2014 11 19

GUYANA No. 104016 WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 19, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

PRICE: $60

Construction of $780M Kato Secondary progressing Page

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- to be completed early next year

INCLUDING VAT

IMAG calls Page 2 for apology from APNU’s Dr. Roopnaraine

Solider Page 22 hospitalised, accomplice dead after robbery Cabinet, not intra/extraparliamentary dialogue, is Opposition’s goal Page 9

Petting zoo to open next 19 month Page

President Donald Ramotar, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, and Regional Executive Officer, Region 8, Ronald Harsawack checking out an area of the school under construction

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Construction of $780M Kato Secondary progressing

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

- to be completed early See page 3 next year

President Donald Ramotar, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand, Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill, and Regional Executive Officer, Region 8, Ronald Harsawack looking on as workers mix cement at the construction site of the Kato Secondary School

IMAG calls for apology from APNU’s Dr. Roopnaraine THE Independent Media Workers Association of Guyana (IMAG) has condemned in the strongest possible terms, public statements by A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU’s) Dr. Rupert Roopnarine in which he called for a boycott of Guyana Times and the state-owned Guyana Chronicle and the National Communications Network (NCN).

In a public statement, IMAG said, “Dr. Roopnarine’s call is a direct attack on press freedom

and should not be condoned. Over the years we have fought extremely hard for a free press and should not allow anyone, including politicians like Rupert Roopnarine to reverse our gains.”

To this end, IMAG called for Dr. Roopnarine to withdraw his comments and issue an apology forthwith.

“Should he fail to do this, we urge the media to boycott APNU activities until such time an apology is issued,” IMAG said.

Speaking at an APNU

rally last Friday at the Square of the Revolution, Roopnarine started off by urging attendees, “Do not buy the Chronicle or the Guyana Times; and when you see Channel 11 come on, change it.”

What was cause for alarm, however, was when he took things up a notch, saying: “Within a very short time, we will have to arrange a ceremony at the Square of the Revolution where we can make an enormous bonfire of the Chronicle and the Guyana Times.”

Additionally, there has also been no move by the Guyana Press Association (GPA) to address Dr. Roopnarine’s comment, in the same fashion as the association has moved to address other matters.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Construction of $780M Kato ...

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From page 2

IF good weather allows, the physical structure of the Kato Secondary school, Region 8 should be completed by the end of January 2015, according to Regional Executive Officer, Ronald Harsawack.

The REO recently accompanied, President Donald Ramotar, Ministers, Priya Manickchand and Juan Edghill and others on a tour of the facility which is currently under construction.

According to Harsawack, on completion, the Kato Secondary school can be considered the single largest investment in the education sector.

The main structure carries a cost of $780M, but on completion, can rack up a total of as much as $1B, as the cost of furnishing; lighting, fencing, and security have still to be added.

The school will be able to accommodate close to 400 students with a dormitory built to house more than 250. This school will serve children from communities including, Kato, Kurukubaru, Monkey Mountain, and other surrounding Amerindian communities.

The PPP/C Government has always prioritised education, placing it at the top of the agenda; and under successive PPP/C Governments, more than 1000 schools have been built or rehabilitated.

From 1994, 14 nursery schools in the hinterland increased to 116 in 2014, primary schools moved from 111 to 139 and secondary from 5 to 12.

A number of dorm facilities have also been constructed and renovated in Regions 1, 2, 7, 8, and 9 to accommodate the growing number of students.

According to Harsawack, due to improved access to education and other investments made, more parents are sending their children to school and putting pressure on the existing infrastructure at Paramakatoi.

Further, he explained that this will reduce some cost to the administration as in the past children from some surrounding communities had to be shuttled on aircraft to Region 9 to attend secondary school. “This would be the most modern school upon completion, Information Technology lab, Technical Drawing, Wood Working lab etc...�

In addition, there will also be accommodation for teachers if the region is unable to source teachers from within.

The provision of universal access to secondary education is among the new wave of commitment that Government is determined to achieve; and more so, to cater for the influx of children completing primary school education.

(GINA)

A section of the Kato Secondary School which is under construction in Region 8

Police to maximise use of manpower in Christmas policing plan -plainclothes detectives an integral part

ON Monday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) unveiled its Christmas policing plan which covering those sections of the city which are the hub of commercial activities for the festive season.

The plan entails utilising all their ranks, including those attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

According to Crime Chief, Leslie James, there are a few surprises for criminal elements who are bent on getting easy money for this season and urged them to desist from committing robberies since they have measures in place.

He stated that CID ranks will be strategically placed in all city wards, especially the busy downtown area to monitor activities and they will blend into the crowd nicely, since they will be dressed in civilian clothing.

James said the GPF is ready and equipped to fully police Georgetown for the Christmas season and gave the assurance that criminal elements will be dealt with since all ranks have since been

briefed on their duties during this period.

He added that the GPF policing plan also caters for the business community, but still advised that they put measures in place to secure themselves nevertheless.

James once again called on all to be aware at all times, especially when conducting business and monetary transactions and to be alert and cooperate with the police.

He noted that the Christmas plan was unveiled by the police to prevent the commission of crimes that are likely to occur as a result of the increase in commercial activities for the festive season.

James added that in addition, the police will also be involved in the following: > Maintenance of an intelligence-led posture > Community Policing/GPF collaboration > Private sector/GPF collaboration > Robust beat patrols > Stop-and -search operations by anti-crime ranks > Monitoring of commercial hubs > Road blocks (snap/deliberate) > Monitoring of choke points

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Tenth of British men ‘pay for sex’

Jerusalem synagogue: Palestinians kill Israeli worshippers (BBC News) FOUR Israelis have been killed and eight injured as two men armed with a pistol and meat cleavers attacked a West Jerusalem synagogue.

The attackers - Palestinians from East Jerusalem were shot dead.

Israel’s PM vowed a “heavy” response and has already ordered the destruction of the homes of the attackers.

It is the deadliest attack in six years in Jerusalem, which has seen weeks of unrest, partly fuelled by tension over a disputed holy site.

Three of the victims were dual Israeli-US nation-

als, the US state department has confirmed, while the fourth was a dual Israeli-UK citizen. The funerals of all four men have been held in Jerusalem, with thousands in attendance.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the attack on “incitement” by the militant group Hamas and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Mr Abbas’s office issued a statement saying: “The presidency condemns the attack on Jewish worshippers in their place of prayer and condemns the killing of civilians no matter who is doing it.”

US President Barack Obama also condemned the

attack, saying: “There is and can be no justification for such attacks against innocent civilians.”

The Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, said it carried out the attack.

‘I tried to escape’ The attack happened at the Bnei Torah Kehilat Yaakov synagogue and religious seminary site on Harav Shimon Agassi Street - home to a largely Orthodox Jewish community in the Har Nof neighbourhood.

The victims were Rabbi Moshe Twersky, 59, head of the seminary, Arieh Kupinsky, 43, and Kalman Levine, 55, all of whom also held US passports. The fourth victim, Avraham Goldberg, 68, is also a UK citizen.

Police say there was a shoot-out with the attackers when officers reached the scene.

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BBC News) MORE than one in 10 men have paid for sex, according to a major study of British sexual habits.

The majority of the 11% who had done so had visited sex tourism hotspots such as Bangkok and Amsterdam.

The report, in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections, said paying for sex was linked with other “hedonistic and risky behaviours” including binge drinking and drug use.

It said that young professionals rather than “lonely older men” were paying.

A team at University

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College London analysed data from the Third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles.

Their initial study found couples were having less sex than in the 1990s. Now their investigations have turned to the practice of paying for sex.

Just 0.1% of the women aged 16-74 surveyed had paid for sex, but 11% of the men said they had at some point in their lives.

Of the 6,108 men surveyed, 3.6% had paid for sex in the past five years and 1.1% in the past year.

The men who had paid for sex had, on average, more than double the number of sexual partners - 32 compared with 14.

Lead researcher Dr Cath Mercer told the BBC: “I think I was most surprised that it is not paid partners making up most of the total, but they are having more partners generally.

“These men tend to be highly sexually active.”

But that comes with a price. The men who had paid for sex in the past five years were twice as likely to be diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as HIV, syphilis or gonorrhoea.

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Holiday sex The most likely age group to have recently paid for sex were those in their late 20s and early 30s.

Other characteristics of those likely to pay for sex included being single, having a managerial or professional job and drug use.

Dr Mercer said the findings broke the stereotype of the “lonely older man” paying for sex.

Nearly two-thirds of them reported paying for sex abroad, with Europe and Asia being major destinations.

“It could be down to opportunistic reasons such as a lads’ weekend away, paid-for sex is available, it’s something they wouldn’t necessarily do at home, but in that situation it happens, but there are other reasons as well,” said Dr Mercer.

“What we do in the UK won’t stop men paying for sex, we may push them abroad even more.”

She said sexual health clinics needed to see paying for sex as a warning sign of other risky behaviour for spreading infections, such as having multiple partners.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

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First break in 5 days for marooned residents (Trinidad Express) FOR the first time in five days Monday , residents of Cedar Grove in Mayaro were able to leave their homes after flood waters receded on Sunday night.

However, there was no celebration, as residents feared the Ortoire River would overflow again.

Resident Sharmilla Dhanessar said families were hustling to the town to gather food, medical and other supplies before the rains returned.

“This morning we got up and the water was gone but we are not in the clear.

The river is on the brink and will overflow as soon as rain starts again. The weather here is overcast, so we are expecting more flooding,” she said.

Dhanessar, 39, said several residents went to work for the first time in five

days.

“And those who didn’t go to work went out to buy stuff in case it floods again. The past few days were painful because we were running low on supplies and it was impossible for anyone to get in. It was only in the past two days people from the corporation hired boats and came in but they reached the first village and we in the second village were left out,” she said.

Some 30 families at Cedar Grove were marooned in their homes since last week Thursday, when persistent rainfall caused the Ortoire River to burst its bank.

Dhanessar said a oneyear-old baby boy, who was visiting his father at Cedar Grove, was trapped in the village since Wednesday night.

his father got up early and took the baby home in Arima,” she said.

This section of the Manzanilla Mayaro Road collapsed after the foundation was undermined by major flooding at the weekend.

“He couldn’t leave to take the baby home in Arima. The baby had to stay

with his father for the past few days. This morning when the flood went down,

CHILDREN UNABLE TO GO TO SCHOOL Councillor for Cocal/ Mafeking, Brinsley Maharaj, said flood waters also receded in Mafeking, Kernahan Village and other areas in Mayaro.

He said Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (CEPEP) workers and the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment began clean-up operations yesterday.

“We are waiting for the water tankers to come in and wash the area but everything is almost back to normal,” he said.

Maharaj said four houses in Kernahan Village were severely affected by flooding “but we were able

to go in and deliver relief to the families... the water receded and things are looking brighter today”, he said.

Maharaj said his main concern was the Manzanilla-Mayaro Road, where a portion was washed away in flood waters at the weekend.

“I am very concerned about that roadway because we have children here who go to school in Sangre Grande. They have to use that road and it is now impassable. We need the authorities to intervene and tell us what alternatives are being put in place to get these children to school,” he said.

Maharaj also appealed for the Mayaro District Hospital to be temporarily upgraded to assist residents unable to seek treatment at the Sangre Grande Hospital.

Reggae icon Bob Marley’s family to lend name to cannabis brand

SEATTLE (Reuters) -THE family of Reggae icon Bob Marley and a Seattle-based private equity firm on Tuesday said they are launching the first global cannabis brand with marijuana products sold under a name long tied to a plant he lovingly called “the herb”.

The brand, dubbed Marley Natural, marks the first time the family’s name would adorn packages of cannabis products ranging from strains similar to those Bob might have smoked in his homeland Jamaica to concentrates, oils and infused lotions sold in countries and US states that have taken steps to decriminalize and legalize pot use and sales.

Marley, credited with helping to spread Jamaican music to a world-wide audience with hits like “No Woman, No Cry”, and “I Shot the Sheriff,” died of cancer in 1981 at the age of 36.

“He viewed the herb as something spiritual that could awaken our well-being, deepen our reflection, connect us to nature and liberate our creativity,”

mits the sale of marijuana in “coffee shops”, Israel and Canada and nearly half of US states have allowed its medicinal use, and Uruguay has legalized its use.

In the United States, marijuana remains illegal under federal law. The Justice Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration did not immediately respond to interview requests about the plans.

Bob Marley Cedella Marley, Bob’s daughter, said in a statement announcing the deal.

The agreement came weeks after two US states voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use in systems that would usher in retail shops similar to those

already operating in Colorado and Washington state.

The sale of cannabis remains illegal in much of the world, but countries mainly in Europe and the Americas have decriminalized it by varying degrees.

The Netherlands per-

The Marley Natural brand would likely be seen on cannabis and other products and accessories by late 2015 under the 30-year global licensing arrangement struck between the family and Seattle-based private equity firm Privateer Holdings.

The brand, a wholly-owned subsidiary based in New York, would produce and sell hemp-infused topicals and accessories in

countries around the world and could enter into licensing agreements governing production and packaging requirements with growers and processors that sell cannabis and cannabis-infused products in US states, among other plans.

Marley’s family said in 2009 it would partner with Hilco Consumer Capital to license products ranging from apparel to video games.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

When evil prevails THIS newspaper yesterday reported that, in the wee hours of Monday morning the lives of Theresa Rozario, 12 years, and her sister Clarissa Rozario, 14 years, of 65 Robb and King Streets, Georgetown, were snuffed out like so much incinerated garbage after their home was destroyed by an early-morning fire. They were reduced to “charred remains.”

Their father Randolph Thomas, 63 years, is hospitalised with burns about the body. It was reported that the two children from the St. John’s College and Guyana Trust College remained trapped inside, while their father jumped to safety.

Reportedly, the property at the junction of Robb and King Streets has long been a source of contention between the now hospitalised

man, and another gentleman whose name was given as “Buddy.”

In 2010 another fire, suspected to be the work of arsonists – as was this one-- threatened the lives of the two girls, along with another sibling, at the same location. It is believed that this tragedy evolved from a series of foregoing events, including confrontations and threats issued by a person who claimed ownership of the property.

The mother of the children, Rosemary Rozario, said that she and the father of her children were not communicating with each other.

Moreover, the children were kept away from her by the man and his relatives.

The grieving mother told this newspaper that she was at home when she

got the call about the fire from her eldest son. The woman said that she hurriedly left her Guyhoc Park home and rushed down to the scene where she saw firefighters battling to put the blaze out.

The woman said she knew that her children were trapped in the building, since she did not see them or their father when she arrived on the scene: One could only imagine the agony of this woman, especially when witnesses to the tragedy related to her, the anguish in the young voices torturously crying out their pain as the fire consumed their living bodies, until those voices petered out when their lives were finally extinguished.

Women are abused in a multiplicity of ways; and children are often used as

THANK YOU, REV. MASSIAH LAST Friday and Saturday, 14th and 15th November, I participated in a consultation on Solid Waste Management, organised

by Rev. Raphael Massiah and the First Assembly of God. The inputs, exchanges and conclusions were all very commendable and, given the high level of engagement and enthusiasm, very much made it a hopefilled forum.

Particularly encouraging for me was to see a group of about 70 people, young and senior, representing different groups in society, meeting around a topic of national importance with a passion and a politeness towards the “other.” The topic was “Solid Waste in Georgetown,” and the mutual passion of these different groups was directed at analysing this concern and identifying initiatives to clean and to keep clean. In the process there was the sharing of views, debate over points, and interested and polite listening, which served to bring everyone to

a better understanding of the topic and to build consensus towards action. The stress in this process of “Appreciative Inquiry” was on “what I can do” - i.e. taking on civic responsibility

and not simply listing tasks for Government and other agencies to do.

If only, I thought, the unified spirit and inspiring dynamic of those present at this consultation, who had really put their own country first, via the exchanges, the listening, the respecting of the other and together the formulating of action, could find a permanent place in the whole country, in NGOs and other civic organisations, in the marketplace, between persons of

different races. This was not an illusion; these were real people around a real issue articulating real options. It was a real testimony of what could happen in other fora. I also noted and was hopeful about the enthusiastic and competent input by young presenters on the dynamics of collaboration and buy-in. It was especially good for the young persons participating to have exposure to a wholesome and constructive approach to issues and to life in general.

The spirit in which this consultation took place was a bright light for the whole of Guyana at a time of flux. May more lights like this shine from our Nation to illuminate a way forward. Thank you, Rev. Massiah and the First Assembly of God.

Francis Alleyne OSB Bishop of Georgetown

weapons to hurt their mothers, as in this instance; when a mother was deliberately deprived of her two youngest daughters, only to receive the agonising news of their most cruel death on a fateful Monday morning.

An attempt was allegedly made to burn the building with the children inside in 2010, and there were reported threats to their lives subsequent to this earlier suspected arson of the building; yet the father reportedly refused to relinquish possession of the disputed property to its legal owner and kept the children in that building, fully aware of the latent threat to their lives; yet, because of his antagonism to the children’s mother, he reportedly refused to allow

them to live in safety with her; thereby contributing in no small measure to their tragic fate and untimely end in the most cruel way.

If indeed the man who claimed legal ownership of the property is indeed responsible for the conflagration that consumed two budding young lives, full of promise, then no punishment that could be meted out to him by man could ever be enough, because the value of material things can never equate – not even remotely, the value of lives.

Greed for wealth and power, as well as lust and

envy have, throughout the ages, motivated humans to act in drastically inhumane ways; and whether as individuals, or whether as “leaders” of political parties hellbent on achieving self-aggrandizement at multiple levels, the tragic outcomes of Machiavellian actions and inflammatory rhetoric have rippled in the existential dynamics of the human race for eons – with catastrophic consequences most often eventuating in limitless destruction when evil prevails.

Now Opposition should grasp window of opportunity presented

by President Ramotar PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar’s decision to prorogue Parliament has, understandably met with much criticism by the parliamentary Opposition parties, namely A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) both of which, together, enjoyed a one-seat majority in Parliament. In other words, the two parties combined have a majority of one in Parliament following the elections of November 2011 and they have unabashedly used that one seat majority to take majority control of all the key committees of

Parliament in addition to the key positions of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House.

One would expect that as the party that won the plurality and just missed the majority by a single seat, there would have been some kind of accommodation and political maturity by the combined Opposition to the new dispensation which gave them, for the first time in our parliamentary history, majority control of the House.

The PPP had always enjoyed parliamentary majority even during the days of colonial rule when, despite not winning the majority of the

votes in the 1961 elections, it still managed, by virtue of constituency representation, to get a majority of the seats in Parliament. In that election, the PPP won 47% of the votes but got 57% of the seats in Parliament.

The situation today is quite different, thanks to a new constitutional provision in which seats are allocated on the basis of a combination of proportional representation and the constituency or regional seat allocation. The PPP/C won 32 of those seats, the APNU 26 seats and the

See Page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Now Opposition should grasp window of ...

From Page 6 AFC 7 seats, giving the combined Opposition one seat more than the PPP/C. This one seat difference between the PPP/C and the combined Opposition is the root cause of much of the turbulence in the body-politic, as the combined Opposition saw the new parliamentary configuration as an opportunity not only to wrest control of the legislative arm of the State, but to interfere in the work of the Executive.

It refused to approve huge sums of money in the national budget that was earmarked by the Executive for major capital projects; and a number of line items under the recurrent programme also failed to get parliamentary approval, including monies allocated for Amerindan and hinterland development and student loans.

But it was the decision taken by the minority parliamentary Opposition party, the Alliance For Change, to move a no-confidence motion; however, that triggered a turning point in the parliamentary impasse that the country experienced since the commencement of the Tenth Parliament. The first attempt at a no-confidence motion was made by APNU, with the support of the AFC, against Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee; but it failed to gain traction after the Speaker failed to take action to disallow the Minister from speaking in Parliament, much to the disappointment of the parliamentary Opposition.

In a sense, it was a contest won by the Executive as the President failed to heed the call for the removal of Minister Rohee from his Cabinet and from Ministerial portfolio as Home Affairs Minister. The Opposition again sought to proceed with another no-confidence motion, this time directed against the President himself and his PPP/C administration. The motion was tabled by the AFC and from all indications would have been carried if put to a vote in Parliament.

The move by the President was therefore pre-emptive, since it became abundantly clear that

the motion would get majority support which would have resulted in fresh elections within three months after the passng of the motion. Prior to the reconvening of Parliament, President Ramotar gave notice of his intention to prorogue Parliament if important pieces of legislation were to be aborted in favour of the no-confidence motion.

He also announced the holding of Local Government elections by the end of the second quarter of 2015 if the Opposition parties desist from a pre-meditated course of action. But that was not to be, and the Opposition parties gleefully made their way to the chambers of Parliament.

The Opposition parties, and some others supposedly from civil society, appeared upset over this decision, but the question that should be asked is whether any other responsible President, having regard to situation he was confronted with, could have done any thing differently. Would the AFC or APNU, hypothetically speaking, having won a plurality, allowed themselves to be, as it were, sitting ducks and allowed themselves to be plucked out of office by any minority party or combination of minority parties?

In politics, two or more minorities do not make a majority, as the Opposition parties wrongly seem to believe. Such an infantile and simplistic application of a mathematical concept does not hold water in the realm of political praxis. It is therfore both misleading and incorrect to argue that the President�s action was undemocratic and unlawful. The President acted within the framework of the Constitution and the rule of law, in the same manner that the AFC acted wihin the framework of the Constitution to move a no-confidence motion.

Why is the action taken by the Opposition parties correct and that of the PPP/C wrong, when both parties acted within the framework of the constitution.

The President did what any responsible President would have done, and in the process, opened the

doors for fresh thinking on the way forward. One can only hope that good sense will prevail and the Opposition parties would use this new window of opportunity provided by the President to find common ground on how to advance our social and economic gains and preserve our democracy.

HYDAR ALLY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Ministry of Agriculture to make available 7,000 tons of urea to farmers by Monday THE MV Oslo left Venezuela yesterday with 7,000 tons (140,000 bags) of urea fertilizer for farmers in Guyana.

The fertilizer will be available to famers

by Monday, November 24th. The Ministry of Agriculture has mandated the Guyana Rice Development Board and the Guyana Rice Producers Association to ensure that farmers have access to the fertilizer at a cost no greater than $5,000 per bag in their region of production, and to explore possibilities of a cost under $5,000 per bag.

The arrival of the 7,000 tons of urea from Venezuela is another component of the PetroCaribe arrangement, but Guyana is paying cash from advances being made through the Government of Guyana. The prices being paid by the Government is the best available price on the international market at this time.

The Government wanted to ensure the availability of urea at this price at this time, because the price being charged by the private sector has again been creeping up.

The arrangement for procurement of fertilizer on behalf of farmers is a partnership between the Ministry of Agriculture, the GRDB and the RPA. We are grateful for the tremendous support we have received from the RPA. Some of the fertilizer will be available to cash crop farmers, but most of it will be utilised by rice farmers around the country. During the 2nd crop of 2013, the Government offered fertilizer at $5,000 per bag at a time when the price had risen to between $7,000 and $8,000 in the private sector. Since then, the price stabilised at about $5,200 in the private sector, but has crept up in recent

months. In the first crop of 2014, the price had risen closer to $6,000 per bag, but in a partnership with the RPA, the Government was able to offer farmers urea to meet some of their needs at $5,200 per bag in a subsidised programme.

This is only one of the initiatives that the Government has been providing to the rice industry and to farmers in general.

The rice industry presently has reached almost 90% land preparation for the next rice crop (the 1st of 2015). In addition, other farmers are busy preparing to get their acreage ready for the next crop.

With greater than 97% of the 2014 harvesting completed, Guyana’s rice production stands at 627,463 tons. With the completion of the harvesting in a few weeks time, the crop is expected to surpass 2013 production by almost 100,000 tons again in 2014. Guyana had exceeded the 2012 production by more than 100,000 tons in 2013.

Export has grown significantly. In 2014, so far, Guyana has exported 423,900 tons and it has contracts for 2014 delivery of 90,176 tons. This means that Guyana would exceed 500,000 tons for 2014, a milestone once considered utopian for the country. Note that export in 2013 was 395,000 tons. The export for 2014 will exceed this by more than 100,000 tons.

New markets have been added. Panama has become an important new market. Haiti, a market in which Guyana has been on and off, is growing at this time. Guatamala, Belize, Nicaragua and other destinations have been added.

Guyana has added greater capacity in drainage and irrigation and other infra-

structure is being added to support the rice industry.

But one challenge remains as an important constraint. The industry cash flow of almost $50B has proven very difficult for rice millers. The consequence is payment to rice farmers continue to be a major barrier in the industry. The Government has ensured the ministry’s support of the process and advances have been made to allow some ease of the problem. The Government is working with the bankers association and millers to increase their credit available to them; this is in an effort to ensure a more timely payment to farmers.

In addition, the ministry has urged the bank to support the industry in a further commitment. In a meeting with bankers, the Minister of Agriculture thanked them for the major support they have provided for the industry and urged them to provide even more support to allow more timely payment to farmers.

The first crop of 2014 saw payments made to farmers of about $25B. Even though there was a significant delay in payment, almost all payments have been made except for about $200M, more than half of which the Government has stepped in to pay off.

In the second crop, almost $24B of sales were made by farmers, and millers have so far paid about $17B. It is expected that with advance payments being made to millers for rice to be exported for the rest of 2014, a major dent will be made in reducing the remaining $7B. Part of this payment will be supported by bank loans.

Minister Leslie Ramsammy In the meantime, the Moco Moco rice farms have begun to produce rice that is available for Region 9 consumers and is providing livelihood for Moco Moco families. At Santa Fe also, almost 800 acres of land are under cultivation, as Santa Fe begins its fourth rice crop. In 2014, Santa Fe exported over 8,000 tons of cargo rice to Brazil. It is expected that Santa Fe will reach a target of over 20,000 tons in 2015. Already Santa Fe has become a major source of employment and outside of the Government, Santa Fe is now the main employer in Region 9.

Tourism Awards Ceremony, Tourism Fair highlights of Tourism Awareness Month

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally TOURISM Awareness Month was launched with much hype and expectation with Homecoming Guyana 2015 and New Destination Brand being the pride of the Tourism Ministry. The month’s activities are proceeding well with a great response in participation from all our stakeholders, the Guyana Tourism Authority has disclosed.

On October 31 Tourism Awareness Month 2014 was launched under the theme: ‘Tourism Entrepreneurs and Ambassadors Mobilised,’ with the aim of raising awareness of the country’s tourism potential as the Government continues to promote tourism as a sector that has potential for significant economic growth. Homecoming Guyana 2015 and New Destination Brand were launched.

During the launch, Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali was poised to unveil one of the biggest events for Tourism in 2015, from which more than 100,000 Guyanese are expected to return to Guyana as ‘Guyana Homecoming 2015’ begins. He elaborated that “If we can get a mere 10% of our Guyanese living abroad to come home for

2015, it will amount to more than 100,000 persons,” he said.

The ministry, Ali noted, has been working with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and various airlines to design a marketing strategy for

the homecoming campaign. The new logo depicts that Guyana will be offering you the best of ‘two worlds’ in one destination “we are offering you an authentic South American experience with a Caribbean flare,” the

minister said.

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has embarked on an initiative to educate Guyanese on the importance of Tourism.

The much needed attention and awareness have not been given to the Tourism sector, the Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali had restated.

School talks at the Berbice High School with a total of 55 students from Forms 5 and 6 in attendance and Abram Zuil Secondary with a total of 140 students from Forms 4 and 5 attended.

Approximately seven groups attended the training to enhance their skills in kitchen hygiene and safety, meal planning, methods of cooking and cooking terms among others. A culinary arts training was recently conducted at the Guyana International Conference Centre which lasted for two days and saw the participation of 62 persons.

The participating groups were OMG sports bars, Waterchris Hotel, Maharaja Palace, Upper Crust Restaurant, Gravity Lounge, Windjammer Restaurant and Bar and Antonio’s Grill.

A bird-watching tour and a Bird Guide Training Session were both conducted on November 8 by GTA with 18 participants, inclusive of persons from Evergreen Ad-

ventures and Hurakabra Tours, along with residents of Fort Island. Also happening on the same day were representatives of the Embassy of Mexico along with the Indian High Commissioner, who all participated in the bird-watching activity in the Botanical Gardens, in Georgetown.

Upcoming Events Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Chevon Lim, GTA’s Senior Communications Officer noted that one of the signature events of this month’s activities is the much anticipated Tourism Awards Ceremony.

“This is where we recognise and reward our partners in the development of tourism in several categories,” she noted.

The Tourism Ministry, GTA and THAG are poised to launch restaurant training on November 24. “We have quite a few partners on board where THAG is working very closely to execute this activity,” she said. “ Also happening on November 24th, we will be staging the Tourism Fair and workshop and we are asking persons to contact the GTA to sign up for the workshop,” Lim related. This is a great opportunity and the event will be held at the Guyana International Convention Centre.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Cabinet, not intra/extraparliamentary dialogue, is Opposition’s goal THERE was an ‘aha’ moment when, during a interview aired on Channel 28, with AFC’s Moses Nagamootoo and PNC’s Carl Greenidge, the moderator asked of the duo what they would have done if they were in the President’s position and faced with a no-confidence motion that threatened to dissolve Parliament with immediate effect, with all its implications; and the response of both was that they would have included the Opposition (meaning the PPP/C in such an instance) in the Cabinet so such a contretemps would not have arisen.

They said that, in their elections campaign, they had promised to share power with the losers in a Government of inclusivity. In other words, they would have fit PPP/C leaders in key positions in their Cabinet: JOKE OF THE CENTURY. One only has to take as an example the grabfest displayed by the joint Opposition, acting in collusion, of the Speaker’s and Deputy Speakers’ positions and the parliamentary committees, as well as other areas of power and institutions where Opposition supporters hold sway to recognise the blatant obfuscating of their real nature and intent, which is to grab power at any cost, even if they destroy the nation – as the PNC has done once before.

Nagamootoo further snidely remarked that if he was President, he would have had a majority in Parliament. This man’s egomania is what has led to this current impasse in the nation, because it was his noconfidence motion intended to remove the Government, headed by Donald Ramotar, whom he envies beyond reason, that threatened the dissolution of Parliament and forced the President to resort to prorogation; and it is evident in this remark that his aspirations to attain the highest office in the land have infused him with delusions of grandeur, when the reality is that he piggy-backed on the popularity of the Jagans and his decades-long association with the PPP to fool some of the PPP’s supporters that he was going to

use whatever support he received to make changes for the better, without letting them know that he would use their support to empower the hated PNC and join them in actions inimical to PPP supporters, and the entire nation, in his envious prognostications, pronouncements, actions, and general

dent political identity whereby they can join the PNC – as they have done in the Tenth Parliament to derail progress in the nation – largely to vent against the party that obliterated them, and to stymie national progress under their former comrades, who have positions that they covet beyond reason.

They know that, like Winston Murray was, they would be kept out of the real corridors of power in a PNC Government construct; whereby Nigel Hughes, speaking at a PNC rally to protest the President’s prorogation orders, promised the crowd a broader alliance with the PNC/APNU configuration in the

blunder the APNU and AFC can make at this point, in their individual objective to displace the PPP, is to merge.

“Apart from the huge challenges and dilemmas which will have to be confronted and surmounted in relation to a host of administrative issues, the serious error behind such a merger will be the dissolution of the AFC in the eyes of non-supporters of APNU, largely East Indians, but not exclusively them.”

Ramjattan further noted, “The AFC is the only Party now in Guy-

PRESIDENT DONALD RAMOTAR rhetoric since being accommodated on the AFC benches.

The only reason Ramjattan and Nagamootoo are refusing to formally join with the PNC in a coalition effort to win the next election is that they would lose the financial and other support of the Indian community, and they also recognise the fact that they would be subsumed and then spat out after the PNC had used them to get into Government, as they did Peter D’Aguiar and the United Force. However, Ramjattan said that his objective is to destroy PPP strongholds, thereby demolishing Indians, who would then have no protection against the marauding PNC. The duo are cognizant of the fact that the AFC could never win an election in Guyana; but their only hope of remaining in the political power realm is to keep an indepen-

MOSES NAGAMOOTOO

KHEMRAJ RAMJATTAN future. Trotman would also be welcomed back home, while the likes of Ramjattan and Nagamootoo, after being used to “destroy PPP strongholds”, would be discarded like so much waste.

An INews report stated: As of recent, there were talks of the AFC merging with the APNU, an idea which Opposition Leader Granger welcomes, but one which Ramjattan is reluctant to consider.

Ramjattan, in his explanation on Facebook, noted that the biggest

ana, because of our still continuing polarized, ethnicised voting patterns, which can do major destruction to the PPP strongholds!”

Ramjattan and Nagamootoo have been leading the charge with the No Confidence Motion against the Government, which has since caused President Donald Ramotar to prorogue the Parliament.

So Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, whether they merge before or after election, are part of the PNC’s train that they hope will take them to their ultimate goal; but which, in President Donald Ramotar’s words, would leave them holding “Lowrah.”

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Nothing wrong with Hicken advice to women -says commander’s comments - GPF were taken out of context

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) has come out in full support of it’s ‘A’ Division Commander Senior Superintendent, Clifton Hicken, who on Monday advised women and girls to dress in a manner which is morally acceptable and to some extent helps prevent rape.

The commander was at the time addressing members of the media, police officers and stakeholders at the presentation of the Guyana Police Force Christmas security arrangements for 2014.

At the time the statements were made Hicken was addressing the issue of rape and how the division is working to bring the number of cases under control.

“Rape seems to be on the front burner in ‘A’ Division and that is something we are paying close attention to and we are working with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Human Services and other NGOs; and we are working assiduously not to just solve [the] problem when it happens, but to prevent it from happening through lectures to school, various advisories [and] as much educational programmes that we can distribute through stakeholder and other NGOs involved,” Hicken said while speaking of rape in the division.

“We are speaking about preventing somebody from committing an offence and yet we are creating an atmosphere in terms of our society which seems to be the norm now. When we are within our partnership programmes, we advocate for the young females who seem to be vulnerable within a certain age group that is moving from around 13 to 18, 16 to 18; and we always try to embrace an attire that would be accepted morally and not to have yourself in an attire that you create this type of look, reminiscing look by the opposite gender and that is a work in progress for us and we are expanding that in terms of sharing our information and tips through NGOs of course. Yes, we have a spiral increase in September- October. We seem to be doing fine,” the commander further told the gathering.

The police in their press release said that Commander Hicken was taken out of context and that he had no intention to in any way justify sexual assault.

The force said that while males in the society ought not to interpret a female’s mode of dress to be sending a particular type of signal, the fact remains that it is happening to some degree.

Hicken has lots of experience which provides information arising out of interviews of suspects in sexual assault matters as well as intelligence coming from discussions among elements of criminal groups regarding sexual assaults they would have committed. Such information is gathered when these groups are penetrated, the GPF added.

The police went on to say that in many cases discussions would have suggested that the mode of dress of the victims might have contributed to the suspect’s selection of targets. In closing, the police said that the commander felt obligated to share that information as one of his crime-prevention strategies focusing on sexual assault.

The Guyana Police Force supports the divisional commander in his crime-prevention efforts, inclusive of sharing pertinent information, and wishes to reiterate that the commander had no intention of defining moral conduct and that the statement was aimed totally towards crime prevention, the release added.

Meanwhile, this publication was able to confirm that many groups and sections of the media which sought to lash out at the commander for his advice to women and girls either deliberately took the statements of the senior officer out of context, while others sought to miss-quote the commander, which contributed to the desired reaction of condemnation of the officer’s remarks.

It was noted that one particular media house inserted statements into a published article and attributed them to the commander, when in fact none of the words used by that news outfit in the particular line were never used by the commander during his presentation on the issue of rape.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Better Hope Community Centre murder trial…

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Accused gave caution statements, blood-stained clothing to police MURDER accused, Christopher Singh and Davendra Bushram, called “Bird Brains” freely and voluntarily gave caution statements, according to Detective Inspector, Nolan Burnett.

Singh is also reported to have given blood-stained clothing to the police.

But Singh, who himself had injuries had said: “Me and a man had a fight and as a result of the fight, I get these injuries.”

Davendra Bushram, when replying to the caution put to him by Detective Inspector Burnett, had said: “Me nah stab nobody.”

Both accused are on trial for the murder of Javed Mohamed, who was stabbed to death on the night of September 11, 2010, at Better Hope, outside the Community Centre Ground, where there was a floodlight cricket match.

Detective Inspector, Nolan Burnett, who is attached to the Sparendaam Police Station said that he was on duty that night when he received a report about the death of Mohamed.

The crime is said to be a felony murder.

Inspector Burnett said that he and a party of policemen went to 96 Polwari Street, Better Hope, where they contacted Christopher Singh. Burnett said he told Singh that he was in re-

ceipt of information that he Singh had been in a fight with Javed Mohamed and that he had inflicted injuries on him which resulted in his death. He then put the caution to him, to which Singh replied: “Me and a man had a fight and as a result of the fight, I get these injuries.”

Continuing, witness said, “Christopher Singh showed me injuries between his wrist and elbow on his left hand. I arrested Christopher Singh and escorted him to Sparendaam Police Station.”

Inspector Burnett said that at the station he asked Singh for the clothing he was wearing at the time, and Singh took him to his grandparents’ residence, where the accused produced a jersey marked “PUNTO” and a white under vest. Witness said that he checked the clothing and found what appeared to be blood stains on both of them. He took possession of the clothing and escorted the accused to the station.

Later, Burnett said he held a confrontation between Mahadeo called Avinash and Chrisopher Singh, when Mangal repeated a story that he and his brother-in-law were at the Centre Ground and were going to the Container Bar. He said that at that stage Christopher Singh asked him to borrow his knife, which he lent him.

On the 13th, Burnett said that he and a party of policemen went to Waterloo Street, Georgetown, at the home of Davendra Bushram called “Bird Brains.”

Burnett testified that he told “Bird Brains” that between the 11th and the 12th of September at Better Hope, he being in company with others had inflicted injuries on Javed Mohamed which resulted in his death. Inspector Burnett said that he issued the usual caution to Bird Brains who replied: “Me nah stab nobody.”

Witness added, “I arrested him and

escorted him to Sparendaam Police Station.”

According to the witness, on being further cautioned, Bushram said, “Me nah lash nobody neither me nah take way nobody band.” Witness said that the statements and the exhibits were lodged at the police station.

Senior State Counsel, Mrs. Judith Mursalin is conducting the case for the prosecution.

Lawyers Mr. George Thomas and Mr. Raymond Ali are defending the accused The trial continues.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Preliminary arguments heard in Skeldon Estate arbitration tribunal matter

SO far only preliminary arguments have been heard in the arbitration tribunal matter which commenced on November 5 to address the suspension of Skeldon sugar estate worker, Mr.

Daniel Stephen.

This was according to President of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Mr. Komal Chand.

The tribunal will enquire into the disciplinary action taken against Stephen, where the evidence and submission by the parties will come under scrutiny as an award is to be determined.

The move to arbitration follows the rejection by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) of the recommendation of the Ministry of Labour to reinstate Steven, who was suspended after an altercation with an estate manager.

MASSIVE STRIKE The suspension last month resulted in a massive strike in the sugar belt and subsequent agreement between GuySuCo and GAWU. Six conditions were agreed to by the Union and GuySuCo: that the strike by field and factory workers will end; the Union

will ensure full resumption of duties by field and factory workers from the day the strike ended; there will be no victimisation on either side because of strike actions; all workers who were on strike will not have their ‘strike day’ counted as absent, but as days not available for work; that the dismissal of the Skeldon factory employee, Mr. Daniel Stephen, will now be treated as a suspension, without pay, until the end of the reconciliation talks and within 24 hours after resumption of duties, the aggrieved parties – including GAWU – will meet with the Chief Labour Officer, who will make a final decision on the matter.

The Ministry of Labour’s recommendations were not binding but those of the arbitration tribunal will be.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

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Gender equality seen in terms of national development at interactive training session A GENDER equality and mainstreaming training session held yesterday at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown,

all share and gender mainstreaming is a goal to which our society and organisations should be aspiring.

She added that CUSO In-

contribution of both genders.”

She stated that despite strides in the advancement of the status of women both

Stakeholders as they share their views during the very lively discussions at Cara Lodge yesterday morning had lively discussions on gender verses sex, gender equality, gender-based violence and gender mainstreaming.

The session drew a broad spectrum of public, private sector, governmental and non-governmental organisations and institutions.

Jillian Hess, who is volunteering as the Canadian University Services Overseas (CUSO) Guyana Gender Specialist, facilitated the session yesterday morning, and it was well received during the interactive discussions.

GENDER INEQUALITY Meanwhile, CUSO Guyana Country Representative, Melanie McTurk told the media that gender inequality is a challenge that we

ternational is a development organisation that works to reduce poverty and inequality through the efforts of skilled volunteers.

McTurk stated that CUSO Guyana conducted research in 2013 in aid of garnering a deeper understanding of gender in Guyana and towards the creation of an action plan to guide their work locally.

She pointed out that in March 2014 at the celebrations to observe International Women’s Day the action plan was launched which addresses inequality between women and men.

McTurk said, “I want to shatter one pervasive myth, that is, when we talk about gender we are not speaking only about women but men also since society needs the

in Guyana and around the world, the most disadvantaged members of our society are more likely to be the victims of domestic violence and sexually-based violence, and are less likely to be represented in decisions that affect them.

McTurk said for a developing country like Guyana, especially one with a small population, the empowerment of women, especially the engagement of women and more over young women in paid employment and decision-making remains critical for one very simple reason – “we cannot afford not to, from a sheer issue of numbers.”

The workshop, McTurk added, is aimed at educating stakeholders so they have a heightened understanding of

Jillian Hess, Gender Specialist as she interacted yesterday morning with participants what gender is and the role it plays in Guyana in terms of the country’s development.

In the Caribbean both genders are doing very well, and in positions of authority more women are taking up that role while young men are more associated in crimes and more likely to drop out of school, she said.

McTurk told the media yesterday that in Guyana,

according to research, domestic violence is one of our biggest problems, with direct implications for our economy; as people cannot go to work because they have physical injuries or they are prevented from working and so on.

More than 40 stakeholders were in attendance, drawn from a wide cross-section of or-

ganisations, including the Guyana Women Lawyers Association, the Guyana Police Force, SASOD, Legal Aid Clinic, National Council on Disability, Women Across Differences, Conversation International, Volunteer National Youth Council, Women Agro Processors Association, and Women’s Affairs Bureau.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Praying pastor causes 1000+ African bees to exit church premises MULTIPLE thousands of dangerous African bees, disturbed from their hive on Saturday midday by an excavator clearing bushes from an abandoned sugar plantation and factory at Devonshire Castle, Essequibo Coast, took up refuge on a mango tree in very close proximity to the Voice of Faith Miracle Ministries Church located in that village.

This situation posed a real and present danger to worshippers attending Sunday morning services at the church, especially because those services are always very well attended and worshippers are vociferous in praising God. The situation was miraculously diffused when Pastor Rajendra Prabhulall took the matter to God in prayer. Before the start of the Sunday morning service, the African bees calmly flew away to another tree far away from the church. “God ensured that nothing would stop His people from praising Him; for He is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, the God who lives and reigns forever,� Pastor Prabhulall declared after the bees had exited the premises.

This miraculous deliverance has caused church members to give praise and thanks to God, whose power is great and mighty. (Rajendra Prabhulall in E/bo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

One in custody after Angoy’s Avenue gun murder

AS police continue investigating the unlawful killing of Richard Dey, who was gunned down a stone’s throw from his home at Rodney Dam, Mount Sinai, his close friend has been taken into custody to assist police in their investigations.

The 40-year-old father of two had, moments before, dispatched bags of goodies to several friends in honour of his son’s first birthday, and had returned home with his wife Ongel Lindie and their two children just after 20:30 hrs.

Two hours later, he left his home and was walking towards his car, parked 100 metres away, when he was attacked.

Sources revealed that just before Dey was shot, someone was overheard saying, “Let me see what the [expletive] you will do now!” before an explosion was heard.

Information suggests that after the shot had been fired, the injured man’s wife called out to him but got no response. Seconds later, a teenager who would frequent the unlit walkway reported to the woman that her husband

was lying motionless on the track with what appeared to be blood gushing from a wound to his neck.

In Dey’s left hand was a cigarette and a lighter, while his right hand clutched his car key. His cellular phone was the only article missing from his person.

Reports reveal that his wife had telephoned the number moments after hearing the gunshot, but the call had been transferred to voicemail. She, having peered through a window, saw the car parked and had assumed that her husband was seated within talking to someone on the phone. However, after receiving the teen’s report, she ventured outside and, aided by a light from a cellular phone, saw her husband lying motionless in a roadside drain.

While the family continues to be tight-lipped, Dey’s associates described him as an arrogant man who had lost respect for persons.

On August 28 last, Dey, armed with a piece of lumber, had inflicted several lashes about the body of a man of unsound mind at Pitt Street, New Amsterdam.

Relatives of Seon George said their loved one suffered multiple fractures, resulting in him wearing Plaster of Paris on his lower extremities. Dey was never charged.

A week prior to his death, he was overheard arguing with a known character who had threatened to ‘done he dance’.

Dey’s body was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His remains are awaiting a post-mortem, expected to be conducted by Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh at Anthony’s Funeral Home at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice.

(Jeune Bailey Vankeric)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Electricity theft causes woman $50,000 fine or 8 weeks in prison PATRICIA Cornet of Barrack Street, Kingston appeared Monday before Georgetown Magistrate, Ann McLennan to answer a charge of stealing electricity, particulars of which detailed that, on November 10, she fraudulently abstracted an electricity supply from the Guyana Power and Light Inc. to her home.

The prosecution’s case was that, at about 18:30hrs on the day in question, police and GPL workers went to Cornet’s home and observed that illegal wires were connected thereto from the GPL power line.

The defendant was told of the offence and was arrested. Investigations were carried out and the defendant was charged.

Miss Cornet pleaded not guilty to the charge, telling the court that she was not the person who had set up the wire, but was rather the person who was getting the electricity from it.

She was fined $50,000, and was ordered to pay the fine within three weeks, or serve eight weeks’ imprisonment.

Defendants remanded to November 21 for robbery-under-arms offence CHARLES Tobey, 26, and Kelvin McPherson, 22, appeared Monday before Georgetown Magistrate, Ann McLennan to answer a robbery-under- arms charge, which detailed that on November 5, at Robb Street, Georgetown, being armed with an ice-pick, they robbed Edward Mc-

Coy of one Blackberry phone worth $22,000 and $3,000 cash, a total sum of $25,000.

The two defendants were not required to plead to the indictable charge.

Tobey was represented by attorney, Paul Funga-fat, who said his client is a cane-cutter with no

antecedents, and he is requesting reasonable bail and an early trial date; but the prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the nature and prevalence of the offence.

Both defendants were refused bail and were remanded to November 21, when they will appear before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Robbery-under-arms duo remanded to prison until November 28 TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD, Ronlee Rampersaud and 26-year-old, Ceon Grant appeared Monday before Georgetown Magistrate, Ann McLennan charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and robbery-under-arms.

One allegation is that on Friday, November 14, at Georgetown, they conspired to commit robbery-under-arms. The other allegation is that on November 10 on Sheriff

Street, being armed with a gun, they robbed Leoni Sommoogan of $20,000 cash, property of Wong Chan Ton. The defendants were not required to plead to the indictable charges, and were refused bail on grounds of the nature and gravity of the offences. They were remanded to prison until November 28, when their cases will be called in Magistrate Judy Latchman’s court.

Lindener who threatened woman with broken bottle gets four months jail LINDENER, Marlon France was Monday sentenced to four months’ imprisonment by Georgetown Magistrate, Ann McLennan for threatening behaviour which he allegedly displayed against Paulette Cummings on Sunday, November 16, at Mackenzie, Linden.

It is alleged that on the day in question, at about 05:00hrs, Cummings was exercising when the defendant approached her with a

broken bottle in hand and ordered her to lie on the ground. A scuffle ensued, the bottle was knocked from the defendant’s hand, and Cummings was able to run away from France although he kept pursuing her.

Cummings ran to the Mackenzie Police Station and reported the matter. The police arrested the defendant, investigations were carried out, and France was charged.

France pleaded guilty as charged.

Father of six gets $160,000 bail on assault and unlawful wounding charges THIRTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD, Nash Granas, a father of six, was Monday placed on $160,000 bail by Georgetown Magistrate Ann McLennan for allegedly unlawfully and maliciously wounding Deyomon Francis on November 12 at Waramadong Village, Mazaruni River; and for unlawfully assaulting Derrick Bernard on No-

vember 12 at Waramadong Village.

Granas pleaded not guilty to both charges, and was granted bail as follows: $150,000 for unlawful wounding and $10,000 for the assault charge.

This matter has been transferred to the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court for December 15 recall.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Remains suspected to be MFK boss for DNA testing in Trinidad

SAMPLES from the remains found at the Cummings Lodge Cemetery in October and suspected to be the corpse of business-

Shot suspect

man Mohamed Khan will be taken to Trinidad and Tobago for DNA testing.

This was confirmed by Crime Chief, Leslie James on Monday during an invited comment from members of the media.

Family members of the businessman came forward and identified the headless and badly decomposed remains of a male as that of the businessman who was last seen in late August when he travelled to Guyana from Brazil.

The remains which were stumbled upon by cleaners working in the vicinity of the cemetery were taken to the Lyken Funeral Home and was later identified by

the man’s relatives.

However, the police have maintained that they need to conduct tests to ascertain the true identity of the person whose remains were discovered.

Meanwhile, regarding secondary school teacher, Nyozi Goodman, James said that an officer from the Guyana Police Force has already been identified to travel to Trinidad to retrieve the DNA results from the samples and have them returned to Guyana.

James said that he has been in contact with the mother of the missing school teacher and he last spoke with the woman on Sunday night.

Police at the scene of the discovery of the remains at Cummings Lodge

However the relatives of the teacher are saying that they have not been hearing from the Guyana Police Force with respect to the status of the investigation and the samples which were sent to Trinidad for DNA testing.

On Friday last, Royston Waldron, who police had identified as the

main suspect in the disappearance of Goodman earlier this year as well as a policewoman several years ago, was killed in a shootout with the police.

Two others who were in his company at the time were arrested when the police came under fire from the vehicle in which they were travelling.

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Missing Nyozi Goodman

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Santa Fe Mega Farm investment a success story -scope of operations to be further expanded

AGRICULTURE Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy has, on Sunday, witnessed the loading of rice harvested from the Santa Fe Mega Farm investment for onward transport to Brazil.

The cargo rice was first processed at the Santa Fe mill, constructed by the investors.

This has been the third occasion in which the Simpson family of Barbados has successfully harvested rice to supply the local Region Nine market as well as Brazil. For 2014, more than 8,000 tonnes of cargo rice were exported to Brazil.

Santa Fe Inc. investor, Sir Kyffin Simpson, is adamant that the investment at Santa Fe has, from inception, continued to be a favourable one, and is committed to ensuring additional growth in the hinterland region.

The project has modelled its cultivation on techniques used in Brazil as well as those used in Guyana, and utilises a Brazilian expert to guide the process.

Dr. Ramsammy said, “There continues to be progress every time I visit Santa Fe….

Such success is a model which shows what can be done in savannah lands.”

He further alluded to the fact that there continues to be tremendous potential -- thus far largely untapped -- for agriculture development in the hinterland.

Since its inception, the project has also welcome successful harvest of not only rice but cash crops and the production/rearing of piglets, cows and sheep, as the investors begin a modern cattle industry. The project commenced with 120 acres of rice. However,

the Simpson family, who are also the owners of Sol Group, realised this was not enough, and have since significantly expanded their operations.

To date, the Santa Fe project is not only equipped with a certified mill to process the paddy, but the necessary infrastructure -- such as drainage and irrigation canals and a pump system – are all in place.

The project is also set to utilise the savannahs for soya bean and corn cultivation, which would significantly aid the Caribbean in reducing its imports of the said commodities, and allow for trade and expanded markets within the Region.

The project is being managed and supervised by Guyanese Richard Vasconcellos.

Of the 60 employees, 57 are Guyanese from

Region 9.

Accompanying the Agriculture Minister on this visit were the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. George Jervis; Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr. Oudho Homenauth; Chief Executive Officer of GLDA, Dr. Dindyal Permaul; Chief Executive Officer of the NDIA, Mr. Lionel Wordsworth; Deputy General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board, Mr. Rickey Ramraj; and Deputy Registrar of the PTTCB Board, Mr. Suresh Singh.

The Santa Fe team included the owner, Sir Kyffin Simpson; Chairman of the Santa Fe Board of Directors, Mr. Ronald Hardford; President of Itikawa Arroz (rice), Mr. Nelson Itikawa; and Guyanese project director, Mr. Richard Vasconcellos.

(Ravin Singh)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Petting zoo to open next month

TO enhance biodiversity conservation in urban areas for the protection of Guyana’s ‘green spaces’ under the Three-Parks Initiative, the zoological park (zoo) petting zoo is slated to open its doors to the public in December.

In a brief interview, Ms. Annalise Bayney, the Protected Areas Commission officer who supervises this initiative, disclosed that all the major works as well as minor inputs such as the installation of doors, windows and other petty construction, have been completed.

Therefore, small issues are now being addressed surrounding the animals’ adjustment to the new environment (petting zoo).

FREE ACCESS Although access to the facility will be free, it is expected that the facility will contribute to its own upkeep through rental for children’s birthday parties and reduced food costs from visitors making purchases to feed the animals.

The petting zoo will feature ducks, donkeys, goats, cows and chickens. The maintenance of these animals will, however, be less expensive when compared to the other animals in the larger zoo.

The finished petting zoo slated to open in December.

ANIMAL WELFARE The zoo’s current primary objective is to implement international standards to promote animal welfare.

The purpose of the petting zoo is to modernise the larger zoological park and to provide a different experience, since wild animals are normally viewed from afar, thus there is no contact.

The petting zoo, on the other hand, will foster phys-

ical interaction with the animals and the public, particularly youths.

The zoo’s 45 species of animals are housed in enclosures that are not in line with current best practices and understanding in zoo husbandry, and are becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.

Therefore the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNRE) and the Protected Areas Com-

The zoo’s master plan that is being implemented

mission launched the ThreeParks initiative to modernise the zoo.

Meanwhile, the zoo has established a Master Plan to augment its prime facilities and regenerate as well as develop road and rail networks in all three parks: The National Park, The Zoological Park and The Joe Vieira Park.

The rehabilitation of the zoo will enable visitors to gain greater knowledge of animal species in habitats that are representative of Guyana’s eco-systems.

Moreover, it seeks to create new exhibit spaces that are huge enough to accommodate the animals and give them room to roam freely, as in their natural habitats.

MASTER PLAN PROJECTS According to the Master Plan, five projects are to be completed: the Coastal Wetlands that will cater for the Black Caiman; the Savannah and the Mountain Highlands that will

seek to accommodate the jaguars, the Rainforest that will be home to the Harpy Eagle and other bird species and lastly, World Treasures that will hold lions and tigers.

Each habitat zone will provide information on Protected Areas associated with that particular ecosystem, such as a Shell Beach information display in the Coastal Wetlands zone, and a Kanuku Mountains display in the Mountain Highlands zone.

COMFORT STATIONS Covered climate-controlled structures will provide visitors’ comfort stations where habitat views, small animal exhibits, and interpretive information will be afforded in relative protection from the elements.

The storyline will be conveyed to the visitor through conventional graphics, artifacts, interactive elements, live animals, architecture, and landscape simulation.

Visitors will be immersed in

zones which are created to reinforce and illustrate the interpretive themes of animal interactions (predator/ prey), symbiotic plant and animal associations, indigenous peoples and modern human relationships with the natural world.

The Zoological Park came into existence in 1952 and affords locals and tourists alike the chance to experience a diverse animal collection in a safe and accessible environment.

It occupies approximately four acres of land and serves as a shelter for abandoned and abused animals. It is beneficial for visitors, since it provides a spectrum for educational and recreational facilities that serve to highlight information and encourage admiration for wildlife in Guyana. Given that much of the zoo’s infrastructure was designed in the 1950s, it has not since reflected present international standards, hence the ThreeParks initiative.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Municipal collection of property rates/taxes poor

LOCAL Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker, concerned at the poor collection of property rates and taxes made by municipalities, expressed his misgivings after presentations of 2015 budgetary estimates had been made by five of the six municipalities in the Local Government Ministry boardroom in Kingston, Georgetown yesterday.

Town clerks, treasurers and other municipal officers from Georgetown, Anna Regina, Corriverton, New Amsterdam, Linden and Rose Hall Town gathered to conform to the November 15 deadline for submission of documents in this respect.

Special circumstances prevented the Georgetown Municipality as well as the Linden Town Council from presenting budgetary estimates.

During this meeting, it was recorded that three of the five municipalities that made presentations had collected only 50 percent of their property rates and taxes, with a lump sum of some $83M outstanding, which elicited deep concern from Minister Whittaker.

While the Anna Regina and Rose Hall Town Councils called for an increase in rates and taxes, Minister Whittaker wanted to know why they could not increase their collection of rates and taxes. “If people are paying ‘X’ dollars, and we are not able to collect 50%, when we take that rate to X plus, what makes us think that if those rates [increase] you are going to collect more?” Minister Whittaker questioned.

The Minister urged the Councils to develop policies and strategies for actively pursuing rate payers who have been dodging the authorities.

Recognising that citizens who actually pay rates and taxes are disenfranchised by those who do not pay, Minister Whittaker said: “You are putting pressure on those who actually pay, because the 40% who pay are being denied the service that they expect because they paid.”

Explaining the situation that usually obtains, Rose Hall Town Clerk Mellesia Punch called for emphasis to be placed on the fact that those persons who have not paid taxes for several years “are either deceased or (are) out of the country, and we are unable to make contact with them.”

Noting the challenges faced by the municipalities, Whittaker urged the local government bodies to consider other “legitimate” sources of revenue besides the collection of rates and taxes.

“Don’t just stick to the tradition sources of revenue,” he cautioned, while congratulating the Linden Town Council for venturing into other areas for gaining revenue.

“Because”, he said, “once you’re delivering services, you have a good case for advancing for people to pay.”

One member of the Linden Town Council went as far as to urge that because of limited sources of the council, it is difficult to pursue legal recourse against citizens who have not been paying their rates and taxes.

To this end, the Minister said that, some time ago, the services of legal personnel were contracted by the Ministry to deal with municipal matters.

“This year”, he said, “we have the benefit of the service of one legal person right now, and therefore we have to prioritise.”

The Minister said that while it is ideal for there

-LGRD Minister Norman Whittaker

to be more persons forming a full legal department of the Ministry, “the Council is empowered through the Town Clerk and the Environment Health Officers to take defaulters to Court.”

He explained that there is one NDC on the

West Bank of Demerara that retains the services of a lawyer, who is paid by percentage of what is gained from the judgement. Not throwing caution to the wind, the Minister said, “It is a work in progress for us.” (Derwayne Wills)

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Norman Whittaker with Municipal Services Officer Fabian Jerrick (left), and Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Local Government Ministry, Abena Moore (right)

Municipal Officers gathered from municipalities in Georgetown, Corriverton, New Amsterdam, Linden, Rose Hall and Anna Regina

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

GGMC staffers mount protest over delay in salary increase since 2013 - asking for at least 15% increase on salaries and wages

Some of the employees display their needs via posters.

Industrial Relations Officer of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Jermaine Hermanstine speaking to members of the media Monday.

STAFFERS of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Monday mounted a protest outside the GGMC building, Brickdam, over the issue of a salary and wage increase for workers which has been outstanding since last year.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle, Industrial Relations Officer of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Jermaine Hermanstine, stated that the management of GGMC had failed the employees of GGMC once again.

He said that negotiations between members of the union and the heads of GGMC for an increase in salaries and wages have been going on since 2013.

Recently at a board meeting, members of the union issued an ultimatum to the board asking for a 35% increase to their salaries and wages and have since been awaiting a response from the heads of GGMC. AT LEAST 15% Hermanstine noted that if GGMC can’t make adjustments for the 35%, they can at least give a 15% increase.

He added GGMC has no excuse to decline the requests by the workers because they have already exceeded their projected target for the year in terms of income.

He noted that there are also other issues that have been quite disturbing to employees, but he did not wish to disclose these at this time.

Hermanstine stated that as a result of this “prolonged tomfoolery”, they have decided to take industrial action in order to ensure that the works at the GGMC cannot progress until the needs of the employees have been met.

Efforts to make contact with the Head of GGMC for a response to this situation have been futile.

The angry staffers of GGMC protesting Monday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Solider hospitalised, accomplice dead after robbery

Relatives and friends who gathered at the home after the robbery

By Leroy Smith TRILLION

Munroe of

Tucber Park, New Amsterdam, Berbice died at the Georgetown Public Hospi-

tal while receiving medical attention while his robbery accomplice, Kevin David The motorcycle the men were riding when they were cornered by residents was hospitalised under guard at the same medical institution.

The two were earlier yesterday afternoon chased and caught by residents of

that the woman and her husband had just returned home when two men rode up on a motorcycle and one raced into the yard and snatched a bag from the woman which

The two bandits in the back of a police pickup after they were captured La Bonne Intention, East Coast Demerara after they snatched a bag containing some $750,000 from 37-year-old Jasdai Persaud, also known as Nalani Mohamed, of 45 Cherry Field, LBI, shortly after she had returned from a city bank with the money.

Yesterday neither the woman nor her relatives were willing to speak with this publication about the incident.

However persons who were on the scene related

contained the money.

The woman then raised an alarm and her husband rushed to the men but the pillion rider reportedly fired a shot in his direction causing him to retreat.

However, the woman’s two brothers who were at separate locations in the area were also alerted about the robbery.

The men then attempted to chase the bandits who were on the motorcycle but were getting difficulties in having the men stop as they

fired shots in the direction of the woman’s relatives.

The relatives then took a decision to ram a car into the motorcycle the bandits were riding, pinning one of them under the vehicle while the other was pitched several yards away and lay in an unconscious state. The police were then called in.

Meanwhile when the police arrived they were able to retrieve a Guyana Defence Force Identification Card which belonged to one Kevin David who is the second bandit, who is now hospitalised. Cops were also able to retrieve a bag containing the money which was snatched from the woman as well as an unlicensed .32 revolver.

The Guyana Chronicle was late last evening able to confirm from a senior GDF source that the bandit, Kevin David was indeed a soldier but had been absent without leave (AWOL) for some time.

At the moment the woman has some workers who are carrying out extension works to her wooden house and according to persons in the area the woman only brought the men to the location two days ago.

Yesterday the Guyana Police Force in a statement said that the men who committed the robbery were confronted by relatives of the woman as they left the premises where they carried out the robbery.

It was during their bid to flee from the area that they were apprehended by the relatives who chased after them. The police were also able to recover four live rounds and a spent shell along with the unlicensed .32 revolver.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Royston Waldron was shot and killed during police intelligence-led activities – Crime Chief FOLLOWING last Friday’s incident in which police shot and killed a wanted man, Royston Waldron, who was the prime suspect in the disappearance of two women, Crime Chief, Leslie James told this publication that it was successful because police were engaged in intelligence-led activities.

He lauded ranks of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for their efforts in intercepting the vehicle with three wanted men during which one was fatally shot while the two others were arrested.

Prior to the incident, Waldron was under surveillance for sometime and ranks saw the opportunity and seized it because they believed the men were up to no good.

Some residents and others said after the shooting incident that they were of the opinion that the group were about to commit a crime when the police caught up with them.

James said CID ranks had been focusing on the case for sometime and based on intelligence-led activities they ably managed to corner the men that day.

Police reported that at about 12:15 hrs on November 14, 2014, ranks intercepted a motor-car at Alexander and Thomas Streets, Kitty, Georgetown, with three men, who were wanted for questioning in connection with a number of armed robberies and during which gunfire was opened on the police.

The police returned fire hitting Royston Waldron, 38, of Public Road, Kitty, from whom an unlicensed .32 pistol with four rounds and a spent shell was recovered. He was taken to the GPHC where he succumbed while receiving medical treatment.

The two other men were arrested and charged for several armed robberies and remanded to prison this week.

Waldron had been convicted on charges of robbery under arms and was the prime suspect in the disappearance of Police Constable, Patriena Nicholson and School Teacher, Nyozi Goodman.

US orders its Europe troops to keep low profile

BERLIN (AP) — The U.S. military’s European Command said Tuesday it has ordered its troops to avoid wearing their uniforms when off base, and to ensure the security settings and geolocation functions on their social media pages aren’t “overly revealing.”

EUCOM spokesman Navy Capt. Greg Hicks would not say what prompted the new directive for the roughly 70,000 U.S. personnel serving in Europe. The order, issued Nov. 10, comes after high-profile attacks on soldiers of American allies Britain and Canada in their home countries.

“We continually assess threats to our forces with and alongside our host nation counterparts, and take appropriate measures based on those assessments,” Hicks said in an e-mailed statement to The Associated Press. “We will not get into the specifics of those threats nor the assessments.”

EUCOM said it did not know whether other Amer-

ican commands had issued similar directives.

The order came two days before three American sailors were assaulted in Istanbul, Turkey, near where their warship was docked.

Protesters shouted “Yankee, go home!” and other slogans, and threw red paint at the sailors, who were not in uniform. They also briefly succeeded in putting white sacks over the sailors’ heads.

Last month, a gunman shot and killed a soldier in Ottawa in an attack Prime Minister Stephen Harper called an act of terrorism.

Two days before that, a man authorities said was inspired by the Islamic State extremist group ran over two soldiers in a parking lot in Quebec, killing one and injuring the other before being shot to death by police.

The attacks raised fears Canada was suffering reprisals for joining the U.S.led air campaign against IS in Iraq and Syria.

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Aries Feel free to go shopping for yourself. While you’re at it, you might as well pick up some things for others, too. You’re apt to be in tune with the pleasant spirit of the people around you. On the other hand, if they’re being especially negative or cranky, don’t hesitate to just go elsewhere. Unfortunately, that may be easier said than done.

Taurus You’re likely to gravitate toward those who can put on a show and carry your imagination to a far-off land today. Look for this quality in others instead of turning to the TV to satisfy this need. If you aren’t careful, you may end up a couch potato all day, without talking to anyone. Take note that real life is much more enriching than anything that could come over the airwaves.

Gemini Connect with those who carry you upward and encourage your fantasies today instead of those who try to bring you down to reality. There’s a need for you to shine more brightly than usual, and there’s no reason why this wish shouldn’t be granted. Everything will work out splendidly for you as long as you align yourself with admirable people and noble causes, so go for it.

Cancer You’re likely now on the brink of completing a major move of some sort. Your first reaction may be to sit in solitary deliberation as you wrestle with the pros and cons of each piece of the situation. Try not to overload your head with too many details. Look at the overall picture. Perhaps you will find the answer you seek on a walk. During that time you can clear your head of unnecessary clutter.

Leo It’s one thing to be a friend and it’s another to feed someone’s ego just to make him or her happy. Make sure that you aren’t telling someone lies just because you know that that is what he or she wants to hear. A true friend is someone who is honest at all times, even if it means that you may temporarily hurt that person’s feelings.

Virgo Don’t take things that don’t belong to you. Your penetrating eyes are apt to spot things that are easily pocketed, even though you know deep down that those things aren’t meant for you to keep. Your imagination might try to convince you that it’s OK to pull such sneaky manoeuvres, and you may be tempted. Don’t deceive yourself.

Libra Try not to think too much about what is “supposed” to happen next. The truth of the matter is that things don’t necessarily work out the way they’re planned, so don’t count on something that has no guarantee of coming to fruition. Stick to your own way of doing things and try not to get too hung up on the results.

The key now is to enjoy the process.

Scorpio Water your plants today and make sure they’re getting enough light. If you don’t have any plants, take this opportunity to go to the nursery and pick up a couple for your home or office. Nourish the organic things in your life to help remind you of your own roots, which are extremely important for you right now. Sink deep into the Earth in order to understand the environment around you.

Sagittarius You’re on a roll today. Don’t let other people’s insecurities or shallow understanding about an issue get in the way of your progress. There’s a distinct advantage to the way you approach things. Feel free to exert your will on those who need strong direction. If you’re confident about the answer, don’t be shy about saying so. If people don’t like the way you’re leading, they don’t need to follow.

Capricorn You may be wondering whose shoulder you should cry on. Usually yours is the shoulder that everyone else likes to use. The collar of your shirt is probably soaking wet by now, thanks to all the tears that have spilled on you. Your compassion for others is definitely one of your biggest strengths, but be aware of the fact that it can also be one of your biggest weaknesses.

Aquarius Your coals have been smoldering for a while, and there is a great deal of smoke pouring from your blackened embers. The good news is that there’s apt to be a great gust of wind today, acting as the catalyst that ignites the flames. You’ve provided the heat and the fuel. The missing element of air is finally coming your way, so be prepared. The fire is apt to heat up quickly.

Pisces Be wary of big promises today. This could be one of those days when people are more likely to take a gamble because they’re unrealistic about how things are going to work out. Don’t be surprised if the stock market jumps as a result of the dollar signs that people imagine. It will be hard for others to resist when people receive promises of a big payoff.

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Guyana cops historic Motor Racing ‘double’

By Rawle Toney THIS year, not for the first time, Guyana has won the Caribbean Championship, but for the first time Guyana won both the driver and country Championship.

The Guyanese had amassed 541 points from the three rounds of the Seaboard Marine Caribbean Motor Racing Championship (CMRC) which saw its first round being held in Barbados, then the regions top cars and drivers headed to Trinidad and Tobago, before returning to the South Dakota Circuit for the final showdown.

Barbados finished second with 482 points, followed by Trinidad (400 points) and Jamaica sits in the cellar with 151 points.

Kristian Jeffrey won the ‘Caribbean Championship’, becoming the youngest to ever hold such distinction and the first Guyanese to lift the crown.

Kristian’s father Kevin (Jeffrey) was adjudged the 2014 Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) Champion Group 4 driver while Danny Persaud who enjoyed unarguably his outing in the sport won the accolade amounts Group 3 competitors.

Matthew Vieira, son of racing stalwart Mark Vieira, enjoyed a sensational year

on the seat of his Yamaha YZF 600 and for his domination he was named 2014 Super Stock Champion.

Meanwhile, President of the GMR&SC Johnny Carpenter said that the club enjoyed its most profitable ‘November meet’, with this year surpassing that of the previous years with regards to the returns from the gates.

“Despite the breaches at the gates and bogus tickets that were sold, the Club enjoyed its most profitable race meet last Sunday. This goes to show the growth of the sport , and that we at the GMR&SC would like to thank all those who came out and helped made the day what it was, without you, the fans, we would not have a successful day” Carpenter said.

The GMR&SC President said that with Guyana now being affiliated to the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) it opens the doors for the club to raise the standard of the sport and help motor racing to become Guyana’s biggest sport.

Southland International, distributors of Carlsberg have confirmed their sponsorship for the next three years and so too did Seaboard Marines, the company responsible for getting the cars around the Caribbean.

Ray Rahaman, one of the founding members of the Caribbean Motor Racing Association (CMRA), said that next year, four countries will host the CRMC starting in Jamaica in February 2015, then moving to Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and the championship will culminate in Guyana at the South Dakota Circuit.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

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Pakistan lose openers early after Kiwis 403 all out 52 runs to peg back the Kiwis.

Corey Anderson drove an Ehsan Adil delivery straight to Azhar at cover after adding two runs to his overnight score of seven.

BEAUTIFUL DELIVERY Tom Latham could not add to his career-best overnight score of 137, caught behind in the next over off a beautiful Rahat Ali delivery that lured the batsman into a drive before

Mark Craig is congratulated after dismissing Taufeeq Umaron the second day in Dubai.

(REUTERS) New Zealand’s batting tail wagged to take them to 403 in their first innings before they returned to dismiss Pakistan’s openers on the second day of the second Test in Dubai yesterday.

After frustrating the Pakistani bowlers with his defiant unbeaten 32, Kiwi leg-spinner Ish Sodhi spun a ball past Shan Masood’s (13) bat and hit the middle stump.

Sodhi’s spin partner Mark Craig then drew the other opener Taufeeeq Umar (16) out of his crease

to get him stumped.

Pakistan were 34 for two wickets at stumps, 369 runs behind their opponents with eight first innings wickets in hand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Younus Khan, who has hit three centuries and a double hundred in his last six test innings, was batting on one with Azhar Ali (four) at the other end.

Resuming on 243 for three, New Zealand conceded the morning session to Pakistan, who claimed three wickets for

South Africa’s Steyn plays down ‘silly’ Clarke feud SYDNEY, (Reuters) South African paceman Dale Steyn played down his rift with Australia captain Michael Clarke yesterday, saying their supposed feud had been “a bit silly”.

Clarke has been ruled out of the last three matches of the one-day series against the Proteas by a hamstring injury and Steyn said he wished the Australian a swift recovery.

The row started in March when Clarke sledged Steyn when the South African and team mate Vernon Philander were batting to try, ultimately unsuccessfully, to save both the Cape Town test and the series.

Clarke, who was fined for threatening England paceman James Anderson with a broken arm during the Brisbane Ashes test at the end of last year, apologised in Cape Town for the sledge.

Steyn said after a triangular series in

Zimbabwe later in the year, however, that he would not forgive the personal slight until Clarke shook him by the hand and apologised -comments he said had been blown out of all proportion.

“It’s got nothing to do about, ‘I’ll see you in the car park and we’ll beat the crap out of each other’,” Steyn told reporters in Canberra yesterday.

“Maybe I just said too much in Zim. The issue with Michael Clarke got blown out completely, it was like two schoolgirls the way the media got hold of it.”

Although Steyn said that he believed there was “a line” in sledging that should not be crossed, he was happy to put the disagreement with Clarke behind him.

“I didn’t want it to start a massive thing. It did, it doesn’t matter. He’s not playing now. He’s obviously injured. Hopefully he gets well,” Steyn added.

Scoreboard NEW ZEALAND 1st innings (Overnight: 243-3) T. Lathamc S. Ahmed b R. Ali 137 B. McCullumc Masood b Adil 43 K. Williamson b Babar 32 R. Taylor c Masood b Shah 23 C. Anderson c Az. Ali b Adil 9 J. Neesham c Misbah-ul-Haq b Shah 17 B. Watling c sub b Az. Ali 39 M. Craig lbw b Babar 43 T. Southee b Babar 17 I. Sodhi not out 32 T. Boult c R. Ali b Babar 2 Extras(lb-9) 9 Total (all out, 156 overs) 403 Fall of wickets: 1-77 B. McCullum,2-153 K. Williamson,3-226 R. Taylor,4-245 C. Anderson,5-245 T. Latham,6-278 J. Neesham,7-346 B. Watling,8-348 M. Craig,9-387 T. Southee,10-403 T. Boult Bowling: R. Ali 32 - 8 - 69 – 1, E. Adil 29 - 9 - 73 – 2, Z. Babar 45 - 8 - 137 – 4,Y. Shah 41 7 - 92 – 2,Az. Ali 9 - 1 - 23 - 1 PAKISTAN 1st innings S. Masood b Sodhi 13 T. Umar st Watling b Craig 16 Az. Ali not out 4 Y. Khan not out 1 Extras 0 Total (for 2 wickets, 19 overs) 34 Fall of wickets: 1-28 S. Masood,2-32 T. Umar To bat: Misbah-ul-Haq, A. Shafiq, S. Ahmed, Y. Shah, Z. Babar, E. Adil, R. Ali Bowling: T. Boult 5 - 1 - 9 – 0, T. Southee 3 - 0 - 5 – 0, M. Craig 6 - 3 - 8 – 1, I. Sodhi 5 0 - 12 – 1.

“He’s a great player and I think there’s enough respect from both of us, we’ve played against each other for long enough now and it’s just kind of got blown out of the water.

It’s a bit silly really in all honesty.”

With the one-day series nicely poised at 1-1 after the first two matches in Perth, the tourists face Australia in the third match at Manuka Oval today.

the slight away movement took an edge.

Left-handed Latham’s 269-ball knock included 11 fours and a six.

Jimmy Neesham (17) resisted the Pakistani spinners for almost an hour before chipping a Yasir Shah delivery to rival captain Misbah-ul-Haq at midwicket.

It was the 68-run seventh wicket stand between BJ Watling (39) and Mark Craig (43) that

propped up New Zealand in the second session.

Azhar dismissed Watling to end the blooming partnership but Sodhi’s rearguard resistance ensured New Zealand posted a decent total against a Pakistan team leading the three-match series 1-0.

For Pakistan, left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar (4-137) wrecked the Kiwi lower order after his limited success against the frontline batsmen.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Jaguar dominate First Division awards

By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada – It was certainly a weekend of the Jaguars. While the Guyana Jaguars were roaring in their homeland against the Leeward Islands in the first round West Indies Professional League (PCL) four-day tournament, the Guyanabased Jaguar were also celebrating their splendid success during a remarkable 2014 season when the Canadian Softball Cricket Association (CSCA) held its annual presentation dinner and dance last Saturday night here.

The glittering ceremony, held at the Royal Banquet Hall, Mississauga, saw Jaguar being crowned winners of the First Division knockout final, A Division Grand Final winners (regular season) and President’s Cup A Division champions, thereby making a clean sweep of the Division One titles.

So dominant were Jaguar, their only loss was to Sunshine during the regular season, a decision they reversed when the two teams clashed in the Grand Final.

Jaguar’s skipper Hemnarine Chattergoon, who is also president of the CSCA, emerged as the top batsman of the First Division, tallying an impressive 502 runs from 15 matches (13 innings) for a creditable average of 55.78 per innings.

So dominant was the former Guyana and West Indies

CSCA Public Relations Officer Ravendra Madholall (right) hands over the best batsman trophy to Hemnarine Chattergoon. On his left is Mrs Lena Chattergoon.

Under-19 batsman, his nearest rival Roy Dhori of Beehive amassed 383 runs with an average of 47.88 from the same number of innings.

Chattergoon, who is also captain of Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) in the Scarborough Cricket Association Premiere League tournament, where his side have been recently crowned winners for five consecutive years, collected awards for slamming three half-centuries during the season.

Shieldstown’s Shazam Baksh took the prize for the best bowler in the First Division, claiming 21 wickets at 5.20 runs apiece, one more than Sunshine’s Krishna Gopie whose 20 was gained at 5.83 runs per over and Dave Sirkisson who ended with 18 at 5.42 runs each.

The best batsman in the Second Division was Sharaz

Hamid of Hustlers who topped with 658 runs for an average of 59.82 while Sachim Gaindalall of Titans (555 runs, average 61.67) and Sunil Sattan of Kings Sports 493, average 49.30) also shared the spotlight.

Topping the Second Division in the bowling department was Suresh Ragoonauth with 25 wickets at 6.25 runs each with his teammate Javed Parsaram claiming 23 at 3.57 runs apiece and Rising Stars’s Travis Jaglall 23 at 5.71.

First Division centuries were registered by Imtiaz Hussain (Adventure), Lindon Persaud (Adventure), Sharaz Hamid (Hustlers), Sunil Sattan (Kings Sports), Cassius Waithe (Rising Star), Shaun Gangaram (Sunset Cricket Club) and Gerald Austin (Titans).

Rabindranauth Parasnauth of Sunshine shone with

SOME members of the victorious Jaguar team pose with their winnings. Their spouses are in the background. (Pictures courtesy of Bobby Ramlagan). the ball with the amazing figures of seven for four versus Rampage while there were also five-wicket hauls for Kamalchand Narine (11Th Army), Roy Sanders (Adventure), Shameel Hamid (Hustlers), Doodnauth Rajcoomar (Industry), Premnarine Persaud (Ocean’s X1), Cassius Waithe (Rising Star), Travis Jaglall (Rising Star), Shazam Baksh (Shieldstown), SShivon Narine (Star Boyz), Richard Mohabir (Titans) and Suresh Ragoonauth (Titans).

In brief remarks, Chattergoon thanked his hard-working executives for their tireless efforts during the season which he described as being very challenging and a tough one.

According to the president, who was serving his first year in that capacity, one of his main objectives in the new year will be the intro-

The schedule of matches was confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Monday, with the opening fixture a Boxing Day Test against the number one-ranked Proteas in Durban.

England will have been in the country for two weeks already having played two three-day warm-up matches against a South African Invitational XI

in Potchefstroom and Pietermaritzburg.

Cape Town will host the second Test starting on Jan. 2, 2016, before the teams head to the Highveld to play matches in Johannesburg (Jan. 14-18) and Pretoria (Jan 22-26).

England will warm-up for the five-match ODI series with a game in Kimberley against as yet unconfirmed opposition before playing internationals in Bloemfontein (Feb. 3), Port Elizabeth (Feb. 6), Pretoria (Feb. 9), Johannesburg (Feb. 12) and Cape Town (Feb. 14).

The first Twenty20 will also be in Cape Town five days

later after a warm-up match in nearby Paarl against a South African Invitational XI, before the tour ends with the second match in Johannesburg on Feb. 21.

Tour itinerary: Dec. 11, 2015: England arrive in SA Dec. 15-17: SA Invitation XI v England, Senwes Park, Potchefstroom Dec. 20-22: SA Invitation XI v England, Pietermaritzburg Oval Dec. 26-30: 1st Test, Kingsmead, Durban Jan. 2-6, 2016: 2nd Test, Newlands, Cape Town Jan. 14-18: 3rd Test, Wanderers, Johannesburg Jan. 22-26: 4th Test,

Centurion, Pretoria Jan. 30: 1-day tour match, Diamond Oval, Kimberley Feb. 3: 1st ODI, Springbok Park, Bloemfontein Feb. 6: 2nd ODI, St. George’s Park, Port Elizabeth Feb. 9: 3rd ODI, Centurion, Pretoria Feb. 12: 4th ODI, Wanderers, Johannesburg Feb. 14: 5th ODI, Newlands, Cape Town Feb. 17: T20 tour match, SA Invitation XI v England, Boland Park, Paarl Feb. 19: 1st T20 International, Newlands, Cape Town Feb. 21: 2nd T20 International, Wanderers, Johannesburg.

tic and IR Construction were also recognised for their sponsorship of the knockout tournament.

Vice-president Leon Veeran, who served 10 years as president and treasurer David Ramasami were credited with playing roles in the staging of the competitions.

Racing Tips English Racing Tips

Fairyhouse

Lingfield

08:35 hrs Aklan

08:00 hrs Eatsleepracerepeat

09:05 hrs Outlander

08:30 hrs Souk Al Tahab 09:00 hrs Jacqueline Jouliac 09:30 hrs Mon Cigar 10:00 hrs Barracuda Boy 10:30 hrs Abigails Angel

England set for bumper S Africa tour CAPE TOWN,(Reuters) - England will play four tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 matches on a 10-week tour of South Africa during the 2015/16 summer season.

duction of a third division.

Chattergoon expressed sincere thanks to all the teams for their participation and also lauded the efforts of Public Relations Officer Ravendra Madhoiall and Guyana Chronicle’s Frederick Halley for their coverage in the Guyana media.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

37

‘Too Cute’ Fitzpatrick saves night for West Back Road -Lawrence fires in double for Festival City

By Calvin Roberts HAVING missed his original spot kick during the penalty kicks shoot out, Akeem ‘Too Cute’ Fitzpatrick calmed his nerves and confirmed his teammates trust in him to seal his ‘Sudden Death’ kick from the same spot, to hand West Front Road a 2-1 penalty kicks win over Norton Street West last Monday night.

The two sides were meeting in a preliminary round qualifying encounter in this year’s sixth annual Petra Organisation/Banks DIH ‘Guinness Greatest of De Streets’ Futsal football competition, which took place on

the East Ruimveldt Community Centre tarmac.

Hundreds of spectators braved the intermittent showers which fell during the course of the night’s seven matches to witness the action and cheer on their favourite teams, but it was ‘Too Cute’ Fitzpatrick’s shot which sparked off carnival style celebrations at the venue.

It was a fast paced game, with the versatile Nigel DeCamp taking the attack to West Back Road on behalf of Norton Street West, hence it was no surprise when he found the back of the net in the 4th minute, a goal that was nullified seconds after

by Keon Caesar for West

Akeem ‘Too Cute’ Fitzpatrick saved the day for West Back Road

Ramchand/Rohan Auto Spares competiton enters semi-final stage

Ricardo Adams slams 238 for Wolf Warriors Opening batsman Ricardo Adams belted 238 not out (30x6) & (7x4) as Guyana Softball Cup 4 champions Wolf Warriors defeated Brickery Super Stars by 229 runs in the quarter finals played at the GNIC ground last Sunday.

Mohamed Karim supported with 88 as Wolf Warriors made 343 for 2 off 20 overs. Brickery replied with 114 for 9 in 20 overs as Amir Nizamudin took 3 for 14, Narine Bailey 2 for 10, bowling for Wolf Warriors.

The other quarter final results in the Male Open stage are as follows: Regal def. Herstelling by 161 runs. Regal 246 all out in 20 overs. Safraz Esau 48 (3x6), (5X4). Kasan Joseph 89 (9x6), (6x4). Martin Dutchin 47 (5x6), (3x4). Herstelling 85 all out in 13.4. Bowling Martin Dutchin 3 for 17.

Mohamed Arjune 2 for 11.

BalramRoopnarine 2 for 15.

Uprisers def. Challengers by 4 runs. Uprisers 237 for 8 in 20 overs. Ejaz Mohamed 117 not out. Challengers 233 all out. A. Rooplall 57. HarrynarineDilchand 4 for 17.

E. Mohamed 3 for 16.

Farm def. Young Guns by 100 runs. Farm 200 for 7 in 20 overs. Lennox Marks 96. Patrick Khan 23. Shendon Perch 22. ArjunePersaud 3 for 29. Amar Jay 2 for 39. Young Guns 100 all out in 14.1 overs. Shawn Massiah 36. WazimHaslim 22. Ameer Khan 2 for 1.

Ricardo Adams Lalta Karim 2 for 9. Lennox Marks 2 for 33.

Results for the Masters (Male 40 yrs & Over): Floodlights def. Industry Super Kings by 8 wickets. Industry 140 for 9 in 20 overs.

Jagdesh Persaud 31. M. Chand 21. Dharam Persaud 4 for 27. Ramesh Narine 2 for 26. Floodlights 141 for 2 in 14.2 overs. Richard Persaud 51. Imtiaz Mohamed 44. Ricky Deonarain 35 not out.

Wellman def. Bel Air Rubis by 74 runs. Wellman 254 for 5 in 20 overs. Sham Persaud 86. Greig De Franca 46. Kumar 2 for 48. Rubis 180 all out. S. Budhu 49.

Kumar 42. Greig De Franca 3 for 28. Tony Singh 3 for 30.

Parika Defenders def.

Regal Masters by 14 runs.

Parika 195 for 4 in 20 overs.

Oswald Black 74 not out.

Hakim Majeed 28. Anil Hardyal 2 for 40. Regal 181 for 8 in 20 overs. Erik Thomas 39. A. Hardyal 26.

Hassif Ali 3 for 25.

Slingers def. Fishermen Masters by 12 runs. Slingers 185 for 4 in 20 overs.

D. Mohabir 71. Mohamed Rafeek 27. S. Hafeez 26.

Narine 2 for 20. Fishermen 173 all out in 19.2 overs.

B. Persaud 71. S. Kumar 32. Ryan Singh 2 for 20. S. Hafeez 2 for 32.

Fixtures for semi- finals: Friday night 18:30hrs at DCC ground: Pitch 1: Floodlight vs Parika Defenders. Pitch 2: Mikes Wellman vs Slingers.

Saturday night 18.30hrs at DCC ground: Pitch 1: Regal vs Uprisers. Pitch 2: Wolf Warriors vs Farm.

The two Male/Female finals will be played on Saturday Nov. 29th, starting at 12:00hrs.

Back Road.

In fact, many pundits were debating whether Caesar’s goal, which was scored seconds after the whistle blew, was the fastest in the history of Guyana’s football, irrespective of the level or category, be it Futsal, regular or beach football.

However, played on a surface that had small puddles of water in some places, the contest failed to produce anymore goals forcing the game to go into penalty kicks, wherein both teams scored one of three kicks, using the sudden death method to arrive at a winner, following which Fitzpatrick stood tall.

The proceedings began

with Leopold Street defeating Future Stars 3-1 on penalty kicks after a nil all scoreline, followed by Festival City Warriors, on the back of Dewayne Lawrence’s brace that was scored in the 3rd and 11th minute, coupled with solitary strikes from Ian Alleyne (4th) and Solomon Austin (14th), blanked Louisa Row 4-0.

Adelaide Street, Charlestown, was too good for a game Lodge Housing Scheme, coming away with a 1-0 win in a hard fought contest, thanks to Sherwin Jacobs’ 7th minute goal and the heroic efforts of Terrence ‘Old Head’ Lewis, who marshaled the victors defence and midfield well on a slip-

pery surface.

Riverview must have had an unknown fairy godfather/ mother on their side, as they rebounded from conceding a penalty kick that was missed during regulation time, to defeat Kitty Stoppers 1-0 after Travis Martin scored off a gem of a pass from Kwesi Weekes in the 16th minute.

The final two games of the night resulted in 1-0 victories for Durban Street and Cross Street, over Jamoon Drive and Stevedore Housing Scheme respectively, while the action officially kicked off at the Demerara Car Park last night and will continue at the Albouystown Court tomorrow night.

Windies suffer ODI whitewash against Aussies

BOWRAL, Australia, (CMC)-West Indies Women suffered an excruciating 148 run clobbering at the hands of Australia Women in the fourth and final One Day international here yesterday.

The defeat meant the West Indies Women finished the series winless as the Australians revel in a fournil series white wash on the heels of similar success in the preceding four-match Twenty20 series.

A promising start by West Indies on the hunt to surpass a challenging 275 for five back-fired on the misfortune of a spectacular batting collapse at the Bradman Oval.

Hayley Matthews, with three half centuries already to her credit, top scored with 37 as the Caribbean girls reached 104 for 2 in the 18th over before the crash.

Matthews faced 47 balls accounting for seven fours and a six while Britney Cooper smashed 33 from 47

Hayley Matthews has batted impressively in the series balls including three sixes and two fours.

Deandra Dottin chipped in with 27 from 14 balls hitting three fours and two sixes before she was caught.

West Indies lost eight wickets for 23 runs, with Megan Schutt and Ellyse Perry destroying the middle and lower order, sharing seven wickets between them to skittle West Indies in 24.5 overs.

Half centuries from Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry powered Australia to a huge total as they continued their rampaging form against their Caribbean rivals.

Lanning struck 12 fours in her 84 off 79 balls, while Perry was unbeaten on 74 off 75 deliveries and Jess Jonassen struck 38 off 25 balls in an aggressive finish to the innings.

Stafanie Taylor, Subrina Munroe, Anisa Mohammed and Shakera Selman each picked up a wicket for West Indies.

Perry was named player of the match and player of the series.

Guyana’s ladies out of CAC Games singles, high winds forces postponement of ladies hockey match The Guyana ladies were all eliminated from the singles championship at this year’s Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC), while the Guyana’s ladies’ hockey team’s match against Trinidad and Tobago which was scheduled for yesterday had to be rescheduled for tomorrow because of severe high winds.

According to reports from Vera

Cruz, Mexico, severe high winds yesterday caused the organisers to reschedule the Guyana versus Trinidad ladies hockey match from yesterday to 07:30hrs tomorrow as yesterday’s high winds were so high that the entire hockey facility was closed for the day.

Yesterday, the locals competed in the male taekwondo event as well as the ladies’ singles championship,

but unfortunately, Jibreel Malik lost his fight in Taekwondo 3-5, while in the table tennis singles the ladies failed to go through as Trenace Low won one game and lost the other three and Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings and Akecia Nedd lost all there games which means, tomorrow Guyana will have no participants.

38

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Jaguars and Jamaica are front runners after round one ST.JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC)- Guyana Jaguars and the Jamaica franchise have established themselves as early front runners at the end of the opening round of the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) which concluded on Monday However the Jaguars hold a slender one point lead by picking up one more batting point than their Jamaican rivals in the revamped first class tournament set to run for four months.

Guyana Jaguars beat Leewards Franchise by an innings and 10 runs inside three days at the Guyana National Stadium while the Jamaica Franchise defeated Windwards Volcanoes by 13 runs also inside three days at Sabina Park.

Jaguars sit at the top of the table on 17 points which include two for batting and three for bowling

while the Jamaicans are one point behind having also collected three points for bowling and one for batting.

Barbados’ Kraigg Brathwaite and Guyana’s Narsingh Deonarine chalked up centuries in the first round.

While Guyana and Jamaica enjoyed outright victories, Barbados Pride were not that fortunate as rain wrecked their chances of pushing for victory against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force after they dominated for the better part of four days.

Despite the opening round setback, the champions have finished the first round in third position on 8 points picking up two batting points and three bowling points along the way.

Red Force with five points are fourth, the Windwards are fifth with three points while the Leewards

lie bottom of the standings on two points.The PCL enters its second round on Friday with Guyana Jaguars playing Windwards Volcanoes at the Guyana

National Stadium, Leewards Franchise take on T&T Red Force at Warner Park and Barbados Pride face Jamaica Franchise at Windward Sports Club.

GHB names 18 for Trinidad and Tobago tour The Guyana Hockey Board has shortlisted 18 players for its National Junior Men’s squad to Trinidad and Tobago next month.

They will play against their counterparts during December 15-19 in their first international engagement since being brought together. The 18 were chosen from an initial 35, recently called up from the various clubs.

A release from the GHB said this will be the squad’s first test in an ambitious three year programme designed to develop a team capable of being competitive at the 2016 Junior Pan American Championships in Toronto, Canada.

Over the next two years the squad will continue to compete in all local tournaments as well as international tournaments in Trinidad and Canada as they build their capacity and experience ahead of the Junior Pan American

Championships.

Some players are also to be sent on overseas stints with foreign club teams to gain exposure playing high level hockey on artificial turf.

This tour is designed to be a developmental tour with training sessions on the artificial turf in the mornings, followed by matches against the T&T junior squad and club teams in the afternoons.

It will also offer the coaching staff an opportunity to assess the level of the locals in comparison to one of the top hockey playing nations in the Pan American region.

Although 14 of the 18 players selected will be making their international debut, the squad also includes four players who were instrumental in the senior men’s team’s historic bronze medal finish at the Indoor Pan American Cup in Uruguay, ear-

lier this year.

Captain of the side Mark Sergeant will marshal the midfield along with, arguably the best player in the nation, Jamarj Assanah. Sturdy defender Andrew Stuart will command the back line, while stick wizard Aroydy Branford wreaks havoc on opposing defenses.

The full squad: Players - Mark Sergeant (Capt), Medroy Scotland, Kareem McKenzie, Keon McKenzie, Daniel Hooper & Shaquille Leung (GCC), Rosario Ramsammy (Marian Academy), Aroydy Branford, Andrew Stuart, Leon Bacchus & Jamarj Assanah (Hikers), Stephon Sprosta, Deheron Wilkinson & Omar Hopkinson (Old Fort), Hilton Chester, Paramanand Dindial, Ato Greene & Shemar Boston (Saints).

The Coaches are Dwayne Alleyne and Robert Fernandes with the Manager being Hubert Forrester.

Notable Dates Guyanese cruiserweight /Light heavyweight Leon `The Lion’ Gilkes was no match for Trinidadian Kertson Manswell on November 19, 2011. It took Manswell only one round of a fight scheduled for eight rounds, to tame `The Lion’. The event was held at the Queens Park Oval. While Gilkes’ career remained stagnant thereafter, Manswell, nicknamed `Warrior’ chalked up nine more fights.

Gilkes had his first two professional fights in Guyana before moving to Canada. He would have six fights in the North American country before returning to fight in Guyana in 2004.

Mo E/GTU National Schools C/Ship

District 6 and 11 cyclists take top honours on opening day Districts 6 (Corentyne) and 11 (North Georgetown) took top honours yesterday when the 2014 edition of the Ministry of Education (MoE)/ Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) National Schools Track and Field/Cycling and Swimming championships got underway yesterday with the male and female cycle road races.

Seasoned cyclist Romelo Crawford of District 6 won the boys 40K race while Toshwanna Doris of District 11 came out the winner of the girls 25K event.

Doris’ time for the 25K journey which started at the Ocean View International Hotel and proceeded to Strathspey on the East Coast of Demerara before returning to the place of origin for the finish was 50 minutes, 39.60 seconds.

However, more than one hour after the first three male finishers crossed the finish line at the Ocean View Hotel, the persons in charge of time keeping and of course the chief judge could not say what the winners’ time was. The males also started at the Ocean View Hotel.

National Junior cyclist Michael Anthony of District 10 (Upper Demerara/Kwakwani) and Mario King of District 12 (East Georgetown) placed second and third respectively in the boys’ category, while Ronella Samuels of District 4 (East Coast) and Whitney Payer of District 6 (Corentyne) finished second and third respectively in the girls category, in today’s track and field and track cycling aspect of the championships.

For winning the girls’ category, Doris gave her District 10 points, while Samuels gave East Coast eight points for placing second in the girls’ category.

Anthony secured eight points for District 10 by placing second in the boys’ category, while King gave District 12 seven points.

Today’s cycling will continue at the Guyana Defence Force’s Camp Ayangana ground beginning at 09:00hrs and will conclude on Friday at the same venue.

Track and Field activities will also be held at the same venue over the next three days.

CRICKETQUIZ CORNER (Wednesday November 19, 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) Carlton Baugh & Dave Bernard (WI vs AUST, Trinidad, 2003) (2)

South Africa (2005)

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Test matches have been played at Bourda?

(2) Who is the first cricketer to play 100 Tests?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday November 19, 2014

Historic Racing Day at South Dakota Circuit Thousands of Guyanese were on hand last Sunday for another historic racing day at the South Dakota Circuit, where Guyana played host to the third and final leg of the 2014 Seaboard Marines Caribbean Motor Racing Championship.

Chronicle Sport was on hand to capture some of the most profound moments of the day!

Young daredevil Matthew Vieira goes low in the goose neck

CMRC Champion Nikhil Seereeraram proudly waves the chequered

CMRC Champion Driver Kristian Jeffrey (Leeron Brumell Photos)

Matthew Vieira crashes out his race on turn one, just after the Club House

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Historic Racing Day at South Dakota Circuit See Story on Page 39

Guyana cops historic Motor Racing ‘double’ See Story on Page 34

TEAM GUYANA! (L-R) Irfaan Kalamadeen, Mark Vieira, Johnny Carpenter, Shiraz Roshandin, Kristian Jeffrey, Nikhil Seereeram, Danny Persaud and Matthew Vieira.

CMRC Champion Driver Kristian Jeffrey and CMRC Super Bike Champion Nikhil Seereeraram.

Gaskin, Lawrence win National Schools’ Championship 10K Road Race DESPITE a late start and the event being disorganised, Daniel Gaskin and Semona Lawrence came out on top of the male and female categories respectively, to win the National Schools Athletics Championship 10K Road Race yesterday.

Set for a 6:00 am start, the race never got on the way some 50 minutes later owing to the fact that several of the competitors arrived late and the unavailability of ‘pins’ and ‘bibs’. The organisers certainly didn’t put much into planning the race and it was evident.

Nonetheless, when things got underway, Gaskin of District 5 and Lawrence of District 9 were too strong for the competition.

Gaskin, a third form student of Mahaica Secondary, ran 35 minutes, 51 seconds to take the title, beating District 6’s Odwin Tudor (36:35) into second place and one of Guyana’s leading junior distance athlete Mathew McKenzie was a distant third, clocking 36 minutes, 57.4 seconds.

Semona Lawrence crossing the finish line in the National Park.

In the female category, Lawrence, who ran with just a pair of socks, posted an impressive 41 minutes, 55.9 seconds as she ran unopposed from the start of the race on Carifesta Avenue to the finish line in the National Park.

(Rawle Toney)

Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

Easy does it! Daniel Gaskin, of District #5, crossing the finish line

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMVER 19, 2014