Kaieteur News

Page 04

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

Don’t talk to Rohee about corruption The public perception of corruption is not something imagined. Less than a fortnight ago, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry found that public corruption and the apparent failure on the part of the Government to do more to curb it were issues affecting the business community.

The findings were contained in the 2014 attitudinal survey, the third such survey conducted by the Chamber. A whopping seventy per cent of the businesses surveyed concluded that there was rampant corruption. A handful of the businesses stated that the incidence of corruption was low. And as is the case of all surveys, there were those who refrained from commenting for fear that their views would lead to victimization from public sources.

In their letters to the press, people across the political divide have been stating incidences of corruption. Some of the complainants were people visiting home from overseas. They found that in almost every Government department they were expected to pay a fee to access the services they desired.

On Tuesday, Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee expressed a hatred for the term ‘rampant corruption’. He said that he would prefer simple corruption to the exclusion of any adjective.

And one can readily understand his position. As a serving Minister of Government it would not do well for him to admit that corruption is rampant during the tenure of his administration. There were contradictions in his position, though. While denying that corruption was widespread, he himself said that he was forced to set up a website to allow people to forward complaints about the bribes they were forced to pay. Had Rohee’s initial position on corruption been allowed to prevail then one would have been ready to query the need for the website, “I Paid a Bribe”.

But by his own admission he was able to proclaim the success of the website and according to him, success is measured by the number of hits on the site. There were significant hits almost daily. But it is not only the police, who are corrupt, and again, not every policeman is corrupt, there are certain senior Government officials whose rise to wealth has caused raised eyebrows and numerous questions. There have been people who could be considered nothing but ordinary people until they were appointed to Government office.

These people may not have actually stolen from the public treasury but surely they accepted the offerings of those members of society who wanted their services. For example, there must be very few people who have not heard that the Brazilians shell out bundles of cash to secure a work permit. The word is that someone inside the Ministry of HomeAffairs is the grand collector.

The Chinese are also said to be prepared to pay hefty bribes to any party in Guyana to help them get going. And the Chinese have come with deep pockets.

We then come to the issue of Ministers of Government who are now displaying immense wealth. On Tuesday Rohee refused to discuss the seeming rise from rags to riches on the part of some of his colleagues. These may all be honourable people who either now revel in old money or who are enjoying the fruits of investment in many sectors.

It is not that Guyana does not offer many investment opportunities but for the working man, he must have vast sums of money to capitalize on these opportunities. Those who now invest in places like the gold mining industry are people who made tons of money elsewhere and are now using some of that money to fuel the investment.

A point of reference is former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

He appears to be rich beyond his wildest dreams. He lives in a fashionable and expensive duplex, has set up a foundation, reportedly owns shares in some of the businesses operated by his friends and defies many to hold a candle to him.

Rohee insists that Jagdeo’s wealth most likely came from his savings during the few years he worked and lived with his parents. If that is so, he must be one of the very few who could transform their savings from their salaries to such immense proportions.

Thursday March 20, 2014

Letters... Where your views make the news

Did the PPP turn a blind eye to drug trafficking for economic and political reasons?

DEAR EDITOR, There comes a time in a nation’s consciousness when the tough questions must be asked. This is that time.

Given the unchecked and unmitigated rise of drug trafficking in Guyana, along with the clear-cut evidence of the PPP’s inaction on combating the known disease of drug trafficking despite knowing its perils as proven in countries like Colombia and Mexico, concerned Guyanese must ask this question: did the PPP turn a blind eye to drug trafficking and was it done for reasons of perceived and hoped-for economic and political benefits and gains?

There is no evidence of direct involvement of the PPP government in the drug trade. The evidence of the PPP’s inertia on combating the drug trade in Guyana is clear. No DEA presence allowed in Guyana in 21 years under PPP rule, despite repeated requests from the USA. To reinforce this point, Mexico and Colombia have DEA offices. British offer for comprehensive security reform and strengthening refused.

Major drug traffickers and money launderers convicted and serving sentences abroad (USA) while the PPP has never convicted a major drug trafficker at home. Death of a PPP minister killed by those with linkages to drug cartels never pursued by a formal inquiry. A police force wracked by corruption remains unreformed.

Not even the increased inflows of guns from the drug trade or the escalation of crime in Guyana or the assaults on the country’s sovereignty with illegal airstrips for drug aircraft has roused the PPP from its slothful lethargy to the chilling scourge of the drug trade.

In this day and age with exhibits Mexico and Colombia as grave reminders, no government can legitimately claim it does not know of

the savage repercussions and chilling negative effects of a narco-state and how it destroys the fabric of a nation.

Yet, the PPP has demonstrated a towering torpor on the drug trafficking disease. Some may point to the inherent immorality of the PPP as the explanation for this horrible phenomenon.

However, it does not explain whether there is a basis for this inaction, even in the face of offers of help from some of the most powerful anti-drug agencies in the world.

This again leads us to the question: was the drug trade and money laundering allowed to flourish under the PPP because of something the PPP believed could be gained from it such as economic development, and based on that economic development, political advantage in the form of maintaining political power?

Naturally, any government that can show economic development enjoys a stronger hold on the electorate. So, governments know that achieving economic development inevitably leads to political success.

How that economic success is achieved is where the debate begins.

Looking at the economic angle, one must recognize that the unhindered rise of the drug trade in the late 1990s and the height of drug trafficking in Guyana from that period to present, coincide with the worst period of economic performance under PPP rule.

Obviously, the PPP stewards with fingers on the economic pulse of the nation intimately knew of this period of economic lassitude.

From 1998 to 2012, the economy under the PPP had total annualized GDP growth of 24.9% covering 15 years or average annual GDP growth of 1.66% per year over each of those 15 years.

This is shocking, shameful, pathetic and atrocious! And this was a period of

massive debt write-offs!

One must also recognize that the PPP’s most powerful driving political propaganda and message to its voting constituency in the past 21 years is to contrast its economic performance to that of the PNC. That messaging along with fear politics has become the backbone of the PPP propaganda to retain its voting base and to keep that base captive. However, that propaganda can only be successful if some measure of economic success is achieved and delivered.

So, against this backdrop of the need to deliver economic performance to fit its political agenda and message with the ultimate intent to retain power and to keep its constituency under wraps, the question is again asked whether the PPP considered turning a blind eye to the growing drug trafficking scourge in the hope it would translate to economic benefits which in turn would lead to continued political dominance?

The problem with drug trafficking flourishing in a small economy is that it is an exceptional camouflage and a false hope. For political gamblers hoping to use it for economic and political advantage, it is an excellent cover-up of the real structural deficiencies of the economy.

In such a small economic space occupied by a poor populace, some of whom are driven by materialistic acquisition at all costs due to their lifelong deprivation and poverty, it is easy for government to point to laundered drug trafficking money channeled towards constructing magnificent edifices or starting businesses as evidence of economic growth, development, progress and advancement.

Illegal wealth can be propagandized enough to make it appear as legal wealth. Many fall for it until the other side of drug trafficking; crime, murder, (Continued on page 5)

I agree with Mr. Urling’s call with respect to electricity subsidies for manufacturers DEAR EDITOR, I write in support of the call by Mr. Clinton Urling of the GCCI that manufacturing entities should enjoy electricity subsidies in the legitimate activities of their entities.

Guyana is currently a net consumer of imported goods. We have nothing to (try to) offset this undesirable situation except the gold and rice industries.

Sugar and bauxite are way down the ladder of foreign exchange earners, the latter very near death, the former heading in the same direction.

I interpret Mr. Urling’s call as eyeing other sources of earning foreign exchange, mainly manufacturing/ processing exports.

Food is, and will continue to be, next to the air we breathe in the world list of human essentials. Can’t Guyana be amongst the top on the list of foodproducers and related consumables?

With the huge expanse of arable land, the notion that Guyana can be the food basket of the Caribbean (and further

afield) has currency. We can grow almost anything in commercial volumes in this country. But what do we do with it?

It is here that Mr. Urling’s call has merit. We need cheap power to process and/or convert produce into exportacceptable forms. We also need cheap power so that we can open factories which will absorb skills coming out of our educational institutions.

With the nixing of Amaila Falls and the improbability of any other option in the foreseeable future, we have to examine our existing reality for any possible avenue to reduce the cost of power to the consumer, including the manufacturing sector.

It is public knowledge that some communities enjoy electricity subsidies while some take it for free. Thousands of electricity consumers, in some instances entire communities, steal electricity.

GPL cannot go into those communities for fear of the safety of its employees.

Some businesses also steal electricity and pay corrupt operatives to fiddle.

Those of us who pay our electricity bills are, in the melting pot, paying for those who are subsidized and those who steal. This, to my mind, is an indictment on the entire country, but moreso on interest groups which have influence, even control, over constituencies which steal electricity and do nothing about it.

In fact, many defend the stealing/ subsidizing of electricity.

If we are to be guided by the loss statistics provide by GPL, what it loses by way of electricity theft, if recovered, can reduce in a significant way the current electricity tariffs. Thus we do have a ready avenue to enjoy cheaper electricity for both the residential consumer and the manufacturing sector.

Let us discharge our collective duty to stamp out electricity theft. Are we willing? Or will that make our constituencies angry? Of course, that does not gainsay the need for hydropower or other form(s) of cheaper power generation.

T. Jadunauth

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

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

THE OPPOSITION HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE MASSES IN USING ITS PARLIAMENTARY POWER DEAR EDITOR, There is sufficient basis for the opposition, for the GTUC, even Mr. Yesu Persaud and for anyone not to trust this regime, and whatever power is at the disposal of the opposition to ensure good governance should be used and supported by the masses of people.

Mr Yesu Persaud calling in Stabroek News (15th March, 2014) to President Donald Ramotar, Messrs.

David Granger and Khemraj Ramjattan to pass the AntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) bill and for the Opposition to abandon their just demands is therefore viewed with concern, since it offers no guarantees for government accountability and trustworthiness when it comes to managing the affairs of state.

GTUC recognises that Mr. Yesu Persaud may be

speaking in the interest of the business community, but is of the view that he needs to rethink his position on behalf of those businesses that have no reason to fear foreign nations implementing counter measures to protect their financial systems from any possible Guyanese money launderers and terrorist financing.

As a prominent businessman his voice would do well lending support to this nation, calling on all to hold out and suffer any little inconveniences that might be experienced by the opposition action in regard to the non-passage of the AML/ CFT Bill. Such actions of Mr. Persaud will bode well for good governance and accountability by a government that demonstrates little regard for the people of this nation and the laws of the land.

GTUC as a social partner remains compelled to endorse

the actions of the opposition as regards conditionalities set for the passage of the AML/ CFT Bill. GTUC believes this will serve to hold government accountable to good governance and force them to act with basic decency.

This nation is reminded that not so long ago the business community, many prominent citizens and some in the international community were condemning local politicians for taking their grievances and power struggles to the streets. It is an open contradiction that many who did so now condemn the parliamentary action of the politicians. This forces the question on whose behalf these persons now speak; for evidently the interest of the Guyanese masses, the collective, is taking second place to individual or sectarian interest.

Those who now seek to undermine parliamentary

actions are reminded that parliament is the place for negotiations, compromise, cut and thrusts.

That is precisely what the opposition is doing today.

The right to parliamentary ‘wheeling and dealing’ in advancement of laws and the promotion of good governance must not be undermined by any individual or group, domestic or international.

Any effort from any quarter to nullify the strength of the opposition to use parliamentary measures to force government to respect the laws of the land and the Guyanese electorate must be strongly condemned by all since this is the beginning of a dangerous precedent.

GTUC views the actions of Mr. Yesu Persaud now presenting arguments to indirectly nullify the political strength of the opposition as unfortunate, moreso since he has failed to hold this

government accountable for passage, assent and implementation of Bills supporting good governance for all Guyanese.

The masses should also take note of those whose actions are inimical to their well-being, and in-turn, lend their support accordingly.

Under the PPP regime, other forms of demonstrated opposition/civic power (protests, work stoppages) from entities perceived to be anti-government etc. legitimately exercised by previous oppositions/civic groups/ organizations, and communities in this society were criminalized, infiltrated, used as a cover for violence, and demonized by many “respected” and prominent members of the business community.

The inconsistencies of many learned, respected and prominent businessmen point to the interest they serve. The people must therefore familiarize themselves with the issues to

understand who are the ones truly representing them and who are attempting to hoodwink them.

We must remember that under this government and the watchful eyes of many “prominent” and “respected” businessmen, trade unions perceived to be antigovernment are illegally derecognized, international organisations are allowed to trample on the rights of local labour and workers are arbitrarily dismissed.

Under the said watchful eyes, this government is allowed to get away with violating the laws of the land and the constitution that is sacred. They are allowed to do what they would not have accepted under any other regime.

The Opposition must not give up its right to use the parliamentary power vested in it by the electorate. It is their right to so do and they have the support of the masses.

Lincoln Lewis General Secretary

From page 4 mayhem, economic stagnation in the rest of the economy, inflation, destruction of legitimate businesses, fear, etc, start destroying their fabric of life.

If in the case of Guyana from 1998 to 2012, one is to reduce the annual GDP growth by 25% to account for the contribution of drug trafficking and money laundering, we are left with 1.245% yearly legitimate growth over 15 years. Isn’t it only a government seemingly more concerned with remaining in power than with saving the soul of a nation that would consider turning a blind eye

to drug trafficking when faced with these lacerating economic numbers and hellish economic stagnation?

I cannot end this without highlighting the fact that Guyana faced economic devastation under the PNC in the 1980s and drug trafficking was largely unchecked back then, but Guyana did not become a narco-state under the PNC. M. Maxwell

NIS is not claiming to be perfect, but those Did the PPP turn a... expressing concerns should be responsible DEAR EDITOR, Your newspaper’s edition dated Wednesday, March 12, 2014 published a letter captioned “The Slothful NIS.” The Management has read with concern many of the allegations made by the anonymous writer, but will address two issues namely:(1) Where the Writer has expressed that “Many former policemen and soldiers are now experiencing difficulties in the processing of their Pension Benefits on the account of NIS shortcomings.”

(2) Issues relating to the Compliance Officers (Inspectors) Under (1), please be advised that both of the Agencies mentioned in the letter have in the past paid NIS contributions (up until 1995) using Summary Schedules. These schedules did not allow for the Individual Insured Person’s name or NIS number to be quoted on the payment form.

As a direct result of the aforementioned, persons on attaining age 60 and who worked prior to 1995 with those Agencies are required to obtain a Record of Service as evidence that they worked with either of the agencies.

Upon submitting the required Record of Service, our Inspectors are required to verify the information stated therein. The Verification Process can be lengthy since it is not only dependent on the Inspectors’ efficiency but also on the availability of the Personnel and/or records at these agencies.

Additionally, it must be noted that the National Insurance Scheme has procedures which by the way, forms part of the Laws of Guyana which must be adhered to.

The Scheme must at all times operate within the confines of the Laws of Guyana chapter 36:01 Under (2) regarding the functioning of the

Compliance Section, please be informed that although it may appear to the Writer that some Inspectors “remain fixed in their Office throughout the day,” all Officers who are assigned to a District are required to leave the Office at 09:00 hrs. Note that although this may be the case, there are instances when for one reason or the other, Officers may be required to remain in office beyond that time or even for the entire day. This is usually done under the instruction/ knowledge of their superiors.

It must be further noted, that the section also comprises Senior Inspectors, Clerks, a Secretary and a Stenographer who are not required to be in the field and who remain in office for the entire day, except for the Senior Inspectors who would periodically (based on their allotted work Schedule) leave the office to be engaged in Compliance visits and campaigns.

NIS is not claiming to be perfect in our areas of operations, but again the Scheme is appealing to all those who are involved to be responsible. NIS, employers and employees (Insured Persons) all have a role to play.

Help us to help you.

Please feel free to contact NIS Customer Service Unit on 227-3461 E-mail niscustomerservice@yahoo.com or the Publicity and Public Relations Unit on 227-6851 email: nispublicrelations @yahoo.com, should you require information or advice on the National Insurance Scheme.

Dianne Lewis-Baxter Publicity & Public Relations Officer National Insurance Scheme – Guyana

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Kaieteur News

Thursday March 20, 2014

Corruption results from low Public Servants morale - Granger He should apologize for comments - says Rohee

Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee General Secretary of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Clement Rohee has said that Leader of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), David Granger, should apologize for the comments he made in an article captioned ‘Corruption festered by low Public Servants morale’. The article was published in Kaieteur News on March 17, 2014.

According to Rohee, Granger is reported as saying that public servants turn a blind eye to corrupt practices because of inadequate wages and salaries paid to them. This in turn leads to low morale.

“The PPP takes strong objections to this statement

and insinuations made by Granger against public officials… To suggest that our public servants are prone to corrupt practices in the exercise of their duties it tantamount to an attack on their integrity and professionalism.”

“No less disrespectful is the attempt by Mr. Granger to draw a link between the salaries paid to public servants and the standard of professionalism that currently exist in the public service. The PPP is of the view that a public apology should be made to the nation’s public servants

by Mr. Granger” said Rohee.

Rohee said that the salaries of public servants at the minimum level have seen increases to as little as $40,000 per month. “In addition the PPP government has kept inflation in check unlike what obtained under the PNC [Peoples National Congress] regime when real wages were gobbled up by the

monster of inflation.”

According to Rohee, who is also the Minister of Home Affairs, “We have put up a website called ‘I paid a Bribe’ to deal with the question of corruption. I think that deserves some credit.”

He said that this website is the only one in the country and it is his Ministry that set it up because it is concerned just as everybody else. “We took an initiative precisely because of the consistent and persistent complaints of corruption in the Guyana Police force and other departments that fall under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

So we need to have balance on this matter give Jack its Jacket.” Rohee said that whenever those reports of corruption appear they would send them to the relevant departments and ask them to deal with them. He explained that when they send this information to the relevant government agencies and

departments that have been named. “We consider our duty accomplished; they now have to take it from there to either carry out a department investigation to do what is necessary internally. We would not be intrusive in the department at least we have given them the information.”

He said that the fact that “we have set up website is an indication of our efforts to deal with corruption.”

Why should Granger apologize for what he said?

Rohee himself admitted that there is corruption within the service sector.

Rohee responded that the context in which he said it was that “people are going in for drugs in the public service to prop up their salaries because the salaries are too low paid by government.”

Granger has said in the article in question that for governmental corruption to take place regardless of what form it might be manifested in,

it would mean that a public servant has turned a blind eye or failed to exercise diligent supervision.

“I am not accusing the public servants but sometimes people are paid not to only look away but to do nothing. You may be a sentry at a position and the man tells you just go to the washroom between half past eleven and half past twelve tonight. That’s all. You don’t have to do anything, you don’t have to touch anything, just go to the washroom because you have a bad stomach and at the end you have $500,000.”

Granger explained that corruption can take place in many forms but as far as governmental corruption is concerned, much of it “occurs because of the low morale in the Guyana Public Service and that is related directly to the way the PPP/C administration

Leader of APNU David Granger has been treating the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) since 1999, failing to negotiate in good faith, failing to grant public servants a good wage and reducing them to the level of poverty.”

“You can’t eliminate corruption completely but we can reduce it by having properly trained, paid and supervised officers. That is the root of corruption.

It takes two but if you have a magistrate or a civil servant who is capable of resisting somebody who is trying to bribe him or her, we then will start to turn the tide,” said Granger.

Man freed of carnal Walter Rodney CoI. Chairman sees no bias in knowledge charge appointment of Commissioner Jairam

By Latoya Giles

In his first press conference with the media, Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry into the death of Dr. Walter Rodney, Sir Richard Cheltenham (QC) yesterday said that there is no bias in the appointment of Senior Counsel Seenauth Jairam.

Government appointed Sir Richard, Senior Counsel Seenauth Jairam from Trinidad and Tobago and Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline Samuels-Brown from Jamaica.

Soon after the appointment, APNU along with the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) had both objected Jairam’s position on the inquiry.

However, Government who is the sponsor of the commission stood by its position. It countered that the APNU and the other objectors were “clutching at straws”.

Sir Richrd Cheltenham yesterday also dismissed the claims by the parties as lacking ‘walking capacity.’

He said that he believed that Attorney General Anil Nandlall dealt with the matter efficiently and that he would not want to add. He said, further, that he did not see how working for the government in the past could affect the work of the Commission now.

He asserted, “The issue has no length; it simply has

no walking capacity. I don’t understand how one can draw the inference of bias.”

Commissioner Jairam when asked whether he had any comment, he declined, stating that the matter was already addressed.

Presidential Advisor on Governance Gail Teixeira had said that APNU’s call against Jairam being part of the COI speaks volumes. She said that APNU should not question Jairam’s competence to execute his duties without bias. She had stated that even though the party has a right to its own opinion; Government looks at it as being “highly prejudicial”.

Teixeira maintained that the Commission was made of

“outstanding jurists” within the Region, people whose integrity has not been challenged. She opined that there may be an ulterior motive why some people are uncomfortable with the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry.

In 1979 Rodney was arrested and charged with arson after two offices that served as headquarters of the People’s National Congress were burned.

On 13 June 1980, Walter Rodney at the age of thirty-eight was killed by a bomb in his car, a month after returning from the independence celebrations in Zimbabwe and during a period of intense political activism.

Windsale Walcott, the Queenstown mason, who was accused by the police of raping an Anna Regina Secondary School student several years ago, was freed of the carnal knowledge charge initially instituted against him.

The matter came to a close on Wednesday, at the Suddie High Court, after the jury returned a unanimous verdict.

Walcott was overwhelmed with emotion after Justice Nareshwar Harnanan told him that he was free to go.

The then 15-year-old Queenstown student said that Walcott raped her after forcefully luring her to the Anna Regina Community Centre ground.

The student said that she was attending extra lessons at Cotton Field, on the Essequibo Coast that day but asked to be excused since she had indicated to her teacher that she was feeling un-well.

As the teenager was

walking to the Anna Regina car park, Walcott, according to the court rode up on a bicycle alongside her and lured her to the Anna Regina Community Center ground.

The teenager told police that after being raped, she went and sat in front of the Anna Regina Police Station, until her parents found her and questioned her. The teenager subsequently informed her parents about the allegation leveled against Walcott and a report was formally lodged at the station.

Walcott was charged after a medical examination was performed on the teenager by a doctor at the Suddie Public Hospital.

During the trial, which commenced on March 6, 2014, at the Suddie High Court, Walcott denied the accusation leveled against him by indicating that on the day in question, he was at work.

He was represented by Counsel James Bond.

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Russian forces storm Ukraine base in Crimea

People, believed to be Ukrainian servicemen, carry their belongings as they walk past armed men, believed to be Russian servicemen, on their way out of the naval headquarters after it was taken over by pro-Russian forces in Sevastopol,yesterday. REUTERS/Vasily Fedosenko SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine/ MOSCOW (Reuters) - The United States warned Moscow it was on a “dark path” to isolation yesterday after Russian troops stormed Ukraine’s naval headquarters in the Crimean port of Sevastopol and raised their flag.

The dramatic seizure came as Russia and the West dug in for a long confrontation over Moscow’s annexation of Crimea, with the United States and Europe groping for ways to increase pressure on a defiant Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“As long as Russia continues on this dark path, they will face increasing political and economic isolation,” said U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, referring to reports of armed attacks against Ukrainian military

personnel in Crimea.

Biden was in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, part of a quick trip to reassure Baltic allies worried about what an emboldened Russia might mean for their nations.

Lithuania, along with Estonia and Latvia, are NATO members.

“There is an attempt, using brutal force, to redraw borders of the European states and to destroy the post-war architecture of Europe,” Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said.

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon meets Putin in Moscow today and travels to Kiev tomorrow. He will urge a peaceful end to a crisis that began when Ukraine’s president abandoned a trade pact with the European Union and turned instead to

Moscow, prompting violent street protests that led to his overthrow.

Russian lawmakers raced to ratify a treaty making Crimea part of Russia by the end of the week, despite threats of further sanctions from Washington and Brussels.

The Russian military moved swiftly to neutralize any threat of armed resistance in Crimea.

“This morning they stormed the compound. They cut the gates open, but I heard no shooting,” said Oleksander Balanyuk, a captain in the navy, walking out of the compound in his uniform and carrying his belongings.

“This thing should have been solved politically. Now all I can do is stand here at the gate.

Equatorial Guinea leader’s son charged in France with money laundering Paris (AFP) - France has charged the son of Equatorial Guinea’s President Teodoro Obiang Nguema with money laundering, his lawyer and a judicial official said yesterday.

Teodorin Obiang was charged as part of a corruption probe launched in December 2010 to determine whether three long-serving African leaders used corrupt means to acquire expensive properties in France.

The investigation focused on Congolese President Denis Sassou Nguesso, late Gabonese president Omar Bongo Ondimba, and the Obiang family.

Teodorin Obiang’s lawyer Emmanuel Marsigny said his client was charged on

Teodorin Obiang Tuesday.

French magistrates had issued an an international arrest warrant for Teodorin Obiang last year after he ignored a summons.

Teodorin Obiang, who is

Equatorial Guinea’s vice president, claimed his position gave him immunity from being judged in a foreign country.

His lawyers said they were going to file a suit in a Paris appeals court to question the legality of the move to charge Teodorin Obiang. French authorities have already seized the Obiang family’s six-storey mansion on the chic Avenue Foch in Paris as well as several luxury cars.

They also took away vanloads of possessions including paintings by famous artists, a clock worth an estimated three million euros ($4.2 million) and wines worth thousands of euros a bottle.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday March 20, 2014

Argentina accuses US, UK APD reform ‘a victory’ for region of hypocrisy over Crimea PARIS (AP) — Argentina’s president yesterday accused the U.S. and Britain of “double standards” if it doesn’t recognize Crimea as part of Russia.

During a speech in Paris, Cristina Fernandez compared the referendum in the Black Sea peninsula to the one that took place last year in the Falkland Islands, a British territory that Argentina claims as its own and refers to as the “Islas Malvinas.”

The international community accepted the will of citizens of the archipelago who overwhelmingly voted to remain British, despite strong protests from Buenos Aires.

Argentina says the Falklands, which have been under British control for 180 years, were usurped from the South American country.

Argentina went to war with the U.K. in 1982 in a failed occupation attempt.

“We demand that when the great powers talk of territorial integrity, that it be applicable to everyone,”

French President Francois Hollande, right, and Argentine President Cristina Fernandez attend a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris, yesterday. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) Fernandez said, referring to opposition by the international community over the disputed referendum in Crimea on Sunday in which 97 percent of voters said they wanted to separate from Ukraine.

“We either respect the same principles for all, or we live in a world without law, where the most powerful get their way,” the 61-year-old

leader added.

The issue of Crimea overshadowed a working lunch expected to focus on ways to tackle Argentina’s growing international debt.

Argentina owes $9.5 billion to the Paris Club, a group of the world’s wealthiest countries that has in recent decades helped other nations with debt problems.

Barbados Nation - The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has expressed delight with Tuesday’s announcement by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, that the Air Passenger Duty (APD) will be reformed from next year.

The Chancellor has announced that from April of 2015, APD will be simplified into a two band system: Band A for short haul flights of less than 2000 miles from London and Band B for all long haul flights more than 2000 miles from London.

The new Band B will be charged at the planned rate in 2015-16 (£71 for reduced rate passengers and £142 for standard rate passengers).

CTO Chairman Beverly

Beverly Nicholson-Doty Nicholson-Doty said: “This is a complete victory for the Caribbean, which, led by the CTO, has been lobbying against the unfair system which charged a higher rate

of APD on flights to Barbados than Hawaii and placed the United States at a competitive advantage. We are delighted that the Chancellor has finally accepted the Caribbean’s proposal made in November 2010 to return to the simpler and fairer two band system.”

“We want to thank everyone who has supported our lobby, including Caribbean Governments, our partners, the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, British MPs and peers, the Caribbean High Commissioners in London, Caribbean Ambassadors in Brussels, the Diaspora, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the World Travel and Tourism Council and the airlines and travel companies,” she said.

Nursing body wants government to deal with problems at home first CASTRIES, St Lucia CMC –The St Lucia Nurses Association (SLNA) has called on the government to ensure that problems confronting the profession are adequately dealt with before seeking to satisfy the employment needs of member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) states.

The Kenny Anthony government announced earlier this week that it has welcomed an offer from Trinidad and Tobago to employ local nurses to fill a shortage in the oil-rich twin island republic.

Prime Minister Anthony said that the offer was made by his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart, Kamla Persad Bissessar during the recently held Caribbean Community (CARICOM) inter-sessional

Kenny Anthony summit in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Anthony said the offer underscored the importance

of the regional integration movement.

“If there are shortages of skills and labour in one CARICOM country, then the shortage should be resolved by inviting other CARICOM countries to supply those skills,” he added.

But SLNA president Lydia Leonce said the government had accepted the offer at a time when there is a shortage of local nurses.

She said that while the SLNA had no objection to nurses seeking employment overseas, this should not be at the expense of compromising the delivery of health care in St Lucia. She said the government should only encourage local nurses to take up overseas appointments after taking care of its own.

Detained Venezuela activist calls for more protests Caracas (AFP) - A Venezuelan opposition leader jailed for a month urged supporters Tuesday to maintain their fight against socialist President Nicolas Maduro’s protest-hit government.

As the size of demonstrations seemed to start to wane, Leopoldo Lopez said in a handwritten letter from detention: “I send my deepest admiration of the Venezuelan people for its peaceful protest on the streets.

“I call on the country to keep the pressure on,” urged Lopez in a letter read out at a meeting where supporters

rallied for his release. Lopez also asked them to stage new rallies around the country on Saturday.

The death toll from a month and a half of protests rose to 29 Monday, after a National Guard captain shot one day earlier during a protest in the city of Maracay died.

Lopez, a 42-year-old Harvard-educated economist has been charged with instigating violence, property damage and criminal association.

Lopez, with the Popular Will movement, has pressed for a strategy dubbed “The Way Out” in which protests

would drive Maduro from office.

The president, with Lopez detained, says he has quashed a would-be coup against a democratically elected government.

Lopez is awaiting trial in a small cell at a military facility, and his pretrial wait could be at least another 15 days, officials say.

“The protests have ended up dividing the opposition,” said political analyst Carlos Romero, in large part due to Lopez’s arrest. “The college student-wing of protesters was following his orders but it is not any more” with him detained.

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 9

THERE IS NO RIGHT OF AUTOMATIC ASSENT Even in jurisdictions where parliament is supreme, the sovereign reserves the right to refuse assent to Bills passed by the National Assembly. Supremacy of parliament merely means that a law passed in supreme legislatures cannot be overturned by the Court.

In Britain there is supremacy of parliament. In Guyana, the Constitution is supreme. This is why there is what is known as the principle of judicial review of laws passed by the Parliament.

The courts can and have exercised judicial review of legislation.

It is interesting that A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has accepted the fact that only the Court can determine the constitutionality of legislation. It is hoped that since the party accepts this, it will respect the rulings of the Court and abide by such rulings until such time as these are overruled by a higher Court. The President does not determine the constitutionality of

legislation. But this does not prevent him from having an opinion on the constitutionality of legislation.

Indeed, even parliamentarians from the opposition benches have expressed opinions on the constitutionality of legislation and have even gone as far as challenging laws in the Court.

Anyone is therefore free to hold an opinion about the constitutionality of legislation. If someone seeks permission to have a march, the police in granting permission for that march are often called upon to balance the possible threats to law and order with the right to freedom of expression and association of the applicant.

Now suppose the police were to refuse permission.

The applicant can claim that his rights to expression and freedom of association were being violated. The individual can protest to the police that his constitutional right is being denied.

Are the police then at liberty to tell him that it is not for the applicant to determine

the constitutionality of the actions of the police; that it is for the Court to do so?

No, the person making the application is free to have an opinion on the matter. The courts pronounce on disputes relating to the constitution.

The President of Guyana has veto powers over legislation passed by parliament. He has the right to withhold his assent to Bills.

This right is explicitly provided for in the Constitution which does not circumscribe the grounds upon which refusal can be made. Therefore, the President can withhold his assent for any reason, including his opinion that a Bill is unconstitutional or that it is clumsily drafted. He can certainly withhold on the grounds that the Bill is inconsistent with Executive policy or that he does not like it. He can choose any reason to withhold his assent.

If assent is withheld, the President is required to indicate this to the Speaker and to provide his reasons for

Dem boys seh...

Ah Kneel now tun Sue Zee Ever since Cuba introduce dem energy saver bulb to Guyana dem shop start fuh get rid of dem bulb that use to shine bright but drive nuff heat.

But at that time dem was de bulb. People use to point out dem house wid bright light and seh that is a hundred-watt bulb.

Ordinary people use to use dem sixty-watt bulb. That is also how people use to measure who bright and who dunce. One day dem boys hear when Tony Vieira claim that Rohee is no hundred-watt bulb.

De other day after a press conference, dem boys seh that Rohee ain’t even a twenty-watt bulb fuh believe that all he rich colleagues save up dem money; that dem never spend even a cent and that is how dem get rich.

He got to teach dem public servants how to live pun de small piece that dem getting.

He got to tell dem that if dem save dem can get rich like Jagdeo and Rob de Earth and all of dem who living like a king or a queen.

Ah Kneel was a rich man before he tun Hay Jee. Dem boys seh that it look like if he want more money suh he suing everybody.

Now everybody calling he Sue Zee, or Sue, fuh short. De other day he sue de Waterfalls paper because this paper talk how he, Sue Zee, got a good friend and that he does eat wid this friend six days a week. Chris Ram ask he why he sue and he get vex.

De mistake Chris mek is to write a letter and print it. Sue Zee now threatening to sue if Chris don’t go down pun he knee and beg pardon.

De thing is that de Chancellor trying to get rid of de backlog in de courts and Sue Zee adding to de backlog. He mekking sure that dem judges got wuk.

He also mekking sure that de people who deh in he chambers get a steady wuk. This is not de Hay Jee who send de letter threatening Ram but de letterhead come from de Hay Jee private office.

Dem boys seh that this is a senior Government officer who wukking two place.

Donald got to check to see if any private wuk passing pun government time.

Talk half and help de Hay Jee decide if he is government or private.

withholding assent. The National Assembly may override the presidential veto by a two-thirds majority.

APNU is withholding its support for the Anti Money Laundering and the Countering of the Financing of Terrorism Bill on the grounds that the President has not given his assent to pieces of legislation introduced and passed by the opposition parties. Amongst the pieces of legislation is one related to local government elections which the President believes is unconstitutional and thus within his right to withhold assent.

Also included is a Bill intended to give effect to the independence of the judiciary by ensuring that the law is amended to allow the judiciary to draw its financing directly from the Consolidated Fund. The government reportedly has some reservations about the legal drafting of this Bill. But the Bill in itself is considered unconstitutional because it

creates a charge on the Consolidated Fund without the consent of Cabinet. The Constitution itself holds that where a charge on the Consolidated Fund is created this can only be done with the approval of Cabinet.

During the passage of the Bill in question, the approval of Cabinet was not signaled.

There is no need to test this issue in our Courts because the Court in the Budget cuts case had pronounced on this very question about the constitutionality of Bills and motions that create a charge on the Consolidated Fund.

APNU is therefore in deep outer space when it implies by its arguments that the President has to assent to Bills passed by the National Assembly. The supreme law of the land does not make this

mandatory. The opposition wishes the President to assent to its amendments to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act. These amendments, well-meaning in intent, allow for the creation of direct charge on the Consolidated Fund.

However, the Court has ruled in the Budget cuts case that no Bill can create such a charge without the consent of the Cabinet. If the President is to give assent to this law, it will mean that he is not heeding the implications of the Court ruling in the Budget cuts’ case.

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Thursday March 20, 2014

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

The Christopher Jones Affair: Should the Crime Chief resign?

Georgetown has a small population. It is roughly about 215,000. If you take into consideration the number of drivers in Georgetown in that figure then the numbers of motorists using Georgetown is tiny, comparatively speaking.

It is total nonsense, then, for the police force to say that it does not know the vehicles that have tinte3de windows and are still being driven with tint that exceed the legal limit.

In a small city like this everyone knows everyone.

And you can use your own cognitive capacity to ascertain who never gets caught in the police anti-tint dragnet.

Do you know there is a

nationally known person of European descent (Guyanese) who does not wear a helmet when riding his motor-cycle as a matter of policy? And how do I know that? Because I am in Georgetown three, four times a day, and have been doing so for decades and decades.

I saw him more times that I can count. This includes as recent as last week. It is an unmitigated lie for the senior ranks in the police force to deny that they are not familiar with this scenario.

How in a city with a population of drivers who number less than 150, 000 (which is the national figure),

there are still vehicles with very dark tint. This becomes stranger when you take into consideration that each day in Georgetown, traffic patrols are ubiquitous? How are they missing these tinted windows? I am not referring to diplomatic cars and governmental big-wigs.

A TSU patrol pulled over APNU parliamentarian, Christopher Jones for dark windows that exceeded the legal limit. It would be madness for any citizen to assume that because he is an MP he should be immune from police inquiry. It turned out that the police wanted the tint removed and booked him

at Eve Leary. The case becomes curious when you understand that MPs are generally allowed to have dark tint by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

It is unlikely for the Ministry to issue a blunt refusal. Many opposition politicians drive cars with black windows. Speaking for myself, I am afraid when such vehicles get close to me.

You know how paranoid I am about my security. You just cannot see who in the vehicle is watching you.

According to Jones, he told the TSU ranks that he had an expired permit and was in the process of renewing it.

But he had to proceed to Eve Leary where he was placed on bail.

Something does not seem right here. If Jones had run a red light, driven dangerously and struck a pedestrian, drove under influence of intoxicants or had no lights on in the night while at the wheel then police inflexibility would be understood.

But the insistence of carrying Jones

through the mill over the tint lapse just seems out of the ordinary. In the end, the police acted within the law.

But how even handed are they in this country?

The Christopher Jones incident has brought the saga of Ashni Singh full into the faces of all Guyanese. But we need to remind the nation that Ashni Singh road accident file is not the only one that we have seen police inaction in full flow.

My nephew alleged that the President’s son, Alexei Ramotar, ran into him with his RAV 4 and thus was in the wrong. That is my nephew’s word of course.

But police investigation just dropped off the radar.

And the identical accusation was made by another citizen against then Minister Kellawan Lall. Again no action followed. In both cases (Lall and Ramotar, the victims’ lower limbs were badly broken).

If the police could haul an opposition MP to Eve Leary, book him on bail for heavily

Frederick Kissoon tinted windows why is Ashni Singh not in front of a magistrate? To make things worse, the Crime Chief has told Guyana and by extension the world that the police force observes a special protocol for high-ranking governmental officials in cases like the Ashni Singh incident.

As a citizen who lived all his life in Guyana, I am saying such a protocol does not exist and if it does, the opposition should not accept this and should not have any kind of relationship with the Government of Guyana if it is not dissolved.

In the crudest of ways, what the Crime Chief has said is that certain persons are above the law. The opposition, particularly Christopher Jones should demand his resignation.

GuySuCo eyes Jamaica, Barbados as export markets for packaged sugar Enmore Packaging Plant

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is hoping to restart supplying traditional CARICOM markets that were neglected to fulfill the country’s commitment to Europe.

This is according to a senior official in the Agriculture Sector, who enlightened that with this year’s production expected to be 216,000 tons of sugar and the fact that GuySuCo has been experiencing good yield, it is likely the company will be able to supply additional markets.

The official said that currently, sugar being packaged at the Enmore Packaging Plant is supplying the Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname markets. The additional markets being targeted include Jamaica and Barbados.

According to the official, Jamaica and Barbados were traditional markets of GuySuCo but because sugar production declined significantly, supplies to those CARICOM territories had stopped to allow Guyana to satisfy its commitment to Europe.

It was noted that the Enmore Packaging Plant has the capacity to process between 40,000 tons and 80,000 tons of sugar. This

maximum capacity is not yet realized because of the limited sugar being supplied to the plant and teething problems in the initial three years of operations.

In fact, the plant underperformed in the first three years because of the limited sugar that was supplied to be processed. It was only during the last crop that the plant showed promising signs with an output of about 50 percent of its current capacity, which is 40,000 tons of sugar.

However, with the teething problems out of the way and all four packaging lines functional, the plant is now able to operate effectively. Authorities are hoping that the output would be greater once the raw material is supplied.

In May 2011, Government commissioned the US$12.5M Enmore Packaging Plant that was expected to earn Guyana up to 35 per cent more on exports. The plant was expected to help the company earn much more revenue when measured against the export of raw sugar to overseas markets largely because of added value, then Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Paul Bhim had said.

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 11

“Secretly crafted” Terms of Reference creates distrust - APNU

Walter Rodney CoI.

The secretly crafted Terms of Reference of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI), among other critical concerns, was the heart of “candid” discussions yesterday when members of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) met with the Commissioners appointed to the Inquiry.

However, it seems that the meeting provided little comfort, as most of the issues raised by the coalition remains inadequately addressed. The Commissioners, after listening to the concerns of the political Opposition, then recommended them to take their concerns with regard to the Terms of Reference (ToR) to President Donald Ramotar, if they wished to have them amended.

The meeting took place at APNU’s Headquarters on Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

APNU’s Shadow Minister of Public Works and Telecommunications, Joseph Harmon, described the meeting as fruitful. However, his counterpart, Shadow Minister of the Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine said that the meeting only provided a “small amount of comfort”.

Harmon explained that his Party was given the opportunity by the Commissioners to ask any question, and it was more or less a “getting to know you” type of engagement.

APNU presented in a frank manner their concerns with regard to the Terms of Reference as well as their concern about the

appointment of one of the Commissioners: Guyanaborn, Trinidad-based Senior Counsel, Seenauth Jairam.

The concern was based on Jairam’s connection with the Government. APNU believes that he cannot be considered “politically neutral”, thereby presenting the potential for a clear bias to exist. During a recent press conference, it was highlighted that in 2012, after the Parliamentary majority in the National Assembly reduced the National Budget, Jairam was retained by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) to represent the Government in the court case that was brought against the Leader of the Opposition, Brig. David Granger and Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman.

In spite of their apprehensions, Harmon said that they were given assurances that the CoI will be conducted in a fair and unbiased manner and decisions will be made based on the evidence before the Commissioners.

The Shadow Minister added, “We explained what our concerns were about the ToR and they seem to understand what our concerns are and they have given us the assurance that they will be fair and it is their job to interpret and

Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine

Joseph Harmon

Dr. Walter Rodney

understand what is before them. They are not little boys and girls; they are experienced people of the world and they will make a determination that is in the best interest. APNU had issues with the composition of the Commission and it did come up.

We are not afraid to say what we believe because we think these are positions of principle and so we made them known.

I think he (Jairam) took it in good stride and…anything outside of that will have to be taken up with the sponsoring authority, in which case would be the Office of the President.”

Dr. Roopnaraine indicated that the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) cannot say whether it would contribute to the Inquiry as the reassurances given by the Commissioners did not put to rest all of his Party’s concerns. He added, “It is important that we made it known to them.

They assured us that they are the ones that have to determine the interpretation of the Terms of Reference and they would be led by evidence. The WPA has not taken a position that it would not participate, as there are a number of concerns, and we have not received a formal reply from the Office of the President and we are meeting

again this afternoon (yesterday) to make some other arrangements.”

Harmon said that the fact that the political Opposition was not privy to the Terms of Reference before they were made public is basically creating an atmosphere of distrust about the objective of the Inquiry.

“Based on the experience of the Linden CoI, it should have been necessary on the part of the Government to

engage the Opposition in drafting the ToR, not just telling us after. We have recent experience which suggested that this is what should have been done and to basically do that in secret and then appoint the Commission and then the public is then made aware, then you are basically creating an atmosphere of distrust about the motive of the CoI.” “The Commissioners recommended that the APNU engage the Sponsors (the President) with regard to their concerns in an effort to have the Terms of Reference to which we have concerns with changed but we have the experience where there was an attempt to get a ToR in the Linden CoI amended and the President threw cold water on it.”

He expressed hope that the concerns that have been presented will serve to help the Government understand that they “Can’t proceed along this path of destruction… let us get something that will provide mechanisms for healing rather than division”.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News moves to AG threatens Chris Ram, Stabroek News with lawsuit challenge Nandlall’s injunction Chartered Accountant and Attorney at Law Christopher Ram has seven days to retract a letter he penned against the Attorney General in the Stabroek News yesterday. The AG, through his legal representative Mr. Sase Gunraj, said yesterday that Ram could also offer an apology to prevent any legal proceedings.

The letter which spoke about the appointment of members for the Judicial Service Commission, according to the AG, alleged that he was

careless about the details.

Also, the letter alleged that Nandlall is cavalier about the constitution and the law and that he is mischievous and obfuscatory.

Gunraj contended that the letter used words which in their natural and ordinary meaning meant and were understood to mean that “his client is incompetent, is guilty of dereliction of his duty as the principal legal advisor for government”.

According to the writ, the allegations are not only

libelous but are reckless and are accentuated by malice and have caused him a great amount of public ridicule, odium, contempt and embarrassment both locally and internationally.

In those circumstances, Gunraj said that he is instructed to demand a public retraction of the libelous statement concerning my client along with an unreserved apology, giving same equal or greater prominence. Gunraj is a lawyer working out of Nandlall’s private practice.

Walter Rodney COI to begin...

From page 3 Inquiry. Another issue raised by the Chairman was witnesses who prefer to remain anonymous. Cheltenham said that for good reason some people who wish to testify would want their identities kept from the public. “Sometimes we don't know why a person, although they want to be helpful would want their identity out of the public domain and it's within our competence to allow their evidence to be taken in the presence of the Commissioners alone” the Chairman explained.

He added that even when they are reporting the evidence their identity would not be disclosed by the Commission. Further, he said that some potential witnesses who would want to give evidence

in the matter but aren't living in Guyana would also be welcomed.

As such, the Chairman said that they are expecting to use modern technology of audio visual link so that the testimonies could be taken.

He noted that the Commission has already made attempts to acquire records from Atlanta.

British expert ….

Meanwhile the Chairman highlighted that although they have heard about a report from British expert Frank Skuse they are not in possession of it. “It has been identified as a report that should be before us” the Chairman said.

Skuse is a forensic scientist for the North West Forensic Laboratories based in Chorley, Lancashire, England.

The Chairman pledged

that the Commission will explore every reason and realistic link to make sure that they get to the bottom of the issue “We aren't here to do a superficial job, plus we have our professionalism to protect” Cheltenham posited. He asserted that they will be following the evidence. The Chairman also disclosed that Donald, the brother of Walter Rodney, has signaled his intention to be a part of the Commission. Other family members have also hinted their participation in the Inquiry.

The Chairman explained that the Commission is expected to go as far back to 1978 to 1980. Cheltenham made it clear that in relation to concerns regarding the Terms of Reference (TOR), those should be addressed with the relevant authorities.

He said that anyone with a problem should put their concerns with the sponsoring authority, which is the Government. Both the Army and Police have also signaled their intention to be a part of the Commission. Both entities have archives on the incident and they have said that they would make it available.

Kaieteur News is moving to discharge injunctions against this newspaper, its editor Adam Harris and publisher Glenn Lall which were granted by acting Chief Justice Ian Chang in separate ex parte applications by Attorney General Anil Nandlall and city hotel proprietor Clifton Bacchus.

Attorney Moses Nagamootoo has entered appearance for the newspaper defendants. He was granted leave to answer the unilateral claims upon which injunctions were

granted to gag the newspaper from making further comments on matters concerning the AG and the hotel, which they said were defamatory of them.

Nagamootoo said that he would seek the discharge of the restraint orders on grounds of justification and fair comments on matters which the press ought to report in the interest of freedom of the press and that the injunctions are an unfair and unreasonable interference with free expression and were wrongly

granted. The comments against which the plaintiffs sought the Court’s protection were contained in the newspaper’s satirical column, “Dem Boys Seh”.

The Chief Justice has referred the matter to another High Court judge for hearing on April 22 whether the injunctions should be discontinued.

The libel actions were filed by Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos and lawyers attached to a private law firm bearing the name, Nandlall and Associates.

Essequibo Technical Institute observes 13th anniversary Some of the attendees at the “Try a skill” programme

Students drawn from five Secondary Schools on the Essequibo Coast were offered an opportunity, yesterday, to gain a more comprehensive knowledge through the “Try a skill” programme.

That programme was extended by the Essequibo Technical Institute, on Wednesday, in observance of the technical institute’s 13th anniversary.

The two-day event is extended to today. Presiding principal, Michael Turner reflected that the idea and concept behind the establishment of a Technical Institute on the Essequibo Coast was conceptualized by the late Education Minister, Dr. Dale Bisnauth, who was an Essequibian.

He saw the need to facilitate students who were interested in acquiring a technical skill Turner explained that in 2001, the Technical Institute was constructed at Anna Regina Housing Scheme where the Administration workshop was previously

housed. The institute has over the years continued to facilitate students from as far as Bartica, Wakenaam and areas in the Pomeroon River.

It also facilitates school dropouts but who are interested in technical and vocational studies in preparation for the work force.

Turner said that while most persons are of the view that attending a Technical facility is seen as not being academically inclined, he is convinced that being exposed to technical studies enhances a person’s ability to be guaranteed a job, especially in industries and with companies.

Turner added, that currently the Institution has a student population of 360 and offers ten extended programmes.

Two years ago both The Barama Group of Companies and the Caricom Rice Mills Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Essequibo Technical Institute to foster employment for students through an apprentice programme and

Michael Turner scholarship.

During the Institution’s 13 years, the Institution has seen a number of expansions in areas of the water treatment facility, the dormitory, the library, and the fitting and metal workshops.

Region Two Vice Chairman, Vishnu Samaroo, said that over the years the institution has done remarkably well.

He reminded both students and lecturers that people are being trained with the hope that they create wealth, and sustain their own lives and those of their families and country as a whole. (Yannason Duncan)

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 21

G/Town Magistrates’ Court gets $180M Rice farmers to start receiving facelift but sewage problem remains outstanding payments from millers Sewerage overflows at a section of the recently refurbished G/Town Magistrates’ Court

Several weeks after it was reopened, persons venturing into the compound of the recently refurbished $180million Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts are forced to endure an overwhelming stench of a nearby sewage spill.

The section which serves as an outpost for police officers and an accommodation for prisoners is most affected; quite often sewage can be seen flowing along the passage way near the outpost.

In spite of the condition, police officers can be regularly seen escorting prisoners to and from the holding cell, standing guard at the outpost or even partaking in meals.

“As soon as yuh reach de gate the smell does hit yuh.

Is only de other day this court open back. I used to wuk here years ago and we had the same problem.

“I thought things woulda change. It is unhealthy because all kind ah people got to come here to do business, collect child support and all sort ah thing and de place always stink. It does mek yuh frighten fuh even use de washroom,” one woman noted, as she pointed to the affected area.

While the problem has continually affected workers and visitors alike, little is being done by the court’s administration to rectify the situation.

However, Georgetown Supreme Court Registrar (Ag), Rasheed Mohamed explained that the problem is due to a back up in the entire sewerage system.

“The overflow is mainly because the entire system needs to be revamped, from time to time. Persons would be paid to clear lines.

However, this is not enough since the problem eases for a day or two and then it returns.”

Mohamed said that the problem is not only over at the Magistrates’ Court but sewage overflows can be seen quite often around the vicinity of the Georgetown

Supreme Court.

The issue has been raised with the authorities, several times before.

“We have brought the matter to the attention of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI). They had promised to look into it.”

Public Relations Officer of GWI, Timothy Austin, explained that the agency is currently working to rectify the sewerage situation. He explained that the Georgetown sewerage system is set to benefit from an ongoing sanitation improvement programme, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

According to Austin, an agreement had been signed between the Government of Guyana (GOG) and the IDB for US$10 M for the improvement of the Georgetown sewerage system’s operational performance.

Components of the programme include the complete replacement of the

5.5 kilometre sewerage ring main in Georgetown; replacement of all delivery mains; and purchase and installation of additional pumps for the 24 pumping stations to ensure adequate pressure and operational reliability.

“This is currently ongoing and a number of areas are earmarked for work to be done.” Austin explained, however, that the citizens have a responsibility to keep the sewerage system clean. “ We h a v e r e c e i v e d complaints about persons removing the chamber covers from the system and selling it as scrap metal and then others dump things like clothes, concrete blocks and bicycle parts into the system…

“Citizens can assist if they desist from dumping especially non -bio degradable objects into the waste system, making it difficult to maintain or function.”

- GRDB provides loan to facilitate process The Guyana Rice Development Board through the Ministry of Agriculture has provided loans totaling in excess of $300M to pay rice farmers for paddy supplied during the last crop of 2013.

Payments to rice farmers are expected to commence today.

This is according to a well placed source in the Agriculture sector, who disclosed that about seven rice millers, including Wazir Hussein, Deonarine and Ancient County, owe farmers.

The money loaned will be repaid by money earned from the export of rice to Venezuela.

This move comes days after Essequibo rice farmers demanded to have an audience with Agriculture Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, to air their concerns about the low prices being offered for paddy and outstanding payments owed to them by millers.

However, the issue of millers owing farmers is an old one and the Rice Factories Amendment Bill was expected to safeguard them against unscrupulous millers.

The Rice Factories Amendment Bill provides that millers should pay farmers for paddy within 42 days. According to the Government Information Agency, “Millers have a period of two weeks to pay

50 percent of total sale to individual farmers as opposed to just 50 percent of total paddy sale.

They are also granted an additional 42 days to pay the remainder; failing which they face the possibility of having their licence revoked.

“The Bill amends the Rice Factories Act 1998 with Clause Two seeking to ensure that millers owe no farmer over five percent of the paddy supplied unless approved by the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB).”

Dr. Ramsammy in a press statement yesterday said that over the past weeks, the Ministry of Agriculture has been engaging rice farmers and millers with the aim of facilitating payments to farmers, who were owed in excess of $300M for rice during the last crop.

“Such a process has been satisfactory and from

Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Agriculture Minister t o d a y, G u y a n a R i c e Development Board is working with millers to commence payment,” he s a i d . According to the Minister, it is the hope of the Ministry that by next week all farmers who are owed monies will be paid in full.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

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Live/pluck chicken call: 6504421, 220-9203

Tacoma Tundra lights & Parts Tel: 641-1127

1- 500 Ton Cargo ship - Tel: 676-6933 Fishing boat, 5" nylon Seine, 40 Hp Yamaha - $1.6M - Tel: 267-1563; 691-3501 / 4162667627 One 14" river dredge in excellent condition - Call: 669-8985 One female German Shepherd Pup - Contact: 665-9140 or 639-1431 One hardly used cradle $20,000 with accessories & one brand new play pen $33,000 - Call: 670-2343 1 Used Model M Truck with winch. Price:$5M negotiable Contact: 601-0763 Tractors: MF285 $2.8mil (neg) Ford 5000 $3.2mil (neg),Both Good Condition -Call 257-0212, 628-8487 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, Nissan Frontier $2.9M, 4X4 Extra Cab 2002, DJSystem - $2.8M– Tel:6959807 1 Yamaha Guitar AC3R and 1 fender blues deluxe tube AMP 40 watts – Tel:6435182; 669-8803 Black & white photocopy and colour copy - Tel:6268586 2 Trucks – Tel:618-1967; 6984321 Tibetan Terrier pupsCall:225-4780; 601-5927 1 smoothie machine,2 ice machine- Contact:2310655,683-8734 Greenheart Piles - Tel: 639-3450 One treadmill – Contact:6718100 New Japan Parts & Batteries in stock with a 10% discount @ Ray’s Motor Spares - Tel: 227-2322; 2272330 One glass-case 5ft X 4ft.

Call: 647-1773 1 Toyota Raum fully air conditioned – Tel:678-6108, 692-8419, 266-2771

1 Music system, 3 crown amps, Numark CD player crossover & mixer, 2 base box with 15" Mid range & tweeters - Call: 619-2800 One 6 Base music set in parts Call: 641-2088; 266-2503 Tibetan Terrier mixed with Pekingese puppy - Tel:2270945; 623-8811

FOR SALE 1 Canon Image runner #2525 Contact: 652-0709 Barge 200ft in length as is Call: 623-4045 1 Stall @ Stabroek Market Tel: 658-0115; 718-757-8031 1 complete pools table, 1 no frost fridge, 1 electric stove, 1 compressor C/W spray kit & air-tool assembly. Owner migrating – Tel:641-6239

Household items: Stove, bed, sofa, dishwasher, dresser, sewing machine, coffee dispenser, printers & more Call:227-1028; 223-9719

LAND FOR SALE 50 Acres transported land at Grant Belfield, Lower Pomeroon – Tel:671-8100 House lots in Friendship. Tel: 692-8513 One Farm at Yarrowkabra 20.1 Acres and one house and land – Call:265-3586 Schoonard (100ftX50ft) $1.6M -Call:675-7292

FOR SALE/RENT

Parafaite Harmonie - $1M Call:675-7292

Vacant corner lot 58"X30" @ Garnett & Republic Streets, Newton, Kitty – Tel: 645-0616

Herstelling (110ftX60ft) $3M -Call:675-7292

1 Property: ideal for manufacturing & other options, Situated in the Industrial Area, 3 Phase power & generator included – Contact:619-0037

Bachelor’s Adventure, E.C.D, 100ftX120ft, title land - Tel: 680-5944 3 Acres Land @ Parika Backdam E.B.E – Call:6174837

FOR RENT One 2 Bedrooms bottom flat Tel: 613-6402 House in Diamond/Grove Tel:692-8513 Vreed-En-Hoop Junction: games station, stationery shop, photocopying machine & printing store, lessons, internet – Call:680-9905

1- 2007 Toyota 4X4 Tacoma for sale Call: 670-3328 for more information.

600 CBR BIKE -$350,000, 3VZ Tacoma Engine $400,000 – Call: 617-7113 TO LET Apartments to rent in Cummings Lodge - Call:2224389

EDUCATIONAL

Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles call:6193660,639-4452

Balloon decorating classes – April 05 - Call: 225-3133; 6137513 for more information and to register.

1 -4 bedrooms house at Happy Acres, $300,000 per month – Call:231-7839

Large beverage cooler, two doors, 3 wheel motor bike – Call:227-1028; 223-9719 SUPER TENT SALE! -Sports bras, body shapers, exercising sneakers & clothing.

EVERTHING MUST GO – Saturday, March 22 @ 38 J Duncan St. – Call:626-6335

Unfinished two storey concrete house @ Bladen Hall E.C.D – Call:688-6316

Fully furnished rooms for foreigners in Diamond – Call:687-1392

One 3 bedroom house in La Parafaite Harmonie -$16M negotiable – Contact:6221782; 658-5803; 264-0042

Wings Two bedrooms apartment – Tel:643-1131

2 Flex house 10ft- 5", 2 sheet 6mm aluminum plate, 2 – Hydraulic pump, 1-BT 121 Earth Auger STIHL drill, 2 Amplifier – Tel: 625-1621 Cooler chest/fridge 15 cubic, good for shop use - $100,000Call:683-4803, 225-9871 1 Chair & dryer, styling chair, combination wardrobe, Sony DVD, home theater system & north star (Air Compressor Pump) – Tel: 683-7102 Massey, Yanmar Ford 5000 Logging/ Agriculture Tractors, parts, Loader & Ford Truck- Call:615-1578/6943595: Tools & Chainsaw-6682831 1 Raum: DVD player, alarm system, mag rims - $1.2M negotiable, excellent condition – Call:627-9424

Regent Street -US$800,000 negotiable – Call:623-4045 Campbellville (2buildings) $25M, Near Regent Street $35M, Lamaha Gardens $55M – Call Diana:227-2256; 626-9382 Sophia ‘C’ Field - $3M – Call:618-7483; 611-3835 One Transported large Lot at Zeelught EBE - $2.2M – Tel:617-4439

LAND FOR SALE Parafaite Harmonie - $1.2M Call:675-7292 Romrima Trust Versailles @ W.B.D - Tel: 652-3707

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 1,2,3 Bedroom @ Lot 2 Anna Catherina W.C.D – Call J.Ali:276-0818 MOVE IN ready fully furnished two bedroom upper flat apartment @ Atlantic Gardens - US$1,000 dollars negotiable - Call:6009981 GT TOOLS RENTAL, RAMSON SPECIAL - TEL: 675-0767; 627-5098 2 One bedroom apartment, fully furnished @ Lot 4 Henry Street, Werk-en- Rust, Georgetown – Contact:6606446; 644-6030FOR RENT

Fully loaded Toyota Rush W/ TV, spoiler, rims, etc, 2008 Toyota Premio – Tel:615-4114

2003 Honda Civic, stick shift, low mileage, music, with rims Tel: 696-4659

2 Storey concrete building, 7 bedrooms: 4 upstairs & 3 downstairs @ Paradise - $5M negotiable Tel:679-6377; 6670064

Brazilian Virgin Hair , 16"&18", top grade, final sale, low prices Call:626-6335; 6002220

EP-82 Starlet – Call:685-9696

One Semi furnished apartment to rent at Industry ECD – Tel:222-6001

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Property for sale - Call:6275416

1 Toyota Hilux Single Cab 4X4 solid Axle pickup -$2.7M Tel: 658-5193; 638-2525; 6484374

Unregistered 2002 Toyota Fielder Body Kit, mags, HID fog lamps – Contact:6449277 ($2.2M negotiable)

One Transported large Lot at Zeelught EBE - $2.2M – Tel:617-4439

2 Income properties at bargain price - $40M negotiable - Tel: 686-4899; 684-3718

VEHICLE FOR SALE

One upper flat @ 6th Street Cummings Lodge ECD – Call:622-3580

Loo & Madewini creek $7M, Queenstown -$25M Call:231-2199; 618-7483

Cannon digital camera A720 power shot, 4GB SD card & case asking -$17,000. Call: 663-2079 or 695-3091 Land with foundation and c o l u m n s @ Tu s c h e n , Middle Income, H/Scheme E.B.E - $7M – Call:6827220; 602-0268

Thursday March 20, 2014

Campbellville - $90,000, Queenstown -$US800, Atlantic Garden - $US600.

Contact Diana:227-2256; 6269382

Toyota Tundra 4X4, Clean $2.450M – Call:662-6024 One unregistered vehicle, Toyota Premio – Call Sunil:227-5950; 681-5470 Toyota 4 runner grey. Good condition – Call:227-1028; 223-9719 2008 Fielder & Axio, fully loaded with bodykit, rims, TV/DVD unregistered - Tel: 617-2891 First Class Auto: Avensis, Allion, IST, 212, Premio, Spacio, Raum, Passo, Fielder, Verossa -Call:609-8188; 6026307 Unregistered Toyota Premio $2.450, Toyota Spacio $2.250 Tel: 616-3001; 6284284 BJJ series, long base RZ minibus – Call:667-6045 One Raum – PMM series $1.2M – Contact:671-6051

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Toyota Tacoma 2006, 12ft Aluminum Boat, Tacoma : rims & tyres – Call:641-6162; 220-1981; 222-5671 2 Ton Canter with power gate, unregistered - Tel:617-2891 AT170 Corona, automatic EFI, SV10 Toyota Camry - Tel: 676-8475 1 Toyota Minibus pit-bull, BRR Series, immaculate condition, owner leaving country – Tel:629-3663

2004 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 2700 CC – 4 Cylinder @ 31 Grove Housing Scheme EBD Call: 665-8933; 416-836-1466 AT192 - Call: 602-0236 Toyota Raum, Spacio, AT212, AT192, AT170, NZE and LTouring wagon, Nissan E24 Caravan – Tel: 644-5096; 6971453 One Honda accord DX manual transmission, excellent condition - Call:6185972; 685-57-27; 218-1204.

(Continued on page 23)

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Visually impaired woman loses phone...

From page 17 adult,” added Greaves.

“I did not expect anybody to jam me...” the woman noted, even as speculated that it wasn't at all impossible since there was a rather large gathering at the PTA meeting. She however disclosed that “I remember somebody bracing me on my right when I was about to leave...it felt unusual but I thought that maybe it was because the place was so crowded and everybody was trying to get out.”

Recognising Greaves' plight, another parent approached her and volunteered to help look for the phone only to be informed that the phone hadn't fallen to the ground.

Immediately the Head teacher of the school was informed after which she instructed that the school's gate be locked. Greaves is convinced that while the person who took her phone might have exited the building, they could not have left the school yard before the “lock down.”

However, efforts to recover the phone by dialling the number proved futile as by then the phone was turned off.

Greaves, who has grown accustomed to doing her shopping and other activities independently, intimated yesterday that the situation has left her deeply concerned about her safety. In fact she is now questioning if she drops her purse if persons would be willing to lend a helping hand.

“Now it is hard for me to go down town shopping on my own...I am so fearful because I had this mindset that I am blind and I don't think that anybody would take advantage of me; anything can happen,” she pondered.

And according to Amsterdam, while the situation emphasises a daunting situation in the society, it can in fact impact the way outsiders look at Guyana. “When one reads of an incident like this what are we saying to them; our tourists and investors?” questioned an evidently concerned Amsterdam.

WANTED Arc/ Acetylene Welders, good fabricating skills, high rates – Tel:610-2978 Live in waitress- Call:6439007/ 697-2978 One female cook for home in the interior contact: 681-6044 One mechanic must know about Perkins and Cummings to work interior Contact: 6816044 Attractive Live-In waitress Tel: 228-5129; 604-8277 Do you need excavator operator 12 years experienced in mining , I’m Available Call:Tel:696-2510; 254-1874 Experienced driver & dispatcher @ Princess Hotel Tel: 265-7075; 265-7076; 6165419 One experienced welder to work in interior – Call:6816044 One kitchen assistant. Apply to Dian’s Deli, opposite Kitty Market.

Live in couple 30-50yrs for caretaking duties, driving an asset, labourer Car/Van driver – Tel:227-1830 Urgently needed 2 plots of land to buy in Parafaite Harmonie – Tel:675-7292 Experienced Taxi Drivers @ Gem’s Taxi – Call:627-9424

VEHICLE FOR SALE

(From page 22)

1 Freight liner hauler with sleeping cab, 1 -48ft trailor with treated wood – Call: Rakesh 613-6979 1 DAF 4X4 Bush Truck Winch - $3.8M - Tel:658-5193; 638-2525; 648-4374

SALON SERVICES

Toyota Mark 2 for sale: very good condition - $1.5M negotiable – Call:641-6725 Unregistered Toyota Raum 2004 & Spacio -2003 - Tel: 6175536 Toyota Hilux Surf 3RZ engine fully loaded with 20’ Chrome rims -Tel:643-5182; 669-8803 Toyota Fun Cargo, RZ minibus, IST, 4X4 Hilux pickup - Tel: 644-5096; 6971453 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154 Toyota Tundra bubble back fully loaded with 22" Chrome Rims -Tel:643-5182; 669-8803 AT192, 212, Allion, Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN & RZ & Pitbull buses, 7 seater super custom. Cash / termsCall:680-3154 2004 Toyota Raum $2M @ MRR Autos, Cheap online vehicle deals – Call:691-7475; 626-9590 CHEAPEST: - Pitbull, Manual Buses, IST, Allion – Tel:6167635

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, G R A D U AT I O N , W E D D I N G S , ANNIVERSARY, ETC. – CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Repairs, sales & spares air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & stoves.

Ultra Cool, call: 225-9032, 6472943 COOL TECH: Repairs Services & Installation of all types of home appliances: Air Condition & Refrigeration units - Tel: 233-2008; 675-4959 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building Call Sabita: 225-6496, 6626045 Masons seeking job work – Tel:678-9043

Shalom Driving School @ 2 Croal street. Fee $16,000Call:227-3869 Soman Son & Outar Driving School @ Maraj BuildingTel:644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997 Ultravoilet Driving School – Contact:231-2372;6022583;658-4015 Alleyne’s Professional Driving School @ 651 East Ruimveldt, Best Prices Call :226-9181; 613-0223; 668-9331

CAR RENTAL

We refill HP cartridges for $1800 call: 650-7699

Computer Repairs & Ink refilling in homes – Call:6757292

MASSAGE American Style massage services- Call:678-7499

DRESS-MAKING

SALON SERVICES

Looking for friendship 4050yrs – Call:626-8482

Sales clerk. Written application @ Perfume Dazzle, 137 Regent St.

WANTED Taxi Drivers – Apply at Gems Taxi – Call:667-9013 1 Live in maid between 4048yrs – Contact:675-5256; 662-9861 1 Whole day domestic – Tel:667-5717; 650-4761

Cook & female bouncers.

Apply in person @ El Club Latino, during 4:00pm6:00pm (Tues – Sat) @ 57 Hadfield & Lime Streets, South Cummingsburg Salesgirls & Porters. Apply with written application at Lot E Dennis & Middleton Street, Best Buy Food Supplies.

Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665.

Courses in dressmaking, curtains, floral, cake decoration Tel: 670-2653; 618-1706 PEN PAL

Barbers – Contact:683-1534; 609-4983

One live in maid for Georgetown preferable from country side – Contact:6995359

Aidan’s Car Rental & Pickup Call: 645-7981/ 698-7807

Wings Car Rental - Call: 6431131

VACANCY Tudor’s Business Linden, have vacancies for Two 2 sales clerks. Apply in person Tel:444-5883

We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer call:2310655,683-8734 Omar

Dolly’s Car Rental- Call: 2257126/226-3693- dollysauto rental@yahoo.com/ www. dolly sautorental.com

Premio, vitz call:679-7139,6394452

Natural Beauty Salon & Spa: Grove Market Street EBD Tele:265-4138,652-5800 specialized in everything for women

Repairs to Fridge, Freezer, AC, Washers, Stoves: Call 6831312,627-3206 (Nick)

Technicians available for appliance repairs – washers, dryers, microwaves, stoves, deep fryers, etc – Tel:6190793; 218-0050 LEARN TO DRIVE

Make Up Courses, Artist Trained & Certified in Trinidad. Call: 660-5257, 6471773

Guyana Passport & Visa Forms Application, USA, Canada and England. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

Experienced hairdresser, must know to do hair & nails, experienced barber for interior location – Call:665-5812; 2332186; 697-6726

CHAINSAW LUMBER: Kabukalli, Shibadan, Silverballi, Simarupa, etc – Tel:653-9752 Live in , live out babysitter Tel: 225-6070

Page 24

Kaieteur News

CARICOM receives new UK plenipotentiary representative The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) yesterday at Guyana’s Secretariat at Liliendaal received the credentials from the United Kingdom (UK) plenipotentiary representative to CARICOM, Victoria Dean.

The Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque received High Commissioner Dean’s credentials. He said that CARICOM’s relationship with the United Kingdom is a “historically important, strong and strategic one that is always evolving as the best relationships tend to do” LaRocque said that Dean’s role as UK’s plenipotentiary is a key one that facilitates the fluid exchange of communication.

The Secretary General acknowledged Dean’s experience, especially within the European Union.

The Secretary General said that the torrential rains which devastated St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia and Dominica are a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities that CARICOM is faced with.

He acknowledged the swift response by the UK Government to assist the countries in distress. He saw this as a “full testimony to the strength of our relationship.

The devastation brought by that unusual weather event was a stark reminder that climate change and its related natural disasters, with consequential environmental damage is a reality for us.”

High Commissioner, Victoria Dean, who recently became the British High Commissioner to Guyana, said that she is delighted to be the representative of the Caribbean Community here in Georgetown Guyana.

She noted that CARICOM

Thursday March 20, 2014

Walter Rodney CoI…

Commissioners have no authority to punish perjury - But could send file to DPP or private lawyer

From left Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and UK’s representative to CARICOM Victoria Dean objectives include a whole range of things, the promotion and support of the countries and community in their relationships with countries like the UK. She acknowledged the importance of the UK’s and by extension her role with CARICOM on trade, employment and diplomacy on the global front.

Dean also spoke to the APD affecting the Caribbean.

“In the Budget announcement in the UK the Minister for Finance of the Exchequer was able to announce that there would be a re-banding of the APD applied and we will move to two bands in April 2015. This, I hope, is what the Caribbean Community is looking for; I have heard many arguments in favour of the re-banding in the four months that I have been in the region.”

“I hope it will have an impact on all kinds of things, to some extent on tourism and to some extent on the diaspora, a very important move I think in the UK’s understanding of some of the things that really affect this region and this community.”

Dean mentioned that

organizations have to adapt to survive and stay relevant and that is no different with CARICOM. She however, expressed hope that the UK “can continue to help you in that endeavour in any way that we can.”

She said that she is an “avid believer in the importance of regional cooperation and integration and the many often unseen and unexplained benefits that that cooperation can bring to countries and to systems.

I know how complex and tricky the development and integration experience can be, these bodies take time and care to build and the UK firmly believes that there is a growing role to play and we want to work with you to help you foster that.”

CARICOM is the Regional body in the Caribbean and cooperation among CARICOM states is imperative “in the increasingly tough world circumstances that we face.

But cooperation between CARICOM and its friends and Partners has an important role to play too and I am delighted to be part of that journey” said Dean.

If a witness testifying at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry commits perjury, the matter would be forwarded to the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Chairman of the Commission Sir Richard Cheltenham said Commissioners don’t have the power to punish anyone who perjure before them.

However persons, more so potential witnesses, must keep in mind that they can still

face criminal punishment.

It was explained that a file can be sent to either the DPP or a private lawyer to ensure that that person is dealt with.

The Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry is likely to take testimonies from over 100 witnesses. He noted that the Commission will go to great depths to ensure that the truth is revealed.

An inquiry ordered by former President Desmond Hoyte in 1988 which found Rodney’s death was caused

by “accident or misadventure” was met with disbelief in some quarters, with burning questions continuing over the past 33 years over the incident, which has remained a dark stain on the country’s history.

Last June, the Office of the President announced it was preparing for the Commission of Inquiry.

The announcement came on the heels of the 33rd death anniversary of the slain activist.

Arau plane crash...

Investigators focusing attention on engine

The Piper Cherokee single engine plane that went down on Tuesday Investigators are making arrangements to have the single engine of the Piper Cherokee that went down in the Arau area, Region Seven, brought to the city as part of investigations into Tuesday’s plane crash.

Minister of Public Works Robeson Benn told this newspaper yesterday that investigators have returned to the city but are now placing efforts on having the engine brought to the city.

Minister Benn said that as procedure, the engine will have to be disassembled and

examined. In the meantime, Kaieteur News understands that the accident victims are still hospitalized .The pilot, Bernard Singh, 44, of Strathspey, East Coast Demerara; Troy Daniels, and Leon Bristol, 24, of Nabaclis, East Coast Demerara, are said to have suffered minor injuries. Another passenger, Ivor Williams, is said to be seriously injured.

Kaieteur News was able to speak with Bristol who complained of head injuries.

He told the newspaper that he is experiencing serious pain

in the head and back. Bristol explained that he was at the time employed with Singh who operated a private plane in the interior. The 24-year-old said that the last thing he remembered was entering the plane and waking up “after everything”. He said that the plane was leaving Imbaimadai to go to Eteringbang when it went down.

However, Region Seven Chairman, Gordon Bradford told the newspaper during a visit to the community yesterday that residents are concerned over the number of local plane crashes occurring. Many of the residents would use air services to move around, and the issue is becoming very “worrisome,” he mentioned.

Around 11:14am on Tuesday, the Timehri Control Tower said, reports came in that the single engine light aircraft had gone down in mountainous region just after takeoff. Kaieteur News was told that a Guyana Defence Force helicopter went in and brought the injured from the crash site to the airstrip at Kaikan. The light aircraft is a United States registered plane operating here in a private capacity.

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 25

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday March 20, 2014

Family anger erupts as Malaysia jet search enters 12th day KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Chinese relatives’ anger over sparse information on the fate of their loved ones on board a missing Malaysian airliner sparked chaotic scenes yesterday at the headquarters of a search operation that has so far turned up few clues.

Malaysia’s transport minister ordered an inquiry after security guards carried out the distraught mother of a passenger on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 from a briefing room where she had protested about a lack of transparency, 12 days after the plane vanished.

“They are just saying wait for information. Wait for information. We don’t know how long we have to wait,” cried the woman before being whisked away from a massive media scrum.

Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said he regretted the anguish.

“Malaysia is doing everything in its power to find MH370 and hopefully bring some degree of closure for those whose family members are missing,” he said in a statement.

Prospects that a 26nation operation would lead to quick results appeared to be dwindling, however, as investigators confirmed they were focusing on the remote southern Indian Ocean after failing to find any traces of the jet further north.

“Our top priority is being given to that area,” Hishammuddin told the news conference, confirming an earlier Reuters report.

Chinese family members of a missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 passenger are escorted away from the media outside the media conference area at a hotel near Kuala Lumpur International Airport yesterday. REUTERS/Edgar Su No wreckage has been found from Flight MH370, which vanished from air traffic control screens off Malaysia’s east coast at 1:21 a.m. local time on March 8 (1721 GMT March 7), less than an hour after taking off from Kuala Lumpur bound for Beijing.

An unprecedented search for the Boeing 777-200ER is under way in two vast search corridors: one arcing north overland from Laos towards the Caspian Sea, the other curving south across the Indian Ocean from west of Indonesia’s Sumatra island to west of Australia.

“The working assumption is that it went south, and

furthermore that it went to the southern end of that corridor,” said a source close to the investigation.

The view is based on the lack of any evidence from countries along the northern corridor that the plane entered their airspace, and the failure to find any trace of wreckage in searches in the upper part of the southern c o r r i d o r. S o m e s o u r c e s involved in the investigation have voiced fears it could stall due to the reluctance of countries in the region to share militarily sensitive radar data that might shed new light on the direction the jet took.

Russia, Syria decry U.S. closure of Syrian embassy (Reuters) - Syria and its Russian ally yesterday criticised the decision by the United States to suspend the operations of Syria’s embassy in Washington and consulates in other cities.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the action as a violation of international diplomatic conventions in a statement carried by Syrian state television. Moscow called it “worrying and disappointing”.

Worsening relations between the United States and Russia over Ukraine have clouded efforts by the two countries to broker a peace deal in Syria, which is in its fourth year of civil war.

The Russian Foreign Ministry suggested Washington’s actions were

aimed at “regime change” to oust Syrian President Bashar al-Assad whom Russia has protected with diplomatic support at the U.N. Security Council and with arms deals.

“The aim of regime change in Damascus prevails over the task of disarming Syria of its chemical weapons and helping millions of Syrians who have suffered from the armed conflict,” the ministry said on its website.

The Syrian Foreign Ministry said: “The United States of America committed a clear violation of the Vienna conventions on diplomatic relations and consular relations by resorting to an arbitrary measure.”

It said the United States had “torpedoed the fundamental legal principle of consular work by involving

honorary consulates in political matters”.

In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki rejected Syria’s charge, saying: “We are abiding by not only the law but every aspect of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.”

She said Syria could appoint a “third party state” or a member of its U.S.-based staff, who is either a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident, to care for the embassy premises and archives. The decision would need the approval of the State Department, Psaki added.

The State Department has given Syrian diplomats until the end of March to leave the country, while administrative staff have until April 30 to pack up.

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Permaul joins illustrious Bravo wants batting... GTTA awards company from Albion with... winners of...

From page 30 Clyde Butts 7 for 29 vs Windward Islands Mindoo Philip Park Castries St. Lucia 1992 Clyde Butts 7 for 40 vs Trinidad & Tobago Blairmont Community Centre 1993 Mahendra Nagamootoo 7 for 76 vs Leeward Islands at Bourda 1996 Neil McGarrell 7 for 84 vs Trinidad & Tobago 1997 Queens Park Oval Reon King 7 for 89 vs

England A at Bourda 2001 Esuan Crandon 7 for 125 vs Trinidad Guaracara Park 2006.

Narsingh Deonarine 7 for 26 vs Barbados at Kensington Oval 2012 Veerasammy Permaul 7 for 49 vs Windward Islands at Providence 2014 Another Albion Star Devendra Bishoo 6 for 36 vs Barbados at Sabina Park in 2009 is the best bowling figures for Guyana at the

Regional one d a y l e v e l , while club-mate Orvin Mangru’s 9 for 109 against Barbados in Bridgetown 1999 remains the best figures for Guyana at the Regional under-19 Level.

The club also boast about Suresh Ganouri’s 13 for 59 match haul against the Windward Islands at Rose Hall in 1976. This performance is Guyana Best at the Regional under19 Level.

Thursday March 20, 2014 ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 19): A minor conflict with a romantic partner in the morning is likely to end with a tearful reunion and much reassurance by mid-afternoon. *************************** TAURUS (APR 20 MAY 20): Your intuition, imagination, and insight have served you well on the job, and should pay off soon. A raise, commission, or perhaps a chance to invest in the company could be offered to you. *************************** GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUN 20): You can count on a very idyllic and romantic day today, Gemini. You’re feeling especially warm and sensual, and you tend to view the partner in your life through rose-colored glasses. *************************** CANCER (JUN 21 - JUL 22): Someone who is a student of natural healing may come to visit you and share some ideas today. *************************** LEO (JUL 23 - AUG 22): Books and movies may inspire you to get involved in artistic activities. Your aesthetic sense is very high today, Leo, and you may be drawing your inspiration from the higher realms. You might want to stroll through an art gallery or museum and try to sense the feelings of those from the past. ************************ VIRGO (AUG 23 - SEP 22): You could be feeling a bit flush today, Virgo, and therefore you might decide to do a little work on your house.

This is more likely to be redecorating than any major repairs, as you’re more into beauty right now than practical matters.

LIBRA (SEP 23 - OCT 22): You’re feeling especially psychically and mystically inclined today, Libra. You might want to read about such matters or attend a lecture or workshop given by someone in the field. *************************** SCORPIO (OCT 23 - NOV 21): You’re usually a very practical and down-to-Earth person, but today you may be more inclined than usual toward mysticism. *************************** SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 DEC 21): Group activities involving meditation, psychic or spiritual topics, or artistic pursuits are probably very appealing to you right now, Sagittarius. *************************** CAPRICORN (DEC 22 JAN 19): You’re normally a very intuitive person, and today you may experience clairvoyance that could rival Jeane Dixon’s.

You could be feeling especially attuned to other planes, and your dreams are likely to be powerful and vivid.

*************************** AQUARIUS (JAN 20 FEB 18): Your imagination is flying high today, Aquarius.

Your interest in mystical and metaphysical matters is at an all-time high, and you could find yourself strolling through New Age bookstores. *************************** PISCES (FEB 19 - MAR 20): Some wonderful news concerning money and career matters could come your way today, Pisces. Your natural kindness and sympathy for others has led you to make some good friends who are also valuable business contacts. This is definitely paying off.

From page 28 series against England with good momentum and after these warm-ups, we feel confident and reassured as these are the conditions we’ll be playing the big games in.

We expect the conditions to be good for batting. It’s a bit on the slower side so try not to be predictable as a bowler.

Bravo also said that while focus would be placed on their spin bowlers, one player who would be a huge asset would be left-arm seamer Krishmar Santokie for his variations, swing and slowerballs. Bravo believed that Santokie, coupled with Samuel Badree and Sunil Narine, was one of their most formidable T20 bowling

attacks to date. West Indies, though, are aware of the dangers of becoming complacent but added that their experience in T20 cricket would counter this, especially as the core of the 2012 titlewinning squad was still intact.

“Compared to the last World Cup, this one is harder as it is fewer games and we are in a tough group,” he said.

“We still have most of our players [from 2012] and we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves. But we’re playing good cricket and once we continue to show this form, we’ll fancy our chances to defend the title. It might be the last World Cup for some of us in this format of the game.”

From page 31 each. East La Penitence Primary held the next position ahead of North Ruimveldt Primary.

Director of Sport Neil Kumar, while lauding the organisation of the tournament, said that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports had given tables to more than 10 schools and he was not happy with the non-participation from some schools.

“I want to tell some schools that they can do better if they place emphasis on sports. I’m concerned that schools like Bishops High and Covent Garden Secondary did not participate in this tournament,” Kumar said, adding that he will launch his own investigation into those schools that the ministry had given tennis tables.

Kumar pleaded with the parents present to keep supporting their children in the sport. He asked those parents to take their support one step further and invite their neighbours or tell someone about the sport so that more persons could get involved.

“When I came here last Saturday, I felt good when I saw so many young players playing table tennis. I was glad to see parents committed to see children playing; those parents must feel comfortable with their children playing sport in school,” he said.

GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe indicated his enthusiasm with the level of participation and lauded those who contributed to the tournament’s success for their efforts; owner of the Business School, James Bovell recommitted to sponsorship next year.

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Thursday March 20, 2014

Providence win Gittens Birth Anniversary Dominoes title Providence marked 75 games to win the Lyall Gittens 39th birth anniversary dominoes tournament when the final was contested on Sunday night last at Girl Guides Pavilion, Brickdam.

TNT took the runner up spot with 62 games, while Delta Force placed third on 54. Eon Davis chalked 17 and Deon Telford 15 for the winners, while Sean Morgan scored 16 and Trevor Smith 15 for the runner up team; Earl Mars 16 and William Sargeant 15 were Delta Force leading players.

Providence received a trophy and $125,000, TNT collected a trophy and $70,000 and Delta Force a trophy and $30,000. The tournament was sponsored

by Strikers Sports Club, Kaieteur Spring, Boom Town DVD, Gobin and Sons, Becks Lumber Yard, Big Boss Transportation Service, All Season Racing Service, Trophy Stall Bourda Market, Stream Café, Next Level Entertainment, HJ TV, Faye Joseph and H J Boom Station.

Meanwhile, the West Demerara leg of the Orin Joseph Million Dollars Memorial nationwide tournament will commence tonight at Whyte bar, Best

Faye Joseph Road, Vreed-en-Hoop. Action gets under way at 18:00 hrs and teams are asked to be on time.

President of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Faye Joseph, who has sponsored the competition, is asking the teams to support all the venues. Among the venues that will be used for the Georgetown leg are Dynasty, Turning Point, R and R, Blue Birds, Faye Joseph residence, La Belle Hotel and bar and Transport SC.

The victorious Providence team The winning team will take home $500,000 and a trophy, the runner up $300,000 and a trophy, third place $100,000 and a trophy, fourth

Bravo wants batting promotion ESPNcricinfo - Dwayne Bravo wants to bat higher in West Indies’ order as they aim to defend their World T20 title with Sunday’s opener against India looming. Bravo, who hit 43 off 31 balls in the warm-up win over Sri Lanka, believes that a move up will allow him his desired role as the fulcrum of the West Indies’ middleorder.

“In this format of the game, I always fancy myself batting higher and as early as possible to give myself that extra time to get set and take the game right down to the end [of the innings],” he said.

“Obviously, we have a lot of power-hitters in our line-up but my role is to hold the middle and help us lay a good foundation.”

Bravo pointed to Darren Sammy, Marlon Samuels, Lendl Simmons and Andre Russell as the batsmen he would be able to take on the responsibility of big-hitting as he felt his best role was as a “stabiliser” in the team. He praised the openers, Chris Gayle and Dwayne Smith, for relieving the pressure off the middle-order and thinks they will be a key duo, particularly by allowing him to bat freely in the crease.

However, Bravo added that all the batsmen were high

Dwayne Bravo would like to be able to spend more time at the crease in T20 © AFP on confidence after series win at home against England, followed by warm-up wins against England and Sri Lanka in Bangladesh, and thinks that his team have already adjusted to the World

T20 conditions.

“It’s good to win these practice games and we’re looking forward to Sunday [against India]. We left the Caribbean after winning the (Continued on page 27)

place $60,000 and a trophy.

The most valuable players (male and female) will be given $7,500 each, the player that shared the first double love

$5,000 and the best uniformed team $30,000.

For more information teams can contact William Boston on 631- 5016/681-

7629, Mark Wiltshire 665-5855, Faye Joseph 625- 9941/ 6851009, Colin MC Ewan 6427502 or Barbara Marshall 6638280/617-0493.

Smith, Bravo, carve through Sri Lankans CMC - MIRPUR, Bangladesh - Dwayne Bravo rocked the top order while Sunil Narine carved through the middle as d e f e n d i n g Wo r l d T 2 0 c h a m p i o n s We s t I n d i e s humbled Sri Lanka by 33 runs in a warm-up match at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur here on Wednesday.

Narine grabbed four wickets to bury ambitions of recovery after Sri Lanka, Chasing 173, were reduced to 18 for two in the fourth over until Tillakaratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara attempted to rescue them with a 54 run third wicket stand that brought some stability to the scoring.

Opener Kusal Perera was dismissed cheaply by Samuel Badree and Mahela Jayawardene was sent back for a first-ball duck by Ravi Rampaul but Dilshan and Sangakkara repaired the damaged to some extent before the beaten finalist in the 2012 tournament stumbled again.

Bravo picked up three wickets including uprooting the stumps of opener Dilshan with a top

score of 43 and Sangakkara.

Dilshan scored 43 off 36 balls, with six fours, while Sangakkara added 24 runs off 19 balls, with three fours, as the two brought the match to a crucial stage before Narine wreaked further havoc as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 139.

Bravo finished with figures of three for 29 while Narine topped the bowling with four for 24 including the scalps of Dinesh Chandimal (14) and Angelo Mathews (18) off successive balls.

However he could not complete his hat-trick because of a no-ball.

Earlier, Dwayne Smith gave the West Indies a flying start by powering his way to a top score of 60 after Sri Lanka had won the toss and elected to field first.

Smith who cracked eight fours and two s i x e s compiled a quick fire 47 with Chris Gayle who was the first to go for 12 in the sixth over.

West Indies were at one stage reduced to 55 for two as Andre Fletcher went for 8 but a third wicket partnership between Smith

and Bravo brought the Caribbean cricketers back on course.

Bravo scored 43 runs off just 31 balls but the Windies lost momentum when Lendl Simmons fell for ten.

However Skipper Darren Sammy came to the crease and blasted 30 runs off 14 balls, including one four and two sixes, to take the score to 172 for five.

On Tuesday, West Indies crushed England in their first official warm-up match of the World T20 tournament.

Summary Scores: West Indies Innings: 172/5 (20 Overs). Dwayne Smith 60, Dwayne Bravo 43, Darren Sammy* 30*, Chris Gayle 12; Rangana Herath 4-0-20-2, Seekkuge Prasanna 3-0-14-1, Suranga Lakmal 2.2-0-16-1, Ajantha Mendis 3-0-43-1.

Sri Lanka Innings: 139 All Out (19.2 Overs). Tillakaratne Dilshan 43, Kumar Sangakkara+ 24, Angelo Matthews 18, Lahiru Thirimanne 14; Sunil Narine 4-0-24-4, Dwayne Bravo 3.2-0-29-3, R Rampaul 2-011-1, S Badree 4-0-30-1.

R e s u l t : We s t I n d i e s won by 33 runs.

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

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‘Lioness’ Nicolette topples Kraft Junior Skill Level Squash tournament former World Champion again Harding continues to impress “I told myself to go in there and be a lion”- Nicolette Fernandes G uyana’s world renowned squash sensation Nicolette Fernandes pranced into the second round (last 16) of the main draw at the Women’s Squash Association’s (WSA) 29th Women’s World Championships in Penang, Malaysia on Tuesday.

To get there, Fernandes once again completed an emphatic come from behind win against former world number one Rachael Grinham of Australia (4-11, 6-11, 1210, 11-8, 11-7). Grinham, who won the Women’s World Title in 2007, won the first two games of the gripping encounter 11-4, 11-6.

Fernandes found herself in perilous, but familiar circumstances against the current world number 15, but unleashed her aggressive side, her inner lion, to take control of the match. Fernandes, who is

currently ranked 20th in the world, was interviewed following her match and had this to say about her unbelievable comeback.

“The game changer, you guys will probably laugh, but I told myself to go in there and be a lion. I was too passive before and I needed to be more in it and be an animal on court.”

Fernandes said according t o Thatsquashthing.tumblr.com.

Utilising her animal instincts, Fernandes captured the third game 1210 before completing the dramatic victory with stunning back-to-back wins in the fourth and fifth games 11-8 and 11-7 respectively.

The match lasted an hour and three minutes.

Fernandes had previously defeated the former world champion Grinham in December 2012

in the first round of the main draw of the Women’s Wo r l d S q u a s h O p e n i n Cayman I slands.

Coincidentally, Fernandes had lost the first two games and strangely enough, she had also won the third game by the score 12/10. Fernandes was ranked 48th in the world at that time. The 37 year-old Grinham had been celebrating a milestone as she made her debut at the World Championships 20 years ago.

In the second round of the main draw (last 16), Fernandes will face France’s 24-year old, six-time national champion Camille Serme today. Serme is currently ranked number six in the world and has played Fernandes a few times in the past. The two met at the Kuala Lumpur Open in Malaysia March 2013 and Serme had prevailed in straight games.

Balram Raghubir inter service 40 over cricket

Brown, Mc Almont slam half centuries as Police overcome Fire Service A fine half century from Rawle Brown coupled by an unbeaten 43 from Jason McAlmont propelled Police to a seven wicket victory over Fire Service when the Balram Raghubir Inter Service 40 overs cricket competition continued yesterday.

At Guyana Defence Force ground, Fire Service batted first and scored 132 all out in 34.3 overs. Quacy Mentore slammed 42; Sheldon Phillips contributed 23 and Brandt Dover 19. Kelvin Leitch

grabbed 3-10, Michael Newland 3-21 and Sheldon Agard 2-23. Police replied with 134-3 in 18.5 overs with Brown who was dismissed for 51 and McAlmont leading the way. At Eve Leary, Prison Service defeated City Constabulary by eight wickets. City Constabulary took first strike and were skittled for 56 while Prison Service responded with 57-2.

Meanwhile, Police thumped Prison Service by 160 runs in the opening

round played on Tuesday.

Host Police rattled up 185 all out in 35 overs, batting first.

Jason McAlmont led with 44, while Stephan Black supported with 40 and Vishal Jaigobin 32. Ryan Rajmangal grabbed 5-32.

Pacers Trevor Benn then snared 4-5 while Kenton Grumble picked up 3-11 as Prison Service were bowled out for 25 in 8 overs in reply.

At Guyana Defence Force ground, the home team beat Fire Service by 16 runs.

Makeda Harding made her presence felt once again on opening night of the Kraft Junior Skill Level Squash tournament sponsored by Toucan Industries and organised by the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) in collaboration with its most loyal corporate sponsor, Digicel Guyana.

Coming off her breakout tournament victory of Category A in the Bounty Farm Mash Handicap Tournament, Harding continues to show significant improvements to her game.

On Tuesday night, Harding, who is just 11-years old, secured a resounding 11/ 8,11/3,11/6 win against Sarah Lewis, one of the top contenders in Category C of this skill level formatted tournament.

Harding’s precision and consistency in her serve gave her a lethal edge that Lewis could not recover from.

Rather than volley Harding’s lob serves, Lewis chose to take them off the back wall, but that approach almost never worked in her favour.

Harding rode those quick points off her serves for the

Makeda Harding early advantages, and sustained them during the game with an impressive variation of straight drives, lobs and cross court shots.

In Category D, Demetrius DeAbreu completed a remarkable come from behind win to sink Dominic Collins in five games. After losing the first two games 10/12 and 8/11, DeAbreu won three straight games 11/4, 11/1, 11/ 9. Michael Ramroop also

managed to come back from early leads in the first and second games to sweep Jael Gaskin (12/10, 11/9, 11/7).

Anthony Islam defeated Savannah Mendes 11/9, 11/ 2, 11/9, while Gianni Carpenter beat John Phang 11/8, 9/11, 11/8, 11/5.

The Kraft Junior Skill Level tournament continues every weeknight this week, beginning at 6pm and it will be concluded on Sunday.

The tournament is expected to heat up with action in seven different skill category among the 36 players entered in this year’s tournament.

Tuesday Night’s Results Category C Anthony Islam defeated Savannah Mendes 11/9, 11/ 2, 11/9 Michael Ramroop defeated Jael Gaskin 12/10, 11/9, 11/7 Makeda Harding defeated Sarah Lewis 11/8,11/3,11/6 Category D Gianni Carpenter defeated John Phang 11/8, 9/11, 11/ 8, 11/5 Demetrius DeAbreu defeated Dominic Collins 10/12, 8/11, 11/4, 11/1, 11/9

Ganesh Parts on board for KMTC Phagwah meet

Win takes Ireland closer to main...

From page 32 start. Amjad Ali and Faizan Asif, the UAE openers, did not display the best understanding while running between the wickets but, before frequent confusion culminated in the latter’s run-out, the pair had put on 35 within five overs. Stirling earned Ireland further inroads after that gifted break from UAE. In a spell of 3-1-12-2, he had Amjad cutting to short third man in the seventh over, while Swapnil Patil stepped out and popped one straight to short midwicket three balls later.

Just like their opening match against Netherlands, UAE were forced to rebuild but they weren’t able to regain any impetus against the Ireland medium-pacers, led by Kevin O’Brien, who returned

figures of 4-0-17-2. Shaiman Anwar did club a couple of sixes in his 30 off 28 but UAE also played out as many as 48 dot balls, piling more pressure on themselves.

That resulted in two more quick wickets, setting them back even further. Shaiman mis-hit a pull back to O’Brien off the last ball of the 14th over to make it 88 for 4. Three balls later, that became 90 for 5 as Khurram top-edged a slog, the skier coming down in cover’s hands.

Ireland tightened the screws further towards the end, as UAE were able to score only three boundaries off the last five overs - despite losing only wicket in that period - against a mix of full deliveries and slower ones.

Stirling suffered a blow to

the elbow off the second ball of the chase after he was too early on an attempted pull. He did punch a couple of boundaries in the same over but was in too much discomfort despite taking treatment, and had to leave the field early in the second over.

Ed Joyce and William Porterfield extended Ireland’s dominance with an 80-run stand that came in 68 deliveries. With an eye on their net run-rate, Ireland lost a few quick wickets in trying to finish the game early. There was to be an early finish, but Ireland could not claim to have wrought it.

Scores: Ireland 103 for 3 (Joyce 43) beat United Arab Emirates 123 for 6 (Anwar 30) by 21 runs (D/L method).

General Manager of Ganesh Parts Roop Persaud (second from right) hands over the cheque to Cecil Kennard in the presence of manager Surendra Ramawad (right) and Sales Representative Lakeram Mahadeo.

The Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) yesterday received the backing of Ganesh Parts for their Phagwah meet which is slated for March 23 at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne. General Manager of the entity, which is located at High and

Princess Streets, Roop Persaud presented a cheque valued $250,000 to chairman of the KMTC Cecil Kennard which will be given to the winner of the I and lower event. Speaking at the simple ceremony Persaud said that they are happy to be part of

the event and informed that his company, which distributes BKT Agricultural and Industrial tyres and Sissons paints etc, will have a booth at the meet and fans will get a chance to win prizes.

Kennard in a brief remark thanked Persaud for his input.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday March 20, 2014

Discipline is the key to success Sanjay’s Jewellery pairs Golf - NOC administrator King Tournament set for Saturday at LGC Registration is in full swing for this Saturday’s Sanjay’s Jewellery Golf Tournament, pairs competition, at the Lusignan Golf Club.

Sanjay’s Jewellery, who last year sponsored two exciting tournaments, will have a full crew of staff and well wishers on hand for the after tournament festivities and presentation, according to a representative of the company.

‘Chen-sing’ Deo, the LGC Club captain, said ‘that the Golf Club is buzzing with excitement for this innovative format of play, in which

players will play in pairs against each other, with the combined lowest score per pair determining the winners’.

The Club captain, in explaining the format said that players will use 3/4 of their existing handicap playing a stroke system.

He added that this is the first time this system would be used and is a trial run for another competition later in the year, which will determine winners to represent Guyana in a Regional International Pairs Tournament.

Last year Alfred Mentore and Brian Hackett placed fifth

in the Caribbean Play off held at the Millennium Golf Club in Trinidad & Tobago, which featured Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, St. Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, Jamaica and St. Kitts.

Club captain Deo said while he is not predicting any winners as the current ground condition provides equal opportunity for all players, he would not be surprised if a pair of ‘Dark horses’ emerge from the pack.

Prizes would be awarded for, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, best gross and nearest to the pin.

T-off is at 12:00 noon.

Regal Stationery and Computer Centre softball finals fixed for Sunday in E’bo The Regal Stationery and Computer Centre 12 overs softball finals will be played on Sunday at Golden Fleece ground on the Essequibo Coast.

Die Hard will battle Adventure in the first semi which starts at 09:00hrs and Cotton Field will play Golden Fleece in the second.

The victorious team will pocket a trophy and $100,000, the runner up a trophy and $25,000 while the man of the match in the final will receive a trophy. The tournament commenced in 2013 with twelve teams but was suspended due to rain.

Meanwhile, 2012 GT&T 10/10 champions Regal will

play a select XI from the county in a 12 overs affair before the final; the winning team take home a trophy and a cash prize.

After the completion of this tournament the company, which is playing an important role in the development of the sport, will sponsor a similar competition in Berbice.

Permaul joins illustrious company from Albion with love

NOC players that gained selection on the Essequibo U-15 team with administrator Brian King (center) and coach Forbes Daniels right.

The NOC Sports Club was formed on May, 24th, 2013 with the objective being to have kids from the NOC and outlying communities occupy their time and energies in meaningful sporting activities.

Devanand Ramdatt, held a discussion with a team comprising of Forbes Daniels, one of Essequibo most respected cricket coaches and other senior officials of the NOC. Daniels, who at the time was conducting coaching sessions, put forward the idea of merging the NOC youths with these children along with some of South Essequibo most prominent cricketers and thus the NOC Sports Club was

formed. The first task of the NOC Sports club was having its members involved in a summer camp during the period of 19th August – 23rd August, 2013, where every member of the club was fully introduced to each other. Ever since Daniels has been actively involved in regular coaching sessions from 15:00– 17:15 hrs from Tuesdays to Fridays, while the youngsters hone their skills and implement what they have been taught during the week into game situations or have invited teams to come to the NOC Sports ground for matches on Saturdays and Sundays.

The work of the club has already started to bear fruits

as fifteen of its members were involved in the Essequibo under-15 trials after which nine of the youngsters were selected to represent Essequibo at the up coming inter county tournament.

On Thursday 13th March, 2014, the sports club members met with the Administrator of the New Opportunity Corps Brian King who congratulated and encouraged the young and aspiring cricketers on their achievements and spoke on the importance of discipline, commitment and dedication.

King also charged the lads to practice what has been instilled in them and make full use of the opportunity at hand.

GMR&SC March 23 Race Meet

The Singh siblings aiming for glory Veersammy Permaul

Narsingh Deonarine

Esuan Crandon

Statistician Charwayne Walker notes the achievements of cricketers coming from the Albion Cricket Club in Berbice over the years. Veersammy Permaul is the latest to join an illustrious bunch that has had impressive performances.

Albion’s Sports Club left arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul became the 11th Guyanese bowler to capture a seven wicket haul at the Regional first class level since 1966. Permaul spun a web around the Windward Islands at Providence on his way to career best figure of seven for

49. Strange enough another Albion spinner, Narsingh Deonarine 7 for 26 against Barbados at the Kensington Oval in 2012 remains the best by a Guyanese bowler at the Regional first class level.

Fast bowler Leslaine Lambert’s, who played for Albion before joining GDF, 7 for 59 at Albion Sports Complex against Trinidad & Tobago in 1983 remains the best figures by a Guyanese fast bowler at the Regional level. And for those who don’t known, Albion’s Sports Complex is the venue that hosted the first one day international in West Indies

in 1977. Please find below Guyanese bowlers with seven-wicket hauls at the Regional first class level: Keith Cameron 7 for 91 vs combined islands St. George’s Grenada (1975) Colin Croft 7 for 64 vs Jamaica at Albion Sports Complex 1981 Leslaine Lambert 7 for 59 vs Trinidad & Tobago Albion Sports Complex 1983 Clyde Butts 7 for 107 vs Barbados Kensington Oval 1985 Garfield Charles 7 for 105 vs Windward Islands Arnos Vale Kingston St. Vincent 1985 (Continued on page 27)

When the lights go out to signal the start of the Group 2A race, fans could be assured that siblings Raj and Chet Singh will be there tussling with the opposition long after they’ve negotiated the Clubhouse bend in an effort to give themselves the best possible chance of winning.

Raj, who is based in the USA speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday via telephone, gave an update on the team’s preparations ahead of Sunday’s Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) Meet scheduled to be staged, at the South Dakota Circuit.

He revealed that the work currently being done on his Honda Civic is more physical than technical, informing that he suffered severe damage during last November’s Race Meet following a crash after

Chet Singh being derailed by another driver. When questioned about his expectations, Raj said every race driver is always trying to pick up the chequered flag and his ambition is no different so

fans could expect a wholehearted effort when he takes to the grid.

He added that among those he anticipates will be aiming to deny him the chequered flag are his brother Chet, Shairaz Roshandin and Roshan Allie.

He reckoned that Chet, who according to him as been the most consistent performer in the division, will have some amount of say at the end of the day, but he is relishing the battle.

“Chet has clearly been amongst the best in the category for a number of years and being the perfectionist that he is, I expect his Honda Civic to be in tip top shape and very fast,” Raj told this newspaper.

Raj said they both expect to finish preparations very shortly in order to get in a little seat time, before Sunday.

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Bourda Corporate Cricket Sixes Tournament

Neal and Massy emerge inaugural winners Neal and Massy emerged as the inaugural champions of the Georgetown Cricket Club Sixes Tournament which was held on Sunday last at the GCC ground, Bourda, defeating Sterling Products in the final.

The tournament was organised by the GCC Coach Monty Lynch, with the support of the GCC Executive Committee as a fundraiser for the youth department of the club. GCC in a release said that they would like to thank all for their support throughout the tournament.

Mr. Sanjay Mikbarran of Sterling Products was declared Player of the Tournament, he also won the best Batsman of the Tournament award.

Mikbarran’s teammate Mr. Totaram Bishun won the best Bowler Award. Hitting the Most Sixes of the tournament was captain of the Windsor Estates team, Mr. Danny Sawh.

The organizer expressed thanks to the respective team captains, players, umpires, s c o r e r s , o ff i c i a l s a n d supporters for making the competition a success.

Gratitude was also extended to Neal and Massy (Guyana), Sterling Products and Navigant Builders for sponsoring and supporting this tournament.

The Neal and Massy Team display the winning trophy.

GTTA awards winners of Business School tourney

Director of Sport, Neil Kumar (seated, centre), GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe (on his right) and sponsor, owner of the Business School, James Bovell (on his left) join other officials, players and parents for a photo opportunity following yesterday’s presentation.

T h e G u y a n a Ta b l e Tennis Association (GTTA) yesterday awarded the various prize winners from the Business School Mini Cadet, Cadet and Junior Team’s Tournament, which

was held over last weekend at the National Gymnasium.

Mae’s Primary ‘A’ team won the 11-years-and-under teams competition with Mae’s ‘B’ coming second in t h e c a t e g o r y. M a e ’ s

Secondary ‘A’ team then won the 13-years-and-under competition with Mae’s ‘B’ finishing second and Rama Krishna Primary third.

With their dominance in the two categories Mae’s

School won the overall teams contest with 36 points with Marian Academy finishing second with 14 points after winning the 15years-and-under competition; Central High

School was third with 11 points.

Some 10 schools participated in the competition, including St. Stanislaus College, which finished fourth with nine

points, Chase Academy fifth with five points, while Queens College, Rama Krishna Primary and The Business School tied for sixth with four points (Continued on page 27)

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Thursday March 20, 2014

Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition Fitness Express is sole sponsor of GAPF Novice on April 6 Fixtures released for Round For another year and another competition, Fitness Express is on board with the Guyana Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) for the entity’s Novice competition which is set for Sunday April 6 at the National Gymnasium.Manager Jamie Mc Donald handed over the sponsorship cheque to GAPF Executive Committee Member Winston Stoby at the Fitness Express, 47 John and Sheriff Street, Campbellville store.

Mc Donald in brief remarks said that Fitness Express was more than happy to be partnering with the GAPF for another competition and are pleased that the sport despite challenges has been doing Guyana proud.

He noted that he has no doubt that this competition will see more talent coming to the fore. Stoby, on behalf

of 16 action this weekend

Fitness Express Manager, Jamie Mc Donald (right) hands over the cheque to GAPF Executive Committee member, Winston Stoby. of the GAPF extended gratitude to McDonald for the high level of commitment he has been showing for the sport in the past two years.

We i g h - i n t i m e o n competition day is between

07:30hrs – 09:00hrs with lifting time commencing at 10:00hrs. Fans can look forward to a novelty bench press competition for persons Under 200lbs and Over 200lbs; attractive prizes will be awarded.

Malta Supreme HRC Body Building & Fitness Show

Windjammer Int. Cuisine and Comfort Inn supports Like good corporate citizens, Windjammer Int. Cuisine and Comfort Inn has been doing their bit to assist with the development of sports in Guyana. And they have done so across the board.

They have been on board with the Hugh Ross Classic Body Building and Fitness Show from its inception and have agreed to continue the successful partnership with the Hugh Ross Classic Committee.

Manager of the entity, Mrs. Aretha Campbell recently confirmed Windjammer’s commitment by way of letter as the official Hotel of the Classics to Finance Officer of the HRC Committee, Dexter Garnett.

Campbell noted that the entity is satisfied that the show has been achieving its goal of promoting body building on the local scene as well as the issue of healthy living.

“We are happy to be a part of the show again and are excited to welcome the G u es t P o s er M r. J eff Beckham who will experience the warmth, love and professional service at our hotel.”

Garnett in thanking

Part of the action in this year’s Milo/Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition.

The fixtures for the start of Round of 16 action in the Milo/Petra Organisation Schools Football Competition has been released with a total of eight matches scheduled to be played over two days at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue.

Commencing on Saturday, Dolphin go up against St. Mary’s from 11:00 hrs and that will be followed by the clash between South Ruimveldt and Lodge. At 14:00hrs Queen’s College tackle North Georgetown, before Charlestown square off against Kingston.

On Sunday, Bishop’s High open up against North Ruimveldt and this engagement will precede the encounter that features Christ Church versus Chase Academy.

In the third game of the day, Carmel oppose Queenstown, before the clash between defending champions St. George’s and Tucville bring the curtains down.

In the weekend’s full fixtures: On Saturday11:00 hrs Dolphin Secondary School versus St Mary’s High School 12:30 hrs South

Ruimveldt Secondary vs.

Lodge Secondary School 14:00 hrs Queen’s College vs. North Georgetown Secondary 15:30 hrs Charlestown Secondary School vs. Kingstown High On Sunday11:00 hrs Bishop’s vs. North Ruimveldt Secondary School 12:30 hrs Christ Church Secondary vs.

Chase Academy 14:00 hrs Carmel Secondary vs. Queenstown Secondary 15:30 hrs St George’s Secondary vs.

Tucville Secondary

Ireland v UAE, World T20, Group B, Sylhet

Win takes Ireland closer to main draw Mrs. Aretha Campbell presents the letter of commitment to HRC Finance Officer, Dexter Garnett.

Campbell also expressed gratitude to Mr. Carey Griffith, CEO of Windjammer Int. Cuisine and Comfort Inn who has always been very supportive of the show from the start.

Tickets are expected to go on sale from this week at the National Cultural Centre, venue for the fourth

edition of the show on Saturday March 29 from 17:00hrs.

The athletes who are competing along with their managers are expected to attend a meeting on Saturday with HRC Committee hosted by Hugh Ross at the Banks DIH Sports Club, Thirst Park from 16:00hrs.

ESPNcricinfo - Two down, one more to go for Ireland. After taking down a Full Member, Zimbabwe, two days ago, they ensured they didn’t take it easy against the weakest side in the group, United Arab Emirates. Asking UAE to bat, Ireland kept them to an extremely manageable 123 for 6.

Netherlands’ 140 had proved inadequate earlier in the day against Zimbabwe, and the ball was only going to come on better under lights. Despite the early loss

of Paul Stirling to injury, Ireland were well on their way to victory at 103 for 3 in the 15th over when the floodlights went off at the Sylhet Stadium around 10.10pm local time, the electricity cut due to an impending storm.

The lights came back on and play resumed after ten minutes only for the ground to be plunged into darkness two balls later. This time, rain followed the loss of power. The ensuing delay was enough for the match to be called off, leaving Ireland

winners by 21 runs by the Duckworth-Lewis method, although the lights started to regain life again another ten minutes later, only to witness a proper downpour this time.

Stirling could not perform his role with the bat but he had already played a crucial one with the ball, when he snapped up two wickets in the seventh over to leave UAE at 46 for 3. Those strikes squeezed out whatever momentum UAE had built up with some freespirited strokeplay at the (Continued on page 29)

Thursday March 20, 2014

Kaieteur News

Page 33

NCE Screen Printers Ltd stages Inter schools Draughts competition

The top performers display their trophies following the completion of the NCE Draughts competition.

On March 15 NCE Screen Printers Ltd hosted their First Inter Schools Draughts Tournament (The Joseph Alexander Gittens Tournament) at North Ruimveldt Secondary School on Mandela Avenue from 10.00hrs.

Twenty Two Secondary Schools from the Georgetown area registered, but sixteen participated. Mr Neil Kumar, Director of Sports and Culture gave an address along with Dr. Ivor Mitchell, distinguished professor of Marketing at Clark Atlanta University, along with Mr. David Gittens, son of the late Joseph Gittens.

The President of the Guyana Draughts A s s o c i a t i o n M r. R a j Pooranmall, Teachers and approximately seventy-five students along with staff of NCE Screen Printers Ltd were present. The formal ceremony commenced at 15:00hrs with steel band performance from North Ruimveldt Multilateral School.

The first prize went to Christ Church Secondary School. They received a

trophy donated by Colours, while second prize was claimed by New Campbellville Secondary School with the trophy being s p o n s o r e d b y Mentore/Singh Reality, third prize went to St Joseph’s Secondary School and that trophy was also donated by Mentore/Singh Reality.

The best school prize was donated by Sentinel Security and was awarded to New Campbellville Secondary School.

Snacks, milk, and water were donated by DeSinco Trading, H.A. Snacks, Oasis Water, while Star Party Rentals provided the chairs used.

Draughts Games, which were printed on fabric provided by NCE Screen Printers Ltd and sponsored by various businesses, were presented to all the schools that participated in the tournament. The companies that sponsored the draught games were National Sports Commission, Rose Ramdehol Auto Sales, Guytrac, John Lewis Styles, Kevin’s Reflections, Bryden & Fernandes, Sankar’s Auto Colour, Cirkel Distributors,

Hand in Hand, Hand in Hand Trust, Ramchand Auto Sales, Dalip’s Trading, H u m p h r e y ’ s B a k e r y, Modern Optical, Indesco, Waterchris Hotel, DeSinco Tr a d i n g , A n s a M c A l , Demerara Mutual Insurance, David Persaud Investments, Rubis (Guyana) Inc, Guyana Rain Forest Herbs, Iped, Service Guyana Inc., and Demerara Bank.

NCE has for years manufactured board games as part of their educational toys and games line. In a release the company noted that, ‘Research has shown that Draughts enhances students’ ability in problem solving, focus and concentration. It builds important skills, in critical and creative thinking, spatial aptitude, creativity and general intelligence.’

Mr Kumar encouraged the next tournament to be “The Independence Tournament” and this will be held among the East Coast and West Coast Schools against the Georgetown winners. NCE would like to thank all the businesses for their support and encourage others to support this effort.

Some of the students battle during the competition.

Smith, Bravo, carve through Sri Lankans

Dwayne Smith (WICB)

P.28 Sunil Narine took four wickets. (AFP)

GMR&SC March 23 Race Meet

The Singh siblings aiming for glory P.30

Dwayne Bravo sets off in celebration (Getty Iamges)

‘Lioness’ Nicolette topples former World Champion again “I told myself to go in there and be a lion”- Nicolette Fernandes P.29

The Honda Civic that will be driven by Raj Singh at Sunday’s GMR&SC Race Meet.

Kraft Junior Skill Level Squash tournament

Harding continues to impress P.29 Ireland v UAE, World T20, Group B, Sylhet P.32

Win takes Ireland closer to main draw NCE Screen Printers Ltd stages P.33 Inter schools Draughts competition

Ferocious ‘lioness’ Nicolette Fernandes springs in action during a previous competition. (SquashSite)

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