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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
ACCUSATIONS OF COLLUSION This is the time when political parties seek to make everything that appears to be in the public eye a matter of interest or concern. This is also the time when allegations fly fast and furious without any care for what is true. Yesterday, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Clement Rohee, made three major announcements, all of which would have been earth shattering had they been made at another time and place. The first of the lot is the relationship between the political opposition and drug dealers. The political opposition has long been blaming the ruling party of associating with the drug dealers to the extent that it was said to have allowed the drug dealers to take control of a significant section of the economy. We saw housing estates being constructed by people with drug connections and we muttered because we were afraid that if we spoke we would be visited with lethal force. One Government official, speaking at an occasion where the United States ambassador was handing over some equipment to the Guyana government, said that everyone knows the drug dealers. That being the case, one would have asked the question, “Since everyone knows the drug dealers why are these dealers not staked out and later arrested, having been caught in the act?” Shaheed ‘Roger’ Khan, a confessed drug dealer was a high profile individual who was said to have close ties with the administration. In fact, his fall came when the then President Bharrat Jagdeo left the country and the army and police opted to move against Khan’s empire. At one time, the international community calculated that the underground economy represented more than 30 per cent of the national economy, a contention that the administration hotly disputed. Not much has changed since then. There is still the accusation that drug dealers are in close association with politicians, this time the opposition politicians are the ones being accused. Last week, General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party, Clement Rohee, said that the opposition parliamentarians are in cahoots with drug dealers. He said that this is a known and proven fact. However, he also said that he is free to say what he wants. There are some things that defy explanation and the fact that no opposition politician has ever been arrested for drug dealings is one of them. As home Affairs Minister with such knowledge the PPP General Secretary had the power to order surveillance of anyone suspected of being in the drug trade. To compound this issue Guyana is now home to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the nightmare of every drug dealer. These are the people who have the power to trace the proceeds from drugs. In Guyana, the authorities can also monitor suspicious transactions and by now many of these transactions would have come to public attention, especially given the nature of politics in Guyana where each political party seeks to score political points. Whatever the case, the allegations of drug connections will feature on the campaign trail and while there would be no clear identification of the person, the broad insinuations would be made. Indeed, there is no one in Guyana who cannot deny seeing the effects of drug money. We have seen the changing skyline in the city, the new housing estates that began to go up long before remigrants started returning; the large fuel guzzlers that pass for sports utility vehicles and of course, the reckless expenditures in the night clubs. These are the young people who care less about politics and more about the good life. These are also the people who would give money to any political party without striking up an alliance. Perhaps this is what the Home Affairs Minister is talking about when he says that the opposition politicians are involved with drug dealers. But then again, it is no different with any political party and the leaders would simply say that they do not ask too many questions when good money is being offered.
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
What is racist about the criticism of this excessive pension? DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Clement Rohee, General Secretary of the PPP, owes the proletariat and the peasantry of this country an apology. For him to conclude that the condemnation of the vulgar pension paid to Mr. Jagdeo is because of his race (KN March 3, 2015) is outrageous and disrespectful to the nation and to his own President. It was President Ramotar, then General Secretary, who promised to review the presidents’
pension package when he became president, which leads one to believe that there was some consternation within the PPP about the excessiveness of the pension. Is the PPP racist? Nowhere else in the third world where information is available does a retired president receive such a pension package, no taxes, f r e e e l e c t r i c i t y, f r e e transportation, free telephone, free household help, free chauffeur, free uncapped medical and dental expenses
and a pension that tops $36,000,000.00 per year. It is assumed that Prime Minister Hinds will also benefit from this package, but that is yet to be realized, as on today the only person benefiting is Mr. Jagdeo.What is racist about the criticism of this excessive pension? The PPP as a party of proclaimed integrity should have addressed this issue as soon as Mr. Jagdeo had demitted office if they had feared confronting or embarrassing him.
These self-serving abuses of the Treasury by the PPP government, which includes the unlawful spending of monies not approved by the National Assembly by Minister Ashni Singh and the loans from GCMC to the Ministry of Housing,isa blight on the country and affects people of every race. Two Elizabeth Harper’swould not be able to whitewash this abuse and to call it racist is an insult. As the old Guyanese (Continued on page 6)
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur M@ilbox
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Kaieteur M@ilbox
THE PPP MUST APOLOGIZE TO DR. JAGAN AND HIS FAMILY FOR BETRAYING HIS LEGACY DEAR EDITOR, With all that is being said and written about this great leader and man of the people, who was the father of this nation Dr. Cheddi Jagan, it is sad to point out a few things that Hydar Ally failed to mention in his letters and the PPP\C officials fail to say when they are on TV in Berbice and Nationally. Yes, indeed Dr. Jagan was a great man that had the people’s interest at heart. He wanted to see a better Guyana for all, where there will be equal opportunities and jobs for the youths that graduated. He was a fighter for the working class
especially those in the sugar and rice industries. He wanted a modernized Guyana for all. He wanted cost of living to be low, while he also wanted development to take place at a rapid pace. Dr. Jagan was liked by all here and afar. He was indeed the father of the nation and many looked up to him as a living guide and example. He was truthful and trustworthy. He was never a man that had intentions of owning Prados, mansions, pool houses, huge bank accounts, etc, from the hard working tax payers dollars. That is why he is indeed a living guide for all leaders and
a true Guyanese at heart. But it is sad that this same PPP\C that he has founded and trained is now betraying this father of the nation’s legacy and ideology. As a young man I have read of Dr. Jagan in his years in politics. He was in for unity, peace and power sharing, he also wanted to put a stop to the winner takes all policy. In Dr. Jagan’s years in politics and up to today I have never heard anyone here and afar say that this father of the nation was corrupted, that he took bribes and that he shaft the Guyanese tax payers dollars. He lived an honest and decent life until his death.
Check his house in Bel Air and check as to the amount of properties and monies he had when he died. But today we are seeing the opposite of this father of the nation’s party, the PPP\C, that he founded and died for. His party has become shameless, reckless and corrupted at all levels, from village groups to high offices. But yet the same people that destroyed and continue to betray this great man’s legacy are praising him when they ought to apologize to this nation and his family for their wrong doings. They call this man’s name in vain and come to Berbice
saying that they are paying tribute to this great man but yet use the occasion to cuss down those that are not corrupted and want Guyana to move forward (look out Moses Nagamootoo your name will mention more times than Dr. Jagan come March 8th, 2015 at Babu John). The PPP\C must come clean and tell the people of Berbice that Dr. Jagan, this father of the nation, was
never a corrupted man like them in the PPP\C today. They must tell the people of the world of this great soul and they must cry bitterly and apologize to Dr. Jagan and his family for betraying his trust and legacy in having a corrupted PPP\C party and government. They must come clean and tell this nation as to what they had in their purse when they (Continued on page 6)
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Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Kaieteur M@ilbox
Guyana must strengthen its diplomatic relations with the United States
PPP will only win by buying votes and possibly stirring up racial tension
DEAR EDITOR, In light of Venezuela’s objection to offshore oil exploration activities by Exxon in Guyana’s territorial waters, the Guyana government has got to strengthen and improve its diplomatic relations with the United States. Over the past few years this relationship has been testy. Going forward, it is imperative that the Guyana government be more strategic and holistic in how it approaches the country’s
foreign policy. Ad hoc and reactionary outbursts do not constitute a sound foreign policy approach; it must be grounded in clearly defined philosophical and guiding principles. Venezuela has proven to be erratic and inconsistent on this issue. There is discord and disconnect between the Venezuelan governing authorities diplomatic posturing and their public actions and rhetoric in relation to this issue. Much
pressure is bearing down on the Venezuelan government from other stakeholders, which includes the opposition political parties and some senior members of the military, and they concede to these groups whenever actual exploration activities begin in the area of contention. It is time our government be firm on this issue and not be gulled into counterfactual promises made by the Venezuelan authorities. Clinton Urling
SOMETHING GOOD MUST BE HAPPENING HERE DEAR EDITOR, I read with interest an article in the Stabroek News of Saturday March 7, 2015 captioned “Fewer Guyanese looking to migrate”. The article was referring to a survey conducted for the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP).
According to the findings of the survey, which was conducted mid-last year, Guyanese are more satisfied with their lives and are therefore less likely to migrate to overseas destinations. I know of several Guyanese who are in receipt of US visas and who go on
What is racist about... From page 4 saying goes, the PPP has smelled the formaldehyde. They can see the end and like the drowning man, or woman, are trying to clutch at straws. Today the straw is that any talk of the President’s pension is racist, tomorrow it will be that any criticism of Mrs. Harper is discriminatory,
and so it shall go. Instead of trying to chase away the dark clouds that are forming over Freedom House, the PPP should be engaged in serious reflection; they must want to understand what got them here. As it is today, they stand as a profound embarrassment to Dr. Jagan’s legacy. Keith Branch
short visits to the United States and return home even though they could have remained much longer if they had so wanted. This is quite unlike what transpired before when Guyanese desperately try to escape to the United States both legally and in some cases illegally because of deplorable living and working conditions and PNC authoritarian rule. This new mood of confidence and satisfaction among Guyanese today is consistent with the LAPOP findings that life in Guyana is much better than before and that Guyanese are less inclined to work and live overseas than was the case under the former PNC regime. Something good must be happening in our country to have resulted in a new dispensation where the vast majority of visa holders prefer to go on short holidays overseas and return to their country rather than spending longer periods or risk overstaying their stipulated time. Both the so-called pull factor or what is referred to as the “greener grass” syndrome as well as the push factors such as crime and lack of opportunity to earn a decent living right here in Guyana have been significantly reduced since the PPP/C assumed office on October 5, 1992. Hydar Ally
DEAR EDITOR, I read with great interest M. Maxwell’s letter dated 4 March 2015, titled “The numbers favour the PPP in a two-horse race”. While I do understand his sentiments, and share some of his arguments, for the PPP to win the elections I do not agree the demographics are in their favour. In fact, a number of other factors including the same demographics will do the opposite. The PPP has significantly withheld the census results, and one can speculate many reasons, but until they deny, they are hiding the population census because of the disparity it will give on two fronts, the new ethnic makeup of the country, which is unfavourable to its Indian base support, and disaggregation of adult or voting age population also along the line of ethnicity. Thus, unlike Maxwell, the impact of this demographic change is going in the other direction. The Indian population, by virtue of its
net-migration viz a viz Africans, both legal and illegal, has suffered a marked reduction, caused by the wanton hopelessness, failed promises, and poor economic conditions. As such, the Indian numbers are not on the side of the PPP, and that figure could be well below 40%, as low as 35%. Therefore, in view of the horrible misuse of taxpayers’ dollars, coupled with inadequate economic opportunities for ordinary citizens over the years, for the PPP to obtain a significant part of Indian votes the only option would be to play up more than ever the Indian race card in many different ways, including both in public and bottom house campaign meetings, in subtle ways, possibly inciting racial hatred through African violence on Indians, among other was. Of course not all 35 percent will vote for the PPP, say an average of 25 percent do, where would the remaining 25 percent come from? Given the PPP’s current record, their disrespect for
Amerindians, and illtreatment of Africans and Mixed Guyanese, desperate people do desperate things, and part of those tactics could be vote buying. Vote buying takes many, many forms. Handouts are given to major influential groups, such as those from remote parts of the country. Paying people to vote, while this may appear tricky, photographs of a voter ’s ballot sheet is circulated by cellular phone after the voter has marked his X to confirm the deal. Voters can also be on the lookout for party scrutineers or pseudo-electoral officials accompanying them to the voting booth. Already one has been hearing in the fields of $50,000 being paid to secure votes. Then there is the potential buying out of electoral officials, particularly at the place of poll. The stakes have become very high for the PPP, so the population, especially the coalition team, has to be extra vigilant in their campaigns. Latchman Singh
The PPP must apologize... From page 5 took government positions and what they have now as to bank accounts, cars and properties. This is what they need to do, not cuss down the legacy of this great man. Those in the PPP\C that say they are following the footsteps of Dr. Jagan should ask themselves these questions. (1) Was Dr. Jagan corrupted?. (2) Did Dr. Jagan ever sell out Guyana natural resources to foreigners and Guyanese cannot benefit?. (3) Did Dr. Jagan ever try to bully tax payers by increasing his pension package?. (4) Did Dr. Jagan ever try to hide monies in foreign bank accounts?. (5) Did he ever send his family overseas to live and maintain them while he worked for a better Guyana?. (6) Did Dr. Jagan ever own a multimillion dollar house and vehicles?. (7) Did this great man ever cuss down or send his ministers to cuss down foreign diplomats?. (8) Did Dr.
Jagan ever betray the Sugar Workers and the working class in this country?. (9) Did he ever cuss down his own Guyanese brothers and sisters? (10) Did he ever use people wake houses to cuss up the opposition and gain support?. (11) Did he ever learn the PPP\C people at that time to rape the treasury for their friends and families benefits?. (12) Did he ever rig any of the PPP\C internal elections?. And I can go on. This great leader’s legacy is being betrayed since his death and the PPP\C continues to say that they are following in the footsteps of Dr. Jagan. Are they telling us that if Dr. Jagan was alive he would have also join them in their corrupted quest against the hard working tax payers?. I don’t think Dr. Jagan would have entertained any of them that are presently in this PPP\C. I am calling on all Guyanese come March 8th, 2015, join hands in
remembering the works of Dr. Jagan and not the betrayers of his legacy. I am calling on the children of Dr. Jagan to make March 8th, 2015 a true remembrance of your great father. Go out and tell the nation what type of man he was, especially this young generation who knew less of his works. Go to Babu John and keep a true service for this great man. Do not allow this present PPP\C to unrest your dad’s soul by betraying his legacy and cuss down Guyanese. Show this nation that your dad is gone, but you all as his children can stand up and defend his works and legacy and that this same PPP\C that your dad made is destroying his legacy. I know that Dr. Cheddi Jagan Jr. (Joey) is capable of defending his dad and I am calling on him to step out and help to return the days that your dad always wanted a True Guyanese Nation Under Love And Unity Where Peace Is the Reality. Show these people that you will no longer allow them to use your dad’s name in vain and by doing this you are defending a great soul and leader for this legacy to live on. Long live the memories of this great son of the soil and father of this nation Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Abel Seetaram AFC Executive
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
UK charities cease funding Cage, group linked to ‘JIHADI JOHN’
(Reuters) - Two highprofile British charities have stopped funding Cage, a Muslim campaign group that has drawn criticism over statements about the Islamic State militant known as “Jihadi John”, the regulator of British charities has announced. Cage was in contact several years ago with Kuwaiti-born Londoner Mohammed Emwazi, at a time when he was on the radar of Britain’s intelligence services over signs of radicalisation. Since Emwazi was identified on Feb. 26 as the man in a black balaclava who appears in Islamic State beheading videos, Cage members have said he was once a “beautiful young man” and have blamed the intelligence services for radicalising him. “Last week, public statements by Cage officials heightened concerns about the use of charitable funds to support their activities,” the Charity Commission said in a statement late on Friday. “In our view, those statements increased the threat to public trust and confidence in charity,” it said, adding that it had taken “robust action” by requiring two well-known charities that had funded Cage to confirm they would no longer do so. The two organisations are the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, a Quaker foundation, and the Roddick Foundation, set up by the late founder of the cosmetics retailer Body Shop. They had come under intense public scrutiny since Emwazi was named and Cage went public with their views about him. The commission said Joseph Rowntree had made
grant awards to Cage of 305,000 pounds ($459,000) between 2007 and 2014, of which 271,250 pounds was paid, while the Roddick Foundation had made grant payments of 120,000 pounds between 2009 and 2012. The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust confirmed it had stopped funding Cage and would not do so in future, citing “regulatory pressure” and saying it wanted to protect the interests of other recipients of its funding and other work by the trust. The Roddick Foundation could not be immediately reached for comment. RADICALISED Set up by a group of London Muslims to support British suspects being held by the United States in Guantanamo Bay, Cage says its aims are “to empower communities affected by the War on Terror and to highlight abuses of due process”. In a statement responding to the Charity Commission’s
announcement, Cage thanked the Joseph Rowntree trust and the Roddick Foundation for their past support. Cage said the Charity Commission was pursuing a “neo-conservative” agenda. “This is just another manifestation of their objective of pursuing a Cold War on British Islam,” it said. A wide range of public figures including Home Secretary Theresa May and London Mayor Boris Johnson have criticised Cage for suggesting that Emwazi’s dealings with the intelligence services had radicalised him. “The security services are trying to keep us safe,” Johnson told Cage research director Asim Qureshi during a radio debate. “They cannot conceivably be blamed for their actions in trying to prevent people from committing absolutely sick atrocities against the British public and indeed against innocent people in Syria and Iraq.
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Sunday March 08, 2015
Sunday March 08, 2015
Dem boys seh...
Reporters kissing up Jagdeo pun TV Is not everybody in Guyana bad. Dem have nuff good ones but when dem bad, dem really bad. Dem boys find out that dem got some people who planning all kind of mischief. De mischief makers writing letters and putting other people name. Last week couple people well write in and seh that is not dem who write some of de letters that print in de papers. Old people seh that whatever do in darkness must come to light. Some people leak it to dem boys who ding de mischief. And de letter writers got people who vetting de letters before dem print. One of de people who in this wickedness use to wuk wid de Waterfalls paper but because he getting an extra small piece he change he position. In everyday language, he get buy out. This is de man who plan a programme fuh all de radio stations that Jagdeo share out. He also plan an interview fuh Jagdeo so de other night a woman and a person of undetermined sex decide to interview Jagdeo. One man seh that he see people playing footsie wid one another during the interview. And to this day people ain’t even sure wha de interview was about. Fuh de years since he come out of office Jagdeo always promise to call a press conference. He never hold one. In fact, he hide from every reporter. Dem boys hear a question, “Excuse me sah. When was de last time you sleep in you bed?” And don’t ask who ask that question. Another question was if is true what dem seh bout people shoe size and something else. “And sir, if is true how come you foot so small?” Jagdeo talk fuh bout fifteen minutes and just before dem boys switch to see cricket, dem hear somebody in de room telling a man who call in that de programme is not fuh outside questions. But dem boys had some question fuh ask. How come he get so rich, so quick? If he ever think that de day woulda come when he might end up before a judge fuh wicked deeds? And that is only some. Talk half and look out fuh another kiss up press conference.
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Dominica accedes to the CCJ’s Appellate Jurisdiction Sir Dennis Byron, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), welcomed the Commonwealth of Dominica to the Court’s Appellate Jurisdiction. He did so earlier Friday at the official ceremony to celebrate this move by the Eastern Caribbean state. The Court President, Judges and the Registrar travelled to Dominica to attend the event, which was hosted at the State House Conference Centre. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Charles A Savarin, President of the Commonwealth of Dominica; Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of Dominica, Her Worship the Honourable Mme. Justice Janice Pereira, Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court; Irwin LaRocque, Secretary General of CARICOM; Dr. Francis Alexis, Head of the Constitution Reform Committee of Grenada; and other dignitaries. The Court President highlighted a quote from illustrious Dominican
Right Honourable Sir Dennis Byron, President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) jurist, the Right Honourable Te l f o r d Georges, who regarded it as: “a compromise of sovereignty” for Caribbean nations to remain wedded “to a court which is part of the former colonial hierarchy” “In this context I extend my congratulations to the people of Dominica; to the Hon Roosevelt Skerrit Prime Minister, and to the entire government and establishment on this definitive step completing
the circle of independence.” The Court President described the CCJ as an accessible final court: “The CCJ offers increased access to justice for the people of the Caribbean. This is very evident in the countries in which the CCJ is already the final court. “Unlike the Privy Council, ordinary folk have been bringing their cases before the CCJ. It is not only governments and big business who are litigants
before our court. We have a much less expensive and simpler procedure for lodging an appeal. Many more cases from Barbados, Guyana and Belize come to the CCJ and we can proudly assure you that the court is accessible to anyone who has a legitimate dispute worthy of adjudication.” Dominica is the fourth country to accede to the C C J ’s Appellate Jurisdiction, which is currently also accessed by Barbados, Guyana and Belize. Prior to the ceremony, on T h u r s d a y, the President, Judges and Registrar conducted training sessions for local court staff and the Dominica Bar Association. The training session was geared at sensitization on the procedural rules and techniques for accessing t h e C C J ’s a p p e l l a t e jurisdiction. These sessions were well attended and facilitated good discourse between the Bar and the Court.
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Sunday March 08, 2015
Politics blamed for lack of trust in Police Force - but Brumell disagrees that Guyana’s situation is worse than rest of Caribbean By Dale Andrews The revelation that the Guyana Police Force is the least trusted by citizens of this country is not surprising at all; at least not to one former Police Commissioner and a current high ranking police official, who both agree that political considerations have a lot to do with the situation. But former Commissioner of Police, Leroy Brumell, does not believe that the situation in Guyana is worse than those in some other Caribbean countries. Last week’s revelation, through the Americas Barometer Survey, that Guyana’s police ranked behind others in regional volatile societies such as Jamaica and Trinidad in terms of public trust, might be a true reflection of the reality of Guyanese society. The survey, which was conducted by the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP), is in keeping with the Caribbean Human Development Report 2102, which had highlighted that in terms of confidence in their police forces, Guyanese are rated behind Trinidad and Tobago among the
seven Caribbean territories surveyed. According to the LAPOP survey, on a scale of zero to 100, trust in the Guyana Police Force decreased by 10 points between 2012 and 2014. “I don’t know what criteria they used to come up with their findings…but I don’t think that the Force is the worst among Caribbean countries,” Brumell told this newspaper in an invited comment. Brumell was at the helm of the Force, when according to the survey, public trust bucked a downward trend and showed a three and a half point increase from the previous documented period of 2010. That period, according to LAPOP’s Elizabeth Zechmeister, might have been the honeymoon stage which followed the 2011 General and Regional Elections. However, the downward trend recommenced after that and reached its lowest point when Brumell retired last year. In fact, for the period under review, the lack of trust in the police showed a peak in 2006, the year the late Henry Greene took over the Guyana Police Force and the year Bharrat Jagdeo was reelected to office for a second
consecutive full term, and when Clement Rohee was appointed Home Affairs Minister. “We criticize ourselves a lot. But we had more good times than bad times,” Brumell said. While trust in the police declined across all ethnic groups, the drop was most seen amongst those identifying themselves as Afro-Guyanese. In 2012, trust amongst AfroGuyanese had been ranked at 41.5. This dropped in 2014 to 24.3. Amongst Indo-Guyanese, trust dropped from 51.3 in 2012 to 41.49 in 2014. Those who identified themselves as ‘other’ saw the smallest drop from 44.11 in 2012 to 37.06 in 2014. Zechmeister opined that the trend was an alarming one. She said LAPOP attempted to understand the reasoning behind it. She explained that the organisation considered crime victimization along with bribe solicitations as possible reasons. However, these options were ruled out as the survey showed that these issues had improved over the years. The organisation then considered police responsiveness as a possibility and sought the views of respondents in determining the
role this factor played. “We wondered if police responsiveness could explain some of the trends that we were seeing,” Zechmeister explained. But Brumell, while not going into details, pointed to some political considerations for the decline. His view was supported by a current serving senior officer, who strongly believes that political interference has put a dent in the trust among officers themselves. The officer said that he is not surprised by the findings of the report, since it is reflective of the corruption in the Force which is directly related to public trust. Of course corruption must not only be seen in a financial sense but also as increasingly affecting the professionalism of members of the Police Force. This state of affairs can be attributed to officials in authority who claim that their concerns are centered on policy decisions, since their very actions speak to direct involvement in placements and other happenings in the Police Force. “We must not only talk about corruption, about people taking bribe on the road and that people don’t trust the police and they don’t want to go to the station to make a report because
they won’t get satisfaction; let’s deal with the bigger issue.” The officer, who did not want to be identified, said that the political interference has over the years resulted in declining trust and respect that officers have for each other. He reasoned that some officers are so bent on pleasing the political masters that professionalism is being thrown on the sacrificial altar. “Let’s start from inside first. The trust and respect is eroding daily and that is a direct result of the interference and the situation is not getting better,” the officer stated. However, there appears to be some light at the end of the tunnel according to the officer. He said that it is evident that the present leadership of the force is very strong on certain issues that could lead to a return of some amount of professionalism. “This present administration is fighting for the restoration of much needed professionalism, which in my opinion was eroded significantly during the last tenures.” He pointed to a recent matter where a foreign national breached the law of this country and attempts were made by a particular official to subvert the prosecution processes.
However, the move was strongly resisted by the Force’s hierarchy. These things, he said, need to be told so that some amount of trust for the police could return. In 2012, the Caribbean Human Development Report showed that 53 percent of persons polled in Guyana indicated that they have some amount of confidence in the police to control crime while only six percent said they have a great deal of confidence. Significantly, according to that report, Jamaicans who have been experiencing one of the highest murder rates in the region, have a high level of confidence in their lawmen,coming second only to Barbadians. Suriname, St. Lucia and Antigua were the other countries that were part of that survey. The inaugural Caribbean human development report was the subject of a three-day discussion among regional journalists and representatives from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). During the discussions, it was observed that much consideration needs to be given to the low confidence regional citizens have in their security and judicial systems. This view was expressed by Jamaican Professor Anthony Harriot during his presentation to journalists on the subject. This was also supported by prominent regional media practitioner Wesley Gibbings, who noted that “declining confidence in the criminal justice system results in declining confidence in other state systems.” Meanwhile the LAPOP survey showed Political parties and the justice system also were among the least trusted institutions in Guyana.
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Fuel prices at pumps on the rise locally … drivers worried trend might continue With crude oil enjoying a slight rebound on the world market, the price to fuel up at gas stations is starting to climb, after enjoying a 30 per cent slash late January. Brent crude on the world market has risen to over $61.00 a barrel since the end of February, up by 16 per cent from January, when the price for crude ended at $52.99 a barrel, the biggest monthly gain since May 2009. Yesterday, Sol Service Station had its prices for gasoline set at $185 per litre, $176 per litre for Diesel and $172 per litre for kerosene, an increase from January when the prices for gasoline had dropped from $219.9 to $154.9 for gasoline, $217 to $156.9 for diesel and kerosene had plummeted from $212 to $172 per litre. The Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil), prices for Gasoline have climbed from $152.9 per litre in January to $179.3 per litre, Diesel from $152.7 to
$174.7 and kerosene had reached $120, up from $109 in January. At Rubis, it was a similar case, with gasoline at $175.5 per litre and Diesel at $160.5 For Sol Guyana, one of the largest independent oil companies in the Caribbean and parent company of Shell Service Station, this represents a 10 percent increase from January in their prices per litre for gasoline and diesel, though kerosene has remained constant. In the case of Guyoil, it is also a 10 percent increase across the board. Meanwhile, when this newspaper spoke to a few drivers at Sol Service Station, the overall consensus was that they did not want a return of the January prices at the pump before the dropping of the rates. “I have been enjoying the gas prices being so low. And I know other drivers have too. It would be real bad if the
Shell Service Station
Business as usual at Guyoil Service Station prices climbed back to before they announced the decrease,” one driver stated as he was fueling up. Mahendra Sharma, Head of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), in an interview with this publication yesterday confirmed that prices were indeed on the rise again, but that they were just reflective of the current global market trends. Oil on the world market fell by almost 50% last year and further slumped to a new six-
year low in late January. The government, after maintaining a stable fuel price for months, subsequently announced slashing fuel prices at all Guyoil fuel stations by 30 per cent. Private gas companies such as Sol and Rubis also followed suit. There is a consensus on the global oil market that oil prices will continue hovering as low as it currently is for the next few years, interspersed
with small gains and losses. Amidst this backdrop, however, there are fears that should this trend continue oil heavyweight Venezuela will eventually review its petroCaribe arrangements with member countries, a group that Guyana is a part of. First launched in 2005, PetroCaribe allows member countries- currently totaling 19 (including Venezuela) to purchase oil from Venezuela under preferential terms, with
member countries needing to only pay 60 percent of the cost of oil up front and the remaining 40 percent over a period of 25 years at an interest rate of one percent. Guyoil Gas Station Shell Gas Station Rubis Gas Station $179.3 per litre (Gas) $185 per litre (Gas) $175.5 per litre (Gas) $174.7 per litre (Diesel) $176 per litre (Diesel) $160.5 per litre (Diesel)
Correcting and answering Freddie Kissoon A letter penned by Frederick Kissoon questioning Sir Ronald Sanders’s suitability for the post of Commonwealth Secretary-General has a senior businessman to justify Sir Ronald’s decision to contest the Commonwealth post. Yesterday, the senior businessman who read the letter questioning the decision opted to answer each point raised by letter writer Frederick Kissoon. ** I need to point out that Sir Ronald withdrew his application after he failed to secure Caricom leadership consensus. Sir Ronald did not “apply” for the nomination to the post of Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral. It is not a post for which “applications” can be made. Any government of the 53-nation Commonwealth can make a nomination for the post. Sir Ronald was nominated by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in whose service he has been a diplomat for many years. So, Sir Ronald did not withdraw “his application”. He publicly stated he could no longer persist because of Caricom’s failure to back a single candidate. He subsequently renewed his interest but did not state why, since there are still multiple candidates from within the region. When the 12 Commonwealth Caribbean governments met in Cuba in the margins of the CubaCARICOM Summit on 8th
December 2014, Sir Ronald received the support of nine of the governments for Caribbean backing, Baroness Scotland received the support of two governments, and Bhoe Tewarie received one vote. In normal circumstances, the candidates with the smallest number of votes should have withdrawn. They did not. In a letter to his Prime Minister, Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Ronald made it clear that although he had the great majority of Caribbean support, he would ask that his nomination be withdrawn to allow the Region to find a candidate it could support unanimously. Efforts to reach a unanimous candidate failed as both Scotland and Tewarie did not withdra, and governments indicated that Sir Ronald remained the candidate with majority support. His government therefore nominated him again for the post in response to that appeal. I know about the career of Baroness Scotland. I am not clear on the evolution of that of Sir Ronald Sanders. My brief knowledge about him is that he left the media landscape in Guyana to work in Antigua. He became an Antiguan citizen and spent the rest of his Antiguan years as that country’s High Commissioner to the UK. With due respect to Antigua, I cannot see what experience one can acquire in that capacity to entitle one to run the Commonwealth that comprises almost two billion
citizens and some of the most powerful governments in the world. Sir Ronald has considerable international experience. He has served as Deputy Permanent representative to the United Nations, High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (twice), Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation ; Ambassador to the European Union, Ambassador to UNESCO; Ambassador to France and Germany. Additionally, he was an elected member of the Executive Board of UNESCO; an elected member of the International Programme for the Development of Communications; Chairman of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF); member of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Secretariat; member of the Commonwealth Committee on Southern Africa (at the height of apartheid in South Africa); member of the Board of the Commonwealth Foundation; Adviser to the World Bank and the Commonwealth Secretariat on developing a vulnerability index for small states; and member and Rapporteur of the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) commissioned by Commonwealth Heads of Government to recommend reform of the Commonwealth (2011) He has negotiated bilateral investment treaties with the UK and the US; tax information exchange agreements with the US, UK,
Australia and New Zealand; bilateral air services agreement with the UK; trade and investment agreements with the Peoples’ Republic of China. He served as Deputy Chair of the Caribbean negotiating group with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation in Development (OECD) on international tax and banking matters. In the private sector, he has served as Chairman of a European-owned Caribbean bank managing tens of millions in assets; he has also been a negotiator for acquisitions and regulatory matters for a large US-Based telecommunications
company; and a member of the Board of Directors of financial institutions and communications companies in the US, Europe and the Caribbean. He is the only Ambassador of a small country to take any country (in this case the United States) to an Arbitration Panel of the World Trade Orgainsation (WTO) on a trade dispute and win (2004). He has served on committees of the World Trade organization negotiating during the Doha round for special and differential treatment for small States, including all Caribbean countries. He is also a serving
member of the International Board of the Round Table – the longest Commonwealth organization in existence. He is currently and has been for five years a serving member of the “Friends of the Democratic Charter”, at the invitation of former US President Jimmy Carter who chairs the group. Surely, one cannot argue against the fact that a former Indian, Nigerian or Pakistani ambassador to the UN or France, or the US or Canada would be far more experienced in world affairs, international trade and international institutions than an Antiguan envoy to (continued on page 62)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 08, 2015
Financial arrangements, true owners of Berbice River Bridge will be exposed – APNU+AFC A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has reiterated its disgust with the “oppressive” financial arrangements for the Berbice River Bridge. As such, its economic advisors have said that once the new coalition is victorious at the May 11 polls, it will conduct a thorough investigation into the bridge and expose its “behind-thescenes” investors and owners. APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge, in a recent interview with Kaieteur News on the matter stressed that APNU+AFC is in the process of devising a comprehensive plan for the bridge. The high toll is one issue in that programme that has been addressed. The politician said that the coalition is also concerned about the implications of the location of the bridge, taking into account the needs of the communities at either side of the river. After looking at the figures and projections of development, the financial point man said that one would want to “do something different.” He said that while the APNU+AFC wants an arrangement for lower tolls
and to expose who the “real” beneficiaries are, in the long term the new alliance wants to look at the future of the bridge. APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo, also weighed in on the controversial matter. The lawyer agreed with Greenidge’s position as he said that the nation deserves full disclosure on all the investors and partners in the Berbice River Bridge and the source or sources of all its funding. As it stands, Nagamootoo said that the Bridge represents a necessity as it serves a great purpose to commuters. But while this is the case, the politician said that returns from investments should be equitable. More significantly, the AFC Vice Chairman said that if Government invested a greater portion of the core capital then there must be an explanation as to; why it does not have the majority of the voting rights, what are the returns if any are coming to the state and if no returns are made, why is it that the dividends are not used to subsidize reduced tolls for commuters. “The long and short of it,” Nagamootoo asserted, is that
…future of the bridge will also be looked at
Chartered Accountant and lawyer, Chris Ram all users of the Bridge have to benefit from the investment into the bridge and not for the bridge to be what it currently is, “like an instrument to oppress the poor working class.” He added that the toll structure is simply unreasonable. He then recalled comments by Chartered Accountant Chris Ram who made strong revelations with regards to the shares and voting rights of the Berbice Bridge investors. Nagamootoo also sought to
Annual Babu John pilgrimage today
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and Government of Guyana will be staging the annual tribute to former President of Guyana and founder/Leader of the PPP, Dr. Cheddi Jagan today at Babu John, Port Mourant, Corentyne. Among the speakers planned for the event are President Donald Ramotar; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds; PPP General Secretary, Clement Rohee and former President, Bharrat Jagdeo. Dr. Jagan served as Guyana’s fourth President from 1992, after the General and Regional Elections. He died after a period of illness on March 6, 1997 in the USA. The programme which commences at 14:30 hrs will be preceded by the wreathlaying ceremony at the Babu John Memorial Site. The programme will be punctuated with several cultural items, according to
Dr. Cheddi Jagan organizer, Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo. The winners of the Schools’ Cheddi Jagan Memorial Essay Competition will be awarded their cash and other prizes during the programme. Over 600 entries were received, according to Vishwa Mahadeo.
Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.
In the morning, the Annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial Cycle Race will kick off at 08:30 hrs, starting from Freedom House in New Amsterdam, to Number Naught Village, Corentyne and culminates with the winners’ ceremony at Babu John. Friday, March 6, 2015 marked 18 years since the death of the former President. Jagan’s life in politics began in 1947, after he was elected to the colonial legislative body, the Legislative Council, in November 1947 as an independent candidate from the Central Demerara constituency. On 1 January 1950, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) was founded, with Jagan as its Leader, Forbes Burnham as its Chairman and Jagan’s wife Janet as Secretary. Dr. Jagan married Janet (née Rosenberg) in 1943, and the couple had two children, Nadira and Cheddi Jr. (who in turn produced five grandchildren). Janet Jagan followed her husband’s footsteps and held the positions of Prime Minister and President in 1997.
APNU+AFC Prime Ministerial Candidate, Moses Nagamootoo
APNU’s Shadow Minister of Finance, Carl Greenidge
make clear that a new government will protect investment made with taxpayers’ monies and also ensure that the investments made comply with the country’s financial laws. Ram on his website (www.chrisram.net ) said that despite the fact that the Bridge is touted as a private sector project its chief spokesperson and key player has been Winston Brassington of NICIL. NICIL is the holding company of Government entities. The accountant said that the role of NICIL which should have come to an end after financing had been secured appears to have been extended. He explained that the government, inclusive of the NIS, owns 76 percent of the issued shares of the company. NICIL, Ram said, owns what is called a Special
Share in the company and according to the Articles of Amendment of the company “no action can be taken by the Bridge Company, without the affirmative vote of the holder of the Special Share.” Ram also called on NICIL and the NIS to provide the public with full particulars of the preference shares sale transaction, including the persons engaged in the negotiations; the date the transaction took place; the price at which the shares changed hands; the basis of the valuation; and whether the shares were sold ex-div or cum-div, that is, with or without the dividends payable at the date of the transaction. The Chartered Accountant also drew attention to the late presentation of the audited financial statements of the
Berbice Bridge Company Company Inc. and its annual returns which have been pointed out before. Compounding this, he said, were breaches in respect of the due date for the holding of the company’s Annual General Meeting, the filing of the annual return and the inclusion of a directors’ report therewith. “It is unfortunate that a Board which includes a former Chancellor of the Judiciary could be so unmindful of or derelict in its statutory obligations and yet be arrogant about it,” he added. The current directors of the company are said to be Keith Evelyn, Ravi Ramcharitar, Avalon Jagnandan, Gillian Burton, Egbert Carter, Paul Cheong, Cecil Kennard, and Maurice Solomon. Ram pointed out that Gita Singh-Knight, Chairperson of the company from its inception, is no longer on the Board. He said that it is not clear whether she opted not to be reappointed or was removed and whether for her single place the Ramroop companies New GPC and Queen’s Atlantic Inc. (QAII) were able to have two of their managers – Ravi Ramcharitar and Avalon Jagnandan – placed on the Board. The lawyer said, too, that he is more than ever convinced that the legal structure, nature of ownership and the financing model are the cause of the high tolls. He agreed that the company needs to be investigated and the truth, exposed.
CORRECTION Healing the Nation Theocracy Party’s Presidential Candidate Alfred Park stands left of the Prime Ministerial Candidate Ras Leon Saul.
In our March, 6, 2015 edition, the article ‘‘Healing the Nation Theocracy Party seeks to be contender in 2015 election’, an incorrect photo of the Presidential Candidate was published. Kaieteur News wishes to make this correction by carrying the correct photo and apologies for any inconvenience caused.
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Anxiety Disorder: the missed illness - Management By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Anxiety as stated in last week’s article, is an illness of our mind. It puts our mind in overdrive and we are constantly worrying about matters of life. The issues arise when we can’t control our thoughts and over time our continued anxiety causes mental and medical health problems. Anxiety sufferers are often confused of what’s happening with them. Some
may visit doctors frequently, while others suppress their mind by abuse of medication, drugs, other substances, or even commit suicide. There are different management strategies for anxiety and successful anxiety sufferers tend to devise coping mechanisms on their own mostly based on the following principles. RECOGNIZEAND ACCEPT THATYOU HAVE ANXIETY DISORDER This is the first and most
The Baccoo Speaks Rest assured that there are two things that Guyana will always record with due regulatory—fires and road accidents. For now road fatalities are at a standstill and will continue to be so for the next few days. However, there will be another horrific crash, this time because of a speeding car and an equally reckless motorcycle rider. At the same time another fire would be averted, because the home owner would respond quickly to the smell of smoke. But the panic would be there. ** The fallout from an argument is going to lead to another shooting. A man would get into an argument with a group. His hostility would lead to a response in kind and once more the police are going to conduct a futile search for a weapon. **
Berbice is going to experience another robbery and again the police are going to nab the perpetrators, because there is one road and the police can easily shut down the thoroughfare. But before this could happen there would be a hijacking, as the perpetrators attempt to evade capture in a car that is different from the one that would have been seen at the scene of the robbery.
important step in anxiety management. Diagnosing anxiety is not straightforward. Some suffers were successful on their own by reading articles on anxiety and realizing they have a similar condition. Others were fortunate enough to be diagnosed by a physician experienced in anxiety management. Either way, you can’t overcome your anxiety unless you accept that you are suffering from it. Once you accept that you have anxiety, you should also come to peace with the reality of it becoming a lifelong battle. There is no cure for anxiety, but there are effective and successful coping mechanisms. WORRY, BUT THEN LET IT GO A feature of anxiety is the mind constantly worrying. It’s important to know that your mind will want to worry. Accept that and then practice the “don’t listen method”. Whenever a worrying matter comes to your mind, give it the respect and think about it for about 15 minutes. Once it re-presents itself in your mind, do not give it attention. Accept that your anxious mind is working and do not listen to it a second time. Ignore the worrying issue. Once you do this, you will prevent the complication of you worrying recurrently about the same issue.
BE POSITIVE Anxiety suffers tend to get drowned in their worrying mind and become depressed. When this is happening, picture a STOP sign in your mind. Once you have stopped the worrying, breathe and bring positive thoughts in your thinking. It may be a happy memory of someone, something or an achievement. Whatever makes you happy, think about it constantly. Remind yourself at least five times daily for the rest of your life that you have control of your life and you will make something great of it. Again, be positive. DAILYEXERCISE Exercise is one of the best ways to relax your body. Do it preferably in the morning to get your heart rate going and your body sweating. When you’re relaxed, it becomes easier to confront the day ahead of you. LEARN WHATTRIGGERS YOURANXIETY It may be the boss at work, or a colleague, or a fear of you making a mistake in front of everyone. It may even be multiple factors. Whatever it is, write a list of your triggers and come up with a plan of addressing each of them one by one. Do not overwhelm yourself and address all at once. Build a routine plan and combat the easiest first, then slowly move up to the most difficult. Remember to be positive and know you can overcome each and every one of them.
EATWELL Do not skip meals. An empty stomach is an invitation for the anxious mind to become active. Eat well balanced meals, less processed, more natural. Limit/ avoid alcohol and caffeine which can aggravate/ trigger anxiety attacks. GET ENOUGH SLEEP At least 7-9 hours of rest per night. When you sleep your mind is reprogrammed. The worries are slowly suppressed and your stress level comes down. If you are in bed worrying and cannot sleep, then do something to distract your mind and make you fall asleep. Reading a book may be a good way to start. ENTERTAIN HUMOUR Being around people who make you laugh or by making yourself laugh helps to curb your anxious mind. ACCEPT THATYOU CANNOT CONTROL EVERYTHING. Put your stress in perspective: Is it really as bad as you think? TALK TO SOMEONE Know that you may get overwhelmed at times and all it needs is for you to express your mind to a close one. SEEK MEDICAL HELP If you cannot overcome your anxiety by yourself, a visit to a doctor who is experienced in anxiety management or a Psychiatrist may be in order. They will determine if medication is right for you or may assist
Dr. Zulfikar Bux you with coping mechanisms. It’s important to know that managing your anxiety is a process and not an endpoint, the goal is to be in control of your mind. Once you practice your acquired management skills, know that it will require patience and determination. However, once learnt, people gain a lasting sense of their own power and competence in working actively with their own symptoms to conquer anxiety through their own efforts. (Dr Zulfikar Bux is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the Vanderbilt University and Medical Center and holds the position of Head of the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 08, 2015
A little girl is missing - does an unmarked grave in Pattensen hold her remains? By Michael Jordan There have been some rather unusual disappearances over the past few years. There is Michael Harris, the 58-year-old Linden contractor who vanished from his home on Christmas Day in 2008, leaving his breakfast of black-cake and pepperpot on the dinner table. There is US citizen Kwame Rumel Jobronewet, who disappeared in mid-June of 2009, while visiting relatives in Buxton. And then there is the disturbing case at Pattensen, Turkeyen, on the East Coast of Demerara, of a little girl who vanished more than eleven years ago. There is genuine fear that somewhere in that community lies an unmarked grave containing her remains.
Missing, believed dead: Nordex Wilkinson
THE SUSPECT: Victor Simmons
Her name was Nordex Wilkinson. She was just eleven years old, but from all reports, her brief life was one of misery. Her mother, Nadia Wilkinson, and father, Victor
Simmons, had separated after an acrimonious relationship. The mother lived at Bartica, while Nordex and her two other sisters, Keasha, aged nine, and eight-year-old Kimberly, lived in Pattensen, Turkeyen, with their father, Victor Simmons. Keasha would later tell detectives that they were constantly starved, beaten and even stoned on occasions. It was in mid-May 2004, that little Keasha contacted her mother and an aunt, and told them a disturbing tale.
The child informed her relatives that she had run away from home. She alleged that a few days before fleeing the home, her father had come home while they were attempting to prepare a meal. He had reportedly flown into a rage and began to beat them with a piece of wood. According to the child, the man had grabbed a pair of scissors and slashed Nordex’s throat. According to Keasha, her elder sister was bedridden after the beating and Keasha was forced to take care of her. She alleged that a few days after, she saw her father fetching the badly injured Nordex out of the house. He reportedly arrived home later that night and told her that he had sent Nordex out of the country. The child said that the father told her to say the same thing to anyone who asked about her sister’s whereabouts. But she also said that when some relatives visited the home and asked for Noxdex, the father would tell them that the child had returned to her mother. Keasha said that after her
sister disappeared, her father took her out of the Redeemer Primary School, which they had attended, and transferred them to a school in Sophia. The girl and her younger sister, Kimberly, were later taken to a female relative’s home at Yarrowkabra, on the Soesdyke/Linden highway. Eventually, on May 18, 2004, Keasha ran away. She traveled to Philadelphia, Essequibo, where she contacted an aunt. Fearing that Nordex might have been the victim of foul play, the relatives contacted detectives at Timehri in an attempt to locate the missing child. Detectives at Sparendaam Police Station joined in the investigation. But by now, the children’s father had also vanished. Relatives placed photographs of the child’s father in several areas in an effort to locate him, but still he remained missing. Detectives also briefly detained a male relative of the missing man. In June 2004, police,
apparently convinced that Nordex was dead, dug up behind the family’s Pattensen, Turkeyen home, in an attempt to locate the child’s remains. They found nothing. Eventually, the fate of the missing child faded into the background as more sensational cases took precedence. To this date, the fate and whereabouts of Nordex and her father remain a mystery. If you have any information about the whereabouts of Nordex Wilkinson and her father, Victor Simmions, please contact the police. You can also contact Kaieteur News by letter or telephone at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown. Our numbers are 22-58458, 22-58465, 22-58473 and 2258491. You need not disclose your identity. You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address: mjdragon@ hotmail.com.
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==
Today in Berbice, the limitation of the human mind will be on display I could understand a fourteen-year-old boy from Africa who doesn’t like white people. I could understand a thirteen-year-old Arab girl who doesn’t like darkskinned people. I could understand a 15-year-old Jewish boy who doesn’t like Russian people. At that age, what do they know about life? All they know is what they heard elders said. Elders who may have had an unfortunate incident involving race hate. But how do you explain the stupidity of a 25-year-old university graduate, a fortyfive year-old mature businessman, a sixty-year-old man who traveled and learned about the world, a seventyyear-old woman with grandchildren who has seen what life is, when they listen and accept the lies their leaders have been churning out for twenty-three years? If there is any spectacle on earth that displays the limitation of the human mind it is the yearly Berbice death anniversary of Cheddi Jagan, where flawed, failed, facinorous, fallacious, fetid and fascist mandarins of the Guyanese abyss will deliver their yearly concatenations of diseased fictions to sections of this tragic country. Sections that ought to know better, but are hopelessly trapped in a time machine, where the mind becomes a brew that even Macbethian witches will find sickening. Today in Berbice, Bharrat Jagdeo, Clement Rohee, Gail Teixeira, Donald Ramotar and others who have destroyed the Guyanese society and the territory of Guyana, will invoke the name of Cheddi
Jagan and tell Berbicians that they represent the legacy of Cheddi Jagan. Cheddi Jagan’s only two children have manifested utter revulsion of what these mandarins have done to their father ’s name and their parents’ party. But it is more than the condemnations of the two Jagan children. It is the sheer weight of the phantasmagoria of deceit, deception, desecration and destruction that have so saturated this country that the mind of the average Berbician cannot be so limited that logic, reason and commonsense have gone out of their lives. The story of this country the past fifteen years under Messrs Jagdeo and Ramotar is the tale of quick destruction that has few parallels in 20th century history. Within the space of fifteen
years, Guyana has endured a virtual demise of huge blocks of public life. Are Berbicians telling the world they have been exempted from the spiraling insanities? If they say they have, then either they are fools, Pavlovian creatures or people without minds. After twentythree years of PPP domination, Berbice has the appearance of an underdeveloped land. Where is the visible modernization of Berbice? It was only in 2014 that Berbicians got a passport office, and it doesn’t function daily. It was only in 2014 that Berbicians could have secured a driver’s licence from Berbice itself, and it cannot be renewed at the central office in Georgetown. Berbicians cannot be that stupid not to know that stateprovided health insurance is
a country’s most valued institution. In poor states like Guyana, national insurance is the means to survive from your sixties onwards. All signs point to the NIS running out of money in four years’ time. Berbicians prefer their children to be doctors and lawyers. Those two programmes are only offered at UG in Georgetown. Words cannot describe the atrocious state of UG. The point is, Berbicians have been painfully affected by the decline of Guyana under a party they have consistently voted for. Will Berbicians believe the PPP leaders today when they regurgitate things that just do not exist? Do they actually believe the bridge toll is the same as when there was the ferry? Do they actually believe that the PPP cannot do anything about the crime
madness in Berbice? Do they believe that the poorer sections of the Berbice population benefited from the twelve years of Mr. Jagdeo’s domination? If anything can be said about Mr. Jagdeo that is visible as fireworks lighting up the night sky, it is that he was a leader who favoured the business community and the wealthy elites. Mr. Jagdeo did not hide or camouflage his pro-business mentality. He was always open about favouring the wealthy class, and he made it public that these people were his closest intimates. Today at Babu John,
Frederick Kissoon Berbicians will hear a song long sung out, a bell long rung out. It will be the invocation of a government long, long gone – the PNC under Forbes Burnham. Mr. Burnham died when almost half of the Guyanese population weren’t born or were just born. Do Berbicians have the stomach for this rotten mess? If they do, they don’t have normal minds.
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We are ‘One Nation.’ We are assured that, in the campaign ahead, the overwhelming majority of Guyanese – young and old, rich and poor, women and men in all ten administrative regions and in the diaspora – want to win. They want to improve their quality of life and to remove the oppressive, undemocratic and antiworking class People’s Progressive Party Civic administration from office. We are ‘One Nation.’ That is why we agreed on 14th February, in the “Cummingsburg Accord”, to combine our energy and resources to achieve the goal of national unity. Our singular mission is one of service, solidarity and national salvation. Representatives of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance for Change toiled for weeks to hammer out the Cummingsburg Accord.
Kaieteur News
APNU and AFC will together lead the majority of citizens who struggle daily against disunity and against a dictatorial government and who seek a good life in this, the land of their birth. We wrestle against a presidency that has damaged our Republic by the denial of democracy. We wrestle against a presidency which, for the last seven months, paralysed the Parliament by the promulgation of the obnoxious prorogation order. We wrestle against a presidency which, for eighteen years, has prevented the holding of local government elections. We wrestle against the PPP that, daily, is inflicting damage on our university, teachers’ training college and schools. We wrestle against a
party that is failing our young people and driving talented citizens to migrate to other countries. We wrestle against crime, corruption and cronyism. It is written, indeed (Ephesians 6:12): “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the world; against spiritual wickedness in high places...” We have come together because the nation is at breaking point. Guyanese have been fatigued by two decades of fickle promises, fatuous platitudes and failed projects. - Our young people demand jobs, not jails and drop-in centres; - Our women and children demand safe homes not ‘safehouses;’
- Our fishermen and miners demand protection from pirates and bandits; - Our paddy farmers and businessmen demand fairness; and - Our hinterland regions demand development not goodies, gifts and grants. The People’s Progressive Party has dragged us to the very pit of the human development index. The record rates of arson, armed robbery, murders, suicides, road fatalities, illiteracy, unemployment, trafficking in persons and trafficking in narcotics, have made our country a pariah state in this hemisphere. Happy people do not kill themselves; happy people do not kill their wives and one another. Guyana is an unhappy country. The PPP, worse still, has divided our nation. It offers favours to its favourites and but inflicts unbearable burdens on the masses of housewives, public servants, working people, paddy farmers, fisher folk and students. We are ‘One Nation.’ And that is why we see the way forward through the establishment of a government of national unity – one that serves every citizen – not just a chosen few; one that serves all our regions – hinterland and coastland. The APNU-AFC coalition is the boldest step taken in six decades to replace political
Sunday March 08, 2015
hostility with unity; confrontation with cooperation; dictatorship with democracy. The coalition has chosen hope over despair and faith over fear. The coalition will give Guyanese: An education system that will produce citizens of quality who will be happy to remain here at home to build our great and beautiful country; a system that will extend access to the information superhighway to support the education of our young people. Employment opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mining, agro-processing and the arts to provide jobs and promote economic growth; - An empowerment policy that regularly renews local democracy by ensuring that local government elections are held every thirty-six months – as is stipulated in our Constitution – so that our villages, towns and neighbourhoods are wellgoverned; An energy policy that utilizes our wind, water and solar power to provide cheap, renewable electricity to Guyanese in our urban, rural, riverine and hinterland communities; An enterprise and economic development policy that provides a level playing field for local entrepreneurs and investors and our huge diaspora to develop our abundant
resources; A social policy that will harness and develop the creative energies of our people and that will support the holistic development of our athletes and young people; and A security policy that protects our citizens and our territory, allowing Guyanese to feel safe as they go about their daily lives. We are ‘One Nation.’ Our APNU-AFC coalition will lead this nation into the celebration on 26th May 2016 – fourteen months away – of the Fiftieth Anniversary of our Independence. Our parents and foreparents came from different continents of the earth – here in the Americas; from Africa; from Asia and Europe – to labour for a good life. We are their heirs. We shall not deny their descendants the fruits of their sacrifice. We shall not allow a few greedy men and women to steal their legacy or to sell their birthright. We shall not allow the PPP to squander our inheritance. We shall not surrender our God-given right to live in the best, biggest and most beautiful and bountiful country in the Caribbean – Guyana. (This article is part of the address by Brigadier David Granger, Presidential Candidate of A Partnership For National Unity and the Alliance For Change Coalition, at the launch of the General and Regional Elections Campaign, Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, on Wednesday, 4th March 2015.)
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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My column
A judge’s decision brings smiles to the faces of many The fate of the people who killed Neesa Gopaul is still a talking point. The sentencing phase of the case attracted just about every nongovernmental organization that had gathered outside the court in protest. And when the judge handed down his sentence there was such an outpouring of emotion that I cannot remember any murder trial attracting that kind of behaviour. As fate would have it, there was another murder trial in the nearby courtroom, but scarcely anyone was paying attention. It was as if that was a non-event. The judge, Navindra Singh, who is now well known for his sentencing policy, did not let the nation down. The prison time he imposed on Bibi Gopaul, the dead girl’s mother and her lover, Barry Small, will be talked about for years to come. Also going to be talked about are his words to the woman. He told her that he knows that she will not live out her sentence, but he hoped that she serve it wherever she goes after she leaves this earth. There are some things that I will take from the case. The police bungled the investigation and made a mess of evidence that they collected. That they were able to present a case to secure a conviction is credible. Also impressive were the very young prosecutors. At the start of the trial, no one gave them much of a chance to secure a conviction, especially since they were coming up against a battery of lawyers, among whom were Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos. The closing address by the young prosecutor was nothing short of outstanding and certainly sealed the fate of the accused. She has some way to go in her job. But there is something that I always think about. The group, Red Thread, is always opposed to the death penalty, and I wonder if the judge had sentenced the two convicts to face the hangman, whether Red Thread would have reacted in the same way. Perhaps the organization would respond that this sentence is far more severe than any death penalty, and that it satisfies the desires of a people who wish to present themselves above the ranks of barbarians. Indeed, there was justice for Neesa Gopaul, whose grandmother broke down when she heard that her
daughter would have to spend at least sixty-eight years in jail. This was a woman who was pained to lose a granddaughter and was extremely angry. But when confronted with the reality that she was going to lose her daughter as well, she was prepared to sacrifice the granddaughter who had already passed to the Great Beyond. Reality does hit us hard. This reminded me of a case in Kitty some years ago when one brother pushed another down a flight of stairs and caused his death. The mother was devastated and she screamed out for justice against the killer son, until someone reminded her that she had already lost one and whether she wanted to lose another. But for all the pain, people still kill each other, often for nothing. For this year there have been already, 23 murders. That calculates to about one every two days. Something
has to be wrong with the society. We were never this violent. Is it that the entire country needs training in dispute resolution? Then again, this can only happen because many people believe that they can get away with their crime. How else can one explain the drastic increase in gun crimes during which the perpetrator unhesitatingly shoots his victim—needlessly I would say? To compound the situation we now have before us the results of a study conducted by an international organization. One of the findings is that Guyanese trust the police less than others in any other part of the world. I find this amazing and I can hazard a guess why. It probably has to do with the almost incessant reports of people reaching out to the police and getting little or no help. The 911 system hardly works; police often tell callers that the station is devoid of
ranks and so no action can be taken. Recently there was an execution on the East Bank of Demerara. People spoke of the police being in the vicinity and allowing the shooters to escape. One complaint was that the police could have ordered a roadblock, but this did not happen. It is this distrust that actually hampers the police from solving even more crimes. We notice that the Berbice police seem to be on top of the situation, perhaps because there are not too many escape routes. It could also be that those who are tempted to be corrupt have their rigid colleagues looking over their shoulders and therefore cannot corrupt any other. That apart, law demands close cooperation between
the police, who are the foot soldiers, and the judiciary. And here I include the magistracy. I know the police have from time to time complained that they worked their feet to the bone attempting to solve a crime and when the perpetrator is placed before the courts, he is sent on minimal bail to commit the crime again. Indeed some people had more than six cases for the same type of crime and then again, at the end of the day they escape conviction. A man is innocent until proven guilty, and so it was that when Randy Morris who was accused of many crimes, was killed, he had a clean slate. This bothers the police. In the case of Randy Morris they undertook the role of judge, jury and executioner.
Adam Harris The case of Neesa Gopaul will most certainly give them that boost in spirit, if only because the killers have got the kind of sentence befitting the crime. The police would say that they need more such support. For their part, the public would wish to see more vibrant action from the police.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 08, 2015
ONE HUGE STEP TOWARDS REAL NATIONAL UNITY! The annals of Guyana’s history may have begun with the re-discovery of these lands by the Portuguese voyager Christopher Columbus. It led to colonization then African slavery which evolved over time to the Cuffy-led Berbice Slave Rebellion and subsequently progressed to the end of indentureship. Thereafter, we navigated through colonisation and laboured to independence from colonial rule which occurred in 1966, just under 50 years ago. Then came the crowning achievement Guyana’s rise to sovereign Republican status in February 1970. In 1992 we witnessed the restoration of democratic elections which was followed almost two decades later by the landmark national elections of 2011. This was
followed by a turbulent three (3) years that brought about the prorogation of the 10th Parliament in October 2014, an event unprecedented in this part of the world. The people of Guyana through their preferred representatives, demanded and got what history will record as the Cummingsburg Accord. This is a monumental landmark that creates the canvas upon which the future of Guyana will be painted … in broad strokes and vivid colour. This is the Guyana we envision. The Cummingsburg Accord represents what the people want the most, i.e. to see all parties who are invested in removing this beautiful country from the dangerous precipice over which it totters, coming together to work in unity for the growth and advancement of all of our people in all of their communities. Guyana, unquestionably,
has commenced a much anticipated phase of social and political transformation. We are in the process of moving from a grossly lop-sided, unjust system of winner-takes-all to one of inclusive governance. We are in the process of creating the wherewithal to involve Guyanese from every strata, from every political persuasion, from every religion, every administrative region, every Guyanese culture in an all-encompassing journey to return this nation to the status it used to enjoy long ago, i.e. being the true Breadbasket of the Caribbean and becoming once more a nation with the most caring, hospitable people and boasting an enviable, luscious Garden City. THE TIME IS NOW for us to take charge of our future. For too long we have
entrusted it into the hands of people who executed an agenda that did not include us or our wellbeing. The changes that we have seen taking place in recent weeks have been a long time coming, but come they will! On Wednesday 4th March, 2015, the Grand Savannah Suite of the Guyana Pegasus was virtually pulsing with expectation. The occasion was the official launch of the Unity party, APNU+AFC, which is made up of the best talents and the best cerebral fortitude that has been missing from the governmental formula for far too long. The process to really unite the best of Guyana in order to create the environment to attract the Best that Guyana could offer began in earnest when the Alliance for Change (AFC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) acceded to the people’s will and generated the aforementioned Cummingsburg Accord that both parties signed on Saturday 14th February, 2015. We produce here excerpts from the Call to Unity made by Prime Ministerial Candidate, the venerable Moses Nagamootoo. “This occasion humbles me. Today, we are making another giant step towards national reconciliation. This event, like that of February 14, will be remembered in the new pages of our history. Our grand-children and their offspring would find it under the subject index “Unity”. Guyana objectively needs unity, and when many Guyanese saw the outcome of the talks between APNU and AFC, they responded: “It is high time!” It is time that we give meaning to the sacrifices and struggles of our people, and of the generations who lived in the colony (British Guiana) before Independence. Since 1955, a single occurrence called “the split” had deeply wounded our Guyanese civilization. It occasioned political and ethnic division but today, after 60 years, we are taking a conscious step to put the healing balm on the scars of that division. Today, we hold out a new promise to meaningfully address the legacy of ethnic insecurity in Guyana. The restoration of electoral democracy in 1992 started a hopeful process, but it did not bring healing. After a few years, it saw a new cycle of autocratic, one-party rule. The promise of 1992 faded
then became distorted in a frenzy of sleaze, corruption and complicity in criminal enterprises. The gang of betrayers derailed our democracy. In the elections of 2011, the people of Guyana condemned the pseudoleaders to minority status and though they tried to duck and dodge, eventually they buckled under pressure (and called early elections). Today, there is need for a new direction of our still fledgling democracy. There is need to inject life into our decaying political system, and transform our governance model by ending “winnertakes-all politics”, by taking Guyana along the road to multi-party, multi-ethnic, national rule. The APNU+AFC alliance is that new beginning! Our intention is to create a truly inclusive democracy not only of political parties but civil society as well. It will be, as it has been, a bumpy road to the ‘Promised Land’, but we will not be daunted; we will not be intimidated. We shall defeat the monster of racism; we shall overcome the campaign of fear. On March 4, 1933 – 82 years ago – at his inauguration as the President of the United States of America, Franklin D. Roosevelt stated famously: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” But, today, today, we in Guyana have unity within our grasp. There is nothing to fear; nothing to lose. Today, all of our people can embrace this fresh push towards real unity. In our hands lies the key. Over these 54 years of my life in the political arena, I have worked towards this day when a broad coalition, a Rainbow Coalition, could be possible. I saw the contours of this coalition, not necessarily its substance, during 1975-1977 and again, in 1985. Today, the APNU+AFC Team Unity have taken a giant leap towards this achievement. What we have is not only a political union. We have taken the next vital steps to craft new plans and programmes for investment, economic and social growth and development of a new Guyana. We must, going forward, give meaning to our creed: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, and like Alexander Dumas’ Three Musketeers, from now onwards, we are “one for all and all for one”.
Today, we are seeing an alignment of brilliant minds from all of the parties that have come together on a single platform, with a single purpose. I still remember the fleeting moments of meeting David Granger when we were both in short pants, in my native village Whim, and we crossed paths on our way to the Auchlyne Scots School. Our lives would have taken us to different paths – his to a career in teaching, in the police force and the military and mine in journalism, politics and law. If as boys we shared a village and a school, why today can we not share in common our country, our Guyana home? We will contest this election on issues and not personalities. I have no doubt that the APNU+AFC alliance will be victorious and that David Granger will be Guyana’s next President. I have every reason to believe that as President, David will be just and fair, that he will put Guyana first and help restore our beloved country to the place of respect and dignity in the Caribbean and the rest of the world. As destiny would have it, our multi-coloured national flag has blended harmoniously, like the rhythms of the tassa drum and steel pan; like cumfa and nagara. The field of gold of the AFC is merged with the rich, bountiful, green natural resources that APNU represents. As we prepare to take office, we note how utterly depraved this government has become by shamelessly misusing public funds. Our children, like little Red Riding Hood, are given a modern-day glimpse of the big bad wolves with newer, brighter and bigger teeth - the better to laugh at our people’s pain and misery. Our Alliance has said: It is Enough! There will be and must be a stop to this madness! A new day must come and it will come, in the words of Martin Carter, “inevitably and inexorably”. May 11 is Deliverance Day! Today there is reason for hope and optimism. Everywhere, in Sri Lanka and in St. Kitts-Nevis for example, Team Unity has won. It is time, according to the lyrics of Bob Marley, for us to “get together and feel all right”. Onward, upward, may we ever go, Day by day in strength and beauty grow, Till at length we each of us may show, What Guyana’s sons and daughters can be.
Sunday March 08, 2015
SUNDAY SPECIAL UNFAIR DISTRIBUTION OF RADIO LICENCES NURTURESABITTER SOCIETY – SIR FENTON RAMSAHOYE S.C Fenton Ramsahoye, QC, strongly advocates for the monopoly over Guyana’s telecommunications sector, particularly the radio frequencies by a select few, to come to an abrupt end. Dr. Ramsahoye commented on the current mismanagement of the spectrum and warned that should a restructuring of the current arrangements fail to occur sooner rather than later, it could have detrimental effects for freedom of expression in the Guyanese society. The former attorney general stated that partisan use of the spectrum is unconstitutional and is a misuse of the national asset. He stressed too, that it denies equality of treatment to which every member of the population is entitled. The lawyer said, too, that the spectrum and how it is managed, currently, needs to be restructured and that it should not be used as a weapon. Failure to do this, he said, would only lead to a fractured nation and increased division. Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, days before demitting office, gifted several radio and cable frequencies to cronies, relatives and family. GGMC ORDERED TO JUSTIFY $3B LOAN AGREEMENT Should the $3B Loan Agreement between the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA) materialize, it would represent the crudest form of financial lawlessness, said Member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Desmond Trotman and City Councillor and CH&PA Board member, Ranwell Jordan. Trotman also believes that the Commission has no authority to lend the monies which are supposed to be transferred to the Consolidated Funds, on any basis. Jordan said that he was not even aware that the CH&PA was seeking to borrow such funds. With those considerations in mind, among others, the duo filed a legal challenge in the Constitutional Court before acting Chief Justice, Ian Chang two Fridays ago, to quash the agreement believed to be inherently unlawful. The CJ in acting on the matter instructed that come March 13, GGMC and CH&PA must prove to the court why a
Kaieteur News
Writ of Certiorari should not be granted to prevent GGMC from going ahead with its decision to lend the monies to the Housing Authority. Chang also instructed that the Housing Authority should justify why a Writ of Prohibition should not be dispensed to ensure that the mining commission is inhibited from making any further move on the loan on the premise that it is in breach of the law. The Housing Authority was also directed to convince the Court that a Writ of Certiorari ought not to be issued to reverse its choice to present an investment proposal to the Mines Commission and enter into the loan agreement.
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Workers in striking mode recently
MONDAYEDITION TEEN GUNNED DOWN BY FELLOW GANG MEMBER A 19-year-old suspected bandit was gunned down at around 21.00 hrs last Sunday in a shop in Parker Street, Providence, East Bank Demerara, allegedly by a member of his own gang who afterwards fled the scene on a bicycle. Ryan Sooklall, called ‘Plyboard,’ of Providence, East Bank Demerara, was shot at least three times in the back and was pronounced dead on arrival at the East Bank Demerara Regional Hospital. His killer, who is said to be from Bagotstown, also on the East Bank Demerara, remains at large. Police believe that Sooklall signed his own death warrant after he hurled two ‘channa bombs’ and fired over 20 shots at the Norton Street, Bagotstown home of the suspect, who is a fellow gang member. That incident occurred at around 02.00 hrs the previous Monday and was reported at the Providence Police Station. Investigators are convinced that he was killed in retaliation. The shop where Sooklall was slain is said to be a popular meeting place for both killer and victim. However, it is unclear what exactly led to the falling out between the two former friends. According to eyewitnesses, Sooklall and about 10 other youths were at the Lot 69 Parker Street, Providence shop when the killer struck. One of the residents told Kaieteur News that the youths were “just liming” in the yard when the suspect, known as “Lapsy,” rode up on a bicycle and “spray who he had to spray.” GINA SPENDS $250M TO FUND NEWSPAPER IN NY - MCCOY, SUBHAN FINGERED IN QUESTIONABLE DEAL WITH PRINTERY
The Government Information Agency (GINA) launched a New York edition newspaper late last year under questionable circumstances. This has the Opposition APNUAFC calling for a full investigation into the publication. According to Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, his party has discovered another clear indication of how the ruling party continues to misuse public funds without oversight of the National Assembly. The situation, he complained, is also creating an uneven playing field for the Opposition, as the Government has access to millions of dollars in state resources which are being used indiscriminately for the upcoming May 11 Elections. ”We are condemning this newspaper “The Guyanese” which is being printed in New York. We are being told that GINA used, without Parliament’s approval, $250M to establish this publication. They are not carrying news. The paper is carrying propaganda from the ruling party. ”How fair is it that we are asking ordinary taxpayers to foot a newspaper that does not even represent them or paint the true picture of what goes on in Guyana?” Ramjattan said that his party, during recent trips by officials to New York, has been attempting to find out the details.
pany (CHEC) is also now woefully behind schedule with the expansion of the US$150M Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) project. It is expected within two weeks to present Government with another work programme requesting a substantial extension on the September 2015 deadline for the CJIA expansion project. The September deadline cannot be met and the Chinese officials who hold responsibility for the decision making are currently not in Guyana. Kaieteur News has learnt that the Senior CHEC officials had left Guyana to take part in their country’s recently celebrated New Year’s celebrations. Within two weeks they are expected to return to present the revised work programme. The project began on January 16, 2013, and was to last 32 months, ending September 2015. This deadline will not be met. Earlier this year when CJIA Chief Executive Officer, Ramesh Ghir presented an update on the expansion project, he said that it was already behind schedule. By the end of last year, in excess of US$30M had been disbursed to CHEC for works executed under the project. UG STRIKEACTION OFFICIALLYCALLED OFF - UNIONS WANT FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS TO END BY JUNE 30
TUESDAYEDITION CJIA CONTRACTOR NOW BEHIND SCHEDULE, UNDER FIRE IN JAMAICA …TO SUBMIT REVISED WORK PROGRAMME SEEKING EXTENSION Under fire in Jamaica over illegal quarrying on the CARICOM Island, China Harbour Engineering Com-
Strike action at the University of Guyana (UG) has been officially called off. This longawaited development was as a direct result of the signing of an agreement Monday between the University Unions – the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and the University of Guyana Workers Union
(UGWU) – and the University’s Administration. In a statement issued Monday, the Unions announced that all forms of industrial action at the tertiary institution have been called off. It added that staff members should fully resume duties as of 07:00 hours on March 3, 2015. The Unions outlined that the cessation of industrial action followed the signing of two agreements with the UG Administration Monday. “The first agreement details the terms under which our members will return to work. The second outlines a 10 per cent interim pay offer effective January 1, 2015.” Both agreements were publicly circulated. The signing of the documents represented the end of a protracted period of industrial unrest that ultimately resulted in a virtual standstill at UG. And according to the Unions, “We feel vindicated in the results of the action that we have taken. As we have maintained from the beginning, we were forced to first sit-in and then to strike as a result of a series of events.” WEDNESDAYEDITION MAN FORCED TO DELETE YOUTUBE VIDEO…TOP COP SAYS RANKS’ ACTIONS “TOTALLY WRONG” Commissioner of Police (ag) Seelall Persaud is on the same page with one of his predecessors Winston Felix in condemning the actions of some rogue police ranks who allegedly harassed a citizen who posted a video on YouTube of two youths rolling a marijuana joint on a parked police vehicle. Both men described the actions of the ranks as illegal and the current commissioner has indicated that he has in-
structed the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) to investigate the matter. Francis Bailey, a freelance photographer, is claiming that he was harassed by ranks of the Guyana Police Force, allegedly at the instigation of a city mechanic who repairs police vehicles at the location where the video was taken. Bailey had told this newspaper that he had taken the video last week Tuesday and later posted it on the internet, with the accompanying observation, “These youths work for a mechanic in North Georgetown…Not only can you find children working in the workshop, but they can get weed from him as well. Now guess what…he has a contract with the Guyana Police Force to fix their vehicles. Police roll in and out of this yard all week long and know very well what’s going on. I would say more, but ‘Real’ would get shot for it.” After the video was posted, a jeepload of police rank, in the company of the mechanic, swooped down on Bailey’s residence and using threats, took him to the nearby North Ruimveldt Police Outpost where he was detained. His camera was seized and despite his protestation, the police forcibly removed the video. US$138M CJIA EXPANSION…PUBLIC WORKS MINISTRY TO PAY CONTRACTOR’S TAXES IF GRA REFUSES EXEMPTION …ALSO ENDORSES CHINESE PAPERWORK TO CLEAR CUSTOMS The Ministry of Public Works has agreed to pay all customs duties for China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC), should any of its requests for exemption be refused by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). This is enshrined in the US$138M Contract signed onto by the Ministry of Public Works for the Expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). The contract which has been highly criticized for its numerous concessions to the Chinese Contractor was inked on November 10, 2011, days before the then president, Bharrat Jagdeo demitted office. According to the document, secretly inked in Jamaica, all Goods and Equipment imported by the CHEC into Guyana shall be exempt from all taxes, duties, royalties and fees imposed by the Guyana Governmental and statutory authorities. If the exemption is not granted, however, the customs duties payable and paid shall be (Continued on page 45)
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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 08, 2015
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY…
‘Women must recognise their roles in society’ - NCERD Director By Desilon Daniels Many persons take up a job for different reasons; for some it’s the money while for others it’s the experience. However, for Jennifer Cumberbatch, a veteran teacher and now the director of the National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), her career is the opportunity for her to be a nurturer, friend, and mother to countless children. According to Cumberbatch, her formation as a strong woman came from the family, particularly the maternal figures in her life. She said she was the last of eight children while her father was the breadwinner of the home. Though her mother did not work, Cumberbatch emphasised that the woman was still respected in the home and played an integral role in the children’s upbringing. Cumberbatch said her mother was a very strong woman, not just physically but also emotionally and spiritually. She said too her mother was a constant in the family’s life and was proved to be anchor to all. “She led you and she was at home, so you left and Mommy was home; when you came back Mommy was there. That hardly happens today,” Cumberbatch noted. She continued, “She was the one we went to and cried your eyes out because something happened at school…and she was the one who said to you to ignore persons or to not take things on”.
Cumberbatch emphasised that though her mother was a strong woman, she was also a gentle woman. “She was the backbone to the family yet the one you can tell all your problems to,” she added. Similarly, her grandmothers were strong figures and were extremely strict. Nonetheless, she said, they were very loving. Cumberbatch said these three figures heavily influenced her life and shaped her into becoming the woman she is today. She explained that she was very inquisitive child and though she was sometimes chided, her curiosity was often encouraged and fostered. “The maternal part of my family was very instructive and instrumental in my upbringing,” she said. Furthermore, Cumberbatch said her family was not very rich, but the children were taught to be satisfied. Instead of riches, education was placed on the forefront and Cumberbatch said she seized all of the opportunities presented to her. “We were told that education was the key out of poverty. We weren’t poor that we were on the streets, but it was Daddy alone working, so we didn’t have forty dresses like many others would have had,” she said. Her biggest challenges at the time were disobeying her parents. She explained that her mother had a ritual which left her baffled. Her mother, she said, would stop her each morning before she left for school and warn her to behave in school, pay attention to the schoolwork,
On graduation day from UG
and walk on the right hand side of the road. “It was so strange! I would say, ‘But Mommy, you would tell me that every day!’ but she would say, ‘Don’t worry, it’s my duty to tell you.’” Cumberbatch related. She continued, “It was drilled into me so much that every time I was going to do the wrong thing, my mother’s words would come to mind.” She said, too, her parents ensured she and her siblings understood that they were as good as anyone else. “We were taught that we were all one under God…so we drew up with everybody and it didn’t matter, because we learned that everyone was the same as us,” she said. INFLUENCE OF MENAND WOMEN Cumberbatch’s early life set the foundation for success in her professional life and she eagerly jumped into the world of teaching as soon as she left high school. Cumberbatch explained that she had been interested in teaching since she was a child. However, when she indicated her serious interest in the matter after she had
graduated high school, her father was not supportive. She said he expressed concerns at the low pay given to teachers along with the stress of dealing with young children. On the other hand, her mother was in full support of whatever Cumberbatch had set her heart on. “Whatever I wanted she wanted me to do and be the best at it, so she felt that teaching was good for me,” she said. Cumberbatch said that she was given a year by her father to teach and has never looked back since then. “After that I fell in love with it even more and I realized that this is what I wanted to do,” she said. Cumberbatch said her career was eventually supported by her father. She began teaching at St. Margaret’s Primary School in 1977. “It was there that I learnt a lot,” she said. “Their motto was to be the best that you could be and I took that on as my personal motto,” she added. Her exuberance, she said, was encouraged by another female figure; this
Director of NCERD, Jennifer Cumberbatch woman was the then headmistress of St. Margaret’s, Miss Alexander. She said the older woman pushed her to be innovative and eventually placed her in a leadership capacity. Cumberbatch later started at the Winfer Gardens Primary School as a senior teacher with big roles to play. At the same time, she began her studies at the University of Guyana. She explained that, as a woman, she needed to better herself. She said too she was pushed to make the move by both her brother and her husband.
“Many times I applied, but I was pushed by my brother who encouraged me to go. As women, the men also help us. They see stuff in us and push us. My husband too was excited for me to go to UG; if he hadn’t been I couldn’t go,” she said. She continued, “He was the one who allowed me to develop, and professional women, if they are honest, will tell you that there are women in their lives who help them, but there are men – it may be your spouse, it may be your father or your brother – who (Continued on page 43)
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Kaieteur News
Police reform: A VIEWPOINT By Dale Andrews (Continued from last week…) To expand and sustain the reform programme, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) needs to develop and implement a communication strategy to promote the culture change goals. In addition to its standard institutional orders, sensible use of social media promoting development initiatives will go a long way in assuring the populace that the police organization and its actions reflect optimal resource usage. Enhanced knowledge will generate sensitivity and wider acceptance across rank and file of the vision for the future, as well as community involvement in change efforts. But this mode of communication should not be abused by being confused with personal profiles and image building, as is the order of the day in authoritarian cultures. Outcomes must reflect changes in society’s perception of the police; how the police perceive their own role, and their relationship with the society.
When it comes to recruitment to the GPF, this has been a virtually insurmountable challenge in the absence of a clear recruitment strategy which attracts suitable candidates. As alluded to above, salary remains the elephant in the room, right alongside safety and health issues, and corrupt and unethical practices that are not the exclusive preserve of any particular rank level. The GPF needs to sell itself in a competitive environment where - as Dr. Victor Strecher The Environment of Law Enforcement, 1971 argues that no recruitment brochure can prepare one for an occupation where “…corpses, the homeless, inebriates, the tragedy of victimization, lower class subculture, or a steady stream of angry people” is all part of an “unsavory structural and social environment.” And as Larry Hoover on Police Recruitment in a Booming Society (July 2001) declared “…there is no other occupation more unforgiving of mistakes, poor judgment,
Sunday March 08, 2015
GPF Training Centre
or misbehavior than law enforcement”, of course he could not have been referring to the GPF which seems to accept those traits as normal and par for the job. Any intention to reform the local police, if it is to be taken seriously, must publicly demonstrate its abhorrence and intolerance of those undesirable characteristics beyond the veil of rhetoric. The rather inept handling of the torture duo retention and recent promotion by the GPF speaks volumes about any imminent departure from undemocratic norms. At the risk of oversimplifying, let me briefly relate what Hoover offers as five “conundrums” which - in his opinion are impediments
to solving the problem of unsuitable applicants for recruitment to the GPF. First conundrum says that “To increase the occupation’s prestige, we need to raise standards, but raising standards impedes recruitment even more.” What this is saying basically is that if the GPF makes any significant effort to increase the physical or cognitive criteria for recruitment (or even retention) the selection pool will be constricted. Please note the term “significant” as against “superficial” attempts in this regard. Secondly we are told that “Police agencies should reflect the racial and ethnic composition of the communities they serve, but many selection standards have disparate impact upon
ethnic minorities.” Even the Disciplined Services Report mentioned the ethnic question which arises every so often. The point being made is that the likely unintended consequences could impact negatively on applicant quality or the prestige of the Force. The third puzzle which affects attracting and retaining suitable candidates to a police force states that “Preventing and ferreting out abusive police practices requires aggressive internal monitoring, but aggressive internal monitoring is a primary negative job characteristic”. The suggestion Hoover makes is that although police administrations should root out or control unethical behaviour, “aggressive efforts” in that direction can
“backfire” and affect the morale of the majority who may be quite uninvolved in such practices. One aspect of policing that seems to be outside of the capabilities of the GPF administration and which must be urgently looked at, is that of deployment. This should be a significant component of the reform programme judging from the negative publicity regarding police visibility and the time that they take to respond to calls for assistance. It is not quite clear what deployment model the GPF employs, and whether it addresses the family and gender issues that are likely to be affected by attendant policies. The foregoing is premised on the conundrum that “Family-friendly policies are needed to attract and retain quality personnel, particularly women, but family-friendly policies wreak havoc with responsive patrol deployment.” In other words, Hoover makes it very clear that something must be sacrificed in the equation since “…there is a price to be paid in terms of attractiveness of the occupation to individuals more committed to family than to the profession”. There is a truism in C.B. Saunders’ Upgrading American Police (1970) fundamental comment that “to improve policing, we must first improve the police.” Although it might not be readily apparent, there have been various attempts to introduce reform in the security sector, albeit in a less formally structured and coherent fashion. One of the more formal ones was the Disciplined Services Commission, which made a raft of recommendations. However there does not seem to be any forward movement on those, apart from the somewhat vague assurance that works are in progress. In that vein, Louis A. Mayo writing on Twenty Five Years of Policing: Successes and Failures”, in Police Forum (July 2001 - Michael S. Vaughn, editor) argues that “…there is still a general (Continued on page 43)
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
Seven years too much…
Domestic Violence victim says the key is to love yourself
By Sunita Samaroo They have been married for the past seven years and apart from her young daughter, at times, the only testimony of their bond has been a battered face and memories of countless traumatic experiences. In fact, this September would have marked eight years since they joined in holy matrimony. But Nancy (not her real name) wants out. Now living with her mother, this woman says she will never feel the same and though she is fighting to move on, the experiences she had with Greg (not his real name) will haunt her. To the outsider, this family looked happy, but life at home wasn’t so pretty. Soon after they got married, verbal abuse and temper tantrums flared and the physical abuse came later, leaving her at a loss to explain why her husband, a Police Sergeant, was doing this. Nancy tells that there are many medical documents lodged with the police, but beyond lip service from officials, nothing has ever been done. Their words, that she had wed Greg for better or for worse, are ones that she remembers like yesterday. Struggling as an abuse victim for years, Nancy is now rebuilding her life. She describes the experience as one marred by stress and continuous pain and among her worries, she admitted to Kaieteur News, is her daughter’s future. In fact, Nancy said concerns over her daughter’s future are what drove her to get out. “I worried about her and growing up thinking this is right. For her to see a man hitting me, she can’t grow up thinking it’s alright for a man to beat her, because her mother used to be beaten by her father. I don’t want her to grow up thinking it. I don’t want her to fall into that pattern,” she remarked.
“I had enough…He tried to kill me so many times,” she said. Nancy says a single figure on the amount of times she was battered by Greg would be hard to draw, but her advice to women is to get out before it’s too late. “Women, you need to start loving yourself. Start choosing you first. Don’t stay in it because of your children. By the end of the day, they have lives of their own that they will attend to. Get out, because it’s the right thing to do. You deserve to be happy. You don’t deserve to have anyone knocking at you. You deserve to have a better life.” This, Nancy admits, is what she now tells herself. MARRIAGEAND CONSTANT ABUSE Nancy met Greg when she was 18. One evening she accompanied a friend to lodge a police report. He started courting her and one year later, Greg ‘got on his knees’ and asked her to be his wife. They wed in September 2007 and soon moved into a house on Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt but it was three months after that the abuse started. Nancy said she went to visit her mother and had told Greg of this. But when she returned he was displeased. She said the attempt on her part that day to explain herself paved way for a severe trashing which left her with many black-andblue marks about her body. The ordeal, she recalled, lasted for about an hour and despite her pleas, he continued the beating. She tried to leave the house that night but he refused to let her go, and it was not until he had fallen asleep that night that she managed to sneak out and went to her mother’s place. She moved back in, however, with an apologetic Greg. After each fight, she said “It does start with a good treatment for about two or three months.” She recalls being constantly told that he wants the marriage to work,
that they wed “for better or for worse.” But the cycle continued. Four months later, the fighting started again; this time also because she went out with her mother. This time it was because she went to buy groceries with her and he had returned home before she did. Upset about her outing, he attacked her with his tongue, pressing her to answer why she had gone out for such a “long time” and her answer that she had no friends and chose to spend time with her mother, her only friend, did nothing to appease his anger. Nancy chose to go into the bedroom, but as the door was closing, Greg charged towards her and started hitting her, bashing her on her face and her head. After suffering terrible blows, he took her to the hospital the next morning for treatment. She moved out and Greg came begging, stating that he was willing to undergo counseling. Though his promise never materialized, she moved back in. Three months later, he was at it again and she recalls vividly, the words of those who convinced her she should stay. NO FRIENDS AND INTERVENTIONS Greg did not like the idea of her having any friends. According to Nancy, who is 15 years younger than Greg, she had friends, but over time she lost them because of Greg’s disapproval. “He tell me I can’t have friends and that I don’t have any friends he approves of,” she said. She explained that she sought help from the church and welfare officers, and even from several high-ranking officials of the Guyana Police Force, but those efforts bore no fruit. She was still being battered and they would advise them to “work it out” and get back together because they vowed “for better or for worse.” Her husband would be (Continued on page 43)
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‘Women must recognise their... Domestic Violence victim says... Mrs. Cumberbatch, her husband and three children
From page 29 would encourage you as well and sometimes we don’t remember that.” Cumberbatch subsequently graduated from the University of Guyana and was awarded the President’s Medal. She later began pursuing her Master’s Degree at the age of 52. She explained that it had been difficult studying, being a mother, and a teacher all at the same time. However, she triumphed with the support of the women and men in her life. “Through all of it my husband and family were exceedingly supportive, but the one I praise most is God,” she said. ‘A WOMAN IS THE NECK THAT SUPPORTS THEHEAD’ As a teacher, Cumberbatch said she encountered many parents in her career. Most of these parents, she said, had been mothers with vested interests in their children’s education. “When these ladies take time off from all the various things that they have to do
and go to those meetings, it’s saying something to their children; it’s saying that education is important,” she said. Cumberbatch opined that men need to “step up”. She said too that the perception of taking care of the children as a woman’s job needs to be shifted. “People say it’s a ladies’ thing, but it’s everybody’s thing. But we ladies tend to lead in that way, in the interest that we show. It’s very commendable,” she said. She encouraged all women, even those who are not mothers, to strive for excellence. “They say that it’s the hand that rocks the cradle that rules the world,” she added. She continued, “Women are very important to the world. Men might want to say that they are the head, but we are the neck, and the head can’t move without the neck. So we are very important, as important as ever. In life generally – whether it be at church, whether it be in the school
system or the work system or at home – it is the women who look after things.” Cumberbatch further emphasised this importance and said that not only the world, but women themselves, needed to recognise the roles they play. In Guyana, Cumberbatch said the role is recognised, but more recognition needs to be achieved. She said Guyana’s recognition of its women is evident in the high and different positions women hold in society today. However, this needs to be taken a step further. “Here, we need to recognise this even more; we need to step up and ensure, especially the men, recognise. Men came from women and if they recognise that they can’t do without us, we’ll live very well together. Each will realize each other’s place and complement each other. I’m not one of those liberal types; I recognise that men have an important role to play, but so do we,” she said.
Police reform: A VIEWPOINT From page 30 failure to implement many well known and proven concepts and commission recommendations, while adhering to disproven concepts”. Noteworthy is the fact that apart from the Minister of Home Affairs’ brief reference during his 2014 annual review, nothing is known about whether the GPF is implementing the several recommendations coming out of the management audit of the GPF Strategic Management Department. It is the prerogative of citizens to demand that the GPF deliver value for money from the national treasury. The word out there is that suggestions of a progressive nature emanating from certain non-traditional quarters are shunted aside by the new powers that be at Eve Leary. The point has been made that a mediocre leader thrives and shines in an environment of pervasive mediocrity. It may be beyond the remit of the politicians to mandate that the GPF change “the way disciplinary procedures are handled, internal affairs investigations are conducted, and media relations promulgated.” But there really is no impediment to a GPF, serious about operational philosophy reform, to seek at all times to be cognizant of the views of the public whose mandate it is to serve and protect. Chief among the tools at its disposal is a
communications strategy which utilizes citizen perception surveys, and other fora to give citizens the opportunity to provide valuable input. Therefore, any initiative which requires community awareness and involvement must provide that time and space, since in any regard, everyone will be affected. A final thought on the desirability of reforming the Guyana Police Force. The continuous descent into the quagmire of corruption will not engender any feelings of empathy on the part of the citizenry on the salaries issue. Furthermore there is likely to be a general degeneration of morale and motivation, particularly in an environment characterized by poor leadership and bad communication. Additionally, corrupt practices learned on the way up the hierarchical ladder will most likely be retained, thus completing an already vicious circle of pervasive corruption. It is incumbent on the management of the GPF at all levels to foster a climate that facilitates culture change if the Force is to take off on a positive trajectory along its reform continuum. I wish to express my thanks to the many persons both in and out of the Guyana Police Force (who for obvious reasons will remain unnamed), who contributed their thoughts and experiences to this series of articles.
From page 31 calm but in a matter of two months, she would again be his punching bag. “The abuse is tremendous. When you make the report and you think something gun happen, nothing does…We gon deh good one minute and the next couple minutes, he is abusive. I don’t want to turn up dead one day,” Nancy lamented. “He is going to keep doing this until one day he gives me an unlucky blow and I die,” she said. “Every time he beat me, we go to the station, somebody playing they talk to we saying ‘Man thing will get better. Y’all talk back to one another’ and it ain’t getting better…My daughter can sit down and talk about the abuse, how much time she see daddy knock mommy.” He never changed. “REMORSE” AND THE REASON SHE STAYED “I was staying because (my daughter) is five and at night she would come and ask ‘Mommy where daddy?’ He comes home and he put her in his arms, they lie down and sleep. Those are things that she looks forward to, and it would be wrong of me to take that from her but if I die, she won’t have a mother.” “I going through this abuse seven years and it’s not getting any better,” Nancy lamented. After every ordeal, she would notice a change in Greg’s behaviour. Seemingly out of regret, he cleans and takes care of her. She said he would cook lunch for her, drop it off at work; actions she had believed indicated he wanted to change. “Like six months after, we deh good. I feel like this man gun change,” she said. She said when they moved to La Parfaite Harmonie on the West Bank of Demerara, he “eased down” until the day he found out she had posted a picture with her and some friends on Facebook. Nancy recalls that he came home as she was lying on the bed next to her daughter, dragged her out by her hair to the bedroom, and cuffed her to her face leaving her to struggle on the bathroom floor. She got up and he kept cuffing her and she fell flat on her back. Her daughter woke up and came running to her, acting as a shield, but that did nothing to stop Greg’s onslaught. The child, she said, spoke about the story continuously. “If you see my face…When he do he mischief, he does stay home. He don’t go to work and he stays home all the time, pampering me, but it’s always at the back of your mind.” “I think he beat me about three hours straight and she was crying begging ‘Daddy done, daddy done, daddy
done! Stop knock mommy!’ but he wasn’t stopping. The abuse was tremendous and I don’t know if it will finish,” she said. LEAVING She said on countless occasions she would beg him for them to separate and after each encounter, she said she would look at him differently. “He would look sick, like he needs help, because some of the things he knocks me for, makes no sense. It ain’t mek no sense knocking me, it’s not necessary…I tried.” But the last straw came on February 24, last, when she returned from classes. She came home around 22:00 hours and he was upset. Nancy recalls him pouncing on her. He slammed her to the wall asking angrily “this is the hour you come in this house?” He dragged her to the toilet by her hair and continued beating her. She told him she had enough and wanted to leave, but it did not sit well with Greg. Her daughter was sleeping, but was awakened by the ruckus and despite the
little girl’s cries, her father did not stop. She called 911 that night and though he tried to stop her from leaving, they eventually ended up at La Grange Police Station. “He makes it seem like every time he knocks me, it’s my fault…the situation is not changing. He gon be good then he gun start again,” she lamented. “I decided that this was the time I am moving out and I am doing with a divorce…it’s really frustrating and after a time, it starts playing with your mind,” she said. “I am afraid that some day he may give me some unlucky blow and that may be the end of it…When I’m gone who is going to be there for my daughter? I am tired. I am exhausted, going through this year by year,” Nancy remarked. She is looking to have a better future. Today is International Women’s Day and Nancy’s story is one of thousands worldwide.
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down after a mixed 12- member jury deliberated for three hours, before delivering a unanimous guilty verdict to a packed courtroom of curious onlookers. In handing down his ruling, Justice Singh noted that both sentences started with a base of 60 years for the murder. The Judge added 10 years to each sentence for premeditation; 10 years for brutality, 10 years because it was a child that was murdered and six years because the matter is related to domestic violence. He however added an extra 10 years to Gopaul’s sentence since she had been found guilty of killing her own child.
(From page 27) reimbursed by the Ministry of Public Works. That Ministry under its obligations to the Chinese Contractor—who is now woefully behind schedule with the expansion project—has also agreed to endorse the necessary exemption documents prepared by the Chinese Contractor for presentation in order to clear Customs.
INT’L SURVEY SHOWS GUYANA’S POLICE LEAST TRUSTED IN ENTIRE REGION
THURSDAYEDITION GOVT. FINALLY BREAKS SILENCE ON MARRIOTT…TAX DOLLARS FUND ENTIRE PROJECT – LUNCHEON ADMITS Just weeks before the 197room, US$58M Marriott Hotel is set to open its doors in Kingston, Georgetown, Government in explosive disclosures Wednesday admitted that all of the monies it spent so far to bring the facility into operation has been from the taxpayers. That was after court cases and other factors held back the release of more than US$30M from a bank and two private investors from Hong Kong. There had been questions about Government finding the estimated US$34M that was needed to complete the hotel but Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, finally broke the silence, disclosing how the hotel came to the point of completion. He said that the Government-owned, National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), has put up the rest of the money with the understanding that the money will be repaid by the investors when the matter is cleared up, sometime in the future. The repayment arrangements is bound to raise eyebrows over where NICIL, first of all, found over US$34M and more importantly, whether it would make sense to give control of the hotel and its adjoining casino into the hands of a third party, after spending that sum to construct and complete the facilities. Luncheon, during his weekly post-Cabinet press briefings, noted that the financial closure of the hotel deal had been affected by legal actions and other delays.
OPPOSITION LAUNCHES ELECTION CAMPAIGN…MAY 11 WILL BE ‘DELIVERANCE DAY’ Hundreds assembled in at the Savannah Suite of the P eg a s u s Hotel on We d n e s d a y, t o w i t n e s s the grand launching of the election campaign for A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change, now branded APNU+AFC with the slogan, “It is time.” The room was well decorated in yellow and green balloons and garlands, representing the colours of the two political parties. The proceedings were moderated by APNU’s Dawn Hastings who paved the way for warm welcomes and supporting messages from representatives of the various parties of APNU. Following this was a stirring session of cultural musical renditions which feat u r e d t h e D u b r a j Ta s s a Group alongside the Otishka Drummers, a steel pan medley by Detroy Dey and an inspiring perform a n c e o f t w o n a t i o nal songs by the Circle of Love. The melodious sounds of the Yoruba Singers served to intensify the mood of unity that encapsulated the event. Hastings then introduced Prime Ministerial candidate of the APNU+AFC, Moses Nagamootoo, to deliver the ‘Unity Call.’ The politician articulated to his attentive audience that he was humbled by the ambience created. Nagamootoo charged that May 11 is ‘Deliverance Day’ from the current administration.
FRIDAYEDITION 202 YEARS FOR NEESA GOPAUL’S KILLERS Scores of Guyanese swarmed the Georgetown High Court on Thursday, for the conclusion of what is being called one of the most high profile murder trials in recent years. Bibi Shareema Gopaul, 42, and her 37-year-old lover, Jarvis Barry Small, were sentenced to a combined 202 years in jail for the murder of the woman’s teenage daughter, Neesa Gopaul. Following a month-long trial, Justice Navindra Singh sentenced the mother, Bibi Shareema Gopaul, to 106 years in jail, and Jarvis Barry Small to 96 years. The sentence was handed
An international survey conducted amongst more than 1,500 Guyanese has shown that the Guyana Police Force is the least trusted police in the entire Americas region. The level of distrust was also highest amongst Afro-Guyanese. The AmericasBarometer survey was conducted by the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) which conducts surveys in more than 20 countries, including all of North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. At a forum held by the US E m b a s s y o n T h u r s d a y, Elizabeth Zechmeister of LAPOP, revealed the findings of some areas of the survey. During her presentation, Zechmeister focused on the confidence in institutions which provided justice
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and the rule of law. According to the survey, confidence in judicial institutions and the police have declined sharply between 2012 and 2014. Further, the police force was indicated as the least trusted institution. Above it were political parties, the justice system, and elections. Zechmeister noted that, in other parts of the Americas, trust in police ranks ranked comparatively high. Across the region, the police force was the third trusted institution behind the Defence Forces and the Catholic Church. However, Guyana had the lowest level of trust in the police of the region; on a scale of 0 to 100, Guyana ranked a trust level of 35.3. SATURDAY EDITIONKANEVILLE MAN SHOT DEAD - BODYABANDONED AT DIAMOND DIAGNOSTIC CENTRE Police are trying to find out how a 28-year-old Kaneville, East Bank Demerara man ended up dead with a bullet in his back last Friday night. They are also trying to track down two other men who left the Diamond Diagnostic Centre hurriedly, after bringing the mortally wounded victim there in a car. A police release stated that Shem Padmore, of Lot 940 Fourth Field, Kaneville, was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre at around 22.00hrs by two men who hurriedly left the medical facility in a motor vehicle. “Shem Padmore was pronounced dead on arrival at the
Diagnostic Centre. A suspected bullet injury was seen to his back.” Police have no idea where the shooting occurred or the circumstances behind the incident. Miranda Dennis, the slain man’s reputed wife, said that Padmore left their Kaneville home at around 19.00 hrs, after she asked him to buy fish and chips from a vendor who lives about a corner from her residence. She said that shortly after midnight, police ranks came to her home and enquired about Padmore’s whereabouts. “I say that he gone on the road and they say that Shem Padmore get shoot and dead and he at Diamond Hospital.” Miranda Dennis said that by the time she arrived at the hospital, Padmore’s sister had already identified his body. Padmore and Dennis have a five-month-old son. He also has a daughter, aged about two, from another relationship. Padmore’s reputed wife said that he was employed at Pritipaul Singh Investments Inc. and had last worked on Friday. She said she knew of no one who would have wanted to harm Padmore. In 2012, Padmore was charged for allegedly stealing a BlackBerry phone and $48,000 from a woman. The matter was subsequently dismissed after the victim indicated that she was compensated. Meanwhile, police said that at about 06.00hrs on Friday, the body of miner Charles Major, 57, of Victoria, East Coast Demerara, was found along a trail at Dickman Hill, Mahdia, with several lacerations.
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For upper-body warm-ups, Diabetics can avoid problems with attention to heart risks stretch multiple muscles at once Even if they haven’t been diagnosed with heart disease, diabetics with classical heartrisk factors like smoking and elevated “bad” cholesterol are at heightened risk of serious heart-related “events” and death, according to a new study. Among people with diabetes but not heart disease, researchers linked more than a third of cardiovascular “events” such as heart attack and stroke – and 7 percent of deaths to inadequate control of heart risk factors. That means those cardiac events and deaths might have been avoided with better control of the known risk factors, the study team writes in Diabetes Care. “The take home message from this study is that adults with diabetes can reduce their risk of cardiovascular events, and patients should work together with their provider to set a care plan including goals and strategies to reduce
modifiable risk factors,” said lead author Gabriela VazquezBenitez, a research investigator at HealthPartners Institute for Education and Research in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “This can include regular care visits, screening, laboratory, weight, and blood pressure,” she told Reuter’s Health in an email. The risk factors for cardiovascular problems in diabetes are well known and
include high blood pressure, smoking and poor control of blood sugar. If more attention were paid to these risk factors, the rate of cardiovascular problems and death could be substantially reduced, the study team argues. There are nearly 25 million Americans with diabetes and if current trends continue, more than one in three adults are projected to develop the disease. Stroke and coronary heart disease are the major causes of complications, deaths and healthcare costs in adults with diabetes, they write. The authors point out that medical advances have improved the health of people with diabetes, especially when it comes to cardiovascular problems. But for people with diabetes as a group, the burden of cardiovascular problems remains very high. In their study, VaquezBenitez and her team analyzed data on nearly 860,000 adults with diabetes. They looked at rates of major cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks and heart failure, as well as deaths from all causes, plus four risk factors: blood pressure, levels of LDL cholesterol, smoking and blood sugar levels over the months.
Stretches that work several muscle groups at once are great for upper-body warm-ups before a workout, an Australian study finds. Although athletes and coaches often swear by stretching, many common pre-workout routines may not actually enhance performance, said lead author Matt McCrary, a master’s degree candidate at the University of Sydney. Higher load dynamic warm-ups are “the best bet” in most situations, said McCrary. For the upper body, these include push-ups, dumbbell back flys, and resisted lateral raises, he told Reuters Health by email. Dynamic stretches focus on getting the blood flowing and increasing range of motion by using multiple muscle groups simultaneously. Unlike static stretches, which generally involve holding a single pose for a minute or two, dynamic stretches use a series of controlled movements. To analyze the effect of upper body warm-ups, McCrary and colleagues reviewed findings from 31 past studies. The review, published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, included 628 people playing sports at many levels, from youth leagues to college athletics and adults in recreational activities. Most studies involved sports where upper body strength is essential, such as baseball, football, tennis, golf, kayaking and shot put. The review found that high-intensity dynamic stretching improved strength and flexibility while delaying muscle soreness. But low-intensity stretching had little effect on performance, which agrees with previous research on upper body warm-ups, McCrary said. “Flexibility increases are
generally unrelated to any type of performance improvements,” he noted. Heating and cooling during a warm-up also does little to improve performance, the study found. While applying heat to specific muscles before strenuous activity may minimize the loss of flexibility in the days following the workout, this practice didn’t show other benefits. And for baseball players, batting warm-ups didn’t work as well when bats were much lighter or heavier than those used during games. “This runs somewhat contradictory to the prevailing narrative that higher load warm-up is better than lower load warm-up,” McCrary said. “The two theories here are that warm-up swings with a heavier weight bat significantly and suboptimally alter swing mechanics and/or that a resisted movement longer in duration than a baseball bat swing is necessary to produce a warm-up effect.” While high intensity dynamic stretching can help elite and professional athletes, the same warm-ups may not be a good idea for more casual exercisers, said Dr. Kazuki Takizawa, an associate professor of sports training science and exercise
physiology at Hokkaido University in Japan. “Warm-up exercises may reduce injury by improving performance for serious athletes,” Takizawa said in an email. “But recreational athletes and weekend warriors are at a lower physical fitness level, especially in aerobic capacity, and they may fatigue by warm-up exercise and reduce performance.” Takizawa also made a distinction between endurance sports like longdistance running or cycling and more intense activities done for shorter periods. “Short-term, high intensity exercises need vigorous warm-up,” Takizawa said. “But long-term endurance exercises do not.” Because the study didn’t look specifically at injury prevention, it’s impossible to say for sure how intense dynamic stretching or other warm-ups might affect the risk for injuries, McCrary said. “ We h a v e n ’t r e a l l y zeroed in on what kinds of warm-ups best prevent injuries,” he said. “Anecdotally, I feel like warm-ups definitely do play a role in injury prevention, however, further study is required before I’d be able to confidently make any recommendations or explain how or why this is the case.”
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Oprah Winfrey prevails in Rapper Big Sean beats Kid Rock to top of Billboard 200 chart ‘Own Your Power’ lawsuit Oprah Winfrey has prevailed in a trademark lawsuit challenging her use of the phrase “Own Your Power” in her namesake magazine, on TV, on websites and in social media accounts. U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty in Manhattan ruled on Thursday that Winfrey, her company Harpo Productions Inc and her publisher Hearst Corp demonstrated that the phrase “lacks the requisite distinctiveness” to deserve trademark protection. Crotty also said Simone Kelly-Brown, a motivational speaker and business coach who said she trademarked the phrase in 2008, and her company Own Your Power Communications Inc did not show that Winfrey’s use of the phrase would likely confuse consumers. “Though they may aspire to do so, plaintiffs present no evidence indicating a likelihood of creating a global media presence capable of attracting an audience of millions,” Crotty wrote. Patricia Lawrence-Kolaras, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said her clients plan to appeal Judge Crotty’s decision. Jonathan Donnellan, Hearst’s deputy general counsel, said the defendants are pleased with the decision. Crotty previously dismissed the lawsuit in March 2012, only to have a federal appeals court revive it 14 months later because the defendants did not show that their use of “Own Your Power” constituted fair use. In Thursday’s decision, Crotty said the defendants made that showing by having used the phrase in good faith, in conjunction
with other words and images associated with Winfrey, and to convey an “overall message of self-empowerment.” Winfrey, 61, is one of the most popular talk-show hosts in history. She runs the cable network OWN, which she created in a joint venture with Discovery Communications Inc. Forbes magazine on Thursday estimated Winfrey’s net worth at $3 billion. The case is Kelly-Brown et al v. Winfrey et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 11-07875. (Reuters)
India’s censor blocks ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ from cinemas India’s government censors have said they will not allow the big-screen adaptation of erotic novel “Fifty Shades of Grey” to be shown in Indian cinemas, a decision most had anticipated in the largely conservative country. The chief executive of the Central Board of Film Certification, Shravan Kumar, declined to say why the panel refused to approve the film adaptation, but said Universal Pictures, the Comcast Corp unit that released the film, could appeal the decision. A Universal Pictures source familiar with the review process said the board had objected to some of the film’s dialogue, even after the studio made voluntary edits to the film to tone down its sex scenes and removed all nudity. The film first opened in February and has grossed at least $400 million in global sales. However, for some countries the kinky storyline was too much: Malaysia, Indonesia and Kenya have banned “Fifty Shades” from their theaters, largely because of its sexual content. The film’s distributor, Comcast Corp is also not pursuing a theatrical release
in China, the world’s secondlargest film market, where the censors tend to ban sexually explicit films. Universal Studios source said the studio had already approached the relevant committee at the central board to make its appeal. The source declined to be identified as he is not authorized to speak to the media about the censorship process. The movie version of the best-selling 2011 novel s t a r s Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson as a couple in a sadomasochistic relationship. India’s censor has received much criticism in
recent months. Leela Samson, who served several years as its chairman, quit in January after accusing the federal government of interfering in the board’s decisions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government then unveiled a new-look censor board, which has since issued guidelines saying Indian films should not contain profanity. In the case of a new Bollywood movie “Dum Laga Ke Haisha” (Give It All You’ve Got), the censor board asked that the word “lesbian” be purged from the film’s dialogue. (Reuters)
Rapper Big Sean topped the weekly U.S. Billboard 200 album chart on Wednesday for the first time, beating out rocker Kid Rock. Big Sean’s “Dark Sky Paradise” sold 139,000 album copies, 218,000 songs and was streamed more than 17 million times, tallying 172,000 total units in its debut on the chart, according to figures from Nielsen SoundScan. Kid Rock’s “First Kiss” entered at No. 2 with 146,000 total album units, while the soundtrack to Universal Pictures’ steamy hit film “Fifty Shades of Grey” remained steady at No. 3 with 108,000 copies sold. The only other new entry in the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart, which tallies album sales, song sales (10 songs equal one album) and streaming activity (1,500 streams equal one album), was “Fan of a Fan: The
Album,” by rappers Chris Brown and Tyga at No. 7, selling 67,000 units. Last week’s chart-toppers, alt-rockers Imagine Dragons’ “Smoke + Mirrors,” dropped to No. 9 this week.
On the Digital Songs chart, which measures online song sales, Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ upbeat “Uptown Funk!” held steady at No. 1 with 240,000 downloads in the past week. (Reuters)
New film on China’s pollution sparks debate, seen as milestone Could “Under the Dome”, Chinese journalist Chai Jing’s new documentary about pollution, become China’s “Silent Spring”, the 1962 book that spurred the development of the U.S. environmental movement? Since it was released online on Saturday, the film has been viewed more than 150 million times and has sparked a national debate on environmental problems. “Under the Dome”, which explains air pollution in personal, straight-forward terms, was well-timed: this
week China’s National People’s Congress, the country’s parliament, holds its annual meeting. China’s environment minister, Chen Jining, drew parallels between Chai’s film and “Silent Spring”, the ground-breaking book by American journalist Rachel Carson. “This is a remarkable milestone,” Li Yan, Beijingbased climate and energy campaign manager for environmental group Greenpeace, said of the film. Chai was a well-known journalist on state-run
television before making the documentary. Environmental awareness has been increasing in China, especially since air pollution levels in Beijing hit record highs in January 2013, a phenomenon dubbed the “airpocalypse”. The documentary has touched a national nerve. “The difference is in the delivery,” said Peggy Liu, chairwoman of Shanghaibased environmental advocacy group JUCCCE, noting Chai’s storytelling abilities.
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>>> International Women’s Day Messages <<< President Donald Ramotar People’s Progressive Party (PPP) I am proud to celebrate “International Women’s Day 20153 and the many accomplishments of the women of Guyana. Few countries in the world can boast of a former female President, Vice President, Chief Justice and a Chancellor of the Judiciary, and first female Judge at the Caribbean Court of Justice. ( Our nation has a rich history of strong women, who have helped shape Guyana. These women, who have come from all races, political parties and regions of this country show what we as one nation can accomplish, if we work together. Today, we remember Kowsilla (Alice), who was killed, while struggling for better wages for women. We remember the struggle for Universal Adult Suffrage, and the women who led the fight. Let us not forget Janet Jagan, who fought for the development of women in our society and their empowerment.( We proudly recognise the contributions of tens of thousands of Guyanese women, who are our caregivers, who make our villages safer and our families stronger. I am proud of my administration’s efforts and my commitment to ensuring that there be gender equality for all women in Guyana. Asking Ambassador Elisabeth Harper to run with me and serve as Prime Minister is a testament to my continued commitment and the PPP/C’s commitment to further our efforts, at addressing issues impacting Guyana’s women. Our laws, regarding equality for women and protection for women against violence and discrimination have been internationally recognised. We have created an environment, where single parent women can thrive in small
businesses, through a micro credit programme called WOW, Women of Worth. We are pleased that we have expanded legal aid services, where now, women in most regions of the country, can have access to justice. Today, Guyana has attained gender parity in education at our schools. Women have achieved equity in professional life. I will continue my strong commitment to eradicating domestic violence. Domestic violence and sexual abuse of women and girls in our country are major impediments towards attaining higher development for Guyana. Under the PPP/C government, there are strong domestic and sexual abuse laws to protect women and girls. One of the reasons that I chose Lis Harper to be my Prime Ministerial candidate is that I believe that we need to redouble our efforts in tackling this scourge on our society. I hoped, by highlighting her own personal story, detailing her own abuse, more women will have the courage to step up and say something. And by making it a focal point of her campaign and her work over the next five years, we can shine a light and begin to eradicate this scourge from our society. International Women’s Day is a day for celebration throughout Guyana, and a day to recognise all that women have done, to create a stronger, safer and stable Guyana. But we also must use this day to remember all that we still must do, to build on the advances Guyana has made for equality for all women. The path to equality for all never ends, and we have travelled far up the path, but I promise, that we as a nation, will never stop moving forward on that path.
First Lady, Deolatchmee Ramotar I wish to join with the women all around the world but especially those in Guyana who are today celebrating yet another International Women’s Day. Over the past century, women have continued to make strides in all facets of human endeavour and in most countries of the world. Guyana is no exception to this trend. Guyanese women continue to elevate and distinguish themselves in our country’s political, social and economic life. They continue to make an immeasurable and invaluable contribution both in and outside of the home. I extend best wishes to these heroines and I hope that on this day that due recognition would be given to their efforts. I am however mindful of the fact that despite the impressive gains made by women internationally and locally there remains many challenges that hinder the potential and full development of women and the safeguarding of their dignity. It is my hope that on this International Women’s Day there would be a dispassionate examination of these challenges which confront women in their quest for greater equality and respect
in society. I believe that such an examination will help to highlight the many hurdles that women face and will allow for more focused and nuanced strategies to be developed so to help our women overcome the obstacles they face. As we therefore celebrate the tremendous strides made by our women, as we hail their bravery and courage, as we celebrate their achievements and respect their choices, let
us also recognize that there remains much work to be done in the advancement of equal rights and increased dignity for our women. On this special day dedicated to the women of the world, let us join hands in saluting their achievements. Let us also join hearts in our continued pursuit of their equality and betterment for all women worldwide. Happy International Women’s Day!
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) salutes our women on the occasion of International Women’s Day. This day is a good time to reflect how far we have advanced as a country in terms of empowering our women to take their rightful place in society. Today we have women who have attained high levels of recognition in a variety of professions which in the past were dominated by men. These included engineering, medicine, law and the teaching and nursing professions, the latter two now dominated by women. Females now outnumber
men by a significant margin at the University of Guyana and other tertiary institutions, an indication how far we have advanced in terms of gender equality and equality of opportunity for our women. At the legislative level much progress has been made in terms of addressing the burning issue of domestic abuse and sexual harassment. The establishment of the National Commission of Women has further placed the issue of women on the front burner of our national agenda. As we observe yet another International
Women’s Day, let us pay tribute to all those women who have contributed to the economic, social, political and cultural development of this beautiful country of ours. Let us spare a thought for our former President Mrs. Janet Jagan who passed away on March 28. Guyana owes her a debt of gratitude for the sterling contribution she has made in raising the political awareness of women in Guyana. The PPP is proud of our women who continue to be the driving force behind our economic and social progress. Long live our women!
APNU+AFC All around the world, International Women’s Day provides the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the women while calling for greater equality of payment for services and employment, freedom from discrimination, and equal opportunity for educational and social growth. Women are the bedrock and nurturers of our society. They, more than a n y o t h e r, m o u l d a n d shape our youth and care for our elderly. Without women society would undoubtedly collapse. APNU+AFC salutes the valiant women of Guyana who have succeeded in breaking through old barriers in our previously maledominated society. APNU+AFC salutes all Guyanese women in all facets of the society for the work they do and the contributions they make in advancing our society. Guyanese women may
not yet be in the position to claim that they have broken through the proverbial ‘glass ceiling’, but APNU+AFC is proud of the immense strides our women have made in the past 40 years and that they continue to scale high hurdles professionally and otherwise while maintaining peaceful, loving homes for our children. Regrettably however the national structure for women to advance as equal partners in society has not been wholeheartedly embraced by the executive. Too often we see decisions being taken in this regard for mere public relations and gimmickry. Too often as well we see reports
of women being brutalized, assaulted, maimed and murdered. This is unacceptable. A society which mistreats women is a broken society crying out for change and in desperate need of fixing. As a government, APNU+AFC commits to ensuring that women are truly and sincerely protected, respected, included and provided with equal opportunity throughout the social landscape, starting with the manner in which the business of the national affairs are managed. The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Make it Happen’ and APNU+AFC is committed that ‘It Is Time’ we ‘Make It Happen’.
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Correcting and answering ... From page 11 the UK. I say so unapologetically even if I am accused of being insulting to a small country. International relations is not about sentiments but about the realities of global transactions. Of the Commonwealth’s 53 member states, 32 of them are small states. Expertise in small states, and intimate knowledge of their problems is, therefore, an asset to the
skill sets of a Commonwealth Secretary-General. I would like to know more about the career of Sir Ronald, because I honestly think Baroness Scotland has far more impressive work experience in the global community than he does. Does Sir Ronald have university training in international relations, global trade studies, international finance and trade, international
institutions, etc? Sir Ronald holds a Master ’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Sussex; he was a Visiting Fellow at Oxford University in development studies; he is now a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London which has published his work in international relations and where he delivers lectures; he is the recipient of an honorary
Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) from the University of the West Indies in recognition of his published work; and he has recently been elected as an Associate Senior Fellow at Massey College, University of Toronto. In Finance and trade matters, Sir Ronald is a seasoned negotiator for all small and
Sunday March 08, 2015
vulnerable countries at the WTO, in negotiations with the OECD and major nations. In the business sector, he has served for many years as a Board Director and negotiator. It would seem to my mind that the competition is between Baroness Scotland and Ronald Sanders from this region. Since Baroness
Scotland’s career is well known given the high-profile occupations she held in Europe, I would like to see a description of the career of Sir Ronald Sanders. It is a pity that Mr Kissoon did not ask this question BEFORE he wrote his illinformed letter. Kads Khan
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Diesel Mechanic to work G/ Town – Tel: 218-5105 Business/Economics Writer, email application to snow198390@hotmail.com Live in waitress - Call: 2285129 or 604-8277 1 babysitter between ages 4055; must be living on West Bank/ Coast – Contact: 2643268/ 671-9716 1 Live-in waitress with secondary education 1825yrs salary $60,000 monthly. Must be honest & willingCall: 610-3974 Hairdressers, spa artists & nail technicians at Hair Fanatics- Call: 680-7813, 6014181 One handy boy to work in a shop in the interior- Call: 6916260 Experienced bulldozer operator, experienced excavator operator, call between 9am-5pm: 611-5398 We offer $3M for Eccles Land, $1.5M for Leonora & $1.5M for Schoon’ord – Tel:675-7292; 689-3339 One Accounts Clerk – Call: 614-4358 Experienced counter servers, pastry makers, roti/puri cooks, cleaners, apply at Hack Halaal, 5 Commerce Street. Ladies to do cleaning on the W.C.D – Call: 684-8231; 6629341 Driver for canter lorry to work on W.C.D - $30,000 weekly – Call: 684-8231; 662-9341
SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620 Advertisements; Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535. Repairs & spare, fridge, freezer, A/C, washers, stoves. Contact Nick: 683-1312, 627-3206 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Mahadeo Construction for all construction, carpentry, masonry, pluming, painting etc. Free estimates and plan Contact # 669-7376 Accounting & Taxation Services: tax returns, compliances, financial statements. Avinash Persaud Tax Consultancy, 163 Parika, EBE – Call: 260-4762. REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, AIRCONDITIONERS, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS- CALL: 6294946 OR 225-4822 We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer Call Omar: 2310655,683-8734 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves @ Ultra Cool- Call: 225-9032, 6472943 BrianMoe@642-3543; Computer Technician; FB:Brian.Moe.165; Home and office visits at your comfort!!
Reception / maid, cook/chef, to w o r k a t H o t e l / Restaurant, apply in person – Tel:231-6284 Pharmacist & Pharmacy Assistant, must have 3 years experienced working within a Pharmacy .Tel:661-3124 International Cruiseline AB Sailors, waitresses, waiters, cooks, receptionists, storekeepers, cleaners, electricians, carpenters, welders, costmetologist, etc – Tel: 231-6296, 650-9880
CAR RENTAL LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 FOR SALE/RENTAL American pool table – Tel: 277-0578
DOLLY’S CAR RENTAL CALL: 225-7126/ 2263693 DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM/ WWW.DOLLYSAUTO RENTAL.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security – Tel: 698-7807
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FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754. American Made, Aluminum ladder 24ft -$38,000 & 32ft $52,000 –Tel: 602-5794; 6097257 3 Engel moulding machine – Please Contact: 695-0333 1.60 everude engine, caterpillar skidder spare parts, modulim truck spare parts, 75 Yamaha spare partsTel:672-9272; 261-6634 1-XR-650L Motor Cycle, excellent condition- Tel:2271014; 678-5499 Brand new XBOX one with kinect, free fifa 15 game$110,000 negotiable – Tel: 6876750 1 Music system, 80 mercury engine, 40 Tohatsu Engine, Hilux extra cab fiber glass cover – Tel:672-9272; 2616634 Scanning Machine and Detox foot spa machine for sale, for information Call: 6497884; 692-7886 Four (4) Stalls in Bourda Market – Contact: 614-3630 XBOX 360 Slim, with games & controller 1-32" Samsung HDTV- Call: 683-8386 Great Deals on video games and all consoles – Call: 6722566; 265-3232 Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, pumps, etc Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Good Condition! Ocean going containers, 20’ & 40’ – Contact Meena: 667-3352; 266-3173/6 SPECIAL DEALS ON YAMAHA OUTBOARD ENGINES: 90HP 4 STROKE, 75 HP 2 STROKE, 50 HP 4 STROKE – CALL: 6836721 Alligator trucks + spare parts, portable sawmill – Contact: 681-5839; 663-2291 1-16FT BOWRIDER FIBERGLASS BOAT, 85HP OUTBOARD ENGINE WITH 25 GAL BUILT IN FUEL TANK, SEATS, 9 TRAILER INCLUDED – CALL: 683-6721 Lot 1, 2 bathtubs, bathroom fittings & fixtures & toilet set, shower fittings -$150,000 & 1 Dell Desktop, computer & HP Scanner - $25,000 – Call: 6015285 2L Gearbox, Toyota Solid DEF springs, Steering grass knife, rear driveshaft, 205/ 80R16 wheels, lights, fenders – Tel: 691-2077 15FT Fiber glass boat W/35 HP Motor & Trailer – Call: 694-8905
FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 1 -8000 SQ Feet ware house, located 20 miles from City $5000USD monthly – Contact: 695-0333 1- 95X50 business place for rent located at Mon Repos Public Road E.C.D –Tel: 627-6789
VEHICLE FOR SALE Lowest prices @ best quality: Premio, Allion, Bluebird, Axela, new model Fielder Wagon- Call: 6163413, 626-7478 City Motors Toyota Prado, Price$5M Neg. Call: 643-2403 2005 F350 Ford, door ½, fully loaded 4X4, diesel, automatic, leather interior, 35" tyres & rims; excellent condition – Tel: 610-5370
1 Toyota Vigo, manual Wash bay and snackette at transmission – Tel: 600-5759 Lot 15 Good Hope E.B.E – Toyota AT212, AT192, Raum, Tel: 663-2882 Premio,Tundra, AE100 Prime business place for rent Sprinter, Vitz, RZ Bus, EP71 on Sheriff street only for & 825 Starlet, Honda 600RR offices- Call: 627-6740 – Tel:644-5096; 697-1453 GT TOOL RENTALS: One Nissan X-Trail, year COMPACTOR; CHIPPING 2004, PRR series. Fully HAMMER RANSOM & loaded- Price $3.1M NegFLOOR SANDER, , JACK Call: 647-0016 HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE - CALL: 1 New unregistered Mazda Axela, going cheap, owner 675-0767, 627-5098 leaving country – Tel: 6491 Executive apartment in an 0956 exclusive residential area with all modern amenities GNN 5366 75 DAF, GSS 6715 including parking. Call for 65CF DAF, PMM 755 IST, truck tray – Contact: 644appointment: - 653-2920 1030; 613-5212 Barber Chairs on Durban AT192 for sale -$700,000 – Street near Smyth Street - Call: 653-6337 $6,000 weekly- Call: 682-6396; PPP Series Rav-4 - $3.2M 692-9806 Contact:225-9230; 623-0368; One 3 Storey building at 104 225-1005 Regent Street – $9,000.USD negotiable – Tel: 223-6299; L-Touring Wagon, excellent condition -15" rims; DVD, 617-7028 TV, R. Start Alarm - $1.3M Three bedrooms house with negotiable – Tel:667-9013; A/C, 1 self contained 233-2538 furnished / non-furnished & Parking in Residential area – 1 Mitsubishi Canter GNN 722, good working condition Tel: 666-4882 – Tel: 228-5655; 628-1756 Apartment to rent: living room, 1 bedroom kitchen & Solid Def Toyota Hilux toilet & bath, available @ pickup, excellent condition, West Minister – Call: 674- no rust, off road tyres, unregistered, price 5779 negotiable – Tel: 691-2077 One single room @ 11 Charles Street Charlestown – Tel: 223- Just arrived Massey 4060 Ferguson, 290 Tractor 2WD, Excellent Condition – Tel:6846661; 669-9315
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Blow Out Sale!!! Unregistered Toyota IST $2,150,000- Bodykit, TV, Spoiler, Fogs, Alloy Wheels, Crystal Lights & Alarm – Call: 643-6565, 226-9931 Smart Choice Auto: Premio, Allion, Bluebird, Spacio, Fielder, Carina 212, Sienta, IST – Call: 652-3820/665-4529 1 Toyota Corolla PFF 9681, EEE90 automatic $250,000, 1 town ace small bus PFF 6536, stick gear $440,000 Call: 6467339 Toyota BB 2007 fully powered only, 40,0000KM, PPP series - $2.250M -Tel: 621-4000 Mitsubishi 3000 GT sports car, 3000cc in excellent condition, alarm, 18" rims $1.3M – Tel: 621-4000 Continued on page 64
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Sunday March 08, 2015
Racial voting is not the same as racial unity By Ralph Seeram
(From page 63)
VEHICLE FOR SALE Mercedes Benz- 5300 fully amoured, fully powered 19" rims in excellent condition – Tel: 621-4000 2 Toyota Premio, 1 -2005 model. In immaculate condition. Owner leaving country - Call:678-0109/ 6182576 Dodge strength 3000cc, automatic, fully powered and more - $1M – Tel:621-4000
PROPERTY FOR SALE 1 Flat concrete house @ Kururu Kururu Linden Soesdyke Highway, size 38X20, land 100X200 – $8M negotiable-Tel: 592-6616073; 694-1090 1 Newly built 2 storey concrete house @ Canal No#2 Belle West - Tel:6153333; 648-9428 Business property located @ Supply public road, E.B.D. Entering either by river/ public road- Call: 698-8100 Public Road Grove corner property $25M Negotiable Call: 613-5645 Flat concrete house for sale in Grove with land space- Call: 679-3913 Alberttown 3 lots, 2 building, commercial property @ Cummings & Middle Sts. $110M – Tel: 621-4000
LAND FOR SALE 50 Acres titled farm land @ The Belle, Upper Dem, River Front - $100M Negotiable, serious enquiries only! Tel: 669-8152 Parfaite Harmonie - $1.5M, Herstelling- $4M, Eccles$6M (100ftX50ft), Leonora $3M – Tel:675-7292; 689-3339 Lots 189 & 190 Block XXIX Parcle Garden of Eden Fariah Dreams- $2M each – Contact: 225-9839 Canaan semi-gated 42X80 $3.6M, 54X90 $4.3M, Charity Housing Scheme $2.8M, Kuru Kuru residential 100x200 $2.6M Call: 6234790,222-5116
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One of the uncomfortable truths in Guyana, is that people, especially politicians have not seriously made efforts to remedy the situation for either of the two. Politicians talk about racial unity, but it is just that talk. If you ask the country’s leading politicians what personal efforts they have made towards racial unity and racial voting you will find them struggling to give a constructive answer, especially when it comes to racial voting. The fact is that racial voting is very distinctive from racial unity. There is more racial unity in Guyana than politicians are willing to accept. If you listen to what is coming out from the mouths of the PNC-led APNU and the AFC leaders about their recent hurried “wedding” you can get the impression that they made a giant leap in racial unity and racial voting. Nothing can be further from the truth. You can have racial voting without racial unity and vice versa; you can still have racial unity and people will still engage in racial voting. APNU/PNC and the AFC are trying to confuse the Guyanese people by implying their “wedding”
achieves both. Don’t get me wrong. The PPP peddles the same nonsense. But it is my view that this merger between APNU and the AFC is appealing to, if not perpetuating racial voting. If you examine the motives of this merger it is appealing to racial voting to vote the PPP out of office. I know some of you readers are wondering what he is talking about. I am not looking at this issue as a Sociologist; Sociologists and other scientists deal in theory to a large extent. I prefer the practical approach. I always prefer to take the practical approach, deal in reality. To emphasize my point, the mathematician will tell you if a mother duck and her six ducklings are on one side of the road and the mother crosses over, in theory six ducklings remain on the other side of the road.A “li’l’ country boy will tell you no duckling, not six, but none. The reality is if the mother crosses the road her ducklings will cross with her. So where am I going with this, and how can I justify what I view as an appeal for racial voting by the “newly wed” APNU/PNC and AFC. As we all know the combined opposition got a little over the 50% mark of the votes in 2011, making the PPP
a minority government. Let’s remember that the AFC got a little over 10% of votes cast, about six per cent or so came mainly from Indo Guyanese votes pulled away from the PPP mainly through Moses Nagamootoo’s influence. So how is this merger to defeat the PPP at the May 11th General Elections supposed to work? The assumption is that APNU/PNC will hold on to its percentage gained at the last election mainly from their base which is Afro Guyanese, and the AFC will maintain their votes of 10% or so which I said earlier the majority of which came from disaffected PPP and PNC supporters. Now here is the problem. The PNC has never been able to go beyond its base. So we can fairly assume that it will hold on to its base. The problem is can the AFC which for all intents and purposes is not a separate political party, hold on to those Indian votes? This is where I say the opposition is appealing to racial voting. They are hoping that through AFC Indian leaders like Moses Nagamootoo, they can draw Indo Guyanese votes because of their ethnicity. The selling point of the AFC to the PNC-led APNU is that it can get the Indian votes to topple the PPP. It’s not getting Indo Guyanese votes based on
Overseas-based charity set to begin... From page 59 center,” she added. The ICO founder noted that the community centre will be equipped with a computer lab, a library, a study room, a basketball court and a playground. She said that the centre will offer full access to children to do their homework and internet research; a library with a cozy reading area where students can enjoy reading a book or utilize as a study room; where students can study without outside distractions. Additionally, the facility will provide “hot meals and tutoring,” to children in the area. Each year, ICO Alternative
Breaks selects over a hundred locations, to send students across the world to perform direct services towards addressing many social issues affecting the global community. The goal of Alternative Breaks is to create active citizens through education and involvement. Therefore, student volunteers have a better understanding of social issues. “These issues range from poverty, health concerns, education, at risk youth,
refugees, immigration, social justice, women’s rights, children’s health, animal rights, and homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transsexual, (LBGT) issues,” Charles said. The programme also focuses on empowering students through diversity, education and leadership training to immerse them in diverse cultures and environments around the world to engage in serviceoriented learning.
The programme has enabled students to not only impact community development but personal, growth and development as well. To date ICO has initiated successful community-based outreach projects in Miami, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Dominican Republic, South Africa, and Canada. The ICO also facilitates training and seminars on important topics including the significance of a well rounded education.
Breaking barriers that challenge... (From page 15) Lyng Streets, Charlestown. On Wednesday the activities will commence from 18:00hrs. On Thursday and Friday the proceedings will continue at 13:00hrs. And on Saturday, the final date for the conference, the event will begin at 09:30hrs. The conference is open to all at a cost of just $1,000 for registration for all four days. Registration can be done by visiting the church or calling its office numbers on 2251056 Freedom Life Ministries
Inc. was established twelve (12) years ago with the overarching aim of nurturing, educating and developing the spiritual awareness of its members geared towards enhancing their welfare and relationship to each other, while bringing relief to various communities as deemed fit. More than a decade later this vision has realized momentous fruition. Three local churches, three outstations and one overseas based church have been established and are all
fulfilling the mandate of the Ministry, and by extension the Almighty God, in an effectual and dynamic way. Two of the local churches are located in the Ancient County of Berbice; at Numbers 9 and 35 villages, and the three outstations are at Paradise, East Coast Demerara, New Amsterdam Berbice and Bayrock, Linden . The sanctuary in the capital city is located at Princes and Lyng Streets Charlestown while the New York branch is located in Jamaica, Queens.
issues, it is solely in my view based on the ethnicity of the AFC leaders to get Indo Guyanese votes. What else does the AFC have to sell? Here is where it gets tricky; here is the catch. Can the AFC deliver those Afro Guyanese votes it got at the last election, who might have been fedup with either the PPP or PNC? Since it’s a two party race where would those vote go now? It could be either the APNU/PNC or to the PPP. No one knows for sure. Then how sure it is that the former PPP voters the AFC gained at the last election will automatically go to the Coalition? They could very well return to the PPP, or stay away, in which event would mean less votes for the merging parties. We can already see the fallout with the AFC in Berbice. Those Berbice votes are crucial to decide who wins the election. It is my view that the AFC will not hold on to those votes. The PPP has won elections because it crossed the race voting threshold, at one time garnering 55% of the electoral votes. Whether it can regain the Parliamentary majority will be based on if voters see their corruption outweighing the progress in the country. The PPP’s weakness is of their making. They can tout all the progress they made, the opposition will throw corruption “in their face”. If you listen to all the “hoopla” from APNU/AFC you will think they have already won the election. However deep down they know that it is an uphill task. This is going to be a tough and close race, and both the Coalition and the PPP know this. Will the voters vote on issues, will the young voters, who know nothing of the PNC past, just stories they have heard, keep the status quo? The PPP has a perfect record of winning elections when it’s a two party race. It is a very “steep hill to climb” this election to maintain that record. Both the PPP and the PNC-led APNU/AFC tout unity. Well patterns of voting do not necessarily translate into unity. Despite what politicians would care to admit, there is more racial unity in Guyana than they will admit. It is my view that Guyana does not have a serious race problem in terms of unity. The subject of racial unity will be the focus of my article next week. Ralph Seeram can be reached at email: ralph365@hotmail.com and Facebook.
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Cop detained under ‘inhumane’ conditions suffers nervous breakdown The wife of a detective stationed at Mackenzie is threatening legal action against the Guyana Police for allegedly detaining her husband under inhumane conditions, which she claimed caused him to suffer a nervous breakdown. The detective constable and another colleague allegedly spent three days in a cell at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Eve Leary. The cell reportedly had no lights, twobug-infested beds, was partially flooded due to a leaking roof and had no washroom facilities. “There are no lights (in the cell); there is no washroom. You have to rap when you want to be let out to use the toilet, and then nobody comes to open the door. When the rain falls, you get wet because the roof leaks,” a police rank who was recently detained there said. “It is worse that the Brickdam (Station) lockups. At least at Brickdam there are lights and toilet facilities.” The two detectives are currently on open arrest, but the wife of one of the ranks said that he began to display unusual behaviour upon his release. The woman said she was forced to take him for psychiatric treatment and he is currently undergoing counseling. “I cried at the way that they treated him. He was treated worse than a prisoner,” she told Kaieteur News yesterday. “I have been advised to file judicial proceedings against the Guyana Police Force for breach of my husband’s rights.” Kaieteur News was told
that on Wednesday, February 25, the two detectives, and a third rank, were informed by a female station sergeant that a passenger, who had travelled from Mahdia, was suspected of stealing $370,000 from another passenger. The ranks reportedly then stopped the vehicle at Wismar, while one of the detectives searched the suspect and other passengers. However, he failed to find the cash. Nevertheless, the ranks allegedly took the suspect to the Wismar Police Station. The detective’s wife said she was told that the station sergeant then told the ranks: “If yuh ain find nothing, let the man go he way,” and her husband’s colleague released the passenger. Another sergeant reportedly saw when the suspect left the station. According to the wife, while her husband was at home, he received a call from a colleague who said that police ranks were searching the other detective’s home, since it was suspected that the detective had confiscated the stolen money. She said that her husband insisted that he was present when his colleague had searched the passengers and that nothing was found. The woman said that about an hour later, her husband received instructions to report to a senior rank at the Mackenzie Police Station. The wife said she accompanied her spouse to the station where he was informed that he was being placed under close arrest. She alleged that none of the senior officers told her husband why he was being arrested.
However, Kaieteur News was told that the female sergeant who had sent the detectives to investigate the theft later denied that the suspect was brought to the station. She said that at around 07.30 hrs the following day the detectives were taken to the Tactical Services Unit, Eve Leary and told to go to the detention facility there. However, both ranks initially refused and were given a day’s sick leave. During this time, one of the ranks, who is hypertensive, was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he received a day’s supply of medication. Kaieteur News understands that the rank was to have returned the following day for blood and heart tests, but was instead placed in a cell with his colleague. Kaieteur News was told that the ranks slept on two bug-infested mattresses, and the beds were about a foot high from the concrete floor. Because the cell roof leaked, the cell was sometimes partially flooded when it rained. There were also no washrooms, and the ranks reportedly had to ask their colleagues to use a toilet outside the cell. She said that on February 28, her husband and the other detective were taken out of the cell after she contacted an attorney. She said that the following day, her husband was instructed to go to Linden to give evidence in a court matter pertaining to an unlicensed forearm. She said that she only realised that something was amiss with her husband while
A section of the cell in which the ranks were detained
he was giving evidence in court. The woman alleged that rather than return the exhibit to the police station, her husband brought the firearm home. “He say ‘is me own, they want to take it from me.’ I calmed him down and told him to lodge the weapon.” She recalled that her husband was unable to sleep
and was threatening violence against some of his colleagues. The woman said that she took him to a doctor at Linden, who referred him for psychiatric treatment in Georgetown. She was subsequently allowed to take her husband home. Meanwhile, Kaieteur News understands that the other detective remains under
open arrest at TSU. The policeman’s wife expressed disappointment in the response by police officials, including ranks from the Welfare Department, to her husband’s plight. She expressed puzzlement as to why the ranks were detained, since she claimed that there appears to be no evidence to suggest that they committed a criminal offence.
The TSU compound where the detention facility is located
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Sunday March 08, 2015
APNU+AFC urges PPP to return Labourer chopped to to Jagan principles and ideals death at Hog Island - says a Jagdeo led PPP showed disregard for the dignity of public office A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has joined the rest of the country in remembering the life of the late former President of Guyana, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. The coalition acknowledged Dr. Jagan as a “decent man of class who embodied a spirit of grace, of personal integrity, of insisting on truth, on modest living, on the equality of all people, and on ensuring that the concerns of ordinary people, the working class, were always foremost in his consideration.” Further, the coalition urged that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)which was founded by Dr. Jagan-to return to the ideals of the man labeled as one of the founding fathers of Guyana as a nation.
The late Dr. Cheddi Jagan APNU+AFC also called on the PPP to join them in ensuring a campaign that is focused on “genuine issues and on the reality of the challenges facing ordinary Guyanese people today.” The coalition said that
“the PPP under (former President and current executive member, Bharrat Jagdeo) has become far removed from the principles of Dr. Jagan, the man it refers to as its living guide and is now tainted with corruption,
excess, inequality, a lack of respect for human rights and a general disregard for the dignity of public office.” The coalition added that the PPP will today host an official function at Babu John to acknowledge Dr. Jagan. ”The event follows our own successful campaign launch, one where we committed to move this country forward in the spirit of national unity, reconciliation and to putting an end to wanton corruption, inequality and impunity.” APNU+ AFC said that it is time the PPP-which forms part of Dr. Jagan’s legacy”truly seek to return to the ideals for which he strove and divorce itself from cussdown politics. The people of Guyana deserve better. It is time for one nation.”
South American bloc urges help for getting food to Venezuela CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — An association of South American countries over the weekend urged the region to help Venezuela keep basic goods on the shelves. The 12-nation UNASUR group called on every country in Latin America to do what they can to ensure Venezuelans have access to staples after a delegation met with President Nicolas Maduro. Secretary General Ernesto Samper said UNASUR would create a special commission to strengthen distribution chains. Pantry and cleaning basics like dish soap, detergent, milk and cooking oil, chronically in short supply in recent years, have become been even harder to find in the socialist-governed country since the year started. The meeting between South American foreign ministers and Venezuelan
Secretary General of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) Ernesto Samper speaks after an UNASUR meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday. Samper is flanked by Colombia’s Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin, left, and Venezuela’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Delcy Rodriguez. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) officials in Caracas had been expected to address the more abstract problems of rising tension between the administration and the opposition.
Maduro recently accused opposition leaders of conspiring with the U.S. to bomb the presidential palace, while government critics are furious about the case of a 14year-old boy killed by police during an anti-government protest. Emotions had already been running high amid rising violence and crippling economic problems, with both sides focused on legislative elections slated for the end of the year. The opposition expressed skepticism about the UNASUR visit, while Maduro welcomed it. State-sponsored media portrayed the visit as a fact-finding mission to investigate the opposition’s purported coup plot. More than 30 local and international nongovernmental groups signed on to a letter to UNASUR urging it to help ensure
respect for human rights in Venezuela. Among other things, the letter calls for revision of a policy that allows for the use of deadly force to control protests. A delegation from the regional group last visited in May, trying to calm conflicts between the administration and protesters who staged weeks of often-violent street demonstrations. Those talks broke down, and the country remains as polarized as ever. Leaders of Caribbean nations also gathered in Caracas on Friday for a meeting of Petrocaribe, a decade-old trade program created by the late President Hugo Chavez that requires member countries to pay only a small portion of the up-front costs for oil, allowing them to finance the rest under longterm debt agreements.
Guyana’s murder rate for the year climbed to 26 yesterday, after the badly chopped body of a 42-yearold labourer was found at East Hog Island. Police said that Neil Deo Hansram, called ‘Shetty’, of Parika, Essequibo, was discovered in a trench around 09.00 hrs. He was chopped behind the neck. Police have received
information that Hansram was working on a farm when he became involved in an argument with another labourer, identified only as ‘Joe’, of Parika, Essequibo. ‘Joe’ allegedly chopped Hansram, almost severing his neck. The suspect reportedly confessed to other residents before going into hiding. The body has been taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home.
Glaucoma laser treatment introduced at GPHC - As Glaucoma Week 2015 begins today As the world celebrates strides made in the treatment of glaucoma, Guyana is making its own strides as the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH) introduces laser treatment for glaucoma. The announcement comes as Glaucoma Week is celebrated worldwide from today, March 8 until this Saturday, March 14. According to a release from the hospital, the laser treatment will be for Open Angle Glaucoma through a procedure known as Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT). In Guyanese patients, Open Angle Glaucoma is the most common form of the disease with Afro-Guyanese being more prone to develop this type of glaucoma. GPH further said that glaucoma in Afro-Guyanese patients is usually severe and more difficult to treat. The introduction of laser treatment is a big achievement for the public healthcare system, the hospital stated. Over the past four years, enhanced glaucoma service had been provided by the GPH Eye Clinic. Those surgeries followed the addition of Dr. Shailendra Sugrim, the first Guyanese ophthalmologist to specialize in glaucoma. According to the GPH release, there are many ways to treat Open Angle Glaucoma and patients at the hospital have been exposed to two common methods over the past few years. These methods are medications in the form of eye drops and glaucoma surgery. “With the addition of laser treatment, open angle glaucoma patients will now have a third option for treatment,” the hospital said. However, GPH said that laser treatment is not recommended for all glaucoma patients. Hence, patients need to be carefully selected by the glaucoma
specialist to determine whether they meet the criteria for treatment. “This type of treatment is a practical alternative to using drops and success depends on the patient’s profile and ability to respond to the treatment,” GPH added. Further, besides Open Angle Glaucoma, the specialized laser equipment can also treat Closed Angle Glaucoma. The latter form is less common in Guyana. GPH said too that the laser machine has the capability to treat posterior capsular opacity, a complication that causes blurred vision in patients who had undergone cataract surgery. Meanwhile, in observance of World Glaucoma Week, the GPH and the Ministry of Health will be hosting public screening events. According to the release, the hospital is working in collaboration with the ministry and other organisations including the Guyana Vision 2020 Committee to host a screen exercise on Thursday March 12. The event will allow the general public to have their eyes checked for glaucoma by trained ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses and optometry students. A booth will be set up on the Fogarty’s ground floor and vision testing, eye pressure testing and examination of the eye nerves will be available from 10:00hrs to 15:00hrs. “The exercise is intended to provide an opportunity for members of the public who have never had their eyes checked for glaucoma to do so free of cost,” GPH said. World Glaucoma Day 2015 is being held under the theme “B.I.G. – Beat Invisible Glaucoma”. According to GPH, the campaign was chosen as worldwide many people suffer from glaucoma without knowing it.
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
Four bombs in Nigeria’s Maiduguri city kill at least 50 Reuters) - Four bomb blasts killed at least 50 people in Maiduguri in Nigeria’s northeast on Saturday in the worst attacks there since Islamist militants tried to seize the city in two major assaults earlier this year. There was no immediate claim for the bombings but they bore the hallmarks of the Islamist group Boko Haram, which has been waging a six-year insurgency to carve out an Islamic state in Africa’s biggest economy . President Goodluck Jonathan, who is seeking re-election on March 28, has been heavily criticised for failing to crush the group. The vote was postponed for six weeks from Feb. 14 for security reasons. Around noon on Saturday, the driver of a motorised tricycle detonated a bomb when the vehicle was prevented from entering a fish market on the Baga road in the west of Maiduguri, market trader Mohammad Ajia said after fleeing the scene. Another blast hit the busy Monday market shortly afterwards. A car bomb exploded later by a bus station near a Department of State Security (DSS) office, according to a civilian member of a joint task force. State police commissioner Clement Adoda said via text message there had been four blasts in the city, without elaborating on the location or nature of the fourth explosion. “We’ve received 50 dead bodies from the blast scenes and 36 injured people,” Salisu Kwaya Bura, Chief Medical Officer of Borno Specialists Hospital, told reporters.
The number of wounded was well above 36 as more had been taken to two other hospitals, a hospital source said. “Men from the anti-bomb squad came a few minutes after the blast to comb the scene ... I saw five mangled bodies being put in vehicles,” Aliyu Musa, a resident near the DSS office, said. Maiduguri is the capital of Borno state and birthplace of Boko Haram, which has long coveted the city as a capital for the state it wants to create. The militants tried to seize Maiduguri at the end of January and again in early February. Boko Haram overran a territory the size of Belgium last year, which Nigeria’s ill-equipped army has struggled to take back, and the group gained worldwide notoriety in April when its members kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls. Since the election delay, Chadian troops cooperating with the Nigerians have reclaimed some important towns in Borno. The army has also been able to push the militants out of some territories in neighbouring Adamawa and Yobe states. On Saturday, Nigeria’s army said it had retaken two more constituencies in Borno state. “With the capture of Mafa, Marte LGAs (local government areas), and the Chadian troops holding fort in Dikwa, the international route from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic is now fully secured,” Colonel Sani Usman said in a statement.
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‘Disgruntled’ cops plan to stay away this week Trinidad Express tomorrow and Tuesday seems to be shaping up as a day of “rest and reflection” for several men and women of the Police Service (TTPS) as they plan to stay away from work to “think about” the current situation regarding their salary negotiations. Friday afternoon, several police sources called Express to indicate there were “serious rumblings” among the membership of the TTPS to “call in sick” or “declare an emergency” as a means of showing their frustration and unhappiness with the state of negotiations. On Tuesday morning, the executive members of the TTPS Social and Welfare Association, led by Inspector Anand Ramesar, stormed out of the office of the Chief Personnel Officer (CPO), Stephanie Lewis, as they refused to accept the offer which was laid out for them. Since then, Ramesar and his team have been meeting with officers of the First and Second Division units of the TTPS throughout the country
as they seek instructions on what to do next. The instructions they received were that “under no circumstances” were they to accept the current officer from the CPO. However, police officers seem to be prepared to take the matter even further as they have informed the association’s executives that if the situation was not addressed soon, they would stay away from work next week. “Your information is correct. The membership has indicated that there is an intention to engage in some sort of informal behaviour next week. “Clearly, this is behaviour which the association has not spearheaded or instructed its mem-bers to conduct. But rather, the information presented to us seems to suggest that officers may rest and reflect on what is happening regar-ding their salary negotiations tomorrow and Tuesday. “Simply put, this means that the availability of TTPS will not be what is usually
expected,” Ramesar explained. And if this does come to fruition, this action, the association president noted, would potentially “paralyse operations in this country” and as such, he was hoping sometime over the weekend, the acting Commissioner of Police, the Minister of National Security or even the Prime Minister would intervene. “This is a situation we would all like to avoid. But the CPO is offering 60 per cent of a 16 per cent market shift, and this is something our membership is unwilling to accept. So our officers are disgruntled and frustrated, and they are showing this clearly. In a brief interview with the Express yesterday, acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams, up to press time, said he was not aware of any reports of officers intending to stay away from work tomorrow and Tuesday and, as a result, he was not prepared to comment on the issue at the time.
KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) — The government of Jamaica has received US$75 million in loan support from the World Bank to bolster the ongoing programme of economic growth and development for the island. The provision, under the first competitiveness and fiscal management policy loan project, will support structural reforms designed to enhance Jamaica’s competitiveness, thereby improving the investment climate. It is part of a larger programme of financial assistance valued at US$510 million entered into by the government and the World Bank. Finance and Planning Minister, Dr Peter Phillips, in his remarks at the signing ceremony last week, said that the loan will provide for strategic reviews and staffing analyses for various agencies, which are designed to further improve fiscal management and public expenditure, as well as the
debt management programme. He said it will support activities designed to enhance Jamaica’s competitiveness through, among other things, improvements to the development approval process. The loan will also buttress the administration’s renewable energy programme, designed to facilitate the implementation and incorporation of resources that will contribute to reduced energy costs. The minister pointed out that, in addition to supporting economic growth, the programme also targets increased job creation, poverty reduction, and “improvement of living standards, generally, for the country.” He said that, while the country is already making “good progress” in improving the macroeconomic environment, modernisation of the public sector, and in exercising fiscal
prudence, “more needs to be done.” As such, he said, the World Bank’s provision is of “considerable value”, and represents a “continuing pattern of support” for the country’s progress. “We hope that we will be able to build on these measures over the course of this year, and the next, in order to ensure that we are able to build on the platform of economic reform, and secure higher levels of growth and job creation. And, most of all, to secure the kind of efficiencies in the public sector, which are essential if we are to facilitate the work of increasing competitive private sector operations in the country,” he stated. Acting World Bank representative in Jamaica, Kathy Lalazarian, who signed on behalf of her organisation, said a critical part of the support is enabling the leveraging of “opportunities that could help Jamaica break the cycle of high debt and low growth.””We believe that the government of Jamaica’s commitment to these reforms indicates that it is a real opportunity for the country to continue to lay down the foundations for sustainable growth in the medium term,” she said.
Jamaica secures US$75M loan from World Bank
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
RHTY&SC Silver Jubilee
Rainbow Signs and Benjamin’s Bakery increase list of sponsors Joining the increasing list of sponsors for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) Silver Jubilee Anniversary, YEAR LONG celebrations are Rainbow Signs of Hampshire, Berbice and Benjamin’s Bakery of Buxton, East Coast Demerara. Rainbow Signs donated the official banner for the celebrations while Mr. Adrian Benjamin, owner of Benjamin’s Bakery made a financial contribution to the club’s Cricket Development Programme. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster who is spearheading the activities in accepting the donation, said that the club was overwhelmed with the level of support it has been receiving from the corporate sector and noted that it was as a result of the RHTY&SC proven record of achievements and of promoting its sponsors brand. The banner donated by Mr. Sanjay Prittipaul of Rainbow Signs includes photographs of four of the RHTYSC most outstanding members – Assad Fudadin, Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle and Shawn Perriera. It would be on display at the 200 plus programmes/activities that would be organized and carries the “Say Yes to Education and No to Drugs and Suicide” message, which the club is promoting to over 60,000 youths in the Ancient County. Benjamin’s Bakery’s contribution Foster indicated would be used to purchase balls for
Rainbow Signs’ Vijay Basant and RHTY&SC Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster display the banner. the club’s Cricket Development Programme and would be used by the Under-13 players who are the future of the club. The long serving Secretary/CEO also disclosed that they had successfully completed discussions with a major sponsor to host a one-day 5-over a side tournament with attractive prizes at stake. The tournament which would feature twelve second-division teams from the Lower Corentyne area would be played at the Area ‘H’ ground in April. The winning team will earn $60,000 and a trophy while the runner-up and man-of-thefinals would also receive cash prizes. Competing teams are Courtland, Fyrish, Chesney, Jai Hinds, Albion, Tamarind Root, Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Port Mourant, Block Four, Whim, Yakusari and Mibikuri.
Sunday March 08, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A lot of letters, calls, or emails could come your way from all over, Aries, bringing lots of good news and useful information.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Opportunities for new partnerships concerning a personal project of yours could come to you from far away, Libra.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) An opportunity to earn extra money in a creative way may come today from an unexpected and perhaps even previously unknown source.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Mundane and perhaps boring tasks could take up much of your morning, Scorpio, but you will need to get them out of the way so you can move on to more exciting projects.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your physical and mental energies overflow today, Gemini. You may want to tackle every possible project that could bring advancement along whatever lines you want. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Chances to pursue opportunities to bring whatever creative work you do best to the public could come up today, Cancer. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) The chance to take a trip by air with friends or members of a group could come your way today, Leo. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You could complete some personal projects that involve a lot of paperwork today, Virgo. This could increase your income considerably.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A get-together with a current or potential romantic partner could lead to some stimulating discussions of concepts that interest you both, Sagittarius. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you might toy with the idea of doing some renovation on your home, perhaps for your enjoyment, but primarily to increase its value, Capricorn. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Creative energy, especially involving writing or speaking, could overflow today. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you own your home, the value of your equity may have gone up in the recent past, Pisces. Income through land or property is strongly indicated.
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Hardeo, Mohamed guide... (From page 72) struck three fours in scoring 23 while Hardeo hammered four fours and three sixes before he was dismissed for an even half century. Lions then lost Deonarine Debidyal for seven, but Mohamed who was given a let off, cracked four fours to end unbeaten on 41, and along with Ronald Jaisingh (05*) saw their team
home. Seeraj Bhaimsingh, Chatterpaul Singh and Seemangal Yadram claimed one wicket each. Earlier, Latchman Yadram and Vishwanauth Gobin featured in an opening stand of 50 to give their team a bright start before Gobin was caught off Johnny Azeez (1-10) for 18. Yadram soon retired hurt for 35, but
some lusty hitting by Nadir Baksh propped up his team total. Baksh who added 71 for third wicket with Seemangal Yadram stroked three fours and two sixes before he was run out for 49, while Yadram hit two maximums in scoring 19 not out. The competition continues on Tuesday. (Zaheer Mohamed)
Jacobs (5-67) put Jamaica... (From page 70) plumb infront to Jacobs, first ball. Anthony Bramble and Permaul then ended in the same crease and Bramble was run out for eight with the score on 236-8 and last two wickets tumbled at that same score. Bishoo attempted a sharp single to short mid-wicket but Permaul (2) failed to beat a direct hit from 20-year-old Brandon King, who
sprinted in like Usain Bolt and hit the target like Guyanese marksman Paul Slowe. Jacobs wrapped up the innings by trapping Bishoo (0) LBW to deny the home team their second batting point. Today’s action is scheduled to start at 10:00hrs and Jamaica will begin the penultimate day with an overall lead of 44 runs with nine wickets in hand.
A demonstration of commitment... (From page 74) compromise. And so it was that the K&S duo has decided on a new date for their tournament. Consequently, the 25th edition of the tournament will now be staged from March 20-April 5. The tournament had provided much needed entertainment for football lovers and indeed many were disillusioned during its absence for a few years. Many are elated that the tournament will now resume and 16 of the nation’s best teams will throw down the gauntlet in what will be a resumption of the nation’s supreme tournament. During the build up to the kick off, the organizers called a press conference to brief media operatives, and by extension, the public, of the rules, regulations and general expectations of participating teams and affiliates. During that brief, Mr Muhammad thanked the supporters as well as members of the corporate community for their unbridled support over the years. He then made one of the most definitive declarations when he admitted that his group had erred in the past. “We have made mistakes but we have learned from them and are prepared to go the extra mile to correct them.” Such humility has indeed hit the right chord and underlines the commitment of the K&S duo to cooperate with the Normalization committee in fostering a new attitude towards the development of the sport. The sponsors, rightfully, have recognized the humility even as they observe the verve and alacrity of the K&S principals to restore the sport to some semblance of sanity. FIFA has stepped in and
did their part; the Normalization Committee has followed suit. The reinstatement of the K&S football extravaganza is another indication of commitment to the development of the sport. It is now left to the
public to seal the deal. Support for the impending tournament will defy the critics and demonstrate to FIFA and the world at large that Guyanese has the capacity to fix their many (sports) ills.
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Sunday March 08, 2015
“West Indies must be sleep walking in Australia and New Zealand!” Says Colin E. H. Croft Do you get the impression that West Indies are sleepwalking in New Zealand and Australia, or just on one big extended holiday, complete with carnival-like street parties? They were embarrassingly out-thought, especially by India’s faster bowlers and captain, and would have had to dig much deeper, to upset and beat the defending champions. India always seemed to be cruising, despite mid-innings nerves, while WI stuttered terribly, their decision-making diabolically poor. Yet, at times in that crucial game, WI were actually ahead! How in hell could WI lose a relatively low scoring game, by just four wickets, mind you, with more than ten overs still left to be bowled, after India were 134-6 at 29.3 overs, looking for 183? At that stage, only captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni could have prevented a WI victory. He did! Worse, how did front-line bowlers Jason Holder, Jerome Taylor and Kemar Roach still
have, between them, seven overs left, while ordinary parttimers Dwayne Smith and Marlon Samuels, eight overs together, were bowling at the end? WI should have used the better bowlers and gone for broke! None of those make sense, just rank idiotic planning. WI must be in another world! One-day cricket moves quickly, so like flying airplanes, pre-planning, while good, is not set in stone, and must be flexible, ready to change direction at a moment’s notice. Captain Holder is not fully to blame. Chris Gayle, Denesh Ramdin and Darren Sammy, senior players and captains all, should take some blame and ought to have helped Holder more. What about WI’s thinktank in the dressing room? Where exactly were former WI captains Clive Lloyd and Sir Richie Richardson, one of WI’s best bowlers ever, Sir Curtly Ambrose, and interim batting coach, Stuart Williams, all with substantial experiences, in this debacle? WI needed to bowl India
out, so any helpful message from the dressing room would have helped! While India would want to keep continuously winning, for nothing brings confidence like ongoing success, their batting has still not fully hit its straps. Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli have been excellent, living up to expectations, but Rohit Sharma, who bats like VVS Laxman, and Dhoni, have struggled for runs. Last Friday’s innings was Dhoni’s best effort so far. Yet India is ahead due mainly to its bowlers, who decimated Pakistan, destroyed South Africa, before similarly slicing and dicing WI. With that loss, WI’s last preliminary game, v United Arab Emirates, is tremendously important and has deathly serious mathematical connotations, if WI are to make quarter-finals. If WI slip up v UAE, depending on results for the other two teams involved, Pakistan and Ireland, WI could be tied, points-wise, with them, or worse, out of the
competition altogether, depending on the two best net run rates. I actually suggested on ESPN-Cricinfo that Dwayne Smith should have been dropped against India, replaced by Kemar Roach, with Marlon Samuels; my choice; or Lendl Simmons, to open WI’s innings, keeping Suleiman Benn in the final XI. Yet they kept Smith in! Even that more bouncy pitch at Perth could not have been seen as being in WI’s favour, as was so often the case in distant olden days, including, ironically, Sir C u r t l y ’s p a s t e x p l o i t s , since India has consistently better, at least at ICC CWC 2015, new ball bowlers than WI. When WI were 35-4, over No. 9, Dhoni unbelievably took his team’s feet from WI’s throats, allowing WI an unnecessary breather, or WI could well have made less than 100, especially if India had taken its catches too. In the end, it really did not matter much. India’s fast bowling attack has been brilliant, probably underrated too by the world’s
batsmen! Mohammed Shami has led with pace, bounce and wickets, even before that game with WI. He looks so smooth and purposeful trundling through the bowling crease. Mohit Sharma and Umesh Yadav have been similarly frugal and productive. But India’s chief executioner and not-so-secret weapon has been off-spinner Ravichandran Aswin, that perfect foil for India’s fast bowlers, all of whom have improved much this last year. WI’s biggest concern continues to be its bowling, fast or slow, both sets leaking runs like heavy Caribbean rain! Before playing India, Jerome Taylor, WI’s premier fast bowler, had only nine wickets in four games, each costing 21 runs per wicket and an atrocious RPO average – economy rate - of 5.6. He was marginally better against India. All-rounder Andre Russell, as a bowler, runs more cold than hot, his standard bowling efforts indicating that he has been fooled by someone into believing that he is
quicker than he really is, always delivering way too short of length for his pace, proving expensive. Benn, WI’s No. 1 spinner, was erroneously left out v India, probably because of doubts about his bad back, but it must say something overwhelmingly negative about Nikita Miller’s skill, that an infirmed, similarlystyled bowler can keep a fit Miller out. What a useless replacement! WI now has to hope that they do not also cave in against UAE. Conversely, India looks extremely well equipped to continue its 100% winning record! Enjoy! E-mail address = c.e.h.croft@gmail.com
WICB First-Class cricket Franchise
Jacobs (5-67) put Jamaica in front despite fifties from Johnson & Chandrika By Sean Devers A fourth First-Class fivewicket haul from 30-year-old Jamaican leg-spinner Damion Jacobs and half-centuries by Skipper Leon Johnson (78) and Rajendra Chandrika (69) were the highlights of the second day of the Eighth round West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Four-Day Cricket Franchise between the Guyana Jaguars and Jamaica at Providence yesterday. Jacobs snatched 5-67 from 23.2 overs and when he got his first wicket to remove Narsingh Deonarine (23) it sparked a dramatic collapse as the Jaguars, chasing 259 for first innings lead, crumbled from 171-2 to 236 all out as three run outs did little to help their cause. Jacobs, who made his debut against T&T last year is only in his 12th game at this level and his third five-wicket haul in the tournament took him to 33 wickets, the most by a Jamaican. Jamaica with a slim lead off 22, were 22-1 in their second innings after losing Shacaya Thomas, LBW to Chris Barnwell for a duck. John
Campbell (10) and Test player Jermaine Blackwood (8) were the not out batsmen. Chandrika stroked eight fours from 139 balls and 169 minutes in his cultured 69 before once again failing to convert his sixth half century into a maiden ton, while Johnson, who spent 58 minutes in the 40s, fell 22 short of a third First-Class hundred after batting for 248 minutes, facing 177 balls and reaching the boundary 10 times. At 197-4, when the experienced Chanderpaul played an out of character cut at one that bounced from Jacobs and was caught at the wicket for 13, the Jaguars were well placed to collect three batting points and gain a sizable lead. But that was not to be as the demise of Chanderpaul, who has failed to score a ton in 19 innings since making 101 not out against Bangladesh in the 2nd Test last September, triggered a dramatic collapse as the last seven wickets for the Jaguars tumbled for 39 runs. Earlier, resuming on their overnight score of 35 without loss, the Jaguars reached 78
Damion Jacobs celebrates another 5-Wkt haul.
before leg-spinner Odean Browne had Assad Fudadin taken at short leg for 29 with four boundaries. He faced 69 balls and batted for 91 minutes and Jamaica had struck 50 minutes into the day’s play. Chandrika, a free flowing right-hander from the village of Enterprise, reached his sixth First-Class fifty and fourth for the season from 96 balls, 118
minutes with seven four as he continued to look untroubled. Johnson joined Chandrika and pair settled down to put together 47 runs with entertaining stroke play in sunny conditions by Lunch. The Jaguars, at Lunch were 125-1 with Chandrika on 64 and Johnson on 26 as 95 runs were scored, while Fudadin was the only casu-
alty in the first session which was dominated by the home team, who began the game as leaders with 107 points. After the interval Chandrika and his Captain took the score 135 before Chandrika was trapped LBW by David Bernard and Deonarine, the only Guyanese with 400 runs in the tournament, joined Johnson. Together they carried on to 171 before Deonarine (23) pushed forward to Jacobs and was taken at short leg to take his run tally to 458 from 11 innings. Chanderpaul arrived at the crease as a few more spectators came into the ground after lunch and took up positions in the Red Stand while 12 of them ventured into the Green Stand, which should have been closed as it is being rehabilitated for the CPL matches. Chanderpaul and Johnson batted carefully and while Chanderpaul tried to nudge balls into gaps Johnson got himself into a rut and struggled to get the ball of the square. He eventually got to his 22nd fifty at this level with
an edged cut off Jacobs which went through the hands of Campbell at slip. Campbell had also dropped him off the first ball of the same over on 49 and his fifty took 188 minutes, 132 balls and included six fours and came on the stroke of Tea. After Tea, the fourth wicket pair consolidated the position with solid, if at times slow batting until Chanderpaul was taken by Chadwick Walton behind the stumps. As the sun turned from bright to hazy and the wind picked up a bit, Johnson swiveled and disdainfully pulled Jason Dawes for four to post the 200 and give Guyana their first batting point in the 82nd over. But the batsmen showed little inclination of putting their foot on the accelerator to gain batting points which can only be achieved in the first 110 overs. The Jaguars lost two wickets at 110 when Vishaul Singh seemed very unlucky to adjudged run out by Umpire Nandkumar Shivsankar for five and Barnwell was struck (Continued on page 69)
Sunday March 08, 2015
Kaieteur News
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Golden Jaguars look to settle score with St Lucia By Santokie Nagulendran The announcement that St Lucia will travel to Guyana to play an International friendly on March 22nd, Guyana’s first home match in almost three years, has excited Golden Jaguar fans in particular, as the tie will not only allow Guyanese fans to see their team, but will also allow the
side to right the wrongs of last year. St Lucia’s 2-0 victory over Guyana last October in 2014 Caribbean Cup qualifiers was the island’s first victory over Guyana since 1995, and led to the team qualifying for the next round whilst Guyana crashed out. However, mention the result to most Guyana fans and they feel the match was not a true reflection of the
Golden Jaguars, and that the tie coming up in a few weeks will be a more competitive contest. Whereas the Guyana squad in 2014 was inexperienced and contained only one player (Walter Moore) who had played consistently in International football, the ‘’rebirth’’ of the Golden Jaguars under the Normalisation Committee now leading the GFF has meant that the team is now much stronger, with seasoned veteran Christopher Nurse leading the team once again. In February’s 2-2 draw with Barbados, the Golden Jags showed their talent by storming into a 2-0 lead, and despite eventually drawing 22, the team showed a lot of promise, it was a fantastic result for a squad which was generally lacking match fitness. The addition of young, talented players has also benefited the team, with Trayon Bobb, Vurlon Mills and Colin Nelson all returning to the side after two years of inactivity by the previous administration running Guyanese football. Striker Emery Welshman impressed on his National debut, scoring against Barbados and showing glimpses of what is to come from him. Fellow striker Pernell Schultz also featured and is one such player who many expect to gain a transfer to Europe in the future, such is his talent.
‘The surgeon’ has performed his last operation Charwayne Walker reflects today on the life of former national footballer Compton Julian, who passed away recently. The land of many waters lost one of its most gracious footballers, Compton ‘The surgeon’ Julian passed away on the 26th of February, 2015 in Georgetown. Julian, who played for YMCA and later Thomas United in the late fifties and early sixties, was one of four players from the then British Guiana that was selected in July 1959 for the West Indies football team tour of the United Kingdom. The others were George Green, Hubert (Senor) Braithwaite and the late Monty Hope. After dominating the local scenes in 1957, Julian was selected for his first international series, the following year 1958 against Suriname in Paramaribo. Although the then British Guiana lost the series to their Dutch rivals, Julian was the talk of Paramaribo.
The star winger next outing was April 1959 in Trinidad at an international Quadrangular tournament involving the host Trinidad, Jamaica, Barbados and British Guiana. After the tournament, the impressive Julian was one of several British Guiana’s players invited for trials for selection for the West Indies football tour for the United Kingdom. After four trial matches Julian, Hope, Green and Braithwaite were the BG Boys in the Patrick Gomez led squad that travelled by t h e N V m o t o r Ve s s e l WilliamStaad to the United Kingdom. Julian proudly recalled the encounters against Britain, Crystal Palace and Barking United. The following year 1960 he had an outstanding series against Rio Negro, a strong Brazilian club team. His first international series at home was 1961 against the Carlton Franco
led Trinidad and Tobago. British Guiana lost the three match series 2-1 after drawing the opening clash nil all at GFC. The following year 1962 Julian, Waterboat Weithers, Ingram Lane, Lionel Gill, Patsy Pieters, backed up by outstanding defending by George Green, Monty Hope and Skipper Hubert Braithwaite lost a nailbiting series to the Reginald Hanes led Barbados National team. Julian last outing in national colours was November 1963 against the touring Rio Negro team from Brazil. He was the leading goal scorer for British Guiana in that series. Under the local scene he was one of the most prolific goal scorers in division one football. International Tours: 1958 Suriname 1959 Trinidad 1959 United Kingdom International Matches played (33)
Currently ranked 140th in the world, 26 places higher than Guyana, St Lucia will be optimistic of gaining another victory over the Golden Jaguars however, due to their victory over the team a few months ago. Strikers Cliff Valcin and Zaccheus Polius were their top-scorers in 2014 Caribbean cup qualifiers, and will be the main threats to Guyana, whilst midfielder Tremain Paul and striker Eden Charles are both regulars in the T&T Pro League for W Connection. 2014 saw St Lucia play friendlies against Jamaica and Dominica, as well as win the 2014 Windward Islands Tournament, so the victory over Guyana was down to the side gaining crucial match practice, something which Guyana lacked. Guyana’s situation has been helped by the recent news that Jamaal Shabazz will
serve as Head Coach of the National Team for a minimum of two more years. This is a massive boost, as he is one of the best coaches in the region and his long-term appointment is one that can only benefit the Golden Jaguars. The game also takes place during FIFA’s International Window, which means players based overseas can feature in the game, such as defender Walter Moore and it will therefore be very interesting to see if any new names will feature when the squad is announced next week. Virtually all of the players in the current Golden Jaguars squad are playing only their second international game in almost three years, so as with the Barbados game, there shouldn’t be an expectation for the side to win: this game is a development process aim-
Santokie Nagulendran ing to help the side as they start 2018 World Cup qualifiers in June. Yet beyond that, there is a grudge to settle, the Golden Jaguars want to redeem their name against St Lucia and that will add intensity to their preparations. This is a contest that will be captivating.
Pacesetters maintain unbeaten record in Linden
Pacesetters’ Michael Turner (left) goes for a two-handed put-back off the glass Friday night with Royals’ Lawrence DeCosta challenging him at the rim. By Edison Jefford National basketball champion, Trinity Grid Holdings (TGH) Pacesetters maintained an unbeaten record when they defeated Victory Valley Royals Friday night in Linden in the second edition of the Mecca to Mackenzie Basketball Playoffs. Pacesetters held on for a tense 62-57 win that was decided in the final two minutes of the grudge game in the Mining Town. The last time those two teams met in Linden, Royals had a nail-biting one-point victory, prompting an imminent rematch. Travis Burnett proved why this writer regards him as one of the top true point guards in the game locally when he mesmerised defenders, and wowed those that turned up to see the game with that inside play-making skill he so abundantly possess. With the scores locked at 55 points apiece with two minutes to play, it was Burnett who stepped up on the defen-
sive end, made a steal and laid-up the ball to push Pacesetters permanently ahead despite Royals’ charge, which vocal supporters urged on. Burnett, who clearly preserved his fitness as part of the national squad that will play Bermuda in Guyana next week, dropped a cautious 17 points. Budding division one forward, Michael Turner also scored 17 points while guard, Ruel Ritch had 11 points. Forwards, Orlan Glasgow top scored for Pacesetters with 13 points while Dwight Cooper had 10 points, and Harold Adams nine points. Royals needed shooting guard, Chris Williams to step up big against their long time nemesis, but Williams had a cold night. Amelia’s Ward Jets won the first game when Plaisance Guardians failed to show up to play them in a rematch of the Road to Mecca II National Basketball Championship round-of-16 at the Cliff Ander-
son Sports Hall three weeks ago. Jets received a ‘walkover’. Retrieve Raiders, the only Linden team that reached the last four in Georgetown after playing in the final last year, then featured a few guest players from Jets to play Colts in the second of three games scheduled for the night of rivalry basketball in Linden. Raiders managed to topple Colts 68-45 with Neil Marks shooting his way to 15 points with Keon Cameron adding 18 points. Guards, Sheldon Noel and Alexander Rose scored eight points apiece for Raiders that Colts had beaten in the national semi-final in Georgetown. The local basketball community will now shift its attention to this week when Bermuda arrives to play Guyana in a three game series beginning Wednesday night. The series continue Thursday night and culminates Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
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Kaieteur News
NACRA 15s - ‘Green Machine’ sends warning to all pretenders, maul B/dos 48-22
Head of State President Donald Ramotar (3rd left) seen at the game with Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (2nd left), Fininance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh (left), Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony (4th left), Director of Sport Neil Kumar and other officials yesterday. By Rawle Welch Guyana ‘Green Machine’ commenced the defence of their NACRA 15s title with a commanding 48-22 triumph over a determined but clearly outclassed Barbados unit yesterday, at the National Park Palyfield. Before a fair-sized crowd of loyal supporters that included President Donald Ramotar, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, President of the Guyana Olympic Association K.A. Juman Yasin, Patron of the Guyana Rugby Football Union Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento, President of the Union Peter Green, Banks DIH Communications Manager Troy Peters, the Guyanese juggernauts coasted to a lop-sided win and clearly sent a message to all pretenders to their throne that it will not be an easy task to dismantle them. After a less than inspiring start that saw the locals muff a few chances to take the lead, Avery Corbin put them ahead in the 15th minute when he combined with the speedy Claudius Butts, who started a mesmerising run down the right flank, before dishing off to Corbin for the finish over the tryline.
The subsequent conversion taken by Captain Ryan Gonsalves missed the intended mark. Barbados undaunted by the ferocious early attack by the Guyanese responded five minutes later through Rajk Edwards, who rode a punishing offensive drive to end over the backline and give them their first set of points. The conversion was missed as the teams tied on points. However, Guyana was in no mood to entertain any threat to their homecourt advantage and regained the lead after a scorching run by Corbin deep in the Bajans territory was swung to the left flank for the fast and furious Jamal Angus to finish unchallenged. This time Gonsalves converted clinically as Guyana took a 12-5 lead after twentyeight minutes of play. Nearing the end of the first half, Blaize Bailey used his speed and power, tearing down the left wing, evading numerous tackles to end over the tryline as Guyana begun to assert its dominance and superior fitness. Once again the conversion was muffed by Gonsalves as the locals led 17-5 four minutes from the break and that scoreline held until the whistle sounded.
Three minutes after the resumption, the experienced Butts showed a blinding turn of speed and strength as he contrived a determined run to ease over the backline for a try which was converted by Gonsalves. It was floodgates open after then as Bailey added another try in the 48th, while Theodore Henry scored a try and Gonsalves converted in the 50th. Richard Staglon then evaded a host of tackles to score a try which was converted by Jermaine Prowell in the 55th, before the Bajans got a second wind and reeled off consecutive tries through Edwards in the 58 th and Stephen Millar in the 66th which was converted by Dravid Stewart. Angus then ensured that the Bajans momentum was checked when he went over the tryline after 70 minutes, before Barbados Jerrin Clarke responded with a try of his own. Both teams failed to trouble the scoresheet after then and Guyana went away with an impressive victory. They now move on to play Trinidad and Tobago in April, but before that they are scheduled to participate in the Hong Kong International Sevens later this month.
Sahadeo Hardeo
Nadir Baksh
an entertaining opening stand of 83. The duo started to attack from the onset as they appeared untroubled, but their dismissal within three runs of
each other, gave Bulls some hope which quickly vanished as Mohamed played with a straight bat. Estrado (Continued on page 65)
Hardeo, Mohamed guide Lower East Bank lions to victory
Outstanding batting performances by Sahadeo Hardeo and Shaheed Mohamed guided Lower East Bank Lions to a seven-wicket victory over Lower East Coast Bulls when the Cheddi Jagan Memorial/National Sports Commission over-40 T20 knock out competition commenced yesterday. After restricting Bulls for 136-2 in 20 overs, Lions reached their target in 18.1 overs, ending on 137-3 at Enterprise, East Coast Demerara. Nigel Estrado and Hardeo set up the chase nicely with
Sunday March 08, 2015
Rotaract Club of Georgetown to stage 5K run and health fair today Rotaract Club of Georgetown will stage a 5K Health Run and Mini Health Fair today starting at the Seawalls on Camp Street at 06:30 hours. Ronnel Lord, Director of Community Service of the Club said the event has been organized to highlight the importance of running which significantly reduces NonCommunicable Diseases (NCDs). “Cardiovascular Diseases, Hypertension and Diabetes are just a few of the NCD’s that running helps to reduce,” Lord said.
The route will be along the Seawall Road, along Carifesta Avenue, turn at Sheriff Street Junction, onto the Kitty Public Road and concludes at Camp Road on the Seawalls. The organisations expected to participate in the Rotary and Rotaract clubs, Ministry of Health and several Commercial Banks. The Rotaract Club of Georgetown is urging the general public to come out with their White t-shirt and join the run. At the end of the run there will be a Mini Health Fair. Meanwhile, Banks DIH
Limited made a presentation of Rain Forest Water to the organizers of the event at Thirst Park on Friday. Errol Nelson, Brand Manager said Banks DIH is delighted to be part of Sunday’s activities as the Rotaract Club pursues its health and wellness programme. “We are encouraging the general public to participate in this event as we promote a healthy lifestyle,” he added. Rotaractor Fonda King who received the donation on behalf of the Club expressed gratitude to Banks DIH for the timely contribution.
Nestle Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition
Four matches on today in Nestle Milo Football
Part of the action in this year’s Nestle Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition.
Play in this year’s Nestle Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition resunes today with four matches as the round robin phase of the competition ends, at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue. The fixtures are seen below11:00 hrs St. Mary’s Secondary School v/s Brickdam Secondary School 12:30 hrs Christ Church Secondary v/s Dolphin Secondary 14:00 hrs Ascension Secondary v/s St. George’s Secondary 15:30 hrs Chase Academy v/s South Ruimveldt Secondary Meanwhile, in results from yesterday: St. John’s vs St. Stanislaus St. John’s won via walkover Game-2 Queenstown Secondary-4 vs Central High-1 Queenstown Scorers Kelsey Benjamin-28th, 33rd, 42nd and 56th Central High Scorer Daniel Thomas-67th Key (Q)-Group Winners (q)Group Runners-up (DQ)Disqualified