Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

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

Ramjattan has the influence to be Mayor chides Minister outspoken and still make a difference over Town Clerk DEAR SIR, I learnt from a citizen that on Channel 65 last evening (15-12-2014) you, Honourable Minister, Norman Whittaker, indulged in a rather unhappy myopia in so far as the current crisis caused by the strike action of the workers represented by the Guyana Local Government Officers Union. This is causing severe inconvenience to our Market stallholders and citizens generally.

Mr. Minister if you were truly concerned about the Union members’ conditions in Georgetown and the welfare of its citizens you may have paid some attention to the many complaints brought to your attention over a considerable period of time, all to do with the administration at City Hall.

Mr. Minister, to solve the present problem is simple and straight forward; instead of your imperial-like threats of illegal Ministerial action to ‘intervene’, you would be better served if you instruct Ms. Carol Ryan Sooba to obey the law, follow tradition and know her place, by having her call the Extraordinary Meeting requested, in writing, last week.

The said meeting was for Tuesday December 16, 2014, to consider and settle the matter of payment to workers.

This request by me for an Extraordinary Meeting emerged after a meeting with the GLGOU leadership and consulting with other Councillors — If Ms. Sooba had done this there would have been no difficulty.

Mr. Minister, will you please justify her refusal? Or has Ms. Sooba been vested with some divine powers?

Had she done what any other sane, normal and professionally driven Town Clerk or Public Official would have done, there would be no need for your threat of illegal

and highly inappropriate intervention.

Why have you not reprimanded this lady for her unacceptable, rude and crass reply to the request to summon an Extraordinary meeting is beyond reason and belief?

Mr. Minister, you demean your high office by a puerile reference to four or five Councillors signing some purported ‘round robin’. Set aside the fact that one Councillor claimed he was duped on Monday to sign, while another disclaimed ever seeing seen such a document, the question of a ‘round robin’ is otiose if not meaningless. Summon the meeting as requested.

I am disappointed. Here we have a Town Clerk who defies a legitimate request to summon a meeting to settle the matter, and you are silent on what is the source of our difficulty. Why? For this defiance in any normal democracy a public official would have been disciplined. The question is why not use the powers and authority you claim to have publicly to have Ms. Sooba do the right and proper thing?

Mr. Minister, of great concern to many of us is that your zeal to once again come to the defence of Carol Sooba is creating conditions of lawlessness and a negation of good governance.

A Minister who is supporting truculence is strange. Let it be known that I am in solidarity with the workers who deserve better.

Finally, Mr. Minister why not confess to the citizens that you and your Government are using a megalomaniac to put the Georgetown Mayor and City Council in disarray, instead of holding Local Government Elections without delay.

Hamilton Green, J.P. Mayor

GPL must investigate this breach DEAR EDITOR, I am a monthly tenant of Esther Spencer nee Rankin of 67 Croal Street, Stabroek, Georgetown, Guyana. I am calling on GPL to investigate a breach that is occurring at 67 Croal Street, Georgetown, Guyana.

The said landlord is now requesting extra money for light and boring holes to give other tenants lights. I am a tenant and I believe that I am being extorted. I am requesting GPL and relevant authorities to investigate.

That matter was reported to both GPL and Fire Service in the past.

Desiree Small

DEAR EDITOR, Many years ago, a former President of Guyana once warned me about my mistake in supporting Mr. Khemraj (Prakash) Ramjattan on his internal PPP crusade against police corruption and police killings and the lack of foresight in not supporting Mr. Laurie Lewis as the Commissioner. I was told by this former President that “I have choice; I could be an insider or an outsider”.

In his words, an outsider can say what he wants, but PPP insiders do not listen.

According to that President, “Insiders have access to the corridors of power and can use this access to increase their political, economic and social status in society.”

But according to this former President “insiders have to follow one rule – do not criticize fellow insiders”.

I was immediately offered a job as the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works to which I politely declined and took up an offer inside the United Nations system, thanks to the wise counsel of some people very close to me.

I use this story to highlight what a political gem, Mr. Ramjattan is to Guyana

since he could have been anything he wanted in the PPP Government but he choose politics of principle over politics of convenience.

But what these PPP “CHAT-TREE CHAMMARS” do not realize, is that in this world there are people who march to a higher ideal and do not measure success by the size of their bank account and I know Mr. Ramjattan is one of those.

I am proud of the fact, irrespective of how much the unrighteous forces in the PPP tried to bribe and threaten him into silence, he remains outspoken and if anything has become one of the leading influencer in Guyanese politics. As scandal after scandal destroys the ability of the PPP “CHAT-TREE CHAMMARS” to influence the society, it is people like Khemraj Ramjattan, Nigel Hughes and Moses Nagamootoo who are taking their place in this political evolution.

Since 2011, Mr. Ramjattan has not stopped throwing evidential bombs at the PPP “ C H A T - T R E E CHAMMARS”, causing much trouble for Freedom House. But what is even more important, is his role in ensuring that the unrighteous

forces in the PPP are replaced by a righteous alliance of the Guyanese people.

This being said, at the AFC Conference Mr. Ramjattan stated that the “AFC is prepared to lead a pro-democracy alliance of progressive forces” inclusive of APNU and disaffected PPP members, civic groups, union leaders and other political forces. This is a timely call since the Guyanese people have lost faith in the old political order represented by the PNC and the PPP who have collectively wrecked the nation since we earned independence.

What Mr. Ramjattan has done with his call is to offer the Guyanese people an alternative with credible citizens of quality who can lead the process of giving a voice to the working families, the poor, the legitimate business community and the underprivileged. What Mr. Ramjattan has made clear is that he and his team are ready to take on the unrighteous political elite, who continue to dominate Guyanese politics with their ideologically bankrupt political strategies driven mainly by pure racism and fear over the last 50 years.

From the feedback I have

received from Guyana, the influence of Mr. Ramjattan and other Guyana-based likeminded politicians, has grown leaps and bounds since 2011, since the people have finally has a chance to test out a minority Government and the results are astonishing.

For the first time the people can see how corrupt the PPP really is as they squander billions and billions of dollars on themselves and their close business associates.

From the feedback I have received, more and more people want to see the back of the PPP but they do not want more of the last 50 years.

They want a credible alternative – exactly what Mr. Ramjattan is preaching.

So Guyana is at a cross road again, just like we were in 1992 when many AfroGuyanese broke ranks with the PNC and voted for Dr. Jagan to correct a historical injustice. Will 2015 present the opportunity for a coming together of our people, to ensure that real change is achieved this time with a commitment to write a new Constitution within one year after elections that will be voted on in a national referendum?

Sase Singh

Denying the people of Plaisance their long-given rights DEAR EDITOR, Since early October there have been reports in the media that residents of Plaisance have been barred by force from land they began to occupy or planned to occupy, and to utilise for livelihood purposes.

Plaisance and other postemancipation villages set an example of saving, cooperation, investment , and self help, that defeated the laws passed by the colonial government aimed at keeping them landless and ready to sell their labour cheap to the employers of those days including the sugar estates.

Today, it is the Guysuco that is reported as one of the parties interested in grabbing

the land, competing with the poor villagers, who have for years helped to feed the cane mills. Guysuco has proved beyond doubt, especially in the last seven years, that it is one of the most inefficient land users, if we are to judge by its performance.

We must not forget that for some years, President-inwaiting Mr. Donald Ramotar, sat on the Guysuco Board representing the PPP, which is not a share holder.

Guysuco is therefore a target of suspicion. Plaisance and Sparendaam residents claim that Guysuco has said it wants the land for cultivation.

The residents suspect that the usual pattern will be

applied and that the land will end up being sold to a favourite developer. Who can blame them? One single clique controls the Cabinet, Guysuco, the state lands and all there is to control.

In the past decade I visited Plaisance only once, on June1, this year, to stand

in silence at the resting place of a villager of conscience, Laurence Clarke. But I used to be engaged with its cane farmers in matters of representation since the late forties.

The villages like Plaisance are laid out from north Continued on page 29

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

CJIA expansion likely to reach US$250M - “somebody is leaving this contract filthy rich” - Harmon The Opposition is demanding Government to come clean and give the Guyanese public a comprehensive report on the current multi-billion expansion project at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

According to Member of Parliament, Joseph Harmon, of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), the largest Opposition faction, information is that several changes have been made to the airport project’s initial plans.

“Some financial experts estimate that the true cost of the project is not going to be US$155M or US$158M, because when you add the several benefits attached, which the contractor is not paying for (included incentives like tax breaks) they estimate that we are looking in the vicinity of US$250M.” Harmon asserted that the country is still to draw down on the Chinese loan US$130M loan slated for the airport’s expansion. He told media operatives yesterday that money being expended on the CJIA expansion project so far is that from the Treasury.

Harmon was speaking during a special press conference briefing at Timehri where he highlighted several inconsistencies with the project for which a contract was signed between Government and the Chinese contractor, China Harbour

Engineering Corporation (CHEC).

Harmon explained that some of the changes now being made are as a result of poor planning and insufficient preliminary work, which will cost the Guyanese taxpayers an additional sum, estimated at US$20M. Outside of this, Harmon reported that further estimates - based on the contract agreements; benefits and advantages for the Chinese company, will take the expansion project beyond its initial US$155M cost, to over US$200M. The Parliamentarian pointed out that according to the contract between Guyana and China, before Government could have drawn down on the loan from the Chinese ExportImport Bank, it would have had to pay up US$20M in advance payments.

These advances, Harmon listed, will see G$270M going to CHEC for supervisory work; $122M for China Harbour’s site accommodation, (which is currently under construction about a mile away from CJIA); $70M for temporary roads, $60M for traffic control during the construction period, $238M for insurance and $150M for performance bond (which CHEC is required to provide, but is being paid by the government with tax dollars). Another $100M will cover the cost of advance payments guarantee, $20M will go toward the drawings/ illustration of the finished

Harmon (facing camera with sunglasses) and a number of Timehri residents look over the northern end of the runway where further expansion has been abandoned project; $41M for signs and markings and $1.5M for layout structures and systems.

“All of this money is coming out of taxpayers’ pockets. It is our money,” Harmon charged. He opined that, “someone got to be making a lot of money on this contract and somebody is leaving this contract filthy rich.”

Harmon claimed that the real problem to the government is the poor preliminary work done on the project. “The cost of the expansion is likely to be increased by an additional US$20M because of “slackness” on the part of the administration; poor contract negotiations and poor planning for which we will be burden with that additional US$20M.” On August 17, 2014, Public Works Minister Robeson Benn announced

The new sandpit CHEC was given the go-ahead to excavate that the airport’s runway extension was marred by various problems. These include the provision of sand to the work site and soil composition issues.

Government must now tell the Guyanese public what is happening with the airport expansion project, the MP demanded.

Harmon said that the contract stipulate that Government will provide sand to the work site, instead, the Chinese contractor has been granted permission to open a new sand mining pit from which they are removing sand from right within the community.

Another major issue raised by Harmon is the fact that CJIA and the Government has run into problems with the extension of the main runway at the north end.

Engineers have reportedly found problems with the soil

which could prove an issue with the foundation.

Engineers are now testing soil in the south- the other end of the runway to determine the possibilities. With the Demerara River to the south and the Dakara Creek to the north, the options seem limited.

Additionally, no word has been given pertaining to the Timehri residents whose homes Government had signaled intentions to bulldoze if they fail to remove.

Government said that (Continued on page 25)

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kamla: Gov’t does not select Commissioner of Police Trinidad Express - Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said Monday evening the appointment of a Commissioner of Police was not decided by the Government, but the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Persad-Bissessar said the move by her Government to amend the PSC Act, which has been temporarily shelved, was aimed at expanding the pool of police officers who would be eligible for the top position in the police service.

She said the Government’s intention was not to hand-pick anyone for the post.

Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Christmas toy drive in Cedros, Persad-Bissessar said, “That cannot be because the

Government does not appoint a Commissioner of Police, it is the Police Service Commission. I do believe the AG issued a release today but

Kamla PersadBissessar there are about 6,500 police officers and the procedure to select a commissioner narrows down to three officers and the note is brought to Cabinet.”

She said the amendment would have encouraged officers

to be motivated to reach the top spot. Persad-Bissessar was responding to reports that a Government minister volunteered the name of then acting Supt Johnny Abraham to lead the service, should the amendment materialise.

The amendment would have seen the selection process for an acting Commissioner of Police (CoP) being widened to include officers at the rank of superintendent and senior superintendent for consideration to the substantive acting CoP post.

Abraham, a former homicide detective, received his promotion letter to the rank of superintendent last Thursday.

Persad-Bissessar said the Government’s move was not supported by the Trinidad and Tobago Police and Social Welfare Association and the matter was shelved.

Brazilian congressman charged for rape comment SAO PAULO (AP) — A male lawmaker has been charged with incitement to rape for public comments he made about a female

colleague on the floor of Brazil’s Co n g r e s s a n d repeated in a news interview, the Attorney G e n e r a l ’s O ff i c e s a i d

yesterday.

The office’s website reported that Deputy Attorney General Ela Wiecko filed the charges on Monday against Congressman Jair Bolsonaro for “for publicly inciting the crime of rape.”

Bolsonaro said last week in Congress that Representative Maria do Rosario, who had previously presided over the National Human Rights Council, had called him a “rapist” in 2003, but he would not rape her because she didn’t “deserve it.”“His words encourage men to rape women they feel deserve to be raped,” Wi e c k o w a s q u o t e d a s saying on the website.

Bolsonaro told The Associated Press by telephone on Tuesday he won’t retract the comment, which he said was made in the heat of the moment over having been called a rapist.

Lawmakers in Brazil enjoy parliamentary immunity, which protects their speech, opinions and votes.

However, the immunity would not apply to Bolsonaro because he made similar remarks later in an interview with a newsmagazine.

The press section of the Attorney General’s office said Bolsonaro could be stripped of his seat if he is found guilty of violating congressional ethics rules.

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

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A MAN’S OWN TO KEEP In the wake of the death of two persons following a robbery at Montrose, I am compelled to repeat a column that I did a while ago. That column has a simple message: do not set your eyes on what does not belong to you.

A man gets up early. He quickly does his sanitary rituals, has his breakfast, kisses his family goodbye and sets off to work.

He has his problems, but he does not burden the world with them. He wants to work hard and honestly so that he can provide for his family.

His family is important to him and even though he may be barely making ends meet and just only covering the bills, he knows that day in day out, he has to rise for work so

that he can take care of his family.

Over time, he may have accumulated some assets. He may have been able to buy a car or some piece of expensive jewellery through his hard work. That is a product of his labour. These things belong to him and not to any other.

He should be entitled to those things.

Yet while this man is busy making his daily bread, there are others who are plotting to deprive him of what he has worked for. They will try to either rob him or steal his assets. Some even go as far as plotting to extort money from the poor fellow.

These criminals are not interested in making an honest living. They are

interested in taking what others have worked hard for.

Sometimes what a poor man has takes many years to accumulate, and therefore he deserves to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

The criminals who deprive other people of their hardearned savings and assets deserve no mercy. They should feel the full brunt of the law.

Many of these criminals when they are caught, attempt to cover their faces so that they would not be shamed in public. But have they ever considered what they have done to those whom they rob?

Among the many victims, of carjackings, for example, are taxi drivers. Most of these

Dem boys seh...

Jagdeo coulda reduce crime in Guyana A man ask Jagdeo why is a car windshield so large and de rear view mirror so small.

Jagdeo scratch he head and seh he nah know.

He phone Brassington and ask he if he know de answer and he promptly seh no. De answer is “Our past is not as important as our future, so look ahead and move on.”

But dem same two padnahs in crime mek dem boys cannot look ahead and move on. From wha dem boys see wha dem chaps do to Guyana through that li’l rear view mirror, dem frighten fuh go or look ahead.

Of course, dem have a saying that people must deal wid dem past before dem can move forward. That is why dem boys seh that dem have to expose every deal, and all

of dem dutty and dem boys ain’t talking bout mud.

Imagine all dem policemen and women, coulda go on a computer and collect criminal data. Dem coulda see and know who wanted, who owe de court fuh child support, or who didn’t pay dem traffic ticket or even track thiefing cars.

Jagdeo prevent dem. He also prevent medical personnel in Essequibo, in Berbice, in Linden and even in G/town from accessing information on sickness, and proper drugs, via computer.

In fact, dem boys believe that nuff of dem young mothers dead because of that.

This man, because of his greed and the rush to enrich himself, friends and family… rape, murders, robberies and carjackings are going unsolved, all because he did not put a surveillance/camera system in place, using GT&T that could have monitor, control and even minimise such activities.

Talk half and keep you eye in that li’l rear view mirror.

Bright be the Road you are Walking, Light be the Load you are Carrying, Sweet be the Home you are Staying,Happy be the Day you are Foreseeing - Have a Pleasant Day

guys are working class individuals who are forced to work late hours just to make some money to take care of the bills and to take care of their families.

Many of them have repayment plans for their vehicles. When these guys are carjacked what happens is that their whole life is turned upside down.

The bank or credit agency still has to be paid and you can wail from now till doomsday about being robbed, you still have to pay back what you had borrowed.

The bank may say it is sorry, but it still has to be paid.

One man whose vehicle was recently carjacked said that the parts stripped from the vehicle were valued at some $400,000.

Now that is a lot of money, and this man now has to work all over again just to replace what he has lost.

There are individuals who work hard to buy a cell phone for their children or partners, and then someone likes what they see and decides to deprive the beneficiary of the phone.

They go up to you and rob you of what you have. There is nothing that is more humiliating than knowing that

someone can simply take from you what you have spent years accumulating. How can this be right?

And guess what, whenever the culprits are caught, they try to conceal their faces so that they will not be recognized. They hide their faces in their shirts, they pull their jerseys over their heads; they use their hands to cover their faces, because they do not wish to be publicly embarrassed.

But have they ever stopped to think what they have done to someone else, to another man who, when deprived of what he worked for, does not know how he is going to put a meal on his family’s table or how he is going to continue to earn an income?.

These crimes whereby persons are deprived of their hard-earned property happen every day. But the crimes that make the sensational headlines are the large robberies.

There are also other personal crimes in which the impact is greater for the victim than some of those larger crimes, and therefore when persons are found guilty of these crimes, their identities should be made known so that others will be cautious around them and avoid falling into the same trap as the victims.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

12 lost men in a nasty cell, dirty court room, in a stink country Sometimes nationalism can be the source of power for small minds that cannot contribute anything meaningful to their countries.

The source of their nationalism is in fact the abuse of the little power they have. There is a famous quote by Alexander Pope, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”

If you live here, you must change the word, “knowledge” and replace it with “power.” In Guyana there are little mediocre gods with little knowledge who misuse power in sad and dangerous ways.

Pope’s famous quote

when applied to Guyana should be put in the following way; “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. A little power is even more dangerous.”

In Guyana, twelve men from Nepal, a country far richer, developed, modern, and of course, cleaner than Guyana left Guyana illegally, as claimed by Guyanese immigration, for Venezuela.

The Venezuelans deported them back to Guyana. Stink, dirty, underdeveloped Guyana charged the gentlemen with leaving Guyana illegally.

Now you would think that in a country that has no

ranking in the world, and that the world does not know exists - and that even Caribbean people don’t want to come and live in Guyanese police, magistrates and Guyanese in general would have thanked the men for visiting Guyana, asked them if they would like to stay, and given them individual gold medals that were purchased from public donations from those gold miners who declare one-tenth of the gold they acquire from a country that belongs to all of us.

The police charged the men with illegal departure (remember the police did that to a nineteen-year-old Berbicia n t e e n a g e r a n d Magistrate Isaacs sent her to jail for six months for going to Suriname, and sheepish, hypocritical Guyana said not a word about this magistrate’s mental inexplicability, except social activist, Barrington Braithwaite).

Magistrate McLennan refused bail. Then they were fined $30,000 and ordered to be kept in the Brickdam

remand until deported. The men felt humiliated. One knelt down before the magistrate, begged and cried (that magistrate must have really tasted the pangs of power; indeed a little power is dangerous).

If you enter a country illegally, you are charged.

Venezuela didn’t do that.

They posted them back to Guyana. Guyana then should have deported the men. Why remand them?

Why fine them and confine them to the Brickdam remand? Then you still have to put them on a plane. Why not do that in the first place?

Why humiliate the men like that?

Can anyone imagine what happened to those men’s psychology when they saw the Brickdam lock-ups? I spent three days and three nights there with Mark Benschop over two minor alleged traffic violations. That place is not fit for human beings. To get to the cell, we had to walk through sewage water. The cell was stink and damp, with no place to sleep and non-existent toilet

facilities.

I wonder if any of those magistrates that gleefully remand people for little misdemeanours could survive just one hour there.

What about the police station when they were first arrested? Go to the CID office at Brickdam and you would see what a terribly failed state Guyana is. The Nepalese men must have been psychologically tormented to know that they left Nepal and walked right into hell. And to describe Guyana as hell is putting it mildly.

In Greek mythology there is a place that resembles hell named Hades. Even Hades is a paradise when compared to Guyana.

Just a quick diversion. My wife and I went Christmas shopping last Sunday. If you want to see hell, go west on the Regent Street pavement from Orange Walk. Stop at Regent and Alexander Streets on the eastern half and look at the gutters. Guyana is indeed hell.

The Guyanese calypsonian, Dave Martins, who is now a tourism

Frederick Kissoon ambassador, has to compose a song about that.

What about the magistrates’ courts? The men must have wondered if they were in a sheep pen rather than in a modern court of law. Surely, it can’t be all that bad in Nepal.

This is how Guyana treated twelve Nepalese whose only crime was that they left Guyana illegally.

If this country isn’t one horrible nightmare for a country, then how else can you describe it? Why did the police charge those men in the first place? Why not detain then deport? Why this humiliation of twelve men who were not criminals?

Well I hope Trinidad, Canada and the US do not treat illegal Guyanese migrants so terribly. But then again, no other country has the species of police and magistrates as Guyana.

Wednesday December 17, 2014

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Brazilian companies bid for Sheriff St.-Mandela Ave rehab Under the Ministry of Public Works, two bids were tendered by Brazilian companies for the rehabilitation of the Sheriff Street – Mandela Avenue roadway. The bids were opened yesterday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Main and Urquhart Streets.

In addition, the Public Works Ministry received bids for the upgrading of Sea Defences at Henrietta, Leguan Island, Region three.

Still within the sector, bids were opened for the rehabilitation of miscellaneous roads in region three and four. The bids were divided into 10 lots.

Bids were opened under the aforementioned Ministry for the upgrading of Sea Defences at Zeelandia, (Rubble Walk), Wakenaam Island, region three.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport received bids for phase one of the rewiring of the National Cultural Centre.

The Tourism, Industry and Commerce Ministry received bids for the procurement of a consulting firm to conduct a diagnostic study and implementation of a Single Window Automated Processing System (SWAPS) for issuing construction permits in Guyana.

The Commerce Ministry also received two bids for the procurement of a High Density Filing System for the Deeds Registry.

CARICOM to help producing members increase EU, US exports The Sugar Association of the Caribbean (SAC) has agreed to work closely with the Caribbean Community’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) to increase exports of the sweetener to the European Union and the United States.

The SAC Board of Directors made the decision during a conference last weekend in Guyana, CARICOM said yesterday in a statement.

Sugar production in the Caribbean increased by 13 percent in 2013-2014 period to 511,000 tons, according to SAC. SAC said it foresees a continuing increase

in its sugar production and is looking to work closely with CARICOM to expand its influence in the EU and US markets.

The entity also wants to strengthen the Barbados-based West Indies Central Sugar Cane Breeding Station, which is owned by the SAC, as various U.S. companies are interested in financing its expansion.

CARICOM is composed of 15 members: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago.

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Wednesday December 17, 2014

Second slain bandit ID’d as UG graduate Computer scientist a few years ago, bandit in 2014; that’s how life turned out for 24-year-old Mahendra Sukull, who was shot dead by police on Monday night during the robbery of a Montrose, East

Coast Demerara supermarket.

Sukull, called ‘Vickey’ of Ramtahal Street, Prashad Nagar, was positively identified yesterday, hours after he and former policeman Warren Blue were shot dead

during an armed confrontation with policemen.

There are reports that instead of surrendering to the lawmen after he was cornered inside the Lahago

The only thing that could suggest that Sukull might have been involved in criminal activity is this image that appears on his Facebook page.

Supercentre, Sukull unwisely tried to shoot his way past them and was subsequently taken out.

Sukull’s involvement in the crime and subsequent death came as a shock to many of his friends who are at a loss as to why someone who had a potentially great career ahead of him would venture into armed robbery.

According to reports, Sukull came from a decent family and attended private school all the way up to the secondary level. He then gained a Diploma in Computer Science from the University of Guyana, after which he embarked on many private jobs that reportedly paid him well.

A popular local entertainment promoter expressed shock that the unidentified bandit in Monday night’s robbery turned out t be Sukull. The promoter would normally hire Sukull as a Graphics Designer whenever he had a big promotion. The last time this was done was about five months ago.

“It shocked me very much. I mean, yes, he had a short temper, but as a bandit robbing people? No man!” said the promoter, who added that he saw nothing that suggested that Sukull was into a life of crime.

The only sign that one could attach to the path that Sukull took was observed on his Facebook page.

It showed a portrait of Sukull pointing a handgun. It also had quotations such as “Me alone in this life”.

Incidentally, this newspaper understands that Sukull’s mother died two years ago.

“If you didn’t have proof that he was killed in a robbery, I would not believe,” the

Mahendra Sukull

promoter added.

Sukull’s death also brings to light the difficulty the police have in identifying criminal suspects.

“It’s things like this that show why the police may never get to put a lid on crime, because they are guilty of profiling. They will never suspect that someone with an image like Sukull would be involved in criminal activity.

He could just do a crime and get away, and return to the scene, and the police will never suspect him,” a former detective told this newspaper.

Another friend, who spoke to this newspaper,

Warren Blue described Sukull’s death as a shocking situation.

“This is not a man you would expect something like this from. He’s an educated chap,” the friend said.

He is bewildered by the fact that Sukull had linked up with the former fugitive cop, Warren Blue, to commit daring robberies, and wondered if Monday night’s robbery was the first time that he had perpetrated such an act.

“I wonder how a man could slip from being a normal, cool person to a life

of robbing people. He wasn’t no ‘Bad Boy’ type. I don’t know if he start using anything like drugs. But this is not the person that you would expect something like this from,” the friend said.

Meanwhile, Sabrina Blue, the older sister of Sukull’s slain accomplice Warren Blue, also got a shock when she learnt of her brother’s demise. She said that she received a message on Monday night that her brother had been shot dead and she immediately assumed that it had to do with his status as a fugitive from justice.

She said that at the time she had no idea that the former cop was involved in a robbery.

“I thought was catch he get catch, I didn’t know was a robbery he went on,” Sabrina Blue said.

According to the woman, the last time she last saw her brother was two years ago, the day after the shooting of Shaquille Grant in Agricola.

Since then an Arrest Warrant was issued for him to face a murder charge relating to that incident.

She told Kaieteur News that her brother had told her that he was in the interior.

“I never saw him. He just used to call me.”

Sabrina Blue said that a few months ago she learnt that her brother had come out of the interior, suffering from malaria, but he did not disclose to her where he was staying.

While she is surprised that her sibling was involved in crime, she pointed to circumstances that might have led him down that road.

“I think it might have been out of frustration; he didn’t have a job and nobody helping him, and he just Continued on page 14

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Nandlall’s threat to K/News…

Page 13

Civil society joins call for AG’s dismissal After weeks of demonstrations, several members of the public joined the once lone protestor Courtney Crum-Ewing in solidarity, calling for the dismissal of Attorney General (AG), Anil Nandlall, alluding to distasteful remarks he made during a profanity-laced recorded telephone conversation with a Kaieteur News senior reporter.

More than a month ago, the AG was recorded issuing threats to the Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall and his staff. During the recording, Nandlall was also heard attempting to solicit sexual favours on behalf of a relative and hinting that there was a forthcoming, disturbing plot against Kaieteur News.

In light of the recording, Crum- Ewing, a former Officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), has been carrying out a demonstration for weeks, in front of Nandlall’s Carmichael Street, Georgetown office, calling for his dismissal.

Yesterday, Crum-Ewing once again resumed his demonstration, but was this time joined by two dozen members of civil society, among them, Chartered Accountant and Attorney-atLaw Christopher Ram, prominent political activist Dr. David Hinds and Kaieteur News’ publisher Glenn Lall.

Ram commented that the government’s position in allowing the AG to remain in office reflects “poorly” on the Continued on page 30

Courtney Crum-Ewing (first from right) with protestors outside of the Attorney General’s Carmichael Chambers

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

40 ft. whale washes ashore at Kitty

By Abena Rockcliffe Workers attached to the Ministry of Public Works and Police ranks had their work cut out for them as hundreds of curious persons converged yesterday morning to view the remains of a 40-ft Sperm Whale. The massive mammal was discovered ashore at the Kitty Seawall, in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy.

It was almost as if there was a national event at the seawall as the presence of the dead whale attracted large crowds of young and old spectators and a massive traffic jam.

Onlookers braved the rain

as they snapped photos, retrieved skin as souvenirs, and even climbed onto the whale’s back.

Kaieteur News understands that the whale has been struggling in Guyana waters for some time now. According to an official from the National Wildlife Management Committee, Annette Arjoon, this fact was brought to their attention since Sunday last.

Arjoon, who was on site from early yesterday morning until late last night, told this publication that a fisherman alerted them on Sunday about the whale’s distress. She said

that the man had said that the whale was located some 10 kilometres off the Mahaicony Coast.

The fisherman indicated that the whale got trapped in his net. He said that he attempted to bring the mammal ashore so as to salvage his four-km fishing net which was worth some US$3000 but gave up after the weight of the whale caused damage to the bow of his boat.

Arjoon said that the fisherman had related that even though the whale was in 75 feet of water, his struggles were digging up a lot of mud.

Apparently, the fisherman was confused, as he has indicated that the fishing boat is 45 feet long, but said that the whale was at least four times the length of his boat, with an extremely big head.

Arjoon said that after speaking to the unidentified fisherman, a team went to Mahaicony but couldn’t get to the location on sea. Later that day, they used a GDF helicopter in search of the mammal.

On Monday, a team ventured to locate the whale again, this time using a metal shark boat to patrol the coast, but found nothing. She said

that about five o’clock yesterday morning she was informed that the whale had floated ashore.

Arjoon told this publication that she took numerous photos of the whale and sent it to experts in Puerto Rico and Venezuela who later gave advice. She said that the whale is about six years old and weighed about 30 tonnes.

Arjoon said that she was advised by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada to encourage preservation for educational purposes.

Pointing out that whales decompose quickly, Arjoon said that it was imperative that the removal of the whale was done yesterday as it could have burst while being transported. She noted that the desire was to have the whale buried intact so that the skeleton could have later been retrieved then placed on exhibition in the National Zoo’s fish section.

The plan was to load the whale onto a flatbed trailer then transport it to its place of burial.

However, late last night Arjoon said that it no longer seemed possible, as hours of relentless efforts to even lift the whale were futile. She said that two excavators were initially used but another was needed. Arjoon indicated as well, that they were trying to decompress the whale by releasing some of its bodily fluids. She said that the other option was to cut the whale using bow saw blades as the use of a chainsaw would have caused it to explode which is dangerous because of the whale’s toxic oils.

Arjoon said that it was a truly collaborative effort as the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, Ministry of Public Works, Fisheries Department and the National Wildlife Management Committee, and Vanessa Benn of Iwokrama worked together.

Up to late last night, scores of people remained on the seawall, as efforts were being made to remove the

mammal.

Earlier in the day, hundreds gathered and many differing opinions were expressed. Some were concerned about how the whale met its demise and some were just curious to get a glimpse of an animal that is rarely witnessed in this part of the world.

One woman told Kaieteur News that she saw the whale “take his last breath.”

Another woman, said to be way into her 80’s said, “this is a must see for me” as she hustled to get a glimpse.

Many were seen in their working uniforms and seemed to care little about returning to duty. Police had a hard time getting people to back away so that others could have done their jobs and the traffic was so congested that ranks had to begin diverting vehicles in the vicinity of Celena’s The sperm whale is the largest of the toothed whales and the largest toothed predator. It can be found anywhere in the open ocean.

Mature males average at 16 metres (52 ft) in length but some may reach 20.5 metres (67 ft), with the head representing up to one-third of the animal’s length. The sperm whale feeds primarily on squid. Plunging to 2,250 metres (7,380 ft) for prey, it is the second deepest diving mammal, following only the Cuvier’s beaked whale.

The sperm whale has the largest brain of any animal on Earth, more than five times heavier than a human’s.

Sperm whales can live for more than 60 years.

The head of the whale contains a liquid wax called spermaceti, from which the whale derives its name.

Spermaceti was used in lubricants, oil lamps, and candles. Occasionally the sperm whale’s great size allows it to defend itself effectively against whalers.

The species is now protected by a whaling moratorium, and is currently listed as vulnerable.

Slain bandit identified...

From page 12 decide to go on the bad side,” Sabrina Blue told this newspaper. Some of Blue’s colleagues are convinced that Monday night was not the first time that he had been involved in criminal activity.

“Blue had to be doing crime since he was a police.

Interdiction can’t turn you into a bandit just like that,” one of his colleagues stated.

Reports stated that after the robbery, Blue tried to shoot his way to safety, but was outgunned by police ranks and other publicspirited persons who had converged on the scene.

Those who worked with him during his days as a combat cop, are of the opinion that the well-trained Blue could have gotten away had it not been for the sheer numbers that were against him.

Police recovered a .32 pistol from Blue.

“If he had a bigger weapon, those young policemen who confronted him would have been in trouble,” one of his former colleagues stated.

Post mortem examinations will be performed on both bodies today before they are handed over to the respective families for burial.

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Trial for lover accused of Sophia woman’s murder nears end The Prosecution in the matter in which Sophia resident, Paul Anthony LoHing is on trial for murder is expected to call its final witness to the stand today.

Lo-Hing is facing retrial before Justice Navindra Singh at the High Court in Georgetown for the murder of his girlfriend, Shoala Gilgeous. His last trial was conducted before Justice Diana Insanally, but the proceeding ended in a hung jury.

The accused is being represented by Attorney Keavon Bess, while Teshana Lake and Narissa Leander are presenting the State’s case.

According to the Prosecution, Gilgeous was strangled by Lo-Hing during a heated argument at their Block ‘E’, South Sophia residence.

The incident took place on August 6, 2012, and reports suggest that the accused had shared a turbulent one-year relationship with the victim.

Gilgeous’s body was reportedly discovered by relatives who ventured into the apartment building in search of her.

Yesterday, Alain Gilgeous, the brother of the murdered Sophia woman, testified via audio-visual technology (Skype).

DECEASED: Shoala Gilgeous

ACCUSED: Paul Anthony Lo-Hing

Gilgeous who is currently based in Trinidad and Tobago recalled that on the day his sister was murdered, he received a call from her boyfriend, informing him that he needed to come home and check on her. The man said he was subsequently told something had happened to his sister.

The witness recalled that he lived in the apartment next door to his sister with the mother of his children, Monica Charles. Gilgeous said that his sister and Lo-Hing would have steady fights while they were living together.

The witness held firm that the accused had played a part in the death of his sister.

On Monday, Monica

Charles and Alana Gilgeous, the dead woman’s sister, took the stand. Charles recalled that the victim had been in a heated argument with her boyfriend on the day she was found dead.

The woman recalled that Shoala Gilgeous’s lifeless body was found in the home around 17:30h that day.

Relatives had received telephone calls from the boyfriend, who asked them to check on the woman.

The victim’s niece also testified in the matter. She said that she was the first person to discover her aunt’s body. She recalled that she had entered the apartment where she found her aunt lying motionless on the floor.

Page 15

Con-artist in hot water after tricking taxi driver An alleged trickster, who allegedly tried to con a taxi driver early yesterday, was thwarted when a police officer showed up in the nick of time and dragged him out of the minibus he had boarded on Regent Street.

The suspect is currently at the Brickdam Police Station assisting with information.

Taxi driver, Steve Mootoo, said that around 07:00 hrs yesterday, a worker attached to a snackette on New Market Street, Georgetown, called to inform him that a client was in the fast food outlet and needed a cab.

“The people at the snackette would normally call me when clients want a taxi, so they did the same this morning (yesterday).

When I went there, this guy came in the car and he said he wanted to go up the East Coast of Demerara,” the taxi driver explained.

He further revealed that the man instructed him to take him to a house in Enmore.

“When we reach the house, he came out the car and he called, but no one answered, so he jump in back the car and tell me to drop him at Speedy at Success. He went in and talk to the employer and then he come out back,” Mootoo noted.

He added that man who identified himself as “Ryan” then requested that he (taxi driver) take him back to the city.

“He had me driving from Wellington to Camp Street, and then he asked me to drop him to the City Mall. Before he left the car, he

asked me to borrow $5,000. He told me to pick up his daughter who was at the bank (a stone’s throw from the mall) and then go back to the mall for him,” the driver recalled.

The driver told this newspaper that when he reached in front of the bank and did not notice any female waiting on him, he immediately drove back to the mall.

“I suspect something was wrong, so instead of stopping at the front entrance of the mall, I stopped and parked at the back and I see him (Ryan). He was coming out of the mall, so I went up to him and tell him that I didn’t see anyone, and he tell me to go back now, the girl waiting on me, so I left him there to go back to the bank,” Mootoo related.

According to the taxi driver, while driving to the bank from the mall, he looked through his rear view mirror and noticed the man getting into a mini bus.

“I turn back and drive behind the bus and I notice a police officer and I told him that I was robbed.

The police stopped the bus and collected him. He identified himself to the cop,” the taxi driver said. He was subsequently taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

“This man seems genuine. You can never tell he is a trickster. He has gold teeth and his entire body was covered in tattoo,” the cab driver related. The alleged con artist will be going to Court today.

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Shortcomings in education system being addressed ...as efforts are made to encourage literacy “A literate population is going to drive speedier development,” was the declaration of Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, as she reflected on the work of her Ministry during the past year at her end of year press conference on Friday last.

In order to foster literacy, Manickchand said that much needed attention was directed to putting measures in place to ensure that children are firmly on a course to become literate by Grade Four. But in order to implement the tactics to realise this ambitious goal, Manickchand disclosed that strategic action was imperative.

For instance, she disclosed that because of the formerly prohibitive prices of books used within the school system, coupled with the inability of the system to realise the desired results, it was required of the Ministry to amend and refine the materials utilised to teach.

Moreover, a decision was made by the Ministry to

produce over the course of the year two new series – The Roraima Series for Nursery age children and the Atlantic Reader for Primary age children.

“We have already begun using the Roraima Series and we will begin using the Atlantic Series in the New Year...” said the Minister as she boasted of the capabilities of local experts who were tasked with writing the Series, both of which are accompanied by workbooks.

And Minister Manickchand is convinced that the reading materials are of such high quality that they will be of international benefit, although they were written with the Guyanese/Caribbean child in mind.

And they were so crafted, the Minister observed, since the writers benefited from the guidance of international literacy standards and benchmarks that could effectively trace the learning process of children.

“We would know, that once a child finishes, successfully, a particular

Minister of Education Priya Manickchand interacts with some pupils who are expected to benefit from an intensified literacy drive. chapter, exactly which benchmark and standard they would have met in the effort to making our children literate

by Grade Four,” said the Minister, as she also spoke of measures in place to strengthen their literacy skills even after the Grade Four level.

And as efforts were being directed to improve literacy, the Minister noted that the

Ministry was also cognisant of the need to ensure that both teachers and students are comfortable in the schooling environment.

Moves to address this were evident by the procurement and distribution of text books within the school system and the provision of adequate furniture.

Moreover, the Minister at her press conference said that she was only too pleased to report that textbooks for core subject areas of Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science were procured for all children

attending public primary schools. As such, she noted that it is expected that each child should be in possession of a personal copy of the said texts.

Additionally, relevant Mathematics and English textbooks were procured for each student from Grade Seven to 11, and by now each student should have been in possession of his/her own copy, the Minister said. She went on to point out too that “this is the first time in our country that we have procured these core texts for each and every child across the country as personal

copies.”

Meanwhile, in the quest to ensure that furniture is not an issue, Manickchand said that Government, through the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, or through collaborations between the two, has been strategically and consciously procuring furniture requested by schools for each child so that they are comfortably accommodated.

Manickchand had, in August of this year, informed that deliberate efforts were (Continued on page 25)

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

CJIA expansion likely to reach...

(From page 6) residents are squatting on airport property, but Harmon insisted that Benn “has to come better when addressing the residents”, some of whom lived at Timehri long before the property was leased to Government.

Harmon said that the expansion project should have been completed in 32 months, “so today we should have been looking at a brand new facility.”

“The government must say to Guyanese where the money is going to come from and whether the China bank has actually started to advance any of the US$130M towards the project. As I understand it, right now it is only taxpayers’ money that is being spent on this project.”

It was Minister Benn in

2011, who had stated that the Chinese Vice Premier was in the Caribbean with a pocket full of money to give out.

“This is the end of 2014,” Harmon said, “The government must tell the people where the money is... let them come out and make a very clear, definite statement on the project.”

The Parliamentarian declared that government consciously prorogued Parliament so that questions on various projects will not be asked. It was stated, however, that questions on these projects will not cease.

There were numerous questions asked about the costs of the airport expansion.

In the bill of quantities provided by Government, it was found that 69 toilet bowls were needed for the new terminal building to be built.

Each would cost US$2,121.06 or $424,212 each. This worked out to US$146,353.14 or over $29M for the 69 bowls.

The Ministry of Public Works had denied the costs saying that the contract signed was a “lump sum” one for that section of the contract. The US$138M contract with CHEC also excludes all taxes, duties, royalties and fees of all kinds normally imposed by Guyana.

In justifying the expansion project, Government had pointed to the current space constraints and growing tourism as the reasons.

Guyana’s geographic position at the northern tip of the South American continent made it ideal as a hub and a link to Asia and Africa, the government said.

(From page 16) being fostered by the Ministry to not only improve the delivery of education, but to ensure that children are in a comfortable learning atmosphere. For this reason, she said that the Ministry had strategic measures in place to ensure that each public school is outfitted with adequate furniture.

“Every single school, (whether) nursery, primary or secondary, is supposed to have enough furniture for all of our children to sit comfortably,” Minister Manickchand said.

The Ministry has therefore been on a mission to address known shortcomings in this regard, by finding out directly from individual schools of their needs, informed the

Education Minister.

With this information in hand, she said that efforts were made to specifically procure the needed furniture and transport same to the various schools across the country. But according to the Minister, “if schools were not vigilant and say I need 10 (furniture) when they really needed 12 or 15 then they may be short, but I would not like to hear that.”

However, she noted that should a school not be in receipt of the quantity of furniture it requires, the administration of that school will be answerable.

“We will ask why is your school short?. Because this Government made sure that enough money and a lot of effort went into planning how every school is going to get

furniture for their children by the beginning of the term, and we should be in that place right now,” the Minister asserted. She however, noted that while the focus this year was on ensuring that children are comfortable in their schooling environment, efforts will be made by Government to specifically cater to the teachers in the budget next year.

“So we are doing it in phases…next year we will have enough furniture for all the teachers of this country, whether it be chairs and desks, lockers, or the other kinds of things that teachers need…We are saying that next year we want all of our teachers to be comfortable in the same way that all our children should be comfortable now.”

Shortcomings in education...

Page 25

Venezuela to shut down borders with Guyana and Brazil, at nights, to halt smuggling V e n e z u e l a (panampost.com) - On Monday, the Venezuelan government announced it will shut down its borders with Guyana and Brazil after dark in an attempt to reduce the illegal smuggling of oil and food. The border closure, which until now only affected vehicles crossing, will also apply to people crossing on foot.

This latest measure follows President Nicolas Maduro’s decision to close off its border with Colombia in August.

The new rule will ”restrict border movement of people, by land, air, and water, and vehicles during the hours of 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.” in order to “protect the inviolability of borders, combat smuggling, and prevent the activities of people who might pose security threats,” reads the document issued by the Defence and Interior

ministries.

Since the closing of the Colombian border, authorities have detained over 1,000 people for smuggling-related offences, and have seized thousands of tons of food and oil, according to Venezuelan Attorney General Luisa Ortega Díaz.

Contraband has become a serious problem in Venezuela as smugglers, looking for quick profit, buy subsidized products and resell them at higher prices on the Colombian side of the border.

The Colombian government has expressed “unconformity” with the decision, and called the move a “unilateral” decision by the Venezuelan government.

Colombian business

leader Carlos Luna, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce of Cúcuta, said the new policy is not the best way to deal with a border region already facing economic hardships.

Jairo Gómez, a Colombian union leader, called the regulation an “evil” attack by Venezuelan authorities.

According to Gómez, the policy has caused traffic at the C o l o m b i a n - Ve n e z u e l a n border to decrease from 450 trucks per day to only four.

The Chavista regime says oil smuggling costs the state about US$2.2 billion per year, and food smuggling over $5 billion. Maduro has claimed businessmen have tried to harm the country’s economy by waging an “economic war” against his government.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Agriculture set to outperform It took two years, but mining, logging sectors God answered my prayers - Rice hits highest production at 633,000 tonnes

– says slain teen’s mom

Shonnette Adams When she was informed Monday night that the policeman, who had murdered her son, Shaquille Grant, more than two years ago after labelling him a bandit, was shot and killed, she was more than happy.

It wasn’t the news of his death that made her night a joyous one; it was the circumstances under which the former cop, Warren Anthony Blue, who was on the run since 2012, was killed - in a robbery.

On September 11, 2012, Lance Corporal Blue, Constable Jamal Lewis and Terrence Wallace were alleged to have shot and killed the 17-year-old Agricola resident under questionable circumstances.

The police had said that they received information that a gang in Agricola was

Dead: Shaquille Grant planning a robbery on a business entity located near the National Stadium at Providence. It was further stated that Grant was a part of that gang who first opened fire at the lawmen. The ranks, it was said, returned fire and killed the teenager.

Grant’s mother refuted the police’s claims. She insisted that her teenage son was never a part of any gang “much less planning a robbery”.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali Hack had later advised the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to institute murder charges against the three ranks who were involved in the raid which resulted in the shooting

Cop turned bandit, Warren Anthony Blue death of Grant.

Wallace was committed to stand trial in the High Court, while Blue and Lewis could not have been located.

Yesterday, Grant’s mother, Shonnette Adams, in an interview with this newspaper, said that someone had called Monday night to inform her that Blue was killed in a shootout with the police.

The woman said that she could not believe that her son’s killer had died. She said that it was after a number of persons began calling her that she realized that it was actually true.

“Who is the criminal now?” she asked.

Adams said Monday night’s shooting simply shows that Blue was the criminal and not her son.

The woman said that a few months after Blue disappeared - after her son’s killing - his (Blue’s) relatives contacted her, and pleaded with her to accept $2M as settlement. She said that his relatives had informed her that the former cop was tired of hiding, but she refused to accept the money.

Adams is now calling on Lewis, the second cop who is on the run, to hand over himself to the police and serve his time, after which she advised him to surrender himself to God.

Rice is set to meet 500,000 tonnes in exports this year Rice production has surpassed last year’s 530,000 tonnes, reaching an unprecedented, recordbreaking 633,000 tonnes.

Along with that and other record-breaking performances, the agriculture sector is on track to be this year’s highest average contributor to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), overtaking the extractive sector, as gold mining, which has been reigning supreme for the last seven years as the biggest foreign currency earner, fell to an unsettling low.

A reduction in the world price of gold has badly affected earnings in the extractive sector this year.

According to Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, to date some 99 percent of the 2014 rice harvest has been completed - 100,000 tonnes more than last year.

By the end of the year, Guyana is also set to achieve record exports of 500,000 tonnes. In dollar amount, paddy sale by farmers would

exceed US$45M, with export earnings over US$250M. According to a Government statement, the only concern for the industry has been that whilst there have been many successes, some millers have not yet paid off the farmers and as of December 14, outstanding payment from millers to farmers was about $3.5B. “The Ministry, however, has already commenced a number of interventions to ensure farmers are paid. This includes a specially convened meeting with the millers and working out an arrangement whereby the Ministry, through the errant millers, can supply 700,000 tonnes of fertilisers to farmers, charging $5,000 per bag. The latter is part of ensuring some of what the millers owe to farmers is discounted through the process.”

This year also, Government provided $500M as support for the rice industry. The bulk of this money was spent on the

provision of additional structures at the Number 56 rice seed facility, which was originally build under ADP/ IDB funding, that provided only for the construction of the factory. This year, the money was spent to add other structures such as the silos and testing facility.

The remainder of the $500M is being spent to purchase equipment including lasers and combines to support especially small farmers. It is expected that the Number 56 seed facility will become operationalised by 2015, providing quality seed paddy to farmers, the Minister said.

Meanwhile, the sugar industry is said to be making a recovery and is set to achieve its 2014 target of 216,000 tonnes. On Sunday, production was 212,000 tonnes, some 4,000 tonnes shy of the target.

“At the moment, the industry has already surpassed the 2013 production by more than 10 percent, meeting the first of 2014 objectives - to pass the 2013 production.”

In other areas, this year also saw the increased production of all meats.

Guyana produced more, 30 million kilograms of chicken and 2.5 million kilograms of beef. The performance of the latter was the largest production of beef in the last decade.

Meanwhile, pork production is set to surpass 500,000 kilograms and small ruminants, 100,000 kilograms.

Twenty million eggs were produced this year, whilst milk production is set to exceed five million litres.

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Young and old treated to an enjoyable time at Princess Fun City The Christmas season is a time for giving and Princess Fun City Entertainment Centre did not withhold on its generosity yesterday, when it treated a group of vulnerable children and a number of elders to a ‘pampering’ time.

Although the two groups were treated separately, the members within each undoubtedly took full advantage of their day-long experience.

For instance the children of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. were able to descend on the gaming arcade of more than 80 games, effectively transforming it into a buzz of activities and exciting noise.

They were also allowed to head to one of the sprawling theatres to indulge in a number of exciting movies.

And there was no shortage of edible delicacies offered to the children who couldn’t, even if they tried, contain their elation. They were even able to meet Santa Claus and his elves who afforded them early Christmas gifts.

The elders who came from the Palms Geriatric Home were exposed to, not only exciting movies and edible delicacies galore, but they were also able to experience soothing spa treatments.

Altogether those who benefited from the Fun City treat, at absolutely no cost, amounted to some 150 individuals.

According to the Fun City Marketing/ Public Relations Manager, Ali Williams, the management of Providence, East Bank Demerara, was only too happy to take time out during the festive season to open its doors to the specially invited

Staffers of Princess Fun City take time out for a photo opportunity with the young visitors. guests yesterday.

“We are honoured to welcome the elders and children organizations…and we will continue to support

these worthy organisations as they strive towards ending homelessness and providing healthier, safer places to improve our communities,”

said Williams.

But even before the onset of the Christmas season, the Princess Fun City was already offering its fun atmosphere to

needy children who would not have normally been able to venture there. This meant that schools, religious organizations and youth

clubs were able to collaborate with the administration of the entertainment venue to allow scores of children to have an exciting time.

Teachers to benefit from five percent increase next month (From page 21) cater to increased pay for teachers in 2016.

Even as efforts are being made to cater to the remuneration of teachers, the quality of teachers is gaining close attention from the Education Ministry. Training of teachers is currently initiated at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), the country’s lone teachers’ training institution.

Currently CPCE caters to a total student population of 1,588 and that population is spread across four

programmes in nine of the 10 administrative regions.

According to Minister Manickchand, the Associate Degree in Education (ADE) Programme, which has a twoyear duration, is offered in the coastal centres of Anna Regina, Georgetown, Linden, New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, Vreed-en-Hoop, and at the Turkeyen campus.

In September 2014, 540 students enrolled for the ADE programme of which 67 were males and 473 were females, translating to 12 per cent and

88 per cent, respectively.

The Trained Teachers’ Certificate programme on the other hand, which is a threeyear duration programme, is being accessed by students from as far as Moruca, Mabaruma, Aishalton and Lethem, while the Teachers Upgrading Programme (TUP), a two-year programme, saw 250 students being enrolled in October 2014.

According to Manickchand, satellite centres for this programme have been in place at Mabaruma,

Moruca, Port Kaituma, Lower and Upper Mazaruni, while new centres are at Charity, Mahaicony Creek and St. Lust in the Berbice River.

The number of students currently enrolled in the TUP programme stands at 352 and includes the continuing students from Mahdia, Annai and Lethem.

Minister Manickchand disclosed that successful completion of the TUP programme will in fact qualify students for the Trained Teachers’Certificate Programme.

Teachers in training have

also been able to access the one-year Technical Teachers Education programme.

The latter is a new programme for technical lecturers, facilitators and instructors of technical institutes and practical instruction centres, who have technical qualifications but lack pedagogy. In June 2014 the first batch of 14 students was enrolled.

And according to the Education Minister, the system is set to be bolstered with the graduation of a batch of over 350 from CPCE tomorrow.

Page 28

Kaieteur News

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VACANCY Work from home & earn $5,000-$20,000 daily; www.jobfairworldwide.com Tel:233-6517; 622-1957; 9am5pm Mon-Fri & Saturday 10am-4pm Male & female workers: managers, accountants, checkers, salesperson & housekeepers @ RA Soda Factory – Call: 330-23992772; 623-5920 One female clerk - Call: 2315171 Immediate: Ice machine operators (training provided) & night security to work @ Ice Factory in Meadow Bank – Call: 2311408; 642-9191 CANTER DRIVER/ SALESMAN and Factory Assistant living on E.B.D, free accommodation also available. 266 4427 One qualified hairdresser; one housekeeper – Call:2256492 Pump attendant at Shell Providence E.B.D (shift work) 5AM-3PM & 3PM12PM Office clerk & domestic needed to work in Trinidad must be single & have secondary education – Call: 1868-2840586; 1868-6831528 EDUCATIONAL Pre- Christmas Give away $25,000 OFF 9 Course Computer Diploma.

Promotion ends this week!

Micrographics, Vreed- EnHoop. Call: 264-3057

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves.

Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655,683-8734 Are you looking for a personal driver: safe, r e l i a b l e & courteous Contact: 697-7488 Magicjack!! Magicjack!!

Magicjack!! (Authorised Dealer) Renewal/Repairs/ Troubleshooting Laptop Screens/Batteries/ Keyboards Computer/ Printer Repairs, Call: 231-9429 Services & repairs to gas stoves, washing machines, electric stoves, deep fryers – Call: 688-0183

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Untouchable car rental: low rates, low deposits – Call: 677-4613; 226-9668 FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table – Call: 277- 0578

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, (SALE) AND MORE, SAWS & DRILLS -$10,000 - CALL: 675-0767, 667-2535 House to rent - Call: 231-5153 Metal Scaffold for rent- Call: 623-6586 or 225-7607 Five bedrooms house, 107 Lamaha Gardens & Large Parking; AC Rooms Hot & Cold, Purified Water System Call: 661-8908, 335-3590 Space to rent 60X40; ideal for supermarket, wholesale distribution etc at Enmore E.C.D – Call:256-4249, 6277771, 674-6427 One 3 bedroom house between 3rd & 4th Ave. Diamond includes one master room - $700US – Call: 645-6498

LAND FOR SALE Parika (Butcher Shop Street) - One (1) Lot 38' X 150' $ 7m Contact 650-0402 - for serious inquiries Blankenburg @ The Back Of Gas Station (3) Lots @ 75' X 76' Each. $20M for all 3 Lots.

(1) Lot for $10m - Contact 650-0402 One residential land at Herstelling -$4.5M – Tel:6610618; 601-3469 Prime water front land located at Port Kaituma/ North West, approximately (110ftX100ft) business spot – Contact: 601-5500; 693-9348 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.3M, $1.5M & Business spot $3.5M, Herstelling - $5M, Providence - $5M, Grove $2.8M – Call:675-7292; 6522018 113"X38" Land from road front to Alleyway @ 183 William Street Kitty, Reasonable price – Tel: 6640829

REPUBLIC OF GUYANA COUNTY OF DEMERARA In the Georgetown Magisterial District Magistrate's Court Holden at Georgetown , within the said District.

(CIVIL JURISDICTION) In the matter of Music and Dancing Licences Act, Chapter 23:03 -andIn the matter of an Application by Koreen Kay Thomas on Behalf of NADIA SPORTS BAR AFFIDAVIT IN SUPPORT OF APPLICATION FOR AN ANNUAL MUSIC AND DANCE LICENCE: I, Koreen Kay Thomas of lot27 Public Road Providence East Bank Demerara being duly sworn make oath and says as follows:1.That I am the applicant herein.

2.That I am the Proprietor of NADIA SPORTS BAR and as such I am duly authorized to make and swear to this affidavit on my behalf.

3.That I have filed an application for a new of Music arid Dancing Licences to be granted to me under the provisions of the music and dancing Licences Act, Chapter 23:03 in respect of the NADIA SPORTS BAR of 27 Public Road Providence East Bank Demerara.

4.That the particulars contained in my application are to the best of my Knowledge, beliefs and are true and correct.

5.AND FURTHER I SAY NOT. .......................

DECLARANT Sworn to at Georgetown, Demerara,This day of December, 2014 BEFORE ME A COMMISSIONER OF OAHTHS TO AFFIDAVITS APPLICATION FOR ANNUAL MUSIC AND DANCE TO KEEPA PLACE FOR PUBLIC DANCING, SINGING OF MUSIC, OR OTHER ENTERTAINMENT PERSUANT TO SECTION 4.OF THE MUSIC AND DANCINGLICENCINGACT 23:23 In the Magistrate's Court of the Georgetown Magisterial District Held at Georgetown.

APPLICATION is hereby made by Koreen Kay Thomas on Behalf of NADIA SPORTS Bar for a new licence to keep or use the place hereinafter describe for public Entertainment for the like kind pursuant to the above named Act for one year from day of January, 2015 to 31st December, 2015. The particulars of the application are: Sunday-Saturday 9:00 hrs to 2:00 am.

1.The name and address of the applicant 2.The situation and description of the Land which the house, room garden or other place is located: 3.The dimension of the house, room or place it is proposed to keep or use for all or any of the purposes aforesaid. 48 by 38 ft 4. The number of doors, exits and nature of Appliances for

Wednesday December 17, 2014

the prevention of fighting fires: (1) Door, (2) Extinguishers, (3) Fire Buckets 5. The means for illuminating the place: Electricity 6. The maximum number of persons it is proposed To accommodate in the place: 50 7. The distance between Place in respect of which the licence is sought, and the nearest place. In respect whereof a licence for the like purpose is in existence - A few buildings away 8. The distance between the place in respect of which Victory Baptiste Church; One corner away, Providence Primary School, 3/4 Mile away from place of business the licence is sought and the nearest school, church, licence part spirit shop, hospital or other institutions sick.

9. Whether the place has even been previously licence for the purpose of the above named Act or whether for the like purpose has ever been refused in respect such place.

No 10. Whether the applicant has even been convicted of any offence against the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Act, The Spirit Act or-Music and Dance Act - No

WANTED One night shift supervisor at shell Providence E.B.D, Submit application to shellramsburg@gmail.com Female worker needed, 3 CXC subject or sound secondary school education- Call: 612-1607 Girls to work as waitresses in bar – Tel:256-4096 One puri maker - Call: 2269561 One assistant salesgirl @ E.C.D – Call: 644-9802 Jet + Marack men to work in the interior – Call: 694-2310 One able bodied male to work in a Hardware store Call: 231-2029; 219-4533 One porter to work on beverage canter – Call:2223927; 649-9876 Need ladies to sort goods; apply at Alabama Trading Georgetown Stabroek.

Female janitors, between ages 25-40 years – Call:2258066 One receptionist/secretary, experienced required. Send application & CV to 48 High Street, Werk-En-Rust, G/ Town.

Experienced Roti/Puri cooks, Pastry makers, kitchen assistant; apply at Hack’s Halaal - Lot 5 Commerce Street Experienced matured salesperson @ Courtney Boutique, Stall “A” Bourda Market – Call: 227-2407

VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Mark 2 - $2.2M neg.

BMW 318i - $2.2M neg.

Toyota Tacoma (RHD) (Auto/4WD) - $1.2M neg. – Call: 653-2005 1-Honda-600RR, Toyota Raum, AT170, AT212, AT192, AE100 Sprinter Fun cargo, Bubble Tray Tundra Call: 644-5096, 697-1453 R1 2007; Candy Red motor cycle, never fall; 40 original paint 1100 miles -$7,000US or best offer – Call: 623-4045 Pitbull bus ($3.2M) Verossa - $3.7M, Noah- $2M (All new) – Call: 603-9700 Unregistered Spacio 2004, camera, rims, body kit, Fielder 2003, black interior, fully loaded. Call: 617-5536 1 - L-Touring Wagon; HB 9912, price $1,050,000 Neg. Call: 680-4990 Christmas Sale! 2003 Toyota Premio - $2.2M; never registered – Tel: 617-2891 Toyota Prado, Price$5.5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 One ford IVECO sand truck with Cummings Engine, GNN Series, excellent condition, owner leaving country - Call: 604-6860, 643-2911 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 Nissan Titan 4X4; fully loaded; good condition; price $2.5M neg. Call: 620-1026 1 Toyota Allion & 1 Kawasaki Motorcycle (fully chrome) - Call: 667-4774; 260-3465 1 Toyota Rav4; year 2000 $2.5M neg. PKK Series; great condition - Tel:612-8803 One Rav Four vehicle in good condition; PKK series; Price $1.7 M or any near offer – Contact: 611-7104

TO LET One upper flat 2 bedroom concrete apartment at Grove New Housing Scheme (First Bridge) - $45,000 per month Call: 642-1956 LARGE 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT, LARGE VERANDAH, PARKING FOR 2 VEHICLES @ LAMAHA GARDENS $80,000 MONTHLY – CALL: 609-8132/ 6728569 (MAX) (Continued on page 29)

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 29

Letters... Where your views make the news

An addition to the debate on corporal...

From page 4 history. Change involves time unless there is a Coup d’etat. In Sweden the whole process took 51years from 1928 (sufficient concern) to 1979 (total ban on spanking), and along that journey numerous conversations, assessments, evaluations and amendments occurred.

Here is the timeline. In 1928, there was sufficient concern about this situation that the Education Act was amended to forbid corporal punishment in the secondary schools. The success of this early measure, together with continuing concern about the level of violence permitted toward children in the home, led to a change in the Parenthood and Guardianship Code (a civil code governing family law) in 1949.

In an attempt to reduce severe beatings, the word “punish” was replaced by “reprimand” in the section defining permissible parental behaviour. In 1957, the

section permitting parents to use force in reprimanding their children was completely removed from the Penal Code.

The intent of this change was to provide children with the same protection from assault that adults receive and to clarify the grounds for criminal prosecution of parents who abused their children.

Parents’ rights to use corporal punishment had still not been eliminated completely. In 1979, the proposal of a total ban on corporal punishment was put to a vote in Parliament following a range of successful longitudinal studies and evaluations.

There was virtually no opposition; the proposal was supported by all parties and the final vote was 259 in favour and 6 against (Sverne, 1994).

The approach to this achievement was multifaceted and complex.

The people of Sweden, the

majority, were willing to experiment on this rather radical and intrusive development. The purpose of the ‘change in the law’ was to make it clear to Swedish citizens that hitting children is not permitted. It was also intended to educate parents about the importance of giving their children good care.

It removed what could be construed as a silent sanction of corporal punishment and is the culmination of an evolutionary process that saw Swedish society increasingly reject corporal punishment as a means of educating children and increasingly recognize the rights of children as individuals. It was the educational component of the law that was seen as most important, rather than the potential for legal penalties.

Here are a few quotes that will trigger a rethink in those who I would refer to as the stubborn. “The greatest

terror a child can have is that he is not loved, and rejection is the hell he fears” (John Steinbeck). “There never was a time when a major social problem was solved by beating a child. And there never will be such a time” (Dr. C. Everett Koop).

“If we are ever to turn toward a kindlier society and a safer world, a revulsion against the physical punishment of children would be a good place to start.” (Dr. Benjamin Spock). “When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?” (Eleanor Roosevelt).

“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children” (Mahatma Gandhi). “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children” (Nelson Mandela).

Brendon Mounter

Denying the people of Plaisance...

From page 5 (Atlantic Ocean) to south.

(Lama Canal). Far north are dwelling houses, common lands for recreation and sports, for some places of worship and some schools, and cemeteries. In some villages lots are held in reserve for the purposes of the community.

Where the dwelling houses end, the owners’ farm beds begin, running in succession southward. There would be “cross dams “ separating one type of land

use from another or one form of title from another.

South of the owners’ private beds, there there is more agricultural land. These began as “grants” under Crown Lands regulations to those who had occupied the “first depth” beneficially.

Each title was in the form of an Absolute Grant handing over an “empolder” or “Polder or Pola .

In the villages the grant was vested in the Village Council. The last Pola extended to the dam on the

Late payment DEAR EDITOR, It is very sad to know that the Administrators of Region One once again will fail to pay public servants on time.

Even though the official pay-day for all government workers has passed, we are made to understand that teachers would not be paid until Thursday or Friday this week.

Our colleagues in the coastal regions would be getting their salaries today.

Unfortunately the same cannot be said of the teachers in Region One. I have noticed since I’ve starting working in this region that every month workers get their salary at least two days later than the official payday. In some instances we are even paid later than those two days.

It seems that the person who is responsible for going to Georgetown is not very competent. It is known that whenever the official goes to

Georgetown on official business, he tends to use that time to look after personal affairs whilst the other public servants have to wait until that individual returns for us to get our salary.

They must understand that our salary is too small and we are dependent upon timely payment of our salary to pay the debts that we might incur when our money is finished two weeks after we receive our salary.

I am very much frustrated about this issue that continue to plague workers, especially teachers of the region.

We need to have our money on time every month.

It is a simple thing to ask for and I think that we are within our rights to demand timely payment since we work very hard to educate the people of this country. Yet again we are faced with an uncaring government.

Andrew Campbell

right bank of the Lama Canal or Conservancy or Service Canal on the East Coast of Demerara. On the West Coast it would be the Boerasirie.

The Empolders are the common property of the villagers. Some are held as pastures. If the Plaisance land in dispute is part of the village resources as described, Guysuco will not have the right to occupy.

If Guysuco has dreamed that it has rights and is not in occupation it seems that it has used the police through the government which is not neutral in Guysuco matters.

Few people now, including this writer, expect impartial advice to the government in Guysuco matters seeing that they have been joined in blundering for years.

It seems that a chosen few with bags of money can walk into Guyana, not as equals, but with privileges and buy anything they want.

Guyanese cannot expect such privileges in foreign countries.

The people know those who are high and above the law, and are called oligarchs.

Plaisance residents are neighbours of Pradoville One and they have seen Pradoville Two rise like jumbie umbrellas.

Eyewitnesses have seen the meanest of it; part of the cemetery seized, graves violated and plots seized by business enterprises. Wilson Harris put a certain question to a character in an early forgotten poem “O man going home .”

Within the last two years

there was a similar cry from villagers of Sheet Anchor, Berbice, where transports going back to the 1890s were ignored. In Plaisance transports go back the 1840s.

A formal official statement from the authorities, naming persons, areas and prices nd has not bee made although the law requires it.

Land transactions have always been very public and any concealment or vagueness is ground for concern and investigation.

The growing habit of secret land deals and hiving off resources in secret should have no place with a decent government It is a long time since we heard government leaders complain that the rich are getting richer. That concern seems to be out of fashion. Still there must be an open social policy regarding use.

The old villages made a major leap into the future but money limited their land holdin g s . T h e y w e r e hemmed in without room for expansion Now if there is a vacant space without houses villagers who in previous times allowed their land to be used for national not village purposes (magistrate’s court, police station, transmitter) deserve grateful consideration in their time of need The plantations and their government must withdraw from the people’s land, must end their old habit of land grabbing, and abuse of neighbouring villagers.

Eusi Kwyana

(From page 28)

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Exercise equipment: Treadmill, cardio, bicycle, infant bed, swing & high chair – Call:600-1329 One farm for sale – Call: 2653586 2 German shepherd, puppies, eight weeks, fully vaccinated, mother black & father white Contact: 626-0953 Complete Snapper Boats for sale – Excellent Condition – Contact: 648-6815; 641-4506 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 One PS2 with games & control, one Nintendo DSi with games & control $20,000 each –Call: 655-2318 Stalls at Robb Street & Bourda – Contact: 695-1359 between 9am -11am PICK YOUR PIG! CHOOSE YOUR SIZEAND WE WILL HAVE IT READY! CALL: 266-2711 OR 609-4594 400lb 5 inch Catguts seine for sale – Contact: 220-7655; 6959860; 698-8998 Two AT192 for sale – Call Shawn Bishop on: 699-9381 or 691-9835 Radio System (interior) projector, salon equipment – Call: 600-0036; 223-1719 PROPERTY FOR SALE EAST COAST DEMERARA: L.B.I – EARL’S COURT; TWO STORIED CONCRETE, LAND 60FTX110FT – CALL: 6183635 MARBOLLERS@ HOTMAIL.COM

PROPERTY FOR SALE Six acres prime roadside land and metal workshop in Corriverton, can be sold with or without workshop.

Call: 626-6245 Two storey; 2-3 bedrooms apartment at Tuschen H/ Scheme East Bank Essequibo Contact: 650-2982 One unfinished house in West Minister - $4.5M- Call: 661-0618, 601-3469 (size: 20X47) One house & land in hope low land, E.C.D, one house & land in Bloomfield Berbice Call: 689-5254; 256-0504 Lot 251 Thomas Street South C/Burg, size 102’X40’, price -$85M neg.

Contact Mervin on: 6472509; 231-6111; 227-3136 2 STORIED 3 BEDROOMS CONCRETE & WOODEN PROPERTY ON LARGE LAND 300FTX40FT, IN BERBICE, NEAR CANJE BRIDGE. CALL MAX: 6098132, 672-8569 One bedroom house between 3rd & 4th Ave. Diamond – Call: 645-6498 2-Storey concrete house, virtual 2 units, 55 section ‘B’ Non Pariel, E.C.D Quick Sale – Call: 651-8901 W.B.D – CANAL NO 1: TOW STORIED CONCRETE, LAND 36FTX900FT - $11M NEG. CALL:618-3635/ MARBOLLERS@ HOTMAIL.COM W.C.D – VREED-EN-HOOP (PUBLIC ROAD) TWO BUILDINGS, LAND 6 0 F T X 4 3 2 F T ; TRANSPORTED - $75M NEG. CALL: 618-3635 OR MARBOLLERS@ HOTMAIL.COM

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

OP warns public against upcoming Civil Society Summit - says organiser is of “shady character”

Dr. Phillip M. Thomas (fourth from left) with former U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt (centre), and other members of the GNCPP. The Office of the President (OP) has advised the public against an upcoming event said to target and mobilize civil society.

The event which will be hosted by Guyana-born USbased attorney and accountant, Dr. Phillip Mozart Thomas, is aimed at making civil society more forceful in

the country’s political/social system. OP has advised the public however, to stay away from this event, stating that Dr. Thomas is of “shady character”.

In a public missive, the government said it understands that the Organisation calling itself the Guyana National Civil Society

Council (GNCPP) will be sponsoring a “so-called Guyana National Civil Society Summit” at the Guyana International Conference Centre from December 17 to 19, 2014.

The Office of the President said it is unaware of the existence and of the locus standing of the organization in Guyana.

“Mr. Phillip Mozart Thomas, the organiser behind the activity, has been found to be of a shady character.”

The government said that “many of the persons and organisations whose names have appeared either as speakers, and to whom invitations were sent, are unaware of the reason why their names were published giving the impression that they are supportive of the December, 17-19, 2014 event, when this is not the case.

“Further, it has been brought to the attention of the Office of the President that qualifications Mr. Thomas purports to possess are highly suspicious. Research has revealed that the institutions where Mr. Thomas purported to have received his qualifications are unknown institutions, and lack well established bona

fides.”

The government also claimed that Mr. Thomas is known to have leanings in favour of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

“He was one of the aspirants who had publicly declared an interest in replacing Mr. Robert Corbin as Leader of the PNC. As we all know, Mr. David Granger managed to distance all the ‘wannabees’, including Mr. Thomas,” the release stated.

“Mr. Thomas is known to have questionable international connections from whom funding is being given for the purpose of this specific event at the Guyana

International Conference Centre. “Based on the above, the public is urged to disassociate itself from this farcical event and not to participate,” the OP statement concluded.

The Guyana National Civil Society Summit Organizing Committee sent out several invitations for the upcoming civil society summit.

Invitations were extended to President Donald Ramotar, ministers, Members of Parliament and several other prominent personages.

Other citizens were also invited to sit –in at the summit which the GNCPP said will involve over 400 Guyanese National and International Civil Societies and Non-

Governmental Organisations; “convening to implement a paradigm shift and transition into a new dispensation of a Culture of Peace, Lawfulness and Happiness.”

Dr. Thomas had explained in previous press briefings that emerging from the upcoming summit, will be the Guyana Civil Society Council (GNCSC) which will be mandated to speak with one voice in representing the collective interest of Guyana Civil Society, in accordance with Article 13 of the Constitution.

Prior to this upcoming event Dr. Thomas had met with several organizations, including the diplomatic community.

Civil society joins call for...

From page 14 administration, saying that even the Bar Association of Guyana has called for Nandlall’s resignation.

He further commented that it is an embarrassment to the country that the government would continue to support a public official, who was “in breach of his civic duty to the citizens of Guyana”. This was said in reference to the AG’s withholding of knowledge that threatened the lives of citizens.

Dr. Hinds, who has over 35 years of political activism under his belt, stressed that the AG’s remarks to a Kaieteur News senior reporter were “undignified and should not be tolerated coming from a public official”.

“I am of the view that your private political views should be in consort with your public views as someone who is in public office,” said Dr. Hinds.

He stated that he was disturbed by Nandlall’s proclamation of his racial superiority and that the AG spoke as if the country is owned by the Government rather than the people.

He explained that the two views are dangerous for any government to support, as

they can lead to an authoritative state.

“Picketing doesn’t remove a government, but it calls attention to the significance of the preserving of every citizen’s constitutional right to speak out against authoritative governments,” said Hind.

On Monday, Crum-Ewing took his demonstration to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

He cited the fact that it has been more than six weeks since the file on allegations made by the Publisher of the Kaieteur News, was forwarded by the police to the DPP for advice. The matter remains stalled at the Chambers.

Hinds opined that the stall was due to collusion between the AG’s Office and the Office of the DPP. He is of the belief that the offices of many public services have become politicized causing a further breach in the duties of many of Guyana’s public offices.

“The fact that the DPP has not pronounced on the matter should alert the country,” said the political activist “We have been through this before! We have to keep this thing in the limelight.”

In speaking to the media,

Kaieteur News’ publisher Glenn Lall, stated that he was part of the protest because he is “still looking for justice.”

Lall emphasised that he wants to see the same justice served to him by the DPP and police, served to the AG. “There wasn’t even a recording against me, just allegations,” said Lall, “and this speaks volumes of where our country is heading.”

Supporting protestors voiced their support of CrumEwing’s demonstrations, with one mother of four stating that the way the country is heading “is not right”.

Others said that they felt it was necessary to come out and join their fellow citizen, Crum-Ewing, in exercising their constitutional right “when things are going wrong in our country.”

Crum-Ewing, related to the media that he was overwhelmed by the support he received by citizens and shows that people no longer want to see the hijacking of their public offices. He intends on continuing his demonstrations in front of the AG’s office and is calling on continued support from other citizens.

“This struggle will continue,” Crum-Ewing stated.

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Markets reopen today as increase approved for workers

Police find gun, drugs in McDoom house

Stallholders who lost profits after the main municipal markets were closed for two days can now breathe easy. Bourda and Stabroek Markets are to be reopened today as the problems which had led to its closure have for the most part been mitigated.

The Government Information Agency last night reported that steps were taken to resolve the matter at an Extra-Ordinary meeting held yesterday between officials of the Mayor and City Council and the Ministry of Labour. According to the report, a decision was taken to approve the five percent increase for striking workers, whose action had caused the shutdown.

The release noted that early in the week, the Guyana

Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU) withdrew the services of its members, because the Mayor and Councillors of Georgetown had refused to accept the recommendations of the council’s finance personnel and training committees, with respect to improved benefits and working conditions for the union’s workers. This was under a collective bargaining agreement that the union had accepted. Efforts by the Town Clerk Carol Sooba to address the issue saw an attempt being made to the council to at least approve the City Council workers’ benefits.

Five councilors signed on to the agreement, but several others, including the Deputy Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green refused. Prior to the meeting yesterday, Minister of Labour,

Dr. Nanda Gopaul and Local Government Minister, Norman Whittaker met with vendors of the Stabroek and the Bourda Markets and also with the Town Clerk, and sought to bring resolution to the matter. The Chief Labour Officer also engaged the Union and the Council on the issue. Kaieteur News understands that the Clerk of Markets facilitated a number of the vendors, who had perishables, and they were able to access their produce.

Before a definitive answer was given to them, approximately 30 stall holders gathered outside the Office of the President yesterday to demonstrate their dissatisfaction at being held hostage by two entities that seemed unable to iron out their differences.

Taliban go on killing spree at Pakistan school, 132 students dead (Reuters) - At least 132 students and nine staff members were killed on Tuesday when Taliban gunmen broke into a school in the Pakistani city of Peshawar and opened fire, witnesses said, in the bloodiest massacre the country has seen for years.

More than eight hours after militants slipped into the heavily guarded compound through a back entrance, the army declared the operation to flush them out over, and said that all nine insurgents had been killed.

The attack on a militaryrun high school attended by more than 1,100 people, many of them children of army personnel, struck at the heart of Pakistan’s military establishment, an assault

certain to enrage the country’s powerful army.

Wounded children taken to nearby hospitals told Reuters most victims died when gunmen, suicide vests strapped to th e ir bodies, entered the compound and opened fire indiscriminately on boys, girls and their teachers.

“One of my teachers was crying, she was shot

in the hand and she was crying in pain,” said Shahrukh Khan, 15, who was shot in both legs but survived by hiding under a bench.

“One terrorist then walked up to her and started shooting her until she stopped making any sound. All around me my friends were lying injured and dead.”

The intensified enforcement efforts of the police for the Christmas season, continue to bear fruit with the arrest of four men in whose possession yesterday was an unlicensed 9mm pistol with eight matching rounds of ammunition.

Police said in a statement that the weapon and ammunition were found during a cordon and search operation. A search was conducted on a house at Middle Street, Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara, during which the police also found 36 grams of marijuana.

None of the men claimed individual

The weapon with ammunition ownership of the weapon or the herbs and the police

had no other alternative but to arrest all of them.

Iran says nuclear talks with U.S. proceed in good atmosphere (Reuters) - Iran said on Monday bilateral nuclear talks with the United states were proceeding in a good atmosphere despite lingering gaps over key issues such as Tehran’s uranium enrichment capacity and how fast economic sanctions should be lifted.

U.S. and Iranian diplomats began a two-day meeting in Geneva on Monday to pave the way for resuming broader negotiations involving Iran and six world powers there on Wednesday.

They are aimed at resolving a 12-year standoff over Iran’s disputed

nuclear aspirations that has wrought heavy economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic and fears of a new Middle East war unless the dispute can be settled diplomatically soon.

Iran, the United States, France, Germany, Britain, China and Russia failed to strike a long-term deal by a self-imposed Nov. 24 deadline.

So they extended the talks for seven more months to address what they call complex technical details.

Monday’s session, the first to take place in the overtime period, “lasted more than six hours and proceeded

in a good ambience,” said Iranian chief negotiator and deputy foreign minister Abbas Araghchi.

“There were elaborate discussions on all topics, especially sanctions.

At present, issues have boiled down to very minor, fine details. Solutions exist in some cases, in others there is need for more effort and discussions,” he said on Iranian state television.

“We are not in a position yet to judge the final outcome, but I can say the atmosphere of these sessions is good, although there is yet some distance to a solution.

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Wednesday December 17, 2014

Bahamas minister calls for economic links with Cuba NASSAU, Bahamas — As Cuba’s economic liberalization slowly but surely progresses, The Bahamas must act quickly to establish linkages between the Cuban and Bahamian economies, according to Minister of State for Investments Khaalis Rolle.

Speaking with Guardian Business after last week’s Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-Cuba summit in Havana, Rolle said that such linkages are crucial as Cuba positions itself as a direct competitor to The Bahamas through the adoption of more foreign investor-friendly policies.

“Make no mistake about it, Cuba will be a competitor of The Bahamas and we have to look at our strategic

advantages, look at our comparative advantages, and also look at establishing some competitive advantages,” he said.

Rolle cited Cuba’s recent overhauls to its foreign investment laws as a signal for increased cooperation between the two countries.

Cuba approved a foreign investment law in March with a host of incentives aimed at drawing in more foreign investment, including slashed profit taxes, bolstered legal protection measures and increased opportunities for joint ventures with the state and Cuban companies.

“Previously the state handled all investments, and this shows a shift in both their political and economic policy, where they are now inviting

foreign direct investors,” said Rolle.

Rolle stated that tourism was a key linkage between the two countries, but conceded that Cuba had a clear advantage over The Bahamas in terms of the cost of labour. The minister anticipated a glut of potential investors in the centrally planned economy once Cuba’s government further relaxed its influence over foreign investments.

“We want to understand what those dynamics are and prepare for it. We have to look at everything that spans the gamut of investment and determine how we can cooperate with Cuba to ensure that our economy isn’t impacted significantly,” he said.

Antigua & Barbuda stages modest recovery – IMF report WASHINGTON – CMC The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says a modest recovery is underway in Antigua and Barbuda but macroeconomic indicators are still weak and important vulnerabilities remain. The Washingtonbased financial institution said that economic activity in the first half of 2014 showed continuing signs of recovery

following real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 1.8 per cent in 2013. It said tourism has performed strongly, with stay-over arrivals up 7.7 per cent during the first half of the year.

“The winter tourist season was the most successful since 2009.

Nevertheless, tourist arrivals are still over five per cent below pre-global crisis (2008) levels while real GDP is 14 per

cent lower.”

The IMF said that commercial bank credit to the private sector was down by 4.4 per cent in June 2014 compared with a year ago, as banks continue to deal with high levels of non-performing loans.

Inflation remains subdued, reflecting sluggish aggregate demand and the absence of international commodity price pressures.

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Paulwell to discuss gas price reduction with marketing companies, retailers KINGSTON, Jamaica — Energy minister, Phillip Paulwell has scheduled a meeting with petroleum marketing companies for later this week as Government seeks to ha v e c u r r e n t reduction in fuel prices passed on to consumers.

“I have summoned the marketing companies for a meeting today and afterwards, we are going to be meeting with the retailers because it cannot be right, it cannot be fair that when the prices move up, everybody moves, and when the price falls we are not getting a similar reduction on the price,”

Paulwell said.

The minister noted that there has been “significant price reduction” for all petroleum products, amounting to 25.6 per cent, but that “there is uneven pass on of the reduction to the consumers”.

“The report is that the price has fallen by an average of 14 to 15 per cent. I want to know what has happened to the other 10 per cent?” he said.

Paulwell argued that with the reduction in the price of gasoline “food p r o d u c t s that usually increase when gas prices rise,

must now see some reduction.

I want to see the price of those items coming back down.”

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart last week launched his third Caribbean call centre – after Jamaica and St Lucia – in this Grenadian capital, promising technological sophistication and high-quality customer

service.

Stewart also announced that his Sandals Resorts International (SRI) would be building an 8,000 square-foot conference centre that would serve the entire island, noting that both

the call centre – or Sales and Marketing Centre – and the conference centre would bring additional employment to Grenada, following the opening last year of the Sandals LaSource Grenada hotel.

Phillip Paulwell

Butch opens Grenada call centre

Page 33

Cambodia village reports mass HIV/AIDS infection Cambodian health authorities on Tuesday said more than 80 people — including children and the elderly — who tested positive for HIV/AIDS in a single remote village may have been infected by contaminated needles Hundreds of panicked residents of the village in Battambang province in the c o u n t r y ’s w e s t h a v e flocked to a health centre for testing since news of the mass infection emerged last week, with a total of 82 having been confirmed as being infected.

“Of 556 people tested, 72 of them came back positive for HIV/AIDS,” Teng Kunthy, Secretary General of the National AIDS Authority, told AFP, adding that 14 of the people infected were children.

“This is a higher rate than usual... It may be caused by the use of the same tools such as needles,” he said.

“This is our preliminary conclusion... we are working to collect more evidence.”

Cambodian doctor (L) offers anti retro viral drugs to a woman living with HIV at the Khmer-Soviet Friendship hospital in Phnom Penh A further 10 people were found to be infected with the virus on Tuesday when more villagers arrived at the health centre, also in Battambang province, Hei Sik, a local HIV/AIDS program director, told AFP by telephone.

“According to villagers, they suspected the infection may have been caused by injections from private local medics,” he said.

“This is a surprisingly high rate, the highest that I have ever seen. Some of them are women aged in their 70s and 80s,” Hei Sik added.

Cambodia has been widely hailed for its efforts in tackling HIV/AIDS. The National AIDS Authority says the rate of HIV infection among people aged 15 to 49 has declined from 0.6 percent in 2013 to 0.4 percent in 2014.

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Wednesday December 17, 2014

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 35

Real Madrid cruise into final

UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid proved too strong for CONCACAF Champions League holders Cruz Azul when they defeated the Mexican side 4-0 in their FIFA Club World Cup semi-final.

Real Madrid made it 21 consecutive wins in competitive matches as they triumphed comfortably in what was their first ever official meeting with Cruz Azul. First-half goals from Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema gave Madrid the commanding lead.

Goalkeeper Iker Casillas saved Cruz Azul captain Gerardo Torrado’s penalty before the break to thwart any potential comeback from the Mexican side.

Gareth Bale and Isco then ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be heading to Saturday’s

final with goals in the second half. Real will now face the winner of San Lorenzo and Auckland City in the showpiece event on Saturday, while Cruz Azul will play the loser in the match for third place.

In front of a festive crowd at Le Grand Stade de Marrakech, Madrid started out on the front foot when Dani Carvajal crossed from the right wing to find Karim Benzema on the far post.

Benzema then cushioned a header towards the six-yard box where Ronaldo was waiting to pounce, only for Cruz Azul goalkeeper Jose Corona to make a crucial reflex save.

The Liga MX side responded with a chance of their own five minutes later when Joao Rojas dribbled past Marcelo

on the right wing only for Casillas to make a clearance. Benzema responded with a chance of his own in the 11th minute only to see his shot hit the side netting.

Benzema and Co did not have to wait long for the opener when Toni Kroos’ free-kick from the right wing evaded Corona and found the head of Sergio Ramos, bringing back memories of the defender’s goal in the UEFA Champions League final last summer.

Rojas continued to cause Marcelo problems and the winger almost equalised when his left-footed shot was blocked by goalscorer Ramos with a sliding tackle. But just when Cruz Azul’s belief began to show, Madrid got on

Wednesday December 17, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Express yourself to the fullest today, Aries. Feel free to take an unconventional approach when it comes to dealing with your emotions.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today is a terrific day for you, Libra, in which action spells reward. You can't go wrong by expressing your needs and how they fit with the collective agenda.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) It may be hard to deal with the opposing energies today, Taurus. Conflicting viewpoints and twisted perspectives clash within your world.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Egos may rage out of control today, leaving you to wonder what all the fuss is about. Give other people their space, Scorpio.

If the conversation gets too boring, just smile and nod.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Gemini, this may prove a challenging day for you.

You're used to being the sovereign surrounded by courtiers currying your favor.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today is a powerful day for you, Sagittarius. Your emotions may be stubborn, but realize the very thing you resist is the very thing you need the most.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Take care of yourself and your needs, Cancer. There's an advantage to making sure your emotions are cared for and stable before you try to heal others. Your feelings are powerful and erratic today.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Take the unconventional approach today, Leo. You're able to gain a great deal and establish a whole new perspective just by opening your lens wider in order to include what you normally shrug off.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today is a day of opposites for you. You may jump from one thing to another, Virgo. Somehow nothing seems to sit right with you, and so your search intensifies.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Today could be an unusual one for you emotionally, Capricorn. Your usual easygoing, adaptable nature could be ruffled by people who try to take over projects that you are perfectly qualified to do.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Try not to be too arrogant today, Aquarius, even when you're utterly sure you're right about the given situation. More than likely, you have the correct answers, but it isn't necessary to be strident about it.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) People may have an extra spark in their actions and an extra bite in their words today. You will find that you may be better off just walking away from any situation that doesn't feel right.

the scoresheet once again.

Carvajal was able to get free on the right wing and finish off a long solo run with a chipped cross that found the onrushing Benzema who volleyed into the net from five metres out to give Madrid the 2-0 lead.

Real Madrid looked to be running away with the tie until Ramos fouled Hugo Pavone inside the penalty box.

Captain Torrado then stepped up to take the spot kick, but shot was saved by Casillas to dash any hopes of a Cruz Azul comeback.

Madrid then used the momentum provided by Casillas’ save to score their third unanswered goal on the night. Ronaldo was able to look up and find Bale after a swift run on the left wing. The Welshman was left unmarked and found the net with his header, giving Los Blancos the 3-0 lead.

Cruz Azul had their chances after Bale’s dagger, but it was Isco’s goal after an effective counter-attack led

by Ronaldo that completely dashed any hopes for the Mexicans. (FIFA)

Sergio Ramos celebrates after scoring

From page 39 view to using international umpires and match referees and extending the match playing time to midnight, if necessary.

Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, Franchise Owner of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, commented after the matter was brought to a closure: “The game of Cricket should always be the winner and the Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise, remains steadfast in our commitment to make every contribution we can to bring enjoyment to the thousands of fans who support not only us but West Indies Cricket on the whole.

We are of the firm view that the CPL can rejuvenate the passion and pride of all cricket lovers throughout the Caribbean and also all our supporters who reside abroad.”

Mr. Damien O’ Donohoe, CEO of the CPL, said; “We are pleased that the two parties have reached an amicable conclusion and that the matter is closed. CPL 2014 set new standards on and off the field and sealed our reputation as the “biggest party in sport”. We are now in high gear planning for CPL

2015 which is set to electrify the region once again. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the fans and look forward to seeing them come out in their droves

for another summer of fantastic carnival cricket. We would also like to thank the Guyana Franchise and the team for their continued support in building CPL.”

CPL to implement new...

Camptown...

From page 43 Alpha United FC is sitting pretty with 6 points and a positive goal difference of +32 while their nearest rival, the GPF, has accrued a similar amount of points but with a goal difference of positive five.

The tournament has now reached the elimination stage and the action is expected to intensify as the respective teams look to advance. The action continues this evening at the same venue when Pele tackles Black Pearl while the Guyana Defence Force and Flamingo clash in the feature game.

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Sri Lanka v England: Hosts win by 87 runs to seal 5-2 series victory Tillakaratne Dilshan hit 101 and took 3-37 to condemn England to a crushing 87-run defeat and seal a 5-2 series win for Sri Lanka. Aged 38, the oldest player on the field marked his 300th one-day international with his 18th century to help the hosts to 302-6 in the final match in Colombo.

Dinesh Chandimal struck 55 not out and Thisara Perera flayed 54 off 26 balls.

Although Joe Root made 80 despite an ankle injury, England were bowled out for 215 with 4.1 overs unused.

The tourists never threatened to overhaul an imposing target, allowing Sri Lanka legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara to savour a comfortable victory in their final ODI on home soil. Defeat was England’s 11th in their last 15 completed ODIs, and leaves them palpably short of form and confidence with a maximum of five competitive matches - a triangular series against hosts Australia and India - before the World Cup starts in February. The squad for the tri-series will be named on Saturday, but England’s performances in Sri Lanka have done little to make the selectors’ task easier.

Only twice in seven attempts did they pass 250, they were bowled out five times, they never fielded the same team two games in a row, and questions continue to be asked of captain Alastair Cook’s place in the side.

“I would feel very wrong to walk away from it,” Cook told Sky Sports. “If it’s taken away from me, I’ll feel very disappointed, but I certainly won’t be giving it up.” Cook was dropped twice on Tuesday before he fell for 32, the third wicket in a top-order collapse to 78-5 from which

Tillakaratne Dilshan struck nine fours and a six in his 18th ODI century © Getty Images.

England never recovered.

Moeen Ali was bowled first ball by off-spinner Dilshan, who had Alex Hales comfortably taken at long-on for seven.

After Cook edged Suranga Lakmal to slip, James Taylor gloved the seamer down the leg side and Eoin Morgan was lbw sweeping Dilshan. Root, who turned his ankle while fielding, overcame obvious discomfort to take his tally for the series to 367 runs at an average of 73. Moeen was the only other batsman to score more than 185. Root received fleeting assistance from Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes, who made 23 and 34 respectively, but the last four wickets tumbled for only 23 runs as England’s tour ended on a sorry note.

Fittingly, Jayawardene and Sangakkara - the two greatest

batsmen in Sri Lanka’s history with a combined 824 ODI caps completed the rout when they combined to stump Tredwell.

Root aside, no England batsman showed the application demonstrated by Dilshan after Sri Lanka chose to bat first on a pitch of little pace.

He struck nine fours and a straight six off 124 balls, and was largely content to play the supporting role in halfcentury stands with Jayawardene, Sangakkara and Chandimal. Dilshan’s departure in the 44th over he swung a Chris Jordan full toss to deep mid-wicket heralded the arrival of Perera, whose meaty half-century was central to Sri Lanka adding 93 in the last 10 overs.

(BBCsport)

Rory McIlroy wins European Tour Player of Year award Rory McIlroy has added to his trophy collection for 2014 by picking up the European Tour Golfer of the Year award. The world number one from Northern Ireland, 25, won the BMW PGA Championship before back-toback majors success at the Open and US PGA. McIlroy also won the WGCBridgestone Invitational as he topped the Race to Dubai standings and helped Europe to a Ryder Cup victory at Gleneagles. “Hopefully I can have more years like this and win the award again,” he said.

McIlroy, who also won the award in 2012, added: “To be named the European Tour’s Golfer of the Year for a second

time is a huge honour and one I am extremely proud of.

“If I had won any one of those four titles it would have been a good year, but to win all four, to win The Race to Dubai, and to be part of another fantastic European victory in the Ryder Cup, means it is a great one.

“This award is a very nice way to round off the year. The European Tour has always been good to me, so it is always special to be recognised in this way.”

McIlroy led the way in earnings on the US PGA Tour, becoming the first player to top the money lists on both side of the Atlantic in the same season on two occasions. Having been

named Golfer of the Month in May, July and August, he was unanimously voted the top player for 2014 and he becomes the youngest multiple winner of the coveted award.

McIlroy won the Race to Dubai crown by a dominant 2,168,410 points from Henrik Stenson, the 2013 Golfer of the Year. Nine-times major winner Gary Player praised the achievements of McIlroy, who was runner-up in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on Sunday.

The South Africa tweeted: “Congratulations on your phenomenal year and our player and personality of 2014. Now for the Grand Slam.” (BBCsport)

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Henry confirms retirement Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from football and will return to London to take up a role in the media. The 37-year-old former Arsenal striker left the New York Red Bulls at the start of the month after they were knocked out of the MLS play-offs, but there was speculation he might choose to play on at another club with a return to the Gunners mooted.

However, the former France international and FIFA World Cup™-winner has instead called time on a trophy-laden career which included spells with Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona and the Red Bulls.

In a statement released to Press Association Sport, Henry said: “After 20 years in the game I have decided to retire from professional football. It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, team mates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French National Team that have made my time in the game so special.

“It is now time for a different career path and I am pleased to say that I will be returning to London and joining Sky Sports. I will hopefully share some of the insights, observations and experiences I have learnt over the years with you guys.

“I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience. I hope you have

Thierry Henry

enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part.

See you on the other side...”

GOAL-LADEN CAREER Henry will always be most closely assoc i a t e d w i t h Arsenal, where he is the alltime goalscorer with 228 goals in 377 games across two different spells.

Arsene Wenger, who had known him as a young player at Monaco, signed him from Juventus for £11million in 1999, and immediately shifted him from the wing to a central striking position.

His blend of pace and power made him one of the most feared forwards in English football, and Henry won the Premier League title twice with the Gunners, as well as the FA Cup three times.

Henry left Arsenal in 2007 and joined Barcelona, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2009. He also

added two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup to his honours list in three seasons at the Nou Camp.

His medal collection also includes a Ligue 1 title and Trophee des Champions with Monaco, his first professional club. He spent the final five years of his playing career with the Red Bulls, returning to Arsenal to make four appearances on loan in early 2012.With France, Henry scored 51 goals in 123 appearances only Lilian Thuram has more caps with Les Bleus.

He was a member of the 1998 World Cup winning squad, while also being a runner up in 2006. Henry was a European champion in 2000 and was part of the team t h a t w o n t h e F I FA Confederations Cup in 2003. (FIFA)

Pacquiao says money no object in Mayweather showdown Reuters Manny Pacquiao took up Floyd Mayweather Jr’s shout-out that the boxers finally book a long-awaited clash on May 2, the Filipino insisting money was no object and that they owed it to the sport to fight each other.

Mayweather, in remarks to Showtime TV last Friday, said Pacquiao was not worthy of a 50-50 split in his proposed showdown, which would likely become the highest grossing payper-view bout in history if the match were made.

Eight-division world champion Pacquiao appeared ready to accommodate the undefeated American.

“Mayweather can get the amount he wants. As early as January this year, I challenged him to a

charity fight. Until now, he has not agreed to it. So, money is not the issue in our fight,” Pacquiao said on his official website.

“This fight is about l e g a c y, t h i s i s a b o u t making the fans happy and, above all, this is for the good of boxing.”

The two champions, b o x i n g ’s t o p d r a w i n g cards, have danced around a possible clash for roughly five years, with disputes over purses and drug-testing preventing a match being made. “We are ready.

Let’s make it happen.

May 2. Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao. Let’s do it,” the 37-year-old A merican, who fights at welterweight and lightmiddleweight, said.

As befits their familiar

verbal sparring, Pacquiao promised he would deliver an exciting fight despite the supreme defensive skills so often displayed by Mayweather (47-0).

“He has reached a dead end. He has nowhere to run but to fight me,” Pacquiao (57-5-2) said. “I will try my best to make this a thrilling and entertaining fight.

“But I doubt if he’s gonna engage me in a slugfest.

Yo u a l l k n o w h i s fighting style. Most of his previous fights, if not all, induced us to sleep.”

The 35-year-old Pacquiao dominated Chris Algieri in November to retain his WBO welterweight title in his last bout, while Mayweather won a unanimous decision over Marcos Maidana to retain his twin WBC titles in September.

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 37

Youth focus on the cards as CS&TC aims for 2016 Brazil Olympics Following a successful year where affiliates of the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club (CS&TC) competed in races all across the country, coordinato r of the governing entity, Jennifer Major, has disclosed that the future of the sport lies primarily in the area of youth d e velopment.

Consequently, she said that the club’s main focus will be placed in this direction as executives concentrate on fielding the best local talent for the possible participation in the 2016 Brazil Olympics.

Ms Major noted that 2014 had seen resurgence in the sport with an emergence of young talent.

She further stressed that involvement in the sport is the catalyst to the development and preservation of a healthy lifestyle of the youths and as such she has urged more youths to get involved.

“Participation in race walking can serve as a powerful unifying force and no one should desist from such activities,” added the coordinator. She

also pointed out that sports play a key role in the lives of individuals as well as the c o u n t r y ’s development and has been given support by the past and present administration.

“Even those who have come from poor homes and communities have been able to reach great heights because of equal opportunities enjoyed in sports,” she declared.

Ms Major also pointed out that through the stringent efforts of executives of the CS&TC there has been a resurgence of the sport and the emergence of talent.

C o n s e quently, a race walk coach is expected sometime next year to assist the local entity in a countrywide outreach programme aimed at honing the skills of current racewalkers while recruiting new talent.

She said that this is all a part of the preparations as her administrators endeavor to field a competent team of young people to the imminent 2016 Brazil Olympics.

Young racewalkers enjoy a photo op with coordinator of the CS&TC, Jennifer Major following the conclusion of a recent race.

FIFA Appeal Committee declares appeal lodged by Garcia inadmissible The FIFA Appeal Committee, chaired by Larry Mussenden, has concluded that the appeal lodged by the chairman of the investigatory chamber, Michael J. Garcia, against the statement of the chairman of the adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee, Hans-Joachim Eckert, is not admissible. The said statement about the report on the inquiry into the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™ Bidding Process does not constitute a decision [according to art. 30, art.

73 as well as art. 78-80 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE)], and as such is neither legally binding nor appealable.Further, the FIFA Appeal Committee reiterated that the FCE is designed to sanction individuals in cases in which the code has been violated. The said

Larry Mussenden statement is not addressed to one or several specific individual(s) and as such does not contain any sanctions in accordance with art. 30 of the FCE. The FIFA Appeal Committee also noted that the inquiry into the 2018/2022 World Cup™ Bidding Process by the

investigatory chamber does not constitute a final report (in accordance with art. 68 of the FCE). The report neither cites any rule violations of an accused person, nor does it contain any kind of recommendation to the adjudicatory chamber for sanctioning an accused person.

As long as the adjudicatory chamber does not receive a final report from the investigatory chamber pursuant to art. 68 of the FCE directed against an accused person, mentioning the possible rule violation and containing a recommendation for taking appropriate sanctions, there is no room and competence for the adjudicatory chamber to exercise the adjudicatory powers that the FCE provides it with. (FIFA)

St. George’s, Multi advance to semis...

From page 38 members were playing defense. Multi made several raids on Saints’ goal but Custodian Byran Phillips made some wonderful saves to save his team the embarrassment of a larger defeat.

Saints continued to kick the ball to nobody in particular, much to the amusement of a fair sized crowd. But the pressure eventually took its toll on a

tired looking Saints outfit when Tyrese Rowley collected an accurate pass from Matthew Harrison from the left flank and his shot rocketed into the side post and rebounded into the goal to make it 1-nill in 37th minute.

Saints, who had more of the possession, continued to ward off Multi’s bombardment on their goal as their entire team except Phillips, remained deep inside

their own half before a solo run by Harrison, who scored twice in his last game, resulted in the second goal, a minute before the final whistle was blown.

The competition continues today with the last two quarter-finals featuring Tutorial High against St Mary’s in the first match and Lodge Secondary matching skills with Queenstown Community High.

(Sean Devers)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

UG Wolves reap success at Annual Tobago Sevens - to use it as a boost for the New Year

By Rawle Welch In just four short years, the University of Guyana rugby team has made immense strides thanks to the expertise of Head Coach Laurence Adonis combined with the support of the institution’s administration.

Over the period, the team more familiarly referred to as the ‘Wolves’ have moved from a tame pack of aspiring players to a unit of hungry players eager to devour all before them. Over the weekend the team participated in the Annual Tobago Sevens Tournament in the Twin Island Republic and carted off the Calabash Cup, whilst finishing third overall in the Championship to take top honours among Caribbean teams.

The Academics after starting slowly on opening day rebounded on the final day to score some impressive victories to capture the Cup. Speaking with Adonis at the Campus shortly after the team returned yesterday morning, he told this newspaper that the year 2014 has seen them achieve most if the goals that they set out to accomplish at the start of the year.

“We achieved most of our goals that we set ourselves for 2014 we got to every final in all competitions that we competed winning two out of

five, while finishing runner-up on the other occasions,” Adonis reflected.

According to the former national junior team Head Coach, the team is moving in the right direction and he expects a number of the players to be knocking on the door for national selection.

“We are hoping to get some more players into the national team and we will continue to make noise and I’m hoping that the selection panel takes notice of our achievements and opens the door to include some more of our players.”

Adonis said he believes that the time has come for better facilities and improved funding to be provided to get Guyana on par with the rest of the world in the sport. He also mentioned the importance of teams getting the right amount of exposure to be able to compete with the other international teams.

Captain of the team Rondell McArthur, a player who came through the junior ranks was high in p r a i s e o f t h e t e a m ’s performance, adding that the victory was a sweet one, especially since it clearly emphasized the upward mobility that the team has made over the past three years.

“We’ve been

The victorious UG Wolves team that participated in the Annual Tobago Sevens Tournament poses with hardware won along with Registrar Vincent Alexander (4th right back row), Team Manager Lavern Fraser and Head Coach Laurence Adonis (5th right standing) on Campus yesterday. participating in this tournament for the past three years and the first year we finished 12th, but returned last year and ended 4th so to win it this year just shows how hard working and dedicated we’ve been through the period,” McArthur stated.

He revealed the mission was to go there and improve their standard of play and ranking and they managed to do just that.

Asked about the overall expectation of teams coming from Guyana,

especially in light of the national side’s historic year winning both the NACRA 15’s and 7’s titles, McArthur said Guyanese teams now have a reputation to uphold among Caribbean nations, adding that they are now seen as the symbol of regional representation against more established teams and countries.

He said they intend to use the victory as a boost heading into the New Year.

Meanwhile, Sports Coordinator of UG Lavern Fraser, who also acted as

BBCI onboard for KMTC Boxing Day meet Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) has received the backing of Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) for its Annual Boxing Day horse race meet which will be held at the club’s track, Bush Lot, Corentyne, Berbice.

Ye s t e r d a y at the e n t i t y ’s h e a d o ff i c e i n Main Street, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Omadat Samaroo presented the winning trophy and a cheque for $375,000 which will go towards the J1 and Lower race, to organiser of the event and President of the KMTC Cecil Kennard.

The winner of that race will receive $200,000, the runner up $100,000, third place $50,000 and fourth $25,000.

Speaking at the simple ceremony Kennard said that the meet will feature some of Guyana’s finest bred horses.

“It’s essential that we show appreciation to BBCI for supporting the event because no sporting activity can be successful without its

CEO of the BRBI Omadat Samaroo (left) presents the sponsorship cheque and trophy to Cecil Kennard. sponsors,” he added.

CEO, Samaroo said that the company is pleased to once again support the Club.

“This event creates immense attractions not only to Berbicians, but those fans that come from as far as Suriname. The proceeds will be used to maintain the track and other facilities there,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, organisers

have added a race for K Class animals and several changes were made to the original programme; the feature A3 and Lower race to A1 and Lower while the G1 race has now been replaced by the F1 race.

The feature event will run for a distance of six furlongs and carries a top prize of $1 million, while the second place finisher will pocket

$500,000, third and fourth will receive $250,000 and $125,000 in the order.

Other events billed for the day are the D3 with a top prize of $500,000; the G3 for a $300,000 winner’s purse over five furlongs and the J3 for which the champion will take home $150,000. The owner of the winning horse for the I1 and F1 races will collect $250,000 and $320,000 respectively. Registration closes on December 20, and no late entries will be accepted.

Kennard also indicated that systems are already in place for the event and indicated that a massive renovation to the tune of $1.2M is currently being undertaken at the facility.

Horses can be entered through Roopnarine Matadial on 325 3192, Ivan Dipnarine on 331 0316, Cecil Kennard on 623 7609, 225 4818 or 226 1399, Dennis DeRoop on 325 3301 or 609 9143 and Fazil Habibula on 657 7010.

(Zaheer Mohamed)

Manager asked to describe the team’s success said it was the perfect compensation for the institution, especially those who believed in the players and their abilities.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the team on their outstanding performance, informing that to get the team to the event the first year was a real challenge, but fortunately despite those challenges the Registrar understood and still saw it fit to add hi s support for them to go and compete and this has continued for the past

three years,” Fraser said.

T h e former national Netball and Basketball player who possesses a wealth of experience in Sport Administration expressed the opinion that being the top academic institution in the country they should be excelling in every aspect of sport so to have the support of the administration is a feature she would like to recognize.

Players and teams from some of the top rugby nations such as England, Australia, Canada, USA, Fiji, Ireland and the Czech Republic participated in the tournament.

WBCA, Goodwill T20 tourney

D’ Edward CC, Cotton Tree record victories D’ Edward Cricket Club and Cotton Tree Die Hard registered victories when the West Berbice Cricket Association (WBCA)/ Goodwill T20 tournament continued on Sunday last.

Hosts D’ Edward defeated Rainbow Generation by 31 runs.

In a match which was reduced to 10 overs due to rain, D’ Edward batted first and managed 84-3 off their allotted overs.

Lakeraj Sukra struck 41 and Eon Abel 19 not out.

The pair added 55 for second wicket after Kirk Griffith (2-12) provided his the visitors with an early wicket.

Rainbow Generation found the going tough and were restricted for 53-7 in

10 overs in reply with Keith Adridge scoring 17.

Devendra Lalsa grabbed 46 from two overs and Abel 2-8. At Cotton Tree, the home team overcame Bath by 83 runs.

Romain Boodram slammed 77 (9x4 5x6) and got support from Nick Ramsaroop 27 and Patel Jairam 17 as Cotton Tree Die Hard posted 163 before they were bowled out in 19.4 overs, batting first.

Vi n o o d Ramjattan claimed 2-16 and Vishal Ve j a y 2 - 2 3 . B a t h w e r e skittled for 80 in 15 overs in response. Dinesh Ramjattan scored 23 and Ve j a y 1 7 . O ff s p i n n e r Nashaud Gafoor bagged 612 from four overs and Abdool Subhan 2-6.

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Kaieteur News

Guyanese had good showing but Coulthard wins Barbados Race of Champions Bushy Park, Barbados – Last weekend, December 13 & 14, 2014, an eclectic mix of Legends of Motorsports with Champions in their respective divisions faced off at the newly renovated world class facility at Bushy Park, Barbados.

On Saturday, December 13, 2014, the Nations Cup, which is the team competition, featured many champions from many different genres of motorsports. The Nations Cup was eventually won by Team Nordic (Tom KRISTENSEN & Petter SOLBERG) after narrowly beating out Team Scotland (Susie WOLFF & David COULTHARD). The final came down to the final turn when David Coulthard had an unexpected off road excursion thus, giving away the team competition title. Tom Kristensen was ultra dominant winning the best of three races in the finals which sealed the victory.

Driver’s had to drive many different cars set out by ROC with very little seat time to get used to the respective cars.

The competition cars were evenly matched whereby any of the entered teams could win.

However, the disadvantages were experienced by drivers. Some had never driven a left-hand drive car before and some had little or no experience with a sequential (automatic) transmission.

In the separate ROC Caribbean, Guyana can be very proud of both Kristian Jeffrey and Mark Vieira as they both did very well by winning one out of 3 races each but, failed to move on to the finals. Kristian Jeffrey narrowly lost one of the races to Doug Gore by a slim margin which ultimately ended his day. Team Barbados fielded two quality drivers’ with Dane SKEETE & Rhett WATSON both winning 2 out of 3 races each as well as Team Jamaica with Doug GORE (3 wins in 3 starts) & Jeffrey PANTON (2 wins out of the 3 races).

These results moved them

Mark Vieira onto the next knockout rounds. But, Barbados was victorious by winning the ROC Caribbean Championship by winning the first two consecutive races in the finals.

Being the host country, Barbados automatically had their fastest driver, Dane Skeete from the ROC Caribbean group stage in the same car who qualified for The Race of Champions on Sunday. This allowed the fastest driver from either Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago or Guyana to move onto the Race of Champions to take on the legends of world motor sport. At the end of the fierce and grueling competition, Doug Gore was the lone representative because he had set the fastest time. The ROC competition cars mostly favoured drivers’ that are more familiar with automatic (sequential) instead of the purest H pattern (manual transmission). The Guyanese drivers’ are not offering any excuses because they enjoyed the competition because it was something that they had not been part of in their racing careers and they will surely use this experience to enhance their respective careers. Job well done! The

nation is proud!

The two day competition, Race of Champions ended with the Champion of Champions with a retired driver, David Coulthard beating Pascal Wehrlein, whom is the youngest driver to ever win a German DTM race in ‘2014. The best of three showdown saw David Coulthard, former Formula 1 driver winning the first two races from the young phenom thus, ending the competition and sealing the victory.

The best comment to summarize the Champion of Champions came from the 20 year old; he said “I couldn’t beat him – maybe because for me it’s a bit tough to drive a manual shift car with a clutch and everything. I’m used to driving with shift pedals and braking with my left foot so I was struggling a bit with that”. Both the (Ariel Atom, KTM X-Bow) are manual transmission cars. If the competition had gone onto a third and final deciding race then, it would’ve been a race car with a sequential transmission.

Racing fans need to take a step back and congratulate each competitor because the format(s) of Race of Champions are very different than each racing series that these drivers’ compete in, even though, it’s a gathering of worldwide champions against each other and one is victorious. The overall champion does not necessarily mean it’s the best driver in the world. Some drivers’ such as Jamie Whincup, Australia is unfamiliar with a lefthand drive car whereas, Guyana’s Kristian Jeffrey has had little or no experience with sequential (automatic) transmissions as he is the only top Caribbean driver that uses a manual transmission car and we are certain that other drivers’ can attest to something that caused them to open their eyes throughout the competition.

Nonetheless, the annual ROC competition was once again an awesome experience!

Page 39

Windies face World Number 1 Centurion, South Africa: CMC - A young West Indies side is embarking on a herculean task of upsetting the world’s best team, South Africa, as the first test begins here at SuperSport Park in Centurion today.

Denesh Ramdin’s outfit, languishing at number eight in the test rankings, is taking on the number one ranked South Africans in a David and Goliath clash, the first in a three-test series.

The West Indies, whose last win against South Africa was in the opening test in 2007/08 series, are playing the home side at a venue where they have won 14 of 19 tests.

“This would be a very challenging series for us”, conceded Ramdin. “South Africa has been doing something very good to be at the top of the rankings. It is important that we play consistent cricket throughout”.

The lowly ranked Caribbean side, above Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, in the ICC test rankings, is without opening batsman Chris Gayle, whose back injury returned when playing Twenty20 cricket in South Africa last month, and Darren Bravo, who opted out of the tour for personal reasons.

Veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Marlon Samuels, who was top run scorer on the last tour of South Africa and who hit a double-century in the warmup game, are expected to be key to the Windies scoring.

“Our batting has not been up to scratch in the past couple years,” admitted Ramdin. “So it’s important that myself, the Marlon

Samuels, the Chanderpaul and the senior guys put up our hands and the younger guys go along “.

South Africa are wary of a West Indian bowling lineup that includes left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder and coached by former pacer Curtly Ambrose.

Rookie pacer Cottrell is being tipped to be a surprise element for West Indies after recent spells in the WICB Professional Cricket League and an explosive five-wicket burst in last week’s three-day tour match.

“No one bowler can win a game for you, it takes a team.

As long we play together as a team, we will do well here,” said Ambrose.

“The most important thing is to maintain your focus. Even though the pitch is bouncy, you have to put the ball in the right areas consistently. You won’t see us doing anything out of the ordinary.”

The surface at Centurion is known to offer bounce and carry despite a significant amount of green grass being stripped from the pitch on Monday.

Atmospheric conditions will also favour fast bowlers and rain is forecast for every day of the match, except Saturday.

Still, both teams are considering including a spinner in their line-up. “It’s the biggest decision management will have to make,” said AB de Villiers.

“Centurion normally doesn’t turn that much which makes you feel that you’ve maybe go with that extra seamer but with the team we are playing

against, it might not be a bad idea to play a spinner”.

The West Indies clash against South Africa is their first international match since its tour of India was abandoned in October because of a pay dispute.

Despite their high ranking status the South Africans have not written off their Caribbean opponents and are concern about players who they are unfamiliar with.

“Ramdin has rallied them quite nicely after their recent troubles so they could be quite difficult to beat,” fast bowler Dale Steyn said.

“The wounded buffalo is always the most dangerous.

That could be the type of side we are playing against. They could come out firing and playing the most determined cricket they have in a long time or they could come out as individuals and quickly fold.”

Hashim Amla, who is captain in a home series for the first time since replacing iconic Graeme Smith in March, says Ramdin’s men must not be taken lightly. “The West indies team are a good team,” said Amla, who attended a joint news conference with Ramdin.

“They have a lot of young faces and inexperienced guys but many teams have come here before in similar situation and provided a very formidable challenge. So we will have to be on top of our games”.

The first Test Match will be played at SuperSport Park in Centurion, starting Wednesday. First ball is 10:30 am daily (4:30 am Eastern Caribbean Time/3:30 am Jamaica Time).

CPL to implement new rules for 2015 tournament Arising out of the contentious 2014 Final between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents which was played on August 16th at Warner Park, St Kitts, the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has agreed to review the rules and playing conditions for the 2015 tournament.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise and CPL are pleased to announce that the issue has now been resolved and brought to a closure. Fans would recall that the final came to an abrupt end when rain interrupted the Guyana Amazon Warriors innings at 107 for 4 after 15.5 overs while they were in pursuit of 153 to win the game.

After the rain had stopped and mop-up operations completed, the stumps went back up.

However, after a delay, the match officials inexplicably decided that the allotted time - including extra time - for the game had elapsed and the Barbados Tridents were declared winners on the Duckworth/Lewis method.

The Guyana Amazon Warriors Franchise Management wrote to CPL after the game, expressing its concerns on the unorthodox manner in which the game was ended. The Guyana Amazon Warriors, in an attempt to ensure that the playing conditions and tournament rules were adhered to rigorously and to

avoid such a reoccurrence in the future particularly in a final, sought legal advice on this matter.

After various consultations, both parties have agreed that, in the interest of this great game of cricket and in order to maintain the excellent reputation of the CPL, the matter is now closed and all parties concerned can now move forward to the planning and implementing of a bigger, better and more exciting 2015 CPL. Towards that end, CPL officials, Franchise Owners/ Partners and the Tournament Committee are currently reviewing the rules for the semi-finals and final with a (Continued on page 31)

Page 40

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Junior men’s national hockey team off to good start Guyana’s junior men’s national hockey team made a successful start to their Trinidad tour when they defeated Paragon Hockey club 2-1 in a warm up match on Monday evening. The Guyanese worked extremely hard to keep the game scoreless until the second half, with goalkeeper Medroy Scotland managing to pull off several brilliant saves to keep his side in the game.

A surging run from Captain Mark Sargeant was neatly finished by Aroydy Branford halfway through the third quarter to give the Guyanese the lead. Branford put his side further ahead 28 seconds into the final quarter when he finished a well worked team goal.

After starting the ball from the centre, the Guyanese strung together eight consecutive passes, working the ball from right to left then back to the right, before Branford finished with Paragon’s first touch of the quarter being when they removed the ball from the back of their net.

Guyana then set low to absorb Paragon’s offensive press and created several counter attacking opportunities which went a begging.

Paragon’s pressure eventually broke down the Guyanese defense when Leon Bacchus’ desperate attempt to prevent a goal hit his foot on the goal line. The resulting penalty was scored

by Trinidadian national

Guyana junior men’s national hockey team members (yellow) pose with Paragon junior squad shortly after the game. player Akim Toussaint, but the Guyanese boys showed great maturity to maintain possession and run out the clock to secure their first international victory. Their real test began last evening when they faced Trinidad & Tobago’s much vaunted national junior unit.

They oppose the same side today and tomorrow, before

returning to Guyana on Friday.

The team will have training sessions on the artificial turf from 8:00am in the mornings in addition to being exposed to special skill sessions run by some of Trinidad’s top senior national players.

This developmental tour is the first step in the Hockey Board’s ambitious plan to

develop and expose this group of youngsters to international competition with the intention of building a team for the 2016 Junior Pan American Cup in Toronto, Canada.

This trip was made possible through an Olympic solidarity team support grant as well as the Ministry of Sport and individual

Woodpecker Products annual Christmas singles badminton tournament opens The Woodpecker Products annual Christmas singles badminton tournament began Monday 15th 2014 at the Queens College Badminton Courts. This is the fourth consecutive year that Mrs. Luanna Fernandes of Woodpecker Products made the event possible and the Guyana Badminton Association is expressing gratitude to her once again for this. The tournament is being played in Boys & Girls Under-11, 13, 15, 19 Round Robin Singles and Open Men Knockout Singles.

Results on the opening day were: Under-13 Girls Singles Round Robin Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Abosaide Cadogan: 21-4, 21-9 Abosaide Cadogan defeated Siya Persaud: 215, 21-7 Priyanka Shivnauth defeated Sudarshani Sooknarine: 14-21, 21-14,

Some of the female players involved in the action take time out for a photo.

21-10 Siya Persaud defeated Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-1, 21-7 Abosaide Cadogan defeated Sudarshani Sooknarine: 21-4, 21-0 Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Priyanka Shivnauth: 21-1, 21-1 Under-15 Boys Singles Round Robin

Akili Haynes defeated Ransell Ramsaroop: 19-21, 21-17, 21-11 Tyrese Jeffery defeated Ransell Ramsaroop: 21-13, 21-17 Under-19 Girls Singles Round Robin Priyanna Ramdhani defeated Amanda Daniels: 21-4, 21-0 Amanda Daniels defeated

Nyckelle Yearwood: 21-19, 21-10 Abosaide Cadogan defeated Nyckelle Yearwood: 21-0, 21-2 Under-19 Boys Singles Round Robin Narayan Ramdhani defeated Jonathan Mangra: 21-19, 21-14 The tournament continues today from 16:00hrs.

sponsors.

National Junior Men’s Hockey Team 2014: Mark Sargeant (Capt), Medroy Scotland, Daniel Hooper, Kareem McKenzie, Keon McKenzie, Shaquille Leung, Rosario Ramsammy, Jamarj Assanah, Andrew Stewart,

Aroydy Branford, Leon Bacchus, Stephon Sprosta, Deheron Wilkinson, Omar Hopkinson, Ato Greene, Hilton Chester, Paramanand Dindial and Shemar Boston.

Coaches - Dwayne Alleyne & Robert Fernandes. Manager - Hubert Forrester.

Dick Pound heads panel to investigate German TV allegations The former head of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Dick Pound, is to chair a panel to investigate allegations made in a series of German TV documentaries.

Broadcaster ARD alleges an unnamed member of athletics’ governing body, the IAAF, had a list of 150 suspicious blood samples that were not looked at. It is alleged many came from Russia but it was also claimed a top British athlete escaped investigation. The Russian Athletics Federation wants to see the unedited TV material. Wada says the independent commission panel will begin work on 1 January 2015.

Pound will be joined on the three-person commission by Professor Richard McLaren, an experienced legal counsel who has experience in the world of international sports law and is a member of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Wada says a third member of the commission will be named “in due course”.

German broadcaster ARD

reported claims from an anonymous member of the IAAF’s medical commission that there was no targeted testing of athletes who had returned abnormal blood samples between 2006 and 2008.

Other unnamed athletes, from Kenya, Germany, Spain and Morocco are also implicated in the allegations. The Russian Athletics Federation (VFLA) has threatened legal action against ARD, rejecting its allegations as “lies”. On Tuesday, lawyer Artem Patsev told Russian news agency R-Sport: “The federation has demanded an unedited version of [German journalist Hajo] Seppelt’s material to find out what exactly those who took part in the documentary actually said.

“The president of the VFLA, Valentin Balakhnichev gave an official request for the material and asked that copies were also sent to the World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Association of Athletics Federations.”

(BBCsports)

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Page 41

Royals, Jets lead Linden’s challenge in Mackeson 3x3 Basketball Final Victory Valley Royals and Jets will lead Linden’s challenge Friday night in the Mackeson ‘King of the Rim’ 3x3 Super Eight Basketball Finale at California Square, East Ruimveldt with Royals entering as the top team from the Mining Community.

Royals topped the Linden zone of the competition with Jets finishing second. Both teams will be in the hunt for the $500,000 first place purse.

Comparatively, the two Linden sides possess some different skills that could be threatening Friday night.

Royals is a lethal bunch when given any space; especially when the ball is placed in the hands of shooting guard, Chris Williams, who landed five consecutive daggers from beyond the arc on his way to the grand finale at the MSC Hard Court last week.

Royals has as part of its

Marlon Pollydore

Chris Williams

Harold Adams

Orlon Glasgow

quartet (three players oncourt and one bench player is allowed), former national junior point guard, Marlon Pollydore, Williams along with forwards, Harold Adams and Orlon Glasgow.

Adams has been a consistent performer for his team.

Meanwhile, the Webster brothers, representing Jets is an also a tough bunch of players, who will prefer the physical game as opposed to the silky version. The Webster brothers, minus their main lynch-man, Shane, who is on a

Georgetown team, enjoys the 3x3 format since it plays directly to their brand of physical basketball.

Their team includes, Alister, Allistair and Joel Webster with D. Thompson to complete their four requisite players. The two

Linden squads will face off against teams from East Coast, West Coast and Georgetown in a colossal battle for $800,000 in total prize money. The Runner-up team will collect $300,000 with both teams receiving trophies.

Page 42

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

PSP, MOE, MCYS U-17 School’s F/Ball

St. George’s, Multi advance to semis on Friday St. George’s High beat Bishops High and North Ruimveldt Multilateral got the better of Saints Stanislaus to book their respective semi final berths when the Premier Sports

Promotions, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Under-17 School’s Football tournament continued yesterday at Ministry of Education ground.

On another day blessed with glorious sunshine, St George’s beat BHS 4-2 after leading 3-2 at half-time.

Santos senior player 16year-old Robby McClaggon opened the scoring for St. George’s in the 8th minute before Joel Morrison equalized from the penalty spot four minutes later.

Sheldon Reid made it 2-1 for St George’s when he found the back of the net in the 17th minute before Imran Khan again put his team level on the score-line. The talented McClaggon scored his second goal in the 27th minute of the 35-minute half that was played at a frenetic pace to make it 3-2.

In a contest where St. George’s seemed to be consistently on the wrong side of debatable Refereeing decisions, both teams seemed exhausted by the second half before a Jameel Wilson ‘Header’ sealed the game.

During the course of the second stanza, St George’s Vi c e - C a p t a i n K e r r y Codrington was given a Red Card for using foul language and will miss Friday’s semifinal. In the 15:00hrs game, Saints looked outclassed from the onset although Multi struggled to penetrate their defense; most of their attempts on goal were ‘cleared away’, and not surprisingly the first half ended scoreless.

In the last half, Saints rarely got into the opposition’s half and it seemed that all eleven (Continued on page 33)

From left, Jameel Wilson, Sheldon Reid & Robby McCloggon

Tyrese Rowley (left) & Matthew Harrison

Kaieteur News

Wednesday December 17, 2014

Camptown edge Santos 2-1; Rhythm Squad and Beacons draw Sunburst Camptown Football Club rebounded from a 2-1 defeat to Rhythm Squad late last week with a similar victory over Santos Football Club when the Group C teams clashed in the feature game as the G FA / B a n k s B e e r C u p round-robin/knockout tournament continued at the GDF Ground, Thomaslands last Monday evening.

The opening fixture between Rhythm Squad and Beacons, also a Group ‘C’ fixture, was keenly contested but ended in a 0-0 stalemate. Knowing that the tournament has reached the knockout stage, Camptown aggressively went after their opponents but Santos surprised them, matching their aggression while maintaining a stiff defence.

As such, the first session ended with both teams goalless.

Santos upped the ante at the start of the second session and Orin Yarde broke away on the right flank for what appeared to be a simple shot; his wayward kick slid along the left side of the goal.

It took staunch ball control and expert dribbling on the part of Camptown’s Anthony Sancho to break the deadlock in the 53rd minute.

He {Sancho}was a thorn in the opposition’s side and made another break shortly after his first success, this time after receiving a pinpoint offering to slam in’ Camptown’s second goal in the 61st minute.

Camptown strikers then attacked with venom and constantly fed Sancho who was on fire. The dapper striker collected one such pass and sprinted towards

Anthony Sancho Santos goal but the defenders checked his advance.

The team from Campbellville Housing Scheme then changed tactics and began to widely distribute the ball. Mikail Stewart was then gifted a pass and he unleashed a thunderous kick to Camptown’s goal but the ill timed shot sailed over the uprights.

The Santos players refused to say die and Kenroy Demonic dribbled down the left flank and pasted the Camptown goalie who did well to grab onto the ball. Santos was eventually rewarded for their persistence when Jamal Downer went up to a high pass and skilfully headed the ball into the Camptown nets.

Time was terribly against him and the Santos striker valiantly attacked less than one minute after that success but his shot slid down the side of the goal. Moments later, the shrill sound of the referee’s whistle sealed Santos’ fate. Meanwhile, (Continued on page 43)

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t r o Sp

Windies face World Number 1 Chanderpaul going through his paces during training.

See stories on P.35

Captains greet each other, Denesh Ramdin (right and Hashim Amla.

Guyanese had goodshowing but Coulthard wins Barbados Race of Champions Kristian Jeffrey

Thirteen-time Formula 1 grand prix winner David Coulthard kisses the Race Of Champions trophy for the first time.

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