Guyana chronicle 27 11 13 by Chronicle

GUYANA No. 103663 WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 27, 2013

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MP Shaddick responds to Sasha Bharrat’s cry to be educated – presents laptop, commits Page

to providing personal tutor

Bangladeshi men refused bail on ID forgery charges Page

Male commercial sex worker found dead

Page

Nandkumar Punwassie

City Councillors want special meeting to revise M&CC budget Page

People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Member of Parliament Ms. Bibi Shaddick handing over the laptop to Sasha Bharrat as her mother looks on

Noor Nambi Babalu and Mohamed Hoosain being escorted to court yesterday (Sonell Nelson photo)

CEBO hosts first community based workshop in Guyana

Page 19

‘Murder accused paid US$700 to kill West Demerara Stepfather’ - DSP says suspect was released on DPP’s Murder accused: Bessondial Mahadeo advice Page 11 .

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Male commercial sex worker found dead By Leroy Smith THE body of 34-year old Nandkumar Punwassie of 132, Tain in Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) was discovered with marks of violence yesterday morning, two villages from where he resided. The Tain resident was discovered dead in Port Mourant with a piece of wood suspected to be the murder weapon, next to his body. His relatives believe that he was beaten elsewhere and taken to the location and dumped. The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the body of the man was spotted by persons who woke up early and were traversing the area on their way to work and to conduct other business. Speaking with this newspaper yesterday afternoon, his sister Shamdai Punwassie said that she is not sure who would want to hurt her brother. He lived alone. Shamdai Punwassie said that they received a call at about 06:00hrs yesterday morning when they were informed that the man’s body was found on the road side. His sister confirmed that he lived about two villages from where he was found and that he was engaged in odd jobs in various communities. They also confirmed that the man was indeed a male sex worker. “He was a anti-man

Major layoffs at recently opened fast food franchises By Leroy Smith MANY managers, kitchen staff, supervisors and auxiliary staff at the recently opened fast food restaurants housed in the 704 building at Albert and Lamaha Streets have been fired. Within the past three weeks, close to three dozen persons have been laid off from Miami Subs and Grill, Papa Pete’s Pizzeria and Dixie Lee, the three franchises being operated by Pomeroon Food and Beverage Inc. This publication was told by some former employees that the management had said the company was not making money and as business picks up during the Christmas season they would make contact with some of them to be re-employed. Meanwhile, in an invited comment yesterday a senior operative of the company, who declined to be named, confirmed that several persons were sent home but the official debunked the claims given by some of its former employees for the layoffs.

The sprawled body of the Tain resident who was allegedly beaten to death

DELAY IN OPENING SPORTS BAR

The man’s body braces a scrapped piece of iron with the suspected murder weapon lying nearby yes” the sister remarked when asked if her brother was gay. The photos seen by this newspaper suggested that the man suffered broken limbs and based on the appearance of the bottom of his feet sug-

gested, also, that he was either walking or running from his attackers. His pockets were also turned out as if to suggest that he was robbed. The police are continuing their investigations into the matter.

The senior operative told the Guyana Chronicle that what the company really experienced was a delay in the opening of its sports bar. It was initially scheduled to be opened shortly after the fast food franchises almost two months ago. However that did not happen, because the person who was to head that section and who resides in the United States was involved in an accident, leaving the opening date uncertain. This newspaper was told that most of the staff who were sent home, were to be employed upstairs and having them working in the fast food franchises was to ensure that personnel would be readily available for the sports bar. However, among the lot sent home some were not pulling their weight in job performance and were not giving adequate support to other staff in bringing quality service to customers. According to the operative who spoke, some of those who were sent home will be called back when the sports bar is opened and that is expected to be by the end of December or early January. With respect to the managers, the source said that those who were sent home would have been cited for non-performance. This newspaper was told that these senior managers did very little to motivate the staff who worked under them, causing staffers to be concerned that some of their issues were being ignored. Meanwhile, the company has already put out advertisements for managers, supervisors, bar-tenders and other staff in local newspapers. The sending home of the senior managers was done to protect the business and save the jobs of dozens of persons who worked under them, because their non-performance and failure to motivate staff could have led to the closure of the business, the operations personnel contended.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

‘Murder accused paid US$700 to kill West Demerara Stepfather’ - DSP says suspect was released on DPP’s advice .

By George Barclay WHEN the West Coast Demerara murder trial of the four accused, who allegedly killed their stepfather, Motilall Singh for US$700, continued yesterday, the chief investigator explained that a suspect was released on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Attorney-at-Law representing suspect Bissoondial Mahadeo, the number one accused, challenged the statement of the chief investigator DSP Terrence Paul that the suspect Keith Budhram who had received the money from stepdaughter Farida Khan to carry out the killing had been released on the instructions of the DPP. The evidence was that Budhram, who was a policeman, admitted that after Khan told him about the killing job, he rejected it, but she threw the money in his bus and shouted ‘think about it.’ Because the suspect who was released was now a witness for the prosecution, defence attorney Glen Hanoman wanted to know from which source Budhram got his promotion. The DSP explained that the suspect was released after giving a statement and pointed out that it was a result of advice from the DPP. Hanoman wanted to know at what stage the advice to release was given by the DPP and after the DSP could not say, he called on the prosecutor, Mrs. Judith Gildharie-Mursalin for an explanation.

Leonora Police station where I placed them into custody.” At about 13:00hrs on September 8, 2009 I contacted Ayube Hamid the number one accused at Lot 38, Second Street Winsdsor Forest, West Coast Demerara where I put the said allegation to him and I cautioned him. He remained silent. I arrested him and took him to Leonora Police Station and I placed him in custody.” Further investigations were carried out and the accused were later charged with the offence of murder. The hearing is continuing. Murder accused: Bessondial Mahadeo The prosecutor cited Archbold’s in support of her contention that the matter was a collateral issue and that counsel ought not to seek information in that direction. Justice Navindra Singh overruled the question and held that the matter was ‘collateral.’ DSP Paul said that he was stationed at Leonora Police Station attached to the CID Office as Officer in Charge of ‘D’ Division. Relative to a report of an alleged murder committed on September 7, 2009 on Motilall Singh at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara he conducted the investigations. At about 06:00 hrs on September 7, 2009 he contacted the number five accused Hoosman Khan at his address at Lot 38, Second Street, Windsor Forest. He added: “I told him that it

was alleged that on the said day he along with others murdered his stepfather, Motilall Singh at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara. I cautioned him and he said nothing.” “At about 09:00hrs on the said morning, after conducting investigations I contacted the number two accused Bissoon Mahadeo called ‘Weedman’ at Fifth Street, Windsor Forest and I put the said allegation to him and I cautioned him. He also said nothing. I arrested both accused and I took them to Leonora Police Station.” “At about 10:30hrs that very day I returned to Lot 38 Second Street where I contacted the number three accused Farida Khan and the number four accused Shameza Khan.“There I put the allegation to them and I cautioned them. They also made no reply. I arrested them and I took them to

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Dr. Prem Misir’s ‘HIV and AIDS Knowledge and Stigma in Guyana’ book launch set for tomorrow By Chriseana Ramrekha THE longstanding stigma-related issues of HIV and AIDS are addressed in Dr. Prem Misir’s book “HIV and AIDS Knowledge and Stigma in Guyana” which is scheduled to be launched at 17:00 hrs tomorrow at the New Building Society, Georgetown. This book is published by the University of the West Indies Press and is based on a cross-sectional study using a purposive sample of 379 high school students from 15 urban and rural high schools in Guyana.

The study was conducted by University of Guyana Pro-Chancellor and author of the book, Dr. Prem Misir, and assessed these students’ HIV and AIDS knowledge and stigma-related attitudes, and the relationships among gender, age, religion and race/ethnicity and HIV and AIDS knowledge. According to the results of the study, most of the high school students displayed an overall, moderate level of HIV and AIDS knowledge. They understood the modes of HIV transmission, recognised the symptoms of HIV and AIDS, and about one-fifth of the students embraced myths and misconceptions surrounding HIV and

AIDS; but nearly half of them believed that a blood donor was at risk of contracting HIV. STIGMA STILL A MAJOR ISSUE Dr. Premila Webster in her foreword for the book noted that while some headway is being made in the development of more ef-

The book is a major contribution to evidence-based policy to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Guyana - Dr. Premila Webster, who wrote the foreword fective HIV/AIDS treatment and resources are being channelled into various interventions, the level of stigma and discrimination related to HIV/AIDS is still a major issue. According to her, although widely recognised as a problem, AIDS stigma has not been studied enough to inform policy makers and assist them to develop evidence-based, effective policies to fight the epidemic. However, she believes that Dr. Misir’s book goes a long way in bridging this gap by comprehensively studying HIV/AIDS knowledge and stigma among high school students in Guyana. Dr. Webster said that the book will make a major contribution to the development of evidence-based policy to fight the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Guyana.

Baksh inspects Essequibo Coast mangrove cultivations MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh, accompanied by officers of the Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project (GMRP), inspected the cultivations at Anna Regina and Lima foreshores, on the Essequibo Coast last Wednesday. At Lima, monitoring officer of the Mangrove Project, Mr. Rudolph Adams explained, to the minister, that workers were, where hundreds of mangrove plants are growing, to carry out a data collection survey and determine the elevation of the mudflat. The official pointed out that a marker with dye, which is washed out when the tide rises, is used to ascertain the level of the mudflat. Minister Baksh said the GMRP is very important because it will help to protect the sea coast from erosion. According to him, there is a cycle in the Atlantic Ocean where mud is brought to the foreshore by the tide. He said the process is taking place from the mouth of the Pomeroon River to the Essequibo Coast shoreline in Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam), West Coast and East Coast Demerara and Corentyne, Berbice areas. The minister said he is pleased with the cultivation of mangrove plants along the Lima foreshore and he also carried out an inspection at a ‘brush dam’ MINISTER where construction is under way, ALLI BAKSH, with bamboo poles, to trap sediments so as to build up the mud height there. Community Development Officer, Mr. Ryan Toolsieram informed the minister that the brush dam is an engineering intervention to trap sediment for raising the mudflat. Toolsieram said two brush dams were created simultaneously, one at Buxton, East Coast of Demerara and the other at Anna Regina, because they are cheaper alternatives to groynes which are very expensive to build. Baksh remarked that the mangrove project will surely help the coastline, especially at Anna Regina, which is the commercial centre and seat of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Region 2. The GMRP is implementing the National Mangrove Management Action Plan of the National Agriculture Research Institute of the Agriculture Ministry, for which funding is provided by the European Union (EU) under the Global Climate Change Alliance Programme.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

Culture Ministry and Israeli agency launch business lab on cultural enterprise - participants to take part in one -week workshop THE Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, in collaboration from agricultural to historical, and there is much that with MASHAV, an Israel agency responsible for international Guyana can learn from them. development; the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony said Training Centre MCTC; and Young Americas Business Trust that this training in setting up and managing small and medium (YABT) has launched a Business Lab in Culture Enterprises sized businesses is not new to Guyana, as government has been which will provide young entrepreneurs with guidance and conducting similar programmes for young people. support to generate feasible and creative ideas to assure new businesses in the culture industry. This project will see about 30 young Guyanese who are involved in the creative arts sector being given the opportunity to take part in a one-week workshop which will allow them to gain knowledge about cultural business entrepreneurship and undergo hands-on experience in marketing. During brief remarks at the opening ceremony at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds encouraged participants to stay through the workshop and make full use of the opportunity presented to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony them. and Israeli Ambassador to Guyana, Amiram Magid along with the facilitators and He stated that with the history participants at the opening ceremony of a Business Lab in Culture Enterprises at the and social backgrounds that Guyana Umana Yana, Kingston possesses, one has to start with ideas of the market place, what is offered, what is accepted and Minister Anthony said that owning a business is quite a what the market is willing to pay. However, he said that training gratifying experience, and once properly managed, it can be such as the one which they are undergoing opens a person’s mind financially rewarding. However, he told participants that sucthat economic work needs to be done. cess does not come overnight, and he encouraged them to PM Hinds added that there is no doubt that Israel, a relawork hard in order to achieve their individual goals. tively small country that has a small population, has been very Minister Anthony said that for Guyana’s economy to grow, good at making its people productive in a wide range of areas, the traditional sectors must continue to expand, and new areas

and sectors must be cultivated and developed. He said that there has been a systematic investment to develop the culture industry businesses which fall under two categories, those that create content and those that provide services. “By investing in this sector, we have seen rapid growth in our economy,” Minister Anthony added. Just recently, the United Nations released the creative economy report 2013 in which it revealed that world trade of creative goods and services totalled a record of US$624Billion in 2011. Minister Anthony further stated that Guyana has a strong creative sector; however, the challenge has always been how to harness the potential of this sector to make it a vital part of the economy. “To do this, it is important that we develop cultural entrepreneurship, men and women whose creativity and talent can be used to create new and innovative businesses; but to do so we need to change the environment and make it more fertile so that the creative industry and businesses can grow,” the minister said. This workshop will certainly give participants the tools to start up their own businesses. Anthony said that the training is different from other small business training, because it targets the development of non-traditional businesses. He urged persons in the private and non-governmental sector to rethink their approaches to cultural business. “Let us not straight-jacket ourselves to just the traditional sectors, let us be bold and expand in these new and innovative areas,” he said. Meanwhile, Israeli Ambassador to Guyana, Amiram Magid, said that the programme will be interesting and refreshing and will benefit Guyana. He said that Israel has dedicated a lot of time in the Caribbean, and has been working and conducting similar programmes in countries such as, Belize, St Vincent, Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia. In addition to lectures by the Israeli team, there will be an emphasis on practical exercises undertaken in group work; and at the end of the programme, participants will present their simulated enterprises to a panel of investors and other officials. Present at the event were representatives from cultural organisations and groups, and other members of the diplomatic corps. (GINA)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

CEBO hosts first community based workshop in Guyana THE regional Creativity for Employment and Business Opportunity (CEBO) is a direct result of the recommendations of the report of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development which identified entrepreneurship development as a priority in countering youth unemployment. This was made clear by Programme Manager, Culture Community Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, Dr Hilary Brown, at an opening ceremony on Monday for an entrepreneurial workshop under the CEBO at the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports’ Music school, Brickdam. Dr Brown said the programme was important to CARICOM because it follows up on commitments in the Declaration of Paramaribo on the Future of Youth in CARICOM, which was issued by the Heads of Government in January 2010. Guyanese youths interested in starting their own businesses are benefitting from the workshop following two training of trainers (ToT) seminars that were held recently by the CARICOM Secretariat in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Guyana. Dr Brown explained that CEBO was an intense six-day training programme that was developed to engage, motivate and inspire

The gathering at the event entrepreneurial interest and action among youth 15 to 29 years old. She said during the workshop participants would set up and staff simulated companies, develop a basic business plan as well as create, market and sell products using seed money provided by the programme. She said at the end of the workshop companies were expected to prepare profit and loss statements and analyse their successes and mistakes. She also expressed that it was anticipated that the Government of Guyana and other local partners would be inspired and committed to continue to mount CEBO workshops across the country. “We look forward to seeing the programme implemented in all regions in Guyana” Dr. Brown said. Dr Brown used the opportunity to thank the Government of Guyana, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and all the partners associated with CEBO, such as the Japanese Government, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the UNDP Youth Innovation Project for their support. Acting Director, Youth, at the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, Guyana, Gillian Frank, said there were many expectations of the young people participating in the workshop. She encouraged them to ensure that they learn from the information to be equipped with the relevant tools to make them successful business men and women. She said it was expected that there would also be behavioural change within participants that would foster discipline, sacrifice and capacity building. She also reminded participants that goal setting, strategy, conflict resolution and communication capacity were important in building businesses. She told the participants that they should not allow the opportunity to go to waste. “A few years from today I hope that we will be invited to attend a workshop like this coordinated by you. Young people, you are given the opportunity to change your lives and improve your community. Let it happen” she said. CEBO training workshops and pilot projects have been implemented in five Caribbean countries so far, including Jamaica, Belize, St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica and The Bahamas. CEBO was developed by the CARICOM Secretariat with inputs from Regional stakeholders. (CARICOM)

The head table at the opening ceremony of the Creativity for Employment and Business opportunity (CEBO) Community Based Workshop. From the left are Ms. Gillian Frank, Youth Director (ag) of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport; Keron Bruce, facilitator; Dr. Hilary Brown, Programme Manager, Culture and Community Development, Directorate of Human and Social Development of the CARICOM Secretariat; and Yldiz Pollack-Beighle, Deputy Programme Manager of Youth Development of the CARICOM Secretariat

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

MP Shaddick responds to Sasha Bharrat’s cry to be educated – presents laptop, commits to providing personal tutor PEOPLE’S Progressive Party / Civic Member of Parliament, Bibi Shaddick yesterday visited Sasha Bharrat of Block 8, Mon Repos, East Coast of Demerara, to personally hand over a laptop thorough the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Programme. The parents of the ten- year old expressed heartfelt gratitude to Ms. Shaddick for her initiative. Sasha is suffering from ichthyosis, a rare case of incurable skin disease. This presentation was as a result of the publication of an article in the Stabroek News on November 14 on Sasha’s condition and a cry by the child to be educated. Shaddick highlighted that she was committed to ensuring that the child is educated. She added with the help of the laptop, Sasha will now be able to have access to the wider world; this will not be a challenge for her since she is computer literate. The MP promised the Bharrat family that she will replace their existing air conditioning unit since it is not functioning properly, and is necessary to help Sasha sleep when it’s hot. She added that she will assist in defraying the electricity bill; she will pay a tutor to visit their residence to teach the child, and will donate some books to the child shortly. Meanwhile Ms. Joan Mapp of Church Road, Subryanville, an elderly woman who is afflicted with sickle-cell disease and who earns a livelihood by cycling across Georgetown on a daily basis to retail Avon products, also received a laptop. Shaddick highlighted that with the aid of a laptop, the woman will be able to take orders on line so she will no longer have to spend so much time cycling around to find markets. Shaddick also explained the process of using the laptop to Mapp, since she acknowledged that she has very little knowledge

about Information Communication Technology (ICT). A personal trainer will also be visiting her at home to complete the five-day training. Ms. Mapp expressed her gratitude to the government for

this initiative which she stated will help to make her work and life much easier. She added that it will also benefit her disabled brother who resides in the upper flat of her home. (GINA) People’s Progressive Party/ Civic Member of Parliament, Ms. Bibi Shaddick handing over the laptop to Ms Joan Mapp

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

Berbice hospitals get private sector gifts By Michael Khan THE Berbice Regional Health Authority (BRHA) has received assistance in the form of eight water dispensers and two Hewlitt Packard (HP) computer printers, courtesy of the Corentyne, Berbice private sector. Realised through the efforts of recently elected Chairman of the New Amsterdam Hospital Board of Directors, Mr. Bhigrooj Poonai, five of the water dispensers will be placed at strategic points in New Amsterdam Hospital, along with a printer which will be used by the administrative staff. The other gifts will be used for similar purposes at Port Mourant Hospital, Corentyne, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BRHA,

Dr. Vishwa Mahadeo said. In his remarks to medical staff gathered for the occasion in the New Amsterdam Hospital Boardroom, he congratulated Poonai for his proactive leadership and expressed gratitude to the donors for their tangible gesture. “The private sector has been contributing to health care in Region 6 and across Guyana. We hope to continue receiving their support and monitoring to ensure that their donation is used for its intended purposes. UTILISED PROPERLY “To the staff of the New Amsterdam and Port Mourant Hospitals, gifts are given to us to be utilised properly. We have to cherish the gifts that are given to us,” he advised. Meanwhile, CEO of the

MP Jaffarally warns of serious repercussions from dumping By Michael Khan THE indiscriminate dumping of refuse in canals and along road shoulders is an environmentally unfriendly practice that could have serious repercussions on people’s health and creates problems in the drainage system. People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament (MP) Faizal Jaffarally made the observation during a recent visit to Tain Settlement, Corentyne, Berbice. “We have a serious problem in the way the residents dispose of their solid waste and this is prevalent in many communities. Residents ought to take responsibility in ensuring that solid waste is properly disposed,” he urged. Jaffarally referred to several areas where residents wantonly dump garbage and called on them to acknowledge the input of the Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in the areas of drainage and irrigation. He appealed, as well, for support to the new private garbage collection system which is a programme of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. GARBAGE BAGS “We are asking the residents to cooperate with the private contractor in ensuring that their solid waste is placed in garbage bags and barrels to ensure a smooth collection process,” he urged. The MP made an appeal, too, for Berbicians to act as advisers to each other and cooperate by engaging in community work to maintain their surroundings. “Community work can do so much for the enhancement of the surroundings if, once a month, residents of each area can join hands by coming out to do a bit of clearing and cleaning. It will make a big difference,” he assured. “The Government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, is doing its part and we need everyone to support our venture which contributes to the development of Guyana,” Jaffarally maintained. In several areas, garbage has clogged waterways and playgrounds and Jaffarally sees that as a backward step, as the Government strives to take Guyana forward. “We cannot attain perfection with bad actions; safe practices will breed progress,” he insisted.

C.E.O of N/A Hospital, Allan Johnson, receives the donation from Bhigrooj Poonai who represented the private sector. than one year. New Amsterdam Hospital the water dispensers while noting that he has been asking “It is against the law not to Complex, Mr. Allan Johnson for such provisions for more provide (drinking) water for emexpressed his delight at having

ployees of any organisation and, with this donation, we are going to honour the law,” he noted. Imran and Daughters, Nazir Hamid, Fazil Hamid, Hamid Store of Williamsburg, Pharmacy Depot, Balram Shane, Dr. Sugrim and Dr. Narine, were the business persons and entities responsible for funding the provision of the water dispensers while M. Raffik Construction Firm donated the computer printers. Poonai thanked the donors and made a call for the BRHA to foster stronger relations with the private sector. “The business community is always willing to support (the BRHA) but we have to go out at times and reach them; we have to create a private/public partnership so that we can acquire much more,” he urged. Johnson received the items on behalf of his hospital and Dr. Vinashri Khirodhar accepted for the Port Mourant Hospital.

CARICOM suspends Dominican Republic’s request to become member THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) condemns the abhorrent and discriminatory ruling of September 23, 2013, of the Constitutional Court of The Dominican Republic on nationality which retroactively strips tens of thousands of Dominicans, mostly of Haitian descent, of citizenship rendering them stateless and with no recourse to appeal It is especially repugnant that the ruling ignores the 2005 judgement made by the Inter-American Court on Human Rights (IACHR) that The Dominican Republic adapt its immigration laws and practices in accordance with the provisions of the American Convention on Human Rights. The ruling also violates The Dominican Republic’s international human rights obligations. Furthermore, the ruling has created an environment where, with the abrogation of rights that flow from citizenship, arbitrariness can flourish as illustrated by recent media reports of the forced deportation to Haiti of persons claiming to be Dominican and with no linguistic or familial ties to that country. The Caribbean Community reiterates its call to the Government of The Dominican Republic to take the necessary political, legislative, judicial and administrative steps urgently to redress the grave humanitarian situation created by the ruling. The Community also calls on regional and hemispheric countries and

organisations to lend their voice to urge The Dominican Republic to right this terrible wrong. The Community welcomes the intervention by Venezuela to assist in resolving the issue; but given the grave humanitarian implications of the court ruling, the Community cannot allow its relationship with The Dominican Republic to continue as normal. In that regard, the Community, at this time, will suspend consideration of the request by The Dominican Republic for membership of the Caribbean Community. Furthermore, the Community will review its relationship with The Dominican Republic in other fora including that of CARIFORUM, CELAC and the OAS. It cannot be business as usual. CARICOM supports the visit of the Inter American Commission on Human Rights and will request an advisory opinion from the Inter American Court of Human Rights. The Community will also consider the introduction of a Resolution at the United Nations General Assembly condemning the ruling. “ Moreover, we call on the global and regional community to pressure the government of The Dominican Republic to adopt urgent measures to ensure that the jaundiced decision of the Constitutional Court does not stand and that the full citizenship rights of persons of Haitian descent, born in The Dominican Republic are guaranteed. The Caribbean Community accords this matter the highest priority,” CARICOM statement said yesterday.

CARIFORUM and EU reaffirm commitment to trade and development partnership CARIFORUM and European Union (EU) trade officials held a one-day meeting in Grenada on Thursday 21 November, at which they reaffirmed the two regions’ commitment to their close trade and development partnership. The two sides discussed progress made so far in putting the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) into practice. The EPA aims to promote trade and investment, underpin regional integration, and foster sustainable development. C o m m e n t i n g , CARIFORUM Senior Representative and Meeting Chair, Junior Mahon, said: “The CARIFORUM-EU EPA presents a strategy to assist the CARIFORUM grouping to build larger markets, foster trade in goods and services

as well as stimulate investment.” The Head of the European Union’s Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Ambassador Mikael Barfod highlighted the EU’s ongoing development assistance to help Caribbean governments and businesses put the EPA into practice and exploit its opportunities. “The EU recognises the specific challenges which the Caribbean faces as it seeks to win a larger share of global trade. That’s why we’re currently investing over •140m in region-wide aid for trade up to 2015. From then until 2020 we’ll provide a further •350m for region-wide development programmes. Regional integration and EPA implementation will be amongst their main goals,” said Ambassador Barfod. EU trade official Remco

Vahl said the meeting provided an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the EU’s continuing commitment to its longstanding partners in the Caribbean. “Making the EPA work for people across the Caribbean is our shared responsibility. And it’s an important one, given the hopes and aspirations inherent in the agreement - promoting trade and investment, underpinning regional integration, and fostering sustainable development,” Vahl said. Talks focused on involving civil society in the EPA process, trade in agriculture, and monitoring the EPA. Officials discussed the involvement of civil society, which will have its own Consultative Committee under the EPA. On agriculture, they launched talks on measures to promote and protect Geographical Indications (GIs) – such as Blue Mountain coffee from Jamaica or Rocquefort

cheese from France. The regular monitoring and review of the EPA were also on the agenda, with discussion of the first five-yearly review, due for completion in 2014, and the creation of a long-term mechanism to monitor the EPA’s results. The EU is CARIFORUM’s second largest trading partner, after the US. In 2011, trade between the two regions came to over •8 billion. The main exports from the Caribbean to the EU are in: * fuel and mining products, notably petroleum gas and oils; * bananas, sugar and rum; * minerals, notably gold, corundum, aluminum oxide and hydroxide, and iron ore products; * fertilisers. The main imports into the Caribbean from the EU are in: * boats and ships, cars, construction vehicles and engine parts; * phone equipment; * milk and cream; * spirit drinks.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Salesman refused bail on embezzlement, falsification charges A FORMER salesman of Beepat’s was, slapped yesterday with several charges of embezzlement and falsification, when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman. Jason De Florimonte, 26, of Lot 131Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the indictable offences, particulars of which said, on seven different counts, between August 1 and October 31, being employed as a clerk or servant at Beepat’s Hardware and Haberdashery Store, he fraudulently embezzled a sum in excess of $1.4M. In relation to the first falsification offence, it is alleged that, between August 15 and October 31, being employed as a clerk or servant at Beepats Hardware and Haberdashery Store, with intent to defraud, he made or concurred in making a false invoice belonging to his employer, purporting to show that Treasure Parks had ordered a quantity of goods worth $9,946, during the month of August, whereas the sum payable for the merchandise was $25,940. The second allegation of falsification said, during the same period, he made or concurred in making a false invoice purporting to show that Bibi Deo had ordered goods to the value $52,046 whereas the sum payable for the order was $370,000. Police Sergeant Vishnu Hunt, prosecuting, told the court that the accused made a report of an alleged robbery but, after a thorough investigation, the charges were recommended by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Attorney-at-law, Mr. James Bond, representing the accused, in a failed bail application, said De Florimonte is the sole breadwinner for his reputed wife and two children and, in the month of October, he was robbed of $1.2M at Beepats and suffered injuries in that robbery. Bond said salesmen have a risky job, are not given much security and collect money in haversacks. The lawyer claimed that the accused has cooperated with the police during the investigations only to be greeted yesterday, when he turned up to report, with the charges. Hunt successfully objected to bail citing on the grounds that the money amounted to over $1.4 M and the fact that the charges are laid indictable if granted bail the accused may not return for his trial. Bail was refused until December 4.

In Region 2…

Permanent doctors to be posted at health centres THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 2 (Pomeroon/Supenaam) intends to post doctors permanently at all health clinics across Essequibo Coast, Pomeroon and hinterland communities. The Chairman, Mr. Parmanand Persaud said the focus is for residents to benefit from free and efficient services. He made the disclosure after Alliance For Change (AFC) Councillor, Mr. Bowanie Persaud thanked the Regional Administration for posting a permanent doctor at the Anna Regina Health Centre on Essequibo Coast to attend to patients on a daily basis. ***************************************

RDC councillors urge action against speeding A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity (APNU) Councillor, Ms. Linda Duncan has called on the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) to address the problem of speeding on the Essequibo Coast Public Road. Speaking at the November statutory meeting, she declared there are too many deaths caused by it and demanded that the RDC look, seriously, to see what can be done to reduce the number of accidents and road fatalities. Another APNU Councillor, Mr.Wazir Latiff suggested the widening of the Essequibo Coast Public Road because of the large fleet of vehicles currently using the roadway. Only recently, a 26-year-old unlicensed and inexperienced driver lost his life because of speeding on the Maria’s Delight Public Road and, in another recent accident, a newspaper vendor was killed on the Sparta Public Road when a van struck him. A 71-year-old pensioner also met his demise on the Riverstown Public Road after being hit by a car.

Accused Blackberry robber refused bail FORTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD Mark Lovell (no address given) was remanded to prison yesterday, when the police, successfully, objected to Magistrate Judy Latchman granting him bail on a robbery charge. Lovell pleaded not guilty to the offence, particulars of which said, on November 15, at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, while being in company of another armed with a gun, he robbed Rico

Persaud of a Blackberry cellular phone valued $50,000. Police Corporal Renetta Bentham, prosecuting, based her objection to the grant on the grounds of the seriousness and prevalence of the crime as well as the alleged use of a firearm and the likelihood that Lovell may not return for trial. Lovell, a claimed father of four, has to be back in court on December 5.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

Aries March 21 - April 19 There might be an unpredictable energy to your day today, but you are ready for it! When you don't quite know what is going to happen next, it is a good sign that something important is about to happen, so embrace any indecision or uncertainty you have. Get comfortable with the idea that you don't know if the choice that you're about to make is a good one or a bad one. Just move forward, and move forward boldly! Today, the only mistake you can make is being too self-conscious.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 You know exactly what you're doing today, but no one else seems to -- and they're going to be bugging you to hang out with them when all you want to do is stay in. Right now, things around your home are very appealing for you, and you like the idea of being by yourself for a while. Toss a few suggestions at your lonely friends, but don't tag along with them just because they asked you to. Do whatever you want to do today, and you will end up being happier.

Gemini May 21 - June 21 Don't be surprised if a good friend starts showing signs of anger when you talk about another friend today. They are getting jealous of the time you are spending with this other person, but their issues are not something you need to worry about. They are insecure and therefore may be getting to possessive of your time -- if so, you need to gently remind them that while you may have other people in your life who you value highly, it doesn't make you value them any less.

Cancer June 22 - July 22 A very important element is missing from your day today, and you need to make sure you that you find it before the end of the day. Have you left a fun person off the guest list? Forgotten to double check your work at school? You need to slow down and think things through in order to remind yourself what it is you have forgotten. Get a friend in on the chase with you -- ask them if they know what you're trying to remember. If they don't, they may be able to help jog your memory.

Leo July 23 - August 22 You are at your happiest when the people you love are happy, so work on making that happen today. Call up a blue friend and find out what they need to start smiling again. It might be just a shoulder to cry on, or it might be an errand that they can't get around to dealing with. Their stress levels have been on the rise, but you can help them see that this will pass. They need a sweet reminder about what is really important in life. And if anyone understands that, it's you.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 Getting organised right now is a very good thing for you to do. Not only will it make you feel more confident about handling any curve balls that might be coming your way, it will actually be a lot of fun! Taking chaos and transforming it into order will give you a great sense of satisfaction and pride. So whether you merely clean up one of your cluttered closets or balance your cheque book to the penny, you will love the sensation of putting all of your ducks in a row.

Libra September 23 - October 22 Today, you need to have the flexibility required to change your plans at the last moment -- without giving anyone any attitude or getting grumpy about it. You won't get credit for being adaptable unless you do it with grace and cheerfulness. So if someone needs to cancel a date or reschedule a meeting, be cool about it. Don't remind them that they do this all the time, or point out how you never flake out on them. Just be a good person and take it in stride.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 While a trip to an exotic overseas locale might not be possible right now, there are many ways to fulfill your wanderlust. Pick up a novel set in a far off land, go online and learn about a country you've always wanted to visit, or just rent a movie shot in a beautiful foreign place. You don't have to invest a lot of time or money to give yourself an escape -- and by the end of the day, you are definitely going to need some type of mental escape.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 For Saturday August 8, 2013 -14:30hrs For Sunday August 9, 2013 - 14:30hrs For Monday August 10, 2013 - 14:30hrs

Holding onto your ideals is admirable -- you should never be embarrassed for wanting a more peaceful or loving world. But when you refuse to see the dirt and the reality of life, you put yourself at a disadvantage. Today you need to balance your idealism with reality. There are many things you can make better, but there are some things that you just can't fix. Focus on what you can do -- call up a blue friend and crack a few jokes. It's a great way to regain your bright attitude about life.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 Watch out for any spontaneous comments that come out of the mouths of your friends or coworkers today -- these people could be misspeaking, or they could be finally saying what they really feel deep down inside. No matter why they're saying what they are saying, you need to try to handle it with your usual aplomb. Do not react in a negative way. If you get defensive or take it personally, you'll only create a bigger drama than you really want to deal with.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 Is traffic driving you nuts today? Had it up to here with your nagging boss? No matter what's annoying you today, you should just try to let the little things slide. Take another look at the situation -- is it really that bad? Can't you just slow down or take another route? Can't you just ignore you boss for the rest of the day? There are ways around most of your dilemmas today, and you need to have enough faith in your creativity to believe that you can find them.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 You may feel like you're on a road to adventure and excited about the frontiers you're encountering. Unfortunately, it seems that not everyone is as excited about this path as you are. Blows to your ego are apt to hit hard, but try not to let this deter you. This is more than likely a result of other people's jealousy of your incredible strength and bravery.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Bangladeshi men refused bail on ID forgery charges By Jenel Rockliffe MAGISTRATE Ann McLennan, yesterday, remanded to prison two Bangladeshi men charged with plotting to utter forged identification cards. Until a report can be issued to the court on the immigration status of the defendants, Noor Nambi Babalu,23, and Mohamed Hoosain, 31, the duo will remain incarcerated until November 29. One allegation against them is that, between October 1 and November 24 in Georgetown, they conspired with person or persons unknown to forge Guyana Identification Card (ID) numbers in favour of themselves, as Emily Bablu and Michael Singh respectively to show that the documents were issued by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). It was also alleged that, at the Central Immigration and Passport Office, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, they presented Guyana National Identification (ID) Cards to an immigration officer, to imply that they were issued by GECOM. MARRIED MEN The married men, who have been living in Guyana for two years, were represented by Defence Counsel Paul Fung-a-Fat, who made application for them to be granted bail. He said they both reside at Lot 17 ‘A’ Barkley Street, Good Fortuin, West Bank Demerara and, although they have been resident for two years and applied for work permits to earn a living in this country, they are still waiting for them. The lawyer said, nevertheless, the men work in a store on Robb Street as salesmen and offered for their passports to be lodged in case the court finds them a risk of flight. However, both the accused were denied pre-trial freedom because the court was not aware of their immigration status and they were remanded until November 29.

Noor Nambi Babalu and Mohamed Hoosain being escorted to court yesterday (Sonell Nelson photo)

‘Sexy Angel’ must post $100,000 on robbery charge AKEEM Nickle alias ‘Sexy Angel’ who allegedly robbed a policeman of $2,500 after threatening him with an ice-pick, was granted $100,000 bail yesterday. The 19-year-old (no address stated) pleaded not guilty to the allegation, that he committed a robbery on Police Constable Naresh Changa on November 23 in Carmichael Street, Georgetown, when it was read to him by Magistrate Judy Latchman. Making an appearance for Nickle, attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Fung-a-Fat said his client is a sex worker and, at the time of the alleged incident, the policeman was drunk and had arranged to pay Nickle $2,500 in exchange for sex. Afterwards, counsel said the policeman complained that he was dissatisfied and, later, told Nickle that he was going to

charge him for robbery. The lawyer then made an application for his client to get bail. However, Corporal Renetta Bentham, prosecuting, countered that the lawyer’s narrative is far from the prosecution’s facts. She said, around 11:20hrs in the night, the sergeant was strolling along Quamina Street where he was, suddenly, confronted by the defendant and two other males with ice-picks. HE THREATENED The prosecutor told the court that, in addition to the de-

fendant stealing the money, he threatened to bore up the virtual complainant. After the incident, the policeman made a report at Brickdam Police Station and, subsequently, after a mobile patrol was sent out, the virtual complainant spotted the robber and identified him as his assailant. Further investigations led to the defendant’s arrest and him being charged with robbery under arms. The prosecutor objected to bail on the basis of the seriousness of the offence and the penalty it attracts but the magistrate overruled the objection and set the surety until December 5.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

GT&T and Hand-in-Hand partner ... From back page the GCB Marketing Manager, Raj Singh said he was thrilled to have both GT&T and Hand-in-Hand coming on board with his entity, to make the four-day tournament a successful one. "Four-day cricket is the foundation of Test cricket, which no doubt needs urgent attention in the West Indies. In the past, Guyana had produced some world class Test cricketers and it is the GCB's aim to do so once again, through this tournament and for lengthy competitions like this, the GCB needs help from the business entities, hence we are grateful to have these two sponsors on board," said Singh.

ENGLISH Lingfield 08:00 hrs Billy Blue 08:30 hrs Canova 09:00 hrs Four Winds 09:30 hrs Seek The Fair Land 10:00 hrs Ostralegus 10:35 hrs Mia's Boy 11:10 hrs Super Duplex 11:40 hrs My Learned Friend WETHERBY 08:15 hrs Connectivity 08:50 hrs Seymour Eric 09:20 hrs Diamond King 09:50 hrs Allanard 10:25 hrs Marju's Quest 11:00 hrs Tahiti Pearl 11:30 hrs Cashed That FONTWELL 08:40 hrs Join The Navy 09:10 hrs Cloud Creeper 09:40 hrs Red Rock 10:10 hrs Seebright 10:45 hrs Alteranthela 11:20 hrs Sea Cadet 11:50 hrs Rouquine Sauvage IRISH RACING TIPS Dundalk 13:45 hrs Majestic Timeline 14:15 hrs Minaya Return 14:45 hrs Wildcat Kitten 15:15 hrs Iron Major 15:45 hrs Victor's Beach 16:15 hrs Hilary 16:45 hrs Golan Heights AMERICAN RACING TIPS Aqueduct Race 1 Correspondent Race 2 El oh El Race 3 Mighty Ian Race 4 Freud's Sunset Race 5 Insolvent Race 6 Giulio Cesari Race 7 Go Get the Basil Race 8 Micromanage Race 9 Ellen Dorene

He added, "GT&T have survived two decades and more, keeping their commitment to their customers and employees. The Company's mission is to foster a better quality of life for all Guyanese (at home and in the Diaspora) and to facilitate economic prosperity for Guyana by strengthening Guyana's Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) ecosystems in partnership with the government. Hand-in-Hand, the oldest insurance company in Guyana, having been established since 1865, is one we are extremely proud to welcome to our growing list of sponsors here today." Prior to handing over the cheque to Singh, Hand-inHand's Marketing Coordinator, Andrea Jodhan-Khan, said her Company has been in existence for 147 years and has always supported cricket and other sports, and is delighted to assist in the development of Guyana's top cricketers. The GCB hopes that this year's competition will better promote and enhance the talented cricketers they are nurturing. "We expect that this competition will build on their mental capabilities and develop their other character traits of discipline, teamwork, and respect authorities. We also hope that at the end of the Contest, the sponsors will be satisfied with its level and intensity" a press release stated. Meanwhile, former national opener, Vishal 'Cheesy' Singh, who failed to find favour with the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) selection panel, was handed the captaincy responsibility for the President's XI whose first match is against defending champions Demerara at the Enmore Community Centre ground tomorrow. Two other discarded openers in Ryan Ramdass who played one Test match for the West Indies and Shemroy Barrington, have been included in the President's XI lineup, with Barrington being named Singh's deputy, after they were also overlooked by the DCB Selectors. Robin Bacchus, Andre Stoll and Kellon Carmichael, who like

Singh, Barrington and Ramdass were not selected for Demerara, will seek redemption while representing the Rest XI, along with the Rose Hall Town Gizmos and Gadgets' pair of Jason Sinclair and Dominique Rikhi. Strangely, there was no place for left arm spinner, Raj Nannan, on either the Demerara or President's XI, since the selectors who picked the President's XI lineup, opted for Under-19 leg spinner Steven Sankar, Collis Butts (the son of former Guyana and West Indies off spinner Clyde Butts), and all rounder Shaquille Williams to take care of the spin department. How Nannan, who has been featuring prominently for Georgetown Cricket Club over the past two years or so has been overlooked for both Demerara and now the President's XI, is a mystery only detectives from Scotland Yard can solve. Tomorrow's first round action will pit Demerara taking on President's XI at Enmore under the supervision of umpires Imran Moakan and Gyananand Sukhdeo, while at the Demerara Cricket Club ground, Essequibo and Berbice will clash under the supervision of M. Shivsankar and Shannon Crawford. Below is a list of all the squads: President's XI: Vishal Singh, Shemroy Barrington, Robin Bacchus, Ryan Ramdass, Seon Hetmyer, Shaquille Williams, Jason Sinclair, Romario Shepherd, Collis Butts, Steven Sankar, Kellon Carmichael, Andre Stoll, Dominique Rikhi and Seon Daniels. The Coach is Esuan Crandon and the Manager is Robert `Pacer' Adonis. Demerara: Leon Johnson, Christopher Barnwell, Trevon Griffith, Rajendra Chandrika, Christopher Pattadin, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Steven Jacobs, Derwin Christian, Amir Khan, Zaheer Mohammed, Paul Wintz, Trevon Garraway, Randolph Knights and Totaram Bishun. Berbice: Sewnarine Chattergoon, Anthony D'Andrade, Assad Fudadin, Jonathan Foo, Royston Crandon, Rajiv Ivan, Devon Clements, Anthony Bramble, Keon Joseph, Devendra Bishoo, Krisendat Ramoo, Raun Johnson and Keon Joseph.

Essequibo: Royan Fredericks, Anthony Adams, Kevon Boodie, Ricardo Pe-

ters, Avenash Persaud, Herry Greene, Parmesh Parsotam, Mark Tyrell, Rajiv Balgobin,

Rovindra Parsram, Kemo Paul, Keanu Harry, Dillon Heyliger and Gilford Moore.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

Ben Stokes backed to replace Jonathan Trot BEN Stokes has been backed to replace Jonathan Trott in the England side for the second Ashes Test by former players Michael Vaughan and Steve Harmison. Ex-captain Vaughan believes Ian Bell should bat at number three after Trott departed with a stress-related illness. Former paceman Harmison feels Durham allrounder Stokes coming in at

Ben Stokes

number six would give England flexibility. “They need an X-factor bowler and that allows them to play Monty Panesar or Steve Finn,” he told BBC Radio 5 live This is not just me with a Durham hat on, it’s me being practical,” added 35-year-old Harmison, who took 222 wickets in 63 Tests for England. “England are behind in the series, they need a wicket-taking bowler.” Trott, 32, endured a difficult time in the first Test against Australia in Brisbane, struggling against the bowling of Mitchell Johnson and scoring only 19 runs in two innings as England went down to a 381-run defeat. Stokes, 22, is yet to make his Test debut but has scored 3,172 first-class runs at an average of 35.64 while taking 110 wickets at 28.24.

Another potential Test debutant, Gary Ballance could come in, as could Yorkshire team-mate Jonny Bairstow, who has made 12 Test appearances. Ballance, 24, has scored 4,747 runs in first-class cricket and averages 53.33, while Bairstow, also 24, has 4,882 runs at 43.58. England must also decide who replaces Trott at number three in the batting order for the second Test in Adelaide, which starts on 5 December Harmison, who retired at the end of the summer after 17 years at Durham, believes Kevin Pietersen should not be promoted from number four. “Pietersen does not want to bat at three and I think there are better options,” he said. “We have a recognised opener in Joe Root who can go in and face the new ball [at number three].

“If you start playing with Pietersen’s mind, you’re weakening the side if he’s not happy playing at three, which he’s stated before. “I would not move Ian Bell to three because whoever comes in at six will be very young with few Test matches behind them. That would put vulnerability on the middle order However Vaughan, who skippered England from 2003 to 2008, feels Bell, who bats at five, is ideally suited to moving up. “The number three position is pivotal,” he said. “I’d go with Ian Bell. I’d keep Root down at five and say to Bell: ‘You’re such a good player, take on the number three role.’ “I would not be surprised to see them go for Ben Stokes and bring Monty Panesar in. They have options.” (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

Our Own Sports Club presentation By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Thirty-two and counting. That’s the astonishing unbeaten run of victories by Our Own Sports Club, a predominant Guyanese Masters Softball team, owned and managed by Berbician, Teddy Hussain. Six years on, Our Own have been ruling the roost for the past two years in the Masters Division of the Canadian Softball Cricket Association competitions, claiming their first title in 2012 and retaining same this year. On their way to both titles, they have not tasted defeat for 32 consecutive matches, quite an amazing feat. At its annual gala presentation ceremony, held last Saturday night at Lucky’s Restaurant, Toronto, all of the club’s 21 players on its roster were rewarded for their excellent efforts during the 2013 season. Topping the list of awardees was former Guyana Under-19 batsman, Troy Gobin,

who copped the Most Valuable Player (MVP) prize for his outstanding batting, scoring the most runs (432). The former Malteenoes player also collected prizes for the Best Batting Average (72.00) and for smashing 147 against Pegasus. Former National player, Shivnauth Seeram, who is also captain of the team, played a pivotal role in his team’s remarkable success, grabbing 17 wickets, the same as Mohan Singh, which were the most wickets for the season. Seeram had figures of four for 11 and four for 17 in two separate games. Another bowler who caught the eye was Ben Loknath who took a hat-trick and also captured four for nine. Mahendranauth “Bobby” Parasnauth, a much sought after softball player, whose season was curtailed by studies, still found the time to compete in a few matches and shone in those. Just back from Guyana where he represented New York in the Open Male category of the Guyana Softball Cup 111,

… Gobin, Parasnauth among top awardees

Mahendranauth “Bobby” Parasnauth, Jaimini Singh, and Troy Gobin pose with part of their several trophies. Essequibo’s Jaimini Singh, “Jesh” Parasnauth, also Parasnauth received the prize who narrowly missed National chipped in with an award for for the most economical bowler selection although touring with his four wickets for 18 in the team. the Guyana squad in 1989, was runs. His brother, Rabindra another distinguished awardee

for slamming 106 not out against Littles. Singh still has the honour of leading Essequibo to their lone Inter-county victory in a senior Intercounty encounter against Berbice at the Bermine ground in 1994. He was also the skipper of North Essequibo when they defeated East Bank Demerara in the 1993 Bristol Cup final at Bourda. Special inventive prizes were presented to Skeldonborn Hussain, Ultimate Player Loknath, Mr. Versatile Seeram, Mr. Tidy Clean Terry Ramraj, Mr. Early Bird Bhagwandas Budhoo, Mr. Behind the Success Ed Pestano, Chate Persaud and Jagnarine “Rambo” Ramdin. Two of the club’s main sponsors, Extrudex and Lagjit & Jatinder Singh – Century 21 were honoured with plaques, thanks for their continued partnership and unparalleled goodwill and dedication.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival

Eleven foreign teams expected for today’s tournament opener THE Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival which gets underway today will be graced this year with the presence of as many as 11 foreign teams from Canada, Trinidad and Barbados. The 11 teams coupled with top local qualifying clubs: Hikers, Old Fort and GCC, are sure to put on an impressive show of high quality entertaining indoor hockey for which the Festival has become known. This year the Canadians, Revamp Hockey Club, led by Guyanese Jonathan Roberts pose the strongest challenge for the gold in the men’s division. Roberts migrated to Canada some thirteen years ago and has represented his adopted home internationally including the last indoor World Cup in Poland 2011. Another member of the team of Guyanese linage is another Canadian International, Scott Sandison, whose mother would have represented Guyana several years ago before migrating to Canada herself. Both Roberts and Sandison have competed and were victorious in the local festival on

The GCC hockey team recently dominated the GT&T hockey championships. two occasions including the inaugural one in 2004. The Canadians are further strengthened by several other Internationals and junior Internationals completing a side that will be difficult to defeat. Local men’s indoor ‘giants’, the Hikers, boast the best results in the festival, winning it a record 4 times. The defending champions regain the services of indoor national Shane Samuels who will anchor the youthful additions of Jamarj

Assanah and Aroydy Branford to produce a solid contingent. Former Festival champions Old Fort of Guyana hope to regain their glory on 2010 but much will be riding on the shoulders of the phenomenal Aderemi ‘Dove’ Simon, whose misfortune left him on the injured list for the recently concluded national championships. The YMCA of Barbados have competed in the festival before and have clearly improved with every outing. Judg-

ing from their last performance in 2011, they are not to be taken ligtly. They are spearheaded by former Barbados national Captain Rohan ‘Teno’ Thomas who honed his hockey skills for some years in the United Kingdom before returning to the island. Newcomers Queens Park is a top indoor side from Trinidad who will be testing the waters for the first time in Guyana and local national champions GCC round out the solid

pool of top class sides. This year, the men’s division is littered with contenders as each side appears a genuine contender for the title. In the women’s competition the Canadians once again seem the side to beat as several of the players from last year’s victorious Toronto Academy return under the banner of the Toronto Toros this year. The side was founded in 2011 and fields a full squad of top players from their home city of Toronto including national midfielder Krie Sher. Last year’s silver medallists Magnolias of Trinidad with their super-star striker Stacey Sui-Butt return with a vengeance to improve on their second place finish. The inaugural victors have a good crop of young players who are sure to make them genuine contenders for the crown once again. Three times festival champions and local top side GCC has entered their strongest side to date in this year’s festival. The team features a number of players who have trained on the Guyana national squad over the past few years including national sweeper Ulrica Sutherland and dynamic striker Gabriella

Xavier. Moving up from the junior ranks is the skilful Aliyah Gordon who will complete a potent GCC attack. Malvern hockey club of Trinidad has also worn the festival crown in the past and will produce one of the more experienced sides in the festival while the rebuilding Hikers will be looking to establish a name for themselves this time around. The Carib veterans Challenge will feature the largest collection of teams with eight sides vying for the top honours. Local sides GCC, Hikers and Old Old Fort feature among the most consistent sides but former champs Fatima along with Malvern, Carib, Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force and Trinidad and Tobago Police forge a strong Trinidadian challenge. Defending champs the Hikers will be strengthened this year by the inclusion of Jerazeno ‘Skillaxe’ Bell but will have their hands full with the challengers abound. The tournament begins tonight with three matches between local sides and will continue the following evening running until Sunday December 2.

GKC to host fund Windies Under-19s to play Sagicor raising Bingo next week HPC in two 50-over matches …Flat screen tv, fridges to be won

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados The West Indies Under-19 Team will face the Sagicor West Indies High Performance Centre in two 50-over matches before departing for their tour of Bangladesh. The matches will be played tomorrow and Friday at the 3Ws Oval at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies. First ball is 9 am (8 am Jamaica Time). The West Indies Under-19s

will then depart on Saturday evening for their tour of Bangladesh which will feature seven 50-over matches against the Bangladesh Under-19s. Both teams are using the series as preparation for the ICC Under-19 World Cup to be played in United Arad Emirates in February, 2014. "We are happy to be able to play these matches before we head off to what we expect will be a tough series in Bangladesh,

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday November 27, 2013) 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: (1) George Francis (WI vs ENG, Lord’s, 1928) (2) 1 (Desmond Haynes) Today’s Quiz: (1) Alvin Kallicharran played 66 Tests. How many times he recorded ‘pairs’? (2) Who has played most ODI matches without scoring a century? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

but one which we believe we can win," said Head Coach Roddy Estwick. "We want our players to get a 'feel' and before we head off. All 15 players will get an opportunity so no one will be left out. We will look to continue the work we started when we played against Bangladesh in Guyana last month." Estwick added: "We have to get better at rotating the strike, creating singles, hitting the gaps and looking to bat out the 50 overs. These are the main areas of concern and we want to make sure we get better in this department." The West Indies Under-19s leave Bangladesh on December 21. FULL SQUAD Ramaal Lewis (Jamaica) Captain,Jeremy Solozano (T&T) - Vice Captain, Fabien Allen (Jamaica), Tagenarine Chanderpaul (Guyana), Bryan Charles (T&T), Tristan Coleman (Jamaica), Jonathan Drakes (Barbados), Shimron Hetmyre (Guyana), Jerome Jones (Barbados), Ray Jordan (Windwards), Brandon King (Jamaica), Preston McSween (Windwards), Marquino Mindley (Jamaica), Gudakesh Motie (Guyana), Nicholas Pooran (T&T)

WITH the aim of raising the remaining G$26M to help offset the expense to build their main dojo at the Turkeyen location, the Guyana Karate College (GKC) will next Saturday host a bingo at the Guyana National Park. To date, the GKC whose overall estimate for the construction of the dojo is budgeted at G$50M for the construction of the facility at Track ‘A’ Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, has secured G$24M of that sum, hence next week Saturday’s bingo along with other fund raising activities. Fund raising and sponsorship from some corporate entities in Guyana have accounted for G$15M of the sum in hand at the moment, with four premium sponsors in Scotia Bank, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Banks DIH Limited, and Ansa McAl Trading committing their long-term support to the GKC, who turned the sod at the location on 8th December 2010. Ninth degree black belt in Shotokan Karate and Chief Instructor of the International Karate Daigaku, Frank Woona-Tai, who along with Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony,

Frank Woon-a-Tai conducted the sod turning ceremony and called on all to come out and support the bingo. The sport of karate can only serve to help the youths in our society today, he said. “We think that karate will help the youths because there are lots of positive values to be derived, and it will also break the cycle of crime, as well as keep (youths) away from negative behaviour,” Woon-a-Tai pointed out. He continued to state, “We are continuing the efforts to raise the remainder of the funds for the dojo, hence the bingo. This dojo is for the children of Guyana and we need the support of everyone to make this project a confirmed reality, so I am asking all to come out and support.”

President of the GKC, Shawn McGrath, disclosed that the first ball will be pulled at 19:30 hrs (7:30 pm) even though the gates will be opened at 18:00 hrs (6:00 pm), with the price being $1,000 for entrance which guarantees players two tickets. According to Budhram, there are some great prizes such as flat screen televisions, 18 cubic foot fridge/ freezer, Kenmore brand washing machine, all of which were flown in from the United States of America for this occasion. “In addition to the above mentioned prizes, there will be 40 straight games and at the end of the night, three Cover-all games which carry cash prizes in the range of $500,000, $200,000 and $100,000, as we need to get our remaining funds to get this dojo finish. “Traditionally as we have done through the years, we do two bingos per year and normally one is a big success, so hopefully this one will be a big success for us as well, so we need everyone to come and support us at the National Park.” (Calvin Roberts)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

GFA/Banks Beer Knockout tournament

‘The Hammer’ ready for any job- Dover By Michael DaSilva ALPHA ‘The Hammer’ United are ready for any job says team Head Coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover, leading up to their opening fixture against Grove Hi-Tech in the Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Banks Beer 32team knockout tournament tonight at the Georgetown Football Club ground. In a telephone interview with Chronicle Sport, Dover who is also the head Coach of Guyana’s Golden Jaguars, said his charges would not be taking Grove Hi-Tech lightly. “Our approach to tonight’s game would not be different than our approach to any of the games we have played so far in the GFF/ Banks Beer Premier League. We are going out there to win

-Santos faces Houston Stars in opener and we would not be taking Grove Hi-Tech lightly,” Dover stated. When the two teams last met (GFF/Banks Beer Premier League) Alpha United came out victorious by a 6-1 margin. Asked if the 6-1 victory would be a morale booster for the team, Dover responded in the affirmative, but was quick to add, “We would not be taking them lightly tomorrow night (tonight), since they are entitled to three guest players, so we don’t know if they might be bringing three players from Trinidad to boost their lineup. So we are taking them seriously tomorrow night (tonight).”

Heaven wants lights at Sabina Park KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC)-The installation of floodlights at one of the leading cricket venues in the Caribbean, Jamaica’s Sabina Park, has returned to the front burner ahead of a general election for a new executive to govern the country’s cricket association. It’s the campaign platform of a financial expert seeking to become the new president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) when elections are held here tomorrow. CHASE Fund chief executive officer William Heaven says lights at Sabina Park tops his list of priorities if he wins the popular vote to become the country’s cricket chief. ”Without lights at Sabina Park, the development of cricket in Jamaica will not go very far,” said Heaven. “We will not be preferred, and the other islands and places with lights will get priority over Jamaica”. In August, plans to erect lights at the venue fell through nine days before Jamaica was scheduled to host its first match in the inaugural Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Twenty20. Officials reported a breakdown in an agreement that was signed between Sabina Park Holdings, owners of the venue, through Consolidated Energy Partners, and North America light and power company, General Electric. Lighting at Sabina Park is expected to be a main issue among the JCA’s 101 del-

William Heaven egates when they cast ballots tomorrow. “We cannot allow for that to happen, in our proud Jamaica land, and should I be elected, it (lighting) is something I will ensure come to fruition,” Heaven said. “I was advised by Dr (Akshai) Mansingh, who got a call from a government minister, that they have opened up discussions with the Indian government on the lights, and we are hoping that that will go somewhere”. The absence of floodlights at Sabina Park has ruled it out as a venue to host a number of regional and international tournaments, officials have said. CPL organisers have issued a warning to the JCA that should it fail to implement lighting in time for the tournament’s second staging, Jamaica runs the risk of not hosting matches. Heaven who is up against incumbent first vice-president, Milton Henry, for the position is seeking to replace outgoing president, Lyndel Wright, who has opted not to seek re-election.

He said despite defeating Grove Hi-Tech 6-1 in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Banks Beer Premier League, the margin of the victory is not important, “since if you win 1-0, it’s just like if you win 10-0.” According to Dover, he has warned his players to guard against becoming complacent as he pointed out that every game is a very different game. Alpha United’s lineup includes a number of national players, the likes of team captain Dwight Peters, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams, Manesseah Primo, Andrew

Murray, and custodian Richard Reynolds. At the moment, Alpha United have completed seven rounds in the GFF/Banks Beer Premier League, winning all seven encounters and have so far scored 21 goals while conceding just three for a goal difference of plus 18 and 21 points, heading the points standing. Grove Hi-tech on the other hand have played seven matches. They won two, lost four and drew the other. They have so far scored 10 goals and conceded 16 for a goal difference of minus six with 10 points which place them 10th in the League.

When the tournament got underway on Saturday last, defending champions, Sunburst Camptown, trashed Essequibo 10-0, while Pele edged Topp XX 1-0 in the feature game. The GFA/Banks Beer Knockout tournament will continue on Saturday at the Den Amstel ground, West Coast Demerara, with Milerock taking on Beacon from 18:00 hrs and Den Amstel coming up against Silver Shattas from 20:00 hrs. The winning team will receive $4M, while the second placed team will earn $2.5M. The third and fourth placed teams will receive $1.5M and $1M respectively,

Head Coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover. while the eight teams to reach the quarter finals will each be rewarded with $250,000.

Hemp’s half-century fails to save Bermuda from defeat DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, (CMC) — A second successive half-century from 43year-old former skipper David Hemp failed to save Bermuda from a sixth successive defeat in a playoff for 13th and 14th places when they lost to Uganda by 11 runs at the ICC World Cup Twenty 20 qualifiers here yesterday. Hemp hit 53 from 55 balls, which included seven fours, and captain Janeiro Tucker made 30 as the pair added 78 for the third wicket after Bermuda had been

struggling at 34-2 in the eighth over. Earlier, Uganda were toiling at 37-3 but were lifted to 134-7 thanks to Hamza Saleh’s 45. Seamer Kamau Leverock took 2-24 from four overs. Bermuda, who closed on 123-4, began the tournament brightly with victories over Scotland and Denmark but then lost their way. In Sharjah, Pakistan-born left-arm spinner Danial Ahmed’s 5-18 spurred the United States (15th) to a 21-run

victory over strugglers Denmark (16th) . Akeem Dodson (41) and Steven Taylor (36) provided the platform for the US total of 145-7 with an opening stand of 79 in nine overs before Japen Patel chipped in with 30 from 20 balls. Denmark, whose only point in the qualifiers came from a rained-out match against Papua New Guinea, replied with 124-9, opener Carsten Pedersen hitting an unbeaten 42. In another match in

Sharjah, veteran all-rounder Steve Tikolo took the honours as Kenya claimed 11th place with a 21-run victory over Canada (12th). Tikolo, 42, struck 40 from 23 balls to propel Kenya to 146-7 and then claimed 316 from four overs with his off-breaks to help bundle out Canada in the final over for 125, Ashish Bagai topscoring with 48. Guyana-born fast-medium bowler Jeremy Gordon took 2-30 from three overs for Canada.

WICB considering cutting CCC from regional tournaments ST.JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC)- West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) is considering removing Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) from its regional tournaments next year. CEO Michael Muirhead says while no decision has yet been taken CCC is likely to be excluded from WICB tournaments including the Regional Super 50 to be hosted in Trinidad and Tobago in January and the Regional Four-day tournament. “It (the decision) is not finalised and nothing is cast in stone but it is certainly trending that way,” said Muirhead. “It is a decision we (the WICB) will make next week.” Decision on CCC’s future is expected to be taken at the WICB’s Board meeting on December 7. Muirhead said the discus-

West Indies Cricket Board CEO Michael Muirhead sions will also center on measures to encourage territories to contract the players from the

current CCC squad. “We are going to be encouraging the territories. We

want the best players to be playing regardless of what teams they are with,” said Muirhead. “So we want to encourage other teams to invite many of the CCC players to be part of their team and drafted into their teams and we’ll be looking at ways to motivate them (the six territorial teams) to do that”. Last year, CCC received a $US 50,000 grant from the WICB, similar to the amount normally awarded to the six territorial boards on an annual basis. Muirhead has listed commercial reasons among factors that may lead to the withdrawal of the CCC. “The decision may come because of commercial reasons, and we (the WICB) want to take a different slant in our cricket,” Muirhead said, “but there are certainly many other reasons.”

Sport CHRONICLE

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

GFA/Banks Beer Knockout tournament

‘The Hammer’ ready for any job –Dover

–Santos faces Houston Stars in opener

Please see story on page 35

GT&T and Hand-in-Hand partner with GCB for four-day tournament …Singh to lead President's XI By Calvin Roberts TWO COMPANIES in Corporate Guyana, namely Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T) and Hand-

in-Hand Insurance, yesterday joined forces with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to sponsor their fourday four-team tournament, which is being used as a

yard stick to select the national team to compete in the West Indies Cricket Board Regional four-day tournament next year. In her brief remarks, GT&T's Director of Sales, Marketing and Public Relations, Roma Narayan-Singh, said they

Honorary Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, Anand Sanasie (left), looks on as Handin-Hand's Marketing Coordinator, Andrea Jodhan-Khan, presents her Company's sponsorship to Marketing Manager of the Guyana Cricket Board, Raj Singh.

were completely pleased to be associated with the GCB in this tournament. "We at GT&T feel extremely proud to be associated with the GCB for this four-day tournament," said Narayan-Singh to her audience which included GT&T's Public Relations Offic-

ers in Alison Parker and Nadia DeAbreu, along with Vice-president of the GCB Raj Singh, Secretary Anand Sanasie, and Treasurer Anand Kalladeen. She added, "In order to extend our coverage of sporting sponsorship and the upliftment of youth de-

velopment in sports and culture, the company holds at its highest, its involvement with the development of these areas, for the benefit of society." Responding on behalf of

Please see page 31

GT&T's Public Relations Officer, Nadia DeAbreu (3rd from right), presents her company's cheque to Honorary Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, Anand Sanasie, while other members of both entities look on appreciatively.

Fitzgerald retains national darts title as Hiralall upsets Amyan NATIONAL male champion, Sudesh Fitzgerald, turned in a masterful performance to defeat Anil Lachman 5-2 last Sunday at the Malteenoes Sports Club pavilion, thus retaining his title when the Guyana Darts Association (GDA) held its National Championships. On the distaff side, Hemwattie Amyan was not so fortunate as she lost her national title to her younger sister, Rosetta Hiralall, in one of the major upsets of the championship which was held over two days at the Thomas Lands based MSC. The latter player won the first two games, but the defending champion drew level after winning games three and four, before the younger Amyan went on to attain an unassailable lead

after winning the other two games to dethrone her sibling and cart off the title with a 5-2 win, along with the Safari Inn trophy. Fitzgerald, who represented Guyana at the World Championships last year, dominated his matchup with Lachman from the onset when he surged ahead to take the first four games, before Lachman took the other two. With the scores reading 4-2 in favor of the defending champion, a regrouped Fitzgerald regained his composure and easily captured the next game which turned out to be the final one, to retain the national accolade and the Ramdial Trophy sponsored by former national champion, Bholanauth Ramdial.

SUDESH FITZGERALD The losing semi-finalists, Lallchand Rambharose and Sherwyn Greene, battled for third place, which Rambharose won following a best of seven duel. Even though he lost out in

his bid to be crowned singles champion, Lachman had many reasons to smile when he teamed up with former national tennis champion, Colin France, to take the Men's Doubles from Greene and Rambharose. In the playoff for third place in that category, Mark Persaud and Vishnu Bhupan got the better of Francis Correia and Luis Ramirez-Merlano in the best of 5 games, which earned them the third place slot. Amyan's poor showing continued in the Women's Doubles for the Dr. Terrence Joseph Trophy when she teamed up with Hiralal and lost to Mary Correia and Jean DeSouza in the final which went down to the fifth game. In the Mixed Doubles category, a new champion was crowned when Rambharose and Hiralall unseated the defending

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champions in Fitzgerald and Amyan in the best of five games, with the third place going to Leonardo Butcher and Melissa Smartt who chalked up an upset victory over Francis Correia and Jean De Souza. Fitzgerald completed a game, throwing the least number of darts, while he also achieved the highest check-out to finish a game and was awarded incentive prizes and trophies donated by Apex Insurance Brokers while Nicholas Seetaram won a prize for throwing the most 180s. The list of sponsors were extensive and included Trophy Stall, Guyana National Newspapers Limited, D.Y. Rock Construction Company, Dr. Terrence Joseph, Safari Inn, Apex Insurance Brokers and Ramdial.

President of the GDA, Grantley Culbard, expressed deep appreciation to his many benefactors even as he complimented the players on their respective performances. He said that in his many years of associating with the sport, he has never witnessed so many upsets, adding that despite competing at this level for the first time, the members of the Bank of Guyana team were consistent and participated in all of the upsets. "This certainly augurs well for the development of darts, considered a minority sport in Guyana," said Culbard, even as he intimated that the sport enjoys wide acclaim in other countries.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2013

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

US B-52 bombers challenge disputed China air zone (BBC News) THE US has flown two B-52 bombers over disputed islands in the East China Sea in defiance of new Chinese air defence rules, officials say. China set up its “air defence identification zone” on Saturday insisting that aircraft obey its rules or face “emergency defensive measures”. A Pentagon spokesman said the planes had followed “normal procedures”. The islands, known as Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China, are a source of rising tension between the two nations. Japan has dismissed the Chinese defence zone as “not valid at all” and two of its biggest airlines announced on Tuesday they would heed a request from the government in Tokyo not to implement the new rules. US Colonel Steve Warren at the Pentagon said Washington had “conducted opera-

The islands have been a source of tension between China and Japan for decades which include not filing flight from China, he added. plans, not radioing ahead and The aircraft, which were tions in the area of the not registering our frequencies,” unarmed, had taken off from Senkakus”. he said. Guam on Monday and the “We have continued to There had been no response flight was part of a regular exfollow our normal procedures,

ercise in the area, US defence officials said. Both planes later returned to Guam. The US - which has more than 70,000 troops in Japan and South Korea - had previously said it would not abide by the Chinese-imposed zone. US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel called it a “destabilising attempt to alter the status quo in the region”. The White House said it was “unnecessarily inflammatory”. Japan has already lodged a strong protest over what it said was an “escalation” by China. Taiwan, which also claims the islands, expressed regret at the Chinese move and promised that its military would take measures to protect national security. In its statement announcing the air defence zone on Saturday, the Chinese defence ministry said aircraft must report a flight plan, “maintain two-way radio communications”, and “respond in a timely and accurate

manner” to identification inquiries. “China’s armed forces will adopt defensive emergency measures to respond to aircraft that do not co-operate in the identification or refuse to follow the instructions,” the statement said. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airlines said on Tuesday they would stop filing flight plans demanded by China on routes through the zone following a request from the Japanese government. Singapore Airlines and Australia’s Qantas have both said they will abide by the new rules. However, Australia summoned the Chinese ambassador on Tuesday to express opposition over the zone. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said “the timing and manner” of China’s announcement were “unhelpful in light of current regional tensions”.

Pope Francis calls for power to move away from Vatican (BBC News) POPE Francis has called for power in the Catholic Church to be devolved away from the Vatican, in the first major work he has written in the role. In the document, he says he is open to suggestions to changes in the power of the papacy. He also warns that rising global economic inequality is

bound to explode in conflict. Since becoming Pope in March, Francis has struck a markedly different tone to his predecessor on several issues. In his “apostolic exhortation”, Pope Francis said he preferred a Church that was “bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being

confined and from clinging to its own security”. The document suggests major changes are on the way, with Francis noting that the Church has to get over an attitude that says: “We have always done it this way,” the BBC’s David Willey reports from Rome. It represents an ambitious programme to try to rekindle

his church’s missionary zeal, our correspondent says. However, the document reiterates the Church’s opposition to the ordination of female priests, saying this is “not a question open to discussion”. The document also touches on inter-faith relations, urging Christians to “embrace with affection and respect Muslim imPope Francis has pioneered a more informal style as pontiff special group of cardinals to consider ways to reform the migrants to our countries in the Vatican bureaucracy after same way that we hope and ask saying in a newspaper interto be received and respected in view that the Vatican had becountries of Islamic tradition”. come too self-interested and Last month Pope Francis needed to be inclusive. held his first meeting with a

2013/11/26

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

Cascade murderer sues CJ (Trinidad Guardian) IN AN unprecedented move yesterday, death row inmate Lester Pitman is seeking to compel Chief Justice Ivor Archie and the Court of Appeal to deliver the judgment in the appeal against his conviction which is now almost four years overdue. Pitman, who was convicted in 2004 alongside Daniel Agard, for the murders of agriculturalist John Cropper and two of his in-laws, is contending that the delay has breached his constitutional rights to life, liberty and security and to equality before the law. He also alleges that the delay has deprived him of his right to a fair hearing in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice as guaranteed under Section 5(2) e of the Constitution. Pitman is also seeking an order to vacate the mandatory death sentence he received upon conviction for the triple murders. The legal action follows a letter written in October by Dana Seetahal SC, who represented Pitman at his appeal, seeking answers on

Lester Pitman the outstanding judgment. The Chief Justice responded saying that he proposed to deliver the judgment before the end of the year. In an eight-page preaction protocol letter sent to the Solicitor General’s office yesterday, Pittman’s attorney, Criston J Williams, said there was no justification for the delay. He claimed that the Judiciary’s handling of Pitman’s case demonstrated a “wanton and deliberate disregard” for his rights. “The claimant in this case has had to suffer and continues to suffer breaches of his fundamental rights at the hands of the institution that is vested under the Constitution with the responsibility of the protection of

those said rights. Such a situation can only be a rare event, at least one would hope so.” Williams wrote. Williams claimed there was “blatant evidence” in Pitman’s case which amounted to “a breakdown of the rule of law and the fundamental pillars of our democracy.” In response to the letter, Judiciary Court Protocol and Information manager Jones P Madeira yesterday said: “In this particular matter, the court has promised judgment by the end of the year.” Madeira refused to comment further but noted: “It is difficult to comment on this matter as the Judiciary will have to arbitrate over it and it is also a part of the matter.” Legal sources yesterday explained that the lawsuit may be purely academic once the judgment was delivered as promised but said some of the reliefs being sought by Pitman may have some merit. Through the lawsuit, Pitman is seeking declaratory relief and damages but also said he believed it may be a stimulus for the Appeal Court to deliver its judgment.

Rescue operation as boat with Haitian migrant capsizes (BBC News) A RESCUE operation is under way in the Bahamas, after a 40ft vessel carrying Haitian migrants ran aground and capsized. The US Coast Guard said about 100 migrants were clinging to the hull of the overturned boat. At least 10 people are reported to have died in the ac-

cident, which took place on Monday near Staniel Cay. Haitian migrants often head to the Bahamas or pass by on their way to the United States. The US Coast Guard and the Royal Bahamian Defense Force were at the scene. A spokesman in Miami said the rescuers had dropped life rafts, food and supplies to

the survivors. Thirteen Haitians survivors were rescued by helicopter, he said. It is not clear whether the migrants were heading to the Bahamans or if their final destination was the US. Fatal accidents at sea involving migrants from Haiti, the Western hemisphere’s poorest nation, are not uncommon. In December 2011, 38 migrants were found dead after their boat sank just off the eastern tip of Cuba.

Anti-T&T campaign on Facebook..

Jamaicans call for goods and mass boycott (Trinidad Guardian) THE row between T&T and Jamaica has heightened as Jamaicans have launched a Facebook campaign calling for citizens to boycott goods from T&T. The campaign is also urging Jamaicans to stay away from T&T’s Carnival celebrations next year. The issue has sparked international concern as it was the major topic of discussion yesterday on a New York radio programme, Caribbean Corner, hosted by former T&T radio personality Rennie Bishop. So worrying has the situation become that former foreign affairs minister and current Point Fortin MP, Paula Gopee-Scoon, yesterday called on Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to “immediately take charge.” The situation developed last Tuesday after 13 Jamaicans claimed they were unjustly deported from T&T. The group charged it was a breach of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and a mark of disrespect to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) which, in a landmark case involving Shanique Myrie against the Barbadian Government, ruled that where a Caricom national was refused entry into a member state that national should be allowed to consult an attorney or consular official or to contact a family member. The issue sparked wide-

spread debate in Jamaica last week. It continued yesterday in the Jamaica Gleaner, where an article highlighted the campaign, titled “Boycott all products made in T&T. Jamaicans let us unite for a cause”, initiated by rural primary schoolteacher Kesreen Green Dillon. The campaign was launched last week amid mounting allegations that Caricom neighbours have been flouting the free-movement provisions of the Treaty of Chaguaramas by blocking Jamaicans from entering their country. “With support growing, there are suggestions that Jamaicans should also boycott the famed Carnival in Trinidad, even as a list is being compiled of all Trinidadian products sold in Jamaica,” the Gleaner said. Green Dillon told the Gleaner: “I am tired of seeing Trinidad and Barbados treat other member states, especially Jamaica, like second-rate

citizens. “The patty war is fresh in my mind and the number of Jamaicans turned back from their shores annually.” She also accused T&T of being “anything but neighbourly,” adding it was time Jamaicans sent a strong message that “enough is enough.” The Gleaner said her sentiments were supported by Karl Samuda, opposition spokesman on industry and commerce, who was quoted as saying: “This action makes a mockery of the spirit of the Treaty of Chaguaramas and the Trinidadians must be roundly chastised for the attitude that they have adopted with respect to Jamaica and Jamaicans in particular.” The T&T Guardian tried several times yesterday to reach Sharon Saunders, Jamaica’ s High Commissioner to T&T, but on each occasion was told she was in a meeting. Saunders did not return the calls.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

GUYANA

Opposition prepared to destroy Guyana to get PPP/C out of office

EDITORIAL

How can we reduce interpersonal violence? ON Monday the Ministry of Home Affairs launched the National Conference for Prevention of Interpersonal Violence, which went on until yesterday. The opening day of the conference was well attended by stakeholders such as the police, Ministry of Home Affairs officials and NGOs. It was also attended by ordinary citizens, who are tired of the cycle of violence. Speaking at the conference, President Ramotar spoke of the cost of the violence, which is economic but is also human. Unfortunately, this is a cost we cannot put in monetary terms, because no amount of money can bring back a life that has been lost, or can erase the suffering that the victims and their surviving family members have to go through. So, the cost of interpersonal violence is huge. And as President Ramotar recognised, it is not just a Guyanese problem. It is something that the whole Region is grappling with, but hasn’t yet found an answer to. So what is interpersonal violence and what are the causes? Interpersonal violence is an “intentional act directed towards another person with the aim to cause injury or death.” The violence that occurs in Guyana can be put into two categories. The first one is violence that is committed by a male towards a female. This category of violence is mostly referred to as “domestic violence,” because the people involved are usually in an intimate relationship and know each other. The second category of violence is committed by one person against another person. The people involved usually don’t know each other well. The causes of each of these categories of violence is a feeling by the perpetrator that they have been wronged by the victim, and the only way they feel they can get justice is by causing an injury or death to the “offending party.” Perpetrators of violence feel an intense anger towards the other person… an anger which only subsides when they have either gravely injured or killed the other person. In life it is inevitable that one will at one time or another be hurt or offended by someone; or be the one who commits the wrong to another. However, no amount of hurt or offence by another person can ever justify maiming or killing that person. Can we assume that the countries where there are high levels of violence are the only countries where people offend or hurt each other? No, not all! People constantly hurt and offend each other all over the world, in every country. The difference is that most of the people in developed countries, have found ways to deal with the anger they feel, without resorting to violence. Countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Norway teach their children at a young age how to deal with their anger in a non-violent way. In other words, they have learned how to manage their anger. That is one aspect of how to reduce violence. The second aspect of reducing violence is the availability of weapons to commit violence. If we look at countries where violence is high, including the United States and the Caribbean countries, we see that guns are easily available. In the United States

KINDLY permit me through this letter to exorcise the evil and deliberate distortion of the economic effects of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill (AML/CFT Bill) on our country as it relates to the common citizen. The leader of the Alliance For Change(AFC) and some of its executive members have been on television in Berbice trying their utmost to let Berbicians believe that their non-support of that Bill in Parliament will not affect the small man. This is a blatant disregard for the truth and the people of Berbice! Stop lying to the people; you have lied enough and the truth is known! Firstly, being blacklisted will increase the processing time, documentation and transaction costs of receiving money from abroad and the sending of money as well. Some people will sometimes send money abroad to assist loved ones occasionally. They will now be treated as money launderers! So it will cost more to send and receive money abroad, thus reducing the amount of money friends and relatives would normally receive. Will not friends and relatives abroad find the processing time and the extra documentation prohibitive? This may restrict remittances to only dire-need situations. Who normally would receive money from abroad if not the “small

man.” Please Ramjattan, we belong to the country area but we are not dumb! It’s time you respect our intelligence! Secondly, businesses will be affected and their costs of doing business will increase. Oil and goods prices will skyrocket. More bureaucracy and red tape will once again make the lives of businessmen miserable. This means more bribery and corruption. Who will pay for this Ramjattan? The “small man” of course! It is always about the “small man” suffering and the rich getting richer when the “small man” suffers. The costs of goods and services will go up, eating up whatever wages and salaries increase the “small man” receives. Kaieteur News on November 22 reported that: “The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force’s(CFATF)decision yesterday will affect payment for oil, family remittances, payments for goods and a host of other transactions that could virtually cripple trade.” Everyone will surely suffer to satisfy the egos of a few who are consumed by greed for power and vengeance! But history will condemn the AFC and its leadership for subjecting an entire nation to travel backwards in time to a dark era. Thirdly, foreign investors will be scared away from doing business with a “blacklisted country.” This will hinder the

one can go and buy a gun, even a high-powered assault weapon with little or no background checks. In the Caribbean, it is much harder to legally buy a weapon, but there are dozens of illegal ways to get hold of a weapon, for anyone who really wants to get hold of one. Not only is it easy to get hold of an illegal weapon, but you can also easily get someone to do the killing for you. It is a well-known fact that many of the killings that occur in Guyana, especially in Georgetown, are “for-hire killings,” also known as a “hit” or “executions.” During yesterday’s opening session of the National Conference for the Prevention of Interpersonal Violence, Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, talked about the possibility of reviewing the licensing procedures for guns. This has been a hot topic lately because of the killings that have recently been committed with legally acquired weapons. This includes the Middle Street killings as well as last weekend’s murder-suicide in Campbellville. However, the cold, hard reality is that the vast majority of violence is committed with illegal weapons. So, even if the government puts a total freeze on new gun licences and confiscates all the legal guns from their owners, it will not significantly reduce gun violence. And the reason, as stated before, is because most of the violence is committed with illegal weapons. It will also not reduce domestic violence, because most incidents of domestic violence are not committed with a firearm. It is committed with a knife or some other blunt object, which the perpetrators will easily find, if they’re looking for it. So, how do we reduce violence? It will take not just one strategy. It will take several strategies, which involve educating the citizenry on how to resolve their anger peacefully, without resorting to violence. It involves putting systems, institutions, and people in place to help those who need help. It involves a well equipped police force that can stop the gun smuggling and infiltrate and eliminate the criminal networks that smuggle weapons and provide for-hire murder services. If we can do all those things simultaneously, then we can stem the tide of interpersonal violence that is exacting such a huge toll on our lives and our economy.

economic development of our country. Foreign investment creates jobs for the “small man” as well and the multiplier effect will improve the standard of living of many more Guyanese in an indirect manner. Lastly, the AML/CFT Act is far too important to be used as a bargaining tool for the Public Procurement Commission as is being postulated by the AFC. This Public Procurement Commission is of far less importance than the AML/CFT Act. The effect of not passing this Act will definitely result in there being no need for such a Commission; will there be anything to “procure”? The Parliamentary Select Committee, which comprised the Opposition, met for

six months and on 17 occasions and yet could not have fully evaluated the proposed legislation. This is beyond reality and this is a well-orchestrated move to destabilise the government. I have said it in previous letters and I am saying it again, and this time it is echoed by Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon who put it quite succinctly, “They are prepared to destroy Guyana in their efforts to remove the PPP from office.” It is time to go back to the polls! The AFC will rue this day! HASEEF YUSUF ‘Former’AFC Member/ AFC Councillor

GSPCA calls on the police to enforce animal welfare laws

ANOTHER gruesome tale involving the Pitbull breed has confronted the Guyanese public. According to the Kaieteur News of November 25, 2013, the female owner was bitten by two of her own dogs while washing clothes in her yard. The article provides no other information about what may have triggered the attack, but from subsequent accounts, these dogs were raised to be very vicious. The GSPCA has repeatedly indicated that dogs of such a temperament are a danger to society on the whole and that those who raise them in this manner are irresponsible. Fortunately, neighbours intervened to rescue the female owner from the two dogs on the loose. If that were the end of this story, it would be a relatively happy one. What happened next, the article continued, was that “neighbours, aided by police ranks, were forced to slaughter several pit bulls.” Editor, the footage of this carnage has been making the rounds on social media for the world to see. On this video, we see a group of men mercilessly beating and hacking these animals, which were still penned, to a painful death. It was a barbaric display – if one can bear to watch it – and a stark reminder of the plague of violence that grips our society. The Guyana Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(GSPCA) has consistently warned of the link between violence towards animals and violence towards fellow human beings. The website of PETA, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a major welfare organisation, notes that “violent acts toward animals have long been recognised as indicators of a dangerous psychopathy that does not confine itself to animal abuse.” Editor, surely there was a more civilised way to deal with the remaining dogs in the pens than to descend into the primal chopping frenzy that ensued. This incident was animal cruelty at its very worst. It will surely cast Guyana in a very bad light, given the intolerance developed societies have for such atrocities on animals; and without question, the perpetrators of this animal cruelty must be charged accordingly. With plenty of video evidence available, the GSPCA calls on the Guyana Police Force to enforce our country’s animal welfare laws and bring the offenders before our courts. Meanwhile, the GSPCA will reach out to those international animal welfare organisations with which it is affiliated so as to ensure this incident receives the attention it necessitates. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF GSPCA OLIVER INSANALLY JENNIFER FALCONER-MAJEED DOMINIQUE AHMAD ROBIN SIVANAND DR STEVE SURUJBALLY DR NICHOLAS WALDRON SHIROMANIE ISAACS LALETA SIVANAND

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 27, 2013

Not enough scrutiny of Pitbulls should be banned recycling plant MOU GOVERNMENT needs to investigate not abdicate the recycling plant MOU. It was clear that there was not sufficient scrutiny of this offer to make sure it was likely to be successful. Now that the company has given more details regarding some of their partners and other entities, it may be well worth re-evaluating their capabilities to implement such a project. The issue now is whether they really have the financial and technical capabilities to start and complete successfully this project on an acceptable schedule or not. After all, it was stated that the other entities required some support from Guyana or other investors. Unless there is another completely privately funded company currently available, it makes more sense to determine whether a further investigation of Natural Globe’s proposal can prove them to be satisfactory, rather than just starting over and hoping another offer in the future will be more acceptable. Maybe the saying ”do not throw out the baby with the water” applies here. Government needs a proposal that fully spells out both the finances and technical skills committed, with conditions as to implementation schedules and government approval for any changes to plan, financial, investment or financial. One must learn from mistakes not run from them, to show one is doing something. N. AUGUSTUS

I WROTE about pitbull dogs and how vicious they are so that in many provinces they

T. KING

were banned. I honestly thought government had placed a ban on these vicious dogs but I guess I am wrong. It was reported that neighbours, aided by police ranks, were forced to slaughter several pit bulls, after two of the animals mauled their female owner at Ogle, East Coast Demerara, and yesterday morning. Rochelle Callender, 32, was bitten on the back, arms and limbs after two of the dogs

Anna Regina town clerk has breached labour laws THE town clerk of the Anna Regina Town Council has issued letters to all labourers, tractor operators, rangers and clerks of market new working hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday, for which is in total breach of the new labour laws of 40 hours beginning from Monday to Friday which was presented by the Minister of Labour, Mr. Nanda Kishore Gopaul to Parliament and assented to by the President in 2012. In her letter to these workers, she has created her new laws by setting the working hours Monday,Tuesday,Thursday,Friday:07:00 hrs -11:00 hrs -12:00 hrs-16:00 hrs with Wednesdays and Saturdays being from 07:00 hrs -11:00 hrs,( four hours ) this is a total breach of the new labour laws as Saturday is not a working day. According to the labour laws, these workers are entitled to overtime on Saturdays and it cannot be computed to make up the normal 40 hours per week. In her letter to these workers, she has implicated the subject minister that this new arrangement is as a result of the new work hours which were set out in a letter to her by the Ministry of Labour. This new arrangement she claimed was ventilated and discussed at the last Council’s statutory meeting held 2013-11-2013, where it was unanimously approved. Clarity for working half days on these two days was also being approved by the Ministry of Labour. I wish first of all to

point out that the town clerk and the Council cannot alter a worker’s contract of employment which is a legal agreement and working hours with the Ministry of Labour, which sets out the worker’s rights and duties. These workers have over 20 years of service and were issued a letter of appointment, job description a written contract of employment, pay and hours of work which have been made part of their work contracts. Regulations were made under the new 40 hours under Acts of Parliament fixing the minimum wage, rate of paydays and hours of work, holidays with pay and overtime. Whatever was assented to by the President of Guyana cannot be altered by the Ministry of Labour the council nor the town clerk; these are legal duties towards the employees, they have to obey the labour laws. All employees, including labourers, cleaners, tractor operators, manual workers, clerks and watchmen have their entitlements fixed by law. Consensus was reached on all provisions of the Bill before it was submitted to Parliament and all employers were notified in lieu of the new minimum wage, hours and days of work. It is however, regretted that the town clerk could not find it convenient to issue

escaped from wooden pens in which they were housed.

the clarification needed of the new Bill through the Ministry of Labour before she committed a breach by implementing her own laws. MOHAMED KHAN

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

City Councillors want special meeting to revise M&CC budget COUNCILLORS at City Hall took a decision in a statutory meeting in the Chambers on Monday afternoon that the M&CC Budget should be returned to the full council for further discussions and deliberations. Many of the councillors expressed concerns over the final figures and features of the budget, stating that they had not seen the final document. Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councillor Oscar Clarke suggested that the budget be returned to the council

so that the document can be revised. He said, “There was no policy meeting with the councillors, therefore there was no general agreement on the policy direction for the council.” Meanwhile, Mayor Hamilton Green also commented on the disagreement, noting that, “The collective view of the council as it relates to valuation of the properties in Georgetown and the rating appeal should also be included in the budget.” A special meeting is to be held to consider all the views and concerns of the councilors, in order to include additional proposals to make a more accurate and inclusive budget that meets the needs of all the communities.

Two Timehri squatters nabbed with stolen items TWO men, who are squatters living in the Timehri area, were caught on Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) plundering the AmeriJet Bond, Timehri between November 19 and 20. The surveillance led police to Albert Ramjaram and Ryan Waddel and nearly $1M in office equipment was found stolen. Thirty-four year old Rajaram, also known as ‘Bonnie’ was sentenced to three years for break and enter and larceny offences when he appeared in the Magistrate’s court on Thursday. He pleaded guilty to the charges. However, his alleged accomplice 22-year old Waddel, also known as ‘Patchie’ denied any involvement and was remanded to prison until November 29 for another hearing. He was unrepresented. According to police records, only a computer and backup system were recovered - under a house in the vicinity of the Timehri Fire Station - from the loot. This is the second such incident in two weeks where individuals have been arrested and charged for breaking and entering. At the moment, a 17-year old is behind bars awaiting trial after police confiscated four motor cycles, [three of which were in parts]; one camera; one refrigerator; three cell phones; two laptops and one pair of computer speakers in a dwelling in the squatting area. The Ministry of Public Works had previously and continues to express worry over the security aspect of the dwellings around the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) including cultivation of narcotics and thefts on aeronautical and airport facilities.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 27, 2013

KEVIN’S STORY- A FORMER STUDENT OF THE NOC By Danielle Campbell KEVIN ABBENSETTS has always been athletically inclined and so it was no surprise when he began showing much promise during sporting activities at school. Kevin attended the J.E.Burnham Primary School but had a history of disciplinary issues which always prevented him from participating at national track meets and other advance events. He grew up with his maternal aunt from the age of two after moving from his hometown on the Essequibo Coast to fulfill his mother’s dream of a better chance at life for her children. After his adoptive parents separated, Kevin began to observe the economic toll the new adjustment was having on his aunt. She was forced to acquire her driver’s licences becoming who commuters would come to know as the first female minibus driver on the Georgetown route; utilising her minibus to transport school children on contract. But Kevin describes his childhood as playful and mischievous and revealed that he ended up in the company of a group of misguided youths even from a young age of eight. But it was Kevin’s competitive spirit that caused him to begin stealing from his aunt in an effort to keep up with his friends who often sported trendy gadgets and other highpriced items. He recalled that the money from his aunt soon became inadequate to support his habit and he turned his attention to strangers on the streets robbing and snatching anything on which he could get his hands. “I use to see my friends getting certain things and I wanted what they had so I decided to do bad things to get it,” he related. Kevin told how he was often scolded but had become so

immune to even the harshest form of punishment. “Whenever I carried home something that didn’t belong to me, my aunt would tell me to take it back and when I was rude to her she would take me to the station. One of the inspectors at the station use to sit and talk to me and I would take a break for a while and start again.” Kevin related that the turning point in his life came one day in 2009 during a game of cricket at a softball ground with friends when one of the boys left for the urinals and found a laptop. “The person had left the laptop close to the dorms by the urinals and since I was the only person with a haversack, he picked it up and asked me to put it in my bag.” But someone had seen when the boys grabbed up the laptop and alerted the gate officials who followed the group as they were leaving. The guys began running but Kevin was caught and the stolen laptop recovered from his bag pack. Kevin was processed by police, charged and placed before a magistrate. However, when a probation report was provided and information presented about his frequent involvement with police, the magistrate instructed that Kevin be placed at the New Opportunity Corps. Now 15 years old and accustomed to his city life, Kevin felt isolated and annoyed with the new situation. However, being from Essequibo he maintained hopes that he could still feel at home and on arriving at the institution, Kevin immediately felt accepted and began making friends. He was placed in the agriculture corps for the first six months and detailed that he learnt a lot during his time there. He was later given an opportunity to learn welding and fabricating and remained in that course throughout the duration of his stay. “I was doing really well in

welding and I ended up staying there because I developed a love for it. Sometimes, we would slip into other classes when we had the time to see what other skills we could learn.” His welding instructor turned out to be an athletic coach and Kevin was able to participate at the Inter-Schools; eventually making it to the National Schools Championships. In August of 2011, Kevin was released from the New Opportunity Corps and moved back to live with his aunt. He later wrote the entrance exams at the Kuru Kuru Training Centre where he spent 10 months in residential training after graduating with a Certificate in Welding and Fabrication. He considers himself as a proud beneficiary of the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training Programme which became a unit under the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport on 1st January 2000. The unit emerged from what was formerly the Guyana National Service, utilising the resources available to combine skills training and entrepreneurship as one way of enhancing the employment potential of young people who have left the formal school system and need to be gainfully occupied. The programme offers continuing educational advancement to youths from across the entire country who participates in technical vocational skills. “Looking back now I was glad that I was sent there because I don’t know where I would have been right now,” the 18-year-old remarked. While at Kuru Kuru, Kevin earned himself the title of Champion of Champions running away with the male championship trophy. He later enrolled at the Government Technical Institute (GTI) where he is currently pursuing studies in small appliance repairs. He has since networked with an old coach and was able to restart training. “I told him of my desire to

start training and he told me to turn up at the training venues where he was coaching and I did. From then I began improving and I represented North Zone in 2012. When I copped three silvers, one gold and another silver in the relay. I was happy because it was my first time in Georgetown and so I decided to pursue running,” Kevin said. However, having to selfsponsor at events is no easy task. “Sometimes you have to finance yourself and that can be

tough but the Ministry of Culture has helped me in purchasing gear and other stuff I need.” In July, Kevin also represented Guyana in Trinidad where he placed first in the long jump, and third in the 400 heats. He recently participated at the Inter-Guiana Games in Suriname and secured gold medals in the male 100 and 200 metres. At the 2013 National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming, Track and Field Championship he equalized the male under 20,

100 metres record set in 1992 and broke the 200 metres record of 2:27. Kevin believes he is prepared and very hopeful of securing an athletic scholarship that would afford him an opportunity to the ultimate goal of becoming a professional athlete. “So I’m going to do my best. It might be hard,” he says. “But I’m ready for the competition”. Kevin hopes to enroll in CXC classes with the intention of writing at least five subjects.