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: 225-8491, 225-8458, 225-8465 Fax: 225-8473 or 226-8210

Editorial

Zero tolerance for child abuse From birth to childhood, children are innocent, compliant and affectionate and should be nurtured and loved. They should not be sexually or physically abused.

Can the Granger-led Coalition government protect the children from those predators who are likely to molest them? Even though there are laws in place to prevent the sexual and physically abuse of children, for a number of reasons, they are not being enforced properly and effectively.

One of the major concerns is that children are being guided by adults, especially their parents and guardians, many of whom lack the ability and parental skills to point the children in the right direction.

It is the role of parents and caretakers to raise them in a caring environment and to guide them towards a path leading to positive goals in education, professional integrity, sports or Godly inspired religious ambitions. They are the country’s future and if parents or the government cannot take good care of them then who will?

Why in a country so rich in natural resources and with many achievable opportunities, do children seem disinterested in serious efforts to emerge as competent professionals and proficient craftsmen and women?

There should be zero tolerance for sexual abuse of a child. Everyone should know that sexual abuse of a child does not only exist at one level of society; it encompasses all social, economic and religious levels. One may be surprised to know that if a child from a wealthy family is sexually abused, it is harder to build a case against the abuser simply because of the affluent home, the financial leisurely lifestyle and the environment from which the abused child comes. These things make it more convenient for his or her parents to live a lie than face the challenging consequences and embarrassment to make the abuse public. Therefore, the rights of children are being sacrificed at the altar of the wealthy lifestyle of their parents or guardians whose choice or preference is to maintain the status quo.

Some children have become compliant victims of child abuse both physical and sexual, but it must be brought to light, irrespective of their environment and they must be taught that accepting the lesser of two evils does not make either of the evils right.

Not only girls are being abused by family members, neighbours, teachers, and in some cases, priests, but also little boys are at serious risk. This is why the Granger administration must act quickly to protect them.

We know the problem exists and yes, there are solutions, but it needs a well-coordinated approach. It must begin in the home where parents must be educated about the profound and sacred values of society, where money should not be the dominant motivator as to how children are brought up in the country.

No matter how poor a country or a community is, at no time money should dictate or define societal values or become a factor to determine a child’s future. The life of a child should not be sacrificed because of money.

Unfortunately, this has become a very common practice in some communities. If the adults understand the value of families and the importance of children, it may prevent the sexual abuse of children.

Indeed, the bills must be paid but it must not be done through the exploitation and sexual abuse of children.

If the people act positively, and the laws governing sexual abuse are properly enforced by the government, the country may see men return to the characteristic known as manhood and women return to the respect they once held for their concealed, rather than exposed, femininity. And children will respect their parents. A wise person once said: Children learn where they live.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

The scourge of poverty for Indigenous People needs to be addressed immediately DEAR EDITOR The holding of Village Council Elections, now overdue, the demarcation of Village Lands and other land issues are stated priorities of the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. For obvious reasons the elections must be foremost. Except for the granting of land for extension of villages and for new communities, I would not regard land issues as top priority because that does not affect the day to day existence of the Indigenous People.

The greatest threat to us is poverty.

This scourge needs to be addressed immediately. In order to start alleviating poverty, villages must begin putting

forward developmental plans as provided for in Sect. 32 (1) of the Amerindian Act 2006. This is necessary to create employment and generate financial and other income.

The Indigenous People must stop looking toward the Government and NGOs for handouts for their survival.

More immediate concerns are long term relief from potable water shortages in villages, pollution of rivers used by villages, health and sanitation issues, impassable roads and run down hostels across the country.

I respect the urgency of the Minister to get on with his responsibilities, but we are expecting procedures laid down

in the law to be followed. With regards to the holding of Village Elections, Sect.

33 of the Act stipulates that not less than 3 months before the date of the election the Minister shall arrange a general audit and a financial audit to be carried out on Village Councils, and give copies of the audits to the Village Councils to be presented to Village general meetings. Sect. 69 (1) directs that not later than 60 days before the election date the Village Council shall compile an electoral list of all adult residents and display it for inspection. Sect. 68 (1) says that the Returning Officer shall give the Village Council a written notice (Continued on page 63)

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

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Kaieteur M@ilbox

Enthusiasm for our ruling coalition will depend on effective managing of the economy DEAR EDITOR, I have little doubt that President Granger is fully aware that the wave of enthusiasm for our ruling coalition can easily collapse if he and his government flop in the management of our economy and in keeping economic growth rates at the high end.

It would not be enough for the coalition to trumpet its new found “managerialist”

philosophy even if it succeeds in becoming a model of financial rectitude.

During the election battle the coalition made no bones about its readiness to become better stewards of the public purse. On top of this, the coalition made it its mission to ensure the public gets top value for every cent the government spends in our name. While imposing sound financial management

DEAR EDITOR, In your edition dated 23/ 05/2015 entitled “ Allegations surface of deliberate move to shut down CHI” I wish to clear up some misconceptions 1. Representatives from the Cardiac team CHC Medcorp from Trinidad went to visit the facilities of CHI at GPH and the CEO informed us we had to obtain permission from Dr. Gary Stevens. We then met with his Secretary who phoned him for the necessary permission but he refused, although the facility is owned by the People of Guyana.

My information about CHI leads me to believe that CHI is being managed as a private concern and if one does not have the necessary funds cannot elicit any treatment there. Some cases are however paid for by the Ministry of Health.

2. We sought to have a relationship whereby anybody can have evaluation and treatment regardless of affordability as obtains in Trinidad, but got no response from the

Minister of Health and former President Ramotar.

3. A hybrid machine is to do peripheral arteriogram and if necessary the required peripheral by pass not coronary (heart) bypass.

This is a waste since there is no vascular surgeon in Guyana.

4. A HYBRID CATH LAB HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HEART SURGERY Cardiac surgery is done in a specialised unit and is not meant to be done in a hybrid theatre. All you need is a good operating theatre which would have, a good cardiac catherization laboratory with attachments for assist devices and a good cardiac team which comprises, cardiac surgeons, cardiac anaesthetists, perfusionists , intensive care specialists, cardiologists invasive and non invasive.

A cohesive team is necessary and not one or two individuals with sporadic visits catering for only a section of the population who can pay which is untenable.

Hughley H. Hanoman FRCP, FESC

Some misconceptions in your CHI article

practices in the operation of the public purse is commendable, we will surely not be richer as a nation even as our battery of accountants on the government payroll counts every cent that comes in and meticulously record how it has been used. If we are stupid enough to put great book-keeping ahead of our capacity to make and sell things to people around the world, then the result is that we will be doing nothing more than taking ourselves to the cleaners. It is only when we make our economy bigger that we put more money in the pockets of our workers, businessmen and of course our politicians as well.

President Granger’s great fault would be if he and his government simply assume that the high growth rates we have enjoyed in the most recent years will automatically continue as if our economy is on auto-pilot.

The controversies in which the PPP/C was embroiled were appalling, but its hands-on management of the investment side of our economy kept economic growth steady and strong.

The coalition has no choice but to embrace this positive outcome and work harder at it. It will have to approach the job as deliberately as a

contractor does, expanding the foundation and performing the onerous task of adding new floors to the building.

We can only hope that someone of stature in the coalition government declares publicly and unambiguously in the near future what strategies the government has in mind to help sustain economic momentum going forward.

It is unfortunate that textbook economics does not teach about the optimum size of government, but with the number of ministers reaching over two dozen or more, and with inward investment so critical, the president can count on a number of hands to help him move his investment plan forward.

The adolescent idea that Guyana can operate independently of substantial investments from wealthy foreigners and well oiled international corporations should not be revived.

The modernization we need in all areas of our society is deserving of all the help we can get.

The problem associated with economic growth is that our policy makers do not cite it often enough as the necessary backbone of any social intervention that the coalition proposes.

In a growing economy more tax revenue gets stashed into the public treasury and as the old saying goes the government can then smile broadly all the way to the bank.

Yet one of our biggest priorities has to do with our unemployment concerns. If unemployment is to be reduced responsibly then it is President Granger’s job and that of his government to combine the benefit of a more robust economy with a sizeable expansion in our facilities that offer affordable vocational and technical training.

A growing economy creates jobs and those with ready-to-work skills are more likely to find them. The job seeker trained in say masonry, upholstery or QuickBooks accounting will not be

languishing on the unemployment line for too long. I have long found the question of unemployment to be less severe if our government has the good sense to preside over an educational system that turns out people with the right mix of skills that the economy needs. There is no reason to believe that we cannot run an educational system as good as what we find anywhere else.

Any haste on the part of the coalition to add new jobs by bloating the government sector with hundreds or thousands of new staff, doing work that many of us will consider inconsequential will wreak havoc once again with our public finance. The coalition should be put on notice that it has no room for error. More importantly, it is only by results that we will know if the change of government has been pointless.

Wesley Hicken

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Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Freddie Kissoon replies to cricket specialist. Michael George DEAR EDITOR, In his letter “Frederick Kissoon, new cricket commentator, disappointed!”

(KN, May 30, 2015), Michael Albert, the letter writer denies me my right to form an opinion on whether Shiv C h a n d e r p a u l should be

picked for the current test series with Australia.

He takes a cynical dig at me by suggesting I am now cricket commentator and an overnight specialist in cricket. In a strange Freudian twist, he signed as a “cricket lover,” and not a cricket

GUYSUCO is in its death throes DEAR EDITOR, Three years ago, at a public forum at the new Hope Secondary School, I expressed the view that Guysuco would not survive another four years.

Three years have gone by and Guysuco has all but closed its tired eyes for good.

At that forum I suggested that the then Administration activate the process of allocating every bona fide sugar worker five acres of land of what then comprised cane lands, issue appropriate titles and manage a structured programme of agridiversification with the simultaneous interests of the workers and the nation’s macro economic benefits in mind.

While that forum precluded elaboration of my suggestion, the framework I had in mind, and still do, is that Guysuco would assist in re-contouring and maintaining drainage and irrigation infrastructure, land preparation, etc.

In effect, assist to kick off and support the diversification and transition process. At the ideological level, the thinking was a swathe of 500 acres could be cultivated in bananas, another 500 acres cultivated in pumpkins, etc.

The then farm owners will be paid according to how much his five acres contributed to the gross production of the 500 acres in which he fell.

A Ministry of Agriculture Exports could be established

to arrange markets and facilitate the export process regionally and internationally.

That Ministry will either purchase outright or make advance payment to producers.

Sugar factories could be modified to process, store and transport produce coming from a particular geographic area, inclusive of the traditional farming communities within the geographic spread.

I proffer the preceding paragraphs to outline the beginning of a paradigm shift towards avoiding throwing thousands of sugar workers and their dependants onto the bread line.

By now Guysuco’s Board, its management, the Trade Unions within the industry, the political administrationpast and present- should have accepted the reality that any business entity is a failure if it requires continuing subsidies. It was evident in bauxite; it is now evident in sugar.

The failure in sugar is in no small measure contributed to by ALL tiers of employees within the industry and persons aligned thereto- from the factory worker who takes home two pounds of sugar daily in his lunch bowl, to the manure boy who dumps the fertiliser in the canals instead of applying it on the cane roots, to the sample boy who cuts all samples from one field, to the field foreman who puts additional money in chosen employees’ pay packets, to the field supervisor who supervises at home via his cell phone, to the Personnel manager who does his MBE assignments on the job, to the Estate Manager (Continued on page 63)

specialist. I thought after berating me for thinking that I was a cricket specialist, he would have corrected me as he is a cricket specialist.

George tells me that I don’t deal in statistics. One thing I am absolutely sure of is that George doesn’t deal in what all human ought to deal in and be aware of at all times – context Here are the contexts involving Shivanarine Chanderpaul that either George chose to ignore because of sentiments or because he knows nothing about context. No one denies Chanderpaul’s prowess and the need to give him a coruscating send-off. That was not my context. I simply argued that at forty one (he is past forty) and with declining form, he should not be picked for the Australian series just to break Lara’s record It is sad in terms of the learning capacity if George missed that context.

The second context is you do not pick a sportsman in order for him to achieve a personal milestone. You select him to achieve victory for your country. The third context was not contained in my piece but in George’s own letter.

George cites Chanderpaul’s wonderful average in his seven matches in 2014 but chose not to tell us which teams he recorded those scores against.

As a cricket specialist it is unfortunate that George would judge the formidability of a batsman based on his performance against Bangladesh The fourth context comes from George’s own letter again. He criticizes many of the current young West Indian players saying that they do not match Chanderpaul’s record.

Why should the West Indies not persist with them given their age as compared to Chanderpaul’s forty one years of age? If you select a forty one year old cricketer with declining form, you are doing an injustice to a young blood that needs the experience The fifth context comes from me and contained in my original piece on Chanderpaul in which I warned readers that

there is the tendency to be sentimental when it comes to judging great people.

My task was to warn them that as great a cricketer he was, we should not be sentimental in demanding that he must play.

Sports managers do not select a team member because of sentiments. Sentiments are all over George’s letter.

In fact he boldly says in his letter that “before I get sentimental, let me transition in the details.” Do cricket specialists analyze the sport based on sentiments?

I need to remind George that the Sports Minister was annoyed at the way

Chanderpaul was treated but stated that he did not agree that he must be picked for the Australia series because the best team should be assembled. Michael Holdings argues the same way.

But George argues on sentiments and that is why I wrote my piece on sentiments Next to George’s letter in the same edition of KN, is another letter from Canada in support of Chanderpaul in which I am criticized.

It appears that it is very cold in Canada this time of the year and the cold is affecting logical thinking. That letterwriter, Ranjit Singh missed my point completely.

I repeat – all I said was that Chanderpaul should not be picked to represent the Caribbean against Australia for the sake of a personal milestone - breaking Lara’s record. Caribbean cricket is bigger than any single player or manager Singh wants Chanderpaul to be given a superb send-off.

Who would disagree with that? One suspects that the farewell Chanderpaul wants is to play just to break Lara’s record. And as Michael Holding told us that knowing how Chanderpaul operates, he, Chanderpaul wouldn’t want to retire.

Frederick Kissoon

Celebrating a cultural icon - Burnell ‘Acku’ Thomas M.S. DEAR EDITOR, The stalwart contributions of a great man recognized and given the prominence it deserves prompts the writing of this letter as I reminisce on the life and times of the late Burnell ‘Acku’ Thomas M.S. My first foray into politics was a combination of many encouraging words from persons I hold deep respect for, not the least of which came from Acku.

It was the assurance of support from him that largely led me to accept the nomination to become Chairman of Region 10, as I was then a novice in this respect and Acku generously offered his wealth of knowledge and experience to me. Indeed, after assuming office he launched himself whole-heartedly into engaging and representing the people of Region 10, and

especially the residents of sub-region 2 (Berbice River) the very area he was returning from after a series of consultative meetings with residents when he met his demise in a vehicular accident along the Linden to Kwakwani road on October 18th, 2001.

However, though his contributions in politics were great, his accomplishments in building Guyanese culture surpass many in this arena.

The founder of the Palm Tree Culture Group, Acku always ‘came to life’ on the performance stage, bringing a unique energy and vibe through celebrating African culture in drumming and dance especially.

He is most certainly remembered for his famous fire dances, a tradition that is thankfully carried on by his son Sean Thomas. But it was

not just African culture, but culture in general that consumed Acku, and he demonstrated this through the introduction of the ‘No Big Ting’ concerts that became synonymous with Christmas time celebrations in Linden and provided the proverbial barrel of laughs through political satire and social commentary delivered humorously to an adoring Linden audience.

With the conferring of the Medal of Service on him posthumously, I am tremendously pleased to be afforded this opportunity to again publicly salute the invaluable contributions of this great son of Guyana’s soil, Burnell Lancelot Thomas M.S., and extend to his family my sincere thanks for having shared Acku with us. May his soul rest in peace.

Mortimer Mingo

Diagnoses & prescriptions for the crippled GUYSUCO DEAR EDITOR, Our ailing sugar industry has been attracting numerous diagnoses and prescriptions from many well-meaning ‘experts’, friends and serious stakeholders who should all be complimented for their genuine interest in Guyana’s historically foremost and

currently still very important industry.

A quick survey of the several offerings of solutions will reveal a natural tendency to approach problems from one’s own ‘comfort zone’ or ‘frame of reference’ or one’s own professional, practical knowledge and experience.

Given the multidimensional nature of GUYSUCO, I wish to stress the critical importance of a multi-disciplinary, widelyexperienced as well as fresh forward-looking professionals, not only as members of the proposed committee of inquiry, but as potential members of the new Board of Directors to lead the early, effective implementation of pragmatic recommendations for the resuscitation of the industry.

Nowrang Persaud

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

4 more bodies found after Texas flooding DALLAS (AP) — Authorities said Friday they reclaimed four more bodies from Texas waters, adding to the growing death toll inflicted by record-setting storms that continue to submerge highways and flood homes.

At least 28 people have been killed nationwide in the storms, 24 in Texas. At least 11 are missing in Texas.

More than 7 inches fell overnight from a line of thunderstorms that stalled over Dallas, which is in its wettest month ever recorded at 16.07 inches.

The National Weather Service reports rainfall records have been crushed across the Lone Star state — from Corpus Christi along the Gulf of Mexico to Gainesville near the Oklahoma border.

Even Amarillo in the dusty Texas Panhandle is in its second wettest month on record, said Meteorologist Dennis Cain from Fort Worth.

The downpour has inundated a state that until recently was suffering a severe drought. Swelled rivers and lakes may not recede to normal levels until July.

“In a lot of places we’ve exceeded the wettest year ever,” Cain said. “You’re talking maybe a 150 or 200 year event. It is quite astounding.”

The greater Dallas area was one of the hardest hit on Friday. Firefighters in the suburb of Mesquite recovered the body of a man who drowned in his truck after it was swept into a culvert.

Houston-area authorities found the bodies of two men who had been reported missing.

The body of 87-year-old Jack Alter, who was swept away when a boat attempting to rescue him from a bayou overturned, was found in the Houston Ship Channel.

The search for a missing 51-year-old man was called off Friday after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service found a body on a southeast Texas beach that matched his description.

The unidentified man and two others, who later escaped, had been fishing in the Brazos River Thursday when they were caught in the currents.

First responders said the body of an unidentified person was pulled near the banks of the Blanco River late Thursday.

A storm system last weekend that prompted the initial flooding also killed 14 people in the northern

Mexico when a twister hit the border town of Ciudad Acuna.

The rain also seeped into homes Friday and stranded hundreds of drivers, many of whom lingered along highways that were nearly gridlocked from the high water and abandoned vehicles.

Fire rescue crews responded to hundreds of calls that included trapped vehicles and accidents, authorities said.

Exacerbating the problem for first-responders are people who have been going around barricades to take pictures of the floodwaters, said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins. He said those people are endangering themselves and stretching thin the first responders’ resources.

“Floodwaters are never safe to play around, take a picture around, walk around,” Jenkins said. “We don’t need any more loss of life.”

The Colorado River in Wharton and the Brazos and San Jacinto rivers near Houston were the main focus of concern as floodwaters moved from North and Central Texas downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico.

The mayor of Wharton, a city about 60 miles southwest of Houston, ordered the evacuation of homes along the Colorado River, which is expected to crest in the area at just over 43 feet on Saturday morning.

Floodwater was already creeping into neighborhoods in the suburban Houston city of Kingwood near the swollen San Jacinto River, where residents were keeping a close eye on water levels.

“Everybody’s worried

about it,” James Simms said from his second-story balcony, looking down at a flood that had reached his garage. “Those people who are going to leave are already gone. There’s others like us who are going to wait until it’s mandatory.”Teams continued to search through debris piles along rivers. Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Blanco River tore through Wimberley, a small tourist town between San Antonio and Austin.

County authorities on Friday identified the body of a 6-yearold boy who was killed when waters overflowed his family’s cabin.

First responders with Texas A&M’s Texas Task Force One from dawn until dusk combed a 25 mile area along the river since Sunday.

Will Welch, communications manager for the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, said responders have been using search dogs to comb through tightly compacted debris piles constructed of Cypress trees, cars and bits of homes.

“Seeing a 10-foot in diameter tree stuck in the top of another that is 15 feet in diameter — It looks like the most powerful tornado you can imagine (went down) either side of the riverbank.”

Welch said responders have been taking the search acre by acre, combing through a precarious soup of snakes, bacteria, herbicides, insecticides and fuel and other hazards intertwined with the other debris.

“It’s like the front end of a bulldozer just scoured the river basin and just wiped out everything in its path,” Welch said.

Magnitude 8.5 quake strikes off eastern Japan A magnitude 8.5 earthquake struck off the east coast of Japan on Saturday, shaking buildings in Tokyo, but there was no danger of a tsunami and no reports of damage since the quake was extremely deep.

There were no reports of further irregularities at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant, damaged four years ago in a massive 9.0 magnitude quake, or any other nuclear facilities.

The Shinkansen high speed train line had briefly stopped between Tokyo and Osaka due a power outage and some trains in Tokyo

stopped as well for safety checks, causing crowds of commuters in some of the city’s liveliest areas to mill around outside stations.

The quake, centred off the Ogasawara islands south of Tokyo, occurred at a depth of 590 km (370 miles) and, unusually, was felt throughout much of Japan.

“It shook violently. Our Buddhist altar swayed sideways wildly,” Michiko Orita, a resident of the island of Hahajima, near the epicentre, told NHK national television. “I have not experienced anything like that, so it was so scary.”

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Guyanese bus drivers block Charlie trying he luck at Lotto Surinamese operators in tit-for-tat Dem boys seh...

De security end up looking fuh Jagdeo de other day when around eight o’clock dem didn’t see him.

This was de next day after he been to court and stand up in de docks like a criminal.

One of dem guards end up knocking pun he door fuh mek sure he alright. He answer in a pussy cat voice that he okay.

Since then he walking to he front window, turning around and looking in at he own house. He practicing to look in fuh when he got to put he back to some steel bars in he new 8X4 gated community in Camp Street.

Sam deh li’l better. He was always hyper. When de elections done he had nothing to do. He end up so bored that he ain’t even sitting down and sleeping.

He dropsy disappear. Suh he end up looking out whole day. Dem boys seh is he presidential package he looking out for.

If he ain’t doing that he sitting down in he hammock and shaking he foot whole day.

Donald looking around like an aimless duck. He want to see Kwame suh he go to Sleep Out because he hear Kwame does go there and tek drinks pun Donald bill. He, Donald, now got to watch he money because all de perks done.

Even de Rumson man watching he money. In fact he looking fuh an extra small piece. Dem boys ketch he buying two scratch and one lotto ticket.

He been earlier to cash in a free ticket he did get when he buy a lotto ticket last week.

Before he buy de ticket he look up and look down.

Dem boys seh he was praying to de god of luck fuh

Tracing luck? smile pun him.

De same god of luck smile pun Jagdeo. He go to court and get de travel restriction lifted. De man ain’t go like a big powerhouse because now, he got respect fuh de court. That happen when de li’l gyal mek he stand up in de dock like a big condemned criminal.

He tell de high court that he is humble, is an adult and he has no reason to abscond.

Dem boys sure bout de adult part but dem not sure about him being humble and that he wouldn’t abscond. Dem know he is King Liar. Dem remember when he seh he not going to parliament or pun any list. He even tell de Berbicians he was going Independence Day and he didn’t go.

Talk half and watch how Jagdeo practicing to live in he 8X4 gated community.

Guyana to Suriname bus operators have given their Suriname counterparts a taste of their own medicine, turning back a Surinamese operator at Moleson Creek, after they themselves received the same treatment for months.

The stalemate, which has existed since last December, was brought about following instances of authorities from the Surinamese Ministry of Transport, Communications and Tourism (TCT) allegedly harassing several bus operators from the local company ‘I love Suriname’ transport service, even emptying their vehicles of passengers.

According to the aggrieved bus operators, upon this being done, the bus operators are then sent on to Paramaribo.

“Is either you go empty or you turn back,” Justin Perez, a bus operator explained.

According to him, Surinamese authorities are said to be committing these actions in the name of an outdated Caribbean Community (CARICOM) law, barring Guyanese from plying the route for hire.

However, they are contending that when Suriname joined the Caribbean Single Market Economy (CSME) in 2008, allowing free movement and trade, those laws were supposed to be rendered defunct. According to the operator, the matter came to a head when yesterday’s ferry coming over to Guyana from Suriname was loaded with four buses at Moleson Creek.

While three of the buses were empty, there was a fourth bus that was overloaded with passengers.

In view of Suriname’s stance against Guyana’s private hire bus industry, the Guyanese operators proceeded to block the roadway leading from the ferry. They used their minibuses, in order to keep the

An official from the TCT removing Guyanese passengers earlier in the year

Surinamese bus in check, until the police could arrive.

When the police arrived they immediately ordered the bus operators to clear their buses from the roadway, which they did. They then checked the licence and registration of the Surinamese driver, who said that he had got his passengers from Paramaribo.

According to the operator, the bus not only had a Suriname plate, but it also had no insurance. The Guyana police officers proceeded to escort the operator back to the ferry to offload the passengers.

“If he wants to come down empty, no problem. But

he cannot load passengers and come down. He comes from Paramaribo, so he picks up passengers, sometimes from the boat.”

Meanwhile, as this was playing out at Moleson Creek, a delegation of bus drivers paid a visit to the Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“They said that they are looking into it, but it is an urgent matter that must be dealt with. This has resulted in several aggrieved tour operators making complaints to the Suriname and Guyana embassies, as well as to Guyana’s Tourism Authority and the Ministry of Foreign affairs over the months.

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NGSA results set for June 11 Marking of the 2015 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) has been completed and it is expected to be released before the end of next week.

This is according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Education yesterday.

The disclosure, the Ministry said in its statement, is intended to particularly enlighten parents and guardians of the development.

It was revealed that currently the marked examination scripts are being processed nationally and all systems are in place to guarantee the release of the results on June 11, 2015.

This is the third consecutive year that the Ministry will be releasing the NGSA results promptly as indicated, through the continued enhancement of the overall quality management processes of the examination.

Approximately 15,200

candidates wrote the NGSA on April 1 and 2, 2015.

This assessment is one that serves as the placement examination offered at the end of the primary cycle to determine which secondary school each child will be placed. Four subjects are usually assessed, namely English Language, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Each subject consists of two papers.

English Language and Science were administered on April 1 while Mathematics and Social Studies on April 2, 2015.

Last year it was 12-yearold Jorrel De Santos of the New Guyana School who was named the country’s top performer. He secured a total of 533 marks.

While the 2015 NGSA was administered under the tenure of People’s Progressive Party/Civic appointed Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, the results will be announced under a new ruling administration. Dr.

Rupert Roopnaraine was recently appointed as Minister of Education. He is being supported by a Junior Minister in the person of Nicolette Henry.

And there are plans by the new Administration to further improve the delivery of education.

The overall results of 2014 NGSA results suggested that the performance in English had considerably improved but it was clear that Mathematics was still suffering.

In fact, the Ministry’s statistical analysis revealed that the 2014 results showed that the performance in English improved whereby the percentage of candidates securing 50 per cent and more moved from 28.73 in 2013 to 51.92 in 2014. The Minister then disclosed that all regions showed an increase of 9.6 per cent, except Region 10 and Georgetown, both of which exhibited performances of more than 25 per cent.

This therefore means that the new administration will have to engage all necessary measures to ensure that the gains made are improved in the coming year, a task that Minister Roopnaraine if prepared to fully embrace.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Sunday May 31, 2015

Coconut - Tree of Life After reading about the pest infestation of coconut trees in the Pomeroon River, Chandrika Persaud, who specializes in the care of coconut trees has come forward to bring awareness of his experience. Persaud has been specializing in the field for over 30 years and has traveled extensively to give his service.

Now that there is an existing threat in Guyana he wants farmers, especially those in the Pomeroon River, to know that there is someone who can help them with their trees.

Persaud not only offers care for coconut plants but also for sucker plants like plantain, banana and eddoes.

Sigatoka- black and yellow disease is the disease that affects suckers (plantain, banana, eddoes).

Farmers in the Pomeroon River, Essequibo Coast and the coastland of Guyana are afraid they will be out of earnings from their coconut estate, since the crop is severally affected by pests and diseases. This must be treated as a national issue and give priority.

Some of the pests affecting the coconut palms in this area are Coconut Eriophyid Mite, Mealy Bug / Soothy Mould, Scale Insect, Red Palm mites and Nemathode.

Diseases are Basal Stem end Rot, Root Wilt, Leaf Blight / Grey Leaf Spot, Bud

Cedros Wilt Disease Rot, Cedros Wilt and Red Ring.

FARMERS PLIGHT: At a coconut meeting with farmers and personnel from the Massy group of companies on April 18, 2015 at Mr. Gordon Duke’s farm at Grant Providence in the Lower Pomeroon River, farmers complained bitterly about the way officers from the NAREI misled them about the control of coconut pests and diseases.

One farmer claimed that he was misled and provided information that cost him, time, money and man power by drilling his coconut trees with bits to a depth of ½” to 1 ½”. No field visit was ever made by any extension officer to give meaningful advice on coconut and suckers.

The area is also severely affected by both yellow and black sigatoka disease.

Mr. Alfro Alphonso of Grant Tennessee Farm had to turn to experienced coconut personnel for advice and treatment of pests and diseases affect his coconut and suckers crops.

The coconut palm which is grown in 93 countries in the world is one among the most important cultivated palms.

From the world production of coconut, more than 50 percent is processed into copra.

A small portion is converted into desiccated coconut and other edible kernel products; the rest is consumed as fresh nuts.

Coconut prices are determined by the price of coconut oil. The availability of cheaper substitutes and the willful propaganda linking coconut oil to cardiovascular disease has resulted in a weak and unstable demand for coconut oil. Consequently high fluctuations are seen in the prices of coconut.

The absence of a steady growth underlines the needs for product diversification and new product development which can help to promote a balanced and healthy growth in the coconut sector.

The coconut palm is popularly referred to as the Tree of Life as every part of

the tree can be put to use for a gainful purpose. In addition to the kernel, the husk, shell, water and wood can be used for making value added products and creating wealth out of waste.

Technologies have been developed for processing and packaging tender coconut water with a shelf life of six months to one year, coconut water as a RTS drink, converting the water of the mature nut into vinegar and nata de coco, kernel into virgin coconut oil, spray dried coconut milk powder, shell into shell charcoal and activated carbon which is the highest form of value addition in the sector, husk into coconut fiber, rubberized coconut fiber products and coco peat an important plant nutrient in the agriculture / horticulture sector, coconut based convenience foods etc.

In Guyana coconut ranks third after rice and sugar in terms of acreage cultivated.

With the trend of the sugar and rice industry coconut will soon be the number one crop if properly managed and have the support of the relevant authority in boosting this crop and its value added. All part of coconut tree are useful in one way or other and the crop profoundly influences the socio economic security of thousands of farm families.

Since the coconut farm can accommodate various other crops besides livestock, it is possible to adopt coconut based farming system which satisfies the day to day needs of a family.

Coconut assumes importance as the crop is a source of renewable energy.

The economic viability of coconut farming in the era of globalization depends on the extent of value added and maximization of net income from a unit holding. The need of the hour, therefore, is to reduce the cost of production by improving the productivity so as to gain a place in the world market as stable suppliers of quality product at competitive price.

Chandrika Persaud can be contacted on 6763770, 6479445 and 2296254.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Int’l Building Expo suspended The housing sector’s premier building show has been suspended as the new administration moves to revamp it.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Keith Scott, who has direct responsibility for housing, yesterday confirmed reports that the International Building Expo, scheduled for early August, has been postponed.

“We will definitely be hosting it. However, we need to ensure that it is serving its purpose. From initial assessments, we find that the concept is solid. However, we believe more can be done.”

Scott said he is meeting with his staffers and coordinators to map the way forward to ensure the exposition is not just a big lime.

“It should be a meeting place for consumers and

Minister Keith Scott suppliers. For deals to be made. There is so much more that can be done. We are looking into this.”

The annual expo, held at the National Stadium, Providence, was launched in 2010 by former Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali, and has been drawing crowds.

It involves hardware

Women must be better represented in Nat’l Assembly - Carter Center Following General and Regional elections in Guyana, the Carter Center has deemed the country’s lack of mandatory quota for women in the National Assembly as a “cause for concern”.

In its preliminary report issued on Thursday on Guyana’s recently concluded elections, the Center noted that parties are allowed to allocate their parliamentary seats as they wish. This freedom, the Center said, does not mandate a “legal guarantee of female selection”.

“The outcome of the last election resulted in the inclusion of 21 women, comprising 32 percent of seats, in the National Assembly. The current legal framework for elections therefore lacks a mechanism for ensuring equal representation of women,” the report said.

Furthermore, the Carter Center noted that the Representation of the People Act mandates that one-third of the lists of candidates be female. However, the Center said, there is no requirement imposed on the parties to do the same for the National Assembly.

“This is despite the constitutional requirement that the selection of Members of Parliament should take into account the percentage of women in the electorate, which is more than 50%,” the Center added.

The Center went on to urge the adoption of quotas or other special measures to

ensure that women are represented in the National Assembly by at least 30% or, more ideally, 50%.

In contrast, the Center noted that women were actively involved in the 2015 elections in many capacities within GECOM and the political parties.

“International and regional obligations protect women’s rights and ensure their democratic right to equal participation in public and political life,” the report said.

It further noted that women participated in the elections in high numbers, particularly as voters, polling staff and party agents. According to the Carter Center, women account for 71% of polling staff in the more than 200 stations observed by it.

Furthermore, 79% of presiding officers in stations observed were women.

Where party agents of both major political parties were present, about 82% were female in stations observed, the Center added.

As Guyana prepares to convene the country’s 11th Parliament, nine women from the coalition government APNU+AFC have already (Continued on page 58)

The International Building Expo set for August has been suspended. suppliers, service providers like Banks, Insurance Companies and Contractors.

The former Housing Ministry, now under the Ministry of Communities, had been planning for the event to be held from August 7-9th under the theme, “Modernisation through Innovative Planning and Investment”.

The Ministry said that the International Building Expo is

a “unique partnership” between the Government of Guyana, specifically the Ministry of Housing and Water, Central Housing and Planning Authority, the private sector and stakeholders in the housing, construction and other sectors related to housing and urban development.

“At this year’s event, the Ministry will be aiming to consolidate and expand the

various partnerships that have been established over the years, as it seeks to maintain the momentum in the housing, construction and other sectors involved in housing development, with the objective of securing and ensuring sustainable development in Guyana,” the Housing Ministry’s website stated.

The housing sector has been spurring phenomenal

growth in recent years as the previous Government release lands for homes.

However, lands have been running out in the high demand areas like the East Bank Demerara and on the East Coast.

The sector has been creating more jobs for contractors, truck drivers, banks, hardware suppliers and a host of other service providers.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday May 31, 2015

Broomes was part of no confrontation - says Social Protection Ministry Two days after Child Care and Protection Agency (CC&PA) head Ann Greene received a letter sending her on leave from tomorrow, the Social Protection Ministry has denied that the decision was fuelled by a heated argument between Greene and Minister within the Ministry, Simona Broomes.

Instead, the Ministry said, the decision was forced after Greene exhibited “grossly unprofessional behaviour, constituting insubordination and contempt.

Greene was the sole participant in any heated exchange, the release said.

But Ms. Greene has denied the accusations. She said that the issue dated back to the women’s forum when Ms. Broomes reportedly said that the only good thing to come out of the Child Care Unit was the paint on the building. Greene said that both hurt and embarrassed

…deems Greene’s conduct “unprofessional” the staff to the extent that when Ms Broomes andMinister Volda Lawrence visited the Ministry she asked that they “get the elephant out of the room.” She said that it was her way of saying that an apology was needed for the comment Broomes had made on the campaign trail.

The apology was not forthcoming and she kept insisting. She said that her insistence might have been mistaken for arrogance but it was not.

The Ministry explained that familiarisation tours of the Ministry and its various departments were taken on May 25 and May 27 respectively. During the tours, Ministry Head Volda Lawrence and Minister Broomes were introduced to the various department heads and staffers.

All seemed well; that is, until a tour was conducted at the CC&PA. The Ministry said that at the agency, Greene refused to acknowledge Broome’s presence, instead only introducing Minister Lawrence to her staff.

A later meeting went no better. “At a subsequent meeting Ms. Greene conducted herself with hostility, boisterously, belligerently and in a disrespectful manner towards Minister Broomes in the presence of Minister Lawrence, the Permanent Secretary and other staff members,” the Ministry said.

It went on to state that Lawrence was “forced to caution and reprimand” Greene for her “unprofessional and disrespectful conduct”.

In turn, Greene allegedly declared, “loudly and aggressively”, her unwillingness to work along with Broomes unless certain demands were met. The Ministry added that Greene’s behaviour was in full view of Ministry staff.

“At no time did Minister Broomes engage in any confrontation with Ms. Greene,” the Ministry emphasised.

It continued, “As a result of Ms. Greene’s unprofessional behaviour, Minister Lawrence was left with no other option than to send her on annual leave for a period of 36 days.”

The Ministry maintained that both of its Ministers assumed their responsibilities in good faith and with the aim of working harmoniously with all staff at the Ministry in

Volda Lawrence, Minister of Social Protection

Ann Greene, CC&PA Director service to Guyanese, particularly women, children and the vulnerable and abused.

Lawrence also expressed hope that Greene would reflect upon what happened and would make every effort to “improve the manner in which she relates to her staff and the Ministers with whom she will have to collaborate.”

“EARLY SIGN OF INTOLERANCE” But the Guyana Trades Union Council (GTUC) has said that the decision to send Greene on leave was an “early sign of intolerance”.

The body also urged the “tempering of arrogance” since the decision only conveyed disregard for those perceived to be on a lesser level of authority.

In a statement issued by the GTUC, the body said the incident raised “serious concerns” and showed an inability to adequately respond to and resolve industrial conflict within the Ministry.

“This recent development raises serious concerns in the GTUC over the nature of the industrial environment that will be cultivated,” the GTUC said. It went on, “Whereas it is important that functional superiors show authority, this must be exercised judiciously, respecting the rights of each employee to due process which includes the right to defence.”

The body noted that it was only a few weeks ago when the now Ministers took to the campaign trail and promised a different and better administration. Furthermore, the GTUC emphasised that better administration was not limited to the areas of corruption and marginalisation but also extended to the ability to manage industrial practices.

“Indiscriminate practices by the political directorate of

Simona Broomes, Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection the coalition will not be given a pass for where such behaviours were considered wrong under the PPP; they cannot now be acceptable under the APNU+AFC,” the GTUC emphasised.

It continued, “Ministers are reminded that their actions determine how persons perceive their ability to exercise stewardship of the Ministry under their portfolio and may unfortunately result in an unfair labeling of the entire new administration…of further concern is that an ill managed industrial climate and poor relations are likely to impact the quality of service provided by this Ministry.”

The GTUC further said that the exchange with Greene is “ominous”, particularly in regard to future issues that may arise. The body reiterated that disputes and grievances are inevitable and would therefore require skills, tolerance and “an ability to hammer out positions that will result in fair resolve of issues”.

According to reports, Greene’s displeasure with Broomes stemmed from harsh statements made by the latter while on the campaign trail.

During a rally, Broomes had opined that the best thing coming out of the CC&PA had been the paint on its walls.

Greene reportedly confronted the Minister about the statement and demanded an apology for it. Greene had been the Head of the agency for several years.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 13

NICIL, GRA, 30 others for forensic audit By: Kiana Wilburg It appears that Finance Minister, Winston Jordan was not bluffing when he said recently that several forensic audits will be conducted to ascertain how the assets of the state were sold, disposed of or transferred under the previous administration.

Preparations are already afoot for a series of rigorous audits on state agencies, national projects and funds which were deemed by the A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) to be tainted by some form of corruption.

Jordan said that he has submitted a list of about 30 state entities; funds and national projects to the Ministry of the Presidency which he believes warrant an immediate forensic audit. He said that once Cabinet gives the green light this week, work shall commence.

The special team will comprise of “highly qualified and competent officials skilled in this sort of exercise,” the Finance Minister expressed.

Kaieteur News understands that among the top agencies to undergo rigorous audits are the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Jordan said that preliminary discussions were already held with NICIL’s head Winston Brassington and GRA Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur.

Other funds slated for Cabinet’s approval of an audit come next week include; the Lotto Funds and the controversial account belonging to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

As for the Consolidated Fund which is in heavy overdraft, Jordan said that they have not cleared the deficits as yet but are in the process of making steps to do

- Jordan so. He said that a decision was also taken to close all inactive accounts.

Apart from being accused of having a “family affair” at the tax office, Sattaur was also bashed by the APNU+AFC when it was in the opposition for misusing his powers.

In fact, on October 6, 2014, the APNU threatened that it would bring a malfeasance in office charge against Sattaur.

This came after the revelation of the Commissioner General sending emails containing the tax information of several media houses to former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

This information was then forwarded to former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had contended that that action is, without a doubt, an undeniable breach of the Oath of Secrecy that was taken by the Chartered Accountant.

Since the revelations by this newspaper, calls have been unending for Sattaur’s immediate resignation.

Harmon had deduced that Sattaur’s actions indicated that he feels he is in the “Wild, Wild West and his office is his ammunition.”

He had said, “he (Sattaur) has inflicted diseases on the GRA, those being—disregard for professional ethics, disregard for the rights of citizens to confidentiality, disregard for integrity that his office should have, and most of all a blatant disrespect to the fourth estate’s right to freedom of speech and the country’s right to democracy.

They are now spreading to the other ministries.”

The AFC faction of the coalition government in a statement it had issued to the media last year expressed similar sentiments, while calling for the resignation of the GRA boss.

Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo

GRA Commissioner General, Khurshid Sattaur

As for NICIL’s Head, Winston Brassington, the APNU+AFC was also relentless in condemning the official for his involvement in several alleged corrupt activities.

On numerous occasions, calls were made for him to hit the road too. He has been at the helm of some of the most controversial projects including the Marriott Hotel, funded with mostly taxpayers’ money.

He has been blamed as well for being unable to deal with the significant line losses incurred by the Guyana Power and Light and lost the confidence of several top officials in the new administration for being trusted to run anything with honesty and integrity.

When contacted for his input, Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo said that the forensic audits were promised to the Guyanese people to be undertaken within one hundred days and at least mechanisms should be in place for these critical audits to be conducted.

The Minister of Information mentioned the case of the sugar industry being crippled by the previous administration, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). He said that there is certainly an urgent need for a “full and

complete disclosure” of what went wrong.

As for NICIL, the First Vice President articulated that this entity has been the focus of the APNU+AFC’s attention as one of the “hidden or secret empires of the previous gangs” which served as a parallel budget.

Nagamootoo emphasized that certainly, the agency is

one that requires a strict investigation and he would eagerly look forward to the recommendations for its restructuring and the way forward.

He stressed that the APNU+AFC government is one that stands for inclusionary democracy and the right procedures will be undertaken for justice to be

Argentina commits to regional cooperation...

From page 3 attractive foreign investment into the country. Improving the participation of regional bodies like UNASUR and CARICOM, according to the

government official, is an aim of his administration to offer opportunities for national and international partners “to achieve political, economic and social objectives.”

“We seek to strengthen relations with our traditional partners and to build new and beneficial relationships with new partnerships,” said Minister Greenidge.

NICIL Head, Winston Brassington had as was promised to the citizenry.

As for the olive branch extended to the PPP to join the unity movement, the Minister said that “it is still fresh and green” and he hopes that the previous administration will not “wait until it withers before it can embrace cooperation as its new method of struggle.”

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 31, 2015

Minister Norton lauds New communities to be Linden Hospital staff for crafted - Minister Bulkan institution’s maintenance

Housing has been incorporated under Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan’s portfolio, and according to the new Minister, the focus would be on bettering the quality of life of Guyanese, and prioritising the creation of vibrant communities.

These, the Minister pointed out would mean not only constructing houses, but would cater for the other aspects of what make up a community.

He said that A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) coalition’s manifesto spoke of ‘A Good Life’ and therefore these things will be done in keeping with the manifesto.

Minister Bulkan added that this would see the inclusion of areas which would

Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan make up communities; security, adequate lighting, roads, community play grounds and recreational facilities among others.

All of the areas of creating meaningful human habita-

tion, shelter, safety and recreation, will be catered for in creating these vibrant communities.

Observing that water is the most basic of commodities, Minister Bulkan noted that there have been significant investments in the areas of housing and water. He however, pointed out that during the 10th Parliament complaints were made of the lack of transparency in the execution of the programmes.

The Communities Minister stated categorically that the current Government is committed to ensuring that there are no wrongdoings, both in the creation of housing settlements and in the allocation and award of houselots, and that there would be zero room for corruption or wrongdoing.

- as visits to health institutions continue The Linden Hospital Complex, Region Ten, commissioned in 2009, has a reputation of being one of the better managed state health institutions, evident from the very positive comments made

by Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, during a visit to the complex on Friday.

“I’m impressed; I think the infrastructure of the hospital itself must be given credit. It is clean and I congratulate the staff for that…we have a staff whom I’m proud of, they seem to be happy and happy people do good things,” Minister Norton said after interacting with the staff.

However, he said that there are some areas where changes need to be made; for instance, in the operating theatre, there is need for an adjustment of the walls to prevent moisture fungus that appears frequently.

“Apart from that we have an operating theatre with functioning air condition units and a standby of the same, good lighting… we need ventilators and every effort should be made to get all of these.

We need infusion pumps and various sizes of catheters for the babies and ECG machines.” There is also the need for more incubators and dental chairs.

Additionally, there are young doctors who are interested in pursuing post graduate studies, and according to the Minister, “that is a good sign.” The idea, he said, is to have local doctors pursue such studies in the areas they desire at the earliest time.

Over the past few days,

Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton interacting with the Doctor in the Dental Room

Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton inspects equipment the Minister has been visiting hospitals and health centres/posts, including the Bartica Hospital and health

posts within that sub-district, and the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).

Police capture hijackers Three men who were part of a four man gang that hijacked a taxi on Friday night are now cooling off in the lock-ups, thanks to public spirited residents and the quick response of the police.

The men were held in Eccles a few minutes after relieving Sheldon Anderson of his motor car.

A statement from the police said that at about 21:00 hours on Friday, four men

hired Anderson’s taxi at the Stabroek Market to go to Eccles, East Bank Demerara.

At Eccles the driver was held at gunpoint and his motor vehicle taken away by the men who drove further into Eccles.

A brave Anderson traced the vehicle, which was subsequently found, but he was forced to retreat after rounds were discharged at him by the men.

However, the bandits

abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene after neighbouring residents came out and challenged them.

The residents’ efforts were backed up by quick response by the police to the report and which resulted in three of the suspects being arrested.

They are in police custody assisting with the investigations and are certain to appear in court tomorrow.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Judge lifts Jagdeo’s travel ban after “humble” plea Days after his wellpublicized appearance in the prisoners’ dock at Whim Magistrate’s Court, Berbice, former President Bharrat Jagdeo is now free to travel after applying to the High Court for permission.

On Friday, Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang, agreed to lift the restrictions which Jagdeo, through his lawyer Murseline Bacchus, claimed would stop him from seeking medical attention and carry out his overseas commitments.

In the ‘humble petition’, signed by Jagdeo and his lawyer, the former President said that he resides at Parcels 241 and 246 Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara, and is an adult and former Executive President of Guyana.

“Your Petitioner has a fixed place of abode at the above address and has been living there for a number of years. Your Petitioner holds an honorary doctorate and

Bharrat Jagdeo in the prisoners’ dock at Whim Magistrate’s Court, Berbice.

Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang

Magistrate Charlyn Artiga

because of his activities has been named ‘Champion of the Earth’.”

Jagdeo claimed that because of “international obligations”, he is required to leave Guyana regularly- as matter of fact he has done so on numerous occasions but has always returned.

He said that on April 9, a

private citizen- Christopher Ram- filed a private criminal indictable charge against him at the Whim Court. He was not served a summons to appear in court. On hearing about threat of an arrest warrant by Magistrate Charlyn Artiga, Jagdeo said that he appeared in court.

The former President said

G/Town Mayor and City Councillors’ allowances restored following legal advice The Georgetown Mayor and City Council,(M&CC) has premised its decision to restore the allowances of Councillors on legal advice which was sought by the Council in wake of pay cuts imposed by former Town Clerk (Ag), Carol Sooba.

Over a period Sooba, City Councillors had faced with the dilemma of their travel allowances and duty allowances being cut by the Town Clerk (Ag). The Council had condemned the move as absurd with Mayor Hamilton Green describing the cut of Councillors’ money as, “illegal and improper.”

Following legal advice a decision was taken on Monday to have the funds cut from Councillor’s pay checks restored.

According to the Council, the legal advice which was sought after, had once more established that Sooba had no authority to cut the allowances of Councillors.

It was noted that the advice was based on an applicable section of the Municipal and District Councils Act which states that payments should be made for expenses incurred during the execution of a Councillor’s duty.

Several months before, the situation regarding the Councillor’s allowance was brought to the Mayor’s attention by reporters.

It was pointed out that former Minister within the Local Government Ministry, Norman Whittaker, had instructed the Town Clerk to deduct monies from the

Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Green Councillors who are absent from Council meetings. The Mayor expressed disgust because, he said, the move to cut the Councillor’s money was not indicated to him. He noted that the action was a breach of procedure and protocol.

Mayor Green said he is disappointed that the Minister would even admit to the cutting of Councillors’ allowances without the protocol of writing him to inform him about what will be done.

The Council had also cited Ch 28:01 of the Municipal Act which says that the Local Government Minister agrees to the money allocated to Councillors.

Nowhere in that Act, they said, is there mention of the Minister or the Town Clerk having power to cut Councillors’ allowances especially under the a f o r e m e n t i o n e d circumstances.

Last Monday, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase-Greene

quoted the Municipal and District Councils Act. The Deputy Mayor said that the City Council may, in each year, with the approval of the Minister, appropriate out of the funds of the Council, a sum to utilise for the remuneration of Councillors other than travelling and subsistence expenses incurred in the course of duty and may, with such approval, determine what sum shall be payable to each Councillor.

The former President leaving the court last Monday. that he was placed on bail on his own recognizance and was required to sign it.

However, the High Court application argued that there were no conditions attached to the recognizance Jagdeo signed.

The courts documents said that the Magistrate stated in open court that bail was granted on the condition that Jagdeo was not to leave the jurisdiction without permission. She made a written note of that condition on the case docket.

Jagdeo said that he was advised by his lawyer that unless the travel restrictions written on the case jacket were conditioned on the recognizance, it would be null and void. As such the Magistrate acted

unreasonably, capriciously and without any proper grounds in declaring the travel restrictions in open court and recording it on the case jacket and not on the recognizance as well.

Jagdeo claimed that the travel restrictions would cause him grave hardships since he resides 75 miles from Whim Magistrate’s Court and he can only seek permission to leave the jurisdiction on the days that the case is called. It is fixed for June 22. He also argued that Magistrate Artiga sits at that court only two days of the week.

The application stated that the Magistrate failed to take into consideration the possibilities that Jagdeo may need medical attention overseas as well as his

overseas obligations.

Jagdeo said that he is aware of his legal responsibility to appear in court and has no intention of absconding. On May 25, when the case was called, Jagdeo was a no show and only turned up in time to avoid the arrest warrant being issued. He stood in the prisoners’ dock as the charge was read.

The charge stemmed from Jagdeo’s comments on Sunday, March 8 at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Berbice in which he is alleged to have said words which could cause racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the people.

If found guilty, Jagdeo could be fined $100,000 along with imprisonment for two years.

Page 16

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 31, 2015

World No Tobacco Day

PAHO urges member countries to ratify new protocol on illicit tobacco Washington: In the leadup to World No Tobacco Day (May 31), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is calling on its member countries to ratify the Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products, an international agreement that sets out specific measures to fight illicit production and smuggling of tobacco products.

The protocol was negotiated by World Health Organization (WHO) member

countries that are parties to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the world’s first international public health treaty. The FCTC requires countries to apply a series of policies and measures aimed at reducing the impact of the global tobacco epidemic, while the new protocol requires specific action to reduce the impact of the illicit tobacco trade.

Worldwide, one in every 10 cigarettes consumed is

illegal, along with similar proportions of many other tobacco products. The tobacco industry and criminal groups are among those who profit from this illegal trade.

Eliminating the illicit tobacco trade would allow governments to gain US$31 billion, which could be used to improve public health and reduce crime.

“This protocol will be a key policy tool to reduce tobacco consumption by restricting the availability of

cheap, unregulated alternatives and increasing prices on tobacco products overall. This will not only save lives but also increase tax revenues that can then be applied to health interventions,” said PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne.

“Two countries in our region—Nicaragua and Uruguay—were the first in the world to ratify the protocol, and now we’re calling on others to follow their example.”

The illicit tobacco trade offers products at lower prices, primarily by avoiding Government taxes through smuggling, illegal manufacturing and counterfeiting. The ability to buy tobacco at cheaper prices encourages younger tobacco users (who generally have lower incomes). The loss of government revenues that results from illicit trade has the greatest impact on lowincome countries that depend heavily on consumption taxes.

The Protocol to Eliminate the Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products would help to suppress this trade through a range of measures relating to the tobacco supply chain, including the licensing of imports, exports and manufacture of tobacco

products; the establishment of tracking and tracing systems; and the imposition of penal sanctions on those responsible for illicit trade.

The protocol would also criminalize illicit manufacturing and crossborder smuggling of tobacco products.

Although publicly, the tobacco industry casts itself as an ally in the fight against illicit tobacco, the industry’s behind-the-scenes behavior has been very different.

Internal documents released as a result of court cases demonstrate that the industry has actively fostered the illicit trade globally. It also works to block implementation of tobacco control measures such as tax increases and pictorial health warnings by arguing that these will fuel the illicit trade. ”The tobacco industry knows that reducing illicit trade will make it harder to get young people and the poor addicted to tobacco,” said Adriana Blanco, PAHO’s regional advisor on tobacco control.

“This is one more case of big tobacco putting profits over people’s lives.”

Nicaragua and Uruguay were the first and second, respectively, countries in the Americas and worldwide to ratify the protocol. Both countries were honored as regional winners of the World No Tobacco Day awards in recognition of the ratification of the protocol and other advances in tobacco control.

As of April 2015, six countries in other regions have also ratified the protocol, which needs a total of 40

ratifications to enter into force as international law.

The WHO FCTC, which has been ratified by 30 of 35 PAHO member countries, entered into force in 2005 and obliges ratifying countries to take a number of steps to reduce demand and supply for tobacco products. These include protecting people from exposure to tobacco smoke; counteracting illicit trade; banning advertising, promotion and sponsorship; banning sales by and to minors; putting large graphic health warnings on packages of tobacco; increasing tobacco taxes; creating a national coordinating mechanism for tobacco control; and protecting tobacco control policies from the commercial and other vested interests of the tobacco industry.

Tobacco is the only legal consumer product that kills when used exactly as intended by the manufacturer.

Globally, approximately one person dies from a tobaccolinked disease every six seconds, equivalent to almost 6 million people a year. This death toll is forecast to rise to more than 8 million people a year by 2030, with more than 80% of these preventable deaths occurring among people in low-and middleincome countries.

PAHO, founded in 1902, is the oldest international public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and the quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of WHO.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 25

Your response to a case of an individual who has ingested poison

By Dr Zulfikar Bux One of the preventable causes of mortality in our country is suicide. We have one of the highest suicide rates worldwide and most often it’s from the ingestion of a poisonous substance.

Let’s suppose you were to witness a family, a friend or even a stranger who had just ingested some poison. Would you know what to do?

The most obvious answer would be to get them to the nearest Hospital. There are other small interventions while on scene and en route to the Hospital that may help to save the victim’s life.

We will dwell on some basic concepts that should be adhered to when assisting someone who has ingested a

Despite the admonitions that robbers would be caught in the act there are those who will continue to trust their luck. A group would once more target a customer who had just conducted some business at the bank.

Two motorcycle police ranks would be nearby and they would respond. The result would be dramatic. ** Berbice seems to be the hotbed for road accidents.

Another motorist is going to drive in an erratic

poisonous substance.

HOW WOULD YOU KNOW? The victim may tell you they drank poison or you may have a suspicion based on their history and the following symptoms: · Burns or redness around the mouth and lips · Breath that smells like chemicals/poison · Vomiting · Diarrhea · Difficulty breathing · Drowsiness ·Confusion or behaving abnormal · Drooling · Unconsciousness CALL FOR HELP Getting others to assist you will be time saving. This is of utmost importance given that the longer it takes to begin medical care, the higher

the risk of the victim having complications from the poison.

WHAT TO DO WHILE WAITING FOR HELP Begin the following actions until help arrives: · Swallowed poison.

Remove anything remaining in the person’s mouth. If the suspected poison is a household cleaner or other chemical, read the container’s label and follow instructions for accidental poisoning. · Poison on the skin.

Remove any contaminated clothing using gloves. Rinse the skin for 15 to 20 minutes in a shower or with a hose.

Ensure this does not excessively delay transport to the hospital. · Poison in the eye. Gently flush the eye with cool or

manner and cause a crash.

Once more the local hospitals would be put under pressure.

The people who would witness the crash are going to react horribly.

It would take wiser counsel to prevent another untoward incident. ** The actions of the new government would be a talking point.

The political opposition is going to talk about a witch hunt when it fact it was the very opposition that had taken this course of action in the past.

There are going to be more of the sweeping changes and as can be expected the talk would continue.

lukewarm water for 20 minutes or until help arrives. · Inhaled poison. Get the person into fresh air as soon as possible. · If the person vomits, turn his or her head to the side to prevent choking. · Begin CPR if the person shows no signs of life, such as moving, breathing or coughing. · Get the evidence. Have somebody gather pill bottles, packages or containers with labels, and any other information about the poison to send to the hospital.

This will help the doctors determine the type of poison and figure out possible antidotes/ treatment.

WHATYOU SHOULDN’T DO Do not induce vomiting.

This is a popular belief since it may help the victim to vomit

some poison out. Every time the victim vomits, they are at risk of getting poisonous substances into their airway and lungs. This can cause more life-threatening complications than the poison itself and is best avoided.

Do not give anything to eat or drink. By giving the victim something to swallow, you are increasing their risk of vomiting which can cause more complications as discussed.

I have had the experience of seeing many victims of suicidal poison ingestions. Almost all of them regret the ordeal. It was a simple moment of misjudgment during a stressful time.

Developing coping mechanisms and working as group will help to combat this plague in our country. We all make errors in judgments that we regret a few minutes later, losing our life is the paying

By Dr Zulfikar Bux the ultimate price.

Having someone who assisted and knew what to do during a suicidal ingestion is priceless.

(Dr Zulfikar Bux is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine a t t h e Va n d e r b i l t U n i versity and Medical Center and holds the position of Head of the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department.)

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Kaieteur News

Sunday May 31, 2015

The man with the tattooed arm

By Michael Jordan The slim, East Indian man on the mortuary slab had the words ‘Rebecca’ and ‘Love’ tattooed on his left arm, a cross and ‘Jesus’ printed on his right arm, and someone had used a shotgun to blow away most of his face. He was barefoot, browncomplexioned, about five feet nine inches tall, and he was wearing a black vest and black three-quarter pants.

Two boys had seen the body floating at around 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2013, at the foreshore near Ruby, East Bank Essequibo.

The body had not yet started to decompose, and detectives estimated that the victim had been killed about two days prior to the discovery.

For me, the most interesting thing about this John Doe was that tattoo with the name ‘Rebecca’. You don’t tattoo a woman’s name on your body unless that woman is of some significance to you.

Surely, I thought, she would know who this dead man was, and maybe, even know his killers. I took photographs of the tattoos. I was certain that by the following day, someone — maybe even the mysterious Rebecca —would see the photographs of those tattoos in the Kaieteur News and identify the victim.

Meanwhile, in Drysdale Street, Charlestown, a woman named Chandroutie Sammy was in a state of panic. Her reputed husband had gone missing. His name was Rafeek Mohamed, and Chandroutie Sammy claims that at around 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2013, her 39year-old spouse told her that he was “going on the West Coast” to look for a 16-yearold daughter that he had fathered from another

Mohamed’s remains on the foreshore

The victim’s tattooed arm

Mohamed’s Drysdale Street home

relationship. Her name was Rebecca.

She said that Mohamed had tattooed Rebecca’s name on his arm and often spoke about her, though he apparently hadn’t seen her for

some time. Sammy and Mohamed also had three small sons.

Mohamed reportedly told Chandroutie Sammy and the sons that he was bringing Rebecca home for the

holidays. According to Ms. Sammy, Mohamed had US$100 and some $30,000 in local currency in his possession when he left home. He was also wearing a silver ring and a watch with a

green canvas band. She recalled that he “was happy,” and had promised to buy a table set for her.

About half-an-hour after he had left home, Chandroutie contacted Mohamed on his cell phone. He informed her that he was in a bus heading along the West Coast of Demerara. But when she called again, she only received a voicemail, and she failed to reach him for the rest of the day.

Chandroutie became even more worried when Mohamed failed to turn up the following day. What she was really concerned about was whether Mohamed had returned to Rebecca’s mother.

The woman said that she contacted a relative who advised her to report her spouse missing. But on Wednesday, December 18, 2013, Ms. Sammy’s sister told her that a body had been found and that the victim had the name ‘Rebecca’ tattooed on one arm.

She immediately knew that the victim was her reputed husband, and positively identified him at the Ezekiel Funeral Home. No money was found on him and the ring and watch that he was wearing were also missing. His phone was also gone.

But who had killed Rafeek Mohamed?

When a Kaieteur News reporter visited the Charlestown area where the victim had resided, few residents had anything complimentary to say about him. Some alleged that ‘Ravi’ (a name many people knew him as) had lots of enemies and many people wanted him dead. Others described him as “an old crook” who was known to the police for breakand-enter incidents.

But Chandroutie Moonsammy and other

relatives angrily insisted that Mohamed was no criminal.

Ms. Sammy said that her spouse sometimes offloaded fishing vessels at the Meadowbank wharf, and the couple would also “walk and sell” clothing.

“He was not that type of person; he was not a thief…He worked hard to earn a dollar,” she said. But information later obtained suggested that while Mohamed had indeed sold clothing, he also had an unsavory side.

According to this information, Rafeek Mohamed was a member of a gang that was involved in robberies and burglaries, including safe-cracking. It is alleged that this gang would often dispose of their loot at the Meadowbank area.

Sources who knew Mohamed suggested that shortly before his demise, the gang had done a job ‘over the river’, and that Mohamed and his accomplices had a falling out over the sharing of their spoils.

That information indicated that the irate gangmembers themselves executed Mohamed and dumped his body overboard.

Seeking clues to his demise, police and relatives returned to the area where the body was found in the hope of finding the elusive ‘Rebecca’.

They failed to locate her.

If you have any information about other unusual cases, please contact Kaieteur News at our Lot 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown location. We can be reached on telephone numbers 225-8458, 2258465, 225-8491 or 2258473. You need not disclose your identity.

You can also contact Michael Jordan at his email address: mjdragon@ hotmail.com

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

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== THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN ==

I went begging on Regent Street and Ryhaan Shah helped During the election campaign, I took a group of AFC youth activists with me to go begging downtown in the commercial centres for anything that the AFC campaign could use.

The business community was generous. We got anything we asked for – computers, fridges, phones, microwave, etc. There were two hilarious moments.

One storeowner did not have anything we could use, but the owner insisted and gave us a small coffee-maker that could only facilitate one cup at a time. It still sits unused in the Region Four office of the AFC headquarters on Railway Line.

Secondly, a beverage company gave us two cartons of juice. I didn’t look to see what type of juice he donated.

I just picked the stuff up and put it in the trunk of my jeep.

The next day Michael Carrington in the office of the AFC said to me, “Wuh you bring deh maan, duh thing is tea.” The owner gave us a tea drink that the campaigners at

the AFC office couldn’t stomach. Each time, I was rebuked about the tea in the office, I thought of how unpredictable human nature is.

I took the group to cloth stores because every day at the AFC office, flag-making was done.

We wanted green and yellow fabric. Those were the colours of the coalition. I went into the store of Indian rights activist (who I applied the term ethnic supremacist to), Ryhaan Shah. She was generous.

She was sitting next to her dad, I approached, told her what I wanted, she got up, went to the stands and gave one bolt each of the two colours.

Days later, I saw Ms. Shah’s letter in the press extolling the virtues of her ethnicity and the culture associated with her ethnicity, her condemnation of the past PNC Government and her subliminal Apan Jaat message to voters.

Shah was subtle. She did not say vote for your race.

She masked that advocacy by

asserting that the past PNC Government did wrong things to Indian people.

I was taken back when I read her letters. Just a week before I was in this lady’s store and she didn’t have to give me anything, but she was generous.

Shah’s expressions were followed by some serious condemnations of the PNC Government and formidable praise for Indians who embrace their race and culture by Hindu priest, Aksharananda.

The 2015 election will be remembered for some unbelievable racially determined polemics by some prominent East Indians who no doubt are nice people but didn’t want Guyana to ever again have an African-Guyanese president. The list included journalists Shaun Samaroo (hope they move him from the Chronicle) and Leon Suseran (who was dismissed by the Kaieteur for journalistic bias in the Bheri Ramsaran incident with Sherlina Nageer); academic, Baytoram Ramharack; former exiled PPP

minister, Asgar Ally; and Professor Lomarsh Roopnarine from the diaspora.

I am still to grasp how such minds function. The choice for me during the election was a decent Guyanese, David Granger, versus a worn-out, spent politician who had failed Guyana, Donald Ramotar. Who cared about the texture of their hair?

The issue was Guyana.

Since the election, a letter was published in the Stabroek News by two wellknown Guyanese Indians lamenting what they see as my attack on Aksharananda.

They described what they see as the virtuous qualities of Aksharananda. This is what is so intriguing about the ethnic supremacists who threw in their support for the PPP in the last few days of the campaign.

Most people would admit

that these people aren’t devilish Guyanese who are rabid racist preachers. I openly acknowledge that Ms. Shah was generous. No doubt Aksharananda does positive community work in Region Three. But what must have jolted one’s soul as one read what these people wrote is that they do not want an African head of government in their country. And why not?

Why is an East Indian mannequin a better person than a respected, African-Guyanese nationalist?

Will these people finally accept that in leading Guyana, race does not matter? I doubt it.

Look what Dr. Lomarsh Roopnarine wrote. He chastised the Stabroek News for publishing statements of poll on Election Day with the accusation that the publication of such influenced those who

Frederick Kissoon were yet to vote. That is immense ignorance.

Even a school boy knows that what the statement of poll is – the paper that tells us who won the election after the vote was counted. If we agree that it is not a mistake then an explanation has to follow. There was a Freudian determinant when Roopnarine penned his accusation against the Stabroek News. He was expressing his preference in the election battle.

He wanted an Indian to win. Why? Because he is an Indian.

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Sunday May 31, 2015

THE PPP AND THE BJP India is a useful example as to how lop-sided coalitions can defeat incumbent parties.

It is also a good example as to how parties that brought significant development to a country can be voted out of power. It is not certain where the parties that got together to form A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) got their inspiration. But it might well have been India.

It may have escaped notice, but India was just after the turn of the century run by a coalition of parties, of which the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is the most dominant.

That was a lop-sided coalition. These types of coalitions, in which there is one dominant party, have worked in India.

India, after the end of the Cold War, proceeded cautiously to liberalize its

economy. It was extremely tight-fisted when it came to the opening of its domestic economy to western companies.

Even after the BJPdominated coalition came to power and hastened the pace of liberalization, there was still some amount of protectionism employed by the Indian government.

The BJP promoted India internationally with its famous slogan, “India Shining”. But it was that same slogan “India Shining” that cost the BJP, and its coalition partners, political power a few years later. While India was liberalizing and boosting its image worldwide, its l e a d e r s were deluding themselves into believing that because the country’s economy was doing well, the people were happy.

“India Shining” was turned around against the BJP. The opposition was able to show that while India may have been shining internationally, locally the living conditions of the ordinary Indian in India was anything but glittering.

The BJP lost power. It was forced to reinvent itself by choosing as its leader someone who came from the grassroots and who had experienced poverty and therefore understood firsthand, the problems of the multitude of downtrodden Indians. This was how the BJP rebranded itself.

The PPPC may have to follow the example of the BJP and reinvent itself by appointing a leader from amongst the poor.

The PPP has to find its own Narendra Modi.

It may also have to reinvent itself ideologically.

The party and its leaders have long ingratiated themselves into the bourgeoisie class.

It ruled in the interests of an oligarchy class which has now abandoned the party.

That class has fickle loyalties.

It was not surprising that following the loss of political power by the PPP, the oligarchic class which profited the most from the PPP’s rule in power have decided to jump ship.

The PPP lost power because it lost touch with reality on the ground. It knew that it had brought development to Guyana.

There is no disputing the fact that Guyana is now far better than it ever was economically because of the PPP. The new government does not have an economic crisis to deal with.

The Treasury is flush with money. Foreign Direct Investment is high. Oil has been discovered. The financial sector is doing fine.

The tax base has expanded and revenues are high.

Guyana’s economy is strong.

Yet, its people are weak.

This was the mistake the PPP made, just like the BJP made in India when it lost the elections. They looked at the international image of Guyana. They saw Guyana as a shining example of what a liberalized economy can achieve. The PPP failed to recognize that the people were hurting on the ground, that the cost of living was high, that the rich were getting richer and the poor were not doing as well.

The PPP had also been in power for a long time. The party had become stale. Its

leaders were disliked because of their attitude and the way they treated others.

People wanted a change.

They were prepared to risk change just to see what some other party would do.

But the opposition also capitalized on the government’s obsession with economic transformation.

They pointed to the problems within the society, just as how the opponents of the BJP had pointed to the internal problems of India.

The message of the opposition won through, narrowly as it did.

The PPP was not humiliated in the elections. It lost a close race. It should reflect on its mistakes and make the necessary changes.

It, however, is not likely to. It does not have the open mindedness of the BJP.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

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MY COLUMN

A glaring case of disrespect for the new government Guyana Sugar Corporation continues to be a major talking point. Less than two weeks after the new government took office the Board of Directors of the sugar corporation announced that there was no money and that the only option was to cease operations.

There is nothing wrong with a company choosing to go to the wall but in this case, it was the manner in which the announcement was made.

There was no discussion with the political directorate. It was as if the sugar corporation was a private company and the decision was being taken by the owners.

If ever there was a show of disrespect for authority this was the most blatant. The Minister with responsibility for the sugar corporation, Noel Holder, later said that he could not understand the declaration. He said that he got no notice.

My simple conclusion is that at some point the new government when it was in the opposition, had taken a look at the sugar industry and had

concluded that the best thing might be to close operations.

The decision by the Board was intended to put sugar workers against the government and so secure a deepseated hatred among these workers for the new government. In short, it was a case of holding the government over the barrel.

That the Board still remains in place is surprising.

No government would have tolerated such action. In the first instance, there is no budget so that disbursements could legally be made to the sugar corporation. But there are other questions.

For example, just before the elections the government of the day announced that it was selling the power generating section of the Skeldon sugar plant for US$30 million.

The sale was being made to another cash-strapped institution, the Guyana Power and Light.

I have since learnt that US$20 million went to the sugar corporation a few weeks ago and there is no trace of that money. Where could it

have gone? Last year the sugar company petitioned the National Assembly to get a $6 billion advance. It literally broke hands to get that money and it did get it.

Simple mathematics would reveal that the sugar company therefore got at least $10 billion, in addition to the money it got from selling sugar on the world market. I would not want to say that there have been widespread irregularities.

There is need for a forensic audit of the operations of the sugar industry. This was an entity that the previous government had announced a series of turnaround plans for, over six years, and none has worked. Instead, GuySuCo has turned out to be sort of bottomless pit for state funds.

Then there is the issue of former President Bharrat Jagdeo being confined to Guyana unless he secured the permission of the courts. Of course he has petitioned the High Court to have the restriction lifted as is his right.

But some things followed the decision by the magistrate.

Immediately the PPP resurrected the ghost of Forbes Burnham. It concluded that the decision by the magistrate was a resurrection of the Burnham days. That was a blatant disrespect for the magistrate. For one, the PPP has accused her of taking political directions when there has been no contact between the political directive and the magistrate.

It is a pity that the political party is not a legal entity because the magistrate would have hauled its leader before the court for contempt.

Then there was the suggestion that Jagdeo’s rights were being denied under the constitution. This forces me to ask about those people who were repeatedly asked to lodge their passports with the police pending the outcome of the trial. I never heard about the constitutional rights of these persons being violated.

It just goes to show how selective people could be.

Yesterday, I got word that the High Court lifted the order against Jagdeo, again as is its right. Someone con-

tended that the magistrate overstepped her bounds.

Poppycock.

The bottom line is that some people insist on different rules for different people.

Had a magistrate restricted Adam Harris from travelling I am willing to put my head on the block that no one, not even those who have risen to Jagdeo’s defence, would have uttered a word.

There is another thing that I must mention. It has to do with the missing assets. I remember back in 1992 the new government came in and accused the outgoing administration of all manner of corrupt things. It went to court to repossess two vehicles that President Desmond Hoyte had signed over to some staff members.

The court ruled that as president, Hoyte was within his rights. This time around I got a glimpse of a document that suggested that more than 20 vehicles were transferred to people. None of these transfers appeared to have been sanctioned by President Donald Ramotar.

Adam Harris Most of the transfers were effected on May 6 and May 7.

In one case, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon transferred one to his brother-in-law. Perhaps time dims the memory. If the then PPP government considered vehicle transfers wrong then, why should it make those transfers today?

Irregularities abound and most involve money. I am told that the authorities have already found billions of dollars in some account controlled by the Housing Ministry. If that is indeed true, why then would the Ministry seek $3 billion from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission?

As fate would have it, some semblance of discipline is being reintroduced to the government.

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Sunday May 31, 2015

Oil set to bring economic opportunities with huge challenges The discovery by ExxonMobil of huge deposits of oil within Guyana’s Economic Maritime Zone spells progress for every citizen, economically, socially and even psychologically.

One more positive element is a US Geological study conducted several years ago which surmised that the Guyana Basin was the second largest unexplored area for hydro-carbon deposits in the world.

The Coalition government understands very clearly that the road leading to massive capital revenues for the national coffers will be long and challenging.

This road, however, is laid with paving stones for thousands of jobs in the manufacturing, services and commercial sectors, new upstream and downstream support industries that will evolve in the years of preparation for actual oil production, and which will be needed to sustain the op-

eration of extraction when it comes on stream.

It is clear that actual petroleum mining is years away, but along the way, and as more viable deposits are discovered, the government intends to grasp every opportunity to facilitate specialized technical and vocational training for our youth and women, and to invest in education, health, research and development, environmental studies and assessments of the likely impact on the population as a whole.

A much broader Education sector is one major main spin-off benefit for a nation in preparation for a hydro-carbon industry. The immense range of skills that will be required includes mechanical, electrical, and heavy duty machinery engineering for maintenance of oil extraction rigs and peripheral equipment; specialized communication and other technological systems; and automotive mainte-

nance.

Our capacity for support services is set to improve hundred-fold in the areas of hospitality including hotels, bed-and-breakfast facilities and other types of accommodation, water and food industries.

In fact, there are an estimated 116 types of secondary industries that could evolve in the preparatory and operational stages of hydrocarbon mining. The skills of Accountants, Environmentalists and laboratory analysts will be needed alongside research developers and primary to advanced health care providers.

There have already been offers from oil-producing countries, the United States and Canada in particular, to assist with Guyana’s preparation for the benefits this oil find will bring. The very first and most essential stage of the entire process is the crafting of appropriate laws and

regulations, and the systems to ensure unrelenting application of these regulations.

They must encapsulate the potential effects of seismic surveys, drilling and extraction operations upon the natural environment and upon other users of that environment.

It must take into account the effects on marine wildlife, on the livelihoods of the people who subsist on marine life and those who dwell in the vicinity of on-shore oil-related operations.

It takes into account every potential environmental emergency such as oil spills to ascertain that there are immediate response measures in place.

THE “DUTCH DISEASE” The accounts of the ill effects of several countries’ failure to craft and enforce such regulations have become legendary. The African states of Nigeria and the Congo head the list.

The rampaging corruption and abuse of their oil and nonoil economic resources saw their citizens lose their hopes for betterment because the respective governments failed to plan ahead and institute the necessary industry regulatory models and fiscal framework.

One Economics pundit found a label for the syndrome - the “Dutch Disease” named for the economic fiasco that the Netherlands became in the 1960’s.

This country had experienced a vast increase in its wealth after discovering large deposits of natural gas in the North Sea. Unexpectedly, this positive development delivered serious negative repercussions on important segments of that economy.

The Dutch guilder became stronger which made Dutch non-oil exports more expensive and, therefore, less competitive. In other countries including Indonesia and Ecuador in the 1970’s, those governments failed to address the social and environmental im-

pacts of oil production and so under-development ensued.

THE NEWFOUNDLAND EXPERIENCE The challenge of realizing the potentials of an industry as large and diverse as petroleum production is as immense as the opportunity itself, according to a former Head of Mission in Guyana. This challenge is a road well travelled by highly successful economies in the first world from whence Guyana’s help cometh, to protect the environment and equalize the national distribution of benefits.

The experiences of the Canadian province of Newfoundland are very instructive.

Since the discovery of huge quantities of oil and gas in the Atlantic Ocean due north of New York State, USA, (1979) the province has prospered and the financial, social and economic benefits spread out to the citizenry and the private sector.

Effective Management, foresight and a strict Regulatory Model with Environmental Protection as a key element were the pillars that transformed the province into its current position of wealth.

Newfoundland today records the highest GDP growth in the country and its capital, St. John’s, is regarded as one of the world’s 16 ‘energy cities’. It now records the second highest GDP per capita, the second lowest unemployment rate, and high remigration rates as jobs became more available in the public and private sectors.

This, of course, translated into a booming housing sector and a wealthier population whose interests were protected, including the people involved in the traditional fishing industry.

The search for oil and gas began in offshore Newfoundland in the 1960’s. The four largest basins were discovered in 1984 and actual production commenced in 1999 but this holdup was due mainly to bureaucratic delays.

They did not have the advanced technologies available today. The province was poor in 1979 with the lowest per capita GDP in Canada, lowest wage rates, highest unemployment statistics and heavy dependence on fiscal transfers.

Between the first find and actual oil extraction, the provincial government had established the Offshore Petroleum Impact Committee with a mandate to forecast impacts and opportunities and recommend strategies for industry development, economic and social growth.

Widespread training was instituted and as the industry grew along with its downstream businesses, so too did the universities and tertiary vocational institutions that were re-tailored to produce the necessary skills.

A slew of research projects were commissioned to ascertain labour force needs, tax and royalty regimes, environmental impacts and potential complications to marine life. The development and implementation phase also involved close collaboration with the public service to ensure continuity, and interactive relationships with communities located close to installations.

The Newfoundland petroleum company now employs close to 3000 Canadians. The province continues to record budgetary surpluses which have been used to address the remaining deficiencies in the socio-economic framework in the province.

US INTERVENTION The US embassy in Guyana has already begun to deliver a planned series of Energy Governance sensitization programmes to help boost Guyana’s technical and human resource capacity for creating new laws and regulations for the emerging oil and gas industry. The appropriate legal mechanisms and effective policing of those regulations will minimize or at best remove the likelihood of corruption, mismanagement and sectoral conflict.

The US has been sharing its experiences on science, environmental analyses, public input, safety, rigorous oversight and enforcement. The experts have reiterated that transparent management of the energy sector will deliver and sustain the benefits from the energy resources to the citizens of this nation.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

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tently shout about the racism of the PPP but they practise racism. The opposition beat drums at six in the morning and say let us throw out those coolie people,” Jagdeo had stated.

Ram had argued that his statement “can result in racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the people”.

SUNDAY SPECIAL GO-INVEST WAS KEPT IN THE DARK ON MANY FOREIGN INVESTMENTS – “BAI SHAN LIN DID NOT COME THROUGH US”- CEO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Keith Burrowes, said Saturday that Guyana’s premier investment agency can only account for about 10 percent of the foreign investment made in the country in recent years.

Burrowes made this known as he conducted a telephone interview, during which he found it necessary to note that he has no political allegiance and is fully prepared to work with the new government.

Burrowes referred to a letter he said was published a month ago. In it he stated that he was working with government since the era of Forbes Burnham. “I am not politically aligned; Governments over the years thought that I was competent for the job and I have succeeded always.”

The CEO said that he has already struck a good relationship with senior officials of the new government.

However, when asked about his preparedness to tell the new government how Guyana has been benefitting from the many foreign investment made in the country, Burrowes dropped the bomb that his company can only account for 10 percent of the total investment.

He said that most foreign investments in G u y a n a ’s n a t u r a l r e sources whether gold, diamond or timber went through the Ministry of Natural Resources which was headed by Robert Persaud. Companies like “Bai Shan Lin did not come through us.”

The CEO said that he has long been pushing for the establishment of a database to record all investments despite which agency the investors went through.

YOUNGEXECUTIVE TOOK $50M LOAN TO BUY $52M HOUSE Serious questions are likely to be asked soon of a top official of the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) who acquired a $52M property.

The official who is involved in the management of a number of projects in the housing sector, and who is said to be still in his early 30s, is alleged to have bought the property located in the upscale Lamaha

WEDNESDAY EDITION WE HAVE A DUTY TO TRANSFORM GUYANA INTO A UNITED NATION – PRESIDENT GRANGER

Gardens after only working for a few years at the CH&PA. This purchase has raised eyebrows, with questions being asked about such a young man working for such a short period of time, affording such an expensive property.

The Lamaha Gardens property was transferred jointly in the names of the official and his brother. According to information reaching this newspaper, the two brothers were able to purchase the property after having acquired a $50M loan from a city bank, and after putting down a mere $2M. The property is reportedly being rented to foreign officials working in Guyana.

This rental has led to questions about a possible conflict of interest.

The Lamaha Gardens property is not the only property owned by the official.

Kaieteur News has been reliably informed that the said man also owns a posh residence in West Demerara, not far from the palatial residence of the former Minister of Housing and Wa t e r. T h i s h o u s e w a s constructed only a few years ago. The sudden rise to wealth of this young man has caused raised eyebrows in the community and within the Ministry.

The National Assembly is where issues of national importance are deliberated on, investigated where necessary, and decisions taken.

There, those who are responsible for enforcing those decisions are held accountable.

In the Tenth Parliament, the then Speaker of the House, Raphael Trotman complained bitterly about the unsavoury remarks like “thief” and “prostitute” uttered by the country’s leaders.

The President told Kaieteur News during a special sit-down interview at the Ministry of the Presidency Sunday that he has had it with the disrespect that has characterized the exchanges between Parliamentarians. He said that “decorum, a sense of pride, dignity and integrity must be returned.”

To ensure that there is a change under his first term in office; Granger plans to enforce his Code of Service for Members of the National Assembly.

Should it not be adhered to, he will reserve the right to impose sanctions available to him.

Granger said that the need for ethical behaviour among the Members of Parliament (MPs) is absolutely necessary as respect for the National Assembly should be displayed at all times.

MONDAY EDITION TUESDAY EDITION DISRESPECT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN NEW PARLIAMENT “DECORUM, A SENSE OF PRIDE, DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY MUST BE RETURNED”- PRESIDENT DAVID GRANGER

GRANGER VOWS TO REDUCE “UNFAIR” PRESIDENTIAL PENSION PACKAGE – SAYS “I WILL BE THE BENEFICIARY OF A FAIR BILL”

Politics may be a dirty game. But in the ring—the National Assembly— President David Granger wants a clean fight.

While Guyana has grown accustomed to politicians who ‘talk the talk’ it seems like President David Arthur Granger will ‘walk the

walk’ as he vowed to ensure that he enjoys a “fair” pension package whenever he demits office.

On Monday, Granger told members of the media corps that he will ensure he assents to a bill that will repeal the current one which offers unlimited benefits to former Presidents of Guyana.

Such a bill had already made its way through the National Assembly during the Tenth Parliament, but the then President, Donald Ramotar did not assent to it, virtually crippling the piece of legislation.

But Granger says he will not make such a move. The Head-of-State said, “I will cut the benefits to which I am entitled… we introduced the bill (the one that was not assented to) because we felt that the old Bill was unfair…I will be the beneficiary for a fair bill.”

Back in 2013, the National Assembly passed a Bill to slash benefits to former Presidents.

For Granger to assent to it, the Bill will have to go through the very process it went through in the Te n t h P a r l i a m e n t w h e n the Eleventh Parliament convenes.

In 2013, PPP parliamentarians voted against the Bill arguing that it strips former Presidents of their dignity, and that it was a vindictive act targeted at former President Bharrat Jagdeo.

Jagdeo was the first to benefit from the handsome retirement package.

Currently, the pension of a former president adds up to $1.2 million per month. But the Bill of 2013 did not want to change this. That Bill, which was piloted by Carl Greenidge, was designed to deal with benefits additional to the pension, or, the

“perks”.

MAGISTRATE BARS JAGDEO FROM LEAVING GUYANA – FORMER PRESIDENT RACES TO COURT AFTER THREAT OF ARREST WARRANT Magistrate Charlyn Artiga on Monday barred former President Bharat Jagdeo from leaving Guyana without the permission of the court.

The decision came during his appearance to answer a charge of a private criminal matter brought against him.

The order came when Jagdeo belatedly appeared before the Magistrate at the Whim Magistrate’s Court in Berbice.

Jagdeo was a no show when the matter was first called a few weeks ago, but he turned up Monday in time to avoid an arrest warrant being issued for him.

Jagdeo was summoned to court on a private charge brought by lawyer Christopher Ram. The charge stemmed from Jagdeo’s comments on Sunday March 8 at Babu Jaan, Port Mourant, Berbice.

It is alleged that on March 8 at Babu Jaan, Berbice, Jagdeo made statements contrary to section 139 D (1) of the Representation of the People Act Chapter 103 as amended by Act number one of 2001.

139 D says (1) Any person who (a) makes or published or causes to be made or published, any statement; or (b) takes any action, which results or can result in racial or ethnic violence or hatred among the people shall be liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of one hundred thousand dollars together with imprisonment for two years.

“The opposition consis-

Equipped with their umbrellas and other rain gear, thousands of patriots braved inclement weather on Tuesday to get a glimpse of the early morning wreath-laying ceremony and hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead at the Independence Arch on Brickdam in the capital city The event was in observance of Guyana’s 49th Independence anniversary.

This year marked the first time in recent memory that the Independence celebrations were held at the Arch. In previous years the ceremony was held at the National Park and later Parliament Buildings.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Seeta Nagamootoo arrived Tuesday morning ahead of His Excellency, David Granger and his wife, First Lady Sandra Granger.

When President Granger arrived, he was given the Presidential Salute, which was followed by a two -minute silence for those who struggled for Guyana’s Independence.

As he delivered remarks President Granger dubbed the day “a good one” when Guyana celebrates the Independence it gained on 26th May 1966 after 350 years of Dutch and British colonisation.

As he acknowledged the lives and labours of “our heroes” Granger said that it is important to pay homage to those who agitated for decades to achieve national Independence.

“We are their heirs. We have a duty to actualise the vision of our nation’s founding fathers who fought to create the new state. We have a duty to continue the work they started to transform a divided colony into a united nation.”

CAPACITY CROWD DEFIES RAINS FOR PRESIDENTIAL INAUGURATION When Guyanese woke up on Independence Day, many were disheartened to see the overcast, gloomy sky that (Continued on page 41)

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(From page 31) met them; the day was meant to be one for celebration and, more importantly, one for the inauguration of Guyana’s new leader, President David Granger.

However, Guyanese are not known to be easily deterred; nothing, they said, especially a bit of rain would keep them from witnessing such a historic occasion. For many, being able to participate in such an event could be a once-ina-lifetime opportunity.

So, with umbrellas in hand – and in some cases rain boots on feet – they packed into their vehicles and headed to the National Stadium to witness the inauguration ceremony.

It was hard to believe that many Guyanese could be in such a good mood even after waiting for hours in traffic on the East Bank of Demerara. In fact, only bright, smiling faces could be seen among the thousands who converged at the National Stadium at Providence.

Equally bright were the colours worn Tuesday by patrons; though a spectrum of colours were seen, the most popular were clearly red, black, gold, green and white, the colours of the Golden Arrowhead.

Many of those who weren’t openly going for colours from Guyana’s flag, sported outfits created from the APNU+AFC flag, while others went so far as to dye their hair in multiple colours.

THURSDAY EDITION PPP MISMANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES WOUNDS ECONOMY – FINANCE MINISTER Guyana’s economy is wounded. It seems to be the instant recognizable image appearing on the blackboard as the finance Minister, Winston Jordan, gets closer to understanding just what his new government really inherited from the previous administration.

The more he gathers, the more evident it appears that the actions of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) have finally come full circle.

Jordan will more than likely find that at the end of the rainbow, there may be more trouble inherited and a greater mess to clean up.

The politician made no bones, stating Wednesday to Kaieteur News that had the country’s resources not been mismanaged, Guyana would have been better off today.

He said that some of the worst cases in this regard appear to be the Marriott hotel and the Skeldon Sugar Factory.

Kaieteur News

”These projects saw billions (of dollars) being mismanaged.

If this did not occur, do you think that Guyana would have been where it is today?

Of course not... I am not saying that this is the only factor, for others include some financial constraints in some areas, but this really did affect the economy,” the finance Minister said.

He added, “The mismanagement of the country’s resources has indeed wounded the economy in some general areas.

We are in the process of crunching the numbers to see the extent of the damage and where we are”.

Jordan said, too, that the country’s average growth rate has been fluctuating between three and four percent.

This has been supported by the statistics published by the Central Bank in its annual reports.

IF UG IS NOT TRANSFORMED IN FIVE YEARS, I AM AFAILURE – EDUCATION MINISTER If the University of Guyana (UG) is not transforme d i n t o a t h r i v i n g i n s t i tution within five years, recently appointed Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Ro o p n a r a i n e , i s prepared to accept a failure grade.

He gave his word of honour during a recent interview with this publication

pointing out that “if at the end of five years the University of Guyana is not a thriving University that can meet international standards; I would have considered that I would have failed.”

But admittedly UG is currently in a parlous situation that must be urgently addressed.

Its numerous challenges include a number of infrastructural shortcomings that are a direct result of the fact, that it has been starved of funds that it needs to function effectively.

Moreover, it can be safely concluded that a wilting subvention has been responsible for the current state of UG. “It (the subvention) has not been enough and I think that is a mistake,” said the Education Minister. ”It is a question of priorities.

We know that the money is limited, but it is how you prioritise and I believe that the University really has to be given a far higher priority than it has been given so far,” he added.

Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine was able to give an informed analysis of the University in light of the fact, that he formerly held a position on the tertiary institution’s Council.

According to him, the state of affairs at UG has led to “widespread demoralisation within the Faculties, within the community of lecturers and so

on.”

FRIDAY EDITION STOLEN PUBLIC ASSETS MUST BE RECOVERED – DR. CLIVE THOMAS While the new government, A Partnership for National Unity plus Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) is still settling in, Economist Dr. Clive Thomas, insists that it is of critical importance for attention to be placed on recovering public stolen assets.

He said that the “rampant corruption under the 23-year rule of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)” should not be ignored.

Dr. Thomas stated that any new government pursuing good governance would seek to recover the nation’s assets, which were mismanaged in “some of the most despicable and corrupt ways.”

The economist said if this matter is not dealt with, “we are only leaving the nation to continue on a dangerous precipice.”

He emphasized too that the new administration should not fail its attempts to hold those who mismanaged and wounded the economy in so many areas, accountable.

MFK MURDER …SERGEANT CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY

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Several weeks after he was questioned about his role in the death of businessman, Mohamed F. Khan and after advice was sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Police Sergeant Leon Lindo appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry, charged with conspiracy to commit murder.

He was remanded to prison.

Lindo of Lot 220 Belle West, Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara was not required to plead to the charge which stated that between July 10 and 18, 2014, he conspired with Lennox Wayne to murder Mohamed F. Khan.

The charge stems from damning disclosures made by Wayne himself, who is presently on remand for another murder.

Police had launched an investigation after Wayne, also known as ‘Two Colours,’ provided them with a statement in which he claimed that he and Lindo conspired to murder Khan.

Khan, 54, had escaped execution in July 2014 at La Grange, West Bank Demerara, when a gunman, who turned out to be Wayne, shot him in his abdomen, shortly after he returned to Guyana on a brief holiday.

Wayne had claimed that he was contracted by Lindo to kill Khan for a fee of $500,000.

However, there was a fall out between the two after Lindo did not honour his end of the bargain when the execution failed.

Mohamed F. Khan, who was a popular city businessman, was last heard from on August 21 last year. A month later his dismembered body was discovered on a dam at

Cummings Lodge.

His skull, which was wrapped in a plastic bag, was located several feet from the body.

SATURDAY EDITION CRISIS AVERTED: STRUGGLING GUYSUCO GETS $400M CASH INJECTION A US$2M ($400M) line of credit from the National Commercial Bank of Jamaica has been released and expected to be transferred, thus averting a possible crisis at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

And it is likely that more cash will be coming in the weeks ahead that will help the industry through.

Updating Kaieteur News Friday, Agricultural Minister, Noel Holder, said that the administration is leaning on a Commission of Inquiry to be convened shortly that will help determine the industry’s course in the future.

The fortunes of the sugar industry have provided one of the toughest tests yet for the David Granger administration since it won the May 11 General and Regional Elections with a slim margin.

Earlier in the week, GuySuCo’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Rajendra Singh, in a bombshell announcement, told unions that the corporation had run out of cash and would be forced to close its Demerara and Berbice estates unless it received help from Government.

The new Government was caught unaware saying it was not initially informed. With the new Parliament yet to start, it just cannot release monies to GuySuCo. GuySuCo wants $16B, which represents its shortfall, to pay suppliers, salaries and buy spares.

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Overseas-based Guyanese writer wants to contribute to evolving change Change has come to Guyana and there are many people, even some residing overseas, who are ready to embrace this with open arms.

Although she hasn’t resided in Guyana for many years, Sharon Westmaas, the daughter of well known Consumer Activist, Eileen Cox, who passed away last year, is among those who are ready to return home to help ensure that a desirable change is sustained.

Westmaas said that she was long hoping for things to change in Guyana.

“I really had this belief that Guyana can be great, and I really think that people should believe this too and work hard for it. You should put every effort into it even if you don’t see results right away...just keep working towards that goal,” said an enthused Westmaas.

She currently lives in Germany and recalled during an interview with this publication how she visited her mother almost annually prior to her death, and would be appalled at the garbageinfested state of some sections of the capital city.

She grew up in Georgetown with her mother and remembered all too well that the capital then lived up to the title of “the Garden City.”

That title over time had changed, with good reason, to “the Garbage City.”

Westmaas is convinced that the elections of a new Government has brought with it a wave of much needed change, which has even seen a clean-up frenzy that is likely to extend to every facet of the society.

“Even sitting in Germany I could really feel an enthusiasm, a hunger for change, and I was delighted to see it happen...this is a really good beginning,” said Westmaas who arrived in Guyana just in time for the May 26, 2015, inauguration of President David Granger at the National Stadium.

The auspicious occasion was one that coincided with the celebration of Guyana’s 49th Independence Anniversary.

Already she has had talks with Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine - who also has responsibility for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport - about the possibility of her lending some form of support to the development of culture here in Guyana.

WHO IS SHARON WESTMAAS? Some might easily recognise her from her pen name Sharon Maas, author of a few phenomenal novels including: ‘Of Marriageable

Age’, ‘Peacocks Dancing’, ‘The Speech of Angels’, ‘The Small Fortune of Dorothea Q’ and ‘Sons of Gods’.

She was born to Eileen Cox and David Westmaas in 1951. While her mother was always a very liberal soul, her father worked as an Assistant to the late President, Cheddi Jagan, at Freedom House.

Westmaas recalled that her parents divorced while she was still very young. In fact she is convinced that her mother was one of the first women in Guyana to embrace such recourse.

Moreover, Westmaas was raised in the home of a single working mother while her father remarried and moved on with his life.

Westmaas remembers well living on Lamaha Street and then in Subryanville in Georgetown with her mother, and according to her, “for me it was a bit embarrassing, because nobody else had one, everybody had two parents. I was a little bit shy about that...I didn’t like the situation, especially when she called herself Miss Cox and I had a different name.”

JOURNALISM AS A CAREER But life went on.

Westmaas attended St Margaret’s Primary and then Boarding School in England before returning to attend The Bishops’ High School.

She completed her ‘A’ Levels and was quite ready for the world of work.

Choosing a career was no difficult task. As a child she was always reading or writing and her best grades were understandably in the subject area of English. Moreover, she always knew writing was something that she could easily delve into.

At the age of 18, she started contemplating being a print journalist. Her options were the Guyana Chronicle, The Evening Post and the Graphic. She immediately applied when she saw an advertisement for trainee journalists at the latter mentioned newspaper entity.

It was quite a competition, but the young Westmaas was the only girl among the three trainees accepted.

“It was an enjoyable experience,” she said of her time at the Graphic, as she recounted going out on a little motorcycle to track down stories. She was tasked with doing a wide range of stories, but she eventually found her true passion.

She described it as a breakthrough, as she disclosed how after writing a story about the St Ann’s Orphanage, she realised that she had a preference for writing articles that focused more on the human side of stories.

“I went into this Orphanage for children with Polio and they all came rushing up to me with their braces on and they were all happy and smiling. I was so moved to see these children with this horrible disease and how they could laugh, smile and be so friendly and so loving,” disclosed Westmaas.

This was the beginning of her focus on human interest articles. Her writings, complete with by-line, were by far the best produced among the trainees.

But she was not allowed to stay on at the Graphic as a journalist. She revealed that a most distasteful situation resulted in her being fired.

Westmaas hadn’t even shared with her mother what led to her abrupt dismissal from the Graphic, but she did relate to this publication how a senior male editor made sexual advances to her and her refusal to consent meant she couldn’t secure a place there.

“He said ‘you know you are pretty’ come and sit on my lap’ and I said no and I walked out, and the next thing I knew is that he said that he was not renewing my contract,” said Westmaas who noted that while she told a number of persons at the entity, there wasn’t much that could have been done, since she was not yet appointed as a journalist.

DETERMINED TO EXCEL She soon after applied at the Chronicle and was able to truly make a name for herself there. With the training that she had already secured, she was soon granted space for a weekly human interest article.

“I was determined to show

that I could be a good journalist and that I should not have been fired,” said Westmaas.

She remained there as a fulltime journalist for about one year after which she decided that she would take a break to travel. Her travels took her throughout South America, during which she took copious notes, of course with the aim of eventually sharing them with the readers of the Chronicle. An entire series of her travels were published by the Chronicle.

But she was determined to learn more about the world.

This saw her heading to India where she lived for a while.

There she met a young man who she eventually married and travelled with to Germany. Their union did not last, but she remained in Germany and decided to study Social Work, eventually securing a job along this line.

Westmaas, sometime after, remarried and that union yielded two children. And it was when she gave up her work to mother her children that her passion for writing was rekindled. It was during

this time that her first novel Of Marriageable Age - was published.

Drawing from her experiences over the years, the fictional novel is one that is set in Guyana, India and England. “It is three stories woven into one. Three different characters from very different backgrounds and it all becomes one story in the end,” said Westmaas of her first publication which she said is still available at Austin’s Book Store.

She reflected that all of her writings have a deliberate

Journalist and Author, Sharon Westmaas

focus on her Guyanese upbringing since most of the books she read as a little girl had details of things she was unfamiliar with.

“I would read about children eating strawberries and cream, about tulips and daisies, so I really wanted to write books that had backgrounds, people and things that I knew about...I wanted to be different,” Westmaas intimated as she noted if given a chance, she would be willing to contribute to helping to advance culture in Guyana.

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Guyanese extradited from Trinidad indicted in US for US$50M mortgage fraud The last co-defendant in a US$50M mortgage fraud scheme targeting Guyanese residents in Florida and other states was indicted Thursday, according to the U.S.A States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida.

Ravindranauth Roopnarine, 55, was the remaining co-defendant among four named in a 2010 indictment for a fraud scheme spanning more than 150 residential real estate properties in Miami-Dade, Indian River, Orlando, and Orange counties.

Gergawattie Seecharan, Bhaardwau Seecharan and Linda Rovetto previously pleaded guilty to their participation in the scheme.

A Guyanese national, Roopnarine had been living in Trinidad and Tobago before recently returning to the United States after

Indicted: Ravindranauth Roopnarine waiving extradition charges.

Roopnarine’s attorney Gregory Morse was not available for comment at the time of publication.

Roopnarine and his coconspirators would single out residential properties, targeting distressed owners/ sellers, and recruit straw borrowers for their names and credit histories, all the while submitting fraudulent loan

applications for financing to buy the homes, according to the indictment. The group would hide the loan applications and divert the falsely gotten mortgage proceeds for personal use.

The co-conspirators would give the straw buyers money to use as down payments at closing, and pay the buyers around $10,000 per home in exchange for the use of their names and credit histories.

Straw buyers were incentivized to recruit other buyers, getting about $5,000 for each referral, according to the indictment.

Roopnarine faces up to 30 years for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud, up to 20 years for money laundering, up to 30 years for conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and more, including monetary fines.

Reflections on Brickdam, our...

From page 50 her memory still keen. Her head nestles under the sentinel gaze of parliament, church and marketplace, her feet straddled protectively by a regal arch.

Across the way, 'Cuffy' gazes in brooding silence and, like me, imagines what it must have felt like more than two centuries ago, when both of

their stories began, one in Demerara, the other in Berbice, and intertwined themselves into the fabric of our history. As I watched the clean-up activities of the past two weeks unfold, I could not help but experience the feeling, the nostalgia, of being part of history revisited.

May 1966 to May 2015 is a long time but, as I said in an

earlier piece, some things never change. I love my country as much as I did 49 years ago when, as a child, I stood in the Queen Elizabeth Park and gazed wonderingly as the Golden Arrowhead ascended into the midnight blue.

For me, history repeated itself last Tuesday - on Brickdam - Guyana's 'monumental' and iconic First Street.

China: Strike while the...

From page 24 course, the CARICOM countries are divided in relation to China. Five of them continue to have diplomatic ties to Taiwan and this inhibits CARICOM from seeking to establish a structured, long term aid, trade and investment relationship with China. The consequence is that each of the other nine CARICOM members pursue individual relations with China in which they are disadvantaged, but nonetheless grateful.

However, imperfect loan and investment arrangements might be with China, these governments are, at least, getting monies no other country or agency is advancing to them. Further, the monies are being provided on soft terms.

China is demonstrating a willingness to invest. It is putting huge sums of money

into South America as Premier Li's recent tour demonstrates.

In the case of the Caribbean, through two Chinese stateowned banks, China ExportImport Bank and China Development Bank, China has disbursed tens of billions of dollars in CARICOM countries since 2005.

But more can be done by China in the Caribbean if a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with strong provisions for development assistance could be negotiated and established.

On his South American tour, Premier Li discussed the possibility of an FTA with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

The matter is, therefore, occupying the minds of China's leaders. Undoubtedly, there will be a few South American countries that will

conclude such FTAs with China in the near future.

If the Caribbean region is to benefit from China's obvious interest in investing its considerable foreign reserves around the world, it has to engage the Chinese government collectively. The reluctance to do so by the five CARICOM countries that continue to gain from their relations with Taiwan is understandable, but they should give their blessings to the other nine member states to strike an enhanced relationship with China while the iron is hot.

(The writer is a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, London and Massey College, Toronto) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

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Security guards arrested for $6M missing liquor at GRA bond Following the disappearance of some $6M in seized liquor from its Eccles bond, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says that a number of security personnel from a private firm are in police custody.

The tax agency yesterday disclosed that the privately contracted firm, Professional Guard Services (PGS), received and reviewed the security footage of the activities at its Eccles warehouse facility, and “has positively identified personnel from its service as being actively involved in the criminal act and the suspects

have since named their accomplices.” The guards were questioned in the presence of their supervisors, police and staffers of the GRA’s Law Enforcement and Investigation Division (LEID).

They were subsequently placed in police custody, GRA said.

“As stated in its previous release, the GRA continues to hold PGS responsible for the loss and is awaiting the necessary response before considering further action. It should be noted that GRA’s Internal Audit Division is currently engaged in a comprehensive audit of the

warehouse to determine whether other thefts may have occurred and to ascertain possible weaknesses in the system of internal control that could have contributed to and prevented a more timely disclosure of such occurrences.”

GRA said that external auditors and state auditors have also been briefed of the situation.

On May 13, 2015, during a routing inventory exercise, officers of LEID discovered approximately $6M worth of foreign liquor missing from its Eccles facility.

Failed robbery attempt lands man in ‘hot water’ A Brazilian national is now counting his lucky stars after he narrowly escaped death, following an attempted robbery.

Hilton Carlos DeSouza escaped unhurt after Dellon Emanuel allegedly attempted to rob him at a Sports Bar. Emanuel was brought before the court on Friday to face three charges that stemmed from the alleged crime.

The first charge alleged that on May 27, last, at Light Street, Bourda, he discharged a loaded firearm at Hilton Carlos Souza, with intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or to cause him grievous bodily harm.

The second charge alleged that on the same day at Light Street, Bourda, he was in possession of one 9mm Taurus pistol, when he was not a licenced firearm holder.

Particulars of the final charge alleged that on the day in question, at the same location, he had five live rounds of matching ammunition in his possession when he was not the owner of a firearm licence.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges after they were read to him by Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry.

The prosecutor told the court that on May 27, DeSouza was a guest at Rockies Sports Bar, when Emanuel proceeded to the victim’s room and knocked on his door.

An argument ensued between the two parties and Emanuel allegedly pulled out a gun, pointed it to DeSouza and pulled the trigger.

Fortunately, the bullet missed the victim.

DeSouza managed to

Dellon Emanuel disarm Emanuel, alerted others and the police were summoned.

Bail was opposed by the Prosecutor for all three charges.

The Magistrate upheld the Prosecutor’s request and remanded the defendant to prison until June 15.

A damning indictment of the rich...

From page 34 aghast. While Merryn has dodged two bullets, her past is never really behind her.

"If good cannot come out of bad things, then what is the point of life?" she hears from the earnest and refreshing Alberto Zaldana, a former priest turned New Age healer. But w i l l Merryn's life prove this dictum true? While her millions are donated to charitable causes, the questionable source of these funds

hangs like an albatross around the necks of patron and recipients, knowingly or unknowingly. This is the sad, undeniable irony of 'Anger Meridian.’

With overlapping criminal investigations against a blaring psycho-dramatic backdrop, Jones delves into life's vicissitudes and our coping mechanisms.

'Anger Meridian' holds our attention with a grey and engaging plot that is expertly and vividly written. But

frankly, outside of Tenney, Alberto, and Sophia who inject some humanity to a troubling climate, there is little authenticity to go around; and really nothing to cheer about.

F e e d b a c k : glenvilleashby@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter@glenvilleashby The Anger Meridian by Kaylie Jones 2014 Publisher: Akashic books ISBN: 978-1-61775-351-0 Available: amazon.com Rating: Recommended

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Prisoner further remanded Crew beaten in Berbice pirate attack after failed escape attempt Fishing vessel, Lilly3, with six crew members and the captain on board was hijacked and robbed by a team of six pirates, just off the Number 63 beach around 3:00am yesterday.

The captain said that the men, one armed with a handgun and the other five with cutlasses, pulled up to his boat with an outboard fishing vessel and asked for the ‘captain’. He recalled that immediately after identifying himself as the captain the six crew members were ordered to lie face down in the front of the boat.

Kaieteur News understands that the pirates then hopped from their vessel and began “broadsiding” the crew members while making

demands.

The crew men all shared the same fate. When it was over they were grateful to have survived the ordeal which lasted for about 35 minutes, alive.

The men said that the only thing that was going through their minds was if they were going to be tied up and thrown overboard. They said that they knew that pirates normally take such drastic actions when carrying out such acts. One crew member, Lorenzo, said, “I was wondering if they were going to kill us, or tie us up and throw us overboard.

Vijay, another crew man, said, “I was hoping and praying that nobody got wounded. Them man does

come fa tek wha them want and throw you overboard.”

Sixty pounds of glue, 1500 pounds of fish, groceries, three gas bottles, four cellular phones and a navigation system were carted off by the men who also incapacitateedthe vessel by throwing two buckets of water into the engine and chopped a few fuel lines before fleeing.

Out to the mercy of the tides the men were able to reattach the fuel lines and restart the engine before making their way to Georgetown to the Ruimveldt Wharf.

The owner of the boat, Mark Ramjit, said that this is the first time that his vessel has been attacked.

Dexter Rae of Agricola made another court appearance on Friday to answer charges that stemmed from a failed escape attempt earlier this month.

It is alleged that he orchestrated a plot to free himself and fellow inmates while incarcerated at the Golden Grove Police Station, East Bank Demerara.

Rae was slapped with charges of Attempting to Escape from Lawful Custody and Damage to Property which he pleaded not guilty to after they were read to him

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Particulars of the first charge stated that on May 3, Rae, while detained on a criminal charge at the Golden Grove Police Station, attempted to escape from lawful custody. Further, it was alleged that on the same day, at the same location he damaged a section of the northern wall of the said police station to the value of $40, 000.

Police Corporal, Shawn Gonsalves informed the court

that the defendant and five other men were arrested earlier this month on an illegal gun and ammunition possession charge.

He said that the defendant and the men were taken out of the lock-ups and escorted to the bathroom area to bathe.

Gonsalves explained that a few minutes later, police heard a loud echoing noise coming from the said area.

The police immediately rushed to the area and noticed that a large hole was cut in the wall.

The Prosecutor indicated that the five other men revealed that it was Rae, who had planned the getaway.

However, Rae’s attorney pleaded with the Magistrate to release his client on bail.

The lawyer contended that Rae was brutally assaulted while in the lock-up and was never taken to seek medical attention.

He requested for the accused to be taken to the hospital, while adding that his life is “under threat” at the institution.

Dexter Rae Despite the lawyer’s compelling submission, the defendant was further remanded to prison after the Prosecutor opposed bail.

Police Corporal, Shawn Gonsalves, argued that the defendant should be remanded to prison because he has other pending matters before the court. He also pointed out the seriousness, prevalence and penalty attached to the offence.

This matter was transferred to the providence Magistrate’s Court, for June 8.

Police respond to men luring errant girls Police acted swiftly after they were alerted to two teenage girls who apparently were taken to a house by a male somewhere in Queenstown Village, on Friday.

According to reports, the girls were taken to the Queenstown house some

time, Friday evening. The police at the Anna Regina Police Station were alerted and they ventured to the scene. However, while it is unclear whether anyone was apprehended, on Saturday morning the police returned to the Village and spoke to one of the persons who was said

to be responsible for luring the girls to the house. The girls, who hailed from Charity in the Pomeroon, are said to be of school age.

Reports added that the girls’ parents were informed.

A senior police rank has said that the girls were on the seawall, at Queenstown.

Man allegedly assaults eight-year-old The police in Berbice were able to nab a man who is said to be mentally challenged, who on Thursday took advantage of an eight year old boy and sexually assaulted him. The child is also said to be mentally challenged and a student of the New Amsterdam Special Needs School.

The incident is said to have occurred at a house at Paul Stewart Housing Scheme, New Amsterdam, Berbice.

According to reports, the victim and the accused live not too far from, and are known to each other.

The boy and his sister were allegedly left at home by their mother.

However, when the woman returned home some time later, the children were not there. She was subsequently informed that the children had visited the neighbour’s house.

It was not until Friday that she got word of what took

place. When she inquired of the child what happen he related to her what took place.

The woman subsequently reported the matter to the Central Police Station. The man was subsequently arrested and confessed to the crime.

The lad was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he was examined by a doctor and a medical certificate issued.

Investigations are continuing.

Women must be better represented...

(From page 11) been pegged as parliamentarians. These women are: Minister of Tourism Catherine Hughes, Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence,

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally, Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hasting, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Minister within the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Karen Cummings, Ministers within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Education, Annette Ferguson and Nicolette Henry

(respectively), and Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection Simona Broomes.

With 26 parliamentarians already chosen by the new government, the figure for women currently represented stands at approximately 35%.

This figure is expected to grow if the opposition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), participates in the upcoming Parliament.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 59

‘Ocean of expectations’ places Consumer Corner new government under pressure

By Pat Dial

By Abena Rockcliffe Perhaps the biblical teaching “to whom much is given, much is expected” best explains the predicament in which the new government has found itself. This has become the case as citizens look forward to a speedy recovery for Guyana with hope for a better life.

During a recent interview at the Ministry of Presidency, newly elected President, David Granger, said that he is very much aware of the high hopes that the Guyanese people have for his administration but asked that they remain cognizant of the fact that there is a lot that needs to be done.

The media highlighted the fact that President Granger entered administrative office in what has been seen as the massive wave for change and asked him whether he feels pressured to live up to the enormous expectations of Guyanese.

In response, the Head-ofState said, “We are obviously under pressure because there is an ocean of expectation in the country. But I am confident that the people are aware that after 23 years of rule by the PPP/C (People Progres-

- President Granger

President, David Granger sive Party/Civic) there has been some damage to our institutions.”

Granger said that it will take some time to repair the damage caused by the PPP/C. “There is pressure, there is pressure of expectation but there is also a need to ensure that things are done in a way that would ensure that people in the end get a good life.”

The Head of-State said that he is confident that his administration is moving in the right direction and added that he is encouraged by the support of the majority of the Guyanese people as well as the hemispheric leaders. “I am also confident that the (15member) Cabinet team is in a

At Jersey City, City...

From page 54 Independence celebration.

Guyana Deputy Consul General Mohamed Khan spoke on the importance of freedom and expressed his gratitude to all those who fought for it. He asked everyone there to support the work of the HMNJAS both in the U.S. and in Guyana.

Congressman Donald Payne Jr observed: “Since its independence from Great Britain in 1966, Guyana has and continues to be a nation with a rich history and a diverse culture.

It is also a privilege for me to recognize the Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj for all their hard work and dedication.

Your organization does tremendous work in assisting the needs of Guyanese American population, espe-

cially in the City of Jersey City, the State of New Jersey and Guyana.

“It is because of individuals such as yourselves, that those who come to America can be given the opportunities they deserve and the ability to pursue their dream.”

The NJASHM received special Congressional recognition from Donald M. Payne Jr. Senate Recognition, Proclamations, Citations a n d Resolutions were received from the State Government and other local Government agencies. Pt Sugrim thanked everyone for their support in making the event memorable and productive.

He commended the Jersey City's administration for their involvement in that programme as well as for their service to Guyanese, West Indian and other communities.

position to give Guyana the quality life it needs and deserves.”

Indeed, the Granger government has set the bar high for itself as many who have been appointed government ministers have been critical of the previous administration.

They made many ambitious promises for betterment.

Also, the coalition manifesto, released about a week before elections, chronicled a plethora of measures that will be taken to improve the system of governance in Guyana, reduce poverty and secure a better life for all.

The alliance pledged that those promises would be kept in its first 100 days in office.

These promises include the reduction of the Berbice River Bridge toll. Government workers have been promised salary increases and Guyanese have also been promised that the Value Added Tax (VAT) would be reduced and removed from food and other essential items.

The coalition also said that it would increase old age pensions. It pledged to ensure the presidential pension package is reduced.

Guyanese would be looking forward to the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission.

A Code of Conduct for Ministers was also promised.

This has already been drafted but Ministers are yet to sign on to it.

The coalition also vowed to form a task force on crime

and security as well as develop a plan for sustainable economic development.

A constitutional reform committee which will complete consultations, draft amendments and present it to the National Assembly for approval within nine months was also promised to be established during this pivotal period.

APNU+AFC promised to also liberalize the telecommunication and ICT sectors, announce a date for the holding of long overdue local government elections and develop and implement a sustained national crime prevention plan.

It also promised to enact the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill.

Already, it seems as if the new government is moving towards fulfilling a significant number of these promises.

There is a massive cleanup campaign that has swept the country and has attracted the support of society, including the business community.

The government has also restored and enhanced the Independence Arch located at Brickdam, Georgetown.

Granger’s government replaces a regime which had 23 consecutive years of executive power.

The only two persons in his Cabinet with ministerial experience are the Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge.

SQUATTING Housing has always been an item of consumer concern world-wide.

All governments of Guyana, from colonial times, have been engaged in housing activity and indeed, so has been the private sector.

Recently, as soon as the new government came into office and even before it had time to settle down, several hundreds of persons, especially on the East Coast and East Bank Demerara began to invade government lands, ostensibly to claim house lots for themselves.

This attempt to seize government property is of course illegal, and what makes the theft even more serious, is that it is state property which was being stolen. If there had not been a strong riposte to this invasion of state property, it could have embarrassed and made Government appear to be weak.

Though some of the squatters had a genuine need, it is reported that many, as is usually the case, were motivated by strong greed to get hold of land on which to speculate and several members of the same family were engaged in this squatting exercise in an organized way.

In addition of this theft for speculation, squatting results in severe social and environmental problems by squatters occupying areas where roads, drains, water connections, playgrounds, schools, health facilities and electricity poles should be.

Fortunately, President David Granger has firmly declared that such squatting was illegal and that his government would never condone such illegality and he required the police to take necessary action.

The police have started doing their duty of clearing away the squatters and the public looks forward to the police reporting that all squatters have been removed.

It is surprising that the police have not charged anyone despite the fact that large numbers of squatters have been caught on videos, have given interviews to the media and could be easily identified. If some squatters are charged by the police, this would act both as a warning and a deterrent.

In due course, house lot development and distribution would be done and everyone would have the opportunity of applying. Such development would have proper infrastructure and be environmentally friendly.

The quality of life would be improved and land speculation would have been avoided.

But government must nip in the bud all future attempts at squatting and the police and the Courts must he prepared to deal condignly with the disease of squatting.

Page 60

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 31, 2015

Chinese are bearing gifts again

By Ralph Seeram I was wondering which would be a more interesting read this week for readers, how I nearly met the Maker above early this week, or the post elections actions of the new administration.

The good Lord postponed our date upstairs, for a reason, maybe to annoy more people in these

columns, or maybe to be on the receiving of some cussing out. Either way I am thankful to be here to write this column, God is good, but that is not to ignore the excellent Medical services I received here in Florida. Within half hour of my illness I was out of surgery. Delay would have been fatal.

So from my hospital bed

and with the help of my iPHONE 6 plus, I was able to keep abreast of the massive cleanup undergoing in Georgetown. I saw the people of Georgetown turning out to clean up their own mess. It was the garbage created by the very residents of Georgetown.

Yes the Mayor and Town Council did not throw the garbage in the streets and gutter, the former PPP government did not throw the garbage there, it was you the residents of Georgetown who threw it, so it is fitting that

River accident victim died from abdominal injury Trevon Benn, the 18-yearold Burnt Bush, Lower Pomeroon River teen who lost his life in the recent Pomeroon River boat accident, died from blunt trauma to the abdomen, according to a post mortem report from Dr.Nehaul Singh.

Benn died after the 40horsepower engine boat which he was manning crashed into a tree which fell, pinning him down.

Benn’s friend, Jumal France, who was accompanying him at the time, was sitting at the bow of the boat. He, according to reports, was flung out of the

Trevor Benn (Deceased) boat after the impact. He did not sustain severe injuries.

According to reports, Benn and France were

apparently imbibing earlier Monday, at Charity, Some time Monday night last, Benn begged France to accompany him to Akawini, an area in the Lower Pomeroon River.

Benn’s body was retrieved from beneath the fallen tree the following day by both the police and residents. France was detained by officers attached to the Charity Outpost. He submitted a report about the accident with the police.

Over the years, members of Maritime administration have been cautioning boat operators to always exercise caution.

you turn out to clean your mess. What took you so long?

Well we know it was the City Council job to pick up the crap. Which brings me to another news item I noticed.

Mayor Hamilton Green was heading the National list of Honorees. So I double checked to see if it was correct.

First I think it was a great idea of the APNU/AFC government to revive National Honors. I was so delighted to see my late friend and co worker, Wordsworth Mc Andrew, honored.

Knowing Mac, if he was alive today and see his name mentioned in the same breath with Hamilton Green, he would have refused the honor.

Personally I don’t know what criteria were used for honoring Green. Was it for loyal service to the PNC? Here is a Mayor who took a Garden City and transformed it into a Garbage City. I don’t know why whenever I hear the name Hamilton Green some foggy memories of the PNC in dictatorial rule and Green at his pinnacle of power come to the fore.

Why the name Shirley Field-Ridley comes to my mind I don’t know. I remember her as being the first Guyanese of African heritage to be cremated, literally within hours of her death, and a very unusual funeral for an African in those days. Cremations

were done by Indians in those times. So there was no further investigation in her death.

The name Vincent Teekah also comes to my mind of that period. He was a PNC Minister who was murdered, and his murder is still unsolved. Very interesting times.

I have said before in these columns that there is no loyalty in politics. Everybody protects his own interest, and one’s loyalty is to the man that holds the “purse strings” There is a new Sheriff in Town. President David Granger is doing “his thing”, and he should be given the political “honeymoon” to do his thing, to put his stamp.

One of his first moves I appreciate is resurrecting CIVIC PRIDE in people and a sense of NATIONAL PRIDE also. Maybe that resulted in the people in the City and around the country moving to clean up their environment.

One thing is very noticeable and worries me a bit. Chinese bearing gifts. Two weeks ago they were sitting at the PPP table, this week they at APNU/AFC table. So are a few contractors involved in the cleanup.

This government severely criticized the Chinese Logging companies for exploiting Guyanese resources without living up to its end of value added products. Today they come bearing million dollar gifts to the new government.

Well don’t tell me they got civic-minded overnight; suddenly are very community minded and responsible. The people of Linden will be happy with this change of heart.

Brian K Tiwarie is involved in the cleanup also.

He, of course, is one of the largest recipients of contracts under the PPP government.

So everybody has got an epiphany and has become very community minded.

Personally from what I know I think Tiwarie is doing this more because of his personal relationship with certain high officials in the coalition transition team.

But let’s cut the nonsense and be real, no company is going to do you a favor without expecting one in return.

The Americans legalized bribery to politicians through Lobbyists.

This Coalition is going to be held to the same standards as they held the PPP government when APNU/ AFC was on opposition.

Some of its statements will come back to haunt it.

So for the new Sheriff in town President Granger, keep an eye on you Deputies, you don’t want to go down the road the PPP went. And please, please, watch out for those Chinese bearing gifts.

Ralph Seeram can be reached at email ralph365@hotmail.com and FaceBook

Attempted murder charge...

Former soldier pleads guilty to lesser count A former soldier who was facing a charge of attempted murder in the Berbice High Court has pleaded guilty to the lesser count of causing grievous bodily harm.

Cleon Douglas, who was 19 at the time of the incident, changed his plea when the matter continued on Wednesday in the Berbice High Court before Justice Franklyn Holder and a mixed jury.

Douglas, who was facing two charges, on Saturday June 25, 2005 at Camp Jaguar; New River, Corentyne was accused of having an intent to murder fellow soldier Wilton Hazel.

He was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm.

The man is accused of setting the other on fire following an altercation at their Camp Jaguar location at New River, Corentyne, Berbice.

When the matter resumed Attorney at Law Charrandass

Persaud, who is representing Douglas, told the court that he wanted to adopt a certain course.

It was decided that the charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to commit murder would be dropped and that the accused plead guilty to the charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

State Prosecutor Attorney-at-Law Natasha Backer who is appearing for the state, had no objections to the request made by the defence.

When the matter was first called on Monday and the Jury sworn in and the indictment read, Attorney at Law Charrandass Persaud had asked for an adjournment to familiarise himself with the case since he was only recently retained.

The two men were part of the Guyana Defence Force contingent based at the Interior location on the Corentyne River. It was

reported that Douglas was being constantly harassed, provoked and molested in all forms by some of the other soldiers, including Hazel. He reported the matter on numerous occasions to his superiors on location, but got no satisfaction.

On the day in question the two men had another altercation and Douglas, being unable to take the provocation any longer, doused Hazel with a flammable liquid before setting him alight. He then fled the scene into the bushes and hid himself until the next day.

He subsequently gave himself up and reported the matter to one of his superiors.

He was taken into the custody, the matter was investigated and Douglas subsequently charged.

A probation report has been requested by Justice Holder and is expected to be presented on June 11 when Douglas is to be sentenced.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 61

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox Oil discovery should be tempered with a deep sense of environmental responsibility DEAR SIR, Guyanese welcome the recent news about a significant oil find by ExxonMobil-in the Stabroek Block. Indeed, there appears to be an understandable hype about the prospects and the anticipated ensuing benefits of this precious resource to the country as a whole.

But exporting oil by itself does not transform poor countries into flourishing economies. Still the discovery

of oil in commercial quantities could cause us to rethink our economic development and the way we approach the natural environment.

For me, the natural environment is really vital to not only our survival but our very existence.

Notwithstanding that, this hype should be tempered with a deep sense of environmental responsibility and an ethical approach to the way we exploit this natural

resource. At the moment, there is a curious trend that economists refer to as resource curse.

It seems to be the case that on average, resource-rich nations have underperformed against countries with smaller resources but of course not all resource rich countries have underperformed.

But there are some notable examples of natural resources appearing to ruin a country: Sierra Leone’s

CAN GEORGETOWN EVER BE FLOOD-FREE? DEAR EDITOR, President David Grainger may not have been around, or may have been too young to recall what Georgetown really looked like around 1945 – 1950, but there are some senior citizens, still alive, who probably can.

Georgetown’s eastern boundary ended at Alexander Village, with Ruimveldt, being canefields, on the south and east of it. La Penitence and Albouystown on the north, extended as far as the western end of Le Repentir Cemetery.

Canefields continued east.

The Cemetery ended about a hundred meters east of Cemetery Road, and swampy bush, which was the beginnings of D’Urban Backlands continued east and north, in back of the Botanical Gardens and Lodge. Newtown, Kitty or New Kitty was plotted out south of the Lamaha trench, with Vlissingen Road being its western boundary, and would continue, eventually, to the Botanical Gardens.

The picture being painted here is a city, Georgetown that was much smaller than what it is today. Georgetown also had a much smaller population, but it had more trenches. As the population increased, trenches were filled in to create open spaces, roads and some building units.

It must be noted that trenches in Georgetown, performed two functions; one, they collected used water from the human population and rainfall, which following a natural gradient, was drained into the Demerara River, and two, they acted as reservoirs until the tide flowed out, and caused water to empty out of the trenches, which were being regulated by flood gates called kokers.

The volume of water pouring out of the kokers would be relatively constant.

If there is more water to

be drained in the given length of time low tide afforded, that water will remain in the trenches. In this manner, there was always some level of water in the trenches, since the population would still be dumping used water into the drains, which flowed into the trenches.

Georgetown is some two meters below sea level, and water does not flow upwards, the system depended, until recently, to some extent, on the movement of the tides.

This system always caused some level of flooding in the city. This flooding was relatively insignificant, with swollen drains and alleyways and some yards, rarely any roads, water did not stick around past one day, most of the time. This temporary flooding was usually a minor inconvenience.

As the population grew, over the years, in Georgetown, it became evident that the trenches were unable to meet a quantity of water that now had far exceeded their reservoir limits.

If we include negligent maintenance of the drainage system, a propensity for people to discard their ever increasing amount of trash and garbage in to the drains and trenches, and the decreasing number of trenches, we have the formula for systematic and prolonged flooding, which presented very serious consequences during the peak seasonal rainfall.

Flooding had now reached epic proportions.

Flash forward to the present, politically speaking.

No solution(s) to the flooding/drainage problem has been offered.

Among the political name-calling and blaming, a few pumps were installed, feeble efforts were made to clean the drains and trenches, and some repairs were made to a few kokers, but the

flooding continued, as increasing population meant increasing waste water being dumped into the drains, which were being selectively filled in, in the name of progress, The question that should be asked is, not how to reduce flooding in Georgetown, but how to permanently eliminate flooding, period?

Pumping out flood waters at a higher rate may work but the cost would very well be prohibitive, with a high maintenance value attached to it. It seems increasing the storage capacity of the trenches would be a permanent solution with the added perks of making it a profitable enterprise.

How can this be done? _ select five kokers from Meadowbrook/Houston to Kingston and rebuild them to a size of 10 meters wide by 10 meters deep - Select five canal sites, north/south, with theTurkeyen/Cummings Lodge trench being the first one in the east - These ten canals at approximately 1500 meters long would create a continuous reservoir of approx. 1.5 million cubic meters of water.

- Soil removed from the canals could be used to raise street and ground level.

- Clay bricks, which have proven their lasting ability since Romans times, can be used to make three feet thick walls and floor. This would drastically reduce the cost of construction.

An army corps of engineers with 3000 workers, most of whom are minimum wage employees, should be considered.

The potential here is enormous, but I will leave it up to the readers to offer comments.

Albert R. Cumberbatch, Ph. D.

diamonds negatively affected the fabric of that society, Nigeria’s oil facilitated corruption of the political class. But Botswana managed its diamonds to produce the fastest growing economy in the world and Norway used its oil to achieve the world’s highest living standards.

This view of a resource curse is perhaps the most troubling one for countries that are really struggling to transcend poverty. The revenues that they could garner from natural resources are enormous dwarfing any conceivable flow of aid.

These assets could assist such countries to escape the evil grasp of poverty.

Perhaps, the difference between those resource- rich countries that underperform and those that do well is the approach to environmental management, and governance.

Environmental governanceis particularly concerned with the processes of decisionmaking with respect to the control and management of the environment and natural resources.

It also has to do with the steady interaction, formal and informal, of main actors including but not limited to state, market and civil society to make and implement policies, to achieve environmentallysustainable development.

Some of its key principles include embedding the natural environment in all levels of decision- making, seeing cities and local neighbourhoods, communities, economic and political life as a part of the total environment and placing emphasis on the connection of people to the ecosystems in which they live.

Understanding that, Guyana, in this period of our history and in the context of the global environmental situation, must pay keen attention to, at least, three vital things: First, good local environmental governance: Clearly, the protection and preservation of the integrity of our natural environment must be based on solutions and initiatives at the local level designed with and by local communities.

Heavy community awareness, participation and strong partnership supported by decentralisation of powers to local communities are very crucial components of local environmental governance.

This is a shift from earlier approaches, which was propelled by state agendas and resource control and topdown approach. In essence, it puts the public back in the

picture at the grassroots level.

This would allow for a new institutional framework which permits communities in decision- making regarding access to and use of natural resources.

This could be encouraged by formal and informal regulations processes such as consultations and participative democracy, and social interactions. This could be supported by conditions of access to social capital, including local knowledge, leaders and local shared vision, and democratic access to information and decisionmaking.

Again, good governance is really about democracy.

Democracy generates accountability. Citizens’ votes enhance their opportunity to hold governments accountable and to allow them to do what is best for voters. This includes, among other things, putting in place sound economic and environmental policies.

These are vital to the connection between revenues from natural resources andtranscending poverty, in poor countries.

Therefore, democracy can raise standards of governance, which in turn could banish “resource curse.”

Second, good environmental awareness and education: This is vital to empowering citizens to take appropriate action to secure the environment and its resources. Informed citizens make strong, health and active communities.

Such communities are likely to be very active in decision- making and processes that are connected with the exploitation and use

of resources in and even beyond their boundaries.

This would encourage transparency, accountability and an ethical approach to the use of revenues from such natural assets.

Further, our nation’s future relies on a well-educated public to be wise and prudent stewards of the very environment that sustains us, our families and communities, and future generations.

It is environmental education which can best help us as individuals make the complex, conceptual connections between economic prosperity, benefits to society, environmental health, and our own wellbeing.

Ultimately, the collective wisdom of our citizens, gained through education, will be the most compelling and most successful strategy for environmental management.

I believe a good place to start is in our schools, particularly at the primary level. Two reasons: It is a good entry point to begin to mould the minds of our children and inculcate in them a sense of deep environmental value.

Second, the flow of different energies, at different levels, allows our children to come up with solutions and initiatives that could help with some of the environmental challenges we now face. Children too have a view on the way the world should be managed. They may surprise us, if we include them in our effort to keep intact the integrity of our natural world.

Third, good environmental stewardship: This is a very nebulous concept but it is vital to sustainable (Continued on page 63)

Page 62

Kaieteur News

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Female to work in prodcution department - Call: 644-5151 One live-in person to care for an elderly man in Georgetown- Call:223-9888 1 family to work & live in for an elderly man & living @ Timehri (living accommodation free) - Call: 223-9888

Sunday May 31, 2015

FOR RENT PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 1 complete House @ 5th Field Cummings Lodge, 1-2 bottom flat @ 99 CC Eccles – Contact:625-2685 1 (3) bedroom house situated at 17 Herstelling New Scheme - Tel: 233-5240 or 689-6965 Five bedrooms house, 107 Lamaha Gardens & Large Parking; AC Rooms Hot & Cold, Purified Water System Call: 661-8908, 335-3590 CHARLOTTE ST, TWO STORIED, 3-BEDROOM, 3BA, GARAGE, BUSINESS DOWNSTAIRS, NO AGENTS PLEASE $3200USD/MONTH – CALL: 650-1031 Three bedroom bottom flat to rent -$45,000 per month- Tel: 672-7194 or 692-7377 Vreed-en-Hoop Junction: office, storage bond or other business. Call: 680-9905 Hall for wedding, all occasions, seawall view @ 44 Public Road Kitty –Tel: 231-1908/12 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 675-0767, 627-5098 One 3 bedroom upper flat apartment for rental in 5th Avenue, Diamond H/Scheme E.B.D. Tel: 662-9335 New spacious 2 bedroom apartments with kitchen, bath, camera, grill, fenced, secured yard, Vreed-en-Hoop - Call: 6825230; 628-9596 One single room at 11 Charles Street Charlestown (Bachelor only) - Tel: 223-4060.

Vacation Rental: cool and comfortable fully-furnished 2 bedroom vacation apartment. Call: 678-6690 Prime business place on Sheriff Street to rent only for office. Call: 627-6740 WANTED Taxi Drivers wanted at Princess Hotel - Tel: 616-5419

1 L-Touring Wagon, excellent condition - A.C Alarm & Remote start, flair kit, CD player, 16" mags, price -$1.3M - Tel: 626-2884 Minibus BKK Series; price$950,000, owner leaving country –Tel: 222-6628 or 692-2602 Blow Out Sale!!!

Unregistered Toyota IST $2,100,000- Bodykit, TV, Spoiler, Fogs, Alloy Wheels, Crystal Lights & Alarm – Call: 643-6565, 226-9931 1 Noah BSS excellent condition-$1750, 1 Noah recently registered, blue bird Sylphy 2006 (unregistered) – Tel: 652-0709; 614-4777 Toyota Hilux 5L Manual $2.350M negotiable –Tel: 684-1776; 617-8188 (2) 75 DAF GHH 7237, GNN 5366, 1 IST Car PMM 755 – Contact: 613-5212, 664-1030 Kawasaki Ninja Motor cycle 250CC, good condition $500,000 –Tel: 696-2815 Honda Civic Motor car, good condition- $1.8M –Tel: 6962815 1-AT192 Carina (private), automatic, fully powered, A/ C, mags, CD Player, price $850,000 Contact Rocky 2251400,621-5902 1 Isuzu canter open back (diesel engine), manual, short base, price $1.2 M- Excellent condition- Contact Rocky 225-1400, 621-5902 1-AT212 Carina (private new model), automatic, fully powered, A/C, mags, CD, alarm, Price $1.4M Contact Rocky 225-1400, 621-5902 1- Toyota RZ (excellent condition) manual, CD player, mags, 15 seater, price -$900,000 – Contact Rocky: 225-1400, 621-5902 1- Toyota Land Rover (Discovery) manual , fully powered, alarm , 4X4 Diesel (2700 cc) Price -$6.7M Contact Rocky: 225-1400, 621-5902 1- Toyota RZ (hardly used), manual, CD player mags, 15 seater, price -$1.4M - Contact Rocky: 225-1400, 621-5902 1- Toyota Raum (PPP series) automatic, fully powered, AC, alarm –price -$1.3M Contact Rocky: 225-1400, 621-5902 Star Cars Auto Sales: In Stock, Premio, Vitz, Bluebird, IST, Alteeza, Benz C200, Spacio –Tel: 679-3140

VEHICLE FOR SALE Toyota Prado, Price$4.4M Neg. Call: 643-2403 First Class Auto: 09 Allion, 05 Premio, 06 Allion, Bluebird, Rush, Spacio, Runx, IST, Carina 212, Verossa, Mark 2, Axio –Tel: 609-8188; 638-3045 1 Toyota Premio (PNN Series) in immaculate condition. Including: mag rims, HID lights, alarm. $2M negotiable- Call:679-9800 New model Allion: TV reverse camera, low mileage -$3,300,000 negotiable –Tel: 655-3400 One Toyota Allion 2004 Model & 1 new & unregistered Mazda Axela, excellent condition -Tel: 649-0956

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1- Toyota Picnic (7 Seater) 4 doors, automatic, fully powered, A/C, mags, alarm CD –Price -$2.3M –Contact: Rocky: 225-1400, 621-5902 Mitsubishi Galant in excellent condition$950,000 negotiable. Owner migrating- Call: 651-5692 AT192, 212, Allion, unregistered Premio, Hilux Surf, BNN, RZ & Pit-bull, 7 seater super custom. Cash / terms- Call:680-3154 We buy & sell vehicles for cash, also parts available & 30 seater buses; Extra Cab pickups; 2006 TacomaCall:680-3154

2 Ford F350 2006 model, extended cab 4X4, 6" lift kit, 35" tyres, diesel, auto, excellent condition - Tel: 610-5370 One tractor operator to work in Mahaicony River must know about rice work. Tel: 225-6571; 644-6905 V8 Titan (2005) KIA SPORTAGE 2003 - Call: 275-1230

TO LET Prime office space @ lot 239 Quamina Street, Central Georgetown, parking available in Private yard.

Tel: 592-227-2913, 592-6893033

04 BMW 318I (MYSTIC BLUE) M SPORT PRR 9445 , DVD DECK, REMOTE STARTALARM, REVERSE CAMERA -$3M. CONTACT FARAD: 619-4544

Two bedroom apartment & studio @ Eccles – Call: 6447000, 233-3133 or 233-2369

Noah and Voxy Unregistered.

Call: 668-0000, 603-7900

One three bedrooms top flat L.B.I East Coast - Call: 2267585 Church to let @ 180 Charlotte St. Bourda $150M negotiable- Call:2276817 or 624-7341

170 Carina PFF Series recently overhauled, needs some work, asking price $420,000 negotiable. Call: 667-7337 1 Toyota Prado & Toyota Hilux both in excellent condition, owner migrating – Call: 601-0053; 691-8079 Toyota Allex, Raum, BB, AT192, AT212, Premio, Hilux Pick up, RZ minibus & Pitbull, Nissan Blue Bird –Tel: 644-5096; 697-1453 1 212 Carina AC, CD, Mags with wood finish interior, PNN, never work hire, excellent condition -$1.150 – Call: 619-1047 Tractor Massey Ferguson from Canada: MF 135- $1.2M, MF 165 -$1.8M, MF 265 $2.1M, ranger pickup -$1.5M Tel: 682-5230, 628-9596 Toyota RZ, BMM series excellent condition -$1.5M negotiable - Tel: 696-3564; 629-4577 Unregistered Corolla Fielder 2003, body kit, fog, rear spoiler, dark interior, roof rack Call: 617-5536 Car for sale: AE100 Sprinter (Toyota), price -$400,000 negotiable - Contact: 660-6774 Massey Ferguson 399 Contact: 601-9903

Apartments in Eccles, rooms in Albertown - Tel: 698-7807

One bedroom apartment at Mon Repos, no ChildrenTel: 662-9043

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’S CAR RENTALCALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YAHOO.COM/WWW. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL:CARS&SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 2193900, EMAIL: PRO_AUTO RENTAL@YAHOO.COM Aidan’s Car & Pickup rental, cheap rate, low security - Tel: 698-7807 DRESSMAKING Evening wear and more – made to order Call Sharmie (Canadian Trained Designer) 626-2629, 6766312 Continued on page 63

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 63

Kaieteur M@ilbox Oil discovery should be...

From page 61 development of our economy. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It is predicated upon the pillars of economic, environmental and ecological, economy and equity and governance.

Again, good environmental stewardship is concerned with transforming natural resources into value for both the present and future generations. Mankind’s task is not to be curators of our natural assets but transformers of value.

It is in this context; President David Granger ’s action to set up a NationalSovereign Fund, to save and invest a portion of the revenues from our natural resources is particularly relevant and vital to the wellbeing and future of our next generation. What really matters is not that we have found oil but exactly how the revenues generated from it are shared and utilised.

Also, we have to enact strict and

enforceable laws to protect our natural environment.

This calls for the government improving the competencies, capabilities and technological capacities of appropriate institutions to ensure compliance to environmental laws, regulations and standards.

The few environmental agencies, we have, here, in Guyana, do not have the competencies to even do proper tests, impact assessments and other related activities.

The recent unfortunate incident, in our hinterlands that claimed the lives of gold miners is a good case in point.

Poor environmental practices resulting from a stark inability, on the part of, relevant institutions, bodies and agencies to effectively enforce even minimum standards.

Finally, It is important that we strike a good and necessary balance between our push for prosperity and an ethical approach to our natural environment.

Royston King Executive Director Environmental Community Health

GUYSUCO is in its death...

From page 6 who examines what goes on in his estate from the spreadout on his computer, to the Board of Directors who never tested the veracity of information presented to them, to the politicians who sidelined sound advice preferred to be ostriches presiding over an industry as if it were an “old boys club”.

The list of underperformers/non performers is much longer. Suffice it to say that the failure of the sugar industry is an indictment to this very long list of operatives who only saw and decided on the instant. They were oblivious to the future.

Guysuco has been ailing for several years now.

Where is their Plan B?? If there is one, who is keeping it close to his chest?

And this brings me to the

conclusion that, unless our nation’s political leaders can agree on a twenty-year plan as to where this country is going and how it will get there, we will continue to lock in our vision to 5-year (or 3year) terms with national programmes and emphases restricted to those time blocks.

If and when another party gets in, the spin starts all over again. This has been the sorry history and reality of this nation. Aren’t we going to learn?

Neither must Managers think that they are omniscient.

That is the recipe for chaos and destruction. Guysuco (and the bauxite industry) are signposts of that fact.

The subsidy to the sugar industry must end sometime.

It is difficult to see it going beyond December of this year. The other revenue

The scourge of poverty...

From page 4 of election not less than 35 days before election day.

From this one can see that setting the election date depends on the completion of the general audit.

If the audits are carried out in time, the earliest the elections can be held would be some time in October, in observance of the law.

The Act provides for Demarcation of existing Village Lands, where it addresses the granting of additional lands for extension of Villages, and for new communities.

In reply to comments that Amerindians together own a larger percentage of Guyana’s land area, in proportion to their numbers, than other ethnic groups, I should point out here that much of the communally owned land is arid or swampy or otherwise unproductive, even in the hands of

a people with the longest traditional knowledge of living off its land. Our growing population therefore needs extensions if it is to continue its affinity with nature to the benefit of the whole nation.

New and pending applications for Village land extensions and new communities must comply with the Act. One of its requirements is that applications must be accompanied by a plan showing the existing village lands, on the basis of a survey by a qualified Land Surveyor and paid for by the State.

This was one of the declared uses of the Norwegian funds, for which, by the way, we look forward to an accounting.

I hope the Minister will take all the above into consideration as he takes decisions for the benefit of all involved.

Patrick Fitzpatrick

generating sectors are also underperforming. So the pool from which subsidies are taken out will get smaller and smaller. And oil money is not on the horizon.

This article is not intended to be exhaustive. Rather, it seeks to represent my views premised on my knowledge of the sugar industry, my interaction with stakeholders within the industry and the fact that I have lived most of my on a sugar estate and, first and foremost, I am a patriot.

I wish hereby to invite persons to join in using whatever forum they prefer to make a contribution of their ideas to influence, immediately, the avoidance of breadlining thousands of people directly connected to the sugar industry and, ultimately, the collapse of related economic and social sectors in the not too distant future.

Taajnauth Jadunauth FOR SALE Crashed Toyota IST 07 Model. Price negotiable, tel: 614-1443 DAF truck: flat rack, Perkins eagle turbo, 350LM, 12.17LT, 350HP, GVW 3200KG, mileage 7100km- Call: 676-9413, 2230050 SIGMA GENERATOR 30KVA, BRAND NEW, AUTO TRANSFER SWITCH, DIESEL, SUPER SILENT, SINGLE PHASE, FROM USA -$3M –CALL: 650-1031 WOOD- USED T-SHORE AND 3/8 PLYWOOD, TO CAST DECKING, ONLY USED ONCE, HALF PRICE. CALL: 650-1031 Pine cupboard doors 16"x27" $3,200. Also any size made on order- Call Singh: 621-1278

FOR SALE

From page 62

LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Male Enhancement; 4 in each pack -$500 - Tel: 638-1627

PROPERTY FOR SALE Property for sale, Grove $18M neg. Tel: 625-5461.

Complete engine/ electric Lucas Mill - $1.2M. All mill spares and frame - Call: 6935281

Property at Covent Garden E.B.D, serious inquiries – Call: 265-3586

Attention Loggers!!! Anchor seal wood wax 18000 5-G, N.C sanding sealer $4500 1-G, nail plates, metal straps - Tel: 2653541; 695-4785

Property at Leonora New Scheme –Tel: 678-9851 Property at Kersaint Park LBI, price $13M negotiableContact:664-1865; 698-5713

Spare for washing machine, microwaves, fridges, stoves, timers, gearbox, motors, etc call:225-9032,647-2943 Great Deals on video games and all gaming consoles, PC games, phone games & applications - Call: 672-2566; 265-3232

Property for sale or rental located in Eccles. Contact: 602-8703

Farm Produce: large quantity at wholesale price: cassava, plantain, etc –Call: 265-3586

Residential lots ad houses for sale at Eccles, E.B.D $7.5M. Tel:592-227-2913 or 689-3033 FOR SALE IN CENTRAL GEORGETOWN: SPACIOUS HOUSE IN DESIRABLE BEL-AIR, NEW HAVEN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. CALL: 647-8851 1 Flat concrete house 20X38 feet, land space: 100X200 feet. Tel: 694-1090 or 661-6073

Sale! Dell Computers complete from -$55,000 free educational software and games, Blackberry -$14,000 @ FutureTech: 231-2206 One Mitsubishi Canter 3 tons long wheel base with hydraulic tail gate –Call: 6997559 One accent Hyundai- Price $250,000 neg. Contact: 6100517 Cement mixer with diesel engine, this can mix approximately 10 bags at once – Call: 618-6577 1 Honda XR 125 Bike, In Excellent Condition -Call 2258066 1- AT170 EFI car for parts, 1AT170 Stick shift driving Tel: 677-5041 One private school for rent on West Bank Demerara$130,000 monthly – Call: 6430777 2004 Honda 500 ATV 4X4 strong running engine for $400,000 negotiable. Call: 650-6178; 688-1202 Rare and expensive stamps first day covers/post cards/ coins & paper moneyContact: 227-6817; 624-7341

Flat concrete house, 3 apartment’s good location, Friend Ship, East Bank$9.5M negotiable -Tel: 6618700; 671-2689

Transported concrete property for sale at Lot 458 Block “8” Mon Repos, E.C.D, Top flat 2 bedrooms, bottom flat 2 bedrooms $20M. Tel: 625-1514 Property at William St Campbellville, 2 family – 3 bedrooms over 2 bedrooms, 3 Baths 50FTX100FT lot.

Call Cheryl: 226-8915 (9am4:30pnm) & Winston (917) 202-7444 CHARLOTTE ST, TWO STORIED, 3-BEDROOM, 3BA, GARAGE, BUSINESS DOWNSTAIRS, NO AGENTS PLEASE, $80M NON- NEGOTIABLE – CALL: 650-1031 Property @ Lot 63 West Ruimveldt, Estate Housing Scheme Georgetown – Contact Mark: 618-9744

Complete engine & transmission (5VZ-FDI (3400cc) (Tacoma 2002), rear springs, & Axle steering, shocks suspension, doors and more – Call Sam: 6163577

For a nursery and green house attendant: able bodied and experienced – Contact Eustace: 678-3859 Cutter/straight stitch/ button tack/hole operators.

Call: 222-2541 (8:00am4:00pm Mon-Fri) Hostess, Porters, Bartenders, Waitresses apply 16 Mudlot Kingston, Tel; 223-5274 Cashier, helpers & commission sales person, apply with written application @ Sachi General Store, 136 Regent Street – Tel: 227-2472 Cashiers & supermarket helpers apply in person with written application at Nirva Supermarket @ 49, Sheriff & Craig Street C/ Ville -Tel: 227-5771 Customer Service Representative for food court apply in person to Dixielee, Lamaha Street.

Sales Clerk to work in a Bond send application to rtilak@adamantiumholdings. com Accounts Clerk must have CAT level 2/CXC-Maths and Accounts apply rtilak@ adamantiumholdings.com One female clerk - Call: 2315171

LAND FOR SALE Corner Lot Garnette & Republic Streets Newtown Kitty 58.4X30.8, ideal for business - Call: 645-0616 (no agents)

LEARN TO DRIVE

Commercial lots available at Eccles E.B.D $14M - Tel:592227-2913 or 592-689-3033 Gated luxury community: mall, pool, underground irrigation, swipe card entry$6USD per sq. ft.- Call:6090783

Soman, Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj BuildingTel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

Professional Realty: we buy/sell/rent/value your real estate –Call:694-3875; 6490535; 654-6198

LAND FOR SALE

$1.8M (50FTX80FT) @ Parfaite Harmonie, 2 Storied Diamond property -$38M. We buy & Sell low income land –Call: 611-7223

Brand new 2 storey, 3 bedrooms building for sale in 5th Avenue, Diamond H/ Scheme E.B.D. Tel: 662-9335.

One two stroke 90 Yamaha outboard, one 14ft aluminum boat, one 25 Yamaha 4 stroke outboard –Contact: 601-1138

VACANCY Hire Car drivers to work with taxi service –Tel: 611-1018 or 622-0722

Land at Farm East B a n k Deme rara Call: 668-0000, 603-7900

Page 64

Kaieteur News

Moonilal dares Jack to bring - PP ‘not afraid’ tapes Trinidad Guardian Leader of Government Business Dr Roodal Moonilal says the People’s Partnership (PP) is not afraid of Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner’s threat to release secret tapes of wrongdoing

by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and party officials.

In fact, he thinks Warner is bluffing and the threat will come to nought.

Questioned about the threat in Parliament Friday, Moonilal told reporters the Government was not fearful of Warner, but he warned Warner to stay away from the PM. “I never saw him as a threat and that was before the 14-count indictment,” Moonilal said.

During a cottage meeting of his Independent Liberal Party (ILP) at Endeavour Road, Chaguanas, on Thursday night, Warner had promised to expose PersadBissessar’s wrongdoings.

Saying he felt his life was now threatened, he said he planned to distribute tapes of the wrongdoing to lawyers for the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ), People’s National Movement (PNM), ILP and his own attorney, adding he will make certain revelations about PersadBissessar from next month.

“Everything I have against Kamla, I will bring it out,” Warner told supporters, adding he was upset that P e r s a d - B i s s e s s a r ’s Government had done all it could to ensure he was jailed following his court appearance on Wednesday and that the PM had also denied he funded the party’s

Jack Warner

election campaigns.

Friday, Moonilal said he felt Warner’s one night in jail on Wednesday would have “calmed him down and allowed him to reflect on his own mortality, political and otherwise, but Friday night and yesterday he comes with the same recklessness and mauvais langue.”

“That is why we have to, in a way, discount him now,” Moonilal said.

He said the PM and the Government was not afraid of Warner’s so-called tapes, as he was “known historically for having blank tapes, empty envelopes and files.”

But he said Warner should be more concerned about the legal matters being brought against him and the Fifa executives by the United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch and not PersadBissessar.

He said Warner had seven questions for the Government in Parliament Friday and “the United States government has 14 questions for him, so he should really concentrate on Loretta E Lynch and leave Kamla Persad-Bissessar alone.”

Warner is now wanted in the US to answer charges of racketeering, money laundering and other alleged offences in connection with his tenure as a Fifa executive.

He is expected to re-appear in court on July 9.

Moonilal said he did not know “who in the world today, across the globe is prepared to believe Mr Warner, Mr Blatter (re-elected Fifa president) and Mr Webb (former Concacaf president) and others. I don’t know who will believe them today.”

He said after getting reports of Warner’s statements on Thursday “all I am prepared to tell Jack is that his problem is not Kamla, it is Loretta and he should focus on that.”

Warner ’s claim about Roopnarine’s involvement in some questionable meeting between Persad-Bissessar and contractors, he said, was also ludicrous. Roopnarine also dismissed Warner’s claim, saying such a meeting never took place.

Moonilal said Warner’s statements at the meeting also reflected “a sad ending to a public life.”

Sunday May 31, 2015

Suriname elections transparent, free and fair, says CARICOM observer mission PA R A M A R I B O , Suriname - According to a preliminary statement by the CARICOM election observation mission (CEOM) to Suriname, the results of the activity on polling day on Monday, May 25, monitored

by CEOM proved that the process was transparent, free and fair. Electors cast their vote without fear, intimidation or harassment.

Preliminary results from Monday’s elections show the incumbent National Democratic Party (NDP) of President Desi Bouterse won another term in office, taking more than half of the 51 seats contested.

An eight-member CARICOM election observation mission comprising observers from The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago was stationed in Suriname on the invitation of the government to observe that country’s general elections. The objective of the mission was to monitor the electoral process, including the opening of the poll; the

voting process; the closing of the poll; and the counting of the ballots. There were 356,223 registered voters in the 10 districts and 623 polling stations. The CEOM was divided into four teams comprising two persons each and visited the districts of Paramaribo, Para, Commewijne and Wanica, observing the voting process in several polling stations and gathering as much information as possible on the process.

The reports from the teams indicated that all polling stations visited opened at the official time of 7:00 am. Prior to this, as prescribed by law, the ballot boxes were viewed as empty by the poll workers and agents of the political parties and then sealed by the chairperson (presiding officer) before the first person voted.

Political parties were well represented by their agents at all the polling stations visited as the law permits campaigning to take place within the precincts of polling stations. There were no reports of any disturbances

and voters, who appeared to be very knowledgeable of the process, were allowed to exercise their franchise without intimidation. The workers in the polling stations were efficient and this allowed for a smooth process throughout the day as long lines were seen at only a few polling stations.

The counting of ballots commenced about an hour after the close of the polls at 7:00 pm and was conducted in an orderly manner in the presence of the polling agents from the various political parties.

The presence of security personnel was evident at all polling stations visited and this would have contributed to the order that was exhibited throughout the day.

Generally, the results of the day’s activity on polling day gleaned by the CEOM proved that the process was transparent, free and fair.

Electors cast their vote without fear, intimidation or harassment and the results would have represented the will of the people.

More than 4,200 migrants rescued in Mediterranean as crisis grows More than 4,200 migrants trying to reach Europe have been rescued from boats in the Mediterranean in last 24 hours, the Italian coastguard said on Saturday.

In some of the most intense Mediterranean migrant traffic of the year, a total of 4,243 people have been saved from fishing boats and rubber dinghies in 22 operations involving ships from nations including Italy, Ireland, Germany, Belgium and Britain.

On Friday the Italian navy said 17 dead bodies had been found on one of the boats off Libya. Details of the nationalities of the victims and how they died have not yet been released.

The bodies and more than 200 survivors will be brought to the port of Augusta in eastern Sicily aboard the Italian navy corvette Fenice later on Saturday, the coastguard said.

Migrants escaping war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East this year have been pouring into Italy, which has been bearing the brunt of Mediterranean rescue operations.

Most depart from the coast of Libya, which has descended into anarchy since Western powers backed a 2011 revolt that ousted Muammar Gaddafi.

Calm seas are increasingly favouring departures as warm spring weather sets in.

Last month around 800 migrants drowned

off Libya in the Mediterranean’s most deadly shipwreck in living memory when their 20metre long fishing boat capsized and sank.

That spurred the European Union to agree on a naval mission to target gangs smuggling migrants from Libya, but a broader plan to deal with the influx is in doubt due to a dispute over national quotas for housing asylum seekers.

The EU plan to disperse 40,000 migrants from Italy and Greece to other countries met with resistance this week, with Britain saying it would not participate and some eastern countries calling for a voluntary scheme.

Around 35,500 migrants arrived in Italy from the beginning of the year up to the first week of May, the UN refugee agency estimated, a number which has swelled considerably since. About 1,800 are either dead or missing.

Most of those rescued on Friday and Saturday are expected to reach ports around southern Italy during the weekend.

The British naval vessel HMS Bulwark offloaded more than 740 early on Saturday at the southeastern Italian port of Taranto.

More than 200 migrants arrived at the Calabrian port of Crotone in south-west Italy on board the Belgian navy ship Godetia.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 65

Page 66

Kaieteur News

Sunday May 31, 2015

Region told to brace for 11 named storms this year BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — The USbased National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting six to 11 named storms for the 2015 Atlantic hurricane season even as regional disaster officials warned Caribbean countries not to become complacent.

NOAA said of the 11 named storms, six could become hurricanes and two major hurricanes in excess of winds of 111 miles per hour (mph).

“The main factor expected to suppress the hurricane season this year is El Niño, which is already affecting wind and pressure patterns, and is forecast to last through the hurricane season,” said Dr. Gerry Bell, the lead seasonal hurricane forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

“El Niño may also intensify as the season progresses, and is expected to have its greatest influence during the peak months of the season. We also expect sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic to be close

to normal, whereas warmer waters would have supported storm development.”

Executive Director of the Barbados-based Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Ronald Jackson, is urging regional countries to be fully prepared for the 2015 season.

“I am particularly peeved that the focus on climate change has largely been heavy on clean technology energy efficiency, which is important because that is also going to be a major gamechanger for our economies, but we have not seen a requisite focus on the areas of preparedness for response,” he said.

Jackson said that while the region would not be spared the impact of climate change, it was vital to look at the related effects such as increases in vector-related issues like mosquito-borne illnesses and more weatherrelated issues including floods and droughts and put systems in place to address these.

“But we are not investing

in the ability to cope with these expected scenarios, we are not increasing the capacities of our first responder core such as our fire fighters, (or) our health services,” he said.

He acknowledged the financial problems facing Caribbean countries, but nevertheless felt that more could be done as individual states and as a region to prepare for such occurrences.

He adopted a similar stance regarding the general level of preparation for emergency situations at the national level, insisting that “the area of preparing for response has not been one that has benefitted from significant investment of resources, either nationally or in the broader programme in the region.

“This is one of the reasons that CDEMA has actually positioned preparedness and response as one of its major priority programmes that it would be seeking to have resourced to ratchet up the level of preparedness in our member states,” he added.

Govt. to ease up new squatters Trinidad Express - In a massive concession to squatters all over the country, Government has brought a bill which would allow persons who began squatting on designated State lands as late as June 13, 2014, to have entitlement to the land.

Anyone in occupation of a dwelling house who illegally settled on lands in a designated area up to June 13, 2014, are about to be handed a major amnesty.

The bill does not speak about the size of the plots that would be regularised, but it confirms Government is proposing to alter the qualifying or cut-off date, which had originally been

January 1, 1998, to embrace tens of thousands of squatters who occupied designated State lands over the succeeding 16-year period.

These lucky squatters would be protected from eviction because they would acquire a certificate of comfort and eventual title to the land.

The original bill was assented to in October 2000.

In that bill, the “appointed day” upon which the person had to squat or otherwise occupy the State land to qualify was January 1, 1998.

Any squatting after this period was in contravention of the provisions of the act.

As an indication of the massive scope of the proposed extension, the previous bill had a 12-page schedule which contained the designated areas in which squatters were granted the benefit of regularisation. The proposed bill, (State Land Regularisation of Tenure Amend-ments Bill) has a schedule of 18 pages of designated areas.

These areas are all over the country, but the vast majority of areas appear to be along the East-West Corridor.

There are at least seven squatting sites in the Moruga/Tableland constituency while in St Joseph, there are nine sites, including Bamboo 1, Bamboo 2, Bamboo 3; Bangladesh, Farm Road, Maracas Valley, Mount Hope and Mr D’or.

Some areas in the schedule however appear quite extensive and undefined. For example, the schedule states “Maraval”, “Mount Hope”, “Cu-muto”, “Williamsville”, “Woodland”.

Government Leader Dr Roodal Moonilal said Friday the House of Representatives would debate the bill next Wednesday.

Friday, Chaguanas MP Jack Warner raised questions about Government bringing fundamental legislation in the dying days of Parliament.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Kaieteur News

Syrian air raids kill dozens of civilians in north A Syrian air force raid killed at least 59 civilians at a market in a town held by Islamic State militants in northern Syria on Saturday, according to a monitoring group.

The strike on the town of al-Bab, northeast of Aleppo, used barrel bombs, which are steel drums full of shrapnel and explosives, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied the air force uses such devices.

Dozens of people were also wounded in the attack, according to the monitoring group, which gathers information from sources on the ground. The town has been the focus of several heavy bombardments by the military since late last year.

A second Syrian air force raid in a rebelheld part of Aleppo killed at least 12 civilians on Saturday, the Observatory said.

The United Nations strongly condemned the bombing, which it said killed at least 70 civilians, citing news reports.

Staffan de Mistura, the UN’s special envoy for Syria, said it was “totally unacceptable that the Syrian air force attacks its own territory in an indiscriminate way, killing its own citizens, as it brutally happened today in Aleppo.”

“The use of barrel bombs must stop,” he added.

State news agency SANA did not report on these raids but, citing a military source, said the armed forces had targeted Islamic State in Aleppo province’s eastern countryside and hit insurgents on a road

running north to the border with Turkey, as well as to the south of Aleppo and within the city itself.

The military has been hit by a series of recent setbacks. Insurgents, including al Qaeda’s Syrian wing Nusra Front, celebrated inside the last government-held town in Idlib province on Friday after capturing it the night before, while Islamic State has secured its grip on the ancient central city of Palmyra.

In Syria’s northeast, clashes erupted between the military backed by allied militias and Islamic State to the south and southeast of Hasaka, the Observatory said on Friday, after the al Qaeda offshoot planted a bomb on the edge of the city.

The Observatory said the blast killed a number of pro-government fighters while at least 10 died in subsequent clashes. An Islamic State statement posted online described the blast as a suicide attack and said it had killed more than 30 of its opponents.

Hasaka province lies next to Islamic Stateheld territory in Iraq, where the group is back on the offensive after losing the city of Tikrit at the start of the month.

SANA said the Syrian military had foiled an attack on Hasaka and had killed dozens of militants in the province. It said it had been targeting Islamic State in the provincial countryside with the help of Kurdish YPG militia. The YPG, which has fought the fiercest battles against Islamic State in the northeast, says it does not coordinate with the Syrian military.

U.S. and Iran address obstacles to nuclear deal as deadline nears U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif for six hours on Saturday trying to overcome obstacles to a final nuclear agreement, a month ahead of a deadline for a deal between Tehran and six world powers.

They were the first substantive talks since Iran struck an interim accord with the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China on April 2.

“Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Zarif, along with their teams, had a thorough and comprehensive discussion of all of the issues today,” a senior State Department official said, without elaborating.

One of the issues still to be resolved is the push by the world powers for international access to Iran’s military sites and its team of atomic experts. For its part, Tehran wants sanctions to be lifted immediately after a deal is reached.

A senior U.S. official said earlier there had been substantial progress in negotiations in Vienna in recent weeks on drafting a political agreement and three technical annexes on curbing Tehran’s nuclear program.

The United States has said it will not extend the talks beyond the June 30 deadline.

“We really do believe we can get it done by (June) 30th and we’re not contemplating an extension. We just aren’t,” said the official travelling with Kerry to Geneva, adding that Kerry’s schedule for June had been cleared to focus on the talks.

But France, which has demanded more stringent restrictions on the Iranians, has indicated discussions are likely to slip into July. Iran’s senior nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi also warned that the deadline might need to be extended.

Kerry was due to visit Paris on Monday after a quick trip to Madrid on Sunday.

INSPECTIONS

A Western diplomat said inspections of military sites by U.N. watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and access to Iran’s scientists were critical to checking whether Iran was pursuing a clandestine nuclear weapons program.

“If the IAEA can’t have access to (the scientists) or the military sites then its a problem,” the Western diplomat said. “The IAEA needs sufficient access quickly to those sites to ensure things don’t just disappear.”

The State Department official took a similar view, saying without access “we’re not going to sign” a deal.

Iran denies any ambition to develop a nuclear weapon and says its program is purely peaceful. “The issue of interviews with nuclear scientists is generally off the table as well as the inspection of military sites,” Araqchi told reporters as he arrived for the talks with Kerry. “How additional protocol would be implemented is still a matter of disagreement that we are still talking about.”

Iran’s demand that sanctions be rescinded immediately after a deal is also holding up a settlement as the powers’ have said they can only be removed in staggered phases.

Tehran-based analyst Saeed Laylaz said he expected a deal to be finalised despite resistance from opponents in Iran and the United States.

“Neither America nor Iran have a choice but to reach a deal,” he told Reuters. “Failure to reach a deal will fuel tension in the region.”

Mark Fitzpatrick, a former State Department official now at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said an agreement was likely some time in July.

“The most difficult compromises have already been made,” he said. “But the Iranians could overplay their hand on the incorrect assumption that (U.S. President Barack) Obama needs a deal more than they do.”

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Farah surges to year’s fastest 10,000 meters EUGENE, Oregon (Reuters) Olympic and world champion Mo Farah kept his four-year winning streak over 10,000 meters intact in running the year’s fastest time of 26 minutes, 50.97 seconds at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting on Friday. Briton Farah, challenged

by Kenyan Paul Tanui, pushed to the front with 350m to go to defeat Tanui, who ran 26:51.86.

Geoffrey Kamworor, also of Kenya, took third in 26:52.65.

“It would have been good to run a little bit faster,” Farah said. “Training has been going pretty well.

“But it was tough. It was difficult doing it all the way

by yourself. The pacemakers the first couple of laps were spot on, then it slowed down a lot.

“We were just going back and forth and that’s wasting a lot of energy,” said Farah, who was hoping for a time in the 26:30 range.

His next race will be a 1,500m at next month’s Birmingham Diamond League meeting.

“I don’t know what is going to happen after that,” said Farah, who is undecided on whether to try for another distance double at August’s world championships in Beijing.

Ethiopian world junior champion Yomif Kejelcha stole the show in the men’s

5,000m, running a lifetime best 13:10.54, also the year’s fastest time.

The 17-year-old surged past Olympic 10,000m silver medalist Galen Rupp with 300m to go and won comfortably.

He had won the world junior championship on the same Hayward Field track last July.

Kenyan Edwin Soi claimed second in 13:11.97 and hometown favorite Rupp faded to third in 13:12.36.

Also on the first day of the two-day meeting, American long jumper Tianna Bartoletta became the first woman to leap over seven meters this year though her mark of 7.11m was wind-aided.

Sunday May 31, 2015 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) This is a great day to strut your stuff, Aries. You're on top of the world, so enjoy it, your family, and the people around you. You're at the forefront of the action and you don't miss a beat, regardless of the conversation buzzing around you.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may feel tense, Taurus, perhaps because someone close to you disregards the way you feel. You feel as if this person is more concerned with his or her own issues and not concerned about you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Take extra time to tend to your appearance and show off a bit today, Gemini. Keep your shoulders back and head high. Be the proud person you are. You should feel validated.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You may be called upon to host a gathering in your own home, Cancer. At first this could throw you into a panic because you don't think your house is clean enough. Don't worry.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You feel confident. People can't help but notice as you radiate a loving, peaceful calm, Leo. Eyes will turn your way, and complete strangers may come up to you and tell you how attractive you are.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may be running into obstacles associated with your goals. You may feel you aren't getting the support and cooperation you deserve.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is a great day for you, Libra. Unexpected reunions are possible, thanks to the lighthearted aura you radiate.

You don't need to work very hard to bring everything your way.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may wonder why all the attention isn't focused on you. Perhaps you feel cheated and irritable. The more annoyed you get, the more you will drive others away instead of draw them to you.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) This is a climactic time for you, Sagittarius. You may feel like many difficult issues are coming to a head. You may lash out and snap at people who don't deserve it. Your actions may make the issue even more difficult to deal with.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Get into the spotlight where you belong instead of letting someone else take credit for something you did, Capricorn. Don't be shy about strutting your stuff.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) Today can be a wonderfully productive day for you, Aquarius, if you learn how to compromise. If you insist on doing things your way only, you will run into difficult emotional conflicts.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You will most likely be hungry for attention today, Pisces.

You will look at others who are on center stage and adjust your appearance or attitude in order to be more like them.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Santos seek damages from Neymar, Barca Sao Paulo (AFP) - Brazilian club Santos said Friday they have filed a complaint with FIFA against Neymar, his father, his company and Barcelona for short-changing them on the star striker’s May 2013 transfer.

Santos president Modesto Roma Junior said the Spanish investigation into alleged tax fraud in Neymar’s transfer had revealed that the real fee paid for him was at least 83.4 million euros ($91.5m) — far higher than the 57 million euros ($62m) that Barca insist they paid.

“Santos believe that Barcelona, Neymar and his company violated the transfer contract and demand payment for damages, plus interest,” Roma told journalists.

In an emotional press conference, he said he did not want to attack one of his club’s biggest heroes but had to look out for the team’s financial interests.

“We’re not taking action against our idol, we’re taking it for Santos,” he said.

“We couldn’t overlook the situation. Santos is greater than its parts. We respect everyone and their images, but we have to be compensated for the damages caused to the club.”

He said Santos had signed a contract with the parties involved for 17.1 million euros ($18.7m), plus a two-million-euro bonus in case Neymar was named a finalist for FIFA’s player of the year award.

The case also targets the Brazil captain’s company, Neymar Sports & Marketing, and his father, Neymar da Silva Santos.

It was filed with FIFA’s arbitration committee, and can later be appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, said Santos lawyer Fatima Bucker.

Spanish investigators ac-

South Turkeyen SC 5-a-side football on today South Turkeyen Sports Committee and Bannas Foundation will be hosting a 5-aside small goal Independence football competition for street teams today at the National Cultural Centre tarmac commencing at 09:00 hrs.

Among the teams set to take part are Sophia, Lodge, Durban Street and Tiger Bay. Entrance fee is $5,000 and at stake are trophies and cash prizes donated by Tent City, Mr. Sankar, Zaman Alli and Trophy Stall.

Barcelona’s Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior looks on during a training session in Sant Joan Despi, near Barcelona on May 29, 2015 (AFP Photo/Josep Lago) cuse Barcelona of concealing Cadena Ser reported last the full amount paid for month that Neymar would be Neymar by splitting it be- called as a witness in the case. tween a number of different Citing legal sources, it said he contracts with the player and had personally signed nine of Santos. the 13 contracts under invesThe La Liga side are ac- tigation. cused of defrauding the SpanProsecutors have reish tax man of 12.7 million eu- quested a prison sentence of ros. two years and three months Earlier this month a judge for Bartomeu and seven and ordered Barcelona president a half years for his predecesJosep Maria Bartomeu and sor Rosell. former president Sandro Rosell resigned over the Rosell to stand trial for tax scandal in January 2014 with fraud. his then vice president Spanish radio station Bartomeu taking charge.

Sunday May 31, 2015

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FIFA’s Blatter comes out fighting despite scandal and divisions ZURICH (Reuters) FIFA President Sepp Blatter came out fighting on Saturday as he began his fifth term in charge of soccer’s governing body, implying that the United States timed the announcement of a major corruption probe to try to scupper his re-election bid.

The 79-year-old Swiss comfortably won Friday’s vote at a FIFA congress in Zurich, having secured the support of blocks of votes from Asia and Africa, which outweighed dissenters including Europe’s powerful soccer body UEFA. He now faces the daunting task of restoring public faith in an organization tainted by allegations of graft and deeply divided over his leadership.

In an interview with Swiss television late on Friday, he criticized U.S. authorities for how they had handled their investigation. “No one is going to take it off me that it was a simple coincidence (that) this American attack (happened) two days before the elections of FIFA,” Blatter told the RTS channel. “Why didn’t they (the police) do this in March when we had the same meeting? At that time, we had less journalists.”

In a dawn swoop on a Zurich hotel on Wednesday, Swiss police arrested seven leading soccer officials, including FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb.

The arrests were connected to a bribery scandal being investigated by U.S., Swiss and other law enforcement agencies that plunged FIFA into the worst crisis in its 111-year history.

Blatter also criticized UEFA, whose president Michel Platini had called for his resignation, saying it was not setting a good example to other soccer federations.

He told reporters on Saturday that UEFA had opposed a proposal to set up an independent committee to carry out integrity checks on executive committee members before they could take office.

“This was rejected by UEFA so it couldn’t go through,” he said. “Even now, the big UEFA doesn’t have an independent ethics committee, (but) they should be an example for the other confederations... It’s not acceptable.”

He did, however, call for the two groups to work together, particularly to protect the World Cup. “They need FIFA and FIFA needs UEFA,” Blatter said.

EXPANDING POWER BASE Blatter played down the impact of the scandal on one of the world’s most powerful sports bodies, which takes in billions of dollars in revenue from TV marketing rights and sponsorships.

“These crimes which have been committed are related to North and South America and a marketing company has been mentioned, so I do not see how (FIFA) could be directly affected by this.”

“We have always tried, in my tenure of office, to eliminate all these elements or individuals.”

Blatter has not been implicated in any wrongdoing, but having ruled FIFA for nearly 20 years during which it has regularly been subject to suspicions of graft, his critics have argued it was time for him to step down.

His supporters welcomed the outcome of a vote that pitted the veteran incumbent against a sole challenger, 39year-old Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan. That support reflects Blatter’s success in expanding FIFA’s membership away from soccer’s heartlands and in exploiting

Re-elected FIFA President Sepp Blatter gestures during news conference after an extraordinary Executive Committee meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, May 30, 2015. (Reuters/Arnd Wiegmann) resentment in Africa and Asia over the perceived arrogance of the game’s powerhouse nations in Europe and South America.

Despite Blatter’s re-election, the scandal surrounding the investigations into corruption looks set to rumble on.

Platini has raised the possibility, albeit slim, of Europe boycotting the World Cup tournament, soccer’s showcase played every four years.

There has also been talk of UEFA breaking away from FIFA, although that is also seen as unlikely.

David Gill, vice chairman of England’s Football Association, confirmed on Saturday he would not take up his post on FIFA’s executive committee.

“The terribly damaging events of the last three days have convinced me it is not appropriate to be a member of the FIFA executive committee under the current leadership,” he said.

MORE INDICTMENTS TO COME? Blatter’s future could yet depend on the reaction of FIFA’s major sponsors and stakeholders such as CocaCola and McDonald’s, who have been dismayed by the arrests and U.S. prosecutors

announcing indictments of officials and companies.

A senior U.S. Internal Revenue Service official said on Friday he thought there would be further indictments, the New York Times reported,

although he declined to identify the remaining targets of the investigation.

Swiss prosecutors are investigating the award of the World Cup finals to Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022, decisions that have deepened rifts within FIFA. The choice of Qatar, a small desert state where summer daytime temperatures rarely fall below 40 degrees Celsius, was especially contentious and went against the advice of FIFA’s own technical committee.

Russia and Qatar deny wrongdoing in their bids to host the prestigious tournament, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of meddling in an effort to force Blatter out.

When asked after the vote if he could guarantee the next World Cup would still be

staged in Russia, FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke told reporters: “Yes, yes. I mean now, today ... yes the World Cup will be played in Russia and Qatar.”

Away from the crisis engulfing soccer’s administration, the under-20 World Cup got u n d e r w a y i n N e w Zealand, and more than 25,000 people turned up in Auckland for the opening game.

Preparations for the Women’s World Cup, which opens in Canada on June 6, continued with a friendly between the hosts and England before a sellout crowd in Hamilton, Ontario.

“For these women, it is not about the money, it’s about the game, it renews your faith,” said England supporter Kevin Mackowski.

“And it’s good soccer, it’s a truly beautiful game.”

Contador suffers but poised to win Giro (Reuters) Barring a crash in Sunday’s final stage, Alberto Contador is poised to win the Giro d’Italia after the Spaniard limited the damage on the 20th stage, a punishing 199-km trek from SaintVincent to Sestriere on Saturday.

The Tinkoff-Saxo rider, who won the race in 2008, lost touch with his main rivals in the penultimate climb, up the narrow dirt roads to the Colle delle Finestre, but retained the overall leader’s pink jersey.

At the end of the final ascent to Sestriere, Contador was sixth, two minutes 26 seconds behind stage winner Fabio Aru of Italy, who is second overall, two minutes two seconds behind with only one

flat stage left to Milan.

“I wasn’t feeling good, probably because of the accumulated effort, but I knew I had a good cushion in the General Classification and, even though there were plenty of kilometers to go before the finish, I preferred to ride at my rhythm,” Contador told reporters.

“There was never a moment when I thought the jersey was in danger. I maintained my calm because I knew that the difference in speeds between the groups was going to be small.

“This Giro d’Italia is in the bag now, with just tomorrow’s stage to come, so I’m already thinking of my next target.”

Contador is looking to be-

come the first rider to achieve a rare Giro/Tour de France double since the late Marco Pantani in 1998.

On Saturday, Aru jumped away from a small leading group with just under two kilometers left and did not look back, claiming his second stage win in as many days.

Canadian Ryder Hesjedal of Cannondale-Garmin was second, 18 seconds behind, and Colombian Rigoberto Uran finished third, 24 seconds off the pace.

Spain’s Mikel Landa, Aru’s Astana team mate who looked the strongest rider in the field in the climb to Colle delle Finestre, remained third overall, 3:14 behind Contador.

Chandrika, Dowrich called up for 1st Aussie Test ROSEAU, Dominica – The Selection Panel of the West Indies Cricket Board announced yesterday a 14member squad for the first Test of the International Home Test Series against Australia, starting this We d n e s d a y a t Wi n d s o r Park here.

After good showings in the three-day tour match last week, Guyanese batsman Rajendra Chandrika and Barbadian Shane

Dowrich have been named in the 14-member squad.

SQUAD: Denesh Ramdin (Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Veerasammy Permaul, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor.

Te a m M a n a g e m e n t Unit: Phil Simmons (Head

Coach), Sir Richie Richardson (Manager), Stuart Williams (Assistant Coach), Sir Curtly Ambrose (Bowling Consultant), Andre Coley (Assistant Coach), C.J. Clark (Physiotherapist), Hector Martinez Charles (Fitness Coordinator), Richard Berridge (Video Analyst), Virgil Browne (Massage Therapist) and Philip Spooner (Media Relations Manager).

(WICB)

Tinkoff-Saxo rider Alberto Contador (2nd R) of Spain climbs ahead Astana rider Fabio Aru (R) of Italy during the 236 km 19th stage of the 98th Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy) cycling race from Gravellona Toce to Cervinia, Italy, May 29, 2015. (Reuters/LaPresse/Fabio Ferrari)

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Sunday May 31, 2015

“West Indies Test cricket team – Focusing on what we do have!”

Colin E. H. Croft That headline was paraphrased from a United States Marines Corp recruiting advertisement in which a magnificently fit Master Sergeant suggests: “In the Marines, we do not worry about what we do not have. We focus on what we do have to get the job done!”

So it must be with West Indies cricket team to play against Australia later this week, with the absence of Shivnarine Chanderpaul after over 21 years of incumbency.

All good things too must come to an end. So let it be with Shiv!

But, judging from that last Test against England last month which showed that with tenacity, determination and guts, any cricket team, including WI, lowly rated as they are, could beat any other team; and recently concluded WICB President’s XI drawn game against the Aussie tourists, who exactly does WI Test team have for the upcoming two Tests against the Aussies?

While the resurrection of

the President’s XI has been lauded, one of the primary reasons for its past existence was to highlight up-and-coming peripheral players who could, in the not-too-distant future, become viable place-holders in WI Test teams proper.

When fast bowlers Joel Garner, Norbert Philip and Colin Croft were selected for President’s XI against Pakistan in 1976/77, none of us thought that we had any chance whatsoever of playing Test cricket that year.

Just before that tour, in 1976, Michael Holding, Wayne Daniel and Andy Roberts, ably abetted by Bernard Julien, Vanburn Holder and Collis King, had terrorized England almost to death after its captain, Tony Greig, had suggested that “he and England would make West Indies grovel!”

Ironically, by the time Pakistan arrived in the Caribbean in 1976/77, Holding and Daniel were injured. After President’s XI had beaten Pakistan in St. Lucia, with Joel and me getting most of the wickets, we were selected, out of the blue, to play in that historic 1st Test

in Barbados; our first.

We did not do too badly and the rest is now history but it also showed that anything can happen!

Another useful aspect of President’s XI’s in years gone by was to give actual, regular Test players, those who were somewhat rusty or not fully on the ball, a chance to get themselves settled and into proper rhythm to get many wickets or gazillions of runs, at least to get some sort of form.

Alvin Kallicharran, an absolutely integral part of WI’s batting line-up in 1976/77, was WICB’s President XI’s captain v Pakistan. He was selected to get quick form, and to lead a young team, perhaps with future situations in mind.

He got runs in President’s XI and then in the Tests too.

So, WICB’s present selectors, while praised for foresight of reintroducing the obvious importance of the President’s XI, erred somewhat with their selections for that game last week v Australia.

Especially Kemar Roach

should have been given a chance for long spells at the Aussies before Test No. 1 starts in Dominica on Wednesday, as he looked badly out of shape and out of pace against England. In two Tests, he had only five wickets, each costing 53.00 runs, from 78 overs.

Opener Shai Hope too should have been allowed to play against the Aussies last week.

If he is to make runs, he must face them eventually.

There is nothing like confidence that comes with runs and WI badly needs another regular opening batsman to go with Kraigg Brathwaite.

Now that yet another opener, Rajindra Chandrika, has made 74 v the Aussies, and pugnacious wicketkeeper batsman Shane Dowrich also made two halfcenturies; 78 and 53 not out; in that game, do not be surprised if one of these, or both, are included in WI’s squad for Test No. 1.

Faster bowler Carlos Brathwaite too, with 50 and

three wickets against the Aussies, could also be in for a wonderful surprise. He is improving with every delivery, his body seemingly becoming better attuned to being a good all-rounder. He certainly could put pressures on Roach’s place.

Shannon Gabriel did not look too badly against England, but he, like Roach, needs much work too. Batsmen worth their salt know that bowlers cannot simply bowl only a few overs fast. Fast bowlers are exactly that, expected to bowl quickly, even if it is in the final session of Day 5!

Jerome Taylor leads the fast bowling pack and looked good, if not fast, against England, while towering Jason Holder, that tremendously talented bowling all-rounder, seems to be understanding his roll more precisely as every day of his budding international career occurs.

Only one of orthodox legspinner Veerasammy Permaul or right-arm leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo would probably play in Test No. 1, but

would that not be special if WI selectors allow both to operate in tandem?

Between them, they could guarantee fifty runs per innings at the crease and six wickets per innings with the ball too, so why not!

Captain and wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, improving Jermaine Blackwood, veteran Marlon Samuels and still unfulfilled Darren Bravo must certainly play, expecting to do even better against the vaunted Aussies.

Simply, WI must focus on what we have! Enjoy!

E-mail address c.e.h.croft@gmail.com

Blatter says he will forgive but won’t forget UEFA rebellion ZURICH (AP) — Emboldened by his fresh mandate to lead world soccer, Sepp Blatter made it clear there may be consequences for European leaders who tried to oust him from FIFA. “I forgive but I don’t forget,” Blatter said Saturday at FIFA headquarters.

The relationship between FIFA and UEFA will be one of the key issues for Blatter as he begins his fifth term as

president of the governing body. UEFA President Michel Platini, who helped Blatter first gain the presidency in 1998, led opposition against his former ally.

Blatter didn’t extend much of an olive branch in his first news conference since Friday’s election, but did reiterate that he is “also the president of those associations that are against me.”

He also challenged UEFA to come back into the fold. “(UEFA) have to be an example also and not only to say, ‘FIFA, what is FIFA?’ They shall help and come in and take responsibility,” Blatter said.

Repairing the relationship may not be so simple though.

Following this week’s arrests of senior FIFA official as part of a U.S. investigation into soccer corruption, Platini appealed directly to Blatter to stand down. That request was unequivocally rejected and Platini now has to work with Blatter for four more years.

However, the former France great said change is still crucial if FIFA “is to regain its credibility.”

Platini and other European officials have suggested UEFA should look into splitting with FIFA completely, although the consequences of

FIFA president Sepp Blatter after his election as President greeted by UEFA President Michel Platini, right, at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, Friday, May 29, 2015. (Patrick B. Kraemer/Keystone via AP) such a drastic move would be so far-reaching that it seems highly implausible.

It would bar some of soccer’s biggest countries from the World Cup, and would cut off the European club game from the rest of the world. That could cause an exodus of non-European players, and Blatter reminded

clubs of that.

“UEFA is the biggest (confederation), UEFA is the richest one, you have the best competition, you have the best players,” Blatter said. “If you don’t have players from the other continent, then they will not be so rich or so good in football.”

There was no immediate

retribution toward Europe, though, as FIFA’s executive committee voted to make no changes to the format for World Cup qualifying spots.

The decision ensures there will still be 13 European countries, plus host Russia, at the 32-team tournament in 2018.

Europe will also have 13 teams at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

The executive committee also cleared the way for European countries to bid for the 2026 World Cup, despite previous comments by Blatter that it would be too soon after Russia hosts the 2018 tournament.

UEFA’s strategy for how to deal with Blatter may become clearer next week when the European body holds meetings in Berlin ahead of the Champions League final.

“There should be some kind of reaction,” said Dutch federation president Michael van Praag, who had been running for FIFA presidency before withdrawing last week to back Prince Ali. But opposition to Blatter is not unanimous in Europe.

Russia is fiercely loyal to Blatter, having been awarded the 2018 World Cup under his watch. The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin sent a tele-

gram congratulating Blatter on his re-election and expressing confidence in his “experience, professionalism and high authority.”

France’s football federation also voted for Blatter, ignoring Frenchman Platini’s public appeals for the world to back Prince Ali. Some of the strongest criticism of Blatter has come from England, and Blatter took a swipe at former Manchester United chief executive David Gill for rejecting the FIFA vice presidency he assumed directly before the 79-year-old Swiss was re-elected.

Gill said the pre-announced move was to defend his “professional reputation,” and that he didn’t want to serve under the current leadership.

Blatter said Gill had not informed FIFA directly of his resignation and was counted as a missing participant from Saturday’s executive committee meeting.

“You cannot take (responsibility) when you are elected and you don’t even come to the first meeting,” Blatter said.

“You are elected you have to come, whoever is the president of FIFA. ... He has given no excuse or reasons for not being present.”

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Who are the new faces in the Golden Jaguars?

By Santokie Nagulendran Last week the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) announced the eagerly anticipated 30-man squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against St Vincent and the Grenadines next month.

In previous weeks there have been numerous names rumoured to be joining up, with Troy Deeney, the top scorer in England’s secondtier division this season, and Nicky Maynard of Cardiff City FC, having both apparently confirmed interest in representing Guyana to media publications in the Caribbean.

However, upon further investigation, it appears as if neither player made such statements: it is not believed that either player even has the Guyanese roots required to

be eligible to join the team.

However, the 30-man squad which was eventually announced by the GFF did throw up some interesting names: mainly the inclusion of Sam Cox and Marcel Barrington. 24-year old Sam Cox is a central midfielder who previously played for Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur’s Under18 team; he qualifies for Guyana via his Mother.

Speaking of his call-up, Cox said, “After gaining promotion to the National League and winning the Player of the Season award with my club Boreham Wood, to my delight I was called up to confirm I would be part of the Guyana squad to face SVG. I’m honoured and very much looking forward to making a huge impact for the team.

It’s always been a dream of mine to play on the Interna-

tional stage and to represent my roots, I’m looking forward to making my family proud.”

Cox currently plays for Boreham Wood, a club in England, achieving promotion with a side that also includes Ricky Shakes, the man who scored Guyana’s most important goal on 11/11/2011 against Trinidad and Tobago.

Shakes and Cox’s understanding of playing club football together will no doubt be an asset for the Golden Jaguars as the side looks to gel as a team in the two weeks before the all-important World Cup qualifiers. Shakes recall to the National side after a three year absence is a welcome addition that should add depth to a side already prominent in the attacking department.

Marcel Barrington, an exciting 19-year old left-winger for Premier League side Le-

GCC Ladies open final visit to Trinidad with win over Checkers

icester City, has also been selected in the 30-man squad.

Barrington is seen as a player with a fantastic future ahead of him, having moved from fellow Premier League side Stoke City FC to join Leicester, he was part of the Leicester City development squad which secured an impressive top-six finish in the 2013/14 Under-21 Premier League season. Whilst he will be primarily be seen as a player for the Olympic qualifiers which start in late June, his talent could see him making the final cut of the senior squad for the World Cup qualifiers next month.

The final UK-based new addition is goal-keeper Matthew Allick, who will provide cover for a position Guyana is notably weak in, with FIFA rules requiring three goalkeepers must be included in every squad, and he will be in the squad alongside Akel Clarke and Derrick Carter.

With 2016 Olympic qualifiers beginning in late June and featuring players aged under-23, Guyana has called up Kadell Daniel to that training squad, a talented young winger who is currently contracted to Charlton Athletic, Daniel is coming from the same English club Leon Cort

was playing for when he joined the Golden Jaguars in 2011. With so much talent committing to join Guyana at both Senior and Under-23 level, the future looks bright for Men’s football in the country.

The Golden Jaguar side of 2015 has the potential to go even further than the famed 2012 class that reached the semi-finals of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, with Neil Danns and Matthew Briggs providing the experience of playing at the toplevel which Leon and Carl Cort brought to the team in 2011/2012.

The squad this year is also notably younger; the core of the side could represent Guyana for the next ten years, so there is a capacity for development that puts the National Team in a good position going forward.

Local players such as Daniel Wilson, Colin Nelson and Trayon Bobb are now more experienced than they were in 2012 whilst still remaining relatively young, whilst other young talent such as Sheldon Holder and Pernell Schultz have adapted well to International football so far.

This is a squad which has

Santokie Nagulendran significant depth to it and on paper is one of the strongest sides in the Caribbean.

If the team defeat SVG next month, they will need to play another knockout tie in early September, where they could potentially face regional powerhouses Jamaica or Haiti, and this will be a real test for the side.

Rumoured names to potentially join the side in the future include Calum Harriot of Charlton Athletic and Ryan Fredericks of Tottenham Hotspur.

As the Golden Jaguars roar on, we could see more young, talented faces sign up to help the cause in the future.

NZ hit back after Lyth ton, Cook landmark

Checkers striker Patrice Padmore is challenged

by GCC’s Tiffany Solomon and Ulrica Sutherland.

After having lost to Checkers Hockey Club by one goal to nil in their first round duel, the GCC ladies hockey team managed to reverse the tables with a 2-0 victory in their second round clash. The GCC ladies, appearing in their third and final stint of matches at the Eastern Sports Complex in Tacarigua, Trinidad, were considered the underdogs in their first tie of the visit as they faced the powerful Checkers HC to whom they had lost in the first round four weeks ago. In the 11am morning heat of May 30th, the GCC ladies began the match seemingly the more aggressive of the two sides. In keeping Checkers in their defensive half for most of the opening minutes of the match, GCC would squander several chances after well-orchestrated attacks mostly led by offensive dynamos Aliyah Gordon and Sonia

Jardine.

GCC continued to enjoy greater success than their opposition for most of the first half and were finally rewarded in the 28th minute as striker Kerensa Fernandes unleashed a reverse shot that seemed to be marginally off-target to the right of goal. Right wing Shebiki Baptiste however seemed to appear from nowhere with a courageous lunge to deflect the shot into the net much to the surprise of Trinidad national goalkeeper Petal Derry between the uprights for Checkers.

Checkers pressed higher up in the GCC side of the field in the second half of the match which brought them greater success and increased their share of possession. Despite earning several penalty corners for their efforts, this risky tactic left Checkers vulnerable to the swift GCC counterat-

tacks. It was one such GCC attack in the 39th minute that saw overlapping right back Vanessa Pires drive a powerful pass into the scoring circle to striker Princessa Wilkie.

Wilkie beat her defender to the ball and executed a perfect deflection into the roof of the Checkers net to take the score to 2-0 in favour of the Guyanese.

While Checkers pressed hard for the final ten minutes of play which included a powerful shot by Jessenia Luces off the GCC post, superb defending and especially goalkeeping by Briawna Gordon kept GCC with a clean sheet, giving them the welldeserved 2-0 victory at full time. GCC were to face Malvern later yesterday at 6:30PM before completing their matches today at 11am against Ventures Hockey Club.

BBC Sport - Adam Lyth scored a maiden Test century for England before late wickets dragged New Zealand back into the second Test.

Lyth shared an opening stand of 177 with Alastair Cook, who made 75 and became England’s leading Test run scorer of all time. But, after Lyth was run out for 107, England lost three wickets to the second new ball to close day two at Headingley on 2535, 97 behind.

New Zealand were earlier bowled out for 350, with Stuart Broad taking 5-109.

That represented a determined fightback from 2-2 in the third over of the match, the tourists aided by some English inaccuracy that continued on the second morning. The Black Caps bowled with greater discipline than their hosts, but mostly in overhead conditions suited to batting, albeit on a pitch offering assistance from a good length.

They got their rewards deep into the evening, with Trent Boult and Tim Southee swinging the second new ball under dark clouds.

Boult bowled a flat-footed Gary Ballance, Southee took Joe Root’s outside edge and Ben Stokes poked at a Boult outswinger to leave the match

evenly poised.

Before that, some watchful batting looked set to put England in a commanding position.

They were led by Lyth and Cook, who recorded England’s highest Test opening stand at Headingley and their first in excess of 100 in a home match since 2011.

Both left-handers showed good judgement around off stump and an ability to punish width, Cook with cuts, Lyth with back-foot drives.

Cook, who also displayed characteristic touches off his pads, posted the first landmark of the day, driving Southee for four to reach the 32 runs required to pass Graham Gooch’s record of 8,900 Test runs.

Lyth, looking to secure an Ashes place, also flicked fine on the leg side and went to a first half-century in his second Test with a pull for four off Matt Henry.

While Cook’s innings was chanceless, Lyth almost patted a return catch back to Henry on 53 and was even more fortunate to survive on 90 when he chopped Southee on to his stumps, only for the bails to remain unmoved.

It was Cook, though, who was first to go, sweeping the tidy off-spin of Mark Craig to

be given out lbw when the original not-out decision was overturned on review.

Yorkshire’s Lyth, on his home ground, continued to three figures, reached with a slog-sweep for four off Craig.

However, when a Ballance call for a single to point left Lyth unable to beat the throw of Boult, it began New Zealand’s period of resurgence. Four wickets fell for 32 runs, leaving Ian Bell and Jos Buttler to see England through to the close.

A disappointing end reflected a frustrating beginning to the day for the home side, whose persistent short bowling allowed the tourists to add 53 runs in seven overs to their overnight 297-8.

Broad took both wickets to fall, Henry and Boult swiping to be caught behind and at point respectively.

That completed his 13th five-wicket haul but, with an economy rate of 6.34 runs an over, it is the most expensive in Test history.

Scores: England 253 for 5 (England 253-5: Lyth 107, Cook 75, Bell 12*, Buttler 6*) trail New Zealand 350 (Ronchi 88, Latham 84, Broad 5-109) by 97 runs.2nd Investec Test, Headingley, 2nd day, May 30, 2015 ©Getty Images

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Kaieteur News

Woodpecker Products GSA/Digicel Junior National Squash tournament

Wins for Mekdeci, Wiltshire and Joseph on day 3 Day 3 of the Woodpecker Products Junior National Squash Tournament, hosted by the Guyana Squash Association in collaboration with its corporate sponsor Digicel produced a string of exciting matches across another evening that saw mostly dominant victories for the seasoned campaigners.

Playing at the Georgetown club, Akeila Wiltshire and Nyron Joseph opened their accounts with typically dominant 3-0 sweeps of Sarah Lewis and Matthew Phang respectively. The feature game of the evening saw Ben Mekdeci and Alec Melville, both playing short of their best, produce an exciting finish, despite the 3-0 scoreline.

In a match which included several unforced errors, Mekdeci was clearly disappointed not to do better than the final 12/10, 11/4, 14/12 scoreline. Samuel InceCarvahal and Dominic Collins battled to a 3-2 result, the former recovering from being two sets down to take the last

Akeila Wiltshire

Benjamin Mekdeci

3 games 11/7, 11/3, 11/2.

Shomari Wiltshire held on to a 3-1 win over the battling Daniel Islam, despite trailing 1-0 after the first game .Alexander Cheeks prevailed over Anthony Islam in straight games (11/5, 11/7, 12/10) and the improving 12 year old Makeda Harding lost to Rebecca Low 3-0 (12/10, 11/6, 11/4) in the other entertaining

game played on Friday evening. Harding recovered to ease to a win 3-0 over Teija Edwards later that evening.

Also notable was Kirsten Gomes’ 3-0 victories over Geovanna DoSantos and Abosaide Cadogan without dropping a game.The tournament is set to end on Sunday and should see intense competition over the weekend.

Sunday May 31, 2015

Defending Champs Slingerz FC and Fruta Conquerors through to Semi-finals -Double header on today minute, rifling his effort into the roof of the net from point blank range after collecting a pass from the winger Dexroy Adams.

Thirteen minutes later, the ‘West Side’ champions’ captain netted from the penalty mark following an infraction within the area.

Action in the championship will continue today at the same venue with Pele opposing Uitvlugt Warriors from 18:00hrs and Ann’s Grove battling Den Amstel from 20:00hrs.

The resulting winner will pocket $600,000 and the championship trophy while the second, third and fourth placed units will receive $300,000, $150,000 and $100,000 correspondingly and the respective accolade.

Financial incentives will also be given to the bottom four finishers, with the resulting fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth positioned teams walking away with $75,000, $60,000, $50,000 and $40,000 correspondingly.

Upon the completion of the first round, the semi-final matchups will occur on Friday June 5th at the same locale.

Following the end of the final four stage, the grand finale will commence on Sunday June 7th at the same venue.

Defending champions Slingerz FC and Fruta Conquerors have advanced to the semi-finals of this year’s Stag Beer West Side Cup, following their victory over Grove Hi-Tech and Pouderoyen respectively, on Friday last.

Playing at the Leonora Track and Field and Football facility, the two time champions, who are chasing a third title, defeated East Bank top club Grove Hi-Tech 2 – 0 while Fruta Conquerors edged Pouderoyen 2 – 1 in front of a vocal crowd at the recently build venue.

The game was played under wet conditions due to sporadic heavy down pours but it didn’t stop the Tucville based club’s talisman Jermin Junior from giving his club the lead just nine minutes into play.

Junor, latched onto a witty Dwayne Lindy’s pass from the centre of the field, and the National U-23 select forward first headed his attempt onto the left crossbar, before pouncing on the resulting rebound and finishing unchallenged into the net.

Odel Williams almost doubled the Georgetown club’s lead but his rightfooted volley went just wide of the top right hand corner.

Lloyd Prince, however,

should have equalised in the 32nd minute for Pouderoyen but was denied by the advancing custodian, following a one-on-one situation from within the right side of the box, after racing onto a defence splitting through pass.

Luck was certainly not on the side of Pouderoyen, given the fact that they were once again denied a chance of equalizing, but this time by the ‘woodwork’ when Lloyd Prince’s freekick from the centre of the field, cannoned onto the crossbar.

Meanwhile, Junior scored his second of the night in the 65th minute; curling a 24 yard freekick into the top left hand corner, despite the outstretched touch of the diving Pouderoyen custodian.

The West Demerara team eventually scored in the 88th minute, thanks to Clement Browne, who curled shot that went under the diving body of the keeper and into the lower right corner of the Fruta Conquerors goal, but too late shall be the cry.

Meanwhile in the feature contest, Dwayne Jacobs and skipper Tichard Joseph ensured that their club, Slingerz FC would advance to defend their title.

Jacobs scored in the 10th

New York (AFP) Britain’s Amir Khan took a unanimous decision victory over American Chris Algieri in a welterweight matchup, then called out unbeaten Floyd Mayweather for a world title showdown.

Khan improved to 31-3 with his fifth victory in a row, which came by judges’ scores of 117-111, 117-111 and 115113.

Algieri fell to 20-2 with his second defeat in a row, the other coming last November at Macau at the hands of Filipino star Manny Pacquiao — who lost to treble world champion Mayweather in boxing’s richest-ever megafight earlier this month.

“Amir Khan wants to fight Floyd Mayweather,” Khan screamed in the ring. “I want that next. I’m number one World Boxing Council (challenger). He’s the champion. So let’s make it happen.”

That might be easier said

Amir Khan lands a right on Chris Algieri during their Welterweight bout at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on May 29, 2015 in New York City (AFP Photo/Al Bello) than done.

“He come to fight, Khan thought he might wanted to win, had his home fight Mayweather in May crowd, but I came here to win,” last year but the US star Khan said, adding he had to instead decided to fight resort to “Plan B” to defeat A rg e n t i n a ’s M a r c o s the hometown hero.

Maidana.

Khan said support from Khan kept Algieri at bay the crowd helped him push to much of the night, the Ameri- the finish and secure the decan landing a strong com- cision. bination early in the eighth “The crowd really fired me round but unable to con- up the last three rounds when nect often enough to claim Chris really came at me hard,” victory.

Khan said.

Khan calls out Mayweather after unanimous decision win