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Kaieteur News
KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: ADAM HARRIS Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
Editorial
Living the full life Philip Moore did not receive a state funeral, but his life was a most profound statement to all of us on how to live a full life. Torn from societies that believed otherwise, we have been indoctrinated with the idea that the individual is the sole source of meaning. Philip Moore, in what has to be either proof of reincarnation or of the soul’s innate capacity to connect with deeper forces in the universe, reminded us that we are not only connected to each other on earth, but to those that have departed. The question that the life of Mr. Moore poses is now that the bonds between us and others, which once held together families, communities, and societies, have become attenuated, how can we make those reconnections to live a more complete life? The first answer is that to accept we are solitary selves in a selfish quest for purely personal fulfilment must surely be wrong. A life spent pursuing the satisfaction of desire is less than satisfying and can never actually provide all we desire. Mr. Moore’s life demonstrates that there is such a thing as ethics, and it belongs to the life we live together and the goods we share—the goods that only exist in virtue of being shared. Mr. Moore created art not for money. Surely he needed money – he started to work in the canefields. But he was willing to push his art loaded on a donkey cart all over the Corentyne, just to share with others what he had: his vision of the unity of man in this world and the next. Philip Moore harkened to a most distinctive and challenging ancient African and biblical notion: the ethics of responsibility, the idea that God invites us to become His “partners in the work of creation.” The God who created the world in love calls on us to create in love. The God who gave us the gift of freedom asks us to use it to honour and enhance the freedom of others. Life is God’s call to responsibility. When we are gone, as Mr. Moore is now, what will people say of us? That we drove a big car or had a big house? Mr. Moore evidently had neither, but he is universally praised. People talk about whether the deceased had been a supportive husband or wife, a loving parent, a loyal friend. They speak about the good they had done to others, often quietly, discreetly, without ostentation. When you needed them, they were there. They shouldered their responsibilities to the community. They gave to charitable causes, and if they could not give money, they gave time. Those most mourned and missed were not the most successful, rich, or famous. They were the people who enhanced the lives of others. These were the people who were loved. Mr. Moore offered more specific guidance through his life. Happiness, as opposed to pleasure, is a matter of a life well lived, one that honours the important, not just the urgent. Several studies have shown that the best predictor of happiness is the sense that you have a purpose in life. Those who hold strong spiritual beliefs are typically satisfied with life, while those who have no spiritual beliefs are typically unsatisfied. Mr. Moore was most spiritual. Happiness is the ability to say: I lived for certain values and acted on them. I was part of a family, embracing it and being embraced by it. I was part of a community, honouring its traditions, sharing its griefs and joys, ready to help others, knowing that they were ready to help me. I did not only ask what I could take; I asked what I could contribute. To know that you made a difference, that you lifted someone’s spirits, or brought to the world a moment of grace or recognition that would not have happened had it not been for you—these are as close as we get to the meaningfulness of a life. And Philip Moore lived such a life.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Letters... Where your views make the news
NICIL failed several rounds of scrutiny DEAR SIR, First let me inform our Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, that the National Industrial Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has failed miserably at several levels of scrutiny. A few are listed below: substantial surplus funds held by NICIL are not deposited in the Consolidated Fund; no reported Audited Financial Statements of NICIL for over seven years; Illegal deals and peppercorn prices for State Assets - Sanata Textiles Complex among others; conflicts of Interest that permeate the role played by Dr Ashni Singh who as Chairman of the NICIL Board reports to himself as Minister of Finance; have a close relative of the Minister of Finance in the person of the Deputy Auditor General play a senior role in the audit of
government agencies and corporations including NICIL. Some of the government agencies and corporations fall under the direct control of the Minister of Finance. Then there are the failure to disclose monies owed to NICIL and its subsidiaries for State assets sold in the past seven unaudited years; failure to disclose the investments of NICIL over the period; Companies Act 1991 amended in 1995 is subordinate to The Constitution of Guyana. It would be tiring of me to list other instances of waywardness to highlight the unctuous gimmicks of NICIL and its “Board of Directors” who placed NICIL funds under the discretionary control of the PPP; in effect overriding the Supreme Law of the Land – The
Constitution of Guyana. Commenting on the body politick in 1980 People Power no Dictator; Dr Walter Rodney, Guyana and the Caribbean Community most brilliant historian noted: “There is a double tragedy in this situation. First there is the tragedy (with some mixture of comedy) of the incompetent, the mediocre and the corrupt making a mess of things. Secondly, there is tragedy in which men and women of ability and integrity have been dismissed or they have run away or they have been reduced to silence.” NICIL and its principals have confirmed Dr Rodney’s statement. In the May 10, 2012 edition of the Guyana Times, the erudite Dr Roger Luncheon added to his illimitable lexicon the term ‘liquid cash’. I suspect that
the goodly doctor has been advised to avoid and to divert public focus from the use of $50 Billion in surplus funds referenced by “perceived commentators” a category into which Dr Singh has lumped the critics of NICIL. Dr Luncheon added that ignoring the articles of association proves a waste of time and illustrates the “pandering to the gimmickry of Ramjattan and his acolytes”. Dr Luncheon what about you and your fealty faction ignoring Article 216 of the Constitution of Guyana? The articles of association of the companies act are mere prose rendered null, void and meaningless to the extent the articles are inconsistent with the Constitution of Guyana. Our esteemed Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh who is quite aware that liquid cash Continued on page 23
DEAR EDITOR, In your May 21 news article, “AG challenges Opposition to move to courts on NICIL,” I think the parliamentary opposition should be prepared to counter Attorney General Anil Nandlall’s challenge, because NICIL’s Executive Director is first supposed to appear before Parliament - the nation’s highest decision making forum – to answer some serious questions about NICIL’s operations and
finances. I am not sure if the AG is looking to pull a Henry Greene here by asking the court to block Parliament from calling on NICIL’s Executive Director to appear before Parliament, or to block Parliament from taking NICIL to court, but let the records show that Mr. Brassington offered to debate with the AFC’s Khemraj Ramjattan on TV about NICIL. So there is no legal barrier to NICIL’s books being made public, whether in the
legislative or the judicial branch. In the above-mentioned news item, the AG said, “We must understand what NICIL is; NICIL is a company formed under the PNC administration,” and that the “objectives of NICIL are set out in the articles of incorporation…There are a number of objectives that NICIL was established to achieve.” But then he stopped short of telling us what exactly NICIL’s objectives are. Public information says NICIL was established in July 1990 by the Hoyte administration at a time when the administration was divesting itself of commercial businesses, contradicting today’s interpretation that NICIL is also in the business of investing in more businesses. Matter of fact, President Bharrat Jagdeo appeared to follow in Hoyte’s footsteps of ending Government’s involvement in commercial business when he addressed Banks DIH’s 50th anniversary celebrations on Friday, September 9, 2005. Here is part of what he said, “… The Government cannot deliver economic growth; it can only create the enabling environment, and give targeted support where appropriate. The other piece of the equation is a modern and vigorous private sector. “For too long in Guyana, we had a situation where the Government involved itself in almost all economic activities, and we continue to suffer from the damage caused by this bankrupt and arrogant approach.
“No Government I lead will ever allow this country to return to the days where the Government tried to be all things to all people, and in so doing sapped the spirit of entrepreneurship throughout the country. But this means that the Private Sector must rise to the challenge of being the driver of enhanced competitiveness and greater economic growth. This means demonstrating vision and leadership to create a new entrepreneurial culture, and seizing market opportunities that present themselves…” So there we have it, straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, and which is why this whole notion of NICIL being involved in making investments runs counter to the spirit and purpose of state divestments. Mr. Nandlall then asked, “When Mr. Carl Greendige was the Finance Minister, did he pay any money from NICIL into the Consolidated Fund? He should be asked why.” While I will let Mr. Greenidge answer that question and also whether NICIL was established to divest and invest, can the AG to tell us since NICIL was set up in July 1990 and the Hoyte administration demitted office in October 1992, just how many state entities were sold off during that 15-month period? And for all his amateurish defense of NICIL’s right to keep proceeds from its sales while paying dividends to the Consolidated Fund, AG Nandlall has not once addressed the fact that the last fiscal year NICIL filed its Continued on page 23
If NICIL is above board why not make its finances public?
A fortunate break for Guyana DEAR SIR, I believe that all of Guyanese should be very grateful to Former Minister of Labour, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, for writing to CARICOM on remarks made by the former Minister of Finance of Guyana, Mr. Carl Greenidge on Guyana. Since his return he has been exposing the unethical dealings of the PPP/ C government. At every session, Mr. Greenidge has been unmasking the dishonesty of the government. Replying to critics of his action to write CARICOM in a Guyana Chronicle report of January 6, 2011, Mr. Nadir said: “On the issue of my letter to the CARICOM Secretary General, I said that: “The Government of Guyana places on record our total lack of confidence in Mr. Greenidge’s ability to represent it. We are urging you not to have Mr. Greenidge be involved in any negotiations that would
impact on Guyana or in any negotiations on behalf of Guyana. “This country and its government have a right to say who it wants to represent them, or who can and cannot represent them. I draw some parallels with our country’s stand on the EPAs and the Regional Negotiating Machinery. There we said that we had an issue on how our interests were represented. Changes were made. “Greenidge contends that Guyana has found itself in a nightmare. He should have done the professional thing and resigned from representing the Government of Guyana.” I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Nadir for expressing those thoughts, Mr. Greenidge’s contract was not renewed and he is back in Guyana parliament representing the people of Guyana with wisdom and strength. Name withheld
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Kaieteur News
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Letters... Where your views make the news... Letters... Where your views make the news Shocking that Queens Atlantic Inc. paid no VAT in 2009 and $38,647 in VAT in 2010 DEAR EDITOR, Kaieteur News reported that the business owned by Jagdeo’s personal friend, Bobby Ramroop, paid no VAT in 2009 and a miserly $38,647 in 2010. If this is true, working class families in Guyana paid more than Bobby Ramroop’s $3.6 billion company in 2009. It means that anyone who paid $1 in VAT in 2009 paid more Queens Atlantic. It is the grossest form of absurdity that a company with $3.6 billion worth of assets would pay $0 in VAT in 2009. A street vagrant paid more VAT than QAII in 2009. A Guyanese working class family buying a few pieces of household items at Courts paid more VAT than QAII in 2010. Queens Atlantic is stating that as a $7.9 billion corporation, it somehow spent a ridiculously low $241,544 on VAT-rated items
in 2010. When the smell test is applied to it, it just does not smell right. When will Khurshid Sattaur stop spewing bilge in the public newspapers defending the imposition of VAT upon the vast underclass of poor people the PPP has created by its favoritism, cronyism, nepotism and corruption and commence an audit of QAII to find out exactly why a major corporation with assets of $3.6 billion in 2009 and $7.9 billion in 2010 paid zero, zilch, nada, nothing in VAT in 2009 and just $38,647 in 2010? All this nonsense from Sattaur about VAT being a fairer tax blah blah is taking on the shape of horse manure when we get reports like QAII’s $38,647 in VAT paid in two years. For the PPP and its henchmen to defend the continued imposition of a 16 per cent VAT upon the poor
people of this nation including many poor PPP supporters struggling in rural Guyana and the sugar belt, while a multi-billion-dollar corporation owned by one of the PPP’s inner circle’s closest friends pays no VAT in 2009 is clear cut evidence of the inequality the PPP has created in this nation. The good is for one small set of people while the rest of society must live like animals, working for nothing and still handing over 16 per cent of it to the select set of friends and comrades who further enrich themselves. This bloody set of PPP nation wreckers spent $400 million of taxpayers’ money fixing up the Ruimveldt property to sell it to a company that paid a whopping $38,647 of VAT in two years. That is the PPP for you in this paradise called Guyana. M. Maxwell
DEAR SIR/MADAM President Donald Ramotar seems doomed to fail. His recent visit to NY, USA is a precursor to this. A few things struck me, reflective of the same leadership style of his predecessor, which festers the growing disenchantment with the PPP/Civic. The influence and popularity of this party will continue to spiral downwards, and if a snap election is called, its poor track record will ensure ar bigger defeat at the polls. Ramotar’s NY agenda was dictated by Raj Singh, Kawal Totaram, Ed Ahmad and Bhola Ramsundar, the usual suspects and cohorts of his predecessor. These are the same opportunists who have exploited and secured multiple personal benefits, contracts and concessions from the Guyana Government during President Jagdeo’s tenure. We are still livid with the US$250,000 “law books update contract” Totaram and cohorts clandestinely siphoned off from tax payer ’s money via their mysterious New Global Consulting Firm, when the actual costs was a mere percentage of that. Much of Ramotar’s time was spent with these same elements, to the exclusion of other patriotic Guyanese who were deprived of an
opportunity of meeting with the President’s team and learning about ways to build and contribute to our dear Guyanese brothers and sisters back home. To flaunt his association with criminal and corrupt elements is a big mistake, and reflective of the Jagdeo legacy. Whereas Guyana may need a new g l o b a l o r d e r, t h e s e a r e certainly not the people to guide us to that goal. It was inappropriate for the President to deliver his speech at a night club. It was hypocritical to mask this as a meeting with the grassroots, when his agenda was really to make decisions affecting his c o n stituents with a few mercenaries at Mr. Totaram’s law offices. Guyanese top the drunken driving arrests in NY, and to have the President rubber stamp this stigma surely puts Guyanese in a bad light. Mocha may be a nice place to party, but to subject the secret service and NY police to overcome the problems presented is unnecessary. We Guyanese Americans are extremely disappointed that this Government does not seem to understand that Guyana needs a new direction away from the Bharrat Jagdeo mismangement of our beautiful country. President Ramotar
should have offered new hope to Guyana, but it appears as though President Jagdeo is still the puppet master and his syndicate- Raj Singh, Kawal Totaram, Ed Ahmad and Bhola Ramsundar are still pulling the strings, and sharing the bounty at the collective expense of all Guyanese. The government should disclose all contracts, benefits and other arrangements with these and other individuals and corporations The President also kept name calling his opposition in a derogative way. Unless he learns to accept that all Guyanese-overseas and locally, must have a voice and that his administration must learn to find middle ground with the opposition, Guyana, and h i s p r e s i d e n c y, w i l l b e doomed to failure. C. Mohan Guyanese Patriot
Ramotar follows a most misguided course of action
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood
No straight answer from the PPP on the missing public assets DEAR EDITOR, It is disgraceful that the Board of NICIL/PU (Privatisation unit) and their political sponsors still cannot account for the $50 billion of public assets. What is most unfortunate is that President Ramotar has chosen to swiftly boxing himself into a corner with statements such as “government has done nothing illegal at NICIL”. Such statements can be seen as him taking full responsibility for this financial “Ponzi Scheme” that exist at NICIL/PU, thus freeing the real perpetrators (the NICIL Board) of their “decade long” maladministration at that organization. Why would President Ramotar want to tarnish his Office with questionable issues brought forward from the Jagdeo regime? Is there a debt still outstanding to Team Jagdeo by President Ramotar? If there is anything to be done by the Office of the President, it is to distance itself from these “Madofftype” financial activities at the NICIL/PU and launch a full Commission of Enquiry into its operations. Does the President have any idea what has really taken place in the NICIL/PU Boardroom? Is he not concerned about the financial opportunities lost because of immoral activities in the NICIL/PU Boardroom? It is clear as crystal, that if President Ramotar does not distance himself from this Ponzi 0scheme at NICIL/PU soon, it will adversely affect what is left of his credibility. But what President Ramotar does is not our primary concern. Our primary concern was appropriately addressed by Cde Moses Nagamootoo at the AFC Port Morant meeting when he
said, “we are not interested in taking power away from the PPP; that is the people’s job. Our core interest in to clean up all the skullduggery, corruption and financial shenanigans in the PPP Government so that more resources can be poured into the pockets of the workers, the poor and the powerless.” The skullduggery at NICIL is a clear and present danger to the working class. It is because of NICIL’s poor accountability for some $50 billion, the CLICO financial bail-out and a host of other financial mischief by the Jagdeo regime that today the Ramotar administration is squeezing the working class on a living wage. We would ask the reading public to indulge us to share another pertinent observation of this mal-administration at NICIL that has burdened the Guyanese taxpayer with some $1.2 billion. If one were to peruse the 2002 NICIL accounts, one would find on the CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET borrowing computed at $14,221 million. Included in that figure is a sum of $1.2 billion which represents the aggregate of two loans (from Argentina and the EU) that were used to purchase valuable equipment, a pharmaceutical plant and
other assets for GPC (a former state owned company). The two loans to purchase the pharmaceutical plant and equipment were transferred to NICIL when GPC was sold but the actual physical pharmaceutical plant and other valuable equipment were transferred to Queens Atlantic. The bad apples were left with the taxpayers and the good apples were transferred to New GPC Inc. /Queens Atlantic? Why? Such a financial mismatch has resulted in the taxpayers being saddled with a debt of $1.2 billion but no asset to show for it. Those assets were quite clandestinely, comparable to a “thief in the night”, transferred to a private company controlled by a close associate of Bharat Jagdeo. We can now understand why Mr. Brassington claimed that the final decision on all deals came from Jagdeo. Where is the fairness, where is the accountability? This is nothing but financial piracy and “buccaneerism” of the highest order. Yet the members of the NICIL/PU Board have the audacity to lecture the Guyanese people about debate and proof? So much for politics of principles from the PPP! Dr Asquith Rose and Sasenarine Singh
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 23, 2012
- had already packed up booty Ranks from the Sparendaam Anti-Crime patrol came in for high praises yesterday when they thwarted what could have been a multi-million-dollar heist from the Lot 13 Atlantic Ville home of West Coast Demerara businesswoman, Gaitrie Dulichand. The ranks, responding to reports that a burglary was in progress, swooped down on the location and caught two perpetrators just as they were removing a steel combination safe from the house. The men had already packed up a quantity of household items including a 42-inch flat screen television, stereo set, computers and a large portion of expensive kitchen utensils with the intention of loading them into a waiting pick-up truck when the police intervened. The driver of the pick-up managed to escape in the vehicle when he saw the police entering the premises. It was an excellent example of police/public cooperation. At the time of the burglary, the house was unoccupied, and it was the neighbours who alerted the police. The lawmen did not waste
much time getting to the scene, a sure indication of what could happen as a result of quick response. The men had gained entry into the house by breaking the glass portion of the front door with a hammer and an iron bar. Neighbours heard the breaking of glass, and, realizing that the homeowner was not at home, contacted the police. It took the police less than three minutes to reach the scene. When they arrived they had to use a torch to locate the thieves who were obviously startled. “When we ask dem wha dey doing in de house, one ah dem seh dey breezing out,” a police rank told this newspaper. The police remained at the house until daylight when the owner arrived. The businesswoman was unaware of what had taken place and was shocked to see the police at her house when she arrived there hours later. Dulichand was even more shocked to learn that one of the captured thieves was working with a contractor that was carrying out minor repairs to her house. She told this newspaper that she had recently begun
The thieves were forced to abandon this combination safe. moving stuff into the house where she had relocated a few weeks ago. However, because of an electrical problem which caused the house to be without electricity, she decided against sleeping there on Monday night. One of the burglars (the one who was working on the house) must have known that the property would have been vacant, so he decided to make his move. Dulichand said that she was heading to her business place on the West Coast of
Demerara, but was stalled by the opening of the Demerara Harbour Bridge. So she decided to travel to her house in Atlantic Ville to issue instructions to the workmen who were effecting repairs. “When I came here this morning, I saw a guy in the yard, he had this book, but I didn’t even know he was a detective. I said, ‘You! How you get in here?’ he said ‘calm down, calm down, there is a problem, there was a break and enter’.” This piece of information startled the businesswoman
who, after learning that the man was a Detective Constable from the Sparendaam Police Station, entered the house. The first thing that hit her was the sight of her iron safe near the front door on the ground floor of the two-flat building. Further examination revealed that some other items had been packed up to be removed. She was told by the detective that the police had caught two men in the house and she was invited to the Sparendaam Police Station to
identify them. “When I got there I identified one of the men that was working for me. He was working here on Sunday with the electrician,” Dulichand recounted. “I must give credit to the police. They came here within minutes of receiving the report. They stayed here until I came. They were trying to get to me all night,” she added. The two men who also hail from the West Coast of Demerara are expected to be placed before the court today.
A glove and house-breaking implements recovered at the scene.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Kaieteur News
Mining boss not being sidelined - GGMC Chairman The operations of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, the state agency which monitors mining operations, has come once again under the spotlight with the workers’ union claiming that there are moves to remove its Commissioner. However, the Chairman of the GGMC’s Board of Directors, Major General (rtd) Joe Singh yesterday denied this, insisting that the Commissioner Karen Livan remains responsible for executing her responsibilities of Commissioner until she proceeds on pre-retirement leave in a few months. “…and far from any suggestion of marginalising her, the Board is committed to supporting her as she grapples with challenging responsibilities, effects closure on the outstanding issues and ensures a smooth transition as she proceeds into retirement later this year,” the official said in a statement. Earlier in the day, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), accused the newly established Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, which is charged with overseeing the mining sector, of interfering with the operations of GGMC, a semi-autonomous agency. According to the union’s President, Patrick Yarde, he has been seeking meetings with the Minister Robert Persaud for a while now, without success. OUTBURST During the GPSU’s press conference at its headquarters on Regent Street, Yarde said that the Minister’s “outburst” last week during a meeting with Brazilian miners at Celina’s Restaurant badly damaged the credibility of the outgoing commissioner. During that meeting, the minister expressed alarm over revelations that a Brazilian was allowed to mine in state reserves. It was claimed during that meeting that the GGMC’s Commissioner had signed that permit this year after a decision was taken in December not to allow mining in state reserves. It was later revealed that Livan had actually signed that permit last year before the decision to stop mining in the reserves was made. Additionally, despite agreements, the Ministry has already pinpointed a particular person, Rickford Vieira, as the next commissioner, Yarde said. The union official also questioned whether there was a conspiracy by the board to remove Livan, and suggested that Persaud may be in good order to apologise to the Commissioner. Livan is set to begin her
- GPSU blasts political interference
GPSU’s President, Patrick Yarde GGMC’s Commissioner Karen Livan and Board Chairman, Major General (rtd) Joe Singh retirement in October, but has leave due, and may be proceeding earlier. In January, government announced a restructuring of GGMC, in wake of increased mining and its fallout problems from illegal activities. He also accused the Ministry of planning to move staff from the GGMC’s Brickdam compound and relocating part of the Minister’s office there. Several letters were sent to Minister Persaud and even to President Donald Ramotar on the GGMC issues. GGMC’S BACKLOG Meanwhile, in a statement yesterday following GPSU’s press conference, GGMC’s Chairman, Joe Singh, said that several issues remained outstanding for GGMC, and which were raised by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Joslyn McKenzie, to the board. The several outstanding matters include failure by the Commission to prepare annual reports, lack of compliance with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Act, and failure to address findings of the Auditor General. There were also issues
relating to the length of time the Commission took to complete assignments, and this category included effecting closure on complaints from miners; disciplinary action involving staff; recruitment and training; and, rehabilitation of infrastructure and procurement of assets for the Mining Districts According to the GGMC Chairman, lack of compliance with statutory budgetary and accounting requirements, because of unfamiliarity with same and the need for training and mentoring of staff in order to become compliant, was also an issue of concern of the Ministry and now a matter engaging the board. “The Board agreed that the Commissioner and senior management of the Commission needed to review all of the outstanding issues and what needed to be done to effect closure on same. The Commissioner was tasked with providing her responses to the issues, as recorded in the Permanent Secretary’s letter, and submit same to the Chairman indicating the timelines by when the actions would be completed and the persons
who will be held accountable to her for completing the assignments.” The Chairman said that Livan was given until midday Monday to answer, but she requested an extension. During the meeting last week between Livan and the Board, Singh said that discussions also took place on the process of leadership transitioning, since it was not apparently a practice within the recent past for proper handover/takeover of responsibilities at the level of Commissioner and, given the complexity of the responsibilities devolving from the Office of Commissioner, the effective date of retirement of the current Commissioner and her pre-retirement leave, it was agreed that the transition process would commence with effect on Monday. “It was further agreed that given the several outstanding issues that had to be completed by the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioners would be tasked with ensuring that the routine work of the Commission was managed efficiently, but that the Commissioner would be kept informed, in keeping with her accountability and responsibility for the Commission.”
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Prominent Lethem businessman held for alleged schoolgirl rape Police have detained a prominent Lethem businessman after a 17-year old girl alleged that he forced her into sex against her will. The businessman who was once a senior member of the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry was arrested yesterday and according to reports, is being brought to the city where he will be further questioned. The alleged incident which was denied by the businessman occurred last Thursday but was only reported to the police two days ago. According to reports, the girl was on her way to school when the businessman offered her a ride in his vehicle. She was taken to an undisclosed location where she and the businessman engaged in the sexual act. The girl’s father who reportedly saw when she was picked up by the businessman went to her school to see if she was taken there and was surprised when he found out that she was not. He waited and eventually saw when the businessman brought the teenager to school. When the father questioned her, the teenager was reluctant to speak about what happened. However she later confided in some concerned adults and this led to the police being brought into the matter. The businessman was arrested and despite his denial, he was placed into custody pending charges.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Coalition partner stays out of celebrations, CARICOM, Calderon, ‘to collaborate on tourism, trade, transport, security, G20 message’ withdraws members from state boards PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC - Chairman of the ruling United National Congress, (UNC) Austin “Jack” Warner, has expressed “some degree of disappointment” with the position adopted by the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) as the coalition People’s Partnership government moves towards celebrating its second anniversary in power in Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow. The MSJ, one of five coalition partners, announced that it would not be attending the rally at Chaguanas in Central Trinidad and would also withdraw its members from all state boards. “To demonstrate our
A mini health check is the first step to donating blood.
David Abdulah concerns with governance in the State sector we will be withdrawing all our members from State boards, with the exception of the tri-partite boards,” MSJ leader David Abdulah said, adding that tri-partite boards, which include l a b o u r, b u s i n e s s a n d government, would not be
able to function without a labour presence and that would obviously affect citizens. Abdulah said there will not be change until the “system of governance changes,” adding “though we are aware that a new subcommittee of Cabinet has been established to develop this. Over the weekend, the COP leader, Prakash Ramadhar said he would attend the rally, but would be delivering a “special” message. Warner, who is also the Acting Prime Minister, said that the developments the MSJ’s participation in the rally would be dealt with when Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar returns from Barbados, where she had been attending the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)Mexico summit.
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC - Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders and Mexican President Felipe Calderon ended their one-day summit Monday declaring their intention to collaborate on a range of areas, from tourism and transport to trade, investment and national security, the Surinamese president told journalists. “We have agreed to share experiences and strategies in an effort to develop small and medium size enterprises in the private sector. We have also agreed to work together as part of gains in transnational crime and for citizen security,” said Surinamese President Desi Bouterese, the current chairman of the 15nation regional bloc, in a postsummit news conference. He said Mexican cooperation will go a long way in helping the
Acting CJ stable but critical PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - CMC - Acting Chief Justice Wendell Kangaloo, remained critically ill in hospital with head and facial injuries following an early morning car crash Sunday that left four people dead and injured
two of the judge’s bodyguards. Justice Kangaloo underwent emergency surgery along with two members of his security detail at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, east of here. “I have been told by the medical team that they have done everything possible for him and the next three days they will know what is happening. He has facial fractures and he has a serious head injury,” Acting Prime Minister Jack Warner told journalists after visiting the judge in hospital. A statement from the Judiciary at the Hall of Justice in the capital said the two
Acting Chief Justice Wendell Kangaloo police officers in Justice Kangaloo’s security detail suffered “less serious” injuries.
community weather some of the effects of the current economic climate. On Sunday, Mexico and CARICOM signed two agreements to boost cooperation on largely hightech education and rebuilding earthquake-torn Haiti. “Mexico and CARICOM will also be working closely with our member state Haiti as we seek … the reconstruction process of that country following the 2010 earthquake. The community used the opportunity to t hank Mexico for its assistance. The community is looking forward to working with Mexico and Haiti to fulfill the objectives of the memorandum of understanding and cooperation towards Haiti which was signed on Sunday,” Bouterse said. Calderon also promised to aid the region in combating natural disasters and climate change, Bouterse told
Desi Bouterese reporters. “In the environment, we committed to continue to fight climate change and to take into account in particular the impact of climate change on small island states, global warning and growth of the level of the sea, as well as to renew serious international long term action in terms of mitigation and adaptation,” Calderon said.
Barbadians against state funds for cashstrapped REDjet
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - CMC - Tax payers are not in agreement with recent proposals for the Barbados government to inject funds into the cash-strapped REDjet airline, according to an opinion poll published here on Tuesday. The NATION newspaper said that the poll, conducted by the Caribbean Development Research Services Inc (CADRES) last weekend, indicated that the majority of respondents were not opposed to having the grounded carrier back in the skies, but they believed it should not be at the expense of taxpayers. Of the 1 080 people surveyed, 39.4 per cent said they thought that more could be done for REDjet, compared to 35.3 per cent who felt enough had been done already. The remaining 25.3 per cent were non-committal. However, when asked if Government should provide financial assistance to REDjet, most, or 42.1 per cent, responded: “No”, the NATION reported. Billed as a low-cost, no-frills carrier initially offering fares as low as US$9.99, the privately-owned airline was forced to cease operations in March, but suggested that it was expecting state assistance to continue operations and blamed “subsidised” competitors for its troubles. Trinidad and Tobago has already announced that it had revoked the licences granted to the carrier, following the lad of the Barbados government.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Thank goodness the present government is moving away from the insecure ways of the Jagdeo administration! Thank goodness we are now having greater public disclosure and a willingness to discuss in public with the joint opposition. Last night there was a panel discussion on national television in which the government, the private media and opposition parties were invited (the AFC which was the main opposition party invited, was absent). It was not the first time that this has happened in recent weeks. Last night’s panel discussion shows that things are changing and that there continues to be a process of
Kaieteur News
opening up by the government. The situation is not perfect. There is a still a long way to go, but as the publisher of this newspaper said on that telecast this is an important development and one that should be encouraged. It does show that the Donald Ramotar administration is moving in the right direction. It also confirms a long held belief in many circles that such engagements lend credibility to the government. The more open the administration, the higher its public credibility ratings. Engaging the opposition and other important stakeholders in society allows for the crushing of rumours and speculation. It also helps to clarify important
issues and provides answers to important questions. This restores confidence in public transparency and by extension, the integrity of governance. The government has demonstrated in these engagements that it is capable of holding its own, notwithstanding the fact that Glenn Lall remains a handful, and his concerns were skillfully dodged by the government side of the panel. For example, he asked about the rationale for the hotel in which the government is pumping close to US$20M in equity. Instead of providing the rationale, the government referred to studies that were done, but still did not reveal what was the rationale outlined in
Dem boys seh
De debate show who is man and who is boy
De Waterfalls boss man been pun TV and tek on Brazzy and Shaatie. Was a debate ‘bout NICIL. De Waterfalls paper been exposing some things bout NICIL and nuff people wasn’t happy. Dem boys know that some of de things was stretching things a bit, but if a man seeing things and he refusing to talk then people gun do more and more till he talk. Brazzy and Shaatie talk de other night. Dem seh that NICIL got money to spend and it spending it fuh mek money. But even then dem keep back telling all de truth because dem didn’t tell de people that de government refuse to tek profit from de bridge toll and all dem private investors get dem money. Suh if NICIL invest then since it is government it can’t get money but that is only de truth. Brazzy and Shaatie telling people that NICIL is private and suh it getting money.
Is de same thing wid de Marriott. NICIL barely got $700 million but it coulda find $3.8 billion fuh invest in de hotel. Dem boys seh that it did done deposit de money and then it declare de $700 million. Now everybody know that de government want get out of business. If that is de case why it investing in business? Is either it don’t want nutten to do wid business or it want to be a big businessman. That is de confusion that NICIL cause and dem boys want to know
when it gun stop. Is a pity that Prakash and Moses didn’t join in de action because dem woulda talk ‘bout wha dem know. Is that dem did frighten that Brazzy and Shaatie woulda rough dem up. Dem stay home and watch de programme and dem shame. Well dem boys seh that man nah tobacco stick and dem shoulda come forward. And dem ain’t gun get a next chance. Talk half and be brave anytime de next half come up.
those studies. That aside, the government is quite capable of dealing with its critics. In fact, when it comes to opposition politicians, the government can chew them up and spit them out. They are no match for the government and their shortcomings will be exposed should they appear on these panel discussions. However, as Glenn Lall said, it would take close to 100 such programmes to provide the answers to the many issues surrounding NICIL. Now that the government has stated its commitment to provide answers, it is hoped that it will do so and not shelter under the umbrella of confidentiality. The government itself has found a mechanism to get around the confidentiality rule by having special briefings in which the parties to the confidentiality clauses voluntarily agree to provide information in camera to the opposition parties. The previous government was responsible for much of the speculation and rumours because it was too secretive about things. The Donald Ramotar administration has now shown that it is now
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committed to greater transparency and is willing to engage with opposition parties and other stakeholders. It should continue to do this, because it is capable of holding its own in any such discussions and because it serves a more than useful public service. Consistent with the new dispensation within the government has been the role of the National Communications Network (NCN). The state media has been in transition since the last election. Unfortunately, it does seem as if many in opposition were not listening to the radio and television, and therefore would have missed the fairer and balanced coverage that was being provided. The best measure of this fairness would have been in the newscasts since November 28, in which the views of the opposition have been carried. Also, the presentations during the debate on the national budget were carried live on radio, allowing the public to hear all those who spoke about the Budget. But if the opposition had long tuned off of state radio, they would not have recognized the changes that have taken
place under the leadership of Donald Ramotar. Hopefully, now that these panel discussions are being aired, the opposition will take advantage of them and use the opportunities provided. In the process, they may be humiliated because of their inability to argue their cases. But they should see in the new opportunities being provided, an opportunity to make their case, however weak these are. NCN should be congratulated and urged to make these panel discussions a nightly feature. The people of Guyana want to hear what the government has to say. What they do not wish is to hear ONLY what the government says. They also want to hear what the opposition and other stakeholders have to say, and as the discussions outside of the studio last night revealed, they are also very much interested in what people like Glenn Lall have to say.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 23, 2012
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Help to sing these songs of freedom: The Philip Moore burial At the 2010 death anniversary of Walter Rodney held on Hadfield Street, I took the microphone when the chairman of the evening invited participation from the audience. I condemned the WPA’s yearly invitation of Prime Minister Sam Hinds to be one of the featured speakers. It just did not make sense. But more than that, it appeared to me not only to be a historical insult, but crass and bestial opportunism. I still hold that perception and would publish it again when the death anniversary comes around in three weeks time if Hinds is invited again. I believe Hinds will be asked to speak again. Those in this country who are familiar with my politics and commentaries would know I have long broken with the remnants of the WPA. The quintessential WPA that I was part of died in 1993. Whoever or whatever is left of the WPA is a masquerade. After I did my thing, the chairman, Desmond Trotman,
had some kind words to say about me, but concluded that he could not support my viewpoint. Denouncing my position was Vanda Radzik, a very invisible WPA member during the election campaign last year when the WPA merged with PNC to become APNU. She justified the yearly invitation to Hinds on one ground only, and which was obnoxiously untrue. She told the guests that Walter Rodney would have associated with all types and did have ongoing associations with those who were his enemies and wanted to kill him at the time he was assassinated. I knew the WPA and Rodney far better than Radzik. That was not true. One year after this story by Radzik, Rupert Roopnaraine admitted in an interview with Stabroek News that the WPA was accumulating arms to fight the Burnham Government. So if Walter was in dialogue with his enemies then at the same dialectical time, he was planning a confrontation with them. That is confusing.
Sam Hinds is in the news again. A website associated with Congress Place claimed that the family of Philip Moore approached Hinds for his decision to have their request accepted for burying the great icon at the Place of the Seven Ponds. The website, O n e Vo i c e C a n Wi n . c o m , asserted that Hinds asked his junior Cabinet colleague (by far his junior), Frank Anthony to make the decision. All Guyana knows that Moore’s family was turned down. It is an appalling rejection that no Guyanese wanted to protest, except Mark Benschop. At 15:00 hours on Monday, Benschop telephoned me to request that we stage a demonstration in front of the Office of the President. He and I would contact our usual buddies or comrades or friends or soldiers or whatever term you wish to use. Michael Carrington and Gerhard Ramsaroop were unavailable, so were the others. I guess the timing was bad. As it turned out, from the time Benschop called me to
the time of doing this piece, the Government’s edict has gone un-protested. When are Guyanese going to respond to Bob Marley’s imploration – help me sing these songs of freedom? The denial by the government of Philip Moore’s family request to have him interred at the Place of the Seven Ponds must be condemned by every citizen of this country. I go so far as to say that this writer expects gay activists, women’s rights protesters, important stakeholders like the Private Sector Commission, to let their voices be heard. Philip Moore deserved that from Guyana. So who qualifies to be laid to rest at the Place of the
Seven Ponds? There are three Presidents there, one Governor-General and a national poet, Martin Carter. I would think that from the time Carter was placed there, the restriction was opened up to great Guyanese other than those who served as Presidents. I have no objection to Carter. He deserves it. But so too does Philip Moore. Honestly, never for a moment did I believe the Government would have acted so callously and insensitively. This thing has tremendous ethnic implications. Yet when you talk about race, persons like Juan Edghill, Ravi Dev and a host of misguided people accuse you of getting into
Frederick Kissoon race advocacy. In a sharply ethnically divide country, it seems that academics, politicians, commentators and others cannot discuss the race problematic in their own country. So who can be buried at the Place of the Seven Ponds? Three names come to mind and this nation must be firm and inflexible on this – Yesu Persaud, Clive Thomas and Eusi Kwayana. Parliament must now order the removal of the remains of Walter Rodney to that very spot.
Derelict buildings are a major concern - Fire Chief
A section of this building at the corner of King and Robb Streets collapsed yesterday morning Fire Chief Marlon Gentle has reiterated his concern about derelict buildings around the city, most of which he said are safety hazards. His comments came in the wake of a section of a building collapsing. Sometime in the wee hours of yesterday morning at the corner of Robb and King Streets, a building which was on a list submitted to be dismantled because of its dilapidated state collapsed. Fortunately no one was injured. Gentle pointed out that in 2008 they submitted a list of 29 buildings around Georgetown, to the City Engineer’s Department, that needed to be removed. However, according to
Gentle, another survey was recently done and it revealed that of the 29 buildings, 2 were destroyed by fire and only three were actually demolished. The first one destroyed by fire was located at Barrack and High Streets, Kingston. The other one was located at Broad and Lombard Streets. Gentle pointed out that many of the buildings that were earmarked for demolition pose a serious threat to safety. “Not only are these buildings fire hazards but one has to also think about if they collapse when persons are passing or when they are occupied by vagrants, which is always the case. Most of these buildings are used in
the nights by vagrants,” Gentle asserted. The Fire Chief further made reference to a building which collapsed on D’urban Street which resulted in one man’s death. He added that the relevant authorities should look into these matters with urgency since given the condition of these buildings, if a fire were to start at one of these structures, the effects would be devastating. “Most of these buildings are old wooden buildings and the materials are easily burnt with a little fire.” He further advised the owners of some of the buildings to do the correct thing, as they too are somewhat held responsible if any disaster were to occur.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Kaieteur News
Man gets four years for aggravated robbery of girl, 9 A 42-year-old Sophia man received scornful glances from those gathered in the courtroom of Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry yesterday after he pleaded guilty to savagely beating a 9-year-old girl during the course of a robbery. Puran Totaram, of Sophia, a father of two, robbed the nine-year-old girl (whose name was given) of a pair of gold earrings valued at $4000. The incident occurred on March 9 at Sophia. The police said that before or after the crime, Totaram used personal violence against the child causing her to receive serious injuries. Totaram pleaded guilty to the charge. The facts stated that on the day in question around 15:00 hours in Sophia, the accused walked up to the young girl and attempted to remove her earrings. The girl tried to resist the man’s attack but Totaman resorted to using violence against the child. Totaram cuffed the minor several times in the face. He then made good his escape. The child was later taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public spirited citizens. She received medical attention and was admitted. The prosecutor continued that the defendant gave a caution statement to the police where he admitted to
Totaram being hauled off to serve his 4-year jail sentence. committing the offence. Totaram was represented by Attorney Mohammed Zafar, who was obviously caught off guard when the man admitted to the offence. Zafar attempted to steer the court away from the defendant’s plea, but Totaram seemed bent on relating his guilt to the court. After much back and forth between Zafar and his client, the lawyer was made to sit down since Totaram refused to change his plea. Totaram pleaded feverishly with the court. He blamed it all on alcohol and claimed that he was not conscious of what he was doing. When asked, the defendant admitted that the
‘UNCENSORED III’ slated for June 2 & 3 On the 2nd & 3rd June 2012, Signature Productions will be featuring the third annual edition of UNCENSORED, the brain child of Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones. UNCENSORED is a stand-up comedy production showcasing Guyana’s premiere veteran comedians along with the rising stars. Since its debut two years ago, UNCENSORED has been an eagerly anticipated event triggering overwhelming responses from the public and breaking the box office record at the National Cultural Centre by being the first show to sell out days in advance. This year UNCENSORED will be running for two nights. The first night will feature the competition between the junior comedians and the second night will be comprised of the heavyweights along with the top three winners of the competition. The competitors are Miranda Austin, Kirwyn Mars (winner of last year’s competition), Odessa Primus,
Chubby and Chris Gopaul along with newcomers Leza Singh and Kwasi Edmondson. The veteran featured comedians will be Lyndon ‘Jumbie’ Jones, Henry Rodney and Habeeb Khan. Tickets for this event are $800, $1500 and $2000 and can be located at Giftland OfficeMAX, Nigel’s Supermarket, Payless Variety Store, Elegance Jewellery & Pawn Shop and the National Cultural Centre. The prizes will include a video camera sponsored by Giftland OficeMAX, a gold chain sponsored by Elegance Jewellery and a Blackberry cell phone sponsored by Cellular Plus. Payless Variety and Upscale Restaurant & Sports Bar are also sponsors of UNCENSORED. Meanwhile, Signature Productions will be hosting a press conference featuring the comedians and producers of UNCENSORED III this morning from 10:00 hrs at the Upscale Restaurant & Sports Bar on Hincks Street.
police’s information was true. Zafar again intervened on his client’s behalf to relate information that he said the court should take into consideration while handing down the sentence. The lawyer said that Totaram is a family man who had no previous convictions. He, however, said that his client was charged in 1993 for a murder that took place during a fight. He was freed on that charge. Zafar also claimed that the man worked at LBI Estate. At that point the child’s father intervened and claimed that Totaram was unemployed and was a nuisance. The father fought hard to hold back tears in relating what he knew about the matter. He said that Totaram had kidnapped his daughter who was heading to her Industry home and took her to Sophia some two and a half kilometers away. He also attempted to describe the manner in which his daughter was found, but since that evidence was not before the court, his explanation was cut short. The court had also collected a medical report from the child’s father which he received from the hospital. The medical was read out and the doctor’s account proved that the child was brutally attacked having received several types of injuries that included abrasions to the neck, which the court said indicated that the child was choked. She also received small lacerations on the face, swelling and black and blue marks. The father also gave the court a picture of the child two weeks after the attack. The gathering gasped at the image when it was raised up for the defendant to witness. The photograph told the story for itself and some in court were heard saying that if that was two weeks after, then they did not wish to see photographs of the girl right after the incident. The Magistrate then read out the factors that led to Totaram’s sentencing. Mitigating factors were that the man saved the court time and admitted his guilt among other things. The aggravating factors related to the seriousness and prevalence of the offence. The court also said that the use of alcohol could not be used as an explanation for the defendant’s action, but it in fact contributed to his behavior, since the alcohol was voluntarily consumed. The degree of violence used against the child was also taken into consideration. Totaram was subsequently sentenced to four years imprisonment.
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AFC declares ‘truce’ as seminar concludes - UK MP optimistic about Guyana’s 10th Parliament
House Speaker Raphael Trotman (centre) making a point during the closing press engagement Guyana’s Members of Parliament (MPs) yesterday concluded a two-day seminar at the Pegasus Hotel on a high note, with at least one United Kingdom Parliamentarian, David Lammy, expressing optimism for the 10th Parliament and its configuration. Hopefulness was running high among the MPs that joined in on the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in collaboration with UNDP-sponsored programme, to the point that Alliance for Change (AFC) Executive Member Moses Nagamootoo declared that his party will be extending a truce to the other parties. This truce, he said, will be in force as the party continues to assess the renewed camaraderie demonstrated during the course of the seminar. Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman, who
hosted an impromptu press engagement at the close of the seminar yesterday said that while there isn’t any finalized document, that can be presented with the various declarations. He said that there were some seven working groups over the course of the two days which would have made several recommendations that still have to be signed onto by the MPs. Government Chief Whip Gail Teixeira implored that it be recognized that the seminar is one that has afforded an excellent opportunity for the members of the House, 23 of whom are new. She reminded that Guyana and its Parliament continue to operate in uncharted waters and that there is still a long road ahead with several more hurdles. She pleaded that the MPs should be given a chance to
have the forum work and allow for stakeholders to not feel too restricted to benchmarks and deadlines. Lammy told media operatives yesterday that as he leaves the forum to head to his homeland, he remains optimistic about the prospects for the 10th Parliament given what has been demonstrated over the course of the two days. Lammy says that he sees the willingness on the part of the government to work together with the opposition and APNU representative Dr. George Norton accepted that the opposition role is not to take advantage of its majority. The visiting Parliamentary specialists praised what they saw as common ground being established on some occasions and the fact that some could have looked across partisan lines.
EBD four-lane expansion…
‘High-bridge’ reconstruction to commence The high-bridge that will be reconstructed
Despite inclement weather, the four-lane expansion works from the ‘high-bridge’ at Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) to
Diamond/ Grove are moving apace. In fact, the contractor, BK International, has utilized the rainy conditions to compact the sand-filled lanes
created. According to the company’s Second Checker, the rains did not negatively Continued on page 21
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Driver on self bail for injuring cop who shot at bus A route 45 minibus driver who reportedly tried to avoid being taken into police custody on Friday last was yesterday placed on self bail after he allegedly injured a policeman who shot at the bus he was driving. Thirty-one year-old Mark Atkinson of Kaikan Street, North Ruimveldt, was charged with the offence of wanton driving when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry. The police said that on May 18, in Georgetown, the defendant while in charge of a motor vehicle caused bodily harm to Michael Rambarran, a general duty rank posted at one of the police’s mobile patrol units. Atkinson pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was released on his own recognizance when the prosecutor did not object to bail. The matter has been transferred to Court Seven –
the traffic court. Kaieteur News understands that the charge against Atkinson stems from an incident that occurred at the corner of Main and Church Streets, where the said rank had shot out the rear window and front wheel of the minibus. Reports are that on the day of the incident, at around 16:00 hrs, police intercepted a minibus whose driver had committed a traffic infringement. The conductor of that bus had told Kaieteur News that the police ordered the driver to empty the bus which he did, but sought to use a preferred course en route to Eve Leary, CID Headquarters, where he had been ordered to take the vehicle. The conductor said that the driver insisted on driving up Main Street so that he could drop off two cousins at a restaurant. The policeman reportedly used his motorcycle on two occasions to prevent the driver from proceeding on that route. The second time, the driver evaded the policeman’s blockade and drove away. The cop reportedly got a gun from his colleague and opened fire on the vehicle,
shattering the rear window and flattening the front right side wheel, the conductor claimed. Reports from the police, however, differed slightly from that of the conductor. They agreed that the driver broke a traffic law and followed the policeman’s first order to empty the bus, but Atkinson, they said, refused to use the route instructed by the police. They further admitted that the bus’ path was obstructed, but stated that it was only after the driver had wound up the vehicle windows, refusing to talk to the ranks or adhere to instructions. The driver, they alleged, moved his vehicle closer and closer to the rank, and it struck him several times, injuring him in the process. It is alleged that Atkinson then drove around the police and his motorcycle in a bid to flee the scene, and the police rank opened fire on the vehicle. It is also alleged that four persons were in the bus at the time. Atkinson faced one charge at the Magistrates’ Court, but it is believed that he will have to answer to other traffic offences stemming from the incident.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Kaieteur News
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Learner driver perishes after car plunges into trench A 31-year-old mother of two lost her life when the car in which she was learning to drive plunged into a canal on the Hope Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD), at around 15:00hrs yesterday. Dead is Shaunette Williams of 1 Ann’s Grove, ECD. Her reputed husband, Shevon Andrews, who was acting as her driving instructor at the time, managed to free himself and make it to safety. Reports reaching this newspaper stated that Williams, a hairdresser by profession, lost control of the car and before her instructor could react to right the vehicle, it plunged into the canal that runs alongside the roadway. The car eventually turned over, placing Williams who had her seat belt on, in a precarious position. According to relatives,
Dead: Shaunette Williams Andrews, after being able to free himself from the passenger seat of the toppled car, tried feverishly to pull out the mother of his children. By the time he managed to do so, she was not breathing. The woman appeared to
Tractor pins E’bo farmer to death Danraj Suerattan, a 42-year-old labourer of Suddie Housing Scheme, lost his life after the tractor with which he was ploughing a section of a rice field at the Suddie New Housing Scheme, toppled and pinned him, resulting in his death. He was an unlicenced driver. Krisnanan Singh, Suerattan’s uncle, said that his nephew left his home at the New Suddie Housing Scheme for the back dam, with another man from the same village. On Monday, persons within the Suddie New Housing Scheme area relayed the sad news about his nephew’s death. Singh said that he was told that his nephew was ploughing someone’s rice field when the accident occurred. Singh said that due to the position the tractor was in after the incident, persons who converged at the scene were unable to render assistance to Suerattan. “We could not have seen his body; one of his legs was barely showing.” He said that it later took another tractor to help extricate Suerattan’s body from beneath from the tractor. Suerattan worked previously at the Suddie Funeral Parlour. He has left to mourn four young children. Police are continuing their investigations into the matter.
Inconsolable relatives outside of the GPHC’s A&E Unit have already died. This was subsequently confirmed by hospital officials after she was pronounced dead on arrival. A number of relatives converged outside the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit and their screams and cries filled the environs of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)
compound. Speaking with this newspaper, Hazel Hanover, who identified herself as a relative of the dead woman’s reputed husband said, “I get de call from home saying my relative and his child mother was in a car and they reach up in a accident. When I go, I see the car in the water in a trench, and I rush down to
Georgetown Hospital just to see if I could see him, but then I was made to understand that de girl, she died.”
Meanwhile, the hairdresser’s reputed husband is assisting the police in their investigations.
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Probe continues into $$M GRA scam
Investigations are continuing into what is emerging to be a major scam involving the issuance of duty-free letters at the Guyana Revenue Authority. According to GRA yesterday, it will be making the outcome of the probe available at the appropriate time. Reports of the investigations were covered by Kaieteur News earlier this week and then by the independent daily Stabroek News yesterday. GRA, however, in a released statement slammed the coverage of Stabroek News, noting that premature statements could have farreaching consequences on investigations. As a matter of fact, GRA said that only a few staff of the GRA are privy to the
information disclosed in the media. “…therefore, it can be logically deduced that such information emanated from one or more of the persons who are privileged to be in possession of same. As such, the GRA views the act by the newspaper of reporting such sensitive information during the course of the investigation to be highly unprofessional.” The tax authority also repeated accusations that it is “aware that media houses would pay for information”. According to GRA, so far, all that has been established from the investigation, and which was reported to the media through a press release, is that two junior ranks forged the signature of senior officers. “This was done in order to perpetrate the fraudulent
Some of the ATVs involved. issuing of concessions for items of equipment that may be free of duty under the tariff.”
Over the weekend, GRA sources said that more than $100M in taxes may have been evaded as a result of the “forged” tax exemption letters. The concessions were for All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) used in the mining and agricultural industry. The tax agency said that the fake signatures were affixed to Remission of Duty Letters (commonly referred to as CG or Tax Exemption letters) used for issuing dutyfree concessions for the AT V s a n d t he mining equipment. Under normal circumstances these vehicles would have attracted concessions for eligible applicants. GRA had initially said that it would appear to be more a case of officers being paid in order to avoid complying with the necessary documentary requirements, commonly referred to as ‘expedition’ inducement.
However, insiders over the weekend insisted that the letters and signatures were not forged, that they are the “real things”, but were granted illegally to importers, mostly city businesses. The ATVs (four-wheel motorcycles) are being sold in some cases for as much as $3M. They are used mainly in the mining and agricultural areas in the hinterlands. Farmers and miners are the ones that would have to apply for the tax waivers. They would have to submit approval documents from the relevant agencies and ministries, including the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, among others, to GRA, where they will be checked before approval is granted. According to GRA sources, in all likelihood the supporting documents were
not submitted and as a result GRA’s system managed to pick up the scam. It is believed that GRA may have lost as much as $150M in duties and other taxes. Since the investigation started, one of the officers implicated has been transferred. Earlier, this month, GRA said the detection was made as part of the routine system of checks and balances in place to prevent such occurrences. The officers were found culpable, but denied the allegations. But according to GRA, irrefutable evidence from the records of the Division which facilitates tax exemptions, has implicated them. GRA’s CommissionerGeneral Khurshid Sattaur said that while the agency would never be able to avoid the occurrences, “we can however detect them, weed out the corrupt elements and take them to task swiftly. When all the evidence has been gathered, the matter will be placed in the hands of the Guyana Police Force for full investigation, GRA said. “I hope and would expect that the guilty parties, both the officers and the businessmen, are charged and placed before the court,” Sattaur had said in the statement.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Kaieteur News
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Dredge owner kills employee caught Japanese nurse educator to boost GPHC’s Paediatric services in bed with his reputed wife A 22-year-old miner was hacked to death on Monday night after he was caught sleeping with his boss’ reputed wife. The incident occurred around 22:00 hours on Monday at Big Creek, Port Kaituma, in the North West District (NWD). Junior Joseph had his neck almost severed by his employer who came home unexpectedly and found him in a compromising position with the woman. The enraged boss also vented his anger on the woman who is said to be in a critical condition at the Georgetown Hospital after she was air-dashed from the interior location. Police in a press release stated that Joseph was killed and the female was critically injured as a result of a confrontation with a dredge
owner. According to the police, the dredge owner who is from Oronoque, Port Kaituma, NWD, has not yet been arrested. Reports from the police said that the suspect left his mining camp to conduct business. Upon his return, he saw Joseph in a compromising position with a woman with whom he is friendly, and proceeded to inflict multiple chop wounds to their bodies. Joseph, of Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, died before receiving medical attention, while the woman was referred to the GPHC from the Port Kaituma Hospital. A resident of Port Kaituma told this newspaper that the dredge owner had suspected that Joseph was involved in a relationship with his reputed wife but he never
managed to confirm it. The resident said that from all indications, the dredge owner planned his actions well by leaving on the pretext of going to do business. He had reportedly made arrangements for another person to inform him if Joseph showed up at the woman’s residence. This apparently was done and the dredge owner doubled back and caught the two in bed. He first attacked Joseph and after mortally wounding him he turned his attention to the woman who had stood transfixed as events unfolded. After inflicting the wounds, the dredge owner fled as persons were aroused by the screams of the badly wounded woman. Police in Division ‘E&F’ are continuing with their investigations.
‘High-bridge’ reconstruction... From page 11 impact the project. After the May-June rains loam and cement will be applied, before fully transforming the stretch into a four-lane road. It was emphasized that the drainage capacity in the area was not tampered with to create the roadway. However, Diamond’s deplorable car park will be removed and probably be placed in neighbouring Grove to accommodate works on the corridor. A significant portion of
those works should conclude within the next three months. Another major aspect of this US$3.4M project is the flattening of the ‘high-bridge’ and its expansion. This will see disruption in the flow of traffic, but the company will try to enforce proper traffic management. The employee emphasized that to the right of the bridge a two-lane carriageway would be erected and to the left a one-lane road. He added that those three-lanes would facilitate
traffic while the contractor flattens the bridge. When concluded the new structure and the two lanes would be used as the main road, and the extra lane will be discarded. The canal which empties water from DDL into the Demerara River would not be affected. The contractor will install pipes when reconstructing the structure. However, DDL’s wooden fence will have to be removed to accommodate the new lanes. In addition, utility poles will have to be removed also.
The items donated to the GPHC’s Paediatric Ward by the Japan International Co-operation Agency. Nurse Sumiko Yoshida stands second from right. Paediatric care is expected to be boosted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) with the arrival of a Japanese volunteer nurse who is an experienced Paediatric Nurse Educator, and brings to Guyana over 30 years of experience in the medical field. Sumiko Yoshida, a retired staff nurse and Administrator, is the second Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) nurse to come to the country and work with the GPHC with the sole aim of improving paediatric nursing. As part of JICA’s volunteer efforts, the organisation also donated several items to the GPHC
Paediatric Ward yesterday morning, where Yoshida was present. This is the second month she has been functioning at the GPHC and is scheduled to be here for two more months. Kaieteur News understands that there is a planned nursing education exercise which will be facilitated by Yoshida at the GPHC. It is slated for June 5 to July 27, 2012 and based on the “Introduction to Paediatric Nursing”. The selected nurses will benefit from 32 hours of lecture sessions and demonstrations. Guyana formally
established diplomatic relations with Japan in 1967 and these relations have been built essentially around economic cooperation projects. This country has been one of the main recipients of Japanese assistance in the English-speaking Caribbean, through programmes such as general grant aid, small scale grant aid, as well as training programmes under JICA etc.
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Page 22
WANTED One cook, must know to cook Roti & Puri. Call 6477432 Tailors. Contact Paul’s Tailoring, 14 Lombard St. G/ Town. Tel# 223-8266/6808046 Counter servers, roti/curry cooks, pastry makers & handy boys. Apply Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce St. Live-in domestic must know to cook and 1 waitress, salary 50,000 monthly. Call:610-5043 Persons/family to live & take care of farm @ E.C.D, attractive salary offered. Contact: 690-1943, 691-8021 Two male shop assistants to work in Georgetown & the interior, serious enquiries only. Call: 225-2940, 225-0305 Urgently: chainsaw operator to work in the interior. Call: 626-0006, 231-3159 1 male or female to look after layer birds in the interior. Tele# 688-4905 1 driver to drive in the interior. Must have bus and canter license. Tel# 688-0197
Kaieteur News
WANTED East Coast Guyoil pump attendants wanted (day and night), wash man, office assistant & sales girls. 6842838, 602-5031 Contract cars. Must be in Hire & Yellow. Base free. $3500 weekly. Call 660-9977 Waitresses @ Diamond Gate Liquor Restaurant and Bar, Lot 18 Belmont Mahaica. Tel# 228-5013, 622-5599 Carpenter with own tools. Apply at Guyana Variety Store, 68 Robb Street. Tel no. 225-4631 One live-in or out maid & experienced sales girl. Call: 264-3356, 253-3149, 668-3985 1 General Domestic. Must know to cook, from East Bank Dem. Area. Tel# 614-4358 Sales boy and girl. 615-3090 Girls to work as waitress , age 18 to25 in Bar. Call: 256-4096 Bulldozer operators, Excavator operators, Service men. To work in interior. Previous experience an asset. Contact: 226-9768, 629-0037
1 experienced hauler/truck driver. 1 able bodied male cleaner/gardener. Apply to Alabama Trading.
1 Diesel Mechanic, to work in the interior. Tel# 688-4905
Experienced Graphic Artist. Tel# 233-2725, 233-2439
Taxi Drivers at Princess Hotel. Contact 616-5419, 2657075
Factory worker. Apply in person with written application @ Comfortsleep, 49 Eccles Industrial Estate, E.B.D.
Sales Girls & Porters. Apply with written application at Best Buys Food Supplies, 1E Dennis & Middleton Streets, Campbellville. Experienced sewing machine operators. Tele no.: 220-4337 Experienced House Keeper. To work on the E.C.D (parttime). Tel: 225-1787. Labourers to work at Jettoo’s lumberyard & Sawmill @ Coverden Public Road, East Bank Demerara. Call: 2615041, 261-5042, 226-2756 1 experienced welder to fabricate grill and other welding work. Apply to Alabama Trading, Georgetown.
PROPERTY FOR SALE
LAND FOR SALE
20 X 40 two flat concrete building @ Kitty. All amenities. Price $28 M Call: 668 – 9512, 223- 2570 25 acre farm land with 4 bedroom concrete house. Located Parika Backdam. Tel: 615-8046
Land V/Hoop 2 acre: school, housing, factory, etc. call: 658-0115
1 three bedroom house Prashad Nagar, asking price $29M neg. Call: 227-2563, 684-2115 Lot 9 Johns St., Port Mourant, Berbice house with 12 rooms, on 16Acres Land. Call: 337-1500. East Bank $12M. West Coast $3.5M. Alberttown $19M. Newtown $28M. Hotel $135M. Diana 227-2256, 6269382 L.B.I G$28m, Industry G$74m P/Nagar G$35m, D’Urban Street W/Ville G$35m Courida Park US$330,000 609 2302/ 645 2580/233 5711 McDoom G$21m, Agricola G$20m, Eccles H/S G$20m, Campbellville G$50m, Blankenburgh G$19m, Tuschen G$11m 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 TOUR Independence Day Tour. 26, 27 May. Capoey Lake. Joy 218-1285, 649-9059, 692-3114
Sawmill workers. Tel: 2616412/653-9752 I need an apartment to rent; call after 06:00pm - 648-0797 Driver for canter truck. $20,000. Full-time Porter & Mechanic to work part-time on W.C.D. Call: 684-8231 Buying non working appliances such as fridge, washing machine, freezer, etc. 669-9427 Skilled Arc/Acetylene Welder. Very good rates offered. Tel – 22-71830. Female workers needed; 3 subjects or sound secondary education. Call: 225-7307.
Salesboys and Salesgirls at D. Singh & Sons. 226-1316, 226-0881
One (1) General Worker to work shift system in G/Town. Tel# 225-6337.
One female bartender to live and work in Mahdia. Attractive salary. Contact # 680-9473/616-7241
One Bond Clerk. Apply in person Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.
Bazaar St., Parika. No agents. 661-3043 Grove H/S 86’ X 50’ G$4.5m, Adventure Linden Highway 150 acres G$40m 609 2302/ 645 2580/233 5711 Brickdam 96’X 63’ G$82m, Eping Ave B.A.P 150’ X 100" US$500,000, Carmichael Street 100" X 62" US$500,000 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 Ogle Public Rd 140’ X 100’ G$45m, Sophia Seawall Road 130" X 86’ US$550,000, Ogle Corner 200’ X 78’ US$750,000, 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711 Land of Canaan Wharf 140’ X 50’ on lot 11.88 acres, US$2.5m Forshaw Street 118’ X 62’ G$72m 609 2302/645 2580/233 5711
FOR SALE One Hilux Vigo (new) GNN series 231-5171, 619-7134 Toyota Starlet 2 E Turbo engine with gearbox and ECU: Call: 624-7155. NARS lipgloss, eyeshadow & Clinique Chubby Stick. Tel: 669-8374.
Assistant Manager. To work at an out of town hotel. Contact 226-9768, 682-4387
Manager’s Assistant general duties including Custom and Bond, Security Guards, accommodation available. Call: 676-6700
Wednesday May 23, 2012
WANTED
2x2x1.5MM, Hollow section $4500 VAT inclusive. Call: 220-6100, 680-5900
Mill/Saw Doctors, Moulder Operators to work @ Jettoo’s Sawmill @ Coverden Public Road, E.B.D. Call – 261-5041, 2615042, 226-2756
Peking ducks, call: 266-2711 / 609-4594
1 cashier (3 subjects) 1 pastry maker/cook salary $60,000. Waitress, salary $40,000. To work interior. Age 18-30. Contact 616-7543
Going cheap, foreign used Perkins Engines. 661-3043
Porter Boys and Sales Girls. Apply in person to 148 Regent & Alexander Streets. Telephone #22-61892 or 2251365 Workers for landscaping. 656-1326, 626-1044 One live in maid and one maid to come and go. No cooking. No washing. Contact # 639-6500 Urgently. Hire Car drivers. Contact 656-8022 & 639-0166 Kitchen Assistant. Come in to Dian’s Deli, Barr St. Kitty. One (1) Handyman/Gardener. For more information please call O. Persaud 222-7003, 6640807 Truck to fetch mud. Call 6231615 (1) experienced waitress @ Mambo’s Bar, 93 Bar Street, Kitty.
Roofing shingles. Call: Mr. Skepmire . 227-5195 (8am to 5pm)
FOR SALE One Massey Ferguson 399 Tractor. Call: 619-6093 American dog food; 44lbs$5,500; 33lbs - $4000; 4lbs $800. Call: 628-9119 One 21 gallon Air Compressor. Contact Nicky – 646-6000, 697-9610 1 100-3 Motor Cycle, CF7191, $80,000. Contact 649-6144 10 KVA voltage stabilizer single phase 200 amp fuse switch, 300 amp bust bar. #627-7835, 600-5130. Lenovo laptops brandnew $60,000 Call: 681-2111 Brand new American made Crosely 10.5 cu ft Refrigerator for sale $75,000. 626-4452/ 697-5677 Blu Ray DVDs. Perfume Dazzle 231-9485
VEHICLES FOR SALE Just arrived: Allion and Premio, tel: 624-2000, 6221610 2005 H2 Hummer, 38,500 mileage fully loaded, chrome kit etc. Call: 639-3100, 6195400 Hilux 4x4 solid def pick-up, diesel, long base, excellent condition Call: 623-0243 1 special edition Toyota Runx PNN. 2 Nissan Wingroad Wagon. Tel: 6122522 Corolla Fielder just registered, AT 170 Carina. Price negotiable. Call 6149623 One Toyota RZ Longbase EFI, hardly used BKK series $1.6M. Call: Rocky 621-5902
Bag Neck Seal Tape. 231-8819
2004 Mazda RX8, body kit, black, unregistered, $3M. 617-2891
One Caterpillar D6 Bulldozer. Call: 622-1957
Unregistered Allion and Spacio. Tel# 697-0294
Honda Pressure washers, 2700 PSI, 614-8564
1 Premio PNN series, TV, camera. # 616-6000
One Blackberry Curve 9300, 60K. Call: 609-2466 Sale Sale. Big Blow Out Sale. Lot 29 Croal Street, Enterprise E.C.D. Cell no. 6642209. Items as low as $100
International Tow Truck with flat aluminum bed; takes two vehicles. Call: 639-3900, 619-5400
Dell Laptops & Desktops. Complete with 19" LCD. From $70,000. Future Tech – 231-2206 Two Detroit Diesel series 50 engines, 300 HP. Call Troy 601-9004. Household items for sale. Call: 225-3079, 656-7864 Gold detector waterproof, headset, battery charger, Walki-talkis Call: 609-7625
15ft Fiber glass boat $170,000 call: 260-0301, 685-1233
1 Tundra, 1 Perkins engine & Welder 400 amps. Call: 6605462, 611-5114
Spares for washer, microwaves, fridges, stovetimers, gear boxes, pumps, etc. Contact 225-9032, 6472943
Used Fridge $45,000 . Used cooler Lg $85,000. Used freezer small $27,000, Lg $65,000. Excellent condition. 612-1486.
Brand new Blackberry Torch 9800, under $100,000. Call: 676-7443 1 AT170 Corona as scrap. 626-1044 Slate pool table, 6 base music set, merry go round Call:2282098 Two 60-180 Leyland Daf dump trucks for sale in working condition. 628-1756, 228-5655 Dell computers with LCD & free memory upgrade $59,000 Call: 225-3709,641-0537,6912077 Used 1400x20 Model M Truck tyre. Call 648-2413 Just arrived! Hilux solid axle pick up Tel:222-2662,691-2077
Stainless steel sheet. Excellent for table top, etc. Call: 612-1486 Two 8ft Slate American pool tables, one Nissan Titan & variety of restaurant equipment. Call: 622-1957 Games for PS2 $900, XBox 360 $2600, PS3 $2600. Call Junior 672-2566, 265-3232 Original slimming green coffee 800 $1300 W/sale and original slimming green coffee 1000 $2300 w/sale Call:681-2111 Corrugated Zinc sheet @ 40% off. Local Lumber @ 25% off. Pine Lumber @ 10% off. Zack’s Lumber. Tel# 2267054.
Lexus LS400/Luxury, BMW 740IL/Luxury, BMW 635CSI/Sports. Bring mechanic, make offer. Call: 612-1486, 646-8326 Toyota Prado, 2004 Prado, 2005 Mark II, GX110, 2005 Tundra. All fully loaded, excellent condition. Call: 600-5759 One 2 ton, enclosed Canter, price $1.2M neg. One Tapir, price $160,000 neg. Contact# 253-3349, 693-8830 2005 BMW 320i (new shape), just arrived. Tel: 6154114. www.facebook.com/ rashanautosales One unregistered new model Noah. Financing available. Price $3.6M. Tel: 629-2314 2 & 3 ton enclosed canter, unregistered. 617-2891 One Allion, fully powered, A/C, music, mag. Tel: 2590836, cell: 621-7838 Well kept, owner driven, Toyota Corolla AE100. Price $1.1 million. Telephone: 6615897. Serious enquires only. 2005-2007 Toyota Allions, with TV/DVD, back-up camera. Tel: 615-4114. w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / rashanautosales AT170 Carina. Price $550,000 neg. Call: 673-2945, 671-3020 Quantum Auto. Allion – Silver & white with TV/NAV/ RCam. Grey Premio, Spacio, Fielders. 624-7684 (Continued on page 23)
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 23
Letters... Where your views make the news
NICIL failed several rounds of... From page 4 and surplus funds could represent materially divergent amounts of assets is now in full camouflage mode. Minister Dr Ashni Singh should banish any reference to Guyana’s Companies Act as he attempts to relegate the requirements of Guyana Consolidated Fund to the legal status of Guyana’s Company’s Act. Then we have Mr Winston Brassington a seeming master of toadyism playing to perfection a facilitating role for President Jagdeo and Minister of Finance Dr Ashni Singh. Mr Brassington has been appointed to all number of leadership roles in government agencies for the perceptible purpose of catering to the demands of the PPP power players. Brassington has admitted to being in a befuddled state as recorded in Guyana Times dated May 12, 2012. Let us not conveniently substitute “Liquid Cash” for Surplus Funds as seems to be the plan of the PPP collaborators. We do not expect the PPP to sell billions in Government assets and place
the proceeds in a chequing account. The Surplus Funds far exceed the Liquid Cash. In another bit of comedy we have the knowledgeable Minister of Finance claiming in Guyana Times of April 30, 2012 “NICIL operates within the law”. NICIL in its current form is a glaring case of power run amok. Guyanese leaders and the citizens need to ensure that NICIL is converted to operate in the interest of all Guyanese. It is inexcusable to have substantial amounts of Government funds outside the remit of the National Assembly. NICIL gross misconduct amounts to a revulsion of good governance and has evolved to become an insidious form of perfidy against the Constitution of Guyana. And to the defenders of NICIL pillage from the citizens of Guyana, I refer them to the quote by Thomas Paine: “To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason is like administering medicine to the dead”. Nigel Hinds
If NICIL is above board why not... From page 4 annual account was for 2003. He also has failed to address the fact that in 2003, NICIL earned $29B, paid $9B in dividends and currently has $700M in investments, but no one knows where the remaining GY$19.3B is. He knows everything else except these important factual figures! Article 216 specifically states that all revenue generating state agencies must turn over revenues to the Consolidated Fund, with the exception of agencies retaining some amounts of monies to defray expenses. If NICIL was established by the government, it is a state agency. If it is using state assets to generate revenue, then it must comply with Article 216. And even if it seeks to retain some of its revenue to defray expenses, does it need GY$19.3B to do that? I have a growing suspicion that all this push back from the political cabal
against efforts to have NICIL’s books made public could be based on the fact that a significant amount of NICIL’s revenues is missing and cannot be properly accounted for. All this talk about how NICIL is a private company and does not have to turn over its revenues to the Consolidated Fund could well be a strenuous effort to block Parliament from discovering the truth about NICIL’s finances. The next few weeks could be very interesting as pressure mounts for Mr. Brassington to come clean about NICIL’s finances, but if we see the government pulls a Henry Greene by asking the court to block Parliament from investigating NICIL, or to block Parliament from taking NICIL to court, then we can conclude that billions of dollars have been misappropriated. Or else why wouldn’t the government let NICIL show its books to the public?
An open letter
DEAR MINISTER, The directors of the Environmental Community Health Organization (Echo) wish to commend you on your recent programme to address illegal mining operations in Guyana. These illegal rudimentary operations are unsustainable and have been destroying the integrity of our environment. Whatever the price of gold, it cannot compensate for the irreparable damage done to the environment. Many miners do not add the environmental cost to their cost of production nor do they account for the environmental damage on their balance sheet. Environmental history has shown that the impact of man’s activity on the environment has led to disaster. It has been the trend of some corporations and individuals to exploit the earth’s resources as though they were inexhaustible. It is the tragedy of the commons-- where individuals and groups of individuals acting independently and rationally consulting their own self- interest will ultimately deplete a shared limited resource even when it is evident that it is not in anyone’s long- term interest for this to happen. Therefore, Echo welcomes this move and hopes that you would go beyond that to promote environmental awareness and education as a requirement for those who are desirous of mining for gold, diamond and other minerals. We believe that this would not only enhance general appreciation for the environment but also help to protect and preserve the environment. Royston King, Executive Director
Meanwhile, Parliament remains the highest decisionmaking forum in the land, and if the state-owned NICIL is not subjected to Parliament, then it is a rogue company abusing public assets and finances. It may well be functioning as a parallel government and treasury to the legally recognized ones, but this confounded nonsense has to stop immediately! Emile Mervin
VEHICLES FOR SALE Toyota Raum, black, bodykit, mags, year 2000, roof rack. 269-0432, 686-0323 2007 Toyota Axio & 2003 Toyota Premio & 2005 Toyota Belta W/TV/CD. Tel: 6 1 5 - 4 1 1 4 . w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / rashanautosales 2004 Toyota Avensis’s with TV/CD, Oz racing Rims, silver & green. Tel: 615-4114. w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / rashanautosales Top Notch Auto Sales. 2004 Mazda RX8, $3M. Free reg. Tel: 674-2844. One Jeep, with Toyota 3A engine, going cheap. Manual. 269-0432, 686-0323 One EP71 and 82 Starlet, 1Toyota Ceres and RZ Minibus, 1 – 192 Carina, Nissan Pathfinder, PMM. Call: 644-5096, 697-1453 Toyota Sprinter, fully loaded, TV, AC, CD, Alarm, single owner. For immediate sale. Contact: 669-2747, 626-9834 Leading Auto. Unregistered Allion, Premio, Runx, Spacio, Avensis, Verossa, 212. Tele: 677-7666, 610-7666.
VACANCY
CAR RENTAL
Salesgirls & Salesboys. Apply: Avinash Complex, Water St. Georgetown. 2263361/227-7828
Progressive auto rental, cars from $4,000 per day. Call: 6435122, 656-0087, www.progressiveautorental.com
Experienced Hair Dresser at Nalline Beauty Salon, Vreeden-Hoop Junction (Raymond Building). Attractive salary. Contact: 687-3341, 639-9884
First Choice Car Rental cars $5,000-7,000 per day 6680306, 225-6337
Be part of our world class customer care team. Join us now! Phone: 220-0401-3
Al’s Car & Pick-up Rental. Call: 698-7807 Premio, 110 Corolla. Call: 679-7139
Male Sales Clerk. Hand written application. Perfume Dazzle, 137 Regent St., Lacytown, G/Town. Fish cleaners. Eccles. 2332546, 675-5467 Garden Maintenance Crew. No education needed. Must be neat and hardworking: 18 yrs-30yrs. Tel: 648-1821 For Porters. Apply in person Alabama Trading, Georgetown Ferry Stelling, Stabroek.
EDUCATIONAL
(From page 22)
US & Canada VISA application services. Call 643-6630. Family discounts available. We refill HP cartridges for $1,800. Call:650-7699
TO LET Four (4) bedroom apartment. Contact: 682-8875 Short term apartments. Tel: 667-1549
Visa and Immigration forms prepared for Canada, USA and UK. Also Passport forms. Call 626-9857
(2) bedroom furnished house @ 31 Second Street, Liliandall Pump Road. Tel: 222-3838, 617-9004
Repairs, sales & spares, air conditioning, microwaves, washer, fridges & Stoves. Ultra Cool: 225-9032, 6472943
Business place to rent, very spacious. Call: 226-2674/ 684-6360,223-1301,682-6822
We repair fridge, freezer, AC, washer, dryer. Call: 231-0655, 683-8734 Omar. House plan drafting for only $10,000. Building estimate for only $10,000. Call: 6949843. ONLINE SHOPPING NO COMMISSION, WEEKLY S H I P M E N T S , AFFORDABLE RATES, FREE PRIVATE MAILBOX. TEL: 231-5789. FREIGHTLINKEXPRESS@ GMAIL.COM WE FILL OUT PASSPORT & VISA FORMS: USA, UK & CANADA. TEL: 2315789 Repairs in all types of Jet-Ski, stern-drive, inboard and outboard engine (2 & 4 stroke). Contact: 694-7949 Are you planning to do gold mining? Call:670-4302
Do you need a female bahir (cook) to work in interior? Call Andrea 692-1798, 6527355 Free excavated mud. Supply transportation. Location Hadfield and Sendall Place. Mahadeo’s Construction. Reliable Services for your renovations. Contact Tony. Tel: 618-3523, 669-7376. Free estimates and plans.
ACCOMMODATION
LEARN TO DRIVE Soman & Sons Driving School; First Federation Building. Call: 225-4858, 6445166, 622-2872, 615-0964
Short term apartments, Eccles. Call: 679-7139 Work Shop to do Mechanic Work on the West Coast Dem. Call: 684-8231 One bottom flat, 2 bedroom. Toilet & bath also bath tub, kitchen cupboards. Tel no – 629-4997 or 664-4998 Executive type furnished one & two bedroom suites in Section A, Diamond for rental. Call 609-2466. Apartments/Rooms. Tel: 667-1549 Prashad Nagar $18,000. Camp Street $60,000. Cambellville $100,000. Albertown $150,000. Diana 227-2256, 626-9382 Nandy Park 3 bedroom furnished US$600 mth, Fully furnished 3 bedroom top flat US$950, Kitty 2 flat residence/business US$1,200, 609 2302/645 2580/ 233 5711
Laptop & desktop repairs in homes &offices Call:6704302
Imperial College – CXC Jan/ June 2013 exam. Day/ Evening classes, flexible hours. Contact 227-7627, 683-5742
Hilton Hotel. Receptionist & Maids. Henry St, 223-6284. Phatz Style Boutique. Sales girl. Durban St. 227-0501 7:45am to 5pm. Sheriff St. Sales person & Plant maintenance staff for #1 Plant Shop. Secondary education a must. Tel# 648-1821
SERVICES Permanent &Visitors Visa Applications Professional Immigration Consultant Room E-4 Maraj Building 225-6496/223-8115/ 662-6045.
Signature Inn Luxury Suites & Apartments 83 Laluni Street, Queenstown. Call for reservations 226-2145, 2275037 Harmony inn fully furnished self contained a/c apartments, Short term& long term Parfaite Harmony WBD Tel:694-7817
MASSAGE American Style Massage Service. Call 609-4036 Treat yourself to a relaxing massage Call: 622-6256
SALON Make up courses, artist trained & certified in Trinidad: 660-5257,647-1773 Qualify yourself in Cosmetology or nails, make up, Register, Limited spaces. Call Abby: 216-1950, 6197603, 666-5241 Seeta & Soma Salon. Specialists in perming, relaxing, styling, manicure, pedicure, etc. Tel: 618-6346/ 644-7142
Page 24
Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 23, 2012
The Abigail Column DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55hrs. Sign On 09:00hrs. Live! With Kelly 10:00hrs. The A-Team 11:00hrs. The View 12:00hrs. Prime News 12:30hrs. The Young and the Restless 13:30hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 14:00hrs. The Talk 15:00hrs. Boy Meets World 16:00hrs. Beverly Hills, 90210 17:00hrs. The Wayans Brothers 18:00hrs. World News 18:30hrs. Nightly News 19:30hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00hrs. Channel 8 News 22:00hrs. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Season Finale) 23:00hrs. Sign Off NTN CHANNEL 18/ CABLE 69 05:00hrs -Sign on with the Mahamrtunjaya Mantra 05:10hrs - Meditation 05:30hrs - Queenstown Masjid Presents Quran This Morning 06:00hrs - R. Gossai General Store Presents Ram Bhajans
06:15hrs - Jettoo’s Lumber Yard Presents Ram Bhajans 06:30hrs - Muneshwar Limited Presents Ram Bhajans 06:45hrs - Double Standard Taxi Presents Ram Bhajans 07:00hrs - RRT Enterprise Presents Ram Bhajans 07:15hrs - M & M Snackette Presents Raja Yoga Discourses 07:30hrs - Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Inc Presents 07:45hrs - The Family of the Late Leila & David Persaud Presents Ram Bhajans 08:00hrs - NTN This Morning Live with Reyaz Husein 09:30hrs - Indian Soap Yahaan Mein Ghar Ghar Kheli 10:00hrs - Indian Soap - Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 10:30hrs - IPL Eliminator 1 CHENNAI SUPER KINGS v MUMBAI INDIANS 14:00hrs - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 14:30hrs - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 15:00hrs - Indian Soap - Punar Vivaah 15:30hrs - Investigation Discovery 16:30hrs - Devotional Times 17:00hrs - Drying Tears Live
Guides are subjected to change without notice
with Pastor Edson 17:30hrs - Kingdom Agenda Hosted by Bishop Dr. J. Edgehill 18:00hrs - Ganesh Parts Presents - BHAGAVAD GITA ( Discourses in English) Serial 18:15hrs - Birthday Greetings/ Deaths Announcement & In Memoriam 18:30hrs - Hare Krishna Today 19:00hrs - Music Fantasia with Asif Nawaz 20:00hrs - Ashmins Presents DANCE WITH ME with Joel 21:00hrs - Indian Soap Yahaan Mein Ghar Ghar Kheli 21:30hrs - Indian Soap - Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 22:00hrs - Indian Soap Pavitra Rishta 22:30hrs - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 23:00hrs - Sign Off with the Gayatri Mantra NCN CHANNEL 11 02:00hrs – NCN Late Edition (R/B) 02:30hrs – Late Nite with GINA 03:00hrs – Movie 05:00hrs – Inspiration 05:30hrs – Newtown Gospel 06:00hrs – NCN Late Edition News(r/b) 06:30hrs – Feature 07:00hrs – Guyana Today 08:00hrs – Guysuco Roundup (R/B) 08:30hrs – Feature 09:00hrs – Stop the Suffering 10:00hrs – IPL Eliminator 14:00hrs – NCN Newbreak 14:05hrs – Your Health the Nations Wealth (R/B) 15:00hrs – African Moves (R/ B) 16:00hrs – Round Table (R/B) 17:00hrs – Anderson 18:00hrs – NCN News Magazine – Live 18:30hrs – Fam Fest 19:00hrs – Al Jazeera 19:30hrs – Inside the Government(R/B) 20:00hrs – 3d/daily millions/ play de dream/lotto draw 20:05hrs – GWI Alert 20:35hrs – Oral Tradition 21:05hrs – NCN Sports Magazine 22:05hrs – NCN News Late Edition 22:35hrs – Caribbean Newsline 23:00hrs – Movie
Should I tell my friend that I’m attracted to him? DEARABIGAIL, I’m an eighteen-year-old female. I’m beginning to become good friends with a man, but I’m also feeling that I want something beyond friendship with him. I know that I guess I fear, but then again I am a very liberal person. I can’t stop thinking of this man, not necessarily in a sexual way, but in a “relationship” context. What should I do? I don’t want to destroy a potential
friendship by approaching him about this. But, I’ve never felt this way about anyone and I don’t want to let a potential opportunity slip by and be miserable. Puzzled Dear Puzzled, This is a tough one. Would it be possible for you to let him know, when you’re having one of those deep, late-night conversations? If he sees that you’re comfortable talking about yourself with him, and that you trust him, or attracted to
you. Since you’re just becoming close with your friend, perhaps a little more time in the getting-to-knowyou phase of your relationship, before you raise the topic of “something beyond friendship,” will make it easier for both of you to feel comfortable with such a dialogue. If your friend never seems quite ready for your “news,” isn’t interested in you as more than friends, or is not comfortable with your friendship once you’ve been honest with him.
Wednesday May 23, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Someone you used to have strong feelings for (either positive or negative) will appear back on the scene today, either via email or voice mail. Their allure is undeniable, although you don't know if you are ready to reconnect. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): Trying to be perfect is the biggest waste of time, ever! Not only does it isolate you from other (imperfect) people, it also puts you in a perpetual state of frustration. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): The restrictions that are being put on you in one area of your life are forcing you to act out in another area -namely, your love life! Totally flirtatious energy is sweeping through your life right about now and it's having some interesting effects. ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): Sure, there is a lot on your 'to do' list right now, but just because there are a lot of tasks that need completing doesn't mean that you should increase your stress levels accordingly. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Many people are looking to you for input, and this sense of obligation may be starting to overwhelm you -- so take it easy and just relax. Getting all worked up will only make you even more indecisive than you already are. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22): Today, you should use the killer combination of cold logic and a warm smile to gain advantage over the competition. You cannot persuade someone to agree with you
based on your charm alone -you need the facts to support you. ********************* LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Group dynamics are going to be tricky for you today. Sure, there is strength in numbers. But there is also the chance that you will lose your individual identity. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21): Someone who lives a very glamorous-sounding lifestyle will be coming onto the scene soon -- pay attention when they arrive, because they can teach you something that you need to learn. You are quite good at resisting temptation, but it's time for you to learn how to live with it. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 Dec. 21): The bad news is that there is a slight possibility that you will have an extremely frustrating day -- but the good news is that you can avoid it if you try hard enough! **************** CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): A flighty friend is coming extremely close to driving you up a wall right now. They are once again testing your limits by putting their own whims ahead of commitments they've made to you. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): When it comes to romance, you should err on the side of economy right now. Instead of focusing so hard on having a sizzling affair, why not just be happy with a warm connection? ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): There's going to be a new variable coming into your life today -- and it is coming in the form of a very attractive person.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Kaieteur News
Thunder close out Lakers, Sixers on brink
Brandon Bass #30 of the Boston Celtics drives to the basket against Spencer Hawes #00 of the Philadelphia 76ers. (Reuters) - Oklahoma City plunged the final dagger into the Los Angeles Lakers with a 106-90 rout that sent them to their second consecutive NBA Western Conference finals. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook propelled the rising Thunder while leaving the storied Lakers franchise in a state of uncertainty after completing the 4-1 best-ofseven series win. Durant and Westbrook combined for 53 points and the home team withstood 42 from Kobe Bryant to set up a West final against the topseed San Antonio Spurs. “It’s a step in the right direction. The Lakers are an unbelievable organization,” Durant told reporters. “It feels good to advance, but we have to keep going.” The Thunder had moved into position to eliminate Los Angeles with fourth-quarter
comebacks in Games Two and Four but they dominated late in the clincher to punctuate their triumph. Oklahoma City trailed 7066 midway through the third but finished the quarter with a 17-7 run, then rattled off the first 10 points of the fourth, most with Bryant sitting on the bench. Pau Gasol bounced back from a rough Game Four with 14 points and 16 rebounds, but it was far from enough for the visiting Lakers. The younger and hungrier Thunder outmuscled Los Angeles in the rebounding battle and dominated in the fast break. And while LA flopped to a second-round loss for the second year in a row, Oklahoma’s players paid tribute to Bryant, who many of them grew up idolizing. It means a lot,” said Thunder guard James
Harden, who had 17 points. “Kobe’s a warrior out there, and it’s tough. But we stuck with it.” In the East, Brandon Bass scored 27 points to spark the Boston Celtics to a 101-85 win over Philadelphia and move within one victory of a place in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. Bass found his shooting touch in the third quarter, where he scored 18 points to net a playoff career high and help the Celtics pull away from the 76ers. “When you’re on a team with a point guard like (Rajon) Rondo, the ball just happens to find you,” Bass said. “We have to come out (in Game Six) with the same defensive approach.” The Game Five win gave Boston a 3-2 lead in the bestof-seven second-round series. Kevin Garnett added 20, while Rajon Rondo tallied 13 points and 14 assists for Boston, who trailed early but outscored the 76ers 54-35 in the final two quarters. Elton Brand lead Philadelphia with 19 points. Game Six is today in Philadelphia.
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Taffin Khan prevails in Caribbean Container FIDE chess tournament National senior chess champion, Taffin Khan, rebounded from an earlier setback where he drew his encounter with junior champion Hai Feng Su to score 81/2 points and emerge overall champion when action in the Caribbean Container Inc. (CCI) FIDE (World Chess Federation) rating tournament concluded at Olympic House, High Street Kingston, Sunday May 20 last. Anthony Drayton of the Government Technical Institute (GTI) amassed 6 ½ points to clinch the second place spot while Queen’s College student, Cecil Cox, closed off the podium spots with 6 points. By dint of their outstanding performances, Drayton and Cox are now assured of lucrative FIDE ratings but would have to wait until the tournament results are submitted to officials of the ruling chess federation. Officials of the local Chess Federation have revealed that these ratings should be available within a few months. Those seniors that would have performed below par would
have their ratings adjusted accordingly. The just concluded tournament pitted the skills of six junior players drawn from the 2011 National Junior Chess Championship against four FIDE rated senior players in a single round robin tournament to obtain FIDE ratings. The rated players are Taffin Khan (1809), Shiv Nandalall (1715), Ryan Singh (1456) and David Khan (1386). The junior players are Hai Feng Su, Anthony Drayton, Cecil Cox, Ron Motilall, Sham Khan and Kana Khan. The
other point standings at the end of the nine rounds tournament read: Shiv Nandalall (6), David Khan (5 ½, Hai Feng Su (4 ½), Ryan Singh (2 ½), Sham Khan (2 1/ 2, Kana Khan (2) and Ron Motilall (1). CCI Human Resources Manager Jimmy Lorrimer later presented the respective winners with their prizes shortly after the conclusion of the tournament. He offered congratulatory remarks even as he reiterated his organization’s delight in rendering the requisite support.
hour against their opponents ranked 52nd in the world in the FIFA rankings. But the visitor’s resistance was eventually broken when a pair of goals in the 70th and 73rd minute from mid-fielders Yairo Yau and Darwin Pinzon propelled Los Marea Roja (The Red Tide), one of Panama’s two colloquial names, to an eventual comfortable win. Assistant Coach of the Golden Jaguars Wayne “Wiggy” Dover said the Jaguars needed to be more clinical with the chances they receive, with opponents of the caliber of Mexico and
Costa Rica on the horizon. “I thought the guys gave a good performance but was clearly a bit tired from Saturday’s long travel. We had some good goal scoring opportunity but did not convert our chances, at this level you need to take your chances because when the opponent gets their chances, they take it, just like the game against Jamaica.” explained Dover. Dover further noted the likes of veteran mid-field Kayode McKinnon, English based striker Carl Cort, leftwinger Dwain Jacobs and Canada based defender Julien
Edwards as the standout player in the two fixtures. The Guyanese now go into camp at an undisclosed South American location before a final squad is picked for the June 8th and 12th encounters versus Mexico and Costa Rica. For the camp, the squad current contingent will be joined by the other regular foreign based players such as captain Chris Nurse, Leon Cort, Ricky Shakes, the Newton Brother – Howard and Jake, John Paul Rodrigues, Walter Moore, Chris Bourne and Gregory Richardson.
Taffin Khan (right) receives his prize from CCI Human Resources Manager Jimmy Lorrimer
Jaguars slump 2-0 against Panama Panama City, Panama – Panama subjected Guyana’s Golden Jaguars to their second defeat in 48 hours, beating them 2-0 on Sunday at the Estadio Rommel Fernández Stadium in Panama City, in the national side’s final official friendly international before commencing action in the World Cup qualifiers next month. In what was a “closed door” encounter, a fairly tired Guyana team, who were travelling almost immediately after losing 1-0 to Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz on Friday evening in Montego Bay, held their own for more than
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Kaieteur News
Wednesday May 23, 2012
EZjet flies into list of Sponsors for Competitive bout anticipated Guyana Independence T20 Cup between Eastman and Hardy According to the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) EZjet Air Services has flown into the list of sponsors for their Independence T20 Cup competition at Albion. The joint Fundraising venture by the BCB and Berbice Chambers of Commerce received a cheque for US $1,000 from EZjet and its Country Manager (Guyana) Miss Rosalinda Rasul said that she has been closely following the work of the Berbice Cricket Board and is more than happy to come on board knowing that BCB has joined with another outstanding organization… the Berbice Chambers. Miss Rasul indicated that EZjet will soon open a ticketing office at Rose Hall Town to serve the entire Berbice. She said that she looks forward for support for her airline from Berbicians so that EZjet can continue to support cricket and other charities. The airline promises the lowest air fares for the entire year and to provide comfort and hospitality to its passengers. EZjet has already attracted large support from Berbicians. Anil Beharry, Chairman of the Committee and Treasurer of BCB, thanked EZjet for coming on board and said that not only EZjet has flown into the list of sponsors for the event but also into the heart of Berbicians. He urged Berbicians to support EZjet when traveling to North
BCB’s Anil Beharry collects the sponsorship cheque from EZjet’s Country Manager (Guyana) Rosalinda Rasul. America. The tournament is billed for Albion Sports Complex on Saturday May 26. Players such as West Indies Test Spinner Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Jonathan Foo, Andre Percival, Gajanand Singh, Paul Wintz, Rajiv Ivan, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Richard Ramdeen, Chris Barnwell, Brandon Bess and others will be on show as teams vie for cash prizes of over one million dollars. Universal DVD Berbice Titans, Karibee Rice Tigers, Hits and Jams Superstars and New Line Cavaliers battle for supremacy. Republic Bank Ltd, Poonai’s Pharmacy, Balram
Shane of Rose Hall, Mursaline Bacchus, attorney at law, F&H Printery, J’S Supermarket, RHTY&SC, Gizmos and Gadgets and Charrandass Persaud, attorney at law have all recently pitched in sponsorship for the event. Spectators will have an opportunity to win fabulous gate prizes including cell phones, mp3 players, Lazy Boy suites and cricket gears, among others while there will be well stocked food and drinks bars and games for children among other forms of entertainment. The first match is scheduled to commence at 11:00 hrs with the final to be played under lights.
Boxing buffs that had envisaged a competitive battle between local light/ heavyweight champion, Kwesi ‘Lightening Struck Assassin’ Jones and his Trinidad based Guyanese counterpart, Shawn Corbin would have obviously felt disappointed that the bout has been cancelled but will be equally heartened that former European middleweight champion and world rater, Howard ‘Battersea Bomber’ Eastman has agreed to fill the slot in a non title bout with Simeon ‘Candyman’ Hardy scheduled for Friday June 1 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH). The two fighters sealed the deal Monday afternoon when they visited the Avenue of the Republic offices of Abdool and Abdools and culminated the deal with the official signing of contracts. Hardy has recently humiliated Iwan ‘Pure Gold’ Azore to take the Caribbean Boxing Federation (CABOFE) welterweight crown and align himself for honours in the impending World Boxing Council (WBC). He regards this bout as practice for more demanding duty and did not shy away from conveying this to Eastman shortly after affixing his signature on the contract. “This is going to be a battle between youth and experience,” proclaimed Hardy. He admitted that he nurtures respect for Eastman ever since he surrendered a close decision to William
Howard Eastman
Simeon Hardy
Joppy. However, Hardy is adamant that such respect would not step in the way of his ambitions. He scoffed at the suggestion that he would have bitten off more than he could chew especially since fought this to notably, Hardy has had his major successes as a welterweight, one division the light/ middleweight while Eastman would have enjoyed successful tenures as a light/ middleweight and a middleweight pugilist. Hardy said that he does not regard this as a disadvantage since he had fought heavier boxers before and came out successful. Eastman, for his part, is quite confident even as he acknowledges Hardy’s competence. “I know that Hardy is a warrior and I also know that he is unbeaten but I am no one’s punching bag so he will have to war if he is to beat me,” the ‘Battersea
Bomber’ emphatically proclaimed. Both fighters will be heightening training activities over the coming weeks; Eastman returns to Berbice at the Pocket Rocket Boxing Gym, while Hardy will be at the Forgotten Youth Foundation Boxing Gym in Albouystown. Several other boxers will comprise the card including Iwan ‘Pure Gold’ Azore against Barbadian, Miguel Antoine in a 6 rounds welterweight scrap while lightweight, Rudolph Fraser tackles Cassius Mathews also over 6 rounds. Kelsie George will also be up against James Walcott in a middleweight clash over 4 rounds in the night’s opening bout. There will also be the usual accompaniment of 4 amateur bouts but the organizers of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) are still to release those names. Admission remains at $1,000 for adults while children pay half that amount. The fights would be taped for broadcast at a later date. Fight Night Guyana is staged under the auspices of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), in collaboration with the Guyana Amateur Boxing.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Kaieteur News
Flex Night Inc. launches Florida chapter On Sunday May 20 the local Flex Night Inc. organisation took the first step towards becoming a truly international network with the launching of Friends of Flex Night Southwest Florida. The event took place in Astor Place, Fort Myers, Florida. Mark Zammett gave the formal welcome, and the main presentation was given by Donald Sinclair, Managing Director of the local Flex Night Inc. organisation. In his presentation Sinclair outlined the background to the formation of Flex Night Inc. and the objectives of the Friends of Flex Night entities - essentially as support groups for the execution of the health and fitness objectives of Flex Night Inc. and partner entities that
would plan their own activities and programmes to raise awareness in their respective cities about the benefits of the health and fitness lifestyle. Friends of Flex Night - Southwest Florida is the first of seven Friends of Flex Night chapters that will be formed this year. Other chapters will be formed in Southeast Florida, New York, New Jersey, Toronto, the Caribbean and Frankfurt-Berlin. The Launching of the New York chapter will take place in the current week and will be chaired by David Gomes, Marketing Director of Flex Night Inc. The Launch of the Toronto chapter takes place on Saturday May 26 at Sunnybrook Estates in Toronto and will be chaired by Donald Sinclair.
In picture are the members of the Southwest Florida core group.
Word formers go after Independence Day honours this weekend As Guyanese prepare to mark another milestone in Guyana’s history when this nation celebrates its 46th year as an independent nation, the executive of the Guyana Association of Scrabble Players (GASP) will commemorate the day with the GASP Independence Open championships at the Malteenoes Sports Club, Saturday May 26 next. In last year’s tournament, Moen Gafoor turned in a sterling performance to register 4 games and a positive spread of 361 to take top honours, while Colin Chichester finished in second
place with 4 games and a positive spread of 257. Orlando Michael had occupied the final podium spot, also with four games but a lesser positive spread of 198 while Nicholas Grant and Grace Hercules had also won four games apiece but Grant had eventually clinched the fourth place spot by dint of a higher positive spread of 127 as against Hercules’ negative spread of 67. Since then, there have been numerous competitions and the lower seeds have improved tremendously. Therefore, the top seeds will
GNRA shooters excel at... From back page director Dr. Jose DaSilva said the tournament was a success and he is looking forward to the 2013 event. Dr. DaSilva outlined his admiration for the sport of practical shooting with specific reference to the high level that competitors are required to display while at the range. Small-bore Captain Ryan McKinnon in closing remarks noted that the match maintained the association’s high safety standard and thanked all those involved for their participation. He also thanked Modern Optical for their continued sponsorship and support for GNRA’s shooting programme.
be required to dig deep to overcome the challenges of Maurice Munroe and Delon Moffat, arguably the most improved junior players. Even then, one will have to be wary of the old master, Ulric Harris, not to mention the likes of national champion, Abigail McDonald and her predecessor, Fred Collins, whose recent return to competition has reinstated the competitive edge. The players would be competing for lucrative prizes while a special prize will be given to the best player outside the top ten r a t i n g . To d a t e , t h r e e players, Moffat, Hercules and Munroe have won that prize and the other lowly rated players would also want to grab the honours. The registration period gets underway at 09:30hrs and the first tile would be moved half an hour later. Players are reminded that late comers would have their clocks activated in their absence. A fee of $500 would be collected at the time of registration.
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Guyana Independence T20 Cup
Delmur Company Limited, New Building Society Ltd latest on Board With match day just a few days away more and more companies and a number of prominent individuals are coming on Board with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) for the history making one day 20/20 charity fund raising cricket extravaganza. The activity which is called the Guyana Independence T20 Cup is slated for Saturday 26th May (Independence Day) at the Albion Community Centre ground. The latest to show their appreciation for the event are the Delmur Company Limited, with operations both in Berbice and Demerara, New Building Society Limited and Attorneys at law Mursaline Bacchus and Charrandass Persaud, are the latest to come on board for the a joint fund raising venture by the Berbice Cricket Board and the Berbice Chambers of Commerce and Development. Mr Colin Elcock, Director of the Delmur Company and a cricket fan himself, expressed his confidence in the two charitable organisations which he said are noted for their outstanding work over the years. He said that it is important to give back to the community from where you garner your support and it is also a good thing to help to make a difference in the lives of our people. He stated that his company is always willing to be involved in tangible and worthwhile events and had no hesitation in working along with the two reputable organisations. He is happy that proceeds from this event will go towards charity.
- Attorneys at law Mursaline Bacchus and Charrandass Persaud also support
Angela Haniff, of the Delmur Company presents a cheque of an undisclosed amount to Mr Romesh Munna, assistant treasurer of BCB and member of the organising committee. Mrs Subrina Budhoo of NBS said that her employer has over the years contributed significantly to charity, education and sports. She reminded the gathering that NBS is sponsoring cricket tournaments countrywide among other sports. She added that the NBS has faith in Berbice Cricket Board and is pleased with the manner they conduct their business. The tournament is billed for the Albion Sports Complex on Saturday May 26, 2012 and promises to provide quality entertainment for all patrons. It forms part of the celebrations to mark
Guyana’s 46thIndependence Anniversary. The four teams on board to do battle are Universal DVD Berbice Titans, Karibee Rice Tigers, Hits and Jams Superstars and New Line Cavaliers. The organising committee is grateful for the support so far and assures the sponsors and general public that it will be a well organised tournament. Admission to the venue is $500 for Adult and $200 for children with gates opening from 9:00hrs. Tickets will be sold only at the venue and patrons are urged to grab them early.
Tino Best replaces injured Gabriel From back page match showed a stress reaction in the lower spine,” CJ Clark, the West Indies physiotherapist, said. “He was subsequently ruled out of the second Test and, after further consultation, we feel that to prevent this injury developing any further, it is in Shannon’s best interest for him to return to Trinidad & Tobago for rest and rehabilitation to ensure he is fully fit when selected for West Indies in the future.” Best, 30, played the last of his 14 Tests in 2009 against Bangladesh in Grenada when West Indies were hit with a mass player walkout. However, he was recently named in the one-day squad for the series against Australia although, he did not make the XI for any of the five matches. He has taken 28 Test wickets at 48.67 with a best of 4 for 46, although his record against England is better with 13 wickets at 32.37 from five matches. One of those games came in 2004 at Lord’s which is where the well-known
sledge “Mind the windows, Tino” came from Andrew Flintoff when Best was trying to slog Ashley Giles in the stands towards the end of the match. Best has forced his way back into contention with consistent performances in the regional four-day competition in the Caribbean where he picked up 17 wickets at 20.64 during the 2011-12 season.
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Kaieteur News
Savitir stars as Satro crowned Kishan Bacchus T\20 champs
Captain of the wining Satro team Zaheer Razak collecting the trophy from treasurer of the Leguan Cricket Committee Mustapha Zaman. A fine allround display by Huckumchand Savitir guided Satro to a four-wicket victory over Maryville in the final of the Kishan Bacchus Construction Company twenty\20 cricket competition which was played recently at Enterprise ground in Leguan. Maryville, who drew the bye to the final after three teams ended on the same number of points after the
preliminary round, won the toss and elected to bat first in front of a fair size crowd. They lost two early wickets before Rabindra Samaroo and Chandreka Totaram added 78 for the third wicket taking the score to 102. Samaroo who hit three fours was then caught off left arm spinner Trevor Whyte for 27 while Totaram was leg before to Savitir for 27.
No other batsman reached double figures with the exception of Paul Williams who scored 10 as Maryville scored 148-9 off their allocation of overs. Extra contributed 21 as Whyte grabbed 3-23 and Savitir 2-18. Savitir and Arjune Persaud posted 36 for the first wicket as Satro began positively with Savitir punishing anything too short
or full. When Persaud (2) departed, Satro lost three more quick wickets to be at 65-4 in seven overs. Savitir was joined by Whyte and continued to bat positively hitting nine sixes and six fours before he went for a well played 92. Whyte 17 not out and Shahad Razack who ended unbeaten on 12 saw their team to safety without further loss as they finished on 153-6 in 17.2 overs. Ryan Jacobs claimed 3-22 for Maryville. Speaking at the Presentation Ceremony Chairman of the Leguan Cricket Committee Verendra Chintamanie thanked the sponsor and congratulated Satro who received the winning trophy. Meanwhile, in the lone semifinal played, Satro overcame Young Warriors by two wickets. Scores - Young Warriors 103 all out in 14.4 overs ( Tulsieram Premnauth 31, Simon Persaud 23, H. Savitir 2-13, Saif Razak 2-26) Satro 107-8 in 15 overs (Savitir 38, Shahad Razak 13*, S. Persaud 3-6, Oudit Narine 2-20).
‘Challenge Day’ celebrations
Physical displays/parachute jumping as Guyana joins Brazil in celebrations Today has been designated ‘Challenge Day’ when the general objective is to encourage citizens to adopt new attitudes towards active and healthy living. This is usually achieved by persuading individuals to encompass at least 15 minutes of physical activity into their daily routine towards a healthy lifestyle. Sao Paulo – Social Service of Commerce of Sao Paulo Brazil (SESC), in partnership with the Germany based, Trim & Fitness International Sport for All Association (TAFISA) will
join with other conscientious individuals and organizations in promoting sport activities towards health benefits. Guyana is also committed to participate in this important international event and towards this end, officials of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), has organized a series of sport activities, including martial arts and boxing, to commemorate this auspicious occasion. There will also be physical displays by the Guyana Police Force
as well as a parachute jumping display by troopers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Activities get underway at 09:30hrs at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence and several schools along the East Coast Demerara corridor will join with other invitees to engage in a physical warm-up and exercise session for approximately twenty (20) minutes. This activity will be coordinated by popular physical fitness guru, Curtis, shortly before Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Frank Anthony, delivers a motivational talk to set the
tone for the day’s activities. The primary objective of Challenge Day is to introduce new attitudes towards active living by stimulating citizens to break their daily routine and practice any kind of physical activity for at least 15 minutes daily. It is friendly competition in sport that involves people of all stratums, in wholesome physical activity. More importantly, the event is a fun day that creates awareness and enthusiasm for fitness and active living in participating communities.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Pietersen wants Gayle return
Kevin Pietersen would enjoy renewing battles with Chris Gayle. Kevin Pietersen has said it would be “brilliant for the game” if West Indies recalled Chris Gayle for the remainder of the Test series against England. Gayle has not played Test cricket since December 2010 following a much documented fall out with the WICB. But, with both sides having moved to patch up some of their differences and Gayle’s involvement with the 2012 IPL season now over his team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, have been eliminated despite Gayle being the leading run-scorer in the round-robin stages - it has raised the possibility that he could be recalled to the Test squad although Darren Sammy was cagey on the matter. West Indies, suffering from some brittle top-order batting and a lack of depth in their bowling, lost the first Test at Lord’s by five wickets. Gayle, with more than 6,000 Test runs and over 70 Test wickets, could strengthen both departments. “It will be brilliant for the game if he comes back to play this Test match,” Pietersen said. “He is an entertainer. People want to watch entertainers. They don’t want to watch people blocking the ball. They want to watch entertainers. He is one of
those people that people will pay their money to watch him play and if he comes back that could be brilliant for the series. He is a superstar and he is one of my real good mates in cricket. I love the way he plays.” From an England viewpoint, Pietersen expressed his delight in Andrew Strauss’ return to form. Strauss made his first Test century since November 2010 at Lord’s though Pietersen insisted he never doubted the England captain. “The wheel was going to turn at some point and it turned at Lord’s,” Pietersen said at a Chance to Shine event. “It’s brilliant for English cricket. I have been through a period where I didn’t score a hundred for a while. It just turns and since then I have scored I don’t know how many hundreds. Strauss is a fantastic guy and I was more happy for him scoring that hundred than I have been for any other teammate when they have scored a hundred. I loved the fact that he did that. “Somebody’s going to get it from the media at one stage in the month or the year. That’s just what happens in our job. So long as you just accept that and understand that and concentrate on the ball as a batter, or the areas you bowl as a bowler, then everything’s fine. You just have to park that to one side and just do your job. But the wheel turns for everyone. Everyone should notice that by now.” Pietersen also suggested that the “cricketing world” will be eagerly anticipating England’s forthcoming Test series against South Africa later in the season. It will be contest to decide the No. 1 Test team in the world if England go on and complete victory over West Indies. “We are going to have to play very good cricket because the South African team is a very strong cricketing unit with some fantastic players,” Pietersen said.
Wednesday May 23, 2012
Kaieteur News
Page 29
Knight Riders gallop into first IPL final Bolt partners with Yahoo! Cricket – PUNE: His bizarre antics can finally be appended to a reason. Shahrukh Khan bounded about like a rabbit on speed, hugging his teammates on the field of play – Yes! He was allowed to enter the arena on this occasion – as his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders strode into their first IPL final, after outplaying Delhi Daredevils by 18 runs in the ‘Qualifier 1’ on Tuesday night. Spin-heavy Kolkata batted first, pulled themselves up to 162-4, thanks to Yusuf Pathan’s and Laxmi Shukla’s late onslaught, and then stalled Delhi on 144-8 with their battery of bowlers – principally the confounding mystery spinner Sunil Narine and veteran seamer Jacques Kallis, both of whom had match figures of 4-0-24-2. Delhi have another chance of making the final when they play the winner of the Mumbai Indians-Chennai Super Kings eliminator. In pursuit of a tricky target, Delhi suffered a massive setback when David Warner was out to a horrible caught-behind decision off Shakib Al Hasan in the second over of the chase. Virender Sehwag, back after sitting out with an illness, followed soon after, slashing a wide Lakshmipathy Balaji delivery to the ‘keeper. With two of their most dangerous batsmen out, Delhi faced a mammoth task ahead, but were brought back in contention with a 59-run partnership between Mahela Jayawardene (40) and Naman Ojha (29). The alliance ended when Ojha cut Rajat Bhatia straight to point, and the
Defeat Daredevils by 18 runs in first qualifier
Knight Riders get together to celebrate a wicket death knell was sounded when Jayawardene charged Iqbal Abdullah only to be stumped – after a minor fumble – by Brendon McCullum. Delhi needed 54 runs in five overs at that stage and a cascade of wickets resulted as the batsmen went after the spinners. Really, the chase was never on after Ross Taylor was demoted to below Pawan Negi in the batting order. Earlier, KKR, safe in the knowledge that they contained three spinners in their eleven, batted first on a pitch with more than moderate turn and grip.
Delhi’s attack comprised three quicks and Gambhir took an immediate liking to them, provided his team a blistering start with a 16-ball 32. Gambhir began with a pulled maximum off Umesh Yadav and tore into Varun Aaron for six and four in the last over of the Powerplay. Disaster struck in the same over when the Kolkata captain was run out. He thumped Varun to mid-off, and was late returning to the crease after having backed up too far. A direct hit from Venugopal Rao found Gambhir short of his ground, and the wicket pegged KKR
Imam Bacchus and Sons Schools Cricket
JC Secondary book semi spot, ARMS, Aurora, EISS also through
Johanna Cecelia Secondary, Anna Regina Multilateral, Essequibo Islands Secondary and Aurora Secondary have secured their places in the semifinals of the Imam Bacchus and Sons Company 40-over Secondary schools cricket competition which continued last weekend at the Affiance ground on the Essequibo coast. Last Saturday, Johanna Cecelia Secondary defeated Cotton Field Secondary by 9 wickets in a match which was reduced to 20 overs due to rain. Cotton Field batted first and were bowled out for 60 in 15.3 overs. Deolall Persaud and Christopher Bacchus top-scored with 13 each as Akenie Adams bagged 4-7 and was supported by Quincy Adams (4-19) and Keon Davis (2-6). Johanna Cecelia then knocked off the required target in 6.4 overs ending on 611.Davis returned to hit an unbeaten 30 while Raj Parbattie made 15 not out. On Sunday at the same venue, Anna Regina Multilateral got the better of Abramsville Secondary by six wickets. After the game was reduced to 30 overs due to rain,
Abramsville took first turn at the crease and posted a healthy 162 before they were bowled out in 29 overs. Opener Ovindo Persaud stroked 41 while Akeel Wallace and Yougesh Persaud assisted with 37 apiece. Jewan Chanderpaul and Sadeek Mohamed picked up 3-18 and 2-35 respectively. The interval between innings was delayed by another downpour causing the target to be reduced to 114 in 20 overs. Anna Regina Multilateral however encountered little hiccups in their chase responding with 117-4 in 18.2 overs. Essequibo U-15 player Parmesh Parashutam led the scoring with 29 and was ably supported by Ymindra Persaud who finished unbeaten on 21. Yugesh Singh took 2-25. Meanwhile the competition continues on Saturday with Johanna Cecelia facing Aurora in the first semi-final while Anna Regina Multilateral will take on Essequibo Islands Secondary of Wakenaam in the second semi on a date to be announced. (Zaheer Mohamed)
back. The next ten overs yielded just 58 runs as Brendon McCullum (31) and Jacques Kallis (32) struggled to accelerate. Left-arm spinner Negi slipped in his overs for precious little and picked up the New Zealander with precocious turn, as he sliced one high into the night sky and was taken smartly by Warner. In the next over, Shakib edged Irfan Pathan to the ‘keeper and soon after Kallis walked off when he pulled Umesh down Taylor’s throat. The three quick wickets stalled KKR and they would have been in freefall were it not for Yusuf and Laxmi Shukla. Yusuf shrugged off his indifferent season to partner Shukla for 56 runs in just four overs. The burly right-hander creamed Morkel for a straight six and powered boundaries off Umesh. Shukla too chipped in, lofting Morkel for four and completing a savage pull for maximum gain against the same bowler. The last over, bowled by Varun Aaron, was a run fest. Warner dropped Yusuf at long-on and conceded a six instead as the ball sailed over the ropes. Yusuf smacked vicious cover drives off the last two deliveries, both to the fence, taking the cost of the last over to 21. Kolkata ended with 162 – a massive total considering the nature of the wicket. Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 162 for 4 (Yusuf 40*) beat Delhi Daredevils 144 for 8 (Jayawardene 40, Kallis 224, Narine 2-24) by 18 runs.
SOUL Electronics
SOUL Electronics and the world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, have announced a branding partnership. The track and field star will be representing the SOUL brand du r i n g v a r i o u s events throughout the year and will be a development partner for his own special edition headphones, scheduled to hit the market this summer. “Bolt’s accomplishments as a three-time Olympic gold medallist showcase what a driven and exceptional person can do when they are motivated and striving for greatness,” commented Len Davi, executive director of SOUL Electronics. “He’s a perfect representation of what SOUL stands for, and an ideal brand ambassador.” Bolt noted, “I work hard at attaining my goals and in addition, I always try to inspire others to work hard and attain their dreams. I am looking forward to working with SOUL to deliver this message.” In addition to public
Athletic superstar Usain Bolt sporting a SOUL headphone. appearances, the star athlete will be featured in the company’s upcoming “SOUL of Greatness” video series, which is being developed to inspire people worldwide to aim for greatness and achieve their goals. SOUL headphone models currently under development with Bolt include a Bluetooth earbud with removable ear safety hooks for added stability (perfect for an athletic lifestyle) called the RUN FREE, and a version of the company’s popular SL300 that pays a stylish homage to the athlete’s home, Jamaica.
GRFU members to be given specific responsibilities President of GRFA Recently appointed President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU), Colonel John Lewis revealed that a lot is in store for the development of the sport as things are now under his wings. Revealing the plans for the sport, Lewis stated that he immediately would administer specific responsibilities to the committee members of the Union. According to the President, specific responsibilities will given to the Senior Vice President, who will be responsible for male rugby; the Junior Vice President who will be responsible for female rugby and a Committee Member who will handle the under-19 and age ranged rugby. The President indicated that those immediate responsibilities will allow the Union to keep progression with rugby in Guyana as the sport elevates. Asking the plan for fifteen’s rugby which is not as dominant as seven’s, Lewis stated that more players and clubs will have to be built up on to sustain an extensive 15-a-side competition as the domestic season is dictated by the overseas players. “Our domestic season for the segment is dictated more or less by our overseas players especially our overseas 7-a-side players.” Lewis added that the fifteen’s is mainly the area they need to focus on to balance the performance with the seven’s. He strongly highlighted that local women’s rugby is absolutely an area they have to concentrate on as there is a present movement across the North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) to develop women’s rugby. “They (NACRA) gave us certain targets that we much achieve. The target includes the amount of female players and amount of trail matches per year.” Questioning, how the Union will acquire funding for the sport, the President stated that they are looking at a new alternative; the selling of souvenir rugby uniforms in Guyana and the Guyanese Diaspora. This idea sprouted when they traveled to Hong Kong earlier in the year. The President added that both male and female players will revert to 7-a-side games after the Game on June 2 as they will be preparing to defend their titles in Canada in August. It was also indicated that 15-a-side games will be hosted after the international commitment for the year have concluded to get the players in tuned for the new rugby season in 2013. (Juanita Hooper)