Kaieteur News

Page 04

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Initiating change in our own names Few would deny that today in Guyana there is a widespread feeling of dissatisfaction – a feeling that things are just not right. Much of the dissatisfaction centres on the political, social, economic and cultural structures that are no longer seen as delivering the goods.

In the political realm, one side assures us that we have a severe case of “bad governance”. When the incumbents try to convince us that if we compare our situation with a few (specially) selected examples, things aren’t really so bad, they are merely conceding the accusation. One can always conjure up some other examples that prove the original charge. The reality, of course, is that we live in an imperfect world, and contrary to what some may tell us, whatever can be conceived cannot necessarily be achieved.

We, as citizens of a republic, must educate ourselves as to the options that exist out there as far as governance goes and make our decisions on what may be feasibly implemented and what cannot, based on our circumstances. Bad governance is a form of injustice that must be corrected; it is just that we must realise that we are part of the problem as well as part of the possible solution.

Many of us have become intellectually lazy and allow too many of our leaders to do all our thinking for us. Good governance ultimately rests on a vigilant citizenry.

There is talk of instituting “state” reform and “democratization”. State reform must involve more than just reorganization of the administrative system or the system of resource allocation as is presently being pushed by the ‘advocates of radical change”. Changes at this level will only be meaningful if they foster participatory nationbuilding processes. But are we the citizens prepared to become more involved with governance issues?

Right now the system, for instance, demands that the citizens of every community have the right to demand the details of any governmental project that are being implemented in that community and to monitor the execution of the same. Are we doing this? No; but we get all worked up when excesses are uncovered by a vigilant media such as this newspaper.

One of the bulwarks of a viable democracy is the existence of a vibrant civil society that can act as a counterforce to an always potentially tyrannical government. If citizens balk at getting involved with governmental processes, why is it that they also balk at strengthening their own organisations?

In Guyana, we desperately need a strengthening of civil society. Civil society involves various sectors, including the business world, trade unions, women’s groups, churches, and human rights activists. If we are alienated from the institutions and practices of governance, and public institutions are unable to solve social problems then we always have ourselves. Community relationships and civic life either should not be allowed to disintegrate.

When civil society is absent or inactive, it is an open invitation to an oppressive regime.

It is hard to dispute that strengthening community and civil society will not help to address persistent social problems such as destructive injustice, poverty and violence. Strong civil society can promote dialogue and reconciliation, foster good governance, and build peace across cultures. It can also foster the values of caring, tolerance, and cooperation, and encourage public discourse and broad participation in the construction of public policy. People who care about community are less likely to participate in mindless development and racial and economic segregation.

Civil society can also play a positive role in dealing with dislocations in the economic arena – such as uneven economic development – that is a great source of tensions in our society. The educational and skill discrepancies that result in economic disadvantages to some unfortunate

Friday February 28, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news

Minister Ashni Singh should submit himself to the justice system DEAR EDITOR It has been alleged that Minister Ashni Singh was under the influence of liquor when he got into the accident last Sunday night.

It is also reported that so far, no charges have been laid and that friends and well wishers of the Minister are negotiating compensation for the victims.

It is reported that the Attorney General has found private time to get involved in t h e c o m p e n s a t i o n discussions.

Guyanese masculinity is linked to alcohol consumption, to the escapades related to alcohol and to the impunity from the consequences.

Minister Singh must know how much he was allegedly

drinking and only he could decide if he has a problem with his alcohol consumption.

Those of us though, who wish the Minister (and any other friend or relative caught up in drunk driving offences) well, should be concerned. It is not helpful to e n a b l e a n y d r i n k e r ’s problems by removing or minimising consequences.

It might be true that the Minister and the Attorney General grew up in times when they did not see public officials (or very few persons really) charged or held accountable for any improper behaviour or conduct.

This is an opportunity though for redemption.

Should Minister Singh decide he has a drinking

problem then surely his process to overcome that problem will set an example to all those across the political and social divide who have had to pay compensation and bribes to avoid the consequences of their behaviour.

It must be difficult to be a police now. On the one hand Minister Rohee complains about police inaction, but somehow the police seem to believe that big ones have special procedures. Minister Rohee shouted this is a police matter, but one wonders if the PPP is not concerned about the well being of their bright young members as the future of the party. Surely Minister Rohee would like to have the

confidence that none of the PPP members would have a drinking problem or get themselves involved in more serious accidents or cause harm to themselves or to others.

Minister Rohee said he was against marijuana. Very rarely does marijuana consumption cause the problems that alcohol consumption does.

Surely Minister Rohee and Minister Singh and the Attorney General and their supporters and well wishers must be concerned that the inability of the justice system to deal with alcohol related offences is going to further destroy any efforts made to reverse the destruction caused by alcohol (Continued on page 31)

A developing pattern where criminal behaviour is considered permissible DEAR EDITOR, When Babysitter Fatima Martin was found guilty of abusing a toddler she had a speedy trial and an equally speedier sentencing of five years imprisonment. Soon after, that story got national attention as newspaper and public organizations rushed to her aid, most of those writers giving their own second, maybe third hand account of what transpired, all leaning towards the socalled innocence of the babysitter. These were all biased accounts as to what actually happened.

It was a time of jaundiced reporting when suddenly race, where the individual came from (Martin is an Amerindian) the speed at which this case was dealt with, as well as the position

the parents hold in society Mr Joel Edmonds is a lawyer whilst his wife is a magistrate - all of the foregoing taking centre stage. What I am most concerned about is, the amount of garbage thrown in the path of an otherwise simple but serious case, a crime is a crime irrespective of who committed it. This babysitter is guilty of the physical abuse of a minor for which she should face severe punishment, the babysitter’s race nor the parents’ status in society have nothing to do with it. Readers, let’s keep it simple here please, a young babysitter for whatever reason lost her patience with a little child and physically assaulted her, the visible signs as well as the medical report are there to prove it so,

the next step is just punishment for the offender.

Five years’ incarceration for an offense that can be considered attempted murder is justifiable in my book. All the hullabaloo as to the punishment being draconian is uncalled for. I would want to ask those who consider her punishment overly harsh what would be there reaction if their child was left in the care of a babysitter who vented her anger on a toddler to the point where the physical scars are most visible? I would like them to give me a valid reason why this individual should not be punished?

When you delve deep into this case as well as others you will see a pattern developing where criminal

behaviour is considered a permissible offense, where criminal activity gets a new name. It is the newest craze when it comes to a Georgetown/Region 4 landscape. The Colwyn Harding case comes readily to mind here, when a felon could be transformed into a victim and he gets all the care and attention of an innocent victim. This is the nonsense that some sections of society embrace; this outpouring of sympathy for felons.

I, on the other hand would like to see all those who break the law justly penalized for their wrongful deeds. My only regret is that all matters engaging the courts should be dealt with the same dispatch as was the Martin case.

Neil Adams

A history-making encounter DEAR EDITOR, I have long been an ardent admirer of Dr. Clem Seecharan who, on this occasion, displayed the substantive depth of his scholarship in a profoundly educative exposition titled: “El Dorado Complex in the shaping of the IndoGuyanese: A Revisionist Perspective”.

Attending early allowed me to interact with the

Professor (courtesy of my buddy Nowrang Persaud) who, ‘Clem’ publicly acknowledged, tutored him in his early Berbice days, added much to the excitement of my evening.

The comprehensiveness of the intellectual discourse which followed challenges my ability to adequately translate in this brief missive. I can only attempt to extricate the underlying, as

individuals can most efficiently be rectified by local, personalised programmes - that is the forte of civil group activity. The message we are purveying is not that government does not have responsibility for much of our angst but that it will be up to us, the people, to initiate change in our own names.

well as explicit message he delivered to a large and appreciative audience of Indo- and Afro-Guyanese, and other nationals: which was that we, separately and together, should confront the historicity (so amply portrayed) of psyches embedded in insecurity; climb out of the tunnels of our respective ethnicities, develop the courage and capacity to embrace a vision of a truly productive multicultural society; and initiate a meaningful conversation aimed determinedly at transforming our sovereign state into a unified nation.

His presentation was an

inspiring appeal to the audience, albeit bereft of the presence of political leaders indicating a lack of intellectual interest and capability required to contribute to the rehabilitation of the current defective state of governance. There was that persistent reminder: where there is no vision, the people perish.

I am grateful to Professor Clem Seecharan’ s courage in articulating this reminder – at the thoughtful instance of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports on his own, as if isolated from the rest of the counterpart political management structure.

E.B. John

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

Letters... Where your views make the news

Why is Rohee still on the job?

DEAR EDITOR, The recent utterances by the PPP General Secretary and Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee once again indicate that the PPP/C is more interested in playing party politics rather than managing Guyana.

Over the years Rohee has projected himself as the most laughable political character in Guyana. One wonders what criteria the PPP/C uses to appoint people ministers of government.

Two years ago, the said Rohee and his bandwagon of merry men and women launched a vicious propaganda campaign against David Granger, when they learned he was vying for office of leader of the PNCR. During that time they were jumping on every mountain top and blowing their horns to announce to the world their concocted lies and promote their views.

One of their main theories was a ‘one liner’ which said “Granger was too close to the GDF to be leader of a political party, and that retired military officers should not get involved in politics.”

When this line did not stick with the masses, they decided that they must quickly craft an even more desperation plot.

In this new scheme of things they claimed that Granger was involved in some 1973 General Elections and shooting of three men the PPP planted to steal the ballot boxes on the Corentyne Coast. Not being able to hoodwink the people with their lies, schemes and plots that “ballot box” propaganda also died a quick and natural death. David Granger’s frank and truthful rebuttal to the issue also caused them to hang their heads in shame.

Now two years later Rohee, the incompetent minister, decided he will be the architect to try to spin the Granger/ APNU joint services lie and the ballot box missive.

So he called the media to a press conference to now announce that David Granger, and the APNU do not like the military, and that the joint services is constantly attack by the APNU. Two years ago, he and his party accused Granger of being in arms with the joint services and now two years later he is saying that Granger never liked the joint service, and always criticizes the institution.

What folly! Granger has served almost all his adult life in the Guyana Defence Force, he gave decades of solid service, and great military leadership to this country and Rohee and the powers that be must be highly grateful.

Yes, it is because of people

like David Granger who gave of yeomen public service and distinguished military service people like Rohee and company can occupy the seat of government. This the PPP/ C must never forget!

In fact, when Granger was keeping Venezuela at bay Rohee was tinkering with bicycles at Freedom House.

Clement Rohee is the epitome of obtuseness and it is sad that this is the best the PPP can do, in terms of general secretary!

Rohee and the PPP/C kind of politics is not only cheap it is “last-class” and has no place in an emerging society, with a nation of people willing to work together and rid themselves of cheap petty politics.

In fact Rohee should be taking time out to learn about the security sector and how to keep Guyanese safe, as he seemingly admitted that he is incompetent to do his job since, according to him, he is not a security expert.

Rohee should be holding press conference to update the public about the action the police is taking against the Finance Minister for his reckless driving episode, which resulted in an accident.

Rohee should tell us what Ashni Singh’s blood alcohol content was at the time of the accident; he should also tell us what the police discovered about the empty rum and beer bottles, allegedly, found in the minister’s car.

He should explain to us what special privileges he has in place for the ministers and government officials who break the laws.

He must tell us why he instituted different procedures for processing government officials who break the law.

He should let us know why he thinks that he and the PPP/C government officials should be treated as though

they are above the law. Rohee the minister, should also tell us plans he has to reverse the fact that Guyana, under his watch, has become a hot bed in the Caribbean, Latin America and South America for some of the world’s most dangerous drug cartels.

He must hold a press conference to tell the nation how, under his watch, al qaeda has now become associated with Guyana.

Rohee must explain to the nation how most of the cocaine is able to pass through Cheddie Jagan Airport undetected by local authorities. And what about the police rank involved in the Colwyn Harding sodomy case? Rohee the minister must urgently call a press conference to tell us what he is doing to ensure this kind of bestiality never happens again, particularly under his watch. Rohee should be trying to learn his job and not use tax payers’ money to call PPP/C party press conference to propagate lies and blow hot air. It is no secret that the PPP always claimed that the joint services are supportive to the PNC so I am not sure why Rohee and his acolytes believe that they must now try to present the APNU, PNCR and David Granger as antijoint services.

This sudden diversion to their earlier touted propaganda is highly suspicious, and suggests that it might be a new kind of political pandering to the joint services. It might also be one of the party’s usual attempts to divert the people from the real issues facing them.

Rohee and the PPP/C have failed to realize that the people are smarter than they give us credit for. I do believe the PPP/C is better off placing a gag order on their “incomplete” general secretary.

Lurlene Nestor

Page 5

Page 6

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

“There is no economic apocalypse on the way” Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, says that there is no economic catastrophe on the way and that the Private sector Commission (PSC) is only trying to drive fear into the citizens of the country.

Ramjattan yesterday responded to the PSC’s recent public statement, where it said that failing to pass the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill (AML/CFT) Bill by today, would cause enormous and irretrievable damage.

Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Cecil Dhurjon, yesterday indicated to the Special Select Committee tasked with dealing with the Bill that he would need more time to draft the amendments put forward by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

As such, the Bill was not voted given that opposition amendments could not be included.

Guyana’s report to CFATF today will therefore not include successful passage and assent of the Bill.

“I’m waiting to see the

…we missed the deadline, but CFATF understands our position - AFC

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan (centre) in the company of other executive members of the party. heaves come down and whether all economic activity in this country will stop altogether. This deadline date is not true in terms of the context,” said Ramjattan.

He was at the time speaking to media operatives at a press briefing held in a Committee room of Parliament.

Ramjattan said that the report is simply to be submitted within a certain

Woman found murdered in interior shop The body of a woman, identified by relatives as Bibi Khan Bhola, was found at a shop at Rock Creek Backdam, Cuyuni/Mazaruni, yesterday.

Sources said that the body bore three stab wounds to the stomach and another

wound to the right side.

There are reports that Bhola, of Parfait Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, was attacked sometime on Wednesday. Police reportedly know the identity of at least one suspect.

Kaieteur News was told that Bhola left for the interior over the Christmas holidays and that relatives heard of her demise yesterday. The body is presently at the Bartica Hospital Mortuary.

time frame , once approved it will be taken to FATF’s Paris headquarters and verified to see if they are compliant.

“CFATF and FATF know the country’s position…The consequence will be only after we go to Paris and other countries will be signaled to take measures against us….

CFAT’s Financial Advisor, Roger Hernandez, understands our position and the FATF understands our position.”

Ramjattan maintained

that, “Guyana will still have economic activity…There will just be increased documentation for companies to go through and they need to understand that.

The AFC Leader said that the PSC needs to understand that “we have suffered tremendously without the Public Procurement Commission and it has caused billions of tax payers’ dollars to be wasted…They have to appreciate the damage the country has sustained

against what can happen with regard to the effects of the non passage of the Anti Money Laundering Bill.”

Ramjattan has hinged his party’s support of the Bill, in part, with the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission.

The Member of Parliament maintained that the political opposition is not going to amend the Bill in any way that it makes it non compliant.

Hernandez, when he met with the Opposition recently

had stated that the Bill as it is, is already compliant with CFATF’s recommendations and that further amendments runs the risk of making the Bill non compliant.

Nevertheless, Ramjattan maintained that the amendments put forward by APNU, are critical.

“We only criticized the APNU for coming too late with their amendments but their amendments are credible and we support them,” Ramjattan explained.

South Rupununi toshaos unveil development plans A team of toshaos and councillors from the South and South Central Districts, Rupununi yesterday met with the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to inform and share information on development plans for their communities.

The toshaos and councillors brought to the attention of the Minister and

team their plans on development, and also highlighted issues that affect their respective communities.

Discussion centered on mining, safe mining practices, adherence to laws and regulations, the environment, land management plan, monitoring of irregular activities, water quality testing and technical training.

Minister Persaud encouraged the toshaos and councillors of Shulinab, Katoonarib, Shea, Maruranau, Karaudaranau, Shulinab and Potarinau to commit to reporting all irregular

activities to the relevant ministries or agencies to enhance national security, and at the same time making their communities more secure.

He also committed that a training programme will be designed and implemented by the GGMC and the EPA to accommodate and train designated community members in Geographical Information System (GIS), water quality testing and monitoring. This programme, he stated, should be implemented within the next three to four weeks.

The Natural Resources

and the Environment Minister also recommended that all irregular activities and cases of breaches of the law be directed to the relevant Ministries and law enforcement agencies through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

The visiting team was also encouraged to utilise the established mechanisms such as the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Regional Democratic Councils (RDC), Indigenous Peoples Commission (IPC) and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to further their developmental goals.

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

Letters... Where your views make the news

Tribute to a beloved friend who made Guyana proud DEAR EDITOR, This is a tribute to a beloved friend who made Guyana, Plaisance and Queens College and the Caribbean mighty proud.

Laurence Clairmonte Clarke, one of Queens College’s greatest scholarathlete and loyal lifetime member of the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) passed away in his adopted continent of Africa.

Laurence’s legacy at Queens College was carved into the school’s history during QC’s golden age of sports.

Although he never played for Guyana table tennis for Guyana, Laurence was the driving force whom through relentless competition and love of his alma mater and sports, nurtured the likes Michael Christophe and Eric Phillips into the National Table Tennis team.

He was an inspirational player athlete and a tenacious team member. Laurence will go down as one of the architects of “excellence” in both academic and extracurricular

activities at Queens College.

During Laurence’s time QC represented Guyana in cricket, table tennis and soccer.

It has taken me over a week to write this letter about the passing of Laurence Clarke as I have hundreds of incredible memories of him. He was an integral part of my life as a student and dear friend.

When I lived in South Africa I visited Zambia once every two months and Laurence was always there to “old talk” and to discuss national development in Guyana. His brother lived with me for six months in South Africa.

Laurence Clarke was first a scholar extraordinaire. He was gifted and fluent in four languages: English, French and Portuguese.

Laurence earned a Ph.D. in Monetary Economics from the University of the West Indies; a Masters in Business administration from the University of Windsor in Canada (in Finance and International Business 1st class); a BSc in Economics at the University of Guyana and

a Bachelors in Commerce from the University of Windsor (Special honors).

At Queens College, Laurence earned 8 “O” level and 3 “A” level passes.

Laurence has for many years served at the World Bank and especially in Africa where most recently he was an Acclaimed Economist, Chartered International Banker and Director of the World Bank in Maputo, Mozambique, where he died.

He was one of Guyana’s brightest minds.

At ACDA, Laurence was one of the loyal advisors to the organization. Together with Dr. Kenneth King and Clarence Ellis, Laurence played an important role in ACDA’s evolution and is certainly one of ACDA’s heroes and role models for kids at our school.

Many of us will remember Laurence at queens. He was a Track & Field Champion for many years and still holds a school record in the Triple Jump. His leadership qualities were seen at a very early age.

He was a School Prefect (Continued on page 31)

Page 7

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 9

Too lazy to make the effort A great many of our children have met their deaths after being sent to purchase items for their parents or simply being allowed to roam free about their communities.

Many children who are killed in road accidents are those who were sent out on some errand. Often these children are sent out in the early evenings to the shops to make some purchase for the home.

On their way either to the shop or when returning home, they find themselves the victims of an accident.

Yet the trend continues whereby some parents continue to entrust to small children the responsibility to run errands, obviously oblivious to the dangers that these children face.

There is also another side to this practice. Many of the parents are too lazy to go out and get the items themselves and behaving like exploiters, simply call on their children,

interrupting whatever play activity the children may be involved in, and order them to get whatever they want.

Sometimes it may be a pack of cigarettes or simply a box of matches. And sometimes the children pay for those simple purchases with their lives, ending up dead after being struck down while on the way to the shop.

Why would any parent wish to take their child away from the fun of playing or whatever else the child may be doing just to go and purchase a packet of cigarettes? These children are turned into servants and are forced to go to make these purchases because the parents are too lazy to make the effort.

Sometimes it is not cigarettes that the child goes to purchase. Sometimes it is rum for the parents to imbibe.

There should be laws, if there aren’t at the moment, against the sale of alcohol

and cigarettes to children.

These laws should be vigorously enforced. But, importantly, those parents who make a habit of sending their children to do errands which can be easily done, should be counseled about the dangers to which they are exposing their children and about the denial of free time to their kids.

This is not to say that children should not do chores. But these chores need to be within reason. Children should be encouraged to wash dishes, make their beds, sweep the home and keep the yard tidy. And this should be a collective effort.

Many parents, however, simply allocate responsibilities to children without sharing in the burden of the work. This is not good for the development of children.

Children learn what they see, and they should see the chores to which they are

Major law changes…

No work permits needed for spouses of CARICOM nationals In a significant move designed to erase major bureaucratic bottlenecks, Parliament yesterday passed legislation that will pave the way for spouses of CARICOM workers to be employed here without needing a work permit.

This was among a number of measures included in the Caribbean Community (Free Entry of Skilled Nationals) Amendment Bill 2014 that was piloted through the National Assembly by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.

The law changes may force other CARICOM territories to adopt similar amendments as the region continues to struggle with the free entry concept.

According to the Minister, in her presentation, the idea behind the law changes is to allow for an even better and greater sense of belonging by CARICOM nationals, by allowing spouses and dependant family members of the principal beneficiary to be accorded similar rights as guaranteed by the Skilled National Certificate.

One of the changes has to do with CARICOM national application going to the Minister to have the certificate verified. Once the verification process finds that the certificate complies with the requirements, the holder of the certificate can apply to the Chief Immigration Officer to remain in Guyana for a

period of indefinite duration.

It also sets out the parameters for the Minister to disregard a certificate notwithstanding its verification, if the holder is found to have been convicted of certain offences.

Another critical change has to do with the verification process which can take up to six months. This is also the length of stay given to all CARICOM nationals when they enter Guyana. “However, there is no provision in law to allow for the CARICOM national to work while the certificate is being verified.

This amendment will allow him to work while the Certificate is being verified,” the Minister explained.

Regarding the spouses, Rodrigues-Birkett pointed out that there is no provision to allow for the partner of a skilled national to work once verification is completed and indefinite duration of stay is granted for the principal beneficiary.

“So if a skilled national let’s say a pilot - comes to Guyana and brings his spouse, his spouse can only work if she gets a work permit, which is discretionary. The amendments allow the spouse the right to engage in gainful employment or other occupation without having to apply for a work permit once the certificate of the principal beneficiary is verified and indefinite duration is granted.”

Changes will also allow

the lifting of restrictions to allow the workers and spouses to freely come and go without requiring further permission.

“As Guyana continues to grow we will be attracting more and more skilled Caricom Nationals. In fact, we will need them. I know that already we have skilled nationals in the aviation sector from Barbados, Jamaica and Belize.

There are more in other sectors. Guyana is a friendly country and we welcome our brothers and sisters from the Caribbean with open arms.

Today we are putting some additional legal mechanisms in place to ensure that their stay in Guyana will be worthwhile and enjoyable.”

The Minister believes that the amendments are yet another important step being taken by the Government of Guyana, to honour obligations under regional agreements “and in particular, our commitment to the CARICOM Single Market (CSM), by facilitating fully the Free Movement of Persons.”

The official recognized the issue of free movement in the region evokes different reactions by different groupings.

“In some instances, persons of certain nationalities complain of not being treated equitably across the Region. Indeed, several Guyanese have expressed disappointment (Continued on page 13)

entrusted as part of their small contribution to the work of the family. They should be helpers rather than being assigned exclusive responsibility in any area.

Many parents would however prefer to sit and watch television or go out and drink with their friends while burdening their kids with work. It is something that the Rights of the Child Commission should issue an advisory on.

Another disturbing practice occurs when children are left to roam free after school or during the holidays. All over Guyana this is a common practice, whereby parents simply allow their children to do as they please once they return home before nightfall.

If the child only slips up and returns home late, they are greeted with a flogging.

The parents fail to understand that they are contributing to the very act for which they are

reprimanding the child by not supervising the child’s free or playtime.

Allowing your child to roam free is an invitation for that child to get involved in mischief and trouble. Yet you see this all the time where parents have little time for their children after school and during the holidays.

This neglect may be forced on parents. Some of them may have to work and cannot afford to hire a sitter.

As such they either leave the child alone or send them to some relative or friend who may themselves be too busy or unconcerned about what the child does.

So instead of the child being supervised, he or she is left to do as he or she pleases, including associating with company that invites trouble and mischief.

Then there are those parents such as vendors who often are forced to have their children with them after

school. The children are simply left to sit with their parents wasting valuable hours. This too is a form of neglect which should be stamped out.

It is hoped that the relevant agencies can come up with a plan, including an educational plan, to make parents more conscious of their responsibilities. It is not just about placing food on the table.

There are many of us whose parents never had enough to put on the table, but gave us more in the time and attention that they dedicated to our rounded development. That role needs to be revisited, especially at this time where the interests of our children are increasingly being sacrificed for other things.

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Accidents in a banana republic Racism and patronage must be very strong instincts, perhaps the strongest in Homo sapiens. Of course, understanding patronage is commonsensical. One human will tolerate and support the moral and criminal nastiness of another if that human benefits handsomely from his benefactor.

This is where the parental mystery comes in. A terribly corrupt or murderous father will get support from his children in whom he has invested a lot of money.

So your dad sent you to the best university in the world, put a lot of shares and stocks in your name to last for generations to come, paid for your marital home and your car. You will turn a blind eye to the people he killed.

This story of children supporting their terrible parents is as old as the universe itself. Here in Guyana, we were treated to the spectacle in the Chronicle where Nadira Jagan said that

she cannot help hating the people who have criticized her mother. The younger Jagan used a strong word, “hate.”

The question is, would the younger Jagan concede that her mother was hardly an angel who spent over sixty years as one of the most powerful figures in the history of Guyana and whose power had caused her to hurt many of her detractors?

The evidence that Mrs. Janet Jagan and Forbes Burnham out of narrowminded and vindictive politics damaged the lives of many persons is overwhelming.

It is downright dishonest and indecent to deny it in the face of colossal evidence.

And do I have evidence against both Mrs. Jagan and Forbes Burnham?

Well, well! Do you want to see it? I don’t think so. I know you know I have been around a long time to have gathered enough incontrovertible evidence, some of which involves me.

Yes me!

Why not do what Nadira Jagan and Hitler’s secretary did – come out and honestly admit that you admire the person and would prefer not to deal with their negative side. But to deny their negative side really tells the world what a flawed person you are. If patronage is understandable, is racism the same thing? The answer is no.

In patronage, your personal (note the adjective) future was secured by your benefactor.

You are comfortable with life because your benefactor provided you with the essentials and luxuries of life. Racism is a different kind of fish altogether.

If the political party of an ethnic community other than the group to which you belong is in charge of your country and its bosses go in the market and take whatever they want, go into a police station and free whoever they want, covet any type of state

land they want, then you have every right to fight against such power depravities.

It is equally wrong when your party gets into power and does the same. No philosophy, no instinct can justify that.

No ruling politician should be allowed to go into a police station and free an accused or stop a police from doing his/her duty. If you protested that when your people were not in power, moral decency compels you to stop your party from doing the same thing.

I lived all my life in Guyana, and I saw persons like Rickey Singh, journalist, Hubert Williams, and so many others harassed President Burnham for bad things that in today’s Guyana look like absolutely insignificant inconsequentialities when you compare the sins of PPP

leaders.

If what Kellawan Lall has been accused of doing (crashing into a cyclist and hitting a teenager with his gun) was done by one of Burnham’s Ministers, all hell would have broken loose.

I know about accidents. I have accused President Ramotar’s son, Alexei, of being in the wrong when my nephew was struck by Ramotar’s SUV. Now we have Ashni Singh.

Mr. Singh did not wait around to provide a breathalyzer test. To date he still has not given his side of the story; to date he has not been charged even though both independent dailies and television news including government-aligned media clearly stated that he was the offending party.

Singh will keep his job as

Frederick Kissoon Lall did, as the President’s son did, as Lumumba did with his dolphins, as Nirmal Rekha did with the GRA investigation, as Jagdeo did with his refusal to legally validate his marriage document, as Robeson Benn did with his NCN invasion, as the chief legal man in the government did a few years back with his exclamation that he “is a maan dat does do illegal thing,” and as all their other colleagues have been doing since 1992.

Dem boys seh...

Tax dollars going to Sleep-In There is an old saying—no tricks, no living. De big boys continue wid dem wicked ways trick. Is all about enriching dem self, and this thing start wid Jagdeo. He use to find ways to keep out people when he want to share contracts wid friends and family.

He actually give Courtney Benn a contract fuh lay pipeline fuh de Marriott and tek it way and claim how Guyana ain’t got de skills fuh lay pipelines when in fact he give he friend.

He give Fip a road contract which now worth US$40 million when Fip never build a wood bridge. He use to use tricks fuh give people state assets when dem had hire tender like Duke Lodge. Jagdeo friend Gerry get that one.

Most state functions use to keep at Pegasus, but that stop when Gerry open Duke Lodge.

Is de same scampish ways give Bobby a whopping $3 million a month fuh broadcast de Learning Channel. Bobby get de whisper bout de Learning Channel and he buy de satellite uplink. When de Ministry of Education approach NCN that was only a sham. Is Bobby pocket dem want full.

Bobby did get another whisper bout drug purchase, suh he build a drug warehouse.

Dem boys seh that he get so much whisper that he tun Twa Twa. After he build that,Jagdeo mek that fat crook Brazzy put in a clause that seh all who want to tender fuh de drug contract – and dem boys ain’t talking ‘bout cocaine—must have adequate warehouse. That is how Bobby get de monopoly fuh almost twelve years.

That was some of de ways dem was creating conditions and clause fuh full dem pocket and dem wardrobe. De nation was watching while Donald was sleeping. Ah Kneel was watching too.

Now he gone in government and doing de same thing, because he learn from de best.

He trying de same tricks. He got a simple presentation of law volumes that he coulda use any boardroom. He coulda ask Donald fuh Office of de President. He coulda even come to de Waterfalls paper wheh he woulda get space fuh free.

Instead de man decide to go to Sleep-In. Dem boys seh that he and de Sleep-In man got de same relationship like Jagdeo and Bobby. Is how much tax dollars gun foot this Bill?

Talk half and keep you eye pun dem cockish ways.

Friday February 28, 2014

Cocaine in achar….

Yet another outgoing passenger yesterday made her way into the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to be indicted for cocaine concealed in achar which was reportedly unearthed in her suitcase at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) two days ago.

According to the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), while at the airport on February 26, 41-year-old Canada-based Ashery Corbin had 6.116 kilograms of cocaine in her possession for the purpose of trafficking.

When charged she pleaded not guilty but the

Kaieteur News

Canada-based cosmetologist arraigned for drug trafficking - claims paid US$10,000 for ‘drop-off’ court presided over by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry refused bail and ordered her held until her next court hearing today (February 28) at the Providence Magistrate’s Court. Corbin is being prosecuted by Special Prosecutor Oswald Massiah (attached to CANU) who stated that she is Guyanaborn but had left for Canada since 1993. She had been residing at Lot 24-44 Lakeshore Boulevard West,

Toronto.

Massiah indicated that while the cosmetologist was in Canada she received a call from a male acquaintance, Wayne Williams, who asked her to come to Guyana, but she told him that she had no money.

He recorded that at the salon the next day, someone delivered a ticket to her which she accepted. She reportedly ventured to Guyana on Wednesday, February 19.

The Prosecutor claimed

Guyana Stores burglary accused begs to be charged for narcotics One of the two men accused of burgling almost $4M in property from the Guyana Stores Limited, Water Street, Georgetown Branch during the Mashramani weekend, yesterday persistently begged the Chief Magistrate to charge him for the illicit substance he threw “in the bush” instead of burglary.

Adrian Daley and Troy Harris were brought before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to be jointly indicted on a break and enter and larceny charge.

The police claim that the duo broke into Guyana Stores sometime between February 22 and February 25 and made off with $3,825,840 worth of items from the store.

The items included cash, 19 flat screen television sets, remote controls, microwaves, curtain sets and curling irons.

However, when charged, the two men pleaded not guilty and later submitted bail applications.

State Prosecutor, Inspector Michael Grant, stated that about 14:30 hours last Friday (February 22), the manager secured the store, but when the establishment was opened on February 25, the items were missing.

The matter was reported and acting on information received, police ranks later ventured to a house where they made contact with five persons.

As soon as they arrived, the five attempted to escape but Grant said that the police pursued them and managed to capture Daley and Harris.

They were then taken back to the house where several of the stolen articles were recovered.

They were apprehended.

Subsequent investigations

Page 11

Accused Guyana Stores burglars led to the charge being instituted against the two men.

The Prosecutor opined that they are flight risks who should be held in custody.

Grant stated too that the serious nature of the offence was also sufficient grounds for bail to be refused. His objections, however, were met with arguments from Harris’s lawyer who submitted a bail application on his behalf.

The Attorney said that his client was not found with any of the items but was merely at the “wrong place at the wrong time.”

He refuted claims that his client was a flight risk, since according to him, Harris was placed on $20,000 station bail and had willingly reported to the station the next day when

the charge was instituted against him.

Meanwhile, Daley who was unrepresented by legal counsel told the court that he was walking down the road when police ranks approached him. He said as he noticed them approaching, “I throw the weed I had in a small black bag in the bush.

Mah worship I nah gun lie to yuh”.

“Ah throw away de thing when I see the police coming to me. I telling yuh the truth yuh worship, so you could charge me for the weed, mah worship. I din break and enter Guyana Stores,” he begged.

In response to their applications for a court bond, the Chief Magistrate granted bail in the sum of $300,000 each. The case was adjourned to March 2.

that Williams picked her up from the airport and took her to a Bagotville, West Bank Demerara residence. During her stay, she was asked if she could transport some items for which she would be compensated with US$10,000.

Massiah said that arrangements were made for her to leave on February 25 but that did not materialize so the flight was booked for the subsequent day.

Corbin was reportedly given two suitcases and two packets. During procedural checks at the airport, however, CANU ranks observed strange objects in her luggage through the use of the scanner.

She was summoned to identify her suitcase and a subsequent search was

Accused: Ashery Corbin conducted, which revealed two Ziploc bags containing Achar with a seed-like substance which when taken to CANU headquarters and tested was determined to be cocaine.

The substance was weighed and subsequent investigations led to her

being charged for drug trafficking.

In response, the Chief Magistrate indicated to the 41-year-old that special reasons were needed for bail to be issued hence this was refused. The matter was transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court where it will engage the attention of Magistrate Leron Daly today.

Earlier this month, a local art model, 38, and a 78-yearold man of Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, were brought before the courts to similarly be indicted for a total of 19.932 kilograms of cocaine found hidden in achar by CANU ranks at the airport.

The two made their first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and were remanded to prison by the Chief Magistrate. Their matter was similarly transferred to the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

Failure to table reports for GGMC, lotto funds…

Finance Minister hauled before Parliamentary complaints body Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has been sent before a complaints committee of the National Assembly to answer why he failed to comply with a Parliamentary Order which requested that he present a number of financial reports and transfer millions of dollars held in the accounts of several Government agencies.

However, Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, in a ruling released yesterday found that a case has not been made out why Singh should additionally answer for some $217M that seemed to have been released in an unauthorized manner to two state-owned media entities in 2012 whose budgets had been reduced to a $1 by the Opposition.

A motion was filed in early December by Member of Parliament (MP) Carl Greenidge of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which charged Minister Singh with failing to comply with a Parliamentary order over the two matters.

According to Greenidge in his motion, on April 18th, 2013, the National Assembly voted down $843M that was budgeted for the National Communications Network

House Speaker Raphael Trotman (NCN) and Government Information Agency (GINA) to $1.

The Appropriation Act was passed on April 24th and assented to by President Donald Ramotar on May 2nd 2013. Both NCN and GINA had to do “certain things” before the monies were restored, Greenidge said.

Yet, Singh went ahead and released more than $217M, the APNU official said.

Signaling the Opposition’s disapproval of the Minister’s actions, the APNU MP asked that the matter be sent to the Privileges Committee of the National Assembly to determine whether Singh

should face sanctions.

In his motion, Greenidge also asked that the House send the Minister to the Committee to answer why he failed to comply with requests for the reports of the Government agencies to be laid in the National Assembly and for the monies to be placed in the central treasury account, the Consolidated Fund.

Among the Government agencies which reports were supposed to be laid in the National Assembly were the Guyana Development (Lotto funds) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

Greenidge pointed out that the National Assembly took the decision on the reports since June 27th, 2012.

However, as at December, the Minister had not complied.

In his ruling, the Speaker said that he had to consider whether the motion raised an issue of privilege pertaining to National Assembly, the Minister, or both.

While there are clear indications that the Minister did not comply, it is impossible to determine whether this was deliberate on the part of Singh; or whether there was difficulty in implementing them.

Sophia man detained for 2011 murder of drug store proprietor - linked by evidence found at scene Technological advances in the Guyana Police Force appear to have led detectives to a prime suspect in the 2011 slaying of elderly drug store proprietor Harold Rachpaul.

An official confirmed yesterday that investigators have detained a ‘C’ Field, Sophia man in connection with the murder of 84-year-old Rachpaul, who was found bound and strangled in his Lot 75 Robb Street, Lacytown home. Kaieteur News was told that the suspect is being questioned at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary.

Sources close to the

suspect also confirmed his arrest, while claiming that he works in the interior.

Kaieteur News was told that the man was detained after clues found at the scene linked him to the pharmacist’s death.

Rachpaul was found gagged, bound with electrical cord and strangled on August 26, 2011, in his apartment, located behind Rachpaul’s Drug Store, which he had operated for close to 50 years.

The killers had apparently forced him to open a vault which contained close to $1M in cash and phone cards.

Murdered in 2011: Harold Rachpaul Police had originally issued an arrest warrant for former security guard Ryan Kissoon, called ‘Dahl Belly,’ who was reportedly seen acting in a suspicious manner near the premises on the night Mr. Rachpaul was slain.

Kissoon was eventually detained in September, 2013, but was released after police found no evidence linking him to the crime.

Trotman found that a case has been made out against the Minister and that the particular issue of the reports will be referred by the Privileges Committee.

Trotman was, however, quick to point out that referring the case to the committee does not mean that the Minister was guilty of any wrongdoing.

“It is now the function of the Privileges Committee to consider what to make of the complaint.”

Regarding the NCN and GINA issue, the Speaker noted that the public spending and the rights and role of the National Assembly (NA) have been the subject of much interpretation.

“There are stark differences of opinion between the majority of the NA and the Executive as to what authority the Minister of Finance has.”

Among the considerations was whether the National Assembly on April 18th issued a legitimate

command or instructions to the Minister of Finance regarding the release of monies to NCN and GINA. Trotman said that the Greenidge’s motion did not explain what he meant about “certain things” and a request for more information from that APNU official did not shed any light.

The Speaker said that to determine what Greenidge meant would have been entering the realms of speculation.

“This is an unwanted and potentially dangerous invitation to the Speaker as it invites arbitrariness in decision making.”

He found that there were insufficient facts to support the contention that the National Assembly issued a legitimate instruction regarding the release of monies to NCN and Gina. “…and most importantly that the instruction or command was disobeyed.

Before there can be a prima facie case for contempt, there

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh has to be evidence of an instruction or command.”

Had the National Assembly passed a resolution directing Minister Singh to act in a specific way, the position of the Speaker would have been different.

The subject of the Opposition’s right to cut the National Budget has engaged the courts with the executive and the legislature heavily divided on the matter.

Woman’s body in cemetery…

Reputed husband not linked to murder Police on the East Coast of Demerara have released the reputed husband of the 19-year-old woman whose body was found in the Bachelor’s Adventure cemetery after they found no evidence to link him to her death so far.

The man had not confessed to murdering the woman, Patricia Young, as had been erroneously reported by this newspaper.

He was released early yesterday morning after satisfying investigators that he had nothing to do with Young’s death.

On Wednesday, the man had led police to Young’s semi-nude body which was discovered under a tree in the cemetery, three days after she left her home to watch the Mashramani float parade in the city. Kaieteur News understands that at the end of the parade, Young joined a minibus for home.

Usually whenever she was in the city, Young would inform her reputed husband that she was on her way and he would wait to escort her home when she disembarked from a minibus.

On Mash night, Young reportedly sent him a text message, requesting credit for her phone so that she could call him when she was nearing

Patricia Young her home. However when the man tried contacting her phone a few minutes later he got no response.

When she did not turn up after a reasonable time, Young’s reputed husband became suspicious.

His suspicions turned to anxiety when Young still did not show up the following morning and a search was immediately launched. A missing person’s report was also lodged with the police.

On Wednesday the search ended after Young’s reputed husband found one side of her pair of sandals just outside the village cemetery.

He contacted the police and they managed to locate Young’s decomposing body.

The reputed husband was

taken into custody but after some intense questioning, investigators are almost convinced that he had nothing to do with Young’s death.

“He was only detained because he was a person of interest at the time,” a senior police source on the East Coast of Demerara told this newspaper yesterday.

Investigators are now turning their attention to other theories, one of which is that Young was the victim of a gang rape. They believe that she was attacked just after disembarking the bus after leaving Georgetown on Mash night. “For a start, we have to find out which bus she travelled with, we have to check out the timing,” the source said.

More than one resident had indicated that Young’s death appeared to be the work of more than one person.

Even Young’s uncle, Kewis Young, believes that the victim had to be overpowered by more than one person.

“One person can’t do dat, because is nine ah we me mother get and she used to deh between all of us, ramping and thing…so she know she self…It had to be more than one person,” he said.

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

City labourer gets three years for ganja trafficking A 38-year-old labourer of West Ruimveldt, Georgetown was yesterday jailed for three years after he was found guilty of possessing a quantity of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Sherwin Duncan appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, where he was told that coupled with his jail sentence, he will also pay a fine of $30,000 for being in possession of 460 grams of cannabis.

On September 19, last, Duncan was apprehended after police ranks raided a house located at Campbellville Housing Scheme and found a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems.

Lance Corporal Renetta Bentham, who prosecuted the case, told the court that about 15:15 hours that day, a party of police ranks from the

Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Headquarters, acting on information received, ventured to the house to conduct a search.

As they searched the premises in Duncan’s presence, the illicit substance was reportedly found in the living room. Bentham stated that he was told of the offence, cautioned and arrested.

Duncan was reportedly taken to CID where the substance was weighed and he was subsequently charged.

During the course of the trial, the Prosecution brought forth five witnesses and managed to prove its case against the accused.

At the end of his trial, the Magistrate stated that she found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to prison.

He is also expected to pay the fine on account of the crime.

No work permits...

(From page 9) with the differential treatment they have received when travelling to various CARICOM jurisdictions. The Government continues to highlight such instances at various fora and provide the necessary representation for our citizens. I must, however, indicate that in certain places we have seen improvements.”

However, free movement within the Caribbean community is not absolute.

There are a finite number of categories of skilled persons

who are permitted to travel across the region without requiring a work permit.

Currently, under the skills movement law, the categories allowed certificates to work elsewhere in CARICOM will include media workers; musicians; artistes; sports persons; teachers; registered nurses; persons holding associate degrees; artisans possessing a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) or an approved national vocational qualification and domestics who have obtained a CVQ.

Guyana fails to meet...

From page 3 report, given that Guyana has been asked by CFATF to “report specifically on whether we would have rectified the identified deficiencies in the anti-money laundering regime.”

He said that there are other sections of the report that will speak to some administrative issues that have been completed.

Given that CFATF's Plenary will not be held until May, Nandlall was asked if there was a possibility that a report can be submitted before that meeting.

He responded by reminding that CFATF's Roger Hernandez, when he visited, Guyana “said unambiguously that the time for submitting the report is the 28th of February (today)”.

Nandlall reminded too that Hernandez at the time explained why the submission date is fixed long before the actual plenary meeting, given

that the assessors had to examine the report and the Bill which was supposed to have been attached to the report in order to ensure that it satisfies CFATF requirements.

He said that if CFATF accepts a report from Guyana long past the deadline, it is “their rules and they will decide if they will violate their own rules.”

Asked about a FATF review and possible international blacklisting, Nandlall said that when CFATF made its pronouncement in November last, it stated clearly Guyana has been identified as a country with certain deficiencies and was called upon to remedy this and a “failure to do so will result in CFATF referring Guyana to FATF for a ICRG (International Co-operation Review Group) review.”

Nandlall said that the procedure to which Guyana will be subjected has already been laid out

Page 13

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

“Mash garbage” at Stone Depot…

Mayor and Town Clerk deny giving permission for dumping Both the City’s Mayor and Town Clerk have denied authorizing that garbage be dumped in the compound of Stone Depot on Princes Street, Georgetown.

This is despite the fact that tons of garbage is being transported and dumped in the aforementioned compound, causing great discomfort to the people who work there.

The waste was supposed to be taken to the official Haags Bosch landfill site located at Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

The mountainous piles of garbage consist of materials that were left behind in the aftermath of the recently concluded Mashramani celebrations.

When Kaieteur News visited the Stone Depot compound, the workers were extremely upset, and complained of being disrespected by the officials who ordered that the rubbish be dumped at their workplace.

Apart from the flies and mosquitoes that now swarm their working area, the men and women who fall under the employment of the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) are to also deal with the stench of the unsightly build-up of garbage.

Nobody seems to know who has authorized the dumping, but as the ghastly pile of garbage continues to get bigger, the workers are becoming more and more frustrated.

“We can’t continue like this. We are people, and this thing that dey got we in here is very unhealthy,” one man said. “It gat suh much truck and tractor loads coming in here and dumping garbage, that it hard to keep track of it,” another worker added.

The workers are also at another discomfort, as a number of dead dogs tied in bags were dumped in the canal just outside the compound, in proximity to its gate.

“Right outside by the gate, next to the bridge the thing deh, and it stink. When yuh think yuh could escape the smell in here, yuh can’t even go by the gate and lime, because the smell out deh worse,” a worker told this newspaper.

He said that the workers are all annoyed, especially since they have no one to complain to.

“It look like this compound is the eye pass compound. People bringing all dem unwanted things and dey dumpin’ it here, and I think is about time we put a stop to it,” the worker said.

According to the M&CC employees, a couple of them had approached the supervisor of the Stone Depot with their complaints.

However the workers said that the boss responded that the garbage will soon be burnt.

The supervisor did not reveal who has ordered that the waste be piled up at Stone

A number of dead dogs tied in bags (at centre of photo) were dumped in the canal just outside the Stone Depot compound.

Depot.

“How dey can burn garbage in this environment, eh? This ain’t right. Look at this pile, and it deh right up to the buildings now, so I don’t understand wha gon happen to we if dey burn it right here.”

Something got to be done. Almost two weeks now we suffering with this thing, and with how terrible this thing is, somebody might end up falling sick,” an employee said.

The man explained that a few years ago, garbage used to be buried aback of the

Stone Depot compound, and that this did not cause any inconvenience to the people working there.

“I guess we could live with dem burying it here, but why dey gat to do that when we got the dumpsite up the East Bank (Demerara)? We does maintain that place, and dey still dumping here. This eye pass got to stop,” the Stone Depot worker stressed.

When contacted via telephone yesterday, Town Clerk, Carol Sooba said that she is not aware of the dumping. Before Kaieteur News could ask further

questions on what could be done to alleviate the woes of the Stone Depot workers, Ms. Sooba hung up her telephone.

Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green, on the other hand, went on to reiterate the complaints about being bypassed by the Town Clerk.

In all the blame shifting, those working in the Stone Depot compound continue to be incovenienced, and are calling on both the Mayor and Town Clerk to “stop the bickering and work in the interest of the people who are suffering.”

Govt. plans to reintroduce ferry from New Amsterdam to Kwakwani Minister of Public Works - supports AFC motion Robeson Benn yesterday told the National Assembly that Government was already pursuing the re-introduction of the Berbice River Ferry, and as such supported a motion moved by AFC’s Trevor Williams in that regard.

Minister Benn said that Government had campaigned on this issue in 2011, promising residents that it will restore the ferry service and return the vessel MV Kimbia to the Berbice River as it was moving to have a new ferry system designed for the North West District, Region One. The Kimbia which was designed for and previously plied the Berbice River, serving the Berbice River residents, was moved to North West District in 1997.

Minister Benn explained that the Government has already moved towards meeting with the Indian Government to have a new vessel designed for the North

West, and said that by year end, this design will be completed to see movement in keeping its election promise to the Berbice River residents.

Williams in moving his motion contended that the ferry service which previously served a number of communities from New Amsterdam to Kwakwani, providing transportation to hundreds of families and their goods to and from the Berbice Coast, was unilaterally removed by Government without any explanation.

He said that this caused many communities to become abandoned and deserted due to lack of significant economic activities, but Minister Benn disputed that, saying that the ferry service was instead removed after efforts to move the economy on the Berbice River went down and gradually people moved out of the communities. “There

was nothing to bring out on the boat,” the Minster said.

Minister Benn noted that now, with agriculture and forestry activities ongoing in the area and again the influx of residents, it is time to reintroduce the service, and Government recognising this would have sought to commence proactive measures in this regard.

Minister of Local Government Norman Whittaker pointed out that Government did not abandon the residents who remained after economic activities dwindled in the area and the ferry service stalled, but interim measures were in place to allow for movement to and fro.

The bill was also supported on the APNU side

by Joe Harmon. When put to a vote, it received the unanimous support of the House.

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Govt. announces feasibility studies Delays in delivery justifiable for massive hydro in Mazaruni - NDIA chairman Surendra Engineering drainage pumps…

By Keeran Danny Delays by Surendra Engineering in delivering all 14 drainage pumps it was contracted by Government to supply since last year are justifiable, says Dharamkumar Seeraj, Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA).

According to Seeraj, NDIA made some changes and put stringent requirements on the company to deliver on specifications of the contract. As such, the delays by the company were warranted and therefore no additional cost would be attached to Surendra Engineering, he said.

Procurement of the pumps has been a controversial issue ever since the government handed Surendra Engineering a US$4 million contract over two years ago.

The pumps were bought through a line of credit.

Tenders for the project were opened in Guyana and in India in 2011. However, the contract only became operational in March 2012 and was expected to end one year later. It did not. Instead Government granted a onemonth extension. And to date, all the pumps have not reached Guyana.

According to Seeraj, all the mobile pumps, either two or three fixed pumps and engines and gear boxes for the fixed pumps are in Guyana. He is unaware as to how many mobile and fixed pumps the company was supposed to supply respectively.

He added that the remaining pumps to be delivered are somewhere between being shipped and the manufacturer.

In acknowledging that all the pumps are not in Guyana, Seeraj defended earlier statements made by Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.

Dr. Ramsammy in November 2013 said that the pumps were here. But, one day later Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon refuted that, saying that some pumps were expected to arrive in Guyana in December 2013.

However, according to Seeraj, Dr. Ramsammy could have been speaking about all the fixed pumps or all the mobile pumps, and therefore was not misleading.

Chief Executive Officer of NDIA Lionel Wordsworth said that one of the pumps under the contract was operational at Rose Hall and civil works were ongoing at Canal Polder and Skeldon to

Dharamkumar Seeraj, NDIA Chairman facilitate the installation of pumps.

He added that the preliminary stage of civil works is ongoing at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara and Enterprise/Paradise drainage block on the East Coast of Demerara.

According to Seeraj, he is not privy to the exact terms and conditions of the Indian line of credit and is unaware if Government has began repaying on the loan, since NDIA is only a component of this arrangement.

“Normally the line of credit would have a grace period and then repayment on soft terms and conditions.

NDIA is just a component of that line of credit. The finer details I could check, but I don’t have that answer right now,” he said.

Govt. subvention to Critchlow Labour College to resume Almost a decade after Government stopped the annual subvention to Critchlow Labour College, the way has been paved for the assistance to resume.

This was after an Opposition-piloted motion, in an intense debate, was passed in the National Assembly last evening, but not before an agreement on the makeup of its members which will now include representatives from a number of Governmentaligned union federations.

The institution, on Woolford Avenue, has been struggling since 2004 when the administration pulled the assistance, more than $30M annually, claiming that the college has to get its accounts in order.

A respected tertiary education facility, Critchlow Labour College has fallen on hard times, at one time closing for several months because of the cash situation. The restoration of the subvention would spell good news for its fortunes.

The motion for the

- after deal struck in Parliament restoration of the funds was tabled in December by Member of Parliament, Trevor Williams, of the Alliance For Change (AFC), himself a former student.

At one point, the Government side was dead set against the subvention, insisting that accounts were still not up to order.

However, the debate took a swing when MP Manzoor Nadir challenged the AFC to consider placing four representatives of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) on the Board and a similar number from the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC).

AFC quickly grabbed the opportunity and during a break, drafted an amendment to allow the change to the board. It was accepted by the Government side.

Earlier, Government was highly critical of Critchlow’s operations noting that while millions every year was being

paid out, there were no clear indications how the taxpayers’ monies were being spent.

Comparisons were made to the labour college of the Guyana Agriculture and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) which used its own monies to build the facility in Kingston.

In the 1980s, the college was acknowledged as the busiest labour institution in the Caribbean.

Critchlow Labour College, named after Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, was established over 40 years ago.

Guyana and Brazil have moved one step closer to the establishment of a massive Hydro Electric Plant, the road between Linden and Lethem and a deep water harbour.

This was announced yesterday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett who, in updating the House on the progress being made by the two countries, said that both governments have agreed to undertaking pre-feasibility and feasibility studies at two sites in the middle and upper Mazaruni for a hydro electric plant.

There will also be the preparation of an engineering design in order to advance the road project.

According to the Minister, should these two projects prove to be successful then there will be automatic support from the private sector to undertake the deep water port.

According to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Guyana and Brazil had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim of stimulating a number of infrastructure projects, namely a Hydro Electric Plant with its complementing transmission line, a Deep Water Harbour and the road between Linden and Lethem.

She said a technical working group was set up to compile proposals and

timetables which were then submitted to the Presidents of both Guyana and Brazil.

Four meetings were held by the group, three in Guyana and one in Brazil, and reports presented in July 2013.

According to the Minister, that working group had recommended that as it relates to the road, an engineering design must be completed, as well as prefeasibility and feasibility studies in middle and upper Mazaruni as the way forward with the Hydro Electric Plant.

Minister RodriguesBirkett said it was recognized that the road and port are separate projects but are interrelated.

She said that the port will be dependent in part, on goods coming out of Brazil, mainly Manaus.

“It is estimated that this route will reduce time and costs associated with export from north Brazil.”

According to RodriguesBirkett, “it was felt that if there is positive movement with the road and hydropower development, there will be automatic interest in the port by the Private Sector.”

The Foreign Affairs Minister said that the reports were endorsed by President D o n a l d Ramotar and Brazilian President, Dilma Rousseff. As a result, a Joint Commission for the Development of Infrastructure Projects has

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett been set up to monitor the agreed projects.

The Commission she said is chaired on the Guyana side

by Ambassador Elizabeth Harper.

The Minister announced that in the coming weeks the Government of Guyana will commence briefings with the parties represented in the House as well as other stakeholders inc l u d i n g those living in the middle and upper Mazaruni regarding the projects.

The Minister did stress to the House that what will be done, “are pre-feasibility and feasibility studies and no decisions will be taken until these studies have been completed.”

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

Recapitalizing army takes precedence at Officers’ Conference - Coast Guard gets patrol boats - Discussions ongoing for re-fleeting Air Corps

Commander-in-chief President Donald Ramotar (centre) with officers at the Annual Conference

By Zena Henry A continued demand of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is its operational readiness to deal with matters of national defence and security; as a result, recapitalizing the army with varying assets remains a continuous task for the government.

Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, President Donald Ramotar, pointed this out yesterday when he addressed invited guests, senior and junior ranks across

the military spectrum at the force’s annual Officers’ Conference, held at Base Camp Ayanganna.

The Head of State insisted on the force’s most obvious feature as he highlighted the need for the GDF to be, “alert to changes internally and externally which threaten to disrupt peace, stability and the pursuit of national goals”.

Chief-of Staff Brigadier Mark Phillips emphasized the army’s understanding of these matters when he addressed that the

contemporary operating environment indicates an expanded list of missions; “territorial security, public security, citizen security and dealing with complex emergencies.” He stated that, “Joint operations and interagency coordinated activities will become more intense in 2014.”

The Disciplined Forces Commission (DFC) report of 2014, recommended an increase in manpower for the GDF. A review from the Defence Board, Brigadier Phillips related, showed that the Coast Guard needs to acquire adequate patrol vessels, “to enable the depression of illegal fishing, narcotic trafficking, gun running and contraband smuggling.”

To this, the Chief-of Staff pointed out that three such patrol boats have been handed over to the Coast Guard under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, while two more will be handed over to the Coast Guard in July of this year.

Regarding manpower, Brigadier Phillips said that the force is on course, with over 800 applications being reviewed for the Standard

Officers’ Course and Basic Review Courses commencing in March.

The DFC report, according to the Chief-of Staff went on to say that, “there should be increased operational employment of aviation resources, coastal, maritime and boarder surveillances,” for the Air Corps, while, “reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft should be acquired.” The recruitment and retention of pilots and engineers for the Air Corps also came up for discussion.

The recently acquired Bell 206 helicopters have contributed significantly in support of law enforcement agencies in their fight against crime. Brigadier Phillips announced also that the GDF and the Defence Board have commenced discussions towards rehabilitation and replacement of rotary and fixed wing aircraft.

President Ramotar added to this, that given the integrity and geography of the country, the aviation arm of the military is essential.

“Recapitalization remains a continuous task; it is a very important aspect.” Specific recommendations pertaining

to the capabilities of the GDF Air Corps and Coast Guard have already resulted in the acquisition of three patrol vessels to counter illicit trafficking in the country’s territorial seas and rivers, the President reiterated.

He further asserted that another two boats were bought in 2013 to be delivered in the third quarter of this year, “to add to this expanded capability of the Guyana Coast Guard. Additionally, the Bell 412 helicopter will during March 2014 undergo a thorough and independent inspection in order to facilitate informed decision making as to the future of that aircraft.”

The President continued that the Defence Board will collaborate with senior leadership of GDF to replace on an affordable basis fixed and rotary wing; airplanes and helicopters respectively.

“Assets of the Air Corps will improve effectiveness, especially in the area of search and rescue, remote area casualty and medical evacuation and supporting GDF ground forces.”

The level of resources available to the military conditions is planning operational readiness. To this,

the President advised that the defence force needs to broaden its scope to the type of threats that could affect, the quality of life, national security and order.

“National defence and security can no longer be the confines only to preserving our country’s territorial integrity and responding to actions that infringe sovereignty, these are essential roles, but other threats remain; threats that disturb the quality of life like cross-border diseases and illnesses; natural disaster and climate change. Thus, the new threats qualify as national security threats. We therefore need to broaden our understanding of national security to include these threats emanating outside of our borders aimed not only at seizing our territory but the quality of life.”

The President stated that the soldiers be able to multitask. He urged that the army utilize the allocations to them in a responsible, efficient and productive manner; and while diplomacy is the country’s first line of defence, the Head of State reiterated the forces’ need to enhance their operational readiness.

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Education Ministry drafts professionalism document - commences consultations to gain public's support

O

n c e professionalism is embraced as a key cornerstone, the education system will forever be poised for continued success. And so it was in recognition of this notion that the Ministry of Education decided to draft a document designed to hold teachers to specific professional standards.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education yesterday “the continuous success of Guyana's education system hinges upon the professionals who stand in the classroom every day...”

Professional standards for teachers, the statement said, set expectations for achieving desired educational outcomes but are however not intended as a tool for punitive action.

Instead the standards are expected to reflect professional consensus of what is desired in the supervision, leadership and delivery of education, the statement outlined.

Added to this, they provide a framework that permits professionals to engage in self assessment and are therefore aligned to the Organisation of American States (OAS), Caricom and other international standards.

And according to the Ministry, “Professional Standards offer the professional community specifications against which teachers are able to set goals for personal development and progress in the profession.

The standards are multidimensional and give cognizance to the key props for learning to take place, namely: (a) a motivated and willing learner; (b) effective teaching and learning and, (c) an enabling environment.”

With the implementation of the standards, Ministry officials are convinced that they will serve as a mechanism to monitor and evaluate teachers' performance in the classroom, knowledge of the subject (s) they teach, techniques used and level of commitment to the learners in their care and effectively

manage diversity to promote inclusiveness in the learning process. Added to this the standards are expected to help teachers sharpen their professional skills and help them interact with parents and the community.

Moreover, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, is said to be keen on implementing standards, as they will aid significantly in professionalising the teaching body. According to the statement, the Minister is of the firm belief that all stakeholders should get the opportunity to contribute to the contents of the standards so that all can move forward together.

As a result, the Minister is spearheading a series of consultations across the country to which the Guyanese populace is invited.

And according to the statement, teachers both practicing and retired, in particular, are expected to be in attendance.

It is also the expectation of the Ministry that Members of School Improvement Action Committees, ParentTeachers Associations, Boards of Governors, Regional Education Committees, Regional Democratic Councils and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils will participate in the consultations, which will seek to extensively discuss the professional standards.

“The ministry sees the community's contribution as critical as we work towards refining the draft Professional Standards

National Schedule of Consultations on Professional Standards for Teachers March 2014

before it is officially a p p r o v e d a n d implemented,” the statement outlined, even as it pointed out that Guyana is among the few countries in the world where documented professional standards for teachers are still to be implemented.

The consultations o ff i c i a l l y c o m m e n c e d Wednesday at the Kamarang Primary School and will conclude in July. It is expected that a total of 71 consultations will be conducted across Guyana.

The monthly National Schedule of Consultations on Professional Standards f o r Te a c h e r s w i l l b e published on the Ministry's w e b s i t e a t www.education.gov.gy.

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

NATO, Russia moving ahead with talks on Syria chemical arms mission-U.S BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Talks between NATO and Russia on a possible joint mission to protect a U.S. ship that will destroy Syria’s deadliest chemical weapons are moving ahead despite tensions over Ukraine, a top U.S. commander said yesterday.

U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, commander of U.S. forces in Europe, said NATO and Russia were discussing a possible joint naval operation in the Mediterranean to protect the U.S. cargo ship Cape Ray due to destroy Syria’s toxins.

News of the discussions between NATO and Russia in a joint body called the NATORussia Council was first reported by Reuters on February 14. “We are in negotiations right now in the NATO-Russia Council and those negotiations are moving forward,” Breedlove said in an interview with Reuters and The Wall Street Journal.

He said discussions on what would be a rare example of military cooperation between Russia and NATO had not been affected by any tensions over the Ukraine crisis.

Under a U.S.-Russian deal reached after a chemical weapons attack killed hundreds of people around Damascus last year, President Bashar al-Assad’s government should have handed over 1,300 tonnes of toxic chemicals

by February 5 for destruction abroad.

But only a handful of cargoes have been shipped out of the country so far, causing growing international frustration at the slow progress. Syria has agreed a new timetable to

remove its chemical weapons by late April, diplomats said on Wednesday.

Breedlove stressed that the United States was ready to carry out the mission to destroy the chemicals immediately.

“We are ready to do this mission today, right now. The Syrians need to deliver these chemicals for destruction and we are ready to destroy them now,” he said.

Under the plan being discussed, NATO and Russian warships would share the task of protecting the Cape Ray, which will process at sea about 500 tonnes of chemicals that are too dangerous to deal with on land.

The Cape Ray is to pick up the chemicals in Italy and needs an escort for its dangerous cargo in international waters.

Breedlove, who is also NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe but was speaking in his U.S. capacity, said there were various options for escorting the Cape Ray. The United States could carry out the entire mission by itself or the Cape Ray could be supported by NATO and Russia working together, by NATO or by a coalition of NATO allies not acting under the NATO flag.

Russian participation in the mission would not be merely symbolic, Breedlove said. “I think it would be good for our nations to find a path ahead to build bridges,” he said.

He said Russian help would also be appreciated during the operation to destroy the chemicals, which other officials have said will take around 90 days.

Ukraine warns Russia after gunmen seize Crimea parliament SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (Reuters) - Armed men seized the parliament in Ukraine’s Crimea region yesterday and raised the Russian flag, alarming Kiev’s new rulers, who warned Moscow not move troops beyond the confines of its navy base on the peninsula.

Crimea, the only Ukrainian region with an ethnic Russian majority, is the last big bastion of opposition to the new leadership in Kiev since President Viktor Yanukovich was ousted at the weekend and provides a base for Russia’s Black Sea fleet.

Its regional parliament, meeting in another part of the building that was apparently still occupied by the gunmen, voted to stage a referendum on “sovereignty” for Crimea.

“I am appealing to the military leadership of the Russian Black Sea fleet,” said Oleksander Turchinov, Ukraine’s acting president, who warned Russia not to move personnel beyond areas permitted by treaty for those using its naval base.

“Any military movements, the more so if they are with weapons, beyond the boundaries of this territory will be seen by us as military aggression,” he said.

Russia has repeatedly declared it will defend the interests of its citizens in Ukraine, and on Wednesday announced war games near the border involving 150,000 troops on high alert.

Although Moscow says it will not intervene by force, its rhetoric since the removal of its ally Yanukovich has echoed the runup to its invasion of Georgia in 2008, when it sent its troops to protect two self-declared independent regions and then recognized them as independent states.

Ukraine’s leaders say they fear separatism in the Crimea.

In Washington, the White House warned Russia to avoid “provocative” acts.

“We strongly support Ukraine’s territorial integrity

and sovereignty. We expect other nations to do the same,” said White House spokesman Jay Carney.

Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and urged Moscow to work with the United States and its European allies to help stabilize Ukraine. “We believe that everybody now needs to take a step back and avoid any kind of provocations,” Kerry said at a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Page 25

Taxi catches fire on Homestretch Avenue Fire fighters yesterday as they put out the fire

A taxi registered to Crown Cabs in Kitty, and bearing registration HB 6718, burst into flames a little before 16:00 hrs yesterday on Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, in proximity to the National Cultural Centre.

The driver of the taxi, Simon Duggan, said that he had just dropped off two customers and was heading to Mandela Avenue when he noticed smoke emanating from the bonnet of the car.

“I stopped in a corner and was preparing to check where exactly the smoke was coming from. Just as I opened the door, the whole front flared up,” the driver said. He added that he only collected the car from the base on Wednesday.

Persons stood near the gate of the Cultural Centre to get a glimpse as fire fighters extinguished the fire. Other road users were seen driving very slowly to get a look as they passed the smoking vehicle.

Kaieteur News was told that the fire could have been because of “a faulty wire.”

Page 30

Kaieteur News

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

LARGE QUANTITIES O F H IGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICKSILVER) 99.99995% PURITY $19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Original Games- Call:6722566

Newly built prime exclusive property @ Norton Street for sale – $35M negotiable - Call: 687-7017

Games PS2 $900, PSP $900, X-Box 360 $2600 & PS3 $2600- Call: 672-2566 Spare for washing machine, microwaves,fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203 1- 500 Ton Cargo ship - Tel: 676-6933 Large Plucked Chickens $280lb retail, Pork $380lb retail @ George & Hadfield Streets.

1-2640 MF Tractor 4wd with 1 – Rome Plough 20 dish, 1CAT Satndby 3306,194KVA 3 Phase 60 Cylinder - Tel: 693-4596 One snow cone cart complete –Tel:621-1549 One 210 Hyundai Excavator with one complete 6" Dredge and also 4" Dredge Contact: 650-2391 2 – M132 Laverda Combine, 3- Pressure Pump 4x3 for gold field, 3 - 50 H/P 3 Phase Motor call: 627-0447 PS3 Controls & System PS2, PS3 and XBOX original games, Nintendo DS Cartridges – Tel:6728569 or 609-8132 PVC Ceiling Panels, PVC Mouldings, Medallions.

American Standard! – Tel: 614-8564; 629-0372 Fishing boat, 5" nylon Seine, 40 Hp Yamaha - $1.6M – Tel:267-1563; 691-3509 1 – 2007 Toyota 4X4 Tacoma – Call: 617-6383 for more information.

Greenheart Piles - Tel: 639-3450 Pure Rottweiler pups - Tel: 650-8496 1 - 3 Ton Mitsubishi Canter, long base, excellent condition – Contact: Imtiaz Baksh – 621-1240 Desk and benches – ideal for school or lessons – Call:6833887

Dell Computers with 20" LCDs - $65,000, Laptops $49,000 – Futuretech – 2312206 4 Cylinder Perkins 4108, just from the UK – complete with radiator.

Contact Stpehen:666-3080; 639-4633

One three storey business property @ Middle street, Georgetown, 2 business Property on Whim Public Road Berbice - Tel: 619-7134; 225-6481

Puppies-

Painted 2 storey concrete building 53x26, transported property at 69 Jackson street, Daniels Town, Essequibo Coast- Call: 644-8610

1 smothie machine,2 ice machine- Contact:2310655,683-8734

Land with foundation (20ftX30ft) in Parafaite Harmonie - $1.5M - Tel: 6757292

Natural Herbal Turmeric & Neem soap from $120 – Tel:666-5319 Dachshund Tel:669-8421

Toyota Tacoma 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, Nissan Frontier 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, DJ System - Tel:695-9807 1 farm @ Yarrowkabra - 20.1 Acres - Call: 265-3586 1 Inboard boat 15 HP Perkins engine, 52 Feet length , 5050 gear box, working condition, price negotiable Phone: 647-0699; 220-5271 Imported Rottweiler female with full pedigree - Call: 6852584 New Tacoma / Tundra lights & parts, Pathfinder A/C Compressor Audi A4&A6 Visor/ mud flap – Tel:680-6374.

2 Storey wood and concrete building. Droom St, Annadale, ECD-Tel:621-9099 Satya Cinema Good Faith Mahaicony – Call:641-8472 Near Regent Street - $40M, Republic Garden -$35M, Mc Doom - $19M – Contact Diana: 227-2256; 626-9382 2 Income properties at bargain price - $40M negotiable - Tel: 686-4899; 684-3718 Property for sale - Call:6275416 PUBLIC ROAD WEST BANK- Business/Residential 30’X200’ (Including $20.M Stocks) - $53M (negotiable) Tel: 609-8132/672-8569 (Max) 2 Storey wood and concrete building on EBD - 5 minutes from Georgetown - Tel: 6585452

EDUCATIONAL

Clean Garden Earth , rental of Bobcat & excavator – Tel:626-7127 Fluffy Pups – Contact: 2225671; 641-6162

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves. Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick) COOL TECH: Repairs Services & Installation of all types of home appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 2332008; 675-4959 For Free Gospel packages – Text 675-7292 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call:225-6496,662-6045, 223-8115 Design Team Neher, The most dependable, professional, trustworthy landscapers in Guyana - Tel: 648-1821 or 2190468

IAE @ Camp Street Register Now for January / June 2015 Classes: Mathematics, English A, Business & Science . Tel: 683-5742; 223-0604 Caribbean First Class, new location, First 10 & 12 Nursery to Grade 6, also lessons – Tel:684-7403 FOR SALE / RENT American Pool Table - Tel: 277-0578; 635-9714

AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 One Toyota Spacio immaculate condition $1.950M - PMM series - Tel: 641-1151 Mazda Verisa 2004 PPP 2230 Hatch Back, motor vehicle for sale: Call:660-6774; 627-7287

LEARN TO DRIVE Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal street. Fee $16,000Call:227-3869 Ultravoilet Driving School – Contact:231-2372;6022583;658-4015 Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 689-5997, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964

PEN PAL Overseas Male seeking female 29 & up No Texting! 661-3299 Indian Male is seeking female for friendship, age 2630 years - Call: 695-8528 (Mike)

One Mitsubishi Lancer in excellent condition – Tel:645-4755 Mitsubishi Lancer PHH Series fully loaded. Driven

by Lady. Owner leaving country. Price negotiable.

Telephone:622-4570 or 2206368 Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered: Premio, Runx, IST, Spacio, Fielder - Call: 652-3820; 665-4529 1 Toyota R4 2004 model – $2.6M cash – Tel:686-5083 800 Ford Tractor & 1 - 450 Ford Towing Truck, 1 Rear Size 38 tractor back wheel – Contact Floyd:694-5599 or Gurro: 689-1864 One Ford Crane Truck & 10 Ton Crane (new) - $8M – Call:622-6746

Long based 32, 15 seat minibus for sale - Call: 639-1053; 669-3341

Toyota Premio- Dark interior with TV, mags, spacio. Tel: 697-0294

Masons seeking job work – Tel:678-9043

Toyota Tundra 4X4 $2.650M - Tel:233-6337 or 662-6024

1 Toyota Hilux LN170 in excellent condition - Tel: 641-2763

Florida to New York Road Trip. Tel: 675-7292

Mitsubishi Galant $900,000Call:645-3605

One Verossa, with chrome rims PMM 5454, excellent condition – Call:682-3396; 665-7206; 687-3866

Technicians available for appliance repairs – washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc – Tel:6190793; 218-0050

2 Ton Canter with power gate, unregistered - Tel:6172891

MASSAGE

The Gent’s Spa: Let beautiful sophisticated masseuse pamper you: New masseuse available- Call:657-5979

One Toyota Prado and Tundra for sale: - Priced to sell – Tel: 600-5759 or 2250683-5

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Toyota Verossa Excellent condition – PLL Series $2.6M - Contact: 666-8492

2004 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 2700 CC – 4 Cylinder @ 31 Grove Housing Scheme EBD Call: 665-8933; 416-836-1466 VACANCY Graphic Artist – Must be able to work in Corel Draw or Adobe CS5 – PO BOX 10501 1 Housekeeper must know to cook @ 223 Camp Street. (3 Storey building next to Shell Gas Station) - Call: 644-7724 For Skilled Carpenters: Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.

Security Guards: Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.

American Style massage services- Call: 678-7499

VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Allion ( Black), Excellent condition, fully powered, automatic, A/C, 16" rims - Tel: 622-0112

1 Mitsubishi Galant Car; 1 Toyota Corolla AE100 Car, 1 Honda CBR motorcycle – Call: 227-7544; 612-2542; 614-6011

We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar

Learn to decorate with Balloons. Classes on March 1st – Call: 225-3133; 613-7513 for more information.

1 Stall @ Stabroek Market Tel: 658-0115; 718-757-8031 Diesel Perkins generator 12,500 watts - $495,000, wheel alignment machine hunter P611 - US$2800 – Tel:601-8276; 619-6863

Friday February 28, 2014

For Able bodied janitor: Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.

For Porters: Apply in person at Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.

SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad.

Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Natural Beauty Salon & Spa: Grove Market Street, EBD tele:265-4138, 652-5800 specialized in everything for women & children DRESS-MAKING Courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake - decoration - Tel:670-2653; 618-1706 CAR RENTAL Wings Car Rental- Call: 643-1131

1 Leyland DAF 4x4 Bush Truck. 1 Toyota Hilux 4x4 bush ready – Contact Kim: 658-5193 2008 Fielder & Axio, fully loaded with bodykit, rims, TV/DVD unregistered - Tel: 617-2891 First Class Auto: Avensis, Allion, IST, 212, Premio, Spacio, Raum, Passo, Fielder, Verossa -Call:6098188; 602-6307 Unregistered Toyota Sienta (2004), Raum - 2004 & Spacio -2003 – Tel:617-5536 One Toyota Premio unregistered – Price $2.550M – Call:225-5082 2004 A4 Audi, sunroof, Turbo, 4WD 1800cc, DVD, Bluetooth, $4.2M negotiable – Tel: 669-7298 Nissan Tiida, 45,000 KM leather interior, reverse & side cameras, CD & TV deck, excellent condition - $2M – Tel:615-2684; 227-8822 (Continued on page 31)

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Letters... Where your views make the news

Tribute to a beloved friend who...

From page 5 (politics preventing him from being the Head Prefect); Head Prefect of Austin House; Table Tennis Captain; member of the Cricket Team; Editor of the QCs newspaper and magazine; and Sergeant of the Schools Cadet Corps. His greatest gift to Queens college was Laurence was also a member of ASCRIA and was selected as the president of the Young Socialist Movement

in Plaisance/Sparendaam. His extraordinary academic, cultural and community awareness resulted in Laurence heading a 5 man delegation to the World Assembly of Youth at the United Nations in 1970.

The greatness of Laurence Clarke goes far beyond his academic, athletic and global achievements.

Laurence’s greatness lies in his humility and the deep loyal friendships he created

and sustained. Without a doubt, Guyana has lost a true gem and a role model for all of us. To Laurence Clarke…a leader, scholar, athlete, intellect, development expert, Friend of Africa, Friend of Guyana , Loyal Member of ACDA….QC hero …..Fideles Ubique Utiles. May your immortal soul Rest in Peace Eric Phillips Executive Member ACDA

Minister Ashni Singh should submit...

From page 4 consumption in Guyana.

But people complain about police inaction on noise nuisance and illegal bars and rum shops. It must be difficult for the police because they know also know that all are not equal before the law and they must be fed up with that kind of hypocrisy.

Some police themselves have been involved in drunken incidents and not faced the courts.

Those of us who wish Minister Singh well should ensure that he does the right thing in submitting to the justice system (victim compensation aside) and perhaps provide courageous leadership in overcoming any drinking problems.

Too many lives in Guyana across race, class, economic, educational and social backgrounds have been destroyed by alcohol consumption through accidents, violence,

ill health. Too many lives in Guyana have been ruined because the justice system has failed in ensuring perpetrators of alcohol related crimes face the consequences of their behaviour and mandate that they get the help they need to ensure that their consumption of alcohol causes no further harm to themselves or to others.

Vidyaratha Kissoon (From page 30)

CAR RENTAL Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Untouchable Car Rental: Low Rate , Low Deposit call:231-8653,621-6827 Premio, vitz call:6797139,639-4452 Affordable car rental Call:673-2424; 695-8127

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620

WANTED Taxi Cars at M&M taxi service @ 29 Queen St Kitty Tel: 226-4743; 231-7392 Land or house to buy in Parafaite Harmonie & Herstelling – Tel:675-7292

CAMP STREET, Prime Business Space Call: 6394499

General Domestic, cleaner – Contact:609-1535; 227-8529

GT TOOLS RENTAL: TEL: 675-0767; 627-5098

Attractive live in waitress Tel: 228-5129; 604-8277

Business place located @ Ruimveldt Public Road EBD Highway, 2 minutes away from Town, Restaurant/Bar & Night Club – Tel:660-5309 One semi – furnished 2 storey 2 bedroom house at Plantation Walk Vreed-EnHoop WBD G$40,000 – No Parking – Tel:616-0111 Bulldozer, bobcat and excavator for hire best rates.

Please contact:261-6664; 2616607 or 629-5414 One Semi furnished apartment to rent at Industry ECD – Tel:222-6001 1,2,3 bedroom @ Lot 2 Anna Catherina W.C.D-Tel:276-0818 Rooms - Call: 225-9223 One and two bedrooms furnished apartments situated at South Ruimveldt Price $500USD and $800USD Call: 601-9323; 649-2251 A bottom flat 2 bedroom apartment - $45,000.00 – Contact:226-6374; 666-9534

LAND FOR SALE

Upholsterer, joiners, spray painter & handyman – Contact:225-6810; 660-5190 Sawmill workers – Tel:6539752.

Skilled mason and carpenter Tel: 668-9863; 625-0930 One cook to work in interior Contact: 681-6044 Experienced Counter Servers, roti /puri cooks & waiters. Apply @ Hacks Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Husband / wife to live in and work. Husband: Labourer, wife: domestic – Tel:227-1830 Hire car drivers - 35yrs and older - Tel: 611-1018 or 642-6564 One maid - Call: 614-4358 One Cook (must be able to prepare a variety of Indian Dishes & assist in cleaning) – Tel No:688-3686 Male and female models and show girls needed urgently Contact: 695-8127

TO LET Furnished apartments for rental @ Bent Street, Wortmanville - $US30 per day – Contact Numbers: 226-3309; 693-2190; 2181033; 678-4267 Furnished Apartments for Overseas Visitors – Contact: 668-5198 Aracari Hotel. West Bank Demerara Rates from US$30 Tel: 264-2946-8 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call:6193660,639-4452 One bedroom apartment Call: 664-2861 Queenstown - $US750 $US800, Atlantic Gardens $US600-$US900, Bel-Air $US1800 - Contact Diana: 227-2256; 626-9382 Fully furnished 2 bedroom house @ South Ruimveldt Park - $600USD per month – Contact:691-1521 Semi furnished 2 bedroom apartment @ South Ruimveldt Park - $400USD per month – Contact:691-1521 House to rent @ East Bank Demerara less than 10 minutes from Georgetown – Call:643-5220;685-5306 Fully Furnished apartments in Ogle USD$650 - $1,400 – Call:622-7236

1 hairdresser station to rent Contact Number: 682-4077; 617-2055

Vacant – To rent:1- 3 bedrooms bottom flat in Diamond - Contact:6866379; 223-6038

One welder or Apprentice for arc & gas welding – age 1825yrs @ 21 Broad Street, CharlestownCall Fatman:225-2835; 643-9125

2 Bedrooms self contained apartment located @ 2nd Avenue Diamond, East bank Demerara - Parking Available - $55,000 - Contact: 612-8115

Driver with minibus licence for contract. Living in Georgetown – Call:675-3093

FOR HIRE

2- Acres cultivated, 2-1 Acres cultivated, 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at ParikaCall:226-7968

VACANCY 24 Hour East Coast Guyoil needs night pump attendants, salesgirl & office assistant Call: 670-8893/684-2838

House lots for sale on the West Bank of Demerara Harbour Bridge in Harbourville SchoonordContact:650-0402

Cosmetologist required Call: 227-4799

Urgently needed properties in Georgetown - From $10M - $25M Call:675-7292

Two Joiners to work in Workshop - Tel:610-7005; 219-1342

Blankenburg Public Road WCD 38X150, 39X150 -$16M Each. Call:658-0132

One Salesgirl – Drop application to The Old Navy Store @ First Floor City Mall.

Farm on Highway - 20M. Call: 602-7440

Pump Attendant @ Shell Service Station Providence EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) Tel: 265-7305

House Wanted @ East, West, North, South Ruimveldt - Tel:675-7292

Herstelling (110ftX60ft) $3.2M, Parafaite Harmonie $1.4M & (100ftX50ft) $2.2M, Schoon’ord (100ftX50ft) – Tel:675-7292

Cashiers @ Shell Service Station Providence EBD. Must be able to work shift (5am-3pm & 3pm-12pm) – Tel: 265-7305

Bush Truck for hire - Tel: 660-3400

1 Ice-Cream van driver – Ages 40yrs to 55yrs – Call:218-3021

1 Experienced Secretary, must be computer literate, 5 subject CXC, 25yrs and over Call: 265-3586 Live in , live out babysitter – Tel:225-6070

WANTED Maids, Receptionists at hotel - 3 shift system. Cooks, Bartenders, waiters, handyman at Restaurant - 2 shift system. Call: 223-6284, 629-4190 Contract Cars to work & keep – Call Car’s R us - Tel: 592-676-7592

Page 32

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

Call for LIAT chair to resign Barbados Nation - A REGIONAL BUSINESSMAN has described LIAT as in a state of “financial meltdown” and has called on chairman of the shareholder group, St Vincent Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, to step down.

Gregor Nassief, owner and director of Secret Bay Resort and executive chairman of Fort Young Hotel in Dominica, said LIAT continued to be a drain the treasuries of shareholder countries like Barbados, operated inefficiently and stifled competition from other

carriers.

In a letter dated February 25, which he copied to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, Antigua and Barbuda’s leader Baldwin Spencer and Roosevelt Skerrit, prime minister of Dominica, Nassief said the source of LIAT’s problems was its “financial unsustainability”.

Charging that no one was being held accountable for what was happening with the regional air carrier, the hotelier said that with Gonsalves as chairman the buck had to stop at him.

Ralph Gonsalves

Suriname company linked in gold scandal (De Ware Tijd) PARAMARIBO — Kaloti Jewelry International is likely involved in doubtful gold transactions. In 2012 the company allegedly failed to report over US$ 5.2 billion in potentially suspicious cash transactions.

This has exposed the company to laundering and buying gold from conflict zones in Africa. The accusations are included in

the recently issued report ‘City of Gold’ by the London based human rights organization Global Witness.

Kaloti national representative, Winston Wilson, says that inspection of the books by accountants firm Ernst & Young has indeed revealed some irregularities.

However, the accountant and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the market regulator in Dubai, took

immediate corrective measures. Wilson says that stricter control mechanisms, standards, procedures and rules have resulted from the Dubai audit which will be applicable on the Kaloti Mint house operations in Suriname. The foreign firm opens its gold refinery in July.

It will play an important role in restructuring the gold sector and export of gold from Suriname.

Haitian protesters rally to mark ouster of ex-leader PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Supporters of twotime President Jean-Bertrand Aristide rallied in the Haitian capital on Thursday to mark the 10th anniversary of his second ouster.

The largely male crowd reached about 2,000 as it passed through the shanties in Port-au-Prince where the former leader still enjoys a following. The protesters denounced what they described as widespread corruption in the government

of President Michel Martelly and even called for his resignation.

“We want Martelly to leave so that we can hold elections. There’s too much corruption,” said Ansyto Felix of Aristide’s Family Lavalas political party.

Aristide was ousted on February 29, 2004, in a violent rebellion and spent time in exile in South Africa until 2011, when he returned to Haiti despite opposition from the United States.

Since then, he has reopened a medical university while keeping a low profile.

Though he said he wanted to focus on education, some in Haiti believe that he still quietly wields considerable influence. He made a rare public appearance last year when he ventured out to answer questions in a homicide case in court.

Thousands of people followed him home in one of the biggest demonstrations of his support in recent years.

Fitch lifts Jamaica’s credit rating NEW YORK, United States - CMC – International credit rating agency, Fitch, has upgraded Jamaica’s credit rating after the country completed its debt exchange yesterday.

The agency lifted Jamaica’s long-term foreign currency issuer default ratings to triple-C, seven notches into junk territory, from restricted default .

According to the Wall Street Journal, the upgrade concludes Fitch’s assessment of the country’s domestic debt exchange offer launched on February 12.

“The ratings firm considered the operation a distressed debt exchange as the swap hurts the original contractual terms of domestic bondholders,” the paper said.

On Tuesday, a Jamaica government statement issued said Fitch Ratings upgraded the island’s long term foreign currency and local currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) to “B” from “CCC.” The rating agency also raised the short-term foreign currency rating from “C” to “B” and the Country Ceiling from “B-” to “B”, the statement said. The outlook was also upgraded to “Stable”.

The statement said the ratings were supported by reduced financing risks due to fiscal consolidation and the lengthening of domestic debt repayments; the successful completion of two reviews under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program and

the satisfaction of all the quantitative targets and structural benchmarks for the third review; and the preservation of broad macroeconomic and financial stability.

In addition, Fitch said the declining path of Jamaica’s public debt/Gross Domestic Product (GDP) due to the National Debt Exchange executed in February 2013 coupled with an increase in primary surpluses and modest economic recovery contributed to the rating upgrade.

Fitch also said access to multilateral funding, which has eased external financing constraints, is another factor in the rating lift.

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 33

Ukraine PM says $37 billion went Immigration rise embarrasses missing under Yanukovich UK’s Cameron before election

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine’s new prime minister said yesterday loans worth $37 billion had gone missing from state coffers during ousted President Viktor Yanukovich’s rule, and warned that unpopular measures were needed to salvage the economy.

With the hryvnia currency in freefall and concerns about the low level of foreign currency reserves growing, Arseny Yatseniuk said the country urgently needed loans from the International Monetary Fund, which is visiting Kiev next week.

The scale of alleged theft implied by Yatseniuk in a speech to parliament was jawdropping, even for a population now used to tales of Yanukovich’s extravagance and lavish lifestyle, including his luxury residence outside Kiev.

The average salary in Ukraine is around $500 a month.

In addition to the missing $37 billion, Yatseniuk said as much as $70 billion had been sent out of the country during Yanukovich’s three-year rule, although he did not make clear how much of this capital flight was illegal.

“I want to report to you the state treasury has been robbed and is empty,” he said before the national assembly voted him in as head of a national unity government.

“Thirty-seven billion dollars of credit received have disappeared in an unknown direction ... (and) the sum of 70 billion dollars was paid out of Ukraine’s financial system into off-shore accounts.”

At today’s rate, $70 billion is equal to about half Ukraine’s gross domestic product in 2013.

Only 4.3 billion hryvnia -

Viktor Yanukovich

$430 million - was left in government accounts, Yatseniuk said, although the central bank’s foreign currency reserves stand at $15 billion.

Shortly after he spoke, the Swiss government said it would order banks in the country to freeze any funds found to be linked to Yanukovich.

In Ukraine, the situation was so grave that there was no choice but to take “extraordinarily unpopular measures,” Yatseniuk said, looking around the solemn faces in parliament as he listed the depth to which the economy has sunk.

With prospects for foreign aid growing, Ukraine’s dollar bond maturing in 2017 rose 1.5 points yesterday to trade at 91.65 cents in the dollar, while bonds issued by state energy company Naftogaz maturing this September rose 1 point.

The cost of insuring Ukraine’s debt also slid as approval of the interim government opened the

possibility of negotiating a deal with the IMF. An IMF fact-finding team is to visit Ukraine in the coming days, in response for Ukraine’s request for help, Managing Director Christine Lagarde said.

However, the June 2014 government bond weakened, signaling that the possibility of a shortterm default is still worrying investors.

The hyrvnia traded as low as 11.0 to the dollar and markets were signaling more depreciation, with 6-month currency forwards pricing it at around 12 per dollar.

A former economy and foreign minister, and exdeputy head of the central bank, Yatseniuk’s immediate task is to draw up an anti-crisis plan and secure international aid to prevent a default and shore up the hyrvnia.

Finance Minister Oleksander Shlapak suggested Ukraine wanted a $15-billion aid package from the IMF.

Obama to take stock of peace talks with Netanyahu, Abbas

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama will take stock of peace negotiations in upcoming Oval Office meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on March 17, the White House said yesterday.

The Obama administration had originally hoped to help broker a deal

by April 29. But on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he hopes at best to get Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a “framework” for an agreement by that time.

A final deal may take another nine months or more, Kerry said.

The framework would guide further talks, White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.

“The parties are talking about the core issues, including borders, security, Jerusalem, refugees, mutual recognition, an end of conflict, and an end of claims,” he said.

“We believe that the framework wi l l b e a significant breakthrough, as it would represent a common picture on the outlines of the final status agreement,” he said.

Barack Obama

(Reuters) - British Prime Minister David Cameron’s pledge to cut net immigration to below 100,000 a year was undermined yesterday by figures showing that a net 212,000 people moved to Britain in the year to September, a jump of 37 percent.

With polls regularly showing immigration to be one of voters’ top three concerns, Cameron is under pressure ahead of European elections in May and a national election next year to make good on his promise to cut the net influx to the “tens of thousands” by 2015.

Eurosceptic lawmakers in his Conservative party, trailing in the polls, want him to get tougher, partly to dissuade its supporters from defecting to the anti-EU UK Independence Party (UKIP), which opposes “open-door immigration”.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said yesterday that the net flow of long-term migrants into Britain was up from 154,000 in the year to September 2012.

The number of EU nationals who came to Britain increased by 40

David Cameron percent to 209,000, it said, the highest estimate since the figures began in 1964.

EU citizens all have the right to live and work in each other’s countries, with some temporary exceptions for new member states.

Net migration of EU citizens more than doubled, the ONS said, with the number of Romanians and Bulgarians rising sharply ahead of the removal of restrictions on their right to work in Britain on January1, 2014.

A spokesman for Cameron said there had been a significant fall in net migration since its peak in 2010 and the government was sticking to its target.

“That is absolutely our objective and that is what we are going to continue to work towards,” he said.

This month the government laid out new rules designed to limit the access that migrants from other European Union states have to Britain’s welfare system. It has also said Britain will stop helping jobless immigrants with their housing costs from April, and has brought in new rules to prevent EU migrants claiming welfare benefits as soon as they arrive.

The main opposition Labour party said Thursday’s figures showed government policy was “a mess”.

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said it was “utterly pointless setting immigration targets when you can’t even decide who comes in to this country”.

“Until we end the opendoor immigration policy with the EU and take back full control over our borders nothing can really be done,” he said.

Iran says nuclear program to stay ‘intact’ NEW DELHI (Reuters) Iran is willing to address international concerns about its atomic activities but will keep its nuclear program “intact”, not close it down, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said yesterday.

His remarks signaled that Tehran will not agree to dismantle any of its atomic facilities in talks with six world powers on a final settlement of the decade-old dispute over its nuclear activity.

Those negotiations got under way in Vienna last week, with both sides saying they made a “good start” but conceding that their plan to achieve a long-term deal in the coming months was very ambitious. By late July, Western governments hope to hammer out an accord that would lay to rest their suspicions that Iran is seeking the capability to make a nuclear bomb, an aim it denies, while Tehran wants a lifting of economic sanctions.

Zarif, speaking to reporters during a visit to New Delhi, said he hoped a deal would be reached by the July deadline, although talks could be extended by another half year if both sides agreed.

“I am hoping by the first deadline we will reach a final deal and to start implementing

Mohammad Javad Zarif it,” he said. “And I can assure you that Iran has that political will and good faith that is required in order to achieve that.” However, he also said there was a “problem in terms of both substance and approach”, apparently referring to the other side in the talks. Iran and the powers - the United States, Russia, France, Germany, China and Britain - aim to build on an interim accord reached in November under which Tehran curbed its most sensitive nuclear work, highergrade uranium enrichment, in exchange for some sanctions easing. Diplomats and analysts acknowledge that it probably will be even more difficult to reach a final

agreement as the Western powers would likely press for a significant scaling back of Iran’s nuclear program, including of the number of centrifuges that it uses to refine uranium.

Iran says it is enriching uranium to low levels for a planned network of nuclear power plants. But uranium can also be used to assemble bombs if refined further to a high fissile concentration, which the West fears may be Iran’s ultimate aim.

U.S. officials have made clear Iran’s planned Arak heavy water reactor - which could yield bomb-grade plutonium once operational must be dealt with under any settlement and Washington has also questioned Iran’s need to have a uranium enrichment site buried deep underground at Fordow.

Zarif said Iran was “prepared to make sure that the program is exclusively peaceful and create the necessary understanding for the West. I believe there are multiple ways of doing that and we are willing to entertain those ways.” But, he added: “I can tell you that Iran’s nuclear program will remain intact. We will not close any program.”

Page 34

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

‘Road to Mecca’ starts... STSC to host dominoes tourney From page 41 invested in it (tournament) and the aim is to establish our first National Club Champion,” Hinds said, before upbraiding the media for poor coverage of local basketball.

While Hinds said that he has seen “two articles per week” from Kaieteur Sport and Guyana Time on basketball, he has not seen similar articles from the Stabroek News and Guyana Chronicle.

He believes that the magnitude of the sport demands support.

He noted that in his time playing the sport there were articles and pictures of play-

ers in the papers on a consistent basis.

The sharp criticism of the media on national television prompted the sports journalists present yesterday to walk out of the broadcast.

Hinds also reported that he has since received 20 molten balls and some heavy duty nets that will be used during the tournament, which starts Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. He added that there will be Halftime performances and giveaways.

Chairperson, Kirk Jardine also said that “support has been lacking for the sport”

before pleading with patrons to come out and support their respective teams from whichever part of Guyana they team may come from. Jardine, whose stage name is Chow Pow, will be hosting the competition, according to GABF VP, Michael Singh.

“The foundations for the tournament are set. We have some giveaways for fans, and all systems are in place to host the tournament,” Singh said. Guyana’s Basketball Officials Council (GBOC) urged teams to be properly uniformed and on time during the competition.

(Edison Jefford)

Friday Febraury 28, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Children or possibly some close friends or a love interest could be upset today, Aries. The financial coffers aren't full enough to afford something they think they absolutely have to have right now.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Worry about a family member may be on your mind today, Taurus. This person could be all wrought up over work, money, or possibly a love affair that's broken off.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Uneasy feelings may be plaguing you throughout the day, Gemini. There could appear to be no valid reason for this. Everything seems to be going well for you, and no one close to you has anything heavy going on.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) A friend, perhaps a woman, could well be upset or even angry with you today, Cancer. Money might be involved in some way. There may be nothing you can do to reassure her at this time, so it's best to give what reassurances you can and then back off.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Is your boss a woman, Leo? If so, stay out of her way today. To put it mildly, she isn’t in a good mood.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Travel may cause more problems than it's worth today, Virgo. You may forget some vital items when packing or there could be too little time to get everything ready.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Finances may cause an upset between you and a friend today, Libra. Perhaps this person owes you money and can't pay it back, or vice versa.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A social event could put you in touch with someone who's carrying around a lot of bitterness and anger, Scorpio.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) The workplace could be very hectic today as a colleague prepares to leave on an important business trip, Sagittarius. Nerves could be strained and tempers short.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may have a wonderful day today, Capricorn. Your imagination, intuition, and creativity are all high, and inspiration for new artistic works could be filling your heart and brain.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Your home could be a very busy place today, Aquarius.

Visitors could come and go throughout the day, probably annoying you at times. You might also find yourself having to soothe angry outbursts on the part of a member of your household PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Someone you work with might need a sympathetic shoulder to cry on today, Pisces. Stresses on the job extend beyond everyone's capacity to endure, so don't be surprised if at some point a colleague sheds a few tears.

You might find your patience pushed beyond its normal limits.

South Turkeyne Sports Committee will be hosting a Mashramani King Dominoes and Three-Man team competition tonight at Sealey Hide Out, Dennis Street Sophia commencing at 19:00hrs.

An entrance fee of $1800

will be charged for the King Dominoes category and $500 per player for the three-man segment. Among the sides slated to take part are A, B, C and D Field Sophia. At stake are trophies and medals donated by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr.

Australia drugs ..

From page 35 April, meaning the Australian Football League (AFL) - the country’s top Australian Rules competition - and the National Rugby League will open their seasons next month under a cloud.

The ASADA investigation has focused on the administration of supplements to players at the AFL’s Essendon Bombers team and the NRL’s Cronulla Sharks.

In August, the AFL threw Essendon out of the playoffs, suspended their head coach for 12 months and issued a record A$2 million ($1.79 million) fine after charging the club with sourcing and administering banned substances to players.

The NRL also slapped the Sharks with a A$1 million fine and banned their coach in the same week after a probe into governance issues with the club’s supplements programme.

Both leagues said ASADA’s probe could result in further bans slapped on players.

Only one player, however, has been banned. Sandor Earl, a winger at the NRL’s Canberra Raiders last year, was slapped with a provisional suspension after admitting to the use and trafficking of a banned peptide.

Frank Anthony, Joseph Harmon and Melbourne Inn. The tournament is organized by Jonny ‘Overseas’ Barnwell.

Irshad Mohamed ...

From page 40 for Norway August 1-15 next. He said that the selectors are perusing the performances of the players with a view of selecting the best among the lot.

The other Executive members are Ronuel Greenidge (Secretary) and George Vaughn (Treasurer) while the Committee Members are Maria Thomas, Krishnandan Ragunandan and Ryan Singh.

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 35

Spurs fight back to go through Troubled Curitiba stadium Emanuel Adebayor scores the first of his double

Tottenham produced a stunning comeback to beat Ukrainian visitors FC Dnipro and reach the Europa League last-16 on a dramatic night at White Hart Lane. Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, Spurs’ task became tougher when Dnipro’s Roman Zozulya headed in a vital away goal.

Spurs, needing at least three goals to progress, were handed a lifeline by Christian Eriksen’s precise free-kick.

But, after Zozulya was sent off for a headbutt, Emmanuel Adebayor’s two close-range finishes saw Spurs advance.

Tottenham will now face Portuguese leaders Benfica, beaten Europa League finalists against Chelsea last season, in the next stage.

However, with almost an hour gone of the second leg at White Hart Lane, Tim Sherwood’s side looked set to become the latest Premier League team to suffer in European competition.

None of their English topflight rivals won their Champions League last-16 first legs, while Swansea were eliminated from the Europa League earlier yesterday.

Spurs appeared on course to continue the negative trend - until their fortunes dramatically changed in a manic second-half spell.

Tottenham scored all three goals inside 13 minutes, with

Zozulya’s moment of madness sandwiched between.

Inexplicably, the Ukraine forward headbutted Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen, after a number of previous confrontations between the pair, as Dnipro defended a home free-kick while still leading 2-1 in the tie.

Zozulya was instantly dismissed by referee Antony Gautier in the middle of a furious exchange between both sets of players in the Ukrainian penalty area. More importantly, it stoked up the Spurs crowd and swung the momentum in their team’s favour.

The home side instantly took advantage of the numerical advantage as Eriksen whipped in a dangerous cross from the left which allowed Adebayor to poke in. Four minutes later, the Togo striker put Spurs ahead in the tie for the first time by controlling Zeki Fryers’ long ball on his chest and calmly stroking past Dnipro keeper Denys Boyko.

The manner in which the Spurs fans celebrated, with a jubilant Sherwood jumping into the air as he raced down the touchline, showed the relief that had been lifted inside White Hart Lane. All the drama came after a frustrating first half, where

Tottenham dominated possession without testing the Dnipro goalkeeper.

Sherwood’s side went into the match on the back of two successive defeats following their loss in Ukraine and a disappointing reverse at Premier League strugglers Norwich on Sunday. Ahead of kick-off, Sherwood insisted his team were not going to “crawl into a corner and hide” and backed them to start positively against the Ukrainians.

True to their manager’s word, Spurs made a hightempo start as they attempted to make an early breakthrough, pinning back the visitors in their own half.

But their failure to score early, against a Dnipro side content to play with 10 men behind the ball before breaking at pace on the counter attack, created a tense atmosphere.

Even after the home team’s comeback, the Ukrainians knew that a second away goal would see them progress.

They almost stunned Spurs when Yevhen Konoplyanka, who was a January transfer target for Liverpool, forced alert Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris into a crucial injury-time save.

But the hosts held on to deny Dnipro’s ex-Spurs boss Juande Ramos on his return to his former club.

Australia drugs probe over, ex-judge to review evidence Reuters - Australia’s peak Anti-Doping Agency has completed a 13-month probe into the use of performanceenhancing drugs in local sports and a retired judge will now decide whether to pursue individual cases, the country’s anti-doping chief said.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) investigation has

cast a pall over the country’s top-flight Australian Rules football and rugby league competitions for over a year, but has so far resulted in only one player ban.

Outgoing ASADA chief Aurora Andruska said the evidence would be weighed by retired Federal Court judge Garry Downes.

“Mr Downes will look at the information and the

evidence and say how the cases will be taken forward,” Andruska told lawmakers at a Senate committee hearing in Canberra late on Wednesday.

“He’s providing an independent view. This has been an investigation that’s been under extreme scrutiny from the beginning.”

Downes is not expected to complete his review until (Continued on page 32)

to stage test in March

Reuters - Owners of the Curitiba stadium, due to be used in this year’s World Cup, said a “test game” would be played on March 29 even though building work will not have been completed.

“Atletico Paranaense announces that the test game to be played for the 2014 World Cup meeting all FIFA’s recommendations will take place on March 29, 2014,” the club said in a statement on its website yesterday.

“The stadium will host a game between the under-23

team and an as yet unidentified opponent.” The club will give details of who can watch the game at a later date.

The Arena da Baixada stadium, one of the four World Cup grounds still not ready for the competition, was recently confirmed as one of the 12 host venues. FIFA had threatened to exclude it because it was so behind schedule.

The ground is now scheduled to be completed on May 15, a month and a day

before it is due to host its first group match between Iran and Nigeria. FIFA confirmed the ground’s continued involvement last week but only after the club sought more financial guarantees and agreed to hire more workers to get the building work done.

The cost has risen to 330 million reals ($142 million) from its original 131 million. The stadium is due to host four matches, including world champions Spain against Australia.

Asafa Powell: Jamaican sprinter drug verdict due in April Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell will not find out until April 10 what ban, if any, he is to serve for a failed drugs test last year. The Jamaican, 31, tested positive for banned stimulant oxilofrine in June 2013 and faces up to a two year ban.

In final submissions in Kingston on Wednesday, his legal team appealed for leniency for what is a first offence. Sherone Simpson, who failed a test at the same event, will receive her verdict on 8 April.

Both Powell and Simpson, who were provisionally suspended in July, argued for the minimum suspension, on the grounds of minimal fault.

However, Jamaica’s AntiDoping Commission lawyer argued that they were negligent and had blindly trusted the physical trainer whom both blame for their positive tests.

The trainer - Chris Xuereb - denies supplying a supplement known as Epiphany D1, which contains the banned substance.

During an earlier hearing in January - adjourned until

Asafa Powell

this month after it overran the court heard that Xuereb was also administering Powell’s anti-inflammatory injections and Vitamin B12, despite not being certified as a doctor, massage therapist, chiropractor or physiotherapist.

Along with Simpson - a silver medallist in the 4 x 100m relay at the London 2012 Olympics - Powell was among

five Jamaicans to test positive at the Jamaican National Championships in June of last year.

At the time, he said checks done by his team “told us the supplements were fit for consumption by professional athletes”. Powell set a world record of 9.74 seconds in 2007 and won gold in the men’s 4 x 100m relay at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Page 36

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

West Indies power and Tagenarine roars spin will test England again but U-19s falter For very different reasons, two of the game’s most destructive batsmen will be missing. Chris Gayle’s absence is injury-related - and West Indies will have everything crossed he is fit for their World T20 defence while England are beginning life permanently without Kevin Pietersen.

Play is set to commence at 09:30hrs. The last time England were in the Caribbean, Pietersen was the Player of the Tournament at the World Twenty20; now they will be putting their faith in the likes of Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and Jos Buttler to sparkle in the middle order.

Even without Gayle, West Indies are not short on power in their top order with the likes of Dwayne Smith, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo and the improving pair of Kieran Powell and Kirk Edwards.

Sunil Narine did not have a huge impact in the one-day series in New Zealand - taking three wickets from four matches - and was left out against Ireland, but there are plenty of reasons to play him here. England’s record against unorthodox spin (and often spin of any sort) in limited-overs cricket is far from impressive.

This is a rare chance for Stuart Broad to take charge of England for more than a few days. But not only will his captaincy skills be key, he is now the attack-leader in the limited-overs formats.

England do not have many bowlers who can change a game in a spell: Broad is one of them. How he uses himself around the various fielding restrictions will be interesting to watch. With no Gayle, Smith will likely open the batting as he did against Ireland where he scored a brisk half-century. West Indies could well be tempted to take the pace off the ball

- first ODI on today in Antigua Sunil Narin

against the England line-up.

West Indies (possible) 1 Dwayne Smith, 2 Kieron Powell, 3 Darren Bravo, 4 Kirk Edwards, 5 Marlon Samuels, 6 Dwayne Bravo (capt), 7 Darren Sammy, 8 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 9 Sunil Narine, 10 Jason Holder, 11 Nikita Miller If England’s warm-up match is anything to go by and you would think it would be - the only uncapped player they are set to blood is Alex Hales. He opened alongside Luke Wright in against the Vice Chancellor’s XI; the other candidates to open would have been Michael Lumb and Moeen Ali. However, Eoin Morgan missed training with a knee problem and if he is ruled out, Moeen could earn a debut. England (possible) 1 Alex Hales, 2 Luke Wright, 3 Ben Stokes, 4 Joe Root, 5 Eoin Morgan, 6 Ravi Bopara, 7 Jos Buttler (wk), 8 Tim Bresnan, 9 Stuart Broad (capt), 10 Chris Jordan, 11 James Tredwell Pitch and conditions Expect the ball to be going through knee height, rather than chest height. That, with a few exceptions, is the way these days in the Caribbean.

The forecast suggests a chance of rain, but nothing

that looks terminal.

STATS AND TRIVIA The last time England played a match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, the contest lasted 10 deliveries before the 2009 Test was abandoned due to a dangerous outfield.

England’s only previous ODIs at this ground came during the 2007 World Cup when they lost both matches.

Since January 2013, West Indies have hit 145 sixes in 28 matches (an average of 5.18 per game) while England have hit 89 in 26 matches (an average of 3.42 per game) but both teams have won the same number of matches (11) in that period. Ravi Bopara, if selected, will play his 100th one-day international.

QUOTES “I don’t want to say this is preparation for the Twenty20 World Cup, because these are three oneday internationals - and we have the 50-over World Cup round the corner.” Dwayne Bravo “The warm-up match was the first 50-over match I’ve captained, so it was good to get one in before the internationals.” Stuart Broad (ESPNcricinfo)

Bangladesh triumphs in U19 Plate final Shadman Islam fell short of a century by three runs, but helped Bangladesh seal a 77run victory over New Zealand to win the Plate Final of the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, yesterday. Chasing 224, New Zealand wasn’t comfortable at any stage, and Bangladesh went for the kill. The batsmen had no answers to Mosaddek Hossain, who returned figures of 4 for 23, and at 89 for 8, New Zealand was in danger of being bundled out for less than the 97 runs Islam alone had scored.

But Brett Randell, the No. 9 batsman, fought valiantly with an unbeaten 51 to prevent that, though it was only small consolation for New Zealand as it finished at 146 for 9. Earlier, New Zealand, who opted to field, was thwarted by a 124-run stand for the second wicket between Islam and Litton Das (79), the wicketkeeper. But after Das was caught behind off Dane Watson in the 28th over, a tired New Zealand unit was resuscitated and managed to make inroads thereafter. Das’ 75-ball knock included ten boundaries and

a six.

Aside from Islam and Das, only Yasir Ali (16) reached double digits. Islam, though, was steady and was only dislodged in the 44th over after a 113-ball effort as Bangladesh posted 223 in 47 overs, a match-winning total in the end.

Brett Randell was the pick of the bowlers for New Zealand, finishing with 2 for 22 off eight overs. Watson finished with 2 for 49, while Kyle Jamieson, Shawn Hicks, Jeremy Benton and Henry Collier, who removed Islam, all accounted for a wicket each.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - The conditions were perfect for batting at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium yesterday and India made the most of it to beat West Indies by 46 runs and finish fifth in the ICC Under-19 World Cup 2014.

A total of 46 fours and 21 sixes were hit over two innings and Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored 112, but the shot of the day belonged to Sanju Samson. He hit an exquisitely timed cover drive for his first boundary – a classic example of everything that a batsman should do right – to get going in his innings of 67.

Samson was well supported by Ankush Bains (74), Shreyas Iyer (66) and Deepak Hooda (42 in 30 balls) as India, after winning the toss, posted 340 for 8 – the highest total in the competition so far.

In the second half of the game, Tristan Coleman and Nicolas Pooran chipped in with handy scores to support Chanderpaul, but West Indies could manage only 294 for 8 before its overs ran out.

That the track was one of the flattest in the tournament, and the bowlers had no assistance at all, was evident right from the first delivery when Bains got in line of a Jerome Jones delivery and drove it through the covers.

It set the tone of a day where 634 runs were scored and 16 wickets fell, of which only one was with a delivery that deserved reward.

Devoid of any pressure, India batted freely and it was visible in the body language of Bains and Akhil Herwadkar, the two openers. Aware that the possibility of picking up early wickets was difficult, West Indies focussed on saving boundaries as it opted for one slip and a sweeper cover in the mandatory Power Play overs. It even introduced a spinner by the eighth over.

However, that did little to stop the flow of runs as the openers milked the bowlers to put on 71 runs before Herwadkar miscued a sweep off Gudakesh Motie and Pooran took an easy catch behind the stumps.

Vijay Zol, returning to the side after serving his onematch ban, was circumspect to start with. He had not made a significant contribution in the campaign and was eager to make his last game as India’s captain at this level count.

While Bains brought up his half-century with a sweep, Zol made up for his

Tagenarine Chanderpaul

slow start with four boundaries. However, just after their fifty-run partnership had been brought up, Bryan Charles, the offspinner, switched to bowling from around the wicket and the change of angle accounted for Zol, who became the second batsman to succumb to the sweep.

Soon Bains, who had hit the first six of the match off Jones – the fastest bowler on display, scooped an easy catch to midwicket and Preston McSween got his first wicket. That brought Samson and Iyer, who had dismantled the Papua New Guinea attack at the same venue a week back, together.

And, they continued their love affair with the ground.

Elegant with their wrist work, they got into good positions, timed their shots well and found the gaps regularly on both sides of the wicket. By the time Samson went on the back foot to loft Ramaal Lewis over the cover fence, he had hit the most sixes in the tournament.

Iyer too looked confident.

The pair scored 56 runs in the Batting Power Play and went on to add 124 runs in 89 balls before Iyer became the third man to fall to the sweep.

While wickets fell regularly after that (Samson was caught at long-on), Hooda went for his strokes.

And by the time he had hit his second six, the West Indies fielders had stopped bothering to fetch the ball from the empty galleries.

If most of India’s sixes went into the stands, the West Indies batsmen went better – hitting three balls out of the ground. But none of them hit their shots more powerfully than Pooran.

Pooran had joined Chanderpaul after Coleman set the tempo of the chase with a brisk 45, before being the second wicket to fall in the

innings after Shimron Hetmyer, and Brandon King had missed out on an opportunity to boost his batting average.

While Pooran went on the offensive, Chanderpaul, just like his illustrious father, frustrated India with a mix of aggression and caution.

What was amazing about Chanderpaul was that he was able to switch between defence and attack seamlessly. That Ricky Bhui, the substitute, dropped an easy catch off him at midwicket when he was on 60 only made him more determined.

Chama Milind, however, managed to hold his own during the 89-run stand and then provided the breakthrough when Herwadkar caught Pooran at deep midwicket for 54. Then came the best delivery of the match when Milind, bowling from close to the stumps, got Fabian Allen to edge an outgoing delivery and Bains took a good catch behind the stumps.

Chanderpaul played a square drive to bring up his century, but by then he had run out of partners, and he was finally trapped lbw by Zol in the penultimate over of the innings as India’s campaign ended on a happy note.

Summary Scores: India Under-19 Innings: 340/8 (50 Overs). Ankush Bains 74, Sanju Samson 67, Shreyas Iyer 66, Deepak Hooda 42; Gudakesh MotiKanhai 10-0-52-3, Preston McSween 10-0-74-2, Ramaal Lewis 10-0-54-1, Bryan Charles 6-0-41-1.

West Indies Under-19 Innings: 294/8 (50 Overs).

Tagenarine Chanderpaul 112, Nicholas Pooran 54, Tristan Coleman 45, Fabian Allen 26; Chama Milind 9-0-50-2, Vijay Zol 1-0-3-1, Kuldeep Yadav 80-39-1, Akhil Herwadkar.

Friday February 28, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 37

Regional Four-Day tournament begins today

Guyana battle Jamaica at Sabina Park

By Sean Devers in Jamaica in Association with Sterling Products Ltd, Auto Fashion & Payless Varity Store Guyana (then Demerara) played the inaugural Regional First-Class cricket match against Barbados at the Parade Ground in Georgetown in 1865 but because of the distance to the other cricketing countries, Jamaica did not play the regular first-class cricket until 1964.

Today, from 11:00hrs (Guyana Time), the two sides meet at Sabina Park in Kingston, the largest City in the English speaking Caribbean, in the opening round of the 2014 Regional Four-Day First-Class Competition.

Guyana and Jamaica have met 53 times at this level since Regional cricket first acquired sponsorship in 1966. Jamaica were victorious 18 times, Guyana won seven times while 28 matches ended in draws and two were abandoned.

Guyana have won six titles while Jamaica have eight championship titles, including an unprecedented five consecutive times from 2008 before Barbados ended their winning streak by beating Trinidad and Tobago in last year’s final.

In the last meeting between the two nations, Jamaica crushed the South Americans by 212 runs with over a day to spare at Providence with Guyana falling for 96 in their first innings, their second lowest

total ever against Jamaica.

The Guyanese were dismissed for 155 in their second innings despite a fighting 70 from Leon Johnson that ensured the match went into the third day.

Keon Joseph picked up four wickets in the Jamaica first innings.

At a venue where Guyana recorded their lowest ever First-Class total when they were blown away by Jamaica for 41 in 1986, the pitch could play a major role today since the Sabina Park track tends to be best for batting on the second day.

Guyana’s batting is formidable on paper with openers Sewnarine Chattergoon and Assad Fudadin along with middle order batsmen Shiv Chanderpaul, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Narsingh Deonarine who all have Test experience. Christopher Barnwell, who looked in fine form during the Regional 50 overs competition, has also r e p r e s e n t e d t h e We s t Indies in six T20 matches.

Chanderpaul’s 15 Regional tons is one more than Clayton Lambert’s 14. He is the most capped West Indian Test player and brings a wealth of experience to Guyana’s batting. He also has the only triple ton in sponsored Regional FirstClass cricket with his unbeaten 303 against Jamaica in 1996.

The 39-year-old Chanderpaul has been appointed Captain in place of Johnson, Guyana’s leading run-scorer last year. Johnson

suffered a knee injury during the last day of their practice match in Guyana and Barnwell was appointed ViceCaptain.

Although missing Johnson, who scored 430 runs last year, the visitors have in their line-up left hander Fudadin who scored 289 runs last year and who along with Chattergoon will be expected to lay a solid foundation at the top of the order for Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Deonarine and Barnwell to build on.

Wicket-Keeper Anthony Bramble and Test spinners Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy are all capable of lower order runs.

On a track which should offer pace and carry for the bowlers, the Guyanese new ball bowlers Ronsford Beaton and Joseph are genuinely quick and should enjoy the surface here. They will expect support from Barnwell and Fudadin.

But left-arm spinner Permaul, who finished with 30 wickets last year and legspinner Bishoo, who captured twenty in six matches, could do the bulk of the bowling with spin back up from Deonarine.

The 21-year-old legspinner Amir Khan, who replaced Johnson and has played a single First-Class match when Bishoo was playing in the World Cup, could find his opportunities limited today.

Coach Esaun Crandon said his team will be looking to get off to a good start. “We know that playing Jamaica at

Sabina Park will be a tough assignment, but we have one of the strongest squads in the tournament on paper and we are hoping t o transfer that unto the field.”

Jamaica won their first title in 1969 but had to wait 19 years for their second before middle-order batsman Tamar Lambert, who was reappointed captain, led the Jamaicans to a record five

consecutive titles from 2008.

Lambert is viewed by many as the most astute Skipper in the Region.

Today a lot will depend on the burly 32-year-old, who copped the Best All-Rounder Award in the just concluded Regional Super50 tournament where he was surprisingly overlooked as Captain, and limited overs Skipper Nkrumah Bonner, who scored a century against Guyana in the Regional Super50.

Without Chris Gayle, Jamaica’s batting is very inexperienced with 20-yearold John Campbell, Andre McCarthy, Jamie Merchant and Horace Miller having just a handful of First Class matches between them.

Jermaine Blackwood, Dave Bernard and Carlton Baugh are also expected to contribute with the bat.

Comeback kid Jerome Taylor, Andre Russell and Sheldon Cotterell, could trouble the Guyanese batters on the Jamaican tracks with their pace.

Russell and Cotterell, who will miss the next set of matches due to duties for the West Indies in the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, could also get pace support from Andrew Richardson.

Leg-spinner Odean Brown is missing from the home team although the 32year Browne seemed to have recovered from a knee injury and even practiced with the Jamaica team this week while Left-arm spinner Nikita Miller is unavailable due to West Indies commitments against England.

Jamaica announces technical staff appointments Kingston, Jamaica - With an abundance of international engagements on the horizon, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) announced Wednesday a series of coaching appointments.

Men’s national team Head Coach Winfried Schaefer has a new assistant in Miguel Coley, who guided Jamaica College to the national schools title last year.

Coley will also lead the Under-23 team that will battle for a spot at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Former Reggae Boyz head coach Theodore Whitmore, who played in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, has been assigned the lead role with the Under-20 side.

Vin Blaine has been appointed to the new position of Director of Sport.

In this capacity, he will be responsible for coordination of the JFF’s development programs, such as coaching education and grassroots football, plus ensure that systems are in place to establish a database of players. Additionally, the experienced Wendell Downsell will be Youth Coordinator with the special charge of overseeing all men’s and women’s teams from the Under-15 to Under-20 levels.

JAMAICA FOOTBALL FEDERATION – TECHNICALSTAFF Senior Women Head Coach: Merron Gordon, Assistant Coach: Tamera Williams Women’s Under-15 Head Coach: Xavier Gilbert, Assistant Coach: TBA Senior Men Head Coach: Winfried Schafer, Assistant

Raymond Grant (General Secretary, Jamaica Football Federation), Captain Horace Burrell (President, Jamaica Football Federation), Winfried Schafer (Head Coach, Jamaica), Vin Blaine (Director of Sport, Jamaica Football Federation) at a February 26, 2014, press conference. (Photo courtesy of Jamaica Football Federation) Coach: Miguel Coley Men’s Under-15 Head Coach: Aaron Lawrence, Assistant Coach: Lamar

Morgan Men’s Under-17 Head Coach: Andrew Edwards, Assistant Coach: TBA

Men’s Under-20 Head Coach: Theodore Whitmore, Assistant Coach: Andrew Edwards

Men’s Under-23 Head Coach: Miguel Coley, Assistant Coach: Jerome Waite.

Page 38

Kaieteur News

Tenelec Inc. Under15 Final

Friday February 28, 2014

Kiddy cricketers to feature in 2nd ODI

Albion and RHT Farfan & Mendes declared joint champs Albion Community Centre and Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes were declared joint champions of the 2013 Tenelec Inc. Under15 cricket competition in Berbice after rain resulted in 190 minutes of play being lost in the two-day final; the match ending without a first innings decision last weekend.

Playing at Albion, the match was scheduled to commence at 10:00hrs on Saturday but overnight and morning rain as well as seepage saw play commencing at 15:00hrs.

The loss of three early wickets by RHT Farfan & Mendes, all to off-spinner Asif Ally (22 for 3) gave the host the team early advantage but Captain and all-rounder Veremootoo Senwasone was joined by Guyana middle order batsman Bashkar Yadram and together the two added 47 from the fourth wicket before Senwasone went for 21 at 69 for 4.

Yadram put on a further 25 for the next wicket with S. Bachaus (5) after which he

added another 34 for the sixth wicket with Kevin Anderson (4) before he fell to pacer Joshua Harrichand for 64 at 128 for 6.

Harrichand picked up the last four wickets to see Rose Hall Town bowled out for 162 in their first innings.

Harrichand ended with 5 for 29 while Ally took 3 for 57 When Albion began their response they were given a good start of 39 by Guyana Under-15 wicketkeeper batsman Adrian Sukhwa and Asif Ally but Sukhwa was run out for 24 and Ally bowled by left arm spinner Keith Simpson for 12 in quick succession, slumping to 41for 2.

Guyana batsman Matthew Hardyal (15) and Joshua Harrichand (11) put on 20 for the third wicket before Simpson removed both batsmen and also had Karran Arjpaul caught for 10, snaring his fourth consecutive wicket.

At 81 for 5, Albion were under pressure to avoid a first innings loss but resolute and sensible batting from

Vivkanand Gagjit (19) Ramesh Kasinauth (10), Rajiv Sookram (14*) and Renaldo Rowe (1*) together with some delaying tactics in the last hour, the match ended in a tense no result with Albion ending on 135 for 8.

Keith Simpson ended with 4 for 18 and off-spinner Bashkar Yadram 2 for 55.

Yadram was adjudged playerof-the-match.

At the presentation ceremony the President of the Berbice Cricket Board Mr. Keith Foster praised the two teams for reaching the final and putting on good performances over the two days. He disclosed that the 2014 competition is scheduled to get started very soon and urged both teams as well as the other clubs to start preparation immediately especially since the Inter County competition is scheduled for late march.

Both teams were presented with the winning trophy as well as twenty-five thousand dollars while Yadram received a trophy.

Introducing CONCACAF Interactive 2014

Miami – The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) has announced the CONCACAF Interactive 2014 (#CI14), a competition in which sports fans and gamers from across the region will compete for the title of CONCACAF Interactive Champion, as well as an all-expenses-paid trip for two to be guests at the FIFA Interactive World Cup (FIWC) Grand Final 2014 this summer in Rio de Janeiro.

This latest addition to the CONCACAF Interactive brand comes on the heels of the positive response and popularity of the CONCACAF Interactive Gold Cup 2013 (#CIGC13). The FIWC Grand Final identifies top gamers and brings them together at

the world’s stage, set to be disputed alongside the most followed sporting event on the planet — the FIFA World Cup. “We are pleased to introduce yet another CONCACAF interactive initiative designed for fans around our region,” said CONCACAF General Secretary Enrique Sanz.

“Coming off the successful CONCACAF Interactive Gold Cup, we understand that the video gaming sector presents a new and interesting opportunity for fans in our region to gain even closer access to the sport we all love.”

Fans from all CONCACAF Member Associations will have the opportunity to represent their country and play for the chance to be crowned CONCACAF

Interactive Champion. The six finalists emerging from the online qualifiers will compete against each other in the #CI14 Hexagonal Final, to crown the Confederation champion.

Eligible fans from around the globe will be able to participate in #CI14, as long as they have legal ties to the CONCACAF countries they would like to represent. This online tournament will be held through FIFA Interactive World Cup 2014 (FIWC14) Season 6 (March 1 – April 1) via EA SPORTS™ FIFA14 on the PlayStation®3. Interested individuals will be required to register at www.CONCACAFInteractive.com, allowing the tracking of their progress through a rating system provided by EA SPORTS™.

Kiddy cricketers going through some drills

St, John’s, Antigua – As Antigua and Barbuda prepares to celebrate their great cricketing heritage this weekend, the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricketers will be showing that the future is as bright as the glittering past.

Cricket legends Andy Roberts, Curtly Ambrose and Richie Richardson are set to be knighted this weekend at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (SVRCG) during the first One Day International between the West Indies and England.

The timing has special significance as it comes just a week before the 40th anniversary of Roberts’ West Indies debut – the first time an Antiguan ever represented the West Indies.

Ahead of the ODI, Kiddy Cricketers got a taste of what could be in their future as they took to the field at the SVRCG to practise for their moment in the middle which will come

on Sunday, March 2nd during the second ODI. The Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket interval display has become a much-loved staple at international matches, with the enthusiastic young players showing their batting, bowling, fielding and catching skills in competitive minimatches during the lunch break. K.J. Singh, the West Indies Cricket Board’s project officer for Kiddy Cricket noted that the displays are one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the annual Kiddy Cricket calendar, as the children get to emulate their heroes by playing in front of an international audience.

“From a coaching and technical perspective of course it’s a key activity because it allows them to get comfortable with playing in front of thousands of people and because it’s held during international matches, it comes even closer to a real

international playing experience. And they absolutely love it! The crowds are always very supportive and it’s a huge boost for a child who is 9 or 10 years old to have a big crowd cheering them on. It’s a real glimpse into the future for them.”

Ten primary schools from Antigua and two from neighbouring Montserrat will take part in the interval skills display. The participating schools are T.O.R Memorial School, John Hughes Primary School, Buckley’s Primary School, JT Ambrose Primary School, New Winthorpes Primary School, Bolans Primary School, Jennings Primary School, Golden Grove Primary School, Sunnyside Tutorial School and St. Andrew’s Primary School from Antigua and Barbuda and Brades Primary School and Lookout Primary School from Montserrat.

GSCL Inc. commences preparation for Independence Cup After enjoying overwhelming success in the recently concluded inaugural Republic Cup tournament earlier this month, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc.(GSCL Inc) has commenced their preparations for the hosting of the first ever Independence Cup. This tournament, which will see teams battling in three categories namely Masters, Open and Female, is set to be held on May 3-5, at various venues in the city, culminating at the Everest Cricket Club. The open final is expected to be broadcasted live on NCN radio.

Teams desirous of competing in the Open and Masters categories for which

the first 12 teams will be accepted, are asked to pay an entrance fee of $110,000 and $100,000 respectively, while the GSCL Inc. is looking at accommodating six female teams with an entrance fee of $25,000 each.

The winners of the Open category will receive $800,000, the runner-up $200,000, in the Masters, the victors will take home $500,000 and the runner-up $200,000 while the female champions will pocket $100,000 and the second place $50,000.

The supreme balls will be used in the Open and female categories while the big ball will be utilized in the Masters segment. Both

round hand and wrist bowling will be tolerated and added information being provided at the team briefing.

Some of the grounds identified to be used for this tournament which promises to be an annual affair are Demerara Cricket Club, Ministry of Education, Carifesta Sports Complex, Muslim Youth Organization, Guyana National Industrial Corporation, St. Stanislaus and Everest.

Registration can be done by contacting Assistant Secretary/Treasurer of the GSCL Inc. Russell Jadbeer on tele # 225 4802, 226 4205 or 626 8228. The launching of the tournament will be held at the GNIC Sports Club on a date and time to be announced.

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

Page 39

Team Buy Me to field husband Trophy Stall / EBFA U-15 to kick off tomorrow Herstelling, Soesdyke, Agricola and wife on starting grid and Grove Hi Tech to play

Donna Persaud of Team Buy Me poses alongside her machine at the team’s garage yesterday.

Another dimension has been added to tomorrow’s Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) Race Challenge (Dexterity) Meet which is scheduled to be staged at the National Park.

It is being reported that Team Buy Me Auto Sales has taken up the challenge of Team JR Burgers and are said to be highly motivated to thrill fans when they take to the Course.

With the Organizers giving allowance for teams to have navigators seated alongside the driver, Team Best Buy leader Danny Persaud gave Kaieteur Sport a hint during an interview that his co-pilot could very well be his wife Donna and they are confident of putting on a good show for the local

fans.

“While this part of the sport has been absent for some time now, I feel that the Club has done a wonderful job in organizing the event and I’m optimistic that fans will come out and support the event,” Persaud told this newspaper.

Asked about how well he feels the fairer sex will cope with the guys as they demonstrate their skills and efficiency at the wheels whilst negotiating the obstacle-laden Course, Persaud said that there are some very good female drivers out there who are very competent and he will not be surprised to see many of them taking to the starting grid come tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the Organizers are urging all

competitors to observe that safety and the well being of everyone will be a priority and therefore they are advising all to walk with their helmets and proper seat belts.

Competitors are also being advised that an official Booth will be set up to register all those interested in competing and this could be done from 12:00 hrs, while a period for practice sessions will follow the registration process before the competition begins.

JR Burgers and a full drinks bar will be there for patrons as well. Action time is 16:00 hrs and Rent-a-Tent Floodlights will be available along with parking and security detail from the Guyana Police Force.: Donna Persaud -

Trophy Stall Managing Director Ramesh Sunich (right) hands over one of the trophies and medals to EBFA Secretary Franklin Wilson.

Football action on the East Bank of Demerara will switch its focus to youths come tomorrow morning at the Grove Playfield when the inaugural Trophy Stall sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under-15 League kicks off tomorrow morning.

Trophy Stall Managing Director Ramesh Sunich, in handing over the trophies a n d m e d a l s t o E B FA Secretary, Franklin Wilson stated that he is very elated to be associated with the development of the game on the East Bank especially at the level of youths.

“We at Trophy Stall are

pleased to be a partner with the East Bank Football Association in this venture which prepares our youth for future national teams and to also represent their a s s o c i a t i o n . We a r e committed to making this tournament an annual one for the youngsters and we wish the teams well.”

The first, second, third and fourth placed teams will receive trophies while the top three teams will also be presented with gold, silver and bronze medals.

The player to be voted the Most Valuable Player will be rewarded with the Golden Ball Trophy; Highest Goal

Scorer will walk away with the Golden Boot Trophy; Best Goalkeeper the Golden Glove while the Most Disciplined team will win the Fail Play Trophy.

The Coach emerging as the best will also be recognized by Trophy Stall.

The competing teams are Soesdyke Falcons, Grove Hi Tech, Diamond United FC, Agricola Red Triangle, Herstelling and Mocha Champs.

Facing off in the first game at 10:00hrs will be Herstelling and Soesdyke Falcons with the feature clash between Agricola Red Triangle and Grove Hi Tech.

Wiltshire / Whyte’s Bar Dominoes on this Sunday M a r k Wi l t s h i r e i n collaboration with Whyte’s Bar 18-team dominoes competition is set for Sunday at Best Road, Vreede n - H o o p , We s t C o a s t Demerara. The tournament will be played on a 20\20 2 in 1 out 4-game format.

With entrance fee set at $10,000, the first place team will pocket a trophy and $100,000, the runner up $50,000 and third place $20,000. There will also be two feature matches with Providence, B 4 and Champ 6 doing battle in the first while the second will be contested between Pacesetters, West Side and Y

K 6.

Entrance fee for the feature games is $12,000.

For more information teams can contact Mark Wiltshire on 665 5855.

The champion team trophy is sponsored by Whyte’s Bar. In an invited comment, Nikisha Sydney who presented the trophy yesterday to Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association, Mark Wiltshire, said that the competition should be keenly contested since some of the top teams in Demerara are slated to take part. She added that they are pleased to be associated with the

tournament.

Meanwhile TNT chalked up 77 games to win the latest round of matches in the Faye Joseph and Mark Wiltshire competition on Wednesday night last at Gaulding Place South Ruimveldt. Gangster was second with 70 and Pacesetters ended in the cellar position on 63. Shawn Morgan and Sonia Goodluck were TNT’s leading players with 17 and 16 games respectively while Shellon Collymore and Dereck Collymore marked 16 apiece for Gangster; Eon Osborne and Osmond Brathwaite made 15 each for Pacesetters.

Nikisha Sydney (right) of Whyte’s Bar presents the trophy to Mark Wiltshire.

Page 40

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

Caribbean Premier League Vreed-en-Hoop and Wales provides US$105M boost to region Scotiabank / GCB Kiddy Cricket - WBD

Primary through to final Vr e e d - e n - H o o p a n d Wales Primary Schools have booked their places in the final of the West Bank Demerara Zone of the Scotiabank / Guyana Cricket Board nationwide Kiddy festival after recording victories yesterday at Wales ground.

Vreed-en-Hoop defeated Mc Gill primary by 28 runs.

Vreed-en-Hoop batted first and scored 119 in 10 overs losing 10 wickets in the process. Sherlon Somerset led with 17 while extras assisted with 18.

Narine Etwaroo, Aron Persaud and Alicia Henry grabbed two wickets each.

Mc Gill in reply scored 91-10 in 10 overs with 14 extras.

Shawn Patterson bagged four wickets while Getanjalie Prabudial claimed three and Somerset two.

Wales overcame Belle West Primary by 45 runs.

Belle West took first strike and managed 107-8 in 10 overs. Dinanath Roopnarine made 9 and extras contributed 14.

Jameela Benn, Jamal B r a m d e o a n d Ti f f a n y Douglas picked up two scalps apiece.

Wales responded with 152-7 in 10 overs.

Christopher Singh stroked 14 and Shawn Paul 12. Jamaal Mohamed and Jagnarine Sarjoo snared two wickets each. Vreed-en-Hoop and Wales will clash in the Zone final and the winner will take on Cornelia Ida in the West Demerara District final today at the same venue.

Christopher Singh picks up runs on the off side

Sherlon Somerset

Getanjalie Prabudial (left) and Shawn Patterson

Malta Supreme Hugh Ross Classic Body Building Show

back on board Buddy’s Gym has renewed its sponsorship with the organizers of the Malta Supreme Hugh Ross Classic Body Building and Fitness Show.

At its Sheriff Street main branch, Gym Manager Nawaz Sheriffudeen in handing over their package to Hugh Ross Classic Committee Finance Officer

Dexter Garnett in the presence of Committee Chairman Hugh Ross complimented the organizers for putting together the show for the fourth time.

Sheriffudeen also reminded Garnett and Ross that Buddy’s Gym would have been partnering with them from the inception of the show which flexed off in 2008 in honour of Ross.

“We are committed to the sustained development of

body building in Guyana and are honoured to be part of this event once again. We know that a few athletes will be on stage form our gym and we look forward to doing well.”

Ross in response thanked the management and staff of Buddy’s Gym for their continued support, promising that this year’s competition, set for March 29, at the National Cultural centre will be second to none.

Research carried out by Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM), University of the West Indies, has found that the 2013 Caribbean Premier L e a g u e ( C P LT 2 0 ) tournament generated a combined impact of US$105.6M across the region.

CPL launched last year to sell-out crowds, with over 250,000 spectators attending matches across Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and St Lucia.

Global stars including Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Ricky Ponting and Muttiah Muralitharan took part in the tournament, dubbed the Biggest Party in Sport, where franchise team shareholders include Hollywood stars Mark Wahlberg and Gerard Butler.

At a time when Caribbean nations have been keen to boost economic growth, CPL provided a much-needed stimulus.

Twenty-six days of carnivallike entertainment, coupled with exciting cricket, generated a significant economic fillip to the host countries given the huge dollar spend over a short period of time.

The report has established that last year’s tournament had widereaching benefits in the six host countries (Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and St Lucia) across eight different sectors: general services, transport and communication, government services, hotels and restaurants, manufacturing, health care and insurance, and financial

s e r v i c e s e c t o r. T h e competition is estimated to have boosted GDP by as much as 0.7 percent in some countries, a tremendous boost given the fact that some countries hosted just three days of cricket.

Professor Densil Williams, University of the West Indies, commented: “With the region still feeling the effects of the global financial crisis, CPL has been a real shot in the arm for the Caribbean. The tournament could trigger an even bigger revival, because as it grows and the brand becomes more recognised, we anticipate that the impact on the economies will be much greater.”

The estimated total economic impact of CPL 2013 for each host country is as follows: Antigua, US$7.35m; Barbados, US $9.1m; Guyana, US$4m; Jamaica, US$10.65m; Trinidad, US$12.85m, St Lucia US$7.3m. An additional US$54m was raised by spending across all six countries.

As well as providing a financial boost to the region, the competition has also helped to put domestic West Indian cricket back on the map, with the tournament televised across the globe, including USA, India, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Hailed by supporters, players and administrators as an overwhelming success, the Caribbean Premier League is part of a bigger vision to develop the game of cricket in the region. To demonstrate the long-term development strategy, CPL g r an ted s ix ty r etain er

contracts to local players, in addition to those that are already in existence at the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

Damien O’Donohoe, CEO of Caribbean Premier League, said: “These findings back up what people have been telling us for months, that the CPL has been brilliant for the region.

This year we’re committed to building on our initial success, with more sold-out crowds, fantastic entertainment and a high standard of cricket.”

Michael Muirhead, CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board, added: “CPL is central to our vision of developing and reviving cricket in the region. Last year’s tournament not only put a smile back on the face of our domestic game, but this report shows that it also had a huge benefit for the Caribbean in general.”

Last year ’s winning captain of the Jamaica Tallawahs, Chris Gayle, said: “I’ve played a lot of T20 cricket, and every competition claims to be the most fun, but CPL really is the ultimate party. With fans coming out in their hundreds of thousands, it’s great to hear that CPL has had such a positive economic impact on the region.”

The Limacol CPL returns in July and August 2014 where Jamaica Tallawahs will defend their title against the St. Lucia Zouks, Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel, Antigua Hawksbills, Guyana A m a z o n Wa r r i o r s a n d Barbados Tridents.

Irshad Mohamed is new Chess Federation President Tournament Director of the Guyana Chess Federation, Irshad Mohamed was elected to the helm when a ff i l i a t e s c o n v e n e d a t Olympic House, High Street, Kingston for their Annual General Meeting February 9 last, after former President, Shiv Nanalall, declined nomination for another term citing an encumbered work schedule.

The new President has served as the Technical Director of tournaments and has more than a working knowledge of the intricacies of management. As such he has outlined his plans which

include a robust approach to the effective organizing of school programmes and the establishment of a new breed of players at the junior level.

To this effect, he has appointed Senior National Champion, Wendell Meusa as the national trainer and to spearhead this project.

Mr. Meusa confirmed the appointment and said that he has already mapped out a strategy to address his task.

He was scheduled to meet w i t h M r. M o h a m e d yesterday afternoon to discuss the initiatives among other related issues.

Mr. Meusa said that the

future of the sport was in the area of youth development and as such he will place heavy focus in this department. He also said that his aim is to take the sport to underdeveloped communities since he feels that there is much talent residing there.

Currently, he conducts sessions at the Red Cherry Café, Lamaha Street and the YMCA, Thomas Lands, on Sundays.

Meanwhile, Mr. Mohamed said that he is eyeing participation in the Chess Olympiad scheduled (Continued on page 34)

Kaieteur News

Friday February 28, 2014

Page 41

Epic battle brewing among women in 20km Road Race - Nero, Morgan, Pascal, Josiah-Tanner to renew old rivalry

By Edison Jefford An epic battle is brewing among some of the Caribbean’s leading female distance runners in the Wartsila 20km Road Race Classic on Sunday with an old rivalry expected to continue in what is certainly billed as the largest road race in Guyana’s history.

The race could settle an old score from the CARICOM 10km race in 2011 if the line-up remains the same. United Statesbased, Euleen Josiah-Tanner had won that race with Grenada’s Kenisha Pascal second and Guyana’s Alika Morgan finishing third.

If the three athletes meet again over the 20km distance, the question of who is the best road race runner among them could be answered. Add the Caribbean’s leading female distance athlete and you have a classic showdown for top honours among the women.

Trinidad and Tobago has confirmed the participation of arguably the region’s best female athlete over long distances, Tonya Nero, for Sunday’s race. Morgan and Josiah-Tanner ’s participation is also confirmed, leaving just

Grenada to confirm Pascal for the race.

In an interview with Kaieteur Sport last week, Morgan’s Coach, Leslie Black, had indicated that the athlete was preparing for the Wartsila 20 km race, which made her unavailable for the South American Games; such was Morgan’s focus on the road race.

Morgan has been entangled in rivalry with Josiah-Tanner for the entire season last year with them dividing the spoils locally.

Josiah-Tanner won the Courts and Ainlim 10km races last year while Morgan was second in the South American 10km race after Josiah-Tanner dropped out of the contest while leading Morgan and Pascal to the finish-line.

Pascal won the race while Morgan was second.

The three athletes have a deep history of conflict on the road, and once guaranteed after registration at the Olympic House officially closes today, those battles are expected to be proliferated in a more taxing race.

However, the athlete to beat will be Nero, who has sufficient experience around the globe in the Half

Kenisha Pascal (Grenada) Marathon and Marathon formats; the Trinidadian athlete loves the longer distances and will without doubt, be the biggest challenge for Morgan, Pascal and Josiah-Tanner.

The four female athletes

Tonya Nero (Trinidad and Tobago) will provide sufficient entertainment on the road Sunday. After all, they are among the best competing in the Caribbean with all of them having won the CARICOM title at some point in their careers. They

Euleen Josiah-Tanner (US-Based)

Alika Morgan (Guyana)

will leave space for two more athletes since the top six in the Male and Female Open Categories will be financially rewarded.

The overall winner pockets $300,000 while second place takes home

$240,000 as third place gets $200,000; fourth place receives $140,000 with fifth and sixth receiving $100,000, and $50,000 in that order. The same prizes apply to the Open Male Category.

‘Road to Mecca’ starts tomorrow The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) ‘Road to Mecca’ National Basketball Club Championships will start tomorrow night at 6pm with four games scheduled, and an aim to know which basketball club in Guyana is the best.

President of the GABF said yesterday that the tournament is very important to the federation for many reasons. He was at the time speaking on National Television at National Communications Network (NCN) Studio on Homestretch Avenue.

“This is a pivotal moment for the new (GABF) Executive... we really (Continued on page 34)

GABF President, Nigel Hinds (third, right) addresses his audience yesterday on National TV as VP, Michael Singh, GBOC Officials, Chairperson, Kirk Jardine and players share the head table at NCN Studios, Homestretch Avenue.

t r o Sp

Guyana battle Jamaica at Sabina Park from today P.37

Shiv Chanderpaul

Ramnaresh Sarwan Tamar Lambert

P.36

Dwayne Bravo

West Indies power and spin will test England - first ODI on today in Antigua

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210