Thursday Edition June 14, 2012 - Vol. 5 No. 23
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Online: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Parliament deadlocked over NICIL Pg 3
Guyana should be proud of NICIL - PPP
Taking state assets and giving it to friends and family is economic sabotage - APNU
If you have nothing to hide, show us the books - AFC
BK Intl. leaves residents in disarray after sea defence works Pg 11
Two residents look at the shaky bridge which has become impassable to vehicles Pg NCN scandal ... GuySuCo National Parks 6 Pg supervisor Goolsaran admits 6 Commission sacks in police depositing $$millions into accountant, clerk, Pg custody 18 for fraud his personal bank account suspends manager
New GPC boss sues K-News for $100M Pg 12
GPC boss
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Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
42 Kilo cocaine bust ...
One on trial, warrant issued for two The three men who were part of a four-man group charged following a huge cocaine bust last November and remanded to prison before being released after their names mysteriously disappeared from the case docket have had the charges reinstituted against them. The men, Canada-based Guyanese Narayan Jarbandhan, 40; Gary Belgrave, 52, and Leo Hernandez, 44, were arrested by the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU). According to the charge, on November 3, at Line Path, Skeldon, Corentyne, Berbice, the four had in their possession 41.856 kilogrammes (92 pounds) of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. The men had pleaded not guilty to the offence. Attorney at law Ramesh Rajkumar had argued that his three clients Jarbandhan, Belgrave and Hernandez were in fact never charged and were locked up wrongfully for a prolonged period. Magistrate Krishndat Persaud had then dismissed the charge. The fourth man, Salim Bacchus, 49 called ‘Black Salim’, of Crabwood Creek, whose name appeared on a separate jacket, was tried and
subsequently freed. It is understood that the names of the three persons appeared on the outside of the other docket but Bacchus’s name was written again on the inside of that one. The men were subsequently recharged. Arrest warrants have been issued but only Jarbandhan has so far been arrested. He appeared at the Whim M a g i s t r a t e ’s C o u r t , yesterday, before Magistrate Fabio Azore, yesterday. The trial began with CANU officer Rayon Samuel who described himself as a surveillance officer giving evidence. He informed the court about the role he played in the investigation. When court adjourned the witness was being crossed examined by defence attorney Ramesh Rajkumar. In the meanwhile Mr. Rajkumar stated that CANU is not being truthful in stating that an arrest warrant has been issued for Bacchus. He said that as far as he is informed, Bacchus has not been recharged; no warrant or bulletin has been issued for his client’s arrest. Rajkumar stated that as far as he knows his client’s case was dismissed. He is also aware that the state has filed an appeal. When the charge was originally read to the quartet, CANU Prosecutor Oswald Massiah had told the court that Jarbandhan was charged with a similar offence committed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) while he was travelling to Canada, some time during 2009. He was charged after allegedly being caught with 2.553 kilogrammes of cocaine in a false compartment of his suitcase. At the time, his address was given as Lot 11 Gordon Street, Kitty and he was described as a clothing trader.
Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
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Parliament deadlocked over NICIL Guyana should be proud of NICIL - PPP Taking state assets and giving it to friends and family is economic sabotage - APNU If you have nothing to hide, show us the books - AFC By Gary Eleazar “The resources of Guyana are quite extensive and yet in reality the economic performances that we have experienced have been less than sterling… The problem of the management of the national assets is what we are seeking to deal with here,” said A Partnership for National Unity’s Carl Greenidge. He was speaking on his motion on the use and management of state assets particularly those under the aegis of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited. The debate on the motion was inconclusive because the National Assembly had to be adjourned for time. As such the debate is expected to be concluded today when the sitting resumes and the motion is voted on. Greenidge told the House prior to the adjournment, that
it is a lack of accountability and transparency that triggered the motion. He reiterated that it is a significant amount of national resources being managed by NICIL hence APNU’s call for the House to make arrangements for “an independent financial audit of the operations of NICIL as well as the Privatization Unit.” Greenidge drew reference to the most recent (2004) report on NICIL and asserted that between then and now several billion dollars in assets have been passing in and out of the NICIL accounts. Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh rubbished the resolution clauses in the motion, describing them as vague, “fundamentally flawed and without reasonable basis.” He further lambasted what he called “nothing short of a vulgar attack” on NICIL and its Executive Director,
Winston Brassington. Dr Singh further charged that Guyanese should be proud of NICIL and its achievement especially given the in house expertise of Brassington. He pointed specifically to the Public/Private transaction for the Berbice Bridge. The Finance Minister further charged that the vulgar attacks on NICIL and Brassington, particularly from the AFC, are baseless. He also said that the motion should not have even been considered since it speaks to drawing from the Consolidated Fund for which a motion under the constitution is not empowered to do. Prime Minister Sam Hinds said that he is unclear about the intent of the motions taken to the House by Greenidge and pointed out that a lot of the information requested is already publicly available. Further, there is the Economic Services Committee which is
Woman vanishes after dumping fetus in city hotel bin Police are currently looking for a woman who dumped a fetus in a garbage bin at a city hotel early yesterday morning before fleeing. According to reports, around 7:00 hours yesterday, employees at a hotel in central Georgetown found a fetus in a bin. A man who works at the hotel was about to empty the garbage when he made the gruesome discovery. The matter was immediately reported and police were called into the hotel. A source close to the investigation revealed that after the police arrived a man who was staying at the hotel indicated that he may know who was responsible for dumping the fetus. The man told investigators that he and his reputed
wife had a misunderstanding and she had threatened to get rid of their unborn child. According to reports the woman was a regular visitor to the hotel and her reputed husband would visit her there. The man has since indicated that he was not aware that the woman made good on her threat until he saw police ranks at the hotel. This publication was told that the woman hails from Bartica and she may have fled the city for that location. Undertakers from the Lyken Funeral Home were also called in and the fetus was removed. Sources say the fetus appeared to be no more than three months old. Up to press time yesterday the man was still in police
custody assisting with investigation while police were trying to locate the woman. About two months ago another woman left a dead baby in a plastic bag at the Berbice car park. According to initial reports the woman left a black bag in a taxi saying she was going to a nearby food outlet. After waiting for some time and the woman failed to return the driver decided to give the bag to another taxi driver telling him to give it to the woman upon her return. However, the other taxi driver inspected the bag and found a dead baby girl in it. He raised an alarm and police were summoned. To date the police are yet to locate the mother of that baby.
Ashni Singh
Carl Greenidge
Khemraj Ramjattan
available to Greenidge. Hinds spoke of the government and NICIL’s adherence to the Policy Paper which he reminded is a publicly available document. APNU Parliamentarian, Keith Scott, in amplifying the opposition arguments for the need of a financial probe, accountability and transparency at NICIL said, “Leaders who are tasked with managing the resources of a nation are required to do so with transparent and full accountability.” Scott continued to blast the operations of the Government-owned holding company. “To use your acquired skills to enrich your friend and family is to engage in economic sabotage of a country.” Scott pointed to China’s approach. He spoke of the official who was sentenced to death for accepting bribes from China Harbour Engineering Company which has been granted a contract for the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. “China deals with these vagabonds by executing them,” said Scott as he attempted to point to what he calls rascality at the National Communication Network, one of the companies that fall under NICIL. He warned that corruption occurs in all countries rich and poor but thrives in an environment where controls are loose, where civil
society is not represented and where inequality abounds. Scott pointed out that Guyana is yet to prosecute anyone for economic crimes despite international reports casting the country in a bad light when it comes to corruption. As he was about to be upbraided by the House for the use of the word corruption, Scott sought to explain, “We can use corruption to describe the lack of accountability and transparency,” and essentially warned that continued inequality in the distribution of wealth leads to civil unrest. “NICIL and PU control the state assets that are privatized on our behalf,” said Scott as he expounded that “ownership resides in the people,” and as such the administrators of NICIL have to give detailed reports to the peoples’ representatives in the House. He spoke of the fact that lands are being sold with no publication of the prices and valuation used to determine the value of the assets disposed of. He drew reference to the plot of land sold at Ruimveldt Industrial Site. Housing and Water Minister, Irfaan Ali, in his presentation to the House chose to lambast the combined opposition. He spoke of the time when the PNC’s public accountability was brought into question as it relates to the disposal of
state assets. Ali charged that the current administration is, without question, adhering to the policies of transparency. He sought to explain why the consolidated reports for NICIL have been lagging behind. Alliance for Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan lambasted the government and its defence of NICIL. “If there is nothing to hide, then show us the books.” He said that the rancor which was generated as a result of the motion demonstrated an unwillingness on the part of the administration to provide the details requested. Ramjattan said that the objective was simple and should the administration be interested in accountability then it would not have any problem providing the information whether it at times involved duplicity. He argued, “If you say nothing wrong and there is no corruption then clearly you can show us the books.” Ramjattan queried what is wrong with requesting of the Minister, information which the NICIL Executive Director (continued on page 9)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday June 14, 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
The young criminal demands attention Some time back we noted that the face of crime is getting younger. The men who are the gun criminals and the bold face chain grabbers and even those who attack people in their homes are either in their teens or barely out of their teens. Many of them failed to take advantage of the academic programmes to which they were exposed. Indeed there are many who are simply not academically inclined but for the most part the teachers are the ones who contribute to the delinquency. They are too quick to ignore the problem child and even quicker to announce that they are not prepared to confront parents. At the same time the child has no role model within the school system. There is a paucity of the male teacher who once held the school population firmly together. This time around there are even more distractions. Television has brought what passes for North American culture into the homes and so we now have gang violence. Schoolboys talk about Bloods and Crips, names that have no meaning whatsoever to the Guyanese. They follow what they believe are the rituals, some of them so far out that one is left to wonder at the extent of depravity in this world. It is not that gangs are endemic or unique to Guyana but with its small population the impact is bound to be more severe. We believe that the present spate of crimes involving the young is merely an extension of the grouping established in school and made concrete by the lengthy association. Earlier this week the police shot and killed a young man who was part of a group that had attacked and robbed a currency changer on America Street. A simple piece of research uncovered his sordid past. As a 19-year-old he attacked a group of young people studying in the Botanical Gardens. He was arrested and charged. A few months later he became a repeat criminal. This time his victim was a girl with a laptop computer. He attacked her and when she resisted he shot her. No one is born a criminal. Certain circumstances lead people along that path and one circumstance is undoubtedly an absence of parental supervision. For this young man to die the way he did begs the question about the motivation of the young. There have been many young men in recent times who have been declared among the most wanted for crimes in the society. There were the young gunmen in Buxton a few years ago. When a police raiding party caught up with some, it turned out that more than a few were no older than sixteen years. “Skinny” was still a teenager when the entire country knew of him and shuddered. He too died violently as did his accomplice, Rondell Rawlins. The people who gunned down the five Kaieteur News pressmen were described as no more than children. And indeed they were very young. The list goes on. Another young man not yet out of his teen is languishing in jail for murder and other crimes. Something needs to be done; the other countries are busy fashioning programmes because they are faced with the same problems. Yet, the extent to which the young are involved in crimes in some of those countries have not reached the levels to which Guyanese have become accustomed—if one could ever get accustomed to crime. It has not escaped notice that the extended family is no more, or certainly not as prominent as it once was. It has also not escaped notice that while the young criminals are more common in the city, the incidence of youth crimes is very low in the rural areas where the communities still hold on to the responsibility that it must rear every child. There is no quick fix. There is also no shortcut. We notice that the youthful criminals come from the depressed communities. It may be necessary for the government and civil society to begin to focus serious attention at these communities. It may cost a lot but there is money to undertake the restoration of the society. It can never be too costly to juvenile crime.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GGMC
DEAR EDITOR, Congratulations to Commissioner Karen Livan and her management team who,with the support of Chairman Joe Singh, Maj. Gen. (rtd), and the Board of Directors, have once again demonstrated the effective leadership skills necessary to achieve a successful first surveillance audit of the Land Management Department’s ISO 9001:2008 quality management system (QMS). It’s an achievement that should make us all proud as it supports President Ramotar’s vision of having accountability, efficient processes and effective management for all government agencies. In the months leading up to the surveillance audit in March 2012, Commissioner Livan adroitly aligned, motivated, and inspired her staff to embrace the necessary ISO 9001:2008 process effectiveness thinking and culture changes based on the application of Lean principles, Six Sigma concepts, and the Baldrige Core Values. Recognition ought to be given to Deputy Commissioner Kampta Persaud; the Quality Manager, Mr. Wendell Alleyne;the Audit Manager, Mr. Arthur Gibbs; the Finance manager, Mr. George Scotland; the Management Representative, Ms. Faye Prescott; the Quality Coordinators Ms. Thandi Seaforth and Ms. Melissa George; and all of the Land Management Department staff who made significant contributions to the Effectiveness Review and Management Review reports in preparation for the surveillance audit. The Quality Manager, Mr. Wendell Alleyne, must also be recognized for his critical contributions to the time sensitive responses to SGS’ findings. His persistence and dedication to the processes leading to the identification of root causes ensured GGMC’s submission of corrective actions within the ninety days period specified by SGS. SGS’ surveillance audit approval represents GGMC’s continued commitment to improvements in key processes designed to meet its customers’ expectations. Almost from its inception, critics have challenged the need for ISO 9001 as a quality management tool for the Land Management Department processes. The criticisms were aimed at the perceived disconnect between GGMC’s then ad-hoc record keeping under its traditional hierarchical, command and control structure and ISO
9001’s plethora of documentation requirements. From the legal perspective, however, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Chairman Webster and Commissioner Woolford saw documentation as a major asset of ISO 9001, providing records and internal controls that would define a trail from customer request to delivery of permits, licences and permission, and all steps in between; with the trail assuming massive importance when customer disappointment goes to court. The LSSRIM process recognized the importance of corporate values and philosophies within GGMC’s culture that defined its managerial style and work ethic. Since the most influential people at the GGMC were in top management the expectation was for them to make continuous business improvement part of the culture by setting the necessary rules and exemplary behaviour for others to follow. Leadership commitment from the top was an essential prerequisite for success. Quality and performance metrics were used to identify and execute sixteen projects over a two-year period. To satisfy the human resource requirement of the projects, over forty senior staff were trained on LSSRIM. One stated goal of LSSRIM was to communicate, with
great unction, the Vision, Mission, Core Values and strategic objectives at all levels of the organization. The first ISO 9001 surveillance audit by SGS identified three minor nonconformances. Top management determined the root cause of each finding, developed a training plan and executed the training in response to the root causes. They also recognized the resistance–to-change challenges affecting quality and committed to use the weekly management review and reporting processes to manage both the culture changes and critical-tosuccess quality objectives needed to sustain the quality management system. In short, all is not perfect at the GGMC. However, its leadership is working assiduously to achieve a customer centric and effectiveness driven organization. The Mines Division has
frequently been the focus of complaints centered on the performance of the Mines Division processes and the ethics of the Mines Officers. Last March, with more than seventy percent of the work completed, the programme was put on hold pending a review by Minister Robert Persaud. The review process by the Minister is the right first step in his new position as Minister of Natural Recourses. The key next step, however, is to support a dynamic and engaged learning culture firmly rooted in his values and the core values of the organization. Once again, congratulations to Minister Persaud, Chairman Joe Singh, Maj. Gen. (rtd), the GGMC Board of Directors, Commissioner Karen Livan and all of GGMC’s staff for successfully achieving the important first surveillance audit milestone. Owen Ramsay
A sad and sorry state of affairs DEAR EDITOR, From media reports, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will shortly be moving all of its branches into a new location (Clico Building) on Camp Street. This is laudable as it should make the administration of this important agency more effective.
Information at hand suggests a staff of 800-odd persons. I have not done an analysis, but it is safe to assume that at least 1/3 of the staff use motor vehicles to get to and from work. Vehicles they most likely use for family transportation to take their (Continued on page 5)
When we fail to follow instructions we end up paying DEAR EDITOR, I regret not visiting the “Bounty Supermarket, Water Street” and making a purchase as I was instructed to do by a recovering patient who handed me $2000 to get her some fruits from that supermarket on Monday, June 11, 2012. Having had to dwell in the downtown area around the Stabroek Market, for no particular reason I decided to go over to the fruit vendors’ area close to the KFC building to make that purchase of the fruits. I approached female vendor #1 and made enquiries about the price for a pineapple and she said to me that her price is $300. I didn’t like the price so I looked over to female vendor #2 - her next door neighbour - and her advertising price on a cardboard read $260 and it was actually the same in size as the one from vendor #1. I just felt that vendor number#1 wasn’t too happy. I said to vendor #2 that I needed a pineapple and
handed her a $1000 bill and before she handed me back the change, I asked her if I took two pineapples, would she take $500 for both of them and she agreed and handed me the two pineapples. After a few seconds went by and me standing in front of the stall for my change of $500, I requested to have my change. Lo and behold, this woman began to literally shout towards me and claim that I only gave her $500 and the thousand-dollar bill she has in front of her is from some woman that gave it to her. For a moment I thought she was joking, but it was when her ‘neighbour’ (vendor #1) butted in and also to her loudest came in defence and said that indeed the thousand bill vendor #2 had is from some woman that gave it to her, that I realised I was blatantly conned by these two vendors who apparently work hand in hand to fleece customers. The noble words I left with vendor #2 were that “I
hope you have a great life with that $500.” Little do these two barefaced bandits know that, I have for many years been a “Tourism Advocate” for Guyana and all of us are to benefit in many ways whenever tourists visit. If this is their behaviour, one just has to wonder if we will ever move towards the better. I say to the foreign nationals based in Guyana and to the visiting ones, stay far away from those fruit vendors who sell in front of or at the side of the downtown KFC building..I can’t foresee myself supporting that particular area of fruit vending. Upon reaching my destination, I related to the recovering patient about the ordeal/experience and her words to me were that, “I instructed you to go purchase fruits for me from the Bounty Supermarket...Water Street” and never did she say from the fruit vendors I had a shocking experience with. T. Pemberton
Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
The transmission of political power DEAR EDITOR, I am not a politician, but I did make a contribution to the process in the 2011 election which helped to create a parliament in which the winonly attitude of the ruling party came to an end. Before the 2011 elections, the ruling party with its majority always showed respect to the parliamentary procedures and accepted its decision. The combined opposition did the same. However, the 2011 election results brought a change of power, giving the combined opposition an opportunity to be heard and respected. This God-given transition, to my mind, cleared the way for the win- win solution to be utilized. The cutting of the budget could have been avoided had the ruling party taken the transition of power seriously and given the combined opposition the intellectual respect deserved through
accepting the inclusive suggestions at the beginning of the process. But the nature of the ruling party with its winonly attitude for so long took the combined opposition for granted and suffered its first budget defeat after so many years of success. Having been convinced of the changes in the Tenth parliament, the ruling party decided to use the consent for its continuation of the winonly attitude. For this reason, I shall quote the words said a few years ago by US Senator Fulbright, a democrat and Lawyer by profession. “There is going to be a terrible backlash through the Supreme Court. You can’t change society too much through the courts. Most of it has to come through the political system, even if it takes longer, it is more likely to stick.” Lennox A. Whyte
A sad and sorry... From page 4 children to school and other relatives who work in the city. So, we can expect at least 250 vehicles going to this place daily; add the public and the number increases. The big question is, where will they park these vehicles? I have complained ad nauseam about Central Government’s failure to accept Professor Akbar Khan’s proposal as contained in the Greater Georgetown Development Plan, to address the question of Parking in Georgetown and congestion in the City; so you have massive buildings going up in Camp Street, Regent Street, Robb Street and elsewhere, and, in spite of my pleadings, the proposal requiring every new developer to provide on the ground floor some minimum parking facility for staff and customers have been ignored.
The action to be taken requires the intervention and cooperation of Central Government. Why nothing is being done is an indictment against an administration that seems hell bent on punishing a city because it has failed to obtain the political support of the majority of Georgetown residents. This is a sad and sorry state of affairs. Hamilton Green, J.P.
AN UNNECESSARY CRITICISM
DEAR EDITOR, On Saturday 2 June, 2012, Kaieteur News published a picture on its front page which showed a man beating a woman. This picture was published at a time when the intensity of male violence against women has increased. Kaieteur News in its editorial of 6 June, 2012 http:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2012/06/06/men-beatingwomen/ said that their intention “was to bring home the seriousness of the disorder: it was not something that we should read about and then mutter “Tsk!Tsk!” Something has to be done.” Kaieteur News seems not to understand that the objection to the photograph is not because people want to hide from the violence; the violence exists around us. The objection to the photograph is that Kaieteur News has, probably unintentionally, removed more power from the woman to deal with her situation as she chooses. What is worse is that Kaieteur News itself might be guilty of what it accuses others of doing – just observing.
Was a report made to the police? What did the police do? Was the man charged? If not, why not? Guyana’s National Domestic Violence Policy states that “The safety and well being of those who are victims of domestic violence must be the first priority for any response.” Again, has the man been charged? Are the woman and any other vulnerable family members safe? SASOD’s work with survivors of violence includes a reality that many survivors want to be healed and get over the trauma. Some might not want to go through an unfriendly police and justice system. The organisations in Guyana who have been working on gender-based violence can
work with Kaieteur News and other media to show how to help to deal with this problem without causing stigma to any person who might not want their story told. SASOD agrees with the KN editorial that “Females and males are all equal and must be given the autonomy to make their own decisions.” If KN does not understand that the survivor of the violence must give permission for her story to be told and be able to decide what next steps to make then its editorial standpoint will only seek to reverse what it
seems to want to set out to do. The rights of the survivors are paramount when dealing with genderbased violence or any other kind of violence. Richard Pitman, Renuka Anandjit, Christel Mittleholzer, Joel Simpson and Ryon Rawlins for SASOD EDITOR’S NOTE: The Human Services Ministry was taken to the home with a view to arresting the man; taken there by the Kaieteur News reporter and photographer.
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NCN scandal… Investigations into the major scandal at the stateowned National Communications Network (NCN) have revealed shocking details of how one senior official collected millions of dollars in cheques from an advertiser and placed it into his personal bank account. The disclosure was made by suspended Programme Manager, Martin Goolsarran, in a report earlier this week to the NCN Board of Directors, well placed sources have confirmed. Last Friday, Goolsarran, a longstanding broadcaster, was suspended amidst revelations that monies were collected for NCN and never placed in the bank accounts of that entity. The probe was triggered earlier this year by claims from NCN’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohamed Sattaur, that the entity raked in more than $500M in revenues last year. The disclosures were made during heated debates in Parliament over an $80M subsidy to NCN by Government. An upset opposition had accused NCN and the Government Information
Kaieteur News
Goolsarran admits depositing millions$$$ into personal bank account
Martin Goolsarran News Agency (GINA) of reporting bias in favour of the government. The $80M subsidy was reduced to $1, leading to protests by both GINA and NCN. Along with this startling disclosure, there were also questions about the operations of NCN after a number of complaints reached the board that cameramen and other production crew of that stateowned agency were not paid for work done in last year’s highly successful GT&T Jingle and Song Competition. The board had started an investigation and last Friday sent home Goolsarran.
National Parks Commission sacks accountant, clerk, suspends manager Two officials of the Accounts Department of the National Parks Commission (NPC) have been dismissed amidst an investigation over missing monies and a number of other irregularities. That state-run agency’s Manager, Yolanda Vasconcellos, has also been suspended for three days for being “delinquent” with her duties, NPC’s officials say. Kaieteur News was told that Mohanlall Ramrattan, the Accountant, and Hemchand John, a Clerk, were both given marching orders recently. Officials also confirmed that the police are investigating and an audit is
Thursday June 14, 2012
underway. NPC is charged with managing the National Park, the Zoological Gardens and the Kaieteur National Park. The Commission has been under a financial strain in recent times with plans underway to revamp the operations at the Zoo and National Park. According to well-placed sources, Vasconcellos was mandated to carry out a number of tasks critical to the turnaround of NPC but failed to meet targets. Deputy Manager, Soren Griffith, will be acting as Manager until the return of Vasconcellos.
A well-placed source in NCN said that Goolsarran was required to explain his role in the collection of monies from Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company which had hosted the show. Goolsarran reportedly said that between September and December 2011, NCN committed to record and broadcast the show which was being held in various parts of the country. However, NCN later determined it could not handle the job and decided to hire Hits and Jams Television (HJTV) to do the production. Goolsarran claimed that the NCN’s CEO, Mohamed Sattaur, was fully aware of the deal and even approved it. When it came time for payments to HJTV, Goolsarran claimed that GT&T issued cheques on two
separate occasions in his name. These were deposited to his account and cash to the tune of $3,930,000 was withdrawn and paid over to HJTV on two separate occasions. Kaieteur News understands that there was a cash payment to Hits and Jams Entertainment of $1.95 million in December and another of $1.98 million in January this year. This amounted to $3.93 million. He named Wanita Hubern as the liaison between GT&T and NCN. Goolsarran also reportedly said that GT&T owes another $3.6M for the work done. Kaieteur News also understands that GT&T has started its own checks to determine how Goolsarran could have been paid personally since he never in the first place had
the authority to encumber NCN without being the CEO. In short he created a debt for the company. Sources at NCN had claimed over the weekend that the CEO was also under probe. There were calls for him to be off the job as his presence may impede the ongoing investigations. There have been accusations of widespread wrongdoing and little accountability with even staffers claiming deliberate flouting of controls. There were questions over the purchase of a multimillion-dollar Outside Broadcast vehicle, which is presently lying unused in the compound following its acquisition several months ago. It is down for the want of several important
components. The old radio Outside Broadcast vehicle is presently gathering moss in another section of the NCN compound. According to one source, an independent investigation will also reveal that the company may have purchased reconditioned cameras instead of brand new ones as documented in their budgetary requests. A few years ago Sattaur, who is also the administrator of a number of the ruling PPP’s entities including Red House and Heritage House, was suspended by the NCN board of directors headed by Dr. Prem Misir following claims of insubordination. However, he was reinstated by the then President Bharrat Jagdeo who had intervened in the matter.
Ministry of Human Services seeks to further reduce domestic Violence
Guyana’s resources only enough to eke - Police cite reason why victims aren’t taken seriously Following a rash of effort to impart values of blood down their faces; we out a living domestic killings, the respect for women. There is would go to the house and Ministry of Human Services nothing that a woman can do make an arrest, next day, she - PM Hinds and Social Security is to give her assailant the right come begging for the same Prime Minister Samuel Hinds who up until the creation of the Ministry of Natural Resources was responsible for the mining sector, last evening informed the National Assembly of Guyana that the resources believed to exist in Guyana are not as bountiful as some believe. He was at the time responding to former Finance Minister Carl Greenidge who told the House that the past 50 years of economic development for Guyana does not reflect the level or resources available to the country. The duo was at the time wrangling over a motion tabled by Greenidge on the management and use of State assets particularly those held in the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).
exploring ways to decrease the scourge. A Ministry official told Kaieteur News yesterday that the Ministry finds the need to “immediately strengthen and formulate programmes aimed at effectively addressing domestic violence.” The official said that the Minister plans to recommence national consultation on sexual and domestic violence. “The Ministry cannot do anything about a woman being beaten in her home if we have no knowledge of it, so the suppression of domestic violence rests in the hands of the abused, neighbours, police and us Ministry personnel… Therefore a holistic approach is needed,” stated the official. “Much is needed to be done at the grassroot levels; parents should make a special
to hit her.” “Verbal abuse is one thing but whenever it gets physical, even at its first stage, it is a cause for concern,” said the Ministry official. In this regard, the Ministry continues to work with male-dominated sport clubs across the country. Kaieteur News has learnt that over the past two years, the Ministry has been conducting continuous works with the “Men’s Affairs Bureau”. Some women are not taken seriously when they report domestic incidents. A police source disclosed that, that occurs simply because on numerous occasions, abused women make reports then beg for the release of their abusers after they may have been arrested. “Lots of times women would come to the station with
man.” The officer recounted an incident that occurred while he was a station officer. A young lady-not older than 23- ran into the station with her three-year-old son slung across her hip as she escaped her reputed husband. According to him the woman explained that she ran out of the house with her son to rid herself of the brutality. Soon after, ranks brought himthe abuser- into the station. The officer said that while the abuser explained that he “manners” her because she gave his son cold porridge, he said that he was sorry, and leaned to kiss her. “You know that girl kissed that man with blood running down the side of her face!!” The officer revealed that cases like those cause the police to sometimes be apprehensive about arresting domestic abusers.
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Kaieteur News
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Prosecution closes T&T team brought in to salvage overturned Neesa Gopaul PI cargo vessel …still no sign of missing cook
Bibi Gopaul and Jarvis Small Following the testimony of policewoman, Jennifer Somrah, yesterday, state prosecutor in the Preliminary Inquiry into the death of Queen’s College student Nessa Lalita Gopaul, indicated that she has concluded her case against mother of the deceased, Bibi Gopaul and Jarvis Small, a gym instructor identified as the mother’s lover. The two are charged with the murder of the teen. The killing reportedly took place on October 3, 2010.
Somrah who was identified as the policewoman who reportedly took certain information from the deceased prior to her death, returned to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to testify. She presented statements to the court while being led by state prosecutor Priteema Kissoon. The statements were accepted by the court but Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos, who is representing Small, objected to the tendering of the (Continued on page 19)
By Zena Henry Almost a week after the boat accident that left one seaman missing, reportedly trapped in a capsized cargo vessel midway in the Demerara River, measures are still being put in place to salvage the toppled vessel and recover the absent cook. This is according to boat owner, Fijai Sankar. The East Bank Essequibo resident said that earlier this week a team from Trinidad and Tobago was brought in to estimate the cost of salvaging the capsized boat. He added that the team is contemplating the manner in which they could pull up the boat. Sankar said that a report from the Trinidadian team is expected tomorrow. To date, the Miss Ellisa remains a sunken wreck west
of the Demerara ships channel within the Port Georgetown Harbour. Trader goods valued at millions of dollars were aboard the capsized boat but Sankar said that it would be useless to try to salvage the goods. “The goods are spoilt; it makes no sense thinking about that.” Sankar said that previous discussions with Public Works Minister Robeson Benn revealed that discussions would be held with cabinet members about upturning the boat. The man said that the Minister had assured him that he would speak with the members in relation to helping him pull up the vessel and transporting it out of the way of water traffic. Sankar also said that
searches are still ongoing for the missing cook. The boat owner told Kaieteur News that on Wednesday persons were again looking for 67-year-old Gerald Fraser. Divers were deployed while searches were conducted above water along the wharf, in an effort to retrieve the cook’s floating body if that was the case. Sankar was however unable to say how soon the boat could be righted and towed to the wharf. Commenting on the cook’s family, Sankar said that he personally made contact with the cook’s wife and ensured her that much is being done to find Fraser. He further said that he assured the family that he will bear all funeral cost if necessary and some compensation will be
provided to assist the family. Fraser ’s family is challenging the explanation provided for the cook being trapped in the vessel. The relatives however said that they are concerned about the man’s body not yet being recovered. One woman who identified herself as the missing cook’s niece said that “now is not the time to talk about money.” The woman said that one cannot speak about funeral if the body cannot be found. She also said that the family’s main concern is getting Fraser’s body to bring some closure to the family. The woman continued that her uncle is one of triplets. She said her mother and her (Continued on page 19)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday June 14, 2012
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
The US policy of regime change in Syria and Iran is unrealistic DEAR EDITOR, The US policy of regime change in Syria and Iran is unrealistic. It will only lead to more mayhem in the Middle East. The US demands that the Bashar Al-Assad’s regime confines its army and police forces to the barracks is brainless. Who will take their place as the country spins into sectarian violence? The US and its Sunni Gulf Kingdoms, led by Saudi Arabia, want to impose a Sunni Wahabi dictatorship that will make Syria look like Iraq when the US invaded
that country. However, this will be worse. Lebanon will naturally spin out of control dragging Israel and Hezbollah into the conflict. The United States of America learned nothing from the security void it created during the invasion of Iraq. But Russia and China quickly ended the US seeking United Nations Security Council condemnation of Syria, which many saw as a pretext to invade Syria. Looking at the issues addressed in the paragraphs above, one can understand
why many CARICOM/ALBA member-nations aren’t willing to support the US/Saudi emotional crusade of seeking regime change in Syria and Iran. In assessing the situation in Syria, Stabroek News failed to question the responsibility of the Sunni Gulf monarchs for the death of many Syrians. SN should take into account the highly emotional venom that Sunnis hold towards Shias, which I was witness to, having lived in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf for over four years.
These kingdoms import Sunnis from Baluchistan, Pakistan, to change the population demographics and, more significantly, recruit them into their armies. Hence, in order to break the Iran/Syria alliance that existed since the 1960s, Sunni monarchs are openly flaunting, sending weapons and mercenaries into Syria. The Washington Post reported that “Syrian rebels battling the regime of President Bashar al-Assad have begun receiving significantly more and better weapons in recent weeks, an effort paid for by Persian Gulf nations and coordinated in part by the United States, according to opposition activists and US and foreign officials.” Russia publically called on Saudi Arabia and Qatar to stop sending weapons and mercenaries into Syria. Syria has a significant Shia population and its ally, Iran, is overwhelmingly Shia. Ordinary Sunnis in the region
do not consider Shia Iranians Muslims, and they openly vent this to the point of calling for the annihilation of the Iranian nation. Now imagine, you have Talibaneducated Sunni mercenaries sent to Syria by Saudi Arabia? This sends shivers down the spine of secular Syrian Muslims and Christians. Sadly, the US in its quest for cheap oil from the Saudis continues to support the Saudi government in its quest to overthrow Bashar Al-Assad. The US will find itself soon in a bigger bloodbath between Sunnis and Shia that will engulf the region from the Persian Gulf to India. And India should be very careful not to fall for the new US rapprochement and its offer of a security pact with New Delhi. That could drag India into the Sunni/Shia debacle. India has lived with ancient and modern Iran as peaceful neighbours. India could possibly be home to the third largest Shia population
in the world today. Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf States fail to understand that empires come and go and that they will have to live with Iran in a world where the US and the EU’s political and economic power is in decline. Condemnation of the Syrian regime killing civilians from the West is loud, but the media is yet to expose the many Sunni weapons and mercenaries sent by Saudi Arabia to fight the Bashar AlAssad government. And why is the media not asking the US for its post Bashar Al-Assad plan for Syria? You just can’t enter the Middle East and topple governments without a political solution in place. Libya was a piece of cake for them, but Syria and Iran won’t be. The West should listen to Russia and let Moscow take the lead in finding a political solution to the Syrian crisis and that must include the involvement of Iran. Ray Chickrie
Thursday June 14, 2012
The very opposition which inexplicably passed the CJIA extension project during the debate on the 2012 Budget is now expected to take a leading role in questioning the decision to engage a Chinese firm to undertake the construction works. Instead of vetoing this project because of the lack of transparency, the opposition was more concerned with the proposed Marriot Hotel for which no veto was necessary since this project is not utilizing monies from the Consolidated Fund. Presented with the opportunity to question why there was a secret signing in agreement and to seek further details of the project, the opposition was equally more preoccupied with demonstrating the power that they believe they have under a new dispensation. They are now turning the National Assembly in a
Kaieteur News
motion- passing body. At each sitting some motion is passed. Each sitting it is motions and more motions. Yet, the opposition is yet to veto any of the major projects that have attracted controversy including the airport extension project. It is also helpless in stopping the proposed Marriot Hotel project. The very fact that there was a last hour signing of an agreement in Jamaica; that this signing took place without public notification in Guyana; that it occurred just prior to a national election; and that no disclosure was forthcoming about the due diligence that was conducted on the selected contractor; the fact that even before the Budget was approved there had been concerns expressed about the track record of the contractor in Jamaica, should have led to an immediate veto of this project by the opposition using its parliamentary majority.
There is now the opportunity to put things right. There is now the opportunity for the opposition to demand that the government justify the extension works at CJIA and to explain how the extension of the airport is going to benefit the economy and the basis of any such opinion. Why should Guyana be contracting more than US$150M on one project alone when no case has so far been made out as to the economic benefits that will be forthcoming by this extension? Guyana has had a terrible experience with the Skeldon Sugar Factory. The factory has been plagued by difficulties and has virtually made redundant the sugar turn around plan which was heavily based on the anticipated superior performance of the factory for which some US$200M was spent. At this stage it is not clear whether this factory will become a white elephant and whether it will gain
a companion in the extension works that are being proposed for the CJIA. There has been suggestion that this project is going to be investigated. Well what needs to be investigated is not the project since the works have not yet commenced. What needs to be investigated is the decision to enter into this venture and the signing of the contract. The government needs to make two cases. The first should be about the viability of this extension. Who will it benefit and how will it pay back for itself?, will be the two central questions that the government should answer. The second case that has to be made, concerns the selection of the contractor. While the government is claiming that it was obligated to use a Chinese contractor, there has been no explanation as to how the contractor was chosen. The government therefore
Ituni parents lock teachers in school Residents of Ituni on Monday and Tuesday took to the streets in an effort to call the attention of the Ministry of Education to their present ‘predicament.’ “We will fight for what we need; for too long Ituni Village was excluded off de map!” One parent shouted. Another declared, “Development must come to ituni that’s why we want our young people back!”
On Monday, parents converged outside the Howell Wilson Primary School bearing placards condemning the Ministry’s decision to discontinue the Secondary department at the School, without consulting them. Yesterday, they took the protest a little further by locking the gates to the school, ‘to get the Ministry’s attention.’ Both teachers and
Dem boys seh ...
Donald in more trouble When people throw brick ah hog pen de one that holler ah de one wha get knock. One Bobby holler and file lawsuit. Bobby Marley did sing who de cap fit let dem wear it and another Bobby decide fuh wear it. Dem boys wid de help of de Creator and big Uncle Sam gun mek sure he nah only wear de cap alone. He guh also wear de pumpkin jumpsuit. Dem boy nah frighten suit. Dem never wear one, dem never plan fuh wear one, except fuh a track suit and Bobby socks. But dem boys hope and pray to de Creator that dem nah get a lawsuit fuh wearing Bobby socks. One Bobby claim that de Waterfalls paper want bring down de Hard Times paper wha nobody does read. Dem boys want ask he if de paper ever been up anyway that anybody would want to bring am down. Is nuff thing coming to light now and is not dem boys saying suh. Is people talking. Dem talk how Hen See Hen got a bunch of thief, till one big one admit banking de people money in he account. Dem got wholesale thief at de sugar place, one li’l one deh in custody. De big ones name gun call soon. National Park got another set of thief. Two get send home. Dem boys want fuh know where else we gun hear about tomorrow? Is it at de radio station? Dem boys hear that de station a mek two million dollar a day. Well if dem a mek suh much how much gone from deh? Somebody talk quick leh dem boys hear. Dem people got to talk before a judge shut dem boys up. Remember dem boys talk ‘bout how Jagdeo friend sell some li’l, li’l tube medicine fuh six times de retail value to de government. If government tek money and give dem friends in that manner people mustn’t talk, or else dem does get lawsuit. In fact nobody must talk. If Bobby and he kava-kamites dem really believe that lawsuit gun shut dem boys up dem better think again. Uncle Donald done whisper that he gun join in and talk fuh rain, he gun talk fuh sun. He gun talk fuh everything and everybody. Talk half and wait fuh another lawsuit.
students remained locked in until after 15:00hrs when the parents opened the gates. The peeved parents complained that several calls to the Education Department in Linden, to voice their concerns went unanswered. According to the parents, the decision by the Ministry to ‘do away’ with the secondary department at the school, which is the only school in Ituni, has placed untold hardships on parents and children who have to now attend secondary schools in far-flung areas such as Linden and Kwakwani. “This situation where these children have to now go to schools in Linden and Kwakwani is putting a lot of hardships on us; and on top of that the condition at these dorms where these children are housed is far from satisfactory. Further, at eleven and twelve years old these children are way too young to be on their own. The Ministry has to come up with something. We need answers. September is just around the corner and we need to know what will happen
then,” one concerned parent declared. Parents are demanding that the Secondary Competence Certificate Programme (SCCP) be established in Ituni, which would benefit their children. According to them the school has the accommodation and necessary resources to make this possible. They are threatening that if they don’t get a positive response from the Education Department urgently, they will take further action. Meanwhile, informed sources at the Education department acknowledged that there is nothing that could be done about the decision to discontinue the Secondary department. “We are not going to retrogress, we are progressing. We already told the residents at Ituni, that continuing with the secondary department was not a good idea, as their children would not be able to access the best possible education, considering the prevailing circumstances,” an education official told this newspaper.
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needs to inform the people of Guyana just what due diligence was conducted and who conducted this due diligence. The opposition should press for these answers by initiating an immediate meeting of the Economic Services Commission and demand such answers. If for some reason this cannot be done immediately, then they should pressure the government to establish an inquiry team to provide the answers about the viability of the project and the process used to select the contractor, inclusive of what due diligence was done. Many years ago Forbes Burnham found himself in an embarrassing situation when a gentleman that his government was having discussions with about establishing an offshore bank in Guyana was found to have legal problems in the United States. The fact that the government was in discussion with this gentleman proved to be embarrassing to the Burnham regime. It could have opted
to ignore the controversy and gone ahead with the deal. It did not. It cancelled all contacts with the man. It is in the interest of the PPPC Government to do the same and to demonstrate that it is serious about transparency. It should leave no stone unturned to establish that it is necessary to build this extension to the airport and that the right company has been selected. The present government will win plaudits if it does the right thing even if it means this project has to be put on the backburner. It is also in the interest of the ruling party to do this. The PPP is not going to win another election in Guyana unless it cleans up its act and the best way of doing this is to give meaning to its stated commitment to public transparency.
Parliament deadlocked ... From page 9 has refused to provide. “We want an independent audit,” said Ramjattan as he continued to address the motion and pointed out that “Just like a suspect under question you get even more suspicious…that is what is happening here.” He asserted that instead of there being clarification on the NICIL debacle “you are getting more confusion…There might be cover up involved and this could all be cleared up if you present the reports.” In drawing reference to what he calls Cheddi Jagan’s traditions, Ramjattan said that the founder leader of the party “would have said show them the books…What are you hiding the books for?” Ramjattan charged that
there is a suspicion that a ‘cabal’ or ‘oligarch’ is benefitting. Attorney General Anil Nandlall said that it was ill conceived and a sad fact that Members of Parliament consistently fail to utilize avenues such as the sectoral committees. Speaking to Greenidge’s call for an independent audit of NICIL, Nandlall said that it was only a few hours before the debate that the House had heard of the independence and autonomy of the Audit Office and as such he couldn’t understand the move for an independent audit. Nandlall further charged that the demands being made of Greenidge were vague and quite impossible for the Government to abide with the requests.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday June 14, 2012
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Ramotar six months after It is expected. If it is not, then people don’t read me and they care not to speak to me about my commentary. But it is expected. And it happens. People ask me all the time why am I not writing about Donald Ramotar’s presidency. I am even accused of eschewing analysis of Ramotar because I am mindful that it may not be welcomed in Kaieteur News. I will do what I have to do. We all have destinies whether shaped by God, the stars and or ourselves (or maybe a combination). When President Donald Ramotar begins to make news, starts to initiate policies, commence the governance of Guyana based on the ideas and vision of Donald Ramotar then he will occupy analytical
space on this page. For now, what can a commentator say about President Ramotar? My evaluation of his six-month stewardship has to be harsh and uncompromising. Mr. Ramotar has not done anything to make you hope that he will be an innovative or even an effective leader. I know too much of philosophy and psychology to dismiss the greatness that is latent in people. But analysts do not go about praising leaders because one day they will be heroes. How do we know they will be heroes so why avoid pungent criticism of their governance because one day greatness will shine? All would admit that is not the way scholarly writings are
done. Ramdin the West Indies wicket keeper may one day go on to break Lara’s record. A Guyanese may one day excel at one of tennis’ grand slams. A poor Italian boy may one day do a painting that critics will say is more complex than the Mona Lisa. There may be another Beatles under a new name that will take the world by storm in a more frenzied way. Another reggae artist is waiting somewhere in Kingston and he will one day eclipse Marley. These are all possibilities that have no place in social analyses. When it comes to Ramdin, I doubt that. When it comes to tennis in Guyana, that may be in another thousand years.
When it comes to Ramotar I doubt he will be a Guyanese leader that will surpass the way Guyanese feel about Burnham, Jagan and Hoyte. My opinion which I would like to think is backed by my knowledge of Ramotar and his political evolution is that we will have a general election in 2016, there will be a new president and Mr. Ramotar will fade away like as an obscure president. He will not be seen as a terrible president but there will be no record to enable him to leave a legacy. Do you know in life the two most pursued professions are law and medicine? Historically those two professions bestow status on the holder. It has not changed over the centuries. There are persons who want to be a lawyer or doctor because these occupations offer recognition. They will never be good doctors and fine lawyers but that is not what they are interested in. They just want to be a doctor
or a lawyer. I have seen lawyers in this country who are more unlearned and incompetent than housemaids I have known. I have seen doctors at the Georgetown Hospital who know nothing about medicine and are not interested in knowing. It is the same with being the leader of your country. Humans just want to go down in history as being the leaders of their country. I mean nothing personal and what is about to be written below is not meant to be personally unfair to Mr. Ramotar. I don’t think he will make an effective president and I don’t believe Mr. Ramotar is working on being a great leader. This is my opinion and as I said before it is based on my long, very long knowledge of Mr. Ramotar. I do accept the competing theory that it is too early in his presidency to confront the Jagdeo bandwagon and
Frederick Kissoon the Jagdeo concretization of power. The holders of that approach may know more of Ramotar than I do therefore they are entitled to that polemic. But I beg to differ. I do not see Mr. Ramotar as possessing the necessary leadership qualities to drive him in a visionary direction in the coming two years. I do not see Mr. Ramotar as being interested in wanting to depart from the game plan of Mr. Jagdeo. It may very well be that Mr. Ramotar is so smitten by Bharrat Jagdeo that he is content to live in his shadow until 2016. WRITER’S NOTE: Arising from my Sunday column, I met the Registrar and her deputy on Tuesday. They both agreed that when passage into the High Court from South Road is not possible because of water, the public can use the Charlotte Street entrance. They both declined to issue a press release to that effect saying that when the prevention occurs the public will be notified.
Thursday June 14, 2012
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Kaieteur News
BK Intl. leaves residents in disarray after sea defence works
A resident shows the damage to one of the columns of his house and a section of a wall that collapsed.
R
esidents of Bee Hive, East Coast Demerara, are crying foul over the destruction left behind by contracting firm BK International following the completion of sea defence works in their community. The contracting firm has removed all of its equipment from the area. It has also removed temporary infrastructure that facilitated work on the sea defence even after destroying that which existed before for the benefit of residents.
The sea defence works were commissioned in 2009 and were scheduled to be completed in November last year. The situation has left a bitter taste in the mouths of the residents who are now forced to park their vehicles on the public road, a good distance from the security of their yards. Two of the main bones of contention are a bridge that provided the residents with the only access to their homes across a drainage canal that separates their
homes from the Main East Coast Demerara Highway. The residents also complain about the destruction caused to residents' homes as a result of the vibration from the heavy duty vehicles of the contracting company. The bridge leads into a road that provides easy access to the area where sea defence works were carried out by the contracting company under a European Union project. However the bridge could not accommodate the
heavy machinery used by the company, so another facility was created to enable the huge trucks with boulders to cross the drainage canal. But according to residents, a few months into the sea defence works, one of the company's trucks fell into the canal and in pulling it out, the company's machines reportedly damaged the original bridge, rendering it useless. The residents were not too angry then, since the new facility, which was built by the contracting company for
The damaged bridge which was left unrepaired
The lines indicate where BK Intl removed the temporary bridge they built after completing works
its heavy duty vehicles, was also accessible to them. However, when the project came to an end and the company removed its equipment from the area, it also took with it the temporary culvert it had erected to enable vehicles to cross the drainage canal en route to their work site. This has angered residents who are convinced that BK International is not being a good corporate citizen. Even the road that was used has been left to the
mercy of the weather, making it sometimes impassable for residents. According to one resident, when the sea defence project was c o m m i s s i o n e d , Wo r k s Minister Robeson Benn had pledged to ensure that any damage done as a result of the works would be repaired. “De Minister promise we dat dem gon repair de damage but dat was only word-a-mouth,” one resident stated. They claimed that they have approached the company with a view to getting the old bridge reconstructed but the response has not been encouraging. “We used to treat dem workers good, good, even cook food fuh dem when dey de wukkin here and look how dem lef we,” another resident told this newspaper. “BK even get ban from using dem other roads in de village because dem bruk it up,” the resident added. Meanwhile, what is worse, is the damage to properties caused by the constant traffic of heavy duty equipment. In one case seen by this newspaper, several concrete columns of a house were split while a huge chunk of concrete plaster was torn from a wall. This is in addition to several drains that the residents said were deliberately blocked by the contractor during the sea defence works. The residents are planning to meet with officials of the European Union as well as the Ministry of Public Works to secure a proper solution to the situation.
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Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
New GPC boss sues Kaieteur News for $100M Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop, owner of the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC), has filed a libel suit against the Publisher of Kaieteur News, claiming that he was defamed in a “Dem boys seh” column. In his writ he said that he is the owner of Atlantic Pharmaceuticals, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc., New GPC and several companies. He wants the court to block Kaieteur News from further publishing a column, Dem boys seh, that appeared in the newspaper on Monday, June 11, 2012. Ramroop claims that he was the one referred to in the June 11, 2012 'Dem boys seh”. In his affidavit of support, Ramroop stated that the words in the article referred to him and that the words were false, malicious and defamatory. He said that the article was written to mean that he is a thief, that he is not a medical practitioner, and that he holds an honorary PhD and not a medical
Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop degree. He said that the article suggests that he committed the offence of simple larceny and other types of larceny. He said that he relies on his reputation, goodwill and integrity in business dealing both in Guyana and internationally for various transactions and in his professional qualifications. Dr Ramroop said that the article accused him of a c r i m i n a l o ff e n c e a n d
disparaged him in relation to his profession and his business. In the documents filed by his attorney Ronald G. Burch-Smith, Dr Ramroop said that he is a businessman since 1991. Ramroop said he has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from the Indira Gandhi Medical College at Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. He said he also has a Bachelor of Science degree from Indore University, Madhya Pradesh, India. He said he is a registered Medical Practitioner, fully up to date with all his Continuing Medical Education obligations. He said he worked at the Georgetown Public Hospital, the Guyana Sugar Corporation and practiced privately from 1987 to 1999. He accuses Kaieteur News of referring to himself and former President Jagdeo as sharing a close personal relationship. Dr Ranjisinghi Ramroop is claiming damages in excess of $100M.
Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
Bandits invade local comedians’ home Two local comedians were forced to flee their home early yesterday morning leaving their two children behind after two men invaded t h e p r e m i s e s a t We s t Ruimveldt. According to reports, two men, one of whom was armed with a gun attacked Maria Benschop while she was about to enter her Crescent Street, West Ruimveldt home. The incident occurred at around 02:00 hours yesterday. At the time her reputed husband, Linden ‘Jumbie’ Jones was asleep with their two children in the house. Jones said that Maria was about to enter their drive way when she noticed two men on bicycles acting suspiciously. Fearing for her life Jones said Maria decided to stay in the vehicle until she was comfortable. However, as soon as she exited the vehicle the men pounced on her, taking away
a small amount of cash, her Blackberry phone and the car and house keys. The men then ordered Maria to open the door but she initially refused. According to Jones the men then started to physically assault Maria, while forcing her to open the door. “By that time I wake up and the entire house was in darkness so I noticed her standing in the living room with two males, the place was dark so right away I suspect something so I run to open the back door to get help,”. Jones said he was forced to ‘scale’ two fences in order to escape and get help for his family. At the time he said their two children were fast asleep. “When I reach at the station I had a while convincing the police to open the gate. Once they open the gate I had another while convincing them that they should visit my home as they (continued on page 19)
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Page 14
Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
Bee attack shuts down Cove and John Police Headquarters Pandemonium broke out in the Cove and John Police Station compound yesterday when a swarm of bees launched an attack on persons there, effectively shutting down operations at the Divisional Headquarters. At the end of the attack, at least two persons, including a seven-year-old girl had to seek medical attention. However, their injuries were not life threatening. According to ranks at the East Coast Demerara Divisional Headquarters, the bees have been occupying a tree to the south eastern side of the compound near the entrance but nobody actually knew they were there. Yesterday was the first time that they had attacked anyone.
- Two persons required medical attention
A member of the public runs to the safety of an ambulance to escape from the swarming bees. It is believed that the noise from a heavy duty machinery operating near the bees' hive disturbed the bees and caused the attack.
At the time of the attack, several persons had assembled in the compound to attend court and since they (continued on page 17)
Thursday June 14, 2012
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Salesgirl D. Singh & Sons Call: 226-0881
Live in babysitter, age 40-50 Call: 696-4695
Treat yourself to a relaxing massage call: 622-6256
MASSAGE
Toyota Spacio,2002,Silver, bodykit, mags, spoiler,CD, never registered Call: 2690432,686-0323
Brand new American made Crosely 10.5 cu ft Refrigerator for sale $75,000. 626-4452/697-5677
International Tow Truck with flat aluminum bed; takes two vehicles. Call: 6393900, 619-5400
Prime location Public Road McDoom Village, land 200ftx50ft concrete bond & front store monthly income $300,000 Call: 233-0570
Spares for washer, microwaves, fridges, stovetimers, gear boxes, pumps, etc. Contact 225-9032, 647-2943
BV Public Road $9 million Call: 256-4166, 256-3359
One ERF hauler and 45FT trailer in contact Call: 6534455
LAND FOR SALE Transported land for sale at Soesdyke Public Road, access to Demerara River Call: 626-8417 Land V/Hoop 3 acres: school, housing. Factory etc. Call: 658-0115 Large land Bagotville 37x732 Great for poultry or green house farming $6.5M Call: 223-1719. Land of Canaan Wharf 140’ X 50’ on lot 11.88 acres US$2.5m, Adventure Linden highway 150 acres G$40m 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 Brickdam 96’X 63’ G$82m, Eping Ave B.A.P 150’ X 100" US$500,000, Carmichael Street 100" X 62" US$500,000, Grove H/S 86’ X 50’ G$4.5m 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 Ogle Railway Corner 200’ X 78’ US$750,000, Ogle Public Rd 140’ X 100’ G$45m, Sophia Public Road 130" X 86’ US$550,000,609 2302/645 2580/233 5711
TO RENT Space to rent location diamond housing scheme. Contact# 6455347
One Toyota Ceres,212,192, 1- Mitsubishi Lancer,1Suzuki Carry Pick up,1-EP71 Starlet Call: 644-5096,6971453
Pallet Wrap & Plastic Film. Tel: 231-8819 Pine lumber for sale @ River View Wood products Inc. Address: 164-165 Friendship EBD Call: 266-0296,639-2577
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15" Celestion speakers 1600 watts, one complete stage, size 24ftx20ft Call: 644-3390 or 667-7511
2005 BMW 3201,2007-2005 Allions, 2004 Avensis L 1some with TV &backcam Tel: 615-4114,665-4480
Roofing shingles Call Mr. Skepmire 227-5195 (8AMto5PM)
Leading Auto- 2PMM Allion, PMM IST, PLL Nissan Bluebird Sylphy Call: 677-7666,610-7666
One 212 car, consisting of AC, alarm system, mags, back-up camera, full HID kit Call: 624-6471 NARS lipgloss, eyeshadow & Clinique Chubby Stick. Tel: 669-8374. Gold detectors, waki- takis for mining camps, laptop repairs Call: 609-7625,6693405 One 15HP Yamaha long foot Call: 689-5254,643-0332 Games for PS2 $900,PS3 $2600,Xbox $2600 Call: 6722566,265-3231 1 Toyota Spacio, PNN series Call: 266-2320,662-5036 Pure breed Doberman pups Call:226-9548,670-2653 15-15-15 Fertilizer Call: 2662711,609-4594
1 Ten RB dragline Call: 6876174
Soman & Sons Driving School; First Federation Building Call: 225-4858,6445166,622-2872,615-0964
PPP series Alteza, fully loaded. Tel: 677-7666, 6107666
Car for sale Toyota Vios, year 2004 $1.7 million negotiable Call: 6824224,693-8357
1-240 Massey Ferguson tractor Call: 687-6174
LEARN TO DRIVE Prudential learning “ Training to Pass” automatic also stick/ manual 642-4827. We’re #1
VEHICLES FOR SALE Just arrived: Allion and Premio, tel: 624-2000, 622-1610
1Caterpillar D7H bulldozer@ Jettoo’s Lumberyard & Sawmill @ Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara Call: 2615041, 261-5042
1 Tundra, 1 Perkins engine & Welder 400 amps. Call: 660-5462, 611-5114
We do ink refill for Canon, Lexmark, Dell,HP. Typing services available Call: 2318181 US & Canada VISA application services. Call: 643-6630. Family discounts available.
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2 Bedroom toilet & bath,$4 million Call: 616-1093
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One maid Call: 227-8529,6268003 Male tool room clerk, computer literate. Apply Technical Services Inc. 1823 Eccles Industrial Site EBDem Call: 614-4358
SERVICES Permanent &Visitors Visa Applications Professional Immigration Consultant Sabita - Room E-4 Maraj Building 225-6496/ 223-8115/662-6045.
Page 15
Air wick, 2 gadgets and 2 refills $5000 in large amount Call: 694-5371 Attention loggers & lumber exporters, now available anchor seal, wood wax end sealer Call: 265-3541,695-4785 One Nissan Xtrail Call: 6272550 1 Cummings engine 6CTA,210hp complete with 5speed gearbox radiator and after cooler $1,500,000 negotiable Call: 2653746,624-0306
Zoom Auto Sales: Allions:2006,2004, Toyota Belta 2006,TV back camera etc. Call: 685-7611 3 ton enclosed & open back canter, unregistered. 6172891 Toyota Prado, 2004 Prado, 2005 Mark II GX110, 2005 Tundra. All fully loaded. Excellent condition. Call: 600-5759 Leading Auto, unregistered Allion, Premio, Runx, Fielder, Raum,212, Verossa Call: 6777666,610-7666 2004 Mazda RX8, fully loaded, unregistered $2.9M 617-2891 One Nissan Station Wagon (FB13) stick gear call: 6228350 Toyota Runx, special edition, PNN $2.3M, New Model Nissan Wingroad Sports Wagon $2.3M unregistered Call: 6122522,645-5893 3 Ton freezer canter, unregistered Call: 617-2891 One Honda Titan CG, price $140,000 Neg. Call: 645-3782 Mini car, PZ-9702 Call: 6812253, 611-3469,697-1777 Toyota Allex, PNN 702 $2M Call: 668-7436 1 Toyota Wish $3.750M,1 Toyota Noah Unregistered $2.3M Call: 648-6869 (Continued on page 20)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday June 14, 2012
Benn tells Parliament Burma Road … says Regional Chairman has will require $80M $9M for interim emergency works By Gary Eleazar Minister of Public Works and Communication, Robeson Benn, has indicated to the National Assembly that repairs to the severely damaged Burma Road in Berbice, will require some $80M for effective repairs and that the Regional Chairman currently has $9M in his coffers to undertake emergency works in the interim. The Public Works Minister was at the start of yesterday’s sitting of the National Assembly, responding to former Commissioner of Police now Parliamentarian, Winston Felix, who was seeking clarifications on the Ministry’s plan for the repairs
of the road. Felix called the current conditions of the road intolerable, when he was given the opportunity by the Speaker of the National Assembly to pose an oral question to the Minister. Benn informed the House, that the road falls under the ambit of the Ministry of Local Government and as such, would be responsible for its maintenance. The Public Works Minister indicated that some two months ago the Ministry did effect some repairs to the road even as he reiterated that, “the road is indeed under the Ministry of Local Government.” According to Benn there
are some peculiar circumstances which is currently lending to the rapid deterioration of the road. He blamed the inclement weather and the fact that there has been a late planting of rice in the locale. This, coupled with the fact that there is a compounded problem with rice mills in the area, has compounded the situation. This, Benn said, has lent to the farmers having to transport overloaded trucks with rice and transport the commodity to the mill in the locale. He said that given the problems with the other mills, farmers have had to resort to utilizing the Mill in that area and this has caused an increase in the number of
heavily laden trucks traversing the road and damaging it in the process. “We did do an estimation,” the Minister assured, as he indicated that the money required for such a project would be “in the order of $80M.” He said that the Regional Chairman has at his disposal some $9M to do repair works to the road should favourable conditions be experienced. Two Mondays ago the state of the Burma Road attracted a boisterous protest primarily by the very trucker being blamed for the destruction of the road. At that time they had vowed to intensify their protest action to press their demands for a proper road. The protest action at the time was triggered after a
number of trucks laden with tons of rice got stuck in a deplorable section of the road, effectively halting the operations of the Saj Rice Mill. The truckers have
expressed concerns with the works already being done by contractor, Joe Bacchus, who is paid millions of dollars annually to repair the threemile stretch of road and are calling for his removal. They are demanding that a completely new road be built, since they are convinced that the Region Five authorities are being penny wise and pound foolish. “This road is so bad that we fastening, breaking up we truck, we taking one and a half hour on five miles of road. We hear that they spending millions maintaining this road; we don’t know how much money, but they always say they spending a lot of money when they repairing it,” said Ganesh, one of the truck owners whose vehicle was stuck in the road.
the part of the ruling party – no other rationale has been advanced for retaining the practice - has persisted despite the decaying quality of our local courts.” In the same week that Justice Change ordered commutation, the Director of Public Prosecutions lamented the fact that five of 234 cases before the High Court had been completed in the last Assizes, the GHRA stated. Since the death penalty is irrevocable, any system of justice that retains it as a sentencing option is claiming there is no possibility of error. Rather than prolong such illusions of perfection, legislators should be addressing the fundamental crisis in the High Court. “Beneath the persistent controversy over the death penalty, corporal punishment and sexual orientation, is a vacuum of principle in the shaping of national policy. The concept of reviewing ethical
standards to maintain a civilized society is viewed by the political class in general, as weakness. “As a society we seem to fear being civilized. Guyana languishes in theAmericas region at the bottom of both development indicators as well as those with the most reactionary legislation, in the three areas referred to.” GHRA said that for a society born out of violence and coercion, the lesson is taking a long time to learn that repudiating cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment is as vital to development as economic progress. The only course of action, if the concept of justice means anything at all, is that the Minister of Home Affairs views Justice Chang’s judgement as a precedent for reviewing commutation of sentences of all of those prisoners on Death Row, said GHRA. The longest serving occupants have all served life sentences, it added.
Public Works Minister, Robeson Benn
GHRA lauds Justice Chang’s Death Row ruling
Justice Ian Chang’s commutation of the death penalty of four prisoners to life imprisonment is a welcome rejoinder to the evasion and duplicity by popularitypandering politicians over the years, according to the Guyana Human Rights Association. Justice Chang’s verdict spotlights the incompatibility of the medieval cruelty of the death penalty with evolving minimum humanitarian standards acceptable to the modern world. Since the current ruling party came to power in 1992, it has made no bones about its preference for reviving hanging. The GHRA said that the only restraint to ending the moratorium introduced by President Hoyte in 1990, following the hanging of the innocent Sylvester Sturge, has been growing worldwide revulsion at this practice, continuously communicated to the Government by the international community. “This instinct for revenge on
Five-month-old baby girl rescued from mother The police yesterday called in officials from the Welfare Department after they were forced to rescue a fivemonth-old baby from her parents in Bent Street, Wortmanville. According to reports, the couple was taken to a police station after they were seen fighting in the street with the baby on Tuesday evening. This publication was told that the mother who is 21 years old had threatened to kill the baby and burn the house down. After much pleading the
woman eventually convinced police that she and her boyfriend will resolve their differences. However, the police were called in again after the mother tried fleeing the home with the child. Both the baby and its mother have since been handed over to officials from the Welfare Department. The mother of the child has since indicated to officials that she hardly received monetary support from the father of the child. The couple has been having long standing issues.
Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 17
Guyanese woman on the run, father Snake-bitten man critical, has slim arrested in US scam that bilked immigrants chance of survival Doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) are battling to save the life of a 23-year-old farmer, who was bitten twice on his left leg by a labaria snake. The incident occurred some time around 06:30 hrs yesterday. According to information, Ganeshram Chabbiraj, also called Andy of Mahaica Creek, East Coast Demerara, was going to his farm, which is about 100 yards from where he lives, when the snake attacked him. His aunt, Omattie Chabbiraj, told Kaieteur News that the 23-year-old farmer told her that he was going to the back dam to pick bora. “I see when he was walking going and then he stop in the track and walk back and he say something bite he. I ask him if it was a snake but he said he don’t know because he didn’t watch but when he walk back I see the blood running down he foot and I call on he father and my son and tell them a snake bite Andy.” The woman said that her son along with the injured man’s father, Lakeram
The anxious father awaits news of his son’s condition Chabbiraj, caught the snake and killed it. “I see four bites on he foot so I try to tie up he foot and he faint.” She explained that he was then rushed to GPHC. Sources claimed that the victim has a slim chance of survival.
Connecticut, US (courant.com) - Federal tax agents on Tuesday accused a father and daughter from Wethersfield of using a farfetched and phony debtelimination scam to steal thousands of dollars from new U.S. immigrants living in Connecticut and elsewhere. Because of the scam, through which Deowraj Buddhu and his daughter, Sunita, collected thousands of dollars in fees from socalled clients, several of the clients were persuaded that they no longer had to make mortgage payments and ultimately lost their homes through foreclosure. The Buddhus are accused of claiming that they could help clients tap a secret government fund created to help homeowners pay mortgages and other debts. The fund was a fiction. But federal tax agents said that, beginning in 2009, the Buddhus convinced immigrants with little education or familiarity with financial instruments that the federal government was providing money for its citizens to pay bills. The debt-elimination racket is not the first time the Buddhus have attracted the federal government’s attention in connection with
Bus shed a source of concern
an allegedly phony financial scheme. In 2009, as the result of a civil action by the Justice Department, a federal judge permanently barred the father and daughter from operating a tax preparation business. In the 2009 case, then-U.S. District Judge Christopher F. Droney found that the father and daughter had prepared thousands of false and fraudulent tax returns from 2004 to 2008, substantially understating the tax liabilities of their clients. As a result of the tax business, the tax clients, also relatively new immigrants, were left responsible for interest and penalties in addition to their federal tax obligations. U.S. Attorney David B. Fein said Tuesday that the IRS has arrested Deowraj Buddhu, 69, on mail fraud and conspiracy charges. Fein said
that Sunita Buddhu has apparently fled and is being sought by federal authorities. A government affidavit filed in court said that Deowraj Buddhu is a citizen of Guyana and is the subject of a federal deportation order. The same affidavit said Sunita Buddhu had reservations on a flight Tuesday from New York to Guyana. Federal authorities would not discuss her whereabouts. A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office did not provide information about how many people the government claims were victims of the debt-elimination scheme and how much money was lost. The affidavit, prepared by the IRS, said multiple victims lost homes in foreclosure after paying thousands of dollars in fees to the Buddhus for the purported elimination of their mortgages. The IRS said the
victims were in Connecticut, Wisconsin, Florida and elsewhere. The two Buddhus are accused of beginning to recruit debt-elimination clients in the Hartford area in February 2009. Federal prosecutors said victims were instructed to stop making mortgage payments. The victims were next provided with supposed promissory notes that could be sent in satisfaction of debts to banks and other lenders. The Buddhus are accused of charging up to tens of thousands of dollars in fees for the notes, for purported notarization of documents and for other useless services. Deowraj Buddhu was being held in custody following his arrest. If convicted of mail fraud and conspiracy, he faces as much as 30 years in prison.
Berbice man on bail allegedly steals articles for unpaid work A miner from Berbice will have to post bail in the sum of $750,000 if he is to attain his pre-trial liberty. Twenty-two-year-old Delon Apollo, was charged with simple larceny after he allegedly sought to pay himself for unpaid services rendered to his employer. Apollo appeared before Magistrate Hazel OctiveHamilton at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. The police alleged that on June 8, at Mowasi Backdam, Essequibo, Apollo stole one .32 Taurus pistol, two and a half ounces of raw gold, and $40,000 in cash, all belonging to Chapnarine Persaud. The accused was not required to plead. The court prosecutor did
not object to bail but asked that the pre-trial sum be substantial. The prosecutor also reported that some of the articles were recovered. She said the pistol and the ammunition were found in the defendant’s possession. Kaieteur News was told that the incident stemmed from the defendant reportedly not being paid by the victim. It is understood that the defendant was employed with the complainant as a porkknocker. He however received no pay from his employer and on the day in question the defendant reportedly broke into the boss’s quarters and stole the items that were being kept in a safe. After the theft, the matter was reported, and the
Delon Apollo defendant was arrested and told of the offence. He was later charged. The matter was transferred to the Madhia Magistrates’ Court for July 18.
Bee attack shuts down Cove ...
Naith Ram, a councillor aligned with the Alliance For Change, is calling for the removal of a bush-shed located at Reliance, Essequibo Coast. According to information, the bus shed was constructed by members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Ram is suggesting that the bus shed be replaced on the opposite side of the road. It is presently situated on the eastern side of the Reliance,
Public Road. Naith Ram has reminded his fellow councillors that the bus shed is a “death trap.” Twice this year, three drivers nearly lost their lives while exiting the road that leads onto the public road at Reliance. “The problem lies whenever drivers exit that narrow road to access the public road. It is difficult to notice oncoming traffic, especially those traveling towards South.”
Naith Ram said that the bus shed blocks drivers’ view and poses a threat. Naith Ram recently had to lodge a complaint to the police, after another driver almost lost his life after he was proceeding south. A sports utility vehicle was exiting the narrow road when he came into contact with the frustrated driver. The police have since said that no formal request for a bus shed was ever brought to their attention.
From page 14 were in the yard, they all were directly affected. Kaieteur News was told that during the attack several persons ran for cover as the police hurriedly began shutting their doors to prevent the bees from entering their offices. While some persons were locked in, others were locked out and had to seek alternative shelter. The Cove and John Police Station had the look of a ghost town soon after. Policemen and members of the public were seen peering through windows and creases in the doors, obviously afraid to venture outside since there was still evidence of the bees hovering around. Even the Acting Divisional Commander, Superintendent John Sauers sought refuge in his car.
One businessman who gave his name as R. Shaw said that he was forced to seek refuge in a nearby drain after he was attacked by the bees. “Me get bite all over. Me had to jump in a stink trench. Is dem police tell me fuh jump in,” Shaw told this newspaper. He blamed his experience on the callousness on the part of a Special Constable who was guarding the nearby Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company exchange. According to Shaw, as he was entering the Cove and John Police compound, the guard initially told him not to enter. “I ask she why and she say 'Gwan, you go see'. When me come in, dem bee bite me up. All me head, me mouth,” he said. Even while he was in the trench, he was still being attacked, he said.
Another member of the public informed that the bees also attacked a dog that was in the compound. “De dog deh lie down pon de ground and we thought he dead, but then he get up and run away. Dem had a man he skin full ah mud. He start get fever,” an eyewitness told this newspaper. Immediately after the attack, officials at the police station requested the ambulance from the nearby CC Nicholson Hospital but that only arrived about an hour later. By then the two badly injured persons had secured transportation to take them for medical attention. Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture were also summoned and they solicited the help of a contractor, who by late yesterday afternoon had removed the bees.
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Kaieteur News
Thursday June 14, 2012
Guysuco Supervisor in Manslaughter accused to police custody for fraud be sentenced on Monday A supervisor attached to the Guysuco Albion Estate is in police custody for alleged malpractice. He is purported to have entered workers’ names for payment even though they did not work. Manager of the Albion Estate, Mr. Manna, although acknowledging that the incident did take place and that an investigation was underway, would only say that the matter is in the hands of the police. The supervisor in custody is Mr. Anwaz Ayube, who is said to be a Pastor and the Chairman of the NAACIE Albion branch. Some workers contended that the supervisor and many others are part of a wider scheme that involved malpractice in
Guysuco in general, and the Albion Estate specifically. The last incident mainly concerned workers’ holiday with pay. One worker stated that he did not work and had no idea of his salary being sent to the pay-office. He said that he did not withdraw the money; his supervisor Mr. Ayube did. He said that he received a call from the supervisor informing him of the payments and what he should say if he is being questioned. The worker claimed that this incident occurred last week Wednesday. He said that later that evening, one Mr. Brown, another manager attached to the estate, accompanied by two foremen visited his home to con-
duct a search. The search, he claimed, unearthed nothing since he was not involved in any wrongdoings. He claimed however, that Mr. Brown made him sign a document confessing that he had not worked and had no knowledge of the salary prepared for him. The worker said when he went to the pay-office on Friday to uplift his pay, he received 46 twenty-dollar notes. In amazement he said he enquired from the manager present at the pay office who told him to report to the estate office on Monday for enquiries. Another worker said that a deceased person was still receiving salary from the said supervisor.
Authorities take Canadian into custody Canadian bank official Ian Bailey-Harris who was reported missing over the weekend is now said to be in the custody of Canadian authorities. Kaieteur News was told that Harris arrived at Hotel Tower early yesterday morning. Sources at the hotel said that Harris came and removed his remaining luggage and was escorted out of the hotel. Kaieteur News understands that Harris was taken by Canadian authorities. He is expected to leave the country shortly. Relatives on Tuesday said that Harris was not abducted as was feared because he had been in contact with them all the time. This newspaper had managed to speak briefly with one of the man’s close relatives, who confirmed that he was safe.
The relative declined further comment. Bailey-Harris said to be in his thirties, disappeared last Saturday after leaving the Hotel Tower in Main Street. He was reported missing and there was some concern that he might have been kidnapped. The Canadian was last seen entering a taxi, with three other men, in the vicinity of the hotel. Immigration officials revealed that he did not depart via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. His luggage was also left in his hotel room. Only his passport was missing. BaileyHarris, who was a guest of the Bank of Guyana, and was here for a conference, booked in at the Hotel Tower on June 5. He was scheduled to book out on Friday and depart the next day.
A hotel manager confirmed that Bailey-Harris went out last Friday and did not return to the hotel until the next day. Around 08:00hrs, he went to the ‘front desk’ and collected a laptop computer. He then informed the staff that he would return at around 10:00hrs to book out. The hotel manager said that a Bank of Guyana security official was waiting outside to take the Canadian to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport. However, the Canadian reportedly informed the official that he was going out with friends. After indicating that he would return shortly, Harris entered a taxi with three male occupants, including the driver, and left. He never returned. A report was subsequently made at the Brickdam Police Station.
Getaway truck driver charged with simple larceny The truck driver who took police on a 15-mile high speed chase that originated in a dam at Glasgow, East Bank Berbice, through the streets of New Amsterdam, over the Canje bridge, through some streets of East Canje, up the Number 19 (East Coast Berbice straight road) Highway and ended at Fyrish back dam on the Corentyne Coast has been granted bail in the sum of $20,000 on a charge of simple larceny. Truck driver Hardat Dharamdeo Sukdeo, called “Cats”, 34, of Lot 1 Reliance East Canje Berbice on Tuesday appeared before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s
court on a charge of simple larceny. According to prosecutor Inspector Jairam Ramlakhan, the accused is alleged to have stolen a quantity of Low Grade Phosphate valued $18,282, the property of Guysuco Rose Hall Estate, on June 10, last, at Providence, East Bank Berbice. It was understood that on the day Sukdeo who was driving Canter truck GKK 1174 was confronted by the police in the vicinity of Glasgow, East Bank Berbice. He was stopped and his vehicle was checked and was found to contain a quantity of salt bags containing a whitish material. The accused reportedly
described the contents as “Raganite”, but when questioned further he could give no explanation how he came to be in possession of the material. He was told to drive to the station, but instead he decided to drive away, thus taking the police on a dangerous high s p e e d chase which ended when he was cornered at Fyrish back dam. Three other persons were also in the vehicle and were observed throwing the substance out of the vehicle during the chase. However when the truck was cornered the men escaped and only three bags of the “Raganite” were found.
Colin Bentick, the man who is on trial for manslaughter committed at Seafield West Coast Berbice will be sentenced on Monday. This decision was taken yesterday by Justice James Bovell Drakes at the Berbice High Court. Attorney at Law Perry Gosai who was standing in for Attorney Mursaline Bacchus, made a plea of mitigation, yesterday. Bentick, 39, of No 42 (Seafield) Village, West Coast Berbice killed Elton Shepherd, a clothes vendor, at Seafield, West Coast Berbice, on October 31, 2007. He had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter. Prosecutor Attorney at law, Rondell Weaver, had stated that on the day in question Shepherd and a group of persons were sitting underneath an old house playing dominoes at Seafield, West Coast Berbice, he stated that some time between noon and 13:00 hrs they were approached by Bentick who went up to Shepherd and stated that “Shepherd is a dead man”. He then asked Shepherd if he knew anything about his “Data” (his girl), to which Shepherd responded in the negative. Bentick then left and returned with a cutlass and proceeded to chop Shepherd across his right hand, the other persons ran away. Shepherd allegedly ran for his life but fell in the process and was again attacked by the accused. Police officers who were passing were informed by residents of what was taking place. The police proceeded to the area and saw Bentick
Colin Bentick chopping at a person lying in the street. He was instructed to stop, but continued and advanced to the cops with his cutlass. The police then left to get assistance as the man then proceeded to cut off Shepherd’s head and held it up in his left hand. As police reinforcement came Bentick was arrested and taken into custody, where he was subsequently charged. The man had also given a caution statement in which he had stated that he was under a house with some individuals when he heard that “Fine man was a batty man”. “I made a slip and went for his cutlass. Fine man try to run, but I chop him” The man was chopped on his left hand, shoulder, head and two feet. “Fine man fall down and a chop him on his neck. I chop off his neck. I man had to do de Sacrifice.” A Post Mortem examination performed on the body gave the cause of death as shock and hemorrhage, severance of neck and multiple cuts. A Preliminary Inquiry was
conducted by then Magistrate Tejnarine Ramroop and a prima facie case was made out. A probation report which was presented by Probation Officer Kenneth Nunes, stated that the accused lived with his mother in a single parent household and also lived for a considerable time with his grandparents. He is the father of two. He was not privy to much formal education and earned a living by operating a small grocery and ground provision business. The report went on to state that the accused was a regular user of Cannabis Sativa. It further stated that during 2003 the accused was incarcerated at the Georgetown Hospital for abnormal behaviour. The report also mentioned that persons in the community complained of the erratic and threatening behaviour of the accused. It also went on to state that numerous reports were made to the police stations in the neighbourhood by persons who complained of the aggressive and threatening behaviour of the accused. The report also mentioned that the accused had showed instability for a long time before the commission of the crime. The defence lawyer urged the court to commit his client to the National Psychiatric Hospital where he could be properly treated and rehabilitated. Justice Bovell Drakes before adjourning the matter stated his disappointment in the defence who he had expected would have brought some of Bentick’s relatives to court so that the court could have been a little more informed.
Suspected pirates remanded on guns and ammunition charges The five men who were suspected to be part of a notorious piracy gang and were charged and placed before the courts on three counts each of robbery under arms during December 2011 under the new Piracy and Hijacking Act, were on Wednesday charged again. This time they were charged with being in Possession of Arms and Ammunition. They are accused of being in possession of two 12-gauge shotguns and nine rounds of ammunition on the Number 66 village. The men, Verasammy Rawana, 46; Levan Chanderpaul, 23, and Vishal Gowkarran, 31, all of Number 68 village, Corentyne; Mohan David, 48, of Number 79 village and Avendardat Deodat, 49, of Church Street Corriverton, appeared before
Magistrate Krisendat Persaud at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, and pleaded not guilty. They were remanded to jail until today. Deodat is represented by Attorney at law Ramesh Rajkumar, while Rawana is being represented by Rodwell Jugmohan. The others are unrepresented. The men were given an early hearing pending a bail application by their lawyers who are touting special circumstances. The attorneys are contending that their clients should be given bail because no gun or ammunition was found on them or their homes. The men are all fishermen and attached to the No. 66 Fishermen’s Co-op and were previously granted bail in the sum of $450,000 each. The men were arrested after they
allegedly robbed two fishing boats in the Corentyne River. The men had taken away a quantity of fish, fish glue, grocery, a 48-HP outboard engine, a 12-volt battery, a compass and a GPS device and escaped, leaving the victims adrift. Police acting on information received, arrested the alleged perpetrators. Intense interrogation led to one of the suspects relenting and giving vital details of their operations. Two shotguns allegedly used in the attack were also found. A 48-horse power engine was recovered from the bottom of a creek at Number 66 Village, after information was provided that it was stashed there. Police had also arrested a businessman at whose home they had recovered a quantity of outboard engine parts.
Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
The Abigail Column I don’t want to remain on the fence
DEARABIGAIL, I met a man last year, and we really hit it off. From my perspective, we enjoyed spending time together; had a lot in common, great conversations, great chemistry, and seemed to value many of the same things. However, several months into the relationship, I found out he had lied about his age by 10 years (I’m in my late 20s and he’s actually in his early 40s). I also learned that he had concealed the fact that he has a teenage daughter from a previous relationship. I realise that people sometimes lie about or omit
things when they date, but it bothered me that he would not come clean once we got to know one another — especially since I’m very open-minded and would not have had a problem with his age or his family situation. I do, however, have a problem with lying. I stopped seeing him for a few months because I wasn’t sure how to move forward. Eventually, though, I missed him and the connection we had together, and we gradually started seeing each other again. In many ways, the relationship feels like it’s going well. However, I still wonder if we can have the kind of trust a relationship needs, knowing that he was capable of living with such lies. I also now have to live with the criticism from
friends and family who think I should move on. I don’t want to remain on the fence. Conflicted Dear Conflicted, Lying about your age is one thing. It’s not a good thing, mind you, but it’s nothing compared with omitting the other little detail your boyfriend forgot to mention, i.e., the existence of offspring. I can understand not sharing this girl’s existence with you at the outset (he may feel shame or guilt if he doesn’t support or have a relationship with the girl), but this is something that he should own and disclose to you if he is in an intimate relationship with you.I suggest you hop off the fence.
Thursday June 14, 2012 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): Your mental and creative faculties receive a boost when a new project has you bursting with enthusiasm. Optimism and expansive thinking will keep everything moving briskly. ********************************* TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): Questions that aren’t normally asked mean you have to reveal more about yourself than you ever have previously. ********************************* GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): You know it’s not wise to get into situations that might overtax you mentally and physically. Joint decisions will be agreed on but not before you have voiced your concerns. ********************************* CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): You could be seeing the end of past money worries as your financial fortunes get a sudden boost. A more productive and lucrative chapter begins. If the figures you are dealing with are more than you are used to, get help from a professional such as an accountant or bank manager. ********************************* LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): In business, ambition, executive ability and a need for power are some of the qualities that will help you get ahead. ********************************* VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You don’t think this is a good time to reveal plans you have been secretly concealing but you have no choice about it.
LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): Your past dedication to a worthy cause has been remarkable; today a difficult choice must be made. Do you continue with similar undertakings in the future? ********************************* SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): Decisions and actions taken today are inspired by a strong intuition that has been with you on-andoff for some time. ********************************* SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): An unexpected travel offer seems too good to miss but the consequences are vast, transforming your life. You want to take advantage of this opportunity while it is being offered but to do so, you could lose something or someone of value. ********************************* CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): A change of residence, legal amendment or new financial transactions are all a possibility today. Although any change that takes place will help pull you out of a rut, you might still feel as if the ground is crumbling under your feet. ********************************* AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): All good things must come to an end, you will be the first to agree! Changes in a partnership or love relationship may at first seem off-putting. ********************************* PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): You might sense some subterfuge going on behind the career scenes. Keep your lips sealed.
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Bandits invade local comedians’... From page 13 keep telling me they didn’t have transportation.” Not long after, Jones said, Maria arrived at the station to report the incident. It was only at that point he realized that she too had fled the house while the men were busy looking for him after realizing that he had escaped via the back door. “She told me that after I left the men ran
into the yard looking for me and it was then she got away. And all this time the children were sleeping,”. According to Jones, eventually the police escorted himself and Maria back to the home where they discovered that the entire place had been ransacked. Jones said the men made off with two other cellular phones and a 32-inch LCD Flat screen television set. The matter is being investigated.
Prosecution closes Neesa Gopaul... From page 7 documents. His objection was overruled. Prior to the prosecutions closure, several police witnesses were brought before the presiding court head, Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine- Beharry, to testify. A few civilian witnesses also took the stand, with the most recent being Mohammid Kayum, father of the accused Bibi Gopaul. The father was however reluctant to cooperate with the prosecution. On the last occasion the Magistrate had ruled on certain submissions made by the prosecution as it related to the evidence provided. Attorney-at-law Vic Puran who is representing Gopaul, had also made submissions with the most noticeable being his call for the
T&T team brought in... From page 7 uncle were very close, being the only two surviving siblings. Miss Ellisa made that fateful plunge some time after 17:00 hours on Friday last. The boat capsized while trying to return to Muneshwer’s wharf from which it departed shortly before. Captain, St. Vincent national Justin Bino told reporters that he realized as soon as he departed the wharf that the ship started to lean and was taking in water. He said that he decided that he was no longer going out to sea and was lining up to go back to the wharf to adjust the cargo but during the turn, the boat leaned on its starboard side and capsized within minutes. The men quickly abandoned ship and six of the crew members were saved by water taxi operators who raced to the sailors’ aid.
immediate halt of the PI. The matter will however convene on June 29. The defence will be prepared to respond to the prosecution’s case. Neesa Gopaul‘s body was found in early October of 2010. The teen was murdered and placed in a suitcase which was found in a creek on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway a
short distance from the Emerald Tower Resort. Dumbbells were found attached to the suitcase reportedly used in an effort to weigh down the body. The deceased was found with certain items that led investigators to believe that the mother and her lover had some part to play in the teen’s death.
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(From page 15)
Kaieteur News
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Thursday June 14, 2012
Buxton Secondary aiming for better... From page 21 players’ are already part of football clubs either on the East Coast of Demerara or in the City. Responding to the question of the importance of the tournament and what it means to the school,
McAllister said it is a very good that Digicel has seen the need to come on board and support the development of youth football because there is where the future of the sport reside, adding that should they go on to win the competition it would be a
great achievement for the school and by extension the community. Manager of the team Tracey Braithwaite, who is also the Social Studies teacher, expressed faith in her boys, saying that it is her firm belief they will do well.
Darren Bravo finds form in crushing... From back page spells in county cricket for Sussex - came within one blow of three-figures after an innings that hinted at a greater maturity in his batting than had previously been evident. Given the chance to bat at No. 4 with Marlon Samuels resting, he played himself in but still did not struggle to score at a run-a-ball, a rate he later increased before driving to mid-on searching for the boundary to reach a hundred. One of his two sixes went into the top tier of the pavilion; Gayle is not the only one who can comfortably clear boundaries. There is suddenly competition for batting places. Samuels, West Indies’ Man of the Series in the Tests, will return to the middle order so one from this side will need to make way. Another advan-
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tage for them is many of their batsmen are more than capable with the ball; Gayle, Samuels, Smith and Kieron Pollard all provide useful varieties of spin or medium-pace, one of the reasons the 50-over (and 20-over) format suits West Indies. In this match, though, their bowling was barely needed. Middlesex’s reply was all rather embarrassing. Three of the middle order - Paul Stirling, Neil Dexter and Adam London - fell to a variety of miscued pulls as Ravi Rampaul continued his nagging form from the Test se-
ries and Russell produced a lively opening spell. There was just time for Gayle to finish the game with two in three balls, both wickets met with his unique celebrations. Eoin Morgan was not in the side despite his limited cricket so far this season and recent return to form with a 49-ball hundred in the CB40. Instead, he had a net on the Nursery Ground ahead of linking up with the England squad in Southampton on Thursday. Scores: West Indians 335 for 4 (Darren Bravo 112*, Smith 96) beat Middlesex 107 by 228 runs.
She, however, spoke of some of the challenges that she faces which include the absence of a full time coach and the need for the players to be more disciplined. She said that from looking at the practice sessions some of the players are very good, but others have some more work to do which she is hoping will be completed in time for their clash against Bygeval. The boys she disclosed appropriately named themselves the Challenges, “So now is the time for them to prove whether or not they are up for the challenge”. Asked how as a Social Studies teacher she ended up working with the boys, Braithwaite said that she was approached by the head teacher, but even before then the boys had asked her if she could just register them because they really wanted to be in the competition and she did that and the rest is history.
Durant helps Thunder crack Heat in... From back page league’s best player, with both also seeking a first championship. Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook scored 18 of his 27 points in the second half, while adding eight rebounds and 11 assists overall. The only other player scoring in double figures for Oklahoma City was forward Serge Ibaka, who netted 10.
“He’s a terrific player. We want him to score,” Thunder coach Scott Brooks said of Westbrook. “When he gets to those spots that he can knock those shots down, those are great shots for him. “Defensively he was solid. When you guard (Dwyane) Wade or LeBron, you have to really exert a lot of effort defensively, and he did that. And
Professor Francis back ... From page 23 disclosed that the National Gymnasium has been made available free of charge to his club by Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports through the help of Deputy PS Steve Ninvalle. Classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and
Fridays with classes for Juniors held from 17:00hrs to 19:00hrs and from 19:00hrs to 21:00hrs for seniors and Sensei Garfield encouraged anyone interested in becoming a Martial Artist (a combination of multiple disciplines combined) to join the club.
he also had enough to finish around the basket.” Miami led by as many as 13 in the opening half but fell apart in the third quarter, and when Westbrook made a three-point play late in the closing seconds to give the Thunder their first lead at 7473, the Chesapeake Energy Arena erupted. “They got out in transition and that’s their bread and butter, especially here at home,” said Heat forward Shane Battier, who scored 17 points but only four in the second half. “They run so well. For a while we contained them. Second half we made too many careless turnovers.” Game Two is also in Oklahoma City today before the series shifts to Miami for the next two contests. “This one is behind us now,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “About halfway through the fourth quarter, we were thinking we were putting ourselves in a position to win. “And then they just went away. That’s what they do, they keep on coming. They’re relentless. They beat us at their game and beat us in a game that’s very similar to us when we’re playing well.” Wade conceded the Thunder “did a great job of turning up defensive pressure” in the second half. “They just made more plays than us,” said Wade, an eight-time All-Star who had 19 points. “They got a couple offensive rebounds that kind of hurt us. They got a couple open shots. “And then from that point, we was kind of playing behind.”
Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
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GFF shortlists squad for U-19 Buxton Secondary aiming CFU/FIFA WC qualifiers for better results this time The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has released the names of 26 Under-19 players that will commence preparations for the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and FIFA World Cup Qualifying competition. The GFF has appointed a number of Coaches who have been following games at the Inter Association and Club levels; the performances of the players in these games were used as the basis for selection to the squad. Milerock Coach Brian Joseph has been named the Head Coach of the team and he would be assisted by the seasoned Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson (Coach), Andrew Hazel (Goalkeeping Coach), Herbert McPherson (Development Coach) and Anson Ambrose who will perform duties as the Physical Trainer. A Manager will be appointed shortly. Players are asked to take note that the first Physical Evaluation Camp will be held on the weekend of June 23-24 with the second set for July 7-8. The final camp will be held from July 20 to August 4 with the selection of the final 18 set for August 3. The team will leave for St . Vi n c e n t a n d t h e Grenadines on August 4 for the first stage of the qualifying competition, Group D where they will also face Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. Four teams from Central America and five from the Caribbean will qualify to the 2013 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship to be played in Mexico; in addition to hosts Mexico, the United States and Canada who will automatically qualify for the
Trayon Bobb
Pernel Schultz
competition. Following is the list of
players who have been shortlisted:
Goalkeepers Name Club Jonvano DosSantos NA United Darrious Frank Milerock Cleon Dorris Dennis Edwards Conquerors Central Defenders Les Charles Critchlow Buxton United Aubrey Green Dellon Wilburg Flamingo Nikel Frazer Pele Left Defenders Ashley Ardin Uitvlugt Alden Benjamin Right Defenders Ron Liken Joshua Browne Conquerors Central Mid-Fielders Daniel Wilson Alpha United Domnique Garnett Grove Hi Tec Jermain Junor Conquerors Keon Norville Buxton United Left Mid-Fielders Treyon Bobb Caledonia A.I.A Pernel Shultz Conquerors Right Mid-Fielders Aldrin Edwards Riversview Devon James NA United FC Forwards Jamaal Booker Buxton United Jeffrey Pereira Den Amstel Randolph Wagner Western Tigers Andrea Hector Den Amstel Development Players Malcolm Wilson Pele Emmet Leacock Alpha United
Association Berbice Upper Demerara Essequibo Georgetown East Demerara West Demerara Georgetown Georgetown West Demerara Essequibo Berbice Georgetown Georgetown East Bank Georgetown East Coast T&T Georgetown Bartica Berbice East Coast West Demerara Georgetown West Demerara Georgetown Georgetown
Den Amstel remains unbeaten; Seawall FC maul Nismes/Bagotsville The inaugural Stag Beer sponsored West Demerara Football Association Senior League continued on Sunday last at the Den Amstel Ground with double header action; home team Den Amstel recorded their second win in as many matches while Seawall FC rebound from defeat to maul debutants Nismes/Bagotsville 13-1. Having defeated Seawall FC in their first game of the season 3-1, Den Amstel replicated that performance against Stewartville, suffering their 2nd loss in as many matches. Paul Payne sent the home team ahead in just the 5th minute with the advantage being doubled in the 28th minute compliments of a Jeffrey Pereira goal. Stewartville, led by the seasoned campaigner Owen McGarrell narrowed the lead in the 40th minute when McGarrell rocked the nets. The second half continued to produce competitive football but the home team did not want to keep their opponents too close so they restored the 2-goal cushion in the 78th minute when
Keyon Warde found the back of the nets. Final score, Den Amstel 3 Stewartville 1. Seawall FC did not waste any time in imposing their will and experience on debutants Nismes/Bagotsville scoring the first goal two minutes into the games, Gadi Hoyte the player on target. The early strike sent the signal that Seawall were not going to spare their opponents and that promises they kept to the very end, rocking the nets on 13 occasions. Rawle Haynes blasted a helmet-trick, hitting the network in the 11th, 34th, 51st and 79th minute. There were a brace each for Mark Boyce (25, 77) and Andy Gillis (66, 81). The other players inking their names on the score sheets were Marlon Agard – an own goal – in the 16th minute, Julius Griffith (37), Keron Boyce (53) and Sherwin Liverpool (53). Four more matches will be contested this Saturday and Sunday with double headers on each day.
Having exited last year’s tournament in the first round, Buxton Secondary School, one of the confirmed participants in this year’s Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition is sparing no effort and is preparing diligently to progress further into the competition. This is according to designated Captain Dwight McAllister, who said that their preparations are much better this time and that has boosted their confidence in getting past the first round on this occasion. They are set to open their quest for top honours
- opens quest tomorrow against Bygeval tomorrow when they face Bygeval in the opening game of this year’s competition at the famous GCC ground. The sixteen year-old, who is also a member of the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), disclosed that they are working hard to ensure that they stay in the competition much longer this time. “We working on our weak areas and we have the confidence that we will win all our matches”, McAllister revealed. Among the weak areas, he was alluding to was their inability to control the ball as
they attempt to pass it to each other. According to him, while they’ve scheduled training for every day, not every player is attending the sessions due to lessons. Once in a while, he stated, they benefit from coaching sessions from Sheron Abrams, who is also the Coach of Buxton Stars. McAllister said that when Abrams is not available they train on their own. Those unsupervised sessions he pointed out are usually not difficult since most of the (Continued on page 20)
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Kaieteur News
Thursday June 14, 2012
JKA/WF Guyana Karate team haul in 13 medals in Panama The JKA/WF Guyana team that competed at the just concluded JKA/WF America 2012 Karate Camp and Goodwill tournament from June 7 – 10 in Panama City returned to these shores stacked up with 13-medals, a happy and more experienced unit. Competing at this tournament for the 4th consecutive year, the 10member Guyanese team captured 5 Gold, 6 Silver and a Bronze medal. The team, drawn from the JKA/WF Guyana – (National Park Dojo HQ) comprised of 5 senior competitors and one Coach along with four young athletes. According to reports, the Panamanian atmosphere was tropical, similar to that of Guyana and on competition day team Guyana was in high competitive spirits. Competition got underway in the boys division (white to orange belt) and 7 year-old Camiel Melville
(8th Kyu) placed 1st in Kata and 2nd in Kumite. Eleven year-old Loren Black (7th Kyu) placed 1st in Kumite and 1st Kata in her division; both Melville and Black competing against mainly Panamanians in this division. Thirteen year-old Xavier Arjoon (1st Kyu Brown belt) defeated all his competitors which included Panamanians, Costa Ricans, Americans and Mexicans to grab the top spot in both Kata and Kumite. Arjoon’s division also had a merger of brown and black belts and he made light work of them all. It was then the turn of 15 year-old Shaqueel Amin (1st Dan) who faced seasoned competition from Panama and the USA and like his colleagues, made his mark by copping silver medals in both Kata and Kumite. Shermon Kyte and Marlon George (both Shodan – 1st degree black belt) had their work cut out for them too
as this was a huge division with many entrants but they delivered against seasoned competitors of higher ranks despite being new comers to this division. Marlon George took bronze in the Kata competition against the Panamanians, Mexicans, Venezuelans and Costa Ricans. Continuing in the adult category, 61 year-old Godfrey Taylor met competition from the USA, Panama and Mexico in the over 45-year division and was lauded for his strong performance. Competition climaxed with the team Kata event, and Guyana again penetrated this category as Shankar Singh, Marlon George and Shermon Kyte (all 1st Dan – Black belt) put together a strong Jion to gain Silver despite the other regions being very competitive. JKA/WF Guyana came in for high praise from JKA/WF America official Mr. Yasuaki Nagatomo who at the Country representative
PROUD FACES!!! The successful Guyana team displays their silverware won at the JKA/WF America 2012 Karate Championships held in Panama City. meeting stated that Guyana is the role model for excellence, making particular mention of the Country’s efficient level of administration, documentation and pro-activeness. Nagamoto noted that this is a Region that he is pleased with and have invited the
Chief Instructor Sensei Christopher Chaves to take his 5th Dan testing at the next International event. The JKA/WF Guyana Committee and team is expressing thanks their main sponsors, Courtney Benn Contraction Services Ltd,
Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance and mother company Cellular Planet Inc. along with Demerara Distillers Limited and Geddes Grant for the instrumental roles they have played in the success of the team.
Drayton & Harlequin confident for T&T National Open Championship Former Royal Youth Movement (RYM) athletes, Philip Drayton and Wayne Harlequin who presently resides in twin island, Trinidad and Tobago will be looking to produce superb performances at the upcoming Trinidad and Tobago Sagicor National Gas Company National Open Championship on June 23rd and 24th at the Hasley Crawford Stadium. The trials which is set to kick off in Port of Spain next weekend will see, Drayton, former National’s School Track and Field Championship athlete competing in the Men’s 400m as Harlequin competes in his pet event, the Men’s 800m. Both athletes who are under the watchful eyes of a 1972 Olympian, Trevor James at the Quantum Athletics Track Academy/Club (QATA/ C) it was revealed to this publication that they will be gunning for new personal best times in their event. Drayton competing already for this athletic season registered a time of 49.02 seconds in the 400m at the National Athletics Association of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) Developmental Meet last February at Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva. The performance produced was good enough for him to place second behind his team mate, Ryan Benjamin who had 48.37 seconds. Indicating that he is
Philip Drayton
Wayne Harlequin
presently recuperating from a minor injury sustained during training a month ago, Drayton said that he will be in full flight for the competition which is nine days away. “I have not done any speed work as yet because of the minor injury I endured a month ago but I will be in full flight for this competition. I am presently 90% on recovery.” The athlete, who is currently pursuing his Olympic quest, disclosing during the interview that he’s focused and knows what it takes run certain timings, added that his expectation for the Championship will either be a late 47 seconds or an early 48 seconds. Harlequin who will be pursing the same quest as his team mate, Drayton, informed Kaieteur Sport that he will be entering the games with a positive state of mind. With this trials being the
first competition for Harlequin for the season, the 800 meter athlete, who previously competed at the ALBA Games which was held in Venezuela last year, stated that he will be looking to better his PB of 1:50 seconds which was achieved at the ALBA Games. “I feel good going into this competition knowing that it is my first for the year.” He continued, “This competition will allow me to gauge my performance and will also indicate to me where I am presently with my training and what I have to do for my future races to be on top of my game,” he said. The Trinidad and Tobago National Open Championship which will be held over two days will commence at 3pm. Drayton’s 400m (preliminary) is slated for 10:50pm while Harlequin’s 800m preliminary as well is set for 5:50pm.
Thursday June 14, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Professor Francis back in Guyana for Martial Arts workshop & grading By Sean Devers Fifty-six year old Trinidadian Martial Arts Professor Christopher Francis is once again in Guyana for a four-day workshop and grading at the National Gymnasium based Black Hawks Martial Arts Management Network Association. The 10 Dan Black Belt Martial Artist holds a PHD in Martial Arts History and another in the method and Science of Martial Arts which he gained two months ago from the University of Asian Martial Arts Studies in Los Angeles, USA. He is associated with 140 Organizations around the th
World and is the Goodwill Ambassador to the Caribbean for Martial Arts, having trained in countries like Korea, England, USA, Porto Rico, Bangkok and the Philippines. Professor Francis told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that he will be working along with local Black Belt Martial Arts teacher, Sensei Garfield Newton before grading the about 30-40 students on Sunday before he heads to the airport to leave Guyana. Newton who has been involved in teaching Martial Arts for the last 17 years, said the Black Hawks Martial Arts Management Network Association has
about 60 students from age five upwards adding that the interest for the sport is very high among the students, most of whom are from ‘the not so fortunate’ communities. Francis has been coming here for the past nine years and disclosed that everything is voluntary. He only charges for the seminar he conducts and says he conducts a similar programme in Trinidad. “Nine years ago Sensei Garfield asked Professor Reuben Torres in the USA for me to come to Guyana and assist with the development of Martial Arts here and as the Martial Arts
Goodwill Ambassador to the Caribbean I have been coming here on my own expense,” Professor Francis explained. The Professor said that once participants are attending school, before they qualify to be graded they must submit their end of term academic result, have a report done by Sensei Garfield on his observations of their overall performance and recommendation for their promotion in addition to testimony from their parents on their behavior at home. The successful students will then have to pass a practical and theoretical test
Morgan posts her fastest 5K time for the year - confidence high ahead of CARICOM 10K next month
I
n winning Sunday’s Eastern Credit Union (ECU) Granny Luces 5K Road Race in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana’s premier female distance athlete Alika Morgan sent an ominous warning to her rivals ahead of the upcoming CARICOM 10K Race which will be held in St. Lucia next month. Morgan, who has been the most dominant female distance athlete in Guyana for quite a while now toyed with a weak field, but still posted her fastest time of the year over the distance after returning 19 minutes six seconds to beat into second place Camille Gajhadar (21:14) and Natoya Cudjoe (22:10). Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, Morgan, who suffered a series of injuries last season, said she feels she is back to her best and is predicting victory in the regional event despite the composition of the field. “I finished third last year after being beaten by fellow Guyanese Euleen Josiah-Tanner and Grenadian Kenisha Pascal, but providing I get sponsorship to compete I will be going there to retain my title which I last won two years
Alika Morgan ago,” Morgan told this newspaper. According to the distance queen, her preparations this year has been very intense and injury free and she is looking to reclaim her title and status as the premier distance athlete in the Caribbean.
Morgan revealed that Sunday’s race was just a precursor for the CARICOM race and the win has boosted her confidence greatly and is looking forward to a fast race come next month in St. Lucia. Commenting on her performance in the Twin Island, Morgan said it was a good race for her, adding that even though it was just her second 5K event for the year, she still managed to produce a quicker time than her previous race and that in itself is testimony to her training and current form. “I feel much stronger this year and because I’m injury free I’ve been able to train much better and my confidence has been improving,” she said. Morgan is hoping that the lack of sponsorship does not prevent her from attending the race and has made an appeal to the Government and Corporate Guyana to ensure that she gets the opportunity to represent her country. She extended thanks to GT&T, GuyEnterprise Ltd, Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport and her Coach and his wife Leslie and Avril Black for their respective support over the years.
Professor Christopher Francis (left) and Sensei Garfield Newton will be in charge of the programme. in addition to an endurance programme to test the strength of their minds. According to Francis a Black belt is a white belt who never quits. “I feel that by getting the kids involved in Martial Arts at a young age we can help to reduce crime and keep them off the streets when they get older. This is a service to the nation and can literally save someone’s life. I tell youths from depressed areas to put down the guns, pick up the books, get involved in sport and rise to prominence,” Francis said. “The discipline, determination and patriotism I have seen here among the students over the years is what brings be back. This programme gives kids who cannot afford to pay to join some of the other Martial Arts schools an opportunity to make something out of their lives. We try to save one child at a time each day,” Francis, who arrived in Guyana yesterday, said. Francis wrote the CXC syllabus for the subject of Martial Arts in 2001 and is presently working to ensure the syllabus is being used for sports development around the Caribbean. Francis, who won 14
World Championships and defended them 26 times, retired last January as the undisputed World Martial Arts Champion in the Grand Masters division and said he was fortunate to have gotten involved in Martial Arts at age six. “In 1963 my father, who was a truck driver for a Chinese couple’s Farm in Trinidad was going through a divorce with my mom who then left for England. He would entrust me to the Chinese couple every weekend and they taught me Martial Arts. I can also speak fluent Chinese and Japanese,” Francis revealed. “We are also grateful to the Kaieteur News for helping to promote this programme in a big way since it first began. Students from Region one would come to the City and tell us they learnt of the sessions from the Kaieteur News,” Francis added. The Black Hawks Martial Arts Management Network Association is open to anyone older than five years old and the registration fee is $1,500 with a monthly membership fee of $1,000 which Sensei Garfield says goes to funding for gear. He (Continued on page 20)
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Dwayne Smith hit 96 to warm up for the one-day series.
Darren Bravo finds form in crushing win
Chris Gayle launched two sixes in his 34.
Darren Bravo goes onehanded during his hundred.
W
ith an influx o f n e w personnel to their squad, West Indies can consider themselves far more England’s equals in the forthcoming one-day series, if not even slight favourites given the power in the top order. That strength was on show during their one warmup match ahead of the opening ODI, as they piled up 335 for 4 against Middlesex. Their performance included a welcome hundred from Darren Bravo and Dwayne Smith’s 96 which showed they should not have to rest purely on Chris Gayle. Gayle’s return to the maroon strip was the initial focus at Lord’s. In the second over he took consecutive boundaries off Robbie Williams and then launched Tim Murtagh for t w o s i x e s . Wi t h t h e Middlesex attack lacking Corey Collymore - a former West Indies team-mate of Gayle - and Toby RolandJones it was lightweight and
Gayle looked set to take advantage. However, he did not quite middle his attempted flick over the leg side off Anthony Ireland and found deep midwicket on the shorter of the boundaries. The backbone of West Indies’ imposing total was a 156-run stand for the third
wicket between Darren Bravo and Smith, while the end of the innings was given a kick by Dwayne Bravo another player back in the squad after IPL duty - who sped to 40 off 21 balls in a fifth-wicket partnership of 73 in six overs. There is certainly no lack of
boundary-clearing ability in the visitors’ line-up which extends down to Andre Russell and Darren Sammy in the lower order. Darren Bravo’s innings was timely after a Test series in which he disappointed with 81 runs in five innings. He was not challenged by a
weakened Middlesex attack - further depleted by the loss of Robbie Williams who injured himself fielding - but neither did he let the opportunity to revive his confidence go to waste. The hundred - just his third in List A cricket - came from 110 deliveries in the final
over of the innings and he closed out the 50 overs by striking the final two balls for sixes against Josh Davey. He provides an important foil to the more dashing blades elsewhere. Smith - well known to English audiences after his (Continued on page 20)
Durant helps Thunder crack Heat in Finals opener (Reuters) - Kevin Durant won the opening round of his highly anticipated duel with LeBron James, scoring 36 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 105-94 victory over the Miami Heat in the opening game of the NBA Finals on Tuesday. The NBA scoring champion hit 12-of-20 shots and added eight rebounds to help the Western Conference champions outscore the Heat by 18 points in the second half to draw first blood in the best-of-seven series. “You know, this is a tough series,” said Durant, whose 17 fourth-quarter points slammed the door shut on Miami. “This level of basketball is the hardest we play, and we just want to take it slow and take it a possession at a time. “Guys got to just continue to believe in themselves. If we do
that as a group, we’ll be all right. It took us a couple minutes to get the nervousness out of us.” James, a three-time MVP, scored 30 points on 11-of-24 shooting, while adding nine rebounds, but it was Durant who triggered the Thunder’s turnaround. “They didn’t make many mistakes in the fourth quarter,” James said of the Thunder’s 31-21 advantage in the final period. “I don’t think we made many mistakes in the fourth quarter, it’s just they made more plays, especially offensively. “They made more shots. Russell made some big time shots, KD (Durant) made some big time shots. So I think that’s what it’s about.” Durant’s tussle with James is widely regarded as a barometer for determining the (Continued on page 20)
Kevin Durant ® drives to the basket against Chris Bosh in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Professor Francis back in Guyana Pg. 23 JKA/WF Guyana Karate team Pg. for Martial Arts workshop & grading haul in 13 medals in Panama 22
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