Kaieteur Ne

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 3

Jealous husband hacks wife, her lover to death

Quick work by the police led to the capture of a man who is alleged to have killed his wife and her overseasbased lover in a brutal assault that rocked the Corentyne yesterday.

Parbatie Vijrauren, 37, called ‘Nickey’, a mother of two of Lot 1B Kilcoy, Corentyne, Berbice, and Ramdat Persaud, called ‘Buddy’, 56, a father of two of 62 Tain Village Corentyne, Berbice and of the USA were allegedly chopped to death.

The two were found dead in Persaud’s apartment around 05:00 hours with chop wounds about their bodies.

Police had initially believed that the killings were a murder/suicide but they later received information that led them to conclude that they were dealing with a double murder.

The initial police press release had given the woman’s name as Parbatie Vyraum, 34.

It stated that at about 05:10 hours on Wednesday, the bodies of the woman and her reputed husband Ramdat Persaud, 56 were found in their home at Tain, Corentyne, Berbice.

“Parbatie Vyraum was found lying on a bed with stab wounds to the body, while Ramdat Persaud was found on the floor. Based on initial investigations, the Police are working on a theory of suspected murder/suicide, and are awaiting the results of the PME,” the statement said.

A few hours later, the police reported that “in relation to the deaths of Parbatie Vyraum and Ramdat Persaud of Tain, Corentyne, Berbice, be informed that the investigations are now centered on a double murder.”

According to information, Persaud, who lived overseas, has been in Guyana for over seven months, leaving his wife and children in the USA. While here, he struck up a relationship with Vijrauren, after she returned home from Trinidad with her husband.

The relationship grew stronger despite the

Dead: Ramdat Persaud protestation of Vijrauren’s husband.

Persaud was determined not to leave his new lover and eventually agreed to share her with her husband.

While the woman’s husband appeared to agree to the arrangement, relatives believe that he was actually hatching a sinister plan.

The trio became friends and the woman and her new lover would alternate their times at their different residences.

The woman’s husband even began to work with the man and would cook and help out around the house at times.

However according to sources the woman had promised her husband that

she would break up with the man, but she kept on seeing, causing her husband’s anger to grow stronger.

There are reports that Vijrauren’s husband previously attempted to kill Persaud, lashing him in his head with a blunt object.

The attack resulted in Persaud being hospitalized with a fractured skull, which prevented him from travelling back to United States of America.

Persaud was expected to return to America on June 22, June for a family wedding.

The woman’s husband subsequently fled to Suriname where he remained to avoid arrest.

The coast was now clear for Persaud and Vijrauren to

Dead: Parbatie Vijrauren called Nickey enjoy their affair in peace. But it was not for long.

The woman’s jealous husband eventually slipped back into Guyana and began trailing the couple, looking for the opportunity to end the affair once and for all.

He followed them to Kilcoy where they spent most of the day yesterday before moving to Persaud’s house at Tain during the evening.

A relative of Persaud, who lives in the bottom flat of his house, made the shocking discovery early yesterday morning.

He said that he went to the back of the yard and noticed a few grill bars were removed from a window that was open.

He said that he then

ventured upstairs to inform Persaud. But he got the shock of his life when he knocked on the door it swung open, revealing a grisly site.

He said that when he pushed his head into the apartment he was horrified to see the entire place splattered in blood and the two lifeless and bloodied bodies. He alerted neighbours and the police were subsequently contacted and responded promptly.

Acting on information,

the police went in search of Vijrauren’s husband who was working on a construction site a few villages away.

He initially denied knowledge of the brutal killing but under intense interrogation, he began trembling and buckled.

According to a source, who is a part of the investigating team, the man claimed that after following his wife and her lover to Persaud’s house late Tuesday afternoon, he hid in the yard for several hours, waiting for the right time to strike.

He claimed that he even heard his wife and her USbased lover arguing over another female with whom Persaud was friendly.

The source said that the suspect waited until about midnight when the couple turned off the lights in the apartment, and then made his way in.

He waited three more hours until he was certain that they were asleep before making his move.

The man claimed that he first chopped his wife before turning the cutlass he had on her lover, brutally hacking him to death. He then returned to his wife and finished her off.

Post mortem examinations conducted on the bodies by Pathologist Dr. Vivikanand Brijmohan yesterday confirmed that they both died from shock and hemorrhage due to incised wounds.

Page 4

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

Letters... Where your views make the news Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

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

EDITORIAL

Willful waste of money Disclosures that the previous government was dispensing money like a tap dispensing water has indeed come as a shock to the many taxpayers who each day must struggle to make ends meet. One glaring case involves the government recruiting an individual who left these shores for whatever reason to reside in Canada.

There is no shortage or reportorial skills in Guyana so for the government to reach out to Canada and recruit an individual who is at best mediocre to perform duties at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry and to pay that person US$7,333 per month ($1.5M) per month can only be a case of cronyism.

But that is only the tip of the iceberg. The new government has found nearly two dozen people, who were paid to monitor Facebook, write letters to the press and harass and abuse anyone who dared to criticize the government. Millions of dollars had to be spent on this.

Who were these people? Certainly friends of Kwame McCoy who had a knack for inviting his friends to work in Office of the President. Then there were the gifts to various other friends and relatives. In one case where a friend of the government opted to sue the government immediately the Office of the Attorney General opted to pay compensation of more than $200 million.

In the case of the Commissioners hired to conduct the Rodney Commission of Inquiry the government literally shelled out money on what could only be described as a holiday for the three Commissioners. The People’s National Congress and many others concluded that the Commission was intended to indict the PNC. The only evidence that the Commission considered were those that seemed to implicate the PNC. And there was a lot of hearsay. For this the government paid millions of dollars.

People who offered contradictory evidence were left to fend for themselves.

One man who was brought from Cayenne is still to receive the money he spent to get here and to return home.

He was never cross examined and it is now unlikely that he ever will.

But it is the government spending on all manner of things that the nation was never made aware of that boggles the mind. And to aid its cause, the government hired many contract employees to work in the various departments and Ministries. Where queries arose the authorities never deigned to provide answers.

To this day, there has never been an answer on the outcome of the fraud probe at the National Communications Network, a probe that was completed even before Donald Ramotar became President in 2011.

Guyana and its assets had become the property of the national leaders, to dispose of as they saw fit. Hundreds of acres of state lands were given to private developers who in turn made millions of dollars, courtesy of the government.

And as if to highlight that the misuse of funds is not accidental the government announced the further disbursement of a further $1 billion ostensibly to clean up the city and other parts of Guyana. Perhaps the only visible evidence of any work done of consequence for the $500 million is found in Le Repentir cemetery.

That was overgrown. In fact, it had become a veritable jungle. The money released by the PPP Government saw the removal of the tall trees and the return of the cemetery to a place that could be accessed by those who wanted to use the facility.

But for the rest of the city, one cannot say anything.

Today, some six months after that the government is trying to find money to effect another cleanup. All the government would say when asked about the use of the $500 million is that there will have to be forensic audit to find it.

What we do know is that the drains continue to be blocked as are the outfall channels so that at the slightest shower the city floods. At the start of the week the city was under water and one wondered where the $500 million went.

Can the PPP rise from the ashes like a Phoenix?

DEAR EDITOR, Ever since his assumption to the highest office in the land, President Granger, in realpolitik form, has moved swiftly to provide effective leadership and institutional changes.

As a historian, author of several books on Guyana and the Caribbean, as well as the publisher of the Guyana Review magazine, he understands the history of the country very well and he is not shy about using power to effectuate the necessary changes that coincide with his vision for a new Guyana.

If current trends continue, Granger will in effect transform the course of Guyana’s history and he will have a lasting and pervasive impact on the political culture and Guyanese ethos.

While the Granger administration enjoys its honeymoon period, some hard facts should not go unnoticed.

One, the governing coalition is not your typical coalition. In general, coalition governments, as they exist in other countries, tend to capture much more than a mere 51% of the electorate, and, coalitions are composed of parties where the smaller of the coalition partners can barter their support to exact concessions from the larger partner.

The bargaining power of the AFC has been reduced by

a constitutional provision preventing post-election coalitions, as well as the Cummingsburg Accord, signed by both coalition partners.

Two, despite what the enthusiasts now proclaim, the APNU/AFC is not a government of “national unity” (neither was the PPP/ C). The fact remains that the PPP/C is still the largest political party in Guyana (with 32 parliamentary seats). And, as the election clearly demonstrates, the electorate/ nation remains ethnically divided, probably more so than previous elections.

The new government has a unique opportunity to expand on the coalition support by cutting into the PPP base before the 2020 elections.

Granger, however, will have to control the partisan scrum by keeping the old PNC rear guards at bay, while making genuine overtures to the supporters of the PPP. He will have a greater impact on the Guyanese political landscape if he can bridge the racial gap between the two major ethnic communities and move the needle closer to a government of national unity.

A central feature of any democracy is reflected in periodic changes in government through transparently free and fair elections. An equally

important characteristic of a functioning democratic system is the presence of a political opposition that operates within the ambit of the rules of engagement to support, critique or reshape public policy.

Whether the PPP can become an effective opposition party, depends on a number of basic factors, all of which centre around its ability to fully recover from its recent electoral defeat.

Reasons, among others, for the PPP’s electoral loss include, but are not limited to: arrogance on the part of PPP leadership, the undemocratic nature of its party apparatus, long-standing accusations of corruption, a well-oiled opposition force that exploited the PPP/C weaknesses and placed the party on the defensive, an effective anti-PPP social media campaign, as well as its antagonistic relations with the USA, a country already weary of the antics of the nearby Nicolás Maduro government in Venezuela.

However, there are two overriding characteristics defining the nature of what the PPP/C has become internally since its origin as a mass-based party that have contributed to its overall image of a spent party, leading to its electoral defeat at the polls.

One, the party apparatus has been taken over by a small

group of unprofessional “lumpen” element associated with its “working class” philosophy, truncating over the years the intellectual core that once guided the direction of the party.

The lack of a professional intellectual leadership placed the party in the hands of individuals who became vindictive against its opponents, often times treated as though they were enemies of the state. The Nandlall/Kaieteur News and Bheri Ramsaran episodes come to mind.

Two, the Marxist principle of democratic centralism by which the PPP governed itself stifled criticism of its internal policy and leadership, creating an environment whereby few individuals at the hierarchical top dictated policies and exercised control, leaving little room for reforms based on constructive criticisms.

Ironically, the current crop of PPP leaders strayed away from the virtues of its founder/leader (honesty, incorruptible, humility, etc), while adherence to the core ideological values of the Jagans have placed the party in decline, and in jeopardy.

The demons which the post-Jagan leaders have nurtured internally have now engulfed the party, including a younger generation that has been inculcated within its (Continued on page 23)

Guyanese cultural and religious practitioners should consider certain cautionary practices DEAR EDITOR, All cultural and religious practitioners in Guyana and its diaspora should be aware that Guyanese culture is today what Jamaican, Cuban and Haitian culture was in the 1940’s and 1950’s: source material for anthropologists, sociologists, film-makers and journalists.

Some of these observers are respectful of Guyanese culture while others are not, and this includes foreigners as well as a new breed of “native informers” who write for U.S. audiences. Because of this there are certain cautionary practices that should be considered.

First, on other islands where religions are filmed, the practitioners always ask the producers to stop the cameras at the moment of trance or possession, and many Caribbean filmmakers have adopted this practice.

For example, in the film “Oggun” by Cuban filmmaker Gloria Rolando, the moment of possession is blacked out on the screen as a sign of deference.

Today this is standard

practice in films on Caribbean religions. But just last week I was astonished to see a film on Guyanese Mariamman worship in Queens that depicted two individuals under trance. It seemed as if these individuals did not know that this moment of intimacy was being filmed.

All Guyanese religious practitioners, especially those involved in Comfa, Watermama, Kali and Mariamman worship should insist that the cameras be stopped at the moment of trance or possession as a gesture of respect.

Secondly, there are many Guyanese who have published in local journals, pamphlets, tracts and newspapers. There are also writers whose unpublished works are in circulation.

These writers should be vigilant about their research being used without permission.

For example, I recently wrote an article on IndoCaribbean jewellery that contained interpretations of colonial postcards that depicted Indo-Caribbean

women. My work on these postcards was plagiarized.

The plagiarist obviously assumed that because my article was in a Caribbean journal that no one in the U.S. would know or care about the plagiarism.

Since Guyanese culture is now under the gaze of the U.S., and articles explaining aspects of music, politics and cuisine are popular, Guyanese writers should be careful that their work is not being paraphrased or reproduced in any way without proper citation.

This applies to both published and unpublished works in circulation.

Third, as sociologists, anthropologists and journalists descend upon Guyana, ordinary Guyanese who are interviewed should be aware that their names and words are being repeated in articles and books.

It is necessary to consider what knowledge is disclosed and how it is being used.

While Guyana is a complex place, there are many disparaging and simplistic representations that are currently being disseminated in the U.S. today by foreigners and native informers alike.

Dr. Joy Mahabir State University of New York

Three questions for former PM Hinds DEAR EDITOR, I noticed former Prime Minister Sam Hinds in the PPP’s picket line in front of GECOM. I have three questions for Mr Hinds. First, what is the current status of the Civic?

Second, can he indicate

whether he is representing the Civic component of the PPP/ C at the picket?

Finally, if he still represents the Civic, can he state whether the Civic has a position on the future progress of the PPP? Nigel Westmaas

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

There is a grey area that needs A clean Guyana reflects you; what is your reflection? to be cleared up about this system DEAR EDITOR, I read with great interest in the Kaieteur News of Monday June 1st, 2015 (page 15) “Police Complaints Authority gets own investigative team - Retired cops, former Army captain appointed.”

There is a grey area that needs to be cleared up in relation to the investigation of offences against discipline under the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17: 01.

Section 5 (1) of the Act states ‘Every alleged commission of an offence against discipline under the Act shall be investigated as soon as possible by a member of the Force not below the

rank of sergeant and of a higher rank than the member of the Force who is alleged to have committed the offence.’

The appointed investigators cannot come into play with their former ranks. I did not see or hear any announcement that the Police Service Commission or the Commissioner of Police promoted/appointed them to the rank of sergeant or above.

The vexed question is - Is there any law giving the newly appointed investigators the legal authority to conduct investigation of offences against discipline as stipulated in the Police

‘Discipline’Act Chapter 17:01 whether or not a complaint was made to the Police Complaints Authority?

Perhaps the law was enacted sometime ago. Please enlighten me.

Could someone please make it pellucid to me, an ordinary layman with some interest in the Police Force what is legally taking place at the Police Complaints Authority in relation to investigation of discipline that falls within the ambit of section 4 of the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17.01?

Clinton Conway Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police

DEAR EDITOR, It overwhelms my conscience to see Guyanese in their numbers aiding in making their homes a better place, to make their communities cleaner and by extension ‘restore’ our nation to its former beauty. Kudos to you all.

There has been an awakening of the masses.

However the question still remains; why now? Why only now are there ‘clean initiatives’ coming from the average citizen? Whichever direction these clean up actions do take, why has it never been done before?

Regardless of the authority above us, clean

surroundings should be radical. Our mere existence in these places should encourage us to keep it clean.

How did the garbage get there in the first place? We are the ones who littered here and there; we are the ones who don’t teach our young to be responsible with our refuse; we are the ones who see each other litter and say or do nothing about it.

Acceptance of this is failing us and excuses prevail, but that is the truth about garbage in our nation, and we have always been the prime contributors in some way.

Whatever remedial work we are doing now corresponds to our own

benefits and I greatly hope that these actions are sustained to see a truly better nation. Let us not clean because of certain ‘favourable’ conditions, just keep it clean for YOU, do it for yourself.

And to those who have always been cleaning (yes such people do exist) regardless, then be at ease that your efforts will not be in vain, your parapets will no longer be littered and your drains will no longer be clogged. Well at least that’s how it seems, let’s hope for the best.

A clean Guyana reflects you; what is your reflection?

Nafeeza Khan

Restoration of the dismantled Agriculture can play a greater arch should be a priority role in the country’s development DEAR EDITOR, How can Agriculture play a greater role in the development of Guyana?

For the longest while, it has been said that Guyana can be the bread basket of the Caribbean. Along the way, many studies and initiatives have been taken, unfortunately to no avail.

These have shown that there is a way, and I am convinced that the will is there. So, why is it not happening?

Recently, there was the ADP (Agriculture Export Diversification Programme) which was to find export markets for quality products, put in place, with the intention of achieving this objective and making the wellbeing of the Guyanese farmers better. Unfortunately, this Program failed miserably.

Three (3) Clusters were set up: Fruits and Vegetable to be overlooked by the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI); Livestock - to be overlooked by the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority (GLDA); and Aquaculture - to be overlooked by the Satyadeo Aquaculture Centre If we were to add the rice, sugar and coconut industries, then one can safely say that the Agriculture sector is covered. The rice industry is

in a relatively good state.

There have been complaints from some farmers about the prices of paddy, in some cases justified. In other cases, because of higher yielding varieties and good husbandry practices, some farmers are earning 100% on their investment in six (6) months. This is not justified.

I honestly believe that the GRDB (Guyana Rice Development Board) has been doing a good job in Research and Paddy Production. So good, that, they have not been able to market all their excess production on a timely basis.

Guyana trades about 75% of its production, while only 4% of the world’s production is traded.

The sugar industry is a different kettle of fish. It is in lots of trouble. This industry must not be allowed to die, as too many Guyanese are dependent on it and the large amount of money recently invested in same.

Bearing in mind the state of the industry – the high cost of production, due to badly maintained factories and poor husbandry practices in the fields – the options for this industry are: Allow it to die. Distribute the land among the present workers and help them to be productive in other areas.

This is where another ADP can play a very pivotal role, i.e. encourage production of a quality product for a secured export market.

Privatise individual estates to different individuals.

Privatise the industry to one individual.

The government should definitely not stay in control of this industry, as it will be a drain on much needed resources.

The coconut tree is now classified as the plant of life.

If this asset is properly utilised, then there will be lots of benefit to the economy.

For these initiatives to be successful, it is important that the following agencies NAREI, GLDA and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation - perform effectively. The members of these Boards should be knowledgeable, and committed to the development of Guyana.

Also, there must be a small independent group, to oversight these bodies, to make sure that they carry out their mandate.

Beni Sankar, A.A.

DEAR EDITOR, The commendable gesture by His Excellency President David Granger in restoring the Independence Arch, on Brickdam, upon assuming office, a day after his swearing-in ceremony, indeed deserves the highest praise by the nation.

Primarily for his intervention and also the various firms that played a meaningful role, in sprucing up the surrounding areas.

Readily coming to mind are B.K International Inc. and Ming’s Products & Services along with other citizens/ companies too numerous to mention.

With the observance of our nation’s 49th Independence Anniversary on May 26th, 2015 at the aforementioned venue, of significance was the flag– raising ceremony.

However, we should not forget the dismantling of the arch on the Public Road, in the vicinity of First Street, Alexander Village, years ago to facilitate a four-lane carriageway.

Upon completion, the arch was never replaced. As

such it should be of utmost priority for this national landmark to be restored at the earliest opportunity.

Of course reconstruction/ fabrication would have to be worked out within a budgetary framework.

Since there are numerous business interests in proximity, they all can be approached for a contribution financially or in terms of providing machinery.

Civic-minded citizens

from the surrounding areas can contribute voluntary labour and possibly snacks/ beverages.

In closing, permanent nightly guards remain a prerequisite against vandalism and encroachment by vagrants.

This humanitarian and national gesture should be accorded to all national and historical artifacts throughout Guyana.

Patriotic Guyanese

Page 6

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

Fired: GuySuCo’s boss and board sent packing Government yesterday fired the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the entire board of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), citing increasing losses and waste in recent years.

An Interim Management Committee (IMC), to be headed by former CEO Errol Hanoman, will take the reins of what is the country’s largest single employer. Also tipped to return is former CEO, Paul Bhim, who will work under Hanoman in the IMC. The decision to dismiss CEO, Dr. Raj Singh, and ask for the resignation of the Board was taken by the Cabinet on Tuesday.

A Government of Guyana statement said that on the directive of Cabinet, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder, yesterday issued the letter of dismissal to Singh. It

- two former CEOs tipped for IMC - COI to be established before month-end to chart industry’s future takes immediate effect.

“In addition, members of GuySuCo’s Board of Directors have been instructed to send in letters of resignation with immediate effect.”

Explaining the decision, Government stressed that GuySuCo has been suffering increased losses over the years. “In 2014, the sugar Corporation received a $6B bailout. For this year, the Corporation has requested a $16B bailout package.”

Kaieteur News was told that following a request from GuySuCo last week, Minister Holder went to the Cabinet meeting Tuesday and reported that the Corporation

was asking for a $16B bailout.

The Cabinet of Ministers bluntly refused, not convinced that the current dismal situation would be reversed even if such the bailout proposal was entertained.

“Over the years GuySuCo has been sinking further into debt due to ineffective operations both at the financial and production levels,” the Government statement said.

MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE To ensure that the Corporation continues to survive, the Government will be putting in place an IMC

Birth registration services to be available in outlying areas An assessment is underway by the new Government on the issuing of Birth Certificates.

Speaking of his plans Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix, earlier this week disclosed that the intention is to bring services to people.

“We have started a review of the entire system regarding the applications and processing of birth certificates. We still have people without a birth certificate because of a simple reason like not knowing where they were born.”

Felix, a former Commissioner of Police, has been handed the responsibility for a critical area which has been the source of complaints for years now. Stories would be told of persons lining up outside of the GPO building on Robb Street from early in the morning.

The process has seen considerable ease now with the persons being allowed to drop their applications in a box and waiting a few weeks for their birth certificates.

However, the system still remains largely a manual one.

According to Felix, it is the intention of the new Government to digitalize the entire process.

“We have a situation where persons still don’t have birth certificates. And we have situations where persons can, at the drop of a hat, apply for copies of their birth certificates. Surely this cannot continue. We have to regularize the process.”

The official disclosed that in keeping with a promise by President David Granger to see Government taking services to the people, it is

- Minister Felix the intention of the ministry to make applications easier in outlying areas in Berbice and Essequibo.

“We are looking at places like the Corentyne, Essequibo coast and even Lethem, Region Nine, to offer these services.”

The official noted that systems will be introduced to ensure that the possibilities of irregularities would be reduced. The issue has also been especially critical in areas in outlying hinterland communities where the incidents of having no birth certificates were highest among the Amerindians.

Minister of Citizenship, Winston Felix

The new Government has started a review of birth registrations.

Fired Board Members: Geeta Singh-Knight, Badri Persaud and Dr. Dindyal Permaul that is expected to take effect from today and which will oversee the Corporation for at least six months.

“Before the end of this month, the Government will establish a Commission of Inquiry (COI) to look in to the operations of GuySuCo and chart a way forward.”

According to a Government official yesterday, President David Granger and the Cabinet of Ministers were “not happy with the bailout request. The CEO and the Board were dragging the industry down.

It was well ventilated in the press but no actions were taken. As a country, we cannot continue this way.”

The Cabinet of Ministers was convinced that such a massive amount of funding will only be mis-spent.

According to the Government statement yesterday, workers should not worry. “The Government wishes to assure workers of GuySuCo that they will be paid and there will be no closing of the sugar corporation.”

The mandate of the COI will be tasked to make recommendations to return GuySuCo, with its seven estates in Berbice and Demerara, and 16,000-strong workforce, back to profitability.

Kaieteur News was told that Hanoman and Bhim only agreed to return if Dr. Singh, a former Chairman of the Board, was no longer around.

Hanoman, who has extensive knowledge of the local sugar industry, was hired by GuySuCo as CEO before he resigned in 2010. He has worked with EU’s sugar giants, Booker Tate.

Bhim, whose background is in finance, resigned last year after he was replaced by Dr. Singh.

Singh, who was brought from the US by the Bharrat Jagdeo administration, had been under fire since he

Fired: CEO, Dr. Rajendra Singh

Fired Chairman: Shaik Baksh

Tipped for IMC: Errol Hanoman, Paul Bhim stepped down as Chairman and was appointed the CEO last year.

SINKING SHIP Under his watch and that of the Board, GuySuCo stumbled to a two decades low in production despite billions being pumped into the state-owned entity, which at one time was the country’s biggest foreign currency earner.

As CEO, he mounted the platform, openly campaigning for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic during the recent General and Regional Elections. His party lost. Last week Monday, in

the first indication that there would have been clashes, Singh reportedly told the workers’ union that the Corporation was preparing to close the operations of the seven estates until its gets an urgent cash injection by the end of the month (Sunday).

The cash was to pay junior and senior staffers and suppliers.

However, Minister Holder made it clear that he was not informed of the dire cash situation by the CEO despite a meeting earlier that day.

Through Government’s intervention, US$2M loan from a Jamaican bank averted (continued on page 21)

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Fighting re-starts in Ukraine - first serious battles in months

Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak Ukrainian troops and proRussian separatists yesterday fought their first serious battles in months and Ukraine’s defence minister said an attempt by rebels to take the eastern town of Maryinka had been thwarted.

The Ukrainian military said the Russian-backed rebels had tried to advance using tanks and up to 1,000 fighters west of the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk, in the most significant escalation of the conflict in about three months and in defiance of a ceasefire deal. Estimates of casualties varied.

The separatists, who denied their forces had launched an assault, said 15 people had been killed when government troops fired artillery into rebel-held territory near the city.

A Ukrainian presidential spokesman, Yuri Biryukov, on his Facebook page put total casualties at 7 p.m. (1600 GMT) at two dead and 30 injured, while regional police chief Vyacheslav Abroskin said three civilians had been killed.

In Moscow, the Kremlin immediately took the side of the separatists, accusing the Ukrainian armed forces of carrying out provocative actions.

“In Moscow, we are following very closely, and are deeply concerned by, the

provocative actions by the Ukrainian armed forces that are, as far as we can see, provoking the situation,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists on a call. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said those responsible for the fresh fighting were trying to halt progress in internationallybrokered peace talks.

Washington blamed Moscow for the violence.

“Russia bears direct responsibility for preventing these attacks and implementing a ceasefire. Any attempts to seize additional Ukrainian territory will be met with increased costs,” State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf told reporters.

Ukraine said the separatists had launched an early morning assault on government-held Maryinka, a town 15 km (9 miles) west of Donetsk which had a preconflict population of about 9,900.

HEAVY WEAPONS The fighting, in which both sides used heavy weapons, went far beyond the regular low-level skirmishing which has regularly punctuated a ceasefire brokered in February by the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France.

The fighting started around 3 a.m. (midnight GMT) and ended almost 12

hours later.

“For the moment, storming operations have been halted,” Ukrainian Defence Minister Stepan Poltorak told reporters.

A military spokesman was later quoted by Interfax news agency as saying that separatists had launched new attacks on Maryinka and that parts of the town were on fire.

Other spokesmen said government troops were in control.

Many heavy weapons have been pulled back under the ceasefire agreement brokered in Minsk, Belarus, to put the warring sides out of range of each other’s big guns.

But the Ukrainian military acknowledged it had used heavy weapons in the latest fighting. “For the purpose of appropriate response, we were forced to use heavy artillery,” military spokesman Oleksiy Mazepa said on television channel 112.

Senior rebel commander Eduard Basurin said separatist forces had only used weapons in defence, denying any attempt to advance.

“We are not carrying out offensive actions,” separatist press service DAN quoted him as saying.

The separatists said more than 900 miners had been trapped underground after the clashes caused a power failure at two large mines, Skochinsky and Zasyadko, in Donetsk. They were later evacuated, the separatist emergency services said.

Ninety people, wounded in shelling yesterday, had to be evacuated along with other patients from a hospital in Donetsk’s Petrovsky district, after the building was also cut off from power, head doctor Igor Rutchenko was quoted as saying by DAN.

Obama: China ‘putting out feelers’ about joining Pacific trade pact U.S. President Barack Obama said in a radio interview yesterday that China was “putting out feelers” about participating in a Pacific Rim trade pact at some point. The White House wants to reach a trade deal with 12 Pacific Rim nations.

“China is going to have to at least take those international norms into account” if its neighbours form a pact, Obama told the U.S.-based radio program Marketplace.

A portion of the interview was posted online yesterday.

U.S. President Barack Obama

Page 7

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 9

DUE PROCESS IS DUE On election night there was a mini riot in Sophia. The property of a man was set alight by a crowd.

The television flashed scenes of the incident. It showed young men jumping up in glee, high fiving and otherwise celebrating the fact that the property of a fellow resident was set alight. Those celebrating were mainly young men. They found happiness in the misfortune of a fellow human being, one that resided in their area.

It was so sad to see this, sad for the man to have suffered losses but even more, sad to see young people feeling good about his tragedy.

Right now there are many persons in our society who are happy. They are happy because the APNU+AFC government has begun to move against certain public officials.

Those who are happy are pleased that these persons have been sent packing from the jobs they hold. No thought is spared for the fact that most of these persons would have families to upkeep and now they are being put on the breadline. It is never nice to kick a man when he is down.

The hammer is coming down on a number of government officials. This was to be expected. When a new government takes over, the hammer always fall on persons. Many of these dismissals/sending on leave are to be expected.

But two pieces of caution are in order. Firstly things have to be done in the right way. Firstly, in one case the Georgetown Municipality sent the Town Clerk on leave.

The Town Clerk’s protestations that it was only the Minister who could send her on leave were ignored. Yet in another case, another Local Government official was reportedly sent on administrative leave by the political directorate and not by her Council.

There is an important point of law at issue here. Just who is authorized to send a Local Government official on leave? Is it the political directorate or is it the Local Government organ? I trust that in both instances there will be legal challenges so that the Court can pronounce definitively on who has the authority to send someone on leave.

The sending of someone on administrative leave

Dem boys seh ...

De Chat-3 get cuff in he eye Everybody know de saying that angry people got matches. And people does get vex fuh nuff thing. Some does get vex when people talk to dem; some does get vex when dem ain’t get wha dem want and some does get vex when dem get ketch doing something that dem should be ashamed to do. De bottom line is that all of dem is angry people.

Yesterday, Bulky, de furniture man, decide to heck and see how Whittaker spend one billion dollar that Donald tell he to use to bribe de people in Gee Tee. When Whitty release de money suddenly every corner of de city had contractor.

Luncheon did know about de spending because he announce big and bold that de government gun keep de money far from Hammy.

De other day de rain come and flood out de whole of Gee Tee. But just before that dem private people did start a campaign fuh clear up garbage in de city. Dem boys never see suh much garbage after a government did spend $500,000 to move de same garbage.

Bulky announce that he got to find out wheh dem spend de money. He nearly didn’t find out. Somebody close to Whitty and Donald decide fuh buy some kero and when de rest of people gone home she soak de place.

Dem boys seh that if was a man he woulda buy gasoline.

It had to be a woman who accustom to buying kero to cook.

She soak de carpet and de chair and she light de fire. When she walk out nobody didn’t even suspect nutten because was only a woman going home.

De fire tek long to ketch. In fact it cause more smoke than fire. That is how kero does burn. People see de smoke and dem put out de fire. That is wha save de records fuh Bulky check.

Dem got angry people over de Rodney Commission of Inquiry but dem ain’t got control over de money. De Chat-3 lef before dem boys talk bout checking. But after de news come out that he spend like if he was shying rice, some angry person cuff he in he eye.

Dem boys seh don’t believe dem but check de Chat-3 and you gun see he get cuff in he eye.

Talk half and look out fuh more fire.

should be done only in certain circumstances. If for administrative reasons, someone has a great deal of accumulated leave, this may present some problems.

For example, the organization may not wish the official to be away for such an extended period. That could disrupt the work of the organization. As such, the organization may ask the person to proceed on leave at a time when their absence can be better handled.

A person can also be sent on leave to facilitate an investigation. It may be felt that the presence of the person on the job may affect

the integrity of the investigation and therefore that person should proceed on leave. In such cases, the leave should not be extended but just enough to facilitate the investigation. At no time should the sending off of someone on leave be used as a punitive measure.

It is also an unwritten convention that someone should at least be advised why they are being asked to proceed on leave. It is not certain if in the case of the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Authority whether reasons were given for him being sent off.

Due process should at all

times prevail. If you are sending someone on leave in order to investigate a complaint, the person being sent on leave is entitled to be told of the nature of the complaint.

In that particular case, it was reported that the CEO was sent on leave by the Board. In so far as Corporations are concerned, this is the correct procedure.

It is the Board and the Board alone, not any politician, who can send the Head of a Corporation on leave.

It is now being reported in the media that the Chief Executive of Guysuco has been fired by the government

which has also asked for the resignation of the members of the Board of Directors. This is back-to-front situation. If the government wants to fire the Chief Executive Office it has to be done the proper way. They have to call in the Board and instruct them to fire the CEO. When this is done, they should then tell the Board members to submit their resignations.

Health Minister visits Berbice hospitals…

Probe ordered into $25M spent on curtains, window blinds Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, on Wednesday visited a few health institutions in Berbice as he continues country wide familiarization tours.

The Minister spent the entire day visiting the National Psychiatric Hospital at Fort Canje, the nearby Berbice Regional Health Authority and the state of the art New Amsterdam Hospital.

The Minister, who was accompanied by Permanent Secretary, Leslie Cadogan, was appalled at what he saw.

He expressed his utter disgust at the state of the National Psychiatric Hospital.

The place is in a disgraceful state and an investigation is to be launched.

What was even more distressing was the state of the storeroom. The place was in a mess. Hundreds of items and material that were said to be in short supply and not in stock were found in the stores. Some were destroyed, unpacked and even spoiled and rotten.

Items such as bed sheets were in abundance and recently there was a shortage at the hospital.

The hospitals regularly suffer from shortage of milk which turned out to be in abundance in the storerooms. Pampers were also found in piles while the

Health Minister at one of the hospitals

hospitals had none.

Recently, the hospital was distributing tables that were soft and would crush easily.

What took the Minister by surprise was the number of new car jacks that were found in the bond. He wondered why such items were in abundance in the storage.

A new generator that was bought allegedly to be used at the New Amsterdam Hospital since last year was also found under wraps.

The Minister on a visit to the New Amsterdam Hospital

toured the various sections of the health institution. He also heard a plethora of complaints from nurses and doctors at the medical institution.

During the discourse with the doctors, Permanent Secretary Leslie Cadogan said that he will immediately launch an investigation into

reports that over $25M was spent by the Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA) to purchase curtains and blinds for the New Amsterdam and Port Mourant Hospitals during 2014.

This disclosure was made in the presence of Dr. Norton, the doctors, other medical personnel and the media.

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The Rodney Commission was born with a political sarcoma The Walter Rodney Commission was a con game by the PPP from the beginning. It started with invidious and insidious intentions and by the time it was two-thirds on the way of its journey, the pathways were covered with cancerous bushes.

The Commission serves no useful purpose as presently constituted and should be aborted.

In September 2013, at a function in New York, Guyanese were surprised by the announcement by then President, Donald Ramotar that after consultation with Patricia Rodney, wife of Walter, and the Rodney Foundation in Atlanta, USA, the commission to probe Rodney’s death had been set up.

He told his audience that right at the very moment, he was speaking, the Commission’s staff was doing

logistical work in Georgetown.

What is the Walter Rodney Foundation? I Googled it and can find not one name associated with its administration.

Under the section, “Who We Are” it states that the entity was started by Walter’s family. It would mean then, that the people in charge are his wife and three children. If Ramotar said he consulted the foundation, then he negotiated with Walter ’s children too.

After Ramotar’s announcement, Guyanese got another surprise. The Working People’s Alliance said it only knew of the birth of the Commission after three current and past members were approached for documents.

In other words, the people who could make the Commission function properly were never consulted. This explains why

St. Agnes and Angela’s primary schools closed until Monday The Ministry of Education, Department of Culture Youth and Sport is alerting parents and guardians of the St. Agnes and St. Angela’s Primary schools, that the institutions will be closed today ( Thursday June 4) and tomorrow (Friday, June 5), 2015.

The closure of the two schools is to facilitate the cleaning of sewage facilities which malfunctioned and caused disruptions to class sessions.

The Ministry of Education in a release said, it apologises for the inconvenience caused and commits to ensuring that both schools will be ready to welcome its students and staff on Monday, June 8.

Meanwhile, parents and guardians of the Chateau Margot Primary school are also asked to note, that school will remain closed today to allow for flood waters to recede, and for the cleaning and sanitisation of the facility.

the Commission has never functioned properly.

When Mrs. Rodney gave her approval to Ramotar (and no doubt to other PPP leaders) did she do so out of political support for the PPP? Rumours have it that Mrs. Rodney was sympathetic to the PPP Government.

Two of Walter’s brothers, Eddie and Hubert have been long-standing officials of the PPP. If Mrs. Rodney did give unqualified support to the PPP in implementing the Commission, then she blocked out of mind two germane questions.

Why was the PPP pursuing this thing after twenty one years in power and at a time when it was a minority government?

Secondly, how can the inquiry achieve competence if the WPA was not involved in the terms of reference? But most importantly, did Mrs. Rodney trust the PPP to enact a professional judicial probe into her husband’s death?

If the answer is yes to the

third question then, what did Mrs. Rodney learn from the practice of power by the PPP for twenty-one years prior to her discussion with President Ramotar? After twenty-one years of unbridled power in which excesses were taken that President Burnham would not have contemplated, was Mrs. Rodney happy with the PPP leadership of Guyana?

As the Commission wended its way up the stairway of evidence, the Rodney Commission’s real purpose began to unfold.

This enquiry was birthed to prop up a minority government and dirty the APNU opposition.

The mistake Mrs. Rodney made when she ostracized the WPA was to leave the terms of reference (TOR) and Commission members up to the government. It turned out to be the fatal flaw of Patricia Rodney.

Part of the TOR was to examine the political environment of the seventies and eighties. This was the chance the PPP was waiting

for. Rodney’s death was secondary. The PPP wanted to show Guyanese that APNU was associated with violence in the past.

This was morbid double standards from a government that was accused of being involved in the murder of one of its Ministers (“Sash” Sawh’s brother-in-law has made tha t a c c u s a t i o n ) ; extra-judicial killings of hundreds of young men during the crime spree 2000-2005; the murder of famous anti-government activists Ronald Waddell and Courtney Crum-Ewing; shooting of innocent protestors in Linden, not to mention my own case.

From the time Clement Rohee and Charles Ramson Senior took the stand and made themselves heroes in front the Commission without evidence, Mrs. Rodney should have seen that her baby was dying.

Her baby was in fact the PPP’s baby. Mrs. Rodney’s last chance to save her credibility and stop the

Frederick Kissoon manipulation of her husband’s legacy, was the assassination of Courtney Crum-Ewing. After his death, the Walter Rodney Commission collapsed in the sand castle into which it was born.

The Rodney family has remained a wall of silence since the Commission morphed into a game of charade. Here are some of the words from Henry Mancini’s famous love song titled “Charade”.

“Sad little serenade Song of my heart’s composing I hear it still, I always will Best on the bill Charade” I hear the song of Walter Rodney as I write this column.

I hear it still. I always will. But I never would know who pressed the trigger to kill.

Dairy vigilante attack…

Juveniles among three arrested Days after three youngsters were attacked by a gang of six ‘so-called’ vigilantes in Dairy, last week Wednesday, three men, among them two juveniles, were apprehended by police and taken to court. The men were positively identified by the victims.

Kaieteur News was told that the first accused who was arrested on Saturday, made an appearance before the Wales Magistrate’s Court on

Monday. The case was adjourned to a later date, and the accused was remanded to prison. The man had been identified by Conroy Washington.

The two juveniles who were positively identified by one of the victims, Alex Parks, are scheduled to make an appearance before the same court today. They have since been released from police custody.

Alex Parks, 15, Conroy Washington, 24 and Shaquille Sears, 10, all of Dairy, West Bank Demerara, were at a location some 15 minutes away from their home catching birds when they were given a sound beating by the irate ‘so-called’ vigilantes.

Even after they were treated at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) for injuries they received, Parks had to be rushed back to the hospital by his mother.

He continues to complain about severe head and chest pains. According to his mother his injured left ear continues to “run”.

This publication was told that 15 men armed with cutlasses attacked the ‘bird catchers’. They were stripped of their clothing, beaten, tied up and placed to sit in an ant nest.

Conroy Washington, 24-years-old Alex Parks, 15-years-old According to reports, the duo were rescued by a villager who took them to the La Grange Police station, before they were escorted by ranks to the WDRH. According to the traumatized family of the men, who are cousins, Parks and Conroy was hospitalized while 10 year old Sears who escaped severe injuries, was placed into police custody.

The very distraught mother said that she was

informed by a reliable source that her son’s attack was one out of three attacks within the last two weeks in connection with a robbery in Middle Dam Dairy (Independence Street).

Parks suffered the worst beating in Wednesday’s mob attack, as the group of ‘socalled’ vigilantes accused him of murdering an elderly woman last Saturday night.

Investigations are continuing.

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Ensure level-playing field in local forest industry Mere days after a Minister of Natural Resources was appointed, forestry management expert, Girwar Lalaram, is calling on the new government to accept a series of suggestions aimed at creating a level playing field in the local industry.

Lalaram, who has spent decades in the industry serving in major logging companies, said that foreign companies have been granted overly generous concessions and package deals by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic-led (PPP/C) administrations, while local loggers have been “feeling the squeeze.”

The economist noted that that the reliefs/concessions that have been obtained by foreign companies have more than compensated for the level of investment that they have made in Guyana.

Using two Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), Malaysian-owned Barama Company Limited and Chinese company BaiShanLin as examples, he said that their cost savings on concessions granted is about US$3000 per month; which over a five-year period would amount to US$180,000 (GUY$36M).

These cost savings have not been afforded to Guyanese and this needs to be corrected, Lalaram contended, yesterday.

“The issue is that BaiShanLin and maybe Barama are trying to monopolize the log market trade locally,” Lalaram said.

He said that they are doing that by selling at a significantly lower price, particular species like

- Expert urges new Govt. greenheart, purple-heart and other mixed species He said that those species used to be in high demand in China and India but the demand for these species no longer exist in significant quantities, therefore these international companies have been capitalizing on the local market.

“In other words the local market should have been protected for the locals to supply; by doing so small local loggers who concentrate heavily on upstream forestry are unable to compete,” he said.

Upstream forestry refers to the extraction of logs while processing and sawmilling of logs is referred to downstream forestry.

“The transnational companies can sell much cheaper because of the concessions granted to them in terms of tax holidays, duty free which includes fuel which reduces their cost of production,” the forestry expert explained.

According to the economist, the major cost incidence in upstream forestry is basically fuel, overheads and infrastructure.

Local concessionaires, he said, do not have these benefits and therefore their cost of production is much higher; “particularly where they may not have a full complement of equipment and the production is relatively low.”

The major issue here, according to Lalaram, is the transnational companies

Education Ministry launches probe into students’ sex act at city school Sex Education was taken to a troubling level on Monday when students of a city secondary school decided that they would put their knowledge into action.

This publication was able to view at least two separate videos of the students in action. These videos have been circulating online. Still clad in their very identifiable uniforms, the students, in classroom, seemed well versed and only too willing to be recorded.

Reports reaching this publication are that the students were unsupervised on Monday due to the flooding situation that saw sections of Georgetown becoming inundated. Due to the flooding situation the Ministry was forced to close a number of schools.

These students therefore

seemed like dedicated learners when they braved the weather and the flood situation just to be in class even without the presence of teachers. Had it not been for the video recording, their acts might have remained unknown.

According to Public Relations Officer of the Education Ministry, Suelle Williams, an investigation has been launched into the troubling development. This publication was informed too that the parents of the children implicated have since been summoned by the Education Ministry as part of the investigation.

Just last year students of another city high school were involved in similar acts which also saw the Ministry launching an investigation then too.

have more than their full complement of equipment and they are able to produce higher volumes at a relatively low cost, given the concessions granted that usually allow for the importation of equipment and items needed.

Lalaram took note that the former government has over the years defended transnational companies by saying that they are making huge investments. Lalaram reiterated, however, that their investment is being recovered quite easily in a relatively short period by the concessions granted by the government.

He noted too that the deal with the foreign company, BaiShanLin has been shady since no evidence has been presented as to what was agreed and the level of investment. “All we know is that they would have had to build a wood processing plant at an investment of $70M,” Lalaram said as he noted that though they have been here for nearly a decade.

Also, Lalaram accused the company of transfer pricing.

“Important also, apart from

transfer pricing they have been a practice of profit capitalization for expansion which means they no longer take money out if these pockets, they use what they make out of Guyanese pockets.”

He said the profit made is diverted in other areas of interest, as is the case of BaiShanLin who came with stated interest in the forestry industry but is now involved in goldmining and housing projects.

“From an economic perspective, how can the local concessionaires survive and maintain the levels of local employment?” Lalaram asked.

Lalaram is advocating that the new government gives temporary tax breaks to the local concessionaires and to waive the levy on the export of logs for the local loggers.

He has called too on the administration to give local concessionaires an option to either to import their own fuel or be able to purchase dutyfree fuel. Lalaram is also suggesting that it provides the basic infrastructure to the local concessionaires.

“From an international

Economist, Girwar Lalaram trade perspective, our Ambassadors need to promote our local species of wood or alternatively appoint an international trade specialist to assist local concessionaires in selling their products,” Lalaram continued.

Among the other initiatives that can be taken, he said, is the government need to review the Norway agreement on carbon credits in terms of the restrictive conditions that is being put in place.

“Local concessionaires have been spending a lot more than what Norway is

granting Guyana to ensure compliance with international forest management practices such as RED+ and other international certifications that have now become compulsory to export wood products in North America and Europe in particular such as legal verification,” he said.

Lalaram is of the view that these will definitely bring relief to the local concessionaires as well as to the Indigenous peoples. The indigenous peoples, he reminded, are asking for more forest lands.

At present, there are millions of hectares of forest lands allotted to foreign companies that stretch across Amerindian lands and they are not receiving certain compensations.

Many indigenous peoples’ villages, he explained, would have been relocated due to the logging operations.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

Union Head optimistic about needful transformation at UG “We are hopeful,” said President of the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU), Mr. Bruce Haynes, when asked about his views on the way forward for the tertiary institution under the recently elected David Granger administration.

According to Haynes, his optimism is rooted in the fact that a former member of the Council, who was well acquainted with the many concerns of the institution, is currently tasked with overseeing the education sector.

“We are optimistic that we will have better reception than we would have had with the previous Government.

Because that, (former) member of the Council is now in the lead in terms of where education should go. So we are in a better position to now sit and negotiate conditions that will move the University,” said Haynes.

He was at the time alluding to recently appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who during an interview with this publication, acknowledged that the University’s subvention has not been nearly enough to ensure an improved operation.

“It is a question of priorities. We know that the money is limited but it is how you prioritise and I believe

that the University really has to be given a far higher priority than it has been given so far,” he added. Dr. Roopnaraine is optimistic that under his tenure the University will be transformed, whereby, it is on par with regional universities.

Haynes therefore is confident that the University is now poised to get increased support to forge ahead.

Alluding to measures that were implemented to appease strike action that the Unions (UGWU and the University of Senior Staff Association) of the University had engaged earlier this year, Haynes said that “everything that was done prior to or during the strike were strictly cosmetic.

Substantive things were not basically done in terms of making life much more comfortable for staff...most things are still in abeyance.

There might be some implemented in some areas, but in terms of general improvement there aren’t much.”

At the moment, Haynes related, that there are some refurbishing to some buildings being undertaken which is however, proving to be a major disruption to the normal University programme.

This, he pointed out, is due to the fact that the works are not being managed by the University so there is no

Ministry set ablaze hours after probe ...

From page 2 Section of the compound.

The fire was reportedly in a room immediately next to where the documents were housed. The Minister’s office is also said to be located in the same section of the compound.

Sources close to investigation, told this newspaper that the fire was contained to an isolated room.

After the flames were reportedly extinguished it was found that two chairs and the walls of the room were scorched, while the carpet was discovered to be burnt.

It is believed by investigators that the floor had been saturated with kerosene, hence the reason for the burnt carpet.

Around 17:00hrs, security guards for the Ministry noticed dark smoke billowing from that section of the compound and promptly altered the Fire Service to the scene. When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene the Fire Service officials

were still investigating the incident.

In a recent article published by this newspaper, newly appointed Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, had promised a forensic audit of the $1B “Clean up my Country” campaign, due to evidence pointing to the mismanagement of allocated funds by the previous Local Government and Regional Development Ministry.

According to Bulkan, the central Government had granted the allocation without meaningful consultation with the Municipalities.

Taxpayers did not get value for their money out of the initiative.

Recently the publication had received reports, that when the new government took office the Ministry Boardroom was filled with wheel barrows, which were meant for the initiative but had not been utilised.

This suggested that the Boardroom was not in use.

internal control. As such, he stressed that “it is not handled properly...it is not a very comfortable situation because it is affecting exams.

It should have started after exams would have concluded, so that most of the students are off campus and staff had proceeded on leave...”

At this juncture of his remarks, Haynes turned his attention to the need for Occupational Health and Safety to be urgently addressed at the University.

A review in this regard should have been conducted some time ago but according to Haynes, “we haven’t had that audit as yet...the whole environment has been uncertain for far too long,” he stressed, while reiterating his sense of hopefulness.

Following an end to industrial action earlier this year, the Unions and the administration of the University had decided to meet to discuss the concerns faced by staffers with a view of defining an improved way forward.

A number of meetings were held in this regard. But

according to Haynes yesterday, discussions had come to a standstill as Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor Jacob Opadeyi, was away on leave. It is however expected that meetings will resume shortly. This publication learnt that the VC returned to work only last week.

According to Haynes, the discussions had reached a point where efforts were being made to reach an agreement, as it relates to the conditions of service for support staff at the University.

“We have agreed to some things. The Vice Chancellor has been able to concede some things and we have worked out some reasonable terms that we can work with outside of getting finance from the Government,” said Haynes of the not yet concluded discussions.

“Because the VC was out, we were unable to conclude everything and move on to dealing with things relating to the academics...so we will now have to re-engage with him to find out what is really going on,” asserted the Union President.

According to him too,

Mr Bruce Haynes, UGWU President. two sub-committees, of which he is a member, have already concluded discussions up to the stage of completing a draft agreement which has been sent to the office of the VC for his attention.

“I will have to get back to the Personnel Officer to find out what the Vice Chancellor has said and find out when we are going to meet again,” said Haynes.

Among the concerns raised by the Unions was the need for a wages and salaries increase, which based on discussions already had,

stands at 10 per cent. But according to Haynes, he anticipates that a wage hike will be directed by the new Government, a state of affairs that will be premised on the level of support that will be forthcoming.

However, the ultimate decision maker at UG is its Council, and Haynes observed that previously “most of the members of the Council were Government appointees and they were a part of the Government apparatus...” He now expects a different perspective to the operations of the UG.

GTU proposes plan to enlighten teachers of “rights and responsibilities” Even as the Guyana Teachers Unions (GTU) gives assurance that it is prepared to work collaboratively with the Ministry of Education, its President, Mr Mark Lyte, is proposing the implementation of a plan aimed at ensuring that teachers are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities.

This tactic, according to Lyte, will warrant a strategic training programme organised by the Ministry with the support of GTU. “We can share training experiences with teachers so that we can have a better education system.

For example if we are given air time we can get experienced educators who can come and talk about values, code of conduct and they can even share about why a person should choose to become a teacher; what does it take to become a teacher...we can even talk about the rights of teachers,” asserted Lyte.

And ‘teachers’ rights’, according to the GTU Head, is a crucial subject that must be given some keen attention.

He is adamant that if teachers are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities, there is

GTU President, Mark Lyte likely to be an improved education system where teachers will be willing to “step-up.” “We have asked for access to air time in the past but we have not been given that,” lamented Lyte.

Currently, he disclosed, that some teachers are not aware of their basic entitlements.

He made reference to teachers seeking to pursue further studies, but are not fully aware of how to go about applying for no pay leave, or even how to benefit from

available scholarships.

“A teacher may not know what channel to use...Some people are in the profession for years and still don’t know how to go about doing some very basic things,” observed Lyte.

His conclusion is based on discussions the GTU has had with teachers overtime, allowing it to become increasingly clear that many of them have not been educated about the basic things governing their career.

And according to Lyte, some of them are swift to inform that “we don’t know, we never heard.”

For this reason, he asserted that the Education Ministry with support from GTU, could bring into being the strategic programme to help teachers gain a better understanding of the profession.

Among the facts that teachers should be aware of, is that their service can be recorded as terminated if they opt to leave the system without giving adequate notice.

“You have to give notice in advance otherwise you will be fired...all these little things we tell our teachers, because it has implications if they want

to rejoin the profession. If you did not do it the proper way, it is likely that you wouldn’t be able to get the job again,” Lyte noted.

He however pointed out, that if a teacher leaves with requisite notice, he or she can return and even be afforded their former status. “All of these things we can disseminate through a sensitisation programme for teachers. It could be very helpful but it has to be a collaborative effort between the Ministry and the Union,” asserted Lyte.

The Teaching Service Commission (TSC) last year dismissed 113 educators. Of the lot 60 teachers failed to give adequate statutory notice. This means that these teachers would have opted to leave the public education system without giving ample notice.

Based on their appointment contracts, teachers are expected to give at least one month notice ahead of resigning. And once a teacher fails to give the requisite notice, he or she is then dismissed by the TSC, a state of affairs the GTU is hoping to guard against through the proposed sensitisation programme.

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Cabinet approves $75M for emergency drainage works

By Kiana Wilburg Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, said yesterday, that Cabinet has approved $75M for drainage works.

Considering the fact that the matter is one of national importance, the money will be drawn from the Contingencies Fund.

During a press conference which was held at his office in Kingston, Patterson told reporters that as of yesterday afternoon, water had receded considerably in several areas in and around Georgetown.

But some areas on the East Coast are still under several inches of water.

“I was informed that in Black Bush Polder, water is still settled there and unfortunately, I was just advised that in Mahaica and the Mahaicony area, water is still high. But for all the other areas, the water has been discharged,” the Public Infrastructure Minister added.

He said, too, that all six pumps in Georgetown are working. He said that the pump at the Lamaha boundary required some work as it was in a “bad state”. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) completed the works needed on that pump.

The Minister said that the Cummings Canal is also being cleared by the National Drainage and Irrigation Administration, while the city

council is clearing the area in the vicinity of Muneshwer’s Limited on Water Street.

Patterson said that the $75M will go towards the desilting of the outfalls in the areas of Kingston, Lamaha Street, Sussex Street and Meadow Bank South. He noted, however, that the expenditure will not be limited to this as inland clearing is expected to be done to several drainage tunnels.

“Some of the money will also cover emergency crews which will clear blockages in and around our internal drains.

There will also be a hotline number so that residents can call about blockages or floods in their areas and the crew will come and take care of that,” the Minister said.

He said that the team will comprise officials from the Mayor and City Council and the Ministries of Communities and Public Infrastructure. He will also be appointing a coordinator for the initiative which is expected to last for about four weeks.

Patterson emphasized that the emergency works over the next few weeks do not represent the solution to the country’s age-old problem of flooding. It is only an attempt to ensure that flooding is reduced, should there be continued heavy rainfall over the next few weeks.

The Minister said that Cabinet has also approved

the establishment of a task force inclusive of civil society bodies that will work towards finding a long term solution.

The Terms of Reference for the task force are still being worked out. Patterson said that the Ministry will consult with the Guyana Bar Association in this regard, to ensure that the terms harmonize with a number of laws such as the Sea Defence Act and the Utilities Act. The task force should become operational within two weeks.

He said, too, that he has received grants for funding from Japan, and that the officials will be in Guyana until August. The European Union has expressed a keen interest in providing financial aid.

The politician said that he has to consult with Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, on accessing these funds.

He said that the special task force will be focusing on drainage, traffic management and rehabilitation works.

“Over the last four days, I have been contacted by private and public sector officials who have ideas and would have done studies and read different things.

We hope to have consultations and gather all the ideas needed for realistic, long term solutions to drainage,” he added.

Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Karen Cummings, spoke about the task force also addressing the

Man jailed for trafficking cocaine, marijuana A drug trafficker was relocated to the Camp Street prison, after he was found guilty of trafficking in a quantity of marijuana and cocaine, when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts yesterday.

Oswald Moses, 38, of 3029 North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was jailed for having 15 grammes of cocaine in his possession on March 1, 2014 for the purpose of trafficking. He was also found guilty of having 232 grammes of cannabis in his possession on March 3, 2014, at Leopold Street, also for the purpose of trafficking.

Magistrate Ann McLennan found that Moses had physical control of the drug. He was jailed for two years and nine months on each charge. However, the sentences will run concurrently.

In addition to the

Oswald Moses sentences he was also ordered to pay a fine of $45,000 for the cocaine charge and $317,350 for the marijuana offence.

He initially pleaded not guilty to the offence and was

on remand since March, last year.

Meanwhile, over at the Providence Magistrate’s Court a labourer was jailed for one year after he was seen smoking marijuana by the police.

Nigel Boumbery, 35, of Lot 268 Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on June 2, at Grove, he smoked cannabis.

The charge was read to the unrepresented man by Magistrate Leron Daly.

Police Inspector, Michael Grant’s facts revealed that on the day in question, the police were on patrol in the area when they saw the defendant smoking what appeared to be cannabis at a corner.

The police approached him and told him of the offence. He replied “Is a spliff I got, I aint doing nothing wrong”.

issue of drainage from a health perspective.

She noted that during the period of floods, there usually is an increase in water and vector borne cases. She noted, however, that the Ministry of Health is prepared to do its part and has put all health centres on alert to treat such cases during this period.

Dr. Cummings said that citizens can feel free to contact the Ministry of Health on its hotline number2271316-for any assistance.

The previous administration had spent $500M on a cleanup campaign which included some of the very works being pursued by the APNU+AFC government.

Patterson told the media that he was not in a position to say where “the taxpayers’ monies” went, but guaranteed that it will be the subject of a forensic audit which would reveal the truth.

“We intend to look at it and it is our baby, however malnourished, or deformed it

is. How it got so, that is a question for the forensic auditors. But for the time being we are here to nurse it back to health,” the Public Infrastructure Minister expressed.

Between Liliendaal and Meadow Bank South, there are 13 outfalls but only 11 are in working order. Patterson said that over the next four to six weeks, it is hoped that all the outfalls will be in working order.

The Minister, at the time, was unable to say what would be the cost to finance the special task force and what has been the cost of the drainage and irrigation works done, thus far.

Significantly, Patterson said that citizens may be required to make some hard choices. He said that in order to truly address the drainage plague, some citizens will have to consider relocating to other areas.

He said, “We have to decide what is collectively

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson good for the people and we hope we will get their support.”

Patterson also disclosed that plans are afoot to address the effects of the floods on the Rupununi trails. He disclosed that Cabinet has already approved the construction of two bridges, one 20 feet and the other 30 feet.

He said that a report on the condition of the bridges in the hinterland region will also be submitted to Cabinet.

Celebrity mega clean up…

“City clean-up campaign continues for World Environmental Day” In keeping with the World Environmental Day on June 5, 2015, the “Let’s keep Georgetown Clean” is hosting a “Celebrity mega clean-up” on June 6.

The aim is to tidy along Camp Street (Hadfield to Lamaha Streets), Regent Street, Lombard Street, Thomas Street and other possible areas, drawing as manyvolunteers as possible.

“We are hoping for a 500+ turnout” The celebrities on board are Jackie ‘Jaxx’ Hanover (artist), Sonia Noel (designer), Gordon Moseley (Journalist, Broadcaster), Nuriyyih Gerrad (Radio, Tv personality), Divya Sieudarsan (Miss Guyana Worldwide 2014), Kester Deane (artist), Samuel Medas (artist), Malachi Alstrom (‘shizzle’; Dj, entertainer), Handel Duncan (TV presenter, Journalist), Tennicia De Freitas (actress, artist), Kojo McPherson (writer, presenter, news anchor, journalist), Ruel Johnson (Writer, Social Activist), Uma Bux (Fashion Model, Beauty Queen), Mosa Telford (Writer), Alabama(Artist), Fire Fred (Artist), Empress Mona (Artist), Ruqayyah Boyer (Singer, Poet, Beauty Queen) among others.

Some companies have

also joined the campaign drive. The US Embassy, Hits and Jams Entertainment are

pitching in to lend a hand.

Qualfon Guyana has also (continued on page 14)

Receiving donations from a representative of the US Embassy

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Live streaming of National Assembly - Canadian High sittings to start next week Commissioner The ways in which Canada can continue to support Guyana’s sustainable development was one of the issues discussed when High Commissioner Dr. Nicole Giles paid a courtesy call on President David Granger yesterday, at his office at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Dr. Giles described their discussions as broad ranging. “We spoke about natural resources development, and governance issues associated with that, and we also spoke about the planned legislative agenda for the government.”

More importantly, she said that the streaming project that is funded by Canada that will cater for live sittings of the National Assembly being broadcast in real time via the internet, will begin officially next week. The High Commissioner added that, “We are very excited to see that project come to full fruition next week”.

High Commissioner Giles is due to depart Guyana in the near future as her tenure comes to an end. She described her term as “an incredibly rewarding tour of

Thursday June 04, 2015

Police shoot bandit in face, foil planned robbery A suspected bandit was shot in the face last night after police opened fire when he pointed a gun at them during a confrontation on West Coast Demerara last night.

The suspect who was identified as Atiba Gardner, 39, of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo, is listed in a stable condition at a public hospital.

According to reports, the police received information about an intended robbery and they went into action in two unmarked vehicles.

The ranks intercepted the

suspects’ car at Stewartville.

One of the would-be bandits came out and pointed his gun at the police in an attempt to escape.

The police said that ranks opened fire hitting the suspect and rendering him immobile. They recovered from him a .32 revolver.

The man was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was receiving treatment up to late last night.

They also apprehended his two accomplices who were in the car.

“City clean-up campaign ...

President David Granger greets Canadian High Commissioner Dr. Nicole Giles at the Ministry of the Presidency duty.” Dr. Giles was accredited as her country’s High Commissioner in September 2013.

One aspect that has never ceased to amaze her, the Ambassador said, is the “incredible talent of the people and the dedication of the people of Guyana to the country.”

She opined that this

nation is one of the few places in the world where someone in her position has the opportunity to work and “feel that every day when you get up, you can have an impact, because you have a partner on the other side of the isle to work with, and that has certainly been one of the most rewarding things of my two years here. There is

something to do every single day. There is always an opportunity to have an impact and make a positive contribution.”

Dr. Giles will be returning to Ottawa, the capital of Canada where she will be continuing her service with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

From page 13 opted to join the initiative by sending some 100 staff to help in the clean-up drive.

Other companies such as DHL, Guywill Shipping International, Guyana Environment Network, Gizmos and gadgets, bank of Guyana, the University of Guyana Health reform society’s Camex Restaurant and many others are also on board to show their support with a massive manpower and donations.

They believe that your influence, support and that of “celebrities can set the example as a role model, for others to follow in keeping the environment clean.

Assembly will be at Republic Bank parking lot, 6 am, Camp and Regent Streets.

The invitation is open to the public and everyone is urged to come out the support the worthy cause in keeping with the current clean-up campaign to restore Guyana to its former glory.

Vagrancy must be addressed countrywide - new BCCDA President Newly installed President of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA), Ramroop Rajnauth, has identified the issue of vagrancy as something the current administration must effectively and urgently address.

This, Rajnauth said, must be achieved in a comprehensive way, rather than the previous window dressing, since vagrants are having a detrimental effect on Berbice businesses and tourism on a whole.

Rajnauth was elected as the BCCDA new President on May 6, last, along with a new Executive Committee at the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting, at the Office at 12 Chapel Street, New Amsterdam.

Rajnauth, a private business owner, was unanimously elected to replace outgoing President Mark Roopnarine. He is expected to serve until 2018.

The others elected to serve with him are Ryan Alexander- Senior Vice President; Rafeek KassimJunior Vice President; Gyandat Marray- Secretary; Chris Hicks- Treasury

Ramroop Rajnauth President of the BCCDA Secretary; Priscilla LakhramAssistant Secretary of the Treasury and Wassim AliPublic Relations Officer.

The other committee members are Tajpaul Adjodhea (a representative of Hand-in-hand); Mark Bhikhai (of Ansa McAl); Roger Greenidge (private businessman); Rajendra Sukhpaul (private businessman); Stanley McKenzie (Manager of Courts, New Amsterdam); Paula Remington (private businesswoman); Shalendra

Ramessar, a Representative of the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI) and Mark Roopnarine (of Massey Industries).

According to Rajnauth, the vagrancy situation was addressed during stakeholder ’s meetings, under the previous administration. At the time Rajnauth was an Executive committee member.

The meetings, which attracted officials from the Health Ministry, the Guyana Police Force and the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), eventually came to naught.

According to the businessman, the culture of admitting these vagrants into the National Psychiatric Hospital and then releasing them unto the streets unsupervised, continued.

Rajnauth revealed that certain members of civil society, as well as volunteers would have participated in the cleanup of certain parts of New Amsterdam.

“We welcome the cleanup of New Amsterdam,” Rajnauth said.

But he pointed out, that cleaning without maintaining the environment defeated the whole purpose, since

Vagrants traverse the roads of New Amsterdam

vagrants were adding to the overall situation. “(The vagrants) are an eyesore to the county and have to be removed from the

roadway.”

He said that tourists coming to visit the ancient county get the wrong image when they see vagrants on

the streets and that.

The BCCDA, generally considered to be the oldest chamber in the country, was founded in 1932.

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Police probe rape of 7-yr-old

Truck driver charged with Kaneville murder Magistrate Leron Daly remanded a Kanveille truck driver to prison yesterday, on a charge of murder. Appearing at the Providence Magistrate’s Court, Ryan VanLange, 31, of 96 First Field, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was not required to plead to the charge which alleged that on May 31, at Kaneville, he murdered Darson Ramatar.

Police Prosecutor, Michael Grant, told the court that on the day in question, the accused and the victim were at a birthday party. He said that around 03:00hrs, the

victim and the accused had an argument over the purchasing of more rum, which resulted in an argument.

As a result, a fight broke out between the two parties.

The accused went to the kitchen area and allegedly armed himself with a knife.

Van Lange reportedly dealt the victim three stab wounds: one to the neck, throat and mouth.

Ramatar was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he succumbed to his injuries. The accused was arrested, investigations were

Charles Anthony Woolford, is facing his second retrial for the murder of his beautician wife, Latoya Conway-Woolford, before Justice Brassington Reynolds and a mixed twelve -member jury at High Court in Georgetown.

Woolford was indicted for killing his wife in 2009. His retrial began on Tuesday following the selection of the jury.

On the last two occasions, the accused faced Justice Navindra Singh and James Bovell-Drakes, but both jury panels were unsuccessful in reaching a common verdict.

According to reports, Woolford is said to have been stabbed several times about her body on February 8, 2009 at her Lot 2041, Hummingbird Street, Festival City, North Ruimveldt home, allegedly during a heated argument.

The hairdresser, and mother of three, is said to have had her stomach sliced open during the ordeal. She succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) while receiving treatment.

Woolford, a selfemployed construction

worker at the time, tried to end his life by ingesting what is believed to be a poisonous liquid, a few hours after learning of his wife’s demise.

He was hospitalized but was later released to face the murder charge.

carried out, and the charge instituted.

Van Lange’s Attorney, Dexter Todd, asked the court for an early date for reports.

He said that a motion has been filed in the High Court.

He added that from all indications, the police are ready to proceed with the matter, even though the file was not sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice.

This matter was adjourned until June 8.

Ramatar, also known as Jason Edwards, a miner of Lot 723 Third Field, Kaneville,

Page 19

Dead: Darson Ramatar EBD, was stabbed about his body allegedly by Van Lange, who claimed that the man attempted to burglarize his home.

Police are investigating the alleged rape of a sevenyear-old Onderneeming, Sand Pitt child by her neighbour.

The child has been taken to the Suddie Public Hospital.

The suspected perpetrator, who is said to be the child’s neighbour, has eluded the police.

According to reports from the Onderneeming Sand Pit area, on Sunday the child was left alone in the care of her other two siblings.

It was then that the neighbour, a frequent visitor to their home, visited.

The mother usually takes her children along with her whenever she goes selling.

However on the day in question, she took a chance and left them home alone.

The report added that the neighbour sexually molested the seven-year-old victim after he succeeded in sending the two other children on an errand to a shop in the Community.

The seven-year-old later told her teacher what happened and the teacher alerted the child’s mother. The child was then taken to the Suddie Public Hospital. Her condition continues to be monitored by doctors at the institution.

Meanwhile police continue to hunt the suspect.

Festival City man faces second Man fined for possession retrial for killing beautician wife of dangerous weapon, resisting arrest

A man was yesterday given the alternative of spending four weeks in jail or posting a fine of $40,000, after pleading guilty to three offences in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Levi Williams admitted that he was in possession of one black bayonet, without reasonable explanation at Stabroek Wharf on June 2.

He also confessed that he resisted arrest when constable Devon Layne, a City Constable acting in the line of duty, tried to take him into custody. He further admitted that he behaved disorderly at the said time.

According to the facts, the Constables were observing the defendant for some time since he was acting suspiciously.

They approached him but he dashed to the back of the

Charles Anthony Woolford and his wife, Latoya Conway-Woolford

wharf with the lawmen hot on his trail. He was finally caught, searched and the knife was found on him.

Williams told the court that a miner gave him the knife to sharpen. He alleged that the Constables did not identify themselves so he thought that he was being abducted and tried to resist their arrest.

He further lamented that he never tried to escape and if he had wanted to escape, he would have dived into the river.

He was fined $20,000 on the disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest charges, or an alternative of two weeks in prison.

For the offence of possession of a dangerous weapon, he was fined $20,000 with an alternative of two weeks in jail.

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

Food for the Poor donates stove to Festival City Youth and Parent Organization

On the right Mr. Wayne Hamilton Public Relations Manager handing over stove to Mr. Richard Taylor, Chairman of the Festival City organization The Festival City Youth and Parent Organization was the recipient of one large industrial six-burner gas stove, courtesy of the nong o v e r n m e n t a l organization, “Food for the Poor (Guyana) Incorporated” (FFP), recently.

At the presentation ceremony held at FFP’s office located at 1999-2002, Blue Mountain Road, Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Richard Taylor, Chairman of the Festival City organization, said that the entity was established after the 2011

General and Regional elections under the theme, “ Take back your community and empower your youths.”

In collaboration with Habitat for Humanity and Builders Beyond Borders, a community centre was built for members to conduct their work.

He further stated that they approached FFP for assistance and received a large quantity of tiles, paint and other essentials to enhance the building.

Mr. Taylor said that the stove would benefit the

community in many ways, “providing meals for the children when they attend the Saturday educational programs and assisting with hot meals for pensioners and the elderly when that program is introduced.” He had high praise for FFP’s benevolence.

Public Relations Manager of FFTP, Wayne Hamilton, said that Food For The Poor is not just about providing food and clothing, but also to help and improve the living standards of communities where there is a need.

Girl stabs friend in the heart, eye during drinking spree A girl has been forced to come to grips with the loss of her right eye, after a night of imbibing alcohol went horribly wrong and she was stabbed to the heart and eye by her friend.

Marissa Charlie, 23, of Tabatinga, Central Rupununi, is in a stable condition after she was air dashed to Georgetown yesterday morning.

According to reports, Charlie was imbibing alcohol near her home at 18:30hrs Tuesday night with two other

friends, when a heated argument broke out between them.

The argument reached the point where the victim’s grandmother reprimanded them for the commotion. It is then that the assailant went inside for a knife.

The suspect, who is said to be just 16 years of age, then proceeded to stab Charlie in the region of the heart. When the injured girl collapsed, the assailant then stabbed her former friend to the right eye.

The girl was rushed to the Lethem hospital, thence to the Georgetown Public Hospital via a Trans Guyana flight. She was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where she underwent emergency surgery.

According to a source, the Doctor who operated on

the girl had ruled that the girl’s eye was completely damaged, to the point of her not being able to use it ever again, corrobating what was alleged to have been said at the Lethem hospital.

The suspect is said to be in police custody at Lethem assisting with investigations.

Only two weeks ago, a girls’ night out ended in murder when an intoxicated woman stabbed her best friend to death with a broken bottle after they had left a resort in good spirits.

Lloyda Renita Thomas, of Sunflower Close, South Ruimveldt, was stabbed to the stomach and head by her close friend, Angelina, over a spat seating arrangements in a car.

Angelina Thomas has since been charged with that murder.

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Trio on trial for murder at Campbellville Police Detective Kevin Herbert told the court yesterday, that on January 6, 2008, he conducted an investigation, which led to the discovery of a body submerged in a septic tank at Lot 55,William Street, Campbellville.

The officer detailed to the court, that he initially launched an investigation into a missing person’s report, but the search uncovered a more heinous crime.

The body of 56-year-old Colleen Forrester was found bound in a septic tank. She had been murdered allegedly by her nephew, Anthony De Paul Hope, called ‘Papa’, 27, of ‘C’ Field Sophia, RalphTyndall, 28, of ‘C’ Field, Sophia; and 28-year old Kevin O’Neil of Seaforth Street, Campbellville.

The three men became suspects after Forrester disappeared on December 27, 2007. The woman was last seen at her brother’s house at Lot 55, William Street, Campbellville.

She was reported missing after neighbours noticed something was amiss and raised an alarm.

On January 6, 2008, her body was found by police ranks; her ankles were bound and her body wrapped in sheets before it was tossed into the septic tank.

Investigations later led to the arrest

- Police detective recalls discovery of corpse in septic tank of the woman’s nephew and his two friends. Forrester was allegedly strangled and beaten to death with a pestle (mortar stick) by the trio, who are currently facing a murder trial before Justice Roxanne George and a mixed jury at the High Court in Georgetown.

Yesterday, State Prosecutors Stacey Goodings, Diana Kaulesar and Shawnette Austin called Detective Herbert to the stand.

He testified that he initially visited the lot 55, William Street, Campbellville residence to conduct an investigation following a missing person’s report.

The detective said that he found Hope and O’Neil at the house and told them that he was there to conduct a search.

The policeman said that while searching the house, he saw what appeared to be blood stains on the interior of a bedroom located south east of the building.

The witness told the court that he then questioned the men about the suspected blood stains but Hope told him that he got dig on his foot. The detective said that he

Anthony De Paul Hope is accused conspiring with others to murder his aunt, Colleen Forrester asked the accused to show him the injury but when he did, his foot appeared normal; there were no visible injuries.

The detective said that after conducting a thorough search on the house, he began to investigate the yard, in the presence of another

police rank and the two accused.

Herbert recalled that blood stains led down a stairs to an area where the septic tank was located. He recounted that there was a foul stench coming from the direction of the septic tank.

The policeman said that he instructed that the cover of the tank be removed. It revealed the body of a human dumped inside the sewerage system.

The detective said that the workers attached to Lykens funeral home were call in and the body was taken from the septic tank.

He explained that two sheets that had been wrapped around the corpse had to be removed to reveal the body, which was subsequently identified by Cleon Forrester to be his mother, Colleen Forrester.

The detective related that he cautioned the two accused (Hope and O Neil) and told them that he had reason to believe that they had participated in the murder of Colleen Forrester, but they both remained silent. He told the court the men were then arrested and placed in police custody.

Forrester’s remains, the detective recalled, was taken to the Lyken’s Funeral Home and then Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, (GPHC) where a post mortem examination was conducted.

He said that items including “a bucket, silver coloured basin and two jeans” were also collected from the property as part of the evidence, for forensic processing.

The items were presented and admitted as part of the evidence in the trial, yesterday. The witness was then briefly cross examined by Attorneys-at-Law, Madan Kissoon.

Kissoon along with Attorneys George Thomas and Melvin Duke, are providing legal representation to the three accused persons.

While under cross examination, the officer agreed to a suggestion made by Tyndall’s lawyer (Kissoon), that he (Tyndall) was not present at the time the items were found on the premises. The police witness, however, disagreed that nothing of evidential value against Tyndall, were among the items collected from the property.

The trial continues tomorrow.

Guyana is ready to deal with Zika - VCS Director As the vector-borne Zika disease continues to spread throughout sections of the Caribbean and South America, Guyana apparently has the capacity to deal with the virus if it makes its way here.

This is according to Director of the Vector Control Services (VCS) Dr. Reyaud Rahman who told this newspaper that the country is on the alert for the possible appearance of the Zika virus.

When questioned on the disease and Guyana’s capabilities in handling it, Dr. Rahman said that the country has the necessary training, equipment and chemicals needed to adequately deal with the virus.

“We are pretty much okay with it if it does come. It’s not too different from

Chikungunya and we should be able to control it if it does come to Guyana,” Dr. Rahman said.

The likelihood of the disease entering Guyana is multiplied by the country’s highly porous borders.

Currently, the Zika virus has been reported in nearby Brazil.

Though it has not yet been reported in Guyana, the director noted that, “it’s very, very close.”

Further, Dr. Rahman said that field assistants and officers were dispatched to different regions to tackle vector-borne diseases.

However, he admitted that there are constraints, including the amount of personnel available to the VCS. He added that the priority areas are those which

Man impregnates Wakapao child The police in Region Two have detained the man who allegedly is responsible for impregnating a 14-yearoldWakapoa teenager. The teen is currently a patient at the Suddie Public Hospital.

According to reports, forthcoming charges are likely to be leveled against the man, who was exposed after the teenager was questioned by the police. An investigation into the matter is in progress, after her relatives were alerted.

The teen’s condition is currently being monitored by doctors. She is said to be five months’ pregnant.

Several months ago, a 13year-old Wakapoa teenager gave birth to twin boys, at the Suddie Public Hospital. The babies were born premature and one has since died.

That teen had told her relatives that she was sexually molested by a relative while she was spending some time with her older sister, at Timehri.

are densely populated.

“We are preparing in that way for any other vectorborne diseases like the Zika virus; we are on the alert and on the lookout for that,” Dr. Rahman emphasised.

He said too, that the VCS will attempt to counteract the virus by placing personnel at the Ogle Airport. There, passengers will be screened for any suspicious symptoms and possible cases can be captured.

“Ogle has international flights that come in from close places like Suriname and different places, so we’re trying to do that sort of thing to capture and ensure that we have those areas basically covered,” Dr. Rahman said.

He continued, “We’re

Guyana is on alert for the mosquito transmitted Zika virus doing our basic work and it’s very much repetitive; we just

have to increase or decrease what we’re doing. But the main

thing when dealing with vector-borne diseases, is to have good surveillance to ensure that you always have a good level of competent staff and workforce.”

Late last month, Chief Medical Officer Shamdeo Persaud had said that the Ministry of Public Health was on alert for the Zika virus.

As with similar Chikungunya intervention, Guyanese were warned to keep their environs clean and get rid of stagnated water.

The virus is spread by the same mosquito which spreads the Chikungunya and dengue viruses.

Its symptoms include severe joint and muscle pains, fever, headaches, conjunctivitis and rashes.

Fired: GuySuCo’s boss, and board sent ...

From page 6 the crisis over the weekend.

But it became increasingly clear that the new Government was not comfortable with the CEO. Last week also, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo called on Singh and the Board to resign because of their dismal performance.

Sitting on the Board were Shaik Baksh- Chairman and members Dr. Dindyal Permaul, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA); Badri Persaud, Managing Director, Guyana Oil (Guyoil) and Geeta Singh-Knight.

GuySuCo is projected torecord a $17B deficit this

year. The Corporation is in deep trouble and was a major talking point leading up to the elections.

The David Granger-led Government has made it clear that there will be no closure of the industry despite its woes but GuySuCo will be have to be led in a different direction altogether.

Consecutive sugar crops along with a poor string of performance for its new flagship US$200M factory at Skeldon has sunk the industry to a two decades low despite the release of billions for the Corporation.

GuySuCo has failed to release a turnaround plan almost a year after promising Parliament.

Recently, the five-yearold Skeldon managed to only produce half of the targeted production for the first crop.

The industry is producing sugar at a cost double what it is selling for. Technical and agricultural problems continue to plague the industry.

Its biggest customer, the European Union, has slashed the price of sugar by some 36 percent and is set to open its markets to other players, forcing Guyana, a preferential customer to now improve its dismal efficiency.

With over US$50M sunk into GuySuCo within recent years, the previous Government, under the PPP/C, had promised

to invest more than US$100M over a five-year period to help the industry.

Recently, GuySuCo sold its Wartsila co-generation facility at the new Skeldon factory, just over five years old, to the Guyana Power and Light Inc. for US$30M. It collected about US$20M ($2B) and is awaiting the remaining US$10M ($2B). Two weeks ago, GuySuCo announced that its first crop fell short of the 86,201 tonnes of sugar by some 5,000 tonnes.

The Management, however, failed to disclose that Skeldon had done so badly, only managing about half of the 17,214 tonnes it had set for that factory.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Advertisements; Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 6831312, 627-3206 Your Dream Yard Today!

Stunning designs, Assortment, colourful plant choices, Professional Landscapers Tel: 219-0468/ 648-1821 Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 R E PA I R S AT L O W COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822 ATTENTION! SHUTTER REPAIRS. Discounts on Awnings @ Luks Unique General Store, 25 Saffon Street, Charlestown- Tel: 223-0998; 655-1072; 613-1921 EAGLE’S FRIDGE RE-GAS - $8,000 & WASHING MACHINE REPAIRS. PHONE: 697-2969, 6460966 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create Artworks, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

SALON

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal and Sacha cosmetics. Call: 647-1773/660-5257

Caldina Wagon PMM 753 Call: 613-1286

VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Prado, Price$4.4M Neg. Call: 643-2403

1 Toyota Hilux Vigo 2003, 1 Lexus IS200 – Call: 610-3707

2-20 Ton American dump truck - Tel: 661-6161

Unregistered fully loaded, Toyota IST $2M - Call: 6917475

Unregistered Nissan Bluebird 2006 for sale $2.650M negotiable – Contact: 689-7325/644-9277

WANTED 1 Maid, 40years and older to work in SurinameContact: (+597) 322-5442; (+597) 651-6666 Taxi Drivers wanted at Princess Hotel - Tel: 616-5419 Farm workers male only – 3045 years old –Call: 265-3586 1 Mechanic to work in the Interior must know about Cummings & Perkins Engine.

Tel: 691-6260 Need an advisor to help with setting up a new Private School, email details to mozatart@yahoo.com 1 Maid to wash and clean in the interior-Tel: 691-6260 One Ranger, must know to use GPS contact 223-5273/4 Cook must know to bake, able body cleaner, housekeeper & general domestic, waitress Tel: 679-5933 Staff for plant shop, Located in Georgetown, Plant knowledge an advantage.

Tel: 643-4049 One live in domestic to work in Mahaicony River. Tel:2256571; 644-6905 Receptionists, bar attendants (shift work), live in handyman, apply in person. Tel: 223-6284 Experienced cashier: must know point of sale (shift work) @ Fortune House Restaurant, 98 Sheriff Street.

Live in domestic must know to cook Indian dishes, salary $70,000 monthly - Tel: 610-3974 Female to work in prodcution department - Call: 644-5151 One live-in person to care for an elderly man in Georgetown- Call:223-9888

WANTED CANTER DRIVER AND S A L E S M A N , SECURITY GUARDS FOR LAND OF CANAAN, E.B.D BUSINESS. POLICE CLEARANCE REQUIRED. 266 4427 Wanted to Purchase One Toyota RAV 4 2000 CC – Tel # 600-5253.

Canter Driver to work and pay owner weekly (Monday - Saturday) –Tel: 678-3160 Salesgirls and porters, apply at 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville with written application.

Two experienced welder, must know to operator torch and fabricate –Call: 222-3844 Cutter head dredge operator/ Missile Dredge operator.

Kindly make contact with 600-7344, 600-8812 between 9am-2pm.

Maid to cook and clean, 3 days per week - Tel: 614-4358 One nanny contact - 2235273/4 Truck drivers, security guard, office staff: 5 CXC subjects minimum & computer literate, to work in Georgetown - Tel: 218-5105 Four (4) General Managers for a hinterland operation.

Attractive salary. Contact 223-5180 (2) Two men to operate a mineral crusher - two crusher operators - for a gold mining operation. Attractive salaries and benefits.

Urgently needed live in waitress-Tel: 693-4154

American Style Massage Service: Heaven on Earth Massage, relaxation awaits you. Call: 678-7499

1 Maid to wash and clean @ E.C.D-Tel: 603-5416; 644-9802

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

Experience female accounts clerk- 4 years working experience. Apply in person @ Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry stelling Stabroek Experienced pastry makers, Roti/Puri & Curry, cook, cleaners, apply @ Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street.

Mechanic trainee to work in workshop age 17-25 – Call: 660-1269; 616-6007

1 L-Touring Wagon, excellent condition - A.C Alarm & Remote start, flair kit, CD player, 16" mags, price -$1.3M - Tel: 626-2884 Minibus BKK Series; price$950,000, owner leaving country –Tel: 222-6628 or 692-2602

04 BMW 318I (MYSTIC BLUE) M SPORT PRR 9445 , DVD DECK, REMOTE STARTALARM, REVERSE CAMERA-$3M. CONTACT FARAD: 619-4544 2004 Spacio -$2M 2008 Fielder (new shape) -$2.5M unregistered –Tel: 617-2891

V8 Titan (2005) KIA SPORTAGE 2003 - Call: 275-1230

1 RZ BGG 6179 in good condition- $600,000 – Call: 601-3253

Noah and Voxy Unregistered.

Call: 668-0000, 603-7900

2002 Yamaha R6, in excellent condition, owner leaving country - Call: 661-2953; 6505500

Star Cars Auto Sales: In Stock, Premio, Vitz, Bluebird, IST, Alteeza, Benz C200, Spacio - Tel: 679-3140

Toyota Hilux 5L Manual $2.350M negotiable –Tel: 684-1776; 617-8188 (2) 75 DAF GHH 7237, GNN 5366, 1 IST Car PMM 755 – Contact: 613-5212, 664-1030 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 Cheapest: manual & Automatic buses, Rush, Hilux, canter, Model M Truck, front view property in Bougainvillea Park – Call: 616-7635 Massey Ferguson 399 Contact: 601-9903

LAND FOR SALE Land at Farm East B a n k D e m e rara Call: 668-0000, 603-7900 10 Acres Kuru Kuru, High Way Roadside for Resort Business - Tel: 601-3369 or 227-1042 Commercial lots available at Eccles E.B.D $14M - Tel:592227-2913 or 592-689-3033 Parfaite Harmonie (80FTX50FT) -$2M, Tushen -$2M. We buy all low income land - Call: 611-7223

One tractor operator to work in Mahaicony River must know about rice work. Tel: 225-6571; 644-6905 Toyota Allex, Raum, BB, AT192, AT212, Premio, Hilux Pick up, RZ minibus & Pitbull, Nissan Blue Bird –Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 1 212 Carina AC, CD, Mags with wood finish interior, PNN, never work hire, excellent condition -$1.150 – Call: 619-1047 One Toyota Allion 2004 Model & 1 new & unregistered Mazda Axela, excellent condition -Tel: 649-0956

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

One Mitsubishi freezer canterGPP 4798- Call: 622-5717 Complete engine/ electric Lucas Mill - $1.2M. All mill spares and frame - Call: 693-5281 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 1-Miller Welder, Duetz engine (diesel) -Tel: 6616161 1-20 KVA generator, like new-Tel:661-6161 One Tohatsu outboard 15HP for sale –Call: 656-9921 1- AT170 EFI car for parts, 1-AT170 Stick shift driving Tel: 677-5041 Rare and expensive stamps first day covers/post cards/ coins & paper moneyContact: 227-6817; 624-7341

1 Noah BSS excellent condition-$1750, 1 Noah recently registered, blue bird Sylphy 2006 (unregistered) – Tel: 652-0709; 614-4777

1 Toyota Prado & Toyota Hilux both in excellent condition, owner migrating – Call: 601-0053; 691-8079

1 family to work & live in for an elderly man & living @ Timehri (living accommodation free) - Call: 223-9888 MASSAGE

Thursday June 04, 2015

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 12 Offices @ 220 South Road G/Town –Tel: 227-1042, 6013369 Five bedrooms house, 107 Lamaha Gardens & Large Parking; AC Rooms Hot & Cold, Purified Water System Call: 661-8908, 335-3590 Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: office, storage bond or other business. Call: 680-9905 Hall for wedding, all occasions, seawall view @ 44 Public Road Kitty –Tel: 231-1908/12 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 6750767, 627-5098

House and land at Diamond Housing Scheme, E.B.DPrice $9.5M - Contact: 6879107 For sale copra contact # 600-0540 One two stroke 90 Yamaha outboard, one 14ft aluminum boat, one 25 Yamaha 4 stroke outboard – Contact: 601-1138 DAF truck: flat rack, Perkins eagle turbo, 350LM, 12.17LT, 350HP, GVW 32,000KG, mileage 71,000kmCall: 676-9413, 223-0050 Crashed Toyota IST 07 Model. Price negotiable, tel: 614-1443 XBOX One, XBOX 360, PS2, PS3, PSP and Nintendo DS system, plastic barrels $6,000-Call: 603-8643; 6217497; 649-3277 One Toyota Forklift 2004, 10,000 lifting, 8ft fork, fuel propane 3 stages lift, sliding fork- Call: 629-7444 15-15-15 fertilizer, going cheap-Tel: 266-2711; 609-4594

One 3 bedroom upper flat apartment for rental in 5th Avenue, Diamond H/Scheme E.B.D. Tel: 662-9335

CAR RENTAL

CAR RENTAL PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL: CARS & SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/WWW. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel:698-7807 Continued on page 23

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 23

HATE CRIME: Colombia’s new law punishing attacks on women Lawmakers in Colombia passed a bill on Tuesday imposing tough sentences for hate crimes against women.

The bill was passed with 104 votes in support and three against. It still needs to be signed by the president to become law.

It was named after Rosa Elvira Cely, a woman who was attacked, raped and murdered by a man in a park in the capital, Bogota, in May 2012.

Under the new law, those found guilty could face up to 50 years in jail. It imposes longer sentences on crimes where women are targeted specifically because of their gender, including psychological, physical and sexual attacks.

‘Endemic violence’ Presidential adviser for women’s equality Martha Ordonez said that in Colombia

From page 22

The brutal killing of Rosa Elvira Cely in 2012 caused shock among Colombians

a woman was the victim of a violent act on average every 13 minutes, and that every four days one was killed by her partner.

The brutality of the attack on Rosa Elvira Cely brought the issue to the forefront of the national debate in 2012.

Thousands of people marched to demand justice for the 35-year-old, who was

found half naked and with signs of torture on her body after being attacked and raped in a Bogota park.

She died of her injuries four days later.

Police arrested a man who was studying at the same night school as Ms Cely. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 48 years in prison. He was later

sentenced to additional years in prison for abusing his underage daughters and raping another woman.

According to a 2013 World Health Organisation report, more than one in three women worldwide have experienced physical or sexual violence.

It said 38% of all women murdered were killed by their partners. (BBC News)

Letters... Where your views make the news

Toshaos’ elections and questionable governance - hopefully this will be treated with urgency DEAR EDITOR, Communities throughout Guyana have many questions surrounding elections of new village councils which had the statutory deadline of April 2015.

While some contributors both on print and social media have raised questions on the timeliness of mandatory financial audits that should be done before holding of Toshaos Elections, I’d like to press on the issue surrounding governance in communities and how the communities have been misled and now find themselves confused.

There is correspondence which was sent to all Village Councils dated March 4, 2015 from the Chair of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) making reference to a meeting of December 2014 at which

the issue of “rescheduling of Toshaos and Councillors Elections was raised and discussed.” This letter further requested Village Councils to ‘support the delay to a date to be set in June, 2015’ due to the holding of general and regional elections.

What I am pointing out here is the fact there was no consultation with the communities to make such a decision. The people did not participate in such a decision.

What we were forced with was an imposition on the Villages and Communities throughout Guyana.

Today, in the midst of transitioning of the new administration, we would like to know when these elections will be held. We would like to know when nominations will be held since in some regions, nominations would have

Can the PPP rise from...

From page 4 ranks over the years.

From all appearances, the PPP has reached a point where there does not seem to exist the critical mass necessary to pull the party out of the Gordian knot in which it is embedded. The party is in dire need of new leadership, organization and ideology if it is to emerge as a credible opposition force, and eventually, be seen as a government in waiting. It runs the risk of becoming left out in the corridors of power, as it will likely face criticisms from every corner of Guyanese society in its attempt to reinvent itself.

The PPP/C may do well to

hastily begin to reconstruct its image, internally and externally, and allow credible leaders to emerge in a democratic manner. Its salvation may also lie with its ability to reduce the powers of the executive and promote constitutional reforms, which the Granger government has agreed to do.

If coalition politics is the way forward, a renewed PPP should seek to build alliance with other parties, the AFC or APNU not excluded. Regardless, while opportunities exist for APNU/AFC to expand upon its support base, the PPP faces a lengthy and arduous road ahead Baytoram Ramharack

already been held during the month of April. Who can guide us as to whether those villages that have not had nominations should go ahead to stage this activity? Varying reports in the different regions are causing confusion.

When indeed are audits going to be carried out in the village councils on state funds that they would have received over the years?

There are reports out of residents of various villages that many times they were not apprised of what funds would have been incoming from the previous administration and therefore residents found themselves at a loss as to

what they should hold their leaders accountable for.

Generally, there has been rampant misappropriation of funds due to lack of transparency and a lack of political will by those in authority to rein in corruption at the village levels. These are just some of the many questions that I wish to table through your media house and hopefully one of the Ministers or all relevant Ministers will treat this as a matter of urgency.

We look forward to improved governance for our peoples and for our country.

Jeanne Sharon Atkinson Santa Rosa, Moruca

Post turtles in our govt. departments DEAR EDITOR, The previous government had hired a great many post turtles during its time of trying to govern this country, most likely due to the turtles’ contribution to the party.

Thankfully, the biggest post turtles are now back where they are most comfortable, but the smaller ones are still around, placed as ‘supervisors’, ‘foremen’, ‘managers’, ‘directors’, etc.

I hope that these post turtles are identified soonest and removed and placed where they are hopefully able to make some contribution to our nation’s development.

The present government also has to be careful when it makes its selections for top posts that it doesn’t put post turtles too, even though they

may have contributed to the campaign which led to victory.

Post turtles show their inability to cope early, displaying arrogant and aggressive behaviour to hide their shortcomings, and are excessively loud and loquacious.

What are post turtles?

When you are on a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that’s a post turtle. You know he didn’t get there by himself, he doesn’t belong up there. He doesn’t know what to do while he’s up there. He’s elevated beyond his ability to function, and you wonder what kind of fool put him (or her) there in the first place.

Gregory Holder

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale, Grove $18M neg. Tel: 625-5461.

Property at Covent Garden E.B.D, serious inquiries – Call: 265-3586 Property at Kersaint Park LBI, price $13M negotiableContact:664-1865; 698-5713 Property for sale or rental located in Eccles. Contact: 602-8703 Residential lots ad houses for sale at Eccles, E.B.D $7.5M. Tel:592-227-2913 or 689-3033 1 Flat concrete house 20X38 feet, land space: 100X200 feet. Tel: 694-1090 or 661-6073 Transported concrete property for sale at Lot 458 Block “8” Mon Repos, E.C.D, Top flat 2 bedrooms, bottom flat 2 bedrooms $20M. Tel: 625-1514 Property @ Lot 63 West Ruimveldt, Estate Housing Scheme Georgetown – Contact Mark: 618-9744

VACANCY Cutter/straight stitch/ button tack/hole operators.

Call: 222-2541 (8:00am4:00pm Mon-Fri) One male technician with complete secondary education, electrical knowledge & fluent in Portuguese, email: vacancy@gsatconnection.com One female clerk - Call: 2315171 Work from home, earn $5,000-$20,000 daily Call Monday-Friday 9am-5pm #233-6517, 638-0595 www.jobfairworldwide.com I N T E R N AT I O N A L EMPLOYMENT: NURSE, TEACHERS,CARPENTERS, ELECTRICIANS, COOK, WAITERS, BELL BOYS, HOUSEKEEPERS, STOREKEEPERS, SECURITIES. CONTACT: 231-6296; 650-9880/ www.plzrecruitme.com Live in housekeeper, to care for infant 30-50yrs, long term employment-Tel: 697-8797

Property at William St Campbellville, 2 family – 3 bedrooms over 2 bedrooms, 3 Baths 50FTX100FT lot.

Call Cheryl: 226-8915 (9am4:30pnm) & Winston (917) 202-7444 Brand new 2 storey, 3 bedrooms building for sale in 5th Avenue, Diamond H/ Scheme E.B.D. Tel: 662-9335.

FOR SALE IN CENTRAL GEORGETOWN: SPACIOUS HOUSE IN DESIRABLE BEL-AIR, NEW HAVEN R E S I D E N T I A L NEIGHBORHOOD. CALL: 647-8851 169 Thomas St. Kitty, double lot, vacant possession ideal for business or commercial purposes – Call Zeena: 2203348; 611-8222 TO LET Prime office space @ lot 239 Quamina Street, Central Georgetown, parking available in Private yard. Tel: 592-227-2913, 592-689-3033 Two bedroom apartment & studio @ Eccles – Call: 6447000, 233-3133 or 233-2369

EDUCATION Register now with Alpha foundation for chill care, care for elderly, cosmetology, dressmaking, cake decoration & more – Phone: 264-1052; 663-7930 Private homeschooling for CXC English and all SSEE subjects - Call now:696-7467 Kids Summer computer classes, age 5-16 @ Micrographics Technology –Vreed-en-Hoop –Tel:2643057 (Register Now!) Computerized Accounting 4 Courses @ $30,000: POS Quick Books, Excel 2013, Peachtree. Micrographics Vreed-en-Hoop - Tel: 2643057 Super Deal for CXC 2015 Students: 9 Course in Computer studies -$30,000 @ Micrographics –Tel: 2643057 FOR SALE/RENT

Church to let @ 180 Charlotte St. Bourda -$150M negotiable- Call:227-6817 or 624-7341

1 Three Storey building, established business- Call: 227-1042; 601-3369

Apartments in Eccles & Rooms in Alberttown –Call: 698-7807

For Sale: Rush, household items: TV, etc. For Rent: house. Tel: 628-7884

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

Local aquaculture, environmental programmes reviewed… As part of regional project The primary stakeholders in fisheries, aquaculture and environment yesterday gathered at the Regency Hotel to give their input on an important assessment project, addressing the issue of improving sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures and environmental monitoring programmes in Guyana.

The activity is part of a larger regional project, “Support to the Caribbean Forum of ACP States in the implementation of commitments undertaken under the economic partnership Agreement: Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Measure”, commonly referred to as the SPS project.

It is financially supported by the European Union (EU) under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) project, and is being implemented by the InterAmerican Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in partnership with other major agencies in the region, including the CARICOM Secretariat, the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) and the National Committee for the Application of Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Measures in the Dominican Republic.

The CRFM, being CARICOM’s sole fisheries body is responsible for the fishery component of the project.

Deputy Executive Director CRFM’s Secretariat Dr. Susan Singh -Renton

explained that the 10th Economic Partnership Agreement specifically seeks to strengthen the institutional and technical capacity of CARIFORUM states, in addressing their obligations in complying with the sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures of the EU. She said that in doing this, it is expected that the SPS project is going to help CARIFORUM states achieve overall competitiveness for their products on the international market, whilst at the same time address the need to protect national resources such as plants and animals, and guard human and environmental health.

She noted that, “Whilst the fisheries sub-sector has great economic potential, we have not been realising those benefits, simply because of insufficient capacity to respond to international health and sanitary requirements.”

Dr. Singh-Renton therefore pointed out that the SPS challenge is thus a complex one, as its spans the entire food system network at the country level and also across the region.

She explained though that in this complexity, the project has identified three common threads for which interventions will be taken; namely national and regional legislative framework, SPS government systems and capacity building.

She pointed out that the

From Left) Head of the EU Delegation to Guyana, Ambassador Robert Kopecky, Deputy, Executive Director, Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism Secretariat Dr. Susan Singh -Renton, Consultant Expert from Matis Ltd. Icelandic Food and BioTech R&D, Helga Gunna Laungsdo‘ttir, Chief Fisheries Officer, Ministry of Agriculture Denzil Roberts and another consultant expert from Matis Ltd, Margeir Gissurarso national consultation is linked to the capacity building component and is specifically dealing with environmental monitoring programmes for fisheries and aquaculture for establishing good standards with SPS. To achieve this, two key experts from Iceland, both with extensive experience in the area of food quality and assurance, are engaging the primary stakeholders in discussion.

Dr. Singh-Renton explained that Guyana is the first of eight countries visited,

where the two experts will undertake an assessment of the situation on the ground, so as to understand both the strengths and the weaknesses, and after the evaluation, develop a proposal to address the area that requires improvement.

She said that once CRFM receives the assessment and proposals from the expert team, these will be returned to the country for review and feedback, and following this consultation activity, CRFM will have a proposal that it will seek to begin implementing.

She explained that the implementation will include development of a training programme and delivery of that training programme, in addition to some strengthening of laboratories.

Meanwhile, Head of the EU Delegation to Guyana, Ambassador Robert Kopecky, noted that the fisheries sector is a fundamental source of livelihood and substance for the region, and is an important contributor to food security, poverty alleviation, employment, foreign exchange earnings,

development and stability of rural areas and coastal communities, culture, recreation and tourism.

He noted that in Guyana, the sector contributes to food security with over 30,000 tonnes of river and sea food consumed nationally. It contributes to the economy as over 60,000 tonnes of fish are exported yearly.

It aids employment, with over 5000 employed directly in the industry. He noted that fisheries and aquaculture make up over 6 percent of Guyana’s GDP. He said that the SPS project enables the EU to share best practices and to give support to answering the many calls for a common fisheries policy standard in the region.

“The fish potential, given the topography of your country, is naturally here, and I deeply believe that sustainable good fishery for the future is the way to go for Guyana, in terms of employment, GDP contribution,” he counselled.

Meanwhile, Chief Fisheries Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Denzil Roberts, noted that the sanitary aspect of the industry is extremely important, especially to Guyana that is seeking to penetrate more global markets.

“With the globalised world, the increasingly high demand for sanitary standards by the importing country, we the export countries have to follow and meet those standards, because if we do not, our access to markets will be very restricted, because it is a very competitive market,” he said, reiterating the importance of the consultation.

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 25

Jack Warner releases cheques amid ‘Sick cops cannot go back to work’ claims he helped fund election campaign …says alleged police union statement The Gleaner has received communication reportedly from the Police Federation advising protesting members that ‘sick cops cannot go back to work’.

According to the statement, doing so could result in charges being brought against them.

The statement, believed to be from the leadership of the police union, is also dismissive of the warning from the government over a court injunction ordering protesting cops to end their industrial action.

More than 1,000 rank and file members of the 11,000member Jamaica Constabulary Force have been calling in sick since Monday evening and since the court order, our news centre continue to receive reports that police divisions are still under-staffed and struggling.

However, the message from the police union suggests that the ‘sick’ cops should take their time to get better.

“You may have heard about an injunction filed against the executives of the Police Federation by the Government for the Police to

desist from protesting. What protest are they talking about, Police Officers are sick and sick persons cannot go back to work until they get better, so the government instructions does (sic) not stand”, read the message It added that “any member who resumes duty before their sick leave is up can be charged for Malingering. Sick leave issued by a doctor, under the Medical Act of Jamaica has satisfied all the requirements of your current employment.”

In a communication obtained Monday hinting of the industrial action, the union warned of a ‘hurricane’, a code word for five-days of sick leave.

Attorney General, Patrick Atkinson, has said that failure of the cops to comply with the terms of the Supreme Court Order will result in their being in contempt of court and liable to having their assets confiscated.

The police are protesting to press demands for an improved wage offer from the government.

The police union and government negotiators are to meet this afternoon for further wage talks.

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Embattled politician Jack Warner Tuesday began releasing copies of cheques paid by one of his companies to an advertising agency that handled the People’s Partnership’s 2010 election campaign.

Five cheques totalling just over TT$1.7 million (US$267,948.67) were paid by Warner’s Jamad Limited to Ross Advertising Limited in the weeks leading up to the May 24 poll.

The first one, dated April 14, was for TT$1 million (US$157,616.99), while the other April 21 cheques were written for TT$195,220.55 (US$30,773.93), TT$155,250 (US$24,470.14), TT$97,750 (US$15,407.43) and T T $ 2 7 0 , 9 9 5 . 2 0 (US$42,714.48).

There was no indication, however, of what the payments were for.

Warner, leader of the Independent Liberal Party (ILP), published the copies of the cheques on social media and in his Sunshine newspaper, with promises of more to come.

After being released from prison where he spent last week Wednesday night after appearing in court in connection with the United States’ efforts to extradite him

Kamla Persad-Bissessar on FIFA corruption charges, Warner accused Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar of having a hand in him being indicted and promised to expose all he had on her.

He had insisted that he helped fund the 2010 election campaign of the People’s Partnership – a coalition of four political parties, including the United National Congress (UNC) of which he was part.

However, PersadBissessar has insisted that she received no funding from Warner for her own campaign or that of the UNC. When questioned again by the Trinidad Express Tuesday, she stuck to her

position.

“I, Kamla, received no money from Jack Warner.

That is the God’s truth. I cannot speak to any contractual arrangement the gentleman would have had with Ross Advertising or any other advertising agency,” Persad-Bissessar told the newspaper, adding that Warner funded his own campaign as a candidate for Chaguanas West in the 2010 election.

The Trinidad Express reported that the advertising agency’s owner, Ernie Ross, declined comment.

However, the newspaper said Leader of Government Business in the House of Representatives Roodal

Jack Warner Moonilal intended to forward copies of the cheques to US Attorney General Loretta Lynch who last week Wednesday announced the indictment in which Warner and 13 others were charged with racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering.

“I am sure she’ll not only be interested in where the cheque went to but where the source of funds came from and I am asking Mr. Warner to make more evidence available to Loretta Lynch who has a big interest in those matters,” he said.

“Mr Warner’s problem is not Kamla, its Loretta. I think the sooner he wakes up to that reality the better for him,” Moonilal added.

China owns almost half Jamaica’s CSO: Less people debt to foreign governments

employed in T&T

Trinidad Express - The number of people with jobs in Trinidad and Tobago has fallen by 8, 100.

This is according to the Labour Force Bulletin for the fourth quarter of 2014, released by the Central Statistical Office Tuesday.

The Bulletin noted that the number of employed women decreased by 9, 800 or 3.7 per cent while the number of employed men rose by 1, 700 or 0.5 per cent.

“When compared to the corresponding quarter a year earlier, the data showed an increase of 1,000 or 0.2 per cent in the total number of employed persons in Trinidad and Tobago,” the Bulletin stated.

While noting that the unemployment rate for the fourth quarter of 2014 remained at 3.3 per cent, the Bulletin pointed out that when compared to the same period in 2013 the rate fell by .5 per cent. “From a gender perspective, the unemployment rate among

males increased marginally from 2.6 per cent in the third quarter of 2014 to 2.9 per cent in the 4th quarter 2014, while females decreased from 4.4 per cent to 3.8 per cent during the same period.”

The Bulletin added that this country’s labour force registered 651,000 persons at the end of the fourth quarter of 2014, representing a decrease of 9,100 or 1.4 per cent when compared to the third quarter.

“From a gender perspective, this decrease in the Labour Force was reflected among females which fell by 12,100 or 4.3 per cent. Males however increase by 3000 or 0.8 per cent.”

“The overall Labour Force Participation Rate for Trinidad and Tobago fell from 62.0 per cent in the 3rd quarter 2014 to 61.1 per cent in 4th quarter 2014. When compared with the corresponding quarter in 2013, the overall Labour Force Participation Rate decreased from 61.6 per cent to 61.1 per cent.

The Gleaner - Jamaica is indebted to foreign governments and agencies to the tune of $53.9 billion, nearly half of which is owed to China.

Financial statements tabled in the House of Representatives last week by Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips indicate that $24.7 billion is owed to the Asian giant, but Dr Lloyd Waller said that if it were possible to remove the Chinese loan variable, together with the concomitant benefits to the country, Jamaica would be worse off. “A part of the developmental process is infrastructure and development, and road network plays an important role in that regard. For many businesses and individuals, they will benefit significantly from the creation of an efficient way to move from one location to the other,” Waller, head of the Department of Government at the University of the West Indies, Mona, said.

Of the funds owed to China, $5.9 billion relates to

the Paliasados Shoreline Protection and Rehabilitation Project; a similar $5-billion debt for the construction of the Montego Bay Convention Centre; just over $3 billion for the construction of the Trelawny multipurpose stadium; and $7.6 billion for the Jamaica Economic Housing Programme.

The Government’s flagship road project - the Major Infrastructure Development Programme - has so far racked up a debt of $1.6 billion.

Interestingly, there is no reference to the US$400million Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme in the list of debt owed by the central government to China.

The Government of Jamaica, through the Road Maintenance Fund and the Export Import Bank of China, entered into a US$400-million loan agreement in August 2009 to finance the improvement and rehabilitation of the island’s road network under an initiative called the Jamaica Development Infrastructure

Programme.

Waller said that when examining matters such as Jamaica’s debt, it is critical that one evaluate the impact loans could have on both macro-economic and personal development within the country.

Jamaica’s total debt as at March 31 stood at $1.85 trillion, $801.5 billion of which represents external debt. The country’s internal debt is $1.05 trillion.

Dr. Peter Phillips

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

South Korea test-fires missile that can strike all of North Korea South Korea yesterday test-launched a new ballistic missile that can hit all of North Korea, the president’s office said, developed under a new agreement with the United States that lets Seoul extend the weapon’s range to up to 800 km (500 miles).

President Park Geun-hye made a rare visit to a missile base on the west coast to watch the launch of the guided missile, which will be a key part of the South’s defence against its neighbour ’s nuclear and missile threat, her office said.

“The test demonstrated improved ballistic missile capability that can strike all parts of North Korea swiftly, and with precision, in the event of armed aggression or provocation,” the presidential Blue House said in a statement.

The launch comes a month after the North said it test-fired a submarinelaunched ballistic missile. If true, the statement points to progress in the North’s missile capabilities, although some experts and U.S. military leaders questioned the authenticity of the North’s report.

South Korea’s missile is the first developed under new guidelines signed with the United States in 2012 to more than double the range of the South’s missiles to tackle its disadvantage with Pyongyang’s missile capabilities.

The North has a deployed arsenal of missiles of various ranges and is believed to be developing an

A ballistic missile is launched from a firing range in Taean, South Korea, June 3, 2015 (REUTERS/ DEFENCE MINISTRY/YONHAP) intercontinental ballistic missile aimed at delivering nuclear weapons.

In 2012, North Korea successfully launched what is generally considered a long-range rocket, putting what it said was a satellite into orbit. The North called it a space launch vehicle, but the international community said it was a missile that violated U.N. Security Council

resolutions.

The North is under various sanctions for its missile and three nuclear tests.

Besides its missile pact with the United States, South Korea has an agreement limiting the range of the missiles and a pact on civil nuclear energy that bars Seoul from developing atomic weapons.

Seeking compromise deal, Greece warns it might skip IMF payment Greece’s international creditors signalled yesterday they were ready to compromise to avert a default even as Athens warned it might skip an IMF loan repayment due this week.

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras agreed in a telephone call with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande on the need for an immediate solution to the long-running debt negotiations involving a lower primary budget surplus target for Greece, a Greek official said.

Their third call in a week took place shortly before Tsipras flew to Brussels to meet senior European officials and hear the terms of a plan drawn up by the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund after a meeting of leaders chaired by Merkel on Monday.

With time running out, and looking to draw a line under four months of acrimonious negotiations, the creditors have effectively come up with a take-it-or-leave-it offer.

However, Tsipras has produced a plan of his own and said he intended to discuss that document in Brussels, calling on euro zone

partners to show some “realism” and urging a deal that would let Greece escape from “economic asphyxiation”.

Hardline German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said an initial look at Greece’s reform suggestions indicated that talks aimed at securing an aid-for-reforms deal will take time.

“I have no information that anything decisive has changed in terms of substance,” he said at an event in Berlin.

Looking for a compromise, the creditors suggest that Greece should post a budget surplus before interest payments of one percent of gross domestic product this year and two percent in 2016, instead of 3 percent and 4.5 percent under the terms of the current plan, sources familiar with the proposal said.

The sources said the Greek government, elected in January pledging to end years of bitter austerity, had suggested a primary surplus of 0.8 percent this year and 1.5 percent next year.

However, the relatively small gap in headline numbers masks tougher unresolved issues on how to achieve the fiscal targets.

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 27

GFF NC Update Media on a number of issues From page 32 Qualifying Group 4 with hosts St. Kitts & Nevis and Cuba from August 21 – 25.

Players from North America who are playing at a high level would also be targeted according to Bolton.

A mini camp before the July camp in Guyana would be held to assess the level of local players who can be part of the Lady Jags.

PROVIDENCE HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTRE Plans are progressing with the FIFA Development Committee to see the realization of this facility in the near future. Urling informed that local architects are working on the design at the moment.

The GFF and the Eccles / Ramsburg NDC recently inked a 30-year lease deal to develop the Providence ground into the home of football in Guyana. It will include an artificial synthetic field, dressing rooms,

spectators stands, beach soccer pitch at the basic, Urling noted.

“Currently we have engineers doing the topography of the area. The first step would be to raise the ground level to ensure that we have adequate drainage systems so that the facility don’t flood easily. Once we have the holistic vision of what we want for the facility, FIFA’s Development Division is going to start to allocate funds under the various programmes available.”

The GOAL Project and Challenger Project will be areas under which the GFF will draw down monies to develop the Providence facility Urling noted. He also said that the federation would also be pursuing land in other parts of Guyana with the aim of building more facilities.

“All those teams or anybody interested, if you can get someone to donate land to the GFF or lease for at

least 20 – 25 years minimum, we can start to talk about utilizing some of the funds available from FIFA to develop those facilities around the country.”

Linden, Rupununi and Berbice are areas that are being targeted. Government would also be targeted Urling said with regards to obtaining land to develop facilities.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM Copies of the drafted/ amended constitution have been sent out the affiliates of the GFF with a view to reviewing and subsequent adoption. An Extra Ordinary Congress has been fixed for June 26 where the new constitution will be up for adoption.

Urling also touched on the recent developments in the world of football which saw a number of high level officials of both FIFA and CONCACAF being arrested for corruption, racketeering

Thursday June 04, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today might be one of the most fortunate days of your life, Aries. Everything you've been striving for romance, money, creative fulfillment - could fall into place at various times today.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Information received through dreams and visions could trigger sudden psychic revelations of solutions to problems you may have been mulling over for weeks.

GEMINI (May 21– June 20) Some unexpected calls from friends or colleagues could bring you wonderful news today, Gemini.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Job-related or personal projects are apt to come to a head now. Success is in the air, along with a marked increase in income and acknowledgment from those who matter.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you're currently involved, Leo, expect to feel a rush of revived passion for your partner. If you aren't currently involved, the one great love of your life could finally appear.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept.

22) You know you're intuitive, Virgo, but changes could take place in your brain that elevate your abilities beyond mere

intuition.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Don't turn down invitations today, Libra. A group meeting or social event could be thrown together with casual acquaintances, and your relationship with these people could abruptly change.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A financial windfall could come as the result of a coup that no one expected you to pull off, Scorpio.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21) Wonderful news comes from far away, Sagittarius, possibly involving writing, teaching, or publishing.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) An enterprise you'd long since given up on, perhaps one involving the creative arts, may suddenly come up again, this time as a real opportunity, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Group activities or social events could put you in contact with a new, exciting person. You could feel a strong physical and romantic attraction, Aquarius.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Whatever you've been trying to accomplish over the past several months could break loose just the way you want it to today, Pisces. It could come as a surprise and resemble a logjam that finally gives way.

and other illegal activities.

CONCACAF President Jeff Webb has been the highest ranking official arrested. Subsequent to the official’s arrests, there was the FIFA election which saw Sepp Blatter being re-elected but he subsequently indicated his intention to resign.

“For us though, at the federation, all the allegations especially the ones relating to CONCACAF officials came as a huge shock and surprise for us and then yesterday’s (Tuesday) announcement was prodigious that was a colossal surprise for anybody.”

“All these actions reinforce to the GFF and to all the arms of FIFA the need to ensure that there is high ethical practices at all the federations of FIFA and there is clear guidelines and policies implemented for transparency and accountability throughout the FIFA system at all levels.”

Urling noted that at the level of the GFF the financial systems have been strengthened and would be able to withstand scrutiny from any stakeholder at anytime, once so requested.

VOTINGAT FIFA CONGRESS Questioned on who Guyana supported, this was Urling’s response: “We made it public, we supported Prince Ali’s candidacy.”

Quizzed on who made the decision, Urling said, “This was a decision taken by the Chairman of the Normalisation Committee. We held our discussion, at the end of the day I could have said I supported anybody under the sun but at the end, the decision for us came down at the time, who we felt best could take global football forward.”

“I’ll say this, Mr. Blatter, while I don’t believe and maybe investigations might disprove this, I don’t believe Mr. Blatter is corrupt. I don’t think the institution called FIFA itself based on my observations at the congress is as corrupt as the media is portraying it to be. But Mr. Blatter being the president of FIFA, we felt that him moving forward as president would have created or send mixed signals and also presented an ominous situation for other MAs where we would have been judged harshly in terms of being perceived as being part of this corrupt organization that was led by Mr. Blatter. To say that we wanted to start anew at the FIFA level and Mr. Ali being the only other candidate, we felt that he or somebody else other than Mr. Blatter at the time would have been the best

candidate. That’s how the decision was arrived at.”

ERIC PHILLIPS REPLACES STUART MAY ON NC Academic, Business Manager and Consultant Eric Phillips was introduced as the replacement for Stuart may on the GFF Normalisation Committee. May served the FIFA appointed Committee which has a life until September of this year, for seven months.

Phillips, a former sportsman, former White House Fellow and lecturer at the University of Guyana in the Department of Business and Technology, played and captained teams in seven different sports including cricket, football and table tennis.

The current Executive Director of the African Cultural and Development

Association (ACDA) said that he is pleased to as a member of the GFF NC. “What I hope to bring to this team is to support the normalization process so that Guyana becomes more prominent in soccer. I plan to bring my management skills, my access to corporations because funding is critical and I look forward to also bringing other leadership skills that I have gained experience in over the years.”

May in brief remarks thanked the other members for their support whilst wishing them all the best going forward. Chairman of the GFF NC Clinton Urling noted that one of May’s main areas was helping to attract corporate support and will continue to serve the federation as Chairman of the Women’s Football Committee.

FIFA whistleblower...

From page 27 midfielder issued a stronglyworded statement on Wednesday calling for major change at FIFA. Beckham was a major figure in England’s failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup, which was awarded to Russia.

‘Some of the things that we now know happened were

despicable, unacceptable and awful for the game that we love so much,’ Beckham told Sky Sports.

‘Football is not owned by a few individuals at the top, it belongs to the millions of people around the world who love this sport. ‘It is time for FIFA to change and we should all welcome it.’

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Competition...

American Pharoah to start from fifth position at Belmont Showdown to represent Guyana at

regional tourney starts tomorrow

American Pharoah gets a bath after a workout at Belmont Park on Wednesday. (AP)

(Reuters) American Pharoah’s quest for the Triple Crown began in earnest on Wednesday with the announcement of the post positions for the Belmont Stakes, the final jewel in horse racing’s Triple Crown.

The horse will start from the fith position, per Wednesday’s post draw.

American Pharoah is seeking to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown. Since that time, 13 horses have failed to capture the Belmont after winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, including two in the last three years.

If American Pharoah is to win, he’ll have to overcome challenges from a number of horses he bested in the Derby but not in the Preakness. Frosted, Materiality, Mubtaahij, Keen Ice, Made from lucky, Tale of Verve, and Frammento fill out the Belmont field, with Frosted and Materiality holding the best odds outside American Pharoah to win.

The Belmont Stakes offers a unique challenge among the three Triple Crown races: 1 1/2 miles (or, in racing parlance, 12 furlongs), a farther distance than any of the horses slated to race has run. (The Kentucky Derby is 10

furlongs, the Preakness nine.) One statistical measurement of a horse’s likely success involves measuring the average winning distance of all the offspring of that horse’s sire and dam. By that standard, Keen Ice ranks first and American Pharoah second among all Belmont entrants.

Still, there is reason to worry. In recent years, American horses have been bred for speed, not stamina. In practice, that means a horse capable of winning at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness on speed doesn’t have the endurance to handle the longer Belmont track. Recent winners at the Belmont have included endurance “specialists” who come into the race without fanfare and often fail to win even a single shorter race in their careers.

All of which combines to make Secretariat’s astonishing 1973 victory, in which the legendary horse won by 31 lengths, all the more impressive. Will American Pharoah engrave its name in history alongside Secretariat’s? We’re another step closer to finding out.

The Belmont Stakes runs at 6:50 ET on Saturday, June 6.

Edge with Australia...

From page 31 cause some problems with a typically classy start.

Their 40-run stand was the best of the innings, but it ended when Lyon came around the wicket to Bravo, who on 19 edged and was brilliantly taken by Clarke low to his left at slip.

Hope fell for 36 off 54 balls when he tried to drive Johnson and his thick edge was superbly taken by a diving Marsh at gully.

West Indies were 75 for 3 and it was the sort of situation in which the Australians would have been pleased not to see Shivnarine Chanderpaul walking out to bat.

Dowrich managed 15 before he dragged on off Hazlewood, and in Hazlewood’s next over he added the wicket of Blackwood for 2 when a thick

edge was taken by Clarke, moving across from second slip in front of Shane Watson at first. In the next over, West Indies lost the last of their top six when Samuels miscued a hook off Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood at fine leg took a well-judged catch.

Ramdin and Holder tried to reassemble things but Johnson ended that idea when he bowled Ramdin for 19, the ball staying disconcertingly low for the first day of a Test.

When Holder edged Starc to Marsh at gully for 21, the end seemed nigh, and the next wicket brought the score to 144 for 9 and allowed an extension of the session past the scheduled tea time.

That ninth wicket came from arguably the best of the catches, when debutant Adam Voges ran back from

midwicket with the flight of the ball, dived and clung on to get rid of Taylor for 6. A change to the part-time legspin of Smith had done the trick, even if Smith’s wicket came with what could only be described as a long-hop.

Shannon Gabriel, one of Test cricket’s genuine No.11s, was then no match for Johnson, and edged to slip for 2 to complete a miserable start to the series for the home side.

By stumps Australia were more than halfway to West Indies’ total, but as day one showed, things can happen quickly on this surface even if scoring does not. It was worth remembering that West Indies had been 85 for 3, too.

Scores: Australia 85 for 3 (Voges 20*, Smith 17*) trail West Indies 148 (Hope 36, Hazlewood 3-33, Johnson 3-34) by 63 runs.

Sixteen teams drawn from the five communities that the Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Competition was played will vie for the right to represent Guyana at the Caribbean Championship set for later this month in Kingston, Jamaica.

The teams will be drawn from Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West Bank and West Coast Demerara, Linden and Berbice and the action gets underway tomorrow and ends on Sunday at the Demerara Park, Thirst Park.

The opening night will be played at the Pouderoyen Tarmac where eight matches are scheduled, while the following evening’s round of games is slated for the National Cultural Centre Tarmac.

The Luanch which took place yesterday at the Banks DIH Sports Club saw in attendance Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, Communications Manager Troy Peters, Outdoor Events Manager Gavin Jodhan, Aqua Mist Manager Errol Nelson and Petra Organisation CoDirector Troy Mendonca.

Baptiste speaking at the occasion spoke of the Company’s rise to the challenge it made to expand the competition to other communities, a feat he said was no easy task, but one which proved successful.

He named Berbice and West Bank / Coast Demerara as the two new areas where the tournament was played

this year.

The Guinness Brand Manager told the gathering that over $1million dollars in prize monies and trophies are up for grabs, while the most important achievement will be the right to participate in the regional tournament as this country representative.

The winning team will cart off $500,000, runner-up $250,000, 3rd place $150,000 and 4th place $75,000.

Mendonca in his remarks gave a synopsis of the tournament schedule and echoed sentiments expressed

by Baptiste about the support of the fans and the various communities.

According to Mendonca, similar to what obtains at the regional tournament teams will only be permitted to register seven (7) players and no player who had represented any other team

will be allowed to change team.

Another highlight of the finals will be the presence of regional network Sportsmax that will be sending live coverage of the competition to viewers across the Caribbean.

Also, there will be a guest appearance of the reigning ‘Skills’ champion out of Trinidad and Tobago.

Starting time on each night is 19:30 hrs.

The teams that will be participating in the finals are: (Georgetown)-North Ruimveldt, Globe Yard, Sparta Boss, West Front Road, Festival City and Leopold Street; (Linden)- Russians and Wisroc; (Berbice)- Team Manchester and Unruly ; (East Coast)- Beterverwagting ‘A’, Nabaclis and Melanie ‘B’; (West Bank / Coast Demerara)- Patentia Street Ballers, Show Stoppers and West Side Balers.

Everest CC congratulates CHANDRIKA, PERSAUD The President, Executive and members of the Everest Cricket Club has congratulated their opening batsman Rajendra Chandrika on his selection to the West Indies team to face Australia in the two-match test which commenced yesterday in Dominica.

The club wishes him a long a fruitful career and noted that his elevation is a result of the hard work he had

done over the years, a release from the club stated. By virtue of his call up, the right handed batsman has become a life member of the organization.

The club has also congratulated Travis Persaud on his selection as captain of the Guyana U19 team and expressed disappointment at the exclusion of the Shivnarine Chanderpaul from the West Indies side for the current series.

Interpol puts two ex-FIFA officials...

From page 30 decision had “absolutely nothing” to do with recent corruption allegations.

But FIFA executive committee member Kozo Tashima of Japan told Japanese media that Blatter should go at once.

TATTERED REPUTATION European sports officials said Blatter’s resignation was an important step, but that the organization needed deeper changes, while New Zealand Football Chief Executive Andy Martin said soccer must now rebuild its tattered reputation.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC), which has been a staunch ally of Blatter, said it would discuss internally the “best way forward for both FIFA and world football”.

As Blatter announced his exit, English Football Association Chairman Greg Dyke suggested that the

controversial vote that awarded Qatar the 2022 tournament could be re-run.

Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Bin Ahmed Al-Thani hit back, indicating the small Gulf state will not give up hosting soccer’s showpiece event without a fight. “We would urge Mr Dyke to let the legal process take its course and concentrate on delivering his promise to build an England team capable of winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” he said. Qatar’s stock index fell as much as 3 percent to a 6week low amid fears Qatar could lose the World Cup. Among potential candidates to lead FIFA, Platini is the favorite.

Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, who withdrew from last week’s presidential election after winning 73 votes to Blatter’s 133 in the first round, stopped short of

confirming he would run again. Asked if there should be a fresh start at FIFA, he told Britain’s Channel 4 News: “I’m willing to help.”

Chung Mong-joon, billionaire scion of South Korea’s Hyundai conglomerate, said he would consider running.

Possible candidates include Domenico Scala, independent chairman of FIFA’s audit and compliance committee.

Others could include former Brazil international Zico, Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona, Jerome Champagne, a former French diplomat and FIFA deputy secretary general, and German Wolfgang Niersbach, a former FIFA media chief.

They are among soccer officials and sports media and promotion executives facing U.S. corruption charges involving more than $150 million in bribes. www.interpol.int

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 29

FIFA whistleblower Blazer admits he and others accepted bribes for 1998, 2010 WCs Daily Mail - Chuck Blazer, one of the arch crooks in FIFA’s gallery of rogues, has admitted taking bribes for his votes in both the 1998 and 2010 World Cups.

Blazer also pleaded guilty to serial tax evasion and accepting bribes and kickbacks connected with the broadcast and other rights to five CONCACAF Gold Cups – the North and Central American confederation’s flagship football tournament.

This damning admission of high level criminal activity on the FIFA ExCo was contained in whistleblower Blazer ’s plea-bargaining testimony transcript given to the FBI in November 2013 but made public for the first time on Wednesday night.

The 2018 World Cup in Russia whose qualifying draw takes place next month has also come under threat as the FBI, whose probe into FIFA’s serial corruption was pivotal to Blatter’s shock exit, are now investigating how Russia was awarded the tournament along with Qatar in 2022.

Part of Blazer’s evidence is redacted suggesting further sensational evidence involving the FIFA hierarchy has been kept under cover.

But Blazer, now lying seriously ill in a New York hospital suffering from cancer and pnuemoniia, admits: ‘During my association with FIFA and CONCACAF, among other things I and others agreed that I or a coconspirator would commit at least two acts of racketeering activity.

‘I agreed with others in or around 1992 to facilitate the acceptance of a bribe in conjunction with the selection of the host nation for the 1998 World Cup. ‘I and others on the FIFA executive committee agreed to accept bribes in conjunction with the

selection of South Africa as the host nation for the 2010 World Cup. ‘I and others, while acting in our official capacities agreed to participate in a scheme to defraud FIFA and CONCACAF of the right to honest services by taking undisclosed bribes.’

The Blazer admission shows FIFA’s fraudsters also tainted the 1998 and 2010 Worlds Cups as well as the 2018 and 2022 editions currently being probed.

Qatar’s hosting has long been the subject of huge controversy since the double World Cup election in 2010.

But Russia, who will have world football gathering in St Petersburg for the draw on July 25, has mainly escaped suspicion of any wrongdoing around its World Cup selection.

But added to the current Swiss police activity, there are now two ongoing criminal investigations into those Russia and Qatar bids.

The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland raided FIFA House a week ago and are currently examining the electronic data and documents that were seized.

An FBI official told global news agency Reuters that the World Cup bids would be part of the probe that is now looking beyond the alleged £100million worth of fraudulent activity by FIFA officials that took place in the United States as well as in the Caribbean and South America.

And Blatter himself, who resigned last Tuesday but wants to stay in charge until his successor is elected, is also under investigation by the FBI. Russia 2018 World Cup chief Alex Sorokin, when interviewed last week, said: ‘We did everything the process wanted us to do. We are not concerned with any

Chuck Blazer (left) has admitted he accepted bribes during his time as an executive. (AFP/Getty Images) investigation.’

And a statement from their organising committee said: ‘The 2018 World Cup will be held for the first time in the territory of the world’s largest country. We will continue to work closely with FIFA towards this goal on a daily basis.’

The timescale still makes it highly unlikely that Russia would lose the tournament.

And England, the country who could put on such an global event with the shortest of notice, are giving no indication of wanting to do so.

The word from the FA was that nothing whatsoever has been mobilised for a 2018 World Cup. Blatter is still running FIFA which rules out any FA bid for a tournament until he leaves the building for good. And FA chairman Greg Dyke has already ruled out any England bid were there to be a re-vote of the Qatar tournament.

The 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar had taken offence at Dyke suggesting they wouldn’t be sleeping well in the wake of Blatter’s resignation sparking fresh doubts about their staging of

the tournament.

Qatar FA President Sheikh Hamad told Dyke he should let the legal process takes its course and concentrate on delivering his promise to build an England team capable of winning the World Cup. Dyke said: ‘It’s pathetic isn’t it.

They would say that, wouldn’t they. A year ago when the Sunday Times published that massive dossier about Qatar and the Qatar World Cup, the response from Blatter was that the British media was being racist because a lot of it involved corruption in Africa. I take offence from that and I do not think it was acceptable.

‘There is an email out there from FIFA secretarygeneral Jerome Valcke saying the Qataris ‘bought the World Cup’.

‘They denied it, but it is out there. Now that the Swiss authorities are investigating the process, we must wait and see what happens. If in the end they say it was a fair process then yes it should go ahead. But if they say, as I suspect, that an awful lot of money was thrown at this and

RHTY&SC TO HOST DOUBLE WICKET competition for Berbician female cricketers Female cricketers in the county of Berbice would be involved in a historic double wicket cricket competition on Sunday 19th July at the Area ‘H’ Ground. The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, as part of its Silver Jubilee Anniversary would be hosting the double wicket competition as part of its effort to promote cricket among females.

The tournament which

would be coordinated by the Cricket Development Committee of the RHTYSC would cater for twelve pairs and would be played on a knockout basis. The first and second rounds of matches would be played on a two overs per team basis while the semifinal and finals would be four overs per side.

Players like West Indies players Shemaine Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt, Erva

Giddings along with Plaffina Millington, Erica Lashley, Melanie Henry, Nikita Toney, Aleem Arokium, Diana Prahalad, Shabiki Gajnabi, Katina Mentore, Steffanie Rodney and Natasha Gangadeo are expected to play.

Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the main aim of the competition would be to keep the cricketers active while at the same time attract new players to the game.

The Rose Hall Town Farfan and Mendes and the Tuckber Park Under-15 teams would perform duties as fielders for the female cricketers. Interested female cricketers are asked to get in contact with the club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster on Telephone number 337 – 4562 or email: foster_hilbert@ yahoo.com. Trophies and cash would be given to the top three pairs.

some of it went to people it shouldn’t have gone to, then I do think there should be a re-bid.’

And Australia’s 2022 World Cup bid chief Frank Lowy said: ‘On a personal level since December 2 2010 when Australia received just one vote, I have nursed a bitter grievance. We ran a clean bid. I know that others did not and I have shared what I know with the authorities.’

But Qatar’s Foreign Minister Khaled al-Attiyah countered: ‘No way can Qatar be stripped. We are confident of the procedures and presented the best file. It is because of prejudice and racism that we have this bashing campaign against Qatar.’

However FIFA stated categorically – albeit under Blatter’s discredited tenure – in Marrakech in December that nothing had emerged from Michael Garcia’s report into those murky 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids that could force a re-vote. And even the 28 day-length of a Winter World Cup in Qatar were agreed at the FIFA Congress last week.

The full Garcia findings have still to be published in full but in the event of the Qatar World Cup vote being re-run, Dyke added: ‘I think almost certainly the 2022 tournament will not go to Europe. I think it’s likely to go to Australia or America who were the two under bidders.’

Meanwhile South African’s sports minister Fikile Mbalula reacted angry

to allegations that his Government had paid a 10m dollar bribe – sent via FIFA to arch FIFA crook jack Warner for his 2010 vote.

Mbalula said: ‘Criminals can explain a bribe very well, I don’t know how bribes work. The money was to support African dispora in the Caribbean. It was an above board payment. We don’t know what compromised individuals say when they are compromised.’

FIFA secretary-general Valcke – to whom the South Africa FA sent their letter – said: ‘I’m beyond reproach and I certainly don’t feel guilty . I don’t even have to justify that I’m innocent.’

Warner, who is stage centre of where that 10m dollars went, has been charged on eight counts of fraud by the US Department of Justice, is on bail in Trinidad while his former FIFA ExCo colleague Nicolas Leoz , also facing eight corruption charges, is under house arrest in Paraguay.

Interpol is also helping now helping the US agencies in bringing these two arch crooks to justice. The pair are on red notices meaning they risk arrest anywhere they travel.

Meanwhile, former England captain David Beckham has blasted FIFA over the ‘despicable’ corruption allegations which led to the resignation of Sepp Blatter as president of football’s governing body.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid (Continued on page 27)

Everest CC congratulates...

From page 29 Valcke - to whom the South Africa FA sent their letter – said: ‘I’m beyond reproach and I certainly don’t feel guilty . I don’t even have to justify that I’m innocent.’

Warner, who is stage centre of where that 10m dollars went, has been charged on eight counts of fraud by the US Department of Justice, is on bail in Trinidad while his former FIFA ExCo colleague Nicolas Leoz , also facing eight corruption charges, is under house arrest in Paraguay.

Interpol is also helping now helping the US agencies in bringing these two arch crooks to justice.

The pair are on red notices meaning they risk arrest anywhere they travel.

Meanwhile, former England captain David Beckham has blasted FIFA

over the ‘despicable’ corruption allegations which led to the resignation of Sepp Blatter as president of football’s governing body.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder issued a stronglyworded statement on Wednesday calling for major change at FIFA. Beckham was a major figure in England’s failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup, which was awarded to Russia.

‘Some of the things that we now know happened were despicable, unacceptable and awful for the game that we love so much,’ Beckham told Sky Sports.

‘Football is not owned by a few individuals at the top, it belongs to the millions of people around the world who love this sport. ‘It is time for FIFA to change and we should all welcome it.’

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

Montreal offers Hamilton an antidote for Monaco MONTREAL (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton has the perfect opportunity to get back on the winning track in Sunday’s Canadian Grand Prix after going astonishingly awry in Monaco.

Montreal is a favorite race for the double Formula One world champion, a fast track where he celebrated his first pole position and victory in his stellar 2007 debut season with McLaren.

Since then, the Mercedes driver has won twice more in Canada.

“I think everything that needs to be said about Monaco has already been said. Obviously, it was a huge disappointment for me and also for the team,” the Briton said before heading to Montreal. “But we’ll learn from it and move forwards together like we always do. I

Interpol puts two exFIFA officials on ‘red notice’ wanted list

Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain drives during the Canadian F1 Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal June 8, 2014. (Reuters/Mathieu Belanger) just want to get back out there and bounce back - and I could hardly ask for a better place to do that than Montreal. This is always one of my favorite weekends.”

Hamilton has suffered disappointments too at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, with its 300kph blasts and the ‘Wall

of Champions’ at the treacherous final corner, and has yet to win there for Mercedes. But when he has finished, it has been on the podium and his track record eclipses that of team mate and title rival Nico Rosberg.

Three-nil on wins, 4-1 on podium appearances, 3-1 on

poles and 6-1 on front row starts, the statistics all point to Hamilton.

“The racing is fantastic, the city is a lot of fun and the crowds are really enthusiastic...and it’s given me some great memories, including my first win,” said the Briton.

Dispute between WICB, BCCI could be resolved before June end, says Muirhead St. John’s (Antigua): A dispute between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over an abandoned series last year could be resolved before the end of June, WICB CEO Michael Muirhead has said.

Muirhead said that discussions between the WICB and BCCI have been progressing well and a final agreement could be reached later this month during a

meeting in Barbados, reports CMC. The BCCI is claiming $42 million in compensation after the West Indies cricketers, led by Dwayne Bravo, abandoned the Test and One-Day International (ODI) series in India last year.

“Discussions have been going very well,” Muirhead said on Monday.

“When we meet in Barbados this month we are hoping to have a resolution finalised and documented.

Beyond that I can’t say anything.”

Last year, tensions between the BCCI and the WICB erupted when the Windies team pulled out of the five-match ODI series after the fourth match in Dharamsala on October 17 due a pay dispute.

The BCCI subsequently slapped the $42 million claim on the WICB and also suspended bilateral relations with the WICB until the

dispute is resolved.

The meeting, between WICB and BCCI, will take place on the sidelines of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) annual conference which will take place in Bridgetown from June 22-26.

“It will be separate,” Muirhead explained.

“This is a BCCI and WICB issue and we will deal with it with BCCI while they are here.” (IANS)

Silver Jubilee Anniversary 1990 - 2015

RHTY&SC to host annual Summer Camp and Cricket Academy for youths The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club as part of its Silver Jubilee Anniversary Celebrations would be hosting two major programmes next month as part of its ongoing effort to make sure that every youth fulfills his/her full potential on the cricket field and in the classroom.

The club’s annual Republic Bank Educational Summer Camp would be held from Monday 6th July, while the annual TCL Cricket Academy would also start on the same day.

Both programmes would be held at the Area ‘H’ Ground in Rose Hall Town and according to RHTYSC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, the club has already started to make arrangements to

make sure that they are not only successful but fulfill every objective.

The Cricket Academy would cater for a total of 100 youths between the ages of 8 to 18 years and would be conducted by cricket coach Delbert Hicks and several others. The main aims of the Cricket Academy, which would be held for two weeks, are to identify and nurture promising talent for the future, to get them to understand their role as a sports ambassador and to promote the “Say Yes to Education and No to Drugs” message.

The young cricketers would be involved in intense coaching to improve their batting and bowling, fielding and physical fitness while a

lot of classroom work would also be done on a variety of topics including the History of the Club, Structure of Cricket in the Caribbean, Captaincy, Fielding Positions, Rules of Cricket, Importance of Education, Suicide and HIV/AIDS. Youths interested in being part of the Cricket Academy can contact the club on telephone number 337–4562 to register.

The Educational Summer Camp would be conducted by Senior Port Mourant Secondary School Teacher, Rohan Etwaru and its main objective is to prepare the 60 students to make a successful transition from Primary to Secondary school when the new school year begins in September.

The students would be taught Maths, English, Integrated Science, Basic Spanish and Social Studies during the five weeks camp, while they would also be exposed to coaching to learn how to play cricket, volleyball and basketball.

They would also be lectured on a wide range of topics including peer pressure, public manners, choosing friends and drugs abuse.

Students from Rose Hall Town, Tain, Belvedere, Port Mourant and Albion primary would be given priority at the camp but Foster stated that students from other schools would also be considered once space is available.

Entrance to both programmes is free of cost.

ZURICH (Reuters) Interpol put two top former FIFA officials on its “red notice” wanted list at the request of U.S. authorities on Wednesday as their investigation into corruption at soccer’s governing body gathered pace.

South Africa confirmed it had given $10 million meant to help pay for the 2010 World Cup to a soccer official indicted last week in the United States, but said the payment was not a bribe as U.S. prosecutors allege.

The latest developments in the scandal engulfing FIFA came a day after Sepp Blatter stunned international soccer by resigning as the world body’s president shortly before it emerged that he too was under investigation by U.S. law enforcement. Blatter was not on Interpol’s list.

A source close to FIFA said it was Blatter’s advisers who had told him he must reverse course and quit.

Critics pointed to the widening criminal probe, disquiet among sponsors, and pressure from European soccer body UEFA as possible reasons.

With Blatter saying he no longer had the mandate he sought, UEFA postponed a meeting due on Saturday where there might have been talk of a revolt against FIFA. UEFA had opposed Blatter, and Michel Platini, the UEFA president who is favorite to succeed the 79year-old Swiss national, had urged him not to stand for reelection as FIFA faced the worst crisis in its 111-year history.

“Considering new information is revealed every day, I believe it is wiser to take time to assess the situation, so together we can take a position on this issue,” Platini, a former French soccer star, said.

As the FIFA crisis unfolds, Interpol, the international police body, issued wanted person alerts for Jack Warner, a former president of CONCACAF, which governs soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, and Nicolas Leoz, the former head of South America’s soccer federation.

The others subject to the so-called “red notices” which are not arrest warrants - are Alejandro Burzaco, Hugo and Mariano Jinkis, and Jose Margulies, a Brazilian who headed two offshore companies that were involved

in broadcasting soccer matches. They are among soccer officials and sports media and promotion executives facing U.S. corruption charges involving more than $150 million in bribes. www.interpol.int BRIBE DENIED FIFA has denied that another senior official, Secretary General Jerome Valcke, was involved in a $10 million payment approved by the South African Football Association that lies at the heart of the U.S. investigation.

At a news conference in Johannesburg, sports minister Fikile Mbalula denied the payment to Warner during South Africa’s successful bid for the 2010 World Cup was a bribe.

Mbalula said South Africa had not bought votes for the right to host the cup, and the cash was intended for soccer development in the Caribbean, Warner’s home region.

U.S. legal authorities last week announced they are investigating alleged bribery and corruption at FIFA going back 24 years and Swiss prosecutors announced a criminal investigation into the award of the 2018 World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to Qatar.

The Kremlin said Russia was surprised by Blatter’s resignation but was pressing on with preparations for 2018.

Blatter, who has led FIFA for 17 years, is being investigated by U.S. prosecutors and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a person who spoke on condition of anonymity told Reuters late on Tuesday.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, on a visit to Latvia, declined to comment on whether Blatter is under investigation.

Blatter has not been charged and FIFA did not respond to a request for comment on his being under investigation.

Blatter announced his decision to step down on Tuesday, six days after police raided a hotel in the city and arrested several FIFA officials - and just four days after he was re-elected to a fifth term as president.

An election to choose a new president will probably not take place until at least December. Blatter, meanwhile, remains in his position.

His daughter, Corinne Blatter-Andenmatten, told a Swiss newspaper her father’s (Continued on page 28)

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Edge with Australia after 13-wicket day

Warriors conquer Black Sharks in close encounter New Amsterdam Warriors made sure that their travel was not in vain as they used the opportunity to defeat host Fyrish Black Sharks in a close contest when play continued in the NPG Inter Club Basketball competition for teams in Berbice.

The game which was played on Sunday at the Fyrish Basketball Court was intense from the start with the lead changing hands constantly.

It was the NA Warriors that took the early lead to end the first quarter with a slim one point lead 20-19. The

second quarter was more of the same with the game continuing to change lead.

However it was Sharks that surged back to end the half with a one point advantage at 31-30.

The Warriors, being rejuvenated after the half time, came out fighting and dominated the third quarter to end with a handsome 54-44 lead. Not to be outdone Black Sharks dwelling in familiar territory worked the court nicely and with a burst of energy fought back for all its worth, but their effort was a little too late and they ended

two points adrift to lose 6567. The consistent Randy Ceasar with a game high 35 points led the way for the NA Warriors, while he was supported by Kelvin Tom 15 and Edmar Semple 10.

The main contributors for the Black Sharks were Joel Fraser 30, Linden Joseph with 15 points and Royel Frankly with 7. The competition continues on Sunday with Smithfield Rockers taking on Ithaca Hardliners at the Ithaca Basketball court from 16:00 hrs. The competition is being coordinated by Vibert Garrett.

(Samuel Whyte)

East Coast Cricket Board congratulates Chandrika on WI Test selection Shane Dowrich gets his Test cap from Norbert Phillip, West Indies v Australia, 1st Test, 1st day, Roseau, June 3, 2015 ©WICB Media/Randy Brooks of Brooks LaTouche Photo ESPNcricinfo - Thirteen wickets made for an eventful opening day of the series in Dominica, and it was Australia who went to stumps in the slightly stronger position. Denesh Ramdin gave his men the chance to bat first but they survived only two sessions for their 148 before Australia played out the final session of the day and went to stumps on 85 for 3, trailing by 63 on a surface that had proven surprisingly challenging.

Steven Smith was Australia’s rock during the home summer against India and again he appeared immovable, although he also found scoring difficult with variable bounce and a slow outfield. He ended the day on 17 from 67 deliveries and had not scored a boundary; debutant Adam Voges had struck four fours in his 20 from 27 balls, perhaps the positive result of nervous energy.

David Warner had fallen early for 8 when he was surprised by extra bounce from a Jerome Taylor delivery and a leading edge was taken at point. Shaun Marsh, promoted to open in the absence of Chris Rogers, edged to slip off Jason Holder for 19, and Michael Clarke edged Devendra Bishoo behind after scoring a bright 18 off 28 balls, including one six over midwicket.

Voges was gifted a low full toss second ball to get off the mark with a boundary in Test cricket and by the time stumps arrived he had made a solid start. The Australians were generally careful in their 30 overs at the crease after the

West Indies batsmen struggled to come to grips with the conditions and were skittled inside 54 overs.

Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson collected three wickets each and it did not take long for the Australians to get back into five-day mode, having not played a Test since early January. The catching especially was outstanding, with Clarke, Voges and Marsh all making sharp takes of varying degrees of difficulty that ensured their bowlers were backed up.

West Indies went to lunch three wickets down but things quickly deteriorated further upon the resumption, when Shane Dowrich, Jermaine Blackwood and Marlon Samuels all fell within a four-over period. Ramdin and Holder put up some sort of fight but it seemed only a matter of time until Australia finished the job.

The batting conditions were not as easy as Ramdin might have expected when he won the toss, with the odd ball staying low and two batsmen - Darren Bravo and Taylor - struck on the helmet by quick, accurate bouncers.

Nathan Lyon also extracted more than a little bit of turn, and combined with an outfield the speed of a wet golf green it made life challenging for the batsmen.

Still, they didn’t put up much resistance, with no partnership lasting 10 overs.

Hazlewood made the first breakthrough when he moved a delivery away just enough to kiss the outside edge of Kraigg Brathwaite’s bat and

Brad Haddin completed a simple catch to have Brathwaite for 10.

Shai Hope was able to strike five boundaries and his driving through the off side was most impressive, and Bravo also threatened to (Continued on page 28)

The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) is extremely proud of our very own Rajendra Chandrika and resolutely believes that his inclusion in the West Indies Test squad, schedule to play against Australia was just a matter of time, as he has over the years, established h i s prolific cricketing proficiency, a release from the board noted.

It is indeed an honour for

us to witness yet another dedicated member of the ECCB Annual Academy elevated to the highest.

The President and Executives of the ECCB along with those who would have worked assiduously at the Academies are extremely jubilant with this priceless achievement.

The ECCB is calling on all Guyanese to rally round young Chandrika who we

believe will deliver with quality and excellence.

And so we urge this discipline, patient and committed young man to continue to work hard and execute his mandate in a professional manner. Make good use of this opportunity.

The East Coast Cricket Board therefore extends heartiest congratulations and best wishes! The release concluded.

>>> 18th Annual schools Windball tournament-EBD <<<

Wins for Diamond, Covent Garden, Peter’s Hall Diamond, Covent Garden and Peter’s Hall registered victories when the East Bank Demerara zone of the 18th Annual Primary Schools Al Sport and tour promotions windball tournament commenced recently at Farm ground. Diamond overcame Eccles by one run. Batting first, Diamond scored 59-2 off five overs. Steven Simon

cracked 20, Jamal Thomas 11 and Kenny Kalpoo 10; Devendra Krishnalall claimed two wickets. Eccles replied with 58-1. Rawl Gittings got 34 (4x6) and Wayne Holder 10.

Covent Garden beat Providence by nine wickets.

Providence managed 31-2, batting first. Amario Griffith made 17. Covent Garden responded with 32-1 off three

overs. Vincent Chin made 16.

Peter’s Hall thumped St. Anne’s 20 runs. Peter’s Hall batted first and rattled up 542. Joshua Hamilton struck 24 and Seon King 16. St. Anne’s were restricted for 34-3 in reply. Isaacs Jackson got 18.

Diamond trounced Craig Primary. Diamond posted 612 before limiting Craig to 452. Speaking before the start

of play, Sport officer Alistair Munroe said they are looking at the possibility of staging a league competition and an exchange programme with Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, due to the lack of washroom facility at the Farm Ground, the girls’ category will be played on a date and venue to be announced.

Members of the respective teams share a moment before the start of play.

Page 32

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 04, 2015

GFF NC Update Media on a number of issues

GFF NC Chairman Clinton Urling (center) is flanked a yesterday’s press conference by from right, TD Claude Bolton, HD Jamaal Shabazz, new NC Member Eric Phillips and outgoing NC Member, Stuart May. The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee (NC) yesterday rapped with the media on a number of issues relating to the game on and off the field of play. NC Chairman Clinton Urling was joined by General Secretary Richard Groden, Technical Director Claude Bolton and Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz among other officials.

HEAD COACH JAMAAL SHABAZZ ON SENIOR MEN’S & OLYMPIC SQUADS The senior National team he informed has been training for 10 days as of yesterday which was a rest day as they continue preparations for the CONCACAF leg of World Cup Qualifying for the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018.

Guyana will play its first

game away to St. Vincent & the Grenadines next Wednesday with the return game on Sunday June 14 at the Providence Stadium.

Shabazz said that the UK based players were still getting used to the change of weather here. “But all in all the effort by all the players has so far been good and very competitive. In each position now I’m happy to say that we

Underdog capture MC Bill Memorial dominoes title

Members of the victorious Underdog team display their prizes. Sponsor Safraz Sheriffudeen is at right.

Underdog amassed 85 games to capture the annual Mohamed Mc Bill Memorial dominoes title which was contested on Sunday last at Carlosh Sports Bar, Good Success in Wakenaam.

Seawall Boys placed second with 73 and Bad Boys who drew the bye to the final finished third on 68. Alex Chung marked 17 while Salim Chan had 16 for the winners.

Earlier, Underdog chalked up 79 games to win the semi final encounter ahead of Seawall Boys on 75 and All Star 59. Chung got 16 and Amit Ramnarine 15 for Underdog; Toolie Sheriffudeen made 14 for Seawall Boys and Raj Narine 14 for All Star.

Vickram Ramnarine, Heera Sukram and Mohamed Kalam of All Star were the love

birds. Underdog received a trophy while Chung took home the most valuable player award and Suraj Harrinarine the prize for sharing the loves.

Coordinator Moses Ramnarine thanked the sponsor Safraz Sheriffudeen CEO of V Net Communications which is located at 25 Delph Street, Campbellville for his input and said the dominoes fraternity of Wakenaam looks forward to the continuation of the tournament.

In a brief remark, Sheriffudeen congratulated the winners and thanked the other participating teams. He said that his company will continue to sponsor the competition which was played in memory of his grandfather Mohamed Mc Bill, a former resident of Wakenaam.

have a player to replace every player.” Given the competitive nature of the battle for places on the team, Shabazz said that he has asked the GFF not to release the players until Saturday noting that they had to submit the list of players to travel since Monday but even though that was done, it was not the final list given the high level of competition for places.

“Most importantly, the camaraderie among the guys have seen them going at each other then picking each other up. The mixture between the experience and the inexperience, the foreign and the local, the young and the old is a part of the team building process. A lot of the experienced players are sharing a lot of their thoughts and the things they have learnt in the game with some of the younger ones.”

Shabazz posited that the focus is on getting the best possible squad going into the game and all the players have accepted that. Sharing a bit on St. Vincent, Shabazz said that they have improved quite a lot from February to present.

“Two weeks ago I was in St. Lucia observing them win the Windward Islands tournament and for sure they will be a formidable opponent.

We take these two games very seriously because we understand that it is a big step in the future of Guyana’s football.”

UNDER-23 OLYMPIC SQUAD Due to the lack of funds, camping has been a challenge for the Technical Staff in bringing the players together for any extended period.

Shabazz reported that they have held two weekend camps so far.

“We are still at the trial stage with the squad, not finalized a 30 or 20; what we have done is keep the coming

in. they train four days a week and two days in eth week we incorporate them into the senior team where we play against each other.

Luckily for us, because there was no football playing we were able to include a lot of these boys before in the senior team programme.

Because of that we have a nice base of seven or eight players who have been playing consistently.”

The Technical staff is aiming to cut the squad down by this weekend to forge ahead with preparations.

Shabazz said that they are lucky to have the services of Coach Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson who is more experienced than himself {Shabazz} and Coach Wayne Dover as someone in education who has worked well with the U23s.

“Competition in the U23 team is also very good and we think that there is a good possibility for team.

Unfortunately we are going to this tournament short of international match practice but I think that it is a good pool for Guyana football; they are a lot of youngsters in the team who should be in the U20 and U17 team.”

The English based players who have been lending support to the U23s Shabazz noted have been very impressed with the level of talent and skill levels seen.

Among those assisting are Jamaal Smith, Neil Danns, Briggs and Ricky Shakes among others.

Guyana has been drawn in Group 2 of the Caribbean Football Union Men’s Olympic Qualifying competition along with Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda and Cuba. The venue for the matches to be played on June 24 – 28 is Aruba.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR CLAUDE BOLTON UPDATED ON THE ELITE LEAGUEAND WOMEN’S FOOTBALL Eight clubs have received the thumbs up from the GFF NC and will compete in the Elite League which will kick off in August. Bolton informed that this league will compliment the National programme.

The Elite clubs; Alpha United, Slingerz FC, Pele FC, GFC, Monedderlust FC,GFD, Fruta Conquerors FC and Buxton United FC have already met and are slated to meet again shortly as a working group to further crystallize plans for the league.

“It’s the vision of the NC and the Competitions Committee to make sure we find out what will work and what will have longevity.”

Bolton too, alluded to the challenge of adequate finances not being available for the women’s programme, stating that a camp would be held in Toronto, Canada later this month to assess players.

Guyana will also host a Camp in July. Guyana will compete in the CFU Women’s Olympic (Continued on page 27)

South Turkeyen SC 5-aside football set for Sunday South Turkeyen Sports Committee and Bannas Foundation 5-a-side small goal Independence football competition for street teams will be played on Sunday at the National Cultural Centre tarmac commencing at 09:00

hrs. Among the teams set to take part are Sophia, Lodge, Charlestown, Vryheid’s Lust, Durban Street and Tiger Bay. At stake are trophies and cash prizes donated by Tent City, Dr. Sankar, Zaman Alli and Trophy Stall.

Thursday June 04, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 33

Djokovic hands Amy Grant takes 9 Gold medals; Nadal 2nd French SETS 1500 FREESTYLE RECORD Open defeat GASA Independence National Long Course Championships

T

he curtains came down on the on the Guyana A m a t e u r Swimming Association (GASA) Independence Championships on Tuesday last at the National Aquatic Centre with Amy Grant setting a new record in the Girls 13-14 1500m Freestyle.

Amy Grant had a superb four days in the pool taking 9 Gold medals. Grant has performed well in the races that supporters and well wishers believed she was taking on too many strenuous events in such a short space of time but she has proven them wrong yet again.

The reason behind the talk of this kind in the swimming fraternity is the placing of the events that she loves to take part in which are short but they came up after she swam a long event like the 400m Freestyle.

Swimmers are given a minimum of 20 minutes rest after each event to recover before swimming the next race. For athletes who swim multiple events like Grant, who attempted 11 events in four days, it becomes truly challenging, especially

Amy Grant in the 50m Butterfly

when you have a talented swimmer breathing down your neck in the short sprint events and he or she skips the long distance races, that really puts you under severe pressure.

But in any sport if you want to be the best you have to beat the best. On Saturday, May 30th, in the Girls 13-14 50m Freestyle sprint, known as the Blue Ribbon Event in swimming, Grant set a personal best time of the season to take her first Gold of the championships, followed by a medal of no lesser value in the grueling 200m IM also with a

personal best.

The multi talented athlete closed off the day with another personal best, this time in the 50m Butterfly. One day later, Sunday, Grant won Gold in the 400m Freestyle followed

by Gold in the 100m Freestyle with a personal best time and closed off with Gold in the 100m Butterfly also with a personal best time.

Monday should have seen the completion of the Meet, however Friday’s events were rescheduled and fixtures re-arranged but Grant still took Gold in the

Unity for the Nation to stage ball control activity in recognition of father’s day Sports Organiser, Physical fitness trainer and Sports enthusiast Eli Hazel, founder and coordinator of the Unity of The Nation Organisation in Berbice will be undertaking a ball control activity on father’s day in recognition of Fathers.

Hazel will be undertaking a four miles football dribbling and ball control activity along the road in honour of fathers, especially three men who are tasked at the moment with leading the Nation. Using the bible as his guide he has undertaken the challenging activity in recognition of David (Granger), Moses (Nagamootoo) and Joseph (Harmon).

The three men, who are the current President, Prime Minister and Head of the Ministry of the Presidency, carry famous Biblical names that were all parts of struggle and leadership and conquering in the bible, they have been trusted with taking the country forward.

Using his Unity for the Nation initiative, Hazel said that Unity and leadership is needed in Guyana now more than ever.

Hazel said that he wants the men mentioned above to take control of the country.

That is why he will be dribbling a football along the road to show control. The activity is expected to commence at 07:30 hrs at the

entrance of the Berbice River Bridge and Hazel will be required to control a ball along the road up the Canje Bridge to No 40 Stanleytown.

Hazel said that the timing of the event is very significant. He has admiration for David Granger as President and knows that he will lead the Country in a just way like David did in the olden days. He is also doing it in recognition of Moses Nagamootoo for his 50th years in politics.

Hazel is a qualified Physical Fitness instructor and holder of a Certificate from the British Sports Trust Harvard Community Sports Leaders Course which was held by the British High Commission and dealt with Sports Management, Marketing, Organizing, Coaching and Discipline in Sports among other areas.

Hazel was quick to add that the event is not a competition and he will be undertaking the journey all alone accompanied by his family. The community activist has been undertaking a number of activities over the years in recognition of mother, fathers, good manners, peace and a number of other activities.

Persons needing further details can contact Hazel on Telephone No 333-3309.

800m Freestyle followed by Gold in the 200m Freestyle along with a personal best time.

On Tuesday, the final day of the championships, that was the time Grant had to be at her best since she was looking to set a new record in the daunting 30 lengths of the 1500m Freestyle. Known to be a fighter, Grant did not disappoint; with powerful arm strokes that produced a steady pace and perfect split times by the clock, she swam to the coveted Gold that made it nine (9) for the championships and a record for the Girls 13-14 1500m Freestyle which was also another personal best time.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Rafael Nadal of Spain during their men’s quarter-final match during the French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 3, 2015. (Reuters/Jean-Paul Pelissier)

P

ARIS (Reuters) World number one Novak Djokovic handed nine-times champion Rafa Nadal of Spain his second defeat in 11 years at Roland Garros to reach the semi-finals of the French Open with a 7-5 6-3 6-1 win on Wednesday.

The Serb, looking to win the only grand slam missing from his collection, will take on either British third seed Andy Murray or Spain’s

David Ferrer, the seventh seed, for a place in Sunday’s final.

Nadal’s only previous defeat came in 2009 when the Mallorcan was knocked out in the fourth round by Swede Robin Soderling.

The Spaniard recovered to level from a 4-0 deficit in the first set, but still lost the opener and once Djokovic had broken in the second, there was no way back for the claycourt king.

Serena blasts past Errani to reach Paris semis

Serena Williams of the U.S. (Reuters/Jean-Paul Pelissier)

PARIS (Reuters) World number one Serena Williams crushed Italian Sara Errani 6-1 6-3 to reach the semi-finals of the French Open in intimidating fashion on Wednesday.

The twice Roland Garros champion set up a meeting with Swiss 23rd seed Timea Bacsinszky who beat Alison van Uytvanck of Belgium 6-4 7-5.

American Williams hammered 39 winners in a one-sided encounter against the diminutive 17th seed Errani, a French Open runner-up in 2012.

“I knew I had to start better today than the other days because she’s a tough opponent who’s got history here,” Williams told a courtside interviewer in French.

She had lost only two sets in eight victories from as many matches against Errani, but the Italian pushed her to the limit in their last encounter in the Fed Cup in April.

Williams had dropped the opening set in her previous three rounds but was quickly out of the blocks on Wednesday, setting the tone by breaking in Errani’s first service game.

A brilliant backhand passing shot handed Errani an immediate break back but Williams was in the groove and dominated the rest of the opening set.

Errani upped her pace in the second as she looked quicker on her feet, but it was still not enough as Williams broke for a 4-3 lead and she finished it off on her fourth match point.

t r o Sp FIFA whistleblower Showdown to represent Blazer admits he Guyana at regional and others accepted tourney starts tomorrow bribes for 1998, 2010 World Cups Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Competition

Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca (centre) receives the winning trophy from Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste in the presence of Banks DIH officials yesterday.

Edge with Australia after 13-wicket day

Josh Hazlewood got the early wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies v Australia, 1st Test, 1st day, Roseau, June 3, 2015 ©AFP

Chuck Blazer (AFP/Getty Images)

INTERPOL PUTS TWO EX-FIFA OFFICIALS ON ‘red notice’ wanted list

Ex-FIFA officials Jack Warner, Nicolas Leoz, Alejandro Burzaco, Hugo Jinkis, Mariano Jinkis and Jose Margulies are all on Interpol’s most wanted list. (AP)

Djokovic hands Nadal Serena Williams blasts past 2nd French Open defeat Errani to reach Paris semis Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210