Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Berbician undertakes visually-impaired walk in New Amsterdam

Fitness enthusiast, Eliz Hazel, is known for his unique public fitness demonstrations, for example maneuvering a football from Number 19 Village through to New Amsterdam, a distance of some six miles. That was a few years ago.

On Valentine’s Day, he decided to raise some awareness about disabled persons, specifically the visually-impaired by walking along the Vryheid Road in New Amsterdam, with his eyes closed and using a cane to aid him during the walk.

“People have to understand that once a person is blind and you see a cane in their hands, they got to take the necessary precautions.

If not precautions, they got to try and help these people—lead them to help them go their way.

“My venture is to let the people understand that disabled people are people who need to be loved and I just want the public to understand that more attention should be paid to disabled people in this

Region”.

Hazel said that Region Six, also has a number of disabled persons, but cater very little for these persons in terms of their accessibility and easy mobility to various public buildings, offices and amenities. “They do not have a proper place to assemble.”

In Region Six he stated that “they do not have anybody who cares for these people or anywhere where they could be housed”.

He added, “Once you are having an attack or stroke; once you are growing and you start wearing glasses, it means that your sight is going, so we all have to make provision that when the time comes we get somewhere where we could afford to congregate as disabled people”.

During the activity that morning, Hazel lauded the general public’s response especially the motorists.

“Even though it was a busy morning, everybody tried to do whatever was necessary to be done. Also the school children’s attention was very, very good, so I am hoping that

on the completion of this exercise, people would be able to pay more attention to disabled people.

“I am hoping that people in Region Six would get somewhere comfortable—I prefer to see a place next to the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) where these people could afford to be housed and where they could be comfortable”.

These places are not catering for the people with disability. All that you see— the only place that I saw did a lot of professional work is Metro—the only place in this region that pays a lot of attention to disabled people and I am hoping that on this completion today, all the business places can emulate that business”.

The other place that caters for wheel-chair bound persons is the Roman Catholic Church of the Ascension in the town.

“I chose this activity for today because I want the disabled people to understand that I love them and I care very much for them”.

Hazel on Thursday in New Amsterdam

DO YOU KNOW THAT JAGDEO’S BEST FRIEND IS THE ONLY PERSON IN GUYANA Radio, Television 1) Channel 28 now TVG 28 2) A radio station - 89.5FM 3) Guyana Times Dr. Bobby Ramroop

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Linden Commission of Inquiry chairman collapses in Jamaica

Justice Lensley Wolfe O.J. sits in middle of Commissioners Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the Linden 2012 shooting, Justice Lensley Wolfe O.J. collapsed yesterday morning while attending a function in his homeland Jamaica.

According to The Gleaner, a Jamaica media site, Wolfe fell ill while attending the function and had to undergo a battery of tests, although, “nothing seems to be amiss,” a close family of the former Jamaican Chief

Justice said.

“Everything seems to be fine at this stage,” the family member told the media station. They also revealed that Wolfe is in stable condition but medical workers continue to keep a close eye on the dignitary.

The former Jamaican Chief Justice is said to be in his mid 70s. He served as Chief Justice from 1996 to 2007. He also served briefly as acting Governor General for his

country.

In mid- last year, Wolfe, Mr. K.D. Knight S.C, Ms. Dana Seetahal S.C along with Guyana’s former Court of Appeal Judge, Claudette Singh, CCH and former Chancellor of the Judiciary and the current Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Cecil Kennard were sworn in to serve as Commissioners overseeing the affairs of the Commission of Inquiry into the Linden

shooting which saw three persons reportedly killed by state agents and several others injured. Wolfe and the Commissioners returned last month to award compensation to those who sustained losses during the mining town’s unrest.

They are scheduled to return on February 28 to give a report of recommendations based on evidence that came out during the Commission of Inquiry.

Suriname swears in new ambassador to Guyana

President Desi Bouterse congratulates Suriname’s new Ambassador to Guyana Suriname, on Tuesday, appointed a new ambassador to Guyana. The Dutch nation’s President, Desi Bouterse swore in Nisha Kurban-Baboe, a resident of Nickerie. The swearing-in ceremony took place in Nieuw Nickerie, the district’s capital, which is at the border between the Guyana and Suriname, reports out of the country said.

Reports out of the Dutch nation said that it was the second time in a matter of months that the government took an important ceremony to the western district. On

November 25, 2012, Nickerie hosted the country’s elaborate 37th Independence Day celebrations.

Kurban-Baboe’s appointment and the venue of the ceremony are seen as a move that should appease the people from her district.

The new ambassador is said to have studied sociology. She previously served at Suriname’s embassy in Brazil. She said her intentions are to strengthen relations between Suriname and Guyana.

“The accent should be on what connects us and not

what sets us apart,” she said.

Kurban-Baboe succeeds Ambassador Manorma Soeknandan, who represented Suriname in Guyana since the late nineties. President Bouterse lauded Soeknandan’s work, hinting that his Government maintained her services even though she came from a different political camp.

Bouterse said the departing ambassador contributed to his making a good impression on behalf of Suriname during his tenure as Chairman of CARICOM in the first six months of 2012.

Soeknandan will now serve as Suriname’s permanent representative to CARICOM. The Dutch President said that his Government’s approach to Suriname’s relationship with neighbouring countries is hinged on integration and strategic alliances. A good foundation was laid with former Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo, and the “good cooperation” is being continued with current President Donald Ramotar.

The Surinamese President continued that the cooperation policy is that Guyana and Suriname rather look at integration than at problems they inherited from their colonial past.

Bouterse was referring to the border dispute, in which both countries claim ownership of an enormous, resource-rich parcel of land in Suriname’s south west (and Guyana’s south east).

Bouterse however said he was confident in KurbanBaboe, whom he characterized as a party favourite and an example for the youth.

The new ambassador said she was “convinced that the knowledge and experience gained over the past year and a half (in Brazil) are a very good basis to find my way in the diplomatic world of today.”

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210

Editorial

WOMEN RISING Calls for violence against women have been on the front burner in Guyana for at least the last five years or so.

But violence against women as part and parcel of acceptable societal interaction, of course, has been around for so long that its proponents refer to justificatory texts going back 4000 years or more. We have a ways to go in the Caribbean before it will not be ‘okay’ not to see women as punching bags.

The Calypso is seen as the emblematic indigenous Caribbean form of social commentary. In fact the government has been spending quite a bit of money during this Mash season to revive the art form. Calypsos offer an ‘insider’ view of how Caribbean men view the topic of violence and women.

We can do worse than begin with the 1930’s calypsonian Atilla the Hun, who gave men this bit of advice: “I’ve discovered a new philosophy/of how to live with women happily./ What Socrates and Zeno and Plato didn’t know/ I’ll explain to you in Calypso/ (Chorus) Every now and then turn them down/They’ll love you long and they’ll love you strong/ You must be robust, you must be tough/ Don’t throw no punches but treat them tough.”

By the 1950’s Mighty Sparrow had updated the philosophy into an even more ‘robust version’: “Every now and then you have knock them down/They love you long and they love you strong/Black up they eye bruise up they knee/Then they will love you eternally.”

By the nineties, as women began to assert their right to be treated equally, the calypsonians still insisted that what they actually needed was a bit of the Atillian philosophy.

Specifically with a sexual twist.

In 1994, the female politician and MP Hulsie Bhagan of Trinidad protested the rerouting of a highway in her constituency by lying across it and daring the government to continue.

The calypsonian Cro Cro addressed Bhagan specifically as a female when he belted out “If we really want a woman leader for true/ Definitely Hulsie it would not be you./The police should have gi’ you a good cut-tail/ Whipping. And get the rest from a big, strong fella in jail.”

By the new millennium, the misogyny of the calypsos had been softened - but then as an art form it has also declined.

It had been replaced by rap and Jamaican dancehall which take misogyny to new depths. The lyrics detailing what men should do with women are now so graphically violent and degrading that they cannot be published in a family newspaper.

But maybe all of that might be changed after the mindblowing success of the “One Billion Rising” worldwide effort by women to call attention to the horrifying statistic that one in three women, that’s one billion, will be beaten or raped during her lifetime.

The campaign has been run all year by Eve Ensler’s now 15-year-old organisation, V-Day, which is most famous for activating people’s feminist imagination through Ensler’s groundbreaking play, The Vagina Monologues.

It is hopefully a sign of the changing times that women groups in Guyana joined others from Albania to Zambia (a total of 203 countries supposedly participated) in the public gatherings to take a stand against this very entrenched scourge.

They are facilitated by the communications revolution coupled with tireless efforts of Ensler’s group coming together at a moment when the cumulative efforts over the last few decades have jelled.

What is most significant in “One Billion Rising” is that it was led by women, with men playing a supportive role. As with all other efforts to remove oppressive structures, it is only when the oppressed group takes charge that real change will take root.

It is our hope that women will be empowered through their participation in this consciousness activity and continue with the quotidian efforts at all levels to ensure that there is no backsliding.

While they have risen in dance maybe they should write their own songs.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

The apathetic youths of this nation must arise from their slumber and demand what is rightfully theirs DEAR EDITOR, A friend of mine is very fond of the cliché; “youth is wasted on the young” and unfortunately in Guyana there is overwhelming evidence to support his statement. I was present on New Year ’s night at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground (Bourda) for the finals of the Banks football tournament, admission in some sections was one thousand dollars, but this did not deter thousands of young people, because after the game there was a concert by reggae super-star Bennie Man. That night I saw the

power and potential of urban youth, as they poured into the aging facility, filing the stands and the grounds.

Some conservative estimates placed the crowd at forty thousand people; I felt it was much more than that. With Guyana’s unemployment rate upwards of a staggering seventeen percent, and with several indicators pointing to the fact that in the African and Amerindian communities, the percentage is much higher, it is safe to wager that most of the young people, who turned out in their numbers to party on New Year’s night, were unemployed or severely

underemployed.

Recently, it has come to our attention that the controversial Marriott Hotel in Kingston is being built exclusively by Chinese nationals.

Many high ranking government officials have tried to explain and give excuses for what is a plain and simple case of “eyepass.”

A very senior and aging government spokesperson even opined that it was not the government’s business to intervene in contract negotiations, and it was only when the work permits were being processed that the government knew of the

exclusive clause in the contract.

I will leave others to dissect the statements made, and spend my energies elsewhere. Over the last two days I spent a few hours with fellow citizens protesting outside of the Marriott on Barrack Road. The crowd was mostly elderly, almost predominantly African, and less than one hundred persons.

This did not stop the enthusiasm and the outrage that was expressed by all of the participants at what had been done in our name.

Several expressed the view Continued on page 7

Sunday February 17, 2013

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The imbalance in the ethnic balance advocacy DEAR EDITOR, It is not only the PPP leaders that appear comical to the people of Guyana but also their supporters of which two are particularly asininely funny, Vassan Ramracha and Devanand Bhagwan. Let us quote what Ramracha, a Trinidadian who migrated to the USA. Here is what he wrote in response to me (KN, Dec 21, 2012), “I had to work two jobs in factories in the good old USA in cockroach-rat infested slums.” Only a fool would migrate from his land to do so and become a tenth class citizen in another person’s country. I never worked in cock-roach-rat infested slums in another country because I loved my land of birth and refused to leave it to become a tenth class citizen in another man’s territory.

I loved Guyana so leaving it was never an option. I

wonder what VS Naipaul would say of Ramracha when he heard of what he did to Trinidad. Why would any Trini leave the oil rich island to live in rodent infested, diseased conditions in another country?

Here are more stupidities from Ramracha. In the same edition of KN, he wrote, “I am predisposed to hearing and facilitating all sides because of my religion…”. Here is an unashamed advocate of Indian hegemony in Guyana telling readers he listens to both sides and he has a religion.

Bhagwan, another Indian supremacist, says he doesn’t know why the Salem Church facilitated an atheist like me, meaning that he, Bhagwan believes in God. When I was small, and I heard people talk about God and religion and they were obnoxious humans , I use to ask myself if there is a God how he can make such

people.

Let me be chauvinistic and say I honestly believe God would be kinder to me than Ramracha and Bhagwan because God knows that I do not preach ethnic hegemony in Guyana and that I believe in ethnic balance in all things in Guyana including, the public service, the police force, business places, investments, financial houses, property ownership, land ownership, awards of contracts, commerce and the retail trade etc.

Before I leave this part of my response, I will ask Ramracha and Bhagwan, if they believe in God and have a religion. If the answer is yes, I would like to know if when they are praying they are not afraid that as soon as they open their mouths, God would strike them down.

There is a staff member at Kaieteur News who is a friend of mine, Osafo King. Osafo’s

I condemn the racism contained in these two letters DEAR EDITOR, Without reservation, I condemn the racism contained in two letters published in the Guyana Chronicle: “What prevents Blacks from utilizing better business opportunities being provided” written by Vassan Ramracha and “ “Haad wuk” is responsible for success of Indians” written by Devanand Bhagwan..These gentlemen attempt to portray Blacks as a people of “unparalleled lethargy” that cannot “feed themselves or their families.”

While Indians are portrayed as thrifty and possessing “consummate business acumen.” These types of caricatures are most unhelpful to solving the problem of developing Guyana for all Guyanese.

All Guyanese are hardworking when given an opportunity, talent is uniform across this nation and no race is superior to the other.The Black minibus driver is just as hardworking as the Indian, the Black schoolteacher is just as dedicated as the Indian, the Black student is just as diligent as the Indian…the list goes on and on.

To believe that Indians have some superior business acumen over his African brother is patently false and racist. Messer Ramracha and Bhagwan should take a trip to Stabroek, Bourda, La Penitance,ect. And they will see vendors of all races making an honest living, the Black stallholder besides his

Indian neighbor and each looking out for the other.

In the context of Guyanese history, Black dominated the civil service because they were they were the first beneficiaries of British colonial education.

And logically gravitated to the service sector (teaching, police, law, medicine, etc.). On the other hand, Indians engaged in rice planting which was the source of incipient capital accumulation. The Indianswereable to save more because they resided in the countryside where the cost of living was less than the city.

The Black population was trapped in anurban environment with a higher cost of living. Thus they saved less. The disparity in savings in not the product of some superior Indian trait or business acumen but rather a fortuitous byproduct of where Indians lived.

For Indians who live in the USA (such as me), we owe

an immeasurable debt to Blacks who have engaged in the civil rights struggles…and we (the Johnnies come lately) have benefitted without ever having to struggle. It is now hypocritical for those in the USA to posit that Indian success in America is the product of racial superiority because we have benefitted from the Black American experience without incurring the cost.

All too often discussions about Guyana descend into the cesspool of Black versus Indians.

However, we are a country of six peoples and our energies should be dedicated to uplifting all Guyanese. I pray that one day we can see the beauty, energy, intelligence, sportsmanship, etc. of my fellow Guyanese without ever having to hear of their race or religion.

Roger Ally

father explained something about religion to me one day when I told him I couldn’t understand how bad people could go to church and say they believe in God. I always remember his reply. He intoned, “Freddie, such people are overtaken by Satan, Satan encourages them to be like that so that God will get a bad name.”

The words of Senior King apply so poignantly to Ramracha and Bhagwan. And this I can say for the officials of the Salem Church in Lodge.

When they read my take on ethnic balance in Guyana and Bhagwan’s, I believe I will be more welcomed in that church than Bhagwan, the “Godfearing” Guyanese who lives in India Now a brief reply to Bhagwan’s letter, “Freddie ‘s sensationalist column was typically partial and unbalanced.” I am glad in his missive Bhgwan gave me and others an opening to deal with the question of who worked harder historically and who works hard in Guyana.

“Bhgwan wrote that Indians worked hard for what

the wealth they got. This is how he put it; “While some are sleep from their late night dance, Indians get up early in the morning and start to wuk haad to feed themselves and their families. This is not only elephant dung, mythological filth and putrid nonsense but it is misleading nonsense People like Bhagwan are in love with himself. Indians dance, drink rum and club late at night like all other ethnic groups. They rob people like every other ethnic group.

They push narcotics like any other ethnic group. They beat their wives like all other ethnic groups.

They take bribes and try to corrupt foreign embassy officials like every other ethnic group. Other ethnic groups wuk haad and have been working hard in this country just like the East Indians.

While others stay at home and sleep in their hammocks after they come home from work, African soldiers are guarding the borders of this territory from sun rise to sundown and into the uncivilized hours.

While others sleep in their hammocks after coming home and eating t h e i r d i n n e r, A f r i c a n policemen are risking their lives fighting crime.

While other buy their fancy cars, African civil servants with minimum wage have to do the boring paper wuk so these rich car owners can have their documents in order I could go on but I think I have made my point. This thing about who wuk harder than whom is a myth perpetuated in this country by people like Bhagwan.

But some ethnic groups tend to be more corrupt than others. I will not discuss which ethnic groups in this country ran the Canadian consular section out of Guyana and who caused the US Embassy to reject the submission of documents except the visa application itself.

I close with the demand that we need ethnic balance in the economic and financial structures of this country.

The Guyanese people should demand nothing less Frederick Kissoon

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox The Speaker’s action puts into question his leadership and temperament DEAR EDITOR, The Speaker in Parliament or Congress is elected by a majority vote, and is expected to lead in realising an agenda set by the majority with the input of the minority, with the intent that the society shall benefit from the best ideas, since no individual or specific group has all the answers to resolving the problems and influencing the desires of the people.

And behind this backdrop the Speaker needs to be cognizant that he has to give leadership at all times and whatever act/action he engages in that same falls within the purview of the Laws and Standard Practices within the House.

Heckling, thumping of tables and chairs, fighting, throwing down the mace, throwing of flour and other so-called disruptive and unruly behaviours occur in the legislature across continents, and what was seen in Parliament on Thursday is nothing new or unusual.

For the Speaker then to abruptly adjourn the House because he considers an aspect of the MP’s behaviour unacceptable is not considered a norm in heterogeneous legislative society and puts into question leadership and temperament.

The Speaker must also be reminded that this issue is not about him, for it was the APNU and the AFC that have voted for him. This support, as with any support, was given on the condition that the constituents’ agenda will be facilitated.

And it is expected that as Speaker he will lead in ensuring that the principal agenda of the groups that elected him be advanced in the House, even as he takes on board suggestions and modifications from the opposite side of the House.

Further, to entertain the thought that a Speaker’s role is impartial is to abrogate commitment to the people who have given their support. Impartiality only

relates to upholding the law, standard practices and decisions taken by the House, not taking a hands-off role to ensuring the parliamentary agenda of the supporting constituents.

It is important to reiterate that the House has to be guided by laws, standard practices and an agenda and not how a Speaker feels about a situation.

This House is becoming a mockery in the sense that a motion was passed to remove the barriers preventing citizens from being in the immediate external parameters of the compound yet the police continue to erect these barriers even as the responsible minister has failed in his duty to ensure the decision was implemented.

That motion, as with any passed motion, communicates the expressed will of the people and in this instance being denied the right to stand within the immediate environs of Parliament to listen to their representatives debate

matters that will impact their wellbeing or chose to bring any matter to the representatives attention.

One may want to argue there is a public gallery in the building but this space can only accommodate a finite number. Further, the public thoroughfare around the building was never meant to exclude the people and more so deny them the right to express themselves to their elected and respect must be given to this reality.

This nation is reminded that during the PNC administration the opposition, including the PPP; civil society and all stood in front of this very area, engaging in various forms of protest. The society is yet to hear from the Speaker his plans to correct the infraction.

On the issue of the NoConfidence motion moved against Clement Rohee in his capacity as Minister of Home Affairs, any National Assembly, organisation has the right to say whether it has

confidence in a minister or executive. Balloting by its very nature is a reflection as to who the electorate has confidence in to manage their business.

When Rohee was sent to Parliament that act is consistent with his position as Member of Parliament and not that of a minister. They are two separate and distinct issues and must be treated as such. For anyone to take the position that the National Assembly is wrong in saying that it does not have confidence in Rohee’s performance as Minister of Home Affairs is to display a level of ignorance of how organisation operates or engaging in bully tactic in the hope that they can silence the voice of reason.

For President Ramotar and others to continue embracing their current posture confirms their contempt for parliament and the society in general.

And on this matter the Speaker cannot flip flop since a motion that puts Rohee’s

performance as minister under the radar has been passed requesting of him to do the decent thing and resign.

So to allow him to speak to matters pertaining to Home Affairs which he has been censored for is demonstration for the contempt of the motion and sacredness of the House. What is clearly unfolding is that the Speaker is prepared to have the House make rules and break them at the same time, which can be dangerous for the future.

As an observer to the statements that are emanating from the House it gives the clear impression that they are some who are bent on denying the National Assembly the right to its oversight role and on so many occasions seek to put the Executive or President as the final operative for governance in society.

The issue of Clement Rohee is signalling very clearly that the executive is saying to the National Assembly the Continued on page 7

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox The Speaker’s action... Backer in Contempt of Court From page 6 people’s representatives can pass whatever motion, make whatever rule or law, the executive shall not respect or obey, when clearly such action constitutes a violation of the Constitution which gives Parliament the supreme role for the people’s business.

And on another matter, parliamentary immunity does not translate to stupidity and lawlessness and collectively the society must work at stamping this out.

Every MP has within his/her possession a copy of the Guyana Constitution and when statements are made on matters of governance, rights and the rule of law, they must be challenged to provide the evidence and if possible best practices in support of their arguments.

This society will be better served when their elected officials are held accountable to display to them their understanding of an issue, rather than them being allowed to take shield under parliamentary immunity to mislead this nation by flaunting their lawlessness and stupidity and being allowed to get away with it. The Speaker can serve this nation best if he strives to set such standard in the House. Government (executive, legislative and judiciary) have a greater responsibility in upholding the laws for they ought to be setting the standards to influence better behaviour in society.

As such the people must hold them accountable for if laws and rules are created to govern our behaviour we cannot be convenient in honouring them. It is either black or white; there is no gray area about it. You cannot want to uphold the rules and/or laws when such suit your purpose and openly flout them when they do not serve your agenda. It is because of this behaviour this society has denigrated to this level.

If the Speaker wants history to write that he has performed creditably, it is important he takes note as to way the business of the House is handled under his leadership.

Lincoln Lewis

The apathetic youths...

From page 4 that after twenty plus years of targeted discrimination, unchecked corruption and staggering unemployment (especially youth unemployment); it was time for the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) to go.

Mr. Editor, I was disappointed but not very surprised that an issue that should have galvanized the entire population was received with such a lukewarm response.

The right to work is enshrined in our constitution and here was a classic example of our government selling-out that right to foreigners. This was an opportunity for Guyanese of all ethnicities, political affiliation; the religious community; labour; the youth and student movements, to mobolise and register their dissatisfaction against an unjust and unpatriotic hiring practice.

Unemployment in Guyana cuts across all races, political affiliation and social status it is the cancer in our midst that leads to poverty but we ignore it, until we are asked for a hundred or a thousand, or robbed of our hard earned possessions.

It is unfortunate that the youth who gathered in their thousands at Bourda to gyrate to the pulsating rhythms and lyrics of Bennie Man, stayed away from Barrack Road. It is worse that I could only identify one youth leader, President of the

Youth Collation for Transformation (YCT) Mr. Jermaine Grant.

It would be safe to assume that after more than two decades of PPP domination, our people have lost confidence in themselves and our youth have been unprimed as agents of change. Fed a constant diet of “hits and Jams” accompanied by misinformation and propaganda, the undereducated( and even some who should know better) wallow in apathy and allow their rights to be frittered away by an anti working class PPP regime.

Mr. Editor, it is my understanding that these picketing exercises and other forms of political agitation will continue, until Guyanese tradesmen and women are hired by Shanghai Construction Group. The apathetic youth of this nation must arise from their slumber, stand up and demand what is rightfully theirs.

Guyanese must be given priority to work in Guyana, and with our pool of skilled and semi-skilled workers who are unemployed, we must not let this injustice stand.

To the youth and student leaders and those who are not so young and present themselves as leaders; you should never forget that youth is a form of energy that when properly mobolised and led can be used as a catalyst for revolutionary change and development.

Mark Archer

DEAR EDITOR, This in regards to the deputy Speaker’s decision to bar Minister Clement Rohee from speaking in parliament.

The Speaker allowed Rohee to speak as a result of a High Court ruling stating that he cannot be barred from speaking in parliament.

Lo and behold, the Speaker was absent and the Deputy Speaker, the PNC M.P, was in charge of the proceedings. The deputy Speaker acted on the incorrect position that parliament passed a motion barring Rohee from speaking.

There was not such action from parliament but a motion of no confidence

which is not the same as a motion to bar the M.P from speaking.

The parliament can indeed pass a motion to bar any M.P from speaking but it can only do so after the Privilege Committee recommends such an action.

And a M.P can only be sent to a PC if a prima facie case is made out against a M.P. Even if there were legislation barring the M.P from speaking, the High Court vitiated such a measure by stating unequivocally that as an elected member of parliament, the Minister cannot be denied his right to speak.

The Minister, as a

Member of Parliament, was sent to the Privileges Committee to be disciplined.

Parliamentary rules requires require that before a M.P is sent to the PC, the Speaker has to first rule that a prima facie case exists against the M.P for violating its rules of debate or because of his public demeanour.

No such case was made or alleged against the M.P. A no confidence motion is not the same. The public is still to be informed of what rule the M.P was charged of violating.

Clearly, the deputy Speaker has a violated a rule of law – contempt of court by not allowing the M.P to

speak. She should therefore be sent to the PC for investigation and sanctions.

So far on the Rohee matter, the minority PPP is playing by the rules of law. But the opposition is ignoring the law and rulings of the court.

The issue for the PPP now is to decide how long it will willing to play by the rules of law. The party played by the rules of law for 28 years resulting in the establishment of an ethnic dictatorship and mass starvation. What we have in Guyana is a kangaroo parliament bringing back memories of the judicial system under the ethnic dictatorship.

Vishnu Bisram

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Sunday February 17, 2013

Corentyne River nightmare!

Fishermen attacked, beaten, thrown overboard

By Leon Suseran Six fishermen told of a nightmare along the Corentyne River last Tuesday. Three armed, masked men tied, beat and robbed them then threw them overboard and left them for dead. At the end of the nearly two-hour ordeal, the fishermen were left on their own in the dark, cold Suriname waters.

They endured one of the longest, torturous nights of their lives; trekked through bush; swam frantically for the nearest shore; and finally arrived in Nickerie, Suriname, exhausted, injured and very traumatized. And the pirates carted off $1.5M in items, including their boat.

Orvin ‘Bird’ Harripersaud, 32, of Lot 20 Grant 1801 Crabwood Creek, said that he and five other men, Dhaneshwar Balgobin, Kubeerdhall Samlall, Dhaneshwar Sookdeo, Neelnarine Balgobin, and Ramesh Chandra Seenarine, all left their homes as usual, around 17:30 hrs, on Tuesday for a routine fishing trip along the Corentyne River on the Raghine II. Harripersaud said that he and the group anchored their boat just in front of Snake Island (along the river) around 20:00 hrs and tried to get some sleep. “We go inside the cabin and lie down and sleep”, he stated.

Then it all began. Three men were seen on an approaching boat, “one standing with a gun and the others with cutlasses”. The

pirates quickly hooked up to the Raghine II and slipped across, before ordering the men to lie face down on the icebox.

“One of them started to broadside me on my chest…and they started to beat all them workmen, asking for our cell phones, “I told them only one cell phone I got but they stated that we got three cell phones and they started to beat us for the phones”. The phones were handed over. “Then they told me to go and pick up the anchor and strip the engine.”

Harripersaud stated that he told them that he needed a tool bag to strip the engine, but his remarks were met with more lashes with the cutlasses.

He was then ordered to start the engine. “One of the men ordered me to drive and he was ‘clapping’ me with the cutlass and then he took over the engine.” The pirates were now in control of the boat.

The pirates escorted the two boats, along with the fishermen, about 24 rods from the point of first attack. The group of fishermen could have overheard the pirates speaking to each other.

“One was telling the other, ‘let we blow off their [expletive] heads! Another was telling the other to let them [the fishermen] jump”.

Harripersaud was also ordered to untie his colleagues and the boats as well.

The pirates then ordered the men to jump overboard before speeding off into the dark, and vanished. They

The fishermen who were attacked, with the Raghine II i n the background. (Harripersaud is third from left) carted off cell phones, the seine, and boat with engine.

Harripersaud and his team were left stranded. They were in Suriname waters.

Their best shot, he thought, was to get as close as possible back to the point where they were attacked and swim to the Suriname Ferry Crossing at South Drain, Nickerie. Their estimates were wrong as they swam for about 15 minutes only to reach one of the many islands along the river.

They jumped on the island, but noticed the tide was slowly coming in. They saw a light approaching but were afraid to shout since they were fearful it could have been the pirates. They stayed quiet. “I asked my men not to say a word!”

An hour later, they saw another light, decided to try calling for help but their cries were drowned out by the boat engine in operation. “We holler and holler and holler…” he stated. During this time, it was raining heavily.

Mosquitos and sandflies made their night more difficult.

“We cut branches and brushed our skin because we cannot bear with the mosquitoes and sandflies”.

They spent the entire night on trees, since the water was flooding the island.

Early Wednesday he told his colleagues, “We swim across a fine river until we can’t swim no more…and we took the bush after that. We bore from the track and go all through the bush and we found like we were going the

wrong way”.

He went on to say that they walked a good distance “and took a next track and saw an old vehicle, and took another track”, he related.

Totally exhausted from all the swimming and walking, they were contemplating whether to continue swimming for the closest shore, or the GuyanaSuriname Ferry at South Drain.

Relief but ordeal not over After crossing three creeks, the men finally spotted the Ferry Crossing at South Drain. “We finally reached [MV] Canawaima [ferry] shortly after 14:00 hrs Wednesday. A Surinamese Immigration Officer was the first human being they saw.

Harripersaud immediately telephoned a close friend in Nickerie who rushed to the stelling with water and bread for the men. The officer then informed the police in Nickerie who arrived within minutes and took the men down to the station.

But Harripersaud stated that as soon as they thought that their ordeal was over, it seemed to have just begun.

The Suriname Police, he claimed, did not give them access to medical treatment, even though the fishermen were in intense pain, shock and had multiple cuts, and injuries about their bodies.

Harripersaud said that he was giving statements to the police from 15:00 hrs – 21:00 hrs that day. “Them get we— that was like more worst—in pains and like from 3-9pm was with me alone, giving statements. Me had to talk about one hundred times and he [the interpreter] was typing”.

“We had to beg them for a phone call. They had an interpreter which slowed the process further. They get us in different rooms like is a big crimes we committed. We showed them all our wounds, and they didn’t even see it fit to carry us to the doctor”, Harripersaud lamented.

After 03:00 hrs, the police then gave them the option to visit the doctor. However, Harripersaud was more anxious to get home back to Corentyne and told the police that his relatives were bringing medications for them.

Afterwards, the other fishermen gave statements.

They finished after 02:00 hrs that morning. During this time, Harripersaud informed his relatives in Guyana about the situation and made arrangements to be picked up on the Corentyne side.

However, Harripersaud and another colleague decided to stay in Suriname to take the police to the attack scene, while the other fishermen left for Guyana.

The Raghine II was discovered by the police along a section of the Corentyne River on Thursday along with the ice- box.

Harripersaud and his colleague then accompanied the police along the River to the various parts where they were attacked and also stranded.

As they [Harripersaud and his colleague] recognized places, they stopped and identified them to the police.

Afterwards, the police brought them to Crabwood Creek where they were released. Harripersaud visited Nickerie on Friday and accompanied his boat back to Crabwood Creek.

Investigations into the gruesome incident are continuing.

Pensioner found floating in canal The body of Khemraj Bhajan, 60, was found around noon yesterday in a trench outside his home at Albion, Corentyne, Berbice.

Bhajan, who lived alone, was an alcoholic. Neighbors said he was last seen alive around 08:00 hrs and may have fallen in the trench in an attempt to go buy more rum.

Police ruled out foul play since the body bore no marks of violence. The body is at the New Amsterdam Hospital Mortuary awaiting post mortem.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 9

Thriving farming community seeks Govt. intervention

By Rabindra Rooplall Farmers of First Street, Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara are expressing their disgust about the deplorable road conditions that plague the community, slowing up business in the area.

“We went to Robeson Benn; he say is not his Ministry responsibility; is the Ministry of Agriculture.

When we visit Agriculture, they send we back to Public Works. It is over four years now our roads have been done with contribution from farmers/ businessmen who do self help works to maintain the road,” one citrus farmer said.

They said that Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn sent some “crush-and-run” to the area; however, this was washed away rapidly after heavy rains. “I don’t know if the person he is sending with the material is selling it or what is really going on, but whatever he sent was minimal and had no real affect.”

According to one of the many businessmen/ farmers, Shameer Mohamed, he is requesting the relevant authorities to visit the community, inspect the roads and listen to the concerns of residents in the farming community.

“Over 200 persons are

A section of the roadway farmers have to use daily. employed along the street alone. This is one of the most productive streets on the entire East Bank. And all we are kindly asking for is a better road so vehicles will be better able to traverse in the area to take out their produce without damage. School children and residents also won’t have to walk the one plus mile

Dem boys seh...

Jagdeo gone, contractor get decent again De Waterfalls paper mek dem contractor and dem engineer who does price dem contract come to dem senses. Last week, dem build two health centres. When dem boys hear de price dem smile, then some water fall from dem eye. Dem realise that all dem hard work starting to bear fruit.

Only de other day one of dem same health centre woulda cost $70 million and when dem boys talk de whole government use to cuss dem. Jagdeo use to seh that dem boys want give he government a bad name; Rob Earth even carry some reporters in de back dam to show dem some project but he did plan fuh lost dem away.

Dem reporters find dem way out and when Rob Earth plan another trip dem ignore him. Dem see de crookishness and dem lef he pun he own. That is when he drive wid de people siren in de backdam and frighten people cow till some run away and can’t be found to this day.

But dem same reporters talk and pun dem own dem visit every project. Now dem health centre show that people got conscience.

One man at de opening open he mouth and announce, “Thank de Creator”. Berry Berry think that de man was giving thanks fuh de project. De man was giving thanks because he tax dollars didn’t get thief.

De Port Mourant project was also cheap and that is because de contractor was Moses family. He know that once he fix a high price Moses woulda tell de whole country how he is a thief. Is when that centre open that another man announce, “Thank Donald.”

When dem boys ask he wha he mean he seh that if was de other one and de contractor did come in wid such a low bid de other one woulda tell dem fuh throw out de bid and fuh find one wid a very high price.

Other project come in cheap too. Decency return to Guyana.

Dem boys seh that is now de people gun see development because de money gun end up in de right place.

De same control happen fuh Mash. Up to now nobody can tell dem boys how much money dem spending pun Mash.

Last year, dem did done announce nuff millions.

Talk half and praise de Creator and Donald again.

roadway to reach the public road,” Mohamed emphatically said.

Mohamed, who is also a chicken farmer, said it would take millions of dollars to continuously maintain the roadway, and farmers have exhausted their contributions in helping to patch the road.

Other farmers are saying that Government officials are claiming that they don’t have money to carry out proper road works, however, they are contending if the government gives tax breaks to the farming community, they would be willing to look after the roadway for two years themselves. Farmers who requested anonymity for fear of victimization explained that four years to date the roadway has been in a terrible state, and the Craig/ Caledonia Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) is not any help in the area.

“I don’t understand why Government would wait until they have to spend $10 to fix something when you can spend $5 and save money for a project that could be done early. But people in authority wait until things get real bad then complain that they don’t have money.”

Another issue raised was that the damaged koker at the drainage trench that cannot close properly.

Farmers explained that when water is needed on farmlands for cash crop farmers it is never high enough to reach on farmlands because the koker is damaged and the fresh water has been escaping for over a year.

Complains have gone in vain they noted.

“The last time we fix and make up the koker; the NDC put in for it and collected the money. So we are not going

to be helping anymore, let taxpayers money be spent on the road and koker, since we are all paying our respective taxes,” one farmer lamented.

Farmers also underscored that there is no health centre in the area and other necessary facilities. It was also noted by the farmers that the 55-year-old bridge that is used to gain access to the community is falling apart.

“The authorities only placed two new rails on the bridge and paint it to make the bridge appear to be fully refurbished.” “Imagine the bar off for the bridge has receded into the river and the concrete under the bridge which is to hold it up has fallen into the river, when something happen then something will be done to fix it.”

By: Romila Boodram

The paretic type is due to paralysis of one or several muscles that are responsible for natural eye movements.

Non-paretic strabismus is not due to paralysis of these muscles.

According to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s ophthalmologist, Dr George Norton, Strabismus happens when there is a difference in the pull of the muscle particularly on the horizontal plate. “Those muscles are supposed to pull the eye at equal strength, if one pulls more than the other, the eye will deviate in the direction of the stronger muscles,” Dr Norton explained.

To correct the eyes, one has to do strabismus surgery which basically strengthens or weakens the eye muscles, which changes the alignment

of the eyes relative to each other.

The Ophthalmologist said that the eye has a skin that is called the conjunctiva. So in order to start the operation, the eye surgeon has to literally peel the eye of its skin and “localize the muscles with a muscle hook and we work from there,” Dr. Norton explained. “The muscles are inserted on the eye ball, we weaken the stronger one by cutting it off from where it is inserted in the eye ball and implanting it back but at a distance further back, then we weaken the other one by localizing it and cutting off a piece of that muscle and make it stronger and has a result giving it more pull.”

At presently, the hospital only operates on 12 patients with strabismus in a year and this is because of the

limitation of anesthetist. “We need more persons in the anesthetic department because we have four eye surgeons who can operate on more patients.”

“If in January, I see 12 patients with strabismus, then I am booked for the year. That is the reason why we need more persons in the Anesthetic Department.”

He added that in most cases they try to operate on patients before they reach two years old.

“It’s a tedious process; we try to operate on patients before they reach age two, and we try to avoid doing all of that surgery without any bleeding so we are very particular about making the right cuts and going in the right area,” Dr. Norton said, adding that the surgery could last for at least two hours.

The damaged koker which serves no purpose to the farming community.

Correction of Strabismus ‘cock-eye’ at GPHC

Strabismus also known as squint-eye or cock-eye is a condition in which the eyes are not properly aligned with each other.

It typically involves a lack of coordination between the extraocular muscles, which prevents bringing the gaze of each eye to the same point in the space and preventing proper binocular vision, and which may adversely affect depth perception.

Strabismus can present as manifest (heterotropia) or latent (heterophoria) varieties and can be either a disorder of the brain in coordinating the eyes, or of the power or direction of motion of one or more of the relevant muscles moving the eye.

Strabismus is divided into paretic and non-paretic types.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 11

New Airstrip supports tourism operations at Surama Eco-Lodge.

Mrs Margaret Chan-a-Sue wife of Captain Malcolm Chan-a-Sue cuts the ribbon at the recent opening of Surama Airstrip .

First planelands with Mr. Mangra Civil Aviation Department representative.

A newly rehabilitated airstrip at Surama, Region Nine (Upper Essequibo/ Upper Takutu), completed mainly by self help is proving to be a major facility for supporting a rapidly growing community tourism industry in the Rupununi village.

Member of Parliament, Sydney Allicock, who lives at Surama and is a member of the village council, said that ever since Surama won the “Excellence in Sustainable Tourism” award from the Caribbean Tourism organization in 2011, there has been a steady increase in the number of tourists to the community.

He said that the first ecolodge was built in 1998 to facilitate the community’s first organized business. It attracted 42 tourists for that

year.

The village hosted 753 paying clients and 52 complimentary ones last year and the lodge already has bookings for 2014 and requests for 2015 rates.

He said that the recognition of the potential of Surama had led to an urgent need for easier air transport access to and from the community for medical and other emergencies so that visitors would not have to travel to Annai to get flights.

Allicock said that the airstrip at Surama was built and used by balata bleeders in the 1950’s for transshipment of balata to Apoteri. It was subsequently used by the military in 1970’s.

It was last used in 1987.

The 60-foot wide by 3000-foot long airstrip was

completed by residents of Surama with the support of various groups and persons including the Ministry of Public Works (CAD) , Torong Tours (Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Chan A Sue), the Art Williams & Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School(AW HW AES) Mr. Marcel Gaskin, of Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Conservation International (CI) Guyana, Mekdeci Mining Company (MMC), Makushi Yemkun Cooperative(MYC), BK International, Region Nine Regional Development Council, Office of the Prime Minister, Wings Aviation and Trans Guyana Airways(TGA) The airstrip can accommodate a 14-seater aircraft. Allicock said that the entire runway is fenced with five strands of barbed wire

The finished airstrip at Surama . provided through the intervention of Prime Minister Sam Hinds.

There are two gates on either side to ensure that stray

animals do not pose a threat to aircraft landing or taking off.

The ribbon to declare the strip open was cut by Mrs.

Margaret Chan-a-Sue, wife of Captain Malcolm Chan-a-Sue, Executive Director of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana (AOAG).

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

De Professor reclaims kaiso crown “Dis God don’t sleep” captivates Demerara Park

By Dale Andrews Who said that calypso was dead and buried in Guyana? For obvious reasons, they are not given much airplay but judging from last Friday night’s Senior Calypso Finals at the Demerara Park (opposite Thirst Park) the art form is alive and kicking.

With the police and Guyana’s political landscape providing enough fodder, the contestants backed by the Mingles’ Sound Machine, zeroed in on topics such as police brutality, corruption and other societal ills.

Such was the quality of the compositions that even Trinidadian guest artiste, the iconic Mighty Explainer, was impressed, and there were many possibilities as to who would carry away the crown even before the actual winner was announced.

In the end, though, there was little surprise when Lindener, Lester “De Professor” Charles reclaimed the title from defending monarch, Young Bill Rogers, and beat back the challenge of local calypso icons Lord Canary, Sniper and Calypso Stella among others.

De Professor with his “Dis God don’t sleep”, performed to an ear-catching beat, again delivered a lecture on calypso, with his rhythmic performance that captivated the large audience who braved the threat of rain to be part of what can be described as one of the better local ‘Kaiso’ finals within the last decade.

From the inception, there was this feeling that the rain that threatened earlier in the day would not have affected the much anticipated showdown between Guyana’s top ‘Kaiso’ exponents.

The crowd poured in with their umbrellas in hand and it was as if the organisers had delayed the start to facilitate the thousands, including

West Indies cricket legend Clive Lloyd, and multiple Calypso winner, the Mighty Rebel.

Master of Ceremony Malcolm Ferreira took the microphone, and it was soon clear that in the absence of regular MC Basil Bradshaw, who was part of the judging team, he was the man for the job, keeping the audience focused in between the performances.

The programme started with performances from Junior Calypso champion, Niossi Alsopp who did her winning composition “Drama”, receiving some plaudits from the anxious audience.

She was followed by another guest artiste, Schoolteacher Abigail James, the daughter of two of Guyana’s Kaiso legends, the late Mighty Intruder and Singing Lurlene. It was clear that she had calypso in her genes.

It was the right type of appetizer for the main course which followed immediately after.

It was “garbage here and garbage there” when the calypso competition proper got started with a stellar performance from the relatively unknown Queen Dairy.

A midwife by profession, Queen Dairy was an early front runner, setting the tone for a gigantic battle with the well delivered “Hammie say ‘don’t blame me’”; a song about the blame game at City Hall over the current state of the “Garbage City” Next up was Princess Patricia with “De police” whose motto is “to serve and ‘tek”.

However, the audience appeared more interested in her props--a mini skit-and she must have been glad when that ended, allowing the audience to focus more on what she was saying.

The education sector did not escape the onslaught with the evergreen Calypso Stella

Queen Dairy was the early pacesetter with “hammie say ‘don’t blame me’” Newly crowned 2013 Calypso Monarch De Professor belting out “Dis God don’t sleep”.

Defending champion Young Bill Rogers had to settle for second place. of the 1997 “Corkball” hit fame, dishing out “De system wrang”, which dealt with the automatic promotion of students under the government’s ‘No child left behind’ programme.

When the next contestant was announced, no one had moved from their seats despite a few sporadic sprinkling of rain.

In fact whenever the drizzle was felt a sea of umbrellas transformed the venue into kaleidoscope.

In the Kaiso business

since 1967, the Mighty Canary brought out all his experience in performing “Now that I’m alive”.

The title of his song suggested that the former Minister of Culture was beginning a new life at 75 years old, but in fact he was merely demanding the honours that he so much deserves before his time expires, which, judging from his performance, seems some distance away.

The Mighty Voter’s “Let God be the judge” dealt with

Lord Canary used all his experience in his bid for another elusive calypso title. the controversial statement made by the late Commissioner of Police Henry Greene in defence of rape allegations leveled against him by a mother of two who had approached him for assistance. That too was well received by the audience.

The show had reached its halfway point and it was evident that the judges, which included Chief Judge Keith Campbell, Sean Bhola, Basil Bradshaw, Margaret Lawrence, Cecil Semple, Andrea Mentore and

Trinidadian Winston Henry, had their work cut out.

By this time also the anxiety level of the audience was reaching fever pitch as the programme took a break for the sponsors of the calypso competition Banks DIH Limited to unveil its 2013 Mashramani Float Parade costumes.

When the action resumed, it was time for karaoke princess “Queen Makeba” to unleash her composition “Is man”, touching on the highly (Continued on Page 14)

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Govt eyes new harbour bridge, to spend US$300M six weeks.

According to Adams, the new bridge will be managed by the construction company.

He explained that the company building the bridge will own and operate it. After the company would have recovered its cost it would transfer the entity to Government.

The General Manager related that the bridge will take a while to complete and its start cannot be delayed.

He assured that the construction of the new bridge is to satisfy the growing volume of traffic.

Between January 2009 and December 2012 there are 1,820 new trips per month.

Daily about 13,000

Proposed location for DHB from Versailles to Houston Government is eyeing two locations for the construction of a new reinforced concrete Demerara Harbour Bridge, either from Versailles, West Bank Demerara (WBD) to Houston, East Bank Demerara or from Patentia West Bank Demerara to New Hope, East Bank Demerara.

This was revealed by DHB’s General Manager Rawlston Adams, during his presentation at the recent Public Works Ministry third Engineering Conference.

He said that the preferred location to erect the 2.25 kilometers structure is from Versailles to Houston. The company contracted for this project must have the

capacity to design and build.

Though the Public Works Ministry will not design the structure it has outlined its requirements which include a reinforced concrete bridge with at least four lanes; pedestrian walkways; navigational channel of 100 metres; air draft of 50 metres; and maximum gradient of five percent.

Adams said that because the channel (the deepest part of a river) of the Demerara River is closer to the East Bank Demerara the 100-metre navigational channel and 50 metres air draft will be situated there. He further explained that since the bridge will have a maximum gradient of five

percent it will pass over the existing East Bank Demerara Public Road to aback Houston.

There it will connect to the Southern Approach Road sending traffic directly into Georgetown. The Southern Approach Road will be erected east to the East Bank Demerara Public Road connecting to the MandelaSheriff Road.

Another option within that option will see on and off ramps to facilitate commuters who do not want to travel on the Southern Approach Road to go into town. Adams said that the off ramp will pass through the Houston by-pass while the

Today Barticians will be observing the fifth anniversary of the Bartica Massacre. A programme in remembrance of those who died will include a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument of Hope as well as services in churches in the community.

Region Seven Chairman, Gordon Bradford, has said that he is occasionally deeply disturbed by the lack of closure on the Bartica massacre on February 17, five years ago.

“For me as a Bartician, I am firmly of the view that we should never let this heinous event pass from our memory.”

“As Regional Chairman as well as a resident, I must say that I am still not satisfied that closure has been achieved. I don’t know why.

I don’t know who all that is know is that it happened.

So we pay our respects to the dead.”

He added,”The best way

to honour them is to ensure that nothing like this ever happens to anyone else in Bartica or anywhere else in Guyana.”

On Sunday night, February 17, 2008, a number of gunmen attacked the mining community of Bartica, killing 12 residents and injuring several others.

A narrative of the event goes that the group of about 20 armed gunmen arrived at Bartica by speedboat.

They landed at the Transport and Harbours wharf around 10pm on Sunday night.

Upon arrival, they attacked the Bartica Police Station, where they killed Lance Corporal Zaheer Zakir, Constable Shane Fredericks and Constable Ron Osborne.

After murdering the three police ranks, the gang stole cash, arms, ammunition and a vehicle from the police station.

Using the stolen police

vehicle, they drove through the streets of Bartica shooting at civilians, fatally wounding Irwin Gilkes.

They then proceeded to CBR Mining Camp, where they killed Irving Ferreira, stole arms and ammunition, and removed two safes containing cash and gold.

They next shot and killed Dexter Adrian before returning to the wharf.

At the wharf, they executed Abdool Yassin Jr, Deonarine Singh, Errol Thomas, Ronald Gomes, Baldeo Singh and Ashraf Khan.

After their one hour rampage, the gunmen departed Bartica by boat.

Security Forces attributed the massacre to a gang led by notorious criminal Rondell “Fineman” Rawlins who along with two other gang members was subsequently killed during a shootout with army ranks on August 28, 2008 a little over six months later.

Regional Chairman haunted by lack of closure on the Bartica Massacre.

on ramp will come from in front of Banks DIH. The tolling booths for the bridge will be located at Versailles.

The estimated cost for the construction of this new structure is between US$250M and US$300M. He added that the pre-feasibility study for the bridge would be completed within the four to

passengers including approximately 500 schoolchildren cross the Demerara River via speedboats from Vreed-enHoop to Georgetown. It is expected that the new bridge will take about 50 percent of those passengers. He assured that speedboats will still be needed.

Unaware of what will become of the existing Harbour Bridge, Adams said that Public Works Ministry will salvage the bridge materials to build a fix bridge at Kurupukari. In addition, the pontoons will be used to build floating docks at Bartica, Parika, Supenaam, Vreed-enHoop, and Georgetown for the speedboats.

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

White House proposes…

Illegal US immigrants could become permanent residents in eight years The White House has prepared a draft immigration proposal that if accepted would allow illegal immigrants to become legal permanent residents within eight years.

The plan, a copy of which was obtained by USA Today, also would provide for more security funding and require business owners to check the immigration status of new hires within four years. In addition, the nation’s 11 million illegal immigrants could apply for a newly created “Lawful Prospective Immigrant” visa, under the bill being written by the White House. The draft was obtained from an Obama administration official who said it was being distributed to various agencies. The official requested anonymity because he was not authorized to release the proposal publicly.

The Bill is being developed as members in both chambers of Congress are drafting their own immigration bills. Last month, four Republican senators

joined with four Democratic senators to announce their agreement on the general outlines of an immigration plan. In the House, a bipartisan group of representatives has been negotiating an immigration proposal for years and are writing their own bill.

In his first term, President Obama often deferred to Congress on drafting and advancing major legislation, including the Affordable Care Act. He has openly supported the efforts in Congress to move immigration legislation, and just this week met with Democratic senators to discuss their proposals.

But two weeks ago in Las Vegas, while outlining his immigration plans, Obama made it clear that he would not wait too long for Congress to get moving.

“If Congress is unable to move forward in a timely fashion, I will send up a bill based on my proposal and insist that they vote on it right away,” he said.

White House spokesman

Clark Stevens said Saturday that the administration continues to support the bipartisan efforts ongoing in Congress.

“The President has made clear the principles upon which he believes any common-sense immigration reform effort should be based,” Stevens said. “We continue to work in support of a bipartisan effort, and while the president has made clear he will move forward if Congress fails to act, progress continues to be made and the administration has not prepared a final bill to submit.”

According to the White House draft, people would need to pass a criminal background check, submit biometric information and pay fees to qualify for the new visa. If approved, they would be allowed to legally reside in the U.S., work and leave the country for short periods of time.

They could then apply for legal permanent residence, commonly known as a green

The US White House has prepared a draft proposal that if adopted would allow illegal immigrants to be come permanent citizens in eight years. card, within eight years if they learn English and “the history and government of the United States” and pay back taxes.

That would then clear the path for them to apply for U.S. citizenship.

A major requirement for

many Republicans is enhanced border security.

The bill calls for an unspecified increase in the Border Patrol, allows the Department of Homeland Security to expand technological improvements along the border and adds 140 new immigration judges to process the heavy flow of people who violate immigration laws.

The draft also expands the E-Verify program that checks the immigration status of people seeking new jobs.

Businesses with more than 1,000 employees must begin using the system within two years, businesses with more than 250 employees within three years and all businesses within four years.

The draft also requires the Government Accountability Office to study the program every year.

The draft obtained by USA TODAY does not include sections that would alter the nation’s legal immigration system to adjust the future flow of legal immigrants, which is expected to be a critical component of any immigration overhaul.

De Professor reclaims kaiso crown

From page 12 controversial topic of homosexuality and same sex marriage.

Although it was a crowd pleaser, it was nothing compared to what was to come next. The MC, sensing the high anxiety of the crowd, teased them by slightly prolonging the introduction of the much anticipated “De Professor”.

When he finally took the stage and began his thoughtprovoking “Dis God don’t sleep”, some persons in the audience jumped out of their seats and made their way to the front of the stage where they began gyrating to the catchy beat of the song.

De Professor is well known for his attack on the government, and Friday night’s performance was no different. He demonstrated his mastery of social commentary with a critique of the ruling PPP/C regime. At the end of his performance it was clear who the audience was rooting for.

He was followed by the Mighty Sniper whose “Hey Bishop” was a witty piece that hammered a well-known religious leader for his comments at an election campaign rally about who Jesus would vote for.

“Wrong place, wrong time” was the name of the next piece, which was done by the evergreen Lady D, who took

These member in the audience could not contain themselves when the “rhythm hit them”. the stage in her full body armour. In another well received rendition, she took aim at the police over their fatal shootings in Agricola, Linden and outside the White Castle Fish Shop.

Sweet Kendingo, with all his experience, did not create a positive impact on the audience with his “Let the country move on”. Sometimes he was inaudible and the message of his song was drowned out.

All the challengers had thrown down the gauntlet and it was now time for the defending Monarch to beat them back.

Young Bill Rogers was at

his usual best, demonstrating why he was the only man in Guyana to hold three different singing crowns at the same time. His piece about the drastic turnaround in Guyana’s fortunes over the years was “This country was never like this”. It was another piece of socio/political commentary that captured the admiration of the audience.

But in the end he had to settle for second position behind the popular “De Professor”. When the curtain came down, it was Lady D and Queen Makeba who took the other top spots, much to the surprise of the audience, who felt that Lord Canary and

Queen Dairy should have been among the top four.

The night’s programme was spiced up with a 30 minute, foot-thumping special birthday performance from Trinidadian “Explainer”, who is celebrating 40 years in the calypso business.

He told this audience that with a little “adjustments” Guyana’s Calypsonians could rank among the top performers of the art form in the world. Coming from a ‘Trini’, it was incentive for the locals to aspire to higher heights. This year marks another year that the Mining Town of Linden holds both the Junior and senior Calypso

Lady D was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Calypso Stella.

Sunday February 17, 2013

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Laurie Greenidge--the last of the piano tuners

For many Guyanese the piano is a thing of the past; an oftimes aged instrument seen in some school or some church; most times lying dusty, unused and in a state of disrepair in a cluttered storeroom somewhat like the typewriter: overtaken by technology.

With the advent of electronic keyboards and digital musical equipment, they say, the piano has become culturally irrelevant.

But if these skeptics try telling that to a man named Laurie Greenidge they may find themselves in a heated argument which they would be hard pressed to win..

Laurie Greenidge of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, is a “die hard” piano lover.

He has been visually impaired from early childhood; he is partially sighted but he has been playing, repairing and tuning pianos for over fifty years and counting.

In the entire country, he might be the only active piano tuner still around.

Last week the 72-year- old

spoke about his trade, about Grand Concert pianos, Baby Grand pianos and Uprights and of the days when these “miniature orchestras” were the major sources of music in the living rooms of some homes and some schools and some churches.

He also spoke of his desire to see those pianos which are still around and are still functioning, being properly taken care of.

“Pianos are a great part of our culture and we must, wherever they are, strive to preserve them. I know that in these times, things have changed somewhat but to neglect pianos, to allow those still with us to fall to pieces, is criminal.”

British writer Michael Goldfarb in an essay on the social history of the piano said: “Looking at the social history of the piano is like putting your eye to a well-cut jewel”.

The piano was invented

by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Florence, Italy in 1698.

Cristofori built 20 pianofortes before he died at age 75 in 1731, roughly 21

Laurie Greenidge: Last of the local piano tuners. years after he invented the first pianoforte.

Since its invention, the piano became one of the most popular instruments in the world.

Greenidge has been a

Stakeholders discuss sustainability of child labour prevention initiatives Guyana has been examining ways to sustain several initiatives undertaken to prevent child labour over the past four years with support from the European Union. Stakeholders have gathered to deliberate on ways forward once funding has been exhausted under the Government of Guyana/ International Labour Organisation, International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) that began in October 2008.

The project, Tackling Child Labour Through Education (Tackle), is being led by the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security with support from the European Union and other local partners.

Speaking at the recent opening ceremony of the sustainability workshop, Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Kishore Gopaul, noted, “If we want to eliminate child labour, we have to ensure that every child completes secondary education and capitalizes on educational opportunities available at other levels.

“We in the Government have recognized that this is a challenge and we have taken steps to ensure that children attend and complete school, but this has been particularly challenging at the secondary level and in hinterland areas where there are fewer schools and schools are located far away from children’s homes,” Dr. Gopaul said.

The Government has responded with several programmes, including providing free uniform, transportation, and hot meals and by expanding existing facilities and building new schools and dormitories, including a new secondary school and dormitory being built at Kato, Region Eight.

The Minister noted that these efforts have borne successes; there have been lower levels of absenteeism and increased attendance, as well as increased number of children completing secondary school.

Among the initiatives being looked at for sustainability are the mentoring programme, which began in 2011 in five secondary schools to address the issues of violence, antisocial behaviour, trust and respect; and the School Retention and Child Labour Prevention programme being implemented at Kuru Kuru Linden Soesdyke Highway for the benefit of 360 children who attend Dora Secondary school, Kuru Kuru Primary and Kuru Kuru Nursery Class.

In spite of the successes, Dr. Gopaul acknowledged that there are still children dropping out of school at an early age.

He noted that several programmes have been designed to equip them with technical and vocation skills

through the Board of Industrial Training.

Nevertheless, he maintained that education is a key element in eliminating child labour and its causative factors such as poverty.

“The emphasis has to be on education. Parents have a lot more to do. Even if the children have to help out, it is parents’ responsibility to ensure they complete at least secondary school with good grades so that they could go on to pursue higher studies or become gainfully employed.

There are scholarships available for those who want to study further and cannot afford it,” he said, referring to the many scholarships offered by the state to study abroad and locally, and the numerous opportunities for work that will arise as Guyana continues to develop.

Ms. Constance Thomas, Director of the ILO IPEC noted the need for Government to lead the effort, but emphasized the need for a multi-stakeholder approach because even though one of the main contributory factors to child labour is poverty, there are other factors that are often overlooked, such as culture, health circumstances of family members, child neglect and lack of stability within the family. She noted that social groups, businesses and the trade union movement are key players.

member of the Guyana Institute for the Blind for many years. He has worked with other visually challenged persons at the institute in making baskets and craft items for sale.

Greenidge recalled the hey days of the instrument in Guyana. Pianos from England and the USA were imported mainly by AH&L Kissoon and Sons and Bookers Stores, now Guyana Stores.

Those were the days when people in Georgetown, and even rural areas, would on Sunday afternoons put on their “Sunday best” and go down to City Hall or Queen’s College auditorium to get “charged up” on piano recitals, choral performances and poetry. Sunny or rainy Sunday it didn’t matter.

“City Hall those days used to be a showpiece.

People used to love to go and sit down and just absorb the culture. One of the things performers and concert goers loved about City Hall was the acoustics. We didn’t need amplification at City Hall.

Natural voice alone was enough. Queen’s College auditorium and St. Georges Cathedral too. Is only in recent times City Hall deteriorate.”

A piano in the home was a symbol of status. “Between the 1950s and the 1980s, the people who owned pianos were not your ordinary man in the street. These were middle class people like lawyers and doctors and head-teachers and estate managers and so on. An ordinary man could not afford to buy a piano. “ “Those days when you walking through certain

middle and upper class residential areas almost every corner you would hear the tinkling sounds of a piano floating out from the windows and onto the street.” Those were the days.

Greenidge did not say it, but history records that generally the status of the piano in home entertainment was dealt a severe blow when the technology of the phonograph and the radiogram made the passive enjoyment of music possible.

Another blow to the piano was the widespread acceptance in the late 20th century of the electronic keyboard.

This instrument, in its cheaper forms, is considered by many, including Greenidge, to provide a poor substitute for the tonal quality of a good piano.

Upholding the virtues of the piano, Greenidge observed that the electronic keyboard has its limits.

“Most of the keyboards have a shorter range than the piano because the piano contains seven and a quarter octaves. This amounts to 88 notes. Some of the pianos even had as many as 100 notes. The keyboards carry about six octaves, they don’t have the range.

“Even then, natural piano sound with wood and string can never be fully replicated.”

But he agreed the keyboard is much more flexible and in many ways better suited to the performance of popular music. The piano continues to be widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, chamber music and accompaniment, and as an aid to (Continued on page 36 )

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Govt. disappointed over Delta’s planned pullout - mulls increasing cash bond for new airlines Delta Airlines’ surprise announcement that it was pulling out of the Guyana route has Government puzzled.

Not only was the US airline doing well, indications are that it was commanding near full passenger loads, this year racking up its highest percentage…89 per cent, according to a government spokesman.

Its average loads when it started in June 2008 was 77 per cent full on average.

Yesterday, Minister of Transport, Robeson Benn, in expressing government’s “dismay” at Delta’s announcement that it was discontinuing the Georgetown to New York flights from May, denied that the airline was unhappy over reports that it was pressured after the luggage of former President Bharrat Jagdeo was searched.

One newscast on Friday suggested that Delta was not pleased after Government intervened after the incident.

Benn said he was not aware of that incident and that neither Delta nor Jagdeo has made any official complaint.

Airline sources are now saying that Delta could have been upset because it lost all Government business to Caribbean Airlines (CAL), including the transfers of mail and diplomatic pouches.

CAL and Delta were the two only remaining airlines on the lucrative Georgetown/ New York route after Redjet and the EZjet folded last year.

Guyana would remain the biggest market for the Trinidad, government-owned CAL. In December, Government announced it had decided to grant CAL the status of being the country’s flag carrier. This has not yet happened, the official admitted yesterday.

“Route profitability has

been cited as the reason for this action.

This announcement by Delta, coming almost on the heels of the cessation of flights by low cost carriers REDjet and EZjet, is a very disappointing one,” Benn said in a statement during a press conference at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The situation of having one main carrier to New York has sent Government now scrambling to find additional flights, fearing possible hikes in the fares.

The Minister provided figures of how well Delta was doing moving from 36,695 passengers between JuneDecember 2008 to 78,221 last year.

Puzzling “The 84 per cent average payload and the increased passenger growth are contrary to the statement of ‘significant decline in passenger loads’ issued by Delta’s Corporate Communications Manager.

“We have noted claims by Delta elsewhere of higher fuel cost and of a Guyana passenger profile which is biased towards the low end of the market in respect of fares,” Benn said.

The official believed that Delta Airlines’ announced acquisition, in December, of Singapore Airlines’ 49 per cent share in Virgin Atlantic for US$360M, could be the reason for pulling out as the airline concentrates its resources in that more lucrative Trans Atlantic route.

But all is not lost, the Minister said optimistically.

“The Guyana aviation sector and its passengers have benefitted from the Delta experience. The ongoing and intended improvements at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, especially the slated runway extension and new terminal building, allow us to

Government said it is puzzled by the reasons given by Delta Airlines to pullout from Guyana. hold the door open for Delta’s rethink of its options for its engagement in Guyana.”

Government, through Trade Minister, Irfaan Ali, has had initial talks with Delta but Government is “actively pursuing other suitable replacement services to meet the needs of the travelling public,” it was disclosed yesterday.

Meanwhile, regarding the issue of CAL receiving a fuel subsidy from the Trinidad Government, a development that could be seen as unfair, the Minister said that Guyana is aware but that the matter is one for the Trinidad government. Government would be surprised if it is being argued that Delta was losing money on the New York route, Benn disclosed.

He declined to name the other players in the airline industry who are now being courted to fill the gap, except to say that some of them are already here in Guyana while the others are in the region.

Bond increase?

Regarding Fly Jamaica, a new airline based in Jamaica and which is eyeing the Guyana route, the Minister revealed that the company is still to fully submit all its documentations and other mandatory requirements to the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. Fly Jamaica is partially owned by Guyanese pilot, Ronald Reece.

These requirements would include corporate and financial information and the establishment of a cash bond at a local bank.

Questioned yesterday whether government would be considering raising the amount of the cash bond that airlines operating in Guyana would be required to lodge, Minister Benn said that it is an option.

Another alternative, also, is the placing of passengers’ monies for tickets into an escrow account until the flight would have landed.

This particular issue has

Transport Minister, Robeson Benn been a troubling one for passengers over the years after a number of charters and airlines folded, leaving the hapless fliers in the lurch.

The EZjet case was a classic example.

A US$200,000 cash bond at Scotiabank was not enough to pay all the passengers who were left stranded after

authorities in Guyana, US, Trinidad and Canada, suspended the airline in December.

Government would badly want more airlines to pacify a weary Guyana flying public who knows all too well the story of being stranded without the possibilities of a refund.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Another successful Children’s Mashramani Parade streets.

The procession made its way east along Middle Street, then north into Camp Street (western carriage), east into Lamaha Street and finally north into Albert Street and then into the National Park.

This year also saw schools from the various regions coming out to participate in the event. Apart from the various Nursery, Primary, and Secondary schools, some children’s organizations also participated. These included the ZEBRA Children’s Network, the Hinterland Scholarship Division, and the David Rose School for Handicapped.

At the National Park the event was fully endorsed by Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Dr. Frank Anthony, who seemed pleased as he viewed the children’s performances. The Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) was the main sponsor for the day’s activity.

The children “mashed up

the place”. Despite the heat of the sun, they were energetic as they danced to the music blasted from the speakers closest to them.

Men were seen decked out in their blue GT&T T-shirts as they drove around with speakers in the trays of several canter trucks.

As for the teachers, they too were very active. They provided the necessary supervision. Many of them were seen feeding water to the children and wiping their faces every now and then.

Hundreds of families turned up to see their loved ones exhibit the “Mash fever” and had a very exciting and fun-filled day. Others simply stood on their verandas and peered through their windows to get a glimpse of the children.

It was an entertaining day for all those in the vicinity of the parade.

The children sang and danced to the music. It was adorable. Results for the winners of this competition will be released shortly.

- lack of evidence cited

with other gunmen and killed Paul in a robbery bid.

Barbot’s wife, Latifan, who had seen the shooting, did not identify the gunman, but her granddaughter, Nazeema Persaud, who at first gave the impression that she had identified the accused as a person she used to see when she visited her mother at Glasgow, East Bank Berbice, told the jury that the only information she had about the men was “that one was “tall and dark” and the other was “short and brown”.

Those statistics fitted a number of persons, including defence counsel and two members of the jury, the girl explained under crossexamination.

The accused who was represented by Attorney-atLaw George Thomas, pleaded not guilty to the crime.

Scores of persons flocked the streets of Georgetown yesterday to get a glimpse of the annual Children’s Costume Parade.

It was a bright, sunny day and the children were all decked out in their very colourful and interesting costumes. There were eagles, the rainbow and Guyana’s flora.

Although one might have been captivated mostly by the colours of the floats and costumes, and the adorable look of the children, the messages were still well received.

The common message behind all of the floats was “Love and harmony as one people”. The pieces surely did not fail to represent the theme for this year’s Mashramani celebrations“Reflecting Creativity, Embracing Diversity”.

The parade took off from Independence Park (formerly the Parade Ground), as is customary, and made its way into the National Park after parading through the city

Man accused of murdering Kaieteur News’ pressmen freed

One of the men accused of killing five Kaieteur News pressmen on August 8, 2006, is now free of the charge. This newspaper was told that Dwight Da Silva was freed of the murder charge. Da Silva, along with Quincy Evans and Jermaine Charles called ‘Skinny’ now deceased, were charged for the murders of Eion Wegman, Richard Stuart, Mark Maikoo, Shazim Mohamed and Chetram Persaud.

Evans was previously freed in the Magistrate’s court.

According to sources within the Director of Public Prosecutions, the matter against DaSilva was discharged because of the lack of evidence. He was released from prison

sometime last week.

The men were cold bloodedly slain on Tuesday August 8, 2006 at the Kaieteur News Printing facility at Eccles Industrial Site.

DaSilva was also freed in the case of Caneville businessman Barbot Paul back in June 2012. Problems with the identification evidence of a 16-year-old girl, whose description of a murder accused rested on the words “a tall dark man” and “a short brown man” resulted in murder accused Da Silva being freed on a no-case submission.

Businessman Barbot Paul was murdered on August 6, 2006. Da Silva was accused of entering the business premises at Grove, EBD along

Child killed by drunk drag racing Army Officer A Guyana Defence Force Second Lieutenant was detained last night by police after the car he was driving struck down a 13 year old boy, killing him on the spot at Airy Hall, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara.

The accident occurred around 19:30 hours.

The dead youth’s name was given as Troy Fraser.

Reports reaching this

newspaper indicate that the soldier and two policemen along with another civilian were racing in four cars when the army officer lost control of his vehicle as he was negotiating a treacherous turn and slammed into Fraser who was walking along the parapet.

According to eyewitnesses, the impact sent the child flying several feet

into the air, before he landed on the roadway not far from his home.

The sound of the crash had his relatives running onto the road only to shockingly discover that it was Fraser.

Kaieteur News understands that a breathalyzer test conducted on the army officer found him to be over the allowed limit of alcohol consumption.

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Sunday February 17, 2013

Pakistan party vows to quit ruling coalition as polls loom KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan’s Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) threatened to quit the ruling coalition yesterday, piling fresh pressure on President Asif Ali Zardari ahead of elections due this spring.

The MQM, which dominates the commercial capital Karachi, said it would leave the coalition to protest against the authorities’ decision to drop charges against a group of murder suspects accused of links to Zardari’s ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

“The government has given a free hand to criminals,” senior MQM leader Farooq Sattar told a news conference in Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city and capital of the southern Sindh Province.

Zardari’s government could survive a walk-out by the MQM since his ruling coalition would still retain a majority in the national assembly in Islamabad.

Nevertheless, the potential loss of one of its key coalition partners would be a blow to the PPP, which is gearing up for a tough

Dr Farooq Sattar election battle after a fiveyear tenure marred by allegations of corruption, cronyism and incompetence.

Critics say Pakistan’s politicians have been so preoccupied with the intricacies of coalition politics that they have devoted too little attention to tackling issues from militant violence to a chronic power crisis and the soaring cost of living since the last general elections in 2008. The MQM has a record of repeatedly rescinding previous threats to leave Zardari’s coalition after wringing concessions from

his government and it was unclear how quickly lawmakers and ministers belonging to the party would implement their latest pledge to quit.

A party spokesman said MQM’s members of the federal and provincial cabinets were in the process of preparing their resignation letters late yesterday.

In the face of past ruptures, senior PPP leaders have rapidly intervened to convince the MQM to stay with the coalition.

The Sindh provincial government angered the MQM this week by deciding to drop murder and other serious charges against eight suspected criminals who MQM believes form the core of a Karachi militia force allied to the PPP. Human rights activists say, however, that it is the MQM itself that controls the most formidable armed wing of any political party in the city, where hundreds of people were killed last year in turf wars between rival factions.

Some observers believe the MQM’s main motive for leaving the coalition is to

assert its independence from the PPP ahead of the polls, which are expected in May. The volatility of the preelection landscape was laid bare in January when cleric Muhammad Tahirul Qadri triggered Pakistan’s latest political crisis by leading tens

of thousands of followers on a march on the capital to demand electoral reforms.

The stand-off was resolved after talks with the government, but the episode served as a reminder of the difficulty of predicting what may happen at the polls.

The PPP-led coalition is hoping to become the first civilian-led, elected government to complete a five-year term and hold elections, which would be a milestone in Pakistan’s attempts to bury the legacy of decades of military rule.

G20 exchange rate policies need to be better aligned MOSCOW (Reuters) There is better understanding among Group of 20 nations that the foreign exchange rate systems of the world’s largest economies need to be better aligned, a senior U.S. administration official said on Saturday after G20 finance leaders met in Moscow.

While the Group of Seven industrialized countries - the United States, Britain, Italy, Germany, Japan, France and Canada - have long-standing rules on exchange rates, the newer G20 of emerging and advanced economies, including China, India and Brazil, is still trying to develop a set of common standards, the official said. The G20

meeting committed to move more rapidly toward more market exchange rate systems and to refrain from competitive devaluation. The wording of the final statement was closely followed given concerns that Japan is targeting a weaker yen in its aggressive expansive monetary and fiscal policies, which have driven down its currency.

G20 currency tensions are not new. The United States has long pressed China to reform its exchange rate regime by allowing market forces to play a larger role in managing the economy.

The U.S. administration official said G20 discussions were focused more on

currency frameworks than on a particular country’s policies.

Meanwhile, the official said the United States was on target to meet a pledge by advanced economies at the G20 in Toronto in 2010 to halve their budget deficits by 2013. With the pact set to expire this year, some countries like Germany want the G20 to set new debtcutting targets. The U.S. official said the Moscow meeting wanted to avoid any commitment that there is a one-size-fits-all pace of fiscal consolidation. However, the official said the United States was comfortable with the way the fiscal consolidation effort was being discussed by the G20.

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Prospect of prison looms for ex-congressman, wife CHICAGO (AP) — The prospect of prison looms over former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife after they agreed to plead guilty to charges in an alleged scheme to spend $750,000 in campaign funds on personal items — including furs, a gold watch, a football signed by U.S. presidents and even a hat once owned by Michael Jackson.

It wasn’t immediately clear how much time either Jackson could end up doing when the legal drama inevitably reaches its climax before a federal sentencing judge within a few months.

But judges frown on brazen breaches of public trust, said one former federal prosecutor, and that may mean the former Chicago congressman will likely to have to serve at least a few years behind bars.

“It shows hubris and arrogance that a politician sees his campaign coffers as his to spend as likes,” said Jeff Cramer, who as an assistant U.S. attorney in Chicago worked on multiple corruption cases. “With these kinds of charges, I cannot imagine him not going to prison ... for 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 years.” He thought Sandi Jackson, at most, would spend several months in prison.

Prosecutors are reluctant to ask judges to send couples with school-age children, like the Jacksons, to prison for long terms at simultaneously — so it’s possible, Cramer said, that the government will seek to stagger their sentences in such a way that the Jacksons aren’t behind bars at the same time.

Federal prosecutors on Friday filed one charge of conspiracy against the former congressman and charged his ex-alderman wife, Sandra, with one count of filing false joint federal income tax returns for the years 2006 through 2011 that knowingly understated the income the couple received. Both agreed to plead guilty in deals with federal prosecutors.

Both face maximum penalties of several years in prison; he also faces hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and forfeitures.

But the government did not immediately release the text of its plea agreements. Such agreements almost invariably call for prosecutors to recommend sentences below the maximum.

The son of a famed civil rights leader, Jackson, a Democrat, entered Congress in 1995 and resigned last November. Sandi, as she’s known, was a Chicago alderman, but resigned last

month amid the federal investigation.

Jackson used campaign money to buy a $43,350 goldplated, men’s Rolex watch and $9,587.64 on children’s furniture, according to court papers filed in the case. His wife spent $5,150 on fur capes and parkas, the document said.

“I offer no excuses for my conduct, and I fully accept my responsibility for the improper decisions and mistakes I have made,” the excongressman said in a written statement released by his lawyers. “I want to offer my sincerest apologies ... it is my hope that I am remembered for things that I did right.”

Several messages left with Jackson’s father, the voluble civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, were not returned Friday. The elder Jackson has often declined to comment about his son’s health and legal woes over the past several months.

The government said, “Defendant Jesse L. Jackson Jr., willingly and knowingly, used approximately $750,000 from the campaign’s accounts for personal expenses” that benefited him and his coconspirator, who was not named in the one-count criminal information filed in the case. The filing of a criminal information means a defendant has waived the right to have a grand jury

consider the case; it is used by federal prosecutors when they have reached a deal for a guilty plea.

The prosecutors’ court filing said that upon conviction, Jackson must forfeit $750,000, plus tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of memorabilia items and furs.

The memorabilia includes a football signed by U.S. presidents, a Michael Jackson and Eddie Van Halen guitar, a Michael Jackson fedora, Martin Luther King Jr. memorabilia, Malcolm X memorabilia, Jimi Hendrix memorabilia and Bruce Lee memorabilia — all from a company called Antiquities of Nevada.

The conspiracy charge carries a maximum statutory penalty of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and other penalties.

U.S. District Judge Robert L. Wilkins is assigned to the case. Tom Kirsch, an attorney for Jackson’s wife said she has signed a plea agreement with federal prosecutors and would plead guilty to one tax count.

Kirsch said his client and her husband have supported each other. He said the ordeal has been stressful for Sandi Jackson, but she “expected to be held responsible ... and wants to put (it) behind her and her family.”

The charge against Sandi Jackson carries a maximum of

U.S. hopes to finalize IMF vote reforms soon: U.S. official MOSCOW (Reuters) The Obama administration is hoping to move ahead shortly with legislation to finalize IMF voting reforms agreed in 2010, which will make China the third-largest voting member in the global financial institution, a senior U.S. official said yesterday.

The official, speaking at the end of a Group of 20 meeting of finance ministers in Moscow, said the administration was actively discussing legislation with relevant members of Congress.

The 2010 package cannot be finalized until it gets the go-ahead from the United States, which has

effective veto power over the historic deal that was meant to have been approved by all IMF member countries in October last year, but was stalled by the U.S. presidential election.

It is part of a broader plan by the IMF to give emerging market powers greater voting clout in the organization.

China, Brazil and other large emerging market economies have long contended that the IMF’s voting set-up unfairly benefits Europe and the United States, which dominated the IMF since its founding after World War Two.

Sandi Jackson three-year prison sentence.

But Kirsch says the agreement “does not contemplate a sentence of that length.”

The court papers said that Jackson filed false financial reports with the U.S. House of Representatives in an attempt to conceal his and his wife’s conversion of campaign funds for their personal benefit.

A black and red cashmere cape cost $1,500, a mink reversible parka cost $1,200 and a black fox reversible cost $1,500, prosecutors wrote.

Jackson’s resignation

Jesse Jackson Jr.

ended a once-promising political career tarnished by unproven allegations that he was involved in discussions to raise campaign funds for imprisoned former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in exchange for appointment — which never came — to President Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat. The House Ethics Committee, which no longer has any power over Jackson, may choose to issue a report on the matter.

Jackson denied any wrongdoing in the Blagojevich matter. But the suspicions, along with

revelations that he had had an extramarital affair, derailed any aspirations for higher political office. It wasn’t clear from the court papers whether the woman with whom he had the affair was among the half dozen people identified the documents by letters of the alphabet rather than by their names.

Since last June, Jackson has been hospitalized twice at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., for treatment of bipolar disorder and other issues, and he stayed out of the public eye for months, even during the November elections.

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U.N. SAYS DELAYED CONGO PEACE DEAL DUE TO BE SIGNED FEBRUARY 24 UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - A delayed U.N.mediated peace deal aimed at ending two decades of conflict in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is due to be signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on February 24, the United Nations said yesterday.

African leaders failed to sign the deal last month due to the concerns of some

countries over who would command a new regional force that would deploy in eastern Congo and take on armed groups operating in the conflict-torn region. The socalled intervention brigade would be contained within the existing U.N. peacekeeping force in Congo, known as MONUSCO. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent out invitations on Friday for the

February 24 signing ceremony and intended to travel to Ethiopia for the event, his spokesman, Martin Nesirky, said. “All the invited presidents have committed to either be there or delegate power to sign,” Nesirky said.

Rwandan Deputy U.N. Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe posted on Twitter that the “African Union, the International Conference on the Great

Lakes Region, Southern African Development Community Chairs, as well as 10 Heads of States of the region will attend the signing ceremony.”

Envoys have said that one of the main reasons the deal was not signed in January was that three countries in the 15-member Southern African Development Community regional bloc - South Africa,

Tanzania and Mozambique felt they did not have enough information on the enforcement brigade.

The creation of an enforcement brigade within a U.N. peacekeeping mission is new for the United Nations, according to officials in the world body.

Peace enforcement missions allow the use of lethal force in serious combat situations, while peacekeeping operations are intended to support and monitor an already existing ceasefire, diplomats and U.N. officials say.

A new Security Council resolution would be needed to approve the intervention unit and is likely to be supported by the 15-member council, envoys have said.

U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous has made clear that the brigade would fight under the banner of MONUSCO, which means it would be under the same command as regular MONUSCO troops, who conduct patrols and support the Congolese security forces.

But diplomats had said South Africa, Tanzania and Mozambique, which are the most likely candidates to supply the several thousand troops of the brigade, believed it should have its own command. The countries take the view that MONUSCO has not performed well under its current command, such as when it allowed M23 rebels to occupy the eastern city of Goma last year for 11 days before they withdrew.

The M23 rebels began taking large swathes of the mineral-rich east early last year, accusing the government of failing to honor a 2009 peace deal. That peace deal ended a previous rebellion and led to the rebels’ integration into the national

Ban-Ki-moon army. They have since deserted the army.

The Congolese army has failed to quell the growing 10month insurgency by M23, which has dragged Congo’s eastern region back toward war and, according to U.N. experts, has received crossborder support from Rwanda and Uganda. Rwanda and Uganda strongly deny the accusations of involvement.

Ladsous said that if approved by the U.N. Security Council, the enforcement unit would be equipped with a threepronged mandate to prevent the expansion of armed groups in eastern Congo as well as to “neutralize” and disarm them.

It would have the aid of unmanned surveillance drones to hunt down armed militias difficult to spot in the vast territory of eastern Congo. Ladsous said the drones would provide an element of deterrence because the rebels would know they were being watched.

The planned use of drones, is also new for the United Nations, U.N. officials say. Congo’s prime minister said on Thursday that the drones could be deployed as early as June.

U.S. hopes to finalize IMF vote reforms soon MOSCOW (Reuters) The Obama administration is hoping to move ahead shortly with legislation to finalize IMF voting reforms agreed in 2010, which will make China the third-largest voting member in the global financial institution, a senior U.S. official said yesterday.

The official, speaking at the end of a Group of 20 meeting of finance ministers in Moscow, said the administration was actively discussing legislation with relevant members of Congress.

The 2010 package cannot be finalized until it gets the go-ahead from the United

States, which has effective veto power over the historic deal that was meant to have been approved by all IMF member countries in October last year, but was stalled by the U.S. presidential election.

It is part of a broader plan by the IMF to give emerging market powers greater voting clout in the organization.

China, Brazil and other large emerging market economies have long contended that the IMF’s voting set-up unfairly benefits Europe and the United States, which dominated the IMF since its founding after World War Two.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Bomb rips through Pakistan market, killing 63 QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — A bomb ripped through a crowded vegetable market in a mostly Shiite neighborhood in a southern Pakistani city yesterday, killing at least 63 people and wounding some 180, some critically, in a horrific attack on the country’s minority Muslim sect.

Police raised the death toll several times and said many of those wounded in the explosion in Quetta remain in critical condition.

The blast left many victims buried under rubble, but police said they did not know how many.

It was the deadliest incident since bombings in the same city killed 86 people earlier this year and led to a dayslong protest that eventually toppled the local government.

Shiites, a minority in this Sunni Muslim dominated country, have been increasingly attacked by militant groups who view them as heretics and nonMuslims.

Senior police officer Wazir Khan Nasir said the bomb, set off in a residential suburb,

was detonated by remote control.

Another officer, Samiullah Khan, said police were investigating whether the bomb was planted in a rickshaw parked in the crowded vegetable market.

He said the bomb was detonated while dozens of women and children were shopping for the evening meal.

Local residents rushed the victims to three different area hospitals.

Television footage of the scene showed the rubble of the destroyed buildings with fruits and vegetables from what just minutes earlier was a lively market littered across the ground next to destroyed street carts.

Members of the minority Shiite sect took to the city streets in angry protest, blocking roads with burning tires and throwing stones at passing vehicles.

Many also started firing into the air in an attempt to keep people away from the area in case there was a secondary explosion.

Sometimes insurgents stagger the explosions as a

way to target people who rush to the scene to help and thus increase the death toll.

Police cordoned off the area.

Most of the Shiites in the area are Hazaras, an ethnic group who migrated from Afghanistan over 100 years ago and in recent years have come under horrific attacks, mostly at the hands of Laskher-e-Jhangvi, a Sunni militant group.

“This evil force is operating with the patronage of certain elements in the province,” said Qayum Changezi, the chairman of a local Hazara organization.

Saturday’s attack was the worst since a series of bombings on Jan. 10 killed 86 people in Quetta, almost all Hazara Shiites.

Residents were so furious that they refused to bury their dead for days, instead camping out on the streets in protest and demanding the government address the problem.

After days of protests, Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf flew to the city to meet with protesters and sacked the chief minister and his

Smoke rises from the site of a bomb blast in a market in Quetta, Pakistan yesterday. (AP Photo/Arshad Butt) cabinet. But yesterday’s attack showed the still potent power of the militant groups behind such incidents.

Quetta is the capital of Baluchistan province, where

the Shiite minority has been attacked several times in recent months. Baluch nationalist groups are fighting an insurgency there to try to gain a greater share

of income from the province’s gas and mineral resources.

Islamic militants and the banned sectarian group Lashker-e-Jhangvi are also active in the province.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Business and you…

Young people get on board the GYBT train!

By Zena Henry Are you young, innovative, industrious and have a knack for business?

Then you may very well be eligible to manage your own firm and make your contribution to the country’s economic development. You could grow, have a chain of businesses or go international, depending on your drive and passion. All you need is the right people offering the right opportunities.

If that is the case, then the Guyana Youth Business Trust (GYBT) may be the place for you. Promoting youth entrepreneurship by empowering local young people, GYBT offers up to $800,000 in loans to qualified persons between the ages of 18-35. If you are unemployed, have a business idea, able to apply personal skills and unable to access financial sources, then GYBT will accommodate you.

Their mission is, “to promote young business persons in the establishment and growth of enterprises to create jobs for business owners and others.”

GYBT’s main office on South Road The objective is to encourage youth initiative businesses by providing affordable access to start-up assistance in offering services such as financial assistance loans, business monitoring, business training, insurance coverage, business counseling and supervision and technical assistance.

On February 24, 2000, HMS Charles, Prince of Wales; Dr. Yesu Persaud and

the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), established the nongovernmental organization, GYBT, with the vision of, “developing and promoting youth entrepreneurship as a sustainable mechanism to overcome unemployment/ under-employment by disadvantaged youths.”

The dignitaries wanted to provide easy opportunities for young persons who do

not have access to traditional financing. These persons would have a chance to attain cash for micro-businesses without the need for collateral or guarantors. From 2000 to now, GYBT has been working passionately to have its objectives realized. There have been various programmes organized to reach more young persons, while there are many success stories to complement the

hard work.

GYBT has over time announced some successful business people related to the entity such as Benjamin Williams, owner of LW’s Production Enterprise which deals with the production of leather items, Melissa Barnwell of Savory Products which produces sauces and seasonings and Joanna Khan who owns a Photo Studio.

Most notable are the successes of 29-year-old Kwesi Barclay and 31-yearold Viola Andrews. Barclay acquired Ultra Graphics Creative Imagination in 2008 and with products such as Graphic Designs, Screen Printing, documentation Services. Barclay has so far been able to access four financial loans.

As a Young Entrepreneur, he has been able to maintain a working relationship with GYBT by maintaining his financial obligations in a timely and efficient manner.

He has done this while successfully sustaining his business for four years to date, and has since provided employment for one person.

Barclay was featured in the Youth Business International Annual Reports

and Accounts 2009 for his outstanding work as an entrepreneur. He started off by offering simple scanning and photocopying but has since responded to the corporate market by providing other services such as graphic designing and screen printing. Andrews on the other hand, started her business in 2007 and she was able to access 13 loans. Viola’s Arcade Fashion (Garment Manufacturing and Retail Trade) has been able to produce Hammocks, Garment Manufacturing, Mosquito Nets, and Poultry Broilers.

Andrews operates her million-dollar business with a true entrepreneurial spirit of persistence and has recently expanded in reaction to customer needs by providing more products and opening more locations for her GYBT boosted business. She has two successful firms in Region Seven and San Martin and San Antonio on the Guyana-Venezuelan border.

The woman began her business with a $96,000 loan and has gained a maximum of $800,000 since. The business has not only benefitted her but has provided employment ( Continued on page 31)

Interesting Creatures...

The Southern Tamandua The Southern Tamandua, also called a collared anteater, or lesser anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla), is a species of anteater from South America. It is a solitary animal, found in many habitats from mature to highly disturbed secondary forests and arid savannahs. It feeds on ants, termites and bees. It has very strong fore-claws that can be used to break insect nests or to defend itself.

The southern tamandua is found in South America f r o m Ve n e z u e l a t o northern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay at elevations of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft). It is also found in Trinidad.

The tamandua inhabits both wet and dry forests, i n c l u d i n g tropical rainforest, savannah, and thorn scrub. It seems to be most common in habitats near streams and rivers, especially those thick with vines and epiphytes (presumably because its prey is common in these areas). The oldest fossil tamanduas date from the Pleistocene of South America, although genetic evidence suggests that they may have diverged from their closest relative, the giant

The Southern Tamandua anteater, in the late Miocene, 12.9 million years ago.

The southern tamandua is a medium-sized anteater, though it can vary considerably in size based on environmental conditions. It has a head and body length ranging from 34 to 88 cm (13 to 35 in), and a prehensile tail 37 to 67 cm (15 to 26 in) long.

Adults weigh from 1.5 to 8.4 kg (3.3 to 19 lb); there is no

significant difference in size between males and females.

Like their close relative, the northern tamandua, they have four clawed digits on the forefeet and five on the hind feet, and walk on the outer surface of their forefeet, to avoid puncturing their palms with their sharp! claws.

The underside and the tip of the tail are hairless. The snout (Continued on page 32)

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 25

The New Opportunity Corps – Correctional facility or Home Away from Home?

By Sharmain Grainger A section of the New Opportunity Corps

Although it was established several years ago as a correctional facility for the young, the belief of those tasked with manning the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) today is evidently very different. In fact, according to Mr Brian King, Acting Administrator of the facility located at Onderneeming on the Essequibo Coast, the NOC’s current operation is more akin to the management of a large household.

This deduction was made even as he sought to explain that “NOC is a facility that offers opportunities. It is not a prison and no one is treated as a prisoner here so they are certainly not inmates but students,” King stated emphatically during a recent conversation.

Currently there are close to 150 students between the ages of 10 and 18 whose terms at NOC were sanctioned by the court system. The male and female students, according to King, live in separate dormitories that are monitored by live-in Supervisors. The staffing capacity of the facility, he disclosed, amounts to some 50 individuals.

The facility’s operation falls under the purview of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and has a specific mandate to rehabilitate and train adolescent offenders and wanderers so that they could be re-integrated in the

society.

The maximum period of rehabilitation is three years, or depending on individual circumstances it could be reduced to a minimum of one

year. According to King, students are subjected to fulltime schooling in a number of skills training areas including electrical installation, handicraft, joinery,

From page 30 for fifteen persons. In 2009 she successfully completed a Certificate in Small Business Management and Development and Needlework; offered by the European Union/ Low Income Housing Project in Partnership with the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED).

Andrews was applauded by the organization and described as a committed person when it came to the management of her business.

Reacting to the needs of her consumers, she sought to provide products that would benefit the community she lives in. To ensure success through monitoring, GYBT also provides for its clients qualified and dedicated business mentors, some of whom, volunteer to work hand in hand with these entrepreneurs.

They specialize in areas of marketing, Customer Relations, Managing Personal Finance and economic development

among other things.

Apart from the contributions and assistance that GYBT offers to these young people, they have always urged for a positive attitude from these persons.

They have advocated for upbeat and serious persons who are passionate about what they want to achieve.

The term entrepreneur, the organization said, comes from the word to undertake.

Anyone who undertakes the organization and management of an enterprise involving independent and risk while seeking the opportunity for profit can be seen as an entrepreneur.

In that light, they said that dedicated potential business owners must be able to work long hours. They must be open-minded, flexible and able to respond to new ideas.

They must be prepared to deal with unforeseen problems and know that there is a solution.

They should be able to learn from the mistakes, change if one venture fails, and most of all, never give up.

GYBT’s strategic partners who offer their assistance are IPED, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Inter-American Development Bank, among others.

For those persons who are interested and are thinking about visiting the organization, GYBT offers financing for as many as 30 business areas. These include agro-processing, auto electrician, barbers, carpenters, car washes, cosmetology, day care facilities, fishing, furniture manufacturing, hairdressers, masons, private schools, restaurants and vulcanizing shops.

GYBT is located at 253-254 South Road, Bourda ,Georgetown, and can be reached on telephone numbers 226-4675, 225-8949.

GYBT’s provisions have been lauded by some as “golden opportunities” not to be taken for granted. The organization said it is always open and acceptant of new, innovative and progress business persons.

Young people get...

Information Technology, tailoring and garment construction, welding and fabrication, carpentry and masonry which are complemented by English and Mathematics.

While these courses are more tailored for the older students, King said that younger ones are offered remedial sessions in Mathematics and English too. However all students, he noted, are subjected to daily counselling sessions.

“We have one social

worker and we are expecting some more, but we also have a pastor who is now working here as a Dorm Supervisor, so he is doing some amount of pastoral counselling.”

Students are also allowed to practice their preferred religion without any interference, he added.

According to information publicised on the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s website, NOC offers psychosocial support to youths in order to help them improve their self-esteem and selfworth. The academic programme offered allows them to be exposed to schools within the community.

Moreover, a total of nine students are currently attending the Johanna Cecelia Secondary School, according to King, who revealed, too, that at least one is currently preparing to write the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination this year.

Several NonGovernmental Organisations have also over the years offered students a number of programmes to help improve their level of qualifications to cater to their return to the society.

The most recent undertaking saw a group of 17 students being afforded skills to enter the world of work through an ambitious initiative spearheaded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Skills and Knowledge for Youth Employment (SKYE) Project.

The project, which was done in collaboration with Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG), came to an official end recently, and saw students being certified with the requisite skills for employment or to pursue being entrepreneurs. They

were subjected to six weeks of intense training which, according to King, has in fact complemented the existing programmes offered at the facility.

Students are also given the opportunity to participate in football, cricket, track and field, cycling and swimming championships through the Ministry of Education’s sports programmes. The NOC also has the capacity to do non-residential skills training for young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who live in close proximity.

King revealed that students at NOC are also exposed to a number of national activities. At present, he said, preparations are already being made for the upcoming Mashramani celebration.

“We have our float already prepared and we are preparing to do our costumes...We are going as the medium costume band for Region Two. We are taking 60 students...”

Students are afforded a well rounded life, King stressed, thus the focus is not merely on training in a confined environment. In fact, he insisted that students are given a great deal of freedom even as he reiterated that “this is a training institution it is not a prison. Our students get three square meals plus snacks and they gain skills and knowledge to help them along when they leave here.”

According to King, NOC has been home to a number of outstanding characters in the society among them Gospel DJ Kester Deane, popular singer Natural Black and a number of other individuals who have made significant marks in the society since they would have left NOC. “We h!ave (Continued on page 32)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

ImmigrationINFOTM Immigration News For Our Community

E-Verify – Coming to your Employer Soon!

The word “E-Verify” will soon be an everyday term or process used when applying for a job in the United States.

E-Verify is free and voluntary and is the best means available for determining employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their social security numbers. The E-Verify programme was implemented under former President George W. Bush as an initiative to prevent employers from hiring undocumented immigrants in the United States.

The voluntary programme has become a popular requirement in awarding federal and state contracts. Additionally, if immigration reform occurs in 2013, E-Verify will be made mandatory for ALL employers in the United States.

What is E-Verify?

E-Verify is an Internetbased system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees. The information inputted in the electronic system is taken from the completed Form I-9, which all employees are required to complete to verify eligibility to work in the United States.

In the past, employees would complete Form I-9 and employers would simply keep the form on file. E-Verify requires the employer to take an additional step and input the information from Form I-9 into the internet based system and obtain electronic verification that the employee

is authorized to work in the United States.

With the E-Verify system in place, unauthorized immigrants cannot work without a social security number, employment authorization card, permanent resident card, valid work visa, or proof of U.S. citizenship.

Further, when the documents authorizing employment are about to expire, the employer will receive an email notification alerting them that these documents are about to expire. E-Verify’s most impressive features are its speed and accuracy. E-Verify is the only service that verifies employees’ data against millions of government records and provides results within seconds. There’s no other program that provides the same peace of mind in such little time. E-Verify compares the information an employee provides on Form I-9 against millions of government records and generally provides results in three to five seconds.

If the information matches, that employee is eligible to work in the United States. If there’s a mismatch, E-Verify will alert the employer and the employee will be allowed to work while he or she resolves the problem. E-Verify works by comparing information entered from an employee’s Form I-9 to: 455 million Social Security Administration (SSA) records and 80 million U.S. Department of Homeland Security records.

E-Verify Self Check System There have been many reports of errors in the E-Verify system. Permanent residents and U.S. citizens

Attorney Gail S. Seeram, have reported that the EVerify system showed a “no match” when their information was entered into the E-Verify system. This may occur if your name on your social security card is different from the name on your immigration documents or if someone is using your identity. There is a free internet-based “Self Check” service available for U.S. worker over the age of 16 to confirm his or her employment eligibility. The service is currently available in a limited area while it is evaluated and improved.

After the user enters a small amount of information, the Self Check service will check that information against various government databases to determine the user’s work eligibility in the United States.

What types of Employers use E-Verify?

Federal contractors and subcontractors are required to use the E-Verify system to verify their employees’ eligibility to legally work in the United States. More than 288,000 employers, large and small, across the United States use E-Verify to check the employment eligibility of their employees, with about 1,200 new businesses signing up each week.

Page 27

THAG welcomes new security reform The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) has noted with some satisfaction the recent announcement by the Minister of Home Affairs, in early January, of a five-year Public Safety and Security Reform Strategy. It is long overdue, according to a release from the entity.

“We were disappointed when the UK government’s Security Sector Reform Programme was not implemented and look forward to the effective implementation of the Programme announced by the Minister,” the statement noted.

“There is no greater barrier to the successful development of the tourism industry than an international perception of our country as crime-ridden and a dangerous place to visit. It matters not how attractive our tourism product is, the first requirement of any potential tourist is to know and believe that the country he or she plans to visit is relatively safe from crime. It is more often than not the first question asked by a potential visitor,” said Kit Nascimento,

spokesperson for the body.

While the Reform Programme announced by the Minister provides for civilian oversight in its administration and implementation, it would have been preferable that the private sector had been afforded the opportunity of much greater consultation prior to its introduction as a “fait accompli”, he added.

“We note, also, that the Programme is intended to benefit from “high level civilian professionals in nonline positions” provided by a United Kingdom consultancy during its implementation.

The Minister has also said that the consultancy may include the involvement of foreign police officers, though, again, not with in-line authority and we presume, therefore, not having a disciplinary function.”

“It remains to be seen how effective this arrangement will be in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the force.”

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) has already welcomed the implementation of this Programme and has urged

public attention and support.

Importantly, the PSC has pointed out that the reorganization and restructuring of the Police Force, renamed now the Police Service, will ultimately depend on the quality of its personnel and the recruitment of new persons and that it is, therefore, essential that the level of remuneration be significantly increased if this is to be improved.

“It is also our view that, unless the police are given the tools with which to do their job, the restructuring of the Service will remain compromised. We refer in particular to the fact that Guyana’s major tourism destinations are located in remote hinterland areas such as the Rupununi, and the riverain areas surrounding Bartica. These areas are increasingly targeted by criminals.”

At present, the Police Service has neither the marine nor aviation capabilities necessary and essential to effectively police these areas.

“We, therefore, urge that the government commit to the level of funding essential to provide these services.”

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Poetry night and me… isn’t it funny?

By Abena Rockcliffe The powers of literary arts are absolutely amazing, point taken, but let’s narrow it down to poetry.

William Hazlitt, an English writer and painter, referred to poetry as the “universal language which the heart holds with nature and itself.”

While, Hannah Arendt, a GermanAmerican philosopher, said that “Poetry, whose material is language, is perhaps the most human and lest worldly of the arts, the one in which the end product remains closest to the thought that inspired it.”

You see the thing is that poetry is a very powerful tool that can be used to induce change, consciousness, talk about love, struggles, the happy times and many other things.

Most of what I stated above are things that lots of people already know. But, what is important to note is that Guyana has a host of youths who have developed the art of effectively expressing themselves through poetry and as a friend of mine would say “that’s big”.

What is sad, though, is that there is only one place where young poets, though not recognized by that title, can meet, share their talent and listen to others; that place is the Upscale Restaurant in Hinck Street, Georgetown.

Two Tuesdays ago, upon the demand of my cousin, Kiana Wilburg, I accompanied her to the venue to attend the “poetry slam.” I attended Poetry night once before, and I must say I enjoyed the occasion, but that Tuesday night was exceptional.

Ten poets were involved

in the ‘slam” but one young man dropped out after he forgot most of his words for the poem. I noted the fact that all the patrons sought to encourage him and the moderator, Yaphet Jackman, was even offering to give him a special prize for his efforts but he left the building.

I fell in love with poetry and grew an appreciation for poets when I was in Fourth form, but that night I renewed my vows to poetry.

The poet that blew me away was 28-year-old Jermaine Joseph; a teacher of Business Management and English at Three Miles Secondary School in Bartica.

Joseph had mine and the attention of most other patrons from the beginning to the end of the recitation of his poem titled ‘Isn’t it funny?’

What was absolutely captivating about the poem is that it was all about reality. It covered the oddities of life.

The phrase “isn’t it funny how…” was used repetitively throughout the poem to introduce each of the humanly behaviour spoken about.

Few of them were actually funny, but all posed as eye openers.

Joseph, who recently concluded his training to become a teacher, said that he was introduced to the Upscale world of poetry by Randolph Critchlow, his uncle, who is a seasoned Poet.

“I used to write a long time ago, but wasn’t aware that there was a forum like this to come and express your thoughts and feeling in this manner.”

Joseph expressed that he is heartened at the opportunity to “share your point of view” and from the audience’s response you can

the same vein?

Isn’t it funny how people take up religion as if it is a “thing” to be toyed with, or some sort of solace after they would have gone through some difficult situation or circumstance in life, but having received some extent of comfort, they almost always forget the comforter and subside into the abyss of their previous existence?

Isn’t it funny how human beings gravitate to bad habits with much more alacrity than they gravitate to good ones?

Talented young poet, Jermaine Joseph tell if it is a consensus opinion.

“It’s an expensive hobby I have, because I travel from Bartica each first and last Tuesday to be here, but the satisfaction is worth it.”

Joseph said that he intends to continue poetry and wants to publish a book with various pieces.

He informed that he has already written about 40 poems. He said that his intention when writing most of his pieces is for them to be satirical but somehow, “they always emerge into a serious poem.”

Below is the full text of the poem: Isn’t it funny?

Isn’t it funny how a woman who was beaten Beyond the point of consciousness, Swears that she would never go back to her abuser, But before her wounds

are healed she is back in his arms “cussing down “the persons who rendered their services in her hour of trauma?

Isn’t it funny how an athlete, of any discipline, having broken or fractured a limb promises to give up that sport and pursue a different path, But no sooner is that fracture healed than you can see that said person involved in that same sport with even more zeal than he previously exerted?

Isn’t it funny how teenage mothers swear after the first conception, “me, I could never get caught up in this situation again” which causes excruciating pain; One would expect their words to be factual as they utter these ramblings with pure disdain, but the sad reality is, give them a few months and they are back in

I could never fathom how a man can find himself easier drawn to a spliff, heroine or even cocaine, but that same man would look at a book as though it is poisonous, injurious to his health and something never to be ventured into.

Isn’t it funny how we all perceived love as teenagers, as this one and only God-sent person for us that we would surely die for or without; But, having grown up we have now come to that stage whereby we are truly cognizant of the fact that love, more than anything else, consists of an individual’s ability to forgive his or her spouse for their humanity, forgiveness for humanity because it is our innate nature as human beings that causes us to err continuously our humanity that causes incalculable hurt and injury to the ones that we profess to love?

Isn’t it funny how one would want to assume the position as a teacher, an educator, a parent, a friend

or even a role model and the major advice that these people can render is “do as I say and not as I do?”

Come on, can you expect me to learn from you and not emulate your actions? Isn’t it empirically proven that a significant proportion of what we learn comes from what we see? Then should I garner that the so-called major advice that you dished out so unreservedly, was nothing but a sham, a facade to hide your true identity from me?

Isn’t it funny how our black brothers and sisters treat each other?

You see we are always so quick to castigate and decimate our own, always professing ill-will and wishing that no good will prevail over our own. We behave as though they are without worth or merit But in the same breath, we can muster just enough love and care to oversee the wellbeing of persons of varying ethnicities. You see the thing that accelerates our decline is right in front of us but it is just that our eyes are always wide shut.

Isn’t it funny how everything in this world seem to be laden with irony, how persons are never who they say they are, their actions are always the antithesis to the advice they give, persons words are never their bond? Damn this thing is confusing and soothing, depending on which angle you are looking at it from.

So isn’t it funny how this entire world is nothing but an astronomical charade?

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 29

City businesses slam Govt. over CCTV appearance …demand answers from Broadcast Authority, NFMU One of the city’s most powerful private sector bodies has slammed the government over news that China Central TV (CCTV), Chinese state television, has been granted permission to operate here.

In expressing what it described as “considerable concerns” over the process that led to the granting of the television licence and broadcast spectrum frequency to the Chinese Government, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) also said it is the government’s duty to ensure the laws of the country are followed.

“The mechanism employed appears to have been conducted without the necessary regulatory requirements and principles that should be observed in the issuance of such a licence. While the Chamber acknowledges that China is a very important development partner, the government of Guyana should ensure that due process is followed and the laws of Guyana are observed when brokering agreements with domestic and foreign entities.”

According to GCCI, the government also has the duty to guarantee that equitable,

fair and transparent procedures are applicable to all applying for statutory licences.

“Our private sector companies are all expected to follow such statutory guidelines.”

The private sector body said that the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) has the responsibility of efficiently and effectively managing the electro-magnetic frequency spectrum and receiving and processing applications for licences for broadcast services.

It was also pointed out that the recently formed Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA),under the dominion of the Broadcast Act of 2011, has responsibility for the granting of television licences.

BYPASSED “From the statements emanating from the Government on the granting of the Chinese Broadcast Licence, it appears that none of these agencies were involved in the processing of the approved licence. This represents a worrying development and one that the Chamber admonishes if it is proved that the statutory

A high level government team is expected to visit Port Kaituma, Region One, to investigate why no action was taken by a state agency following complaints of water problems.

According to officials at Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, (GGMC), Region One, Member of Parliament for A Partnership For National Unity (APNU), Richard Alleyne, has criticized the entity’s “lack of responsiveness” to a report of mining operations which are affecting the water quality in the Region One waterfront community.

It was reported that for the past three weeks, the Guyana Water Incorporated Inc. pump at Port Kaituma was affected by the heavy siltation from mining operations upstream.

This publication understands that the GWI pump has since ceased operation due to the murky water, forcing residents to depend on rainfall to obtain water for domestic and drinking purposes.

The MP has met with GGMC officials and

complained that mining officers are not listening to their cries and that mining regulations are being breached in the area.

Kaieteur News was told that the matter has been affecting that mining community for years now, with GGMC officers turning a blind eye.

A few months back, the GWI pump was forced to cease operation after a nearby river became contaminated. GGMC officials said that it is confirmed that “Cease Work Orders” were issued to the mining operations that contaminate the river.

However, for reasons unknown, there has been no enforcement, thus leading to this latest situation.

Alleyne met with several

Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon

Broadcast Authority head, Bibi Shadick

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

procedures were not followed.”

The Chamber said that it would also welcome statements from both the NFMU and the GNBA on the issue.

CCTV is housed in the compound of the National Communications Network and started transmitting over a week ago on Channel 27/ Cable78.

Government had initially said that the agreement was signed between the Guyana and Chinese government several years ago. However, following statements from GNBA’s head, Bibi Shadick, that there was reportedly no records of CCTV ever applying for licence to broadcast, senior government spokesman, Dr. Roger Luncheon, disclosed Thursday that checks are being done to determine the

details of the agreement.

GNBA was established last year and given powers to consider and grant applications for television and radio licences. It has now asked for current broadcasters and others to submit fresh applications.

With limited space or spectrum of the airwaves available, there has been anger and questions over the timing and appearance of CCTV. Luncheon said it was the government that “committed” to provide a channel for a CCTV signal to be made available to the Guyanese audience. He also stated that CCTV has similar arrangements in a “dozen” other countries…but did not

name them.

Luncheon referred media workers to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NFMU for more details.

CRITICISMS There has been a host of criticism from broadcasters and several prominent citizens over the issue.

Earlier this week, longtime veteran media practitioner, Kit Nascimento, criticised government over the issue, saying that the floodgates are now open for another government, with whom Guyana has diplomatic, trade and commercial relations, to expect the same privileged right to broadcast on a domestic channel.

In a letter to Kaieteur News, Nascimento wanted to

Anger against mining officers as Port Kaituma loses water supply top officials of the GGMC earlier this week but despite this latest complaint, there has not been a response.

The APNU Member of Parliament said he is now calling on the GGMC to be more responsive and caring to the needs of residents of Port Kaituma.

Residents are also calling for increased monitoring to ensure all mining operations are environmentally-friendly to prevent future reports of water contamination.

A team from GGMC and the Environmental Protection Agency are due to visit the region this week to check on the situation and also to investigate whether actions would be taken against the mines officers stationed there who may have been delinquent in their duties.

know how government will be regulating the channel.

Michael Gordon, acting Chief Executive Officer of the state-owned TV, National Communications Network (NCN), said the setting up of China Central TV (CCTV) was a direct government-togovernment agreement between Guyana and China.

Veteran broadcaster Enrico Woolford has been pressing for the NFMU to reveal who has been allocated what frequencies in Guyana, but to no avail.

A number of radio licences were granted under unclear circumstances shortly before former President Bharrat Jagdeo ended his constitutional two terms in office in 2011.

Both Kaieteur News and Stabroek News, independent newspapers, had been bypassed for radio licences.

Executive Member of the opposition coalition APNU, Lance Carberry, in scathing remarks, said that the government needs to clarify the arrangements under which CCTV is licenced to broadcast from Guyana.

Cathy Hughes, Parliamentarian of the Alliance for Change, said she will be demanding answers in the National Assembly.

Page 32

From page 24 is long and decurved with an opening only as wide as the diameter of a stick, from which the tongue is protruded.

Although there are also some differences in the shape of the skull, they can most easily be distinguished from the northern tamandua by their slightly longer ears, which average around five centimetres (2.0 in), instead of four centimetres (1.6 in) as in the northern species.

The individual and geographic variation observed in the southern tamandua has made the taxonomic description of these animals a difficult task.

Animals from the southeastern part of the range are “strongly vested”, meaning that they have black markings from shoulder to rump; the black patch widens near the shoulders and encircles the forelimbs. The rest of the body can be blonde, tan, or brown.

Animals from northern Brazil and Venezuela to west of the Andes are solid blonde, brown, or black, or are only lightly vested. Females are polyestrous; mating generally takes place in the fall. Gestation ranges from 130 to 190 days and one

Kaieteur News

young is born in the spring.

At birth the young anteater does not resemble its parents; its coat varies from white to black. It rides on the mother’s back for a period of time and is sometimes deposited on a safe branch while the mother forages.

The tamandua is mainly nocturnal but is occasionally active during the day. They nest in hollow tree trunks or in the burrows of other animals, such as armadillos.

They are solitary, occupying home ranges that average from 100 to 375 hectares (250 to 930 acres), depending on the local environment.

They may communicate when aggravated by hissing and releasing an unpleasant scent from the anal gland. It spends much of its time foraging arboreally.

A study in various habitats in Venezuela showed that this anteater spends 13 to 64 percent of its time in trees. In fact, the southern tamandua is quite clumsy on the ground and ambles along, incapable of the gallop that its relative, the giant anteater, can achieve.

The southern tamandua uses its powerful forearms in self-defence. If it is threatened in a tree it grasps a branch with its hind feet and

tail, leaving its arms and long, curved claws free for combat.

If attacked on the ground, this anteater backs up against a rock or a tree and grabs the opponent with its forearms. In the rainforest, the southern tamandua is surrounded during the day by a cloud of flies and mosquitoes and is often seen wiping these insects from its eyes.

This animal has small eyes and poor vision, but its large, upright ears indicate that hearing is an important sense.

Southern t a m a n d u a s eat ants and termites in roughly equal proportions, although they may also eat a small quantity of fruit. They locate their food by scent, and prey on a wide range of species, including army ants, carpenter ants, and Nasutitermes. They avoid eating ants that are armed with strong chemical defences, such as leaf-eating ants.

Tamanduas are also t h o u g h t t o eat honey and bees and, in captivity, have been known to eat fruit and meat as well.

Anteaters extract their prey by using their extremely strong forelimbs to rip open nests and their elongated snouts and rounded tongues

(up to 40 centimetres (16 in) in length) to lick up the insects.

Although it has the same diet as the giant anteater, both animals are able to live alongside one another, perhaps because the southern tamandua is able to

Sunday February 17, 2013

reach nests in trees, while its larger cousin cannot.

The southern anteater is listed as CITES Appendix II in south eastern Brazil.

Although widespread, they are uncommon. They are killed by hunters, who claim that tamanduas kill dogs.

They are also killed for the thick tendons in their tails, from which rope is made.

Tamanduas are sometimes used by Amazonian Indians to rid their homes of ants and termites.

(Source: Wikipedia – The Free Online Encyclopedia)

The New Opportunity Corps...

A NOC teacher displays the Mashramani Float

From page 25 got students who would have left here as electricians, some who are teachers today.

So being here gives students a new opportunity to life as the name of the institution says...Our students, if given a chance, can have 24 hours freedom to do anything that is uplifting; they are involved in steel pan, we have a gym and so on.”

NOC, the acting administrator said, has also embraced agriculture, which allows the facility to be self sufficient. This is especially important since, he noted, it

costs a great deal to maintain the facility. He disclosed that to sustain each child amounts to significant expenditure on a monthly basis.

“We ensure that they are fed, provided with toiletries, and are given health checks; their parents don’t have to contribute in any way,” King asserted. The operation of the facility is, however, not without challenges. He attributed this to the fact that some students come from varying backgrounds and are often found to be a little more difficult to attend to, hence the need for constant

counselling sessions. He noted that while in the past the police have had to intervene, efforts are constantly made to deal with students in the most humane of ways. However, the police are always a call away if the need arises, he emphasised.

Although there have been repeat offenders at the institution, King said that this is only true for one in every 100 students, since according to him “most of them recognise their time at NOC as a chance to grasp opportunities to help improve their lives.”

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Always ready to lend a helping hand, Dr. Jerry Jailall is a ‘Special Person’

By Leon Suseran Intelligence should be used to make one’s society a better place. A man should not keep his intellect to himself as if it were some treasure only he should use.

This week, we feature a person who gave several years of his life to teaching at various world universities; a respected professor; an author of books and several articles/publications, and co-author of the bestseller The Principal as Curriculum Leader: Shaping What Is Taught and Tested (Third Edition), a book that has made it across numerous markets.

But with all this knowledge and even after reading for five degrees—yes, five—Dr. Jerry Mahatam Jailall has been using his life to serve and to help the ordinary Guyanese. He has been an advocate for the voiceless; for those whose rights and privileges are being questioned and trampled upon by various systems here in Guyana.

Jerry Mahatam Jailall was born at Whim Village, Corentyne. He attended Auchylne Primary School and Berbice High and taught for one year as a Pupil

Teacher at the Rose Hall Church of Scotland School from 1974-1975; he was just 17 at the time.

Dr. Jailall recalled during his childhood days when he would travel to school on the big buses, which could have seated a little more than 50 persons. The journey from Whim to New Amsterdam (covering a distance of just over 17 miles) took nearly two hours, he stated, because

barracks with many other students and persons from all across Guyana.” He remembers being in the same barracks with now Assistant Commissioner of Police, George Vyphius and “others who became very important people in the country…like (Former commissioner of Police) Mr. Laurie Lewis, etc”.

“Many of us resented having to go because it was a

“Coming to Guyana is a labour of love - a love for country and love for people and it’s not about money...Coming to Guyana in these conditions where the pay is not great, it’s worth doing it in the national interest.” the bus had to stop very often to pick up and discharge passengers. And so, young Jerry used to pick up his school books and study on the bus during the trip.

“I did a lot of studying for my tests…the time was well spent by me, although the journey was tedious”.

He was also enlisted in the National Service from 1975-1976 at Kimbia, up the Berbice River.

“It involved living in

compulsory thing at that time…and we were pretty much forced to go, but we did go because we really wanted to improve ourselves at the University level and it was a risk and sacrifice I was willing to make…doing a lot of agricultural work, labouring in the field, planting cotton, picking pineapples...the experience was very useful, although it was forced”.

He later enrolled to

attend the University of Guyana (UG) from 19761980 and obtained a Bachelor of Social Science Degree in Sociology. He also obtained a Certificate in Industrial Relations: The Law and the Worker. In 1983, he graduated with a Post- graduate Diploma in Education. He then taught Social Studies at Cummings Lodge Secondary from 1980-1986.

He also lectured in Sociology at UG during that same period.

During his UG studies he met his wife, Julie.

In 1986, Jerry migrated to the Bahamas and taught Economics and Bahamian, West Indian and World History at the Grand Bahama Catholic High School. In 1989, he moved to the United States where he read for other Degrees. He also taught at various levels of schooling in the U.S elementary, middle and high, and was employed as a School Counselor.

In 1990, he completed a Special programme in Journalism, College of Journalism, University of South Carolina in Columbia South Carolina, USA. Then in 1993, he graduated with a Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) in Counselor

Dr. Jailall (C) addressing CPCE teacher trainees at a book presentation

Education from a North Carolina University, while in 1994, he attained Certification in Administration / Curriculum Specialist also in North Carolina In 1995, he o b t a i n e d t h e Superintendent’s Certification in lieu of Ed.S. (Education Specialist) degree. Then in May 1998, he graduated with his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Education Leadership from East Carolina University.

Finally, he became Policy Fellow, Education Policy Fellowship Program sponsored by the Institute f o r E d u c a t i o n Leadership/EPFP, Raleigh, NC. Dr. Jailall was also employed by the NC State D ep ar tmen t o f P u b lic Instruction in North Carolina from 1996-2007.

He worked with the school system there “so I was able to see a lot of diversity of all kinds of schools, with all kinds of ideas—latest ideas in education in American schools—I had programmes in 115 school systems”.

In another school project, he had 172 schools, and “so my job was to do school reform using the latest ideas and it required me to travel in-state and outof-state to represent the State Department at the Federal level with the US Department of Education, meeting and networking with the many directors of education in the US”.

His next calling was to the Middle East where he worked at the Abu Dhabi University teaching five courses including one at Master’s Level. He was afforded the privilege to visit other Middle Eastern countries such as Oman, Qatar, and he also visited India, and Italy, after which he returned to the United States. He also taught at the

Dr. Jerry Jailall

Mt. Olive University of which he is Adjunct Professor to this day.

During these years, himself and wife were sending barrels of books back home to the University of Guyana “where many students could benefit from it”.

He and his wife, Dr. Julie Jailall, also a holder of five degrees, finally “decided to return to Guyana to serve and to help here in Guyana.”

Professor Daizal Samad of the University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC) was one person who encouraged Dr. Jailall to return. President Donald Ramotar also met Dr. Jailall and his wife at an Embassy event overseas and the couple was motivated to return home.

LABOUR OF LOVE ”Coming to Guyana is a labour of love—a love for country and love for people a n d i t ’s n o t a b o u t money…coming here we can only make about 15 per cent of our U.S. salary, but it’s the kind of sacrifice we need to make as part of giving back to Guyana, because our first two degrees we got, we got them because of the taxpayers’ monies, and so, as much as we had served earlier - we had done a stint of work when we first graduated - we feel it’s a noble thing to do, to keep giving to our country, because the government needs help to modernize the education system and to teach our people 21st century skills. Coming to Guyana in these conditions where the pay is not great, it’s worth doing it in the national interest”.

He enjoys helping people navigate government services, being a medical coach, and his wife also loves to work with the women, in the area of (Continued on page 47)

Page 34

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Sunday February 17, 2013

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 35

So now public servants have to comply with Dr. Luncheon’s orders

By Ralph Seeram Some time ago I wrote that Dr Roger Luncheon should just fade away into retirement, that he has outlived his usefulness. The recent pronouncements by the good doctor should convince everyone that he needs to go.

As a spokesperson for the PPP the doctor is just plain arrogant and pompous.

I am talking about his statements on the TV cable channel awarded to the Chinese. Dr. Luncheon seems to be implying that if he gives an order to a public servant he expects the public servant to obey; he is saying that the public servant cannot disobey his request, even though it may be illegal.

Every time he opens his

mouth, he makes some embarrassing statement. As the old saying goes it takes a lie to cover a lie. So it is with the Marriott hotel and the cable channel given to the Chinese. When the PPP Government gets cornered with conflicting statements on the award of the TV channel, it tells one lie after another. It also raises the question of who is in charge of awarding Radio and Television channels, and what is the process.

Guyanese are told that they have to conform to one procedure while the rules are completely different for the Chinese.

It’s more important to have the Chinese TV than the one promised to the people of Linden. The rules seem

different when they affect Guyanese and their sovereign rights. While we are on the subject of Guyanese rights it seems that the opposition parties and the trade unions are now awakening from their slumber over the issue of non Guyanese workers on the Marriott hotel job site.

However it is not enough to issue condemnation, the opposition needs to act in a more concrete manner.

Shortly after the last election one may recall that APNU had hundreds of protesters marching in Georgetown, AFC had theirs at Linden and Agricola.

Now here is a genuine issue that the two parties can really protest about.

I would want to see a blockade of the Marriott construction site, stopping all traffic, supplies, trucks, material etc from entering and leaving the site. Bring the construction to a halt, until

Man reportedly torches house to evict occupants

Fire officers examining the flattened house

In what can be dubbed an interesting manner to evict an unwanted tenant, a man yesterday allegedly doused his Patentia, West Bank Demerara home with gasoline before proceeding to set it alight.

At least this is according to the man’s cousin, Lisa Thomas, who related to this publication that the act was carried out in the full view of several residents. It is also alleged that the arsonist is a known drug addict.

No one attempted to stop him from carrying out the act, which according to reports has left a man and his pregnant wife homeless.

This publication learnt that Trevor Thomas, also known as Moey, had built the modest domicile some three years ago but had left the

premises unattended for a few months and upon his return it was occupied by a man residents identified as Godfrey Hill also known as ‘Flex’ and his reputed wife Donna David.

“Moey build he house, but he didn’t living deh for a while, but then Flex and he pregnant wife move in about three months now and he (Moey) didn’t know who tell them move in he house,” said Lisa Thomas.

There are reports that the man had made several attempts to get the couple out of his house to no avail. This reportedly prompted him to burn the house down as a last resort. This publication understands that no one was in the house at the time of the blaze which sent several residents rushing to the

scene.

The flattened house, which was located at Lot 1 East Front Patentia Squatting area, was reduced to mere rubble in a matter of minutes.

The fire service was summoned and a tender from the West Ruimveldt Fire Station arrived on the scene shortly after. Efforts by fire officers were successful in ensuring that the fire did not spread to a nearby shop and residence. Neither the alleged arsonist nor the recent occupants of the house could be found as fire officers sought to investigate the origin of the blaze.

The matter has since been reported to the Wales Police Station and there are reports that a search has been launched for the suspected arsonist.

Guyanese workers are employed. This action by the government is a total disrespect and insult to the dignity of the entire labour force.

To use the phrase from an old Guyanese politician, “this confounded nonsense” has to stop. Now here’s a quiz for my younger readers, “Which former Guyanese politician still alive today made that phrase famous?”

You and I may not agree with Mark Benschop’s politics, but to give him credit, the man is consistent; he was there early with his placard protesting. It did not matter to him that it was only him and maybe one other person he was on the ground.

That is what the entire opposition leaders and their

members should have been doing. That is what the so called trade union leaders and their workers should have been doing.

Guyanese need not make a stand now. By the way, does anyone know if a similar arrangement is in place for the new airport at Timehri?

The government needs to come clean and say whether the contract stipulates nonGuyanese workers.

The opposition should demand an answer in parliament. The PPP billed itself as a working class party.

That may have been true years ago; its actions at the Marriott show whose interest it has at heart; it is certainly not in the interest of the working class.

It must remember that it is

the working class that put them there; the working class can also remove them.

Those PPP leaders should ask themselves if Cheddi Jagan would have agreed to a contract like the Marriott.

But then again the present day PPP hierarchy has moved away from Jagan’s working class roots long ago.

President Donald Ramotar is taking the flack for contracts written by the Jagdeo regime, but that does not absolve him; he is the President, he has the power to restore Guyanese right to work in their homeland.

The question is, ‘Does he have the “guts” to do so?’

Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com

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Sunday February 17, 2013

Laurie Greenidge--the last of the piano tuners From page 15 composing and rehearsal.

The last piano brought into Guyana for sale must have been imported at least 30 years ago.

There are still quite a few around, owned and maintained by some “die hard” piano lovers like himself, Greenidge said.

Some of the pianos in Guyana are close to 100 years old.

Greenidge repaired and retuned an oldie at a church in New Amsterdam, Berbice a little over two weeks ago.

He said: “Pianos are like violins: the older they get the

sweeter they sound.”

He recently examined two pianos at City Hall: a Concert Grand that is a Broadwood piano and a Baby Grand that is a Western Mullington piano.

He found that the Baby Grand is in bad shape, too far gone to be restored. The Broadwood can be restored but that would take a tidy sum of money.

“They say that they don’t have money to restore pianos.

Really they should try to get some money from somewhere.

But right now all I need is my examination fees. I have been repairing and tuning pianos

at City Hall since the 1970s and I have never ever been deprived of my payments.”

Laurie Evans Rufus Greenidge was born at Skeldon Estate on the Corentyne in 1941in a part of Skeldon then known as Bajan Quarters so named because this was the area occupied by Barbadians who had travelled to then British Guiana in the 1920s to work on the sugar estates.

Bajan Quarters was located south of Number 79 Village, overlooking the river and Suriname.

From early childhood, he was afflicted by a problem

with his eyesight which left him with reduced vision in both eyes.

He was nine years old when he first heard the sound of piano being played in a house alongside the public road at Skeldon, now Corriverton.

It was a sound that was resonant, rich, at one time soothing, at another time roaring, rising to a crescendo, crashing like the sound of a cascading waterfall, then quietly soothing once again.

For him it was unforgettable experience.

He travelled to Georgetown at the age of

eighteen for help with his eyesight and it was in the City of the late 1950s that he realized his long desired dream for direct contact with a piano.

He became an apprentice to a master piano repairer and tuner named Donald Jones a man who was later awarded with a Medal of Service (MS).

The piano repair shop was located at Forshaw Street, Queenstown and was packed with pianos of all sizes and descriptions, in various states of disrepair.

Jones told him:”Each p i a n o i s d i ff e r e n t . Yo u must approach each one as different. Always do your best and to God you leave the rest.”

Country boy Greenidge happily waded into the work.

He learnt fast.

He won a scholarship to England in 1970 and studied pianos in depth for two years

before returning home to the Guyana Institute for the Blind and the additional jobs of repairing maintaining and tuning pianos.

Over the years since then he has played all forms of music including classical music on pianos at venues such as City Hall and the Queens College Auditorium and once at the National Cultural Centre.

He says:”Pianos are like people. They get old, they die. Replacing them generally is not an easy thing.

The new ones are far too expensive, far more expensive than the keyboards.

We just got to bring out the old ones, repair them, play them, and make them feel special (for they are special) keep them going for as long as possible.”

He says that like the “die hard” pianos he repairs, tunes and services, he intends to be around and active for as long as he possibly can. (END).

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 37

Always ready to lend a helping hand...

Assisting a resident of the Corentyne in getting help for a government service

Presenting a copy of his bestseller to President Donald Ramotar

(From page 33) empowerment.

“We are going to give our time and resources, but the goal is community empowerment and involvement and with my wife, if we stay long enough, we’d like to develop a model community in Whim…help people to organize themselves and their community so that things can be in a good state of maintenance.”

Dr. Jailall believes it is time more Guyanese return home to move the country forward.

“It’s probably the richest country in the Caricom group and yet we are not enjoying all the blessings or benefits. My wife and I do think that Guyana’s best years are ahead and we

[Guyana] will still become a shining star, but we all need to work together.”

Dr. Jailall was also asked to serve on the Management Committee of the Whim Community Centre Ground.

He and his wife have adopted the Whim Nursery School and they both plan to do a lot of fund-raising to access play equipment and to make the school more children-friendly.

The Department of Education in Region 6 has not let good talent go to waste. Dr. Jailall was asked by them to train over 120 school head teachers at the Auchlyne Primary School in Report Writing. He was also asked to conduct training for over 80 new administrative appointees.

“This is the work I do as

Helping to unload some of the10,000 books recently donated to UGBC

part of our community outreach and it is voluntary work and I take delight in doing it”.

ADVOCATE Justifying why he became involved in advocacy work, he stated that he knows how government and government systems work, “knowledge which ordinary people in the community do not have and so, they have problems.

They go into the government offices, are sent home and they do not know what to do and their problems remain unresolved”.

He noted that in conversations with people, myriad problems would be mentioned.

“I have a heart and attitude that is set to help, and I ask them more about

their problems. Maybe they were not helped well by officers in the various government ministries…

For example they were not advised properly—problems [of] getting a passport, [a] birth certificate, a Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) tax compliance document, transferring a vehicle—who to go to, or talk to, or even how to phrase your problem”.

He usually helps these persons by directing them to the relevant authorities or even makes calls on their

behalf.

“These are skills that ordinary people do not have and I feel as part of my community service, this is what I need to do”. He signs passport forms and hopes to become a Commissioner of Oaths and Justice of the Peace “to have a broader option in signing various documents and forms, not for profit. And I am also hoping to get my Marriage Officer’s licence to perform weddings for people in the community—and it will be my community service.”

Dr. Jailall believes the smarter people are, the more they have a social responsibility to give back to their community.

“I am a person committed to excellence—I always wanted to be the best I can be and so, the more I know, the more I grow, and the better I can be of use to my country. That was the philosophy of studying so much…to have a lot of skills, talents and abilities, so when I came back home, I could be of help in as many areas as I possibly can.”

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Sunday February 17, 2013

Sunday February 17, 2013

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Ravi Dev Column

Mash and Republic Day The merry month of February is upon us. Never mind the more alliterative “merry month of May” of others; our merry month is February and that’s that. It’s government policy.

It’s the month of Mashramani (February 23rd) and the festival is only kept going through Government’s support. The government announces the theme and once again, will certainly provide most of the funding for the upcoming revelries.

Every year we’ve tried to remind our fellow citizens that February 23 is actually something called “Republic Day” not “Mashramani Day”.

Today the tail isn’t just wagging the dog, the tail has become the dog. School kids learn that they dress up in scanty costumes and parade, cavort and dance on stage and in the streets. And after much gnashing of teeth, there are now some choral performances and lectures.

That’s the sum total of activities to let us know what

Fires are raging and there is precious little that anyone can do to stop them.

There will be more across the country and people are going to wonder at this sudden outburst. The fact is that people have become careless because of the pressures of society.

The next fire is going to occur on the western side of the Demerara River and even more people are going to be saddened.

What many do not realize is that those fires that were to happen before the Christmas holidays are happening now. The

it means for this country to be a ‘Republic”.

February 23rd is Republic Day - period. While Independence was given to us by Britain, Republic Day was chosen by us as the day that we cut all formal ties with the British Crown.

We were on our own – supposed to be captains of our fate and masters of our destiny and all that.

“Republic” comes directly from the Latin “res publica” – the public thing. We the public, the people, were now responsible for governing ourselves and conducting our affairs in such a manner, to achieve the goals that we ourselves would set for our country.

The day itself – February 23rd - was selected to help remind us as to what Republic Day was all about.

February 23rd was supposed to be the date of Cuffy’s great effort to overthrow Dutch rule over Berbice and remove the shackles of slavery back in

1763. It was a landmark event in the entire Western hemisphere preceding even the epochal Haitian Revolution.

Mashramani began as an event in Linden to commemorate Republic Day. This is perfectly in order and commendable – any group of citizens have the right to commemorate Republic Day based on how they feel it’s appropriate.

However, several problems arose when the Government promptly decided to adopt Mashramani and make it the official way to celebrate Republic Day. To commemorate Republic any other way was in some way to be outside the pale…literally marching to a different drummer.

Now Guyana is a land of several cultures and each may have different perspectives on how to commemorate or celebrate events.

When the Government selects a particular cultural expression as the official expression it explicitly privileges that expression to the exclusion

numbers must be made up. **** There will be another unnecessary killing. The killer this time would be an idle person who loved the spotlight and one who always wanted to impress.

He will come to a sad end

and he is going to blame alcohol, which is the common thing to do when people know that their actions are unjustified. **** Motor accidents are fast becoming commonplace and more of a nuisance than anything else. In the case of the next accident, people purporting to be rescuers and helpers are going to prey on the victims in full view of the decent-minded.

The police are going to question some of the people in the vicinity after relatives make certain claims but no one is going to say anything.

of others. This is an unacceptable policy in a multicultural state.

In its excursions in the cultural realm, the Government has to be balanced in its promotion of values and activities.

Mashramani and its Carnival antecedents in the Caribbean come out of the cultural encounter between Europe and Africa during and after slavery – as an aspect of Creole culture.

Its particular expressions of unrestrained exuberance, ebullience, gaiety and exhibitionism come out of a specific historical experience – most literally brought out by the Barbadian label for its version – Crop Over. The slaves were allowed to let off steam after the furious intensity and rigour of the grinding season on the plantations to forget for a while their degradation that they would be forced to return to with the start of a new crop.

This was the old “bread and circus” routine perfected by the Romans so many centuries ago – but here there wasn’t even any bread.

The second problem is implicit in the first. By making

Mashramani the official celebration of Republic Day, the Government was telling the population that the values demanded by Republican status were going to be reinforced or inculcated by the Mashramani activities.

And this is where I part company with the promoters of Mashramani as the Republic Day commemoration activities.

I would like anyone to tell me how ‘backballing’ in the streets of Georgetown will help us to be self-sufficient or protective of our country or securing good government or any other Republican goal.

Again I restate my point – private individuals can ‘backball’ to their waist’s content, but a Government has to promote activities consonant with what they seek to promote – in this instance Republicanism.

And it’s not as if we’ve

Ravi Dev

had hundreds of years of imbibing and practicing Republican values like America so that we can afford to “throw back”. Even Trinidad, home of the Carnival culture we’re imitating, has been doing some soul searching as its economy runs aground.

For us, since we’ve been uncomfortably reminded about “Chinese work ethic”, maybe we can reflect a bit about whether all the Mash practice in our schools is preparing our children to compete in the brave new world out there.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 45

A Visit from Beyond

By W.P. George Teena would listen every afternoon at about 4:30 P.M. for the whistle of the train and when she heard it she will hurry to the train station.

By the time she walked the half mile the train would have long put off its passengers and left. There, Teena would meet her husband, Lenny, and hand in hand they would walk to their West Coast Demerara home.

Teena and Lenny were just nineteen when they got married. In those days the adult pay was fifteen dollars a week, so the girl’s parents prepared an apartment in their home for the young couple to live so they could save to later rent or build their own house.

For two years the married couple lived quite happy.

Then Teena became pregnant.

It was a pregnancy marred with complications. She was eventually taken to a city hospital where she and her unborn child died.

Lenny was devastated.

On the day of the funeral he collapsed repeatedly. By the time he recovered his wife was already buried and the mourners had returned home.

Lenny lost all desire to

Popular Justice of the Peace and regular contributor to the letter pages, W.P.George, passed away last Thursday at the age of 70. About three weeks ago, Mr. George sent me an interesting story after reading my Murder and Mystery column story ‘House of Spiders’ about two women who said they had paranormal experiences in a West Bank Demerara house. Mr. George said that the main character in this story was a close relative and he was certain that the events in this little ‘ghost story’ are true. (Michael Jordan)

live. He stopped going to work, ate only when forced to, and lived on black brewed coffee. His in laws felt he would attempt suicide but he

assured them he hadn’t the courage to do so. So they relaxed their vigilance.

Four weeks after his wife’s death, Lenny found himself

going to the small village cemetery where his wife was buried. He had no clue where her grave was located, yet something kept urging him

on. He found himself heading to a far corner of the ground, and then he realised that he was not alone.

A woman was sitting on a mound, and as he got closer he recognized her. She was wearing the wedding dress that she had been buried in, and the woman was his wife.

Feeling not a trace of dread, Lenny sat beside his dead wife. She smelled of her favorite perfume. Then she spoke.

“Listen, Len; I don’t belong to you anymore. I am in a different world and I am happy there. You are quite young; go on with your life, find a young woman and get married. Don’t grieve for me..... this is what I call you to tell you…now please go!”

Lenny was somewhat hesitant so she insisted : “Just go!!”

After walking ten steps he looked back and there

was no one there only the daisy and black sage he saw on the mound.

When lenny in laws and friends found him missing,they became frantic they feared the worse, then they learned he was seen heading to the graveyard, they got there in time to see him coming out but a strange thing happened : the man who went in the cemetery minutes earlier was not the same one who came out.

Lenny went in god’s little acre with stooped shoulders sunken cheeks an sunken eyes and full of hopelessness, the man who came out had erect shoulders and a smiling face full of hope, when asked where he went he said he went to Teena’s grave.

‘But... but you don’t know where she was buried.!’

‘I found it though, now I want a haircut and a shave (Continued on page 46)

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SUNDAY SPECIAL DEBT SITUATION MAY BE TOTALLY MISLEADING – MOSES NAGAMOOTOO

Moses Nagamootoo Guyana’s total public debt may be heading for a Parliamentary debate after revelations that last year, it was a staggering US$1.7B. That figure does not include the Amaila Falls hydro project loan which would be more than US$800M or the US$130M for a new international airport at Timehri. It also does not take into account the planned, Indian-built Specialty Hospital which is to be constructed with an Indian line of credit worth US$17M. Twenty-one years ago, in 1992, when the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) took power, it inherited a debt of US$2B. The exchange rate at the time was $126 to the United States dollar. This translated into some $263 billion in local currency.

Over the years, Guyana managed to have almost three-quarters of this debt

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written off from overseas bilateral financial institutions, the Paris Club and other lenders.

According to Vice Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Moses Nagamootoo, whose party has seven seats in the National Assembly, claims by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, during his budget presentation last year that Guyana’s debt is at its lowest now in 20 years, may be totally misleading.

As a matter of fact, Nagamootoo, a former senior executive of the PPP/C, is examining the possibilities of raising the issue in the National Assembly for a possible debate. The debt at the time was $378 billion, including a $40 billion debt from local entities.

DOCTOR UNEARTHS SCARY LOCAL LAB RESULTS A prominent medical doctor is convinced that a well known private laboratory is jeopardizing the health of patients with the results of tests they are proffering, and she is urging the Ministry of Health to speed up their investigations into what she described as medical malpractices.

Dr Agueda Surrey, a Cuban-born duly registered medical practitioner, who has been operating in Guyana for the past 28 years, has lodged a complaint with the Ministry about test results produced by the Multi-Tech Reference Laboratory, an entity with which she severed ties late last year.

However, authorities at the laboratory have explained that except for a few typographical errors, there is nothing alarming about the results. They believe that the doctor’s complaints stem from a financial fallout with regards to a contractual arrangement with a USA-based cruise line.

However, test results seen by this newspaper revealed a scary similarity which some medical experts described as medical impossibilities. The discrepancies were found in tests such as cholesterol profiles, kidney function tests, liver function tests and complete blood tests.

MONDAY EDITION GUYANESE RIGHT TO WORK HAS BEEN SOLD – OPPOSITION MP Government’s explanation of why no locals were hired in the US$51M Marriott Hotel project in Kingston has drawn sharp reactions with the main opposition party in the National Assembly, leading to calls for the resignation of the Minister of Finance.

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Joseph Harmon, who has responsibility for public works, is now demanding the immediate resignations of Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, and head of the Atlantic Hotel Inc., Winston Brassington.

On Friday, in wake of growing anger over news that checks at the project found no locals gainfully employed, Brassington in defence said that the contractor, Shanghai Construction Group (SCG),

had demanded Chinese labour be used as part of the contract conditionalities.

TUESDAY EDITION COURTACTION COULD HALT MARRIOTT FUNDING A court action filed to force the government to transfer monies for its investment arm, NICIL, into the Consolidated Fund could, if approved, halt public funding of the Marriott project.

On Friday, Parliamentarian Desmond Trotman, through a team of high profile attorneys, filed a motion in the High Court seeking to compel NICIL and its Chief Executive Officer Winston Brassington to pay over into the Consolidated Fund, the US$25 million it received from the sale of shares in the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, GT&T. The government had announced that the US$25 million has been paid into the accounts of NICIL. But in the said motion, Trotman is asking the court to recognize that under Article 217 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, no money shall be withdrawn from any public fund other than the Consolidated Fund, unless the issuance of those Funds has been authorized by or under an Act of Parliament.

If the court so asserts, it would have a direct bearing on the current funding of the Marriott Hotel project. Under a company created by NICIL, some $2 billion has been paid over to a Chinese contractor

Sunday February 17, 2013

to build the Marriott Hotel project, which would cost over US$50 million.

Trotman is claiming that NICIL is an agent of the state and collects large sums of monies on behalf of the state from the sale of state lands, other state assets and dividends from other government-owned companies. The government had $20 per cent shares in GT&T which it sold for US$30 million. While US$25 million has been paid over, US$5 million is outstanding.

GOVERNMENT ENGINEERS COULD REPAY FOR LAPSES Government employees found guilty of approving incomplete and poor standard contracts could very well end up paying. That is, if Members of Parliament (MPs) had their way. The State’s Auditor General, in examining the accounts of regions and various Ministries, over the years has been finding numerous cases of overpayments and, in some instances, problematic works that were passed and for which final payments were made to contractors.

According to the government, overpayments occur when monies are disbursed to contractors for works not done according to specifications. Members of Parliament from both the Government and Opposition sides of the National

Assembly, through Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) have been examining the Auditor General’s reports and the incidences have been alarming. It has been pointed out in the PAC meetings that the incidences of overpayments could be more widespread than the findings would suggest; as the Auditor General in his examinations of the accounts would only take samples and visit sites to check on the work to ensure that they were completed according to specifications.

WEDNESDAY EDITION NO GUYANESE IN MARRIOTT CONSTRUCTION AN OUTRAGE – AFC’S NIGEL HUGHES The fact that the Guyana government negotiated the Marriott construction (Continued on page 52)

Nigel Hughes

A Visit From Beyond...

From page 45 and lam very hungry’!.

Later in the evening after his haircut and shave and a hearty meal the widower remarked: ‘l have to find another wife’! So he did.

Lenny and his new wife lived long enough to see their grand children and one great grand.

If you have any information about this or

any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 22-58465, 2258473 and 22-58458. You need not disclose your identity.

You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email a d d r e s s mjdragon@hotmail.com.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 47

== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

Has colonialism permanently damaged the Guyanese psyche?

It was not by accident that one of the most profound analysts on the effects of colonialism on the psyche of the non-white colonial subject was a psychiatrist, Franz Fanon (see his two seminal projects; “White Skin Black Mask,” and the “Wretched of the Earth.”)

The continuing argument is that the colonial subject has had his/her psychic structure destroyed by the impositions of colonialism, so that postcolonial society is psychologically dysfunctional.

VS Naipaul thinks that has happened but most outrageously, Naipaul will die and not accept he is one of the most intriguing examples of the mental effects of colonial destruction.

Noam Chomsky, the brilliant philosopher specializing in language, would tell you that Naipaul could not have had an Oxford accent just three years after settling into England. Colour has been inevitably cited as one of the effects colonialism has had on its non-white subjects.

I always remember the story of four women in Guyana who established themselves as experts in Hindu culture, almost everything about Hindu culture, but married Caucasian men, none of whom were from India or the Third World, and all of whom were Western-oriented.

The great Mahatma Gandhi was supposed to be the embodiment of India’s cultural ethics, but was a shameless supporter of the Hindu caste system and was in love with a Caucasian man.

More on this aspect of Gandhi’s homosexuality (and his anti-African racism and admiration of Hitler) in later columns - gleaned from his letters to his homosexual lover, German bodybuilder, Hermann Kallenbach, and put up for auction at Sotheby’s by the great-nephew of Kallenbach but the Indian Government moved in and bought the entire lot days before the auction.

In one of his letters to Kallenbach, Gandhi told his male lover; “How completely you have taken possession of my body, this is slavery with a vengeance.” (Source: Daily Mail (UK), July 25, 2012

by Graham Smith; BBCSouth Asia News, online edition, March 30, 2011 and Joseph Lelyveld, “Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and

His Struggle with India.”

Lelyveld’s book is devastating to Gandhi; see especially the review by Christopher Hitchens in The Atlantic, July/August, 2011) India, of course, is a most troubled psychological land.

Its ancient religious texts were shameless in their pronouncement on the inferiority of dark skin.

Then colonialism came and put the icing on the cake.

India today is a land where skin-lightening ointment is a billion-dollar industry and where white skin is literally worshipped. Only whiteskinned actors can make it in leading roles in the Hindu film industry.

Back in Guyana, the colour thing has outlived the efforts of Forbes Burnham.

Burnham definitely sought to rid Guyana of this white complexion craze.

He must be turning in his grave with what is happening in the advertisement industry in Guyana today.

If a visitor came from another planet and looked at Guyana’s television and read our newspapers, that visitor would not believe Guyana is a country with citizens with dark and brown complexion.

I remember the great Guyanese poet, Martin Carter, shunned interviews for decades and only granted one interview before his death. It was given to a white Venezuelan journalist.

I was surprised to learn that Major General Joe Singh had given an interview to an English travel writer, John Gimlette.

Most western travel writers are bigoted journalists, blatantly condescending to Third World people and basically racist.

Singh complained in a letter in the Stabroek News that Gimlette twisted his words to suit Gimlette’s biased perspective. What did the Major General expect?

Travel writers see the Third World as an area of darkness. Guyanese, of course, would be more eager to talk to an English travel writer than one from Africa.

If you want to see the effects of colonialism on the Guyanese mind, then read the story of a Guyana-born white guy who is in advanced age.

This guy lives in England and comes often to Guyana.

He goes to any social event without being invited and no one would ever ask him to leave. Why? He is white.

He can penetrate the most private occasion hosted by the crème de la crème of Guyanese society with his incongruous sartorial appendage, but no one would ask him to leave.

I remember this guy crashed the wedding of an employee of the US Embassy held at the Georgetown Club.

He was dressed in beach clothes (as barefaced as that).

And to gain acceptance, he came to the table where my wife and I were sitting. He said to me; “Can’t you remember me, I met you at the Square of the Revolution.” It was all horse dung.

Our meeting at Cuffy Square never occurred. When he returns this year, he will look for the parties hosted by embassies and the Guyanese rich, and he knows no one will

ever approach him to ask if he was invited.

I remember Latchmie Kalicharran walked into a cocktail event hosted by the US Embassy in the late eighties, and the Ambassador’s wife politely told her she was not on the guest list.

Our little white guy when he comes this year is going to have a great time enjoying

Frederick Kissoon la dolce vita in Guyana. His whiteness will galvanize his non-white hosts to treat him like a king. After all he is a king.

He is not dark-skinned.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Recognize unhealthy relationships and make a change

By Krista Brooks Last time, Nursey and I were talking about healthy and unhealthy relationships. It is possible to recognize signs that tell us that the relationship we are in may not be healthy for us. It can be really hard once we recognize that a relationship we wanted turned out to not be the best thing for us.

We are not alone. Many, many, many people experience an unhealthy relationship.

The hardest part is to get out.

Many people know that their relationship may not be healthy, but they don’t know how to get out. Many people stay because they are afraid to leave or that they depend on their relationship to have financial stability.

These things are not worth the emotional and physical damage that staying in the relationship will put you through, even if you still think the person loves you. In some cases, staying in unhealthy relationships can get so bad, they can result in death.

Nursey and I have seen many of these cases appear in the newspaper.

If you are not getting what you want out of a relationship, it no longer makes you happy, and especially if it has become violent or abusive, you need to take the steps to improve your situation. Counseling might be a good option for you and your partner. You can discuss issues with your partner in a safe setting and work on ways to improve your relationship.

Counseling, however, can only do so much. If the relationship is abusive, counseling might not solve the problem. In this case, it would be good to seek the support of friends, family, and a professional, such as a

counselor or social worker to figure out how to leave the relationship. You can arrange a place to stay that is far away from your partner and possibly set up some sort of job/working opportunity.

If you do fear that your partner might become violent, it might be good to get a restraining order from the police so that he or she will not be able to come by you.

When actually leaving your partner (if this involves moving out), you do not want to have a long, drawn out thing. You should also not threaten your partner that you are leaving or tell them a lot of details about where you are going. Once again, if you think your partner would become violent, you could also have a police officer assist you.

Once you make the choice to leave your partner, you need to stand by your decision. You might feel sad or lonely at first and forget the reasons as to why you left.

Stay strong. Going back and trying to work on things again may lead you back into the same situation.

Your partner also might still be angry that you left them and might try to harm you. Try to take the time to work on doing things for you.

Do some activities that you enjoy. The healing process after leaving an unhealthy relationship takes time. It might help to talk to your family and friends about it. It is okay if you are not 100% yourself for a little bit. Eventually, you will get through and be in a much better situation because you were strong enough to move on.

There are several organizations that you can use to help you to improve or leave an unhealthy relationship. Help and Shelter is a wonderful organization

Krista Brooks located in the Georgetown area. You can reach them at 225-4731 or 227-8353. If you are in the Berbice area, there is a Domestic Violence Counseling Centre located right outside of Skeldon.

They can be reached at 335-3887 or at dvccentre@yahoo.com.

They also offer some legal aid help as well. Additionally, there might be several private counseling centres located in your area.

The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone in any situation. If you find yourself in an unhealthy relationship you can get out and there are organizations here in Guyana that can give you the extra strength you might need. As Nursey says, you can make a change if you find you are in an unhealthy relationship.

I will be back next week to tell you more interesting things that Nursey says, until then!

If you have any questions about unhealthy relationships or any other health issues please e-mail nurseysaysguyana@gmail.com.

Krista Brooks is a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer working with the School of Nursing, which trains Nursing Assistants, Professional Nurses, and Midwifery Students.

Study finds obesity can ‘lead to lack of vitamin D’ Should obese people be treated for vitamin D deficiency? The report, in the journal PLOS Medicine, analysed genetic data from 21 studies - a total of 42,000 people.

It found every 10% rise in body mass index (BMI) - used as an indicator of body fat led to a 4% drop of available vitamin D in the body.

As vitamin D is stored in f a t t y t i s s ue, the authors suggest the larger storage capacity in obese people may prevent it from circulating in the bloodstream.

BMI it is calculated by

taking weight (in kilograms) and dividing it by height (in metres) squared. Those with a BMI of 30 or above are considered obese.

Lead author Dr Elina Hypponen, from the University College London Institute of Child Health, said the study “highlights the importance of monitoring and treating vitamin D deficiency in people who are overweight or obese”.

Vitamin D is made in the skin after sun exposure and can be taken in dietary supplements.

Healthy levels are about 50

nanomole per litre - less than 30 nanomole per litre can cause the softening and weakening of bones, leading to rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults.

Prof David Haslam, from the National Obesity Forum, said: “Food intake and genetics all play a part in obesity - but this research is a reminder that physical activity, like walking the dog or going for a run out in the sunshine, shouldn’t be forgotten and can help correct both weight and lack of vitamin D.” (BBC)

Sunday February 17, 2013

The ‘Troubles’ is the name given to the decade, roughly between 2000 and 2010, that witnessed the most intense and sustained wave of criminal violence since independence.

More persons were killed as a result of criminal violence during this period than at any other time in Guyana’s history since the 1823 Demerara revolt.

The scars of the ‘Troubles’ are still visible.

People have become so conscious of the bloodbath of murders and other unnatural deaths that monuments to the victims have already sprung up at Bartica, Buxton and Kingston. Our nation should be building colleges, and institutes to educate our children for the future, rather than erecting macabre memorials to the victims of a criminal campaign.

No one knows for certain how many persons were killed during that deadly decade.

No one has investigated the real causes of the violence. No one has calculated the consequences.

Some claim that hundreds were killed.

Opposition parties in the National Assembly, non-governmental organisations and civil society attempted to chronicle the course of events and to calculate the body count of persons who perished in this period.

The Joint Opposition Political Parties – comprising the Alliance for Change; Guyana Action Party; National Front Alliance; People’s National Congress and Working

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People’s Alliance, all of which are still sitting in the National Assembly – most certainly were committed to bringing an end to the rampant criminality.

It took members of the Legislative branch, not the Executive branch, to initiate the compilation of a ‘Dossier in Support of an Independent Legal Interrogation of Grave Human Rights Abuses in Guyana’ on statesponsored violence and other crimes in order to try to comprehend the enormity of this terrible human tragedy.

The Guyana Human Rights Association had also compiled a landmark study – Ambivalent about Violence: A Report on Fatal Shooting by Police in Guyana, 19802001. This established the fact that, in 21 years, the police had killed 239 persons, an average of over 11 persons per annum. Police killings continued throughout the ‘Troubles’ up to the present time.

More needs to be done. It is the duty of the National Assembly to identify the persons who met violent deaths; determine the circumstances and places of the deaths; identify, as far as possible, the culprits responsible for the killings; commence a process to punish those found guilty of serious crimes and make recommendations to ensure that a recurrence is averted.

It is clear that a major contributory factor to the virulence of the violence was the rising tide of trafficking in illegal narcotics and

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firearms over the first decade of this millennium which brought waves of criminal violence to this country. The consequences have been that Guyana earned a ghastly reputation for massacres and a gory record of assassination, executions and murders.

The National Assembly must seek explanations for the vicious massacres – in Kitty at Natoo’s Bar; Lamaha Gardens on bloody Wednesday; Bourda on Diwali night; Buxton-Friendship; Prashad Nagar; AgricolaEccles; La Bonne Intention; BagotstownEccles; Black Bush Polder; Lusignan; Bartica; at Lindo Creek and elsewhere.

The assassinations of a government Minister and the deputy head of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit; the attempted assassination of the Director of Public Prosecutions; the elimination of suspects by an increasing number of extra-judicial killings by the police suggest that the ‘Troubles’ were not random acts of racial rivalry but, rather, the result of deeper criminal enterprise.

Dr. Roger Luncheon, Head of the Presidential Secretariat – who is also Chairman of the Central Intelligence Committee – was the first official to admit publicly that the violence was drug-related.

He introduced the expression ‘phantom’ force to describe the gangs responsible for the perpetration of certain crimes, particularly ‘execution’ murders.

He explained that the original members of

the ‘gang of five’ persons who escaped from the Georgetown Prison on 23rd February 2002, were not the only ones responsible for the surge in crime.

He declared, as early as November 2002, that there was “plausible evidence to suggest that there is a body out there that is involved in criminal activities and that it is not the escapees and those who have been associated with the escapees.”

It was always clear that violence during this particular period was ‘criminal’ and not ‘communal’ in character. Executions continue up to today, indicating that the root causes of criminal violence, especially since 2000, have not yet been eradicated.

The circumstances under which Balram Khandi, Outar Kissoon and Ramphal Hardatt were killed at Port Mourant and Rose Hall in July 2002; Ronald Waddell and Satyadeo Sawh in 2006; Donna Herod d a 47-year-old mother of nine – who was escorting her child from school in September 2007 and everyone else who suffered violent and unnatural death must also be investigated.

The causes of these crimes and the prevalence and persistence of violence need to be explained. Measures to protect the lives of our people from such violence need to be implemented.

The National Assembly owes the nation a detailed chronicle and an accurate record of every person who has died as a result of the violence since 2000. An independent inquiry can learn much from former and serving government ministers, advisers and officials, former commissioners and senior police officers, politicians, businessmen, criminals, victims and villagers who were involved in the ‘Troubles’.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Book Review… Chutney Power - A determination to succeed at all costs

By Dr. Glenville Ashby Willi Chen’s Chutney Power goes on a tear, assembling the good and notso-good of East Indian life in bygone years. Written with creative frenzy, Chutney is a compendium of short stories—witty, colorful, and provocative.

As a sculptor, Chen’s artistic depth is renowned. He transfers this attribute into his literary work, resulting in a richly weaved prose of figurative value.

Beneath the outer layer are embedded some sociological inferences that beg for attention.

His trademark joie de vivre is evident, but this does not detract from his overall theme of an Indian cultural expression rooted in a fierce passion to surmount challenges, starting with Indentureship in May, 1845.

Chen, a Chinese Trinidadian who has lived among the Indian community for “longer than he can remember,” displays an enviable command of East Indian mores.

“I stayed at Indian homes, fed and was cuddled by their kind loving matriarchs, lived in their mud walled huts. I wrote “Freedom Road,” an Indian life play essentially about a cane cutting family,” he once said.

Chen scores on so many levels.

The opening salvo: Mas is More than a Creole Thing is a knock on cultural stereotypes and stubborn prejudices—best tackled through candid dialogue and meaningful interaction.

Here, the protagonist and cane cutter, Bhim Pandarath is determined to buck the

trend and play King of the Band in a steel orchestra—a role traditionally played by the physically robust AfroTrinidadian.

Mas is More Than a Creole defines Chen’s work and forms the thematic underbelly of this gripping display of storytelling This is a story that is arguably prophetic. The resilience of Pandarath is reflective of a people, bruised and battered by their historical experience - only to emerge - steeled and impervious to inter-ethnic rivalry.

The image of the Indian weakling, uncomfortable and disinterested in Afro-Trinidad rhythms, is turned on its head…shattered.

Curiously, Pandarath saves huge sums of money just to engage a new cultural experience. But it requires grit and stamina to prance with a heavy costume in blistering heat.

Afro-Trinidadians, masters of Carnival, deride Pandarath requests. ”Indian, you brave yes. You really brave,” he is told. Pandarath, the cane cutter is undaunted, relating his involvement in Ramleela, only to be told, ”Ramleela is Ramleela, Mas is Mas. The music and all different.”

Pandarath is defiant, ”But Ramleela comes from Indian Scriptures. This is we own kind of theatre. If you read Indian history, you will hear what my Agee and Kaka talking about.” “Chutney is only for you Indians,” is the curt response.

The band leader caves in, though, to Pandarath’s will. ”Give the Indian a chance, leh we see what he could do.”

The outcome is

s t u p e n d o u s .

Pandarath proves his salt, as he dances and prances with a breathless cadence, his every sinew glistening in the tropical heat.

“The audience was mesmerized. His legs were nimble but sturdy and supported the costume with ease.” As a cane cutter, ”the sun and heat had hardened him; the wild, rough terrain had strengthened his limbs.

He moved to the left and chipped to the right, and weaved the costume expertly in a curve to the music. Bhim Pandarath, a cane cutter was the King of Carnival.”

Metaphorically, he has beaten Afro-Trinidadians at their own game. It’s a symbolic victory of gargantuan proportions, and underscores Chen’s message of a people’s determination to succeed at all costs.

This is an undertaking steeped in East Indian traditions, and Chen displays an uncanny mastery of even the most-seemingly inconsequential cultural nuance. In Look, Ma Coming, he writes: ”The market place stretched along the road. Vendors were on both-sides....Bisnath led Taramatie to the foodstalls.

He bought paper bags of kurma, channa and saheena.

Their fingers and mouth were yellow from the food. At the standpipe she raised her face to the sky and gargled like a true Indian on mornings.”

And moments later, Chen details with surgical flair, the inexorable flair of Indian dancing. “The Tassa drums erupted in a crescendo.

Bisnath looked toward the gayelle and led Tara to the bamboo enclosure. He took off his blue crepesoles, rolled

up his pants, jumped into the ring and danced. He turned like a snake, twisted and contorted his body like a pea tree in the wind, lifting his feet into the air, balancing his body as he piroutted on one foot. He shook his waist, wiggled...as he whirled with astonishing speed…”

This whimsical spirit is etched in other notable offerings. Free Pork for Christmas, Kipsy Loce Pork and The Almost Ramgoat Wedding are all imbued with the writer’s penchant for the jocular.

Chen’s purview of life is hopeful and redemptive— trumpeting every vagary and travail. This is the signature “good feel” timbre that defines much ofChutney.

In The Bottle Washer who Nearly Danced, Prakash Roopnarine is enamored with Beulah Payne, a dougla or biracial temptress, who, living among Indians, has taken on their character and lifestyle. ”Her eyes were wild fire and her breath, flavoured by massala, had a currymouth aroma that engulfed him for days.

Here, Chen raises the sensitive subject of race and sexuality in a plural society where Indo- and AfroTrinidadians jockey for position. Is there more to Roopnarine’s exploits and his unyielding drive to win over his love interest? Does it carry a more sociologically weighty statement with racial overtones?

In Chanka’s Backpay, he recalls life in the cane fields in central Trinidad. It’s an arduous existence where the burden is unloaded in the rumshop. It’s a tale of Indian frugality and craftiness amid deceit and duplicity. And in Secret Love, the protagonists, Ram, Deolat, and Dolly are locked in a deadly love triangle.

Other stories by Chen are equally hypnotic. Hostage, a veiled rendition of the failed 1991 coup d’état, explores class divisions, perceived ineptitude at the governmental level, and the fatalistic desperation of victimhood.

In Turning Point he examines the challenges of marital life and the calamitous repercussions of unbridled sensibilities. In The Madeira Crystals, Chen effortless changes scenery—relating the wretchedness of a maid’s life under the thumb of an urban doyenne.

It is a doleful exposé on class, privilege and servitude.

And in Welcome Home, the undaunted spirit of an abandoned and impecunious

protagonist proves supremely inspiring.

However, it is Chen’s theme of Indian unity and pride that resonates. He ably captures the tortuous history of Trinidad’s East Indians.

Humble domiciles and poverty are rampant…life is daunting.

While this seminal work captures a time predating the economic and political ascendency of IndoTrinidadians - to the dismay and consternation of many there is a cryptic, almost “I told you so” element to Chutney Power. Chen’s masterpiece italicizes the importance of culture to the vitality and collective vision of a people C h u t n e y Power meticulously, but flamboyantly details how the seeds of unity and access to power are sown and nurtured.

Throughout, the East Indian, divorced from the motherland relives its rich traditions that are therapeutic, even transcendental.

Chen depicts a community that is unabashed and unswerving in its loyalty to India. This is where ethnic loyalty and nationalism collide. Can they be reconciled?

In Chen’s depiction, “ruralized” Indians, with little access to the political levers of power, closed ranks...their “Indianness” assuming precedence over nationalism and calls for a definitive Trinidadian identity.

Interestingly, Chen also showcases a telling coexistence between Muslims and Hindus – both communities coalescing around an unflappable “Indian” identity, due to

shared experiences and communal living.

But despite this fierce ethnic identity, cultural transference - if not assimilation - is always a factor, and Chen’s vivid portrayal of Indian revelry, evokes images of blasé gyrations perfected by AfroTrinidadians.

Religiously solemn festivals - such as Hosay, known for pious acts of selfflagellation in some countries, somehow devolves into a raucous free-for-all, fueled by pulsating Tassa drumming.

On these rare occasions, Trinidad is transformed into a mélange of indistinguishable cultural expressions.

As the last page is reluctantly turned—there is a sense of nostalgia for life with all its raw simplicity and honesty. Memories abound as words buried and hitherto irretrievable-resurface igniting the senses: Chula, cuchilla, dahee, dhal, Gilpin, jhandi, lota, paratha-roti, peera, saheena, tharee, and so on….”

Indeed, Chutney Power is an enduring work of art fully clothed in Existentialism and the triumph of the human will.

Email: glenvilleashby@gmail.com Website: glenvilleashby.com Follow me on Twitter@glenvilleashby Chutney Power by Willi Chen Macmillan Publishers Limited 2006 Ratings: **** Highly Recommended

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

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MY COLUMN

What we don’t use we lose

People are either academically inclined or as endowed with manual skills.

The Creator ensured that people are there to undertake whatever is necessary to keep the race alive.

As a lad growing up there were many parents who recognized that their children did not have the necessary skills and openly stated “Ah gun send he fuh learn trade.”

That was not unusual and certainly was not confined to the boys.

The girls were sent to learn to cook or to sew. The result was that across the city were schools to cater to the special needs of this category of Guyanese.

And the system worked.

There was not as much money around then as there is today.

Such people were easily employed because in those days the joineries always wanted people and there were always those Guyanese who wanted their dresses sewn.

Many a young woman to this day will remember going to a seamstress and ordering a dress.

The seamstress was no

academic so she relied on her skills and her imagination.

They made a comfortable living and everyone was happy.

The Guyana National Service came and offered even more scope for the less academically inclined. There were criticisms of this organisation. The more enterprising saw it as Forbes Burnham’s way of “mixing the breed”.

National Service, they said, was intended to mix the races so that in the end Guyana would have a race of people who were neither Black nor Indian or Portuguese.

That people believed this bilge was testimony to the fact that people were inclined to believe that anything coined under the Burnham administration had some nefarious purpose.

Others spoke of the military training. They told who would listen that Burnham was training young people to defend him.

What people failed to recognize was that the country had a surfeit of skilled people, many of whom went on to become contractors and

to employ other young people who did not have what it took to become doctors and lawyers and civil engineers.

Many of these people are making a handsome living in their adopted country.

Such is their proficiency that the people in those countries see Guyanese as being among the most skilled in the region. And as the country’s reputation grew for producing skilled people, so too did the desire of the administrators to do even better.

The result was the multilateral school, with facilities for both the academic stream and for the technical stream.

Today, the multilateral schools have all been reduced to normal schools, because there was no focus on what became known as the Industrial Arts.

This was rather surprising given the need for people in the automotive industry, the construction industry, and in the electrical fields.

I did not realize that we had reached rock bottom when it came to possessing skilled people until this

business about no Guyanese labourer being skilled enough to gain employment on the Marriott project.

I know that Guyanese are in the local shipbuilding industry, in the construction industry, and even into road building.

Be that as it may, I am amazed that the country is not placing focus on technical education.

A few years ago I was in Korea and I happened to visit a school.

There I saw boys and girls, side by side, coping with technical things, most of which I did not understand.

The country was preparing itself to be ready for any developmental task.

Those children I saw then are adults and I am certain that they are keeping their country in the forefront of technical development. I am not aware that Korea is importing labour in the technical area. In fact, that country is exporting some of its skills.

The development of technical skills is the difference between wealth and poverty; it is the difference between

unleashing criminals on the streets and peace and stability.

The harsh reality is that Guyana does not need to reinvent the wheel.

We talk about the amount of money we spend on education, but are we spending money or pouring it down the drain?

When I was in teacher training there was a group pursuing technical education.

One of the members of that class, Andy Moore, is around and willing to help, but there are hardly any takers.

Many of the others are overseas and they are living like kings.

Last summer I visited some of them and could not help but be impressed at their lifestyle. All of them sang the praises of the technical education they got in Guyana.

And while they were developing their skills, Guyanese were swarming all over what has become the Pegasus.

I saw that structure going up in 1968. In that same year, there were Guyanese working on the Soesdyke/Linden

Adam Harris Highway and on what is now the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. We obviously had skills galore, because these were all large projects.

It may be that I am wishing for times long past but if the truth be told, I know that we still have skilled people around, but the government refuses to recognize them. If that is not the case, the government is pawning its integrity and pride at the altar of expediency.

We fail to use the skills we have and we are going to lose them. It was the late Ptolemy Reid who told me, “What you don’t use you lose.” Think about it.

Page 52

From page 46 contract knowing that Guyanese would be blocked from employment is an outrage, Nigel Hughes, Chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC) stated Tuesday.

Hughes said that for the government to suggest that the Chinese construction firm could not find the needed workforce in Guyana is an insult to the intelligence of Guyanese workers. He added that it is ridiculous to suggest that even the most basic of construction jobs could not be given to locals.

Hughes asserted that the fact that a Chinese workforce was imported for the project suggests the absence of an immigration policy, since workers would only be brought into the country if such workers are not available locally.

The AFC chairman said that what the government has done is to impoverish the nation further by denying Guyanese jobs on a project that the taxpayers are funding.

Hughes said that the government’s suggestion that Guyanese workers would be employed after the hotel is constructed is a “fallacy” since a hotel such as the Marriott would require skills in hotel management that Guyanese are not trained for, given the absence of any hospitality training school here. As such, he said more foreign workers would have to be imported.

Hughes emphasised that for the government to agree to deny Guyanese workers of jobs in the construction phase should be denounced by all.

CCTV ON AIR…GOV’T HAS SET A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT Government’s decision to grant China Central TV (CCTV) permission to broadcast in Guyana has set a dangerous precedent, a long-time veteran media practitioner has said.

According to Kit Nascimento, the floodgates are now open for another government, with whom Guyana has diplomatic, trade and commercial relations, to expect the same privileged right to broadcast on a domestic channel.

Nascimento said he was once “professionally” and “intimately” involved in the drafting of Broadcast Legislation for Guyana, along with Hugh Cholmondeley.

“I write, therefore, to express both my shock and dismay that our government has, with seeming pride and satisfaction, granted an exclusive domestic broadcast frequency to the government of China. I would be equally

Kaieteur News

dismayed and shocked if our government were to grant such a right to any government.”

CCTV is broadcasting on Channel 27/Cable 78 and was commissioned last week after suddenly going on air.

In a letter to Kaieteur News, Nascimento pointed out that one of the main reasons Guyana has established broadcasting legislation and an authority to grant a licence and frequency, is that the airwaves (electromagnetic spectrum) are a finite natural resource for mass communication. It therefore must “be used in a responsible manner to serve the public interest, convenience and necessity”.

THURSDAY EDITION BRASSINGTON DODGES QUESTIONS ON MARRIOTT TENDER PROCESS Winston Brassington, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), has avoided questions regarding the tender process that led to Shanghai Construction Group being awarded the contract to build the Marriott Hotel in Guyana.

One of the contract conditions shuns the employment of Guyanese in the construction phase. AHI is a government-owned company established to manage the US$60M Marriott Hotel project which is being funded by taxpayers’ money.

Brassington recently claimed that the project would now cost US$51M. On Wednesday, when Kaieteur News approached Brassington to ascertain details of the preparation of tender documents and the tender process in general for the project, he said he had “no comment”.

He also had “no comment” about whether the contractor would be engaged to review the employment clause of the agreement in light of the public outcry of no Guyanese being employed during this construction phase.

Brassington was however quick to express his concerns about this publication’s objectivity on the Marriott project.

In an interview with the State’s news agency, Brassington had said that the use of a mostly Chinese labour force to construct the multi-million-dollar Marriott Hotel was just one of several conditionalities necessary for the facility’s efficient and speedy construction.

Brassington claimed that Government got a reduction of US$9 million in the bid price

by Shanghai Construction Group under the condition

Sunday February 17, 2013

Pensioner rescued from burning house

that it could have control over whom it hires.

PENSIONER RESCUED FROM BURNING HOUSE Four persons were left homeless after a fire completely destroyed their two-storey house located at Lot 78 First Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, a little after 20:00hrs Wednesday night. Homeless are Barbara Barker, 72, her brother Eric Barker, 70, his wife, Jeanette Barker and their nephew Devon Young.

The fire started at the lower flat of the building.

According to information, Barbara Barker and her nephew, Devon Young, shared the upper flat of the building while her brother and his wife occupied the lower flat.

FRIDAY EDITION SPEAKER WALKS OUT OF NAT’LASSEMBLY Thursday’s sitting of the National Assembly came to an abrupt end around 21:00 hrs when House Speaker Raphael Trotman became peeved and registered his disapproval about the way members were conducting themselves by staging a walkout.

The last three parliamentary sessions have each seen a walkout being staged. The first such occasion was by the government when the opposition sought to extend the sitting past 22:00 hrs, and the second was last week, when the opposition “excused” itself from Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee’s speech.

However, Thursday evening’s was staged by the Speaker because of “grave misconduct” by members on both sides of the House.

Trotman walked out during a speech that was

being delivered by the Junior Minister of Finance Juan Edghill. At the time, Edghill was contributing to the Fiscal Management and Accountability (Amendment) Bill 2013 piloted by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament and shadow Minister of Finance Carl Greenidge.

Before walking out, Trotman continually pleaded with members to allow each other to deliver their presentations uninterrupted.

He was stern against both sides about continuous heckling.

Trotman had even announced during the session, before the break at 19:00hrs, that he had been approached by several members of parliament for an early adjournment “because of the nature of the day.”

Under Standing Order 47(9), the Speaker can at anytime suspend or adjourn the sitting without question, on the call of grave disorder.

OPPOSITION ENTITIES PICKET MARRIOTT SITE On Thursday, protesters marched peacefully in front of the closed gates of Marriot Hotel site, Kingston, demanding Guyanese constitutional rights to be employed in the construction of the hotel that is being funded by Guyanese taxpayers.

A sense of patriotism filled the atmosphere as the over 50 demonstrators including politicians, trade unionists and social activists held placards reading: “Stop insulting Guyanese”, “Warning…Our Government is selling us out to China”, “We will not be second class citizens in our own country” and “Ramotar insulting

Guyanese”.

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo, who paved the way for the controversial project and saw its commencement in November 2011, was criticized and accused of being a “traitor who sold out his own people”.

Shanghai Construction Group began works several months ago, but only recently it became public that no Guyanese labourers were employed with the project.

Winston Brassington, Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Hotel Inc. (AHI), a government-owned company established to manage the $60M project, in an interview with the State’s news agency, had said that the use of a mostly Chinese labour force to construct the multi-milliondollar Marriott Hotel was just one of several conditionality’s necessary for the facility’s efficient and speedy construction.

SATURDAY EDITION PENSIONER GETS DRUNK TO KILL TUCVILLE MECHANIC Police have arrested a 70year-old pensioner, who allegedly stabbed to death Winsel Roger Edwards, 33, of Lot 315 East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme on Friday afternoon.

Edwards a mechanic was knifed at Tucville, Squatting Area. This newspaper was told that the incident happened shortly after 14:30 hrs at a vulcanizing shop in the area.

One eyewitness told this newspaper that the suspect and Edwards had an earlier verbal altercation.

“They were arguing earlier in de morning…but de suspect left afterwards,” the eyewitness told Kaieteur News. According to the

eyewitness, the suspect returned and was sitting in the vulcanizing shop. Kaieteur News was further told that someone came into the shop and Edwards got up to assist that person. It was then that the suspect walked up behind Edwards and stabbed him once to the chest.

The man collapsed and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The suspect after knifing Edwards, made no attempt to leave the scene.

He sat comfortably and waited for law enforcement officers.

The officers had a task taking the man into custody since he was intoxicated. “I ain’t going in de rain,” the suspect said as police tried to get him away from the scene.

Relatives described Edwards as a very jovial person. He leaves to mourn his mother and four siblings among other relatives.

MARAD RECOMMENDS MULTIPLE CHARGES FOR BOAT CAPTAINS, CREWMEN The two boat captains involved in last month’s Mazaruni accident which claimed eleven lives broke several maritime laws, and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) has recommended that they face multiple charges for the role they played in the tragedy.

Charges were also recommended for two other crewmen. Charges of manslaughter are likely to be recommended by the Director of Public Prosecutions, as was done in the Pomeroon River tragedy which claimed six lives.

Among the breaches unearthed by MARAD during a preliminary probe are that boat captains Devon Thomas and Cobesh Persaud, while operating unlicenced vessels, failed to proceed at a safe speed, and operated with ‘reckless conduct’ and with inadequate life-saving equipment on board.

Investigations, so far, have revealed that Captains Thomas and Persaud violated sections of the River Navigation Regulations in that they operated their vessels recklessly.

MARAD found that Mr. Persaud did not possess a steersman certificate of competence to operate his vessel, while the bowman of the Mattaran, Mr. Aubrey Bowen, was not in possession of a certificate of competency.

According to MARAD, the captains also violated sections of the Guyana Shipping Act (1998) and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Record sales double for Grammy performers, young and old

Grammy performers did not go home with just trophies last weekend.

Winning bands like indie-pop trio fun. and British folk band Mumford & Sons saw sales of their singles and albums more than double after appearing on the music industry honors show.

Sales figures released on Friday by Nielsen showed a 182 percent increase in sales of fun.’s hit single “We Are Young” following their Song of the Year and Best New Artist Grammy victories on Sunday.

Album of the Year winner’s Mumford & Sons saw sales of its “I Will Wait” single shoot up 116 percent, while Australian artist Gotye’s “Making Mirrors” album from 2011 increased 124 percent from the week before the annual music telecast.

Rising R&B star Frank

Ocean, who took home two Grammys, saw sales of his album “Channel Orange” climb 140 percent.

The numbers mostly reflect a single night of sales increases from the prior week, predominantly digital downloads, immediately following the Grammy Awards show in Los Angeles on February 10.

Sales figures for the full week will be released as usual

by Nielsen SoundScan on Wednesday and will include both digital and physical album sales. Grammy winners were not the only ones to benefit from the annual music industry showcase.

Veteran rockers The Band saw its greatest hits package climb 203 percent after a multiartist tribute at the show to late drummer Levon Helm.

Sales of “Take Five,” the

distinctive 1959 tune by jazz pianist Dave Brubeck who died in December, shot up 248 percent after a tribute by fellow jazz musicians Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Kenny Garrett, according to Nielsen.

The Grammys also proved a boost for the blossoming career of 26 year-old southern California artist Miguel. After performing his single “Adorn” on the show, sales rose 229 percent compared with the week prior.

Mumford & Sons, Frank Ocean, Gotye and The Band record on labels owned by Universal Music Group; the music of Miguel and the late Dave Brubeck is released by units of Sony Music, and FUN. is signed to record label Fueled by Ramen, a unit of privately-held Warner Music.

(Reuters)

Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie venture into winemaking Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie have gone into the wine business, helping to produce a rose called Miraval from their French estate and putting their names on the label, wine website Decanter.com reported.

The movie star couple have been working with French winemaker Marc Perrin starting with the 2012 harvest, the website said. The Miraval wine will be on the market in March, and white wines will begin arriving by the end of this summer.

“They ... want to ensure they are making the best Provence wines they can,” Perrin told Britain-based Decanter.com. on Wednesday.

“They were present at the blending sessions this year, and are relooking at everything from the

installations in the winery where we have already switched to stainless steel tanks - to reworking the labels across the range of wines,” he added.

The back label of the Miraval wine carries the names Jolie-Pitt and Perrin.

Pitt and Jolie began renting Chateau Miraval in Correns, southern France, about four years ago and later bought the property, which has about 148 acres of vines.

The Miraval wine was formerly called Pink Floyd because the British rock band recorded their 1979 album “The Wall” in a studio on the estate, Decanter.com said.

Pitt last year unveiled a high-end collection of furniture that he helped create with designer Frank Pollaro.

He has also worked with architects to create affordable quality housing for victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. (Reuters)

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Sunday February 17, 2013

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 55

The Abigail Column Girlfriend knows coercion is unacceptable

DEARABIGAIL, I am confused as to where the line is drawn between trying to please your partner and being rudely manipulated into giving in.

Recently my boyfriend and I were getting intimate. I wasn’t really into it and I told him I wasn’t in the mood. He said, “It’s OK - you don’t have to enjoy it.”

Am I right in believing that

this is not an OK thing to say?

I told him that saying that to me is unacceptable, but I gave in and did what he wanted.

I’ve been manipulated sexually before, with other men, and he knows that.

Worried Dear Worried, Your so-called boyfriend has sexually manipulated and coerced you into having sex after you said you didn’t want to. Evidently, he missed the “no means no” memo.

Break off your relationship with this bully.

Also consider calling the

police.

“I gave in and did what he wanted” doesn’t sound like consent to me.

You should hold the men in your life to the same standard you would expect from your closest friends and family members.

In a healthy relationship, partners honour and elevate one another.

Because this seems to be a pattern for you, after you break off your relationship you should seek professional help to better understand your own impulses and behaviour.

Sunday February 17, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There are too many things to do today and not enough time to finish all of them.

Although it might not be a very relaxing day, chances are you will still thoroughly enjoy it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may be very productive today, but your current accomplishments are more creative than practical.

Everything you touch now has the potential of turning into an artistic masterpiece.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Money problems may be highlighted today, yet focusing on your fiscal obligations gives you a better sense of where you actually stand.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You’re extremely rational today when it comes to your feelings, leading you to remain rather restrained. Ironically, you have the ability to objectively analyze your emotions now without necessarily being overwhelmed by them.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) The subjective Moon’s return to your sign is a bit confusing today, for her square to nebulous Neptune makes it tough to share your needs without becoming overly emotional.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You are a walking paradox today because as hard as you try to be logical, your thoughts are colored by idealistic emotional considerations. On the surface it appears that you’re willing to let go of an old resentment; unfortunately, it remains more of a struggle than anyone else realizes.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) It’s challenging to get much finished today because everyone seems to have a different notion of what you should be doing. yourself.

Follow your instincts when deciding what to do next.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may have to play different roles for different people today, which could leave you feeling uncertain about your true identity.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Without being overly judgmental, consider how a long-termn ally might actually be preventing you from doing what you wish today.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) There are plenty of things you want to accomplish today, but you may not know where to begin. You might even bite off more than you can chew, only to realize how little you actually get done.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your stress level might escalate if you choose work over fun. The lighthearted Gemini Moon is visiting your 5th House of Spontaneity, making this a great day to let your inner child out to play.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Complex circumstances unfolding at home could draw your attention away from your previous plans. You may be seduced into a complicated web of relationship dynamics that are entangling other members of your family.

NCN CHANNEL 11 02:00 – NCN Late Edition (R/ B) 02:30 – Late Nite with GINA 03:00 – Movie 05:00 – Inspiration 05:30 – Newtown Gospel 06:00 – NCN News (R/B) 06:30 – Tomorrow World 07:00 – Voice of Victory 07:30 – Voice of Islam 08:00 – Lifting Guyana to Greatness 08:30 – President’s Diary 09:00 – Homestretch Magazine 10:00 – Weekly Digest 10:30 – Gua Sha – The Treatment 12:30 – GRA in Focus 13:00 – Dharma Vani 14:00 – Catholic Magazine 14:30 – The Naked Truth 15:00 – Feature 16:00 – Family Forum 16:30 – Shape 17:00 – Round Table 18:00 – NCN Week in Review 18:30 – Guysuco Roundup 19:00 – Debate Series on Discrimination 20:00 – Kala Milan 20:30 – GT&T Jingle & Song 22:30 – Movie DTV CHANNEL 8 09:25 hrs. Sign On 09:30 hrs. Touching Lives 10:00 hrs. Pair of Kings 10:30 hrs. Crash and Bernstein 11:00 hrs. Kickin’ It 11:45 hrs. DTV’S Festival of Biblical Movies for the Lenten Season: “Noah’s Ark” 15:00 hrs. Monk 17:00 hrs. Family Feud 18:00 hrs. Catholic Magazine

(Faith in Action) 18:30 hrs. Know Your Bible 19:00 hrs. Greetings and Announcements 21:00 hrs. Once Upon a Time (New Episode) 22:00 hrs. The Good Wife (New Episode) 23:00 hrs. The Mentalist (New Episode) 00:00 hrs. Sign Off MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 Sign on 06:30 hrs - Prayag Vanie 07:00 hrs - Toolsie Persaud Ltd. Bhajan Hour 07:30 hrs - CNN News 08:00 hrs - Christ for the Nation 08:30 hrs - Puran Brothers: Shiva Bhajans 09:00 hrs - Muslim Melodies with Al Madina Exclusive 09:30 hrs - Teleview Kutbah 10:00 hrs - DJ Stress Indian Movie 13:00 hrs - Garam Geet 14:00 hrs - The Variety Show with WR Reaz 15:00 hrs - Sitcom 16:00 hrs - Bollywood Sensation with Kavita 17:00 hrs - Birthdays & Other greetings 17:15 hrs - Death Announcements/ In memoriam 17:30 hrs - BBC World News 18:00 hrs - Entertainment Buzz with Shivanie 18:30 hrs - DNA TV Show 19:00 hrs - JKS TV Show 19:30 hrs - BBC World News 20:00 hrs - Sangeet Mehfil 21:00 hrs - Indian Movie: Jalpari: The Desert Mermaid Sign off

Guides are subjected to change without notice

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Hand-in-Hand supports Lumb, Narine and Finn achieve bodybuilder William Ward career-best T20I rankings

Mr. William Ward receiving the cheque from Mr. Navin Ramlochan, Inspector within the Direct Sales Department.

The sport of bodybuilding has proven to be an expensive venture with the types of supplements, vitamins and other necessities that are needed for athletes to get their bodies in top shape for competitions.

Some corporate entities have been very generous in assisting athletes leading up to competitions and yet still a few more, outside of competitions. One such

company is the Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire & Life Insurance Companies that has made a commitment to support one of their own, William Ward, who is a Broker Accounts Supervisor at the entity.

The company said it is proud to be a sponsor for Mr. Ward since he is a promising bodybuilder. While still a budding competitor, Ward has been silently turning in some very encouraging

performances; he has racked up two second places and three third places.

Ward’s positive and encouraging results have motivated Hand-in-Hand to support the athlete in his quest to further improve and better his performances in 2013 as he aims to be the number one bodybuilder in Guyana. Hand-in-Hand wishes Ward the best in his endeavours for 2013.

ICC Site - England’s Alex Hales and Steven Finn, along with West Indies’ Sunil Narine, have achieved careerbest rankings in the latest Reliance ICC T20I Player Rankings, which were released on Saturday.

The latest rankings were released at the completion of England’s 2-1 series win over host New Zealand on Friday and ICC World Twenty20 2012 champion West Indies’ win over Australia in the oneoff match.

While Hales has jumped nine places to a career-best fifth in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for T20I batsmen, Sunil Narine has leaped six places to a best-ever third and Steven Finn has moved up 20 places to a career-best sixth in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for T20I bowlers.

Also making an upward movement within the top 10 batters is New Zealand’s Martin Guptill, who has moved up five places to join former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene in third place.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum continues to head the batting table, with Chris Gayle in second place.

In the bowling rankings, which are led by Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal, England captain Stuart Broad is the other bowler apart from Narine and Finn to make a significant improvement. Broad has jumped 12 places to eighth.

The all-rounders’ table is still headed by Australia’s Shane Watson, followed by Pakistan’s T20I captain Mohammad Hafeez and India’s Yuvraj Singh in third position.

WEST INDIES NARROWS GAP WITH SRI LANKA ICC World Twenty20 2012 champion West Indies’ win in the one-off Twenty20 International against Australia has helped it gain two ratings points on the Reliance ICC T20I Championship Table.

Australia, on the other hand, has retained its seventh place on the table despite dropping two ratings points to 102. There is no other change in the table as both New Zealand and England have retained their pre-series ratings and placings.

To find out exactly how the forthcoming series will affect the T20I Championship Table, please click here. The T20I and ODI Championship Tables are updated after every match, unlike the Test Championship Table, which is updated after every series.

ENGLAND AIMS TO REGAIN NO.1 ODI

S u n i l Narine

RANKING Meanwhile, England has an opportunity to reclaim the number-one ranking on the Reliance ICC ODI Championship Table when it takes on New Zealand in a three-match series that commences in Hamilton on Sunday.

England is on equal points with India (119 ratings points) but is ranked behind the world champion when ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

If England wins all three matches, it will reclaim the number-one ranking. In this scenario, England will stay on 119 ratings points but will move ahead of India by a fraction of a point. However, if England wins the series 21, it will retain second position but will drop to 116 ratings points. In contrast, if eighthranked New Zealand wins the series by a margin of 2-1 or better, it could end up swapping places with seventh-ranked West Indies, while England could finish as low as fourth, depending on the result.

To find out exactly how the forthcoming series will affect the Championship Table, please click here. The ODI and T20I Championship

tables, unlike the Test Championship Table, are updated after every match.

This is the penultimate series for England and New Zealand before they meet again in England in May as a precursor to the ICC Champions Trophy 2013, which will be staged from 6 to 23 June in England and Wales.

The tournament opener at the ICC Champions Trophy will feature two former winners, when South Africa takes on 2002 champion India in Cardiff on 6 June. The following day, the West Indies will face Pakistan at The Oval.

Group A of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 includes defending champion Australia, 2000 winner New Zealand and 2002 champion Sri Lanka, along with host England, which reached the final when it last staged the event in 2004.

Sides in Group B are 1998 winner South Africa, 2004 champion West Indies, 2002 winner India, and Pakistan.

The semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 will be staged at The Oval (19 June) and in Cardiff (20 June), while Edgbaston will be the venue of the final, to be played on 23 June.

Monthly road race set for March 3 in Berbice The fourth edition of the monthly road race organised by the Rose Hall Town Development Organization (RHTDO) returns to the Corentyne when athletes will take to the road for the race which is set for March 3 and will be held to commemorate Mashramani celebrations which will be held in Berbice on the same day.

The race which is open to all athletes residing in Berbice will race off from Ulverston Road to end at the Rose Hall Arch. Cash incentives and

other prizes are up for grabs.

Among some of the sponsors are T. Jagdeo, CIDI, Leslie Black, Fiesta Fish Shop and Guinness Bar, Jermaine Frontline Barber Shop, Allicock Wild Meat and other in and around the Rose Hall Town, Corentyne area.

Race time is 09:00 hrs.

Interested athletes and teams can get in contact Godwyn Allicock on telephone numbers 337-4774 or 660-9048 for further information.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Fazia’s Collection / WDFA U-17 Girls Inter School Tourney...

Uan Wilson’s helmet-trick leads Uitvlugt to 9-0 win over West Dem. Uitvlugt Secondary rebounded in style following a 1-4 loss to Leonora Secondary to whip West Demerara Secondary 9-0 when play in the inaugural Fazia’s Collection/ West Demerara Football Association Girls Inter Secondary School competition continued on

Friday afternoon at the Den Amstel Ground, West Coast Demerara. The Uitvlugt Girls were in rampaging form as they demolished the challenge of the West Bank based girls.

In a no-nonsense mood was Uan Wilson who blasted the nets on four occasions, Shemika Marcus and

Alpha ‘The Hammer’...

From page 60 appeared evenly matched up to the end of the first session.

Both sides faltered after receiving clear cut opportunities with Dwayne Lawrence and Delon Williams botching opportunities for Conquerors. Despite these blunders, it was clear that the Conquerors were more superior tactically.

Nevertheless, Police managed to hold them to a goalless stalemate at the end of the first session.

Apparently benefiting from the advice of their coach during the interval, Conquerors approached the

second session with more vigor and vitality.

Alleyne started the onslaught in the 67th minute and his teammates took the cue; within a 20 minutes span the score line went from nil all to 5-0 as the home team entrenched its dominance and sent an ominous message to the other teams. Fifteen teams will be vying for top honours in an elimination format over 8 competitive playing days.

The grand final and the 3rd place playoff are scheduled for one day after Mashramani day. All matches will be played at the Tucville Ground.

Suwanda Samuels each netted a double, while the other goals came from Tremella Welcome. Marcus it was who opened the scoring for Uitvlugt 9 minutes into the encounter and there was no letting up from that point.

Wilson got into the act in the 23rd minute with her first and followed up with efforts in the 45th, 48th and 59th minute.

Marcus got her final goal in the 32nd minute with Samuels hitting the target in the 40th and 42nd minute with Welcome notching hers in the 56th minute of the one hour encounter.

Competition will continue tomorrow at the same venue from 15:30hrs when Zeeburg and Vreed-en-hoop will open their quest for top honours.

On Tuesday, Leonora will seek to record their second win in as many matches when they come up against West Demerara Secondary while on Wednesday, Vreed-en-hoop will be in action again, this time against St. John’s College who will have their first game.

Page 57

>>>Letter to the Sports Editor<<<

Is Insubordination rife within the GFA?

DEAR SIR, While it’s definitely not my intention for this letter to be construed as an attack on the character of anyone, nevertheless it remains my firm and humble opinion, that ahead of the Guyana Football Federation’s Ordinary Congress, including the Elections of Office Bearers, that FIFA’s mandate entails no later than April 19, 2013, the Georgetown Football Association, should convene an emergency General Council Meeting to deal specifically with candidates of its choice, for the respective positions to be contested within the GFF’s executive.

And as a matter of fact, this measure should be extended to all associations and affiliates of the GFF, wherein the specifics in relation to convening the meeting shall be the only item on the agenda up for discussion.

So, in actuality only clubs in good standing with its respective association will be

allowed to deliberate and at the conclusion a common consensus would be arrived at towards a candidate or candidates of their choice to be nominated or seconded.

Editor, this now brings me to the pertinent point, in relation to the above caption, whereby from an indication emanating from a specific executive/club, Hon. Secretary, GFA, Christopher Matthias is the preferred choice out of the GFA, as the presidential nominee for the GFF’s presidency.

Editor, this I find to be extremely alarming since the individual over the last 2 years was and continues to be a subordinate of the GFA’s president, Vernon Burnett.

With two Asst. Secretaries positions to be contested in the GFF’s Elections of Office Bearers, wouldn’t it have been more prudent for Matthias to contest one of the two positions, while allowing the GFA to support a worthwhile individual for the presidency?

Has it dawned upon the thoughts of anyone that should Matthias accede to the presidency, Burnett would become his subordinate? Does this confirm to the norms of protocol?

Finally, in the run up to the Elections of Office Bearers, which would entail extensive campaigning, to the extent that Matthias may be called upon to address General Councils of different associations upon short notice, would this affect his work as Hon. Secretary, GFA? Would he step down in pursuit of his presidential aspirations, should the race become close? What would become more interesting is, if Matthias receives overwhelming support for another position, would he accede, or would he indicate his utmost interest in the presidency only?

Nevertheless, best of luck Chris in your endeavors!

Lester Sealey.

Page 58

Kaieteur News

Milo U-20 Schools Football Competition...

Tucville wins clash of heavyweights It was deemed the battle of the heavyweights in this year’s Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition and even though there was one eventual winner it lived up to expectations as Tucville behind goals from Dorwin Filter (5th) and Kevin Andrews (14th) defeated St. George’s 2-0 yesterday, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The much hyped clash

started out with Tucville looking the more composed side and went on the offensive early with Filter and company orchestrating numerous threatening forays and got their reward as early as the fifth minute when Filter stationed on the left flank ran on to a long ball from centre field, trapped it neatly, before dribbling past one defender and then unleashed a fierce shot past the St. George’s

Sunday February 17, 2013

Tucville’s Kevin Andrews (#11) scores his team’s second goal en route to a 2-0 win over St. George’s yesterday.

custodian positioned on the near post.

That goal silenced the partisan St. George’s supporters and energized the Tucville unit as they surged forward in numbers and stretched their advantage through Andrews nine minutes later when he received a pass from the left wing, weaved past two defenders, before duplicating the feat against the advancing goalkeeper and hitting a tame shot into the back of an empty goal.

That second goal seemed to take the fight out of the usually resilient St. George’s side as they looked disorganized after then and went to the break 2-0 down.

The second period saw a more vigorous effort from St. George’s, but stout defending combined with some menacing counterattacks from Tucville kept St. George’s at bay as the game cantered to the end of regulation time with no team managing to score in the half to give the East Georgetown based team a well deserved win.

In the first game, Charlestown beat Christ Church 2-0 through goals off the boots of Shane Morris (9th) and Anthony Bartholomew (60th), while North Georgetown gained a walkover from Ascension, who failed to show.

In the day’s full results: Game 1

Charlestown Secondary defeated Christ Church 2-0 GoalscorersShane Morris- 9th Anthony Bartholomew60th Game 2 North Georgetown Secondary vs Ascension North Georgetown won by walkover Game 3 Tucville Secondary defeated St. George’s 2-0 Tucville GoalscorersDorwin Filter- 5th Kevin Andrews- 14th The competition continues today with another set of three matches to be played at the same venue.

In today’s schedule, Tutorial High tackle St. John’s College from 12:00 hrs, before Cummings Lodge square off against South Ruimveldt at 13:50 hrs and in the final game of the day, Queen’s College battle Bishop’s High in another matchup that should produce fireworks.

“Painting the...

From page 61 “real, full, unadulterated love is always in the air”.

Really?

If you are truly in love, with someone, even with yourself, SVD should be every day. But most people are not in love. They simply pretend, based on their specific situations, to suit their own basic agendas!

Mother’s Day is worse.

Old Sylvia used to say; “Since I am sure that I am your mother, every day is ‘Mother’s Day’. I have to put food on the table so that you and your brother and sister could eat!”

What can be more practical than that? Mother’s Day is every day, even if you do not, now, have your mother anymore!

Some of the West Indies men’s team players who beat Australia on Carnival Tuesday are fathers. They could not think of prodigy, though, when winning that sole T-20. As world defending T-20 champions, West Indies

had to deliver, to upkeep that reputation, and to keep the maroon flying high and proud.

While Kieron Pollard has made his name in mostly T20’s, he will be coming for the first time, unlike Super Blue’s comeback, when he is soon selected to play for West Indies against Zimbabwe in Tests.

On pure merit, Pollard deserves to play Tests. He cannot do worse than some who have preceded him.

Right now, like carnival in T&T, he is hot. Give him that chance to bend, to Tests, while the steam rises!

But it was West Indies Women who outdid themselves.

Whatever happens later today, against already vanquished Australia, our West Indies “Queens” are in another maroon world; a World Cup Final! Having already beaten Australia to get there, doing it again, today, like Super Blue, is possible! Enjoy!

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 59

Six JKA/WF Guyana Karatekas presented with their Dan Diplomas Shotokan Karate students of the National Park’s - Japan Karate Association/World Federation (JKA/WF) Guyana HQ Dojo have been motivated to train harder in the first quarter of this year as a result of six (6) of their colleagues receiving Sho (1st) Dan Diplomas on

February 1, 2013.

The Dan Diplomas, which arrived from JKA/WF America’s Office in Santa Fe, NM, USA, en route from the JKA’s Headquarters in Japan were presented by Chief Instructor Sensei Christopher Chaves (4th Dan) and Assistant Instructor

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) will be held on Saturday March 9, 2013 at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue commencing at 14:00hrs.

All members of the entity are invited to attend but only financial members will be allowed to vote.

Following is the Agenda: a. Prayer b. Roll Call c. President’s Opening Remarks d. Minutes of the Previous

Meeting e. Confirmation of the Minutes f. Matters Arising out of the Minutes g. President’s Report h. General Secretary’s Report i. Presentation of Financial Statement j. Election of Office Bearers k. Correspondence l. Any other business All nominations for officers must reach the General Secretary in writing not later than seven (7) days before the Annual General Meeting.

GFRC to host AGM on March 9

- Mr. Marvin Singh (2nd Dan).

Those “licensed” to the rank of Sho (1st) Dan by the JKA are Samuel Arjoon, Shankar Singh, Marlon George, Shermon Kyte, Shaquelle Amin and Storm Katchay who were all tested on March 31, 2012 by young Japanese Master – Mr. Yasuaki Nagatomo (6th Dan) – Operating Director of JKA/ WF America and Chief Instructor of the JKA of New Mexico.

Mr. Nagatomo is a qualified Class “A” Instructor & Judge as well as a Class “B” Examiner.

In their address to the gathering they all alluded to the fact that their development came over time with consistent training, dedication and hard work.

It was crystal clear that JKA karate focuses primarily on the moulding of the character of its participants, which includes the benefits of self discipline, improved health and wellness, positivity, discernment and humility.

The awardees from left, Shankar Singh, Shaquille Amin, Marlon George, Storm Katchay, Samuel Arjoon and Shermon Kyte.

Their journeys, which they prepared for over the past years, have now begun and “… now that the foundation has been laid, the focus is to continue to train and develop…”; “to endeavour further for progress in both skill and character building in the future”, in order to meet the JKA’s expectation stated on their diplomas.

Sensei’s Chaves and Singh were both praised for their efforts on this 100% achievement that was symbolic of the very sentiments expressed by their new inductees into the Shodan fraternity.

When asked “what’s next for JKA/WF Guyana”, it was stated that they are in preparation for their upcoming grading exercise in

April that will be conducted again by Mr. Nagatomo, and their attendance at the annual JKA/WF America Karate Camp and Goodwill Tournament, slated for June 6 – 9, 2013 in Santa Fe, NM, USA. They also took the opportunity to thank the many supporters of their ongoing fund raisers for the event, as detailed on their website www.jkawfguyana.tk.

Page 60

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United to battle Pele FC tonight Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United will face off with Pele FC in the feature attraction when the action continues in the Fruta Conquerors/ Namilco One Love Football Classic tournament at the Tucville Ground this evening, while Santos FC will raise the curtains in a highly anticipated thriller against

New Amsterdam United FC. Considered the top team locally, Alpha will be out to enforce this belief and will depend on the in-form Andrew Murray who has made the difference, scoring both goals, when ‘The Hammers’ breezed past Rhythm Squad in their last game. The dapper Murray will depend on the hard working Dwight Peters, whose contribution has complimented Murray’s hard work.

Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson is the new addition to the Alpha unit but remarkable a striker as he is, he will be hard pressed to break the shackles since the ploy of opposing teams is to shut him down.

He has played for Pele so he should understand their mode of play and it would be interesting to observe the keen competition that will unfold. He also has Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant another clever striker who has also played

for Pele but has recently sought a transfer to the Alpha unit. Pele will be coming out to prove that the loss of the two star players will not affect them to a great extent.

President of the club, Cary Jacques has dismissed the view that his boys are weakened by the loss of Richardson and Grant.

“We have a competent mid fielder in Konata Manning and have recently discovered another midfielder in Mark

Jahlan who will shore up the gap,” boasted Jacques.

He also has his bets on Calvin Shepherd and Okeny Fraser as well as defenders Keoma Gravesande and Solomon Austin.

Jacques said that his boys will dispel all notions that they are incapable of winning tonight because of the Richardson and Grant defection. New Amsterdam United FC will attempt to emulate the recent feat against GFC where the latter team was sent packing. Once again, they will depend on Adrian Adams and his brother Leonardo to make the difference. Ray Reddock will shore up the midfield position while Dane Johnson will be at the defense cordon.

The two matches are geared to provide high level entertainment for football fans and they will not want to miss a minute of the action.

Meanwhile, Conquerors FC stayed in contention for championship honours when within a 20 minutes span in a late assault, netted 5 goals to humiliate the Guyana Police Force 5-0 in the feature attraction of their quarterfinals match Friday evening last.

Dwayne Allen netted a double in the 83rd and 89th minutes, while Eon Alleyne (67th), Edward Austin (72nd) and Nathan Walters (86th) completed the onslaught.

The Guyana Defence Force was also in winning mode, defeating Beterverwagting 2-0 on the back of goals off the boot of Marlon Benjamin and Delwyn Fraser in the 2nd and 81st minute, respectively.

Watched by a fair sized

crowd that included Managing Director of the National Milling Company, Bert Sukhai, the soldiers commenced the match at a hectic pace and it was not long before Benjamin latched onto a loose pass and netted the first success for his team. Large pools that had remained after long periods of torrential rains hampered the players and on many occasions, what should have been advantageous after clean breakthroughs, dwindled to fruitless runs as the ball became stuck in soggy pools.

Royan Morrison defied the adverse conditions and powered a ball from outside the box just in front of the opposition’s goal but the chance was wasted after his teammate failed to take the ball cleanly. Thereafter, Royan Morrison, Desford Williams, Delwyn Fraser and Marlon Benjamin joined forces to increase the lead but they were forced to contend with either a strong defence or soggy patches that thwarted their chances.

The soldiers battled valiantly and protected their lead even against strong challenges from the Beterverwagting lads.

With the minutes ticking away and the supporters of the GDF already in a celebratory mood, Delwyn Fraser placed the match beyond the reach of the East Coast team with a stinger that settled aback the nets.

Less than two minutes afterwards the shrill sound of the referee’s whistle sent the soldiers into celebratory mode. The contest between Conqueror’s and the Police (Continued on page 57)

RBC/George Cumberbatch 7th Mem. Cycle Meet on today The Seawall Bandstand Circuit will be a hive of activity from this morning when the 7th annual George Cumberbatch Memorial Cycle Meet sponsored by George Humphrey of Humphrey’s Bakery & Farm Products and former National rider Clifford ‘Toto’ Johnson comes off from 11:00hrs.

The Roraima Bikers Club (RBC) organized event will see the nation’s leading male and female riders competing in six races including the feature 30-lap open contest with attractive cash incentives on offer in all the races.

This activity is held to commemorate the memory of

former National cyclist, George Cumberbatch who was a close friend and fierce competitor with Clifford ‘Toto’ Johnson who recalled the many exciting years the two riders had competing against each other and for Guyana.

Races will also be held for Juvenile/Junior/Category 4 (5laps); Categories 1-3 (5-laps); Veterans Under-50 years (5laps); Veterans Over-50 years (5-laps) and a new addition - Win and out which will be an open contest for all riders. Apart from the feature race which will see the top six riders being rewarded, the other events will attract prizes for the first three finishers.

Race time is 11:00hrs.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 61

“Painting the Caribbean and the world Red, Maroon and Blue!

Colin E. H. Croft This last week was big for hot, flashy colours, rainbow combinations all, for it was Carnival 2013. Associating well with this vast array of colours of merriment were especially the red, maroon and blue!

West Indies cricket teams, both men’s and women’s, showed that “Old Maroon” still has punches, despite recent debacles. “Fantastic Friday” actually came on Carnival Tuesday for things West Indian!

It is no coincidence that the new West Indies players’ warmup uniforms are almost fully Caribbean Sea blue. “Super Blue”, returning-from-out-of-theblue for 2013 Road March Monarch, would be so ecstatic!

I have great pride and respect for the rehabilitation and grand return of Mr. Austin Lyons – “Super Blue”.

As Morgan Freeman succinctly suggested in ‘Shawshank Redemption’, rehabilitation is a hell of thing!

I met “Blue Boy” when

playing for West Indies, in the first Test ever in Antigua & Barbuda, 1981. I did not attend the concert he invited me to on eve-of-Test night, but fully enjoyed “Ethel” from the hotel!

Two years ago, as part of the early morning programs – “Mixed Nuts” – for one of the radios stations associated with T&T Guardian – Vibe Caribbean Tempo 105 (Vibe CT-105) - I had heard that “Blue” was in a dire dilemma, bad shape, supposedly being overtaken by substance abuse, even scavenging streets!

That same day, I went to look for the man, who, first as “Blue Boy”, gave us road marches “Soca Baptist” (1980), “Ethel” (1981), “Rebecca” (1983), my favorite “Get something and wave” (1991), “Jab-Jab”, 1992, “Bacchanal Time” (1993), “Signal to Lara” (1995), and “Pump Up” (2000)! What a set of triumphs!

I did not judge the man at all, like so many of his false friends did, after finding him in the St. James area.

WI skipper Merissa Aguilleira (right) and her Australian counterpart Jodie Fields (ICC Solaris) We all have our own burdens to carry, some doing so better than others. I simply could not let a fallen hero, a maestro of

calypso, one of our best bards ever, to be so diminished and destroyed that way!

I have always liked Shadow

and Sparrow, but “Super Blue” blew them away with ‘jumpability’, music that went straight to your head. I simply had to do whatever I could do, right then, to help a friend!

What I did need no embellishment, but rest assured that, at least, for that entire day, “Super” was properly fed, cleaned up and looked after, and taken away from his immediate surroundings. The best part of that entire encounter was, he actually knew who it was, saying, croakily, “Thank you!”

I also know that many people, like “Big” George Gonzalez - VCT-105 fame played a much bigger hand than me to help Super Blue on his way back. No-one, though, could have counted more than his family. FayeAnne and Bungie must take high praise for that great fight, to bring the “Old Man” back to real excellence, that superness, of 2013!

Even world “Super Boy” Machel, another calypso

Colin E. H. Croft friend, who also likes aviation, was made to look like a boy by “Blue”!

Super ’s sensational comeback has been really unprecedented!

Anyway, St. Valentine’s Day, that day that is supposed to signify real full love, celebrated with anything red, as many chocolates as can be eaten, with as false a scenario as can be imagined was also this week!

I could never understand the need to specially set aside a day to celebrate Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. These always suggest that (Continued on page 58)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 17, 2013

Tracy wins Stag Golf tournament

The various prize winners in the Stag Golf Tournament, including champion, John Tracy (centre) pose for a photo opportunity with Ansa McAl officials yesterday at the Lusignan Golf Course.

Pistorius, girlfriend were planning future: uncle JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South African athlete Oscar Pistorius was planning a future with girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, who he is accused of shooting in cold blood this week, his uncle said on Saturday.

“We are in a state of total shock - firstly about the tragic death of Reeva who we had all got to know well and care for deeply over the last few months,” Anthony Pistorius said in a statement released by his nephew’s agent.

“They had plans together and Oscar was happier in his private life than he had been for a long time,” he said.

Pistorius, 26, was charged on Friday with murdering Steenkamp in the early hours of the previous day. He broke down during a 40minute bail hearing at a Pretoria court but was not asked to enter a plea. Prosecutors alleged the shooting was premeditated - a charge that could put Pistorius behind bars for life if he is convicted. Anthony Pistorius reiterated the family’s belief that the track star - a double amputee who became one of the biggest names in world athletics - had not deliberately shot Steenkamp, a 30-year-old model. Initial reports suggested he may have mistaken Steenkamp for an intruder.

Fazia’s Collection / WDFA U-17 Girls Inter School Tourney...

Uan Wilson’s helmet-trick leads Uitvlugt to 9-0 win over West Dem. Uitvlugt Secondary rebounded in style following a 1-4 loss to Leonora Secondary to whip West Demerara Secondary 9-0 when play in the inaugural Fazia’s Collection/ West Demerara Football Association Girls Inter Secondary School competition continued on Friday afternoon at the Den Amstel Ground, West Coast Demerara.

The Uitvlugt Girls were in rampaging form as they demolished the challenge of the West Bank based girls.

In a no-nonsense mood

Oscar Pistorius (right) and his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp pose for a picture in Johannesburg, February 7, 2013. REUTERS/ Thembani Makhubele

John Tracy with an outstanding score of a gross 76 and net 61 playing off of a 15 handicap won the season opening, Stag Golf tournament yesterday at the Lusignan Golf Course. Munaf Arjune was second with a gross 75 and net 68, while Carlos Adams finished third with a gross 95 and net 70 in the competition.

Tracy also carted off the ‘Best Gross’ special prize with Ayube Alli taking home the ‘Longest Drive’ prize and Orlando Deo the ‘Nearest to the Pin’ award. President of Lusignan’s Golf Club, Jerome Khan told Kaieteur Sport that 36 players competed in perfect weather conditions, which resulted in a keen contest.

“We had a wonderful tournament and the scores indicate the kind of competition that took place here,” Khan said, while thanking Ansa McAl under their Stag Beer brand for sponsoring the first tournament of the 2013 golf season.

Ansa McAl’s Public Relations Officer, Darshnie Yussuf, thanked the golfers for participating and indicated that the company will continue to sponsor the tournament. She said that the company is pleased to be associated with the growth of the sport.

Ansa McAl Stag Beer Manager, John Maikoo, Marketing Director, Troy Cadogan and Regional Export Manager for Carib Brewery, Scott McSween were present at the presentation ceremony with Cadogan also participating in the tournament.

was Uan Wilson who blasted the nets on four occasions, Shemika Marcus and Suwanda Samuels each netted a double, while the other goals came from Tremella Welcome.

Marcus it was who opened the scoring for Uitvlugt 9 minutes into the encounter and there was no letting up from that point.

Wilson got into the act in the 23rd minute with her first and followed up with efforts in the 45th, 48th and 59th minute.

Marcus got her final goal in the 32nd minute with Samuels hitting the target in

the 40th and 42nd minute with Welcome notching hers in the 56th minute of the one hour encounter.

Competition will continue tomorrow at the same venue from 15:30hrs when Zeeburg and Vreed-en-hoop will open their quest for top honours.

On Tuesday, Leonora will seek to record their second win in as many matches when they come up against West Demerara Secondary while on We d n e s d a y, Vr e e d - e n hoop will be in action again, this time against St. John’s College who will have their first game.

Greaves rally from two down to defeat Lopes for U-15 title Priscilla Greaves (left) blocks with her forehand against Kristie Lopes last evening in a deciding clash to determine the U-15 Girls champ at the National Gymnasium.

Priscilla Greaves rallied from two sets down last evening at the National Gymnasium to defeat Kristie Lopes for the Under-15 Girls title in the National Sports Commission Mashramani Table Tennis Tournament.

Greaves came from a 3-11

and 9-11 deficit in the five set contest to win the remaining three sets 11-3, 11-9 and 1311 and the U-15 title in the deciding game of the roundrobin playoff. Selenas Jackman finished third in the category. Lopes was playing in her second deciding game

after winning the Under-13 title. Jackman was second and Neveah Clarkston was third in the U-13 Girls contest. In other results, Tyriq Saunders won the Under-11 Boys title after defeating Terrence Raush 4-11, 11-9, 12-10 and 11-5 yesterday.

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 63

Slingerz FC/Stag Beer Mashramani Championship to kick off tonight in Den Amstel Slingerz FC

Slingerz FC, Their name just can’t seem to be kept out the mouths of local football pundits ever since the West Demerara based team was assembled.

Many questions are being asked about their existence, one of which is if they will be able to climb the ladder to become Guyana’s top club; a spot held by Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United.

However, the club chose to announce their presence with a tournament which will kick off tonight at the Dem Amstel ground.

The tournament which was made possible through Ansa McAl and Stag Beer, cellular service providers Digicel and Hokinson Mining, will carry a winner’s purse of $500,000, second place $300,000, while third and

fourth are going to pocket $150,000 and $50,000 respectively.

After the gala opening ceremony at 4:00 pm where the eight participating teams will be on display, all eyes will be set on the Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite coached team as they come up against B e a v e r s i n t h e n i g h t ’s featured game of the planned double header.

At the launching of the tournament, Braithwaite said that his Club’s “mandate on the West Side is to develop football to such a level that by next three years to come the best football will be played on the Westside as it once was. And we hope that people will not look at us as a team that is trying to just come to play a one off thing,

but that it’s something that will be forever.”

He also added that, “We hope that by the time this tournament is over, our

US official Blazer to leave FIFA executive seat NEW YORK (AP) — The American member of FIFA’s executive committee who went public with bribery accusations against his boss two years ago said he won’t seek re-election for a fifth term and will leave his position in May after 16 years.

Chuck Blazer is the most senior American official in world soccer but his departure was expected after his role in the scandal over presidential election candidate Mohamed bin Hammam. ‘’It is time for new faces with new energy to take over the responsibility of FIFA’s leadership,’’ the 67-year-old Blazer said Saturday in a statement. In 2011, he said that CONCACAF president Jack Warner and Asian confederation head Mohamed bin Hammam attempted to bribe Caribbean delegates $40,000 each to vote for Bin Hammam in the FIFA presidential election.

Warner’s acting successor then tried to fire Blazer, setting off more disciplinary proceedings.

Warner resigned and officials from half of its 40 member countries were investigated by FIFA. Blazer left his job as general secretary of the continental federation for North America, Central America and the Caribbean in the fallout.

A contest to replace him at FIFA is expected between American federation president Sunil Gulati and

Chuck Blazer Mexican president Justino Compean. Both are members of the CONCACAF executive committee. The election is scheduled on April 19 at the confederation’s congress in Panama City. The winner will

be installed into the FIFA board on May 31 in Mauritius.

In Panama, CONCACAF is expected to publish results of a forensic audit of its accounts commissioned after the longstanding WarnerBlazer leadership era ended.

Blazer was the target of widespread anger last year when members were told about the New York-based body’s financial affairs.

Though the American was credited with increasing CONCACAF’s revenues since the 1990s, officials objected to contract commissions he received which were agreed to

by Warner.

FIFA announces Confederations Cup prize money ZURICH, Switzerland (AP) — FIFA will pay $4.1 million in prize money to the Confederations Cup winner, and Tahiti is guaranteed $1.7 million from the June 15-30 tournament.

FIFA says $20 million in total prize money will be shared among eight teams playing in the World Cup warm-up event in Brazil.

The prize fund was $17.6 million at the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa. There, Brazil got $3.75

million for winning.

FIFA says the beaten finalist will receive $3.6 million; the third-place team earns $3 million and the fourth-place team gets $2.5 million. Four teams not advancing from the groups each make $1.7 million.

The line-up of continental champions is: Host Brazil, World Cup and European champion Spain, Euro 2012 runner-up Italy, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Tahiti, and Uruguay.

mandate would be fully established to play good football and develop football and make sure that Westside is number one.”

He however said that Slingerz is on the road to selfdevelopment and it is his hope that other clubs will.

Dwayne Jacobs still fresh off of being named the Kashif

and Shanghai Most Valuable Player (MVP) will captain the side that also includes the likes of Pierre Joseph and Kester Jacobs.

To n i g h t ’s opening game brings together a youthful Eagles United football club coming up against We s t Side champions Uitvlugt

United.

Uitvlugt have been one of the top teams on the west side for a number of years and their recent ascension to the top of the table on the West Demerara is testimony of their hard work. But the side should be tested against the side led by Kerron Schmidt.

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Sunday February 17, 2013

Sunday February 17, 2013

Kaieteur News

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British Grand Prix: Mo Farah wins 3,000m in Birmingham BBC Sport - Double Olympic champion Mo Farah made a winning start to his 2013 season with victory over 3,000m indoors at the British Grand Prix in Birmingham.

Farah moved to the front at the halfway point and left the field trailing in a time of seven minutes 42 seconds.

Holly Bleasdale won the

pole vault, while high jumper Robbie Grabarz and 800m runner Jenny Meadows were second.

Dwain Chambers failed to reach the men’s 60m final, which was won by American Michael Rodgers in 6.53.

“These guys ran fast and I just wasn’t able to get them at the start,” said Chambers,

Guyana surrender first innings lead to Barbados BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Miguel Cummins 4-42 and Ashley Nurse 4-74 combined to destroy Guyana on the second day of the second round of matches in the Regional Four-Day Championship yesterday.

The Guyanese replying to Barbados 367 were dismissed for 225, giving the Bajans a lead of 142 runs. Barbados were 0-0 at the close.

Scores: At Kensington Oval: Barbados lead by 142 runs with all their second innings wickets standing.

BARBADOS 367 (Kirk Edwards 120, Jonathan Carter 85, Shane Dowrich 39, Rashidi Boucher 28, Roston Chase 28, Chris Jordan 23; Veerasammy Permaul 3-82, Steven Jacobs 2-61,

Devendra Bishoo 2-84) and nought without loss.

GUYANA 225 all out (Leon Johnson 46, Derwin Christian 37, Veerasammy Permaul 34, Ronsford Beaton 30 not out, Chris Barnwell 23; Miguel Cummins 4-42, Ashley Nurse 4-74).

At Arnos Vale: T&T require 29 runs to make Windwards bat again.

T&T 179 (Jason Mohammed 57; Kenroy Peters 3-28, Liam Sebastien 221, Delorn Johnson 2-32) and 52 for five (Delorn Johnson 2-19, Kenroy Peters 2-14).

WINDWARDS 260 all out (Devon Smith 99, Tyrone Theophile 70, Dalton Polius 32 not out, Liam Sebastien 22; Ravi Rampaul 5-65, Yannick Cariah 4-39).

US-based Guyanese track star signs with Clemson Iana Amsterdam

(NJ.com/Star Ledger): The multi-talented United Statesbased Guyanese track and field star, Iana Amsterdam of Newark Tech, one of the top long and triple jumpers in the nation, signed to attend the University of Clemson her Coach, Eddie Greene said.Amsterdam, who also visited Georgia and the University of Miami, is currently ranked No. 5 in the nation in both the triple jump (40-3) and the long jump (19-6), and is No. 2 in the U.S. in the 55 hurdles (7.94). Amsterdam also won the 55 dash at the Essex County Championships.

who has been struggling with a back problem. “That just boils down to not being fit enough and ready. But I got through it injury free.

“It’s been rather difficult because I’m not used to injuries, but as you start to get older and a little bit more mature in your event, these things happen. These are just lesson learned for me and I just have to take this as an experience and learn to improve from there.”

Murielle Ahoure of the

Ivory Coast ran 6.99 seconds to beat double Olympic 100m champion Shelly-Ann FraserPryce into second in the 60m.

Ahoure was thrilled to break the seven-second barrier for the first time and see off a field that included Fraser-Pryce and London silver medallist Carmelita Jeter.

“I’m so so excited,” said Ahoure. “We didn’t even plan, me and my coach, to run indoors at all. I’m still doing my preparations.

Mo Farah celebrates his win in the 3,000m

“My goal is obviously the World Championships outdoors, so we’ve just been training for the 100m. It’s so cool to come out here in the

middle of training and drop a time like this, it’s crazy!

“I’m so excited. It tells me it’s going to be a really, really good year.”

t r o Sp Australia and West Indies go head-tohead in hunt for Women’s World Cup glory Fields leads Australia in bid to secure sixth World Cup trophy, while Aguilleira says West Indies is ready to bring home the trophy for the first time to the Caribbean

F

ive-time champion Australia will face West Indies in the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup India 2013 at the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium today, with the match beginning at 14:30hrs and broadcast in High Definition around the globe by the ICC Broadcast Partner, Star Sports. This will be the tenth final of the women’s showcase event, which began in 1973, and the third final of the women’s event to be held in India.

Both teams have had contrasting paths to the final, Australia, the most successful team to date in Women’s World Cup history, won all but one of its matches on the way to the final with the side losing just to its fellow finalist, West Indies, in its last Super Six game. Meanwhile, the women from the Caribbean managed one win in the group stage, to secure their Super Six position, before winning all three vital Super Six matches. West Indies’ win over Australia in its last Super Six game ousted defending champion England, and New Zealand, out of championship contention and, for the first time since 2009, there will be a new team at the top of the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI

Team Rankings after England’s slip to third post-tournament.

Australia’s women have all contributed to the side’s journey to the final; they have been well served particularly by pacer Megan Schutt, who is currently the joint highest wicket-taker of the tournament along with Anya Shrubsole, with 13 wickets. She has had great support from her new-ball partner Holly Ferling, the youngster made her debut for the Southern Stars in this event.

Veteran Australia spinner, Lisa Sthalekar, with their off-spinner partner Erin Osborne have made sure the bowling has been tight in the middle over for Jodie Fields’ side.

Australia’s batters perhaps have not performed as well as expected during the tournament, however, Rachael Haynes has the highest run aggregate among all the batters in the event and currently has 221 runs in six games with two half-centuries.

She, along with the dangerous Meg Lanning, will be hoping for strong performances tomorrow to help win the cup.

Australian captain Fields said that the experience of having won finals before

Merissa Aguilleira and Jodie Fields with the Women's World Cup on the eve of the final (Getty ICC). would stand them in good stead. “I look back at the match against West Indies (in the Super Six stage) now and I know we did not perform to our best.

I feel that there are lots of improvements we can make. Coming into World Cup final, we have got the experience of having been there before. But we have to play well to beat them tomorrow. Hopefully our team can do that,” said Fields.

The 28-year-old from Toowoomba, said that the tag of favourites going into the final does not faze her team. “We are going in there as the favourites, but our focus is for us to play well. We have to put good batting, bowling and fielding in tomorrow to beat them.

“They played really well the other day.

They have some really dangerous players.

But hopefully tomorrow the Australian team can come out and show why we are one of the best teams in the world,” she said.

West Indies at one point was staring at an exit after losing to England in the group stages but the team has powered its way back to make the final of the tournament for the first time: “This tournament has been real rollercoaster for us,” said West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira.

“There have been lots of ups and downs.

But I guess that’s where the true spirit lies where you are able to come back from a depth where you don’t feel you are able to see yourself through. I must say we stuck together as a team. We motivated ourselves.

“I must also say that Sri Lanka came from nowhere, having been ranked lower coming into the event and played extremely wonderful cricket. We must complement them for that as well. It was a plus for us getting through after their display during the event too. We are making full opportunity of it,” said the hairdresser turned cricketer from Trinidad.

Aguilleira said that the team had taken confidence from the South Africa tour of the West Indies, where they won four straight

games after losing the first two along with Darren Sammy’s men’s team providing the side inspiration after it won the ICC World Twenty20 2012 in October last year.

“We think of the ICC World Twenty20 final, where the guys barely made it through, but still went on to win the trophy. We can look at that and see what could happen to us,” said Aguilleira.

Aguilleira felt that West Indies had the psychological advantage having beaten Australia in its last Super Six game, which enabled qualification for the final. “We will have a psychological advantage over Australia tomorrow.

Before that game, everything went was going wrong for us in the morning. We had a few players falling ill, one of our players was injured, so we had to pull her out last minute.

I think it was just God, who saw us through that game. We are really thankful for it. I must say it’s a big accomplishment for us.

All we have to do is grab hold of it,” said Aguilleira.

For West Indies, it has been the Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin who have been the stand-out duo for the side.

Taylor has certainly been the all-rounder of the tournament thus far with 309 runs and six wickets in six games, highlighting once again why she is the current ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Year. Dottin has been dangerous with both bat and ball scoring 204 runs and taking nine wickets with her medium pace bowling.

Aguilleira also felt that having played Australia once in the Super Six stage and once in the warm-up game is good for the West Indies team. “It’s good because we have seen them play.

The more we see them play, the better idea we have of their game. So I guess it’s more for us to analyse. It will be good for us to go out there and accomplish something for the people of the Caribbean as well. Australia are a wonderful team, so we definitely have to bring in our ‘A’ game against them.”

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