2015 7 29

GUYANA No. 104265

WEDNESDAY JULY 29, 2015 Page

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The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

PRICE: $80

INCLUDING VAT

Westford

to face criminal

Dr Jennifer Westford

charges

FFTP commissions $10M nursery school at Kairuni

Former Top Cop McDonald shuts down questions

Page

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…on claims GPF provided guns to ‘death squad’ Page

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The newly commissioned nursery school at Kairuni

Final submissions made to Rodney Commission – Ram, Ramotar decry abrupt end Page 9 – as WPA joins call for extension of hearings

Floyd McDonald

Kuru Kuru 10 Training Centre commences recruitment Page

Dr Walter Rodney

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

DPP gives ‘go ahead’ to Police…

Westford to face criminal charges – in scam to transfer State vehicles AFTER a few trips between the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force and the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), a decision has been arrived at by the DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack to lay criminal charges against former Public Service Minister under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, Dr. Jennifer Westford, and her personnel officer.

The Police received the advice yesterday and this was confirmed by the DPP

chambers when contacted by this publication.

The former Government Minister is to be charged criminally for attempting, along with the personnel officer (PO) in the Public Service Ministry at the time, to transfer a number of luxury vehicles which belong to the State and which were being used by the Ministry up to the time that her party lost the May 11 elections.

From all indications, the illegal paperwork for the transfers began in the lead up to the transition period and the plot was uncov-

Former Government Minister Dr Jennifer Westford

ered by persons within the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), who saw documents which appeared to be faked and contacted Permanent Secretary in the Public Service Ministry, Hydar Ally, who is also a member of the People’s Progressive Party.

Ally’s signature appeared on the documents and when asked for additional information, Ally indicated that he knew nothing of a move to transfer vehicles and as such, immediately contacted the Ministry of the Presidency, where the information was passed on to Minister of State Joseph Harmon.

The matter had also engaged the attention of the PPP/C as confirmed by its General Secretary Clement Rohee, who said that the party had advised the former Government Minister of the party’s position in relation to the matter and the course of action she needed to take.

Shortly after the vehicles which were being transferred and which were already in possession of the former Minister and her associates were returned to the Government of Guyana.

Dr Westford and her for-

mer staff are expected to appear in court before the week is through, providing investigators are able to put all their relevant documents in order to be presented to the court.

The eight vehicles which were all going to be transferred to persons in a fraudulent manner were to be re-registered in the names of the former Minister ’s spouse, Gary Beaton, who heads the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard; Osbert McPherson, Wayne Walker and Delroy Lewis.

The letter, which was prepared almost one month before the last election, was sent to the GRA to effect the transfers two days after President David Granger was officially sworn in as the new President and it was signed by the Personnel Officer Margaret Cummings for Hydar Ally, the permanent

secretary.

According to information which surfaced when the ‘scam’ unravelled, receipts were prepared and back-dated to make it appear as if monies had been collected for sale of the vehicles, when in fact that never happened.

Yesterday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum was not available to confirm to this publication what were the exact charges recommended by the DPP against the former Government Minister and the personnel officer.

Additionally, there was no forthcoming information on if any other persons apart from the two were named as individuals who could face charges for the attempt to have the vehicles transferred to them in what most people are considering an outright fraud.

(Leroy Smith)

Public-spirited citizens help foil armed robbery SWIFT action by members of the public, more so, residents of Melanie Damisha-

na on the East Coast of Demerara, saw the recovery of stolen cash, a cellphone and an unlicensed firearm after they pursued a bandit following a daring daylight armed robbery yesterday.

The police reported that around 13:40 hrs on July 28, 2015, at Melanie Damishana Public Road, Bibi Zalifa Bacchus, 36, of Nootenzuil, also on the East Coast, was robbed of $200,000 in cash

and a cellphone by a man armed with a handgun.

Investigations revealed that Bacchus was in a motor vehicle that had sustained a puncture and the suspect held her up and demanded the articles, which she handed over and the bandit escaped on a bicycle.

However, in his haste to escape, the suspect was struck down by a motor car and the stolen money and the

firearm fell on the roadway.

The robber abandoned the booty as public-spirited persons responded. He joined a motorcar that is believed to have been driven by an accomplice and escaped.

The stolen money and the firearm, a .32 revolver with four rounds, and the bicycle have been recovered and they were handed over to the police by residents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Former Top Cop McDonald shuts down questions …on claims GPF provided guns to ‘death squad’

By Leroy Smith RETIRED acting Commissioner of Police, Floyd McDonald, who was heading the Guyana Police Force at the time that ‘death squads’ were in their prime is not entertaining any questions pertaining to that period.

In interviews conducted with TV journalist Travis Chase, self-confessed death squad member and former policeman, Sean Hinds, admitted his involvement in the underworld and disclosed that he was issued weapons from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to carry out death squad activities.

The Guyana Chronicle

yesterday sought a comment from the former Top Cop to no avail as he wasted no time in slamming the phone down after this publication was identified.

McDonald was the acting Police Commissioner when Ronald Gajraj was the Minister of Home Affairs. McDonald was never confirmed and retired from the Force as acting Police Commissioner.

Hinds, in his recent revealing TV interview, indirectly stated that Gajraj was at the time the person ‘very high up’ who was issuing instructions to the death squad and those instructions were being passed on to certain members of the Guyana Police Force who re-

Retired Acting Commissioner of Police Floyd McDonald

Self-professed death squad member, Sean Hinds

layed those instructions to him (Hinds) and other persons.

REFUSE TO COMMENT When this newspaper di-

alled 226-4444, Ext 250, a male answered the phone and this reporter requested to speak with Mr Floyd McDonald and the person responded that it was him.

When he was informed that the call was coming from the Guyana Chronicle the person immediately slammed the phone down.

Several calls were again placed to the number but the person on the other end of the line was not responding.

When this publication sought to place the call through the operator, it was directed to several other departments except the office of McDonald.

Hinds has since named several influential persons as having been directly or

indirectly involved in the operations of the death squad, including a former Assistant Commissioner of Police and junior police ranks back then.

Police sources have indicated to this newspaper that for charges to be laid against anyone who Hinds would have named as being part of the death squad operations, he will need to provide the police with a statement indicating what he knows.

Yesterday the police issued a statement stating that Hinds was in their custody but was not cooperating with them. He only informed them that he had nothing to say after they posed several questions to him, following the advice of his lawyer.

Police hunt duo wanted Enough not being done prosecute wrongdoers in connection with sex –toMinister Greenidge worker’s death

‘FATALLY SHOT’: Noel Luther

WANTED: Kanand Ojha

WANTED: Ron Forde

RON ‘Andel’ Forde and Kanand Ojha, for whom the police have issued wanted bulletins in connection with the shooting death of transgender sex worker Noel Luther, aka ‘Nephi’, have not made themselves available to the police, and are still actively being sought for questioning in relation to his murder.

Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that even before the wanted bulletin had been issued for the duo, the police had failed

to locate them despite several visits to their places of abode.

He said the police will continue to look for the suspects until they are found.

Twenty-year-old Noel Luther of D’Urban Street, Wortmanville was gunned down by one of two men, on Wednesday last at about 02:35 hrs, while plying his trade in the downtown area of Carmichael Street in Georgetown. He was shot once to the chest when confronted by the duo during an argument over a paid transaction.

Reports are that a male client had earlier visited the transgender sex worker for a paid sexual encounter, but was apparently not satisfied with the services he had received, and had returned to Luther.

Not being pleased with the response, the client returned with another man, who reportedly shot Luther dead before fleeing the scene in a sports utility vehicle.

Luther was conveyed to the GPHC, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. (Michel Outridge)

FOREIGN Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge has said that everyone should be subject to the law, noting that one just cannot be prosecuting the poor or those who are not well-positioned and letting off their peers.

The Vice-President and Foreign Affairs Minister made the remarks on Sunday in an interview on radio programme, ‘Hard Talk’, broadcast on 90.1 Love FM. Making reference to officials of the former P e o p l e ’s P r o g r e s s i v e Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration, Greenidge said a number of alleged wrongdoers have not been charged and indicted as yet.

“The public is tired of hearing stories of wrong doings committed by Government officials under the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration,” he said.

Criticising the prosecution service, the Minister

opined that the relevant authorities are not doing their work assiduously enough but have been giving all sorts of advice leading to non-prosecution.

“There is an intention to prosecute them but the problem I think has to do with…the evidence and the loss, misplacement of evidence, including the unwillingness of some people to speak but also the weaknesses of the system,” Greenidge explained.

The Vice-President also pointed out the lack of capacity of the Guyana Police Force and other agencies to effectively investigate and prosecute.

“The point that we’ve been making before the election is that everyone should be subject to the law. You just can’t be prosecuting the poor or those who are not well positioned and letting off your peers, those you are socially equal to or those you went to school (with).

“And I hope not withstanding what it appears may have happened so far that that is not a hallmark of what is to unfold in fu-

Vice-President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge

ture. I think there is a lot of pressure on the relevant Ministers to ensure that people are prosecuted.”

He made it clear that he too has been approached by members of the public, who have expressed the desire to see some Government officials behind bars.

“I keep getting approached, saying look we’re not interested in hearing all those stories you have to tell, lock up some people. If they’ve done wrong, lock them up otherwise shut up.”

(Navendra Seoraj)

Former Indian President Abdul Kalam passes on

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FORMER Indian President Dr Abdul Kalam has died at a hospital after collapsing while delivering a lecture in north-eastern India.

Kalam passed away on Monday night, according to B Warjri, Chief Secretary of Meghalaya state. He was 83.

Local media said he had been delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management in Shillong when he collapsed and suffered cardiac arrest. Al Jazeera reported that Dr Kalam was rushed to the Bethany Hospital where he breathed his last breath.

The President of India from 2002 until 2007, Dr Kalam was known as the father of the country’s military missile programme.

Tributes immediately started to pour in for Kalam, with politicians and celebrities praising him.

The Indian Former Indian President, High Commission Dr Abdul Kalam in Georgetown in a statement yesterday announced with sorrow the passing away of the former President.

Dr Kalam was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu on October 15, 1931 and raised there.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

According to the release, he studied physics and aerospace engineering and was one of the most eminent scientists of the country. Dr Kalam took the lead for the conduct of lndia’s nuclear tests in 1998.

For his achievements, he was awarded the coveted lndian civilian awards -- Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and the highest civilian award Bharat Ratna (1997).

He led many pioneering programmes such as the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Satellite Launch programme and the country’s Guided Missile programme.

POPULAR WITH CHILDREN Dr Kalam was Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister of lndia from July 1992 to July 1997. A bachelor, he was very popular with children and young people, the statement from the Indian High Commission said.

Dr Kalam served as 11th President of lndia from July 2002 to July 2007 and was widely acclaimed as the “people’s President.”

As a mark of respect to the departed leader, a Book of Condolence will be opened at the premises of the High Commission of lndia on July 30 from 10:00-12:00 hrs and on July 31 from 14:00-16:00 hrs.

DEEPLY SADDENED Meanwhile, the Indian Arrival Committee (IAC) said it is deeply saddened by the death of the 11th President of the biggest democracy of the world, India.

The IAC, in a statement said it has always recognised the selfless contribution that Dr Kalam has made towards the development and sustainability of India in the fields of science, religion, education and culture.

“He was able to successfully influence the minds of scores of Indians who deeply admired and took note of his words of advice,” the IAC said.

Dr Kalam served as Professor at Anna University in Chennai from November 2001 and was involved in teaching and research tasks.

“Above all, one must also acknowledge the mission he took up to ignite the young minds for national development by meeting high school students across the country and which has seemingly been successful over the years,” he statement said.

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Apart from that, the IAC also recognises the immense contributions that Dr Kalam has made towards India’s first indigenous Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III), development of the Indigenous Guided Missiles at the Defence Research and development organisation, among others.

TREMENDOUS BLOW The IAC believes that given the many challenges today, the loss of Dr Kalam is a tremendous blow to the efforts to preserve and develop the Indian culture.

“With his death, India has lost an icon, a stalwart and a patriot,” the IAC stated.

As a well-rounded individual, Dr Kalam has provided pertinent information to many which has aided in the understanding of life’s basic challenges.

In his literary pursuit, four of his books – ‘Wings of Fire’, ‘India 2020 - A Vision for the New Millennium’, ‘My journey’ and ‘Ignited Minds - Unleashing the power within India’ have become household names in India and among the Indian nationals abroad and which will remain over time as a reference for future generations.

“The IAC takes this opportunity to extend its sincere condolences to the relatives, friends and colleagues of Dr Abdul Kalam in this time of sorrow. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” the statement concluded.

Teen on $70,000 bail for alleged break-andenter and burglary SEVENTEEN-year-oldDelroy DaSilva, a welder of Lot 862 Pattensen, Greater Georgetown, appeared on Monday before City Magistrate Ann McLennan, accused of break-and-enter and larceny committed on the Lot R, Bent Street, Georgetown home of Balinda Mustafa on July 7 last.

He stole one gold earring worth $85,000 and cash

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amounting to $20,000.

DaSilva denied the charge and was released on $70,000 bail because Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones did not oppose bail although he indicated to the court that the allegedly stolen items were not recovered.

The matter was postponed to August 7, for report.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Region 2 moves to Defence for businessman Sanjay Persaud files make road shoulders constitutional motion obstacle-free

THE Region Two Democratic Council has approved a proposal for notices to be sent to persons asking that they desist from illegally park-

Councillor Naithram speaking at the RDC meeting in Anna Regina, yesterday

ing their vehicles on, or occupying the shoulders of the main Essequibo Coast public road.

Region 2 Chairman, Mr Devanand Ramdatt, sought the approval of the Councillors for the notices to be sent after the governing APNU/AFC Coalition Councillor Mr Naithram raised the issue of parking illegally on the road shoulders.

Mr Naithram told the RDC meeting that he had raised the matter several times at statutory meetings. He said a businessman of Anna Regina continues to park his trucks on the road shoulders, and the matter needs to be addressed urgently, because serious accidents

The Essequibo Coast roadway at Anna Regina

involving the loss of lives can occur.

PPP/C Councillor Mr

RDC Councillor Basil Bryan Persaud Basil Bryan Persaud also called for the road shoulders to be cleared of all obstacles, including illegal stalls, sheds, earth, sand, lumber, black ash, paddy husk, garbage and derelict vehicles.

Persaud said many persons are also using the road shoulders to plant gardens. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

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––in causing death by dangerous driving case

BUSINESSMAN Bishnarine ‘Sanjay’ Persaud, owner of Sanjay’s Jewellery World and of 26 Sheriff Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, was yesterday expected to appear before City Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

He caused the death of Mayor and City Council (M&CC) employee, Leon Hunte, 55, of Stone Avenue, Blygezeight, Georgetown.

The accident occurred on September 10, 2014 at Newtown, Kitty Georgetown, when Persaud was alleged to have driven a sports car, PKK 5501, in a manner dangerous to the public.

The matter had been set for defence yesterday, but in the morning session of the court, Defence Counsel Mr Glen Hanoman asked for an adjournment of the matter until Thursday, July 30.

Magistrate Latchman, however, granted the defence an adjournment only until 15:30 hrs yesterday. She had intended for the defendant to choose from three options: give a sworn statement, give an unsworn statement, or re-

main silent.

Persaud did not appear in the afternoon session of the court, and his attorney, Mr Glenn Hanoman, informed the court that a motion has

Businessman Bishnarine ‘Sanjay’ Persaud been filed before acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, contending that, “under Article 144 (C), the defendant shall be given adequate time and facilities

for preparation of his defence”.

Hanoman contended that the time given to his client was very unconstitutional.

The case was consequently adjourned to September 30.

Forty-year-old Persaud had pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving on his first court appearance in September of last year, and was granted bail in the sum of $1.5 million.

The prosecution is being led by Police Inspector Vishnu Hunt, operating from the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The prosecution’s case is that, at about 11:15 pm, Persaud was driving east along Lamaha Street at a fast rate of speed when he collided with Hunte, who was riding a pedal cycle in the same direction. Hunte was pitched some distance away.(Geeta Rampersaud)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

EDITORIAL

Guyana

Fifty years of Independence - how have we done?

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EXT year Guyana would be celebrating 50 years as an independent nation. Our sister CARICOM nation, Barbados, also celebrates its 50th anniversary. These two Caribbean countries followed Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago who celebrated their 50th anniversaries four years ago. So the Caribbean is 50 years old. While we are young nations, we are no longer children. In some respects we have grown up.

The last 50 years can be described as the transition period. But our transition from plantation to nation was full of challenges. When we became independence in the turbulent 1960s the world was a different place. The raging Cold War meant that independence was not as straightforward as it seemed.

The primary challenge for the Region, therefore, was how to create new nations out of the sordid legacy of slavery and colonialism -- how to create a national economy that responded first and foremost to the needs of the Caribbean peoples? How to create nations that reflect the identity of their peoples rather than that of their former masters?

How to create a political democracy out of a political history and culture that were authoritarian in nature? How to transform a Region of poverty into a Region of opportunity and material advancement?

The new leaders, armed with very little experience in political governance, were challenged to fashion a democratic form of governance out of fragile institutions and a less than democratic political culture. The withdrawing rulers left a political order

whose democratic form masked a less than democratic content. In this regard, the Caribbean leaderships were challenged to maintain not only the integrity of whatever democratic forms they inherited from the British, but also to upgrade them with the aim of confronting and overcoming the endemic inequalities left behind by colonialism.

They were also challenged to balance the competing demands of the two dominant groups in the society - the middle class, including the economic elite, and the working poor. The latter group, which had fuelled the anti-colonial rebellion, had definite expectations of the new political order in terms of their own material and social well-being.

It was also expected that the alliance with the middle classes, so pivotal to the success of the independence move-

ment, would continue in the post-colonial era, leading to a society in which the working class would be brought into the mainstream of the independent nations.

So, given those challenges, how have we in Guyana done these past 50 years? We have had our own peculiar challenges, courtesy of our plural nature. As we move into the next half century, it is a good time to take stock of our independence. It is important that we do a thorough examination of the last 50 years to determine what we did right and where we went wrong. We owe it to ourselves, particularly the younger generations whose task it would be to see us through the next period. In this regard, a series of 50-50 conversations at all levels of our society is very much in order.

Stop trespassing on City Council reserves, properties THE Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown are extremely perturbed over the increasing number of individuals who have been taking over our alleyways, reserves, thoroughfares and other open spaces.

These areas are collectively owned by all citizens of Georgetown. No one should have exclusive rights to these facilities without the consideration and fiat of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown – the competent authority to address such matters.

Also, the Mayor and City Council has noticed that a number of leases of its re-

serves have expired, but those concerned are still occupying those reserves.

The Council wishes to inform those involved that it has put on hold the review of all such leases for the following reasons:1] Many of these leases are not used or are under-utilised by lessees 2] Many of those areas and reserves leased to individuals are over-grown with long grass and bushes and provide seclusion for those who are intent on criminal activities.

3] Contracts drawn up to lease such reserves were done in an unfavourable and disadvantageous manner to the Council; the

Council benefits little or nothing at all from such leases.

The Office of the Town Clerk is in the process of doing an analysis and preparing a comprehensive and full report on the way forward in this area of Council’s responsibility.

In the meantime, we expect those whose leases have expired to desist from trespassing on Council’s reserves and properties and to seek an audience with the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown. Also, we expect those whose leases are still in force, particularly along our waterfronts and

high commercial areas to ensure that they pay all monies owed the Council forthwith.

Those who neglect to pay fees for leases and other facilities will have those leases revoked by the Mayor and City Council.

Again, all those who have taken personal control of our parapets and our alleyways are asked one final time to release those leases back to the portfolio of the Mayor and City Council.

ROYSTON KING Town Clerk City of Georgetown

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Fruit safety and quality-artificial ripening IT is apparent that, based on my informal research over the last four (4) years, artificial fruit ripening is being practised by many of our fruit vendors and/or farmers.

Bananas, mangoes, papayas and pineapples are the common targets, but other fruits and vegetables may be involved as well. One of the tell-tale signs of artificially ripened fruits is usually an unblemished

outward appearance, but when peeled green, raw tissue is found inside. Also, in the case of bananas, the skin does not separate easily from the pulp as would happen with a naturally ripened fruit.

There are many ripening agents such as calcium carbide, acetylene, ethylene, propylene, ethrel, glycol, ethanol and others. I do not know which of these is used locally, but research worldwide has shown that calcium

carbide is commonly used in the process, due to its low cost, availability and minimal technical-knowledge requirement. However, calcium carbide is known to be highly carcinogenic and also causes food poisoning, gastric irritation and other health problems.

For this reason, many countries have either restricted or banned the use of this agent.

Perhaps the local authorities have the necessary oversight measures in place to

monitor and regulate this relatively new practice, so that it does not pose a public-health hazard, now or in the future. If so, I am of the opinion that this information should be made widely available as a public service, and if not, then something must be done to provide the public with the assurance that this practice is safe.

DERICK A. LOWE

Implement policies to support community policing, not disable them THE Minister of Public Security has (reportedly) taken all vehicles from Community Policing Groups (CPGs) across the country, and has given them to the Guyana Police Force.

The Government’s reason for doing that is to equip the Police Force with more resources to reduce crime in Guyana.

Community policing had always been a policy for the PPP Government; community

policing helps to prevent crime, builds social capital and leadership in the community.

According to criminologist David Garland, “This network of partnership arrangements and inter-agency working agreements is designed to foster crime prevention and enhance community safety primarily through the cultivation of the community involvement and the dissemination of crime- prevention ideas and practice.”

Community policing, as a policy, helps to fight crime beyond the traditional police-driven agenda for crime prevention.

Community policing has been associated with more apparitional claims to both generate greater participation, and possibly leadership, from all the sections of the community in crime prevention, and in targeting social harms from sources other than just those classifiable as “Crimes.”

Community policing across Guyana has

encouraged ‘Communitarian’ and ‘social capital’’ oriented ambition of replacing fearful, insecure communities with ‘responsibilised’ safe and secure ones.

The Government of Guyana needs to implement policies to support more active community policing, rather than disable them.

SARA KHAN

Social Cohesion Minister lauded for professionalism PLEASE allow me space in your column to recognise the professionalism displayed by the Hon. Amna Ally, M.P, Minister of Social Cohesion.

The Ministry of Social Cohesion had a regional consultation on social cohesion at the Belladrum Primary

School, West Coast Berbice on July 25, 2015. During the interactive session at the consultation, residents raised issues affecting their communities, and were beginning to point fingers at public officers. The Minister very quickly set the code of conduct by not allowing

persons to blame, ridicule, degrade, or humiliate any public officer - in public.

The Minister told residents: “Let us deal with the problem and the systems, not public officers.”

This kind of professionalism is most welcome by public officers. I will en-

courage others to follow the same line of approach.

GOVIND SINGH Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Region#5

High rates of taxation fuel corruption AS part of considerations for the national budget, I submit that the high rates of taxation in its various forms invite and ultimately fuel corruption. Consequently, the evasion of taxes enables a parallel economy which, in Guyana’s case, is perhaps as large as the legal economy. I highlight the evasion of duties through the Customs and Trade Administration of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) with one category - vehicles.

A compromise was reached with importers of motor vehicles that were four years or older when the previous Administration received many complaints about under-invoicing.

Thus, the “flat” rate was introduced for those older vehicles. The result was that older, higher-maintenance vehicles were forced upon Guyanese at considerably high final costs; in many cases 100% of the CIF value.

For example, a 1500cc 2002 Toyota Al-

lion motor car with a CIF value of US$5,000 attracts import tax of an additional US$5,000 and in the dealer’s case, plus VAT. So, a 13-year-old vehicle is sold in Guyana for more than 100% of its imported value.

The ordinary citizen is forced to accept that because the alternative to purchasing a newer vehicle is even more ridiculously taxed.

However, the elite among the population, most notably politicians, re-migrants, embassies and the politically connected have found ways of inducing the Remissions Unit of the GRA to import the said vehicles, duty- free.

All are fully aware of the market value of the heavily taxed vehicles so they work the system within the GRA. Politicians and other public servants “sell” their duty-free vehicles.

Even “legitimate” importers such as embassies realise the windfall when they sell their five-year-old, enclosed 4X4s for more than double the original imported cost.

The ambitious but lesser mortals are

however forced to grease the wheel to gain access to their own duty-free vehicles. They use money from unreported income to do so, because the alternative of using legal incomes would be self-incriminating. The recipients of the inducements themselves cannot report that income and so the parallel economy thrives.

I recommend to the Minister of Finance that all vehicle import taxes be reduced to no more than 20%, regardless of year and to require higher licence fees for the larger cubic capacity engines vehicles. In doing so the Minister would be putting an end to the corruption that accompanies high taxes on vehicles.

Legitimate importers would then have the benefit of the tax deduction for his “luxury” vehicle, instead of having to find financially creative ways to obtain the duty-free which becomes part of an illegal economy.

In closing, the example of a 2015 Toyota

Land Cruiser, 3000cc, imported legitimately at the cost of US$75,000 with a 20% tax rate will earn the country US$15,000.

In the current system it would earn a oneoff US$185,000 (app). That would be wonderful if it ever occurs. Over the past 20 years I dare say that no one would have imported any passenger vehicle over 3,000cc without a duty-free letter.

Yet, anyone that looks around the country can find hundreds of those new models higher cc vehicles. The Rolls Royces, Bentleys and Aston Martins were not imported by the embassies. So, if the applicable import tax wasn’t paid, how are they licensed? In the example, if the Minister of Finance were to increase the licence fee to US$2,500, over 10 years, the country would earn 15,000+10x2500=$40,000 instead of 0 that the current corrupt system gives.

S. PERSAUD

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

FFTP commissions $10M nursery school at Kairuni

By Ravin Singh THRIVING off the fact that education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world, Food For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana Inc. yesterday promoted the advancement of education in the village of Kairuni, on the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway, by commissioning a nursery school to the tune of Gy$10M. The project, which was embarked upon in November 2014, had been the realisation of intense lobbying by headmistress, Cynthia Dejonge.

Designed to accom modate 18 students at the nursery level, the structure comprises three washrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and multiple sections of playing and learning rooms. But not limited to indoor activities, the beautifully fenced Kairuni Nursery school possesses adequate yard space, covered in pearl-white sand.

The project comes just one year after FFTP Guyana erected 40 houses in the village of Whitewater for 40 families, through the “Whitewater Community Development Project.”

That project had been made possible through the generous donations of Chuck Stoner, a U.S. citizen and his family through Food For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana, and their Miami and Toronto chapters.

But according to Kent Vincent, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FFTP Guyana, following the successful completion of the Whitewater Community Development Project, Stoner had visited Kairuni and was greeted by Dejonge, who requested his assistance in rehabilitating and extending the school’s structure which had been in a deplorable state.

Consideration was then given in this regard, and Stoner refused to rehabilitate or extend the building, offering rather that a new school be built. But this was nothing new to the Stoner family, Vincent said yesterday, adding that through the support of FFTP Guyana, attempts are made to undertake projects that will benefit communities, more specifically through education.

Highlighting that, “Education is the key to maturity and development for Guyanese,” the CEO noted that Guyana has benefited greatly from the Stoner family and their contributions to development across the country.

To this end, the Ministry

of Education (MoE) was acknowledged for their “instrumental” role in providing channels for the establishment of the school.

In the absence of Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, who was at Cabinet, Deputy Chief Education Officer (DCEO) at the MoE, Donna Chapman, who delivered the feature address, was keen to note that the school which has been in existence for over 18 years has been a symbol of a community with rich history.

She related to the gathering of a few hundred that the occasion was a momentous one, which demonstrates the “dedication and cooperation” of people of the community.

The DCEO stressed the importance of the support of parents in the academic aspect of their child’s life, noting that learning is not limited to a school environment.

“Parents must be a part of [the] education process and keep in contact with teachers.

Teachers must never give up, although teaching is a tough job. I want to urge the teachers and children to make good use of this school…

Education is the key to the future and it is the future of any nation. This school is more than just a new building,” she said, adding that teachers must now ensure that the curriculum is delivered effectively.

Afforded the opportunity to guide listeners through the series of events which lead up to yesterday’s commissioning of the new nursery school, Head Mistress of the institution, Cynthia Dejonge, explained how her misinterpretation of the Head Mistress’ position, which was advertised and listed in Region 4, lead to her having to move from Plaisance, on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) to the Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

But after she was informed where the school was located, she requested of her husband that they move to the mining town of Linden, to which he agreed.

After being exposed to the conditions which existed at the educational institution, she detailed her request to Stoner to assist in rehabilitating the school.

Instead, an unexpected move lead to the commissioning of a new structure, which now sits at the centre of the village and currently facilitates approximately nine students. The old structure, with some rehabilitative work, was presented to Dejonge and her family, to reduce her burden

DCEO at the Ministry of Education, Donna Chapman, urges parents to play a more integral role in their children’s development

of having to travel from Linden on a daily basis.

Throughout the day’s proceedings, God had been acknowledged by all agencies and institutions for his role in steering positive minds which aims to support development across the country.

Hearts were even blessed through musical renditions by the nursery students, who are still in the phase of learning to pronounce words. A dramatic presentation which bore testimony to the hard work done by three females sought to highlight the importance of education in today’s society, even as challenges in the school system arise.

Following this, tokens of appreciation were presented by the community leader to those who spearheaded the successful completion of the project. The formal aspect of the event then ended with the handing over of the keys, the traditional cutting of the ribbon to officially open the school and a general tour of the facility.

Also present at the event

Kent Vincent, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FFTP Guyana during the delivery of his remarks at yesterday’s commissioning of the nursery school (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

Mr Kent Vincent looks on as pupils enjoy the learning materials provided by FFTP Guyana in the newly commissioned school

to offer their support and kind words of appreciation were Chairman of the Board of Directors, FFTP

Guyana, Paul Chan-A-Sue; Regional Chairman of Region 4, Genevieve Allen; Regional Executive Officer

(ag), Ameena Hinds; and Project Manager FFTP Guyana, Susan James Casserly.

Because ‘Thank you’ goes a far way! Pupils hold their ‘Thank You’ acrostic cards as their headmistress delivered her remarks yesterday

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Final submissions made to Walter Rodney Commission

– Ram, Ramotar decry abrupt end – as WPA joins call for extension of hearings

By Derwayne Wills THE Working People’s Alliance (WPA) represented in the recently-concluded Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry has joined in the petition currently before the body’s Commissioners for an extension into the proceedings, allowing for more hearings from crucial witnesses.

At yesterday’s final sitting of the Commission at the Supreme Court, Counsel representing the WPA, Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram, said, on behalf of his client, that while the entity recognises the right of the new Government to bring the Commission to an end, “there is nothing more that can render this exercise a waste of public resources than an inconclusive finding by this Commission”.

“The WPA,” he continued, “does not encourage or condone the waste of public resources, but it will be a sad day when democracy, the search for truth, and the opportunity for hearing and reconciliation are measured only in dollars and cents”.

The Rodney Commission commenced hearings in 2013 under then President Ramotar. Both the WPA and the People’s National Congress (PNC) parties were represented through the Commission’s 60+ days of hearing.

The WPA and the PNC are currently parties within the APNU bloc of the new coalition Government.

Rodney had been the leader of the WPA at the time of his death, during which PNC founder Forbes Burnham was Prime Minister.

Since coming to power after the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the coalition Government had uncovered what has been deemed excessive spending, and cited this as justification for discontinuation of the Rodney CoI. Former President Donald Ramotar has come out against the decision of the David Granger Administration to end the inquiry into the death of the renowned Guyanese Historian and leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).

Mr Ramotar and his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government were defeated at the May 11 polls, which saw the David Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition sweeping into power.

In a press statement yesterday, former President Donald Ramotar, who requested the Commission after meeting with surviving members of the Rodney Family, defended his decisions to commence the Commission, as well as the financing of the endeavour.

President David Granger

NOT POLITICAL MOTIVE Although Ramotar’s PPP/C Government had been accused of establishing the Commission as a “witch-hunt” against the former PNC Government, Ramotar said in his release, “the decision to establish this Commission of Inquiry was not inspired by any political motive, but purely by my desire to shed light on one of the darkest and most controversial events in Guyana’s post-Independence history.”

The decision to bring the Commission to an end does not sit well with the entities involved in the inquiry, particularly the Commissioners and the respective Counsels for the WPA, the Rodney family, and Donald Rodney.

While admitting in his release that the Commission was “an expensive undertaking”, President Ramotar assured it was “a justifiable one.”

“I have no doubt that the Commissioners needed just a few weeks more to complete their tasks in a professional way,” Mr Ramotar said, adding his disapproval to end the Commission and “save a few dollars when hundreds of millions have been spent already and the Commission’s report will most likely be affected by the failure of the Commission to receive evidence from important witnesses who are yet to testify, and from those who have testified already and who are to complete their testimony”.

Meanwhile, the WPA’s Counsel Mr Christopher Ram told the Commission at yesterday’s proceedings that the party was reluctant to be part of the Commission under the former Ramotar Administration because of a belief that the Commission was set up to serve a “narrow political interest, rather than to seek the truth”.

Mr Ram noted his client’s position that the party would not dis-

Former President Donald Ramotar

Dr Walter Rodney

Attorney-at-Law and Counsel for the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Christopher Ram

From left, Commissioner Seenath Jairam of Trinidad and Tobago; Chairman of the Commission, Sir Richard Cheltenham of Barbados; and Commissioner Jacqueline Samuels-Brown of Jamaica

courage anyone within or outside of the party who wished to testify before the Commission. In the Commission’s 60+ days of hearing, the Commissioners have heard from a number of WPA members, but not from Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, a known friend of the late Dr Walter Rodney.

Dr Roopnaraine now serves as Education Minister in the David Granger Administration. He will not have a chance to testify before the Commission because of its abrupt ending.

OPTIMISTIC One observer at the Commission of Inquiry, Jocelyn Dow, told this publication following the end of the proceedings that while there was an outcry of wastages, she is optimistic that appeals for the Commission to have an extension will not fall on deaf ears.

“It has ended, at least for now, and I certainly hope that there is some consideration for the petition of the Commissioners and lawyers that

it be extended for a little more, so that there could be no stone left unturned to give a final verdict on this sad past of Guyana.”

“Commissions of Inquiry are creatures of the Executive,” Chairman of the Commission, Sir Richard Cheltenham told the court on Monday, while explaining that this is not the first time a Commission of Inquiry has been brought to an early end due to a change in Government.

Nonetheless, he reassured the right of the Government to terminate the Commission when it desires.

“What the Executive arm cannot do and will never be permitted to do, and I must add that nobody has made an attempt to do, is to tell us as Commissioners what evidence we will find, what evidence we will reject, what weight to attach to the evidence, and what our findings, or fact, or recommendations will be,” the Commission Chairman continued.

The Rodney family is, however, convinced that a failure to complete hearings will diminish the thoroughness of the Commission’s report.

The family believes that witnesses like Cecil ‘Skip’ Roberts, who was Crime Chief of the Guyana Police Force at the time of Rodney’s death in 1980; Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, now Education Minister and a close friend of Dr Rodney; and Major General (rtd) Norman McLean, who served previously as Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), should be allowed to testify.

“I think we are all very much aware that the family of Dr Walter Rodney came to this hearing seeking some form of closure, and seeking to have a hearing that can be looked upon as being fair and thorough, and done in the interest of justice,” the Rodney family’s lawyer told the court, as he conceded that the Commission is a “creature” of the Government.

The evidence-gathering phase of the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry concluded yesterday.

The Commissioners have until the end of November to submit their final report, with recommendations, to President David Granger.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Kuru Kuru Training Centre commences recruitment – some 800 applications already received THE Government continues to make good on its promises to Guyanese as specific focus is being placed on the education and empowerment of young people countrywide.

The Administration, through the Ministry of Education’s Kuru Kuru Training Centre, is currently recruiting youths between the ages of 16 and 25 years to commence training in Octo-

ber 2015. The Government Information Agency (GINA) said all programmes and entry into the institution are free of cost.

According to Senior Training Officer, Ernestine Wade-Ramsey, the recruitment drive commenced on June 27, 2015, and has so far received approximately 800 applications from all the administrative regions, except Region Nine. The team

is expected to visit Region Nine this weekend to wrapup the exercise.

She explained that following this countrywide outreach, applications will be processed over the next few weeks, and successful applicants will be subsequently advised.

The training programme is 10 months in duration and covers the areas of Business Studies, Carpentry, Electri-

cal Installation, Furniture Making, Garment Construction, Masonry, Motor Mechanics, Plumbing and Sheet Metal, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and Welding and Fabrication.

While at the institution, students will also be offered remedial Mathematics, English Language, Information Technology and Entrepreneurialship.

“We have a lot to offer

in this package – other benefits of the programme will allow you a monthly stipend and importantly, we have the Driver’s Education Programme so you can return with your driver’s license,” she told youths in the Moruca Sub-region, Region One, during her recent visit.

The recruitment exercise allows for an examination to be taken by the prospective students from which their acceptance is determined.

Several youths of the Santa Rosa community, Moruca, participated in such an exer-

cise last weekend at the Santa Rosa Secondary School.

The centre also offers six weeks of work attachments, educational tours, free uniforms and meals. Transportation to and from the centre is also provided to students.

The students who will be on location at the centre’s dormitory facilities (on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway) for the duration of the programmes, will also be exposed to sport and cultural activities and will be provided with medical services.

Tackling Hepatitis…

World Hepatitis Day seeks to create integrated response in the fight against the disease – NPHRL tested over 5450 samples A GINA Feature by Shivanie Rampersaud ACCORDING to the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), “the global burden of disease and mortality from viral Hepatitis is high. An estimated 57 per cent of liver cirrhosis cases and 78 per cent of primary liver cancer cases result from hepatitis B or C viruses’ infections.”

In recognition of the importance of the public health problem posed by the disease, the 63rd World Health Assembly designated July 28 as World Hepatitis Day and requested an integrated response in the fight against hepatitis.

This undertaking continues to offer an opportunity to the Americas for the integrated approach to viral hepatitis as a recognised public health problem.

Hepatitis is a medical condition defined by the inflammation of the liver and characterised by the presence

of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ.

The disease may occur with limited or no symptoms, but often leads to jaundice, poor appetite, and anxiety. The two main classes of Hepatitis are ‘acute’ and ‘chronic’. The disease is classified as acute when it lasts less than six months and chronic when it lasts longer.

Guyana has been supporting this initiative since its implementation. Testing is offered at most of the country's laboratories, including both private and public sector facilities.

The country has one of the leading vaccination programmes, offering 16 different antigens and has a coverage of over 90 per cent.

According to the Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton, “for the past number of years Guyana has not reported any vaccine preventable diseases... for over five years, now we are doing well in preventing diseases that are caused by virus.”

He added: “As a matter of fact, Guyana is considered

Cirrhosis liver

Stop Solution addition the end of a Hepatitis test at the National Public Health Reference Laboratory

number 3 among 75 countries in the evaluation of effective vaccine management.

In 2014, the National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) carried out 5456 such tests, of which 158 were positive.

According to Carol Trotman, NPHRL’s Quality Manager, individuals will present themselves to a clinician and depending on the signs and symptoms presented by the patient, the doctor or clinician can decide to do a Hepatitis B antigen test, and then this sample is taken off and sent to the reference laboratory.

She added that the institution does not perform phlebotomy. However, it does offer screening but only for those samples which were referred

from the other health institutions. This is for the purpose of confirmation.

After the samples have been tested, the results are then returned to the respective institutions, where treatment is then administered if needed.

As Guyana joins with the rest of the world to celebrate World Hepatitis Day 2015 under the theme, “Prevent Hepatitis, Act Now!”, Minister Norton has reaffirmed his commitment to the fight against the disease and to strive for an even higher quality of care for the country’s people in this regard.

Further, the Ministry also commenced a three-day workshop on Expanded Programme on Immunisation.

CLASSES OF HEPATITIS Acute hepatitis can be self-limiting, but in some cases can also progress to chronic hepatitis, or, rarely, cause acute liver failure. The initial symptoms of this type of hepatitis are non-specific and flu-like. It is common to almost all acute viral infections, and may include malaise, muscle and joint aches, fever, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea and headache.

Acute viral hepatitis is more likely to be asymptomatic in children; general symptoms may last for 1–2 weeks before jaundice develops. The total illness can last for several weeks.

This class of the disease can see a small proportion of individuals with the disease progress to acute liver failure, in which the liver is unable to remove harmful substances from the blood, and which will result in confusion and coma, due to hepatic encephalopathy (altered level of consciousness) and produce blood proteins leading to peripheral edema and bleeding.

Meanwhile, chronic Hepatitis may have no symptoms, and may over time progress to fibrosis (scarring of the liver) and cirrhosis (chronic liver failure). It is important to note that cirrhosis of the liver increases the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, a form of liver cancer. This may cause non-specific symptoms such as malaise, tiredness, and weakness or it can have no symptoms at all. The presence of jaundice indicates advanced liver damage.

Extensive damage to and scarring of liver lead to weight

Carol Trotman, National Public Health Reference Laboratory’s Quality Manager

loss, easy bruising and bleeding, swelling of the legs, and accumulation of fluid in the abdomen.

Cirrhosis may lead to various complications including hepatic encephalopathy and kidney dysfunction.

Women with autoimmune Hepatitis may experience abnormal menstruation, lung scarring, and inflammation of the thyroid gland and kidneys along with acne.

TYPES OF HEPATITIS However, viral Hepatitis is the most common cause of liver inflammation worldwide. This is caused by the five unrelated hepatotropic viruses: Hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Hepatitis A is caused by ingesting infected food or water.

The food or water is infected with a virus called HAV (Hepatitis A virus). Anal-oral contact Turn to page 11 ►

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

World Hepatitis Day...

Suspect in City businessman’s murder remains in custody

– as police hunt accomplices CRIME Chief Wendell Blanhum said yesterday that after the 72-hour period has expired for detaining a criminal suspect in custody, extension of another 72 hours may be granted through application to the High Court.

As such, the suspect who on Sunday confessed to the brutal murder of city businessman, Farouk Ghanie Hamid, still remains in police custody.

That suspect has confessed that he was aided in committing the dastardly act by two accomplices, and the Crime Chief has disclosed that police are hunting for the two accomplices who, up to press time, remain at large.

This publication visited Hamson’s General Store at Lot 116 Regent Street, Georgetown yesterday to gauge Hamid’s reputed wife’s responses – and those of the staff -- to the way the case is developing, especially since the woman had once been detained and questioned

‘MURDERED’: Businessman Farouk Hamid

in relation to Hamid’s homicide. Our reporter was stonewalled, with only one bit of advice coming from the woman and her staff: “Let the police deal with it”.

The body of 56-yearold Farouk Hamid of Lot 97 Collingswood Avenue, Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara was found on the morning of April 16, 2015 in his backyard next to his dog kennel with a stab wound to his chest.

He was allegedly murdered while tending to his

dogs on the night before his body was discovered. The body was found by his wife, who had gone to the property after many calls to his phones had gone unanswered.

A p o s t - m o r t e m p e rformed on Hamid’s body had found that the businessman had died as a result of a single stab wound to the chest. Police said that wound had also caused food that had recently been eaten to scatter inside his body as a result of a punctured organ.

Several persons were questioned by the police, including a handyman and a man who had previously been in the employ of the businessman at his Regent Street store.

Hamid was not known to entertain strangers at his home, and was probably killed minutes after he had arrived home from his store by a person or persons he had known.

The murder weapon was found on the premises.

(Michel Outridge)

CXC Registrar meets with MOE MINISTER of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, on Thursday last, met with Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Registrar, Mr. Glenroy Cumberbatch.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Council’s Strategic plan and to invite feedback on ongoing initiatives.

The Caribbean Examination Council has been visiting a number of countries across the Region, conducting similar exercises with policy makers.

Also present at the meeting were Chief Education Officer, Mr. Olato Sam and Permanent Secretary, Ms. Delma Nedd.

From left: Mr. Glenroy Cumberbatch, Registrar - CXC; Ms. Delma Nedd-Permanent Secretary; Hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine and Chief Education Officer, Olato Sam

during sex can also be a cause.

Nearly everyone who develops Hepatitis A makes a full recovery; it does not lead to chronic disease.

However, Hepatitis B is the most common viral hepatitis worldwide, affecting about 10 per cent of the adult population in endemic areas and causing approximately 780,000 deaths per year worldwide.

It is a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) that is caused by Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and is spread by contact with infected blood, semen, or with other body fluids.

It is most often transmitted vertically in areas of high incidence, perinatally (the period around childbirth, primarily five months before and one month after birth) from mother to baby, or horizontally by being exposed to infected blood or blood products. However, the administration of the Hepatitis Vaccination within 24 hours of birth can prevent transmission from an infected mother. A baby can also become infected through the mother’s milk if infected.

This can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, sharing of needles and syringes etc.

Hepatitis is surrounded by several contributing factors, one of these being excessive alcohol consumption. Alcoholic Hepatitis usually develops over years of long exposure to alcohol. Alcohol intake (in excess of 80 grams of alcohol per day in men and 40 grams per day in women) is associated with development of alcoholic Hepatitis.

Interestingly, a large number of medications and other chemical agents can cause Hepatitis.

Research has shown that paracetamol is the leading cause of acute liver failure in the United States.

In addition, Hepatitis C is usually spread through direct contact with the blood of a person who has the disease, while only a person who is already infected with Hepatitis B can become infected with Hepatitis D. With regard to Hepatitis E, a person can only become infected by drinking contaminated water.

From page 10

Symptoms of Hepatitis

DIAGNOSIS & PREVENTION Diagnosis is made by assessing an individual’s symptoms, physical exam, and medical history, in conjunction with blood tests, liver biopsy, and imaging.

Vaccines are available to prevent Hepatitis A and B. Hepatitis A immunity is achieved in 99 - 100 per cent of persons receiving the two-dose inactivated virus vaccine. The Hepatitis A vaccine is not approved for children under one year.

Vaccines to prevent Hepatitis B have been available since

1986 and have been incorporated into at least 177 national immunisation programmes for children.

Immunity is achieved in greater than 95 per cent of children and young adults receiving the three-dose recombinant virus vaccine. Also, adults over 40 years of age have decreased immune response to the vaccine The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends vaccination of all children, particularly newborns, in countries where Hepatitis B is common to prevent transmission from the mother to child.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Former GM of Rice Export Board to chair Rice Development Board Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (second from right) shares a light moment with officials from Tate and Lyle, a British-based multinational agribusiness. At right is Minister of Agriculture, Mr Noel Holder

President David Granger addressing the National Rice Industry Conference on Monday

Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder addressing farmers and millers at the National Rice Industry Conference

A NEW Board of Directors of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) has been appointed to guide the agency over the coming year so as to enhance the

sector.

This was disclosed on Monday by Minister of Agriculture, Mr Noel Holder, while addressing the opening of the first National Rice

Industry Conference at the Arthur Chung International Conference Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

As per statute, the Board comprises farmer and miller representatives, a consumer representative, as well as representatives of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs (Foreign Trade), Finance and Agriculture and a representative from the legal fraternity. The General Manager will be an Ex-officio member of the board. “In keeping with my remit, I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Claude Housty, forTurn to page 13 â–ş

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

I have the support, cooperation of the Public Security Minister – says National Security Adviser Collins PRESIDENTIAL Adviser on National Security, Brigadier (ret’d) Edward Collins is expected to present his first report to President David Granger by the end of August. The Adviser has been on a series of information gathering visits to Regions Five and Six, assessing the security resources and capabilities in these Regions.

Speaking with the Government Information Agency (GINA), on Monday, Collins said his visits provided material that he can use to formulate recommendations.

He made it clear that he has no executive authority to implement any action whether those come from his recommendations or from elsewhere.

The Presidential Adviser was adamant that, contrary to what is referred to in the editorial of Stabroek News (Sunday, July 26, 2015), he has not interfered in the functions or space of the Minister of Public Security.

Collins said, “in fact, my first visit to the Police Headquarters was with the minister and that was a very thorough and beneficial meeting.” Collins added that he has received full support from the minister, explaining that it was Minister

President David Granger has taken a focused approach to improving national security making it a top priority.

Immediately on the return from the Caricom Heads of Government Conference, the President had summoned a high-level security meeting.

That meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, the Ministers of State and Public Security and top officials of the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force.

It is expected that the recommendations from the Presidential Adviser will

feed in to strategies and programmes to be implemented by the Ministry of National Security and other Ministries and agencies so that a comprehensive approach will be taken to improve security across the country.

(GINA)

Former GM of Rice...

Minister of Public Security Mr Khemraj Ramjattan

Khemraj Ramjattan, “who called the head of CANU and told him to speak with me.”

In addition, Collins explained that he has been working with the minister, seeking his permission and approval to visit police stations, fire stations and the prisons.

Following on the relationship established at the first meeting at the Police Force Headquarters which was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Brigadier Collins said he was able to meet with the Commander of B Division

Presidential Adviser on National Security, Brigadier (ret’d) Edward Collins

Christopher Griffith.

In a telephone interview, the ‘B’ Division Commander indicated that he was able to provide a thorough brief to the Adviser because of the close working relationship established between the Guyana Police Force, the Ministry of Public Security and the Presidential Adviser. He said at no time did he get the impression that the Adviser was trying to usurp the role or functions of the Minister.

mer General Manager of the Guyana Rice Export Board as its Chairman,” Minister Noel advised.

Guyana has been exporting rice consistently for over 100 years.

Pledging the Government’s support to the industry, Minster Holder told the packed-to-capacity conference centre that the Government will continue to make investments that are necessary and fully support the agricultural sector.

“We will not stop here.

Together, we will ensure that more markets are tapped in to, with a view to Guyana’s rice being available worldwide. I implore all millers and exporters to let us collate our efforts and to partner with the Government to ensure that we focus on finding and sustaining markets. Together we can achieve this — and indeed it’s a long road ahead, but some good work is already under way,” he told the conference.

The conference which is one of the promises made by

From page 12

the APNU+AFC was attended by President David Granger who delivered the feature address. Also in attendance were Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other Government officials.

The activity was the first consultation with paddy farmers, millers and exporters who came from all the rice producing communities and regions in Guyana. It was held under the theme, “sustainable development amidst challenges”. (GINA)

14

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Berbice CPG reaches out to needy family MEMBERS of the Community Policing Group (CPG) of ‘B 3’ Division based at Corentyne, Berbice continues to makes strides in assisting the police to reduce incidents of crime.

Apart from that, they have been very instrumental in many humanitarian activities in assisting the less fortunate in whatever way possible through money garnered from fund raising drives they would have had.

The CPG members under the guidance of Liaison Officer Radica Ramanandan and Public Relations Officer Narine Ramsundar and others purchased a wheelchair for a physically challenged man.

Raghubir Budhai, 80, of Number 65 Village, through a relative had approached the group for assistance in acquiring a wheelchair and one was gifted to him since he is ill and cannot move around on his own. He is confined to bed.

The presentation was made on July 21, 2015 to the elderly man at his home. Budhai ex-

MURDER SUSPECT: Latchman in police custody shortly after he was handed over by CPG members

CPG members bearing the coffin they gifted for the burial of a 4-month-old baby

tended gratitude for the good gesture which he said will help him a lot to move around on his own since his family had a hard time doing so.

Meanwhile, on June 3, 2015, the Chairman of the CPG Abdool Nisar accompanied by other members of Number 71 Village made a financial

contribution in the burial of a 4-month-old baby whose parents could not afford to bury the infant.

The group donated a coffin, provided clothing and $21,000 in cash to the family which went towards the funeral and burial.

Parents of the dead baby

B 3 Division CPG members posing with Raghubir Budhai in his wheelchair donated by the group

were in loud praise for the timely gift and thanked the CPG for their kind support.

The CPG B 3 Division also sponsored a one-night wake for the relative of one of its members, who passed away.

Public Relation Officer Latchman Narine, Ramsundar, Chairman Abdool Nisar and executive members, Parbattie Persaud and Annmarie Wil-

liams provided the money for the wake for father of a CPG member, Suresh (only name given) of Number 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, whose loved one died on June 9, 2015.

The money went towards the arrangement of a religious function for one night prior to the funeral.

In a separate incident, the CPG members received in-

formation of the location of a wanted man, who had been hiding from the police for murder and went to the place where they arrested him and later handed him over to the police.

The suspect, whose name was given as Latchman was wanted for questioning by the police for the murder of a young lady of Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara on December 2013.

He was found in the backlands of Number 68 Village by the CPG members and taken to the Springlands Police Station.

15

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Every pregnancy must produce live, healthy babies

– Dr Norton says strong focus continues to be placed on vaccination, immunisation

A section of the gathering at the workshop

THE Ministry of Public Health continues to emphasise the importance of vaccination and immunisation in an effort to have healthier babies.

In this regard, the Ministry yesterday commenced a three-day workshop on its Maternal & Child Health Expanded Programme on Immunisation (M&C EPI).

During his remarks at the opening of the workshop, Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton pointed out that a large portion of the national health budget is allocated for the procurement of vaccines and training of staff.

This, he said, is important because every mother and her child should be given the best quality of care.

The Health Minister stressed the fact that there should be no maternal deaths or infant mortality.

“Every pregnancy should result in a live baby and a healthy mother,” the Minister was quoted by the Government Information Agency (GINA) as saying.

On this note, he informed the gathering that for the year 2015, there has only been three cases of maternal deaths recorded, and though the Ministry is aiming for zero, this is an improvement.

Further, he highlighted several areas of improvement in the health sector with regards to immunisation.

Minister Norton highlighted that Guyana now offers 16 antigens/vaccines and its coverage is over 90 per cent. Also, for several years,

the country has not recorded cases of vaccine preventable diseases, except for a few tetanus cases in adults, which were recorded more than five years ago.

He added that in relation to the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) HIV/AIDS transmission, the country has seen a reduction to less than 1 per cent.

The Minister urged workers to continue to do their best and not to allow little hindrances to become an excuse for a child not being vaccinated.

As he reflected on some of the remarkable efforts made by health care providers to ensure that every child in their catchment area is vaccinated, the Minister said that, “it grieves me when I see little things like poor maintenance (of equipment) resulting in babies being deprived of vaccination… and this will be an area that we will be focusing on”.

PAHO Guyana country representative, Dr William Adu-Krow, who also addressed the opening of the workshop, noted that there has been slow progress in addressing infant mortality.

“In '91 the infant mortality rate was estimated to be 45.5 … 2001 it had dropped to 38.5 and now 2015 the WHO (World Health Organisation) estimate…shows 32.0.”

Further, he noted that worldwide only 68.9 per cent of the babies are fully vaccinated.

The workshop, which is being held at the Grand Costal Inn, targets health care providers within the child health and immunisation field of the health sector.

It is a collaborative effort between several partners including the Ministry, Pan

American Health Organization (PAHO), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and aims at bringing staff up to date with the achievements of the sector as well as its

Dr William Adu-Krow, PAHO Guyana country representative

weakness and the way forward.

The workshop will touch on numerous areas including adolescence health, vaccine distribution, reporting of statistics, immunisation and

Dr George Norton, Minister of Public Health

the way forward.

The sessions are slated to be very interactive comprising presentations from various regions along with discussion sessions.

The workshop concludes on July 30.

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RAS

MICHAEL is

By Ras Michael EVERY morning eighty-five Buxtonians awaken to the same feeling of deprivation and rejection. It fills their entire day. Each moment is a requirement of personal and family expenses and responsibilities they are unable to fulfill. The days have turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months.

There are service providers, small neighbourhood shops

Back

and groceries that provided to that community on the premise that they would be compensated by these eighty-five persons who undertook a task that had been left in abandonment for almost twenty-three years.

Each morning those eighty-five persons had left their homes, some as early as 6:00 hrs, and joined minibuses and trucks armed with cutlasses and other implements required for their day’s work

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

85 BUXTONIANS FEEL DEPRIVED

- a story of the Buxtonians who cleaned the LeRepentir burial ground but are still to be compensated

and journeyed into the city to the LeRepentir Cemetery in Georgetown to clear the 254,000 square yards of dense jungle.

THE CONSEQUENCES The task was beyond what was expected. It was not only the encroaching jungle they had to deal with.

It was not only huge trees and the bushes they had to chop down, but there were

damaged TOMBS that kept breaking as persons walked on them.

The broken tombs exposed carcasses of rotting bodies; the swarms of angry marabuntas and the anger of over three hundred swarms of disturbed Africanised bees who had built swarms within the trunks of trees and bushes, attacked relentlessly as the workers, both male and females, laboured to complete the task that were additional to their job descriptions; yet the Buxtonians laboured on. They laboured for seven months trusting the goodwill of their employers to compensate their efforts.

There were shopkeepers of groceries, other service

providers who in communal spirit had supported them and their families while the job was being done. The job has now been done for eight months now. But their trust has been broken. Compensation is yet to come.

CONFRONTATION I live in Buxton. Early one evening, some days ago, I met a gathering of men and women of the village. It was not a scheduled event.

They had however, learnt that I was writing again in the Chronicle. They had concerns they needed to ventilate. They needed to bring their plight to the attention of persons in authority. They

requested I listen to their story. I told them I had heard of it but they insisted that I not only listen to their side but to bring it to public notice since I was an integral part of the society and had an interest in all things Buxton. It was important, one man said, that I hear their side. I listened. I was compelled to; I had taught many of them at school, at the Republic Co-operative High School Eusi Kwayana had founded.

They rhetorically asked how could the Government not address the payment for the workers. They have addressed the Walter Rodney Commission; they have addressed the

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Some before and after photos of the over-growth and subsequent clearing of the LeRepentir Cemetery GuySuCo problem; the Thrill company problem and the rice farmers problem. Are they, Buxtonians, not counted for the work they have executed so dearly?

Is Government system applicable only for a certain set of people in this society?

Can’t the working poor who do diligent and serious work be looked at, or must they just suffer? Can’t the Ministry of Communities, or the Ministry of the Presidency make an immediate intervention to

alleviate the hardship that they are going through?

I understood their plight for I was a member of the same community they lived in. Buxton had suffered much especially during the past decade and a half.

There were no great industries within the community that provided employment for villagers. Two Bakeries were presently the main industries that provided a flow of daily cash. The situation was rough on both men

and women. For the women it was more problematic.

Many of them were single parents and at the moment the children are home on school holidays which had put a strain on their personal economies. There was greater use of services such as electricity which impacted negatively on their meager resources. The situation is critical. The workers of Buxton need and seek an intervention by the Government of Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

The Iran agreement is a disaster for ISIS

By Federica Mogherini

“IT always seems impossible until it’s done”: the words of a man who made the impossible come true – Nelson Mandela – resonated with me on 14 July,

when the seven countries around the table in Vienna, under the steer of the EU, finally reached a deal on Iran’s nuclear programme.

After decades of tensions and distrust, 12 years of hope and fear and 22 months of intense, difficult, high-

Federica Mogherini is the EU’s High Commissioner for foreign relations ly technical and political negotiations, we had finally made it.

Will this turn a page in Iran’s relations with the rest of the world? Commentators are divided and the debate is still heated. I understand the reasons behind the scepticism. But I believe a new chapter really is about to be opened.

Change will not happen overnight, and maybe not

The Vienna accord I negotiated on behalf of the European Union (EU) strikes a blow to the terrorists’ ‘clash of civilisations’ narrative

even in the next few months. It will take time. It will take strong political will, vision and a lot of hard work.

It will take courage, and even audacity – the very same ingredients required to reach a deal. It worked. We should be confident that the same strong determination can build a different Regional framework, one based on cooperation rather than confrontation.

The heart-warming images of the young people of Iran celebrating in the streets give us good reason to be hopeful; we saw an outpouring of joy at what had just happened, mixed with the expectation of a better tomorrow. They served as a reminder that this deal is also an investment in the generations that are celebrating a different future.

STRONG AGREEMENT We know that there is still some anxiety, in the Region and beyond. But if the talks took such a long time, if they were so tough, it is precisely because we wanted and needed a strong agreement – one that could stand up to scrutiny everywhere, and through See page 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

The Iran agreement ...

19

From page 18

time.

I witnessed first-hand the commitment of the Iranian negotiators, under the leadership of Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, and the commitment of all six world powers. There was much speculation about some of the meetings in Vienna being “heated”. You would not expect anything less when the issues are so relevant. Still, we all wanted the talks to be based on mutual respect and clarity.

And they truly were.

We should always keep in mind that the starting point for the negotiations was the lack of trust between Iran and the international community. In the end, we agreed on a deal that is not based on trust, but on precise commitments, on transparency and verification.

The whole Middle East is in turmoil.

We need to restart political processes to end wars.

The objective of the negotiations was to address and resolve concerns about Iran’s nuclear programme and to agree on verifiable long-term guarantees about the exclusively peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran’s aspiration to a civilian nuclear programme is fully recognised, with the assurance that “under no circumstances” will the country

seek to acquire the bomb. The lifting of all sanctions will go hand-in-hand with the implementation of nuclear-related measures by Iran. It is a deal made to withstand the challenge of time; a good deal, with no space for interpretations or doubts. A deal that, while implemented, will allow us to build trust and lay the foundations for a new relationship.

In the next phase, my task will be to coordinate the joint commission on the agreement’s implementation. This is the immediate reason why I am travelling to Iran – just a fortnight after the deal was signed. But it is not just that. We now have a duty to build on the historical result we have achieved in Vienna.

COOPERATION The Vienna deal tells us that we all have much to earn if we choose cooperation over confrontation. Making the most out of this opportunity is entirely up to us. But nothing good will happen if we do not work hard for it.

We, Europeans, have a long tradition of cultural and economic relationship with Iran. Before sanctions began in See page 20

The heart-warming images of the young people of Iran celebrating in the streets give us good reason to be hopeful

20

Finger penetration rape case…

Jury disagreement causes Collin Bess to face new trial THE jury trying Collin Bess for allegedly raping a 12-year-old via finger penetration, allegedly committed on April 2, 2013, could not reach a majority verdict yesterday. As a consequence, the accused will have to face a new trial at a subsequent criminal session.

After returning to the courtroom for further direction from Madam Justice Jo’Ann Barlow, the jury continued deliberation, and later admitted to a disagreement among its members.

The accused conducted his own defence, while Prosceutrix Teshana Lake conducted the case for the prosecution.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

The Iran agreement ...

From page 19

2005, cooperation between our parts of the world spanned many areas, from energy to trade. But our shared interests go well beyond the economy.

Last week Europe’s Foreign Ministers tasked me with exploring “ways in which the EU could actively promote a more cooperative Regional framework” in the wake of the Vienna deal. ISIS (also known as Da’esh) is spreading its vicious and apocalyptic ideology in the Middle East and beyond. There is nothing more worrisome to ISIS than cooperation between “the west” and the Muslim world, for it defies the narrative of a clash of civilisations the group is trying to revive. An alliance of civilisations can be our most powerful weapon in the fight against terror.

But this is not just about ISIS. The whole Middle East is in turmoil. Sectar-

ianism is on the rise. We need to restart political processes to end wars. We need to get all Regional powers back to the negotiating table and stop the carnage.

Cooperation between Iran, its neighbours and the whole international community could open unprecedented possibilities of peace for the Region, starting from Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

The sceptics will argue this is very unlikely, or impossible. The pessimists will warn of the dangers. The negotiations in Vienna showed no brain-teaser is too hard to solve as long as there is the political will to overcome the difficulties. Travelling to Iran is an obvious choice for me; as years of negotiations have come to an end, our common work is definitely not over. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” (The Guardian)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Woman dies two days after childbirth

Akeisa Richardson A PATIENT who delivered a baby last Friday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) passed away on Monday.

Reports indicated that Akeisa Richardson was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after experiencing seizures and she was being monitored but subsequently died.

A post-mortem is to be performed to ascertain the cause of death. Meanwhile, the GPHC has extended sincere condolences to the bereaved family.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015 ––– 14:30 hrs Thursday, July 30, 2015 ––– 14:30 hrs Friday, July 31, 2015 ––– 14:30 hrs

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

GTU supports Education Minister’s call for less extra lessons - reiterates call for increased salaries for teachers

By Shivanie Sugrim

PRESIDENT of the Guya n a Te a c h e r s ’ U n i o n (GTU), Mark Lyte, is in support of a reduction of the prevalence of extra lessons in schools and has reiterated the call for increased salaries for teachers.

At a recent forum, Education Minister, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine called for a reduction in extra lessons in schools, since they are viewed as another means for teachers to generate income.

Since assuming office, Dr. Roopnaraine has been advocating increased teachers’ salaries, given that teachers have crucial roles to play in the classroom. However, not much has been met given that the budget is yet to be completed.

Apart from being another means of generating income for teachers, extra lessons also stem from students sitting in excess of 20 subjects at the secondary level. Many are therefore compelled to attend extra lessons, since only a certain number of subjects can be taught in school.

Given these reasons, extra lessons have become an industry in Guyana. As such, Dr. Roopnaraine noted with disgust that this occurrence also indicates that teachers are failing inside the classrooms and are not meeting the curriculum.

Holding an opposing view, Lyte said that teachers are performing their duties in the classrooms while referencing recent assessments carried out in schools.

“I won’t support the point that teachers are not completing the curriculum,” proclaimed Lyte.

In echoing similar sentiments to that of Dr. Roopnaraine, Lyte added that students have long been sitting 20 subjects in schools which would ultimately push the need for extra lessons. In order to curb this, Lyte said the Ministry of Education (MoE) should place a restriction on students writing more than 10 subjects at the secondary level.

With the reduction of extra lessons, Lyte is urging the MoE to find better ways and means to compensate teachers, beginning with enhancing their packages to deliver the content needed.

The GTU’s main concern remains increased teachers’ salaries, since the incomes earned by teachers have never been viewed as financially

Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine rewarding.

Dr. Roopnaraine shares Lyte’s view, as he too believes that teachers have to be properly compensated for their work. However, Dr. Roopnaraine remains firm in calling for less extra lessons and for greater focus in classrooms.

The GTU was the first institution visited by the minister since assuming office. Concerns were raised and were taken into consideration by the MoE. The ministry is therefore working closely with the union to formulate policies together for the enhancement of teachers’ remuneration packages.

The National Parent-Teachers Association is however in the process of re-developing, so that both parents and teachers can carry out policies.

Additionally, the GTU is seeking measures to increase the amount of time spent in delivering Math and English in classrooms, so that students can excel in their examinations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

Mother screams as son gets two years

–– for larceny from the person THE screams of 18-year-old Dominic Morris’ mother could have been heard throughout the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court when Magistrate Faith McGusty sentenced the teen to two years’ imprisonment on a larceny from the person charge.

Morris was yesterday found guilty of the offence which stated that on April 16, 2015, he stole one Samsung Galaxy cellular phone valued at $100,000, property of Melanie Deen.

The mason of Lot 35 Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara in his first appearance pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded to prison for over three months before being tried and convicted.

Police Prosecutor Seon Blackman called three witnesses to testify, including the virtual complainant, Deen.

According to the prosecutor, on the day in question, Deen had exited a minibus and was speaking on her phone when Morris came up from behind and snatched it. He then attempted to escape but Deen chased after him while alerting others. Morris was later caught by public-spirited citizens and received a sound beating.

Uncle ordered to pay $2,000 compensation

- for damaging nephew’s padlock DENNIS Grenville of Lot 90 Roxanne Burnham Gardens yesterday appeared before City Magistrate Ann McLennan accused of damaging his nephew’s padlock.

Grenville pleaded guilty to the charge that said on July 22, at Roxanne Burnham Gardens, he unlawfully and maliciously damaged one padlock along with a hasp and staple valued $1,700, property of his nephew, Trevor Grenville.

Grenville’s lawyer explained that his client is a 45-year-old food vendor. The lawyer further stated that the virtual complainant (VC) is a police officer and he would normally bring females into the said house and his client had become frustrated over his actions. The lawyer noted that the lock was broken because the house owner, the uncle, was conducting his own investigation.

Prosecutor Deniro Jones stated that on the day in question the VC returned home from work and found the locks on his door prised open. The uncle, when confronted with the allegation, admitted that he was the one who broke the lock, but he could not provide an explanation. The matter was subsequently reported.

The Magistrate ordered the food vendor to pay $2,000 in compensation for the damage.

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McKinnon tops at Pistol Match RYAN McKinnon was on point with his aim, to cart off the Overall title of the weekend Practical Pistol Match which was hosted at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Timehri Ranges.

McKinnon was followed

by Ray Beharry in second place while seasoned trouper Mohamed Qualander finished in third place.

Practical Shooters of Guyana last Saturday were given a chance to display

their accuracy and speed while managing power, compliments of the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) with the support of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and

dushi Persaud, welcomed participants and spectators to the match. She commended the dedication and hard work of members before she declared the match open. The

a close eye on several upcoming local competitors who are showing notable improvements in the sport.

He equated this to the fact that the GSSF, support-

GSSF president Vidushi Persaud poses with competitors of Saturday’s Practical Pistol Match at the GDF Ranges. the GDF. It was another fun afternoon in the blistering sun as new and experienced shooters showed up to test their skills against one another in four challenging courses of fire. Built around safety, the sport simultaneously measures the ability of the competitor to shoot rapidly and accurately with a full power handgun in a fun, fair, and competitive environment.

Match director and president of the federation, Vi-

safety element for this match was monitored by Guyana’s internationally certified Chief Range Officers: Michael Blake (Range Master) and Ryan McKinnon.

McKinnon finished in first place in all four stages of the shoot. He first won ‘Yoga without the Toga’ then swept ‘Over Under’, ‘Zig Zag’ and ‘Mad Dash’ respectively.

He expressed satisfaction with his shooting which led him to be victorious but noted that he is keeping

ed by the GDF, provides range time so that members can attend frequent practice sessions - a norm since the establishment of the federation. McKinnon commented on the safety, frequency and quality of the matches being hosted, noting that there is balance to the matches, which does not allow for any one shooter to easily cart off top honours after winning any single stage, but rather requires competitors to be consistent throughout the match in or-

der to be eligible for overall awards.

At the closing ceremony, special thanks were extended by the GSSF president to the Match Officials, Chief of Staff of the GDF Brigadier Phillips, Colonel Benn, GPF Commissioner Persaud, Asst Commissioner Ramnarine, Commander Hicken, OC TSU Superintendent Dehnert, Asst Superintendent Todd, Corporal Dunn and the ranks of the Armoury and TSU. She also thanked Woodpecker Products and Mrs Luana Fernandes for the support and encouragement given to the federation and for her kind donation of the remarkable trophies.

Ms Persaud added that the GSSF is dedicated towards the further promotion of all forms of Sport Shooting for Guyana and will continue to stage matches on a regular basis which are all open to experienced and trained practical shooters.

She was impressed by the growing number of persons interested in handgun sports, an area which she noted Guyana is lagging far behind its sister Caribbean and South American nations.

In closing she encouraged all to keep up to date on the work of the federation via the website, www.

GuyanaSportShooting.com.

WICB Regional U-15 50-overs …

Guyana obliterate Jamaica at Albion SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS Scottsville 08:35 hrs Spirit Of Dover 09:10 hrs Nitro Nori 09:45 hrs Flying Fellow 10:20 hrs Redcarpet Captain 10:50 hrs Shezaleader ENGLISH RACING TIPS Redcar 08:50 hrs Teba Mateba 09:20 hrs Halley Bop 09:55 hrs Khareer 10:30 hrs Valantino Oyster 11:05 hrs First Sargeant 11:40 hrs Gun Case 12:15 hrs Grey Destiny 12:50 hrs Run Fat Lass Run GOODWOOD 09:00 hrs Wordiness 09:35 hrs Medrano 10:10 hrs Belardo 10:45 hrs King Of Rooks 11:20 hrs Winter Rose 11:55 hrs Tazffin 12:25 hrs Muir Lodge

SANDOWN 12:55 hrs Jay Kay 13:25 hrs Cottesloe 14:00 hrs More To Come 14:35 hrs Decorated Knight 15:05 hrs Italian Beauty 15:35 hrs Nigel

DEFENDING champions Guyana served Jamaica one of their worst defeats in Regional Under-15 history as the host side won by nine wickets in their 50over contest at the Albion Sports Complex ground yesterday.

Led by skipper and

IRISH RACING TIPS Galway 10:00 hrs Fill Your Hands 10:35 hrs Damefirth 11:10 hrs Holeinthewall Bar 11:45 hrs Time To Inspire 12:30 hrs Alelchi Inois 13:05 hrs Art Scene 13:40 hrs Sacrificial 14:10 hrs New Agenda AMERICAN RACING TIPS Saratoga Race 1 Alwarry Race 2 Bet the Power Race 3 Ackerman Road Race 4 Judy the Beauty Race 5 Undertherain Race 6 Wynhurst Race 7 Style Drift Race 9 Oklahoma Den

match MVP off-spinner Ashmead Nedd, who grabbed 3-3 from three overs while pacers Qumar Torrington (2-7), Haifa Walters (2-14)

and Alphius Bookie (2-2) assisted in bowling out the Jamaicans for just 27 runs.

Guyana were victorious in 7.5 overs as they reached 28-1, with the assistance of 11 extras by the Jamaican bowlers.

When the chase began, Sinclair and Robin Williams (2) were surprisingly docile due to winning without any batsman scoring a boundary. After Williams was caught by Seymour off the bowling of Andre Blake (1-12), Sinclair and Orlando Jailall (2*) saw the ship home.

Guyana, who earned 6.6 points following their win against Leewards, gained another 6.6 points, taking their total to 13.2.

Guyana will now look to retain their title in commanding fashion when they face Windwards at the Guyana National Stadium in the last round set for tomorrow.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

GCB assists Guyana blind cricket team

THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has extended support via financial contribution to the Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GuyBCA) that will be competing in the West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WICCBVI) competition which begins today in St Lucia.

President of the GCB, Drubahadur, wished the team success for the tournament, noting that he is amazed at the team discipline and eagerness to go out there and compete.

He is confident that they will produce an outstanding performance.

The president added that he has always admired the zest the players have shown even though they are visually impaired.

According to him, this is a lesson for those persons who are not deprived of their sight, to value theirs and at the same time, appreciate those who have lost theirs.

Drubahadur said that the GCB has always been supportive of GuyBCA and will continue to do so as the association plays a very integral part in our society.

Executive member of GuyBCA, Cecil Morris, thanked GCB for its support. He said that the donation will go a far way in getting the team ready for a successful tournament.

He also acknowledged GCB’s support from the founding of their association. Morris recalled that the GCB assisted GuyBCA in the formation of their constitution, and aided them with coaches and other resources to keep their cricket ongoing.

Morris explained to Drubahadur that being blind or visually impaired can be very depressing and cricket acts a top entertainment for many of these persons, especially the younger ones. He said that the players have been looking forward to this competition; hence, they are extremely grateful for the contribution.

This year will be the eighth Regional Championship. Guyana have never won a title; the closest they got to it was third in 2008. Jamaica are the defending champions for the 40-over competition while Trinidad and Tobago hold the T20 format title.

Cardinals hailed for hiring NFL’s first female coach

THE Arizona Cardinals were being hailed as groundbreakers yesterday after hiring the National Football League’s first female coach.

The Cardinals on Monday hired Jen Wel-

NFL’s first female coach Jen Welter ter, a 37-year-old former pro football player, to be a coaching intern during training camp this year, working with inside linebackers.

Football fans took to Twitter to express their sentiments about Welter’s hiring. “#NFLTrainingCamp hasn’t even started and the @AZCardinals are already winning,” The Dude (@Calicardsfan) said.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said the internship would be a great opportunity that could “open some doors” for Welter.

“Coaching is nothing more than teaching,” Arians said in a statement after the team announced Welter’s hiring on Monday. “One thing I have learned from players is, ‘How are you going to make me better? If you can make me better, I don’t care if you’re the Green Hornet, man, I’ll listen.’”

Welter, who has a Ph.D. in psychology, joins the Cardinals’ staff after playing for the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League. She became the first female non-kicker to play in a men’s pro league when she took the field as a running back for the Revolution in 2014.

“Thank you @AZCardinals & @BruceArians & everyone here in #Phoenix,” Welter tweeted. “I am honoured to join this amazing #footballfamily.”

Welter won two gold medals playing for Team USA in the International Federation of American Football Women’s World Championship in 2010 and 2013.

Last year, the National Basketball Association’s San Antonio Spurs made Becky Hammon, a former WNBA All-Star, an assistant head coach of the team. She recently led the Spurs to the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League title.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday July 29, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Chris Gayle-105 (Tallawahs vs Red Steel, Jamaica, July 09)

(2) 14 (9 catches/5 stumpings)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) How many sixes Chris Gayle struck in Hero CPL 2015?

(2) How many runs Darren Bravo scored away from home in Hero CPL 2015?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

GCB president, Drubahadur (left), hands over the cheque to GuyBCA executive member Cecil Morris while former WI fast bowler Colin Stuart (right) and members of the team look on.

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Danns anticipates another ‘Golden Jaguars’ call-up ENGLISH Championship club Bolton Wanderers midfield player Neil Danns says that he’s hoping for another chance to don the colours of the Golden Jaguars – Guyana’s senior National men’s football team.

The 32 year-old was at the time speaking to ‘Bolton News’ about his club’s expectation for the upcoming season and earning his first international cap.

Danns made his international debut against Grenada in a friendly international match at the Guyana National Stadium, setting up both goals that were scored by striker Pernel Schultz.

Passport issues kept the midfield maestro out of Guyana’s first leg of their World Cup Qualifier against St Vincent and the Grenadines which the Golden Jaguars drew 2-2 and was hoping for a win at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence to see them through to the next round.

H o w e v e r, d e s p i t e Danns’ double, Guyana drew 4-4 with the ‘Vincy Heat’ and found themselves out of the qualifiers.

“It was a great experience,” Danns said, adding,

NEIL DANNS “Even though there were some complications with our citizenship, to score twice in the World Cup was incredible and now hopefully I’d get another crack at it” But he could get a sec-

ond bite at the cherry, with a FIFA decision imminent on whether St Vincent fielded an ineligible player, which would grant Guyana a 3-0 walkover win.

Danns is hoping for a positive outcome and insists his globetrotting will not affect his form for Wanderers this season.

“We’ve all got our fingers crossed. If it turns out well for me then it would be another great experience.

It’s a long way to travel but I know players like ChungYong Lee who did it for years. This is all new to me.

Maybe after a while it might wear you down mentally but for me it’s an adventure. It’s exciting, and I look forward to it,” said Danns.

Meanwhile, the midfielder refuses to be downbeat about the club’s chances in the Championship this season, despite many writing off any hopes of a top-six finish before a ball has been kicked.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

ASHES 2015

Third Test starts today

TEN years ago next week, Michael Kasprowicz’s glove, Geraint Jones’ dive and Billy Bowden’s finger combined in Birmingham to create one of the most memorable finishes in Ashes history.

If the 2005 Ashes was the Himalaya of modern Test series, the Edgbaston Test was its Everest, the site of its highest drama. Michael Clarke and Ian Bell are the only two players remaining who took part in that Test; now they will return to Edgbaston with their teams locked at 1-1 in the 2015 Ashes. The stage is set. What

will this year bring?

England’s victory in Cardiff was followed by a punishing defeat at Lord’s, and it is the task of Alastair Cook and Trevor Bayliss to ensure that Australia do not carry significant momentum from that result.

England’s form in their most recent

six Tests - win, loss, win, loss, win, loss might hint at bouncebackability, but it should be noted that the first two losses each marked the end of a series, so the wins that followed were against new opponents.

The selectors have responded by cutting Gary Ballance and recalling Jonny Bairstow, who last played Test cricket during the Ashes tour of Australia in 2013-14.

It remains to be seen whether that is the only change. Australia have confirmed that Peter Nevill will be retained ahead of Brad Haddin, who withdrew from the Lord’s Test for family reasons. It is a move that may well spell the end of Haddin’s Test career.

The other key factor at Edgbaston will be the pitch, after the first two Tests were played on surfaces lacking in pace and bounce.

Two days before the Test there was so much grass on the Edgbaston pitch that Clarke compared it to the Gabba green-tops used in Sheffield Shield cricket, but the likelihood is that cover will be shaved off before play.

Whatever the case, the toss may again prove crucial. England won the toss and the match in Cardiff and Australia won the toss and the match at Lord’s.

Boyce and Jefford Classic …

MSC executive committee should upgrade venue in time for Classic event

By Joe Chapman

AS THE time draws near for the much-anticipated annual Sixth Boyce/Jefford Classic at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground in Linden, the MSC executive committee must do its utmost to satisfy the expectations of the organisers and the athletes, who will grace Linden’s mecca of sports institutions, in having the best accommodation for this annual spectacle set for early mid-August.

This responsibility comes more so in the wake of the decision by the two existing Linden clubs - Upper Demerara and the Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School - to merge for this important championship in the quest to bring some measure of success/glory to the sports-crazy home fans.

The decision, taken by the organisers, seemingly against the odds, to stand their ground and hold this highly anticipated Boyce/Jefford Classic event once again at

the traditional sports centre in Linden, must be noted. No doubt it came as a surprise to many knowing that the state of the ground over the past few years had left much to be desired. Somewhat surprising also was the decision for the two clubs to merge.

However, the fact is that you are asking national and international athletes to ply their trade on a challenging surface; and that decision now makes it necessary that the MSC ground must be improved and kept to a standard worthy of such an event.

Edison Jefford and Colin Boyce have done what many did not believe could happen. They remained faithful to the hundreds of spectators who throng this venue yearly to witness this meet to see the best athletes in Guyana perform for them.

The decision therefore by Boyce and Jefford at this time must be applauded as it is two-fold indeed.

While they are maintaining the rich legacy

of sport in the mining town through the continuation of producing top-class track athletes from the region and of course the massive support that is given, it is hoped that this event will cause the authorities to upgrade this venue to a standard that befits the occasion.

The organisers have always placed emphasis on raising the bar for performances by athletes but this will be limited if those in authority, namely the town, regional and government, do not see it fit to let Linden be outfitted with a international venue in the near future.

Undoubtedly, this region has produced some of the best athletes in this country and continues to do so. Among them is former sprint king Elton Jefford, who brought this country joy and had quite a few outstanding performances at this very venue.

His rich legacy is among the reasons that the meet was birthed and it remains a staple for the community at large. He was not only a great athlete and ambassador, but one who

was not boastful or boisterous but was a cool performer who was admired by all who knew him.

It is mainly in his honour that these games are held and those in authority should do their best to ensure it remains part and parcel of the sports calendar of Linden annually.

The fact that an IAAF-certified synthetic track facility over at West Demerara did not sway the organisers to switch their meet tells a story of faith in the people of Linden.

The task therefore starts with the MSC Executive to put forward a case to ensure that the MSC venue is upgraded to once again be the envy of the rest of Guyana, like years gone by when it was a major venue for international athletics, cycling and football among other sports.

The time has also come for them to make the MSC a vibrant club once again and be a leader for the promotion and development of sports in Linden.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday July 29, 2015

‘Multi’ and Waramadong to continue Digicel Schools Football love-affair tonight ... Chase to battle the hinterland warriors Annai EVER wondered how it feels losing to the same team over and over? Just ask Waramadong Secondary School.

The school from Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) will play three-time defending champions Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary (Multi) in the semi-final of the 2015 Digicel Schools Football tournament today at the Leonora Track & Field

after his school’s victory at the Wisburg Secondary School ground on last Sunday and after receiving news that Waramadong will be their opposition in the semi-final.

“We’re going to have to be forceful because we know that it’s a team that’s technically intact.

They base their games on build-up, knocking the ball around and keeping

‘Multi’ goal-getters Omar Brewley (L) and Jovon Bobb and Football Facility from 19:00hrs.

In the opening encounter of the planned double-header, Chase Academy will come up against Region 9’s powerhouse Annai Secondary in the other semi-final from 17:00hrs.

This is the fifth year the telecommunication giant is hosting the tournament and Waramadong and ‘Multi’ are actually meeting for the second time at the semi-final stage, dating back to the inaugural year (2011).

In 2011 the Lindeners went on to lose 5-3 to GTI in the final but have won every final played since then which, ironically, was also against Waramadong.

The defending champions disposed of Annandale Secondary 6-0 in their quarter-final while Waramadong trounced Berbice High School (BHS); the school from the Ancient County, 6-1.

“We’ll have to use our speed, which is a factor for us, used in all our games” said head coach of Christianburg/Wismar Secondary Anthony Stephens.

Stephens was at the time speaking to Chronicle Sport

position and we will have to try to at least get that away from them,” Stephens said.

The ‘champs’ will turn to Kendolph Lewis who netted a hat-trick in their quarter-final win as well as Jovon Bobb and Omar Brewley who have all saved their school from elimination with their profound goal-scoring ability.

In the midfield, Multi will depend heavily on the expertise of Duquan Hercules while defensively, Amaniki Buntin and Seon Barrett Jr will man the fort.

Meanwhile, the Annai Secondary/Chase Academy clash is setting up a story of its own – two teams who have never reached this far in the tournament.

Behind coach and national player Vurlon Mills, Chase Academy is Georgetown’s only hope of bringing the trophy back to the city for the first time since GTI won the initial tournament.

Chase played their best football in the tournament during their 8-1 win over Charity. Annai Secondary, the school many consider as the ‘team to beat’ this

year, showed exactly why that sentiment is being expressed with their 13-0 win over Dolphin Secondary.

“What I know is that it’s going to be a good game and we will come out on top,” exclaimed

Mills, who added, “The advantage we have is speed. They are a good bunch but we can get around them. We will have to defend well also because they have two forwards who can really

shoot the ball.”

The forwards Mills spoke of are the Daniels brothers, Garville and Sherral, who both scored six goals in their school’s mammoth quarter-final total.

The final will be played at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, on Sunday August 2.

Sport CHRONICLE

The Chronicle is at http://www.guyanachronicle.com

Danns anticipates another ‘Golden Jaguars’ call-up See story on page 30

GCB assists Guyana blind cricket team See story on page 29

Boyce and Jefford Classic …

MSC executive committee should upgrade venue in time for Classic event See story on page 30

ASHES 2015

Third Test starts today See story on page 30

Neil Danns celebrates after scoring one of his two goals against St Vincent and the Grenadines during the World Cup Qualifiers.

‘Multi’ and Waramadong to continue Digicel Schools Football love-affair tonight See story on page 31

‘Multi’ goal-getters Omar Brewley (L) and Jovon Bobb

WICB Regional U-15 50-overs …

Guyana obliterate Jamaica at Albion

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See story on page 28

ASHMEAD NEDD WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2015