Guyana chronicle 28 01 14

GUYANA No. 103722

TUESDAY JANUARY 28, 2014

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

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Rohee recommends ‘change of guard’ at Number 51 police station

Page 3

--as Upper Corentyne residents protest string of robberies in their community

President Ramotar among Heads as 2nd CELAC Summit opens in Havana

At India reception…

Centre

Potential exists for greater bilateral collaboration - PM Hinds

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar

Page 11

AG Nandlall accuses APNU’s 11 Greenidge of disguising delay tactics Sixth memorial held for 11 Lusignan massacre victims Page

- 12 killed in Bartica shooting rampage also remembered

Page 10

From left, Indian High Commissioner Puran Mal Meena, Acting President Samuel Hinds and Opposition Leader David Granger, at the reception to mark India’s republic anniversary (Adrian Narine photo)

Health Ministry presents seven fully equipped new ambulances to hospitals across the country Page 2

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

Health Ministry presents seven fully equipped new ambulances to hospitals across the country

By Ravin Singh

COLLABORATING with the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday morning, the Ministry of Health presented seven new ambulances to hospitals in various regions across the country, in a ceremony which also offered opportunity for people to get their blood pressure and glucose levels checked, while being educated by the two doctors and two nurses who were present.

This ambulance initiative seeks to boost health care delivery across Guyana. Acquired from Associated Industries Limited (AINLIM) at a cost of Gy$59.5M (fifty-nine million, five hundred thousand Guyana dollars) Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran said of the ambulances: “Additional monies will be spent on further equipping them, as we do more training to be able to utilise those bits and pieces of equipment.”

Two of the new ambulances have been given to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); whilst one each went to the following hospitals: Charity Hospital in Region 2; Leonora Cottage Hospital in

their behalf.

Health Minister, Dr Bheri Ramsaran declared: “A few weeks ago, we dispatched to Kwakwani an off-road ambulance, which has been a second hand vehicle but which has been re-equipped significantly. So it is ready for the rough terrain in Kwakwani. However, we also have, today, seven other ambulances, which will be the first set of more ambulances to come, which we will be handing over to other areas of service”.

Dr Ramsaran noted that, only a few days prior, the Ministry of Local Government had handed over to Region 2 a new ambulance for the Suddie Hospital, the main hospital in Region 2. “Ambulance services are not only delivered by vehicle. Having adequate vehicles and adequately equipped vehicles are not enough. We need to have brain power. That is why we have started a few years ago with the assistance of Centres of Excellence, an emergency medicine training programme which is one of the post-graduate programmes that the Government of Guyana has introduced.

“So we will be having ambulances with trained personnel.

At the same time, we are think-

Mr. Michael Khan, CEO of GPHC, at left, receives keys for the new ambulances from the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Leslie Cadogan. Also in photo are Health Minister, Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, second left, and Minister Norman Whittaker

The seven new ambulances distributed by the Ministry of Health Region 3; Fort Wellington Hospital in Region 5; Port Mourant Hospital in Region 6; and the Linden Hospital Complex in Region 10. CEO Mr Michael Khan received the ambulances for the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, while Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Norman Whittaker, represented the other regional health facilities in receiving the ambulances on

ing of having special training for the drivers,” the minister said.

He said records reveal that new ambulances suffer their first accident within three weeks. To combat this, however, the Health Ministry is expecting recruitment of drivers of a certain quality. “We want drivers, we don’t want pilots. We don’t need to fly low with the ambulance. Putting on the siren

and the lights does not give the driver the right to endanger the lives of other road users, to endanger the lives of the nurse or doctor on the ambulance accompanying the patient, the patient him or herself and an accompanying relative,” the minister remarked.

Dr. Ramsaran, moreover, admonished recipients to manage, care and cherish the ambulances now in their care as an important part of their maintenance. He also acknowledged

the importance of the workforce, and proceeded to expound on the implementation of the National Health Strategy for this period, which was launched on December 30 by His Excellency, the President.

Through this implementation, emphasis will be placed not only on emergency medicine and reacting to disasters and crises, but also on non-communicable diseases (NCD).

The Ministry of Health is currently “putting on the

front burner” the fight against maternal deaths. Twenty-five maternal deaths were recorded for 2012, whereas only 18 such deaths were recorded for last year, showing a reduction of seven deaths. In regard to attaining zero maternal deaths, the Health Minister assured that “we are trying to get there.”

The Ministry of Health, in an evidence-based fashion, decided to identify the causes of mortality in the neonatal group; and established, within the past few years, several Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) to reduce the deaths of neonates (babies), which comprise a significant percentage of the sub-population that died.

Dr. Ramsaran mentioned, “We have twelve (12) incubators at the GPHC in a specially managed ward with other support equipment. At the same

time, we have trained staff. In Linden, we have three or four units in a similar NICU there, saving the lives of those neonates in Linden”.

Minister Ramsaran also took time to congratulate the leadership of the Linden Hospital Complex, noting that it was the best run hospital in the country.

And he urged the media to be part of the developmental process in helping to address the public on issues concerning premature birth of neonates, and not confuse people in presenting false hope of 100% survival. At a colloquium scheduled for sometime in the future, the private sector and the media will be invited to have a joint discussion addressing various issues concerning the health sector.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

Rohee recommends ‘change of guard’ at Number 51 police station --as Upper Corentyne residents protest string of robberies in their community

By Vanessa Narine AS RESIDENTS of Numbers 48 and 49 villages, Corentyne (Region 6) blocked the Corentyne Highway on Sunday in protest at the alleged involvement of police ranks in a spate of robberies in the area, Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee yesterday declared that “people will react in this way so long as they lose, and continue to lose, public confidence in the police.

“It’s a battle that they (the Guyana Police Force) have to win back. That’s a police battle,” he declared.

This latest fiasco has further contributed to the lack of public confidence in the Guyana Police Force (GPF); and yesterday, at a press briefing held at Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown, Home Affairs Minister Rohee disclosed that on Sunday night he had recommended to Police Commissioner Leroy Brumell that all ranks at the Number 51 Village Police Station be transferred.

He said, “I spoke to the (Police) Commissioner, drawing to him my concerns on the matter; and I made one recommendation to him, and that recommendation was that I wanted ‘a total change of guard’ at the Number 51 Police Station.”

The Home Affairs Minister added that he has also contacted the Berbice Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner, Brian Joseph, about the allegations being made by residents, and the consequent concerns.

Rohee noted that a week before the action taken by those Corentyne residents in reaction to the most recent robbery on Sunday night, information came into his possession that caused him concern.

vigilante groups. Once they are given an explanation why they should go the route of Community Policing Groups, there is not opposition,” he said.

Minister Rohee disclosed that the Home Affairs Ministry has been making efforts to discourage formation of vigilante groups, while encouraging establishment of Community Policing Groups (CPGs). “I think most people have accepted this (formation of CPGs) as the best thing….

They (GPF) have managed to successfully secure buy-in from the community,” he said.

Rohee said real efforts are being made to have liaison officers “on the ground” to continue encouraging communities to go the route of CPGs. He added that once a CPG has been established, it is facilitated with resources, including

At Freedom House yesterday, Home Affairs Minister, Clement Rohee, at right, and Zulfikar Mustapha RECENT INCIDENT ceeded to block the path of opposed to Community Pothe police vehicle, and also licing Groups, as opposed to The most recent robbery blocked the main road using reported in that area of the two motor lorries and other Corentyne Coast was commaterials which restricted the mitted on Sunday night at movement of traffic. Howevapproximately 7.00pm, when, er, Divisional Commander, …Police weighing whether execution according to the police, four Assistant Commissioner Brian When the Guyana Chronmen armed with shotguns Joseph, and other ranks manBy Leroy Smith icle revisited the scene yesheld up Lalman Ramdeen, aged to persuade the residents terday, it was business as 66, and his wife Vimlawattie to remove the trucks and other THE police are continuing usual, although a few blood Ramdeen, 62, in their grocery materials that were blocking investigations into the fatal stains were still visible on the shop at No. 48 Village, Corenthe roadway, and traffic is shooting of designer, Trevor ground. tyne. During that robbery, the flowing freely.”

Rose and the injury of two According to reports, the perpetrators discharged a numThe police are presently other occupants of the car he only cameras that would have ber of rounds, and took away monitoring this situation as was in around 05:00hrs on been able to pick up the shootcash, jewellery and phone investigations into the armed Sunday. ing on Sunday were out of cards before escaping on foot. robbery continue.

The injured two, Rose’s service at the time. In a discusFortunately, no one was infemale companion Latoya Towsion with this newspaper, the jured in that incident.

VIGILANTE GROUPS ler, 29, and taxi driver Troy persons who are responsible for The police statement Nieunkirk, 30, are now both the cameras said that for some said: “Ranks of a mobile The Home Affairs Minhospitalised. time now the cameras have police anti-crime patrol, in a ister acknowledged that the A senior police source connot been working and they are white police motor car with concerns of the populace, exfirmed yesterday that investibeing serviced. flashing lights and which can acerbated by the lack of congators are still working at the Meanwhile, another perbe clearly identified as a pofidence in the Guyana Police crime scene at Eccles Access son who operates close to lice vehicle, responded to the Force (GPF), have seen some Road, East Bank of Demerara, where the incident occurred report received. Upon reachvillagers forming themselves where the shooting occurred, said that two cars may have ing the village, and as the into vigilante groups. He and would be making a few been used in the attack; but house-to-house visits. this was not substantiated ranks arrived at the scene, acknowledged the inherent residents began to claim that danger in this practice, and the police were involved in stressed the need for persons the robbery, as they had seen to desist from engaging in a white car earlier travelling it, considering its potential in a suspicious manner. consequences.

“The residents then pro“I don’t think people are

patrol vehicles, to support law enforcement and fight against criminal activities. He stressed that the GPF cannot “do it alone”, and needs the support of the community.

“I think they (police) have to get out of the ‘we-know-itall’ syndrome…. They cannot know it all, because they are not always there at the scene of a crime when it is committed…which is why the police have to work with members of the public…. Once you stand aloof from the population, you lose,” Rohee said.

The Home Affairs Minister is currently awaiting a report from Police Commissioner Brumell on the status of his recommendation that ranks at the Number 51 Police Station be “swiftly” transferred from that station.

Trevor Rose shooting death or road rage

by the police or anyone else, including the driver of the car the designer was in, who was himself injured by the hail of bullets sprayed by a lone gunman.

The police have made no other statements in relation to the attack and there are no reports about any arrest in connection with the shooting.

There has been much speculation with respect to the shooting of Rose, a popular designer and entertainment promoter.

In the meantime, the Guyana Chronicle spoke to a number of persons who don’t subscribe to the theory that the killing was an execution, See page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

Syria talks: ‘Impasse’ at Nigeria ‘Boko Geneva on power transfer Haram’ attacks leave scores dead

(BBC News) THE Syrian peace talks in Geneva are deadlocked over the divisive issue of transferring power to a transitional government.

The sides cannot agree on the future role of President Bashar al-Assad.

UN mediator Lakhdar Brahimi said there “was apparently the will” to continue talks but “we never expected any miracles”.

He said there was no decision yet on allowing an aid convoy into besieged areas of the city of Homs.

“We are happy and encouraged that this conference has taken place - it is one little step forward but whatever gain we have made is reversible.

“We will continue trying to make this work and we hope that both parties will co-operate,” Mr Brahimi told a news conference in Geneva.

‘Eating grass’ The peace talks resumed in Geneva on Monday morning.

The Syrian government team presented a “declaration of principles” that did not mention transfer of power; it was rejected by the opposition.

The declaration reportedly demanded that Syrians choose a political system without “imposed formulas” from outside - an apparent reference to attempts to remove Mr Assad - while also insisting on discussing “terrorism” rather than transfer of power.

The opposition insists that the regime commits in writing to the Geneva I communique, which calls for a transition process.

Rima Fleihan, a member of the opposition National Coalition’s delegation, said: “The discussions were not constructive today because of the regime’s strategy to deflect [and] change the subject by talking of terrorism.”

Mr Brahimi adjourned the session, and held separate talks

with both parties later on Monday.

The negotiations are expected to resume on Tuesday, when both sides will discuss the Geneva I communique.

One of the elements is the composition of a governing body with full executive powers, but Mr Brahimi said this

was “the most complicated of matters” and would almost certainly not be discussed first.

He also called on both parties to refrain from speaking in too much detail to the media, saying the “confidentiality of the discussions” should be respected.

(BBC News) SUSPECTED Islamist militants have attacked two villages in north-eastern Nigeria, leaving 74 people dead, say police and witnesses.

Militants attacked Kawuri village in Borno state as a busy market was packing up on Sunday, setting off explosives and setting houses ablaze.

Witnesses said 52 people were killed in that attack, while 22 died in an attack on a church service in Waga Chakawa village, Adamawa state, on Sunday.

The attacks were blamed on Boko Haram.

The Islamist group - whose name means “Western education is forbidden” - is especially active in north-eastern Nigeria.

Borno and Adamawa are two of three north-eastern states

The old city of Homs has been under siege by government forces

Russia: Garlic picking around Sochi to be ‘banned’ during Olympics (BBC News) RESIDENTS in several parts of Chechnya and Ingushetia have been banned from picking wild garlic during the Sochi Winter Olympics, it seems.

The story appeared on the jihadist website Kavkaz-Tsentr,

and says the ban will be imposed by Russian security forces. “The infidels and apostates have not explained in what way picking wild garlic in the forests... could endanger the Sochi

named sources as saying the ban will run from 23 January to 23 March in parts of Chechnya and neighbouring Ingushetia.

A similar story appeared earlier this month on Kavkazskiy Uzel, a regional news

Olympics,” it reports.

During several security operations held in recent years, people picking wild garlic in parts of the North Caucasus region of Russia have been killed or wounded after being mistaken for rebels.

Kavkaz-Tsentr quotes un-

website. Local residents told the site police had warned Salafi Muslims not to leave the town from 1 February until the end of the Winter Paralympics on 16 March.

It also mentioned that there was “no official confirmation” of travel restrictions on local residents.

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A security offensive to combat Boko Haram’s insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria has been unable to put a stop to the violence - along with Yobe - put under emergency rule last May, as the military attempts to combat the insurgency.

Gunmen planted explosive devices around Kawuri village prior to the attack, said a witness and security official.

They also killed civilians in their homes, dozens of which were set ablaze in the attack.

“No house was left standing,” Ari Kolomi, who fled from the village to Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, some 43 miles away, told AP news agency.

“The gunmen were more than 50 [in number]; they were using explosives and heavy-sounding guns.”

Mr Kolomi said he did not yet know if his relatives had survived the attack.

Earlier on Sunday in neighbouring Adamawa state, gunmen attacked a busy church service in Waga Chakawa village, an army spokesman said.

They set off bombs and fired into the congregation, killing 22 people, before burning houses and taking residents hostage during a four-hour siege, witnesses told Reuters news agency.

The army suspects Boko Haram of being behind both attacks.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan sacked his military high command earlier this month.

No reason was given, but the move came amid concern that Boko Haram have been able to continue their bloody campaign despite the wide-ranging powers given to the military to tackle the insurgency last year.

Since the state of emergency was imposed in May, UN figures suggest more than 1,200 people have been killed in Islamist-related violence.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

Four buildings burnt in 48 hours PM: Every nation has as violence rocks Harbour View narco-trafficking Police promise to protect citizens issues

BY HG HELPS Editor-at-Large

By Carla Bridglal

(Trinidad Express) TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO’S international trade reputation will not be negatively impacted despite the $644 million cocaine bust in the United States last month from a container originating in Port of Spain, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said yesterday.

“We were able through allies to bust this container of goods, unfortunately with a

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Trinidad and Tobago name on it. We still don’t know if it was something done here or elsewhere; that is under investigation. The shipment may have left T&T, but what transpired after that is still sensitive and still under investigation. Certainly there will be concerns, but I’m not sure we will be impacted so negatively that we will be branded everywhere and blocked everywhere and I’m fortified in that view that the manufacturer was able to show these labels were counterfeit, and that the shipment was not made by them.

“Every nation in the world has issues with narco-trafficking and therefore it’s (about) our response now. We learn every day,” the Prime Minister told reporters at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port of Spain, before she delivered the feature address at the launch of the National Week of Prayer.

This was her first official statement since the story broke two weeks ago that Customs and Border Protection (CPB) officers at the Port of Norfolk in the US state of Virginia seized 732 pounds of cocaine concealed in cans bearing the labels of SM Jaleel product Trinidad Orange and Grapefruit juices on December 20 last year.

The wholesale value of the cocaine is about US$12 million and has a street value of as much as US$100 million, according to Customs officials.

The PM refrained from commenting further, but endorsed the “information lock

down” advocated by National Security Minister Gary Griffith pertaining to news on the progress of investigations.

“The matter is under investigation. It is sensitive and it would be inappropriate to comment on it at this time... I think with this being such a sensitive matter, information should be shared on a need to know basis.

Therefore, this blanket in terms of sharing information is on lock down; I think it’s a good strategy because we’ve seen in the past where leakages could lead to compromising of the investigation,” Persad-Bissessar said, adding she read an article earlier that the region was becoming the number one transshipment point for illegal drugs destined for Europe and North America.

“I don’t think it’s a new factor but certainly Trinidad is being used more and more; our geographic location, I suppose, may be a reason we are targeted,” she said.

(Jamaica Observer) CRIMINAL activities that have engulfed sections of Bay Shore in the East Rural St Andrew community of Harbour View recently, continue to make life miserable for residents following the torching of four buildings, including these three houses between Thursday and Saturday of last week.

The latest incidents preceded yesterday’s Sunday Observer report which highlighted the underworld activities of gangsters in the area, among them the murder of citizens and burial of their bodies on the banks of the Hope River, an act that has been going on for several years, according to a former gangster close to the crimes.

Police confirmed that a feud between rival gang members in the area had resulted in four buildings along Everest Drive being burnt.

Residents also told the Jamaica Observer that gunmen had fired shots at each other, and had even shot at the police when the law enforcers attempted to intervene.

Superintendent of Police in

charge of East Kingston Arthur Brown said that there was no shoot-out between the police and gunmen, but confirmed

(Newsday) PRESIDENT of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), Harrypersad Maharaj called on parents of Trinidad and Tobago to pay attention to their children to help curb crime and other social ills.

He reiterated the need for this at the launch of the National Week of Prayer held Sunday at the National Academy for Performing Arts (NAPA), Portof-Spain.

Members of different religions gathered at NAPA to begin the week by praying for a reduction in crime. Maharaj said Trinidad and Tobago is not to be singled out as the only place in the world where there is crime, violence and natural calamities occurring, but the high incidence of murders in the first month of the year is cause for religious intervention.

He said this country may have

been in a far worse state were it not for prayer and asked more persons to begin praying for things to change.

He asked persons to reflect on five aspects of their lives: their environment, their social circle, what they are eating, their money and time. Once there is positivity in these areas, he said, this can change the quality of thoughts and actions.

Youth, Maharaj said, are not being disciplined as parents often turn a blind eye or deaf ear to persons advising them about their children’s behaviour. This, he said has to be stopped and he urged parents, if they encounter any difficulty with their children, to call on the IRO for assistance.

He said the prayer week can only be successful when persons in society begin to pray and work together. His words were echoed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar who attended the launch. She said the decline of values in sections of society

“Things a get real bad now, man. We need fi get rid a them gang bway ya,” one resident told the Observer by telephone

Policemen keep a close watch on activities in Bay Shore, Harbour View, St Andrew, yesterday, following a recent series of fires and reports of shooting in the area. (PHOTO: GARFIELD ROBINSON) that the four structures were set ablaze arising from disagree-

IRO head, PM fighting crime with prayers

By Leiselle Maraj

ments between the gangs.

“It stems from a feud between two gangs,” Brown stated. “One man’s house was

has been noted, which is why a week of prayer was organised. The country, she said, is going through a difficult time because of the focus on wrong things.

burnt last Thursday night and in retaliation, two houses were set afire Friday night, apparently by those aligned to the rival gang of that which allegedly set the first fire.

“Another premises was burnt last night (Saturday) around 9:30. We now have a heavy police presence there and we are assuring the people of the area that we will do everything to guarantee their safety,” Brown said.

The area remained tense yesterday, although police personnel were noticably roaming the mainly affected road and others nearby.

yesterday.

“Harbour View was such a peaceful place, and all of a sudden this killing, robbing and shooting start up over the last few years. It look like is really God a come fi him world again,” the resident said.

The individual insisted that the sound of explosions had punctuated the air over the past four days, as the gangsters fight over turf and drug money.

The Sunday Observer reported that a mass burial site exists in the area, with an informant claiming that several people were killed and dumped there by gangsters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

GUYANA

All Guyanese should take action, and Gov’t should protect integrity of elections EDITORIAL

Why did the Opposition parties cut ERC budget?

THE attempts of the combined Opposition to strangle and collapse the work of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), a constitutional body, has always been suspect.

The ERC was one of five constitutional rights commissions, one of the products of the profound and extensive constitutional process of the 1999-2003 period.

The first members of the ERC were appointed in 2003 in compliance with the new constitutional provisions. This body with office and staff had been fully functioning and serving the Guyanese people from 2003 in accordance with its constitutional mandate, which included, inter alia, through Article 212 D (c and w) of the Constitution of Guyana: c. ‘Discourage and prohibit persons, institutions, political parties and associates from indulging in, advocating or promoting discriminatory practices on the ground of ethnicity;’ w.

‘Make recommendations on penalties, including the prevention of any political party or any persons from participating in elections for a specified period, to be imposed for any breach of provisions of this Constitution or of any law dealing with ethnicity;’ The ERC had produced annual reports and special reports to the National Assembly, again in accordance with the constitution.

With a seemingly unprovoked and malicious act, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) voted together with a “one-vote majority” to cut the entire amount allocated in the 2012 Budget for the ERC to one dollar.

This action must be exposed for what it really is: a vicious act to prevent a constitutional commission from functioning as mandated to promote unity, harmony and good relations among the Guyanese people and to prevent ethnic division and ethnic discrimination.

This action in 2012 should be seen within the context of the previous attempts by the then People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) to subvert the establishment of the ERC by not supporting a motion that had enjoyed the full support of the Committee of Appointments of which members of the PNC/R were a part and participated in drafting.

The Government members then tabled a motion which led to Resolution No. 36 under the Ninth Parliament.

That resolution stated the following: * That the National Assembly takes note of this serious development * That the house so informs the President of the Republic * That this National Assembly calls on the President to take such steps so as to enable the Ethnic Relations Commission to continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities in the interim.

The Committee of Appointments chaired by the PPP/C was unable, between 2007 and the end of the Ninth Parliament, to reach consensus with the PNCR on the list of entities to invite to submit their nominees for appointment to the ERC. This transpired after several meetings at the level of The

THE actions of Corentyne residents who blocked the road after accusing the police of involvement in a robbery should be emulated by people all across Guyana. Citizens and professional members of the force should take the same steps to root out the criminal elements in the police force.

The Government is paying criminals a fixed salary with tremendous benefits, giving them state guns and state vehicles to execute their mandate to protect and serve the people, which they instead use to carry out their nefarious acts on innocent citizens.

Since Minister Rohee cannot figure out who are criminals and who are not in that bunch, then he has the authority to fire them all.

Protection should be provided to hide the identities of citizens who come forward to finger some of these rogue police and charge them, try them and, once found guilty, they should be jailed for life.

Government must always be cognizant that many persons who are joining the army and police force are joining merely to get authority over others, as well as to get a gun, a vehicle, a uniform and a badge to get easy access to prey on innocent citizens.

The collusion between elements in the force and opposition political parties is clear, especially from the latest imbroglio of the Colwyn Harding allegations.

Colwyn Harding accused Constable Devin Mahendra Singh of inserting a condom-covered baton into his anus while he was a detainee at the Timehri Police Station facing serious criminal charges.

The Government and the professional members of the police force need to be on the alert and be very vigilant where this is concerned: Mahendar Singh is East Indian and a police in the PPP/C administration, while Harding is Afro-Guyanese.

Nigel Hughes and other top brass in the opposition have seemingly been trying, judging from their actions, to start a race war a long time now. How come Harding only made this accusation two months after the alleged incident, after the AFC Chairman got involved in his criminal matter as his legal representative? If there had been any truth in his allegations then he should have been dead from peritonitis long ago. One must not forget a lack of ethics when a prominent lawyer was discovered to have tampered with a jury through association with the foreman, a fact which neither of them disclosed. Then also he was representing a criminal facing serious charges.

Guyanese need to beware of a race war when the independent inquiry does not go the way of the opposition? Remember Linden

and Agricola?

Will a major public road at rush hour on a working day be blocked, trapping many East Indians to be singled out for beatings, robbing and to be sexually molested again?

There is a link to all these things and President Ramotar needs to take warning and record all discussions and actions taken by all GECOM members representing all the parties to prevent and dissension between GECOM members after elections are held.

What happened during last election must never happen again.

Pass laws now to hold,charge and jail any polling station member who walks out of the polling station before counting of votes are done.

If members of the opposition are making serious threats, get TV operatives and armed police and army personnel with cameras to film their antics and call in United Nations officials to record what is being done and by whom.

Then, without fear or favour, bring them to trial once they carry out their threats.

One way or another, innocent citizens of Guyana must stop being hurt when the PNC loses elections. Killing, rapes, looting and burning must never be allowed after losers lose.

You bet your life, if the PNC were to win an election there would be no intimidating threats, no looting, no burning, no beating, no robbing, no sexual molesting of citizens on the streets.

Committee of Appointments, three tabled reports, one special report and four motions to the National Assembly.

The second attempt was made when Mr. Robert Corbin, the then Leader of the Opposition and leader of the PNC/R, moved to the courts to stop the work of the ERC by way of an ex-parte injunction, which was dated and entered on June 1, 2011, mere months before the November 28, 2011 General and Regional Elections. This matter was heard and discharged on November 22, 2011.

This third intervention is the most sinister of all. With the removal of the ERC’s budgetary allocation, the only reasonable conclusion that one can make is that the APNU and the AFC have conspired to undermine the constitution by their combined majority of one in order to remove one of the key complaints mechanisms available on issues of ethnic insecurity.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. David Granger’s subsequent statement on a pro-Opposition website on May 10, 2012, in response to popular disbelief on their parliamentary action, declared that they want the ERC restructured. This seemed a subterfuge and veiled and desperate attempt to justify this reckless and unconstitutional act.

It is important to note that at no time at any of the eight meetings (talks hosted by President Donald Ramotar, nor in the written submissions of the APNU nor in the discussions) was any issue or question raised with regard to the functioning of the ERC. In fact, it was never mentioned.

The AFC attended three of these eight meetings and they did not raise any matter surrounding the ERC.

Not even when Mr. Carl Greenidge tabled the APNU motion to amend the budgetary allocations of the Minister of Finance was this matter raised. It was only on the floor during the debate of the Estimates in the Committee of Supply on April 26th that the government and the public knew that the ERC was identified by them to be reduced to $1.

One can remember, under the stewardship of Bishop Juan Edghill, the immense efforts the ERC had made to bridge divides within communities through social and cultural interactive activities that brought together Guyanese – irrespective of race, religion, ethnicity, cultural norms, to share and bond together as they enjoyed community activities in which families participated together on common community grounds.

The results were spectacular and Guyanese were re-living the spirit of yesteryear, when communities bonded and lived together in peace and harmony, looking out for each other and each other’s children.

The Opposition has learnt well the lessons taught by colonial masters: divide and conquer a people through controlling their minds with conspiracy theories, lies and misrepresentation of facts; and yes, instilling a dependency syndrome – a society shackled in mental slavery. This is seriously difficult to achieve with an active Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

When one looks at the political strategies of the joint Opposition, then one receives the answer to the question as to why did the joint Opposition (AFC & APNU) cut the ERC budget?

TED KING

Open manholes pose danger to the unwary

THERE are two or three open manholes on the pavement north of Parliament Buildings, just beside the church next to Demico House. Should a toddler, a pregnant woman or any other person accidentally step into one of those water-filled openings, serious injury or even death could occur. This is an issue that seems to require urgent attention by an individual or individuals in authority.

ERROL RAMDHANY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

Bulkan and Trend of accusations Palmer review against police mere erroneous and ploy by criminals unpatriotic KINDLY permit me to respond to Part three of Janette Bulkan and John Palmer’s series of reviewing the GFC’s reports, which were recently tabled in Parliament and published in the Stabroek News of Friday January 24th, 2014.

Kindly permit me to state the following in your newspaper: 1. Bulkan and Palmer are currently reviewing GFC’s reports from 2005-2012; but they are wrong, because they need to first analyze the Forestry Sector 1964-1992 and then move on to 2005- 2012. This will ensure that credible reviewing is done. However, so far this is not being done sequentially, which means that Bulkan and Palmer’s current reviewing process of the GFC’s reports is seriously flawed and must be ignored by all. The fact is that both Bulkan and Palmer are supporters of the PNC/APNU, which illegally ruled Guyana from 1964-1992, which was a period of massive corruption and misery. This is why Bulkan and Palmer do not want to review this period, thus their credibility is questionable: And worse, the past PNC Government never submitted reports to Parliament. So, basically, Bulkan and Palmer’s publicly reviewing of the GFC’s reports is ANTI-Government Politics in Action, and at best a farcical reviewing.

2. Bulkan and Palmer are currently hiding out and only emerge to camouflage PNC filth by casting aspersions on Government’s initiatives. A simple assessment of their parts 1, 2 & 3 reviewing of the GFC’s reports tells me that they are simply grasping at straws, since they have not as yet put forward a single credible analytical review that warrants any consideration.

Where did they receive their training from? It appears that they want to make Parliament a banking institution, since they are making an issue over the signature of the commissioner of forests. What a shame! What have specimen signatures to do with the submission of reports to Parliament?

3. Bulkan and Palmer, however, seem to be job-hunting and marketing themselves foolishly from abroad. If so, then they can provide free training on the presentation of Annual Reports (ARs) and then apply to the Government of Guyana for a job, then the proper persons would determine their abilities. I can recall that Bulkan posed as a technical expert, but erroneously and unpatriotically advised Suriname to incorporate a portion of Guyana’s territory when that country was preparing its readiness plans to secure funding for its REDD+ Initiative from the Forest Carbon and Partnership Facility (FCPF). The GFC consistently condemned this major error by Suriname, which resulted in the removal of the “portion of Guyana’s territory” from the maps of Suriname. Shame!!! Bulkan was subsequently removed from the technical advisory panel (TAP) established by the FCPF. Is this one of the reasons why Bulkan is always bitter with the GFC and its work of sustainably managing Guyana’s forests and always attacks its policies, plans and programmes?

4. But everything the “goodly doctor” puts hands on always fade away, such as the National Forest Certification Standard, Iwokrama’s Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard, Waini Forest management plan and the Barama Company Limited (BCL) Partnership with the Akawini Community for sustainable forest harvesting.

5. So listening and being advised by the “goodly doctor”; or some say “witch doctor”, the parliamentary Opposition in the National Assembly will soon fade away as they have started to. As Dr. Walter Rodney used to say in the 1970s, “Anything the PNC puts its hands on turns to sh._t”. So apt a description in this situation.

6.

Mr. Editor, Bulkan and Palmer have parts four and five left of their series of critically reviewing the GFC’s reports submitted to Parliament. Their action in this regard can best be described as totally unpatriotic, anti-Government of Guyana, vindictive and unprofessional. Given the Suriname imbroglio, what else could one expect?

PETER PERSAUD

BEFORE I go into our discussion today, let me make it pellucid, that I am in no way in support of law-enforcement ranks brutalizing a detainee, or anyone for that matter, on the account that they have broken the law. There are methods that are legitimately in place that a lawman can use when dealing with criminals, but none of those include sodomizing someone with a baton.

Having established that point I will also say this: law enforcement has every right to use some degree of force, whatever you may call it, when apprehending someone who is either resisting arrest or is in some way violent or hostile. Whenever that individual refuses to comply with the officer’s command, then he/she has evidently forfeited their rights to be brought in on peaceful means. Let us for a moment examine the scenario, and I choose the most common form: that is,the police set out to make an arrest of an unarmed convict. On arrival at the scene the convict either runs away or, when confronted by the police, he puts up a fight or, simply put, bluntly refuses to cooperate with the lawmen. Then, according to “popular sentiments”, the police should calmly turn around, with tails behind them, report back to base that the convict refused to come with them. If this is not a joke then I would ask: what is? Let me inform those charlatans who lecture the police on law enforcement that those policemen are required under the law to subdue the resisting perpetrator: that is, roughly put their hands on him and bring him in. Anything short of this constitutes a dereliction of duty and they (police) in turn should be penalized for this.

A greater level of accountability is required when that criminal is armed with a deadly weapon, such as a knife, a cutlass, piece of wood or a firearm.The police must approach that situation with utmost caution, being well aware that the situation can become dangerous and deadly. Therefore, to subdue that individual some form of force must be used to subdue the felon. This means that the criminal must receive treatment commensurate where marks of violence might show up on him. So, to my friends in the criminal fraternity, this constitutes proper police work and not brutality that is so often reported in the press. The police were not placed there to be friends or chums of the criminal, but to do his job without fear or favour.

Highlighting the recent case where the policeman was negligent in his supervision of a detainee in removing his handcuffs so as to afford him the use of the washroom, wherein the criminal skilfully wrestled the firearm from the officer and made good his escape, those policemen seeking his arrest were equally guilty when they went

after the offender. Instead of carefully accessing the area where the criminal was located, they clumsily went in, whereupon one of their members was shot at and killed. This is poor policing. That criminal should have been successfully flushed out of that hideout, I would say, more dead than alive. Because here you are dealing with a well armed criminal and there should be no softly, softly approach; all the force needed to apprehend him should have been applied.

Let me remind my readers of another act of poor policing.

Sometime during the late 1970s, a prisoner in New Amsterdam used the same excuse when he and his relatives requested that he be unshackled to use the washroom. Once one hand was free the criminal made that handcuff into a battering ram to batter that police officer then made his escape. Now, that officer is guilty many times over for his poor policing skills and should have been dismissed for this. In the first place, he should not have allowed the prisoner any visitors, because these relatives and friends were really distractors who were planted there to compromise the security of the felon. In the case cited above, these so-called relatives made an impassioned plea for the felon to be released of his shackles so as to have proper use of the washroom: “Ow officer, tek off dem thing from de boy, he is a human being” were their exact words. The officer being “very humane” did the silly thing of releasing him, thus walking right into the trap that was set up by the criminal and his associates. As I said, no “relatives’ should have been there to make requests, because he was at a hospital and the doctors and nurses would have taken good care of him. Secondly, a bedpan should have been brought to him, not him visiting the washroom unsupervised.

The point I am making here is, criminals would not be blown away like that because they are not going to accept prosecution without a fight, and a sure way to avoid punishment is to come up with these outrageous claims of abuse. Criminals and their community of friends are smart people and they are seeking every avenue, every nook and cranny where they could avoid prosecution. Therefore, no stone would be left unturned and there would be no limits to their excuses as they ply their nefarious trade. The latest trend of accusations of “police brutality” is another one of these ploys in an age-old battle between criminal and police.

NEIL ADAMS

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

DEALERS IN DEATH

A

- Are teens being used as conveyors of arms, as seems to be the case in this instance?

POLICE patrol in the South Ruimveldt locale last week, which resulted in the stopping and searching of two teenaged youths that led to the discovery of a deadly assault M-16 rifle, ammunition, and the equally deadly accessories of grenades in their possession, further underlines the frightening fact of the presence of high-velocity weaponry, and their easy acquisition, by whomsoever, for what definite evil and murderous activity.

Of course, Samuel Johnson, 17; and Kevin George, 18, the youths found with the semi arsenal, were arrested, and have since been charged, placed before the court and subsequently remanded.

One must commend the police patrol for their prompt response to the calls from the South Ruimveldt citizens that led to the interception and arrests, and the professionalism with which they executed their duties. It is quite obvious that they adhered to standard operating procedures.

Further, those residents who observed the suspicious actions of the two teens should also be congratulated for doing their civic duty; for such timely intervention definitely resulted in some highly dangerous and illegal mission for which that arsenal had been intended, being thwarted.

The new millennium, particularly, has been very informative as to the proliferation of gun crimes in Guyana, and the calibre used in committing deadly acts of violence. It is certain that the handgun, though still used in a number of crimes, is no longer the

weapon of choice in the possession of those who carry out their criminal activities.

From accounts given by eye-witnesses, there is always the description of “long guns” carried by the gunmen. This claim is supported by police investigators, whenever they explain the type of casings found at the scenes of most crimes. It points to a perception that the perpetrators, particularly those of the “hit men category”, wanting to ensure the efficiency and completeness of their deadly assignment, since they are often paid assassins.

It is more than clear that there is a ready market for this heavy calibre type weapon, particularly the well known and much used AK-47, as a result of the changed social dynamics of our society where narcotics and other related crimes, have

‘SHOCKING’: The deadly assault M-16 rifle, grenades and ammunition that were seized from two teenagers recently.

resulted in a frightening demand for arms being acquired for bodyguards and personal protection, mostly illegally. Certainly, such high-voltage arms are not known to be licensed to private citizens. Hence, they are acquired illegally.

Surely, these guns are smuggled into Guyana without lawful permission, and by gunrunners who have their ready clientele.

Therefore, the challenge for the authorities is to determine the manner of entry, and their locations, with a clear-cut strategy of minimising an activity that is manifest at the centre of bloody, murderous acts being committed with alarming regularity in this country. One feels horrified, aware that a very lethal device such as a grenade is easily acquired from sources responsible for gun-running and illegal arms sales, by persons for whatever evil purpose is planned.

For too long there have been contentions that our borders are too lengthy and porous, cannot be efficiently policed, if at all, and therefore facilitate the easy entry of illegal firearms.

But what about the nation’s waterways and berthing areas? Are these also not possible for use of landing illegal arms?

It is time that our security advisors and strategists evolve plans for combating a situation that is at crises proportions.

One can only speculate as to the number of these “dealers in death”, but that is not important. Irrespective of their numbers, and where their supply bases are located, whether source or middlemen, our security forces, supported by proper intelligence must begin an all-out assault against these “dealers in death”, for they are out there, in many forms and guises. Their illegal enterprise must be broken and eliminated.

One is certain that the two teens, who ought to have been at school, were possibly acting on behalf of someone.

Are teens being used as conveyors of arms, as seems to be the case in this instance? Of course, such will be determined by law enforcement and intelligence personnel in their investigations. This particular incident must be a catalyst for action by our security forces.

Rohee charges APNU with ‘dereliction’ of duty over budget talks

By Vanessa Narine

than a dereliction of duty to our workers and to the constituencies of the opposition parties which elected them as their THE position of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), voices. regarding the repeated invitations for talks on the national “… it is evident that Granger had instructed Greenidge to budget, is that it is too late for any meaningful consultaengage in consultations - just Greenidge choose to disobey tions. him. To save face Granger, instead of disciplining Greenidge, However, PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, in made the excuse that it is ‘too late’ for consultations.” commenting on this stance, said that the position of the main According to him, the “ever changing” position has opposition party on the matter is reflective of a “dereliction” been noted with great concern by the People’s Progressive of that party’s duty towards its conParty. stituencies.

Rohee said, “True “To not engage in budget consultations is nothing less Speaking at a press conference to its agreeing antics, than a dereliction of duty to our workers and to the held at Freedom House, Robb Street, the APNU has been constituencies of the opposition parties which elected offering a plethora of yesterday, he said, “To not engage in budget consultations is nothing less them as their voices.” - Rohee excuses for not accepting to consult on budget 2014.

“First they were not invited, then when the APNU Leader, Granger, directed Member of Parliament Greenidge to engage From page 3 argument broke out and the he said that he needed more information and then finally it was driver of the car exited the claiming that Rose, of 331 that it was too late for consultations.” vehicle and opened fire on the East Street, Georgetown was occupants of his car, killing not an “enemy maker” and POLITICAL GRANDSTANDING the designer and injuring himthe killing could well be a self and the designer’s female case of road rage.

The General Secretary noted that the “flimsy excuses” companion.

The driver of the taxi in seem to indicate that the APNU is more interested in political According to the driver, which Rose was travelling said Rose was the last person to grandstanding, rather than serving the interests of their conthat he pulled up at the traffic be shot. The first was said to stituents and the nation as a whole. light at Eccles and shortly after be the driver of the car and He said, “It is quite comical to hear the APNU, only a few a car that was heavily tinted, then the woman. According weeks ago, declaring 2014 boldly as “Year of the Worker” pulled up alongside him and to some persons, had Rose but weeks later, when the workers’ interests would be best the driver began accosting him been the intended target, the served by budget consultations, APNU turns its back on the about the way he was driving. gunman would have targeted very workers.

The taxi driver said an him first.

“The annual budget is the single most important

Trevor Rose shooting ...

government intervention which impacts on the lives of our country’s workers and their families. “…this opposition’s political grandstanding and continuously shifting of the goalpost on budget 2014 consultation only serves to divide and sow discord and discontent.”

Rohee stressed that PPP General Secretary APNU’s position “hurts Clement Rohee rather than helps” the people of Guyana and the development of the country.

“Division and discord are tools commonly used by the PNC and which they seek to inflict on the wider society,” he said. “The People’s Progressive Party in giving meaning to our constitution has devolved in favour of consultative democracy in Guyana.”

COMMITMENT TO CONSULTATION The General Secretary made it clear that it could never be too late for consultation.

“At the very heart of the PPP is its commitment to consultation and its conviction that decisions made based on consultations, would stand the test of time,” he stressed.

Rohee called for all stakeholders who have been invited to engage in the 2014 Budget consultations to take the opportunity to engage the Minister of Finance to the fullest, with respect to their ideas and to negotiate on behalf of their constituents.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

Old Kai: Chronicles of Guyana...

‘King Solomon’ wisely concedes defeat O

- Grudgingly admits PPP/C has always had Linden’s back

LD Kai was inspired by the strength and determination showed by supporters of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who turned up in their numbers on Saturday, January 25, 2014 to reopen their regional office in Linden.

This was despite the atmosphere of fear which APNU, led by their point-man in Linden, Sharma Solomon, attempted to create in the mining town in the lead-up to the opening.

However, Old Kai is grateful to Solomon and his other opposition colleagues who were kind enough to mobilise and bring their supporters to the event. Ordinarily, the opposition media would not have carried news about the opening ceremony of the PPP Region 10 office, as it goes against their agenda of painting the PPP as only an East Indian Party, and being uncaring of the people of Linden.

By publishing such an article, their readers will begin to question them and their opposition masters, as, if the PPP and the PPP/C Government are guilty of all their accusations, how can they still command such a large support base in the mining township!

My contention is fortified by the fact that neither the Kaieteur News nor Stabroek News carried any article specifically on the PPP opening ceremony on Sunday; but you would have noticed their long diatribe on the APNU protest action outside where the event occurred, with only a passing mention of why they were there.

Hence, Old Kai is being grateful to Solomon and company, as, if they did not engage in their protest, the PPP would not have even gotten a mention in these two opposition-controlled tabloids, and their readership would have been left in the dark about this significant development.

It was most amusing to read that the APNU leaders in the Region were upset that the President and Prime Minister went to the opening ceremony, but could not find the time to stop and interact with them. This peaceful, law-abiding bunch was so disheartened, I almost shed a tear; a tear for their acting, which deserved an Oscar, no less!

According to APNU Member of Parliament, Vanessa Kissoon, “This is total disrespect! It is disrespect to the highest for the President to come to this Region and not even have the common courtesy, or manners, to inform or pay a courtesy call on the Regional Chairman (King Solomon); it is total disrespect!” Just in case you missed it, this was the very woman who was exposed during the Linden Commission of Inquiry for lying to the judges.

Old Kai is puzzled as to her reasons for getting all ‘huffy and puffy’, as, in the first instance, the Regional Chairman was aware of the impending visit several days before the event, as he was in the media trying to get support to ‘shut down’ Linden when the President arrived. And, apparently, she wanted the President to pay a courtesy call on ‘King Solomon’ at the opposition-organised protest action.

Well ‘mad-am’, if you and your APNU brigade were seriously interested in meeting the President, then you fell way short on basic courtesy and manners when you preempted the situation and announced you were ‘shutting down’ Linden.

Now, you will recall that the last time you decided to ‘shut down’ Linden, and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (who has responsibility for the electricity sector, the supposed genesis of the protest), in all his commitment to the development of his hometown, visited and tried to interact with you and

your crew, not only did you reject and ‘cuss him down’, but your supporters openly bore placards with some of the most heinous statements. We will never forget the one which boldly exclaimed, ‘Kill Sam Hinds!’ That was so courteous of you and your APNU crew.

So, your crocodile tears that ‘dem big-boys ain’t even stop and talk with wid y’all’ (this time around) will not have any traction; no security detail worth its salt would have advised the President and Prime Minister to go into that crowd, based on such a public threat to the life of the Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. The APNU leaders only have themselves to blame; but don’t expect them to take any responsibility. Like everything else, ‘Is de government fault!’

Then we come to our boy, King Solomon, better known as ‘Little Kabaka’, who apparently feels that the entire world revolves around him and him only! He wants the President to call him, then come pay a courtesy call on him. He wants to shut down Linden; he advocates destruction; he wants investors; he does not want Amalia; he wants cheaper electricity; he does not want any increases. He want, he want! Is only about what ‘he wants’. Well, sorry, Mr. Solomon!

You are in for a rude awakening, because Old Kai ‘gun skin you’ up once again.

Solomon proclaims, in big headlines, in the Stabroek News, ‘Hold Government accountable’, but what about you, Mr. Regional Chairman? You presided over the wanton destruction of Linden: The robberies; the beatings; the burnings; the looting and, mysteriously, shortly before ‘this shooting’ occurred, the many leaders from the APNU and AFC, their sidekicks from the Unions etc., almost in unison disappeared in a choreographed manner from the scene, and, as a result, none were injured! All of your cameras managed to record everything else, EXCEPT the shooting! How strange is that, Mr. APNU Chairman! Even the AFC ballistic expert’s testimony disputed the allegations made by you and your opposition colleagues about who exactly did the shooting. I guess no one should hold you accountable for your actions, because, like everything else, ‘Is de government fault!’

Old Kai has also noticed that the esteemed Solomon, as part of his address, has evolved into a devout democratic idealist. Speaking about the PPP reopening its Regional Office, he is quoted as saying, “We are a very democratic Region; we believe in the rights of every citizen to exercise their religion or their politics, and whatever it is that individual chooses to practise; those things are guaranteed in the Constitution. We respect and believe that is the right of every citizen.”

Well, Mr. Solomon, it is a darn pity you did not recognise this before your calls for violence resulted in the destruction of the PPP Linden office in the first instance. But let us test his statements further: As I indicated in an earlier column, it is purely out of fear of being targeted that businesses would have closed last Saturday. Mr. Solomon had announced a few days prior that the entire business community was behind his ‘Shut-down Linden’ campaign, only for the Linden Chamber of Commerce to announce the next day that they were not consulted and were not in agreement.

So, at this point, our democratic idealist suddenly evolves back into a ‘little dictator’, as he also had this to say on the day of the protest: “The numbers of the registered members in the Chamber is 21; I have had over 25 businesses that have called and indicated that they will comply with my intention…”

COMMENTARY – By David DeGroot

I

Granger unable to assert authority over party leadership

T is not being wicked or wilful, but it must be said that Mr. David Granger portrays a picture of unfitness as leader of APNU, as well as leader of the opposition.

His so far brief venture into politics clearly exposes his inadequacy as a leader, and his often expressed statements confirm his lack of stature for the high positions entrusted to him. It is therefore no wonder he is unable to assert his authority in his APNU political party; take for example, the disrespect being demonstrated by shadow Finance Minister Carl Greenidge, whose refusal to attend meetings to which he was invited for the purpose of discussion of the 2014 National Budget is startling evidence that Granger is presiding over chaos within the party of which he is leader.

The obvious political ineptitude associated with his palpable mal-administration can be traced to the absence

of political groundings in his more formative years. This scenario highlights the negative practice of pitch-forking ill-equipped personalities into positions of political power.

In fact, we see this lapse being repeated with the makeup of the members of Parliament sitting as representatives of the combined opposition.

This explains why the configuration of the one-seat majority has consistently displayed anti-nationalist predispositions, which in the process affects the progressive programmes of the ruling administration in moving the country forward to full development.

How much longer must Guyanese be prepared to accept this kind of political interference in the process of developing the nation?

Yes; you read correctly: Comply, which also means obey, submit, confirm. The businesses have been forced to ‘comply’ with the directives of Mr. Solomon to ‘shut-down’.

You have to admire the democratic credentials of this APNU Regional Chairman; from his own mouth, he has admitted that businesses were given an instruction. And if they went against that instruction and did not ‘comply’, well, we know the fate of the other businesses during the last ‘shut-down’ campaign by APNU and the AFC in Linden. But don’t expect him to take any responsibility; ‘Is de government fault!’

This guy is so clueless, and, as a result, confused, it is no wonder Linden is in such turmoil; it is like putting a child to drive a truck. He has caused so much destruction; it is unbelievable that APNU continues to have him in such an important position. He goes on to preach to the converted on bauxite: “...the Government is propping up the failing sugar industry with billions of dollars, while it allowed the bauxite industry to fail.” Solomon clearly sounds like he really believes his lies.

The records will show that the PNC, now APNU, left the bauxite industry on its death-bed when their dictatorship ended in 1992. In fact, back then, they were the ones advocating for increased electricity rates, as they had recognised how unsustainable this was.

When the PPP/C came into office, the International Monetary Fund had urged them to close down the bauxite industry, as it was a drain on the nation’s coffers. Sugar was still ‘King’, and this very ‘uncaring and racist PPP/C Government’ refused to close the bauxite industry, as no-way were they going to let all those workers be on the breadline. Even though the nation was bankrupt, and its debt burden unbearable, it was determined to find the resources to inject into the bauxite sector.

Billions were pumped into the industry every year since 1992, with the hope that someday, things will turn around. No doubt some of that money came from the sugar industry. At the same time, the PPP/C still had to find the money to subsidise electricity costs, and to invest in Region 10 in terms of infrastructure, including roads, bridges, schools, healthcare etc.

When you take this into consideration, added to the fact that resources also had to be found for the other Regions of Guyana, you will fully understand the great service this PPP/C party and government has done for this nation and our people.

Shame on you, Mr. Solomon! Not only for trying to hide this reality, but also for your attempts to twist the facts and mislead your supporters into believing that the PPP has been uncaring of Linden and Region 10.

However, as always when you are forced to keep telling lies to cover your tracks, sooner or later you will be exposed. And the crowning moment was when he admitted, as reported in the media, that ‘bauxite is on the rise again’. Yes! He did!

This simply did not happen by a miracle, or through anything the opposition has done; it is credit to successive PPP/C Governments that the APNU Chairman has admitted that bauxite is on the rise again in his Region. So, clearly they should not have been out there ‘protesting and shutting down’; they should have been there recognising how much the PPP/C had done for the region. After all, even Mr. Sharma Solomon has recognised this fact.

The Chronicle apologises to GPHC, again!

THIS newspaper would like to once again extend our most sincere of apologies to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the Nation’s provider of Health Services, and all the hard-working and obviously upset staff members of that public health institution.

Our apology follows public ridicule over an article published in the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday, January 25th under the headline –“Young mother and newborn baby die within hours of each other at GPHC – devastated relatives hoping PMEs provide answers”.

Chronicle’s Editor-in-Chief, who is very upset about the erroneous article, has already launched an investigation, the outcome of which revealed that the reporter, Shirley Thomas, wrote “a city hospital” in her article, but a sub-editor somehow interpreted that to mean GPHC. While the sub-editor is claiming it was a genuine mistake with no ulterior motive, the Editor-in-Chief believes it was too embarrassing a mistake for him not to be sanctioned.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

Sixth memorial held for 11 Lusignan massacre victims

By Shirley Thomas THE Sixth Annual Evening of Remembrance was on Sunday held at Track ‘A’, Lusignan, East Coast of Demerara, in memory of the eleven persons slain in the horrendous massacre of January 26, 2008, and 12 others who lost their lives in a separate shooting rampage at Bartica, three weeks later, on February 17.

The programme was organised by the Indian Arrival Committee and attracted a large gathering of bereaved family members and friends, from the affected community, who tried to garner strength and courage as they huddled, in sober reflection, under canopies specially

Caribbean States (CELAC) Heads of Government Summit.

Other guests included Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Bishop Juan Edghill, Jnr., Pastor Balgobin Ragnauth of Lifesprings Ministries, Chateau Margot and Pandit Haresh Tiwari.

Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Raymond Azeez.

It was a sobering occasion, and apart from the many messages of hope and healing, another special feature was the ceremonial opening of a Memorial Arch, in memory of the residents who were slain in the infamous Lusignan Massacre.

Prime Minister Hinds performed the function of cutting the symbolic ribbon, declaring the arch open. The arch was

- 12 killed in Bartica shooting rampage also remembered ing, Prime Minister Hinds alluded to the Lusignan Massacre as the most horrible event he has ever experienced.

He recalled that as he visited the community early in the morning, following the massacre, there was, understandably, great tension and people were literally ‘boiling over’. Mr. Hinds, however, credited the work of the security forces and the restraint eventually exercised by residents, for bringing things under control and preventing a ‘worse situation’.

LUSIGNAN AND BARTICA KILLINGS “It was truly one of the

The arch donated by Rajendra Ramcharran in memory of those who were slain in the Lusignan Massacre

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds at the Lusignan Evening of Remembrance set up for the occasion.

Special guest was Acting President Samuel Hinds, as President Donald Ramotar had left for Cuba to attend the Community of Latin American and

donated by Mr. Rajendra Ramcharran and family, residents of Lusignan, and was erected with the assistance of other residents of the community.

In his address to the gather-

most testing times, I think, in our young nation,” he recalled, and described the Lusignan and Bartica killings as the two most horrible events in the history of our nation.

Rohee condemns use of Harding case as ‘political football’

By Vanessa Narine THERE has been much said in both the political and civilian spheres over the alleged rape of 23-year-old Colwyn Harding, and the matter continues to attract much attention.

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr Clement Rohee, yesterday condemned the use of that matter as a political football, and he said that premature judgments should be avoided.

At a press conference held at Freedom House on Robb Street, Georgetown, Rohee said: “We view with great consternation politicians and others usually critical of the Government reducing this grave matter into a political

football, kicking it around to bolster their faltering political fortunes.

“They have already passed judgment on the matter. They have already condemned the police officer. They have already calculated compensation, and are demanding the state to pay $100M tax payers’ dollars as compensation.

“All of this they did having heard only one side, and in the absence of any credible impartial investigation; or indeed, any investigation. Even the doctors’ professional opinions were ignored in this process.

“In other words, they accumulated their own evidence, heard one side, which included no impartial or professional opinion of any doctor who examined the patient, but passed

their own judgment and (are) now demanding payment of that judgment.

“Many of these persons are lawyers, and therefore we are forced to presume that they must have a fleeting acquaintance with concepts such as natural justice, presumption of innocence, and the value of expert medical opinion.

“In their game of political football, they ignored them all.”

FAMILIAR TREND Rohee pointed out that the trend of judgment without a trial is a familiar one. He was referring to the 2012 incident in Linden.

He said, “We recall that this is the selfsame motley See page 11

Commenting on what he considered to have been the motive for the Lusignan killings, Mr. Hinds conceded, “But these were all innocent people who might have been just close at hand.”

He however alluded to the Bartica killings on February 17, as having been merely an attempt at robbery to rid people of cash and gold - going after quick riches. He said the people must be commended for having submitted to the big challenge of coming together as one nation.

The Prime Minister was of the view that, even though we cannot bring an end to violence, we should reflect on our religious teachings so as to minimise violence. Reflecting on the spate of violence taking place the world over, and pondering “what can we do about it,” the Prime Minister said that “as we live day by day, we should give some of our time and some of our effort in reducing animosity and bitter behaviour amongst people, and extend a hand of friendship … smile with each other, so that we can create the circumstances, hopefully, where events like Lusignan would not happen again.”

He called on persons to extend an attitude of camaraderie.

“By being together and being concerned about each other, we could reduce the likelihood of such events like Lusignan and Bartica occurring again,” he said.

Mr. Hinds commended the IAC for taking the lead role in these annual ceremonies of Remembrance, and not least, those who erected the arch as a Memorial. “We should commit ourselves, that when we too are angry with one another we should recall and we should try to control our anger.”

In closing, Mr. Hinds reiterated his sympathies to the be-

reaved families of those killed, on his own behalf, and on behalf of President Donald Ramotar who is in Cuba for the CELAC Summit.

Meanwhile, Pandit Haresh Tiwari, commending the IAC for hosting the Evening of Remembrance, considered it a signature occasion, noting that there are people who still remember this tragic occasion which befell the community.

Pointing to the immutable and immortal Law of Cause and Effect, he posited, “Whatever we see around us, be it as the night following the day, it is as a result of this law - an unchanging law.” He said the people are deeply angered by what has happened to this, their beloved village of Lusignan, noting that according to that law, one thing is for sure - “Whatever we give to this world comes back to us, and this is something that neither of us can avoid.” To this end, Pandit Haresh cautioned, “We should all be careful in our lives as to what we give to this world; what we give to our families; our neighbours, community, country and we must understand that whatever we give, that comes back to us.”

“GIVING IS RECEIVING” He alluded to the ancient Vedic thought which says, “Giving is receiving. If a man gives hate, he will receive hate; If you give love, and if you give compassion, it is undeniable that that should come back to us.”

He admonished the gathering to take this word back with them: “Be very much aware and conscious of what you give to the world, with the understanding that ‘Whatever we give, comes back to us’.” And praying for peace, he concluded, May God Almighty guide us from darkness into light and may he

lead us from the fear of death to the understanding of our immortal soul.”

Meanwhile, Bishop Edghill condemning the persons who committed the heinous act of cold blooded murder said they should be brought to justice, punished and penalised.

But ironically, he said, he is of the view that the wounds and the pains of the families would have been relived at the end of the trial, when the jury freed a particular person who was on trial … and after that, it was discovered that there was a concern, that one of the members of the jury was connected with one of the defence attorneys.

“That is something that should not escape our attention, because in the quest for justice, there is a demand that those of us who hold office; there is a demand that those of us who lead organisations; those of us who people look up to, to demand that we act in a very responsible manner, by being truthful, by being candid, and by being honest to the people we claim to represent.”

“For this reason,” he said, “we are now faced with two tragedies” - the death of innocent people who were gunned down in their sleep, women and children included, and the second tragedy was what was referred to as ‘A Miscarriage of Justice’… a situation where, following police investigations and charges, a defense attorney and a juror have been placed together and there was no declaration made at the time of the jury selection. And this is something that “all of us in this country must cry out against, because it is a Miscarriage of Justice,” Edghill said.

Other items on the programme included brief remarks by Pastor Balgobin Ragnauth, Islamic Qaseeda by Mohamed Shizad and Ryan Adams, among others.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

President Ramotar among Heads as 2nd CELAC Summit opens in Havana THE second Summit of leaders of the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC) will officially open today in Havana, the Cuban capital.

President, Donald Ramotar, who arrived in Havana on Sunday, is leading Guyana’s delegation to the meeting of the 33 member states.

The Summit is being held under the theme, “Eradication of hunger, poverty and inequality in Latin America and Caribbean States”.

These are issues that are of profound concern to President Ramotar who has on several occasions lamented the fact that the Latin American and Caribbean Region remains the most unequal in the world.

Foreign Affairs Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, who led the local delegation at a meeting of Foreign Ministers held on the eve of the Summit last evening, said that the meeting was very significant for Guyana. She cited the declaration on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) which comes at a time when 2014 is designated the year of SIDS. SIDS have peculiar issues to deal with, such as the effects of

Guyana’s Foreign Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues –Birkett at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of CELAC, prior to the opening of the 2nd Summit today climate change on their economies and the issue of the reduction of concessionary financing for middle income countries based on the GDP per capita. It is important to garner support from the wider Latin American Region.

Foreign Ministers of CELAC meet on the eve of the 2nd Summit which opens in Havana, Cuba today This declaration on SIDS highlights the challenges these States face, with regard to how prone many are to the effects of climate change and natural disasters, and the issue of financing. Minister Rodrigues-Birkett added that the declaration demonstrates the support of CELAC to the efforts of SIDS countries and it recognises the peculiarities of these states, given that one hurricane or flood can wipe out the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of a SIDS country.

This declaration, according to the minister, augurs well for an upcoming international meeting of SIDS which will be held in Samoa later this year. Twenty-eight declarations have thus far been approved for adoption at this second Summit of CELAC. With regard to the group of 33 countries which make up CELAC, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett noted, “…for too long we have been geographically close, but we have not been close politically and otherwise, and the fact that you can have 33 members here, including Cuba, sitting down and being able to agree on so many things, is very significant”.

Also part of Guyana’s delegation is Minister of Housing and Water and acting Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Irfaan Ali, and Ambassador Audrey Waddell, who is Guyana’s CELAC National Coordinator, as well as the Ambassador to UNASUR. CELAC was created in December 2011 following the Declaration of Caracas in Venezuela, and represents about six hundred million people.

AG Nandlall accuses APNU’s Greenidge of disguising delay tactics

By Vanessa Narine

ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Anil Nandlall, flayed APNU’s front bencher and Shadow Finance Minister, Mr Carl Greenidge, for his recent comments on consideration of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Bill at the Select Committee.

In a January 26th Kaieteur News publication headlined ‘Anti Money laundering discussions…Gail Teixeira is being malicious’, Greenidge contended that consideration of the AML/CFT Bill needs to be done clause by clause before the APNU proposes any amendments. He said, “It needs to be made clear that there is a process in doing this, and we are currently still debating that process on whether stakeholders can be present or not at the meetings of the Select Committee.

“We are discussing the Bill in a systematic way. When we discuss it clause by clause, as we get to one where we have a problem, we will table our amendments; but we are not at that stage right now. “…when we arrive at that stage where it is required of us to do so, then we will submit our proposals; and Teixeira should not be spewing a position that suggests otherwise.”

DELAY TACTIC However, the AG stressed that the Bill is “essentially” the same. He said, “The bill is

no different. It is exceedingly similar to what was voted down last year. The changes that were made are minor and few, and reflect the recommendations made by CFATF (Caribbean Financial Action Task Force) at their meeting in November.”

Nandlall stressed that Greenidge is “disguising” the Opposition’s delay tactics by implying that the bill is very different and hence needs to have detailed review, clause by clause.

“Is he saying that in nine months he has not one recommendation for an amendment?” the AG asked.

The AG added that the Government’s position is that the bill should not be substantially changed, since in its current form it has already secured approval from CFATF. Nandlall restated to the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) the caution he had expressed when the bill was re-tabled in the National Assembly this year and returned to Select Committee.

“We have to be careful with what we are titillating with.

What is there is what CFTST wants, and any changes must be in those parameters (recommendations), or else we run the risk of the bill now being non-compliant with the recommendations which have already been made,” he said.

The Attorney-General said that on insisting on the need for amendments to the bill, it is the Opposition who should “state clearly” what those amendments are.

Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall PIGGY-BACKING Nandlall charged that the Opposition seems to be relying on the recommendations of stakeholders to propose changes. “They are relying on stakeholders to come in and tell them what to change. They should be frank and say that they don’t know what to change…. They want to piggy-back on the recommendations of stakeholders,” the AG opined.

He explained that at meetings of the last Select Committee, several stakeholders had made presentations, some of which were included in the bill, while other proposals were incapable of being reduced into recommendations for inclusion because they were commentaries on the ills of money laundering. “The stakeholders who will make presentations this time round are not very different,” the AG opined.

In line with the request of the Opposition, persons who had made written submissions

during the last committee’s consideration of the bill are expected to be given opportunity to appear before the Committee.

Among those expected to appear before the committee are Professor Clive Thomas, Attorney Christopher Ram, the Bar Association and the Bankers’ Association.

Nandlall reiterated that the committee is facing a time constraint, with the Frenchbased Financial Action Task Force (FATF) expected to meet on February 13. The FATF is expected to hold a review in

February, in which Guyana could be included following CFATF’s designation of Guyana as a country with strategic anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism deficiencies, and has not made sufficient progress in addressing the deficiencies, and has not complied with its Action Plan developed with CFATF to address these deficiencies.

In addition to its deadline, CFATF itself is expected to review Guyana’s position at its next meeting in May 2014. If Guyana is unable to meet the

May 2014 deadline, the body is expected to hand Guyana over to the Financial Action Task Force for the International Cooperation Review Group’s (ICRG) evaluation to begin.

Guyana has already been blacklisted by CFATF. The body, at its 38th plenary meeting this week, called for its members to “consider implementing counter measures to their financial systems from the ongoing money laundering and terrorist financing risks” emanating from Guyana.

Rohee condemns use ...

From page 10

crew who recklessly and irrationally jumped to similar conclusions in respect of persons whom they misled into protest actions, and who were killed in Linden in June 2012.

“In that instance, they wildly claimed that they have evidence that the Minister of Home Affairs issued instructions to shoot. As a result, the Government was forced to establish a Commission of Inquiry, bringing commissioners from the Caribbean to conduct an inquiry into those events. That inquiry cost the tax payers of this country $120M. “In the end, those who made those baseless allegations were publicly humiliated, as there was not a scintilla of evidence to support them. Both the minister and the Police Force were exonerated.”

Rohee called for experience to be a teacher that ensures that

Guyanese are not “led astray by a reckless and delusional” few.

“We cannot act precipitously. We must await a comprehensive investigation. Justice and fairness demand it,” he stressed.

REFORMS

Rohee said that Guyana has signed onto “every treaty” in this hemisphere which seeks to advance and entrench human rights and the constitutional freedoms of our people, including the Convention against Torture and Other Inhuman or Degrading Treatment and Punishment.

“We have amended the Constitution of Guyana to expand human rights protection, and (have) magnified the freedoms which Guyanese enjoy as fundamental rights,” he said.

“Indeed, these constitutional changes include an obligation imposed upon those charged

with the interpretation of the constitution to be guided by, and take into account, these various human rights conventions, treaties and protocols.”

Rohee stressed that these reforms continue to be a work in progress.

“In order to increase civilian oversight over the disciplined forces, we have ensured that the statutory, constitutional, and other mechanisms designed to achieve these purposes are functioning. We refer to the Office of Professional Responsibility, the Police Complaints Authority, the Commission of Law and Order, the Constitutional Court, and the Ombudsman,” he said.

Rohee added these efforts are intended to advance wide ranging reforms to the disciplined forces, to ensure that they operate within the confines of the law; that they are accountable for their actions; and that they discharge in a professional manner their respective mandates and missions.

12

GWI embarking on disconnection campaign for customers in arrears

By Michel Outridge

$30,000 to so do. She asked customers to make GUYANA WATER INC. payments to avoid the (GWI) on Thursday said removal of their service. that they would be emThomas disclosed barking on a countrythat more than 50% wide campaign to reof customers are in armove the water service rears, at the same time, of customers who are in though, they do not want arrears. to remove water service Customer Services from them but they need Manager, Jeanette Thomto pay since billing for as told this publication 2013 is due and the paythat GWI is focusing on ment options have been collections of water serexpanded to commervices and urged customers cial banks, Bill Express, to make such payments or GPOC, GT&T Mobile face disconnection which Money, online banking she noted is the last reetc. to facilitate payment sort. by customers.

Thomas suggestGWI has also upped ed that those in arrears their efforts to reach out should visit GWI officto customers by promotes across the country to Customer Services Manager, Jeanette Thomas and Billing, ing a weekly outreach enter a ‘wallet-friendly’ programme whereby Revenue and Control Manager, Julie Ragnauth payment plan which lasts revenue managers and are in receipt of many com8701 from 08:00hrs to 16:30 for three months if the customer service staffers plaints by customers, who hrs on week days or leave a customer cannot afford to have been visiting schools, claimed that their service was message on weekends and a make the entire payment in NDC offices, supermarkets disconnected because they did call will be returned. the allotted time. He/she can etc. to interact with customnot receive bills, as such they Thomas told this newsspeak to a supervisor or a ers countrywide. could not make any payment. paper that water subletting manager to have a waiver.

This weekend they will She however, pointed out is illegal and those culpable She explained that one be in Wakenaam and they that customers whose serwill be dealt with. She enof the shortcomings is, that plan to visit all areas includvices have been repeatedly couraged customers to desist bills are not getting to cusing Ithaca, Corentyne, among disconnected will have their from such practices. tomers on time as a result of other areas. service removed by GWI She noted that once the some hiccups with the postal The water company is once they are in arrears and service line is removed by company but they are making also updating their data. urged such persons to make GWI the customer must strides to have bills delivered An exercise is under way contact with the water comre-apply for service and will otherwise to their customers. to verify such, in which, pany at the earliest on 227have to pay in excess of Thomas stated, that they customers’ accounts will be updated, and they are asking for the cooperation of consumers, said Billing, Revenue and Control Manager, Julie Ragnauth.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

CEO appointment among major issues for GECOM meeting today

By Vanessa Narine COMMISSIONERS of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will meet today, their first meeting for the year, and among the major issues for consideration is the appointment of the Chief Elections Officer.

This is according to GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Vishnu Persaud, who added that the appointment of the CEO was discussed by the commissioners at their last meeting.

Persaud noted that the “substantive number of applications” has already gone through the process of shortlisting.

GECOM advertised for applicants last August and they had until the end of September to make their submissions.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that among the applicants are three Guyanese including acting Chief Elections Officer, Calvin Benn and Acting Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield.

The appointment of the CEO is a major component for the hosting of local government elections.

The post of Chief Elections Officer became vacant after GECOM declined to renew the contract of Gocool Boodoo, following concerns raised by the Opposition over a computing mistake that was made in the allocation of seats in the 2011 elections. The mistake had been rectified. Also, Boodoo’s late submission of notice of his intent to seek renewal of his contract affected his prospects of being reappointed to the position.

The Chief Election Officer is required to play the key leadership role in the Secretariat of the Guyana Elections Commission, with responsibility for implementing all aspects of its operations, and ensuring that results achieved are consistent with the Laws of Guyana and the policies determined by the Chairman and Commission.

The Chief Election Officer will act as the Commission’s primary point of contact to the staff members of the Secretariat, whose activities include the registration of registrants; the distribution of ID Cards, the provision of information and guidance on electoral operational matters to community organisations and other stakeholders.

The new official will also be required to represent the Commission’s policies and activities in interactions with stakeholders, and other interest groups, including political parties, non-governmental organisations, donor and international agencies, in matters relating directly to the operations of GECOM.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19

New beginnings aren’t just your sign’s specialty, they’re your very favourite state of affairs too. Happily, that’s exactly what’s on the agenda right now, thanks to an impending career offer that can only be called sweet. It may be so sweet, in fact, that you’ll be tempted to jump on it right away. Moving quickly might not be a bad idea, but taking time to check out the details first via a trusted, knowledgeable friend can’t hurt. Give them a call.

Taurus April 20 - May 20

You’re happy with yourself. You always have been, and there’s no reason to think that you won’t continue to be. You have, however, been thinking about introducing a new and improved you to the world. The thing is, you’ll have to create this person before you throw his or her coming out party. That’s the easy part. Believe it or not, it’s deciding when to do it that takes the real work.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

You’re due for the type of experience that includes the urge to take yourself somewhere you’ve never been. If you have a spontaneous travel companion who’s prodding you, that urge may be especially irresistible. Oh, well. Put your nose to the grindstone and spend the evening immersed in a pile of brochures and maps -- for a future time.

Cancer June 22 - July 22

You’ve always been known as a private person. That’s the way you were born and the way you’ll always be. So when someone approaches you with a smirk and a not-so-subtle question about what you have up your sleeve at the moment, don’t feel obligated to let them in on your secret -- and make sure you know that’s how you feel.

Leo July 23 - August 22

Nothing short of intense, meaningful conversation will do at the moment, and anyone who deliberately tries to avoid the issue via pointless, trivial chitchat will receive their just desserts: A chilly stare and a fleeting glimpse of the back of your head. By the same token, if you’ve been deliberately avoiding a topic your sweetheart has tried to bring up for weeks, you’ll change your tune in a hurry. You may even wish they’d let it slide just a little bit longer.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

Your chance to turn one of your dreams into a goal and tackle that goal with your usual meticulous attention has now officially arrived -- and if you’re dealing with the department of long-distance travel, higher education or spiritual quests, you’ll have all the heavenly help you could ever ask for to get the show on the road. Go for it.

Libra September 23 - October 22

Your sign’s skills as negotiator, mediator and go-between have been famous for what seems like forever, and with good reason. You can talk anyone into anything, so long as you believe in your heart that it’s the right thing to do. So when you’re approached by someone who needs you to help them deliver the unvarnished truth, you won’t just accept the job -- you’ll volunteer for it. And well you should.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

After days of heavy, intense conversations, you’ve finally reached a compromise of sorts.

You’ll keep talking, but there will be absolutely no arguing. If you can’t see eye to eye, you’ll agree to disagree. Initially, that might not sound like progress. But if you think of where you’ve come from, you’ll realise that it’s not just progress -- it’s the beginning of a whole new style of communication, and it will lead to a whole new type of understanding.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

Every picture tells a story, so go ahead and dig out those old snapshots of you and that long-lost someone you haven’t talked to in forever. Wow -- look how much fun you guys had together! Isn’t it a shame you drifted apart and lost touch? Wouldn’t it be great to get in contact and see how they’re doing now? And isn’t it funny that these are all questions you can answer?

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

Fasten your seatbelt and put your tray table in its upright position. You’re about to take flight -- and that applies to every possible corner of your life, but most especially to affairs of the heart. So if you’ve been seeing someone casually, that won’t be the case any longer.

One or both of you will either want to make a commitment or say your goodbyes. But don’t worry; the heavens are chock full of romance, and betting on anything other than commitment just wouldn’t be prudent.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

If anyone accepts change easily, it’s you -- regardless of what type of change it happens to be, or how or when it’s due to arrive. So being told that a major shift in your life’s circumstances is just around the corner won’t frighten you at all. You’ll be exhilarated. If a family member doesn’t greet the news with that same degree of enthusiasm, however, do what you can to help them adjust. Assure them that nothing but the best is en route.

It’s the truth.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Donating time, energy or resources to a cause you care about has never been a problem for you. You’re amazingly generous, in all those categories and more. So when you’re approached now by someone who needs something from you, you definitely won’t argue about it. But if someone who loves you gently asks to look things over before you max out the cash limit on your card or clean out your checking account, don’t argue. They’re just trying to do for you what you’re trying to do for your cause.

16

For Tuesday January 28, 2014 -14:30hrs For Wednesday January 29, 2014 -14:30hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

‘Queenie’ confessed to causing lover’s death - police sergeant testifies

By George Barclay WHEN the murder trial of Guyanese housewife, Tramangra Williams, called ‘Queenie’, who is accused of killing her Barbadian lover, Tyrone Best continued at the Demerara Assizes yesterday, a police sergeant told the court that ‘Queenie’ had confessed.

Sergeant Nolan Burnett, who took the statement from the 22-year-old mother of two in 2009, was testifying as a witness for the prosecution when he told Justice Navindra Singh and a mixed jury about the confession.

According to him the story began with the housewife

saying what had happened on December 27, 2008, when she was seeking to purchase marijuana for Best.

However, she did not have any money to buy the drug and decided to borrow some money from her cousin Eon who lived in Albouystown.

Burnett said that ‘Queenie’

Below rates for January 27, 2014 Currency

Buying

Selling

G$/US$ G$/GBP$ G$/CAD$ G$/EURO$ G$/BDOS$ G$/EC$ G$/TT$

205.98375 340.98550 186.20177 281.62098 101.62031 75.27431 31.79609

208.43594 345.25329 188.35036 285.18205 102.63906 76.02894 32.11485

told him that Eon explained that he had no money then and she should return alone later.

Continuing, Burnett told the court that the woman subsequently told him that Best accused her of having a relationship with Eon and began slapping her and pulling up her clothes.

Burnett added, “Queenie’ told me that she had spoken to her grandmother about the way Best had treated her.”

‘Queenie’ said to him: “We were going home when Best told me that he was upset because I complain to Grannie.

And he started to cuff and slap me and dragged me along the roadway to Albouystown. I went to Eon again and I told him that Best accused me of having an affair with him and that he was beating me.

“Whilst talking to Eon, Best left. I went to Georgetown Human Services Building at Hill Street to lodge a complaint about Best but it was a Saturday and the place was closed so I left and went home. Best was not at home when I arrived. So I started to prepare dinner for my children and I was also packing up Best suitcase to put him out.

“I was going to put Best suitcase in the verandah when I saw him standing on the front step smoking a cigarette. So I decide to bring his suitcase on the step.

“Best came into the house and asked for a roll of tissue then a next argument escalate between me and Best. Then I told him that I was going to the Police Station to put him out of the house.

“At that point, I ran down the stairway and he kicked me and he picked up one of his shoes and pelt it in my face “I had a knife in my hand, I turned around and I barely pushed the knife towards him and he got bore in his stomach. Best was crying that he was feeling cold.

I carried him into the house and I placed some methylated spirits on the wound and I rushed him to Georgetown Hospital where he was treated and admitted a patient in Ward B 2. I used to visit him until he died.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

23

$91M floodlight project at Albion Sports ...

From Back Page involved the placing of foundation and erection of towers; while the third phase would entail the installation of imported equipment and powering of the system.

Should the project progress according to the plan of the Engineering Consultant and Engineering Firm, works are expected to be completed

by March 15.

Minister Anthony was elated to receive such information and plans to stage an exhibition cricket game at the venue, following the official commissioning of the floodlights.

Among those present during the meeting and inspection were: Permanent Secretary (PS) within the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture Alfred King, Vice-Chairman of Region 6 Bhupaul Jhagroo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cummings Electrical Michael Cummings and other officials from GUYSUCO.

Lady Jags to surface ahead of 2015 ...

From Back Page that the Lady Jags will have to replicate their miraculous run in 2010 all over again.

Back then, most of Guyana’s team came from players residing overseas, who play with colleges in the U.S. and Canada.

However, almost four years on, most of those players, according to Rodrigues, now play professionally, mostly in Europe.

“The good thing about it this time around is that most of the girls have matured and are now playing in tougher leagues. We have some in the U.S. and Canada while some are playing in Europe,” Rodriques said.

He added “I’m also pleased that these girls are always willing and ready to play for Guyana. The experience they gained while representing their country, cannot be compared to what they got while playing for school. I’m always asked: ‘Coach, when are we meeting again’ and I’m glad now that I can actually have something positive to say too them.”

Rodrigues did not commit to specifically state when the team will assemble, but noted that with the GFF focusing on having them qualify for the World Cup, they would have to go through the

several phases of qualification, starting off the CFU Women’s tournament.

“We want to have them around as soon as possible, after a few things would’ve been ironed out logistically,” Rodrigues informed, while noting “this is an exciting time for us.”

It means that we will have a lot of work to do administratively and I’m happy with the approach taken by the GFF. Women’s Football. I admit was a little dormant and that was understandable when you look at all that was happening since then, but I think our chances are the same as it was back then or even better this time around.”

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24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

More slams and Hall of Fame await Li Na, says Evert

By Patrick Johnston SINGAPORE - (Reuters) - Li Na is destined for more grand slams and a place in the Hall of Fame after the Australian Open win cemented her position as the most influential female player of the last decade, said former great Chris Evert.

Li’s final victory over Slovak Dominika Cibulkova on Saturday gave her a second major following her 2011 French Open title, a triumph that made her Asia’s first singles grand slam champion.

Evert, the winner of 18 grand slam titles, joined WTA Tour chief Stacey Allaster in hailing the Chinese’s achievements at a timely promotional event yesterday for the end of year championships in Singapore and women’s tennis in Asia.

“Yeah, I’d vote for her,” Evert told reporters when asked if Li was worthy of a place alongside her in the Hall of Fame. “It’s not only about winning grand slams it’s about the influence that you have in tennis.

“Look at her, as Stacey said, she is the most influential women’s tennis player in the last 10 years, with what she has done for global tennis so absolutely 100 percent.

“Something would be wrong if she didn’t get into the tennis hall of fame.”

Her impressive play and comical post-match interviews have made her a crowd favourite in Australia and around the world, with Allaster brimming as Asia, and China in particular, embraces the sport.

Singapore and Beijing now house WTA offices while 17 WTA events will be played in

Li Na Asian Pacific in 2014. Allaster said Li’s latest boost had been timely.

The 31-year-old clubbed her way past first-time finalist Cibulkova in Saturday’s showpiece to help erase the memories of two previous failures in Melbourne Park finals.

The Wuhan native, who moved up one place to world number three in the rankings courtesy of her victory, saved match points in her third round victory in Australia over Lucie Safarova of the Czech Republic before finding her feet.

Li, the winner of nine WTA titles, then dropped only 18 games in her four subsequent matches to leave Evert predicting the Chinese could add a third or fourth grand slam before the year is out.

“This year she is still up for grand slams, along with Serena (Williams), Maria (Sharapova), Victoria (Azarenka).

“She is right up there with them too. There was always a little gap before you said Li Na’s name but now I think she is right up there with all of them after the type of tennis she played at the Australian Open.”

Aussies regain No.1 ODI ranking … victory in Adelaide puts Clarke’s men above India

AUSTRALIA’S five-run win over England in the fifth Carlton Mid ODI has not only meant a 4-1 win in the series, but has also helped Michael Clarke’s side reclaim the No.1 spot in the Reliance ICC ODI Team Rankings from India.

It is the first time since July 2012 that Australia have held the top spot. Having started this series in second place on 114 points, the 4-1 series win earned them three ratings points, pushing them to 117.

While the points tally is actually level with India, when ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point, Clarke’s men are ranked ahead of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s side.

England, on the other hand,

have dropped two ratings points to finish on 109 in fourth place, one behind South Africa.

India still have an opportunity to reclaim the No.1 rank, they held since January 2013, if they win the remaining two matches in the ongoing series against New Zealand. The five-match series is currently being led by New Zealand by 2-0.

If India win both matches, Dhoni’s side will go to the top with a gain of one ratings point to end at 118, but if they lose one of the two matches, India will stay in second place with a loss of one ratings point at 116.

A loss in both matches will mean India drops two ratings points to finish on 115, still in second place.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

25

Sri Lanka seamers bundle Bangladesh out for 232 (REUTERS) - The Sri Lankan seamers shared eight wickets to vindicate captain Angelo Mathews’ decision to bowl after winning the toss, as Bangladesh were shot out for 232 on the opening day of the first Test in Dhaka yesterday.

Sri Lanka, in reply, reached 60 for no loss when stumps were drawn with Dimuth Karunaratne 28 not out and Kaushal Silva

unbeaten on 30.

Earlier, Shaminda Eranga picked up four wickets and new-ball partner Suranga Lakmal claimed three.

Mathews took the other wicket to fall to the pacemen.

Bangladesh lost four wickets in the morning before captain Mushfiqur Rahim (61) and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan (55) stitched together an 86-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Left-hander Shakib’s attacking innings came to an end when he was trapped leg-before by left-arm spinner Rangana Herath who took two wickets.

Bangladesh also lost Nasir Hossain (four) in the next over as they were reduced to 150 for six.

Mushfiqur then combined with Sohag Gazi (42) in a 53-run partnership for the

seventh wicket before the former was trapped leg-before

by Lakmal.

Bangladesh handed a Test debut to 25-year-old opening batsman Shamsur Rahman who made 33.

Sri Lanka wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene was a last-minute withdrawal due to the death of his father - Dinesh Chandimal taking the gloves for the visitors.

Atherton compares ICC’s Big Three move to ‘dark days’ of Imperial Cricket Conference FORMER England captain Michael Atherton has openly criticised the move by the cricket boards of England, India and Australia to take control of the International Cricket Council and also enjoy bigger share of the revenues of the governing body. “... the end of the notion that a fair and principled and just body can govern cricket in the interests of all. It is an ideal, of course, that has never been grounded in any kind of reality under the guise of the ICC, but if you cannot be idealistic about sport, what can you be idealistic about?” Atherton has questioned in his column for the ‘Times’.

Atherton gives some credence, if reluctantly, to the view that England and Australia feel they have no choice but to grant India power in a

Michael Atherton way that will encourage them to run the world game responsibly - and even suggests that India has now been affected with the arrogance of old colonialism.

“The tone of the proposal is so arrogant and high-handed as to recall an earlier age when the organisation began as the Imperial Cricket Conference,” Atherton wrote.

Atherton was very critical of ICC’s governance.

“No one doubts that the status quo, as far as the ICC is concerned, is unacceptable: two full-member countries are thought to be corrupt; four are essentially broke; most rely on India’s largesse to keep going, while the BCCI is disgruntled that the distribution of revenues does not reflect its provenance.

“Politics, race and personalities interfere with decision-making at every turn.

Incompetence is a given; at a recent ICC meeting, I was told of one director who took to snoring through an anti-corruption presentation.”

Atherton said that the recommendations of the Woolf report to place power in the hands of an independent executive - a solution championed by the for-

Barath targets return to Windies team for 2015 World Cup PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Trinidad and Tobago opener Adrian Barath is targeting a return to the West Indies side in time for the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Barath is bent on impressing the selectors when he plays in the Regional Super50 tournament and the four-day championship which follows.

The Super50 will be played at Queen’s Oval in Trinidad and Shaw Park in Tobago from Thursday to February 15 “I am obviously setting my goals, we have the World Cup in Australia, and I have good memories in Australia,” said the diminutive 23-year-old.

“My goal is to get into that West Indies team in 2015 (World Cup in Australia and New Zealand). I know I have

Adrian Barath to perform in the NAGICO Super50 tournament. I have done a lot of work on my game.”

In 2009 the right-handed opener had an amazing Test debut in Australia, where he made a blazing century in his second Test innings at the GABBA.

Barath spent last year at the Sagicor High Performance Centre where he made some changes to his game.

“I want to take what I did at the Sagicor HPC camp and apply it so I can have a good regional series. It is not going to be easy because we have a lot of good West Indies players in terms of opening batsmen,” Barath said.

“So I am looking forward to the 2014 season – both in one-day cricket and four-day cricket. I want to use my performances as a platform to get back into the West Indies team once I perform well.”

The NAGICO Super50 tournament will run from Thursday to February 15 and will be broadcast live on ESPN and on Caribbean Super Station radio.

Matches at Queen’s Park Oval will be day/night fixtures while matches at Shaw Park, Tobago will be day games.

mer ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat, who was soon removed from office - would have been the most idealistic solution.

“The best that can be said for this deal, indeed the only thing that can be said for this deal is that India become a fully engaged and interested party to world cricket - Inside the tent and happy for the moment, rather than prowling outside and angry.” (Sports.

NDTV)

Suranga Lakmal claims a three-for, as Sri Lanka’s pacers combine to bowl Bangladesh out for 232 on the first day of the Mirpur Test .

BANGLADESH first innings T. Iqbal c Lakmal b Eranga 6 S. Rahman c Vithanage b Eranga 33 M. Ayub lbw b Mathews 1 M. Haque c Vithanage b Lakmal 8 S. Al Hasan lbw b Herath 55 M. Rahim lbw b Lakmal 61 N. Hossain c Chandimal b Eranga 4 S. Gazi c Eranga b Lakmal 42 R. Islam c Perera b Eranga 5 R. Hossain b Herath 2 Al-Amin Hossain not out 6 Extras: (lb-4, nb-5) 9 Total: (all out - 63.5 overs) 232

Fall of wickets: 1-35, 2-40, 3-40, 4-59, 5-145, 6-150, 7-203, 8-219, 9-222.

Bowling: Lakmal 18.1-3-66-3 (nb-4), Eranga 17.4-2-49-4 (nb-1), Mathews 6-3-18-1, Perera 11-2-45-0, Herath 11-1-50-2.

SRI LANKA first innings D. Karunaratne not out 28 K. Silva not out 30 Extras: (w-1, nb-1) 2 Total: (for no wicket, 19 overs) 60 Bowling: Robiul 4-1-12-0 (w-1), Al-Amin 5-1-18-0, Rubel 4-0-200 (nb-1), Gazi 5-2-8-0, Shakib 1-0-2-0.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

Big Three offer redraft to ICC as lobbying intensifies

By Sharda Ugra CRICKET’S formally-united Big Three - the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the ECB - will present the seven other Full Member nations with a set of re-drafted “resolutions” around their radical “position paper” at an ICC executive meeting in Dubai today.

The resolutions - five in number - were being talked through the first official meeting of the Finance & Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee after its “working group” - made up of the heads of the BCCI, Cricket Australia and the ECB - came up with the proposal in a 21page document that called for a complete overhaul of the ICC’s administration and its revenue distribution.

The first of the proposals to be watered down is expected to be the one pertaining to a two-tier format for Test cricket and the relegation of the bottom two-ranked into the ICC Intercontinental Cup. The other proposal which could be reworked pertains to a newly formed Executive Committee (ExCo) and it’s possible

Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga expansion from four to five, you this, we’ll give you that.” with a second nominee coming Another said that BCCI led the in from the “small seven,” as majority of such discussions, opposed to only one according to their offers being enhanced with the draft position paper. every meeting, “Individually As the ICC’s Board met for they call every board and offer its scheduled quarterly meeting them something each time.” in Dubai, the Big Three were The only vocal objector to known to be in discussions the proposal, Cricket South with six of the Seven in order Africa, has been left out of to ensure their support should these discussions and the benthe proposal go to vote today. efits being offered to the rest One board chief said the of the boards.

BCCI, ECB and Cricket AusThe main negotiations took tralia had been “surrounding place on governance issues with people, taking them in, we’ll give FTP agreements - particularly

those pertaining to tours by India - being used as “bait”.

The resolutions, first expected to be presented in a list of 50plus points, were later gathered together under five categories.

While in the past governance issues had dominated revenue matters, yesterday evening, one of the Big Three officials said there could be “further discussions rather than negotiations around revenue models” with an attempt to explain how they would work in real terms and the guarantees being offered.

The main boards involved in the talks are the three Asian boards - the PCB, SLC and BCB - who have been left mulling over their options due to various reasons.

There has been public protest in Bangladesh, including a crowd gathering of close to 3 000 in Dhaka on Saturday, over the possibility of their cricket board ceding Bangladesh’s Test match status and calendar in the face of the proposals.

A senior Bangladeshi cricket official said, “It is a big thing, (to us) this status. In 13 years

Bangladesh have managed to win four Test matches. India and New Zealand did not win their first Test till 30 years.

So how come these people are now telling Bangladesh that you will need to fight out in the I-Cup to retain your Test status.” Should the relegation issue be diluted from the resolutions, the Big Three may find the leverage they need with the BCB. With the PCB, the main issue concerned their FTP arrangements particularly with the BCCI, in the light of a fluctuating political climate. SLC finds itself in a state of financial crisis, an application pending for an $8M loan from the ICC and the prospective carrot of a 2017 tour from the Indian team.

Plus, officials are under pressure from former players and administrators who believe the rights they won at an ICC table, “the hard way” should not be surrendered for “shortterm gain.”

Former Sri Lankan captain Arjuna Ranatunga said accepting the proposal would take smaller countries back to the skewed international calendars

of the 1980s.

“From 1987 to 1990 in four years Sri Lanka played just seven Tests. After that, ICC’s Future Tour Programme ensured that there were equal opportunities for all countries.

The proposed system will take smaller nations like Sri Lanka to the situation in 1980s.”

Zimbabwe Cricket, despite its financial debt to the tune of $18M and its player strike due to non-payment of dues, is expected to vote in favour of the proposals largely because of their good relations with the BCCI. In the last 10 years, India have played two Tests, nine ODIs and two T20s in Zimbabwe, compared to Australia’s three, England’s four and South Africa’s three ODIs. Among the other Full Member nations, New Zealand Cricket had come out in support of the proposal while the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) only stated that they had taken a position “in the best interests of West Indies cricket” following two board meetings in the past ten days.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

Mata could make United debut against Cardiff

By Josh Reich (REUTERS) – Record-signing Juan Mata could feature for Manchester United when the champions try to get their floundering Premier League campaign back on track against Cardiff City at Old Trafford today (1945 GMT).

The 25-year-old Spain playmaker held his first news conference yesterday as a United player since his 37.1 million pounds ($61.22 million) move from Chelsea at the weekend and it was announced he would wear the number eight shirt.

Mata’s signing has raised hopes of a turnaround at United who are down in seventh spot, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal and six off the Champions League places.

Manager David Moyes said Mata had trained with his new team mates and that he would decide today whether to pick the midfielder against bottom

club Cardiff.

Moyes added that injured trio Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and Marouane Fellaini were back in training, raising the prospect of a four-way boost for the club.

The Scot was delighted to have bought Mata, saying he had doubts the club could pull the transfer off.

“I’m thrilled,” Moyes told reporters. “I got wind of it a month or two ago that it could be a possibility and never believed we could pull it off.

“When we got the sniff there was a chance Juan could be available we went after it right away.”

Mata has not played since New Year ’s Day, where he showed his displeasure at being substituted early in Chelsea’s 3-0 win at Southampton.

The match will see former United favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer return to Old Trafford as manager of Cardiff, having replaced Malky Mackay earlier

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Tuesday January 28, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230)& CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: Sir Learie Constantine 8778 ODI runs

Today’s Quiz: How many Test matches Guyanese Steve Comacho played?

Who were the captains involved in the first ever ODI game?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Manchester United’s new signing Juan Mata holds a club shirt during a photo call at the club’s Carrington training complex in Manchester, northern England, yesterday. (Credit: Reuters/Phil Noble) newspaper. “You never know, this month. sometimes it just catches you, The Norwegian said he doesn’t it, like when you do would try to keep emotion out your wedding speech and stuff. of the occasion despite having “But I’m not too much of an claimed a piece of club history emotional guy so I don’t think when he scored the winning that will be a problem. I’m more goal in the 1999 Champions professional than emotional.”

League final against Bayern Munich.

EVERTON BOOST “It’s hard to say if I’ll stay Everton, boosted by Leighdetached,” he told The Sun

ton Baines signing a new fouryear deal, will look to overtake Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the race for a Champions League spot when they clash at Anfield today.

Roberto Martinez’s Everton are sixth on 42 points, one point and two league positions behind Liverpool.

Everton have not won at the home of their local rivals since 1999 and Liverpool defender Kolo Toure said they needed to keep that record intact to give themselves breathing space.

“We all know it’s a massive game,” said Toure. “It will be really intense but we really need to win.

“The top four is where we want to be. We’re there now but we will only stay there if we win this game.

“Everton are doing very well and Tottenham are close behind us too. But we are playing well and everyone is really focused.

“Our target is to be up there and we want those three

points. At home we have a very good record and we want to keep that going.”

Fifth-placed Tottenham host rampant Manchester City tomorrow hoping to keep their six-match unbeaten run under new manager Tim Sherwood intact.

The last meeting between the pair in November saw City - now one point off the lead in second place - score six goals without reply and signalled the beginning of the end for Andre Villas-Boas who was sacked less than a month later.

Spurs are a more cohesive unit but will need to shackle City’s free-scoring strikers to have any hope of success.

Arsenal could be without midfielder Jack Wilshere for today’s visit to Southampton who will be minus Dejan Lovren and Gaston Ramirez with ankle ligament injuries.

Dani Osvaldo, Southampton’s record signing, is serving a two-week suspension after an incident in training.

Little Divas defeated by Monedderlust in Berbice

THE Georgetown Little Divas female football team took a 1-5 whipping from Monedderlust, when the two teams went head-to-head last Sunday in a friendly match at the Number 5 football ground, West Berbice.

The Monderlust wasted no time in establishing themselves as the better team, as Tianna Nurse landed the first goal in the fourth minute of the game.

Five minutes later the Little Divas’ Tandika La Rose evened the score, which the Little Divas managed to uphold for more than 20 minutes, as they continually tried to hold their own against the fierce attack from the Monedderlust.

Around the 35 minutes controversy enveloped the match, as a penalty was handed down to the Little Divas. As

the match continued Sasha Loo finally gave Monderlust the advantage in the 49th minute of the game.

The national player then increased the margin when she got one past the goalie in the 53rd minutes of the game.

Monedderlust weren’t done yet and in the 65th minute Devonna Frank landed another one in the net. The Little Divas were unable to climb

themselves out of the hole and could only manage to keep the Monedderlust at bay for the remainder of the match.

Following the end of the match Technical Director of the Little Divas, Lawrence Griffith, commented that the ladies have taken the defeat in good spirit, and will be looking to work on their weaknesses when they return to training shortly.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday January 28, 2014

27

Decision to suspend UDFA executives not unilateral – Matthias PRESIDENT of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Christopher Matthias said the decision to suspend Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) president Sharma Solomon and GFF vice-president Collie Hercules was not a unilateral one, but that of the Federation’s Congress.

Addressing members of the media yesterday at the GFF’s headquarters in Campbellville, Matthias produced documents that showed both Solomon and Hercules were informed that the proposed UDFA/Banks Beer final could not be held on January 1, since the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) had already applied for and given the green light to stage their GFA/Banks Beer final on that date.

Because Solomon and Hercules did not adhere to the constitution of the GFF, they were handed eight and fiveyear suspensions respectively.

Solomon has since refused to recognise the suspension and has told media operatives that he will go ahead with his plans to develop football in the region.

In a letter dated December 4 and signed by the UDFA’s secretary Cindy Saigon and addressed to GFF’s General Secretary Noel Adonis, the UDFA requested the use of the GFF’s referees to officiate in a 14-team tournament and on December 10, Adonis replied by

Guyana Football Federation president Christopher Matthias (second right) addressing members of the media yesterday at the Federation’s headquarters. Others in this Sonell Nelson photo are, from left; Ivan Persaud, Mark Rodrigues (Technical Director GFF) and Keith Ojeer. brought to the attention of the wrote Adonis indicating that dence said in arriving at that way of correspondence advising to facilitate the provision of recently concluded Extraordias of December 20, there was decision, the Congress would that approval has been granted game officials. nary Congress of the GFF on no longer any UDFA clubs in have taken into primary confor the staging of the tournaOn December 13, the UDFA December 14 and after considthe GFA/Banks Beer compesideration the fact that clubs ment but with the exception of wrote the GFF appealing its eration of representations made tition and suggested that the in the UDFA, and the UDFA January 1 being a playing date.

(GFF) decision not to have its by delegates, the Congress ruled reason put forward by the itself, would have previously Adonis in his correspon- referees officiate at any game on to uphold the decision previousGFF has become moot, since committed themselves to pardence thanked the UDFA January 1 and requested details/ ly conveyed that the finals of the the concern expressed - which ticipation in the GFA/Banks for informing the GFF of reasons for such a decision.

UDFA/Banks Beer 2013/2014 would have presented an obBee4r Knockout Competition, the tournament and said the On December 18, the GFF Knockout Tournament must not stacle to the two tournament whose final was already schedGuyana Football Referees through Adonis responded be scheduled for January 1. finals being run simultaneousuled to be held on January 1.

Council will be formally asked by stating that the matter was Adonis in his corresponly - no longer exists.

On December 22, Solomon

Thomas, Morgan bag wins as AAG season kicks off

Cleveland Thomas

CLEVELAND Thomas and Alika Morgan claimed the first wins of the season when they respectively captured the male and female senior category of the Berbice Cross Country race held last Sunday in New Amsterdam Berbice.

The race, which marked the beginning of the season of events for the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), saw Thomas capturing his win in 30:31.00s, while Morgan ended her run in 48:51.00s. Coming in behind Thomas, in the men’s category, Winston Messenger covered the race’s 6-mile distance in a time 38:11.50s, while third went to Devon Barrington

Kenyan runners steal the spotlight in T&T Marathon PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Runners from Kenya stole the spotlight by capturing the top prizes at the 33rd annual T&T International Marathon, staged over the weekend.

Leah Kigen who was born in Kenya but based in Mexico successfully defended her female title while her countryman Hilary Kipchirchir Kimaiyo won the men’s division.

Kigan stopped the clocked at 3:01:13 and in the male category. Kimaiyo, who also resides in Mexico won in 2:23:39, while Mark Kipkosgei Chepses, another native of Kenya secured the second spot recording a time of 2:24:09.

“Last year, it was so competitive. The weather was not bad like today. In the morning it was raining.

So that was a problem. It was very humid,” said Kigen.

“I used to train two hours, three hours per day because I was preparing to come and run a good marathon in Trinidad.”

Kelvin Johnson of Guyana captured the half-marathon in 1:15:17 while Trinidad and Tobago’s Tonya Nero, won in the female category for the third straight year, recording a time of 1:20:25.

Some 60 runners from sixteen countries took part in the marathon.

who had his time of 40:06.75s.

On the distaff side Malika Williams won second place behind Morgan, after her run lasted 1:03.09. Donna April copped third.

The race, which also featured a male and a female youth and junior categories saw a vibrant participation of over 50 athletes who started off from the Esplanade Road, and running around the pe-

rimeter of New Amsterdam.

Honours for the male and female junior categories went to Carl McKenzie and Andrea Fraser respectively. McKenzie clocked a time of 27:38.00s to win this category just a few seconds ahead of Jousha McKenzie who finished in 27:46.00s. Orin Prince made third place in this category.

Cassy Kirton’s 38:00.00s landed her second place behind Williams’ 33:27.00s, following in third

was Cassy Torrington (42:00.00s).

In the youth category, which sought to recognise those athletes under the age of 16 years, Joshua Walcott won the boys’ race, followed by Murphy Mash and Delvin Semple, while for the girls the top three spots were taken by Candace McKenzie (34:04.00s), Marria McKenzie (40:11.00s), and Layana Charles (44:53.00s), respectively.

Hyatt may need surgery for broken nose KINGSTON, Jamaica - Discarded national opener Danza Hyatt is awaiting doctor’s instructions to find out whether or not he will require surgery on his broken nose.

Hyatt sustained the injury on Saturday, while participating in Jamaica’s final inter-squad practice match at Sabina Park.

He was hit through his helmet after mistiming a short ball from all-rounder André Russell off the second delivery he faced.

Hyatt was representing Nikita Miller XI, who played to a bad light-affected no-result with David Bernard Jr XI. “I was taken to the University Hospital, where I saw a specialist. He examined me

Danza Hyatt and told me that my nose was broken,” said Hyatt.

“I was then released and told to return on Tuesday (today), when another assessment will be made to deter-

mine what should be the next move.”

The 30-year-old, who was dropped from Jamaica’s Super50 14-member squad recently, also said he has been experiencing pain in other areas of his face.

“The ball actually hit me between my nose and eye, which is at the moment swollen,” he said.

Hyatt was one of four players who were named as reserves for the Super50.

The list has, however, been reduced to three after young opener Kennar Lewis was drafted last Friday as a replacement for the injured Chris Gayle.

Jamaica are set to fly out today for Trinidad and Tobago, where they will play Windward Islands in the opening fixture of the Super50 on Thursday. (Jamaica Star)

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Big Three offer redraft to ICC as lobbying intensifies See Page 26

$91M floodlight project at Albion Sports Complex to be completed March 15 “I think they are making good progress by placing the foundations that will support the six lighting towers, Mr Cummings has assured us that the other works would be quickly completed; beyond that, we want to establish a governance structure to manage the facility in collaboration with GUYSUCO and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council and other stakeholders.

We are setting up this complex to meet the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) standards so, in order to attract international matches, we will come up with a master plan that makes economic sense,” he revealed.

Dr Frank Anthony & team inspect one of the six completed foundations at the Albion Sports Complex.

By Michael Khan

A

Minister Anthony during the meeting with stakeholders

DELAY in the shipment of electrical components has slowed the $91M floodlight project at the Albion Sports Complex, Corentyne, Berbice.

However, works have picked up a pace since Cummings Electrical Company began phase two (placing of foundation) of the project on January 17.

Following a meeting with stakeholders and a thorough inspection of the facility yesterday, Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Dr Frank Anthony expressed satisfaction at the progress which is being made by the contracting firm.

COMMITMENT OF THE PPP/C GOVERNMENT The Minister noted that the project is another testimony to the commitment of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government towards the development of sporting facilities. He made reference to Sabina Park in Jamaica that is still without floodlights, even though it hosts international games on an annual basis.

“Now international matches require certain standards and unless facilities are meeting those standards, there will be problems. We are committed as a government to constantly keep investing to ensure that this ground reaches an international standard; this ongoing investment is a substantial commitment,” he declared.

Additional facilities such as

drainage, outfield and enhanced seating arrangements will be addressed by the Government after the lighting project is completed.

There will be six towers with seventeen luminaries on each pole, totalling 102 - 1500 watts bulbs which will be powered by Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc. during the initial stages of establishment; plans are being made for the acquisition of a generator in the near future.

Manager of the GUYSUCO, Albion Estate, Devendra Kumar noted that the power generated from the Skeldon Estate will be adequate to supply the lighting towers. He also maintained that the project is a good investment on behalf of the Government of Guyana.

“We know that Berbice has produced a lot of top players (cricketers) for the West Indies team; this initiative is a good one, in the sense that cricketing activities will be promoted. We are proud (to know) that this is the first ground in Berbice that will be having floodlights,” he expressed.

THREE PHASES OF THE PROJECT Managing Director of Innovative Engineering Consultancy Services (I.E.C.S), Deoraj Dalchand, indicated that the project has been divided into three phases - the first phase was the supply of the floodlight equipment, phase two entails: civil works See Page 23 which

Lady Jags to surface ahead of 2015 Women’s World Cup qualification

By Rawle Toney

IN 2010 they became the first Guyanese team, male or female, to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, when the tournament was played in Mexico’s prime vacation spot - Cancun.

The Lady Jags, as they are more popularly known, brought fresh fans to the game of football in Guyana and gathered a huge following whenever and wherever they played.

But, after representing Guyana at the Gold Cup, Guyana’s National Women’s football team went back into hiding.

“The Lady Jags are pretty much alive, I must say. And don’t worry, Guyanese will see them again this year,” assured Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Director Mark Rodrigues.

Rodrigues told Chronicle Sport that at present he’s working with the GFF to muster his troops once again to begin preparation for the 2015 World Cup. The World Cup is set to be played in Canada next year and Guyana will have See Page 23 to at least reach the Gold Cup if they would want to qualify, which also means

FLASHBACK! The Lady Jags during the 2010 Women’s Gold Cup in Mexico.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2014