z O N E - N O COMMISSION, FAST SHIPPING CALL: 2315789 PASSPORT & VISA FORMS : U.S.A, CANADA & U.K, TEL # 225-9030, (ONE MINUTE AWAY FROM PASSPORT OFFICE) Anand Melody Makers Band and PA Sound System for hire Call Anand 627-3075, 216-2330 HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000 CALL: 694-9843 Call the USA for $3 per minute, Resellers wanted 50% commission Call: 6724090, 657-8380, 225-8061

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School, First Federation Building Call: 225-4858, 6445166, 622-2872, 615-0964 Prudential Learning ‘’ Training to Pass’’ automatic also stick/manual Call: 6424827, 661-5028. We ‘re # 1.

100/212/192/170 Cars in yellow HB Taxi cars cheap Call: 698-7807 for inspection.

2000 Toyota Forklift, 600V Generator, Sets of trailer axle complete air breaks etc Call Raj 686-7553

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Moulders, multirip saws, resaws, cross cut saw and genset Call Rodney 616-5595

Foreign used engines 55 DAF,332 Cummings 6BT Call Anil 615-3023

DRESS MAKING 6-weeks course in designing/ dressmaking.

Call Sharmela: 225- 2598, 641- 0784 (Continued on page 20)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday August 11, 2012

Abram Zuil’s Sarah Hakh is top CSEC student - Overall pass rate declines slightly

By Latoya Giles Sixteen-year-old Sarah Hakh of Abram Zuil Secondary, has been adjudged this year’s top student for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination after obtaining 16 grade ones.

She was followed by Jessica Anthony of Queen’s College, who gained 14 grade ones and two grade twos.

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand made the announcement yesterday morning.

According to the Minister, there has been an overall decline in the performance of students regionally especially in the areas of Mathematics and English. She said that has now become a cause for concern for the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC), which issued a statement yesterday to this effect. She indicated that based on the statistics, Guyana has an overall six percent decline.

Manickchand said that based on the performance in the May/June 2012 CSEC, CXC has called for action in the region to address deficiencies in the subjects.

She said that for this year, 33 per cent of the entries for Mathematics achieved Grades I — III, which are the acceptable grades at CSEC. However this is a further decline in performance when

compared with the last two years. The minister explained that in 2011, 35 per cent earned similar grades and in 2010 the figure stood at 41 per cent.

Manickchand further stated that the CXC body reporting on the performance of the subject to the Final Awards Committee, the Subject Awards Committee (SAC), said it was “deeply concerned about the quality of work produced by candidates at this level.”

“Topics such as the range, perimeter, and profit and loss that should be covered at the lower secondary level were not fully understood,” the SAC reported.

On one question which tested perimeter and area, 36 per cent of the candidates scored no marks. Similarly, on a question which tested algebra, 33 per cent of the candidates scored zero.

According to the Minister, the SAC has called on the region to address the issue of teaching and performance in Mathematics by re-organizing its Mathematics programme, supporting teacher training and facilitating access to instructional resources.

Moreover, Manickchand said that for the third consecutive year, overall performance in the May/June examination has declined. She said that this year 62 per cent of the candidate entries

achieved Grades I – III, the acceptable grades; this compared with 66 per cent in 2011 and 69 per cent in 2010.

Of the 62 per cent achieving acceptable grades, 11.30 gained Grade I, 22.39 gained Grade II and 28.46 per cent gained Grade III, Manickchand disclosed.

Thirty-five (35) subjects were offered for the May/June examination this year: performance improved on nine subjects, declined on 19, remained the same on six and one new subject, Additional Mathematics was offered for the first time. Fifty-eight per cent of the entries for Additional Mathematics achieved acceptable grades.

The minister said that after an upward trend for the last three years, performance on English A has declined significantly this year. Fortyseven per cent of the entries for English A achieved Grades I – III this year compared with 67 per cent in 2011, representing a 20 per cent decline.

She said that this year was the first examination since the revised syllabus took effect.

The Subject Awards Committee attributed the decline to less than satisfactory performance on Paper Two, the Essay Paper.

Manickchand said that the SAC noted that this decline was most obvious in the summary and comprehension

PSC insists Ramotar should visit Linden The Private Sector Commission (PSC) is still insisting that President Donald Ramotar should visit Linden to discuss pressing issues with residents who are now in their fourth week of protest.

It is unclear if the President will heed the PSC’s calls since he shrugged off earlier requests.

“The unrest has been protracted and Government, Opposition parties and Region 10 Democratic Council should be held responsible for not doing enough for a timely solution,” PSC Vice Chairman Clinton Urling told this publication during an interview yesterday.

He stressed that the Commission is displeased with the pace of negotiations between elected representatives. Urling opined that the protest should have never been allowed to continue for so many days.

The protest is escalating, with buildings being destroyed by fire, damage to infrastructure, blockading of

- Displeased with slothfulness of negotiations between parties roadways, and increasing conflict between police and residents. He noted that these unwanted occurrences are unfortunate and harmful to economic activities in Linden and adjacent regions.

While the Commission supports some demands of Linden residents, it feels strongly that the blockades to roads impeding the flow of traffic must be removed. Urling said that reasonable actions taken by security forces to eliminate those blockades are supported by the Commission.

On July 18, last, residents of Linden began what was supposed to be a five-day protest against intended electricity tariff increases. It now includes the killing of three men, allegedly by ranks of the police.

Days into the protest and with criticisms by many of Government’s not meeting

with Linden residents, President Ramotar had planned to visit the community on July 28.

However, he cancelled his visit after residents defied security forces’ order of removing blockages from the roadways. The President has been voicing his willingness to visit the community providing that the blockades are cleared.

Without commenting if Ramotar ’s condition is reasonable, Urling said that the roads should not have been blocked as part of the protest actions. He noted that the PSC cannot be isolated from the ongoing unrest, since it represents businesses that are greatly affected.

Urling explained that some large companies in Georgetown which transact businesses in Linden are considering pulling out of the community.

Sarah Hakh

Jessica Anthony

questions.

“The SAC has suggested that teaching of the language must enable students to move away from prescribed and rehearsed answers seen in some questions, to the point where they can effectively and appropriately use rhetorical devices that enrich expression and facilitate comprehension” the minister stated.

On English B, performance also declined the minister said when it was compared with 2011, but not as dramatic as on English A. This year, 68 per cent of entries achieved acceptable grades, compared with 71 per cent in 2011. This was the first year the revised syllabus was being examined.

The Subject Awards Committee reported that candidates’ performance fell down mainly on the Poetry Profile, and this decline affected the overall performance of the subject.

Performance on the other two Profiles, Drama and Prose Fiction remained relatively stable.

Meanwhile in Guyana for 2012, Manickchand said that there has been an increase in the number of candidates who did the CSEC examination.

The minister noted that private candidates amount to approximately 38% of the total entries. She said that some 13,878 students wrote the exam which saw a significant increase. Manickchand said that there has been an overall pass rate 58.69% including technical and general proficiencies.

She further told the media that Guyana had satisfactory performances in Biology, Caribbean History, Economics, English B, Geography, Office Administration, Physics and Principle of Accounts in relation to other countries. She said that the overall performances in four subject areas were unsatisfactory.

The grade one to three passes in these subjects were less than fifty percent. The subjects were Chemistry (46.41%) English A (37.02%) Mathematics (29.69%) and Visual Arts (44.51%).

The Minister said that the most improved performances

were seen on Electrical and Electronic Technology and Mechanical Engineering Technology. She added that this year 65 per cent of entries for Electrical and Electronic Technology achieved acceptable grades, this compares very favourably with the 44 per cent which achieved the same grades in 2011, representing a 21 per cent improvement. For Mechanical Engineering Technology, there was a 13 per cent improvement, with 69 per cent achieving Grades I – III compared with 56 per cent last year.

There was a six per cent improvement in performance on Integrated Science, with 80 per cent of entries achieving acceptable grades compared with 74 per cent in 2011.

Clothing and Textiles also registered improved performance this year. Eightysix per cent of entries achieved acceptable grades this year compared with 81 per cent last year.

Minister Manickchand said that after an upward trend for the last three years, performance on English A has declined significantly this year. She said that forty-seven per cent of the entries for English A achieved Grades I – III this year compared with 67 per cent in 2011, representing a 20 per cent decline.

The minister said that the SAC has suggested that teaching of the language must enable students to move away from prescribed and rehearsed answers seen in some questions, to the point

Meikel Mahabir

Benedict Sukra where they can effectively and appropriately use rhetorical devices that enrich expression and facilitate comprehension.

On English B, performance also declined when compared with 2011, but not as dramatic as on English A. This year, 68 per cent of entries achieved acceptable grades, compared with 71 per cent in 2011.

This was the first year the revised syllabus was being examined. The Subject Awards Committee reported that candidates’ performance fell down mainly on the Poetry Profile, and this decline.

TOP STUDENTS Top student, Sarah Hakh, hails from Golden Fleece Estate, on the Essequibo Coast.

She was understandably elated yesterday after learning of her success. She extended gratitude to Allah and the committed team effort by her (continued on page 18)

United Federation for Arts and Culture hosts National Day of Prayer The United Federation for Arts and Culture (Vreed en Hoop, W.C.D) will be holding a National Day of Prayer tomorrow.

Those attending will assemble at 7.30 am at the Vreed en Hoop stelling and at 8 am march to the Pouderoyen Tarmac (opposite the West Demerara Secondary School) and not Joe Vieira Park as was

originally scheduled. The procession will be lead by the Police Force Band.

Afterwards there will be an Inter-faith programme in which Hindu, Muslim and Christian religious leaders will pray for Guyanese to live in peace, love and harmony. The National Day of Prayer programme will conclude with a multi-kund hawan service.

Saturday August 11, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 17

Military operation preempts fair and reasonable resolution of Linden crisis A military operation to preempt a fair and reasonable and amicable outcome of Linden’s “dilemma” now threatens the atmosphere of negotiation, and begs for the urgent and speedy resolution of the problems, Region Ten chairman Sharma Solomon stated yesterday.

His comments came after the government put off yesterday’s negotiation with the Linden team, which is being led by Solomon.

The meetings were expected to resolve some of the outstanding issues, including naming the members to the Technical Team that would determine the way forward for the electricity tariff in the town. It was electricity tariff increases that sparked the protest on July 18.

Solomon said it was with “much sorrow” that he learnt of the fore-dawn invasion of Linden, executed by the Joint Services at 2:00a.m, this morning, and the reports that reached him “are heartrending.”

“I am also disappointed by the insidious manner in which President Ramotar seeks to intimidate and frustrate the efforts of this community of Linden to abandon its legitimate civil and human

rights of seeking to represent their community’s concerns to the Central Government,” Solomon said in a statement.

He said that the Region Ten delegation entered into talks with Central Government in good faith and trust.

Solomon said he spent the greater part of Thursday in Georgetown working on putting the finishing touches to the documents to be submitted to the President and his delegation in efforts to resolve the impasse.

“It was our expectation that while negotiations were taking place, the government, as any other conscientious Party to these negotiations would respect the principle that such discussions would be done in an environment of mutual respect, and that they would resist any temptation to engage in any activity that would ultimately undermine our deliberations and, or incense the rather tense situation on the ground,” the Region Ten chairman stated.

Solomon declared that Lindeners want a resolution to their plight, and they want their rights to be respected.

“We want a return to normalcy, which we thought we were moving closer to. But, the Central Government, in its efforts to stymie the Linden

- Region Ten chairman Community’s legitimate exercise of its fundamental human and civil rights, has invoked the horrible spectre of July 18th once again in the psyche of our residents by the introduction of the Armed Forces into the mix, unmindful of their previous criminal experience. It is apparent that restoration to normalcy, according to the Government, is a return to State terrorism of our community, of our residents, of Linden,” Solomon stated.

He vowed that Lindeners will match hostility and destruction with resoluteness to remain steadfast in the face of challenges, “until justice prevails.”

“While we are weak from the standpoint that we have no weapons (which we do not need); nor the State on our side (which we need), we are convinced that we are stronger in the presence of our resilience and our quest for justice,” Solomon stated.

He said that the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has declared on our side of justice and human rights.

“President Ramotar’s government has declared that the IACHR are biased for

Furniture company loses CCJ battle A local furniture company under receivership has lost its appeal in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), questioning the legality of an increase of remuneration for the receiver.

According to a release from Luckhoo and Luckhoo law firm, on July 27, the Caribbean Court of Justice sitting in its Appellate Jurisdiction and comprising Sir Dennis Byron (President); Justices Adrian Saunders, Desiree Bernard, Winston Anderson and Jacob Wit, unanimously dismissed an appeal by Guyana Furniture Manufacturing Limited against a decision of the Court of Appeal of Guyana in the matter of Guyana Furniture Manufacturing Limited vs.

Robert Ramcharran and National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited (now Republic Bank Guyana Limited).

The regional court ordered the appellant, Guyana Furniture Manufacturing Limited to pay costs to both Ramcharran and the bank In doing so, the Caribbean Court of Justice unanimously upheld the decision of the Guyana Court of Appeal

…not entitled to question increase of remuneration of receiver which was delivered by Carl Singh, Acting Chancellor, and the decision of Ian Chang, S.C, Chief Justice (ag), at first instance.

In dismissing the Appeal, the Caribbean Court of Justice decided that the increase by the National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited (now Republic Bank Guyana Limited) of Mr. Ramcharran’s remuneration as receiver of Guyana Furniture Manufacturing Limited so appointed by the bank under a debenture granted to it by Guyana Furniture Manufacturing Limited from 1% of gross receipts to 3% of gross receipts, was a permissible variation of the contract between the bank and Ramcharran as receiver.

The ruling also said that the company was not required to be consulted nor was its agreement required. It meant that Ramcharran was entitled to full payment of his commission.

The CCJ further held that the payment by Ramcharran

of commissions to himself and to another accountant, Maurice Solomon, who had subsequently been appointed receiver by the Inter-American Investment Corporation under a prior debenture granted to that institution by Guyana Furniture Manufacturing Limited, was lawfully made from all the monies collected

by Ramcharran.

The Caribbean Court of Justice agreed that receivers were entitled to be paid their respective commissions at the agreed rates out of all monies received by Ramcharran as National Bank of Industry and Commerce Limited’s receiver.

Guyana Furniture and Manufacturing Limited was represented at the hearing before the CCJ by Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, S.C, along with Messrs. R. Satram and C.V Satram, Attorneys-at-Law. Ramcharran was represented by Edward Luckhoo, S.C, and Robin Stoby, S.C., and NBIC was represented by Rafiq Turhan Khan, Attorney-at-Law.

supporting our legitimate aspirations and the exercise of our legitimate and fundamental rights. The Private Sector Commission has urged the Government to meet with our Administration, our Leaders and our residents in an effort to secure an early and acceptable resolution of this crisis. President Ramotar has declared that the Private Sector Commission does not run his office!”

“We are now compelled to believe that it is the strategy of the Office of the President to allow Lindeners and the wider society to suffer. We believe that they hope to benefit from an insidious and despicable public relations campaign intended to turn public opinion and support against us,” Solomon stated.

He called on all Guyanese, particularly those who are directly and indirectly affected by the civil rights movement in Linden, to bring pressure to bear on the government to respect the rights of the people of Linden/ Region Ten. “We experienced the loss of lives and injuries on July 18, tear gas, pellets, and live ammunition; now with the invasion at 2:00 (yesterday) morning, tear gassing, and continued brutality that have forced, men, women and children out of their homes

Region Ten Chairman Sharma Solomon and onto the streets, will see us matching such violations with intensified steadfastness,” Sharma stated.

He restated that the proposed conditions for the return to normalcy are: “the withdrawal of the electricity tariff; the resignation of the Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, together with the interdiction of the squad that participated in the attack of July 18, 2012 with a view of identifying those who must be charged for murder and attempted murder; the establishment of a Technical Committee to examine the electricity sector in Linden and Region Ten to make recommendations to the

National Assembly.

This committee shall comprise of seven persons, three appointed by the government, three appointed

by Region Ten and the Chairman agreed upon by the two parties; The provision of funding for a committee to carry out a study and develop an economic programme for the region. The participants for this committee will be arrived at by the RDC, Region Ten; the immediate appointment of the Regional Land Selection Committee based on the composition of representation on the RDC, which will see representation from the APNU, AFC and PPP. This will terminate the Office of the President’s imposition as to who are to be given lands in Region Ten; the immediate return of the television operation in Linden which was a gift to the community (received in 1980) and “seized” by the PPP government after their ascension to office (1993); the issue of the Terms of Reference for the Inquiry into the July 18, 2012 shooting of peaceful protestors, discussion must take place with the Region that has responsibility to address its citizens’ concern.

It must involve all the Parliamentary groups together with the Region. In the absence of such involvement it speaks to the imposition and disrespect that led to the current protest in Linden.”

OP expresses dismay at Linden unrest The Office of the President last evening issued a statement in relation to the yesterday’s events in Linden.

Below is the full text: “The Office of the President views with utter dismay the events on August 9 in the township of Linden.

The August 8 agreement and initialing of the TORs by the Government and the Region 10 delegation signal a great sense of progress in the search for resolution of the issues associated with the Linden protests.

However, the Government was not unmindful of the complicated situation on the ground where representatives of the Opposition political parties and the negotiators themselves were sending mixed signals to the community.

The fact that a TOR was signed testified to the compromises of the Government in this matter.

It is indeed unfortunate that the rhetoric of the

Opposition and the Region 10 delegation did not match their avowed struggle for a peaceful solution.

The blockage of the road corridor within and through Linden was their weapon that they exploite d t o t h e disadvantage of all.

Claiming to be peaceful, their very acts were destroying the livelihood of many and were occurring in total disrespect of the law.

There were two media events that the Government found sinister and responsible for fomenting the upsurge on the night of the August 9. At 5.00 pm on Thursday, August 9, Mark Benschop radio was warning Lindeners that the soldiers were coming.

Later that night, Demerara Waves falsely informed Lindeners that the soldiers had seized control of the bridges, cleared the roads in Linden thereby disrupting and threatening the talks.

The facts are that soldiers

did no such thing, not having entered Linden.

Predictably, the protesters were riled up, mobilised immediately and began a period of uncontrolled mob rule. Fortunately lives were not lost but the destruction of property and livelihoods was significant.

The Government continues to warn Guyanese about irresponsible media.

The Government continues to warn its negotiating partners and their mentors about their questionable control of the situation in Linden, pointing out that extremists have seized a very prominent role in manning the front line of the protests.

Government remains committed to dialogue but, cannot and will not accommodate the willful rejection of the rule of law.

The Government calls on protestors to become part of and support the move to have the blockade in Linden removed.

Page 18

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 11, 2012

President opens 8th Berbice Expo

By Leon Suseran President Donald Ramotar declared the 8thAnnual Berbice Exposition and Trade Fair open last evening at Albion, Corentyne. The Ministry of Tourism’s calendar event is planned annually by the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce (CCCC) and provides a unique but essential opportunity to attract investments and expand market opportunities for businesses in Berbice. The theme for this year is ‘Showcasing opportunities; fulfilling our potential’.

The heavy rainfall during the past couple of days in

Berbice did not affect the opening ceremony of the programme which was attended

by Minister of Tourism, Irfaan Ali and Clinton Williams, Immediate Past President of the Guyana Manufacturing Association among others.

President Ramotar noted that the Berbice Expo “has become a very important item on the agenda”, and that Berbice—popularly referred to as the ‘Ancient County’— “is not ancient from point of view of social and economic development” “We [in Guyana] have been working in conditions

not ideal, to work in an international environment that has been difficult”, the Guyanese leader said, referring to the economic crises that have affected numerous economies.

He praised good management and governance in Guyana as “sparing the people that type of hurt”. Two weeks ago, he recalled an International Monetary Fund (IMF) team “came here to examine how our economy was doing...they were high in praise for the management in economy which grew more than 5 per cent last year and this year rapidly”.

NTC wants speedy resolution to Linden problems

The NTC Executive at the press conference yesterday The National Toshaos’ Council (NTC) is calling on Government and Opposition Parties to resolve the situation in Linden, which has also disrupted the lives of Amerindians in Regions Eight, Nine and 10.

Halt of economic activities, high fuel and food prices, hunger, and limited access to transportation were related as some of the hardships villagers face.

According to NTC’s Chairperson, Derrick John, 152 Amerindians leaders had recorded their desire to see problems in Linden be resolved at the end of the just

concluded National Toshaos’ Conference.

At a press conference yesterday at the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, John related that Amerindian leaders “stand in solidarity with those who are suffering because of the irresponsible actions of some people in Linden”.

He expressed sympathy for the three men who were killed on the first day of protest against electricity tariff increases. John added that Linden is the gateway to the interior and its ‘shutdown’ has a negative impact on Amerindian communities.

Speaking on behalf of

Amerindian communities in Region 10, Toshao Winsbert Benjamin noted that logging which is a major economic activity in some villages has halted. He said that communities are accessing fuel and food via river transport, but it is costly, and the volume is limited.

Access to fuel and food is also a problem for residents of Regions Eight and Nine.

Toshao Rudolph Roberts noted that villages in Region Nine are widely dispersed, and as such, movement is heavily dependent on fuel. Currently, residents are paying $4,000 per gallon of diesel.

Kwakwani residents reiterate call for ferry service Residents of Kwakwani, Region 10, have once again made the call for a ferry service from New Amsterdam to their community During a meeting in the area this week, the residents petitioned Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud to plead their case.

In wake of the current situation in Linden situation, the residents said that their farm produce is left in the community at a loss to them.

Farmers complained too that they are not getting to bring into the community basic items

which are needed.

The Minister was told by residents that they had raised the issue sometime ago with Works Minister Robeson Benn and the promise was made, but to date nothing has materialized.

They further complained that the condition of the roads leading to their community is also an issue given the everchanging weather patterns.

However, Minister Persaud informed the residents that as recent as Tuesday the issue was discussed at cabinet level and

Minister Benn had explained that the issue remains an available vessel to ply the route.

Persaud told residents that the matter would be followed up again with the Public Works Minister.

Also during the meeting, it was noted that there is the need for a commercial bank in the community. Minister Persaud said they would inform the commercial banks and it would be up to them to fulfill the request, since none of the banks are governmentcontrolled.

Region 6 Chairman, David Armogan mentioned the “construction boom in his part of the country”.

“New businesses are being established to cater for the growing demands for goods and services...and the commercial sector is also expanding with construction of new malls in Berbice.”

The new Industrial Site at Belvedere, Corentyne, he said, is opened and ready for

business and investors.

“Electricity is a major component of total cost, [and] it’s important that we complete the Amaila Falls project that government has started and the opposition has rejected.”

Armogan also bemoaned the poor condition of the Number 63 Beach and urged that something be done about this. The exposition will run through Monday and will have various distributors,

manufacturers and retailers selling items and showcasing what Berbice has to offer in terms of raw materials, goods and services. Presentations and prizes were also made by Mr Ramotar to the Berbice National Grade Six Assessment top performers and brief remarks were made by President of CCCC, Leekah Rambrich. The National Steel Orchestra as well as the Guyana Police Force band serenaded the audience.

Immigration TALK: Questions & Answers By: Attorney Gail S. Seeram Through this “Question & Answer” column, our goal is to answer your immigration questions. Many of you have questions on backlog time and eligibility – we seek to clarify these issues and more. We appreciate your comments and questions. If you have a question that you would like answered in this column, please email: Gail@GailLaw.com.

Question #1: I’ve been a lawful permanent resident for 20 years and just filed a sponsorship petition for my 9 year-old daughter in January 2012. How long will it take before she gets to the United States?

Answer #1: Your filing is considered a family preference 2A category, child under age 21 of a lawful permanent resident. Currently, visas are being issued for petitions filed on or before October 8, 2009. So, since you filed in January 2012, you have about a two-year wait before your daughter will be issued an immigrant visa to the United States.

Question #2: My U.S. citizen sister filed for me about 25 years ago. I don’t remember completing the

paperwork or process. I would now like to emigrate to the U.S. Does my sister have to re-file or can I restart the process from the prior filing?

Answer #2: I would advise you to contact the U.S. Department of State-National Visa Center at 603-334-0700 and give them your receipt number or case number and they can tell you whether the prior petition is still active. Generally, if the visa is available but there is no response from the beneficiary within a year then the case is considered abandoned.

In limited circumstances, the visa process can be reinstated. Otherwise, if you are told the prior process was abandoned and cannot be reinstated then your sister will have to re-file a family sponsorship petition.

Question #3: My husband is a US citizen by naturalization. He has filed a petition for me. It has been three months since our case is at the initial review stage. Can you tell me how long this stage takes and which stage takes the longest time?

Answer #3: For a U.S. citizen filing for a spouse living abroad, the processing time is about 9 months to 1 year. Initially, the petition is

Gail S. Seeram reviewed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services then it goes to the National Visa Center and last to the U.S. Embassy. The initial (or first stage) can take about 3-6 months before it is sent to the National Visa Center.

Question #4: My husband and I got married March 1, 2012. He is a U.S. citizen. He would like to file a sponsorship petition for me but has excessive credit card debts of $8000. Does he need to clear his debts and liabilities before filing for me?

Answer #4: No. He will have to show he is working and has enough income or assets to support you and his current household. Note, if his income is not enough then he can get a joint sponsor who can submit tax returns and proof of employment to support your petition.

Abram Zuil’s Sarah Hakh is ...

From page 16 parents and teachers which she says accounted for her exceptional performance.

Hakh said that she is currently making plans to further her studies in Arts and Science at a foreign University.

She told Kaieteur News that she never really liked “heavy studying” but intensified it weeks prior to her exams.

Hakh added she initially had opted to write eleven subjects but chose to write 16 because she did exceedingly well in grades ten and eleven.

Her mother, Shareeda Hakh, said her immediate family was expecting Sarah to do well.

Jessica Anthony, daughter of Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, told Kaieteur News that she was extremely happy to be among the top

performers. Anthony said that her months of long studying had finally paid off. She now intends to enroll into the CAPE programme. Her ambition is to become a cardiologist.

Kaieteur News also managed to get comments from West Demerara Secondary student Meikel Mahabir (13 ones), who said that he never expected to do so well. “ I expected to do good…but not this good.”

Mahabir said that long nights of studying, and tremendous support from his parents and friends helped with his success. His plans include attending the University of Guyana. He is aiming to become a doctor.

Queen’s College student Benedict Sukra (12 Ones, 2 Twos), was also overjoyed at his performance. Sukra’s next

step is preparing for CAPE, then university. Some of the other leading students are Jennel Cadogan (QC) - 13 Ones 2 twos; Deowattie Narine (The Bishops’ High); Kaleshwar Singh (The Bishops’High) and Bibi Ameena Nazaralie (Saraswati Vidya Nikitan) all with 13 Ones. Aaidah Bacchus (ISA Islamic Academy) - 12 Ones, 3 twos; Roshelle Sparman (Mackenzie High) - 12 Ones, 1 two, 1 three; Karran Singh (St Rose’s High) -12 Ones, 1 two, 1 three; Vishwati Oudhram (Saraswati Vidya Nikitan ) - 12 Ones, 1 two; Safeya Baksh (QC) - 12 Ones, 1 two; Keshant Samaroo (QC) - 12 Ones, 1 three; Khadija Yussuff (ISA Islamic Academy) - 12 Ones 1 three; and Khemraj Rupee (QC), Kady Singh (Mae’s Secondary) and Kerri Yan (Marian Academy), all with 12 Ones.

Saturday August 11, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 19

Guyana Softball Cup 2...

Nadia Rohoman to lead Guyana at Caribbean Cup Karate championships GFSCA international tournament Top Shotokan Karate practitioner, Nadia Rohoman, will lead the Guyana delegation to the World United Karate Organisation (WUKO) Caribbean Cup. The much anticipated tournament takes place in Trinidad and Tobago from November 24th to 25th.

The Guyana team is expected to be a major contender as they are among the best in the region. Nadia and her brother Richard have both represented Guyana at home and abroad and hold many national titles in Kata and Kumite.

Nadia is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and holds a C referee licence from Trinidad and Tobago Karate Federation (TTKF). The tournament has already attracted over 12 countries.

set for November 2-4

Lex Springer, Nadia Rohiman and Darryl Williams

The Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) has responded to the demands of softball players and fans, and will host a second international tournament on November 2, 3 and 4. All of its sponsors, DIGICEL, Trophy Stall, Survival, Steve’s Jewelry, Mike’s Pharmacy, Bel Air Texaco, Clearwater, Busta, Rohan Auto Spares and Nauth Motor Spares are back on board for this prestigious softball tournament.

Teams from Canada, New York, New Jersey and Florida will clash against top local teams for “Worlds Club Softball Cricket Supremacy”.

Just like last year October 2011when the association hosted its first such

International friendly set...

Saturday August 11, 2012 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): This proves to be a challenging day for a variety of reasons. For one thing, you’re having a hard time getting through to a sibling or neighbour. ******************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): Beware of being insincere with a close friend, even if you’re trying to shield their feelings. This person is better off hearing the truth from someone they love and respect, rather than a bitter rival. ******************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): It’s hard to talk sense with an authority figure who is acting like a bully. Let this person rant and rave until they’ve released all of their anger; then you can have a civilised discussion. ******************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): You look fabulous, which strikes terror in the hearts of your nearest and dearest.

They are used to the old, reliable you; not the glamorous fashion plate that stands before them today. ******************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): You’re starting to look at life in a new light, which doesn’t sit well with friends. Your pals want you to commiserate about problems. ******************************** VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Someone may challenge you while you are presenting ideas to the group. If there’s anything you hate, it’s being contradicted. Try not to let your temper run away with you.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Overindulging in food or drink could take its toll in an unfortunate way. If you want to fit into your best looking clothes, you’ll avoid fattening food and alcohol. ******************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Discussions about sex could become heated and angry. It appears somebody isn’t getting their needs met.

Resist the urge to issue bitter accusations. ******************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): You’ve never responded well to people who act out in order to gain attention. Unfortunately, a member of your family is doing just that. You can’t ignore their behaviour indefinitely. ******************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): You may have to summon every ounce of strength not to lash out at a colleague. If you’re unable to contain your anger, ask your superior to act as referee. What’s at stake is your integrity. ******************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Spending lots of money won’t win you love and affection. In fact, it could drive this person away even further. Instead of focusing so intently on winning this person’s heart, do something nice for yourself. ******************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): It’s difficult not to be angry with a family member who points out all of your inconsistencies.

From page 23 (USA based), Jamal Smith (European based), Daniel Wilson, Treyon Bobb, Vurlon Mills, Dwight Peters, Kayode McLennan, Dwight Peters, Richard Reynolds, Kester Jacobs, Kanata Manning and Andrew Murray.

Shabazz is the coach with Dover as his deputy while Rawle Adams and Mark Xavier will serve as manager and assistant manager respectively. Trevor Burnette is the equipment manager while Kerry Dollaway will perform medical duties. Mr. Falopa will also double as the goal keeping coach.

tournament, all matches will be played at various top venues in Georgetown on Friday November 2nd and Saturday November 3rd (Bourda, DCC Ground, Everest, Queen’s College Ground, and Police Ground).

The finals will be played at Everest on Sunday November 4th.

The tournament is to be

played in two categories: “Guyana Softball Cup Open”, where men of any age can play (12 Teams); and “Guyana Softball Cup Masters”, where men 40 years and over are qualified to play (8 Teams).

Big cash prizes and trophies are at stake. Teams interested to participate can contact GFSCA executives to book their spot early.

Page 20

Kaieteur News

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The Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) will host the West Indies Fullbore championships during the second week in October.

The tournament is expected to attract shooters from Antigua/Barbuda, Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

Jamaica are the defending champions following their narrow two-point win over Guyana in the short range team match in Antigua last year. Guyana, however hold the long range title which they won in Barbados in 2010.

Meanwhile, the National shooters will start their preparation tomorrow with a Practice Shoot at the Timehri Rifle Ranges starting at 10:00 hours. The shoot will be over 300, 600 and 900 yards ranges.

National Fullbore captain Mahendra Persaud said Recorded shoots will start from next week, while at the start of September training sessions will be held twice weekly. Persaud said the lineup will include Ransford Goodluck, Lennox Braithwaite, Richard and Dylan Fields, Dane Blair, Charles Deane, Claude Duguid and Peter Persaud.

Retired ACP Paul Slowe

Guyanese shooters in previous action. and Ryan Sampson two other members of the team will miss training due to overseas engagements.

The West Indies championships will run for five days with three days set aside for individual competition while the final two days will be the team matches. Guyana last hosted the championships in 2007

where they won the short range title, but was edged out

by Trinidad and Tobago in the long range match.

Meanwhile, The GNRA Handgun section will be having a pistol practice session at the same venue tomorrow starting at 09:30hrs.

Participants are reminded that eye and hearing protection is mandatory.

U.S. women scorch to relay record

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From back page process. Jeter, the second fastest woman of all time over 100 metres, took the baton from Knight with a threemetre lead over the Jamaicans and extended it to five as she powered towards the line to claim her first Olympic gold.

The 32-year-old, runnerup in the 100 and bronze medallist in the 200, had time to look across and point at the trackside scoreboard as she crossed the line, giving a loud yell as she realised the record had fallen.

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Silke Gladisch-Moeller, Sabine Rieger, IngridAuerswaldLange and Marlies Goehr had set the old mark in Canberra and, although discredited to some by evidence of systematic doping in East Germany, it stood for more than a quarter of a century.

Felix, who ended her quest for an individual gold by winning the 200m in London, said the American team had been bursting with confidence ahead of the race. “It is a relief, it is a joy, it is everything,” she said. “It is the most comfortable that I have seen this team. We were laughing, we were smiling ... we have never been like that.

“I think it was a combination of practice and we were comfortable with each other.

Then just the speed. Everyone was having fabulous

years.” Veronica CampbellBrown ran the third leg for Jamaica between Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart to clinch her seventh Olympic medal. “I am happy for the U.S. girls,” she said.

“They broke the record, that is good. I feel good as a woman, I feel females don’t get as much respect as their male counterparts.

“We need to get more records. It was an excellent run by the USA ... the result was phenomenal.”

Olesya Povh, Hrystyna Stuy, Mariya Ryemyen and Elizaveta Bryzgina combined to finish third for Ukraine and claim bronze. “We felt really strong out there,” said Povh.

“We were willing ourselves to win. Bronze is great, but of course we wanted to hear our national anthem.”

Saturday August 11, 2012

Kaieteur News

Defar outsprints Dibaba to regain 5,000 title

LONDON (Reuters) Ethiopia’s Meseret Defar sprinted past compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba on Friday to reclaim the Olympic women’s 5,000 metres title she won in 2004.

Dibaba, chasing an Olympic distance doubledouble after retaining her 10,000 title last week, had no response to Defar’s turn of speed and faded to third as Kenya’s world champion Vivian Cheruiyot overtook her before the line.

“It’s a great day for me.

Since 2008, I have tried everything as I wasn’t able to win the Olympics,” Defar, the bronze medallist from Beijing,

Ethiopia's Meseret Defar reacts after she won the women's 5000m final during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium REUTERS LUCY NICHOLSON told reporters. “I have won two Olympic medals before and this is my third. I’m not sure I can do a fourth so this means a lot to me,” added the 28-year-old.

Dibaba hit the front with four laps to go after a slow

Spain top Russia, advance to gold medal game LONDON (Reuters) Spain beat Russia 67-59 yesterday to reach the Olympic men’s basketball final for the second successive time.

Spain will meet either 2008 champions United States or 2004 Olympic winners Argentina in tomorrow’s gold medal game, while Russia will play for the bronze. Outplayed in the first half, 2008 Beijing silver medallists Spain dominated play over the last 20 minutes, outscoring the Russians 4728 to erase an 11-point deficit at the break.

Pau Gasol led Spain with 16 points, while Jose Calderon posted 14 points, all but two of them coming in the second half.

Sasha Kaun was top scorer for Russia with 14 points.

Spain, the 2008 silver medallists, had a miserable

time scoring in the first half, shooting a consistently woeful 21 percent, making 3of-15 shots in the first quarter and 3-of-14 in the second quarter.

Russia began the game doing their offensive damage inside and then found their shooting touch in the second quarter on a 10-0 run to build a 27-14 lead before finishing the half leading 31-20.

A revived Spanish team hit the floor after the break, playing with more quickness and defensive intensity.

A Calderon threepointer at the buzzer tied the game 46-46 at the end of the third quarter and European champions Spain continued their energised play through to the end to book another appearance in the gold medal game.

first half followed by Defar, Gelete Burka and the three Kenyans in the race who moved up on the outside. The field started to string out as Dibaba began to test her rivals and at the bell, only Defar, Kenya’s Sally Kipyego and Cheruiyot had gone with her.

But victory over in the longer race a week ago appeared to have taken its toll as Dibaba’s usual searing final lap did not materialise and Defar remained on her shoulder ready to pounce on the home straight.

Defar crossed the line with her arms in the air before kissing a religious picture she had carried in her top and falling to the track weeping.

4th Tri-Nation International Guyana Cup tournament...

Despite late notice Western Tigers FC confident of winning They have been given a mere two weeks’ notice but a team of footballers from the Western Tigers FC are confident of carting off the major prizes when they engage Suriname and French Guiana in the 4th Tri-Nation International Guyana Cup tournament slated to get underway in Suriname from August 16-20.

Yesterday morning, a team of officials of the Western Tigers FC joined President (ag) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Franklyn Wilson, Deputy General Secretary, George Rutherford, Coach, Calvin Allen, Manager, Brentnol Bourne, Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams and Captain of the team, Dwayne Ali. They all exuded confidence in the local players despite the late notice.

The ‘Tigers’ will leave within the week and will field a 23 man delegation that also include a FIFA referee and an official of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

The host country will field two teams while Guyana and French Guiana are represented by the top clubs of those countries.

Alpha United FC, regarded as the top local club, was initially scheduled to make the trip, but officials

Alptekin leads Turkish 1-2 in 1,500m LONDON (Reuters) - Asli Cakir Alptekin led a Turkish 1-2 when she held off Gamze Bulut to win the women’s Olympic 1,500 metres gold on Friday after delivering a powerful final lap in a tactical, bunched race.

Alptekin, who won the European title in Helsinki two months ago, served a twoyear ban for doping after

Page 21

testing positive in 2004.

She looked powerful and strong on Friday, coming home in four minutes, 10.23 with Bulut second in 4:10.40.

Maryam Yusuf Jamal of Bahrain was third and American Morgan Uceny, who fell in the 2011 world championship final, tumbled again on Friday and beat the track in tearful frustration.

passed up the offer citing insufficient time to prepare.

Manager of the squad, Brentnol Bourne expressed gratitude to the executive of the GFF for the opportunity to represent Guyana. He admitted that officials of his club received short notice but were unperturbed since the players were already preparing for the imminent GFF Super 8 tournament.

He said that it was only a matter of shifting focus to the Suriname tournament.

Coach of the traveling team, Calvin Allen endorsed Bourne’s sentiments saying that his players have been training all along. He said that the team will play competitive football with the aim of winning their games.

He also said that the tournament will serve as preparation for the CONCACAF tournament next year.

Captain of the team, Dwayne Ali also extended appreciation to the officials of the GFF for the confidence placed in his men, and said that it will give the players a chance to showcase their skills on the international scene even as the club administrators get an opportunity to groom the ball

weavers.

Assistant General Secretary, George Rutherford said that he was happy that Western Tigers had taken advantage of the opportunity. He said that those players were the next best choice after Alpha United indicated their inability to contest. Mr. Rutherford further lauded the programme in place at the West Ruimveldt based institution, saying that they are the only ones with a viable development programme that encompasses the many age groups.

Meanwhile, local ball weavers are still to win the tournament after four years and are going all out to break the jinx. The tournament was arranged with an aim of raising the level of football among the participating countries. The countries have agreed to take turns in hosting the championships and the host country is allowed to field their two best teams, while the other two are allowed one team apiece.

Each team is required to put up US$500, with the winner receiving the entire purse along with medals and a trophy.

Windies Cricket U-19 tourney round-up August 10 Bridgetown, Barbados — Summarised scores on the opening day of the fourth round of matches in the West Indies Cricket Board’s Under-19 three-day tournament yesterday: At Kensington Oval: Barbados vs Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago 273-5 off 90 overs (Ewart Nicholson 104 not out, Stephan Wharwood 61, Anthony Simmons 22 not out).

At Queen’s Park: Guyana vs Windward Islands. Guyana 147 all out (Shimron Hetmeyer 40, Ricardo Adams 37, Shawn Pereira 31; Preston McSween 4-55, Larry Edward 3-19) Windward Islands 127-3 (Tarryck Gabriel 71 not out, Keone George 44).

At Friendship: Jamaica vs Leeward Islands. Jamaica 3245 off 95 overs (Brian Gayle 112 not out, Kerry Holness 97, Aldaine Thomas 50 not out, Colin Archibald 2-49).

Page 22

Kaieteur News

Saturday August 11, 2012

Wayne Braithwaite to face Sean Corbin as GBBC stages 44 rounds Redemption card

By Michael Benjamin Former World Boxing Council (WBC) cruiserweight champion, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite will get a chance to redeem himself in the eyes of local supporters when he matches gloves with former Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) light/heavyweight champion, Sean Corbin when the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) stages 44 rounds of fistic fury at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), September 8 next.

The card will allow several of the pugilists to redeem themselves after faltering in earlier fights and is fittingly dubbed ‘Redemption.’ The boxers will convene at Banks DIH Boardroom for the signing ceremony next Tuesday starting at 14:00hrs.

Local featherweight champion, Clive Atwell, will get an opportunity to correct an earlier drawn decision against Mark Austin when the two square off in an 8 rounds

featherweight repeat.

Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) featherweight champion, Simeon Hardy will also comprise a part of the card when he goes after Iwan Azore for the second time in a 10 rounds welterweight scrap.

CABOFE middleweight champion, Edmond DeClou has assented to a return clash with Howard Eastman, only this time, a 10 rounds non-title affair, while Berbician, Richard Williamson, fresh from a debut win against Delon Allicock, will continue his journey to the top when he engages Esan Rose in a 4 rounds bantamweight shindig.

Braithwaite would be anxious to redeem himself after suffering an ignominious first round knockout to Barbadian, Shawn Cox, this after he (Braithwaite) had spewed vitriol in the pre-fight buildup. The former WBC cruiserweight champion had promised to return to the gym and had later issued a call for

Wayne Braithwaite

Clive Atwell

return against his Bajan opponent, but the latter individual had already committed to a bout against Ali Ismailov of Azerbaijan which he subsequently lost.

Earlier efforts to match Corbin with Braithwaite and then Kwesi Jones failed after the Trinidad based Guyanese

pulled out at the last minute citing work commitments.

Undoubtedly, a Braithwaite/ Corbin matchup is just the tonic local boxing buffs need to rekindle their interest in the sport, while Braithwaite will want to use the bout as a redeeming factor. Corbin has won 14 of his 17 fights but is

not as experienced as ‘The Big Truck’ whose local and international exploits are well documented. Any which way spells action for local boxing buffs, starved of good action packed encounters.

Both Atwell and Austin have been smarting after their drawn encounter last year and when efforts to revert the decision failed both pugilists requested a return. During his wait, Atwell had impacted positively with a knockout victory over Rudolph Fraser, which netted him the local featherweight title. He followed that up with a stunning 5th round stoppage of local lightweight champion, Revlon Lake, a victory that has earned him plaudits and propelled him at the top of the list as an exciting fighter.

Austin had had a dream start to his career, defeating all comers, but stumbled when he faced Barbadian, Miguel Antoine.

He subsequently suffered a stunning knockout to Lake

and then dropped another decision to his old nemesis, Antoine. He will also want to redeem himself on the local scene and a victory against Atwell may just be the answer to his problems.

Hardy and Azore have an old score to settle after Hardy drew first blood in their encounter last year. A prefight brawl left Azore with gash over his eyes and he was later defeated by the man of ‘chin checker’ fame. Azore will obviously remember that experience and will want to gloat over a revenged result.

Otherwise, DeClou has already solved the Eastman puzzle and is tipped to repeat his winning feat, while Williamson has predicted an easy win against Rose to the extent that the Berbician is already planning ahead.

There will not be the usual 4 amateur bouts and patrons will also be asked to pay a little more at the gate. Those details will follow subsequently.

TCL (Guy) Inc. Cricket Academy & Republic Bank Summer Camp ends The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club last Thursday wrapped up two of its summer programmes which were described as successful. The TCL (Guy) Cricket Academy for 80 young players and the Republic Bank Educational Summer Camp for 60 Grade six students preparing for Secondary School were both held at the Area ‘H’ Ground.

They were both organised by the cricket teams of the club under their ProEducation and Anti-Drugs Programmes.

Secretary/CEO of the Club Hilbert Foster at the presentation ceremony described the 5th Annual Republic Bank Grade Six Summer Camp and the 15th Annual TCL Cricket Academy as an investment by the Club in the future of youths resulting in outstanding educational scholars and

cricketers who would make Guyana proud in the future.

The Summer Camp lasted for five weeks and saw the 60 students exposed to lectures in six subjects areas – Mathematics, English A, English B, Social Studies, Science and Spanish, while they were also coached on how to play cricket.

The camp was conducted by senior teacher Rohan Etwaru and coordinated by Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Organising Secretary Ravi Narine.

The 80 students attending the Academy were coached by Michael Hyles Franco, Delbert Hicks and Winston Smith with the sessions focusing on physical fitness, fast bowling, wicket-keeping, batting and fielding. The coaches also did individual coaching with promising spinners.

Students of both the

Republic Bank Rose Hall Manager Leon Mc Donald poses with the top performers of the camp. cricket academy and the summer camp were also involved in several lectures on topics including HIV/ AIDS, Peer Pressure, Personal Hygiene, Drug Abuse, Importance of Discipline,

GCF AGM now set for August 18 - cyclists rep. to be selected today @ NP The much anticipated Annual General Meeting of the Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) is now set for Saturday August 18, 2012 at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Office, High Street, Georgetown starting at 14:30hrs. But before the AGM, the federation said that the Cyclists Representative will be elected by the riders themselves before the feature race at the National Park, today.

According the to the GCF, the election of the Cyclists Representative is a pre-requisite

for the federation’s AGM which had to be postponed due to the election of the Cyclists Representative not being held on schedule, through no fault of the GCF. Clubs are reminded that they have to submit all outstanding reports. Also, cyclists are being reminded that they must ride in their Club’s uniform. Riders will no longer be allowed to participate in races sanctioned by the GCF if they are not wearing the prescribed and appropriate uniforms.

Importance of Education and the History of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club.

Foster urged the attentive graduates to always be discipline, listen to advice from seniors and to choose their friends carefully. He explained the positive difference that an educational background and involvement in sports can have on the lives of youths and urged them to always strive for excellence.

The long standing Secretary expressed gratitude to the management of Republic Bank and TCL (Guy) for their investment in Guyana’s youths while stating that the Club would continue in the future to maintain its high standards.

Marketing Manager of TCL (Guy) Eric Whaul noted that his company was pleased with its sponsorship of the cricket Academy and expressed the hope that several talented players have emerged from the activity.

Republic Bank’s Rose Hall Town Manager Leon Mc Donald hailed the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club’s commitment to education for youths and stated that the Bank was pleased to support the Summer Camp.

Mc Donald stated that the bank invests heavily in education, culture and sports as those fields assist youths to develop their true potential.

Both Whaul and Mc Donald urged the graduates to remain focus, to stay away from

drugs and to be role models to their peers.

Daniel Lewis was named Cricketer of the 2012 Academy and Best batsman.

Other Awardees were Best Bowler – Shellon Simpson, Most Discipline – Brett Lee Fraser, Most Committed – Veeramootoo Senwasie, Best Fielder – Calvin Jeffrey, Best Wicket-keeper – Kelroy Cort, Most Improved – Phaffiana Millington, Best Bowler – Shabika Gajnabi and Most Promising – Noel Charran.

The best overall student for the Summer Camp was Kezia Narine.

Other awards were for the Most Discipline – Crystal Pike, Best Attendance and Punctuality – Sameta Samlall, Most Improved – Maria Gomes, Best Mathematics Student – Kevin Nascimento, Best English Student – Afzaal Razack, Best Social Studies – Kevon Wiggins, Best Science – Kalyan Etwaroo and Best Spanish/English B Students – Kezia Narine.

Among the prizes received were cricket gear, personal hygiene Kits, educational materials, school bags, volleyballs and basket balls.

The management and Members of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club is extending gratitude to Mr. Leon Mc Donald and Ms. Samantha of Republic Bank as well as Mr. Mark Bender and Mr. Eric Whaul of the TCL (Guy).

Saturday August 11, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 23

International friendly set as football administrators plan developmental strategies

A

s l o c a l footballers continue to hone their skills in preparation for the semi-final stage of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, a team of these ball weavers will engage a Bolivia team in an international friendly match slated for Wednesday.

President (ag) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Franklyn Wilson made this disclosure at a press conference convened at the GFF Section K C a m p b e l l v i l l e o ff i c e s yesterday morning. Several other football affiliates were also at the forum including national coach, Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover, Assistant General Secretary, George Rutherford and Brazilian, Americo Falopa, who complements the physical fitness department. Top footballer, Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams was also in attendance.

Mr. Wilson lauded the progress of the local players even as he pointed out that matches of this nature are planned to give the players much needed international exposure in the run up to actual competition matches.

He said that to date the local players have engaged in 14 international matches and improvement has been apparent in their level of play.

M r. Wi l s o n m a d e mention of the local players’ involvement in the Parbo Cup tournament in neighbouring Suriname last February; a test to determine the local players’ ability. He said that his administrators were able to spotlight emerging talent, one of them, Treyon Bobb.

Mr. Rutherford s u p p o r t e d Wi l s o n ’s observation and intimated that his executives are currently employing strategic approaches towards the development of the sport. As such GFF executives are working assiduously towards the enactment of programmes for players from the U-16 level up to those in the U-23 group. He posited that the developmental plan is projected to last for a minimum of eight years and should commence around year end. “We are in the process of installing a cadre of players at every level who will practice and compete together,” Mr. Rutherford

said.

Notwithstanding, Mr. Rutherford explained that the need to establish the availability of human resources and defining the mode of approach towards their development will be pivotal in the planning stages. He also spoke of the phenomenal pattern of migration that compels selectors to seek out players residing overseas for local duties. Towards this end, a three man committee has been identified to examine the modalities. They include Mr. Rutherford, ‘Wiggy’ Dover, Jamal Shabazz and Americo Falopa.

These gentlemen would b e t a s k e d w i t h implementing a holistic programme for the advancement of local footballers into the international arena.

H o w e v e r, e a c h administrator remains adamant that irrespective of the input of the hierarchy of the GFF, the role of supporting fans, referred to as the 12th man, is of utmost importance.

M r .

F a l o p a acknowledged the graceful remarks delivered by the members of the head table and said that he regards Guyana as his second home.

He then committed to continued application to the training of local players.

Mr. Dover also endorsed the useful input of the Brazilian fitness guru even as he revealed that the players were encamped approximately one week ago. The national coach lamented the adverse effects the inclement weather had on the team’s preparations and said that the players were forced to shift activities indoors.

Additionally, workmen are engaged in maintenance works at the Providence facility.

To u c h i n g o n t h e compilation of the team bound for Bolivia, Mr. Dover said that special emphasis has been placed on the younger players with the hope that they will gel into the required competence for duties in the 2014 World Cup tournament.

The full team for Bolivia reads: Colin Nelson, Walter Moore, Sheldon Holder, Colin Edwards, J P Rodrigues, Nick Millington (Continued on page 19)

GFF President ( ag) Franklin Wilson (3rd right) addresses the media as other officials listen.

t r o Sp

Bahamas run down U.S. for 4x400 relay gold

Bahamas' Ramon Miller, Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder and Michael Mathieu pose after winning the men's 4x400m relay final during the London 2012 Olympic Games REUTERS LUCY NICHOLSON.

LONDON- Bahamas edged out favourites the United States to take gold in the Olympic men’s 4x400 metres relay final yesterday.

Bahamas’ Chris Brown, Demetrius Pinder, Michael Mathieu and Ramon Miller sped home in a time of 2 minutes 56.72 seconds to take gold.

Bryshon Nellum, Joshua Mance, Tony McQuay and Angelo Taylor claimed silver for the U.S. with a time of 2:57.05, ending a run of seven successive golds in the event.

Trinidad and Tobago won the bronze with hosts Britain fourth.

Anchorman Martyn Rooney ran a storming final leg of 44.1 seconds but could not quite close in to snatch bronze. Dai Greene, captain of the British athletics team, had come in to replace Nigel Levine from the quartet that qualified from the heats. But his third leg of 45.5 seconds may bring that decision into question.

Conrad Williams’s 45.0 had Britain in fourth after the first leg before Jack Green’s 44.8 maintained that position.

Bahamas anchor leg Ramon Miller held off Angelo Taylor to set a new national record of two minutes 56.72 seconds, with the US clocking 2:57.05 and Trinidad and Tobago 2:59.40. This was not an American team to

bear comparison to the great quartets of old, a reflection of the fact that not a single US male made the final of the individual 400m.

Bryshon Nellum, Joshua Mance and Tony McQuay are not in the same class as injured LaShawn Merritt and out-of-form Jeremy Wariner, while anchorman Taylor is a 400m hurdles man past his best.

But that should take little away from the achievement of the Bahamas. Chris Brown led them off with a fine 44.9 secs before Demetrius Pinder produced a brilliant 43.5.

Michael Mathieu’s 44.25 maintained the lead before Miller’s 44 secs dead brought them home to gold.

South Africa’s quartet, anchored by double amputee Oscar Pistorius, finished eighth, with Cuba were last after failing to finish.

Michael Johnson Four-time Olympic champion & BBC Sport pundit said, “This wasn’t entirely unexpected. I said beforehand that the Bahamas smelled blood. This was a weakened US team without [LaShawn] Merritt and [Jeremy] Wariner. It was always going to be tough on the anchor leg. We knew Trinidad would have a tough team - it was a good finish from Martyn Rooney but Britain just missed a medal. The Bahamas took over late on and gold was theirs.” (Reuters, BBC)

U.S. women scorch to relay record

Allyson Felix, Carmelita Jeter, Bianca Knight and Tianna Madison of the U.S. celebrate after they won gold in the women's 4x100m relay final during the London 2012 Olympic Games REUTERS LUCY NICHOLSON. LONDON (Reuters) - The United States smashed a 27-year-old world record in the women’s 4x100 metres relay yesterday, running a sizzling 40.82 seconds to win gold at the Olympics for the first time since 1996.

Bungled handovers had denied the Americans gold at the last three Games but there were to be no mistakes on a balmy London night as the Americans added the Olympic crown to the world title they won last year. Tianna Madison, Allyson Felix,

Bianca Knight and Carmelita Jeter functioned like a well-oiled machine in overdrive to win comfortably and beat the world mark of 41.37 set by East Germany in 1985.

The Jamaican team, led off by 100 metres individual champion Shelly-Ann FraserPryce, won silver in 41.41 seconds and the bronze went to Ukraine in 42.04 seconds, both countries setting national records in the (Continued on page 20)

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