Thursday Edition
Online readership yesterday 109,910
Price $80 June 07, 2012 - Vol. 5 No. 22 (VAT Inclusive) Online: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Ex PM’s son jailed for Pg 2
taking kickbacks
from CJIA contractor Another escaped prisoner jumps to death in M’cony River Pg 7
Two held with ski masks, grenade and pistol Pg 14
'Fip' Motilall's Performance Bond . . 'Dirty relationship' responsible for non-payment of US$1.5M Bond - AFC Miner shot dead Pegasus owner says... Likely administrative Corruption can Jagdeo's policy of “cover up” for frustration, discrimination be prosecuted Brassington, NICIL and abuse continues after the fact - UN - Ramjattan Pg 6
Pg 13
Pg 6
Pg 3
Pg 18
Page 02
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Ex-PM's son jailed for taking kickbacks from CJIA contractor A son of the former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Khaleda Zia, was last year jailed for laundering millions of dollars in bribes taken from the Chinese company that has been handed a US$150M contract to rebuild the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). It is among the latest in a series of shocking revelations about China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the parent company of which
has been debarred by the World Bank for participating in any of its contracts until 2017. According to Bangladeshi press reports, the case had attracted widespread coverage as it involved Arafat 'Koko' Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister, Khaleda Zia. Rahman was jailed, in absentia, for six years for laundering money he received as kickbacks from CHEC and the Bangladesh subsidiary of Germany's
industrial giant, Siemens AG. CHEC is currently under fire in Jamaica after an independent probe revealed suspicious discrepancies over a US$400 million contract awarded, on a solesource basis, by the Government, to execute its Jamaica Development Infrastructure Programme. The loan agreement between the China Exim Bank, which financed $340 million of the contract sum, and the Government, was signed in
February 2010. Both agreements were executed several months after CHEC had been debarred by the World Bank. Days before President Bharrat Jagdeo left office and before the November 28 General Elections in Guyana, his administration signed a US$138M contract with CHEC in Jamaica. The secret signing was only brought to light after the story broke in the Jamaican press. The project will be the
Jailed: Arafat Rahman Koko biggest capital project in the country after the US$200M Skeldon factory, which was built by the Chinese and is still plagued by problems. Revelations earlier this week by Jamaica's Contractor General, Greg Christie, that the World Bank has banned CHEC and its parent company, China Communications Construction Company Limited, from its projects, have prompted calls for Government to pull back the CJIA contract. LAUNDERING A c c o r d i n g t o Bangladeshi press reports, Rahman was given six years in jail for laundering money taken as bribes from two global companies. In June last year, Judge Mohammad Mozammel Hossain said in his verdict Rahman was guilty of smuggling more than 200 million takas (US$2.089M) to Singapore. The judge also fined Rahman 190 million takas (US$1.6M) and asked authorities to get the smuggled money returned. Rahman was accused of taking bribes from CHEC and the Bangladesh subsidiary of Germany's industrial giant Siemens AG for helping them win Government contracts during his mother's 20012006 premiership. The United States, who was involved also in the investigations, had alleged that Siemens and CHEC bribed Rahman to secure the contracts. The U.S. said the bribes were routed through U.S. financial institutions, giving it jurisdiction. Charging Rahman of money laundering, the Bangladeshi Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) case pinpointed his illegal dealings with CHEC in relation to a Tk 351 crore contract for constructing New Mooring Container Terminal at Chittagong Port. The prosecution had said that Rahman obtained the money from CHEC in three installments-- on May 6, May 31, and August 1, 2005. Reporting on the case, The Daily Star online newspaper said that CHEC
was awarded a contract to construct New Mooring Container Terminal in Chittagong Port through a competitive tender on January 29, 2004 with a budget of Tk 351.41 crore. SECRET DEAL When the tender was floated by the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) in mid 2003, CHEC quoted Tk 331.41 crore for the job, and got it. But when the company was asked to sign the contract, CHEC proposed a budgetary increase of Tk 25.64 crore. This "value engineering proposal" and relevant correspondence of China Harbour were then incorporated in the agreement with the Chinese company. The Cabinet's purchase committee then approved the proposal. ACC in its investigation found that China Harbour employed retired Brig Gen Md Zillur Rahman as its local agent in November 26, 2001. When the tendering process was at its final stage in 2003, and CHEC was sure to get the job, Rahman reportedly placed “undue pressure� on Zillur Rahman to arrange a commission of Tk 19 crore. Rahman said Zillur would get Tk 3.5 crore as his commission. Zillur compelled the ex PM's son to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China Harbour on January 13, 2004 stating that the remaining commission money would be given to Musa. The MoU indicated that the total commission through the revised budget for construction of the container terminal was Tk 19 crore. Of the amount, China Harbour itself kept 8.5 percent, China Harbour company officials received Tk 60 lakh, Zillur got Tk 3.5 crore, and Musa the remaining Tk 13.28 crore. In defending the CJIA contract to CHEC days after it was exposed in the Guyana media, Jagdeo had said that to secure the loan from China, Guyana had to commit to award the contract for the CJIA expansion to a Chinese company.
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Govt.’s budget cuts court challenge…
Speaker warns of constitutional crisis - AG says stance is “unfortunate”
Speaker, Raphael Trotman
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall
Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon
Government’s High Court challenge of the budget cuts has alarmed the National Assembly with the House Speaker, Raphael Trotman, warning yesterday of a possible constitutional crisis, the likes of which Guyana may be unable to handle. The strongly-worded statement of the Speaker comes two days after the governing People’s Progressive Party-Civic (PPP/ C) filed an ex-parte motion to have the court rule that the National Assembly has no powers to reduce or cut the allocations made in the budget to various agencies and bodies. “The continued resort to the High Court to question legitimate decisions of the National Assembly, points to the grave and gathering danger of a constitutional crisis, which has the potential to assume proportions, the like of which, the nation has never seen, and may be unable to handle,” Trotman, an attorney by profession, said yesterday. Article 51 of the Constitution of Guyana stated, “There shall be a Parliament of Guyana, which shall consist of the President and the National Assembly”. “It is pellucid that the various branches of Government were meant to work in consonance, and not in conflict, with each other. These challenges, in my humble opinion, are as
unnatural and unhealthy as they are unconstitutional, and will weaken the already fragile fabric of our constitutional democracy.” But last evening, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, expressed “profound regret” at the Speaker’s statement. “The right to seek judicial redress against any perceived legal wrong or constitutional impropriety is one that is deeply rooted and cherished in our jurisprudence and legal system. The rule of law which ensures that all are equal in the eyes of the law and therefore, are subject to the legal process, are all fundamental pillars upon which the edifice of our legal system rests.” He insisted that if there is any violation of the law or the Constitution, any one aggrieved must have unhindered access to the courts for redress. “It is in this context that the Executive’s recourse to legal proceedings must be viewed. It is unfortunate, that the Honourable Speaker of the National Assembly perceives it through a different prism. The Executive Government’s simple
contention is that the National Assembly has acted beyond, ultra vires and in breach of the Constitution, has usurped the functions of the Executive and has violated the doctrine of separation of powers upon which our Constitution is constructed and it is seeking legal redress which it is constitutionally and democratically entitled to do.” Trotman, the first opposition-nominated Speaker since the PPP/C took office in 1992, urged that despite the Government’s “seeming abhorrence to negotiations”, it is still being suggested that these are the best means to resolving our political differences. STRIKE DOWN “This latest High Court action brings into question, and possible derision, the very constitutional pillars upon which our democracy is founded, as it strangely asserts that the timeless, sacred and sacrosanct function of the National Assembly to approve public spending is only perfunctory. I am confident that a properly constituted, informed, and unfettered Constitutional (continued on page 9)
Page 3
Corruption can be prosecuted after the fact - UN Corruption can be prosecuted after the fact, but first and foremost, it requires prevention, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The anti-corruption agency noted that states must endeavour to ensure that their public services are subject to safeguards that promote efficiency, transparency and recruitment based on merit. Once recruited, public servants should be subject to codes of conduct, requirements for financial and other disclosures, and appropriate disciplinary measures. It was further noted that transparency and accountability in matters of public finance must also be promoted, and specific requirements are established for the prevention of corruption, in the particularly critical areas of the public sector, such as the judiciary and public procurement. “Those who use public services must expect a high standard of conduct from their public servants. Preventing public corruption also requires an effort from all members of society at large,” the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime underscored. The anti-corruption agency explained that countries should promote actively the involvement of non-governmental and community-based organizations, as well as other elements of civil society, and to raise public awareness of corruption and what can be done about it. CRIMINALIZATION United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime says countries should establish criminal and other offences to cover a wide range of acts of
corruption, if these are not already crimes under domestic law. In some cases, States are legally obliged to establish offences; in other cases, in order to take into account differences in domestic law, they are required to consider doing so. “Criminalizing not only basic forms of corruption such as bribery and the embezzlement of public funds, but also trading in influence and the concealment and laundering of the proceeds of corruption,” offences committed in support of corruption, including moneylaundering and obstructing justice, are also dealt with. Convention offences also deal with the problematic areas of private-sector corruption. Countries should agree to cooperate with one another in every aspect of the fight against corruption, including prevention, investigation, and the prosecution of offenders. Countries are bound by the Convention to render specific forms of mutual legal assistance in gathering and transferring evidence for use in court, to extradite offenders. Countries are also required to undertake measures which will support the tracing, freezing, seizure and confiscation of the proceeds of corruption.
ASSET RECOVERY This is a particularly important issue for many developing countries where high-level corruption has plundered the national wealth, and where resources are badly needed for reconstruction and the rehabilitation of societies under new governments. In particular, in the case of embezzlement of public funds, the confiscated property would be returned to the state requesting it; in the case of proceeds of any other offence covered by the Convention, the property would be returned provided the proof of ownership or recognition of the damage caused to a requesting state; in all other cases, priority consideration would be given to the return of confiscated property to the requesting state, to the return of such property to the prior legitimate owners or to compensation of the victims. Effective asset-recovery provisions will support the efforts of countries to redress the worst effects of corruption while sending at the same time, a message to corrupt officials that there will be no place to hide their illicit assets.
Page 4
Kaieteur News
Thursday June 07, 2012
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
Those commuted death sentences
Four Death Row inmates recently had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment. The main reason offered was that the men had been on Death Row for too long and that to execute them now would be cruel and inhuman treatment. For a number of years the International Human Rights Commission has been plugging for the abolition of the death penalty in many countries. It described the death penalty as barbaric. As we stated in an earlier editorial there are countries that have acceded to this call and have substituted life imprisonment, sometimes under conditions that the person spends his natural life behind bars. Ever since the commuting of the death sentences, opinion has been divided. Some proclaim that the men had indeed suffered and that it was indeed a good thing that the sentences be commuted. There were people who said that the judicial system has been known to make mistakes and that it was not unusual that innocent people were put to death. And once the sentence was executed there was no way it could be reversed. But there were those, especially the relatives of the victims who say that the courts never take their loss into consideration. To further highlight this view, one relative pointed to the case of eighteen-year-old Roshana Kassim who was killed in her home even as she was preparing a meal for the household. In the wake of her death her father died months later, a victim of a condition that developed as a result of the girl’s murder. Her mother did not last long either and some believe that the mother died as a result of a combination of her daughter and her husband’s death. Then there was Lawrence Chan - one of those to have his sentence commuted. He was sentenced to death in 1995 and has been on Death Row ever since. He was convicted for killing two people during an armed robbery. The killing of one of the victims was said to be as cruel as anything could be. The relatives of this victim wanted death for the man who brought death to them. Within days they would be allowed to vent their feelings on the recent court decision. These relatives always say that the system does not take their grief into consideration; that the relatives of the victim must bear their grief alone because they do not have rights. And indeed, all those who represent those on Death Row talk about human rights and their violations. For example, the decision to commute the sentences of the Death Row accused was rooted in human rights considerations. The court found that the men’s continued detention constituted cruel and inhuman treatment. Some of the men had had their warrants read to them twice. Further, they had served more than what constitutes a life sentence. If indeed the state is violating the rights of the people under the death sentence then it behooves the state to execute the men after what is considered a reasonable time— perhaps three years. The last time anyone was executed in Guyana was way back in 1997. Advocates of the death penalty see it as a deterrent and they blame the apparent intensification of violent crimes is the result of the moratorium on the death penalty. One view is that the criminals know that they would live to kill again so there is no fear. Many of them are young and they know that if caught they would be out while they still have some youth in them. Whatever the case, the decision by the Chief Justice could have far-reaching implications. Someone is going to talk about precedent. It would therefore mean that any attempt to execute anyone would be met with a legal challenge on the grounds of precedence. This may not be a good thing. We are certain that the issue does not end here. Using precedence others on Death Row are going to petition the courts to have their sentences commuted. And the relatives of the victims are going to create a furore.
Are those who did not support the PPP now second-class voters? DEAR EDITOR, Coming from me, this letter and the opinions in it may surprise many because of my 41-year stand-off with the People’s National Congress. Yet it would be irresponsible for me to remain silent when I see the PNC making statements that open the way from their side for progress in Guyana. Normally, I submit my letters to the press to a small circle for advice and information. Always, I alone am responsible for what I write. In this case, they will see this letter only after I have sent it to the press. I want no one else to be blamed, if there is blame. It was humiliating to hear a United Nations specialist chide members of Guyana’s parliament for failing to use the present situation after the November 28, 2011 elections to create healthy governance and serve the Guyanese people. To its credit, the AFC expressed disappointment when the new President in addressing Parliament did not move to set up a government of National Unity. Then, surprisingly, the Attorney General moved to the courts to argue for “proportionality” in membership of some key committees, based on seats in the Assembly. Mr Hughes of the AFC publicly raised the issue of “proportionality” in the Cabinet on the basis of the election results. Now, seizing the chance of the 46th anniversary of Independence, the PNCR, the largest unit of the coalition A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), has made some important statements in its own right. Here they are, the statements, word for word: “While, by their votes last November, the people of Guyana appear to be ready to usher in this vitally necessary new democratic culture, the Executive Government has so far shown little enthusiasm to move in this direction and continues to behave as though nothing has changed.” And again: “Our Party is confident that if as a nation we can build a truly, inclusive political culture in which all stakeholders are allowed to play a meaningful role and which can create an enabling environment for the orderly development of the nation, we can look forward to a future that is politically successful, economically selfsustaining and culturally rewarding.” These statements need
very little interpretation. I am sure the other units of the Partnership, a term happily borrowed from Trinidad and Tobago, are members with the same objective in view. The PPP/C’s wise Prime Minister is likely to respond wisely to the PNCR with a call for an apology. Apology can rightfully arise from the findings of an investigation of the past, best authorized by a national government. I would only state that the PNC in 1992 conceded a fair election and a fair count and paid the political price. That was more than a verbal apology. It also joined with others in the National Assembly to authorise an independent investigation into the “death” of Dr Walter Rodney, the word “assassination” to reasonable people being likely to convey a pre-judgment. While Rodney would be central, along with Teekah, Ohene and Dublin, as well as Shaw, such an inquiry can have wider scope. Those here in Guyana and in Trinidad who have made accusations of ethnic cleansing in the 1960s may take heart and join the call. Apology is always welcome. Change of behaviour is even more welcome. Redress and reparation are best. Since the November general elections, the new President has tried to respond to the results not by an election petition, but by the dramatic claim that the opposition rigged the elections. Being very generous, he had some talks with the riggers. He explained that he did not make the alleged rigging an issue, as he wanted
to avoid violence. Perhaps for the same reason he avoided the courts, only to go there seeking a majority on two sectoral committees. The issue of a National Government, even if it does not achieve full unity, has two compelling elements that nothing can replace. The Preamble of our Constitution commits us to find a system of governance that allows “broad-based participation in national decision making.” I agree with the Preamble. That is a logical meaning of how the total electoral vote. The Preamble does not compel it but advises it. Justice Keith Massiah in another issue once handed down a signal judgment giving teeth to constitutional declarations about “participation”. The ruling PNC government amended the constitution to put the Court’s decision “out of action.” The second point relates to the control of public funds. By what kind of common sense can the side with 32 seats of 65 seats seize and control all the ministries? Most replies to my arguments begin and end with one word, “Partition.” When President Ramotar appointed all the ministers under article 103 (2) was he fully advised on the meaning of his powers? Under that article, he had the power and duty to appoint as ministers from among elected members of the National Assembly, or persons qualified to be elected. There was nothing then, and there is nothing now, to compel him to appoint all the ministers from his own list. The PPP/C list. I can argue that the
President did not even wait to see who all the elected members of the National Assembly were. In fact he staged a coup and appointed all the ministers from his own list! He did this at a time when he should not have acted, and against the spirit of the Constitution and his oath of office. Common sense then shows that the same constitution that allows a minority candidate to become president under first past the post rules does the balancing act. It allows the same minority president to win back his moral self-respect. How? By choosing ministers from all three lists to do what the Constitution requires him to do, choose from among all members. What President Ramotar did is not Rule of Law. It is rule outside of the Law. Talk of a snap election is peevishness. There are ways of using the results to heal the Nation and the economy. The thirty-three in the National Assembly got there through an election. They cannot now be taunted with “wanting a piece of the action” How is it that the PPP forms the government when it is a majority and still forms the whole government when it not a majority? Who, then, are the rest of the people, in all parts of Guyana, men and women, of all races, of all beliefs, in all regions, who did not support the PPP? Are they now second-class voters? When time allows me I shall offer some personal opinions on the Preamble, which was approved by the National Assembly and promptly ignored. Eusi Kwayana
Just another cheap, publicity-seeking stunt DEAR EDITOR, It was revealed in the local press with a lot of fanfare that the ambassadors of Canada, United States, the EU and U.K were on a clean-up campaign in the city. These gentlemen were just seeking cheap publicity, as it appears that they do not have much to do at their respective embassies. This is not the first time that diplomats tried this publicity-seeking stunt, as it was done some years ago without any success. Social groups also tried to clean-up the city in the past without any success. The cleaning and maintenance of the city lies with the City Council and the citizens of Georgetown.
The City Council has failed in its mandate and is solely responsible for the state of the now ‘garbage city’. No amount of volunteer work by these diplomats can help the city to be cleaned. They just select one part of the city for their publicity stunt and now they are finished. If these diplomats were serious in cleaning up the city they should have arranged with their respective governments for donations such as cleaning equipment, garbage trucks and money to be paid to private contractors. Holding a spade in the hand with expensive clothing and taking out photographs will not help in cleaning the city.
Besides, this campaign by the diplomats is an insult to the City Council of Georgetown and the Government of Guyana, as it shows that they are incapable of cleaning the city. Heavy fines should be imposed for anyone littering and the laws should be enforced. Everyone should have the responsibility for maintaining their own environment, failure to do so a heavy fine or imprisonment should be given to defaulters. It is the City Council, the Government of Guyana and the Georgetown citizens who should be responsible for maintaining a clean city and not foreign diplomats. Balwant Persaud
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Better coping strategies should be devised for those who are emotionally abused DEAR EDITOR, Once again the print and electronic media is inundated with news of domestic violence perpetuated against women. These unforgivably destructive acts are so innumerable that it makes it almost difficult to fully assimilate, comprehend and fathom that which was previously read about. Although there has never been an abatement of this scourge, the frequency of these horrendous acts has been appalling recently, as far as I can remember. Nonetheless, because of my esoteric interest on this topic area and my lack of tolerance for brutality against women despite how reprehensible the circumstances are, I am molested with the temptation to add my bit. Wednesday’s Editorial in
Kaieteur News puts it so eloquently and incontrovertibly truthful ‘’females and males are equal and must be given autonomy to make their own decisions’’. Regardless of our academic credentials, status and perception of the archaic unwritten rule where one gender has dominion over the other, we are all independent beings and should be allowed to think and act, though some may seldom exhibit appropriate behaviour choices; understandably these choices can evoke excruciating and poignant emotions for the other. I always reiterate that the true character of either a spouse or mate, in whatever the definition of the relationship, is revealed in the absence or presence for those who are audacious. We have no control over what decision the other half will make. We
can only rely upon them to make rational decisions in keeping with high moral standards and principles mutually agreed upon. However, the common thread which runs through these dastardly acts is infidelity. Now in no way am I justifying these acts or leveling the blame at the feet of a particular gender. But, it must be stated categorically that emotional abuse can shred the very existence of the affected. Think about a spouse, either male or female, who has invested a lot into a relationship, only to unearth evidence of the other spouse’s infidelity. Whether the actions were scurrilous or inadvertent, it will undeniably cut to the very core of that individual who is affected. The old maxim ‘‘different folks different strokes’’ is in effect. No two individuals are
‘Trafficking in persons’ and a strange, frightening request DEAR EDITOR, I read the news item about ‘trafficking in persons’, which warned about “the virulence and persistence of the plague of trafficking in persons over the past two decades....” Such trafficking might have been around much longer than that, and it would be interesting to know how many young women - and men - suddenly disappeared in years past, never to be seen or heard from again. A few weeks ago, I recounted the following personal experience to a chap in Guyana which I had dismissed until the subject of trafficking in persons surfaced in recent years. Shortly after joining the Civil Service as a 19-year-old in 1950, cycling back to work after lunch, a well-built man, aged about mid-30s, in a cream suit, Panama hat and ‘Secret Service’ (dark) glasses, would occasionally join me near my work place. We would exchange greetings - a ‘helloand-goodbye’ contact. Nothing more was ever said. One day he asked where I
worked and I told him. Shortly afterwards, he invited me to have a cream soda with him at Brown Betty’s, but, first of all, I must lock my handbag in a cupboard at work and he would accompany me up the three flights of stairs and wait in the outside room while I did so. A strange, frightening request, I thought, and had no intention of doing as requested. But, with no one around, how to get out of it? As fate would have it, the office administrator/clerk was still at his desk. I told him about the man in the waiting room, he flew up from his chair into the outside room - the man had
disappeared. He never approached me again. Alarmingly, I would never have been able to identify him or his features because of the low-brimmed Panama hat and dark glasses. I only knew he was wellbuilt, fair-skinned, with ‘nappy’ hair! Now, knowing how drugs could be put in drinks and food, to render people helpless, I wonder what his intention was? Geralda Dennison
the same, and as such, different subjects of abuse will react differently. Some may become tearful and walk away, some may shed tirades of invectives, some will react violently, some suicide, etc. I have vivid recollection of the guy on the Essequibo Coast who because of a supposedly unfaithful wife, took the lives of his indefensible and innocent children and subsequently his. My speculation for that was he knew that his demise alone would have been inconsequential to his wife, so he selfishly and cruelly took the lives of his adorable kids as well, which he assumed would have been catastrophic for her. In my view, there is no room for domestic abuse, regardless of how painful the situation, however, it is my considered opinion that better mechanisms should be shrewdly and discreetly put in place to deal with men who are emotionally abused. The reason for this point is because of the perception that men are supposedly tough and can ‘suck it up’. But this is far from the truth. I may be wrong, but I will speculate that the physical abuse meted out to some of those helpless women was as a result of their spouses’ inability to cope and handle the situations rationally. Ultimately, a revered teacher and colleague of mine always said, ‘do not play with human emotions’. Raul Khan
Page 6
Kaieteur News
Thursday June 07, 2012
Jagdeo's policy of frustration, discrimination and abuse continues
Pegasus owner says...
The Pegasus owner, Robert Badal, wants President Donald Ramotar to sanction Minister Irfaan Ali and remove him from the Tourism Ministry. The businessman claims that he is being sidelined from tourism-related activities by Ali, who is the acting Minister of Tourism. According to Badal, this sort of practice started under former President Bharrat Jagdeo. He is demanding that taxpayers’ money be used in a fair way. “I was hopeful that following the 2011 election, the new Donald Ramotar administration would ensure a better investment climate for the hospitality industry, removal of discrimination, and a level playing field for all. “So far it would seem that Jagdeo’s policy of business frustration, discrimination and abuse of office and taxpayers resources is going to continue,” Badal said in a statement to the media. Badal said that the Pegasus Hotel was excluded from a delegation to this week’s Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Caribbean Week event in New York. He added that the hotel was not invited to the Sustainable Development Conference held at the Princess Hotel from April 15
to April 18, 2012. The businessman said that despite the fact that Pegasus is the local market leader in the hotel industry, the hotel has received no communication from Minister Ali since his appointment to the Tourism Ministry. According to Badal, the Minister must be reminded that he is paid from, and is spending taxpayers’ resources, not his own, and therefore has a duty to all players in the local industry to represent their interest without any discrimination. “Any favour to one player, and discrimination against another, is an abuse of his office for which severe sanctions must be imposed,” Badal declared. He charged that under former President Jagdeo, the government was openly promoting the business of Princess Hotel by directing various Ministries to send their business to that hotel. Badal further charged that the very enactment of Casino Legislation was primarily to sell the Buddy’s Hotel by making it attractive to the purchaser. “This kind of abuse must be condemned by the Private Sector Commission and all private sector bodies and other stakeholders, as well as, by Parliamentary opposition
parties. “Under no circumstances would I tolerate any form of discrimination against myself in my own country,” Badal stated. He said that Pegasus Hotel is the largest investor in the local hospitality sector, employing the largest number of people, and pays the most in taxes - in excess of $400M in VAT, Corporate and payroll taxes. Badal claimed that Princess Hotel pays no Corporate Taxes under a tax holiday arrangement. “Minister Ali’s action has clearly demonstrated to me that he has failed to bring any kind of leadership to this sector and would therefore inspire no confidence among leading players,” Badal stated. This would impact adversely on investments and growth in the local hospitality industry and the economy as a whole, he added. “As the largest investor in this sector I am calling on President Ramotar to remove Mr. Irfaan Ali from the Tourism Ministry.” The businessman is currently spending US$8 million to upgrade the Pegasus Hotel, which he bought over from Le Meridien three years ago against strong opposition
Irfaan Ali
Robert Badal
Bharrat Jagdeo
from the Jagdeo administration. Badal is investing in the Pegasus at a time when he now has to compete with efforts by the government to establish a Marriott-branded hotel right next to his hotel.
“I have to pay taxes, and my staff members have to pay taxes even before they see their salary, and that very tax is being taken to compete with us. It is fundamentally wrong; it doesn’t go well for investments by the private
sector.” He sees the Marriott project as a vindictive “sour grapes” response initiated by the former Jagdeo Government after it failed to secure the property for Jagdeo’s allies.
‘Fip’ Motilall’s Performance Bond ...
‘Dirty relationship’ responsible for non-payment of US$1.5M Bond - AFC The Alliance for Change has weighed on the fact that Hand in Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited is yet to make payments to the government as it relates to the US$1.5M Performance Bond that had been issued to Synergy Holdings Inc. headed by Makeshwar ‘Fip’ Motilall. Motilall was awarded a US$15.4M contract to design and construct the Amaila Falls access road. AFC Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan blames what he calls an ‘incestuous relationship” involving the stakeholders. He was speaking specifically to Winston Brassington, Hand in Hand and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited NICIL). “It is an extreme example of incestuousness.” Ramjattan said that his party will continue to speak out against the affair. He said, “Here it is that the enforcer of that performance bond will have to be Mr
Brassington. “But he got shares in Hand in Hand…The whole thing shows what has been a propensity for Mr Brassington not to want Hand in Hand to make the payout of US$1.5M.” Turning his attention to the Head of State Donald Ramotar, Ramjattan said, “Any decent President would order an immediate investigation into the entirety of this Performance Bond, the Brassingtons, Jonathan and Winston, and would immediately also ask, Winston Brassington to resign.” Failing the President’s action on the matter the AFC Chairman said that there are no other options available to a political party “except to educate the public as to basic facts here and to let the public understand how their monies and how the Governance structure in this country have deteriorated and degenerated.” He says that it is ultimately up to an informed
public to make their decisions This money, which on the surface appears payable to the government, is not automatic upon claim, said a source. Motilall’s performance bond expired on July 2011. That bond was negotiated and brought into force when the contract with Motilall was signed in January 2010, with a duration of eight months. This means that for the latter half of last year, Synergy Holdings Inc. was operating with an expired bond, pursuant to its stipulations. The bond did carry a stipulation that claims could be made for six months following its expiration. Government did lay claim prior to this deadline, but according to a senior official close to the matter, “This doesn’t mean that the claim is automatically valid. All aspects of compliance have to be thoroughly checked.” The source, knowledgeable on the issue of insurance, explained that Hand-in-Hand will have to conduct investigations on every aspect of the claim before it is accepted or rejected completely. Reports that the government and Synergy Holdings Inc. still have some balancing up to do to determine who owes whom, could also affect the outcome of the claim made by the government on the performance bond.
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 7
Another escaped prisoner jumps to death in Mahaicony River Obama stands firm against extending tax cuts for rich
Colin Sealey
Sealey’s reputed wife Allison Leitch speaks with police investigators yesterday. The Mahaicony River may have claimed the life of another prisoner who escaped from the nearby Mahaicony Police Station. Fifty-three-year- old Collin Sealey disappeared under water after plunging into the river to avoid recapture by police yesterday. He is believed drowned despite speculation that he might have survived the fast-flowing waters. Police using fishing boats combed the river but found no trace of Sealey. Colin Sealey was arrested by the police about 16:30 hours on Tuesday during investigations into allegations of threatening behaviour, assault and indecent exposure. Yesterday’s incident occurred around 11:15 hours as Sealey was being escorted to court. Police in a statement said that a police rank went to the lock-ups to take out Colin Sealey, a fisherman of Zeskenderen, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, to take him to the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court. During this process, Sealey overpowered the policeman just as he was about to be handcuffed and escaped out of the station. “He ran to the bridge across the Mahaicony River from where he jumped into the
river and is feared drowned,” the police statement said. Eyewitnesses recalled seeing Sealey, called ‘Tish’, swimming north in the Mahaicony River. From all appearances he became tired and held on to one of the ropes that was holding back a fishing boat moored in the river. But the current of the river was so strong that Sealey was having difficulty keeping himself from drifting further out into the river. “He could not pull heself up. If you see wha de water been doing,” one resident explained. One eyewitness said that Sealey then tried to swim to the eastern bank of the river but turned back when he saw that the police were waiting there for him. It was at this time that he apparently encountered more difficulty and went under. “He mek two duck and den go down,” the resident added. There are reports that, while running away Sealey vowed to die rather than be locked up. But some other residents believe that Sealey who they say is familiar with the Mahaicony River may have played possum to lead the police astray. “Me nah believe (he drown) up to now. Me gat fuh see he body. He nat no easy
man,” another resident said. Sealey’s reputed wife of five years, Allison Leitch, is leaving his fate up to God. She told this newspaper that she was taking a meal for Sealey when she was stopped by a neighbour who told her that the man had thrown himself “overboard”. “I go up the road and I began to shed a little tears and his nephew tell me to go home and stop crying.” Leitch also confirmed that Sealey is strong swimmer who previously had to do a lot of it in the Essequibo and in the interior. “I cannot say what happen to him. I putting my trust in God. I don’t know if he gone down or if he make it,” Leitch said, adding that she is hoping that he faked drowning just to avoid capture. Up to late last night there was still no sign of Sealey. Leitch could not help remembering a similar incident in the Mahaicony River when she heard what Sealey had done. In September 2009, Godwin Maxwell plunged to his death in the Mahaicony River after he was remanded to prison when he appeared before a magistrate on tax evasion charges. His body was recovered two days later at the mouth of the river.
SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama’s Democrats traded shots with Republicans yesterday about how best to avoid a yearend “fiscal cliff,” as the administration insisted on the need to let tax cuts for wealthier Americans expire as scheduled on January 1. The prospect of higher taxes and automatic spending cuts that kick in next year have spurred calls for Obama to temporarily extend all of the Bush-era tax breaks to coax Republicans into a sweeping debt deal, but the White House stood firm. “President Obama has been clear about his position and it has not changed,” White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters traveling with Obama to California. “We should not extend and he will not extend the ... Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthiest two
percent of the American people.” A top Obama aide separately said the administration was open to a sweeping deal to tackle the debt, if it was “balanced” to include tax revenues as well as spending cuts. “There is no reason that we as a country should not be able to come together on a balanced grand compromise,” White House National Economic Council director Gene Sperling said in prepared remarks to the Economic Club of New York. Leading Democrats in Congress chimed in to back Obama. “We agree with the administration that Republicans should not risk a tax hike on the middle class on January 1 by insisting that millionaires and billionaires get a tax break too,” said Brian Fallon, a Senate Democratic leadership spokesman.
Syria accused of new massacre as UN meets BEIRUT (Reuters) Syrian troops and militiamen loyal to President Bashar alAssad stood accused by opponents yesterday of a new massacre of scores of villagers hours before a divided United Nations Security Council convenes to review the crisis. If confirmed, the killings of at least 78 people at Mazraat al-Qabeer, near Hama, will pile on pressure for world powers to act, but there is little sign they can overcome a paralysis born of sharp divisions between Western and Arab states on the one hand and Assad’s defenders in Russia, China and Iran. Several activists who monitor the 15-month-old revolt gave accounts to Reuters that women and children were among the dead when the village in central Syria came under artillery bombardment before fighters moved in on the ground and shot and stabbed dozens of people to death. Echoing descriptions of a massacre of 108 civilians at Houla on May 25, which U.N. observers attributed to
Assad’s troops and loyalist ‘shabbiha’ militia, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said: “Shabbiha headed into the area after the shelling and killed dozens of citizens, among them women and children.” Some activists said at least 40 of the dead were women and children. At Houla, near Homs, nearly half had been children. In that earlier case, Assad himself condemned the atrocity but denied any hand in it and blamed opponents whom he describes as foreignbacked “terrorists”. Killings of civilians from the Sunni Muslim majority among which the uprising has been widely supported by
Bashar al-Assad shabbiha drawn mostly from Assad’s minority Alawite sect, who identify with the Shi’ites of Iran, have raised fears of an Iraq-style sectarian bloodbath and reinforced a wider regional confrontation between Iran and the mainly Sunni-led Arab states of the Middle East.
Page 8
Kaieteur News
Thursday June 07, 2012
Prime Minister Spencer says CLICO policyholders threaten no financial help for REDjet law suit against T&T govt.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua CMC - Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer says his government will not participate in the efforts to return the Barbados-based low cost carrier, REDjet, to the skies. The airline, which earlier this year suspended flight indefinitely, has been seeking assistance from regional governments to resume operations. However, Spencer, whose government is a shareholder of the cash-strapped regional airline, LIAT, told the Observer Newspaper that helping the airline is not an option. “The whole question of lending a hand, I don’t think
Baldwin Spencer that question arises at all. We always felt that REDjet’s low fare concept was clearly untenable,” Spencer said. In addition, he said that he gave the airline credit for
trying, but they were doomed to failure from the very beginning. Spencer said he cannot speak for other member states in CARICOM, but Antigua and Barbuda would not be lending support to REDjet. Hence, their support would go towards the regional carrier, LIAT. The Barbados government revoked the air operator’s certificate (AOC) it granted REDjet since March 20, prompting Trinidadian authorities to revoke its licence 10 days later. On March 16, REDjet abruptly grounded its flights citing financial difficulties and in April, a senior Barbados government minister said that efforts were being made to have the lowcost carrier resume operations within a two-month period.
Senior Counsel Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj says the United Policyholders Group will consider suing Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar and members of Cabinet if they fail to withdraw the June 30 deadline for acceptance of Government’s CLICO bailout plan. Maharaj, who represents the group, made the statement in a press release Tuesday. He said if it was not withdrawn, his clients would consider making a claim against the ministers for punitive damages for misfeasance in public office. Maharaj added: “Consideration would be given to seek an order of the High Court to rule that the June 30 deadline does not apply to the relevant
Kamla Persad-Bissessar Executive Flexible Premium Annuity (EFPA) policyholders and in particular on whose behalf the judicial review claim has been filed.” On April 19, Justice Joan Charles, who is presiding over the policyholders’ case, granted them leave to apply
for judicial review against Persad-Bissessar and members of the Cabinet. In their application, the group’s attorneys contend that promises made by the previous administration in 2009 amounted to a guarantee that policyholders would be paid sums which were held in the cash-strapped conglomerate. The policyholders claim the current plan is irrational and unreasonable and the Government’s actions were illegal and a violation of their legitimate expectations. The substantive matter will be litigated before Charles on November 21 and 22. Maharaj, in his four-page release, cited Justice Charles’ order as one reason for abandoning the June 30 deadline. (Trinidad Guardian)
‘Govt. ready for hard decisions’ FINANCE Minister Winston Dookeran has said the Government is willing to make “hard policy decisions” if economic projections are not realised.
Dookeran was speaking while piloting the Supplementation of Appropriation Bill in the Senate at the Waterfront Centre in Port of Spain. The bill was passed in the House of Representatives in the early hours of Tuesday morning. He said there was a new emphasis on infrastructural development and possibilities for medium term sustainable economy were being created. “But I do not want in making this presentation to let it be said that all is rosy. We recognise the risk ahead of us. We recognise that it is necessary at this time to carry forward with the equation and the growth momentum must in fact be restored,” he
said. He continued: “If those projections are not realised as indeed has happened in many parts of the country then we must be prepared to take hard policy decisions as we chart our financial stability in the next three years. And that I can assure you this Government is prepared to do in the interest of the benefit of the future of Trinidad and Tobago.” He also commented on the Central Bank April 2012 Monetary Policy Report and again criticised the media on their coverage. “But I want to point out that the report indeed is a very analytical and solid document. It identifies the risks that we are facing ahead. It identifies some of the
New agency to deal with crime KINGSTON, Jamaica – CMC - Jamaica has established the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Task Force (MOCA) in a bid to deal with the incidence of organised crime and corruption on the island. National Security Minister Peter Bunting speaking at the launch of the MOCA said it would focus on identifying, investigating and prosecuting major players engaging in organised crimes, their facilitators, and corrupt public officials and, in the process, confiscating ill-gotten proceeds, thereby taking the profits out of crime. A multi-agency organization, the Task Force’s core staff will comprise members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Finance and Planning through the Financial Investigation Division (FID), Customs Department, the Taxpayer Audit and Assessment Department (TAAD), as well as civilian personnel. Former Head of the Narcotics Division, Assistant Commissioner Carl Williams, who was instrumental in establishing the Anti-Lotto Scam Task Force in the JCF’s will head the new agency.
Winston Dookeran current challenges that in fact have been placed on the agenda. But it also points out what were some of the changing trends that have been taking place in the Trinidad and Tobago economy over the last two years,” he said. He added: “Clearly that part of the report was not given the kind of press coverage as it should.” He said the first observation of the report was that the growth rate projected by the Central Bank at 1.5 per cent should be reduced to one per cent, but he reiterated that decreasing growth rates was a global phenomenon. Dookeran said from the findings of the report there was “cause for some concern” and the government’s budgetary proposals were implemented in that context. Opposition Senator Dr Lester Henry in his contribution said Dookeran only came to Parliament to ask for more and more money but there were no legislative measures to increase revenue such as the property tax in some form. “No real substantive financial legislation,” he added. (Trinidad Express)
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Number 58 Village shooting…
Victim hospitalized with gunshot wound The 47-year-old man, who was shot on his left foot two Tuesdays ago at number 58 Village, Berbice underwent another surgery last Tuesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Mohabir Dhanraj, of Lot 128 section B, number 58 Village was shot and robbed around 07:00hrs by six gunmen, who also gunbutted his wife. According to initial reports, the couple was relaxing at their home when four men jumped their fence, rushed into their home and demanded money and jewelry. Dhanraj, a pork vendor revealed that he was sitting in his hammock when the men entered and demanded money. He claimed that the gunmen took his wife to the kitchen and beat her about the body when she refused to give them money. “When them went in the kitchen with my wife I thought I coulda runaway but I didn’t know two more of them were outside.” He claimed that after the other two bandits, who were waiting outside his home,
Mohabir Dhanraj noticed him trying to exit the gate, they shot him on his foot and opened fire in the air to scare off neighbours who would have “come to their aid.” “…They fire like 12 shots in the air,” the man claimed. He added that that was not the first time that bandits raided his house but instead was the fifth time. Kaieteur News understands that none of the men was caught. The couple claimed that they have no idea who the men were.
Dem boys seh ...
Jagdeo clean up left, right but not centre ‘Lawd, we can’t tek it no more’. That was a song. Today dem boys singing that de whole country can’t tek it no more. De foreigners, including de UN people can’t tek it no more. Dem prepare to jail de corrupt Government officials like Jagdeo and he kavakamites dem. Jagdeo sign a secret deal in Jamaica just days before he lef office. Benn and Shaatie sign fuh de country. De two of dem too stupid fuh get any kickback pun this deal. Dem boys seh that this was Jagdeo going out package. Some people seh is US$100 million kickback to go in he pocket. De contractor gun tek US$20 million and de US$30 million gun build de airport comfortably. How dem boys know how much money going in Jagdeo pocket was when de airport contractor bag buss up. He like bribe big ones. He bribe de former Bangladesh Prime Minister son and de man get six years jail. Jagdeo ain’t got no son fuh tek de kickback, suh he tek am heself. He got fuh tek wha coming behind that. He clean up here and he clean up there, he try fuh clean up everywhere. He clean up left and he clean up right, but dem boys waiting fuh he in de centre. De IDB smell de rat and they know de thieves. That is why up to now dem ain’t give de money for de hydro project that gun give everybody hydro seed. Dem boys seh that de motive behind this hydro seed is that de IDB US$175 million, de Sithe Global US$150 million and de Guyana US$100 million woulda finish de project. De Chinee US$440 million loan wha suppose to go in de project would buss up between de Chinee kan tractor and Jagdeo. Talk half and beg fuh investigate these kavakamites.
Page 9
Chief Justice explains commuting death sentences Chief Justice Ian Chang has explained why he commuted the sentences of four Death Row inmates on Monday. According to Justice Chang, all of the men had served what is considered to be a life sentence. He further told Kaieteur News that for the men, there is no death sentence anymore, and that their release is dependent on the Committee for the Prerogative of Mercy. The Chief Justice stated that if other prisoners on Death Row would follow suit they now have to make the application. He said that the court is obligated by law to listen to their cases. On Monday, four Death Row inmates had their sentences commuted to life imprisonment by Chief Justice Ian Chang. The prisoners were Noel Thomas, who, along with Abdool Saleem Yassin, was sentenced to death in 1992 for
the murder of Yassin’s younger brother, Abdool Kaleem Yassin. The younger Yassin was shot dead in his Riverstown, Essequibo home on March 19, 1987. The elder brother had hatched the murder plot to get his hands on his brother’s inheritance. Thomas was the hit-man. Abdool Saleem Yassin died in prison in 2002 from tuberculosis. Thomas and his coaccused, after another warrant had been read for their execution, had successfully appealed to the UN Human Rights Committee, which recommended their immediate release from prison. This happened four days before their scheduled execution. However, Guyana subsequently withdrew from the UN Optional Protocol on Civil and Political Rights, then re-subscribed with a reservation preventing convicted murderers from appealing to the body.
Chief Justice Ian Chang Justice Chang’s ruling followed appeals by Thomas’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes and Attorneys Jainarayan Singh and Ronald Burch-Smith, which stated that the men’s extended incarceration on Death Row amounted to inhuman treatment. The other three Death Row inmates who had their sentences commuted are
Lawrence Chan, who was sentenced to death in 1995, Vivikenand Singh, Attorney Jainarayan Singh’s client, and Muntaz Ali, who was represented by Attorney-atlaw Burch-Smith. Both Chan and Singh had their death warrants read to them on February 3, 2000. Two other Death Row inmates, Oral Hendricks and Ganga Deolall also had their warrants read to them on the same day. None was ever executed but lived under the shadow of the gallows all those years. Muntaz Ali, and Terrence Sahadeo were condemned to death for the 1985 murder of 18-year-old Roshana Kassim of Sheet Anchor, East Canje. They had been convicted with Shireen Khan. They have been in prison for over 27 years. Shireen Khan died at the New Amsterdam Female Prison in December 2009. One other woman remains on Death Row.
Speaker warns of constitutional ... From page 3 Court, will strike down the requests of the claimant, the Hon. Attorney General.” “Because of the supremacy of the rule of law, and not of diktat, there will be no comments on the merits or demerits of individual allegations and statements made. Suffice to say that the latest action will have to be stoutly defended as this must be seen as the constitutional and public duty of every Member of Parliament.” He challenged the government and the opposition to work to resolve the issues. “Whilst the matter ensues, and without prejudice to its outcome, the constituent parties of the National Assembly are urged to meet, speak, and sort out the issues that continue to beset the 10th Parliament.” The court matter was brought by Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, who in documents argued that no power resides in the National Assembly, either in the Committee of Supply, or at all, to move an amendment to reduce any aspect of the Annual Estimates of
Revenues and Expenditure laid by the Minister of Finance. The National Assembly, he said, therefore has no power whatsoever, in proposing a new or different sum, or any sum at all. USURP According to Dr Luncheon the two motions moved by AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan and APNU’s Carl Greenidge, which sought to “reduce the Estimates of Revenues and Expenditure laid by the Honourable Minister of Finance, and the proposals of different sums instead, amounted not only to an arrogation of powers which the Constitution does not confer upon them, but was also a usurpation of a function which the Constitution exclusively resides in the Executive, thereby, abrogating the doctrine of separation of powers.” The opposition Alliance For Change (AFC) and A
Partnership For National Unity (APNU) had used their one-seat advantage to slash more than $20B from the $191B budget presented by Government earlier this year. The two parties, in defending the cuts, insisted that the majority of the amounts represented monies that were not collected and as such should not have been there in the first place. The bodies and agencies affected were the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), Government Information Agency (GINA), National Communications Network (NCN), the Low Carbon Development Strategy and the Guyana Power and Light (GPL). The matter is to come up again today. VIOLATED Nandlall said that it is the government’s view that the
National Assembly, like every other creature of the Constitution, must act and function in the manner provided for and contemplated by the Constitution. In this instance, the National Assembly did not, he said. “It is also quite unfortunate that the Honourable Speaker, an attorney-at-law, has seen it fit to conclude that the very decisions of the National Assembly which are the subject of the legal challenge are “legitimate” and that the challenge itself is “unconstitutional”, when these are the very issues that are before the Court for the Court’s determination. By so doing, the Honourable Speaker himself has violated certain trite and axiomatic legal principles. Needless to say that the Executive remains committed to a process which would achieve consensus and avoid litigation.”
Page 10
Kaieteur News
Thursday June 07, 2012
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
I was stopped by the police with an 18 year girl in the car She was just 18 years old but she was brave enough to come out of the car and offer her opinion to the police. She was bold enough to let the particular officer know that the police had erred. He was a pleasant rank alright but his superiors let him down. There is no question in my mind that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on many occasions has failed to employ commonsense in its work and function. Guyana’s social fabric and its physiology have deteriorated so badly after Independence that the disease shows up all in the time in many
institutions and one of them is GPF that has displayed ignorance of commonsense over periods of time. Here is a hypothetical example of a lack of commonsense. Regent Street has been a two-way carriageway for over a hundred years. One morning some smart ass in the GPF wakes up and decides to make Regent Street a one-way road. Fine! No problem! Maybe he understands what he is doing. If he is knowledgeable to know why he is changing the direction of traffic flow on Regent Street then he must have commonsense. We
cannot function as the Homo sapiens species if we do not possess commonsense. So this guy turns Regent Street into a one-way with users only allowed to go from west to east. Now remember perhaps the entire population of the country grew up accepting Regent Street as a two-way road. It is stupid for the GPF to go outside of the Botanical Gardens and paint a “no-entry” sign at the beginning of Regent Street. Not only is it stupid; it is completely devoid of commonsense. Since people are accustomed to using Regent Street as a two-way
lane, then without the “noentry” signs, they will continue to use it as they did years ago It is foolish to put the warning only outside the Botanical Gardens. Only motorists traveling on Vlissengen Road and going west on Regent Street will see the warning. What happens if a driver turns into Regent Street from one of the many intersecting roads, for example, Light Street, Camp Street, King Streets etc? Commonsense will instruct you that if you can no longer travel from east to west on Regent Street then at each intersection where a
road runs into Regent Street, you have to mark it with a “no-entry” notice. A few months ago, the GFP turned a number of pathways in Alberttown and Queenstown into one-way carriages. These are roads that have been two-ways for over a century. The logic was sound so the police did what it thought was right and indeed it was right. The congestion made driving uncomfortable. But a nice policy turned into a nightmare because the police lacked commonsense. Permit me a moment of chauvinism – there is no one
Frederick Kissoon in the GPF that knows Georgetown roads more than me. I am a Georgetowner born and bred. When it comes to Cummings Street, I married a woman over thirty-three years ago. She lived all her life on a section of Cummings Street named Louisa Row. Last week, 18-year-old Oshal Austin of the Alliance for Change asked me for a letter of recommendation for her uncle. She requested a ride to drop it off at a particular business place because the deadline was just within half an hour. I obliged. On our way back to her work in Queenstown, we went east on New Market Street and turned south into Cummings Street. A traffic rank stopped me and said I was in violation of the one-way restriction on Cummings Street where you can only travel north. He was very polite and professional and advised me to remember that in the future. But I remonstrated with him. I told him that on each intersection with Cummings Street there must be a “no entry” notice. If there was one at Cummings and New Market Streets then I would not have turned onto a one-way track. Ms. Austin told him about the necessity of signs too. He said there was one but it faded. I challenged him on that. We went and we looked meticulously at the road at the junction; there was none. Guess what. Cummings Street is now a south to north one-way but the GPF put the sign at the beginning of the road at Lamaha Street. One sign only. Last Monday, President Ramotar and his outriders made the same mistake I committed last week. They drove down the wrong way on the same one-way.
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 11
Page 12
Kaieteur News
Thursday June 07, 2012
Thursday June 07, 2012
Page 13
Kaieteur News
Miner shot dead Parika Backdam residents allege - One suspect reportedly in custody
Dead: Colin Jackson-Davis A 38-year-old father of three was shot and killed during an altercation with another man, early Wednesday morning in the Cuyuni River. Dead is Colin Jackson-Davis a dredge owner and former employee of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Relatives yesterday at the man's home at 3436 Postal Housing Scheme were in a
state of disbelief. June-Ann Gibbs, a family friend, told Kaieteur News that relatives got the message soon after. The woman said that details received so far are sketchy and they are not making any pronouncements. Gibbs said that so far relatives have heard that the killing happened some distance from Davis's camp. The woman said that Davis and his business partner had been working at that location for some time. Gibbs further told Kaieteur News that it was Davis's business partner who called relatives and broke the tragic news. According to the woman, relatives were told that Davis and another miner had a misunderstanding and it was then that either the miner or his teenage son shot Davis. She said that there are unconfirmed reports that one person might be in police custody. Investigations into the incident are continuing. Davis leaves to mourn his parents, one brother, two sisters and his three children aged 17, 11 and 21 months.
shoddy sea defence works
Residents of Salem, East Bank Essequibo, are calling on the Minister of Public Works and other relevant authorities to investigate sea defence works being carried out in the village. The government has set aside $2.9 billion in this year's budget for the country's sea and river defence systems. According to residents, the erosion of the sea defence has been a major issue. “The work should be awarded to proper contractors; they built a small concrete dam two months ago, and even had to patch it up. If the Minister come and see it now; it crack up all over. The foundation for the concrete is some sand bags. When the bags wear away and the sand come out the concrete above will obviously crack under pressure. This is what is happening.� Adding that the workers on the sea defence project are stationed at Den Amstel, an irate resident said that the sea defence is fragile and if shoddy work is done it will not only affect the
A barrier built two months ago that has severe cracks that will later erode the construction.
government treasury but many residents in the area. The workers on the project seem lackadaisical. One man argued that the workers would sometimes visit the sea dam and carry out works and days later they would visit to do more works causing the water to
overtop and damage the previous works carried out. In 2006 a contractor did a part of the sea defence which halted the erosion of the soil. However, the present works being carried out are substandard and should be investigated. According to Regional
Chairman, Julius Faerber, he has no knowledge of any sea defence work being carried out in Salem Village, East Bank Essequibo, and the Ministry of Public Works should be contacted. However, efforts to contact Minister Robeson Benn were unsuccessful.
Page 14
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Two held with ski masks, grenade and pistol
The grenade, firearm and ammunition and a ski mask recovered from the haversack in the possession of the broad street suspects. Ranks from a police mobile patrol operating in the city got a shock when they searched a haversack carried by a suspicious man and found a live hand grenade and an illegal .32 pistol with matching rounds. The discovery was made shortly before 01:00 hours yesterday at Charlestown, Georgetown. Kaieteur News understands that the police
stumbled upon the men who were walking on Broad Street and acting in a suspicious manner. Upon seeing the ranks, the men who were from all indications about to commit a crime, decided to run. One of the men, who was carrying a haversack, attempted to remove the contents from the bag as he was fleeing but he was quickly cornered by the cops before he could have done so. “We don't know if he go to throw it away or throw it at the police,� a man who claimed to be an eyewitness told this newspaper. A check of the bag unearthed the grenade and the firearm with the ammunition, along with a ski mask used by criminals. The two men were arrested and are assisting the police with investigations. And on the East Coast of Demerara, police recovered a .25 Titan pistol and 15 matching rounds from a house in Third Street, Mon Repos after they went there to investigate a report of threatening behaviour around 14:45 hours on Tuesday. Police in a statement said (continued on page 19)
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
TO RENT Office space ideal for Doctor’s office etc. 2 Rooms & bathroom, Lower Carmicheal St. Tel: 226-2181 WANTED Guards for Land of Canaan location, accommodation available Call: 676-6700 Wanted to buy, Washiba Squares & Logs. Call Jettoo’s Lumberyard & Sawmill @ 261-5041 or 2615042 Office Clerk, CXC English/ mathematics. 225-0188, 2256070 One live in domestic to work in Mahaicony River , 20years to 35years $45,000 monthly Call: 225-6571 Experience Interior drivers Call Paul : 592-646-6730,592225-1939 Live-in attractive waitress. Tel# 228-5129 East Coast Guyoil pump attendants wanted (day and night), wash man, office assistant & sales girls. 6842838, 602-5031 Taxi drivers (yellow) Tel: 2253234 1 mechanic to work in the interior. 688-4905 Porters; male & female, to work in Grocery Shop, Stabroek Market. Call: 2269800 Contract cars. Must be in Hire & Yellow. Base free. $3500 weekly. Call 660-9977 1- Male cleaner. Apply Technical Services Inc., Eccles 18-23 Industrial Site EBDem. Dredge workers Tel: 6232728,618-1967,667-5717 Urgently needed, live-in waitresses to work in Bar. Attractive salary offer. Tel# 259-0574 Male tool room clerk, computer literate. Apply Technical Services Inc. 1823 Eccles Industrial Site EBDem Call: 614-4358 Cashiers, porters, drivers and salesman. Lot10 Vlissengen Rd. Survival Wholesale Bond. One experienced hire car driver Contact Mrs. Z.Marques at 11 Thomas St. Kitty Tel: 226-7948, 646-6000 Live in domestic Mon-Sat, no cooking, no washing Call: 639-7700 One experienced driver. Apply Hack’s Halaal Restaurant, 5 Commerce St. Sales girls. 10 Bent and Camp Streets. Apply in person with written application. 227-7182.
SERVICES Permanent &Visitors Visa Applications Professional Immigration Consultant Sabita, Room E-4 Maraj Building 225-6496/ 223-8115/662-6045. US & Canada VISA application services. Call 643-6630. Family discounts available.
WANTED Sales representative to work in electronic & bicycle department. Apply to Guyana Variety Store,68 Robb Street.
We refill HP cartridges for $1,800. Call:650-7699
Handyman to do cleaning. Apply to 68 Robb Street, Nut centre.
Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & Stoves. Ultra Cool: 225-9032, 647-2943
Garden maintenance crew, no education needed. Neatness & hardworking is a must,1830 years Tel: 648-1821 7:45am -5pm Salesperson + plant maintenance staff for #1 Plant Shop,70 Sheriff Street. Secondary education a must. Tel: 648-1821 Live-in/Live-out babysitter/ clerk/domestic. 225-0188/ 225-6070
Visa and Immigration forms prepared for Canada, USA and UK. Also Passport forms. Call 626-9857
ONLINE SHOPPING NO COMMISSION, WEEKLY S H I P M E N T S , AFFORDABLE RATES, FREE PRIVATE MAILBOX. TEL: 231-5789. FREIGHTLINKEXPRESS@ GMAIL.COM WE FILL OUT PASSPORT & VISA FORMS: USA, UK & CANADA. TEL: 231-5789
Two (2) experience block makers, Super concrete blocks, Eccles Industrial Estate Tel: 233-5517
Electrical installation domestic & commercial maintenance & repairs also AC installation , estimates , call Marlon Tel: 216-0934,626-6298 or 669-8992
1 kitchen assistant/cook to cook for family in the interior. 688-4905
HOUSEHOLD PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000 Call: 694-9843
1 Carnegie trained cook 2035yrs Call: 614-4358
Service and repairs to gasstoves, deep fryers, washing machines, electrical stoves Call: 686-6209
1- Small engine mechanic,1handyman Call: 2332408,233-2631 General domestic age 2535yrs Call: 233-5450 Sawmill workers Call: 6539752,261-6412 Labourers to work on wood concession , accommodation provided $4000 per day Call: 653-6236 Wanted immediately (1) rip saw operator to work @ East Bank Sawmill, salary commensurate with experience. Call: 6098727,625-9475 Waitress & experienced cook @ Mambo’s Bar,93 Bar St. Kitty Call: 678-1481 Painters with own tools. Apply to 68 Robb Street, Nut Centre. Joiners with own tools. Apply to 68 Robb Street, Nut Centre. Carpenters with own tools, Apply to 68 Robb Street, Nut Centre.
We repair fridge, freezer, AC ,washer, dryer Call: 231-0655, 683-8734 Omar.
Page 15
PROPERTY FOR SALE House & land, Diamond, E.B.D. Tel: 677-3472 Property for sale at EnmoreFoulis. Contact 2550584 or 696-3186 South $10M, Kitty $25M, Newtown $18M, Alberttown $21M,Church street $39M Call Diana 227-2256,626-9382 House at Friendship, double lot Neg. Tel: 270-4149,6478595 20x40 Two flat concrete building @ Kitty. All amenities. Price $23M to be seen. Call: 668-9512,223-2570 Property Lot8 Smyth Street (opposite License Office) Contact owner directly 6531015,665-1452
Mining exploration, professional recruitment and business support services www.iksservices.com Tel: 223-1719 Do you need? Excavator operator, project manager, security officer, driver Call IKS Services 223-1719 Millennia Travel Service Agency, City Mall 6688000,669-0700. For all your travel arrangements.
LAND FOR SALE 95 acres, transported land, W.B.D, Maria Lodge, fully drainage and aggregation. $40 million. Contact 266-5447 1½ acre V/Hoop 48ft x 1300ft, housing, parking lot, work shop, lumber yard, etc. Call: 627-9351 5 Acres Enmore Public Rd. ideally suited for (mall, hospital, housing scheme etc) Richard 609-7675,2332614 Land V/Hoop 3 acres: school, housing. Factory etc. Call: 658-0115
EDUCATIONAL Learn to speak Spanish in 1 month. Call: 673-1232 Princeton College. CXC Adults/Students. Slow learner classes. Day & Evening. January/May June 2013. 690-5008, 611-3793 DATING SERVICE Immediate link-Singles 1880yrs. Confidential: Tel: 2238237,648-6098. (No -text) 8:30am-5:00pm Mon-Sun (Both phones same hours).
Do you need a female bahir (cook) or bartender to work in interior? Call Andrea: 6921798,652-7355
Sales representatives for electronic store, 3 CXC subjects. Apply in person to Guyana Variety Store,68 Robb Street.
S&H Expediter for you, procurement/expeditingspares,food,fuel,workers etc., mobilizing & demobilizing camps Call: 694-1440,663-3179
One domestic to work 5 half days a week Call: 225-6571
For welding and fabrication Call: 225-7907
Brand new American made Crosely 10.5 cu ft Refrigerator for sale $75,000. 626-4452/697-5677 Going cheap, foreign used Perkins Engines, pressure & clutch plates, hydraulic pumps. 661-3043 (2)60-180 Leyland DAF I working condition Call: 6281756,228-5655 1 Tundra, 1 Perkins engine & Welder 400 amps. Call: 6605462, 611-5114 Spares for washer, microwaves, fridges, stovetimers, gear boxes, pumps, etc. Contact 225-9032, 647-2943 Laptop & desktop computers very cheap HP, Dell, Toshiba, IBM, Sony etc. Call: 253-3426,692-4736
Bulah Enterprise Inc. seeks interior charter Call: 592-6466730,5692-225-1939 Hello, the doctor is back!! Have your gas stove repaired and serviced. Tel: 601-0595, 220-4073, 220-5785
FOR SALE 6 brand new in box IPod touch. 8GB $60,000, 32GB $75,000. Price neg. Contact: 686-5004
One ERF hauler and 45FT trailer in contact Call: 6534455 Pallet Wrap & Plastic Film. Tel: 231-8819 Big blow out sale at Lot 29 Croal Street Enterprise, kids shoes $200 and lots more. Call:664-2209 5 Acres fully developed farm Pearl, EBD,16000 chicken pens capacity, bearing fruit trees. Call: 689-9991, 2275362. Stall for sale at Stabroek Market Call: 601-4661 after 6PM
NARS lipgloss, eyeshadow & Clinique Chubby Stick. Tel: 669-8374. Pitbull pups Tel:225-6137
1 White Toyota Runx/Allex $2.1M neg. Fully loaded. Tel: 227-0568, 691-4897 Corolla Wagon, excellent condition Tel: 677-7666,6107666 International Tow Truck with flat aluminum bed; takes two vehicles. Call: 6393900, 619-5400 1 2004 Honda Civic AT, music, excellent condition. PMM series. One year in taxi, $1,750,000. Contact 6505567 PPP series Alteza, fully loaded. Tel: 677-7666, 6107666 Two (2) Nissan Titan; year 2004. LE and SE model; new tires $3.5M and $3.7M, price neg. Contact 681-3300. Toyota RAUM, black, fully loaded, never register year 2000 Call: 269-0432,686-0323 3 Ton freezer canter, unregistered Call: 617-2891 First Class Auto. Allion, Premio, NZE, Fielder, AT212, Carina & Raum. Tel# 6098188, 602-6307 Two door Jeep with Toyota engine open/ closed back manual, cheap Call: 2690432,686-0323 GMC Tw truck, scrap 720 Nissan pick up,one industrial lathe Call Richard 609-7675,233-2614,610-2506 1 RZ minibus in excellent condition Call: 675-3093
Complete floristry equipment & supplies, variety of paints, office chairs, one electric stove (GE) Call: 623-1575
2002 Toyota RAV 4 $3.7 Neg., fully loaded,2000 Toyota VITZ $1.9 Neg. ,PNN series Tel: 276-0229,641-0909
Brand new Blackberry Torch 9800, under $100,000. Call: 676-7443
3 ton enclosed & open back canter, unregistered. 6172891
Pine lumber for sale @ River View Wood products Inc. Address: 164-165 Friendship EBD Call: 266-0296,639-2577
Toyota Prado, 2004 Prado, 2005 Mark II GX110, 2005 Tundra. All fully loaded. Excellent condition. Call: 600-5759
15" Celestion speakers 1600 watts, one complete stage, size 24ftx20ft Call: 644-3390 or 667-7511 Roofing shingles Call Mr. Skepmire 227-5195 (8AMto5PM) Eight week old mixed breed Tibetan Terrier and Pekingese Tel: 644-1972,6612837,644-1965 Electric threadmill, no reasonable offer refused Tel: 662-7398,621-2453
FOR SALE
VEHICLES FOR SALE Just arrived: Allion and Premio, tel: 624-2000, 622-1610
Cricket bowling machine with automatic feeder and balls. Priced at $1.2Million for quick sale Call: 689-0305 15-15-15 Fertilizer Call: 2662711,609-4594
Hummer H2 Sut Model 22" rims, DVD sound system Call: 639-7700 One EP 71 Starlet Auto, 1 Toyota Ceres, 212, 192, RZ minibus. 1- 2 seater Go Cart. Tel: 644-5096, 697-1453. Toyota Corolla (NZE), fully loaded (rims etc), mint condition Call: 6276317,691-5703 Leading Auto, unregistered Allion, Premio, Runx, Fielder, Raum,212, Verossa Call: 6777666,610-7666 2004 Mazda RX8, fully loaded, unregistered $2.9M 617-2891 (Continued on page 20)
Page 16
Kaieteur News
Thursday June 07, 2012
Granger sees need for Chicken prices soar, gold industry blamed full-time parliamentarians
Poultry production on a large scale Major players in the poultry industry are convinced that the country’s expanding gold mining industry is responsible for the current chicken shortage on the local market. But there could be another reason. Many small producers, supplying chicken at the community level, were forced to pullout of the industry earlier this year owing to severe losses caused by stunted growth and early deaths among their poultry. According to a small producer, “For every three bad crops you are only getting one good one. From the time you take home the chicks they die and those that survive are not growing.” “My chickens at eight weeks were looking like twoweek-old and I think it had to do with either vaccination or the feed, or perhaps both. I recently purchased and they
making a little progress. I am afraid to invest a lot of money and suffer a loss because the last time I only made $60,000 off of 200 chickens and that money did not include expense,” the producer stated. Currently, consumers are paying as much as $440 per pound for poultry meat. The price is expected to increase on the market. A large producer, who is currently selling live birds at $205 per pound, stated that the price of chicken is likely to increase by July. This increase is attributed to the increase in the prices for the two main ingredients in chicken feed. He said that corn, which usually makes up 60 percent of the feed, could be substituted by broken rice if the price is affordable. However, there is no substitute for Soya bean,
which experienced its highest price in seven years. This cost is expected to increase in July. In relation, to the scarcity of chicken on the market, it was noted that Guyana’s production has increased but cannot yet satisfy the increasing local demand. He pointed out that his company’s production has increased by 17 percent for the year when compared to last year’s for the first five months. A large market for local chicken is the gold mining industry. With the gold industry prospering and dredges affording 24 hours electricity many operators are purchasing chicken in large quantities. With hatcheries importing substantial amounts of eggs, producers are hoping to keep-up with production to match the expanding mining industry and the rest of the country.
Suspected pirates deny attacking fishing boat The five suspects in the recent pirate attack at Cozier, in the Pomeroon, have said that they are ordinary fishermen and that they want to clear their names on the issue. The men, Premlall Singh, who was the boat captain, of Sparta; Trevor Moore, of Danielstown; Bharrat Bridgemohan, of Sparta; Manniram Mohanroop and Khemraj Gildarie, were released on $10,000 station bail ,on Wednesday, after spending the routine 72 hours in custody. But while the men are clamoring about their innocence, the police are maintaining that the men did commit the offence. They
have strong circumstantial evidence against the men and advice is been sought from the Director of Public Prosecution, a rank said. Members of the boat “Sapna” that was attacked by pirates, on Sunday June 3, have reported that on the day in question, they were fishing in the Atlantic, when they observed a boat coming in their direction. The report added that the fishermen who said that they were under attack, pulled up their seine and started to travel. As they continued on their journey, they said that they noticed a suspicious boat chasing after them. According to the fishermen, they subsequently
drove towards land and the boat that was in pursuit headed towards the shore. The fishermen also said their boat got stuck and they came out and hid in some bushes. While they hid they observed the other men jumping into their boat and later left with gasoline and a coat. Singh, the captain of the four-man crew that police apprehended said that on Saturday last, he and the four crewmen left Hampton Court about noon. He added they eventually drove to Success top and lowered their seine. He said that the following day, they picked up their seine around 6am. He (continued on page 17)
Leader of the Opposition, Brigadier David Granger, has issued a call for his colleagues to consider constitutional changes to permit the election of full-time members of the National Assembly some time in the future. Mr. Granger made this call while presenting a scholarly paper entitled “Part-time Parliament, Full-time Parliamentarians: Are Sittings Adequate?” to the 37th Conference of the C o m m o n w e a l t h Parliamentary Association of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region, held in Kingston, Jamaica. The conference was held under the theme: ‘Low Citizen Confidence in Governance: How Can Parliamentarians Build Trust in Caribbean Legislatures?’ In his presentation, he referred to similar calls by
former Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, and former PNCR Chief Whip, Mr. E. Lance Carberry. Both felt that the efficient functioning of the parliamentary committee system and the need for greater scrutiny could justify consideration of full-time Members of Parliament in Guyana. Mr. Granger also cited the recommendations of Commonwealth Parliamentary Adviser, Sir Michael Davies, whose report entitled, Needs Assessment of the Guyana National Assembly, presented a sober, structured and serious indictment on the manner in which the Assembly was managed during the 9th Parliament under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration. The ‘Davies Report’
exposed the methods devised by the Executive branch which had the effect of thwarting democracy and undermining the independence of the Legislative branch. It concluded, in brief, that the National Assembly’s weaknesses were the result of the Executive branch’s attempts to run the legislature like a government department rather than to allow it to function as an independent institution, Granger said. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association of the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic Region is made up of 18 branches from 17 countries and consists of parliamentarians who are united by their “respect for the rule of law, democracy and individual rights and freedoms, without regard to gender, race, religion or culture.”
St Francis Community Developers and Ministry of Home Affairs commission projects The newly commissioned play park
The St Francis Community Developers (SFCD), one of Guyana’s leading non-governmental organizations recently joined with the Ministry Of Home Affairs through the Ministry’s citizen security programme to commission a number of the Rapid Impact Projects. These projects were successfully implemented by the two bodies in the Rose Hall Town, Port Mourant, and Williamsburg Areas. In all, seven projects were commissioned by the team led by Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, Permanent Secretary Angela Johnson, Regional Chairman David Armagon, President of the SFCD and Chairman of the Rose Hall Town/Williamsburg
Community Action Council Alex Foster, Commander of Police B Division Assistant Commissioner Dereck Josiah, among others. Most of the projects targeted Schools in the area. Among the projects unveiled was a Library at the Lower Corentyne Secondary school. The building was painted, shelves were installed and furniture put in place. A play park was commissioned at the Rose Hall Town Nursery School with new slides, swings and seesaws being installed. A Computer Room was built at the Rose Hall Town Primary School and computers will shortly be installed through a donor and
the kind assistance of the SFCD. The Port Mourant Secondary School had its western fencing done and rubbish bin built. The J.C Chandisingh was also on the receiving list being the beneficiary of an Incinerator. The Friends of Rose Hall Town building had its electrical installations done, and bookshelves completed. A Computer with printer was also presented to the organization. A decision was also taken by the committee which is headed by Foster to rehabilitate the Rose Hall Town Area H Football field. Works have already started. The group later paid a visit to the headquarters of the SFCD
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 17
GWI invests over $100M Appalling conditions at to upgrade network Vreed-en-Hoop stelling Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) is further upgrading its services as was revealed when several tenders were opened Tuesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for the procurement of service connection materials. The procurement was divided into four lots with an engineer’s estimate; Lot (1) $6, 216, 000; Lot (2) $13.8 M; Lot (3) $23,520, 000; Lot (4) $100,440, 000. The bids are as follows:
Under the Ministry of Health, bids were opened at the NPTAB for the procurement of dietary supplies. The bids are as follows:
Eight bids were opened for the supply and delivery of stationery supplies. The bids opened were:
- Operators complain of danger to elders Operators fear passengers may fall into the water
Speedboat operators at the Vreed-en-Hoop stelling, have warned of the dangerous conditions there and are calling for remedial action. According to the operators, elderly persons who use the stelling on a daily basis are experiencing “a hell of a time” to climb the steps. A 67-year-old woman, Sonita Narine, said that she uses the stelling twice daily. “I am doing domestic work in town so I gotta use the stelling every morning and afternoon but it is hard for me to climb this long, long step especially, at this age.” She explained that she suffers from back pain and sometimes “I am scared (that I will) fall into the water especially when the rain is falling and the step is wet and slippery.” These problems were addressed with the then President Bharrat Jagdeo and according to the Vice President of the Demerara Speedboat Association, Lancelot Moseley,
Vergenoegen decomposed body ...
Post mortem could not determine the cause of death investigation told this newspaper that because of the decomposed state of the body, S i n g h c o u l d n o t determine definitively how Narine died. On Saturday last, the decomposing and semi nude body of Narine was found in her Post Office Street, Vergenoegen home. The
woman was last seen about a week earlier telling neighbours that s h e w a s sick. After she was not seen around the community for a week a friend decided to go check on her and made the discovery. The woman’s mentally and physically challenged 14year-old daughter was also
persons have to go to school and work, they tend to be in a rush and because there is no rail, they can easily fall into the muddy waters,” he claimed. Yesterday, Moseley told Kaieteur News that he has realized that the only way for anyone to get something done is through the intervention of the media. He explained that members of the Demerara Speedboat Association have been going after the Minister from time to time but they only get “promises”. Moseley explained that the steps leading from the landing to the boats had been in a dreadful state for years and nothing was being done despite numerous complaints. He added that it was only when this newspaper published the deplorable condition of the steps, then the authorities repaired it. Several calls to Minister Benn for a comment went unanswered.
Suspected pirates deny ... From page 16 explained the operation usually takes about three hours. While they were pulling up their seine, it got entangled so they headed for Moruka. Singh said that whilst on their journey, around 11:00 Sunday morning, they also
Investigators are still puzzled on the circumstances that led to the death of the Vergenoegen woman, Indira Narine, after a post mortem examination yesterday failed to determine the cause. The post mortem was done at the Ezekiel Funeral Home by Dr. Nehaul Singh. A source close to the
he (former President) had talked to the Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, about fixing a floating ramp at the stelling to assist the older folks. “About 17 months ago, the former president had spoken to the Minister Benn about fixing a floating ramp at the stelling to assist the older folks, but that fall through big time,” Moseley noted. A floating ramp is a platform supported by a pontoon. These are usually joined to the shore with a slope that rests upon the landing on rollers, to adjust for vertical movement of the dock. Moseley said after the idea of the floating ramp fell through, the members of the Demerara Speedboat Association decided to discuss with the Minister, placing rails to both sides of the steps and landing to avoid any untoward accident. “Hundreds of persons have been using this stelling and in the morning when
found in the house with the rotting corpse. The teen was immediately removed from the house. The child managed to relate to persons that her mother was raped. This was subsequently confirmed by medical officials at the West Demerara Regional Hospital.
noticed two speed boats approaching their boat. The boats stopped and informed them that there was a pirate attack at sea. He said the men asked them if they saw any boat and he said that they replied in the negative. Singh added that he received a phone call informing him that it was a blue and white boat. He said that they continued to journey to Moruka but within half an hour one of the two speed boats that they saw came back and ordered the captain to slow down. “A boy about 19-yearsold said that is the boat.” The police were there and they ordered Singh and his men to all sit on the seine. Singh said the police ordered the crew except
himself to go with the (police boat) back to Charity, where they were obliged to submit individual statements. Singh said two police ranks were left with him. “We are all innocent and we want the relevant authorizes to investigate thoroughly and properly.” “Our reputations were tainted and we want to get back soon on sea,” they all stressed. On Sunday, the Maritime Administration, the Guyana Defence Force and police ranks on the Essequibo Coast, were alerted of a pirate attack. Lall’s men have said Singh’s boat fitted the description of the boat that pursued them. They claimed to have suffered losses of fish, glue and gasoline.
Page 18
Kaieteur News
Thursday June 07, 2012
Likely administrative “cover up” for Brassington, NICIL - Ramjattan The Alliance for Change (AFC) has no confidence in the Guyana Police Force to effectively investigate allegations of ‘financial malfeasance, corruption or fraud’ against Winston Brassington or the Government-owned, National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). The party’s Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan made this pronouncement at a media engagement yesterday in response to comments by Commissioner of Police (ag) Leroy Brumell. The Police Commissioner had said that there has never been a formal report made to trigger an official police investigation
against either Brassington or NICIL. Ramjattan took further umbrage with the Commissioner’s pronouncement on the requirement for a report to be made and further suggested that there could be a possible cover up should the police get involved. This, Ramjattan says, justifies his resolve to focus on the Parliamentary Avenues available. He reiterated, “I have indicated that I want him interrogated by a Ramjattan and a Ramjattan team in Parliament…I don’t know what the Police are going to do. I know the Police investigated the Commissioner of Police (Henry Greene) and he was not charged.” The Attorney-at-Law, Legislator and Chairman of his
“Here it is, it is big in the news every day and he (Brassington) is not suing anybody for libel…I want him to sue. We are going to bring it out in a Court of Law…,” political outfit, said that he is skeptical about any police action in relation to Brassington. Ramjattan says that his preferred modus operandi, is to first have the public bear witness to the information that he and his Parliamentary team would acquire through an interrogation of Brassington. Ramjattan says that he wants the public to be informed of what is contained in the pertinent documents that the Parliament, which is an arm of government, would force Brassington to hand over. This Ramjattan says must precipitate any police investigation. He was adamant that his
party wants a situation where the public is already well informed about any allegation against Brassington and NICIL. He reminded that following the Parliamentary level of the Public Accounts Committee, where certain public officials are subpoenaed to give evidence, a report is made to the police. This report to the police by the Parliamentary PAC, is made when the Legislators of that Committee have determined that a law may have been broken. Ramjattan says “I want the public to see what we’re going to bring out against him in relation to the allegations and then we will proceed.” The AFC Chairman explained that this is why his
party’s preferred method of dealing with the sensitive matter, through a Parliamentary avenue is first. Stopping short of directly accusing Brassington of preventing the Police from accessing pertinent documents Ramjattan said, “I am not so certain that the police are going to get all of the documents.” “Here it is, big in the news every day and he (Brassington) is not suing anybody for libel…I want him to sue, we are going to bring it out in a Court of Law….and the Police are just watching on.” Ramjattan reminded of his party’s resolve to stick to its strategy and not fall prey to distractions, saying that as it relates to a formal report to the Police, “Mr Anil Nandlall
Khemraj Ramjattan could make the report.” Nandlall is the Government’s legal advisor as Minister of Legal Affairs and Guyana’s Attorney General.
Region Eight Education officer expels children from dorm City Council dumps garbage in front of Water Street business
- claims workers on “sit in”, garbage truck broke down Frank Gill of the “Big Gill Fashion” points to the garbage outside his business. Camp where the students reside with their mother and siblings The Guyana Women Miners Organization (GWMO) has condemned the Region Eight Education Department for expelling four students from Mahdia school dormitory. These children now have to travel almost 10 miles of rough terrain from the backdam to attend school daily. Three of the children are secondary school students and the other is in primary school. According to the children’s mother, who has setup camp in the backdam to earn a living, the students spent one year in the
dormitory and at the beginning of this school term they were asked to leave the facility. The woman disclosed that the reason given for the expulsion was her owning two vehicles, which she could use to transport her children to and from school. She said that at no point were her children costing the State since she provided beds and food for them. She noted that her children are safe with her in the backdam but she is concerned about the daily travels since the terrain could be rough, especially whenever it rains.
Man too drunk to remember threat A Port Kaituma man was fined $15,000 on Tuesday when he appeared before Magistrate Hazel OctiveHamilton for threatening to chop off his wife’s head because she had not prepared his lunch on time. Maxwell Jones told the court that on the day in question, “I was so drunk that I can’t remember what I said.” The man was charged with threatening language against Allison Sawyers on June 1, last. The defendant
pleaded guilty. The police said that on the day of the incident around 13:13 hours the defendant went home and inquired about his lunch. It was stated that the wife replied that she had not finished preparing the food and the man proceeded to abuse her. He also threatened to chop off the woman’s head. The court ordered Jones to pay the $15,000 fine forthwith or face the alternative penalty of 10 days in prison.
The mother of eight said that her children have to wake as early as 04:00 hrs to prepare for school and by the end of the day they are too tired to study. According to the President of GWMO, Simona Broomes, the school system has failed these children by expelling them from the comfort of the dormitory and exposing them to harsh conditions of the backdam. Broomes said that she is confident that the children’s mother keeps them safe in the backdam but emphasized that the students should not have been removed from the dormitory. She stated, “In most mining communities, parents and children are caught-up in the mining business and neglect education. “Here a parent wants her children to have an education and the education system has rejected them a place.” Broomes noted that there were also reports that the Schools’ Welfare Officer is not proactive in the community. Many wrongdoings occur in the dormitory but nothing is being done to bring order to that facility. She stressed that it is wrong to have one dorm mother in charge of both male and female dormitories which house 54 students.
The owners of “Big Gill Fashion” located on Water Street, Georgetown, upon their arrival to open the business entity Monday morning were greeted with a large pile of garbage at the entrance. Reports are that the garbage was dumped there some time between Sunday and Monday morning by workers attached to the Mayor and City Council. Frank Gill, proprietor of the “Big Gill Fashion”, told Kaieteur News on Monday that he was upset by the actions of the M&CC since the office should not have allowed the garbage to be dumped in front of his business. Further, if they were going to use the front of his boutique as a point of collection for the garbage, the M&CC should have ensured that the workers collect this garbage and dispose of it in a safe, healthy and presentable manner. Gill explained that his wife telephoned the M&CC office
concerning the matter as soon as they arrived for work and they were both disappointed with the excuses given by the City Council. “They told my wife that the workers are at a sit-in, a strike because they haven’t been paid since last month, and that is why the garbage was left here. “This isn’t right because this is Central Georgetown where people would pass, shop every minute. A fast food outlet (KFC) is here, Bounty is next door, the market is here and bus park so this is unhealthy and unacceptable,” said Gill. According to the man’s wife it is understandable if they choose the location to collect the garbage but the council should ensure that it is removed. “A lady at the M&CC said that one truck is supposed to collect the garbage. But as you can see the garbage is still here, it is looking bad, and this affects business and health,” said
Mrs Gill. When Kaieteur News contacted the M&CC, an employee at their office stated that the garbage collection truck had broken down over the weekend. This prevented the workers from collecting garbage in the city, the officer said. “We can’t remove the garbage without the workers and the truck broke down but today Puran Brothers will dispose of the garbage in front of these locations,” said an employee of the Council. Several citizens visiting the Stabroek Market area on Tuesday to conduct business and shop for items were appalled at the state of the city. One woman said that it is understandable if the council cannot utilize the workers due to a strike, however; the M&CC should ensure that other mechanisms are put in place to dispose of garbage should a sit-in occur.
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 19
The Abigail Column She’s got a mad crush on a co-worker
DEARABIGAIL, I’ve become infatuated with a co-worker. Our interactions have been strictly professional and friendly, but I’ve noticed his many appealing qualities as well. At first I thought it was a harmless crush, but it’s been several months and I can’t
stop fantasizing about him. He is married with kids. My marriage (no kids) is generally happy, and I feel incredibly guilty due to all these thoughts about my co-worker. How can I stop thinking about someone I see nearly every day? Mixed-Up Dear Mixed-Up, I’m guessing your mind would wander soon. And so we have two common properties of the healthy mind:
It’s easily distracted by the unusual and easily numbed to the ordinary. Absolutely, remain guarded and strictly professional with this coworker. At the same time, though, in your mind only, accept this inconvenient attraction. Make him not a forbidden thought, but instead a permissible one. However: Make it a routine, and zero in on unsexy details, until your mind rolls its eyes and wanders somewhere else.
Thursday June 07, 2012 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): You’ll turn heads wherever you go between now and mid April. There’s never been a better time to attract romance. If you’re already in a relationship, your mate may be especially attentive, showering you with gifts and affection. *********************************** TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): A female friend is helping you in subtle but significant ways. Lean on this lady for support when you feel tired or overwhelmed. Part of the problem may involve a sibling, cousin or neighbour who seems determined to misunderstand you. *********************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): Getting involved with an artistically or socially oriented group boosts your love life. If you’re single, you’re sure to meet someone special through this organisation. If you’re attached, it will enrich your relationship in some way. *********************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Social, romantic and business opportunities come through the public arena in some way. It’s important to attend as many parties and gatherings as possible between now and mid April, as they’re sure to improve your personal and professional prospects. *********************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Taking a trip out to an historic city excites your imagination. You’ve always responded strongly to beauty, and need to treat your eyes to some gorgeous surroundings. *********************************** VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Your sex life takes on a burning intensity for the next three weeks. Beneath your prim and proper exterior beats the heart of a passionate lover. If you don’t have a lover, you should have no trouble finding one during this magical period.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Catering to your lover’s needs will bring about a new closeness that is positively blissful. If you’re not in a relationship, you soon could be. It’s all a matter of sprucing up your appearance. This is a marvellous opportunity to update your wardrobe. *********************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Go ahead and spoil yourself by using luxury products every day. There’s no reason to save expensive toiletries for special occasions. In fact, using these items on a regular basis will cause your self-esteem to soar. *********************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): Romance, creativity and fun take centre stage between now and mid April. You’re tired of being cooped up at home, and eagerly accept all the invitations that come your way. *********************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Your home is a reflection of how you feel about yourself. If your surroundings seem a little drab, add some colour to the walls. Clean up any clutter that’s accumulated. Replace shabby furniture with new, attractive pieces. *********************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): You’ll be socialising a great deal over the next three weeks, which proves stimulating. Prepare to introduce yourself to some new neighbours. These people could become cherished friends in very little time. *********************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Gifts, money and treats pour into your life like a mighty river and while you’re grateful for all of these marvellous tributes, you’re more concerned with your creative work. Perhaps you’ve been struggling with an art project.
DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55hrs. Sign On 09:00hrs. Live! With Kelly 10:00hrs. The A-Team 11:00hrs. The View 12:00hrs. Prime News 12:30hrs. The Young and the Restless 13:30hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 14:00hrs. The Talk 15:00hrs. Boy Meets World 16:00hrs. Beverly Hills, 90210 17:00hrs. The Wayans Brothers 18:00hrs. World News 18:30hrs. Nightly News 19:00hrs. Greetings and Announcements 21:00hrs. DTV’s Summer Movie Fest 23:00hrs. Sign Off NCN CHANNEL 11 02:00 – NCN Late Edition (R/B) 02:30 – Late Nite with GINA 03:00 – Movie 05:00 – Inspiration 05:30 – Newtown Gospel 06:00 – 3rd Test West Indies VS England – Day 1 08:00 – Guyana Today 09:00 – Cricket Resumes 13:30 – NCN Newsbreak 13:35 – Lotto’s Cricket Info & Quiz 14:00 – Revelation & Power 14:30 – Bollywood 60 Mins(R/B) 15:30 – Feature 16:00 – Cartoons 17:00 – Anderson 18:00 – NCN News Magazine – Live 18:30 – Farming Today 19:00 – Al Jazeera 19:30 – NIS & YOU 20:00 – 3d/daily millions/ play de dream/lotto draw 20:05 – Feature 20:35 – Miners’ World 21:05 – Ravi D Show Essequibo 22:05 – NCN News Late Edition 22:35 – Caribbean Newsline 23:00 – Movie MTV CHANNEL 14/ Cable 65 06:00hrs - Islamic Perspective 06:30hrs - News Update 07:00hrs - DAYBREAK 08:00hrs - Dabi’s Musical
Hour 08:30hrs - Avon DVD Club music break 09:15hrs - Top Notch Music Break 09:30hrs - Caribbean Temptation Music Mix 10:00hrs - Payless Variety Music Mix 10:30hrs - Double day Int. Music Break 11:00hrs - H Persaud( Crown Chowmein) Music Break 11:30hrs - The View 12:00hrs - Current Affairs 12:30hrs - The Young and The Restless 13:30hrs - Days of Our Lives 14:00hrs - The Revolution 15:00hrs - General Hospital 16:00hrs - The Bold and the Beautiful
16:30hrs - Cartoons 17:00hrs - Birthdays and other greetings 17:15hrs - Death Announcements/ In Memoriam 17:30hrs - Al Ja Zeera News 18:00hrs - Viewer’s Choice 18:30hrs - Jai Santoshi Ma 19:00hrs - Soul Melodies with Trans Globe 19:30hrs - News Update 20:30hrs - Winners Row Quiz 21:30hrs - Let’s talk Tax 22:05hrs - Movie: Fist of fury: sworn revenge 2 23:00hrs - News Update 23:30hrs - Movie: Fist of fury: sworn revenge 2 Continues Sign off
Two held with ski masks... From page 14 that a man was arrested and is in police custody. According to reports, the man and his brother live in separate apartments within the same house. Neighbours said that the two brothers were engaged in a heated argument during which the suspect threatened to assault his sibling and burn the house down. The police were called in and during a search of the house they found the firearm and ammunition. The man admitted that the weapon was his but he claimed that he found it in a house that he was paid to clean. The man said that he found the weapon wrapped in a handkerchief and thought that it was a toy gun, so he took it home. He too is assisting police with their investigations.
Guides are subjected to change without notice
Page 20
Kaieteur News
Thursday June 07, 2012
Bakewell/MYO Inter Jamaat 15 overs cricket... TO LET Furnished 2 bedroom apartment with hot & cold water & internet in Amelia’s Ward Linden Call: 6144415,444-4704 Apartments,35 Howes Street, Georgetown. Contact Petboy Shop. 2 Bedroom apartment to let ECD Call: 687-1442 Short term apartments , business space Call: 6671549 Short term apartments, Eccles. Call: 679-7139 Apartments. Tel: 667-1549 East Street US650,US750, Alberttown US750, Nandy Park US1200, US1700, Diana 227-2256,626-9382 2 Bedroom upper flat with toilet & bath,2 bedroom lower with toilet & bath, Meten Meer Zorg WCD Call: 227-3743,626-0150
(From page 15)
VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 Toyota 4x4, V6. Tele: 642-4779 2004 Mazda Axela with spoiler, body-kit, chrome rims etc. price $2.50 Call owner: 600-1898 2005 BMW 3201,2007-2005 Allions, 2004 Avensis L 1some with TV &backcam Tel: 615-4114,665-4480 Jags Auto: Spacio, Premio, Wagon. Cheapest. Call: 6167635 One Allion- female driver,1 year old- automatic $2.6M Negotiable Call: 618-3093
Excellent spot for offices/ school or other business, Camp St area Call Richard 609-7675,233-2614,610-2506 Furnished studio apartment (third floor) Call: 233-2770 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School; First Federation Building Call: 225-4858,6445166, 622-2872, 615-0964 Prudential learning “ Training to Pass” automatic also stick/ manual 642-4827. We’re #1 TOURS Suriname 4 days Caricom Holiday weekend return. Trip June29-July2 Call: 6392663,665-5171,644-0185,2278290 Father’s Day Special- Lake Mainstay, June 17th,2012 Sean: 657-0825,218-1285 June special- Santa Mission $4500 per person, June 10th,2012 Joy:218-1285,6499059,692-3114
VACANCY 1- Domestic, must know to cook, preferable from Greater Georgetown Call: 223-9725 One female clerk. Call: 2315171 One live-in nanny/maid. Location Kuru Kururu, long term employment Tel: 6561284 One refrigeration, washing machine technician Call: 2310655, 683-8734 Attractive salary for bright, well spoken sales assistant with 5 CXC. Write to P.O. Box 101599 Georgetown. 1- Male / female to work @ Internet Café Call: 223-9725
MASSAGE American style massage service Call: 609-4036 SALON Make up courses, artist trained & certified in Trinidad: 660-5257,647-1773 Qualify yourself in Cosmetology or nails, make up, Register, Limited spaces. Call Abby: 216-1950, 6197603, 666-5241 Cosmetology courses Call: 225-6026,682-2604 June offer, pedicure $2000, manicure $800, hand tips $2000, toe tips $700 Call Fiona: 651-9418
CAR RENTAL Progressive auto rental, cars from $4,000 per day. Call: 6435122, 656-0087, www.progressiveautorental.com Al’s Car & Pick-up Rental. Call: 698-7807 Premio, 110 Corolla. Call: 679-7139
SEMIFINALS START THIS WEEKEND The first semifinal of the annual Bakewell sponsored 15-overs Inter Jamaat softball cricket competition will be contested on Sunday at the Muslim Youth Organisation Ground, Woolford Avenue and Albert Streets, Georgetown. Home team MYO will entertain Grove at 11:00hrs in what is anticipated to be an exciting encounter with a place in the final at stake; all to play for, for both teams. Farm ‘C’ is the other team to have booked a place in the semifinals but they will know their opponent on Sunday which will be the winner of the quarterfinal match between Farm ‘A’ and
Windsor Forest which will commence at 09:00hrs. The final game of the day brings together Farm ‘C’ and the winner of the quarterfinal match-up and this will bowl off at 13:00hrs. In results from last Sunday, Grove demolished Land of Canaan by 8-wickets in their quarterfinal match. Batting first, Land of Canaan were sent packing for 81 in 14.4 overs; Shameer Mohamed top scored with 16, Safraaz Nawaz made 14. Shameer Ghanie, Azeem Azeez and Erastro King each picked up two wickets for Grove who knocked off the required runs in 6.2 overs losing just 2 wickets along the
Sammy: Victory essential! From back page backing him to make an impact. Hopefully, this is the start of something that could be a great Test career. “He’s very exciting and all of the Caribbean are very excited about having him in international cricket. We’re very happy to have him here.” West Indies trail 0-2 in the Test series, following a fivewicket loss in the first Test at Lord’s in London and a ninewicket defeat in the second Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
Rain battled with sunshine when the Caribbean side trained at the match venue on Wednesday afternoon, with the players restricted to mostly indoor practice. The weather outlook for the first day said cool, wet and windy day with persistent rain turning heavy at times, though perhaps clearing northwards through the evening. Southerly winds becoming very strong and gusty through the afternoon. Maximum temperature: 16 degrees Celsius.
way. All-rounder Azeez blasted an unbeaten 38 to guide his team home; he received good support from Shameer Hussein who made 26.
Farm ‘C’ and MYO advanced without breaking a sweat as they got walkovers from Farm ‘B’ and Cornelia Ida, respectively.
Lodge/Meadowbrook... From page 23 Albouystown/Charlestown and Plaisance/Vryheid’s will face off for the other Super Eight qualification spot that is up for grabs in the group. The feature game was an offensive craze for Lodge/ Meadowbrook from the sound of the whistle and continued with that momentum throughout. It was clear that the group leaders were not giving any chance to South and wanted to make a statement against the minnows. McCulley combined with the other forwards, Fabian Johnson and Mortimer Williams to outclass any opposition from South. Lewis supported the trio well with Pelham Doris controlling the pace of the game, as usual, and making most, if not all, the offensive decisions. Before the contest, Sculpture Craft BV/Melanie secured its first win of the event against the New Amsterdam side that features two former national ballers. BV/Melanie won 57-52 with Kurtleigh En-
glish putting up 17 points and Haslyn Hooper adding 11 points and 13 rebounds. For New Amsterdam, Randy Richards scored 24 points and pulled down a mammoth 21 boards with Carlos Crandon adding 13 points in their second straight loss. The competition continues at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall tonight with two top-of-the-table games. In Group ‘D’, Georgetown’s Wortmanville/ Werk-En-Rust will play Linden’s Wismar as the two unbeaten teams in the group collide. The Naylon Loncke, Royston Siland and Clement Brusche-led Wortmanville face the team that last won a national club championship. Meanwhile, in Group ‘B’, the Ryan Stephney, Rodwell Fortune, Travis Burnett, Jermaine Slater and Horace Hodges-led Diamond/McDoom come up against Central Mackenzie that features the likes of Akeem Kanhai, Kevin Joseph, Jason Alonzo and Neil Marks.
Nationwide Digicel Schools Football Tournament... From back page and organised tournament. Commenting on the reason for changing the age limit, Fraser-Thomas said it became necessary after the Organising Committee listened to complaints from schools that participated last year where it was felt that institutions such as the Technical Institutes and a few vocational colleges because they have players, who could be deemed as adults on their register, had a distinct advantage over those that fielded younger and lesser experienced players. She disclosed that the Committee subsequently met and the decision was made to reduce the age limit to 17 years and under which they believe will level the playing field to a great extent. “By lowering the age limit it makes the playing field more level and this new decision has been met with approval,” Fraser-Thomas stated. According to her, the tournament format remains the same where 6 of the 11 regions will have their playoffs with the winners them proceeding to meet with the remaining 5 in the national playoffs. She added that in an effort to decentralize the tour-
nament as much as possible, they’ve decided to play games all across the country. Adonis in his presentation said he welcomed the opportunity to share in the Launch of the tournament which according to him has the full support of the Federation, while pointing to their endorsement of the event last year. He stated that one of the encouraging features of the competition is the fact that it is a revived element to the football landscape in Guyana and commended Digicel for the initiative. Further commenting on the importance of the tournament, Adonis said while it greatly helps with the development of the sport and those who participate in it, there are other benefits to be derived such social and national development. He closed by urging the teams to adhere to the rules and code of conduct that governs the tournament , while informing that the GFF will be taking a keen look at this year’s event since it is well documented that a vibrant system of sports in schools is really where the future stars are born. Dean said last year’s competition was a huge success,
adding that the Company is even happier this year because of the increased amount of schools to have conformed participation. He, however, noted that because of this development it has now become a bigger challenge for the Committee, but was confident that they could pull it off with similar or even more success. “We see it as a long term involvement in this tournament, we will not see immediate results so it has to be a long term commitment from us,” Dean assured. He said another source of happiness within the Company is the fact that many more schools will have the opportunity to visit far flung communities and this will allow them to understand the culture and even the geography of the country. Dean then wished all the teams the best and urged that they play within the spirit and rules of the tournament. Dr. Anthony, who followed spoke of previous discussions held with the sponsor about plans to make it a calendar event and he congratulated Dean for keeping his promise to do so. He said sports has a role to play in the holistic devel-
opment of a person’s life and society as well, adding that Digicel has been among the leading corporate entities to have fulfilled that mandate. “Because Digicel is helping to fill that niche I feel strongly that in the future in the future we will see a number of players emerge from this tournament that could then go on to represent this country.” He added that now that the tournament has become a calendar event, the move now must be to enhance its quality through the training of teachers to coach the students thereby improving the skills of the players. Sports, Dr. Anthony alluded to could also help the teachers strike a balance in the school’s curriculum which will then eliminate the possibility of students getting obese or even suffer from cardiovascular diseases when they get older. Meanwhile, the draw was done involving the six regions and they are as follows: Region 7 winner will play the champion of Region 1; Region 9 winner takes on Region 5 champion and Region 10 winner challenges the champion of Region 8. The other regions are 2, 3, 4, 6 and Georgetown and the competition starts on June 15.
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 21
WIPA boss expects smooth Rafael Nadal beats Nicolas Almagro to reach French Open semis transition for Gayle RECALLED batsman Chris Gayle should fit into the Ottis Gibson-coached regional squad without much problem, according to West Indies Players Association (WIPA) president Wavell Hinds. Speaking to the Jamaica Observer yesterday, Hinds said the hope is for Gayle’s “smooth transition” into the Windies set-up that begins the limited overs phase of its England tour on June 16 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. “WIPA hopes that the resocialisation that will be needed to ensure there is harmony between the management, team members and Chris Gayle himself will be a smooth transition. “WIPA is very happy that Chris has been re-integrated into West Indies Cricket at the highest level. We want him to serve West Indies Cricket and show his true potential and make this team better for it,” said the former West Indies batsman. Gayle’s recent call-up ended a 15-month absence from the international circuit due to a protracted quarrel with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) secretariat. Gayle made himself available for selection last month after the standoff was resolved at a high-level meeting in April, but the WICB had pointed to “residual issues” that needed to be addressed in order for the
Wavell Hinds hard-hitting left-hander to be picked. Those issues were apparently smoothed over in a meeting between Gayle, regional political leaders, WICB representatives and WIPA executive member Michael Hall, last Sunday, that cleared the way for the 32-year-old’s inclusion in the 15-man squad. Hinds, a close friend and former teammate of Gayle, said the powerfully-built batsman’s international experience will be a huge asset to the team and added that Gibson and captain Darren Sammy will not find him a “difficult person to work with”. “Chris Gayle is a strong individual, but a compassionate, easy-going and cricket-loving person. If he is not batting he is laughing, so I don’t think he will be a difficult person to work with.
Action resumes in Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools Football tournament today - Lodge and Christ Church to battle for semifinal spot Action in the Scotiabank/ Pepsi School Football Academy Tournament continues today at the Tucville ground better known as the Fruta Conquerors ground with an exciting playoff between two male teams from 4pm. The tournament which allows students to balance their extra-curricular activities with academics will see Lodge Secondary School and Christ Church battling fiercely for their spot in the semi-finals. Christ Church will be spearheaded by son of former national player from Beacon Football Club, Andre Trotz Jr. who led his team to a sweet 21 victory against Central High School in their last encounter in the tournament. The upcoming junior player, who scored five goals
to date in the tournament, was the sole player for his team to net against their competitor. The semifinal, which is slated for Saturday at the same venue from 9:00hrs, will see Charlestown and the winner of today’s game facing off in the first match. In game 2-a female clashTucville and Campbellville are slated to engage at 10:45hrs. in game 3- another female scrap- North Georgetown and Tutorial are down to collide at 11:30hrs and in the final game of the day-a male encounter- East Ruimveldt and Tucville are scheduled to thrown down the gauntlet. The final for the tournament is scheduled for Saturday June 16 at the Carifesta Sports Complex ground at 10:00hrs with the female and male final.
“He is pretty much determined to start the second phase of his international career and try to set a few things straight on the field. He will want to ensure the team benefits from his years of experience and his presence at this juncture,” said the 35-year-old Hinds. The WIPA boss stressed the need for all parties to adopt a better approach to avoid the acrimony that was witnessed during the extensive impasse. “It is nice to see the issues are behind us and we all can learn from this going forward and we also should understand that West Indies cricket is above and beyond all of us. “We must be cognisant of the fact that we’re all here to serve... and at all times, all parties involved must try not to get ahead of ourselves,” Hinds said. Gayle, who has scored 19 centuries at an average of 39.06 in 228 ODI matches, last played for the West Indies in the ICC World Cup last year March. He was openly critical of the WICB and Gibson in a radio interview in April 2011 and was subsequently asked to withdraw his comments before he would again be considered for selection. Gayle refused and proceeded to ply his trade in financially-rewarding Twenty20 competitions in India, Australia, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.
BBC Sport - Rafael Nadal remains on course for a record seventh French Open title after easing past Nicolas Almagro in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros. The number two seed struggled to shake off his fellow Spaniard in the first set, but had few problems from there. His 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-3 victory was his 50th win on the Paris clay, having lost only once in eight tournaments. He will meet another Spaniard, David Ferrer, in the last four on Friday. Andy Murray’s quest for a first Grand Slam came to an end as he was beaten by David Ferrer in the French Open quarter-finals. The number four ranked Scot produced too many careless errors to mount a sustained challenge and he eventually went down 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-2. Murray’s forehand continually broke down against the more consistent Ferrer, who is the world number six. The presence of Nadal, Almagro and Ferrer in the last eight meant Spain provided three of the four players remaining in the bottom half of the draw, with neither having dropped a set en route to the quarter-finals. And Almagro, the 12th seed, posed Nadal problems in the first set, not conceding a break point until the 11th game, saving that and going
Rafael Nadal on to force a tie-break. Nadal dominated proceedings in the tie-break as he moved into a 4-0 lead and eventually won it when Almagro sent a service return long.
The first break of serve came early in the second set and it was Nadal who earned it as he went 3-1 up. It took Almagro until the seventh game of the second set to have a chance to break back but his compatriot emphatically held with a powerful overhead. Nadal took his first set point on Almagro’s serve to wrap up the second set. Nadal had to save break points in the fifth and seventh games of the third as he fended off a concerted effort from Almagro, who could not find the answer to the relentless depth of his rival’s ground strokes. The pivotal moment of the third set came when the number two seed earned a crucial break to go 5-3 up before serving out to win the match with an ace.
Federer comes back to beat Del Potro in Paris PARIS (AP) Roger Federer came back from a two-set deficit for the seventh time in his career and beat Juan Martin del Potro 3-6, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 at the French Open on Tuesday to reach his record-tying 31st Grand Slam semifinal. Federer already owns 16 major titles, including at Roland Garros in 2009, but has gone more than two years without adding to that record total. Del Potro, whose only Grand Slam title came by beating Federer in the 2009 U.S. Open final, was bothered by his heavily wrapped left knee Tuesday. Federer got better and better as the match progressed. He was pretty much perfect in the fourth set, with 13 winners and zero unforced errors.
Sharapova moves to French Open semifinals PARIS (AP) Whether she’s enjoying a cafe lunch, shopping on the ChampsElysees or notching another victory on the soft red clay, Maria Sharapova sure enjoys these trips to the French Open. ‘’What girl doesn’t love Paris?’’ she said. Two more wins and she’ll love it even more. Sharapova moved another step closer to filling in the last piece of the career Grand Slam, defeating Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros. Second-seeded Sharapova rolled through her 23rd-seeded opponent in 74 minutes, a much different scene than the three-set win over Klara Zakopalova in the fourth round that took more than three hours. ‘’I’m happy with the way I improved in this match,’’ Sharapova said. Her next opponent will be fourth-seeded Petra Kvitova, the Wimbledon champion who ended 142nd-ranked qualifier Yaroslava Shvedova’s upsetfilled run with a 3-6, 6-2, 6-4
Maria Sharapova victory. Sharapova leads their all-time series 3-2, including a win on clay earlier this year in Stuttgart. Later Wednesday, in the men’s quarterfinals, No. 2 Rafael Nadal played No. 12 Nicolas Almagro and No. 4 Andy Murray faced No. 6 David Ferrer. In the women’s draw, Kvitova reached the semifinals for the third time over the past four Grand Slams. Sharapova, meanwhile, made the semifinals at Roland Garros for the third time. She
lost at that stage last year and in 2007. ‘’I love coming back here, love challenging myself to get further every year and I hope this is this year,’’ she said. If she wins the tournament, she’ll add the French Open title to her championships at Wimbledon in 2004, the U.S. Open in 2006 and the Australian Open in 2008. If she makes the final, she is projected to move to No. 1 in the rankings. Either way, Sharapova will always have a soft spot in her heart for Paris - a city where she figures she could easily fit in. ‘’Who wouldn’t want that lifestyle? It’s great to me. I could eat at L’Avenue every single day, have the escargot and the little strawberries they have for dessert, gain like 20 pounds,’’ she said. ‘’But that’s all right. They walk everywhere and they bike. That would help.’’ Sharapova is 15-1 on clay this season with two championships, in Stuttgart and Rome. Sliding around on the saturated clay in Paris, she looked very comfortable
against Kanepi, who made her fourth Grand Slam quarterfinal but never found her groove in this matchup. ‘’It was tough to get any rhythm today because balls were flying so hard from her side,’’ Kanepi said. ‘’It’s unfortunate that I didn’t stay that long on the court. I enjoyed being there.’’ Shvedova came into Wednesday having already won the seven matches it takes to earn the title at Roland Garros. But three of hers came during qualifying. She was trying to become the first French Open qualifier to reach the semifinals and after breaking Kvitova twice to capture the first set, it looked doable. But Kvitova turned more aggressive in the second and third sets, hitting 20 winners from the baseline to only nine for Svedova, and that helped turn the match. ‘’It wasn’t easy,’’ said Kvitova, who finished with five aces. ‘’My serve helped me and I played my aggressive game.’’
Page 22
Kaieteur News
Sammy delight at Gayle’s return
Darren Sammy was upbeat at the prospect of Chris Gayle's return. Darren Sammy did his best to conceal a big and wide smile but was not shy to admit how happy he would be to see Chris Gayle re-enter the West Indies dressing room soon. Gayle was part of the 15man squad announced on Sunday by the Caribbean selectors for the three-match ODI series and the solitary Twenty20 to be played in England from June 16. Gayle’s inclusion brought to an end the bitter dispute between him and the WICB, which started immediately after last year’s World Cup and kept him out of international cricket for 15 months. But both parties cleared the “residual” issues during a meeting in St Vincent, which was attended by Gayle, Julian Hunte (WICB president) along with West Indies Players’ Association chief executive Michael Hall. Also present were Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent, and Baldwin Spencer, the Antigua & Barbuda Premier, both facilitators instrumental in
resolving the issue. “I think we have a very exciting one-day team with the inclusion of Chris Gayle,” Sammy said. “Our previous ODI and Twenty20 series against Australia was very good for us; we drew both series. So with guys like Chris and Dwayne Smith adding more power, I am very excited, but I have to focus on this Test. After this is over, we will focus on the ODI series.” It is understood that Gayle along with the other players picked for the one-dayers, would join the West Indies squad in Birmingham on June 9. In his first press conference on this tour, at Hove, Sammy mentioned that if and when Gayle comes back, he would need to get used to the “hardworking culture” put in place by Ottis Gibson, the West Indies coach. Today Sammy was more lenient, saying Gayle would easily slip into the team environment without much fuss. “He is a professional and will do what is necessary for the team,” Sammy said.
Last month, Gayle decided to forsake his contract with the Somerset, as it clashed with the ODI series in order to commit himself to West Indies cricket. That was an important step which convinced the WICB that he was serious about his comeback. For all the positive speak that Sammy and his troops have so far uttered on this trip, the West Indies captain knows he needs able and experienced generals like Gayle and Chanderpaul on his side if West Indies have to finally start seizing opportunities. “It is good to have him back,” Sammy said. “We all know what he has done for us in the past, and hopefully, he can come into the squad and pass on the experience to the younger players because he has been a phenomenal limited-overs player for us. We expect to win this upcoming series because looking at this squad, we should pose a serious challenge to England and win games.”
Thursday June 07, 2012
Celtics cool off Heat to move one win from finals (Reuters) - The Boston Celtics drew on their famous grit and determination to move within one victory of the NBA Finals on Tuesday with an upset 94-90 road win over the Miami Heat to take a 3-2 series lead. The Celtics can now secure the best-ofseven Eastern Conference finals back home in Boston on Thursday after Miami’s vaunted offence spluttered in the second half. LeBron James scored 30 points and Dwyane Wade poured in 27 but the Heat now face the distinct possibility of missing out on the finals completely as they bid to make up for the disappointment of losing last year’s title showdown. Rajon Rondo was the architect of Miami’s demise for Boston with 13 assists on a night where he shot only 3-of-15, while Kevin Garnett was the chief executioner with 26 points and 11 rebounds. But above all, Boston were able to draw on their renowned fighting spirit once again as they fought back from a 13-point deficit in the second quarter and from nine points behind in the third. Both times, Boston picked themselves up and dealt with the situation to secure a victory against the odds, despite shooting just 41 percent and getting out-rebounded by 49-39. “We were just hanging in there,” Celtics head coach Doc Rivers told reporters. “They jumped on us at the beginning of the game and we just told our guys ‘don’t over-react, hang in there, the longer we are in the game, the better we’ll play’. “I thought out execution down the stretch, defensively and offensively... was terrific,” he added.
It was far from a classic encounter, however, with Miami shooting at 39 percent from the field and managing just 7-of-26 threepoint attempts as defences dominated. The work was spread around for Boston with Ray Allen and Mickael Pietrus scoring 13 each and Brandon Bass chipping in with ten points. The Heat, with Chris Bosh (nine points, seven rebounds) back from injury for the first time in the series, started brightly and led 24-16 at the end of a first quarter in which Rondo failed to score a point. The lead was down to 42-40 at halftime, though, with Miami’s offense running out of steam and that was a trend that continued in the third quarter as Boston, on the back of a 15-1 run, rushed into a 65-60 advantage. Key to the change was the scheming role of Rondo, who shot just one-of-eight from the field in the first half but provided five assists in the third quarter, and the powerful play at the basket from Garnett. The game’s decisive moment came when Paul Pierce (19 points) nailed a three-pointer over James, who tallied 30 points for the ninth time this post-season, with 52.9 seconds remaining to give the visitors a 90-86 lead. Miami, who benched Bosh in the latter stages, could not come back from that blow and now the pressure is really on the Heat for a do-or-die encounter at ‘the Garden’. “It’s a loss and that’s all it is,” Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said. “It was a tough one to lose here at home but it’s over with. It has to be behind us right now and our energies have to be ready for Thursday,” he said.
Kevin Garnett #5 posts up against LeBron James #6
Guyana Horse Racing Authority IMC formed Justice Kennard to head body until next year An Interim Management Committee (IMC) has been formed to run the affairs of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) until January next year after concerns were expressed in the Horse Racing fraternity about the competence of the GHRA. After a meeting with the affiliate members of the GHRA it was decided that Retired Chancellor of the Judiciary and President of the Kennard Memorial Turf Club Justice Cecil Kennard will be the Chairman of the IMC. His Vice Chairman is Fazil Habibula, the Secretary is C. Ramnauth, the Treasurer F. Chichester and the Advisor to the Committee is Marcel C Crawford.
Justice Cecil Kennard The Classification Committee is made up of R. Matidal, Dennis Deroop, Habibula, Colin Elcock and Ramnauth who will act as Secretary. A number of Events have been carded for the various clubs for rest of the year
starting with the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club on July 1 & 2. In August, Kennard Memorial Turf Club will host an event on the 5th, Rising Sun Turf Club on the 12th and Port Mourant Turf Club on the 26th. In September Rising Sun will host on the 9th and Bush Lot United on the 30th while in October Port Mourant (7th), Kennard Memorial (14th) and Norman Singh Memorial (21st) In November Ryan Crawford (18th) and Rising Sun (25th) will host race meets before Port Mourant (9th), Kennard Memorial (26th Boxing Day) and Rising Sun (30th) will have events at their tracks in December.
Inter Ministry & Corporations Football... GPC taught the Ministry of Education a lesson with a 10-nil drubbing as action in the Inter Ministry & Corporations seven-a-side Football competition continued on Tuesday evening at the Banks DIH ground Thirst Park. On an evening which saw three teams getting walkovers, Travis Martin netted in the 5th, 11th, 12th and 23rd minutes and got support from Keon Agard who scored in the 4th, 24th and 27th minutes. Kenneth Jackson also scored in the 8th minute in the 10-nil victory for
GPC teach Min of Education a 10-nil lesson GPC. In the night’s opening game GNSC defeated G&S Electrical 4-nil with Stellon David scoring in the 13th and 24th minutes, while Desmond Cotton (26th) and Jamal Cozier (18) also registered goals for GNSC. Ministry of Public Works got a walk over from the Guyana Lottery Company, GNIC got a walk over from GWI and Banks DIH got a walk over from GPL. According to the organisers, Dynamic Security, Andrew Howard Construction Services and Delmurs Shipping have joined the sponsorship team. The competition is
scheduled to continue tonight with GPC playing John Fernandes, GRA taking on Ministry of Foreign Affairs, GT&T battling Ministry of Education, the Media United facing the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Banks DIH opposing Macorp. Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Sports Ministry, Steve Ninvalle, is expected to don his football boots tonight against the Media side, while the Ministry of Education said they were going back to the drawing board ahead of their match against the Telephone Company tonight.
Thursday June 07, 2012
Kaieteur News
Team Guyana rebound with win over Tiger Bay
Page 23
Ja seek funding to stage Junior Squash Champs
- Murray Jnr maintains rich form
W
Part of the action on Tuesday night in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Football Tournament at the National Cultural Centre.
T
eam Guyana (Back Circle) rebounded after their previous loss to make it to the semi-finals of the Banks DIH-sponsored Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Football Competition which continued on Tuesday night, at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac. The local representatives for the upcoming Caribbean
segment squeezed past a determined Tiger bay unit, winning 2-1 through goals from Vincent Thomas (16th) and Daniel Favourite (35th), while Keoma Gravesande nd (22 ) had leveled things for a while. Andrew Muray Jnr. Maintained his prolific form with another mesmerizing display, netting a brace in Albouystown’s 3-0 rout of Broad Street.
Lodge/Meadowbrook remain unbeaten - Clash of the Titans on tonight By Edison Jefford Lodge/Meadowbrook continued to establish itself as the team to beat when they easily dismissed whatever little challenge South Ruimveldt had to offer, remaining unbeaten in the 2012 National Community Basketball League at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Lodge/Meadowbrook drubbed South 77-35 Tuesday night that gave them the number one seed in Group ‘A’ having now defeated the three other teams in the group; they have been indomitable at the inaugural event, and looks to be one of the sure title contenders. Drumson McCulley was back to his usual dominance in the paint with a game high 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Drumson McCulley Darrian Lewis continued to be a major part of the team’s offence with his 13 points to support McCulley, who was basically unstoppable off high feeds. Clarence Blackman and Ruel Ritch scored nine points each for South that has been booted from the Championship. (Continued on page 20)
IN THE NIGHT’S FULL RESULTS: Game 1 Alexander Village 1 v/s Durban Street 1 Durban Street won on penalty kicks 3-2 Goal Scorers Alexander Village Shem Porter 16th min Durban Street Jamal Hunte 17th min Game 2 West Front Road 1 v/s Island All Stars 3 Goal Scorers West Front Road Stellon David 29th min Island All Star Eusi Phillips 5th min Orson McCurdy 20th and 27th min Game 3 Back Circle (Team Guyana) 2 v/s Tiger Bay1 Goal Scorer Back Circle
Vincent Thomas 16th min Daniel Favorite 35th min Tiger Bay Keoma Gravesande 22 nd min Game 4 Albouystown 3 v/s Broad Street 0 Goal Scorers Albouystown Andrew Murray 12th and 17th min Shaka John 28th min The competition concludes tomorrow with semi-finals and final action, at the same venue. Starting at 20:00 hrs, Durban Street oppose Back circle (Team Guyana), while at 20:45 hrs Albouystown take on Island All Stars. Those matches will be followed by the third place and final.
ITH less than two months to g o , t h e Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) is looking to make up a $1-million shortfall in sponsorship to stage the Caribbean Area Squash Associations (CASA) Junior Championships. The tournament, which is the premier event in the regional junior squash calendar, is scheduled for July 20-26 at Liguanea Club in New Kingston. The prestigious competition will be contested by 120 junior athletes from eight Caribbean countries. The line-up of players will include the brightest young squash stars from Jamaica and the rest of the region. The athletes will compete in four age groups and a team competition. While host nation Jamaica will be seeking glory on their home court, they will have to get past the defending champions, regional powerhouse, Guyana, and fight off spirited challenges from Trinidad & Tobago, Cayman Islands and Bermuda. With preparations moving into high gear, JSA has already secured some amount of support in both cash and kind. However, an additional $1
million is urgently needed to stage the event. “The Caribbean Junior Squash Championships is an ideal vehicle for companies that are looking to align their brand with an event that will attract a wide cross section of spectators and supporters from Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean,” said JSA President Major John Nelson. “This event will deliver positive brand association with a sport that is growing in Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean, as well as strong brand visibility and positioning particularly in the youth market,” he added. The list of sponsors so far includes Supreme Ventures Ltd, JMMB, Chad Tyres, NEM, and Sun Island. In addition, several food and beverage providers are giving support, including GraceKennedy, Burger King, Dominoes Pizza, Island Grill, Chas E Ramson, Jamaica Macaroni Co, Wisynco, Sun Island, CB Chicken, Jamaica Broilers, Mega Mart, and Honey Bun. “We are pleased that a number of companies have seen the tournament as an attractive sponsorship opportunity; however, we’re urging more local organisations to come on board and take advantage of this unique marketing vehicle,” Nelson said.
t r o Sp
Nationwide Digicel Schools Football Tourney launched
By Rawle Welch With pertinent stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sport and the Guyana Football Federation in attendance, the Second Edition of the Annual Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Tournament was launched, during a simple ceremony yesterday, in the Savannah Suite of Pegasus Hotel. Digicel, the sole sponsor of what is undoubtedly the largest schools football tournament to have ever been conceived, will see 154 schools, a significant increase since last year, participate over a monthlong period for bragging rights as champions and a share of $1million to be divided among the top three finishers for projects of their choice. In attendance at the ceremony were Digicel’s CEO Gregory Dean, Head of Marketing Jacqueline James, Public Relations Manager Shonnet Moore,
Representatives of participating teams pose with Digicel officials, GFF’s Noel Adonis (second left), GTI’s Edward Cort (left) and Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony (centre) yesterday. Events and Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope, Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, Chief Coordinator of the
Competition Lavern FraserThomas, GFF General Secretary Noel Adonis, representative of defending champions GTI Edward Cort and members of Digicel
staff, who will assist in coordinating the tournament. Fraser-Thomas, who opened the remarks segment gave an outline of the
tournament, highlighting some of the changes made including the age of eligibility which is now 17 years and under, while adding that the foremost
intention is promoting the development of the sport and providing opportunities for the students to compete with their peers in a structured (Continued on page 20)
Sammy: Victory essential!
Birmingham, England – Darren Sammy said it was important for West Indies to win the third and final Test against England, starting on Thursday at Edgbaston. The West Indies captain
said his side had become frustrated with playing competitively in recent Tests without being able to carry on and complete victory. “We need to learn to competitive for longer [in
matches],” said Sammy. “If you look at the Tests – not just the last two – but over the last 1 ½ years, it’s just that bad hour or that bad session we keep having that really takes us out of the
game. “If we could concentrate for longer periods, we would be better. We play four-day cricket at home and matches sometimes finish in 2 ½ or three days, so I guess our
concentration span is not as long. He added: “Playing against the No.1-ranked Test side in the World, you have to be at your best throughout the five days. We have only managed to be at our best in patches. “Hopefully, we can have longer sessions of play when we have England on the back-foot and we keep them there. It’s going to be tough, but we have confidence that we can execute.” Sammy added it would also be an important morale boost for the side to win a Test against the No.1-ranked Test side in the World. “We left the Caribbean knowing that beating England was going to be difficult,” he said. “If we could win a Test here in England, it would be a good achievement for this team. We will remind the guys of this and hopefully we can play well over the five days to accomplish this.”
Darren Sammy Sammy strongly hinted that Sunil Narine will make his Test debut. The mohawkshawn off-spinner was an injury replacement for Kemar Roach, when the fast bowler returned home with a shin muscle injury. “Everyone is calling him the ‘mystery’ spinner and he could come in and make an impact for us,” said Sammy. “[England is] a difficult place for spinners to make their debut, but he has a lot up his sleeve and we’re (Continued on page 20)
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