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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Protests over radio licences move to CH 9 - media houses vow to continue action unless President corrects injustice Private media houses continued their protests over what they say is the unfair distribution of radio licences by former President Bharrat Jagdeo. Yesterday, scores of media workers, newspaper vendors and journalists took the protests to NBTV Channel 9, on Mandela Avenue, in the city. They bore placards calling for a level-playing field and demanding that the ruling party stop its practice of “grabbing” Guyana for its friends and close party members. The media houses affected are claiming that they were deliberately ignored by former President Bharrat Jagdeo who used his executive power days before stepping down in late 2011, to grant close party members and family radio licences and other frequencies to operate cable TV and internet. NBTV is one of the several longstanding TV stations ignored. At the end of day, the radio frequencies essentially allow the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), through the radio
licences, to control the airwaves across the country. With government already granting a number of duty free and other concessions to the companies that have been given radio licences, the affected media houses which included NBTV, Kaieteur News, Stabroek News, RBS Channel 13, CNS Channel 6, MBC Channel 46, WRHM Channel 7, GWTV 2 and Capitol News, are complaining that the intention is to eventually close them down. They have been critical of government on a number of projects in which details were questionable. But President Donald Ramotar has insisted that Jagdeo did nothing wrong in granting the licences. Rather, the granting of the licences was in keeping with a commitment made by the administration that the radio monopoly by the State would be broken. Neither Ramotar nor Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon, however, could explain what criteria Jagdeo used to grant the licences, in the process
Protestors in front of the NBTV Channel Nine studios yesterday. sidelining others who have been in the media business for years. Already, the media houses have protested for a number of days on Saffon Street, Charlestown, in front of Kaieteur News, home of the largest selling daily newspaper in Guyana. Yesterday, Publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, who joined the picketing exercise at NBTV, reiterated that the action would continue. “I still want to ask Dr. Luncheon what media experience Omkar Lochan and ‘Bobby’ Ramroop have
that made them get five channels each?? Lochan is the Deputy Permanent Secretary of Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud, who is closely affiliated with MTV Channel 65, another channel controlled by the ruling party. There are now questions whether he could as an official in that Ministry be allowed a licence. He was granted five frequencies. Ramroop is a very close friend of the former President. A number of tax concessions for his media outfit, including the Guyana Times and TVG 28, which was also acquired under unclear circumstances, are also about to be investigated by Members of Parliament. He was also given five frequencies for his radio station. Also granted five frequencies was the ruling party’s newspaper, The Mirror. It also received five frequencies through Dharamkumar Seeraj, a Member of Parliament for the ruling party. According to Lall, Dr. Luncheon’s explanation that the number of frequencies to close party members and friends had to do with geographical consideration is even more strange. “To hear this is a determining factor is laughable. The doctor also said that Jagdeo used his discretion in granting the licences. Yes, I agree with Dr. Luncheon, that Jagdeo used his discretion. The only thing is that he used his discretion for was to give only his family, best friends and his party the licences.” Lall said that to make it appear balanced, licences were granted to a few “outsiders” who each got one frequency. “In essence, these licences are village radios that have limited coverage. What they have given themselves is countrywide radio…that is the difference. Until President Ramotar corrects this injustice that Jagdeo perpetrated on this land, we will never stop this fight. It will go on and on.”
Bharrat Jagdeo
Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop
Omkar Lochan Deputy PS of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment
PPP Member of Parliament Dharamkumar Seeraj
Also there at NBTV was representative Charles Griffith and Capitol News principal, Enrico Woolford, who said that the matter is now engaging the attention of lawyers and that a court case is likely. Griffith said that he is convinced that Jagdeo broke the law when he granted the licences. “We will continue to protest. This is not about radio licences alone. It is about our rights which have been stolen.” Also granted frequencies to transmit Cable TV via the airwaves are Vishok Persaud, son of former Agri Minister, Dr. Reepu Daman Persaud, and Brian Yong, a close friend of Jagdeo and former candidate in the 2011 elections for the PPP/C. Radio and TV licences had been placed on a hold for
years after government and the opposition agreed that new legislation would be tabled and a special body, the Broadcast Authority, should be established first. However, two months after signing the Broadcast Act in September 2011, Jagdeo went ahead and issued the licences. It was not until August last year that the Broadcast Authority was appointed and even then, it was lined with government MPs, and other party officials. Details were not available until the opposition, using their one-seat majority, forced government to divulge the information as to who was granted the licences. The granting of licences has been roundly condemned by media associations.
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Slain U.S. Army doctor laid to rest By Leon Suseran Yesterday slain U.S. Army Doctor, Max Kungel, was laid to rest at Number 72 Village, Corentyne. But his murderer has not been caught, more than a week after his bulletriddled body was discovered in a rented vehicle in the Number 71 Village rice field backlands. During an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News, the man’s relatives, including his mother and one sister, have heavily criticized the local police for not getting to the bottom of the gruesome crime so far and they [the relatives] are insisting that law enforcement officials from the United States get involved immediately. Also, there appears to be a family that is divided and family members cannot see eye-to-eye with each other on issues regarding the Army doctor’s last rites. His mother, Gopattie ‘Lovelyn’ Kungel, speaking to the media for the first time on the issue said that one of her daughters and a grandson were trying to prevent her from gaining access to her son’s body for preparation of last rites. “I didn’t have no say— these people take away my son—pressuring me that they want my son to be burned [cremated]—now I have to go down on my knees and plead to my daughter Anjie not to burn the dead and I cried and pleaded and talked, and then in the end we agreed”. As indicated, they finally agreed that the doctor would be buried in Guyana, but are still having communication problems amongst themselves, and this is apparently impacting the investigations. “It’s my personal stuff
they[ the police] want to know— they are not questioning me about my son—they want to know how I am living with my husband, and how much children I have—personal things which they should not have asked me. Since my son passed away, I was waiting to hear from the embassy to come in so I can take the body back to New York.” A few days after the murder, police arrested 28year-old Omesh Thakurdin, Kungel’s cousin ,for questioning into the murder. Shockingly, Thakurdin hanged himself in the Number 51 Police Station lock- ups two Mondays ago. Kungel’s mother believes that he was “the wrong person”. The man’s other sister, Anita Chunoo, claimed that officials from the U.S Embassy spoke with her and questioned the family about the man’s death. “He said that he [an Embassy official] was mixed up about the entire story…and they were investigating.” Kungel’s mother is also upset that the police have not yet returned two laptop computers, several cell phones and US$5,000 that were reportedly seized from the home in which Dr. Kungel was staying (Lot 199) during his visit to Guyana a few weeks ago. “They seized his U.S. Passport and U.S Army Card and other documents. Unto this day they cannot give us back those things. I think that is very bad. The police don’t want to work with us—they are asking us our personal life in New York—my brother get murdered—work on that! Those questions have no relevance—it’s only left for him to ask me how many times I sleep with my husband,”
US Servicemen assist family members in bearing the remains of Dr. Max Kungel (inset)
Anita Chunoo lamented. “Every day they get us at the station, doing thumbprints, [and] fingerprints—I think this is the wrong step the police are taking...they are supposed to be very supportive of us,” she added. PROPERTY DISPUTE The mother stated that the property at Lot 199 Number 72 Village belonged to her husband, who passed away two years ago, and that Dr. Kungel had wanted the
property, for which she has all the necessary documents. “He and Anjie wanted it….which family doesn’t have any ups and downs— everybody has ups and downs,” she stated. “I found evidence (a phone card) that they went to a lawyer in Corriverton to transfer house and land”, she claimed. But that, she stated, would have had no impact of her losing the house and land, since she has legal paperwork showing (Continued on page 10)
All roads lead to the National Stadium today The National Stadium is all set for today’s Phagwah Festival 2013, a mega event which will feature popular local and international artistes. There will be free powder and T-shirts as well as many other fun-filled activities for the family. The festivities begin at 15:00hrs. There will be sweet meats and other delightful delicacies on sale. A grand Chowtaal Playoff will be held with over $1,000,000 in prizes. No alcohol is allowed at the family event, and entrance is free. Paid/secure parking will be available. Inspire Inc. is providing the forum where Guyanese can unite at one common place to celebrate the grandeur of Phagwah. Interested persons can follow activities for the event on the Facebook page “Phagwah
Festival Guyana.” Some of the performing
artistes include Terry Gajraj, Rajesh Dubraj, the Ishara
dance troupe and Prince JP among others.
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Holi for Guyana Today is Holi in Guyana and the entire country, not just the Hindu adherents, are caught up in the jollity and camaraderie of the spring festival. On Monday, the budget for the country was presented in our National Assembly, but for the moment, the scissors and pruning shears have been put aside. The powder and abeer, not to forget the water, have been taken up instead to douse and smear each other and spread good cheer. But while merriment and joy are well and good, we might remember the old folk saying that ‘cry does follow laugh’. In our own country we cannot forget that tomorrow life resumes and so will our daily struggle to make that life a better one. And so it is also important to remember that the story behind Holi has to do with the manner in which we, the ordinary citizens, ought to live our lives in the face of leadership that might have become too caught up with their own agenda. The king, we are told had become very proud and arrogant with his personal accomplishments. Not satisfied with ruling tyrannically and using the people to satisfy his every whim and fancy, he finally declared that he should be worshipped as God. The story is apropos to our Guyanese reality, because we too know to our cost how power goes to the head of rulers. In fact our country’s history is replete with examples of this fatal tendency: its attraction knows no bounds of ideology or party line. The message for us is that we must be very circumspect when we allocate powers to our leaders. The maxim, “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”’ is a good one to keep in mind at all times. There have been trenchant criticisms of the powers of our presidency, enumerated in our constitution, from the moment it was enacted in 1980. It was claimed, with good reasons, that we had created a ‘constitutional dictatorship’. While there were some modifications in 2000, for reasons that have to do with their morbid fascination with power, the major parties left the imperial presidency quite intact. As we celebrate Holi this year, the people of Guyana should keep in mind the inevitable nexus between power and its abuse. But the story of Holi does not leave us with a feeling of hopelessness that overbearing and tyrannical leaders cannot be challenged. In fact it tells us that the challenge might even come from within the leader’s innermost circle. In the ancient telling of the story, the king’s own son, saw through the pretensions of his father and and he resisted. He did not pick up arms nor did he advocate violence: all he did was to speak truth to power. He began to speak the truth to his own friends and companions - and inevitably word got back to the harsh ruler. Using every means available, the latter tried to silence the ‘truth-sayer’ but to no avail. And this is the second lesson for us. No matter how close one may be to the arrogant and authoritarian leader, if one points out his excesses, one becomes ‘the enemy’ and silencing will be sought ‘by any means necessary’. Today, in all the major parties, we have seen the expulsions and banishments that accompany criticisms of ‘creeping’ or ‘existent’ dictatorship from within. But if one is convinced that truth will eventually triumph, the final message of Holi is that one must continue to speak truth to power. And in the end the edifice of tyranny will come crumbling and tumbling down. A false leader may fool some of the people all the time; all of the people some of the time but never all of the people all of the time. So tomorrow, after we have put away the water and the powder and the abeer, let us not forget the message of Holi. It is a message that is relevant for all times for all places. Man is irretrievably flawed and his power must be always circumscribed.
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news
Government agencies and their ignorance of laws of the land DEAR EDITOR, An SN report on a meeting at Kako on March 18, informed that the Ministers for Amerindian Affairs and Natural Resources and Environment were invited by the Kako Village Council but did not accept (SN 23 March, ‘“Our last refuge” – Kako battling to protect river from miners). Instead, they sent representatives who, if reported accurately, were remarkable for their ignorance of the laws of the land and the resources of the government agencies. The Ministries and agencies can hardly be unaware of the evidence submitted in the protests about mining on Amerindian titled and customary lands which have been heard recently by the Committee of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (UNCERD). The failure of the Government agencies to send well-briefed representatives is disrespectful and contemptuous of Amerindian rights under national and international laws. Kako is protesting about the influx of miners into the water catchment above the village, and the consequent likelihood of pollution by miners who do not comply with the environmental Mining Regulations 2005. Kako correctly pointed out the Amerindian right to ‘quiet enjoyment’ of their
customary lands which is written into Article 111 of the Mining Act 1989. Kako is also entitled to a clean environment, through Article 36 of the National Constitution 1980/2003. The Environmental Protection Act 1996 is explicit in Article 11 and Schedule 4 item 9 that ‘the extraction and conversion of mineral resources’ needs an environmental permit subsequent to an environmental impact assessment. Note that this Act does not allow a prospective miner to argue that the mining operation would not significantly affect the environment; that argument could be raised only for issues not listed in Schedule. The Chief Executive Officer of the Indigenous Peoples Commission (IPC), Autry Haynes, was thus wrong to tell the people of Kako that ‘for small and medium scale mining, an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required’. The CEO appeared to forget that one role for the IPC is to ‘promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples’ (Article 212T (a) of the National Constitution). It was also incorrect for the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to have told Kako in July 2012 that ‘the agency had satisfied itself that mining would have no harmful effects on the environment’. GGMC has no
right to make such a declaration; that is a function of the EPA, and in any case such a declaration is contrary to the EP Act as stated above; as well as being patently absurd in respect of the hydraulic mining which is used in Guyana. The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) thus appears to be in grave error to have issued licences for small- and medium-scale mining in areas of Amerindian customary rights – because that would infringe their ‘quiet enjoyment’. It is also an error to have issued licences without prior Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Permits from the Environmental Protection Agency. It is extraordinary that an unnamed GGMC official told the Kako meeting that GGMC maps did not indicate titled lands. GGMC has had this information since at least 1997 through the Guyana Integrated Natural Resources Information System (GINRIS) and at least some of the maps available from GGMC do
indeed show the Amerindian titled Village Lands. Kako people are thus entirely within their constitutional rights to resist the issue of mining concessions over their communally titled and customary lands, and to demand the cancellation of all such concessions that have been issued to date without their agreement. The Government of Guyana has repeatedly assured the Norwegians, among others, that Guyana implements the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), which is contained in the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, endorsed by Guyana in 2007. Kako people could reasonably expect questions to be raised on their behalf by MPs in the National Assembly and in the sectoral committee on Natural Resources, and the relevant Ministers called to account for the incorrect statements and licences issued by their officials. Janette Bulkan
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Reaction: Budget 2013 is vanilla coated DEAR EDITOR, To no great surprise, Dr Ashni Singh’s latest Budget was yet more of the same biggest budget ever rhetoric. This is just a plain vanilla tax, borrow and spend budget, with very little policy measures for the workers at the bottom of the economic ladder. While the Minister of Finance pledges $1 billion to GUYSUCO which he said will help 18,000 sugar workers, he fails to take accountability for the state of the sugar belt. Instead, he used the cop-out to again blame the workers for “industrial relations disruption” when the facts remain that it was extremely poor and incompetent decision-making at the highest level that primarily caused the melt-down in the sugar industry. We remember Jagdeo promising the people in October 2010 that even if he “personally has to get involved, he will get involved
to ensure that it is fixed…that it’s delivering the kind of results that it should deliver”. Well the sugar industry still is not delivering the kind of results that he promised. After spending some $40 billion, the people are left with a factory producing at 56 per cent of its rated capacity. In normal democracies, for such massive mismanagement of people’s resources, people go to jail. To our surprise, Minister Ramsammy confirmed in a Stabroek News article that the Chinese company “delivered what was in their contract.” We r e t h e c o n t r a c t o r s legally bonded for a 200ton per hour factory but got paid instead for a 350-ton per hour factory? This is tantamount to public fraud at the highest level. So the biggest budget ever does not impress us at all; the reality is how much of this will result in real human development for the poor and the working class.
DEAR EDITOR, I am not a lawyer but I do know a thing or two about the law. I know that a court ruling, unless and until it is set aside, is binding and enforceable. That the court ruling is preliminary or provisional is irrelevant to its force and binding effect. Indeed almost every injunction granted is a preliminary or provisional ruling. Not even a layman would argue that an injunction so granted has no binding effect and force because it is preliminary or provisional!
The argument of the Alliance For Change [AFC] that the Chief Justice’s ruling in the Budget Cut Case filed by the Attorney-General is not binding on the National Assembly because it is preliminary or provisional is simply outrageous. That this party has three lawyers in its executive simply magnifies this outrage. I am sure that those who think that the President was harsh when he recently described one of them as a beast of burden must be reconsidering their position. SUNDAR NAUTH
DEAR EDITOR, I would like to challenge the misconception being peddled by some history revisionists who say that the Guyana economy collapsed during the 1970s and 1980s because of high oil prices. The fact of the matter is that the Guyana economy collapsed under PNC Carl Greenidge. This can be proven because the rest of the world economies did not collapse so spectacularly as Guyana’s economy with these same high oil prices in
the 1970s. Only Guyana’s economy collapsed spectacularly. Now we all have to put up with the rhetoric from the same Carl the-banner-ofeverything Greenidge who wants us to believe that technocrat Finance Minister Dr Ashni Kumar Singh does not know what he is doing when in fact the Guyana economy continues its upwards trajectory under Dr Ashni Kumar Singh’s competent management? Sean McLean
Three lawyers and ignorance abounds
A view challenged and vanquished
Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present. Jim Rohn
This budget is filled with numerous inconsistencies which reinforce our conviction that it is just another scheme to further defraud the nation with more massive Skeldon Sugar Factory type civil-works projects. As an example the Minister stated that in the Caribbean sub-regions growth was “listless”. A major factor causing this listlessness, according to the Minister, is that “the servicebased economies such as the tourism dependent ones are
lagging behind”. Yet the Minister is advising the Government to pump over $40 billion into two tourism related projects. The tourists are not coming to the sun, sand and blue seas of the Caribbean but they will rush to the garbage infested Kingston foreshore. Who do they think they are fooling? In a nation where 80 per cent of its University graduates are migrating, and the government spending $56.4 billion on civil-works type projects is a struggle;
what “voodoo magic” is the Minister using to increase that by over 50 per cent in 12 short months? Or are we importing Chinese engineers and workers to Guyana now by the hundreds? Taxes collection went up by 6.2 per cent in 2012 to $118.3 billion and is expected to go up by a further 6.3 per cent to $125.7 billion. In addition to that the external debt went up some US$32 billion from 2011 to a new high of $288 billion at the end of 2012. And we have not even
added the domestic debt. To fund this $29.1 billion deficit, we can expect an increase in borrowing of some $22 billion of new cash mainly from China all contributing to our debt service cost going up; denying the future generation their fair share to the economic pie. More of the same is not the answer for Guyana’s future. Guyana, especially those at the bottom of the economic ladder deserves better than this. Dr Asquith Rose and Harish S. Singh
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Wednesday March 27, 2013
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Reversing a critical trend DEAR EDITOR, In the immortal words of former Leader of the Minority, Opposition Leader and late President of Guyana, Cheddi Jagan, “Things are happening but for whom?” in Guyana. Ashni Singh has just presented his umpteenth budget. This latest one is a record $208.8 billion. But where have they all taken Guyana and Guyanese? Do the measures at easing the tremendous tax burden on the poor and the needy in Guyana go far enough? And the resounding answer is no! The Superstructure of the PPP/C Cabal is unchanging and unrelenting . The fact of the matter is that were it not for the yearly, legally
submitted remission of over US$400 million by the patriotic Guyanese in the diaspora the poor and the needy would starve within Guyana. As hopeless as the former “Hope budgets were in the past” the Ashni Singh current budget takes the cake for its milieu of hopelessness for the poor and the needy of Guyana. The eternal promise of motherland Guyana is its potential “El Dorado”. Hope can spring eternal at the next Congress of the ruling party, the PPP, in August 2013 at Port Mourant if and when the present membership of the party retakes control of the agenda and leadership of the once great and mighty PPP away from the unpatriotic,
despotic, hedgemonistic, selfaggrandising Jagdeo clique. In 1985 the Hoyte faction of the PNC unravelled the Burnhamite entrenched faction and put Guyana on the road to recovery. The current membership of the PPP can repeat that singular feat within the party and return Guyana to its developmental, but not its ideological Jaganite agenda Each and every delegate assigned to 30th Congress must arm himself with the motto: Start by doing what is necessary; Then do what is possible; And then suddenly you are doing the impossible...St Francis of Assisi. Lionel Peters
DEAR EDITOR, The death of the wheel chair-bound man at the Houston junction was almost predictable. Since the advent of the new traffic lights, motorists have been pestered by those who, through drug use, alcohol or ill fortune, see the chance to make a quick
dollar as drivers wait for lights to change. I’m actually $10,000 dollars richer after I bet a friend that one of the beggars would be killed or seriously injured at the same junction. There is still the risk that vehicles can be damaged by the tall bearded drug addict who will often pelt stones at
those who refuse to give him anything. As a driver, it is almost as irritating and dangerous as the numerous stray animals (dozens of roaming horses on the Mon Repos/BV stretch anyone?!?).It’s ironic that I actually told the same man to be careful lest he be hit (I got
Clarify the Romanex issue DEAR EDITOR, I read in your Friday edition “Charges Soon For Illegal Marudi Miners” (SN Friday March 22nd 2013) and I could not help but wonder what unprofessionalism was on display by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission. Here we are negotiating with the miners and at the same time we are making plans to prosecute. I think the authorities are sending mixed signals in this matter. It defies all conventions on negotiating. However if the miners are to be charged, and I am not qualified to offer an opinion one way or the other, but I do have some concerns
A tragedy waiting to happen a sound cussing in response). It was regrettable and I’m sure his family is in mourning but let us hope that those who have their family members soliciting alms from the motorists stop at traffic lights. Take heed as funerals are getting expensive. Paul Mc Adam
of my own that need some clarity. I would be most grateful if the relevant authorities can provide that to me. We a l l k n o w t h a t Romanex is not in charge of the present operations at Marudi. Romanex only has two (2) staff members in this country. We know that a new company by the name of Mulgravian Ventures Inc. is in charge at Marudi, yet the authorities are very careful not to even allude to that fact. Is there something to hide? If so what is being hidden? Let the public know of this Mulgravian Company. What is their Status? Have the necessary paper work being done? Or, are they too illegal? The two civilians who so boldly brandished their guns in support of the police, what is their status? Will they be charged for illegal possession of weapons? Will they be charged for engaging in an operation when they had no legal or professional competence to do so? What about the policeman at the center of this whole
fiasco? Is he still on the job or has he been interdicted? Has he being charged? Will he be ever charged? Or are we grateful that no one had died? What about the various investigations? Are they completed? If no, when can the Guyanese public expect to have these reports? What about the welfare of the miners? Are we going to condemn these 300 souls to unemployment? It is time these questions be answered honestly. It is time we quit playing politics with the livelihood of our citizens. The GGMC was already caught lying when they declared that not a gram of gold was sold to authorized dealers. The miners were able to nail that one. What other lies are out there? For one the Ministry and GGMC can start by telling us about Mulgravian Ventures Inc. Please stop insulting our intelligence. Carl Parker Regional Councillor
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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GUYANA HINDU DHARMIC SABHA
Holi or Phagwah is national in character. The festival has grown magnanimously and the celebration has truly captured the spirit of joy and happiness. Holi celebrates the change of the Season. It’s the advent of Spring (VasantRitu). Lord Krishna said, among the seasons I am Spring. The Hindu New Year ends with Holi and the festival ushers in the (new Samvat) Hindu New Year. The new Samvat is PARA BHAV. Holi has its origin in several aspects of life. The NavaneshtiYagya is performed particularly by farmers thanking God for success of their crops and seeks his blessings for the
future. They harvest their crops and take them to a central point and with simultaneous chanting of Vedic mantras offer grains in the sacred Agni in the form of Samagri. The grains come from the harvest itself and are called HOLA. Nature’s beauty and bounty are captured and converted into liquid form (Abeer) and squirted on each other. The festival must truly reflect Basant’s beauty and celebrants made unidentifiable, this brings out the oneness of the festival. Music and folklore change in keeping with the seasonal transformation. Holi is truly proletarian and covers the spirit that
Good ultimately triumphs over Evil. Our economic future is vital and pivotal in the pursuit of life. Life is not an accident it is an opportunity which must be cherished and lived fully influenced by the norms and principles of Hindu Dharm. Hinduism is truly a way of life and festivals like Holi are integrated in the evolution of society acquiring the energy and vision concomitant with the spirit of joy and happiness. It reminds us that we are the architects of our destiny and as such festivals like Holi should be celebrated, keeping in mind its deep and profound meaning. HoliKaShubhKaamnayea.
ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE Phagwah (Holi), the Spring Festival or the Festival of colours is a most auspicious time on the Hindu calendar. It signifies new beginnings, fresh starts and that there are better and brighter times ahead. The message of Phagwah or Holi reminds us that good will triumph over evil and that
no matter how dark and depressing the present may be, truth and virtue will lead us to a better tomorrow. The story of Prince Prahalad should be a source of strength for all, especially his ability to confront challenges. The Festival of Holi brings together Guyanese from all walks of life for a
joyous and colourful celebration. It is a time for the sharing of joy, friendship and understanding. This year, as we celebrate Phagwah by colouring each other in diverse colours, let us also celebrate the diversity of Guyana’s rich heritage and culture. A Happy Phagwah to all Guyanese.
FIRST LADY, MRS. DEOLATCHMEE RAMOTAR
I extend joyous greetings to all Guyanese at home and abroad, and especially to our Hindu brothers and sisters, on this festive occasion of Phagwah. This colorful festival of Phagwah is celebrated in many parts of the world and is a reminder that the gifts of the Earth are there, not just for our own benefit but also to be preserved for future generations so that they too can one day celebrate Holi
with the same passion, gaiety and exuberance as we do today. Phagwah is a celebration that involves family, friends and members of our communities since we are all part of creation and we all are entitled to share in its bounty. I therefore hope that this year’s Phagwah would be marked not just by acts of celebration but will also be tempered by genuine and meaningful acts of kindness,
especially to those in need. May the celebration of Phagwah renew in us hopes for a brighter tomorrow, one in which our successes are to be enjoyed and shared with family, friends and with the community. May we have a joyous but peaceful Holi. And may our festivities help to promote greater harmony within our beloved country. Happy Holi to all!
PEOPLE’S PROGRESSIVE PARTY On this occasion of the observation of Phagwah, the People’s Progressive Party extends best wishes to the Hindu community in Guyana and the world at large. The Party also takes this occasion to greet all the Guyanese people as a whole and to wish them continuing peace, happiness and prosperity. Since the religious occasion of Phagwah is one
that signifies the triumph of good over evil, the PPP urges all Guyanese to stand guard over their hard earned civil liberties and not to allow anyone to trample on them under any pretext whatsoever. On this occasion being commemorated as Phagwah, Lord Vishnu triumphed over the wicked demon king Hiranyakashipu who had
repeatedly schemed to kill his own innocent son Prahalad, but consistently failed. With the death of the demon king at the hands of Lord Vishnu, universal freedom was restored and everyone celebrated that victory. In the world of today, there are many demonic personalities who would deprive whole nations of their freedom, if given the chance to rule. This is why all the people of Guyana should be on guard against any occurrence taking place that is designed to trample upon their constitutional rights and to subvert their democratic liberties. Happy Phagwah to One and All!
Tuesday March 27, 2013
PEOPLE’S NATIONAL CONGRESS REFORM
The People’s National Congress Reform extends sincere Holi greetings to the Hindu Community of Guyana in particular, and Guyanese in general, on the occasion of the celebration of the Festival of Phagwah in Guyana. The significance of Phagwah is two-fold. Its secular significance lies in the advent of the season of spring, and its real and allegorical implications of fertility, rebirth, renewal and regeneration. The religious
significance of Holi lies in the conquest of good over evil, manifested by the destruction by Prahalad of his demonic father, King Hiranyakashipu. As the celebrated Indian national, Kulapati Va n i w r o t e m a n y y e a r s ago, ”… festivals are gatherings for refreshing the spirit and enjoying life.” We urge all Guyanese to use this occasion to refresh their spirit and enjoy life and to participate fully in this colorful festival and enjoy the
rich elements of our religious and cultural diversity. We also urge that they seek spiritual inspiration in this Festival and brace themselves against the many evils that are in our midst, and resolve, at this juncture, to take steps to end these calamities that now bedevil our country, and to restore equity, justice, peace and prosperity to our dear Motherland. Again, Happy Holi to all Guyanese!
The Progressive Youth Organization would like to extend greetings to all Guyanese for the Hindu festival of Holi. The legend of Prahlad and Holi holds important lessons that can be followed by people of all faiths and creed. It teaches us that, if like Prahlad, we show true humility, are devoted to good, and pursue knowledge we will live a fulfilling and
beautiful lives. That unlike Hiranyakashipu we must not work for our own ends but for the betterment of our families and friends. It teaches us that power should not be abused, that selfishness and greed will be the downfall of those who do not exercise power in a responsible manner. Like Prahlad we have to reject our leaders who are anti-
private sector, chauvinistic, xenophobic, and antidevelopment. Finally the PYO hopes, that today, we celebrate Holi. We have fun while respecting our fellow man and woman. We do not be reduced to Hiranyakashipu and become inebriated with excitement of the day to cause harm. Happy Holi to all Guyanese.
It’s here again! The joyous season of Phagwah – as it is more fondly described in Guyana. The Holi Festival, though Hindu in origin, has enveloped a significant portion of Guyana’s nonHindu, non-Indian population. The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Guyana’s largest trade union bargaining agent with thousands of Hindu members, joins those
members and the rest of the nation in celebrating a festival with universal message for all mankind. With a significant membership involved in agriculture, GAWU recognizes the origin of India’s springtime celebration of utlising the creator’s earth to sustain the planets inhabitants. Holi symbolizes the triumph of the good and righteous over the conflictbreeders and the greedy, with
the burning of the wicked Holika. Holi also symbolizes the hope of a productive agricultural season, even as our vital sugar industry faces numerous challenges. So as we celebrate Phagwah with the merriment of cleansing water, abeer, powder, chowtals and dance, let us give thanks for our Guyanese blessings. Now truly a national observance, Holi sustains our collective hope.
The Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) extends Phagwah (Holi) greetings to all the citizens of Guyana, especially those who are guided by the philosophical teachings of Sanatan Dharma. Phagwah or Holi is a festival of Bharat (India) that
has its roots in antiquity and celebrates the coming of a new spring season, the drawing of a new year and the triumph of good over evil exuberance of this festival reflects the collective hope o f p e o p l e for progress, prosperity and the concomitant betterment of
their lives. The IAC calls upon all citizens of this multi-cultural land of Guyana to regard the great festival of Phagwah or Holi, which celebrates life and hope always - regardless of demography or geography as a focus for national unity. Happy Holi.
The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), joins the Hindu community in celebrating Phagwah – the Holi Spring Festival with origins in the Asian SubContinent. So quickly these events return year after year, there are a few changes to discuss, but the festival’s universal messages and themes remain constant.
Mankind must reject the aberrations of greed, graft and deceptive thievery, wherever they exist in our societies. In two days, the weekend observes the powerful culmination of a fortyday period of sacrifice for Christians. That community observes the very foundation of its faith, the crucifixation then resurrection of God the Son. That is another national/ religious event with sacrifice
and hope as its themes. Easter is upon us. Fortunate are we Guyanese to have these multi-religious, multicultural events to enable us to focus on important themes and principles of human existence. We have stamped a Guyanese character on the Festival of Holi in our towns and villages. Let us enjoy the abeer, the music and meals as we celebrate and reflect.
PROGRESSIVE YOUTH ORGANIZATION
GUYANA AGRICULTURAL AND GENERAL WORKERS UNION
INDIAN ARRIVAL COMMITTEE
FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT TRADE UNIONS OF GUYANA
Tuesday March 27, 2013
The PPP has always been overly cautious with its annual Budgets. It has tried to stay within a certain strategic framework and has always preferred to err on the side of caution rather than risk bold and ambitious change. It was therefore to be expected that this year’s Budget would not have been about change. In fact the Minister of Finance, even before the reading of the Budget, had indicated that the Budget would not deviate from its traditional focus on maintaining stability in the economy. But even in this context, the government has this year undertaken what by its own standards can be deemed very adventurous policy initiatives. It has, for example, refused this year to raise the income tax threshold, but has done what it was reluctant to do for years: reduce the rate of personal income tax. Even so, the reduction is a mere 3%. But given the implications for tax revenues, it is understandable that the government would have adopted such a cautious approach. Perhaps when it sees that a 3% reduction will not lead to a major shortfall in revenue collection, it will next year aim to reduce the rate of personal income tax to 25% across-the-board! Just perhaps! The tax policies announced in the annual Budget are expected to dominate the analyses of this year’s Budget as they always do whenever tax-adjustment measures are announced.
Kaieteur News
These measures are often political carrots offered to sell the Budget to the public and to make a pitch to vested interests. In fact, the private sector in Guyana has consistently been calling for tax reductions and increases in the income tax threshold. Whenever the private sector is under pressure to increase the disposable incomes of its workers, they lean on the government to bear a portion of these payments. When the government increases the income tax threshold - as they did last year, raising it to $50,000 they are in effect helping the private sector to increase the disposable income of its workers, at the State’s expense. Whenever the government also reduces the tax rate - as they did this year - private sector workers are able to enjoy an increase in disposable income. The public sector workers also benefit, but the motivation for these tax changes has always been about supplication to the private sector. This has got to stop. Manipulating the tax rate is a most undesirable way of increasing disposable incomes for workers. It fools the workers into believing that they are earning more and paying lower taxes. In fact, most workers will find that the real increases in wages, after adjustment for inflation is negligible and the tax concessions received, are always inevitably eroded by either a decline in the value of the Guyana dollar or some
Dem boys seh...
Dem protester know Donald right name In nursery school dem teacher does teach children animal sound. Bow wow is fuh dog; beeaah is fuh sheep and goat; hee haw is fuh jackass and then dem got a sound fuh Donald. Dem private media people who Jagdeo tun he back pun when he did sharing our radio licence start fuh protest. Dem mek placard and dem walk de streets. Sometimes dem stop traffic and then dem would chant. Is nuff thing dem seh and people hear and some smile. Dem talk bout Jagdeo and he best friend Barbie. And dem talk bout Donald. Sometimes dem call he name but most time dem call he de name dem teacher teach dem in nursery school. Is de same name some of dem boys mother use to call dem when dem do something stupid. Imagine everybody in Guyana know when somebody call you a quack. A man who is a quack is a stupid person, or it use to be. Nowadays when somebody do something stupid, people does seh that dem is a Donald. Donald hold a press conference and he seh that when Jagdeo share out de radio licence he really did want to break de radio monopoly suh if he give certain people who is he friends and family is alright because charity begin at home. Donald seh that Jagdeo was so charitable that he mek Charity in de Pomeroon look like stupidness. Barbie hand wasn’t big enough fuh hold dem radio frequency he get and de quack seh that it was alright. That is why de people who was protesting seh that a Donald running de country, only that dem didn’t mean it that way. Dem mean that a quack trying fuh justify everything wha Jagdeo do. Talk half and quack, quack de other half.
other means of indirect taxation or some other charge on their incomes. If you want to increase the disposable income of workers - be it private or public sector - pay them more. The private sector is going to be very happy with this year’s Budget because they have gotten part of what they wanted. They will even celebrate the “reduction” of property tax. But if they look closer, they will see that the property tax measures that were announced amounted to a rebasing of this tax rather than a reduction. All of the aforementioned point to the need for different
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types of analyses to be adopted in respect to the annual Budget. Instead of arguing over policies, spending priorities, sector programmes, poverty alleviation, job creation, or whether the Budget is bland or a circus, the real question that needs to be asked is whose interest does this year’s Budget serve. Is this a workers’ Budget or is it geared to prop up the middle and propertied classes? Which class interest is primarily served by thus year’s Budget? The opposition, however, is going to skirt any class analysis of this year’s
Budget, because they do not wish to be seen as employing socialist or even Marxist tools of analyses to this year’s Budget. They would rather contract the flu than risk being labeled as leftists. Even the old dye-in-the-wool socialists in the opposition camp will not venture into this sort of analyses. This is the tragedy that faces the working class of Guyana. The opposition obtained its mandate mainly from the working class, yet it will not employ a class analysis of the Budget. To do this, it risks being labeled as socialists and that is a stain that the opposition is trying
to keep far from. And so in the next few days we will have the same old rigmarole debates about the Budget and no one will try to strip this Budget down to its skeleton and expose it for what it is: an unashamed pitch by the PPP to the middle and upper classes.
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Freddie Kissoon Column
Sexual politics then and now After he lost power in 1964, Dr. Cheddi Jagan wrote his memoirs which he mischievously named, “The West on Trial.” I say mischievously because by looking at the title, one would immediately conjure up vision of a radical Third World leader trying to develop a poor nation against the world great powers and imperialism stopped him. The person that glanced at the title would not know that the West that Jagan put on trial was involved in a Cold War drama in British Guiana with Dr. Jagan shamelessly taking sides. So he put the West on trial but not Soviet hegemony, which overran Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968. Looking at the caption of Dr. Jagan’s memoirs, the reader would never believe that in 1950, in an interview with a high school student, in his school magazine, “Lictor,” Dr. Jagan who put the West on trial was overflowing in his praise of Joseph Stalin. It still boggles the mind why in the sixties, a Third World leader would see Joseph Stalin as a role model. Equally deceiving too is the fact that this leader that put the West on trial was no peach while in power. The “West on Trial” was a massive denial of all the venalities committed by the government of Premier Jagan with blame being put on the opposition for all the atrocities committed against critics of the PPP in the sixties by Premier Jagan’s party itself. In 2013 when you look back at the descriptions in the “West on Trial”, you can
vividly see that from 1956 when the PPP came to power to 1964 when the party lost it, the exercise of power by the PPP is uncannily identical in the 21st century. If you believe in the supernatural then it is easy to conclude that the ghost that drove the PPP to commit political suicide from 1956 to 1964 is the same ghost that has taken complete control of Freedom House from 1992 to 2013. The commission of the crimes in the sixties and their explanations are identical with what currently obtains. If any organization is unchanging and has learnt nothing from history it is the PPP. The PPP Government banned “Kit” Nascimento from press conferences back then. Fifty years later, the same thing happened to Gordon Moseley. The Kaldor Budget was denounced as harsh on the urban proletariat. The essential criticism against Premier Jagan was that he was insensitive to the urban working class. The exact criticism has been made against the PPP Government today. The policy of excluding Guyanese labourers from the Marriott construction is strongly reminiscent of the mountain of mistakes in relation to labour policies of Premier Jagan in the sixties. Sex was never far from the mind of the PPP planners when they attacked their critics in the sixties. That stratagem is very much alive today. The case of Peter Taylor, editor of the Daily Argosy, will take a prominent place on the front page of the alternative publication to “The West on Trial.”
Taylor was a relentless pursuer of Premier Jagan’s Government. The attempt on his life ordered by the PPP (at a later date, I don’t know when, I will name the PPP leader that ordered the hit and the relative of mine that went to kill Taylor) was put down by Premier Jagan’s Government as a jealous act by Taylor’s wife when she found that he was cheating on her. In 2010, I was attacked
around 20.00 hours and a miasmic substance thrown on me. It was public knowledge who the perpetrators were. But the very night, just seconds after the attack, NCN said it was the work of a father who reacted against my overtures to his daughter. The Chronicle repeated the same allegation the next day. Despite a permanent hurricane of poison against me, the PPP and its Government have never even
sought an interview with the father and/or his daughter. The man and his daughter just disappeared the next day and are never to be seen again. A Government that hates me refuses to put on display for the Guyanese population the man and his daughter and their story of Freddie Kissoon. They can’t. They don’t exist. It was the Peter Taylor drama all over again fifty years after Taylor almost lost
Frederick Kissoon his life. Decades after returning to power, the PPP remains its pristine self – a political party that is beyond redemption.
Slain U.S. Army doctor...
The flag-draped casket is placed in a vehicle en route to the burial site (From page 3) her ownership. The family believes the entire murder was planned and orchestrated. “This was planned for him…these persons knew everything. When he came out, where he would have gone, how much money he got, what paperwork was
doing? The paperwork that said that he was taking care of the property.” CALL FOR OVERSEAS HELP “We do need overseas help - we gotta get the Americans involved in that. We don’t trust these cops here—and he is a military member and I want the military
to get more involved, because I am not satisfied and the police in Corriverton are not cooperating enough and not doing the work that they supposed to do, so we need the U.S to come in here and assist and we are begging for this. We don’t know what to do, because the police are not working with us.”
She showed Kaieteur News a signed Will and Testimony from Dr. Kungel, which he prepared in December 2004, requesting that his body be handed over to the School of Medical and Science of Learning Proposal, Drexel University in USA for scientific studies and research, and insurance monies from which he requested be donated to charity. It therefore pains her that the body would be buried in Guyana “We really need the Americans to come in here and step in and look into this—it’s a murder case— they can’t just put it like this, they have to be— every day… something [should be] happening—go out and find the killer!” The family also said that they heard that the U.S. military had sent a casket and other funeral material to Guyana, but have not seen any of this thus far. (Continued on page 10
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Gold earnings shine for Guyana’s economy - country records 4.8% growth in 2012, VAT rakes in $58.6B Guyana’s economy recorded a 4.8% growth rate last year with government projecting an ambitious 5.3% for 2013. During his budget presentation Monday in the National Assembly, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh did not surprise with disclosures that gold remained king of the country’s economy. A rush to the interior and heavy investments amidst high world prices for gold has seen government smiling all the way to the bank. It will be the seventh consecutive year that Guyana is recording positive growth rates and comes at a time when government would want badly prove its critics wrong. Last year, a combined opposition, buoyed by its one-seat majority, slashed almost $20B from the national budget. The cuts targeted Office of the President, the Government Information Agency (GINA) and National Communications Network (NCN). The matter had gone to court and government, much to the displeasure of the opposition, interpreted the ruling to restore the monies that were taken away by the opposition parties. There have been attempts at talks during the preparation of the budget for the ministries, state agencies and regional administrations, but both government and the opposition have been blaming each other for a lack of progress. Under the $208.8B budget for 2013, themed “Overcoming Challenges Together, Accelerating Gains For Guyana”, government made it clear that Guyana is poised to capitalize on a number of transformative projects, despite the challenging global crisis. “Looking ahead to 2013 and beyond, our Government’s policy agenda continues to be aimed at
building a Guyana that is truly a land of opportunity and prosperity for all, and we will remain undaunted and unfazed in our quest to realise this vision.” Last year, the sugar industry contracted 7.8%, after delivering total production of 218,070 tonnes. Singh blamed this on industrial relations disruptions and inclement weather patterns. Rice, meanwhile, recorded another year of outstanding performance, with total production growing by 5% to 422,057 tonnes, the highest tonnage produced in any one year in the industry’s entire history. “Livestock production increased by 14.4 percent, driven primarily by heightened demand, especially in mining communities. The fisheries industry grew by 15.5 percent with an expanded trawling fleet in operation. The forestry industry recorded a 4.3 percent decline with total production of 369,645 cubic metres.” It was the strong showing of the gold and mining and quarrying industry that saw a 14.8% growth over 2011. “Declared gold production of 438,645 ounces was the highest recorded in the entire history of the gold industry excluding Omai production, and was 20.8 percent higher than 2011.” The bauxite industry recorded growth in value added of 12.5 percent, with production of 2,213,972 tonnes. However, “production of diamond and stone recorded declines of 22.2 percent and 10.8 percent respectively, while sand production recorded a 76.5 percent increase which, when taken together, resulted in the other mining subsector recording a decline of 14.6 percent.” Gold export raked in US$716.9 million, a 38.7 percent increase over 2011,
Gold last year continued its run as being Guyana’s biggest earner.
with the industry benefitting from a 6% favourable price movement and a 30.8% increase in export volume. Sugar took in US$132.1M which increased by 15.1 percent, despite the lowest production. According to Minister Singh, rice export grew by 13.3% to US$196.2M, underlying which were a 9.4 percent increase in volume and a 3.5 percent increase in prices. Last year, total imports increased by 11.7% to US$2B. Overseas-based Guyanese sending home monies to their families also helped boost remittances to US$419.2 remitted. “The Bank of Guyana ended the year with total external reserves of US$862.2 million, the highest end of year position ever in our country’s history, and equivalent to four months of imports.” Fisheries also saw a 15.5% increase in production, but forestry earning declined amidst
No bail for nude intruder Roscoe McIntyre, a 22year-old resident of 19 Meadow Bank, was yesterday remanded when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court. The defendant had the court in an uproar with his disorderly behaviour and rude outbursts. According to police reports, on March 22, at Ivy Bisnauth’s residence, also located in the Meadow Bank area, the defendant broke and entered the plaintiff ’s
premises with intention to commit a felony. To the allegations the defendant pleaded not guilty and added “I would nevah thief from she. I rather thief from de Bank of Guyana.” When Bisnauth was called upon, she stated to the court that the defendant broke into her home “naked and armed with a knife” whilst her daughter was snoring. To this comment the defendant shouted “Yuh lying!” The defendant who “cleans fish for a living,” was asked to take a seat and to
the Magistrate’s instructions he retorted “Eh heh! Leh I mek haste and come out ah hey.” Prosecutor Vishnu Hunte objected to bail based on the plausible theory that if the defendant is to be released he would most likely interfere with the complainant and may not return for his next court date. McIntyre is scheduled to make his next court appearance on May 20. To the court’s decision he exclaimed “Selassie I, I coming out ah hey next two week!”
tighter monitoring. Last year, tax revenue collections, which represented 91.5 percent of total current revenue collections, amounted to
$118.3 billion, a 6.2 percent increase over 2011. “Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise tax collections increased by 7.2 percent to $56.8 billion with increased
VAT collections from imports and domestic supplies, and increased excise tax collected on all categories of taxable goods except fuel.” (Leonard Gildarie)
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Govt. ups education sector budgetary allocation Premised on the need to help reduce poverty and support personal development while fostering national development, the Government has this year allocated the sum of $28.7 billion to the education sector. This significant chunk from the $208.8 billion national budget will in fact contribute to a grand total of $139 billion being plugged into the sector over the period 2008 to 2013 to finance its National Strategic Plan. At least this is according to Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, who in his budget speech on Monday emphasized that the sector is currently engaged in the development of a new fiveyear strategic plan. This year, he explained, the physical infrastructure of schools and other educational facilities
- in quest to aid poverty reduction countrywide will benefit from an investment of over $3 billion. He noted that this would include the construction of Kato Secondary Complex which provides for 350 students, the reconstruction of One Mile Primary, and extensions to Alexander Village Nursery, East Street Nursery, St. Barnabas Special School, Tutorial Academy and Tagore Memorial Secondary, rehabilitation of St. Rose’s High, and maintenance of other schools and educational facilities countrywide. Of the total amount provided, $1.1 billion is budgeted for the School Feeding Programme which will see over 64,000 school children benefitting from
either juices and fortified biscuits or a hot meal, added Dr Singh. In addition, the school uniform programme will continue to reduce the financial burden on families and will see one school uniform distributed to every child attending a school in the public education system from nursery to Grade II. Further still, the Finance Minister disclosed that emphasis will continue to be placed on increasing the presence of trained teachers in the classroom, and some 409 newly trained teachers are expected to enter the education system in August 2013. He said another 41 teachers will complete the requirements for certification
under the Trained Teacher’s Certificate Programme and a further 68 in-service teachers in Regions One and Nine will continue to access the Trained Teacher’s Certificate, while 366 students will continue to access the Associate Degree in Education at the coastal centres and Linden. In an effort to strengthen the management and quality of staff members, lecturers and administrators training will be conducted to ensure use of ICT in the delivery of the curriculum, Dr Singh affirmed. “Moreover, this move will complement the 35 IT labs which are expected to be completed in 2013, while 3,000 teachers will be trained in ICT literacy, bringing the sector closer to the target of having all secondary schools equipped with computers and all secondary teachers trained in the use of computers for education delivery.” Also the Finance Minister noted that Government will continue to invest in the University of Guyana with an allocation of $1.7 billion, including student loans of $450 million. A feasibility study for the new Centre of Excellence for the Study of Bio-Diversity and a
management and personnel study of the University’s human resources will also commence this year. Additionally, through the US$10 million project to strengthen the School of Earth and Environmental Science, Minister Singh said that technical assistance and other support to lecturers would be provided to programmes relevant to the LCDS, while grants would be provided to researchers towards generating knowledge products that directly contribute to the LCDS. In support of this, 14 laboratories in the Science and Technology Faculties will be rehabilitated, while full internet connectivity will be provided to all faculties and the library. “This project represents a major Government investment in the University and in particular in its science and technology teaching and research capabilities,” the Finance Minister stated. Included in the total amount provided to the University is a sum of $50 million to be provided by Government to promote greater access to tertiary level education by establishing online programmes. Last year, Government allocated the sum of $26.5 billion to the education sector and of that amount, $2.9
billion was spent on construction, extension, rehabilitation and maintenance of additional educational facilities countrywide to ensure increased access. In an effort to increase enrollment and attendance rates of children in schools, as well as reduce the dropout rate, over $1.2 billion was spent on the School Feeding Programme, which benefitted over 64,000 students, Dr Singh disclosed. Additionally, $296.7 million was spent on the National School Uniform Programme which benefitted over 190,000 children in nursery, primary and secondary schools. Significant gains, he said too, have been made in increasing the percentage of trained teachers in the public education system. Further, 2,965 teachers were trained in ICT. Amounts totalling $1.3 billion were expended to equip and staff technical and vocational institutions which, according to the Minister, continue to provide an alternative education pathway for youths. Another $1.3 billion was allocated to the University of Guyana, of which $450 million represented loans to students.
Linden schoolboy’s body retrieved from lake By Enid Joaquin
What should have been a day of celebration, on Monday, turned to tragedy for a South Amelia’s Ward mother who had planned to take her two children to dinner at Church’s Chicken to celebrate her daughter’s birthday. Instead all of her plans were dashed after she received the devastating news that the elder of the two children, nine-year-old Jamal de Jonge, had disappeared in or around a lake some distance away from their home. He was a grade four student of the Regma Primary School. The boy’s body was fished out of the lake, shortly after noon yesterday, bringing several hours of searching to an end. His mother, Sue-Anne Hermanstyne, who was at work at the time of the incident, was too distraught to speak to the media yesterday. But her sister Racquel Henry (Belle) during an emotional interview with this newspaper said that she had taken the children to the lake for an outing as it was her niece Aquilah’s birthday.
Dead: Jamal de Jonge The woman, in between sobs, related that while at the lake the children were playing at the water’s edge, when Jamal asked her to pick some fruit for him. “Is go I go to pick the fruit - I don’t think was more than five minutes, but when I come back Jamal was nowhere to be seen - so I ask them is where Jamal gone; nobody ain’t know, all they tell me was that he was flicking at the side of de lake. Henry said that they
begun a frantic search, after she had called her sister and the police, but their efforts were futile. After a sleepless night the family resumed the search yesterday, and engaged the services of a diver, who was successful in retrieving the child’s body. The child’s aunt said that she had been taking care of Jamal and his sister Aquilah since last year and was very attached to them. “These children used to come and eat at me, no matter how much they eat at home; they would still want to taste my food. My sister even offered to pay me to take care of them, after she started working at GWI, but I refused - I ask her how I gon take money to take care of me own niece and nephew. I love both of them very much. I only wanted them to have some fun…now look what happen,” she cried. Over the years, several children have lost their lives in the Blue lakes, and the numerous creeks and even the Demerara River during the holiday seasons. More often than not the children leave to go to these waterways unknown to their parents.
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Fighting malaria is a challenge, but measures are in place – Vector Control Dir. Although the Ministry of Health through its Vector Control Services has been vibrantly tackling malaria, these efforts are often undermined. This has been the observation of Director of Vector Control Services, Dr Reyaud Rahman, who during an interview with this publication disclosed that this state of affairs is mainly caused by those within the mining sector. In fact the Health Ministry had linked an increase in malaria to the growing gold mining activities in sections of Guyana’s hinterland. Moreover, intensified measures were engaged to address the threatening health situation. Relating the tedious process of taking malaria prevention and treatment measures to the hinterland, particularly mining areas, Dr Rahman explained the work of vector control workers even as he emphatically outlined that “the malaria workers work very, very hard to take treated bed nets and treatment to the (mining) camps.” However, challenges
Dr Reyaud Rahman, Director of Vector Control Services often surface when the workers arrive in the mining areas. He explained that getting to these camps entails malaria workers trekking for miles through some inaccessible areas such as sections of Mowasi, Region Eight. Though these workers usually start such a mission in a 4x4 vehicle armed with microscopes to facilitate the examination of smears, and nets to help prevent the spread of malaria, that journey often lasts longer than anticipated. “One of the challenges is that a malaria worker might drive for about 10-15 miles
A malaria team ready for a mission and when he gets there he still has to go five or even 10 miles more...Then he gets on to his ATV and he is going to go as far as he can until he reaches to an area where he can’t go further. He leaves that there puts his backpack
on and then he treks through mud, probably waist high, and there is no other way.” By this time, Dr Rahman disclosed, that malaria worker is quite muddy, and when he gets to the camp miners are busy on their gold-finding missions and some would immediately react in a negative manner. “‘No, no we are alright... we are good, we don’t want to take smears.’” Dr Rahman informed that it is required that the malaria workers take smears from the miners or others within areas under malaria threat, but according to him “the miners are sometimes very difficult. Once they are finding gold that is the priority for them, they continue doing what they are doing and they disregard the malaria worker...He (malaria worker) treks for miles and sometimes he may have to turn back because there is nothing else he can do. If they don’t want to take it that’s it, and his work and his fuel and his time and
everything just goes down the drain. So that is some of the challenges we have.” Another challenge is that of tracking miners who would have been attended to. Malaria workers, Dr Rahman disclosed, would usually treat miners on site. This process can however be compromised as the malaria worker at times is unable to locate the miner he would have attended to earlier. “The malaria workers treat them and give them their nets and two weeks after he goes back to the site and the person is nowhere to be found...and then they have gone with the net too.” According to Dr Rahman, there are times that the malaria worker is able to locate that individual at another mining camp and when questioned about the net, for instance, the response is sometimes “‘oh I sent it to Georgetown’ that is what happens... those are some of the challenges that we have.”
Moreover, the Ministry of Health has been seeking to work in collaboration with a number of agencies in order to address these challenges. Dr Rahman disclosed that a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with various entities including the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association, the Geology and Mines Commission, the Forestry Commission and efforts are being made to bring on board the Forest Products Association and the Women Miners Organisation. This move, according to Dr Rahman, is expected to “strengthen our activities. We recognise that we need partners, because if the miners are not going to listen to us then we believe that other persons must come on board, as at the end of the day when they are not producing when they are not healthy, it impacts these organisations and the whole country, and we look as if we are not doing our job.”
A six-year-old boy is now a patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), nursing head injuries he sustained from an accident early yesterday at Mabaruma, Region One. Injured is Jaheim King of Hosororo Stretch, Region One. The accident occurred at around 07:00 hrs on the roadway near the boy’s home.Yesterday, at GPHC, the lad’s father, Edwin King who was waiting to see his son, said that he was just about to
leave work to go home when he heard about the accident. According to the older King, he was informed that one minibus was heading to Mabaruma while another bus was proceeding towards Hosororo when the accident occurred. “I was told that there was an object on the road and the bus heading towards Mabaruma swerved from the object and the other bus ended up swerving from that bus and hit my son,” the distraught father explained.
Kaieteur News was informed that the lad was flung several yards away from the point of impact. He was picked up by an uncle and was rushed to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital before being air-dashed to the city. The lad’s father told this publication that he was informed by a doctor that his son suffered no broken bones, but he sustained head injuries. The driver of the minibus which struck the teen is currently in police custody.
Boy, 6, critical after Mabaruma accident
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Increasing tuition fee should be last resort – UG Pro Chancellor “Meeting your expenses or raising the quality of education should not be done on the backs of your students.” This assertion was made by Pro Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Dr Prem Misir, who insisted that increased tuition fees at the local university should in fact be a last resort. Dr Misir’s remarks come in the wake of a proposal made by recently appointed Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi, who touted a tuition fee hike as a means of improving the quality of the institution. While not condemning the proposal, the Pro Chancellor, during an interview with this publication, was adamant that other factors should be considered ahead of such a move. Even as he acknowledged that the university is “very cashstrapped” and needs a lot of funding, Dr Misir pointed to the fact that while most Governments around the world have cut back on funding to universities, the local Government has not followed this trend. “If you look over the years, the Guyana
- public/private partnership a recommended move Government has increased its subvention to the University of Guyana, but the norm seems to be, over the last three, four years, in Great Britain as well as in the United States for those universities (there) they have had massive cutbacks...and so when you start with that you have very little funding.” “Perhaps the easiest thing to do is say ‘let’s increase the fees and get some extra cash’ but I do not agree and this is not in disagreement with (Professor) Opadeyi’s position,” Dr Misir categorically asserted. He further expressed his conviction that students should not be denied access to the university on the basis of that student’s economic background. “That is what I have always been saying. The tuition fee may or may not have to go up, but we need to look at a lot of factors. We can’t just unilaterally say we will increase the tuition fee because we are cash-strapped and so that will bring in some extra revenue.”
According to the Pro Chancellor, while an increase in tuition will expectedly channel more revenue to the coffers of the university, at the same time such an undertaking could result in the denial of access to some students and “that is not what I want. I think all students should have equal right to admission at the university”. Moreover, he is convinced that the implementation of the increased tuition fee proposal could inhibit the rights to access, therefore, it is crucial to find other avenues of revenue. “We are cash-strapped, but we have got to find a better way, I think, of dealing with it...” insisted Dr Misir, who pondered over the notion that increased tuition fees will also increase students’ loans. And since students’ loans cannot be considered a revolving fund, the Pro Chancellor noted that Government’s liabilities will in fact soar. “If you increase the fees, the loan has to be bigger to meet the increasing fees, so the liability from a governmental point of view
Vice Chancellor, Professor Jacob Opadeyi
UG Pro Chancellor, Dr Prem Misir
would be higher...fiscal deficit will grow and that would create its own problems.” In fact, Dr Misir has embraced a move towards soliciting the support of the private sector whereby a public/private partnership could be forged. This strategic undertaking, according to him, could realise an institutionalised relationship where the corporate world becomes not merely a donor but rather a stakeholder within the University. “The corporate world has to become a major
player in the running of universities now...it is already happening all over the world,” Dr Misir concluded. Speaking at a recent press conference, Professor Opadeyi had insisted that there is need for an improvement in the quality of education offered at the tertiary institution. “If you want quality degrees you will pay for it; nobody gets quality for free. If students can’t pay for it somebody’s got to pay for it; either the private sector or scholarships, somebody’s
got to pay for it,” he asserted. He said that money should not be raised through begging, but rather through the services that are being sold. Even as he referred to salaries, Professor Opadeyi stressed that “everything needs to go up, it is a total package. If you want high quality teachers you need to pay high quality salaries.” As such, he expressed confidence that Government will support the move to up the tuition fee, since according to him “it is common sense. There is no Government service that has not increased its prices in this country...so it is just common sense.” The only challenge with implementing the tuition change, according to the Vice Chancellor, is the modality, that is, “how we should, not why we should do it, and if Government says we are not going to increase tuition, the University is going to say ‘this is the extra bill you have to pay’....This is the cost of giving that person the quality education that you wanted.” Head of the Presidential Secretarial, Dr Roger Luncheon has since indicated that renewed discussions on the matter could force Government to make a definitive decision on the matter.
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Tuesday March 27, 2013
Arguments erupt over Mayor and Councilors being locked out of meetings By Zena Henry As City Hall and its Town Clerk continue to bump heads over administrative functions, arguments grew on Monday over Mayor Hamilton Green and Council members being locked out of Council Chambers last Tuesday, prior to two scheduled meetings. The Mayor and Councilors were trying to get to the bottom of the lockout when arguments erupted between them and acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba. The Councilors argued that it is unacceptable that Council members were locked out of their scheduled meetings and demanded answers from Sooba. They said that last Tuesday, two meetings were scheduled; a press conference at 10:00 hours and a subsequent meeting of the personnel and training committee. The Councilors claimed that when they arrived at the location, the doors and the windows were locked and the keys for the chambers could not be located by the person responsible, Assistant Town Clerk Sharon Harry- Munroe. They said that the doors were only opened when the press conference was almost over and a suggestion was made to break them open. The Council was further peeved that the speaker system had not been activated for the meetings. Mayor Green said the system was reluctantly set up and
Two of the disgruntled workers at City Hall yesterday was not turned on afterward. It was disclosed that Councilors and media operatives had to use the Mayor’s parlour to gain access to the Council chambers. Mayor Green was highly annoyed when he asked who authorized the locking of the doors and “could not get a straight answer”. In fact, he and Sooba ended up in an exchange of words when the Town Clerk insisted that the Mayor wanted to hear something other than the explanation that she was prepared to offer. Sooba invited Assistant Town Clerk Munroe to explain what had occurred. Munroe explained that she was told by the Town Clerk about the meetings and had communicated with the Councilors on the matter. She however said that she was not sure where the press
conference was being held and thus gave the Councilors some time before the chamber was opened. Mayor Green however insisted that it be recorded that the explanation given by Munroe made no sense, since letters were sent to the Town Clerk informing her of meetings. He also highlighted that an answer to the core question as to who locked the doors was not given.
Green charged that “some hand was behind the lockout”, while Councilors argued that the door had to be ordered locked, since it is unusual for the doors to be locked. One Councilor, Florence Bourne, said that she was told by a staffer that the Town Clerk instructed that nothing be touched for the meeting. Another Councilor Gladstone George opined that the
Minister of Local Government should get involved or there would be deadlock between the Council and the Town Clerk. Sooba however defended that she was not at City Hall on the day in question and dismissed claims that she gave orders to have the doors remained locked. In the meantime, protest action was taking place in the Council compound where private garbage collectors continued to strike for unpaid services due from early last year. At least seven of the unpaid workers expressed dissatisfaction about the Town Clerk refusing to give them their pay. The operators said that they have not been paid for the first five months of last year and despite several orders by the Council to have them paid, the Town Clerk refused to hand over the money. At Monday’s statutory meeting, when the issue came up, the Town Clerk said she was not going to pay the workers unless the Local
Government Minister assents to it, despite the Council already giving the go-ahead to pay more than a month ago. The workers said they have already engaged the Minister who alleged that source documents in relation to the workers’ service were not sent to him when the matter of payment came to his office. The workers said that subsequent to the Minister’s revelation, the relevant information was handed over, but still they are not paid. Ever since, the workers have withdrawn their services from the Council and continue to advocate for the salaries. A senior source at City Hall however opined that deliberate attempts are being made to frustrate the work of the Council. The individual charged that sporadic hiccups have been occurring which undermine progress. “Unless we fix the administrative deadlock that’s occurring, the Council’s business will continue to stall.”
Three persons affected as Kitty house collapses
The collapsed building Three persons are now homeless after the building they occupied at Public Road, Kitty, collapsed yesterday afternoon. One of the occupants of the house, who identified himself as Michael Smith, told this publication that he occupied the upper flat of the building, while a man and a woman occupied the bottom flat. Smith said he was sitting
on his bed when he first noticed a post at the centre of the house shifting. According to Smith, he then remembered that he had some clothes under the house on a line drying so he decided to go and collect them. “When I reach under the house I start picking up my clothes and then I hear a cracking sound and then I see the house start moving, so I
run out and then the house fall and I get some bruises”. The man said he did not get to save any of his belongings as his only focus at the time was to save himself. However when the dust settled, Smith said he went to see what he could have saved from the rubble. Smith said he will try his best to fix up what is left of the building and stay there
until he can find a place to live. He added that the other occupants of the house have been informed of what transpired. Smith told this publication that the woman who occupied the lower section of the building is of unsound mind. Smith, who sells DVDs for a living, took time out to appeal to the public for assistance as most of his belongings have been damaged.
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Tuesday March 27, 2013
Ogle Int’l Airport now a Regional Class facility - LIAT makes inaugural landing, to commence operations mid-year LIAT, the Caribbean Airline, made its inaugural flight to Ogle International Airport yesterday signaling the facility’s status as a certified Regional Class Airport. By mid-year the airline is expected to commence operations at Ogle, hence pulling all flights from Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). This is according to LIAT’s Chief Executive Officer, Ian Brunton who piloted the aircraft, a Dash-8, from Antigua to Guyana. All crew members were Guyanese. The plane landed a little before the first taxiway on the newly extended runway indicating that the airport could accommodate larger planes, an observer said. Aircraft like the Turbo Prop, Dash-8s and ATR flights operated by LIAT and Caribbean Airlines, as well as executive-type aircraft could now utilise Ogle Airport. “Flying into Ogle would also mean reduced flying time… flying time round-trip less an average of 10 minutes per flight. This of course would result in a significant annual fuel reduction for LIAT- approximately 19,300 gallons per annum,” Brunton informed attendees at the
official commissioning of the facility. The gathering included President Donald Ramotar, Transport Minister Robeson Benn, Chairman of Private Sector Commission Ronald Webster, Former CARICOM Secretary General Edwin Carrington, and members of the diplomatic corps. Within recent weeks the airline conducted a survey between Guyana and Barbados to ascertain from customers which airport (either Ogle or CJIA) they prefer, and though the results are still being tabulated, Ogle was clearly more popular. Brunton related that of the 625 persons who completed the survey, 62.24 percent chose Ogle while 37.76 percent chose CJIA. “Let me point out that the majority of respondents - 84 percent - were not residents of Guyana,” he emphasised. For LIAT to begin commercial service into Ogle there would be other requirements. One critical component is the VOR/DME (VHF omnidirectional range/ Distance measuring equipment), an important navigational aid. Ogle Airport management has advised LIAT that the equipment will be in place by year-end.
LIAT makes its inaugural landing at Ogle International Airport
Invitees at yesterday’s official commissioning ceremony Brunton recalled that in 2010 Ogle Airport’s
management mentioned plans to extend the runway to accommodate ATR series and Dash-8 series class of aircraft. “LIAT’s Executive Management immediately agreed to review the possibility of beginning service to Ogle as an alternative to CJIA… It was determined that the (closer) proximity to Georgetown would give the company a competitive advantage.” Last year, the newly constructed runway was commissioned. The runway is now 4,000 x 100 feet. Echoing the convenience of utilising the Ogle Airport in terms of saving time was PSC Chairman Webster, who said that sometimes time is not quantified - but a lot of time is spent travelling to airports, waiting on flights, and sometimes having to spend overnight for a flight. As such, the types of planes that would be leaving Ogle and the availability make the facility efficient to travel to other Caribbean locations. He painted a bleak picture of
how travel time could sometimes amount to 48 hours because of the different routes one has to take to arrive to one’s destination. President Ramotar in his remarks noted that this initiative is a perfect example of a public-private partnership lending to infrastructural development in Guyana. Such developments, he stressed, are generally expensive and need mobilisation and garnering of resources. He cited as a similar successful venture, the Berbice Bridge Company Inc. The Head of State related that last Saturday he turned the sod marking the commencement of expansion works at CJIA. Though, LIAT flights will be pulled from CJIA to save fuel, Ramotar expressed optimism that the country’s main port of entry would be a hub for flights from North America and Africa. Flashing back to 1993, Ramotar said that an inquiry was made if South African
airlines would like to use Guyana as an in-transit point, but because the runway was too short it was not possible. However, with the extension of the runway it is hoped that more flights would come to Guyana contributing to an emerging tourism industry. Chairman of the Board of Ogle International Airport, Michael Correia, said that the cost-benefit gain to Guyana has been huge. “Ogle International Airport has cost the Guyanese taxpayers absolutely nothing to build. There is no debt for the Government to repay. OAI has been given no corporate tax relief, no property tax relief. OAI pays a lease and shares the passenger, throughout revenue with Government. We have estimated that the Government of Guyana and, therefore, the people of Guyana, will, as a result, benefit from over 50 percent of the future profit of OAI,” he added. According to Correia, management only used US$6M of investment capital to develop the airport because it has been managed by an experienced, capable and careful private sector team. He noted that the success of Ogle should act as a reminder of how private investment could be used to help Guyana move forward by sharing the burden of infrastructural development costs.
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
Jamaica to host conference on small islands developing states KINGSTON, Jamaica CMC – Jamaica will host the Caribbean Regional Preparatory Meeting ahead of the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to be held in Samoa next year. The Jamaica meeting is scheduled for July 2 – 4 and according to Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister A.J. Nicholson, it is one of three regional meetings to be held this year as groundwork for the Samoa conference. The meeting here is intended to provide a forum for Caribbean countries to formulate their response in relation to commitments made under the 1994 Barbados Programme of Action (BPOA) and the 2005 Mauritius Strategy of Implementation of the Barbados Programme of Action. Discussions will also focus on the steps to be taken to address the many challenges faced by SIDS. These issues will be raised at
the Conference in Samoa, which is expected to provide an opportunity for increased attention to the concerns of Caribbean nations. “More importantly, the opportunity will be presented to advocate for more concrete actions to be taken in relation to these states,” Nicholson said, adding that due to the small size and geographic location of a n u m b e r o f S I D S , including Jamaica, these countries face severe developmental challenges c h a r a c t e r i s e d b y an increased vulnerability to the effects of external economic and other global shocks, susceptibility to natural disasters as well as the effects of climate change. The year 2014 has been declared the International Year for Small Island Developing States and as such, increased focus will be placed on addressing their vulnerabilities and challenges.
KINGSTON, Jamaica Telecommunications firm LIME will lay off more than 300 employees as it partners with international service provider Ericsson to upgrade customer service. About 305 employees from company’s field services department will be affected under the seven-year agreement which becomes effective May 20th, Corporate Communications Manager, Elon Parkinson disclosed Monday. However, LIME employees will have the opportunity to reapply for positions with Ericsson. They will receive a
separation package and will also be provided with career change counseling and financial advice, LIME said in a release Monday evening. Those who successfully apply to Ericsson will become part of that company’s team “global network of professionals and will benefit from the firm’s advanced expertise and training, with opportunities for further career advancement”, the statement said. LIME announced the move as part of its thrust to “to transform the customer experience across its wide range of products”.
LIME to lay off 300 as it partners with Ericsson
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Emerging powers China, Brazil move towards non-dollar trade DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) - China and Brazil agreed yesterday to swap up to the equivalent of $30 billion in each other’s currencies if need be so that their fastgrowing commercial ties will not suffer if a new banking crisis causes dollar trade finance to dry up. The three-year agreement, signed before the start of a BRICS nations summit in Durban, South Africa, marked a step by the two largest economies in the emerging powers group to change global trade flows long dominated by the United States and Europe. Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa represent together a fifth of global GDP but have struggled to convert their economic weight into political clout in the international arena. “Our interest is not to establish new relations with China, but to expand relations to be used in the case of turbulence in financial markets,” Brazilian Central Bank Governor Alexandre Tombini told reporters after the signing. Brazilian Economy Minister Guido Mantega described the deal, called a bilateral currency swap accord, as “a sort of umbrella agreement” but he did not spell out what specific areas or categories of trade would be affected. Brazil’s vast mineral resources and agricultural products have helped fuel
L-R) Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, China’s former President Hu Jintao and South African President Jacob Zuma pose for a picture after a BRICS leaders’ meeting in Los Cabos June 18, 2012. REUTERS/Victor Ruiz Garcia China’s industrial growth and feed its people while the returns have helped bring a new era of prosperity to the Latin American giant. Bilateral trade totalled around $75 billion last year. Of Brazil’s $41.2 billion exports to China, iron ore accounted for 34 percent, while soy and soy products made up 29 percent and crude oil 12 percent. Electronics, machinery and manufactured goods figured heavily in Brazil’s $34.2 billion of imports from China. Brazilian officials have said they hope to have the
trade and currency deal operating in the second half of 2013. Mantega said it would act as a buffer against turbulence in international financial markets dominated by the U.S. dollar. “If there were shocks to the global financial market, with credit running short, we’d have credit from our biggest international partner, so there would be no interruption of trade,” he said. Chinese officials at the signing made no comments but the People’s Bank of China said on its website the currency swap agreement was worth 190 billion yuan
and would facilitate trade and investment. At the Durban summit, the group’s fifth since 2009, the heads of state of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are expected to endorse plans to create a joint foreign exchange reserves pool and an infrastructure bank. These objectives reflect frustration among emerging market nations at having to rely on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, which they see as still reflecting the interests of the United States and other rich nations.
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Wednesday March 27, 2013
Media association “worried” over remarks by T&T Prime Minister PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC – Interim president of the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT), Suzanne Shepherd, yesterday expressed concerned at statements made by Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar that there were “rogue” journalists operating against her government. President of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) Wesley Gibbings said “there is little doubt that such vitriol from these quarters can lead to a measure of nervousness and ensuing self-censorship. “Perhaps that is the intention. But these kinds of outrageous attacks are predictable perils of the trade. Who ever thought it won’t ever come to this? What should concern us all is what the administration proposes to do about its several charges,” he added. Shepherd said that in her address to members of the ruling United National Congress (UNC) on Monday night, Prime Minister Persad Bissessar “asked us to go
back to old fashion value, the fact of the matter is that our values have not changed. “However the conditions under which we operate have changed radically over the years and we have had to adapt and adjust to do that…to function effectively within the changing landscape. But certainly being a rogue is a label that has implications that I find very disturbing as well and very unfortunate that that is the way the prime minister sees some in the media.” Shepherd said that Prime Minister Persad Bissessar during her statement did not specify who the rogue journalists were “and exactly what they have done to earn that label. Prime Minister Persad Bissessar told party supporters that she was “not afraid of taking the risk associated with saying the following, which by no means should be construed as an attack on media freedom, but the evidence before me is troubling and it should trouble all of us as citizens”. She said that as the
Kamla Persad Bissessar Fourth Estate, as journalism is referred to, is in itself a political force in any democracy and its integrity is based on being fair and unbiased. “And when that integrity is under attack by a few rouge elements within the profession, we are all at risk, no matter what side of the political divide you stand on. “The evidence we have been seeing is that some so-called media professionals are not being fair to this government and are not reporting on the
achievements and successes of the government,” she added. Prime Minister PersadBissessar said that journalists have now resorted to distorting the facts and that in the interest and cause of good journalism and journalistic integrity, the profession of reporting needs to be taken to newer heights of personal and institutional professionalism and excellence. She said the duty of the media is to inform and educate, but it is equally the duty of the media to be fair and to be truthful. Prime Persad-Bissessar said she did not want to engage in a war with the media and pointed out that over the years she has built relationships and considers the media members to be “patriots” who work hard, despite the lack of financial gain, to help build a functioning and successful democracy. She noted that her Government funded the meeting of the International Press Institute (IPI) in Trinidad last June at a cost of TT$300,000 (One TT dollar = US$0.37 cents).
Taiwan provides funds for projects in St. Lucia
Dr. Kenny Anthony CASTRIES, St. Lucia CMC - Taiwan is providing EC$4.8 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) to St. Lucia to fund short and long term job programmes on the island. “We have agreed on a clear procedure where such programmes are financed by the government of Taiwan. Both sides will agree on the programmes the government of Taiwan wishes to finance and we will indicate our priorities. “We will present them with a detailed costing of the various projects in advance
so that there will be a clear sense of how much will be spent on each project,” Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony said after receiving the cheque from Taiwan’s Ambassador James Chang. Anthony said the funds would be used for projects throughout the island and would help reduce the employment situation here. “We have agreed that programmes funded by Taiwan must apply to all of the islands 17 constituencies. No constituency government or opposition must be denied the opportunity for funding for projects, because Taiwan is a friend of all of St. Lucia,” Anthony said. Anthony, who is also finance minister, said that a special account has been created in the Ministry of Finance to manage the funds for local projects funded by Taiwan. He said this was “a radical approach, a different approach” to dealing with funds from Taiwan to the government of St. Lucia compared to what existed in the past.
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Ryan: Crime report a draft Trinidad Express Political scientist Dr Selwyn Ryan said Monday that the report which was laid in Parliament last Friday by Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar was “in effect a draft report”. The findings of the report, “No time to Quit—Engaging Youth at Risk”, have been panned by the police and prisons officers and its findings questioned by even government minister Suruj Rambachan. “What happened is that we submitted the report, which was in effect a draft report. We expected the Government to have a look at it and come back to us with a reaction. But it (the Government) went straight to the publication channel (tabling the Report in Parliament) before we had any notion of how they saw what we did and what were they reactions. We are still awaiting that. They are going to study the findings and say something about it (in terms of) what they found that they could accept and what they could use. We are waiting for a reaction, just as you are, in a way”, he said in a telephone interview yesterday. Ryan yesterday stated that some of the findings were not definitive. He said, for instance, he never said that 30 to 40 per cent of police were
corrupt. “I said police are frequently accused of being responsible for much of the corruption that exists in the drug economy. Some of our informants believe that between 30 and 40 per cent of the members of the Police Service are corrupt etc. And I go on to say that these allegations are difficult to prove or establish, but many believe them to be true. “So I am not saying this categorically. We proceeded on the basis of talking to stakeholders, people whom we think have something to say, who are knowledgeable. So that figures are things that we get and I say these things are not easy to establish, they are controversial. They can’t be measured. You have to make an assessment based on what informants say,” he said. His response to persons challenging the findings was, “Yes, as they should.” Ryan said sometimes the person making the assertion has not read the relevant section of the report and therefore is not reacting to what was actually said. Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal said yesterday he personally was not aware that the report was a draft report “but that does not mean that it wasn’t”. He said the Government
ST JOHN’S, Antigua — S u b - r e g i o n a l parliamentarians assigned to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Assembly were due to meet in a seminar on Monday to finalise rules and procedures of the parliament ahead of yesterday’s first sitting. Following remarks from OECS Director General Dr Len Ishmael and host Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, the members of parliament from the seven member states and two associates will review the Revised Treaty of Basseterre and the significance of the OECS Assembly as an organ of the organisation. The group will also mull the legislative competence of the OECS Assembly, as enshrined in the treaty. The OECS and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and how both constructs interface is also on Monday’s agenda. Other housekeeping matters, like the Assembly prayer, rules and procedures of the house and guidelines, will also be the subject of
dialogue. On Tuesday, the OECS Assembly will have its first sitting – a working session – following the pomp and ceremony of the inauguration on August 10, 2012. Among matters on the order paper is a motion to look at the challenges of free movement of people within the OECS Economic Union. Free movement began on August 1, 2011. The proposed Acts and regulations are Civil Aviation ( A e r o n a u t i c a l Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s ) Regulations and Civil Aviation (Amendment) Regulations. Speaking on this week’s media roundtable, Ambassador Colin Murdoch said the operationalisation of the OECS Assembly represents “meat being put on the bones” of the subregional integration movement that dates back three decades, to June 18, 1981, when the Treaty of Basseterre was signed. The Revised Treaty of Basseterre was signed on June 18, 2010, and came into force on January 21, 2011.
OECS politicians meeting in Antigua
laid it in Parliament to generate the debate and the interest that it has. “The report did make several worthy recommendations which we will look at,” he said. Moonilal said the Ryan report was commissioned by the Government in the immediate aftermath of the State of Emergency in 2011 when the Government felt there was a need to investigate further the incidence of crime, particularly among the youth in the so-called hotspot areas.
Noting that the report took a year or so to complete, he said having received it the various ministers and ministries would now look at the findings and recommendations to see where possible what policy and programmes could be implemented. Moonilal conceded that there has been a lot of discussion in the public domain about the veracity of the report’s findings, with some suggesting that the methodology is anecdotal to
an extent, and based on secondary rather than primary data. “While this may be true, it means that as a government we can look to revise the data as well and study the data (to see) where policies and programmes can emanate. But I don’t think it merits a wholesale condemnation, but rather an attempt to understand the perspective and, if need be, do further analysis on some of the areas that the report dealt with,” he said.
Dr Selwyn Ryan
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 27, 2013
In snub to Assad, opposition takes Syria’s Arab summit seat (Reuters) - To applause from Arab heads of state, a foe of Bashar al-Assad took Syria’s vacant seat at an Arab summit yesterday, deepening the president’s diplomatic isolation and diverting attention from rifts among his opponents. Speaking at an annual gathering of Arab leaders in the Gulf state of Qatar, Moaz Alkhatib said he had asked U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for American forces to help defend rebel-controlled northern parts of Syria with Patriot surface-to-air missiles now based in Turkey. NATO swiftly rebuffed the idea. “It was a historic meeting,” said opposition spokesman Yaser Tabbara. “It’s a first step towards acquiring full legal legitimacy.” The 22-nation League is set to support giving military aid to Syrian rebels. A draft summit communiqué offered some of its toughest language yet against Assad, affirming member states had a right to
offer assistance “including military, to support the steadfastness of the Syrian people and the Free Army”. Alkhatib said the United States, which has given nonmilitary aid to Syrian rebels, should play a bigger role in helping end the two-year-old conflict in Syria, blaming Assad’s government for what he called its refusal to solve the crisis. “I have asked Mr. Kerry to extend the umbrella of the Patriot missiles to cover the Syrian north and he promised to study the subject,” he said, referring to NATO Patriot missile batteries sent to Turkey last year to protect Turkish airspace. “We are still waiting for a decision from NATO to protect people’s lives, not to fight but to protect lives,” he added, addressing a body that barred Assad’s government in late 2011. Responding to Alkhatib’s remarks, an official of the Western military alliance at its headquarters in Brussels said:
Bashar al-Assad
Moaz Alkhatib
“NATO has no intention to intervene militarily in Syria.” Turkey, which reported a mortar landing harmlessly on its border on Tuesday, said it was up to the rest of NATO to decide if members wanted to expand the remit of the Patriot batteries. Michael Stephens, a researcher based in Qatar for Britain’s Royal United Services Institute, said
acceding to Alkhatib’s request would effectively put NATO at war with Damascus. NATO’s current deployment of three Patriot missile batteries in southern Turkey is intended to be purely defensive. The Patriots are designed to shoot down hostile missiles in mid-air. Alkhatib, a Sunni Muslim cleric, took Syria’s seat at the summit for the first time despite announcing on Sunday that he would step down as leader of the Syrian National Coalition. Behind him sat Ghassan Hitto, the prime minister of a
provisional opposition government that plans to run rebel-held area, and fellow senior opposition official George Sabra. Alkhatib made a blunt call on other Arab leaders to “fear God in dealing with your people” and free political prisoners - a departure from anodyne tradition at the League. But he also criticised what he called Western failure to bring an end to the conflict, and said an influx of foreign Islamist fighters should not be used by the West as a pretext to deny Syrians meaningful help. He denounced the presence in Syria of Iranians and Russians he said were backing the government. In his opening speech as host, Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani urged the U.N. Security Council to stop the “oppression and repression of the people” in Syria, halt the bloodshed and “present those responsible for these crimes against their people to international justice”. The United Nations says about 70,000 people have been killed in a conflict that
began with peaceful antiAssad protests and turned into an increasingly sectarian armed insurrection. The war in Syria has divided world powers, paralysing action at the Security Council. The Arab world is also split, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar the most fervent foes of Assad, and Iraq, Algeria and Lebanon the most resistant to calls for his removal. The conflict echoes sectarian strains between Sunni Muslims, notably in the Gulf, and Shi’ites, mainly in Iraq, Lebanon and non-Arab Iran, whose faith is close to Assad’s Alawite minority. Syrian rebels again fired mortar rounds into central Damascus on Tuesday. State television said several people had been wounded by “terrorist” mortar bombs that landed in the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA compound in the Baramkeh district. State television said a suicide car bomber killed and wounded several people in north-eastern Damascus, although opposition activists said the blast could have been a mortar.
Former Zambian president arrested LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) — Zambia’s former president, Rupiah Banda, was arrested by police for alleged abuse of authority and corruption. Banda, 76, who ruled Zambia from 2008 to 2011, was charged with corruption Monday and released on bail of Kwacha 500,000 ($100,000) and ordered to turn in his passport. Namukolo Kasumpa,
spokesperson for the government investigating team, told journalists that Banda appeared in court yesterday. Banda is also scheduled to be questioned by the investigating panel on April 4. He is accused of stealing $11 million, part of which he had used on his re-election campaign of 20 September 2011. Banda has denied all the charges.
DOHA (Reuters) - An Arab summit agreed yesterday that Arab League member states had the right to provide military support to Syrians fighting President Bashar al-Assad, according to a draft declaration obtained by Reuters. The summit, meeting in the Gulf state of Qatar, urged regional and international organizations to recognize the opposition National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and
Opposition Forces as the sole legitimate representative of the Syrian people, the draft said. While it has diplomatic significance, the summit’s draft language on arming the rebels may not have immediate practical implications for Arab policymakers: Arab states are not subject to the European Union and U.S. arms embargoes on Syria, and many therefore consider themselves at liberty to supply the rebels with weapons.
Rupiah Banda
Summit says Arab states have right to arm Syria rebels While noting that reaching a political solution was a priority in ending the Syrian crisis, the summit “affirms every state’s right, according to its desire, to present all kinds of measures for self-defense, including military ones, to support the steadfastness of the Syrian people and the Free Army,” the draft document said. The summit has been dominated by the two-yearold war in Syria, which has cost an estimated 70,000 lives.
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North Korea says ready for combat as sanctions tighten SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea repeated threats yesterday to target U.S. military bases as Washington and its allies tightened economic sanctions against the isolated country by targeting Pyongyang’s main foreign exchange bank with new measures. The rhetoric from North Korea - which has threatened the United States with nuclear war and rehearsed drone attacks on South Korea - and Washington’s hardening reaction, drew more concern from China, Pyongyang’s only major ally, which said the situation was “sensitive”. Pyongyang says United Nations sanctions, agreed after North Korea carried out a third nuclear test in February, are part of a Washington-led plot to topple its leadership. “From this moment, the Supreme Command of the Korean People’s Army will be putting into combat duty posture No. 1 all field artillery units, including long-range artillery units and strategic rocket units, that will target all enemy objects in U.S. invasionary bases on its mainland, Hawaii and Guam,” the North’s KCNA news agency said. The order was issued in a
statement from the North Korea’s military “supreme command.” The Pentagon condemned North Korea’s rhetoric, saying it was designed to “raise tensions and intimidate others.” “They need to stop threatening peace on the peninsula. That doesn’t help anyone ... and we stand ready to respond to any contingency,” Pentagon spokesman George Little told reporters. The Pentagon has declined to define the range of North Korea’s rockets, saying it is classified. But Admiral James Winnefeld, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged on March 15 that one type of North Korean missile likely had the range to reach the United States. South Korea’s defense ministry said it saw no sign of imminent military action by North Korea and most military analysts say Pyongyang will not risk a conflict with the United States that it would lose. South Korea and the U.S. military are conducting military drills until the end of April, which they have stressed are strictly defensive in nature. The North accuses
Washington of war preparations by using B-52 bombers which have flown over the Korean peninsula as part of the drills, and it has abrogated an armistice that ended the 1950-53 Korean War. The Pentagon said there have been three such flights by U.S. B-52 bombers since March 8, with the most recent one on Monday. Officials said Japan and Australia plan to sanction North Korea’s Foreign Trade Bank as part of U.S.-led efforts targeting Pyongyang’s funding for its nuclear program. China again called on all parties to show restraint. “At present, the situation on the Korean peninsula remains complex and sensitive,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei. Pyongyang’s aggressive rhetoric appears to mark a further attempt to boost the military credentials of Kim Jong-un, who took power in December 2011 after the death of his father. He has cemented the role of the military and the North’s nuclear weapons and missile ambitions with the nuclear test and two long-range rocket launches. KCNA said yesterday that
Egypt court postpones ruling on Muslim Brotherhood’s legality
CAIRO (Reuters) - An Egyptian court postponed yesterday a ruling on whether President Mohamed Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood is illegal, agreeing to the Islamist group’s request for more time to present evidence in a case that has put it on the defensive. Brought by antiBrotherhood lawyers, the court case points to the deep antipathy some harbour towards a group that was formally dissolved in 1954 and forced to operate underground until President Hosni Mubarak was ousted two years ago. The impact of any ruling against the Brotherhood is likely to be more political than practical: analysts find it inconceivable that the state will take any measures against a group that is now at the heart of power. But such a decision could stir more rancour against the Islamists as they face increasingly violent protests. The court set April 23 as the date for the next hearing in the case brought by
Mohamed Mursi lawyers who argue the group is illegal because of its 1954 dissolution by Egypt’s military rulers. Though the Brotherhood dismisses that argument, it has sought to shield itself before the ruling. Last week it registered as a nongovernmental organisation (NGO), giving it a new legal status. The move marked a reversal of the group’s previous decision not to register as an NGO under
existing laws. Following the registration, the Brotherhood had asked the court for more time last week so it could present new evidence, said Abdel-Moneim AbdelMaksoud, the group’s lawyer. A report by a panel of judges published last week had upheld the view that the Brotherhood has no legal status, pointing to the chances of a ruling against the Islamist group. Accused by secularminded opponents of trying to set up a new autocracy, Mursi and the Brotherhood have been the target of violent protests that have erupted periodically since late last year and have obstructed his efforts to revive the economy. The opposition’s complaints against Mursi, who was elected president in June 2012, include his decision to appoint a new prosecutor general late last year, when he triggered a storm of protest by issuing a controversial decree that temporarily expanded his powers.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (2nd L) talks with soldiers of the Korean People’s Army (KPA) taking part in the landing and anti-landing drills of KPA Large Combined Units 324 and 287 and KPA Navy Combined Unit 597, in the eastern sector of the front and the east coastal area Monday. REUTERS/KCNA Kim had guided a landing operation by combined units including the North Korean navy. “This is a mythmaking for the (military) commander,” said Jeung Young-tae, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute of National
Unification in Seoul. South Korea marked the third anniversary yesterday of the sinking of a navy ship that killed 46 sailors that it and the United States have blamed on the North. Pyongyang denied the charge.
On March 22, South Korea and the United States signed a “counterprovocation plan” meant to fine tune joint reaction to any future North Korean military strikes. The Pentagon said details of the plan were classified.
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Britain sets out plans Italy parties still far from deal: Berlusconi ally for nuclear future LONDON (Reuters) Britain spelled out its aims for nuclear power yesterday, committing funds to a sector it expects to create 40,000 jobs while lowering the country’s carbon emissions and its reliance on costly energy imports. This month’s late blast of winter cold has exposed Britain’s reliance on imported natural gas, triggering wholesale price spikes and concerns that stored supplies could run dry. In its long-term Nuclear Industrial Strategy the government sets out the opportunities it sees for economic growth and job creation in the industry. Britain’s plans to build up to 16 gigawatts of new nuclear power capacity could create 40,000 new jobs, the report said. Opportunities span research and development, construction, waste m a n a g e m e n t , decommissioning, operation and maintenance. The government also committed more than 40 million pounds for research and development.
George Osborne “We have some of the finest workers, research facilities and academics in the world. But we need to sharpen those competitive advantages to become a top table nuclear nation,” said Vince Cable, secretary of state for business, innovation and skills.While Germany and others have turned away from nuclear in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima disaster in 2011, Britain remains intent of building new atomic capacity.
EDF won planning approval last week to build Britain’s first new nuclear power station in almost 20 years but warned the project would only move forward if the French company and the British government can agree a guaranteed minimum “strike” price for the power produced. EDF wants to build two reactors but at an estimated cost of some 14 billion pounds it wants assurances that it can recoup its investment with a government guarantee to support energy prices. British companies could be awarded between 44 and 64 percent of the construction work, a report by consultancy Oxford Economics said yesterday. EDF wants a strike price of at least 100 pounds per megawatt-hour (MWh) while the government would prefer a price around 80 pounds, according to industry sources and analysts. Chancellor George Osborne told a panel of parliamentarians yesterday that both sides aimed to reach a deal.
Italy’s former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi (R) speaks as PDL secretary Angelino Alfano (L) looks on after meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at Quirinale palace in Rome March 21, 2013. REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi ROME (Reuters) Formation of a new Italian government is still a long way off and unless political differences can be overcome, the country may be headed for fresh elections, a senior official of Silvio Berlusconi’s center-right party said yesterday. Last month’s elections created a political deadlock, but pressure to form a government to address Italy’s heavy debt burden and sluggish economy increased this week, when a difficult bailout of Cyprus rattled markets and stirred concerns about the return of crisis to the euro zone periphery. “What I can tell you is
that our positions are still very distant from each other, and if they remain distant in the next 48 hours we will affirm that the only way is to go back to vote,” People of Freedom (PDL) party secretary Angelino Alfano told reporters after talks with center-left leader Pier Luigi Bersani. Bersani, whose alliance won the largest share of the vote in February but fell short of a parliamentary majority, is meeting officials from rival parties to try to muster support to form a government. “As you have seen and heard, certainly the problems remain, we need to keep working,” Bersani said after
Tuesday’s consultations. The leader of the Democratic Party, a longtime rival of the PDL, Bersani has so far rebuffed approaches by the center-right to form a coalition. He is due to finish talks with parties today and is likely to present his results to the Italian president tomorrow. Today, Bersani will meet with deputies of the 5-Star Movement led by former comic Beppe Grillo. Grillo has repeatedly and rudely rejected suggestions his group could support a Bersani government.
Germans doubt Merkel’s vow on saving deposits – poll
(Reuters) - A majority of Germans doubt Chancellor Angela Merkel’s guarantee that their savings accounts are safe, an opinion poll published by Stern magazine and RTL TV showed yesterday, six months before the federal election. In a country highly sensitive to fears of having savings wiped out, the poll found that 54 percent of Germans are now concerned about their deposits and only 41 percent believe Merkel’s guarantee that their holdings are safe. The poll of 2,504 eligible voters was taken from March 18 to March 22, soon after Cyprus reached an initial bailout deal - that its parliament then overwhelmingly rejected - in which it would have imposed
Angela Merkel a levy on all bank depositors. Cyprus and its international lenders have since agreed on a bailout plan that includes forcing only wealthier depositors to contribute, but the mere prospect of ordinary
depositors being hit too in an emergency has alarmed many. “The chancellor has so far reigned supreme in the euro zone crisis,” Stern wrote. “Now her reputation as the ‘Iron Chancellor’ is suffering for the first time - 54 percent don’t trust her promise anymore that their savings deposits are safe.” Germans tend to react strongly to any signs that their savings might be at risk. Many Germans lost much of their savings after World War Two in a 1948 currency reform, and they also saw their savings wiped out by hyper-inflation in the early 1920s. These lessons from history partly explain why the government has long taken such a firm stance on euro zone austerity measures.
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Manager, forklift operator charged for cocaine in lumber After what was seen as a lengthy and yet ongoing investigation, two persons have been finally charged and placed before the court in connection with the multimillion US dollar cocaine bust. Some 314 kilograms of cocaine was discovered in a consignment of hollowed logs bound for Europe, last month. Ousmond Ghanie, called Raymond, 41, of Lot 48 South De Kenderen, West Coast Demerara and Dominic Walsh, 31, a father of two from Lot 1 Soesdyke/Linden Highway were charged with possession of an illicit substance for the purpose of trafficking. They appeared before Magistrate Allan Wilson at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court yesterday. Their court appearance came more than a month after ranks of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit (CANU) unearthed a massive quantity of cocaine stashed in timber destined for Holland. As a result of the bust, several suspects had been detained to assist with investigations. The suspects included a Dutch National, Edgar
Ousmond Ghanie called Raymond
Dominic Walsh
Boesenach, whose local address is listed as Coralita Avenue, Bel Air, Georgetown. On Monday, CANU detained a popular city businessman as a key suspect in relation to the crime. He did not appear in court yesterday. The suspect was deported from the United States some time back. He was also arrested for a shipment of cocaine concealed in pepper sauce. Last February, the 314 kilograms of cocaine were extracted from ‘lumber boxes’
at a sawmill located at the Soesdyke/Linden Highway junction. The drug shipment was headed for The Netherlands (Holland) – being shipped by Guyana Timber Products Inc. Reports are that various state agencies were involved in the probe which was allegedly initiated by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). According to information, the forestry agency had suspicions about the company’s lumber shipments after it repeatedly failed to adhere to policies.
The drugs were found in a container which was said to have been cleared by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and due for shipment. The GFC reportedly insisted that a complete check be done of the containers in the presence of Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and CANU agents. Sources said that the timber company had experienced ups and downs with GFC after the latter had cited insolence on the part of the company in relation to adherence to rules and regulations. As a result, some of the company’s shipments were denied at certain intervals. At least seven containers were said to be of interest to investigators. The containers were taken back to the sawmill’s compound where they were re-opened and the lumber stripped to reveal a hollow inside neatly packed with sealed packages of the illicit substance. At yesterday’s hearing the duo faced an indictment for allegedly being in possession of approximately 314 kilograms (692 pounds) of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking between January 25 and February 20, 2013. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Attorneys-at-law Mark Waldron and Deborah Kumar requested bail for the two accused, citing that the basis of the charge is questionable given that the investigations are yet to be completed. In their submission for bail, both lawyers argued that the decision to charge their clients was premature and thus should be considered as a special ground for bail to be granted in the matter. Both Attorneys held that their clients fully cooperated and assisted the police in their investigations. They are willing to comply with any conditions set by the court, the lawyers said. Waldron argued that his client (Ghanie) was nowhere near the premises where the drug was discovered. He explained that whilst his client was a manager of the Sawmill, he had to be contacted and told to report to the scene of the crime, on the day in question. Kumar argued that more than 20 days had elapsed since her client, Walsh, a forklift operator had handled the cargo of lumber in which the illegal substance was unearthed. The lawyer explained that the container of lumber was already sent to the shipping centre and had been there for
more than three weeks when officials of the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) detected some discrepancies which resulted in the cargo being pulled off the wharf and taken back to sawmill, where the discovery was made. As such she claimed that the substance could have been placed there by virtually anyone. CANU Prosecutor Donald Downer opposed the bail applications. While Downer revealed to the court that investigations are ongoing, he pointed out that the accused are before the court for a significant quantity of drugs and the court must first be provided with special reason for bail to be granted in such a matter. Downer also held that the men were charged based on advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions. However Magistrate Wilson decided to grant both men bail citing that the CANU’s investigations are incomplete and that other suspects are still being detained. Bail was set at $350,000 for each accused, on condition that they lodge their travel documents with CANU and report to the unit’s headquarters twice weekly pending the determination of the matter.
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Tuesday March 27, 2013
Education officials probe mysterious school fires - Exam students evacuated at La Parfaite, midnight blaze at M’cony By Leonard Gildarie Over 80 students writing the National Grade Six Assessment at the La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School, West Bank Demerara, had to be evacuated yesterday after fire of unknown origin broke out. It was the second fire at a school within hours – the other occurred late Monday night at the Bygeval Secondary School, Chelsea Park, West Mahaicony. The blaze at La Parfaite completely destroyed offices of the Head Mistress and rooms where a Nursery School for children of that new housing scheme was being temporarily housed. The $60M school was only commissioned 18 months ago on October 29, 2011. Firefighters from the Guyana Fire Service and Wales Sugar Estate rushed to the scene and battled with water supply for over an hour before bringing the blaze under control. But by that time, the damage to the oneflat structure was substantial. There was extensive damage to the L-shape building including to its roof. Parts of it collapsed. Firefighters were forced to use sledgehammers to break open a number of the locked doors as teachers, students and stunned residents looked on helplessly. Officials from the Region Three administration including Chairman Julius Faerber, and Regional Education Officer (REdO), Marilyn Jones-O’Donoghue, were also on the scene. According to the REdO, some 469 students of the primary school and 189 from the nursery school were being housed in the structure. It was only on Friday that government schools across the country broke for the Easter Holidays. But the Grade Six students, some 81 of them, were being accommodated for the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).
The REdO said that she was told that education officials monitoring the students taking the exams smelled smoke. They sent a teacher to investigate. According to one teacher who gave her name as Ms. Candace, by that time the area around the HM’s office was enveloped in heavy smoke and fire. “They could have only scrambled what was on the tables and evacuated the children.” The children were writing Maths paper II, Kaieteur News was told. Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam, who went to the scene, said that an assessment was underway to determine what measures will be put into place for the students writing the Grade Six exams. Critical decisions, he said, will also have to be made regarding the rest of the students when school reopens in two weeks. This newspaper was told that it is believed that the school had experienced electrical problems and someone had fixed the lights so that they were continuously on. Firefighters used water from the drains as worried residents assisted. After Diamond, La Parfaite Harmonie is the second largest housing scheme in Guyana. The school is the only one. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education said that an investigation has been launched into Monday night’s fire at Bygeval Secondary. Part of the head teacher’s quarters and four of six adjoining teachers’ quarters were completely destroyed by fire, the Ministry said. Minister Priya Manickchand said that the Ministry will make every effort to ensure that teachers are adequately accommodated “as soon as possible”. “A team of Education and Regional officials will investigate. A meeting of Regional officials including the Regional Chairman, the Regional Executive Officer and the Regional Education Officer is already in progress.”
Fire rages in the L-shaped structure
Evacuated Grade Six students being counselled
Worried residents, teachers and students look on.
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
Do not make yourselves easy targets - Home Affairs Ministry warns The Ministry of Home Affairs is advising business persons to be mindful with whom they share information about their business and their movements. The advice comes in the wake of Monday’s attack on businessman, Cecil Gajadhar, by bandits who attempted to relieve him of a substantial amount of cash, while he was sitting in his car, on Camp Street. Gajadhar is a Foulis, East Coast Demerara businessman who operates a gas station. In a press statement yesterday, the Home Affairs Ministry said that it is pleased that the bandits were thwarted in executing their nefarious plan and that there was no loss of life or injuries sustained by anyone. This, the Ministry stated, is in no small measure as a result of the prompt intervention of an alert Police Officer, who was in the vicinity, at the time. According to the
Ministry, the attack on Gajadhar bears a striking similarity, albeit with very different outcomes, to that involving the late Akbar Alli, who, in July 2008, together with his wife, came to the city to conduct business. On that occasion the couple was confronted by bandits who shot and, regrettably, killed Alli and stole a large amount of cash from them. With this in mind the Ministry also urged businesspersons to be more alert while moving from place to place with large sums of money. “The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Guyana Police Force remain committed to the fight against crime, but citizens also have a responsibility to ensure that they do not make themselves easy targets.” On Monday, Gajadhar referred to an application he made for a licence firearm. In response the Ministry
said that it is apposite to note that having approached the Ministry of Home Affairs in November 2011 with respect to an application for a firearm licence, representation was made by the Ministry, on behalf of Mr. Gajadhar, to the Police. “The Police are yet to conclude processing Mr. Gajadhar’s application.” It is to be recalled that the Minister of Home Affairs, in his address at the Annual Conference of Police Officers of the Guyana Police Force, on March 14, 2013, stated, “The Force is tasked with the provision of better citizen security, therefore, more dedicated efforts must be made to reduce the incidents of robberies and other crimes in the country. More use must be made of the images derived from the cameras that have been installed around the city as a tool in identifying suspects who have committed robberies within the view of the cameras.”
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GCCI advocates for local govt. elections, political stability at AGM President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Clinton Urling, yesterday unveiled an agenda of items that the organisation hopes to see fulfilled for this year. Urling, while delivering the president’s address at the opening of the GCCI’s annual general meeting (AGM), related that the body had convened an advocacy committee and would be in full support of activities such as local government elections, while insisting on a politically stable economy for the benefit of the business communities. He said that the local government elections are a big issue for the GCCI. “Every year we have been talking about this … and on every occasion we have been bringing up the issue.” He reminded that for over ten years there had been no local government elections, which he said urgently needs to be held to address the issues of the city. It was the GCCI president’s hope that this year may see the holding of such elections. Urling went on to discuss
the political climate in which private business persons are operating. He charged that the political situation is prominent in what GCCI members feel is a principal threat to the competiveness and survival of their businesses. In advocating for political stability, Urling said, “In the vein of political stability, we want to ensure and have been asking our parliamentarians to use their arrangement in parliament where the opposition has the majority. We are calling on the President to ensure parliamentary compromise and we are also calling on the opposition parties to also compromise on issues that are pertinent to Guyana’s success.” Urling said that the GCCI is further advocating for tax reform, but offered minimal comment on the budget, since he said it is still being looked at. As part of the agenda, Urling mentioned that on the issue of corruption, it is not only bad for the private sector, but affects the wider community.
GCCI President Clinton Urling addresses the AGM “We are putting the issue of corruption high on the agenda and we have talked about the need for effective institutes and the establishment and implementation of these institutes to ensure the corruption is minimised.” In terms of the issuance of radio licences, Urling said, “Our position has been clear on this. We’ve called on all the policy makers of the
government, the institutions that are tasked with the issuing and granting of licences to be transparent and to adopt an approach which is centred and based on fairness and access to all.” Keynote speaker, Leader of the Opposition David Granger told the gathering of distinguished guests and GCCI members that a secure state was the focus for any business environment. He
charged that, “Crime, particularly violent crime, tends to have a negative impact on vulnerable economies such as those in the Caribbean.” He added: “Crime erodes confidence in the future development of countries, reduces competitiveness of existing industries and services by imposing burdensome security costs, and negatively alters
investment climate.” Granger related that crime generates insecurity among the general population leading to the loss of skilled and educated persons; human capital. The opposition leader highlighted the various criminal activities occurring around the country, before zooming in on how much the scourge affects the business community.
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Tuesday March 27, 2013
Construction works at Farm, E.B.D., attract $B bids Under the Ministry of Housing and Water, billion dollar bids were received for the construction of roads, drains, structures and installation of a pure water distribution network at Farm, East Bank Demerara.
The bids were opened yesterday by the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), at its Ministry of Finance, Main Street office. The bids were divided into 10 lots.
( Continued on page 21 )
Tuesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Construction works at Farm, E.B.D., attract $B bids (From page 30 )
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MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 Sign on 05:30 hrs - Dharma Kai Awaz: The Voice of Dharma 06:00 hrs - Islamic Perspective 06:30 hrs - News Update 07:00 hrs - DAYBREAK 08:00 hrs - Dabi’s musical 08:30 hrs - Avon DVD Musical 09:00 hrs - GINA programme 09:15 hrs - Top Notch Music Break 09:30 hrs - Caribbean
Temptation Music Mix 10:00 hrs - Amanda’s Costume jewellery musical 10:30 hrs - Teleview Phagwah 12:30 hrs - Phagwah music break/ greetings 13:00 hrs - Bollywood Sensation Phagwah Special 14:00 hrs - Scenes of Phagwah 15:00 hrs - Happy Holi with Justin 16:00 hrs - BSR Holi Utsav 17:00 hrs - Birthday and other greetings 17:15 hrs - Death
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Announcements/In Memoriam 17:30 hrs - Sitcom 18:00 hrs - Aracari Resort Hour 19:00 hrs - Phagwah Scenes with Roopesh 19:30 hrs - Dharmic Sabha Holi Utsav 20:30 hrs - DJ Stress Update 21:30 hrs - Indian Movie: Darr Sign Off
DTV CHANNEL 8 08:25 hrs. Sign On 08:30 hrs. This Morning 09:00 hrs. Live! With Kelly and Michael 10:00 hrs. Roseanne 11:00 hrs. The View 12:00 hrs. Prime News 12:30 hrs. The Young and the Restless 13:30 hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 14:00 hrs. The Talk 15:00 hrs. Chain Reaction
16:00 hrs. Family Feud 17:00 hrs. Charmed 18:00 hrs. World News 18:30 hrs. Nightly News 19:00 hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00 hrs. DTV’s Festival of Biblical Movies for the Lenten Season: “Jesus Christ Superstar” 22:00 hrs. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (New Episode) 23:00 hrs. Sign Off
Guides are subjected to change without notice
Wednesday March 27, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): Today’s Libra Full Moon opposite your Sun sign might make your life more problematic because of the strong ambivalence it brings. You’re ready to jump in with both feet, but the voice of restraint reminds you of the price you often pay when you dive in before testing the water. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20): Your key planet, Venus, joins the Sun during today’s lovely Libra Full Moon, offering you the likelihood of a pleasurable experience. Unfortunately, you might have so much on your plate now that you have a valid excuse to avoid intimacy. GEMINI (May 21–June 20): You may be running around in circles today, yet you don’t feel particularly hurried. Perhaps you are busy having fun with the Libra Full Moon activating your 5th House of Spontaneity. CANCER (June 21–July 22): The Libra Full Moon shines in your 4th House of Emotional Security, tempting you to withdraw from a drama at work, which may leave you wondering what you missed. You might attempt to ignore your intense feelings, but avoidance isn’t a useful strategy. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22): The winds of change are blowing in like fresh breezes now as the Libra Full Moon illuminates your 3rd House of Communication. Expressing your unresolved feelings causes you to confront your shortcomings, rather than just your success stories. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): Although today’s rational Libra Full Moon highlights your 2nd House of SelfEsteem, it also reminds you to be practical when expressing your feelings.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): The Full Moon’s presence in your sign makes it challenging to hide your feelings, even if you wish you could retreat today. On the other hand, don’t make a fuss even if you are unjustly criticized about your production or performance. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Your emotions are on edge today as the Libra Full Moon in your 12th House of Destiny runs into a series of stressful aspects. You may try to conceal your feelings, and even those close to you might not be privy to your inner workings. SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): The lovely Libra Full Moon lights up your 11th House of Groups and Friends, activating the funloving, social axis of your chart. Unfortunately, you may be seeking romance while only finding platonic companions. CAPRICORN(Dec.22–Jan.19): Everyone seems to be making demands on you at work now that the Libra Full Moon falls in your 10th House of Public Responsibility. Don’t try to cover up your insecurities about not being able to meet all of your commitments. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18): All aspects of communication are strained today as the Libra Full Moon opposes the Sun in your 3rd House of Information. Your schedule may grow so complicated and unwieldy that you feel like you can’t even manage it. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20): You may be afraid to let go of control today as the Libra Full Moon floods your 8th House of Intimacy. Thankfully, you are very wellequipped to handle the disintegration of boundaries during this Full Moon.
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
D&C Promotion/Bartica Regatta KO Street Style Football
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::: Letter to the Sports Editor :::
Raj Singh pathetically tried to conceal 28 TEAMS BATTLING FOR the blatant hijacking of the DCB
$300,000 TOP PRIZE
Action in the inaugural D&C Promotions organised Bartica Regatta knock-out Street Style football competition kicked off on Sunday night last and was set to continue last evening at the Cenotaph, First Avenue. Some 28 teams from the gateway to the Interior have been locked in intense battles as they seek to earn in a place in the final that will see the first place team pocketing $300,000 with the loser of the final to earn $100,000. Tournament sponsors are Banks DIH, Carib, GT&T and Courts. Following are the results of matches played to date. SUNDAY MARCH 24 Hard Core defeated Hot Spurs 1-0 on penalty kicks;
North Side Warriors mauled Gunners 4-0; Young Challengers tamed Wolves United 1-0 on penalty kicks; Man City edged Construction Workers 2-1; Old Scheme United sunk Boat Team 2-0 and Mazaruni defeated Ballers 2-0. MONDAY MARCH 25 Wild Bunch got past Mongrippa Mafia’s 1-0 compliments of a Whitney Welcome goal; Young Strikers breezed past Stelling Crew 2-0 with goals from Tavel Drake and Errol George; Dangerous Bouroutia out shot Gunners Two 3-1 on penalty kicks, the players on target were Allan Hinds, Harry and Harold Robertson; Hard Knocks knocked over Atlantis Warriors 2-1 on penalty
kicks; Cool Breeze Cure edged Mazaruni Two 1-0, Kenzo Baksh netted the winner; Lotto, behind goals from Ecliffe Carrington and Mark Richards defeated Royaz 2-0; Millennium also won by a 2-0 margin over Goshen, Dexter Bentick and Breyon Nurse were the scorers; Wolves United Senior took care of the Brazilians 2-1 via the penalty kick route. Matches that were slated for last evening were Hard Core vs Wild Bunch, North Side Warriors vs Young Strikers, Young Challengers vs Dangerous Bouroutia, Man City vs Hard Knocks, Old Scheme United vs Cool Breeze Cure, Mazaruni vs Lotto, Millennium vs Wolves United Senior.
GFRU 10-Aside Round Robin Tourney
Pepsi Hornets school UG 36-7
The Pepsi Hornets Rugby Football Club following their massive win over the University of Guyana. The 2013 season of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GFRU) has commenced with two teams already taking full points from their respective matches played at the only official venue for the sports, the National Park Rugby Field. The latest match of the 10-aside roundrobin competition saw Pepsi Hornets Rugby Football Club schooling the University of Guyana 36-7 to send an ominous warning to the other teams with a solid performance albeit, against a young team. Hornets displayed a superior level of speed and power rugby in brushing aside the new kids on the block while teaching them the finer points of the game. The University team is coached by former Hornets and National Coach Laurie Adonis and is made up of a mixture of National juniors and first timers. Despite their lack of experience at this level, the university lads did put up a spirited performance as they took the fight to the top club for most of the first half scoring two tries and one conversion by Roy Daly and Lawrence Adonis Jr., respectively. Thereafter Pepsi Hornets settled down to take the fight
away from their junior opponents. Marshaled by Captain Ryan ‘Poke’ Gonsalves, who scored one try and also had a conversion; the forward pack led by Jason Tyrell and Delroy Gordon supported by blinding speed from winger Peabo Hamilton (1 Try) and the wily skills of Lancelot Brown (2 Tries), along with the supporting cast boasting of current and former National ruggers, the Hornets simply dominated the scrum, displaying tactical skills, power and finesse all round. Christopher Singh (1 Try), Blage Bailey (1 Try) and Rickford Cummings (1 conversion) were the other players on the scorecard. Despite this, the UG ruggers are continuing to show vast improvement and it is only a matter of time before their graduation at the top occurs. On Saturday next, fans are in for a treat with a potentially exciting double header set to unfold. Pepsi Hornets are set to come up against their old adversary, Caribs, while UG will be aiming to bounce back against the Guyana Defence Force. Scrum down time is 15:00hrs.
DEAR EDITOR, Raj Singh’s lengthy diatribe in the Kaieteur News (KN) of 24 March 2013 and in the Guyana Times newspapers is yet another pathetic attempt to conceal the blatant hijacking of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) by two (2) of it s four (4) constituent members. These two (2) members are the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) headed by Rohan Sarjoo and the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) headed by Lalta Digamber; they have imposed an illegal Committee, which is not even known to the public, on the administration of cricket in Demerara. Raj Singh has been asked quite simply what process was used to elect the Committee of the DCB of which he purports to be the President and who were the individuals who attended the secretive meeting of the DCB on 25 January, 2013. Also what are the names of the persons who are now holding themselves out as Executive Members of the DCB. Raj Singh should advise the public why he disregarded the injunction issued on 25 January, 2013 by Madame Justice Diana Insanally and proceeded to hold elections of the DCB even without a quorum. Instead of responding to these critical questions, Raj Singh focuses his expansive missive on defaming our President’s character. Perhaps this is his way of deflecting the real issue of his involvement in the illegal DCB elections. For the records, Bissoondyal Singh and Roger Harper are the Presidents of the East
Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) and the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) respectively. These two (2) constituent members of the DCB have the cricket structures in place that have produced cricketers for the Demerara teams and the National teams. These are the two (2) Associations which Raj Singh is attempting to ostracise from the administration of Demerara cricket. Mr. Rajendra Singh, since you are claiming that you normally video record meetings and publish same as echoed in your ramblings and this being the most contentious meeting of the DCB, we are sure that you electronically record same, so as a constituent member of the DCB we demand the following: 1. The minutes of the so-called meeting /elections, 2. The video recordings, 3. the names of the delegates who voted, 4. the names of the persons who were elected to office. The DCB is a national institution and while the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) continues to tolerate the illegal Guyana Cricket Board because of self-serving interest, we as a constituent member of the DCB demands from this phantom apparatus the names of the DCB Executives. We also hope Raj Singh does not come up with another set of ramblings to cover-up the theft of the DCB. Just let the public as well as the constituent members of the DCB know who the executives of the DCB are. The Executives of the East Coast Cricket Board
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Wednesday March 27, 2013
Former Guyanese football administrator appointed to lucrative football post - Says he wishes to involve local players in English leagues His love for football has seen him going beyond the call of duty to inspire other youngsters to reach for great heights. Now, after tireless efforts, Peter Barry, a former Guyanese football administrator, has joined forces with Pro-Active Sports Coaching Ltd, a relatively new company in the United Kingdom, tasked with an undertaking of identifying
talent from among players and enabling them to acquire Business Technology Education Council (BTEC) Sports Qualifications - a national academic pre university qualification which allows the holder to be accepted into university through their participation in football. Mr. Barry is also tasked with assisting the players in accruing the
requisite points to satisfy the criteria for Tertiary education at reputable academic entities. The players will be accorded a 2 year scholarship where they will be taught the Sport at a high level for 4 days a week followed by lessons in the intricacies of coaching conducted by competent and qualified coaches of the European Union Football Association (UEFA).
Subsequently, players may enter into the academy leagues under the auspices of the English Colleges FA League. Kaieteur Sport spoke with Mr. Barry at his home in England and he explained that Pro-Active Sports Coaching is linked with Barcelona FC with an aim of exposing young footballers to the practical side of the sport with
Peter Barry the primary objective of exposing them to top level football in an academy setting. Barry is the Chief Recruitment Officer and also doubles as coach and mentor of the young ball weavers. He staunchly believes that his networking skills and vast knowledge of the sport will serve as the catalyst in the advancement of his charges. Mr. Barry explained that at the end of the course players will receive badges and will be promoted to accredited FA coaches and referees. They will also be assigned to professional and semiProfessional clubs while receiving opportunities to recycle their skills into the academy. “Pro-Active has already secured the requisite funding for 3 Years and with my input, could influence a plethora of players for years to come,” advanced Mr. Barry. He feels that the programme could increase the opportunities available to Guyanese in the UK especially since successful participants will be able to enter the academy free of cost. “Successful applicants stand to benefit from the exposure that will stand them in good stead for the rigorous activities in the future while they are exposed to tactical and technical skills,” assures Mr. Barry. The course is two
dimensional and will also aspire to teach participants Catalan to enhance their communicational skill in a foreign language. These lessons will be very useful especially since participants would also interact with Spanish speakers out of Barcelona FC. Mr. Barry, a valued member or Pro-Active, said that he is interested in promoting players from his native land. He said that he is confident that he could do this based on shrewd networking techniques. He said that he is also working behind the scenes at Banstead Athletic in the UK, restructuring and raising the profile of the club through his networks. He is optimistic that once the opportunity arises he could be an asset to local ball weavers. He feels that his time is yet to be realized and extends his services to the Guyanese national squad. He said that the players could benefit from his close work with competent European coaches. Meanwhile, Mr. Barry said that he has been following the progress of the imminent GFF elections and wished to implore the representatives of the various sub associations to install a candidate with integrity and vision with the players’ interest at heart. He further voiced the hope that elections are conducted in an atmosphere of goodwill.
McCullum heartbroken... From page 37 with a smile of the delivery that bounced onto Prior’s stumps. “There were lots of twists and turns and half chances and little things you’ll look back on and think if only. “It all added to the drama and take nothing away from the way that Matt played, it was an incredible innings under severe pressure and he stood up and showed why
he’s the player that he is. “(But) I’m forever an optimist. I thought even right up to that last ball that we were still going to win.” Scores: England 204 (Prior 73, Boult 6-68) and 315 for 9 (Prior 110*, Bell 75, Williamson 4-44) drew with New Zealand 443 (Fulton 136, Williamson 91, Finn 6-125) and 241 for 6 dec (Fulton 110, McCullum 67*).
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Kaieteur News
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‘Guyana Cup Fever’ boils over as massive $20M in prizes is at stake Record entries are anticipated as the excitement builds toward race day when the Guyana Cup Fever horserace meet slated for Sunday 1st April (Easter Sunday) at the Port Mourant Turf Club, Port Mourant Corentyne Berbice is staged. The meet which will be held in collaboration with the Jumbo Jet Auto Sales and Racing stables has so far attracted over 100 entries. So far it is the richest horserace meet for the year with prize monies totaling a gargantuan $20M which includes cash and trophies. A packed and exciting day of racing is anticipated with nine races carded. The feature event is once again for horses classified B and lower over a distance of 1500 meters with the winner set to run away with $2M and trophy. The lineup features all the top runners in the division as they compete for the hefty taking up for grabs. Among those entered are Score’s Even, Grande De Roja, Settle
in Seattle, California Strike, Mission King, the Message, Sleep in Town and Zelick among others. The co-feature event for three year old horses bred and born in Guyana and the West Indies will see the animals racing over a distance of 1200M for a winning purse of $1.5M and trophy. The likes of Gold Rush, Princess Alisha, It’s My Turn, Wild Grinder, Ameera’s Joy, Gypsy Rose and Flying in the Park will be in contention. There is a race for fouryear-old animals over a distance of 1600M for a winning money of $1M; horses such as Settle in Seattle, Serenity Windy War and Traditional man among others will be in the hunt. The E & Lower 1200M event with a runaway prize of $700,000 is also a blistering encounter with a number of top horses entered to be a part of the day’s activity. There is another event for Three year old horses bred and born in Guyana over 1,200M for an encouraging
The Jumbo Jet Stable and Auto Sales organisers of the event, are also expected to feature big with several key entrants in the Meet. winners money of $600,000 and trophy. Then there is an event for G & Lower animals over a distance of 1200M for a pole position taking of $500,000. The ‘H & lower gallop is also over 1200M for a first prize of $300,000 and trophy.
Injunction not granted against GCB officials attending WICB elections - Hunte favoured to win Guyanese cricket fans can now breathe a sigh of relief as the injunction filed by Angela Haniff to stop the Guyana Cricket Board from sending representatives to the West Indies Cricket Board elections has not been granted, thus all is set for the Guyana to participate in the WICB Annual General Meeting and hosting the fifth and sixth round of the Regional 4 day and Super 50 games. This also settles the minds of many cricket lovers that the first Pakistan test match to be played in July of this year at the Providence Stadium is still possible. The Guyana Cricket Board has apparently thrown its support behind the incumbent Julian Hunte who is favoured to win the WICB election ahead of Jamaican Dave Cameron. Many cricket pundits are suggesting that the sudden filing of court action months after the GCB elections is connected to the WICB
electoral campaign. Barbados and the Leeward Islands have already pledged their support for Hunte, while it is expected that Windward Islands will vote in favour of him. Kaieteur Sport understands that with Guyana’s vote now guaranteed, Dr. Hunte will win the elections with Cameron having Jamaica and it is not sure how Trinidad would vote. Trinidad has not declared who they will vote for but with everything going in Hunte’s direction it would be difficult for them not to follow the trend. Monday High Court Judge, the Honorable Madam Justice Diane Inshanally, did not think that the Plaintiff, Berbice Cricket Board had enough evidence to prove that the GCB should cease to function thereby paving the way for the GCB to be represented on the 26th and 27th March in Barbados. This is the second time that the Berbice Cricket Board and Angela Haniff have taken their parent body to court.
The ‘I’ & Lower race is 1000M affair with the winner set to take home $250,000 and trophy. The final event for animals classified J, K, L is also over 1000M for a winning purse of $200,000. Among the sponsors on board are Banks DIH Ltd and
Digicel. The events will be held under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority. The top individual performers including top Jockey and stable will receive accolades compliments of Trophy Stall, Bourda Market. Interested persons can contact Chandu Ramkissoon
(624-9063 or 232-0633), Kris Jagdeo (624-6123; 322-0369), Rajendra (618-7278), Ramnauth (337-5311), Romel Jagroop (624-1798), Compton Sancho 690-0569 and or Melissa Chattergoon on 6987004 for any details. Race time is 12:30hrs. (Samuel Whyte)
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Wednesday March 27, 2013
‘BATTERSEA BOMBER’ SPOUTS CONFIDENCE AS PUGILISTS INK THEIR SIGNATURES FOR ‘FIRESTORM’ Boxing pundits will remember that night of September 2001 when Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman faced off with William Joppy for the vacant WBA middleweight title and after 12 hectic rounds in which Eastman decked his man in the 9th, Joppy was adjudged winner and new champion. Since then Eastman has fought many other great fights, the most notable being Bernard ‘The Executioner’ Hopkins in a losing effort, again for the WBA middleweight title. The ‘Battersea Bomber’ has since returned to Guyana where he had engaged in several hectic affairs among the country’s best pugilists. His last encounter against Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy
was epic and despite losing the bout, Eastman left the ring a hero as many felt that he had been ‘done in.’ The former European champion has thrown all this behind him and promises to be a new being when he tackles Jamaican, Sakima Mullings, in a 12 rounds welterweight bout that nets the winner the World Boxing Council Caribbean Boxing Federation (WBACABOFE) and the World Boxing Association Fede Caribe (WBAFEDCAR) welterweight belts. This 5 fight card, dubbed ‘Firestorm’ will be the main attraction of a boxing card at the Princess Hotel International, Providence EBD, dubbed ‘Fire Storm,’ and promoted by the Guyana Boxing Board of Control
(GBBC). In the main supporting bout, Clive Atwell will match gloves with Venezuelan, Raphael Hernandez for the vacant WBCCABOFE featherweight title, while Mark Austin and Gladwin Dorway will finally face off after their initial clash was aborted when Dorway was diagnosed with a heart ailment. He has since been given an all clear by heart specialists and the two will clash for the local welterweight belt. Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry will also be in action and puts his local bantamweight title on the line against Hewley Robinson in a 12 rounds scrap, while Syrian boxer, Mahmood ‘The Extractor’ Loul will face off with Berbician, Derick Richmond in a 4 round super/ middleweight bout. The boxers convened at Abdool and Abdools yesterday afternoon for the contract signing ceremony and Eastman assured his fans that he is ready turn in a top performance. “I’m ready and
if I have to lace up the gloves right now I can go 12 hectic rounds,” boasted Eastman. He said that he has been in training for quite some time and is at his fittest. Eastman may be spouting confidence but he will do good to remember that Mullings had registered a crushing knockout victory over local pugilist, Winston Pompey when they fought in Jamaica in ‘The Contender’ series, the Jamaican version of the Guyana Fight night card, last year. The Jamaican will be bristling with confidence and provided he comes to the fight with the tools of the Pompey bout one could just envisage the ensuing hectic battle. There will also be two amateur bouts between featuring the exciting Republican lightweight, Nankumar Singh against an opponent to be named later and a bout between two female amateur boxers. Admission price and other pertinent details will follow.
The boxers square off moments after signing their contracts (from top) Dorway and Austin, and Loul and Richmond
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
McCullum heartbroken as luck eludes NZ to save England AUCKLAND (Reuters) New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum shrugged his shoulders and tutted slightly as he sat down to face the media after the final day of the test series against England on Tuesday. McCullum’s under-rated side had come within one wicket of upsetting the world’s second-ranked test team to claim the series 1-0 after the first two matches in Dunedin and Wellington ended in rain-affected draws. New Zealand had England on the ropes when play began at Eden Park on Tuesday, the visitors were on 90 for four and had no chance of scoring 481 to win the match. By the close, the tourists had reached 315-9 with Matt Prior scoring a match-saving century, while Ian Bell had lasted almost six hours for a patient 75 and Stuart Broad had defiantly taken 102 minutes to get off the mark before he fell for six. Monty Panesar lasted 20 minutes but faced just five of the final 19 balls for his two runs, to defy New Zealand and end their hopes of securing their first series victory over England since 1999. “It is heartbreaking, obviously,” McCullum told reporters. “We played some brilliant
The last-wicket pair of Matt Prior and Monty Panesar safely negotiated the 19 balls they needed to © Getty Images cricket throughout the series but especially in this test match, and dictated terms from day one and we gave it every chance to force the result. “We came up against a defiant English team who were hell-bent on ensuring they didn’t lose the test match for their country and unfortunately we weren’t able to penetrate to get that one more wicket.” LUCKYDAY While New Zealand had dictated much of the play throughout the test, luck appeared to run with England on the final day.
Two catches, one off Bell, went down in the same over shortly before lunch. Prior then had a pull shot fall just out of Neil Wagner’s reach after the interval. Wagner then hit Prior in the helmet and the ball dropped down the face of the stumps, bounced and spun back and nestled at the foot of the wicket but failed to dislodge the bails. Prior and Broad were also given out lbw, only to have the decision reviewed and the on-field decision overturned. “I think Matty’s living pretty clean,” McCullum said (Continued on page 34)
Acrimony, disputes, accusations...
From page 40 and get that paper, Guyana. The Guyanese federation sold promotional rights to the game to a third party, who then negotiated with BBVA Compass Stadium to place the game there. The Mexican FA had previously announced on its website that the game would be played in Phoenix at the much larger University of Phoenix stadium. Mexico playing on U.S. soil against teams other than the USMNT is nothing new, of course, with El Tri playing several large-venue friendlies in the United States each year. Mexico draws ‘em in, and the Mexico FA rakes up the cash. Mexico is, by most available measures, the most popular soccer team in the United States. While distasteful to USMNT fans, it makes sense that the Mexicans would take advantage of that reality. But this dynamic is much different. This is a World Cup qualifier, not a friendly; as a competitive match, it seems strange that Guyana has the right to sell the rights and allow it to be moved out of the country in an obvious cash grab. Mexico fans will no doubt buy up all available tickets as soon as the game goes on sale, making the environment entirely pro-Mexico. The game is a dead rubber. The result will have no bearing on Guyana or Mexico’s fortunes in World Cup qualifying. And there would be every expectation of a Mexico victory even if the game was in Guyana. But it’s still a qualifier, and should be treated as one. The fact that Guyana will (presumably) benefit from the money made from the game doesn’t excuse the lack of competitive
integrity. The precedent being set here is frankly frightening.” Then there is a report by Kevin McCauley on Oct 13 2012 in the SBNation which stated that “Guyana will go home somewhere in the high six figures richer after hosting this match in Houston, Texas. Mission accomplished.” The Houston Chronicle also reported that “The Guyana Soccer Federation sold the rights to the match to promoters SponSports and Planet Futbol, which brought the El Salvador-New Zealand game in May for the first international match at BBVA. With the cheapest seat going for $70, tickets will go on sale to the general public at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. A sellout crowd of 22,039 is expected, and the secondary-ticket market should also be hopping with folks wanting to watch the country that won its first Olympic gold medal in soccer at the London Games.” Long after the campaign finished, the Federation furnished excuses of its inability to provide financial figures gained by depriving thousands of Guyanese fans the opportunity to see stars such as Javier Hernandez on home soil, under the pretext that the proceeds will help alleviate the debt which we recently heard is still enormous. So, for such mulishness, a price must be paid. It has not shifted from its intransigent posture; it still reflects the old ingrained repressive behaviour of remaining silent and unilateral on pertinent issues affecting the game’s development. April 12 should be the day that footballers, fans and interested stakeholders break free from years of this current executive dominion.
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Race walk administrators committed to fielding squad to 2016 Brazilian Olympics Following the successes of race walkers and more particularly, National Champion, Rudolph Mitchell, the executive body of the Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club (CSTC) intends to intensify efforts to send a team of race-walkers to the 2016 Brazil Olympics Games. Newly appointed coordinator of the CSTC Cecil Harry made this announcement during an acceptance speech at the club’s Soesdyke headquarters Sunday evening last. Mr. Harry pledged to continue the outstanding work of the Founder/ Coordinator Olga Harry whose dedication to the development and expansion of the sport coupled with her passion has seen race walking rise to a phenomenal height locally and further afield. He also said that 2013 will be an exciting year for the sport since administrators will increase efforts for its introduction in school systems and tertiary institutions including the University of Guyana, Cyril
Potter College of Education, and the Guyana School of Agriculture among others. Quoting from the 2012 report delivered by the late Olga Harry days before she became ill last year, the new coordinator noted that despite the scarcity of sponsorship, 2012 was an extremely good year for race walking. He said that 36 events were held countrywide, while administrators were able to host the 9th Race Walk month of activities in August as well as a successful two week camp for juniors. He also noted that there was a resurgence of the sport
coupled with a plethora of emerging talent especially among the youth and juveniles. He feels that this augurs well for the future of the sport. Supporting members of the corporate community who donated prizes for the many events were also lauded for their support and those singled out for special mention were Public Service Minister Dr. Jennifer Westford and Managing Director of Modern Optical Service, Dr. Jose I. DaSilva. “Their contributions are highly valued for without such support the sport would have declined,” said Mr. Harry.
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Wednesday March 27, 2013
Port Mourant Jaguars roars away with Dorsett Memorial Volleyball competition Port Mourant Jaguars in Gray in action against Albion
Port Mourant Jaguars continued their winning way, devouring all and sundry to take their second consecutive Volleyball title in two weeks when they won the Desmond Dorsett Memorial Inter club Volleyball competition which was played last Sunday at the Desmond Dorsett volleyball court at the No53 Sport Complex ground, Corentyne Berbice. Fresh from a victory in another competition a week ago, the Sunshine Supermarket Jaguars took full advantage of the absence of arch rivals Port Mourant Training School volleyball teams to play unbeaten and win the round robin competition from Albion Community Centre and home team and new comers Union/ Renaissance No53 Sports
Club Volleyball team. Being represented by only five players the Jaguars defended and counterattacked stoutly as they clawed their way to victory. In the final they thwarted a spirited effort of the Albion outfit to rebound from a set down to win 16-25, 25-13 and 25-12 for a 2-1 win. In earlier play the Jaguars defeated the Union/ Renaissance No53 team (2-0) 25-21, 21-14, while Albion had a difficult time before getting past the newly formed Union/ Renaissance No53 team edging past (2-1) 22-25, 25-14, 15-08 in a close encounter that thrilled the large crowd that attended to witness an exciting event. At the presentation ceremony held immediately after the completion of the competition, Coordinator Mrs. Waveney Dorsett
presented the winning Desmond Dorsett Memorial trophy to the captain of the Port Mourant Jaguars team
Afraz Khan and congratulated the winners and wished them well in the future and expressed gratitude to the sponsor. The
winning trophy was donated by Assistant Superintendent of Police Gary McAllister. The BVA’s next big activity will be the “Tropical
Rhythms Beach Volleyball 2vs2 Classic” competition, slated for Easter Monday (April, 1st) at the No 63 Beach. (Samuel Whyte)
Gym in prison will be more than a fitness facility
Captain of PM Jaguars receives the Desmond Dorsett memorial trophy from coordinator Waveney Dorsett. Director of Prisons Dale Erskine receives Gym-in-Prison Management Plan from Flex Night Managing Director Donald Sinclair The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed Friday last to establish a Gym in the Georgetown Prison paves the way for the introduction of a facility that would do much more than produce better and fitter bodies. The management and operation of the gym facility will also be an important vehicle for imparting management skills in the inmates and socializing them into a well ordered and regulated environment that has health and fitness outcomes. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Society Ltd. Mr. Hugh Cholmondeley takes a long term view of the partnership involving the company, Flex Night Inc. and the Guyana Prison Service. He sees no reason why the positive experiences associated with the establishment of a Gym in the prison should not result in inmates leaving the prison equipped with attitudes and skills that qualify them for beneficial employment in the society outside. Director of Prisons Mr. Dale Erskine, alluding to a similar theme, refers to a new
paradigm in prison operations, one that stresses correction and rehabilitation rather than retribution. This new paradigm is based upon a “recognition of the humanity of the inmates” and an acknowledgement of their reform-ability given the right programmes and corrective strategies. The establishment of the Gym in the Georgetown Prison will be preceded by a period of intensive preparation and orientation of an internal management team comprising Staff and inmates. This training will be managed by Diane Sinclair, certified Fitness Trainer and a Director of Flex Night Incorporated. Participants will receive training in the basics of Human Anatomy, Customer Service, Essentials of Gym Management, Basic Public Hygiene, among other areas. Flex Night Inc. also envisages that the internal management team would be able to elaborate and execute an annual Calendar of Events that would encompass both intraprison and extra-prison components. The facility is slated for commissioning in June.
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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Benn guides Police to Balram Raghubir joint service cricket title The victorious team pose with their prizes. Police Sports officer Colin Boyce is left.
By Zaheer Mohamed A fine allround performance by Troy Benn guided Guyana Police Force
to a 4 wicket victory over Guyana Fire Service when the final of the Balram Raghubir (former commissioner) joint
service 40 over cricket competition was contested yesterday at the Police Sports Club ground Eve
Bakewell supports Aubrey Major for GFF president
Aubrey Major (right) and Rajindranauth Ganga, Bakewell GM, at a previous promotional event. Popular bakery and major supporter of sports in Guyana, Bakewell, has endorsed Aubrey “Shanghai” Major and his team to govern local football. General Manager Rajindranauth Ganga in a release stated, “As the General Manager of Bakewell, one of the foremost sponsors of football in Guyana and one who holds the sport close to my heart, I am pleased to fully support Mr. Major for the Presidency of the Guyana Football Federation. Not because I couldn’t think of anyone with more years of experience or more poised to hold the position, but because he sees the sport the way that most successful Regional and International Federations and Clubs see it, as a business.” “For too long the administrative confusion has inadvertently bogged
football down, so its time that we change the direction of the game and treat it as a business and not just a administration emphasis that made the sport stagnant over the years with the wealth of talent and potential we having here in Guyana and I believe Aubrey and his carefully selected team of businessmen are the ones to bring about such change that could allow all Guyana to have a product to really attract sport tourism,” he opined. Mr Ganga further noted in the release that, “Bakewell stand strong in support behind Aubrey and his reputable team to govern the sport and will go the extra mile to assist where ever protectable for the continued growth and development of the game, of which we were always a contributor to the sport.” “I have united with
Aubrey after he convinced me and the entire Bakewell management staff to sponsor the youthful Topp XX Club of Linden since some time in the 90s, to date that is now the Bakewell Topp XX and sought his advice for the Buxton Stars Football Team that is also being sponsored by Bakewell to show his unselfishness, while promoting the Kashif & Shanghai Tournament. His vision for the sport is refreshing and worth mentioning. Additionally, the wealth of knowledge, wisdom, understanding and skill that the dynamic team he has put together to support his Presidency and what they all bring to the table, makes it clear that he is ready to do great things for the Football industry in Guyana.” Mr Ganga further pointed out, “Based on the proposals put forward by Mr. Major and his team for the new direction for the growth and development of the game, I pledge therefore on behalf of Bakewell and on my own personal behalf, we have no hesitation in supporting Mr. Aubrey “Shanghai” Major and his reputable team to govern the sport.” The Bakewell GM follows in the vein of national player and former Captain Kayode McKinnon who a few days ago threw his support behind Major and called on those tasked with the voting to put Major in office because of his unselfishness towards the development sport and players and their welfare.
Leary. Fire service batted first and found them selves in early trouble when Benn removed opener Quincy James (01) at with the total on 3. Police bowlers continued to maintain a steady line and length which paid dividends when Fire Service lost two more wickets to leave the score at 38-3. Undaunted with wickets falling around him Stephan Adams took the fight to the opposition, stroking six fours in a top score of 31 before he was dismissed. Devon Harte 28 (1x4) and Suresh Persaud26 (1x4, 1x6) then frustrated Police, putting together a fifth wicket partnership of 59 with sensible batting in front of a fair size crowd, but when they departed in quick succession the lower order found scoring difficult with only Andrew Williams 17 and Royston Simon 11 reaching double figures; Fire Service were eventually bowled out for 157 in the final over. Benn was the pick of the bowlers with 3-14, while Lyndon Wilson had 326, Sheldon Agard 2-24 and Kelvin Leitch 2-36. Benn and Ameer
Mohamed got Police off to a flier as they added 69 for the opening stand before Benn who slammed six fours and two sixes in 44 was caught off Stephan Adams. Mohamed and Eric Engel then put Police on course for a comfortable victory with a second wicket stand of 43 but when Simon got rid of Mohamed for 27 which contained five fours, the game took a dramatic turn around as Police lost 4 quick wickets in the space of 3 runs. However Engel and Stephan Blacks made sure
Police reached home with further hiccups with an unbroken 7th wicket stand of 39. Engel ended on 32 not out which included five fours while Blacks finished unbeaten on 24(1x4, 3x6). Simon grabbed 3-18 and Adams 2-20 for Fire Service who fielding would have let them down on a number of occasions. Both teams were given trophies while Benn collected the awards for the most outstanding bowler, batsman and man of the match.
National Novices Boxing Championships set for April 12-14 The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) National Novices Championships will be staged April 12-14 outside of the National Gymnasium. Over 60 young fighters will be battling for championship honours coming from several gyms around the country. Among the gyms turning out are Timehri, Guyana Defence Force, Harpy Eagle, Forgotten Youth Foundation, Carryl Boxing Gym, Pocket Rocket, Rose Hall Jammers, Republicans, Police and Young Achievers. Several female boxers are also set to appear on the programme. Boxers must be between the ages of 17 and 34 years old to participate. More details in a subsequent edition.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Acrimony, disputes, National cadets, juniors accusations of corruption still in exhibition table tennis games today permeate football landscape - aimed at fine tuning preparations
By Rawle Welch The general feeling within the local football fraternity is that following the declarations of the FIFA / CONCACAF team that visited Guyana earlier this year the local football landscape would have been saturated with a large degree of goodwill, conciliation and good governance. Instead, acrimony, disputes and accusations of corruption have replaced those previous sentiments and the belief is that the Guyana Football Federation’s Electoral Congress, scheduled to be held on April 12, will definitely not ease many of the concerns raised during the team’s visit or even reflect an iota of goodwill that was signed onto by all the parties that were summoned to the meeting. The disputes that followed the staging of elections for the Berbice Football Association and the Guyana National Women’s Football Association, whose processes were presided over by officers attached to the local governing body, have ignited suspicions of cronyism, nepotism and downright corruption. The poor attempt by the hierarchy to let the relevant stakeholders believe that the issues are being addressed has failed to inspire confidence among the aggrieved members and the general opinion is that selfish ambitions could once again damage the image of the sport and ultimately derail the prospects of future
development. There is the overpowering perception that the entire aim is to ensure that those eligible to vote in the upcoming GFF Congress are trusted gofers who will not upset the applecart, but are more than willing to continue with the current administration that has racked up a debt of close to $50million and devoid of credibility and business acumen to alleviate or even get rid of that burden. Not one single member of the current administration should be spared; they have all participated in the present malady and the only escape from the iron-fisted rule that has clouded Guyana’s football for over two decades is to vote them out of power. There should be no survivors, it is as plain as that. When you look at the three candidates (Alfred King, Aubrey Major and Christopher Matthias) who have received nominations to vie for the Presidency of the Federation, only the latter has displayed the proclivity to be inclusive, while his record of sacrifice for the defenseless is matchless. Matthias was one of the central characters in the fight to regain voting rights for the Georgetown Football Association after the GFF had willfully denied the body for an extended long period. It is testimony to his loyalty and commitment to the clubs, fans and stakeholders. There has been talk of past financial misconduct, but to date no evidence has
surfaced to back up the accusations and until that occurs, then he must be given the opportunity to take the reins. King, on the other hand, is handicapped by his political affiliation, while his prominent involvement in the controversial Interim Management Committee for cricket, a body that has not been recognised by the ICC and WICB, is enough evidence to imply that it will be difficult for him not to contradict the statutes of FIFA which prohibit governmental interference in football affairs. Those issues, in addition to racking up a pretty dismal track record in the improvement of local football, could prove to be insurmountable hurdles as he attempts to progress to the upper echelon of administration. He has had numerous opportunities to assist in the development of the sport, having worked directly under the Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport in an influential capacity as its Permanent Secretary. Despite such influence, he has failed to deliver and trying to solicit support for his candidacy for the Presidency after a less than encouraging performance, will be an onerous task. Major, known more for his association with the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation, also comes with a large degree of skepticism emanating from his tenure as Organising Secretary of the GFF. His prowess as a
promoter has not translated into the administrative arena with similar success, and this limitation could prove to be fatal for his stated ambition to ascend to the Presidency, especially when the electorate analyse his term as the Organising Secretary during the period that the Federation racked up close to $50million in liability when compared to his Organisation’s consistent profit from its yearend football extravaganza. It was the Kashif & Shanghai Organisation that housed and administered all activities during Guyana’s World Cup campaign, and was responsible for ticketing, sales of tickets and advertising, while his involvement in the discussions related to the shifting of the qualifier against Mexico not only left a bitter taste in the mouths of Guyanese fans, but also underlined the extent of the Federation’s disloyalty and contempt for stakeholders. To better understand how the Federation operated during that period, one just has to read a report written by Jason Davis, October 1, 2012 from www.kckrs.com. “In a move that somehow doesn’t violate any rules governing World Cup qualifying in CONCACAF, Guyana will play Mexico, a team already qualified for the fourth round Hexagonal, at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston on October 12th. No, not Houston, Guyana (there is no Houston, Guyana), Houston, Texas. Go ahead (Continued on page 37)
for Caribbean C/ships
(L-R) Priscilla Greaves, Chelsea Edghill The Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) yesterday urged enthusiasts to come out and visit the National Gymnasium from 10am where the national cadet and junior team will be engaged in several exhibition games before departing Guyana. “They will be playing matches against senior players, master’s players and combine teams,” the GTTA General Secretary, Linden Johnson said. The exhibition playoffs are part of the cadet and junior team’s preparation for the Caribbean Championships. The GTTA had named a Junior and Cadets squad, comprising of some of Guyana’s talented and brightest table tennis prospects to participate in the Championships scheduled for April 2-8 in the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. The team was named
under the association’s “With the Future in Mind Project”. Those expected to be on show today include: Under-18 Girls: Chelsea Edghill, Akecia Nedd, Anna Joao and Jewel Todd; Under18 Boys: Stephan Corlette, David Duncan, Joshua Lalbachan, Bryton Murray and Kevon Corbin. Under-15 Girls: Priscilla Greaves, Kristie Lopes, Neveah Clarkston, Salema Jackman, Sheldon Atherley, Miguel Wong, Nicholas Lawrence and Alex Hopkinson. Under-15 Boys: Shemar Britton, Kyle Edghill, Elishaba Johnson and Scott Garraway. The team had commenced training under a rigid and structured training programme to prepare it for the competition. The officials identified to travel with the team include, Deirdre Edghill, Idi Lewis and Linden Johnson.
Windwards & Jamaica top 4 Day & Super50 points tables St John’s, Antigua – Fastrising Windward Islands battered Barbados by 216 runs in the fifth round of the Regional 4 Day Tournament to move to 48 points and remain atop the points table. Trinidad and Tobago who thumped Combined Campuses and Colleges and Jamaica who turned back Leeward Islands are next in line on 36 points. Barbados remain on 24 points from four matches. Jamaica, who have played 3 matches, is the only unbeaten team in the 4 Day format while Leeward Islands (7 points) and Guyana (6 points) have not yet registered a win. In the Super50 Tournament Jamaica have won all four of their matches in addition to
securing 3 bonus points and have accumulated a total of 19 points to top the Super50 points table. The Jamaicans are two points ahead of Trinidad and Tobago (17 points) while Barbados and Combined Campuses and Colleges are on 10 points each. Round 6 of the Regional 4 Day commences on Saturday March 30, at Sabina Park (Jamaica v Trinidad and Tobago), Warner Park (Leeward Islands v Barbados) and the Guyana National Stadium (Guyana v Combined Campuses and Colleges). Jamaica are defending champions in both the Regional 4 Day Tournament and the Super50.
Wednesday March 27, 2013
Kaieteur News
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