Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210

Editorial

Trouble in Paradise Who would have thought that a million people would be in the streets of Brazil protesting over a ten-cent rise in the bus fare? But they did, in an ever-rising wave of frustration even after the fare rise was rescinded and the President acknowledged that the protests were “justified”. To outsiders, it did seem that Brazil had it all: it had overtaken Britain as the fifth largest economy in the world and was the lead act in BRICS - the association of the mega-developing states that had overtaken the US and Europe as the driving forces in the world economy.

Since the 1990s, the country had emerged successfully from the strictures of the Washington Consensus that had been imposed as its economy collapsed under hyperinflation and misguided autarkic economic policies.

With inflation under control, it rode a boom in commodities and production in agricultural produce to finance a massive industrialisation programme that catapulted it into the upper ranks of global exporters. Forty million of its citizens were lifted out of poverty and as many benefitted from programmes that supplied loans to fledgling businesses as well as basic necessities for the poor.

When it won the rights to host the two largest sporting events on the planet - the Football World Cup (2014) and the Olympics (2016) - most saw it as occasions that would simply certify Brazil’s position as a world heavyweight power. The country had long put its history of right-wing dictatorships behind it and had just elected a woman, Dilma Rousseff, the handpicked successor of the charismatic twoterm President Lula, from their Workers’ Party. Even in the midst of the protests, Rousseff’s popularity remains at a respectable 55 per cent. So what is behind the protests?

The answer lies in the composition of those who are in the streets protesting: generally hound and from the middle class who resent the endemic corruption, poor public services, high taxes, increasing inflation (and the concomitant rise of cost of living), lack of security and the not-so-much-loved-anymore World Cup which has already cost them over US$15 billion and counting.

Even with their fabled love of football most believe that the money could have been better spent on schools and health services. The rise in the bus fare, which is comparatively high to begin with, was just the straw that broke the back of the long-suffering middle class and youths.

The violent response early on by the police infuriated the middle class. It is not that they do not have more than they had a decade ago, but what drives their anger is what they could have had if not for the cracks in the system.

And this is a lesson that politicians often forget. People do not rebel when they are being immiserised and even oppressed, but when conditions have got better and they now have expectations that things should have become better. Ironically, it was the very party in power, the Workers Party that had railed about the very excesses that people are now protesting.

In fact the call for “free pass” throughout Brazil, which was the spark for the protests, is a project of leftists affiliated with that party. The social networking tools now available so ubiquitously have facilitated the mobilisation.

The attacks against the Brazilian currency by speculators, which Brazilians have blamed the US easy money policy as encouraging, have had an enervating effect on the economy with only one per cent growth last year and at the very best three per cent this year. The protests have compounded the problems with the currency (Real) dropping to a four year low this week.

Inflation is starting to become a problem once again with ordinary Brazilians who are still fairly poor. The growth in income has not been spread evenly in the population and this has been one of contention by even partisans of the ruling party who believe that the original egalitarian goals have been abandoned. It is our hope that the politicians of Brazil will listen to their people.

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

Is Dr. Surujbally out to save his super salary job?

DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to make some comments and pose some questions about the Guyana Elections Commission and more specifically about the independence of its Chairman Dr. Surujbally and its Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Goocol Boodhoo.

I recall recently reading a letter in the press by one Sundar Nauth who made some very important points about the importance of an independent Elections Commission and what that independence has thus far gave to Guyana, namely Political peace and stability, economic prosperity and a maturing democracy.

I clearly recall, and I know that the majority of Guyanese will also recall that following the announcement of the

results of the 2011 elections the entire opposition was very vocal in their call for the removal of both the Chairman and the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Election Commission. I also recall and again I am sure that the majority of Guyanese would also recall that Chairman of the Guyana Election Commission, Dr, Surajbally, several times, in the presence of distinguished dignitaries, both local and foreign, made clear pronouncements on the importance of the independence of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Now, according to reports in the media, the oppositions are up in arms against the renewal of the Chief Elections Officer’s, Mr. Goocol Boodhoo’s contract based on one genuine human mistake he made in

calculating of the allocation of seats, a mistake when taken into consideration the checks and balances in place at the Commission, is impossible to go unnoticed and which by no stretch of imagination could have ever been intentional. I recall, and many would also recall that no other than Dr. Surujbally came to the defence of Mr. Boodhoo when the opposition accused him of making a deliberate mistake in favour of the PPP/C. Mr. Boodhoo has been the Chief Elections Officer for three elections and his contract has been renewed each time without any objections from any of the opposition’s commissioners, including Mr. Vincent Alexander who was the PNC’s campaign manager for the 2006 (Continued on page 23)

Sunday June 23, 2013

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

Allegation of assault that society should investigate DEAR EDITOR, On Thursday afternoon, I was having lunch with Leonard Craig of the People’s Parliament and Dr. David Hinds of the WPA. The place was the other branch of the Supreme Food Court; the older branch at Camp and Durban Streets was burnt down early the same Thursday My lunch was interrupted by a call from a very senior rank of the Guyana Police force who suggested to me that only the media can help in a particular alleged criminal incident. He told me that a former Minister, who currently occupies a very special office in the public sector, was involved in an

alleged abuse of his neighbour, where alleged threats to use a gun was involved and a rank sent to investigate was also allegedly abused but the police are afraid to act I didn’t think it was sufficient to break off my lunch with David. It was the first time I am seeing him since he returned from the US for the purpose of testifying for the defence (that’s me) in the libel writ of Bharrat Jagdeo.

Whenever we meet, the political analyses go on for hours. I felt that my gilbacker curry was too expensive to leave to rush down to Kingston. I felt Kingston could wait. So the gilbacker curry and chatting with

David I put as priority and I thought it was a justified decision After lunch to Kingston I went. The neighbor said that outside her business place, all the vacant lots were used up by parked vehicles except one which is sandwiched between her business place and a “mansion” the former Minister is putting up.

She asked that he move so she can park. According to the woman, she was abused and threatened with a gun. Now that is her story.

It may not be as factual as she reported to me. I informed all the private media houses including online sources She went on to add that her journey to the Brickdam

police station resulted in a female rank being sent to speak to the Minister.

According to her, the rank was verbally assaulted.

After my libel case the next morning (Friday), which has been postponed by request of Mr. Jagdeo’s lawyer for the umpteen time (God knows I am getting fed up with this interminable postponement by the plaintiff), I went to speak to the rank involved and her superiors. I spoke to her, Cadet Officer Das, and Superintendent Tyndall From what I heard, it is beyond belief that since Thursday midday to the time of writing (Saturday afternoon), this gentleman

has not reported to the police station. From what the rank has reported, a charge sheet should have been written up immediately. Officer Das who has been put in charge of the case by Mr. Tyndall has not contacted the complainant at the time of writing although he did indicate he would be in touch the next day, Saturday From what I have heard, I believe stakeholders in this country need to pressure the police to investigate this incident and have the gentleman report to the police. I chose not to interview the former Minister because in the past I have written countless critical pieces on him. I believe he

would be hostile to me.

That was my judgement call though I admit in journalism you cannot allow an anticipation to stop you from pursuing an investigation. I believe I should have at least attempted to contact him. If readers think I erred in not doing so, then I apologize In this letter here I have merely reported what the woman told me. She could be stretching some angles for all you know. And she could be very factual. But this I know; the rank is making the same complaint. Let’s see how society treats this one. I am not optimistic at all. This is Guyana, God’s forgotten country Frederick Kissoon

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

Ramjattan is allowing Granger to influence his behavior DEAR EDITOR, Since the Linden uprising, Guyana’s minority opposition party, the Alliance For Change - AFC has been aggressively opposing government’s policies and programmes, taking the fight to the Ramotar Administration while the more senior Parliamentary opposition, PNC/APNU, seems to be docile.

But don’t be fooled by this seemingly passive approach taken by David Granger... It bears the hallmark of a very effective military strategy known as Psychological Operations PSYOP. Although some within his own party seriously question Granger’s political astuteness, it begs the question: Is PSYOP being used to destabilize the democratically elected Government of Guyana?

Since his ascension to the leadership of PNC/APNU, Granger has surrounded himself with former military men, some of whom received specialized training in PSYOP: A means of intentionally deceiving targeted individuals and the population through a variety of sophisticated methods to accomplish specified objectives. In the case of PNC/APNU, the objective would be to disrupt the economy through budget

cuts and protests, and ultimately force the President to include them in a government of national unity.

People perceive things that make sense within the context of their beliefs, values, attitudes, and experiences.

Our perceptions are highly selective and subjective; we see what we want to see and hear what we want to hear. Further, if we do not like what we perceive, we often distort or modify it.

Behavioral change is at the root of any PSYOP mission.

A person’s behavior is motivated by needs, wants, motives, and self-concepts.

All of these influence one’s acceptance of an idea.

People have a need when they lack something useful, required or desired.

When a few needs are fairly well satisfied, others emerge. Because needs are insatiable, incapable of ever being fully satisfied, PSYOP planners do not have to satisfy one need before progressing on to other needs. Hence the old saying, “The more you get is the more you want.” Although evidence of the use of PSYOP is difficult to prove, it can be deducted by the strategy employed in a variety of attacks and demonstrations against the PPP/C Administration that would normally be considered nonissues: 1. After the PPP/C victory at the polls in the last general election, APNU tried to force the administration to include them and the AFC in a

government of national unity… something they would not have even considered had they been victorious.

2. The Increase in salary for public servants and benefits for old-age pensioners may be inadequate but fair when one considers the state of the economy; the ongoing national development projects; and the many social programmes being funded by government, including healthcare and education.

3. The One Laptop Per Family Programme; a novel idea to educate our youth with modern technology was demonized by the opposition.

4. Making land available to all Guyanese, especially those single parents and lowincome families, to build a home of their own.

5. Providing subsidy to Guyana Power & Light in order to avoid an increase in electricity rates to consumers.

6. The building of the Amalia Falls Hydro Electric Project that is expected to alleviate our electricity woes, and 7. The building of the Marriott Hotel and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport expansion to boost air travel and accommodation, making Guyana more marketable for tourism.

All of the above projects have been viciously attacked by the APNU-led opposition.

A close advisor to David Granger, former Brigadier General of the Guyana Defence Force, Edward

Collins received extensive training in the use of PHYOP, and former GDF officers Malcolm Harripaul and Mark Archer seemed to have taken over Granger ’s public relations campaign, distorting the Administration’s achievements in the local press and social networks.

The controversial former Police Commissioner Winston Felix is also a trusted Granger advisor and APNU Parliamentarian.

Creating dissent amoung our people that led to protest and anarchy in Linden is a perfect example of PHYOP in action. Granger must have known, like the rest of Guyana, that removing the electricity subsidy from the town of Linden was long overdue and unattainable given the budget cuts he spearheaded.

Yet, instead of convincing its supporters to pay their fair share of the electricity they’re using like the rest of the country, APNU was able to convince Lindeners that the government, who had generously subsidized their abusive use of electricity for years, were the bad guys, and not the Joint Opposition who took away the subsidy by butchering the 2012 National Budget.

The same strategy is now being repeated against Guyana Power & Light that seeks to implement a rate increase after the government assistance programme was cut by the Joint Opposition in the 2013 Budget.

Another example of the use of PSYOP is the reckless and irresponsible blockage of four pieces of proposed legislative amendments by the opposition, that were designed to reform the Guyana Police Force, an institution that everyone agrees needs a major overhaul. Any responsible law-maker would have voted for passage of these amendments, but the opposition was able to justify the risk to our national

security and avoid national condemnation by blaming the sponsor of the bill, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee for lack of passage.

APNU is intentionally deceiving the Guyanese people through a variety of sophisticated methods aimed at discrediting the government, making it difficult for them to remain in office without compromising on much of their demands.

I am convinced that the AFC is also a victim of APNU’s PSYOP strategy.

Why else would Khemraj Ramjattan betray the people who voted for AFC based on his pronouncement that the AFC will never join with

APNU? Why else would they join with APNU to impede our nation’s progress by voting down every piece of legislation the government proposed? Why else would he risk denying progress to his constituency by being the pit bull of the opposition attacks against the very administration he depends on to bring development to his constituency?

By taking actions favorable to APNU, Khemraj Ramjattan is allowing Granger to influence his behavior. The objective of Psychological Operations. He is being used much to the disgust of those who voted for “change.”

Harry Gill

This article was grossly inaccurate DEAR EDITOR, I write to you concerning an article carried in the Kaieteur News dated June 20, 2013, captioned “Unattended child rescued from burning building”.

It is with a sense of disgust I write this correspondence having seen my parents lose part of their home to fire and having to look at my already ailing mother brought to tears over the numerous inaccuracies in your report which clearly stems from reckless and irresponsible reporting by your staff.

First – the address of the residence stated in your article is incorrect. The correct address is 95 Block ‘F’ North Sophia; and not 93 Block ‘F’ North Sophia, as stated. If the Guyana postal service recognizes 95 Block ‘F’ North Sophia as a valid address for this residence, then I imagine this is correct!!

Second – There was no breaking down of door to rescue the child from the building. After the fire started, the child called out to her grandmother who responded and went downstairs to

enquire why she was calling.

Upon seeing the fire, the grandmother told the child to run through the front door where she collected her and handed her over the fence to neighbors who had already assembled outside the gate attempting to enter the yard to assist with extinguishing the fire.

Third – Your article states that the mother of the child works for Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, this again is inaccurate.

This reckless report by your staff has caused my family much grief added to what they are already faced with and I would like to ask that you have your report corrected to reflect the true facts concerning events that took place on June 20,2013 at my parents residence.

Let me also take this opportunity to thank all the public spirited residence of North Sophia who rendered assistance to my mother and worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire and prevent it from engulfing the entire building.

Ian La Fargue Concerned Son

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Sunday June 23, 2013

Dem boys seh

Donald got ring in he nose When ordinary people owe de government most of dem does lose everything dem got because de government got to get its money. When people owe de government and nutten ain’t happen is because dem is de big ones and dem accustomed to tekking money from de government.

Brazzy know that he had a kickback wid de Amaila Falls road suh when Fip had to get a performance bond he demand that Fip use de li’l Brazzy insurance company, Hand in Hand. De big Brazzy was de one who buy all de extra shares in Hand in Hand fuh he buddy; he sign fuh de shares and he keep dem. That is how he coulda demand that Fip tek de bond. In fact the just sign two paper and give Fip de bond.

Well dem boys know that Fip woulda buss de contract.

Now de government want de money he owe dem and de only place dem can get de money is from de performance bond.

Now if Brazzy give Fip de bond and de contract, dem can’t expect Brazzy fuh tek he own money to pay fuh de contract.

Luncheon and Donald and Ash Knee ain’t even going to court. That money gone fuh channa. But like anything that Brazzy touch, is only talk that money spend. No money ain’t spend fuh buy de GPC. But dem boys seh that Donald vex because dem boys play he like if he got a ring in he nose.

And is now dem boys know how much Bobby buy de franchise for. Trinidad paying US$2 Million for that franchise. Bobby buy he own fuh US$2.5 million. But all dem boys asking, nobody wasn’t talking. Dem had to talk in Trinidad, though, because people dopes go to jail fuh hiding money transactions.

For example, de people who buy got to come forward.

Fuh de Guyana contract, only Bobby come forward. He real backer stay in de background. Bobby put US$500,000.

De real owner put US$2million. Dem boys believe is Jagdeo because he and Bobby like Batty and Po. Talk half and wait fuh more story buss out.

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Construction sector hit by labour shortage Government says that it is battling a worrying labour shortage in the housing sector. The sector, along with gold, has been a main prop for the country’s economy for a number of years now.

Thousands of house lots have been issued in recent years but a number of factors affecting the work force are now threatening to break the momentum.

According to Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali, the issue has been engaging the government at the highest level with a number of alternatives being mulled. Ali stopped short of saying what these were.

The gold boom in the hinterlands, fueled by high world prices in recent years, has affected almost all the other sectors. With the lure of big bucks, residents from the coastlands have been trekking to the gold fields.

Badly affected are the traditional employers involved in forestry and even sugar and even bauxite.

Questioned Friday during a media tour of the Housing Expo site at the National Stadium, Providence, the official pointed to the higher pay for workers in the housing area which moved from $3,500 up to $7,500 daily for skilled workers.

- CH&PA targeting rogue developers Labourers, who once received $2,000 daily, are now demanding up to $4,000. But despite the heavy demand for workers in the housing industry, the shortage of workers remains.

The situation, from all indications, seems to be getting worse, if the figures from the banks are to be

believed. For this year alone, as compared to last year, the Ministry of Housing issued thrice the number of ‘Letters of Assurance’, which are used in the interim by the banks as proof of ownership of house lots to process mortgages.

The demand for labour will only grow, the Ministry said.

Meanwhile, the

government official was pressed on complaints by Guyanese who said that they have been robbed by developers who failed to deliver.

There have been a number of cases of police becoming involved after developers collected millions of dollars but failed to deliver.

According to the Minister, the Central Housing (Continued on page 11)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

Financial crimes legislation bad news, unconstitutional Consultant and former presidential advisor Ramon Gaskin, has described the 2009 financial crimes legislation as being unconstitutional and in direct contrast with existing laws. He told a mixed crowd at a public forum honouring the 33 rd anniversary of the assassination of Working People’s Alliance’s Dr. Walter Rodney on Friday evening, that the legislation is ‘bad news’ and advised that the Act be scrapped rather than amended.

He slammed policymakers who passed the existing Money Laundering and Countering of Financing Terrorism Act (AML/CFT) in 2009, despite the existing constitutional glitches. Gaskin especially stressed on the investigative and prosecutorial powers given to Attorney General (AG) and the Finance Minister, while highlighting others that cause clashes with law enforcement and politicians.

In scrutinizing the Bill, Gaskin said that in section two

- Ramon Gaskin

A section of the crowd at Friday’s symposium of the Act, it says that where the Attorney General has reasonable grounds to believe that a person is a terrorist or is involved in terrorist acts, he (AG) could recommend to the Finance Minister to make an order against that person, and if the Finance Minister is satisfied with the AG’s belief, he will so make the order and have the individual so gazetted. Gaskin said the

legislation continues that if the individual wants to appeal being ‘blacklisted’ he can appeal to the said Finance Minister or apply to a judge for review within 60 days. The law however says that the AG could request from the Judge that the blacklisted person and lawyer be put out of the courtroom on matters of national security, and if the ruling is in that individual’s

favour, they will still have to go back to the Minister to be removed from the ‘blacklist’.

Gaskin charged that the AG now has the power to tell the Finance Minister to ‘blacklist’ a person which is against what the constitution represents.

‘He (AG) is now involved in law enforcement because he has reasonable grounds to believe something.’ ‘He (AG) said he will be the principle

legal advisor to the government of Guyana...since when is he involved in law enforcement,’ Gaskin echoed.Gaskin touched on the purpose of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) which is set up under the AML/CFT Act. According to him, the director of this unit is appointed by the Minister of Finance, ‘a political man,’ ‘politicians involved in law

enforcement cannot be. Our system does not allow it,’ he charged. Gaskin questioned the role of the unit, while urging that it is only the country’s Central bank that has legal powers to supervise and investigate financial entities, and the Financial Institutes Act does not give the unit such authority; ‘nobody else can’t go there.

Exclusive means exclusive,’ he argued. The panelist went on that every year the FIU director will give to the minister a report of his work and the minister will take it to the National Assembly. This, he said, has never been done; focus then should not be on the amendments, but rather the Act. ‘The amendments are not the problem. The problem is the 2009 Act. It violates the constitution all the time.’

The AML/CFT Act, he said, should really deal with two things, but after reading it has nothing to do with the issue, it’s a misnomer, it purports to deal with two serious businesses; laundering and (Continued on page 11)

Sunday June 23, 2013

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Financial crimes legislation... Coconut farmers being

From page 10 countering terrorism-it is not true that that is not what it does. It deals with offences which are listed.

A flaw in the Act notes that a judge could accept evidence that is not admissible and could make decisions based on this.

Gaskin said that it is also flawed where the AG and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) comes in line for law enforcement; reiterating that the AG is a politician and should have no part in law enforcement.

Well known Guyanese economist, Professor Clive Thomas, also gave his take on the AML/CFT Bill which he too believes is erroneous and needs to be reviewed. He opined that policymakers need to go back to the drawing board and review the original

Act. “It cannot be limited to the amendments,” Thomas noted. “It has to go to the structure of the Bill that we passed in 2009 and we cannot absolve ourselves from some of the blame for allowing that Bill to pass unanimously.”

He refused to believe that if Guyana does not approve the amendments to the financial crimes Act that the country would face sanctions that will affect small businesses, as the government claimed. He said the threats coming from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force are not serious threats in that sense. Thomas believes that the agencies are after the key players, “who are laundering money on the scale of millions and millions of US dollars.”

He reasoned that with an annual average of 40 percent

in estimated remittances, developed countries could not vouch for large inflows of cast. He said there is no growth in developed countries where overseas Diaspora is living thus justifying high levels of rate in remittances growth so it must be assumed that there is, “organized criminal transfers in remittances.”

Opposition Leader David Granger was also present at Friday’s symposium. He said that the parliament is seeking to give citizens a good AML/ CFT Act. He said that his party is in no hurry to finalize the Bill as the necessary work has to be put in.

It is however hoped that the Bill could be passed before late August. The government is claiming serious sanctions if the Bill is not finalized before the deadline.

Construction sector hit by labour...

From page 9 and Planning Authority (CHPA), has over time, been issuing warnings about some developers. He admitted that more needs to be done.

Persons, before conducting any business with developers of housing schemes, should first check with the CH&PA. “Almost all private developers that had issues, we have a caution statement,” Ali said in defence of criticisms that his Ministry should be playing a more active monitoring role.

It is imperative, he urged, that persons conduct their research on these developers.

There have been instances where developers collected monies and claimed that CH&PA and the banks were holding up the process.

“We call the bank and confirm that the bank was not even close to approving. We have a fluid system of sharing information with the bank.”

According to Ali, his Ministry has also been

screening developers ensuring that housing development is kept clean.

Even the now annual Housing Expo has been ensuring

certain developers have not infiltrated the system.

“We carefully select them based on our information.”

(Leonard Gildarie)

trained on fertilization

The National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI), an arm of the Agriculture Ministry, is currently working to sensitize farmers to the various technologies and strategies that they can use to improve on coconut production.

Over the past few years, Guyana’s coconut has been on vast demand, especially on the international market.

Earlier this year, during a press conference to highlight plans for the first quarter of 2013, Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy placed specific emphasis on the coconut industry, noting that measures will be put in place for major improvements.

One of these included conducting training and education programmes geared to particularly the poorer farmers.

It was noted that although there are many people who make a living by planting trees and selling coconuts, not many of them take time to

groom and take care of the trees like they would other plants. Adrian Mangar, a NARI official, explained that coconut trees should be fertilized.

“A not fertilized tree would give you about 20 to 25 nuts per bunch. This would be like nine to 10 bunch per year, and sometimes not all the nuts does stay on,” the man explained.

He added that should farmers fertilize their trees, their outcome would be more.

“If farmers do fertilize their trees, they get as much as 48 nuts per bunch.”

Coconut farmers from the Pomeroon, Wakenaam and Mon Repos are currently involved in fertilization trials where NARI is seeking to better the outputs of coconut,

and by extension, increase revenue. Minister Ramsammy had explained that Guyana’s coconuts contain one of the thickest kernels in the world.

It is because of this that the Ministry of Agriculture has opted to make the coconut industry a priority for this year (2013).

This newspaper understands that over 100,000 water nuts are required weekly to supply just the local market.

In 2012, the Ministry established “research and development support” for value-added products from coconuts, so as to allow it to become more profitable.

The ministry also hosted a coconut assessment meeting, allowing some new focus to be brought on to the coconut industry.

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Kaieteur News

Pull all Govt. contracts from Strategic Action Security- APNU President Donald Ramotar’s purported intolerance for corruption is now being tested as the Guyana Youth and Student Movement (GYSM) demands that Government withdraws all State contracts awarded to Strategic Action Security Limited.

This demand comes days after millions of dollars worth of suspected stolen items, including several laptops linked to Government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) programme, were retrieved from the firm’s Queenstown office during a police raid. And, the owner of the security firm, Richard Kanhai, was taken into police custody.

Over 100 of the OLPF laptops disappeared last August from the project’s Queenstown, Georgetown office. The police had been called in. To date, no one has been arrested and according to Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, several staffers were subjected to lie-detector tests. The tests were inconclusive.

According to Christopher Jones, Chairman of GYSM, and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Member of Parliament, at a public meeting held at Stabroek Market, on Friday, this scenario would prove if indeed Ramotar is serious about stamping out corruption.

He said that on different occasions Ramotar

President Donald Ramotar

Christopher Jones

proclaimed his willingness to eliminate corruption if provided with evidence and this public discovery is enough for Government to stop doing business with the firm. In addition, this matter should be properly investigated to ascertain who were the other parties involved. This company and its directors should be blacklisted from bidding for Government projects, he added.

Jones said that Strategic Action Security receives about 90 percent of state contracts to secure Government buildings, including schools and hospitals. “When we were reviewing 2013 estimates in the Committee of Supply it was observed by Members of Parliament that Strategic Action Security provides s ecurity for almost all Government buildings under

every Ministry. This situation is not new this also happened under the Ninth Parliament, I am told,” Jones stated.

The Member of Parliament emphasized that it is situation like this that justifies the urgent need for establishment of the Pu blic Procurement Commission. He said with this vital Commission all speculations of favoured awarding of contracts would be put to rest.

According to a source in the private security s e c t o r, the Guyana Association of Private Security Organization had refused the application of Kanhai to be part of the organization because the body was suspicious of his c h a r a c t e r. T h e s o u r c e opined that an in-depth (Continued on page 53)

Sunday June 23, 2013

ImmigrationINFO Immigration News For Our Community Beware of Immigration Service Providers who are not Lawyers…

Beware of immigration service providers. Many of these unauthorized practitioners mean well.

However, all too many of them are out to rip you off.

This is against the law and may be considered an immigration service scam.

Many providers refer to themselves as “Certified Immigration Specialist” or “Certified Immigration Provider” but there is no educational programme in the U.S. to certify anyone as an immigration specialist or provider.

Under the U.S. laws, only an immigration lawyer, I repeat, lawyer, can give you legal advice on an immigration matter, explain immigration options and communicate on your behalf to the immigration agencies.

Also, only an i m m i g r a t i o n l a w y e r, I repeat, lawyer, can represent you in matters pending before the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Custom and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (Immigration Court), and the Board of Immigration Appeals.

In limited circumstances, representatives accredited by the Department of Homeland Security can assist individuals with preparation of petitions.

There have been many instances of immigration service providers, who are not lawyers, charging high fees for services they are not authorized to perform. In many cases, using a service provider instead of a lawyer leads to delay in application/petition processing, high unnecessary costs, and possible denial.

It is advantageous to use a lawyer since the lawyer is well trained in the law and clients have legal recourse against lawyers who are licensed by the bar.

Further, beware of on-line websites that claim they can prepare and submit immigration forms for you and guarantee a fast result.

Note, all immigration forms are accessible on the government website at www.uscis.gov.

10 TIPS TO AVOID IMMIGRATION SCAMS: 1. Before you sign an immigration form make sure that you understand it and that the information on it is true and accurate.

2. Never sign blank forms.

3. Make sure you get a receipt for any payment you make to a lawyer or especially an “immigration service provider”.

4. Keep copies of all forms and other documents that you file.

5. You will receive a receipt after your application is filed. Make sure to keep the receipt for your records.

6. If you are unsure

Gail Seeram whether your “immigration service provider” is giving trustworthy advice, do not hesitate to seek a second opinion.

When doing so, always work with a licensed lawyer or accredited representative.

7. Make sure person who prepares petition or form signs in the designated area.

8. Pay filing fees with a check so cancelled check serves as an additional receipt.

9. Report any immigration scams to lawyer general office or nearest U.S. Embassy.

10. Notarios or notaries are not authorized to provide legal services relating to immigration.

Gail S. Seeram, LL.M, J.D., BBA, is a Guyanese-born U.S. Immigration Lawyer with offices in the United States. Send your comments and feedback to Gail@Go2Lawyer.com, visit her website at www.Go2Lawyer.com or connect on www.facebook.com/ Go2Lawyer. Questions?

Call 407-292-7730 or tollfree at 1-877-GAIL-LAW.

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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THANK YOU, UNCLE DONALD! T

he greatest exploiters of the working class are to be found within the rich.

You think the government pays its workers poorly, try the private sector!

If you believe that workers are underpaid in the public sector, take a closer look at sections of the private sector! There you will see the face of exploitation.

There is a security guard who is paid $125 per hour by his employer. That cannot even buy a half-litre bottle of Coca-Cola.

At this wage rate he has to work eight hours per day to obtain a $1000. If he works forty hours per week his pay is $5,000 per week or $20,000 per month.

But of course he does not work an eight-hour day or a forty-hour week. His shifts are 12-hour shifts.

Thus for five days of work he clocks in for sixty hours. At $125 per hour, he earns $7,500 per week or $30,000 per month. But with “time and a half� and double pay, from working overtime and on holidays, he can increase this to around $40,000 per month.

But time and a half and double pay is scarce, because the boss always finds someone to work on the days these are paid so as to avoid having to pay the overtime to the guard.

He can earn more if he works double-shifts. Some days when his colleague fails to relieve him, he has to double up. He is thus asked to work twenty-four hours on the trot. Some guards boast of working thirty-six hours straight. This is not overtime but merely extra work, but because the money is small, the guard does not mind.

In this context, try telling that guard that the government should put on hold its recent decision to increase the minimum wage to $9,000 per week for a forty-hour week! Trying seeing whether he will support any decision to halt that decision while further consultations with the private sector take place!

With the new wages, this guard's income will increase from $7,500 per week to $9,000 for a forty-hour work week. This is $6,000 more per month.

But since he works an average of 60 hours per week, it means that he will earn an additional $6,750 in overtime, effectively allowing him to now earn as much as $15,750 when before, for the same work, he would have only been receiving $7,500 per week, since his normal shifts then would have been twelvehour shifts.

Do you know the impact that this doubling of that guard's income will have on his lifestyle? For once he can say that he is being appreciated and being paid fairly.

Two wrongs are being simultaneously corrected.

The first is the underpayment of $125 per hour, which now moves to above $200 per hour, a more than 60% increase - the highest percentage wage increase ever offered in Guyana.

And the second wrong which is being righted at the same time is the reduction in the working hours before overtime is payable. Instead of twelve-hour shifts, this particular security guard will earn overtime after only forty hours.

But it is not only security

guards that are going to be positively affected by the recent decision to institute a national minimum wage.

There are workers in certain factories in this country, overwhelmingly women, who are required to work six days per week, eight hours per day, that is, forty-eight hours per week.

At the end of the week they receive $6,000.

When some of these workers query their low pay, they are advised that the company transports them to and from work and therefore they are freed of having to

pay transportation.

What they are not told is that if this transportation was not provided, no one would work at these factories, because the pay would barely cover the transportation costs. These girls will now enjoy a fifty per cent increase in their earnings.

There is a domestic who does ironing for one of the richest families in Guyana.

She stands for eight hours, one day per week, pressing that family's clothing. At the end of the day, she is given a $1,000 bill for her efforts.

All that will now end.

The recent decision by the government to institute a national minimum wage at $9,000 for a forty-hour week is the most progressive working class policy that has taken place in Guyana since the PPPC came to power.

Donald Ramotar has done a good thing here for the poor workers of Guyana.

There must be no retreating from this decision, even in the face of the pressures that will be brought to bear by sections of the private sector.

Some unscrupulous businesspersons will

however try to find ways around the regulation. They may try, for example, to exclude the lunch half-hour from the computation of the forty hours.

The government should put their foot down here.

Every worker should be entitled to at least a half an hour lunch break each day.

With pay!

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Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

Criminal session in Berbice High Court halted - absence of indicted persons, witnesses cited There is an unusual development in the just opened June sessions of the Berbice Criminal Assizes.

The session came to a halt on Friday due to the unavailability of the indicted persons and the witnesses.

Most of them cannot be located.

According to State Prosecutor Diana Kowlessar, most of those expected to face trial are on bail. In addition, the relevant witness cannot be located.

They have either moved from their previous address or migrated.

She stated that radio messages have been sent out repeatedly and checks were made at the previous known addresses, all to no avail. Some of the properties have been sold or rented and persons now living there are not familiar

with those that occupied the premises before.

Bench warrants have since been issued for those expected to face trial and the relevant authorities including the police will be doing their utmost to have those persons taken into custody to face trial.

In explaining the scenario that exists, State Prosecutor Diana Kowlessar stated that the state has to work with the list of cases that has been prepared by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)

and it is those accused and witnesses that cannot be contacted.

All told, there are 42 persons awaiting trial.

They have all expressed a willingness to have an early trial; of that list 37 are for murder.

However most of those indictments are not ready.

On Tuesday when the session opened Guru Jagnarine who was indicted on charges of abduction, rape and indecent assault had his case discharged in the Berbice High Court after the virtual complaint

in the matter, who lives overseas decided that she does not want to continue with the matter.

He was represented by attorneys at law Jorawar Misir and Motie Singh.

Meanwhile the case of Bernard D’Aguiar, accused of carnal knowledge and incest has been discontinued.

Justice Dawn Gregory asked the jurors to return to court on Tuesday, by which time it is expected that the prosecution would have made contact with the missing persons.

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Is Dr. Surujbally out to save...

AN ABERRATION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

From page 4 elections. As campaign manager for the PNC during the 2006 election campaign Mr. Alexander would have had first hand information about any misconduct on the part of Mr. Boodhoo. It would be interesting to note the fact that Mr. Alexander was appointed a Commissioner from the opposition before Mr. Boodhoo’s last contract renewal and he did not have not even objection to the renewal. It is therefore clear as the light of day that had there been any misconduct on the part of Mr. Boodhoo, Mr. Alexander would not have sat quietly and not object to his then contract renewal.

Even more interesting, is the fact that even as the opposition, demands that Mr. Boodhoo’s contract not be renewed, they cannot produce evidence of a single instance of misconduct by him support their demand.

The logical conclusion therefore is that Mr. Goocol Boodhoo has indeed served his country with distinction and the current campaign against him is clearly politically motivated. This does not help with the maintenance of the independence of a most critical institution of stability of this nation of ours.

My understanding is that the Chairman, Dr. Surajbally, has so far failed to complete Mr. Boodhoo’s performance appraisal as Chief Elections Officer for the duration of his last contract period, the only grounds upon which his request for the renewal of his contract must be considered.

In-fact Mr. Boodhoo should have been appraised many months ago, but strange enough this has not been done. There are therefore se-

rious questions that must be posed to the chairman since the buck stops at him on this issue. The questions to be asked are: · Has Dr. Surujbally failed in the execution of his duties as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission in not completing Mr. Boodhoo’s performance appraisal? · Can this be considered a dereliction of his duty? · Is this a convenient failure? · Since this matter became a contentious one, what steps has Dr. Surujbally taken to have it addressed? · If noting is being done, what are the reasons? · If no plausible explanation can be given by Dr. Surajbally’s for his failure to complete Mr. Boodhoo’s Appraisal, then what could be the most plausible explanation?

The answers may lie in the following: As mentioned earlier, everyone will recall that after the 2011 elections the oppositions was clear in their call for the heads of both Dr. Surujbally and Mr. Boodhoo.

Now they are calling only for

the removal of Mr. Boodhoo.

What has changed?

It appeared that Dr. Surujbally made a deal with the opposition so that he can retain his salary and benefits, which I understand amounts to approximately Two Million dollars per month. It appears that Dr. Surujbally is prepared to sacrifice Mr. Boodhoo, the independence of the Guyana Election Commission and the future of Guyana in order to retain his supper salary job.

However, He must remember that it is hard earned taxpayers money he is enjoying and he therefore duty bound to act in the best interest of the nation and its taxpayers.

The role Mr. Boodhoo, played in the maintenance of political stability and democracy in Guyana as the Chief Elections Officer cannot be over emphasised. It is now the call of Dr. Surajbally.

He must act in such a way that he can occupy his rightful place in Guyana’s history, in a positive way.

He must demonstrate his maturity and adherence to principles and not be like those under the PNC. Stephen Kissoon

Why was this official reinstated?

DEAR EDITOR, The more things change the more they remain the same – or get worse. News from the underground has it that the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health made a conscious decision to fire the Director of Materials Management since there was clear evidence of gross inappropriate dealings with Government’s business.

The official was fired on

Friday June14 and replaced by her Assistant. However, the ‘Guns of Navarone’ came on strong and the same recalcitrant official was reinstated on Tuesday June 18 on the instruction of the Minister of the Public Service Ministry.

Editor, we can now accept our collective fate – we are going nowhere and we are getting there fast.

Concerned Guyanese

DEAR EDITOR, There is a saying that everyone is entitled to their own opinions but not to their own facts. Facts are indeed stubborn things. They cannot be erased or wished away, even though there are some who sought to distort our political history by commenting on matters over which, at best they are not familiar with or at worst they deliberately seek to distort out of narrow partisan interests.

One writer with claim to academic credentials went as far as to say that it was his considered opinion that the APNU won the plurality in the last general elections without providing one iota of evidence to substantiate his view.

One undisputed fact is that the PPP is the only political party that have always won either a plurality or an outright majority in all free and fair elections held in Guyana since the 1950’s until this day. It is common knowledge that all elections from 1968 to 1985 were blatantly and massively rigged by the PNC and therefore could not be regarded as a true expression of the political preferences of the Guyanese electorate. It was not until the restoration of democracy on 0ctober 1992 that the true political preferences of the electorate

were finally known after lots of speculation regarding relative strengths of political parties.

The October 5 1992 elections shattered the hopes and political aspirations of several opposition parties. The PNC, WPA and the DLM became victims of the democratic processes the latter having never recovered and pushed into political oblivion. The WPA was relegated into the political backwaters until it finally morphed into a new political entity known asAPNU which with the support of the AFC now enjoy a one-seat majority in parliament.

What is manifesting itself today is an aberration of the democratic process in which two minority political entities are behaving as though they have a divine right to overrule the party with the largest popular support as a consequence of their combined one-seat majority.

Such thinking is not only flawed but antidevelopmental and could derail the democratic aspirations of the Guyanese people. It is this first-pass-the post principle that rendered the westminster model of political representation superior to that of the proportional representation which was imposed by the British Government in the elections of 1964 with disastrous consequences.

Hydra ally

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Sunday June 23, 2013

Obama to lay out climate change plan in speech (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said yesterday that he will outline a climate change plan Tuesday centered around reducing pollution from carbon emissions as he attempts to make good on a pledge for his second term.

“This Tuesday, I’ll lay out my vision for where I believe we need to go - a national plan to reduce carbon pollution, prepare our country for the impacts of climate change and lead global efforts to fight it,” he said in a White House video.

Obama made tackling climate change a top priority in his inaugural address in January when he began his second term. His speech will be at Georgetown University, the day before he goes on a three-nation tour of Africa.

In his video message, Obama outlined what would be a major national effort to address climate change. He said scientists will be needed to design new fuels, farmers to grow them, engineers to devise new sources of energy and workers to build the

Barack Obama foundation for a clean energy economy.

“There’s no single step that can reverse the effects of climate change. But when it comes to the world we leave our children, we owe it to them to do what we can,” he said.

Sources familiar with his plans have said Obama is likely to roll out a number of measures on climate policy.

They may include a strategy to limit greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants, which account for roughly 40 percent of U.S.

carbon dioxide emissions.

Controlling carbon dioxide, a byproduct of burning coal and other fossil fuels, is seen as a vital step in confronting climate change.

Federal regulations are still pending on power plants that have yet to be built, after the Environmental Protection Agency missed an April deadline to roll out emissions rules.

However, environmentalists have been pushing Obama’s administration to go after a bigger target and set tighter standards for the roughly 1,400 coal-fired burners that already feed the nation’s electric grid.

The White House’s top energy and climate adviser, Heather Zichal, said recently that Obama will take several steps to make tackling climate change a second-term priority.

“In the near term, we are very much focused on the power plant piece of the equation,” she said at an energy and environment forum.

Labour says would not borrow to reverse cuts

(Reuters) The opposition Labour Party would not borrow more money to reverse spending cuts by Prime Minister David Cameron’s coalition government should it win the next election due in 2015, its leader Ed Miliband said yesterday.

Although polls show Labour has a lead of up to 10 points over Cameron’s Conservatives, Miliband still needs to convince sceptical voters of his party’s economic credibility and shrug off criticism it is wedded to spending money it does not have.

“If we win the election, we will come to power in tougher economic circumstances than we have seen in generations and that will have to shape the way that we govern,”

Miliband said in a speech to his party’s National Policy Forum.

“Our starting point for 2015-16 will be that we cannot reverse any cut in day to day, current spending unless it is fully funded from cuts elsewhere or extra revenue not from more borrowing.”

Chancellor George Osborne is due to announce details next week of 11.5 billion pounds of cuts by government departments following a spending review in the latest effort to reduce a big public deficit.

Miliband is aware he need to restore Labour’s image which was badly damaged by the 2008 crisis when it was in government, and his speech is the latest in a series of coordinated attempts to revive its economic

Ed Miliband reputation.

Labour was criticised for allowing Britain’s budget deficit to peak at just over 11 percent of gross domestic product, and although the economy has struggled to recover under Cameron’s tough austerity measures, Conservative attacks on Labour’s record of borrowing and spending resonate with voters.

Friends of Syria agree to give urgent rebel aid DOHA (Reuters) - Western and Arab countries opposed to President Bashar alAssad agreed at talks in Qatar yesterday to give urgent military support to Syrian rebels fighting for his overthrow, and to channel it through a Western-backed rebel military command.

Ministers from the 11 main countries which form the Friends of Syria group agreed “to provide urgently all the necessary materiel and equipment to the opposition on the

ground, each country in its own way in order to enable them to counter brutal attacks by the regime and its allies”. They also condemned “the intervention of Hezbollah militias and fighters from Iran and Iraq”, demanding that they withdraw immediately.

Guerrillas from Lebanon’s Shi’ite proIranian Hezbollah organization spearheaded the recapture of the strategic border town of Qusair from mainly Sunni Muslim rebels two weeks ago.

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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United States and Jamaica to collaborate on climate change issues JIS - A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed Thursday between Jamaica and the United States of America, that will see greater co-operation between both countries, on matters related to climate change and environmental best practices.

The agreement will see the Ministries of Water, Land, Environment and Climate Change and Science, Technology, Energy and Mining collaborating with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to develop and promote environmental best practices.

The programme of assistance will include a framework for the development of a Climate Change Policy, on which the

government is working. A Low Emission Development Strategy (LEDS) and a National Adaptation Plan (NAP) will also be developed under the agreement.

Environment Minister, Hon. Robert Pickersgill and Energy Minister, Hon. Phillip Paulwell, signed the agreement on behalf of the Government, at Jamaica House.

Mr. Pickersgill noted that work has already started on the Climate Change Policy, adding that the Low Emission Development Strategy and the National Adaptation Plan would be developed quickly.

“Under the Agreed Work Programme, the U.S. Government has pledged technicaland manpower assistance to the Climate

Change Advisory Committee;on the establishment of Climate Change focal points; a technical expert to conduct analyses and provide guidance towards a Climate Finance Policy; knowledge sharing to facilitate GOJ participation in International fora on climate change and sustainable development; and advice on trilateral cooperation with other countries in Low Emission Development Strategy (LEDS),” Minister Pickersgill stated.

The US government will also assist in identifying possibilities for joint collaboration and coordination in enhancing capacity for LEDS. Meanwhile, Minister

Gold deals delayed dismissal of Suriname ministers - Bouterse De Ware Tijd PARAMARIBO – President Desi Bouterse wanted to dismiss a number of Ministers some time ago, but he kept them on to complete negotiations with multinationals Iamgold and Newmont. If he had fired the Ministers during the negotiations it would have sent a wrong signal that the government might be rocked by instability and that would have been bad for the proposed investments and the country.

Now that the negotiations

are over and the agreements have been adopted by Parliament Bouterse has his hands free to bring order in his team of Ministers. The President shared this information with the press after the swearing-in ceremony of Rabin Parmessar and Steven Relyveld as Minister of Public Works (OW) and Zonal Planning, Land and Forestry Management (RGB) respectively.

The President pointed to the latest IDOS poll that showed discontent among

the public and that he needed to take drastic action.

Friendship and camaraderie are very important aspects in life, but they have to move in the public’s interest. Now it is up to Parmessar, who has often been praised for his managerial skills, to take charge of the enormously problematic OW.

Paulwell pointed out that in addition to facilitating opportunities for Jamaica’s development toward effective climate change and environmental protection, the MoU will facilitate greater collaboration between various agencies and the Ministries.

He said the agreement provides practical applications which will benefit the country.

“There are so many practical things that we’re going to be doing. We’re going to get technical support, but we’re going to get on-the-ground support out of this arrangement and it’s going to be for a number of years to come,” he told JIS News.

US Ambassador to Jamaica, Her Excellency Pamela Bridgewater, who also addressed the signing ceremony, noted that her Government was very happy to establish a partnership agreement with Jamaica and be part of a movement where globally, countries are taking practical approaches to reducing greenhouse gas

emissions.

“The US government applauds this spirit of cooperation and hopes the initiative will help Jamaica achieve its sustainable economic growth and development objectives, becoming a more climate resilient and food secure nation in the process,” she said.

Mission Director of the USAID, Denise Herbol, said the project is a flagship programme under US President Barack Obama’s

Global Climate Change Initiative. The Initiative is tailored to each country’s needs and has so far partnered with 21 countries, including Jamaica.

“The programme will build on existing climate change related plans and strategies in Jamaica.

The MoU signing brings us one step closer to gaining increased access to clean energy, while accelerating development and economic growth,” the Mission Director said.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

= = = HOUSING AND YOU…= = =

Applying for a mortgage; a $19M ‘turn-key’ home

By Leonard Gildarie While writing on housing last year and then resuming a few weeks ago, I have over time drawn on personal experiences to “drive home” the need to be educated. I had paid dearly while building by not placing enough attention to detail.

Of course, one can argue quite convincingly, and rightly so, that if you believe that the effort it takes to learn is expensive, then try ignorance.

Not knowing can cost you big time. Increasingly, it is becoming clear that Guyanese, like others around the world, want their own home. It is a natural progression like the idea that once you were of age, you either got married or moved out of your parents’ home.

Building a home is by no means a cheap venture. It will for many be the biggest investment at any one time for the family.

It follows then that proper planning, research on prices, and host of other factors, including choosing a reliable and reasonable contractor will become real critical.

This week I learnt a couple of lessons, one of them the hard way.

A close relative of mine was in the hospital and needed blood. I had a cup of coffee and raced out of the

A replica of the $19M home

house to attend to the business of the newspaper.

During lunch, I rushed down to the Blood Bank on Lamaha Street to donate a pint of blood.

I never took the time out to donate blood before, simply because the thought was there that someone else would do it. After being interviewed, a staffer conducted the necessary tests and asked a number of medical questions. I am no stranger to needles so the process of attaching a tube to the arm was not much.

About 15 minutes later, I was

handed a Malta to drink and ventured outside where a relative was sitting. I was not feeling strange. About five minutes later, I started seeing black and then lost it.

According to my relative, I just fainted. Needless to say, the rest of the day was kind of hazy. I slept like a log Friday night.

The lesson here is that I should have eaten something.

I was speaking to another relative who is now building a family home on the East Bank of Demerara. She and her husband are around 60 years old. Planning that home took

months of research and quarrels as to how many rooms; the style of roof, what kind of kitchen cabinets and other little details.

About eight months later now, the home is nearing completion, but the ride has been an exhausting and more than an expensive one for the family. She looked tired.

Again, the point is that education and research are important in the planning process.

Last week, as questions poured in over the application process for a house lot from the Ministry of Housing and for a mortgage at NBS and the commercial banks. We were forced to address those issues.

With the process on how to apply at the Ministry behind us, we will address this week the requirements when applying for a mortgage.

Now, there is some good news. The banks and NBS have been facing a problem with liquidity, meaning that there is a whole lot of money deposited by customers that needs to be lent.

Additionally, to spur the housing boom and ensure new homeowners find it more affordable, the rates have been reduced, thanks to a number of tax measures introduced by government that gave banks a little more breathing space.

The bottom line is that new homeowners don’t have to worry much about the interest being repaid on mortgages. A $4M mortgage can see repayments around $20,000 monthly while up to $12M can be around $75,000.

While the interest rates charged by the financial institutions were around the mid-30% range about a decade ago, this has now dropped to between 4.25% to over 7%, depending on the amount, the age of the applicant and the their salary.

As far as borrowing from the bank or NBS is concerned, there are two types of mortgages. The first is a mortgage to construct, renovate or extend, while the other is a mortgage to purchase a building.

CONSTRUCTION The first is pertinent to if you were allocated a piece of land. In the case of wanting to construct a new property, NBS and the banks will require a copy of the transport, title or lease.

In a case where the Housing Ministry has not yet given you the transport and it is being processed, you may not wish to wait. The Housing Ministry can provide you with a “Letter of Assurance” which can be used by the bank to show proof of ownership of the land where the structure is to be built.

You will also need to provide a detailed estimate of how the money you are asking for will be spent.

The estimate is a critical piece of document that shows much will be spent on electrical works, foundation, labour, roofing, kitchen and bathroom and transportation.

You will be required to, of course, provide a percentage of the total amount of the costs.

It would be worthy to note here that NBS and the banks can only lend up to $12M under the low income mortgage rates. Anything above that will have to be handled by the banks and will attract higher interest rates.

With regards to the estimates, and I want to dwell on this in another article, the financial institutions are familiar with the prices on the road. So your costs will have to be “reasonable”, if you know what I mean.

You will, of course, be required to submit an approved plan, from the NDC or M&CC or the Town Council. This plan shows what you are building, the size of it, the location of bedrooms, the bathrooms, doors, windows and even the patio.

There are sanitary inspectors and other draughtspersons capable of handling this.

If you have a business, a statement of the income and expenditure will be required.

If not, a letter from your employer showing years of service and salary amount (gross). This is important, as it tells the bank whether you have the means to repay the mortgage.

A passport-size photograph and identification card or passport will also have to be submitted.

You may also require a statement of your bank account, though this is

discretionary.

I have received questions as to how long the mortgage takes to process.

It takes, from my experience, about two to three weeks for the bank to approve the mortgage, and another six weeks for it to be processed through the local courts to ensure that the lender has a first hold on the property in case of problems.

So prepare yourself for a two months wait. It can be less or a little longer.

PURCHASE Now the other scenario is if you want to purchase a property outright…for example, one of the ‘turn-key’ homes being constructed by government. It is somewhat different from the above.

You will be required to submit photographs of the front and side of the building with the lot number affixed.

A copy of the transport, title or lease is also required.

You will also have to submit the dimensions of the land and building, to indicate size.

In the case of buildings other than the government’s ‘turn-key’ ones, a valuation report of the existing building and land will be required by the banks.

A copy of the agreement of sale between the buyer and seller will also have to be handed in at the time of the application. This shows the amount that the property will have to be sold for, the witnesses, and the signatures of the parties. The source of income for the applicant, including job letter or statement of income and expenditure, is also required along with passport photos and identification. The timeline is similar to the construction mortgage.

Next week, we will want to continue on the issue of building codes. This mandates you to build in a certain manner, away from fences, for instance, and how far your septic tank will have to be located, among other things. We will resume some time on other homes and services that the Housing Ministry may be offering.

On Friday, government announced that it will be unveiling a high income house, to be valued around $20M including land, that it also intends to add to the growing list of ‘turn-key’ homes.

In the meantime, enjoy the weekend, and think about donating blood…someone you love may need it. I will be returning in two months time again to give a pint.

Feel free to drop your comments to gildarie@yahoo.com.

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

India monsoon floods kill at least 560; thousands missing Soldiers rescue stranded people after heavy rains in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. REUTERS/Stringer

RUDRAPRAYAG, India (Reuters) - Flash floods and landslides unleashed by early monsoon rains have killed at least 560 people in northern India and left tens of thousands missing, officials said yesterday, with the death toll expected to rise significantly.

Houses and small apartment blocks on the banks of the Ganges, India’s longest river and sacred to Hindus, have toppled into the rushing, swollen waters and been swept away with cars and trucks.

“It has been a horrifying experience,” said Tulika Srivastava, a visitor from the

northern Indian city of Lucknow, who has been stranded with her 80-year-old mother in the key pilgrimage town of Rudraprayag since last week.

Thousands of military servicemen are involved in rescue operations, with air force helicopters plucking survivors, many of them Hindu pilgrims and tourists, from the foothills of the Himalayas.

About 33,000 people had been rescued so far this week, the home ministry said.

Railways were running special trains from the devastated areas to take people home.

“Whatever is humanly possible is being done,” Manish Tewari, the minister of information and broadcasting, told reporters.

The rains had eased yesterday but more rain is expected early next week, complicating the task of rescuers. Rain will fall from today onwards in many places in the Himalayan foothills, said a weather official who sought anonymity. As many as 150,000 people were airlifted from the reach of the floods, said Dinesh Malasi, a rescue official at Dehradun, the state capital, with 60 helicopters pressed into the task.

Snowden in a ‘safe place’ as U.S. prepares to seek extradition WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Edward Snowden was in a “safe place” in Hong Kong, a newspaper reported yesterday, as the United States prepared to seek the extradition of the former U.S. National Security Agency contractor after filing espionage charges against him.

The South China Morning Post said Snowden, who has exposed secret U.S. surveillance programs including new details published on Saturday about alleged hacking of Chinese phone companies, was not in police protection in Hong Kong, as had been reported elsewhere.

“Contrary to some reports, the former CIA analyst has not been detained, is not under police protection but is in a ‘safe place’ in Hong Kong,” the newspaper said.

Hong Kong Police Commissioner Andy Tsang declined to comment other than to say Hong Kong would deal with the case in accordance with the law.

Two U.S. sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the United States was preparing to seek Snowden’s extradition from Hong Kong, which is part of China but has wide-ranging autonomy, including an independent judiciary.

The United States charged Snowden with theft of government property, unauthorized

Edward Snowden

information and willful communication of classified communications intelligence to an unauthorized person, according to the criminal complaint made public on Friday.

The latter two offenses fall under the U.S. Espionage Act and carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison.

America’s use of the Espionage Act against Snowden has fueled debate among legal experts about whether that could complicate his extradition, since Hong Kong

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“Awareness is key to living with Sickle Cell Anaemia”

By Sharmain Grainger Although the vision for a clinic designed to cater specifically to the needs of persons with sickle cell anaemia is yet to be realised here in Guyana, there is still hope that it will one day become a reality.

This is the optimistic view of Patron and one of the Founder Members of the Guyana Sickle Cell Association (GSCA), Ewart Adams, who has for all of his life been living with the disease. In fact, he has learnt that life does not have to be without meaning or any less enjoyable because of the infliction.

But at 51 years of age he still suffers some painful episodes that are referred to as “sickling crises” which is the result of a hereditary blood disorder. Individuals with sickle cell anaemia have red blood cells that assume an abnormal sickle shape (hence the name of the disease) which at times cause them painful joint and chest pains.

“I have had my share of different types of crises...very painful episodes,” Adams recalled during an interview.

He disclosed that his parents first recognised that something was not quite right with him as a young boy after visiting several doctors. He is the only one of six siblings diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia.

But his parents took especially good care of him which included him visiting the doctor every month, then the Children’s Ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital, and later the Medical Clinic there.

“The Medical Clinic back then - and I rather suspect it is the same situation now was where you had hundreds of patients attend in a day and then you wait until the doctors finish running the ward and then they see the patients.”

Adams no longer utilises the service of the public hospital. He is however looking forward to the day when the Sickle Cell Association is in a position to offer all relevant services to sickle cell patients or those who may wish to know their status. He envisages a facility that is adequately manned by doctors and nurses who are all knowledgeable about the medical condition.

According to Adams, the Association was established in recognition of the need for persons to be better educated about the sickle cell condition. As such, in 1998 a

- so says GSCA Members group of persons - both patients and caregivers decided to collaborate and form what would later be called the Guyana Sickle Cell Association (GSCA).

The mission of the Association continues to be to educate persons afflicted with the sickle cell disease and to ensure that better care is given by medical professionals. Additionally, Adams said, efforts were made back in the day to have newborn screening for sickle cell, in collaboration with an entity in the United States which would have facilitated the tests. However, this ambitious proposal never materialised, and he opined that it is a near impossible task to accurately quote the number of sickle cell cases in Guyana.

“I can just say that there is a fair percentage of persons living with the Sickle Cell Disease and Sickle Cell Trait, both Afro and Indo Guyanese,” stated Adams, who has made a decision not to procreate, in order to play his part in helping to halt the disease.

And according to another member of the Association, Errol London, it was not until after his son at the age of nine months was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anaemia (SS) or full-blown sickle cell that he decided to undergo an electrophoresis test. He had his test done at the Eureka Medical Laboratory where it was found that he had Sickle Cell-Haemoglobin C (SC).

Although the SC condition is said to be a milder form of sickle cell anaemia, it is known to cause some of the same symptoms due to a usually low blood count level, which causes anaemia.

London’s wife was found to have the Sickle Cell trait (AS), which is however not recognised as the disease - it is a benign carrier condition.

It is seen as an inherited condition where Haemoglobin A is produced more than S in the red blood cells. Such individuals are, however, generally healthy.

Research has shown that when two individuals, one with the trait and another with or without the disease copulate, it is not unlikely for at least one of their offspring to be diagnosed with full blown sickle cell disease.

According to London, his parents were first aware that he had a sickle cell condition when he was around 10 years old. He was the eldest of four children, but was the only one

who suffered a few mild crises. However, by the time he was 18 years old his crises had completely stopped. He had no idea at the time that he could have passed the disease on to his offspring.

His involvement in GSCA was not until his first born son, who is now 12 years old, suffered a crisis and was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for medical attention. It was while there that one of the nurses at the hospital mentioned the Association, which sparked his interest. He soon after became very much involved in the entity and just over a year ago was elected to be its President.

Speaking to the importance of the GSCA, London disclosed that it has a key role in helping to dispel the various myths about sickle cell anaemia, even as efforts are made to support persons who are diagnosed with the condition.

“We want to support them emotionally and in whatever way we can help them understand that they can have an improved quality of life in spite of their condition...that is our primary objective.”

Moreover, London also stressed the importance of awareness in the society about Sickle Cell Anaemia even as he disclosed that one of the things that the Association is aspiring to do is to encourage persons to know their Haemoglobin (Hb) type. Haemoglobin is the substance contained in the red blood cells that takes oxygen throughout the body.

But knowing your Hb type is something that has over the years been deemed controversial, as London explained that some people may see it as an important factor before commencing an intimate relationship while others do not. However he argued that “knowledge is power and if you know what to expect you can make sensible and wise decisions”.

It is for this reason, London noted, the Association is looking to empower individuals with knowledge about the disease.

Although the entity has been unyielding in its efforts to spread the word about sickle cell through outreaches and other edifying ways, London admitted that the measures engaged are often restrained by financial limitation.

And since this area has always been a major concern,

moves have been made to seek the support of the Health Ministry.

London informed that discussions with Ministry are in fact moving in a favourable direction.

“If we can be supported by the Ministry, financially, it can help us to do so much more in terms of outreach.”

The outreaches, according to him, are facilitated by a healthy mix of persons afflicted with the disease, as well as health professionals, mainly nurses.

Presently, the Association hosts meetings on the second Saturday of every month at the Guyana Nurses Association Hall located at the corner of Charlotte and Alexander Streets, in Georgetown. Approximately 35 members usually attend the meetings which are sometimes graced by a doctor, according to the GSCA President, who estimated that the Association has been able to reach more than 100 individuals with the disease.

With a focus on awareness, World Sickle Cell

GSCA President, Errol London

GSCA Founder Member, Ewart Adams Awareness Day was observed globally on Wednesday last. However, there were no activities planned by the Association to commemorate the day as according to London “we

prefer to have our focus being emphasised each and every day, because sometimes meaning and emphasis can be lost in a day. We prefer to have a sustained focus and drive towards awareness”.

Page 38

SUNDAY SPECIAL CPL SAYS NEW GPC WAS ‘TARGETED’FOR GUYANA FRANCHISE The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) says it specifically targeted the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) to buy the Guyana franchise.

The League promises to become the Caribbean’s most lucrative and popular form of cricket, the game which has established itself as the national sport in territories across the Region.

“CPL (has) been very specific in targeting strategic partners who we understand can bring a lot of value to the teams, th e l o c a l i t y, t h e community and the league,” Rhonda Kelley, spokesperson for the League told Kaieteur News.

The CPL is not disclosing any information about the cost of the franchise in Guyana or the other five territories, namely Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia and Antigua.

Asked to what extent national governments in the Caribbean are supporting the league, Kelley said “there is a sponsorship opportunity for each Government that CPL is offering.”

This year’s CPL will start on June 30 and conclude on August 24.

GOVT. TO GUARANTEE GPL PAYMENTS FOR AMAILA FALLS ELECTRICITY The Guyana 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.

The increase seeks to guarantee that the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) honours its financial commitments under the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) to be entered into between the power company and Amaila Falls Hydro Inc. Under the PPA, GPL commits to purchase the power from Amaila for an average annual capacity payment.

Government’s obligation is in the form of a Performance Guarantee.

The Ministry of Finance says that “the Performance Guarantee is not a guarantee of debt but rather a guarantee of GPL’s obligations under its Power Purchase Agreement to pay for power delivered from the hydro facility.”

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

MONDAYEDITION WOMAN PERISHES IN PLAISANCE FIRE A 37-year-old security guard was burnt to death in a suspicious fire which destroyed two houses and scorched another at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, early last Sunday morning. Dead is Suzanne Sylvia McNeil of lot 73 Victoria Road, Plaisance whose charred body was discovered at around 5:00 am, three hours after the fire started at her home.

According to reports, the fire, which occurred around 2 am Sunday, started in the living room of McNeil’s home while she was asleep in her bedroom.

COP SHOT BY COLLEAGUE WHO WAS “PLAYING” WITH GUN Horseplay turned bloody last Sunday after a Special Constable attached to the Tactical Services Unit, Eve Leary, was shot by a colleague who was reportedly playing around with his gun.

Christopher Albert, 22, originally of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) with a gunshot wound to his lower abdomen. According to reports, Albert’s colleague was about to be dispatched for work at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP)’s office when the incident occurred.

Albert said that while in the barrack room, a Constable identified as Hope, approached him saying, “I’s the bad man with 383 . He said that the Constable took the .38 revolver, loaded it with one bullet, spun the barrel and clicked the gun. “He put it straight to me and he pull.”

However the weapon did not go off.

The rank then reloaded the weapon this time with four rounds and fired the shot.

“For me, it wasn’t an accident.

He was playing, not me, because I ain’t had no gun,” Albert informed this newspaper from his hospital bed.

The injured man said that immediately after he was shot, the ranks that were present at the scene transported him to the hospital.

TUESDAYEDITION MAN SURVIVES EXECUTIONATTEMPT, SAYS GUNMAN WANTS TO COMPENSATE HIM Albouystown resident, Christopher Gonsalves, says that a gunman who tried to kill him now wants to compensate him. But the wounded man wants $3M for

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.

Guyana franchise partner dr ranjisingh bobby ramroop and CPL CEO Damien o’donohoe the bullets he took at close range.

Gonsalves, 22, known as ‘White Boy,’ was shot on Saturday night in James Street, Albouystown, by a man who rode up to him on a motorcycle.

The Independence Boulevard, Albouystown resident said that the gunman tried to shoot him in the chest, but he managed to strike the weapon away. Instead, he was shot in the left hip, left calf and thighs. Gonsalves, who sells scrap metal, claimed that the attempted execution stemmed from a dispute that occurred some four months ago between his relatives and another Albouystown family.

It escalated into a cutlass brawl and some members of the other family were chopped.

The alleged assailants were charged with wounding and robbery.

found near the corpse, the body bore no knife injuries.

WEDNESDAY EDITION “WEALLDECIDE FUH KILLDE MANAND TEK DE MONEY” Members of the jury in the Dwieve Kant Ramdass murder trial Tuesday 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 one of the accused, Devon Gordon.

Lall testified that he was the o f f i c e r w h o t o ok the statement from Gordon, at the Leonora station.

Gordon, Sherwin Hart, and Deon Greenidge are all charged with the 2009 murder

SOLDIER DIED FROM BLOWS TO THE HEAD Lance Corporal Akini Sampson was struck at least twice in the head with enough force to fracture his skull.

Police sources said that this was revealed Monday during a post mortem, which also showed that the 38-yearold soldier was struck with a heavy object and one of the blows was to the back of the head. Death was due to shock and haemorrhage. The source said that although a knife was

Khemraj Rai

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 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.

THURSDAY EDITION FORMER COAST GUARD TESTIFIES…POLICE RECOVERED ‘PARCELS OF $1,000S’ FROM HOME OF MURDERACCUSED A former coast guard testified that the number one accused Sherwin Hart had continuously told him that he was dropping off victim Dweive Kant Ramdass at Bonasika in the Essequibo R i v e r. R a n d y R e n v i l l e , called “Celly” said he had once worked with Hart.

Renville told the court that he was living at Parika during the time of the incident . He said that he was a coast guardsman up until 2004.

The witness told the court that he had known Sherwin Hart for some time since they had worked together. He said that some time before the incident with Ramdass he had met Hart and they had exchanged mobile numbers.

BROADCASTERS HAVE TO PAYMINIMUM LICENCE FEE OF $2.5 MILLION Revelations by Bibi Shadick, the chairperson of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) show that Radio Guyana Inc. and Telcor Cultural Broadcasting have five frequencies from which to undertake radio broadcasts.

However, one of those frequencies is being used to transmit signals to different parts of the country.

The two stations are among 24 radio, cable and TV licences which are ready for handout by the GNBA once the approved licencees pay up the licence and the spectrum fees. Of those, there are eight (Continued on page 39)

Sunday June 23, 2013

From page 38 TV licences, eight are radio licences and six are cable TV licences. There was no word on the plight of the other existing television stations in the capital.

The licence fee was set at a minimum of $2.5 million by Cabinet - the Council of government Ministers chaired by the President.

Ms Shadick said that Cabinet has directed that the licence fee be calculated at three percent of gross income for the preceding year, but it should be not less than $2.5 million.

FRIDAYEDITION THREE BOSAI WORKERS DIE IN HORRIFIC ACCIDENT Three employees of Bosai Minerals Group were killed and two others seriously injured after a heavy-duty truck ran over a pickup in the East Montgomery Mines, Linden, at around 10:15 hrs Thursday.

The dead were identified as Michael Williams, 45, a company foreman and driver of Coomacka Mines, Linden; Tr e n t o n G a r n e r, 6 2 , o f Industrial Area, Linden; and Kester Grant, of Block 22, Wismar.

The injured are Fabian Anthony and Marlon P o l l y d o r e , w h o w ere admitted to the Mackenzie Hospital. Pollydore was subsequently transferred to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, while Anthony was admitted to the Male Accident

Kaieteur News

Ward. Mining activities were abruptly halted after the tragedy.

According to a police release, the driver of a pickup owned by Bosai Minerals Group was attempting to overtake a heavy-duty lorry while travelling in the East Montgomery Mines at Linden, when he lost control and ended up under the truck.

As a result, the lorry ran over the pickup.

YOUTH, 17, SHOT IN ABDOMEN Doctors late Thursday night performed emergency surgery on a 17-year-old boy who was shot in the abdomen at around 20:00 hrs Thursday, allegedly during a confrontation with police in Sussex Street, Albouystown.

Sources identified the injured youth as Quinn Neblett of Lot Three Sussex Street.

The teen’s left hand was also reportedly broken.

Kaieteur News understands that a police rank was also treated for a slight gash on one of his hands.

SATURDAY EDITION CARIBBEANAIRLINES NOW CHARGES US$1,400 FOR NY ROUND TRIP Government yesterday again blazed Caribbean Airlines over its high fares and warned that it is working with a number of other carriers, including Panamanian-owned Copa Airlines, to fly the G e o rg e t o w n / N e w Yo r k route.

Responding to

questions over continuous complaints by fliers that they are being forced to fo r k over thousands of dollars more for tickets, Tourism Minister, Irfaan Ali, warned that Government’s tolerance is fast running out.

“There are two things that are provoking me right now. One is that Guyanese still have to come off the aircraft (in Trinidad)… go downstairs and recheck in back.

That is absolutely ridiculous and contrary to the arrangement we have with Caribbean Airlines. We are not going to tolerate this nonsense much longer.”

Ali said that he has seen a statement from CAL which said that fliers paid high prices after waiting on the last moment to book.

“Well, let me say this to you... if you book late, early or half late, there is no way you should be paying US$1,400 for an economy class ticket to the US. There is no way you should pay US$500 for an economy class ticket to Trinidad.

The Trinidadians do not pay it…we should not be asked to pay it. It is as clear as that. I will be very frank. I can’t wait for the competition to come in.”

According to the Minister, Government has received calls for the Trinidadowned airline to be taken to the Caribbean Competition Commission.

“I am very upset… We have to congratulate CAL in

Page 39

certain ways too. When the gap was created by Ezjet and Delta’s exit, CAL put on four/ five additional flights… they triple up seats to come to Guyana.”

However, the airline, which earlier this year was granted flag carrier status for Guyana, has started to capitalize in a harsh manner.

“We have a high demand of traffic coming to Guyana and CAL should be trying to build loyalty among customers. But you have created an atmosphere where the prices are ridiculously high that people lose trust and faith just because of your fares. I don’t know what their business model is.”

Ali made it clear that Guyana has gone past the stage of being “anybody’s

eye pass. We have equal say with anything in the region.”

He said that the flag carrier status granted to Caribbean Airlines earlier this year was not a bad idea as it allowed the airline to fly directly to New York.

Newly established Fly Jamaica was recently granted permission to fly the Georgetown/New York route and the inaugural flight should be sometime next month, the official said yesterday.

Copa Airline, Panama’s flag carrier is also being courted with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in talks with officials of that airline.

Representatives are to come to Guyana, he said.

Another airline has also

Dead: Akini Sampson expressed strong interest in serving the route and should be coming to Guyana before the end of the year, Ali said.

Page 44

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

Sinking ship leaves rats Khemraj Ramjattan– a former chairman of the Progressive Youth Organisation and Member of the Central Committee–was among the first to desert the People’s Progressive Party’s sinking ship. Then came the veteran Boyo Ramsaroop.

Next was Moses Nagamootoo. Then came Hari Narayen ‘Ralph’ Ramkarran.

Other veterans–Harry Ramdass, Cecil Ramsingh, Fazal Khan and Joseph O’Lall– disembarked quietly.

Thousands of ordinary supporters, sensing that the ship was sinking, also began

deserting the People’s Progressive Party in droves.

More than 27,000 persons who voted for the PPP in the 2001 general and regional elections did not do so in 2006. More than 17,000 who voted for the PPP in 2006 jumped ship to vote for A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change in 2011. The PPP lost over 45,000 votes during Bharrat Jagdeo’s wild 1999-2011 presidency. The sinking trend is clear to the party’s membership if not to its leadership. The People’s Progressive Party over the last

sixty-three years indoctrinated its members with the mythology of Jaganite cultism, Marxism-Leninism, democratic centralism and the saga of its imagined solitary struggle against colonialism and capitalism. These articles of faith rallied generations of believers and created a mystique which helped it to remain a formidable force in local politics. But change has come. Ancient myths, unknown to the present generation, can no longer distort the actuality of two decades of decadence.

The PPP’s 27th Congress

in July 2002 at the J. C. Chandisingh Secondary School at Port Mourant in the East Berbice-Corentyne Region, was an early indication of an impending mutiny on board. Khemraj Ramjattan launched a rebellious resolution that threatened to shake the party’s four sacred tenets all at once. The ‘Ramjattan Resolution’ called for the removal of references to Marxism-Leninism from the Constitution and ‘direct elections’ for the top executives. He proposed also that the party congress closest to a general election should provide a forum at which persons willing to become candidates for the presidency would be selected ‘democratically’ by all the delegates.

Ramjattan’s Resolution was anathema to the party’s ruling cabal and was rejected. For other reasons, he too was eventually expelled.

The PPP’s 28th Congress was held in August 2005 at the Cotton Field Secondary School, in the PomeroonSupenaam Region under the theme, “Strengthen National Unity, Expand Democracy and Social Progress.” The congress allowed the cabal to consolidate its grip on the Central Committee, restrict democracy and retard progress. The result was that, in general elections the next year, 2006, the PPP lost a greater number of votes.

The PPP’s 29th Congress was held in August 2008 at the Diamond Secondary School in the Demerara-Mahaica Region.

The knives were out by this time. All eyes were set on the prize of the party’s presidential candidacy in the general elections constitutionally due to be held in 2011. The congress became an arena for a shadow war between two factions –led

by Ramotar, and Jagdeo, respectively. Reepu Daman Persaud struck the first blow by raising the bogus issue of a ‘third term’ for Jagdeo who was then still president.

Ramotar had to sidestep the challenge. The Jagdeo faction then surreptitiously started their campaign for him to be allowed to run for another presidential term, even though it was prohibited by the Constitution. The Jagdeo group calling itself the ‘Guyanese Coalition for Jagdeo Third Term’ launched a glitzy publicity campaign involving the erection of a billboard, the distribution of posters, flyers and buttons and the publication of dubious opinion polls suggesting that Jagdeo would be re-elected.

The Ramotar faction responded. A shadowy group of supporters+ giving their names as “Ganga Kawal, Basdeo Singh and 11 other PPP Diehards” + suddenly emerged.

The group published a full-page “Open

Appeal to Leaders and Members of the PPP” in a daily newspaper in January 2010.

The “Appeal’ alleged, among other things, “…that the PPP hard core is being marginalized in the government and a new band, termed by one commentator as “the new private sector,” is becoming dominant and allpowerful.” Ramotar was eventually able to win the nomination as the PPP’s presidential candidate.

The PPP’s 30th Congress is now scheduled to be held on 2nd-4th August at the J.C. Chandisingh Secondary School at Port Mourant. The problem is that factionalism is tearing the Party apart. Rifts have reopened; rivalries have been rekindled. The central and executive committees control the party organisation between congresses.

Whoever controls those committees will control the state apparatus and the country. The state and its resources have come to be seen as a plaything in the hands of the PPP Central Committee and this is what makes the forthcoming congress so vital to the survival of the cabal.

The public should not expect change from the PPP’s 30th Congress. As the ship continues to sink, it will leave on board many of the same central Committee members who have dominated the Party and the State for the last two decades.

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 53

OPPOSITION PARTIES TAKING THE WORD “OPPOSITION” TOO LITERALLY

By Ralph Seeram Since the 2011 national elections when the balance of power in Parliament shifted from the ruling PPP Government to the opposition parties, the opposition PNC/ APNU and the AFC seem to be confused as to their role in Parliament. It would appear that their idea of opposition is to oppose the Government “fuh opposition sake” if one can be guided by their recent actions.

First the excuse was they would oppose anything the Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee introduced in Parliament. Then they refused to pass the anti-Money Laundering Bill, which has national and International consequences for the country.

One can understand the opposition questioning the government on its spending of taxpayers’ dollars to ensure that there is accountability and transparency. While the government has a responsibility and is answerable to the taxpayers, the opposition seems to have lost sight that it also has a responsibility and is answerable to the Guyanese public.

The problem for the opposition is that it can’t seem to distinguish between national interest and political interest. If the PPP wants to

spend huge sums of money, say like in Port Mourant, the opposition can view it as political motives by the PPP. However when the Government wants to build a National Airport which benefits the country, you just don’t go cutting the money for that project without offering any real justification for the actions.

Sometimes, I think the opposition does not think of the consequences of its actions.

The opposition often complained of the high electricity rates of GPL, even caused a riot in Linden almost a year ago over electricity rates, demanding that the government subsidize electricity rates for Lindeners.

It pretended to have the interest of the electricity consumers on one hand, then went ahead and cut $5B from the GPL budget.

How can the opposition reconcile these two positions? The answer is “stupidity”. Did the opposition not understand that GPL would have to raise rates to make up for the money cut from their budget? And who would the electricity consumers, (which by the way is every home in Guyana) blame?

Who would those Lindeners blame for the increase in their electric

bills? PNC/APNU and AFC of course. After all the government position is “They did it”.

The opposition got a “reality check” when GPL announced huge increases in electricity rates. Now the opposition parties are scrambling to have talks with the government with the view of restoring the subvention to GPL. Recently the opposition refused to pass three pieces of legislation pertaining to the security of the country. Those bills would have strengthened law enforcement, legislation and the justice system against criminals. Now these are matters of national importance; no political content here. Yet the opposition refused to pass this legislation. The pretext here is that the Bills were introduced by Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee.

The opposition is still on this “juvenile position” that “we not talking to Rohee”. So on one hand the opposition criticized the government on the crime situation in the country, and at the same time blocked legislation that would strengthen the fight against criminals.

About a month ago the opposition refused to pass the amendments to the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of

Pull all Govt. contracts ...

From page 12 investigation of Strategic Action Security should be done, particularly by Guyana Revenue Authority since it is believed that the company is not in compliance with the tax system.

The source has accused t h a t St r a t e g i c A c t i o n

Security has devised a scheme to obtain contracts with bidding the lowest.

This technique has resulted in many private security firms looking elsewhere for business.

However, some firms continue to get minimal contracts with Government entities, the source said.

According to Leroy Brumell, Commissioner of Police, K a n h ai has been released on bail.

The police h a v e a n interest in Kanhai in relation to the OLPF laptops and several matters on the West Demerara. The man has to report to the police on Monday.

Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2013 (AML/CFT), claiming it wants to review it first. It was sent to a Special Select Committee.

One can understand the opposition “flexing its muscle” when it comes to domestic affairs, and it has every right to. However when it comes to international affairs and national interest, the opposition needs to look at the big picture, beyond petty politics to score political points.

The opposition parties PNC/APNU and AFC are so absorbed in their selfish interest that they apparently don’t care about the serious consequences their actions will have on the economy and the lives of the ordinary Guyanese.

If Guyana is blacklisted the economic consequences will be devastating to the Guyanese economy. The

situation could descend into financial instability and ruin for Guyana. The opposition knows this, yet chooses to go down this path.

The Guyanese public, I am sure, will recognize that David Granger and PNC/ APNU and AFC Khemraj Ramjattan and Mose s Nagamootoo really don’t care how their irresponsible actions could affect their livelihood.

I can understand the position of Khemraj Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo. The AFC is acting as if it has the majority in Parliament; from its pronouncements you won’t believe the party has only seven seats in Parliament.

The AFC has two bitter men in the form of ex PPP stalwarts Khemraj Ramjattan

and Moses Nagamootoo, and I repeat these are bitter men bent on revenge on the PPP; their judgment is clouded by their hatred of the PPP. The interest of the Guyanese public does not cross their mind.

So the question is who do the PNC/APNU and the AFC represent. The interests of the law abiding Guyanese public or criminal elements? If one has to be guided by their actions some may conclude they are on the side of criminals.

I wish to thank all my readers who emailed me their condolences and support on the death of my dear pet Chelsea last week. Syeada keep up the good animal rescue work.

Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com

Page 54

Kaieteur News

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One female to work in Shop in Interior: Age 25-35 $75,000- Call:664-5199/ 6862201 Receptionist- Call:225-3234 35-45 years live-in Domestic: Light duties: Good Rates: A/ C accommodation- Call:2271830 1 Nail Technician and 3 Barbers: Address: 1 Smyth & Durban St, Werk-en-Rust: Call: 674-8555 Office Clerk: CXC English/ Mathematics- Call:225-0188/ 225-6070 One experienced male cook for a home in Interior- Call: 697-6747 Attractive live in waitressCall:327-0252/674-4665 One experienced teacher to give private lesson to Grade 7 student- Call: 697-6747 Live- in domestic must know to cook & live-in waitress 1825yrs: $50,000 monthly.

Boarding & lodging freeTele:610-5043 One live-in or live out maidcall:668-3985/264-3355/6837936 Female workers needed: 3 CXC subjects or sound secondary school education- Call: 612-1595 One Cleaner- 225-9223 Driver- Call: 225-0188/ 2256070

Boys to work in Interior as (handy man) age 19-30 $65,000- Call: 664-5199/ 6862201 Mangers to work in the Interior on Land Dredges: Mining Firm has own excavators & bulldozerscall:226-9768/ 629-0037 One live-in maid to work $50,000- Call: 664-5199 / 6862201 Diesel Mechanics: To work in the Interior: Knowledge of excavators and Perkins engines an asset. Call:2269768 Security Guards to work in the Interior: Previous Interior experiences would be an asset- Call: 226-9768 (between 8am-5pm) Nail Tech & Hair Stylist @ TJ’s Barber shop, Grove Public rd. Call: 642-9139/ 2660864 One live-in domestic for general house work with experience - call:647-1985 One Attractive waitresscall: 678-1481 Attractive Live-in waitressCall:228-5129 Carpenter/ Mason with own tools: Apply @ Guyana Variety Store & Nut Centre68 Robb Street Able bodied Handyman with experience: Apply @ Guyana Variety Store & Nut Centre68 Robb Street

West Site Taxi service: Wanted experience dispatcher & contract carscall:613-0419/ 600-0699

One domestic Monday to Saturday to come & go- Call: 647-1985 Cashiers, Drivers- Lorry, Beverage Salesman: Survival Shopping Complex: 173 Sherriff St. Call:2275286/90 Experienced Hairdresser/ must experienced in nail designing: West Side Shore Plaza Ruimzeight, W.C.DCall:269-1525/ 656-3561 1 Handy-boy to work: Living accommodation free- call: 228-5655/628-1756

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY M E R C U R Y (QUICK SILVER) 9 9 . 9 9 9 9 5 % PURITY - $20,000 PER POUND CALL:604-6108

Cannon IR400 Photocopiers Call:649-0956

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

New ATVs: Introductory price $1,450,000 (Duty Free)Call:691-0234

Asphalt Roofing Shinglescall:266-2711/609-4594 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 Pig feed, Duck feed & Shrimp meal- call:266-2711/ 609-4594 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 R o t t w e i l e r, B r a z i l i a n , German Shepherd puppies: Hunting dogs (Pointers) fully vaccinated- Call: 6822148/655-8674 Electric Snow cone machines- call: 266-2711/ 609-4594 Male Enhancement Viagra: 4 in a Pack For $3000- Call: 642-6664/ 638-1627 3 Phase Induction Motor 10HP/460-V, 125 HP Yamaha Outboard engine: New Condition- Call:693-3747 Sale! Sale! Blow Out Sale At Aaliyah’s Cheap Shop: Lot 4 Cove & John, E.C.D- Call:6642209 On Saturdays & Sundays items as low as $100: Sale starts from 6am to 6pmCall:664-2209 Dell laptops & desktops complete computers from $55,000 Futuretech call: 2312206 1- 10 RB Dragline, 1- F150 Ford Truck- Call: 687-6174 New 03&05 Tacoma LightsCall:641-1127

1 live-in general domestic, must know to cook: great wages and benefits, short hours- call:662-4386 SALON Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 647-1773 Natural beauty salon & spa: Grove Market Street EBD tele:265-4138,6525800 specialized in everything for women & children Relax $2500, colour $2000, finger tips $2200, toes $600, pedicure $2500, facial $2500- Call:2258701/622-2643

Sunday June 23, 2013

Nail Plates & Anchor Seal: 4×6, 3×6, 4×8- Call: 265-3541/ 695-4785 Promix starting at $7,500, green formula (growing mix)Call: 615-2346/263-5300 5- Miller welder Perkins engine 2 outlet, 300amp: Excellent condition- Call:6616161/ 609-8989 One blue female pitbull puppy; Vaccinated and ears cropped- call: 692-3329 Generator 28KVA silent with storage tank SDMO Mitsubishi engine, need repairs $500,000- Call:6214000/ 690-6000

B e d s , D i n i n g Ta b l e , Cabinets, Wall Divider, Wardrobe, Clothes Dryer, Sofas. Call:219-3732 (After 5pm) 1 Baby Play Pen & diaper changer; 1 Baby swing; 1 Imac computer; 1 Printer; 1 Whirpool dryer; 1 Welding plan- Tele: 6626045 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 6" & 8" Flood control pump with engine, tool sets, ploughs, chippers, slasher, massey ferguson loaderCall:675-9314 One 7 weeks male pure breed German Shepherd pupCall:638-5778 Games for PS 2, $900,PSP $900, Xbox360 $2600, PS 3 $2600, call:672-2566 Original games for sale call:265-3232 1- Xbox 360 video Game, 1PS3 Video Game, 1- A/C unit 12000 BTU- Call: 661-3128 Sheep for sale- call:695-6139 1- 40 HP Outboard, 1 Eighteen Feet Boat, 2 Diving Suit, 1 Perkins Starter, 1 Battery. Call: 696-1892 1 Flock sheep, goats and flock Rams- Call:696-8103 Generator 10KVA Lister Pitter (England) with exhaust system and tank 3 cylinder cash $850,000- Call: 621-4000/ 690-6000 One Tyre Breaker in good condition- Price negotiableCall: 220-6356 Cheap Earth delivery to spot ECD & EBD call: 627-9977, 698-0182 Clean Garden Earth builders waste, also Bobcat rental, excavating, clearing & leveling- call: 616-0617 or 6633285 New Automatic Spice/ Powder Packing Machine, Adjustable Filling, Date Coding. Taiwan Made Price GY$2.5M #690-7593 Household items for sale at affordable prices- call: 6211485 LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 644-5166,622-2872,6150964

Toyota RZ, BMM 3828 $1.6M- Call:679-3168 Honda ATV 500 4×4: New $2.6M- Call: 624-5000 Toyota Fielder (2004): PMM series: Excellent condition: Silver blue exterior/ dark cloth interior: $2.5M negotiable- Call:266-5283 2 Ford F150: Price $4.5M & $3.5M- Call: 643-5249 / 2654979 1 RZ Toyota EFI, HH series: Good working condition: Price $775,000 (negotiable): Small Canter $325,000: Working condition- Call:6906327 One Toyota grey Ipsum for sale: Excellent condition: Price $1,600,000- Call:6002405/ 651-5073 (serious enquires only) Toyota Hilux 4×4, A/C, auto, leather seats, 3RZ engine: Asking $2.7M- Call:2250398/ 623-1299/ 658-5097 2 Premio, silver & dark grey & 1-2004 silver spacio: Alloy wheels, TV optional: Excellent condition- call:6247684/ 617-2378 We buy & sell vehicles for cash & we do trading-in of vehicles: 30 Seater Busescall:680-3154 Toyota Fielder $2.1M, Premio $2.6M, Axio $2.9M: Vehicles fully loaded & unregisteredcall: 617-2891 2000 Tundra 4×4 3.4L V6 excellent condition: black with off-road package- call: 651-6050 Toyota Hilux pickup, extra cab 2L engine $3.2M- Call: 264-2682/649-0707 Mercedes Benz A-140 PMM series, automatic, fully powered, need repairs, sold as is- $2.3M- Call:621-4000/ 690-6000 Cherokee Jeep, automatic, 4 doors, projection & LED lights, 15" mag wheel, good condition $1.7M cashCall:621-4000/ 690-6000 Mecedes Benz- 190E, automatic, flair kits, mag wheels, need repairs, sold as is $475,000- Call: 621-4000/ 690-6000 Stretched Limousine Lincoln Town car, automatic, seats 12 persons, perfect for rentals, going as a business- Call: 6214000/ 690-6000 Mitsubishi 3000GT sports car, 5 speed, CD player,18" rims, HID lights, $3M cash: excellent condition- call: 6214000, 690-6000

New 2013 Isuzu: D-Max single & double cabsCall:691-0234 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 2- 2001 Carina & 1 Toyota IST: Price negotiable: Call 601-4971 (Between the hours of 5pm-7pm) 1997 Ford F350 Canter truck: 14 feet enclosed box with glass case & food warmersCall:641-4708/ 612-9999 Ivico Truck with Hyab $3.5M, Toyota Hilux $2.2M: Prices negotiable- Call:6097803 One Toyota Raum with automatic doors $2.1M and Ivico long base van $3M: Prices negotiable- Call:6097803 Toyota 4 Runner Jeep: 3000cc: Black & Grey, left hand drive $1.2M- Call:6742586 1 Toyota Land-cruiser Prado PMM series- call:225-0188/ 225-6070 Massey Ferguson 6140: 4×4 Turbo: $3.2M negotiableCall: 688-6274 or 691-3851 110 Jailing Motor bike: Four month old $145,000: Owner migrating- Call:667-0585 1 F150 (Ford) XLT fully loaded: In Excellent condition - Call: 690-6520/ 642-0110 First Class Auto: Allion, Premio, Spacio, 212- Please Call: 609-8188 / 226-2689 Smart Choice Auto: Unregistered Allion, IST, Premio, one registered ISTCall: 652-3820/ 665-4529 Toyota IST PLL 7683- Call: 639-9553 93 L.H.D Honda AccordCall: 623-8909/672-2002 (1) Jialing JL 100-3 Motor Cycle in excellent condition: Minimal usage: Prices negotiable- Call: 220-0890/ 691-5952 or 657-3682 (1) Toyota Townace Minivan with 3Y-EU engine: (7) seats: very good condition: excellent for family outingscall: 691-5952/ 220-0890 (Continued on page 56)

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 55

MY COLUMN

Caribbean Airlines have us where it hurts I have always heard that Guyana is a blessed country, that it is not hit by hurricanes and it does not experience earthquakes. Of course, should one hurricane pass through Guyana there would be nothing left standing, largely because of the manner in which we construct out homes.

An earthquake would be equally devastating because our homes would come collapsing like a pack of cards with us inside. Recent evidence revealed that we spend most of our time indoors. We are either in a house, in an office, in a pub or rum shop or in a night club or restaurant. Those of us on the outside would not be safe either. If we are in the city, perhaps on Regent Street then the buildings would come crashing down on us.

Of course such things would never happen to us because we are a blessed people who simply do not know how to treasure what we have. We have wasted so many good opportunities that we are now left to wonder why the rest of the world disrespects us and why our young people seem hell bent for a life of crime and hostility.

The politicians have not been helpful. They separated the country into ‘us and them’ with each seeking to expose the other, right down to his most basic fault. For starters, Forbes Burnham was supposed to be the biggest thief to the point that Forbes magazine listed him as the fifth richest man in the world. There were Guyanese who believed this bit of rubbish, although to this day the people making the claim cannot produce the magazine or find any of the money Burnham was said to have stolen.

Times changed and the politicians who made the claims of thievery against Burnham came to power.

Again there were reports of theft this time from the others who were at one time in the driving seat. No one has been able to find proof that Burnham or his Ministers were thieves.

Today their humble lifestyle reveals what they acquired while in office.

The same cannot be said for the present rulers. Nearly all of them have constructed mansions, own more than one mansion, drive the most expensive cars and spend money as though it has no

value. Twist it and turn it how one wishes, this is a blessed country, because those who have got their money through questionable means are not being made to account for their wealth.

Just last week, there was a report that the British High Commission refused to sell a property to a young man who was prepared to pay twice the asking price.

Don’t ask why.

For starters, the man entrusted with the task of asking the questions is afraid to do so. It is as if the present rulers are the Lord’s anointed and the edict ‘Touch not the Lord’s anointed’ applies.

Anyhow, we come to the issue of the plight of this blessed country.

I watched the decline in education and shook my head in pity. For the first time I am seeing a large number of young people who cannot read and write.

That was something that was the curse of old people, who, had they been alive today, would have been at least 120 years old.

Then I watched how many efforts and good intentions failed to blossom. After fortyseven years of independence,

we are still to make anything other than furniture. As one man told me, we don’t even make a bicycle spoke.

I watched people run out of the country.

For two decades, the late Dr Cheddi Jagan said that the people were running from the Forbes Burnham administration. More people are leaving these days and Burnham died almost twentyeight years ago.

But one thing could be said; we have road networks opening sections of the country that were almost inaccessible. And there was a national airline that transported Guyanese to the metropolis.

I remember that before the advent of the national airline, the cost of air travel to New York was about US$750 round trip. That price crashed to just over US$450 when Guyana Airways entered the market.

Guyana Airways collapsed when the new government took office. A group of businessmen bought it and for a while they tried to keep it afloat. Then they gave up. Other airlines came and went; many flopped, causing Guyanese to lose millions of

dollars in addition to being stranded. But for all that, Caribbean Airlines was there battling with whatever was thrown its way.

Today, Caribbean Airlines is still here.

It is the only international airline operating out of Guyana but that has a tremendous cost to Guyanese. They have never been asked to pay so much, almost four times what they paid when Guyana Airways operated and two times what they paid when Delta operated up to May 6, last.

Some see this as capitalising on a bad situation; others see it as price gouging.

But for all the talk there is nothing we could do. If we get Caribbean Airlines mad, all they have to do is to keep two flights out of Guyana.

The noise would be heard till to Office of the President.

With all the rich people around and the rush by Guyana to have anti-money laundering legislation, one would have thought that some of them would have poured their excess money into an airline. This does not seem to be the case.

There are those who will travel, regardless, but there

Adam Harris are others who will watch their leave passage entitlement that allowed them to buy an airline ticket last year, and cry bitter tears this time around.

The Trinidadians must be wondering at the number of Guyanese travelling to their country. Some smart people have found that it is so much cheaper to buy a ticket to Trinidad and make a connection to New York or Canada. But the Trinidadians have also found that they could hike the cost of the ticket to Trinidad.

Caribbean Airlines have us by what the English would call the short and curlies. The Guyanese would say that they have us by the cricketing tool, what the Spanish call cojones.

Page 56

CAKES & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery, Call: 670-0798. Also Wedding dresses for sale Courses for: Bridal accessories, Cake decoration & Floral arrangements, Cake & Pastrycontact Sharon:672-8768/ 223-3303

TO LET Fully furnished short term apartments @ Eccles call: 689-6668

Kaieteur News

EDUCATIONAL

PROPERTY FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

SERVICES

SUMMER CLASSES: July 15th – August 15th: Phonics, Mathematics, Language, Spanish, Craft, Tours & Fun day: Garnett St. KittyCall:654-8650

Commercial / Residential property 150’ x 45’ Building 70’ x 30’, Kitty ($4M per year income) (Negotiable):6727390 / 672-8569 / 609-8132

Tuschen Housing SchemeCall: 692-3454/616-7632

First Choice Laundromat: $700 per load: Dry cleaning of Wedding Gowns, from $5000: Gents Suits $2500Tele: 225-6337

Princeton College: CXC classes for day and evening students: Register for summer classes 5-18 yearscall:690-5008 Adults & re-sitters who are interested in writing CXC in January, 2014- Contact: 2260066/ 667-3085: Teaching services are offered.

SUMMER CLASSES: Phonics, Language, Mathematics, Art & Craft & Fun day: (4-12 years)- July 15th- August 15th: Roxanne Burnham: Call 619-4355/ 2182076

Secret Villa apartment, fully furnished apartments Landof-Canaan E.B.D- Call:2665243/266-5245

Houses & Apartments from $50,000-$150,000-Call:675-7292 3 Bedrooms concrete top & bottom flat (US $500 & US $450) in South Ruimveldt Gardens- Call: 218-1949 (Monday- Friday, 9:00am5:00pm) Furnished classrooms available: Suitable for day classes, lessons & lectures: 71 Croal Street, Stabroek: Tel: 624-5741

LAND FOR SALE House lots 50’×118’ New Hope E.B.D: Negotiable prices.

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 Grove/Diamond $5M, $5.5M, $4M, $6.5M, $3.5M: 672-7390, 2250854, 2250843 Land for sale at Golden Grove, fully fenced with concrete: Please call 6105761 or 613-5873 Eccles New Scheme 50 x 100 $5.5M: 672-7390, 225-0854, 225-0843

MASSAGE Qualified Therapist: Pinch nerve, painful body, extreme tiredness, organ failure in Males, neck & shoulder pain- Call Sally @649-4227 The Gent’s spa: Come be pampered by beautiful sophisticated masseuses four hands special call:6575979

For the best rates, call us on telephones numbers: 225-8458, 225-8465

Land 50’x 90’, with foundation, Posts, Roof etc: Building 30’ x 50’, Parfaite Harmonie, WBD $6.8M (Negotiable) 672-8569 / 6869888 W.B.D, Current Operational Business Property, Land 200’x25’.Ideal Location. $50M ( Negotiable) 672-8569 /686-9888/ 609-8132 Versailles W.B.D. new Exclusive large 2 storied 5bedroom house with extra lot (Gated Community): 6728569, 686-9888, 609-8132 2-bedroom flat house, on land 35x150: Pouderoyen, W.B.D $6.5M: 672-8569, 6869888, 609-8132 Lodge H/S 2 Stories Concrete (needs repairs) $14M neg: 672-7390, 2250854, 225-0843

Houses to rent: www. spaceseek.gy: Call: 223-8479 or 647-3768 Diamond $35,000; Eccles $40,000; Kitty $60,000; Queenstown US$800- Call Diana @227-2256/ 626-9382

Sunday June 23, 2013

Diamond 6 bedroom 2 family House $26M Parfait Harmonie 2 Bedroom Flat house Unfinished 5m (neg)225-0854, 225-0843, 6727390 2 Storey business premises: 94 Campbell Avenue, C/VilleCall:680-8857 Mahaicony creek 3 Bedrooms, with 6 acres land: access by creek or branch road- call: 621-4000/ 690-6000 Zeelugt 2 stories concrete house, corner spot double lot. Priced to go, fairly newcall: 621-4000/ 690-6000 2 Stories concrete house: 32’×55’: 3 Bedrooms: Block 8 Mon Repos, E.C.D $36MCall:642-2116

TOURS Rickey Tours: GuyanaSuriname: June 28th- June 30th: A complete package $50,000- Contact Nafeeza @690-0341/ Teddo @6611376

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

Ultra Cool. Call: 225-9032, 647-2943

Charlestown $15.5M; Kitty $10M; East Coast $27M; Republic Park $65M- Call Diana @227-2256/ 626-9382

Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves, TV: Call 683-1312,627-3206 (Nick)

Houses & Land for sale: www.spaceseek.gy: Call: 223-8479 or 647-3768

House Plans, estimates and constructionContact T.Boodhoo 625-9883/ 6759296

1 Two Storey Business Property (Transported): Brickery Public Road, East Bank Demerara- Call: 6608128 (1) One House & Land: Samantha Point Grove: $27 million- Call:679-6952/ 6437125 House and Land @ D’Edward, W.C.B. Call: 6892973/698-3703 Town & Country Real: 5bedrooms concrete 2 stories $35M: 225-0853, 225-0854, 672-7390 Alexander Street between Regent & Robb $60M: 6727390, 225-0843, 225-0854

CAR RENTAL Premio, Vitz call: 689-6668 Aidan’s Car Rental & PickupCall: 645-7981/ 698-7807 Progressive Auto Rental - cars from $4000 per day.

Call 643-5122, 225-8711; email www. progressive autorental. com Untouchable Car Rental: Low Rate , Low Deposit call:231-8653,621-6827 TOURS Caricom June 30th- July 1st: Marshall Rapids & Capoey Lake- Call Joy @218-1285/ 649-9059/ 691-3114

WE FILL OUT VISA FORMS: USA, UK & CANADA & CREDIT CARD SERVICES CALL: 231-5789 ONLINE SHOPPING ZERO COMMISSION, WEEKLY SHIPMENTS,AFFORDABLE RATES, FREE PRIVATE MAILBOX.CALL:2315789, 225-9030 For all your filing, plumbing, masonry and carpentry work- Contact us on call:696-1892 or 6012286 Have a property/Land/ House/Apartment for sale or rent? Call: 223-8479 or 6473768

SERVICES We Refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699

VACANCY One fitter machinistTele:234-0780, Cell: 613-1588 or 694-8450 24 hour East Coast Guyoil needs day & night pump attendants, sales girl, Experienced Fuel Tanker Driver- Tele: 688-9611/6842838 One Club/ Entertainment manager to work at a Hotel in Charity, Essequibo CoastCall:226-9768/ 642-7963 One Female Clerk- Call:2315171

Charlotte between Cummings & Orange Walk Bourda $50M (Neg) 2 Stories-3 bedrooms: 6727390, 2250854, 2250843

R o c o t s To o l R e n t a l : R a n s o m , Ta b l e S a w, Compactor, floor sander, Bobcat etc.- Call:675-0767

One security guard for day shift: West Side Shore Plaza public road Ruimzeight, W.C.D- Call:269-1525/ 6563561

North Rd 2 Storey Building: Business Premise $1.5US (Neg): 672-7390, 225-0854, 2250843

TransponderTV: No Monthly Fees, No Hidden Fees, No Additional Charges: 250 Channels + 50 HD ChannelsCall: 675-3201

Vacancies: Security Officers, Drivers, Dispatchers: Apply Monday-Friday: Security Alliance Barrack street, Kingston (upstairs FedEx)

2 Stories Building 70x28 land 150x45 Kitty $75M (Residential/ Commercial) Main Rd:672-7390, 225-0854 ,225-0843

Diamond main road property 5 bedrooms flat house $37M: 225-0853, 225-0854, 672-7390

Tuschen- $1.5M, $1.8M, $2M, $2.5M: 225-0843

Land for Rice, Sugar, Cattle etc: More than 600 acres on East Coast Demerara- Call: 678-1454

2 Bedrooms Concrete Flat: 12th Street Diamond Housing Scheme: $11M. Call:613-9085

Newly built concrete 3bedrooms house in Parfaite Harmonie $19M, $17M, $8M: 672-7390, 225-0854, 225-0843

Parfait Harmonie- $1.5M, $2M, $2.5M: 225-0843

Vreed-en-Hoop- 1.1 Acre $13M: 225-0843 32 Acres for sale, Lot 5 Content Mahaicony, E.C.D: US$175,000: Call:813-3194 2 1 9 : rpooran@tampabay.rr.com

1 Business Property at Bloomfield public rd, BerbiceCall: 690-6520/ 642-0110

(From page 54)

Parfait Harmonie 2-stories, concrete 3-apt, 5-bedroom, 3 toilet & bath. Concrete yard $18.7M (Neg): 672-8569/ 6869888/ 609-8132 3 Stores, 6 Apartments 8 bedrooms: Corner house, Charlestown $32M: 672-7390, 225-0854, 225-08433 3 Bedrooms corner lot, business front Charlestown $29M- 225-0854/ 225-0843 Diamond/Grove 2 Stories Concrete Newly Built Automatic Gate/Garage Spacious Kitchen & 4 Bedrooms $36M: 6727390, 2250854, 225-0843

We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer. Call:2310655, 683-8734 Omar Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call: 225-6496, 662-6045, 223-8115 Technician specialized in repairs & servicing to washers, dryers, fridges, A/ C units & stoves: Home Servicing available- call:6615099 Georgetown computer repairs in Homes- Call: 6757292

FOR RENT Rooms - Call: 225-3234 Business property to rent (Georgetown)- Call:223-9727/ 673-0373/ 666-7001 Luxury House 5- bedroom self- contain: Maid quarters & lovely patio, security $2600us: 672-7390,2250854,225-0843

Florida & New York ToursCall: 675-7292

House to rent in Friendship, E.B.D- Call:266-0163

CSEC IT training videos + Apps: Office 2010, Auto CAD 2012, Peachtree: Start earlyBrian@642-3543

Three bedrooms apartment at Diamond housing scheme: Price $45,000 monthly. Call: 216-0458 or 616-9653

Brian Moe @642-3543: Computer Technician: FB/ Brian.Moe.165: Home and Office visits at your comfort!!

Hadfield street, 3 house in yard $6.5M- 672-7390, 2250854, 225-0843 (Continued on page 66)

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 57

Page 58

Book Review:

By Dr Glenville Ashby Book: The Family Mansion by Anthony C. Winkler Critic: Dr Glenville Ashby The Family Mansion bellows with the stench of misplaced pride. It is a showcase, no less, of two nations’ growing pains, best reflected in the conflicting and oftentimes shadowy inner world of Hartley Fudges, its main character.

The second child of an early 19th century British aristocrat, Fudges must fend for himself, the victim of primogeniture - a custom that champions the right of the first born to family holdings.

It is a system that rips through any facade of morals hoisted on his person by Hartley. It exposes a malison - a tenebrous trait capable of plotting murder of his flesh and blood.

Winkler proves his salt, daring to weave slices of British and Jamaican history, and slavery’s savagery onto a blaring tale that already stood on its own. He picks his spots. His timing is meticulous, narrating a history of woe with an

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

The Madness of Slavery and the Human Spirit effortless joie de vivre.

“Mansion” offers invaluable historical data without an iota of dryness and ennui. Winkler’s dance with the past is refreshing, adding additional body to an already hefty oeuvre.

Hartley’s character needs little buttressing. It resounds.

An existential mess as a young man in London, he is forced into exile after his plan to assassinate his brother turns on its head. His is a story that fascinates and compels with all the elements to command unwavering attention overarching venality, sexual debauchery, adventure and murder for hire.

Hartley is a microcosm of a bloody nation, a putrid empire of ornate trappings and the glib of an unapologetic doyenne. Great Britain is living a lie. So is Hartley. That they are conjoined twins is closer to the mark, bereft of authenticity and humility. It is a miasmic existence, a warped reality; the stench of pride and prejudice; a duplicitous saga of greed, dehumanization and wretchedness. He leaves for Jamaica, naïve but expectant.

Winkler’s prosaic prowess never fails to impress even the

most seasoned of writers.

“Although a young man, Hartley Fudges had already learned that the years do not pass at a uniformed pace, that some creep past like sickly turtles while others come and go with the thundering gallop of race horses,” he pens.

Winkler’s depicts a Jamaica, circa 1802, pulsating with the pangs of slavery and colonization. It is a sore paradox, for against the backdrop of the island’s untamed and majestic beauty is a system of dehumanization.

It is a time when theologians questioned the salvation of the slave who was believed to be void of a soul – an unquestionable beast.

This is the world that Hartley is trapped in. It is here that he meets Cuffy, an enigmatic individual contentious and arrogant but having the paragon of a slave’s mind and obsessed with aping the ways of the white man. Cuffy, once owned by a black man, prefers Hartley, his new owner. Ironic, but an ambivalence that has set the tone for an inferiority complex, perceived powerlessness and obsequiousness that have rattled colonised nations for

decades, if not centuries to follow.

Winkler’s details on the savagery of slavery, the religious colonization and the insuperable will of the slave are hardly new and by now should be part of our collective memory. In one revolting and tragic circumstance a dying slave an Ashanti prays for his ancestors to intercede on his behalf, only to be told by Hartley, “There is only one God and that is Jesus. If he calls on Jesus, even at this hour he will be saved.”

Winkler presents a world enmeshed in trepidation and self loathing by slaves and masters alike. Plantations are cocoons of destruction for every inhabitant.

For sure, Winkler offers an impregnable and daring insight into the psycho sexual and cultural life of early Jamaica through Mt Pleasant plantation and the lens of Hartley. In one wrenching scene of legal rape Winkler writes of the fear of a slave girl, “Now easy now Massa.”

But Hartley was not. “He plunged into her with a savage thrust of his hips….He slumped against her with a feral grunt. Then he remembered himself, and springing up, he pulled up his pants, jumped on the horse and galloped away.”

Winkler’s invokes the ghost of Nietzsche, tapping us on the shoulder. Pause, we must, if only for reflection. Are

Book cover of The Family Mansion we engulfed in an existential lie? Why do we fold so easily to the archetypal reach of class, money and privilege?

What becomes of Hartley’s love with a slave girl and the bloody revolt led by no less than Cuffy, his former slave, will tug at our curiosity. But more importantly, The Family Mansion proves prophetic an indictment on humanity offering a mirror, an invitation to examine our soul - if only

we dare.

Feed back : glenvilleashby @ gmail . com/ Follow me on Twitter@glenvilleashby The Family Mansion by Anthony C. Winkler Akashic Books, 2013 ISBN: 13: 978-1-61775166-0 Available: Amazon.com Rating: Highly Recommended

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 59

Ravi Dev Column

Sustaining Sugar in Demerara (With the sugar industry slipping into crisis mode by 2008, we made some proposals in a series of articles that we will republish since the crisis has only deepened.) The inquiry into the precipitous fall in the production figures of the East Demerara plantations has been handed over to the Minister of Agriculture. While the details have not been released, his initial reaction appears to have confirmed earlier suspicions that management’s neglect of the fundamentals of sugar cane cultivation is a major source of the shortfall.

If examined, the figures of the West Demerara plantations will be just as sorry and the reasons just as mundane. Combined with the unfortunate failure of the Chinese contractors to successfully commission the new Skeldon factory, and the unbelievable decision to have dismantled the old factory before the tests on the new one were successful, the year will be a disastrous one for the sugar industry.

This year’s red ink, spread all over

the bottom line, will bring greater scrutiny to the Demerara operations. The World Bank had decreed: if by the time the Skeldon factory comes on stream the Demerara operations do not show a profit on their own, they would have to be closed.

GuySuCo’s historical methodology of treating the industry as a unit is rejected as “cross subsidisation”.

Believing that the administration would not be able to fend off the World Bank, we had argued early on that the Government ought to consider divvying up the Demerara land to the workers and diversifying into other crops, more suitable for its peculiar soils.

While the administration has commendably not knuckled under, we wonder if the Demerara plantations were not given a basket to fetch water. In a recent interview, the CEO of GuySuCo remarked that after the 2005 floods, the corporation has to get back to the Agricultural Improvement Programme (AIP), which was unveiled since 2002. Get back? In 2008?

The question I believe the Minister should also inquire into is whether the AIP was ever implemented in the Demerara plantations. Do the spending figures support the claims? The success or failure of GuySuCo depends on its performance in the fields: productivity of sugar in general, and the Demerara plantations in particular, will always demand rigorous husbandry practices. The move to create a new position of Deputy CEO for a Field Specialist is a move in the right direction, but we believe that it is not enough to produce the optimum results.

The Board of Directors for GuySuCo is appointed by the Minister and sets policy for the corporation. We believe that while the incumbents may have performed as well as they could under the present guidelines, the latter ought to be reconstituted to produce a much more hands-on Board, with members who have actual experience in the industry – especially in the field sector.

The present Board meets

THE BACCOO SPEAKS Whenever there is a confrontation, at the centre is a very young person, but this seems to be escaping notice. What is not surprising is the reaction of the public when one of the parties in the confrontation is a policeman.

So a young man is shot and the poor family can afford a high-priced lawyer to look into the matter. There will be more of this, because one emboldened young man is going to attempt a robbery, armed with gun and all.

The comments in the wake of the episode will be

revealing. ** For some time now the rivers have turned out to be very dangerous. Like the roads, the people controlling vessels are young and untrained.

The accidents that have

already occurred are just the start of what will become a trend.There is going to be a boat collision at a speedboat terminal. Again, carelessness would be the root cause.

Fortunately, this time there would be no loss of life. ** At this holiday season when the affluent Guyanese leave these shores, airlines are usually booked solid.

This time the holidays would be spent more in the Caribbean and in Guyana than overseas. And it needs not a magic wand to appreciate the reason.

maybe monthly and as far as we are aware, none of the committees that it has constituted itself into, deals with operational matters. We suspect that even if it did, because of the members’ general lack of exposure to the unique exigencies of producing sugar – especially the preponderant (70%) agricultural component, a whole lot of hogwash has been shovelled their way by management with them being none the wiser. They would have to be willing to get into the trenches, to finally act as if they represent the owners of GuySuCo – the people of Guyana. Of course, they would have to be remunerated appropriately.

Another area that has to be looked at is the recruitment practices for the field management: Field Manager, Senior Field manager, asst. field mgr. (harvesting), asst. field mgr. (crop husbandry), asst. field mgr. (mechanical tillage), Agri.

Suprtintendant

(Agronomist), asst. field mgr. (cultivation), field workshop superintendent, field superintendent, supervisors (one for each gang), field foremen, charge-hands. Of recent, GuySuCo has had great difficulty in recruiting and retaining managers from the field superintendent level.

This will remain a problem if upper management continues to insist on “book qualifications” being the main criteria for recruitment.

These individuals retain the ingrained West Indian aversion to be connected to manual labour and basically see themselves “catching their hand” until they locate greener (white collar) pastures. They avoid the fields like the plague. The focus ought to shift towards promoting individuals upwards from the supervisors’ category, who started as ordinary workers and who will more likely remain for the status conferred by the positions.

They ought to be trained in

Ravi Dev

the use of the now available hand-held computerised devices that allow the complicated flow of field operations to be monitored and evaluated daily.

Because the soils in Demerara have the least amount of the preferred Type I soil for sugar cultivation, for the yield to be improved to match the Berbice figures, the necessary material inputs, as well as the intensive labour for their applications, will inevitably add substantially to costs. To retain workers in the face of job competition in Demerara, cost cutting will also have to be pursued outside the “slashing wages” box.

Page 60

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

A wife strangled in Germany and two dead girls in Guyana

By Michael Jordan The former American soldier looked me straight in the eye and told me that he was no killer.

Maybe so, but surely he must be one of the unluckiest chaps I have ever met. How many guys do you know that end up being accused of brutally murdering their wife, their ex-girlfriend, and a teenage girl?

I called him last week for an interview about these three still-unsolved murders. Half an hour later, this bearded, bespectacled guy was sitting in our interview room, and we were talking about his former wife’s murder in Germany, and the two dead women in New Amsterdam. ”I killed no one,” he told me. “There are people in New Amsterdam who know what happened to those two young ladies. There are people that know who is responsible for my late wife’s death, and they know it’s not me.”

From what he says, his troubles began around April, 2004. Back then, he was a Specialist in the US Army, married to 30-year-old Chevonne Talbot, and living at a US base in Germany.

According to him, he was also serving in Iraq and his marriage was on the rocks.

“I came back from combat in April of that year to find that I no longer had a wife… that someone (else) was in my place.” The ex-soldier said he found out about his spouse’s infidelity from provocative text messages that were sent to her.

The ex-soldier said that he confronted her and later told his wife that he wanted a divorce.

But on October 12, 2004, 30-year-old Chevonne Talbot

Alexis ‘Keisha’ George

Nekescia Rouse

Chevonne Talbot

was found lying face-down on the bathroom floor in the army housing unit at Hainerberg Housing Area, in Germany, where the couple had lived.

It was her husband who found the body.

“I found her dead. I found her in the bathroom. From the way her body was positioned, she looked like she was trying to enter the tub and slipped. I moved her and tried to resuscitate her. I called my unit and they dispatched the MPs and they dispatched the ambulance and half an hour later they pronounced her dead.”

But a bathroom fall hadn’t killed Chevonne Talbot.

Someone had tied a scarf tightly around her neck and also used it to bind her hands behind her back. An autopsy would reveal that she had died of ligature strangulation.

Her husband gave the police a statement, and it is this statement that reportedly turned him from grieving spouse to murder suspect.

According to the ex-

soldier, he had told police that it was he, and not his wife, who was having an affair. This apparently led detectives to believe that he was concealing a motive for the crime. He admitted that he had also tried to kill himself after her death.

“I became a suspect because of that lie. I had no reason to want her dead when I had already made up my mind, six months before her death, that I was divorcing her.”

Several months later, he was charged with murder.

However, he was eventually freed on May 1, 2007, since, according to the ex-soldier, he was able to account for his movements at the time of his wife’s death. He said that a female prosecution witness, who was also his next-door neighbor, also placed him away from the scene.

“There was conflict in the time of death, because I showed up at work early and left work and came back a few hours later; and what was being said was that I went home, killed her, and came back to work.

“But that young lady next door told investigators that there was no way that she (the wife) could have been dead before two o’clock in the afternoon, because she saw her taking out the garbage at around two. I found her two hours later. Her testimony debunked the testimony of the pathologist who said that she died in the morning.

“She was the person who gave me my salvation, because without her testimony of seeing my wife at two o’clock in the afternoon, I wouldn’t have been in this interview with you, I would have been at Fort Leavenworth doing 99 years.”

And according to his story, there was a prime suspect in his wife’s death. He said that the individual was a male friend of his wife. He

claims that the individual told investigators that he was watching television at the time when Mrs. Talbot was slain.

The former U.S. soldier reportedly returned to Guyana in December 2008, and shortly after, started a relationship with 25-year-old Nekescia Rouse, who lived at Smythfield, New Amsterdam.

He says that it was a oneweek affair.

“I flew into Guyana a few days before Christmas 2008. I was walking down Main Street, New Amsterdam and I saw her. It was brief… one week… but from there we developed a friendship.”

But at around 06:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2009, a resident of Smythfield, New Amsterdam stumbled on a gruesome scene. Lying in a yard under a tree was the mutilated body of a young woman. She was identified as 18-year-old Alexis ‘Keisha’ George.

About 30 minutes later, the body of another woman was found in a house some 150 metres away. The second victim was Nekescia Rouse, the former soldier ’s exgirlfriend.

Both women had lived with Rouse’s mother at Smythfield. They had both sustained stab wounds to the neck and other parts of the body.

Investigators suspected that both women were attacked in the house in which Rouse’s body was found, but that Alexis George had managed to run outside before collapsing and dying in a neighbour’s yard. It was unclear how the killer(s) had gained entry to the house to attack the two victims, though there were suggestions that the individual (s) had entered via a verandah door. One detective surmised that the women knew their killers.

“There was no forced entry to the house. Whoever did this was more or less

invited in or frequented the premises.”

Detectives scoured the murder scenes and even searched inside a septic tank for the murder weapon. They never found it.

Detectives learned that Nekescia had gone out with friends on Valentine’s Night and had returned home during the early hours of the Sunday on which the women were slain.

According to reports, June Rouse, Nekescia’s mother, had received a rather strange call on her mobile phone at around 05:20 a.m. on Sunday, February 15. The caller, whom she did not recognize, reportedly enquired ‘where Nicky deh?’

Shortly after the murders, police detained seven individuals from New Amsterdam. Among them was the retired US Army soldier who had been accused, then cleared, of killing his wife in Germany.

A former policeman who had gone out with Nekescia on Valentine’s Night, and who had frequented the home, was also taken into custody.

The former soldier told me that he had called Nekescia on February 14, to wish her ‘Happy Valentine’s Day.’ He estimates that this call was made some 12 hours before she was slain.

Like the two slain women, he was also living in Smythfield, New Amsterdam.

But he also claims that at the time of the tragedy, he was stricken with kidney stones.

The painful condition, he says, had kept him in bed and practically unable to move around.

He says that on Sunday, February 15, several armed policemen came to the house where he was staying.

According to the man, he had known the purpose of their visit, since someone had already called him to inform him of Nekescia’s murder.

He alleged that without mentioning the doublemurder, the policemen said they wanted to search the premises. ”One detective said that he saw blood on my clothing.

They took my sandals, because they said they saw blood on the sandals. No blood was ever found on my belongings.”

According to his story, without being read his rights he was booked; and without ever producing a writ, police kept him in custody for over 72 hours.

“I never thought that I would spend the next six days

and nights handcuffed and locked behind prison walls.”

He said that he was moved from one police station to the next…”every day, sent to someplace more inhumane.”

On February 20, 2009, he was eventually released on $100,000 station bail. The former soldier says that police never returned his belongings.

Investigators apparently are yet to unearth any tangible evidence to implicate anyone in the doublehomicide.

He insists that he could not have committed the heinous double-murder without someone spotting him, since there is only one way in and out of the area where the victims lived.

But the ex-soldier complains that although “my integrity has been cleared,” there are still some individuals who continue to tarnish his name. He was reportedly also threatened a few months ago.

“I’m constantly vilified.

Wherever I go I’m accused of being a murderer,” he says.

You know what? I’ve spoken to killers before. I’ve spoken to a guy on death row; an affable, smiling guy, who they say gutted a woman like a fish and tied a crankshaft and cement block to her body so it could sink in the Demerara River. He says he didn’t do it.

There’s another gentleman —an upright individual in society— who missed death row by the skin of his teeth. I believe, in my bones, that he strangled an 11-year-old girl and tried to make it look like suicide. He says he’s innocent.

But in this case, with apparently so many suspects, I just don’t know. But I hope that someday, somehow, the families of Chevonne Talbot, Alexis George and Nekescia Rouse will finally have closure, knowing who strangled one woman in Germany, and knifed to death two others in Guyana.

If you have any information about this or any other unusual case, please contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown offices. Our numbers are 22-58465, 2258473 and 22-58458. You need not disclose your identity.

You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address mjdragon @hotmail.com.

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 61

== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

Drivers, maids, waitresses, psychology and invincibility In a previous column, I mentioned what one of the former attendants of the New Thriving Restaurant told me about what a certain little dictator (who has one of the fanciest swimming pools; lives on the East Coast) said about the Public Service Union and its head, Patrick Yarde.

The Champion (of God knows what) and his underlings, including the swimming pool man, were dining in a reserved room.

The dictators are never discreet.

Restaurant attendants are nobodies in their eyes so they speak freely, totally oblivious that these “lesser mortals” can hear what comes out of their mouths.

Also, when they are drunk, they mouth off wildly.

The swimming pool man was overheard saying that he can deal with Patrick Yarde anytime and will soon break the union and show Yarde who has power.

When you want to hear about power boasting you have to talk to drivers, maids and other employees. They hear sensitive things. They see intriguing sights.

Let me repeat what I once wrote here. I was with Gerhard Ramsaroop and Kojo MacPherson in Cane Grove in the midnight hour checking on a rice mill that was spewing

dust like when sand blows in a storm in the desert. While Ramsaroop and MacPherson were filming, I moved away, went into the darkness and sat next to the trench.

An SUV drove up to me.

The driver got out, took out his gun, and came right into my face.

He wanted to know what a stranger was doing in Cane Grove at that uncivilized hour.

After his identification of me, we began to chat. He was one of the security details to the former Big Man (no harm can come to him; he has migrated).

What you heard from this guy would turn your stomach inside out. The power boasting; the ménage á trios escapades in Pradoville One; the incessant clubbing where money flows like water from a fountain, the open homosexual trysts, the nocturnal visits to drug kings and rich money launderers, the despoiling of underage girls.

As I listened, I wondered why people like me spent my youthful life harassing Forbes Burnham.

What I heard convinced me that Burnham was a far better leader than the fools that took over after 1992. The pattern that emerged from talking to the drivers, waitresses, maids, secretaries

is one of invincibility.

The power wielders are so assured of their domination that they feel they can do what they want and the country will have to accept its fate.

This is the mono-causal explanation for Mr. Jagdeo’s autocracy.

The Corbin factor does not militate against the efficacy of this theory. Since Mr. Corbin did not pursue an aggressive agenda and his volte-face contributed to Mr. Jagdeo’s hegemony, then the plausibility of the theory stands, that is, Mr. Jagdeo got bolder and ended up in a wild authoritarian mode, because there were no attempts from any section of the society to fight his oligarchic policies.

From Jagdeo to Ramotar, inclusive of the Luncheon/ Te i x e i r a ring, the p s y c hology of PPP leadership is that the Government is impregnable.

I come now to the main point of this article – the PPP Government will implement the electricity increase.

The consensus I have received from opposition quarters, civil society actors and the public is that the Government is bluffing; it knows it cannot embark on such madness. I beg to

disagree. I will use political theory to argue my case.

My delineation of the contours and dimensions of dictatorship have been repetitive on this page.

I have postulated the concept of irrationality in dictatorship. I believe the textbook supports me.

Authoritarian systems cannot grasp the fundamental weaknesses in their power lustfulness, because inherent in domination is irrationality and invincibility.

The consequence of such maximization of power is the loss of reality.

Mubarak was totally oblivious to the reality that he

couldn’t send camel-riders with swords into a demonstration chopping people to death. Gaddafi was blind to the reality that he couldn’t send snipers on rooftops shooting demonstrators to death.

Mubarak and Gaddafi did these things because their psychology drove them to it.

Mr. Jagdeo’s irrational use of power continues with the Ramotar administration.

The psychology of dictatorship empowers autocratic leaders to think of invincibility.

No one should fool himself that the party monarchs are rational to think

Frederick Kissoon that the electricity hike of 26 percent is a mind-blowing mistake that will create disaster (the Brazilian bus fare protest will not deter the dictators).

Leaders living with omnipotent thoughts and with freedom to do what they want do not care to look on the ground to see reality.

When they do come to that, it is always too late.

Page 62

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

Government’s ad hoc arrangements will not push development

By Dominic Gaskin AFC Treasurer and National Executive Committee Member For a political party obsessed with control, the PPP/C Government exerts very little control over how this country develops. By focusing most of its efforts on maintaining power, it has lost sight of its responsibility to govern and, as a result, has deprived the people of Guyana of the full range of benefits normally associated with proper governance.

The fact that we in Guyana have never been exposed to good governance in any form or fashion, has led to the mistaken belief on the part of the PPP/C that we are incapable of recognizing their shortcomings in this regard.

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has been, and remains, in the forefront of the battle to bring about improved governance in Guyana, with a clear understanding that the needs of our society are better served by strong systems and independent institutions, than by the discretionary interventions of the government of the day.

There are signs of an evolving public awareness that our government does indeed have an obligation to improve people’s lives by providing proper services; and that flawed systems and faulty institutions are allowing them to neglect this obligation in favour of less noble pursuits.

This government risks even further decline in its electoral support if it continues to believe that the people’s desire for a better life is still capped by 1992 levels of expectations. The world has progressed since then and continues to progress at a rate that is alarming, when one considers how reluctant the PPP/C has been to get with the programme.

The long-term developmental needs of this country cannot be met by the various ad hoc arrangements that have mushroomed into the voids created by the inadequate provision of government services. Critical areas such as education, transportation, energy and national security must be strategically situated inside of a bigger national programme that leads to a transformed economy and a shedding of

our Third World status. This administration has no such programme.

Our economy will not develop to a point where GDP growth is accompanied by improved living standards, unless guided by sound policies that are properly implemented. Government’s largely laissez-faire approach against a thick regulatory backdrop is as confusing as it is subjective, and does little to encourage a society that plays by the rules.

How can we ever hope to compete on the international scene when we are rehearsing domestically with the wrong script? This is no rhetorical question. The international scene is not something that sits out there waiting to be accessed whenever we get our act together. It is coming at us at a rapid pace in the form of imported goods, services and even labour, that is rendering us redundant in our own backyards.

The clock is ticking, and by directing its best efforts at waging a war of propaganda against the political opposition, this government is wasting precious time and robbing yet another generation of a chance to

contribute to the building of our nation.After more than twenty years in office its excuses lack validity, and its old arguments now face a younger electorate, less likely to be convinced by them.

This is the generation that the PPP/C has failed and now wants to fool.

Education is undoubtedly a key pillar when it comes to national development, and its mandatory stages should, ideally, lay the foundation upon which a workforce can be trained to provide the skills required by private sector investors as well as the public service.

According to the CIA World Factbook, Guyana has an almost ninety-two percent literacy rate. This particular publication also includes the definition of the word literacy used in arriving at literacy rates for each country in its index, and whereas for the vast majority of countries in the world this is defined as age 15 and over who can read and write, in the case of Guyana this is diluted to age 15 and over who has ever attended school. This points to either a lack of relevant data or Government’s reluctance to share this data, in the hope that no one will notice the problem. Neither option is reassuring.

Today, there is little evidence to suggest that government plays more than a regulatory role in carrying out its responsibility to

deliver education in Guyana, and even in this capacity it is found wanting.

It has conveniently allowed a growing number of private educational institutions to pick up the slack, while turning a blind eye to the extra lessons racket that has long existed in the public school system.

There is an obvious incentive for teachers who give extra lessons to provide incomplete tuition during school time, and a well regulated system would guard against this happening.

Ours does not.

The AFC believes that all Guyanese children must have equal access to a proper education, regardless of their circumstances.

The recently released National Grade Six Assessment results show a clear regional disparity, with not a single child from Regions 1, 5, 7, 8 and 9 scoring among the top one hundred.

This glaring inequality worsens at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, with these same regions now unable to produce a single student among the top one hundred and seventy-five.

But the biggest betrayal of the public’s trust in our education system occurs not at the top of the charts, but in the failure by this government to ensure that the vast majority of our children, having spent thirteen years of their lives in the public school system, are adequately prepared for the

CSEC. As the name implies, this is what certifies that they are now equipped with an education. With less than thirty and forty percent of them able to attain pass grades in Mathematics and English respectively, what are we unleashing into the workforce to help our businesses compete with those in other countries?

And what future can these young adults look forward to, here or anywhere, without the backing of a solid educational base and a certificate to prove it?

Keeping a country underdeveloped, whether deliberately, or by incompetence or neglect, is not something that a government can do with impunity forever. Modern societies have expectations beyond the crude necessities with which the PPP/C Government feels the people of this country should be content. Many of these expectations have evolved and are now the benchmarks of development, easily recognizable where they exist and painfully obvious where they do not.

The PPP/C Government is not educating our children, and seems to be hoping that as a by-product of this deficiency, they will grow into adults who cannot tell the difference between a functioning government and a dysfunctional kleptocracy.

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 63

Digicel adds another dimension to Schools Football Tournament

By Rawle Welch In keeping with its stated mission to not only concentrate on developing the skills of the participants on the field, but also to make them well rounded individuals who could then become valuable assets in our society, Digicel, organisers of the nationwide schools football tournament, added another dimension to its repertoire.

On Thursday last, at the Bartica Secondary School, the cellular giants retained two

specialists from the ‘Social Life Issues’ Counseling Institution, husband and wife John and Faye Greaves who journeyed to the Essequibo island to educate the young players on the peril of using tobacco, alcohol and marijuana.

Speaking before a packed house that included Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford, Regional Education Officer Charles Holmes, Digicel Representative Devon Dooker and teachers, Mrs. Greaves, who opened the talk spoke about the harm alcohol,

Cornucopia of sports...

From page 67 Cadet Table-tennis championships slated for Georgetown from August 9-15. As such, the Olympic Day activities presented the perfect opportunity to tutor the youngsters in the finer aspect of the sport.

Shortly after the culmination of activities, Karen Pilgrim delivered a pep talk to the participants and underlined the importance of sport in their lives. She also reminded them that whereas local activities to commemorate Olympics day was initially centred around athletics, GOA administrators have since incorporated other disciplines into the mix.

could create to the body.

Addressing specifically the ill effects players could feel by using alcohol, Mrs. Greaves revealed that it could impair the proper judgment of the brain causing players to lose focus and not think correctly.

She said it is a mind altering substance that is considered a drug by many health organisations across the world and is even regarded as one of the most dangerous drugs in the open market today.

Mrs. Greaves urged the young players to abstain from the use of alcohol which according to her could cause liver disease, blurred vision, impairs the memory and even leads to addiction.

She also highlighted the danger of a woman using alcohol during child birth, informing that it could result in the child being brain damaged, while a condition known as ‘Fetal Alcohol

Sunday June 23, 2013 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): There is some conflict or confusion regarding a relationship matter. A cautionary note suggests the need for care if you are organising a team event or big social get-together. ************************************* TAURUS (APR 20 - MAY 20): This could be an anxious or unsettled day for you especially if you are working towards a professional goal. ************************************* GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): A trip for educational or research purposes may not bring the results you were hoping for. If, for instance, you are researching your family history, you might find yourself tracing the wrong line. ************************************* CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Differences of opinion over a legal or financial matter may cause confusion and frustration. You may not have anticipated these annoying problems. ************************************* LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Close partnerships seem to be the ones that cause you most concern at the moment.

Perhaps you’re being blamed for something you didn’t do. ************************************* VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): Relationships both at home and at work are generally harmonious. Keep it that way by bearing in mind the needs and feelings of those around you.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): You’re in the mood to take a few risks and if you can afford it, there should be nothing stopping you from enjoying a wee flutter. ************************************* SCORPIO (OCT 23 NOV 21): News concerning your work or a family matter will be revealed in a quiet or secretive fashion. You will be surprised by what you hear and you will need some time to get to grips with the situation. ************************************* SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 - DEC 21): An inspired idea will come to you today but don’t present it to others right away. ************************************* CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): Dealing with people who are vague or absent-minded might cause you frustration unless you see the humour in the situation. ************************************* AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): You might use your imagination to find ways to make your usual routines more interesting. You may even be inspired to break away from commitments that no longer provide you with any enjoyment. ************************************* PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): A fierce determination to get down to some real work will grip you today. Through sheer willpower and determination, you will accomplish a huge amount.

Syndrome’ could also develop causing lifelong damage to the child with no improvement even as an adult.

It was a stirring presentation that was well received by the general audience.

Mr. Greaves then touched on the topics tobacco and marijuana and he too highlighted the ill-effects of their use, pointing to several illnesses as being caused by them. He mentioned medical researchers have concluded that tobacco is a deadly weapon to the human body because of the many dangerous substances that could be found in it.

Greaves disclosed chemicals such as nicotine, tar and carbon monoxide could be found within tobacco which could cause cancer in the mouth, while lung cancer, high blood pressure due to the clotting of the blood are all dangerous to the human body.

On the subject of

marijuana use, Greaves, while acknowledging that the drug is widely used, urged the young players to avoid its use since it could have destructive consequences to their lives.

According to him, some of the side effects of using marijuana are impotency, addiction, imprisonment, brain damage, cancer, destruction of the immune system, heart disease and mental problems, all negative effects to being beneficial to an individual’s family and the society at large.

Bradford in his comments said he was extremely proud to see so many young persons in attendance, especially for the purpose which they were there for.

He then extended special thanks to Digicel for hosting the tournament and called on the youths to not only see the on-field rivalry as the principal gain, but to also take the opportunity to interact and know each other, while

taking seriously the advice being offered by the two experts. Holmes in his presentation encouraged the players to do their best, adding that success is measured on how well a team is able to work together.

He welcomed the visitors, shortly after extending special thanks to Digicel for the work they’ve been doing within the respective communities.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 65

‘England, India, San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat show it – There is no ‘I’ in team!’

Colin E. H. Croft Sometimes, even in sports, but not always so, cream actually does eventually come to the top!

Today, India and England, best teams in the competition, meet at Edgbaston, Birmingham, in the final Champions Trophy final.

Both sets of players have shown what the word “team” really means!

So it was too, when Miami Heat played San Antonio Spurs for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, named after a former US Post Master General who became Commissioner of National Basketball Association (NBA). Miami Heat was magnificent, its marquee players showing what it means to be real stars!

Last Thursday, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, even the under-achieving, playedout-of-position Chris Bosh, Heat’s “Big Three”, came to final night’s party, battered and bruised, leaving everything on the court!

One had to feel for Spurs’ Tim Duncan – nearly a Caribbean man, born in St. Croix - Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. They too, especially Parker and Duncan, were walking wounded.

Yet, like Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier Trilogy, these two teams seemed exactly made

GTM Inter County 3-day cricket

By Sean Devers Demerara pacers Shivram Persaud (5-15) and Dexter George (4-26) orchestrated a sensational Essequibo collapse as six wickets tumbled for just three runs after lunch on the second day of their GTM Inter-County three-day under-19 cricket match yesterday at the Eve Leary ground in the city.

National under-19 stroke player Brian Sattaur then put Demerara in a commanding position with an attractive unbeaten 101 before he was forced the retire hurt suffering from cramps just before the close.

The hosts finished on 174-2 in reply to Essequibo’s paltry 97 all out 43 minutes after lunch and enjoy a lead of 77 runs.

The sun was out in all its glory for most of the day once play began at 10:00hrs although there were two short interruptions due to rain

MS Dhoni (left) and Alastair Cook during their respective press conferences. (AFP/ICC) for each other over seven games. Neither gave an inch and neither asked any, coming down to Thursday’s final game!

Miami’s big boys dug real deep, running purely on turbo adrenaline, though ultra-fitness, despite so many injuries, was obvious. Fees and money did not matter at all then. Winning that 2nd consecutive championship did! Having resided regularly in Central and South Florida since 1981, I am a pseudo “Florida refugee”. Hence, when Florida-based professional sports teams play, I try to catch games, even sometimes support them. Therefore, Miami

Heat’s NBA Finals eventual 7th game win over San Antonio Spurs was one that I could not miss for anything.

It was barely affordable, but I had to witness fully. It was quite a wild night too!

Not since Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Chicago Bulls battled, almost yearly, with Larry Bird, Robert Parish and Boston Celtics, late 1980’s early 1990’s, have I been this absorbed and attracted to basketball. Heat v Spurs may have been the better of the two. If only they can play again in next season’s finals!

The city of Miami was a maelstrom. 20,000 inside American Airlines Arena, just off the water of Biscayne Bay,

had great privileges, including observing great athletes at work, taking responsibilities. But it was outside, where another throng milled around the area, and partied, that the real fun was. Winning and partying are contagious. Friday last had to be a holiday for some of attending patrons!

Michael Rosenberg’s editorial piece in Sports Illustrated was fully on the mark. It was indeed time to marvel at the efforts of LeBron James as Heat now contemplates a three-peat; perhaps a Bull-like dynasty.

For me, the player of the finals, despite James being, rightfully, elected “MVP of

Sattaur (101), Persaud (5-15) & George (4-26) put Demerara in charge after the entire opening day was washed out.

The 17-year-old Sattaur hammered four sixes and nine fours in his maiden century at this level after Persaud and George ensured Essequibo slumped from 94-4 at the interval as they catapulted to 97 in 35.5 overs on a flat track with variable bounce.

Demerara Skipper Kamesh Yadram, one of nine players in the tournament who participated last year’s regional under-19 competition, was not out on 33 with two boundaries and featured in 62-run partnership with fellow left-hander Sattaur Persaud and George had earlier combined to give their team 4.5 bonus points because of the rule which provides fast bowlers with a point for every two wickets taken.

“We are pleased with the day’s work after an entire day was lost to rain. Our bowlers successfully executed the

game plan of bowling straight on a flat pitch,” explained Demerara Coach Quesi Nedd.

Nedd added that Sattaur then led from the front when Demerara batted to leave his team in a strong position to press for full points on the final day today.

Earlier, Ricardo Peters who was last out after striking four fours and a six in a fighting 34 and Ricardo Adams (23) had offered resistance at the top of the order for Essequibo. But Shivendra Hemraj (16) was the only other batsman to reach double figures for the lads from the Cinderella County.

When Mark Gonsalves was run out for six on the stroke of lunch at 94-4 the team from Guyana’s largest County were still well placed for a challenging total on the lush green but heavy outfield.

However, despite Peters’ resistance, Essequibo

crashed to an all too familiar collapse.

When Demerara began their reply, First-Class lefthander Tagenarine ‘Brandon’ Chanderpaul (4) flirted with a delivery from Rajiv Balgobin and touched a catch to the Keeper to leave the home on 17-1.

Andrew Gibson (19) and Sattaur then carried their team to 95 before Gibson was removed. Sattaur and Yadram took the score to 132-2 by Tea and were only separated when Sattaur retired hurt when he reached his ton.

“I think it was a good innings. The balls were keeping low and when the rain came the wet ball was skidding on so I am satisfied with my century. I began to feel the cramps when I was about 68 but I was determined to get my first three-figure score at this level,” Sattaur informed.

The action is scheduled to commence at 9:30hrs on the final day today.

Finals”, the one to really marvel at was Dwyane Wade, who, just a few years ago, was the franchise face of Miami Heat.

In his first visit to NBA Finals, in 2005-6, “Flash” was Finals MVP, and despite suffering horrendous injuries to shoulders, knees and ankles the following few seasons, still managed to put up astounding numbers.

The season that LeBron James joined Miami Heat, 2010, Wade was close to leaving Miami. Impressively, he stayed, even as he was told

by Coach-President Pat Riley that James would be the franchise player.

How many cricketers anywhere, having accomplished as much as DWade has, would have deferred, harnessing ego, to make way for a stronger, bigger man, accepting him as leading man and team-mate?

All Wade wanted to do was win, again. He made so many sacrifices to do just that!

1983 and 2011 ICC World Cup winning India, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and team have those same thoughts today, but it is not unique to them. They certainly will want to win this last Champions Trophy.

England too has played good cricket to get to this final, under almost unflappable Alastair Cook, setting up the possibility of the hosts winning its 1st 50overs world trophy, after winning 2010’s ICC WT-20. It can be India’s batsmen against England’s bowlers, even as these respective teams both have good bowling attacks and batting

Colin E. H. Croft line-ups. If there is no rain at the final, expect total runs to be near 600!

India has been unbeaten so far in the competition, thanks to its batsman, making the largest total in the competition, 331-7, against South Africa.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan made two centuries, 114 v SA, and 102 no v West Indies.

Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik and Virat Kohli also scored another five half centuries between them.

Bowling-wise, India has mixed fast with slow well, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja sharing the wickets and work-load well.

England’s batting has been steady, if not spectacular. Ian Bell, Cook, Jonathan Trott and Joe Root have scored seven fifties between them, abetted by Ravi Bopara, Eoin Morgan and Stuart Broad. Broad, Jimmy Anderson, Tim Bresnan, James Treadwell, Bopara and Root also form a good bowling attack. Like Heat v Spurs, England v India can provide great excitement, if players keep their heads.

Enjoy!

Guinness Caribbean ‘Street Challenge Series’

GUYANA SUFFERS MIXED FORTUNES Guyana suffered mixed fortunes on the opening night after registering a win and sliding to defeat in their Zone “A” playoffs as the Guinness Caribbean ‘ Street Challenge Series’ begun on Friday evening in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Guyana went down to Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 in their opening match, but rebounded to score a 2-0 win over Antigua/Barbuda.

Philip Rowley and Daniel Favorite scored in Guyana’s 2-0 victory over the Antiguans.

Trinidad and Tobago lead the group with the maximum 6 points followed by Guyana on three points and a better

goal average than St. Lucia, who are also on three points.

Antigua/Barbuda are yet to score a point.

Dominica lead Zone ‘B’ with the maximum six points followed by defending champions and hosts St. Vincent and the Grenadines with three and a better goal average than St. Kitts/Nevis, who are also on three points, Grenada held the cellar position.

Guyana were down to play St. Lucia last evening in their quest to advance to the semi-finals.

The finals and third place playoff were set to take place last evening.

Page 66

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 23, 2013

NEYMAR SCORES AS BRAZIL BEAT ITALY (From page 56)

Neymar scored again in Brazil’s 42 win over Italy.

(Getty Images)

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Confederations Cup Group A P W D L Pts GD Brazil Italy Mexico Japan Neymar proved the inspiration once again as Brazil gave themselves the best chance of avoiding a semi-final with Spain by topping Group A with a dramatic victory over Italy in Salvador.

The 21-year-old lit up the Arena Fonte Nova with a spectacular second-half freekick while striker Fred scored twice to set the Selecao on their way to a third straight win in the Confederations Cup. Substitute Dante had prodded in to give Brazil the lead on the stroke of half-time, only for Emanuele Giaccherini to bring Italy level with a fierce shot early in the second half.

Neymar then produced his moment of magic, before Fred appeared to put the game beyond Italy with 23 minutes remaining.

Italy, however, came roaring back with a

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controversial and scrappy goal from Giorgio Chiellini.

The Azzurri had the better of the final quarter of the match but Brazil made certain late on when Fred pounced as Gianluigi Buffon failed to hold Marcelo’s shot to send the stadium into raptures.

The result means Brazil are likely to meet Uruguay in a semi-final in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday. Italy face the prospect of a last four meeting with world champions Spain in Fortaleza, 24 hours later.

Much too had been made of the battle between two of the world’s most gifted young players in Neymar and Mario Balotelli. Both were forced to ride some fierce, physical challenges throughout the game but underlined their immense talent with outstanding displays at either end.

Brazil looked a side bristling with menace in the

early exchanges. Hulk’s rasping low shot forced Italy captain Buffon into a smart save.

The importance of winning the game and avoiding Spain in the semifinals was evident from Brazil’s formidable starting line-up. The injury that forced David Luiz off the field will be cause for concern, although it appeared more of a precaution for the Chelsea defender. It mattered not, his replacement Dante, from Bayern Munich, made an almost immediate impact just before half-time.

Neymar delivered an inviting free-kick which Fred headed goalwards and forced an instinctive low save from Buffon. The ball rolled clear, however, and Dante was on hand to prod it back into the net at the near post.

Italy would not lie down, though. Their response stunned the stadium into silence as Giaccherini raced on to Balotelli’s delightful flick before firing an unerring shot beyond Julio Cesar.

Neymar then struck after being dumped on his backside on the edge of the penalty area. The stadium held its breath as the Barcelona new boy lined his free-kick up, took two steps and curled the ball over the wall and beyond Buffon’s left hand. The Arena Fonte Nova erupted and fireworks exploded in the skies around the stadium.

Balotelli’s then thumped a dipping free-kick at goal from all of 40 yards that required Cesar to claw it away from under his bar but it was Brazil who scored next to extend their lead.

Fred latched onto a long ball forward, held off Chiellini and steered his shot high into the net. And yet with the game all but over, Brazil allowed Italy back in.

The hosts failed to clear a corner effectively as Marcelo grappled with Balotelli, the ball ran to Chiellini and he rolled a scrappy shot into the bottom corner to give the Azzurri hope. Brazil fiercely contested the awarding of the goal and claimed the referee had blown his whistle for a penalty, a moment before it was scored.

Joy had given way to tension by now as Italy attacked. And yet Brazil would have the final word as Fred was on hand to thump in after Buffon saved Marcelo’s shot to keep the hosts on course for a possible final with Spain in Rio.

WDFA/Stag Beer Senior League

Double header on today @ Den Amstel; Slingerz sail past Eagles 10-0 Competition in the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Stag Beer sponsored Senior League will continue this afternoon at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground with two matches. From 14:00hrs, Jetty FC will be up against Bagotville/Nismes with the main attraction featuring home team Den Amstel against De Kinderen.

The lone game yesterday at the same venue saw new kids on the block, Slingerz FC romping to yet another huge win, this time the team feeling the hammer was Eagles FC of Stewartville. The young Eagles tried their best to keep up with the experienced Slingerz but found out that the side coached by former National Captain Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard and Richard Reynolds (Goalkeeper Coach) would have been too much to handle.

Slingerz’ Anthony Sancho (right) challenges Eagles player Stephon Griffith (No. 10) for possession. At left is Kester Jacobs.

Slingerz, Captained by the experienced Dwayne Jacobs made their presence felt from the 6th minute when Kester Jacobs inked his name on the score sheets albeit via a goalkeeper blunder by teenager, Rocky Reddy.

Reddy, voted the best

custodian in the recently concluded WDFA Under-18 League found out that at the higher level it’s a whole different ball game. And despite letting that many goals, he never lost his zest and focus; clearly a Goliath vs David scenario.

The star for the Slinegrz side was Anthony Sancho who blasted a hat-trick, hitting the network in the 8th, 40th and 59th minute.

By the end of the first half, Slingerz were already 6-0 up and sensing another huge win. Eagles did try to stem the flow of goals in the second half and succeeded to some extent as they kept their rampaging opponents at bay.

The other players to ink their names on the score sheet were Clive Nobrega (15th), Dwayne Jacobs (22nd), Pierre Joseph (30th & 35th), Tichard Joseph (48th) and Kimba Braithwaite in the 57th minute. (F. Wilson)

Sunday June 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

GCB\GTM 3 DAY INTER COUNTY TOURNEY

Kanhai bags 6 as Berbice take hit half first innings points Narine century

By Zaheer Mohamed Berbice grabbed first innings points from the President’s XI when play in the first round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)\Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Company (GTM) Inter County 3-day got underway yesterday.

At stumps on the second day, the President’s XI are 27 without loss in 11 overs, batting a second time; they are trailing by 106. Berbice, after dismissing their opponents for 85 in their first innings declared on 191-8 in 48 overs.

After the first day was rained out, play finally started at 10:00hrs with the President’s XI winning the toss and electing to bat in hazy conditions. They found themselves in early trouble losing openers Anthony Bhupdeo who was bowled by Romario Shepherd without scoring and Ryan Shun caught off Suresh Dhanai for 01 at 8-2. Avishkar Sewnarine and Martin Pestano Bell added 16 for the third wicket before Sewnarine was stumped off left arm spinner Gudakesh Motie Kanhai for

17 (3x4).

Vishal Narayan was then caught off Kanhai for 02 before Bell and Denesh Mangal tired to steady their team batting with a fifth wicket stand of 31. Bell who looked solid was then run out for 19 (2x4) at 63-5. Kanhai then made inroads into the President’s XI batting with only Denesh Mangal with 22 (1x4, 2x6) and Yekinie Favourite 10 made it into double figures. Kanhai who bowled with looped the ball well grabbed 6-30 from 13 overs while Shepherd, Dhanai and Shawn Periera had 1 each.

Berbice in reply lost their first wicket at 14 when pacer Garfield Morris dismissed Nick Ramsaroop for 3 at 14.

Devin Baldeo and Sharaz Ramcharran steadied the chase to an extent with a second wicket partnership of 23 before Baldeo was run out for 12. The President’s XI then continued to show fight with discipline bowling which paid off when Ramcharran was caught off Akeem Wallace for 17 at 47-3. Vishal Narayan then accounted for Ashay Homraj (12) before Ryan Shun trapped David

Latchaya (19) to leave Berbice in difficulty at 74-5.

Left Hander Dereck Narine and Shawn Perreira took the score to 112 with levelheaded batting. The pair rotated the strike nicely; Narine swept, cut and drove handsomely on both sides of the wicket, he glided Morris to fine leg then punched through point for consecutive boundaries before Perreira was stumped off Yougeshwar Dhanraj for 11. Berbice then lost Karamchand Ramnarine who was leg before for 03. Narine then dominated a seven wicket stand of 40 with Romario Shepherd before was dismissed for 59.

His innings contained eight fours and one six.

Shepherd and Kanhai put together 27 for the eight wicket before Berbice declared leaving Shepherd unbeaten on 25(1x6) and Kanhai on 16 (3x4). Dhanraj took 2-27, Shun 2-37 while Morris, Narayan and Wallace picked up 1 apiece.

Martin Pestano Bell and Shun will resume on 16 and 10 respectively when the game continues today the final day at 09:30hrs.

Cornucopia of sports activities heralds Olympic Day celebrations

By Michael Benjamin As athletes and administrators worldwide celebrate National Olympics Day today, administrators and sportspersons of several disciplines convened at the National Gymnasium and showcased their skill when the Guyana Olympics Association (GOA) staged a day of Olympics activities at that venue yesterday morning.

The day’s activities got underway when a group of students out of the David Rose Centre engaged in a 90 minutes session in the intricacies of Bocce, a game that required skill and adept applications with a ball rolled along the surface of the ground; Terrence Fox was in charge of this activity. Ideally, activities are conducted on a pitch specially constructed of clay and situated on the terrace of the National Gymnasium but heavy overnight rains left the surface sodden and forced administrators to shift activities indoors on the concreted surface.

Nevertheless, the players remained unperturbed and diligently applied themselves to the intricacies of the sport.

Several teams also showcased their skills in volleyball including Berbice ‘A’ and ‘B,’ Achievers ‘A’ and ‘B,’ Achievers Juniors, Guyana Defence Force and a female squad. Matches were played in a competitive spirit and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was the first casualty, losing to Young Achievers (YA) 30-15.

However, the soldiers returned to claim the honours against the Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC) 3026 and Achievers ‘B’ 30-29.

Moments before, the female team lost to their junior counterparts 30-19 just before Achievers ‘A’ took care of Achievers ‘B’ 30-25.

Achievers ‘A’ then returned and brought down the curtains with a 30-24 victory over Achievers.

Weightlifting activities were conducted by Deion Nurse, while volleyball was conducted by several affiliates including Head of the Technical Commission of

the Guyana Volleyball Association (GVA), Trevor Smith, President of the GVA, Lennox Shuffler and Colonel John Flores.

Coordinator of table tennis activities and head coach, Linden Johnson, facilitated activities in the table tennis department and tutored his charges in the finer aspects of the sport. He said that the youngsters are preparing for the 8th Pre(Continued on page 63)

Page 67

25 years and counting, ‘Jai’ GCC Head Barman continues his support role For those who visit the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) one familiar face is that of Jailall Ramnauth, popularly known as ‘Jai’. The GCC head barman has been at the facility for the past 25 years and continues to play a critically important role in the general upkeep and running of the Club.

Originally from Macouba Creek Mahaicony, Jai, as a 17year old, was informed by his uncle Munilall Ramnauth that he had found employment for him. Speaking in a recent newspaper interview, Jai said, “I was only seventeen and my uncle came one morning to tell me that he wanted me to go and see the manager at the Georgetown Cricket Club because they needed a barman and as such he thinks that I should go after the job.”

He went the following day and was employed promptly.

“The manager after asking me some questions told me that they really needed someone and that he was giving me the job. I was told to begin work immediately and later in the day he sent me to lunch.

However when I returned from lunch I was stopped at the gate by security who enquired my presence at the club. I told them that I was the new employee. However they doubted me and told me that they had no knowledge of this and therefore I was prevented from entering,” he said.

Jai waited at the gate until he saw a few club members and related his ordeal. He said that he was immediately allowed in to return to work.

His 25 years at the club had both good and bad times which helped him and today is grateful that he took the job.

“I have had both good and bad times and the greatest of it all was seeing my son earlier this year walk out to represent GCC at the Under-15 level,” he said. During his tenure at the GCC, Jai served under several presidents including Jeffrey Fraser, who was there when he started, while Paul

Chan-a-Sue, Lionel Jaikarran and the late Neil Singh also served. This played an essential role in his all-round development as he also served the club as barman, club coordinator and head barman.

Happy to be at the club for 26 years, Jai a passionate cricket lover, praised several persons for their generosity, support and unconditional assistance during very difficult times that was responsible for making his time at the GCC a success.

“In 2010 I was ill and therefore was unable to work for eight months. However because of some persons I was able to pull through those very difficult times because of the great assistance that was given to me. “Persons like Richard Jodha of Noble House, Les Ramalho, Annand Diyall, Papo, Mr Annand, Ms Indra Ramnauth, Seeta Persaud were the backbone that helped me when I needed assistance,” Ramnauth said.

He also noted the support and assistance of Radika Gobin.

He expressed pleasure at the privileged of being able to interact with numerous cricketers locally, regionally and internationally over the years. Because of his frequent and wide-ranging interaction he always works under the philosophy that he has ten bosses and not one.

But in his view the greatest cricketer of his time was Richie Richardson. “Richie Richardson was my boy as to me he was the best in my time and he will always be my role model,” he told the newspaper previously.

A few years after being employed with GCC, he got married and now has been married for the past 17 years.

His wife is a businesswoman and his son, who wants to

play cricket professionally, is a student of the New Campbellville Secondary school.

Jai credits his father, who he noted, played the role of both mother and father to his eight children over the years.

Aged just two years, his mother died and he, along with his other siblings, was left in the care of his father.

His father did a remarkable job with the children and only reentered another relationship some 13 years after his wife’s death. “My father was a really great dad as even though my mother had died he never took anyone until long after when I was 15 years old. It was only after then that he remarried and got three other children.

In total he had six boys and two girls. However today one of the boys is dead while the rest are all alive,” he said.

Jai’s father, Indrapaul Ramnauth, demonstrated the true and remarkable qualities of a father, for which his son expressed continued thanks and gratitude for. “My father was a really good father and I would like to thank him as he really did a great job,” he asserted. While not being able to predict the future, Jai said once good health and strength continue he will continue working at GCC because he enjoys his tasks there. He is grateful for the lessons learnt and is hopeful that his son can get the chance to play their one day.

While it is early days yet, Jai enjoys watching his son play in the opening batsman position and is confident that his 13-year-old is a future West Indies star. “He will go very far because I will continue supporting and working with him as I am his father and I am committed to investing in my son’s career,” he stated.

Page 68

Kaieteur News

2013 Digicel Nationwide Schools Championship

Sunday June 23, 2013

14th Pan American & 7th Cari. P’lifting C/ships

Waramadong make impressive start, New GPC sponsors ‘Big’ John Edwards; GAPF wants Min. Anthony to step up crush Three Miles 6-0 -play Bartica today

By Rawle Welch Last year’s beaten finalist Waramadong of Region 7 commenced the 2013 Digicel Nationwide Schools Championship by inflicting a crushing 6-0 defeat on host Three Miles of Bartica in their opening clash on Friday, at the Bartica Secondary School

ground.

On target for the winners were Kevon Richmond (9th, 56th), Fernando Hunter (13th, 60th) and Whazir Bascombe (48th, 54th). Played in sodden conditions in front of a small but partisan band of supporters that included Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford, Three Miles looked

Dashing India against...

From back page challenge Graeme Swann’s status as the best ODI spinner in the country, but will England be able to overlook Swann’s experience should he be fit?

The only other change could be Tim Bresnan playing ahead of Steven Finn because Edgbaston can assist reverse swing. However, it will be difficult to leave out Finn against any Asian side.

PITCH AND

CONDITIONS The big concern is what is overhead. It rained a day before the final, and the weather is expected to play some part during the match, but will it do enough to affect what have been almost subcontinental conditions at Edgbaston?

The pitch for this match hasn’t been used previously, but If it retains enough moisture, the ball could seam around crazily as it did in the Cardiff semi-final.

impressive from the start and should have taken the lead very early when Steven Edwards latched on to a pass from the middle and beat the advancing Neil Henrito in goal for Waramadong to the ball, but his weak effort was cleared from danger by an alert Garvin Krammer.

The visitors’ lucky escape seemed to have added impetus to their game because shortly after they grasped the first opportunity presented to them when Richmond was left unmarked on the left flank where a rebound off a defender fell into his path and he hammered a fierce right-foot shot past goalkeeper Akeem Hendricks into the far corner.

That silenced the crowd to some extent, but four minutes later Hunter netted the first of his brace after his powerful strike deflected off a defender, wrong-footing Hendricks in the process, before rolling into the back of the goal to make it 2-0 to Waramadong.

It remained that way until the half time whistle sounded.

Coming out in the second period, Three Miles once again looked positive, but poor finishing combined with indiscipline shown by the strikers who repeatedly failed to notice the off-side trap nullified any of their ambitions to make it a game.

The impressively constructive Waramadong players continued to display a high degree of discipline and stretched their advantage further through a neat piece of interplay between Bascombe and Richmond which culminated with the former collecting a final touch from Richmond, before deftly side-footing the ball past the stranded Hendricks.

That goal opened the floodgates further and three more goals were scored before the final whistle came to bring some reprieve for the beaten and exhausted Three Miles unit. First, Bascombe, who was one of the most lethal strikers in last year’s competition, added a second to his tally, before Richmond beat Hendricks to his left with a superb right-foot strike and then Hunter hit the final nail in the coffin with another clinical finish, slamming home from close range off a goalmouth scrimmage to put the game well beyond the reach of the host.

The competition continues today with home team Bartica taking on Waramadong, at the same venue, starting from 15:00 hrs.

Ms. Livasti Bhooplall flanked by strongmen ‘Big’ John Edwards (left) and Winston ‘Little Master’ Stoby.

One of Guyana’s most accomplished strongmen, ‘Big’ John Edwards, has received sponsorship for the upcoming 14th Pan American and 7th Caribbean Powerlifting Championships, July 1 – 7 in Orlando, Florida USA. Pharmaceutical giants, New GPC Inc., at their Farm Head Office on Friday last renewed their partnership with the 2012 National Sports Commission, Association of the Year – Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF). According to the GAPF, from 2008 to present, Super Heavyweight Edwards (120kg weight class) has been competing in both the open and Masters categories at the Caribbean, North American, Pan American and South American levels and has the phenomenal distinction of being undefeated barring a single bronze medal which he obtained at the 2011 World Masters championships.

Edwards, will be using next month’s championships as warm up for this year’s World Masters championships along with fellow gym mate and reigning 74kg weight class World Masters and Deadlift record holder Winston ‘Little

Master’ Stoby who also received sponsorship from New GPC last year.

New GPC Marketing Associate Ms. Livati Bhooplall commented: “We are extremely pleased and happy to play a role in the development of the Sport of Powerlifting which has performed outstandingly on the International stage in so short a time, 2008 to now. I wish to encourage others to come on board and support this team to make this participation a reality as they represent the Nation with distinction on the World stage. We take this opportunity to wish them the best.” GAPF President, Peter Green was loud in praise for the significant gesture of GPC which he said was timely as with just one week to go, the federation has only met the half way mark of $2M. He noted that they {GAPF} still needs to cover accommodation, drug testing, participation fees and meals.

And in a last ditch effort to ensure that Guyana has full representation, another fundraising Bar-B-Que was held at Corriverton, Berbice.

Green stated that the federation will be leaving no stones unturned and are hoping that the Hon. Minister

of Sport will honor his promises made when the team returned home last year with the Caribbean Men’s Team Title as well as predominantly Individual Gold medals and records.

This time around Team Guyana has the added bonus of vying for the Pan American Men’s Team honors on account of fielding a full strength team as compared to previous years when a depleted team represented due to the lack of financial support. Over eleven (11) of the Region’s top teams from North, Central, the Caribbean and South America will be vying for top honors.

Guyana simply should not be left at home with this magnificent opportunity which sees them lifting just once in each lift for the chance of simultaneously medaling in two International championships as well as the opportunity to enter the 2013 World Rankings based on their totals.

With the American Embassy already issuing the entire team with visas, the GAPF is making another plea to the business community and the Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony to step and support this successful national unit.

Shaun Marsh will not be available for CPL CPL - The CPL has confirmed that Shaun Marsh will not be available to participate in the 2013 tournament, slated to kick off on 30 July.

The reason for his unavailability is due to a recently confirmed Australia A Team tour to South Africa that will clash with the CPL. This news also brings to light the likelihood that two other Australian players, Steve Smith and Aaron Finch, will not be available either.

“It is very unfortunate this has happened, but this is international cricket, we appreciate that schedules are extremely tight and we need to respect the national cricket commitments these players have,” expressed CPL CEO Damien O’Donohoe, “We are working with the franchise teams that will be affected and are seeking appropriate replacements to ensure they will be prepared for a competitive tournament come 30 July.”