Kaieteur News

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Online readership yesterday 83,387

Price $80 March 28, 2013 - Vol. 6 No. 13 (VAT Inclusive) Online: http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Police Inspector killed after car

Detective Inspector Mohamed Ali

crashes into bridge rail Thousands flock National Stadium for Phagwah Festival

SUV plunges off GEA staffers nervous after Pirara Bridge, polygraph tests, will three hurt know fate next month

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Health sector secures sizeable sum to further health care delivery With Vision 20/20 as one of its primary focuses, the local health sector is poised to incorporate lessons learnt while at the same time consolidate the gains made over the past five years, a process that will be well supported with its $19.2 billion budgetary allocation.

In his budget 2013 speech on Monday Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, noted that the sizeable sum will help the health sector advance development of its new strategic plan and thereby aid efforts to achieve universal health coverage using a primary health care approach.

Towards this objective, more than $2.3 billion has been allocated for the construction, rehabilitation and maintenance of health infrastructure countrywide of which $1.3 billion has been budgeted for the state-of-theart specialty surgical hospital and the Port Kaituma District Hospital, disclosed Dr. Singh.

Further, he informed that in an effort to improve the supply chain management system a new pharmaceutical and medical warehouse equipped with necessary software was commissioned earlier this year. This, he noted, is expected to result in a more efficient distribution

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh network for drugs and medical supplies.

From the allotted health sector budget over $369 million has been budgeted for human resource development to enhance the competency of health officials. And according to Dr. Singh, the system will benefit from the return of a further 278 Cuban trained doctors who will be deployed countrywide.

In the context of specialised care, Dr. Singh emphasized that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), in collaboration with overseas

universities, is currently offering post graduate programmes in gynaecology, orthopaedics, internal medicine, paediatrics, emergency medicine, anaesthesiology and surgery.

High on the agenda While the provision of health care in its entirety is a very crucial undertaking, Minister Singh emphatically underscored that maternal health is a top priority on Government’s health care agenda.

This, he said, will be done with a view of advancing progress towards the reduction of maternal mortality and under-five mortality.

Earlier this month, national consultations were held to develop an action plan towards eliminating the current bottlenecks in the provision of quality maternal health care services as part of the Millennium Development Goal Acceleration Framework process.

The under-five mortality concerns are being addressed with, among other things, a neonatal intensive care unit which is being established at the GPHC with support from an overseas-based partner and will be expanded through the same joint public private initiative in Linden and West Demerara, said the Finance Minister.

Battling diseases In an effort to intensify the fight against malaria, Government has budgeted for the procurement and distribution of over 6,000 long lasting insecticide treated bed nets for hinterland communities primarily in mining areas.

However, it has been recognized that chronic noncommunicable diseases now present a particular challenge for Guyana and the world as “we overcome infectious diseases of previous times,” added Dr. Singh.

These, according to him, include cardiovascular diseases and hypertension, diabetes, cancers and chronic pulmonary diseases.”

He said that lifestyle changes, especially in diet and an emerging sedentary habit, the use of tobacco and abuse of alcohol, have contributed significantly to the shift from communicable diseases.

He added that budget allocations within the health sector will increasingly target addressing this shift.

Emphasising commitment Government, Dr. Singh declared during his threehour long budget speech, remains committed to ensuring that “our citizens have access to high quality health care services.” To this end, he said that over $17

billion was expended in 2012, the final year of the National Health Strategic Plan 20082012.

A total of $1 billion was spent to expand, upgrade and maintain the infrastructural facilities of the sector, including to fund a mobilisation payment for the state-of-the-art specialty surgical hospital at Liliendaal which will afford Guyanese the opportunity to access specialised health care services, upgrade of the National Psychiatric Hospital and Georgetown School of Nursing, and construction of the Port Mourant Health Centre.

Last year, $335 million was spent on training public health personnel to meet the

growing demand for both basic and specialised services. Further, the sector benefited from the return of another batch of 21 new Cuban-trained Guyanese doctors who have been deployed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, the New Amsterdam Hospital and several other health facilities, Dr. Singh said.

Government also executed other critical aspects of the sector’s mandate through the provision of expanded services, including tuberculosis and malaria testing, numerous vaccination campaigns, introduction of dialysis services and knee and hip replacement surgery, as well as medical evacuation of critically ill patients from hinterland locations.

Garbage bin thief jailed A man who went on a thieving spree a few days after he was released from jail will spend the next 12 months in jail.

Herman Persaud, of St John Street, New Amsterdam, was on Tuesday sentenced to 12 months in jail by Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo when he appeared before her in the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court and was found guilty of larceny.

The court was told that

on Thursday March 7, last, the known character entered the dwelling place of Mohamed Yashen and stole one garbage bin, 10 cases of bottles, one mopping bucket and five brooms .

In court the accused stated that he was sorry and begged the Magistrate for leniency.

However the court was told that the accused is a regular law breaker and has served several sentences for similar offences.

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Kaieteur News

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President honours Rose Hall Estate martyrs

PPP Exec Member, Zulfikar Mustapha; Pres. Ramotar; Dr. Fred Sukdeo and Region Six Chairman, Mr. Armogan

The 15 lives that were lost on March 13, 1913 at Rose Hall Estate, Canje were honoured on Monday with a wreathlaying and tribute ceremony, the first of its kind for the fallen sugar workers. Among those paying tribute to the dead were President Donald Ramotar, representatives of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), East Canje Humanitarian Society, Regional Chairman and Regional Executive Officer, as well as Dr. Fred Sukdeo, whose close relatives were among those shot and killed by colonial police officers a century ago.

The workers were all shot by the colonial police on the high bridge leading to the Rose Hall Estate because

they protested and refused to work on days for which they were granted leave.

Harvesting ended on January 27, 1913 and the Administrative Manager told the immigrant workers that they were to clean their surroundings.

On January 28, the Manager reportedly changed his mind and ordered them to go to work because he had some planting to do. Some were inclined to while others were dissuaded from following the orders. Seven men were served summonses to attend court.

The Manager asked that they pay for the cost of the summons. The workers agreed but to pay it in installments but the Manager rejected the suggestion. The problem escalated from this point.

Another duck thief was caught and jailed after he pleaded guilty but not before he sought to explain the circumstances leading up to the theft.

“You worship me na thief none duck. He had no right to fly in me yard. The duck fly in me yard and me ketch am a kill am,” said known felon Kishna Mohabir, of Kilcoy Squatting Area, Corentyne.

The man appeared before Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo on Monday at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s court, charged with larceny of duck. The bird belonged to his neighbour Suraj Veerasammy. The man who was recently released from jail; he was back in court

on Monday February 28, 2013, accused of entering his neighbour ’s yard and stealing the bird.

The court was told that Veerasammy was at home in his kitchen around 10:00 hrs when he heard his dog barking. He eventually went outside to investigate and saw Mohabir leaving his yard with the duck under his shirt.

He was called upon to stop, but proceeded to jump the fence and made good his escape.

A report was made and efforts to apprehend the accused were unsuccessful.

However he was subsequently arrested and charged.

He was jailed for nine months.

By Leon Suseran

Jail regular told court “Duck fly into me yard and me kill am

And it so happened that fifteen workers—14 men and one woman— were killed.

The dead were: Badri, 26; Bholay, 33; Durga, 72; Gafur, 27; Jugai, 30; Juggoo, 37; Hulas, 25; Lalji, 45; Motey Khan, 26; Nibur, 75; Roopan, 25; Sadulla, 23; Sarjoo, 21; Sohan, 33; and the lone female Gobindei, 32.

Their bodies were transported in jute bags on donkey carts to the New Amsterdam Hospital. Fortyone workers were injured.

“These are the people who paid the ultimate price because they resisted what they deem to be oppression and offensive at the time…and anytime you stand up to the masters in those days, you had no chance— you were either injured or killed”, said Region Six Chairman, David Armogan.

Veteran educator, Mr. Phillip Deobhajan laid out the historical aspect of the massacre.

Dr. Fred Sukdeo stated that Rose Hall Estate has a unique history in Guyana, and he outlined five historical attributes: Rose Hall as a community which started the 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion up the Canje River; the Rose Hall Riot in 1913; the Rose Hall Estate clarifier incident whereby several workers met their deaths; vesting of Bo o k e r s G u i a n a t o t h e people of Guyana at the Canje Welfare Centre and the first meeting to establish a heritage site at Plantation Highbury to commemorate the first

arrival of East Indian Immigrants to British Guiana.

President Donald Ramotar said that it was important to note that the workers “made that ultimate sacrifice and we still remember them today 100 years later.

They who pulled the trigger—those responsible for this terrible deed—have all been forgotten; no one remembers them.”

The event, he stated, brought to an end the hated system of indentureship.

“That is what is significant.”

The Guyanese leader said that a large part of the history of Guyana has been the history of sugar.

From the time indentureship replaced s l a v e r y, h e a d d e d , t h e workers played the most central role in transforming Guyana “and that was only natural, because sugar was then ‘king’—the main pillar of the economy”.

He recalled the struggle in Leonora in 1938 that finally saw trade unionism entering the industry and spreading throughout Guyana.

“They were fighting to defend, then, their economic rights and for independence.”

The bulk of that struggle, he stated, was in the sugar estate. “1948 at Enmore was the beginning of the end of colonialism in our country— All those struggles took place in the estates themselves and….we will always have to pay tribute to sugar workers and the role that they play”.

Five NOC inmates charged with beating ‘bully’ Five male inmates of the juvenile facility at the New Opportunity Corps, who took turns in severely beating on another male occupant, were told by Magistrate Sunil Scarce that they would be sentenced if a probation report which was ordered proved unfavorable. They must now await that report which is due by April 19.

The five aged between 17 and 16 years old were ordered back at the facility at Onderneeming. They were jointly charged with unlawful wounding when they appeared at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s court for an in camera hearing. Guilty pleas were entered by the five inmates along with explanations.

The magistrate heard that the victim was referred to as a “bully”, who they claimed is known for taking advantage of the junior inmates.

One of the inmates explained that on the day in question he overheard the inmate that was beaten talking his name with a girl. Another explained that he observed the inmate taking advantage

of a junior inmate and he thought it best to stand up for the child, since they had no one to represent them.

“He was beating one of my younger friends so I pelt him with a brick and then proceeded to stomp him with my feet.” While the five males are maintaining that the victim was always in the habit of beating up on the junior males, a police report has stated that the five before the court are part of a “gang” that often would inflict beatings on their counterparts.

The report added on the day in question, they dealt the other senior inmate a sound thrashing with sticks.

The inmate was subsequently taken for medical attention at the Suddie Public Hospital and has been re- integrated back at NOC. The five senior inmates, police complained were also in the habit of escaping into the backlands aback of Adventure and were culpable of stealing residents produce.

In August 2012, a number of inmates escaped and later set fire to the tailor shop and the female dormitory.

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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

Controlling those fires Tuesday was perhaps one of the most dramatic days in the history of Guyana. There were four fires and it is not that Guyana never had four fires in one day. During the tension years of the 1960 and again in the post-election period of 1997 there were more than four fires in a given day.

In the 1960s, the fires were all over and many people lost their property because those properties happened to be a neighbourhood populated by people who were ethnically different. All these fires were deliberately set and the cost, to both the homeowners and to the country, was horrendous. In the wake of the 1997 elections the city was on fire. It all started in a furniture store and spread to some of the major businesses in the city. There is a report that the first fire was deliberately set and it spread with devastating consequences. The Guyana Fire Service was hard put to fight them given its inadequacies.

Since then there have been improvements; the fire service has better equipment although other requisites have not been installed. There is still a paucity of fire hydrants in the city, perhaps the only city in the world with defunct fire hydrants.

And so we must take a look at Tuesday. There were four fires across the country. There was one in Kwakwani, two at schools in East and West Demerara and a fourth in the city. There is no report of how the fires started but it is unlikely that an arsonist or arsonists are in our midst. It must be a case of extremely carelessness.

Guyana, despite the numerous concrete constructions that are fast going up, is still a wooden country. Therefore the likelihood of fires is ever present and there must be a concentrated programme of education.

Guyana Power and Light keeps reminding people that electrical connections are made to support a given limit of equipment but people ignore that warning simply because they are lured by the number of outlets that a particular strip may have. The result is that points may overheat and start fires. This has happened in many cases.

Then there are the instances of electricity theft. For reasons best known to everyone, people contend that they cannot pay the electricity rates. This may be due to the fact that people are under pressure to match the material needs of their neighbours. Something has to give because more often than not, money is not at a premium.

Of interest is that the people who steal electricity use conductors that are not made to support the power that people pass through them. The result is that these overheat and also cause fires. Some have claimed lives but these statistics have not stopped electricity theft.

Another source of fires is the most common human factor. Guyana is dry at the moment.

There has not been much rain so the place is dry.

Because the city council cannot collect garbage in a timely manner people are forced to burn their rubbish.

The dry conditions and the wind aid in the spread of those fires.

We have also had the alcohol induced fires. People have been known to go to bed with a lighted cigarette and pass out. Numerous buildings have gone up in flames in that manner.

Arson has not been a significant factor but that too has contributed to some of the recent fires.

Guyana must seek a solution in the same way it must seek a solution to the rash of road accidents. People must first be made to realize that the replacement cost of such carelessness is astronomical. For some people who are tenants while they may not have to replace their homes they will certainly have to replace their personal belongings. And as we have said, money is not at a premium.

One of the limiting factors is that people are loathe to criticize their neighbours for their dangerous habits. They say that they fear the ensuing abuse.

That will ensure the continuance of careless fires.

Tuesday March 27, 2013

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

Desperation breathes dishonesty and manipulation DEAR EDITOR, Desperation breathes dishonesty and manipulation.

And this reference is made to Freddie Kissoon’s letter “Lincoln misses a basic requirement of life” (KN 25/3/ 2013). This issue which attends to “the right and the duty to work” for Guyanese consistent with Article 22 of the Guyana Constitution, has nothing to do with Ramon ‘Rambo’ Gaskin, et al, the lies and irrelevant excursions Freddie is pursuing.

Let me say to my friend he will not be allowed to get away with it. And while it is his prerogative to disagree with the Guyana Trades Union Congress (TUC)’s engagement with the Government side in the National Assembly, such does not extend to him giving a message to society based on deception and manipulation, and one which violates the rights of citizens and the responsibility of office holders and organisations.

He applied this attitude before with Desmond Hoyte in his struggle to end executive lawlessness and my claim of economic genocide in the African community and holding the government responsible for even-handed management. Today he is one of the loudest proponents of the very things he earlier sought to destroy. But let me say to Freddie, while I appreciate his current contribution for a better society, I am forewarned by his past behaviours and concerned that he is again seeking to apply it.

And while in furtherance

of his interest he is making a case that Sam Hinds, as Leader of Government business in the National Assembly is powerless to act, he is reminded the president is not in the National Assembly and the TUC, in this instance, was targeting this institution and its representatives. It is unfortunate that he cannot demonstrate respect for this constitutional structure.

Every citizen who wants to work must have this right protected. And while Freddie took no umbrage to the TUC’s talks and engagements with a PPP-packed University of Guyana Council to secure his right to work, he is today prepared to say to the TUC that it must abrogate its responsibility to society, and not engage the government in ensuring the right to work, for every Guyanese, is secured.

For this is what this issue is about. And if it was good for Freddie when he was a personal beneficiary, it is selfish and wicked of him to take umbrage to the utilisation of the same strategy towards the national good.

Guyana’s environment is not one of active civil war, so why is he arguing for no talks? We are in an environment of active conflicts, poor governance, marginalisation and oppression, but there is a situation where talks are still happening, as in the National Assembly and civil society.

Further, his mixed references in response to my request for him “to cite for this nation any political event in history, other than armed removal of governments/ political authority, where the oppressed have not talked

and engaged the oppressors” ought to be exposed.

He cited three instances 1) removal of government through armed struggle, e.g.

Cuba and Grenada, 2) attempt to remove government through armed struggle, and 3) armed struggle and talks, as in the IRA and Britain situation, where talks were happening even as guns were being pointed at each other and these talks brought about the Good Friday Agreement.

He is still to provide evidence where talks do not happen outside of armed removal of government/ political authority.

And with regard to his interpretation of the Guyana Constitution on the role of the president, executive and parliament, this is most disappointing.

The presidency is not above the people, parliament or the constitution. Article 50 of the Constitution expressly states, “The supreme organs of democratic power in Guyana shall be - (i) the Parliament; (ii) the President; and (iii) the Cabinet.

The so-called supremacy of the president over everything, including the constitution, started as political theatre, became political folklore, and is now peddled as mainstream thinking by persons society least expect to peddle this foolishness.

The demonisation of this office was also couched that an executive presidency is bad and unique to Guyana.

Yet Venezuela and the USA, for example, are headed by a President who has executive duties. Further, this very constitution vests the power in the hands of the people to

watch over their wellbeing, as evident in: 1) elections, 2) free speech 3) group representation, 4) an independent judicial system, and 5) the president’s conduct can be brought before the National Assembly.

Rather than use these provisions to hold the president and executive accountable and ensure good governance, Freddie seems to have a penchant for destroying and attacking institutions and structures that are intended to safeguard the people’s wellbeing, and by extension, offers the PPP an escape from being held accountable.

Finally, Freddie is playing a dangerous game, and in pursuit of his end, he is ascribing to me statements I have never made.

And on the matter of Robert Corbin and Bharrat Jagdeo I don’t understand why he is insisting on dragging me into this sissy behaviour (no offense to the womenfolk).

But let me state, the reference he is using about conversations on Mark Benschop’s programme is dishonest. For on those programmes the matter that was being discussed was internal to the PNC. When my opinion was sought, I said this is a matter for the membership of the PNC and not persons who are not members of the Party - let him play the tapes.

Neither have I, at any time in my previous letters, stated anything about the state media or hailed any such coverage.

It is Freddie who misses the most basic requirement of life - honesty!

Lincoln Lewis

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Kaieteur News

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

An illegal, illogical and repressive business practice DEAR EDITOR, A few days ago I attempted to apply for a reloadable VISA card from the Regent Street branch of GBTI. I was required to provide proof of address and two forms of identification. I had 3 pieces of ID (driver’s licence, passport and National ID), I provided an extract from an EMS (Express Mail Service) envelope (with both sender ’s and receiver ’s address), it was rejected as a proof of address, the bank believed i t w a s n o t authentic because it was handwritten; is there any other way in which EMS is prepared? Even though I believed that was ludicrous, I did not raise a voice of objection.

However I was in for the shocker of my life when I was told that government-issued documents were not acceptable proof of address which included a driver’s licence, TIN certificate, overseas shipping invoices attached to customs clearance certificates, a business registration and motor vehicle registration certificate.

The argument of the bank is that upon obtaining those documents there is no address verification at the issuing agency, as such they are not reliable.

It is also extremely bizarre that the bank was not prepared to accept a sworn affidavit from a Commissioner of Oaths that judges and magistrates

accept in depositions.

If the bank believes that these agencies should be a little more stringent or diligent in their information collection procedures then they should take that up with the agency and law makers, not take it out on poor customers.

We are on the precipice of failed a state when a private business entity, subordinate to the state, decides that government-issued and approved documents are invalid and do not meet their standards.

Perhaps the board, directors, managers and staff of the bank have dreams of grandeur of running a parallel government. So let us disband the system of commissioners of oaths to affidavits, GRA and the Business Names Registrar (Deeds Registry) and while we are at it, let us relocate the Express Mail Service and the judicial offices to the seaside head office complex.

A private agency should not go around invalidating officially and legally issued sworn, tax, registration and/ or trade documents, except the private entity has issued a proclamation that the state has failed, and has decided to usurp the functions of the state.

In such circumstance, any private entity can set their own standard of acceptability for official documents. Who would stop Company X from accepting as valid, the name on an officially issued birth certificate, while

rejecting the birth date or the place of birth as stated on the said certificate? It defies logic, doesn’t it?

All banks require proof of address to fulfill a legal statute that is aimed at eliminating money laundering, the prevention of international tax evasion (tax havens) and secret offshore banking transactions, and provide traceability for financing of international terrorist operations etc., so that customers should not be faceless gypsies. In the same breath, the international limit on such transactions is US$10,000. A G$100,000 (US$500) transaction (such as the one I was attempting to do) hardly qualifies to meet clothes laundering expenses, much less for creation of secret offshore banking, international tax evasion, terrorism financing and money laundering.

Judging from our last census and other available stats, we have an adult population of over 200,000 persons who are not principal property holders or heads of households and are not likely to have utility bills made out in their names. Then there is the huge squatter phenomenon where people just set up dwellings on dams or a piece of unsurveyed public land with no form of utility and no real postal address.

There is also the growing housekeeper phenomenon, where home owners migrate leaving a friend or relative (without official

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 - A Century of Flight DEAR EDITOR,

In celebrating 100 years of aviation in Guyana, it is important to recognise how far aviation has come universally. If one is to outline the distance aviation has traveled, it can take several books.

However, with technology, this task has become easier. Microsoft has developed software on aviation. The one that stands out more for me is called Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 - A Century of Flight.

A flight simulator is a device that artificially recreates aircraft flight and various aspects of the flight environment.

This includes the equations that govern how aircraft fly, how they react to applications of their controls and other aircraft systems, and how they react to external environmental factors such

as air density, turbulence, cloud, precipitation, etc.

Flight simulation is used for a variety of reasons, including flight training (mainly of pilots), the design and development of the aircraft itself, and research into aircraft characteristics and control handling qualities.

Airplanes never cease to amaze humankind. At our airport I see people flock to get a glance at an airplane take off or land. The recent air show has left many spectators thrilled beyond imagination.

Many are astonished how an aircraft weighing 35,000kg and heavier can take to the sky 30,000 feet for long hours.

This amazement has been with man since the first flight

by Orville and Wilbur Wright on 17th December 1903.

The tremendous amount of sacrifices and losses of life must be acknowledged as we reflect where aviation is

today. Guyana has had its fair share in this global achievement.

I have a love for aviation and flying which is shared by many universally. In fact it was my childhood dream to become a pilot but circumstances beyond my control hindered that dream.

Thanks to technology today, I can satisfy my love for flying. Microsoft Flight Simulator puts me right into the cockpit in the comfort of my home and gives me what it feels like to be a pilot.

Those who would like to take up flying as a hobby or become a professional pilot; Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 - A Century of Flight offers an exciting start.

I wish to congratulate all those who contributed to Guyana’s 100 years of aviation success and to see this industry continue to thrive.

C. Woolford

documentation) to tend their homes, coupled with the dying out of postal mails and the growth of BlackBerry Messenger, facebook, emails, e-greetings cards, skype, and a whole host of instant communication methods that make it difficult for one to have paper proof of an address outside of governmentissued documents.

It is not proper (and probably illegal) for a nonstate agency to refuse to accept official documents issued by the state. State documents are official in every respect for the duration of their validity period. We cannot have any Tom, Dick and Harry invalidating state documents and procedures at their own whim, even if the process utilized by the state is not entirely foolproof.

If the bank accepts a valid state-issued document with an address on it, it would have satisfied the bank’s obligation under the law. To add further onerous requirements to a customer is wholly unnecessary and in defiance of logic.

How could you accept a

driver’s licence as valid for ID purposes, but reject it as a proof of address, when the same document contains both sets of information? The document is complete and valid in its entirety and the information contained thereon cannot be left to private discretion. It is an offence for someone to lie about their address on an official state document such as those issued by GRA and Deeds Registry, and except the bank also wants to take over and run law enforcement, they should leave police work to the Guyana Police Force (Service) and other agencies so empowered by statute.

Furthermore, everyone in Guyana who has a National Identification (NID) Card has already fulfilled the legal requirements for a trace of location. GECOM’s houseto-house registration and the Claims and Objections was designed to sift village imposters, as such Guyanese living in Guyana in possession of NID have fulfilled the phantom-proof test.

The essential intent of the

law is to prevent anonymous banking and I can’t see how one could be a phantom when (s)he is listed on a public list (at the risk of jail time for giving wrong information) in a particular village which is periodically scrutinized by villagers and political organizations to weed out false addressees.

GECOM’s lists are public documents and copies of searchable electronic database should be requested by all banking institutions, and that should constitute sufficient proof of address. It is far more reliable than any other method available in Guyana.

Because the GBTI was being so unreasonably inflexible, I ended up doing business with the only other bank that offers this service.

I was reluctant to do business with the other bank because of poor courtesy issues I had encountered at that bank in the recent past.

I urge GBTI and other private entities (including a popular telephone company) to desist from this illegal, illogical and repressive business practice.

Lenno Craig

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Thousands, flock National Stadium for Phagwah Festival Thousands at the National Stadium

By Rabindra Rooplall

Thousands turned out and celebrated with powder, water and perfumes at the National Stadium yesterday, as Inspire Inc hosted its “Phagwah Festival.”

At the event there was a chowtaal competition and dances. Some of the performing artistes included Terry Gajraj, Rajesh Dubraj, the Ishara dance troupe and Prince JP among others.

This friendly competition was intended to showcase Guyanese talent while encouraging the development of the various art forms. There were sweetmeats and other delightful delicacies on sale. In addition, there was the trampoline and ferris wheel for the kids, and a water sprinkler designed for persons willing to soak into the festivities.

Inspire Inc. provided the forum where Guyanese united at one common place to celebrate the grandeur of Phagwah. At the event, patrons were seen playing with water guns, abheer, abrack and buckets of coloured strainers. The crowd enjoyed what the event had to offer and was very responsive to directives to “fog up the air with powder.”

This festival of colours is celebrated with songs, music and dances. A variety of water colours are mixed and sprayed on all those who participate in the celebrations and corresponding coloured

powder is smeared on their bodies as well. Today the festival is celebrated at a national level, in a grand style throughout Guyana. A special type of folk song called Chowtal is sung during the course of the festival and the music is usually played with only two instruments. The dholak (a hand drum) and the majeera (cymbals or percussion instrument) are the only two instruments used. The music is fast paced and provokes dancing. The Chowtals are sung rather loudly and are high pitched.

Together, they produce a rich cultural blend of talents and skills. It is not uncommon that during the festivities enemies embrace each other and forget their differences, if but for a short while.

Temples countrywide also observed the occasion with bhajan singing and sharing of

sweet meats. Countrywide, Phagwah is a time when Guyanese of all colours and creed participate, frolic, mingle, embrace and play as part of festive activities.

Yesterday, Canter trucks, horse carts and other vehicles were seen on many streets sprinkling coloured water and powder.

Phagwah is a Hindu religious holiday observed in March to celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Universally, it heralds spring. Hindus traditionally wear white on Phagwah Day to acknowledge their participation in festival activities.

Powder, perfume, and water are also thrown on family, friends and neighbours on this day by Hindus and non-Hindus alike in what is an amusing, goodnatured and joyful celebration.

One of the main water gun squads at the National Stadium.

National Budget 2013...

Guyana votes US$80M for Amaila Falls Hydropower project Government has allocated US$80M in this year’s Budget for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP).

This sum is Government’s equity in the project and comes under Guyana REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Investment Fund- GRIF, says Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance.

He was at the time presenting the National Budget to the National Assembly on March 25.

GRIF was established in October 2010 as the mechanism through which the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) projects will be funded.

GINA further stated, “ T he Inter American Development Bank (IDB) is a financing partner for the development of the US$840M project that will become the source of a large proportion of cheap and reliable electricity generation in the country”.

According to Dr. Singh,

with financing from GRIF, Government plans to spend US$17.6M on institutional strengthening, Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), Amerindian Land Titling, Micro and Small Enterprise Development and other projects.

Speaking on the GRIF, he said that at the end of 2012 Guyana fulfilled all the requirements for a third tranche of performance-based payments to the tune of US$45M, bringing the total amount earned through partnership with Norway to US$115M. “This partnership, given the funds received and committed thus far, represents the second largest interim REDD+ arrangement in the world, is testimony to our Government’s commitment to good forest governance and stewardship, and vindicates the LCDS,” Dr. Singh said.

He stated that in 2012, funds began flowing from the GRIF to implement projects

identified under the LCDS. Monies have been disbursed from the GRIF for the Institutional Strengthening Project, which will support the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Office of Climate Change and the Project Management Office to the tune of US$7M. In addition, US$6 million was disbursed for the ADF project, which provides financing to support the socioeconomic development of Amerindian communities and villages through the implementation of their Community Development Plans.

The ADF was recently launched by Government in 27 Amerindian communities that will be used as a pilot.

Over time, 180 communities will benefit from the fund to execute their income generating ventures.

“The US$5M Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) Development project has now been approved for implementation,” Dr. Singh added.

Patrons enjoying the powder and sprinklers at the event.

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Berbice farmer found Janet Jagan among honorees as dead near burnt camp Ogle Airport becomes certified The body of cash crop farmer, Phaggoo Maniram, aka Radesh, 56, of Lot 36 Grant 1806 Crabwood Creek, Berbice was found dead on his farm at School Sideline dam at Crabwood Creek back dam, some seven miles from his home.

According to his brother, Premnauth Maniram, also of Grant Crabwood Creek, another farmer saw that the camp on his brother’s farm was burnt and informed him.

He immediately contacted the police at Springlands Police Station and left in company of six police officers only to make the gruesome discovery.

Radesh was reportedly lying face down about 40 feet from the burnt camp. He appeared to have no marks of violence which caused police

to rule out foul play.

Popular Crabwood Creek businessman, Moolpersaud Maniram, called Rakesh, said that his brother has been a farmer all the days of his life and would sometimes spend days on his farm to care for young crops. He described

his brother as a very easy going person.

Radesh is survived by his wife, Kalawattie Maniram, 52, and four daughters, Reshma 35; Vishalie 34, Sonia, 33, and Chadanie, 23. Mrs. Maniram said that she last heard from her husband Tuesday night and he appeared drunk. His eldest daughter said that she last saw her dad before he left to go to his farm.

The family is waiting for a post mortem to ascertain the possible cause of death.

Police sources revealed that the cause of the fire to the camp could have been the lamp being blown to the ground by high winds since it was left unattended.

Then again, it could have been a cigarette left in the camp since the deceased was a heavy smoker.

Another Berbice child ravaged by Pit Bull

Whilst her relatives and peers were enjoying Phagwah and are preparing to celebrate Good Friday and Easter Monday, Johan Carter, is in severe pain after she was attacked and ravaged by a Pit Bull Tuesday afternoon. The owner of the dog had carelessly left him loose and his gate open. He is said to be a Guysuco employee and taxi driver, who was not at home.

Johan Carter, 8, of Main Street, Cumberland, East Canje Berbice, and a grade three student of the Cumberland Primary School, had to be rescued by a neighbour, who in turn had to run for her life after the animal turned on her.

According to reports, around 16:00 hrs on Tuesday the child was returning home from the shop a few houses away when the dog raced out from the yard and attacked her.

She made a dash for it but was overpowered by the dog which pounced upon her, throwing her to the ground and started to bite her about her body.

Her unending cry for help

Former Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Anthony Xavier shortly after accepting his plaque On the occasion of the Ogle International Airport being certified as a Regional Class Airport, Chairman of the Board, Michael Correia, on Tuesday evening last, said that there have been many great minds behind the project.

These persons were yesterday awarded with plaques of appreciation. They included late Former President, Mrs. Janet Jagan; Former Secretary General of CARICOM, Edwin Carrington; Per Eklund, and Former Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Anthony Xavier. Correia explained that the idea of an expansion of Ogle Airport goes back at least 30 years, spanning over several political administrations.

“The critical political

decision, however, to place this fundamental aspect of the country’s Air Transport Reform Programme in the hands of the private sector, was taken by the late President Janet Jagan’s administration,” Correia said.

He added that Guyana Airways Corporation, after costing the treasury billions of dollars in losses, was sold in 1999 to the Aviation Investment Incorporated which was at the time being chaired by Yesu Persaud. The privately owned GA 2000 was then born.

But sadly, like many other airlines, this too failed, due mainly to the “predatory” pricing practices of the major Caribbean carrier, and the absence of a common regulatory framework in South America.

Correia went on to note that the main concern facing the Jagan administration, however, was the difficult challenge of providing safe and sustainable domestic air services to meet a growing hinterland demand at a reasonable cost.

He said that this challenge was effectively met by the member companies of the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana (AOAG).

When the Ogle Airport was faced with the closure for failure to meet the necessary requirements, the AOAG members, he said, again rose to the occasion, and accepted the challenge of managing and developing the Ogle Airport which is today, able to accommodate Regional flights.

SUV plunges off Pirara Bridge, three hurt Johan Carter at home attracted the attention of a neighbour who was nearby and who quickly raced to the scene. Her approach and shouts managed to distract the animal, but she had to run for her life after the dog turned on her. By that time other neighbours raced to the scene with various implements and warded off the animal.

The child was picked up

bleeding from the wounds and rushed to the New Amsterdam hospital where she was admitted and given emergency treatment.

The police were informed and the owner was arrested and taken into custody at the Reliance Police station. He was subsequently released Two Sundays ago another child in the district was mauled by a pit bull which attacked and bit her in her head. Amanda Phillips, 11, called “Manda” of Sookhu Street, Number Two village, East Canje, Berbice, a grade six student of the Sheet Anchor Primary school was attacked and bitten by a dog owned by a Dr. Roy Nankumar of the same street. The child received 10 sutures and is still hospitalised in the New Amsterdam hospital.

She was allowed to write the Grade Six Assessment Examinations from her hospital bed.

The wrecked vehicle near the Pirara Bridge.

Three persons were up to press time yesterday receiving medical attention at the Lethem Hospital after the vehicle in which they were traveling drove off the Pirara Bridge in Region Nine.

Reports are that the incident occurred at around noon yesterday.

This publication was told

that the Toyota Hilux, which had three occupants, one male and two females, was heading into Lethem. A source said the vehicle which was being driven by the male was negotiating the turn before heading onto the bridge and reportedly lost control.

One man who went to

assist the injured told this publication that one of the women was trapped for a while under the wrecked vehicle but was eventually rescued and taken along with the others who are said to be her mother and brother to the Lethem Hospital where they were being treated up to press time.

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 9

RESPECT DUE TO GRANNY! I am still to find the perfect politician. I know of a great many good, decent and honest leaders but I am yet to meet someone without faults, someone that is loved equally by all and sundry.

Guyanese demand too much of its leaders. Guyanese must begin to take the good with the bad or alternatively to ourselves mirror the perfection which it seeks in its leaders.

I believe that if we begin to judge our leaders much in the same way as we judge our own failures and successes, this country would be a living paradise. Unfortunately, we tend to do just the opposite; we tend to judge ourselves fairly but are extremely harsh on our political leaders.

There is no political leader I know who has been as harshly and unfairly judged as the former President of Guyana, Mrs. Janet Jagan. I have known of no political leader throughout history who has been so scandalised and demonised by his or her own people as Mrs. Jagan.

This country will for a long time bear that shame for the terrible things that have been said of and done to Mrs. Janet Jagan in this country.

Here is a woman who gave her entire life to serve this country. Here is someone who endured a great deal of nasty remarks and ostracism from her own people because

of her dedication to Guyana’s fight for independence.

Here was someone who broke social taboos in this country that had held back women and the poor. Here was a White woman who came to the Black Caribbean, fought for the freedom from colonial oppression and domination and yet when she herself became President of Guyana she was demonized.

Here was someone who has lived in Guyana and has been a citizen of this country longer than most of us who were born here. Yet when she became President, the fact that she was White became one of the pretexts for forcing her out of office.

What was done to Mrs. Janet Jagan in the streets of this country from December 1997 to August 1999 will forever be a mark of shame on Guyana’s political history.

It was terrible that someone who has done so much, at such great personal sacrifice, could be treated so cruelly by the very people who enjoyed the freedom for which she gave so much.

The struggle for Guyana’s freedom may have begun centuries ago. But by the time the 19402 s came, that struggle had come to a halt.

The vested interests from the middle class that was making token appeals for self-rule and independence did not have the mass support to press the British to concede what the

Dem boys seh...

Donald mek Granger can’t see Phagwah is a Guyanese thing. Phagwah Day everybody decide that dem gun play. Donald come out and he and Granger well and paint up one another. When dem boys see that dem seh that dem can’t understand all the fuss in Parliament till Donald put powder in Granger eye. Donald was smart, he wear sun shades fuh protection.

A time dem spray Corbin in he eye and was days before he coulda see de true colour. And a time Hoyte did sprinkle abeer in Reepu eye and that was de year when Reepu couldn’t see fuh argue bout agriculture in de budget debate.

De water people mek sure that all dem pipe wuk. Dem save up fuh Phagwah Day; that is why last week dem had water shortage.

But de day wasn’t good fuh some people. Imagine de police patrol de roads fuh mek sure that people drive carefully and that nobody ain’t drink and drive. But nobody wasn’t there to watch dem. One patrol crash and a man dead. De driver injure and he friend can’t talk up to now.

Another man was riding he motorbike pun de Embankment and a car knock he upside down and drive away. He family had to spend Phagwah Day in misery.

De night before Phagwah people bun Holika. Some people think that dem had to bun school and dem house.

Dem bun two school and Tiger Bay and a house in Kwakwani. At least Phagwah Day was one day when people didn’t protest bout radio licence. Dem boys notice that all dem young people switch from de government station but wha dem ain’t know is that even if nobody ain’t listen de station gun mek money. De government gun still give dem ads but this time dem got to pay because de opposition watching. And no amount of abeer in dem eye gun blind dem when it come to de budget.

Talk half and wait fuh de radio backlash.

British did not wish to concede.

Had independence come under this opportunistic political class, it would have been much later and Guyana would have been doomed to become another banana republic.

The persons that radicalised the independence struggles in this country; the persons that gave fresh impetus to that movement, the persons that reignited the torch of freedom for Guyana were Mr. and Mrs. Jagan. No amount of political revisionism about the two persons can change that fact.

Had it not been for the Jagans, Guyana’s would have been granted independence when the British would have emptied this country of all of its wealth.

I hope that when the

authentic history of this country is written that there will be a more sympathetic treatment of Mrs. Janet Jagan whose role in the fight for independence is gravely underestimated.

Yet, interestingly, her influence over Cheddi is grossly exaggerated.

Cheddi Jagan has always been the ideologue within the PPP. This is why the PPP is in such a mess. This is why the bourgeoisie class has so penetrated the government– because of the sterility of the ideological process within the party.

Mrs. Jagan has in the past been unfairly accused of being the one who had the greatest ideological influence on Cheddi. She has been accused of the main influence on him becoming a communist.

Nothing could be further than the truth. Mrs. Jagan herself and her politics have been more humanistic than ideological. She can be deemed as stubborn, unbending and a hardliner but not a profound ideologue. She acted out of a sense of what was right or wrong and what was in the interest of the party and the government which it has formed.

Sometimes the two things collided. And this caused some misunderstanding of her. But she was someone with a solid pair of shoulders and generally a good heart.

She deserved a more sympathetic treatment. She was a victim of racist attacks.

Instead of condemning the way she was treated it seems as if greater convenience is found in turning the victim

into the aggressor.

She was not perfect.

Neither are those who attacked her. But let it be understood that no woman in this country has done more, has endured more than Mrs. Janet Jagan for the cause of freedom.

Respect must be given where it is due, and today, the fourth anniversary of her death, such respect must be showered at the feet of one of the world’s leading female rebels, Mrs. Janet Jagan.

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Freddie Kissoon Column

Budget’s buffoonery and the buffoons in Guyana One of the most hilarious remarks on the 2013 budget was contained in a letter in KN yesterday. It was observed that Ashni Singh while pointing to the financial crisis in Caricom tourist economies has assigned more money for the tourist industry in God-forsaken Guyana. Why is Guyana a God-forsaken land?

This would entail elaborations that would fill volumes. Some quick and graphic facts are in order.

Before these facts are

presented, a brief note on our government’s continuing self-effacement. The private media are constantly told by the Government, its lackeys and beneficiaries that a bad press hurts Guyana.

The world will always have people who will support cruelty and oppression once the resources from the oppressors find their way onto the laps of these immoral souls. That is life. But in Guyana only a jackass would refuse to see that Guyana’s image is a tattered one

because our government behaves asininely for the world to see.

How could the Guyana Government retain an official as the Director of Sports when that very man could open his mouth and speak a language that has gone out to the wider world and what came off his tongue was cruelly embarrassing? Mr. Neil Kumar told a press conference that you just don’t open a pubic pool to the population because after all people must understand that you have to

shower before you enter a swimming pool.

This very man then told the Guyanese people that he understands why the ABC embassies in Guyana want local government elections, and he named the ABC countries as Argentina, Brazil and Chile. Since the later eighties most people know that in Guyana the ABC countries are America, Britain and Canada.

These lacerations to the image of Guyana are ignored by the Government and its

parasitic beneficiaries but they see mischief and scandal in the reason why the press report on the negative things in Guyana. Mr. Kumar is going to remain in his job until the next general election and will continue to mistake a motor car for a tub of ice cream.

So we are putting money in tourism in God-forsaken Guyana. The same Guyana that the Canadian consular section ran from in 1980 to Trinidad and thirty years after has no intention of returning; the same Guyana that the owners of Pegasus sold off yet took the money and invested it in the Jamaican hotel industry; the same Guyana in which the Jehovah’s Witness church is selling off its properties but expanding in other Caricom territories; the same Guyana that any decent visitor will confess must have the dirtiest (not one of but the dirtiest) capital city in the world So the 2013 budget has money for tourism but there was no specific item for the clean up of Georgetown. It is going to take a huge amount to get Georgetown to an acceptable level and money for that purpose should have been the first thing to come out of the mouth of the Finance Minister when he presented his budget.

UG’s increase is literally less than one percent which will not have any substantial positive impact at all. NIS contributions have been upped. Not to mention that outside of the budget, GWI is asking for an increase in tariffs. There was no salary increase for the working people.

VAT was not lowered and it brings back memories of the

Frederick Kissoon amazing words that came out of the mouth of the very Finance Minister in Parliament last year when he rejected the decrease in VAT. He said lowering VAT will not be of benefit to the poor and less endowed strata because the baskets of goods they buy are already zero rated.

What a manifestation of buffoonery.

Poor people use pressing irons, radios, televisions, cell phones.

They buy lunch-kits for their children; they buy ground provisions to eat. At the time of writing, a pound of plantains is $200. Do you know that outside of a normal loaf of sliced bread, all, I repeat all sweet cakes carry VAT? The list includes tennis rolls, sugar tops, coconut rolls. If you buy sugar cake (Nigel’s sell a nice sugar cake), it carries VAT. For Ashni Singh, once poor people buy their oil, bread and sugar, what more do they want?

Sorry if I violate political correctness by using the word, midget (forgive me this one time please but I need to use it) but the 2013 budget is a midget. It is short on achievements, short on generosity for the poorer classes, short on vision, short on transformational ideas.

The opposition should vote it down.

Vendors and patrons to pay to enter Botanical Gardens, Joe Viera park The National Parks Commission will be charging vendors and patrons who wish to enter with their vehicles (buses, cars, motorcycles) into the northern side of Joe Viera Park (unfenced) and the Botanical Gardens.

The price, according to the commission, is nominal.

The organization noted that all the monies collected will be used to offset expenses incurred in cleaning the Parks of the garbage and debris left in the aftermath of kite-flying and picnicking activities a s s o c i a t e d w i t h E aster Monday.

Garbage bags will be distributed free of cost to groups entering these areas, with the view that they will

be collected periodically during the day to ease the clean-up exercise. They stated that the entrance to the Botanical Gardens will be the western main gate on Vlissengen Road. The exit will be the Eastern Gate on Sheriff Street.

Similarly, fees will be charged at the National Park by the duly authorized franchisee. Entrance to the Park will be at the Carifesta Avenue Gate and the exit will be the Albert Street Gate.

Admission to the southern side of Joe Vieira Park will be free between 06.00hrs and 18.00hrs.

However, vending of beverages will be strictly prohibited except by the duly authorized franchisee.

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Kaieteur News

Farmer says two-headed calf born on Phagwah Day is a bad omen

Two-headed Cow

During yesterday’s festivities, a “freak of nature” was born in the Mahaicony Village. Maurice Nurse, who resides on his 200-acre farm land at Land of Lust, Mahaicony, said that he has been involved in the cattle ranching business for 50 years and never has he had encountered such an abnormality.

The cattle rancher, who owns approximately 100 head of cattle, related that at approximately 6:00hrs yesterday, he was tending to his cows and preparing them for milking when he then noticed that one of the cows was lying on the ground.

The cow appeared to be in labour and Nurse rendered his assistance.

He realized that the calf was having some difficulty in the mother’s passage.

He then inserted his hands and realized that the calf was going to be born feet first. He said that he grabbed what he believed at the time to be the back limbs and pulled gently.

He soon realized that something was certainly amiss. He then called his wife, Faye Nurse, for further assistance and together they pulled and out came the stillborn two-headed calf.

Faye was in total shock

when she saw the calf with an “extra head.”

She said, “When I saw this calf I was real real surprised. For the 20 years I helping me husband with the cows I neva see this. It frighten me. This Phagwah cow is a bad sign.”

She noted that minutes later, the cow birthed another calf with ease.

Other villagers were called to witness the startling discovery.

Some of the villagers who were still present at the site said that they “wished the calf could have lived.” Others stated that the event gave them a “strange feeling.”

Man accused of fleecing employer of $16M granted $1.5M bail Hemraj Singh Pahalad, 53, a father of four, of 72A Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice, who is accused of fleecing his employer of $16M in cash and goods and was remanded to jail when he first appeared in the Magistrate’s court, has been granted $1.5 million bail in the High Court.

He is charged with embezzlement by clerk or servant.

Pahalad who was employed with the double R Enterprise owned by Ramdut Ramoutar of Waterloo, Bath, West Coast Berbice, for more than12 years, is accused of between Saturday February 2, last, and Saturday February 16, whilst employed as a clerk or servant, fraudulently converting $16M to his own use. The business entity which is a distributor of various goods had entrusted Pahalad with the responsibility of overseeing the entire flour operation

including buying, selling retail and wholesale. He was responsible for collecting payment in advance and for balancing the books.

On February 16, a request was made by Ramoutar for a check and balance of his stocks.

However, on the said day, Pahalad disappeared. Checks were made and it was discovered that $16M in cash and stocks were missing. A report was made and Pahalad was arrested on February 27 at Rose Hall Town when he was allegedly in hiding.

He was allegedly arrested while making plans to flee to Venezuela.

Attorney at law Charlyn Artiga, who is representing the accused, had stated that her client was not in hiding, but was unaware that he was wanted. She had stated that her client is suffering from a heart condition.

She stated that he had

worked until 17:00 hrs on February 16 and complained of feeling unwell. He had visited the doctor the following day and was granted seven days sick leave. She said that Ramoutar had asked him to return to work to balance the books, but he had informed him that he would return when he was feeling better.

Appearing before Justice Brassington Reynolds in the High Court the attorney stated that her client is currently ill in jail and is in the medical centre at the New Amsterdam Prisons where he is suffering from a serious heart condition and would need further medical evaluation.

The judge granted bail in the sum of $1.5M and ordered that he reports to the Fort Wellington police station every Monday. He is not the holder of a passport. His next court date is April 3.

Page 11

National Budget 2013...

Guyana votes US$80M for Amaila Falls Hydropower project Government has allocated US$80M in this year’s Budget for the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP).

This sum is Government’s equity in the project and comes under Guyana REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Investment Fund- GRIF, says Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance.

He was at the time presenting the National Budget to the National Assembly on March 25.

GRIF was established in October 2010 as the mechanism through which the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) projects will be funded.

GINA further stated, “The Inter American Development Bank (IDB) is a financing partner for the development of the US$840M project that will become the source of a large proportion of cheap and reliable electricity generation in the country”.

According to Dr. Singh,

with financing from GRIF, Government plans to spend US$17.6M on institutional strengthening, Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), Amerindian Land Titling, Micro and Small Enterprise Development and other projects.

Speaking on the GRIF, he said that at the end of 2012 Guyana fulfilled all the requirements for a third tranche of performance-based payments to the tune of US$45M, bringing the total amount earned through partnership with Norway to US$115M. “This partnership, given the funds received and committed thus far, represents the second largest interim REDD+ arrangement in the world, is testimony to our Government’s commitment to good forest governance and stewardship, and vindicates the LCDS,” Dr. Singh said.

He stated that in 2012, funds began flowing from the GRIF to implement projects identified under the LCDS.

Monies have been disbursed from the GRIF for the Institutional Strengthening Project, which will support the Guyana Forestry Commission, the Office of Climate Change and the Project Management Office to the tune of US$7M. In addition, US$6 million was disbursed for the ADF project, which provides financing to support the socioeconomic development of Amerindian communities and villages through the implementation of their Community Development Plans.

The ADF was recently launched by Government in 27 Amerindian communities that will be used as a pilot.

Over time, 180 communities will benefit from the fund to execute their income generating ventures.

“The US$5M Micro and Small Enterprise (MSE) Development project has now been approved for implementation,” Dr. Singh added.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 13

GEA staffers nervous, will know fate next month after polygraph tests The jobs of several Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) staffers could be in jeopardy following a new round of mandatory but controversial polygraph testing of state employees in sensitive positions.

Just last week, the agency dismissed two senior staffers who repeatedly abstained from taking the polygraph test for three consecutive years.

However, more than 30 employees who did in fact submit to the lie detector test are awaiting results and will likely know their fate next month. Staffers say tension is high at the GEA as authorities “usually use results staffers never see to fire employees and replace them with friends and family.”

GEA Director, Mahender Sharma, confirmed to reporters that tests were administered to staffers who work in the field, as a means trying to abate the smuggling of cheap fuel from neighbouring Venezuela in the avoidance of import taxes.

Sharma said that the agency is trying “to ensure the integrity of the system and by extension, the officers employed under the fuel marking programme.

In addition to continuous monitoring of activities, work ethic, conduct, successes, failures and subsequent investigations of reports of corrupt practices; polygraph tests have been institutionalized as part of

government’s drive to tackle corruption.”

Government has in the past three years taken to polygraph testing to weed out state employees suspected of corruption but labour bodies such as the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) have blasted that the test is used more for selective firing of un-favoured employees with opposition links, not because employees are corrupt.

In 2008, at least nine persons, including the director of the special narcotics branch, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU), were dismissed after allegations arose that the officers were in the pockets of drug barons and sabotaged criminal cases that actually made it to court by giving false testimony or by conducting haphazard investigations. In 2010, another four CANU officers were dismissed when they failed to turn up for their polygraph tests.

Several senior officers and directors of the customs department were also in the past transferred to subordinate duties after refusing polygraph testing, but government has said it is necessary for state employees in a position of trust.

Those awaiting results at the GEA are inspectors who travel around the country inspecting fuel used by petrol stations and the mining

A 17-year-old appeared last Tuesday before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ court charged with the murder of Kumar Mohabir, a 25-yearold, who was a young entrepreneur and once resided at Lot 7 Fernandes Street, Enterprise, East Coast Demerara.

He is also charged with the attempted murder of Navindra Mohabir.

The teen was represented

by Pamela Dos Santos, who stated that her client “strongly denies the allegations made against him based on the fact that an I.D parade which was conducted on March 25 was totally flawed.”

According to police reports, on February 23, the Mohabir brothers were at the Mashramani celebrations around 19:30 hours at Vlissingen Road. Making their way to a beverage stand,

one of the brothers apparently jammed Devon Thomas, 21, who is also being tried for the two indictable matters. An argument ensued which resulted in Kumar being stabbed to death.

Navindra who tried to defend his brother was also dealt several stabs about his body.

During the investigation, a police source had indicated that four men were initially apprehended, but two were released. The other two, inclusive of Thomas, who lives at Lot 95 Better Hope South, ECD, were then taken to Eve Leary where they underwent an identification parade.

Thomas was identified by Navindra Mohabir, as one of the assailants.

The 17-year-old who was subsequently remanded is expected to return on May 16, where he will appear before Chief Magistrate Priya Beharry.

17-year-old remanded for alleged murder

industry in particular to determine whether it is fuel smuggled from private sellers in Venezuela and brought by small craft during the night in rivers in western Guyana.

One of those fired on March 22, last, Vernon James, has argued that the manner in which the test is being done is unorthodox. He said that he was never aware of the test until he arrived at the location. Additionally, the man charged that the document provided prior to the test being done clearly stated the voluntary aspects.

He highlighted that it was indicated that the process was a voluntary one and not mandatory.

He thus charged that when the CEO of the energy agency asked why he refused the lie detector test, he said that he had not refused

anything, but had not volunteered. James however said that he was fired because he did not volunteer to be tested.

The GPSU in 2009 criticized the government when the CANU officers were fired for failing the test, and had expressed frustration, describing the government’s moves as arbitrary, discriminatory and unlawful.

The Global Polygraph Network out of the US had however charged that employers are permitted to request that employees submit to a polygraph exam under some specific conditions as provided for by U.S. federal law.

According to the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988, as quoted by the Global Polygraph Network, for an

employee to undergo an exam there must be a “reasonable suspicion” that the employee was involved in an incident related to a specific economic loss, either through theft, vandalism, embezzlement, or other misappropriation of money or property.

The Global Polygraph Network also noted that if an employee refused to take the examination, the employer may take no “adverse employment action” against the employee as a result of this refusal.

That means that the employee cannot be terminated, demoted, or lose pay or position solely because of this refusal.

If an employee “fails” the test, the employer still may not take an “adverse employment action” against the employee without

additional supporting evidence indicating the employee’s involvement in the loss, the law states.

It was Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon who announced in 2009 that the government was seeking to institutionalize polygraph tests in Guyana.

Former president Bharrat Jagdeo was the one who introduced the idea of polygraph testing and had stated back then that polygraphy would be reviewed. He was one of the strongest advocates of extending the polygraph test to other agencies, since at the time; the test was only administered to CANU and law enforcement officials.

Local testing is done with assistance from international polygraph testing firms.

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Ptolemy Reid Rehab Center silent on issue of burnt child The mother of a nine-yearold disabled child, who attends the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, says that she is disgusted at the treatment of the young child.

According to Sherlyn Hamilton, her daughter who suffers from Cerebral palsy, sustained burns to the face, last Friday while at the centre.

Hamilton told Kaieteur News that on Friday she dropped her daughter off at the centre as usual. The woman said that she had an early day from her job so she decided to go collect the child.

“I was off from work early so I went to the centre for her,” Hamilton stated.

According to the woman, as she parked her vehicle at the gate she could have heard her daughter screaming. She said that she walked into the compound and was greeted by a male nurse whom she questioned as to why her daughter was

crying.

He in turn invited the woman inside the center and she saw that her daughter had several small burns to her face. The woman said that she was told that the child was being fed and a “bottle” had touched her face and she received the burns.

However the woman said that such was impossible since the burns were far worse than “some bottle” bracing her face. Hamilton further told Kaieteur News that she asked for an explanation from the male nurse, but he could not give her any since he had just started his shift.

The woman said she took her daughter to a family friend who happens to be a doctor and he recommended something for the child to use. Hamilton added that she returned to the school on Monday to follow up on the matter.

The woman said that she

went to the school’s administrator, the social worker and some other administrative staff. Hamilton said that no one was willing to give her a full explanation as to what had happened to her daughter. She said that the school’s administrator Ms Cynthia Massay, told her that an investigation would be launched and asked her to return Tuesday morning.

Hamilton said she informed the school’s officials that she could not come in at 9:30, because at that time she would still be caring for her daughter.

“Ms Massay called around 10:00hrs and asked me if I wasn’t to come into the school and I reminded her that the time would have been difficult for me, so she said come after lunch,” Hamilton noted. The woman said she called the school sometime around 14:00hrs on Monday and she was told that she

could come.

Upon her arrival at the school, Hamilton said that she saw some of the “high officials”. She told Kaieteur News that although she was promised that all parties who were on duty when her daughter received the injuries would have been there, no one was present.

Hamilton stated that Ms Massay questioned her about “what she could have done for me”.

The woman said that she asked about the whereabouts of the persons who were involved and was told that some were not on duty.

Hamilton said that she became annoyed that a matter of that nature was being treated so lightly.

After voicing her discontent with how the “so called” investigation was being done, Hamilton said Ms Massay told her that the Linden Commission of Inquiry took time and she needed to wait. Hamilton however said she quickly picked up the school official and told her that the matter was not about politics and protesting, but it was about a young child who was burned to the face. The woman said she demanded that the official

Some of the burns the child received to her face immediately call in the persons who are involved in the incident, however the woman said that she did not know who was responsible.

Hamilton said that after she saw that she wasn’t getting any place with the meeting, she left. The distraught mother said that before she left she warned the school that she would be going to

the relevant authorities to get to the bottom of the story.

“I told them that I will be going everywhere because I need to know what happened to my daughter,” Hamilton told Kaieteur News. The woman said she is expected to return to the school sometime this week to get a further update about the school’s position.

GCCI seeks to lead policy advocacy for private sector Amongst several strategic goals set for the period 2012-2013, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) is seeking to be the lead policy advocate for the private sector. The Chamber, at its Annual General meeting on Tuesday, outlined a number of policies that it would advocate.

Those include the holding of local government elections, the implementation of agencies to lessen the incidence of corruption and tax reform. President of the GCCI, Clinton Urling, noted the various areas of the system that needed to be addressed with the implementation of certain policies and said that the chamber would be in full support of the measures.

Among other strategic goals, the chamber is seeking to promote Guyana’s trade and investment opportunities through the access of the varying lines of business. The chamber will strive to maintain aggressive marketing to expand its membership base, increase retention, and enhance visibility to expand public awareness of the chamber.

The organization will seek to maintain a membership that would reflect Guyana’s evolving and diversified business community, while hopes are high on strengthening internal capabilities to endure the organizations efficiency.

The president said that

GCCI will ensure its financial performance and sustainability with the aim of maintaining the chamber’s independence in fulfilling its mandate.

Urling also told the gathering of dignitaries, international representation and chamber members that for last year, GCCI had an income of over $17M, while in 2011, the chamber raked in almost $23M resulting in a positive variation of close to $5M. The chamber’s surplus for last year was over $4M. In highlighting the chamber’s achievements for 2012, Urling was especially proud of the numerous chamber activities held in collaboration with other agencies. In January, February and March last year, Urling said the agency was able to plan several activities for the first quarter of the year.

Under the Trade and Investment Committee, the chamber was able to release the findings of its first annual attitudinal Survey.

The chamber, in collaboration with the Trinidadian company, Invision Management Solutions, held an Operational Management Seminar at the chamber’s secretariat. The chamber further collaborated with the Caribbean Export Agency (Carib-Export) host a grant financing seminar at the Pegasus Hotel.

Further collaborations were made with the Caribbean

Institute of Forensic Accounting where a two-day workshop was held. In an effort to guide police making and to facilitate business development, the chamber established an advocacy committee, while in May of 2012, the chamber became a member of the National working group (NWG).

Extremely proud was the chamber over their creation of a new membership category for micro and small business enterprise with an annual membership of subscription fee of $12,000.

Urling continued that a banking and investment seminar was held by the chamber in July while a survey called the Needs and Assessment survey was conducted in July. The chamber was also able to publish a magazine called “An investor ’s guide to doing business in Guyana.”

To accelerate trade and further cordial relations with India, the president said that the chamber has resuscitated the Guyana-India Joint Business Council through the High Commission of India in Guyana. The GCCI Urling concluded, collaborated with the University of Guyana centre for communications studies and reached out to its membership and secured corporate sponsorship totaling $1.5M to produce three short films under the brand CineGuyana.

Tuesday March 27, 2013

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National Library holds inaugural Easter parade

The parade in full swing on Church Street Dozens of children took part in an Easter parade organized by the National Library last Saturday, under the theme; Rising to Great Heights through Reading.

Decked in colourful costumes, the children walked through the streets of

downtown Georgetown accompanied by live steelpan music.

Chief Librarian, Gillian Thompson, said that the library was pleased with the level of participation in this, the first event of its kind held by the Central

Library.

“Based on the positive response from parents and children, the library plans to make this an annual activity.

We would like to thank all those who came out and helped to make the parade a fun-filled event. We look

forward to having an even bigger parade next year,” she said.

The National Library has embarked on a number of activities recently, geared towards expanding membership and promoting literacy across Guyana.

Suriname resident fined for causing death of senior citizen Magistrate Sueanna Lovell, on Tuesday, concluded that there was sufficient evidence against Suriname-based Guyanese businesswoman, Indranie Hopkinson, for her to be convicted for the crime of causing the death of an old age pensioner.

In her ruling, which was made at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Courthouse, Magistrate Lovell ordered that the woman pay a fine of $300,000 or spend three years in prison.

Hopkinson, 38, of Lot 11 Zapata Straat, Cassova Hola, Paramaribo, Suriname, denied the allegation, that she drove her motorcar PA 236 in a manner dangerous to the

public thereby causing the death of 72-year- old, Lloyd Kelly, while in the vicinity of Cross Street, Alexander Village, on August 22, 2011.

According to police reports, on August 22, 2011 around 12:45 hrs Hopkinson was driving a motorcar with a Surinamese license number plate PA236 attached to it, while at Cross Street, Alexander Village when she struck Kelly and another man, Brenton Ali, were walking along the road. The mishap is said to have occurred after Hopkinson swerved to avoid smashing into a truck that was coming in the opposite direction. The woman lost control of the vehicle, skidded unto the parapet and collided

with the two men.

Both persons were seriously injured in the process, and were taken to the Georgetown Hospital. An eyewitness recounted that persons in the area who rendered assistance to the injured parties, had the task of removing Kelly from under the wheel of the vehicle.

Kelly subsequently succumbed to his injuries but Ali survived to later serve as main witness in the case. The prosecution called at least six witnesses to the stand to give evidence in the matter.

Defense Counsel, Basil Williams, in a no case submission told the court that the victim had been under the influence of alcohol.

Hopkinson also gave an unsworn statement in a bid to

prove her innocence. The woman admitted to the open court that she had lost control of the vehicle after she changed direction to evade slamming into another vehicle but claimed that she never hit the men.

However, Police Prosecutor David Hosanna in her closing argument stated that the ingredients of the crime were proven by the prosecution for the accused to be convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

Hosanna said that the accused was not paying due care and attention to the thoroughfare at the time of the accident.

“She fell below the requisite skills of a competent driver and her fault caused the man’s demise.

Dressing for the occasion GPHC staffers in their beautiful outfits for Phagwah

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Tuesday March 27, 2013

Man, 43, killed in hit and run accident

Chaves wife (centre) being consoled by relatives

By Romila Boodram Even as the police are trying to implement more stringent laws for road users, a motorcyclist has become the latest road fatality following a “hit and run” accident along the railway Embankment at Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is Ian Chaves, 43, of Lot 9 Crown Dam Industry, East Coast Demerara. He was a former employee at Handin-Hand Insurance Company Limited. Kaieteur News was told that the accident occurred shortly after 11:00 hours yesterday.

According to reports, the father of one was heading home on his motorcycle CG1243 after completing a task in Georgetown when the fatal accident occurred.

Yesterday, at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the dead man’s wife, Khaneza, told Kaieteur News that she was home when she received

a call from her husband’s cellular phone.

The caller, a woman who identified herself as “Amanda”, requested her to come to the hospital, “She ask me to come to the hospital and when I come she give me my husband’s phone and tell me that she saw him lying on the road with his face down so they picked him up and bring him to the hospital.”

Late last night, Kaieteur News managed to contact Amanda who related that she and her family were heading to Georgetown when they saw “a body” lying on the road.

“We came out and other people stopped. He was lying face down, his back was bruised, his face was bleeding, his eye lid was burst and he was just lifeless panting for breath so about four of us assisted in getting him in a vehicle and we took him to the hospital,” a devastated Amanda said.

She explained that when

The dead man, Ian Chaves she came out of her vehicle, she saw a black car parked about 100 yards away from the scene but drove off after passersby stopped to render assistance. At that time, she explained that her focus was getting the man to the hospital so she was unable to take down the vehicle’s registration number.

Chaves sustained internal injuries. He died minutes after arriving at GPHC.

Tuesday March 27, 2013

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Tuesday March 27, 2013

AVON launches first as seen on TV store The local populace now has access to innovative “as seen on TV,” merchandise via the Beauty and Home systems store. Beauty and Home Systems is the Avon Company based in Guyana.

The company launched its first as seen on TV faction at the Camp Street branch in Georgetown last Saturday.

“This is first of its kind in Guyana and we plan to expand to various regions of the country,” Chief Executive Officer of the company, Anne Singh, noted at the opening ceremony of the launch of the new addition to the Beauty and Home Systems group.

Commenting on the realization of the new store, Singh said that the project has been extensively planned and that a lot of work was placed into it before it was manifested. She said that the sales-service and marketing company that was established in September 23, 1998, has so far expanded having four locations in Suriname and two in Guyana.

“Over the years, BHS has grown to be a well-known and successful company in Suriname; it has become the sole distributor of As Seen on TV products and Avon products in Suriname and

A section of the gathering at the opening ceremony. now Guyana.” Singh pointed out.

In addition to a wide range of Avon Beauty

products at wholesale and retail prices, the store now offers an array of impressive household necessities,

kitchen appliances, fitness and health equipment for personal and gym use at the most affordable prices listed

on the local market.

Hundreds of innovative and revolutionary products that are seen in television ads

are now available at the fingertips of Guyanese consumers.

The Commodities being offered are for everyone, from pillow pets and stompeez for kids to shake weight and other exercise gear for the fitness lovers and handy outdoor equipment and garden supplies for outdoor enthusiasts.

Also on sale are a number of gift items both at retail and wholesale prices.

Store Manager, Daniel Harricharan, says that the company hopes to expand its patronage starting with this new addition.

Harricharan noted that Avon is a leading beauty brand worldwide and Avon offers a complete line of makeup, skin care, fragrance, personal care products and jewelry for men, women and children. It also allows young men and women to earn their own money and to start their own business.

“Now we have a wide variety of As Seen on TV products in our shop that will inspire and make your live healthier and easier. We specialise in health, fitness, dietary, kitchen appliances, automotive and household products.” Harricharan said

Thursday March 28, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Teachers owe $410M – Govt. to sue them for failing to repay bonds 54% of teachers haven’t serviced loans — auditor general Jamaica Observer Ninety-six of 212 delinquent teachers who cumulatively owe the Ministry of Education $410 million in bond payments are to be slapped with lawsuits in short order.

The education ministry said the decision was taken following Auditor General Pamela Monroe Ellis’ report from an audit done early last year. It is estimated that some of the monies are owed from as far back as the 1990s.

According to the auditor general, as at March 31, 2012, a total of $410.096 million was owed to the ministry by 212 teachers who failed to honour their commitment. Of this number, 114, or 54 per cent, have not made a single payment to reduce their obligations. She said the ministry was advised by the attorney general to prepare suits for 96 delinquents, but up to the time of the report this was not done.

Monday, newly appointed Permanent Secretary Elaine Foster- Allen was unable to provide the timeline along which the teachers became indebted, but said the ministry has “recognised that there were some weaknesses in regard to how the procedures were implemented”.

“We realised that only one person was in charge of the bonding process, and we realised that this is just not enough capacity. We have set up a unit and we have been working with our legal unit to review all the files, with the help of five paralegal students,” Foster Allen told the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

“We realise that the vast majority of the outstanding sums owed to the ministry are

really to do with the 25 per cent interest rate currently being charged. We are speaking with the Ministry of Finance to find out if the rate could be looked at and reduced to the current seven per cent going rate,” she said further.

Under the bonding arrangement, teachers are sent on paid study leave. The ministry, in order to ensure that they return to the system, bond them to a written agreement stating that they will return to the system, and should they not return, it is at liberty to recover the amounts paid to them during the study leave. Persons who return are expected to stay in the public school system for three years to work for the Government.

Monday, committee members across the divide expressed frustration with the situation which, they say, is “a recurring decimal”, and the inability of the ministry officials to provide more information as to how much of the $410 million was interest.

“We don’t seem to be serious about collecting. The actions appear to be recent, whereas this issue — looking at the interest rates — existed from the ’90s. What has happened over the last number of years?”

Government committee member Julian Robinson wanted to know.

“What is even more difficult to appreciate is that 54 per cent of the delinquents have not paid a single dollar to date. The stewardship of public resources is what is at stake here. It has been allowed to continue from the ’90s to date. I know you are new and I am not being hard on you, but I am hard on the ministry,” Opposition committee member Edmund

No IMF deal by month end Jamaica Gleaner Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips has now conceded that Jamaica will not get a deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) by the end of the month.

Up to the weekend, Dr Phillip continued to express optimism that a deal would be inked.

However, speaking at yesterday’s post-Cabinet press briefing, the finance minister said this is no longer a possibility.

Dr Phillips said Jamaica is awaiting word from discussions between the IMF and other multilateral agencies on how they will

provide budgetary support to the country.

Those discussions are delaying Jamaica’s submission of its programme to the Board of the IMF. The finance minister said the aim now is to secure a deal in the shortest possible time.

Meanwhile, Dr Phillips stressed that Jamaica has met all the prior actions to get the IMF loan support.

Jamaica received a stafflevel agreement with the IMF last month.

The arrangement is for four years under the agency’s Extended Fund Facility in the amount of US$750 million.

Bartlett said. The permanent secretary, responding to the concerns, said the bonding policy is to be reviewed. She also said the ministry’s efforts to get guarantors to repay have not been successful.

According to Foster Allen, among the reasons persons default is what is said in the bonding agreement, in some instances including changes in programmes during the time of study.

FOSTER ALLEN… we have been working with our legal unit to review all the files. AT RIGHT: ROBINSON… we don’t seem to be serious about collecting

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Thursday March 28, 2013

‘Kamla trying to intimidate media’ Trinidad Express - Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar’s statement that there were rogue elements in the media was a worrying one.

This was the general consensus of representatives of various media organisations as well as Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley Monday.

At the United National Congress’s (UNC) Monday Night Forum in Carapo on Monday, the Prime Minister said there were some in the media who were biased against her Government and distorting the facts.

She called on the Media Association of Trinidad and Tobago (MATT) to hold unfair members of the media accountable for their actions.

MATT president Suzanne Shepherd said she was very “perplexed” by the Prime Minister’s statements, noting that she (Persad-Bissessar) did not provide any detailed evidence to support her accusations.

Shepherd said there were sufficient checks and balances in place to monitor

and guide the operations of media houses.

She added that the Media Complaints Council, the Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago as well as the courts were all there for persons to seek redress.

“It is worrying for me that successive Governments make these complaints and it is for some strange reason people believe media should function as glorified PR agencies,” said Shepherd.

Individual investigative reporters, she said, such as the Guardian’s Anika GumbsSandiford, were being personally targeted and this was a dangerous situation.

Sports Minister Anil Roberts has taken legal action against Gumbs-Sandiford and the Guardian for reporting that he was under probe by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) which was not the case.

“It is very sad at this stage in Trinidad and Tobago’s development where we have a female Prime Minister that women in the media are being subjected to

these kinds of attacks and we have heard nothing from the Government, nothing in defence of these women,” said Shepherd.

She advised media practitioners to stay the course and continue their work according to best practices.

President of the Trinidad and Tobago Publishers and Broadcasters Association (TTPBA), Kiran Maharaj, said that instead of criticising, Government should reexamine its communications portfolio.

“I think the Prime Minister’s use of the word rogue elements is perhaps inappropriate. I understand though Government’s seeming frustration that their positive endeavours are not being highlighted but I do not think it is the fault of the media. I think that the ministry (Communications) had been ineffective in communicating what Government has been doing and shedding positive light on all of these projects,” she said.

The media, she said, were often faced with the problem of

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar not having easy access to information and part of this problem falls on the shoulders of communication specialists at ministries who ought to be more vigilant in disseminating information.

She said if this issue, together with other multiple issues are not dealt with properly it will cause a strain on Government and media relations Maharaj added that there was always room for improvement and this also includes the field of

journalism. President of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), Wesley Gibbings, questioned what would happen next.

“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. I am not sure.

But these kinds of outrageous attacks are predictable perils of the trade.

Whoever thought it won’t ever come to this? Political complexion has not made a difference over the years, whether we are talking about Port of Spain or Georgetown or St George’s. What should concern us all is what the administration proposes to do about its several charges,” he stated in an emailed response to the Express.

Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley said the Prime Minister’s criticism of the media was a form of intimidation.

“I think she is going mad. It is clear that the Government is not learning. Every time they do something, they do it worse,” said Rowley.

“If there are any rogues in

Trinidad and Tobago, it is a rogue Prime Minister, a rogue Cabinet who has not satisfactorily explained the Section 34 scandal, until she can explain that, she has no authority to call anybody rogue in this country,” said Rowley.

“This action of the Prime Minister is clearly meant to intimidate independent investigative media which has been making the Government uncomfortable by simply reporting on the various misdeed and corrupt practices of the Government,” said Rowley.

The media, he said, play an integral role in protecting the people of this country.

“I am calling on all media practitioners in Trinidad and Tobago not to be intimidated by this Government which clearly wants to be wrong and strong and enjoy longevity in the process....any failing on part of the media to report fearlessly is to expose the population to the damage that can be done from abuse of office by those like the Prime Minister and her Cabinet who govern for their own selves,” said Rowley.

Thursday March 28, 2013

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Cops charged with abduction, murder Trinidad Express - Two Special Reserve Police officers (SRP) appeared in court Monday charged with abduction and murder.

Kevon Marshall, 27, and Kenrol Patterson, 25, are accused of taking Johnny Noel, 32, against his will and killing him. The two are jointly charged with Mark Collette, 20.

According to the charges read out by Senior Magistrate Lucina CardenasRagoonanan yesterday afternoon at the Arima First Magistrates’ Court, the trio took Noel against his will from apartment 4:3, Building 15 South, Maloney on March 11.

They are also accused of killing Noel on a date unknown between March 10 and 23 at Churchill-Roosevelt Highway South. Noel is originally from Carenage.

Two other men were arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of Noel, including a 45-yearold police inspector who lives at Sixth Avenue, Malick, Barataria.

The inspector was released without charge last Friday after his attorneys successfully filed a writ of habeas corpus at the Port of Spain High Court challenging the constitutionality of his

arrest without charges from March 13. The inspector, who has over 20 years service, could still be arrested and charged at a later date.

The other man, who cannot be identified as he is not yet charged, appeared before Justice Joan Charles at the San Fernando High Court and was ordered to be released. He along with Patterson filed writs seeking their release but only the other man was successful.

Noel’s relatives claimed he was taken by men in police uniform on March 11. The following day they attempted to track at which police station he was being held, to no avail.

His partially-decomposed was found in a river off Churchill-Roosevelt Highway near Maloney on Friday and positively identified at the Forensic Science Centre on Monday. Noel was shot twice, once in the head and once in the chest, according to an autopsy report.

When the matter was called yesterday, defence attorney Fareed Ali told the magistrate he was representing the men on Legal Aid. Ali said he was informed that Patterson, who is a diabetic and lived at Building 9 in Maloney Gardens, was supposed to

Barbados eyes Brazil again

Barbados Nation Barbados’ project to bring in substantial air-lift from South American powerhouse Brazil is under review, Minister of Tourism and International Transport Richard Sealy has revealed.

The minister admitted there have been good and bad days for the project which commenced two years ago, but that Barbados Tourism Authority would now be looking at new ways to improve the numbers of Brazilians who come to these shores.

Speaking yesterday morning at the first quarterly meeting of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) held at the Accra Beach Hotel, Sealy also admitted the attempt to draw visitors from South America’s largest country was not easy, and that he had taken a “lot of licks” personally for spearheading the project.

“We have had our challenges, but we will continue to work on Brazil,” he said.

According to Sealy, Government had no plans on

Richard Sealy shelving the project since the entire Latin American region is a powerful one, and research has shown that Brazilian visitors are usually high spenders.

Sealy, who is currently acting as Prime Minister, revealed that over the next year, the stakeholders on the sector would be looking at ways to utilize the fact that Brazil is set to host two of the planet’s largest sporting events, the FIFA World Cup, and the Olympic Games.

have received his insulin twice daily between the hours 7.30 to 8 a.m. and 8 to 9 p.m. but this was not the case everyday.

Ali said Patterson had not received his medication for the day up to 4.51 p.m. when the matter had been called. He added his client was allowed to bathe a total of six times since his arrest on March 15.

Ali also informed Cardenas-Ragoonanan that Collette, who lived at apartment 23, South Maloney

Gardens was arrested on March 16 and had only been allowed to bathe twice while in custody at the Arima Police Station.

The Senior Magistrate said that such an accusation was “not a pleasant thing to hear” and encouraged Patterson, who Ali said never told the officers he was in need of insulin, to inform the authorities of his condition.

Court prosecutor Sgt Joseph Jugmohan informed the magistrate that as far as

he was aware Patterson had his medication at the court but since it involved the use of a needle he needed to be supervised while taking it.

Ali mentioned that Marshall, who is originally from Cumana Village, Toco but is residing in Arouca with his brother, a police officer, instructed him that he (Marshall) was told by two police inspectors that he had to give them a statement otherwise he would not be allowed to see his three

children again.

Ali said that his clients were eager to get the matter started and asked for all documents to be disclosed, including criminal records of witnesses, statements and video interviews of witnesses, police diary extracts, interview notes, medical reports relative to Patterson’s condition, the post mortem report and other documents.

The matter was adjourned to April 23.

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Thursday March 28, 2013

Syrian opposition opens first embassy, says world lets it down DOHA (Reuters) - A Syrian opposition bloc recognized by the Arab League as the sole representative for Syria opened its first embassy in Qatar yesterday in a diplomatic blow to President Bashar al-Assad.

But opposition leader Moaz Alkhatib, who took Syria’s seat at an Arab summit in Doha on Tuesday, used the ribbon-cutting ceremony to voice his frustration with world powers for failing to do more to help in the two-yearold struggle to topple Assad.

“There is an international willingness for the revolution not to triumph,” he told reporters at the embassy, which was festooned with balloons in the red, green, white and black of Syria’s national flag.

Alkhatib, a Sunni Muslim cleric who resigned this week as leader of the Syrian National Coalition, but who is staying on as a caretaker, also alluded to internal differences plaguing the opposition umbrella group formed in

Qatar in November.

“The only way to victory is unity,” he declared.

Damascus raged against summit host Qatar for helping the opposition into Syria’s seat at the League, while Russia and Iran also criticized the move to delegitimize Assad’s rule.

Yet although the 22member Arab bloc lent its support to giving weapons to Syrian rebels, it is unclear how much impact the opposition’s diplomatic advances will have inside Syria.

The Cairo-based coalition’s control over insurgent groups is tenuous at best. Some of the most militarily effective, such as the al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front, openly reject its authority.

Alkhatib told Reuters in an interview he was surprised by a rebuff from the United States and NATO to his request for Patriot missiles based in Turkey to help protect rebel-held parts of northern Syria from Assad’s helicopters and warplanes.

“I’m scared that this will

be a message to the Syrian regime telling it ‘Do what you want’,” he said.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, speaking to students in Moscow via video link from Brussels, again said the Western alliance had no intention of intervening in Syria.

“We believe that we need a political solution in Syria,” he said, noting there was no U.N. mandate for NATO action there.

Disunity among Syria’s opposition in exile and the armed factions on the ground have long hindered the struggle against Assad and have contributed to Western reluctance to intervene.

Alkhatib has cited the West’s failure to do more to help the opposition, as well as the coalition’s internal divisions, as reasons for announcing on Sunday that he would quit as leader.

He offered no clarity on his own political future in his interview with Reuters. “I have given my resignation

Syrian National Coalition leader Moaz Alkhatib speaks to journalists during the opening of its embassy in Doha, yesterday. REUTERS/Mohammed Dabbous and I have not withdrawn it.

But I have to continue my duties until the general committee meets,” the former mosque imam said.

The Arab summit’s support for Assad’s foes may prove more symbolic than practical, but Syria vented its wrath at Qatar for its pro-

opposition actions at the annual gathering.

“The emir of Qatar, the biggest bank for supporting terrorism in the region, began his presidency of the Arab League by hijacking it with tainted oil and money,” said state news agency SANA, a mouthpiece for Assad’s

government.

Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani “committed a flagrant violation of the League’s pact by inviting the deformed body, the ‘Doha Coalition’, to usurp Syria’s seat in the League”, SANA said, in a scathing reference (Continued on page 23)

North Korea to cut all channels with South as “war may break out any time” SEOUL (Reuters) Reclusive North Korea is to cut the last channel of communications with the South because war could break out at “any moment”, it said yesterday, days of after warning the United States and South Korea of nuclear attack. The move is the latest in a series of bellicose threats from North Korea in response to new U.N. sanctions imposed after its third nuclear test in February and to “hostile” military drills under way joining the United States and South Korea.

The North has already stopped responding to calls on the hotline to the U.S. military that supervises the heavily armed Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and the Red Cross line that has been used by the governments of both sides.

“Under the situation where a war may break out at any moment, there is no need to keep north-south military communications which were laid between the militaries of both sides,” the North’s KCNA news agency quoted a military spokesman as saying.

“There do not exist any dialogue channel and communications means between the DPRK and the U.S. and between the north

Kim Jong Un and the south.”

The Pentagon condemned the latest escalation in North Korean rhetoric, with spokesman George Little calling Pyongyang’s declaration “yet another provocative and unconstructive step.”

The U.S. military announced on March 15 it was bolstering missile defenses in response to threats from the North, including a threat to conduct a preemptive nuclear strike against the United States.

Despite the shrill rhetoric, few believe North Korea, formally known as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), will risk starting a full-out war.

North and South Korea are still technically at war anyway after their 1950-53 civil conflict ended with an

armistice, not a treaty, which the North says it has since torn to pieces.

The “dialogue channel” is used on a daily basis to process South Koreans who work in the Kaesong industrial project where 123 South Korean firms employ more than 50,000 North Koreans to make household goods. About 120 South Koreans are stationed at Kaesong at any one time on average.

It is the last remaining joint project in operation between the two Koreas after South Korea cut off most aid and trade in response to Pyongyang’s shooting of a South Korean tourist and the sinking of a South Korean naval vessel blamed on the North.

Kaesong is one of North Korea’s few hard currency earners, producing $2 billion a year in trade with the South, and Pyongyang is unlikely to close it except as a last resort.

The North’s military spokesman representing its “supreme command” did not mention Kaesong, which has suffered temporary shutdowns before.

The South’s government said it would take steps to ensure the safety of the workers at Kaesong. It did not elaborate.

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Italy politics still stuck as Bersani to face president (Reuters) - Italian centreleft leader Pier Luigi Bersani was left yesterday with only slim hope of forming a government after talks with rival party leaders ended with rejection from Beppe Grillo’s 5-Star Movement.

Bersani said he would report back to President Giorgio Napolitano today and called on all parties to “accept their responsibilities” and allow a government to be formed. A February election resulted in deadlock and without an agreement between the parties Italy might have to head back to the polls, adding to the uncertainty in the euro zone as it battles to contain the crisis in Cyprus.

But there was little sign of movement from the other parties, with Silvio Berlusconi’s People of Freedom (PDL), saying Bersani had manoeuvred himself into a “blind alley” by continuing to seek support from the anti-establishment 5Star Movement.

“The question is closed, and it is Bersani who has closed it and now finds himself in a blind alley,” said PDL national secretary Angelino Alfano. “It’s up to him to turn the situation around, if he wants to, in the interests of the country.”

In last month’s election, Bersani’s alliance won a majority in the lower house of parliament but not in the Senate, leaving it unable to govern on its own.

He has ruled out joining forces with Berlusconi’s centre-right alliance, the second largest force in parliament, which says a coalition of the two main political forces is the only way to give Italy a government.

The rebuff by 5-Star was expected as the group has always said it will not back the parties it blames for Italy’s social and economic crisis.

“There are no conditions that would allow us to give a confidence vote to a government made up of these parties because they have no

credibility,” 5-Star’s Senate leader Vito Crimi said after meeting Bersani.

Adding insult to injury, 5Star’s founder, the fiery excomic Grillo, posted an entry on his blog calling mainstream politicians including Berlusconi and Bersani “old whoremongers ... who gaily take the piss every day with their daily appeals for governability”.

Bersani had hoped to gain support from 5-Star for a limited platform of institutional and economic reforms and he said Grillo’s party would have to justify its refusal to support a government in parliament.

However Grillo’s comments appear to have ended any prospect of an accord.

Some parliamentarians still held out hopes of some form of deal with the centreright that would allow the election of a new president acceptable to Berlusconi’s bloc to succeed Napolitano, whose term ends in May. Bersani played down talk

Supreme Court indicates it may strike down marriage law (Reuters) - A majority of Supreme Court justices yesterday indicated they could be inclined to strike down a law that denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples, a move that would reflect the evolving nationwide sea change in attitudes to gay marriage.

As a packed courtroom listened attentively on a second day of arguments on gay marriage, Justice Anthony Kennedy, a potential swing vote, warned of a “real risk” that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) infringes on the traditional role of the states in defining marriage.

A conservative, Kennedy is viewed as a key vote on this issue in part because he has twice authored decisions in the past that were viewed as favorable to gay rights.

To date, nine states recognize gay marriage while 30 states have constitutional amendments banning it and others are inbetween. Polls show growing support among Americans for gay marriage.

With the thousands who demonstrated on both sides of the issue during the court’s oral arguments heading back home, the focus shifted to the internal conversation within the court over DOMA and California’s Proposition 8 gay marriage ban, which the court weighed on Tuesday. Rulings in both cases are expected by the end of June.

DOMA, enacted in 1996, denies married same-sex couples access to federal benefits by defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Kennedy referred to DOMA as “inconsistent” because it purports to give authority to the states to define marriage while limiting recognition of those determinations.

Before debating the larger issues in the case, the justices spent 50 minutes debating various procedural hurdles that could prevent the court from issuing a decision.

During that period, the high court’s conservative wing took several slaps at President Barack Obama for abandoning legal

defense of DOMA in 2011, a decision that left Republican lawmakers as its primary defenders. Despite this, it looked likely, but not definite, that the court will reach the merits.

Kennedy’s states’ rights concerns were echoed by two of the liberal members of the bench, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Elena Kagan. “What gives the federal government the right to be concerned at all about what the definition of marriage is?”

Sotomayor said.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Stephen Breyer also raised concerns about the law. Ginsburg stressed how important federal recognition is to any person who is legally married.

“It affects every area of life,” she said.

Comparing marriage status with types of milk, Ginsburg said that a gay marriage endorsed by a state, but not recognized by the federal government, creates two types of marriage, “full marriage, and then this sort of skim milk marriage.”

If the court rules on the states’ rights issue, the justices could strike down the law without deciding the bigger question of whether DOMA violates the U.S. Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection under the law.

On that issue, Kagan spoke of a “red flag” that indicates Congress passed DOMA with the intent of targeting a group that is “not everyone’s favorite group in the world.”

Audible murmurs could be heard in the courtroom when Kagan quoted from a House of Representatives report, written at the time DOMA was considered, that referenced “moral disapproval” of gay marriage.

In a tangent from debating the case, several conservative justices criticized Obama and his Justice Department for not defending the marriage law in court.

Chief Justice John Roberts questioned whether Obama had “the courage of his convictions” for continuing to enforce DOMA while calling it invalid.

of any such deal.

“It hasn’t been put to me in those terms. You can’t speculate about any deal over the government and the office of president of the Republic,” he said.

The main marker of investor confidence, the spread between Italian 10year bonds and their safer German counterparts, has widened this week.

“Risks for Italian debt remain very high in the coming weeks,” said Annalisa Piazza, a market economist

with Newedge in London.

“Although Bersani’s consultations with other political leaders might lead to a grand-coalition government, markets are aware that such a government will not last long,” she said.

If he cannot reach an agreement, Napolitano may appoint a respected outsider to try to form a technocrat government or a broad crossparty coalition. If that fails, Italy faces the prospect of a return to the polls, possibly within months.

Pier Luigi Bersani

Syrian opposition opens...

From page 22 to the opposition.

Qatar has funded political opposition groups and is believed to be funneling money and weapons to rebels in Syria.

Russia, which gives Damascus military and diplomatic support, scolded the Arab League for taking “another anti-Syria step” by giving Syria’s seat to the opposition.

Arab nations are far from united on Syria, with Algeria, Iraq and Lebanon often opposing any action against Assad’s rule.

Saudi Arabia, Qatar and some others have thrown their support behind the mostly Sunni Muslim rebels in Syria, partly to weaken Shi’ite

Iran, the main regional ally of Assad, whose minority Alawite sect is distantly derived from Shi’ite Islam.

Iran, which has sent advisers, money and weapons to help Assad stay in power, also lambasted the Arab League for allowing a foe of Assad to take Syria’s seat at the summit, calling this “a pattern of dangerous behavior”.

Iran views Assad as a pillar of an “axis of resistance” against Israel and a bulwark against Sunni militants in Syria, a country which for three decades has been the main conduit for Iranian arms supplies to Lebanon’s Shi’ite Hezbollah movement.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday March 28, 2013

Egypt could hold delayed election in October: Mursi

Egypt’s President Mohamed Mursi (C) arrives at King Shaka Airport in the coastal city of Durban during his visit to South Africa for the 5th BRICS Summit yesterday. REUTERS/Egyptian Presidency/Handout CAIRO (Reuters) Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi said yesterday parliamentary elections could be delayed until October, a postponement which could give his cash-strapped administration breathing space to negotiate an IMF deal. Mursi’s original plan was for a four-stage election that would start in late April and put a parliament in place

by July.

But the schedule fell apart this month when a court canceled the presidential decree setting the dates.

“Perhaps the elections will be held in the coming October,” state news agency MENA quoted Mursi as saying.

The postponement removes one source of friction between Mursi and the secular-minded opposition that had planned to boycott the vote on the grounds that the election law had been drawn up to suit Mursi’s Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists.

But many tensions remain in a political landscape where divisions have deepened since Mursi was elected in June.

The acrimony will complicate efforts to build the consensus that the International Monetary Fund wants to underpin a loan deal likely to require cuts in unaffordable state subsidies.

This week Mursi’s opponents accused him of instigating a crackdown on dissent when the prosecutorgeneral ordered the arrest of five bloggers alleged to have incited violence against the Brotherhood.

Mursi has in turn hardened his tone in response to recent violence triggered

by protests against him and the Brotherhood. After promising on Sunday to take unspecified steps to protect the nation, Mursi vowed on Tuesday to “break the neck” of anyone who threw a petrol bomb.

The unrest is frustrating efforts to revive the economy.

Dwindling wheat stocks and shortages of imported fuel have increased the urgency of securing the IMF loan to plug the budget deficit and support foreign currency reserves that have dropped below the level needed for three months of imports.

The government has said it expects an IMF technical mission in Cairo soon to complete negotiations on the agreement.

The IMF, however, has not given a date. The planning minister said last week he expected a deal and payment of the first tranche of the loan by the end of June.

Masood Ahmed, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia department, held talks in Cairo earlier this month, saying loan discussions would continue in the coming weeks.

An IMF deal would unlock billions of dollars in further support for Egypt. But political consensus is seen as vital.

With elections postponed, Mursi may have to give ground to opposition demands including a change in government.

“This could increase the possibility of a reshuffle. It would force some concessions in line with opposition demands,” said Mona Mansour, chief regional economist at CI Capital.

Ahmed Omran, Mursi’s adviser for development issues, told a Kuwaiti newspaper this week that one way forward would be for Mursi to head the government himself. But the arrest warrants for the bloggers appeared to have made the opposition less willing to talk of give-and-take.

“If he is going to arrest us, arrest the activists, threaten the opposition, I don’t think this is showing any sign of compromise,” said Khaled Dawoud, spokesman for the National Salvation Front, an alliance of non-Islamist parties that have come together to oppose Mursi.

Hassan Nafaa, a professor

of political science and a critic of Mursi, also questioned the Islamist leader’s readiness for concessions.

“If the president had wanted a dialogue, he would have postponed the elections a while ago,” he said. One opposition demand is for the removal of the prosecutorgeneral appointed by Mursi in November.

In a blow to the president, an appeals court yesterday ordered the reinstatement of the former prosecutorgeneral, a Hosni Mubarak-era appointee whom Mursi had sacked. It was not immediately clear whether Mursi would appeal.

Mursi had billed the parliamentary election as completing the transition from Mubarak’s autocracy. A court dissolved the previous lower house, which was led by the Brotherhood, in June.

Mursi now expects the new lower house to convene by the end of the year, according to MENA, the state news agency, which said it would take two and a half months to complete a new election law and another two months to prepare for the vote.

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 25

Contractor, Regional Engineer defy Regional Chairman’s cease work orders Residents, perturbed over shoddy works done, and a waste of taxpayers’ money, are calling for an investigation and action against an engineer and a contractor. One week after a Canje road was rehabilitated it began to deteriorate.

As Government claims to be spending millions of dollars on infrastructure works in Berbice, residents are coming forward to challenge and expose some of the shoddy works being done.

The residents are up in arms and want Government to do something.

The multiplicity of shoddy and substandard work being executed by the many contractors throughout Berbice is devastating according to a resident.

Another accused the government of corruption and of siding with the contractors to run rough shod over the communities.

However the regional administration is defending its stewardship. It claims that it has its fingers on the pulse and has pulled many of the contractors over for briefing.

It has ordered a number of the works to be redone.

However the residents are not too amused as they say

it’s just talk. They gave examples of the contractors defying the orders of the regional administration and of colluding with the Regional Engineer’s department.

Residents of Canefield, East Canje stated that they sought the intervention of the relevant authorities with respect to recent slapdash works done in Fourth Cross Street, Canefield, East Canje, which was not done to specifications.

They stated that the contractor completed the work even after he was directed by the Regional Chairman and the Regional Vice Chairman to cease work and remedy the situation.

According to a resident, Michael Hintzen, who is also a member of the Regional Works Committee, he noticed that the contractor, Peter Lewis, was not doing the work according to specifications.

He immediately brought it to the contractor’s attention.

However the man went ahead and continued with the work.

He immediately contacted the Regional Vice Chairman Mr. Bhoopaul Jagroop who ordered the contractor to cease all work and correct the faults. He was also spoken to by the Regional Chairman

The work done to Fourth Cross Street, Canefield Canje David Armogan.

The regional engineer, Rupesh, was also directed to visit the site and ensure that the contractor rectify the works according to specifications and the bill of quantities.

However according to Hintzen, the engineer refused to visit the site and has not done so up to this point.

The work stopped for a

while; however after two weeks the contractor returned to finish off the work.

Regional Chairman David Armogan stated emphatically that the contractor Peter Lewis will not be paid. He stated that after receiving reports that the work was of a substandard quality, he gave instructions that the work should stop and be rectified.

He also gave instruction that

the Regional Engineer visit the site and give an assessment.

“He will not be paid, because he defied instructions. We will have to look into the claims that the engineer did not follow instructions. We will definitely have to come down on staff and contractors who are not giving us value for our money.”

The road should have been constructed with crusher run.

None was used. However a makeshift material consisting of reef and white sand which consisted of mud was substituted.

The street is warped and has already started to deteriorate, with the bricks becoming loose just one week after its completion.

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Tuesday March 27, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Fire service still investigating school fires - Tiger Bay fire was started by children left unattended Fire Chief Marlon Gentle said, yesterday, that the Guyana Fire Service has not yet come up with any preliminary findings into the two recent school fires; but that investigations are ongoing.

According to Gentle, his ranks will soon be taking statements from the adults who were at La Parfaite Harmonie Primary School when the fire started. As it relates to the fire at the Bygeval Secondary School, the Fire Chief said that he is yet to get the full findings on that fire as well.

Meanwhile yet another fire has left at least 20 persons homeless. According to reports around 21:00 hours on Tuesday fire gutted some seven structures in the Tiger Bay area. One woman who lost her house, Kesha Colley, told this publication that she was relaxing at home when she heard persons screaming ‘fire’. The woman said that by the time she ran out she noticed fire at the back of the house.

Colley added that she, with the assistance of others in the area, was able to save some household articles.

Within minutes the woman said other structures which were all nearby were engulfed.

By then people had contacted the Guyana Fire Service.

Initially there were reports that the fire was started by a ‘junkie’ in the area. However a source from the fire department said that the fire was as a result a child who was left unattended and was playing with matches.

Fortunately, other structures were saved as

ranks from the fire service went into action quickly.

When this publication visited the area yesterday, persons were still seen going through the rubble to see what they could retrieve.

Also, President Donald Ramotar yesterday visited the fire victims and made a pledge to render whatever assistance is needed.

He told reporters that Government will be working with the relevant Ministries to find ways to offer assistance to the victims.

Public Works Minister Robeson Benn, who was at the scene, commended members of the Fire Service who he said did an excellent job in preventing the fire from spreading to nearby homes and businesses. “I actually had just left the office and was going home and I saw the smoke,” GINA quoted Minister Benn as saying.

“When I turned here, the fire service had just got here, the fire was in progress on the south-eastern side of these houses. “There was the issue of whether we should save Courts or save the houses, but once we got to concentrate on the fire which the tenders were able to contain quickly with their two pumps, everything was under control,” Benn stated.

Seven shacks were damaged while three others were destroyed. Human Services Minister Jennifer Webster was also at the scene and said the ministry will offer support to the victims, at least 20 of whom are now homeless, GINA reported.

The burnt out area in the Tiger Bay area.

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Tuesday March 27, 2013

SAG awards four for sterling contributions to shipping FOUR persons last Friday evening received awards for outstanding contributions to the shipping industry in Guyana.

The awards were handed over during the Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony of the Shipping Association of Guyana (SAG), held at Le Meridien Pegasus.

Among the awardees were Mr. Andrew Astwood for Long service; Mr. Richard Van Sluytman won the SAG Chairman’s Award; Mrs. Glynnis Hodges won the outstanding Woman Business Executive Award Innovativeness and Mr.Leroy Benjamin got the Outstanding Service to the Maritime Industry Award.

SAG said that Long Service awardee Mr. Andrew Astwood had served the Shipping Association of Guyana for seven years, six of them as its Chairman. His business acumen had kept the Association financially viable mostly due to his three decades of experience as an Accountant. He spent most of his career at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation where he acquired extensive knowledge and experience in Maritime Transportation and Logistics.

He is now the acting

Managing Director of GNSC, one of the leading Shipping Terminals and providers of maritime transportation and related services.

Mr. Richard Van Sluytman, SAG said, received the Chairman’s Award for the innovativeness his company continues to employ in penetrating maritime markets in the Caribbean and Latin America.

This awardee, SAG said, had known nothing else but Shipping his entire life. As a child he watched his father and grandfather operate their own cargo vessels, called Coasters, transporting general cargo to Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil and the Caribbean islands.

In 1978, he purchased his own Coaster and kept up that service, but the rigors of life on the sea kept him away from home more than his family had liked.

He established a shipping agency – Van Sluytman Shipping - in 1970 and some 17 years later, came together with his partner Frankie Comacho who was also operating an agency. They decided to consolidate under the name Caribbean Shipping.

In 1992 when they took on their first major line, they were incorporated as C&V

rom left Andrew Astwood, Leroy Benjamin, Glenis Hodge, Guest Speaker Grantley Stephenson who is the 16th president of the Caribbean Shipping Association (CSA)., and Richard Van Sluytman.

Caribbean Shipping Ltd. Today C&V Caribbean are agents for several international shipping lines freighting both break bulk and containerized cargo.

Mrs. Glenis Hodge was recognized for standing out among the few Guyanese women in the local Maritime Industry and for the versatility, vision and outstanding achievements of a female entrepreneur.

Glenis Hodge, SAG said, begun her career in Guyana’s Maritime industry at the

Guyana National Shipping Corporation at age 18.

After 10 years she was initiated into the intricacies of international shipping when TECMARINE, an international shipping line came to Guyana in 1994.

It didn’t take too much longer for her to grasp the intricacies of serving ports in the USA, the Caribbean and South America.

Just one year after the ownership of TECMARINE changed to Tropical Shipping, she was appointed

to the demanding post of Country Manager.

Leroy Benjamin, of Benjamin’s Marine & Salvage Services, was awarded for decades of unwavering commitment to Marine Salvaging and Services in Guyana.

Mr. Leroy Benjamin has a reputation for being the most innovative marine salvager, a reputation which has gone beyond local shores and his skills are called upon in Suriname and across the Caribbean.

He is known for succeeding in bringing up sunken boats and barges in circumstances where reputable salvagers from as far away as North America have failed.

“Benjie’, as he is known, also operates a fleet of tugs and barges ferrying stone and other products around and outside of Guyana.

He counts Boskalis, Mazaruni Granite, Toolsie Persaud and BK International among his regular clientele.

Thursday March 28, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Guides are subjected to change without notice

Thursday March 28, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): Your emotional landscape changes abruptly as the Sun and Venus receive a jolt from electric Uranus in your sign.

This unexpected surprise can mark the start of something new as cracks suddenly appear in a brittle shell that has kept you safe.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): You may be tempted to step outside the box and surprise someone with your willingness to take a risk today. However, something unexpected could occur even if you act in an overly cautious manner.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20): You’re buzzing today as original ideas and beautiful images cascade into consciousness. But you must be careful because your thoughts may not be as brilliant as you believe.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): It may be challenging to find a happy medium today as your reactions to trivial events seem to be either too much or too little. You might grow annoyed because others assume you want everything while you feel as if you’re not asking for much at all.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20): Your friends and associates may seem unreliable today, disrupting previous plans that require their participation.

This unpredictability can be challenging, since you must make choices based upon your ability to deliver on your promises.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): You might not be feeling very practical today, especially if you are in the throes of a new romantic attraction. Or, perhaps you are consumed by a captivating hobby or a competitive sport.

CANCER (June 21–July 22): Your reputation at work might shift abruptly today. If you suffer a minor setback, it’s only to point out that something needs your immediate attention.

CAPRICORN(Dec.22–Jan.19): If circumstances at home are too complicated, you may be ready to try a more diplomatic approach today. However, emotions grow intense very fast once you start the discussion.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22): You can close your door in an attempt to keep out the extraneous noise today. But everything is moving so fast now that you have to deal with the speed of change, even if you’re overwhelmed by it.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): Your focus is on your career these days and, thankfully, your sense of duty holds you in good stead on the job now. But you’re not willing to do the same old thing in the same old way.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): You are fascinated by alternative explanations of complex mysteries today as you seek answers to the unsolvable questions of life.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20): Your emotions may be at odds with your logic today, especially if you want to do something that conflicts with your core values.

Page 29

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Kaieteur News

Thursday March 28, 2013

Matt Prior earns series draw in Auckland England’s last-wicket pair held on to secure a stunning draw in a thrilling third Test against New Zealand. Matt Prior made a magnificent unbeaten 110 and Monty Panesar faced five balls at the death to deny the hosts a series victory at Eden Park in Auckland.

Prior and Stuart Broad defended stoutly after coming together at 237-7 at tea, but Broad and James Anderson fell in the fourth over before the close.

However, Prior and Panesar clinched the draw with England on 315-9 at the end.

Prior, who successfully overturned an lbw decision and survived the ball hitting his stumps earlier in his innings, faced 182 balls and batted for four hours and 29 minutes. It was the 31-yearold vice-captain’s seventh Test century and the longest innings of his 65-Test career.

It is only the third time in Test cricket that a team had gone into the final day of a match with four wickets down and avoided defeat. With Ian Bell dismissed in the last over before tea for a battling 75, Prior was left with three tailenders going into the final

session.

Broad, who has been in horrible form with the bat, also overturned an lbw decision, but batted with admirable discipline. He eventually got off the mark to his 62nd ball faced, after a Test record 103 minutes in the middle.

With the tension growing, Prior almost played on but missed his leg stump by the smallest of margins. The wicketkeeper brought up their fifty partnership, having hit all the runs, and moments later reached his century with a muted celebration.

Boult thought he had Broad lbw to one that jagged back but he survived thanks to another review, while Prior was almost caught six overs from the end. New Zealand looked increasingly desperate as the overs ticked down but Kane Williamson had Broad and Anderson caught at slip in the space of three balls.

That brought in Panesar and he anxiously held his nerve, despite almost being run out in comical fashion after mistiming a dive to make his ground. England went into the series with many experts predicting a

International Cricket Council Test rankings and denies New Zealand what would have been only their fourth series win against them.

Starting the day on 90-4, and with the victory target of

481 no longer relevant, England needed to bat for a minimum of 90 overs. Bell and Joe Root dropped anchor but fell just short of batting through the first session.

Left-arm seamer Trent Boult needed just one delivery with the new ball to break a stand of 60 - Root departing leg before for 29 pushing forward to an inswinger.

Bell and Jonny Bairstow were both dropped in the final over before lunch. The Warwickshire player was dropped at fourth slip by Dean Brownlie on 40 and Bairstow was put down at gully by Williamson two balls later as England went into the break on 158-5.

Bairstow, who has played only two first-class innings since August, was out for six after the interval when he edged Tim Southee to first slip.

Prior was given out lbw to Southee but the wicketkeeper

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica Costa Rica scored a goal in each half and rejuvenated its World Cup Qualifying campaign, defeating Jamaica 2-0 on Tuesday in front of a capacity crowd at the Estadio Nacional.

It was the Central American champion’s first win in three final round outings, lifting it out of last place on four points.

Conversely, the loss dropped the Reggae Boyz to the bottom of the six-team table with two points.

After losing 1-0 to the United States in adverse weather conditions on Friday in Colorado, the Costa Ricans returned to San Jose for their first home match of the final round. Judging from the comprehensive performance, the Ticos were more than content to be on familiar ground.

Only two months ago, Costa Rica defeated Honduras 1-0 at the same stadium to capture its seventh UNCAF Copa Centroamericana title and qualify for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The good feelings returned in abundance against a Jamaican side that has scored only once over the course of 270 Hexagonal minutes.

The Reggae Boyz started quickly, forcing a full-stretch save in the third minute from Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

Costa Rica responded resolutely to the early wake-

up call and went ahead in the 22nd minute. Alvaro Saborio fed defender Michael Umaña, who drilled a shot past Jamaican goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

The visitors should have leveled in the 43rd minute through Luton Shelton. The 27-year-old weaved past three defenders in the penalty area before his point-blank attempt was saved by Navas.

Twelve minutes after the break, Jamaica’s Marvin Elliott shot wide from 25-yards out. From that moment on, it was all Costa Rica. Joel Campbell, 20, remained extremely active for the home side, but failed to find the back of the net numerous occasions.

Prior and Panesar are a picture of relief as they leave the field at the end of the match and series comprehensive victory following a historic series triumph in India.

But Alastair Cook’s side failed to match the high standards set before Christmas and, after two rainaffected draws, were thoroughly outplayed over the first four days after putting the hosts into bat.

The draw, however, means England remain above India in second place in the

had inside-edged the ball and successfully overturned umpire Rod Tucker’s decision on review.

Prior kept playing his shots but had another close call when he pulled Southee high into the air, only for a diving Neil Wagner to just miss the toughest of overhead chances running back from midwicket.

Then, on 28, the Sussex wicketkeeper somehow survived when a short delivery from Wagner ricocheted from his shoulder to his helmet and then onto the stumps, but without dislodging the bails.

He survived another huge appeal from the Kiwis for a catch behind before Bell edged to Southee at third slip and departed after 271 balls of resistance. His departure left Prior as the last recognisable batsman in England’s rearguard action, but he was more than up to the task.

Costa Rica bounces back, blanks Jamaica

In 77th minute, though, he provided near inch-perfect service to Saborio, who could not connect from close range.

Then, with eight minutes left on the clock, second-half substitute Diego Calvo offered a moment of absolute magic to give his team a 2-0 lead. The Alajuelense striker, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Monday, dribbled into the left side of the Jamaican box, danced around three defenders and curled an effort inside the far post.

Costa Rica returns to qualifying action on June 7 against visiting Honduras, while Jamaica will take on Mexico three days earlier at home.

Thursday March 28, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Kings ground Jets in overtime - crowned New Era Champs

By Edison Jefford Green and yellow kaleidoscopes fused onto an ancient concrete space in the Mining Town where epic battles had unfolded for decades. Amelia’s Ward Jets with its signature green and Kings with its yellow enticed scores of enthusiasts to the MSC Hard-Court.

Their purpose: to witness another colossal showdown between two teams desperate to establish a dynasty status in basketball in Linden. It took overtime to eventually decide the winner of what can be called an evenly contested

New Era Entertainment/Cell Smart Final Tuesday night.

Kings commanded a 66-62 overtime triumph, which FIBA-accredited referee, Sherwin ‘Bakes’ Henry left his imprints on with suspect calls in crunch-time. However, minus ‘Bakes’, the game lived up to every expectation of a Championship contest.

Marvin Hartman scored 24 points for Kings while Omally Sampson and Orin Rose Jr. scored 11 points each and Steve Neils Jr. 10 points in a herculean effort down the stretch, after Jets sailed to a 13-point lead near the end of

RE: WHO HAD OVERTURNED...

From page 34 by the way who or whom uplifted Matthias’ ban? Was it the former GFF President, unilaterally, or in conjunction with his executive? And was it ratified by the Federation’s General Council? If, not, then the administration of football, is definitely treading on dangerous grounds.

Are these the warnings of

chaos unfolding prior to the GFF’s AGM? Did Matthias as Hon. Secretary, GFA, confirm with the constitutional requirements, of convening the Half-Yearly General Meeting for 2011? Absolutely not, so is this individual worthy of any position on the GFF’s executive?

Yours informatively, Joseph Forde

the third quarter of regulation time.

Point Guard, Kevin ‘Two Feet’ Joseph scored 18 points while national forward, Shane Webster had 17 points for Jets that had several opportunities to put the game away. Kings grounded them on their offensive end with intense man-defence from Zico Hamid.

Both Kings and Jets were undefeated at the end of the preliminary phase of the competition that gave patrons immense entertainment. Jets took a 5441 points lead after Joseph, Rodwell Pellew and Neil Simon lit up the MSC court from three-point range.

Neils and Hartman struggled from beyond the arc in the third quarter as Jets excellent rotation of the ball and dominance of Webster brothers in the paint shut Kings out in the preliminary quarter of regulation time. The green machinery thought they had the game.

However, back-to-back three-pointers from Rose in the fourth period with 3:11 left, cut Jets once 13-point lead to three points. The game was

on; the green and yellow kaleidoscopes could not be contained to the wooden bleachers that border the court.

A classic behind-the-back pass from Neils Jr. led to and And1 finish that equalised 5858 points with 1:17 left in game. The drama continued when Joseph buried one of two free-throws to give Jets a one-point lead with less than a minute to play in regulation.

Then a dubious call from ‘Bakes’ seem to gift-wrap the game for Kings when Neils landed both free-throws for a 60-59 Kings lead with 21 seconds left in the game.

However, Jets got reprieve when Webster buried one of two from the line to ensure overtime. Jets’ fuel ran out in the extra time, allowing Kings the come-from-behind win.

Kings won $200,000 as a result while Jets won $100,000.

Royals defeated Raiders 6256 to take the third place prize of $75,000 while Raiders took home $25,000 for fourth.

Hamid was judged the ‘Best Defensive Player’ and received a Mountain Bike compliment of Bobby Noel General Store.

Orin Rose

Marvin Hartman

Block 22 Flames was the ‘Most Disciplined Team’ and received $40,000 from Linden’s leading online information source,

Guymine.com. Rose rode off with a motorcycle from Bakewell after he was adjudged ‘Most Valuable Player’ of the tournament.

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Mayor’s Cup football tournament...

Chanderpaul pips AB de Villiers for 2nd spot Slingerz embarrass Camptown; Alpha swamp GFC DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Guyana and West Indies middle order batsman, Shivnarine Chanderpaul who was named Guyana’s Senior Sportsman of the year for 2012 has pipped South Africa’s AV de Villiers for the second spot in the latest International Cricket Council Test player rankings released yesterday.

Marlon Samuels holds down the number 18 spot, Chris Gayle 22 and Darren Bravo, 24.

BATTING: 1 Hashim Amla (SA) 903 2 Shiv Chanderpaul (WI) 880 3 AB de Villiers (SA) 879 4 Kumar Sangakkara (SL) 866 5 Michael Clarke (AUS) 860 6 Alastair Cook (ENG) 792 7 Cheteshwar Pujara (IND)

777 8 Jacques Kallis (SA) 756 9 Younus Khan (PAK) 748 10 Matt Prior (ENG) 745 18 Marlon Samuels (WI) 663 22 Chris Gayle (WI) 637 24 Darren Bravo (WI) 634 BOWLING: 1 Dale Steyn (SA) 905 2 Vernon Philander (SA) 890 3 Rangana Herath (SL) 831 4 Saeed Ajmal (PAK) 819 5 Peter Siddle (AUS) 776 6 Ravi Ashwin (IND) 757 7 James Anderson (ENG) 740 8 Graeme Swann (ENG) 733 9 Morne Morkel (SA) 715 10 Pragyan Ojha (IND) 706 13 Kemar Roach (WI) 682 23 Shane Shillingford (WI) 550 28 Darren Sammy (WI) 517 47 Shannon Gabriel (WI) 360

BFA Elections to be held over on April 9 Representatives from the Guyana Football Federation, Mr. Franklin Wilson, President (ag.), and Mr. Noel Adonis, General Secretary, travelled to Berbice on Monday March 25, 2013 to address a number of issues arising from decisions taken at an AGM and Elections for Office Bearers of the Berbice Football Association, which was conducted on March 16, 2013.

The GFF representatives met with the membership of the BFA, which included Officials Mr. Keith O’Jeer, and Mr. Joseph Simon, along with representatives from several of the Clubs registered with the Association.

The meeting was cordial and constructive and, after some deliberation on the options available, agreed to declare the recently held elections void and with no effect, and to proceed with new elections immediately,

consequent on the appropriate notice being given.

Accordingly, the date identified by the membership for new elections is April 9, 2013, from 17:00hrs at the BFA Office in New Amsterdam, Berbice.

Clubs in membership agreed to produce and present appropriate financial statements, and will be given opportunity to present nominations in writing for candidates for the various positions on the Executive Committee of the BFA by no later than seven (7) days prior to the date of the elections. Nominations from the floor will only be allowed in instances where no written nomination was received by the stipulated time.

It was ascertained that five of the seven Clubs present at the meeting are likely to be participating in the elections.

BCB hosts gala...

From page 38 Joseph Lewis, A. Ally & Sons, Office of the President, RDC Region 6 David Armogan, Busta, DDL, Banks DIH Ltd, Ansa Mcal, Basil Butcher, Roger Harper, Apex Insurance Broker, the Trophy Stall, Alfred Mentore, Republic Bank, Ministry of Sports, Cecil Kennard, Mayor & Town Council - New Amsterdam, Clive Lloyd, Berbice Bridge, Berbice Cricket Umpires Association, Berbice Chamber of Commerce & Development Association, Corentyne Chambers of Commerce, DTV-8, LRTVS CH10, NCN, Guyana Times, Martin Singh and Vibert Beeraspat.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

When Camptown FC faced Grove FC last week Wednesday in the Mayor’s Cup football tournament, the former team was placed under tremendous pressure and was headed for a 1 nil defeat as the game neared culmination.

Telson McLennon then netted the equalizer moments before the end of regulation time and Devon Forde sealed the deal with a magical strike during the early exchanges of extra time handing Camptown a 2-1 victory.

Camptown returned to play Slingertz FC Tuesday evening last in a semi final encounter and despite the presence of their two heroes and other competent players, were unable to replicate the feat and were booted out of the competition 4-0, by a rampaging Slingertz squad.

Dwayne Jacobs continued his good showing when he netted the first two goals for the winners in the 44th and 63rd minute with support from Deon Alfred and Quasey McAulay in the 78th and 89th minute respectively.

Several players were given marching orders after especially aggressive defensive tactics in a game that at times descended into physical warfare. The game was very competitive but Slingertz, clearly the fitter, more composed unit, was getting the better of the exchanges compliments of clever and accurate passes.

The situation, however, reached an ugly climax as the game wound down and after an especially ferocious exchange near the Camptown goal mouth, the Referee decided to eject Camptown’s Lennox Charles for extremely dangerous play.

The player did not take

the sanction gracefully and hurled several threats at the Referee. Several officials ran to the aid of their colleague thus averting a nasty conclusion whereupon the erring player was upbraided by the Manager of the Camptown FC. When told to apologize, he bluntly refused.

Reports are that he will face internal sanctions from the Camptown Executive Committee.

Otherwise, despite the game being competitive it was clear from the inception that the night belonged to Slingertz. The two teams spent the greater part of the first session grappling for possession and searching for openings.

Dwayne Jacobs served as the lynchpin of the Slingertz team and effected several raids which were thwarted by the opposition. Undaunted, Jacobs tried again and sprinted down the left flank only to be inappropriately checked by Jermaine Blue who received a yellow card for his indiscretion.

Jacobs used up all of 5 minutes to recuperate and when he re-entered the fray and continued to apply the pressure. His efforts bore fruit when he collected a dolly of an offering from one of his team mates and drove flatly along the ground and past Camptown’s custodian just before the halftime whistle.

Camptown came out fighting at the beginning of the second half but the opposition also upped the ante and the game developed into one of wits. T. Joseph almost leveled the score for Camptown with a fierce strike that passed agonizingly close to the opposition’s berth.

In the meantime Jacob continued to ply his trade but

Dwight Peters

Dwayne Jacobs

Manasseh Primo

Anthony Abrams

despite courageous efforts, failed to replicate his earlier feat. His perseverance was finally rewarded after he outmaneuvered Camptown’s defense and struck from a near impossible angle to widen the advantage.

The third goal came off a scooped kick from Deon Alfred while the fourth occurred after a wonderful combination of passes, the last to Quasey McAulay who swiveled and shot with such force that the ball eluded Camptown custodian’s grasp.

It was around here that the fight started before the shrill sound of the whistle ended Camptown’s misery.

Meanwhile, Alpha United continued to establish its dominance as the best unit locally with a resounding 9-0 victory over GFC. Anthony

‘Awo’ Abrams netted a helmet trick in the 3rd, 32nd, 39th and 76th minute while Manessah Primo contributed a brace one minute apart in the 83rd and 84th minute.

Dwight Peters scored in the 17th minute while the winners benefited from a goal by default from Gregory Denny in the 67th minute.

Activities continue tonight at the same venue when two other quarter final matches will be contested.

Santos will tackle Seawall at 18:30hrs while Fruta Conquerors will play the GDF in the feature match.

The winner of the competition receives one million dollars while the runners’ up cart off half that amount. The third and fourth place finishers win $300,000 and $200,000 respectively.

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::: Letter to the Sports Editor ::

RE: WHO HAD OVERTURNED MATTHIAS’ BAN? DEAR EDITOR, Unbelievable! Is how best I can describe the contribution of former GFA administrator, Lester Sealey’s 28 years (1982-2010) of football administration in Georgetown, and to a lesser extent in Guyana. Editor, the publication of a letter in your newspapers captioned “Distortion, Half-Truths and Plagiarism Has Unfolded in Matthias’ Manifesto” 20.03.13 offers a useful insight into the GFF’s Presidential

nominee’s downright dishonesty.

And has been recently pointed out by another presidential nominee, “sweet talk and flowery speeches don’t run football”! Sir, for whatever reason Sealey did not comment upon his additional contributions to the sport remains anyone’s guess, which should have also included. The then GFL’s Coordinator of the Demico House Pee-Wee (Under-11) K.O Competition, for a period

of 8 years.

A. A former member of the then Guyana Football Referees Association, and had never failed a “Coopers Fitness Test”.

B. As the former Secretary of Fruta Conquerors, it was he who tabled the vote of “no confidence” in the Matthias led administration, by way of a motion, which was seconded and unanimously approved, in accordance to “parliamentary procedure”!

Further, in the meeting that took place at GFC, when many club representatives remained silent. It was Sealey, who took Klass to task, outlining that “the GFF executive had erred significantly, in not conducting a thorough investigation into the unaccounted $500,000 and allowing the GFA executive to continue in office. In addition to loaning them the said amount, of which no incoming executive of the GFA, would be obliged to

honour.

What of the Police’s involvement he also enquired? “Klass, with his head bent in shame couldn’t provide the answer! The Matthias led administration was the first in Georgetown, to receive in excess of $1,000,000 from a sponsor, namely: Banks DIH to successfully coordinate 2 competitions, the Premier League and a Division 1 League, with sponsorship amounting to $1,500,000.

While $500,000 couldn’t have been accounted for!

And yet still the bailout came before the completion of both competitions. Why had Klass compromised such a gross mismanagement of financial affairs? With the unanimous agreement of a ban to be implemented, on all members of the Millennium Executive that promised so much and achieved very little! Once again, but with a different agenda, Matthias is now

challenging for the presidency, of the GFF! And has the gumption now to speak of” Players Association and Accountability”! My, oh my!

Editor, any executive of a club, association or team manager that cannot represent the interest of their players, at whatever level is not worthy of that portfolio.

So, in essence here again lies another failure of the GFA executive. Of accountability, why is it a few clubs affiliated to the GFA received their financial statements less than 24 hours prior to the AGM? Is this the hallmark of proper accountability, that fails to give clubs an adequate timeframe for scrutiny? Also it’s deceitful to have constitutional reform at the GFF, without first advocating it at the club, then association level, before the national level.

I can go on but time and space will not allow me! And (Continued on page 31)

Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Schools Football

Johnson’s treble lead Harmony Sec. past LTI; Mackenzie High wins by walkover

Harmony Secondary School goal scorers - Godfrey Greene (left) and Kurd Johnson.

Kurd Johnson of Harmony Secondary School booted in a hat-trick of goals to lead them to a comfortable 4-0 triumph over defending champions Linden Technical Institute (LTI) as play in the Fifth Annual Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Schools Football Competition kicked off at the Wisburg School ground.

Johnson netted in the 3rd, 22nd and 40th minute, while Godfrey Greene’s solitary strike in the 67th completed their tally.

In what should have been the opening clash, Mackenzie High gained a walkover from Wisburg Secondary.

The day’s activities began with a brief opening ceremony, which saw seven of the eight participating schools being represented.

Pastor Andy Mc Kinnon offered God’s Blessings on the 5th edition of the Secondary Schools’ Tournament, while James Craig gave a brief history of the tournament and offered words of encouragement to players.

Play continues today with two more matches at the Wisburg Ground. In the first game, Linden Foundation Secondary faces Christianburg/Wismar Secondary while Marcia Craig’s Educational Institute do battle against New Silvercity Secondary School. Kickoff is 14:30hrs.

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D&C Promotion/Bartica Regatta Ryder in critical KO Street Style Football condition after assault - quarters, semis & final set for today; Old School United draws bye to semis The inaugural D&C Promotions / Bartica Regatta knock-out Street Style football competition is set to climax this evening at the Cenotaph (Stelling Square) when the respective quarter finals, semi finals and final will be contested. Teams are battling for a top prize of $300,000 with the losing finalist set to pocket $100,000.

Quarter final matches which will set the tone for the evening and see the winners advancing to the semis will see Hard Core taking on North Side Warriors; Dangerous Bouroutia comes up against Man City; Lotto oppose Millennium. Old Scheme United drew a bye to the semifinals.

Matches continued on Tuesday evening and following are the results.

Hard Core tamed Wild Bunch 2-0, goal scorers were Paul Campbell and an own goal

by Kishan Pollard.

North Side Warriors defeated Young Strikers 2-0, Whitney Welcome netted both for the winners. Dangerous Bouroutia got past Young Challengers 2-0 on penalty kicks that were scored by Allan Hinds and Harry Boss. Hard Knocks fell on hard times as they lost to Man City 2-0 on account of goals from Shawn Abrams and Jermaine Christian.

Old Scheme United needled Cool Breeze Cure, Curt Neuse netted the winner. Mazaruni lost to Lotto by penalty spot 1-0, Mark Richards hitting the network. Wolves United were caged by Millennium 1-0, Dexter Bentinck found the back of the nets.

The truth and nothing but the truth must be told

By Rawle Welch As the countdown continues to the April 12 Guyana Football Federation Electoral Congress, the respective constituents are busy on the campaign trail whipping up support from their particular constituencies - some promising future assistance, while others have been using persuasive tactics to attract votes.

The four candidates Christopher Matthias, Ivan Persaud, whose name somehow was revealed belatedly, Alfred King and Aubrey Major - have been working feverishly to convince eligible voters to vote in support of them.

The question being asked is who of the four seems best suited to carry Guyana’s football forward and out of the abysss that it found itself in for over two decades, when the autocratic style of governance forced the corporate community, and to some extent the Government, to offer sparing support for the sport.

The mockery of inclusivity, the subtle acts of intimidation and the denial of voting rights to member affiliates, all took their toll on important stakeholders’ patience and support, that eventually dragged them away from the sport.

Even after Guyana’s most impressive showing ever in World Cup campaign, the business community still did not show up in large proportions and the common opinion was that it was so because of the Federation’s hazy past in terms of fairness

and accountability.

The FIFA / CONCACAF team came and found favour in the aggrieved members whose voting rights were wrongfully denied, much to the consternation of the ruling body. They had hoped that the visiting team would have instituted harsh penalties on those they felt had behaved rebellious and needed to be punished, but that did not happen, instead the opposite occurred, they were greeted with open arms like the Prodigal Son. The manner in which the GFF controlled football over the past two decades resembled that of repressive regimes such as North Korea, where saying anything in public against the state is prohibited. Many affiliates spoke of being marginalised and neglected because of their challenge against the hierarchy and what occurred next was little or no development. The absence of development could be seen in

the lack of representation on the national teams, a point that was emphasised by no other than the former Technical Director.

It must be remembered that there are many who served in the administration then and are still present in the current setup. There must be a heavy price paid for hiding the facts from the Guyanese public, the administration must be held to account for the monies accrued for the shifting of the Mexico game, while an explanation must be given on how the entity allowed such a large debt to amount.

These are questions that must be answered before April 12, failing which the voters must react via the ballot. The truth and nothing but the truth must be told and it must start with accountability which when disregarded will ultimately impinge on integrity, before chaos steps in.

Jesse Ryder

Jesse Ryder, the New Zealand batsman, is in a critical condition in hospital after being assaulted late on Wednesday evening in Christchurch.

Ryder, 28, is in intensive care after suffering a fractured skull in the attack - where he was reportedly beaten up by a group of four men as he enjoyed a drink with friends at a bar in Merivale.

“We are all shocked by what has occurred

and extremely concerned for Jesse. New Zealand Cricket’s thoughts are with him and his family,” NZC chief executive, David White, said.

Ryder, who has played 18 Tests for New Zealand in his career but has been in a selfimposed exile from international cricket for the last year, had been due to join up with the Delhi Daredevils later this week, ahead of the start of the IPL season in early April. In January, he ruled out a return for New Zealand, despite his impressive domestic form.

A statement on the New Zealand Police website read: “Police are investigating an incident at a bar in Merivale in the early hours of this morning. Police can confirm the incident did involve Jesse Ryder and that he is currently in Christchurch Hospital.”

A spokesperson for the hospital subsequently told local media that Ryder was in intensive care. A post on New Zealand Cricket’s official Twitter read: “Thoughts are with [Jesse] Ryder this morning.”

New Zealand batsman Ross Taylor added: “Thinking of you mate [Jesse] Ryder.” Ryder’s manager, Aaron Klee, wrote on his Twitter page: “Thanks for the calls and msgs of support for Jesse. Just heading to [Christchurch] to see him.”

White, Peter Clinton from Cricket Wellington, Heath Mills from the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association and Klee are currently flying to Christchurch to assist.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

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U.S. holds off Mexico for 0-0 draw the U.S., came close to breaking the ice when he sent a corner kick over the crossbar in the 87th minute.

The U.S. did not have many serious scoring opportunities, but did enough to frustrate the Mexicans, who had a solid first half, but seemed to lose their focus on attack in the second half.

There was little doubt that Mexico owned the opening half. Slowly, but surely the host penetrated the U.S. midfield and backline, taking particular advantage of the right flank and left back DaMarcus Beasley. His effectiveness was restricted

MEXICO CITY - The United States withstood a frantic finish by Mexico to register a surprising scoreless draw in a World Cup qualifier at the Estadio Azteca on Tuesday night. It was only the second time the Americans managed a result in a qualifier here, having played to a goalless tie in a 1997 qualifier.

The tie improved the U.S.’s record to 1-1-1 and four

points, while the disappointing Mexicans played their third consecutive draw in as many games in the CONCACAF hexagonal round, their second successive 0-0 tie at home.

The result could place additional pressure Mexico head coach Jose Manuel de la Torre, who had guided El Tri to a 6-0-0 in the semifinal round. The Mexicans

attempted 15 corner kicks against the U.S. defense that bent, but never broke.

El Tri felt they should have been awarded a penalty kick, when Javier Aquino was tackled from behind by Maurice Edu in the 76th minute. Referee Walter Lopez of Guatemala, though, said to play on.

Striker Javier Hernandez, who has never scored against

GSL Cricket...

Avinash Singh grabbed 6 wickets for 10 runs and hit a top score of 22 as Rapid Fire defeated Accomplishment by 6 wickets when action in the Georgetown Softball League\Regal Stationery and Computer Centre\ Mike’s Copy Centre\ Star Party Rentals\ Trophy Stall and Salad Marketing Agency tournament continued recently at Cyril Potter College of Education Ground.

Accomplishment were bowled out for 72 in 10 overs, batting first with H. John scoring 21. Singh then led Rapid Fire to 74-4 in 10.3 overs in reply.

Speed Boat XI beat Marshals by 38 runs. Speed Boat made 128 all out in 12 overs; Amit Kooblall stroked 39, Mahase Singh 34 and Greg Singh 25; M. Aookum snared 4-20 and M. Persaud 2-10. Marshals in reply fell for 90 in 11.4 overs. M. Aookum made 23 and M. Ramlakan 22 as G. Singh took 4-7 and I. Hamid 2-30.

Front Liners overcame Industry Super Kings by 4

by an eighth-minute yellow card for fouling Aquino.

Central defender Mike Besler, making his second international appearance, also was booked for a foul on dos Santos in the 20th minute.

The Mexicans’ first scoring opportunity came in the 16th minute when dos Santos fired a shot wide right.

Five minutes later, dos Santos tried to test U.S. goalkeeper Brad Guzan from distance and the U.S. goalkeeper easily handled the shot on one bounce. Mexico, though, refused to give up.

Moments later Chicharito was fed from the right side by Aquino, but his header

traveled wide right.

Chicharito tried again to get his team on the scoreboard in the 28th minute, but he sent his close-range shot over the crossbar. With two minutes remaining in the first half, Carlos Salcido launched a chip pass into the penalty area. Guzan collided with Jesus Zavala as nothing came of the play.

Mexico will have to wait more than two months to accrue points as it will play its next two qualifiers on the road — at Jamaica on June 4 and at Panama on June 7. The United States next will visit Jamaica on June 7. (Michael Lewis).

Singh stars as Rapid Fire beat Accomplishment wickets. Industry scored 989 in 20 overs, taking first strike. Mukesh Persaud made 21, Mohamed Rafeek claimed 3-12, Robert Narine 3-20 and Gary Mc Roy 2-17.

Front Liners responded with 99-6 in 15 overs. Kinden Mc Koy top scored with 36 and Dennis Mangru chipped in with 25; Pooran Singh and Kumar Ramcharran picked up 2 wickets each.

M K Ogle got the better of Park Ranges by 7 runs. Ogle posted 197-9 in 20 overs, batting first. A. Haniff stroked 80, Yunus Yusuf 61 and K. Dindyal 14. R. Persaud claimed 5-32 and Mark Fung 2-33.

Park Rangers mustered 190-9 in 20 overs in reply. H. Narine made 33, D. Mohanram 25 and Fung 22; D. Persaud captured 3-23 and W. Wilfred 2-26.

Savage Masters hammered Super Star by 24 runs. Savage batted first and rattled up 179-3 in 20 overs.

Falim Mohamed and Rama Malone were their leading run getters with 45 and 44

Trophy Stall/EBFA U-23 tourney

Grove overcome Soesdyke 2-1 Grove Hi- Tech defeated Soesdyke Falcons 2-1 when action in the Trophy Stall sponsored East Bank Football Association (EBFA) tournament kicked off on Sunday last at the Grove Playfield.

Thybert Moore opened the scoring for the winners 23 minutes into the game while Delroy Dudson doubled the advantage one minute later the half time break. Jarel Walcott pulled one back for Soesdyke in the 65th minute.

Mocha Champs also pocketed full points but without burning any energy as their opponent, Agricola, failed to show up.

Play will continue on Sunday at the said venue with Mocha Champs facing Grove and Kuru Kururu clashing with Diamond United. Kick off time is 13:00hrs.

respectively.

Super Star in reply made 155-9 in 20 overs; A. Sanichar led with 65; Talesh Ramotar and Randy Rupan took 2 wickets apiece.

Queens Park Rangers overpowered Mon Repos by 5 runs. Queens Park Rangers took first strike and managed 110-4 in 12 overs.

De Roop Etwaroo top scored with 49 while Ricardo Krishnanand supported with 29; V. Vickram captured 216.

Mon Repo were bowled out for 105 in 12 overs. M. Persaud scored 41, Paul Nichols claimed 3-8 and Etwaroo 2-23.

The competition continues on Friday (tomorrow) at GNIC with Elcomadante vs Trophy Stall at 09:30hrs, Walking Tall vs Flashers at 11:30 hrs, Elcomadante vs Flashers at 13:30 hrs, Trophy Stall vs Walking Tall at 15:30 hrs.

On Saturday, in the female segment, 4 R Lioness will play Trophy Stall at 10:00hrs, Lady Jags faces 4 R Lioness at 13:00hrs and Regal will take on Mike’s Well Woman at 15:00hrs.

Fixtures for Sunday at Cyril Potter College of Education Ground - Regal vs Young Guns at 09:30hrs, Trophy Stall vs Regal at 11:30hrs, Young Guns vs Trophy Stall at 13:30hrs, Regal vs Elcomadante at 15:30hrs on Pitch One, Wolf Warriors vs Mon Repo at 09:30hrs, Walking tall vs Wolf Warriors at 11:30hrs, Mon Repo vs Park Rangers at 13:30hrs, Wolf Warriors vs Flashers at 15:30hrs on Pitch Two, Farm vs Rockaway at 09:30hrs, Herstelling vs Trophy Stall at 11:30hrs, Farm vs Trophy Stall at 13:30hrs and Rockaway vs Herstelling at 15:30hrs on Pitch 3.

Thursday March 28, 2013

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Big cheers for Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket on the Nature Isle ROSEAU, Dominica – You could hear the cheers from miles away. The cheers of the crowd at Windsor Park as the West Indies beat Zimbabwe in the second Test match. Among those cheering for the home team were scores of bright-eyed, enthusiastic children who were chosen from the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programme in Dominica – the Nature Isle of the Caribbean.

They all came out to celebrate the big win and the series clean sweep as hometown hero Shane Shillingford bamboozled Zimbabwe and the West Indies won in grand style.

Smartly attired in their brand new, specially designed “whites”, which were supplied by Scotiabank and the West Indies Cricket Board, the aspiring young players also got the chance to go onto the outfield to display their talent and cricket skills, much to the delight of the more than 7,000 fans in the stands.

They were accompanied by Chirpy – the fun-loving, larger-than-life mascot – who was lively and cheerful and also showed

some skills with the bat.

Robert Haynes, the former Jamaica and West Indies allrounder, was on hand at Windsor Park to see the children in action and was pleased with what he saw.

Haynes has worked for several years coaching at all levels in Jamaica, including the Jamaica Under-19 and senior teams. He is presently a member of the WICB Selection Committee.

“It is remarkable to see boys and girls of this age bowling, batting, fielding and playing the game of cricket with such passion and diligence. If we continue in this direction by setting strong foundations through the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programme, we have done our jobs in equipping our children with the prerequisites to easily progress to the next stage of their cricketing development and securing a bright competitive future for West Indies Cricket,” Haynes told WICB Media.

“As a former player and one of the WICB selectors, we look for key technical components at all levels of a player’s cricketing ability.

Coming out of the interval display in Dominica where I was present, it is only obvious that the programme has been making strides in the right direction to equip our children, and more so institute the positive attitudes needed to promote a love for the game.”

Jim Alston, Scotiabank’s Country Head for the island of Dominica, was also hugely impressed with what he saw from the young cricketers.

“Scotiabank believes in the power of possibilities and giving back to our local communities, and this is why we are committed to this programme in the territories in the Caribbean, especially in Dominica.

Through our partnership with the West Indies Cricket Board we have been able to expand the scope of the programme by increasing coaching resources and equipment in primary schools across the country,” he said.

“In addition to providing resources, we are also proud that we are able to give our children in Dominica positive and life-lasting experiences

Kiddy cricketers going through their paces in Dominica by them participating in the annual Kiddy Cricket lunch interval display, allowing them to share the spotlight with their West Indies heroes, such as Dominica’s very own Shane Shillingford.”

Alston added: “Through our support in cricket we are empowering our Caribbean children with self-confidence and self discipline, in hopes that their dreams can be realized.”

The boys and girls were

taken from the top eight schools in the Dominica leg of the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Festival. The schools were: Mahaut Primay, St Luke’s Primary, Warner Primay, Salisbury Primary, Penville Primary, Ville Case Primary, Woodford Hill Primary and Bense Primary.

The Scotiabank Kiddy C r i c k e t Programme encourages and promotes the development of well-rounded Caribbean

youths, providing cricket resources and facilitating learning through the provision of academic aids.

The programme runs in 15 territories across the West Indies with 700 primary schools involved and over 150,000 children between ages six and 11. Several regional and international cricketers have benefited from this initiative, including West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday March 28, 2013

BCB hosts gala 6th Annual Awards Ceremony - Veerasammy Permaul & Shemaine Campbelle named cricketers of the year The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Saturday last hosted its 6th Annual Awards Ceremony at the New Amsterdam Town Council Hall. West Indies players Veerasammy Permaul and Shemaine Campbelle were named Male and Female Cricketers of the Year respectively while the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club copped the Club of the Year award during the gala ceremony which was well attended by cricketers, cricket officials and supporters of Berbice Cricket.

Public Relations Officer and Chairman of the Board’s Special Events Committee Hilbert Foster who chaired the programme, presented a comprehensive report of the entity for the period January, 2012 to March 2013 and described their achievements during the period as phenomenal.

Foster

disclosed that over 20 tournaments was organised at all age levels and also at the Inter-Zone levels.

The BCB also introduced tournaments for teams within the four Sub-Zones in an effort to unearth new talent for the County.

Off the field, the Board completed over 180 programmes/activities including the Annual Review Magazine, Cricket Academy, Educational Awards Scheme, Printing of Cricket Posters, Charity Programmes, Tribute to Heroes, Tribute of Coaches among others.

Defending the BCB’s charity, educational and social activities, the long serving Administrator stated that in this modern world all aspects of a young person’s development must be taken into account as their true potential cannot be fulfilled if they are uneducated,

Shemaine Campbelle receives her Cricketer of the YearTrophy and prize

Awardees pose with Officials and Invitees at the Awards Ceremony distracted by drugs and social ills and are living in poverty.

Foster also reported on the number of players from Berbice who played for Guyana and the West Indies with special mention of the test debutants Assad Fudadin and Veerasammy Permaul. Board President Keith Foster stated that under his administration every hero in Berbice Cricket have been acknowledged and honoured. He praised his fellow Executives for working beyond the call of duty that allowed the BCB to develop into the best cricket board in the Caribbean. Noting that outstanding performances must be rewarded, the elder Foster issued a challenge to other sporting disciplines in Berbice to do likewise.

Region Six Chairman Permaul “David” Armogan, to loud applause stated that based on the BCB President’s remarks, the Region 6 RDC in 2014 would be establishing an Awards Ceremony for all sporting disciplines in the

County.

Armogan along with PPPC Member of Parliament Faizal Jafferally described the Board as a perfect role model for all sporting bodies in Guyana. An emotional Jafferally called on all cricket Boards in Guyana to follow the footsteps of the BCB in order to return our cricket to the glory days.

East Coast Cricket Board President Bissoondyal Singh stated in brief remarks that the Berbice Board was a shining light in a dark period of Guyana’s history.

Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President Omar Shariff in delivering the feature address in absence of President Donald Ramoutar stated that he felt honoured and privileged to be part of the auspicious occasion.

He congratulated the Board for the excellent work it has been doing over the years and that the Board was an organisation that should be emulated by others. Sheriff

urged the awardees to remain focus and to remember that discipline was the key to success.

Expressing confidence in the future of Berbice cricket, the Permanent Secretary urged the BCB not to become complaisant and to always remain focus and committed.

The full list of awardees were Joshua Harricharran (Under-15 Cricketer of the Year), Shimron Hetmyer (Under-17 Cricketer of the Year), Gudakesh MotieKanhai (Under-19 Player of the Year), Kevon Jawahir (Under-21 Player of the Year), Jaipaul Heeralall (Berbice Intermediate Player of the Year), Heeralall Bridgelall (Berbice Second Division Player of the Year), Steffon Adams (West Berbice Player of the Year), Quincy De Veldt (New Amsterdam/Canje Player of the Year), Mahendra Baldeo (Lower Corentyne Player of the Year), Toolaram Persaud (Upper Corentyne

Player of the Year), Imran Moakan (Umpire of the Year), Michael Hyles Franco (Coach of the Year), Julian Moore (Inter-zone Coach of the Year), RHTYSC (Club of the Year), Shimron Hetmyer and Romario De Jonge Shepherd (Most Improved Players of the Year), Shemaine Campbelle (Female Cricketer of the Year) and Veerasammy Permaul (Cricketer of the Year). Veerasammy Permaul and Assad Fudadin were both honoured for their test debut while Sewnarine Chattergoon, Tremayne Smartt and Kevon Jawahir received the Most Discipline Awards at the senior, female and junior levels respectively.

Permaul and Campbelle both received trophies from Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall and DVD players from A. Ally & Sons Ltd. The BCB is expressing gratitude to all the major sponsors of the programme especially Conrad Plummer, (Continued on page 33)

Panama beats Honduras, tops Hexagonal PANAMA CITY, Panama - In an all-Central American clash at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez on Tuesday, Panama claimed the summit of the Hexagonal table after three rounds with a 2-0 win over former leader Honduras.

An early goal from Luis Tejada and a late one from Blas Perez sandwiched an extended, but ultimately fruitless, push from the Catrachos, who couldn’t find a way past a resolute Panamanian back line stewarded by stand-in goalkeeper Luis Mejia.

The host got off to a dream start in just the second minute, when Leonel Parris got into the box alone on the right side. His pinpoint cross provided Tejada with the easiest of finishes, staking Panama to the early lead.

Honduras immediately took the initiative, and nearly tied through Carlo Costly - the hero of last week’s draw with Mexico in San Pedro Sula - who rose to beat Mejia with a powerful

header which rang the crossbar in the 20th minute.

Panama went to the half with the minimum advantage.

Just minutes into the second stanza, however, the Hondurans had another golden opportunity to tie through Costly, but his shot was stopped by Mejia after the forward got into the box alone.

In the 75th minute, Panama finally made their guests pay for the missed chances, when second half sub Nelson Barahona picked out Blas Perez with a long pass from midfield. The 32-year-old forward took a touch and then slammed a right footed shot past goalkeeper Noel Valladares.

The victory left Panama atop the Hexagonal table with five points after three matches, one better than Honduras. The Canaleros will next host Mexico on June 7, while Honduras visits Costa Rica that same day.

Thursday March 28, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 39

t r o Sp

Cameron lands WICB Presidency B

RIDGETOWN, Barbados – J a m a i c a n businessman Dave Cameron was on Wednesday (yesterday) elected President of the West Indies Cricket Board, beating incumbent Dr Julian Hunte in a close vote at the Annual General Meeting here.Cameron, who previously served as Vice President to Hunte, won 7-5

to ensure the change of guard in one of the Caribbean’s most prestigious bodies.

His running mate Emmanuel Nanthan, the Windward Islands Cricket Board Chief, also took the post of Vice President after beating Barbados Cricket Association President Joel Garner, 8-4.

“I am happy and feel extremely blessed to be leading this august body this

afternoon,” Cameron told a media conference here afterward. “As you know, the election process has been a long one … I traveled my Kingston to Georgetown to ensure that I was able to address the concerns of our stakeholders.

“As Emmanuel and I take over the West Indies Cricket Board, we take it over with very, very lofty goals in our minds but also

with the understanding of the reason we are here and what everybody in the region is looking forward to.”

Cameron, who comes to the post with over ten years of WICB experience, campaigned on promises to i m p r o v e t h e B o a r d ’s financial viability and increase the involvement of the region’s corporate sector.

He said he was now prepared for this challenge

Newly elected WICB President Whycliffe Dave Cameron and Vice President Emmanuel Nanthan (WICB Media photo-Randy Brooks) as well as that of uniting of West Indies cricket and charting a path for the success of the regional team.

“In my manifesto I talked about improving and building on our immense talent, increasing the revenues in the sport, … participation and about uniting the region through cricket,” he said.

“And I certainly believe this thing called cricket, and West Indies cricket in particular, is very passionate to all of us and I would like to say from the sweeper on the street to the Prime Ministers of the region, this is very passionate to all of us and with that we take on this very huge task of building the West Indies team and taking it back to the top where we are accustomed to.”

He continued: “We take it (challenge) on understanding and knowing very well that we will be innovate and creative … we will use every strength that we have available and try and get West Indies cricket back to the top.” The election of Cameron ended Hunte’s bid for a fourth successive two-year term and marks the second major administrative change in West Indies cricket within the last seven months.

Last September, St Lucian Ernest Hilaire stepped down from the post of chief executive officer, to take up a diplomatic posting on behalf of his country’s government in London.

He was subsequently replaced by Jamaican Michael Muirhead.

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