Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

The Guyana Justice Sector Probe urgently needed into DEAR EDITOR, It must be of interest, both to those more immediately involved, and other relevant stakeholders, to examine closely the published relative values of posts occupied across the Guyana Justice Sector of the Public Service.

This Sector is administered and functionalised largely by professionally qualified personnel; while however there are components which are staffed by comparatively under-certified (professional/ technical education and training) counterparts a quick comparison may be made among incumbents of posts in: the Ministry of Legal Affairs; Supreme Court; Magistrate’s Court; Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions on the one hand, and Guyana Police Force, Guyana Prison Service and Guyana Fire Service on the other hand.

The Table below briefly summarises the comparable status of a sample of the posts involved.

The full gamut of positions as extracted from the National Estimates 2013, has been composed in a separate Table which space would not allow here.

However, in addition to the foregoing observations, the following may also be worth noting: a) Office of the State Solicitor There appear to be two sets of Senior Posts in this office, i.e, “Public Trustee, Official Reciever” and “State Solicitor, Public Trustee, Official Receiver” Unless an editorial error was in fact committed, it certainly needs to be explained how, in the first instance two posts: i) above became merged into one; then simultaneously, these two are combined with a third at ii) above.

For what positions did the budget provide? Questions can reasonably be asked about the authority for approving the above arrangements. Either the Public Service Commission or the Judicial Service Commission may be expected to be involved. Equally, the Public Service Ministry should statutorily advise on the values to be attributed to these merged responsibilities, but only after a comprehensive review, and reconfiguration of the relevant Job/Position Description/s – for the very good reason that any prospective incumbent of this (mega) position should, in all fairness, be provided with a full understanding of the objectives to be achieved, the systems and procedures to be utilised, as well as the delivery

processes involved; not to mention the priorities to be determined.

Such information would help the candidate, not only to self-assess his/her delivery capability, but also to decide on the adequacy of the remuneration offered.

Against the above background logic suggests that this ‘collection’ of posts previously corrected should have been advertised to allow for appropriate competition and transparent selection of the competencies required for measurable performance. b) There appears to be another editorial error which shows the post of State Counsel Legal Affairs graded GS10 and that of State Counsel in the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecution graded GS09. c) The posts of Chief Fire Officer and Chief Magistrate are not included in the 2013 Estimates.

On reflection, apart from the behaviour of the current administration, its partners in governance who repetitiously have proclaimed their concern for the welfare of Public Servants, have displayed a disturbingly impoverished

understanding of the structures, procedures and processes which influence the functionalities of the Public Service, as well as the status and actual work environment impacting on its human resources.

Even if the particular aberration of a ’multi-faceted’ incumbency (or encumbrance) is an exception, it should not be overlooked. In fact it merely adds to the list of other notable transgressions in the employment and compensation management environment of the Public Service.

Surely all the governance partners are accountable for permitting the deficit in the performance of the Public Service Commission.

This is therefore to urge that something be done immediately, if only as a starter towards a major reconstruction of the Public Service Commission in particular, and of the Public Service as a whole.

E.B. John

Bartica house lot distribution

DEAR EDITOR, An entire investigation is urgently needed to justify what took place in November 2012 as it relates to the issuing of house lots at Five Miles Bartica Potaro, since a number of residents are disappointed of the way the housing Minister did the distributions.

A number of residents brought to my attention that the housing Ministry only notify them by a letter two weeks before the housing Ministry one stop shop team came to Bartica and did the distributions of house lots.

The said letter(s) stated the price for land, date to make payments, status of house lot for e.g. high income, middle income and low income.

It was expected that a stipulated three level stage of money were to be paid for land (High income, middle income and low income) but I was advised by residents that on the day that the lands were distributed they paid for their lands as follows, $1.5M,$1.2M, $700,000,

$600,000,$500,000 and $100,000.

Some of the residents stated that they only uplifted their land letters from the Bartica post office one week before the Ministry team came and did the distributions, since the post office does not deliver mail to the residents who live along the Potaro Road from one to five miles.

I was further advised by a lot of the residents who receive low income letters ,on the day of distributions when they presented their letters to the Ministry team to make payment for their house lot , they were told that all low income house lot had been allocated, and only High income and middle income house lots were available.

Before house lots are made available for distribution the Ministry of Housing would normally send the land surveyors team to conduct their survey to justify the number of house lot available for distribution, and based on the survey the Ministry will

be fully aware of the number of house lots that they will made available for distribution.

How can the Ministry issue letters to residents for low income and then say to some on the day of distribution that all the low income house lots finish? Did the Ministry commit the said act so they can convert the low income to a higher income to make more money?

Did the Ministry mainly cater in its distribution for poor, and single parent residents that apply for low income house lot? Did the Ministry believe that all the residents of Bartica are gold miners and are rich? Did the Ministry know that a lot of residents the pay for their house lot browed they money to pay?

I urgently recommend that new methods be used to deal with the distribution of house lot in Bartica and a probe into the last distributions of house lots.

Micah Williams Concerned Resident of Bartica

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 19, 2013

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

The Rescue of Millie Improving Guyana’s mining sector

DEAR EDITOR, A few days ago I was walking my dog Millie when a young boy from the neighbourhoodsaid “Miss, I like your dog.” I said, “Her name is Millie and she is a rescued dog.” Smartly, he said, “She doesn’t look like a street dog.”

The boy was right, Millie, a small breed, no longer looks like a rescued dog. I got to thinking about how the average person thinks of street dogs; in our minds they are common breeds that all look pretty much the same: skinny, mangy, the females with breasts hanging to the ground from producing too many babies and the males aggressive with plenty scars and ears hanging from dog fights; all sad looking and most with fear in their eyes.

I told the little boy how I came to rescue Millie. About four years ago, a man was jogging early one morning when he saw a boy take a dog on a chain leash over the seawall.

The boy removed the leash and started to run away; the terrified dog ran behind the boy who then picked up

rocks and started pelting her.

The dog looked confused but continued running after the young man. Concerned with what he was seeing, the Good Samaritan jumped off the wall running and caught up with the young man and the dog.

He asked him what he was doing, the boy said he was straying the dog because she was destructive, she barked too much and his grandmother was fed up and told him to stray her by the seawall.

The man then took the chain leash from the young man, attached it to the dog and took her to his home. He was living in an apartment and when his landlady saw the traumatised, sad looking creature she said she wanted her.

Millie’s saviour went to the law office where he worked and told his boss, the late Gregory Gaskin what had happened.

Gregory immediately called his wife, animal lover, Noreen Gaskin, and told her the story. Noreen then spoke with the man and went to see the dog.

She found a very stressed out little dog tied to a gate in the sun and a landlady who didn’t know how to care for an animal. The poor dog had a lot of fluffy hair but little meat underneath and weighed only 12 lbs, her

breasts were hanging and she looked as though she had just had a litter of puppies.

Noreen immediately took the dog to a vet’s clinic, where Millie stayed for several days to recover from her trauma.

When she was ready to be released, Noreen called and asked me to find someone to adopt Millie and to keep her at my place in the meantime. I agreed and when Noreen brought her over I could see Millie’s sad story just looking into her eyes.

Every movement seemed to cause her stress; pick up a broom, close a door, drop a book, speak in a loud voice, everything frightened her.

When she was in the yard and heard a noise she would run behind a tree, dig a hole and try to hide.

I talked to a couple of persons who were interested in taking Millie but after three days I loved her too much to let her leave. My other three dogs welcomed her into the family and that’s how I got Millie.

Today, Millie is confident and full of love, she protects our home better than a Pit Bull and never misses anything.

While she is still nervous around unknown males, she has blossomed into a lovely dog who gets along with all of my other rescue dogs and is now the leader of the pack.

SyeadaManbodh

DEAR EDITOR, I read with a sense of satisfaction and assurance that Guyana’s mining sector is on the right footing with the acquisition of twenty-six mines officers to strengthen monitoring and compliance of mining operations.

The recent announcement by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Robert Persaud, at an induction ceremony where he urged the new mines officers to perform their duties efficiently and be committed while upholding the law is most welcomed.

Over the years we have seen instances of malpractices by some miners. The introduction of additional mines officers by the Guyana Geology and Mines

Commission under the purview of the Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment is timely as Guyana’s mining sector continues to expand. This is despite the international fall in gold prices.

The Minister also announced that total declaration as at June 12, 2013 is 216,294.29 ounces as compared to June 2012 which was 184,928.91 ounces. This represents a 16.9% increase.

This is a positive trend and all miners must be commended.

Mining is the single largest contributor of foreign exchange to the national economy and it provides job opportunities for thousands of Guyanese both, directly and indirectly. However, there

must be an aggressive effort by the authorities to ensure the sustainability of this sector and not allow our natural resources to be plundered.

The introduction of new mines officers are welcomed and I call on the Minister to continue to implement such initiatives that will transform and safeguard the natural resources of Guyana; a national patrimony for all Guyanese.

I would like to end with quote from Mark Udall, “Our livelihood is intimately tied to the food we eat, water we drink and places where we recreate. That’s why we have to promote responsibility and conservation when it comes to our natural resources.”

Christine Cadogan (Mrs)

SPANISH SHOULD BE MANDATORY…HERE’S WHY DEAR EDITOR, Guyana is located on the continent of South America, found in the tropical zone.

Our native and official language is ‘English’ however in rural areas ‘Creolese” a common language based on the local languages is spoken and also, the various Amerindian tribes speak their own dialects.

This scope of language that is wide amongst Guyanese can definitely become wider and this can very well be beneficial and for all the positive reasons.

Amongst the many one general language that is held and is of voiced within the fourth largest continent in the world is ‘SPANISH’.

The official language of Spain and also many central countries sometimes referred to as the ‘ROMANCE LANGUAGE’.

It also carries a length of

vocal strength elsewhere including the South Western United States.

Evidently Guyana is on this very shore hence neighbours and since over fifty three percent (53%)of its population are young adults this tells that there is vast length of time to educate within this arena, given that most of their lives were spent here, within this local vicinity the only language known is ‘English’.

This is all mentioned and stated to bring forth the strong notion that Spanish should be implemented and made mandatory. This of course should start from the initiating stage as early as primary schooling.

Neal Amyan- a successful teacher, export manager and also student owes most of his valuable belongings if not all to the great oasis of being able to comprehend and speak Spanish. This simple east coast born was a normal student of the Venezuelan

Institute but managed to outstrip and outshine his fellow classmates not to say they weren’t sound learning students themselves.

Being able to speak, understand and share this second language earned him a suitable and honorable position at a company of high quality BANKS DIH – D’AGUIARS INDUSTRIES AND HOLDINGS. Evidently being able to bring about a second language within a third world country ‘like guyana’ is more than relevant for multiple reasons.

Just allowing the country to mix and blend with our fellow counterparts and communicating in a unique, different way for a change is a huge plus; clearly Spanish should be authorized with power of mandate, Of course converting this Guyanese nation into a geographically distinct area capable of speaking a foreign language.

Kishana Mohabir

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Guyana is no longer the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere Guyana assumed its independence amidst great promise. We were one of the top nations in the Caribbean, boasting a resource base that was the envy of most of the other countries of what then constituted the Englishspeaking Caribbean. We had a strong foundation upon which to build a rich nation.

We were expected to become the wealthiest of all Caribbean nations.

The talk was that Guyana had gold, bauxite, rice, diamonds and timber in abundance.

There was also the expectation that Guyana could end up, with its extensive agricultural lands, being able to feed the Caribbean.

We ended up being hardly able to feed ourselves.

Instead of sugar cake and cassava pone remaining snack foods, they became the basic staples which the people used for breakfast.

Instead of becoming the breadbasket of the Caribbean, Guyana became a basket case.

Bread became short as flour was restricted. Many Guyanese privately endured the shame of moving from a nation in which when people came to your home you were anxious to offer them food, to one in which you had nothing to offer guests. By the time 1992 came around, Guyana was the second poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere.

At the same time, most of the smaller economies of the Caribbean were able to surpass Guyana when it came

to primary economic indicators such as per capita GDP and per capita GNI. The country was in a mess and required a Marshall Plan to help it rebuild. It was clear then that because of the extent of the destruction, it was near impossible for Guyana to ever catch up with the rest of the Caribbean and Latin America.

The ruling PPPC administration has been in power for the past twenty years, during which time it has had to concentrate on rebuilding the economy, developing the country’s social services and restructuring the country’s debt burden, which led it to becoming one of the world’s most highly indebted countries.

Guyana will probably never, in our lifetime, be able to achieve the sort of economic wealth that would make it the richest country in the Caribbean.

We fell far behind, and by simply applying a compound interest formula, the one that is taught in school, any student can predict that even with sustained economic growth, one that is higher than our Caribbean counterparts, we would still within the next ten to twenty years be unable to catch up with the rest of the Caribbean.

When you fall as far behind as Guyana did under the PNC, it is nigh impossible to regain ground, especially when the countries to whose standards we are aspiring are not in an extended state of decline.

Guyana may have had its debt burden reduced to the

extent that it can better afford to service its external debts.

Guyana’s per capita income has more than doubled since the PPPC came to power.

Guyana is also no longer considered a low income country. It has now graduated to a low middle income country.

This may not be much to shout about, but the reality is that when you examine the per capita incomes of other countries in the Caribbean and Latin America, it is clear, unmistakably clear, that not in your or my lifetime, is Guyana going to become a high income country.

This is an impossible dream, one that may be theoretically possible, but statistically improbable.

Guyana, however, is no longer the second poorest n a t i o n i n t h e We s t e r n Hemisphere, measured by per capita GDP. That distinction now belongs to Nicaragua.

Guyana has also soared past Guatemala, Bolivia, Honduras, and of course, Haiti, which was devastated by an earthquake three years ago. Even without that earthquake, Ha i t i w o u l d have still been the poorest n a t i o n i n t h e We s t e r n Hemisphere.

If measured in terms of HDI, Guyana would fare far better than it does and far better than when it was the second poorest nation in this part of the globe.

H o w e v e r, i t i s n e a r impossible for Guyana, within the next fifteen years, to come anywhere near the per capita incomes

Dem boys seh...

Donald bluffing Guyana bout rogue cops De newspapers look nice. Donald announce that he and de society ain’t got no place fuh rogue cops. And in true style, he mek it known that policemen who like do corrupt things gun be thrown off de force.

But dem boys seh that Donald like he want a lash. He got all dem thiefing people in and around he Cabinet and he got de nerve to ignore dem. He got to tell de nation that he wouldn’t tolerate rogue Government officials.

Imagine this is de man who claim that Guyana shouldn’t tolerate rogue cops, but he had Martin from Hen See Hen and he ain’t do nutten. De people investigate and find that Martin hustle de GT&T money. He get ketch red handed.

De people send de report to Donald but de same Donald ain’t do nutten. He claim how he ain’t look at de report. After awhile dem boys decide to ignore he because dem seh that he just playing cool; that he doing de same thing wid de Wordsworth fella who get accuse by an internal auditor.

Wha dem boys didn’t know was that Donald look like he does shield people.

Martin had a house in Eccles. He did get de land from de government fuh a good rate because he was like Rob Earth and dem party boys. Well dem boys find out that he sell de house. Dem also find out that he sell a big three-storey house he was building in Kitty. Then he tek de money and run to Canada. He not coming back. He gone fuh good and he know that Donald ain’t gun even look fuh he. But dem boys want to know how he de Martin get to leave de country.

When de government investigating you dem does put you pun a blacklist. Martin ain’t been pun no blacklist because he walk through de airport, jump pun a plane, and lef de country wid de money from de property he sell. And is suh dem boys understand why Donald shut down de investigation into de money that de people she Martin thief.

He was helping Martin to go away in peace.

Talk half and tell Donald to stop bluffing.

of some of the better off countries in Latin America.

Whatever the shortcomings of the present administration, there is no denying that significant economic progress has been achieved under the PPPC. In fact, it can be safely said that the PPPC has rescued Guyana from the destruction of the past. However, the fact is that we fell too far behind and will be unable to catch up with the front runners in the region. But we are much

better off today than we were in 1992. There should, however, be no illusions of what can be achieved within the next ten years.

Even with growth rates in excess of eight per cent - a feat that is near impossible in a small economy Guyana will not become the richest nation in the Caribbean.

This is the harsh reality of our economic situation. We are still a low middle income country. We are no longer a

poor country. We are much better off, as measured by per capita Gross Domestic Product and per capita Gross National Income, than we were twenty years ago when we attained the distinction of being only less poor than Haiti.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 19, 2013

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Does dictatorship attract the mad or madden those attracted to it?

There is something about dictatorship that sucks the soul of those that lie in its embrace. It is a chasm where irrational behaviour and eccentric semantics merge in a phantasmagoria of pyrotechnical nightmares and psychedelic escapades.

If you go way back to Mussolini and Hitler to Africa’s Idi Amin and Samuel Doe to Latin American generals, you find the

overflow of macabre gesticulations, psychotic logic, insane speeches that lead to the definitive conclusion – madness lurks where dictatorship lies.

In the case of Libya’s Gaddafi, he donned the most unimaginable clothes that even a genius in the English language would not be able to describe. There weren’t words in any language to describe Gaddafi’s fashion. If any dictator since civilization began was mad, it was Gaddafi. It is either dictatorship attracts the already mad or sends mad those attracted to it.

As the years of power get longer, as the decades of domination appear permanent, the mind becomes a victim of false invincibility.

Reality becomes blurred and what is irrational passes for normalcy. Weird semantics are in exhibition in Guyana as

the corridors of power grow older. The mind of the unconquerable is wilting under the burden of the lust for control.

Maybe it began with Jagdeo. Arif Bulkan wrote a Stabroek News column on the Guyanese President while he was still in office and produced a photo to go with the article. It shows Bharrat Jagdeo celebrating India Day in New York and Jagdeo has his hands rubbing his crotch.

A crazy Minister blurted out to the media, “I is a Minister that like to do illegal things.”

The Guyanese President looked like a typical Third World maximum leader when he was photographed in the press back-balling at an army Christmas party. It was a sight to behold.

A female dictator that was born in Guyana, stayed in Canada for a couple of years in which time she took

Canadian citizenship. She has lived in Guyana since 1970 but perfects her Canadian accent with each passing day. It is one thing to have a Canadian passport, but a false Canadian accent is mentally troubling. Reminds one of Sir VS Naipaul, who suddenly claimed an Oxford accent after three years in the UK. We got glimpses of Gaddafi’s fashion when a pair of female shoes worn during a visit to the White House was obviously incongruous with sober styles. But then again different strokes for different folks. If Gaddafi can wear outlandish shoes why can’t a Guyanese big wig do the same on a visit to the White House?

Clement Rohee comes into your picture whenever the polemics focus on dictatorship and its pitfalls.

Rohee’s grammar tells an interesting tale of too much

power for too long. Asked why in 2005 his American non-immigrant and diplomatic visas were suspended, the answer leaves one to question the stability of such a high-level power wielder.

Rohee told the journalist that the Americans remembered in 1970 that he picketed the US Embassy over the Vietnam War and therefore cancelled his visas.

It wasn’t Rohee that was mad it was the Americans.

After forty-five years, they discovered that Rohee had joined a picket line against them. To many it was a crazy thing to say that you are eligible to be president because after all’ “goat ain’t bite meh.”

The Stabroek News featured a photograph of Minister Jennifer Westford in April 2012 outside of her Waterloo Street Ministry showing her backside to a group of protestors that were picketing her office during the budget debate. If dictatorship doesn’t attract the mad then it certainly maddens those that live in its bosom.

Every school child knows the story of “Killaman.” After an act that ended in a suicide there was the gun-beating of a teenager in a bar over a young lady. Sounds crazy but

Frederick Kissoon dictators do crazy things I cannot stop laughing over the PPP parliamentarian who advised Guyanese that the Sports Ministry cannot open up the three stateowned swimming pools to the public because people must know that they have to clean themselves under the shower before they jump into a pool.

But why should I laugh when such words tell the tragic story of dictatorship in Guyana?

Of course Lumumba, Gail Teixeira, Juan Edghill, Mc Coy, Prem Misir make for interesting study of dictatorship and the psychological consequences that flow.

But what about the Santa who is pictured in the front page of the newspaper meeting three banking executives from India wearing denim jeans and rolled up sleeves. And there is the really funny party-card bearer who imported three-wheel cars. Not even one was sold.

Guyanese may be apathetic but not stupid

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Kaieteur News

Ex-Coast Guard ranks murder trial…

“We all decide fuh kill de man and tek de money”

By Latoya Giles Members of the jury in the Dwieve Kant Ramdass murder trial yesterday heard that all three of the accused, ex-coast guard ranks, decided to “kill de man and tek de money”. This development occurred as Police Sergeant Naraine Lall read the caution statement of Devon Gordon.

Lall testified that he was the officer who took the statement from Gordon, at the Leonora station.

Gordon, Sherwin Hart, and Deon Greenidge are all charged with the 2009 murder of the Bartica gold miner. The trial is being presided over by Justice Franklyn Holder at the Suddie High Court.

The witness explained that he told Gordon of the allegation that on August 20, 2009, at Caiman Hole, Essequibo River, he along with his two colleagues murdered Ramdass and took the money he was carrying.

Lall told the court that the statement was given freely by the accused, without any violence towards Gordon before, during or after.

According to the statement, which was read to the court by Lall, Gordon had told the police that he had only been a solider for about a year and a half. Gordon said that he was stationed at the coast guard section and was doing patrol work, which was mainly the stop and search of vessels.

It was between 13:00hrs and 14:00hrs on August 20, 2009, that he, Hart and Greenidge were on patrol. He said that they were doing searches with the coast guard boat. Gordon had stated that Hart drove the boat to Parika.

He said he observed Hart speaking to an East Indian man while at Parika.

The man later joined them on the coast guard boat and they moved off from Parika. It was noted in Gordon’s statement that the man was carrying a “brown box”.

Gordon said when they were in the middle of the river, Hart stopped the boat and told them the man had “nuff money” in the box. Gordon in his statement said that all three of them decided to “kill the man” and “tek de money”.

Gordon also said that he did not see who threw Ramdass’s body overboard, but just heard a splash.

He said that they divided the money and he called his sister “Vanda” from Sophia to come and collect his share.

Gordon said that he gave a canter man the money to give his sister, however, soon after they all got arrested, including his sister. In the statement,

…as more chilling details revealed in statement

MURDERED: Dweive Kant Ramdass Gordon said that he was sorry he had gotten involved in the matter.

The witness (Lall) continued to tell the court that on August 21, around 14:00hrs, he and a party of policemen which was headed

by Deputy Superintendent Terrance Paul escorted the three men from the Leonora Police Station to Parika.

At Parika, Lall said that they all joined a police vessel and went to Caiman Hole/ Mouth which is located in the Essequibo River and approximately 18 miles from Parika.

When they arrived at the spot, Lall said that all three of the men individually pointed to where Ramdass was allegedly thrown overboard.

Lall said that checks were made to locate Ramdass’s body, but it was not found.

The officer said that the area was photographed by one Corporal Dyal. The men were later returned to the Leonora station.

On August 22, around 06:00hrs, Lall said that he received a telephone call from one “Trandicka” a farmer from Fort Island, who told him something.

Lall told the court that as a result of what he was told, at about 10:00hrs on the same day he along with a party of policemen and Steve Persaud, the brother of Ramdass, went to Fort Island.

Upon arriving at Fort Island, Lall said that he saw a body floating in the water.

The body was about a half mile away from Caiman Hole.

The body was identified by Steve Persaud. The witness further told the court that when Ramdass’s body was found it was only clad in a “brown brief” and it was partly decomposed.

Lall explained that he had tried to examine the body for marks of violence, but due to the state of decomposition he was unable to. He said that the body was photographed and taken to the mortuary for a post mortem examination.

Under cross examination by attorney at law Latchmie Rahamat, Lall denied that he had used any force against the men.

The witness was questioned as to where he had received the details of the case so that he could have put the allegation to Gordon before the statement was taken. Lall responded that he had been given the details by Deputy Superintendent Paul.

The witness admitted that he did not see any proof that Ramdass was dead when he put the allegation to Gordon.

The witness was further asked whether he had made any record of what transpired during the investigation, to which he said yes.

The lawyer then made a request for the station diary for August 2009 to be presented to the court.

Rahamat suggested to the witness that he had forced Gordon to sign the statement without allowing him to read what was written. Lall denied this suggestion by the lawyer.

Rahamat further suggested to the witness that the caution statement which he read from Gordon was not written how the accused speaks. However Lall maintained that it was Gordon who spoke and it was his own words.

The lawyer closed her cross examination by suggesting to the witness that his entire evidence about Gordon was a fabrication. Lall denied this allegation.

MISSING CHARGE SHEET… Yesterday also, the court heard from Deputy Superintendent of Police Terrance Paul, that a charge sheet from the Leonora police station could not be located.

The defence had made the application last week to have the document produced in court to verify evidence. Paul was questioned by prosecutor Judith GildharieMursalin yesterday when he disclosed that he had followed instructions and searched for the document.

Paul explained he, along with ranks, conducted Continued on page 12

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Bids tendered for installation of highway lighting Under the Ministry of Public Works bids were opened for the installation of highway lighting for Number 64 Village, Corentyne; West Bank Demerara; Linden and the Abary Bridge, which was divided into four lots.

The bids were opened yesterday by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Ministry of Finance, Main Street.

Bids were also opened for the Ministry of Education for the provision of security services.

The bids were divided into 16 lots.

Price proposals were submitted under the Ministry of Education for the consultancy to develop and evaluation instrument to assess staff at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) & Humanities (Division of Education) and provide technical assistance to the twophase evaluation process of the professionals.

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) received a lone bid for the upgrading of the ground floor of the sanitary block of the maternity building.

Bids were also opened for the completion of the In-Patient Facility at the GPHC.

In addition, a solitary bid was submitted for the supply and installation of water purification system at the GPHC.

For the National Communications Network (NCN), bids were opened for the servicing and maintenance of the company’s fleet of vehicles.

The Ministry of Agriculture received bids for the rehabilitation of the food processing unit of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

Still within the same sector, the Hydrometeorogical Service received bids for the procurement of one “GOES Weather Satellite Receiving System.”

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 19, 2013

APNU to get first-hand look at Amaila Falls Road on Saturday

By Gary Eleazar Government has agreed, after numerous requests, to have members of the 10-party coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), take a first-hand look at the current state of the Amaila Falls Road.

The move will essentially be the first time any independent assessment of the road will be undertaken, apart from those of government affiliates.

This was confirmed yesterday by Shadow Minister with responsibility for Public Works, Joseph Harmon, who during a brief interview with this publication yesterday said that after repeated requests by the opposition, government has agreed for a four-member team from APNU to visit the work site. The group will travel to the location on Saturday.

The APNU member told Kaieteur News that the coalition harbours numerous reservations regarding the actual cost of the road. He said that Makeswhar ‘Fip’ Motilall of Synergy Holdings Inc had initially won a contract to complete the

A file photo of a section of the Amaila Falls Road under construction

Amaila Falls Road for US$15.4M. Following several missed deadlines and a failure to secure a performance bond, government had terminated his contract, but only after several million US dollars had been handed over.

Harmon said that to date the true cost of completing

the road is yet to be known and given the missed deadlines, despite awarding new contracts, the price could potentially still increase.

He said that based on information provided to APNU, there is still a significant amount of work to be done on the road.

According to Harmon,

APNU has been informed that the major crossing to be situated over the Kuribrong River is still at its design phase. He drew reference to the fact that as the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) continues due diligence for its equity in the project, the completion of the road remains a key factor.

Harmon said that while a varying amount of information has been supplied over time regarding the amount spent on the road, APNU is still to have a clear picture, on specifically what the final cost will be.

Meanwhile, commenting on information recently released to APNU by

government regarding the Power Purchase Agreement between the Guyana Power and Light Inc. and Amaila Hydro Inc, Harmon said that while the information was received under a confidentiality agreement its team of experts are currently analysing the data. This he said is necessary before the party can make any informed decisions or pronouncements on the agreement that has been inked. This past week, government announced that it will be moving to the National Assembly to seek to put in place guarantees that GPL will be able to make payments for the purchase of power under the agreement from the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Facility.

Government is looking to increase the limit on total guarantees that can be issued under the Guarantee of Loans (Public Corporations and Companies) Act. The new proposed limit is $150B (US$750M) and according to the Ministry of Finance, the proposed increase in the guarantee limit, follows on the commitment to the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. Under the Power Purchase Agreement, GPL commits to purchase the power from Amaila for an average annual capacity payment.

“We all decide fuh...

From page 11 searches, but the book was not located. He said that the book is usually kept in a cupboard at the Leonora police station. He was asked whether there is a system to keep track of the charge sheets which were sent to court.

According to Paul, he is unaware of any such system, he explained that if a rank makes a request for the charge sheet, if it is located it would be given to the person.

He continued to state that if it is not in use it would be

placed in the cupboard, which is accessible by all ranks, since it does not have a key.

Under examination by attorney Rahamat, Paul was questioned about the standard operating procedures of the police which state that a charge sheet has to be kept for at least ten years.

The witness said that he was not aware of that, noting that the charge sheet had been “misplaced”. The matter will continue today.

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Citizen Security Prog. Investigation…

IDB ‘very serious’ about claims of fraud, corruption The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says it takes “very serious” claims of fraud and corruption and other prohibited practices involving IDB operations.

The IDB is investigating claims that Coordinator of the Citizen Security Programme, Mr Khemraj Rai, forged documents in order to bid for contracts. He then reportedly approved those contracts and collected millions of dollars through a bank account he set up.

“OII (Office of Institutional Integrity) received allegations of possible prohibited practices involving the Citizen Security Programme in Guyana and is conducting an investigation pursuant to its internal procedures,” Christopher Barton, a representative of the IDB told Kaieteur News.

“Because corruption undermines development, the IDB has adopted an anticorruption framework that adheres to the highest international integrity standards,” said Barton, the Caribbean Department Liaison with the IDB’s Office of External Relations.

Under this framework, all IDB employees are required, and third parties are encouraged, to report allegations of prohibited practices to the OII, an

Khemraj Rai independent office within the IDB. Barton would not say what the scope and details of the investigations are at this time. On Monday, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee said that Police action will have to await the results of the IDB probe.

“I don’t feel happy about it. It is not a good sign. It is just like if you are talking about corruption in the police force,” Rohee said.

IDB Country Representative Sophie Makonnen had denied comment, saying the investigation is ongoing.

The IDB investigation began when contractor Viddiadat Jaisari made the aforementioned allegations.

The contractor told IDB investigators that Rai had approached him so that the two of them could set up a company and bid for “outside jobs” that Rai would arrange.

However, the contractor later said that Rai abandoned the idea saying that it would represent a conflict of interest.

The contractor was employed for several years with Rai when he managed the Basic Needs Trust Fund and the Low Income Settlement Programme. The latter programme was also funded by the IDB. Reports indicate that things became sour last June when Rai asked the contractor to fix the roof of his horse stable. The roof was damaged by a squall. However, the involvement of one of Rai’s relatives led to a misunderstanding and the contractor was fired.

Shortly thereafter, the contractor decided to tender for projects on his own.

When he went to the Bank to collect bank statements, he was asked if he wanted statements for both accounts.

He was surprised, because he thought that the joint account with Rai was dormant, since Rai had said that they would no longer proceed with bidding for “outside jobs.”

Those bank statements revealed that Rai received and

withdrew over $7 million, without the contractor’s knowledge.

The contractor was employed as a construction supervisor from November 2011 and was being paid a monthly salary of $250,000.

However, most of the work the contractor did was not supervising contracts in West Coast Berbice, but rather working from Mr. Rai’s own joinery shop. The furniture from that joinery shop was in turn being bought by the Citizen Security Programme.

The provision of goods

and services ranged from building pavilions to building and furnishing centres, all under the Citizen Security Programme.

The Police’s Fraud Squad is investigating reports that at least five contracts were signed by Rai using the contractor’s signature. Those contracts were for the rehabilitation of community centres, which the contractor should have been supervising.

In most cases, the bid price came in just short of the amount required for special

approval and so the contracts awarded under the contractor’s name never came in for close scrutiny.

The Citizen Security Programme was approved by the IDB seven years ago, and is ongoing. Part of the project was to promote social development in disadvantaged communities in Regions Four and Five. The IDB loan is for 40 years, with a 10-year grace period.

Interest rates are one percent a year during the first decade and two percent a year thereafter.

Anti-Money Laundering Committee to meet next month The Special Select Parliamentary Committee, tasked with addressing the amendments to Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Laws, will meet again on July 3. This was confirmed by the body’s Chairman, Carl Greenidge.

The committee met on Wednesday last, and according to Greenidge, it was agreed at the time to await further submissions from stakeholders.

Notifications were published by the committee, calling on stakeholders to make presentations and

submit recommendations that would serve to inform the decision-making process on the amendments.

Greenidge told this publication that at the last meeting, two of the three parties in the committee had asked that the time be extended for the stakeholders to make submissions.

While there has not been any significant level of submissions, Greendige said that the opposition was looking to ensure that adequate time is provided for all sections of society, inclusive of the Bar Association, to consider the matter fully. ‘ “In light of that, there was some discussion, and it was agreed to give them a little more time.”

Members of the public, organisations, and individuals were initially provided with a May 17 deadline to make their submissions.

The legislative amendments were pursued following recommendations made by the Caribbean

Financial Action Task Force which had threatened to blacklist Guyana, had the amendments not be approved

by May 27 last.

The combined opposition had refused to approve the amendments as had been presented by government, voting instead to have the matter addressed by a Special Select Committee.

President Donald Ramotar,had subsequently dispatched Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, to the plenary sessions of the Task Force’s review of Guyana.

Guyana managed to secure a November deadline for the passage of the legislative amendments.

The Alliance for Change (AFC), which holds the balance of power in the National Assembly, has since demanded that the president establish the Public Procurement Commission, as well re-consider assenting to two Bills which were brought to the House by the opposition and passed, before it lends its support to the amendments.

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T&T Parliament gives green Mia Mottley criticises light to Dangerous Dog Bill removal of Barbados top cop PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – The Trinidad and Tobago parliament has approved legislation resulting in owners of dangerous dogs, such as pitbulls, facing a 10year jail term and significant fine if the dog kills a person.

Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, who piloted the Dog Control Bill, 2013 on Monday, said owners of these dangerous dogs would also have to have an insurance policy of TT$250,000 or higher (One TT dollar = US$0.16 cents).

Ramlogan said unlike the Dangerous Dogs bill, which was passed but never proclaimed, the new legislation espouses responsible ownership, rather than the elimination of dangerous dogs. The dogs will also have a microchip installed allowing for tracing of the owners.

Anand Ramlogan Under the legislation, the owner of a dangerous dog which mauls anyone to death faces a 10 year jail term and a TT$200,000 fine.

The bill, which seeks to provide for the control of all dogs, prevents any owner of

any kind of dog from taking the animal to a restaurant, a place where food or beverages are sold or consumed by the public, commercial mall or shop.

Ramlogan said the bill provides for the licensing of dangerous dogs, with owners paying a TT$1,000 licensing fee for a dangerous dog or TT$1,500 for more than one dangerous dog. Anyone who keeps a dangerous dog which is not licensed would be fined TT$50,000.

The bill describes dangerous dogs as the pitbull terrier or any dog bred from the pitbull terrier; fila brasileiros or any dog bred from this type and Japanese Tosas, or any dog bred from this type. However, the bill covers all other breeds of dogs defined as Class B but it does not provide for liability for death or injury caused by Class B dogs.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC – Opposition Leader Mia Mottley has described as “unprecedented,” the manner in which Police Commissioner Darwin Dottin was sent on leave pending his retirement in the public interest.

Media reports said that the Police Service Commission (PSC) took the decision on Monday and has since named Assistant Commissioner of Police Tyrone Griffith to act as interim head of the police service.

Dottin has not commented on the PSC decision.

“In my view it is an assault on one of the key institutions that is required to protect our democracy and our people. It is disconcerting that the people of Barbados would learn of this development as an unsourced story on radio.

Darwin Dottin “Both the Prime Minister and the Attorney General have a duty to come urgently and explain to the people of Barbados no later than today Tuesday why the Commissioner has been so shabbily treated after the Force was showered with

praise only last week for a job well done,” she said in a statement.

Dottin, 63, has been head of the police service here for the past nine months and Mottley said the announcement of his removal was unprecedented in the history of modern Barbados.

“This is another aspect of the rapidly emerging Barbados with a type of leadership to which we are not accustomed and which we cannot fathom”.

Mottley said the planned national consultation on the economy scheduled for June 27, should also be used to discuss “the alarming rate of decline at all levels and in all spheres in the country.

“Bajans simply feel that Barbados today is on the wrong track and moving in the wrong direction,” she said in her statement.

Prime Minister Calls for Diaspora Members to Invest in Jamaica JIS - Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has called on members of the Jamaican Diaspora to secure their share of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs),

noting that international partners have shown their confidence in the local economy by investing in mega projects.

“Along with our

Diaspora, we need our international partners, and we will continue to invite foreign investments.

Belgian-registered companies have invested in our transport sector; the French, in our road network infrastructure; the Spanish, in expanding our tourism industry, and the Chinese, in sugar cane manufacturing, bridges and other infrastructural developments.

All these are welcome,” the Prime Minister told delegates attending the 5th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, at the opening ceremony on June 16, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort, in Montego Bay. “There is room and space for everyone to participate, and this Conference is a

clarion call to all Jamaicans, at home and abroad, to engage in Jamaica’s drive for growth.

I hope you will grasp the opportunities, which will be presented at this Conference for investments in business and social projects,” she urged.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the Government is determined to put the Diaspora at the heart of the growth and development agenda.

Mrs. Simpson Miller also called for the “regeneration” of ideas from the youth population in the Diaspora.

“We must not lose sight of the need to keep regenerating our Diaspora movement with new ideas and the boundless energies of our youth. We must increase our outreach to the youth of our Diaspora, and in so doing, build upon inspiring projects like the Diaspora Yo u t h C o n n e c t , t h a t i s making a difference in inner-city communities like A u g u s t To w n , Tr e n c h To w n , M o u n t a i n Vi e w, Tivoli Gardens, and Flanker,” she said. Mrs. Simpson Miller pointed out that the Joint Select Parliamentary Committee o n D i a s p o r a A ff a i r s i s another important instrument, which was designed to provide a direct channel to the corridors of decision making and should be utilized to greater effect.

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Kaieteur News

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LIAT announces imminent flight upgrades…

New aircraft earmarked for Guyana route

By Zena Henry Guyana is one of several countries cushioning a long haul of eight new planes expected to upgrade the air fleet of Caribbean aviation company LIAT. The company says by month en d , their passengers could be flying in ‘optimal comfort’ as the airline has commenced their re-fleeting process w i t h n e w AT R 7 2 - 6 0 0 aircraft.

The airline saw the delivery of the first air carrier last Thursday making its way from France t o A n t i g u a . A n o t h e r, manned by Guyanese pilot Chris Cameron, made a one-hour fuel stop at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Sunday, flying almost halfway around the world from Toulouse, to the Canary Islands, to the Cape Verde Islands, to Recife in Brazil, to Guyana and f i n a l l y t o St . J o h n ’s , Antigua.

A grand ceremony was held in Antigua on Sunday to welcome the new small crafts for inter-regional service. It is expected that by next December, LIAT will completely replace its existing 14 - Dash 8 planes commencing with four 68seat ATR 72-600 and four 48-seat ATR 42-600s. LIAT

officials said that the fleet is being leased from GECAS (GE Capital Aviation Services).

“The introduction of these brand new ATR -600s is a part of the airline’s restructuring plans aiming at fleet modernization and network improvements.

By progressively replacing its current fleet of former turboprop aircraft with the modern and fuel efficient ATRs, the airline will significantly reduce operating and maintenance costs, gain further in profitability and offer more comfort to its passengers due to its enhanced seats design,” Desmond Brown, LIAT’s Head of Corporate Communications in Antigua told Kaieteur News.

Only recently, LIAT made its inaugural flight to Ogle International Airport, s i g n a l i n g t h e f a c i l i t y ’s acquired status. LIAT is expected to take all flights out of CJIA to Ogle where it was mentioned that after a survey, it was shown that customers preferred travelling out of the newly certified Regional Class Airport. LIAT is expected to start full service out of Ogle airport before year end.

Chief Executive Officer of LIAT, Ian Brunton, said that by renewing the fleet,

One of LIAT’s new ATRs landing in Antigua on Sunday

customers will enjoy more efficiency and better travel experience as the ATR 72600 fits low operating costs and has most updated technologies and optimal comfort. It was expressed that the line-up of the full new generation ATR model range will allow LIAT to optimize its fleet on the pan-Caribbean network with aircraft of the same family, offering both 50and 70-seat capacity.

The ATR 72-600 is said to comprise 68 to 74 seats, with maximum take-off power of 2,750 horsepower per engine.

It carries a maximum weight at take-off of 23,000kg, maximum payload of 7,500kg and can travel some 900 nautical miles (1,665 Km) with full passenger load.

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 19, 2013

FOR SALE

WANTED One qualified Cook, for East Bank area- call:614-4358 Live In Live Out Babysitter Domestic - Call: 225-6070 Urgently!!!

General Domestic, from MondaysSaturdays- Contact: 2540611/ 610-1617 1 whole day domestic- Call: 667-5717 or 650-4761 One experienced Diesel mechanic to work in the Interior- Contact: 226-9768/ 682-4387 1 Nail Technician and 3 Barbers: Address: 1 Smyth & Durban St, Werk-en-Rust: Call: 674-8555 1 Cleaner from West Coast Demerara: $10,000 weeklyCall:662-9341

WANTED Cashiers, Drivers- Lorry, Beverage Salesman: Survival Shopping Complex: 173 Sherriff St. Call:227-5286/90 Contract Cars Wanted: City Taxi Service- Call:660-1100 Attractive Live-in waitressCall:228-5129 Night Guard- Call:611-2706 Waitresses and bartenders to work in Kitty area- Call: 226-7054/ 623-9645 35-45 years live-in Domestic: Light duties: Good Rates: A/ C accommodation- Call:2271830 Receptionist- Call:225-3234

Labourers- Call:225-0188/ 225-6070

Live- in domestic must know to cook & live-in waitress 1825yrs: $50,000 monthly.

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Asphalt Roofing Shinglescall:266-2711/609-4594

Green Coffee available from A & S Imports- Call:694-2386

15-15-15 Fertilizer in damaged bags, large quantity available- call: 266-2711/609-4594 3 Piece Sofa Set: Very good condition $120,000- Call:6500814

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Pig feed, Duck feed & Shrimp meal- call:266-2711/ 609-4594

Used Massey Tractors- MF 165, 175, 275, 1100, 1130, Ford 5000, Yanmar Vegetable Tractors: Affordable PricesCall: 675-9314 1- 16" Bore Rice Field pump: 1- Light duty trailer: Must Sell- Call:227-1830 Cannon IR400 Photocopiers- Call:6490956

Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc call: 225-9032, 647-2943 1- 500 Ton Cargo Ship with Contract- call: 687-6174 Purpleheart panel doors $28,000: Sizes (30", 32", 34", 36") × 80- call: 688-9712/ 6390501

Pure Breed Rottweiler puppies for sale- Romel @ 653-6281

TO LET Fully furnished short term apartments @ Eccles call: 689-6668 Secret Villa apartment, fully furnished apartments Landof-Canaan E.B.D- Call:2665243/266-5245 Houses to rent: www.spaceseek.gy: Call: 223-8479 or 647-3768 Apartments & Houses to rent $50,000 upward: www.spaceseek.gy: Contact: 223-8479 or 647-3768 Diamond $35,000; Eccles $40,000; Kitty $60,000; Queenstown US$800- Call Diana @227-2256/ 626-9382

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3 Bedroom upper flat 2 bedroom lower flat; situated in front area of Diamond H/ Scheme. Contact: 681-5790

Original Timberland Boots, T-Shirts, Cargo Pants, Wallets, Nike T-Shirts, Black Nike Sneakers- Call 676-5696

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Pitbull puppies 8 and 9 weeks old: Fully vaccinated & dewormed: Parent importedCall:624-7991 1- 10 RB Dragline, 1- F150 Ford Truck- Call: 687-6174 CAKES & PASTRIES We present cake decorating classes on various techniques: Beginners classes- Call Karen on Tele:226-0125/648-2207 or 601-6762 Courses for: Bridal accessories, Cake decoration & Floral arrangements, Cake & Pastry-contact Sharon:672-8768/223-3303

PROPERTY FOR SALE Tuschen Housing SchemeCall: 692-3454/616-7632

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Toyota AE 100 PHH seriesCall: 673-5882 We buy & sell vehicles for cash & we do trading-in of vehicles: 30 Seater Busescall:680-3154 93 L.H.D Honda Accord- Call: 623-8909/672-2002 Toyota Premio & Allion: Excellent Condition: PPP Series- Contact Donna 2275404/ 666-5195 2 Ford F150: Price $4.5M & $3.5M- Call:643-5249/ 2654979 1 Toyota Land-cruiser Prado PMM series- call:225-0188/ 225-6070 New RX8 (red) Rotary 7 speed engine, new rims, tyres, music-kickers, Lambo doors- call: 627-8786

VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Raum: PNN seriesCall: 611-2181/ 664-0909 2- 2008 Toyota Premio TV/ DVD & push button start, 2006 BMW320i -Tele:615-4114 1 Toyota Fun Cargo, AT192, AT212, Ceres, Axela, Runx, Hilux Solid DEF pickup, EP71 & 82 Starlet- Call: 6445096 U n r e g i s t e r e d To y o t a Sienta 7 seats: 1500cc- Call: 617-5536 Lexus, Pitbull never registered- Call:655-0800/ 263-5300 1- AT192 Toyota Carina with alarm system: Price $1M Neg- Call:668-8431 1997 Ford F350 Canter truck: 14 feet enclosed box with glass case & food warmersCall:641-4708/ 612-9999

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Electric Snow cone machines- call:266-2711/6094594

Quality concrete blocks made to order, up to 15% off regular price- call: 227-0572/ 625-6100

RZ mini-buses BMM & BNN series, AT192, 212, AT170, Tacoma, Canters, NZE & cheap cars- call:680-3154

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Workers for Land DredgeCall:623-2728/ 667-5717 One Attractive waitresscall: 678-1481 Printers: To operate Heidelberg & AB Dick PressCall: 269-0044/ 671-5270 Barber @ TJ’s All Star Barber Shop: Grove Public road, E.B.D- Call:609-6952/ 6429139 One maid; one cook.

Attractive salary. Call 2193970 Experienced Hairdresser/ must experienced in nail designing: West Side Shore Plaza Ruimzeight, W.C.DCall:269-1525/ 656-3561

FOR SALE Master Craft Tools for sale: Spanner Set, Socket Set, Circular Saw, Jigsaw, DrillsCall:689-0486 or 225-5486

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Houses & Land for sale: www.spaceseek.gy: Call: 223-8479 or 647-3768 Investment Property: Guysuco Gardens $45MCall:617-4261 3 Bedrooms House @ Silver City, Wismar Linden- Call: 685-2005/ 680-5408 Charlestown $15.5M; Kitty $10M; East Coast $27M; Republic Park $65M- Call Diana @227-2256/ 626-9382 LOT 13 SECTION ‘G’ MIDDLE WALK, ANN’S GROVE VILLAGE: PRICE $8.5M (NEGOTIABLE)CALL: 444-5841 EDUCATIONAL SUMMER CLASSES: July 15th – August 15th: Phonics, Mathematics, Language, Spanish, Craft, Tours & Fun day: Garnett St. KittyCall:654-8650

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Call: 266-2711/ 609-4594 7 Acres cultivated, citrus, house, fish pond, storage at Parika- Call:226-7968 Twelve House Lots in one block along Corriverton public road- Call:626-6245 (Continued on page 23)

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Kaieteur News

CAR RENTAL

Two weeks after GPL raid…

Residents satisfied with prepaid meters

By Tiffanne Ramphal Two weeks after homes in Non Pareil and Enterprise, East Coast Demerara, were stripped of their electricity meters by Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL)’s loss reduction team, residents have expressed satisfaction with the Prepaid Metering System that they have been issued.

During a loss reduction campaign in the area earlier this month, 34 post-paid meters were removed from homes by GPL staffers who, upon examination of the instruments, concluded that they were tampered for the purpose of hampering the accurate recording of electricity consumed.

Following investigations by the company’s officials to ascertain the accuracy of the team’s report, meters were found with distinct signs of either tampering or being bypassed.

Residents were subsequently required to pay specific fees customized to their consumption and various appliances in order to have their homes repowered, after which they were issued prepaid meters.

Loss Reduction Operations Manager, Wayne Watson, on Monday told Kaieteur News that although the prepaid meters do not totally eliminate incidences of

A newly installed prepaid meter at a Non Pareil home electricity theft, they do reduce the possibility of the occurrence since the perpetrators would have to access the system from the utility poles to perform the illegal task. He said it is unlikely that someone would clamber up a utility pole to interfere with the electricity system in the line of view of practically everyone.

Watson added that from a loss reduction perspective, in terms of security, there is comfort in knowing that the prepaid systems cannot be accessed easily and thus are not easily exposed to tampering.

According to Watson, the prepaid meter poses further economic benefits to the company which would, in

turn, help in some way to reduce commercial losses. In contrast to the old system, where the service is rendered then paid for, the new system requires consumers to pay before they receive electricity. This evidently strikes out the incidence of loss where the service is rendered, but the balance due is either delayed or unpaid.

Metering Manager Parasram Persaud also opined that the new prepaid system notably aids in the company’s quest to reduce losses. “The new system makes it harder and more dangerous for persons who intend to steal or detour power through a bypass since the meter is located on the pole in contrast to the traditional meter which

UG gears for development through collaboration with int’l university The Administration of the University of Guyana (UG) is gearing to enhance the capacities of staff and students t h r o ugh partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) of the United Kingdom.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the universities yesterday signaling the commitment to improve the qualifications of UG’s lecturers; create a student exchange programme; establish of a physical centre; and the hosting of an international conference in Guyana.

Officials present at the signing of the agreement held in the Education Lecture Theatre include UG’s ViceChancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi, Deputy ViceChancellor Phillip Da Silva, Pro- Chancellor Prem Misir, Dean of Health Sciences Dr. Emmanuel Cummings, Dean of Social Sciences Paloma Mohammed; and UCLAN’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Dave Phoenix, Dean of School of Built and Natural Environment Professor Akintola Akintoye, and Professor of Physiology and Research Degree Tutor, Jaipaul Singh. According to Phoenix, the first batch of UK

students is expected to arrive in Guyana next year on a study tour. Meanwhile, staff development is expected later in the year, depending on the support of Governments, who have already indicated their interests in adult education and sustainability. He sees the MOU as an opportunity to develop both counties.

Without providing indepth details of the agreement, Professor Opadeyi said it has been in the making for several months and seeks to benefit both countries. He described the MOU as a meaningful plan that is expected to bear fruit within the next five years.

Instrumental in this initiative is Singh, a former student of UG during the early days. Because he was forced to leave Guyana to study abroad, Singh wants to provide students who cannot afford higher education abroad, a similar quality of education locally.

According to Dr. Cummings, UG has many lecturers who are in need of further training. The MOU provides the opportunity for lecturers to qualify themselves, while continuing to educate students on campus. From time to time the lecturers would have to travel to the UK as required for their

studies for Master’s Degrees.

Providing an insight into the student exchange programme, Da Silva said it focuses on enriching student life for both universities.

Students from UCLAN would have the opportunity to conduct field research in Guyana while UG students would also conduct studies in UK. Mohammed, who is responsible for organizing the international conference in 18 months, said that the conference would be in keeping with UG’s 50th Anniversary. It is expected to either be held during the latter part of 2014 or early 2015. Its focus will be on Guyana’s ongoing environmental works.

Speaking on the creation of the centre that is expected to see the materialization of the other aspects of the agreement was Professor Akintoye.

The centre will focus on sustainability and innovation.

The sustainability aspect will look at ongoing development of the main resources in Guyana. And, for innovation an important subject area would be society’s interaction with the environment. It would allow other faculties to work together to address issues affecting Guyana such as climate change.

Page 23

was mounted on the building.”

At present, new account holders with the company are given prepaid meters as first preference although the option to acquire a post-paid meter remains.

After being exposed to the services of the prepaid metering system for the past two weeks, residents of the Non Pareil/ Enterprise area conclude that the system is not much different from the post-paid. Some reported that they are still observing the workings of the new instrument and will compare the money spent on the ‘power cards’ with their previous GPL bills at the month’s end to determine if their post-paid meter reading was correct.

According to the company’s Loss Reduction Divisional Director, Kumar Sharma, during a pilot project on the implementation of the prepaid metering system in Cummings Park, Sophia, as a result of the new system, there has been a drastic reduction in the incidence of power being accessed illegally. He explained that the new system has no secondary distribution system, therefore, consumers are hooked up directly from the transformers.

This negates the opportunity for electricity to be extracted illegally since there are no open conductors.

Sharma added that due to the new system, there were increased numbers of applications for legal connections. He said that although there are still illegal connections in the area, the level of theft has decreased by as much as 80 per cent in the Sophia community.

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(From page 22)

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Page 24

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Teen alleges beating Street lighting main focus as City by stray catching unit Hall calls for ‘tripartite assembly’

By Zena Henry

A Kaneville teenager’s family has filed a police report accusing members of a government stray-catching unit of beating him during an exercise on Monday. The 14year-old has since claimed that doctors were forced to extract one of his toenails as a result of the alleged assault.

However, the stray catchers denied that there was any beating. In fact, they claim to have begged a police rank who had accompanied them to let the lad loose, after he had come at them with a piece of wood and had to be restrained. Ovid Glasgow, head of the stray catchers’ program, which falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs, said that he is now probing the matter, but initial indications are that the teen may not have been telling the truth. According to boy’s father, Bissoon Tulsie, his family has been in the cattle business for years now, operating out of Kaneville, an area east of Grove, East Bank Demerara. On Monday, as is customary, the family let their cows loose early in the morning aback of Diamond, a neighbouring village.

The teen said that at around 10:00hrs he was

returning home with 14 cows along the Diamond Access Road. He said while he was nearing the ‘Fourth Bridge’ area, a stray catching truck pulled up alongside him. He claimed there were about eight persons in it, including a uniformed police rank.

“They come out and start rounding up de cows and I tell them is my cows and I looking after dem.”

He said that despite this the unit continued rounding up the cows. “The policeman come and he twist my arm and he carry me to the truck.”

The teen claimed that he started struggling and shouting and one of the stray catchers allegedly used a rope to hit him several times.

He said that one of his feet and a toe were injured during the incident. He said his struggles attracted a crowd and he was let go.

The teen was reportedly taken to a doctor where one of his toenails was extracted.

The family said that they had to pay $16,000 to retrieve their two impounded cows from the Grove Police Station.

According to Glasgow yesterday, the stray catchers working the area claimed the

teen came after them with a wood and used foul language.

“We even had to ask the policeman to loose him… despite this,” one of the catchers told Kaieteur News.

The family gave a statement at the Brickdam Police Station yesterday. Glasgow said he will continue to investigate the incident. He explained that the stray catchers are mandated to pick up unattended strays from housing schemes and other areas. He added that there are reports that a cow involved in a vehicular accident over the weekend may have belonged to the family. The cattle problem has been a critical one in especially new housing schemes for some time now.

Residents have complained of dangers posed to traffic; of broken water mains and generally continuing damage to property and plants.

However, cattle rearers have been complaining that government has not offered them alternative feeding grounds. Over 600 animals have been impounded for the first quarter by units in the city and Berbice, the Ministry said earlier this year. (Leonard Gildarie)

The Mayor and City Council following ‘blackout’ threats last week has proposed that tripartite talks be held between the Municipality, Government and Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL). Mayor Hamilton Green told reporters that during discourse with GPL, issues other than Council’s inability to pay its electricity bill were recognized and it was agreed that the government should get involved.

“There are very complex issues and because of that, GPL’s management saw no difficulty in the proposal our delegation made, that for us to find a proper modus operandi (method of operation) and to advance our relationship, we need the input of the central government.”

A letter was thus dispatched to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds -who holds the electricity portfolio -last week, but the Mayor said yesterday, when asked, that the Council is yet to receive a response. Green mentioned that the letter outlines to the Minister the challenges City Hall faces, while requesting a date for further discussions into electricity bill payments.

Among the issues that need to be addressed, the Mayor stressed on the question of street lights,

which according to the Council, contributes to the bulk of electricity payments.

The cost for street lights, he said, makes up 86.8 percent of what is due to GPL monthly.

The Mayor and City Council (M&CC) was described as the lighting authority for the city.

“It is our responsibility,” Mayor Green stated. “We have made it clear to the government and the private sector, that thanks to the strangulation taking place since 1994, the M&CC cannot afford to pay for street lighting.”

For this reason, the Council’s delegation had proposed to GPL that the street lights should be cut off.

The suggestion came when GPL threatened to cut the power from the municipality, commencing with City Hall.

The Council had argued strongly that this could not be done because it would ultimately mean the nonfunctioning of the M&CC. The Mayor said, too, that the idea of cutting street lights, it was hoped, would have forced the government to deal with the electricity issue since there would be serious security ramifications.

Mayor Green went on to register his surprise when the Council was reminded by GPL of a piece of legislation made law in 1999 which gives the power company authority to cut off whichever part of an

entity they choose - in this case, GPL was ready to start with the Council’s head office.

The Mayor at this point opined that there was a greater motive behind moves to cut the Council’s main vein, stating that the matter begs to be viewed in a wider context.

He continued that GPL has proposed the use of a special type of lamp to be used for street lighting mercury vapour lamps which would significantly reduce duty charges. They also say that the Council operates some 2000 street lights, but an initial survey suggests that there are 1800 more lamps installed by individuals and the private sector, who do not pay for the energy.

It was suggested by GPL that the Council get these persons to chip in on the utility bill. With the inclusion of the government, Green noted that the idea could be taken on board, giving private persons authority to pay for these lights directly to GPL. The Council has however embarked on an audit of all city lights, in a quest to justify the monthly bill and to ensure they are not being billed for non-operating lights.

The Mayor reiterated calls for a tripartite assembly pointing out that much needs to be done about the street light situation and “the stifling of the Council in their attempts to broaden its revenue base.” Green charged that street lights are a grave matter of citizen security, “so since you (government) have choked the lighting authority, you should pay for it.”

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Demonstrators flood Brazilian streets in protest SAO PAULO (AP) — Enormous demonstrations have shaken cities across this continent-sized country yesterday and more were expected today in some of the largest outpourings of frustration in decades over red tape, high prices and shoddy services in a rising economic power.

Mostly peaceful marches in at least eight big cities drew more than 240,000 people nationwide, Brazilian media said, though demonstrations in the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte were marred by vandalism and violent clashes with police.

Several dozen people were reported injured.

The protests began over a hike in bus prices in the city of Sao Paulo, but were also fed by images of that city’s police beating demonstrators and firing rubber bullets last week during a march that drew 5,000 people. In Rio, the violent police crackdown on a small and peaceful crowd Sunday near the iconic Maracana stadium incited many to come out this week for what local news media described as the city’s largest protest in a generation.

The vast majority of Rio’s protesters were peaceful, but a splinter group attacked the state legislature building,

setting a car and other objects ablaze. The newspaper O Globo cited Rio state security officials as saying at least 20 officers and nine protesters were injured there.

Protests also were reported in the cities of Curitiba, Vitoria, Fortaleza, Recife, Belem and Salvador.

More actions were being planned on social media sites yesterday in Sao Paulo and Brasilia.

Monday’s protests came during soccer’s Confederations Cup and just one month before a papal visit, a year before the World Cup and three years ahead of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The unrest is raising security concerns and renewed questions over Brazil’s readiness to host the mega-events.

A cyber-attack knocked the government’s official World Cup site offline, and the Twitter feed for Brazil’s Anonymous hackers group posted links to a host of other government websites whose content had been replaced by a screen calling on citizens to come out to the streets.

President Dilma Rousseff acknowledged the demonstrations with a brief statement Monday, saying: “Peaceful demonstrations are

legitimate and part of democracy. It is natural for young people to demonstrate.” Rousseff ’s popularity dipped for the first time in her presidency recently, largely over sluggish economic growth, rising inflation and security worries.

She faces re-election next year.

The United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the Brazilian government to take “all necessary measures to guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and to prevent the disproportionate use of force.” In a press conference Tuesday in Geneva, spokesman Rupert Colville also called on demonstrators “not to resort to violence in pursuit of their demands.”

Brazilians have long tolerated pervasive corruption, even as about 40 million Brazilians have moved out of poverty and into the middle class over the past decade. Many of them have begun to demand more from their government and are angry that billions of dollars in public funds are being spent to host the World Cup and Olympics while few improvements are made on infrastructure elsewhere.

Prime Minister Calls for Diaspora Members to Invest in Jamaica JIS - Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, has called on members of the Jamaican Diaspora to secure their share of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), noting that international partners have shown their confidence in the local economy by investing in mega projects.

“Along with our Diaspora, we need our international partners, and we will continue to invite foreign investments.

Belgianregistered companies have invested in our transport sector; the French, in our road network infrastructure; the Spanish, in expanding our tourism industry, and the Chinese, in sugar cane manufacturing, bridges and other infrastructural developments. All these are welcome,” the Prime Minister told delegates attending the 5th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference, at the opening ceremony on June 16, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort, in Montego Bay. “There is room and space for everyone to participate, and this Conference is a

clarion call to all Jamaicans, at home and abroad, to engage in Jamaica’s drive for growth. I hope you will grasp the opportunities, which will be presented at this Conference for investments in business and social projects,” she urged.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the Government is determined to put the Diaspora at the heart of the growth and development agenda.

Mrs. Simpson Miller also called for the “regeneration” of ideas from the youth population in the Diaspora.

“We must not lose sight of the need to keep regenerating our Diaspora movement with new ideas and the boundless energies of our youth. We must increase our outreach to the youth of our Diaspora, and in so doing, build upon inspiring projects like the Diaspora Youth Connect, that is making a difference in inner-city communities like August Town, Trench Town, Mountain View, Tivoli Gardens, and Flanker,” she said.

Mrs. Simpson Miller pointed out that the Joint

Select Parliamentary Committee on Diaspora Affairs is another important instrument, which was designed to provide a direct channel to the corridors of decision making and should be utilized to greater effect.”Throughout the past ten years, there has been a progressive sensitization of Government departments and agencies on issues and services pertaining to the Diaspora. To this end, Diaspora Units have been established in various agencies of Government, notably in the Ministry of Health, Jamaica Customs, and the Trade Board. In keeping with the new approach of this administration, JAMPRO has also designed a Diaspora Global Business Connect strategy, which will be in execution mode at this conference,” the Prime Minister told the audience.

She said that her recent involvement in the 50th anniversary celebration of the African Union, held in Ethiopia, caused her to be more “seized” of the global relevance of Jamaica in the world.

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 31

High Court murder trials commence - Son accused killing father over ‘dope money’ The murder trial of Andrew Gomes began yesterday before Justice Brassington Reynolds at the Supreme Court. Gomes is accused of hacking his father, Stanislaus Gomes, to death with a cutlass after he refused to give him $200 to buy drugs.

The incident occurred on November 27, 2008, at their Waikabra, Soesdyke Linden/ Highway residence.

Andrew Gomes, 29, pleaded not guilty to the

indictment when it was read to him, by Justice Brassington Reynolds, when the case commenced on Monday.

A 12-member mixed jury has been enlisted. Attorney at –law, George Thomas is representing the accused, while state counsel Renita Singh will act on the prosecution’s behalf.

The prosecution is expected to call at least four witnesses to testify.

According to the

prosecution, Junior Gomes was a drug addict and the only child of his father. The two were living on a plot of farmland located 10-minutes away from the Linden/ Soesdyke highway. There, the older man, 57, cultivated vegetables which he sold to earn a living.

On the day in question, sometime around 09:00h, the accused asked his father for $200 to buy drugs but the man refused to give him any

Housing Ministry encumbering landfill ...

From page 14 compaction and cover. As recommended by the InterAmerican Development Bank, the Ministry needs to acquire a specialised compacter.

This would not only help to increase space capacity of the cell, but would ensure that waste is fitted tightly together

and excess water seeps out from the garbage.

This publication was unable to contact Housing Minister Irfaan Ali for a comment on the matter. A representative of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment said that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

would provide Kaieteur News with responses to questions posed today.

However, according to a source, the EPA, which has representation on the Board of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, was knowledgeable of the plan to violate the EIA.

Wednesday June 19, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) As a natural architect and builder, you are able to use your mind in making decisions regarding matters of form and function.

For you, the goal and the way to get to it are the same thing. You like to build each step and have each decision be an end in itself.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- may 21)There is much communication today. You are out-front, frank and even rough at times as you try to get to the heart of a subject. If you are asking a child questions, you might want to back off just a bit and give the child a little more time to answer.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Given only a few facts, you are able to take in a situation and come up with a real picture of what is happening.

You may be helping others to solve a few technical issues today.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) You work well with those in authority who are independent and original. You could become engaged in nonconformist causes, always ready to promote what is independent and innovative.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Unhappiness in your professional or personal situation may be lightened by working with, instead of against, your most obvious talents. You have an uncanny ability to get beyond the regular routine.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept.

23) This is a time of good fortune when opportunities to better yourself and your surroundings open up naturally.

Opportunities to expand and grow are plentiful and you may be able to do almost everything.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) You naturally gravitate toward positions of power and authority. Others see you having a great practical ability and accept you as a leader or authority figure easily. Your career may be very important to you, even at the expense of home life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Your career is smooth today. Continued successful career moves may demand conformity and cost you personal freedom, perhaps toning down your unconventional habits.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 Dec. 21) You may be very forceful in what you say and think today. With all of this emotional energy, you could speak or correspond very well.

You have a lot of mental drive in order to accomplish your goals.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.Jan. 20) YYour communication skills are varied and well performed with perfect timing; this day should flow along quite well. Ideas and thoughts will have insights worth sharing.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) This is a time when you can expect a little boost, some extra support or recognition from those around you. You may feel that you are in touch and in harmony with others. Work, achievement and ambition mean a lot to you.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You do not care much for the superficial. You appreciate getting past the surface and down to the heart--the bare bones of a situation, especially today. It may be that other people have led you away from the things you feel are important in your life.

money.

The then 24-year-old man became annoyed and picked up a cutlass which he used to chop his father five times about his body, including splitting the top of his head.

The man died outside of his yard.

After committing the gruesome crime, Gomes went to neighbours and told them what he had done.

He had a bloody cutlass and his shirt was spattered with blood at the time. Gomes was arrested about an hour later and the weapon was recovered.

He was subsequently charged for his father’s murder.

NEPHEW ON TRIAL FOR UNCLE’S MURDER Meanwhile, the case of Fernando Cush, who is accused of fatally stabbing his uncle, began before Justice Navindra Singh yesterday. At least four witnesses were called to the stand.

Cush was charged for the murder of his uncle, Andrew Benjamin, in 2009. Benjamin, a 41-year-old cane cutter was knifed to death in an alleyway at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, during an altercation, allegedly with Cush.

The accused is represented by Defence

Attorney Peter Hugh and Latchmie Rahamat. The matter is being prosecuted by state Attorney, Tishana Lake.

Benjamin, called ‘Mongoose’, of Lot 66 Friendship, East Coast Demerara, collapsed from multiple stab wounds to the upper body and succumbed before he could receive medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Cush reportedly fled the scene, but was subsequently detained and taken to the GPHC with a wound to the head, which he said he sustained during the altercation with the victim.

MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 Sign on 05:30hrs Dharma Kai Awaz: The Voice of Dharma 06:00hrs Islamic Perspective 06:30hrs News Update 07:00hrs DAYBREAK 08:00hrs Dabi’s musical 08:30hrs Avon DVD Musical 09:00hrs Barney Show 09:15hrs Top Notch Music Break 09:30hrs Caribbean Temptation Music Mix 10:00hrs Amanda’s Costume jewellery musical 10:30hrs Comfort Sleep musical 11:00hrs The View 12:00hrs Village Talk: Cane Grove 12;30hrs The Young and the Restless 13:00hrs Days of Our Lives 14:00hrs General Hospital 15:00hrs The Katie Couric Show 16:00hrs The Bold and the Beautiful 16:30hrs Barney Show 17:00hrs Birthday and other greetings 17:15hrs Death Announcements/ In Memoriam 17:30hrs Sitcom 18:00hrs Aracari Resort Hour 19:00hrs CNN News 19:30hrs News Update 20:30hrs Indian Movie: Phir Kab Milagi 23:00hrs News update 23:30hrs English Movie: Dead Man Down Sign Off

DTV CHANNEL 8 08:25 hrs. Sign On 08:30 hrs. This Morning 09:00 hrs. Live! With Kelly and Michael 10:00 hrs. Roseanne 11:00 hrs. The View 12:00 hrs. Prime News 12:30 hrs. The Young and the Restless 13:30 hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful

14:00 hrs. The Talk 15:00 hrs. Chain Reaction 16:00 hrs. Family Feud 17:00 hrs. Charmed 18:00 hrs. World News 18:30 hrs. Nightly News 19:00 hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00 hrs. Channel 8 News 21:00 hrs. DTV's Summer Movie Fest 23:00 hrs. Sign Off

Page 32

Kaieteur News

WDFA/Stag Beer Senior League

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Linden Sec. Sch. U-19 B’ball

Several teams register Unbeaten Multi face Wisburg victories in exciting encounters today; New Silver City & LTI win

Twelve (12) teams are currently engaged in intense and exciting rivalry, each with an eye on championship honours as action in the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Stag Beer Senior League continues at the Den Amstel Community Center Ground.

The competition got underway on June 13 last and will conclude on August 25 next and already, top club, Slingertz, has sent a strong message to its detractors with a 16-1 drubbing of Wales FC in their encounter on Sunday 16 last.

Gyason McAulay led the onslaught with 5 goals with support from Shevale Seaforth who netted thrice.

Eight other players contributed one goal apiece for the winners while Travis Bollers saved some face for Wales with a consolation strike.

Also on that day, Stewartville bullied Jetty and went away with a 3-2 victory in the opening match.

The action continues this Saturday with another potentially exciting double header; Slingertz will tackle Eagles while Jetty will face off with Bagotstown/Nimes while DeKindren goes head to head with Den Amstel.

Meanwhile, in earlier action on June 15, Uitvlugt Warriors defeated Eagles FC 3-1 while Seawall embarrassed DeKindrin 8-0.

Den Amstel also defeated Young Achievers 3-2.

The matches were originally scheduled to be played at Wales Community Center Ground and the Den Amstel Community Center Ground but persistent rainfall had left the former venue in a sodden state.

The organisers have been forced to switch some of the games but have indicated that they will return to the Wales Community Center Ground as soon as the rains abate.

The participating teams are Seawall, Young Achievers, Den Amstel, Uitvlugt, Eagles, Stewartville, Jetty, DeKindren, Slingertz, Wales, Bagotsville and Beavers.

De Villiers confident of Steyn’s fitness for semi-final

Dale Steyn has played only one match in the Champions Trophy so far. (ICC) ESPNcricinfo - South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn’s participation in the Champions Trophy semi-final against England is in some doubt due to fitness concerns. The team management will take a late call on his inclusion on the morning of the match today.

The fast bowler missed a day’s training and did a lighter than usual load on subsequent days because of “stiffness in the groin area” according to team manager Mohammed Moosajee. However, South Africa captain, AB de Villiers, was confident of Steyn’s inclusion in the playing XI today.

“It looks like we’ve got a good chance [of playing him tomorrow],” de Villiers said. “He’s taking another day off just to make sure we rest him really well. I said before that I don’t believe we’re lost without him. We can definitely beat England without him.”

De Villiers conceded they are managing his workload as they have been playing a lot of cricket of late.

“He’s got a few niggles around, which is very worrying, but we’re going to do all we can to get him on the park tomorrow,” he said.

“He’s close to 100%, he’s running around. We didn’t want to run him too much today because we knew he’s one of the best in the world and he’s got the skill to just rock up and do the business. He’s working on his rehab making sure we give him the best chance to play tomorrow.”

De Villiers discounted the fact that Steyn’s absence would be a big psychological factor and said the team has enough to do well without him, which they have in the past.

“I don’t think it’s got anything to do with mental games, anything like that,” he said.

“He’s good against any team in any format.

We’re still a very good ODI unit. We’ve won games without him and with him. It’s a big knock-out game, and there will be a lot of pressure around, a lot of hype. Not having him on the side will be big for us, but then again, like I said, we’re playing good cricket.”

In case Steyn is declared unfit this morning, South Africa will have the option of bringing in an extra batsman and play with a seven-four combination for the first time in this Champions Trophy, or give another chance to left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso.

They may also consider playing four seamers with one spinner.

“If Steyn is unavailable and South Africa still want to field four seamers, Rory Kleinveldt will be recalled to the starting XI,” de Villiers said. “The other option would be to include Aaron Phangiso to give South Africa an additional tweaker or to bring in an extra batsman in Farhaan Behardien.”

Steyn was said to be struggling a little after their last league game against West Indies on Friday. Moosajee also confirmed that the new concern for Steyn’s fitness is not related to the side strain which kept him out of the first two matches against India and Pakistan.

Steyn bowled six overs in a rain-affected match and finished with 2 for 33 from six overs in a tied game which secured South Africa’s place in the semi-final from Group B along with India. He has been under the careful watch of physiotherapist Brandon Jackson as South Africa hope to do all they can to ensure he plays.

Rivalry in the 9th Linden Secondary Schools Under-19 Basketball Championship will bounce on this afternoon at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court when the unbeaten teams in the tournament so far, Wismar Christianburg and Wisburg Secondary - joint second on 6 points each from 3 matches - in action.

In the first game, Linden Foundation, also on six points (2 wins 2 loses) will be up against Wisburg while Wismar Christianburg ‘Multi’ will bounce against New Silver City, the latter aiming to improve their chances of reaching the final four after securing their first win on Monday last. They are on four points from three games.

In Monday’s results, there were wins for defending champions Linden Technical Institute and New Silver City Secondary.

Playing their final game in the round-robin preliminary format which will determine the semi final teams, Linden Technical Institute (LTI) led by their trio of double figure scorers Gavin Gasper and Ian Williams with 12 apiece and Ron Gill who touched in 11 points), rallied to a 50-43 win against the still winless Mackenzie High.

The win for LTI keeps them at the top the current points table with 7 from their five games. Osafa Headley was the game’s top shoot playing for the losing Mackenzie High with 16 points while Dominique chipped in with 12.

Vibert Benjamin

Selwyn Noble

The four-time champions Mackenzie High are on four points from a similar amount of losses.

In the other game Selwyn Noble played well inside the paint to score a team high 25 points while teammates Kelson Butters and Royden Wilson supported with 14 and 12 respectively as the New Silvercity Secondary kept their hopes of making the semis with a thrilling 58-57 win against Linden Foundation Secondary.

In the Linden Foundation’s losing effort, forward Vibert Benjamin poured in the game high 36 points with the next best score coming from Dennis Niles with 8 points.

On Friday, preliminary round matches will conclude with another double header at the same venue. In opening play, New Silver City are down to oppose Mackenzie High with feature play between Wismar Christianburg and Wisburg.

The semifinals and final

are set for next Wednesday and Friday respectively. Once again this year several overseas based Guyanese have supported the tournament which formally was organised by the Victory Valley Royals Basketball Club.

However, this year the LABA is the front runner with regards to organising with sponsorship still flowing through the founder of the tournament. Maxi Stephens has continued his support with ten of the twelve trophies on offer while former National Women’s Coach Linden Alphonso has donated the two trophies for the Most Valuable Players from the two teams in the final. The Haynes Foundation is also supporting.

Locally, Two Brothers Gas Station provided funding for the purchase of uniforms which are being used by the contesting schools while local beverage giant Banks DIH Ltd has thrown in their lot to ensure the tournament is a success.

Canada tour provided valuable...

From page 36 off of work to facilitate this.

In addition to increasing our numbers, we must find a way to fund an artificial pitch here in Guyana for hockey. The cost of a pitch is G$20M and so it is quite an expensive undertaking. We have exhausted our pleas to the Pan American Hockey Federation who has indicated that they do not have room in their budget to assist at this time. Guyana is the only hockey-playing nation in the Caribbean now without its own artificial pitch and to remain competitive without one is becoming nearly impossible.

What is next for the Guyana Women’s hockey team?

The Guyana women’s hockey team has qualified and hopes to attend the PAHF Cup in Mendoza, Argentina this coming September.

Guyana was ranked at the bottom of the PAHF in 2010 when the team attended the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games. We finished ahead of Bermuda and Puerto Rico which enabled us to participate in the PAHF Challenge in Brazil the following year. Once again we finished ahead of higher ranked teams in Brazil, Paraguay and Bermuda

qualifying us for a spot in the PAHF Cup in Argentina this September. The PAHF Cup features the top 8 teams in all of the Americas by virtue of this qualifying process and is itself a World Cup qualifier with the winning team receiving a spot to represent the Americas. Guyana joins Argentina, USA, Canada, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico and Trinidad in the PAHF Cup. Guyana’s participation in the PAHF Cup will in the very least maintain their ranking position enabling them to qualify for a spot in the next CAC Games in Mexico 2014.

Meanwhile, below are the results of the matches that Guyana participated in while in Canada: Guyana lost to Ontario under-23 0-6; Guyana lost to University of Toronto 3-7; Guyana lost to A&C Club 0-4; Guyana drew with OKD 3-3; Competition started - Guyana lost to Canada National under-21 0-11; Guyana lost to British Columbia 0-14 Guyana’s full team finally arrives Guyana lost to Alberta 0-2; Guyana lost to Ontario 0-2; Guyana lost to Ontario under-23 0-1; Guyana lost to Alberta 1-3

Wednesday June 19, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 33

After cleaning up the locals Bowlers make a move

By Michael Benjamin After just about 6 months in the United States of America, former World Boxing Council Caribbean Boxing Federation (WBCCABOFE) welterweight champion, Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy, is set to resume his career when he engages a soon to be named opponent in an 8 rounds welterweight contest in California USA, July 12 next.

Kaieteur Sport caught up with Hardy yesterday morning shortly after he had completed his workout at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in that American state and he said that he is blending in nicely in his new environment. He said that he is working out among great fighters and the experience is standing him in good stead.

“I am working out daily and focusing on the game while sparring with world champs and top prospects,” Hardy said. He further said that the environment is very competitive and allows him to improve on his craft. Hardy explained that initially he has been living and training in Las Vegas but moved over to California about 4 months ago since more opportunities are available there. He is managed by top American manager Cameron Dunkin and trained by Tim Bradley, also his co-manager.

The former WBCCABOFE welterweight champion said that there is no paucity of sparring partners at his end and he has been boxing with undefeated prospect Jessie

Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy to fight in California next month Vargas, two times world champion, Marco Maidana, world champ, Brandon Rios and John Molina among other top ranked pugilists.

Hardy also said that Maidana is scheduled to fight Manny Pacquiao in November and he (Hardy) will be among his sparring partners.

Meanwhile, Hardy said that his decision to opt out of the WBC 50th anniversary championship stemmed from advice received from his management team.

“I’m seeking world title shots; my manager knows how to charter my course and I’m doing it his way,” said Hardy. “The tournament would have been a great opportunity but it’s almost 2 years since the scheduled start and nothing is happening so I decided to move on,” he further explained.

The budding champion seemed to have made an impression in the American boxing community and was recently interviewed by American journalist, Chris Robinson, where he reminisced on the tough journey from the tiny East Coast Village of Plaisance to the Sophia squatting area before ‘trying out his hand’ at the fistic sport.

Hardy spoke of those days when he trekked through muddy dams fetching water to cook and wash coupled with an

additional 3 miles journey to school. He said that the community was also devoid of electricity. He further said that he was inspired to be a boxer after seeing his big cousin, Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite, in action.

He became the ‘Candyman’ after a ‘dangerous’ character of a movie and subsequently had the ‘Chin Checker’ sobriquet pinned on him following a devastating left hook that left several of his opponents prostrate on the canvass.

Hardy also reminisces, with a tinge of sadness, on his latter days as an amateur boxer when he was on the verge of stripping off his shirt.

He said that he had to postpone his debut on three occasions after his opponents developed cold feet and cancelled the fight.

Patrick Boston boldly took up the challenge in October 2010 and Hardy vented his frustrations on him with a 20 seconds knockout.

Several other opponents felt the brunt of his power and Hardy left Guyana with a 10-0 record, 7 abbreviated and a 70% knockout ratio.

Hardy always believed that he had the fistic tools to reach the top of his game and emulate his cousin ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite. He is now ready to walk the walk as he has talked the talk when he steps into the ring on July 12 next.

Hardy (extreme left) strikes a pose with Robert Garcia (2nd left), Marco Maidana (3rd left) and other gym mates after practice sessions.

Maidana had one week earlier defended his world title against Josesito Lopez.

in the ODI rankings

Narine still No. 1; Cook, Misbah back in the top 10 of batting

Sunil Narine The group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 has resulted in a number of positive movements in the latest Reliance ICC Player Rankings for ODI bowlers, which were released on Tuesday.

England pace bowler Steven Finn has now moved up a place to joint second with Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal. The bowlers’ table is still headed

by West Indies’ Sunil Narine.

Also moving up are India left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja in fourth (up by three) and England pace bowler James Anderson in fifth (up by four). Also returning to the top ten is Sri Lanka’s Nuwan

Kulasekara in 10th (up by three).

New Zealand veteran Daniel Vettori has re-entered the rankings in 16th place.

Others moving in the right direction are Lasith Malinga in 11th (up by one), Kyle Mills in 12th (up by four), Kemar Roach in 18th (up by two), Rangana Herath in 24th (up by six), Shane Watson in 29th (up by two), Stuart Broad in 32nd (up by one), Ryan McLaren in 34th (up by 13) and Nathan McCullum in 38th (up by seven).

The highest wicket-taker of the tournament in the group stage with 11 wickets, New Zealand’s Mitchell McClenaghan has jumped 15 places to 41st.

Meanwhile, England Captain Alastair Cook has moved up two places to eighth in the latest Reliance ICC Rankings for ODI batsmen. Pakistan Captain Misbah-ul-Haq has jumped seven places to return to the top 10 and is now at 10th after scoring 173 runs from three matches.

Also moving in the right direction inside the top 20 are Suresh Raina in 14th (up by

one), George Bailey in 17th (up by six) and Ian Bell in 18th (up by three).

Outside the top 20, the batsmen moving up are Kane Williamson in 21st (up by nine), Mahela Jayawardene in 24th (up by three), Chris Gayle in 34th (up by two), Joe Root in 35th (up by seven), Nasir Jamshaid in 38th (up by eight), Faf du Plessis in 43rd (up by seven) and Rohit Sharma in 47th (up by 11).

The highest run-getter of the tournament until the end of the group stage, Shikhar Dhawan, has re-entered the batting rankings in 50th place.

Dhawan has scored 264 runs so far in the tournament, with two back-to-back hundreds.

The batting table is still topped by South Africa captain AB de Villiers, with teammate Hashim Amla in second place and India’s Virat Kohli in third place. The player rankings will next be updated on Monday, 24 June, a day after the final of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013.

The ODI and T20I Championship tables, unlike the Test Championship Table, are updated after every match.

Trio book passage to Brazil Asian giants Iran, Korea Republic and Australia reached the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ but Uzbekistan narrowly failed to automatically book their place on a dramatic night of action Tuesday.

Australia left it late before substitute striker Josh Kennedy earned a 1-0 win over Iraq in Sydney with an 83rd minute strike, enough to take the Socceroos through to their third successive FIFA World Cup. Later, Iran edged a grudge match with Korea Republic 10 in Ulsan to qualify top of Group A, giving the hosts some nervous moments as they awaited news from Tashkent, where rivals Uzbekistan were playing Qatar.

The Uzbeks smashed five second-half goals past the Qataris, but despite their 5-1 win they failed to reach their target of winning by seven goals and now go into a playoff series against either Jordan or Oman.

Iran, Korea Republic and Australia now join Japan, the

Asian Cup-holders who booked their ticket a fortnight ago, at next year’s FIFA World Cup as the only countries to have qualified alongside hosts Brazil.

Although all four Asian qualifiers are familiar names at the FIFA World Cup, the year-long elimination process has been hard-fought and came down to the last week of the final group stage.

Ex-Middlesbrough striker Lee Dong-Gook tested Iran goalkeeper Rahman Ahmadi with a stinging attempt from distance but despite dominating the first half, Korea Republic struggled to create clear chances.

Iran started the second half with more ambition and on 60 minutes, they were suddenly in front thanks to a defensive blunder from Kim Young-Gwon and the alert thinking of Reza Ghoochannejhad.

Defender Kim failed to clear the ball on the touchline and had his pocket picked by Ghoochannejhad, who scampered goalwards and bent a left-footed shot around

Jung Sung-Ryong.

Korea Republic pressed desperately for the equaliser and Kim Young-Gwon nearly made amends for his mistake when he put a free header wide near the end. Lee KeunHo also nearly headed the leveller in injury time.

However the Taeguk Warriors clung on to Group B’s second automatic qualifying spot and reached their ninth FIFA World Cup on goal difference, despite Uzbekistan’s heroics in Tashkent. (FIFA.com)

Page 34

Kaieteur News

Hercules enjoying successful English season Following his success in Melbourne Australia, former Guyana Under- 5 & 19 cricketer Ryan Hercules is enjoying a successful start to his fifth season playing in the United Kingdom.

Hercules is playing for Whiston Cricket Club and the season could not have got off to a better start for the talented Essequibo allrounder.

In his first game Ryan took 6-10 runs ensuring the opposition were bowled out for only 24 - the lowest ever total in the South Yorkshire Premier League.

The team and Ryan have been going strong since and after eight games Ryan has taken a total of 23 wickets.

He has also performed with the bat; just missing a maiden century by two runs in the South Yorkshire League. Whiston sit at fourth in the league with three games left to the half-way stage.

The 25-year-old Hercules also plays for Stainborough Cricket Club in the Pontefract League.

His top score is 101 not out, and, after several successful innings without conceding his wicket,

Hercules’ current batting average for the club is 273.

“Conditions are dry and warm now but was wet and cold for the first two weeks and a lot more difficult then to play cricket in” Hercules explained from England.

His games have included a mixture of 40-over and 20over matches with the 20-over matches forming part of the ‘Last Man Standing’ competition which is run world-wide. Organisers are looking to introduce this unique competition to the Caribbean in the coming months.

RAIN STARS AT ARNOS VALE FOR 1ST T20

Kingstown, St Vincent - After the 2nd ‘Test’ had been washed out at Arnos Vale, West Indies A and Sri Lanka A returned to the ground on Tuesday in hope that the first Twenty20 would come off.

But things looked bleak from the morning.

St Vincent awoke to heavy rainfall that lasted for much of the first half of the day.

The weather eased two hours before the game, allowing the groundstaff to mop up and get the ground ready for the 2PM ECT start, but above, grey clouds and a consistent drizzle always threatened proceedings.

It turned out to be the case after West Indies A won the toss and elected to field.

There was enough time for journalists to pen

that Sheldon Cottrell and Keddy Lesporis were not selected while Sri Lanka A’s ‘Test’ team were totally overhauled into T20 mode.

On the field of play, Samuel Badree delivered three balls, two of which were dots to Udara Jayasundara. Niroshan Dickwella got off the mark with a single first ball but that’s as much as he would collect.

A heavy drizzle came down, quickly turning into a shower. That rain would mar the rest of the evening’s efforts to make a match under dark skies and on top of wet grass. At 4:41PM Eastern Caribbean Time, Umpires Peter Nero and Joel Wilson decided a match could not be played, and abandoned the game.

India consolidates top position on the Reliance ICC ODI C/ship table India’s unbeaten run in the group stage of the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 has helped it strengthen its position as the number-one ranked team on the Reliance ICC ODI Championship Table.

India had entered the tournament on 119 ratings points and has moved to 121

thanks to its victories over South Africa, West Indies and Pakistan. England is now ranked second after moving up two places from fourth, thereby pushing Australia to third position.

Second-ranked England and third-placed Australia are level on 113 ratings points, but Alastair Cook’s side is ranked above Michael Clarke’s team by a fraction of a point.

South Africa has dropped a place to fourth with a loss

of one ratings points to 112 following the completion of the group stage. Sri Lanka at fifth and Pakistan at sixth have retained their pretournament positions.

There is a close tussle between New Zealand and West Indies for seventh place on the table. Currently, New Zealand and West Indies are level on 88 ratings points, but Brendon McCullum’s side is ranked above Dwayne Bravo’s team by a fraction of a point.

Reliance ICC ODI Championship (as on 17 June) (after group stage of ICC Champions Trophy 2013) Rank (+/-) Team Rating 1 (-) India 121 2 (+2) England 113 (-) 3 (-1) Australia 113 (-3) 4 (-1) South Africa 112 (-1) 5 (-) Sri Lanka 109 (+1) 6 (-) Pakistan 102 (-3) 7 (-) New Zealand 88 (+1) 8 (-) West Indies 88 (+2) 9 Bangladesh 75 10 Zimbabwe 55 11 Ireland 39 12 Netherlands 14 13 Kenya 11

Wednesday June 19, 2013

GASA July Sprint Meet set for July 5-7 Local swimmers are presently getting their minds and bodies in shape for next month’s Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) July Sprint 2013 which will be held from Friday July 5 Sunday July 7 at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

This short-course (SC) competition is intended to encourage maximum participation of all swimmers and will serve as the Team Selection meet for the Goodwill 2013 Swimming Championships set for Barbados August, 16-18.

The FINA rules will apply

during this swim meet, unless noted otherwise while all events will be timed finals.

In terms of eligibility, all citizens, born or naturalised will be eligible to compete.

Non-Nationals may compete as guests having secured the approval of GASA. The age of the competitors on 31st December, 2012 will determine the age-group in which they will be eligible to compete.

According to the governing body, competitors may enter any number of events in their respective categories. All entries must be received by the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer by

17:00hrs on Saturday, June 29, 2013.

Entry fees will be two hundred dollars (G$200) per event. No Registration Fee will be charged. Entry fees will be collected on Saturday, June 29 between 17:00 and 17:30hrs at the Colgrain Pool.

Entry fees should be paid, if possible, by cheque payable to the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association. Entries are not complete without the payment of the appropriate fees.

The Technical Meeting will be held on Wednesday July 3 at 18:00hrs at the National Aquatic Centre.

EVENTS AGE-GROUP FREE BACK BREAST FLY IM 8-&-Under 50, 100 50 50 50 100 09-to-10 50, 100, 200 50, 100 50, 100 50, 100 200 11-to-12 50, 100, 200 50, 100 50, 100 50, 100 200 13-to-14 50, 100, 200 50, 100 50, 100 50, 100 200 15-to-17 50, 100, 200 50, 100 50, 100 50, 100 200 18-&-Over 50, 100, 200 50, 100 50, 100 50, 100 200 MEET SCHEDULE Friday July 5 - 15:30hrs Warm-up; 16:30hrs 200m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, 50m Breaststroke, 50m Butterfly.

Saturday July 6 - 14:00hrs Warm-up; 15:00hrs 100m Individual Medley, 200m Individual Medley, 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke.

Sunday July 7 - 14:00hrs Warm-up; 15:00hrs 100m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke.

Letter to the Sports Editor

GFF’s inherent debt was known before the AGM, no need for it to be repeated DEAR EDITOR, When former President of the then Guyana Cricket Board of Control, Mr. Chetram Singh had acceded to the Presidency of the GCBC, it was public knowledge that the entity was in millions of local dollars in the red. And immediately a rigorous fundraising drive was launched towards liquidating the debt.

Around the same time former GFF President, Mr. Colin Klass had also acceded to the Presidency of the then Guyana Football Association, which also was in debt. And the first fundraising venture that the GFA had embarked upon was a dinner at the Pegasus International Hotel, at a $1,000 a plate.

After intensive lobbying to FIFA and CONCACAF, a significant amount of Guyana’s debt was waivered, thus enabling participation in international competitions once again. But as time went by and no significant amount of development was evident in local football, the inherent debt soon became a “swansong” for Klass’ re-election!

Would this be same with the current GFF President, Mr. Christopher Matthias? That after attending two Congresses of CONCACAF and FIFA respectively, the GFF, President, in two separate press releases has resorted to the inherent debt of around $30,000,000 and $250,000 in the Federation’s Bank Account.

Editor, this now brings me to the pertinent point of the inherent debt. Wasn’t it public knowledge prior to the GFF’s AGM, emanating from the former President (ag) that the GFF was severely indebted? What would be more prudent for the public to know is how the Matthias led administration intends to tackle the debt liquidation’ over the next two years

of his Presidency! Further, does Matthias intend to invoke sympathy votes, when his tenure comes to an end, in pursuit of seeking re-election?

By the way, Klass during the early stages of his Presidency had also expressed similar sentiments of an inherent debt! So, in actuality are both individuals’ two peas in the same pod? And would the letter mill industry step up its production in support of Matthias, utilizing the inherit debt as a catalyst for an additional term in office? “The more things change the more it remains the same”! Within this context it comes as no additional surprise to have read Matthias’ claim of receiving pledges of support from traditional football powers worldwide. And as I use to outline to Klass in General Council Meetings, “kindly produce the written evidence”! This also I would advocate for the GFF President to do publicly, in addition to personal/national benefits derived, in voting for the President, USA Football Federation as an Executive Committee member of FIFA. And was the General Council apprised of the decision prior to the voting process?

Meanwhile, is the GFA still indebted to the GFF an amount of $500,000 that was loaned to the former by Klass in 2001 as a bailout to complete two senior competitions under the then Presidency of the present GFF? Would cost cutting measures be implemented to reduce annual expenditure, in non-productive Associations and overstaffing at the GFF’s Secretariat, along with generating additional income outside the regular sources. i.e. FIFA, Levy Fees, Gate Receipts and occasional sponsorship?

Lester Sealey