Kaieteur News

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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

The root of Guyana’s parliamentary woes Guyana has been told that it stands to be punished to the point that it may not be able to even transfer money from the local commercial banks to buyers overseas. Indeed the world, particularly the United States, has not taken kindly to the fact that tons of money move across borders to fund operations that threaten global peace.

For some time now, the United States has been trying to curb this flow of money which increased in volume as the drug trade grew and expanded and as the United States drove the demand more money began to circulate outside the established forums. It is the same in many other countries particularly as the drug dealers reap the rewards of the sale of drugs.

Tracking paper money has never been easy so the drug dealer with his tons of money often avoided tax and declaration simply by avoiding the commercial banks. Transactions were done in cash, some of which purchased weapons from the underground and helped finance terrorist operations.

Up until September 11, 2001, the world was not pressured to implement stringent financial regulations. For example, the laws of Guyana allow a person to refrain from disclosing his source of income. And because of this it was difficult to make seizures in the wake of drug arrests, not that such attempts have not been tried.

Then came the worst attack that the United States ever suffered. At the same time it was faced with a growing number of drug addicts. It started to chase after the money that allowed these things to happen. In the end it has managed to persuade countries worldwide to tighten up on financial transactions and Guyana is no exception.

Guyana has until May 27 to present its amended legislation. All week the nation has been hearing about the possible blacklisting with its attendant pressures and ability to disrupt national life. We have heard that doing business with foreign countries could become a nightmare.

What seems to be worse is the foreign inflow from the donor agencies. We are told that the donors would not be too keen to release money to a country in which there is no financial accountability. The private sector is most fearful because they would not be able to enjoy hassle-free access goods and services overseas. These frightening things caused the government to seek to get the necessary piece of legislation in place. Then came the madness in the National Assembly. One opposition party sought to hold the piece of anti-money laundering legislation to ransom-a threat that this party would vote against every piece of legislation that the government brings.

The other parliamentary party queried the haste with which the government was seeking to pass the piece of legislation and wondered whether mischief was not afoot.

The piece of legislation has not been tabled in the National Assembly and when the deadline reaches, Guyana will not have the necessary anti-money laundering legislation that would signal this country’s intention to fight terrorism and the movement of illegal money.

So the country is in a bind. There is nothing to prevent the international community from blacklisting Guyana.

However, the situation exposes many shortcomings in the political system; for one the government has not been as accommodating with the opposition as it should.

The problem with Guyana is that at all times there has been a majority parliament with the result that the government has always had its way.

Opposition arguments, more often than not, fell on deaf ears. There was always rancor. Compromise was the exception.

Now that there is a minority parliament the government is still trying to fashion ways to function as a majority. It refuses to accept that in a democracy the majority is what dictates the needs of the country. That is why there is a separation of powers in relation to the judiciary, the executive and the legislature. It is this acceptance that is the root of all the parliamentary problems at this time.

Thursday May 23, 2013

Letters... Where your views make the news

Now we’ll learn how serious we are about good governance DEAR EDITOR, The demands made by the political opposition as pre-conditions to giving support to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act are just. For while this bill seeks to hold Guyana accountable as a regional/international business partner among fellow nation states, the country will again be done a grave disservice if, like so many other instances, laws are made but the political will and maturity are lacking to activate them.

Germane to this bill is the issue of accountability by government, organisation and individual, under a universal law to ensure business transactions not only conform to financial probity, but also ensures the security/safety of self and the nation.

Given this country’s international notoriety and the overwhelming presence of an illegal economy, it is in the interest of all who wish to live in a society where laws are paramount, safety is guaranteed and violators held accountable, to call on the government to listen, equally as we call on the opposition to ensure that frameworks are put in place, not only for this bill but for every law and institution that seek to safeguard our rights.

A country is not held to ransom when its citizens/elected representatives demand government whose primary function is to serve and protect them - acts in a manner that will respect and safeguard their wellbeing. A country is held to ransom when any government or individual thinks it/he/she can disregard the will of the people and be selective in honouring

laws. Government is usually expected to lead by example and the calls made by the opposition to the executive presents the opportunity for President Ramotar to demonstrate to this nation he understands modern governance and how it ought to work. It offers him an opportunity, once again, to prove his mettle. And if the administration fails to so heed or thinks that it can so fail to heed by engaging in attacks and misinformation, then the workers/citizens are duty bound to make known that their resources and wellbeing will no longer be held hostage to a primitive political culture.

The fact that the executive has chosen to use the power vested in it by the people, not in the interest of the people, and being emboldened by others to continue along this path because of the personal benefit they derive from such action/association, ought not to be countenanced by those who know better.

To call on the opposition to work with the government to pass the bill to avoid reported sanctions, without calling upon and seeing to, that the government works with the opposition in restoring good governance, is an abrogation of civic duty. The threat of sanctions ought not to be used as an excuse to subvert or deny the opposition its responsibility to hold the executive accountable. Rather, those who recognise or fear such sanctions should be calling on the government to use the threat of same to honour its responsibility under the constitution and so hold themselves accountable.

Further, the failure to provide needed information, or produce a bill

close to deadline in the hope that such will escape accountability, or ignore day-to-day good governance, which the Public Procurement Commission and the Fiscal Management Accountability Act, among others seek to secure, are demonstrations of contempt for the people.

G i v e n t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ’s reputation in disregarding current laws and avoidance to establish laws to ensure internal sanctions for selected public office holders should be of concern to all.

Thus, those using a timeline and what they construe as negative impact on business, Guyana’s so-called creditworthiness, money transfer, etc., absent of calling for the implementation of the foregoing, are enabling the use of public offices for wrongdoing. And by extension their pronouncement gives credence to the international community calls, via this bill, in demanding the society halts such practices and sanctions those who engage in same.

For one cannot demand the passing of a bill because it allows your business to function or money to flow to the State, when money if not properly managed at the State level opens another avenue for laundering and protection, by virtue of the State’s refusal to put laws in place to sanction those who violate the public trust.

If the Ramotar administration, civil society and individuals are serious about good governance, honouring laws and respecting/protecting the people, the opposition’s positions present the opportunity to demonstrate this.

Lincoln Lewis

All Guyanese should take pride in the fact that we are today a free, independent and democratic society DEAR EDITOR, In a matter of a few days from now, May 26 to be precise, Guyanese will celebrate 47 years as an independent nation after some 150 years of British colonial rule. Most Guyanese today would not have been around at the time of independence or would have been too young to know what life was like during pre-colonial days.

Those familiar with our political history would know that independence was not granted to this country without a hard struggle led by the People’s Progressive Party. From its very inception as a political party, the PPP called for internal self-government and a wholly-elected Legislature. The Party then took the struggle to a higher level by lobbying the international community and the United Nations for political independence. Several marches and demonstrations took place to press the British Government to grant independence to the country, which finally took place on May 26, 1966, but only after the PPP was removed from government due to what former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson described as a “fiddled constitutional arrangement”.

The British Government, under pressure from the United States, deliberately withheld political independence despite an earlier commitment given that whichever political party won the 1961 elections would have had the honour of leading an independent Guyana.

The United States, mainly out of ideological and geo-strategic reasons, preferred an independent Guyana without the PPP at the political helm as documented by Arthur Schlesinger Jnr. Presidential Advisor to President Kennedy in his book “A Thousand Days in the White House”: “Then in May 1962, Burnham came to Washington. He appeared an intelligent man, insisting on his “Socialism” and “Neutralism” but stoutly anti-communist….

In the meantime, events have convinced us that Jagan, though perhaps not a disciplined communist, had that kind of deep pro-communist emotion which only sustained experience with communism would cure: and the United States could not afford the Sekou Toure therapy when it involved a quasi-communist regime on the mainland of Latin America.

Burnham’s visit left the feelings as I reported to the President than an independent British Guiana under Burnham (if Burnham will commit himself to a multi-racial policy) would cause us many fewer problems than an independent British Guiana under Jagan.”

Schlesinger later apologized to Dr. Jagan for what he described as an injustice done to the PPP and for that matter to the people of Guyana. The United States clearly misread the situation in Guyana at the time and in the process aided and abetted a process which saw the destruction of the democratic fabric of the society with disastrous consequences. The immediate post-independence period saw the country retrogressing from among the more developed countries in the region to one of the poorest in the western hemisphere.

Be that as it may, all Guyanese should take pride in the fact that we are today a free, independent and democratic society characterized by political and ideological pluralism, political democracy, cultural diversity, racial equality and a growing economy.

Hydar Ally

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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

Change is going to come to this place, and I count myself among those who would be arbiters of that change DEAR EDITOR, As someone who does indeed enjoy discussing literature in bars, reputable and disreputable, with Dr. David Dabydeen, I find his letter unfortunate not just in tone but in the veracity of its content. My learned friend should be aware, that unlike the Minister he is defending, he has an actual international reputation to protect, one that continues to be diminished with each correspondence on this issue.

A relevant personal anecdote on Freedom House’s de facto policy on literary development: last year, the President of Guyana openly appealed for the WICB to make clear guidelines in its selection criteria so as to show reason why cricket Ramnaresh Sarwan was not selected; yet, in the ten years since I won the Guyana Prize at 22, for work I did between the ages of 19 and 21, I have not been called to represent Guyana at a single literary or other cultural event, with no reason being given.

And this is simply what

the government has done openly and with impunity – what has been done clandestinely has been far more insidious and pervasive.

For example, earlier this year, in the aftermath of my pointing that it was unethical for the Minister of Culture to have his daughter’s work published by the state publication mechanism, I was swiftly sent a lawyer’s letter, delivered to my home by a Ministry of Culture office boy and which I signed receipt for in the diary of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Alfred King.

When that did not faze me, and I responded, the next few weeks would see me receiving warning calls that persons that I had done work for, particularly in state agencies, were being threatened or interrogated.

Indeed, I was informed that these phantom inquisitors were looking into a lucrative contract I had supposedly undertaken with one Ministry, a contract I had in fact reconsidered and refused because of a potential conflict of interest situation

arising.

And this is nothing new – I’ve spent the better part of the past ten years either hearing that I cannot be worked with simply because of my criticism of the government, or having clients contort themselves to accommodate me so as to disguise the fact that I’ve done good work for them, and this includes people in government.

In 2009, during a time that this economic targeting had reached one of its frequent peaks due to my then criticism of the mismanagement of Carifesta X (2008), I received correspondence from Dr. Dabydeen indicating his desire to meet and discuss writing. Over drinks at Tower Hotel, we spoke about the need for workshops and the eventual development of a writers’ festival in Guyana.

I was asked to prepare a document to send to Frank Anthony for approval, and I informed Dabydeen that at the time my laptop had broken down and so the preparation of the document in a timely manner would be

difficult. He insisted, quite generously, on providing funding for a laptop towards this end, because “we writers have to support each other, man”, and so I subsequently received a quotation for a netbook from Starr Computers.

Dr. Dabyeen produced the bulk of the funding for it, I paid the balance out of whatever little savings I had, and days later the blueprint for the workshops we discussed was on the desk of the Minister of Culture.

It was the same blueprint that the Minister was to inform me a year later, after incidentally running into him, that the Ministry could not afford, despite my including a mechanism for corporate support.

With regard to the UNESCO workshop, I arrived late for the pre-ceremony but on time for the workshop and the sum offered was an honorarium, $8,000, not payment – I make more doing a single press release. I initially offered, without requirement, to give my postworkshop analysis in writing,

but I opted instead to inform Petamber Persaud that the most important thing to take away was that a single day clinic was not enough.

The reasons I have not submitted my work, despite Dabydeen saying just once, that the Press was considering publishing my Guyana Prize winning work are, one, because I honestly believe that Press’ function should be primarily developmental and focus on providing opportunity for emerging writers, and if the quality is not there, then the focus should be on developmental mechanisms; the second reason, the same one that has made me not submit any work anywhere, even when solicited to do so was because I intend to control, publish and profit from my own work.

The one exception, and this was last month, was when Peepal Tree asked to take a look at my work and I sent manuscripts to Jeremy Poynting. My first book of fiction which won the Guyana Prize for literature and my first book of poetry which was on

that year’s shortlist were there among published writers in the Diaspora, so I personally have nothing to prove with regard to quality of writing. I similarly withhold comments on Dr. Dabydeen’s own recent writing.

I have never barked and snarled at the Guyana Prize judges, because indeed the system of judging is one that the PPP’s intrusiveness cannot touch without great effort particularly because, as conceived by founder President Desmond Hoyte, the jury must include reputable overseas-based scholars. This is the sort of magnanimity of vision in the furtherance of literary development that Freedom House has no conception of.

Concerning my supposed “criticisms of Ashley Anthony”, clearly the esteemed writer continues to ignore the text of what I’ve said, particularly in my last letter, or he is going - as Anthony has done – for cheap emotional points.

Understandably, both Dabydeen and Anthony are (Continued on page 28)

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GPSU calls for 15 percent interim increase for public servants The Guyana Public Service (GPSU) said that last November 20, it submitted to the government, proposals for consideration of public servants wages, salaries and allowances. The submission, however, failed to grab the attention of the government.

Union head, Patrick Yarde, is therefore asking for a 15 percent increase for public service workers since approval has already been granted for this year’s budget.

This, he said, should be done pending the outcome of negotiations for wages and salaries.

Yarde said that a request was made for the 2012 prepared proposals to be included in this year’s budget. Public servants would have received a 25 percent increase across the board.

Yarde noted that the Union further requested an audience with Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, but a response was not received.

The Union, following its Statutory Executive Council Meeting on May 13, “approved the multi-year proposals for 2013-2015 which were immediately submitted to the Government through the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Ministry, Mr. Hydar Ally.”

The recently sent letter stated, “These proposals are submitted without prejudice to our position on the arbitrary increases for the years up to and including

GPSU head Patrick Yarde

Labour Minister Nanda Gopaul

2012.”

As expounded in the correspondence dated December 6, 2012, in relation to the individual years, Yarde said the following is recommended - that for 2013 there should be 25 percent increase across the board, 30 percent for the year 2014 and 35 percent across the board for the year 2015.

The GPSU further requested that “In view of the fact that the Estimates of Expenditure for 2013 have already been approved by the National Assembly and among the provisions was a sum of $4.404B for the revision of wages and salaries, an interim increase of 15 per cent should be made immediately, pending the outcome of negotiations for wages and salaries.”

GPSU is also seeking immediate commencement of negotiations, “and a

commitment to a businesslike process of discussion, so that an award could be made expeditiously to forestall the unacceptable norms of end of year impositions, which has been the hallmark of Government’s practices for over a decade.”

Regarding increases in allowances for public workers, “the Union stands by its proposals that were submitted by way of letter to the Permanent Secretary, Public Service Ministry dated September 24, 2009.

It is requesting that those proposals be used as the base and that similar increases be applied to all the years i.e.

2013 – 25%; 2014 – 30%; 2015 – 35%.”

Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, disclosed earlier this week that in relation to wages, over 31,000 persons will benefit from the $35,000 minimum wage standard slated to take effect from July 1. This hike, he said will benefit from security guards to janitors to domestic workers.

He added that for the first time in the history of Guyana, vulnerable workers will be protected by the implementation of a minimum wage.

Both the private and public workers fall under this new implementation.

Thursday May 23, 2013

New Barbados currency coming On the heels of recent warnings against counterfeit currency, the Central Bank of Barbados has announced that it will begin circulation of new currency notes from June 4.

The changes are for notes of all denominations - $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 - and the Bank stated that they will feature not only a new design, but also very modern and upto-date security features.

Recently there have been advisories concerning circulation of fake $20 and $100 bills. The Bank said in a release, that introduction of the new series of banknotes was motivated by its commitment to counterfeiting deterrence efforts.

According to the Bank, the specific features chosen for the new bills were based largely on two factors: the types of security characteristics most used by the public to authenticate

their notes and developments in anti-counterfeiting technology.

Deputy Director, Currency, Octavia Gibson, gave two examples of how these factors influenced the choice of security features for the new series. She said most Barbadians are familiar with the watermark on the current banknotes, the map of Barbados and use this feature to authenticate their notes.

Gibson explained, “For the 2013 series notes, the Bank wanted to keep this type of security feature but at the same time upgrade it. Instead of a single watermark for all denominations, we incorporated six different images.

Because we understood it would be a challenge for the public to remember multiple watermarks, we made the watermark the same as the portrait. So Sir Grantley on the right, the ghost image of

Sir Grantley on the left.”

Gibson also described another major change to the security features on the new notes, “Since foil patches were first introduced on Barbados’s two highest denominations, there has been a great deal of advancement in the banknote printing industry. So for the 2013 series, these patches have been upgraded to holograms. Instead of simply catching the light when the notes are tilted, the images on the hologram shift, change colour, and take on a three-dimensional appearance”.

Prior to the new series, the most recent upgrades were done in 2007.

The Bank explained that it has a policy of reviewing the security features on local banknotes every five to seven years, which is in keeping with industry best practice.

Fuel shortage hits GuyOil in Berbice

State- owned Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) stations in Berbice have run out of gasoline, dieselene and kerosene. The situation has been this way since the week began. Only the GuyOil facility at Palmyra, Canje has supplies.

The situation is fueling outcries from other GuyOil gas station owners in the area. The Palmyra station, commissioned last year, is a mega –gas station and the major GuyOil facility.

Kaieteur News was informed that the boat that was supposed to have brought in fresh supplies of fuel at the GuyOil Terminal at

Heathburn, East Bank Berbice has experienced mechanical failures and thus, supplies have run short and run out at all stations.

Shell gas stations have not been affected but hire car operators and other users of fuel have depended on cheaper gas from GuyOil and have been flock i n g t h e station at Palmyra while some have resorted to purchasing fuel at a higher cost from the various Shell stations across Berbice.

“GuyOil should never run out of fuel—they should treat us just the way they treat the Palmyra Station…” said one angry gas station owner.

The owner stated, too, that Guyoil cannot purchase fuel from Shell to retail since “our pumps are set by GuyOil.” The owner added that Canje Creek residents and those venturing up the Berbice River are suffering.

“They do not have fuel.” One barrel of fuel to go into the Berbice River costs $44,000 while it is quite expensive at $53,000 at Shell.

At present, Shell is retailing gas at approximately $245 per litre while GuyOil Palmyra retails at $216.

Efforts to contact the GuyOil Terminal at Heathburn proved futile.

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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Thursday May 23, 2013

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DONALD RAMOTAR IS A BIG MAN Donald Ramotar proved that he is a big man by offering an apology for any slight that the Leader of the Opposition might have felt because of the non-disclosure about correspondence between the government and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force.

The President is under no obligation to supply details of his correspondence to the Leader of the Opposition.

The Leader of the Opposition, in turn, has no legal right to expect that he is entitled to such information.

But the President badly needs the support of APNU in order to avoid Guyana being blacklisted as not doing enough about in the areas of countering money landing and the financing of terrorist organizations. APNU seemed willing to address the issue, no doubt mindful of the fallout that can result if Guyana is blacklisted.

They know only too well that whether the laws are passed or not the government is in a no lose situation. If the laws are passed, the government wins by avoiding sanctions. If the laws are not passed because of the shenanigans of the Opposition parties, the government has a scapegoat.

That sort of reasoning seems beyond the AFC. It wanted to use the legislation as a bargaining chip but no one is going to bargain any longer with the AFC given what is stands for and

the attitude that it is displaying towards the government.

The AFC does not understand that it has no claims for automatic assent of Bills passed by an Opposition majority in the National Assembly. The Opposition should not be tabling Bills without the consent of the Cabinet because the legislative agenda of the country is supposed to be set by the Executive.

The President also has the power not to assent and this has been exercised even on Bills passed by the Executive. Many years ago, a Bill tabled by the government for a constitutional amendment was returned to the National Assembly because it would have opened a number of other laws and practices to be challenged on the grounds of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The government may be assuming too much by thinking that the opposition wants to usurp the powers of the government. It may also be assuming too much by feeling that the opposition is trying to be obstructionist.

The possibility could well be that the Opposition really does not know better and actually believes that it has a right to pass Bills without the consent of government or that the President is obligated to assent to Opposition Bills.

A short course in constitutional practices and traditions cannot be harmful

Dem boys seh...

Guyana can waste money When people talk bout wasting money dem talking bout Guyana. De government sign a contract fuh build some new Government offices pun High Street. When dem start de project was nuff boast. Dem break down de old radio station that been deh since Noah was in diapers. When people talk bout historical sites, Jagdeo talk bout development.

Well dem boys seh that de development look more like a waste of money. De amount of money dem spend and coulda build de same Specialty Hospital that dem quarrelling about.

That money gun waste because no contractor can complete it. Dem spend money pun de Skeldon sugar factory. Was more money than Guyana ever spend pun any project. Dem boys hear de boast. Dem hear how Guyana gun produce cheap sugar and more sugar than any other time.

De truth is that de sugar more expensive and less than de country ever produce. Money waste pun Skeldon. That money coulda build four Specialty hospital.

Dem boys seh that people shouldn’t think bout dem road that de same government give contract to build and dem bruck up couple months later. That too is waste money.

Now people frighten to breathe when dem think bout Amaila. Nuff money spend and that money coulda do so much thing that people want. People want more pay; de money coulda give dem public servants a pay rise every year till dem dead.

Dem boys seh that it got to be that Guyana got more money than even China and Uncle Sam. It can afford to throw away money. But de hurtful thing is that while it throwing away money de same government walking round begging for more money to undertake projects.

And de people can quarrel. Was a big quarrel when Norway hold back de money. Dem get some of de money and dem wasting it pun de hydro road.

Talk half and watch dem other plan fuh waste money.

to the Opposition. The British High Commission should arrange for the entire Opposition to be sent to England so that it can have a better understanding of the role of the opposition parties in relation to government.

The government by virtue of winning the most votes at the elections has a right to carry out executive functions, including setting the legislative agenda. If the Opposition continues to pass Bills without the consent of the Executive it can be deemed as attempting to run

the government from the legislative benches by usurping the functions of the Executive. It has the power and the right to frustrate the government legislative agenda. It can refuse to pass the Bills tabled by the government. That is its right but it should not be framing any Bill other than no moral issues. This position is etched in parliamentary tradition and Convention.

The Opposition has no obligation to support anything, but the withdrawal of support for any

government Bill has to be for the right reasons. One of those reasons could well be that it feels it needs more information or time.

The President however has shown that he is a big man. He has shown that he is not haughty or arrogant as some many others have been.

He perhaps is one of the few Presidents of Guyana who has apologized for a simple thing has someone feeling slighted by not being apprised of a correspondence between the government and an international task force. That

says a great deal about Donald Ramotar and why his value should not be discounted. Decency can take you a far way and what Donald Ramotar has shown by apologizing to the Leader of the Opposition is that he has a lot of decency.

Minister refutes speaking to state newspaper about Tuschen cattle farmers Housing Minister Irfaan Ali has refuted claims that he spoke with a state newspaper over a contention that involves cattle rearing land which was allegedly confiscated for housing development. Printed on May 3, with the reporter’s name published, Ali said that he never spoke with the state newspaper on the matter that involves the Tuschen West cattle farmers.

Kaieteur News published an initial article on May 2 which highlighted the cattle farmers concerns that they were being put out of business because of land restraints. They charged that the Housing Minister had chased them out of his office after numerous visits to his office to express their worry.

The state newspaper however published an article

in response to the cattle farmers which said that the Minister had never spoken to anyone from the Tuschen West Cattle Farmers Association. The Minister, in a telephone call to Kaieteur News, said that he never spoke to anyone at the state newspaper and expressed surprise at what was published.

Minister Ali however clarified that every effort is being made to relocate the Tuschen cattle farmers since housing development continues. He directed Kaieteur News to one of his Ministry’s engineers, Omar Narine, who highlighted that a meeting was held with the cattle farmers yesterday.

He said the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) is in the process of finalizing

arrangements for 100 acres of lands to be available to the cattle farmers in Tuschen, to be used as pasture lands.

In 2001, he said, GUYSUCO transferred by way of transport, 1852 acres of land at Block “8” Tuschen and Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo to the Central Housing and Planning Authority.

In 2010, the Central Housing and Planning Authority commenced works under the Government of Guyana/ Inter American Development Bank, Second Low Income Settlements Programme in the Tuschen, Ph II area (Eastern half).

“Before this development was finalized, the cattle farmers met with officials from the Agency in July 2009, to discuss alternative lands for their cattle grazing. It was

agreed by both parties that the western half of the Tuschen, Phase II will be given to them for such purposes.

Cattle farmers however said that the land now occupied is too small for the animals to graze. They said that about 200 cows grazed on almost 200 acres of land, but now, there is only 89 acres of space to occupy. This has caused the cows to graze at road sides and they often end up in the housing scheme; but when they are picked up by animal catchers, they cost $8,000 per head to be returned.

The farmers said that many of them have nothing else to do and are fearful that their livelihood is dwindling away. They said that a plot of land had been identified at Zeelugt, but to date they have not been issued anything.

Independence Exhibition opens tomorrow Archival materials pertaining to Guyana’s independence will be put up for viewing at the National Museum from tomorrow. An opening ceremony for this annual exhibition is scheduled for 11:00hrs. This venture is being undertaken by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and the National Archives in coordination with the National Museum.

School children are particularly urged to view the exhibits, as it will further educate them about the era of Independence.

The exhibition is one of the many events planned to commemorate Guyana’s independence which was achieved on May 26, 1966.

While the very aged materials will be up for viewing, the culture Ministry

is moving towards making all information available in the national archives become technologically accessible.

These documents will be digitized and microfilmed.

Robin Singh of DEV InfoTech Simplified has been contracted by the Ministry to put the project together.

The Ministry, along with staffers of the National Archives is hoping that the

database project will put less strain on the already fragile records. Some of the hardcopy records, including some key Independence materials have deteriorated over the years, despite being housed in suitable conditions. However, with the digital version, the information can be easily stored (Continued on page 24)

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Kaieteur News

Thursday May 23, 2013

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Do you believe President Ramotar?

Anyone who read the philosophy of language as explained by the genius, Ludwig Wittgenstein, would never accept to be forced into a situation in the witness box to questions put that they have to answer in monosyllables – yes or no.

There was a huge argument in the court and widely reported in the press during the last day I was in the witness box in the libel Bharrat Jagdeo brought against me As reported in the media, I explained to the judge that I could not answer yes or no to a particular question because to do that would be to mislead the court, create a situation of historical fiction and be dishonest to myself. I was asked; “Did you indicate to the University that you wanted your contract to be renewed.”

I couldn’t answer yes or no because such a situation never arose. I was in the middle of the contract when it was terminated so there was never a situation whether bureaucratic or otherwise when I had to ask that it be renewed. You only do that when it ends. My contract was in the middle of its life.

Here now is how the fiction comes in. A “yes” answer meant that I did ask the University to renew it. A “no” answer meant I indicated to the University I was leaving. Nothing of the sort in both contexts occurred.

I was teaching and before the contract could end and I could talk with the university on continuing or not, it was terminated. A “yes or “no” answer could not be a true

reflection of my association with UG at the time. Perhaps the most amazing example of the monosyllabic answer is; “Do you still beat your wife?”

If you say no, then it logically follows that you did so in the past. To create a true historical picture, the question should not be answered monosyllabically. I will explain to any judge why a monosyllabic answer is a language depravity in a given context The foundation of law is built on language and its interpretation. Wittgenstein explained that traditional philosophical problems confused human civilization for too long because philosophers were not looking at the analysis of language. Words can be selfdestructive depending on the context. Of course context is everything.

No judge can give a libel judgement against you if you publicly state that you do not believe what the Prime Minister or President of your country said. No lawyer should even file for libel.

You cannot commit a libel for stating if you believe or accept. It is when you use language to explain how you arrive at your belief that creates the perfect storm. The reason is because in natural law, it is the right of a person to decide whether they believe an explanation or not.

No one can or should take away that right. Another way of saying that you don’t believe is by describing the speaker as a liar. Here is where words become complex.

If you move from saying you don’t believe to labeling the speaker a liar then you

move from a defensive position to one of offence.

You have the right to say you don’t believe your president.

You are on thin ice if you call him a liar. Quite often on this page I wrote that I didn’t believe what President Jagdeo said when he spoke to the media. I wrote in one instance about the current President, Mr. Ramotar. Mr. Ramotar explained to Opposition Leader, David Granger, that it was a mistake on his part that he did not

share an important letter sent to him by Caribbean Financial Action Task Force. Citizens have the right to decide if they accept or reject that submission by Mr. Ramotar. I do not believe the presidential reason. I do not believe the presidential offering when he said in early this month that he did not know where the two Bills were that were sent to him by the Clerk of the House since February. To date no one from Government, from the

President down to secretary, has told this nation where the Bills were from February to May. Who kept them from the President? Did the President receive them in February but put a lot of papers on top of them so they became obscure.

Or is there another unpalatable reason? They say you do not wish for things to happen but I would like to be in a court battle with Mr. Ramotar should he sue me. I know I have pressed Nigel Hughes and Khemraj

Frederick Kissoon Ramjattan enough but I know they would defend me. I would ask Mr. Ramotar about the training he received to cause him to say in a published interview with a Reuters journalist that I was a “sick man”.

Ministry of Home Affairs disappointed with pace of Sheema Mangar investigation

By Dale Andrews Almost three years after the tragic death of bank employee, Sheema Mangar, the Ministry of Home Affairs has finally added its voice to the ensuing drama that could be the envy of producers of mystery movies.

In a statement issued yesterday the Ministry of Home Affairs said that it joins with the family and other concerned persons in expressing its disappointment with the l a c k o f p r o g r e s s in the investigation i n t o t h e unfortunate death of Sheema Mangar.

Kaieteur News understands that the statement was delivered in the form of a letter to the late bank employee’s family Tuesday night.

On September 11, 2012, Mangar was dragged to her death in the full view of members of the public at the junction of North Road and Camp Street, while trying o retrieve her cellular phone from a man who was fleeing.

So far, while police had

Radika Thakoor sits next to the vandalized cross that was erected at the site where her daughter met her death.

detained and released several persons, they are no closer to prosecuting anyone.

The Ministry in its statement said that it is of the view that by now more progress should have been

made in the matter.

It however maintained that “this crime would be ultimately solved by the Guyana Police Force as has been done with so many other serious crimes.”

But this optimism is not shared by a few present and former investigators, who believe that the police have not gathered enough physical evidence, and they have not been doing much

investigation. “This matter calls for i n t ense investigations. I don’t believe that the police have enough physical evidence; I don’t think that they even have one eyewitness,” one former investigator who has been following the case told this newspaper.

He pointed out that it is strange that the police could have indicated that they will be presenting more than a dozen witnesses in the Corporal Romain Cleto murder case, despite the fact that gunshots were being fired and people were r u n n i n g h e l t e r s k e l t e r, while they cannot even come up with one eyewitness in the Sheema Mangar case.

“Imagine people were there standing watching what was taking place in the Sheema Mangar scenario and yet they cannot get one eyewitness, but they have many in a case where people were running and ducking for cover,” the former investigator noted.

The police investigations seemed to be centered only on two pieces of evidence, a portion of hair and a piece of fabric that were recovered separately from two cars they had impounded in the initial stages of (Continued on page 24)

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 11

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Kaieteur News

Thursday May 23, 2013

GPL financially sick but workers should not suffer- NAACIE ... GPL is suffering much loss yet senior officers benefit without any reported reduction in company lossesarbitration tribunal In deciding awards for employees of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), the arbitration panel set up by the Labour Ministry found that GPL is indeed suffering losses. In its 13-page report, it however thought that the losses were not enough reasons for staffers of the electricity company to suffer, hence the percentage increase in their pay.

The staffers being referred to are represented by the National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE). They staged a countrywide protest earlier this year for wage increases.

An Arbitration panel was set up by Labour Minister, Nanda Gopaul, since the agencies could not compromise. The panel had to do three things - determine whether the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) signed between GPL and NAACIE in November 27, 2000 was still enforceable; to determine a fair and equitable compensation for 2012 with regards to GPL’s five percent across the board increase, taking into consideration the company’s financial and economic position; and to determine whether GPL had breached the CLA by contracting workers outside of the company.

Clauses one, two, three, 52, 54, 55 and 56 of the agreement were the focus of the panel’s analysis. They dealt with wages and salaries, annual increments, performance incentive award, contracting out, status and conditions, duration of agreement and agreement not legally forcible respectively.

Fair and equitable compensation Clauses one to three of

the agreement dealt with worker pay. The panel decided that Grade GE 1 workers would receive six percent all inclusive (the firm’s lowest paid workers), while Grade GE 2- GE 8 workers received a 5.5 allinclusive increase payable from January 1, 2012.

The panel said that GPL employees’ pay structure is rather favourable, noting that these workers have been enjoying similar or higher salary increases compared to other public servants which had been a trend for years, “despite the bleak financial position in which the utility company has been finding itself.” The panel recognized GPL’S financial budgeted deficit of $4.3B for 2013, with an accumulated deficit projected at $12.4B by year end. The company claimed that an increase was almost impossible for any type of worker.

NAACIE, however, presented to the panel that GPL’S employment costs are $2.2B, “with a staggering $318M going to 32 key management personnel.”

“GPL is suffering much losses but yet the senior officers benefit without any reported reduction in the losses suffered by the Company.” The tribunal thus recommended that GPL go back to the drawing board and create a win-win situation for the company.

GPL made further claims that the cost of production is above that which is received from consumers thus causing large financial losses. For the year 2011, more losses to the company were attributed to the rise in the cost of fuel.

“The cost of profitability was not canvassed but we wish to say that it does not mean that workers should be made to suffer and not to attract a fair and reasonable income,” the tribunal ruled. It took into consideration the

Justice Prem Persaud Bank of Guyana Deputy Governor, Ganga Gobind financial position of the company in deciding a fair and equitable compensation for employees. They considered the 3.5 percent rate of inflation for last year and took into account that the lowest paid workers “use most of their income for basic needs, and do find it more difficult to sustain their living standard in the face of rising prices.”

The tribunal recommended that annual negotiations of the Collective Labour Agreement for one year, “is an exercise in futility and a waste of time...it represents a denial of forward planning.” On the wage issue, the panel concluded that to cost negotiation time over months of delays in conciliation and arbitration would be horrendous adding frustration to the workforce in waiting for a well-earned

Grantley Culbard, former General Secretary of the \Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union. increase.

This, they said, should be a compelling reason for the parties to make the exercise a triennial one, “so that the effect is not wasted and repeated annually.”

Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) still enforceable The three-man arbitration tribunal found that in relation to the existence of the CLA, the agreement was still enforceable according to the relevant clauses agreed upon by the parties. The CLA according to the agreement is not enforceable by law, but rather it is binding of a “gentleman’s agreement.”

The arbitrators said that they examined, carefully, the

terms and conditions adumbrated in the CLA January 2001-2003 and found that clause 56 states that, “the agreement shall not be deemed legally enforceable,” while clause 55 proclaims that amendments to the agreement will be made mutually from time to time.

The 55th clause also highlighted that the CLA agreement shall be effective for two years subsequent to the signing, “but salaries and other monetary benefits shall be subject to review effective from the date of the agreement until the end of the two year period.”

From 2001-2003, the agreement was honoured and from then on up to 2011, there was mutual agreement for salaries between GPL and NAACIE; the agreements both parties however admitted did not adhere strictly with the terms and reference set out in the CLA. Clause 55(b) of the agreement however said that of the 2001-2003 CLA, “in the

event that agreement on a new agreement is not reached

by December 31, 2003, the Agreement shall remain in force until negotiations on a new agreement are completed and which shall be effective January 01, 2004.”

Anytime the parties are unable to reach an annual agreement on salaries, the initial agreement comes into effect. “It is not unreasonable to expect that a document signed in 2001 with a two year life in the circumstances of this document still has the force it had when first entered into 12 years ago.”

Contracting out NAACIE claimed that GPL had been breaching clause 52 of the 2001 CLA by contracting outside workers as it relates to metering.

NAACIE further presented copies of some of the contracts but, “For the Company to be held in violation of the clause there should be evidence that the company did not have prior discussion with the Union and secure its agreement to such a course of action.” GPL said that it did not breach the clause and the panel said there is no evidence to contradict the company’s claim.

The Arbitration panel was headed by Justice Prem Persaud. The other members were Bank of Guyana Deputy Government, Ganga Gobind and Grantley Culbard, former General Secretary of the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union.

Bartica gold miner trial - sister of accused testifies at voir dire The trial of three former Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard ranks, charged with the murder of a young Bartica gold dealer, continued yesterday at the Suddie High Court in Essequibo before Justice Franklyn Holder.

The trial which began almost two weeks ago is now hearing a second voir dire (trial within a trial) to determine the admissibility of caution statements allegedly made by the number two

accused, Delon Gordon.

The three accused, Sherwin Harte, the number one accused; Delon Gordon, number two and Deon Greenidge are charged with the August 2009 murder of Dweive Kant Ramdass which took place at Caiman Hole, East Bank, Essequibo. The three accused are being represented by Attorney at Law Peter Hugh.

As the voir dire continued, Gordon led his

defense, in that he called his sister Vanda Adolphus. The defence also made submissions.

The prosecution is expected to make their submissions today as the matter continues.

The two Privates and a Lance Corporal were manning the Coast Guard RC 12 motor boat in the Essequibo River, when they allegedly confronted Ramdass in a boat at the Parika Stelling.

The soldiers allegedly forced him into their boat and took h i m t o a n o t h e r location in the river where they relieved him of $17M in cash which he was carrying in a box to Bartica f o r h i s e m p l o y e r, w h o operated a gold and diamond business in the city.

The prosecution is trying to prove that the three soldiers strangled Ramdass, took the money he was carrying and threw his body overboard in the vicinity of Bonasika Creek. They will argue that after murdering

Ramdass, the three soldiers returned to the Parika Stelling, where one of their female accomplices was waiting for them.

She is the sister of one of the officers and was reportedly given $5.7M in cash to hold. Prosecutor Judith Gildharie-Mursalin is representing the state.

According to reports, another portion of the money was recovered by the police during a roadblock exercise.

The men were committed to stand trial in the High Court in 2011, by Magistrate Nyasha Williams-Hatmin following an 18-month Preliminary Inquiry at the Vreed en Hoop Magistrate’s Court.

Attorney at Law Khemraj Ramjattan, who was assigned to the matter as Special Prosecutor, had led a total of 14 witnesses to give evidence.

The witnesses included persons who saw when the Coast Guard ranks took Ramdass out of the boat, and when they returned to the boat without him, but with a canister that he was carrying.

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 17

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Family of missing man cries out for help …Suspects foul play The family of Baijnauth Saroop, called ‘Lol’ of Glasgow, East Bank Berbice who has been missing since April 16 is crying out for help to find their loved one. The 45-year-old man, a father of three, had left to go up the Canje River on a wood cutting expedition with a man named “Barrel”. They were heading to Three Sisters some 120 miles up the Canje River.

It was Saroop’s first trip to that location.

The family later learnt from the man with whom he went, that Baijnauth was missing.

The missing man’s brother, Satesh Saroop, said that the family views the entire scenario with much suspicion. Family members were not pleased with the information that was given to them by the man. The family is wondering why “Barrel” took six days to inform them about Baijnauth’s disappearance.

According to Satish, their brother who is a carpenter and works at a sawmill at various times, left with “Barrel” who hails from Overwinning, East Bank Berbice, to cut wood up the Canje River since they were acquainted with each other having worked at various sawmills together before.

Satish said that they were told by “Barrel” that after

Baijnauth Saroop arriving at the location, they retired to their camp. He said the man told them that during the night his brother left the camp and ran away. They tried to call him back but he continued walking over a hill and crossing the river. They went after him, but he disappeared in the bushes.

They turned back after it was too dark. Next day they went in search of Baijnauth, but did not find a trace of him.

The family is wondering why Barrel took so long to come out and report something so serious. He said that after receiving the report, the matter was reported to the Central Police Station and he along with two detectives and the same man “Barrel” journeyed to the area at Three Sisters up the Canje River to

search for any clue. He said when they reached the destination his suspicion arose.

There is not much bush in the area and there is a wide opening and the undergrowth is about waist high. He is wondering how his brother would disappear in such a surrounding without a trace.

Three other persons occupy the camp, one of them a woman. He wants the police to bring these people in and question them.

“Barrel” keeps changing his story which does not add up with the others.

“Barrel” gave a statement and was arrested and kept in custody for two days, but the family wants the others to be arrested and questioned too.

They are not too pleased with how things are petering out. They want the authorities to do some more to find or find out what happened to their loved one. The man’s wife, Mainwaty Sugrim, is devastated .They have been living together for over 25 years. Their children are grown 23, 22 and 18 years.

She wants the authorities to do whatever is possible to find her husband.

They want the Minister of Home Affairs and the President to intervene and assist them. The family wants justice and is prepared to do whatever is possible to find out what happened to their loved one.

Three Antiguans on trial for 2010 robbery/killing of Guyanese butcher Antigua (caribarena) The murder trial of three men accused of the shooting death of Rondel George was expected to begin yesterday at the High Court before Justice Keith Thom.

When arraigned, Lasana Riley, Jevorney Richards and Chester Joseph pleaded not guilty to the charge.

George was shot to death in Bendals Village on August 21, 2010.

It is said that the

deceased, who was a butcher, was in the process of purchasing livestock, when he was allegedly robbed and shot multiple times. He reportedly received a shot in his forehead as well.

George, 34, who was a Guyanese national, resided at Vivian Richards Street. A 14member jury has been selected to hear evidence during the trial. The panel, which is made up of five men and nine women, was sworn in on Tuesday.

Rondel George

Berbice pontoon service resumes The pontoon service, between New Amsterdam and Rosignol Ferry Stellings, resumed on Monday. The service that benefits school children and workers who cross the Berbice River and who escape the high fares charged by the Berbice River Bridge, was down for nearly a month due to mechanical problems.

Transport and Harbours Department, after many complaints from passengers,

stepped in to institute a subsidy that allowed passengers to pay just $60 to travel across the River with specific minibuses who signed on to the arrangement between them and T&HD. The subsidy arrangement between T&HD and a few minibus operators started when workers and school children paid $ 6 0 t o travel across the Berbice River purchased a ticket at either stelling and

joined the buses participating in the arrangement, in the stelling.

Kaieteur News understands that the minibus operators were reimbursed the difference by T&HD. Now that the pontoon service has returned, school children and workers have expressed joy since the entire month saw them spending excessive money on transportation costs to get across the Berbice River.

Page 21

Prison Officer hits down two on road …one remains in critical condition in GPHC Floyd George, 49, called “Muggy”, of Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam, was on Monday evening rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a critical condition having sustained multiple injuries about the body.

George, an employee of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, and a friend were struck down by a speeding car driven by Prison Officer, Jermaine Barrington, on the New Amsterdam Public Road. His friend, Andrew Cush, 55, a draughtsman of 45 Stanleytown, New Amsterdam was treated at the New Amsterdam hospital and sent away.

Around 21:45 hrs the two men were walking along Main Street, on the right hand side of the road towards Central New Amsterdam. They were in the vicinity of Main and St. Magdalene Streets when they were struck head on by the car PLL 3218 driven by Prison

Officer Jermaine Barrington of New Amsterdam.

The men were picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam hospital where they were admitted for emergency treatment.

George who is one of the most popular Bar-B-Q makers in Berbice was immediately

transferred to the Intensive Care Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital bleeding from his mouth, nose and ears. He was suspected to have sustained two broken legs and other injuries.

The Prison officer was arrested, taken into custody and subsequently released.

Creek, Bacchus murdered Detective Constable Jirahan Diananand. Bacchus was represented by Attorneys at Law Ramesh Rajkumar and Mursalene Bacchus. The story came to light after three men were arrested following a carjacking incident at the same Jackson Creek on the Upper Corentyne. Two of them were arrested by the West Berbice police. They were Salim Bacchus’ nephews. They were held with another youth and subsequently admitted to the carjacking. After intense grilling by investigators they also admitted to knowing about the killing of Detective Diananand. They implicated Bacchus as the gunman. They allegedly told investigators that Bacchus shot Diananand twice in the head after a pre arranged deal went sour.

A wanted bulletin was issued for his arrest and Bacchus accompanied by Attorney at Law Rajkumar turned himself in to the CID office at Central Police Station, New Amsterdam.

During the trial, prosecution

star witnesses Azim Seegobin and Azam Bacchus, two nephews of Bacchus gave their evidence in chief and related the sequence of events of what transpired on the fateful night and after.

They were cross examined.

Also during the P.I the two sides had a number of issues, including the defence demanding a copy of the statement of one of the prosecution’s star witness who had admitted under cross examination that he had refreshed his memory from the statement before he entered the witness box.

The prosecution complied. Bacchus is the brother of Azad Bacchus, also known as ‘AK 472 , who was killed in a shootout with the Berbice Anti-Smuggling Squad (BASS) in 2001. He and three other men were previously charged in connection with a 40 kilogrammes cocaine bust in November 2011. Bacchus was acquitted in June 2012 but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appealed the acquittal.

Salim Bacchus to stand trial for cop killing Murder accused and alleged narcotics dealer, Salim “Black Salim” Bacchus, 52, of 39 Line Path ‘D’, Skeldon, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice has been committed to stand trial in the next criminal session of the Berbice High Court for the murder of Police Narcotics Detective Constable Jirahan Diananand.

Constable Diananand was found dead on September 14, 2012. He was shot.

On Tuesday, Salim was committed to stand trial at the conclusion of a preliminary inquiry which was conducted

by Magistrate Krisendat Persaud at the Springlands Magistrate’s court.

The murdered policeman was found slumped in his car on a desolate stretch of road at Jackson Creek, Upper Corentyne with two bullet wounds to his head.

The case for the prosecution which was led by police Superintendent Robert Tyndall, who was specially appointed to prosecute the matter, was that sometime between September 13 and September 14, 2012 at Jackson

Page 22

Kaieteur News

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Thursday May 23, 2013

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CAKES & PASTRIES Courses for: Bridal accessories, Cake decoration & Floral arrangements, Cake and Pastry - contact Sharon: 672-8768/ 223-3303/612-4193

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TOURS May 25th -27th: Suriname, Boa Vista-Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago, Kaieteur Falls - Call: 264-2851: Email: fallsviewtours@yahoo.com www.fallsviewtoursgy.com

The Gent’s spa: Come be pampered by beautiful sophisticated masseuses four hands special call:657-5979

May 26th & 27th: Santa Mission, Fort Island, White Water- Call Joy: 218-1285/ 649-9059/692-3114

Mercedes Benz CLK 200: Compressor 2005, white, 6700 miles: PRR series: Immaculate- call: 623-5492

MASSAGE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

White Rav4: Excellent condition- Call:624-3950/ 225-5568/219-3972 Black CRV: PMM seriescontact:692-5460 Cheap! Premio, Hilux, 5L Engine, VVTI Stick gear buses call:616-7635 (Continued on page 23)

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Students, parents complain of insanitary St. Rose’s classrooms (From page 22) FOR SALE/RENT American Pool Table - Call: 277-0578

LEARN TO DRIVE B & C Driving School, pick up & drop off, call:2250150,229-7258,680-6826 Soman & Sons Driving School , First Federation Building Call 225-4858, 6445166,622-2872,615-0964

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Attempts being made to pull the garbage and sewerage materials from under the classroom several students even developed infections as a result of the environment.

“I hope them ain’t planning to wait until more of them get sick before they do something, because I am not going to send my children to school for them to get sick,” another parent added.

The parents were angry that the Head Mistress of the school had refused to listen to their complaints.

Upon receiving the

complaints, the Education Ministry sent an engineer to the school to assess the situation. However, the parents said that the man arrived, spoke to an official of the school, and merely went away.

A letter of complaint was also sent to the Office of the President, and the parents were promised that their concerns would be heard at a meeting which had been in progress.

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Students of the nearby St. Agnes Primary School were seen playing in the unhealthy sewerage water As the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations for fifth formers were ongoing on Tuesday, parents of several fourth form students of the St Rose’s High School gathered outside demanding that their children be removed from a sewageflooded classroom in the bottom flat of the Church Street school building.

According to the parents, their children were moved from their upper flat classroom on Friday last, and “forced” to take up residence in the vacant one downstairs.

Parents told this newspaper that their children have been complaining bitterly about the lower-flat classrooms, as garbage and sewage have been seeping through the floor boards, causing them tremendous discomfort.

“This is not right; they have to remove our children from there. The classroom stinking. How they gon do this? The children does eat lunch and everything in there. That is not fair at all,” one parent said.

A student complained that while in their classroom, they can see rats swimming in the sewage through the many holes in the floor.

The parents claimed that

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Business Property for sale, lot 32 Timehri public roadTele:667-6554

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1-3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathroom: House & Land located @ D’Edward Village W.C.B: Price $18M negotiable- call: 613-9438/679-9162

Barber Stations: Located in Kitty- Call:646-0268

One two bedrooms concrete flat, 12th street Diamond Housing Scheme- $11 million - Call: 226-2924 or 613-9085

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Farm with house at Yarrowkabra, Linden Highway: Water, light, chicken & pig pens: fully fenced- call: 686-7180 2 Bedrooms apartment: Working couple preferablyCall:656-2460 Fully furnished apartments to rent on E.C.D & Central Georgetowncontact Stefan:223-8479/647-3768 Diamond 5 bedrooms house, Ogle big property farm $60,000 and more- call:2312199/ 673-8148/ 618-7483

VACANCY Popular 24 hour East Coast Guyoil needs day & night pump attendants, sales girl, cleaners/maintenance- Tele: 698-5559/ 684-2838 2 Skilled Upholsters and 1 Frame Builder- Call:6794396/220-8107 Clerical Staff: Computer literate: No age barrier: Apply @ Risans 51 Main St.

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VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota- 4 Runner Surf, AT192, AT212, AT170, Ceres, EP82 & 71 Starlet, Solid DEF pickup, Nissan E24 van- call:644-5096 One Toyota Wills $1.7M, Toyota Surf $2.2M- Call:2317805/618-7483 HILUX SOLID DIFF Pickups 2L &3L,AC, excellent condition - call: 691-2077

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Farmer’s body found Farmers, who were engaged in an intense search for one of their fellow workers who fell overboard on Saturday, in the vicinity of Riverstown found Fred Crème’s partly decomposed body, late Monday night at the Suddie Foreshore.

Creme was quickly buried on Tuesday by a kind Essequibian after a post Mortem Examination was conducted by Dr. Nehaul Singh.

Fred Creme, 24, formerly of Kwebana, in the North West

District, fell overboard, while a team of ten men were returning from a farm at Humburg, a small island in the Essequibo River.

They had encountered a double wave, which caused the boat to capsize.

The nine survivors were rescued by another boat traveling in the vicinity.

Crème was employed for several years by popular farmer, Shabbier Ally, of Aurora. He was married to Joan Prince, at the time of his demise. Creme is the fifth of

six children of Iris Daniels.

Daniels had initially said that she spoke to her son on Mother ’s Day when he promised to visit her in December.

Police have not detained anyone in connection with the incident. However, statements were taken from the nine surviving farmers who took part in the search of Creme.

Ally had assured Creme’s family that he would have shouldered the responsibility of the funeral expenses.

Thursday May 23, 2013

“Don King” found hanging after mother evicts him A man who loved being called “Don King” in and around his village and who seemed to make the most of it as he got things easily, did not take it lightly after being evicted from the home he shared with his mother, stepfather, wife and four children.

For him the embarrassment was too much so he decided to take his own life. Moheshwar Persaud, called “Don King”, 30, a joiner of 53 Section D Health Centre

Street, Cumberland, went home under the influence of liquor and got into an argument with his mother. The argument became more heated and the man was thrown out of the house in the wee hours of the morning, to cool off.

Being embarrassed that the big “Don King” could be so belittled the man disappeared into the night and was not seen again. His relatives became worried after he did not return.

It was during the morning hours that they noticed him hanging from a c o r d attached to a small tree in the backyard.

An alarm was raised and the police were informed and quickly descend ed on the scene.

Persaud was cut down and taken to the New Amsterdam hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

A Post Mortem is to be performed on the body shortly.

Essequibo Criminal Assizes open Ministry of Home Affairs...

Justice Franklyn Holder took the salute after he inspected the guard of honour during a ceremony which marked the reopening of the Essequibo Criminal assizes for the May to October period.

Twenty new cases are listed, including seven for murder, fiv e for manslaughter, two for rape, two for incest, three for carnal knowledge and one for indecent assault.

Despite the reopening of the Essequibo Assizes, there would however be the continuation of the trial of the three former army officers, who were charged with murder of Dweive Ramdass, a young gold dealer formerly

of Bartica.

The three accused, Sherwin Harte, the number one accused; Delon Gordon and Deon Greenidge, were committed to stand trial in the High court.

The case began on May 14 with a voir dire (trial within a trial) to determine the validity of a confession statement.

The voir dire was completed last week and another began to determine the validity of the statement of another accused.

The three accused are being represented by Counsel Peter Hugh.

The two privates and a lance corporal, according to initial reports, were manning

the Coast guard RC 12 motor boat in the Essequibo River when they allegedly confronted Ramdass in a boat at the Parika Stelling.

The report added that the ex-soldiers allegedly forced the victim into their boat and took him to another location in the River where they relieved him of $17M in cash which he was t r a n s p o rting in a box to Bartica for his employer who operated a gold and diamond business in the City.

The prosecution is attempting to prove that the three accused strangled Ramdass, stole his money and eventually threw his body overboard somewhere in the vicinity of Bonasika Creek.

Orealla/ Siparuta leaders briefed on importance of team and partnership building “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” This was the main thrust of a three-day workshop/ seminar at Orealla in Region Six (East Berbice Corentyne) last week.

The seminar on team and partnership building was conducted by Global Perspective Inc. a local Consultancy which specializes in energizing a bottom-up approach to community development.

The participants were Village Councillors of the Orealla/Siparuta District Council, loggers in the villages, Community Forest Association and leaders of community groups including youth groups and sports clubs in the area. The threeday workshop was held under the patronage of the European Union-funded Chainsaw Milling Project, which is being executed by Tropenbos International through local partner the Forestry Training Centre Incorporated.

Tropenbos International, based in the Netherlands, was established in 1986 in response to concerns about the disappearance and degradation of tropical rain forests worldwide.

Managing Director of GPI,

Audreyanna Thomas, disclosed that GPI generally focuses on bringing more impact, sustainability, structure and definition to development processes at the community level, the aim being an improved quality of life for citizens, especially the poor. She said that the main objectives of the seminar at Orealla had been to highlight the importanc e o f t e a m work, to build capacity for team building, networking and cohesiveness in the c ultural economic and developmental activities of the Council. Orealla/Siparuta was not the only hinterland/ logging community which has benefited from this type of training, Thomas added.

Others to date are Kwakwani and Ituni. The who attended were briefed on related topics such as effective communications for team and partnership building, leadership, developing visions for community development , maintaining and sustaining partnerships , roles and responsibilities of citizens among others and the crafting of mission statements for personal development.

“The objective was to get them to see the bigger picture; the desirability of putting the interest of the community above that of individuals so that development can be achieved and sustained,” Ms. Thomas of GPI disclosed.

Errant driver on dangerous driving charge A man has been granted his pre-trial liberty on a dangerous driving charge. Loxley Pinder appeared at the Providence Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Magistrate Leron Daly and was charged with dangerous driving.

It is alleged that on Wednesday May 16, about 19:00 hours he drove motorcar PPP 4195 east along the Samatta Point access road when he made a sudden turn in front of motorcycle CG 679. This resulted in a collision.

To the charge the accused pleaded not guilty and was placed on $50,000 bail. He is expected to return to court on June 12.

From pgae 10 their probe.

These samples were sent to a forensic laboratory in Barbados, the subject of which results have created the major concern in the case.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, two submissions were made to theBarbados Forensic Laboratory on November 5, 2010 and August 30, 2011, respectively.

A report on the f i r s t submission was received in August 2011, when a Guyana Police Force representative travelled to Barbados to make a second submission.

I t w a s o n ly recently revealed that the Barbados Forensic Laboratory recommenced operations late 2011, having been closed for repairs from 2009 to 2011.

Notwithstanding, the Lab continued to accept submissions.

Herein lies some of the confusion!

If according to the Ministry, the lab only resumed operations in late 2011 after being closed in 2009, how was it able to present a report in August 2011?

It was further indicated that apart from the efforts of the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Home Affairs is now in touch with the Head of the Barbados Laboratory with a request that a report on the second

Sheema Mangar submission be expedited.

“The Ministry will maintain a close interest in this matter, since we share the sentiments of the grieving parents and relatives and wish to see the matter brought to closure to the satisfaction of the Mangar family,” the statement said.

But one former investigator believes that the authorities are being cruel to the Mangar family by giving them “false hope”.

This newspaper had reported earlier that the second set of samples had only been sent to Barbados at the insistence of Crime Chief Seelall Persaud despite advice that they would not have been of much value to the case.

Kaieteur News understands that the police were advised that the hair sample retrieved from the

bonnet of one of the impounded cars was courser than hair sample taken from the body of Sheema Mangar and there was no need to send it to Barbados, thus it was left behind when the first set of samples were taken.

The same was the case with the piece of fabric, which this newspaper learnt did not match a uniform of Sheema Mangar that was presented to investigators for cross-referencing.

The texture was different and the shade was lighter than the uniform which was presented.

Additionally what was suspected to have been bloodstain on the licence plate of one of the cars turned out negative after it was tested by the Barbados forensic laboratory.

The Ministry’s input into the matter may be of little comfort to the dead woman’s mother, Radica T h a k o o r, w h o h a s l o n g given up hope that local police will solve the case given the distrust she has developed.

“They had built my hopes up and everywhere you go they were telling you they were waiting on the samples.

They appeared so positive that that would have led to something, now we are back to square one,” Thakoor had told this newspaper.

Independence Exhibition...

From page 9 and put on back up files. It can also be easily duplicated.

The employees of the National Archives anticipate that this move will assist with the space constraints for storage of these records. This project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Kaieteur News understands that the project which is being done in phases is being funded by UNESCO. This project is also being done to assist historians in

their work, especially in the case of old newspapers.

The National Archives has copies of the Daily Chronicle from 1819 to current (while th e n e w s p a p e r carried the same name it was not the same newspaper for the whole of that period) along with the Evening Post 1958-1973, the Daily Argosy 1880-1889, Royal Gazette 1816-1889, The Creole 1856-1882, The Colonist 1851-1883 and the Guyana Graphic 1946-1970.

The National archives

which falls under the Culture Ministry, also houses many government records.

While the national archives is somewhat like a library, it is mostly used by professional researchers, and those seeking to find information on their ancestors, particularly the Indian Immigrants.

Because the occasion of Indian Arrival was recently celebrated, the project will start off with loading information on Indian Indentured Labourers.

Page 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday May 23, 2013

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Five GDF ranks jailed for Access to Information being Absent without Leave Act activated The Guyana Defence Force last evening announced that five ranks will be sent to a state prison to serve sentences ranging from three to four months after they were court martialed for being Absent Without Leave and Desertion.

According to a statement issued by the Army, Corporal Jerome Gomes, Ordinary Rating Anthony Mortley and Ordinary Rating Gavin Andrews were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on a conviction of absence without leave contrary section 48(a) of the Defence Act, Chapter 15:01. Gomes was represented by Attorney at Law James Bond while Mortley and Andrews were unrepresented.

Corporals Ptolemy Ireland and Ravin Carroll were sentenced to three months and four months imprisonment respectively, on conviction for the offence of desertion. They were both unrepresented.

The Guyana Defence Force stated that the sixth rank Private Kumar

Shivlochan who was charged with the offence of absence without leave contrary to section 48 (a) of the Defence Act, was sentenced to 42 days detention and discharged with ignominy. He too was unrepresented.

Gomes, Mortley, Andrews, Ireland and Carroll are to be incarcerated at state prisons.

The trials commenced and ended on May 1ast, last. All accused persons pleaded guilty.

A relative of one of the men said that she feels the young man has been treated unfairly by the organisation he once served. Admitting that the young man was absent without leave for six months she decided to take him in to the Army.

“When I took him in he was detained at Camp Ayanganna from March 5, until May 15 when he was court martialed. This means he was detained for 42 days and after so long he was still sentenced to prison.”

The relative said that she was in contact with a senior

officer who promised her that given the time the young man was in detention, consideration will be given, but now he will still have to spend three months in prison.”

Further there are claims that one of the ranks had tendered his resignation which was not accepted, hence the rank decided to go absent without leave.

This publication was told that frustration over the high cost of living forced the rank to leave the organisation to upkeep his family despite being told that his resignation was not accepted.

“This man is not on any contract with the army; if he wants to leave they should allow him to leave. This man doesn’t owe the army anything, and even in cases where a person owes the army he can pay back and leave”.

Relatives of the men said that the prison sentence will forever be on the men’s track record which will make it hard for them when seeking employment in the further.

Skills training program empowers unemployed women

- Charles Ramson Sr. appointed Commissioner of Information Former Attorney General, Charles R. Ramson Sr. has been appointed Commissioner of Information

by President Donald Ramotar, hence enforcing the Access to Information Act of 2011.

Journalists and other members of the public would now be able to access information on public authorities. The Act does not cater for access to information held by private entities or confidential records that would threaten national security.

Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger Luncheon made this announcement yesterday during his post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President, where the Commission will be housed.

According to the Act, the President is tasked with appointing the Commissioner, who shall be a person of eminence in public life with wide knowledge in science and technology, social service, management, journalism, mass media or administration and governance.

The Act provides for

Charles Ramson Sr. “setting out a practical regime of right to information for persons to secure access to information under the control of public authorities in order to promote transparency and accountability in the working of the Government and public authorities and for the appointment of the Commissioner of Information.”

Announcement of the Commissioner’s appointment that signals the first stage in implementing the Act comes several weeks after the International Press Institute

School violence focus - New roles for guidance counsellors, deans of discipline

President of the Stabroek Rotary Club, Luana Falconer and Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana David Devine with some of the participants Fifty unemployed women, including single mothers, from communities on West Bank Demerara are now in a position to better address the challenges that come with providing for their families both financially and educationally.

Owing to a recently concluded four-month programme hosted by the Rotary Club of Stabroek, the previously dependent women are now equipped to earn an income as well as bring dignity into their lives and those of their dependants.

The programme stemmed from a survey that proved that poor performance of children at school was due to their parents not being able to

provide the needed financial support.

The skills training programme, initially comprised lessons in sewing, fabric design and joinery/ carpentry to enable the unemployed parents to earn an income. However, it soon opened up to complementary life skills and etiquette training as the Club saw the need.

This addition to the programme allowed for participants to address their own personal challenges of abuse, poverty and dependency on others.

As a result of the training project, productive goals were set by participants; some of whom expressed interest in opening their own

businesses. “Attending the joinery classes has empowered me to open my own joinery shop,” professed one participant.

At the recent graduation ceremony held for the participants at the Bagotville Community Centre, the women were urged to use their new skills in shaping their future.

Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana and supporter of the programme, David Devin e , congratulated particularly single parents for making the effort to go further and do better. “You are truly giving your children the best example as well as a chance for their own future success in life,” he added.

said it was pushing Government to enact the Access to Information Act. During an Investigative Workshop, Alison Bethel McKenzie, IPI’s Executive Director said that the body was aware of the issue of limited access to information from Government offices in Guyana. The IPI was prepared to encourage trade partners to apply pressure to ensure that Government enacts the Law. According to Dr. Luncheon, under applicable provisions of the Act the Commissioner of Information has powers to provide access to information if so requested and to publish information or categories of information.

He noted that the Commissioner of Information essentially helps to organize information management in public authorities, disclose its existence to the public and promote access to such information by the public.

The Commissioner is expected to present the Minister of Information with an annual report.

According to the Government Information Agency (GINA), the Access to Information Bill was passed in the National Assembly on September 15, 2011. President Bharrat Jagdeo assented to the Act on September 27, 2011.

(Jamaica Observer) The Ministry of Education, in an effort to reduce violence in schools, says it will this summer introduce several initiatives, including a redefinition of the roles of guidance counsellors and deans of discipline.

The extent of the problem was contained in a Ministry Paper tabled in the House of Representatives by Education Minister Ronald Ronnie Thwaites last week showing that there were 1,288 reported incidents of violence in schools in the last academic year.

They include 915 fights, 160 robberies and three murders. School Resource Officers (SROs) reportedly seized 1,288 weapons, including 431 knives and 486 pairs of scissors and arrested 201 students, cautioned 2,361 students and monitored 1,109.

According to the report, illegal substances were seized on 164 occasions.

The ministry also said that within the past two months high school students have been at the centre of 12 violent crimes

on compounds.

“While these are serious, Cabinet should note that of the almost 700,000 students enrolled in Jamaican schools, only a fraction, including many teenaged girls, are involved in violent behaviour. It is

noteworthy that in all the recent violent incidents, the students involved, and often the victims as well, had records of disruptive behaviour or violence,” the ministry said.

It further noted that “neither curriculum nor permitted disciplinary measures sufficiently address the social and behavioural challenges of disturbed students”.

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Thursday May 23, 2013

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

Mr. Kissoon should think twice before Change is going to repeating these comments/accusations come to this place...

DEAR EDITOR, I wish to draw your attention to a column written

by Mr. Freddie Kissoon which appeared in your newspaper on May 21, 2013.

I believe Mr. Kissoon has a role to play in our national discourse and is a relentless fighter for the oppressed.

In his column, Mr. Kissoon suggests that the staff at Mario’s didn’t have name tags. This isn’t true! The Supervisor in question took off her name tag because of Mr. Kissoon’s aggressive behavior.

Mr. Kissoon also doesn’t state that all of the information

he requested and the refund were given to him by Ms Dhara Cumberbatch, the Senior Manager of Operations. Further, I have asked the Customer Service Manager to contact Mr. Kissoon to offer a further refund plus a free pizza. At Mario’s, we sometimes make mistakes which we readily acknowledge and try to correct.

All of my communications training tells me I should end this letter now but I need to address the “most secretive fast food outlet in the world” comment. Sometime ago, in one of his columns Mr.

Kissoon spoke about government officials at the opening of Mario’s. This was an amusing fabrication as there was never an official opening of Mario’s.

Mr. Kissoon, during his recent visit, also accused Mario’s of pushing drugs and money laundering. This is why he describes Mario’s as secretive. He further threatened to have us investigated. I am in shock since I never would have guessed that Mr. Kissoon has such serious contacts in the government to initiate those types of investigations.

For the moment, I will

ignore these comments/ accusations. They must be the result of fatigue from years of activism or an attempt to bully the Mario’s staff. However, please advise Mr. Kissoon to think twice before repeating them.

Finally, since I am currently traveling please give Mr. Kissoon my e-mail address. I am available to remove the veil of secrecy and answer all questions he might have. I will not be responding to any further comments on this issue from Mr. Kissoon.

Terrence Campbell Chief Executive Officer Camex Restaurants Inc.

From page 5 feeling no small amount of discomfort with regard to my questioning of the Minister’s clear incapacity to manage his portfolio in a fair, competent and accountable manner, but neither should take it personally and hence seek to resort to spurious and ineffectual ad hominem attacks – my endgame in this transcends any one person, government or even political party.

I have expended too much time and too much energy in rhetoric, trying to hint at a general framework for action, particularly with regard to cultural policy, and with little effect upon either stakeholders or policymakers, including the independent media and the political opposition.

Let me cut through all this.

A white paper on the National Cultural Fund, “Areas of Inquiry Into and Recommendations for Reform of Management for the National Arts Fund”, is available for download on the Scribd website.

A copy of it has also been e-mailed to the independent media, to members of the political opposition and to the Ministry of Culture. Others on the establishment of a national literary development policy and on a national film council will follow in the upcoming months.

I will be following up on the commitments made by the Alliance For Change, the political party I continue to

give critical support to, with regard to assuring the responsible expenditure of the National Arts Fund, and the holding of Frank Anthony accountable in the management of national cultural policy and the expenditure of taxpayer dollars; the Minister would do well to adjust himself to withstand what would be no doubt unprecedented scrutiny. I again repeat my offer to engage the Ministry in whatever initiatives it may take moving forward.

Now, I will finally publicly address a rumour that Freedom House has conveniently created and is secretly spreading to rationalize its utter failure to answer my criticisms, that is, that I am being both directed and paid by the opposition or some other entity to engage in whatever campaign I seem on.

This is patently untrue – it is simply that after years of attacks on my income, there has been a level of survival that I have conditioned myself to accept in the interest of the one goal that goads me on, one that is understandably beyond the comprehension of people in the PPP, that is the betterment of Guyana, using whatever talent and resources that are at my disposal, and without fear or favour.

It does not matter that the government has worked its utmost to ensure that those resources are reduced to naught.

Change is going to come to this place, change that Freedom House cannot bully, bribe or bluster its way out of, and I count myself among those who would be arbiters of that change.

Ruel Johnson

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Britain calls emergency meeting after soldier hacked to death in London British Prime Minister David Cameron called an emergency security meeting yesterday after a man was killed near an army barracks in Woolwich, south-east London, and two suspects were shot and wounded by police.

Media reports said the dead man was a British soldier who was hacked to death by unidentified assailants. Some reports suggested his attackers tried to behead him while shouting “God is greatest” in Arabic.

Chilling footage later emerged of a man with bloodied hands armed with a knife and a meat cleaver speaking into a camera phone - just minutes after the attack.

“This is a sickening and barbaric attack,” Home Secretary Theresa May said in a statement.

Britain’s government convenes meetings of its emergency security committee only to deal with incidents that have implications for national security. A security source said that it was too soon to say whether the incident was terror related.

Security was tightened in the area immediately after the attack. Helicopters hovered above the residential area and

nearby roads were sealed off by the police. “(That) this can happen in the centre of a busy town, it’s really really shocking and traumatizing for everybody, all local residents,” a witness in a nearby street said.

London was last hit by a serious attack in July 2005 when four young men set off suicide bombs on the underground and bus network, killing 52 people and injuring hundreds. Four others failed to repeat a similar attack two weeks later.

A second attack, aimed at a packed nightclub in central London, in 2007 failed when police found two car bombs packed with petrol, gas and nails in London’s theatre district on a busy weekend night. Photographs posted online showed at least two people on the ground who appeared to be injured, but no further details were immediately available.

A teacher at a local school told the BBC earlier he saw a body on the road and afterwards heard gunshots.

“A number of weapons were reportedly being used in the attack, and this included reports of a firearm,” London police said in a statement.

IRS official refuses to answer questions at scandal hearing (Reuters) - The Internal Revenue Service official at the centre of a scandal about extra tax scrutiny of conservative groups told Congress yesterday she had done nothing wrong but invoked her constitutional right not to answer questions.

Lois Lerner, who heads the IRS tax-exempt unit, angered lawmakers by reading a statement before refusing to testify, but she was dismissed from the hearing with a warning that she could be called back for another appearance before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

“I have not done anything wrong. I have not broken any laws. I have not violated any IRS rules or regulations, and I have not provided false information to this or any congressional committee,” Lerner told the panel.

“Because I am asserting my right not to testify, I know that some people will assume that I have done something

wrong. I have not,” she said.

House Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa, a California Republican, said Lerner appeared to have waived her right against self-incrimination by making the statement.

Republican Trey Gowdy of South Carolina demanded that she stay to answer questions, drawing applause from the crowd in the hearing room.

After conferring with aides, Issa - who has accused Lerner of providing “false or misleading” information to Congress last year about the IRS’s treatment of conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status - dismissed her from the hearing but said he might call her to testify in the future. Photographers swarmed Lerner as she left.

Lerner is at the centre of a political scandal over the taxcollection agency’s use of search terms such as “Tea Party” and “patriots,” to select groups for additional scrutiny of their qualifications for tax-exempt status.

BARBARIC ... the scene in Woolwich yesterday afternoon with one of the suspected killers (inset) armed with a knife and meat cleaver

Page 29

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Thursday May 23, 2013

PM: Opposition getting desperate An act of desperation.

That was how Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar on Tuesday described the chain of e-mails presented to Parliament by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley on Monday which allege a Section 34 conspiracy and a plan to silence a reporter.

Persad-Bissessar said she remained unfazed by the allegations contained in the e-mails and she declared that the plan to bring her People’s Partnership Government into disrepute had backfired.

Persad-Bissessar was speaking to the media following the Land Settlement Agency’s (LSA) first draw of Land for the Landless at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts in San Fernando.

The LSA is part of the Ministry of Housing.

“It is a total fabrication and I think all that was missing was a hard hat and a gloves because it was fabrication of the highest order. It is clearly designed to bring the Government into disrepute. I think this thing has backfired completely.

Any right-thinking person watching those e-mails will

know right away it is a cutand-paste job that was done.

It brings the Opposition into disrepute. The extent they would go seems to be the acts of desperation on the part of the Opposition,” she said.

Rowley read a series of emails which, he said, implicated the Prime Minister, Attorney General and Local Government Minister in the Section 34 fiasco.

“None of those e-mails were sent by me. I was advised by the Attorney General that none of those emails were sent by him. We are the two senders. I am also advised by Captain Gary Griffith that none of those emails were sent by him,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar said numerous discrepancies and inconsistencies were contained in the e-mails. She said she was concerned that the Leader of the Opposition, an experienced Parliamentarian, would hold on to information with such serious allegations of criminal intent without handing it over to the relevant authority.

“Obviously he didn’t believe it himself. If he did that was a serious matter (and) should be taken up right away

T&T PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar to give to the police for investigations. He alleges that he had passed it to the President. But that was never raised with me by former president or present President,” he said.

Persad-Bissessar said within hours of receiving the information on Monday, she wrote to acting Commissioner of Police Stephen Williams calling for an immediate investigation.

She said the e-mails were alleged to have been sent when the Section 34 issue was being repealed in Parliament.

“I said at the start (Section 34) should never have happened. That is why I moved swiftly to have it repealed...But that matter is sub judice and I would not want to comment further. It is before the Court of Appeal,” she said.

St Lucia PM wants new strategy CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) yesterday began its 43rd Board of Governors meeting here with St. Lucia’s Prime Minister Dr. Kenny Anthony calling on the international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to develop a new strategic partnership with the region.

Anthony, in a wide ranging address to the governors that also include heads of governments, finance ministers and representatives of developed countries, such as Britain and Canada, said that the financial institutions “prescribe for us but very rarely do we tell them what we expect of them, what we want from them”.

He said the international institutions, of which the region holds membership, must be able to “facilitate our integration into the global economy.

“To do this we must be must be very clear of our objectives and our relations with these institutions. The IMF for instance, must join with us to petition the international community for special terms on which debt can either be restructured or

reduced.

“If the institution insists that debt above certain levels is a binding constraint on growth and countries have exhausted all the avenues recommended by them, then the international community will have to play a critical role so that growth can be re-started”.

Anthony said also that the World Bank group must also be encouraged to mobilise significant funding on reasonable terms for infrastructural development “and to re-start the growth process.

“In addition, through the IFC, they need to make major efforts, along with the governments at the national level, with developing the domestic private sector and to encourage the entry of foreign investments in the sectors identified for leading the growth process”.

Anthony, the outgoing chairman of the region’s premier lending banking institution, said “concentrated effort is needed by the World Bank group to get the engine of growth moving again. “I want to suggest that we look into the possibility of creating a consortium like the former Caribbean Group for

Cooperation for Economic Development which was responsible for significant success in mobilising substantial funding in the 1980s when the region experienced one of its fastest rates of growth.”

The St. Lucia Prime Minister said that the various initiatives now being undertaken by the IMF with the discussion on small states, the World Bank and the Caribbean Growth Forum “can culminate in such an institutional framework to pursue certain...objectives with specific timelines.

Anthony said even the World Trade Organization (WTO), “despite the pain it has unleashed on the banana producing countries of the region, is crucial to the integration of the region into the international financial system.

“The region has to devise a strategy to treat with the trade and access to markets for existing and new goods and services. You will have to jointly on a regional basis devote the requite resources to the hosting of opportunities and making the connections to successfully insert ourselves into the major supply chains that service international trade.”

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

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LET E-MAIL PROBE BEGIN

‘GUILTY PARTY MUST PAY’: Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar makes his contribution to the debate on the no-confidence motion brought by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley against the Prime Minister and the Government, in the Lower House at the International Waterfront Centre in Port of Spain.

By Ria Taitt Political Editor, Trinidad Express A total of five members of Parliament have called for an investigation in the controversial Section 34 email revelations which were presented by Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley on Monday.

As he piloted a noconfidence motion in the Government, Rowley presented e-mails he said pointed to a conspiracy by key office-holders of unprecedented magnitude in this country.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Anand Ramlogan, leader of the Congress of the People (COP) Prakash Ramadhar, Rowley himself, and St Joseph MP Herbert Volney have all agreed that the House of Representatives is not the forum for the investigation of the accuracy or inaccuracy of the documents. (Outside of the House of Representatives the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) is calling for a probe).

But there is some divergence of views over who should conduct this probe.

The Prime Minister referred the matter to the Commissioner of Police within three hours of receiving the documents while Rowley called for the matter to be investigated by the Integrity Commission and the Director of Public

Prosecutions.

Volney stated that the Commissioner of Police, as he can be influenced because he is acting, should not conduct the investigations, which he said should be done by an independent body, which he did not name. He also said the investigation should be “sanitised” by the removal from office of the Attorney General.

Tuesday night, Volney found support in an unlikely place—PNM’s Alicia Hospedales said she agreed that an independent body must be set up to investigate the matter.

Ramadhar said Tuesday the truth must be sought as he supported the call for further investigations into the controversial e-mails revealed

by Rowley.

“Whoever is guilty must pay the price,” he stated.

Speaking in the House of Representatives at Tower D, International Waterfront Centre, Port of Spain, Ramadhar, who is Minister of Legal Affairs, said he was not ashamed to say that when he heard Rowley’s contribution, he left the chamber, called his wife and wept.

“I wept not because of any fear other than what happened in this honourable house. If the allegations are true it is of the most heinous and grave nature. If it is not, then that is equally heinous and grave, he said.

But he also slammed Rowley. “Everyone sat aghast

and expected that given the serious nature of the allegation, there would have a serious effort to produce some level of authenticity. We have not seen that and ... we are realising the inconsistencies,” he said.

Ramadhar added: “This is not a case that would pass a preliminary enquiry. No magistrate would send this to trial before a high court.

Indeed the very DPP to which we have referred, he would discard this file, he wouldn’t even send it back for further investigation.

But I encourage that there be further investigation.

Because we need to be clear

- 5 MPs call for investigation into Rowley’s Section 34 revelations

on this.

“There should be no lingering doubt, which is the worst sort of thing in politics.”

Noting that perception is reality in politics, he said the Opposition had created “evil perceptions”.

He said while the Congress of the People wanted to know what the truth was and the party was making no pronouncement, he was “deeply encouraged” by the Prime Minister’s statements that all the

allegations were a total fabrication.

Ramadhar also chastised Rowley for “sitting” on the information for six months, saying he “is guilty of a failure of duty to the people of Trinidad and Tobago”.

“Had it been that he kept these documents in his back pocket and a murder or some harm did come to some member of our free press, what would he have done then?” he asked.

He said if Rowley for a

moment believed that he got “serious documents, important documents and real documents, then he would have appreciated immediately that those (documents) were obtained in breach of the Interception of Communications Act which the House passed in 2010 which says that if you i l l e g a l l y obtain these documents it carries a penalty of $250,000 and three years imprisonment”.

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Thursday May 23, 2013

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Windies Women say... Battle to represent Guyana...

From page 35 because we are looking to build a team of well-rounded players and the focus was just not on each player’s strength, but on the other parts of the game,” she said.

“Apart from the work on my bowling, I also had to work on my batting and my fielding, which I think would help to improve my all-round cricket.”

She said: “One of the things I learnt at this camp was that everyone had a contribution to make. No one

knows when they will be called upon to make that match-winning performance.

“It’s not just about being good with the skill in which you excel, but you have to be able to be a rounded player to make that contribution.”

Munro said it was a privilege to be entrusted with the responsibility of being an opening bowler for the Windies Women.

“Knowing that the team depends on you to set the tone with the ball and being

able to make the early breakthroughs is quite an honour,” she said. “I’m looking forward to the remainder of the year, playing for Guyana in the Women’s RS50 and the tri-nation series later in the year.

“This camp was a great way to get me focussed again on what’s coming up, so I can hardly wait for the opportunity to put what I have learnt at this camp into practice – particularly my batting.”

Thursday May 23, 2013 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19): A relationship may feel as if it’s running out of control, but you aren’t too worried because you believe that you can pull everything back together. You might even enjoy all the emotional drama today.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20): Unexpected events on this exciting day boost your aspirations and tempt you to reach beyond your current goals.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20): Brilliant ideas keep popping into awareness all day, enticing you to expect more from the current situation. Unfortunately, your fantasies might be fleeting and quickly fade back into the shadows of your subconscious.

CANCER (June 21–July 22): You might be dreaming of being on stage today as the Moon moves through your 5th House of SelfExpression, but you probably get nervous thinking about being in front of so many people.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22): It’s challenging to interact with other people today, only to realize that you are actually facing angels and demons that originate within your own mind. You could be drawn toward unusual experiences, prompting you to step outside of your comfort zone before you are ready.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22): You may not be very clear about what is expected from you now, but this ambiguity won’t likely prevent you from trying to be everything to everyone. Of course, it makes sense to focus on the clarity you need.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): You’re tempted to go overboard in order to obtain satisfaction today as obsessive visions of the future drive you further than logical analysis.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): It’s exhilarating when you express your desires today because what you say actually appears to be heard.

You don’t want anyone to fix anything ... you only need acknowledgment from someone who won’t disappear when the emotional pressure increases.

SAGIT (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): Your words have more impact than you realize now as the willful Sun in your 7th House of Partnerships aligns with authoritative Saturn.

However, rather than motivating others with your inspirational speech, you prefer to set aside your work to pursue simple pleasures.

CAPRICORN(Dec.22–Jan.19): Your ability to stick to your plan may be tested today, but you should be able to develop the momentum that’s required to do the job. Although your route might be a roundabout, veering off course could be the best way to reach your target.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18): Your mind may be crackling with excitement today, and you’re unable to settle down. You might even fall in love or, at least, flirt with someone you admire.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20): Your mind may be crackling with excitement today, and you’re unable to settle down. You might even fall in love or, at least, flirt with someone you admire.

However, retreating to a more secure place for a while is wise if the action heats up too fast.

From page 38 together Silver Bullets against Victoria Church Yard, Silent Assassins versus Millennium, Leopold Street battle Hard Core and Back Circle play Plaisance.

Kickoff is at 19:30 hours.

The third round will be played on Saturday, while the semi-finals and final will be

played on Monday evening, a public holiday.

“We expect overwhelming support as teams will be bringing along their supporters.

There is a lot at stake for the competing teams,” Baptiste said.

The winners will receive $400,000, runner-up $250,000, third place $150,000 and

fourth $75,000.

The winning team will also represent Guyana at the second annual Guinness Street Challenge scheduled for June 21-23 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Guyana hosted the inaugural Caribbean Guinness Challenge last year at the National Park.

Hodge launches Royals into...

From page 37 with a straight six off Mishra in the next over. Sunrisers were visibly stunned, and Mishra, whose first three overs had gone for eight, was irritated.

Sunrisers hung in, though, despite a wayward 18th over from Dale Steyn.

Hodge tried to hit a six almost every ball off Thisara Perera in the 19th, and managed five runs. It came down to 10 needed off six, but Hodge needed two deliveries.

Sunrisers did well to get to 132 from 67 for 3 after 14 overs. Royals went in without a spinner, but their various kinds of medium-pacers tied Sunrisers down with lack of pace and width.

Vikramjeet Malik, playing his second match of the season, sent back Parthiv Patel and Hanuma Vihari in the space of four balls. Shikhar Dhawan and Cameron White took their time to push on.

White, especially, looked in good touch but both fell in trying to step up the pace of scoring.

Sammy and Perera were going to be key at the death but again, both fell just as they were starting to domi-

nate. Sammy came out swinging sixes but was run out by an accurate, powerful throw from the deep by the substitute Rahul Shukla for 29 off 21. Perera zoomed to 11 off 6 before edging behind.

It was still not an easy target by any means and Roy-

als’ inexperienced middle order seemed to blow it, but Hodge was lurking at No.7 to deliver the knockout punch.

Scores: Rajasthan Royals 135 for 6 (Hodge 54*) beat Sunrisers Hyderabad 132 for 7 (Dhawan 33, Malik 214) by four wickets.

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Thursday May 23, 2013

GTTA rewards Inter-Organisation BEST 80 PERCENT AND winners -Duff, NP Electronics collect prizes LOADING FOR CT13 President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe said yesterday that the recently-held InterOrganisation tournament achieved all its objectives, lauding the efforts of those who finished on top and those who participated.

Munroe was at the time speaking at the simple Presentation Ceremony for the competition. “It was a good Championship despite we did not had a full compliment of organisations,” Munroe said, adding that the Guyana Police Force was notably absent. “(Andrew) Daly ran from

the Championships,” Munroe quipped.

However, he noted that GTTA achieved all its objectives while stating that more needs to be done to make the Championships a big one on the association’s calendar of competitions.

He said that the ‘sports for life’ philosophy is part of the Olympic solidarity mandate, which seek to promote sport in more social environments. He said that is especially important for a transition of knowledge from the older generation to the new one.

The objectives of the GTTA Inter-Organisation

tournament included: (a) fostering camaraderie among staff members of companies; (b) developing partnerships and creating links; (c) creating an understanding and appreciation of the roles between the respective organisations and sectors; (d) promoting healthy lifestyles through sport.

NP Electronics won the Teams’ title in the competition while Stabroek News’, Donald Duff won the Singles accolade. NP Electronics won 3-2 against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) ‘A’ team, while Duff defeated GDF’s Rhono Joseph in the solo effort.

Guyana Independence T20 Cup 2013

E-Networks Inc. (Berbice) supports E-Networks Inc. (Berbice) has join hands with the Independence Committee to host the popular Guyana Independence T20 Cup set for the historic Albion Sports Complex on Sunday May 26, 2013.

At the company’s Berbice Branch, Port Mourant, Office Manager Ms. Janette Seepersaud said that they are delighted to be one of the sponsors of the tournament.

She added that E-Networks have always been a partner

in sports especially when it involves young people in meaningful extracurricular activities. She continued by stating that young people’s personal development is very important for a Country’s development.

Over the years, E-Networks have supported sporting activities including cricket, biking, motor racing and tennis. Some of the company’s employees are National players in some of

the above sports.

The company opened its doors in the Ancient County recently and the support is overwhelming. Their presence is felt in many homes, offices and clubs with the provision of Cable TV. In receiving the cheque on behalf of the organizers, Mr. Alvin Alladin thanked ENetworks Inc. for having faith in the event and coming on board. Proceeds from the event will go towards charity.

Miller, Cummins in West Indies A-Team WICB Media - ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – The West Indies Cricket Board yesterday announced a 13member West Indies A-Team squad for the first four-day “Test” against Sri Lanka ATeam from Wednesday, June 5 to Saturday, June 8 at Warner Park in St. Kitts.

A captain will be named at a later date.

Nikita Miller was the most successful bowler in the recently-concluded Regional 4-Day Tournament.

He grabbed 52 wickets at 8.05 runs apiece, tying him with Shane Shillingford for the highest number of wickets.

Sheldon Cotterell, Miguel Cummins and Jahmar Hamilton are the only three players in the squad that have never appeared in an international fixture for West Indies nor played for West Indies-A previously.

All three were part of the second group that attended the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre in Barbados.

Cummins was the leading bowler in the recentlyconcluded Regional 4-Day Tournament, helping new champions Barbados to their 21st regional first-class title.

He captured 35 wickets at

14.77 runs apiece.

Of the remaining players, Jonathan Carter is the only player uncapped internationally, but he has played for the A-Team over the last four seasons.

Squad: Kraigg Brathwaite, Jonathan Carter, Sheldon Cotterell, Miguel Cummins, Narsingh Deonarine, Kirk Edwards, Assad Fudadin, Shannon Gabriel, Jahmar Hamilton, Leon Johnson, Nikita Miller, Veerasammy Permaul and Chadwick Walton.

SCHEDULE OF MATCHES: June Wed 5 to Sat 8: 1st “Test” – Warner Park, St. Kitts Wed 12 to Sat 15: 2nd “Test” – Arnos Vale Multiplex, St. Vincent Tue 18: 1st Twenty20 match – Arnos Vale Multiplex Wed 19: 2nd Twenty20 match – Arnos Vale Multiplex Sun 23: 1st One-day match – Grenada National Stadium, Grenada Tue 25: 2nd One-day match – Grenada National Stadium Thu 27: 3rd One-day match – Grenada National Stadium

WICB Media - CAVE HILL, Barbados – Tino Best is looking to give it his best shot and take West Indies all the way when he lines up in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

The fiery fast bowler, who first played for the Windies a decade ago, made a successful return to international cricket last year after several seasons in the wilderness and is looking to continue his resurgence.

“I have been playing some decent oneday cricket. I had a decent tour of Australia and I did pretty well against the Zimbabweans

Tino Best (WICB)

when we returned from Australia. I’m very happy and excited to be part of the Champions Trophy,” Best said.

“I believe our chances are as good as any other team in the competition. We have some amazing talent in our dressing room. It is really exciting to play alongside such a talented group of players and I’m relishing the opportunity to do well for the people of the region.”

Best added: “I’m about 80 percent and loading...I don’t want to go too hard in the camp and then when the tournament comes I’m tired. I want to hit the tournament at 100 percent and bowling rapid (pace).”

The 31-year-old was speaking on Wednesday after players held a full training session at the Sagicor High Performance Centre at the 3Ws Oval, under the guidance of Head Coach Ottis Gibson.

The camp started on Monday and will end on Friday. The team will depart from Barbados on Saturday and have another camp in Cardiff, Wales from May 25 to June 2 as they try to get acclimatised to the foreign conditions.

Best said he is eagerly looking forward to playing in the United Kingdom where he did well last year. During the Test series against England he made a world-record 95 batting at Number 11.

He said will arrive full of confidence based on the brilliant showing in Sri Lanka last

October when they won the ICC World T20 Championship.

“Last summer was amazing. To come back into the Test team and do so well felt really good and gave me the confidence to kick on and do even better. I’m looking forward to playing in England once again. Once we play as unit as we did in Sri Lanka, I think we will do very well again. It is not a one-man show,” Best noted.

The ICC Champions Trophy will feature eight teams: Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. The tournament will be played across three venues – Cardiff Wales Stadium, Edgbaston and The Oval – from June 6-23.

The Windies have been drawn in Group B alongside the Indians, the Pakistanis and the South Africans. They open against Pakistan on Friday, June 7 at the Oval and return to the famous venue on Tuesday, June 11 to take on India. The final preliminary match will be against the Proteas on Friday, June 14 in Cardiff.

Berbice lifters set to create...

From page 39 Guyana to support their efforts in being present in the USA with a full strength team, its biggest ever with four weeks to go.

According to the GAPF, “the added fact that the dual championships will be offering two prestigious titles for the lifters from one lift makes the championships a must participate event”.

Guyana Men’s Team will be defending the Caribbean Open Title with the added bonus of adding the Pan American to its resume.

The cost for each athlete to attend is USD1,600.

GAPF President Peter Green has reaffirmed his confidence in the National Junior and Senior teams stating that they have a mandate to keep the Golden Arrowhead fluttering proudly internationally and he has no iota of a doubt that they will once again deliver.

But for these committed, dedicated and disciplined athletes to deliver, Green is calling on corporate Guyana and the business community in Berbice to support these

TDO Lynch wants to...

From page 36 Linden for special attention.

“Those are two areas that need a lot of help with their cricket and I will meet with the stake holders and plan the best way forward for them.

I will also spend more time in those areas and oversee coaching programmes.

Guyana produced great cricketers in the past and it’s

hard to just sit back and see that decline,” he said.

He is asking the media for more coverage so that the sponsors will get more mileage and it will help to motivate the players.

Lynch said he will meet with the members of the De Edward Sports Club of West Berbice tomorrow and put systems in place for their development.

athletes.

“I am calling appealing to the corporate community and private sector of Berbice to invest collectively or individually in sponsoring these home grown athletes from their home County as they do their Region and Country proud.”

Green, who is credited with the rise of the sport in Guyana and its resurgence at the highest level during his tenure to date, has identified Vijai Rahim Under-23 (Rosignol) and Gumendra Shewdas Under-18 (Corriverton) as Guyana’s latest World rated lifters to watch.

He has informed that they will be given the added bonus of attending the World Sub-Juniors/Juniors Championships in Killeen Texas in August should they win their weight categories at the Caribbean and Pan American levels, surely news that should see the business community in Berbice especially rallying around these promising athletes.

Thursday May 23, 2013

Kaieteur News

Page 35

Windies Women say camp was valuable WICB Media - CAVE HILL, Barbados – Members of the West Indies Women’s Team completed a two-week, skills training camp over the weekend at the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre here.

A squad of 13, including off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, left-handed batsman Kyshona Knight, wicketkeeper/batsman Natasha McLean and fast bowler Subrina Munroe were all part of the training sessions.

All four players felt the camp was timely, coming ahead of a busy schedule for the players in the next few months that include the Regional Women’s Super50 and a tri-nation home series against highly-regarded teams, England and New Zealand.

Mohammed said she thinks the camp was valuable due to the individual attention that each player was able to receive from the coaching staff.

“It was a very important camp for us,” she said. “It was just 13 of us and we each got plenty of individual attention and so we were able to work

on stuff that needed to be worked on.

“My batting has improved a bit, so hopefully if it comes down to me in a game, I think I have the confidence to handle the situation and make some runs for the team – and my bowling has also improved a lot compared to last year and the year before.

“I have been struggling lately with my bowling, but this camp has really helped me a lot and I am really confident and hopefully I can take my 100th One-day International wicket during the upcoming tri-nation series.”

Mohammed said she was looking to build on the work she did during the next few months, as she prepares with her native Trinidad & Tobago to play in the Regional Women’s Super50 Tournament.

“I am really looking forward to it and to representing my country once a year,” she said. “The girls have been training very hard, they have been to South Africa, they have done some preparation so far, so it will be going back and working with them for the next two

months.

“Then the Windies Women have England and New Zealand. We have a record of winning home series and it would be a plus for us to win our first tri-nation home series.”

McLean said the best was yet to come for her and the Windies Women, and felt the camp helped her to re-focus on working hard at her game.

“It was a good opportunity to get to work on the areas that I knew needed work and I have seen some improvement,” she said. “My batting will come along, but I have to continue working hard and look for success.

“I learnt a lot about being focussed and being patient among the many things I have learnt in this camp, so that when I reach into a game situation, I can execute and make big runs to help the Windies Women and my hometown Jamaica.”

McLean has just completed her first year with the Windies Women, having made her international debut in an ODI last April against Sri Lanka Women, and said the experience was eyeopening.

RAIN OR SHINE, ECCCC FUNDRAISER ON THIS WEEKEND Members of the Enmore Community Centre Cricket Club (ECCCC) are assuring members of the public that the scheduled fundraiser on Sunday will go ahead as planned, despite the current inclement weather.

The club will be hosting a bar-b-que, softball competition, and display sessions featuring members of the affiliated athletics and karate clubs, all with the aim of acquiring critical pieces of equipment for its club’s development.

Speaking to this publication on Wednesday afternoon, the members said all systems are in place for Sunday’s activities, confirming that rain or shine, the event will go ahead as planned.

They also informed that a meeting was held on Tuesday and another will be held today to finalise plans for the day’s activities, which are slated to commence at 09:00 hours at the ECCCC ground.

The club, which was recently resuscitated by a group of residents of the area, is embarking on a massive developmental drive, and the first step to ensure that this process is successful is the

Independence Day fundraiser.

According to executive member of the club, Taajnauth Jadunauth, the fundraiser will be the largest in the history of the club, which had become dormant for an extended period of time.

“And the proceeds will go towards the procurement of nets, more particularly so that we can accommodate more persons practicing in the afternoons. Right now we only practice on one wicket so there is a limited number of players who can bat or bowl at a specific time. If we have the nets then we split the wicket in two lengthwise and we’d be able to accommodate about 40 persons during active practice,” Jadunauth explained.

He added, “We’re also looking at purchasing, if not a cradle, certainly a slip catching machine where two or three people can throw the ball at the net and it bounces back at them. We’re looking to put all those things in place.” Currently, the club has a membership of about 115.

Jadunauth said the support of residents of Enmore and outlying areas is crucial to the sustenance of

the club, and as such, he is urging persons to come out and have a day of clean fun, while aiding the process of development.

“More specifically, we’re hoping the people in Enmore can support us because it is their children who we’ve taken off the streets, it is their kids who we are trying to develop into better individuals, both at the level of sports and at the level of community involvement,” he pointed out.

“We have about eight softball teams: Regal XI, Floodlights, Trophy Stall and also about two or three female teams taking part.

Apart from the softball cricket, we will have one or two races by the Enmore Athletics Club, a karate demonstration…we’ve put together a day’s event that can make it worth the while,” Jadunauth disclosed. Several novelty events are also on the day’s schedule.

Admission to the day’s activities is free and Jadunauth assured that secured parking will be available as the ECCCC is collaborating with officers of “C” Division to ensure optimal security is in place.

Kycia Knight gets assistance from Merissa Aguilleira during a batting drill “It was a good experience because I attended my first ICC Women’s World Cup and gaining a lot of experience of life outside of the Caribbean,” she said.

“It was a good opportunity. I did not grasp it the way I wanted, but I will get another opportunity, and I plan to keep working hard, so that I can be successful for the team and me.”

The 18-year-old wicketkeeper/batsman added: “We are a young group of players. Fortunately, time is on our side, so we will get more experience and the team will get stronger for the next World Cup. “Each time we play, we grow and we grow, and with opportunity and experience we will become more competitive.”

McLean said this year’s Women’s RS50 would be extra-special, since her native Jamaica would be defending the title. She admitted however, she would have to perform much better than she did when Stafanie Taylor’s

side also won the Women’s Caribbean Twenty20 last year on home soil. “I am looking forward to this tournament to get some 50s and carrying up my average,” she said. “This training camp was a wonderful opportunity to work on my game, so that I can get some runs in the Women’s RS50.

“I took in all that I could from the coaches and so the Women’s RS50 would be a good occasion to put what I have learnt into practice.”

The 21-year-old Knight said she was grateful for the time spent honing some of the basic skills of the game. “The coaches worked extremely hard with the girls over the last two weeks and I think we have gained some valuable knowledge,” she said. “I’ve seen some improvements in my skills over the last two weeks. I’m trying to hit the ball a lot straighter and I am ‘timing’ the ball a lot better.”

Knight said her first season playing with the Windies Women was an

“excellent” experience, but she wanted to improve her game to make greater contributions. “I was a bit disappointed with some of my scores,” she said. “I got good starts against some of the top teams, but I did not cash in on them. “But it has been a memorable period and I am working on getting better at the game so that I can become one of the top players in the World.

She said: “We have a lot of cricket coming up. I am hoping to get the opportunities that I want to play and take full advantage of them.

“I want to score a lot of runs in the Women’s RS50 and the tri-nation series later in the year to bring my average up and stay in the team as long as possible.”

Munroe said the focus at the camp about enhancing the basic skills of all the players that attended was beneficial for her.

“It was a great experience (Continued on page 33)

Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond U-19 football final

Christianburg Wismar battle New Silvercity this afternoon at Wisburg ground This year ’s final of the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Under-19 Linden Schools football championship will be contested this afternoon

between New Silvercity Secondary and Christianburg Wismar ‘Multi’ Secondary Schools at the Wisburg Secondary School ground, Linden.

The two teams will meet after disposing of their semifinal opponents in the home and away matches which were also contested at the only football playing ground available in Linden at the moment.

In the first semifinal game held last Tuesday, New Silvercity Secondary edged past Linden Technical

Institute 1-0 win after O’Neil Gentle got the lone goal of the game, while in the other first leg semifinal match between Wismar Christianburg Secondary ‘Multi’ and Harmony, saw Harmony getting the better of that clash when the only goal of the game was scored by Kurd Johnson.

In return leg of those semifinals last Thursday, Christianburg Wismar Secondary rebounded to beat Harmony 2-1 on goals by Yannick Simon and Marmaleque Davidson, thus advancing by the away goals rule from that 2-2 aggregate.

They now meet New Silvercity Secondary who reached the final after drawing their return

game 1-1. Shaquille Alexander scored for New Silvercity Secondary and Shaquille Clarke leveled the scores for LTI with New Silvercity Secondary advancing by a 21 aggregate.

Ernest Joseph, Chairman of the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Foundation based in the United States of America, is among officials who will be here for the presentation at the final this afternoon.

Several individual prizes are up for grabs this afternoon including the top goal scorer, best defensive player and best goalkeeper prizes in addition to the winning trophy and medals and the runner-up prizes.

Page 36

Kaieteur News

TDO Lynch wants to see Guyana cricket back on track

By Zaheer Mohamed Newly appointed Territorial Development Officer (TDO) of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Monte Lynch wants to see Guyana cricket return to its glory days.

Lynch appointment came at a time when Guyana performed poorly in the recently concluded West Indies domestic tournaments finishing 5th in the 4 day with 18 points and 6th in the Super 50 with 8 points. He is tasked with the responsibility of improving the game in a country where cricket is regarded as its national sport.

Lynch played for Guyana in 1982-1983 when the country won the Shell Shield and Geddes Grant competitions under Clive Lloyd; he represented Surrey and England in three one day internationals and also worked with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union managing one of their franchise teams, Southern Rocks, and with a England Cricket Board level three coaching certificate under his belt, he may be the well suited for this assignment.

Lynch, who turned 55 on Tuesday last, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday of some of his plans to develop the game locally. He said that a great deal of emphasis will be placed at the grassroot level.

“In collaboration with the GCB, I am looking at a three to four year plan where I want to reintroduce the game back in the schools. I am planning a meeting with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to plan the best way forward in getting the game back on the school’s curricula as soon as possible.

Monte Lynch

I am also hoping to start the Kiddies and the Digicel Grassroots coaching programme within the next four weeks, a meeting has been organized by the GCB for us to meet with representatives of the West Indies Cricket Board from the 29th-31st of May to discuss same,” added Lynch.

He said that youngsters will also be recommended to clubs and efforts will be made to have the youngsters train on Mondays and participate in matches on Fridays which will help them to compete at a young age.

Lynch who started the MAL Skills coaching company in England, which is now manage by his son Louis Lynch and began to coach at the Georgetown Cricket Club in August 2012, said he couldn’t find any employment and thanked those at the Georgetown Cricket Club for their support especially Les Ramalho, Richard Jodha, Paul-Chan-A-

Sue and Phillip Fernandes and secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board Anand Sanasie for ensuring his knowledge in used to benefit the local game.

He informed that he hopes to organise summer camps in the three counties at different age groups but will target youngsters at the U12-15 level and wants to make the grassroots programme regular.

One of the things he will put in place is a well structured coaching programme. “I want a regular body of coaches to work with players at the U15, 17 and U19 level and ensure their fitness level is at an acceptable standard both on and off season. Players will be also trained to play on different surfaces so by the time they reached 17 we will get an idea whether they will play international cricket. I will also ask the West Indies Cricket Board through the GCB to hold level one and two coaching courses and

Wright steps down as JCA president Jamaica Observer KINGSTON, Jamaica Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Lyndel Wright, announced during an emotional speech yesterday, that he will not seek reelection at the Board’s annual general meeting (AGM) which is due by October this year.

Wright said the decision to not run for another term as boss of the cash-strapped association “had not been easy” adding that it was based on a “number of factors”.

He said that family responsibility, commitment to his regular job in project management and his desire to invest more time into his

boyhood club Boys’ Town were the reasons for deciding to step aside.

“I want to give thanks to God for all things,” Wright said at the Sabina Park press briefing.

“I’m not retiring, I’m not calling end of play, but I can serve no longer as the president of the JCA,” he remarked, seemingly fighting back tears.

He insisted that the “work will continue” even as the time on his tenure winds down.

William ‘Billy’ Heaven, the chief executive officer of the CHASE Fund, had recently declared that he will run for the JCA top spot at the upcoming AGM. However, Wright stated

Lyndel Wright that Heaven’s decision did not force his hand.

The Jamaica Observer understands that a member of Wright’s current executive could, in the coming days, also enter the race for JCA president.

refresher programmes and to assist in getting the umpires trained; I am hoping that only the top qualified coaches will be assigned for national duties.”

When quizzed about the game at the senior level, Lynch who was born at Anna Catherina on the West Coast of Demerara, said he will speak with each player that represented Guyana this year and progress from there. “I am impressed with some of the players’ talent but they must understand that it’s an honour to represent Guyana and must be serious if they want to wear the national team shirt, players must maintain a certain level of fitness before they join the camp and be eligible for selection, every cricketer will be given an equal opportunity to play for Guyana and they will be asked to play as a unit.

Cricketers will be trained together but will also be given time to train individually,” he stated.

Lynch indicated that players must respect team rules and social graces must be brought back to the game.

“Teams must gel together at all times and players must be on time for practise sessions and matches. They need to improve mentally and be ready to fight for Guyana, I don’t mind losing but players must show fight, they must be prepared to battle and self confidence is important,” he stated.

He said that efforts will be made to get sponsors on board to help with the development of the game and ask the relevant government officials to reduced transportation fares for teams traveling from their counties.

He indicated that Guyana needs a professional league.

“We want a league in Guyana so our top players will be playing at home but it will have to be sponsored, currently most of our players are plying their trade in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Lynch.

In terms of female cricket, Lynch informed that the female teams will be asked to play at the junior levels with the males, they will also be involved in the Kiddies programme and a team will be put together for training.

He said better facilities need to be prepared. “We need better pitches and outfields; the facilities at the schools must be resurrected as well,” he stated.

Lynch pointed out that he marked out Essequibo and (Continued on page 34)

Thursday May 23, 2013

Guyana Independence T20 Cup 2013

MEMOREX Enterprises chips in

Mr. Anthony Ameerally (right) hands over their contribution to Mr. Anil Beharry MEMOREX Enterprises, based at New Amsterdam Berbice, has added some financial weight to aid in the success of the Guyana Independence T20 Cup set to ignite the County of Berbice this Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex.

Executive Director, Anthony Ameerally in complimenting the organisers on the initiative said that he is confident that the Chairman and other members of the organising committee will deliver a successful competition.

He went on to say that his Company fully supports the development of sports and young people in the Region and Guyana as a whole.

Ameerally said he is happy that proceeds from this high profile event will go towards charity.

Receiving the cheque was Organising Committee Chairman Anil Beharry who said that he has known Mr. Ameerally from his school days and he is an ardent lover of the sport, one who has represented Guyana and Berbice at softball cricket for many years.

Beharry said he was certain Mr. Ameerally would have supported the Independence Cup and as such, approached him for the sponsorship. Mr. Beharry is

very thankful for the support and said it contribute to the success of the event.

Proceeds will go towards assisting with the development of sports in the region including First division clubs, Albion and Bermine, two schools and orphanages will also benefit.

The organisers have also disclosed that they will consider supporting young Berbice talent in the field of culture; rehabilitation of the commentary booth at the Albion Sports Complex while the balance will be shared equally by the two organisations to fulfill their social obligations and community work under the “Power to Change Programme”.

Meanwhile, the draw for the matches has already been completed. Clashing in the first game from 10:00hrs on Sunday will be Universal DVD Berbice Titans who will take on Karibee Rice Tigers.

From 13:30hrs BK International East Coast Jaguars will oppose Georgetown Lions. The respective winners will clash in the grand final under lights from 18:30hrs. Fans can look forward to some exhilarating action with the best exponents of the sport in Guyana expected to play.

DCC A head Brain Street U-15 points table DCC-A with 140 points are currently leading the points table in the Georgetown Cricket Association\Brain Street U15 tournament.

Gandhi Youth Organization is in second place with 129 followed GNIC 110, Everest 99, Transport Sports Club 62, DCC-B 60, Queens College 54, Ladies 49 and GCC 43.

The competition is at its semifinal stage; DCC-A will play Everest and GYO will take on GNIC on a date to be decided.

t r o Sp

Best 80% Miller, Cummins in and loading West Indies A-Team for CT13

Miguel Cummins

Tino Best

Nikita Miller

Battle to represent TDO Lynch Guyana at the regional wants to see Guinness championship Guyana cricket starts tomorrow back on track

GTTA rewards Inter-Organisation winners - Duff, NP Electronics collect prizes

The various prize winners, including Singles champ, Donald Duff (left) and Teams winner, NP Electronics (centre) pose with GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe (right) following yesterday’s Presentation Ceremony.

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