Guyana chronicle 30 11 13 by Chronicle

GUYANA No. 103666

SATURDAY NOVEMBER 30, 2013

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

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Gov’t pursuing enactment of CFATF-endorsed AML/CFT Bill Page 2

… during life of 10th Parliament

Dr Roger Luncheon

APNU-led M&CC failed City residents during last Wednesday’s flood – Dr Luncheon

Page 2

Industrial unrest against 5% pay hike spreading

Miss India Worldwide 2013 to grace Apsara’s ‘Evening of Dance’ at Monument Gardens in Bourda

Page

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… gov’t says there’s not enough in the coffers to pay more

Government help for City Council Local Government Ministry holidays waste commissions several disposal Region 5 projects Page 18

Seated from left in photo are Miss India Guyana and Miss Guyana Universe 2013, Katherina Roshana; Apsara’s CEO, Chandini Rambalack; Miss India Worldwide 2013, Nehal Bhogaita; and her sister, Jayeesha Bhogaita.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Gov’t pursuing enactment of CFATF-endorsed AML/CFT Bill … during life of 10th Parliament

By Telesha Ramnarine CABINET Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon told the audience at his weekly post-Cabinet press briefing at the Office of the President in Georgetown, yesterday, that the administration is committed to having a Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF)-endorsed amendment bill enacted during the Tenth Parliament. In fact, he said, the administration is pursuing this initiative. Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr Anil Nandlall, and Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Mr Paul Ghir, represented Guyana at the CFATF meeting in the Bahamas on November 18. The AG reported to Cabinet that there was a significant presence of extra regional interests and stakeholders who are involved in the international circles of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), according to Dr Luncheon. “The AG informed Cabinet about the decision made by the plenary, and the basis for that decision -- a decision that permitted the blacklisting of Guyana. “On the issue of the Government of Guyana’s reaction to the conclusion of the plenary of CFATF, the AG and Cabinet saw little option but to return the rejected anti money laundering amendment

bill to Parliament at an early opportunity. Our interest is enactment of the amended anti money laundering bill. “The basis for blacklisting was our failure to enact that bill, which represented as much as 98 percent of the outstanding recommendations that the mutual evaluation mechanism had shown up on the review of our discharge of our obligations under the FATF process,” Dr Luncheon informed. Meanwhile, Government would be exploring avenues, including a consensus position with at least one of the two Opposition parties in Parliament, to retable the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT)Bill in Parliament as soon as is reasonably possible. Dr Roger Luncheon Nandlall recently disclosed

that the main objective is that the amendments which have been rejected by the Opposition ought to be passed before February 2014, so that Guyana will no longer be a country with identified deficiencies in its AML/CFT legislation. “If we are able to pass this Bill -- if not before February, then by May, 2014 -- Guyana can extricate itself from this list that it finds itself on, and we can be restored to some level of normalcy,” Minister Nandlall has said. He stressed that failing to do this would take Guyana onto a very advanced stage in terms of failure to comply with the policies and guidelines set by the AMLCFT regulatory bodies; and Guyana’s position would be handed over to the FATF International Cooperation Review Group (FATF ICRG) which would then take charge of Guyana. Commenting on the future prospects of the Bill, the minister stressed that Government cannot retable the bill in Parliament on its own volition. At least one opposition party has to co-operate, because the entire Standing Orders would have to be amended to allow the bill to go back to the Parliament. Additionally, Government would not want to retable the bill unless it can be assured that it would receive support for its passage, because the country can find itself in even greater difficulty if the Parliament rejects the bill a second time.

Sweeper/cleaners APNU-led M&CC failed City at Education residents during last Wednesday’s Ministry to receive flood – Dr Luncheon regularized By Telesha Ramnarine

this rainy season, Head of

borders has been left by the

had the information? That’s

the Presidential Secretari-

APNU-led City Council for

what our fear is,” Luncheon

THE APNU-led George-

at, Dr Roger Luncheon ob-

squatting and housing, (which)

disclosed.

town Mayor and City Coun-

served yesterday at his usual

have made South Georgetown

“Flooding will always

cil (M&CC) has failed cit-

post-Cabinet press briefing at

a virtual lake during the flood

be with us. Our ability to

– Dr Luncheon

izens during last Wednes-

the Office of the President in

period. That system has to be

discharge water from the

By Telesha Ramnarine

day’s flooding in the city, and

Georgetown.

fixed.

land could, at any time, be

irate ratepayers should let

Luncheon said, “The drain-

“Commitment by any

exceeded by its accumula-

the City Council report on

age system in the City needs to

incoming City Council to the

tion. For authorities, for

its preparedness to deal with

be fixed”, and the (M&CC) fo-

residents of South Georgetown

citizens, what matters are

cus should be on drains, pumps

has to address the issue of

warnings, preparedness, and

and kokers, since solutions to

desilting of those main canals

responses.”

the problems are obvious.

that are prevented by what

Dr Luncheon said more and

“Desilting (waterways and)

the age-long, APNU-PNC

bigger and better pumps are

access to canals, reserves and

opposition-led council has

needed to deal with situations

permitted, orchestrated and

that arise, like obtained on No-

encouraged over the decades,”

vember 26 last.

Luncheon remarked.

“With desilting of our

He also said the Hydromet

major canals, the improve-

Office has failed citizens, in that

ment in gravity drainage can

warnings were not provided in

only be supported by fixing

a timely manner. “They didn’t

and maintaining the kokers

have the information, so there

that drain into the Demerara

was nothing to feed in to the

River. That is the minimum

early warning system. It could

recipe to avoid a repeat of

also be that the information was

the dire circumstances that

available but was not fed in.

befell residents, business

That could be a consequence of

people and commuters since

poor coordination.

the flooding of November

“But suppose they never

26,” he said.

remuneration

HEAD of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon, reported yesterday that Cabinet continued considering implementation of the provisions of the July 2013 Minimum Wage Order, specifically with regard to the public service and public sector operations. Local democratic organs were recently dealt with, and at this current meeting, sweeper/cleaners in the education system came under Cabinet’s scrutiny, Luncheon said at his usual post-Cabinet press briefing, at the Office of the President in Georgetown. “The Ministry of Education identified a number of areas that complicated the implementation of the Minimum Wages Order for this category of service providers; among which were the uneven employment placement practices, in essence regions with and others without sweeper/cleaners. Uneven remuneration speaks for itself: sweeper/cleaners doing the same jobs (and) being paid differently in different locations; late payments; and even though the payments were late, they were also not consistent with the recently promulgated minimum wages provisions,” Dr Luncheon explained. Cabinet considered those among other complications, he disclosed, and after an examination of the matter, Cabinet concluded there would be an equitable distribution of services across the various school districts. “Whether full-time or part-time, remuneration of these sweeper/cleaners would now be consistent with the provisions in the Minimum Wages Order 2013; and, of course, (there would be) more timely payments. Cabinet instructed that supplementary provisions would be sought to meet the necessary expenditure retroactive to July 2013,” Dr Luncheon said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Industrial unrest against 5% pay hike spreading … gov’t says there’s not enough in the coffers to pay more

INDUSTRIAL unrest among Government employees for fatter pay packets appears to be slowly spreading, with workers of the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) being the latest group to take to the picket line. At least 50 WDRH staffers staged a picketing demonstration outside that health care institution at Best Village, West Coast Demerara. Other entities that also participated in the midday protest were the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) headquarters, the Linden Hospital Complex, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). The workers on the picket line are all venting their anger at the five percent retroactive pay hike for 2013 that Government intends to pay out by next month. At the WDRH, workers’ placards read the following slogans,

among other things: “We want 25% or give us the 15% from the budget”, “Public servants are not Christmas Ponies”, and “5% can’t work. Public servants are not slaves”. Nurses from this entity informed that they were protesting because they were informed that enough money had been passed in the 2013 national budget to allow public servants a 15% ‘back-pay’ this year. At the same time, workers of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) used their lunch hour to vent their anger at the five percent retroactive pay hike for 2013. On Monday, however, the governing Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) stuck with the Government’s line that there was not enough money in the coffers to pay more than the estimated five

West Demerara Regional Hospital staffers on the picket line.

percent increase. “We have to take account of what is going on in the country. Increases can only be paid in accordance with the affordability of the state to pay those increases,” said PPP Central Committee member Anil Nandlall. Nandlall blamed the combined opposition for cutting the budget by Gy$32 billion, saying, that has resulted in job losses and lower-than-expected economic growth. The projects he was alluding to included the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, the Specialty Hospital and the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). He also noted, “(With) the opposition orchestrating all these damaging acts against the economy, what do you expect? You will have less jobs and the country will not be in a position to pay more than five percent, so the opposition must take the responsibility for the five percent and the failure of the economy to provide jobs,” he added. Nandlall, who is also Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, said that voting down of the amendments to the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act by the opposition would as well impact negatively on the economy.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Fights, store evacuation mar U.S. holiday shopping rush

Thanksgiving Day holiday shoppers line up with television sets on discount at the Target retail store in Chicago, November 28, 2013. REUTERS/Jeff Haynes

(Reuters) - THE post-Thanksgiving shopping rush sparked incidents of violence across the United States as a police officer was injured breaking up a fight, a shopper was shot in the leg over a TV and a Walmart was evacuated, according to police and media reports. The holiday shopping incidents also included a suspected shoplifter shot by police in a Chicago suburb and a woman spitting on another woman’s child in an argument over baby clothes. “Black Friday,” the biggest U.S. shopping day of the year, started a few hours earlier this season as many department stores for the first time opted to open or start discounts on

Thanksgiving night. While most retailers reported peaceful - if hectic - opening hours, some saw the shopping craze erupt into violence. In White Plains, just north of New York City, an outlet of Wal-Mart Stores Inc was evacuated on Friday, with employees and shoppers saying they had been warned of a possible bomb threat. Apparently the threat was bogus, and authorities allowed shoppers back in the store about an hour and 40 minutes later. “Out of nowhere, they just said, ‘You have to evacuate,’” said Olaya Goodman of the Bronx. A White Plains police dispatcher declined to comment. In Romeoville, Illinois, police shot a suspected shoplifter in the shoulder late Thursday night after the car he was driving dragged an officer through the parking lot of a Kohl’s department store, Romeoville Police Chief Mark Turvey said in a video posted by the Chicago Tribune newspaper. Police were responding to a report of two shoplifters at the store when an officer chased one of the suspects to a waiting vehicle, Turvey said. “The officer was struggling with the suspect as he got into the car, and then the car started to move as the officer was partially inside the car,” Turvey said. “The officer was dragged quite some distance.” Another officer shot the driver in the shoulder and three

Libya’s coastguard picks up almost 300 African migrants (Reuters) - LIBYA stopped three boats off its coast packed with almost 300 African migrants apparently trying to reach Europe, the state news agency Lana said on Friday. The coastguard picked up the migrants, who mainly came from Mali, Gambia, Ghana and Senegal, northwest of the capital Tripoli late on Thursday, a spokesman told Lana. The migrants were taken to detention centers for processing by Libya’s department for illegal migrants. Lana did not say where the Maltese-registered boats had been headed. Hundreds of people have died in the past two months in the stream of refugees trying to enter the European Union by boat from

North Africa through Lampedusa, an Italian island south of Sicily. Many come via Libya, which is struggling with growing anarchy two years after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. The flow of refugees has also been fuelled by civil war in Syria and unrest in Egypt and other Arab and African countries. Italy has increased patrols in the Mediterranean waters between its coast and Libya and Tunisia since more than 360 mainly Eritrean migrants drowned in October when their boat capsized off Lampedusa. An estimated 200 people went missing when a second boat sank a week later.

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suspects were arrested, Turvey said. The dragged officer was treated at a hospital and released, the Chicago Tribune reported. In Las Vegas, a shopper was shot in the leg during a struggle with thieves who tried to take the TV he had just purchased in a Black Friday sale at Target, as he was carrying it to a nearby apartment complex, according to a report by KLAS-TV in Las Vegas. Las Vegas police did not respond to Reuters’ requests for confirmation. A police officer in Rialto, Calif., suffered a fractured hand and finger after responding to an assault in the parking lot of a Walmart just after the sales started Thursday, said Sgt. Richard Royce of the Rialto Police Department, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. “It was a pretty bizarre scene,” he said. Two shoppers were leaving the store when they were confronted by two people in a vehicle in the parking lot. One person from the vehicle got out and began punching and kicking the shopper, and also assaulted a woman who tried to stop the fight, Royce said. When police tried to stop the fight, a second suspect emerged from the vehicle and the two began fighting the officers, he said. Two victims were treated at a hospital and released, as was the injured officer, Royce said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

T&T wrong to detain and deport Jamaicans

(Trinidad Guardian) LAST week Tuesday, immigration officers at Piarco detained and deported 12 Jamaicans based on the failed attempts by those officers to contact local hosts of the Jamaicans, conflicting information from the deported Jamaicans and their hosts, and hosts residing illegally in T&T, among other reasons. That act by the T&T immigration officers, quite predictably, has led to calls in Jamaica for T&T products to be the subject of a boycott in the north Caribbean state. On the T&T side, both the Minister of National Security Gary Griffith and Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar have defended the actions of the officers. “It seems so far, from the briefing received from immigration through Minister Griffith, that T&T has been well within its discretionary powers in terms of refusing entry or disallowing it, until further evidence may come forward,” said the Prime Minister on Tuesday, in answering questions from reporters at the official opening of a new police station in Arima. The detention and deportation of the 12 Jamaicans is an important issue for the T&T business community because of the vast investment that T&T firms have in Jamaica and the fact that Jamaica is an important destination for T&T manufactured products. The issue of the detention and deportation of regional nationals is also important because it has the ability to stain T&T’s reputation as a country that upholds the law, is respectful of regional institutions and rights and does not discriminate against Caricom nationals.

CARICOM cannot afford a trade war right now, says Hyman (Jamaica Gleaner) FINANCIALFinancial Analyst Ralston Hyman says the Caribbean Community cannot afford a trade war at this time. His comments follow threats from some Jamaicans to boycott products from Trinidad and Tobago. He says a ban or boycott of products from Trinidad and Tobago could affect how international trading partners view Jamaica. He believes the government should move to improve Jamaica’s business environment as part of efforts to boost the country’s competitiveness. Hyman is insisting that the government must expedite plans to roll out the 360 megawatt plant which will reduce the demand for crude oil from Trinidad and Tobago. He points out that the bulk of Jamaica’s deficit with CARICOM relates to crude oil from that country.

Meanwhile, Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister A.J. Nicholson is scheduled to meet with his Trinidadian counterpart Winston Dookeran on Monday. Dookeran was invited for talks after several Jamaicans were denied entry into Trinidad and Tobago last week.

Brazil National Force sent to land dispute region A TASK FORCE of the Brazilian National Force is to be deployed in areas disputed by Indians and farmers in the western state of Mato Grosso

of an auction to raise funds for the farmers’ private security personnel. An indigenous man was killed in the area in clashes with

The Terena ethnic group has been protesting against the farmers for years do Sul. The federal force is due to arrive in the region just ahead

the police in May. A 2010 court ruling granted the Terena ethnic group exclusive rights over the land, but

land owners dispute it. They accuse the Indians of invading their farms in Sidrolandia (1,200km west of Rio de Janeiro) and say they have to defend themselves. The “Resistance Auction” on 7 December aims to raise funds for hiring private security guards and is expected to sell at least 1,000 cattle and tons of grain. “Up until now, they invaded and we retreated. If they invade other land, there will be a gun fight, and nobody knows what the consequences might be,” Francisco Maia, the president of state farmers’ association Accrisul told the BBC’s Joao Fellet, in Brasilia. The land owners want the government to come up with an alternative plan to solve the land dispute which already led to violence in May and June. In 2010, a court ruled that the land where their farms

stand, the Buriti Indigenous Lands, should be owned exclusively by the Terena peoples. But the farmers refuse to leave and demand compensation for any loss of land. The conflict in Sidrolandia escalated at the end of May, culminating with the killing of Osiel Gabriel Terena. After the episode, in June, about 200 soldiers were deployed at a disputed farm. The conflict is only one of about 80 in Mato Grosso do Sul, BBC Brasil reports. Brazil’s constitution includes a progressive land policy, under which about 13% of the country has been set aside as indigenous territories. But despite having the largest indigenous population in Brazil, about 9% of the total, the state of Mato Grosso do Sul has only 0.7% of the official indigenous lands.

Argentine police ‘free 96 prostitutes’ in raid on brothels

(BBC News) RAIDS on brothels in and around the Argentine capital Buenos Aires have rescued almost 100 women forced into prostitution, police say. The women had been trafficked and were mostly from Paraguay or Peru, according to city officials. They say 57 raids took place over the past two weeks, leading to the arrests of 25 people. The trafficking of young women has become a major concern in Argentina in recent

years. Thirty bars which had been seeking to “cheat the authorities and operate as brothels” had had their licences revoked, said deputy head of the city administration, Maria Eugenia Vidal. DRUGS SEIZED Fake documentation and drugs were also seized during the raids, according to Guillermo Montenegro, Buenos Aires City justice minister. “This doesn’t only have to do with one crime, it’s several

Activists in Argentina have demanded more action against traffickers (file picture)

crimes,” he told reporters. He also said some officials were themselves being investigated, without giving further details. The investigation was triggered by a complaint by a neighbour at one of the locations in the Constitucion area of Buenos Aires. The site’s phone lines were then tapped, which led to the uncovering of a larger network, according to the Argentina’s La Nacion newspaper.

In 2008, Argentina passed legislation that for the first time made human trafficking a crime. Thousands of victims have since been rescued. That law followed a high profile campaign by Susana Trimarco, whose daughter Marita Veron went missing 11 years ago. Campaigners say she was one of many victims abducted by sex rings that cater for powerful clients in Argentina.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

GUYANA

Trade unions role in the HIV/AIDS fight is important

Editorial Rice production record-breaking trend continues OVER the last decade, rice production in Guyana has been increasing steadily, but over the last three years it has leapt to unprecedented and record-breaking levels. In 2011, it passed the 400,000-tonne mark for the first time and in 2012 it did so again, but surpassed the 2011 figure. But the real shocker has happened this year, with the production figure quantum leaping to about 530,000 tonnes, which is an increase of over 25%. With such an incredible increase in production, all the players within the industry must be commended, particularly our resilient rice farmers, who have had to contend with several serious challenges, especially that of the weather. The 2005 Great Flood, our worst natural disaster, left a large number of our rice farmers devastated and even after that, periodic unusually heavy rainfall continued to take its toll, particularly on those farmers in Mahaica/Mahaicony communities whenever it became necessary to discharge excess water from the East Demerara Water Conservancy via the Maduni sluice. However, when the Hope Canal is completed this should become a problem of the past, because excess water would be discharged directly into the Atlantic. The sharp and steady increase in production is not an accident. On the contrary, it has been a result of a multi-faceted approach and interventions, including intensification of farmers’ education and training, greater emphasis on research and development of new varieties that are more disease resistant and higher yielding, and of course massive investments to improve drainage and irrigation, which is fundamental to successful agriculture. The current upswing of the rice industry, which, if sustained, could see our rice production touching the million-tonne mark in a few years, which would put us in the league of the world’s top producers such as India and the South Asian countries. It also reminds us of an earlier period of the PPP in government,(1957-1964), when rice production increased by 74%. As a result of the massive success of the agricultural programme, the then opposition dubbed the government a “rice government” and a “coolie government”, because the majority of rice farmers are Indo-Guyanese. From all indications, the rice industry seems to be on a solid foundation and is set for achieving much greater heights, bringing greater benefits to our national economy and our people.

THE celebration of World AIDS Day December 1 for Safety and Health at work is an integral part of the global strategy on Occupational Safety and Health. Several chief executive officers (CEOs) reflected on their positive experiences in supporting the prevention and control of HIV in the Caribbean Region expressed their support to the zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. The trade unions’ role in the fight against HIV/AIDS is often neglected. The disease is not always recognised as a workplace issue. This is why the work of trade unions on HIV/AIDS is so important. I was personally attacked when I said, “Trade unions can do much more to fight HIV/ AIDS.” I am sincerely grateful to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, when he was the Minister of Health who addressed the “Global Transport Workers and HIV/AIDS” Caribbean sub-regional workshop on June 4, 2007. He had pointed out some of the foregoing and issued a call to the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), saying: “The things I ask you to advocate can break the back of the HIV pandemic”. I want to give recognition to the fact that trade unions are doing a tremendous amount of work. But, having said that, I feel that in the global response to HIV/AIDS, the potential of trade unions is under-utilised, trade unions can do much more. I believe trade unions should get a lot more of the resources, financial and otherwise, that are available at the national and regional levels. Many donors make use of funding structures such as the global fund and PEPFAR. This means that trade unions often have to compete for resources at the national level, and it’s not always easy. They are often occupied on a day-to-day basis with job security, health and safety and salaries. It is not always possible to deliver HIV/AIDS work if additional resources are not made available. There is an amazing capacity for trade unions to mobilise. This is not always given enough recognition by donors. Sometimes there is a difficulty when there are several trade union centres in one country; there is not always a unity of purpose. However on this issue we have been fortunate, as usually differences could be overcome. It is important to look at how the world of work can coordinate itself, to agree joint submissions and divide financial resources. There needs to be real human resources to implement and plan for these activities. The trade unions need to focus on prevention; they can negotiate access to treatment at the workplace. It requires a lot of negotiations, for time off from work, looking at how trade unions deal with sick leave and similar matters. I have seen that solidarity from trade unions organising around this issue and supporting each other, particularly when trying to negotiate with management. When HIV/AIDS is part of the collective agreement, this is often the strongest tool. With treatment, it is possible to continue to lead a working life. A well established collective bargaining agreement often leads to a reduction in absenteeism and more willingness to go for voluntary testing and counselling, because confidentiality and job security are assured. The workplaces where more than 90 per cent of workers have gone for voluntary counselling and testing are those where there are agreements to say confidentiality is respected, and there will be access to treatment. This does not mean that the treatment must be paid for by the employer; there could be a link with a public hospital or other mechanisms. When HIV/AIDS policies and programmes are negotiated by workers and employers, it should not be just an employer-driven programme. In high-prevalence countries, there’s much greater awareness of HIV/AIDS as a workplace issue, through force of circumstance. Employers and trade unions have responded specifically to keep businesses going and to protect jobs. In low-prevalence countries, there’s a sense that the workplace is not as important as a centre for intervention, that the issue is something for Non- governmental Organisations (NGOs) or the government to deal with. I fundamentally differ with that approach; I am trying to advocate that HIV/AIDS is a global concern for all workplaces. My message to the workplaces that think it is not their concern, is that they have a responsibility to act now. By the time they think prevalence is high, it would be far too late to respond. We have a collective responsibility to have an absolute sense of urgency. If employers think that it does not affect them,that this is just a problem for the Caribbean, they are making a big mistake. We are seeing outbreaks in some countries and new infections have gone up. Prevalence may be low, but when infections are going up it means we are not doing enough about prevention,which is still the main responsibility. It is our duty to have a sense of urgency about the preventive work. “After Sub-Saharan Africa, the Carib-

bean has the highest HIV prevalence than any other region in the World with one percent of the adult population infected”. Source UNAIDS. Epidemic Status in the Caribbean

Globally, the trade union movement has tried to have a harmonised response. Perhaps we need to acknowledge there can be a different way of organising to access resources and respond even more effectively. The role of trade unions in implanting the recommendations will be very important. It will be dependent on employers and unions engaging with the content. I want to emphasise the issue of using this monumental challenge as an opportunity to access resources. Take time to look at the issue. Please do not send junior members and staff to discuss HIV/AIDS at important meetings at the national policy level. We need a union voice at the national level as part of national HIV/AIDS structures; we need senior union voices. The lesson has been learnt in our Caribbean Region through many struggles, that is why we have to see it through. We cannot do the job halfway, making sure the policies are implemented, but have to find ways to overcome these obstacles and to create opportunities. The newly adopted ILO Recommendation No. 200 on HIV and AIDS and the world of work is the first international labour standard on HIV/AIDS and one of the few human rights instruments to address the epidemic directly. Our role is to promote this instrument among the wider HIV/AIDS community and highlight that, from now on, (a) national response to HIV/AIDS must include the workplace, and (b) workplace action on HIV/AIDS must respect the new recommendation. SHERWOOD CLARKE General President Clerical & Commercial Workers’ Union

Opposition trying its utmost to make Ms. Sooba look like a demon AS I write, Georgetown is under a deluge of water and rubbish. In fact, it is the latter that is the cause for the deluge. So rightfully it should read: “Under a deluge of rubbish which caused the flooding.” A better statement can also be attributed to the present situation and it runs like this: ”The root cause for the city’s demise is its Mayor who occupies a position but fails to do anything worthwhile therein. He is the person of interest, the most important person of interest, whenever this garbage heap of a city comes under the radar. Everyone knows this save the main opposition PNC/APNU, who conveniently take their eyes off him while castigating everyone else who might very well be making a contribution

to the betterment of the city. Right now they are on the back of Town Clerk Miss Sooba, trying their utmost to make her out to be the demon and the cause for the city’s demise when they fully well know who the culprit is. They conveniently forget that before there was Sooba there was Hamilton Green, two painful decades of him. For them to pin the blame on Miss Sooba is simply exposing their depravity as a party. Georgetown and its environs will simply remain in a filthy, uninhabitable state as long as Green remains in the mayoral chair. To think of it, the opposition prides itself on being the watchdog of society and the protectors of the people’s rights; then why not come to the aid of the citizens of Georgetown? The people

Please see page 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Re private schools fulfilling their mandate I take my two and a half year old grandson (a champion in the making) to day care every day. I ask some penetrating and probing questions concerning the safety and care provided for him and I think I have the right to ask. I never felt at any time, that I am annoying the head when asking questions; there is always an answer or there is a balance whenever there is a perceived misgiving on my part or the daycare. Sometime last week I read someone’s article (letter) concerning private school springing up everywhere and ask the administration to rein them in. This article caught my attention as a former Chairman of a school Board of Governor and Parent Teachers’ Association for over 12 years covering three schools. As chairman I have my quiver filled with experience. So much the more that these experiences helped to catapult me in my training and education during my year (March 2005 – February 2006) in London in computer training, community policing service, cultural and church conferences, speaking at various forums including political. Editor, it is my perceived thought that many of these private schools are operating with the license to hire and fire teachers at their own shims and fancy. It is a noted fact that in Guyana there are Muslim, Hindu, American and Christian schools and each of these schools advance their cultural or ideological aspect into their curriculum which I believe is their democratic right and choice. From my professional experience and decorum; I find that some of these schools do not partake in National school sports or poetry competition, National essay writing competition or even outings – visit to the Museum, the zoo, heritage sights or places of national interest. These children are programmed to attend extra lessons or stay in class and do school work. Extra-curricular activities may involve a PT officer teaching the children to jump around for half an hour every Friday morning. If what I perceive is true of some private schools then we can hardly expect a Caribbean athlete coming from any private school in the future. It may be shocking to note that even the National songs of Guyana is unsung and the National Anthem is said only at graduation time. More shocking is the fact that these schools promote a kind of dictatorship administration without considering that teachers input in a school is more that standing in front of a class the entire week or without the suggestion or participation of parents who can provide expert advice on the management and delivery of education to our children. There are in some cases no plans in place for teacher’s appreciation day. And talking about teacher’s appreciation day; I recall as chairman of one of the top primary schools in Georgetown many year ago, I convened a meeting with parents and teachers where a proposal was made to host a fair (school) to raise funds for the school. The proceeds from the fair in my capacity as Chairman I authorised a sum of money to be distributed to each teacher. I cannot remember any private school in this nation ever going that way! And what about NIS contributions are they in order? Do all private schools adhere to the Laws of Guyana? What ethics and national standards do private schools follow? Is there no involvement of a trade union presence within the

Opposition trying its utmost to ... From page 6

need answers from you the Opposition as to the present insanitary situation in the city, do something really fast people before an epidemic breaks out. I know for sure of some wards in the city like Albouystown and East La Penitence where persons live in virtual filth an epidemic is just waiting to happen. Those places named above pose health hazards to human habitation, when you look at the broken sewers, solid waste build-up and the overbearing stench of rotting garbage. This should engage their attention and not the useless blabber that goes on in parliament not wasting taxpayers’ money in foolish talk. Finally the opposition are good at “exposing corruption” when it comes to its dealings with the government now, did they stop to think that the same yardstick should be used when Hamilton Green’s stewardship as mayor comes up for scrutiny? I rest my case. NEIL ADAMS

institution? Does not a trade union ensure that teacher’s rights are protected? It would be in the benefit of the administration if there was no trade union to monitor the function and fairness of teachers’ appraisal. A teacher could be teaching for 15 to 20 years in one school and at her retirement she has nothing to look forward to because the multiplied millions of dollars earn by the administration goes towards education of their children overseas and holidays to Miami or to pay Bank mortgages. Whereby in the end, the schools administration bleeds the energy and draws of their teacher’s knowledge year after year. More so, what or who is to advocate on behalf of a teachers, who has been fired because they attended their graduation when they were instructed by the Principal not to? It is atrocious for a principal to seek opportunity to discipline a kindergarten teacher who has a class of 15-20 children three or four years old, the majority in pampers without an aid. Then suddenly that teacher need to use the washroom urgently, to leave those children is a risk and to have the teacher’s urinal bladder under pressure could result in contracting a urinal track infection. That teacher is under duress and is likely to be suspended if she responds to a call of nature. Do these private schools employ a health worker in event of an emergency if a child is sick while in school? It makes me wonder if the administration is aware that the most valuable assets in any organisation are people and not buildings. What about exorbitant fees administered with extortionist principles that dictate usury? These fees – cost for supplies, uniforms, books which in some or most cases are two months before access could be made?

What about discrimination that goes on unabated, both against teachers and students? For the suspecting Guyanese parents these issues are irrelevant, as long as their child is enrolled in a so-called reputable school. Whether it’s a Hindu, Muslim or Christian school it doesn’t matter, as long as the fees keep coming. Finally, are private schools providing any real benefits to its staff or society, or are they hell bent on extending their base in the hope of capturing more unsuspecting hard working parents and their meager earnings. I perceive that there are stiff competitions to capture the market, as I have seen a particular school in the city pull down their original building and replacing it with a solid concrete structure overnight. Another replaced their location with a massive complex costing millions of dollars and running evening programmes to capture more income. There is a thin line between greed and diligence. It is my firm belief that many of these schools are money sharks and would implement systems, schemes or structures that are designed to make them rich on the backs of hardworking dedicated teachers whose salary is woefully inadequate. Guyanese (some) are very naïve; they never could imagine that some private schools are taking them for ride. For instance do you know that the competition is more than just extending their borders but is so subtle, you would hardly discern it; the modus operandi is to attract the brightest pupil both at CXC and Grade Six (formerly common entrance) level. Then at exam time, they look forward to five of their students to be in the top 10, so that the next term they prepare for the kill. I must end this letter with a line of hope. Some will be annoyed with this letter writer; others will begin to do a conscientious internal forensic analysis of their administration and operations, then seek to improve on their human relations aspect of function. APOSTLE VANRICK BERESFORD

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Best Graduating CSEC student, Michael Harris, receives his top prize from Mrs. Melcita Bovell.

NAMS graduates 190 students with record results By Michael Khan THE New Amsterdam Secondary School (NAMS), which executes a multilateral programme, has, once again, etched its name into the record books by equipping 190 students with the relevant academic skills to seek employment or pursue higher learning. At the 2013 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations, candidates were tested in 31 subject areas and the school recorded an overall pass rate of 84.5 percent - grades one to three. The school secured 481 grade one passes overall, with 183 distinctions; 89 students passed in 10 or more subjects, with Michael Harris emerging the top student with 10 passes. He got nine distinctions, including Mathematics and English ‘A’, which was revealed on Thursday, at the 26th annual graduation and prize-giving ceremony, where the achievements and future plans of the institution were highlighted. On that occasion, Technical Assistant in the Ministry of Education and Coordinator of the School Boards Secretariat, Mrs. Melcita Bovell informed the gathering that the Government of Guyana understands the importance of developing human capital and that is why the education sector has the largest budget in the country. “It is the efforts of the Ministry of Education to ensure or to move towards equity. One of the things that we understand is that Guyana cannot be developed in parts, it has to be developed holistically and, in actual fact, you mostly get what you need to enhance the learning process,” she explained. Elaborating on the work of the Ministry in providing the relevant trained personnel and materials to create a conducive learning environment, which will contribute to better examination results, Bovell urged the Class of 2013 to make full use of their recently acquired skills to contribute to the development of Guyana. THE CROSSROADS “You students are at the crossroads of your life; you are now at a place where you can now ask yourselves: where do I want to be in this new Guyana? “Do you want to find yourselves at the front of the line or struggling at the tail end?” she asked rhetorically. Bovell challenged the students to work towards common goals in achieving success, adding:”The answers to many of the questions you have will determine the amount of effort that you are going to make in your lives. You are the people who are going to develop this country and we need to be assured that our country is in good hands.” Acting Principal of the school, Mr. Narine Datt Dhanraj, in his remarks, noted that the results of the 2013 CSEC and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) have proven that NAMS is still among the nation’s top senior secondary schools and has maintained its position as the number one such

Please turn to page 13

The New Amsterdam Secondary - Class of 2013.

ERC personnel were not present during incident between security guard and Chronicle reporters The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has reacted to an article in Thursday’s edition of the Guyana Chronicle, which highlighted the uncouth behaviour of a security guard towards staff who visited the Commission’s building for a press conference on Wednesday. The Commission has advised accordingly: * That the officer in the compound who invited the Chronicle vehicle to drive through the gate and into the yard, was not a staff of the ERC, but was connected to the Women and Gender Commission which was hosting the press conference. * That the building which houses the Ethnic Relations Commission, houses about three other entities and therefore it did not follow naturally, that the officer in the yard was a member of the ERC. * It is agreed that the behaviour of the security guard on duty was improper and leaves much to be desired and more should be done to encourage the training of such employees in courtesy and good manners. * That it was unfortunate that the ‘person’ who invited the driver in, did not object to the uncouth behaviour of the security guard who shouted at the reporters: “Well if you all gat to get plank [to cross the water] get out. Get out de yard.” * That recognising the security guard erred in principle, and needed to be courteous, the ERC has written a letter to the Security Firm contracted by the ERC to provide security for the premises, informing of the conduct of the employee, and asking that appropriate action be taken. Further, it must be pointed out that the guard on duty in the compound did not even know who the persons in the vehicle were, when he began hurling his improper and unwarranted attack. This newspaper regrets the misrepresentation of identity of the officer.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

FFP donation helps outfit Sand Creek Secondary School dormitory

THE Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has received support from Food for the Poor (FFP) to outfit the Sand Creek Secondary School dormitory in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo), and during a recent visit by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai, she delivered 30 single-bed mattresses donated to the Ministry from the organisation. Sukhai explained that the Ministry immediately thought of the school as ideal for the mattresses upon receiving the donation. The newly constructed school is providing access to education to an additional 50 students from the North Pakaraimas in Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni), who were mainly from the Paramakatoi Secondary, which was over- crowded. The $77.7M school opened its doors on September 3, 2012 to 88 students. During her visit, Sukhai also spoke to the children about ensuring access to secondary education across the country and government’s incremental efforts to increase access. She explained that education at all levels will continue to be the priority focus of the government which recognises that the sector must be placed on the front burner as it is critical to youth development. “That is why government continues to invest significantly in annual programmes such as the school uniform and the school feeding programmes and continues to enable friendly environs which

Minister of Amerindian Affairs with students of the Sand Creek Secondary School in Region 9

The Sand Creek Secondary School

The mattresses that were handed over to the Sand Creek Secondary School dormitory students can access and learn from.” She noted that these interventions are costly, but Government is committed to its aim of ensuring a well educated labour force for the future development of the country. She urged the students to take the opportunity afforded them through the school, and to leave the secondary institution well-learned and equipped to stand on their own and develop Guyana. The Sand Creek Secondary School is the newest institution serving hinterland students, bringing the total to 13. It is a two-storey building that has 15 classrooms, two laboratories, and an administrative office, Home Economics and Industrial Arts Divisions, and a Computer room. A large dormitory provides housing for the students who come from various districts in Region 9, and now from Region 8. Government, cognisant of the need to continue to increase secondary access in the Hinterland, is building another school at Kato in Region 8 that will house more than 100 students. (GINA)

Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai inspects the Sand Creek Secondary School Dormitory

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Bartica housewife is COURTS third millionaire

DEBBIE Benjamin, a wife and mother, became the third COURTS Guyana Inc. millionaire in the ‘Become a Millionaire’ competition yesterday morning. At the Main Street, Georgetown branch, she won $1M and declared she knew the money was coming since the promotion was launched on November 7. Eleven other lucky individuals received consolation prizes, inclusive of furniture, electronics and $200,000 in cash. When Benjamin, from Bartica, was asked, she said: “I knew I was going to win the million dollar prize because God answers honest prayers.” After shopping for over five years at COURTS, she had purchased a three-piece suite at the Bartica Branch. Okeeffa Miller, who had entered the contest by purchasing four household items, secured the cash prize. Other winnings included, an Apple Mini IPad, a seven-piece dining set, two 32-inch HD television sets, two 17-inch fridge/ freezers, two ‘Island Home’ Collection two-piece sectional suites, a Whirlpool washer and a Whirlpool 30-inch Gas Stove. The COURTS ‘Become a Millionaire Promotion’ seeks to make one lucky customer a millionaire every week until December 28. Customers who wish to enter the competition are required to make a purchase of more than $5,000, fill out a coupon and drop it in the box provided.

Debbie Benjamin, Courts millionaire, with Managing Director Clyde de Haas and the 11 lucky winners of the consolation prizes (Photo by Adrian Narine)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Deputy Mayor predicts very serious health crisis for City By Telesha Ramnarine DEPUTY City Mayor Ms Patricia Chase-Green predicted doom for the city last Wednesday, especially for the holiday season, when she informed reporters that Georgetown is in for a “very serious health crisis”, and that the municipality is operating with a single garbage truck. Ms Chase-Green was speaking in Mayor Hamilton Green’s office at City Hall, where a press conference was called to discuss the flooding situation in Georgetown. Addressing the issue of the ‘Christmas garbage’, Mrs. Chase-Green said the city is worse off now than it has ever been, with an Acting Town Clerk that is adamant. “We cannot handle the garbage situation,” she declared. According to Mrs Chase-Green, Town Clerk Carol Sooba declared last Monday at the Council’s fortnightly statutory meeting that she would not spend any more money on garbage. “We have never seen Georgetown in this state,” she said. The problem has to do with adamant officers who are not setting the priorities of the Council right, Chase-Green observed. “She (Sooba) is saving money at the cost of the nation. She refuses to buy trucks, while the garbage continues to pile up.” Chase-Green said that, for the Christmas season, citizens will have to be competing with cockroaches, flies, rats and mosquitoes, along with several waterborne diseases, as they traverse the roadways. Nevertheless, she expressed hope that Government would soon see it fit to have a qualified Town Clerk installed.

NAMS graduates 190 students ... From page 9

institution in Region 6 (East Berbice/Corentyne). “This school has a proud history of committed staff working to achieve the best results and, with their support, we challenge the regional education authorities to match this commitment with the much needed resources that we crave and, in return, we will provide the results that we know we can achieve. With such commitment and expedient execution, our growth index will exceed its present state. This assurance I solemnly give,” he said. Amidst intermittent showers of rain, the cold evening was enlivened by stirring performances from students in the form of drama, song and dance, before past Principal, Mr. Elton Lewis took to the stage and delivered the charge to the graduands. “You now stand on the threshold of a potentially bright future, having achieved a commendable academic qualification which has placed you among the best at the education pyramid. Graduation from secondary school is a profound time of change, promise, possibilities and a good time to keep climbing the endless ladder to the heights of learning. “I urge you to make sure that you are securely and firmly placed on the academic ladder and remember it is the climb of your life,” he warned them. Lewis commended the efforts of the teaching staff and encouraged the Class of 2013 to look beyond the horizon. “I say congratulations to each and every graduand on your achievement. Now please stand tall and move steady towards your next major milestone,” he urged them.

Government help for City Council holidays waste disposal By Clifford Stanley THE Government has approved additional support for the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to assist the City Council in dealing with the expected increased end-of-theyear waste the holidays are expected to generate. Minister with the portfolio, Mr. Ganga Persaud, said the decision was taken by Cabinet during its last meeting on Tuesday. He said, in keeping with that, Minister within the Ministry, Mr. Norman Whittaker has since met with the City Council to work out the modalities of the assistance. Persaud said that the added aid is annual, because the Government wants the city to look the best it can. He made the disclosure during a one-day media workshop on solid waste management, sponsored by his min-

istry, the Government and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). He once again charged that a prevailing City Council attitude of “apathy” is responsible for the current poor solid waste disposal and the attendant ills affecting residents. Mr. Gordon Gilkes, of the Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme (GSWMP), disclosed that, supportive of this objective, operations at the Haags Bosch Sanitary Landfill, at Eccles, East Bank Demerara, will be extended by two hours daily, during the festive season to also facilitate proper disposal of the excess garbage. A reliable source said it is estimated that generation of solid waste can increase by as much as 60 percent during the festive season. TO MODERNISE Facilitator of the event, Ms.

Jocelyn Dow, explained that it was part of a programme to explore measures to modernise the management of solid waste within the GSWMP funded by the IDB through a loan in excess of US$18M. The agenda dealt specifically with strategies for creating public awareness by the dissemination of information within Region 4 (Demerara/Mahaica), so that civic consciousness on proper waste disposal can be improved. It was disclosed that a number of activities targeting householders, managers and business owners will be rolled out in the coming weeks under the community participation and public awareness component of the GSWMP. The operating hours of the HB are being extended for two hours past the usual 5:00 pm closure to accommodate the increased volume of solid waste

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Miss India Worldwide 2013 to grace Apsara’s ‘Evening of Dance’ at Monument Gardens in Bourda By Alex Wayne VISITING Miss India Worldwide 2013, Nehal Bhogaita from UK, is in for a great treat this evening as the Apsara Dance Company hosts its ‘Evening of Dance’ at the Monument Gardens in Bourda, Georgetown from 20:00hrs. At a press conference hosted in her honour at the Pegasus Hotel yesterday, Nehal Bhogaita, through her interpreter and sister, Jayeesha Bhogaita, expressed pleasure at being invited to Guyana and the Apsara event. Nehal Bhogaita became the first deaf contestant in pageant history to win the Miss India Worldwide title when she carted off the coveted crown this year. She

disclosed her desire to break the barrier that society has created and prove to the world that having a disability isn’t an obstacle, but an opportunity to affirm that nothing is impossible. Declaring herself thankful for the ‘Guyanese experience’, she lauded the event sponsor, Fly Jamaica, for a splendid flight and services, touting that she would gladly relive the experience if given a second chance. Gracing that press conference was our very own Miss India Guyana and Miss Guyana Universe 2013, Katherina Roshana, who, in her address, informed that she was elated to be back in Guyana after representing this country so admirably at this year’s Miss Universe Pageant. While she dubbed her experience ‘ultimately fantastic’,

Katherina explained that it also afforded her the opportunity to market Guyana to many who were not even aware of its location and rich culture. Commenting on challenges faced at the event, Ms. Roshana noted that she was put at a disadvantage because Guyana does not prepare long in advance for such pageants, unlike other countries, which had been prepping their girls from three to six months before the pageant. Katherina was given just two weeks to prepare for the international pageants, but noted she did her best amidst such adverse conditions. To date, Katherina has been featured in the Russian Times as one amongst the top 16 most celebrated ladies in the Miss Universe Pageant, and hers was also the face selected for exposure in a Russian

magazine. Apsara’s CEO, Chandini Rambalack, thanked the media and special invitees for their patronage, and noted that today’s event would also see the official launch of the Miss India Guyana Worldwide 2014 Pageant. The lucky young lady selected would represent Guyana in New Zealand in April 2014. Those who, in the past, would have missed Apsara’s shows held at the National Cultural Centre will have a rare treat in the form of an opportunity to see what an Apsara dance show is all about. Apsara is known for its dazzling fusions and worldwide dances, so patrons can expect hot, sizzling and mesmerizing dances. Tickets to the show are being retailed at only $1,000; moreover, stage front seating costs a mere $2,500. These tickets are available at N&S Mattai, Bhagwans, and the Feedshop (Kitty), Survival Supermarket, and Nanda’s Boutique. This event comes to you with the kind compliments of Fly Jamaica Airways, Cellular Plus Store, Pegasus Hotel and Rent-a-Tent.

Duo in car theft case refused bail

TWO men, charged with receiving stolen property were refused bail, yesterday, by Magistrate Judy Latchman. Randy Garrett, 19, of Lot 2098 Nutmeg Street, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, and Bryan Jones, 21, of Lot 14 ‘C’ New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, were not required to plead to the offence, details of which said, between November 15 and 27, at South Ruimveldt, they received one motor car valued $3.3M, property of Robena Khan. Police Sergeant Vishnu Hunt, prosecuting, told the court that two cars were stolen from an auto sales dealer and Jones received one of them to strip and sold the parts and, based on information received, the accused were arrested and charged.

Accused Brian Jones Defence Counsel Paul Fung-a-Fat, representing the duo, said Garrett was paid to strip a car but was not aware that it was stolen property. He said, in relation to Jones, he was asked to collect the vehicle and take it to a mechanic. The lawyer acknowledged that Jones had one pending matter, which involved the Malcolm Panday robbery, was placed on Accused Randy Garrett $300,000 bail and never missed a Court date. Counsel maintained that Jones has cooperated with the police and was responsible for notifying them where the parts were. The lawyer made an application for pre-trial liberty to be granted both men but the prosecutor successfully objected to the grant and the case was adjourned to December 5.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

CHANNEL 11

Below rates for November 29, 2013

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

BU3ING 205.48500 335.51591 194.07614 279.52125 101.49563 75.18194 32.01452

SELLING 207.93125 339.71808 196.31240 283.05681 102.51313 75.93565 32.33547

For Saturday November 30, 2013 - 14:30hrs

05:00 Inspiration 05:30 Newton Gospel 06:00 NCN Late Edition (r/b) 06:30 BBC 07:00 Ebenezer Praise Time 07:30 GINA Presents 08:00 Weekly Digest 08:30 Pulse Beat (r/b) 09:00 Avatar 10:00 Youth Expression 11:00 Movie- Brave 13:00 Epic Hype 13:30 Save the Children 13:45 National Geographic 14:00 Helping to Build the Future- Foster Care 15:00 Revelation & Power 16:00 Sports 17:30 Choices 18:00 NCN News Magazine - Live 18:30 Political Scope 19:00 President’s Diary 19:30 Caribbean Passport 20:00 3d/daily millions/play de dream/lotto draw 20:05 Video Hit List 21:00 Bollywood Hits 22:00 Movie- Deadly Descent

GUIDE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Aries March 21 - April 19

Today, you have a clearer understanding than ever of the connections between people, making it a wonderful day for you to play the role of matchmaker or host. You have a direct route to other people’s hearts, and friends feel that they can trust you with just about anything -- probably because they can! Reach out to people you know -- or even those you don’t know -- with a kind word or flattering comment. People will be grateful for the chance to talk with someone as charming as you!

Taurus April 20 - May 20

Any time you spend your money today, whether you’re just buying a cup of coffee or making a down payment on a home, the task will require greater intensity than it usually does. Numbers and financial issues are just hard for your brain to wrap its mind around right now and you could become quickly overwhelmed by interest rates, surcharges and taxes. It’s not a good day to make any big business commitments, either. Wait until your left brain wakes up again.

Gemini May 21 - June 21

It’s wonderful to get all excited about a new gadget once in a while -- you can spend all day fantasizing about how it’s going to change your life and make you more organised, more hip, more fashionable, whatever. But before you plunk down some of your hard earned cash on the latest and greatest toy, you owe it to yourself to go slower and do some research. You can’t let your feelings control your wallet -- that’s your brain’s job, and you should never forget it!

Cancer June 22 - July 22

There is no need to stress out over confrontations or difficult conversations, especially right now. You are extremely capable of handling whatever comes your way with ease. You understand deep down inside (although you might not like to admit it) that there’s no harm in having a little bit of emotional intensity and upheaval in your life once in a while. It keeps you grateful for the peaceful times, and it helps you see things from other people’s points of view.

Leo July 23 - August 22

Pay attention to the quieter, more subliminal conversations today, because they are the ones that are going to clue you in to the real business that is going on beneath the surface. The polite small talk is not going to offer you anything more than boring talk about the weather. Listen to what people are not saying -- you have a strong intuition right now, and it will help you uncover the truth behind the smiles. Something big is coming, and you will be the first to know about it.

Virgo August 23 - September 22

You might not consider yourself to be an intellectually curious person, but someone else sure does! They admire your thoughtful questions and sweet nature, so don’t be surprised if they try to pick your brain today for insight on a problem they are trying to solve. Give them all the time you can, and take this opportunity to get to know them a little bit better -- and let them get to know you better, too! Get ready for an interesting conversation.

Libra September 23 - October 22

Friends and family members are sending good vibes your way, and it’s a wonderful time in your life for a reunion with the ones you haven’t seen in a while. You can expect invitations to be arriving in your mailbox soon. One will thrill you, and one might intimidate you -- but you should accept both of them without hesitation. Big changes are on the way, but you do have to meet them halfway. Show the universe that you are open to new challenges in your life.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21

Today, much to your surprise, you will feel a very strong magnetic pull towards a person you’ve never met before. There is a reason that they interest you, and you’ve got to figure it out! So keep your eye on them, and while you can’t exactly follow them around, just keep looking until you figure it out. There is something about them that you need in your life. They could be your inspiration, and you never even have to have a conversation with them.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21

It’s one thing to follow your mood, but it is quite another to be moody. People are mistrustful of folks who go back and forth dramatically between attitudes. So today, if you feel yourself starting to yo-yo between happy and sad or outgoing and shy, you might want to go for some alone time. This unpredictability could be a clue that your brain needs some downtime to gather itself back together. Too much external energy from other people could be exactly what you do not need now.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19

It might be time to give up on a goal -- you had high hopes, but things don’t seem to be panning out the way you wanted them to. And it’s wise to know when to cut your losses and move on. Sometimes the pain of letting go is far less than the pain you’ll feel if you keep banging your head against a wall. So if that cutie just isn’t succumbing to your charms, then find a new cutie. Or if that goal just seems to getting farther from your reach, then reach for a new one.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18

A sense of superiority can be a useful tool in all your social interactions today -- it will help weed out the insecure people who aren’t very interesting to talk to anyway! Right now you’ll get the most enjoyment out of connecting with strong personalities who aren’t afraid to take over a room. This is a day of fullness and potency for you, when you are ready to match wits with the smartest person in the room and compete on a higher level than you’ve ever competed before.

Pisces February 19 - March 20

Today is not an ideal day for you to make any big decisions or commitments, or at least not in the morning. The exciting news you received recently has got you in a fuzzy frame of mind, unable to see things clearly. So just let yourself bask in the glow of the good news and put off having to deal with detail-oriented work or stressful decision-making until later in the day -- if you get to it at all, today. You deserve to enjoy just being happy for a while! It’s a day for feeling more than thinking.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Local Government Ministry commissions several Region 5 projects By Jimmy Roos THE Ministry of Local Government & Regional Development on Thursday commissioned a total of eight much needed developmental

projects in Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice). Among the commissioned projects were the Diabetic Foot Centre in Fort Wellington; water filtration plant, built by Farfan & Mendes at a cost of $4.5M;

Rehabilitation Centre able to diagnose and treat all Ear, Nose and Throat problems; Bush Lot Health Polyclinic; Mortice Primary School; Belladrum tarmac; A storage bond for drugs costing $4.5M at the Mahaicony Cottage

Hospital, and an extension to the latter. With respect to the Diabetic Foot Centre, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud thanked the regional officials for initiating and completing the project. He recalled that this was a much needed facility, because in the past people had to travel

to Georgetown to get the care they need. And because they often were unable to make the trip their feet had to be amputated. With the commissioning of this new facility, which is in their region, people can get the help they need faster. According to the Regional Chairman Bindrabhan Bisnauth, the project cost $7.4M and the money came from the regional health budget. Three other projects at Fort Wellington were also commissioned including a water filtration plant, built by Farfan & Mendes at a cost of $4.5M and with a capacity to supply 900 gallons of filtered water per 8-hour period; a comfortable waiting area for patients,

Drug storage bond at Mahaicony Hospital built at a cost of $2.6M out of savings from the 2012 budget, and a fully equipped Rehabilitation Centre to diagnose and treat all ear, nose and throat problems. This project which was designed to also facilitate field visits cost $5.M. According to the Regional Medical Officer, Dr. Gavin Persaud the only thing missing from it is an ear, nose, throat (ENT) specialist. The project at Bush Lot Polyclinic was an extension of the existing clinic and which will now offer dental care and early cancer detection. The Centre which is equipped with a conference room will also be used as a brainstorm centre by regional health education officials. According to Persaud, this was an extremely challenging project, which was started in 2011. However, the first contractor did not perform satisfactorily and was fired in 2012. It was finally completed this year by a different contractor and eventually cost $5.5M. At Belladrum a tarmac was built on the school ground for the benefit of the children who used to play on the red clay which caused

Minister Persaud inspecting Mahaicony Hospital Water Filtration Plant health challenges such as asthma, as well as cleaning challenges especially during wet weather. The headmistress of the school, Mrs. Lewis thanked the Ministry and regional officials for the gesture and expressed her hope that their other needs will also be accommodated, such as cleaning the school building and alleviating the drainage situation at the school, steps she said are necessary for the school to be certified as a Child Friendly Facility. Persaud also commissioned a headteacherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house built at the Mortice Primary School. He explained that before the house

Please see page 19

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Local Government Ministry commissions ... From page 18

was built the school couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attract qualified, skilled personnel and had to depend on unskilled teachers to run the school. The Minister remarked that all that has changed, as the headmistress now has her own place, right next to the school where she can receive parents who want to discuss the progress of their children as well as children who want to consult with her, outside school hours. This building cost $4.5 million according to the Regional Education Officer, Owen Pollard. Mortice Primary School located about 10 miles from the Mahaicony Public Road, and attended by about 55 children from the surrounding community, was our next stop. Here Next up was our final stop, the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where another three projects were commissioned. The first of these projects was a storage bond for drugs, costing $4.5 million. According to the Regional Chairman, this facility was needed because in the past drugs were kept in the central bond in Georgetown, which resulted in drugs often expiring, with their quantities and exact location often not known. However, by having their own storage bond, they can better control the shelf life of the drugs they order. Since the bond is equipped with an AC, they are also able to ensure drugs are stored at the optimum temperature. A water filtration plant was the next facility to be commissioned. This facility, which cost $5.3M to build has a capacity to filter and supply 900 gallons of drinking water per 8-hour period to patients and staff. Since the present supply is greater than the demand the water can also be distributed to outlying communities such as Bibhoo, Hidam, Dundee and Mora Point. The last project commissioned was an extension to the maternal ward of the Mahaicony Hospital. The room can accommodate an extra eight beds and cost $5.9 million. During the occasion, the minister thanked the contractors and regional officers for all the work they have done to make these projects possible. He also thanked the Government of Cuba for its support which resulted in over 100 doctors returning from that country after their studies. He also mentioned that the Government is in the process of working together with other friendly countries to have some of our doctors sent there to specialise in different medical fields. The Acting Regional Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Govin Singh who spoke at the occasion, complimented the engineering department for making sure that projects were completed in a timely manner despite all the challenges and setbacks. He also thanked the contractors as well as the staff of the different institutions for bearing with them during the construction.

Minister of Local Government meeting with regional officials

New Diabetic Foot Centre in Fort Wellington (Sonell Nelson photos)

Minister of Local Government with school children at Belladrum Primary School

Newly built house of headmistress at Mortice Primary School

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Ballance steadies England as batsmen continue to struggle (REUTERS)-Gary Ballance struck a patient half-century against a Cricket Australia Chairman’s XI on Friday and declared he was ready for his Test debut in the second Ashes match at Adelaide. Top order batsman Jonathan Trott’s abrupt exit to deal with stress-related issues has opened up a three-horse race for the number six slot in England’s batting lineup and Zimbabwe-born Ballance

made the most of his audition at Alice Springs. Ballance hit 55 off 134 balls with five boundaries to topscore for the visitors who declared on 212 for seven wickets in the two-day practice match at Traegar Park. Ben Stokes (28) could not convert the start into something big while Jonny Bairstow, the other candidate for the vacant batting slot, was unbeaten on 31 when the declaration came. “It would be a great feeling but I don’t really want to look too far ahead,” Ballance told reporters of his possible test debut. “After those few low scores at the beginning of the tour, I’ve worked hard in the nets and if that chance does come up ... I

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Gary Ballance collected his first half-century for England in the tour match against the Chairman’s XI.

think I’ll be ready.” Ballance was run out after a mix-up with Ian Bell but the 24-year-old felt he had done enough to merit a test debut at Adelaide on Dec 5. “I’d like to think so. To be able to get a 50 today ... I’ve given myself a bit of confidence so if I do get picked I think I’ll be ready,” he added. Australia won the first Ashes test in Brisbane by 381 runs

Frank scores Bresnan fastest goal ... guides From back page being scored from just inside his own half. After Spencer’s double was completed, California Square missed four easy chances to come away with a convincing win, with two of those opportunities resulted in the ball hitting the uprights of an open goal. Alexander Village and Durban Street treated the spectators which had a build up in anticipation of the bigger guns’ contest to follow, to some exciting football with Shem Porter of Alexander Village missing a penalty kick that was awarded in the first minute of play. Both sides missed several chances to go ahead, before Christopher Galloway set tongues wagging with a first time left-footed volley that rocked the goal in the ninth minute, after his first shot was blocked and rebounded into his path. A one touch play between three of Alexander Village’s key players saw Leon Yaw head the ball to Quincy Bourne, whose first touch was deft and straight to Dwayne Layne, who then completed a beautiful take and turn drill to rock the box goal in the 14th minute. Porter made amends for his miss when he sent Yaw a beautiful pass, which the player , known as “Zamboolie’ made no mistake in scoring in the 19th minute, after which Porter sealed the game from midway inside Durban Street’s half in the 27th minute for Alexander Village who won 3-1. A star studded West Front Road lineup, who had the slogan ‘Gold is Money’ emblazoned on the back of their tops, completed a hard fought but clinical 3-2 victory over Cross Street -Tiger Bay, with Michael Oie (13th), Michael Pedro (14th) and Randolph Wagner (28th) scoring for the victors, even as Sherwin Dover and Shalomo Hunte scored in the 25th and 27th minutes respectively for the losers. East Front Road must thank their lucky stars, after seeing Island All Star’s Alpha McPhoy being denied four times in a 45 seconds period, by either the woodwork or the legs of a defence player, which enabled the game to be drawn 0-0, for which they (East Front Road) came out on top 3-1 via penalty kicks. Roy Casou scored a brace one minute apart, (27th and 28th minutes) for Albouystown ‘B’, who with goals from Melvon Ross (4th) and Marvin Nedd (17th) defeated Tucville 4-0, before Albouystown’s ‘A’ team were handed a shocking 2-0 defeat at the hands of Queen Street- Tiger Bay, whose goals were scored by Deon Alfred (23rd) and Leon Fredericks (30th). Thirty-two teams from across the City are playing for the top prize of $500,000, with the second, third and fourth placed teams taking home $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively along with trophies. Along with the above mentioned prizes, teams can pocket an additional $25,000, $20,000, $15,000 and $10,000 each, according to their placing at the end of the preliminary round. The top two finishers of this tournament which continues next Tuesday at the same venue, will go onto represent Georgetown in the national playoffs, with the winner representing Guyana in the regional Guinness Street Football Competition to be held in Trinidad and Tobago next year.

England Performance Programme to a draw

SOME impressive death bowling from Tim Bresnan kept a Queensland 2nd XI at bay in Albion as the England Performance Programme hung on for a draw. When they declared on 201 for seven they will have felt more confident of winning than losing, given their hosts had a target of 422. A century from Joe Burns - following on from a first-innings 97 - gave Queensland a chance, though, and Bresnan was needed to come on at the end and steady the ship. Although unable to take any wickets - Moeen Ali took five for 125 - Bresnan bowled tightly at the end and ensured Queensland fell eight runs short of victory, having needed 18 off six overs at one stage. Bresnan is hoping to be called up to join the Test squad for the second clash with Australia in Adelaide, having missed the opening defeat in Brisbane as a result of his recent back surgery. His second-innings figures were none for 41 off 16. Sam Robson again impressed with the bat, with the Australia-born Middlesex man adding to his first-innings ton with a smart 65, the same score as Ben Foakes. Burns was given ample run-chase support by Corey Barsby (59) and Chris Sabburg (46) but they had to settle for a draw. (PA Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Giggs reaches 40 and still going strong By Martyn Herman LONDON: (Reuters) - Ryan Giggs was the first graduate of the so-called ‘Class of ‘92’ to make his mark at Manchester United and on the day he turned 40 he was preparing for the weekend the same way he has for most of his life. The mercurial Welshman has out-lasted David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Gary and Phil Neville, who came off the same United academy conveyor belt, and it is not beyond credibility that he could rack up 1,000 games for the club. United’s record appearance maker was one of the side’s best players in the 5-0 Champions League hammering of Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, his 953rd match for the club, and he will be in the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur. With 13 Premier league titles, four FA Cups, two Cham-

said in an interview with the BBC that will be screened today. “I still want to do well in every game, want to win trophies and my focus needs to be on that. I look after myself and try to train every day in order to make myself available for selection. “I enjoy it as much as I can and, of course, try to contribute to the team. I don’t know what the younger lads think of me. When I was 17 and 18, I thought 31 was ancient. And here I am at 40!”

Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs kicks the ball during the Champions League Group A soccer match against Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena in Leverkusen on Thursday. pions Leagues, four League still appears hungry for more. Cups and, surprisingly only one “I’m lucky that I have PFA Player of the Year award, been at one club, where I am Giggs has achieved everything surrounded by good players possible in his club career, but and a good manager,” Giggs

ROONEY PRAISE Having spent the first half of his career rampaging up the left wing, Giggs has evolved into the complete midfielder and with United lacking in the creativity department, still offers the kind of guile and intelligence that money cannot buy. Giggs was magnificent against Leverkusen and team

mate Wayne Rooney could not praise him highly enough. “Their centre half was asking how is he still playing at that age,” Rooney said. “His composure on the ball is fantastic. Ryan has done it for years and I’ve run out of things to say about him. I don’t know how he is still doing it.” Beckham, 38, who has been busy promoting the ‘Class of ‘92’ film that will be hitting the big screen in December and will chronicle the rise of United’s golden generation, said Giggs “makes him feel old”. “I’m not surprised he’s still playing because of the talent he is and how driven he still is and how he’s looked after himself over the years really is incredible,” Beckham, who ended his career last season, said in an interview on the BBC. “His performance the other night in the Champions League

was amazing but it doesn’t surprise me. It’s an incredible achievement. I’m proud of what he’s achieved.” Beckham said Giggs’ breakthrough into the first team paved the way for his own career to take off. “He was someone we looked up to and aspired to, he gave the other ones in the youth team hope.” Giggs, set to be the seventh player to appear in the Premier League past the age of 40, is out of contract at the end of the season and manager David Moyes said there would be “no quick decision” on whether he would get an extension. “To be playing so well at his age is terrific and he is a great example to the younger players,” Moyes said. “When you get to this stage, you always make a decision at the end of the season. There will be no quick decision.”

Lehmann urges fans to keep the pressure on England (REUTERS) - Australia coach Darren Lehmann added fuel to the fiery Ashes series yesterday by urging Australia fans to keep the heat on England and said he wanted his own team to continue playing “aggressive, in-your-face” cricket. Lehmann’s side took a 1-0 series lead after some intimidating, short-pitched fast bowling by Mitchell Johnson helped Australia to a comprehensive 381-run victory in the first test in Brisbane. The match saw some aggressive sledging by both sides, with Australia captain Michael Clarke censured and fined for comments picked up by stump microphones. Australia’s players have stated they would not take a backward step in their pursuit of the Ashes, which they have

which was a trademark of the above eras. “When Australian teams are performing at their best they are playing right on the edge as we were in Brisbane. “That is the Aussie way.”

Darren Lehmann not been able to regain in three successive series. “I want to take Australian cricket back to the golden eras of Lillee and Thomson, the Chappells and Steve Waugh,” Lehmann wrote in News Limited newspapers yesterday.

“The days of Merv Hughes, Rodney Marsh and Allan Border when Australia was defined by a good, hard brand of cricket. “We want to play within the rules but we will play aggressive, in-your-face cricket

AGGRESSION AND CONFIDENCE Lehmann got himself into hot water before the test series when he told an Australian radio station he hoped local fans would send England’s Stuart Broad “home in tears” after the fast bowler refused to walk at Trent Bridge earlier this year. Lehmann was fined and later apologised for accusing Broad of “blatant cheating”, though Australia’s News Limited newspapers have seemingly led a campaign to destabilise the England team during the series. Brisbane’s Courier Mail

labelled Kevin Pietersen “arrogant” and said he had no friends in the England dressing room and also refused to acknowledge Broad during the test, despite the lanky fast bowler taking six wickets in Australia’s first innings. The crowd at the Gabba also took on board Lehmann’s advice, trying to smuggle a pig with the word ‘Broad’ painted on it into the ground and booing the England players, while vociferously supporting their own, particularly recalled fast bowler Johnson. “I loved the whole theatre around Mitchell Johnson’s display at the Gabba right down to the fact that his new moustache brought back all those rich memories of the 70s with the stars and their handlebar mo’s (moustaches),” Lehmann added. “I like the sight of char-

acters expressing themselves in the game. That’s the sort of cricket the fans want to see. “We have asked Mitchell to fill a role and he did that brilliantly with aggression and confidence. We want him to liven them up. “My hope for the second Test in Adelaide and beyond is that Australian fans can replicate the crowd force of Brisbane. “The noise in Brisbane when Johnson and Lyon were spearing through England’s first innings was something to behold. “The volume level ... was sustained for over after over. “It is a long time since we have felt the sort of vibe that the whole country was behind us.” The second Test in Adelaide begins on Dec. 5.

Taliban urge Pakistanis to ‘stop praising Sachin Tendulkar’ ...support their cricket captain Misbah –ul-Haq

THE Pakistani Taliban have urged the country’s media to support their cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq even though he is a “pathetic player”. Spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said the media had been wrong to praise Indian star Sachin Tendulkar, who retired this month after a brilliant 24year career. Shahid used the cricket analogy to criticise coverage of Pakistani Taliban lead-

er Hakimullah Mehsud’s death. He was killed in a US drone strike earlier this month. The militants, now led by Mullah Fazlullah, are under pressure to take part in peace negotiations with the government. Given recent developments, many observers were surprised by the focus on cricket in the Pakistani Taliban spokesman’s extended video message

An Indian sportsman whose name is Tendulkar was praised by the Pakistani media and in fact a lot of Pakistanis [also] complimented him,” Shahidullah Shahid said in the video recording, where he is seen alongside two masked men with AK-47 rifles. “At the same time [the media] showed disapproval of Misbah-ul-Haq. [But...] Even though Tendulkar is a great

sportsman you should not praise him, as it is against the national interests of the country. “Instead you should praise Misbah despite the fact that he is a pathetic player, because he is ultimately a Pakistani.” Shahid defended the views of Islamist scholar Munawar Hassan, who described Hakimullah Mehsud as a martyr after his death. The Pakistani Taliban spokesman went on to say that those who praised soldiers “fighting for America, secularism, democracy and British-made laws” were like those who applauded Ten-

Misbah-ul-Haq dulkar instead of Misbah. Newspapers and TV stations across South Asia have been awash with tributes to Tendulkar, who retired on 16 November as the world’s leading run-scorer in both Test and one-day cricket. Despite one of the fiercest rivalries in world sport, Pakistanis have taken part in the outpouring of praise for

Sachin Tendulkar the Indian batsman, the only man to score 100 international centuries. Misbah is regularly criticised for his conservative tactics and unaggressive batting style as captain, correspondents say. (BBC Sport)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Doping battle must be more cost efficient - medical experts ZURICH: (Reuters) - The fight against doping costs $300-400 million a year and sporting medical experts at a conference hosted by FIFA yesterday questioned whether it was value for money. FIFA’s chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak said prevention measures should be tailored according to the perceived risk in each sport, rather than be the same across the board. “The question of whether this money is invested efficiently is justified. We’re therefore discussing potential cost-effective and deterrent strategies,” he noted in a statement following the anti-doping forum at FIFA headquarters. “The time may be right for the development of a customised system which takes account of the risk assessment in each different type of sport and also has to be cost efficient.”

Flashback: jiri Dvorak, Chief Medical Officer of the FIFA poses for photographers as he presents a ball with the lettering ‘’SAY NO! TO DOPING’’ during a news conference at the training camp of Switzerland’s national soccer team in Crans Montana May 29, 2010.

Many football players and officials are unhappy about the use of the so-called ‘whereabouts rule’ in football, under which players have to stipulate where they will be for one hour of every day, seven days a week. Mario Zorzoli, chief medical officer of the International Cycling Union (UCI), agreed that the doping fight needed to be more cost effective but supported the ‘whereabouts rule’. “We have to find new ways of testing athletes, but also have to strike a better balance between the cost and the effectiveness of the fight against doping,” he said. “The exchange of ideas with authorities such as police and customs must continue to be promoted. The fact that an athlete could be tested at any time throughout the year serves to deter potential drug users.”

Courtland All Stars lift Rafik & Sons T20 trophy

C O U RT L A N D A l l S t a r s humbled the powerful Albion Community Centre to take this year’s Berbice Cricket Board organised Raffik and Sons Construction Services sponsored second division T20 in the Lower/Central Corentyne area. In the final played at the Chesney Ground, they outplayed the youthful Albion Community Centre soundly enough to beat them by eight wickets and with nine overs to spare. Albion Community Cen-

tre winning the toss and taking first strike opened with the line-up of two most established batsmen in Kandasammy Surujnarine and Balchan Baldeo, who between then gave their team a solid start by taking 14 off the first over bowled by Keon Sinclair. However, they only got 2 off the second over from off-spinner, Troy Mathieson, before Sinclair removed both openers in back to back overs, with Baldeo making 15 and Surujnarine 5 to leave Albion on

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday November 30, 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: 217-Rohan Kanhai (WI vs PAK, Lahore, 1959) 1979 (WI vs AUST, Sydney; WI vs ENG, Sydney) Today’s Quiz: Sachin Tendulkar played 200 Tests. How many resulted in Indian victories? Who were the two on-field umpires officiating in the first ever ODI played in the Caribbean? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

25 for 2 after 4.2 overs, which was still a fair run rate. However, the young batsmen tried to challenge the bowling of Mathieson; all three - off-spinner Travis Williams, pacer Michael Cummings, and medium pacer John Percival tried but to no avail. It took some perseverance from Berbice Under-17 cricketer, Ritesh Umrou, who made an unbeaten 20 to steer Albion to 94 for 6 off their 20 overs, against the bowling of Sinclair who ended with 2 for 31, while there was a wicket each for Mathieson and Michael Cummins.

When Courtland All Stars replied, Mathieson and Eon Gibson hit Baldeo for 13 runs in the first over, setting the stage for an onslaught, before Baldeo had Mathieson caught for 11 at 18 for 1 in the third over. Cummins joined Gibson and the mayhem resumed with the two of them putting on 51 between them in 7.2 overs, before Cummings went for 21 (2x6, 1x4), following which Sinclair joined Gibson at 69 for 2 in the 10th over and took eight more balls to steer Courtland All Stars to 98 for 2 in 11 overs with Gibson finishing unbeaten on 34 and Sinclair 11.

GHRA MEETING GHRA members’ meeting set for Rising Sun Turf Club tomorrow THE Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) is set to hold a meeting tomorrow at the Rising Sun Turf Club building, West Coast Berbice. The meeting is scheduled for 10.30 hrs and according to president of the GHRA, Justice Cecil Kennard , one of the main agenda items will be discussion on the proposed legislation that the Ministry of Sport has undertaken to regularise the horse racing industry.. To this end all administrators of racing clubs, horse race owners, trainers and jockeys are free to attend the meeting.

Gibson was adjudged Manof-the-Match, Courtland All Stars received the winning trophy and $20,000, while Albion Community Centre uplifted $10,000. Meanwhile Fyrish emerged third in the competition after they defeated Port Mourant by 50 runs, scoring 165 for 5 with Monilall Shivdyal topscoring

with 40, and Yudindra Chainaen and Javed Mohammed offering support with 20 each. In reply, Port Mourant were bowled out for 115 in 19.4 overs, with only Rudrunauth Lauchman resisting the opposition bowlers in Shivdyal (3 for 22) and Hassan Hussain (2 for 26), with his 23.

Rain forces postponement of GSCL/Digimax tourney THE PERSISTENT showers which have been plaguing the Capital City over the past 72 hours, affecting several outdoor events in the process, have forced the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) to postpone their Digimax sponsored Male Open and Master’s Over-40 tournament semifinals and finals. This was scheduled to bowl off today at the Softball Ground on Carifesta Avenue, with Regal playing Ogle and Savage taking on Success in the Master’s Category, while in the Open Category, Regal was set to oppose Farm XI, and Wolf Warriors to face Trophy Stall, with the finals set for tomorrow at the same venue. According to the GSCL, these matches will now be contested next Saturday at the same venue, weather permitting, with the fixtures and playing days remaining the same.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday November 30, 2013

Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival Barbados’ YMCA surprise defending champions, Hikers

BARBADOS’ Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) surprised defending champions Hikers of Guyana by holding them to a 6-6 draw on the second night of the Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival, currently underway at the National Gymnasium. The second night of the tournament which concludes tomorrow saw its first taste of international flare as the YMCA men, Fatima of Trinidad and as well as the Trinidad Police Force all made their debuts for 2013. YMCA led 5-1 at the end of the first session through superstar Rohan ‘Teno’ Thomas who netted in the second minute of the match using his blistering pace to overlap up the right side and slam his shot home.

Thomas added a second goal two minutes later and although Hikers’ striker Robert France pulled his team back within one in the seventh minute, Thomas completed his hatrick five minutes later to give YMCA a 3-1 lead. The Hikers produced moments of brilliance but outstanding goalkeeping from Azad DeAbreu for the YMCA kept them scoreless for the rest of the half. YMCA put the game seemingly beyond the Hikers by half time as Sean Harewood and Ryan Cowie drilled in one a piece before the break. The Hikers in typical manner held their nerve in the second half and did not disappoint their voluminous fans. Young Aroydy Branford led the charge with a double strike while Devin Munroe, Jamarj

Assanah and Captain France, with his second of the match, each marked their names on the score sheet. Tony Cole managed to score the lone goal for YMCA in the second half leaving the final score at 6–6. In the other men’s match of the evening, GCC put on a clinical display of hockey by demolishing Old Fort 7-1. Led by an inspiring burst of play by striker Leonard George, which included a delicate reverse stick deflection, the Bourda Boys took control from the outset. Midfield playmaker Kevin Spencer was first to score for GCC in the fifth minute but Old Fort managed to keep the game scoreless for the ensuing ten minutes until substitute George upon entering the game immediately made his presence felt

Braithwaite holds the lead in Handgun championships REIGNING Caribbean fullbore shooting champion, Lennox Braithwaite, took his winning ways to the shorter ranges and holds the lead in the Guyana NRA Handgun section End of Year championships after the first round of competition at the TSU ranges at Eve Leary. The fullbore marksman, who finished fourth in the just concluded National senior rifle shooting championships, recorded 293 points in the .22 Precision Pistol event last weekend and goes into the second stage with a six-point advantage over experienced hand gunner, Hemant Narine, who recorded

Lennox Braithwaite 287 points in a fiercely fought first round of competition. Female shooter, Vidushi Persaud, held on to third po-

sition with 277 points. The shooters will now focus their attention on the Practical Pistol Shoot at the Timehri ranges on Sunday starting at 09:00 hours. The third and final leg is set for December 7th with the Action Pistol event at the TSU ranges at Eve Leary. The presentation of prizes for the handgun and fullbore championships will be presented during the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) annual presentation ceremony to be held during December at a date and venue to be confirmed.

T&T Under-16s beat India to play Australia in the final SYDNEY, Australia, (CMC)- The Trinidad and Tobago Invitational Under-16 team defeated India by 21 runs in their 50 overs match to qualify for the Bradman Foundation final in Australia. T and T scored 217 for nine and then bowled out the Indians for 196 in 47.5 overs to setup a rematch with Australia in the finals. The visitors suffered two slumps but a couple of solid partnerships helped them to recover and remain on course for a competitive total. Emilio Gopaul and Darel Cyrus topscored with 46 and 44 respectively to put the T&T innings back on strong footing while the last pair of Cavan Byrne (17) and Renaldo Mohammed (16) helped to take them to 217 for nine at the close of their innings. India also needed a win to advance but were deprived as well with some sharp fielding and tight bowling by the Trinidadians Spinners Siba Batoosingh three for 24, Gopaul two for 20 and Jonathan Bootan one for 31 put the India batsmen under enough pressure to suppressed their run chase. “I am delighted we could make it to the final. My hope is that they have learnt enough to put in a great performance against the Australians,” said Coach Kenny Benjamin. “This tournament is an excellent platform for a career in international cricket and I am certain several members of this team are destined for international senior assignments in the near future.

with two goals in quick succession to give GCC the 3-0 lead. Mark Sargeant managed to take the half time score to 4-0 with an accurate finish in the final minute of the first half. Although Old Fort’s inspirational leader, Aderemi ‘Dove’ Simon was able to

score a single for Old Fort in the second half, three more goals from Stuart Gonsalves, Spencer and Sargeant closed out the match for GCC at 7-1. The GCC vets looked unstoppable as they chalked up their second easy victory of the competition with a 6-2 defeat of Trinidad’s Fatima. The tireless Alan Fernandes proved too much for the Fatima defence as the midfielder tallied a helmet trick (4 goals) for the match which was accompanied by singles from Philip Fernandes and Damon Woodroffe. Nicholas Wren put in a

spirited performance for Fatima but his two goals fell shy of the requirement leaving GCC the runaway victors at 6-2. The Trinidad Police suffered some flight complications and paid a heavy price for having to field a diminished side against the Hickers in the other Caribe vets division clash. The Hikers ended with a resounding 13-0 victory, with a five goal haul from striker George Melville, a hatrick from Amanda Garnett, a double from Devin Munroe and singles from Robert Fernandes, James Mentore and Brian Asregado.

YMCA goal keeper Azad DeAbreu (sliding on floor)n about to foil another Hikers’ quick break attempt at the National Gymnasium on Thursday night.

Boxers Ink contracts for Boxing Night card By Michael DaSilva

THE eight boxers that will be involved in fistic action in the Nation’s Promotion Pro-Am card on Boxing Night, yesterday put their signatures to their respective contracts in the Board Room of the Abdool and Abdool Insurance Company, High Street, Georgetown. The boxers all promised to give of their best come fight night with heavyweight, Shaundell Park, predicting that her four-round bout against fellow Lindener, Shelly Gibson, would not go the distance. Park who weighs in excess of 300 pounds said she has been inactive in the ring for quite a while, but she has been training very hard for this fight and she will give of her best come fight night. Gibson, after telling members of the media she does not want to comment on the fight and after hearing Park’s prediction said “on the 26th of December me and Shaundell will have something to laugh about.” The card will feature four professional fights and a similar amount of amateur bouts. The names of the amateurs that will be on show have not been released as yet. The feature bout on the card will bring together Derrick Richmond and James Walcott in a 12-round Super Middleweight title fight, while the other supporting bouts will see Kelsey George facing Romeo Norville in a four-round Super Middleweight bout and Kishawn Simnon tackling Cassius Matthews in a six-round junior Welterweight contest. Addressing members of the media yesterday, promoter, Omotola Gaulding, said the main objective of the card is to assist young aspiring boxers, but the success of the programme depends heavily on public support. According to Goulding, contributions for the staging of the card came mainly from United States Guyanese boxers and boxing gyms in New York. He informed that his father, Carl Goulding, who hails from Berbice but lived in Linden for a number of years, was once a sparring partner for Terrence Ali and Linden born, Walter Smith. He added that his father eventually became a professional fighter and had a few professional fights. He also said his father is the person behind him promoting the card since it is his father’s main objective to contribute to the development of boxing in Guyana. The young Goulding said there are lots of persons in the US who have an interest in developing boxing in Guyana and they have pledged their support. “This event is just a start, but we plan on doing one every quarter, but this depends on everyone playing their part,” Goulding stated. Asked if he is concerned about the prevailing weather, Goulding said if the same weather pattern continues, he would be looking at alternative arrangements including an arena type atmosphere. Meanwhile, Walcott in speaking about his predictions for his fight against Richmond said he has been in the game for quite some time but has never won a title bout and hopefully this is the time to win one. Richmond in response said the title is going back with him to Berbice. Simon for his part said he did not prepare properly for his last fight which he lost, but this time around he would be properly prepared. Simon’s opponent, Cassius Matthews, in response said he would not do much talking but is confident that come December 26th he will come out victorious.

Sport CHRONICLE

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6TH GUINNESS ‘GREATEST OF DE STREETS’

Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival

Barbados’ YMCA surprise defending champions, Hikers Please see story on page 35

Frank scores fastest goal but Sophia South lose contest By Calvin Roberts SOUTH Sophia’s Stayon Frank scored the fastest goal to date in this year’s sixth annual Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Futsal football competition last Thursday night at the National Cultural Centre tarmac, but his side lost to Back Circle 3-2 via penalty kicks. Also recording victories were North East La Penitence,

STAYON FRANK California Square, Alexander Village, West Front Road, East Front Road, Albouystown ‘B’ and Queen Street-Tiger Bay over Festival City, Kingston, D’Urban Street, Cross Street -Tiger Bay, Island All Star, Tucville and Albouystown ‘A’ respectively. The shrill sound of the referee’s whistle was dying away in the still of the night, when Keavan Frank, the elder brother of Stayon Frank, found his sibling who fired a first time shot which rocked the net five seconds into the contest against 2011 champi-

...Queen Street Tiger Bay shock Albouystown ‘A’

ons Back Circle. Andy Duke was presented with a ‘golden opportunity’ to score the equalizer for Back Circle, after a player from South Sophia controlled the ball in the red zone, but the ensuing penalty kick was missed by Duke in the 12th minute. Two minutes later, Wayne Wilson made amends on behalf of Duke when he scored from the penalty spot to neutralize the game just before the half, following an intense battle which followed Stayon Frank’s goal and Duke’s missed penalty kick. As both teams went in search of the go-ahead goal in the second half, it was Back Circle who lost to defending champions, Leopold Street, in last year’s final, who seized the initiative when Duke found an unmarked Leon Murray lurking in front of South Sophia’s goal area, for which his teammate made no mistake in the 25th minute. However, Back Circle’s celebration was short-lived, when Keavan Frank eased the ball through the legs of Seon McKenzie in defence for Back Circle two minutes later, sending the game to penalty kicks, wherein Back Circle came out on top 3-2. In the night’s opening encounter, a composed looking North East LaPenitence lineup inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Festival City in a fast paced and exciting encounter that drew the attention of the spectators who braved the overcast conditions overhead, to witness the night’s action. Festival City’s Daniel Favorite had some good shots to goal blocked by the opposition lineup, who tried feverishly to get the ball to their key player in Bevon Moseley on several

occasions, and when they did in the 16th minute, he sent them in the lead with a scorcher. Favorite equalized one minute later for Festival City, but a never-say-die North East LaPenitence lineup, continued to take the fight to the much fancied Festival City unit and were rewarded in the 22nd minute, when Colin Moore recorded the winning goal to hand them a 2-1 victory. Back in the days, Kingston were known to be a force to reckon with in this type of football, but the way they were outplayed and out maneuvered by California Square, who romped away with a 4-0 win last Thursday night, left much to be desired. Mark Anthony and Mark Canterbury scored in the 8th and 19th minute respectively for the victors, who sealed the win with a double strike from Allan Spencer, whose goals were scored in 25 and 27 minutes, with the second

Please see page 32

Festival City’s key player, Daniel Favorite (red), is closely marked by North East LaPenitence Bevon Moseley and his teammate, during their exciting matchup in the sixth annual Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ competition last Thursday night.

Heaven is Jamaica’s new cricket chief

WILLIAM HEAVEN

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC)-Wilford Heaven is the new president of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) after winning a landslide victory in general elections on Thursday. Heaven was elected over outgoing vice-president Milton Henry, polling 75 votes to his 21 and will replace outgoing president Lyndel Wright “I think what transpired was that the delegates recognised that there needed to

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be change if the sport is to move forward, and that is why they elected me,” said Heaven, the chief executive officer of CHASE Fund. “I am grateful, and I look forward to working with my team and all those who want to see cricket grow and develop”. During his campaign, Heaven kept the focus on applying inspired leadership to change the fortune of Jamaica’s cricket, strengthen governing structures, and

increase the association’s revenue base. “It’s a lot of work, but we are committed to task, and hope to hit the ground running with our planned policies and programmes as soon as possible.”he added. The new executive also includes former West Indies captain Courtney Walsh who was elected second vice-president. Heaven and his team will serve a two-year term.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2013