Kaieteur News

Monday June 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Govt. set to defy Parliamentary Resolution directing NICIL probe …AFC streamlines Disciplinary Action in Committee of Privileges

By Gary Eleazar The Guyana Government will not be adhering to the Parliamentary Resolution being sought by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Carl Greenidge’s motion on National Assets, in particular those controlled by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), is seeking to have Parliament approve a Resolution directing the Ministers of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh and Bishop Juan Edghill to make monies available from the coffers for an independent audit of NICIL. The Parliamentary Resolution is also designed to direct Dr. Singh and Edghill to hand over forthwith, a number of pertinent records and policies on the state assets that have been disposed of/sold by the Government through NICIL. That debate is currently on hold but this publication has been reliably informed that the Ministers and Guyana Government has no intention of adhering with the Parliamentary Resolution.

This publication was told by a senior government functionary that there is absolutely nothing that compels the Government to abide with the Parliamentary Resolution.

In anticipation of this move by the Government, the Alliance for Change (AFC) is already streamlining disciplinary measures.

The party’s Chairman, Khemraj Ramjattan, has indicated that should Ministers Dr. Singh or Juan Egdhill fail to adhere to the Resolution to probe NICIL then he will immediately move with a proposition calling for disciplinary action at the level of the Committee of Privileges.

House Speaker Raphael Trotman has already indicated that it would be a ‘wait and see’ situation as it relates to the Government’s adherence of the Parliamentary Resolution.

Trotman had said that adherence to the Resolution will indeed test the ‘efficacy and legitimacy’ of the 10th Parliament.

Trotman told this publication that, “I can’t speak specifically to any single motion, but the Parliament is the highest forum of the land and its Resolutions ought to be respected and adhered to by all.” The Speaker argues that the Parliament is ‘quasijudiciary’ and as such the rules of the House are meant to be adhered to.

The Guyana Government, through Dr. Singh and Chief Spokesman Dr. Roger Luncheon, has already publicly indicated an unwillingness to entertain an independent probe of NICIL. This is not deterring Greenidge’s quest, despite hitting a snag.

On Wednesday last, which was the day set aside for the Business of NonGovernmental parties in the National Assembly, Greenidge put up his motion for debate. That debate was halted at 22:00hrs that night given that there was no consensus on proceeding further and it would be completed the following day.

This is yet to be realized.

The following day, Thursday, which was set aside for Government’s Business, went late into the evening with the House adjourning still to complete the debate and vote on its involvement into the affairs of NICIL. Wednesday evening’s session had ended with the Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh still making his

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh presentation and arguing that Guyanese should be proud of NICIL and Brassington.

On Thursday, the day set aside for Government Business: Financial Paper #9 was voted down by the Opposition; all supported a motion extending sympathies to the family of a fallen Comrade, Dr. Moti Lall as well as debate the Prime Minister’s Motion, “encouraging” members to submit their declarations to the Integrity Commission.

This did not leave time for the Finance Minister to wrap up his presentation to the debate nor for Carl Greenidge of APNU to respond.

Following this yet to be completed aspect of the debate on NICIL, the House will vote on whether to make arrangements for monies to be provided for an independent financial probe of NICIL as well as give the Minister three weeks to turn over all of the documentation requested among other demands.

Greenidge has premised his demand with the fact that “Guyanese are concerned about the widely reported acts of lawlessness in the guardianship of our national resources and assets as well as the lack of transparency and accountability associated with the disposal of those assets.”

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Girls rescued from sexual exploitation responding well to counselling Almost two months after being rescued from a life of sexual exploitation in Region Seven, four teenage girls are adapting well to counselling.

This was according to head of the Child Protection Agency Ann Greene.

Greene in a brief telephone interview on Saturday told Kaieteur News that social workers have seen a major improvement in the girls’ behaviour.

Kaieteur News was told that two of them who are school aged are presently attending learning institutions in Georgetown.

Greene explained that the girls are receiving counselling and they have been opening up. She said that one of the girls through their care has also been engaged in extra curricula activities. “She loves cosmetology and we have

- Ann Greene enrolled her for a summer class”.

According to Greene, although the young girl is being allowed to follow up on this it is still mandatory for her to attend school, since according to law any child below the age of 15 has to attend school.

Kaieteur News was told that the other girls, who are older, are also in the care of the agency. This newspaper was told that one girl has a baby.

“The older girls also still receive counselling among other services and they have been adjusting properly” Greene told Kaieteur News.

The girls were rescued back in April thanks to collaborative efforts by the Guyana Women Miners’

Organization and ranks of the Bartica Police Station.

Their perpetrators were apprehended by ranks that went in search of the teenagers at the prostitution house in Oko Backdam. The police were made aware of the situation through the Women Miners’ Organization, which aided in the girls being rescued.

Only last month the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, which has been lobbying for greater sensitization in Human Trafficking received financial boost from the United Nations Development Programme.

Country representative Ms. Khadija Musa handed over a US$75,000 grant to Social Services Minister, Jennifer Webster, which would go towards combating human trafficking.

Elderly woman stabbed, stripped of jewellery

A 63-year-old woman is now a patient in the HighDependency-Unit (HDU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), nursing several stab wounds about her body.

The stabbing stemmed from a robbery at Mon Repos Pasture, East Coast Demerara (ECD), last Saturday around 19:30 hrs. According to information, Chitranti Narine, who resides alone, was relieved of her gold earring, two rings and her two bangles.

The woman’s daughter, Babita Narine told Kaieteur News that she had just returned home after visiting her mother, who resides next door when one of her cousins called and informed her “that a man with a big gun was standing on the road, in front my mother and she say that she calling my mother phone but it ringing out.”

Narine said she went over to her mother’s and shouted

but got no response.

“I start banging on the door and then Trevor (a relative) open the door and run out with blood all over she face and then a man come and hold his gun to my chest and tell me fah shut my mouth.”

She claimed that the men then escaped but fired one shot before they leave.

“I run to my mother and I see a hole in her chest and blood pouring out and I collect a towel and put it to her chest and we rush her to

GPHC,” the daughter said.

The woman sustained stab wounds to her back, abdomen, chest and hands.

The daughter claimed that her mother’s palm was split in two. Up to press time yesterday, police were still hunting for the two armed men.

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Kaieteur News

KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

Letters... Where your views make the news

The focus should be on “why such high failure rate when there are so many lessons?”

DEAR EDITOR, There was an interesting letter to the editor in Kaiteur News newspaper on June 9, 2012, captioned, “there needs to be a clampdown on extra lessons” written by Mr. Rafael Khan. It was laced with generalizations and I am offended. I therefore share my concerns.

In our economic system, Nobel Prize winner and former Chief Economist Joseph mainly free market, there is Stiglitz points out that in all countries, it appears that there is nothing the Minister of an inverse correlation between trends in inequality and Education can do about extra perceptions of inequality and fairness. These mistaken lessons once they are not held beliefs, whatever their origins, are having an important effect in the Government’s building. on politics and economic policy.

She can however, do Perceptions have always shaped reality, and something about the understanding how beliefs evolve has been a central focus lackadaisical behaviour of of intellectual history. Much as those in power might like to teachers in the classrooms, if shape beliefs, and much as they do shape beliefs, they do this exists. She can tighten not have full control: ideas have a life of their own, and up on issues such as proper changes in the world—in our economy and technology— supervision of learners, impact ideas (just as ideas have an enormous effect in shaping teachers’ preparedness for our economy). What is different today is that the top one work, maintenance of proper percent now has more knowledge about how to shape learning environment. She preferences and beliefs in ways that enable the wealthy to can suggest and fight for better advance their cause, and more tools and more better wages for teachers, resources to do so. which may motivate them to Beliefs and perceptions, whether they are grounded in go back to the old time reality or not, affect behaviour. If individuals overestimate religion of free lessons. some risk, they may take excessive precautions. But important On the other hand, as perceptions and beliefs are in shaping individual behaviour, parents do not have to send they are even more important in shaping collective behaviour, their children to paid lessons. including political decisions affecting economics. Economists They can sit with their have long recognized the influence of ideas in shaping children in the evenings and policies. As Keynes famously put it, work with them. They can “The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both help them with their when they are right and when they are wrong, are more assignments, do extra reading powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is with them, teach them at home, ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to and give them challenging be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually problems to work. These are the slaves of some defunct economist.” positive alternatives to extra Social sciences like economics differ from the hard lessons. These alternatives sciences in that beliefs affect reality: beliefs about how atoms seem to be very difficult since behave don’t affect how atoms actually behave, but beliefs parents are too busy trying about how the economic system functions affect how it to earn an extra dollar late in actually functions. George Soros, the great financier, has the evenings. However, referred to this phenomenon as reflexivity, and his understanding of it may have contributed to his success.

Markets can sometimes create their own reality. If there is widespread belief that markets are efficient and that government regulations only interfere with efficiency, then it DEAR SIR, is more likely that government will strip away regulations, A few months ago the and this will affect how markets actually behave. In the most local press publicized that the recent crisis what followed from deregulation was far from Canadian Government will efficient, but even here a battle of interpretation rages. refund processing fees to all If individuals believe that they are being treated unfairly skilled workers applicants by their employer, they are more likely to shirk on the job. If who filed their applications individuals from some minority are paid lower wages than for Permanent Residence in other equally qualified individuals, they will and should feel Canada before 28th February that they are being treated unfairly—but the lower 2008 in order to get rid of the productivity that results can, and likely will, lead employers backlog applications. They to pay lower wages. There can be a “discriminatory also quoted press releases from equilibrium.” Even perceptions of race, caste, and gender the Canadian Minister of identities can have significant effects on productivity.

Immigration, Mr. Jason Kenney.

Fairness, like beauty, is at least partly in the eyes of the However, the local press beholder, and those at the top want to be sure that the failed to publish that over inequality today is framed in ways that make it seem fair, or at nine hundred skilled workers least acceptable. applicants had filed a class If it is perceived to be unfair, not only may that hurt action lawsuit against the productivity in the workplace but it might lead to legislation Minister of Immigration and that would attempt to temper it. In the battle over public the Canadian Government policy, whatever the realpolitik of special interests, public against this move, sued discourse focuses on efficiency and fairness.

Immigration Minister Jason The same goes for the policies that have shaped the Kenney for violating the growing inequality —both those that have contributed to pledge to assess and finalize the inequality in market incomes and those that have decisions in a timely fashion. weakened the role of government in bringing down the level They asked the court to of inequality. The battle about “framing” first centres on how order the Immigration we see the level of inequality—how large is it, what are its Department to process their causes, how can it be justified? applications within a Calling it ‘incentive pay” executives justify profits and reasonable time frame. pay for their “larger” contribution to society. But the crisis In a decision released showed to everyone what economic research had long Thursday June 14th 2012, revealed—the argument was a sham.

Justice Donald Rennie

Editorial

Inequality and Fairness

Monday June 18, 2012

some parents are complaining when teachers get busy trying to carry out parents’ role in the form of lesson. For this reason parents MUST pay the price.

If lessons are held at a teacher’s home, it must be valued at a cost, whether monetary or otherwise. The cost depends on how much the teacher is giving up.

Consider a teacher who has a spouse and children.

Lessons may be held from 4pm to 5pm and maybe also from 5pm to 6pm. During this period of the evening, the average wife may be cooking, doing homework with the children, preparing for the next day, watching soaps, etc. The average husband may be at the gym, hanging with his friends, at work late or spending time with his family. In the case of the teacher, he /she is giving up such valuable time and opportunities to teach at lessons.

Mr. Khan, in his letter went to the extent of estimating the extra earnings that lesson may yield, how unfair. Consider the number of children who attend lessons with some genuine sad stories and in some cases fake ones, “mommy seh she gon send de money later, or mommy na gat money now.” Think of the children who attend the same lessons for free. What about those teachers who are still waiting for their payment and the children stopped lessons just before exam? Don’t be fooled by the size of the

Can our Justice System be compared to the Canadian one? rejected the Minister’s argument that the delay is justified because he has the authority to make policies.

Ottawa has suffered a major setback in eliminating its immigration backlog after the federal court ruled the government is obliged to process all applications it accepted into the system.

“The minister can set instructions that permit him to return some applications without processing them at all, and thus obviously there is no further duty in respect of those applications,” the judge wrote in a 24-page decision.

“However, for those that are determined eligible for processing, the duty to do so in a reasonably timely manner remains.”

What lesson does the above scenario have for Guyana? Can our Justice System be compared to the Canadian one? It only takes a few months for this case to be heard and a decision made.

BalwantPersaud

classes, some teachers are renting their lessons place.

Some teachers have to use the very lessons money to strive for better living, since their meager salaries cannot suffice.

Nobody complains when lessons are given for free. Some children on the other hand don’t value it either.

The focus should not be on lessons. The focus should be on “why such high failure rate when there are so many lessons?” Firstly, teachers complain about overcrowded classrooms at school, i.e. 40 plus students in a class, but their lessons may have 50 plus students in one sitting, cramped together, uncomfortably seated. Each student will not benefit equally. Some students may be missed or ignored since the teacher may not notice them, some may prefer to sit

at the back and hide so they may not be seen to be asked a question.

Secondly, lessons are not for the very smart children who have the ability to study on their own once given the necessary resources.

However, some parents use lessons as nannies, to find somewhere for their children to be in the afternoons while they are still at work. The real reason for sending the child to lessons is therefore ignored.

Thirdly, some parents believe that the more popular the lesson is, the better it is for their child. This in many instances is not true. Most lessons move at a pace and the slow learners are still left behind, thus causing them to fail.

Fourthly, some children go to lessons because their friends go to lessons. Some Continued on page 5

DEAR SIR, After the Golden Jaguars low-carat showing against Costa Rica, I am calling for the head of the talkative head coach Jamal Shabbaz. This guy seems to know everything that is wrong in Guyana and the Caribbean and further afield but not how to motivate players and manage resources.

He talks politics, he is a philosopher, he knows what AFC, APNU and PPP/C must do to make Guyana a better place, he knows what causes tension in this country, he knows who needs to put aside what in order for us to go forward but what Shabbaz does not know is that our best striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams must not, should not and cannot be brought into the game when 10 minutes are left.

What he does not know too is that it is silly, stupid and

baseless to still try to defend when you are three goals down. I am a furious Guyanese at this point. I watched my team treated like house kittens rather than Jaguars by Costa Rica.

And what makes me more furious is that our local media allow Shabbaz to go scot free without asking pertinent questions but rather, allows this “coach” to blah, blah again. I paid $3000 dollars to watch that game. I am not furious about that, but in the way in which we went down, without a fight, without a roar, without the raising of a paw.

Then Shabbaz opens his mouth again and blah, blah, blah. Please give him notice that the time to talk is over.

We have heard enough. Put up or shut up. Action speaks louder than words. Guyana Football Federation take note.

R. Trim

We went down without raising a paw

It is amazing that people are still alive after visiting the hospital DEAR EDITOR, I recently had to accompany a friend of mine to the much talked about GEORGETOWN PUBLIC HOSPITAL CORPORATION. She was in much pain. Due to some innovation, she was given attention promptly.

She was kept in for observation for a few hours and was given a form to take to the laboratory to have an ultra sound done to ascertain further diagnosis on her condition.

To our dismay, the date which she received to have this test done was August 21 2012. It is amazing that people are still alive after visiting the hospital. Does it make any sense to go to that hospital as an emergency case and expect to have a relief to your illness in a short time?

It is clear as crystal that the poor man just dies if money is not available to visit a private medical institution. Incidentally she had her symptoms diagnosed the next day through a private laboratory, not because she had the money (she had to seek assistance from kind friends). The results showed that there would be an imminent operation.

M. Ann Williams, A Guyanese waiting to exhale

Monday June 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news DEAR EDITOR, Geralda Dennison’s sums it up quite nicely in her usual no-nonsense style in “A case of one step forward and two backward” (KN 12/6/12), but I particularly like her term ‘Purgatory’ in reference to the described state of Paradise Housing Scheme. I feel a sense of shame that it took the efforts of one persistent man supported by letters from a few women to prompt my contribution to the Paradise Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society debate, which, though a little late is not too late all things considered. In order to grasp more fully our problems, I decided to do a little research on cooperatives before commenting.

But first I must say that based upon the feedback that we have been getting, I wish to thank Dr. Gopaul for keeping his word and to lend my support to his continued efforts to remedy an unpleasant situation which has been deliberately allowed to exist for far too long.

Guyana contributed to the proposed conclusions on the adoption of a new i n t e r n a t i o n a l (recommendation) instrument for the “Promotion of cooperatives” Report V (2) at the 89th Session of the International Labour Conference in 2001 at Geneva.

In the interest of space I will not list Guyana’s actual responses but paraphrase those which I think are particularly relevant to Paradise.

Within the policy framework, member countries are expected through their cooperative societies’ framework, to inter alia promote education in cooperative principles and practices; develop the technical and managerial abilities of both members and managers; disseminate information on cooperatives; facilitate access of cooperatives to markets; and facilitate access to credit for cooperatives. In terms of the objective, scope and definition, countries should adopt measures to promote the potential of cooperatives; create employment and expand access to incomegenerating activities; develop their business potential, including entrepreneurial and managerial capacities, through education and training; and improve social well-being, with emphasis on gender equality, housing, health care and community development.

You would have noticed the responsibility reposed in governments with respect to ensuring that the conditions are in place to promote and sustain cooperatives, and so I am justifiably concerned at

the apparent lack of effective oversight by the Chief Cooperatives Officer with regard to those functions with respect to Paradise since 2003-2004. He had a unique opportunity to make things work for this body but instead seems to have become enmeshed in the intrigues of partisan agendas which do not benefit the members of the Paradise Cooperative Society community.

There is no dedicated building in the housing scheme to conduct Society’s business and if you were to go to the Cooperatives Office to do so you are told to wait on Mr. Jabbar to sign this or that document or return when he is there. We have been advised by lawyers that under Section 56 (2) of the Cooperatives Societies Regulations under the Cooperatives Societies Act 88:01, Mr. Jabbar is not empowered to be involved in the day to day running of the cooperative so I will not repeat a widely held view which some people delight in sharing but hazard a guess that he has simply misinformed himself about his authority which was not helped by an apathetic and abjectly fearful community. I agree with Ms. Boatswain’s comments entirely because there is hardly anywhere else you could find people who are afraid to stand up to intransigence and obstructionist attitudes in the face of reasonable progressive requests for environmental improvements and recreational facilities to facilitate socio-cultural activities etc.. In other words there simply is no concern for

the community by those in assumed control. Why wouldn’t residents be happy to have some place where it is safe to gather to discuss matters of community development and which is the repository of the Society’s assets if any still remain?

Having said that I must ask where are the opposition parties in all of this? Aren’t they supposed to be vigilant; speaking out against all instances of alleged wrongdoing and injustice against citizens regardless of race, political and other considerations?

I cannot recall the Ministry of Coops assuming control of twenty Coops anytime prior to 2010; this is surely a record which singularly or collectively speaks to incompetence, misunderstanding of role and functions, or lack of adequate statutory oversight. Mr. Patrick E. Mentore (whose safety I pray for) may wish to be diplomatic in his writings but I wonder if Mr. Jabbar could tell us how many of the twenty cooperatives he actively managed on a day to day basis while they were under his department’s control during 2010.

How many of those twenty have been reformed, dissolved or liquidated; were they required to operate within his office? Aren’t the Paradise Multi Purpose Coop Society’s current problems similar to what existed at the Port Mourant United Coop Society Ltd in terms of poor record keeping, claims of irregularities, exclusion from participation, and lack of transparency and accountability? Why this

unseemly interest by the Chief Coops Officer in holding on to control of Paradise with all of demands of his position?

Why after nine years the Society is not capable of demonstrating any semblance of organization and professional guidance from Mr. Jabbar? Where is the indicator for members’ educational proficiency with respect to the principles and practice of cooperative?

However, I noticed that the Society is listed as an agribusiness in the Caribbean Agri-business network with Ms. Valerie Peters as the contact person.

My reading of Dr. Gopaul’s position and by extension that of the government is that the resuscitation of cooperatives in village and other community-type settings is paramount in the context of development and sustainability where members analyze and determine solutions to community health, education, youth expectations, skills base, and security issues. If indeed cooperatives are important along the “developmental trajectory”, the reinvigoration of cooperatives is vital to maximise the potential of the people.

Let’s have the views of those retired chief and assistant chief cooperatives officers including Attorneyat-Law, Mr. Clive Nurse Ms. Eileen Rowe, Ms. Stella Primo, Mr. Charles Conway and others, on the propriety or otherwise and the way forward with a view to determining if we are indeed Paradise lost.

Gervais Sansulotte

The police and the owners of the disco have some kind of arrangement DEAR EDITOR, It is with great agony and distress that I write this letter.

For far too long the noise nuisance in our village has been ignored by the police.

The ‘Sweet Lips’ disco has been placing their sound system and speakers on the outside, i.e. the public domain, and turning the volume to unbearable levels.

Many times I have called on the Blairmont Police Station to lodge my complaint, but all I have been receiving are assurances that they will intervene when in fact they never show up on the scene and the music continues to be played with the same volume and pitch.

Other times when I call, the police rank answering the phone insist on me revealing my name and the location of my residence as soon as I start speaking about the noise nuisance. From the moment I

mention the name of the disco they either hang the phone up on me or say that the disco will remove the music from outside the disco.

This obviously never materializes as promised and it certainly seems that the police and the owners of the disco have some kind of arrangement. Other times, I get that the patrol is at Weldaad Village and we have to be patient and wait. These excuses keep repeating themselves day after day, week after week.

Sir, it is near impossible for students to concentrate when studying, and my sick mother is brought to tears with the punishment the noise brings her. I am emailing you with the hope that something will be done to relieve the citizens of Section A and Section E D’Edward Village.

Angry resident

The focus should be...

From page 4 of those very children are found loitering way into the night claiming to be waiting for transportation, instead of hurrying home to study.

Some children become contented with the work done at lessons and neglect their actual school work, placing more value on their lesson work. The list can go on.

In conclusion, lessons should be viewed as an aide for children, since the syllabus is very cramped and teachers are forced to touch and go on the topics at

school so as to complete it.

In order to effectively perform this function, teachers who give lessons should be learner focused, consider their class size at each sitting, monitor their students’ performance and view their job at school as equally important as their lessons.

Teacher who doesn’t give lessons

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Kaieteur News

OP Gifts NCN $500M in four years As information continues to surface about the affairs of the National Communication Network (NCN), investigations have revealed that during the years 2008 to 2011 some $499M was turned over in subventions from the State coffers.

The Combined Opposition managed to gut some $81M from the Office of the President subventions for NCN this year.

NCN receives money from the Government on an annual basis through two methods in the Budget, both from Office of the President.

One sum of cash is channeled to the State owned media entity through the Budgetary Line Item for “Subsidies and Contributions to Local Organizations.”

The Budget cuts this year affected $81M stemming from that source of distribution for Office of the President. The other sum is allocated as Capital Expenditure under monies allocated for such spending.

Current Expenditure in layman’s terms refers to recurring expenditure as in a household where rent, food and utility bills recur monthly.

Capital Expenditure in layman’s terms would be akin

to a household deciding to erect a perimeter fence, refurbish a damaged stairway or purchasing a family car.

In 2008 the company received a $50M/$70M allocation amounting to $120M. The following year in 2009, Office of the President provided NCN with a $70M/ $54M provision totaling some $124M. In 2012 the Office of the President channeled $120M to NCN while last year the company received a $65M/ $70M allocation totaling $135M. Altogether over the past four years the Office of the President has provided NCN Inc with some $499M dollars.

This money is transferred from the nation’s coffers to the company which has been rocked with allegations of massive financial impropriety.

On Thursday last, the Subject Minister Dr Ashni Singh tabled the company’s 2008 audited financial reports which did not help the situation any.

Auditor General (ag) Deodat Sharma in his 2008 Report for the Company was forced to issue what is called a ‘qualified audit opinion.’

A qualified audit opinion has been described by several in the field as “not a good thing,” given that it informs that the audit was either incomplete or that questionable accounting methods were used.

A serious bone of contention raised by Sharma during his audit of NCN in 2008, centered on some

$215M reflected on the company’s balance sheet as ‘Accounts Receivable.’

‘Accounts Receivable’ is defined to mean, “Money which is owed to a company by a customer for products and services provided on credit.”

The revelation of more than $200M being reflected in the company’s books as moneys to be received has been flagged by some as a matter that needs further scrutiny.

An economist asked to comment on the audited accounts for the company says that the poor state of its assets, the questionable asset base and large debt base reflect a company that would have been mismanaged while state subventions continued to pour into it.

It was pointed out that only recently one of NCN’s senior officials, Martin Goolsaran admitted to depositing monies meant to be for the company in his personal account.

Sources say that the CEO approved this transaction.

NCN’s management therefore ensured that it allowed a system which kept revenues outside of its legal books, meaning that untold volumes of revenues and expenditure for NCN would have been transacted outside of the company’s accounting system.

NCN falls under the aegis of the now controversial National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) since it was incorporated in 2004.

Monday June 18, 2012

Police conduct surprise raid at Bartica nightspot Reports of under aged girls engaged in prostitution saw ranks of the Guyana Police Force, Welfare Officers and Social Workers, swooping down and sealing off the Platinum Club on First Avenue, Bartica, on Saturday.

The authorities started their operation at midnight and lasted for well over an hour. During the search, six boys, all students of the Bartica Secondary School, were identified and told to stand in the corner as the police went about identifying a number of females also said to be under aged.

Original reports had suggested that the minors may have been part of a trafficking in persons ring which sparked the attention of the Guyana’s Women Miners’ Organization.

President of the organization Simone Broomes told Kaieteur News that she was aware of the police raid and commended the work of the officers in helping to clamp down of the plaguing social issue of human trafficking and the exploitation of young children.

The president said upon hearing the news, she contacted the police and learned of the teens’ detention. She also mentioned that investigations into the night spot’s operations had resulted in closure of the establishment although it is unsure for what period of time.

Officers only disclosed that they were engaged in an operation after drawing strong criticism from patrons who wanted to leave the establishment.

The Police Officers reportedly entered the night spot, asked the DJ to switch off the music and began to

…nab 11 underaged patrons make their way to various points, effectively sealing off the establishment. Two male officers even took up their position in the female washroom which saw many females refusing to use the facility.

Female patrons said that they were not using the facility as there were reports of females sexually assaulted at knife point by men standing outside and in some instances by men who hid in the washroom. The officers, one female patron said, told her “come right in babes we gon help you. You must not be afraid; we are police officers”. One officer, she said, was sitting on a toilet bowl while the other was lying on the ground.

Reports are that the owner of the establishment beefed up security after the alleged sexual assaults.

Among the security measures in place were that patrons should produce Identification Cards before they are granted entry.

There apparently is some truth in that as a girl identified by the officers as a minor, when questioned said that she was eighteen years old, that she lived in Bartica for the last six years, that she was well aware of the establishment’s policy of producing identification but said she had forgotten her ID card.

The said young woman was at the establishment with two other females who were not singled out by the officers.

The girl was indeed 14 years old and the boys were also around the same age group. The police were forced to resort to waiting for their

parents to go and pick them up. Authorities later disclosed that the four were all intoxicated.

The two male officers keeping guard at one door refused to allow the young woman to use the bathroom despite her pleas. It was only after several patrons raised their voice and her friends tried to remove her, that the uniformed officer sent for a female officer to escort her to the bathroom.

On the outside of the establishment, officers were body searching patrons who were leaving and were also asking those who appeared young, their age.

A number of Brazilian nationals were told to stand in a corner after they were searched.

Apart from that, the sex trade revelation, the incidence of violent activities and complaints by patrons had also resulted in the police’s attention to the business place.

While the police officers were conducting their searches inside, patrons were seen scurrying for cover on three occasions as bottles were broken and young men were threatening to either kill or cause injures to others.

Police detained the last two. Whether they were released after or taken to the police station is also not known.

Kaieteur News further understands that the minors were taken to the Bartica Police Station where they were questioned and later handed over to their parents.

This was not before both parents and children received a stern warning from the police.

Monday June 18, 2012

Impending Styrofoam ban…

Kaieteur News

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Importers upset, food industry prepares to adjust

By Kristen Macklingam Some wholesalers and retailers of Styrofoam items have expressed concern about the impending Government ban on the importation of these products.

They are suggesting that government should place a restriction, rather than an allout ban.

The lament is coming from some Regent Street businessmen who retail Styrofoam boxes on a large scale to caterers, restaurants and food stall owners.

They see such a move as “unnecessary” and a threat to their livelihood since this is what their businesses mainly sell.

“Me and my brother started as a little store selling food boxes, Styrofoam things and other items that caterers would use and we slowly became well known for this.

All the cups, spoons and more we would sell for years and now this is what our business is based on. So telling me that there will be a ban means that I either got to find a new set of things to sell and suffer losses because I don’t know how I will do with other things or it means that our business is done with,” said the concerned man.

He insisted that while he agrees that there needs to be mechanisms put in place to tackle health issues and waste disposal, there should not be any banning of Styrofoam items but some “restrictions” in the near future.

“Yes I know these things are causing problems but they (Government) need to find other alternatives and not totally ban these things because all the while we got

accustomed to the items and they do good and are used a lot by many people. If they were more strict on their “no littering” laws and such then half of the problem would be tackled. The Government should come up with something else like some restrictions but not full outright banning.”

Another woman who owns a store that sells party items told Kaieteur News that she would have to shut down her business if Styrofoam items are banned.

“My whole business depends on these things to sell because when you got a party it easy and better to put things in Styrofoam boxes and such and put in the fridge. It is more convenient especially when you on the go or have to rush with food but when they saying they will soon ban these things then that means I got to close my business and it isn’t fair to me and others. As businessmen and women we need to sell things that the public wants and buys and they truly depend on a lot of these,” stated the woman.

She continued to explain that while she understands the route that Government wishes to pursue it was not necessary to ban these products.

“They don’t have to ban Styrofoam and such products…all they need to ensure is that people know not to misuse or overuse them. I mean, some people talking how you can get cancer from them but smoking and alcohol isn’t good for you yet they are still being sold. I think that once you overuse it and misuse it then you stand to suffer but

people should monitor how they use such items and what they do with them after,” the young woman added.

Meanwhile, small scale vendors and owners of food snackettes in central Georgetown are not so bothered about the banning of Styrofoam products.

In fact, they told this newspaper that should such a decision be taken they can “adjust” to the necessary changes even if it means returning to selling in cardboard food boxes.

A food vendor in the Bourda Market on Saturday stated that many years ago she would sell her food and snacks in such boxes.

This was many years ago before Styrofoam became so popular.

“I remember having to buy greaseproof paper and putting it in those boxes that we used to sell food in and then putting the food inside of the boxes. It really doesn’t make a difference to me and I don’t think to most of us food vendors about whether we got to use Styrofoam or not.

So whatever is decided we can live with,” the woman declared.

Another man said that he thinks such a move by Government is one in the right direction.

According to him, the country survived many years without the use or introduction of Styrofoam products and can still function without these items.

“I do believe that with less of these products it would be better especially since people have a harder time disposing of these items and they are now posing Continued on page 18

One food vendor has already packed meals for the day inside Styrofoam containers.

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Kaieteur News

MSJ withdraws from T&T coalition - Party ‘Impossible, unreasonable and reckless’ – PM Trinidad Express - The Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) has removed itself as one of the five parties which form the coalition People’s Partnership government.

Responding to the muchpublicized pull out, Prime Minister, Kamla PersadBissessar said the list of demands made by Abdulah over the past few months were always impossible, unreasonable and reckless.

“It seems David’s entrance into Government never allowed him the advantage of a national perspective. He remained trapped in isolationist thinking,” the Prime Minister said.

In a six-page statement released by the party yesterday, political leader David Abdulah said the government was not about changing the system of governance, which was the original intent, but rather changing faces because it is “we time now”.

He added that his party did not see this approach to politics and governance being altered in the near future.

“It is in this context that the National executive and Activists Council of the Movement for Social Justice have decided that our party will remove itself from the

David Abdulah

Kamla Persad-Bissessar

People’s Partnership coalition of political parties. As a consequence of this the MSJ will not be in the government of Trinidad and Tobago and therefore I will be tendering my resignation as a Senator to the Prime Minister.

“We have not taken this decision lightly or easily. We recognise that we have a responsibility to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago as we were an integral part of the Partnership that campaigned in 2010 and asked you to vote for us to be your government.

We do not regret that decision. It was the right thing to do at that time, as it is the right thing for us to now withdraw from the Partnership,” Abdulah said.

Last month the executive of the MSJ took a decision to

remove all its members serving on state boards, except those serving on tri-partite boards. The party also absented itself from the government’s second anniversary rallies.

Seemingly unscathed by the decision of the Movement of Social Justice’s (MSJ) to sever ties with the People’s Partnership government of Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, says the action will strengthen her administration.

Persad-Bissessar who has served as prime minister since 2010, said governance could not be negotiated like a Labour Union leader representing the interest of only one group.

Monday June 18, 2012

Eastern Caribbean’s ‘first-ever’ cancer centre opens in St Lucia CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC - The privately-owned Tapion Hospital here has opened a new cancer research and treatment centre whose operators have said is the first of its kind in the Eastern Caribbean.

The St Lucian facility has become the third specialist treatment centre announced in the region in recent months – and the first to open its doors - in hopes of cashing in on medical tourism – amid a rising tide of chronic illnesses in the Caribbean that are linked to rising

affluence, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

The cancer centre will offer a range of services to paying cancer patients, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and CT scans, hospital officials said.

The announcement here comes nearly two months after officials touted a planned joint-partnership cancer clinic in Antigua to provide “markedly discounted” radiation, surgery and chemotherapy treatment for Eastern Caribbean cancer patients.

Officials broke ground on the Cancer Centre Eastern Caribbean, to be built on the site of the state-owned national hospital, Mount St. John’s Medical Centre, at an estimated EC$13.5 millions (US$5 million).

It will offer a limited number of free treatment spaces for patients who cannot afford to pay.

In February, the Barbados government announced it, too, was collaborating with private figures to set up a first-ever diabetes treatment centre.

Leaving CARICOM reckless, says AJ Jamaica Observer Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator AJ Nicholson has dismissed calls for Jamaica to delink from CARICOM, describing them as “naive” and “shallow”.

“The truth is, there are potent reasons for Jamaica remaining a member of CARICOM. Recent calls for a withdrawal have been based on Jamaica’s trade deficit with Trinidad and Tobago and the issue of energy prices. While these are important issues which we are actively addressing, the scope of Jamaica’s interests in CARICOM is far wider,” Nicholson, a former attorney general, told the Senate on Friday during his contribution to a debate on the 2012

Appropriation Bill.

According to the Senator, it would be “reckless for Jamaica to adopt that position on its membership in CARICOM”.

He said if Jamaica were to withdraw from the regional body, it would jeopardise the friendship and goodwill it now enjoys with neighbouring countries.

“This suggestion is not even naive, it is shallow thinking, wherever it is coming from,” Senator Nicholson said, adding that if the country opts out of CARICOM, it would also have to bow out of the 15 Caribbean Community institutions which deal with education, health, climate change, among other things.

“CARICOM is a

AJ Nicholson significant political bloc of which Jamaica is the internationally perceived leader. Outside of CARICOM, our status would be significantly diminished. We would be leading ourselves.

We are the leaders, the question is, are we leading?” he added.

Monday June 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

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The Opposition’s understanding of the FMAA is foggy The Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) was passed into law in 2003. Thus, it may be something of a novelty and a mystery to some of those parliamentarians not familiar with its development.

The constitution of Guyana, Section 220, had authorized parliament to create such a Fund to meet expenditure for which no provision exists and this was done via Section 41 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. The constitution also provides that where expenditures are met through the Contingency Fund that these should be accounted for through a supplementary provision. The intention of the creation of the Contingency Fund is for there to be a mechanism to meet expenditures for which no prior authorization exists.

Since expenditures may arise that were either not budgeted for, were unforeseen- either in nature and quantum,- or are urgent and unavoidable, there obviously existed a need for a mechanism to meet such expenditure.

The Contingency Fund is not a new creation. It is not even a novel creation. It has always existed because budgeting is not an exact science and no administration can be expected to predict with precision the amount of expenditure that will be required.

Nor can any administration totally cover in its Budget submission the vast array of needs for which expenditure may subsequently arise.

Some of these needs may arise in the course of negotiations with foreign

governments. It is possible for example when a government team visits a foreign country, it may be able to secure an agreement for the funding of a specialty hospital.

Now the government during its Budget preparations at the start of the year may not have even imagined that such an agreement would have emerged and therefore any expenditure required to be covered by the government may not have been provided for in the annual estimates.

Section 41 of the FMAA provides for the Minister of Finance to have the sole authority for the release of monies from the Consolidated Fund. It does NOT provide for the parliament to decide when and how such monies are to be released.

Section 41 (3) of the FMAA provides that where the Minister of Finance is satisfied that an urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen need for expenditure exists and where no monies have been appropriated, or where the amount appropriated is insufficient; where monies cannot be reallocated as provided for under the FMAA; and which cannot be deferred without injury to the public interest, releases can be made from the Contingency Fund.

A number of summations can be made in respect to Section 41 (3). First, the legality of the actions of the Minister of Finance is authorized by his compliance with this Section of the FMAA and not by subsequent passage of a supplementary provision covering the expenditure. If the latter were the case then

parliament by withholding passage of the supplementary provision would effectively vitiate what would otherwise be deemed lawful under both the constitution and under Section 41 of the FMAA. Secondly, the Minister is authorized to draw from the Contingency Fund to where there is an urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen need to meet expenditures not provided for. This infers that is not the purpose for which the funds are used which should be urgent, unavoidable or unforeseen but the actual need to meet the expenditure for such needs.

Thus even if for example the government ought to have foreseen that there would have been a swearing in of a new President in 2011 and therefore should have made financial provision for this in the 2011 Budget, the fact that no such provision was made or an insufficient provision was made, does not disable the Minister from using monies from the Contingency Fund since the FMAA provides that once there is an urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen need to meet expenditure that such expenditure can be met from the Contingency Fund.

Those who therefore interpret “urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen” to mean that the usage for which the funds were put ought to have been unpredictable are missing the script. There was in fact a great deal of misunderstanding of Section 41(3) of the FMAA when supplementary financial papers were presented in the National Assembly earlier this year.

Then the opposition

Dem boys seh

Dem own PPP big ones talking bout corruption There is an old saying.

“Good/right things does come to those who wait.”

Dem boys wait long. It has been years since dem hoping and praying that dem gun have leaders to speak out and to jail dem. And everybody, excluding a scamp, does happy when dem hear thief man get jail.

Yesterday was Father’s Day and dem boys feel so happy when dem read de PPP paper wheh a very big one in de party call for action. When dem boys hear de call fuh action dem think was some acrobatic function. Is only den people does get action.

Is when dem read more dem see he admit that dem got corruption through and through de party people who deh in government. He tell Uncle Donald fuh act now,

that he mustn’t wait fuh accusation from de opposition or from de Waterfalls paper.

He admit that dem got more corruption reports than he can count. And he beg Uncle Donald fuh bring in people from farrin because dem is de expert in finding corruption. And fuh sure nobody can bribe dem fuh tun dem eye.

Dem boys remember that whenever people tell Jagdeo bout corruption he use to tell dem fuh provide de proof.

People give de same Jagdeo proof. De waterfalls paper give he proof pun 17 container and after he see he shut he mouth and he shut he tail.

Dem boys give he proof bout de house wha buy fuh $60 million. Nutten. He get proof when dem boys give he

invoice bout some imports.

He ignore dem too because all dem people involve was connected to him. Nuff of dem was he friends.

He never answer dem question running in de paper.

At one time dem boys believe that he mouth does only open in certain places and on certain things.

Ramkarran talk bout corruption in de party and he push de man aside. De man talking again and he talking to Uncle Donald this time. He actually begging Uncle Donald fuh do something because de thing stink. And that can cause dem fuh lose corn, husk and barrel.

Ram Jattan talk and now Ram Karran join in talking directly to Ram Moo Tar. Talk half and Ram de other half.

misguidedly sought to negate some of the expenditure met through authorization from the Contingency Fund on the grounds that the purposes for which the funds were released were not urgent or emergencies and ought to have been predicted.

Not only was this line of reasoning false because it missed the issue of what needed to be urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen was not the activity for which the monies were required but the need for the funding itself.

This is a distinction that seems lost on the opposition.

This distinction is made clearer by Section 41 (3)( a) which provides for expenditure for which monies were allocated in the Budget but were not sufficient. It is therefore obvious from this sub section alone that when the FMAA speaks about urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen, it does not mean that the purposes for which the funds are to be utilized have to be unpredictable.

Where there is an underprovision or no provision at

all, the expenditure can be satisfied by resort to the Contingency Fund.

This does not amount however to a carte blanche authorization for the Minister of Finance to use the Contingency Fund to avoid parliamentary sanction of public expenditure.

The opposition had in fact made this argument sometime ago in relation to the billion dollar supplementary provisions that the government often brought to the House for approval. They had argued that this massive expenditure made from the Contingency Fund was a means of circumventing the authority of the National Assembly.

At the time they may have been caught in a time trap not realizing that the Budgets these days are multiples of what was in the past and therefore these billion dollar supplementary provisions are not, relative to the size of the National Budget, as gargantuan as they seem.

The FMAA itself protects against the risk of the Contingency Fund being

used abused by limiting the amounts that can be expended with prior authorization to a 2 percent of the National Budget. In effect the Minister of Finance is limited to how much monies he can withdraw from the Contingency Fund.

The opposition clearly was either not aware of these aspects of the FMAA or they did not walk with calculators when they cut over eighteen billion dollars from the LCDS with the explanation that it could be brought back to the assembly via a supplementary provision.

Not only is this argument in contradiction to their earlier stance that only expenditure that could not have been predicted could be passed under supplementary provisions, but they also did not realize that there is a limit to the value of supplementary bills that can be brought before the House.

Musician fathered 13

Eze Rockliffe with his youngest and eldest daughters.

“If I am to relive my life there are numerous situations I would try to avoid, many chances I wouldn’t take and lots of roads I won’t travel, but I am 100 per cent sure that I would proudly journey along the long, challenging, yet overwhelming road of fatherhood over and over again”, said Eze Rockcliffe yesterday as he reflected his life as a father of 13.

The 61 year old confessed that at 17 it was no easy task to become responsible for an infant whose moulding depended on “my level of maturity, and willingness to put her first”.

However, the feeling that comes with knowing that you are responsible for bringing an innocent child into the world, over powers the intimidating thought of your lifelong obligation as a father figure.

Rockcliffe said that the

birth of his first child, Lois, made him realize that life is not only about surviving the struggles that were prevalent in his youthful stage, but to overcome them for the betterment of “my off springs”. At that time he was a Carpenter.

A few years later, now 20, Rockcliffe decided to explore another talent he had; one that was meant to “provide healing for the soul.” He became a musician, by then he was father of three, one boy and two girls.

The Musician vividly recalled being paid GYD$200 in 1972 for a three-night gig at the Pegasus. His mother, the late Tora Rockcliffe, then told him “boy you got to continue this thing…and so I did”. “Music fed all 13 of my children”, he said proudly.

By the yet young age of 24, Rockcliffe was not only father of, but fathered six. In 1978 he was “blessed” with

another child and named her Niambi to continue his trend of all African names.

Being a “ladies man”, Rockcliffe had, at that time, three “baby mothers” and had to “share myself…but always put my children first and never allowed any of the many issues cause me to neglect them.”

Between 1980 to 1987 Rockcliffe, who obviously honoured the commandment to “multiply and replenish the earth”, added four more children to the Guyanese population-three girls and one boy.

“I could never forget, the joy I felt holding each one of my children for the first timethe feeling never gets old,” he said.

In 1989, Rockcliffe became a Parliamentarian and served four years. “I was honoured…By then I began to play three major roles in Continued on page 18

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Kaieteur News

Monday June 18, 2012

…Fmr. Speaker warns Govt. not to wait for more accusations Alliance For Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan is calling on the leaders in the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) to take a page out of the book of former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran and publicly condemn the scourge of corruption in society.

Ramjattan was referring to an article published in the Mirror Newspaper last week, where Ramkarran called corruption “a tax on development, and retards growth and development by a significant degree.”

Ramkarran had signaled an intention to contest for the post of Presidential Candidate for the PPP/C in the run up to the 2011 Regional and General Elections and has been a staple in the hierarchy of the political outfit for several decades.

“I am so happy that Ramkarran is coming now, that he has seen corruption on all the levels…I would like to see more PPP leaders who know exactly what is transpiring to be honest with themselves to come out as openly as he has done. There are many of them that I speak to, but they only want to tell me that privately,” Ramjattan said.

The AFC Chairman who was also a long time stalwart

of the PPP/C’s Executive says “Our country could be the greatest in the Caribbean if corruption is cut; we can have billions of dollars to spend on the people since corruption eats away 20 per cent of the development in Guyana.”

Ramjattan concedes that the PPP is always known to discipline outspoken members and calls it a culture that stifled Ramkarran, especially under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration.

Ramjattan reminded that he paid the penalty for being outspoken in the PPP and this led to his destiny within the AFC, and as such “Ramkarran should be commended since he is above being disciplined…because he has reached that threshold where nobody can tell him anything and the party should take charge in transparency and accountability.”

The Senior Counsel and former Speaker of the National Assembly posits that Guyana has not been able to contain corruption, and suggests that its existence cannot be denied.

Ramkarran stated in his article that while instances of corruption are known to many, disclosure of evidence is a major problem…”victims of corruption do not wish the circumstances or their names to be revealed because they

By Rehana Ashley Ahamad Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), Cecil Kennard, believes that too many cases are being ridiculously dismissed as a result of the absence of eyewitnesses and police in the courts when matters are being called.

The former Chancellor of the Judiciary said that “Magistrates are supposed to issue warrants for the eyewitnesses to show up in court, not punish the victims by dismissing the case”.

He added that if this continues, it is a certainty that persons may lose faith in the justice system, while some might even go astray in an effort to seek revenge.

“It is not fair that cases are being dismissed. This would result in charges laid against defendants being dropped, even though the

fear victimization in their continuing lawful activities.”

He noted that President Donald Ramotar needs to articulate new, more advanced and comprehensive legislative and administrative programmes in a timely manner which would strengthen transparency and accountability. He warns that the Government ought not to wait for more accusations from the Opposition or more allegations in the press.

Ramkarran stated that Government should immediately initiate discussions with one or more international agencies to seek out assistance in dealing with corruption.

“There is no doubt that corruption allegations are being used as a political weapon…But this happens not only in Guyana, but all over the world…If the Government continues to treat the allegations only as politically or defensively, on a case by case basis, it will not win the argument, whatever the facts.”

Ramkarran underscores that “to win such arguments systems must be in place and be demonstrably seen to be functioning independently. If notwithstanding this, corruption or allegations persist, these would then become matters for the

Former Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran

AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan

Head of State Donald Ramotar

agencies established to deal with them or for the police or both.”

He explained that dealing with corruption requires expertise which may not exist in Guyana. But the United Nations, Carter Centre and many other impartial international bodies have extensive experience in advising, recommending and preparing measures to deal with transparency and accountability.

“Corruption retards growth and development by a significant degree. In Jamaica it is estimated that the economy could have grown by 1.5 per cent more had it not been for corruption. During the last elections allegations of corruption by the Opposition were major platforms in campaigns,” he stated.

Ramkarran further argued

that unless something is done about corruption, “it will become a monster, if it not already is, that will engulf us all.” He added that the Constitutional Reform Commission made its report in 2000. Ramkarran said it recommended a Procurement Commission as a constitutional body with important functions to deal with corruption and the legislative changes were made in 2001.

“It is a shame and disgrace, that ten years on, the Procurement Commission has not been established…For years it has been held up, by one of the most ridiculous excuses that can be imaginable-the rejection by the opposition of the Government’s proposal that they nominate some members and the Government nominate the others. The

opposition has demanded that all the members must agree. We have elected them and we pay them salaries to do a better job. The Procurement Commission cannot take more than 72 hours to name, if the tripartite discussions are serious.”

Ramkarran recommended that a crusade against corruption by the Government will introduce a new dimension to its agenda.

He said it will demonstrate to the public that it means business. “It can pay great political dividends because it will silence the opposition and the press and will be a major mobilization factor for the next elections.”

He also underscored that corruption is a tax on development, and according to the World Bank it retards growth and development by a significant degree.

Court.

The family, via Kaieteur News, pleaded to witnesses and police to come forward and assist them in their quest for justice. This was done in March, and the matter was called again in May. But no one would come forward, and Chief Magistrate, Priya Sewnarine Beharry finally dismissed the case. Ugraj, of 162 Mon Repos Pasture, East Coast Demerara was killed when a

Reports had indicated that the car, driven by Photographer Delano Williams, who had just left the Buddy’s Nite Club, was headed north along Sheriff Street when Williams, lost control of the car and swerved into Ugraj who was standing on the eastern side of the road, near Angee’s Boutique.

Ugraj was hurled a few feet away and died, while the driver and his car landed in the trench just outside the

- PCA Chairman

Chairman of PCA Cecil Kennard defendant might be guilty of crimes that call for all kinds of penalties including life imprisonment. How is the victim to be blamed?”

Kennard queried.

The man further explained to this newspaper, that while

it is unclear as to why Magistrates opt to dismiss charges without issuing warrants, it is the duty of prosecutors to ensure that police, along with witnesses and evidence (if any exists), reaches the court.

“I am not saying that the prosecutors themselves have to do this, but the fact remains that it is their duty to at least assign somebody to get the witnesses and everything relating to the case, to the court,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, even though some witnesses do not want to attend court, there have been cases where witnesses were not even informed of where and when they are to attend court; this Kennard said is an indictment.

Kennard added that “a

telephone can easily be used to contact witnesses”.

He also made clear that failure to do so should definitely result in the prosecutor being charged with neglect of duty.

One of the most recent of dismissed cases involved 35year-old truck driver Sewcharran Persaud Ugraj, who was killed in an accident on Sheriff Street, in Georgetown.

Unfortunately, the fears of his relatives ended up a reality, and justice was indeed not served.

Despite the case being called on several occasions, neither the eyewitnesses nor the police showed up to testify when the matter was being heard in the Georgetown Magistrates’

“Magistrates are supposed to issue warrants for the eyewitnesses to show up in court, not punish the victims by dismissing the case” - Justice Kennard Toyota IST bearing license plate number PMM 1094, slammed into him as he stood on Sheriff Street around 04:30 hours on June 26, last year.

Redeemer Lutheran church at the corners of Pike and Sheriff Streets.

A post mortem conducted (Continued on page 11)

Monday June 18, 2012

This was on a Christmas card from a foreign student but a friend sent me something that was posted on a political blog in Trinidad that was even more entertaining. A gentleman, obviously irate with one of the parties that form the ruling coalition wrote, “I have burnt tonight my party card along with my wife and two children.”

That clearly is not so much arson as damn arson.

It reminded me immediately of the Trinidad rural politician who after receiving a gift at a political function remarked, “I thank you from the bottom of my heart and my wife’s bottom also.”

A female politician is reputed to have chastised the feuding women’s group of a political party with the dire warning, “As long as there is a split between us, the men will continue to ride us.” Yet, no Trinidad politician has outdone George W. Bush whose classics include, “Too

Kaieteur News

many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB—GYNs aren’t able to practice their love with women all across this country” and “Rarely is the question asked, ‘Is our children learning’?”; “The illiteracy level of our children are appalling.”

When I facilitate communications workshops I tell the participants that there is no perfect communicator since there are too many variables and pitfalls, one of which is the English Language itself. Richard Lederer, the English-language maven, points out that English is the most widely spoken language in the history of our planet, half of the world’s books are written in English, and the majority of international telephone calls are made in English.

Sixty percent of the world’s radio programs are beamed in English, and more than seventy percent of international mail is written and addressed in English.

Eighty percent of all computer texts, including all web sites, are stored in English. The he says, “English is a crazy language — the most loopy and wiggy of all tongues.”

He uses as evidence the questions, “In what other language do people drive in a parkway and park in a driveway?”; “In what other language do people play at a recital and recite at a play?”; “Why does night fall but never break and day breaks but never falls?”; “Why is it that when we transport something by car, it’s called a shipment, but when we transport something by ship, it’s called cargo?”; “Why does a man get a hernia and a woman a hysterectomy?”; “Why do we pack suits in a garment bag and garments in a suitcase?”; “Why do privates eat in the general mess and generals eat in the private mess?”; Why do we call it newsprint when it contains no printing but when we put print on it, we call it a

King's Jewellery returns to...

(From page 14) interested in coming to our region to do business”.

The regional administration, he said, has been recently flooded with requests and applications from overseas Guyanese “who are interested in coming back to their homeland to do business, so we have been having great competition”.

“This will bring a better quality of goods and services available to our people in Berbice and as our economy continues to grow...people will naturally demand more goods and services and our business communities will have to create new and innovative ways to reach those demands”.

He credited the University of Guyana Berbice Campus (UGBC) its dynamic leadership under Professor Daizal R. Samad for playing a sterling and important role in the

business initiatives “and ensuring you develop people with the relevant skills and knowledge necessary to ensure you have good management at all these businesses.....so in the medium and long term, the prospects for commerce and industry looks very good in our region”.

He noted persons in Berbice are also doing business in agriculture, tourism and housing.

President of the Central Corentyne Chambers of Commerce, Lakram Rambrich was happy that the new shopping building has been opened and for the return of King's to the area. The two new businesses, he said, will

“brighten the image of Rose Hall like it was in the early 80's and early 90's”.

“Both of these businesses will do well because they are centrally located in Rose Hall Town and from our chamber's point of view, they are welcomed...from the residents out there and they will be well supported”.

Other speakers at the cocktail launch included UGBC Director, Prof Daizal Samad; Veteran cricketer, Clive Lloyd; among others.

newspaper?”; “Why are people who ride motorcycles called bikers and people who ride bikes called cyclists?”; and, “Why — in our crazy language — can your nose run and your feet smell?”

The irrepressible Lederer also points out there is no egg in eggplant or ham in hamburger, neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins were not invented in England or French fries in France.

Sweetmeats are candies, while sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet, are meat.

Quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square, and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig. Writers write, but fingers don’t fing, grocers don’t groce, and hammers don’t ham?

The plural of tooth is teeth, why isn’t the plural of booth, beeth? One goose, 2 geese. So, one moose, 2 meese? One index, two indices? Is cheese the plural of choose? If teachers taught, why didn’t preachers praught? If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat? How can a slim chance and a fat chance be the same, while a wise man and a wise guy are opposites?

How can the weather be hot as hell one day and cold

Page 15

as hell another? When a house burns up, it burns down. You fill in a form by filling it out and an alarm clock goes off by going on.

When the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible. And why, when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this essay, I end it?

My own two cents worth is that “flammable” and “inflammable” mean the same thing while “decent” and “indecent” are opposites.

When it comes to the immolation of party card, wife and children there are many similar examples in the Classified Advertisements.

“A small pony belonging to a young lady with a silver mane and tail”, “Wallet belonging to a young man made of calf skin” and “A collie dog by a man on Saturday answering to Jim with a brass collar around his neck and a muzzle.”

In the “Help Wanted” Section you may find, “Two strong, clean youths for sausages”, “Precast concrete man” and “Woman to run up curtains.”

Signs are the best

portents of poor English. A Butcher’s sign said, “Try our sausages. None like them.”

A tailor guaranteed, “If the smallest hole appears after six months’ wear, we will make another absolutely free.” A drugstore boasted, “We dispense with accuracy” and a barber advertised, “Haircuts while you wait.”

For me the one that takes the cake is a recipe. First, heat up your pants really hot, then add oil. Then put the cabbages in salt water. Then sit in the sink until the morning. Next, chop all the vegetarians into little pieces.

After, add a little Buddha and mix it all up. When you are finished cooking, find a suitable bowel and eat it with chopsticks. As George W. Bush said, “I know how hard it is for you to put food on your family” but this is ridiculous. *Tony Deyal was last seen repeating a statement by a student in the “English as a Foreign Language” class, “You can’t sleep with me because it is too crowded. But you can probably sleep with my sister. That’s what most of my friends do when they visit.”

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Monday June 18, 2012

Men must be taught to speak about their pain lest they erupt in violence against their partners

By Leon Suseran A high- ranking Roman Catholic priest believes that he knows one of the reasons for Guyanese men erupting with such violence against their partners.

Monsignor Terrence Montrose told Kaieteur News that the male child has been socialised and pressured by society to act in a way that says, “boys don’t cry.”

He suggested that when they cannot hold in their emotions any longer, they may release their pain through violence.

Msgr Montrose, a religious leader for 35 years, said that society has been so socialised to think that men don’t have a ‘softer side’... “to believe that all men are brawn, are hard, are emotionless and that is how we have been living our lives...so men, when they are crying inside, they keep it to themselves— they bear the pain and sometimes, that pain comes out in violence”.

The priest noted that men have not been taught to cry.

He said that men are told— from the time they are little boys— if they cry, ‘don’t be a little girl’— “you are not encouraged to give or show

- Roman Catholic Priest your emotion in public and therefore, we keep it inside and we burn inside and when we do act, we act in a very violent way”.

Msgr Montrose reminded that, in the newspapers are stories of men who kill their wives. “Almost every single day, some woman, some lover, some partner dies at the hands of the one she loves— every day”. He added that women’s throats are being slit, “of women being hammered to death, of women dying by burns, by fight— all kinds of things, at the hands of the ones they called their beloved”.

The priest referred to the popular Sparrow Calypso which said, “every now and again, beat them, beat them” and how some women have told him “that the man doesn’t love me until he beats me”.

“Well, in a sense, we have been socialised in such a way, that we men mustn’t cry, we don’t cry— if our beloved leaves us or plans to leave us, we can’t take it— we hammer her to death; if I can’t have you, no one else can have you; and we say that men

don’t cry”.

But he said that in reality, he has experienced many men crying, because “I am the one who has to give a listening ear to all these stories”. Msgr Montrose, who has ministered to a number of communities across the country stated, too, that he has heard and seen men cry because they can’t bring it out in public as a woman would do.

“Women cry very easily; they give an expression to the emotion they are feeling, whether those are tears of happiness or sadness, they don’t hold it back, they let it flow”. But men, on the other hand, have been encouraged not to let it (the tears) flow; “hide it, keep it inside and it does something to us; it begins to eat away inside and we become violent, and we become hard- hearted and then the rest of society asks, ‘What has happened to this man?’”

Young men, today, he said are an endangered species, because “they have no one to call them home...their fathers, perhaps, don’t know

Monsignor Terrence Montrose

Rhonda Thompson

Eureka Garraway

how to treat the son”. He said that while he has not fathered any children, he is the (spiritual) father of many children and “one of the things I do with them is to help them with the tools of my trade”.

Speaking specifically to fathers since Father’s Day was observed on Sunday, Msgr Montrose said that many young men never had the opportunity to have a father. “I have had the good fortune of being the father to many young men; they have to learn from us how to be men, we have to teach them how to act as men, as fathers, as husbands and sometimes I say to women, ‘you are to blame, because you, too don’t help them young men to be men”.

He said that it is such that many fathers do not even know how to teach their own sons to be men, “where they may have grown up in a situation where they do not know these things; their father didn’t know; their grandfather didn’t know; nobody knew, so how do you expect them (the young men of today) to know these things if they have not been taught?” Women, he said, have an important task in moulding and training young men.

Men, he said, do not know to explain ‘men’ things to their sons; “maybe they were ashamed, maybe they couldn’t find the right words, maybe their sons would laugh at them, but they weren’t able to say to their son, ‘son this is what would happen to you; you are now a teenager— this will happen to you— I know the women do that with their

daughters...but I don’t think fathers do that”.

It is important, he said, that men take the responsibility of training our children, helping them to mature and teaching them what it means to be a ‘Christian father’”.

So are these men who horribly murder their spouses and lovers a product of their own society?

“Let’s suppose a woman’s husband beats her up and her boy is there (witnessing the act)...I don’t know if she says to the boy, “that is not normal that my husband is beating me up”, but if she says nothing, her son will say it is normal, so she has to keep showing him (the boy) it’s the wrong way”.

Socialisation especially as it relates to our young boys, he said, is “very, very important”.

Still, Msgr Montrose does not believe it is an excuse for domestic violence.

“It’s no excuse for what they do...they have to learn to deal with their emotions.

The society has to start teaching differently that it is alright for men to cry, to talk about their softer side”. He noted that women go and talk to their friends and neighbours, but men keep their feelings inside and “we need to pay attention to that”.

The women, he said, can help in that regard by talking to their partners and getting them to open up.

Those in authority, he said, can and must act quickly, lest more women face the hammer, knife and continue to be the punching bags for emotionallydistressed men. “I think they

need to do something very quickly, because every single day, it’s getting worse and worse”.

Women experiencing signs of and bouts of abuse with their partners should leave the relationship immediately, says the priest.

“They see (the signs)....but I don’t know what keeps them there...they don’t see the signs and perhaps we (as a society) should talk about the signs....from the time your boyfriend knocks you and punches you, that’s the time to go (or) it gets worse and worse”.

There has been a spike in domestic violence in recent months, with men reportedly being the main perpetrators.

In April, Eureka Garraway of Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, sustained head injuries after she was allegedly beaten by her partner.

The alleged perpetrator has been charged.

Earlier this month, Mohanie Gobin of Parika, Essequibo Coast, mother of four was clubbed to death with a metal pipe by her husband, Ramesh Sattaur. He ingested a poisonous substance and died shortly after.

In February 2011, 41- yearold Natalie Loncke, a teacher of Georgetown was repeatedly stabbed to the head by her lover. Her throat was also slit.

Last January, Rushelle Rodney, 33, was discovered lying in a pool of blood, in the kitchen of her Blankenburg Executive Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara house.

The woman’s husband, 34-year-old Shawn Rodney, is still to be located.

Last June, Onderneeming, West Berbice hairdresser, 32year- old Rhonda Thompson was found dead in her home.

Her throat had been slashed.

Her husband, Kensley Thompson, the prime suspect, was found at the backdam area in the village the following morning. He had slashed himself and ingested a poisonous substance.

He succumbed shortly after.

Monday June 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 17

The Abigail Column People think I’m gay...but I’m not DEARABIGAIL, I am what you may call a nice man. I’d say I’m rather sensitive and easy going.

I’ve never had a girlfriend.

Finally I enjoy theatre arts.

You can see where I’m going.

But I enjoy women. I’m very attracted, I think about them all the time, I check out females when I walk to class.

Yet everyone, especially women, seem to think I am gay. It bothers me because it makes me feel like less of a man. Additionally how am I

supposed to get this woman that I’ve been waiting for, for all these years, if she thinks I am gay?

Wrong Dear Wrong, The fact that you are comfortable in your personal tastes, regardless of their alignment with these ideals, shows confidence which many women find extremely sexy. Though some women may find a man’s penchant for cars and sports to be the seeds of attraction, it’s

oftentimes more the content of someone’s character that truly tips the scales when it comes to love.

Those who jump to conclusions or choose to think less of you because you don’t conform are the ones missing out. Embracing this and the fact that you are worthy of acceptance and love regardless of how “manly” you are, will lead to a sense of self-worth that may translate to a greater sense of confidence when it comes to dating.

Monday June 18, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): All eyes will be on you today, but don't succumb to stage fright -- these eyes belong to very friendly, supportive people. It looks as though this is one of those critical points you've been waiting for (although you might not even have realized it). ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Good things come to those who wait -- so if you have been waiting for a time when things might free up a bit, today just might be the day! ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Preparing for a challenge?

Then start visualizing your victory! As soon as you get up this morning, fill your mind's eye with the image of a gold medal being pinned to your chest. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Old problems can be tricky. On the one hand, you should learn how to forget the past and move on. But on the other hand, if you don't learn your lessons from what has happened in the past, you are doomed to repeat some unpleasant patterns. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Someone's recent dramas are going to serve as a good education for you, so pay attention! Get the details from this person, and you will learn some valuable pointers on how to navigate the potentially choppy waters that await you. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept.

22): There won't be many shades of gray in your life today -- all the issues should be straightforward and easy

for you to figure out in your usual efficient way. Plus, there is a great deal of agreement on what to do, so there won't be any arguments to speak of. ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): If someone is not getting the message you are trying so hard to send, today is the day to think about letting go of this particular project. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 Nov. 21): If you feel any urge whatsoever to hold on to your money, obey it! You are feeling highly sensitive about financial matters, and there could be good reasons. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): Your version of what needs to happen and someone else's ideas of where to go from here are not in sync right now -- and this will naturally cause a pause in the action of your lives together. .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19):Today is a good day to throw yourself deeper into something that's already a part of your life -- and rediscover it. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): A quick look at your social calendar today should tell you that you are starting to spread yourself too thin! One great way to save yourself time and stress is to consolidate your social engagements. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20):Anything is possible today! It is a great day to get something new started -- something that you are just the tiniest bit intimidated by. Pick your biggest goal and go for it!

DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55hrs. Sign On 09:00hrs. Live! With Kelly 10:00hrs. The A-Team 11:00hrs. The View 12:00hrs. World News 12:30hrs. The Young and the Restless 13:30hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 14:00hrs. The Talk 15:00hrs. Boy Meets World 16:00hrs. Beverly Hills, 90210 17:00hrs. MacGyver 18:00hrs. World News 18:30hrs. Nightly News 19:00hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00hrs. Channel 8 News 21:00hrs. DTV’s Summer Movie Fest 23:00hrs. Sign Off NTN CHANNEL 18/ CABLE 69 05:00h - CRICKET:- 5 ODI PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA 08:30h - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 09:15h - CRICKET:- 5 ODI PAKISTAN v SRI LANKA 13:00h - Indian Soap - Yahaan Mein 13:30h - Indian Soap - Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 14:00h - DVD Movie:- CYCLE KICK (Eng: Sub:) *ing Tom Alter & Ishita Sharma 15:15h - Sitcom - FRINGE 16:00h - Drying Tears Live with Pastor Edson 16:30h - Devotional Time 17:00h - Sitcom - FRINGE 17:45h - Ganesh Parts Presents - BHAGAVAD GITA ( Discourses in English) Serial 18:15h - Birthday Greetings/ A n n i v e r s a r y / Congratulations/ Death Announcements & In Memoriam 18:30h - HARE KRISHNA TODAY 19:00h - Ricks & Sari Presents Bed Time Songs Live with Joel 20:00h - Health in Focus 20:30h - Indian Soap - Yahaan Mein 22:00h - Indian Soap - Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 22:30h - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 23:00h - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 23:30h -.Sign off with the Gayantri Mantra NCN CHANNEL 11 05:00hrs – Inspiration 05:30hrs – Newtown Gospel

06:00hrs – NCN News (R/B) 06:30hrs – Kala Milan 07:00hrs – Guyana Today 08:00hrs – Weekly Digest 09:00hrs – Stop the Suffering 09:30hrs – Cartoons 10:00hrs – CCTV 11:00hrs – History 12:00hrs – CNN 12:30hrs – NCN Newsbreak 12:35hrs – Feature 14:00hrs – Movie 16:00hrs – Cartoons 17:00hrs – Anderson 18:00hrs – NCN News

Magazine – Live 18:30hrs – Enmore Martyrs’ Remembrance 19:00hrs – TIF 20:00hrs – 3d/daily millions/ play de dream/lotto draw 20:05hrs – NCLO Presents 21:05hrs – We Linkin 21:35hrs – Excellence Dazzell Show 22:05hrs – NCN Late Edition News 22:35hrs – Caribbean Newsline 23:00hrs – Movie

Guides are subjected to change without notice

Page 18

Kaieteur News

Monday June 18, 2012

Importers upset, food...

FOR SALE 5 Acres fully developed farm Pearl, EBD,16000 chicken pens capacity, bearing fruit trees. Call: 6899991, 227-5362.

(From page 19)

Baby chicks Call: 225-3234 One PS3 160GB $90,000, one dryer 240 volts Call: 650-7719 2003 Kawasaki, Ninja 500 also 8 camera,DVR security system Call: 643-6468 Baby chicks available weekly,fully vaccinated Mr.D.Lallbharry 371 Craig Public Road E.C.D Call: 6269589 New: 5 Speed Drill Press,4 tow portable puller kit,Air brush kit Call: 641-1127 1 ship 67 metre in length selling as scrap Call: 2272027,623-4045,227-5500 Pantoon 200x50x12 as in,no reasonable offer refused Call: 227-2027,623-4045,227-5500 1 2007 R1 Candy Red at a reasonable price Call: 2272027,623-4045,227-5500 One Nissan Xtrail Call: 6272550 1 16ft fiber-glass boat on trailer with 25 Johnson engine $600,000 Call: 6664000 1 heavy duty Hilti jack hammer 110 volts,1700 watts with 2 bytes $470,000 & 1 I-Phone 4S $90,000 Call:666-4000 3 and 1 month supply proactive kits @ $20,000 and $ 3,000 Call: 629-3814,6450240 Plastic drums Call: 2335273-4 American Finest Brands Computers Desktop & Laptop $85,000,visit our store at Goed Fortuin Public Road Call:253-3426 1 Cabin Cruise Boat 43x8x5,1 in board boat Hull 50x13x6 at Soesdyke E.B.D Call: 6225500 Pitt Bulls Pups Call: 225-6137 Big yard sale at 29 Croal Street Enterprise Ladies sandals $150 Call: 664-2209 Pair weber racing car burettor $150,000 Canadian made toilet set cheap Call:222-4158 Clean garden earth and builders waste also bobcat rental, excavating, clearing and leveling Call: 6160617,663-3285 American Ladders/Scaffold, 30ft/10ft, adjustable/ platforms. 20 ft heavy duty scaffold, platform/locking wheels. Call: 612-1486, 6468326 Cheap earth delivery to spot ECD,EBD Tel: 627-9977,6980182

VEHICLE FOR SALE AT192 $600,000 Call: 6251499 1 long base Nissan canter JNN Call: 653-6098 Toyota Hilux pick-up, solid DEF, 4X4 long base, diesel, excellent condition Call: 6230243 Just Arrived Pitbull, VVTI, 2 RZ, Minibuses, Allions, Corollas, Fielders, Spacious, Dump, Long & Short Canters Call: 259-3178,650-5657 Unregistered Fielder Spacio (Dark Blue) Cami 4x4,45/150 DAF Truck Call: 641-1127 1 Dodge Ram Dually 3500 fully loaded ,good for interior $3M Call: 2272027,623-4045,227-5500 1 AT 192 PJJ 6038 $1,050,000,One Mitsubishi Mirage PJJ 2096 $1.2M Call: 639-9528,694-4827 Quantum Auto-Allion with TV/ camera. Spacio & Fielders/rims, grey & silver Premio, excellent condition Call: 624-7684,617-2378 One AT212, immaculate condition, cost $1,100,050 Call: 654-7828,268-3105 Unregistered 2 Ton enclorsed Mitsubishi Canter Call: 6229123,679-8056 Blue Mitsubishi Lancer, complete with press start alarm and music set $1.2 Neg. Call: 651-9983 Lexus LS400/Luxury, BMW 740IL/Luxury, BMW 635CSI/ Sports. Bring mechanic, make offer. Call: 612-1486, 6468326 Jags Auto: Spacio, Premio, Wagon. Cheapest. Call: 6167635 Clearance Sale!!!

Unregistered Toyota Bb (Scion) Flair kits, mags, foglights, cd, alarm, coilovers Call:643-6565,226-9931 One red Allion PNN seriesfemale driver one year old $2.5M (cash) Call:618-3093 Mitsubishi Pajero GXL V8 engine 2972CC, 5 speed, fully powered, AC,DVD/TV/drop screen $7.5M Neg. 690-6000 Toyota NZE PNN seriesmags, pioneer cd player, tv 42.6M (CASH) call:618-3093 Mercedes Benz S300,fully powered, armoured, DVD system $4.5M Call: 6214000,690-6000 Cherokee Laredo,4 doors, AC, powered locks & windows PHH series $1.8M Call: 6214000,690-6000

TOURS Suriname 4 days Caricom Holiday weekend return.

Trip June29-July2 Call: 6392663,665-5171,644-0185,2278290 MANAUS-BRAZIL (4) Days Tour CARICOM Holiday Weekend Return trip June 29-July 2 2012 Call: 2267777,668-6501 Email: info@fvtoursgy.com PEN PAL Afro male 45 yrs seeking female friends between 25-40 yrs no blocked calls:625-1874 An African male seeking a female for a serious relationship Age 18-30 yrs Call:602-4742,648-6486

VEHICLE FOR SALE Mercedes Benz A140,fully powered sound system, PMM series $2.8M neg. 6214000,690-6000 Hummer H2 SUT model-22" rims, multiple TV, back-up camera, DVD/CD, sound system Call: 639-7700 Stretch Limousine 160 inch, fully powered, DVD/TV sound system, see & make offer $10M 621-4000 Mercedes Benz 190E, needs repairs, view @ Sandy Babb Street & Railway Kitty ( Davo Lumber yard) $600,000 Call: 690-6000 GMC Tow truck, scrap 720 Nissan pick up, one industrial lathe Call:Richard 6097675,233-2414,610-2506 1 Toyota RZ longbase EFI BLL series ,manual, hardly used price$1.7M Rocky 2251400,621-5902 1 Toyota RAV 4,automatic,fully powered, A/C ,CD, mags price $2.3 M Rocky 225-1400,621-5902 1 Toyota AT 212 Carina automatic, fully powered, AC, alarm, CD player price $1.4M Rocky 225-1400,6215902 1 Honda CRV (new model) automatic fully powered AC CD ,mags price$ 4.8M Rocky 225-1400,621-5902 1 AT 170 Toyota Corona (full light) automatic, fully powered, CD Price $750,000 Rocky 225-1400,621-5902 1 Toyota Hilux Surf (hardly used),automatic, fully powered alarm price $2.3M Rocky 225-1400,621-5902 1 Toyota Land Cruiser 2003 automatic, fully loaded, immaculate condition price $14.5M Rocky 225-1400,6215902 Mini car, PZ-9702 Call: 6812253,611-3469,697-1777

EDUCATIONAL Learn to speak Spanish in 1 month. Call: 673-1232 Princeton College. CXC Adults/Students. Slow learner classes. Day & Evening. January/May June 2013. 690-5008, 6113793 Imperial College- CXC 2013.

Forms (1-5)/ lessons/adults classes, flexible hours.

Affordable fees Call: 2277627, 683-5742 Private Custom Brokerage Certificate Course for all importers/exporters and other learn how Call:6091824,681-7567 Summer computer classes, age 5-16, Micrographics Technology, Vreed-en-Hoop Call: 264-3057 Summer computer classes, age 5-16, Micrographics Technology, Parika (Bollywood) Call: 264-3057 Summer computer classes, age 5-16, Micrographics Technology, Grove Public Road Call: 266-3976 Practical Electrical Installation course $25,000 Call: 227-3091,622-7036,6610515

LAND FOR SALE Transported land for sale at Soesdyke Public Road, access to Demerara River Call: 626-8417 Land V/Hoop 3 acres: school, housing. Factory etc. Call: 658-0115 Land of Canaan Wharf 140’ X 50’ on lot 11.88 acres US$2.5m, Adventure Linden highway 150 acres G$40m 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 96’X 63’ G$82m, Eping Ave B.A.P 150’ X 100" US$500,000, 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 Carmichael Street 100" X 62" US$500,000, Grove H/S 86’ X 50’ G$4.5m 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 Ogle Railway Corner 200’ X 78’ US$750,000, Ogle Public Rd 140’ X 100’ G$45m, Sophia Public Road 130" X 86’ US$550,000, 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 5 acres Enmore Public Rd. ideally suited for (mall, hospital, housing scheme etc) Richard 609-7675,233-2614 32 Acres for sale, Lot 5 Content, E.C.D, $256,000.00(USD) Call: 813319-4219 or rpooran@tampabay.rr.com

From page 7 cancer threats to us all. Too many school children don’t bring home cooked food and buy a set of junk in these boxes and throw them all over.

Now they are being exposed to things that can give them cancer without even being much aware of these things but we can do away with them (Styrofoam) and be fine,” he said.

Government spokesman Dr. Roger Luncheon announced on Thursday last, that the Government plans to ban imports that are packaged with Styrofoam and other non-biodegradable to reduce environmental and solid waste disposal problems across the country.

Luncheon stated that the decision forms part of an antilitter campaign “Pick it up Guyana” that was launched by the Environment Ministry a few weeks back.

He said the administration is preparing legislation that also would restrict the use of certain nonbiodegradable materials.

“The nation can expect soon the promulgation of legislation that would in a variety of ways seek to restrict, prevent the importation of goods that are packaged in non biodegradable materialStyrofoam, plastic and aluminum containers,” Luncheon said.

He said the government will lead the way and will ban the use of Styrofoam and other non-biodegradable materials at state-supported events.

Members of the opposition-controlled Parliament have said they would support the legislation.

The government issued a statement late Thursday saying it also seeks to design and build.

Musician fathered 13 From page 9 society that of a Parliamentarian, a musician and a father.” At this stage in his life, he was father of 13 after having his last two daughters.

He toured the length and breadth of Guyana with his Band- The Yoruba Singersand visited eight countries to perform including a performance at the Madison Square Garden.

Rockcliffe recalled not having much of a father/son bond with his father so “I knew the importance of a father figure in a child’s life, even if not present in the home, fatherly guidance is potent for the fruitful growth of a child.”

He said that setting aside the financial constraints faced by women forced to

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single handedly parent a child, there are many-”most times”unanswered questions that float around a child’s mind; like “why did he up and leave, why doesn’t he want anything to do with me, Is he really my dad especially as he/she is about to enter the “teenage phase.”

He added that a child can be very difficult and rebellious at various stages in their lives, and it is hard for one person to be faced with the task of pointing them in the right direction. He said that one of his daughters ever so often goes through some “serious phases” and sometimes it’s difficult “but her mother and I are always there when she decides to humble herself and ask for directions.”

Rockcliffe has been married for 11 years even though he and his wife Joycelyn Wilburg Rockcliffe – have been together for 27 years.

Only two of his children remain in Guyana as nine reside in the USA, one in Canada and one in Trinidad.

He boasted that his son-Ato Rockcliffe- is currently pursuing a Masters in Sociology. “My daughter Onocia already obtained her Masters in Nursing and her brother Zawdie follows her illustrious footsteps, two are Cosmetologists, one is into child care, another is an Electrician, one is a Pharmacist, one is a manager and my last two-both the same age- one is pursuing her first degree and the other is a journalist.”

“Many say that I should have been a millionaire but my money I know where my earnings went and it is reflected in the outcome of my children…soon I will reap what I have been sowing” Rockcliffe said.

Monday June 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

WANTED

CAKES & PASTRIES

Waitress to work in a bar Call: 661-8965

Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery, tel: 670-0798. Wedding dresses for sale & rental.

One experienced general maintenance man Call: 6278126,679-8689 Family person to take care of sawmill Yarrowkabra 2612553 One live in domestic,must know to cook.Age 25-50 yrs Salary $50,000 Call: 610-5043 Cooks,waitress,cashiers.

Impact Zone Call: 6260189,225-0963,653-0222 Mini-bus or Mini-van to rent Call:643-3446 At Kesh Palace 1 kitchen assistant & waitress,Free Accomodation Call: 6165559 Workers to work in the interior,marack & jetman Call: 685-4837,671-9351 Watchman Call: 223-5273-4 Waiterss Call: 220-1842 Girls to work as waitress,Age 18-25 at Enmore Call: 256-4096 1 handy-boy to work $35,000 per month.Living accommodation and meal free Call: 628-1756,228-5655 Taxi drivers, bus drivers, dispatcher @ Princess Hotel Call: 265-7076 Survival Shopping Complex, Sheriff Street needs cashiers, bag packers for information Call: 227-528690 Attractive live in waitress Call: 228-5129 Person to cut from masterpattern and seamstress with factory experience Call Sharmie: 225-2598 Live in babysitter, age 40-50 Call: 696-4695 Sawmill workers Call: 6539752, 261-6412 Taxi drivers Call: 225-3234 Live in/live out babysitter/ domestic Call: 225-0188,2256060 Experience jetmen for land dredge Call: 653-7213 Hi-Hab trucks to transport material from Georgetown to Corentyne Berbice Call: 6981894,691-2340 1 marketing representative & co-host for TV programmes Call: 6796044,621-5114 Live in domestic to do general house cleaning Call:639-7700

TO LET East Street $45,000,Albertown US $750,Republic Park US $1500,Bel-Air US $1900 Call Diana: 227-2256,626-9382 Eccles new scheme furnished apartment Call: 233-2770

SERVICES Permanent &Visitors Visa Applications Professional Immigration Consultant Sabita - Room E-4 Maraj Building 225-6496/ 223-8115/662-6045.

Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & Stoves.

Ultra Cool: 225-9032, 647-2943 Electrical installation domestic & commercial maintenance & repairs also AC installation , estimates , call Marlon Tel: 216-0934,626-6298 or 669-8992

Page 19

PROPERTY FOR SALE 20x40 Two flat concrete building @ Kitty. All amenities. Price $23M to be seen. Call: 668-9512,223-2570 Prime location Public Road McDoom Village, land 200ftx50ft concrete bond & front store monthly income $300,000 Call: 233-0570 East Bank $12M,Bent Street $17M,Robb Street $160M,Regent Street US$3.2M Call Diana: 2272256,626-9382

HOUSE PLAN DRAFTING FOR ONLY $10,000 Call: 694-9843 We repair fridge, freezer, AC ,washer, dryer Call: 231-0655, 683-8734 Omar.

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Problems with PC? Call Roul for assistance 610-9490

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US & Canada VISA application services. Call: 643-6630. Family discounts available.

Bodywork & spray paint your vehicle at an affordable cost today ,fast, efficient & reliable Call Kenneth 2220811,619-4550

Self contained rooms to rent in Prashad Nagar $10,000 weekly Call: 227-2993

Blackberry unlock $2000 also PC games starting from $1500 Vickram at Cell:652-7560

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3 Bedroom top flat 128 Middle Road La-Penitence $50,000 Call: 225-5258 Carwash with or without equipment in G/town Call:231-1786/625-1874 Furnished room for single decent working female Call:231-1786/625-1874 Ideal front spot for business 14 Peter’s Hall EBD Call: 6680309 Excellent spot for offices/ school or other business ,Camp St Area Call Richard 609-7675,233-2614,610-2506 Busy 4 corners business spot, Cummings & Middle St, presently houses Brazillian Saloon, immediate possession $850US Neg.Call:690-6000 Fully furnished 3 bedroom top flat US$950, Republic Park 2 flat 3 bedroom fully furnished US$2,800, 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 Kitty 2 flat residence/ business US$1,200, 609 2302/ 645 2580/233 5711 Ongoing business at Agriculture Rd ECD land 35wx600l,$20M Call:220-7220

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School;First Federation Building Call: 225-4858,6445166,622-2872,615-0964

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Portable wood mizer mill operator porters, truck driver to work in Eccles Industrial Site EBD Call: 609-2675,2332614

1 big business place & 2 bedrooms new house Anna Catherina W.C.D Call:2760818

CAR RENTAL Progressive auto rental, cars from $4,000 per day.

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FOR SALE Generac Generator/American made, 7000w, fully enclosed; low noise. Propane/gas cylinder, ATS available. Call: 612-1486, 646-8326 GPS system map 76 Brandgramin price$95,000 Call:6000036 Yamaha Riva Scooter car set (speakers & maps) infrared wireless security system two 18’’ speakers Call:231-1786/ 625-1874 28 KVA silent diesel generator ,needs fuel pump general overload $800,000 621-4000,690-6000 28 KVA SDMO diesel generator neds fuel pump, digital panel sold as is $1.2M 621-4000,690-6000 Generators 28 KVA SDMO ,works perfectly diesel silent $1.7M 621-4000,690-6000 28 KVA SDMO John Deere, diesel, silent needs fuel pump, digital panel sold as is $1.4M 621-4000 Generator Mitsubishi SDMO Diesel, silent 27KVA on 400 gallon fuel tank, keystart like new $1.7M neg.Call:690-6000

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VEHICLES FOR SALE Just arrived: Allion and Premio, tel: 624-2000, 622-1610 Hilux Solid Axle Pick up excellent condition Call: 2222662,691-2077 International Tow Truck with flat aluminum bed; takes two vehicles. Call: 6393900, 619-5400 One Toyota Ceres,212,192, 1- Mitsubishi Lancer,1Suzuki Carry Pick up,1-EP71 Starlet Call: 644-5096,6971453 Toyota Camry-Left Hand Drive,No reasonable offer refused.For inspection Call: 226-1176,618-9512 (9am5pm) 1 New Modle 212 & 2-RZ Excellent condition & 1 3 Y Minibus Call: 678-0191,2201693 or 658-7034 2005 BMW 3201,2007-2005 Allions, 2004 Avensis L 1some with TV &backcam Tel: 615-4114,665-4480 Leading Auto- 2PMM Allion, PMM IST, PLL Nissan Bluebird Sylphy Call: 677-7666,610-7666

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Roofing shingles Call Mr. Skepmire 227-5195 (8AMto5PM)

3 ton enclosed & open back canter, unregistered. 6172891

One 212 car, consisting of AC, alarm system, mags, back-up camera, full HID kit Call: 624-6471

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2004 Mazda RX8, fully loaded, unregistered $2.9M 617-2891

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One black Raum full flare,star rims,fog lamp,rev counter,wood finish etc $ 1,500,000 Call Shahab: 6135484 Toyota Runx, special edition, PNN $2.3M, New Model Nissan Wingroad Sports Wagon $2.3M unregistered Call: 6122522,645-5893 3 Ton freezer canter, unregistered Call: 617-2891 One Honda Titan CG, price $140,000 Neg. Call: 645-3782 One Allion for sale $7.1 million Call: 647-9470 1 Toyota Wish $3.750M,1 Toyota Noah Unregistered $2.3M Call: 648-6869 Toyota Corolla (NZE),fully loaded (rims etc),mint condition Call: 627-6317,691-5703 Thundra,4x4 Titan, all fully loaded with tray covers,magrims,GKK & GMM series going cheap Call: 227-2027,623-4045 (Continued on page 18)

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Monday June 18, 2012

Little R ascals rrace ace a way with Month of activities staged as B’ce premiere Rascals aw football club elects new executives Farfan and Mendes team title The combined efforts of Jason Ray Khalil, Larissa Wiltshire, Alec Melville, Gianni Carpenter and Daniel Islam, who called themselves the Little Rascals, proved to be indomitable as they captured the Farfan and Mendes Junior Team Tournament 2012 on Saturday night.

The Little Rascals defeated the Black Panthers in the final match of the tournament at the Georgetown Club’s squash facility to complete an unbelievable unbeaten championship run. The Black Panthers, who were tied for second place prior to their final encounter, almost received the first clean sweep of the tournament but managed to salvage some pride after fourth string Anthony Islam secured their only win in the five team matches.

The loss dropped Black Panthers to third place, while X-Men placed second after defeating fourth place finishers The Abusement Park on the final night.

Victorious Secrets finished fifth while Danza Kuduro finished sixth with four losses

and a draw.

Khalil was adjudged most outstanding first string of the tournament moments after he completed a convincing 3-0 defeated against Nyron Joseph.

Joseph had forced a five-game thriller during the Woodpecker Junior National championships last month which Khalil won, but this time Joseph was swept 9/ 11, 7/11, 9/1. Khalil won all but one of his five matches of the tournament in straight game fashion.

Little Rascals third string Alec Melville and fifth string Daniel Islam also gained the most outstanding awards at their respective strings.

Melville defeated Andrew Peroune 11/2, 11/7, 12/10, while Daniel Islam got the better of Lucas Jonas 11/5, 11/3, 11/5 in the battle against the Black Panther. After losing the first game 9/11 to Taylor Fernandes, Larissa Wiltshire won three straight games (11/6, 11/4, 11/6) to avenge her loss at last month’s junior national championships. Gianni Carpenter had been leading by two games with a chance to help his team sweep the Black Panthers before Anthony Islam spurred a remarkable come from behind 3-2 win.

The Abusement Park and Danza Kuduro played to a draw, since players from both

teams were absent. Sarah Lewis conceded a walkover, while Zachary Persaud defeated Haley Carpenter in three games. Arch rivals in the under 15 category Patrick Fraser and Ben Mekdeci played a five-game thriller on the final night won by Mekdeci in dramatic fashion.

Fraser had been leading 2-0 before Mekdeci won the third, fourth and fifth games.

In the first string battle, Mary Fung-A-Fat defeated Ashley deGroot in five games.

X-Men’s captain Steven Xavier defeated Victoria Arjoon in the first string matchup, but Victorious Secrets’ fourth string Rebecca Low defeated Maya Collins to give her team some hope. Nevertheless X-Men’s Shomari Wiltshire and Makeda Harding won their respective matches by the 30 margin to clinch the victory for their team which ensured them second place.

The Farfan and Mendes Junior Team tournament 2012 was the fourth tournament of the year held by the Guyana Squash Association and the final junior tournament before the Caribbean Area Squash Association’s Caribbean Junior Squash Championships which will be held in Jamaica, July 20th – 26th.

The newly elected executives pose for a phto op shortly after the conclusion of the AGM. From left secretary Kenrick Bowry, vice president Sherwin Forde, assistant secretary/Treasurer Ceon Bristol President/coach Neil ‘Grizzly’ Humphrey, assistant coach Nigel Felix, PRO Phillip Carrington and treasurer Sam Jones.

Former national footballer, Neil ‘Grizzly’ Humphrey was recently elected to the helm when the Hearts of Oak Master Football Club of New Amsterdam, Berbice, recently held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the New Amsterdam Prison Officers Club. He will also double as the coach. The club is currently observing its 20th year since inauguration.

Sherwin Forde has been elected as the Vice President while Kenrick Bowry is the Secretary. Former national player, Sam Jones, has clinched the position of Treasurer while Ceon Bristol serves as Assistant Secretary Treasurer. Former national goal keeper, Phillip Carrington is the Public Relations Officer, Nigel Felix will be the assistant coach.

Regarded as the leading

football entity in the Ancient County, the club has been organizing numerous games among the youths as part of its objective of promoting and developing this particular sector with at least eight youth tournaments in their ‘Teach them Young’ initiative during its annual summer camp.

During its anniversary celebrations, the club held one month of sporting activities including football games, table tennis, whist and dominoes. The club also engaged in several community oriented projects where members engaged in self help work in New Amsterdam and its environs.

The Club is indeed grateful to the administrators of the New Amsterdam Prison Service for consenting to the use of the officers club for its activities. The club also

utilizes the facilities at the Scot’s Church Ground for training purposes.

The administration has also been working feverishly towards the club’s development and was engaged in a major project where, with the help of public spirited citizens, officials installed lighting at the venue which is currently the only sports facility in Berbice with permanent lighting, capable of hosting night football.

At its inauguration, only seven members comprised the club but this has since grown to more than 30 ranging from 8-15 yrs. To date, members of the club have participated in several nationally organized tournaments including the Pee Wee U12 football competition, progressing up to the semifinal stages. Also in 1995 a senior section was formed and later the year under the captaincy of former national player, Owen Humphrey, the club went on the capture the Berbice Senior League Football competition. The club also scored a first when it qualified for the Kashif and Shanghai football tournament in that year.

The club was established on April 20th 1992 by Pharmacist Michael DeSouza with the sole purpose of developing and promoting football among the youths in the New Amsterdam/Canje communities.

Monday June 18, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Banks DIH draws first blood in battle Bollers and Thomas storm to gold in T&T of corporations’ dominoes tournament Guyana’s Junior National 200m champion sprinter, Elton Bollers of Royal Youth Movement (RYM) and Inter Guiana Games (IGG) bronze medalist, Ernesto Thomas registered superb performances in the Twin Island, Trinidad and Tobago last Saturday in the boys U20 200m at the Morvant Jets and Mustangs Games which was held at Hasley Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.

Bollers a student of the University of Guyana (UG) clocked 21.5 seconds at the Stadium in the 200m to outsprint his opponents on the homestretch.

Bollers who travelled on Friday to join the team (Athletic Club (EAC)) that he presently trains with, last April alienated CARIFTA Team athletes, Chavez Ageday (21.30s) and Stephan James (21.50s) in the junior boy’s 200m at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, turning in a time of 21 seconds flat after blasting out the blocks from lane 8.

Under-17 athlete Ernesto Thomas (Team Captain) was equally impressive as Bollers in his 800m at the Games.

Thomas registered a new personal best time of 1:58.05 seconds to win the event against his rivals.

Elton Bollers This publication was made to understand that Bollers will be participating in the Men’s 400m Invitational race at the Trinidad and Tobago Sagicor National Gas Company National Open Championship on June 23rd and 24th at the Hasley Crawford Stadium.

Confirmed to compete at the meet are former Royal Youth Movement athletes, Philip Drayton and Wayne Harlequin.

Bollers also expressed gratitude to his sponsors, Spicy Dish, Fitness Express, Daddy’s Enterprise, Bakewell and others.

The team with the exception of Bollers will return tomorrow.

Masakadza half-ton helps Zimbabwe tame Tigers AFP – A fine 62 from opener Hamilton Masakadza set up hosts Zimbabwe for an 11-run victory over Bangladesh in the opening match of a Twenty20 trinations tournament that includes South Africa.

Masakadza slammed four sixes and six fours in a 35-ball stand and captain Brendan Taylor (38) offered good support as the home team reached 154-6 off 20 overs in clear, warm conditions.

Bangladesh could make only 143-5 in reply and new coach Richard Pybus started with a loss in a country which has not proved a happy hunting ground for the Tigers as they lost a Test and a oneday international series there last year.

“I feared we were about 10 to 15 runs short of what we needed after our innings,” admitted Zimbabwe skipper Taylor, “but our bowlers did exceptionally well today.

“There is a lot of hard work ahead in this tournament, though, as we conceded too many boundaries at the start of the Bangladesh innings and our middle-order batting needs sharpening,” he said.

Bangladesh skipper Mushfiqur Rahim said: “We were confident of reaching the target only to lose ground in the middle overs and what remains for us to do is learn from the mistakes of today.”

Tamim Iqbal gave Bangladesh a good start with a 38 that featured three fours and Ziaur Rahman (23) and Mohammad Ashraful (22) contributed good knocks and the visitors required 56 to win with 30 balls left.

However, tight bowling at the death by debutant Richard Muzhange and Malcolm Jarvis tamed the Tigers and even a penultimate-over boundary mix-up between Elton Chigumbura and Vusi Sibanda that cost four runs did not prove fatal.

The non-cap tournament resumes at the same venue Tuesday when Bangladesh face hot favourites South Africa and Zimbabwe will confront their southern neighbours the following afternoon.

Scores: Zimbabwe 154 for 6 (Masakadza 62) beat Bangladesh 143 for 5 (Tamim 38, Mpofu 2-20) by 11 runs.

Banks DIH players drew first blood and bask in the throes of victory moments after the competition concluded.

Banks DIH Ltd took advantage of their home turf and drew first blood when the first of three dominoes competitions between two other beverage giants, Ansa McAl and Demerara Distillers Ltd, concluded at the Banks DIH Sports Club Thirst Park, Friday evening last.

After 6 rounds of competitive action, Banks DIH emerged victorious with 76 games, while Ansa McAl ended with 67 games. DDL resided in the cellar with 63 games.

It was truly a resurgent effort from the hosts since at the start of the final sitting they were trailing behind Ansa McAl, whose tally then was 65, while the two other entities were on 58 games apiece. Banks DIH held its head and scored a flawless 18 games to take the prime spot.

M e a n w h i l e ,

Communications Manager (Banks DIH), Troy Peters was enthused by the competitive spirit of the various participants. He said that the event was planned to foster more camaraderie amongst the participating corporations even as the players found time to engage in meaningful

extracurricular activity. Mr. Peters said that this is the first of a set of three such

tournaments and the second edition would get underway soon.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

Monday June 18, 2012

Diamond oust North Orville Hinds takes victory; Greaves and to reach Final Four 13th Castrol Father’s Day Cycle Race

Persaud DQ, to face disciplinary hearing An otherwise exiting race was brought into disrepute by two of Guyana’s most senior riders yesterday on the West Demerara, it was the 13th Annual Castrol Road Race which started at the Wales Police Station proceeded to Busy Park on the East Bank of Essequibo and returned to the Demerara Harbour Bridge for the finish.

The sponsor, fans and riders had come out on Father’s Day to enjoy the event but left disappointed after it was announced that Alonzo Graves – who had won the race (1 Hour 55 Minutes 30.13 Secs) – and Robin Persaud were both disqualified for an ongoing feud that was allowed to spill into the actual race resulting Persaud falling.

Kaieteur Sport was told that the bad blood between the two riders started at Saturday’s Race Meet in the National Park. The Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) will activate their disciplinary committee to investigate the matter and deal with the riders accordingly.

Greaves was disappointed when he was told that he was disqualified; Persaud had apparently already left.

Race Organiser Hassan Mohamed vented his displeasure at the level of indiscipline that continues to affect cycling noting that he has been striving to do his best to keep the sport alive but the level of indiscipline continues to be a challenge and is not good for the sport and its image.

Raymond Newton is an easy winner in the veteran category ahead of Stephen Fernandes.

(Franklin Wilson photo) Whilst all the arguments to and for the disqualification was ongoing, Guyoil’s representative, Foreman/ Mechanic Junior Rampersaud of the Georgetown branch patiently

Foreman/Mechanic of Guyoil Junior Rampersaud (left) hands over the top place trophy and prize to Orville Hinds.

waited for the presentation to start and it finally did.

Linden’s Orville Hinds, who has continued to have a good season this year, was upgraded to the top position with fellow Lindener Andrew Reece taking second followed by Paul DeNobrega, Walter Grant-Stuart, Michael Anthony of Linden and Berbice’ Wazim Hasnoo.

When he was called upon to receive his prize, GrantStuart refused to collect same, maintaining that he placed 5th and not 4th.

DeNobrega was the first junior to cross the line with Anthony second and Raynauth Jeffrey third.

Hamza Eastman copped the top spot among the upright riders with Nicil Kingston and Garfield Lorimar following in that order. Naiomi Singh was the first female ahead of Marica Dick of Berbice.

In the veteran division, Raymond Newton won ahead of Stephen Fernandes and Kennard Lovell, while Walter Isaacs was the winner of the Over60 category. Some 61 riders faced starter’s orders, the largest starting list ever.

By Edison Jefford The success story of the Diamond/McDoom team in the 2012 National Community Basketball League (NCBL) has to be the vast improvement of its undersized centre, Jermaine Slater, who brought his A-game to the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Saturday night.

Whether it was his sheer dominance on the boards, his fearsome block shots, his fundamental inside moves or his enhanced 15-foot jumpers when he is unable to get inside, Slater ’s presence helped Diamond to an impressive 69-63 win against North Ruimveldt.

The win meant that Diamond/McDoom will appear in unfamiliar territory among the Final Four best basketball-playing communities in Guyana.

While Slater’s stats were not provided, guard, Travis Burnett led the scoring with 17 points while Ryan Stephney scored 15 points and Rodwell Fortune 13 points for Diamond.

Jason Squires had 14 points and Yusuf Edghill 11 points for North Ruimveldt, whose sojourn in the competition ended with the defeat. The game was set up as a last-minute decider from jump-ball given the balance of the two teams in the quarterfinal game.

North’s early defence on the inside was outstanding.

They forced Diamond to shoot the ball at a high percentage, which Stephney and Fortune did successfully early on in the first quarter to give Diamond a 15-8 lead.

Fortune’s known quickness

in transition and on fast-break plays continued its remarkable impact.

Fortune continuously broke down North’s defence, helping Diamond to a 19-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Diamond intensified their individual defence to start the second period with Burnett proving why he is regarded as an ultimate finisher.

Burnett took Hodayah Stewart off a lethal crossover at the top of the key, drove ball inside and finished a lefthanded lay-up to extend Diamond’s lead. However, former national guard, Darcel Harris quickly responded for North with consecutive jump shots, including a three-point missile from ‘miles’ beyond the arc.

Diamond looked in command with a 27-19 lead, but the ‘Energy God’, Stephon ‘Penny’ Henry drilled a big three-point jump shot from the top of the key that ignited an 11-point run for North Ruimveldt. The excellent inside defensive work and rebounding of Rudy James came to fore as Devon Bacchus dished an assist to Damian Liverpool for two points in transition.

Sereiah Clarke completed a lay-up and Edghill made a floater to complete an unanswered period of offense for North, who took a 31-30 lead with 15 seconds left until halftime. However, Slater slipped in a jumper off the glass to ensure Diamond a one-point lead at the break.

Kurt Sunich three-point jumper early in the third quarter opened a period of quality offensive and

defensive plays for both teams. The teams exchanged points with Burnett and Fortune combining to wear down the excellent defence of North Ruimveldt.

However, North’s resilience led to a 53-50 advantage at the end of the period. Both teams battled to a 59-59 stalemate after four minutes had elapsed in the final period. Two scoreless minutes got underway with an intense defensive battle in the must-win game.

Burnett finished a put back and Fortune scored a jumper to break the deadlock, but North came right back at them when Liverpool finished a tough inside lay-up off a steal from Stephney that had the potential to change the outcome of the game for Diamond.

However, Stephney handed Hodges an over-head pass for an easy finish to give Diamond a 65-63 points lead with 29 seconds left in regulation. North turned-over the ball on their possession and Diamond rightly decided to use the clock, forcing them to play the foul-game.

Free-throws from Stephney and Fortune ended the game in favour of Diamond/McDoom, who became the second team to advance to the Final Four, following Wismar’s win Thursday night. Plaisance/ Vryheid’s Lust took on WerkEn-Rust/Wortmanville in another quarterfinal last night.

Haiti withdraws from Guinness Street Challenge Tournament - cites flight problems As the start of the inaugural Guinness Street Football Challenge Tournament draws near, the media was reliably informed via telephone yesterday that Haiti, one of the teams favoured to do well in the competition have withdrawn due to flight problems.

The tournament which was originally scheduled to be competed among six Caribbean nations from June 21-23, at the National Park will now see just five territories vie for total prize money in excess of US$9,000.

The remaining countries in the competition are hosts Guyana, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and

Grenada.

According to one of the co-ordinators Troy Mendonca, the draw for the tournament will now be done when all the teams arrive, adding that one team will now have the luxury to await the winner s of the two matchups, before they take to the field.

The winner walks away with US$4,000, runner-upUS$2,000, 3rd placeUS$1,500 and 4th placeUS$1,000.

T&T and Stoke City international Kenwayne Jones will be present in the country during the period of the tournament where he is expected to interact with the teams and fans as the Brand Ambassador.

Meanwhile, National Futsal Head Coach Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson has been drafted in to assist in the preparations of Team Guyana (Back Circle) as they attempt to win the inaugural title on home soil.

Wilson is a qualified Futsal Coach, who was the Head Coach of the national team when they competed overseas sometime ago.

Full details will appear in a subsequent issue.