Kaieteur News

Page 02

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Skeldon sugar plant woes…

Modification works to start

by November month end

The Skeldon sugar plant Designs to modify the flaws at the US$181M Skeldon sugar plant would be completed this month-end, says Paul Bhim, Chief Executive Officer of Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

A South African firm, Bosch, is contracted to a tune of US$130,000 to design the modifications that are needed for the plant.

Bhim disclosed that by next week materials to execute the modifications will arrive in Guyana. But physical works to the plant will begin

by November month-end and conclude before the first crop in 2013 begins.

The executive assured that though the plant has its flaws, the factory is operational and sugar is being produced but not at its desired capacity.

It is the hope that when all adjustments to the plant are completed the Skeldon Sugar estate would be fully

operational.

It was reported that around US$8M ($1.6B) will be needed to fix the problems with the plant.

The estate was commissioned in August 2009, and was hailed as the boon to the survival of the sugar industry. However, the factory has been plagued by numerous problems and has not been able to function as was intended.

The South African firm is tasked to design the modifications of three main aspects of the factory: the bagasse plow (the feeder system, that leads to the boiler), the conveyor system and the condensate tank.

According to Bhim, no decision has been taken as yet to correct the problems with the punt dumper.

The establishment of the factory was part of a modernisation plan by GuySuCo that was not achieved.

The project involves expanded cane cultivations, the establishment of a refinery, and the cogeneration of electricity for the national grid. The factory was constructed with a combination of selfgenerated funds and loans from the Caribbean Development Bank, the People’s Republic of China and the Government of Guyana. The Project Engineer was Booker Tate, UK Ltd and the Contractor was CNTIC Ltd. The Skeldon estate was designed to produce 110,000 tonnes of sugar per annum.

In 2010, production was 33,237 tonnes and in 2011, production was 29,410 tonnes.

Page 3

Two remanded in $80M house lot racket A 19 year-old clothes vendor and a 25-year-old laboratory technician were yesterday remanded for allegedly conducting a multimillion housing scam racket that saw several persons paying thousands of dollars to acquire bogus house lots.

Denita Griffith of Seaforth, Campbellville, Georgetown and Balkaran Lillie, of 26 North East Grove, East Bank Demerara, made their first appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Chief Magistrate Priya SewnarineBeharry.

The duo was slapped with three charges of obtaining by false pretence.

The police alleged that between May 23rd and June 30th, May 1st and June 5th and again on June 5th, the two accused obtained from Latchmie Manbodh the sum of $380,000; from Benna Stanislaus the sum of $660,000 and from Ramkumar Rajban the sum of $250,000 respectively. They were not required to plea to the indictable charges.

Griffith’s lawyer, Rexford Jackson, was not in court but another defense attorney, Paul Fung-a-Fat stood for him. Lillie was unrepresented.

Fung-a-Fat said that Griffith operated her own business as a vendor in Bartica before she moved to Georgetown. He said the charges were directly related to Lillie and not Griffith. On those grounds, he requested bail for his client.

18 more charges likely The police are alleging that the two accused had set up a system where they collected money from house applicants under the pretext that they were in a position to acquire lands for those applicants.

They were accused of tricking persons into believing that they had connections with staffers of the Ministry of Housing who would facilitate them in acquiring the house lots.

It is alleged that on different occasions the accused would approach persons going to the Housing Ministry for lands and engage in conversation.

They were accused of pretending that they were in a position to acquire these lands at a faster and cheaper rate.

The police facts stated that the number one accused, Lillie, would wait as persons entered the Ministry of Housing compound and inform them that he was able to obtain a letter approving them for house lots since he had connections inside.

The police information revealed that Lillie would contact the number two accused, Griffith on a cell phone, and in the presence of the unsuspecting house lot applicant he would make arrangements with his accomplice to have the letter of approval ready.

At a later time, the house lot applicant would return to the Housing Ministry where Griffith would emerge from the Ministry building purporting to be one of the Ministry’s staffers.

Money would allegedly be handed over, while the house lot applicant honestly believed that he/she would speedily receive a letter approving them for house lots in the Little Diamond area.

The accused were, however, nabbed when an investigation was launched by the police and staffers of the Housing Authority.

Complaints reportedly started to pour in at the Housing Ministry where applicants reported difficulties in obtaining the house lots.

Investigations led to the two accused who were reportedly placed on an identification parade and pointed out to authorities. They were thus charged with the offence.

Police further said that 18 more criminal charges are likely for the accused. They said that the other victims live out of town in areas such as Essequibo and Berbice and contact would have to be made with them to facilitate further investigations.

Griffith and Lillie were remanded to jail. They will return to court next Friday when the police are expected to have made contact with additional alleged victims.

Police unable to locate records in Berbice carnal knowledge case When the carnal knowledge trial of Steven Alert, who is accused of having sex with a girl under 15 years-of-age, continued in the Berbice High Court before Justice James BovellDrakes and a mix jury, the court was told that the police cannot find some critical police records.

This was revealed by Detective Corporal, Rosanne Frank, on Tuesday who was earlier ordered by the Judge to furnish the station diary, charge sheet, Occurrence and the crime books related to the investigation of Alert.

Frank was earlier order by the judge to furnish the records after the witness and

the accused had disagreed on certain dates and information during her evidence. The Judge made the order after the accused denied that he had given the caution statement to the investigator on March 3, 2009 but rather this was done on the previous day, March 2nd, 2009. Alert (Continued on page 14)

Page 4

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

Letters... Where your views make the news

Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL Editor: Adam Harris Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Not a white Knight In business, a “White Knight” is an entity that makes a takeover bid on a company on much more favourable terms than an earlier bidder – the “Black Knight”. The White Knight then, as did the Knights of yore with damsels, rescue troubled companies. Geeta Singh-Knight, who is back in the news with the resurfacing of the CLICO disaster, however, is no White Knight to any company in Guyana, by whatever definition of the term.

But she has been a most recalcitrant Knight as she remains on the Board of Directors of the Berbice Bridge Corporation and GuySuCo. Very early on, when the CLICO scandal broke in the beginning of 2009, we noted in a February 9 editorial: “The local representatives in the financial sector rushed into a damage control mode with the reiteration of comforting sounds. The CLICO Guyana CEO, Geeta Singh-Knight pledged that CLlCO Guyana was a separate entity within the CL Financial Group, and none of its assets were intertwined with CLlCO [TRINIDAD] or CLlCO lnvestment Bank.”

Summoned by the Minister of Finance, Singh-Knight maintained that CLICO(GY) had “no investments or dealings with sister companies” .

We advised then that we take Knight’s assertion ‘with more than a bit of salt” and continued: “The warrants by CLICO’s CEO were quite amazing for a number of reasons...

It strains one’s credulity to accept that a company that treated its insurance as a cash cow to finance its aggressive program of growth would leave cash in Guyana sloshing around. What has the CEO said about its short-term fund being $82M in the red or the billions invested in and owed by several CLICO affiliates?”

Very soon afterwards, it was revealed that as a matter of fact, CLICO Guyana had not only transferred US$34.5 million (GY$6.9 billion) to a CLICO branch in the Bahamas but had done so under patently fraudulent conditions by falsely stating it was done as ‘fixed deposits”.

In addition, the company had violated the law which stated that an insurance company could not invest more that 15% of its statutory fund outside of Guyana. Under the law, Singh-Knight should have been asked to prove in a court of law that she had no knowledge of the transactions.

And if she could not then she would have had to face jail.

At the very best, she would have been guilty of gross negligence in the fulfilment of her duties as CEO and a Director of CLICO. The Commissioner of Insurance, in her role of Judicial Manager, declared: “The Directors and management of the Company operated either without a basic understanding of managing an insurance business or pursued a strategy that has resulted in significant losses to the Company….This has jeopardised the ability of the Company to meet its policyholder obligations.” While in the liquidation of CLICO’s assets (in which Singh-Knight was astoundingly allowed to participate and be paid) some small investors and policy holders in CLICO were reimbursed, billions are outstanding to others. In many instances, this includes the life savings of individuals.

But what has perturbed many individuals is that SinghKnight has been allowed to escape any form of sanctions, as if she is coated with Teflon. But even more amazingly, Singh-Knight has been allowed to feed at the public trough as a Director of the Berbice Bridge and of GuySuCo, when thousands of Guyanese have suffered because of her negligence or criminal actions. She was appointed to the Berbice Bridge Board to represent CLICO, which had been one of the largest investors. That relationship, of course, has been sundered. The NBS bought out their shares. Why is Singh-Knight still there?

Her appointment to the board of GuySuCo in 2008 had been explained as ‘temporary’ to facilitate the use of her ‘financial expertise’ to restructure the corporation, which had begun to face difficulties. When the CLICO fiasco exposed the dereliction of her fiduciary duties and her gross incompetence, she should have been removed from both boards.

This situation must now be rectified immediately.

Mr. Bisram, your pronouncement is simply not true

DEAR EDITOR, I have read Vishnu Bisram’s letter in Thursday’s edition (Sept 6) of the Stabroek News regarding my response (SN & KN Sept 2) to his initial letter (SN Aug 31) on the upcoming US election.

While it is not my intention to use the valuable letter columns of your newspaper to prolong the discussion about the upcoming American presidential election, there is one issue in his letter to which I am ineluctably constrained to respond. In fact, this issue has nothing to do with the US election but was injected into Bisram’s letter about the election.

The issue to which I refer is Bisram’s reference to the Government of Guyana in which Rashleigh Jackson served “an illegal government.”

When are we going stop this nonsense of denigrating our dear land of Guyana by continuing to make pronouncements that are simply not true? No Government of Guyana, not even one led by a President who “threw away” a Court-issued document in

public while being sworn in, was ever illegal.

Bisram would like to have readers, particularly the younger generation, believe that Guyana once had a government that was not constitutionally in place and not internationally recognized.

Nothing is further from the truth. No Government of Guyana was ever barred from or thrown out of any international or regional organization, except for the delay in Guyana’s, like Belize’s, admission to the Organization of American States (OAS) because of territorial issues with their neighbors, Venezuela and Guatemala respectively.

In fact, it is as a result of Guyana’s image in the international community at that time that the OAS took the necessary steps to ensure Guyana’s admission into the hemispheric body.

There is no doubt that there were credible complaints about election irregularities back then. These complaints

were often brought to the attention of international organizations, but at no time was it the view of the international community that there was the necessary and sufficient evidence to prove that the alleged irregularities would have materially changed the results of the elections thereby rendering the government illegal. So Bisram’s pronouncement is simply not true.

Bisram’s pronouncement about an illegal government is an insult to the thousands of people who served in government at various levels back then and who did so much for the country during that era.

It is an insult to the brave men and women who served in our military, many of whom put their lives on the line to thwart the threat of rude invasion from two of our neighbors, the engineers and laborers who toiled to strengthen our sea defenses to keep the Atlantic Ocean out, our law enforcement

personnel who worked tirelessly to keep crime down and ensure public safety and our teachers, among others, who helped to mould so many of our young people of that era that have gone on to do well personally and professionally.

These people, Mr. Bisram, did not serve an illegal government.

Your pronouncement is simply not true and you owe them an apology!

During that era several roads, bridges, multilateral schools, housing schemes and agricultural projects such as the Mahaica/Mahaicony Abary (MMA) scheme were built, thousands of scholarships given to deserving Guyanese to pursue higher education overseas and free education introduced from nursery to university, all of this with some level of assistance from international lending institutions and friendly governments who never had reason to question, at least publicly, the efficient and (Continued on page 5)

Georgetown may very well be CARICOM’s most unattractive capital DEAR EDITOR, The trash and filth-ridden drain around Guyana’s Parliament epitomizes the state of Georgetown and one can safely say the state of Guyana —a nation plagued by corruption at all levels, with a bureaucracy that makes the nation crawl, and a political system that totally centralizes power in a nation that still awaits the implementation of local elections.

I never expected to see such filth around parliament.

This should be the centerpiece of the city.

Imagine what impression foreigners have of Guyana seeing this and yet we hear much rhetoric about tourism.

Those who talk about Guyana’s tourism potential are in dreamland. They need to go just across the border, to Paramaribo, and look at that ornate capital where colonial buildings and homes are preserved in a city that is clean and attractive, and is undergoing major rehabilitation of the waterfront and surrounding areas.

Sadly, in Guyana the waterfront on longer exists, squatters are everywhere, real estate deals are doggy and the seawall is the new party spot where heaps of rubbish are left after the bacchanal.

Georgetown may very well be CARICOM’s most unattractive capital.

Guyanese are saying that the country has become the paradise of thieves and squatters and void of law and

order. When there is blatant corruption and those in authority themselves don’t abide by the law, then the people will do as they please, and they are doing just that.

And this has been the case since 1966 and has accelerated in the past decade to an unprecedented level.

Georgetown and its surroundings are developing haphazardly. Ugly buildings, housing schemes and shopping centers (malls) are popping up everywhere in a city that seems to have no urban development plan, and which has caused major stress on the city.

Take for example, the fourlane highway that is being built from the airport to Georgetown, there isn’t enough land to build the highway. Who gave developers permission to build housing there and why were squatters not removed decades ago?

Further, the highway that Kuwait was supposed to fund can’t be executed since 200 hundred homes have been built there by squatters and the government is complaining that it does not have eight million dollars to relocate them. For the same reason, the Georgetown/ Timehri Highway expansion is being stalled due to squatters and developers everywhere. As well, squatters have stalled the modernization and expansion of Guyana’s Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

Where is the urban plan for Georgetown, or is it just a paper tiger?

The city can’t cope with housing developments on both sides of the Demerara River; it has led to a tremendous increase of traffic on the bridge, traffic congestions around the Demerara Harbour Bridge area and the city at large; sewer backup, rubbish, pollution, and

increased traffic and congestion in Georgetown’s centre.

The bridge was not built 34 years ago for such stress.

And yet, those in authority are allowing developers to build new housing and shopping centres in the city without considering the aesthetic character of Georgetown and the environmental impact. Has the public seen the plan for these new malls? Do they look like garages as some suggest?

Moreover, take a look at Main Street, Georgetown. Most of the colonials’ buildings have been destroyed and slabs of concrete and glass are going up.

This should have been the centerpiece of Georgetown. This is not sustainable development.

This is not economic development.

Economic development is good, but what sorts of jobs are being offered and how many jobs?

Ray Chickrie

Why not debate minimum wages, salaries and pensions?

DEAR EDITOR, On Sunday 2nd August, 2012, I listened to the debate on N.C.N. This being as I understand, the President’s pension and all the other benefits that goes with same and corruption.

There were three very experienced men arguing or trying to justify that the package is fully deserved and one indicating that the many benefits cannot be justified.

But what I am sure that thousands of other Guyanese would like to see is a debate on the topic of the minimum wages, and salaries that

workers both skilled and unskilled are receiving and the pensions, both the National Insurance and the Old Age pensioners, are receiving currently.

Working on the sugar estate, the bauxite industry or any other place as a labourer for more than thirty-five years is also a significant contribution to the country’s development also.

This panel must of course include Mr. Nandlall our Attorney General, Mr. Gopaul our Labour Minister and Mr. Carvil Duncan, one of our most Senior Trade Unionists.

Archie W. Cordis

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 5

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

The Burrowes approach will not bear lasting fruit DEAR EDITOR, Though in this piece I offer a criticism to the approach by the Keith Burrowes proposal to rid the city of its humongous garbage piles, I wish to state from the outset that I have nothing personal against Mr. Burrowes nor do I write with any political motive, this is strictly a menu of suggestions which, if taken, will enhance the plan to end the garbage pile-up in Georgetown permanently.

I worked with Mr. Burrowes on projects under the auspices of a certain international agency and I have no doubt about his competence as a financial and project manager, however I think his (and overlords) approach to the garbage pileup is off target and probably tainted by the political competition for power leverage in the city.

The Burrowes plan proposes a two-prong approach, first to increase the number of man-hours and financial resources targeted for garbage removal and second, to unleash a battalion of “garbage police” to charge litter bugs. This plan in its current form will not help Georgetown, not only because it has been tried and failed miserably in the past, but because it does not address the core Guyanese

problem that exist for many decades.

What should be addressed urgently are the attitudes of citizens toward garbage disposal, seeking ways for people to discipline themselves and participate voluntarily in the anti-littering program rather than be forced to comply. Carrots are always desirable to big sticks.

One way to get people to police themselves is to institute (a polluters pay and cleaners rewarded program where) a reclamation charge on all plastic bottles, aluminum cans, tins and other categories of nonbiodegradable containers.

For example every can or plastic bottle of beverage which now costs $200 will attract a reclamation fee of say $60 (charged at the source and handed down to the final consumer) the new cost will be $260.

If a person keeps the can/ bottle after consuming the beverage he can then go to popular locations to hand in serial-coded cans or bottles to reclaim their $60 in the form of a chit which is cashable or redeemable in exchange for goods at any post office or participating supermarket etc.

In such a scenario this category of refuse carries a price that people will not just dump at will, and if they are silly enough to throw away

their hard-earned money, then there will be others only too willing to retrieve them to reclaim its value. Such a program will readily transform the face of garbage disposal in Guyana; a significant portion of the garbage disposed today will be taken off the streets and waterways.

I also propose: - a bring-your-own-bag to market program in which a gradual tax on plastic bags is instituted, substantial enough, to cause people to avoid using them for their supermarket purchases.

Gradual because the authorities need to be mindful of the investment entrepreneurs would have made investments in the plastic bag manufacturing industry, they should be given time to realign their investment.

A gradual tax on Styrofoam containers should also be levied in just the same manner as plastic bags.

Whatever tax is collected from the plastic bags and Styrofoam disposable containers should be used to subsidize the growth of manufacturing of alternative forms of shopping bags and containers.

- a system of regulation of public transportation. In cooperation with the various minibus and taxi associations, all forms of eating and

Mr. Bisram, your pronouncement...

From page 4 honest spending of their donor dollars.

Such assistance would never have been given to an illegal government. Yet more evidence, Mr. Bisram, that your pronouncement is simply not true.

Guyana enjoyed very good relations with most countries globally, was very well respected, and its views and leadership on issues often sought at the United Nations and within the NonAligned Movement.

The country was host to several world leaders including Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau of Canada, Sirimavo Banderanike of Sri Lanka, Fidel Castro and Andrew Young, the US ambassador to the UN in addition to hosting a meeting of the Foreign Ministers of NonAligned countries and the first ever Caribbean Festival of Creative Arts (CARIFESTA).

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was, and still is headquartered in Guyana.

Further, Forbes Burnham was chosen to be a participant in the Cancun Summit of key world leaders alongside the likes of US President Ronald Reagan and he enjoyed good personal relations with many

of these world leaders including India’s Indira Gandhi and Britain’s Margaret Thatcher.

President Desmond Hoyte was twice received at the White House - once each

by Presidents Reagan and Bush 41. Guyana’s Foreign Minister Shridath Ramphal was elected Commonwealth Secretary General and Attorney General; Dr. Mohammed Shahabuddeen and Finance Minister Carl Greenidge to positions at the World Court and the ACP respectively.

These would hardly have happened had the Government of Guyana been an illegal one.

So, Mr. Bisram, your pronouncement is simply not true. And Mr. Bisram, no country, as far as I know, ever revoked the personal or diplomatic visa of any

government minister or official during that era. So, Mr. Bisram, your pronouncement is simply not true.

Finally, Mr. Bisram, I have read allegations about your polls being fake…never really undertaken. I do not know.

Are these allegations simply not true or is it your claims to having conducted polls simply not true?

I am making this contribution so that our younger generation would know that despite many negative happenings in Guyana since independence, the one thing they must never be misled into believing is that our beautiful country was once administered, or for that matter is being administered, by an illegal government. Any such claim is simply not true.

Wesley Kirton

drinking should be prohibited in all inner city public transport, long distance carriers should accommodate limited amount of eating once they exit the city limits and must carry a garbage receptacle inside the vehicle.

- a clean-street and cleancommunity prize and incentive program (as well as business tax rebate and recognition regime) to promote and encourage citizens to maintain cleanliness and rebuff litter bugs of their streets and develop beautification ideas for their surroundings.

- the establishment of environmental conservation groups in schools, churches and clubs around the country which should receive funding for small community clean-up and environmental projects through establishment of a government environmental fund with some funds coming from international donors.

- a national internship and volunteers program where people of all ages, especially the young, can enlist for projects to restore Guyana to its rightful status as the garden city of the Caribbean.

- a prisoner rehabilitation program where those

convicted of petty crimes and misdemeanor offences be sentenced to community clean-up projects rather than jail time in our already overcrowded prison system.

For example, those who are convicted litter-bugs will serve Guyana better if they should be sentenced to clean certain parts of the city rather a jail term.

These programs must be accompanied by intense public awareness programs in the media, schools, churches and clubs etc.

Many Guyanese have developed a habit of littering and these habits must be unlearned, merely doubling the cleaning man-hours will not help if our attitude and values to littering is not reformed.

As fast as it is cleaned it will be replaced and an everincreasing budget will have to be dedicated to this cause.

Merely charging people and putting them before the courts will not do much to reduce littering, but will go a far way in creating tension between citizens and enforcement officers who will be accused of harassment, the recent court case of Richard Bennette vs. the City of Georgetown highlights this.

After admitting to being a litter bug when the judgment was handed down, Bennette, not seeing the need for such severe judgment, after all littering is a day in the life of a Guyanese, and believing the magistrate to be biased against him personally, proceeded to issue a royal ‘cuss out’ in court.

If the other complementary measures are not built into the Burrowes plan, then we run the risk of many stand-offs and hostilities between citizens and law enforcement.

I encourage a holistic plan for a permanent end to the garbage problems of Georgetown and therefore submit that the piecemeal program of Burrowes and cohorts will not take us out of the vicious cycle of unbearable garbage pile-up, followed by a lack of money in the municipality to take care of it, followed by a grand political stand-off, then a transitory rescue plan by central government, and start from the top again.

Georgetown can be permanently cleaned, only if we had the political will and acumen among the overlords of this land.

Lenno Craig

Page 6

Kaieteur News

Former Linden Commander now deputy in Berbice In a move that is being seen as a demotion, former Commander of the police in Linden (E&F Division), Senior Superintendent Clifton Hicken has been posted as the Second in Command in the Police Berbice district.

Hicken was at the centre of the controversy that surrounded the fatal shooting of three Lindeners on July 18, at the commencement of protest action to demand the reversal of a hike in electricity tariffs.

Based on a directive from Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, the controversial senior police officer was recalled from the Linden area immediately after the shooting and was temporarily posted as the Second in Command of the Force’s Operations, working under Assistant Commissioner Balram Persaud.

In a statement to the media, Rohee had said, “The Minister of Home Affairs has, within the meaning of the Police Act Chapter 16:01 has issued general and specific direction to the Commissioner of Police (ag) to effect immediate changes at the command level at E&F Police Division, of which Linden is an integral part.”

Hicken’s name will certainly come up regularly

during a Commission of Enquiry that has been set up

by President Donald Ramotar.

However, many will see his new posting as a reward since the Deputy Commander in Berbice is a more senior position than Commander E&F. Some others in the Force are of the view Hicken’s case is no different to what happened to Superintendent Errol Watts who was removed from Georgetown and made a Deputy Commander on the West Demerara.

Hicken’s posting in Berbice is expected to coincide with a reshuffling of the command structure of the Guyana Police Force following the recent belated announcement of promotions.

In Berbice he is likely to be working under newly promoted Assistant Commissioner, Brian Joseph, the current Traffic Chief, who is presently on annual vacation leave.

Kaieteur News understands that Joseph will replace Assistant Commissioner Derrick Josiah who will be transferred to the Force’s A Division, taking over from George Vyphuis who has been earmarked to head the Force’s administration.

Newly promoted Assistant Commissioner Eric Bassant will return to the East

Coast as Divisional Commander, while another newly promoted Assistant Commissioner, Christopher Griffith will remain on the West Demerara.

Current East Coast Commander Owen Trotz, who was bypassed for promotion has been earmarked to become the country’s new Traffic Chief.

Reliable sources in the Guyana Police Force have confirmed that Assistant Commissioners Claire Jarvis and Gavin Primo will be leaving the organization in the very near future.

Primo is presently serving as Commander of the E&F Division where he was posted immediately after Hicken’s removal with the aim of quieting things in the then red hot Linden area.

There is still no place in the Force’s command structure for the forthright Assistant Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine, who was banished to the defunct Department of Development.

Ramnarine is being disciplined at the request of Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee over a public spat regarding the disbursement of funds for the police elections duties.

Rohee had publicly expressed a loss in confidence in the officer, who many regard as one of the more competent police commanders.

Many are of the opinion that the supposed disciplined is nothing short of unilateral and arbitrary, since it is clear that the Minister has no authority in publicly requesting the disciplining of any officer from the rank of Deputy Commissioner to Constable.

Since Rohee’s directive for the then Commander to be disciplined, nothing more has been said of the matter.

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Friday September 07, 2012

Outing at Ocean View Hotel turns deadly as teen drowns A family outing between cousins turned fatal during a visit yesterday to the pool at the Ocean View International Hotel, Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara.

Dead is Cyon Peterkin, 17, of 21, Paradise, E.C.D. The body of the former Bladen Hall Multilateral School student was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead.

Reports disclose that at 15:15 hrs, Peterkin and several of his cousins visited the hotel where they paid $2,800 for four persons to use the pool which in some sections was up to 11 feet deep. Although there were six persons in the group, hotel staffers said that they could have only accepted four persons to use the pool at that time as it is against the rules. The young lad (Cyon), who had changed into his swim wear, decided to test the water with his toes but somehow slipped into the pool. Relatives then frantically tried to get assistance from the hotel staffers.

The body was reportedly pulled out of the pool 10 minutes after the lad was down. An Amerindian man from Sumara Village who was an occupant at the hotel, help

to pull Peterkin from the pool.

“I call for help, help! A boy was right around and I ask he if he could swim to help, then I run in front to get help. The pool doesn’t even have a sign to show you which side deeper or how much feet is the pool or nothing. If people providing a service at the pool they should have a life guard,” one relative said angrily.

According to one of the cousins, Nyasha Carrington, the entire group did not visit the pool to swim. “Some of us just wanted to take out pictures and hang out at the pool. He (Cyon) said he could swim, but before we know itwe were taking out pictureshe done fall into the pool and gone down to the bottom.”

“None of them working here can’t even swim properly, because when we calling for help, then the receptionist at the front, run and jump into the pool. They even had to search for the boy for a long period when we telling them where we see the boy jump in. They telling we no and they were jucking with sticks to find the body.”

The lad’s mother, Carla Peterkin, was heading home from a funeral when she got the shocking news that her eldest child had drowned at the Ocean View International Hotel.

Dead: Cyon Peterkin Peterkin, who had seen her son a few hours earlier at Paradise Primary School, rushed to the GPHC. The grieving mother told this publication that when her son visited her at the Paradise Primary School, where she teaches, around 13:40 hrs, he did not inform her that he was going swimming.

Being comforted by loved ones, Peterkin related that Cyon was expected to attend the Guyana School of Agriculture. “I gave him the money to pay for his lab coat.

Cyon would have started GSA this month.”

The woman said that her son would have celebrated his 18th birthday on September 27.

The pool in which the lad lost his life.

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Syrian troops take town on refugee flight route BEIRUT (AP) — After hours of heavy shelling, Syrian troops recaptured a border town yesterday in what activists said was a government attempt to stem the flood of people fleeing their country’s civil war.

Syrian rebels had been in control of Tel Chehab, along the Jordanian border, for months despite repeated assaults by pro-government troops, local activist Mohammed Abu Houran said.

In the latest clashes, hundreds of Syrian soldiers backed by 20 tanks assaulted Tel Chehab, according to Abu Houran and the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Rebels fought back but were pushed out, activists said.

A Jordanian army officer living just across the border said by telephone that he had heard heavy shelling starting early in the morning, but that it had subsided by midday.

“It sounded like the shelling came from tanks and armored vehicles,” said the

officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity because army regulations forbid him from being identified in press accounts.

The activists did not have casualty figures. Abu Houran said at least 2,000 refugees were waiting in the town for the chance to cross the border. Most of them were staying in two schools.

Syria’s state-run news agency, SANA, said troops arrested “several terrorists” in Tel Chehab and confiscated large amounts of explosives, including C4.

Other explosives were also dismantled, it reported, without giving further details.

An amateur video posted online by activists showed tanks and trucks full of soldiers passing through the town of Yadouda on their way to nearby Tel Chehab. The authenticity of the video could not be independently confirmed.

The Observatory, which has a network of activists throughout Syria, said troops raided homes in Tel Chehab and detained people.

Girl hid under bodies after French Alps shootings CHEVALINE, France (Reuters) - A four-year-old British girl spent eight hours cowering among the bodies of three adults, thought to be her mother, father and grandmother, who were shot dead in a car in the French Alps.

The child, apparently on a family camping holiday from Britain, was found by police unhurt shortly before midnight on Wednesday huddled on the floor behind the front seats of the car, hidden under the legs and skirt of one of the dead women.

A second girl of about eight, thought to be her sister, had been found earlier with serious injuries having been shot in the shoulder and

severely beaten on the head.

A French cyclist was also found shot dead at the scene on a mountain road near the village of Chevaline, close to the Annecy Lake and the Swiss border. The man, a young father who lived in the area named Sylvain Mollier, “just happened to be riding by” at the time of the attack, officials said.

“I do not call this the work of professionals. I call it an act of enormous savagery,” public prosecutor Eric Maillaud, who was visibly shaken, told a news conference in the town of Annecy, southeastern France.

Police had no idea of the motive, he said.

Page 7

APNU objects to presence of “partisan” lawyers in Linden’s COI - findings will be based on evidence - Chairman

From right: Attorney-at-law Ronald Burch-Smith, Justice Claudette Singh, Justice Lensley Wolfe O.J, Ms. Dana Seetahal S.C and Mr. K.D. Knight S.C.

By Latoya Giles Commissioner for the Inquiry into the Linden Shootings, Justice Lensley Wolfe O.J. has said that they have not been exposed to any statements about the incident and even if they were, that would not influence their findings.

On Wednesday, four of the five commissioners were sworn in by the Head of State, Donald Ramotar.

Justice Lensley Wolfe O.J., Mr. K.D. Knight S.C and Ms. Dana Seetahal S.C, all internationally recognized persons, along with Guyana’s former Court of Appeal Judge, Claudette Singh, CCH,.

Former Chancellor of the Judiciary and the current Chairman of the Police Complaints Authority, Cecil Kennard, was absent from the ceremony.

At a press conference yesterday, the commissioners spoke about several issues about how the commission will operate.

“The members of the commission are not in possession of any statements, and even if we were, the statements at this stage would not influence by that,” Wolfe told the media.

He posited that the

decision would be based on the evidence and witnesses and they would not be prejudging anything.

Wolfe said that any person who has knowledge of what took place on that day can elect to give a statement and the Commission will determine if such persons will be invited to testify before the Commission of Inquiry.

When asked about the possibility of the Minister of Home Affairs, Police Commissioner or any ranks who were present being called to the inquiry, Wolfe said “that if the Commission is of the view that such persons can assist in the resolution of the issues which the Commission must decide, then certainly they will be willing to call those persons.”

Wolfe further noted that the Commission’s sitting will be open to the public and that includes the media. He said, however, some evidence might have to be taken “in camera” and the public and media would be excluded.

The Chairman when asked if the Home Affairs Minister would be required to “step down”, said that he could not comment on that. He said that it would be an internal decision and he could not make that recommendation.

Further, the Chairman disclosed that all of the nonGuyanese commissioners would remain in Guyana during the duration of the Commission.

Secretary to the Commission, Attorney-at-law Ronald Burch-Smith said that the Commissioners are anxious to get its work done in a timely matter. He said that the rules of procedure contain provisions on persons who have information and how to communicate it.

He noted that persons who cannot prepare statements can be helped by an attorney who is attached to the commission. Persons can also write their statements and have other lawyers help, Burch- Smith said.

They are no specifications on how the

statements must be written.

Attorneys-at-law Euclin Gomes and Gamesh Hira have been appointed to assist with gathering witnesses and evidence.

Meanwhile, APNU’s Member of Parliament, Joe Harmon, yesterday raised several issues about the appointment of the two “partisan” lawyers (Continued on page 24)

Page 8

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

St. Lucia warns of zero Bakr’s refusal to testify sent to DPP tolerance to crime Commission of enquiry into attempted 1990 coup…

Trinidad Guardian - The commission of enquiry into the 1990 attempted coup has referred Imam Yasin Abu Bakr to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Roger Gaspard, SC, after he failed to respond to the commission’s summons Wednesday.

Before concluding Wednesday’s session, the commission’s chairman, Sir David Simmons, said he and his fellow commissioners decided to refer Bakr’s “failure or refusal” to respond to the summons, after they heard submissions from the commission’s attorneys, as well as receiving a letter from Bakr himself.

In the letter, dated September 4, which was read

Yasin Abu Bakr out at Wednesday’s hearing, Bakr stated: “I would like at the outset to reaffirm my willingness to testify before the commission. However, I wish to make the following

Barbados could face sanctions from ICAO Barbados Nation - Barbados could face sanctions from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) if tighter security measures are not introduced in and around Grantley Adams International Airport.

ICAO audited Barbados in June and, according to Director of Civil Aviation Mitchinson Beckles, measures that it demanded be implemented should be concluded by monthend.

Beckles noted that ICAO was the aviation arm of the United Nations “so whenever ICAO takes action against any country, it is like the United Nations has taken that action. So when we sign any treaties or agree to any conventions of ICAO, we are agreeing to signing off on a United Nations convention”.

He added that international requirements demanded that thorough background checks be conducted on all those entrusted with security at ports of entry, and they must reveal people unsuitable for airside duties, that is, in the area beyond passport and customs control in the terminal.

clear: I have no intention of answering any questions at the enquiry until I am discharged of the matters before the High Court.” Bakr accused the commission of possibly prejudicing his trial by taking evidence before it began.

“That situation makes me suspicious that you may be much more interested in pursuing your own legitimate agenda and without regard to my right to a fair trial,” he added.

On August 16, a ninemember jury in the Port-ofSpain High Court was unable to arrive at unanimous verdicts for Bakr on the four charges he faced. After the jury’s deliberations, trial judge Mark Mohammed discharged them and ordered a retrial. After the letter was read Wednesday in the courtroom of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, the commission heard detailed submissions from its lead counsel Avory Sinanan, SC. After deliberating with his four fellow commissioners, Simmons said: “He (Bakr) has not appeared in person to explain why he did not appear on Monday to answer the summons.” He explained that under Section 12(2) of the Commission of Enquiry Act, a person who failed or refused to respond to a summons from the commission was liable on summary conviction to a $2,000 fine.

CASTRIES, St. Lucia - CMC - The St. Lucia government says it will adopt a zero tolerance approach towards crime on the island following six murders here in as many days.

National Security Minister Victor La Corbiniere said the authorities would also move to clamp down on those who carry out criminal activities on behalf of those “higher up in the chain”.

He said what passes for “gang violence on the streets is informed very often by people higher up that gang chain.

“And these are mostly people sitting in their comfortable houses in certain areas

enjoying a glass of wine and pretending to be businessmen or other things,” he added.

One media worker is among a number of people assisting investigations as the police increased their presence in known hot spots on the island.

La Corbiniere, who recently praised the police for the activities leading to a decline in criminal activities here, said that there would be a zero tolerance approach to dealing with crime.

He urged law abiding citizens to support the authorities in the fight against the illegal drugs trade warning of tougher measures to come.

So far this year, there have been 27 murders compared to 32 for the corresponding period.

Colombia’s FARC rebels to ask govt. for ceasefire

HAVANA (Reuters) Colombia’s leftist FARC rebels said yesterday they would seek a bilateral ceasefire next month at the start of peace talks with the government aimed at ending half a century of war, and expressed hope that this latest attempt to end the conflict would succeed.

But the proposal could complicate the process from the start because Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos said this week there would be no ceasefire during the negotiations.

“We are going to propose a ceasefire immediately when we sit at the table,” senior commander Mauricio Jaramillo told a news conference in Havana.

“Better said, we are going to fight for it. We are going to discuss it there in the table, but it is one of the first points,” he said.

A decade ago, in the last attempt at ending Latin America’s longest-running insurgency, the rebels used a

ceasefire to beef up their military operations and establish a multibillion-dollar drug-trafficking network.

“There is no way the government will accept this since it has always sought a unilateral ceasefire on the side of the rebels,” said security analyst Alfredo Rangel in Bogota.

“The government will reject this immediately and that will play into the hands of the FARC which wants to continue in combat. The FARC will use violence to pressure the government at the negotiating table,” he said.

The rebels said the talks

were expected to begin October 8 in Norway. They will then move to Havana, where the Cuban government said on Wednesday it had been brokering the negotiations for more than a year.

Jaramillo said the FARC, which formed in 1964 and operates out of remote locations in Colombia, would send Ivan Marquez and Jose Santrich, both high-ranking leaders, to the talks and would reveal more participants soon.

Santos unveiled his negotiating team on Wednesday, saying it would be led by former Vice President Humberto de la Calle.

CBC staff blue over pay Barbados Nation - Staff at the Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) are reportedly upset with the state-owned entity over its failure to pay outstanding increments due since 2009.

DAILY NATION sources said that for months the staff have been grumbling over management’s failure to resolve the issue and pay the more than 300 workers their retroactive money.

“What has upset the staff for the most part is that out of the $40 million loan guarantee from Government, management has been unwilling to provide $1 million to pay for the increments.

“Some public officers have received increments yearly despite the economic recession, CBC staffers have been unable to get their just due,” said one senior staffer Wednesday night.

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 9

When decent men come together What Guyana needs at this stage is political maturity.

Such maturity is associated with level headedness and this is what the country needs.

There have been many criticisms of the fact that the PPP chose someone to lead the government who was never part of any of their previous administrations.

There were also ripples of discontent within the PNCR because of their decision to have someone as their Presidential Candidate, who was not part of the leadership of the PNC. Both Mr. Ramotar and Mr. Granger are, however, not newcomers to politics.

Ramotar may be more politically seasoned but Mr. Granger also has years under his belt of observing politics and working with politicians.

They may not have the experience of working as government ministers but they have accumulated years of wisdom from observing and being part of political developments in Guyana- Mr. Granger as a historian and Mr. Ramotar as the General Secretary of the oldest existing political party in Guyana.

No one can deny that both men have the interests of Guyana at heart. A lot of unkind things have been said of both of them. But place their critics in their shoes and perhaps those critics would be paralyzed when it comes to doing the things that they have done so far. Both men, given the unprecedented situation that developed after the last elections, have taken bold and matured initiatives which have placed the interests of the country foremost.

They may not be bosom buddies; they may even have serious differences. But they have been able to work together on a number of occasions and have achieved positive outcomes every time they have met. This says something about their personalities and how well they get away from the

camera.

This may have also to do with the fact that they are both over sixty and have the foresight and understanding that can often be lacking amongst the younger and more impetuous leaders.

In the process of working together, both men have been criticized by persons within their camp. Both have come under pressure to move in certain directions when perhaps better sense would dictate otherwise.

These are the practical realities of politics. Politicians cannot ignore certain interests and therefore sometimes they have to act in those interests and thus not always see eye to eye with one another.

Each has criticized the other’s actions. This too is all part of the political process.

But these are big men and they will want to leave some legacy behind for which they can be remembered in a positive light. This is not an ego thing. Both men care for Guyana and want to see Guyana move forward, and they want to be part of that process.

But as politicians they may have a different understanding as to how this can be done.

This understanding may be influenced by the different interests that they hold.

There is, however, no reason why as matured men they cannot sit for a few days in some quiet resort outside of Guyana and just try to get to know each other better.

There are now term limits in Guyana for the President.

Term limits will eventually become part of the leadership process within political parties.

When these men leave political office perhaps one day they will encounter each other in the street and stop and have a chat. They may then ask themselves why they could not do this when they were politicians.

There is nothing that is preventing these two matured men from meeting

and trying to find a way in which they can work for the good of Guyana.

More bitter enemies have done this and are doing this.

In South Africa, Mandela even when he was in prison sat down and spoke to his arch rival, De Clerk. A meeting is soon to be held in Norway and one later in Cuba between the FARC rebels and the Colombian government, both of whom are bitter rivals.

If these staunch enemies can sit down and meet why is it that now that we have two elderly statesmen in Guyana, Mr. Granger and Mr. Ramotar,

that they too cannot sit down together away from the cameras and intrusiveness and just be two human beings having a friendly chat.

Why is it that the men and their families cannot spend a weekend together simply getting to know one another as human beings rather than as politicians? Why cannot they have each other over for a quite dinner or breakfast?

Is that too much to ask?

Or are the radicals within their respective parties going to hang them out to dry if they each dared to cultivate a friendship with each other.

Life is short and most politicians are not happy with having antagonistic relationships. When they meet in private they do exchange well-meaning pleasantries, however brief or fleeting.

It is time that those pleasantries become more prolonged. In both Mr. Ramotar and Mr. Granger there is a great chance of this happening. In their favor is the fact that they have a great deal in common.

They are both elderly men. They both are matured.

They both are decent men

who are seen as incorruptible.

They both will most likely accept that their political shelf-life is limited. They will eventually have to give way for others to take over.

In the meantime, the nation needs a breather from the political bitterness of pulling and tugging. Both men can give Guyana this breather. Will they?

Page 10

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The real moment in the Jagdeo libel case starts this morning Today, at 9 AM in Justice Brassington Reynold’s court, Bharrat Jagdeo’s libel case against me and this newspaper resumes. But today will be the moment in this case. The defence takes the stand.

To be featured is my 80page research which I have documented the troubled area of discrimination in this country, a sociological anomaly that has haunted and hunted down this country since the BurnhamJagan spilt in the fifties. The period I have dealt with does not go back that far. I examined from the Burnham presidency to the reign of Bharrat Jagdeo.

I have been advised that it is not legally improper to discuss what the defence will be offering in court but I will restrain myself only to say

that I am not the only defence witness. I have been advised to remain calm on the stand and just keep my composure intact at all times. I plan to do just that. As readers would know from the media publication of sessions gone by, only Dr. Roger Luncheon testified for the plaintiff, Mr. Jagdeo. There was a second witness. He was from the Office of the President but his task was to present previous columns of mine without any comment from him on the particular newspaper item that led to the writ of libel.

As it stands, the libel case is only the second occasion a serving CARICOM Head has taken a citizen to court for libel. I have done the research and I didn’t find another one in the CARICOM area but I am open to correction. What I have found are many

situations in which former CARICOM Prime Ministers have sued or threaten to sue for libel.

P.J Patterson of Jamaica is currently pondering libel action. However, PM Bissesar of Trinidad has recently sent legal notice to a newspaper for retraction of a story or she will pursue libel charges. In Malta, earlier this year the PM did threaten libel but did not proceed In my research I have found three Prime Ministers that have gone to court over defamation – Lee Kwan Yu in Singapore; Harold Wilson in the UK and Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. The PM of Qatar had sued for libel but he was not the Head of State or the Head of Government in Qatar. In the case of Guyana, Prime Minister Burnham did sue for

character damage.

What does the paucity of libel writs from serving Heads of Government have to do with cross-examination?

Once a President or Prime Minister agrees to take the stand, a brilliant lawyer may manoeuvre his way in crossexamination to bring out materials about governmental behaviour that may best be left hidden from the public. Prime Ministers and Presidents may not want to run that risk.

As we saw in Jagdeo’s court battle, Dr. Roger Luncheon admitted under cross examination that he offered the PNC politician and then Chairman of Region Ten, Mr. Mingo a house lot in Pradoville Two. Writing on that aspect of the court proceeding, the Stabroek News editorialized that Mr.

Fishermen angry with ice prices on Essequibo coast The price of fish has risen on the Essequibo coast, Region Two, as fishermen continue to struggle with difficulties in acquiring ice.

As of Tuesday, ice has risen from $2 to $8 per pound.

Several fishermen are threatening to give up in face of the rising costs and difficulties in accessing ice.

Popular fisherman, Haresh Singh, of Hampton Court Village, Essequibo Coast, is one of them. Singh said the situation is compounded by the fact that two of the private fishing entities are currently facing mechanical problems and has not been supplying fisher folks with ice since earlier this week.

“Since Tuesday the complex at Zorg has been down and the one at Lima has not been supplying fishermen with ice for the longest while.”

The angry fisherman stressed that the only option available to them now is a facility at Charity, further down the Essequibo Coast.

Fishermen are claiming

Jagdeo’s libel may have backfired on the Government.

Of course, the published part of the trial that really stirred the nation was when in cross-examination again, Dr. Luncheon in response to a question from my lawyer, Nigel Hughes, agreed that no African-Guyanese was qualified to hold an ambassadorial post. The opposition milked that admission of Luncheon during the election campaign last year.

When you take the Mingo house lot offer and Luncheon’s remark on the reason for the absence of African diplomats in Guyana’s Foreign Service, you can clearly see the reason why even serving Ministers and Presidents and Prime Ministers are reluctant to sue for defamation. Things can go badly wrong in the trial. Suppose what comes out in the trial determines the

Frederick Kissoon shape of forthcoming national elections? Suppose a simple libel trial causes a Prime Minister to lose his/her power in the election battle?

So what does the defence have up their sleeves this morning? I guess it is best to wait until we take the stand.

Speaking for me, my research ability and my capacity to do journalistic investigations will be on display. Was I sloppy in arriving at the presentation of facts or are the facts incontrovertible? I guess it is all up to me. But don’t forget, Mr. Hughes told the reporters at the last day before the adjournment that he has some learned witnesses who will testify. I guess you have to be in court to see and hear them.

Dem boys seh...

Nuff people fishing up de place

Angry Essequibo fishermen are calling on the President to help solve their ice problem. that the business at Charity has since increased the fee to $8 per pound.

Romel, another fisherman, said for years fishermen, especially in Region Two, continue to struggle to access ice. The situation is now a frightening one. He too might be forced to quit.

Several workers are being affected. “The price for ice in Georgetown is $4-$5 and yet

we are not getting ice but the price has increased.”

Narine, the largest fish vendor on the Essequibo Coast, said he too is affected by the recent increase in ice price. He usually purchases $5,000-$6,000 worth in ice to preserve his stocks daily.

Numerous meetings were held with government but nothing concrete has emerged.

Late last month, Chief Fisheries Officer, Denzel Roberts, had met with the fishermen on the ice issue.

The fishermen are desperately imploring for President Ramotar to intervene immediately.

The complex at Lima, which was intended to facilitate fisherfolk with ice, has been leased out to a businessman.

When people in love dem does kiss up. Dem does get like dem lovebird that people does buy fuh show. Steve proppa kiss up when Gee Nah and Gerry decide fuh talk bout that picture wha dem boys show of Bharrat house.

Wha mek dem boys laugh was when Steve talk bout American law. De man talk wha everybody know; that plane can’t fly over de house of de President and de Vice President. He forget that Bharrat ain’t de President. And in any case, de President and Vice President ain’t a no fly zone.

But dem boys seh that Steve didn’t care. He was kissing up to Geee Nah and kissing down too, right down to the bottom of Bharrat. Dem boys seh that since he retire he hoping to get a wuk again. Well fuh so much kissing, he done get de wuk. De only thing that he forget is that he kiss down to de wrong man.

Then people talk bout how dem boys jealous. Is not jealous. Dem boys just showing de mess that Bharrat put de country in and nobody can tek it out. He was not a man that lef systems in place fuh Uncle Donald continue.

Rat like live in a pit and Bharrat tek Guyana into a pit. De people don’t belong there. But Steve and all of dem like dem like de pit. All of dem deh pun a fishing expedition.

Poor Uncle Donald fishing too and he and all fishing up de place. De thing is that he never learn to fish.

Dem boys seh that because of that dem fishing up Bharrat and he kavakamites.

Talk half and fish Bharrat and de other half.

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

NCN corruption debate is like ‘Judas’ hosting a TV series on loyalty, friendship Alliance for Change Chairman, Nigel Hughes, is not disappointed with the “committed disciples” of the National Communications Network (NCN) for their reporting on the corruption debate series as they are merely being consistent.

At the time Hughes was responding to questions from members of the media about the network’s coverage on the debate series.

Hughes believed that the series is as if Judas Iscariot is hosting a television series on friendship and loyalty.

“NCN from its inception has never delivered unbiased and unfiltered information to the public. They have not discharged their mandate to the people of this country to educate so I’m not disappointed in the coverage of the debate, as a matter of fact I applaud them for their consistency,” a caustic Hughes noted.

- AFC Chairman

AFC Chairman, Nigel Hughes The Chairman added that if one decides to go to a television show with Judas Iscariot he should not expect a lesson or morality.

“In this case one will have to pray to God that he won’t slap you in the back because the only thing you would get is a knife.” Hughes said when himself and others from the

AFC took the decision to go to the debate they were all aware it would have been like going to Freedom House to have a debate.

“Going to the debate is as if you go to a person with no legs and put him to run against Usain Bolt and complain that he doesn’t make it to the finish line.”

Over recent weeks, NCN has started a live television series on different topics for debate as it regards corruption.

Some parts of the debates are then used by the network’s new team to create new items for a newscast, all in favor of the government. It was the same thing for the state-owned Government Information News Agency (GINA).

One dead in two-truck smashup

Family members and others at the scene of the horrific two-truck accident at Hauruni, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

An early morning horrific accident, involving two trucks at Hairuni, on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway, has left the driver of one truck dead, and two others nursing minor injuries Dead is 27-year-old Rameshwar ‘Shah Rukh’ Primlall, of 14 Supply, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara. Primlall was the driver of GPP 2252, which slammed into GLL1645, another truck which was reportedly parked on the highway with a puncture.

His wife, Kumarie Singh, who travelled to the scene of the accident with relatives, said that she got the horrible news ‘around 5’o clock’ yesterday.

Singh cried bitterly as she held unto the cabin of the badly damaged truck that her husband had met his death in.

According to the driver of the other truck, Orlando ‘Putchie’ Rose, of One Mile

Extension, Wismar, Linden, it took almost two hours to free the badly injured man from the mangled vehicle.

Rose said that a tyre on his truck had ‘burst’, so he had parked, was in the process of changing it when the accident happened. That was shortly after 02:00 hrs.

Rose said that he heard a vehicle approaching then there was a loud impact at the back of his truck.

“All I know is we truck deh cross the road on the side and one of dem from the other truck pitch in the bush there, one of dem been pon de road, and the driver he get pin in de truck. A tractor went in the back of de truck, and one of dem de sitting in the tractor.”

Rose claimed that the other truck was speeding.

At the scene, there was evidence that Rose’s truck was knocked several yards away, from the point of impact.

Several drums of fuel

lined the road. The driver said that he had removed them (Continued on page 12)

Page 11

CJIA drug bust…

Roraima Airways security staffer, Waterchris hotel driver remanded A Roraima Airways security staffer and a driver from the Waterchris Restaurant were placed in state custody yesterday after making an appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for reportedly having an excess of one kilogram of cocaine in their possession at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The men, Sydney Matthews and Mark Fredericks, were charged for the high profile bust which took earlier this week. They were not required to plea after Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry read the charge.

The police said that Matthews who works as a security agent for Roraima Airways was seen in the airport compound with a bag and was challenged for a search by airport security.

They said that the airport security approached Matthews who refused to hand over the bag. He allegedly threw the bag on a forklift filled with meals for the Delta Flight.

Security ranks, however, retrieved the bag and after searching, found the alleged narcotics. The police information further stated that on the day in question, Fredericks who is the Waterchris Restaurant driver left the restaurant for CJIA taking with him meals for the outgoing Delta flight to New York.

They said that Fredericks intervened when the airport security retrieved the bag off the forklift. He reportedly attempted to snatch the bag out of the airport officials hand but was unsuccessful in doing so. As a result, both persons were arrested in

Mark Fredericks

Sydney Matthews

connection with the drugs.

Attorney-at-law Glenn Hanoman represented Matthews. He, however, declined to give his client’s personal information saying that the man and his family‘s life had been threatened. He did not state by whom.

Attorney-at-law, Roger Yearwood, made a bail application for Fredericks. He described the prosecution’s facts as “stupidness”.

He asked how the police was going to prove possession when they admitted that his client had attempted to take away the bag form airport officials.

Yearwood said that his client was not around when the fracas took place between the Roraima worker and the airport security. He claimed that the police declined to add

that the bag belonged to his client’s office and in knowing that, Fredericks attempted to take away the bag from the airport staff.

The lawyer later said that his client is 51-years-old and lives at Republic Park, East Bank Demerara. He said his client had no previous convictions and is not a flight risk. Bail was requested in a reasonable sum.

The prosecution in arguing against bail said that the reasons by the defense were not enough.

The police said that the facts suggest that at some point Fredericks was in possession of the bag.

The court remanded the two accused who will appear on October 7 at the Providence Magistrate’s Court.

Page 12

Mexican Ambassador donates books, catalogue to National Library

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

AFC repeats call for criminal investigation at NCN

AFC officials during the press conference yesterday.

Mexican Ambassador to Guyana, Francisco Olguin Uribe, donated several books to the National Library on Wednesday, during a courtesy call to Chief Librarian, Gillian Thompson.

Among them were books on the history of international relations of Mexico 1821-2010, Cultural Diplomacy Education and Human Rights; Philosophical, Political and Sociological Thinking; Hispanic American Literature; the Music of Latin America; Mexico and the Invention of American Art 1910-1950; the Electronic Medium of Diffusion and the Information Society.

Ambassador Uribe also donated a catalogue for “Fragmented Nature, Contemporary Artists in the Collection of the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs”.

Alliance for Change Chairman, Nigel Hughes, has reiterated his party’s call for a thorough investigation into the National Communications Network fraud.

During the party’s weekly media briefing, Hughes said his party continues to be disappointed that the fraud and the ever increasing revelations into the operations there have not yet attracted the attention of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

He said that it is also alarming that to date, there has been no institution of criminal charges against those fingered in the fraud.

“We do not believe that it goes well for the rule of law and it certainly does not instill confidence in persons

who are responsible for managing the funds of the state and therefore we urge that the criminal investigation into the matter be conducted with due dispatch and that the DPP has that file so that she can consider and issue her advice as appropriate based on what is submitted to her.”

The situation at the state agency has drawn widespread anger and is a major embarrassment for the new PPP/C administration.

A number of dissatisfied staffers leaked records that indicated a seemingly ‘wild west’ situation of advertisements being aired free, and of links between at least one senior staffer and a heavy equipment company.

NCN, during the Budget debates earlier this year, admitted that it raked in more

than $500M in revenues, raising eyebrows on why it would still need government allocations.

An angry opposition, upset with NCN’s ‘biased’ coverage to them, blocked a budgetary subsidy for NCN for over $65M. The opposition had called for more accountability and balanced coverage by t h e s t a t e agency.

T h e s p e c ial probe at NCN was triggered when GT&T’s CEO, Yog Mahadeo, refused to pay Goolsarran when for a second time he presented an invoice for over $3M in his personal name, instead of NCN. GT&T had launched its own audit.

A number of senior officials of the telephone company were sent home, including the Chief Financial

Officer. The investigation was ordered by the Office of the President to probe allegations of financial irregularities that occurred between September 2011 and February 2012, regarding payments for the GT&T Jingle and Song Competition.

The Parmesar report made it clear that both the CEO and Goolsarran failed to carry out their duties diligently and professionally.

The report also recommended that the Board of Directors should take necessary actions, including legal ones, to recover loss of revenue for all amounts paid to any individual.

The two, according to the report, tried to pressure staff to backdate key records, in what was seen as an attempted cover-up.

(From page 11) from the truck after the accident. Rose said that he was in the process of transporting the fuel from Georgetown to the interior. He had thirty drums on the truck when the accident occurred.

Hardat Singh of Novar, Mahaicony, owner of the truck which Primlall was driving, said that his employee was making a trip

to 72 Miles Potaro.

Singh said that three persons were in the cab of the truck, while one person was in the tray.

“Whilst coming down the highway, there was this truck parked on the road with no lights, so by the time the driver saw it, it was too late- because they break down and park on the road with no lights. On top of that it was foggy, so

even though the driver tried to swerve out, he couldn’t make it. I was sitting in the cab, on the passenger side, but he got hit more, because of how he tried to swerve.”

The man noted that it took about half an hour to retrieve the driver from the mangled wreck.

His wife, Sharon Singh, said that her husband called her about 04:00 hrs yesterday.

“He just dialed the number, and he just have the phone on, and all I’m hearing is him saying, “Oh God somebody please help my driver”. So he wasn’t even talking to me, it was like he was in shock.”

Singh said she later called the police, after she finally got some more information from her husband.

“We own this truck and we work with Bosai, through Forrester- they had this little work to take in a tractor and they had this other work to do with the hydro-plant for a month and today was to be their first day.

‘Shah Rukh”- we used to call him that- he worked with

us, and he just went home the night to spend with his family and they left like two this morning to go up there… then my husband called.

When we got to the hospital this morning they told us he didn’t make it.”

Singh’s husband and the other persons on the truck were taken to the Linden Hospital complex, where they were treated and sent away.

Meanwhile, relatives of the dead man, including his wife travelled to the scene yesterday.

They were adamant that it was the unlit truck that caused the accident.

Police who were on the scene came in for strong condemnation, after they insisted that the dead man’s wife remain to give statements. Her relatives were in a hurry to take her to see a doctor, for her ”low blood pressure”. The Singhs also complained that several parts from their truck were stolen although the police were on the scene, soon after the accident.

One dead in two-truck...

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 13

Guyana gets 20-plus new doctors

Twenty-one new doctors and a pharmacist were yesterday officially added to the Ministry of Health cadre of health professionals, a move which is expected to further boost the quality of health care.

Following an orientation session at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown, yesterday, the group of young professionals were registered and assigned to health facilities.

Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran in recognising the achievement of the recent graduates, warned that they were being registered on the basis that they would have made themselves familiar with the way things are done locally.

Of the 21 doctors, two were trained in Russia, while the remainder obtained their medical knowledge in Cuba which has over the years facilitated training of the largest volume of Guyanese medical students.

In underlining his expectation that the young doctors’ integration into the health system would be seamless and smooth, Minister Ramsaran said that “the Ministry of Health will undertake the necessary workshops, continuing medical education and training sessions in this early period to assist you...Your job is to see that you hunger for that knowledge and that you attend these sessions.”

According to the Minister, it is crucial that the young doctors recognise the importance of the rules, regulations and laws that govern the medical practice.

He added that reporting of maternal and ‘Under Five’ deaths are features that the administration takes seriously.

The official pointed out to the young professionals that things like safe motherhood is in fact an indicator of how healthy the public health system is. “These are things

that you need to know quickly...and we will provide the platform for you to do so but you have to meet us half way on that path to giving you this knowledge.”

Minister Ramsaran also reminded the recent graduates of their scholarship status which requires that they serve Guyana and not merely the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. “We are saying this up front immediately because this is where very quickly the honeymoon period disappears when there is a refusal by young people to serve...they want to ‘moldup’ at the Georgetown Public Hospital or in their village and all manner of pretexts...”

According to the Minister, the young doctors are expected to serve in areas as far as Mahdia, Bartica, Paramakatoi or wherever a Guyanese patient lives and requires medical care.

The young doctors will for the next 18 months have

Soesdyke to benefit from multi-million dollar investment

The Outreach Pharmacy and Gift Shop A $25 million investment has been plugged into the Soesdyke community in the form of a sprawling pharmacy and gift shop intended to provide a service comparable to any obtained in Central Georgetown.

Well, at least this is according to Chief Executive of ‘The Outreach Pharmacy and Gift Shop’, Mark Ferreira.

Ferreira, a Pharmacist himself, has been providing services to the area for more than a decade but he saw the need to expand.

Come Monday, the pharmacy service which was housed at Lot 79 Public Road Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, will be relocated to a brand new air-conditioned location at Lot L Public Road Soesdyke, where according

to Ferreira, “customers will benefit from greater privacy and a wider variety of services and commodities.”

A current resident of Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Ferreira grew up at St Cuthbert’s Mission, further down the Demerara River. He has a passion for serving rural communities.

He was given the opportunity to invest at Soesdyke. “I recognised several years ago that rural communities are usually underserved and at times people feel that they can only get a good service or the right price in the city.”

Against this background, the businessman said that he has continuously been trying to improve his pharmacy service in the

community and has had no regrets.

“I like the reception I get from the people, especially from the elder folks; they are just happy to have this service here and so it drove me to want to give them a wider range of things to choose from...I decided to put more into the business because what I am gaining is a real sense of satisfaction,” Ferreira confessed.

His heavy investments have allowed him to offer employment to some eight individuals. He is hoping to recruit more in the near future.

Aside from pharmaceuticals, the business place offers a wide variety of gift items, electronics, stationeries and confectionaries.

Some of the new health professionals

to undergo a mandatory rotation period at the Georgetown and New Amsterdam hospitals. The two facilities, the Minister said, are capable of grooming the young doctors and breaking them into the health system.

In delivering remarks yesterday too, Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Irv Chan revealed that the plan of the administration is to have the new professionals supervised by seasoned doctors already in the system. This move is to better guide them as they

become better doctors and to give them the necessary knowledge that is needed at this critical juncture of their careers. “Many persons when they graduate as doctors believe that they have arrived and that they know it all but that is certainly not the case. I personally can say that there are a number of things when you go out into the communities you’d be faced with and you will be challenged to find out what is the actual diagnosis.”

“You do have to read research and also consult and there are many ways you can

do that – via internet or calling a colleague in Georgetown to give you that support to help you to recognise things that you might not have seen...”

The young professionals also benefited from a presentation by Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who stressed their importance to the health sector.

He emphasised in his presentation that doctors as the premier health professional are trained with a view of complementing other levels of health workers.

Page 14

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

Motorcyclist charged with causing death of Adelphi cane cutter The motorcyclist who was involved in the fatal accident that killed 35-yearold Adelphi resident, Sewdat Dipoo also known as “Krishna” or “Cook”, a cane harvester at the Rose Hall Estate, East Canje, Berbice, on the Adelphi Public Road last Friday, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving .

Doodnauth Hardial, 23, of Gangaram Settlement, East Canje, Berbice appeared on Thursday before Magistrate Robby Benn at the Fort Wellington Magistrate’s Court and was placed on $350,000 bail.

Hardial was reportedly riding his motorcycle, CG 3359, at a fast rate of speed along the East Canje public road when in the vicinity of Adelphi Village he lost control and slammed into Dipoo. The injured man and Hardial were picked up and rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital.

Dipoo was pronounced dead on arrival while Hardial was admitted.

Dead: Sewdat Dipoo Dipoo had just left his house and turned out of his street with his birdcage in his hand.

Hardial was reportedly racing with a 4x4 pickup at the time.

Dipoo is a popular “birdman” and cricketer in the area bled profusely.

The matter has been transferred to the Reliance Magistrate’s Court and is fixed for September 26th.

Police unable to...

(From page 3) who is representing himself had also disagreed with certain information given by the witness. The accused suggested that what was written in the statement was not exactly what he had given, as there were additional words. His was denied by the Witness saying that what she wrote was told to her.

Corporal Frank told the court that she visited the Number 51 Police Station on Saturday and checks were made for the relevant books and material requested by the court for the period 2009, but the records could not be located, although searches were made in the storeroom and Enquiries Office.

Sergeant Vilma Saul, in her evidence, has also denied that the accused ask to be taken to see the doctor. She also stated that the accused statement was taken at 15:45 hrs and not 17:30hrs as he is suggesting.

The mother of the alleged victim was recalled to the witness stand and, in response to a question by the Judge, stated that she saw blood on the accused skin.

Alert is alleged to have committed the act on the minor on March 3rd, 2009 at her home at Number 35 Village.

State Prosecutor Rhondell Weever, in her case, is contending that the accused after sending the VC’s younger sibling out of the house, then asked her to get some stuff from a bedroom. He had allegedly followed her and had sexual intercourse with her.

The matter was reported and following investigation the accused was arrested and charged, his alleged victim was examined at the Skeldon Public Hospital.

So far, four witnesses have testified including the alleged victim, her mother, and police ranks.

The trial is continuing.

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 15

Page 18

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 19

Kwakwani defies government…

Elects its own council to manage community affairs A 15-member committee was early yesterday morning elected to manage the affairs of Kwakwani, a Region 10 bauxite mining community up the Berbice River, defying a government’s threat not to recognize it.

Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Norman Whittaker, had warned that to go ahead with the elections was illegitimate, as nowhere in the country was two bodies tasked with running one municipality. Several weeks ago, government had appointed an Interim Management Committee (IMC), one of several across the country to replace nonfunctioning Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) During a press conference following the elections, Minister Whittaker said that the Ministry will only recognise the IMC “because that body was appointed, installed in keeping with the legislative procedures. We did not break any laws and therefore that is the only constitutional body that we would recognise as handling the affairs of the people of Kwakwani.”

The elections Wednesday evening saw residents turning up at the old Workers Club in throngs, to cast their ballots.

Two hundred and thirty seven persons would eventually cast their votes, for the 38 persons that were selected as potential candidates for the management committee.

The fifteen names that accrued the most votes, were Angela Shultz, Anne Gordon, Carl Liverpool, Cort Simeon, Charles Thorn, Dennetta Jeffrey, Irel Roberts, Judith Welcome, Jocelyn Morian, Kelvin Daly, Karen Julien, Neil Patterson, Rayon Jackson, Rosamund Samuels and Shakiela Sampson.

According to one resident who asked not to be

- Region 10 Chairman named, the elections were the best thing to have happened to Kwakwani in years.

NO DEVELOPMENT “We living here all these years, and they ain’t got no development, we neither going nor coming, so is time we take a stand. It is our democratic right, and we are going to exercise it,” Those sentiments were echoed by several other residents. But residents were adamant that they would not recognize current government-appointed IMC. They subsequently staged protest action against what they considered to be an ‘undemocratic imposition” by the Government.

The protest began on July 16th, and ran parallel to those held in Linden which was against the imposition of increased electricity tariffs in that mining town.

In reference to the Kwakwani issue, Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon had pointed out recently that “Whether its legitimate or illegitimate, in the views of the people of Kwakwani it is not something that they are willing to accept, and I believe that democracy is the will of the people, and that must be respected.”

Community leader, Joslyn Morian, said that before the installation of the IMC, he had seen a letter inviting persons to attend a training session, for councilors of the IMC. That was on a Saturday. By the following Monday, the persons were already sworn in as IMC councilors.

Meetings were held with government officials including Natural Resources Minister, Robert Persaud.

One of the members of the IMC had even told the Minister that residents of the area were not comfortable with the process involved that it should be revisited.

Morian said that Minister

Persaud “right there and then” made contact with Whittaker, requesting that he come and meet with the people of Kwakwani and work with them to resolve the issue.

“To date we have not had a visit from any Government official,” Morian lamented Wednesday.

AFC, REGION 10 SUPPORT Chairman of the AFC, Nigel Hughes, in a statement said that his party supports the right of the people of Kwakwani to elect their own representatives.

“The Alliance condemns the imposition of an IMC by persons outside of the region

for Kwakwani. The Alliance will stand behind the people of Kwakwani in their efforts to secure true democracy in their community,” the statement added.

The Region 10 Chairman who was in Kwakwani to show solidarity with the residents was meanwhile served with a letter from Minister Whittaker warning him about the illegality of the planned elections, and that Government would take “strong legal and administrative measures”, should the elections still be held.

Solomon in a released letter to the Minister insisted that it was residents of Kwakwani who wanted their own representations. “…it is necessary for me to inform you that it is the

people of Kwakwani who have indicated to me, at a community meeting, held on the 29th of August 2012 at the Workers Club, that they will be electing their own Community Council to act on behalf and in the interest of the residents of Kwakwani as they are not prepared to accept the Government’s imposition of the 16th of July IMC, to manage the affairs of their community.”

According to Solomon, the Regional Democratic Council #10 (RDC), “for which I am Chairman, though not involved in anyway in this process, is willing to respect the fundamental rights of the people of Kwakwani in electing individuals of their choice to manage the affairs of their community. It is interesting

that in order to subvert democracy the Government has taken a backward step of revoking the 1983 ministerial order that promotes democracy and replace it with one that centralises power.”

Solomon said that his action will be determined by the will of the people.

“It is therefore undemocratic and unfortunate that the Government would want to establish IMCs, especially in areas where the electorate have rejected the party that formed the Government at the last elections; rather than pushing to ensure that the country have local government reforms and elections, after this right would have been denied to the people of the country for the last 16 years.”

Works to improve GPHC’s A&E unit to start Monday

Accident and Emergency Unit’s triage area Reconfiguration of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC)’s Accident and Emergency Unit’s will commence on September 10 with works to improve the unit’s ‘Waiting and Triage’ areas end on September 14.

According to GPHC,

“completion of this exercise will significantly improve the services offered at the ‘waiting and triage’ areas.”

The reconfiguration will see the addition of two examination beds, two nurses’ desks and one doctor’s desk.

The waiting area will be shifted to the northern end of

the unit for easy access to washroom facilities. The exercise will not disrupt the

daily functioning of the unit administering medical services, the hospital said.

Page 20

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 21

Page 22

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 23

Page 24

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

US$18M Specialty Hospital…

Health Ministry: No laws breached in contract award The Ministry of Health is insisting that it breached no laws in awarding the Specialty Hospital contract to Surendra Engineering Corporation, but says that Fedders Lloyd Corporation Limited, another India-based company which is questioning the deal, had breached instructions that were given to bidders.

The Health Ministry was at the time responding to Fedders Lloyd Corporation Limited, which submitted one of the lowest bids for the project and is protesting the award of the US$18M contract to Surendra Engineering. Fedders Lloyd had expressed its concerns via a letter to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, dated August 30th 2012.

The Ministry’s letter was released to the media a day after Cabinet Secretary Dr. Roger announced that Government will be re-

assessing the award of the US$18M contract to Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited of India.

In its letter of response, the Ministry of Health said that it “has diligently pursued the process of tendering and awarding the contract to design, build and equip the Specialty Hospital for Guyana with due diligence and full transparency, adhering throughout the process to good, sound and proper policies and procedures.”

“It is obvious to the Ministry that in such an open and competitive process that attracted five bids from reputable Indian firms, only one firm will be successful.”

In its response to six points made by Fedders Lloyd, the Health Ministry acknowledged that the letter from Guyana’s High Commission in India, dated April 13th 2012, announced

to all prospective bidders the official “ pre-bid meeting and site visit” was to be held on Monday, 23rd April 2012; the “bid opening” date on 15th May 2012 and the Health Ministry’s intention of no further extension to the bid opening date .

“However, by our letter to all bidders dated 4th May 2012, we officially announced to all bidders “additional information to bidders” following the pre-bid meeting of 23rd April 2012. In that letter our Project Manager wrote as follows: “Further, two of the contractors during the recent pre-bid meeting and site visit requested an extension of the closing date for submission by at least one more month.

The closing date for the submission was 15th May 2012. The client has considered this request and has decided to grant a further extension for the submission of bids to Tuesday 26th June 2012.”

According to the Health Ministry, as is usual in such circumstances, and in order to allow for the most competitive process by facilitating the largest number of interested bidders to participate in the process, the Ministry of Health took the decision it did at the pre-bid meeting.

“This does not in any way or circumstance violate any stipulation of international competitive bidding,” the Ministry’s letter stated in countering Fedders Lloyd.

“On the contrary this is a standard procedure and is intended mainly to facilitate the widest participation in the bidding process.”

The Ministry also noted that the question of the bid security and the originating source “has been a matter of

numerous press commentaries by Fedders Lloyd Corporation and now finally a matter of concern in your official correspondence to the Ministry.”

“There is no evidence that the bid security was supplied by the Axis Bank of India with correspondence Bank relations in Guyana.

This is in breach of the instructions to bidders and on technical grounds Fedders Lloyd should have been disqualified on this ground alone.” Nevertheless, the Ministry said, the evaluation committee did not disqualify Fedders Lloyd on this ground. On the other hand, the winning bidder supplied its bid security from an Indian Bank with correspondence banking relations with a local bank.”

According to the Health Ministry, the official price of a bid is what is contained in the Contractor’s Bid which is an obligatory, non contestable issue.

The Ministry of Health said it is not responsible for the lack of knowledge and or understanding of Fedders Lloyd to the evaluation criteria. “Clearly neither technical nor financial

compliance is of any material value if the tenderer fails administrative compliance.”

According to the Ministry, the fact that Fedders Lloyd works in many areas and in several countries and is engaged in an assortment of activities is not a unique nor propriety feature of the Fedders Lloyd Corporation.

“While it is information that is useful to know, such information is not factored into the rigorous and detailed criteria used to assess the “lowest evaluated bidder” for the project. The Ministry of Health wishes to thank the Fedders Lloyd Corporation for participating in the bid for the “design, build and equip” of the Specialty Hospital in Guyana. We trust that your concerns have been allayed and that your corporation has accepted that we have endeavored to openly and transparently assess the best offer made to the country.”

Government will be reassessing the award of the US$18M contract to Surendra Engineering Corporation Limited of India to build a specialty hospital at Turkeyen.

Construction Firm,

Fedders Lloyd Corporation Limited, which submitted one of the lowest bids for the project, has protested the award of the contract.

On Wednesday, Dr. Roger Luncheon confirmed that the aggrieved bidder lodged a protest with the procurement entity, Ministry of Health. He noted that this is in accordance with protest provisions under the Procurement Act. The hospital is being funded with a line of credit from India of US$18 million.

Government intends to staff the hospital with specialists from India to do complicated surgeries, ranging from heart operations and organ transplants to cosmetic surgery.

Fedders Lloyd had asserted that Surendra Engineering should have been disqualified as a bidder.

“As per the bid opening readouts, we noticed that the Bank Guarantee submitted by Surendra Engineering was on the Indian bank letterhead and it was never confirmed by any local bank in Guyana…

This outrightly disqualifies Surendra Engineering and makes them a non-responsive bidder in the first place.”

APNU objects to presence of...

(From page 7) as part of the Commission.

According to Harmon, the two lawyers have close connections with Attorney General Anil Nandlall. Gomes, as a matter of fact, works in the law firm of Nandlall.

According to Harmon, there should have been some form of advertisements for the posts.

He further told Kaieteur

News that he does not know on what basis the two were appointed and if they are competent enough.

Harmon said that he did not know how the two were appointed and whether the AG may have had something to do with it. He called for the appointment process of the two be reviewed.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, had disclosed that some $80M has been budgeted for the inquiry which is expected to last 30 days.

In August, the Government and the Opposition came to an agreement on a foreign component being added to the Commission of Inquiry into the Linden protest killings.

On July 18, 24-year-old Shemroy Bouyea, 46-year-old Allan Lewis, and 17-year-old Ron Somerset were killed on the first day of a planned-five day protest by Lindeners.

The month-long protests against a raise in electricity rates in the Region 10 mining town had seen tear gas being thrown by police, roads being blocked and several government buildings burned. Interior communities leading to mining and logging

concessions and Amerindian villages were cut off from the city.

Among other things, the Commission of Inquiry will be inquiring into and report on the circumstances surrounding the shooting to death of three men and the injury of several other persons on July 18th, 2012 at the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge. It will examine the police units deployed to the scene at the bridge and the training.

The inquiry will also have to decide whether the shootings were done by police and to determine who gave the orders.

The team will also inquire if any, general or specific instructions, was given by the Minister of Home Affairs to the Guyana Police Force to maintain law.

It will also “make recommendations, implementation of which will assist the Guyana Police Force in effectively and professionally discharging their responsibilities for the maintenance of law and order in the aforesaid community of Linden and similar communities without endangering their own safety and that of innocent persons.”

Friday September 07, 2012

DTV CHANNEL 8 08:55hrs. Sign On 09:00hrs. Live! With Kelly 10:00hrs. Law & Order: Criminal Intent 11:00hrs. The View 12:00hrs. Prime News 12:30hrs. The Young and the Restless 13:30hrs. The Bold and the Beautiful 14:00hrs. The Talk 15:00hrs. Boy Meets World 16:00hrs. Beverly Hills, 90210 17:00hrs. MacGyver 18:00hrs. World News

Kaieteur News

18:30hrs. Nightly News 19:00hrs. Greetings and Announcements 20:00hrs. Channel 8 News 20:30hrs. The Cosby Show 21:00hrs. Movie: Eddie 23:00hrs. Sign Off NTN CHANNEL 18/ CABLE 69 05:00h - Sign on with the Mahamrtunjaya Mantra 05:10h - Meditation 05:30h - Queenstown Masjid Presents Quran This Morning 06:00h - R. Gossai General Store Presents Durga

Bhajans 06:15h - Jettoo’s Lumber Yard Presents Durga Bhajans 06:30h - Muneshwar Limited Presents Durga Bhajans 06:45h - Double Standard Taxi Presents Durga Bhajans 07:00h - RRT Enterprise Presents Durga Bhajans 07:15h - M & M Snackette Presents Raja Yoga Discourses 07:30h - Dr. Balwant Singh’s Hospital Inc Presents Durga Bhajans 07:45h - The Family of the Late

Friday September 07, 2012 ARIES (March 21 - April 19): Mixing finances with friendships is seldom a good idea, and that goes double for today! One of your most beloved people needs some money, but unfortunately they don't always know how to handle it responsibly. ******************* TAURUS (April 20 - May 20): This morning, take a good long look in the mirror and remind yourself that you definitely have your fair share of sex appeal! Having a healthy level of confidence is more attractive than wearing a certain size, having a certain hair style or driving a certain car. ****************** GEMINI (May 21 - June 20): Today, just because someone rejects one of your ideas doesn't mean that it's a bad idea. You need to consider the fact that your audience simply isn't smart enough to comprehend your brilliance! ******************** CANCER (June 21 - July 22): You have a lot of good things to say about a current issue that's been brewing within your social circle, and the people around you are going to be more receptive to hearing them than they might have been in the past. ********************* LEO (July 23 - Aug. 22): Your feelings are definitely important to get a handle on, but you can't spend all your time in introspection. Today, there are things you need to do, and you can't waste time figuring out what's in your heart right now. ******************* VIRGO (Aug. 23 - Sept.

22): The shocking news you get early today is only part of the story, so don't fly off the handle right away. There is more you need to know, and you might have to wait a while to get the rest of the pieces of this particular puzzle. *********************

LIBRA (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): Keep your sense of humor in check today -- don't be hurtful just for the sake of a laugh. Right now your energy is a bit uncontrollable, and if you get too carried away with the jokes and antics you could easily step a little too far outside of the boundaries of acceptable behavior. ********************* SCORPIO (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21): Right now, you should try to be even more open about your life than you normally are -- by letting other people know what you're up to, you will make them feel more important. ******************** SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21): Communication is about more than talking or even writing -- how are your body language skills these days? Nonverbal cues are going to be much more important than verbal ones today, so keep your ears shut and your eyes peeled! .********************* CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. 19): You need a few new dreams! Today, you should switch mental gears and start spending more energy thinking about, well, positive thinking. ******************** AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 Feb. 18): Your public life is about to move into the major leagues! If you have been eager or a higher profile at work or at school, then you are in luck. A strange coincidence will offer you a longawaited opportunity to get in front of a crowd of people or a camera and strut your stuff. ********************* PISCE S ( F e b . 1 9 March 20): You've always been a good listener, but today your shoulder-to-cry-on skills will be put to the test. A blue friend is yet again calling for your advice, and this time you might not be in the mood to give it to them.

Page 25

Leila & David Persaud Presents Durga Bhajans 08:00h - Timehri Maha Kali Shakti Devi Mandir Presents Hanuman Bhajans 08:15h - NTN This Morning Live with Reyaz Husein 09:30h - CARIBBEAN POT Caribbean Sour Cherry Jam 09:45h - Indian Soap - Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke 10:15h - Indian Soap - Rab Se Sohna Isshq 10:45h - Indian Soap - Pavitra Rishta 11:15h - Indian Soap - Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuyien 11:45h - Indian Soap - Punar Vivaah 12:00h - Cricket:- 2ND T/20 PAKISTAN vs AUSTRALIA 15:00h - FRINGE 16:00h - FRINGE 16:45h - Devotional Time 17:00h - Drying Tears Live with Pastor Edson 18:00h - Ganesh Parts Presents - BHAGAVAD GITA ( Discourses in English) Serial 18:15h - Birthday Greetings / Deaths Announcement & In Memoriam 18:30h - Living The Abundant Life (Live) 19:00h - Caribbean Comedy Digest 19:30h -Timeless Melodies Live with Frederick Rampersaud 20:30h - New Life World Outreach 20:45h - 15 Minutes for Allah 21:00h - The Family Album Live with Frederick Rampersaud 22:00h - Forgotten Melodies Live with Frederick Rampersaud 23:30h - Sign Off with the Gayatri Mantra NCN CHANNEL 11 02:00h – NCN Late Edition (r/ b) 02:30h – Late Nite with GINA 03:00h – Movie 05:00h – Inspiration 05:30h – Newtown Gospel 06:00h – NCN Late Edition News(r/b) 06:30h – Feature 07:00h – Guyana Today 08:00h – Bollywood Hits (r/ b) 09:00h – Stop the Suffering 10:00h – CCTV 11:00h – History 12:00h – CNN 12:30h – NCN Newsbreak 12:35h – Oral Tradition (r/b)

13:00h – Movie 15:00h - Feature 16:00h – Cartoons 17:00h – Anderson 18:00h – NCN News Magazine – Live 18:30h – Pulse Beat 19:00h – Al Jezeera 19:30h – El Dorado Shines 20:00h – 3d/daily millions/play de dream/lotto draw 20:05h – Grow with IPED 20:30h – Close up 21:00h – Guyana VS Elsalvador 23:00h – NCN News Late Edition 23:35h – Caribbean Newsline 24:00h – Movie MTV CHANNEL 14/ CABLE 65 06:00h Islamic perspective (Quran) 06:30h News Update 07:00h DAYBREAK – (live) 08:00h Dabi’s Variety music break 08:30h Avon Video & DVD: Suite Life of Zack and Cody 09:00h BBC World News 09:15h Top Notch music Break 09:30h Caribbean temptation

Music Mix 10:00h Amanda’s Costume jewellery Music mix 10:30h BBC World News 11:00h The View 12:00h Village Talk 12:30h The Young and the Restless 13:30h Days of our lives 14:00h National Geographic 15:00h General Hospital 16:00h The Bold and the Beautiful 16:30h Cartoons 17:00h Birthdays and other greetings 17:15h Death Announcement/ In Memoriam 17:30h Sitcom 18:00h Charran’s Radiator Video Hits 18:30h Kingdom Voice 19:00h Soul Melodies 19:30h News Update 20:30h Clear Water Music Hour 21:30h Music Request Hour 22:30h Sitcom 23:00h News Update 23:30h Movie: Cold Light of day Sign off

Guides are subjected to change without notice

Page 26

Kaieteur News

FOR RENT Taxi Base rental at a popular West Side Hotel Call: 638-1627 WANTED Canter Driver $ 25,000 Weekly, Porter $17,000 Must be from W.C.D, Call: 684-8231 One experience Graphic Artist. Call: 233-2725/2332439 Operators for LT Sawmill, Loader, 6 head plainer, edger and resaw Call: 684-5868 Skilled carpenters and mason Call: 615-7526 Sewing machines operators, clippers/pressers/porters Call: 222-2541 Live in waitress Call: 3320845 Live in domestic Call: 6272733, 220-9301 Office clerk, CXC English/ Mathematics, computer knowledge an asset. Call: 225-4492,225-9404 Experienced cook & Driver ( part time ) Preferably from East Bank area, Call: 2335450 for interview

WANTED Driver /salesman with clean lorry driving record, security guards. Call: 266-4427 1 male to look after layer birds in the interior Call: 688-0197 1 Part time cook, for variety of dishes; restaurant experience an asset. Call: 2251787 for interview Upholstery workers, sewing machine operators, joiners.

Call: 220-3175/616-4403 Reputable Transportation Service is seeking experienced drivers and dispatchers also contract vehicles Call: 645-0025 One live in Domestic, Call: 658-9495 Required: One Maid, should be good in cooking. Contact: 227-4799, 223-5451 1 experienced cook, must be over 35 years, 2 waitresses, contact: 638-3925 1 General Domestic- Must know to cook also, East Bank area, call: 614-4358

Labourers for wood concession 4,000 per day, accommodation provided, call: 653 – 6236

Dispatchers, Cleaners, wash bay attendant ( apply) Sheriff Taxies Service. Call: 6551717/638-8452

1-Accounts clerk, experience: VAT,NIS & PAYE Call: 614-4358 T.S.I, Eccles Industrial Site.

One live in/ live out Maid 668-3985, 253-3149, 264-3356

Reputable Taxi Service seeks contract cars and drivers Call: 231-0250, 2310260 Computer literate person, Apply at Trophy Stall Bourda Market.

Experienced drivers, Apply @ Hack’s Halaal Restaurant with written application, 5 Commerce Street between 911am.

1 Handyboy to work in the interior Call: 688-0197 Security officers male & female; salary $2,000-$2,500 daily, depends on qualification. Call: 680-0515 One salesgirl, one cleaner/ packer for shop on E.C.D, Age 17-24, salary negotiable Call: 615-8121 Attractive females who are interested in becoming waitresses and bartenders Call: 226-7054

One cook & one cleaner, must know to cook Call: 6477432/223-5798 1 cook to work in the interior Call: 616-8512 1 Salesgirl to work in Snackette, age 18-25, 1 kitchen assistant. Call: 226-2320 Persons to work in kitchen to fry cutters Call: 225-0963, 626-0189 1 planner operator, 1 portable sawmill operator & labourers Call: 619-9143, 221-2196

Prime Business spot; bottom flat on the main road, Logwood, E.C.D. Call: 2563769 / 677-8600

One business Place and House, tel: 276- 0818 Property Lot 15 New Heaven, Bel Air for US$2,500 and Lot 198 Lamaha Gardens, Bel Air for US$2,000 Call: 600-4664, 644-1300 Hair & nails stations, Middle Road La Penitence Call: 2238037, 683-1080 Apartment Near Grove Public Road $40,000-45,000 Tel: # 644-5151 Paulines Hair Salon, 177 Charlotte Street, Hairdressers barbers chairs & nails tables to rent Call: 679-1579, 680-1969, 233-5495

DRESS MAKING 6 Weeks classes in designing and sewing Call: Sharmela 225-2598, 641-0784

Massey Ferguson Tractor 290. Full working condition.

Just overhauled & sprayed; tel # 618 – 7530.

1 225 KVA Generator, 1 Hiace Canter, Premio, 3 light towers, car batteries Call:624-2000

10 acres of lease land at Kuru-Kururu suitable for Poultry Farm, call: 692-6239

Roofing Shingles 15-15-15 Fertilizer Call: 266-2711, 6094594

Leading Technology, Toshiba Laptop-wholesale & retail Call: 648-6600

One horse & cart Call: 6504421

VACANCY Vacancy exist for Internet café assistant, Call: 686-4004 Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street needs supervisors, evening cashiers and cleaners Call: 227-5286-90

Dachshund with terrier mix Call: 680-0192, 216-3408

Going cheap 1400x20R foreign used truck tyre Call: 648-2413

New Generac 2700 PSI & Honda 3100 PSI Power pressure washer Call: 6148564, 680-0862

Games for PS2 $900, PSP $900, Xbox360 $2,600, PS3 $2,600 Call: 265-3231, 6722566

Massey Ferguson tractors model 188, Honda ATVS model 500,2012 Call: 6886274 or 691-3851

Male enhancer Viagra $4,000, 4 in pack Call: 638-1627

Driver for party rental service, within the vicinity of Parka to V/Hoop, must be able to work flexible hours.

Tel # 638-1627

Office space South Rd $3500US, Town to country 627-7390, 225-0854

One trainee/refrigeration technician Call: 231-0655,6838734

New Sony 1-7 DVD/CD duplicator $100,000, used laptops $80,000 Tel: 2341473,621-7497

Vacancy exist for: Security, Cook, Kitchen Assistant, Delivery man. Contact # 2185120, 218-5121, 218-5122

EDUCATIONAL ACADEMIA: CXC lessons forms 1-5 & Adults. Only $1000 per subject per month.

Call: 600-3775 Princeton College, Forms 15, CXC adults classes for slow learners, reading classes for children Call: 6905008, 611-3793 Imperial College- Register Now. CXC 2013. Fulltime/ Lessons/Adults classes.

Excellent Results Call: 6835742, 227-7627

Learn to do hand embroidery smocking, honey comb, cross stitch & other crafts. Call: 604-5381 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Introduction to Esthetic course. Pedicure, Manicure & Facial. Basic makeup application by overseas therapist starting Sept. 17th.

Call: 696-2295 / 618-8536 FOR SALE / RENT American Pool Table Call: 277-0578

Toyota Starlet EP71 Call:6482075

Brandnew American made Crosely 10.5 cu ft Refridgerator for sale $75,000 Call: 697-5677

Coolers for rent Call: 622-4271

Community College, Seats available at forms 2,3 and 5, Pay only $28,000 per term at form 2. Call: 227-0218

One Salesman with driver’s license, salary plus commission. Call: 641-4626 / 220-1500

FOR SALE

Pallet jacks 2.5 ton, power tools, car mats, car seat covers etc wholesale & retail Call: 614-8564, 680-0862

One (1) Domestic help needed to work Sommerset Court, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, preferable E.B.D area, call: 681-6185

Family to live and work on farm, near East Bank Public Road. Free House Call: 6117777 or 226-0011

FOR SALE

Be part of our world class customer care team . Phone: 220-0401-3 or email: recruitmentguyana@ qualfon.com

Drivers to work labour lorry at L.B.I estate, call: 628-1756 / 228-5655

Drivers and Porters, apply at Survival, Lot 10 Vlissengen Road PARTY RENTAL Trampolines and Bouncy Castle Call: 225-2598, 6410784

CAKES & PASTRIES Courses in cake decoration, pastry making & cookery, tel: 670-0798. Also Wedding dresses for sale.

Rental of machines : Excavator, Roller & Bobcat Call: 220-5580, 621-4786

Enroll now at Double B’s school for cosmetology courses as low as $5,000 each Call:676-4556,649-2930

One porter, one Sales Clerk, Call: 225-2313

Friday September 07, 2012

1 Kitchen assistant, 1 cleaner to work in restaurant on W.C.DCall: 269-0045or686-8640

Granite, various colors, size 2x8 with backsplash, generators & cement mixers Call: 223-0943 Mon-Fri 9am4pm 65 kVA, 1 ph Deutz air cool gen set. Tel 622-3940 2 adults Rottweiler and mixed pups $3,000 each Call: 677-0294

TO LET Fully furnished 1 & 2 bedrooms apartments AC, Hot water, internet US$40 nightly. Contact 231-6721 & 674-8300. Long & short term Diamond two storey apartment with 4 bedrooms, 2 sitting rooms, grill etc Call: 650-5613 Fully furnished short term apartments, Eccles Call: 6797139 One 2 bedrooms furnished apartment, parking & Wifi & Short term for foreign Call: 222-7891 or 609-9202 4 Bedroom house next to new, A/C, Hot/Cold, large parking US$1,800 Monthly, Happy Acres ECD Call: 2317839 8am-4pm.

2 bedroom apartment, fully furnished for overseas guest only. Call: 665-2548 Public Road Herstelling bedrooms, $70,000 furnished $100,000 Call: 612-8879, 6782918

Spares for washer, microwaves, fridges, stove timers, gear boxes, pumps etc Call: 225-9032, 647-2943 Tibetan Terrier mixed with dachshund puppies, 6 weeks old Call: 225-5486 STOCKS ARRIVED. PLAYSTATION2 Systems, games, controllers, memory cards etc, Great Bargains.

Max 609-8132 L 15 HP Yamaha ( Long Foot), Tel: 689-5254/643-0332 G-Touring Wagon PLL series price $ 1.280, call: 629-5727

Imported Umbrellas 10ft & 12ft Call: 645-0870

1 Auto Darkening welding helmet, New Chicago power tool, belt sander “4 x 24”, tel: 627-9825 Prestige car alarm keystart with LED screen 27,000 Xentec H.I.D lights 8000k slim baliez call: 661-6793 1 stall Stabroek Market Call: 638-7031, 644-6630 Dell computers complete with 17&19 inch LCD from $50,000 Future Tech 2312206 19Ft Bass tracker, boat with trailer in excellent condition Call: 223-0943 Mon-Fri 9am4pm ORIGINAL GAMES FOR PSI, PS2, PS3, PSP, Xbox & Xbox360.

Also Nintendo64 systems & controls 609-8132 (Max) Newly open Nokia Store, selling all types cell phones with all accessories in Vreeden-Hoop, Call: 661-4875 MAC STUDIO FIX POWDERS $7,900, SACHA 2in1 $2,000 MAKE UP – top Brands, BLACK OPAL $2,700 Tel :647 -1773 1 400lb Ice machine, 2 polar freezers, 1 complete music set Call: 609-8260, 690-1864

Plant for Sale OAK ( Casuarina) Call: 638-5191/ 219-0604 Exotic Hibiscus, Roses, Mussaenda, B/Ville, Ficus, Marigold, Periwinkle, Petunia, Herbs, Vegetable seedlings, A.K Plant Shop.

Call: 260-0005 Pioneer car deck with Bluetooth and drive port $2900 up Acer laptops $90,000. Call: 661-6793 / 6672482 Energy saver bulbs, call: 6411127

PEN PAL An Indian Businessman looking for life partner (2223) Call: 604-2243 Single American Male desires VERY THIN ( fine) short female ( age 18-29 ) for friendship or relationship.

Call:665-7769 (Continued on page 27)

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 27

Brazilian powerlifter gets nine-month doping ban (Reuters) - Brazilian powerlifter Bruno Pinheiro Carra has been banned for nine months for a failed drugs test, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) said on Thursday. Carra was tested out of competition on August 24 and was provisionally

suspended on August 31, the same day he was due to compete in the men’s -56kg category at the London Paralympics.

He said he had taken green tea capsules which when examined were found to contain hydrochlorothiazide, a banned diuretic, even

Sky is the limit for KELVIN...

From page 31 close-by the CEO of ‘Kevin McKenzie Massage spas, beauty and personal Care Therapy’ believes that his best years are still ahead in the sport.

“I love playing rugby and hanging out with friends and meeting new people as well as taking a few social drinks sometimes but I don’t smoke and I like going out dancing.”

With a built kind of like a buffalo as compared to the average 32 year old in Guyana, McKenzie says, “Rugby is my life, and yeah I’m still playing as I’ve done not just for my homeland but for the West Indies team also.” “Christine”, he says, “has answered my life long quest to know what love is and that’s why I married her.”

The two got married earlier this year and while they ultimately will have a few Kevin’s running around the house that’s not the focus at this time.

Years ago McKenzie moved to the Twin Island Republic of Trinidad and To-

bago to play the sport at a higher standard and that’s when the opportunity came for him to play in Ireland. In his words Guyana is his home and he will always be grateful for her blessings but his dream is to play the sport at the highest standard. This he knew would not be possible if he remained in Guyana.

Last year he started to play in the Rugby league and has been doing so for just over a year. “I’m hoping to break into the National Rugby League soon as that is the highest standard.” But he would be elated “just to make it to the NRL which is the National Rugby League.”

Having Played in England and Ireland, McKenzie who has settled into marriage life in Australia remains resolute: “I still wanna play the highest standard here in Australia so that’s what I’m working hard on now.” He’s contracted to the Sunshine Coast Sea Eagles Club in Australia and plays at the International Rugby Board 7s (IRB rugby 7s) level. (Mondale Smith)

though the substance was not listed on the label.

“In accordance with the IPC anti-doping code, Bruno Pinheiro Carra will serve a nine-month suspension for the violation beginning on August 28, the date of notification,” the IPC said in a statement.

Tipsarevic grab his third set point. The Serb - aggressive and seemingly buoyed by the spirit of the underdog - produced 18 winners in an entertaining third set, his backhand a potent weapon as he broke in the fourth and sixth games.

Tipsarevic let a double break point slip in the third game of the fourth set however and his generosity proved costly as Ferrer took the match into a decider after breaking in the eighth game.

The start of the fifth set was delayed because Tipsarevic needed treatment on his weary feet but the Serb, having saved three break points in the opening game, seemed unhindered as he broke in the second game and sauntered to a 4-1 lead.

With the finishing line in sight, Tipsarevic stumbled at the end of the sixth game and Ferrer pounced by breaking immediately.

Facing double break points in the ninth game, Tipsarevic needed more treatment, this time on his thigh, and the trainer’s healing hands seemed to do the trick, at least temporarily until Ferrer secured victory in a nervy tie-break.

SERVICES Permanent &Visitors Visa Applications Professional Immigration Consultant Sabita - Room E-4 Maraj Building 225-6496/ 223-8115/662-6045.

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

HEALTH HIV/AIDS! Are you infected? Help is available, Results Guaranteed Call: 6396054, 691-7070

Mahadoe’s Construction, reliable services for your building, contact Tony Tel 618-3523, 669-7376. For free estimates and plans.

Marriage, Visa forms & other legal documents Call: 225-3070, 686-4994 UK, USA, Canada Visa Application services Call: 694-7221, Family discount available Vreed-en-Hoop opposite Police Station upstairs.

MASSAGE American style massage service Call: 609-4036

Online research services for research / long paper assignment etc. Contact: 6694257 School bus service (big bus) from Mahaica to Georgetown. Call: 228-5604 / 665-5343

LEARN TO DRIVE Prudential Learning ‘Training to Pass’ automatic also stick/manual. Call: 6424827, 661-5028 ‘We’re # 1’

Ferrer reaches semi-finals...

From back page fighting and I won.”

Ferrer, aiming to reach a fourth semi-final of a major tournament, was surprisingly out of sorts in the opening game as a wild forehand gifted the Serb an early break.

Tipsarevic’s advantage soon disappeared as Ferrer, capitalising on the eighth seed’s faltering first serve, broke back in the fourth game and went on to win the next five games to secure the opening set in 36 minutes.

The Serb changed tactic by advancing to the net more frequently in the second set.

It was a ploy which paid dividends for the 28-year-old, although he was unable to trouble his opponent’s serve as Ferrer produced eight aces during a closely-fought set.

Ferrer, enjoying the most successful season of his career, attempted to turn the screw in the closing stages but squandered four break points in the 10th game.

Almost inevitably, the set was decided by a tie-break and two delicious backhand winners followed by an unstoppable forehand into the corner helped the relentless

(From page 26)

T.B Designs Inc, we offer: Engineering drawings, house plans & estimates.

Contact: T. Boodhoo on 6259883 / 675-9296 Buying, selling, renting & constructing. Call: 672-7390 / 225-0843 We refill HP cartridges for $1800 Call: 650-7699 Pups for adoption, tel: 6170959

New Classes in Cosmetology, nails & makeup Call Abby 216-1950, 6665241, 619-7603

Premio, Vitz; call: 679-7139 FABS RENTAL, cars & SUV rental, call: 600- 6890 or email fabsrental@yahoo.com Aidan’s car, pick up & canter rental Call: 698-7807 PROGRESSIVE AUTO RENTAL, cars from $4,000 per day Call: 643-5122, 6560087

One enclosed Mitsubishi Canter, excellent condition, price $1.4 M negotiable, call: 253- 3349, 695- 6945 PROPERTY FOR SALE One wooden and concrete building situated at 250 Coldingen E.C.D $5.5M Neg. Call: 229-6577, 654-9767 79 William Street, Kitty, price negotiable Call: 662-5114 Nandy Park Luxury home, pool, jacuzi, master bedroom, $1M US. Call: 672-7390 / 2250843 Transported land, wooden & concrete house situated at Lot 18 Zeskendren Mahaicony East Coast Demerara Call: 221-2737 Business property for sale comprising of fully equipped bar and guest house in Worthmanville Call: 6618091, 225-3287 1 property at Diamond New Scheme, price $23M Negotiable Call: 612-2697 Parfait 2 storey 3 bedroom $19M, Diamond 2 storey 3 bedroom $18M Town to country 672-7390,225-0854 Diamond 1st Bridge 2 bedroom flat $19M, Diamond luxury home 4 bedroom $55M Town to country 6727390, 225-0854 House & Land for sale located at lot 29 Malgre Tout, West Bank Demerara (Residential area). Call: 2642449 / 613-5076

South Ruimveldt 3 bedrooms $19M, Robb Street Business property $58M Call: 6727390, 225-0854 LAND FOR SALE 1 ½ acre, 48ftx1300ft V/ Hoop Call: 627-9351 Transported Land For Sale at Chateau Margot, call: 2201695

CAR RENTAL

Just arrived: Allion and Premio, tel: 624-2000, 622-1610

Happy Acre luxury home $55.5M, South Ruimveldt 2 storey $10M Call: 672-7390, 225-0854

SALON Make up courses, artist trained & certified in Trinidad: 660-5257,647-1773

Robb Street Business property $40M , Durban Street 3 bedrooms $21M Call: 672-7390, 225-0854

Vreed-en-Hoop house lots Call: 658-0115 At PLN. Vreed-en-Hoop, W.B.D, Area: 39,382 sq ft.

Suitable for business or house lots Call: 264-2515, 689-7569, 678-4892, 684-5561

Canter for sale GPP Series, very good condition Call: 682-4224 Leading Auto Unregistered Allion, Premio, Spacio, Runx, IST Call: 677-7666, 610-7666 1 Allion, 1 IST, 1 Rav4, 1 45150 Leyland Daff, 1 55-210 Leyland HIAB Call Archie 624-1343, 664-2755 Unregistered Tundra tt 100 and Tacoma Call: 265-2103, 645-9860 Sale! Sale! 2 & 3 ton canter, open back & enclose, unregistered Call: 220-2345, 642-7295 Honda Civic 2003, 17" rims, HID, TV/DVD, reverse camera $1.9M Call: 652-5668 1 Mitsubishi Lancer, 3.5 ton open back canter Call: 6269254, 264-2582 Leading Auto Unregistered, Toyota Tundra 2004 Loaded Call: 677-7666/610-7666 GX620 Honda Welder Generator, 20HP, 14.9kw, 614cc, 270 amps, 2002 Toyota Tundra Call: 6115114, 220-4495 Toyota 02 Tundra 2WD, Single cab, not registered $2.3M, excellent condition Call: 612-8879, 678-2819 1-BKK RZ long base, excellent condition Call: 2683572,652-0709 Toyota Hilux extra cab, 56,990km, price $4.1M Negotiable Call: 692-8020 or 227-1989 1- Noah, unregistered $2.5M negotiable , 1- Toyota Wish $2.850 Tel: 648-6869 1 212 Manual HB 3631, Price $1M Call: 662-5530 Spacio New Model, unregistered, $2.5M Call: 621-0956 One Bedford 4x4 Truck TM Model with winch Price negotiable Call: 651-7614, 670-8469

Nandy Park 60x100 $12M, Diamond land with foundation $5.5M,$3.5M Town to country 672-7390, 225-0854 Diamond 17st. corner lot $4.5M, Diamond $4.8M,$3M, $8M Town to country 672-7390,225-0843

VEHICLES FOR SALE

VEHICLES FOR SALE 1 AT 192, 17’’ Rims, Alarm, CD Player, Mint Condition $1.3M Call: 613-7553 or 6645594 Unregistered Fielder & Cami $2.3M. Call: 641-1127 Hilux! Hilux! Hilux!. Just arrived Toyota Hilux Solid Axle Pickups. Excellent condition Call: 623-0243

1 Toyota Harrier $3.5M, 1 RAV4 2002 Model ACA21, 4 doors $3M Call: 231-7837 8am-4pm 1 EP71 Starlet, 1 Toyota 192, 212, Ceres, G-Touring wagon, AT 150 Corona, 1 Nissan E24 Van , Alteeza PMM Call: 644-5096, 6971453 One Honda CRV PKK 9384 (Grey). First Owner; call: 6125356

Page 28

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

Roddick and Federer bow out, DeSinco Trading sponsors 12th 11-race programme Williams wins (Reuters) - Roger Federer was knocked out of the U.S. Open on Wednesday when he lost a quarter-final thriller to Tomas Berdych just hours after his old rival Andy Roddick bid a tearful farewell to his tennis career.

Federer was unable to conjure up any of his old magic as Berdych stormed to a surprise victory, 7-6 6-4 3-6 6-3, handing the world number one his earliest exit from Flushing Meadows in nine years.

“It couldn’t be better,” Berdych said in a courtside interview. “There is no better feeling. There is no better moment than this one.”

Federer could not hide his disappointment after arriving in the Big Apple full of hope following his win at Wimbledon in July.

“There were so many moments I thought, man, it’s just not happening for me,” said the five-times U.S. Open champion. “It was just a very disappointing match for me.”

Roddick made his final appearance at Arthur Ashe Stadium when he lost to Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth round, while Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova both dug themselves out of trouble to stay alive on a drama-charged day at the last grand slam of the year.

TOURNAMENT FAVOURITES Only Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic had an easy time, both romping to comfortable victories to enhance their status as the favourites for the singles titles.

Djokovic was in complete control of his fourth round match against Stanislas Wawrinka, leading 6-4 6-1 31, when the Swiss called it quits in one of five matches

Roger Federer that were held over from Tuesday because of rain.

“I really don’t know exactly what it was but by the look of it, I think it was probably a dizziness or something,” said Djokovic, the only man yet to drop a set in the tournament. “He served well, he played well, but you could see that he didn’t feel great on the court.”

Sharapova needed all her fighting qualities to come from behind and beat Marion Bartoli of France 3-6 6-3 6-4 and reach the semi-finals for the first time since she won in New York in 2006.

Bartoli led 4-0 overnight and wrapped up the first set when play finally resumed after another morning shower but Sharapova regained her composure to win the next two and book a semi-final against world number one Victoria Azarenka. “It’s so long since I’ve been back to this stage at the U.S. Open. A little bit of luck always helps,” the Russian said.

Williams, full of confidence and self-belief, demolished Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic in less than an hour to raise hopes of an American winner after Roddick departed. “I feel like I’m going to get more focused and serious and start playing Serena tennis in the next couple of rounds, if I get to

Serena Williams play two rounds. That’s my goal,” she said.

Williams will play Italian Sara Errani in Friday’s semis after she defeated her doubles partner Roberta Vinci 6-2 6-4.

AMAZING COMEBACK Olympic champion Murray produced an extraordinary turnaround to beat Croatia’s Marin Cilic 3-6 7-6 6-2 6-0 on a gusty Louis Armstrong court.

The Scot lost the opening set then fell two service breaks down at 5-1 in the second, before rallying back to win, reeling off the last 11 games in a row. “It wasn’t the best of starts,” Murray said.

“He got nervous towards the end of that (second) set once ... then I played a great match after that.”

Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic beat German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 7-6 6-2.

Roddick, the face of U.S. men’s tennis for most of the past decade, was reduced to tears after losing 6-7 7-6 6-2 6-4 to Del Potro. With his parents and wife watching from the stands, the 2003 champion said he was leaving the game with no regrets after 13 years as a professional.

“I’ve loved every minute of it,” he said. “It’s been a road, a lot of ups, a lot of downs, a lot of great moments.”

GCA competitions continue tomorrow and Sunday Action in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) competitions continue tomorrow and Sunday at several venues.

The fixtures for the respective competitions are: Carib Beer & Friends of Cricket “Heroes Cup” –1st division two days: Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th September - Matches start 9:30AM. Everest CC Vs Malteenoes SC at the Malteenoes ground Transport SC Vs GNIC at the DCC ground.

New Building Society Trophy – 2nd division 40

overs Saturday 8th September Matches start 11:00AM. ZONEA Vikings Vs GNIC at the YMCA ground.

GCC Vs GDF at the GCC ground.

3RD Class Vs Everest at the GNIC ground.

GYO – Bye ZONE B DCC Vs MYO at the MYO ground.

Ace Warriors Vs Transport SC at the GYO ground Police SC Vs Malteenoes SC at the Police ground UG – Bye.

Sunday 9th September Matches start 11:00AM ZONEA Vikings Vs GDF at the YMCA ground Everest CC Vs GNIC at the GNIC ground GCC – Bye ZONE B MYO Vs Ace Warriors at the MYO ground.

Police SC – Bye. David Persaud Investments Trophy Under19 - final Sunday 9th September Match starts 9:30AM DCC “A” Vs DCC “B” at the Everest Ground.

DeSinco Trading, through its Degree line of deodorants, has renewed its alliance with the sport of cycling by exclusively sponsoring an 11race programme billed for September 15 at the inner circuit of the National Park.

At a simple presentation ceremony at the company’s office on Sheriff Street, Brand Manager of Unilever products, Rudy Jairam, presented a cheque to national cycling coach and organiser of the day’s activities, Hassan Mohamed, to offset expenses for the event.

According to Jairam, Degree Adrenaline Series Under-arm Deodorant is a brand that falls under the Unilever line, and his company is pleased to partner under this brand for the 12th year with Mohamed to stage the race.

He said DeSinco Trading is happy to be of assistance, as this provides them with an avenue to fulfill their role as a good corporate citizen. “We are also pledging to continue our sponsorship, not only to cycling, but other sports as well,” Jairam declared.

Mohamed expressed gratitude to the management and staff of DeSinco Trading for once again coming on board, noting that sponsorship is vital to the growth and development of cycling, and sports in general.

Brand Manager of Unilever products, Rudy Jairam (right), presents his company’s sponsorship cheque to national cycling coach, Hassan Mohamed Several of the country’s top riders participated in the annual Bigi Bergi Four-Stage cycle meet in Suriname last weekend, but according to Mohamed, they will all be available to compete on September 15.

“So you can expect a very competitive race, because we will have a full pack of riders available to ride,” he said.

Mohamed added this race will also serve as a warm-up for the sixth annual Five-Stage race that is billed for October 10-14 across the three counties of Guyana.

Meanwhile, Lindener Mark Lewis is set to defend his title at the DeSinco race, having won the feature 35-lap

School Boys and Invitational race last year. He clocked one hour, 17 minutes, 31.54 seconds (01h: 17m: 31.54s), leaving fellow Lindener Orville Hinds, Raymond Newton, Rastaff O’Selmo, Michael Anthony and Junior Niles to follow in that order.

Other winners at last year’s race were Silvio Inniss, Raymond Newton, Kirkwood Kellman, Maurice Fagundes, Kester Croal, Michael Anthony, Jamal Arthur, Adrian Sharma and Hamza Eastman.

Representatives of DeSinco Trading are expected to assist in the presentation of prizes at the conclusion of the races later this month.

Lower Corentyne, NA/Canje clash in the BCB/NCN Inter Zone Under-15 Final The Cumberland Cricket Ground in Canje will come alive tomorrow when the best Under-15 players in Berbice will clash in the final of the 2012 edition of the BCB/NCN Inter Zone cricket competition.

Defending champions Lower Corentyne will be hard pressed to defend their title against a formidable and confident New Amsterdam/ Canje team. Losing semifinalists Upper Corentyne and West Berbice will go face to face for third place at the Port Mourant Ground.

Daniel Lewis will lead the Lower Corentyne team and will have in support; Brandon Prashad, Balchan Baldeo, Tyrone Poornauth, Joshua Holder and Vemen Ramoo.

Exciting National under-19 opening batsman Shimron Hetmeyer will be the key to the host’s success and will be supported by Leon Andrew, Clinton Lindie, Jermin Henry and Richard Henry.

Clearly disappointed with their semifinal performance,

West Berbice and Upper Corentyne will surely seek to improve and win the third place. West Berbice will have in their lineup Greisan Grant, Parmanand Ramdhan and Akeem Miller. Upper Corentyne will have in their lineup captain Deon Esau, Jameel Jackman and Rajiv Bickram.

Both games commence at 9:00AM and the first innings will be limited to 55 overs per side. The winners will take

home a trophy and $40,000, runner up $25,000, third place $15,000 and fourth place winner $10,000. Man of the finals will receive $3,000 and a trophy.

Officials of the state owned National Communication Network and Berbice Cricket Board will meet the teams before the start of the finals and will participate in sharing of prizes at the conclusion of the games.

“We want to get a...

From page 29 Ricky Shakes is also in the line-up. Shabazz has also chosen to start veteran Charles Pollard ahead of the 19 year old Colin Nelson as a partner for Sweden based, Canadian born defender Jamaal Smith. Versatile defender John “JP” R o d r i g u e s a n d Wa l t e r Moore will hold down the wing back positions.

“As a team we are

enjoying this challenge and living the moment. We want to get a good result in El Salvador and will do our best to make Guyana proud”, promised Shabazz.

National Communications Network (NCN) will be broadcasting the game live from 9:30, as the Jaguars step on to the largest arena in Central America, which is commonly referred to as La Catedral del Espectaculo.

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 29

“We want to get a good result and will do our best to make Guyana proud” - Shabazz “Teenage winger Trayon Bobb to start; Charles Pollard returns to starting XI” San Salvador, El Salvador - Guyana’s Golden Jaguars and El Salvador ranked 122nd and 64th in the FIFA world rankings respectively, lock horns in the first game of a crucial group B home/away, match day three encounter, of the North, Central American and Caribbean Zone, third round 2014 World Cup qualifiers, at the Estadio Cuscatlan San Salvador, this evening from 7:30 pm (9:30pm Guyana time).

Both teams currently languish at the bottom of the group, behind CONCACAF powerhouses Mexico and Costa Rica who will be facing off in simultaneous double header as well.

Therefore this game

carries much importance for the Jaguars as they seek to move into a qualification place in the group at the end of this round.

Especially if the proposed hypothetical scenario plays out , in which Costa Rica lose both their matches against Mexico; and Guyana can conjure up a pair of wins or a win and a draw versus El Salvador, which would conceivably put them back into second place in the group.

Similarly for El Salvador who are affectionately known as “La Selecta” as they continue their goal to reach the third FIFA World Cup in its countries history, after previously qualifying for the

Mexico 1970 and Spain 1982 tournaments.

Speaking from El Salvador, National coach Jamaal Shabazz spoke about the make-up of team he has selected to do battle, the mood in the camp and further encouragement to the Guyanese public to continue to rally behind the team.

“We have gone for an interesting blend of youth and experience, with recalls for veteran defender Charles Pollard and goalkeeper Richard Reynolds.

While 19-year old leftwinger Trayon Bobb and newly found 20 year old United States born midfielder Nick Millington into the starting line-up. We are

Albion, Bermine to use Tenelec semi-final as fundraiser to assist in Devers’ surgery ALBION and Bermine will square off in the first semifinal of the 2011 Tenelec 50 Overs First Division SemiFinal this Saturday at the Albion Community Centre Ground.

The eagerly anticipated encounter will see several of Berbice and Guyana’s top cricketers being in action as apart from the two teams battling for a place in the final, the match is also being used as a fund raising venture to assist in Sean Devers’ Brain Tumor Surgery.

Devers, an international cricketer commentator/ journalist will be undergoing a Brain Tumor Surgery at the St Clair Medical Centre in Port of Spain, Trinidad on October 2nd and in an effort to financially assist the former Guyana Under 19 off-spinner, the management of the two clubs have taken a decision to donate all funds generated

from the gates towards this cause. An entrance fee of $100 will be charged at the gate while cricket fans, cricketers and business entities can also make individual monitory contributions by contacting either Mr. Carl Moore on 6148364, Mr. Vemen Walter on 691-2211, Mr. Orvin Mangru on 640-0540 or Mr. Muthusammi Permaul on 661-4843.

Apart from the gates receipts, both the Albion and Bermine Cricket Clubs will also be making a donation.

Devers also a former Berbice Senior Inter-County Cricketer, represented the Bermine Cricket Club in Berbice’s first division cricket for many years and has contributed tremendously towards providing media coverage for cricket in the ancient county.

Several top cricketers are expected to be on show as

Albion will include the likes of Test players Narsingh Deonarine, Devendra Bishoo and Sewnarine Chattergoon together with Test hopeful Veerasammy Permaul and the hard hitting Jonathan Foo. Bermine on the other will be counting on players such as Anthony D’Andrade, Steven Latcha, Eugene La Fleur, Jamaal La Fleur and Devon Clements.

Meanwhile, the management of the Albion and Bermine Clubs are calling on other clubs partaking in Berbice’s first division cricket this weekend to do likewise to assist Devers in this time of need.

The Edinburgh Cricket Club has already agreed to raise funds in their Ramcharitar 50 Over first division match against Bush Lot United Rising Star on Sunday at the Edinburgh Ground.

Historic BCB/Neal and Massy 50-Overs Intermediate tournament starts September 16 The Berbice Cricket Board on the 16th of September 2012 will create history when it host the first ever 50 over intermediate cricket tournament for sixteen teams in the ancient County.

The tournament is been sponsored by the Neal and Massy Group of Companies and the teams to take part are West Berbice, Bush Lot of West Berbice, D’Edward, Young Warriors, Bermine, Edinburgh, Police, Port Mourant, Courtland, Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Albion,

Skeldon, Kim11 Sung, No 70 and No 71.

Teams will only be allowed four first division players per match and all matches will start at 9:30AM. Fixtures for the first round: Zone ‘A Blairmont vs West Berbice at Blairmont Bush Lot vs D’Edward at Bush Lot Zone ‘B’ Young Warriors vs Bermine at Cumberland Edinburgh vs Police at Edinburgh

Zone ‘C’ Port Mourant vs Courtland at Port Mourant RHT Bakewell vs Albion at Area ‘H’ Zone ‘D’ Skeldon vs Kim 11 Sung at Skeldon No 71 vs No 70 at No 71 The Berbice Cricket Board would like to inform clubs that the tournament will be played with red balls, white clothes and white sightscreens.

Teams conceding walkovers will be sanctioned by the Board.

focussing on starting the players who are in season and playing week in week out, since obviously they will have a better match fitness, explained Shabazz.

He continued: “The mood in the camp is great and we are going in ambitious but very aware that we need a big performance if we are to take points from El Salvador”.

Popular Local striker Anthony “Awo” Abrams is out with an injury. He is second major injury blow to the Jaguars following that of senior defender Leon Cort

who caught his injury on duty for his English Championship side, Charlton Athletic, which is why he was not selected initially in the final squad.

Due to Abrams absence, this is the reason coach Shabazz has decided to wait until the very last moment to announce which of Carl Cort, Vurlon Mills or Shawn Beveney will partner Gregory Richardson in attack.

While the Guyanese public home and abroad has been disappointed with the Jaguars losing start away to

Mexico and home to Costa Rica, Shabazz is not fazed.

“We must not be a fickle people like a nation with a glass jaw. Last year this time the Jaguars were heroes and now because we are struggling to battle on this higher level, the people have become weak. We must be stronger than that and must support our team, get behind them and send a good vibes”, urged Shabazz.

Skipper Chris Nurse is back to full fitness and the hard working right-winger (Continued on page 28)

BCB/Tenelec 50-Overs Semifinals set for tomorrow Keen rivalry is expected when the Berbice Cricket Board/Tenelec 50 Overs first division semifinals are played off tomorrow. The standard of cricket will be high for most of the ancient County’s top players will be turning out for their respected clubs.

Defending champions Albion will clash with Memorex Bermine at the Albion Community Centre Ground. A star studded Albion will be spearheaded by West Indies players Narsingh Deonarine, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon and they would be supported by Jonathan Foo, Kandasammy Surujnarine and Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai.

A Young and determined Memorex Bermine are not to be underestimated by Albion as they have players with the caliber of the LaFleur brothers, Eugene and Jamal, Devon Clements, Anthony D’Andrade, Romario

Shepherd, Keon DeJesus and former Universal DVD Young Warriors wicketkeeper, Ishwar Singh.

Over at the Area ‘H’ ground, the host, who have played unbeaten so far in the competition, will fancy their chances against Universal DVD Young Warriors. RHTCC will be spearheaded by test player Assad Fudadin, National Under-19 Captain Shawn Perreira, Delbert Hicks, Clinton Pestano, Khemraj Mahadeo, Renwick Batson, Rajiv Ivan and Jason Sinclair.

The Universal DVD Young Warriors who has not defeated the host for a while will be led by veteran all rounder Anil Beharry with support from National opening batsman Richard Ramdeen, Seon and Shimron Hetmeyer, Balram Samaroo, Linden Austin, Kevin Ramdeen and Ameer Rahaman.

Both matches will start at 9:30AM.

BCB/Elizabeth Styles Under-21 knockout tournament starts September 12 The Berbice Cricket Board in its ongoing effort to play cricket at all levels will on Wednesday 12th of September 2012, create history by hosting the first ever under 21 knock out cricket tournament in Berbice.

The competition is sponsored by Elizabeth Styles and involves twelve teams in Berbice namely: Blairmont, Rose Hall Town, Edinburgh, Bermine, Albion, No 70, West Berbice, Police, Skeldon, Bush Lot United, Young Warriors and Port Mourant. The matches will be of 50 overs a side.

Chairman of the Special Events Committee of the BCB, Hilbert Foster explained that the BCB’s main aim is to play cricket at the under 13, 15, 17, 19 and under 21 levels.

It will help the board to monitor the growth and development of every player.

The junior selection will be viewing the matches and a team will be selected to play several matches in Georgetown and other parts

of the Country.

Only players born on or after September 1, 1991 will be allowed to take part in the competition. The games will be played with white clothing, red balls and white sightscreens.

Fixtures for the opening round on September 12 are: Blairmont vs Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets @Blairmont Edinburgh vs Bermine @ Edinburgh lbion vs No 70 Young Star @ Albion West Berbice vs Police

@West Berbice Skeldon vs Bush Lot United @ Skeldon Young Warriors vs Port Mourant @ Cumberland Some of the players expected to take part in the tournament are Harrinarine Chattergoon, Kandasammy Surujnarine, Linden Austin, Kevin Ramdeen, Shimron Hetmeyer, Joemal LaFleur, Clinton Pestano, Dominic Rikhi, Shawn Perreira, Keon DeJesus, Parmanand Narine, Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai and Loyydel Lewis. All matches start at 9.30AM.

Page 30

Kaieteur News

Friday September 07, 2012

Guyana vs. El Salvador-Win, lose or draw, Those misleading Kayode McKinnon has decided to call it a day notions

By Michael Benjamin

He has been a regular feature on the Guyana national team from the tender age of 15 years and has been a prominent figure in the midfield position since then.

Now, at 32 years old, Kayode McKinnon has decided to call it a day and will be singing the swan song when Guyana tackle El Salvador in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in El Salvador tonight.

Kaieteur Sport spoke with McKinnon mere hours before he was scheduled to lace his boots and the dapper midfielder confirmed the news.

“It has been an exciting and productive ride and when I would have completed my duties in El Salvador I will not be wearing the Golden Jaguars jersey again; I am retiring,” he intimated.

He said that he has dedicated the greater part of his life to the sport and plans continue in this vein, only this time he will be more involved in activities within the Kayos Football Academy, an institution that utilizes the talent of former stalwarts in the elevation of current players.

McKinnon said that he

has enjoyed his tenure in the sport and had played at all levels. He also captained the squad for a while.

He said that he played his first senior game at 18 and still cherished that moment. He also played professional football ball with several overseas clubs between 20002011in such institutions as Doc Kehawalas, Tobago United, Joe Public, Caledonia, North East Stars of Trinidad and Tobago as well as Los Perfectos of Jamaica.

McKinnon also practiced his art in Barrucudas while engaged in activities in the United States Soccer League.

His travels also took him to Spain for a stint in Las Palmas with Vincindario while he has been an important cog in two Linden teams, Bakewell Topp XX and Hurricane while he was merely 6 years old.

The prolific ball weaver is adamant that his achievements were orchestrated by a higher power and he is indeed cognizant of this. “Towards this end I would like to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for blessing me with such phenomenal talent; I have learnt that when you fearlessly let your light shine

Top racewalkers on show as CS&TC presents Amerindian heritage month event Amerindian heritage month is upon us once again and the organizers of Cavalier Sports and Tour Club (CS&TC) would commemorate the event with a 10K race walk around the inner circuit of the National Park on Sunday September 9 next starting at 06:30hrs.

Rudolph Mitchell has dominated the local racewalk scene and despite the efforts of other top walkers, continues to distinguish himself among the lot. The prolific athlete has so far compiled an unbeaten record of 118 victories on the trot and will be out to improve that figure though other competent walkers have signaled an intention to participate in the event.

The race is expected to attract the local cream of the crop and participants are asked to convene at the venue at 06:00hrs for a prompt start half an hour later. Once again, walkers will vie for prizes donated by members of the business community including trophies, medals and other prizes.

Kayode McKinnon you unconsciously influence such fortunes in your colleagues and for me that has been the defining moment in my career,” professed the midfielder.

He spoke of the virtues of hard work and commitment even as he implored the need for discipline and selflessness. “I really love football but there comes a time when you have to move on and though I prefer to be reticent pertaining to relevant details of my decision, I would only advocate that in life the only constant is change and I am merely conforming to that theory,” concluded McKinnon.

He credits dedication, perseverance, honesty and a staunch belief in his ability as the catalyst to his many successes. The young man is adamant that he could not have achieved his many feats alone. He is especially grateful to his mother, Lachlanand Gloria McKinnon who he describes as his first teacher. “She has taught me to be humble without

compromising my beliefs,” said McKinnon. His siblings also came in for high praise for their integral input in his sports life. They included Shelly, Marlene, Marsha, Monette and Sonjia, whom he regard as his biggest supporters.

The young man did not forget his many fans who trudged to the fields to render support. “They spent their hard earned money to visit the venues and offer support; the love and respect were immense and I cannot leave the arena without acknowledging such valuable support,” he said.

McKinnon is optimistic that despite the team’s fluctuating fortunes over the months while vying for a spot in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, that his colleagues would go on to win tonight’s game and progress to the next stage of the competition. “I would like to wish the entire team the best in the future and I hope their activities will spark interest in football in Guyana.

He has a parting word for young aspiring footballers who might be encountering debilitating challenges and are on the verge of giving up, “Finally to those who feel frustrated and disillusioned because of your slow advancement in the sport, I say to you, it is not what you are called but what you respond to that defines your character.”

The retiring footballer urged aspiring footballers to trust in the word of God and they would assume great heights.

By Rawle Welch His conspicuous silence has been raising eyebrows recently and everyone connected to sports were rightfully perplexed by his actions, but yesterday’s disclosure in the Stabroek News sports pages about the current state of affairs as it relates to the much needed Synthetic Track, perhaps, revealed enough for all to interpret the reason for his noticeable quiet.

Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, who has not uttered anything in response to the surfeit of articles that lamented Guyana’s pathetic showing at the London Olympics, is now in the spotlight, following the release of the article that clearly contradicts the assurances he had given about the track’s development schedule.

The Honourable Minister seems to have built a track record of providing schedules and promises that over time failed to meet his pronouncements, and the current project is an addition to the National Sports Policy which was slated for completion and approval in Parliament since 2010.

These two examples could be attached to the numerous deadlines that were given for the completion and Opening Ceremony of the National Aquatic Centre, which most Guyanese by now know was eventually completed way past the projected date, while the pledges for a Special Fund for Elite Athletes Assistance (EAA) to guarantee full time training; Elite Sports Development Fund, set up through a grant from Central Government via the Consolidated Fund and supplemented by an annual subvention catered for in the National Budget, seemed to have all been misleading notions that could put at risk his integrity.

The promise of equipping the Sports Research Centre with computers and internet facilities and moving it to the National Sports Commission’s Woolford Avenue location has not materialized, while the National Sports Academy remains a dream since spoken of in 2009.

If one should go back in time and examine the many pledges made, then it might be reasonable to conclude that it is just the customary rhetoric.

From all appearances, the eagerly awaited Track will definitely miss the deadline for completion after falling way behind schedule and after reading Stabroek Sport report, the excuses made by the Director of Sport are even more worrying, when he stated that the requisite skills are not easily available in Guyana, while the constant termination of contracts could put the cost of construction way past the stipulated target.

Roll-call for teams’ registration Ansa McAl Limited is urging teams that are still to register for the upcoming Mackeson Smooth Moves 3on-3 Basketball Challenge to do so as soon as possible so that the registration forms are processed ahead of next Saturday’s commencement of the tournament.

Public Relations Officer of Ansa McAl, Darshanie Yussuf, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that the company wants to give every team the chance at winning the whooping $1M winner-takeall top prize that will be up for grabs in the mammoth competition.

“We don’t want any team to be left out, so we are urging the teams to register so that we can get as much

Darshanie Yussuf participants into the competition,” Yussuf said when contacted, adding that registration forms are still available at special Mackeson outlets across Guyana.

Locations for registration also include barbershops,

supermarkets and Ansa McAl Headquarters at Beterverwagting on the East Coast of Demerara.

Registration locations will be published and announced on Mackeson-sponsored radio and television programmes.

With six Mackeson caps and the registration form being the entry criteria, teams comprising four players will have a chance to cash in on the $1M prize.

The games will be played for 15 minutes: 7½ minutes per half–with a 30-second timeout in each half of the game.

Large crowds were drawn to the inaugural tournament that hosted preliminary games as far as in Bartica and New Amsterdam last year.

Ansa McAl is hoping that the second edition will be a lot bigger and community-

oriented when it bounces off next weekend.

The rules of the tournament will be reinforced.

No player must be under 18 years. If any of the competing teams are found to be in breach of the rules penalties that amount to a disqualification from the tournament will be a likely result.

The 3-on-3 format is an established International Basketball Federation (FIBA) format. The rules for the format include the fact that each basket from beyond the arc (three-point line) will usually count as two points while other buckets count as one point.

The first team to reach 21 points will before the 15minutes time expires will be declared the winner.

(Edison Jefford)

Friday September 07, 2012

Kaieteur News

Page 31

From Globe Yard to the Australia Rugby League...

Sky is the limit for KEVIN MCKENZIE

T

he name Kevin McKenzie is synonymous with rugby in Guyana for just about 12 years. He spent a greater part of his life living with his mum and seven siblings atop the front apartment of the infamous Globe Yard in Waterloo Street. Yes his life was froth with challenges as a student of St Georges High that could have easily caused a youth to bow to the pressures of the easy way out, criminal influences.

With Friends he dodged cars to play street ball like any average ‘ghetto kid’ but his is a story of inspiration,

determination and ‘stick toit-tiveness’ that has landed him smack in the middle of what some can only dream of, halfway across the world… and as they say he’s on his way.

As a hyper teenager at youth camp in the National Park, he engaged in all sporting disciplines such as cricket and football. Then a Coach by the name or Laurie Adonis spotted the diamond in the rough and took him under his wing coaching him through the under 16 and under 18s. Reminiscently McKenzie recalls Adonis statement to him, “Boy why yah wasting your size

Kevin McKenzie and his wife Christine

playing cricket and football fuh…” McKenzie was advised to “…come out and try rugby one day and I went and since then I never went back and play cricket and football.”

As a sports ambassador, he and team represented Guyana well in the Caribbean and in some other parts of the world. “On multiple occasions I played

Barbados, Trinidad, St Vincent, The Cayman Islands, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, India and England,” he recalls. These days he’s far, far away in the land down under (Australia, Caloundra; Queensland) married, doing business and playing Rugby in the league.

As he sits with his wife Christine, proudly smiling (Continued on page 27)

Kevin McKenzie in action

t r o Sp Sammy sets up Windies Vieira dominates CMRC Superbike segment warm-up win CAVE HILL, Barbados – West Indies captain Darren Sammy hit 56 not out and shared an unbroken, half-century, sixthwicket stand with Marlon Samuels to lead his side to a 44-run victory over the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre in a Twenty20 practice match on Thursday.

Sammy helped give a boost of confidence to West Indies preparations for the World Twenty20 later this month in Sri Lanka, when he struck two fours and six sixes from 24 balls. He put on 84 with Samuels, leading his side to 164 for five from their 20 overs in the practice match at the 3Ws Oval pitch.

Samuels made 45 not out from 35 balls that included three fours and three sixes, helping the World Cup-bound side recover from a wobbly 80 for five after 14 overs, following two run outs.

No HPC bowler grabbed more than one wicket, but Yannic Cariah was the most economical, conceding 17 from his four overs, and left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cotterrell was a handful, generating plenty pace and extracting sharp bounce from the docile surface.

The HPC, preparing to leave on Monday for a month-long trip to Bangladesh, never mounted a serious challenge, but opener Jermaine Blackwood distinguished himself with a composed 67 from 62 balls that contained three fours and three sixes, as the Windies emerging players were restricted to 120 for five in their turn at the crease.

Kyle Hope supported with 30 from 39 balls and shared 93 for the third wicket with Blackwood, after the HPC lost opener Trevon Griffith and Marlon Barclay in the space of three balls and were shaky on 17 for two.

Ravi Rampaul was the most successful West Indies bowler with 2-22 from his allotted four overs and beanpole left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, one of the three West Indies reserves, was bowled his customary miserly spell, coughing up just 10 runs from three overs.

West Indies will face the Combined Campuses & Colleges in a second Twenty20 practice match later on Thursday at the same venue.

They conclude preparations with a third practice match on Saturday at the same ground before flying out to Colombo the following day. The World T20, which

Darren Sammy brings up his half century with straight against Sagicor HPC at 3Ws Oval

Darren Sammy features 12 teams, will be played from September 18 to October 7.

West Indies have been drawn in Group B alongside Australia and Ireland and both first round matches will be at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Their opening match will be against the Aussies on Saturday, September 22 followed by a clash with the Irish on Monday, September 24.

Summarised scores: WEST INDIES 164 for five off 20 overs (Darren Sammy 56 not out, Marlon Samuels 45 not out, Chris Gayle 27) SAGICOR WEST INDIES HIGH PERFORMANCE CENTRE 120 for five off 20 overs (Jermaine Blackwood 67, Kyle Hope 20; Ravi Rampaul 2-22).

G

u y a n a ’ s Superbike champion S t e p h e n ‘Valentino Rossi’ Vieira once again seized the opportunity to underline his status as the top rider in the Region when he dominated the second leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) last Sunday, at Bushy Park in Barbados.

Vieira, who led a strong Guyana contingent to the Meet returned home with two firsts and a third place from three races on a day that saw the local riders rule over the rest of the Caribbean.

According to the reigning champion, who was returning from a serious accident and was clearly limited in terms of seat time, his third place finish in the opening race though a disappointing result by his standard only served to fuel his motivation and he followed up with inspired displays that thrilled the thousands of fans.

Vieira also sought to quell the confusion that surfaced after the final race when he rode compatriot Carey Griffith’s Suzuki 750cc to victory, but many felt that it was the latter who had won the event.

Guyana’s Stephen Vieira seen at Bushy Park last Sunday. (Just Bajan.com) “I rode Carey Griffith’s Suzuki 750 and placed first, but many people, fans and even the media believed it to be Carey. However, this was not the case, as I in that same race loaned my Suzuki 600 to my friend and team mate,” Vieira pointed out.

He extended thanks to his main sponsor SUNBURST ORANGE JUICE, with special mention to Mr. Rakesh Puri, for his

continued support and belief in him, while similar sentiments was also expressed to Udoh Kanu of Westside Car Wash, Pointer, Kunta, Vishok Persaud of ENetworks, team mates and all his fans.

Apart from Vieira and Griffith, the other riders that made the trip were Carlos Rodrigues, Joel Neblett, Ricardo Fagundes and Maurice Menezes.

Ferrer reaches semi-finals after thrilling win BBC Sport - David Ferrer fought back from 4-1 down in the deciding fifth set to reach his second US Open

semi-final after a remarkable victory in a gripping contest against Janko Tipsarevic.

The Spaniard secured a 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 2-6 6-3 7-6 (74) win in four hours and 31 minutes on Arthur Ashe. “I don’t have words. I’m really happy. It was an emotional match. It was a lottery,” said the fourth seed. He will play either Novak Djokovic or Juan Martin del Potro in the last four.

Both players received standing ovations before and after the decisive tie-break and the world number five, who won five of the final six points of the match, admitted he was almost speechless.

“Janko is an amazing player and he also deserved to win,” said Ferrer, who had

David Ferrer (Reuters).

dropped just the one set on his way to the quarter-finals.

“I tried always to fight a lot, to be focused on every point.

I was a break down, but I was (Continued on page 27) Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Limited, 24 Saffon St.Charlestown, Georgetown.Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/ 226-8210