Kaieteur News

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

Living conditions at Amerindian Artist advises the Government to manage not rule Guyana Hostel hardly civilized

DEAR EDITOR, I would like to highlight some major deficiencies which has been and continues to plague our first peoples of this dear land of ours and which, it seems have become acceptable and have blinded persons who should have been the ones to correct the situation but nothing has been done because of our reserved, quiet and easy going life style when compared to other sections of the Guyanese public.

It has been taken for granted for all these years that all is well at the Amerindian Hostel but I want to say that all is not well and an immediate intervention needs to be taken as part of the city restoration project that is ongoing, to salvage this deplorable condition in which our hinterland people are living under.

Water supply is one of the most important necessities in an urban community, more so when serving people who are

accustomed to dive their way down to the bottom of a river while taking a refreshing drink of water.

I am amazed that water supply to the Amerindian Hostel in today’s 21st century is mere decades behind time and should be declared unacceptable especially when patients have to fetch buckets of water to bathe and flush toilet at a specific time when water is made available at stand pipes only.

This situation makes one to wonder how does the person with a cast on their leg, pregnant mothers and other incapacitated patients cope with this on a daily basis. Take into consideration the all at one-time activities that must be carried-out all at a certain time.

This will definitely contributed to un-flushed toilets and insanitary conditions to survive in when that period of time is passed and gone.

Over crowded rooms and

wards have seen two persons sharing a single or bunk beds where most times persons take turns to sleep as it is so uncomfortable to share body heat on a small bed in a room that is already very hot.

What about ceiling fans or other cooling agents for our patients who, due to the heat, requires a bath regularly to cool off their overheated bodies but are faced with the water crises?

With the steady increase of our indigenous population, there is need for an expansion to that facility with these necessary amenities to make life a little more comfortable for our people, which is more than necessary than ever before.

Our traditional food is one thing that we will never do away with no matter how far we may go.

I appeal to our newly elected government to seriously consider serving more of our traditional dishes Continued on page 23

DEAR EDITOR, The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) did immense work in the Berbice area during the last election campaign which ended in May. Work began as early as January with a series of television programmes on various TV stations in Berbice which dealt with interviews of Ministers and other senior leaders of the party.

The party subsequently won the region with a sweeping majority. However, sadly, to date, the party still owes persons who were involved in those TV programmes as well as some TV stations.

Mr. Editor, every avenue to gain the attention of the party to this issue has been met with little or no serious attention, like just being

brushed aside.

The matter of the party’s due to these programmes was brought to the attention in person to the Leader of the Opposition. Freedom House is fully aware of these concerns as numerous calls and letters were sent to the senior party officials, yet nobody is saying anything as to the way forward for payments.

I am kindly asking the Opposition Leader to seriously look into this matter.

It is not fair that after so many months after elections would have passed that these accounts have not been settled.

I am very disappointed too in the manner in which the party is dealing with this matter; as nobody is ever available to talk or to meet with. I

personally have reached out to Mr. Jagdeo while he was in Berbice in October and delivered more letters and invoices at his request in hand to PPP Executive Secretary, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha.

The TV stations too in New Amsterdam are calling for this matter to be urgently addressed. Please publish this letter so that the leaders can give some serious consideration to our concerns. Expressing the matter here in these columns was a last resort, because I have tried utmost times to make contact with senior party leaders but nobody is ever available to talk to you. That is really not nice and that is not the way the PPP should treat its supporters.

Leon Suseran

Journalist’s desperate plea for the PPP to pay him for work done

DEAR EDITOR, When the controversy about the sudden 50% raise for the higher echelons of the administration unfolded I wanted to see it in black and white and i did with calculator in hand. I realised that for annual wages of $ 9.000.000 a year, it worked out to about $750.000 a month, plus allowances.

An executive could be comfortable with that, though it’s not a salary of tremendous proportions. My contention is that I have had to debate for a reasonable wage in my field. Artists are perceived to be cheap.

As an Illustrator and writer I can remember an engagement with an International body here, who refused to pay me for scripting

and illustrating a graphic magazine until she contacted my peers in Peru and Brazil and realized that I was truthful alleging that I charged 1/5 of international rates.

Our Intellectual property is taken for so granted. One aspiring ethnically driven politician in 1990 lifted the logo of the Jaguar from my Comix and I had to take him to court, Nigel Hughes championed my case pro bono. I’m careful to throw stones on special service worth.

I can remember the PPP’s Minister Frank Anthony telling me at an exhibition that I wanted to be too well paid for my work; why not I had replied? I was not surprised at the Cabinet- Parliamentary raise of pay. But It should

have come a little later, I usually cut out some articles and letters as reference material, one such was a letter on August 15, 2015, Stabroek News by E. B. John.

I have a collection of his, because he always presents Tables- Charts to support his topics. This topic was “There is disparity in the salaries of parliamentarians” read it and you’ll understand. The problem in this case comes with campaign statements competing against the reality of the times.

Now comparative raises have to also come for John Public. Ministers have to earn that money, in our interest. So far I can point to a few, who are, to fill the policy vacuum with the reasonable Continued on page 23

DEAR EDITOR, Characterizing the Geneva Agreement of February 17, 1966, as “ the Lazarus Agreement,” attorney Lalu Hanuman lays the blame for Venezuela’s claim to Essequibo at the feet of late President Burnham in his November 3, 2015, letter, titled “ Should we not blame Burnham for the Venezuela border conflict?”

Hanuman overlooks Burnham’s strong nationalist credentials in asserting that Burnham signed the Agreement because of his “opportunistic lust for power...”

There is an abject disregard for the historical record in this letter. Meetings preceded the actual signing.

These spelled out clearly the eventual objective of the Geneva compact. On November 7, 1965, a joint communique of the parties (Venezuela, Great Britain and British Guiana) stated that they were seeking to “ find satisfactory solutions for a

practical settlement of the controversy... as a result of the Venezuelan contention that the 1899 Award is null and void.” In a later meeting of December 9-10, 1965, which was attended by the Venezuelan Foreign Minister, the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Premier Burnham, the principals adopted the precise language of the joint communique in their discussions.

Thus Article 1 of the Geneva Agreement specifically formalizes this concept of pursuing “ satisfactory solutions” to resolve “ the Venezuelan contention” that the Arbitral Award was invalid. Then, and since Great Britain nor Guyana did not concede that the Award was in any way deficient.

Therefore, Hanuman’s declaration that “But for the Lazarus Agreement there would be no legal foundation for Venezuela’s claim” is ludicrous and worthless.

The Geneva Agreement neither revived nor enlivened the Venezuela border claim. It did, however, set up a platform for the parties to work out peacefully their disagreement over Venezuela’s insistence that the 1899 Award was “null and void.”

It can be argued that Guyana’s Independence might have been delayed without a palliative to its more powerful neighbor’s demand for territory which was believed to be rich in minerals, forestry and oil.

In this regard, the Agreement was a necessity for the new country to come into being with the real prospect of resolving the troubling border matter with Venezuela.

Much ill may be said or written about Forbes Burnham. There is every basis to state that his love for Guyana was unquestioned and that his belief in its territorial sovereignty was unflinching.

Derrick Arjune

This attorney’s accusation against Forbes Burnham is absurd

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 05, 2015

PSC calls for revision of 2:00 am night clubs curfew The 2: 00 am curfew for nightclubs over the past few months seems to have taken such a toll on the sustainability of businesses within the entertainment industry that the Private Sector Commission (PSC) is calling for a revision of the imposition. In essence, it wants the curfew to be extended to 4: 00am.

The Commission said that it has observed and received reports from its membership that the enforcement of the 2:00 am curfew closure for bars and night clubs is having a significant negative impact to such an extent that some are faced with the threat of closure and downsizing as a result of this decision.

The PSC said that it is also concerned that this could have a long term negative impact on the country’s developing Tourism Industry.

Contrary to what may have been said before, the Commission emphasized that there has been no definitive study on the social impact of the later closure on crime and accidents.

In light of the

aforementioned, the Commission said that it is calling on Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan to reconsider the 2: 00 am curfew and its implications on business.

The PSC said, “We are strongly recommending that consideration be given for bars and night clubs to be open until 4:00 am on Fridays, Saturdays and Public Holidays for those night clubs located in commercial districts and zones and those which comply with building codes that limit noise nuisance.”

With the upcoming Christmas holidays, the Commission said that it is recommending the extension and relaxation of the 2:00 am edict to facilitate visitors during the Christmas season and those who usually come during the New Year.

They said that this is especially pertinent since the country is gearing to celebrate in grand style, its 50th Independence anniversary in 2016. The decision saw Ramjattan becoming a sweepingly unpopular figure within various quarters,

earning himself names like, ‘The Grinch,’ ‘The Terminator’ and ‘Dr. Evil.’ But to others who have lived for years near to noisy bars with music, Ramjattan’s decision remains a blessing in disguise.

Every Friday and Saturday night, hundreds of revelers who believe that a good time involves partying the night away until sunrise, are usually ushered out of the popular clubs and bars by 1:50 am. They either go home or ‘lime’ on the streets for several minutes as they ponder the next possible place to finish the night off.

Former Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, had also lent his voice to the matter, on his Facebook profile some months ago.

Nandlall had said that the opening and closing hours of those licensed premises are fixed by law in the legislation.

The former Attorney General also noted that there is reference in both Acts to a “Minister” but it is not defined. He emphasized however, that the subject minister of the GRA is the Minister of Finance and not

Youth empowerment seminar for QC The Office of the Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment in collaboration with the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) will be hosting a public lecture on ‘Rethinking Community Development; A Social Enterprise Approach’, today.

The forum begins at 17:00 hours at Queen’s College auditorium.

In an attempt to empower the young people of Guyana, the Government of Guyana (GoG) will be having a series of public lectures and training

programmes. This particular lecture will be delivered by Dr. K’adamawe K’nife – Lecturer/Researcher at the University of the West Indies.

In his lecture, Dr. K’nife will explore how social enterprises can contribute to community development with a focus on youth development, gender mainstreaming and sustainable development.

High youth unemployment plagues the region, in the case of Guyana as high as 40 percent. Social Enterprises can play a key part of the solution. Young

people can benefit from enterprises that can build their skills and confidence; that can create and keep wealth in our most deprived communities; and that can build trust, responsibility, provide role models, reward hard work and give young people a voice and a stake in their own development.

Youth are urged to attend the Lecture and learn more about the important role of social enterprises for the development of self and community, and by extension country.

the Minister of Public Security.

“So from whence is Mr. Ramjattan deriving his authority to impose this curfew. The curfew itself seems to be in contravention of the hours of opening and closing which are fixed by the law.

“As far as I am aware, these have not been changed by way of any amendment, regulation or order issued by the relevant subject minister.

So it would appear that not only is Mr Ramjattan acting ultra vires his authority, but he may be violating the relevant law,” Nandlall expressed.

But the Public Security Minister in an interview on the reactions he has been receiving for the 2.00 a.m curfew had said that he is not the least bit bothered by it and will continue to do what is needed to reduce the high crime rate.

As for Nandlall’s comments, Ramjattan had said, “This is an indivisible government. You can’t divide it up and say because the portfolio minister is Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, in relation to GRA, Ramjattan must be silent. Then how is Jordan as the relevant person in charge of this to enforce it? Not by asking the policemen?

I think this kind of thinking is most ludicrous coming from Nandlall, an individual who never wanted to enforce any law.”

“That is why some of his ministers were stealing cars and passing budget line items and all manners of things, just disregarding the financial laws of the country.”

Ramjattan had said that in spite of the criticisms, he is going to do all that it takes to reduce the high crime rate and

Head of the Private Sector Commission, Norman McLean

Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan

will continue to hold his ground on the matter.

“I am well aware that these small things will help out and it will lead to the big things.

Drinking at very late hours does a lot of harm and leads to a lot of things and I don’t need studies to tell me that.”

Ramjattan reiterated that he isn’t here for the fame but to get a job done and “will do what it takes” for that to be accomplished.

He had said that the 2am curfew is just one of the options on his menu of measures planned for crime reduction.

Woman disarms gunman, averts robbery The Hussein family of Cow Dam, Bath, West Coast Berbice can hardly forget last Tuesday. Feroze Hussein, 34, a security guard employed by GUYSUCO, resides at 10 Cow Dam with his wife, Miriam, 32, a housewife, and his two children, aged 11 and eight.

The day had begun as usual, and the family lapsed into routine. Mr. Hussein had already left for work, and the rest of the family had just settled into their routine when two young men walked in and enquired whether Mr. Hussein had left for work.

A bruised, but composed Miriam related her story of how she kept her wits and was able to avert possible tragedy.

When the two respectable looking men, both of whom appeared to be in their early twenties, approached the door, the first thought was they may have been employees of GWI. However, the moment one of the

intruders asked for her husband, Mrs. Hussein knew that it was not a normal visit.

She stated that she tried to buy time. She then told him that her husband was upstairs. The man grabbed her, struck her in the head, and was pulling her into the doorway since she was outside.

At the same time the other intruder forced his way into the house onto the upper flat and demanded gold from her son who told the armed man that they did not have any.

Even though bleeding profusely from wounds to the head, and to her face, the housewife tried to maintain her composure. She told the man that had she known that they were robbers, she would have cooperated with them rather than to put up a fight.

However that did seem to work. She was concerned for the safety of her children.

Mrs. Hussein related that she was stunned by some of the blows she received, and that it was during the struggle that she realised that the man was carrying a gun.

She recalled trying to protect her face from the blows. However, with blood flowing profusely, she became fearless and was able to disarm her assailant. She was also able to knock him to the ground, and was really getting the better of him when he shouted to his accomplice, “Hi boy! Come!”

At that point, Mrs. Hussein ran through the door shouting for thief. The men in turn escaped empty handed on their bicycles.

According to Mrs. Hussein, the drama did not last more than five minutes.

The matter was reported to the Fort Wellington Police Station, but up to the time of filing this report there were no arrests made. The investigation is continuing.

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

Canada PM Trudeau sworn in, reveals diverse gender-equal Cabinet

Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire hold hands before he is sworn-in as Canada’s 23rd prime minister during a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa yesterday. REUTERS/Chris Wattie Reuters - Liberal leader Justin Trudeau named a young, ethnically diverse and gender-equal Cabinet yesterday as he was sworn into office as Canada’s 23rd prime minister, marking the end of nearly a decade of Conservative rule.

Trudeau, 43, kicked off his majority government with some controversy with his decision to name an equal number of men and women to a slimmed-down Cabinet, the first time gender parity has been achieved in Canada’s team of ministers.

The Cabinet, 30 ministers plus Trudeau himself, included rookie politician and corporate executive Bill Morneau as finance minister and former Liberal leader Stephane Dion as foreign minister, a split between the old and the new reflected in the rest of the team.

“It’s an incredible pleasure for me to be before you here today to present to Canada a cabinet that looks like Canada,” Trudeau told reporters after he was sworn in with his team, which includes immigrants, aboriginals, religious minorities, a quadriplegic and 15 women.

Trudeau, the first son of a

prime minister to take office in Canada and the secondyoungest in the country’s history, has grabbed international attention for his good looks and retail approach to politics.

Asked why he felt gender equality in the Cabinet was important, Trudeau said simply: “Because it is 2015.”

Trudeau has already laid out the major planks of his economic plan, which includes running three years of budget deficits, boosting infrastructure spending in a bid to stimulate Canada’s flagging economy.

The new government has also pledged to raise taxes for the richest Canadians and cut taxes for the middle class.

The ceremony officially ended nearly decade of Conservative rule under Stephen Harper.

Cheering crowds lined the approach to the Governor General’s residence where the swearing-in ceremony took place as Trudeau threw open the venue to the public.

Organizers estimated about 4,000 people attended.

He was accompanied by his wife and their three young children as well as his mother, Margaret Trudeau, who gave birth to Trudeau and his two

brothers while his father Pierre Trudeau was prime minister.

The somewhat unexpected appointments of Morneau and Dion to two top portfolios was seen reassuring corporate Canada and international partners, given Dion’s deep experience and Morneau’s business background.

Morneau, 53, is a former corporate executive who also headed a major public policy think tank. He was elected to Parliament for the first time in the Oct. 19 election that brought Trudeau’s Liberals to power.

The Cabinet also included Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, a Sikh immigrant from India, military veteran and former police officer.

But with much of the Cabinet new to politics, some said Trudeau risks opening the government up to rookie mistakes that could detract from his agenda.

“It seems as though the balance is tipped towards youth as opposed grizzled veterans, but to have a few there I think is important and helpful,” said Gerald Baier, a political science professor at the University of British Columbia.

Reuters - Ukraine risks losing the support of its Western backers if squabbles between the government and parliament delay or derail its reform efforts, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said Tuesday.

Ukraine has promised to revamp its tax system under an International Monetary Fund-led bailout programme.

But a failure to agree the size of tax cuts has delayed the submission of a draft budget

for 2016 and therefore held up the disbursement of the next $1.7 billion tranche of IMF loans.

“We now have many allies in the West and these allies will stand with us so long as we show political will, responsibility and the unchanging nature of our goals and values as we carry out reform,” Yatseniuk said in government meeting.

“The president, the government, parliament - we

must all speak in one language,” he said.

The delays are threatening just as Ukraine’s economy shows sign of reviving.

Analysts polled by Reuters expect inflation will fall to 12.3 percent in 2016, about a quarter what it is expected to reach in 2015.

Gross domestic product should grow 1.9 percent in 2016, after shrinking by 11 percent in 2015.

Ukraine risks losing foreign support over reform delay, PM says

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 05, 2015

Iran hardliners mark U.S. embassy raid with new ‘infiltration’ warning

Demonstrators chant anti-U.S. slogans during a demonstration outside the former U.S. embassy in Tehran. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi/TIMA DUBAI (Reuters) Thousands of Iranians rallied to celebrate the anniversary of the 1979 hostage-taking at the U.S. embassy yesterday, as hardliners cited Western “infiltration” following a landmark nuclear deal with world powers.

President Hassan Rouhani, however, in remarks highlighting division between moderates and hardliners, criticized the arrest of at least two journalists, the latest in a series of detentions also including dissident writers and artists.

“We should not arrest people without reason, making up cases against them and say they are a part of an infiltration network,” Rouhani told a cabinet

meeting.

Demonstrators gathered in front of the abandoned U.S. Embassy in Tehran chanting “death to America” and t e l l i n g I r a n ’s f o r e i g n minister and chief nuclear n e g o t i a t o r, Mohammad Javad Zarif, “Don’t trust the Americans.”

The U.S. embassy was sacked by students in the early days of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. The ensuing U.S. hostage crisis lasted 444 days and Washington and Tehran have yet to restore diplomatic ties.

Some protesters dragged a coffin marked “Obama” through the street while others carrying long balloons representing Iran’s latest ballistic missile, which was

tested in October in defiance of a United Nations ban.

The yearly commemoration was the first since the Islamic Republic reached an agreement with six world powers on July 14 that imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for a removal of sanctions that have isolated the Islamic Republic and hobbled its economy.

While moderate President Rouhani is keen to normalize relations with the West after the deal, supporters of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei used this y e a r ’s rallies across the country to argue the historic agreement would not lead to any rapprochement between Tehran and Washington.

ANKARA (Reuters) Flush with an election victory, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan demanded constitutional change that he wants to gain sweeping powers, and vowed to “liquidate” Kurdish guerrillas in a defiant speech that gave no quarter to those hoping for conciliation.

Three days after the Islamist-rooted AK Party he founded won back the mandate to govern alone in a surprise landslide, Erdogan used yesterday’s speech to make clear military action in the largely Kurdish southeast would not end any time soon.

The election victory also puts him closer to his dream of changing Turkey’s constitution to consolidate power in the hands of the presidency, a move his opponents fear would enable

an already authoritarian leader to govern unchecked.

Turkey’s dominant political figure, Erdogan served as prime minister for more than a decade before being elected president last year.

He aims to transform the previously ceremonial office into that of a chief executive, a Turkish take on a Russian or U.S.-style presidency.

That goal was set back when the AKP lost its parliamentary majority in June but is again within reach after Sunday’s surprisingly strong comeback in an election rerun.

He said Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu would consult opposition leaders on rewriting the constitution, and he would back any parliament decision to hold a referendum on changes.

“One of the most

important messages of Nov. 1 is that Turkey needs to solve the new constitution issue as soon as possible,” Erdogan said in a speech to hundreds of “muhtars”, local administrators generally loyal to the government.

“I hope that opposition parties will not fail to contribute to the work on this.

If they try to block it, they will give account for it at the next election in four years.”

He did not directly refer to presidential powers, but has long made clear those were the changes he seeks.

“The executive presidency is as important as the new constitution for Turkey’s growth,” Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan, a long-standing Erdogan advisor, said on Tuesday.

“This is one of the issues on which we will not give up.”

Flush with victory, combative Erdogan demands Turkey constitution change

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 9

The Empire Complains!

The Private Sector Commission is looking for a scapegoat to blame for the decline in entertainment related commerce. Bars and nightclubs have been experiencing some problems but instead of the private sector seeking from its own resources to boost this sector, they have tried to blame the government policy of enforcing the legal closing time for these establishments.

The Private Sector Commission is requesting that instead of the stipulated 2.00 am closing deadline for bars and nightclubs that the deadline be 4.00 am. This, the Private Sector Commission believes, will help to revive business at bars and nightclubs.

The Private Sector Commission cannot provide any empirical evidence in the form of a study that it has done to establish that it was the enforcement of the legal closing time of no later 2.00 am that is responsible for the decline in business.

The Private Sector Commission is advancing an argument without any supporting evidence. It lacks the evidence because it is too damn cheap to undertake a study to establish a case, either that or it knows that the measures implemented by the government is not responsible for the decline in business.

How many people in Guyana are out of their homes at 4.00 am, both now and in the past? It is only a small number of partygoers, mainly at certain nightclubs with bars with vested political connections that stay out late. Ninety per cent of those persons who patronize bars are out by midnight.

The nightclubs tended to go later because this is what has been encouraged. But it must be recalled that in the 1970’s to the 1990’s, the nightclubs went up to 2.00 am on Saturdays but it was only a handful of the party-goers that stayed on beyond midnight.

By the time midnight came

most persons were on their way homes. The present generation of revelers cannot be so lacking in discipline that they cannot adjust the time they begin partying to the time they leave. Why do partygoers have to begin partying after midnight?

There is a reason, why, because this is when the young girls are able to escape from their homes when their parents are asleep.

Why do some of these young girls have to stay out so late? When they stay out so late they cannot wake up the next morning to go to church or to the temple. They are spent from the exertions of the night before both at the nightclubs and the places they go afterwards. They cannot wake up to cook the next day. The effects of the hangovers and exhaustion carry through to Monday and many of them turn up to work with tired limbs and sore eyes.

We have to return to the time when parties began early

Dem boys seh ...

Marriott tun a market outlet When dem decided to build de Marriott was nuff talk. People see de scampishness; Brassington call press conference to talk about foreign investors who gun put in a small piece and own de bulk of de hotel.

He talk about tekking loans from de bank but that was only after dem boy find out that he was tekking money out of de public purse and spending it pun de hotel.

Dem boys know that de plan was to let all de big ones in de Pee Pee Pee own de hotel. That was to be dem pension.

But dem had to justify de construction suh every time Brassington and Ashni sit down wid dem reporters dem always talk about how

successful de hotel would be.

Dem was so ridiculous that dem claim that as soon as de hotel done people gun come from India, Africa and China to full de hotel.

De hotel woulda mek a profit from day one.

Sometimes de Creatah don’t come but he does send. He send some NYPD police officers.

De joke come when de people had to cook. De kitchen didn’t have rice to cook fuh all dem people. Was confusion.

De send de chief cook to run to big market and buy two bag rice, three bag flour; then to Nigel’s to buy egg and butter and cooking oil.

Dem had to borrow money from Jordan de River Man because Soulja Bai did just lend Moses money to go

to Mexico.

Dem police spend couple days at de Marriott and fuh de first time de hotel had so many people. It actually mek some money.

Then dem police lef fuh home and rice, flour and eggs lef back.

Dem boys had to smile when dem hear de people at de hotel asking if de store gun tek back de rice and dem things that lef back because dem don’t have people to eat dem.

Nigel’s ask dem if dem think is a off licence store that does tek back what ain’t sell.

Right now Marriott like a outlet. It selling rice, flour and sugar and some cooking oil.

Talk half and go to Marriott if you rice run out.

and ended early. People should not be on the roads after midnight. In the old days it was said that only two types of persons can be seen walking late at nights on the roads. But that is a story for another time.

With the crime situation as it is now, with motorbike gangs riding into the center of town and shooting Wild West, people should be at home rather than being on the streets after dark. This will allow for the police patrols to better control crime because with less people on the streets at dark, it is easier for police to focus on the criminals who may be roaming the streets at that hour.

Christmas is not going to turn anything around.

People are scared to go out after dark. Money is not circulating because business is contracting and Christmas, even though it is likely to see an increase in business

activity, is not going to be as it was in the past.

The Private Sector Commission has no case. It is not the ‘curfew hour’ that is responsible for the decline in business. There is a crisis in business, not necessarily in the economy, but within the business sector which is controlled exclusively by the private sector. What we have is a private sector that is at the root cause of the present business crisis.

The private sector is not importing and investing as they should because they do not have the same confidence in the present government as they did in the previous administration. And from a theoretical point of view that is understandable because the propertied class is no longer being ruled by a political class which it controls. So the business class which is the main arm of the propertied class is

cautious when it comes to investment in the economy, including in the import/ export business.

The private sector is flush with funds and they can wait out the next five years and hope that the party they controlled is returned to power. The economy is strong enough to survive four years of decline.

There is therefore no reason for the Private Sector Commission to be seeking a scapegoat for what is clearly a lack of confidence by the business class in the government?

Do not blame the Minister of Public Security. Do not blame anyone. The problem lies in class interests.

Cultural policy reformations underway At a recently concluded cultural policy meeting held at the Ministry of Education, the issue of the urgent need for copyright was discussed. The meeting saw the attendance of musicians, producers and writers.

The aim of the consultations is to gather information from those involved in culture and development to see how the cultural heritage framework can be reformed. Also, the meetings are said to help set the agenda on cultural policy in the creative industries.

Several stakeholders who have broad policy experience and practical experience in the different art forms are being consulted to address the various issues regarding cultural policy.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo, in 1999, commenting on copyright described it as a critical development for the

country. To date, though, nothing has been done with regards to the implementation of copyright laws.

Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, recently committed to tabling a copyright legislation within the year.

Aside from the need for copyright, Producer Andrew King spoke of the need for diversity in the music industry rather than focusing on developing classical music as one also needs to look at the promotion of the art form.

According to Ruel Johnson, Cultural Policy Advisor to the Ministry of Education, Guyana was said to have been lax in the past with regards to putting together a National Cultural Policy. While there had been one in 1977 funded by UNESCO and coordinated by A.J Seymour and another one seven years ago by the Jagdeo administration,

there have been no considerable improvements.

Johnson stated that culture plays a critical role in the development of a country.

However, when crafting these developments, one need to take into account, customs, traditions, religious, ethnic, cohesional conflict and the level to which social cohesion exists within the society.

Three things are scheduled to be looked at. These are culture and education, culture and environment and culture and citizenship. Johnson also stated the need for a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage site in Guyana as we have a rich history in which such a thing could thrive.

“We will build from the ground up, a creative industry framework for development,” said Johnson.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 05, 2015

=== The Freddie Kissoon column ===

Why does the President have to review gun licence refusal?

If I were to research a topic for a daily column on the failure of Guyana and take the commentary right up to May 26, 2016, the day of the 50th anniversary of Independence, there still will be countless areas of horrible backwardness not covered.

And why is this so? Because this country defies logic.

Maybe it just does not exist.

I was jogging in the park yesterday when this businessman came up to me and showed me a response he got from the Police Commissioner three weeks ago on his request to update his firearm.

The Commissioner ’s reply

contains the following words, “Sect. 18(9) of the Firearm Act, Chap. 1605 states, ‘Any person aggrieved by a refusal of the prescribing officer to grant him licence (sic) under this section may appeal by petition in writing to the President whose decision will be final.”

This fellow had applied in 2013 for the upgrade but was turned down by Commissioner Leroy Brummel. So it doesn’t matter how long your request was refused. Once refused, the deus ex machina is the President. The gentleman I met in the National Park was turned down in 2013. So in

2015 he has to take his case to the President. Would it not be correct to say that it doesn’t matter when the refusal was made? Once made, the next step is the President’s desk.

This is bureaucratic nonsense. Suppose when the upgrade was first turned down, the businessman hadn’t the range of business he is now engaged in. Is it not possible that with the passage of time and more investments, his case is more plausible than when he first applied?

What an amazing country.

The President himself has to examine a citizen’s request for firearm upgrade if the initial application is turned down.

And according to the Commissioner’s letter that I have, you have to go to the President too if your request for a firearm itself is rejected.

Are you telling me from the refusal of the presiding officer there is isn’t an official or a body between the first stage and the President’s decision that can review the appeal? The answer is that there is none thus the Commissioner’s letter. Why burden the President of a country with reading an appeal from citizens who want to upgrade their guns. Think of the agenda of the President.

The President runs the affairs of state. Where is he going to get the time to look at a letter from a citizen who wants a better gun? Here is a quote from my September 5, 2015 column: “The room was told that Chamber members asked President Granger for a review of two rejections. The review was granted yet three months after the APNU-AFC came to power there is no communication on the outcome.” That quote is

about gun applicant rejection.

It had to go to President Granger. But could you blame the President if after three months he hasn’t replied? The gentleman is truly busy with pressing matters of state.

Venezuela has an active claim on Guyana. The economy isn’t in a Usain Bolt mode. Crime has become morbidly ubiquitous.

Why with such a heavy load, can the President truly devote time and mental energy on such issues as approving a firearm upgrade if the Police Commissioner refuses? Why not an appeal board within the Police Force? Then after that, there is recourse to a review panel compromising senior police officials and representatives from the Public Security Minister.

The nightmarish dimension in this situation is that the average Junior Minister is always busy.

The Senior Ministers are busier.

The Vice-Presidents have less time than the first two categories.

Naturally, why do you expect the President to be less busy than those three categories of policy-makers?

If Guyana is paying big

Frederick Kissoon money for quality Ministers, what do these Ministers do when a simple rejection of a firearm application or a simple rejection for a gun upgrade has to reach the President’s desk once the person wants to make an appeal.

Am I surprised that this is Guyana after 50 years of Independence? What I am sure about is that if I get grandchildren, I know that if in turn they get grandchildren, they will live in Guyana and that firearm law will be the same. Nothing changes in this psychologically barren land.

The last holiday I took was in 1998 in Wakenaam where my wife has her roots. When the 50th anniversary celebrations start, I may find it hard to live in Guyana knowing who and what Guyana is. I will be taking another holiday. This time in Timbuktu.

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 11

Key children’s legislation produced in Braille Three key pieces of children’s legislation have been produced in braille and handed over to the Social Protection Ministry to help sensitise visually-impaired Guyanese about their rights.

The reproduction of the Protection of Children’s Act (2009), the Sexual Offence Act (2010) and the Trafficking in Persons Act (2005) now in braille was part of a wider support initiative to promote inclusiveness.

It is a project that has been undertaken by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Marianne Flach, who is the representative for Guyana and Suriname, made several statements in support of the said project which she deemed to be of great importance.

She noted that these pieces of legislation were first translated into user-friendly language and then produced in Braille by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The handing-over ceremony of the pieces of legislation took place yesterday at the Ministry of Social Protection, Lamaha and East Streets.

The documents were presented to Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, in the presence of Permanent Secretary, Ms. Lorene Baird; Director of Social Services (DSS) Mr. Whentworth Tanner; Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ms. Ann

(From left) Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence receives the pieces of legislation from Marianne Flach, UNICEF Representative for Guyana and Suriname Green, and Commissioner of the National Commission on Disability (NCD), Mr. Ganesh Singh.

Flach, said that the legislation as well as posters about the Early Childhood Development Programme promoting positive discipline as a way to stop corporal punishment in schools, were also converted into the Wapishiana language for the country’s indigenous population.

“It’s about leaving nobody behind by ensuring that children have access to these critical pieces of legislations that protect their rights. All children should know about their rights and children with disabilities need

to have access as well,” she said.

This initial phase of the project saw the production of about 40 copies of each booklet. The intention is to have government expand production for access nationwide.

Minister Lawrence explained that her Ministry will incorporate the initiative in its budget and will work with the NCD to ensure all groups and organisations addressing the needs of the targeted groups have copies of the critical documents.

“This may seem a small event, but it is significant and I wish to thank UNICEF for recognising that in all we do, we need to create a fair chance

for every child,” Singh said.

He commended UNICEF and the Social Protection Ministry for the initiative, noting that for a long time persons with visual disabilities have had limited or no access to such legislations, even though they are often victims of numerous violations.

He noted that the documents can equip persons with disabilities with valuable knowledge to survive many of the

hardships they face in dealing with the transgression of their rights.

He also implored the Guyana government to support the production of all other legislation in Braille.

UNICEF has also supported the collaborative effort to make the play area in the National Park friendly to children with disabilities, by ensuring it has appropriate access and equipment with safety features.

It must also use bright

colours and sounds for those children.

Page 12

Kaieteur News

Thursday November 05, 2015

Guyanese wins special election in New York

A winner again: Guyanese-born, Roxanne Persaud NEW YORK, Nov 4, CMC – A Guyanese-born legislator has won a special election to fill a Brooklyn seat left vacant after Guyanese-American New York State Senator John L. Sampson was convicted in July of lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) in a US federal corruption case.

Sampson, the son of a Guyanese father, was forced to relinquish the 19thsenatorial district seat in the Canarsie section of Brooklyn.

Roxanne Jacqueline Persaud, who was elected to the New York State Assembly in November 2014, as representative for the 59th Assembly District, defeated her two challengers in Tuesday’s elections for the 19thSenatorial District.

Persaud, 49, polled 6,980 votes, or 88 per cent of the votes cast, while Jeffrey Ferretti, the Republic Party challenger, received 702 votes, or nine per cent; and Conservative Party opponent Elias Weir got 245 votes, or three per cent.

“Great! Great!” she told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) late Tuesday night.

“Fabulous! I’m happy all the waiting is over, so I can get to do the work,” added Persaud amid victory celebrations at the Thomas Jefferson Democratic Club in Canarsie that had endorsed her.

“It shows hard work pays off,” said Persaud, who had migrated from Guyana with her parents and siblings, when she was 19 years old.

She said she had no qualms running for Sampson’s old seat.

“I’m not happy with what’s happening, but you have to do what you have to do. When an opportunity presents itself, you follow, and you do it.

“I know I can continue my (continued on page 24)

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Delayed teachers’ promotions...

TSC, GTU to appear before Chief Justice tomorrow While an earlier report carried by this publication suggested that teachers were promoted by the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) for the 2015-2016 school year, this has however not been the case.

In fact the TSC in a statement said that it is saddened by a prolonged delay in the promotions of teachers in the public education system, because of an injunction filed by the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU).

The GTU sought redress from the court since it was convinced that the TSC this year, and for years prior, deviated from written rules and regulations that govern the promotion of teachers in the public education system.

As such, it has called for a complete review of the promotion process for this year which had resulted in the halting of the publication of a final list.

The court matter regarding this issue is slated to be heard on Friday (November 6, 2015) before Chief Justice (ag), Ian Chang.

The matter should have already been heard in court but this publication was informed that after the GTU had secured an injunction to stop the promotion process, the TSC’s lawyer went to court and requested the later date for the matter to be heard.

This was reportedly to allow the parties involved to engage in dialogue towards a possible resolution outside of the court.

“We would have been happy for that because it would have been a faster process,” said GTU President, Mark Lyte, who told this publication that “TSC is still trying to dictate what they are going to do,

and the GTU is not prepared to listen to TSC making demands on us.”

“We have an issue with the list and we have maintained our concerns,” Lyte noted, even as he pointed out that the TSC has acknowledged that it has not followed its own guidelines.

“They (TSC) are aware that it is in breach of the rules,” he added, disclosing that Chairperson of the Commission, Ms Leila Ramson had suggested at a meeting on October 29 last, that the list should go through as is this time around and next year attempts will be made to address the concerns raised.

Lyte explained that while teachers are suppose to be promoted on a points basis, there were comments that were taken into consideration that could have served to deny or allow some teachers’ promotions.

GTU, Lyte said, is convinced that the promotion process has been fraught with subjectivity on the part of the majority of the TSC Commissioners.

“They have been unfair to the teachers...to say that is what you have been doing over the years does not make it right; maybe over the years we have never been told what was happening,” said the GTU President when asked why the body was only this year seeking to raise its concerns.

Lyte informed that although the GTU usually has a nominee who functions as a TSC Commissioner, that nominee in the past might not have objected to the TSC’s process of promotion. But according to him, “Our nominee for this period did object to what TSC was doing but the objections were not

heeded.”

According to the GTU President, “Teachers have become so accustomed to how they are treated by TSC, that they never even challenge the TSC although they know that they were senior to somebody (teacher) who got a promotion...TSC has never been inclined to make any changes. As a matter of fact, if 40 people objected, they (TSC) only made one or two changes.”

“We are not in agreement with TSC deviating from rules now that we are aware of what is going on, and we have taken a stance to deal with this matter once and for all,” asserted Lyte.

Lyte is convinced that had the TSC taken the time to review the applications, its final promotion list could have by now been completed.

“We were not asking for fresh applications, we were asking for a review to ensure that teachers were not disenfranchised based on the comments made by officials within their respective Regions,” said Lyte.

But the TSC in its statement said that it views the Union’s demands for a review of all applications as an unnecessary task which seeks to question the integrity and autonomy of a constitutional body that is sworn to the impartial discharge of its mandate.

“In our last meeting with the GTU hosted at the Teaching Service Commission on the 29th October 2015, the Commission reiterated that Promotion 2015 be concluded as is, and that any changes with the criteria for future Promotion exercises be agreed between the Teaching Service Commission and the Ministry of Education,” said

Leila Ramson

GTU President, Mark Lyte

the TSC statement. It was however noted that the GTU has rejected this compromise.

According to the TSC, it is deeply concerned about the negative impact and repercussions that the delay of 2015 Promotions would have on students and teachers preparing for the various forthcoming examinations and the delivery of quality education generally.

It has therefore concluded that “apparently this is not the concern of the GTU.” The GTU is not buying the TSC’s explanation and remains adamant that the promotion process must be revisited even if at the expense of the teachers being delayed their promotions.

Lyte yesterday asserted that “The real people who are not being fair to our teachers is not the GTU; GTU is fighting on behalf of the teachers and the TSC is not prepared to address the concerns of the GTU.” He added, “We have all of our teachers’ interests at heart and that is why we are fighting for them. We believe if we allow the list to go through we will not be truly representing our teachers

and representing their concerns.”

The TSC in its defence said that the promotion process was an important exercise done by all the Commissioners, representatives from Central Ministry, and a representative from the GTU. In seeking to dispel some of the concerns that have been highlighted by the GTU, the TSC in its statement insisted that the Promotion Application Form used, has one section for the applicant’s particulars and the other section captioned “For Official Use” for the comments of the HeadTeacher, District Education Officer, Regional Education Officer, and the respective level Assistant Chief Education Officer.

Applicants are scored based on their experience, qualifications, and Appraisal Grades, the TSC explained.

However, it added that in determining their suitability, the comments of the Head Teacher, District Education Officer, Regional Education Officer, and Assistant Chief Education Officer are also taken into account.

According to the TSC, “they provide more insightful details in relation to the applicant’s performance.

Their recommendations are therefore considered vital.”

The TSC has asserted too, that the process adopted for the application for the year 2015 is the same process that has been applied over the years.

It was stressed too that during the Senior Promotion Exercise, a GTU nominee is always present and in this particular year, the GTU Nominee who sat with the TSC during the Promotional Exercise made no objection, contrary to what Lyte told this publication.

Upon completion of the exercise, the Preliminary List of Promotions was sent to all Regions and posted on the TSC website. Applicants were given two weeks to “Appeal” the decisions listed on the Preliminary List.

Applicants did so and appeals were thoroughly dealt with by the Commission.

“In this regard, the TSC in a bid to satisfy the Union’s grievance as stated in the injunction, requested an additional list of teachers with specific grievances, but the union refused to provide such a list and demanded 100 per cent re-examination of all the applications,” the TSC added.

According to the TSC, it has “For the school year 20152016, the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has stringently followed set criteria and principles to promote between four to five thousand senior school administrators.”

But according to Lyte, at no point in time would the TSC be required to fill in excess of 1,000 vacancies in a single school year.

Page 22

Kaieteur News

SALON

SERVICES PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY,ETC.–CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 2161043; 677-6620

WANTED

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Guyana Passport application. Graphics design, Advertisement. Tel: 626-7040; 265-4535.

One domestic maid and cook for a bar. Call: 667-6662; 6570316 Experienced Roti/Puri cook, pastry maker, cake decorator, dish washers, apply at Hack’s Halaal, 5 Commerce Street.

Girls to work in bar as waitress. Call: 256-4096

PARTY DECORATING: balloon creation, back drops etc. for weddings, birthdays, anniversary etc. Make your event extra special! Tel Maya: 642-6664

Chainsaw operator for ripping-Call: 627-6019; 6565671 Pump attendants and Cashiers- Call: 627-2550; 6706005

REPAIRS AT LOW COST: FRIDGES, A/C, WASHING MACHINES, TVS, MICROWAVES, FREEZERS CALL: 629-4946 OR 225-4822

Security guards to work in the interior, military background a must. Call: 2269768; 615-6172

Floor sanding & Lacquering House plans, Estimate & painting, Boat for Santa Mission - Call: 650-4362 Repairs at affordable prices: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezerCall: 610-5846 or 661-8158 Landscaping: Palms, largest varieties of plants, Used in every one of our unique landscapes- Call: 648-1821/ 219-0468 Eagle’s fridge re-gas @ 99100 New Market Street $8,000 & washing machine repairs. Phone: 697-2969, 223-5818 Permanent & Visitors Visa Applications, Professional Immigration Consultant Room D5 Maraj Building. visadocumentsgy@yahoo.com.

Call: 225-6496, 662-6045 INNOVATIVE MARKETING & PUBLISHING INC –TEL: 600-4212: We create A/ works, logos, business cards, posters, etc, placements of ads included.

REPAIRS & SPARE, FRIDGE, FREEZER, A/C, WASHERS, STOVES – CONTACT NICK: 6831312, 627-3206 Professional Pressure washing & water tank cleaning services, for all your home & business exterior cleaning call: 696-5424

Contract cars, drivers & dispatcher. Call: 231-0316; 231-0002 Lumber Concession to work.

All Species of Hardwood and Greenhart. Contact: Sunil 6255995/698-6245 One DJ/Entertainer to work @ a club on the Essequibo Coast. Accommodation provided, serious enquiries only. Contact: 226-9768 Diesel Mechanics to work in the interior must have knowledge of Perkins Engines.

Call: 226-9768; 615-6172 Live in experienced cook 3045yrs – $80,000 monthly, live in waitress 18-25yrs-$60,000 monthly. Call: 610-3974 Attractive live in waitressCall: 327-0252/674-4665 One live in maid, assistant salesgirl @ E.C.D. Call: 6035416; 644-9802 Security guard & a gardener: preferably from G/town and E.C.D. Call Neville Osman: 624-1737 (8:00am-4:00pm).

Office clerk: senior/junior.

With CXC Maths/English, Computer Knowledge is an asset. Call: 219-5354

VACANCY Experienced agent required for preparing procurement bid document, mozatart@yahoo.com or 6637504

Affordable salon services: pedi, mani, wash & blowout, facials, etc $2,500 each. Vogue @ Kalyan Mall, Lamaha Street. Tel: 647-1773/660-5257

Popular East Coast Gas Station Day/Night: pump attendants, sales & office assistant. Contact: 658-2013; 695-9880, Strathspey E.C.D.

FOR RENT

One porter preferably from East Bank Dem. & 1 merchandiser. Call: 610-1111 Internal Auditorqualifications: Degree in Accounting or ACCA level 2, three to five years experience.

PO Box: 101254

PLANNING AN EVENT? BIRTHDAY PARTY, GRADUATION,WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY, ETC. CALL DIAMOND TENTS: 216-1043; 677-6620 Bottom flat Liquor Restaurant @ Lot 9 North Section Canal #2. Call: 653-1003 One self contained room; preferably bachelor. Call: 2234545 Top flat, 2 bedrooms @ East Street opposite Balwant Singh Hospital, no children.

Call: 227-6776; 667-3062 Apartments for rent at Nandy Park. Call: 227-5194 Alexander Village, large 2 bedrooms apartment, 2 bathrooms, hot water, parking, -$65,000. Call: 674-3735; 6528970 available immediately.

Business spot for rent: hair salon or barbershop, food, etc. Call: 673-0373; 675-3838 Commercial Space for rent at Lot 12 North Road, salon & barber stations – Call: 6628715, 680-1198 One detached house, 2 bedrooms, water tank, with parking space. Call Joy: 2181285; 649-9059 GT TOOL RENTALS: COMPACTOR; CHIPPING HAMMER RANSOM & FLOOR SANDER, JACK HAMMER, CONCRETE SAW & MORE- CALL: 6672535, 627-5098

Live in domestic/care giver need @ Republic Park, 1 week on, 1 week off -$13,000 weekly –Call: 667-2535 TO LET

One receptionist – apply at Rainbow Villa & Car Rental with application in person.

Call: 225-5509 Water truck drivers. Call: 6803863 1-Experienced payroll Clerk, must know to make up NIS & PAYE, 1-Experienced office staff. Call: 231-0363 (9am4pm) Resort Manager: Degree in Hospitality, three to five years of experienced. PO BOX: 101254 Land Development Manager: Degree in Civil Engineering, Real Estate/Management, three - five years experience.

PO BOX: 101254

LAND FOR SALE 1500 Acres Transported land near Bartica, Forestry, Agriculture, loam, sand rock quarry, price to sell. Cal Mark: 603-1266; 625-9788; 704-4652222 Formerly Globe Cinema, corner lot @ Church & Waterloo Street, size 126ftX133ft. Call: 610-2234 33 Acres prime agriculture land located at Plantation Flensberg W.B.D-price negotiable-Contact Erick Boodhoo: Call: 654-6229; 6270556 Transported Land @ Essequibo, Richmond $4.5M, large, filled up and fenced. Call: 682-5230; 6289596

4 Bedroom house furnished, self contained, master bedroom. Call: 603-6351

LCD-Plasma-LED TV repairs etc.

Contact Abdul Electronics. Call: 225-0391 Desmond Repair Services Fridge, AC, gas stove, microwave, washer, etc on the spot repairs –Call: (592)678-8683; 687-9709.

-Make Up Courses with Mac, Bare Minerals, Black Opal, Mabelline.

-Nail Technician Course Call: 647-1773/660-5257

SERVICES Building/Renovating: for quality series from foundation to fine finishes.

Contact Trini: 682-9935

Four storey business place located on Robb Street, next to Bourda Market. Call: 6237731; 629-0636 One bedroom apartment Mon –Repos E.B.D- No ChildrenCall: 662-9043

LEARN TO DRIVE Soman Son & Outar Driving School at Maraj Building- Tel: 644-5166; 622-2872; 6150964; 689-5997

Thursday November 05, 2015

PROPERTY FOR SALE

VEHICLE FOR SALE

Property for sale, Grove $20M / Rent: $50,000 per month. Tel: 625-5461.

Property at Diamond New Scheme: 1-Three bedroom flat concrete house, price $9.5M negotiable. Call: 2663962; 667-1240 2 Storied transported concrete property upstairs 2 bedrooms, downstairs 2 bedrooms; fully grilled, block ‘8’ Mon Repos, E.C.D -$18M. Call: 625-1514, 231-7255 3 Bedroom; 2 flat house for sale, Enterprise, Lincolin Street, Lot 135 -$14M negotiable.

Contact: 597-858-4554 (Suriname), Guyana: 602-3643

SALE! SALE! SALE One TOYOTA RZ MINIBUS GJJ series -$1.5Million.

One Econoline FORD 2005 GSSSeries-$1.5M.Call:604-6108 One Honda CRV, immaculate condition, 17" mags, AC, CD, price -$1.750,000 negotiable.

Call: 626-2884 For Immediate Sale: Ford F150 Toyota Madza, Axela Toyota Verossa, Nissan Dualis. Contact: 623-3400; 231-3837 First Class Auto: 08 Premio, Rush, Bluebird, 06 Premio, Spacio IST, Runx. Call: 6098188; 638-3045 Smart Choice Auto Sales, in stock, Premio, Allion, Fielder, Bluebird, Carina 212, Spacio, Call: 652-3820/ 665-4529

Transported property at Tuschen Housing Scheme, located around School -$7M negotiable. Contact: 2641050; 683-7045; 669-3553 Property at Tuschen-Call: 669-9055; 674-1291 Property at Cane Ville E.B.D, Main Road -$6.5M- Call: 2661316 or 616-5433 Brand new 2 storey concrete building in 5th Avenue, Diamond, E.B.D, all modern amenities –Call: 662-9335; 612-3244 Popular business place at temple Street, WindsorForest, W.C.D, price negotiable. Call: 642-6664 Property at Craig E.B.D, land size 91X50 feet, house 40X28 feet. Call US: 718-213-6496 Zeena & Local: 617-7691 Shameer.

2 Storey 45x35 concrete property, lower flat incomplete. Land 65x120 @ Diamond N/S 5th Avenue,E.B.D- Call: 664-5052 One 3 bedrooms building in Diamond E.B.D. Call: 2270243; 677-3472 (owner) between 8am-5pm PROPERTY WITH 54,000 SQ.FT BOND SPACE ON 1 ACRE OF LAND WITH LOADING & DISCHARGING BAYS. CALL: 225-0790; 226-4878

VEHICLE FOR SALE Damein’s Auto Sales: 20022004 Toyota Premio Cars, prices: $2.3M-$2.4M negotiable. Call: 692-1522 or 614-1333 One LN172 Toyota Hilux manual, 3RZ Engine, one 125 Honda CG motorcycle. Call: 682-6111 Blow out sale! Cheapest: Super GL automatic and stick gear VVTI buses, Hilux-1RZ engine. Call: 616-7635

Mercedes Benz GLK 350 Sports SUV , 4 matic, 30,000 miles , 20" rim, sunroff, leather seat, DVD &18 sound system. call 624 5000.

Lexus LX 470, low milage , must see like new, leather interior, chrome rims & much more call 628 4000 Pearl white reconditioned, Prado Jeep. Call: 624-6702; 624-5838 Honda CRV PSS 2018 -$3M negotiable, Toyota Rush and Premio – New Model unregistered$3.2M negotiable. Call: 655-3400 2RZ Minibus long base, BPP series, 1st owners (work as airport taxi) – Call: 684-7965; 684-3794; 2612923 Mazda Axela PRR, mag rims, good for bank purchases, excellent condition-$1.6M. Call: 639-2490 2013 Mercedes C250 turbo AMG coupe, retractable glass top, mileage 15K, alcantara leather interior, brush aluminum acc- Call: 650-5136 Tractors from Canada: MF165-$1.7M, MF135 $1.1M, MF 265-$2.1M, Tundra -$1.9M, 2005 Tacoma -$2.4M. Call: 682-5230; 6289596 1 Toyota VIOS, fully loaded, PLL series, in excellent condition- Call: 658-2776 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 Tacoma- Call: 680-3154 2 Ford F350 Pickup, lift kit, 35inches rims and tyres, also 1 Chevy Van 2007 –Call: 6105370 Continued on page 23

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Letters... Where your views make the news

Artist advises the Government to manage...

From page 5 opportunities long marginalised.

That this was not a secret decision is somewhat commendable. It came from ‘the horse’s mouth’ speaking of that mouth; the essence of the public rage, that is, lies with the arrogance, convoluted, pompous logic and disrespectful tone of the messenger.

For all of us over the past twenty years, outside of drugs, smuggling, back track, money laundering, were luckily and legitimately placed in the legal businesses of mining, then you could breathe much better.

Others prospered and survived as part of or were linked as thugs and minions of convenience to the cartels within the PPP Government, that shifted hundreds of millions of our money into their own pockets, or were of that special few, void of ideals, shame or morals, the deal makers that sell themselves to prosper regardless.

The rest of us were catching! Surviving, either on old money, remittances or selling narcotics to our neighbours. There were the

‘Poor Rich’ which means honestly enduring, but stressed- barely paying one’s monthly debts, always late. Then, those who struggled openly against the PPP felt it worse.

Thus, we have a right to feel entitled to our opinions and respect.

The paradox rests with the Opposition PPP who paid some of their members and cronies unjustifiably more than the sum total of the 50%, and of all people to have an opinion, Bharat Jagdeo.

Whose NIS-CLICO hustlers broke those institutions and under his watch allowed the creation of the crack addict nation and turned our value system upside down, a generation was criminalized.

In politics it is out of power engagement that inspires. I can point to President-David Granger, Nigel Hughes and his wife, Ministers Roopnarine, David Patterson , Ronald Bulkan, Volda Lawrence and my friend, the A.G Basil Williams whose field work in desperate times past, must be remembered, the AG, is out of the 50% contention, his position, the

Chancellor and Prime Minister have had their scales fitted in sequence for over three decades, and as a lawyer I know he has earned it for services pro bono public.

This cannot be disputed, when this country for over a decade was haunted by the PPP’s Phantoms and death squads, he was there, in court, at the extra-judicial funerals and vigils.

It was he who took up Mark Benschop’s case of vindictive incarceration, and championed the causes of many young men Identified by the drug militias for arrest to the “State-Cartel” controlled Police Force, when they ‘The Phantom’ could not murder them.

I am comfortable that the office of the AG is in Basil William’s range of responsibility.

The Ministers have to manage our interests, like the excellent drainage work, but it is necessary to place an oversight on the Republic of City Hall, in the Interest of our contracted young workers. I cannot help commenting on the statesmanship in handling our border dispute from our vulnerable position, it is superb, and all within five

months.

APNU-AFC must however understand, you came through our ‘Will’ to replace a political cartel of questionable characters, and callous misfits, but you have also brought some.

Thus, be like the sleepless sentinel of the Rainbow Bridge, listen to our contentions, feel our apprehensions and manage; not rule.

I must say this as I conclude this letter. In Cultural Industries it is inspiring that for the first time in twenty five years we in the Arts are now been listened to, and accommodated to design policy in our interests, this will lead in the long term to job creation and the capacity for wealth building for the Arts-extended community.

No doubt Sports will soon require such a policy effort.

That 50% has to translate into vigilance that listens to our ideas and concerns and work with us to regain too much lost time, lives lost and values buried in the abysmal shadow of Ali Baba and his legions of Ghouls.

Barrington Braithwaite

Living conditions at Amerindian Hostel hardly civilized

From page 4 to those staying at the hostel and the hinterland student’s dormitory prepared by persons qualified in preparing indigenous dishes.

Sourcing the raw materials to prepare these meals can be done from indigenous communities and will do justice to those communities that are looking for secured market for their

produce and will tap into the economy of those villages too.

It is very shameful to see our people sit and dine outside of the compound where there is a stagnant drain passing beneath their feet with a stench, in an environment that is insanitary and not conducive for eating but have no other option to enjoy meals that are rarely

From page 4 the Guyanese society.

Should we not be magnanimous and elevate our discussions on race relations in the Guyanese context to examine whether Indians are better at some things and Blacks are better at some things and the Amerindians are better at some things and likewise the other races; and therefore develop a greater understanding and sense of appreciation for the strengths and weaknesses of each ethnic groups.

This better of which I speak, should not be viewed in a superior and inferior or competitive context but rather in a complimentary sense.

Nevertheless, I value the debate but what would be

great, is for the debate to be put into a context and focus the discussions so that there are some specific things that can be achieved from them. It is about social cohesion; this is such a rich debate!

The intention of this letter was also to address the way we communicate as Guyanese and how the Asian, Western and indigenous influences manifest in those interactions and to look at the unique aspects from the Asian, Western and indigenous influences that we may wish to be aware of and preserve since it holds together to very fabric of what we know as the Guyanese society, however, I will address this area in another letter.

Audreyanna Thomas

I reject Ramharack’s contention...

served in the kitchen.

Many persons have become dependent on this eating place which has grown to become a very popular vending area.

Not only is this service proving very useful for the persons staying at the facility but to other indigenous population living in Georgetown.

This service that is provided must be improved to a standard recommended by our relevant health authorities in collaboration with our Indigenous Affairs Ministry.

Higher standards of living is everyone’s dream and not just those that make their voices heard by all means but let us look and listen to the silent cries of those who have been very patient for the day that existence in poverty will be ended and inequality even for our basic human rights will ceased to exist. We have accepted stand pipes in our hinterland communities as a source of water but please let’s not accept it in Georgetown where better services are what we are entitled to.

Damien Chambers

From page 22

EDUCATION Obtain a guaranteed distinction in CSEC Principles of Accounts. Call: 654-1723 for more information Home school Tutor for all SSEE subjects, also CXC English. Call: 696-7467 Rising Star All Day Nursery, 2-6 yrs 15 students: 2 teachers enrichment programs Phonics, Reading, Speech, Vocabulary & Numeracy Call: 690-9378 Home tutoring, grades 4-6, Secondary Grade 7-11 English Language/Literature.

Contact Ms Stacy. Cell: 6704435, Home: 265-3637

CAR RENTAL DOLLY’SCARRENTAL-CALL: 225-7126/226-3693 DOLLYSAUTORENTAL@ YA H O O . C O M / W W W. DOLLYSAUTORENTAL.COM PROGRESSIVE CAR RENTAL: CARS& SUV FOR RENTAL- $4,000 & UP PER DAY- CALL: 643-5122, 656-0087 ,EMAIL:PRO_ A U T O R E N T A L @YAHOO.COM Wing’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up rental- Call: 690-6494 Aidan’s Car & 4WD Vigo pick up, cheapest rate, low security- Call: 698-7807

ACCOMODATION Saturdays & Sundays after lunch @ Inner Retreat Hotel Parika: Bar-B-Que & games: pools, darts, table tennis etc – Phone: 260-4504.

Inner Retreat Hotel Restaurant & Bar, Retreat Road Parika. Indoor /Outdoor bar in Picturesque setting – Phone: 260-4504; 685-6934

FOR SALE LARGE QUANTITIES OF HIGH PURITY MERCURY (QUICK SILVER) 99.99995% PURITY$19,000 PER POUND CALL: 592-227-4754.

Prado 2000 model, 2700CC, PPP2872, pearl white & silver, next to new- Call: 684-5868 House in Tuschen Main Road -$27M, 46ft fishing boat & 500lbs Nylon Seine -$2.3M. Call: 696-6074 Plants: Foxtails Palms, Christmas Palms, Ixora, Ficus, Christmas Trees, Petunia, Pentas, Gerbera, Marigold, Periwinkle @ AK PlantShop.

Call: 610-7363 Plants: Chrysanthemums 5 for $2000, Hibiscus 5 for $3,000, Bougainvilla 5 for $2000 @ AK Plant Shop. Call: 610-7363 House Lots for sale at Parika, Blankenburg and Schoonord, also Financing Available.

Call: 650-0402 / 260-4988 MILL CUT AND DRESSED GREENHEART FROM $160BM AND KABUKALLI FROM, $180BM- TEL: 6886579/653-9752 Frigidaire 15 Cubic foot chest freezer, like new, great for shops -$100,000. Call: 6222899, 666-6592 1-CAT320 BL excavator, 1CAT930 Front End Loader, 1CAT428 Back-Hoe, 1-55 Leyland Daf Truck. Call: 2750538, 660-4021 XBOX 360- $2500, PS3 $35,000, PS2 -$15,000, PS VITA -$60,000, Plastic Barrel -$5,000- Call: 621-7497; 6493277; 603-8643 Rotweiler pups. Tel: 6196086, 622-6646, 699-7077.

One mining block along 6Km Road Aroura- Call Mr. Williams: 671-0057 250 Rebel Motorcycle, one 250 nighthawk motorcycle, for more information contact: 662-8715; 680-1198; 7715388-87

TOURS Suriname Tour, Shopping, Tours, site seeing November 26th -29th Old years into New Years December 30th – January 3rd –Call: 639-2663; 665-5171

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Thursday November 05, 2015

Robb Street Granny murder trial ...

Accused told police of plan which led to victim’s execution Murder accused, Cleon Hinds had revealed to police investigators, the plan which led to the execution of 72year-old, Robb Street resident, Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris.

Fiedtkou-Parris was shot and killed in her home on June 30, 2011 by gunmen, who were reportedly hired to end her life, over a property dispute.

On the day of the shooting, two men reportedly went to the woman’s Lot 42 Robb Street residence and requested an audience with her. Upon hearing the persons requesting her presence, she moved to the door where the gunmen opened fire on her.

She was hit several times about the body and died.

It was reported that after the shooting, the suspects made their escape in a waiting

car. However, the men were purportedly caught on video camera committing the act.

The gunmen were each paid $400,000 to end the woman’s life.

Four men are currently on trial at the Georgetown High Court for the murder. Orin Hinds, called “Red Man,” of Burnham Boulevard, Mocha, East Bank Demerara; Kevin October called, “Troy,” of Second Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara; Cleon Hinds, and Roy Jacobs called “Chippie” or “Black Boy” of Evans Street, Charlestown, are facing Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury.

The accused are being represented by Attorneys -atLaw, George Thomas, Moti Singh, Raymond Alli and Maxwell Mc Kay. Following a Voir Dire yesterday, the caution statement of Cleon

‘A real sorry for the lady boss man. Me ain’t even know how me get caught up in this thing’—says accused in caution statement Hinds was admitted into evidence.

The statement was read aloud to the court by Detective Corporal, Chetram Sewsankar. Sewsankar was said to be present at the time of the taking of the caution statement. According to him, Hinds detailed a plan to murder the elderly woman, who resided next door to Trans Pacific Motor Spares on Robb Street.

According to the information, Hinds had told investigating ranks that he learnt of the plan to kill the woman from “Roy.” By this time he (Roy) was already in prison. “He tell me that a big

man, pay them big money fuh throw down a big lady next to Trans.”

Sewsankar related that the accused afterward, learnt that the said man had an ongoing dispute with the old woman, over the land she occupied.

According to the statement, Hinds told the police that prior to the shooting, he had borrowed a gun to kill the woman but his brother eventually went on the “wuk”. Hinds related that he stayed on the park. He subsequently learnt that the old woman was dead.

“Dem tell me that dem kill de old lady.” The statement outlined that after receiving the news, the accused drove

by the woman‘s house.

There, he saw a group of policemen, gathered outside the house, and he figured out that she was dead.”

Hinds told police officers that he disposed of the gun.

A couple of days later, he received $80,000 from Roy to share between himself and his brother.

“A real sorry for the lady boss man. Me ain’t even know how me get caught up in this thing.”

Detective Corporal Mitchell Caesar was subsequently called to the stand by State Counsel Teeshana Lake. He testified that he participated in the murder investigation and arrested Roy Jacobs, and Cleon Hinds.

The police witness related that based on information received he also collected Kevin October from the Georgetown Prisons and took him to CID Headquarters for further investigations.

Clementine Fiedtkou-Parris Under Cross examination, by Defense Counsel, George Thomas, Caesar told the court that information procured from a civilian source led to the apprehension of the three men.

Further questioned, Caesar revealed that during his investigations, he never questioned or met with anyone else in relation to the murder.

Another Policeman is currently on the witness stand. Detective Sarabo had assisted with the procurement of the caution statement from Roy Jacobs. The trial continues today.

Region Three seniors get special attention from Education Unit

Scenes from the Region Three Month of the Elderly Celebration Several senior citizens were the beneficiaries of health checks and entertaining presentations when the Region Three Education Department’s Guidance and Counseling Unit collaborated with the TUCAN Senior Citizen’s Organisation of Den Amstel, West Coast Demerara, to celebrate the Month of the Elderly.

The memorable event, which was held on Friday October 30, 2015, was held at the Den Amstel Community Centre and embraced the theme “Sustainability and Age Inclusiveness in the urban environment.”

The seniors were eligible for general medical checks and blood pressure testing.

The event however started with a cultural extravaganza showcasing dances, poetry recital and steel pan renditions that were from students of several participating schools including: West Demerara Secondary, Uitvlugt Secondary

and Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary.

Pupils from the Den Amstel and Cornelia Ida Primary Schools also participated.

At the start of the event Mrs. Margaret McKend, a retired Headteacher delivered brief remarks. In addition to honouring the senior citizens, the event was one that was aimed at raising awareness about the Guidance and Counseling Unit

while at the same time, seeking to forge better relations with both the youths and the elderly within Region Three.

Among the team of Guidance and Counseling officers at the event were: Mrs. Sharon Dyall, Ms. Cindy Tiwari, Ms. Ranata Thomas, Ms. Juanita Cameron, Ms. Priscilla Gonsalves and Mr. Kevin Reddy.

Guyanese wins special ...

From page 12 work. As senator, I will work to bring all the communities together and to make sure they have equal representation.”

Persaud, who was the first female to represent the 59th Assembly District, said she is a “longtime advocate for her community and an avid volunteer.”

She said her dedication to serving her community motivated her to serve in

various capacities. She was President of the 69th Precinct Community Council in Canarsie, member of Community Board 18 and Commissioner on the New York City Districting Commission.

Persaud added that she is a graduate of the New York Police Department (NYPD) Citizens Police Academy, as well as the New York City Office of Emergency Management-Community Emergency Response Team.

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

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Thursday November 05, 2015

Plane crashes in South Sudan, witnesses say dozens killed Reuters - A Russian-built cargo plane with passengers on board crashed yesterday after taking off from the airport in South Sudan’s capital, killing dozens of people, witnesses said.

An official said three people on board survived.

The precise death toll was not immediately clear after the Antonov-12 B plane turbo prop plane crashed soon after take off, leaving chunks of wreckage, bodies and cargo strewn along a bank of the White Nile River.

The Civil Aviation Authority said the number of dead was still being counted.

A Reuters witness saw 41 bodies, some of which were covered by cloth.

A police officer, who did not give his name because he was not authorised to speak to the media, also put the death toll at 41. Another witness counted at least 32 killed.

Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told Reuters the plane was

carrying 18 people, including the six foreign crew, according to official documents. He said 15 of them died and three South Sudanese nationals survived, including a child.

“This is the number given to us by the (control) tower,” he told Reuters in reference to those on board.

Asked about figures suggesting a higher toll, he said it could be people killed on the ground but said he had no indication about any such deaths.

Officials said the plane belonged to freight and logistics firm Allied Services Ltd. Officials at the company could not immediately be reached for comment.

“We have rushed to the site of crash which is located near the airport, southeast of Juba International Airport (across) the river,” said the chief executive of the Civil Aviation Authority at Juba airport, Stephen Warikozi.

“We have secured the site of crash and also we are

The scene of a cargo airplane that crashed after take-off near Juba Airport in South Sudan yesterday. REUTERS/STRINGER in the stage of recovering bodies and black box,” he said.

“We are still now recovering the dead bodies and we cannot give you the

exact number.”

The plane, registration number EY406, had been on its way to Paloch, in the north of South Sudan, Warikozi said.

The presidential spokesman said the six crew were comprised of five Armenians and one Russian.

He said all the others on the flight were South Sudanese.

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that five of its citizens who were members of the crew died in the crash. It cited its embassy in Egypt.

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 27

St Kitts-Nevis citizenship programme gets fresh start

Dr Timothy Harris BASSETERRE, St Kitts (SKNIS) — The citizenship by investment programme (CBI) offered by St Kitts and Nevis has been given a positive fresh start under the new government of national unity, said prime minister and minister of finance, Dr Timothy Harris, during his monthly press conference on Tuesday.

“In the last eight months, while undertaking the challenging task of transition and consolidating the people’s government, we have quietly but positively made tremendous progress in

giving a fresh start to our CBI programme,” Harris said, while noting that the government is rebuilding confidence once again to the market rocked by scandals, advisories and visa withdrawal.

The prime minister said the past is the past and the future is left to the government to consecrate, adding that dedication to the future is a duty to which he is fully committed. This, he said, is done for the benefit of the citizens of St Kitts and Nevis who appreciated the fact that the Federation needed a fresh start.

The prime minister said the CBI has gone through some achievements and progress since his government took office in February 2015.

“A new ethos has evolved,” Harris said, while noting that his government is in the business of development and is global in outlook.

“We aim to be the best managed and most prosperous small island state.

It is an honour and a privilege that we accord to others by

allowing them to acquire our citizenship. They must respect themselves, our country and do nothing to sully our country’s good name or to compromise the benefits which our country and people enjoy,” he said.

Harris outlined legislative action the government has taken to restore the legitimacy of the CBI programme.

He pointed to the St Christopher and Nevis Citizenship (Amendment) Bill as one such change to legislation. Harris said that this particular amendment will “allow our country to prohibit from participating in our programme, entities from countries designated as engaging in terrorism and other criminal acts related thereto.”

Underscoring the importance of such amendments, Harris explained that “given the amorphous nature of terrorist entities, further refinement of this legislation is to occur.”

The St Christopher and Nevis Citizenship (CBI Escrow Accounts) Bill is another example of legislation introduced by the

government. According to Harris, the bill is intended “to ensure that the resources committed to real estate purchases are all used only for intended purposes.”

Harris said that his government is committed to protecting the integrity of the programme and will engage in discussions with service providers and developers as he of the belief that collaboration is the way forward. He explained that as pioneers in a global industry it is imperative to “restore the legacy of leadership and prestige by our ability to attract only the best for St Kitts and Nevis.”

He noted that the Federation wants investors who show or have good judgment and who are knowledgeable enough to appreciate that the Federation is the gem in the region and they should have a longlasting interest in maintaining this gem.

Individuals who acquire citizenship of St Kitts and Nevis through the CBI programme must add value to the country by being a discerning cadre of people

who will have the country’s best interest at heart, he said.

“That was the message that I have been articulating at home and abroad and it is also in essence of the message that the majority got as we promoted the CBI programme in London, Miami, Singapore and Hong Kong in recent times,” Harris said, while extending thanks to stakeholders and persons who contributed to making the promotion and restoration of the CBI programme thus far a tremendous success.

Harris reflected on his recent visit to Asia in light of rebuilding the CBI

programme.

“We met with service providers, developers, agents past and present,” he said.

“My delegation left Asia confident that our CBI programme is better and stronger for the reforms which we have made and we can now face the future with confidence. The progress attained thus far is the result of a collaborative effort.”

Though much emphasis has been placed on CBI, Harris noted that other contributors aimed at boosting the economy are being considered. (Caribbean News)

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Thursday November 05, 2015

U.S. might take more steps to relax Cuba embargo, official says

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker (L) shakes hands with Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla during an official visit in Havana. REUTERS/Enrique de la Osa HAVANA (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama could further relax the U.S. trade embargo of Cuba, a senior State Department official said Tuesday, adding that Washington would not first demand human rights progress from Havana.

Obama has twice used executive authority to ease the embargo as part of his opening to Cuba, and more such regulatory changes could come if Cuba can absorb those made to date, said David Thorne, a senior adviser to Secretary of State John Kerry.

“We are making progress.

We are making regulatory changes. We’ll make more,” Thorne told Reuters in an interview.

Obama has eased travel restrictions on Americans, a u t h o r i z e d telecommunications companies to operate in Cuba, and permitted trade with Cuba’s small but growing private sector, among other measures.

But Cuba has been slow to embrace U.S. business, citing its inability to use dollars or receive U.S. credits under the embargo.

In one notable exception, Cuban state

telecommunications monopoly Etecsa on Monday signed a roaming agreement with U.S. carrier Sprint Corp.

“The pace is really going to be set by the Cubans and we are satisfied with how they want to do this,” said Thorne, who did not specify what changes might come.

Obama reversed the course of 10 previous presidents last December when he agreed with Cuban President Raul Castro to end Cold War-era animosity and restore diplomatic relations.

Thorne said Washington was not expecting rapid change on human rights.

First Haitian American elected NY civil court judge

NEW YORK - CMC – Attorney Dweynie Esther Paul has created history by becoming the first Haitian American to be elected as a New York State civil court judge.

Paul – who was born in Queens, New York to Haitian parents, ran unopposed for Kings County (Brooklyn) Civil Court Judge, representing the 2nd Municipal District that encompasses the BedfordStuyvesant, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights and Ocean Hill neighbourhoods of Brooklyn.

“To whom much is given, much is required!” Paul told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) on Election Night Tuesday. “I am so very blessed and honored to be in a position to serve the entire Kings County community.

“Today, we have made history together. I share this moment with the Haitian community ý and our greater

Dweynie Esther Paul Black Pan-African community. This victory is a result of the coming together of our communities, our talents and our resources.

“It also comes from a strong desire to see a just and equitable judicial system. I hope to live up to the values and aspiration of this communityý, as I carry out my duties. I want to thank all those who supported me, my

family, my parents and God,” she added.

Haitian American New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, who represents the 42ndAssembly District in Brooklyn, was among local legislators who supported Paul.

“I know Dweynie Paul to be an intelligent, thoughtful and selfless person, and I know she will make decisions with compassion, but based on the law,” said Bichotte, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who had also created history last November, when she was elected as the first ever Haitian American from New York City to the New York State Assembly.

“I am proud of my HaitianAmerican sister, whose historic victory is shaking the spirit of our Haitian ancestors,” added Bichott.

Paul was Bichotte’s campaign manager in 2012, when she first ran for a seat in the State Assembly.

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

Fenton keeps nation waiting …To release audit findings after national broadcast Sunday Jamaica Observer Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson Tuesday promised to release the findings of an audit on the status of the health system amidst public pressure for the disclosure.

But the release will not happen until after a planned national broadcast on Sunday night.

The embattled health minister made the announcement at a contract signing in Kingston, two days after the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party released excerpts of the leaked audit at a mass rally in Clarendon.

“I will be releasing the audit of the regional health authorities. I will give a fulsome response to both the press and the public in a broadcast to the nation on Sunday night,” he said, adding that he will use the time to make further announcements in relation to the way forward.

The minister’s announcement was an aboutturn to a stance taken in September when he insisted, at a press conference, that the report would not be made public as it would lead to public prejudices against some health institutions.

Since then there have been calls for the release of the report, which heightened after it was revealed that several premature babies had died from health-associated infections at the University Hospital of the West Indies and Cornwall Regional Hospital since June.

On Sunday night, Opposition spokesman on finance, Audley Shaw, said the report mentioned the outbreak of the infections at hospitals, despite the minister’s insistence that he only became aware of the situation in October.

Tuesday, Dr Ferguson said that the findings are being made public after

“consultations” and that the decision was made to prevent further misinformation coming to the public and in keeping with openness and transparency.

“We took an early position as a team that we would hold these audits. We did consultations with several groups and we felt, coming out of those consultations, that we should produce on what is unfolding,” Dr Ferguson said.

In reference to the Opposition questioning his credibility, Dr Ferguson said it was clear the matter was becoming the centre of their political campaign.

“Our affairs are related to the hospitals t h a t w e r e audited [and] still remain the affairs relative to persons demonising our i n s t i t u t i o n s . We h a v e noted the private sector organisations and other organisations that have expressed their own views in relation to being open,” he said.

“Those persons would remember that when we had the press briefing we spoke to some of the critical issues in the audit and we also gave a summary of the audit,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s contract s i g n i n g , w h i c h took place at Knutsford

Court Hotel, for the design and equipping of 11 maternal and neonatal highdependency units in six hospitals.

The contracts, valued at $253.1 million, are part of the $2.9-billion Programme for the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality, which is funded by the European Union.

The allocations include approximately $61.9 million for design services for the maternal and neonatal high-dependency units at Victoria Jubilee, Mandeville Regional, Cornwall Regional, Bustamante Hospital for Children, Spanish Town and St Ann’s Bay Regional hospitals; $13.53 million for design services for four primary care centres — Savanna-La-Mar, St Jago Park, Mandeville Comprehensive and Annotto Bay health centres and two community hospitals — Alexandria and Chapelton; $85.5 million for the purchase of six specialised ambulances to carry both mother and baby and $95.5 million for equipment for Mandeville Regional Hospital’s neonatal high-dependency units and ambulances.

Also, arrangements are being made to procure equipment for 10 remaining high-dependency units.

BRASILIA (Reuters) Brazil’s government has finetuned arguments aimed at defending President Dilma Rousseff from a ruling that her administration manipulated federal accounts last year, and expects Congress to approve them, Chief of Staff Jaques Wagner said yesterday.

The Federal Accounts Court, or TCU, last month said the government had manipulated its accounts in 2014 to disguise a widening fiscal deficit as Rousseff, a

leftist, campaigned for reelection, and recommended lawmakers reject the figures.

The ruling, the TCU’s f i r s t against a Brazilian president in nearly 80 years, was not legally binding but it provided ammunition for opposition lawmakers to push for impeachment proceedings against Rousseff in an increasingly hostile Congress.

Rousseff’s government has prepared its defense using “basically” the same

arguments it had presented to the TCU, with a few modifications, Wagner told reporters in Brasilia. He did not provide details.

Rousseff’s government had argued that previous administrations also resorted to similar fiscal maneuvers, including the use of state banks to help finance social programs.

Government officials repeatedly have said the TCU was unduly penalizing actions needed to keep key programs for Brazil’s poor.

Dr Fenton Ferguson

Brazil’s Congress should approve Rousseff’s accounts: minister

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Thursday November 05, 2015

Road Safety Month officially launched

Time to bring order and sanity to Guyana’s Roadways has arrived - President Granger A plan of action aimed at reducing road fatalities in Guyana was presented as Road Safety month 2015 was officially launched under the theme “Be Wise, Stay Alive, Stop Speeding, Don’t Drink and Drive.”

At the launch President David Granger announced Guyana’s commitment to contributing to the achievement of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal number three aimed at halving the number of road fatalities in Guyana and injuries from road accidents by 2020.

The President, during his feature address to students and other stakeholders at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, yesterday, said that the time to bring order and sanity to Guyana’s roadways has arrived.

An integral aspect of the three-point plan focuses heavily on the enhancement of infrastructure around the country. Noting that Guyana

has public roads, and no highways, with the LindenSoesdyke highway, to some degree, being the only exception, the President said this means that most of the roads are situated in heavily populated areas.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, encumbrances such as shipping containers, roadside vendors’ stands, derelict vehicles and stray animals must be removed from roadways.

“Traffic lights must be in working order and configured to allow for the smooth and orderly flow of traffic. Our major public roads must have road lighting to improve safety… Our roads must be re-engineered, where possible, to ensure that they are fitted with sidewalks, pavements, pedestrian crossings and in some cases equipped with bicycle and pedestrian lanes. Road markings and signs should be visible.

Medians should be built,

where possible, to prevent vehicles going to opposite directions ending up in each other ’s path,” President Granger said.

Stricter enforcement of traffic laws is another part of the plan particularly as it relates to loud, distracting music and the use of cellular phones while driving, double and diagonal parking, driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding and overloading of passenger vehicles.

“The even-handed enforcement of our traffic laws will help to promote greater safety on our roads…

November should be a month when the nation ponders the more than two thousand of its citizens who died over the past decade and many more who continue to be injured every year,” the President said.

Education and awareness is the third point, President Granger said. He added that safe road use must be

Driver killed in drag race accident

A sheet covers Rakesh’s body next to his overturn car. One of the survivors (inset) Another motorist lost his life last night after he lost control of his speeding car on the Lusignan Public Road, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is a Mon Repos driver whose only name was given as Rakesh.

He was pronounced dead on the spot by a doctor at the scene. The three other occupants of the car received lacerations to their faces and other body parts, but were otherwise out of danger.

Kaieteur News understands that the quartet was heading home in a white Toyota at around 22:30 hours

when tragedy struck.

According to reports, the car that the quartet was in and another car were reportedly racing along the East Coast Demerara highway in a westerly direction.

A mini bus driver who is contracted to the Guyana Power and Lig h t Emergency Crew claimed that the car that Rakesh was driving clipped his vehicle from behind and spun out of control in front of him.

The mini bus driver said that the car struck the side of a culvert at the Lusignan Golf

Road and toppled, hurling its occupants out.

When the car finally settled, Rakesh was found lying motionless under the right side, while the other dazed occupants managed to get up from their various positions.

The other car sped away.

From all indications, the occupants were drinking, since one of the survivors appeared to be heavily under the influence of alcohol.

Today is just the fifth day of Road Safety Month and already five persons have lost their lives in November.

Traffic chief Dion Moore takes time out for a photo opportunity with some of the students who are School patrols Children inculcated in all citizens, especially children. “There is need for greater education to instruct our people, both drivers and passengers, on the dangers of speeding. Our drivers, particularly drivers of mini buses, hire cars and taxis must be re-educated, retrained and re-certified to enable them to qualify to be responsible for driving vehicles with passengers, as opposed to cargoes, on our roads,” he said.

He also emphasised that commercial licences should not be granted unless the applicant has proven his suitability for holding the responsibility for the lives of passengers.

It is estimated that the cost of the medical care of accident victims exceeds more than $100M per year at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation alone.

The President said that loss of productivity, loss of earnings of the victims and premature funeral expenses resulting from accidents costs Guyana many more millions annually.

Vice-President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, called on citizens to take cognisance of their individual responsibility to ensure safer road use. He said that loss of limbs, lives and property is as a result of the deficit of individual responsibility.

The Ministry has commenced an operation, utilising CCTV cameras, which to date, has captured over 3100 traffic offences.

Video clips of these acts of violation are sent to the

offending drivers, who are then charged. As a result, over 99 percent of these drivers have accepted a guilty plea and are currently before the courts.

At present, the cameras are only placed in a few streets in the City, but the Government has a long-term plan to ensure that cameras are strategically placed in all parts of Georgetown in the near future.

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, explained that there has been a phenomenal increase in the number of motor vehicles on the roadways from 42,329 in 2000 to 110,635 in 2013.

This represents an annual average growth rate of seven percent. In addition to animaldrawn carts, peddle cycles, and pedestrians, there has also been a significant increase in the number of motorcycles.

“The increases in vehicular traffic took place with little or no improvement in the capacity of both urban and rural roads along with no improvement in pedestrians and cyclist facilities,” Minister Patterson said. He also spoke of the need for empirical evidence that links road accidents to the use of used tyres on vehicles.

Speaking from a health perspective, Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton, described road fatalities and injuries as a preventable global health problem.

He said that the Ministry of Public Health will continue to work closely with the Pan-

American Health Organisation and the National Road Safety Council to intensify awareness activities.

The education sector is another major partner in the cluster of agencies that are responsible for advocating safer use of the roadways.

Advisor to the Minister of Education, Vincent Alexander, said that the Ministry will be working to ensure that speed bumps are erected in the vicinity of all schools in Georgetown in the initial phase, while the same will be done across the country in the medium term.

Acting Chairman of the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), Frank Pompey, informed that statistics compiled by the Traffic Department revealed that in 2012 there was 102 accidents, which resulted in 117 deaths; 2013-—103 accidents-122 deaths; 2014— -92 accidents-111 deaths and thus far this year, there have been 84 accidents which resulted in 100 deaths.

As part of the launch two skits were presented by the traffic department that addressed the iss u e o f drunk driving and the breathalyzer while another was presented by comedians Henry Rodney and Linden ‘Jumbie’ Jones which addressed the theme of reckless driving.

Assistant Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr. Douglas Slater, Traffic Chief, Supt. Dion Moore and Dr. William Adu-Krow of PAHOWHO also spoke at the event as well as Vincent Alexander.

Thursday November 05, 2015

Kaieteur News

Page 31

Closing date extended for Jumbo South Georgetown aim for top-three Jet, Bush Lot Horserace meet finish at National Schools’ Championships

With race day just a few days’ away the closing date for entries for the much anticipated “bringing Bush Lot Alive” horserace meet set for this Sunday and organized by the Jumbo Jet business conglomerate and the Bush Lot United Turf Club has been extended to tomorrow.

This new extension is due to a number of request being made by horse owners to have their horses entered for the meet slated for the Bush Lot United Club at Sea View Park, Bush Lot, West Coast, Berbice.

So far over 60 entries have been received and a number of other entries are expected to come on board especially since there has not been a horserace meet for over two months.

Eight races are listed on the cards and over $7 million dollars in cash, trophies and other incentives are up for grabs.

The feature event will see

Over $7M up for grabs, over 60 entries so far the 4 yrs old West Indian bred and the E1& and lower horses battling for a first prize of $600,000 over a distance of 1mile.

The Co-feature event is for three year old West Indies bred animals also over a mile for a winning take of $400,000 and trophy.

There is a race for two year old West Indies bred animals over 6F for a winning pocket of $300,000 and trophy.

Animals classified G1 and lower will be racing over 6 ½ F for similar winnings.

The rest of the races are all over 6 ½ F and will see the H1 and lower horses galloping for a first prize of $250,000 and trophy.

The I1 and lower horses will be looking to take home the $200,000 top money and trophy available for the winner.

There is a race for J1 and lower horses for a pole position taking of $150,000 and trophy.

The final race is for animals classified K and lower with the winner set to take home $100,000 and trophy.

Apart from the fascinating horseracing action expected to unfold on the track there will also be added attraction for both adults and kids.

Incentives will be available for the top Jockey and runner up, the top stable and champion trainer among others compliments of the organizers.

Nasrudeen (Jumbo Jet) Mohamed Junior is the coordinator and those wishing to register can contact Chandu Ramkissoon on 624-9063/ 232-0633 or Junior on 654-4060.

Race time is 12:00 hrs.

Thursday November 05, 2014 ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) Try to do things with children that will enable you to bond closer to them. Try to curb overindulgence today.

They won't get away with it.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Pamper yourself today. Your emotional partner may make you angry today. Socializing or travel will lead to partnerships.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) Develop some of your good ideas. Don't get involved in joint ventures. Your communication skills may win you points.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22)

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) You can complete any projects efficiently, especially if you put the effort in yourself. Finish overdue paperwork and catch up on letter writing and reading.

SAGIT (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You can meet interesting new friends if you join worthwhile groups. Romantic opportunities will develop through friends or relatives.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Your need to be in a leadership position will help you surpass any rivals you might encounter. Don't get intimately involved with a coworker.

CAPRI (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Don't get involved in other people's problems. Don't believe everything you hear. You can accomplish a lot if you put some effort into household duties or redecorating plans.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Entertainment should include sports events or physical activities. Real estate investments will payoff.

Your home environment appears to be a little shaky.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You can get your point across and make valuable connections. You can't win and they won't listen.

Put your efforts into physical fitness programs or competitive sports. You could have a need to make some changes today.

AQUAR. (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) You can count on getting a pat on the back for your efforts. You may want to take a trip; however, before you do, make sure that your car is serviced properly.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) Jealousy may be a contributing factor to your emotional ups and downs.

South Georgetown, District 13 is ready and raring to go when the National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track and Field Championships start on November 23 with the Swimming Championships at the National Aquatic Centre.

District Manager, Leon Bishop revealed that his squad is already in training for the mega event.

“Preparations are going alright, the team is already picked and the high jump athletes are training already, the other disciplines will start training tomorrow (today),” Bishop told the Public Relations Unit for the Championships.

Bishop indicated his belief that the South Georgetown District can finish in one of the top three spots overall.

“We are hoping to finish top five in the track and field; we are looking to win the Teacher’s Championships this year and our Cycling and Swimming is pretty good...we have a few national champions in Alika Persaud and Donna Carter, who won gold at the Commonwealth Swimming Championships and they will lead the team,” he informed.

“This year we should finish in the top three overall,” Bishop asserted.

Nevertheless, despite feeling confident, the South Georgetown District has already turned to a few national coaches to solidify any deficiencies in their team.

While one can’t deny...

From page 32 operations. The report went on to the say that the WICB and its attendant executive, managerial and administrative framework are incapable of turning around West Indies cricket.

“Our main recommendation is that the Board should be immediately dissolved and all current members resign, while an Interim Board is selected to work with a change management expert to install a new governance framework,” the report concluded.

Under this WICB, the Franchise system was introduced with a core of players being paid to train and while I agree the female players are making us proud and should be better compensated, one must remember that our girls are among the first in the world to be provided with central contracts by their Board.

“We have a few loose ends, but we have already got a few National Coaches to work with us in hope of strengthening some of our weak areas such as the jumps,” Bishop highlighted.

Further, he noted that District 13 has a strong managerial team that can guide the squad to their desired top-three finish.

“From a managerial standpoint, we have done well so far by putting all the nitty-gritty things in place and we have also boosted our athletes’ confidence. It’s just time to wait on the Ministry for the finance for Nationals,” he indicated. Whether South Georgetown can challenge the powerhouse teams such as defending champions North Georgetown, Upper Demerara/Kwakwani or even East Coast, Bishop noted that his squad is “confident” and will be “ready” to compete.

The Swimming

Championships will be held on Monday, November 23 at the National Aquatics Centre at Liliendaal. In addition to the swimming competition, two field events, Long Jump and Shot Putt along with the 10km Road Race, 40km and 25km Cycle Road Race will also take place on Monday, November 23.

The Games Village will be established on Woolford Avenue. Tutorial High, North Georgetown Primary and Secondary Schools and Richard Ishmael Secondary will house the 15 Districts from across Guyana that will compete at the Championships.

The Games Secretariat has been officially opened at GTU Headquarters, Woolford Avenue with Districts submitting their entries. The Opening Ceremony for the Championship is scheduled for Tuesday, November 24 at 10:30am.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 05, 2015

Sun Burst ‘Juice of Champions’ / The proposed Governance EBFA U-17 League launched

While one can’t deny the WICB’s short comings

of Cricket by CARICOM may not be supported

Dave Cameron

Dr Keith Mitchell

By Sean Devers You have to be blind or totally oblivious to what is happening administratively for the development of West Indies cricket not to notice that West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is far from well run and has many short comings and internal wrangling.

However, after carefully reading CAICOM’s final report of the review panel on the Governance of Cricket which was sent to the WICB and which Kaieteur News obtained a copy of, I believe that the combination of the CARICOM and the Patterson’s reports produces another academic paper which will most likely not get enough support to see it being implemented.

The author of the report suggested that the Board of Directors of the WICB resign immediately and be replaced with an Interim Management Committee (IMC).The same thing was done in Guyana resulting in more confusion than resolution.

The report also recommends that a governing Council of 23 be appointed which would then select 15 Directors to manage the

Board’s affairs. This is a very strange recommendation if the suggestion is to reduce the number of Directors.

It took three months of Consultations, interviews, deliberations and meetings by a five-member panel of CARICOM Citizens appointed by the Prime Ministerial Committee on the Governance of West Indies Cricket.

The panel was headed by Chairman V. Eudine Barriteau and included former West Indies wicket-keeper and the first secretary of WIPA Deryck Murray, Grenada Women team Coach Dwain Gill, Warren Smith and Sir Dennis Bryon.

The main mandate of the Panel was to review the administrative and Governance structure of the WICB and submit its recommendations through the CARICOM SecretaryGeneral to the Chairman of the Cricket Governance Committee Dr. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada.

While I agree with most of the contents of the report, especially the section which deals with the removing of the two-day fixture and the scrapping of the U-19 formats

Kevin George completes 4th season in Canada Former Guyana youth team off-spinner Kevin George has returned home after completing his fourth season in the Canadian Cricket leagues.

The DCC player, who made his debut in North America in 2010 when he led Victoria Park to the Premier Championship, played for Vikings Cricket Club this season after going to Canada on July 26.

“I played only six Premier games in the Toronto district cricket league and had a top score of 48 against Lords Cricket Club at King’s City ground. My best bowling performance 3-4 from nine overs against Totally Cricket Club,” George finished his short season with 21 wickets. (Sean Devers)

for women’s tournaments, I was a disappointed that nothing was mentioned of the disbanding of the regional under-19 three-day format at a time when the WICB says they want to improve West Indies’ Test cricket.

The change in the structure seems too drastic and demotes the directors below CARICOM, who are on top, WIPA, Business, Legends and the Territorial Boards.

The Windwards and Leewards voted as two entities each but the new proposed structure gives each Island in the Windwards and Leewards individual voting rights, while Guyana has been divided into Counties which could mean that Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo could have individual votes in the new structure.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has two Directors on the WICB, each with one vote but under the proposed structure the GCB could have one vote with one each from three counties.

It is understood that the WICB, who has confirmed receipt of the report, will soon have their AGM. The WICB would most likely not support such structure which takes away their power and hand it to the 23-member Governing Council. This could bring us back to ‘square one’ in terms of finding a solution for the rapidly deteriorating quality of West Indies cricket both on and off the field.

The report says it has reviewed the state of West Indies cricket, particularly it governance arrangements and conclude challenges, not specifically with the leadership per se, but with the governance structure that is antiquated and incapable of addressing the social, economic and cultural realties of cricket in the twenty-first century Caribbean.

The report added that cricket is now an economic sub sector and a multi-million dollar International sporting and business industry.

The WICB and Territorial Boards have been able to ignore the extent to which their operations lack transparency and accountably because the current structures do not respect the basic tenets of good governance within their Continued on page 31

Defending champs Grove Hi Tech to battle six other clubs The second edition of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Under17 League was yesterday launched as Continental Agencies Limited (CAL) maintained their partnership with the association.

Last year’s competition which was won by Grove Hi Tech was branded under the CULT Energy Drink brand but this year the league will be run under the company’s Sun Burst Juice / the ‘Juice of Champions’ brand.

Marketing and Sales Manager Mr. Avalon Jagnandan in remarks noted that CAL is pleased to sponsor the second edition of the Under-17 league as it is their way of continued investment in Guyana’s youths.

“Over the years, Continental Group of Companies has supported sports in Guyana in a wide array of areas, these being motor racing, badminton, football, table tennis, karate, hockey and golf, just to name a few.”

Jagnandan stated that football means different things to different people: “For some people it is their living; for some people it is a passion; some people love it, some like it and some find it quite enjoyable. We at Continental see it as a form of discipline that embraces the growth and development of our youths in Guyana.”

“Sun Burst would like to wish the East Bank Football Association a successful tournament as these youths are being groomed to be the future sports ambassadors of tomorrow. Sun Burst Juice remains fully committed towards the growth and development of sports in Guyana.”

EBFA President Franklin Wilson in remarks thanked CAL for their continued commitment and desire to work along with the entity for the development of the youths on the East Bank and by extension, Guyana.

Wilson singled out Managing Director / CEO Mr. Rakesh Puri, Company

Secretary Mr. Percival Boyce Jnr, Mr. Jagnandan and his Marketing and Sales staff for their continued support pointing out that last year’s tournament produced two national players in forward Joel Dick (Grove Hi Tech) and goalkeeper Quazim Yussuf (Herstelling Raiders).

This year’s tournament will see Grove Hi Tech, Kuru Kururu Warriors, Soesdyke Falcons, Diamond United, Mocha Champs, Herstelling Raiders and Agricola Red Triangle battling for supremacy.

The clubs will be placed into two groups with the top two in each advancing to the semi finals. The top four will receive trophies with gold, silver and bronze medals also up for the taking.

The most disciplined team will receive the Fair Play trophy while the most valuable player, highest goal scorer and best goalkeeper will also be rewarded.

Matches will kick off on Saturday at the Grove ground.

Broad Money support for 2nd NEE Futsal Tournament

Broad Money Spare Parts’, Duquan Rose (right) hands over the sponsorship to Aubrey Major Jr. yesterday in Linden ahead of the start of the Stag/Cell Smart Second Annual Futsal Tournament tomorrow at the MSC Hard Court.

Broad Money Spare Parts has handed over its sponsorship to Linden’s New Era Entertainment (NEE) ahead of its second annual Stag/Cell Smart Futsal Knockout tournament, which kicks off tomorrow at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court in Linden.

One of the NEE Directors, Aubrey Major Jr. received the sponsorship and thanked Broad Money for their

continued support.

Following tomorrow’s kick off, the tournament continues November 7, 11 and 13 with finals on November 21 at the same venue.

The winners will pocket $250,000 while the second place team takes home $150,000. The third and fourth place teams in the 16-team contest get $75,000 and $50,000 respectively.

Trophies will accompany all

cash prizes.

In addition, prizes will be awarded to the Best Goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. There will be exhibition games for schools and mining companies during the competition. The 16 participating teams are required to pay a $5000 registration fee; NEE hosted the tournament for the first time last year.

Thursday November 05, 2015

World athletics ex-head Diack investigated in corruption probe PARIS (Reuters) The international athletics federation’s former chief Lamine Diack has been put under formal investigation in France on suspicion of corruption and money laundering, the French financial prosecutor’s office said on Wednesday.

The probe comes at a time when the image of world sport’s governing bodies is under serious scrutiny, with the FIFA world soccer body mired in a large-scale corruption probe.

According to French news channel iTELE, the investigation is focused on suspicions that payments were made in return for not revealing the doping of Russian athletes.

The prosecutor’s office did not confirm that but said its investigation started when the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) alerted it to “acts of corruption and laundering involving members of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).”

U n d e r F r e n c h l a w, magistrates place a person under formal investigation when they believe there are indications of wrongdoing, but that does not always lead to a trial.

The investigation “concerns money movements and goes beyond doping,” a source in the French judiciary said.

The Monaco-based IAAF confirmed a police swoop took place at its headquarters on Tuesday “to carry out interviews and to access documentation”. It said it was fully cooperating with the probe.

Diack, a former long jumper who was born in June 1933, headed the athletics body for the best part of a decade from 1999.

He was held for questioning on Sunday, together with his judicial adviser Habib Cisse, also p l a c e d u n d e r formal inquiry.

A doctor in charge of anti-doping matters at the IAAF was also held for questioning.

Reuters was not immediately able to reach the three men for comment.

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Thursday November 05, 2015

Sri Lanka ride Perera’s 99 to clinch series against West Indies COLOMBO (Reuters) Opener Kusal Perera fell for 99 but his free-flowing knock powered Sri Lanka to a comfortable eight-wicket win in a rain-hit second one-day international against West Indies on Wednesday as the hosts sealed the series with a match to spare.

Needing 225 in 38 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system, Sri Lanka reached the target with nine deliveries to spare thanks to an unbeaten knock of 81 from Lahiru Thirimanne.

Sri Lanka lost Tillakaratne Dilshan (17) early but man-ofthe-match Perera and

Thirimanne ensured there were no hiccups with a second-wicket stand of 156.

Perera, who hit six fours and four sixes during his 92-ball innings, suffered severe cramps as he closed in on his third ODI hundred.

Visibly in pain while running between the wickets,

he went for a hook shot off paceman Ravi Rampaul on 99 but much to the disappointment of the crowd at the R Premadasa Stadium, Carlos Brathwaite safely held on to the top edge at short fine leg.

Dinesh Chandimal and Thirimanne took Sri Lanka home with an unbroken partnership of 29 runs.

The West Indies bowling looked listless in the absence of captain Jason Holder, who was suspended due to slow over-rate, and injured allrounder Andre Russell.

Earlier, a blistering 83 off 70 balls from opener Johnson

Charles gave West Indies a strong start after the touring side won the toss and opted to bat.

Charles hit seven fours and four sixes to set up a strong platform for his team to build on but a rain delay of over three hours robbed them off their momentum.

Marlon Samuels, leading the side in the absence of Holder, made 63 before he was run out in the penultimate over after a m i s u n d e r s t a n d i n g with Kraigg Brathwaite left both batsmen stranded at the same end.

West Indies lost their

remaining three wickets to run-outs in the final over to be all out for 214 with Lasith Malinga getting two of them through direct hits.

Malinga was also the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers and picked up two wickets for 47 runs, troubling the batsmen with his variations during the closing overs.

The final match of the series is on Saturday in Pallekele.

Scores: Sri Lanka 225 for 2 (Kusal 99, Thirimanne 81*) beat West Indies 214 (Charles 83, Samuels 63, Malinga 2-43) by eight wickets (D/L method).

Banks Beer Inter-Ministry Futsal Competition

Media in must win situation tonight

Part of the action in the Banks Beer Inter-Ministry Futsal Competition currently being played, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The Media is in a must win situation to advance to the next phase of the Banks Beer Inter-Ministry Futsal Competition which resumes tonight with eight more matches, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

They face New GPC in the penultimate game of the nuight and will need to score in excess of four goals to have a chance of advancing to the knockout round.

In the opening game, Guyana Geology & Mines Commission (GG&MC) square off against Ministry of Health and this fixture will be

followed by the clash between Mayor & City Council (M&CC) and Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT).

Lands and Surveys then oppose Ministry of Labour, before Ministry of Sport and Banks DIH collide, while the exciting Digicel and Ministry of the Presidency take to the court.

Guyana Fire Service and Courts do battle, before the game that is billed as the feature of the night involving the Media and New GPC. In the final game, John Fernandes Ltd tackles

Barbers Association in another clash that should produce fireworks.

The full fixtures are as follows: GGMC vs Ministry of Health M&CC vs GTT Lands & Surveys vs Ministry of Labour Ministry of Sports vs Banks DIH Digicel vs Ministry of the Presidency Guyana Fire Service vs Courts New GPC vs Media John Fernandes Ltd vs Barbers Association