Thursday Edition July 04, 2013 - Vol. 6 No. 27
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Online: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com
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US Consular Officer under
probe in visa racket A narrow escape for this family
- Alexei Ramotar
Fibre Optic Cable cost increasing, new tender out Govt. defends $424,000 toilet bowls cost for CJIA
…says price includes doors, fittings, profits, labour
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 04, 2013
- Alexei Ramotar
Fibre Optic Cable cost increasing, new tender out T
enders for r e l a y i n g G o v e r n m e n t ’s fibre optic cable in certain sections along Lethem to Georgetown are expected to be invited within the fortnight. This would increase the cost of Government’s EGovernance Project, which has a budget of US$32M, says Alexei Ramotar, Project Manager. Ramotar does not want to discuss the amount of money already spent on the project but stated that the unit is hoping to have all necessary information including the length of cable to be replaced; soil testing; and cost estimates to invite bids from interested contractors. The affected areas include Mabura, Kurupukari, Annai, and East Bank Demerara Public Road. Physical works for the laying of the 560-kilometers
cable began in April 2011. Poor weather conditions and the absence of appropriate equipment were cited for the slothfulness of contractors, Mekdeci Machinery and Construction (MMC), DAX Contracting, Dynamic Engineering and G. Bovell Construction Services, in the execution of the project. The contractors were expected to lay the cable beneath the surface but not all contractors were able to execute their tasks effectively, hence the need to relay sections of the cable in Mabura and Kurupukari. In addition, the supervising team hired (and later fired) was inefficient and the Unit did little or no monitoring during the project execution. Meanwhile, vandalism was responsible for the destruction of a piece of the cable in Annai. And, during the relocation of utility poles to facilitate the East Bank
Demerara four-lane expansion, part of the cable was destroyed. With experience gained from the initial project, Ramotar said that the Unit would be collaborating with the Public Works Ministry to supervise the relaying project. Apparently, after some contractors did shoddy work, personnel from the Public Works Ministry were tasked with inspecting while the Unit did testing of the cable simultaneously. “Our engineers came out on June 27, after three weeks of testing, repairing and identifying areas that will require major repair works. There are several such areas, but we are still examining the results from the tests. Areas where repair works will not suffice will have to be redone.” “We have also installed all of our sites, Georgetown, Linden, Mabura,
Kurupukari, Annai and Lethem and are testing the power and local site operations. We will then be connecting up with the Brazilian side and testing connectivity between Lethem and Brazil. Once completed, each individual link will be tested and then the full network,” he stated. According to Ramotar, in an attempt to avoid vandalism the cable will be placed in pipelines below the surface in areas where there are bridges. He said that the cable would be of no value to vandals since its inside is glass and the exterior is rubber. Speaking on the other aspects of the project, Ramotar said that the Unit is using a modular data centre approach for the National Data Centre. The data centre has been installed and is undergoing extensive testing. He noted that a fibre ring
has been built around Georgetown connecting the major Ministries and Government agencies. These include the Ministries of Health, Natural Resources and Environment, Education, Finance, Housing, Home Affairs, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Guyana R e v e n u e A u t h o r i t y, University of Guyana, Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission for the fibre optic outside plant. “Several other Ministries and Government agencies will be completed in August in a second phase that includes Office of the President and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture,” he said. “We have also connected into GPL’s fiber optic cable that will provide access to the West Coast up to Parika and connectivity for
Project Manager, Alexei Ramotar Linden/Wismar through our Lethem-GT fiber. Fiber has been run to UG and connectivity for the rest of the East Coast and Berbice is awaiting the completion of the GPL transmission line and substation project, Ramotar stated. In relation to the project’s microwave or longterm evolution, the Unit has 21 sites under construction. They are located at Helena, Cane Grove, New Amsterdam, Melanie Damishana, Foulis, Enmore, Lusignan, Beterverwagting, La Bonne Intention, Liliendaal, Cove and John, Georgetown, Eccles, Den Amstel, Zeeburg, Wales, UG, Suddie and Aurora.
Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Fire razes Plaisance Nothing wrong with house, two homeless Marriott land lease - NICIL T The gutted house
Nancy Critchlow
T
wo persons are now homeless after a fire destroyed a twoapartment building at lot 40 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, yesterday. According to reports, the fire started shortly after 15:00hrs. Nancy Critchlow, who is the sister of the two homeless men, said she was awakened by screams. “I was sleeping and I jump up after I hear people shouting fire ...fire!” Critchlow lives in a separate property in the same yard. Her house was in no way affected by the fire. Critchlow told Kaieteur News that her 58-year-old brother who lived in the destroyed property had attempted to commit
suicide twice within recent times. The woman explained that it was this same 58year-old who was alone at home at the time of the fire. She told Kaieteur News that her brother has not been in the best of health and was mentally unstable. The woman explained that she has been taking him to the hospital on many occasions because he has been crying out for severe pains. The doctors have given up on him and his condition is deteriorating daily, she said. “He come out from the hospital last week and he drink diesel and kerosene so I take him back to the hospital,” the woman said. She added that she took him back to the hospital on Tuesday, after he kept crying out for the pain. Hours before the fire the woman said that her brother was in a suicidal state. “He was inside the house looking for bottles to slit his throat, so I bring out all the bottles from the house and throw them away.” Minutes later the woman said she was awakened by the heat and neighbours shouting. The woman said she that could not say who or what started the fire, but everything happened so fast. At the scene, the building was already burnt to ashes. The 58-year-old man was seen lying in pampers on the floor of his sister’s house. Residents who were at the scene speculated that the fire might have been started by one of the occupants. The police and fire service are investigating.
he leasing of more than six acres of lands at Kingston for the US$60M Marriott-branded hotel is above board, a government agency in charge of investments has said. According to a statement from the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL/Privatization Unit (PU), the lease rate is the same price of $1.00 per square foot (plus VAT) charged from tenants of the Eccles and Coldingen Industrial Estates, all being properties owned and managed by NICIL. Atlantic Holdings Inc (AHI), a creation of NICIL is making an investment of US$60M for the development of the said property. (This) is one of the largest investments on any land in Georgetown, said the statement. A few days ago, D e s m o n d Tr o t m a n , a Parliamentarian for the A Partnership For National Unity, moved to the court to block the transfer of the land. “There has been no secrecy or sinister motive behind the lease agreement for the 6.886 acres of land upon which the Marriott is being built. In June 2012, NICIL submitted to the National Assembly, the Marriott Contract, AHI’s Tax Agreement and the Agreement to Lease, dated 28th January 2010, between NICIL and AHI, in response to questions raised in Parliament about the project. These agreements have all been in the public domain for over a year,” the release said yesterday. “Following the above, the Government held a debate on the Marriott Project, which, part of the Opposition participated in. The issue of lease charge
was never raised.” NICIL/PU, a state agency which has time and again come under fire for the handling of government’s privatisation proceeds, said that the Government has always said that it remains open to making presentations to the opposition on this project, in a manner similar to the Amaila Hydro Project. “In all aspects of the project, NICIL has publicly advertised for interested parties (to date at least five different advertisements have been issued); these include seeking investors, seeking the contractor, seeking the supervision firm, and seeking parties to operate the Entertainment Complex.” NICIL/PU explained that the administration has on many occasions issued concessionary lease rates where there is substantial capital investment on the said property and significant positive developmental benefits- the objective being to encourage investment, employment, and income
generation. “The terms and rate of the lease are the same as those issued to a private developer over 10 years ago for the said property. The developer withdrew in 2009, following the US financial crisis of 2008.” The statement also said that AHI and NICIL have pursued the development of this project in an open and transparent manner. “The Marriott Hotel Project has huge developmental benefits including the creation of over 250 jobs for Guyanese, once completed, and the establishment of a modern, world class branded hotel that will support the expansion of Guyana’s travel and tourism sector.” The project has been under fire for its secrecy with no official word on the private investors. There have also been criticisms on the use of government funds to invest in the project.
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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
The shoe pinches Within recent times there has not been an opportunity for Guyana to accuse a foreign power, particularly the United States, of meddling in its internal affairs. The most recent objection was voiced when the United States hosted an event to mark its 237th anniversary of its Independence. The venue was the home of the United StatesAmbassador to Guyana. The Americans have not been kind in recent times when they addressed some of the shortcomings in Guyana. For example, one of the pet peeves of the United States of America is the issue of trafficking in persons or as they say, human smuggling. Until recently, Guyana has been denying that this scourge had reached its shores; that there was no need to amend the legislation. This conclusion led to Guyana being penalized by the very Americans. This country was placed on the Tier Two Watch List. Needless to say, the administration raised a hue and cry, but it still rushed to pass human trafficking legislation. Guyana is once more on the Tier Two Watch List, this time because of the apparent inability to prosecute people involved in human trafficking. At two recent fora the Americans have been talking about this and the Guyana administration has been saying to the Americans that they are no better and that they should not be so quick to be judgemental of others. Not so long ago, the diplomatic community did not take too kindly to what passes for democracy in this country. They were quite outspoken and critical. Again the Guyana Government reacted in anger. The more bitter reaction by the Guyana Government followed charges by the diplomatic community of corruption. Since then no forum has passed without President Donald Ramotar reminding the Americans, and to a lesser extent the Canadians that they are not without blame. On Tuesday evening, at a reception hosted by American Ambassador Brent Hardt, President Ramotar made it known that he cherished the friendship Guyana shares with the United States. However, he would prefer that the United States refrains from meddling in Guyana’s internal affairs. Roll back the clock to the late 1980s and 1990s, right up to 1994. Those were the years that the People’s National Congress was ruling Guyana. That was the period of rigged elections and vocal charges of corruption by the then opposition People’s Progressive Party. That was the period when the party that is now ruling Guyana campaigned extensively for the United States to intervene in the internal affairs of Guyana. The then opposition political party was certain that its accusations had merit and that the international community should do everything to get the government out of office. There were campaigns that were considered hostile to the interests of Guyana, all led by the People’s Progressive Party. The result was that money destined to the country for development works was halted. The Essequibo road never got underway until 1994 when it should have started in 1990. The reconstruction of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway never took place because the money for that project was also halted. Above all, the party in power today besieged former President Jimmy Carter to come to Guyana to force the then government to change electoral policies. In fact, Carter ended up causing a two-year delay in the holding of elections to satisfy the demands of the People’s Progressive Party. Many things have happened through the intervention of the American Government, but not all these things have been for the good of the country. Corruption reached unprecedented levels, the Jagdeo administration refused to heed agreements brokered by Jimmy Carter and in the end, Carter publicly announced that he would never again come to Guyana. Nothing has changed since those days. Some people, even those close to the political administration, say that things have got worse. Ralph Ramkarran, a former Speaker of the National Assembly, now says that Guyana is the Kleptocratic Republic of Guyana. Ramkarran resigned from the People’s Progressive Party just under two years ago. For the government to talk about American meddling is to deny the role it played in encouraging the very action more than two decades ago.
Thursday July 04, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
PROVIDING CLARITY FOR A MISINFORMED LETTER WRITER
DEAR EDITOR, Permit me to respond to the letter in the Wednesday 3rd July 2013 edition of your newspaper captioned “A useless trade union at the City Council”. While the letter writer’s caption refers to “A trade union”, he therein mentioned the two Trade Unions that represent workers at the Mayor and City Council. It is not the practice of the Guyana Local Government Officers Union (GLGOU) to embark on a tit-for-tat with persons who are seemingly misinformed of matters of the GLGOU or fail to take the time to verify the accuracy of information received prior to disseminating same least their motive be mischievous. I am compelled to correct some inaccuracies contained in the letter. I wish to remind the writer that is was the GLGOU that immediately objected to the appointment of the Town Clerk (ag) due to her being inexperienced,
unqualified and lacking the effective managerial skills required to effectively and efficiently perform the duties the office of the Town Clerk requires. Several correspondences were sent to the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development objecting to this appointment. This was followed by the GLGOU staging industrial action for several days and closing several offices of the Georgetown Municipality, including municipal markets. The strike only ended when the Chief Labour Officer intervened and invoked the conciliation clause under the Labour Act. The GLGOU continues to fight for the removal of the present Town Clerk (ag). In the absence of a Local Government Commission, the Minister has the power to appoint senior officers as specified in Municipal and District Councils Act
Chapter 28:01. With regards to the union doing nothing for its members, it is the GLGOU that took the Administration of the Mayor and City Council before the Ministry of Labour to address several outstanding issues, including the payment of outstanding allowances to officers and the confirming of appointments for employees who were acting for extended periods of time. The latter have engaged the Personnel and Training committee for approval. The deduction of the four percent for officers’ deposit was well ventilated both in the print and electronic media, and at the level of the Ministry of Labour. The Town Clerk (ag) agreed to the GLGOU’s recommendation to take the matter to the full council, which she did, and approval was given by full Council. The decision of Council was then sent to the Minister of Local and Regional
Development as only Minister has the authority as per Chapter 28.01. We have engaged the Minister on this issue and are awaiting his decision. We hope that this will be addressed in the Local Government Reform process. The GLGOU has in its possession monthly financial data on all deductions made for its members. May I remind Mr. John Patterson (letter writer), that in order for an organisation to grow and develop in this world of globalisation, it must focus its attention on the building of human capacity and organisational structure. Participation at seminars and other activities, which in all cases are sponsored by organisations the GLGOU is affiliated to, are intend to equip our membership to effectively respond to the rapid changes within the world of work and our (Continued on page 5)
Is Test cricket coming to an end? DEAR EDITOR, The writing is on the wall. It seems as if soon or later - maybe sooner than later - Test cricket will be a game of the past. Reason being - financial - the fiveday games do not attract the crowds or TV rights. The latest is that the two Tests, three ODIs and One Twenty/20 game between Sri Lanka and West Indies were cancelled and replaced by a ODI triangular series (West Indies, Sri Lanka and India) now underway in the Caribbean. It is extremely difficult these days to attract sponsors for Test cricket since viewers and spectators prefer the shorter versions of the game. I recall an interview I did with Sam Loxton, a member of Sir Donald Bradman’s ‘invincibles’, a few years ago in Queensland, who said that the Twenty/20 game was not cricket, and former Windies speedster Michael Holding endorsing the then 85-year-old’s statement. Loxton has since died and Holding now has a different view of the shortest version of the game, saying that it is lucrative to both the players and Cricket Associations. Moreover, there is strong evidence that the Twenty 20 games are attracting huge sponsors, since the West Indies Cricket Board has already sold the rights for its
annual Twenty20 to the little known Verus International organization under the banner of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Since then, Digicel, the former sponsor of West Indies cricket, took a lead role preparing for the July 28 - August 6 tournament, and the event is currently sponsored by Limacol and officially titled the Limacol CPL. I am of the view that the now disgraced Allen Stanford was the man who paved the way for the T 20 cricket to be given international organization. The Texan who lived and invested tens of millions of dollars in various business
ventures in Antigua, spent large sums of money in promoting T20, bringing it in line with baseball. He organized competitions among 22 countries and paid large prize money etc. He also spent millions of dollars in improving facilities between Bermuda and Guyana and had 10 legends such as Sir Everton Weekes, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards, and others on his payroll for years to promote the game. The players are now earning big bucks because of the tremendous sponsorship. Tony Cozier, the famous c o m m e n t a t o r, r e c e n t l y indicated that the present triangular series is being
competed for the Celkon Mobile Cup, the name of an Indian manufacturer of mobile phones. It and a number of other Indian products and services’ names are unheard of in the Caribbean, but the products are on the advertising boards in grounds in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, and moreover, the matches are broadcast live on television to India and several other countries in the world. What is new also is that the games are covered in English and Hindi. Cricket fans in the region and the world over now prefer ODI and T20 rather than the five-day test matches. Oscar Ramjeet
Ill-founded, misdirected and bordering on the absurd DEAR EDITOR, The letter in Kaieteur News captioned, “No Confidence in the Chief Education Officer”, July 03, 2013, is ill-founded, misdirected and borders on the absurd. Let me clearly state, as Chief Education Officer I do not have, or ever had the power to appoint, promote, or as in this case, revoke an appointment of any teacher in Guyana. Those powers rest solely with the Teaching
Service Commission. As such, all findings of the investigation conducted by the Department of Education, were forwarded to the Secretary, Teaching Service Commission. The writer/s of this baseless letter would have been made aware of all of the above if he/she/they had simply contacted my office on the matter. Furthermore, I have not spoken to anyone from or representing this supposed group of “parents”
on this matter; not even Ms Minerva Munroe as stated in the letter. A few weeks ago I spoke with the Regional Educational Officer, Region # 10, with whom I have a wonderful working relationship, and assured her that the findings of her investigation have been forwarded to the Teaching Service Commission to be addressed. Olato Sam Chief Education Officer
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
GWI responds to concerns Helping the poor should about water system in Bartica be a personal choice DEAR EDITOR, In answer to the question about wealthy people having a moral obligation to help the poor, I would suggest that it is not so much a “moral obligation’’ as a sense of kindness or compassion - a personal choice. The concept of a ‘Giving Pledge’ is idealistic, optimistic, commendable and noble but I think, in the long run, it encourages a culture of dependency. “What is the extent of our duty to the poor?” I think a duty to the poor should be the purview of the Government of the country and should not be
the responsibility or ‘moral obligation’ of citizens. When one sees the opulent lifestyle of leaders of some of the countries that are forever pleading poverty and seeking international help, one is bound to wonder and ask oneself “Will my contribution end up with the (poor) people it is intended to help, or will it go towards another limousine for a Mr. or Mrs. Big”? To start a ‘Giving Pledge’ operation in Guyana (or any country for that matter), one must have the local machinery in place. A suitable, trustworthy administration
for such an outfit must be created, which in itself may call for heavy expenditure. Since children are the most vulnerable in the community, one idea may be for those who can afford it to establish food centres and clothing cupboards where children could be given a daily midday meal or items of clothing when needed. However, it should always be borne in mind that “The best laid schemes of Mice and Men often go awry....................” Good to see that the ‘welloff’ are thinking of helping the poor generally. Geralda Dennison
PROVIDING CLARITY FOR... From page 4 members’ self-development. These exposures have resulted in our members who participated in seminars, workshops and conferences in Japan, South Africa, Jamaica, Barbados, Montserrat, Antigua and Suriname, just to name a few, occupying senior positions within the organisation and utilizing their skills and knowledge and networking effectively to the benefit of the organisation. Participation at local and overseas programs is open to members of GLGOU, who exhibit the aptitude and capacity to participate meaningfully in the workshop. All the executive members of the GLGOU are volunteering their services and do not receive a salary or allowances. Finally, I wish to remind
the writer, that the Trade Union is a unique organisation which has a structure like no other. It is owned by the workers, managed by the workers, and works for the benefit of the workers. The Guyana Local Government Officers Union is not a one-man Trade Union and will never be as long as I am president. The structure of the GLGOU provides for industrial relations issues and grievances to be addressed at the level of departmental representatives in the various sections and departments of the Mayor and City Council, and if not satisfied, the Industrial Relations Committee of the GLGOU. At all times, professionalism, honesty and compliance with the laws and procedures are our benchmark.
I hope that the above information will serve to further enlighten and educate the letter writer on the misinformation in his letter. A simple telephone call to myself or any one of my executive members (all the contact information of executive members are available) would have provide clarity. While the GLGOU has continued the struggle to protect the rights of employees we represent, shouldn’t Mr. Patterson be asking what are the policy makers doing to address the declining standards and conditions of the Garden City? Why do the representatives of the political parties continue to allow the Town Clerk (ag) to disrespect the elected Councillors of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown? Dale Beresford President, GLGOU
DEAR EDITOR, Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Nation’s supplier of Water and Sanitation Services, wishes to address the concerns stated in the Kaieteur News, July 3, 2013, titled “GWI water system in Bartica needs urgent upgrading”. The company commenced an enhancement programme to improve the level of service and quality of water provided to customers of Bartica in June 2013; this programme consists of the construction of a 500 cubic metre storage tank valued in excess of G$50 Million, the upgrade of service connections and installation of water meters which are valued in excess of G$30 Million. According to GWI Project Manager, David Merell, the storage facility will have the capacity to store larger quantities of water and hence improve the level of service provided to customers. It is expected that upon completion of the improvement programme,
customers of Bartica will benefit from extended hours of water service due to the larger storage facility. In addition, GWI will upgrade water service connections across Bartica which will result in further improvements in the level of service and quality of water provided to customers. A significant portion of the water that is supplied is consistently being wasted by customers and this continues to be the key factor that is causing the level of service to fluctuate. The company has warned customers of Potaro Road, West Indian Housing Scheme and the Bybarobo area about their continued wastage. Further, the installation of meters has received some resistance from customers; this component is aimed at reducing wastage in order to make more water available for customers. GWI has issued notices to customers and continues to appeal for their cooperation as metering is critical to curbing wastage and improving levels of
service. All components of the Bartica Water Improvement Programme are being executed by contractor Alvin Chowramootoo Construction Services. The water utility has commenced an awareness programme aimed at informing customers about the improvements expected upon completion of the programme; this included an appearance on a live television show on Sunday June 16. Television advisories providing details of the programme will commence in July. The improvement of the quality of water which GWI provides to customers of Bartica remains at the forefront of the company’s objectives. Customers with questions can contact GWI’s Customer Services Call Centre on 2278701, email customercallcentre@gwi.gy or post via GWI’s Facebook fan-page at www.facebook. com/everydropcountsgy Timothy Austin Public Relations Officer, GWI
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Thursday July 04, 2013
New Tunisian protest movement takes cue from Egypt (Reuters) - Tunisian opposition activists have launched their own version of Egypt’s Tamarud protest movement, whose campaign to remove President Mohamed Mursi drew millions onto the streets and led to an army ultimatum for the Islamist leader to share power. The youthful, little known leaders of Tunisian Tamarud (Rebel) hope to galvanise opposition to their own Islamist-led government
which, like Mursi, came to power after an uprising in 2011 swept an autocratic leader from office. Like its Egyptian namesake, the Tunisian group accuses the Islamists of trying to usher in a religious state that smothers personal freedoms and failing to drag the economy out of crisis. Its members said they planned to call for mass protests after quickly gathering the signatures of
Mohamed Bennour (C), coordinator of the Tunisia Tamarod (rebel) movement, speaks at a news conference in Tunis yesterday. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi about 200,000 people opposing the government. That is a fraction of the 22
million signatures their Egyptian counterparts said they collected against Mursi, but the Tunisian activists believe they can acquire comparable momentum. Tamarud spokesman Mohamed Bennour said the group aimed to overturn a Constituent Assembly charged with drafting a new constitution, accusing the body of preparing the ground for a religious state. It also wants a new caretaker government. “Tunisia’s young are following in the footsteps of young Egyptians.. We are not satisfied with what is happening in the country, from an attack on freedoms to a bad economic and social
situation,” Bennour told reporters. The struggle for power has deepened animosity between Tunisia’s Islamists and liberals since the ousting of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in the first Arab Spring uprising. But the protest group may struggle to have the same impact as Egyptian Tamarud. Egyptian liberals and secularists accuse Mursi and his Muslim Brotherhood of spurning any form of political compromise and forcing through a new constitution to further a project of Islamic rule. The Brotherhood denies this and accuses its opponents of violating democracy by supporting a
military coup against an elected head of state. But the scale of this week’s protests suggests its failure to share real power has helped alienate millions of ordinary Egyptians suffering from the government’s economic mismanagement. In contrast, Tunisia’s governing Islamist party Ennahda managed to head off growing street protests and appease secular-minded parties by ushering in a coalition government in March that included several independent ministers. Ennahda has also accepted that sharia (Islamic law) is not mentioned in Tunisia’s new constitution, a demand of secular politicians.
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Thursday July 04, 2013
Woman transferred following sexual assault allegation in Region Three
Barticians to benefit from 500 cubic meter storage tank-GWI
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has launched an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of one of its members who has been working as an accounts clerk in the Region Three Democratic Council office. Representative, Monica Walters and Senior Industrial relations officer, Dennis English, are investigating the matter of a high-ranking Council official allegedly fondling one of his female staffers. The 37-year-old mother of three has accused the official of making sexual overtures and making physical passes at her. The industrial relations officer told Kaieteur News that the two-member team was dispatched to the region for the second time to gather information on the matter. So far, he said, the union has spoken to several senior workers who were alleged to have known about the allegations made by the victim. Several low level staffers have also been contacted as the information gathering process continues. English said however, that the union is very unhappy that the official is still on the job, and even more peeved that the victim is being transferred to another location to work. He told Kaieteur News that the union and the region officials have come to loggerheads over the victim’s transfer to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
- official still on the job He said that the union sees the move as a means of “victimizing and intimidating” the woman since public service rules mandates that the official be sent on leave once the matter is being investigated by the police. He said that a move like that is actually harming the victim and making her uncomfortable now that she is the one to be moved. Additionally, the official should not be in the same environment where the act was allegedly occurred, he said. The letter signed by the principal personnel officer read; that he was directed to inform the accountant that with effect from 2013-07-03, she would be required to report to the West Demerara Hospital where she would be assigned relevant duties as she continued to service the Regional Administration. English said, however, that the regional officials are aware of the public service rules and it is unclear why they should make such a move. He pointed out that no matter the level of the worker, the same rules apply. English stated further, that the union head Patrick Yarde has also engaged the regional chairman urging that the woman not be transferred. But to no avail. The Regional administration has however,
defended that the Council had earlier been involved in employee rotation and the woman was already slated to be transferred. Local Government Permanent Secretary Collin Croal backed up the Council on that note stating that he “knows for sure” that the victim had to be transferred to the hospital come July. Croal said that the victim’s transfer had nothing to do with the allegations made, but that a decision was taken earlier “to remove the woman because of her attitude.” He said, too, that now that the issue is in the police domain, the ministry has allowed for the relevant criminal investigations. The Permanent Secretary added that he is aware that the official who has been accused, has also given a report to the police denying the allegations. Other officials have also given statements to the police; while the Deputy Regional Officer has also denied receiving any reports from the female victim about the alleged sexual assault by the council official. The female victim told police officers that it was not the first time the official had made passes at her. She said that she made numerous reports to senior officials including the Deputy Regional Executive Officer and the principal personnel officer, but she was repeatedly told to be careful and that the accusations were serious. The official against whom the allegation has been made, was briefly detained late last week but was later released on $20,000 bail. The police say that they are in the information compilation stage of their investigations.
- installation of meters met with some resistance Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) says that it has commenced an enhancement programme to improve the level of service and quality of water provided to Bartica. This programme consists of the construction of a 500 cubic meter storage tank valued in excess of $50 Million, the upgrade of service connections and installation of water meters. GWI was responding to a letter by residents of Bartica under the title “GWI water system in Bartica needs urgent upgrading”. According to GWI Project Manager, David Merell, the storage facility will have the capacity to store larger quantities of water and hence, improve the service provided to customers. It is expected that upon completion of the improvement programme, customers of Bartica will benefit from extended hours of water service due to the larger storage facility. In addition, GWI will upgrade water service connections across Bartica which will result in further
improvements in the level of service and quality of water provided to customers. GWI noted that a significant portion of the water that is supplied is consistently being wasted by customers and this continues to be the key factor that is causing the level of service to fluctuate. The company has warned customers of Potaro Road, West Indian
Housing Scheme and the Byderabo area about their continued wastage. He said that the installation of meters has received some resistance from customers; this component is aimed at reducing wastage in order to make more water available for customers. GWI has issued notices to customers and continues to appeal for their cooperation as metering is critical to curbing wastage and improving levels of service. All components of the Bartica Water Improvement Programme are being executed by contractor Alvin Chowramootoo Construction Services. The water utility has commenced an awareness programme aimed at informing customers about the improvements expected upon completion of the programme; this included an appearance on a live television show on Sunday June 16. Television advisories providing details of the programme will commence in July.
A man was severely beaten and later taken into police custody after he opened fire at a birthday party at Esau and Jacob, Mahaicony Creek, East Coast Demerara on Monday last. According to information reaching this publication, Mahendra Persaud was invited to a party, “he turned up drunk and he started to pick trouble. He pelted bottles into the crowd and left and returned an hour later with a
gun and open fire into the crowd,” a source told this publication. The source explained that after Persaud discharged a round into the crowd, several persons took away the firearm and wrestled him to the ground. The police were called in and Singh was taken to the hospital for medical attention and later taken into police custody. In a statement, Police said
on Monday they responded to a report of the discharging of a loaded firearm at a function. There they found Persaud in a yard with injuries to his face. A 12-gauge shotgun and an empty casing were handed over to the police by persons who reported that Persaud had an argument with a man during the function. An investigation is ongoing.
GWI Project Manager, David Merell
Party invader beaten, taken into custody
Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
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BEING ON TIME MOST OF THE TIME It is said that the only things that start on time in Guyana are banks and cricket. Not anymore. I have seen quite a few cricket matches of recent where the umpires went out at least ten minutes beyond the scheduled start. Punctuality is a sign of excellence, someone wrote. If that is the case then standards of excellence are falling throughout the world. A recent survey in the United Kingdom, for example, found that many managers have problems with the late attendance of the younger members of the workforce. In Guyana, the problem of workplace lateness is not restricted to the newcomers to the job market. Most businesses in Guyana start work at 8 am. Try calling any office at 8 am and ask for the boss. A great many of the calls will be unanswered. Not just because the boss is not at his desk, but also because his secretary would have most likely not arrived by that time. The few workers that show up on time go unnoticed. Someone once said that the problem with being punctual is that there
is no one to appreciate it. For over twenty-years, old Jack had arrived promptly at work at 8.00 am. He was never absent and he was never late. Then one day he did not show up on time. It caused an uproar in the office, causing even Jack’s boss to come out of his office and walk the corridor wondering where Jack was. Then precisely at 9 am, for the first time after 20 years of being punctual, Jack walked in late. His clothes were dusty and torn, his face bruised, his head busted and his spectacles broken. He dragged himself to the time clock and punched in. Aware that by now all eyes were on him, he said, “I fell down my stairs. Nearly killed myself.” To which his boss answered, “And that took you a whole hour?” One of the best managers that Guyana ever produced made it his duty to ensure that his staff was on time. He made it his ritual to ensure that he was in early to observe the early birds and the latecomers. The late comers did not last too long. They were
quickly let go no matter how bright or smart they were. On the other hand, even if you were a slacker on the job and never came late, you were sure to be retained and even promoted. This great manager once told his staff that they were not to be blamed if they idled on the job. This was their supervisor’s responsibilities. But if they were late they had to accept the consequences. He never worried about staff taking long washroom and rest breaks; he hardly refused an offer for time off. But he was intolerant of
One lady called Fanny was like that. She was always late for work. No matter how much she tried or how often her boss scolded her, she just could not get to work on time. The problem was that she woke up late. One day, her boss told her that he would fire her unless she stopped being late. Seeing the writing on the wall, Fanny was determined that she would have to wake up early if she was to get to work on time and therefore avoid being fired. Fanny decided to seek the advice of her doctor. He
prescribed her some medication and told her to take one pill before going to bed. She did and woke up feeling well-rested. Fanny went to work on time. She headed for her bosses office and excitedly told him about the doctor’s prescription and how well it worked. Her boss said, “That is great Fanny, but where were you yesterday?”
Family of road fatality agrees to $8M settlement The relatives of a retired nurse mid-wife, who was killed in a road accident, last year, accepted a settlement of $8 million from the driver of the vehicle that killed her. On October 14, 2012 about 11:00 hours at Coldingen railway embankment, Troy Forde, 40, of 17 Supply, East Coast Demerara, caused the death of Vivian Adams,59, of Lot 2, NonPareil, East Coast Demerara.
Dem boys seh...
Is another crook coming When de government run to explain something is shame somebody shame. This is de same government that don’t Answer question and when reporters insist, de spokesman does seh that de business confidential. Brazzy and Ash Knee never waste time to answer questions bout de project that dem sign. To this day dem never tek time to tell people who investing in de Marriott. But all of a sudden dem running to explain why one toilet bowl cost half a million dollars. And dem boys grandmother woulda laugh till she false teeth fall out she mouth at de excuse that only Brazzy coulda give. De man claim how when people preparing estimate dem don’t put down everything. He seh that once people see toilet set it mean toilet bowl, toilet tank, all de pipe, de septic tank, de room, de door, de vent hole, de lights (which he claim for elsewhere) and everything. Well dem boys seh that only de government
lateness. Being unpunctual reflected a lack of appreciation and was a symptom of someone lacking personal discipline. The man always said that the best employees were the most disciplined and if you were not disciplined enough to be on time, you could never be a good employee no matter how late you stayed after hours. Being on time, for him was the hallmark of excellence. Some persons however are habitual latecomers. Nothing can motivate them to get out on time.
does think like that. When a man building a house he does talk bout plumbing and roofing. De government talking bout toilet set. Is sheer sheet dem talking because dem think that dem talking to stupid people. Dem get ketch hustling de taxpayers money. Dem done thief nuff already but tiger can’t change he stripe and dog can’t atop such egg. When de government can do things like that de people gun follow suit. Dem now trying to understand why people trying to avoid paying tax and why dem don’t pay NIS. De people trying to keep dem money rather than mek de thieves put dem hand pun it. And dem boys notice that de government love de crooks. Dem run to announce that another airline coming. It name Fly Guyana. Dem boys don’t want talk this story now but dem done know. Dem see Jagdeo and Irfaat talking to de man who planning to bring de airline. And this man under some rain cloud. Talk half and wait fuh de hollering
Forde was subsequently found guilty of the said crime after the matter engaged the courts for a trial which lasted for about 10 months. Court documents revealed that on the day in question, Adams was riding her pedal cycle heading for home when truck GHH5153, being driven by Forde, was about to over take another truck when he collided with the woman. Adams was knocked off her bicycle as the impact threw her into a nearby garbage heap on the other side of the road. She was then picked up by someone from a church bus that was passing and taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival. It was noted that during the trial, that the defendant who opted to go into the
witness box, admitted to the court under rigorous cross examination by the prosecution that he was “driving under the influence of alcohol.” The family, who later agreed to settle, was given some time to decide on the amount to be paid for the compensation of their lost loved one. When the relatives returned on Tuesday, they
brought documents which they presented before the court, outlining how they arrived at the proposed amount. There was no objection to the $8 million settlement. Magistrate Moore then explained in further details to the defendant how the amount was reached especially as it relates to the loss of life according to the laws of the court.
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Thursday July 04, 2013
=== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ===
Cerberus is the guard of the temple of Dionysus In Greek mythology, Dionysus was the god that promoted ecstasy. Guyanese would more be familiar with him through his Roman name, Bacchus. It is from him the English language got the adjective Bacchanalian. In Guyana, the bacchanalian ritual of corruption, trafficking in cocaine and money-laundering has a protector. How else do you account for the fact that not one senior PPP member, high-ranking Government official, big drug trafficker, and large moneylaunderer have even been questioned much less charged? The answer is that there is a powerful sentry at the entrance of the temple of Dionysus and his name is Cerberus, the Greek monster that guarded the kingdom of hell. It is not hard to guess who or what Cerberus is in Guyana President Donald Ramotar copies the style of his predecessor and benefactor, Bharrat Jagdeo. The latter would shout out;
“Show me the evidence.” When you did that, he did nothing. And we know why. Remember the old saying, “Show me your company, I’ll tell you who you are.” The evidence is there and probably the world is seeing it now. The ABC ambassadors are making references and so are CARICOM officials. The evidence must be glaring for them to be bold enough to comment on corruption in Guyana. Here now is the evidence for Donald Ramotar. Any schoolboy would tell you that evidence comes from investigation. What it is about the word “investigation” that Ramotar doesn’t understand? Here is a commonsensical example that I hope Mr. Ramotar takes seriously. The police spoke to John Jones who said he was in Barbados at the time of his wife’s murder. The next thing you do is to ask immigration for the records. You do that, and it shows he didn’t leave through the main route
because there is no exit entry Why did he lie? To date only one highlevel governmental official faced an inquiry for suspicious involvement of corruption. He is Neermal Rekha, the Secretary to the Treasury. An investigation by the GRA revealed that he signed over (note; OVER) fifty duty free letters that were bogus. In which part of the world in which year, a top bureaucrat can sign over fifty (over fifty may well have been ninety) bogus concession documents and in every instance, he didn’t know it was a fake paper? Next is the Ministry of Human Services when it was under Priya Manickchand. Christopher Ram, no mediocre financial expert, wrote a letter in the press asserting that the amount of persons receiving old age pensions could not have been that high because the census at the time would contradict such numbers. Mr. Ram went on to repeat
his frustration at a public symposium at the TUC. To date there is no investigation so that we could unearth the evidence Next is a mere clerk at a state company whose husband holds a sensitive position. Not even two years in the job, they buy a piece of prime real estate worth ninety million dollars. Still no investigation. I took Dr. Daniel Kumar of UG to a private office for some advice. The office was incommodious, rat-infested and stinks. One year later, the office-occupier joined the corridors of power. At the moment that person is selling a house near to the Sparendaam police station for one million American dollars. An AFC leader who does not want to
be named told me the businessman that went to look at it concluded that though he wouldn’t pay $US one million, it was a pretty expensive structure. Where did this woman get this money from? Young people in their thirties are constructing highrise structures each of which cost more than fifty million dollars. Where is this money coming from? But there are no investigations. Here is how the evidence will come. You ask the builder to explain. He said his aunt in the US lent him $US300,000. You ask the Americans to help. She said yes, she did lend him the money. The Americans then ask how as a sales clerk at a fast food outlet she has so much and in
Frederick Kissoon addition it is not recorded in her income tax submission. She panics. She admits that her nephew asked her to lie. Your evidence will come from there onward. What the ABC countries have to do is pressure the PPP Government to investigate the temple of Dionysus. It becomes a problem for Cerberus because Cerberus is the handsomely paid guardian of the Bacchanalian evil of corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering. One suspects Cerberus’s days are numbered.
Matthews Ridge Hospital troubles...
Corpses treated inhumanely, emergency vehicle down – APNU
Matthews Ridge Hospital’s mortuary In Matthews’ Ridge, a Region One community without electricity, residents are forced to make funeral arrangements hurriedly to avoid the rapid decomposition of the corpses of their loved ones. Constant icing of the dead, placed in a small wooden box, in Matthews Ridge Hospital’s mortuary is insufficient to keep corpses for “long periods”. This is according to Christopher Jones, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Parliamentarian, who was part of a team that recently visited the community.
This undesirable situation has been highlighted on numerous occasions and was even raised in the National Assembly by then Leader of the Opposition, Robert Corbin. But, to date Government has taken no step to improve the situation, he said. Jones emphasized that of the many complaints of poor health services the most alarming is the inhumane and disrespectful handling of the dead. “The dead is placed in a wooden box and iced. If the dead is left there unguarded, cats, dogs and even rats could easily enter
the morgue and disfigure the decomposing corpse,” Jones said. During a recent interview with this publication at a consultation on regularizing the funeral parlour business in Guyana, Juanita Johnson, Secretary to the Central Board of Health, said that there are no funeral parlours in the hinterland region. Residents depend on hospital mortuaries to keep their dead. “Coming out of this I think the Board, with the Environmental Health Department, would have to go to these regions and inspect the health facilities to see Continued on page 32
Thursday July 04, 2013
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Vice Chancellor to apprise UG workers of way forward - But legal action still proceeding – UGSSA President The outcome of a meeting slated for tomorrow between Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, and University of Guyana staffers in the George Walcott Lecture Theatre (GWLT) is likely to determine the way forward at the tertiary institution. University workers during the past week engaged in industrial action in order to vocalise concerns about what they described as an unacceptable state of the University, which not only includes deplorable infrastructure but also the non-payment of various dues. Also, the workers have disclosed that they are unaware of the recently appointed Vice Chancellor’s plan to change the existing course of the tertiary institution. This publication understands that the Vice Chancellor, who returned to Guyana, yesterday, after a short visit overseas, has promised to meet with staff members as well as the University Workers’ Union (UGWU) to outline a plan intended to reverse the current “downhill” status of the University. According to President of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA), Dr Pat Francis, despite several picketing exercises, which even reached the lawns of the Ministry of Education, no action has been taken by any senior functionary to address
their concerns. “They all know the mood and the problems and so no one can plead ignorance about our situation here,” said Dr Francis yesterday in an invited comment to this publication. She asserted that it was because “we have made our point that we are going to hear what the Vice Chancellor has to say and hope that he comes good.” However, although the workers are prepared to hear Professor Opadeyi’s plans for the University, Dr Francis is convinced that no remedial action would be possible without Government’s intervention. “I don’t think he can do much; unless Government bails us out it will not be possible to do much,” Dr Francis noted. According to the UGSSA President, it is her belief that Government would have already seen the importance of investing in activities at the University which would have by now yielded income. “None of this has happened so we are going forward creating more and more debt...” And even as the University workers await the meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Dr Francis disclosed that there are moves to proceed with a planned lawsuit against the University. At a recent press conference it was revealed that the more than 600
UGSSA President, Dr Pat Francis employees of the University were set to file a class action lawsuit over the nonpayment of several mandatory contributions including NIS, PAYE, Credit Union dues and Pension. The action was prompted by a disclosure from the University last month of its inability to pay wages and salaries on the stipulated due date. The lawsuit, which was filed in conjunction with the UGWU, will move apace, Dr Francis said, s i n c e t h e University Administration did not heed an ultimatum to respond to questions about the extent of the arrears of the contributions by last Friday. “We have to move ahead with that (lawsuit) we will not wait until another salary is not paid.”
Thursday July 04, 2013
US Consular Officer under probe in visa racket More than a decade after the Thomas Carroll visa scandal was exposed, the Department of State of the United States of America is once again probing alleged improprieties involving one of its Consular Officers. The investigations are reportedly centered on the sale of US visas at the US Embassy in Georgetown, Guyana by Consular Officer Edy Zohar Rodrigues Duran. The embassy yesterday confirmed reports that a probe was underway, stating that “the Department of State is aware of allegations of improprieties relating to a Consular Officer formerly assigned to Georgetown, Guyana.” “The Department takes all allegations of misconduct by employees seriously. We are reviewing the matter thoroughly. If the allegations are substantiated, we will work with the relevant authorities to hold anyone involved accountable,” the Embassy’s press release stated. Kaieteur News understands that Duran is back in the United States of America, having ended his tour of duty at the Georgetown Embassy where he was reportedly dealing mainly dealing with marriagerelated visas. Reliable sources have informed that while he is not under arrest at present, his services have been terminated. He arrived in Guyana in July 2011 and his
tour of duty should have ended in September 2013. He is now in the US having left here just under three weeks ago. He is not at his native Mission, Texas but in Virginia. A source told this reporter that the fact that Duran is in Virginia would suggest that he is in a lot of trouble. An Embassy source said that he attended a job fair last week which suggested that he is seeking employment. Shortly after his arrival in Guyana he began a scam to issue US visa to persons for a fee of about US$15,000 and to women for sexual favours. The source informed that Duran was a frequent patron of a popular Middle Street restaurant where he would meet with brokers, some of whom were prominent local businessmen. There, they would reportedly organize rendezvous with local females who wanted visas to the United States of America. The scale of the alleged new visa racket scheme is not yet known, but this newspaper understands that it involved the sale of visas for as much as US$40,000. According to a source, Duran demanded as much as US$10,000 for each new visa that he issued, while others managed to obtain visas in exchange for sexual favours. It is reported that like Thomas Carroll, the jailed consular officer, Duran sold as many as five visas per day, in the scheme which began soon after he commenced his
tour of duty in Guyana. There are also reports that the persons whose visas were either revoked or cancelled were able to get them back for a fee. The source said that the Consular Officer re-issued cancelled visas for a fee of US$30,000 and US$40,000 for those that were revoked. “He makes the Thomas Carroll scheme look like a big joke,” the source said. This newspaper was informed that US Federal Agents had travelled to Guyana to carry out the initial probe. “The Feds are pressing him for names at the mission of who helped him and other businessmen,” the source said. There are reports that Duran was a close associate of the late Georgetown businessman Intaz Roopnarine called ‘Bobby’, who was gunned down in the Cool Square hotel in West Ruimveldt in January of this year. However, there is the view that Roopnarine was just a bit player in the scheme that could lead to senior local officials and prominent businessmen. This new visa scandal comes on the heels of the official launching of a book that details the circumstances surrounding the Thomas Carroll visa racket that occurred way back in 2002. In that scheme, Carroll, through a number of brokers, sold five visas per day at US$8,000 each.
Several cows shot dead at Abary Creek
One of the shot cows West Coast Berbice police are investigating the wanton slaying of several head of cattle in the Abary Creek sometime last week. Eight cows were found dead with what appeared to be gunshot wounds. The cows were owned by farmers who come under the Cotton Tree Cattle Farmers’ Association.
Kaieteur News understands that the cattle are left to graze in the vast pasture several miles down the Abary Creek. This newspaper was told that when the farmers went to check on their cattle, they found several of them lying dead in the pasture. They are convinced that they were shot because they
reportedly found the empty casings of shotgun cartridges at the scene. They believe that another farmer who boasts of strong Government c o n n e c t i o n s might have been responsible. They are basing their conclusion on the fact that the police appear reluctant to act in their best interests.
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Govt. defends $424,000 toilet bowls for CJIA …says price includes doors, fittings, profits, labour Government has defended the cost of toilet bowls for the US$150M expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Yesterday officials said that the contract signed was a lump sum one for that section of the contract. “The articles fail to reflect that under such contracts the cost for each line item usually includes several other costs including materials, labour, overheads, transportation and profit.” According to the contract signed between Government and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) on November 10, 2011, the new airport wanted 69 toilet bowls costing US$2,121.06 each. This worked out to US$146,353.14 or over $29M. This translated to $424,212 for each bowl. Yesterday, in defending the contract price, the Ministry of Public Works said that it wished to “clarify” and “correct the renewed misconceptions being carried by Kaieteur News” CJIA’s expansion project. The Ministry said that the stated costs of the bowls included the costs of the sewer lines and cubicle doors. “For the particular sanitary items mentioned, there is no pricing stated for sewer lines, washroom cubicles and doors and the many fittings associated with the washroom; these are all catered for in the line item pricing such as “toilet set” as is the case for all lump sum contracts.” However, in the same Bill of Quantity listed in the contract, there are line items for vertical washbasins, urinals costing US$1,488.47 each; sink sets costing
US$620.19 each and shower sets at US$387 each. It also included pipes, corrosion holders for pipes and butterfly valves. There are no explanations as to what were included in these prices. According to the Ministry, it is “deliberately misleading for one to extract a line item indexed cost and represent that cost as the cost for the stated line item while completely ignoring the associated costs related to the item given the distributive nature of lump-sum contracts.” The Ministry also argued that the airport expansion contract pricing is “very competitive and reasonable when compared to other airport contracts.” According to the Ministry, the costs for CJIA’s expansion are comparative in terms of square meters. It listed Chicago Midway US$281; Denver Colorado US$284; Washington US$353 and JFK Blue US$1,000 as against CJIA’s US$300 per square meter costs. The Ministry also compared airport expansion to that of Bahamas – US$409M; St Vincent & the Grenadines – US$240M; St Maarten – US$232M; Cayman Island – US$244M; Barbados US$100M; Antigua & Barbuda – US$45M; Turks & Caicos– US$10M and El Salvador – US$32M as against Guyana US$150M. “Guyana needs to have the necessary air transport facilities and infrastructure if it is going to attract new carriers the diaspora, business travelers and tourists in the new competitive environment,” the Ministry said. However, it has been pointed out that the CJIA
The proposed new CJIA facility. project may be difficult to compare to others as there are tax concessions unlike the others. Government is obligated to supply sand and other filling materials. The government has also waived all duties, taxes, royalties and fees for which the contractor would have been obligated. Conservative estimates has placed the expansion’s costs at US$250M, taking into account the waived taxes and sand filling and other expenses that the Guyana government will have to undertake. In the case of St Vincent, the most relevant comparison in terms of regional airports, the US$240M costs is associated with a brand new airport and not an extension or expansion. A brand new runway will see a landing distance of 2623 meters with three distinct inter-connecting apron areas. The apron area will cater for commercial, general aviation and cargo. It also includes a
three-storey terminal building with 171,000 square feet of floor space, designed to handle 1.5M passengers per year. It will also accommodate the bigger, wide body Boeing 747-400 flights. New lands were acquired for the airport in St. Vincent. The Guyana Government has tagged the airport as improving the local tourism
climate and geared to attract bigger planes than the ones currently landing. The constraints at CJIA, argued Government for the expansion, makes it impossible to tap into markets out of Africa and Asia, a distinct possibility given the country’s strategic location at the northern tip of South America.
However, the project has been facing criticisms after it was signed days before former President Bharrat Jagdeo left office in November 2011. This year, the Opposition blocked over $5B from going to CJIA’s expansion project, saying that enough clarity on the spending has not been forthcoming.
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51 Hinterland students complete scholarship prog.
The graduates of Hinterland Scholarship Programme 2013
F
ifty-one students from secondary, tertiary and technical institutions graduated last evening from the Hinterland Scholarship Programme offered by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs. The students were awarded for their commitment during a graduation ceremony held at the Amerindian Village at the Sophia Exhibition site. Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, expressed satisfaction in the graduates whom she deemed richly endowed with culture and talent, in addition to their academic achievements. Sukhai cautioned that academic lifelines of past students were restricted due to the lack of support and
means within the hinterland communities. “The horizons are limitless… but the scope for our students is restricted as soon as they return to the villages. This is a concern that we have. For example, many of the various graduates from previous batches have done exceeding well but some did not receive the requisite support to further their academic goals due the usual capacity of the respective villages.” It is due to this restriction, the Minister said, that many of these youngsters move to seek employment in the mining and forestry sectors. However, while Sukhai pointed out there is nothing wrong with seeking employment in these sectors,
she challenged the graduates to aspire to engage in the more formal and institutional aspect of the work. The Minister prescribed that the paths of gemologists, engineers and rangers are just few areas in which the young graduates can enter at the next phase of their lives. “There are a number existing opportunities for young people in Guyana. We sometimes do not take the time to notice them or even move towards them.” Senior Social Worker attached to the Hinterland Programme, Rosamund Daly highlighted the benefits of the programme. Daly said that this year 122 primary, secondary and tertiary level students benefitted. “Last year, the students of the programme
Final sale until further notice
recorded an 86 per cent pass rate at the Caribbean Secondary School Certification (CSEC) with passes in grades one to three,” Daly said She noted that in times past, students involved in the
programme would be accommodated by a relative or guardian. “However under the new Hinterland Scholarship Programme, a dormitory was constructed at Liliendaal. It is equipped with a library, internet café and large recreational facility complete with the capacity to house all the students under one roof.” The students represent the 51st batch of graduates to successfully complete the Hinterland Scholarship programme. The Amerindian Scholarship Programme was introduced in 1962. The first six students were those who had written the Common Entrance Examination and performed creditably.
They were awarded places at Secondary Schools i n G e o rg e t o w n h e n c e scholarships were offered annually to the outstanding performers. The need for the older students to be trained in Technical, Vocational and Tertiary skills was evident, thus, the number of scholarships awarded annually increased. In 1966, scholarships were offered to the Government Technical Institute, the Carnegie School of Home Economics and the Guyana School of Agriculture. Scholarships were also offered to hinterland students attending the University of Guyana in1986.
Further $91M contracts signed in East Berbice
I
n an effort to get back on track after a late start, the Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne) Regional Administration is moving apace with the signing and awarding of contracts for pending upgrading works in the Region. After signing $60M
worth of contracts a week ago, on Tuesday a further 17 contracts totaling $91M for developmental works in the Region were inked at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Boardroom in New Amsterdam. The signing took place in the presence of several NDC representatives who were all given copies of the various contracts. Among the works to be done are Rehabilitation works at two schools— the Belvedere Primary and Albion Front Nursery on the Corentyne at a joint cost of $7.5 Million. On the East Bank of Berbice rehabilitation works costing $7.5 M and $6.5M at Highbury and Lightown are slated to be done while canals at Enfield and Rotterdam are to be excavated. The streets leading to the Edinburgh Community Centre would also be done. The Amerindian community of Orealla will benefit from revetment work
totaling $8.4M. The sum of $12.7 M has been earmarked for renovating several doctors’ quarters and to construct a shed at the Berbice Regional Health Authority compound in New Amsterdam. The access bridge that leads to the Regional Administration building will also be done at a cost of $3.3M. Contracts were also signed for Health Centre Street in Cumberland East C a n j e , t h e E d i n b u rg h Community Centre Street and the construction of a bridge at Warren, East Coast of Berbice. Other works will include extension of Regional stores, construction of bridge at Sand Reef and the rehabilitation of Third Street, Auchlyne are among those expected to be done. Speaking at the simple signing ceremony Regional Vice Chairman, Bhaupaul Jhagroo, who is also Chairman of the Regional Works Committee, warned contractors to get their act together. He noted that the Region will not accept shoddy work. He told them that the Region will not hesitate to apply the liability clause once the work is not satisfactory and the time span has elapsed. The liability period has been extended from three to six months.
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GuySuCo will not meet its sugar target this year - Dr Ramsammy By Leon Suseran Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, has stated that the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s drive to produce 250,000 tonnes of sugar “will not happen” this year. He was speaking at the sugar company’s annual Honours’ Roll Function at the Blairmont Community Centre Ground on Saturday. And when he made that statement, there was a lot of grumbling from the workers seated in the stands and pavilions. Ramsammy even went further and announced more bad news; that the corporation will not even be able to produce 238,000 tonnes of sugar. “And it should be clear to everyone that the target we set of 238,000 tonnes seems to be one that we will not be able to attain.” “These are difficult times, indeed, but it doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t continue to try. And for those on the outside, I want to let them know, that we will continue to work to overcome the difficulties. We will try our best this year, but we will begin to ensure that in the not- so- distant future, that GuySuCo will not only recover, but that it will attain heights that we have never been to before.” GuySuCo had set a production target of 240,000 tonnes of sugar for this year. Of that total 190,000 was supposed to go to the European Market. The
company produced a dismal 48,000 tonnes of sugar during the first crop, far below its intended 70,000tonne target. President Donald Ramotar recently labeled the sugar industry as one being in “crisis.” Dr Ramsammy’s address to the Champion workers and to the other workers and their families, was one filled with sad overtones of an industry that has been ailing f o r y e a r s a n d underperforming in the Guyanese economy. However, Ramsammy painted an optimistic picture of one where he sees the sugar industry recovering and becoming stronger than before. He stated that GuySuCo will continue to be a pillar on which Guyana is built. “And I ask all of us…as politicians, whichever side we belong, for us to work in solidarity and unity, because GuySuCo is more than an industry…it is the lifeblood of this country and too important to fail!” Ramsammy wished to relay a special message: “That we do quarrel in this industry…as workers and management. We have many differences …and I have tried to bring harmony between management and workers and I am sure that I will have to continue to do this in the future, but our quarrels should not mean to anyone as if we are divided.” No one on the outside, he stated, should believe that
Some of the sugar workers on Saturday “when we have our differences, that it is time to open more wounds and to divide us.” He added that the difficulties at Skeldon, “we will strive to put behind us.” “You and I must believe in this industry,” he urged the gathering. He said that he knows that there are those among us who wonder whether the government has the capacity to overcome the difficulties facing sugar, “but I believe strongly—deep down in my heart—that we, the GuySuCo family, do have the capacity. We must have the will and find it deep in us…and the desire to work closer together with greater understanding.” He appealed to the management of the company to be more sensitive. “That might seem unfair because I do know that every manager has one thing at heart: the success of our industry.” Minister Ramsammy stated that the workers are being honoured this year in
“even more difficult times.” “I also come at a time when there are many among us, in our country, that seem to be happy in our difficulties. Those difficulties seem to provide them an opportunity to think that we [GuySuCo] are at our death bed!” The Minister then praised the “intangible and concrete support” that GuySuCo has provided to Guyana over the years.
The future of GuySuCo, he seemed sure, is “still guaranteed” and a sugar industry still in the leadership role in the development in Guyana. “Even in difficult times, GuySuCo continues to contribute not only to the economic development but also to the social development of our country, whether providing scholarships and support for
our children for further education; building recreational facilities; and supporting the development of sports in our country; whether it’s in provision of vocational training; contributing to plans of our community needs.” T h e c o m p a n y contributed to the establishment of a crematorium recently in Blairmont.
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Thursday July 04, 2013
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 04, 2013
Bai Shan Lin under fire for ‘fleecing’ Region Ten B
ai Shan Lin has again come under fire from R e g i o n Te n Chairman, Sharma Solomon, this time for a breach of faith. There was an understanding that was entered into between the company and the Region, that concessionary measures would be granted for the company to have its trucks use the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge, to transport laterite from Three Miles on the west bank to Moblissa.
The laterite was to facilitate the rehabilitation of the $40 million farm road that the company’s trucks had significantly damaged, causing untold hardships to residents in the community. After the agreement had been entered into between the management of Bai Shan Lin and major stakeholders in the Region for Bai Shan Lin to fix the road, tests which were facilitated by the Region, were subsequently carried out at Three Miles, on the Wismar Shore for suitable road building material.
There Bai Shan Lin identified a laterite pit and was granted permission to use it. “The arrangement with Bai Shan Lin was that we wanted the road at Moblissa to be fixed; we were going to give them all that was necessary to fix that road. We were going to give them access to the laterite pit; we were going to give them the results to show that this was the best material to use,” Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon said. Solomon said that Bai Shan Lin was clearly excited
about the prospect of having access to laterite, which is better material than the loam, a substandard material which they had been using initially, and which was taken from Moblissa. “The arrangement we had with them and the Linmine Secretariat, to facilitate the fixing of the Moblissa road, was that they were going to take the laterite from the Three Mile area, and we were going to ask the management of the bridge to grant them concession to allow the trucks free access to
get to the material.” The concession was agreed to by the management of the bridge, and the process of transporting the laterite from Three Miles commenced. But of the 144 truckloads of laterite that was removed from the laterite pit less than ten truck loads made it to Moblissa, Solomon said. The remainder went to Bai Shan Lin’s concession. “I was at the site on Monday. What was done at the Moblissa Road is a travesty- with less than ten truck loads. It was deliberate, because Bai Shan Lin threw the material in front of the road to give the impression that work has started. It wasn’t done the way they are doing their concession. Bai Shan Lin is putting grader and roller, and all the necessary road building and earth moving equipment to fix their concession with the material that the Region gave to them under concession; giving up $216,000 in bridge crossing to fix the road at Moblissa. “Instead, in a level of dishonesty Bai Shan Lin diverted 140 truckloads to their site, while putting four truck loads in front of the Moblissa road, causing further hardship to the community.” Solomon added that because of the obstruction to the road an elderly woman who was sick and three pregnant women were unable to leave the community on time, because transportation was unable to get them out. He further stated that the Moblissa Road should have been completed by now, as Bai Shan Lin had done a lot of work on their site, during the ten-day period that they had promised to have the Moblissa Road completed.
He added that the company will have to pay for the 47,000 tonnes of laterite that it has already removed from the Three Mile area and diverted to their own use. In a correspondence from the CEO of the Linmine Secretariat, Horace James, to both Regional Chairman Sharma Solomon and IMC Chairman Orrin Gordon, James said that the concession that had been granted to Bai Shan Lin, upon request from the region, to allow the company’s trucks to traverse the Mackenzie /Wismar Bridge has been withdrawn as of July 2. Bai Shan Lin will now have to pay the bridge, he said. “However, Bai Shan Lin is now requesting that it be granted some more concession to use the Mackenzie/ Wismar Bridge, to transport more laterite from Three Miles in order to fix the Mabura access road”, Solomon said. “With such a massive investment, which is said will match Bosai’s I am now wondering if this is a sneak peek at Bai Shan Lin’s attitude. I’m wondering what is to come with regard to its corporate and social responsibility.” Solomon added that he has told the residents of Moblissa that they should go in to Bai Shan Lin’s concession and shut the operations down, if attention is not turned to that road. In addition, from the more than 500 residents of Moblissa that are being affected by the damaged road, residents of Linden will also be affected as they depend on the community for a lot of its farm produce, which is likely to escalate, because of the hardships facing the farmers there, in getting their produce to market. (Enid Joaquin)
Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
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More Peace Corps volunteers descend on Guyana T
he 25 group of Peace Corps Volunteers from the United States of America, upon completing a ten- week Pre-Service Training, is now prepared to venture off to their assigned sites to commence their services in the health and education sectors across seven Administrative Regions of Guyana. During a swearing-in ceremony at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) yesterday, the group, comprising twentyeight volunteers took the oath of allegiance to protect and defend the Constitution of their country throughout their two-year service. Since their arrival into the country in May, the group has been involved in Pre-Service Training at Primary Schools and Health Centers in the communities of Laluni, Soesdyke, Timehri and Kuru Kururu while being accommodated by families within those communities. With focus on technical and cross-cultural concepts, local language and maintaining personal health, safety and security, the training was designed to provide the volunteers with the necessary practical skills to meet the needs of the communities that they will serve. Peace Corps Country Director, Brannon Brewer, himself a former Peace Corps volunteer, urged the new batch to approach every situation and encounter with enthusiasm and open mindedness while remembering their responsibility in representing their country and displaying a positive outlook of American people. Brewer recounted that the establishment of the US Peace Corps came with th
inspiration from former President JohnF.Kennedyin1961 to aid in world development, a mission that came to Guyana initially in 1966 and again in 1971. According to Thomas Pierce, United States Embassy Chargè d’ Affaires, the 25 group of volunteers brings to 630 volunteers the number to come to Guyana over the years. He said that the Peace Corps truly reflects the strong sense of volunteerism and marks the openness and strong spirit of adventure of the participants. While encouraging the 25 group to enjoy the natural beauty of their current environs, he reminded them of the challenges that Guyana faces. These include poverty, education gaps and an HIV/AIDS epidemic. He said that the United States is very interested in working in partnership with Guyana to meet these challenges. Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, also brought to the fore the deficiencies particularly in the hinterland areas of Guyana and in the riverain communities. He acknowledged those vibrant individuals who have served in the deep hinterland areas where teacher shortages are well known, leaving their mark on our education system. He urged those who will be serving in the education sector to make themselves available for extensive discussions on the Education Ministry’s objectives and policies, so that they are well informed to venture out in the education system in Guyana. The group will soon be relocated to sections of Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Nine where they will commence their twoyear service in the Primary Schools and selected Health Centres in those Regions. th
The volunteers take the oath of allegiance
th
President amplifies importance of international trade
A
s a relatively small d e v e l o p i n g c o u n t r y, Guyana is dependent on the important facet of international trade to cater to the welfare of the nation. This was a comment by Head of State, Donald Ramotar, when he addressed a United States of America Independence Day celebration at the residence of Ambassador and Mrs Brent Hardt. The United States of America will today celebrate July 4, which marks 237 years of its independence. According to President Ramotar, who toasted the wellbeing of President Barack Obama and partook in a cake designed as the Star Spangled Banner, it is imperative that countries of the Region, Guyana being no exception, seek to strengthen collaboration with the United States. “It is our hope that the Trade and Investment Agreement recently concluded between the United States and the countries of the Region will provide the much-needed boost to the Trade and Economic sectors of our countries,” said President Ramotar. In light of the importance of international trade, he said that together with Caricom partners the need to seek
the understanding of the powerful trade blocs to ensure that “we are given the opportunity to grow and eventually to be allowed to compete on a level playing field.” And in recognition of the fact that there are tremendous trade and investment possibilities, the President disclosed that an investment code has been developed which guarantees the conditions for investment. Although the investment code was introduced several years ago he noted that Guyana is looking forward to a greater partnership in economic projects between Guyana and the United States of America in the years ahead. “I appreciate, also, a greater involvement of the Guyanese Diaspora in the United States in this partnership,” he added even as he observed that the Diaspora serves not only as a bridge of friendship between both countries but will make important contributions to the local economic and social progress. The President is also convinced that through a recently launched Diaspora Project “our hardworking Guyanese can play a special role in further promoting the friendship and increase trade and investment in our two countries.”
“I believe that it is important that we seek to create and maintain a more innovative and cooperative programme, one which will reach down to the mutual benefits of our peoples and which will reflect our common ideals of securing peace and prosperity for all,” added President Ramotar. He alluded to the fact that in Guyana’s short history as an independent nation, there have been many challenges to nation-building. However, he noted that “our Government has never lost sight of the main goal to build a society based on democracy, equality and social justice and to provide the basic needs of each citizen.” “I am proud to say that notwithstanding the difficulties and criticisms, significant advances have been made in several key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure development, health and housing development.” And the President on Tuesday acknowledged the support of the United States Government for support in the fields of health such as the fight against HIV, improvement of education and security “as we seek to achieve our developmental goals.” President Ramotar said that the achievements of the United States have inspired many local revolutionaries and freedom fighters against colonialism and oppression.
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Kaieteur News
Corentyne accident driver on a further $600,000 bail
T
he drunk driver who was driving a Surinamese registered motor car when he struck down and killed a woman on the Port Mourant, Corentyne Public Road on Sunday, was
slapped with a further charge of causing death by dangerous driving yesterday. He was subsequently granted bail in the sum of $600,000. The man, Sarawan Kumar Autar, 32, of Bone’s
German finance minister says Turkey is not part of Europe (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said yesterday Turkey should not join the European Union as it was not part of Europe, bluntly underlining Berlin’s opposition to the long-running membership bid. Germany pressed the 28-member bloc to delay a new round of membership talks last week, in response to Ankara’s crackdown on anti-government protesters. Brussels postponed the discussions for at least four months, but said the path to Turkey’s membership was still open. “We should not accept Turkey as a full member ... Turkey is not part of Europe,” Schaeuble said at an election rally by his and Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrat (CDU) party in the western German city of Duesseldorf.
Bush Dam Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, and of Konigstrat, Paramaribo, Corentyne, Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s court and pleaded not guilty According to Prosecutor Corporal Sherlock King, on June 30, around 00:30 hrs at Port Mourant, Autar drove motor car 38.29 ZP, in a manner dangerous to the public thus causing the death of Anita Persaud, 23, called ‘Short hair,’ of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne. She was picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she succumbed. Autar, who was allegedly driving at a speed, failed to stop and attempted to flee, but was pursued and apprehended by eyewitnesses and handed him over to the police, he hails from Canje Berbice but resides and works in Paramaribo, Suriname. In his appeal for bail
defence attorney Mursaleine Bacchus submitted that his client is a Guyanese citizen and has a permanent address in Guyana. He only works in Suriname. He said that his client is willing to submit his passport. Further, the offence is bailable. Autar will have to return to court on July 15. He had previously appeared in the Albion Magistrate’s court on Tuesday on three other charges. His blood alcohol level was reportedly above the permitted limit. When tested he had 43 micrograms in his system. He was also charged with driving the said motor car and caused injuries to Anita Persaud, 23, called ‘Short hair,’ of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice, and failing to render assistance by taking the injured person to a registered medical practioner for treatment. The other charge read that he failed to stop after committing the accident. He was granted $50,000 bail on the driving under the influence charges and $20,000 on each of the other charges.
Thursday July 04, 2013
Woman begs for husband after violent abuse
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woman whose h u s b a n d allegedly put a cutlass to her neck and threatened to kill her, cut off her hair, burst her mouth and then urinated on her, turned around and asked an East Coast Demerara Magistrate to spare him. It happened at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court where 34-year old Parmanand Singh appeared before Magistrate Zaleema Ali charged with assaulting his common law wife, Annie Persaud. The court heard that Singh, a carpenter/mason from Foulis, East Coast Demerara, regularly abuses Persaud and on Monday he allegedly took it to another level. Police prosecutor Sergeant Rushell Alexander told the court that on July 1, Singh went home, heavily under the influence of alcohol and started a quarrel with his reputed wife. During the quarrel, he allegedly grabbed a cutlass and placed it to Persaud’s neck, while threatening to
kill her. He then proceeded to beat her mercilessly, cutting off her hair and cutting her lip in the process. According to the prosecution, Singh did not stop there; he waited until Persaud was asleep, removed the mosquito net and urinated on her. This was the limit; Persaud reported the matter to the police and Singh was arrested and charged. In court, he told the Magistrate that he could not remember what he had done since he was drunk. The Magistrate entered a not guilty plea and remanded Singh to prison for two weeks. At this point, his reputed wife got up and begged the Magistrate to give him a chance. But the Magistrate reminded her that she would not have had a chance if Singh had made good on his threat to kill her. “He would not have had a chance to tell you sorry either,” the Magistrate added.
Mother seeks justice for daughter
A
26-year-old woman was yesterday rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to seek urgent medical attention. This was after her husband attempted to cut her neck with a broken blade from a louver window. Stacy Barry of Lot 347 South Sophia sustained two cuts to her neck, abrasion to her face and body, and chops to her hand. At the hospital yesterday, Barry’s mother, Gem Barry told Kaieteur News that her sonin-law, who was arrested for robbery under arms came out of the lockups on Thursday and began abusing her daughter. “Since Friday, he beating her and I tell him to let me take her to the hospital and he started to curse up and tell me to leave her let her die right there. He didn’t allow her to leave the house and I didn’t want to leave because I was scared he might want to kill her,” the older Barry said. She explained that a young man visited her home yesterday to transact “business” but her son-in-law thought the man went there to meet the younger Barry. “After the boy left, he start to beat her with an electric iron in her head and he break the louver window and run to her and start to cut her neck. After I see that, I run and I borrow a phone and call the police and I bring her here to the hospital” Gem stressed. According to Gem, her daughter lived with the abuser for three years and was physically attacked most of the times. “I want
The injured Stacy Barry and her mother Gem Barry yesterday at the hospital justice for my daughter, she was pregnant and he beat her until the baby died.” Up to press time yesterday, Barry’s attacker was on the run.
Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
Linden Water Rehab Project…
Pipelaying commences at Mackenzie
By Rabindra Rooplall T h e L i n d e n Wa t e r Supply Rehabilitation Programme (LWSRP) is moving apace. The capacity of the services will cater for a growing Linden population that will benefit residents until 2040, according to Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) Project Manager of the LWSRP, David Merell. Wi t h a n e s t i m a t e d population of 30,000 in Linden, Merell said residents will notice road excavation, the use of large equipment and tools as well as minor traffic diversion. In addition, construction crews are on three of the sites at Amelia’s Ward treatment plant, Wisroc treatment Plant and the Amelia’s ward reservoir. “Right now we are going into the Mackenzie area and there will be some disruptions in terms of traffic from yesterday, this phase is expected to be completed in six weeks. Most of the pipelines in the other areas have been completed,” Merell noted. The LWSRP is funded by the Government of Guyana and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) at a cost of US$12.3 Million. An international construction company, UEM Inc. commenced initial preparatory work for the construction of new treatment facilities at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc. S. Jagmohan Hardware and Construction Supplies is
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Project Manager of the LWSRP David Merell another contractor executing pipelaying exercises for the LWSRP. Lindeners are employed in various capacities, including technicians and labourers. Merell said that there is no need for unnecessary pressure in the network facing the fact that it’s a ground storage capacity. Residents will then enjoy 24 hrs water supply. With works commencing May last, S. Jagmohan Hardware and Construction Supplies is currently executing pipeline installation in Amelia’s Ward, Wisroc and other key project areas. UEM Inc. is working on the construction of two treatment facilities at Amelia’s Ward and Wisroc The Project Manager further noted that Linden customers are being encouraged to adopt an attitude of conservation regarding water wastage.
With the combination of the new treatment facilities and the reduction of leaks through an upgrade of the distribution system, Linden customers will experience improved water quality as well as higher levels of service. Under the programme, GWI is also engaging a consultant to develop a strategy to reduce water loss and non revenue water. GWI has intensified a public education campaign with respect to LWSRP to adequately prepare Lindeners for the water conservation drive. This will encompass a large public education and community outreach component. It was also noted that with regard to protecting sources of freshwater, the n e w Wi s r o c Wa t e r Treatment Plant will utilize freshwater from the Dakoura Creek; hence customers of Linden must protect the
Construction works being done at the Amelia’s Ward ground reservoir. creek and its watershed by avoiding activities such as mining and forestry activities, and dumping garbage in or around the creek
that can pollute the creek. While the new facilities will provide an improved level of safe, potable water, water can still become
contaminated if customers are reluctant to adapt safe habits such as storing water in covered containers and consistentlycleaningblacktanks.
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Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Lands and Surveys staffers to face the axe if illegalities found
G
overnment on Monday warned of illegal squatting at Kuru Kururu and said that it was prepared to fire any of its officers if found to be involved in collusion. The statements were made Monday by Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, during a meeting with residents on issues of squatting and conflicting land use. During the meeting at the local primary school, he invited residents to help map out a strategy for the orderly development of the community. Accompanying the Minister was Permanent Secretary, Joslyn McKenzie, and officials from the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC) and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). Kuru Kururu has been developing at a fast pace over the years, but there has been illegal occupation of Government reserves. During his address to the residents, Persaud also addressed the issue of illegal land ownership, as the residents complained that GLSC officials are giving out lands in an apparent illegal manner. The Minister warned that Government will not and does not condone such illegalities and that land ownership must follow a specific process. He said that the President
is the only authority and the only office in the country that can grant lands. “We are just representatives…The policy is that we must ensure that there is equitable distribution of lands in any part of the country…Those who need lands must be able to access lands.” “Even if someone is entitled, it is not a passport for you to go and break the law,” he said. Over the years, there have been complaints of officials from GLSC who had facilitated, encouraged and engaged in illegal activities, Minister Persaud said. A number of staffers have since been dismissed and others are under investigation. “We are going to weed out and stamp out those officers within the Commission who are in one way or the other contributing to this problem.” During the meeting, the Minister also outlined Government’s plan to implement a National Land Use Plan in the near future. He told residents that this plan provide for illegal land practices across the country. It will also guide the use of land in a transparent and an open way. “The plan will also ensure that there is maximum use of every square metre of land in Guyana because a land that is rich in agriculture, tourism, or mining will be wasted if we use it for something else,” Minister Persaud said.
Guyanese couple on drug related charges in St. Lucia St. Lucia (CMC) - Police say they have arrested and charged two Guyanese nationals after seizing a quantity of drugs during a raid at a prominent hotel in the north of the island. Police said they have charged John Christopher Louis and Ashley Rebecca Louis of Georgetown with drug possession and intent to supply after 1.5 kilos of cannabis and 2.3 kilos of hashish had been found in the room by a joint security team that included members of the Customs and Immigration Department. In addition, the authorities have seized nearly EC$12,000 (One EC dollar =US$0.37 cents) and a quantity of jewellery. “The occupants of the room at the time were John Christopher Louis and Ashley Rebecca Louis both of Georgetown, Guyana. They were arrested and subsequently charged for the offences of possession of controlled drugs and possession with the intent to supply controlled drugs,” Police Commissioner Vernon Francois told reporters. The accused are due to appear in court later this week.
Residents of Kuru Kururu during a meeting with Minister Robert Persaud.
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Kaieteur News
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Thursday July 04, 2013
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VEHICLE FOR SALE We buy & sell vehicles for cash & we do trading-in of vehicles: 30 Seater Busescall:680-3154 Toyota Starlet Turbo: Working A/C, interior in excellent condition- Call:4446183 or 686-0910 1 Mitsubishi Lancer, excellent condition. Call: 677-9527 / 616-3802 / 222-4650 1 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 – 1997; $1.6 million; not registered Phone:265-2103, 611-0674 RZ mini-buses BMM & BNN series, AT192, 212, AT170, Tacoma, Canters, NZE & cheap cars- call:680-3154 1 Mercedes Benz C200: PNN 6967- Call: 680-4990 / 2773033 1 To y o t a R a u m , Vi t z , AT212, AT192, AT170, Ceres, Hilux Pickup Solid DEF, EP82 & 71 StarletCall: 644-5096 / 697-1453 Unregistered Solid DEF Hilux2005 Raum $2.150,000; Dump Truck $2.3m- Call: 227-1737/6411800: Annadale Public road Nissan Sentra, manufactured year 1999: Imported brand new: PGG series $1,000,000 (1M) NegCall:665-6151/ 233-5287 Toyota IST PLL 7683- Call: 639-9553 2 Ford F150: Price $4.5M & $3.5M- Call: 643-5249 / 2654979 2006 320i BMW- body kit, sports tuned, immaculate condition, low mileage: Price $4.8M negotiable- Call:6240371/629-6264 First Class Auto: Spacio, IST, Verossa, 212- Call:6098188/ 226-2689
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Toyota Fielder $2.1M, Premio $2.6M, Axio $2.9M: Vehicles fully loaded & unregistered- call: 617-2891
New 2013 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabsCall:691-0234
Lexus, Pitbull never registered- Call:655-0800/ 263-5300
New ATVs: Introductory price $1,450,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234
2- 07 Toyota AvensisCall:698-0674
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Premio, Vitz call: 689-6668
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Untouchable Car Rental: Low Rate , Low Deposit call:231-8653,621-6827
Toyota Corona 170: Good working condition: HB series: $375,000- Call:665-8995
A i d a n ’s C a r R e n t a l & Pickup- Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807
Cheapest- Premio, Spacio, Hilux, Stick Gear Buses- Call: 616-7635
1 Toyota Land-cruiser Prado PMM series- call:225-0188/ 225-6070 One Mitsubishi Canter, 16 feet tray: GNN series: Price $3M- Call:612-0320 HILUX SOLID DIFF: 2L Diesel Engine, Excellent condition: UK Auto 60 Brickdam- Call:227-0424/ 676-6429 (Continued on page 25)
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Kaieteur News
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Eighth Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival wraps up today The curtain is expected to come down on the Eighth Secondary Schools’ Drama Festival today. The event which started yesterday at the Theatre Guild, Parade Street, Georgetown, is aimed at strengthening literacy among students. It is being hosted by the Ministry of Education via its Allied Arts Unit, one that is tasked with promoting areas of the expressive arts, that is, dance, drama, music, visual arts and physical education in the schools’ curriculum in Guyana. The festival has attracted the participation of 16 schools from all across the country. The best overall dramatic production will be chosen to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Secondary Schools Drama Festival which is slated for later this year in Barbados. A few outstanding entries will also be selected to participate in the National Drama Festival which has seen many successes over the past few years. It was launched by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport. Reflecting on yesterday’s performances, judge, Desiree Edghill, said that while the plays were good, she has seen better productions over the years. The highlight for the judges was Ascension Secondary School which outshined Plaisance Secondary, as well as two
- winners will go to Barbados for regional leg
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Ascension Secondary School students perform “A flower without Petals” Queen’s College entries. The plays are being judged for their storyline on child labour, character development and the time limit of 30- 45 minutes. These requirements will help individual participants to develop positive dramatic skills. Edghill said that she was a bit disappointed at the way the concept of child labour was delivered, since it was evident that there was a mix up between child abuse and
child labour. “Child abuse is different from child labour.” It was reported that the Human Services Ministry had requested that the Allied Arts Unit undertake some artistic presentations to commemorate Child Labour Day. The schools to better portray and embrace this concept will be awarded special prizes worth $100,000, $50,000, and $25,000 compliments of the Human
‘Stone Wash’ jailed for injuring wife
A number of persons are still being brought before the court charged with domestic violence. Edward Prashad, called “Stone Wash”, 41 of Lot 102 Second Street, Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, Berbice was on Tuesday fined $10,000 with an alternative of 20 days in jail by Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh when he appeared before him at the Albion Magistrate’s court and pleaded guilty to the charge of assaulting his reputed wife Rookmine Seonarine called ‘Rookmin’ on June 25, last, at their home. Prosecutor Corporal Sherlock King told the court that on the day in questioned, the two were at home when an argument developed between them. The argument got heated and Prashad proceeded to lash his wife across her body, causing her to sustain injuries. The matter was reported and the accused was arrested and charged. In court he pleaded guilty and in his plea of mitigation begged for
(From page 24)
leniency. He told the court that “he don’t do it steady.” He was unable to pay the fine and was sent to jail. And a 48-year old Kitty resident has been remanded to prison pending sentence for battering his reputed wife of eighteen years. The pair appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrate’s court yesterday. Michael Augustus used a piece of wood to beat his reputed wife, Dawn Garraway, several lashes to the head on Friday, June 29. The woman sustained injuries to her left ear, her eyes and cranium. Prosecutor Renetta Bentham said, on June 29 Augustus went home under the influence of alcohol and became upset at children, who were ‘troubling’ him. His wife told him “not to worry because they are just
children.” The man became even more incensed and abused his wife. He used a series of epithets against the woman before taking up a piece of wood and inflicting lashes to her head, knocking her unconscious. When the woman regained consciousness, she reported the matter to the Police Kitty Station. Augustus was then arrested and charged for the offence. According to the medical certificate, Garraway sustained a laceration to the head. In court she confessed to being fed up with her husband’s behaviour. ‘Let him go down I feeling pain; I can hardly hear out of my left ear.” The presiding Magistrate remanded Augustus until July 16 ahead of sentencing.
Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out. - Stephen Covey
Services Ministry. The most promising actor and actress of each play will be announced, and they will be awarded a bag of goodies. Schools are awarded plaques based on varying merits. The categories for the entries are ‘Straight Play’ (that is one from a school text), a play from a Caribbean Playwright or a Dance Drama and Storytelling piece. All participating schools were given support in the form of a stipend from the Education Ministry, so as to finance costumes, props and other needful materials to facilitate their participation.
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Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
LIAT introduces surcharge to cover extra security costs
“Apologetic” Venezuelan deported after illegal entry - Claims he came in search of medicine for high blood pressure A Venezuelan man took the risk of travelling all the way to Guyana illegally in search of medication for high blood pressure. At least that is what he told the court. Yesterday at the Georgetown Magistrates court, 42 year old Gloeny Gonsalves pleaded guilty when the charge was read to him by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court. The charge read that on June 23, at Charity, Essequibo, the defendant entered
LIAT has implemented a security surcharge on tickets in response to rising security demands and spiraling security costs. The new security surcharge of US$1.25 per one way trip, applies to all passengers including children and infants, on all LIAT flights, a release from the company said yesterday. Heightened airline and airport security over the last 10 years has resulted in rising security demands on airlines.
Additional security measures at many airports have been introduced including extra baggage searches and increased security around aircraft while on the ground. Over the past several years security costs have been climbing and LIAT has been absorbing these costs in an effort to cushion the effects on its customers. With the introduction of the security surcharge, LIAT hopes to recoup some of the additional security costs.
LIAT takes the safety and security of its customers and employees very seriously and appreciates your understanding in the current circumstances. The carrier joins more than 100 airlines worldwide which have introduced similar charges since 2001. LIAT is owned by regional shareholders, with major shareholders being the Governments of Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Miner remanded for drugs in oven Magistrate Judy Latchman remanded Floyd Campbell, 53, to prison for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Campbell, 53, of Lot 117 Sideline Dam, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, on June 28, while at Aranka Landing, Campbell had two grams of cocaine and
287 grams of cannabis in his possession for the purpose of trafficking. He pleaded not guilty. Attorney at Law, George Thomas who made an application for bail, told the court that his client was at a shop at Aranka when a search was conducted on the premises. The narcotics were
found in an oven in the kitchen area. Thomas said that his client had no control or direct access to the oven in which the alleged substances were discovered. Campbell was remanded until July 11, when he would appear before another Magistrate at Bartica.
A cargo freighter owned and operated by ABX Airborne Express was forced to return to ground minutes after takeoff yesterday after a warning light flashed in the cockpit yesterday. Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Zulficar
Mohamed, confirmed that no fire was found. Caribbean Airlines (CAL), in a separate statement, insisted that the aircraft was not a passenger one. CAL said the aircraft departed Cheddi Jagan International Airport at 10.52hrs but returned to ramp
at 11.03hrs due to a fire warning light indicator in the cockpit. “CJIAC emergency response was activated by Fire, Health and GDF. The aircraft landed without incident. It was checked and no evidence of fire was detected.
Cargo plane makes emergency landing
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Guyana by sea and disembarked without the consent of an immigration officer. Though the facts of the matter were not read in open court, with the help of a translator, Rochelle Peters, an immigration officer, Gonsalves communicated to the court that he is absolutely sorry for his actions. “Firstly, I do accept the charge before me and I am deeply sorry for what I did. I stayed in a hotel nearby a waterfront but I can’t
remember the name of it. Your worship I am very sorry for doing this. I only came to Guyana because I needed medication for my high blood pressure. I was just going to get the medicine and return to my home in Venezuela. Once again I am very very sorry,” expressed the remorseful defendant. Magistrate Azore then explained to the defendant that he would be fined $30,000 or six months imprisonment and he will be deported immediately.
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Colombia peace possible by As by-election draws closer, PM changes tune on Warner year’s end, President say GENEVA (Reuters) Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said yesterday an agreement with the Marxist FARC rebels to end their 50-year-old insurgency could be reached by the end of this year if there were “sufficient political will”. But he insisted that it was out of the question to postpone next year’s presidential election, as demanded by the FARC at peace talks with the government currently under way in Havana. “If there is sufficient political will, we can achieve an agreement by the end of the year ... as long as there is a wish to advance,” Santos told a news conference at the United Nations’ European headquarters in Geneva. The two sides started the talks last November, more than two years after former defense minister Santos earlier seen as a hardliner on dealing with rebel movements - was elected to the presidency and began putting out peace feelers. That initially lost him
popular support, according to opinion surveys, but he is now advancing in the polls with a 48 per cent popularity rating as public approval of negotiating with the insurgents has grown. Santos said in Geneva that only a deal to end the fighting between leftist guerrillas and the army, which has bedeviled a dozen successive governments, would keep Colombia on a path of sustainable economic development. He said postponing the election was “out of the question”: “I said from the beginning that I would never make changes to my own benefit. That is a matter of principle for me. It (a postponement) would mean extending my mandate.” The FARC, and the smaller ELN rebel grouping, want the voting put off to enable the creation of what they call a Constituent National Assembly to usher in radical constitutional and social changes. At the focus of their long
struggle against central governments is what they see as unfair land distribution and policies that excessively benefit the rich as well as foreign, especially U.S., interests. But Santos has consistently refused to consider any changes to Colombia’s institutions or its economic model as a condition for the peace talks, and his officials say the FARC appears to be trying to change the terms of the negotiations. In a joint statement published on Monday, the FARC, estimated to have about 10,000 fighters, and their long-time left-wing rivals the ELN, with about 3,000, said that each wanted the other to be involved in solving the conflict. The president, in Geneva for a session of the U.N.’s Economic and Social Council, said he would not agree to include the ELN in the Havana talks or talk with them separately until they released a captured Canadian geologist, Jernoc Wobert.
Trinidad Express - The very things that Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar was warned about and came up with sterling defences for, with respect to former minister Jack Warner, are the same things she is now seeing “as terrible” and citing as reasons for not selecting him to carry the party’s banner in the Chaguanas West by-election. So said Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley in an interview with the Express Tuesday. The Prime Minister,
speaking at the United National Congress (UNC) Monday Night Forum at Vishnu Boys’ Hindu School, said Warner refused to travel on Government business and had too many controversies hanging over his head to be chosen as the UNC candidate. His imbroglio with FIFA and the “Flying Squad” were two of the issues which she said haunted the former national security minister. She said Warner admitted that both he and his family were the subject of an enquiry by the Government of the United States into a range of corporate white collar criminal offences under federal jurisdiction in the US. “While he sat in the Cabinet as the national security minister he refused to travel on Government business on several occasions. These included matters where the minister of national security would have been required to attend, whether it be in Washington, Toronto, New York and even Haiti,” the Prime Minister noted. “I am not prepared to burden you with a candidate
with all these issues unresolved,” she added. Rowley responded: “Nothing she (the Prime Minister) is saying to us is news about Jack Warner. It is confirmation to us about her irresponsible conduct as Prime Minister.” Rowley said all the things which he raised about Warner, and which the Prime Minister did not see as a problem before, she was now pointing to potential embarrassment to the Government and people of this country. “The Prime Minister is not fooling anybody in t h i s c o u n t r y. E v e r y finger she points at Jack Wa r n e r n o w o n any of those issues, she as Prime Minister is personally responsible for having burdened the country with the stress of Jack Warner during this period because she was his biggest defender. She was the only person who could have appointed him to the Cabinet and she did not only appoint him to the Cabinet but, in the face of objections, she promoted him to National Security Minister.
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – President of the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL), David Massiah, is calling on regional governments to reengage the Caribbean trade union movement in a similar fashion as they did in previous years. The CCL along with the main regional private sector group were allowed to make representations to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders at their annual summits to discuss socioeconomic issues in the region. Massiah, who said he had no indication as to why the Caribbean leaders had decided to stop the meetings,
said it is imperative for the labour movement to be reengaged at the highest level given the changing global environment and its impact on the Caribbean labour population. “We think that labour should be part of the whole process of the development of the Caribbean and in the past it was part of the exercise where the Caribbean Congress of Labour had an opportunity to meet with our labour ministers and even our leaders,” he told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). Massiah, who is here attending the two-day 8th International Labour
Organisation (ILO) meeting of Caribbean labour ministers, ahead of the four-day CARICOM summit, said regional trade unions “at this time are making this pitch (and) are asking the labour ministers to make sure that this becomes part of the annual diet (and) that we have the opportunity to engage our heads as well as the labour ministers. “We a r e a l s o a s k i n g that the labour desk be reengaged at the CARICOM Secretariat itself so that there would be an ongoing process where the labour movement has someone who is actually looking after it,” he added.
Kamla Persad-Bissessar
Regional trade unions want to be re-engaged by Caribbean leaders
Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
Egypt army topples president, announces transition President Mohamed Mursi
Crowds celebrate across Cairo after army statement CAIRO (Reuters) Egypt’s armed forces overthrew Islamist President Mohamed Mursi yesterday, sparking wild rejoicing in the streets at the prospect of new elections as a range of political leaders backed a new political transition. Mursi was sequestered in a Republican Guard barracks after denouncing a “military coup” that stripped him of power after just a year. As tanks and troops secured the area, tens of thousands of supporters of his Muslim Brotherhood rallied nearby to protest against his removal. Mursi’s dramatic removal after a year in office as Egypt’s first freely elected president marked another twist in the turmoil that has gripped the Arab world’s most populous country in the two years since the fall of Hosni Mubarak. The liberals’ chief negotiator with the army, former U.N. diplomat Mohamed ElBaradei, said the program agreed with the generals during talks on Wednesday would ensure the continuation of the Arab
Spring revolution of 2011. Claiming a mandate from the people, millions of whom have protested against political upheaval and economic stagnation under Brotherhood rule, armed forces chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Mursi had failed to meet demands for national unity. “Those in the meeting have agreed on a roadmap for the future that includes initial steps to achieve the building of a strong Egyptian society that is cohesive and does not exclude anyone and ends the state of tension and division,” Sisi said in a solemn address broadcast live on state television. He said the security forces would keep order. There were scattered clashes between rival factions around the country but so far nothing on the scale of violence in which more than 40 people have been killed and hundreds wounded in recent weeks. Security sources said at least four died on Wednesday. Sisi was flanked by his
uniformed high command but also by a senior Muslim cleric, the Pope of Egypt’s Coptic Church and political leaders ranging from liberals to a bearded Islamist representative from the ultraIslamic Nour Party. Also present were youth leaders who were given special mention by Sisi. References to the popular will, and the presentation of a united political front with a civilian face - which will take fuller shape today with the swearing in of the head of the constitutional court as interim head of state - clearly aims at scotching concerns abroad that this was a military coup d’etat. The United States had backed Mursi’s assertions to be the legitimate leader but had grown increasingly insistent that he share power with his opponents. Washington funds Sisi’s army to the tune of $1.3 billion a year and could face questions on imposing sanctions if Mursi were deemed to be the victim of a coup.
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OAS says drug problem affects “pillar of development” in the Caribbean SANTIAGO, Chile – CMCThe Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, says that the drug problem affects the “pillars of development” in Latin America and Caribbean. In presenting a report here on the drug problem in the region, to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Insulza underscored what he described as a fact that “violence is what most worries the population in terms of drugs. “All stages of the production process tend to be illegal, and drug-related offences generate other offences and then crimes. Drug trafficking produces many more victims than those generated through consumption alone,” he added. The report recognizes the heterogeneity of Latin American and Caribbean societies, adding that the drug problem affects
José Miguel Insulza them differently. It says that the highest drugrelated murder rates are not in the main countries for drug consumption but rather in countries where drug trafficking is concentrated, “which are also the countries where the state has
the most difficulty in protecting its citizens”. Insulza noted that the report raises the possibility of decriminalizing drug use “as a real alternative to be studied and considered, because, if drug addiction is considered as a health problem, it is not consistent to consider addicts as suffering from an illness while, at the same time, punishing them”. The OAS chief said that in order to analyze the problem of drugs in the Caribbean and Latin America, “it is necessary to keep in mind data on consumption, which details the extent to which the problem has penetrated the societies of the Hemisphere and the money involved, because the exorbitant profits generated by drug trafficking generate other problems, like extreme violence utilized by criminal gangs or the growth of corruption”.
Tufton suggests Jamaica leaves CARICOM, temporarily KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition spokesman on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Christopher Tufton, says that Jamaica’s best bet in dealing its trading issues with CARICOM, would be a temporary withdrawal from the regional community. “Given the economic challenges currently faced by our country, the time is right for the Jamaican government to have discussions with the relevant stakeholders to examine the implications of a temporary withdrawal from CARICOM, citing adverse balance of payment issues,” Dr Tufton told the weekly meeting of the Lions Club of
Kingston at the Institute of Chartered Accounts, New Kingston, yesterday. Dr Tufton explained that a temporary withdrawal is allowed under Section 43 of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. He said it would increase revenue flows to the government through increased border taxes, and provide time and space for local producers and government policy reforms to improve business efficiency and competitiveness. “This period would also be sufficient for a comprehensive examination to be done, to determine if Jamaica should leave CARICOM in its current form
and, instead, seek functional collaboration on matters of strategic, regional and international importance,” the former cabinet minister said. However, he urged that Jamaica should not approach the issue with any ill feelings or animosity to Trinidad and Tobago, or CARICOM in general, “but Jamaica has to do what is best for Jamaicans”. Dr Tufton also pointed out that he was not representing the position of the opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) on the issue of Jamaica’s relationship with CARICOM, but his own personal views.
RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Nationwide protests could force Brazil to increase spending on public services at a time when its fiscal performance falters, Standard & Poor’s warned yesterday, adding however that it is in no rush to decide whether to lower the country’s debt ratings. The ratings company, which last month said there was a one-in-three chance the country could lose its “BBB” rating over the next two years, said a decision on the matter will mostly hinge on Brazil’s policy response to an adverse environment of low economic expansion and fragile investment growth.
A debt downgrade could come “if there is a greater sense of intervention in the public sector, which will increase debt levels,” Sebastian Briozzo, S&P’s lead analyst for Brazil, told investors and journalists in a web conference. “There is very limited room to maneuver on the fiscal side,” Briozzo said. He added, however, that S&P “does not foresee any rapid change” in Brazil’s ratings, but intends to make a decision in the next 12 to 24 months. S&P was the first of the three major ratings agencies to lift Brazil to investment grade five years ago, when
the country benefited from a commodities boom and was considered an emergingmarket star. The company’s downgrade warning last month was seen as yet another sign of foreign investors’ disappointment with Latin America’s largest economy, which seems to be headed to a third straight year of subpar growth. Since S&P revised Brazil’s rating outlook to negative, Brazil’s political and economic outlook was complicated by an unexpected wave of mass protests demanding better public transport, hospitals, and schools.
Brazil protests could lead to higher spending, S&P says
Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
Senate bill could slash illegal immigration by 50 percent: CBO (Reuters) - A U.S. Senatepassed immigration bill would significantly reduce the flow of illegal immigrants, but increased U.S.-Mexico border security costs would eat into projected budget savings, the Congressional Budget Office said yesterday. The CBO concluded that the bill, which would double the number of federal agents along the border and complete the 700 miles of fencing, would reduce the number of people entering the United States from Mexico without documentation by one-third to one-half. The Democratic-led Senate passed the sweeping immigration bill at the end of June, but the legislation’s fate is unclear in the Republicancontrolled House of Representatives. Some House Republicans have complained that the Senate bill’s border security provisions are not strong enough and the majority do not want to provide a path to citizenship for the 11 million illegal immigrants, which is at
the heart of the Senate bill. Before senators voted to strengthen the security measures, the non-partisan CBO had estimated that the Senate bill would shrink illegal immigration by about onequarter. The original bill would have dispatched 3,500 additional federal agents to the Mexican border. The current bill would add 20,000. “It’s pretty clear that CBO is estimating diminished returns. The improvements from CBO are pretty modest,” said Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations think tank who specializes in immigration policy and border security. The CBO also found that the cost of doubling the number of agents, finishing the fence and buying hightech surveillance equipment would shrink potential deficit reduction promised under the legislation. The report concluded that the bill, if enacted, could reduce deficits by $158 billion
from 2014 to 2023. When additional appropriations needed to implement the legislation are added in, the savings shrink further to $135 billion. Previously, the CBO estimated that the version of the bill passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee would reduce deficits by $197 billion over 10 years, or $175 billion with the additional appropriations. The biggest factor cited by the CBO was a net 10-year increase in direct costs of $36 billion to fund the increased border security measures. But the measure as passed by the Senate would still produce massive deficit reduction in the second decade of $685 billion, the CBO said, versus a previous estimate of $700 billion. These savings, which take into account stronger economic growth fueled by an increase in the legal U.S. workforce, are being touted by Democrats and some moderate Republicans as an incentive for passage of the legislation.
(Reuters) - The European Union is examining whether Britain may have broken EU law after reports that it tapped international phone traffic and shared vast quantities of personal data with the United States, a European Union source said yesterday. European politicians have reacted angrily to allegations of large-scale eavesdropping on private communications by Britain and the United States and allegations of U.S. spying on the EU. Many of the allegations are based on leaks by fugitive former U.S. spy agency contractor Edward Snowden. They are particularly sensitive for EU-member Britain because it is bound by EU laws, including strict safeguards for protecting the privacy of personal data. The Guardian newspaper reported last month that Britain’s eavesdropping agency GCHQ had tapped fibre-optic cables carrying international phone and Internet traffic and had shared vast amounts of personal data with the U.S. National Security Agency under a project codenamed “Tempora”. The EU’s executive Commission “is seeking to assess whether Tempora could fall under EU law” and
be a violation of EU law, an EU source said, on condition of anonymity. Britain’s activities may fall foul of the EU’s Data Protection Directive, which sets strict rules on data privacy. If the Commission considered Britain to have broken EU law, then it could start a so-called infringement procedure, the source said. This can end up with a case being referred to the European Court of Justice, which can impose fines. A recent European Court of Justice judgment found that EU governments cannot simply argue they are not
bound by EU law because they acted out of national security concerns. EU Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding told the European Parliament in Strasbourg yesterday that she had asked British Foreign Secretary William Hague to clarify the scope of the programme. “The message is clear: The fact that the programmes are said to relate to national security does not mean that anything goes. A balance needs to be struck between the policy objective pursued and the impact on fundamental rights, in particular the right to privacy,” she said.
EU checking if British surveillance broke law – source
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Kaieteur News
One dead, several injured in motor lorry accident One man is dead and several others are injured after the motor lorry in which they were travelling toppled at Farm End, Matthews’ Ridge, North West District. Dead is 18-year-old Leandre Perez. Police in a press release said that about 13:00hrs yesterday, a motor lorry
without registration number plates was ascending a hill at Farm End, Matthews’ Ridge, NWD, when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The release further stated that eight persons, including miner Leandre Perez, 18, of Port Kaituma, were in the tray of the vehicle when it toppled. They all sustained injuries
and were taken to the Matthews’ Ridge Hospital where Leandre Perez was pronounced dead. Three others were treated and sent away, while the other four persons have been airdashed to Georgetown. The driver of the motor lorry fled the scene and has not been arrested.
Corpses treated inhumanely, emergency... From page 10 what mechanisms are there. Because the worst case scenario is they store the dead at the hospitals and you have to prepare the dead… I have no clue,” Johnson said. According to Jones, with the large sums of monies allocated yearly to the Health Ministry, health services in Matthews Ridge beg for improvements. He said that the general operations of Matthews Ridge Hospital are being affected by the absence of
electricity. “The lights are solar powered but the points are dead. Only in emergency cases and to pump water into tanks is the generator used. Fuel is not always readily available.” He said that fuel, food and other necessities are sometimes short. Previously, businesses offered these items on credit to the hospital but because of the lengthy payment time they withdrew their services. In addition, the hospital emergency vehicle, which
appears relatively new, has been down for several months. “Whenever there is an emergency, residents have to find their own transportation to reach the hospital. I am told that the vehicle needs a part,” he said. Jones said that a blatant waste of resources was discovered along the way from Matthews Ridge to Big Creek. Apparently, a health hut that was constructed some time ago was never occupied and is now in a deplorable condition.
Thursday July 04, 2013
Poultry farming, aquaculture targeted - as 12 Amerindian villages draws down on $5M fund Twelve Amerindian communities have started to receive funding to kick-start projects geared to improve the livelihood of its residents. The projects include poultry rearing, village shops, aquaculture, cattle rearing, cassava production and cash crops. According to a government statement on Tuesday, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs (MoAA); the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Project Management Office in the Office of the President, have announced that the first set of funds has been disbursed to Amerindian communities under the Amerindian Development Fund Project. Funds disbursed to the Amerindian fund come from the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF), a multi-contributor trust fund for the financing of activities identified under the Government of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). According to the statement, the Amerindian fund project is expected to
benefit approximately 180 communities and is being implemented in two phases. “Phase I of the project will provide 27 communities with funding of up to $5M each for the development of a community-based and led initiative or business investment. Twelve of the 27 communities in this phase of the project have received disbursements to begin implementing their Community Development Plans (CDPs).” The Amerindian communities would have developed their CDPs over a number of months. These were ratified by “consensus or majority vote at village meetings. The statement explained that prior to the disbursements; MoAA and UNDP invited representatives from the communities to travel to Georgetown to participate in a workshop held over two days from March 22, last to discuss the projects. “Subsequently, MoAA and UNDP coordinated with various Government agencies (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Department, National Agriculture and
Research Extension Institute, Guyana Livestock Development Agency, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission) to undertake field visits to the selected communities, an exercise that began on April 17 and is still on-going.” According to the work plan, in the coming months, the combined project teams will continue to engage the remaining communities in Phase I, facilitating the disbursement of funds to these communities. “Concurrently, the project will produce outputs that will benefit Phase II, including a functional and scalable disbursement mechanism, key lessons learned and implications for the Phase II operational plan.” The GRIF was established in October 2010, with the World Bank as Trustee, following an agreement signed between Guyana and Norway in November 2009, in which Norway agreed to provide Guyana up to US$250 million by 2015 in performance-based payments for avoided deforestation in support of Guyana’s LCDS.
Salvation Army salutes outgoing captains
The Saint -Lot family In an atmosphere of gratitude and adoration, the Salvation Army Georgetown Citadel Corps; honored the Saint-Lot clan. The outgoing Captains Marigold Saint -Lot and his wife Murielle Saint Lot were Church leaders. The church paid tribute to the family on Sunday during a farewell ceremony held at the Georgetown Citadel, Alexander Street. Songs of praise and worship as well as prayers accompanied cultural presentations which included songs, dance, vocal
selections and recitals from representatives of several groups within the organisation. Well-wishers and worshippers asked God’s Blessing upon the Saint -Lots as they transitioned into another chapter of Ministry. The Haitian couple and their three daughters are heading to Jamaica for their next mission. The couple had been assigned to Guyana for the past ten years as Divisional Secretaries. Their appointment, has led to significant social and spiritual
development within the church. For five years, Captain and Mrs. Saint- Lot worked with the recovering addicts via the drug rehabilitation programme of the Salvation Army and travelled throughout the country preaching and teaching the word of God. At the ceremony held on Sunday, the family was honoured for their community efforts which resulted in the growth of the church as well as neighbourhood transformation.
Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Thursday July 04, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): Your reckless behavior might upset someone close to you today because you’re willing to gamble your emotional security for the possibility of an amazing experience. Although you are eager to stretch the envelope of your reality, caution is advised because you won’t likely get what you want without making a plan first. Remember, what you do before you swing into motion is as important as what you do after. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20): Unpredictable Uranus may take you for a wild ride today, temporarily leading you out of your comfort zone. You’re tempted to rock the boat and shake up your routine without considering the consequences. However, fulfilling your fantasies isn’t the best use of your energy now. It’s more constructive to free up your imagination so you can visualize the endless possibilities that exist outside of the box.
you to come out of your shell. You aren’t overly concerned about other people’s reactions now because you believe you can be yourself without being judged. Although expressing yourself spontaneously is refreshing, you still could do something foolish if you don’t consider how you might feel later. It’s great to show your true colors, but think before you act. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22): Your adventurous dreams are larger than life, but it’s not that simple to turn your fantasies into reality now. Nevertheless, you’re motivated to give it your best shot, anyhow. Instead of just leaping ahead, take the time to create a concrete plan. It’s a mistake to believe that anything is possible today unless you’re also willing to put in the necessary work. Thankfully, you have more time than you think, so don’t overreact and try to do everything at once.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20): You may scatter your energy today as you try to express yourself in innovative ways. Fortunately, you’re able to get away with bending the rules now or even making up new ones as you go along. It feels exhilarating when everything falls perfectly into place and goes according to your plans. Enjoy the fun while you can, but don’t expect it to last forever. At some point, you’ll need to return to the real world and take care of your unfulfilled obligations.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): You may be under a lot of stress now, but you can turn a difficult day into a memorable one by doing the right thing. Instead of worrying about how to get others to support your agenda, simply do the very best job you can, even if you must do it alone. Have faith; following your own moral compass won’t lead you astray. If your actions are aligned with your heart, your performance just might exceed everyone’s expectations.
CANCER (June 21–July 22): Irrepressible Uranus squares the radiant Sun in your sign today, provoking
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): It’s difficult to motivate yourself now because your professional goals are in the process of shifting. Ironically,
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Afridi, Umar Akmal recalled for West Indies tour Shahid Afridi and Umar Akmal have been recalled to Pakistan’s ODI and T20 squads for the limited-overs tour of the West Indies later this month. Two notable players who have been dropped from the Champions Trophy squad are wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal and allrounder Shoaib Malik. Fast bowler Umar Gul, who last played in March during the South Africa tour, was sidelined again as he hadn’t yet recovered from his knee surgery. The ODI squad features the uncapped 21-year-old wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, as a backup to Akmal, who was picked as the firstchoice wicketkeeper. Ahmed Shehzad, the opening batsman, has been recalled to both squads. Zulfiqar Babar, 34, who has been part of the domestic circuit for more than ten years, figures in the T20 squad. Pakistan were let down by their senior batsmen in the Champions Trophy in England as the side failed to pass 200 in their three games - the third match against India
Shahid Afridi was rain-affected - only to be eliminated from the group stage. Malik managed just 25 runs in three matches, Kamran 23 and Farhat four in two. With the pitches in the West Indies expected to be slower, the selectors have gone with one less seamer, dropping Ehsan Adil. Afridi had been dropped from the ODI squad twice in the last six months after hitting a slump with both bat and ball. He was first dropped for the one-day leg of the India tour in January before making a comeback in South Africa, but was left out again for the Champions Trophy. In the 21 ODIs since January 2012, Afridi has picked up 15 wickets at 57.13 and scored 308 runs at 19.25. He had been
training at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore over the past couple of weeks, and passed the fitness test. The captain Misbah-ulHaq defended Afridi’s inclusion but added that he wasn’t necessarily an automatic selection in the XI. Misbah said Afridi was picked as an ‘optional’ allrounder who can bat at No.7 and bowl spin. “He is an option who can help us on slower tracks (in the West Indies),” Misbah said when asked how difficult it was to pick an out-of-form player. “Malik was the one who had been helping us out with six to seven overs and was handy with the bat as well so Afridi has been recalled in place of Malik as an extra allrounder who can roll his arm on turning tracks and contribute quick runs at No.7. “But it doesn’t mean he is automatically in the XI. We first have to look at the conditions and then take a call. We are happy with the selection of 16 players and I will be ready to shoulder the responsibility of any result.” Umar Akmal was dropped from the Test side last year and was subsequently was axed from the ODI side this year. He had been working on his wicketkeeping skills at the NCA over the last two weeks under the coach Dav Whatmore. When asked if wicketkeeping would be an additional burden on him, chief selector Iqbal Qasim said that Umar Akmal was “comfortable with wicketkeeping and the decision had been taken with his consent.” “We have also added Mohammad Rizwan as a backup wicketkeeper but Umar will be doing most of the glove work and Rizwan will also be tried but it depends on the situation,” Qasim said. Umar Akmal has kept wicket in seven ODIs and the selectors have hinted at a short-term and experimental role, as his dual role could help the balance of the side. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board today announced the following ODI and T-20 Teams. ODI Team - Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shahzad, M. Hafeez, Misbah Ul Haq (Captain), Asad Shafiq, Umer Akmal (Batsman/ WK), Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, M. Irfan, Asad Ali, Umer Amin, M. Rizwan (WK), Abdul Rehman, Harris Sohail. T-20 Team - Nasir Jamshed, Ahmed Shahzad, M. Hafeez (Captain), Harris Sohail, Hammad Azam, Umer Akmal (Batsman /WK), Shahid Afridi, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanveer, Wahab Riaz, M. Irfan, Asad Ali, Umer Amin, Zulfiqar Baber, Junaid Khan.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 04, 2013
GHANA STUN PORTUGAL IN FIVE-GOAL THRILLER
Ghana have set up a FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter-final meeting with Chile after a thrilling, topsy-turvy 3-2 win over Portugal in Kayseri. Yiadom Boakye struck a dramatic late winner for the 2009 winners in a game of two comebacks and some tremendous goals. Portugal had begun the match as strong favourites after their impressive group campaign and they should have been in front inside the first minute. That was when the normally reliable Aladje fired over from eight yards, failing to convert a great cross from Bruma, who had skilfully evaded the attentions of two defenders. Ghana, however, steadily grew into the match and registered a noteworthy effort
of their own on the quarterhour mark, when a curling Moses Odjer shot forced a fine save from Jose Sa. It was a warning for Portugal of what the Black Satellites are capable of, and four minutes later they were provided with another, more costly demonstration. A stunning goal it was too, fired home from 30 yards by Kennedy Ashia, whose ferocious shot left Jose Sa without a hope of keeping it out. Long-range efforts were a feature of Ghana’s play in the first half and so too was excellent defensive organisation, with Bruma one of the tournament’s undisputed stars - left to cut an unusually subdued figure. The Portugal No11 was, though, involved when the Iberians first threatened in the second half, combining with Aladje to set up Andre Gomes for a 25-yard volley that flashed just over. Ghana were dropping ever deeper and, as the pressure increased, it was no surprise when parity was restored with 19 minutes remaining. However, the source of
Jubilation for the Ghana team after defeating Portugal the goal was unexpected, with long-haired centre-half Tiago Ferreira smashing a terrific left-foot shot in off the underside of the bar after the ball had dropped loose inside a packed penalty area. Portugal’s tails were up now and, just two minutes later, after Bruma’s deflected shot had struck the outside of the post, they moved in front.
Cavendish fights off bronchitis and wins fifth stage of the Tour de France Mark Cavendish claimed his first win of this year’s Tour de France, and the 24th of his career, winning a mass bunch sprint in Marseille after the 228.5km fifth stage from Cagnes-sur-Mer. The Manxman triumphed in a bunch sprint finish ahead of Team Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen, with Cannondale’s Peter Sagan beating Andre Greipel of Lotto-Belisol to third. A major crash 200 metres from the finish stopped much of the peloton in its tracks, but Cavendish was already flying over the line. Cavendish’s team, Omega Pharma-Quick-step, provided him with the perfect lead-out, with Tony Martin, who lost much of the skin from his back when he crashed on Saturday, putting in huge efforts as the peloton swept up the remnants of a six-man breakaway that at one point had a lead of 12 minutes. That was slowly eaten into as the sprinters’ teams, and the Orica-GreenEdge of overall leader Simon Gerrans, began to chase. The test for Cavendish was the Col de la Gineste, a category four climb 30km from the finish. Some of the rival sprinters’ teams upped the pace on the approach to the climb, in a bid to drop Cavendish. But he held on, and it was after the climb that his team took
control. In a hectic finale, as the wide boulevards of Marseille led the riders down towards the Mediterranean, two ninety-degree turns in the final 2km made it dangerous. But Martin was immense, leading Cavendish’s sprint ‘train’ from the front until, in the final 400 metres, his leadout man, Gert Steegmans, launched himself at the line. It was a much-needed win for the 28-year-old, who had been affected by an illness he did his best to conceal in the opening days of the Tour, keeping quiet in the hope he could get over it before any of his rivals realised he was suffering. ‘The sprint wasn’t too difficult,’ said Cavendish. ‘I didn’t have to do anything. I would have felt I’d let the guys down if I didn’t win. ‘I didn’t have to accelerate off the wheel, I just came off [Steegmans’] wheel at speed,’ he continued. ‘I am super happy with that.’ The problem for Cavendish has been his health — he had bronchitis last week and was on antibiotics until Sunday. ‘It wasn’t easy,’ he said, ‘because I’m still suffering. I’m not 100 per cent, but I’m much better. ‘After the disappointment of Saturday [stage one, when he was held up by the crash],
and finishing second yesterday (Tuesday) [in the team time trial], I’m really, really happy.’ ‘My Tour had been a little bit frustrating but I normally don’t win until 5th stage anyway. ‘We were motivated today, Orica normally don’t do any work but we could sit back and let them chase today. ‘We didn’t catch the break until the last minute and needed more men for the leadout, then got disrupted when we needed to stay on one side of the road. But you saw how committed everyone is and that they have got faith that if the lead-out is right, we will win.’ This is his 24th stage victory in the Tour, and leaves him one shy of Andre Leducq’s 25 for third all-time in the event’s history. There was no change at the top of the general classification, with Orica GreenEdge’s Simon Gerrans retaining yellow, and his teammates Daryl Impey and Michael Albasini are on the same time. Michal Kwiatkowski and Sylvain Chavanel of Omega Pharma-Quick-step are fourth and fifth, while Hagan’s second place keeps him in the green jersey. Stage six takes place on Thursday (today), from Aix to Montpellier. (MailOnline)
Again, it was a defender providing a finish of which any striker would have been proud, with Edgar Ie bulleting home a textbook header off the inside of the post from Ricardo Esgaio’s inviting right-footed cross. But Ghana weren’t ready to accept defeat and six
minutes later they found another goal of their own, Michael Anaba stabbing home from inside the six-yard box after Yiadom Boakye’s initial effort was parried. Then, with five minutes remaining, this dramatic match took one final twist. It seemed all but impossible that
Boakye could score from a free-kick almost on the byline wide on the left, but the Portuguese wall split and the Ghana No20’s fiercely struck shot sneaked in at the near post to seal victory. Chile had struck twice in the final ten minutes to beat Croatia 2-0.
Tennis - Lisicki favorite ahead of 33,000-1 semi-finals Sabine Lisicki
LONDON (Reuters) - An improbable scenario that would have prompted a polite chuckle among tennis fans two weeks ago is set to play out on Thursday when Marion Bartoli, Kirsten Flipkens, Sabine Lisicki and Agnieska Radwanska do battle in the Wimbledon semi-finals. The odds on those players making the last four were 33,379 - 1 at the start of the tournament but the early departures of Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka opened up the draw and Lisicki knocked out defending champion Serena Williams in the fourth round to blow it wide open. Lisicki, the new favorite and bidding to become Germany’s first grand slam singles champion since Steffi Graf in 1996, will take on last year’s runner-up Radwanska. Awaiting the winner in the final will be French 15th seed Bartoli or Belgian Flipkens, a woman who has defied medical advice to continue a tennis career that came close to being destroyed by injury and illness. Nicknamed “Flipper”, she was languishing at 262nd in the world a year ago, after suffering blood clots in her legs that put her at risk of a pulmonary embolism or thrombosis. She said she felt tired after a flight from Thailand and went to have it checked out
before heading on to Tokyo. Her fightback has been nothing short of extraordinary. Her freefall down the rankings left her in the tennis wilderness where she was not even deemed good enough to play in the qualifiers for last year’s competition. She became the first Belgian to reach the last four at Wimbledon since Justine Henin in 2007 with a three-set victory over former champion Petra Kvitova. Now all that stands between her and a place in the final is Bartoli, the 2007 runner-up to Venus Williams, whose punchy groundstrokes are tailor-made for grass. The Frenchwoman came through a bizarre rain-interrupted quarter-final that featured eight successive breaks of serve. Lisicki is now tipped as the player most likely to lift the famous Venus Rosewater dish. Having ended Williams’s hopes of a sixth title in arguably the biggest shock of a tournament filled to bursting with surprise results, she beat unseeded Estonian Kaia Kanepi in just 65 minutes to reach the last four. Lisicki’s career has also been dogged by injury - she dropped outside the world’s top 200 in 2011 - but she is a potent force on grass. She possesses one of the fastest serves on tour and her Wimbledon record contrasts markedly with her performances in the three other grand slams. She has a 18-4 record in singles at the All England Club compared to 16-15 at the Australian, French and U.S. Opens. Lisicki reached the semi-finals in 2011 before losing to Maria Sharapova, but is feeling more positive this time around. Her semi-final opponent is no novice. Radwanska reached the final last year against the odds and surprised many still further by taking Serena Williams to three sets when everyone was predicting a mauling. She is the highest remaining seed and shuns the hard-hitting muscular tennis that currently dominates the women’s game for a more cerebral and wily approach.
Thursday July 04, 2013
Kaieteur News
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ANDY MURRAY BEATS FERNANDO VERDASCO - Djokovic, Jerzy Janowicz and Juan Martin Del Potro also through
British number one Andy Murray kept his hopes of winning Wimbledon alive with a dramatic five-set win over Fernando Verdasco on Centre Court. Murray, the second seed, fought back to beat the Spaniard 4-6 3-6 6-1 6-4 7-5 and reach the semifinals for the fifth year in a row. “There’s been a lot of matches where I’ve been behind and managed to turn it round,” he told BBC Sport. “I don’t know if it is the most emotional match, but it was an unbelievable atmosphere and great to get through.” The Scot, 26, had looked like joining Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as the latest victim of a huge upset, but battled through in three hours and 27 minutes. He moves on to face 24th seed Jerzy Janowicz in Friday’s semifinals, after the Pole beat his compatriot Lukasz Kubot 7-5 6-4 6-4 on Court One. Top seed Novak Djokovic made smooth progress in the
other half of the draw, beating Tomas Berdych in three sets to earn a semi-final against Juan Martin Del Potro. Murray can still take advantage of an unexpected path to the final, but he produced an uncertain performance in the face of some big serving and heavy hitting from Verdasco. The Spaniard, 29, made plenty of errors off his favoured forehand but kept the Scot on the defensive, fending off two break points in the first set with some good serving. Murray was increasingly under pressure on his second serve, and in an edgy 10th game it came as no great surprise when he handed over the set with a double fault. It was a poor start but the threat seemed to have been averted when Murray broke at 1-1 in the second, only for the Briton to give up his advantage with a dreadful sixth game. Verdasco did superbly to return a smash but Murray should have done better than dump his volley in the net, and backhand and forehand
Graeme Swann kick started England’s surge to victory in the final session of their at times problematic Ashes warm-up match at Chelmsford. Swann (5 for 68) succeeded where England’s seam attack did not initially, accounting for Essex’s top three in the hosts’ notional pursuit of 415 to win. Then Graham Onions (4 for 43) joined in, taking three wickets for no runs as a rush of five went for 11 either side of tea to set Essex on the fast track to 186 all out and a 229run defeat with almost 24 overs unused. This contest lost its firstclass status once Essex agreed to substitute two injured frontline bowlers with another of their own in Reece Topley and one England had rested in Boyd Rankin. England’s progress to 279 for 4 declared - including two batsmen who retired out, satisfied apparently with their preparations to face Australia next week - was still pretty serene. They were able to call time at their leisure on their second innings, leaving themselves 73 overs to try to bowl Essex out. The seamers initially drew a blank in an opening stand of 91 between Jaik
Mickleburgh (58) and Hamish Rutherford. Swann did not make an immediate impact either and had to wait until his sixth over before Rutherford got greedy, missed a slog-sweep and was bowled off-stump by one that turned. The off-spinner then made short work of Owais Shah, neatly caught at first slip by Jonathan Trott away to his left; then after Mickleburgh had reached his second half-century of the match, from 68 balls, he fell disappointingly when he clipped a low full toss straight to short midwicket. Just before tea, Onions took the fourth wicket and his first when Bopara poked a tame catch to cover. Four wickets then fell in only 17 balls to Swann and Onions. First, Ben Foakes nicked one behind off Onions; then Mark Pettini moved up the pitch to Swann only to edge on to his pad to be caught at short-leg. There were two wickets in Onions’ next over, Sajid Mahmood bowled middle stump and Tom Craddock stuck on the crease lbw. David Masters was last out, caught in the deep off Swann, to end the innings with number 11 Tymal Mills unable to bat
Jerzy Janowicz
Andy Murray
errors followed. Things got considerably worse when two desperate Murray forehands landed in the net, and Verdasco benefited from an unplayable net cord to break once again, making it five games in a row as he took a two-set lead. With victory suddenly in sight, the former world number seven faltered and
the errors flowed from his forehand, allowing Murray to break in game two and gain some breathing space. He powered through the set in 31 minutes, his serve starting to crank into gear, and it came to his rescue four times as Verdasco pushed hard for the break in the fourth set. Murray was clinging on, but he made the decisive
move at 3-3 when Verdasco hammered a forehand long, and the crowd erupted as they headed into a fifth. Tension gripped the spectators and players alike, Murray reacting badly to a camera flash while serving at 4-3 down, but he stayed on terms with the more
aggressive Spaniard and finally broke him down at 5-5 in the decider. A forehand deep into the corner on break point did the damage, and after the drama of the previous three and a half hours, Murray ended the match with a clinical love hold.
CALEDONIA AIA TO FACE Swann tears Essex apart as England secure easy MEXICO’S DEPORTIVO Ashes warm-up victory TOLUCA IN CCL OPENER Graeme Swann
because of his strained hamstring. England had opted for extra batting practice for their middle order rather than an immediate overnight declaration. Jonny Bairstow passed 20 for the second time in the match, but any encouragement derived was off-set when he was also bowled out for the second time.
He aimed a confident drive towards mid-on off Rankin but missed the ball and lost his middle stump. The likely Test No 6 therefore completed his unconvincing match with the bat, having had no first-class innings since faring well on his home ground at Headingley in England’s victory over New Zealand back in May.
Trinidad and Tobago ProLeague side Caledonia AIA and Deportivo Toluca will kick start the 2013 – 2014 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Champions League on August 6 in Mexico City. The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Champions will travel to the Spanish speaking country to face the ten time Liga MX Champions in the world wide televised match from 8:00 pm. Placed in Group six of the 24 team tournament along with Comunicaciones of Guatemala, Caledonia AIA is hoping to be more than just participants in their second consecutive outing at the Confederation’s equivalent tournament to the UEFA Champions League. On August 28, Caledonia will play host to Comunicaciones, followed by their return leg against Deportivo Toluca on September 18 and a week later (September 25) would make the journey to Guatemala to complete their first round Champions League campaign. The club’s Technical
Director Jamaal Shabazz pointed out that the draw this year favoured his side with the only obstacle being their game in Mexico which will be played at high altitude (Toluca is located just outside of Mexico City standing 8,723 feet above sea level); an hindrance that the team and its technical staff will find difficult to overcome. Meanwhile, CONCACAF General Secretary Enrique Sanz said that they are extremely excited for this new edition of the CONCACAF Champions League, a tournament which he pointed out that continues to grow exponentially in each market thanks to the vast support of fans, broadcasters, media and sponsors. Univision, Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Deportes LatinAmerican and ESPN Deportes Radio among many other universally broadcasting entities will be used to showcase the 2013 – 2014 Champions League. Caledonia AIA, WConnection and Valencia FC are the Caribbean’s representatives at CONCACAF’s flagship club championship.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday July 04, 2013
Permaul & Humphrey to GITC, Christ Church, Leonora receive Berbice Sports Award
2013 Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Championship
among latest winners Andre Trotz Jr.
Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) defeated Charlestown Secondary by a 4-2 margin as action in the 2013 Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Championship continued yesterday, at the Police Sports Club (PSC) ground, Eve Leary. The Woolford Avenue and Albert Street unit opened the scoring in the 24th minute through a Clement Edwards strike. Latching onto an expertly weighted lobbed pass over the centre of the defence from the left side of the field, Edwards struck a powerful right foot into the lower left hand corner of the goal. GITC doubled their lead five minutes before the break when Jamal McPherson netted from close range. Initiating a counterattack from a resulting Charlestown corner kick, McPherson extended the lead when he fortuitously converted his second right footed strike from within the left side of the six yard area after his first attempt deflected back into his path by the Charlestown custodian. GITC increased their lead through their dynamic forward Randy Layne in the 52nd minute after he collected a perfectly placed lob that landed in the centre of the
Charlestown backline, before the nippy forward powerfully struck his left footed effort to the lower left hand corner of the goal. Charlestown managed to reduce the deficit to two as they found the back of the net in the 61st minute through an Akeem Clarke header to the top right hand side of the goal from a resulting right side corner. GITC re-established their three goal advantage with Layne completing his brace in the 72nd minute. Intercepting a poor clearance from the Charlestown custodian, Layne easily converted his left footed strike after being left unmarked in the 18 yard area. Charlestown netted a consolation goal in the 89th minute through a Shane Morris penalty kick following a GITC infringement in the penalty area by their goalkeeper. QUEENS COLLEGE 3 CHASE ACADEMY 1 At the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, Queens College (QC) defeated Chase Academy 3-1. Michael DeCosta, Salf Abrahim and Aftab Crandon were on target for the Camp Street side in the sixth, 72nd and 87th minute respectively. Isiah Reddy netted for Chase Academy in the 75th minute. CHRIST CHURCH 7 BISHOPS HIGH 3 Over at the Camptown Ground, Christ Church Secondary led by an Andre Trotz Jr. hat trick in the 27th, 59th and 76th minute respectively defeated The Bishops High 7-1. Goals by Kadeem Blackman, Carlon Harris, Javante Best and Travis Fitzpatrick in the third, 16th, 48th and 50th minute completed the victory. Imran Khan, Shakeel Mosley and Dorian Chan were on target for the Carmichael Street side in the fifth, 39th and 77th minute respectively. LEONORA 6 WEST DEMERARA 2 Leonora Secondary compliments of a Gavin Graham brace in the 45th and 51st minute hammered West Demerara Secondary 6-2 at the Den Amstel ground, West Demerara. Andrew Fowler, Brandon Blake, Jamal Perreira and Marlon Atwell were on target for the victors in the 20th, 38th, 58th and 82nd minute correspondingly. Omar Haynes and Jarad Rampersaud netted for the losers in the 17th and 81st minutes respectively. ANN’S GROVE 8 PRESIDENT’S COLLEGE 1 Anns Grove Secondary through doubles from Shamar Joseph in the eight and 19th and Derek Pelew in the 44th and 70th minute respectively pummeled President’s College (PC) 8-1 at the Beterverwagting ground, East Coast Demerara. Jamal Blair, Ocenie Griffith and Paul Collins scored for the victors in the fourth, 85th and 87th minute correspondingly. An own goal conceded by President College in the 41st minute contributed to the lost. Derek Mingo netted for PC in the 74th minute. NAMULTILATERAL15 CENTRAL CORENTYNE 0 At the All Saints Ground in Berbice, New Amsterdam Multilateral School compliments of a Shakeel Grant six goal haul in the 10th, 25th, 38th, 53th, 72nd and 75th minute hammered Central Corentyne Secondary 150. Further goals by the Travett Grinond in the first, 79th and 86th, Leon Loo in fifth, Shaquan Spencer in the 29th, Godfrey Howard in the 42nd and Akeem Bollers in the 47th, 58th and 67th minute respectively completed the rout.
Moore, the Ansa McAl Award of Excellence
Veerasammy Permaul Carol Humphrey The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club on July 18 next will be hosting the historic Sentinel Security “Gregory Gaskin” Memorial Berbice Sports Awards and the Ansa McAl Award of Excellence. The panel of judges headed by veteran Television Journalist and Sports Administrator Gregory Rambarran met recently and named the winners of the different categories. West Indies Test player Veerasammy Permaul was named the Berbice Sportsman of the Year while Lawn Tennis champion Carol Humphrey would receive the Sportswoman of the Year
Award. Popular Football organiser Neil Humphrey was named the Berbice Sports Personality of the Year while the Berbice Cricket Board was named Sports Organisation of the Year. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and its members were debarred from consideration by the judges. Long serving Berbice Cricket Board official Carl Moore would receive the Ansa McAl Award of Excellence for his outstanding contribution to the development of sports while former Region 6 Educational Officer Rosaline Garrett would
receive for Education. Veteran Lions Club member Ms. Marilyn La Rose would also be honoured for her contribution to Community Development. Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Hilbert Foster stated that the historic presentation ceremony would be held at the Club’s Head Office and CEO of the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company Mr. R.K. Sharma has been invited to deliver the key note address. Managing Director of Sentinel Security Mrs. Noreen Gaskin and Ms. Beverley Harper of Ansa McAl are also expected to deliver remarks.
THIRD TROPHY STALL VOLLEYBALL TOURNEY - BERBICE
PORT MOURANT TRAINING CENTRE 1 WIN FOR 3RD YEAR Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC) 1 continued their dominance of Volleyball in Berbice when they played unbeaten to win the Third Annual Trophy Stall Volleyball Tournament that was organised by the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) at the GUYSUCO Port Mourant Training Centre Court held on Sunday last. It was contested in blistering sunshine and the “Boys in Black”, despite not fielding a full strength team easily brushed aside all of the opposing sides through good performances from star Spiker Quacy Matheson and Setter Jason Seelochan (fresh from participating in the FIVB Grassroots Beach Volleyball Course held last week in Georgetown), ably supported by Trevlon McRae and outstanding Libero - Beepaul Bandoo. Despite the extremely hot conditions, all of the matches were keenly contested as the players sought to impress the
BVA selectors who were present. Unfortunately, the female category of the competition was not played due to the absence of players who were attending Inter Guiana Games (IGG) sessions in the City. That competition will be played later this month. PMTC 1 defeated Falcons 30-16, Port Mourant Jaguars 30-19, Albion 30-26 and PMTC 2 - 30-25, while second placed Albion defeated PMTC 2 - 30-21, Falcons 3023 and lost to PM Jags 27-30 and PMTC 1 - 26-30. Third placed PM Jaguars defeated Falcons 30-20, Albion 30-27, PMTC 2 30-21 and lost to PMTC1 19-30. At the presentation ceremony held immediately after the competition, BVA President Gregory Rambarran expressed gratitude to the sponsor, Mr. Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall of Georgetown, the Administration of the GUYSUCO Port Mourant
Training Centre, the officials, the players and spectators for ensuring the successful completion of the competition. The first, second and third placed teams were each presented with trophies from members of the BVA Executive while female spectators presented trophies to outstanding players. Beepaul Bandoo received the best Libero trophy, Quacy Matheson (Best Spiker & MVP trophies, Jason Seelochan (Best Setter & Server trophies), Trevlon McRae (Best Blocker trophy) and Levi Nedd (Best Defence trophy). Rambarran also took the opportunity to present a Mikasa Coaches Strategy Board to veteran player and long serving National Coach Levi Nedd who celebrated his 51st birthday on Sunday last. The PMTC Club also received a new pair of volleyball nets compliments of the BVA.