Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

ROHEE AND KORHEE

DEAR EDITOR, The sacking of Dr. Raj Singh as the Chairman of GUYSUCO was long overdue. This individual, whose Doctorate qualification is at best questionable and fabricated, presided over the demise of Guyana’s largest employer while receiving a super salary of over $2 million monthly.

The appointment of Raj Singh from its onset was highly political as the individual has no background in management, never headed any company of more than a dozen employees nor did he ascend to any top (or mediocre) corporate position. Mr. Singh’s knowledge of sugar revolved around his coffee cup.

As president of the Association of Confused Guyanese in New York his

‘leadership’ precipitated the splintering of the group into several factions.

But what is pathetic and lopsided about this person’s thought process is the rejection in 2012 of a higher offer of US$700 per ton for sugar by Tale and Lyle, almost three times today’s world market prices.

This would have seen GUYSUCO and the people of Guyana receiving some $14B more!! Mr. Singh and his board held out for higher prices.

Instead, sugar dropped to $US350 per ton within three years, propelling the corporation to ask for a further bailout of $16B. Amidst all this mess comes Rohee.

Rohee is upset because Mr. Singh was labeled incompetent. Not being a very cognizant and educated person, Rohee

parrots the old adage: he was fired because of his ethnicity and political alignment.

With this line of reasoning Mr. Rohee would have kept Mr. Singh as head of the sugar corporation thereby perpetuating more bailouts.

Mr. Rohee should ask his former boss, Jagdeo why he gave the Chinese US $30M more to build a technological white elephant at Skeldon instead of using the Indian company. Perhaps goat did bite Mr. Rohee.

Guyanese have to further brace themselves for political agony as the Puerto Rican and US authorities gain additional information about pilot Khamraj Lall (who has pleaded guilty) and whose money he was carrying.

Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine

The supporters of the PPP have...

From page 4 leadership and the People have so provided through the last elections.

The recent findings of the pension plan at Guysuco, its G$90 Billion debt; the empty pot of rice in the Petro Caribe deal; the hidden funds in bank accounts; the gross criminality of seeking election campaign funds disguised as a loan from the GGMC to the housing sector….all explain the “stiffening of necks and the red neck character” of a morally spent and intellectually barren political force.

For the PPP, it is time for renewal and rebirth. Your election campaign has left you still born. The entire world watched in amazement at the most blatant racism election campaign the Region and perhaps the entire World (outside Apartheid South Africa) has seen in the last 50 years. Should we have been surprised? No. Kean Gibson had it right when she wrote “racism itself a political system, a particular power structure of formal and informal rule, socioeconomic

privilege, and norms for the differential distribution of material wealth and opportunities, benefits and burdens, rights and duties”.

For the PPP, racism underpins its political and economic philosophy. Not democracy. Not socialism.

The unconscionable PPP has left Guyana deeply wounded, so wounded, that even if the PPP had managed to win, it would not have been allowed to rule. The racism was too real, too close to the bone.

Too unapologetic. Too raw.

Too rank. Too criminal. Too irreconcilable to People of decency.

The current behaviour of the PPP is symptomatic of political crassness. It has forced its constituency to bear the brunt of its nastiness.

I won’t be surprised if the depression rate and ultimately the suicide rate of their constituency goes up. This is criminal.

This is the antithesis of leadership. Daily I see and feel the sadness of some of their supporters, some whom are close friends, are under

enormous stress because they cannot be themselves.

They feel under siege, not because they are under siege by known enemies or the government but because the PPP has their own supporters under siege.

Why? How can you be so cruel to your own family? Isn’t blood thicker than water? The PPP has lost but wouldn’t concede. They have reverted to their core belief system…..racial superiority. Racism. How dare the Gods allow a lesser people to rule them? Impossible!

The PPP has now become “prisoners of its past” and is paralysed into destructive personal and party politics.

But this now puts a greater requirement of Statesmanship and patience on President Granger, PM Nagamootoo and all other appointed members of Government.

Ministers need to set the example. They need to first recognise the stress lines around us, in our workplaces, on the buses and in the society in general.

Let’s stop the daily bombardment of who will be

“this” and “who will be that”.

Let the legal process have its due course.

All Guyanese will welcome the prosecution of criminality whether it be naked corruption or sophisticated stealing, whether it be for extrajudicial killings or other white / blue collar criminality.

It is time for Grace on behalf of the Government.

We all need grace after the psychological prison we lived in for so many years.

The President, Prime Minister, the Minister of Social Cohesion and the Ministry of Education need to establish a Task Force for this national priority. I am certain they are aware of the situation. For Guyanese of Indian Descent, it is time to exhale. Do not be held hostage to dark forces disguised as “sore losers”. They are not representing your best interest.

They are representing their own interest and you are their collateral damage.

Leadership is about vision.

Leadership is about maturity and of accepting basic truths.

Eric Phillips

Anybody allowed in Princess Casino

DEAR EDITOR, I have been writing and raising concerns about a number of issues over the years. I sincerely believe that for us as a people to develop, we must ensure balance in our moral outlook as well.

Again I am forced to write about a situation that I thought should have been addressed by the powers that be. Alas, it seems as we have buried our heads in the sand when it come to dealing with important matters.

On Saturday, I was forced to deal with an issue at my place. Two trainee staffers, wearing their work clothes, logos highly visible, made a trip to the Princess Casino.

They were allowed in and seen participating in gambling activities.

Questioning them, I learnt that they had visited the nearby movie theater and went over to the casino.

I was extremely shocked to learn that they were asked for an ID card, had their photos taken and will be issued membership cards.

Mr. E d i t o r, t h i s i s totally wrong. Under the gaming regulations, which was hotly debated, only guests or foreigners are allowed in. I am not sure when the system was changed or new laws passed.

I am not sure that Princess Casino can take it upon itself to change the rules. I am calling on the Government once again to examine the breach.

Maybe the Home Affairs Ministry, the police, the Gaming Authority or whoever, can send their people down to the casino.

You can’t have poor people visiting the casino. It

was never the intention of the framers of the laws. There are social repercussions. We have cane harvesters, horsecart operators, persons from all walks of life being allowed in.

I have seen a pregnant staffer walking the floors of the gambling area, in thick cigarette smoke. What is really happening in this country?

The police some time back received a number of television sets from Ramada/ Princess Hotel.

Maybe it is time to give them back as one can easily get the impression that there is a reluctance to act.

One could also get the impression that the previous administration condoned this lawlessness, for want of a better word.

The people voted for a change, I am sure that President David Granger will not be tolerating this. He should look into this.

I look forward to some attention to this important issue.

Cobeer Persaud

Page 6

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Fight against corruption needs to be intensified - Dr. Clive Thomas

By Kiana Wilburg “Citizens must not only hear of the war against corruption. They must also see evidence of it. Therefore, government’s approach to this cancer must be intense in word and action.”

This is the opinion of economist, Dr. Clive Thomas who recently commented on the intentions as well as the efforts being made by the new administration in rooting out corruption.

He noted, however, that government must also place emphasis on modernizing Guyana’s anti-corruption laws. He said, too, that it is imperative for the APNU+AFC administration to start working towards getting its investigative commission on corruption up and running. He reminded that the party vowed during the 2015 election campaign season that this would be done within 100 days of being in office.

The financial commentator made this statement, among others, during an exclusive interview with this newspaper last week.

“The issue of corruption and how devastating it can be to the economy cannot be underestimated. It’s an epidemic in Guyana and the task is now up to the new government to rectify this.

Economist, Dr. Clive Thomas But stopping corruption won’t be easy. It requires modernizing our legislation, because what corruption has now evolved to today is not covered in some of our laws.

We also need a Commission or Steering Committee that will be dedicated to seeing the laws adhered to, and those disregarding it, punished.”

The economist expressed that for the time being, the law provides for criminal penalties for official corruption. Several laws cover various aspects of corruption, including the Integrity Commission Act, the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act, the Audit Act, and the Criminal Law Enforcement Act. He said that for too long, “many engaged in corrupt activities and are yet to do the time. That should not be. We need to get serious. We need

to be resolute and practical about our approach to the matter.”

The columnist said that with regard to APNU+AFC’s intended Investigative Commission on Corruption, it should be complemented by a Steering Committee that will look at the needed improvements to the anticorruption laws.

He suggested that such a Committee should have close relations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Transparency Institute Guyana Inc., and the Guyana Bar Association. He said that these bodies are all important links in identifying where corruption takes place and how to intensify the fight against it.

He added that government can also solicit help from the international conventions against corruption.

Dr. Thomas reminded that it was under the previous administration that Guyana became a signatory to the Inter-American Convention Against Corruption and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption. He said that the treaties allow for Guyana to receive technical assistance on approaches that will be effective when dealing with corruption.

Dr. Thomas articulated that incorporating the international community into the process would lend more credence to the exercise.

“It would also prevent people from saying it is just another partisan witch-hunt.

I am against all forms of corruption. We need to put systems in place to prevent the reoccurrence of the kind of corruption that existed under the previous administration.

‘I don’t want the people I support politically to be involved in corrupt activities, and the best way to do this, is by putting in place the laws and mechanisms to guarantee its enforcement so as to prevent those persons there now from being tempted somewhere along the line.”

Dr. Thomas also asserted that the fight against corruption in all its forms will be made stronger with the

frauds, which took place under the PPP, amount to about $140billion.

He explained that Guyana’s underground economy refers to corrupt transactions that are prohibited by law and/or are undertaken by unauthorized providers. It has two main drivers: tax evasion and regulatory non-compliance.

He said too, that government needs to place special attention on two other areas of significant illegality and corruption in Guyana,

“Citizens must not only hear of the war against corruption. They must also see evidence of it.” involvement of the international corporations.

“With the help of the anticorruption conventions we signed on to, we can get help in monitoring offshore accounts in some territories.

Other countries are doing this like China and the USA who are partnering to find and prosecute corrupt officials trying to stash ill-gotten wealth in varying countries,” he added.

He noted that a significant proportion of economic transactions in Guyana are inspired by criminal motivations. He said that among these are repeated instances of general corruption and fraud, generating and distributing proceeds from organized crime, illegal capital flight, tax evasion and foreign currency substitution (US dollar) in day-to-day transactions.

Based on a study he conducted over the period 2001 to 2008, Dr. Thomas found that the underground economy yields a size of approximately $188B or US$940 million. He estimated that the public procurement

which generate massive economic hemorrhaging; illicit capital flight and the criminal underground economy.

Dr. Thomas explained that in Guyana, illicit capital flight refers to assets, whether legally obtained or otherwise by residents, which are intentionally transferred, smuggled, or sent abroad without the knowledge of the Guyana Revenue Authority and other oversight authorities.

These, he said, are not generally intended to yield proceeds that will be returned to the country. Because these transactions are illegal, they are kept secret.

“Therefore, when capital flight occurs, the capital disappears from Guyana’s financial/asset records, even though it might turn up in records elsewhere.”

Dr. Thomas firmly believes that this occurred “by the billions” under the PPP/C and stressed that as the new government pursues all its forensic audits, this aspect should also be given attention.

“During the 1980s and 1990s, capital flight was widely acknowledged as a major problem confronting Guyana. During the 2000s, however, it has been barely referenced by the authorities.

During that time, capital flight resumed with a vengeance.

This took place because the previous ruling political elites promoted collusion, through mutually-supporting networks, with criminal endeavours seeking to evade the regulatory and oversight functions of the state,” Dr. Thomas had said.

He added, “As I have argued elsewhere, this presently constitutes the starkest reminder of the ongoing criminalization of the state…”

He then made reference to data accumulated from two international sources responsible for annual tracking and reporting on aspects of global capital flight, including Guyana. One is the United Nations and the other is the Global Financial Integrity (GFI) founded in 2006.

Dr. Thomas noted that for the years, 2010-2012, Guyana’s illicit financial flows had averaged US$443million or approximately G$90billion.

Although these flows do not fully account for total capital flight, he said that they provide an order of magnitude for that sum.

He had said that by any standard, this is a huge amount that has risen rapidly during the 2000s.

“Retrospectively, the 2010-2012 average compares to US83 million back in 2003.This had doubled to US$173 million by 2006, and more than doubled yet again by 2010 to US$575million. The recorded growth in capital flight therefore, has been explosive during the 2000s,” he concluded.

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Warner releases new audio evidence Trinidad Guardian Former Minister of National Security Jack Warner has released a new audio recording purported to be of an ex-National Security Minister discussing a marijuana find.

It comes days after news broke of an allegation from Warner that a quantity of marijuana was discovered outside the private residence of Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar in Phillipine. The recording was released yesterday afternoon at a news conference held by Warner at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya.

Warner has claimed that he, Housing Minister Roodal Moonilal, ex-National Security Minister Gary Griffith and former DCP Mervyn Richardson participated in 2013 in a cover-up of the alleged discovery of four ounces of marijuana outside a window on the Prime Minister’s property.

A number of Government and Police officials—including Roodal Moonilal, Errol Mc Leod and Surujrattan Rambachan—have distanced themselves from the allegations.

Former Minister of Na-

Jack Warner tional Security Gary Griffith also denied Warner’s claim.

New taxes, fewer exemptions announced in Barbados budget BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - Barbadians will have to pay a suite of new taxes, including a tax on sweet drinks, a cess on milk and milk substitutes, and an excise on mobile phone usage, as well as contend with other measures that Government says will earn it just over BDS$200 million (US$100 million).

Not only will they be paying more taxes, but with the basket of basic food items – which is exempt from the 17.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) – carrying fewer items from September 1, it means Barbadians will also be paying more for some foods.

User fees for some government services will also be implemented, details of which have not yet been disclosed.

These include agriculture service fees, Barbados Fire Service fees, Government Day Care Centre fees, Immigration services fees and general user fees for Corporate Affairs and Registry Services.

Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler announced the new taxes and other measures Monday evening in his 2015 Budget presentation to Parliament, saying that the country’s tax system has become “somewhat unbalanced” with a heavy reliance on VAT, Corporation Tax and Personal Income Tax. To address that, he said, the tax burden would have to be more evenly distributed.

Against that background, Sinckler outlined the areas that would be affected, including the cost of food.

In addition to removing items such as tenderloin and sirloin steak, frozen spare ribs and Pacific salmon from the basket of basic food items, Government said it has moved to encourage healthier eating

Chris Sinckler habits by imposing a tax on unhealthy food.

“Sweetened beverages such as carbonated soft drinks, juice drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices and . . . similar products of like standing produced within Barbados that contain added high calorie sweeteners will now attract a 10 per cent excise tax levied on the value of the product before VAT is applied,” he said.

“This policy, which is expected to generate in excess of BDS$10 million (US$5 million) in revenue this fiscal year, will be reviewed in two years’ time to determine how effective it has been in shifting the behaviours of both producers, importers and consumers and whether it should be extended or intensified.”

As for the cellphone tax, Sinckler said that from August 1, a mobile airtime excise duty on cellular phones will be imposed at a rate of BDS$0.03 (US$0.15) per minute.

With information gathered from the Telecommunications Unit showing that LIME subscribers used 575.9 million

minutes last year and Digicel customers used 514.5 for the same period, Sinckler said the new measure should generate BDS$32.7 million (US$16.35 million) for the Treasury annually.

Of that amount, BDS$2.5 million (US$1.25 million) will be used to help Barbadian students pay tuition fees at the University of the West Indies.

While Government’s policy, implemented last September, to stop paying students’ tuition fees remains in force, Sinckler said a scholarships and grants programme would be set up to benefit students from low-income households who need help paying the money.Some existing taxes have also been increased and exemptions removed.

Land tax has been increased by between BDS$40 (US$20) and BDS$215 (US$107.50) for properties valued at BDS$250,000 (US$125,000) and up.

Several income tax deductions have been removed, leaving only contributions to trade unions and statutory associations, donations to charities including the church, and energy audit retrofits, along with the existing personal allowances.

“Other special credits such as foreign currency earnings allowance and double taxation relief will also remain in keeping with treaty arrangements,” Sinckler added.

However, he said, to ensure that taxpayers are not unduly disadvantaged by those changes, the current income tax rate of 17.5 per cent will be reduced to 16 per cent and the higher rate of 35 per cent dropped to 33.5 per cent.

Page 7

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 9

Funerals are different these days Funerals are sad occasions. People are sad because they would have lost someone near and dear to them, someone they know they will never see again.

The grief can be overpowering. Sometimes, you are at a funeral and everyone is dry-eyed. But no sooner does someone begin to cry that the whole thing becomes contagious and tears begin to flow from even those who may have known the deceased casually.

Funerals, paradoxically, however can be happy

occasions. When a relative dies, it is only then that the whole family usually comes together. The best place to catch up with relatives is usually at a funeral. Then is when almost all the family that you know comes out and you get to see them. This is why wake houses are places that people like to attend, because they can meet most of their relatives and catch up on what is happening. Funerals therefore can be a good occasion too.

But funerals and wakes are changing in Guyana.

There used to be a time when people used to keep wakes from the moment the person died right through to when that person is buried. In those days, the servings at wake houses used to be black coffee and biscuits. These days, people are expecting more. They want fancy cutters and meals when they go to a wake.

This has led to some changes. Wakes are now costly events, since those hosting the wakes have to provide snacks and food for many, including a lot of

persons who go to these wakes not to sympathize but to indulge in the food and drinks that are shared.

Some rich folks have decided that wakes are too costly. They cannot afford them. So what they do is to keep a wake the night before the funeral. In that way, they only have to provide food and snacks for one night. This is changing the traditional nature of wakes.

But not only wakes are changing, funerals are also changing. Just yesterday some persons were

Dem boys seh...

THREE GUN DEAD FUH ONE OPPOSITION LEADER

Is not by accident that Guyana producing all dem spinners fuh de West Indies.

Dem learn from Jagdeo, Babbie, Ash Knee and Brassington. They were de masters of spinning things.

Anything people talk and dem hear, dem had a spin for it.

If you tell dem bout watermelon vine and dem gun tell you that it can bring forth coconut; tell dem bout thiefing and dem gun point dem fingers at everybody else except dem.

Let’s start. Dem been in power fuh 23 years and dem never hold local government elections. Dem always use to put de blame pun de opposition. Now dem out of power, dem putting de blame pun GECOM boss.

That alone tell people clear that dem never want local government elections because of de licks wha dem gun get. When dem been in power dem use to cuss de Waterfalls boss man like if he was de opposition. Dem talk how he was de biggest scamp after Jagdeo.

Dem talk how he got assets all over de world; dem talk bout investigate but dem never do nutten.

Now dem calling pun de new government to investigate him. Dem boys hear when de boss man seh that whatever he got and wherever he got it, he never thief it from anybody. He never tek a cent from de taxpayers. Neither did he do any illegal business to acquire wha he got.

De boss man what challenge dem fuh bring dem wealth out in de open. Is then Guyana gun know who gun go to jail. Jagdeo is de fuss one. He should tell this nation how he acquire de money fuh build his mansion, alone.

When de reporters ask him that question he seh that he can explain, that he gun hold

a press conference.

But since de nice gyal magistrate put she hand pun him, he not even coming out pun de road much less hold a press conference.

Dem boys still want he come and tell de people wheh he get all that money—and not to explain wheh he get more money to own other properties and all dem fancy vehicles.

He can’t seh that Babbie give him from drugs money.

He dodging de questions.

This is de man who cuss,

buse and abuse everybody fuh any and everything.

When he was president he drive fear in nuff people. He knock off plenty people who only watch he full in he face.

Ask Beekoo.

Now he deh cussing Donald, Ashni and Rohee telling dem that he should be de opposition leader. Is big row because dem three cuss him back because dem and all want to be opposition leader.

The situation meet war stage. Some of dem boys from Freedom House whisper and

seh don’t be surprised if gun play break out in Freedom House.

But de Waterfalls boss man got a solution fuh done all de cussing and confusion about who gun be de opposition leader.

It simple. All dem have to do is play Russian roulette and de last man standing is de King. In any case, Guyana gun gain because three scamps gun dead fuh mek one opposition leader.

Talk half and listen fuh dem gunshots.

complaining that liquor is now being sold right outside the burial ground. The roads running alongside the burial grounds are being blocked because people park as they please.

Funerals are becoming an inconvenience to motorists.

There used to be a time when if someone who was involved in criminal activities was being buried even that person’s blood relatives was ashamed to go to the funeral.

They were embarrassed to let people know that they were associated in any way - family or even friend or neighbourwith the dead criminal.

Things have changed dramatically on this front.

Some of the largest funerals in this country are those involving persons who were killed during criminal activities. And it is not as if the majority of people go there out of curiosity. There are hundreds who go there because they feel important letting others know that they knew the criminal. This is how much this country has changed.

Imagine a criminal may have six or seven female partners and all of them are

going to turn up and not just turn up, but turn up proudly to let the entire country know that they had a relationship with the dead criminal. Some of them even bring their children to let them see who their daddy was. Things have changed in Guyana.

What has also changed is the way people dress when attending funerals. The attire at funerals also leaves much to be desired. Some folks dress as if they are going to a party. You cannot really blame them that much though, because their wardrobes may be limited and they have to wear whatever they can put their hands on.

As you get older it is harder to attend funerals.

Somehow you have that feeling that everyone is looking at you and saying, “He might be next.”

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

GUYANESE EAST INDIANS HAVE TO SPEAK TO PPP SUPPORTERS One night during the election campaign, I was on the platform at Strathavon in Cane Grove. A group of five young boys and girls stood opposite to where the meeting was held, in a bus shed waving large PPP flags. The speakers directly faced them.

The bus shed had a large barrel with a handle to give the appearance of a cup, the symbol of the PPP. With cash for the campaign that no computer could have

counted, the PPP could have employed a competent PR specialist. The cup in the form of a barrel was a moronic thing that all Guyanese laughed at including PPP supporters.

Who came up with the idea of using a barrel in the form of cup? It didn’t work.

With Rohee, Ramotar, Ramson Senior, Kwame Mc Coy, Neil Kumar, Priya “Satyra” Manickchand providing nuff jokes that made the nation laugh at the

PPP, the party certainly didn’t need to do something as stupid as the barrel/cup symbol to attract more derision. But that is what happened.

Why couldn’t the PPP have funded a few thousand large cups from a foundry? It had the money to pay for it.

The barrel thing was uglier than Jagdeo’s Berbice Bridge.

So there you are traveling up to Region Five to speak at a meeting, and staring you

throughout the villages are these large barrels precariously perched on the lantern posts.

One afternoon on my way to speak at Rosignol, we saw a large crowd in one of the villages and thought it was a road fatality. We took a look and found out that one of the barrels got loose and fell on a villager’s donkey and broke its back. It was pathetic to see the donkey lying there in pain.

The owner was livid and began cussing down the PPP. Some young men were angry at him for doing so because they saw us in the crowd. One of the youths had a cup in his hand and he struck the owner of the donkey with it. They put the donkey into the fallen barrel and rolled it away.

Anyway back to Strathavon.

When it was my turn to speak, I directly addressed the five young people at the bus shed. I told them that there were businessmen who were given contracts by the PPP Government that made their businesses into multi-billion enterprises and I didn’t see the children who benefited from such PPP patronage at the bus shed with flags in their hands. I informed them that such children wouldn’t even drive on the muddy roads of Strathavon. The flag-wavers were ashamed and left.

I took the same attitude at a public meeting in Mon Repos. A taxi driver passed the meeting, slowed down and began to cuss me down.

I told the crowd how ironic it was that it was a taxi driver doing the dirty work for the PPP, but I didn’t see the rich men who benefited from the PPP Government driving around at APNU-AFC meetings cussing down the speakers. The small crowd of Indian attendees was incensed and began to hurl insulting remarks at the taxidriver.

My point is that if you discourse with PPP supporters and prove to them how contemptuous the PPP Government has been of the ordinary man and woman, they will listen. Take the PPP picketers outside GECOM.

Frederick Kissoon Among the protestors was a man who was the subject of a corruption enquiry at NCN. Why was he still around the PPP? The answer is the protection these people were given by the PPP Government.

Do the protestors want this type of regime back in power?

Take Shaun Samaroo. He was paid sixteen million dollars for a project he said related to the Rodney Commission. I spent twentysix years at UG and don’t have sixteen million dollars.

The PPP junta had journalists slaving for them at NCN, Chronicle, GINA, channels 65 and 69 and the Guyana Times, many of whom could have undertaken the same job Samaroo was awarded.

I don’t know if Samaroo is a university-trained journalist, but what was special about him that caused the PPP to overlook so many of its loyal journalists and award a sixteen million contract to Samaroo?

Samaroo’s reporting on the contents of the Rodney Commission was ineffective in the Chronicle because it turned off readers with its propagandistic style. It didn’t influence readers.

Really, why would young Indians protest in the cruel midday sun for a party that has been so insulting to its own supporters? It is a foregone conclusion that those picketers will dry up soon. The PPP itself will dry up soon.

Porter jailed for snatching gold chain An East La Penitence man who decided to take advantage of a woman by robbing her of a gold chain, was yesterday jailed for 18 months by Magistrate Fabayo Azore. Noland Forde, a porter, admitted to the court that on June 13 at Stabroek Market, he stole a gold chain valued $200,000 from Higinno Rosolen.

According to the prosecution, the woman was walking in the vicinity of the Stabroek Market area, when Forde approached her and snatched the chain. He tried to escape but was caught by public-spirited citizens who summoned the police.

This matter was prosecuted by Police Corporal Simone Payne.

In another case, a porter was released on $50,000 bail after he was accused of simple larceny.

Particulars of the charge stated that on June 15, at Georgetown, Devon Rodney broke and entered the dwelling house of Shazam Ibrahim and stole a BlackBerry phone casing valued $10,000, five DVD players worth $44,000 and $5,440 cash, property of the said Ibrahim.

Rodney, 39, of Thomas Street, Alberttown, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him. The unrepresented man will make his next court appearance tomorrow, before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry.

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Message from EU Ambassador Robert Kopecký on Climate Diplomacy Day 17 June is Climate Diplomacy Day. Meeting the challenge of global climate change and its actual and potential disastrous consequences is a critical issue for the entire globe.

Climate change is one of the European Union’s key priorities and the EU is one of the world’s strongest proponents of ambitious global climate actions.

2015 is a crucial year for

the climate as the international community prepares to adopt a new global climate deal in Paris this December.

All countries are expected to come forward with their

Security services at UG attract $$M bids Bids geared at providing on-site security services at the University of Guyana (UG) campuses at Tain, Berbice and Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara (ECD), were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration, Ministry of Finance.

And there was one bidder for a consultancy aimed at the realignment and modernization of the Guyana Fire Service under the Ministry of Home Affairs, as part of an Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) -funded project expected to also encompass the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Prison Service (GPS).

emissions reduction contributions well in advance of the Paris conference to enable us to jointly design and agree a robust and dynamic deal capable of keeping the global temperature rise below 2°C. All countries in the world will have to play their part in ensuring that a fair, ambitious and legally binding international agreement can be reached in Paris.

We can accomplish much more together than we can individually - nowhere is this clearer than in the area of climate change.

This agreement needs to respond to today’s reality and be fit for the future.

Contributions from all countries need to be as ambitious as possible given all our responsibilities and capabilities.

In this regard, the EU has already shown strong leadership with EU leaders agreeing on a binding target of at least 40% emissions reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030.

The EU is a world-leading contributor of climate finance to developing countries - the urgency of the climate change

challenge means that significant financial resources will continue to play a key role in promoting action both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the consequences of climate change within the broader context of sustainable development.

It is clear that the Paris deal must also deliver on challenges other than reducing emissions.

We need to be ready to support those most vulnerable to climate change and with least means to cope with its negative consequences. We also need to secure relevant provisions to increase cooperation in the area of adapting to climate change.

The EU is fully committed to doing its part and counts on the continued cooperation and collaboration of its international partners, including Guyana, to reach a successful conclusion in Paris.

Climate change is a particularly important issue for Guyana and the Caribbean region, and I urge Guyana to follow the EU’s lead by intensifying their domestic

Ambassador Robert Kopecký, Delegation of the EU in Guyana preparations to put their intended emissions reduction contribution forward as soon as possible. This will be important to build confidence among all that the Paris agreement can deliver what is needed.

Only a critical mass of ambitious contributions as early as possible will demonstrate the seriousness of our collective efforts.

Timely delivery of each country’s contributions is vital for the credibility of the negotiations demonstrating political willingness of all to act on climate change.

An effective deal in Paris will not be credible if only a few have proven their resolve to act in future. This is a historic opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Hope Canal still presents major issues to adjacent community

By Nicholas Peters Residents and farmers of Dochfour, East Coast Demerara, continue to face major issues which they insist are as a result of the $3.6B Hope Canal Project.

As government agencies continue to conduct tests on the super structure, residents in the area say that they are yet to see the benefits of the canal. According to them, the canal has actually caused an inconvenience on their livelihoods, and they have not been afforded any consultation with relevant authorities to address their concerns.

The billion-dollar project had started in October of 2010 under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) administration. Major flooding in 2005 was the catalyst for the initiative.

Hope Canal was primarily conceived as a “long term solution” to the threat of flooding along the coastland.

However, according to Roy Doodnauth, a resident farmer in Dochfour, the canal has been responsible for flooding in the area since it has obstructed traditional drainage and irrigation routes.

“Every time rain falls it floods and every time the sun

Dochfour residents crossing the Hope Canal by boat

hot it’s dry,” related Doodnauth. He said that last year he lost three of his crops, twice as a result of flooding and once as a result of dry weather.

Even though alternative irrigation channels were made to facilitate residents and farmers, Doodnauth explained that it was not done properly. He said that when the government did dig a canal along the super structure for residents, it resulted in a “bottleneck” channel.

This, according to Doodnauth, is not enough to have the necessary amount of water to flow freely and be

irrigated properly for the surrounding land.

The long lasting effects, he said, were that the water could not be drained off in a timely manner to prevent flooding in the rainy season.

Likewise, during the dry season there is no regulatory structure to provide sufficient water flow to sustain crops.

“They should’ve planned it (the channel) out properly before work on the Hope Canal started,” said Doodnauth.

Moreover, due to the lack of planning with regard to the current drainage system, the Dochfour resident added that there was no way that the

channel could be fixed without negatively impacting people’s livelihoods.

As a result, the farmer related that people in the area don’t plant the lands like they used to. Another problem residents in the area raised had to do with transportation.

Since the construction of the canal, residents on either side of its banks have incurred expenses that they are not used to.

“Now look how it inconveniences people. It’s either you come here with a boat... only a couple people have boats and that’s not open up to everybody because that’s their private

property,” the frustrated Doodnauth related.

Doodnauth explained that many children residing on either side of the bank have resorted to taking taxis to school, since the canal has prevented them from their old walking routes. It is an expense that many cannot afford as their livelihoods depend on farming, which the canal has disrupted.

“If you can’t afford it with $500 then you just have to stay over there,” shared the resident. He continued to say that a simple solution to this particular grievance would be for the government to construct a bridge.

“And not (necessarily) a bridge for people to drive over, just one so we can walk over,” said Doodnauth.

He said that in the past people were afraid to highlight these issues, as they would receive threats from people in the area for speaking out against the government of the time - he being one of the recipients of those threats.

While he and other residents have had talks with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority about the farming system, they hope that the state of the village is one that is addressed by the new administration.

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Police sergeant caught taking $50,000 bribe in sting operation A police sergeant is in danger of losing his job and ending up behind bars, after allegedly being caught redhanded yesterday collecting a $50,000 bribe.

Police officials confirmed that the rank, who is stationed at an East Coast Demerara location, was detained after cash he had allegedly solicited from a businessman, was found in his office.

The incident reportedly occurred after the businessman was arrested and taken to the police station to which the sergeant is seconded, on allegations of threatening someone with a firearm.

While there, the sergeant reportedly demanded $50,000 to have the matter settled.

The businessman reportedly agreed to go through with the transaction, but instead reported to the sergeant’s superiors, who set up a sting operation with staff from the Police Office for Professional Responsibility.

Immediately after the cash was handed over, the investigators searched the sergeant’s office, retrieved the money, and arrested him.

A release stated that the sergeant was “arrested with $50,000.00 in his possession which he had demanded from a businessman in order to settle a matter of threatening behaviour involving the use of a firearm.

“The sting operation was coordinated between the Police Office of Professional Responsibility and CID Headquarters,” the release said.

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Venezuela condemns UK diplomat’s “interference” in territorial dispute A recent statement issued by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela revealed that the state is not too pleased with the fact that British High Commissioner to Guyana, James Gregory Quinn had dismissed Venezuela’s most recent claim on Guyana’s oilrich maritime territory.

Quinn has said that Venezuela’s claim “lacks solid ground.”

Venezuela’s President Nicholas Maduro on May 27 signed a decree that claims an entire portion of Guyana’s territory in the Atlantic Ocean and includes the Stabroek Block where a significant portion of oil was recently discovered by US oil giant, ExxonMobil.

Quinn was quoted in sections of the media as saying that “the UK is clear that the Venezuela-Guyana land border is, and should be, as agreed under the 1899 Arbitration Agreement.”

Quinn contended that the 1966 Geneva Agreement did not change that, adding “indeed Article V(2) of that agreement states: ‘No new claim, or enlargement of an existing claim, to territorial sovereignty…shall be asserted while this Agreement is in force, nor shall any claim whatsoever be asserted otherwise than in the Mixed Commission.’

Given these international agreements, Quinn says the claim is baseless.

“Connected to this we see no grounds in international law which would justify recent Venezuelan claims to what we consider to be Guyanese territorial waters,” the High Commissioner stated.

Recently, Venezuela “categorically condemned” Quinn’s “interference…in matters that are exclusive and total responsibility of two sovereign countries, as it is

referred to the historical territorial dispute between the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

Venezuela said, “True to its colonial heritage, the High Commissioner Quinn offends Venezuela with its intrusive and violate international law declarations and seeks to hinder the sisters relations between two neighboring countries with their

opinions. These statements are part of a campaign of lies and intrigues in which ExxonMobil and international media, which aims to bring about conflict between two brotherly countries involved.”

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela claimed that it still wants dialogue that remains true to the principles o f t h e Peace Diplomacy Eternal promoted by Commander Hugo Chavez.

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Murder of Insurance Executive…

Guyana seeking US support for strategic regulatory measures Voir dire underway to determine US Charge admissibility of caution statement d’Affaires Bryan Hunt (left) meets Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Government is seeking the assistance of the United States Assistance to put in place regulatory measures for its maritime and aviation sectors.

On Monday United States Charge d’Affaires Bryan Hunt, paid a courtesy call on Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson. It was during this meeting in the Conference room of the Ministry that Patterson took the opportunity to express the need for assistance from the US to provide technical assistance and regulatory oversight

for Guyana’s maritime and aviation sectors.

The establishment of a Document Management System was also discussed.

“We need a central depository where information from all the Ministry’s departments and agencies will be accessible to staff and the general public,” the Minister added.

Guyana and Washington have enjoyed a relationship that has seen Guyana benefitting from financial and technical support in areas including health, security and youths.

A Voir Dire (trial within a trial) is underway in the matter for which Clive Knights is before Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury, accused of killing insurance executive, Bert Whyte.

Whyte, a former Assistant Company Secretary at Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Life (GTM) Insurance, was murdered on May 14, 2012.

The incident is said to have occurred in the vicinity of Main Street, Georgetown.

Yesterday, Police Detective Joel David testified that in May 2012, he was stationed at the Criminal Investigations Department, (CID) of the Brickdam Police Station, when he became involved in the investigation into the murder of Bert Whyte.

David recalled that he interviewed the victim’s niece.

He said that he asked the young girl to point out the suspect from pictures in the Police photograph album. The photographs the policeman described were black and white, and coloured.

David said that Whyte’s niece positively identified the accused from among in excess of 100 photos.

Based on a question posed by defence counsel, Konyo Thompson, the detective disclosed that the police uplifted the suspect’s (Knights) photograph from his former place of employment, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, (GPHC).

He related that sometime after Knights was arrested and cautioned, in relation to the crime. Knights, the officer related, essentially confessed to the murder. “He was sorry that he killed Bert, and that he was his friend.” the policeman stated.

David said that the accused then requested to give a statement, but asked for Detective Cosbert, whom he had known, to be present for the taking of the statement.

In her opening address on Monday, State Prosecutor, Judith Gildharie-Mursalin, related that after the stabbing incident, Whyte’s car disappeared. The vehicle, the Prosecutor noted, was tracked down and found in Stanleytown, Berbice; it appeared to be locked and abandoned.

In his evidence yesterday, Tactical Services Unit rank

Murder accused: Clive Knights and fingerprint technician, Kurt Williams, testified that he conducted an investigation in Berbice on the abandoned motor vehicle, but was unable to find a match for the prints found in the car.

Meanwhile, a Voir Dire commenced, in the absence of the jury yesterday, to determine the admissibility of Knights’ caution statement.

Detective Kester Cosbert and Jason Kyte completed their evidence in the Voir Dire, which is scheduled to continue today.

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Greenidge tells OAS of Govt.’s plans, stresses need for regional stability

By Abena Rockcliffe The proverbial “killing two birds with one stone” was employed by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge as he addressed the 45th regular session of the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly.

In his address, the Minister and Vice-President thanked the OAS for the role it played in the recently concluded elections in Guyana; apprised the Assembly of the new government’s development plans and highlighted Venezuela’s recent threat to Guyana’s territorial integrity.

Starting things off, Greenidge lauded the “tangible worth” of the OAS and gave as an example of this value, the role of the Organization’s electoral observation mission in Guyana’s latest General and Regional Elections.

On behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, Greenidge thanked the OAS for its “valuable contribution” to underpinning Guyana’s electoral and democratic processes.

He said that the “energized” electorate has bestowed on the new administration a mandate for political and social reform and has set the stage for a “muchneeded” national democratic renewal.

Greenidge explained that the process will involve the launch of Local Government Elections following a lapse of over two decades. “It will also see the pursuit of inclusionary democracy aimed at overcoming historic divisions,” said Greenidge.

The Minister informed the Assembly that President David Granger declared the Government’s intention to

Foreign Affairs Minister and Vice President, Carl Greenidge combat the scourges of corruption and poverty, to improve security, and pursue higher standards of public service as well as education.

“We also pledge to offer better guarantees for social protection.

The new government will also bring an end to the politics of social and community division and growing income inequality and wealth disparities even in the face of rapid average rates of economic growth,” Greenidge stated.

Speaking about Guyana’s support for the OAS agenda, Greenidge firstly congratulated Ambassador Luis Almagro upon his installation as Secretary General of the Organization.

He said that Guyana’s national agenda mirrors the very commitments articulated

by Secretary General Almagro during his installation ceremony on May 26th last, when he undertook to improve democracy and good governance, create better conditions for development, reduce inequality, advance human rights and fight corruption.

Greenidge said that given that the agenda of the OAS so closely parallels that of Guyana, the incoming Secretary General and his administration consequently enjoy Guyana’s full support and solidarity in their leadership of this Organization and in their efforts to better manage and rapidly modernize it.

“In this vein, we wish to reiterate the importance of the ongoing processes of management reform, the mandate prioritization process, the need for efficiency, transparency and accountability and the need for a sustainable solution to recurrent budgetary constraints,” said Greenidge.

In full diplomatic mode, Greenidge addressed the territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela without even actually pointing it out directly.

He told the assembly the new Government of Guyana is strongly and unequivocally committed to the goals and ideals of the OAS. “We join you colleagues in the efforts aimed at ensuring that the essential purposes and ideals of the Organization remain consistent and undiminished” said Greenidge.

Immediately after making that statement, Greenidge said, “The vital function which this Organization must exercise in order to ensure the preservation of regional peace, security and stability is unequivocal. Stability, security and peace in our hemisphere cannot be maintained, nor can integral development be achieved, unless all nations observe International Law and faithfully adhere to their treaty obligations.”

He added, “Guyana

strongly rejects all aggressive and illegal actions which affect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, and more so, those measures that involve the threat or use force. We call attention to the principles that underlie the OAS Charter relating to the settlement of differences between States by peaceful

means, and urge all Member States to honour the provisions of the Charter which uphold these basic principles of International Law and which are in our collective interest.”

On May 27, Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro issued a decree, extending Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s

territorial waters. A map which was issued, accompanying the decree, shows that the claim includes the area where the US giant oil company, ExxonMobil is currently drilling for oil.

Greenidge had revealed that the decree indicates the potential use of force to deprive Guyana its territory.

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Gov’t reaffirms subventions to trade unions as nation honours Enmore Martyrs As the nation observes the 67th anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo reaffirmed the government’s intention to provide subventions to the country’s trade unions. He made the recommitment at the commemorative ceremony in Enmore, East Coast of Demerara yesterday afternoon.

The Prime Minister said that the new administration will extend these subventions to the Critchlow Labour College.

“The government will give trade unions a subvention to help them carry out their work, to better represent their workers. In

order to educate the children of the working people, this government will restore subventions to the Critchlow Labour College,” the Prime Minister stated.

Despite cloudy skies and intermittent rains, a number of government ministers, trade unionists, workers and descendants of the martyrs came out to join in remembering the five sugar workers who were fatally shot by colonialists in 1948.

The monument has special significance to Guyanese as the actions of five workers greatly influenced the country’s Trade Union and Independence Movement.

The workers - Rambarran,

Pooran, Lallabagee, Pooran, Harry and Surujballi - are remembered for demanding the better working conditions in the sugar industry and the recognition of trade unions of the workers ‘choice.

The Prime Minister reflected on the important role the martyrs played in his early political career, as he participated in regular marches which commemorated their action.

He noted how hard the struggle was for Guyana’s trade unions to finally gain recognition in 1976.

“I was here at Enmore in 1976, standing almost between the two legendary leaders of Guyana; Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham...right here in Enmore, on the eve of the recognition of GAWU (Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union),” Nagamootoo recounted.

He said that the plight of Guyana’s trade union movement was one which stretched as far back as slavery, since the movement sought to recognise the rights of all workers. As an (Continued on page 26)

The Enmore Martyrs’ Monument adorned with commemorative wreaths yesterday

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

World Bank Report proposes new directions to boost trade in the Region A new World Bank report released yesterday at the Third Regional Caribbean Growth Forum, suggests that the rapidly changing environment for Caribbean exports presents both new opportunities and challenges for economies highly dependent on external markets.

Despite high openness to trade of Caribbean economies, the Caribbean share in global trade fell from three percent in the 1970s to nearly a quarter percent in 2012.

The report, “Trade matters: New opportunities for the Caribbean,” highlights that trade plays an important role in job creation - with exporting firms accounting for 34 percent of formal employment and being the largest employer for the poorest. However, exporting also makes employment more vulnerable to external shocks.

“Entrepreneurs are already seeing improvements in the business climate.

Continued efforts to improve trade facilitation and step up investments in research and innovation, as well as quality education, will help improve skills and generate well-paid jobs in the Caribbean,” said Jorge Familiar, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The report also highlights that the region’s trade performance is limited by lack of diversity and limited

innovation. The number of patent applications in the Caribbean has been lower than in other region of the world.

Looking at emerging trade opportunities, the report shows that the CARICOM agreements have driven a rapid increase in intra-regional trade and that a common market would lead to a substantial rise in exports in the region. Meanwhile, with the exception of the Bahamas, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Belize and Haiti, exports from Caribbean countries to growing emerging markets remain small.

The report suggests three main opportunities to boost trade and generate a positive cycle of shared prosperity in the region: · Deepening trade integration with North America would boost trade and accelerate growth in the region. The gains for the Caribbean of entry to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) would be six times the size of the gains for implementing a Caribbean common market.

The negotiations toward a Canada-CARICOM free trade agreement launched in 2007 should also be pursued. · Improving trade facilitation environment through modernized custom systems and better connectivity would have a major impact on trade. Efforts

across the region to modernize customs administrations and border management should be accelerated.

With the expansion of the Panama Canal and the expected increase in transshipment, recent initiatives to modernize ports infrastructures and regulation are being carried out in Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Bahamas and Haiti. · Improving the business environment and investment climate would be essential to enhance productivity and competitiveness. While Caribbean economies recently adopted a record number of reforms improving local business regulatory climate, exporting firms remain affected by the limited access to electricity, telecommunication and transport services, and the need for policies to further promote technology capability and innovation.

More efforts are needed to improve skills and access to infrastructure and finance.

The report concludes that there is considerable potential for boosting trade and accelerating growth in the region.

Some of the proposed policy recommendations are being discussed today at the Caribbean Growth Forum in view of identifying new strategies and tools to stimulate competitiveness, productivity and entrepreneurship.

Page 25

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Govt. reaffirms...

(From page 16) extensive writer on the country’s historic struggles, the Prime Minister said that the martyrs’ actions were a continuation of revolution, like the 1763 Slave Rebellion.

“The Enmore Martyrs decided that free labour was unacceptable and also struggled like those before them for a better system of work,” said the Prime Minister.

To that end, as someone who has roots in Enmore, Nagamootoo expressed his shock at the recent revelation that the sugar industry was “poised on bankruptcy”.

“We were informed that GuySuCo (Guyana Sugar Corporation) only had one week’s pay remaining for sugar workers. I could not believe that our (former) leaders hid the fact that they had bankrupted the sugar industry,” Workers in the audience could be heard in agreement with the Prime Minister, as he conveyed his outrage at recent cases of GuySuCo failing to pay for employees’ National Insurance Scheme (NIS) contributions and credit union benefits.

He noted that President David Granger’s absence at yesterday’s proceedings were due to his administration’s commitment towards meeting an agreement to bailout the sugar industry.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo said that

moving forward; a Commission of Inquiry will be employed in all sugar estates in Guyana, so as to find a solution to the problems that face the sugar industry.

“Sugar workers must be part of the solution and not the problem,” said the government official.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC), Lincoln Lewis, also addressed the audience. He urged citizens to remember the sacrifice of the Enmore Martyrs, and that the struggle of the sugar workers in 1948 was the formation of a just society.

Lewis urged the Government to not only “talk the talk but to also walk the walk”. He added that the opportunity to govern a country is a privilege and not a right.

He stated that the rights the sugar workers fought for were vested in the citizens.

The Enmore Sugar Estate, from whence the martyrs came, has had an impact on every community.

Lewis also explained that the GTUC cannot continue along a path of an unbalanced system and is ready to move forward for a better Guyana The trade unionist said that the Union will continue to work with the citizens to advocate and optimize the performance of their businesses and the protection of their fundamental rights.

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 27

PPP/C calls on govt. to release funds for GuySuCo The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in a press release yesterday called on the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration to immediately make funds for GuySuCo available in the interest of “preserving the sugar industry.”

This, the party said, is its view after taking into concern “protection of workers’ rights, privilege and benefits” while ensuring that adequate

steps are taken in ensuring the viability and sustainability of the sugar industry.

The party sought to remind that the PPP/C manifesto had contained a proposed injection of $20 Billion into the sugar industry, in order to safeguard workers welfare, jobs and restructuring the industry on a whole into a sustainable industry. This, the PPP/C said, was also

aimed at meeting the current liabilities concerning the Workers’ Union and National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

“Although there was no budget for 2015, the PPP Civic Government sought through various mechanisms to ensure GUYSUCO received funding. The country would recall that the APNU+AFC actively sought to block every intervention to make these funds available. The PPP is reiterating its call to the

No new vending will be allowed, says Mayor Green — “It cannot be business as usual” City Mayor Hamilton Green

An increase in activities such as barbering, manicuring and pedicuring on public thoroughfares in the city are not in conformity with public health standards.

This observation was highlighted yesterday during a meeting chaired by City Mayor Hamilton Green. The meeting saw the attendance of several city vendors who were enlightened of the concerns of the Public Health Department of the Municipality, that the aforementioned activities have the potential of putting the health of citizens at risk.

At the meeting which was also attended by senior City Constabulary officers and Councillors, the Mayor made it clear that “no new vending would be allowed.”

He urged the vendors to

“improve the way you ply your trade.”

He also charged them to operate within the ambit of the law, and encouraged all and sundry to keep their environment clean, while advising that they ensure they have in place refuse

receptacles in which to deposit waste.

In addition to asking the vendors to desist from blocking entrances, the Mayor also asked that they refrain from hanging their items for sale on the showcases of these business places. He pointed out that some vendors have established “mini stores” on the public thoroughfares which have served to encumber walkways, and that this cannot be condoned by the Council, even as he warned that vendors should not give money to the officers of the City Constabulary.

According to Mayor Green “it cannot be business as usual,” adding that the vendors must seek to conduct themselves in a dignified manner. There are reports that officers of the City Constabulary are abused, a state of affairs that will not be tolerated.

Government to immediately release funds to GuySuCo, so the Corporation can meet its liability to workers, union and all other stakeholders. These liabilities were well-known to

APNU+AFC at the Parliamentary Committee dealing with sugar,” the party said.

It concluded its statement by repeating its call to the

Government to make the $20 Billion available, in order to “secure the interest of workers and the industry in making good their promise that sugar is too big to fail.”

Page 28

Kaieteur News

SERVICES

WANTED

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

Female domestic to work in Trinidad, must have education, age 25-35 – Call: 1868-683-1528

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application.

Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 6267040; 265-4535.

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

Stunning designs, Assortment, colourful plant choices, Professional Landscapers Tel: 219-0468/ 648-1821 Balloon decorating for birthdays, weddings, anniversary etc, make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664 EAGLE’S FRIDGE RE-GAS - $8,000 & WASHING MACHINE REPAIRS. PHONE: 697-2969, 6460966 Licensed custom-brokerCall: 660-9478 REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS - CALL:6294946 OR 225-4822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar:2310655,683-8734 For custom brokerage & break bulk Cargo to USA, Canada, U.K etc –Contact: D&J Shipping –Tel: 2236056; 231-7185 INNOVATIVEMARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building, visadocumentsgy@yahoo.comCall: 225-6496, 662-6045 HEALTH Follow-me male enhancers, diabetic, hypertension and more. Sickness free sample treatment- Tel: 696-2957

Experienced female bartenders (17-30yrs) to work in interior –Tel: 231-0363 (9am-4pm) 1 Honest driver salesman must have lorry license & experience in sales- Contact: 233-3512. Email: prestige foodsguyana@gmail.com Land to buy in Farm, Eccles, Herstelling, Covent Garden, Prospect, Parfaite Harmonie, Uitlught –Tel: 675-7292, 6117223 Cook must know to bake, able body cleaner, housekeeper & general domestic, waitress Tel: 679-5993 Live in waitress, must be honest and courteous, 1825yrs, salary - $60,000 monthly. Call: 610-5043 Immediate opening for entry level office assistant, construction or technical background preferred. Must be computer literate – Call: 685-1001 One whole day domestic – Tel:667-5717 or 650-4761

SALON

VEHICLE FOR SALE

VACANCY

FOR SALE

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

1 L-Touring Wagon, excellent condition - A.C Alarm & Remote start, flair kit, CD player, 16" mags, price -$1.3M - Tel: 626-2884

Engineer, bond clerk, security officers, chef/cook, kitchen assistant, waiter/waitress, labourer- Contact: 603-4094

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

LAND FOR SALE Commercial lots available at Eccles E.B.D $14M - Tel:592227-2913 or 592-689-3033 50 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front -reasonable offer accepted, serious enquiries only! - Tel: 695-3493 Prime land in Corriverton 1.3 acres roadside land suitable for Gas station, hotel, Shopping mall etc.- Call: 6266245, 335-3347 Luxury gated communitypool, mall, swipe card entry, underground irrigation.

Selling @ $6USD per sq.ftCall: 609-0783 1500 acres transported land 4½ miles from Bartica Rock, Quarry, Forestry, Agriculture.

Contact Mark: 603-1266; 6259788 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.4M, Eccles -$6M, Herstelling $5M, Tuschen -$1.6M – Tel:611-7223; 675-7292.

Salesgirls and porters, apply to Best Buy Food Supplies, at 1E Dennis & Middleton Street, Campbellville with written application.

CAR RENTAL

(1)Mechanic to work in the interior.

Must have knowledge with perkins engine Call: 611-4495, 6290037, 226-9768

DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/WWW. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM

2 Accounts clerk with Grades 1 & 2 in Maths & English.

Apply at Technical Services, Eccles Industrial Site, E.B.D.

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

One live in maid –Tel: 6755256 Contract cars & HC drivers @ A1 taxi Service - Call: 2201000

Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807

Star Cars Auto Sales: In Stock, Premio, Vitz, Bluebird, IST, Alteeza, Benz C200, Spacio - Tel: 679-3140 Don’t Miss! Venus Auto Sale: pre-order, specials on Toyota IST, Vitz, Ractis, Passo, Raum- $1.9M, $1.8M Call: 624-5617 One Toyota Allion PNN SERIES & 1 new & unregistered Mazda Axela, excellent condition -Tel: 649-0956 2004 Spacio -$2M 2008 Fielder (new shape) -$2.5M unregistered –Tel: 617-2891 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 Tacoma - Call: 680-3154 One Carina 170 motor car – Contact: 695-3320 Toyota Prado, Price$4.4M Neg. Call: 643-2403 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms - Call: 680-3154

TO LET

FOR SALE/RENT

1 farm worker & 1 clerk- Call: 265-3586

Prime office space @ lot 239 Quamina Street, Central Georgetown, parking available in Private yard. Tel: 592-227-2913, 592-689-3033

3 Storey established business at 220 south roadCall: 601-3369

Carpenter and mason- Call: 668-9863, 675-6136, 602-9469

Rooms in Alberttown –Tel: 225-3234

Experienced female accounts clerk, must have four years experienced.

Apply @ Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek.

Work from home, earn $5,000-$20,000 daily Call Monday-Friday 9am-5pm #233-6517, 638-0595 www.jobfairworldwide.com I N T E R N AT I O N A L EMPLOYMENT: NURSE, TEACHERS,CARPENTERS, ELECTRICIANS, COOK, WAITERS, BELL BOYS, HOUSEKEEPERS, STOREKEEPERS, SECURITIES. CONTACT: 231-6296; 650-9880/ www.plzrecruitme.com Male security guards, male desk staff & male supervisorcall: 225-0198 or 233 South road, Lacytown Security guard @ Coverden E.B.D, Apply in person to Alabama Trading Georgetown Ferry Stelling Stabroek

1 beige Toyota spacio 2003 model. PMM series. Lady driven in excellent condition.

1st owner- Call: 628-5828

Sales representative for Pureguard oils and heavy duty equipment, excavator, etc- Contact: 223-5273/4 Vacancy exists for (1) one DJ/ Entertainer/ Promoter to work at a club in EssequiboContact: 226-9768, 615-6172

One Noah registered in BTT series, never used. Reasonable price- Call:698-8617

Experienced bartenders & cleaners – Call: 225-8572 (must be able to work shift)

Fantasy Auto Sales: 38 Alexander Street Kitty. Get $100,000 discount on perorders- Tel: 611-1833 Fantasy Auto Sales: Nissan X-Trail 2008 $5,450,000, Mitsubishi RVR 2010 $5,600,000. Both fully loadedCall: 611-1833 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Spacio, Fielder, Bluebird, Carina 212, ISTCall: 652-3820, 665-4529 RZ minibus EFI in working condition - Call: 677-7580 Toyota Dyna Canter, open back, excellent condition – $1.3M -Tel: 684-8231 Honda 600 RR, Toyota AT212, AT192, BB, Premio, Tundra fully off-road, RX-8, Nissan Bluebird –Tel: 644-5096; 6971453

One domestic or couple to live in and work in Mahaicony River –Call: 225-6571, 6446905 One tractor operator, must know about rice, to live in Mahaicony River –Call: 2256571, 644-6905

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Toyota Caldina, Wagon, Black, 17" Rims, AC, Stereo $900K –Tel: 600-3500 Nissan Titan for sale, immaculate condition – Contact: 647-3924 2007 Toyota Fielder, fully loaded, excellent condition, PTT series –Contact: 6139116

Great Deals on video games & all gaming consoles. PC, phone games & applications. Delivery also.

Call: 672-2566; 265-3232 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 50% OR ½ PRICE ON CUPBOARD, TOP BOTTOM & PANTRY @ GUYAMERICA FURNITURE STORE – TEL: 225-7441, 664-1043 Concrete spindles, post crown etc, very good quality –Call: 692-3505 Lot 6 Adventure, Essequibo, Land 352X70ft with wooden building -$14M negotiable.

Contact Anwar Essequibo: 771-4395; 694-4457 or Georgetown Trudy: 225-4712 10 Acres of land roadside at Kuru Kururu for business.

Cheap price- Call: 601-3369 One customize Honda motorcycle 150cc. price $140,000- Call: 691-1794 1 Ford econoline van (left hand drive) in excellent condition. Sale price $2.2 million - Contact: Ms. Rooplall 233-3512 One complete music system Tel: 699-5790, 221-2817 American Truck spare parts for sale- interesting person call: 683-3805 3 plastic injection mould machines in excellent condition. Sale price $8 million for all 3- Contact: Ms.Rooplall 233-3512

EDUCATION CXC Adults classes: day & evening. Phonics class, grade 2,4,6,9 lessons- Call: 231-1209, 690-5008, 657-7398 Computerized Accounting 4 Courses @ $30,000: POS Quick Books, Excel 2013, Peachtree. Micrographics Vreed-en-Hoop–Tel: 2643057 Super Deal for CXC 2015 Students: 9 Course in Computer studies -$30,000 @ Micrographics –Tel: 2643057 Kids Summer computer classes, age 5-16 @ Micrographics Technology – Vreed-en-Hoop –Tel:264-3057 (Register Now!) DRESSMAKING Morning and evening classes also dressmaking service. Call Sharmie (Canadian trained): 6262629, 676-6312

Pile driving hammers, weight 3 and 4 tons, 6 cylinder Leyland engine, 10 tons double steel wheeled roller Call: 275-0538; 693-7105 D4H CAT bulldozer, Leyland DAF 55 Tipper truck, 20 lengths- plastic sheet piles– Contact: 275-0538; 693-7105 Pneumatic roller – 9 wheels, 2,500 GLS, steel tank, 2,000 GLS, steel tank , 428 CAT Back-Hoe Call: 275-0538; 6937105 German shepherd pupsContact: 615-0513 One TM Truck, 6X6, price negotiable, excellent condition, interesting person call Mr. Carlos: 683-3805 PEN PAL Valarie Linda Wray, lot 80 Vreed-en-Hoop, Squatting area, W.C.D interested in Friends World Wide.

Continued on page 29

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 29

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

A case of scandals and fraud DEAR EDITOR, As a nation, culture and people, the Republic of Guyana is in trouble. We’ve got politicians and Government leaders involved in mega financial scandals of fraud and corruption.

We’ve got many homeless children and homeless adults wandering the streets of Guyana. We’ve got 40 percent unemployed Guyanese youth.

If I were president of the Republic of Guyana, you would see immediate changes in favor of Guyanese citizens.

If I were President of Guyana: 1. I would bring in the Americans because America is an exceptional country with an exceptional people. It is an economic and military superpower and without a doubt the best country in the world.

It has some of the brightest minds in the world.

And yet, it continues to recruit some of the most intelligent people from all around the world. And this is why it has one of the strongest economy and military in the world because , it is always still seeking to recruit new people, to get even better and to rise above itself.

On the other hand, Guyana have been struggling

to become a developed country (perhaps just a country) for almost five decades and where are we in terms of development and progress so far, only ahead of Haiti.

Therefore, if Guyana is serious about real economic development, it must be willing to do something drastic and radically different than what it has been doing. If it keeps choosing similar leaders who have us still struggling developmentally, we will continue to get the same results: high crime rates, increasing schools dropout, increasing corruption, increasing poverty, increasing unemployment, low wages and ultimately underdevelopment.

So if our country wants to become a developed country, it has to do what the Americans do; we need to recruit and continue recruiting the most intelligent and brightest people from around the world.

2. Consequently, I would bring the most intelligent and brightest Americans. I would bring in the Americans to build our roads, hotels, bridges, factories, schools, banks, airports and Hydro Falls. I would bring in the Americans to train our

military, teachers, public servants, lawyers, doctors, law enforcement, fire fighters, judges, bankers, businessmen and businesswomen, and yes, even our ministers and members of parliament.

3. Further, I would bring in the Americans to be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of every major industry like the: Sugar and Rice Industry, Gold and Bauxite Industry.

4. I would bring in the Americans to be the CEO of Georgetown Public Hospital, so that the hospital will no longer be like the Hotel California, a place that you can check in ( alive) but you can check out (otherwise), Minister of Home Affairs, Mayor of Georgetown, Commissioner of Police and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defense Force, CEO of Guyana Mental Health to

reduce the high suicide rate.

Members of Parliament (MP ) because parliament is broken— not much gets done because of partisanship. It is a waste of taxpayers’ money.

5. Additionally, I would bring in the Americans to be the Chancellor of University of Guyana, to rewrite the constitution, fix the broken courts, head the Director of Public Prosecution’s office (DPP), be one of the country Vice President, and the same for Guyana Power and Light, Guyana Water Industry, Tourism, Agriculture, Energy and Minister of Natural Resources.

6. I would gather the greatest economic and law enforcement minds together in Guyana from the United States and create a plan for solving our unemployment and crime problem.

7. I would create a commission of the finest

minds from American to show us how to cut out fraud, corruption and waste in government.

That is it for starters. I’d run the presidency with common sense, rational thinking and reasonable planning.

If these seven points were implemented immediately, this country would regain its footing and respect in the Caribbean. Our country has suffered a severe brain drain; therefore, it doesn’t have enough competent people to make it to a second world country.

So I’m convinced that in order for our country to move forward and become a second world country, we’ll need the best and brightest minds.

Only 20 percent of the best and brightest minds are in our country; 80 percent are in America.

Anthony Pantlitz

From page 28

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Office, storage bond, lessons place, other businesses at Vreed-EnHoop- Call: 680-9905 12 Offices $60,000 at 220 South road- Call: 601-3369 1-8000 sq ft modern warehouse/ manufacturing facility centrally located @ Eccles industrial site. $5,000US per monthContact: 233-3512 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 3 Bedroom flat house, E.B.D –Tel: 678-9413

Witch-hunting? Who is doing that Mr. Rohee DEAR EDITOR, In response to Mr Rohee’s letter dated Tuesday June 16, 2015, I hereby state that Mr Rohee is just talking because he has a mouth.

Further, he does not have anything good to say to help move this country forward.

He was the very witch (or is it wizard) who, after becoming Home Affairs Minister, which is now the Ministry of Public Security, sent home the entire staff of

the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

These were the hard working staff. There was the Office Assistant who served him daily, and the longserving and faithful men and women who provided a public se3rvice without flinching but Rohee sacked them.

I can go on but I will pause here to ask Mr Rohee to shut up.

J. Hira

FASHIONING RUMOURS? DEAR EDITOR, I understand the new Government has a position against sole sourcing. I agree with that position. However, I understand that no advertisement has been done in relation to the audit work now being undertaken and some of the larger firms are not involved. Can the government explain this?

Secondly, I understand that the government has ordered 58 Prados. Is this so, and, if it is true, how can it be justified with the bankruptcy of the PETRO-CARIBE fund, the financial situation at GUYSUCO and the conditions of our schools, hospitals and police stations etc?

Wesley Cyrus EDITOR’S NOTE: The government is also constructing 420 Marriott Hotels, so we understand.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Residential lots ad houses for sale at Eccles, E.B.D $7.5M. Tel:592-227-2913 or 689-3033 Property for sale, Grove $18M neg. Tel: 625-5461.

169 Thomas St. Kitty, double lot, vacant possession ideal for business or commercial purposes – Call Zeena: 2203348; 611-8222 Property for sale at Covent Garden, E.B.D- Call: 265-3586 Property @ Leonora New Scheme-Tel: 678-9851 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D –Tel: 6629335; 612-3244 1-4 Bedrooms house & complete shop at Tuschen Phase 2 –Tel: 682-2951

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 31

CIP requires ‘coalition of the willing’, says St Kitts-Nevis PM BASSETERRE, St Kitts (SKNIS) — The future of the Caribbean’s citizenship by investment programmes (CIP) is greater transparency and integrity, said St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Timothy Harris as he addressed the inaugural Caribbean region citizenship by investment programme meeting being held in St Kitts 15-16 June.

“This is a remarkably rewarding industry, poised to grow and benefit many, but opportunity and responsibility must be partners in this enterprise,” said Harris. “We need greater transparency,

good corporate governance, efficiency, integrity and exclusivity.”

Harris further stated: “We have to invest the time, energy and resources necessary to restore confidence locally and trust internationally in our programme. I am a definite supporter of this programme. And I will not apologize because I know its potential for transformative development, for empowering our people and supporting our economic resilience and prosperity agenda.”

Speaking to the future of the St Kitts and Nevis programme, Harris stated, “I

also know that an effectively run citizenship and investment programme, organized with the proper structures and systems, rigid and reliable due diligence practices, transparency, parliamentary and or cabinet oversight and in the full view of public scrutiny, is and can be an invaluable asset for any country.

Malta knows it. Cyprus knows it. Canada knows it.

The United States knows it.

We all have similar programmes even if we call them by different names and our primary objectives are dissimilar.”

He encouraged fellow

Express CEO responds to Moonilal: We are fearless and independent

Shida Bolai Trinidad Express - Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal has charged that employees at the Express newspaper have been identified by the Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) as being involved in money laundering. However, Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) CEO Shida Bolai has countered: “the Express has a proud legacy of fearless and independent journalism”.

Moonilal made the statement before hundreds of supporters at the launch of the People’s Partnership 2015 election campaign and the United National Congress’s Monday night forum at Rienzi Complex, Couva.

Moonilal said the role of the Express newspaper had to be noted.

He continued: “There’s a Mac Jack combo in the Express where it is alleged that persons involved in the Express have been fingered by the FBI in money laundering.

Now we know why the Ex-

press has been unfair to the UNC. Now we know why there’s this structural bias in that daily newspaper where they have eight commentators dedicated every week to attacking the People’s Partnership government … Look at the link with (Jack) Warner to the boardroom of the Express and that gentleman resign from Scotiabank but he’s not resigning from the Express. The Mac Jack combo is at work against us and we must be wise.”

Responding to this statement a short while ago, Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) CEO Shida Bolai

said, “ the Express has a proud legacy of fearless and independent journalism. We will continue to do our job in an objective and fair manner.

In the final analysis we have confidence that our readers know this. We will refer the matter to our lawyers.”

At Monday night’s meeting where he also held up a tool made by the American company Nicholson, Moonilal said it was the only type of fi l e n e e d e d b y former International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) Vice-President Jack Warner who is wanted by the US for money laundering, racketeering a n d b r i b e r y. “ H e h a s Garvin file, Kamla file, Moonilal file …. Only one file he needs, it’s called the Nicholson file and tonight Jack I bring a gift .… it’s a Nicholson 12 inch file and this is a file to saw his way out of an American jail cell,” Moonilal said.

He said that Warner has “committed every single muscle in his body, every drop of blood” to remove Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar and was also an agent for the People’s National Movement. “(Keith) Rowley is using him to divide the votes … He will remain quiet and conniving but he is using Jack Warner to fight his battle,” Moonilal said.

Local and regional stakeholders participating in the CBI conference in St Kitts. SKNIS Photo Caribbean countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and Grenada, which already have national programmes, and others who are considering their own, to work with St Kitts and Nevis to build the best programmes.

“As the industry grows, it must be better managed, staffed by professionals, guided by transparent rules and regulations.

We have to work together to frustrate criminal intent, activities and resources that seek to find any weak

link and to exploit it,” he stressed.

“We want and will work with a coalition of the willing to promote greater transparency, good corporate governance, efficiency, accountability, integrity and exclusivity,” Harris reiterated.

Page 32

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

19 sent home from BL&P Daily Nation - Nineteen employees from the Barbados Light & Power Company were severed yesterday morning.

A statement from the company said the action affected most departments in the company and impacted employees from the supervisory, engineering and professional group and from the unionised staff.

The company noted that “Light & Power has been operating in a challenging economy, in a changing environment and in recent months has been engaged in a cost reduction sustainability exercise”.

Human resources manager at Light & Power, Roger Babooram said “the Company took a difficult but necessary step in the process of restructuring our operations today.

Specific roles within the company were eliminated, resulting in the severing of employees. “Those affected were advised in one-on-one meetings this morning, and all of the impacted employees will receive their due severance, in accordance with the law, and will be given due support to assist them as they move forward.”

Light & Power created and implemented a cost reduction programme in September 2014. The intention of the company-wide initiative is to bring cost savings in the range of $29 million to $30 million by the end of 2016.

The company said this is necessary to ensure that the efficiency and viability of the business is achieved without adversely impacting customers. To this end, labour cost and staff restructuring was unavoidable.

Roger Babooram According to Babooram, “job losses are never easy, but the elimination of these positions was a necessary step in moving Light & Power to more efficient operations.

Also, it will better position the Company to respond to the changing environment and to benefit customers and stakeholders.

As we have expressed to the impacted employees yesterday, the Company is deeply grateful for their years

of service to the organization and, indeed as to all employees, for their commitment to the business, to our customers, and to working safely.”

Light & Power has been reporting significantly declining sales in the context of an increasing demand from Government and individual customers for renewable energy and the new Electric Light & Power Act which will now enable electricity generation from Independent Power Producers in Barbados.

IMF says Jamaica’s investment and growth prospects are gradually improving The Gleaner - Half way into the government’s Extended Fund Facility with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the country’s investment and growth pros-

pects are gradually improving.

According to the IMF, growth is projected to approach two per cent this fiscal year.

Taliban warn IS leader not to interfere in Afghanistan The Taliban Tuesday warned the leader of the Islamic State group against waging a parallel insurgency in Afghanistan, after a string of defections and reported clashes with militants loyal to IS. The Middle Eastern group, also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh, has never formally acknowledged having a presence in Afghanistan but fears are growing that the group is making inroads in the country.

In a letter addressed to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Taliban insisted that “jihad (holy war) against the Americans and their allies must be conducted under one flag and one leadership”.

“The Islamic Emirate

(Taliban) does not consider the multiplicity of jihadi ranks beneficial either for jihad or for Muslims,” said the letter signed by the Taliban deputy leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor.

“Your decisions taken from a distance will result in (the IS) losing support of religious scholars, mujahideen... and in order to defend its achievements the Islamic Emirate will be forced to react,” it added.

The letter, published on the Taliban website in Pashto, Urdu, Arabic and Dari, did not elaborate on its threat.

The statement demonstrates a growing disquiet within the Taliban about the

creeping influence and popularity of IS within insurgent ranks, analysts say.

The Taliban have seen defections in recent months — with some insurgents apparently adopting the IS flag to rebrand themselves as a more lethal force as NATO troops depart. “To their traditional backers, the Taliban are like an expired formula. The Taliban know this and increasingly fear being sidelined,” said Kabul-based author and analyst Ahmad Saeedi.

“This letter is a kind of reconciliation proposal to Daesh... telling them that they are on the same boat and they should not fight each other,” Saeedi told AFP.

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 33

Page 34

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Aguero scores the winner as Gerardo Martino’s side leapfrog rivals in Copa America group It was a goal made in Manchester. Pablo Zabaleta found space on the right wing and delivered a cross on to the head of Sergio Aguero who steered the ball home at the near post. With a move no doubt executed dozens of times a season, the Manchester City duo combined to ease the pressure on beleaguered Argentina manager Tata Martino.

The former Barcelona boss was forced to watch an hour of this match in La Serena from the stands after being sent off for arguing with the officials. And until Aguero struck, the inquest into his side’s start to the Copa America had looked set to run and run as Uruguay frustrated the pre-tournament favourites.

Having thrown away a two-goal lead against Paraguay on Saturday, the build-up to this match was

dominated by pictures appearing to show Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria mocking their boss’ half-time team talk.

Martino had also faced questions over his tactics but a comprehensive victory over Jamaica in Vina del Mar on Saturday should now take Argentina through as group winners, thus avoiding a quarter-final clash with Brazil.

Having been played since the turn of the 20th century, this is the oldest rivalry in South America - and one of the fiercest. Four years ago, Uruguay won their 15th Copa America title in Buenos Aires having beaten their hosts in the last eight, to make them the most successful nation in the competition’s history.

Last Saturday, Argentina looked to be cruising to victory over Paraguay only to suffer a second-half collapse and two dropped points.

Uruguay also made hard work

of their first fixture, beating Jamaica thanks to a solitary strike from Cristian Rodriguez.

Both sides made changes with Zabaleta and Lucas Biglia replacing Facundo Roncaglia and Ever Banega for Argentina while Uruguay’s Carlos Sanchez made way for Alvaro Gonzalez. And as if manager Oscar Tabarez needed reminding, the Uruguay faithful unfurled a ‘Free Suarez’ banner in support of their missing forward.

The Barcelona star remains sidelined due to his bite ban and his team-mates looked more than happy to sit deep and invite Argentina to attack. That almost proved costly in the opening stages as Sergio Aguero and Di Maria went close.

Messi then left two opposition players for dead but Javier Pastore could only divert the ball into the hands of Fernando Muslera.

Aguero was next to benefit from his room-mate’s skill as Messi clipped a cross to the far post only for Muslera to get a strong hand on the striker ’s header. Despite appearing content to settle for a point even at this early stage, Uruguay were not without their chances to score.

Diego Rolan was inches away from connecting with Rodriguez’s deflected cross before Diego Godin headed the resultant corner narrowly wide. And Bordeaux’s Rolan, widely seen as the next striker to come off Uruguay’s enviable conveyor belt, might feel he could have done better when he headed Maxi Pereira’s cross over the bar on the half-hour mark.

With Martino dismissed for protesting over a foul by Nicolas Lodeiro, Argentina struggled to find a way past

Sergio Aguero celebrates after his second-half goal broke the deadlock and put Argentina 1-0 up against Uruguay in La Serena the imposing Muslera until Aguero’s opener 10 minutes after the restart. The Argentine faithful responded

with the novel chant: ‘He who doesn’t jump is an Englishman’.

After several crunching

challenges in the first half, tempers flared when both Ezequiel Garay and Marcos Rojo needlessly barged into Muslera. The referee opted not to show a card but Messi and Zabaleta were soon on the receiving end of late tackles.

But just as Argentina appeared to be in control, Uruguay missed a glorious chance to equalise with 15 minutes remaining. Maxi Pereira’s cross from the right was palmed into the path of Rolan by Romero but the forward missed from 10 yards with the goal at his mercy.

He will replay that chance over and over in his nightmares, but Martino at least will sleep soundly at last.

(Mailonline)

Wednesday June 17, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) When you enter a room, Aries, the dynamic suddenly changes. Your presence has a powerful impact on other people. Don't take it lightly.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) When it comes to issues of love and romance, you're likely to be in a tough situation, Taurus. The problem is that it may seem like there's an element of detachment developing.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your self-confidence will get you out of any sort of pickle you might be in today, Gemini. Try not to get too emotional about any issue.

Make sure that you keep things light and energetic.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Try not to get too worked up over other people's actions that don't concern you, Cancer. Recent events may have triggered responses from others that now have a serious effect on you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Feel free to ignite your passion with the help of the people around you, Libra.

Join with those who share similar dreams and make a plan for accomplishing whatever you choose.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may get caught up in gossip if you aren't careful, Scorpio, and people may find this off-putting.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your enthusiasm is contagious, Sagittarius, and you should do what you can to share this feeling with others. In matters of the heart, have confidence that you know exactly where you stand.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You may be at a high point right now and feeling very excited about things to come, Capricorn. You probably anticipate but have only a vague notion of what's just over the horizon.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Emotionally, you should feel good today, Leo, so don't let this confidence go to waste.

Do things with your sweetheart and turn the dial up on romance.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Let your heart be the reassuring force in your life today if difficult emotional issues come to the surface, Aquarius. Your feelings are apt to be at a climactic point in your month.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) As much as you try to explain things, Virgo, others simply aren't going to see them with your same intensity and do-or-die urgency.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Be open and communicative about your feelings today, Pisces. Most people find it easy to share facts or concrete information. The challenge is to share something from your heart.

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 35

Struggling Woods dwells on McIlroy loves the look of positives ahead of U.S. Open links-style U.S. Open layout

Tiger Woods tees off on the sixth hole during practice rounds on Tuesday at Chambers Bay. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports It has been seven years since Tiger Woods won the last of his 14 major titles and he heads into his week’s U.S. Open with his game under a glaring question mark after struggling for most of this season.

As ever, though, the former world number one preferred to dwell on the positives when he spoke to reporters on Tuesday at Chambers Bay, saying that he was happy with his tournament preparations. ”I hit the ball pretty good today,” Woods said after playing a practice round in the morning with Masters champion Jordan Spieth on the links-style layout. “It’s getting better every day. I’m starting to get the feel for this golf course and what I need to do off the tees and where to miss it around the greens (with approach shots) to certain pins.”

Woods will tee off in Thursday’s opening round under a cloud of uncertainty after posting the worst score of his professional career, a

13-over 85, at the Memorial Tournament two weeks ago.

He has recorded just one top25 in five starts on the 201415 PGA Tour, a tie for 17th at the Masters, while continuing to work on the latest swing change of his career, this time with consultant Chris Como. ”Short-term suffering for long-term gain,” said Woods, 39. “I’ve done this before when I’ve made changes in the past, I’ve struggled through it. I’ve come out on the good side. “Things are starting to come together piece by piece. The big change is already in and now it’s just refining it, playing more tournament golf.”

Woods has shockingly plunged to 195th in the world rankings but, when asked if he felt he could regain the top spot, he replied: “Yeah. “I wouldn’t have made the changes if I wasn’t devoted to the game of golf and winning golf tournaments.

I want to be out here. I want to play. I want to compete, and I want to win.

”This year certainly has been a struggle. But for me to go through what I went through at Torrey and Phoenix, then to come back and do what I did at Augusta (at the Masters) gave me a lot of confidence going forward.”

With his game in complete disarray, Woods carded an 11-over-par 82 to miss the cut by nine shots at the Phoenix Open in February, then withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open the following week after 11 holes because of tightness in his back.

Asked whether he felt any added pressure having not won a major title since the 2008 U.S. Open, Woods replied: “It feels the same. I want to win these championships.

I love playing them. ”There’s pressure, of course there’s pressure. You’re trying to win the biggest events against the best fields and that’s the fun part.”

(Reuters)

LABA unveils schools’...

(From page 39) 2014 MOU and CBA (signed on September 19, 2014) that served to create, for the first time, a level of structured professional cricket in the Caribbean below international cricket.”

Muirhead, in-house legal counsel Alanna Medford and external legal counsel Luke

(From page 43) sport and make players more eager to participate in this sport. At the same time I urge the Government to be more preemptive with the development of sports within this administrative region, especially

at the school level,” Simon indicated.

In addition the LABA said that the sport facilities in Region 10 need urgent attention.

The lack of equipment is also an area of attention.

(Edison Jefford)

Chambers Bay will not suit every player at this week’s U.S. Open but Rory McIlroy has embraced the challenge posed by a links-style venue that suits his power game and high ball flight.

The Northern Irish world number one saw the par-70 layout for the first time on Saturday and was stunned by its ‘British Open’ feel with huge sand dunes, fescue grass, undulating greens and semi-blind shots from several fairways. ”I really didn’t know what to expect when I got here ... it’s a pure links golf course,” four-times major winner McIlroy told reporters on Tuesday before heading off for another practice round. ”Every part of this golf course is fescue. It’s really like playing a (British) Open championship in the United States ... apart from the fact that it’s about 20 degrees warmer. It plays more like a links course than some (genuine) links courses. ”I really like the golf course. It sets up well for my game. You’ve got to hit driver.

It’s a course where you’re going to see a lot of guys hit fairways and hit greens but when you hit greens, you can still be 50, 60 feet away from the pin.”

Dry and mainly sunny conditions have been forecast for the rest of the week at Chambers Bay, which will result in a firm and fast course on which McIlroy says the ability to hit high approach shots into raised greens will be a major factor. ”Anyone that can get elevation on their iron shots and get a little spin on the ball, that’s the way you’re going to get it close to these pins,” McIlroy said. “I think that’s the way I’m going to do well this week. ”A place like this can separate the field a lot. This is the sort of golf course that if you’re just slightly off, it’ll magnify that. But it’ll really reward people that are hitting good shots and are confident and their short games are

Joint WICB/WIPA...

Hamel-Smith represented the WICB during the mediation, at which Hinds, Secretary Way n e L e w i s , f o r m e r chief executive officer Michael Hall and industrial relations consultant G r a n v i l l e Va l e n t i n e attended on behalf of the players’ association.

(WICB)

Rory McIlroy addresses the media on Tuesday at Chambers Bay. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports sharp. ”It’s a very long golf course, you’re wanting to hit shorter irons into these greens. If you can carry the ball like 295, 300 (yards) in the air this week, you’re going to have a big advantage.”

McIlroy will tee off in Thursday’s opening round with last year ’s winner, Martin Kaymer of Germany, and South Korean Yang Gunn, the U.S. amateur champion.

(Reuters)

Guyana opens campaign...

(From page 41) in controversial fashion. After playing a single game in Barbados the Warriors travel to St Lucia for their second game on June 26 when they face the St Lucia Zouks before going to St Kitts for three matches against the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots (July 3), Trinidad & Tobago Red Steel (July 4) and again against the Patriots on July 8 before moving to Jamaica to face-off with the Jamaica Tallawahs on July 12.

The Guyanese Franchise returns to their home base to play four matches in six days.

They oppose Jamaica (July 15), Barbados (July 17), St Lucia (July 18) and T&T (July 21). The tournament moves to Trinidad for the first semi fi-

nal on July 23, the second semi on July 25 while the grand Final is set for Sunday July 26.

Guyana Amazon Warriors Team Squad: Denesh Ramdin, Veerasammy Permaul, Sunil Narine, Christopher Barnwell, Lendl Simmons, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marchant de Lange, Thisara Perera, Brad Hodge, Devendra Bishoo, Ronsford Beaton, Trevon Griffith, Assad Fudadin, Paul Wintz. (Umar Akmal and David Wiese as replacements for Dilshan and Perera).

Support Staff: Carl Hooper (Head Coach), Curtly Ambrose (Assistant CoachAntigua), Omar Khan (Manager-T&T), Jason Pilgrim (Physio-T&T), Clinton Jerimiah (Trainer-T&T).

Page 36

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Nobel snub likely to be painful for Blatter Beleaguered FIFA president Sepp Blatter has taken plenty of blows over the last few weeks, but the snub delivered by the Nobel Peace Center may be painful for a man who gives the impression that he wants to be seen as a statesman.

Blatter, immensely proud of being the first FIFA president to take the World Cup to Africa when South Africa hosted the tournament in 2010, has long harbored lofty ambitions about soccer contributing to world peace and social harmony.

He used to refer to the late former South Africa President Nelson Mandela as “my friend Madiba”, the Xhosa clan name by which he was affectionately known, and has spent two years trying to thrash out a truce between the soccer associations of Israel and Palestine.

During a meeting with Pope Francis, he told the pontiff that soccer was about “bringing people together, uniting people, constructing bridges”. An interview with the Swiss SonntagsZeitung summed up his view that soccer is more than just 22 players kicking a ball around a field.

”Soccer must play a sociocultural role. We reach 1.6 billion people,” he said. “Thanks to the positive emotions that soccer triggers, FIFA is more influential than any country on Earth and any religion. We move masses. We want to use that to create more peace, justice and health in the world.”

Blatter has toured the world spreading his message, meeting dozens of state presidents, and a visit to Tajikistan last year was fairly typical. “A meeting with Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon in Dushanbe’s Palace of Nations and a visit to the Super Cup final between FC Ravshan Kulob and FC Istiklol on Tuesday evening kick-started the visit,” said FIFA’s website.

Blatter said: “When I first visited Tajikistan in 2004, the country was recovering from civil war. Nowadays I’m proud to see how soccer has played an important role in bringing hope and education to thousands of Tajiks.”

He has often talked proudly of how Iraq won the Asian championship in 2007 and recently said that soccer was above the brutal conflict in Syria and Iraq. “Soccer has never been the objective of

FIFA President Sepp Blatter (L) holds the hand of Bente Erichsen, director of the Nobel Peace Center, during the 62nd FIFA Congress in Budapest May 25, 2012. Reuters/Stringer any attack in this region,” he said. “Soccer is respected, it is connecting people and this will be the same with the World Cup. ”I’m sure soccer is stronger than any other movement and I’m looking at the geopo-

Japan edge Ecuador to take top spot

Japan’s forward Yuki Ogimi (#17) celebrates with teammates.

Japan edged Ecuador 1-0 to clinch top spot in Group C in what was their opponents’ final outing at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™. Ecuador can be proud of limiting the reigning world champions to a slim victory, especially after some more lopsided losses against the likes of Cameroon and Switzerland.

In fact, after conceding an early goal to Yuki Ogimi, whose final touch off of captain Aya Miyama’s shot crashed off the underside of the crossbar, the South Americans stopped the Nadeshiko from finding much

joy in front of goal.

The only clear-cut chance, which was easily saved by goalkeeper Shirley Berruz, came ten minutes after Japan’s goal when Miyama’s downward header was then tipped off the bar

by Berruz after some great skill by Saori Ariyoshi to create space and whip in a cross.

Japan continued to press forward with several attempts, but nothing particularly troubling for Berruz. Ecuador rarely troubled the Asians’ backline, but if it was not for a sliding tackle from Megumi Kaminobe in the 65th minute

to clear the danger, Kerlly Real would have almost certainly leveled matters for Ecuador.

Yuika Sugasawa drew a gasp from the crowd with her acrobatic overhead-kick ten minutes from time, but her effort hit the crossbar. Berruz then saved Mama Iwabuchi’s point-blank shot to keep it 10 a few minutes later.

At the final whistle, Ecuador left the field – although eliminated from the Women’s World Cup – proud to have saved their best performance at Canada 2015 until the end.

(FIFA)

litical map today, toward Afghanistan, toward Iraq, toward Syria, toward Palestine, in these countries soccer is played. ”Syria, in such a difficult situation, yet the under 17

team has qualified for the World Cup in Chile this year, this shows what soccer is.”

Even amid the corruption crisis which erupted at the end of May, Blatter was intent on ending the dispute in which Palestine accused Israel of hampering the movement of their players, officials and equipment into the Palestinian territories.

He met Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and was clearly proud after Palestine dropped a motion at the FIFA Congress asking for Israel to be suspended from international soccer.

Instead, FIFA agreed to send observers to monitor the freedom of players and officials to travel to and from the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories. One of Blatter’s favorite initiatives was the socalled Handshake for Peace, developed in cooperation with the Nobel Peace Center.

For three years, Blatter had exhorted those present to share in a handshake at almost every public appearance he has made since the initiative got off the ground in 2012. FIFA describe the hand-

shake as “a gesture of friendship and respect intended to inspire the world to unite in peace, solidarity and fair play” and “part of its mission to build a better future through soccer”.

Yet, on Monday, the NPC, without giving a reason, said it would terminate the agreement “as soon as circumstances allow”.

The announcement came amid an FBI is investigation into bribery and corruption involving FIFA officials, including scrutiny of how FIFA awarded the 2018 and 2022 World Cup hosting rights to Russia and Qatar.

The bitterness was palpable as FIFA reacted and even hit back at the NPC on Tuesday with an unusually stronglyworded statement.

“FIFA is reluctant to accept this unilateral approach on what is a joint initiative between the soccer community and the Nobel Peace Center (NPC),” it said. ”This action does not embody the spirit of fair play especially as it obstructs the promotion of the key values of peace-building and antidiscrimination.”

(Reuters)

Cameroonian comeback seals famous win over Swiss Cameroon turned in a dynamic second-half showing to defeat Switzerland 2-1 for their first win over a European opponent at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™. The result secured second spot in Group C for the Africans behind Japan, and set up a last-16 meeting with China PR. Both teams pushed forward at every opportunity, allowing for an entertaining contest, with Cameroon dominating the second half after equalising soon after the break. Early on Swiss captain Martina Moser floated a freekick over the backline to Ana Maria Crnogorcevic, who narrowly failed to make contact with the goalkeeper exposed.

Cameroon skipper Christine Manie powered in a header directly from a corner, which was perhaps as close as the Africans came to scoring in the first half. Cameroon then failed to deal with a forward ball, allowing Ramona Bachmann through on goal, but goalkeeper Anette Ngo Ndom just got enough on the block to see it go wide.

But Switzerland were not to be denied, and Bachmann burst into the penalty area before pulling the ball back for Crnogorcevic to comfort-

ably slot home from near the penalty spot.

Despite the goal it was Cameroon, backed by a healthy and noisy contingent, who enjoyed a strong passage of play with several halfsights of goal. Cameroon’s Gaelle Enganamouit was, as always, dangerous with her strong running.

However, Switzerland could have doubled their advantage with Fabienne Humm’s header blocked by a second excellent save from Ngo Ndon.

Cameroon made a dream restart with Gabrielle Onguene striking two min-

utes after the interval, with a sweet finish from 18 yards following a pullback from the byline.

The goal saw Cameroon find their confidence and they took the lead just past the hour mark, as Madeleine Ngono Mani powered in a close-range header just five minutes after coming on following a dynamic run and cross from Onguene.

The dynamic Onguene could have repeated her feat with yet another amazing run down the right, but Francine Zouga saw her shot blocked on the line

by Vanessa Bernauer.

(FIFA)

Gaelle Enganamouit #17 of Cameroon leads her team in a cheer with the fans

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Selection rules add interest to Draft

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – With new rules in place, there is extra-special interest to see how this will impact upon the selectors of the six franchises in the second Player Draft of the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League.

The Draft, which has been organised with the goal of achieving an equitable distribution of the available player talent in the Regional 4Day and NAGICO Super50 tournaments, will be staged this Thursday, June 18, at the Accra Beach Hotel in Barbados, starting at 1 p.m. Fans can view the “live” webcast of the D r a f t o n t h e W I C B ’s w e b s i t e , www.windiescricket.com.

The Draft will be conducted over five rounds and two adjustments have been made to the Draft process which is expected to tax the selectors as their make their choices. First, the rules stipulating the composition of the playing squad of each franchise have changed.

Each franchise must contract a minimum of 15 players, 10 of whom will be pre-selected from the home territory. But each franchise will now have to include two players from outside of their home territory in the remaining five players drafted from the Player Pool, unlike last year when there was no stipulation.

The second change reduces the time allocated for each selector to make a pick in the Draft. They have now been allotted two

minutes – one less than last year – to complete their choices, possibly making the task even more urgent.

With the selection order for the Draft the reverse order of the final league position of the franchise in the 2014-15 WICB PCL Regional 4-Day Tournament, newly-appointed Leeward Islands head coach Reginald Benjamin will have the honour of making the first pick this year.

The Hurricanes finished at the bottom of the table last season and will be looking to possibly shore up their batting, which has been a bugbear in recent years, with the choice of two batsmen from outside of their home territory in the Draft.

The next two sides to pick in the Draft have similar needs to each other. Gus Logie, head coach of the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force, will pick second and will be followed by Wavell Hinds, chairman of the Jamaica Franchise selection panel.

Both may look to import batting talent from outside of their home territory to give backbone to their line-ups, but could also use the Draft choices to add a bit more edge to their bowling.

Chairman of selectors Charles Walter will make the fourth pick in the Draft for the Windward Islands Volcanoes and will also look to boost his batting with outside help, but he may also scoop up any decent all-rounder in the Player Pool to add balance to the line-up.

The selection order will be

completed by the choices of last season’s top two teams in the R4Day, with Hendy Wallace choosing for Barbados Pride, and fellow chairman of selectors Rayon Griffith picking for the WICB PCL R4Day champions Guyana Jaguars.

The Pride will have an eye on replacement batsmen for a number of their key players, likely to be missing on duty with West Indies for a tour of Australia in the early part of the season, and a trip to New Zealand, as well as the ICC World Twenty20 Championship in India in the latter stages.

Batting could still be a concern for the Jaguars, but two fast bowlers to add an edge to their attack, particularly when they are playing away from home, could make a significant difference to their line-up.

The list of pre-selected players and players that will form part of the Draft pool will be released today.

ONLINE COVERAGE 1. View “live” webcast and further details here, www.windiescricket.com 2. Selected images will be available here, http:// www.flickr.com/photos/ windiescricket/ 3. Follow “live” text updates on Twitter here, www.twitter.com/windiesintl 4. Follow “live” text updates on Facebook here, www.facebook.com/ windiescricket 5. Audio files of media opportunities will be available for download here, https://soundcloud.com/ windiescricket 6. Video files of media opportunities will be available for download here, ftp:// windiescricket.com 7. View video of media opportunities here, http:// www.youtube.com/user/ WestIndiesCricketTV (WICB).

CFU Men’s Olympic Qualifiers Kicks off June 24 The 2015 Caribbean Zone Group stage Men’s Olympic Qualifiers kicks off on Wednesday, June 24, following the pre- qualification games played on May 22 and 24 between Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines which w a s w o n b y t h e latter.

Fifteen teams will be divided into four groups which will be staged in four countries and will end on Sunday, June 28, followed by the Final Rounds which

is scheduled to run from August 14-16, at a venue to be announced.

Haiti will be hosting Group 1 which comprises of the Cayman Islands, Haiti, St Kitts & Nevis and Barbados. Group 2 will be hosted by Antigua & Barbuda, the teams are Guyana, Aruba, Antigua & Barbuda and Cuba.

Group 3 consists of hosts Dominican Republic, Jamaica and St Lucia, while Group 4 entails Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, St Vincent and the

Grenadines and hosts Puerto Rico.

This zonal qualifying tournament has an age limit of Under-23 for men born on or after January 1, 1993.

Two teams from this Men’s Qualifying games will advance to compete in the Confederation of North Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Men’s Olympic Tournament set to be hosted by the United States in 2016.

Page 37

Hayatou denies selling vote for 2022 World Cup

Issa Hayatou (R), Senior Vice President of the FIFA stands with FIFA President Sepp Blatter after he was re-elected at the 65th FIFA Congress in Zurich, Switzerland, May 29, 2015. Reuters/Arnd Wiegmann Issa Hayatou, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has denied selling his vote for the 2022 World Cup in an interview with French publication Jeune Afrique. Hayatou, who is also vice president at world soccer’s scandal-plagued governing body FIFA, and CAF was accused of accepting bribes by a former Qatar bid employee, Phaedra Almajid.

According to documents seen by Reuters, FBI investigators interviewed Almajid, who said she was present when the Qatar bid organization paid $1.5 million to three African members of FIFA’s executive committee to secure their votes for Qatar, which was awarded the hosting rights for the 2022 tournament.

The former employee made a sworn statement re-

canting her allegations, but later still she told the FBI that representatives of the Qatar bid had pressured her to do so.

“I’ve never seen this woman in my life,” Cameroonian Hayatou was quoted as saying by Jeune Afrique. ”She claims that we met Qatar people in a hotel in Angola. When? Where? She said so first, then she admitted she had lied. A year later, she repeats her accusations.

It’s complete nonsense. We have asked her to show evidence. She has not.”

Hayatou also said he was unaware of any wrong-doing in the bidding processes for the 1998 and 2010 tournaments, which both involved Morocco. When asked whether the 2010 World Cup vote, which involved a runoff between Morocco and

South Africa, had been rigged, as reported by Britain’s Sunday Times, he replied: “Rigged by whom? All I can say is that us, Africans, we drew lots in order not to give the impression that we were favoring one of the candidates. ”There were four of us (on the FIFA executive committee). We decided to give two votes to South Africa, two votes to Morocco. And we drew. Ismail Bhamjee and Amos Adamu got South Africa, Amadou Diakite and I got Morocco. This is our policy.”

Hayatou, who says he has a “clear conscience”, also denied having any knowledge of any attempts by Morocco to buy votes for the 1998 and 2010 tournaments. “How come I would have known? No one has come to me to tell me,” he said.

(Reuters)

Page 38

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Ashes 2015: Johnson, Starc, Harris, Hazlewood or Siddle?

Australia face a fast-bowling selection dilemma for the Ashes, says coach Darren Lehmann.

Left-armers Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc are competing with right-arm seamers Ryan Harris, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle for just three spots in the side.

Australia fly to England on Wednesday, with the first Test on 8 July. “Those guys have given us a massive headache - albeit a good one,” said Lehmann.

“Two of those five guys are going to be unbelievably unlucky to miss out, but that’s what happens when you’re playing good cricket. ”You have to make those hard decisions.”

Johnson, 33, terrorised England’s batsmen in his side’s 5-0 series win over England in 2013-14 with 37 victims, while Harris, 35, took 22 wickets as he shared the new ball.

Siddle has taken 67 wickets in 20 Tests against England, but appears to have

fallen down the pecking order following the emergence of Starc and Hazlewood.

Tall quick Hazlewood, 24, was named man of the series against West Indies after picking up 12 scalps at an average of 8.83 in two matches while Starc, 25, took eight wickets in the Caribbean and was one of the stars of the recent World Cup which Australia won on home soil.

KPL Softball Cup set for July 4 Some of the nation’s top softball teams will be in action on July 4 when the inaugural KPL cup is contested at Everest and Demerara Cricket Club grounds.

The tournament will be played in the open and over35 categories with the winning teams in both divisions taking home a trophy and $120,000.

Entrance fee for the open category is $50,000 and over35 $40,000.

According to organizer Samuel Kingston, four open and six over-35 teams will be accepted. He said that the launching and draw will be done on July 1 at the GNIC Sports Club, Woolford Avenue.

Regal, Wolf’s Warriors and Spartons of Berbice (open); Frontline, Omesh XI, Savage and Shallim XI (0ver-

Samuel Kingston 35) have already confirmed their participation.

For more information teams can contact Kingston on 614 9536.

Before the opening Test in Cardiff, Australia face Kent and Essex in warm-up matc h e s , a n d L e h m a n n

says those fixtures will help define his selection for the Ashes.

“We need to see how the

bowlers pull up and how they bowl in the different conditions, on different pitches and with the different ball,” he added. ”It’s been two years since our last Ashes tour and there’s a big change in mindset for me personally and the team compared to when

we were there in 2013.

“The guys are definitely in a better space than they were two years ago.

We’re really close as a team and we know what we we’ve got to do on and off the ground to achieve our goals.”

(BBCsport)

Nadal sent packing at Queen’s, Wawrinka and Murray win Just when it seemed safe for Rafa Nadal devotees to peer up from behind the sofa the Spaniard suffered another horror show at the hands of Ukrainian spin wizard Alexandr Dolgopolov at Queen’s Club yesterday.

Former world number one Nadal looked rejuvenated last week when he won the Stuttgart grasscourt title having endured a title-less run on his beloved European claycourts and arrived at the Aeg o n C h a m p i o n s h i p s with a spring in his step.

But the form the 14-times grand slam champion displayed in Stuttgart was only fleetingly in evidence as he went down 6-3 6-7(6) 6-4 to a player ranked 79th in the world. Despite a dispiriting loss in front of Spain’s former king Juan Carlos, who sat in the front row, the 29-year-old tried to remain positive with Wimbledon a little under two weeks away. ”This week I lost an opportunity, but I am playing better than before, and enjoying more on court than before,” he told reporters.

“Today I lost. I accept. I keep going. I’m going to practise h a r d . I h o p e t o b e ready to play well in Wimbledon.”

Second seed Stanislas Wawrinka, who claimed Nadal’s French Open crown this month with a memorable defeat of Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros immediately hit top gear when he swatted away Australian Nick Kyrgios

Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov celebrates after winning his first round match.

Reuters /Paul ChildsLivepic 6-3 6-4 in 49 minutes.

Wawrinka will face bigserving South African Kevin Anderson today. Top seed and home favourite Andy Murray got in the Wimbledon spirit by donning a pristine all-white kit in a 6-4 7-5 defeat of Taiwan’s Lu Yen-hsun, a

player he beat on the way to winning the title at the All England Club in 2013.

Also on the menu at the select west London club was defending champion Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria who completed a 46 6-3 6-4 win over Americ a n S a m Q u e r r e y, t h e

2 0 1 0 w i n n e r, a f t e r b a d light stopped their match the day before.

Fifth seed Nadal, who won the Queen’s title in 2008, but has stayed away in recent years because of gripes with the British tax system, saved two points that would have seen h i m t r a i l 4 - 0 b u t h e c o u l d n o t c l a w b ack the opening set.

The Mallorcan survived a match point in the second set tiebreak with a swinging serve and levelled it when Do l g o p o l o v m i s s e d a n attempted pass, celebrating with a trademark upper-cut.

Dolgopolov boasts a richer variety of spin than an election c a m p a i g n m a n ager and a curious backhand sidewinder that can bamboozle opponents but he paid for being too clever with an attempted drop shot and surrendered serve at 1-1 in the decider.

Nadal looked in control but he loosened his grip at 43 and Dolgoplov levelled with an angled volley.

Even then Nadal has an immediate chance to break again, but missed a bread and butter forehand with the court begging.

Dolgopolov then pounced, belting a backhand return winner and then threading a forehand down the line to seal a second consecutive victory against Nadal.

(Reuters)

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 39

Joint WICB/WIPA statement on mediation ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Last September, the West Indies Cricket Board and the West Indies Players’ Association agreed on a new Memorandum of Understanding and Collective Bargaining Agreement with the overall aim of professionalising the game in the Caribbean.

An important part of the new MOU and CBA included creating clear, long-term, stable arrangements for player compensation at all levels.

Unfortunately, there seemed to have been confusion, particularly among players, as to the specifics of what had been agreed and how the new compensation structure would operate, and this was recognised as a major contributory factor to the premature termination of the West Indies Tour to India last October.

During May, the WICB and WIPA participated by

mutual consent in a formal mediation process over a period of five days to consider the question of what level of sponsorship funds received by the WICB should international players receive and how that amount should be distributed.

In addition to resolving this issue, the WICB and WIPA were able to reach a greater and more consistent understanding of the MOU and CBA by clarifying the underlying agreed principles of player payments for a period of four years.

A clear and unambiguous schedule of all types of anticipated player payments during this period has been drawn up and minor amendments to the MOU and CBA (including the standard player contract) to provide for such compensation has been made.

This solution, including the player payment schedule,

was also shared and discussed with the players on the weekend of May 23 and 24 in Barbados, prior to the start of the Australia Tour of the West Indies, so that the risk of any future dispute is minimised to the greatest extent possible.

Chief Executive Officer of the WICB Michael Muirhead said: “We’re all happy to have reached this outcome. It brings greater stability to our relationship with the players and that’s something that we all want and we’re thrilled that we have been able to achieve it. ”There was a tremendous amount of respect and a great degree of compromise forged by a desire and a willingness to bring about resolution through mediation. Once both sides understood that we were both looking for the best for West Indies cricket, we got things worked out.”

President and Chief Ex-

ecutive Officer of WIPA Wavell Hinds said: “The mediation process went very well and this represents the best payment scheme for all players in the present reality of West Indies cricket.”

The outcome was achieved with the assistance of an independent panel that included representatives of the International Cricket Council, the World governing body for the sport, and the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, the global organization that coordinates the activities of all the players’ associations that represent professional cricketers.

GSSF calls on Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth & Sport

Republic Bank (Guy) Ltd has renewed sponsorship for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) annual Educational Summer Camp for the ninth successive year.

The camp which would be organized by Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets First Division and Pepsi Under-19 teams will attract Grade 6 students preparing for Secondary school in September.

Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster at the presentation ceremony informed that sixty students drawn from the four Primary Schools in the Rose Hall Town catchment area would be part of the camp which would be conducted by Senior Teacher Rohan Etwaru.

They would be taught the basic in Spanish, English A, English B, Social Studies, Mathematics and History.

The students would be in-

Minister Nicolette Henry with some of the Directors of the GSSF Board.

Board members of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) paid a courtesy call on Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Ms. Nicolette Henry on Monday last at the Ministry’s headquarters, Main Street.

During the visit the GSSF President Ms. Vidushi Persaud, Vice-President Mr. Michael Blake and Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Mr. Ryan McKinnon discussed with the Honourable Minister Henry their plans for the future while giving an update on their accomplishments so far.

They reported on affiliations, stating that the federation is affiliated to three international bodies, the Steel Challenge Shooting Association, the Amateur

Trapshooting Association and more recently the World Archery Federation.

In keeping with its objective to promote the growth of sport shooting locally, the federation indicated that they will be starting regulated Amateur Trap Shooting and Archery shortly.

The Minister expressed her commitment to working with the federation and posited that she also looks forward to introducing Archery as a sport to Guyana with a focus on both indoor and outdoor archery.

Minister Henry said she will be giving crucial input in this area especially since it involves two other areas she is passionate about: youth and education. The federation is currently in discussion to bring an internationally renowned Archer soon to

Guyana.

His years of experience in competing at World Cup Events and technical expertise will aid in the establishing of Archery on a solid foundation. Minister Henry further indicated she is excited to work with the GSSF in promoting and developing the various Sport Shooting disciplines.

The Ministry and the GSSF look forward to working together to build a stronger working relationship to the benefit of all Guyanese as the federation continues to uphold its recognition as a Sporting body promoting sport, specifically in the field of sport shooting locally, regionally and internationally.

For more info visit the website: www.guyanasportshooting.com

It was jointly agreed that the mediation panel would be chaired by Brian Young, a retired senior partner of Pricewaterhouse Coopers Jamaica, who currently serves on the board of directors of a number of Caribbean firms.

The other members of the panel were Iain Higgins, general counsel of the International Cricket Council, appointed by the WICB, and Ian Smith, a sports governance consultant, appointed by WIPA. In a joint statement, the mediation panel said: “The parties have approached the mediation with goodwill, civility and strongly focussed on

reaching a solution that is good for West Indies cricket, sustainable within the projected finances of the WICB, reflecting the fact that the players are valuable and key stakeholders and perform activities over and above their playing duties that are of value to the WICB, and remaining consistent with the principles espoused by the (Continued on page 31)

RHTY&SC Silver Jubilee 1990 – 2015

Republic Bank renew sponsorship for Educational Summer Camp volved in several lectures on topics of importance including Drug Abuse, Importance of Education, Suicide, Peer Pressure and Public Manners and would also be exposed to basic coaching in cricket, volleyball, basketball and circle tennis.

Foster expressed confidence that the camp would meet all its objectives and that the students would be fully prep a r e d f o r e n t r a n c e into Secondary school in September.

Members of the RHT Gizmos and Gadgets First Division and RHT Pepsi Under19 teams would also join the students for a Community Development project and have one on one personal development discussions with them as part of a Peer Role Model Project.

The long serving Secretary/CEO lauded the contribution of Republic Bank,

which apart from the Educational Summer Camp also cosponsors the club’s annual awards ceremony, annual review magazine, annual cricket academy and charity programmes among others.

Special mention was made of Republic Bank Rose Hall Branch Manager Harry Dass Ghaness and Assistant Manager Ms. Seema Brijemal for their cooperation over the years. The sponsorship package for the five week camp which starts on July 7 is $160,000. A total of 545 students have passed through the Summer Camp since it first started.

Interested parents of Grade 6 students from the Rose Hall Town, Port Mourant, Tain and Belvedere schools are asked to contact the club on telephone : # 337 4562 or email foster_hilbert@yahoo.com.

Customer Service Representative Ms. Lisa Balprashad presents the cheque to RHTY&SC Member Mark Papannah in the presence of staff members, Harry Dass Ghaness, Seema Brijemal and Christopher Phagoo.

Page 40

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Antigua downs Guyana in opening game

After trailing 5-2, Antigua and Barbuda went on a 13-0 run with 7:36 remaining in the first quarter and never looked backed as they defeated Guyana 80-60 in the Group B preliminary round action of the 2015 Men’s Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) Championships, Road Town, Tortola.

Jerome Richardson led Antigua with 14 points while they also got 13 from Lenoxx McCoy and Ernest Scott.

Antigua kept a double digit advantage after they took a 25-14 advantage with 8:53 left in the second quarter.

Guyana’s Gordon James led all scorers with 19 points while also grabbing a gamehigh 15 rebounds.

Guyana played Bahamas last night.

ANTIGUAAND BARBUDA FLAY SURINAME 85-50 Antigua and Barbuda moved to 2-0 in preliminary round play at the 2015 Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championships with a convincing 85-50 win over

Suriname at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, Tortola.

Antigua jumped out to a 16-5 lead on a Kurt Looby alley-oop with 5:44 to play in the first quarter and never looked back. The Bulldogs led after the first quarter 2913, and at halftime 51-22.

The onslaught continued in the second half, as Antigua opened up a 44-point fourthquarter lead at 76-32 on a basket by Lennox McCoy. Aside from a 7-0 run in the fourth by Suriname (0-1), Antigua dominated in every phase of the game.

Looby led Antigua with 13 points. Jerome Richardson, Ernest Scott and Sharife Sergeant each had 11. Yves Goedschalk led Suriname with 11 points.

DEFENDING CBC CHAMPS BAHAMAS TROUNCE BERMUDA 57-38 Defending Caribbean Basketball Confederation Champions Bahamas defeated Bermuda 57-38 in its

Action in the Bahamas Bermuda clash. (www.caribbeanbasketball.com photo) first game of preliminary action at the 2015 Men’s championships held at the Multi Purpose Sports Complex in Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Magnum Rolle led the way for Bahamas with 11 points and 9 rebounds, for Bermuda Jason Lowe was the high point man with 15 points.

Both teams started out struggling with the long ball, as defense played a major role in the first half, which ended 23-21 in favor of Bahamas.

Bermuda came out the locker rooms with an aggressive mind set in the third and found themselves within

Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition

Scout for new local talent starts today Now that Guyana’s World Cup 2018 campaign has come to an end, scouts, Technical Director, Head Coach and fans will now have the opportunity to turn their attention to the biggest football tournament to be held locally.

The 2015 Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition is set to begin today with three matches at different venues.

In the opening fixtures, at Leonora, West Demerara Secondary takes on L’Aventure and this encounter is set to commence from 15:30hrs, while at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, Richard Ishmael tackles GTC, also at 15:30hrs.

In the other fixture, at the

Wisburg Secondary School ground, they play host to New Silver City at 15:30hrs.

Play in the competition continues tomorrow with four matches at various venues.

At Wisburg ground, Mackenzie High collide with Linden Foundation, while Tagore Secondary and Manchester Secondary clash at Skeldon Community Centre ground. At Tucville ground, Tucville Secondary play host to David Rose, while at Grove, Friendship Secondary square off against Apex Secondary. All the games start at 15:30hrs.

On Friday, five matches are scheduled at different venues. Soesdyke Secondary tackles Covent Garden at

Grove, while Houston Sec. and St. Mary’s engage each other at Tucville. Stewartville then tackles Endeavour at Leonora and Hope Sec. and La Bonne Intention square off at Victoria, while New Amsterdam Technical Institute goes up against Corentyne at Burnham Park.

All matches commence at 15:30 hrs. Then on Saturday one game will be played between Kwakwani and Harmony Sec. at Wisburg ground from 15:30 hrs. The defending champion is Christianburg / Wismar who’ve won the tournament three times consecutively in its four-year history.

single digits going into the fourth. Bahamas seemed too much in the final quarter of the ball game as they began to pull away down the stretch.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS HAMMER ST. VINCENT 84-69 On several occasions, it looked as if the British Virgin Islands was going to run away from St. Vincent and the Grenadines in preliminaryround play at the 2015 Men’s Caribbean Basketball Confederation Championships—but each time BVI took control, SVG made a run, nearly coming all the way back in the fourth quarter after being 18 points down in the third.

BVI, however, was too much down the stretch as the host nation used its size and outside shooting to finally put away SVG 84-69.

BVI led by as many as

eight in the first, before the quarter ended 23-17. Nyika Williams tied the game for SVG at 32 with 3:00 left in the second—but that’s when BVI started its biggest run, as SVG failed to score over the final three minutes of the half. BVI took a 41-32 lead into half.

BVI blazed out of the gate in the second half, expanding the lead to 18 at 52-34, going on a 23-5 run from the 3:00 mark of the second quarter until the 5:35 mark of the third, when Halstead Chiverton drilled a three-pointer to make it 55-37.

SVG began a run of its own moments later, assisted by a technical foul against Chiverton and an unsportsmanlike foul against Kennedy Bass on back-to-back possessions with 1:29 left in the third.

SVG would finish out the third quarter on a 21-7 run and

trailed by just three at 59-56 heading into the fourth.

A bucket by Alexis Foyle with 8:41 left in the game drew SVG to within one at 61-60.

But Chiverton’s outside shooting and the interior defense by Kleon Penn proved too much for SVG, and BVI finished the game on a 23-9 run of its own.

Chiverton finished with 18 points for BVI (1-0), while Randy George had 16, Kilven Samuel had 15, and Norville Carey added 13 and ten rebounds. Kleon Penn added four points and blocked seven shots.

Foyle had 29 points for SVG (0-1), while both Shawn King and Sean Baptiste each had 11. King also had 15 rebounds.

British Virgin Islands also defeated Cayman Islands 77-65.

Assuria 5-overs tournament pushed back to June 28

Blairmont, D ‘Edward and Tamarind Root name teams Three clubs have named their teams for the historic Assuria Insurance 5-overs knockout cricket tournament which has been pushed back from the June 21 to 28 at the request of the sponsor.

Twelve teams are down to compete at the Albion Cricket Ground with the winners assured $70,000 and trophy, the runner up $50,000 and trophy and the losing semi-finalists $20,000 and trophy.

Tamarind Root of Hampshire, Blairmont and D ‘Edwards Cricket clubs have all named strong teams for the tournament.

Tamarind Root: Adrian

Singh (Captain), Mahendra Ramdial (Vice Captain), Dilip Rengasammy, Ajay Ramsasammy, Avinash Looknauth, Prem Deonarine, Altaf Mohamed, Kevin Madramuthu, Kunal Mangal, Linden Austin, Andy Mohan, Ranga Rangasammy, Shastri Persaud, Javed Mohamed, Managere Ravi Ramdass.

D Edward Sports Club: Jaipaul Heeralall (Captain), Eon Abel, Pooran Persaud, Keith Fraser, Heeralall Bridgelall, Dinanauth Persaud, Dishawn Phillips, Altaf Khan, Mahadeo Persaud, Navin Rampersaud, Christain France, Hoolsarran

Lalsa, Abdool Subhan, Lakeraj Sukra, Jonothan Chowramottoo.

Blairmont Cricket Club (Blairmont Blazers): Nick Ramsaroop (Captain), Shabeer Baksh, (Player/ Coach), Avishkar Sewkarran, Mahendra Singh, Zammeer Inshan, Javid Karim, Permanand Ramdhan, Derrick Cadogan, Waqar Hassan, Philburg Wilburge, Rameshwar Somwaru, Chandradatt Veersammy, Nigel Trotz, Romesh Boodram, Azad Isihawk, Shizad Ali (Manager), Mohamed Samad (Assistant Manager/Coach).

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Knights destroys Black Sharks Canje Knights made sure that nothing will stand in their way as they breezed past Fyrish Black Sharks to book a place in the final of the NPG Inter Club Basketball competition for teams in Berbice.

The team from East Canje made sure that they were ready for battle and the trip was not in vain as they claimed a comfortable 8366 win in the game played at the Fyrish Basketball court.

The Knights sharp shooting, quick counterattacks and relentless attacks were too much for the sinking Black Sharks.

Knights raced to a 27-12 lead, by the end of the first half. It was more pounding from as the relentless Knights pushed the score to 40-26 at the interval.

On the resumption, the Knigh t s c o n t i n u e d t h e i r intensity to end the third in the lead 5838.

They poured in another 25 points as the badly brui s e d B l a c k S h a r k s

Page 41

CPL practice match washed out at Providence

Guyana opens campaign against defending Champs B’dos on Saturday

By Sean Devers

Action in the game between the winning East Canje Knights in White and the Fyrish Black Sharks. battled back but it was too little too late in the end as they closed out the game 83-66.

Steve Roopnarine poured in 24 points for the Canje Knights with support from Kevon Emmanuel as Rayon Emmanuel sunk 11 and Remington Hunter bucketed 11.

For the Black Sharks Jowell Fraser netted a game

h i g h 3 2 w i t h assistance from K e e n a n Wi l l i a m s 1 0 a n d L i n d e n J o s e p h 7.

The next semifinal is set for next Sunday at the Fyrish Basketball court between Smythfield Rockers and Rose Hall Town Jammers from 16:00 hrs. The competition is being coordinated by Vibert Garrett.

(Samuel Whyte)

The second practice match for the Guyana Amazon Warriors was washed out at the Providence Stadium before a ball was bowled in the game due to persistent rain all afternoon, yesterday.

The match was scheduled to commence at 16:00hrs but was eventually called off at 18:30hrs as rain fell consistently on the East Bank of Demerara all afternoon.

The game was organized as preparation for the 2015 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 tournament which starts on Saturday with the Guyana Franchise taking on defending champions Barbados in the Land of the Flying Fish.

Most of the players in the A m a z o n Wa r r i o r s a r e scheduled to depart for Barbados today while the two Sri Lankans (Thisara Perera and Tillakaratne Dilshan), South African Merchant DeLange (who

Rain pours down on the Providence Stadium. replaces Lasith Malinga) and West Indies Captain Denish Ramdin will join the team tomorrow.

Perera and Dilshan will only play the first four games before being replaced by Pakistani Umar Akmal and South African David Wiese.

The fourth overseas International, Australian Brad Hodge is already in the Guyana and along the with T&T’s off-spinner Sunil Narine (the most expensive player in the local Franchise at US $150,000) and Lindl

Simmons played in Monday night’s first practice game.

West Indies and Guyana’s spin twins Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul are also members of the Amazon Warriors and are in the country.

The Warriors are the most consistent team in the two-year history of the CPL reaching the finals on both occasions.

They have never won the title, losing to Jamaica in 2013 and Barbados last year (Continued on page 35)

Page 42

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 17, 2015

International players confirmed as replacements for Hero CPL CPL – Kingston, Jamaica: The Guyana Amazon Warriors, Barbados Tridents, St Lucia Zouks and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have today confirmed changes to their squads for this year’s Hero CPL. Lasith Malinga, who has been ruled out of the competition after picking up an injury, will be replaced by Marchant de Lange for the Amazon Warriors, while Jeevan Mendis will replace Justin Ontong, who requires a knee operation, in the Tridents squad.

Shane Dowrich will replace the injured Nicholas Pooran in the Patriots squad, while international duty means that Shakib Al Hasan will be replaced by, first Eddie Leie, and then Nathan McCullum.

Pakistan international batsman, Umar Akmal, and South African all-rounder, David Wiese, will join the

Amazon Warriors as midtournament replacements for Tillakaratne Dilshan and Thisara Perera, who have both been called up for international duty.

De Lange is a promising South African international fast bowler, who is capable of thundering down 150 kph deliveries, while Wiese, who has featured extensively in this season’s IPL with Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Akmal, will both bring plenty of T20 experience.

De Lange will feature from the start of the competition, while Akmal and Weise will join up with the squad when Dilshan and Perera part company with the Amazon Warriors on July 5th to play for Sri Lanka.

Jeevan Mendis, who has represented Sri Lanka in 54 ODIs and 16 T20Is, will replace Justin Ontong in the Tridents squad. Mendis will

Marchant de Lange (ESPNcricinfo) return to Barbados for a second year, having helped the Tridents to the CPL title last year.

Wicketkeeper-batsman, Dowrich, another who won the CPL with Barbados Tridents last year, will be

turning out for new boys, St Kitts and Nevis Patriots.

Dowrich is fresh from making his West Indies test debut, where he scored a composed 70 in the second innings of the first test against Australia.

Bangladesh all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, has unfortunately had to pull out of the tournament due to international commitments.

His place in the St Lucia Zouks squad will be taken for the first week of the tournament by exciting South African leg-spinner, Eddie Leie, who will be available for the Zouks’ four home matches, before experienced New Zealand spinner, Nathan McCullum, joins the team for the remainder of the competition.

Tom Moody, Hero CPL Director of Cricket, said: “The quality of these replacements demonstrates the strong attraction of playing in the CPL. Injuries and international call ups are part and parcel of the modern game, but as the competition d r a w s c l o s e r, w e a r e confident these five new replacements will enter the

competition with a hunger to impress the Caribbean fans.”

Global superstars including Kevin Pietersen, Jacques Kallis and Shahid Afridi will join the C a r i b b e a n ’s f i n e s t cricketers, like Chris Gayle, Kieron P o l l a r d a n d Dwayne Bravo, and exciting up-and-coming local talent.

Last year’s tournament attracted a global audience in excess of 65 million and this year is set to be even higher as fans across the world continue to be drawn to the high quality action on the pitch and the unique party atmosphere off it.

Hero CPL 2015 kicks off with a repeat of last year’s final, with defending champions, Barbados Tridents, hosting Guyana A m a z o n Wa r r i o r s , a t Ke n s i n g t o n O v a l , o n 20th June.

Wednesday June 17, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 43

U23s for encampment this week ahead of CFU Men’s Olympic Qualifiers With eh Golden Jaguars making an early exit from the FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 qualifying campaign at the hands of St. Vincent 7 the Grenadines ‘Vincy Heat’ attention will now be refocused on the Men’s Olympic Under-23 team.

Guyana has been drawn in Group 2 of the 2015 Caribbean Football Union Zone, Group stage which kicks off next Wednesday in Antigua and Barbuda where the Golden Jaguars will face the host nation, Aruba and Cuba.

Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz speaking with Kaieteur Sport noted that lots of the U23s have been included in the senior team over the past weeks of preparations, the Olympic Squad themselves were involved in two weekend camps as eth technical Staff sought to break down the squad. ”We’ve always included a lot of these youngsters in the senior team, Pernel Schultz, Trayon Bobb, Daniel Wilson, the Whyte brothers. It gives us that

The Under-23 Squad during one of their recent weekend camps at the Providence Stadium. encouragement that we have a decent platform from which to build upon.”

While noting that the Technical staff would have liked the players to be involved in playing more at their respective club level in Guyana which has been dormant for some time, Shabazz stated that they would not spend time crying about that. ”We’re going to try and

put our best foot forward in the coming days to see how we can be best prepared to le3ave next week.”

Shabazz noted that the opposing teams, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba and Cuba are all formidable opponents.

“Of course Cuba is a formidable opponent in Caribbean football, Antigua playing at home will always be dangerous and Aruba has

over the last two to three years improved from the youth sector coming right up. It signals the end of teams who want haphazard preparations and good results, it don’t go hand in hand.”

Guyana has had a late start given eth challenges that the sport has encountered in its administration before the coming into being of the

FIFA appointed Normalisation Committee but Shabazz acknowledges that the recovery has been going good so far.

“I am confident that this team given we have one week to tighten up, I am confident that we would turn it around and give a good showing in this tournament.”

Based on the playing scheduled that has been

released by the CFU, Guyana will play its first game at 15:30hrs next Wednesday against Cuba with Antigua facing Aruba in the mai n g a m e a t 1 8 : 0 0 h r s .

On Friday, June 26, Guyana will play the host nation in eth fe a t u r e g a m e a t 18:00hrs while closing out play on Sunday June 28 against Aruba at 15:30hrs.

LABA unveils schools’ development programme The Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA) unveiled its novel Schools’ Development Programme during this month under the theme: ‘Fan-Out Exercise’, with the aim of developing the sport through education. ”This exercise is to assist both primary and secondary schools in Region 10 along with existing basketball clubs and youth groups, to completely develop the game of basketball and attributes, as we continue to strive toward our aim of developing the sport through education,” President of the LABA, Lawrence Simon

said in a statement.

The sub-association, which is under new leadership, believes that sport development in schools in the region leaves much to be desired. As such, the association indicated that it will be taking a proactive approach toward the development of basketball.

“LABA will be taking steps toward improving the sport we love. During the ‘Fan-Out Exercise’ there will be discussions with teachers, students, and members of clubs, and other Organisations, as it relates to the way forward,” the statement noted.

-aimed at addressing a number of issues

Lawrence Simon “At the same time, we will explore avenues where

LABA can best contribute or solicit assistance to develop basketball in our schools, which will spill off into the clubs and communities at large,” the sub-association continued.

Based on the findings from the ‘Fan-Out Exercise’, the association will complete a proposal that it will disseminate with the relevant stakeholders. The LABA hopes to address a number if issues that have affected the development of the sport in Linden.

“Depletion of referees, Coaches and Table Officials

in Region 10 has now become a plague, thus having a bottleneck effect on the sport. The few that are active, especially the referees, don’t take part for the love and the development of the game but rather, what they can acquire financially,” the LABA believes.

The association said that to improve their pool of officials, each registered club will be asked to provide the names of two referees minimum, table officials and coaches. This will be instituted in the revised

constitution.

Those persons of interest from the ‘Fan-Out Exercise’ will be documented and selected for the relevant training programmes. The Linden sub-association plans to work closely with the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Georgetown subassociation, Referees’ association and the Coach’s association.

“I challenge sponsors to adapt and sponsor one of the affiliated basketball clubs; that alone will boost the (Continued on page 35)

t r o Sp

Antigua downs Guyana in opening game

The Antiguans shoot over the Guyanese Monday night at the Caribbean Championships in Tortola, BVI. (www.caribbeanbasket ball.com photo)

Digicel Nationwide Schools Football Competition

RHTY&SC Silver Jubilee 1990 – 2015

Scout for new local Republic Bank renew sponsorship for Educational Summer Camp talent starts today CPL practice match washed out at Providence

Guyana opens campaign against defending Champs B’dos on Saturday

U23s for encampment this week ahead of CFU Men’s Olympic Qualifiers International players confirmed as replacements for Hero CPL

Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210