2014 09 22

guyana No. 103958 monday september 22, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

President

PRICE: $60

Page

INCLUDING VAT

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chides Granger President Donald Ramotar

––over ‘media-based communication style’

Courts launches Christmas promotion –at 21st Anniversary celebrations

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David Granger

Hague ‘dentex’ confesses to Page 8 murdering ex-lover

In Custody: Sudesh Lakeram

Acting President, Mr. Samuel Hinds (fifth right) joins Courts (Guyana) Managing Director, Mr. Clyde de Haas (fourth right) and other members of staff in celebrating the company’s 21st Anniversary

Stabroek News, in its push for local government elections, has become a political ‘henchman’ for the opposition!

Altercation between Page 3 manager, worker triggers massive strike

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Courts launches Christmas promotion

guyana CHRONICLE monday september 22, 2014

–at 21st Anniversary celebrations

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally COURTS Guyana celebrated their 21st Anniversary yesterday when they highlighted their many achievements as they continue to invest in Guyana, and also launched a new promotion titled “The season starts now at Courts, get instant cash back.”

Speaking at Courts Guyana Main Street Branch,Clyde de Haas, Managing Director of Courts (Guyana), declared that he is proud to say that “our company, after 21 years, is still going strong, and is able to contribute to Guyana’s economy.” He said, “I remember when Courts opened 21 years ago; it was a really big thing, because Courts brought enormous change to the Guyanese customers.

They made it possible for people from all walks of life to acquire durable household items at an affordable

price.”

MORE GUYANA-MADE FURNITURE The Managing Director said further that Courts Guyana sees reason to continue to invest in Guyana’s economy and only recently started and almost completed a US$6M bond that will now be able to absorb more Guyana-made furniture for local and export uses.

He thanked all customers, saying that “without your continued support we would have not made it to 21 years - I thank you.” He also thanked his staff for their commitment and hard work.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, acting in the capacity of President of Guyana, during his feature address at the ceremony congratulated Courts Guyana on behalf of the Government of Guyana on their Courts (Guyana) Director of Sales, Ms Lavern Backer, and Managing Director, Mr Clyde de Haas treat Acting President, Mr Samuel Hinds to a generous helping of the traditional birthday cake that was specially baked to mark the auspicious occasion (Photos by Adrian Narine)

Courts (Guyana) Managing Director, Mr Clyde de Haas, and local entertainer, Tennicia DeFreitas doing a Courts birthday dance

21st Anniversary and thanked them for their continued investment in the country’s economy. He noted that it must have required some bravery and courage 21 years ago to invest in merchandising in Guyana, adding that it was Courts that reintroduced hire purchase arrangements to the Guyanese people. “In the 1990’s hire purchase was not offered and Courts challenged that conventional view by offering Guyanese families an accessible way to improve furnishings in their homes,” Prime Minister Hinds said.

He also remarked that he has no doubt that Courts Guyana has more good things in store and urged them to continue with the high standard of service they are currently offering.

He said the Government of Guy-

ana will continue to make sure that the best circumstances are always available for business. And he remind the managers of Courts of their promise and challenged them to deliver on that promise, observing that “some time ago I broke ground for a new bond and it was said that that bond would store goods and also stock furniture from our Guyanese makers to be sold in Courts stores, and these same furniture can be offered to other Courts stores within the Caribbean.”

The event attracted participation from staff members who joined in a dance with some customers, while a special Courts Guyana birthday song was performed by artiste Tennicia Defreitas.

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guyana CHRONICLE monday september 22, 2014

President chides Granger over ‘media-based communication style’ –says he’s done nothing to deserve the slight

President Donald Ramotar

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, in a letter to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Leader Mr David Granger, dated September 20 , has reiterated his Administration’s continued commitment to meet with the Opposition on matters of importance to the Guyanese people.

He, however, expressed grave reservations over the “the media-based communication” approach adopted by Granger.

“There is nothing that my team and I have done to prompt you to disregard our usual format. As such, I again extend to you an opportunity, at your convenience, to meet on these critical issues,” the President said.

The President highlighted that he responded to Mr. Granger’s September 9 letter, requesting

clarification about his insistence on matters pertaining to the Local Government Elections, but has not received any response to date.

“While awaiting your response, the Office of the President has noted your resort to the media, where you have been reported to have agreed to commence protests in support of your demands for Local Government Elections. At the same time, the media reports your calls for meetings with my Administration on other critical issues affecting Guyana,” Mr. Ramotar said.

According to the Head of State, notwithstanding this slight, his team remains on standby to engage the Opposition on matters of importance to the Guyanese people, since he is currently attending the United Nations General Assembly.

David Granger

Skeldon Estate shutdown…

Altercation between manager, worker triggers massive strike

By Vanessa Narine CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Dr. Raj Singh yesterday confirmed that workers at the Skeldon Sugar Estate, both factory and field, have resorted to strike action.

“We have a strike, and are working to resolve it,” he said,

adding that the workers on strike are associated with the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU).

GAWU President, Mr. Komal Chand, when contacted, explained that the strike stemmed from an alleged altercation between Estate Manager, Mr. Dave Kumar and one of the workers at the estate.

He said the report he received is that last Friday, at

around 11:30pm, the estate manager, who had allegedly been consuming alcohol, was on his way to the Dock Mill, where a cane harvest had been offloading. Before he reached there, he met several workers and reportedly asked them to move. The allegation is that all the workers see page 8

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Moday September 22, 2014

Ghani named Afghan president-elect after deal to end election dispute

By Hamid Shalizi and Jessica Donati KABUL, (Reuters) - Former finance minister Ashraf Ghani was named Afghanistan’s president-elect yesterday after he signed a deal to share power with his opponent, ending months of turmoil over a disputed election that destabilized the nation as most foreign troops prepare to leave.

The announcement withheld the final election numbers, apparently as part of the political deal between Ghani and rival Abdullah Abdullah, a former foreign minister who claimed the process was rigged against him.

“The Independent Election Commission of Afghanistan declares Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai as the president of Afghanistan,” commission chief Ahmad Yousuf Nuristani said.

The full results would be provided at a later date, Nuristani said, but did not say when. He acknowledged deep flaws in the June 14 run-off vote and said a U.N.-supervised audit was not adequate to weed out all the vote-rigging.

“Although the audit was comprehensive ... (it) could

Afghan rival presidential candidates Abdullah Abdullah (L) and Ashraf Ghani exchange signed agreements for the country’s unity government in Kabul, yesterday. fighting an emboldened Talnot detect or throw out fraud iban-led insurgency and paycompletely,” Nuristani said, ing its bills amid plummeting without taking further questax revenue. tions.

It will also face signifiUnder the terms of the cant difficulty in improving unity government deal the lives of Afghans who signed on Sunday, Ghani face hard times as aid flows will share power with a chief fall and as contracts with the executive proposed by AbNATO-led coalition dry up as dullah. The two will share most foreign troops leave by control over who leads key the end of the year. institutions such as the Afghan army and other execuSECURITY tive decisions.

AGREEMENT The new administration The accord signed on faces huge challenges in Sunday was the finalization

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of a broader power-sharing structure brokered by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who swiftly welcomed its signing.

“These two men have put the people of Afghanistan first, and they’ve ensured that the first peaceful democratic transition in the history of their country begins with national unity.”

One of Ghani’s first acts would be to sign a long-delayed bilateral security agreement with the United States, as he has previously declared support for the pact to allow a small force of foreign troops to remain in Afghanistan after 2014.

There is a risk that any instability could be exploited by neighbors, like Pakistan, whose past involvement in Afghan affairs have played a part in the conflicts that have dogged Afghanistan for decades.

“A difficult and challenged unity structure is still preferable to conflict between these two groups,” said a U.S. official in Kabul.

“Having them both working together within the government and direct their energies toward positive reform is again preferable to some of the alternatives.”

Ghani, an ethnic Pashtun, and Abdullah, whose

main support comes from the country’s second largest ethnic group, the Tajiks, face a difficult task forging unity in a country riven by ethnic and tribal rivalries.

Abdullah’s accusations that the run-off election was rigged in Ghani’s favor had raised fears of ethnic violence, which could have ignited a broader conflict.

“A spark could have dealt a strong blow to the political process, if today’s deal had not happened,” commented Waliullah Rahmani, director of the Kabul Center for Strategic Studies. “But, we have crossed that moment.”

Turkey says no ransom paid for release of hostages held by Islamic State

By Seda Sezer ISTANBUL ,(Reuters) - President Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday no ransom had been paid for the release of Turkish hostages held by Islamic State but he declined to be drawn on whether their release freed Turkey’s hand to take a more active stance against the insurgents.

Turkish intelligence agents brought 46 hostages seized

by Islamic State militants in northern Iraq back to Turkey on Saturday after more than three months in captivity, in what Erdogan described as a covert

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rescue operation.

“A material negotiation is totally out of the question ...

This is a diplomatic success,” Erdogan said before leaving for a gathering of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Security sources told Reuters on Saturday the hostages had been released overnight in the town of Tel Abyad on the Syrian side of the border with Turkey after being transferred from the eastern Syrian city of Raqqa, Islamic State’s stronghold. Officials declined to give details of the rescue operation.

The hostages, including Turkey’s consul-general, diplomats’ children and special forces soldiers, were seized from the Turkish consulate in Mosul on June 11 during a lightning advance by the Sunni insurgents.

Their capture had left Tur-

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key, a member of the NATO military alliance and a key U.S. ally in the Middle East, hamstrung in its response to the Sunni insurgents, who have carved out a self-proclaimed caliphate in parts of eastern Syria and western Iraq, just over the Turkish border.

Addressing the rescued hostages and their families earlier on Sunday, Erdogan said Turkey’s main hesitation about fully committing to a U.S.-led coalition to tackle Islamic State had been concern about their safety.

“TURKEY’S REPUTATION” “Our main duty was to think about the security of your lives. At the same time it is also our duty to think about Turkey’s reputation,” Erdogan said.

“For some coalition demands we could say yes immediately. But we could not say yes (to others) because we had 49 lives and we said that we can’t take a step without resolving this.”

Three of the 49 hostages were local people, not Turks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

Air Canada introduces checked-bag fee for travel to Caribbean members, military personnel or anyone booking with Air Canada Vacations have also been spared.

“We’re matching the market,” the airline’s chief financial officer Michael Rousseau told an investor conference last week. “It’s what the market is bearing at this point in time.”

The airline said about 20 per cent of its Canadian customers will be subject to the new fee, which represents

TORONTO, Canada (CMC) –Economy-class passengers travelling to the Caribbean, the US Mexico and within Canada on Air Canada, will now have to pay C$25 for luggage.

According to Air Canada, those travelling on Flex and Latitude Economy Class fares, or Altitude Prestige, Elite and Super Elite members will not be affected.

Business class travellers, Star Alliance Silver and Gold

the equivalent of about five per cent of Air Canada customers system-wide.

It’s believed the new fees could bring in between C$50 million and C$75 million a year in new revenue for the carrier.

Analysts had been expecting the move, especially after WestJet moved first, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

It’s believed the new fees could bring in between C$50 million and C$75 million a

year in new revenue for the carrier.

The airline is expected to see about a US$50-million bump in its revenues from the fee in the first year, but according to analysts it comes with a “possible upside for travellers.”

Almost all major North American carriers now charge for checked baggage, with the notable exceptions of US lines JetBlue and Southwest.

PM Skerrit says ruling Caribbean among most vulnerable regions to climate change party preparing for SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (CMC) – Environmental experts say developing societies in the Caribbean are the most vulnerable economies in the Americas to climate change because the majority of the population reside in coastal areas.

According to the Spanish international news agency (EFE), rising sea levels, coastal erosion and the spread of tropical diseases are among the signs of climate change.

“Atlantic Ocean temperatures have been increasing in recent years, and the water’s pH imbalance has

been harming marine species,” said Ernesto Diaz, director of the Coastal Zone Management Program at the Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources, during a news conference organized

by El Puente Latino Climate Action Network. “ We a r e l o s i n g o u r beaches and that not only affects tourism but also our people,” added Diaz, predicting more intense hurricanes.

He urged Caribbean governments to maximize the protection of ecosystems and inhabitants.

Diaz said it is understandable that the Caribbean

calls for more international cooperation on the issue and that he expects the region’s representatives to call for action once again at this week’s UN Climate Summit in New York.

“We are the first ones to experience climate change,” he said, noting that populations of coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to rising sea level and hurricanes.

Cecilio Ortiz, associate professor in Public Administration from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, said governments must learn about the issue in order to prevent or lessen the impact

Mexico drug suspect Aquiles Gomez killed Mexican police have found the body of Aquiles Gomez, who was thought to be one of the main leaders of the Knights Templar drug cartel.

The body was found with a bullet wound in a house in central Michoacan state.

He was believed to be the brother of Servando “La Tuta” Gomez, head of the Knights Templars and one the

country’s most-wanted drug suspects.

Several of the cartel’s top commanders have been killed recently, but La Tuta remains at large.

The Knights Templar controls much of the methamphetamine and marijuana trade in western Mexico.

Prosecutors said Aquiles Gomez was one of its main

operators, alongside his brothers Flavio and Luis Filipe Gomez.

Police found his body on Friday at his home in Lazaro Cardenas, a port city on the Pacific coast and a drug-trafficking hotspot.

VIGILANTES In January, vigilante groups began a series of oper-

of climate change on their territories, according to EFE. Meanwhile, in the lead-up to UN’s Climate Summit, the United Nations on Saturday lit up its iconic Headquarters complex in New York with a spectacular 30-story architectural projection show aimed to inspire global citizens to take climate action.

The Climate Summit aims to catalyze ambitious action on the ground to reduce emissions, strengthen climate resilience and mobilise political action toward a “meaningful, robust, universal, and legal climate agreement by 2015.” ations against the group in Michoacan state. The vigilantes took control of several towns before federal forces were deployed to the area.

The Mexican government invited the vigilantes to join the official security forces and carry on the fight against the cartel Farmers in an area known as Tierra Caliente say they are victims of extortion and kidnappings carried out by the Knights Templar.

General Election

ROSEAU, Dominica, (CMC – Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says members of the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) have been told to prepare for the general election that is constitutionally due in March 2015.

Roosevelt, who was speaking on a recent radio programme, hinted that a general election is close but he is not ready to reveal the exact date.

“Elections will be called when it is constitutionally due,” he said. “I have said to the people of Dominica that they should stand ready to go to the polls at any time. Once you past four years it could

be called at any time.”

He said the government needs to complete several projects and programmes before making the announcement.

Some of the projects include the Roseau Enhancement Project (REP), the Indoor Sporting Facility in Stockfarm and the Melville Hall to Pond Case road.

“There are a number of things that we have to still do but I have told my party to ready itself and they are preparing for election,” he said.

“So elections are due in the next eight months … we are very confident and the party is preparing itself and keep your eyes on me.”

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Moday September 22, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Wanted: An holistic approach to Domestic Violence THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security ran an advertisement in the print media of Sunday, November 9, 2008 headed, ‘DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: BREAK THE CYCLE; TAKE CONTROL’.

The ‘ad’ defined domestic violence as “Behaviour which causes one partner in a relationship to be afraid of the other,” [which can take the form of physical or sexual abuse and forced social isolation away from friends and family members.

It prescribed one’s rights, which are laid out in the Domestic Violence Act (1996) as “recognised under the law and law enforcement agencies, such as the courts,” and stipulates that the Guyana Police Force must help to enforce the rights of, and offer protection to, any man, woman, or child who may be experiencing domestic violence.

Some signs of domestic

violence are described as: *Persistent verbal abuse.

For example, quarelling and cursing (I will add to that derogating one’s character and making unjustifiable insulting remarks about one’s self and one’s loved ones.) *Threatening the person with physical violence (threatening to hit the person with hands or objects) as well as actually hitting the person. *Damaging the property of a person. For example, breaking a person’s cellphone, tearing or burning a person’s clothing, among other things. *Following a person from place to place, even though that person does not want to be followed. * Hiding clothing or property used by the person. For example, hiding a person’s cellphone, their clothing, their identification card, their passport, and even their money. * Making persistent and/or unwelcome contact

with the person. For example, calling the person on their cellphone or home phone many times per day, watching the person’s house, waiting for the person to leave work or place of study, following the person from home or work, even though that person does not want to be followed or watched. * Using abusive language to a person, or behaving towards a person in such a way that could result in that person being ill-treated. For example, cursing and quarreling with a person in front of others, and then encouraging others to do the same.

The ‘ad’ goes on to suggest actions one should take to protect oneself (and possibly others) from domestic violence, and to provide a descriptive analysis of a Protection Order.

One of the suggestions made is to make a report to the nearest police station; but therein lies a conundrum.

Those who are supposed “To Protect and Serve” most

often have provided the catalyst for a tragedy to occur by their attitude, attention – or lack thereof, and plain don’tcare-a-damn behaviour when a complainant drums up the requisite (most often with great difficulty) courage and lodges a complaint.

Many victims of continuous abuse are killed because of the complacency of the members of the Police Force, who refuse to investigate complaints and lay charges, or take the actions necessary to protect the victim from further abuse.

Guyanese have stopped being their brother’s (and sister’s) keepers because, in many communities, neighbours witnessing a continuum of, and escalating instances of, abuse refuse to become involved.

They prefer to enjoy the unfolding tragedy, even adding to it with malicious rumour-mongering and strife-making, because the

titillation of feuds and wars within families find a corresponding resonance in the dark nuances resident in every soul; and the average person refuses to rise above their more decadent equivalencies to achieve a higher plane of thought and action, enough to maybe intercede and probably save a family from ultimate destruction.

And one wonders what part the church bodies and religious leaders play in melding communities into units cohesive enough to fashion strategies for interventions within families and the general society in efforts to divert energies into more productive and peaceful approaches to conflict resolution – even to the point of empowerment.

The acceleration in violence-prone conflicts within

families and societies is spiraling out of control, to the extent where many lives have been lost, with many more dislocated, and there seems to be no end in sight.

Unless there is a holistic, proactive approach, where all stakeholders in the nation are made aware that this cause and this fight is a national one, because, more often than not, it is our children – the future generations of our nation, who are the statistics of domestic violence, every effort made –valiant and committed as they may be, will prove woefully inadequate, because domestic violence is a national tradition entrenched in the Guyanese psyche.

Freddie’s ‘confrontational’ style’s in poor taste PLEASE allow me space in your newspaper to express my views on the personal attacks Freddie Kissoon has been engaged in recently. This confrontational style is a ploy Freddie uses to avoid anwering pertinent questions readers ask. I will now look at a few examples of this poor strategy that Freddie has resorted to.

1. Oscar Ramjeet recently chided APNU’s Greenidge for saying that there has been political interferance in the judiciary. Kissoon decides to attack the character of Ramjeet, rather than respond to the opinion expressed by the latter. In his september 10th feature column, Dave Martins, Oscar Ramjeet,Shaun samaroo and Guyana’s tragedy”, Kissoon calls Ramjeet a “low rated

lawyer” and further suggests that Ramjeet, “cannot see beyond his ethnic nose.” I was disappointed in this per-

sonal attack on Ramjeet. Is it that Kissoon has no proper response to Ramjeet so he resorts to character attack?

If this is so then Freedie has demonstrated poor academic skills.

Another example can be found in Freddie’c feature column of September 11 in

the Kaieteur News, titled, “Nigel Hughes,Henry Jeffrey, and Henry’s bucket.”

In this column, Kissoon refers to Jeffrey’s profile as, “a terrible mess”, and further describes the latter as a “twin of Ralph Ramkarran.” Here again we see Kissoon resorting to attacking the character of Jeffrey but he(Kisssoon) did not touch on two important issues that Jeffrey raised, that is, Hughes performance in the Lusignan massacre court case and his (Hughes) controversial association with the Amelia Falls Project.

Kissoon further extols the virtues of Hughes as “the most active voice in the A.f.C for African rights”.

Is this a solid reason why

Guyanese should vote for Hughes and the A.F.C. at the next elections? Hughes is Kissoon’s lawyer and as such the latter does not see Hughes doing any wrong.

Why is it okay for Hughes to fight for African rights and when Ravi Dev, Vishnu Bisram, Ramracha,etc, speak out against injustices perpretrated against Indian Guyanese, they are labelled as “Indian Supremists.” In fact Kissoon once declared Hughes as one of his persons of the year, some time back.

Kissoon also pronounces on every issue in the country. One example is the Royston King court case, which should be decided by the court, but Kissoon is the judge, jury and executioner. Let the courts do their job! There are other issues, but I would

prefer to see Kissoon discuss issues and not attack peoples’ characters in the

future.

RAKESH SINGH

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

Health Ministry’s PS to report to CID today --as investigations into SECL alleged fraud continue

By Vanessa Narine CRIME Chief, Mr. Leslie James, yesterday disclosed that Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Leslie Cadogan, is expected to report to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today, as the investigations into the alleged fraud by Surendra Engineering Company Limited (SECL) continue.

“We have spoken to Mr. Cadogan already, and we are in the process of taking his statement. He will be required to report to us tomorrow morning (today)...

Based on the information we gain from him, we will

be guided as to who else we will be speaking to,” he said.

The company, which won the bid for the contract to design and construct the proposed Specialty Hospital, has had its contract terminated by the Government of Guyana earlier this month.

The current administration announced its intention to move against SECL after citing what it termed “deep concerns” over the execution of the contract, both as it relates to technical shortcomings and suspicion of fraud.

The Government of Guyana, since June this year,

had been engaging SECL on a number of issues regarding allegations of fraud and financial irregularities.

Initially, the Government’s concerns related to delayed milestones, and inadequate accountability by SECL for public funds the company had received on signing the contract with the Ministry of Health.

Subsequently, the Government of Guyana discovered that SECL’s representative in Guyana had submitted a fraudulent document purporting to emanate from the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. The fraudulent act by SECL has since been confirmed by the Central

Bank of Trinidad and Tobago The Crime Chief told the Guyana Chronicle that no official from SECL has been interviewed as yet.

The start of the investigation came after a dossier of documents was submitted to the police by Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mr. Anil Nandlall, with a letter requesting such a procedure.

When the contract was terminated, Nandlall noted that the course of action to be taken will include: Termination of the contract and engaging the police; and requesting an investigation into the alleged fraud, both

of which actions have already been taken.

He had stated too that there was every likelihood of pursuing civil litigation against the company for compensation, damages and breach of contract.

SECL’s contract for the design and construction of the Specialty Hospital began in September 2012, after a bid of US$18.1M. Reports indicate that to date, the structural designs for the project have been completed, while the architectural designs are currently being reviewed. Physical progress has been seen on the essential site preparation which is some 75 per cent

completed. On the building foundations 361 piles have been supplied and 235 piles have been driven.

Additionally, a 12-month contract was been inked with consultant, VIKAB Engineering Consultants Limited, which was the company working with a local evaluation team that uncovered the irregularities and contract violations that forced the termination of the SECL engagement on the Specialty Hospital.

The current administration has made clear that it has lost confidence in the capabilities of Surendra Engineering Company Limited.

A deliberate, orchestrated effort to influence the course of justice REFERENCE is made to various articles in Kaieteur newspaper edition of the 21/9 of which you are,l undoubtedly, well aware.

There would appear to be a deliberate and orchestrated effort on the part of the paper and no doubt that of the owner/publisher of the newspaper to give maximum coverage to the ongoing legal proceedings involving the vehicles imported by remigrants but “loaned to the Lalls”.

This can be construed as an apparent and continuing effort to influence the learned Chief Justice in his impending decision. This belief is further confirmed from the most naive reference made by the editor of the publication that “this matter is before the court, and I am sure it will go nowhere”.

Perhaps the editor of Kaieteur News can enlighten the public what is meant by this statement, and if he is privy to information that is not in the public domain. The GRA is still of the firm belief that the matter will be heard and determined expeditiously and justice will prevail.

While this reference to a current court case and these

unjustified and baseless statements may appear to the uninitiated to be innocuous, Mr. Harris should be seriously reprimanded by the Chief Justice for contempt. The statement that “nothing in the law that says a man cannot loan his vehicle” betrays the ignorance, misapprehension, misinterpretation of the law or represents a deliberate attempt by the publication to disseminate this misinformation to the reading public.

I am more inclined to believe it is the latter if you are to consider some of the misguided and grossly inaccurate information the publication has chosen to publish regarding the issue, as well as reckless and irresponsible behavior demonstrated by the KN. Whilst the Income Tax laws make provision for certain tax information to be treated as confidential, there are several exceptions to this general rule. Specifically, under S4 of the Income Tax Act a disclosure to the state is not prohibited, a disclosure for the purposes of the administration of the Act is allowed and a disclosure to any person with the authorization of the president

is permitted under the law.

These exceptions are further extended by the Revenue Authority Act, Act No. 13 of 1996. Under S23 of this Act disclosure is further allowed in four instances: a. a disclosure in the course of the persons duties b. with the consent in writing by or on behalf of the Authority c. when lawfully required to do so by an order of court d. when required to do so under any law S4(2) of the Income Tax Act provides as follows: “S4(2)Every person having possession of or control over any documents, information, returns, or assessment lists or copies of those lists, relating to the income or items of income of anyone who at any time communicates or attempts to communicate that information, or anything contained in the documents, returns, lists or copies, to any person— (a) other than a person to whom he is authorised by the President to communicate

it; or (b) otherwise than for the purposes of this Act, shall be guilty of an offence.”

The law clearly provides that the President and the state are legally entitled to receive information on any taxpayer and empowers the President to authorise the disclosure of any such information to any person(s). This privilege has been enshrined in the statutes. I can assure the Kaieteur News and the general public that all taxpayer information is treated with the strictest confidence and any disclosure is made lawfully in keeping with the laws of Guyana.

This supposed revelation of a plot to destroy the KN is nothing but an apparent attempt by the Newspaper’s publisher to forestall any audit the GRA may wish to undertake of the tax affairs of the KN which may uncover irregularities, tax evasion, tax avoidance, fraud etc. It is an attempt to intimidate the GRA and its officers from discharging their statutory duties and functions by suggesting that any audit of the KN is malicious and

vindictive. It is with regret that I must inform you that the GRA cannot abdicate it’s statutory mandate in light of spurious and baseless conjecture. Indeed it compels the GRA to action since these actions belie the fact the KN has an interest in preventing an audit by the Revenue a clear indicator of fraud and the need for an investigation.

I will not respond to your baseless and unfounded accusations in various articles that I was responsible for providing the Chronicle with the damaging information concerning the falsifying of documents on tax frauds allegedly perpetrated by KN and it’s Publisher. These statements are defamatory and I have instructed my Attorneys to institute legal proceedings against the KN and it’s publisher. These defamatory statements and issues pertaining thereto will be fully ventilated in the impending legal action.

In the circumstances the KN, it’s Editor and Publisher would be well advised to: 1. Acquaint themselves with the provisions of the

Tax laws particularly the provisions that prohibit the disclosure of confidential taxpayer information and the exceptions to this general rule; 2. Familiarise themselves with the provisions and process relating to the grant of remigrant status/duty concessions and the conditions attendant thereto, particularly the numerous potential sources the information allegedly ‘leaked’ could have originated from; 3. Be informed that the Kaieteur News and it’s publisher are subject to the Laws of Guyana like any other citizen; 4. Be reminded that the Commissioner General or the GRA cannot be intimidated into abandoning a statutorily empowered audit and will not be so intimidated.

Despite these unfounded attacks, threats, attempts at manipulation and intimidation, the GRA, myself and officers will remain professional in our conduct and execution of our duties towards all citizens of Guyana.

K SATTAUR Commissioner-General

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guyana CHRONICLE monday september 22, 2014

Hague ‘dentex’ confesses to ––Employer murdering ex-lover turns him in

By Leroy Smith

RAJKUMARIE Persaud, 23, of Lot 64 Hague Backdam West Coast Demerara was found lying in a pool of blood in the lower flat of her aunt’s home with suspected stab wounds about her body, as her reputed husband was seen fleeing the scene.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, the dead woman’s father Nehal Saul said he was at home at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, when he received a call that his daughter was stabbed by her reputed husband and was dead.

While no one witnessed

In Custody: Sudesh Lakeram

the stabbing, the woman, who was living in a one-bedroom apartment, was able to get her aunt’s attention by screaming. However, when the woman responded by venturing downstairs, it was too late, as her niece appeared to be dead. The incident has caused the woman to seek medical attention after witnessing the state in which her niece was found.

When the Guyana Chronicle visited the crime scene yesterday, the apartment in which the incident occurred was already secured by the police, who requested that no one should venture inside.

Family members gathered at the home where the murder occurred

Altercation between manager ...

from page 3

did not remove immediately and the estate manger became incensed.

“The report we have is that the worker was verbally abused, he was cursed at, and there was a scuffle where the estate manger allegedly attempted to hit him,” Chand said.

He added that the worker continued working, but was later informed that he was fired and escorted off the premises by the estate’s security personnel.

As a result, workers moved to strike action. “We understand that there was a meeting between Mr. Kumar and a workers representative, but the estate manager has refused to rescind his dismissal orders,” he said.

The GAWU president disclosed that the workers have indicated that they will continue their strike action today. “We will be meeting tomorrow (today) to address the situation,” he said.

Attempts to contact Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, for a comment on the matter proved futile.

The Skeldon factory, which has been

the target of much criticism, has been performing well over the past few weeks, but the strike action is expected to affect its production.

Skeldon Estate has surpassed its target of 13,795 tonnes of sugar for the first crop this year by 40 tonnes, comparing more than favourably with the actual production of 4,994 and 6,633 tonnes in 2013 and 2012, first crops, respectively.

In the second crop this year, Skeldon Estate is targeted to process 363,284 tonnes cane to produce 26,969 tonnes sugar.

The first crop was successful, surpassing the 75,000 tonnes target, bringing in about 80,000 tonnes. The overall target for 2014 has been moved from 216,000 tonnes to 219,000 tonnes. Sugar production came in at a dismal 186,500 tonnes for 2013, but Guyana has been taking steps to turn around the sugar industry and hopes to meet the 300,000 tonnes target soon, with a projection that the sector will reach its 400,000-tonne goal by 2020.

EIGHT-MONTH RELATIONSHIP Relatives said that they have no idea what may have led to the incident since the couple, although being separated, never really spoke much about their relationship and whether they had any problems while they were seeing each other for about eight months.

They described the suspect, Sudesh Lakeram, as a very quiet individual who is not known to be violent.

Relatives indicated that the two were separated, and on Saturday, Lakeram returned to the woman’s home to reconcile with her but it is unclear what happened.

Lakeram, who works as a dental technician at an East Bank Demerara dental clinic, fled to his workplace after committing the crime.

He called out to his employer upon arrival there, and indicated that he and his former lover had been involved in an argument and he had stabbed her to death The man then contacted the police, and the suspect was handed over to ranks at the Providence Police Station, who then made contact with their counterparts on

The murdered Rajkumarie Persaud with her infant son in happier times the West Coast of Demerara.

They showed up at the Providence Police Station, and whisked the man back to the division where the murder was committed.

On their way to the Leonora Police Station, the man was taken to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was given a medical check-up by doctors before being placed into custody.

The two have no children

together, and it is not clear what would have led to the breakup a while ago.

When the Chronicle visited the home yesterday, family members were already preparing for a wake even as others gathered were heard sobbing loudly at the loss of a loved one. The woman leaves to mourn her father and other relatives and friends along with her only son from a previous relationship.

Ramjattan stands by proposed ‘buy-out’ of APNU MPs allegations –thumbs nose at calls to verify or retract claims

By Vanessa Narine LEADER of the Alliance for Change, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, yesterday commented on the letter sent Speaker of the House, Mr. Raphael Trotman, by Chief Whip in the National Assembly, Ms. Gail Teixeira, registering the ruling party’s concerns over his allegations of a “buy-out” of Members of Parliament (MPs).

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has also responded to the issue in a statement, deeming the allegations “utter rubbish”, and challenging Ramjattan to disclose, publicly, the names of the three parliamentarians at reference, and make a full and frank public disclosure of all or any information he claims he has in relation to this matter.

But, the die having been cast, Ramjattan seemingly couldn’t care less what the PPP/C

thought of him. “The PPP and Ms. Teixeira can haul their asses,” he told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday when asked to comment on the matter.

At a press conference last Thursday, Ramjattan said his Party had been “reliably informed” that the PPP/C Government, against whom a No-Confidence Motion has been filed, has plans to “buy out” at least three parliamentarians, at $30M each, to vote against the Motion when it comes up for debate next month. Since that press conference, he has indicated that the MPs to whom he referred are from the main Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).

Ms. Teixeira, in her letter to the Speaker, has, inter alia, called on the AFC Leader to produce evidence in support of his see page 9

9

guyana CHRONICLE monday september 22, 2014

Sattaur rubbishes Kaieteur News’ claims

THE compromising of confidential tax information, breach of Oath of Office and a plot to destroy the local daily were some of the allegations levelled, in several articles published by Kaieteur News, against the Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Mr. Khurshid Sattaur yesterday.

And the Authority’s Head has since vehemently rejected these assertions, making clear that there is clearly a move afoot to compromise and influence the ongoing investigations into alleged tax fraud by the publisher of the local daily, Mr. Glenn Lall.

“The articles are designed to intimidate me into discharging my mandate to conduct a statutory audit into Kaieteur News,” Commissioner-General Mr. Sattaur told the Guyof the Guyana Revenue ana Chronicle.

Authority He added that he will Mr. Khurshid Sattaur be moving to the courts with a libel suit against Kaieteur News.

“The necessary arguments (refuting Kaieteur News’ claims) will be provided for the publisher and editor to respond to in a libel suit,” the GRA Commissioner-General said, adding that the stakeholder parties ought to have armed themselves with the facts before making false allegations.

According to him, the Page One headline in yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News, titled ‘Jagdeo/Sattaur plot to destroy Kaieteur News unearthed’; the column by the paper’s editor, Mr. Adam Harris, titled ‘Khurshid Sattaur uses his position to spite people’; and the ‘Dem Boy Seh’ column, titled ‘Dem crooks believe dem have a right to be wrong’ are grossly inaccurate.

Sattaur said, “The Kaieteur News has displayed misguided and grossly inaccurate information, as well as recklessly irresponsible behaviour.”

CONFIDENTIALITY PROTECTED Mr. Sattaur, in talking about the allegations levelled against him, explained that relative to the assertion that Mr. Lall’s confidential tax information was released, the Laws of Guyana permit the disclosure of information from his Office, “only” under certain conditions.

Under Section 4 of the Income Tax Act, a disclosure to the state is not prohibited, a disclosure for the purposes of the administration of the Act is allowed and a disclosure to any person with the authorization of the president is permitted under the law. These exceptions are further extended by the Revenue Authority Act, Act No. 13 of 1996. Under S23 of this Act disclosure is further allowed in four instances: a disclosure in the course of the person’s duties; with the consent

––moving to courts with libel suit

in writing by or on behalf of the Authority; when lawfully required to do so by an order of court; or when required to do so under any law.

The Kaieteur News had stated that former President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, is in possession of confidential documents that were leaked to him by Sattaur.

However, the Commissioner-General reiterated that the legal provisions regulating the release of information from GRA are clear.

The GRA Head said, “Everyone in this country knows or ought to know that the President is also legally entitled to receive information on any taxpayer. This privilege has been enshrined in the statutes since the days of the first executive President and used very effectively to prevent a certain category of persons from becoming too powerful from amassing wealth illegally and then using that ill-gotten gains to challenge and I dare say attempt to unseat the duly elected authority of power of the day.

“The mere thought that such an authority vests in the Presidency I submit, prevented persons from engaging in such nefarious activities... it is well advised because of the gravity of the offence you are accusing me of that you spend your time more constructively to conduct more research into what information is confidential and what the public has a right to know.”

As such, the GRA Head was firm in assuring that the confidentiality of tax information remains confidential.

NO BREACH OF OATH He stressed that at no time has he breached the oath of office that he took upon assumption of duties as the GRA’s Commissioner-General.

Mr. Sattaur surmised that the allegation that there was such a breach, appear to be linked to a move to seemingly influence the current court case that is before Chief Justice (ag), Mr. Ian Chang.

He said, “There would appear to be a deliberate and orchestrated effort on Kaieteur News’ part and no doubt that of the owner of the newspaper to give maximum coverage of their false statements.

“No doubt this is being done in their continuing effort to influence the learned Chief Justice in his impending decision. This belief is further confirmed from the most naive reference made to the current court case in the newspaper when one of the articles stated that ‘This matter is before the court and I am sure it will go nowhere’.”

NO PLOT The GRA Commissioner-General was firm in highlighting too that there is no plot to destroy the local paper, as has been alleged.

“Mr. Lall has published inaccurate information and displayed recklessly irresponsible behaviour. Now he wants to cry foul and suggest that (there’s) some sinister plot afoot to destroy the business of the newspaper,” he said.

Mr. Sattaur said the GRA is acting within its mandate to investigate allegations of tax evasion and recover monies owed to the State.

The Commissioner-General underscored the fact that, as a result of these efforts, the GRA’s revenues, each year, have been surpassing the target set in the National Assembly, by cracking down on tax evaders from tax schemes and from fraudsters employing various devious and pernicious devices that the GRA’s auditors and enforcement officers bring to light.

ACTIONS AGAINST LALL In the latter part of August, two vehicles, used by Lall and his wife, were seized, following the disclosure of details of an alleged duty-free concession scam, which were made public after a look by the Guyana Chronicle at the Government of Guyana’s review of the Remigrant Scheme.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to obtain copies of publisher of Kaieteur all the relevant documents News Mr. Glenn Lall - from the application to and approval by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, GRA, and shipping information that indicate that the government was possibly cheated out of a total of US$189,000 (US$94,500 times 2), or almost $40M in import duty for the two vehicles. This matter is currently before Chief Justice.

Days after being fingered in the alleged remigrant duty-free concession scam, Lall found himself at the centre of a tax evasion scheme. The allegation is that his company has, for over a decade now, been importing printing ink and passed them off as products of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), so as to enjoy duty-free concessions for those importations. Additionally, as it relates to the current state of the investigation of the matter, the Guyana Chronicle was informed that the necessary verification requests are still with the relevant authorities in Trinidad and Tobago.

Additionally, Mr. Lall and his wife, Bhena Lall, last week, were sued by the acting Town Clerk of the Mayor and City Council, Carol Sooba, for the sum of $5.6M and $60,142 for unpaid rates and taxes for the years 2004 to 2013 in relation to their property at 24 Saffon Street.

“The investigations being conducted by the GRA are based on the merits of our findings…I will not be intimidated,” the Commissioner-General concluded.

Ramjattan stands by proposed ‘buy-out’ ... from page 8 allegations. But Ramjattan is not likely to do that, since the information was allegedly given him by “a PPP man at the high end,” and corroborated by other senior Party members who sit on the PPP’s Central Committee.

“It is an incontrovertible fact,” he told the Chronicle yesterday. “I am not going to reveal the source; I cannot do that,” he stressed.

Ms. Teixeira, in her letter to the Speaker, had also stated that failure by Mr. Ramjattan to retract his comments will result in a move by the Government MPs to call for his referral to the Parliamentary Privileges Committee for besmirching and denigrating the image and integrity of all MPs and the entire National Assembly.

Again, Ramjattan was unmoved, saying that he stands by his position, which is that there was an attempted “buy-out” of MPs from the Main Opposition.

BUY-OUT DENIAL APNU Leader, Mr. David Granger, in commenting on the AFC Leader’s assertions, rejected them totally.

At an APNU press conference last Friday, he was emphatic in expressing his confidence that no APNU MP would fall prey to the alleged “buy out” by the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Also, the APNU leader highlighted that he was unaware that there was even an offer to “buy out” MPs by the PPP. “I don’t know who made it up, or where it came from,” the Opposition leader told reporters, adding that there has been no discussion between the People’s Progressing Party and APNU to hold off the no-confidence vote.

The National Assembly comes out of recess on October 10, and when a sitting is called the no-confidence motion, tabled by the AFC, will be up for debate.

The first page of the Motion reads: “Be it resolved that

this National Assembly has no confidence in the Government.”

If the Motion is passed, the current administration will be expected to be disbanded in preparation for a return to the polls.

As stated in Section 106 (6) of the Constitution: “The Cabinet and President shall resign, if the Government is defeated by the vote of the majority of all Members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

This is made even clearer in Section 106 (7), which states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office, and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall, by resolution, supported by no less than two-thirds of all elected members of the National Assembly, and shall resign after a new President takes the oath of office following the election.”

The last time general elections were held in Guyana was in November 2011.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

Speaker, AFC reject allegations of sexual assault of minor --Trotman calls for investigation

By Vanessa Narine SPEAKER of the National Assembly, Mr. Raphael Trotman yesterday was empathic in his denial of claims that he sexually assaulted a young man, made on the popular social media site, FaceBook.

“A malicious and unfounded allegation of sexual molestation has been made against me by an unstable young man, who, sadly, appears to have a troubled mind. I categorically deny his wicked assertions,” the Speaker said in a statement.

Trotman has since called for a “thorough and professional” investigation into the “scurrilous” allegation.

According to him, the young man seems to have been “conveniently encouraged by manipulative and diabolic political” forces.

“Conveniently, such scan-

dalous assertions are obviously intended to provide a timely distraction from the serious prevailing political situation in Guyana, which imminently requires me as Speaker of the National Assembly to guide the ship of the nation’s Parliament through the strongest test to Guyana’s constitutional democracy: the debate of a noconfidence motion,” he said.

The Speaker reiterated that there is “absolutely no truth” in the allegation, and expressed confidence that the masterminds and supporters of what he termed a “dastardly plot” will soon be exposed.

“As a true patriot of Guyana, I will not allow the office of Speaker of the National Assembly to be compromised or be denigrated by false accusations for political expediency…God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,”

Mr. Raphael Trotman Trotman said.

ATTEMPT TO TARNISH LEADERS Trotman’s party, the Alliance for Change, of which he is an Executive Member, has

also rejected the allegations, charging like him that the untruths stem from politically motivated attempts to tarnish the party and its leaders.

In a statement, yesterday, Party General Secretary, Mr. David Patterson, said, “The Guyanese public is well aware of the campaign of attacks and vilifications of its leaders which has been waged openly, perpetuated by known political elements and provocateurs acting on behalf of those to whom they are beholden.”

He added: “…the AFC is in receipt of information that a completely fabricated accusation of sexual abuse of a minor is being initiated against one of its senior members, Raphael Trotman.

The party views this as an attempt to create mischief by manufacturing a falsified public impression of the party of its official.”

Patterson said the Party condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the “reprehensible exploitation” of a heinous crime against minors for political purposes.

It has since laid blame at the door of the ruling party, claiming collusion with the persons who were “induced” to spout fabricated claims.

Patterson noted that the AFC views the false allegations as an “integral element of the political maneuverings” to attack the credibility and stature of the National Assembly, where the ruling party holds a minority.

“This accusation, the party views as another desperate and reprehensible attempt to disrupt the tabling of the No-Confidence Motion when Parliament resumes in October,” the party’s General-Secretary said.

The first page of the no-confidence motion, which

has been forwarded to the National Assembly by the AFC, reads: “Be it resolved that this National Assembly has no confidence in the Government.”

As stated in Section 106 (6) of the Constitution: “The Cabinet and President shall resign, if the Government is defeated by the vote of the majority of all Members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

This is made even clearer in Section 106 (7), which states: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office, and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall, by resolution, supported by no less than two-thirds of all elected members of the National Assembly, and shall resign after a new President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Granger tells media...

‘We can’t be sure of anything’ --on the likelihood of protest calls turning violent

By Ravin Singh FACED with questions last Friday about the possibility of violence erupting from protests called by A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Leader of the Opposition Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger told the media,“We can’t be sure of anything.”

Granger, who made the observation during his Party’s weekly press conference, tried to make light of the matter saying, “We may go on the street and get hit down by a car or by a stray bullet,” hinting that there is no guar-

antee that the protests will be non-violent.

The Opposition Leader had disclosed earlier last week that APNU will embark on a campaign of protests over the failure of the government to hold Local Government Elections, after he had issued an ultimatum for President Donald Ramotar to announce a date for those elections by August 15.

The President’s refusal to ‘play ball’ has resulted in the Opposition Leader issuing another statement last week saying he was promoting protest over the holding of Local Government Elections.

Granger had also appeared on television during the week, encouraging citizens to take to the streets in support of the holding of these elections.

According to Granger at his press conference, APNU has appealed to the general public to ensure that their protests are peaceful; that they are executed in accordance with the law; and are orderly.

He noted that his Party has made a call for protests all across the country, which encompasses all municipalities and neighbourhoods.

“We have given instruc-

tions to our members in APNU, and we had a meeting of the Executive Council of APNU which endorsed this decision to call on the members to behave in an orderly manner,” Granger said, adding: “We are not going to achieve the constitutional objective of Local Government Elections by sitting on our hands; and the Government must understand that.”

He further asserted that “The people are angry; the neighbourhoods, the towns, the councils are angry, and they want to have Local Government Elections without

Leader of the Opposition Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger

further delay.”

After the results of the 2011 General Elections, Guyana was faced with scores of APNU protesters in front of Public Buildings repeatedly chanting, “We want Granger.” The crowd, which appeared to some onlookers as harmless, were of the belief that the elections had been rigged, and threatened no school or work the following day.

Although the protesters appeared to be harmless and unarmed, there were reports of barriers being pushed down. Although there were no reports of arrests, the situation was described as one which could have easily triggered nationwide unrest.

11

guyana CHRONICLE monday september 22, 2014

GECOM moving to develop new public awareness campaign

THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is continuing to bolster its level of overall preparedness, in the event that there is a move to the polls, and has initiated work on a public awareness campaign.

The campaign, which is expected to be launched soon, will see the airing of 30, 60 and 90-second infomercials on all radio frequencies and television stations. The awareness campaign will also include features to be made in the local daily newspapers.

The Commission has advertised for quotations to develop the 30, 60 and 90-second narrative-type infomercials, with appropriate background footage, as well as the production of 30, 60 and 90-second skit-type infomercials.

While there are expected to be advertisements in the local dailies, the infomercials are expected to be featured on air during both peak and non-peak hours.

This latest effort follows the ongoing recruitment process that will see the establishment of a reservoir of personnel who

would be trained comprehensively in Guyana’s registration and election process.

Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Mr. Vishnu Persaud, in a prior interview, told Guyana Chronicle that the move to have a pool of trainers will ensure that the Commission has personnel readily available for temporary employment for any registration or election process at short notice.

He added that this exercise will also remove the need for extensive continuous training, which is both time consuming and costly.

“This will save us a lot of time and money - rather than having to train new people for every new election and registration process, this way we only have to do refresher courses,” Persaud said.

ACTIVITIES OF TRAINERS According to an advertisement placed by the Commission

the responsibilities of these trainers will include: designing and developing materials appropriate to specific training needs pertinent to registration and elections management; organizing and delivering training strategies as appropriate; ensuring that training needs for all temporary staff are met comprehensively and adequately; and maintaining records of training activities.

The activities of the trainers will span Guyana’s hinterland and rural regions and will fall under the supervision of Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Mr. Keith Lowenfield.

“We are targeting about 60 persons who will be trained as trainers to move around the country and train other temporary staff for a registration or election process,” the DECO said.

Persaud also stressed that this exercise is in no way connected to preparations for either local government or general elections. “This is a part of our overall preparedness plan,” he reiterated. (Vanessa Narine)

Heritage Month marked by day of sports, family fun day THE Ministry of Amerindian Affairs on Saturday launched its Annual Day of Sports and Family Fun-day at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

The event was held under the theme: ‘Display of strength and unity through sport’ and con-

cluded yesterday.

Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony declared the event open, took the salute during the march past of participants, and delivered remarks. He also met some of the participants.

Some of the activities slated to be held

were: Volleyball, football, cricket and archery.

Additionally, there were several novelty games such as piwari-drinking, tuma pot-eating contests and fire-lighting.

Participants were drawn from all 10 administrative regions, and there were many booths

Let the games begin! Minister Anthony at the ceremonial opening

Minister of Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony meets the teams

and bars where one was allowed to have their pick of a wide variety of indigenous cuisine and drinks.

According to Anil Roberts, Sports Coordi-

nator in the Amerindian Affairs Ministry, the novelty games were billed for yesterday, as was the football final.

The day’s activities

was expected to culminate with a cultural programme, including a live performance by the Calibro Band, after the presentation of trophies.

12

guyana CHRONICLE monday september 22, 2014

Bartica IMC redefines NDC role

By Derwayne Wills

IN a move aimed at redefining the role of the NDC in the

––honours Region’s top CSEC, NGSA students

life blood of the community, the Interim

Management Committee (IMC) of the

Chairman of the Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Mr. Ovid Banjamin (centre), with (from left) top performers Antonio Jones, Kimberly Paul, Daniel Heyliger and Dexter Baptiste

Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council on Friday honoured students f ro m t h e p r i m a r y and secondary levels who would have performed exceptionally at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations and the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations.

The early-morning commemoration celebrated top performers in a ceremony which saw representation from IMC Chairman, Mr. Ovid Benjamin, Regional Executive Officer of Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Mr. Peter Ramotar, and other officials from the RDC and the NDC. Speaking at the

event, Benjamin noted that this is the first time in the history of the NDC that it has ever undertaken such an initiative. The NDC Chairman said this goes to show that “the NDC is not only interested [in]…garbage [and] drains”, but also in educational development, and even in security.

The IMC Chairman was confident that the students were deserving of the awards, since they as well as the rest of the region would have performed “exceptionally well.”

He further commented that such a move by the NDC allows for other students to be “encouraged to study even harder, so they also can be recipients

of such awards.”

Asked whether it is common for NDCs to host such events, the Chairman responded in the negative. He noted he is unaware of any other NDC that has made such a move, but expressed commitment of the Bartica NDC to advancing education in the region.

In a comment invited by the Guyana Chronicle, Region 7 Regional Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Ramotar complimented the IMC for their proactive role in the community. “[I] think that it is a good gesture to encourage the youngsters and to tell them that it is not the end [but instead], it is the beginning.”

The REO alluded to the fact that despite the presence see page 14

‘Homesick’ Vetalene misses the simplicity of Paramakatoi

By Michel Outridge VETALINE Edwin is a Paramakatoi, Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) resident, who has adapted to city life, having ventured into the world of work in Georgetown.

The 19-year-old currently resides with a guardian at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara and is employed at

Paramakatoi, was selected for a two-year scholarship programme through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

She successfully completed the Government Technical Institute (GTI) Computer Science programme and was on an August holiday work-study attachment at GNNL; after her attachment ended, she

Vetalene Edwin at work the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL) as an advertising clerk.

In 2012, Edwin, who comes from a family of seven, including her parents, from deep into the valley of

was asked to stay on.

Edwin’s stint started on June 2 and ended on August 16 and based on her assessment, she was offered a fulltime job at GNNL. This spritely young lady

says she is homesick and reminisces on her life and family back home, a village she can never part from and a place she calls “home.”

Edwin told this publication that she likes her job, because it allows her to interact with many people on a daily basis and it is quite interesting.

She said that in Paramakatoi life is simple; there is no telephone service and the only way of communicating with her folks is via internet calls.

Electricity is supplied through a solar system or by windmills; and only when it rains water is stored for consumption, and washing is done at a nearby creek.

She added that her village is nestled deep in the valley between mountains and is about a mile-long walk from the airstrip.

Edwin said that Paramakatoi is accessible only by air and a one-way ticket costs $29,000 and the return one-way fare is $18,000.

The last time she visited was last year August.

Paramakatoi has a secondary school which is often over-crowded and is in need of trained teachers.

Paramakatoi is a community in the Potaro-Siparuni region and it is 11 miles east of Kurukabaru.

13

guyana CHRONICLE monday september 22, 2014

Children being admitted to private school still under construction

By Celestine Juan

AS the new school term kicks off, the building which will house Camille’s Institute for Business and Science Studies is still being constructed.

The school is now located in the Diamond Junior Staff Compound, on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Although their teachers and students, which include infants are still attending school, concerns have been raised that their health and lives are in jeopardy, as it is unsafe to carry out construction while persons are being accommodated in the building.

Camille’s Institute provides education for all ages of children in nursery, primary and secondary; their services also include a

er, afraid to speak out because she said the school is owned by “money people”.

One worried resident wondered, “Why is it that parents are not concerned for their children in the building; that it shouldn’t be opened until it’s completed? Why are mothers sending their babies to a daycare that consists of a construction environment, which is a health hazard? I’m sure parents pay a lot of money to send these children to private schools, thus the children’s welfare should be first preference.”

A concerned parent remarked that she would be keeping her daughter at home after seeing the current condition of the school, and won’t be sending her back until it’s completely finished and safe for her child.

Also, persons are concerned that the A rear view of the school, with a scaffold still visible

A frontal view of the unfinished school daycare centre.

The present location of the school is in a private compound, and persons living there are furious at the fact that a school has been constructed in their oasis.

However the private school branch at Diamond was initially only supposed to facilitate students from day -care to kindergarten level, but is currently housing school pupils at a secondary level at the property, thereby breaching its terms.

One villager noted that she does not want the school in their area because they cannot understand how these people are getting permission to build a school there; the school is located close to houses and the noise is her concern. Further, residents in the compound were never informed of a school being built in the area and she fears that their interests are not being considered. They are howev-

playground for the children is close to the construction site, which is usually surrounded by wood and construction debris.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Parmanand Baboolall, NDC Overseer for the Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council noted that the school had applied to the Ministry of Housing for the lot allocated, which is currently pending.

Mr. Baboolall also noted that the institute had applied for the lot to be used as a residential building, but is now being used for a school. He disclosed that the matter is in the hands of the public health officer, because the school is being built without the correct documentation.

He also noted that proprietors of the school have not been granted such permission, but still went ahead with the construction and operations.

14

Bartica IMC redefines... from page 12 of some outstanding students who have performed exceedingly well in the region, “there is a missing component somewhere.”

According to Ramotar, the investment of central government in the region’s education drive is not the issue, but rather it is the “missing component.” He called for parents to have an increased role in developing education.

Also addressing the gathering was Mrs. Audrey Jones, who, speaking on behalf of Regional Education Officer, Charles Holmes, encouraged the high-flying CSEC students to give back to their community in some way.

She opined that they could begin “by giving at least one year of service to their school,” and added specifically that there is need for more teachers in the region’s education system.

Speaking with the honourees, Antonio Jones of the Three Miles Secondary School, who attained six grade ones, four grade twos and two grades threes, expressed his appreciation that the NDC had sought to acknowledge the hard work of top performers.

While he said that he didn’t find CXC to be challenging, he is looking forward to greater challenges and accomplishments as he hopes to gain a scholarship to further his studies in the

guyana CHRONICLE monday september 22, 2014 medical field.

With the prized element of self discipline, Three Miles Secondary School top performer, Lorenzo Jacobis managed to attain seven grade ones, four grade twos and one grade three.

He commented that, unlike the usual regimen of sleepless nights and early morning studying, he adopted a routine of quick revision, but managed to retain large amounts of information.

Jacobis said his usual activities after exams included some alone time with his PlayStation 3, but he nevertheless boasted of the ability to limit himself. It seems his self-discipline has met the test.

Other Three Miles student, Ms. Kimberly Paul said she had put in a substantial amount of work, studying late at nights and early in the mornings.

She offered a positive message to students who are preparing to sit exams next year, advising that they “stay focused and don’t let anything distract them.”

Asked about her next move in life, Paul dis-

Three Miles Secondary School top student, Lorenzo Jacobis, with his sister, Dr. Shondra Jacobis closed that she is currently a teacher at the High Achiever’s Institute of Learning in Bartica, but next year she hopes, like her colleague, to further her studies in the field of Medicine.

Speaking with the top performers, it is evident that there was a distinct individuality about their study regimen, and their approaches to life; nonetheless, their accomplishments are well noted.

Also receiving awards were Dexter Baptiste, Daniel Heyliger and Sarah David, all of the Bartica Secondary School; and Ruby Hodge and Ravi Ramdass of St. Anthony’s Primary School and of High Achievers private school respectively.

The Bartica NDC IMC is looking to extend its awards on Monday, honouring students from Waramadong in Region 7. Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Mr. Norman Whittaker had recently commended the NDC for being the only one of its kind to have budgeted for such a celebration of top academic performers.

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‘To whom much is given, from those much is expected’ ––graduates of Nehemiah Comprehensive told

By Shirley Thomas

NEHEMIAH Comprehensive School last Friday held its eighth graduation ceremony and Annual PrizeGiving exercise, at which 13 students were specially honoured with certificates and trophies: eight were fifth formers who were successful at the Caribbean Secondary Examinations

Meanwhile, Valedictorian was Sarran Lalbachan (a male), who outclassed all others, writing eight subjects and passing all eight with good grades. Other top graduating students were: Shemar Bovell, with seven out of eight; Ezekiel Younge also with seven out of eight; Shaquille Joseph, with six out of six; and Tevin Reynolds, five out of seven and

Mrs. Yvonne Osman, Director of Nehemiah Comprehensive School presents her report at the graduation ceremony Council (CSEC) and five, Grade Six students who passed the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) tests. Several others came in for honourable mention.

The ceremony was held at Generation Next, First Assembly of God’s premier learning institution, located opposite the Church at Lots. L&P D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, under the theme: “Turning Potential into Reality.”

This year, there was a dramatic twist in male/female performance at the examinations, compared to previous years. Seventy-five per cent of the graduating CSEC classes, this year, were males, compared to 25 females.

Quabilah Quallis.

To p p i n g t h e N G S A Class was Kiva Gordon who scored 446 marks followed

by Brent Alleyne – 437; Jerlana Mc Kenzie – 434; Aaleyah Maxwell – 402; Lammar Gonsalves – 365; and Niamke Ritch – 359.

Director of the School, Mrs. Yvonne Osman, congratulated both teachers and students for the successes scored. She acknowledged the teachers’ selfless and dedicated work performance, as well as their commitment and continued support. The students were commended for their hard work and for applying themselves diligently, while making the sacrifices required to come out on top.

Meanwhile, Guest Speaker, Ms. Paulette Ragobeer, observed that the teachers at Nehemisee page 18

The graduating fifth form students of Nehemiah Comprehensive School

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Moday September 22, 2014

St. Cuthbert’s Mission: A quaint little --tucked away on the Mahaica River

By Michel Outridge ST. CUTHBERT’S Mission is a quaint village tucked away on the left bank of the Mahaica River and is surrounded by savannah

and shrub lands on its east side, and dense vegetation on its west side.

The nearest large settlements are the capital city, Georgetown (57 miles away) and Mahaica (65

miles away by river).

It comprises of about 1,500 residents and is regarded by many people in Guyana as the “cultural capital” for Amerindians.

The livelihood of residents

evolve around mining, farming and logging but they enjoy sport hunting and fishing as well and the women are either housewives or engaged in various craft making.

The young people mostly

are either in school or mining while some are absorbed in the Community Service Organisation (CSO) project where they are employed at the health centre, schools, forestry, tourism and youth and culture sectors.

They however, receive a stipend of $30,000 monthly but some young men have nevertheless opted to venture out of the community to do mining.

St. Cuthbert’s Mission will celebrate Amerindian Heritage in their village on Saturday.

The village has a health centre, a nursery, primary and secondary schools, a youth centre, a huge benab, a community playfield, a church and several shops.

The community is headed by a Toshao and residents use their spare time to participate in meaningful activities of sports.

The village is accessible through the trail off the Linden/Soesdyke Highway by vehicle, which takes about half an hour to get there and by boat via the Mahaica River.

The trail lead Mission (Photo

Our Indigenous P THE Amerindians who inhabit Guyana have been making objects with their hands from time immemorial.

They are the descendants of people from India and Africa, who worked and learned about the land; there are the bearers of many other cultural traditions.

These Amerindian artists make beautiful objects using natural materials from jungle, savannah and sea, such as basket work from the ite palm tree and clay pots.

Amerindians live in almost every corner of Guyana, where they bring with them their genuine gift of art.

Amerindian basket work is particularly neat and of a high standard. Materials of different colours are used and skilfully woven to produce patterns of animal or geometrical designs.

Baskets are made for different purposes. Some

are also adorned with cotton and feathers. Cassava graters are also made in elaborate designs, the chips of stone being arranged in definite patterns. Working in wood is also an admirable Amerindian skill. Canoes, stools, bows, arrows and other articles are very skilfully done.

Head-dresses, ornaments, necklaces, and musical instruments are well finished and often elaborately decorated.

As an illustration of the themes outlined above, rock carvings are the most striking and mysterious example of Amerindian art; they are spread over a wide area of South America, being found locally at Waraputa and Timehri and certain other sites. They consist of human and animal figures and line drawings.

Unlike these carvings, paintings done in red and black pigments on shaded sandstone surfaces are of comparatively recent origin.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

village The village’s Youth Centre The village church

ding to St. Cuthbert’s os by Michele Outridge)

One of the popular shops in the community

The huge benab

Peoples and their rich tradition of artistric excellence

Some of the art and craft made by local Amerindians Here again, various figures are There are also articles these are used by remoter depicted; human hand-prints made of clay, in very com- tribes; pottery decorations predominate. mon use, and even today are of a high order.

The burial urns used by the interior tribes were constructed very simply and household articles of clay were often decorated with patterns. Some of the coastal regions were famous for decorated pottery.

The pottery of the early and less advanced tribes was plain and simple; as a higher stage of civilisation was reached, much skill was devoted to finishing and decorating.

When the earlier settlers arrived, pottery- making had reached a fairly high level and often the articles were quite artistically decorated. Decoration was either punched, scraped, incised or painted, and often clay figures were added as further decoration.

The musical instruments of the Amerindians were made at the cost of much labour; drums were made of hollowed trunks and the skins of animals, preferably the Howler Monkey. Flutes,

rattles and pipes were also used.

Among the Guiana Tribes, the Akawais were most fond of painting various patterns on their bodies and of using ornaments.

These habits continue to the present day and can be seen in tribes from the upland region of the Mazaruni.

The warlike tribes of the coast were particularly proud of their clubs, which they spent much time decorating.

After an enemy had been felled by a blow with the sharp edge, he was finished off by punching the pointed end into his ear.

Perhaps the greatest skill of the Amerindian was exercised in the art of weaving hammocks; several native fibres were used and hammocks often took several months to finish; decorations consisted of patterns woven with coloured threads and balls of wool.

Among most tribes,

basket-making was, and still is the work of the men who are very skilful, turning them out in different shapes and for different purposes.

Ornaments were used particularly during festive occasions and those made of bird skins are rather attractive.

Head-dresses of feathers were used by most tribes and feathers of several colourful birds were used.

Unfortunately, they are no longer used by the majority of tribes and the art of making this attractive article is now lost.

The bead aprons in intricate designs are still used by many tribes.

These items are often displayed and marketed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, as well as by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

With excerpts from http//www.silvertorch.com

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‘To whom much is given ... from page 15

guyana CHRONICLE monday september 22, 2014 are among the finest mentors coming out of Guyana. For this cause, she admonished the graduating students, “To whom much is given, from those much is expected. You are therefore without excuse, and must go out and live your potential. Live what you have learned. Character has been formed in you. Do not throw it away as you move to the next level,” she declared.

She also left with the graduates, a blue print for “Building proper Character.” * Commit yourselves to work for the greater good of the community * Be faithful and keep your promises * Be kind and share with others * Treat all people fairly * Do not give up, and give no place to discouragement And Ms. Cecily Baird, the

Guyana Representative for Bakki University, in delivering the Charge, assured the students, both graduating and continuing: “This is a safe place where God has placed you and he has nurtured you, and has caused you to grow and succeed. I charge you not to forget, but to remember.”

She urged them to remember the experiences they have had at Nehemiah comprehensive, to remember the journey which was an exciting one. “Remember all of the teachers, your parents and others who have invested in you.

Remember all you have learnt,” Ms. Bernard admonished the graduates, “Go and multiply it and teach others, to show forth that indeed you have a journey and as you transition to the top, remember to keep your flag flying high.”

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Michella Abraham-Ali: The radio-friendly voice from Nappi

Broadcaster, Michella Abraham-Ali with her daughters and hubby which includes her parents and eight siblings.

By Michel Outridge While growing up, Ali WITH September being said she had dreams like evdesignated Amerindian ery other teenager; she came Heritage Month, the Guy- to the city for school and ana Chronicle is featur- then went in search of eming a special woman in ployment, having completed broadcasting, whose voice her secondary education at is well known on the local St. Stanislaus College.

She told this publication airwaves.

Michella Abraham Ali, that she landed her first job with more than 11 years at the then Guyana Broadexperience, credits her suc- casting Corporation (GBC), cess to God and the strong after being auditioned with about 300 other applisupport from her family.

The mother of two girls, cants,which was whittled who has been married to down to 20, herself included.

Technical Engineer, Sha- She was subsequently shortmeer Ali, for the past 14 listed along with five others years, is a staunch Roman for the job.

Ali stated that from then Catholic and a very consershe has been on her way up vative individual.

Ali is a God-fearing the broadcasting ladder and woman, who hails from presently is the assistant Nappi, Region Nine and is manager production/radio grateful for emerging from a broadcaster.

She hosts a weekly muspiritually grounded family,

sical/educational radio programme titled: “Banks Sunday Moods” on 98.1FM and describes herself as not a very talkative person around people, but comes alive when she is alone in the radio room.

Ali spends her free time with a good book, worships at the Diamond Roman Catholic Church every Sunday, and enjoys out-of- town trips with her family.

She said that her parents, both retired head teachers, still reside in Nappi Village, Region Nine and is involved in non-governmental adult educational programmes, having spent many years in the education sector.

Ali explained that with the role of motherhood and a full- time job, she’s unable to visit her village often, but does so once a year with her husband and two daughters, ages nine and 11, respectively.

This effervescent young woman told this publication that she first spoke to her husband via telephone, by the way, as she was preparing for a radio programme at GBC 14 years ago as a rookie on the job.

It was after three years of courtship that they got married and together have their own house and live quite comfortably.

She said that they have achieved a lot over the years through hard work and sacrifice and a typical day for her starts at 04:00 hrs every day, as she prepares meals and gets the children ready for school.

Ali said, “I am not a very good cook, but my husband is and he assists me greatly in this endeavour for which I am thankful and we enjoy a family meal most evenings.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Moday September 22, 2014

Aries March 21 - April 19 Take a long hard look around before you take any action. If you’ve been feeling like it’s time to resolve a problem in your personal life, you could well be right: You’re at your most critical, analytical and insightful right now. But don’t rush into it. It’s important that you really understand the situation before you start in on changing it. This is as true for your finances as it is for your love life.

Taurus April 20 - May 20 Some days you are so darned analytical it seems as if you could take any old problem and analyse it down to its most important component parts, figure out how to fix it, and then just do it. That’s great. Whether it’s a work problem or a domestic issue, you’re going to bring these analytical skills to bear. Thank goodness for you!

Gemini May 21 - June 21 In your private life, you can chat for hours about this and that and who did what to whom and why, when you’re in the mood. But in all things business, you are nothing if not direct. You get right to the point without any preliminaries. This is something that your work partners appreciate enormously. It saves a lot of time that would be better spent networking or having a coffee break.

Cancer June 22 - July 22 Make a real effort. Sweat, sweat, sweat! Then sweat a little more. If you’re doing this work literally, you’ll be building important muscle groups in your body.

If you’re doing this work metaphorically, you’ll be building important muscle groups in your character. You’ll be a tough customer by the end of the day, and that is exactly what you need to handle your business.

Leo July 23 - August 22 Sometimes you can’t move on until you’ve really faced a problem from the past.

If you’re in this situation, today is the day when things could clear up a little.

Something shifts, and the past suddenly seems less threatening. You can look at it head on, and then move on. But take it slow: Even if it is easier, it isn’t easy, and you need to give yourself plenty of time to rest and recuperate.

Virgo August 23 - September 22 If you’ve been feeling stymied by various blocks, external and internal, that could all change now. Does it coincide, by any chance, with your return to a regular exercise routine? These two things -- the lifting of blocks and the sticking-to-it of exercise -- are related phenomena. How can weight lifting change your boss’s mind, you want to know? Often, even external blocks are actually internal.

Libra September 23 - October 22 When it comes to work, you take a real nuts-and-bolts approach. First you ask, are all the nuts in place? Then you ask, how about those bolts? Then you check and see if any of them are loose. Then you tighten the ones that need it. This thorough approach has gotten you lots of accolades. You could encounter a few hidden bolts and nuts that need tightening. Don’t be daunted -- you’ll uncover them all eventually.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21 When you feel inspired, the whole world had better take notice. If they don’t now, they will later. Especially when it comes to work and business, you are a force to be reckoned with. Now, you’re very likely to come across an idea that sets your imagination aflame. Before the day is out, you’ll have generated a whole matchbook’s worth of fire, at the least. And you’re sending out smoke signals to your colleagues.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21 Your work is a source of real energy for you. At least it should be -- you’re somebody who needs to love work. And if you don’t, it’s a good day to start making changes. Are you in the right career but the wrong job? Do you need to switch tracks altogether? Maybe you’re happy with what you’ve got and what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. Think about it, anyhow.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19 You are like an effective pool shark when it comes to your work. You cruise the pool hall. You check out the competition. You rub that little chalk thing on the tip of your cue stick. You even know why you’re supposed to do that. Then you pick an opponent, and you win! You pick another opponent -- and you win!

Then you win some more! Sounds like a pretty good day at the office, doesn’t it?

Aquarius January 20 - February 18 You have never been particularly immature, but lately you’ve been noticing a certain shift in yourself. This change could really crystallise when you see yourself behaving in an unfamiliar way in a familiar situation. Maybe you’re calmer.

Maybe you don’t take things as personally. Maybe you stay objective. Maybe you’re seeing what it’s like to be an adult.

Pisces February 19 - March 20 You like to work hard and you like hard work. You could get trapped, though, in the pattern of avoiding other things (uncomfortable emotions, sadness, anger) by staying really busy. Are you doing this? Check for symptoms. Ask yourself: Are you not taking care of yourself because you’re too busy? Are you putting off conflict because you have too much work? Are you happy? Do you know how you feel at all?

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

UG Wolves defeat Yamaha Caribs 26-24 to win Banks DIH 7s title

By Rawle Toney THE University of Guyana (UG) students serenaded the scores of people who turned up at the National Park yesterday with their rendition of U.S. Rapper Drake’s hit ‘Started from the bottom now we’re here’ - the most fitting song for a team who were just over a year ago, the whipping boys of the sport.

UG Wolves edged Yamaha Caribs 26-24 in a come-from-behind win to claim the Banks DIH 7s Rugby Championship.

The tournament is one of the Guyana’s Football Union (GRFU) most prized competition in 7s Rugby and for the University students, it will be one that they will cherish for a long time.

Team captain and later

named tournament Most Valuable Player (MVP), Ryan Dey was the only player for the University to score in the first half, while for the Caribs, Carl Lewis (try) and Akeem Fraser (conversion) put their team on the score board.

But like true Wolves, the University of Guyana students preyed on the Caribs and scored through Philbert Joseph (try), Ryan Dey (try), Godfrey Broomes (conversion) and Oesi McKenzie (conversion).

Andrew Jarvis and Fraser scored a try apiece and a single conversion from captain and coach Theodore Henry was all that the Yamaha Caribs could have mustered after a relentless attack from the UG Wolves.

Lawrence Adonis, coach of the UG Wolves, told Chronicle Sport: “Remember I said that Guyana Rugby was not ready for us and today

(yesterday) we prove that.

I’m glad that we won, I know we would have won and I’m happier for the players who were committing themselves daily to practise and come out and do exactly what I told them.”

President of the GRFU Peter Green told reporters that the University of Guyana winning the tournament shows that the Union’s hard work in development is finally paying off, while pointing out, “This was a welldeserved win for UG and I’m happy for them. Those guys have been working hard and they are benefiting.

It shows that with constant competition, anything could happen since players will have a chance to grow.

According to Green, the GRFU will now turn its attention to preparing Guyana’s team for this year’s NACRA 7s tournament which will be held in Mexico.

Malinga to undergo ...

From page 29 “When you have a problem in the ankle you land on in your bowling stride, it affects the pace and also the control,” Malinga said. “I did my best, but I couldn’t put as much strain on it as I usually do.”

Concerns over the state of his ankle had been raised when it failed to respond to a cortisone injection on September 5. However, he played the Champions League qualifiers for Mumbai Indians on his own prerogative, SLC’s cricket operations manager Carlton Bernardus said.

The surgery will be carried out by Dr David Young, who has previously treated Malinga for a separate injury on his right knee, which has prevented him from playing Test cricket since 2010. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Surujnarine ton ...

From back page When play was called off with four of the mandatory 15 overs being bowled in the final hour’s play, Berbice were 304 for 5 off 89 overs, still needing 107 more to win with Surujnarine on 132 (273 balls, 12x4, 3x6) and Anthony Bramble 14 (1x4). Mohammed was Demerara’s best bowler with his 2 for 58.

The second round will bowl off on Wednesday with Demerara taking on the Steven Jacobs-led GCB Developmental XI who defeated Essequibo inside three days in their first-round match, at Everest, while Berbice and Essequibo will do battle at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

Hamilton seizes control after Singapore F1 win

By John O’Brien SINGAPORE, (Reuters) Lewis Hamilton stormed to an emphatic victory at the Singapore Grand Prix yesterday to wrest the championship lead from Mercedes team mate Nico Rosberg after the German retired with steering wheel problems.

The Briton overcame an extended safety car period midway the race, as well as the twin Red Bull challenge of Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo, to move three points clear of Rosberg with five races remaining.

“I had a dream this would happen last night... I just want to say huge thanks to my team,” Hamilton said in a podium interview.

“I was so excited, I was looking for a clean weekend (without mechanical problems), and I had it. We always strive to get both cars one-two; that was our goal, so things still to work

Lewis Hamilton on the podium after he won the Singapore Grand Prix. on.”

Fernando Alonso ended a good weekend for Ferrari with a solid fourth place finish on a hazy Singapore night with Brazilian Felipe Massa rounding out the top five in his Williams.

For Hamilton, the race could not have gone any better after he arrived in Singapore trailing Rosberg

by 22 points and in desperate need of a strong finish to ensure he maintained his bid for a second world title after his 2008 triumph.

He saved his best for last in qualifying on Saturday to claim pole position from his team mate and when Rosberg was unable to get his Mercedes moving at the start of the formation lap, the

writing was on the wall for the German.

Rosberg was forced to start from the pitlane at the back of the field and when Hamilton stormed clear into the first corner, he always looked on course to record his seventh victory of the season, and 29th overall, in the fastest car on the track.

The German retired in the pits after 14 laps when he could not get the car going again despite another change of steering wheel.

“The whole steering wheel just wasn’t working so I didn’t have any hybrid power and the shifting … I would shift two gears at once all the time and I had no DRS,” he told Sky Sports television.

“The car just wasn’t working at all. And then there was no point to continue. It was a tough day really.”

Only the inevitable safety car period, for seven laps midway the race following Adrian Sutil’s collision with Sergio Perez, added an element

of doubt to the proceedings but Hamilton managed his tyres brilliantly to claim victory by 13.5 seconds.

TYRE STRATEGY “Coming to the last six races after I had a great race in Monza (where he won), we know we have a car to compete here,” Hamilton added.

“I got off cleanly and of course it would have been a hardcore race if Nico was in the race with me ... but later on in the race, I was a bit unaware of what I needed to do.

“I was nervous that if a safety car came out it would cause big problems but fortunately we got where we needed to go.”

Vettel, Ricciardo and Alonso opted to go all the way to the finish once the safety car came in on the 37th of the 60-lap race, forcing Hamilton to build as big a lead as possible before pitting again to fit some soft

‘prime’ tyres.

When he emerged back on the track on the 52nd lap, Vettel was ahead and Ricciardo snapping at his heels but the Briton was able to make the most of his fresher tyres and performed a magnificent pass on the German through turn seven to reclaim the lead for good.

“It is a circuit I really enjoy,” said Vettel, who won the previous three Singapore races and qualified fourth on the grid.

“The atmosphere is great but it is tough. I had a good start, got past Daniel, then had a decent race, but the safety car came at the worst point for us with tyres borderline.”

Jean-Eric Vergne drove brilliantly in his Toro Rosso to claim sixth place, his best finish of the season, with Sergio Perez, Kimi Raikkonen, Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen completing the top 10.

Lampard stuns Chelsea in draw, United lose 5-3

By Mike Collett

LONDON, England (Reuters) Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s alltime record scorer, came on as a late substitute for Manchester City and scored their equaliser in a 1-1 draw at the Etihad as the champions ended his former club’s perfect start to the Premier League season yesterday.

Lampard, who scored 211 goals for Chelsea and is on loan at City from MLS side New York City, scored in the 85th minute after only six minutes on the pitch.

Andre Schuerrle had put league leaders Chelsea ahead in the 71st minute, five minutes after City defender Pablo Zabaleta had been sent off for fouling Diego Costa.

Lampard, third on Chelsea’s all-time appearance list as well as scoring more goals for the club than anyone else, did not celebrate the goal which

ended Chelsea’s perfect start to the season although they stayed three points clear at the top with 13 points from their first five matches.

“It’s a really difficult one. I’d be unprofessional if I came on and didn’t do my job so I’m mixed with it,” he told Sky Sports.

“I’m obviously pleased that the side I came on for got a draw. It’s come up, I’m a professional and I didn’t expect to come on and score. I’m stuck in the middle.

“The Chelsea fans were singing my name and it was an emotional day. It’s not how I expected to say goodbye to the Chelsea fans.

I woke up this morning and didn’t know what I wanted from today so I’m glad it’s out of the way. I guess this is a happy medium.”

The result left Manchester City in sixth place on eight points, and their draw meant they had a better day than their arch-rivals Manchester

Leicester City’s David Nugent (R) scores a penalty against Manchester United during their English Premier League soccer match at the King Power stadium in Leicester, northern England, yesterday. (Credit: REUTERS/Darren Staple) United, involved in one of the most astonishing Premier League matches for years.

They were twice two goals ahead at Leicester first

by 2-0 and then 3-1 with 33 minutes left, but Leicester came back to win 5-3 for their first league win over United since 1998.

Leicester were one of

three surprise winners with West Bromwich Albion climbing off the bottom of the table with a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur, their first league win of the

season.

Crystal Palace came from behind to win 3-2 at Everton in their first victory of the league campaign.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

Spinners stretch Knight Riders’ streak to 11

Sunil Narine bamboozles the Lahore Lions batsmen with the splendid figures of three for 9.

KOLKATA Knight Riders’ four-wicket victory over Lahore Lions followed the template that has largely been the basis of their 11-game winning run: bowl first to allow

Sunil Narine and the other spinners to smother the opposition, before Robin Uthappa and the rest of the top order click to set up the chase of a lightweight target.

Connell gets call for Twenty20s ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Uncapped fast bowler Shamilia Connell has been called up to the West Indies Women squad for their threematch Twenty20 series against New Zealand Women, starting in St Vincent tomorrow.

The 22-year-old, who hails from Barbados is the only change to the 13-member squad that swept the Kiwis 4-0 in the One-Day International series which finished in St Kitts on Friday.

She replaces opener Natasha McLean, with Merissa Aguilleira again leading the squad.

Connell came to the attention of regional selectors during the Women’s Regional OneDay Championship last month in Dominica when she snatched a six-wicket haul to bundle the hosts out for a paltry 52.

West Indies Women will play all three Twenty20s at Arnos Vale.

SQUAD – Merissa Aguilleira (captain), Stafanie Taylor (vicecaptain), Shemaine

Shamilia Connell - called up for Twenty20s against New Zealand.

Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Shanel Daley, Deandra Dottin, Kycia Knight, Hayley Matthews, Anisa Mohammed, Shaquana Quintyne, Tremayne Smartt, Shakera Selman.

(Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 153 for 6 (Gambhir 60, Uthappa 46) beat Lahore Lions 151 for 7 (Shehzad 59, Akmal 40, Narine 3-9) by four wickets).

This match was blighted by abysmal fielding. The number of catches put down, stumpings missed and regulation stops messed up was astonishing.

Narine, though, turned in another worldclass performance that underlined his reputation as the best in the Twenty20 business, and 19-year-old chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav added to the buzz about him with a stirring effort to stifle Lions.

Lions’ best phase of

the game was the opening Powerplay, when Ahmed Shehzad struck some big hits down the ground to push the score to 47 for 0 - this, despite Narine bowling a maiden in the fifth over. A stunning direct hit from Andre Russell broke the opening stand in the seventh over, by when the wicketkeeper Manvinder Bisla had already mucked up two straightforward stumpings.

The Knight Riders’ spinners took charge in the middle overs, with Kuldeep showing solid control for a wrist-spinner, getting his stock ball to turn plenty and using the wrong ‘un to confuse the batsmen.

Mohammad Hafeez spent

much of his short innings trying to heave the ball to midwicket before he became Kuldeep’s first victim, holing out for 9.

When Shehzad found Uthappa at long-off in the 13th over to finish on a chancy 59, Lions’ top-heavy batting was in trouble, especially with three Narine overs to come.

The trepidation of the lesser lights in the batting lineup was obvious when they faced Narine: Saad Nasim missed his first ball and edged his second to short cover, Umar Siddiq lasted one more before being done in by the quicker one, and Asif Raza was bowled first ball. Narine nearly had a hat-

trick, but Wahab Riaz had his boot back in the crease before Bisla could break the stumps.

Umar Akmal was still there, though, and he clobbered Piyush Chawla and Pat Cummins to lift Lions past 150.

Gautam Gambhir and Uthappa, aided by some comically inept fielding, put on a century stand to set Knight Riders on course for victory. They were coasting for a large part of the chase before a slew of wickets towards the end briefly made things tight, only for Suryakumar Yadav to finish it off with a five-ball 14. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Blizzard onslaught stuns Cape Cobras THE romance of T20 cricket is that one ball can change the game. Cobras were reminded of it in gruesome fashion in the 18th over.

(Scores: Hobart Hurricanes 186 for 4 (Blizzard 78*, Dunk 54; Engelbrecht 3-20) beat Cape Cobras 184 for 6 (Levi 42, Philander 32*) by six wicket)s Their lead bowler Vernon Philander had routed Hobart Hurricanes’ final hope when he had Aiden Blizzard caught on the longon boundary, and it did not augur well for the chase that a new batsman had to come in with an equation of 38 off 17 balls.

Blizzard was walking off the field when he was asked to wait; the umpires wanted to doublecheck the legality of the ball. The replay gutted Cobras - Philander had overstepped.

Blizzard had reached his fifty off the previous delivery, and he feasted on the free-hit - that monstrous six over square leg was part of a 24-run over.

A match that had slowly been tipping into the Cobras’ hands was wrested away and Hurricanes hurtled to victory with one over to spare.

Philander was completely thrown. He dished out length balls and worse full tosses to be carted for two fours and two sixes in seven deliveries.

Philander had caused confusion among the Hurricanes bowlers when Cobras batted, and had been a vital cog in a seventhwicket partnership that raised 52 runs in four overs

and inflated the target to 185. Memories of his 32 off 14 evaporated, however, as Blizzard reaped his luck to take 26 runs off eight balls to finish unbeaten on 78 off 48.

Both teams were pleased with the pitch at the start of the game. Hurricanes captain Tim Paine said it looked “terrific”; his Cobras counterpart Justin Ontong foresaw some turn and loaded his side with an extra spinner. Dane Piedt’s impact was minimal though as he injured his right arm but the other change, Sybrand Engelbrecht, thrived. The slower he bowled, the more difficult it got for Hurricanes. By the end of Engelbrecht’s spell - 4-0-203 - the equation was 60 off 30 balls. Charl Langeveldt, who reversed his retirement for this tournament, compounded that with a terrific 17th over that yielded only six runs - one of which was a tight wide call.

Blizzard was saddled with a required rate that was inching to 15. He had used pure power to fuel his innings and the ploy hadn’t been as effective when the bowlers opted to change their pace. His tally against spin was 29 off 27. But the situation empowered him to continue and Cobras helped him by feeding him pace and worse, at the exact length a batsman would like.

His innings overshadowed another half-century at the top of the order. Ben Dunk had accumulated 41 of the 51-run opening stand.

At that stage, the chase looked perfectly on course.

Cobras’ 62 runs in their Powerplay was the best

Aiden Blizzard hammers an unbeaten 78 off 48 to script an unlikely victory for Hobart Hurricanes over Cape Cobras in the CLT20. in this CLT20. Hurricanes missed that by only three runs. Cobras edged ahead during a tight middle-overs period in the Hurricanes’ innings - only 47 runs came between the ninth and the 15th and there were three wickets as well.

But in the end they were disconsolate and in disbelief. They were still without points despite a blitz from Richard Levi, who offset the early dismissal of Hashim Amla with a typically muscular 42 off 30. The Hurricanes bowlers took their time recognising the impact of changing their pace. They had tested the

pitch with Xavier Doherty in the third over. In the fifth, he beat Levi’s outside edge but the batsman hit back with two successive fours.

Eventually they caught on with Ben Laughlin showing off different variations of his slower ball to pick up 2 for 31.

Levi’s dismissal in the 10th over helped, but just as the innings seemed to be meandering, Robin Peterson’s unorthodoxy and Philander peppering the straight boundary revived them. However, Philander’s luck ran out when it was time to bowl.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

29

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

Emrit says Rampaul not to blame for Tridents defeat

… points to ‘basic mistakes MOHALI, India (CMC) – Captain Rayad Emrit has defended seamer Ravi Rampaul, following the Barbados Tridents’ defeat to Kings XI Punjab, in their opening game of the Champions League Twenty20 here Saturday and says his side now need to bounce back quickly.

With Kings XI requiring 25 from the last two overs to get up to their target of 175, Rampaul conceded 20 from the penultimate over of the innings, to let the Indian Premier League side off the hook.

Kings XI then got the five runs needed from the last over to wrap up a four-wicket win with two balls remaining at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.

“We spoke about the lengths that we wanted to bowl,” Emrit said following the defeat.

“Ravi is one of our most experienced bowlers and on another day, he would have gotten it right. Those things happen; it just didn’t happen today (for him).”

Akshar Patel blasted the first two balls of Rampaul’s over for four after the bowler missed his length, and edged the fifth delivery – another length delivery – to third man for another boundary.

The last ball of the over was short and Patel hooked over deep square leg for six.

Racing Tips

Fast bowler Ravi Rampaul shows his frustration during the Barbados Tridents loss to Kings XI Punjab on Saturday.

(Photo courtesy CLT20 website) He finished unbeaten 46 off 34 deliveries.

They pulled their side on 23 from just nine balls, sharing 47 for the seventh around from a position of wicket with David Miller, 131 from six in the 17th over, who was voted Man-of-of- when Tridents seemed poised the-Match for his unbeaten to pull off a win in their

maiden outing in the CLT20.

“We know in the last five overs … bowlers can go for 50, 60 runs so we knew in the last five overs we needed to keep tight,” Emrit said.

“I still thought that with two overs to go, with Kings XI needing 25, 26 runs, I still believed that we could have won it.”

He added: “We dropped easy catches. The first one (the fielders) never called for it, the second one was to the keeper. They were just basic mistakes. When we batted, we got a couple chances and when they batted, they got a couple chances.

“We just need to come back hard in the next game.

It’s a sad way to lose but we need to bounce back.”

Tridents did well to post 174 for six from their 20 overs after they were sent in, with left-hander Raymon Reifer getting a top score of 60 not out off 42 balls and opener Dilshan Munaweera, 50 off 26 deliveries.

Emrit said they believed the score was one they could have defended.

“We were looking at anything over 170-175 so 174 we were pleased with it,” he said.

“We thought that the wicket wasn’t coming on as it used to so we thought that the middle overs would be very important.”

Barbados Tridents next face Cape Cobras on Friday.

08:50 hrs Hard N Sharp

Duty

Warranty

South Africa Racing Tips

09:20 hrs See Vermont

11:00 hrs Milly’s Gift

12:40 hrs Matravers

Vaal

09:50 hrs Stanarley Pic

11:30 hrs Eddiemaurice

American Racing Tips

08:15 hrs Penitent Pirate

10:20 hrs Remember Rocky

12:00 hrs Alpine Storm

Philadelphia Park

12:30 hrs Strike A Light

08:50 hrs Arabian National

10:50 hrs Ventura Mist

Race 1 Forestry’s Majesty

09:25 hrs Va Bene

11:50 hrs Rocky’s Pride

10:05 hrs Crown Of Roses

11:20 hrs Stetchworth 12:20 hrs Spavento

Kempton 09:10 hrs Classic Villager 09:40 hrs Strong Chemistry 10:10 hrs Mulzamm

10:40 hrs Glorious Jet

Leicester

11:15 hrs Mackdesi

09:00 hrs Scarlet Bounty

English Racing Tips

09:30 hrs Viceroyalty

Hamilton

10:00 hrs Fox Trotter

11:40 hrs Perfect Alchemy

10:30 hrs Aristocratic

12:10 hrs Royal

10:40 hrs Gleaming Girl 11:10 hrs Rastanora

Race 2 There Goes Vinny Race 3 Mavericks Gun Race 4 Larking Race 5 Pushin’ On Race 6 It’s Easy To Say Race 7 Show Ya Luv Race 8 Tujoes Race 9 Riverness

Malinga to undergo ankle surgery in Australia today LASITH MALINGA has suggested Sri Lanka would be wise to groom another bowler as a World Cup failsafe as he prepares to undergo surgery today that will keep him out for around 16 weeks.

Malinga consulted his orthopaedic surgeon in Melbourne yesterday, and decided his long-term ankle complaint had degenerated to an extent that it required surgery.

If there are no complications during the arthroscopic procedure

said. “But I think it would be good for us to give a young bowler a few opportunities in the meantime, so that we can at least have someone prepared.”

The surgery will aim to “clean up” a joint in his ankle, Sri Lanka physio Steve Mount said. “It has been a long-term issue for Lasith, and he’s had chronic pain there for some time,” Mount said. “It’s a regular complaint for fast bowlers, but it has reached a stage where his ankle didn’t respond how it previously

Lasith Malinga: I will do everything I can to be back for the World Cup. or recovery, Malinga is expected to return to full intensity at training in midJanuary, giving him around a month of practice before Sri Lanka play the World Cup curtain-raiser against New Zealand on February 14.

Sri Lanka’s selectors remain hopeful that he will be available for at least some of the seven ODIs Sri Lanka are scheduled to play against New Zealand in January.

Malinga will undergo a three-dimensional CT scan before going under the knife today and is wary that the surgery could put his World Cup plans in disarray. “I will do everything I can to be back for the World Cup,” Malinga

has done to methods like cortisone injections and load monitoring.

“If everything follows the normal recovery time, he could be a chance to play in some of those New Zealand one-dayers, but we’ll also be careful not to rush him back.”

Malinga will recover for around 10 days in Australia before returning to Sri Lanka. He had been expensive in his last two ODI series, against Pakistan and South Africa, when he was also clocked at consistently lower speeds than he had been bowling in the past.

He said the pain in his ankle had caused the dip in form.

Turn to page 26

30

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

McKinnon shoots his way to GSSF Inaugural Steel Challenge Tier 1 Match RYAN McKinnon shot his way to winning the inaugural Guyana Sports Shooting Federation (GSSF) Steel Challenge Tier 1 Match at the GDF Timehri Range.

McKinnon was certainly the ‘hot gun’ of the day, shooting lowest time/ total of 40.04 followed by David Dharry who occupied second place with 56.17 and Ray Beharry third with 60.63 The GSSF, as an affiliate of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA), is seeking to promote this completely new type of sport shooting to all local competitive pistol shooters by organising such matches on a regular basis.

Before the start of the competition, GSSF president Vidushi Persaud paid tribute to the members who came out to take part in the event and praised the outstanding effort that was put in by the match committee to ensure that

Front row: Prize winners from left to right, Sadiq Rahat, David Dharry, Ryan McKinnon and Ryan Beharry surrounded by competitors. everything was organised for this inaugural match.

She noted that the success of the events of sporting

organisations depends primarily on commitment and cooperation.

Steel Challenge is

considered to be one of the fastest shooting competitions in the world. The competition yesterday consisted of two

stages where competitors were required to shoot five different steel targets set out at various angles and

distances, one of which is designated as a ‘stop plate’.

Registering a hit on the plate stops the time. The total time it takes to hit all five plates is used for the score.

Misses and penalties add three seconds to the time for each. Competitors are scored using an electronic timing device which records the time that every shot is fired. The shooter with lowest time wins.

Shooting was done from a stationary position for the two stages. The shooter would assume his/her position in the shooting box, upon the beep of the timer, draw his/her firearm and shoot at the targets. Timer stops when the shooter hits what is designated to be the stop plate.

The competitor’s best four scores out of five strings of fire on each stage will then be added together for collective score. The lowest total time/score for all stages wins the overall match.

Wehby praises new Franchise system Members of the newly elected Farm Sports Club executive, with president Kenneth Debydial standing in the centre.

Debydial elected president of Farm SC KENNETH Debydial was elected president of the Farm Sports Club when the body held its Annual General Meeting and elections last Sunday, at Farm Community Centre ground, East Bank Demerara.

Sanjay Hathiramani will serve as the vice-president while Naseer Jabar will act as secretary. Shivram Persaud is the treasurer and Ricky Debydial the assistant secretary/treasurer.

The committee members are Jamal Fisher, Bhojnarine Singh, Asif Elahi and the trustees are Deonarine Debidial and Anand Ramphal . Johnny Azeez performed the duties of the returning officer.

In an invited comment president Debydial said their main aim is to promote cricket and they are currently

working to improve the state of the community centre ground and plans are in the making to upgrade the pavilion. He added that they will seek assistance from the NDC and business community for this venture and work has already commenced on the fence.

The president stated that there are a number of talented young cricketers in the area, including national U-15 players Sagar Hathiramani and Bhojnarine Singh and Shivram Persaud who represented Guyana U-19 against Bangladesh U-19 and they want to ensure that these players continue to take the game seriously.

Farm SC participates in all cricket competitions organised by the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Regional business executive and Director of the West Indies Cricket Board Don Wehby, said today that the professionalization of First Class cricket in the West Indies will revolutionise the game in the region.

The WICB is about to roll out a full Professional First Class Franchise System in which a cadre of 90 players will be engaged in a professional cricket structure on a day-to-day basis, year round.

“This professional structure and environment is geared towards, and certainly will, revolutionize cricket in the region and contribute significantly to the repositioning of the West Indies team in the upper echelons of international cricket,” said Wehby who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaican headquartered multi-national company, GraceKennedy Limited.

“I am excited by the prospects for the success of this professional structure and I urge that it receive the support of regional governments, corporate Caribbean, fans, the tourism sector and all the facets of our society which hold cricket dear,” urged Wehby, a former Minister in the Ministry of Finance and Public Service in the Jamaican government.

The WICB has committed to partner with the six territorial boards to fund six First Class Franchises in the region which will

compete in the annual Regional First Class and Super50 tournaments.

Each franchise will retain 15 players who will work as a unit on a day-to-day basis in each territory under a Head Coach and support staff.

The six franchises will be based in Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago and Windward Islands.

“I am extremely pleased that the WICB is about to introduce this historic and long overdue initiative of properly professionalizing West Indies First Class cricket.

Our regional game has suffered for a protracted period from not having our best players being engaged on a continual basis in fine-tuning and upgrading their skills,” Mr. Wehby said while speaking during a break of a WICB Meeting of Board of Directors in Barbados on Saturday.

“This initiative, is projected to significantly lend to the improvement of performance of the West Indies team on the international stage as a large cadre of players will now be engaged, on a day-to-day basis in working as professional cricketers. It is the first time this will be happening in the region,” added Wehby.

“Equally important, is that the profile of regional First Class cricket will be raised with the overall standards being lifted, increased competitiveness and the parity among teams

likely to be much closer,” Wehby concluded.

Wehby was appointed GraceKennedy Group CEO in 2011 and a WICB Director in 2013.

CRICKETQUIZ CORNER (Monday September 22, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) RohanKanhai& Basil Butcher (2)12 Tests; 8 (WI) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who has captained Bangladesh most in Tests? How many times?

(2)Who is the first WI to make a ‘duck’ and a century in the same Test?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday September 22, 2014

Anthony rides tactically to win Victor Macedo cycle road race

By Michael DaSilva and Calvin Roberts TACTICAL riding and sprinting from Michael Anthony saw the cyclist from the mining town of Linden take the top prize in the 12th annual Victor Macedo Memorial 70-mile road from Hamza Eastman and Paul DeNobrega in that order.

The veteran Robin Persaud, who picked up a puncture just after the turn-back point at Long Creek on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, rebounded to place fourth while Alonzo Ambrose and young Raphael Leung rounded off the top six positions.

On the upward journey, a six-man peloton made up of DeNobrega, Eastman, Persaud, Alanzo Greaves, Raynauth Jeffrey and defending champion Marlon ‘Fishy’ Williams, made their move to the front of the pack as they approached Craig

on the East Bank of Demerara.

They worked together on the upward journey, sharing the sprint prizes as they came along, while the chasing peloton that had within its ranks, Anthony, Ambrose, Leung, Albert Philander, Paul Choo-Wee-Nam, Christopher Holder and several junior, veteran and mountain bike riders, tried to bridge the gap to no avail.

However, as the frontrunners were approximately 1500 metres from the turn-back point, Anthony connected while Williams attacked just before they turned back and with Persaud picking up the puncture, Williams, Greaves and Jeffrey were the lone frontrunners.

Williams tried several times to shake a tired-looking Greaves off his back wheel but with little or at times no support from Jeffrey, who was unable to do so resulting in Anthony, DeNobrega

Michael Anthony (right) edges Hamza Eastman to the line, winning the Victor Macedo 12th annual 70-mile memorial cycle road race yesterday. (Sonell Nelson photo)

and Eastman connecting with the front trio as they approached Yarrowkabra on the downward journey.

Several cat-and-mouse games ensued, before DeNobrega thought he had enough and with a burst of energy, made his way to the front with the East Bank Demerara carriageway a mere 300 metres away, where he was joined a few seconds later by Eastman and Anthony.

The trio worked hard to increase their lead at the front and they were given tremendous help

by Williams, Greaves and Jeffrey, who were more content on arguing

over the number of races won amongst themselves.

This act provoked many during and after the race, since the three were recently selected by the Guyana Cycling Federation to represent Guyana at the Elite Caribbean Cycling Championships set for October 11-12 in Puerto Rico, along with Eastman and national road race champion Geron Williams.

However, in the rush for the finish line, Anthony out-sprinted Eastman, while DeNobrega settled for third.

Anthony’s time for the 70-mile

event was three hours 14 minutes 19 seconds. He was also declared champion of the junior category ahead of Ambrose and Travis Jeffrey respectively.

Ian `Dumb Boy’s Jackson won the veterans’ category ahead of Evral Mundray and Junior Niles respectively, while Keon Thomas was the first mountain biker to cross the finish line.

Second in this category was Julio Melville and third was Deoraj Garbarran.

Raphael Leung was first among the juvenile riders.

Second was Romelo Crawford and third was Jamal Jackson.

CFU U-20 Championships

Corbin’s hat-trick inspires T&T to second Caribbean title

Hat-trick hero Kadeem Corbin celebrates one of his three goals during the final of the CFU Under-20 Championship, which T&T won following a 1-0 result over Haiti.

A hat-trick from forward Kadeem Corbin inspired T&T to a second Caribbean title in less than a month after a talented group of national Under-20 players defeated Haiti 3-0 inlast Friday’s final to capture the CFU Under-20 Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

The U-20 boys joined T&T’s senior women’s team as Caribbean champions, after the latter won the inaugural CFU Women’s Championship late last month, also as tournament host.

Both teams will now shift their focus to their respective FIFA World Cup tournaments, both of which will take place next year.

The final followed a third place playoff, which saw Cuba trump Aruba 2-1 in a dramatic finale.

For Corbin, 18, who received the”Most Valuable Player” and Golden Boot awards after finishing top scorer of the tournament with five goals, bagged a goal in the first half and completed the hat-trick with two more late in the second, all in true strikers’ fashion.

They came following tremendous and selfless assists from wingers Levi Garcia and substitute Kishun Seecharan.

Corbin’s hat-trick, added with his brace against Curacao last Sunday took his tally to five goals, more than any other player.

There seemed to be a consensus that T&T saved their best effort for last against a disciplined Haiti, which never looked like giving up three goals after its solid defensive first half display.

The young Soca Warriors took a while to settle in as the Haitians marshalled four players around Garcia and left-mid Aikim Andrews, breaking plays down at every turn.

But then in the 35th minute, T&T broke the deadlock after a beautiful assist from Garcia, who only moments before made the switch from the right to the left flank.

He received a pass close to the half-way line, burst forward to the byline, turned and passed to Corbin who then lunged forward for the finish.

It was a rare first half opportunity for T&T which was perfectly executed. Then, nearing half time, Haiti had a cou-

ple of fair chances to score but was bitterly disappointed by unconvincing finishes.

In the 43rd minute, Haiti’s Jonel Desire, after bursting his way through T&T’s defense, sent T&T keeper Johan Welch sprawling with a shot that sailed wide. The Haitians then had a another couple of halfchances, which turned into moments of panic.

Midfielder Alessandro Campoy of the away team took a snap shot midway in T&T’s half, but Welch was alert and instinctively parried the ball wide for a corner. The set-piece resulted in Haiti’s best chance of the match, with Nerlin St Vil receiving the ball in the box with a broad sight of the goal, but his effort was wasted with a skied effort.

Haiti’s squandered chances haunted them in the second half and it didn’t help that the away players were becoming visibly fatigued.

But, Haiti did have full sight at goal all the way forward to the 71th minute, when an aerial ball over T&T’s defense found Desire, who was clattered and the ball cleared by a last-second tackle from Maurice Ford much to the

delight of a nervous home support.

Five minutes later, T&T scored the second goal, the one needed for breathing space.

And, the players involved made it look easy. Seecharan, who substituted Andrews in the 57th minute, made a darting run down the right flank, laid off for Corbin, who remained composed when wrong footing the goal keeper for an easy finish. And, in the 85th minute, Corbin completed his hat-trick after Garcia presented his second superb assist of the match.

The stadium, flocked with roughly 3,000 spectators, went into in a frenzy.

The title win was essentially the icing on the cake as the two finalists, as well as Cuba and Aruba, were assured their spots at the Concacaf final round of 2015 World Cup qualifiers.

The four teams joined automatic qualifiers Jamaica (CONCACAF host), USA, Canada, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala, for the CONCACAF Championship, which runs from January 9-24 in Jamaica. (Trinidad Guardian).

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Anthony rides tactically to win Victor Macedo cycle road race See story on page 31

UG Wolves defeat Yamaha Caribs 26-24 to win Banks DIH 7s title See story on page 26

The victorious UG Wolves celebrate after winning the Banks DIH 7s tournament yesterday (Sonell Nelson photo)

GCB FOUR-DAY INTER-COUNTY

Surujnarine ton helps Berbice to draw fixture with Demerara

By Calvin Roberts

I did it, guys! Berbice opener Kandasammy Surujnarine acknowledges the applause of his teammates, after posting his maiden and the fourth century of the first-round matchup between Demerara and Berbice yesterday.

THANKS to a resilient and unbeaten century from opener Kandasammy Surujnarine, Berbice were able to come away with a draw in their firstround Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) four-day Inter-county tournament fixture against Demerara at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground yesterday.

Scores in the match, Demerara 442 for 6 decl. and 186 for 5 decl.; Berbice 218 and 304 for 5.

Resuming on their overnight score of 33 for 2 with Surujnarine on 4 and Keon Joseph 8, Berbice saw the duo take their overnight third-wicket partnership to 64, before Joseph was caught by Shemroy Barrington off Paul Wintz for 27 which included three fours.

Surujnarine and Crandon took the score to 129 for 3 at lunch, with Surujnarine on 60 and Crandon 13 and after the break, Crandon posted his half-century from 45 balls, batting for 102 minutes during which time he struck five fours and two sixes, both off Amir Khan.

A slight drizzle forced the players and umpires off the field at 13:20hrs, after Crandon had executed a crisp back drive that sped away for four off Robin Bacchus. Berbice were 208 for 3, with Surujnarine on 88 and Crandon 64, with their team needing 203 more to record the win.

When play resumed, Crandon got a life on 65, by Barrington, who grassed one at first slip when Barnwell found the edge of Crandon’s Stonehill

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branded bat, with Berbice 213 for 3, before rain forced the players off the field for a second time at 221 for 3 - Surujnarine 93 and Crandon 65.

Kandasammy got to his century when the action resumed from 195 balls in which he struck 12 fours and three sixes while batting for 310 minutes, before he lost Crandon, who holed out to Vishal Singh at midwicket off Zaheer Mohamed at 252 for 4.

Crandon, who was given several lives by the Demerara fieldsmen prior to his dismissal, faced 99 balls, batted for 206 minutes and struck eight fours and three sixes in his 88, adding 163 for the fourth wicket with Surujnarine, who also saw the demise of Jonathan Foo (9), caught by Paul Wintz at long off, off Mohammed.

Turn to page 26 MONDAY, September 22, 2014