|
|
|
|
Roger Khan to be sentenced today
By Wendella Davidson in New York
Self-confessed Guyanese drug-trafficker Shaheed Roger Khan, popularly known in Guyana as Short Man, will know his fate sometime after 2pm today in the Brooklyn Federal Court.
Khan, who has pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and witness tampering charges, in addition to a gun charge, will be sentenced by Judge Dora Irizarry.
The Guyanese drug kingpin had in March this year entered into a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution.
The agreement stipulates a sentence of 15 years imprisonment, five years supervised release, and a US$300 special assessment, as well as any fine and restitution to be imposed in keeping with the law. Campbell also requests that the court impose a fine as it sees appropriate, but not greater than US$4,000,000.
This sentence, however, is left to the discretion of the judge who, it was reported, has said the decision as to how much time he should be given is solely hers.
The sentencing of Roger Khan today is the talk among Guyanese here in New York, many of whom feel that a 15-year sentence will be a slap in the face of the Guyanese at home.
Some US-based Guyanese, with whom the Chronicle has spoken, are of the view that the fact it was reported that the Judge had slipped into the courtroom and heard some chilling evidence during the trial of the former attorney of Khan, Robert Simmels, who has since being found guilty, does not augur well for Khan.
The US government has described Khan as the leader of a cocaine trafficking organisation based in Guyana, and charged him with being responsible for the distribution of huge amounts of the illicit drug in Eastern New York.
Khan, however, has denied these claims, saying he is a businessman who played an integral role in helping the Guyana Government to fight crime when the crime wave was at its peak.
Khan was a fugitive from justice in the U.S., having jumped bail from weapons charges in Vermont in 1993, and fled to his home in Guyana. His woes there began when the local Police posted a wanted bulletin for him.
He fled to neighbouring Suriname where he and some of his bodyguards were nabbed. Khan was held in jail in that country for 120 days without bail, after he was deported.
The authorities there placed him on a plane heading to Trinidad, where U.S. Drug Enforcement Agent with the help of Trinidad officials, held him.
He was subsequently extradited to the U.S. and has been in jail here since.
PRESIDENT JAGDEO LIGHTS SYMBOLIC LAMP
By Parvati Persaud-Edwards
President Bharrat Jagdeo last evening joined the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) at the Promenade Gardens in Middle Street to light the symbolic lamp of prosperity as the nation prepares to celebrate that most divine of festivals – Deepavali.
This symbolic flame is evocative of the light within each soul, which can either be allowed to flicker out so that darkness pervades our lives, or it can be protected and nurtured from all the winds of evil and ill-will.
Deepavali is dedicated to Mahalakshi – the divine mother, who dispels all darkness from human life and bestows upon mankind material wealth. The lighting of the lamp is symbolic of the light of prosperity, peace, and unity we seek in our country and the world. It is representational of the spiritual spark needed to illuminate souls so that the darkness within can be dispersed and the soul can be cleansed from impure thoughts that drive bestial actions.
Addressing an audience comprising ministers of the Government, members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the private sector, representatives of several religious organisations and members of the public, Guyana’s President Jagdeo, who respects all the religions of his country, is steeped in the traditional values of Hinduism, which is a way of life, and which directs the way for a leader through all its religious texts, especially as circumscribed by the philosophies contained in the Ramayan and the Bhagwat Gita; and while he displays strength in his leadership, as he must, he has not lost his inherent humility, as was ingrained in him by traditional mores.
After lighting the national lamp of prosperity, President Jagdeo wished the nation a happy Diwali and adjured the people of Guyana to heed the tenets of the scriptures and apply them to daily existence.
He said that there will be many speeches that seek to edify our country about the significance of this very important festival and that, over the next few days, tens of millions of people across the world be celebrating Deepavali, which is a time for rejoicing, for families and communities to get together in communion as they celebrate the important lessons of Deepavali.
The President said that everywhere there will be speeches about the importance of the struggle and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.
Referring to the human tendency to celebrate our festivals without subsequently adhering to the lofty aspirations of the scriptures that we speak about during the celebrations, the President urged that the celebrations of our festivals, with the rituals and the traditions, be solidified with our actions after the festival, during day-to-day existence and the pursuit of routine activities, so that our actions reflect the lessons taught by the messages of these scriptures.
President Jagdeo warned that we are not going to realise the lessons of the scriptures if we merely observe the festival during a few days of euphoria if we do not work hard to change ourselves and to do the things in our families that would dispel ignorance from among ourselves.
He said we need to become broad-minded and teach our children the right things in life then we can look forward to a changed, better society.
The President said: “Whenever, wherever evil crops up, then people should have the conviction and the courage to take positions based on their training – the teaching – what they learn in their families, what they learn from their parents, and they would not cower and shirk from that responsibility.”
President Jagdeo said that is the only way we can change our homeland, which is important to all of us. He referred to one’s country being like one’s mother, and said that we all have an important role to play.
Urging parents to take care of our children, who are the real diyas and the light of our lives that should be nurtured, the President urged an ending to the scourge of domestic violence, because we cannot speak about enlightenment and good triumphing over evil while people succumb to alcoholism and abuse their families.
The President used the occasion to wish the nation a happy Deepavali.
Mr. Yog Mahadeo of GT&T chaired the proceedings at which Pt Rudra Sharma said the prayers, while presentations were made by CEO of GT&T, Major-General (Rtd) Joe Singh; Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Robert Williams; Pt. Ravi Persaud; Ramesh Dookhoo representing the Private Sector Commission; C Chintamani, who spoke on behalf of the Guyana Chamber of Commerce; and Jagdesh Sukhu of the IAC.
Opposition Leader, Robert Corbin, who was listed on the Programme, did not appear.
Renditions were done by Campbellville Mandir and Diamond Mandir, and dances were performed by Lucretia Rambhalak and the Shelita Group.
For the first time in history…
More than one billion undernourished worldwide
- FAO Director General
World Food Day 2009 is being observed today, under the theme: "Achieving food security in times of crisis".
The following is a message from the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Dr Jacques Diouf, to mark the occasion:
“For the first time in history, more than one billion people are undernourished worldwide. This is about 100 million more than last year and it means that one in every six persons suffers from hunger every day.” This is according to the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Dr Jacques Diouf, on the occasion of World Food Day being observed today.
Noting that the events of the last three years have been particularly tragic as they have demonstrated the fragility of our global food system the FAO Director General observed that, this recent increase in hunger has not been the consequence of a poor global harvest, far from it, but was caused by the world economic crisis, which has reduced incomes and employment opportunities of the poor and significantly reduced their access to food.
It is for this reason that the theme chosen for World Food Day and TeleFood this year is: “Achieving food security in times of crisis”, he noted in a message to mark the occasion.
Said Dr. Diouf: At a time when the fallout from the global economic crisis still dominates the news, it is important to remind the international community that the crisis is stalking the small-scale farms and rural areas of the world, where 70 percent of the world’s hungry live and work.
The current crisis is historically unprecedented in several ways. First, it follows a global rapid and sharp increase in staple food prices, during 2006-2008. The recent downward adjustment should not be interpreted as the end of the food crisis.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 80 to 90 percent of all cereal prices monitored by FAO in 27 countries remain more than 25 percent higher than before the food price crisis began two years ago. In Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean, prices are monitored in a total of 31 countries, and between 40 and 80 percent of cereal prices remain more than 25 percent higher than in the pre-food-crisis period.
And at a local level, in certain countries, prices for basic food products have not decreased at all. Furthermore, production is still hampered by the increase in the cost of inputs - 176 percent for fertilisers, 70 percent for seeds, 75 percent for animal feed, making agricultural investment extremely difficult. Such increases put these vital inputs far beyond the reach of millions of farmers.
Second, from a financial and commercial point of view, developing countries are now more financially and commercially integrated in the world economy, which implies that a drop in global demand or supply and in credit availability has immediate repercussions on developing countries.
Third, because of the global nature of the crisis, the normal mechanisms used by households to cope with economic shocks are stretched thin. Foreign Direct Investment, including in agriculture, is forecast to decline by more than 30 per cent in 2009. Reduced employment in urban areas may force job-seekers to return to rural areas.
Migrants’ remittances, which had previously seen annual growth rates up to 20 per cent, totalling US$300 billion in 2008, might experience a decline of around 5 to 8 percent in 2009. Foreign Aid to the poorest 71 countries is expected by the International Monetary Fund to decline by about 25 percent.
Credit on financial markets might not be available due to tighter risk assessment and it will carry increased risk premium.
The stark fact is that unless substantial and sustained remedial actions are taken immediately, the World Food Summit target of reducing the number of hungry people by half to no more than 420 million by 2015 will not be reached.
Fortunately, there are encouraging signals of a shift in policy. The Joint Statement on Global Food Security at the L’Aquila meeting of the G8 in July this year approved a radical change in strategy with the priority of increasing the production of smallholder farmers in food-deficient developing countries. For this reason, the mobilisation of US$20 billion over three years is foreseen for the financing of such a programme. Now this pledge needs to be translated into concrete action. It is a step encouraging the international donor community to devote an increased percentage of Official Development Assistance to agriculture, and hopefully to reach the 1980 level of 17 percent. It is important to recall that this was the level of investment which saved Asia and Latin America from looming famine in the 1970s. A similar level of resources is now needed to feed the more than one billion people suffering from hunger and to ensure that the world’s population, set to grow to more than nine billion in 2050, will have enough to eat then.
It is not only financial resources that are needed. Beyond the factors that exacerbate the current crisis, there is a whole series of fundamental problems that need to be resolved, in particular how aid is channelled and how to make it reach smallholder farmers effectively, as well as reform of the world food security governance system for more coherence in the action of governments and development partners, the share of national budgets dedicated to agriculture and private sector investment.
It is vital, particularly in times of crisis, that support to agriculture not be reduced. Only a healthy agricultural sector, combined with a growing non-farm economy and effective safety nets and social protection programmes will be sufficient to face the global recession as well as eradicate food insecurity and poverty. The World Summit on Food Security to be held in Rome from 16 to 18 November aims to keep the challenge of food insecurity on top of the international agenda so that the right to food, the most basic of human rights, be respected.
On this World Food Day, let us resolve once and for all that achieving food security, in times of crisis or not, is indeed a global priority.”
President Jagdeo congratulates U.S. President
President Bharrat Jagdeo has issued a congratulatory message to President Barrack Obama on behalf of the governments of the Caribbean Community for being the recipient of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.
The message reads as follows:
On behalf of the people and governments of the Caribbean Community, I have the distinct pleasure and honour to extend to you our heartfelt congratulations on the award of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize for your "extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between Peoples".
Your insistence on the values of mutual respect and recognition of the need for working together on the hemispheric stage found resonance with us as leaders of the Caribbean Community, signalling a new United States approach to hemispheric relations. The consistency with which you have elaborated your vision on the global stage has not only reinforced this new approach to the conduct of international relations, but has also transformed the perception of the United States in the eyes of the world.
Fully aware of the internal and external challenges that you confront, and of the global expectations, now heightened by the award of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Caribbean Community extends to you its sincere encouragement. We are certain that you will do your utmost to accomplish your vision and to achieve the goals that you have set for yourself and your country. We are also certain that in doing so, the promise that things can change for the better can become a reality.
Please accept, Mr. President, the assurances of my highest consideration.
GTU stands behind Colwyn King
The Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) told a press conference yesterday that accusations levelled against the GTU President, Colwyn King, is mere allegations and he is assisting the police with investigations.
GTU General Secretary, Ms. Coretta McDonald told reporters at GTU headquarters, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown, that the issue is a sensitive one which is in the air and the GTU believes that the accusations levelled against Mr. King are mere allegations.
She added that one is only guilty having passed through the court and so far Mr. King has not been charged and as such the GTU cannot make a pronouncement on the matter.
Ms. McDonald told reporters that Mr. King is a man of integrity and has been championing the cause of teachers, women and children.
She said, “We want to let you know this afternoon (yesterday) as members of GTU we don’t believe what was peddled in the air about Mr. King”.
The police reported that following allegations of rape of a 15-year-old girl sometime this month, Mr. King was taken into custody pending investigations.
Parliament approves Guyana ratification of UNASUR Treaty
By Tajeram Mohabir
A motion on Guyana’s ratification of the Constitutive Treaty of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) was yesterday carried by the National Assembly, but with some reservations from the Opposition People’s National Congress Reform parliamentarian Aubrey Norton.
The treaty, founded by Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Uruguay, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, was signed by those nations on May 23, 2008, in Brasilia, Brazil.
“The objective of UNASUR is to build, in a participatory and consensual manner, an integration and union among its peoples in cultural, social, economic and political fields, prioritising political dialogue, social policies, education, energy, infrastructure, financing and the environment, among others, with a view to eliminate socioeconomic inequalities, in order to achieve social inclusion and participation of civil society, to strengthen democracy and reduce asymmetry within the framework of strengthening the sovereignty and independence of States, ” the agreement stated.
Addressing the House after its two month recess, Foreign Affairs Minister Mrs. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett said, the time is opportune for Guyana to pursue its South American destiny which will not be in conflict with the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
She pointed out that Guyana is the incoming UNASUR Chair and by virtue of being a member of that body, it will provide the avenue to link the Caribbean with South America and to explore various opportunities of mutual understanding.
Rodrigues-Birkett noted too that the agreement promotes gradualism, and peaceful resolution in matters of dispute, among other benefits.
Regarding issues of dispute settlement, the agreement states that any dispute which may emerge between State Parties regarding the interpretation or implementation of provisions of the treaty will be settled through direct negotiations.
“In the case where a solution is not reached through direct negotiation, the Member States involved will submit the dispute for the consideration of the Council of Delegates, which will formulate, within 60 days, the appropriate recommendations for the settlement of the dispute.
“If a solution is not reached by the Council of Delegates, the dispute will be taken to the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which will consider it at its next meeting,” the agreement pointed out.
People’s Progressive Party General Secretary Donald Ramotar said the idea of South America integration is not new, as it was in existence since the early 18th century when the objective was to move way from European powers, particularly Great Britain.
He said the integration will provide Guyana an opportunity to develop both a Caribbean and continental consciousness, and given that this country is a gateway to South America and the rest of the world, it stands to benefit tremendously from available opportunities in trade and other areas of development.
Ramotar underlined too that through the partnership, Guyana’s political and economic space will be expanded and the alliance will provide an alternative to the north in terms of looking at investment opportunities.
The PNCR’s Norton said his party supports the motion but was of the view that Guyana’s interest is not fully represented in the treaty.
He said integration should be looked at carefully because globalisation does not always bring about fruitful integration, and this is why Guyana needs to clearly identify what it wants from the partnership.
He also accused the Government of signing on to conventions and treaties without honouring all the stipulations, pointing out those on torture as an example.
But Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said the move is a step in the right direction, and concurred with Rodrigues that the integration with South America will not be in conflict with relations with CARICOM.
He said the Government has to take bold steps to strengthen relations with its South American neighbours and other countries on the continent, to advance its developmental agenda.
The Prime Minister stressed that there is nothing to fear, but plenty to gain. He is optimistic that Guyana joining UNASUR will provide a possibility to “keep cool” certain controversial issues with its neighbours.
Rodrigues-Birkett, wrapping up the debate, said that Guyana participated in the crafting of the treaty; and the agreement, unlike what Norton thinks, represents Guyana’s interest.
She said had this not been the case, the Government would not have brought it to the National Assembly.
Back home…
Seeraj explains Venezuela rice deal benefit to farmers
By Tajeram Mohabir
RICE Producers Association (RPA) General-Secretary, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, said Guyana is hoping to get Venezuela to pay US$420 per tonne for local cargo rice and set the bar for millers here to pay farmers a minimum of G$3,000 per bag for their paddy.
Seeraj and Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) General Manager, Mr. Jagnarine Singh, recently returned from talks with the Venezuelan authorities on securing the new market.
Speaking at a farmers field day at Rotterdam, in Region Three (West Demerara/Essequibo Island) on Tuesday last, Seeraj told the scores present that the Venezuelans are pleased with the samples they took.
He also said that a delegation from the neighbouring republic is expected in Guyana this weekend to continue and finalise the discussions and negotiations on the export of 50,000 tonnes of the staple.
The deal was agreed between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Venezuela President Hugo Chavez when they met in the United States (U.S.) at the recent United Nations Climate Change conference.
It was brokered as part of the Government’s continued support to the rice industry, particularly farmers, to ensure their activities remain sustainable and rewarding.
The Ministry of Agriculture has reported that the global economic crisis resulted in a reduction of the international rice trade, with the prices for rice declining from a previous peak.
But Bloomberg News Agency reported last week that declined global rice stockpiles and lower production in India will push prices up.
CONTRACT
Currently, the one contract with an overseas buyer obligates the trader to pay US$355 per tonne for cargo rice and that is why millers can only afford to pay farmers between G$2,200 and G$2,600 per bag for their paddy, a situation Government has been trying to improve.
Seeraj pointed out that post-harvesting has been a sore area in the industry and suggested that farmers move away from the tradition of only planting and supplying paddy to the mills and get into marketing of the grains.
He said, while the rice industry is a free market, in reality some level of Government regulation is needed as it relates to pricing for export.
Seeraj said the RPA is prepared to press for the establishment of a minimum price for exports, to avoid any miller manipulating the industry and exploiting farmers.
He said, understandably, the RPA will be accused of advocating a socialist policy but he contended that the move is in the best interest of the industry.
Seeraj acknowledged Government’s support to not only ensure the survival but development of the industry and emphasised that farmers have to work harder to be more competitive.
He said that is one way to help make business in the industry secure and sustainable in the long team.
President Jagdeo recently announced that the Government has set aside G$400M to offer short term relief to the rice industry and the RPA was mandated to consult with farmers throughout the country and come up with a strategy on how the money should be spent.
About that consultation, Seeraj said, so far, farmers have suggested that Government use the allocation to purchase fertiliser and sell it to them cheaper.
He said another proposal is that Government construct storage and drying facilities in all the rice growing regions but Seeraj said that would cost more than the $400M, though it will allow farmers to store their paddy while negotiating better bargains with millers.
Luncheon makes policy statement on cement
By Priya Nauth
THE Guyana Government wants to ensure that there is a adequate, reliable and a competitively priced supply of cement for Guyanese, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon said yesterday.
He made the policy statement in response to questions about the Government’s position in the Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL) controversy at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.
Noting that the matter is, indeed, sub judice, Luncheon said: “But others have spoken, not that they have spoken disregarding this principle but they have spoken.
“I want to reiterate what we are really concerned about, in this matter, what is the Government’s real concern and, of course, the answer is obvious.
“We are not in the business of buying and selling cement. We are in the business of development and housing development and housing construction is a very important part.”
Luncheon disclosed that billions (of dollars) have been spent on preparation of lands, building infrastructure and doing squatter settlement rehabilitation for housing construction.
“And this bottle neck that has been created by TCL, studiously denied of course by TCL…is the issue here,” he maintained.
Luncheon added: “That is the issue. So, if I were to comment, merely to say it’s in our national interest to ensure that cement is available, predictably available and competitively priced.”
He said the statement issued by the Administration really captured what the Government feels, and about its position on the TCL issue.
“An adequate, a reliable and a competitively priced supply of cement for Guyanese,” he stated.
|
|
|
|
Government, MPs aggressively optimistic about new parliamentary session
- Luncheon
By Priya Nauth
HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon said the new session for the Ninth Parliament, for which sittings resumed yesterday, has an engrossing agenda and the Government and its Members of Parliament (MPs) are “aggressively optimistic about the outcome”.
He was speaking at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing yesterday at Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.
Luncheon said, before the House convened, the Cabinet Office had circulated a document and commented publicly on the priority legislation that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration intended to have addressed.
He reminded that the emphasis, as the Cabinet Office stressed then, would be furthering reforms in the financial and commercial sector.
“In that document, a number of specific pieces of legislation were identified,” Luncheon recalled, among them the Electronic Transaction Bill, the New Building Society Amendment Bill, the Credit Reporting Bill, Business Electronic Filing Bill, the Business Name Registration Amendment Bill, the Companies Amendment Bill and Regulations, the Deeds Registry Amendment Bill, Official Gazette Bill and the Consumer Protection Bill.
“All of these were part and parcel of the legislative thrust to have reforms in the financial and commercial sector,” he reiterated.
Luncheon said that listing also mentioned legislative initiative to support the Justice Sector Reform and identified the Legal Practitioners Amendment Bill and the Juvenile Justice Bill.
“In the foreign service and external affairs, concerning our sovereignty and our territorial integrity, the Maritime Zone Bill was also identified as a priority,” he stated.
Luncheon identified, as well, the Access to Information Bill and the Broadcasting Bill, stating that the list concluded with the Disabilities Bill, the Rice Factory Amendment Bill and a Livestock Development Authority Bill.
Alluding to a question about the Legal Practitioners Amendment Bill, he said: “We are not too happy with the way the legal practitioners practice.”
He said, obviously, the existing Legal Practitioners Act has not really provided the “most robust of legislative and other sanctions” to keep the legal practitioners “walking on the thin line”.
Luncheon said the amendment seeks to introduce a more responsive mechanism to ensure that legal practitioners subscribe to standards and the norm.
“The mechanism for which the legal practitioners can be sanctioned has been broadened. A code of conduct has been adumbrated and a precise mechanism has been put in place to ensure compliance with this Act. So, this is an attempt to rein in much of the criticisms that are out there about the way in which practitioners go about their business,” he elaborated.
In reference to the Juvenile Justice Bill, Luncheon said it is even more comprehensive and draws on international experience and internationally sanctioned norms of dealing with juveniles in connection with the law, criminal law, in particular.
He said it also provides for initiatives for a Family Court, dedicated duress to deal with such matters, attention to the rights of juveniles who are apprehended and being charged.
Luncheon said this bill rewrites the Juvenile Offenders Act as well as the Training and Apprentices Act that governs the New Opportunity Corps as a place for juvenile detainees.
“In both instances, it speaks to reforms in the way in which the State would now be addressing and ensuring compliance with legal practitioners and the practice of their profession; and the treatment of juvenile offenders,” he indicated.
Support revolutionary Sex Offences Bill
- Manickchand urges MPs
HUMAN Services and Social Security Minister Priya Manickchand is urging Parliamentarians to support early passage of the Sex Offences Bill which she says is revolutionary and covers a wide range of sex offences, including against children.
The minister maintains that the country’s current sexual offences laws are deficient and outdated and feels that the bill, which is still before a Select Committee of the National Assembly, can help protect children from sexual offenders.
Ms. Manickchand restates her stand on the need for effective laws against sexual offences in a letter issued yesterday to newspapers following a report in yesterday’s Kaieteur News on comments attributed to Alliance For Change (AFC) Leader Raphael Trotman.
The newspaper reported Mr. Trotman as saying that if Manickchand feels that nothing could be done legally about the Kwame/Julius saga (referring to an alleged taped phone conversation between an adult man and a boy), then that should have been the first item on the order paper for yesterday’s sitting of the National Assembly. The assembly resumed sitting yesterday after its annual two-month recess.
According to the newspaper, Trotman said the minister should have stated what she intends to do about the situation regarding the laws being deficient and that she should be trying to recommend laws which protect children because it is her responsibility.
“If the report in the newspapers is true I find the ill informed statements of the leader of the AFC…most frightening”, Manickchand said.
She recalled that on Friday October 9 last, the Men Empowering Network (MEN) hosted an anger management conference for men at which she gave brief remarks.
The minister explained:
“I said during those remarks that there are useful ways in which persons such as the men who I was speaking to as well as the organizations they were coming from, could support positive change in Guyana in a way that would see us continuing to move forward as a country.
“I spoke of many different things but specifically of a scenario where an adult male engaged in sexual conversation or sexual activity with a fifteen-year-old boy and indicated that if the participants there found that offensive then, given the deficient nature of our current law in addressing these types of offensive issues, a useful enterprise would be to rally around the early passage of the Sex Offences Bill which is presently in Select Committee in the National Assembly. I went on to encourage the participants, one of which was Mr. Earnest Elliot, MP of the PNC/R, (who may wish to verify this), to demand of their parliamentarians the urgent and speedy completion of the process in select committee.
“I would venture to say that I do not believe anyone in that room could have honestly interpreted me to be saying that I was supportive of and/or defending sexual activity between adults and children. In fact, I was clear that our anachronistic laws needed overhauling urgently if we were going to effectively address these types of circumstances and offer our children the protection they deserve.
“But as with any statement Mr. Trotman and/or any of his cohorts can easily find something to distort and given the fact that I find responses to be time wasting and unnecessary distractions from what I have sworn to do, I may be a good target that would attract the distortions of these types of people.
“Outside of the very obvious and dishonest distortions being given to what I said, what I find most disturbing is that Raphael Trotman, leader of a political party in Parliament could be calling for the laying of legislation that would address this issue when the Sex Offences Bill # 30 of 2009 was laid in the National Assembly over two months ago. The reason the Bill has not yet been addressed is because Parliamentarians were more interested in vacationing for two long months instead of addressing the legislation laid in Select Committees.
“Perhaps this would be something Parliamentarians would collectively be interested in addressing i.e. the shortening of the unnecessarily long vacation period so that the business of the people could actually get done.
“This new Sex Offences Bill is revolutionary to Guyana. It contains provisions that address all offensive situations that the people of Guyana could have thought of during the lengthy consultation period regarding proposals contained in the consultation document, “Stamp it Out.” Many of these offensive situations cannot be adequately legally addressed now, as Attorney-at-Law Trotman ought to know.
“This new Bill proposes offences such as grooming, gender neutral definitions of every offence including rape (which allows for it to be an offence for a male to be raped), statutory rape for boys (i.e. making the age of consent for boys the same as girls: 16 years), causing a child to watch a sex act, arranging or facilitating of a child sex offence, sexual activity with a child under 16, failing to charge or send file to the DPP, comitting a criminal offence with the intent to commit a sexual offence and a whole host of other offences.
“Where was Mr. Trotman when this was being laid and why has this leader of a party who says he is so interested in children and their welfare not read this important piece of legislation? Is this not a serious omission on the part of a representative of the people?
“In his comments, Mr. Trotman calls for the “recommendation of laws to protect children”. How could Mr. Trotman not know that before the National Assembly went into recess, laws were recommended to protect children in the form of the Protection of Children Bill, the Adoption of Children Bill and the Status of Children Bill?
“How could he not know that these laws were passed by the National Assembly? Does Mr. Trotman not know that pending before a Special Select Committee now are the Child Care and Development Services Bill and the Custody, Contact, Guardianship and Maintenance Bill 2009?
“Additionally, Cabinet has offered its no objection to a contract for the construction of the Family Court which would allow for all these pieces of legislation to be utilized in a child friendly atmosphere. These pieces of legislation and actions on the part of the Government shall create and establish a much needed environment where child protection and our children could flourish. Where were Mr. Trotman and the AFC when all of this was happening? Surely, he cannot claim ignorance when these matters have been happening publicly in the National Assembly. Does a Member of Parliament not have a responsibility to be aware of the happenings in the Assembly, the contents of Bills and the mischief the said contents are trying to cure?
“I would urge Mr. Trotman, and indeed all politicians of his ilk, to cease and desist from politicking on important issues like child protection and get down to the business of actually doing their bit to protect children. It is always easier to postulate from an armchair and much harder to actually realize change that would see the people of a country benefitting.”
Luncheon assures of continuous consultations on LCDS
By Priya Nauth
GUYANA’S historic and ambitious Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) is currently being reviewed and, when finalised, the revised version will be tabled in Parliament for its consideration.
Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon made the announcement yesterday at his weekly post-Cabinet media briefing at Office of the President, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive, Georgetown.
Themed ‘Transforming the Economy Whilst Combating Climate Change’, the documentation was subjected to national consultations over a three months period.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) is moving to forge a successor to the current Kyoto Protocol that is to be endorsed in Copenhagen, Denmark and President Bharrat Jagdeo has been leading the Guyana lobby for forest preservation to be a central plank of that new covenant.
The Government aims to table the plan at the December summit for inclusion in the new climate change regime and it is based on avoiding deforestation and preserving its standing forests, in exchange for payment for this service from the international community.
Luncheon pointed out that the extensive Press coverage surrounding President Jagdeo’s recent New York contributions to climate change has been followed by World Bank endorsement, after its week long review of this country’s preparation for participation in the LCDS financing mechanism for climate change – the REDD (Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation).
The World Bank hailed Guyana’s climate change outreach and, on Tuesday, at a press conference with President Jagdeo, reiterated its support for the thrust, as a due diligence mission ended what officials said was a successful field trip in the preparation to support the country’s mission.
During last week, the 22-member team, including World Bank officials, Government, civil society and donor representatives went to 16 Amerindian communities at Iwokrama, Nappi and Kamarang to discuss the Government’s proposed REDD scheme for keeping standing forest, storing carbon and, in return, receiving payment from the international community.
Luncheon said during the Bank’s review, specifically of the consultative process on the LCDS, visits were made to many indigenous communities and feedback obtained.
“On that basis, the Bank committed to supporting that initiative, specifically the consultation process being undergone to review the strategy,” he said.
Luncheon said the strategy is being reviewed by the steering committee, largely from the perspective of the output from all of the engagements, including physical, electronic and media.
STAKEHOLDERS
“All of those engagements with stakeholders who were willing and able to comment on the strategy,” he noted.
Luncheon said the tabling in Parliament will be followed, immediately, by its use and promotion at the year end Copenhagen conference of the parties to the Framework Convention.
Asked about a deadline for the presentation to Parliament, he said: “I don’t believe a deadline has been set in terms of a drop dead date but, working back from December 15, we can anticipate that with proper management of the review and, even more importantly, proper management of the parliamentary contributions to the review, we will be able to take an endorsed Guyana supported document to Copenhagen.”
In relation to a deadline for ending the consultations, Luncheon offered: “I don’t even believe that consultations would end after the document would have completed its review. This is an ongoing process.”
“And I am certain you would concede that we could never say, to stakeholders, that, after you have said your piece, I don’t want to hear anything more forever. We are going to have an iterative process as we go along in promoting avoided deforestation responding to what comes out at the national, regional and international level,” he added.
Luncheon said: “I am certain that we will not go out saying that the door is closed at any one specific point. But, for the purposes of Copenhagen, on the information that is available and the perspectives that have been gleaned, we will be able to be definite on a position.”
He said, though, that that position would not be cast in stone. “And, indeed, at Copenhagen or even after Copenhagen, the strategy itself will continue to be massaged…to make it reconciled with an emerging reality.
“I don’t believe the door is closed and I don’t want you to leave here feeling that once a strategy has been adapted, the door is closed. When the draft was produced, the door wasn’t closed and, when the process in Guyana is completed, I think there will be room as we move into the international community for further examination and modifications,” Luncheon asserted.
Avon announces Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities
AVON Community Help Fund has announced two new initiatives, in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, as the organisation continues its quest to raise awareness in support of women affected by the disease and honour its survivors.
One is the ‘Pink Hand Band’ project which, with the contribution of $200, the contributor gets to wear one in support of the call for positive action.
The band carries the words ‘Early detection can save lives’ as well as ‘Give and it will come back to you’.
The other is the donation of drugs valued at $100,000 to Beacon Foundation, following a similar one, in February 2007, to help provide hospice care for terminally ill cancer patients.
An Avon release said contributing in a tangible way to the care of patients fighting the disease is important, as persons battling against it need caring individuals to make their lives less painful each day.
The release said Avon has been working on breast cancer education and awareness in Guyana for the past four years and, following its 2008 activities, the Ministry of Health also stepped up its efforts by commissioning the ‘50 by 9 initiative’ which targets 50,000 households this year.
It entails a survey that will send trainers into households in all the regions to teach women how to do self-examination in the campaign for early detection of breast cancer.
However, the statement pointed out that there still is much work to be done because now is the time for positive action.
It also disclosed that the Health Ministry reported that between 90 and 100 women are diagnosed with the ailment annually.
Avon said a frightening reality is that, of those women, the majority sought medical interventions at advanced stages of the cancer when treatment, care and full recovery are more challenging.
Noting that the affliction affects women of all races, social class and religious beliefs, Avon said it will be undertaking a week of activities beginning October 18.
The highlight of that programme will be the annual ‘Walk for a Cure’ which will be on October 24, starting from Independence Park (formerly Parade Ground) in Georgetown at 06:30h.
With EU support…
NCD spearheading workshop to aid Disability Movement efforts
By Vanessa Narine
The National Commission on Disability (NCD) will, today, be spearheading a workshop themed ‘Protecting the Rights of Persons with Disabilities: Providing Rights-based Services.’
It is another step to advance the efforts of the Disability Movement which aims to support health and rehabilitative service providers and managers in addressing the specific needs of persons with disabilities.
The expected participants include physical therapists, rehabilitation and patient-care assistants, nurse aids, audiology practitioners, nurses, as well as rehabilitation service managers
At the conclusion, those who take part would be required to indicate specific actions they would be able to undertake to facilitate changes in their respective departments, in order to make their services more accessible and address the actual needs of the disabled.
Ms. Beverly Pile, Administrative Officer of NCD, said they do not want the seminar to be one of those after which nothing is done.
“We want to improve the delivery of health and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities, so they can get quality health service that respect their rights,” she said.
Pile said the plans outlined after the today workshop will be monitored by line managers in consultation with the Director of Rehabilitation Services in the Ministry of Health, Mrs. Barbara Lawrence.
The trainers for the one-day undertaking include five disability advocates, who are persons with disabilities and three service providers from the Division of Rehabilitation Services in the Ministry of Health.
They will work closely with the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) volunteer, Ms. Katherine Belen, who is a Human Rights and Organisational Development Adviser at NCD.
The exercise is part of the four-year Action for Building Capacity, Learning Together, and Empowering disabled people in Guyana (ABLE) project of VSO Guyana, with support from the European Union (EU).
GRA reminding public that squibs, firecrackers are illegal
THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is reminding the general public that squibs and firecrackers are illegal and can be fatal. Recalling last year’s squib-throwing incident on Deepavali night in Alexander Village, Commissioner-General of the GRA Mr. Khurshid Sattaur said he hopes that this year’s observance of the sacred festival will be conducted in an atmosphere of peace.
A release said that the enforcement arm of the GRA has an ongoing exercise aimed at monitoring the activities at ports and borders countrywide, and persons found smuggling goods into the country, will be prosecuted under Section 217 and 218 of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.
Mr. Sattaur is urging all Guyanese to be wary of persons who break the law and to provide the authority with any information that can aid it in effectively dealing with persons who smuggle and sell prohibited items such as firecrackers and other explosives.
He said citizens have a role to play in preventing, not only the importation, but also the sale and purchase of firecrackers and other explosives which are illegal under the Second Schedule Parts 1 and 2 of the Customs Act amended by Act No. 1 of 2005. Persons who are in possession of information on the purchase and sale of restricted items can call GRA’s Intelligence hotline on telephone number 225-6687 to provide information.
Mr. Sattaur noted that it is important for the GRA to receive the support and cooperation of other stakeholders and the general public especially with the provision of intelligence information.
He further stated that if there is a constant flow of intelligence information to the GRA, it will allow the organisation to be more effective in its operations.
The Guyana Defence Force is the only agency authorised to import firecrackers and other explosives and permission must be sought from the Commissioner of Police for the importation of such items.
The liable penalty stipulated in payment of treble the value of the goods or a fine of $10,000 or imprisonment of one to three years. The GRA hereby informs the public that this penalty is also applicable to persons found selling and/or purchasing firecrackers which are restricted items.
Good integrity principles would safeguard GRA mandate
THE integrity of an organisation is viewed as a core component in any organisational structure simply because it encompasses not only the reputation and reliability of that organisation but also what the general public thinks and perceives of it and its employees. In order to ensure that the management of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is competent, honest and knowledgeable about their role and responsibilities, the GRA hosted an integrity and customs workshop in the training room of its Customs and Trade Administration Building, Main Street, a release from the GRA said.
The workshop commenced on Monday, September 21, and ran for eight days, including Wednesday September 30.
According to the release the integrity and customs workshop was implemented to assist the GRA in a capacity building initiative and modernisation project. The main objective of the workshop was to acquaint managers, senior managers and heads of departments with the principles of integrity and the factors that influence integrity. Other critical areas such as leadership, commitment, transparency, code of conduct, good human resource management, and public awareness were also discussed in the workshop.
The release added: “It is essential that the management of the GRA clearly understand the benefits of inculcating the principles of integrity within every single operational aspect of the GRA since the GRA is responsible for collecting almost 90 per cent of the total revenue of the country.”
“If the revenue of the country is not protected, then it can seriously disrupt the provision of health services, social services, the development of law enforcement and the salaries of public servants.”
“Having good integrity principles will ensure and safeguard the mandate of the GRA and will build the confidence of the public in terms of the ability and capacity of the GRA in dispensing good service to its clients.”
The GRA has established an Integrity Management Committee with an Integrity Management Champion who is identified to lead the GRA’s effort in integrity management.
A second workshop is scheduled to be held from October 14 – 20, 2009 with emphasis on increasing integrity and minimising the risk of corruption.
Four more lawyers admitted to the Guyana Bar
- joins three others admitted last week
By George Barclay
FOUR of the recently graduated lawyers from the Hugh Wooding Law School have been admitted to the Guyana Bar and are entitled to practice their profession in this country.
They are Mohamed Ravindra Ali, Latchmie Rahamat, Latoya Hobbs and Norma Lewis
Attorney-at-law Ali, of 192 Deobirana Street, Prashad Nagar, is the son of Attorney-at-law Muntaz Ali and Ms. Dhanmati Singh.
His petition for admission was presented by his sister, Attorney-at-law Miss Jamela Ali.
Justice Diana Insanally received his petition and admitted him to practice.
According to Miss Ali, her brother had come from a family of lawyers both from his paternal and maternal sides.
His first cousin is Mrs. Shalimar Ali-Hack, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who was present in court that day.
Latchmie Rahamat, of 42 Austin Street, Campbellville, is the daughter of the late Ashrafally Rahamat, also known as Roy Dash and Answroutie.
Her petition for admission was granted by Justice William Ramlal.
Lawyer Rahamat was introduced to the Bar by Attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes.
She will be attached to the DPP Chambers.
Latoya Hobbs of 363 Eccles, whose petition was also presented by Mr. Nigel Hughes before Justice Ramlal, was congratulated on her many achievements.
The petition of Norma Lewis was presented by Attorney at law Mr. R. N. Poonai, before Justice Rishi Persaud.
Miss Lewis is the daughter of Mr. Oswald Lewis. Her mother, Mrs. Merlin Ann Lewis, had passed away.
She commenced the pre-law Programme in Public Management at the University of Guyana where she secured a grade point average of 3.2 which allowed her to gain entrance to the Law Programme at U.G. in 2004.
According to Attorney-at-law Norma Lewis: “I was also inspired to do law because of my love and admiration to render legal assistance to the less fortunate by representing them honestly, zealously and competently.”
Meanwhile, three more Guyanese lawyers were admitted to the Bar at two different Courts last Friday, two by Acting Chief Justice, Mr. Ian Chang, S.C. and the other by Justice Roxanne George.
The new lawyers who are now competent to practice their profession in this country are Kenita Ann Cumberbatch of 2232 North Ruimveldt; Alisha Subrina George of Pouderoyen, West Demerara; and Judith Gildharie-Mursalin of 19 Shamrock Gardens, East Coast Demerara.
GDF, Police contingent for Commonwealth Heads meeting in T&T
The National Assembly yesterday approved a motion paving the way for the deployment of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) personnel to Trinidad for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meet next month.
Some 90 ranks, including members of the Guyana Police Force, will join with their CARICOM counterparts in providing security support to the Government of Trinidad and Tobago at the occasion scheduled for November 21 to 30.
Home Affairs Minister Mr. Clement Rohee told the National Assembly that the local contingent will depart Guyana on November 17, and will return home on December 2.
He said that the management and operation of the troops to be deployed is in accordance with the Visiting Forces Act 2007 of Guyana, the Visiting Forces Act of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Treaty of Security Assistance among CARICOM Member States.
The motion was supported by PNC Parliamentarian Deborah Backer.
|
|
|
Caring for our elderly is a moral obligation
Caring for the elderly is becoming an increasingly touching, complex and difficult issue, especially against the backdrop of a so-called modern lifestyle. Unfortunately, one of the negatives of modernisation is the gravitation away from compassion, love and care of the elderly towards neglect.
In today’s world where the younger generations seem to prefer living a more independent and private life the days of the extended family living together as a closely bonded unit are numbered and as such many senior citizens are left to fend for themselves, even though because of physical incapacity some are unable or can barely manage to do so. But it is not only the physical and material discomfort that many have to suffer; it is also the emotional and psychological pain they are forced to endure as a result of a lack of affection, love and being made to feel wanted. The extended family system to a large extent minimised this predicament of the elderly.
Increasingly, especially in western culture the elderly are placed in senior citizens home by their children and are visited. This could never substitute for the emotional/psychological satisfaction of being part of normal society.
But our conscience should compel us to recognise the importance and the necessity for taking proper care of the elderly and this should be utmost priority of a truly caring society.
After all we should acknowledge that the elderly are the ones who earlier had toiled and made tremendous sacrifices to ensure that our society is a better place to live.
Some worked as labourers, educators, nurses, doctors, engineers, police etc but the essential point to note is that they all have made a contribution to the betterment of today’s generation and therefore society has a moral obligation to ensure that their final years of life are one of happiness, peace and comfort rather than one of misery.
In Guyana the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security along with its various agencies has been working feverishly, especially in the more recent years, to make life for our senior citizens more comfortable, despite constraints of human and financial resources. The Ministry has indeed demonstrated a deep commitment in this regard.
Many NGOs as well have been giving yeoman service in this regard, and what is even more striking is the fact that these organisations are being manned by volunteers who give selfless and dedicated service without any material rewards, but maybe the pleasure and joy of executing humanitarian work is even more rewarding that material benefits.
As part of the observances of the Month of the Elderly the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in conjunction with other organisations hosted a health fair recently for senior citizens and from all reports it was a very successful and well organised event and those were responsible for this excellent initiative should be applauded and given the appropriate recognition.
One of the notable outcomes of this wonderful event was that four of the approximately 50 elderly persons there were referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for immediate medical attention.
Assistant Chief Probation Officer, Mr. Deendayal Singh made a pertinent observation which comes back to the issue of the extended family system.
“Some elderly don’t ever go to the centres for check-ups either because of neglect or not having anybody who is interested enough to take them. Communities are encouraged to be proactive in terms of ensuring this.”
It is hoped that doctors and other social sector workers would join the efforts of the Ministry and conduct medical outreaches and such like activities for our dear senior citizens as strive to make their lives a more comfortable one. This cannot be the job of only the government, as some are wont to think. On the contrary it should be the duty of the entire society and should become integral part of our social culture.
It would also be hoped that such events would not only be held during the Month of the Elderly but would he held regularly and become part of the norm of our society and extended to the rural communities as well.
|
| COURTS |
|
Republic Bank fraud defendants freed after repaying money
THE three ex-Republic Bank tellers and two others who were charged with conspiracy to defraud last May 19, were all freed yesterday by Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson.
Wilfred Macheo, 19, of Lot 12 Paradise, East Coast Demerara, Steven Gangadeen, 18, of Lot 165 Diamond Housing Scheme and Deodat Narine Rampersaud, 21, of Lot 199 Grove Housing Scheme, also on East Bank Demerara are the ex-bank employees and their co-defendants were Saisnarine Rampersaud, 22, of Lot 199 Grove Housing Scheme and 38-year-old Manniram Behari, of Lot 153 Grove Housing Scheme.
They had all pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
Macheo, Gangadeen and both Rampersauds were accused, on two counts, of conspiring to commit a felony. It was alleged that, between April 29 and May 2, 2009, with intent to commit a felony, they conspired with persons unknown to obtain $50,000 by forging a Republic Bank withdrawal slip knowing it to be false.
Another allegation against them was that, between April 30 and May 2, 2009, with intent to commit a felony, they conspired with persons unknown to obtain $200,000 by forging one more Republic Bank withdrawal slip knowing it was a forgery.
Macheo, Gangadeen and Narine Rampersaud faced five more counts of conspiracy to commit a felony, together with Behari who was implicated on one count that said, between April 24 and May 6, 2009, with intent to commit a felony, they conspired with persons unknown to obtain $200,000 by forging a Republic Bank withdrawal slip knowing it was forged.
Defence Counsel Vic Puran and Adrian Thompson, representing the defendants, successfully requested the magistrate to dismiss the cases as no representative of the Bank ever appeared in Court to proceed with the prosecution.
The lawyers said the matters were settled at a Police station and the money was repaid to the bank.
Dookie abduction case transferred, accused further remanded
ACTING Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson yesterday further remanded to prison the three men charged with abducting the daughter of Pike Street, Kitty businessman Beharry Dookie called ‘Natoo’.
The accused, who first appeared in Court last September 12, are facing a joint indictable charge of unlawful confinement for ransom.
Particulars of the offence alleged that, between August 28 and 29, at Stevedore Housing Scheme Squatting Area, East La Penitence, France Prince, 23, of Lot 3 East La Penitence, Sivon Warner, 27, of Tucville Government Ground and 22-year-old Tyronne Solomon, of Lot 3440 Jackson Street, North Ruimveldt, also in Georgetown, unlawfully confined Rorhema Dookie with intent to hold her for a $40M ransom.
Attorney-at-law Mr. Mark Waldron, who represented Solomon, requested that the case be dismissed because the Prosecution is wasting time.
He pointed out that, every time the case is called, a different prosecutor appears without the file to proceed.
Waldron recalled that, on the last occasion, a senior prosecutor had undertaken to ensure the documentation is available to commence the preliminary inquiry (PI) but, instead a new prosecutor, was present and, again, with no documents.
Police Inspector Edmond Cooper, prosecuting, asked that the Prosecution be given a final adjournment to allow for the receipt of appropriate advice.
Waldron objected, noting that the case has been mentioned on five previous occasions and declared that the Prosecution is trying to make a mockery of the Court, by claiming, on several occasions, that advice is being sought.
Before making a decision, the magistrate ordered the Prosecution to produce the file in two hours and, after it did not happen, Cooper informed that an additional charge, of failing to give Police information will be laid against Solomon shortly.
The magistrate transferred the case to another Court for October 20.
Man with anger problem jailed for wife assault
COLIN Miller, 37, of Lot 48 West Front Road, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was yesterday sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for unlawfully assaulting his reputed wife, Esther Grant.
Acting Chief Magistrate Melissa Robertson inflicted the custodial punishment on him after he pleaded guilty, admitting that he committed the unlawful assault to cause the woman actual bodily harm on October 11.
The virtual complainant told the Court the prisoner faced a similar charge recently and, on conviction, was put on a bond to keep the peace for two years.
She said the latest incident occurred while she was preparing for church and Miller ordered her not to go.
Grant said, because she refused to stay at home with him, Miller assaulted her with a cutlass.
However, he said he used his hands to strike the woman as he cannot control his temper when she opens her mouth.
Miller confessed to having an anger management problem and begged for mercy.
At Demerara Assizes…
Smaller trial continuing in Grove murder case
By George Barclay
STATE Prosecutor Ganesh Hira closed his case Wednesday in the voir dire (trial within a trial) of the Grove Squatting Area murder case at the Demerara Assizes.
Consequently, the Defence began with the accused, Mark Samuels, 40, giving sworn testimony.
Justice James Bovell-Drakes is conducting the smaller trial to determine the admissibility of an alleged caution statement attributed to Samuels.
But the prisoner, being represented by Mr. Hukumchand and Ms. Kamini Parag, has denied making the attestation.
Samuels is indicted for the unlawful killing of his reputed wife, Chandrawattie Lalla called ‘Anjie’ between November 23 and 24, 2007.
From the commencement of the proceedings, Hukumchand objected to the tendering of the document, on the ground that it was not obtained in accordance with the Judges Rules.
Hira, who is associated with Mrs. Judith Gildharie-Mursalin and Ms. Shivani Balcharan, opted not to deliver his opening address until the voir dire, which continues today, is concluded.
Guyana Softball Association loses Court action over playground
By George Barclay
GUYANA Softball Association lost its battle to continue occupying the playground on Carifesta Avenue when Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang ruled on the dispute Wednesday.
The judge discharged a conservatory order, previously granted GSA, against the Attorney General (AG), the Permanent Secretary (PS), Ministry of Education and the Town Clerk of Georgetown.
GSA initiated the action last August 4, through attorney-at-law Mr. R. Satram, seeking certain remedies in respect of the plot on Thomas lands and, upon application, secured the edict to restrain the State from dispossessing it and from preventing, in any way, the plaintiff from using, enjoying, improving or otherwise dealing with the property, until the Court otherwise directs.
On August 26, other attorney-at-law Mr. Anil Nandlall, appearing for the AG and the PS, successfully requested an adjournment and laid over written submissions on September 10, in support of his quest to have the order discharged.
Nandlall submitted that, even though in proceedings between citizens, the remedies of injunction or specific performance are available to and can be granted under Section 16 (1) of the State Liability and Proceedings Act, 1984, such remedies cannot be granted in proceedings against the State and that, in lieu of such remedies, the Court can only make an order declaratory of the rights of the parties.
Satram, replying, argued that Section 16 (1) of the Act has no application to the instant issue because it applies only to the remedies of injunction and specific performance as final orders and not as interim or interlocutory orders.
He contended that the grant by the Court was not a final remedy and that, in any event, it was not an injunction.
In his decision, Chief Justice Chang said, in the context of private law proceedings between citizen and State, he is not attracted to the Satram submission that Section 16 (1) does not prohibit the Court from making an interim or interlocutory injunctive relief against the State although it does apply to prohibit the Court from making a final injunction or order for specific performance against the State.
The judge said, if it would be legally misconceived to seek against the State the remedy of a final injunction and, therefore, such a prayer in the endorsement of claim or the statement of claim ought to be struck out, he questioned on what basis could a plaintiff seek an injunction as an interim or interlocutory relief.
“If, in the end, the Court cannot grant a final injunction against the State, it does not appear to this Court that it would border on absurdity to suggest that the Court can, nevertheless, grant an interim or interlocutory order against the State.
“In this Court’s view, it would be virtual legal absurdity if the Court can grant an injunction as an interim or interlocutory relief but cannot grant an injunction as a final relief. There can be no rational basis for the existence of a jurisdiction or power to grant an interim or interlocutory injunction when, in the final analysis, a final injunction cannot be granted to the plaintiff,” Justice Chang held.
He said another reason which speaks for the discharge of the conservatory order is that the action was brought in the name of GSA, which is a registered friendly society and authorised by Crosley Carrington and Sheldon Eileen who are members.
The judge said, however, it does not appear that the two members were accorded, in writing, power ad litern by the two members of the management committee of the society under Section 48 (1) of the Friendly Societies Act, Chapter 36:04, to institute the proceedings in its name.
“This Court does not see it fit to continue the conservatory order when neither the statement of claim nor authority to counsel discloses that they had the locus standi to institute the proceedings in the name of the society,” the judge said.
Costs were awarded to the AG in the sum of $30,000.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kaieteur News article loaded with inaccuracies
IN the Kaieteur News of Friday October 9, 2009 there was an article about the delivery of Laser Land Levelling equipment and a John Deere tractor for the Ministry of Agriculture.
Prominently displayed in the picture ‘price causes raised eyebrows’ and the article referred to the huge difference in the selling price US55,000 and the price the tractor could be obtained (US$38,000). This insinuates there is something smelly with this deal.
Unfortunately, the article is loaded with inaccuracies. The Kaieteur News did a very sloppy job and this reflects badly on this newspaper and the accuracy of their reporting.
a. The equipment was not supplied by Farm Supplies Ltd, but by General Equipment Ltd., the distributor for John Deere agricultural equipment.
b. The JD6415 tractor is not 115 hp, but 106 hp
c. Laser leveler equipment was used in rice industries many years ago in MMA scheme, but it was much larger and not suitable for small farms and currently being used at GUYSUCO.
d. Kaieteur News could not have contacted Farm Supplies Ltd and get a price for the largest JD tractor. The largest they have is 35hp and is made in China. The largest tractor in stock at Genequip is 120hp, sells for G$9.9 million, but this is a low end simple tractor (JD6603) while the JD6415 is a medium level, more sophisticated model with powershift (PQ) transmission. This transmission option was specified by the buyer.
Nowhere in the world a new JD6415 – 4WD, PQ tractor could be sourced for US$38,000!
We challenge the Kaieteur News to supply us 10 pcs new JD6415 -4 WD tractors, add 20 per cent mark up for KN, we will pay the KN US$45,600 CIF Georgetown each. We pay cash on delivery and KN makes a tidy profit. Our company gets tractors lower priced then we obtained at dealer net price from John Deere. We all will smile all the way up to the bank!
We did some ‘2 seconds in depth’ research, most likely the same what the KN did. Googled JD6415 and indeed we found a JD6415 tractor in Texas for US$38,500. However it’s a used tractor with 2WD, not a 4WD and no PQ transmission. This is the quality of the reporting!
If the reporter or KN has an axe to grind with the Government, or specifically the Ministry of Agriculture, do us a favour and keep our company out of it. Genequip was established in Guyana nearly 20 years ago. We play a major role in supplying the farming community with good equipment at a fair price and quality aftermarket services. We operate clean and in a most principle and professional manner.
For your information Genequip was also the supplier of the JD engine at the controversial Stanleytown pump station. The JD6125 Open Power Unit of 450 ph was sold to Harricharan Tulsie by our company for close to G$9 million with a minimal mark-up.
How the KN could estimate the cost of that complete pump station for G$11 million is beyond imagination. That’s not sloppy journalism, that’s ridiculous.
We stayed out of the controversy because Mr Tulsie can defend himself. We did a few projects with Tulsie, where we supplied some of the equipment and he did the installation, etc. He is an excellent engineer. He knows his business and he is one of the reasons our feet are kept reasonably dry during rainy seasons. Don’t chase a man like this to the so-called ‘greener pastures’ in the USA or Canada where most of his fellow Guyanese engineers are. We need them here.
In connection with this laser levelling equipment article, we ask the KN to retract the insinuations and offer our company an apology.
RENGER van DIJK
Managing Director
……………………..
Trinidad Diwali Nagar attracted several Guyanese performances
THE Diwali Nagar in Trinidad attracted several Guyanese performances on stage and in booths and among the audience. The booths had several Guyanese. Several Guyanese came in from the Hare Krishna Conscious Movement to be part of their Krishna booth.
There have been huge nightly crowds since the event was inaugurated last Thursday evening by the Indian Ambassador Malay Mishra. The celebrations will close on the eve of Diwali by the Vice- President of Suriname, Ramdeo Sarjoe. Participants from neighboring countries of Surinam, Jamaica and Guyana took part in the Nagar’s festivities.
The Nagar is nine nights of celebrations that concludes on the eve of Diwali with fireworks. The place is majestically decorated with lit deyas and electronic lights. It is a spectacle to behold.
The Nagar showcases Indian art, craft and culture and has been proving a big draw for people of all ethnic groups on the island. Diwali is a national festival and people of all ethnic groups participated in it in Trinidad as they do in Guyana. This year, the Nagar festivities received the sponsorships of major corporations although the organizers complained they received minimal government’s assistance.
The organisers pointed out that the Nagar serves as a platform from which amateur musicians, singers and dancers move on to solo performances at other national and international stages.
The Guyanese Apsara dance academy mesmerized the crowds on the evenings of Saturday and Sunday. They put in scintillating performances. They charmed the large audience of thousands with classical and contemporary dances. Kiran Mattai, who is studying law at UWI, wowed the audience with her modern classical dance. Other performers were Padmini Rambalak, Marica Akeung, Lucrica Rambalak and Chandini. The girls need to be applauded for their magnificent performances.
The Director/Producer/Choreographer of the dance troupe, Chandini Ramnarain, said this is the fourth year in a row that the group was invited to perform at the Diwali Nagar Every evening, there was different entertainment including different bands, tassa and performances by top singers. Dr. Winston Tolan flew in from Jamaica singing from a book of songs written by the late Prakash Gossai. There were also performances by the popular band Karma. The tens of thousands who visited the Nagar since it was opened had a fabulous time.
VISHNU BISRAM
……………………..
Raising the retirement age of manual workers would be unwise
FREDDIE put his foot in his mouth yet again. He asked: Does President Jagdeo know a woman named Angela?
Freddie let me answer that for you.
I do not know if President Jagdeo knows Angela but I would think that they met because of what they do.
She is leader of her country so is President Jagdeo of his country and most leaders do meet from time to time. That does not mean they have to "Know" each other.
You and I attended a wedding a few years back at MYO does this mean we are we supposed to "know" each other?
Having said that, I must say that you are harping on the age of retirement.
You are a paper pusher and you can do that until 90 years or more then retire.
Do you think that those who do manual work for a living can work that long?
Freddie close your eyes and imagine this and picture a 70-year old fire fighter fighting a raging fire;
a 70-year old police officer chasing a mass murderer whom is cornered; a 70-year old cane cutter picking up bundles of cane and loading punts. The list can go on and on and on but I will stop there for now.
Those should open your wicked warped mind so that you never talk about age of retirement ever in your old life again.
I could picture you at 70 years old being a carpenter climbing on the roof tops to repair roofs or a mason pushing a load of mixed concrete. So sit behind your computer and continue to push your paper crap about the PPP government until your ripe old age of retirement at 90.
The government should raise the age of retirement for people like you to 90 years of age and lower the retirement age of manual labourers to 55 years of age.
T. KING
|
|
|
Carew wants Ganga to be made Windies captain
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Former West Indies selector Joey Carew has urged the West Indies Cricket Board to take the radical step of appointing Daren Ganga as West Indies captain.
Carew’s statement has come against the backdrop of Trinidad & Tobago’s win over Deccan Chargers in the Twenty20 Champions League on Wednesday, where Ganga was credited with excellent leadership of the Caribbean side.
He said Ganga’s leadership and tactics had been exemplary and pointed out these were qualities currently needed by the West Indies.
“T&T, under Ganga’s captaincy is a team, and I emphasise a team, which is strong as any other in this competition and I hope that I am correct in predicting that they will go all the way to the final,” the former Trinidad & Tobago and West Indies opener contended.
“We tend to under-rate the effort of the T&T team on their wonderful performance, both at regional and now, international level. It must be to Ganga’s leadership that we are able in many adverse circumstances to turn around the result in our favour.”
T&T have been the surprise team at the Champions League, defending moderate totals to pull off shock wins over Somerset and Deccan Chargers and reach the second round.
Ganga’s form, however, has been less than impressive with scores of 23 and 0 in his two innings.
His small taste of the West Indies captaincy so far has been also less than stellar. Following an injury to captain Ramnaresh Sarwan on the 2007 tour of England, he led the side in the two final Tests of the series, overseeing defeats by 60 runs and seven wickets respectively.
His personal form also suffered as he managed to scrape together 11 runs from four innings.
The 30-year-old Ganga has not played for the West Indies in almost two years, after being dropped following the 2007/08 tour of South Africa where he managed a meagre 117 runs from six innings at an average of 19.5.
He has enjoyed much success at the regional level, however, where he has led T&T to several titles in recent years.
Deryck Murray, the T&T Cricket Board president, was also quick to hail Ganga’s leadership abilities.
“Ganga has shown great leadership qualities which has been proved over the last few years,” said Murray, also a WICB director.
“He has instilled positive team spirit and high moral values to the team, which is an example for the other Caribbean territories to follow.
“Under his captaincy the team is measuring up to international standard, which is a tribute to the tremendous amount of work, the local board is doing, although there is still room for improvement.”
Overall, Ganga has scored 2 160 runs in 48 Tests, since making his debut 11 years ago against the South Africans.
Banks DIH partners with PMCC for one-T20 festival
… $1M up for grabs this Sunday
By Calvin Roberts
BEVERAGE giant Banks DIH Limited and Port Mourant Cricket Club (PMCC) have joined forces to organise a one-day Banks Beer Twenty20 Festival involving four teams at the Albion Community Centre ground this Sunday.
At a simple presentation ceremony held in the Conference Room of Banks’ Thirst Park office, treasurer of PMCC, Gomattie Dubaria, informed the media operatives gathered, that proceeds raised from the four-team one-day competition will go towards the rebuilding of the PMCC main pavilion.
“First of all, I want to say thanks to Banks DIH for throwing their support behind us in such a big way. We are looking to raise enough funds to assist with the renovation of our pavilion which is in a deplorable state, as well as the development of cricket in the community.”
Sales Consultant for Banks Power Stout and Premium Beer, Mike Fung, expressed his company’s willingness to contribute to such a worthy cause and at the same time stated their pleasure in being associated with same.
Four teams namely Poonai’s Pharmacy Corentyne Titans, West Berbice Super Kings, New Amsterdam/Canje Tigers and T20 Festival champions New Line Cavaliers will be vying for the first prize of $500 000.
The runner-up of this tournament, which will culminate under lights, will receive $300 000 while the losing semi-finalists and the man-of-the-match in the final will pocket $100 000 and $60 000 and a trophy respectively, with the latter being sponsored by A. Ally and Sons Limited.
Players expected to be on show with their teams in brackets are: Eugene La Fleur, Richard Ramdeen and Farouk Hussain (NA/Canje Tigers), Keon Joseph, Brandon Bess, Eon Abel, Keron Fraser and Keith Fraser (West Berbice Super Kings), Lennox Cush, Christopher Barnwell, Dion Ferrier (Corentyne Titans) and Gajanand Singh, Paul Wintz, Balram Samaroo, Jonathan Foo and Andrew Lyght Jr (New Line Cavaliers).
The draw for the competition, which will be the second of its kind being held at the same venue, following the second DJ Stress Cellink Plus T20 festival which was won by New Line Cavaliers from the same four teams contesting Sunday’s tournament, will take place today at the Little Rock Suites in New Amsterdam, Berbice.
Prior to the start of the T20 Festival, which is expected to bowl off at 10:00 h and whose final will be played under lights, a PMCC Under-17 team will oppose a Young Stars Under-17 XI in a 10-10 fixture which is being sponsored in full by Demerara Bank Limited.
Musical entertainment throughout the day’s proceedings which is being organised by a club that produced such cricketers of the calibre of Ivan Madray, Rohan Kanhai, Mahendra Nagamootoo and Basil Butcher, just to name a few, will come from Rhythm Stars Sounds System.
Admission to the venue is $1 000 for adults while children under the age of 12 will be allowed in free to participate in the many games and entertainment that will be available throughout the day.
Tickets are available from Poonai’s Pharmacy, A. Ally and Sons and any Banks DIH Limited outlet and will go on sale from today.
Santos, Camptown to contest GFA/Chubby U-13 final tomorrow
--- Tight race for highest goalscorer award
SANTOS and Sunburst Camptown will contest the final of the Georgetown Football Association/Chubby Under-13 Football tournament tomorrow at the Tucville ground, following victories over Flamingo and Thomas United respectively.
The final will be preceded by the third place playoff between Flamingo and Thomas United.
In the two semifinals at the same venue on Wednesday, Santos registered a 1-0 victory over Flamingo while Sunburst Camptown defeated Thomas United 3-0 on penalty kicks after the two teams were locked 0-0 at the end of regulation and extra time.
Jerome Liddle netted Santos’ winning goal in the 26th minute after the opposition’s goalkeeper spilled a save and Liddle, who was in the opposition’s penalty box, reacted immediately and finished well.
In the other semifinal, Thomas United missed all three of their penalties which were taken by Carl Griffith, Reikel Lindie and Kevin Andries while Camptown scored all three of theirs off the boots off Ozeal Small, Lezan Lord and Jason Williams
Camptown’s Azumah Small and Uprising’s Keyron Heywood lead the race for the highest goal-scorer award with six goals each, while Flamingo’s Orlando Ricketts is close up with five to his credit.
Both Azumah Small and Ricketts will be in with a chance of improving their respective tallies since they will both be in action once again tomorrow.
Should Azumah Small fail to score and Ricketts be able to find his target at least once, he (Ricketts) will share the prize for the highest goal-scorer award jointly with Azumah Small and Heywood.
On the other hand, if Azumah Small scores and Ricketts fail to do the same, then Azumah Small will be declared the winner of that award.
Camptown advanced to the final with preliminary round victories over Pele (8-0), Thomas United (2-1), and GFC (3-1) and a drawn game (1-1) against last year champions Uprising.
In the quarter-final round, the Campbellville-based team brushed aside Alpha United by a 4-1 margin before going on to beat Thomas United on penalty kicks in the semi-final round.
Santos, on the other hand, was held to a 3-3 draw by Fruta Conquerors on the opening day of the tournament, but in their next match, they beat Riddim Squad 3-1.
In their final preliminary round match they beat Renaissance 3-0 before edging GFC 2-1 in the quarter-final round and Flamingo 1-0 in their semi-final fixture.
To date Camptown have scored 18 goals and conceded four while Santos have 12 goals to their names and five against.
The lone goal that was scored in the two semifinals on Wednesday brings the tally of goals scored in the competition to 99 to date with two matches remaining (third place playoff and final).
Despite losing their title, Uprising have the distinction of being the team to score the highest number of goals so far in the competition. They have so far scored 21 goals and conceded a mere five.
They have also recorded the largest margin of victory, 10-0 versus GFC.
Dwight Yorke’s mom passes on
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) – Grace Yorke, mother of former international star Dwight Yorke, died on Wednesday night. She was 72.
Reports indicate she passed away shortly after the Trinidad & Tobago national team drew its last match against Mexico 2-2 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
According to Tim Nafziger, Yorke’s adviser, Mrs Yorke, formerly of Canaan Village in the sister isle of Tobago, took ill and was being treated in Trinidad.
She was eventually transferred to the Medical Associates Hospital in Port-of-Spain on Tuesday night, but succumbed to her illness which has not been disclosed.
At the time, Dwight Yorke was trying to source a specialist to come into the country to examine his mother.
Mrs Yorke was the mother of nine children – Brent, Clint, Garth, Gary, Juilet, Keith, Debra, Dwight, and the late Veline.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.
Ghana out to make U20 history against Brazil
By Matthew Kenyon BBC Sport, Cairo
GHANA have the chance to make history today when they take on Brazil in the final of the Under-20 World Cup.
The Black Satellites and their Nigerian counterparts have both been runners-up twice, but no African team has ever gone on to win the event.
Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh firmly believes it is time for that to change.
"Africa will win the tournament and Africa will change that trend," he said the day before the game.
"An African player has scored 8 goals at the tournament (Ghana's Dominic Adiyiah) and that has never happened before."
Standing in their way are a Brazil team who are the second most prolific goalscorers in the competition, behind Ghana.
"I look at a team holistically. I take any member of the team seriously. I don't like to pinpoint individuals," Tetteh said.
"They are wonderful, very skilful, technically sound, fast on the ball - so composed, such a high scoring side and especially a team to beat!"
The difference between the two sides is in the number of goals they concede.
Where Ghana have let in eight goals, Brazil's defence has been breached only three times in the whole tournament.
Brazil coach Rogerio says that is down to the organisation of his whole side.
"From the beginning, the main goal was to achieve balance between the whole team," he said.
"The defence is working that well because the team is balanced and working as well in other areas of the pitch."
Brazil have won this event four times, compared to their great rivals Argentina's six.
But Sellas Tetteh thinks this is the time for Africa to win for the first ever time, as the continent hosts three global tournaments in 10 months.
"It is a massive tournament, it's like the tournament is being staged in our country," he said when asked about the reaction back home in Ghana.
"Getting this far, people have a lot of focus and (today) we need to bring joy to the country and to the continent.”
Dravid dropped for Australia ODIs
RAHUL Dravid, brought in to shore up the middle-order in bowler-friendly conditions in South Africa, has been dropped for the first two ODIs against Australia, a home series expected to be played on flat tracks.
Both Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh made comebacks from their injuries, taking the place of Dinesh Karthik and Dravid
Yusuf Pathan and RP Singh - struggling for form - and Abhishek Nayar, tried only for three overs in three games, have been dropped for Ravindra Jadeja, Munaf Patel and the uncapped Sudeep Tyagi.
Ishant Sharma has been persisted with despite his struggles in the limited-overs format.
The thorniest question of the selection, though, remained Dravid. Since his comeback, he has scored 14, 47, 39, 76 and 4 in five innings; the 39 came in a crucial 95-run opening stand in the final of the tri-series in Sri Lanka.
It was expected that Sehwag and Yuvraj would replace Karthik and Virat Kohli, their original replacements, but the selectors put faith in Kohli.
RP and Yusuf have been disappointing and added to India's struggles in the last few months. RP, after his comeback in the West Indies, averaged 53.20 and gave away 5.91 runs an over. Yusuf, in his last 11 innings, reached double-figures twice, and in 30 matches overall has sent down 111.2 overs. It does not reflect his captain's faith in his bowling. The same applied for Nayar, who has been in the squad for three different series but did not score a run or take a wicket.
Jadeja, Munaf and Tyagi, their replacements, all impressed during the Irani Cup and Challenger Trophy. Jadeja's 77, scored with the lower order in company, and Munaf's five-for got Rest of India the match-winning first-innings lead in the Irani tie. Munaf was the highest wicket-taker in the Challenger Trophy, while Tyagi's five wickets came at 18 apiece and Jadeja bowled 20 overs at an economy-rate of 3.7.
India squad: MS Dhoni (capt./wkp.), Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Ashish Nehra, Munaf Patel, Sudeep Tyagi, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra. (Cricinfo)
Kenya claim vital victory in third ODI
KENYA clawed their way back into contention in their five-match series against Zimbabwe, winning the third match of the rubber by 20 runs in Harare.
Batting first, they posted a competitive 266 for 9 in their fifty overs after winning their first toss of the series, and maintained their grip on the contest despite a 142-run stand for Zimbabwe's fourth wicket between Brendan Taylor and Stuart Matsikenyeri. (Scores: 50 overs Kenya 266 for 9 (Obanda 65) beat Zimbabwe 246 (Taylor 92) by 20 runs)
Trailing 2-0 after heavy defeats in the first two games, Kenya's batting fired at the third attempt, as David Obuya and Alex Obanda produced a pair of half-centuries in a first-wicket stand of 119, before Collins Obuya and Thomas Odoyo provided the innings with vital late momentum.
Graeme Cremer, who claimed a career-best 6 for 46 in the second match, was this time dispatched at a run a ball in nine wicketless overs, although he was involved in two of Kenya's three run-outs, including Collins Obuya for 52 from the final ball of the innings.
Instead it was the left-arm spinner Ray Price who kept Zimbabwe in the reckoning with 2 for 22 in nine immaculate overs.
His wickets included Steve Tikolo for 1 and the dangerous Odoyo, who had made 28 from 22 balls when he fell to a return catch. The seldom-used medium pace of Hamilton Masakadza also proved useful to Zimbabwe, as he picked up the wickets of both openers to finish with 2 for 22 in six overs.
Zimbabwe's reply got off to an inauspicious start when the dangerous Mark Vermeulen was trapped lbw for 7 by Odoyo, who then followed up in his next over by bowling Charles Coventry for 1. Zimbabwe's batsman-of-the-series, Masakadza, responded with eight fours in a feisty 42, but Nehemiah Odhiambo bagged him early in his spell - the first of his four wickets.
From 62 for 3, however, Zimbabwe responded through a responsible partnership between Taylor and Matsikenyeri, who rotated the strike well and rebuilt their innings to such an extent that, with ten overs remaining, they were marginal favourites, needing seven an over with three wickets standing.
But Hiren Varaiya ended the stand with his left-arm spin, first by bowling Matsikenyeri for 58 from 85 balls, and he then repeated the dose in the following over to leave the more aggressive Taylor eight runs short of his maiden ODI hundred. He had produced a fine innings, with seven fours and two sixes in 109 balls, but his dismissal would prove decisive.
Elton Chigumbura tried to keep the momentum going, striking a four and a six in a 24-ball 21, but his colleagues in the lower-order couldn't cope with Odhiambo's accuracy.
With Sean Williams unable to bat through injury, the pressure was too great, and Zimbabwe were eventually dismissed with one ball of the match remaining, the contest already well out of their reach. (Cricinfo)
T&T focus on second round clash against NSW today
HYDERABAD, India (CMC) – With their sensational win over Indian Premier League giants Deccan Chargers on Wednesday now in the past, Trinidad & Tobago will focus their attention on their opening second-round clash of the Twenty20 Champions League today.
They will face the strong Australian state side New South Wales (NSW) as they eye a spot in the last four of the inaugural, cash-rich tournament.
The unfancied Caribbean side have been the surprise team in the preliminary round after pulling off two memorable wins to finish Group A unbeaten and atop the standings.
Skipper Daren Ganga said while T&T needed to win one of their two second-round games to reach the semifinals, they would not allow themselves to become complacent.
“We are in a pretty good position going into the Super Eight. With two teams from the four in our group moving on to the semis and us having carried over two points, we need to at least win one match to move on,” said the experienced Ganga.
“However, this is not the standard we set ourselves and we are going to aim at winning both games to keep the momentum going.”
T&T beat Somerset in their opening game on Monday before returning to upset Deccan Chargers to finish their preliminary round campaign on a high.
Following their clash with NSW, T&T will play Eagles from South Africa in their final second match.
“The boys have performed well and our thinking from this point is that every game is a final,” Ganga noted.
“I know that our first game will be very tough against a good NSW team but we are ready and the belief in this team is quite incredible.”
T&T were the talk of the town on Monday after they successfully defended their 149 to beat the heavily favoured Deccan Chargers.
Along with their travelling supporters, the Caribbean side celebrated late into the night while receiving congratulatory messages from back home.
Team manager Colin Borde said the players had performed beyond expectation but urged them to put their success behind them and focus on the upcoming matches.
“We were never in the minds of the locals here when this tournament started. They were talking up all the other teams but now the focus has shifted to us,” Borde pointed out.
“People have seen what the boys are capable of and all of a sudden we are title contenders. I have told the guys to keep focused on the job at hand and let’s concentrate on what is before us and forget all the hype around the tournament at this point in time.”
T&T had a light training session at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium yesterday and will hold a strategy meeting today before the 20:00 h (10:30 am Eastern Caribbean time) match.
They will face a NSW side which comprises a number of Australia players including skipper Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Hauritz, Phillip Hughes, David Warner and Stuart Clark.
TEAMS (from)
T&T – Daren Ganga (captain), Samuel Badree, Navin Stewart, Lendl Simmons, Ravi Rampaul, Denesh Ramdin, Kieron Pollard, William Perkins, Sunil Narine, Dave Mohammed, Adrian Barath, Dwayne Bravo, Darren Bravo, Rayad Emrit, Sherwin Ganga.
NSW – Simon Katich (captain), Aaron Bird, David Warner, Dominic Thornely, Steven Smith, Daniel Smith, Ben Rohrer, Steve O'Keefe, Brett Lee, Doug Bollinger, Simon Keen, Stuart Clark, Nathan Hauritz, Moises Henriques, Phillip Hughes.
Windies women post good warm-up win
STELLENBOSCH, South Africa (CMC) – West Indies Women opened their South Africa tour Wednesday with a smart warm-up win by 65 runs over a Western Province Women’s XI.
Sent to bat at Van der Stel Cricket Club, the Windies – behind an unbeaten half-century from Stafanie Taylor -- posted 214 for nine off 50 overs, and Western Province replied with 149 for nine off their 50 overs.
Taylor, a two-time West Indies Players Association (WIPA) Women’s Cricketer-of-the-Year, stroked 62 not out off 38 balls with six fours and one six.
Stacy-Ann King scored 38 off 32 balls with four boundaries and Chadean Nation 35 as Windies rallied from a poor start, losing their first two wickets – debutantes Amanda Samaroo (0) and Britney Cooper (0) -- without a run on the board.
They slipped into further trouble at 59 for five in the 34th over before Taylor led an impressive revival.
Taylor shared in a 54-run eighth-wicket stand with captain Merissa Aguilleira (25) and also added 44 for the ninth wicket with rookie Tremayne Smartt (13).
The Western Province captain Olivia Anderson top-scored with 40 in the home team’s failed run chase.
Bowling for the West Indies, new-ball bowlers Shanel Daley (2-20) and Smartt (2-36) shared four wickets and Deandra Dottin also picked two wickets, with two for 13 off five overs.
Taylor (1-7), Cordel Jack (1-9) and King (1-13) were the other wicket-takers as the Caribbean girls secured a confidence-booster ahead of today’s first One Day International (ODI) against South Africa at Boland Park.
The West Indies women will play three ODIs and three Twenty20 matches on the tour as part of preparation for the 2010 Women’s World T20 tournament in St Kitts next year.
Wicketkeeper Patrick Browne overlooked for President’s Cup
WICKETKEEPER Patrick Browne has been overlooked by Barbados cricket selectors. Browne, who played five One-Day Internationals for the West Indies last year and averaged 33.50 as a batsman, is not in the 14-man Barbados squad announced on Monday for the WICB President's Cup in Guyana from October 28 to November 5.
The selectors instead opted for the big-hitting Carlo Morris of TeleBarbados Carlton to perform duties behind the stumps. Browne was also dropped from the first-class team earlier this year, one short of the record for the most dismissals in the season.
West Indies opener Dale Richards, who suffered a shoulder injury during the Champions Trophy in South Africa, is also missing from the line-up.
With Richards out, Wanderers' attacking left-hander Martin Nurse has earned a recall. Stylish Spartan 19-year-old right-handed opener Rashidi Boucher has also been rewarded for his consistent batting since returning home from a brief stint in England.
Fidel Edwards and Dwayne Smith, who are in India playing in the Champions League, have both been selected as well as West Indies pacers Tino Best and Kemar Roach.
But, surprisingly, Police all-rounder Antonio Mayers, who has been enjoying an outstanding domestic season and also performed creditably in the trials, has been excluded.
Leg-spinner Nikolai Charles joins six-footer Sulieman Benn and batting all-rounder Ryan Hinds, who is tipped to be captain, as the three spinners in the side.
The squad would also participate in a fund-raising tournament, organised by the Guyana Cricket Board from October 21 to 24.
Squad: Sulieman Benn, Tino Best, Rashidi Boucher, Jonathan Carter, Nikolai Charles, Fidel Edwards, Kirk Edwards, Ryan Hinds, Alcindo Holder, Carlo Morris, Martin Nurse, Kemar Roach, Dwayne Smith, Kevin Stoute. (Barbados Nation)
Baveghems strikes gold on debut for Guyana
By Calvin Roberts
“FOR the first time in the sport of martial arts, I felt extremely happy when I won for myself and my country gold in my debut international tournament.”
Those were the words of 28-year-old City policeman and 5th degree black belt holder Quacy Baveghems who competed in the just concluded International Pan Caribbean Martial Arts championships, held at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre in Trinidad and Tobago, where he won for himself a gold medal and silver in the weapons category.
“It has been 17 years since I have been studying the sport of martial arts and to achieve such success on debut is great, especially when you look at the way I entered the championships, which was on an invitation from Sensei Troy Babb,” said Baveghems.
He continued to state, “This success came through the confidence I was brimming with when given the invitation by Sensei Babb and I want to share it not only with myself, but with the people in the City of Georgetown and Guyana in the whole.”
Baveghems who is the master instructor of a martial arts school which is located in Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, will be the guest of honour at a special function organised by the Mayor and City Constabulary of Georgetown this afternoon at City Hall.
He would like to express his heartfelt gratitude to the following sponsors, without whom his trip to the championships would not have been possible.
These are: P&P Insurance, Gizmos and Gadgets, the Gift Centre, Best Buy Pharmacy, 2J’s General Store, Tasha’s Intimate Bath and Body Store, Fantasy Import, Roti Hut Express, Wireless Connections, N&S Mattai Supermarket, Scott’s Jewellery, D&S Ramdehol and Sons and ADL Supermarket.
Six karatekas who studied the sport at the Harpy Eagles Martial Arts School under the supervision of Sensei Babb, represented Guyana at the championships and came away with 20 medals which included 10 gold, six silver and four bronze, with Sensei Babb picking up three of the gold medals won.
Trescothick flies home from India
SOMERSET'S Marcus Trescothick has had to fly home from the Champions League Twenty20 in India after a recurrence of his stress-related illness.
The former England opener, 33, will play no further part in the event where Somerset have reached the second phase.
"Marcus has made a great effort to travel to India," said Somerset director of cricket Brian Rose.
"Regrettably it has not worked out for him and he has travelled back to England to rejoin his family."
Rose added in a statement on the club website: "The club and all his team-mates have fully appreciated this effort and personal commitment and look forward to further success on his behalf."
Trescothick, who will captain Somerset next season, scored 17 runs in his two innings in the tournament as his side beat Deccan Chargers and lost to Trinidad & Tobago in qualifying for the next phase.
But his participation in the event was always the subject of some conjecture, given his medical history and experiences on England tours.
Struggles with depression forced him to return home early from two England tours - the first to India in February 2006, and then to Australia in November that year - after making what proved to be his final England appearance in September.
After he then collapsed at Heathrow Airport in March 2008 while waiting to fly out with Somerset for a pre-season tour to the United Arab Emirates, he formally announced his retirement from international cricket.
Later that year, while being interviewed on the BBC's Test Match Special as his autobiography Coming Back To Me was launched, Keynsham-born Trescothick revealed that he had suffered anxiety attacks since the age of 10.
Although England have struggled to find an aggressive opening batsman for limited-overs cricket since his retirement, Trescothick has twice rejected appeals by successive England captains Kevin Pietersen and Andrew Strauss to come out of his self-imposed international exile.
"I know in my heart that the dangers to my health of committing myself to all that goes with international cricket off the field are just too great," he said after turning down the chance to play in this year's ICC World Twenty20 tournament.
He enjoyed a marvellous 2009 county season with Somerset, scoring nearly 3 000 runs in all competitions and being named as the Professional Cricketers' Association's player-of-the-year and most valuable player-of-the-year.
With Somerset having qualified for the Champions League in India as losing finalists in the domestic Twenty20 Cup, he admitted that his decision to tour abroad for the first time in three years was a risk.
"I know the risk and I know what happens when it goes wrong," he told BBC World Service.
"I can only try. It's a big competition for the players and for the club. I have got to try and make it happen."
Professional Cricketers' Association chairman Vikram Solanki said his organisation would provide any support Trescothick required.
"I hope he is now back with his family, where he is comfortable, and I wish him well for a speedy recovery," the Worcestershire skipper, who played alongside Trescothick for England in one-day cricket, told BBC Radio 5 live.
"He's very much a team man and Somerset is in his heart. He would have done his best for Somerset but unfortunately it's not worked out.
"Whatever help he might require, the PCA will be very willing to help, to provide assistance when it is needed.
"It's just a question of what sort of help Marcus requires. There is quite clearly a provision for counselling if that is what is needed. Certainly there is always someone on the end of the phone.
"We're a pretty close-knit unit around county cricket and I'm sure there will be no shortage of people on hand to help if he so required.” (BBC Sport)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOP | HOME | NEWS | EDITORIAL | FEATURES | COURTS | LETTERS | SPORTS | CONTACT
|
white space |
