2014 12 11

GUYANA No. 104038 THURSDAY DECEMBER 11, 2014

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

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

Demerara Bank introduces VISA Credit Card

PRICE: $60

INCLUDING VAT

2015 Budget preparations ongoing – Finance Minister says will be ready to produce one when called upon to do so

DEMERARA Bank Limited yesterday observed their 20th anniversary and in observance of the occasion, last night they launched their VISA Credit Card at Pegasus, Georgetown. The card was endorsed by President Donald Ramotar and Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh.

Demerara Bank Limited is a Guyanese bank that credits customers as its greatest asset, says Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Yesu Persaud. (See story in tomorrow’s issue)

President Donald Ramotar addresses the gathering at the credit card launch

Guyana Launches MDG Maternal Health Framework Page

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Date for elections can’t be ‘recklessly set’ – Dr Luncheon

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Human Rights Day...

10 worst Human Rights violations of 2014 Page

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Education roundtable told...

Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsarran with Bishops’ High School student Chelsea Edghill, CEO of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Michael Khan, at right; and UNAIDS Country Director, Dr. Roberto Campos, at left

Boys lead secondary school drop-outs, graduation rates below 30% Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

IN an effort to fulfil its international obligations to Millennium Development Goal 5- Improve Maternal Health, Guyana, with help from UN agencies, launched its MDG Acceleration Framework (MAF) at the Herdmanston Lodge, Queenstown.

“The framework is a synthesising of a policy approach to an extremely important issue. The MAF represents the latest manifestation of our Government’s strong and unswerving commitment to the achievement of the MDGs,” Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said as he spoke on the need for key investments to be made for achieving MDGs. “We remain convinced that the MDGs provide a structural framework of development goals and a structured framework within which the major development challenges, as they relate to the quality of life, are conceived.”

To this end, the Finance Minister urged that Guyana has “invested significantly in our national budgets over the years in our social sector.

In fact, the social sector has seen, over the years, an investment averaging 20% of our national budget.”

Recognising that Guy-

tives were to validate the interventions both ongoing and planned that were aimed at improving the quality of maternal health care for women in Guyana,” Dr. Woolford further explained.

Recognising immediate successes of those interventions, the Maternal Health Director said, “We have seen a reduction in our maternal deaths in 2013 and 2014, and we know that the MAF document will further impact positive efforts to improve maternal health in Guyana.”

While Guyana’s maternal mortality rate remains significantly high, UN Resident Coordinator Khadijah Musa commended the Guyana Government for its efforts in alleviating the situation.

“Guyana is among the list of countries that have shown or demonstrated leadership in this issue and worked to honour the MDG acceleration framework document aimed at highlighting both challenges and pragmatic solutions on how to progress on lagging MDGs and to

Guyana Launches MDG Maternal Health Framework From left: Youth Representative for MDG 5, Chelsea Edghill; UNICEF Representative Cornelly McAlmont; Health Ministry’s Director of Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Janice Woolford; Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh; UN Resident Coordinator, Khadija Musa; Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsarran; PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. William AduKrow; UNFPA Representative Patrice La Fleur; and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud

ana’s launch of the MAF falls on the 66th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, Chief Medical Officer of the Health Ministry, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, noted that while some things have been achieved, “more needs to be done.”

Persaud mentioned that in 2001, when Guyana’s Third MDG Report was released, “several areas of strengths and weaknesses were identified and one of the areas clearly where there were doubts as to whether we can achieve this goal was in maternal health.”

Following this revelation, Persaud said, a num-

ber of efforts were made to address the weaknesses which now are targeted in the current Maternal Health Acceleration Framework (MAF).

The document was produced with wide consultations in 2013 among the Ministry, maternal patients, medical practitioners, medical assistants, civil society and religious organisations

and the Private Sector in regions across Guyana, according to the Health Ministry’s Director for Maternal and Child Health, Dr. Janice Woolford.

“A validation workshop, including stakeholders from government agencies, the private sector, civil society and development partners was carried out in March 2013, and the main objec-

The gathering at the Herdmanston Lodge’s Conference Room

reduce disparities in progress to date.”

At a time when the world observes not only the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but also the end of 16 days of global mobilisation led by the UN Secretary general, Ban Ki-moon and UN Women to end violence against women, Musa said that the observances remind us that “improving maternal health is not only a moral imperative; it is a smart economic choice.

In fact, improving maternal health reinforces national productivity, economic outcome and the achievement of other MDGs.” Evidence over the years suggests at the global level data that despite a drop of 45 percent of the maternal mortality ratio between 1990 and 2013, from 380 to 210 deaths per 100,000 live births, there is still more to be done to reduce maternal mortality three-quarters by 2015.

Guyana’s attainment of the MDG has been substantial, Musa added. While Guyana has achieved many of its millennium development goals, “we believe that urgent collective actions are required to improve maternal health.”

Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsarran, addressing the gathering, noted that some 85 percent of births in Guyana are conducted by professional trained personnel. He recognised this as a commitment of the Government.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Cabinet endorses submission of proposed reference level for UNFCCC CABINET on Tuesday last endorsed Guyana’s submission of its proposed reference level for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) initiative known as the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+).

This was according to Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, during his weekly press briefing at the Office of the President yesterday.

The REDD+ is an effort to create financial value for the carbon stored in forests.

It offers financial incentives for developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.

Speaking at the press briefing Dr. Luncheon not-

ed that “Guyana is one of the REDD+ countries with large forests and a uniquely extremely low deforestation rate.”

Dr. Luncheon stated that the comparison between Guyana’s deforestation rate and global deforestation rates have been the study through reference levels of progress in countries in meeting global goals on forest carbon sequestration, essentially carbon services provided by forests.

He added that there is a compensatory mechanism for those countries whose forest carbon sequestration services weren’t being compensated, and that has been the basis or the underpinning of the Guyana-Norway Agreement.

LCDs He went on to say that the transformative Low Car-

Dr. Roger Luncheon yesterday at the press briefing

bon Development Strategy (LCDs) which was inaugurated in former President Jagdeo’s term (2006-2011) specifically in 2009 has seen a reference level which was established in the said year,

“That over the years the current Guyana- Norway Agreement has indeed allowed us to have a more mature grasp of how adequately Guyana is being compensated for it’s extremely low and persistent-

ly slow rate of deforestation.”

Dr. Luncheon further stated that the reference level, Guyana is proposing is indeed a contribution to the International/Global measure that does not exist currently.

“But the UNFCCC has been spearheading the move among the REDD+ countries in arriving at a global measure and of course maybe the only or one of the few places where there exists a commercial engagement between the Government of Guyana and the Kingdom of Norway concerning this reference level and commercialising the forest/carbon services provided by the REDD+ countries” said Dr. Luncheon.

BENEFITS OF PROPOSALS He added that upon submission of the proposal which was made to the UN-

FCCC, an explanation by the project management officer head of the UNFCC and the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC)’s head to cabinet members.

After which he noted that they both on Tuesday provided the guarantees and the assurances that the reference level proposals that Guyana has submitted indeed were those most likely to provide Guyana with the most financially feasible and sound outcome of any continuation of compensatory mechanisms for our deforestation rate.

In closing, Dr. Luncheon stated that “The submission of the proposal is revisable and as we continue working on improving its presentation and also UNFCCC would be conducting its review of Guyana’s submission in 2015.”

As we celebrate World Human Rights Day…

There is continuing need for active surveillance of human rights, freedoms –UNAG AS World Human Rights Day was being celebrated yesterday across the world under the theme: “Human Rights 365,” the United Nations Association of Guyana (UNAG) has expressed the need for continued, active surveillance of human rights and freedoms not only locally, but internationally as well.

According to the UNAG in a statement issued to this publication yesterday, while human rights may be relative to the society and individuals within that environment, those of us who have been nurtured in a democratic tradition recognise and accept certain rights and freedoms as necessary prerequisites for the enjoyment and sustenance of life and liberty, and as part of the inherent entitlement of human beings.

In the statement, the UNAG further noted that since 1950, after the UN General Assembly had proclaimed December 10 as International Human Rights Day, this day has been observed by peoples in member states of the United Nations.

However, the statement added that prior to this, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948 proclaimed that recognition of these rights is the foundation of freedom,

justice and peace and that, “it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse to rebellion against tyranny and oppression that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.”

This declaration, UNAG contended, paved the way for the International Covenant of Political and Civil Rights and of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 1966; and all three instruments endorsed the entitlement of everyone to these rights and freedoms without distinction of race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status including the right to life and personal security, to education, freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention; from arbitrary deprivation of property; freedom of expression, of religion and of movement, of assembly and association; freedom from torture and from inhumane and degrading treatment.

The statement further highlighted that Guyana has ratified these covenants; is a party to several other international instruments which endorse these rights and has enshrined them in the constitution.

“In Europe and America in the 17th and 18th centuries, there had been significant conceptual development of

many of these rights by the published thoughts of Thomas Hobbes, Descartes, Condorcet, Tom Paine and John Locke, John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham, Lafayette, Voltaire, Montesquieu and Rousseau and the inspired popular expressions culminating in the French and American Revolutions” the statement explained.

These rights and freedoms according to the UNAG, in our time and space have been earnestly promoted by Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham and Eusi Kwayana of Guyana; Norman and Michael Manley and Alexander Bustamante of Jamaica; C.L.R James, Eric Williams and Cipriani of Trinidad; Albert Marryshow and Maurice Bishop of Grenada; and Fidel Castro of Cuba.

“It is vitally important that people who live in democratic societies do not take these rights for granted, complacently assuming that they will be automatically translated into their individual lives and into the societies in which they live,” the UNAG said.

In this regard, they echoed the words of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, which they regarded as of perennial significance: “I call on states to honour their obligations to protect human rights every day of the year. I call on

people to hold their governments to account.”

“The need is constant and continuing for active surveillance of human rights and freedoms, for consistent maintenance of the munic-

ipal and international machinery installed for their protection; and for unflagging assertion and exercise of them; of those self-evident truths on which these rights and freedoms are based -

even to the point, if necessary, where we have got to sacrifice all else in order to protect them against erosion and destruction,” the association urged in its closing remarks.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

CIA ‘violated human rights’

‘Weather bomb’ causes disruption to northern UK

– Afghan president AFGHAN President Asraf Ghani has said the CIA’s brutal interrogation programme “violated all accepted norms of human rights in the world.”

He is among many world leaders condemning how the agency imprisoned and questioned al-Qaeda suspects.

A U.S. Senate report on the programme has said the harsh methods did not lead to unique intelligence that foiled plots.

The report also concluded the agency misled politicians and public about the 2001-2007 programme.

The CIA has defended its actions in the years after the 9/11 attacks on the U.S., saying they saved lives.

And President Barack

Obama has said it was now time to move on, despite acknowledging some of the CIA’s actions amounted to torture.

None of the countries where the prisons were located has been identified in the report, but several countries suspected to have hosted sites reacted strongly to the publication.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Mr Ghani, who became president in September, called the report “shocking”.

“There is no justification for such acts and human torturing in the world.”

He vowed to investigate how many Afghans had suffered abuse at U.S. detention centres and reiterated by 1

Ashraf Ghani said there was “no justification for such acts”

January the U.S. would not longer have the right to hold detainees in Afghanistan.

Poland’s former president has publicly acknowledged for the first time his country hosted a secret CIA prison.

Aleksander Kwasniewski said that he put pressure on the U.S. to end brutal interrogations at the prison in 2003.

“I told Bush that this co-operation must end and it did end,” Mr Kwasniewski told local media.

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North-west England was also hit by high waves, as seen here at Whitehaven in Cumbria

(BBC News) HIGH winds and huge waves have affected north-western parts of the UK as bad weather hit power supplies and travel.

The “weather bomb” brought hundreds of lightning strikes, temporarily cutting power across the Western Isles.

Energy firm SSE said it had managed to reconnect 28,000 homes that had their supply cut, but 2,800 are still without power.

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A wind speed of 144 mph was recorded on the remote St Kilda islands, with gusts in excess of 80 mph elsewhere.

A Met Office amber warning to “be prepared” for parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland was downgraded to yellow - “be aware” - at 18:00.

BBC Scotland correspondent Laura Bicker said the Western Isles and Northern Isles had “borne the brunt” of the storm’s force and travel restrictions remained in place.

Explosive cyclogenesis - known colloquially as a “weather bomb” - is when a storm intensifies as the pressure at its centre drops rapidly (by more than 24 millibars in 24 hours).

The storm currently

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affecting parts of the UK formed in this way.

Speaking from Barra in the Outer Hebrides, Donald MacLeod, coxswain of the island’s lifeboat, said there was rain, hail and “plenty of wind”.

He said the storm had “grown through the night” on Tuesday, adding: “The swell conditions are pretty bad to the west - it’s showing about 14m (45ft).”

Mr Macleod said this was “a lot deeper than we normally see” and was “definitely something to be wary of.”

Power supplier Scottish and Southern Energy said the problem affecting the Western Isles was caused by lightning, but electricity has been restored to most homes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Venezuela leader Nicolas Maduro slams US sanction threat (BBC News) VENEZUELAN President Nicolas Maduro has called US senators “insolent” for passing a bill which would impose sanctions on Venezuelan officials found to have violated protesters’ rights.

He said the U.S. wanted to “challenge Venezuela with sanctions and threats”.

Thousands of activists who took part in anti-government protests which erupted across the Latin American country in February were arrested.

Relations between Venezuela and the U.S. have been tense for years.

‘Imperialist sanctions’ The House of Representatives passed a similar bill in May. It will now have to be reconciled with the Senate version, and if passed, will be sent to President Barack Obama.

Mr Maduro warned the U.S. leader: “If the crazy path of sanctions is imposed, President Obama, I think you’re going to come out looking very bad.”

“Who is the U.S. Senate to sanction the homeland of

President Nicolas Maduro warned the U.S. not to go down “the crazy path of sanctions”

Bolivar?” he asked, referring to the 19th-Century Venezuelan independence leader.

“We don’t accept insolent imperialist sanctions,” he added.

DEADLY PROTESTS The U.S. Senate on Monday approved the Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Act. The bill targets current and former Venezuelan officials who directed “significant acts of violence or serious human rights abuses against persons associated with the anti-government protests in Venezuela that began on 4 February.”

More than 40 people from both sides of the political divide were killed in the anti-government protests which took place in Venezuela between February and May. The United Nations condemned “all violence by all sides in Venezuela” and called on the government “to ensure that people are not penalised for exercising their rights to peaceful assembly and to freedom of expression.”

The government said opposition leaders had incited protesters to violence and had been planning a coup against the government of President Maduro.

Guyanese top list of deportees –AG (Trinidad Guardian) IT IS arrant nonsense to claim discrimination and racial profiling over the recent deportation of African nationals, since Guyanese nationals top the list of deportees from T&T and only a total of 70 Africans have been deported during the People’s Partnership’s term, says Attorney General Anand Ramlogan.

Speaking in the Senate yesterday, Ramlogan lashed out at critics as he used Immigration Division statistics which placed African deportees seventh down the ladder among those from other countries who have been deported from T&T. Immigration figures show most deportees were from Guyana. Ramlogan, speaking on legislation to monitor precursor chemicals which could be used to make illicit drugs, noted the African continent had a large heroin and cocaine-trade problem.

He said in the face of rapidly emerging global terrorist threats by Al Qaeda and Isis put intended chemical weap-

ons legislation into sharp focus. He added: “Recently, we were faced with the issue of illegal immigrants, some of whom have alleged criminal and terrorist links in other parts of the world.

“The Immigration Division and the Ministry of National Security have stepped up their efforts over the last few years to prevent the influx of illegal immigrants and to repatriate those who are found to be residing in T&T illegally.” He said one must be careful when “we receive reports from security agencies not to heap scorn on them.” Ramlogan said people called on the police to do their duty to enforce the law and when they did take action, the same people criticised and condemned them for doing so.

He added: “The latest trend is ‘racial profiling’ and ‘religious profiling.’ I don’t know what we expect the police to do or how we expect the police to do their duty. “It’s high time we stop this hypocritical behaviour in T&T

and allow law enforcement to do their jobs. “The latest outcry (is) on deportation of our brothers and sisters from the African continent... but it’s arrant nonsense to claim discrimination and profiling.

“From 2010 to now, the number one country concerning deportees from T&T is not the African continent, or India, it’s Guyana.” Saying Guyanese were the single largest number of people deported from 2010 to now, he said that figure was 41.8 per cent of deportees. This was followed by Jamaica with 18.5 per cent, the Dominican Republic/Cuba and Caricom states, Asia, Central and South America.

Ramlogan added that illegal immigrants from the African continent were “way down the list, at seventh place.” He added: “Since 2010 when this Government entered office, the total number of African immigrants deported from T&T is 70 people—70 in almost five years.

Brazil truth commission: Abuse ‘rife’ under military rule BRAZIL’s national truth commission says illegal a r re s t s , t o r t u re , e x e cutions and forced disappearances were performed systematically by state agents under Brazil’s military rule.

In its final report, the commission also called for the armed forces to recognise their responsibility for the “grave violations” that happened.

More than 400 people were killed or disappeared between 1964 and 1985.

Many others, among them President Dilma Rousseff, were arrested and tortured.

Controversial amnesty law The seven-member truth commission spent more than two years investigating human rights abuses from the period from 1964 to 1988, with the main focus on the military era from 1964 to 1985.

It delivered its final report to President Rousseff on Wednesday.

The truth commission delivered its report to President Rousseff after more than two years of investigations

In it, it identifies 377 people as responsible for human rights abuses.

It says the ones who are still alive, approximately 100, should be brought to trial.

The commission argues that Brazil’s 1979 amnesty law does not apply to these individuals because of the grave nature of the crimes they committed.

The 1979 law states that neither military officials accused of torture nor leftwing guerrillas accused of violence can face prosecution.

‘Official policy’ The document lists 434 people killed under military rule. The bodies of 210 of those victims have never been located.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

PM Sam Hinds stayed the course

WHEN Dr. Cheddi Jagan invited Sam Hinds of the GUARD movement to join with the PPP through a civic component to form a PPP/ civil society alliance, along with others from diverse political parties who wished to join the PPP to help in rebuilding the nation after the relatively free-and-fair elections in 1992, the latter decided to take a leap of faith.

Sharing similar visions, ideals, and commitment to nation-building, the two brothers of the soul, Cheddi and Sam, embarked in a partnership that did not end with Dr. Jagan’s passing – because the PPP patriarch passed the baton of leadership on as well, which was ultimately handed over by Mrs. Jagan to the young man they had both mentored; and Sam kept right on partnering the young President, as both a father figure and a co-leader.

The rest is history. Dr. Bharrat

Jagdeo, as President, went on from strength to strength and left an unparalleled record of development in Guyana; but he could not have done it without the team created by the Jagans, with Sam Hinds being an integral partner in leadership for all the years of the PPP/C in governance.

When President-elect Donald Ramotar announced that Sam Hinds would continue this partnership, with the Civic component by retaining the Prime Ministerial position, as agreed, it marked and highlighted the fact that the PPP keeps faith with anyone who sincerely commits to join with that party in nation-building; but moreso, in Ramotar’s own words, PM Sam Hinds “…has the energy, he has the desire, and he has the will to continue to serve our country”.

Prime Minister Samuel Archibald Hinds, O.E., has served Guyana with distinction and is beloved by all Guyanese without reservations, except

the hate-mongers, who refuse to see this gentleman’s innate goodness and humanity, which makes him rise above self to work indefatigably for the common good.

And the partnership continued with a Donald Ramotar/Sam Hinds leadership combo that has propelled - despite the gerrymandering and unpatriotic, anti-developmental, destructive actions and utterances by an unrepentant and opportunistic, power-hungry Opposition cabal, an accelerated national development that is on a fast-track to taking every Guyanese – man, woman, and child out of the jaws of poverty as the new governmental construct, built upon the foundations laid by the Jagans and Bharrat Jagdeo, forged ahead with the new President’s developmental roadmap of continuity with strategic partnerships involving stakeholders at every level in the nation.

As the country heads into another

general election, forcibly propelled by an Opposition hellbent on a destructive pathway that will cost this country much taxpayers’ dollars through another truncated PPP/C Government, it is hoped that, even if not in the capacity of Prime Minister, Guyana’s beloved Sam Hinds will not desert the party that he joined decades ago at the behest of a ‘brother in struggle’ and will continue his patriarchal role in the governmental construct through which he has served Guyana and its people so long and so well.

One trusted partner joined with external forces and betrayed the PPP, the nation, and Dr. Jagan many decades ago – consequently destroying Guyana and the socio-economic pathway of its people; but PM Sam Hinds has kept the faith of Father of the Nation, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and stayed the course.

COUNTRY ABOVE SELF IN February 2013, a few days after the shooting by ‘youth men’ of Mr Oscar Clarke, General Secretary of the People’s National Congress in his home at Plum Park, Sophia, I wrote two letters to the Editor and in one of these (February 5, 2013) I stated: “Times have changed. Institutions that were working at the time of Independence were retooled, politicised and centralised and we the people became alienated from grass roots structures (such as Village Councils) because most were unrepresentative of communities. Citizens then spent more time looking after themselves and those with resources created their own safe havens, in splendid isolation from the realities of community life – the infiltration by narco-traffickers, the rise of truancy among youth, the increasing incidence of absentee fathers, the dilemma of mothers who, by default, became the breadwinners of the family, the deteriorating infrastructure because of ‘fly by night contractors’, and the rise of subcultures that

attracted the youth men and women”.

Almost two years later, the institutions which had become dysfunctional, remain largely so – testimony in great measure, to the negative consequences of political gridlock and intransigence. The youth men and women have now graduated from being urban ‘Foot Bandits’ who attacked Mr Oscar Clarke in this own home, to ‘young men on bicycles’ - given the name ‘Bicycle Bandits’ by rural residents of new housing areas at Zeelugt, Tuschen, Diamond, Republic Park and elsewhere, to the ‘Car Bandits’ who brutally and callously shot to death a Security Guard at Sterling Products Limited, and to the ‘Hinterland Bandits’ operating by boat and off-road vehicles, who killed a shop owner I knew at Mango Landing, Essequibo River.

The geographical dispersion of these most recent criminal activities is an indication of the increasing intelligence gathering capability, mobility, and bare-faced arrogance with which persons bent on criminality

seem prepared to counter the deployment of private security guards, law enforcement patrols, road blocks, check points and CCTV cameras. Those of us reading the daily coverage of criminality that reports on the murders of citizens, such as security guard Wilfred Stewart and shop owner Linden McAlmon, and injuries to many others, may have unwittingly developed a fatalistic immunity to these examples of man’s inhumanity to man because of what is being played out in other jurisdictions such as in St Louis and Michigan USA, Mosul in Iraq and Damascus in Syria, and of the death toll from viruses in parts of Africa and from weather related disasters occurring with increasing frequency in many parts of this planet.

But what of the two daughters and unborn child of Wilfred Stewart and their mother, and Linden McAlmon’s children and his wife Maureen?

What if we who now read this piece were the victims, and our children, wives, husbands and partners were faced with the

JOSEPH G. SINGH trauma of being bereft of their fathers, husbands, wives and partners in this the season of goodwill?

If lower crime statistics are a reasonably accurate indicator that the society should feel safer and more secure, the recent incidents are cold comfort to the See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Mike Persaud’s letter contains blatant inaccuracies, misinformation I READ with great dismay, a letter appearing in the Kaieteur News edition of the 10th day of December, 2014, under the caption, ‘Anil Nandlall and his role in fraudulent powers of attorney,’ and written by Mike Persaud.

Allow me to state from the outset, I hold no brief for Mr. Nandlall or his conduct in either private practice or while holding the office of Attorney General.

I am sure that he can adequately defend himself and set the facts straight, with respect to his involvement in the said matters.

The letter aforesaid contains certain blatant inaccuracies and misinformation, regarding my Chambers, which I am under a duty to clarify. I set out the facts hereunder: * In or around August, 2010, I was approached in my Chambers by a person who identified himself to me as Mike Persaud and who indicated that he had legal issues pertaining to land in Leguan and he was desirous of retaining me for that purpose. * At that time, Mr. Sase Gunraj, Attorney-at-Law, was my junior in Chambers and we both attended to the issues related

by Mike Persaud. * Mike Persaud presented certain documents to us and instructed us that he believed that a Power of Attorney purportedly executed by his late father was forged by his brother, Narine Persaud. * After obtaining additional instructions from Mike Persaud, Mr. Gunraj and I advised him that an action can be commenced based on the fraud claimed. Mike Persaud specifically instructed that he

was not minded to be the Plaintiff in that action, but opted for his brother, Harry Persaud, to be so named. Harry Persaud had not accompanied Mike Persaud to our Chambers at that time. * On the 14th day of September, 2010, High Court Action numbered 405-W of 2010 was commenced by Harry Persaud against Narine Persaud. On the said date, an Ex-parte Application for Injunction

by Way of Affidavit was filed in the said matter, seeking certain injunctive reliefs. * On the 21st day of September, 2010, the Honourable Chief Justice (ag) Mr. Ian Chang, granted the injunctions sought. * Thereafter, a sealed and certified copy of the proceedings, along with a copy of the Order of Court, aforesaid, was served on the Defendant, Narine Persaud, via courier. * On the 10th day of November, 2010, the matter was heard once more before the Honourable Chief Justice (ag) Mr. Ian Chang, who made the injunctions interlocutory. * A Statement of Claim was filed in the said matter on the 29th day of September, 2010. * A Certificate of Non Appearance was applied for and same was obtained on the 8th day of December, 2010. * A Request for Hearing in Bail Court was filed on the 15th day of December, 2010. * The matter was fixed for hearing in Bail Court on the 28th day of February, 2011, where Mr. Gino Persaud, Attorney-at-Law, entered an appearance for and on behalf of Narine Persaud, and sought leave to file a Defence.

COUNTRY ABOVE ...

From page 6 relatives and friends of the victims whose lives have been viciously terminated by those who are interested in quick returns for least effort or who are being manipulated by behind the scenes puppet masters.

Political gridlock has had its debilitating impact on a long suffering citizenry, desperately hoping for respite from the endless vilification, the quirks, the angst and the vitriol emanating from all political camps. This is exacerbated by reported acts of irresponsibility in the management of our national assets, of self aggrandisement and cronyism, downright chicanery and political buffoonery which overshadow the good works, largely unheralded and unreported, being done by committed and conscientious labourers in the public vineyard. The net effect is that the deficit in governance and the acts of criminality are taking their toll on the morale and tolerance level of peace loving Guyanese.

Incidents of violent crime, road kills,

domestic violence, white collar crime and corruption, fragmentation of family units and degradation of the cohesiveness of communities, are symptomatic of a more insidious malaise in the national character.

It is facilitated by the political grandstanding and unwillingness to cede ground in a magnanimous national effort to resolve systemic issues plaguing the society. It contributes to the growing disillusionment among many of our youth and recent graduates from secondary and tertiary institutions, who despair of realising their true potential as individuals and as professionals in the country of their birth.

If this is truly a season of goodwill and we are sincere in our exchanges of greetings and good wishes, then we should also look forward expectantly to some morale-boosting manifestations of the highest levels of statesmanship, political astuteness, receptivity to advocacy and magnanimity, in the cause of national unity and Guyana’s develop-

* On the 14th day of October, 2011, a Statement of Defence was eventually filed for and on behalf of the Defendant, Narine Persaud, by Mr. Gino Persaud, Attorney-at-Law, after a delay of over 7

BIBI SAFORA SHADICK months. * On the 17th day of October, 2011, Honourable Justice William Ramlall, sitting in Bail Court, ordered that the matter take its normal course. * Since then, we have been awaiting a date for hearing.

The following must also be clearly noted: * Mr. Sase Gunraj, Attorney-at-Law is no longer in my Chambers, but we have maintained a close working relationship ment for all.

This should be complemented by all faith-based organisations practicing a model of liberation theology - the kind that took root and blossomed in our region during the 1970s and 1980s, that will identify with good governance, and finding creative solutions to

the issues that affect the poor, the vulnerable, the homeless, the jobless, the traumatised women and children, and the marginalised in our society.

I republish for emphasis, an extract of what I wrote in February 2013: “We must accept our collective responsi-

and are in contact almost on a daily basis. * After signing the initial documents at our office, several efforts were made to contact the Plaintiff, Harry Persaud, without success. On the few occasions that he responded, he made promises to visit our Chambers, but never did. * Mike Persaud paid a paltry sum as a retainer, as he claimed that he did no cater for legal expenses on his trip and that he will send the balance of the fees upon his return to the United States of America.

As far as I am aware, no payment on legal fees was made until a few months ago, when Mike Persaud came and paid another small sum. * Despite not being fully paid, every necessary legal step that had to be taken in respect of the matters aforesaid was done, in a timely manner. * As far as I am aware, Mr. Sase Gunraj was not retained by Mike Persaud, or anyone else to apply for injunctions in September, 2014, as stated by Mike Persaud in his letter aforesaid. It would be interesting to see the injunction referred to by Mike Persaud in his letter, purportedly granted

by Honourable Chief Justice (ag) Mr. Ian Chang.

I hope that this clarifies the situation and if Mike Persaud is still of the opinion that my conduct and that of Mr. Sase Gunraj was not above board, he can make the complaints at the appropriate forum, and not seek a trial in the Court of public opinion.

BIBI SAFORA SHADICK Attorney-at-Law bility now and demonstrate that we have the capacity, commitment and desire to uplift this country we call home. We must empower ourselves to arrest the slide and demand much of ourselves and those in authority, who have been elected to serve us”.

As the Head of the UN Children’s Fund is reported to have said last Monday: “The world is more divided politically among and within nations than ever before… and... the foundations of the future would be built in the hearts and minds of children, not the physical infrastructure of schools”.

I am not a pessimist. I have experienced positive occurrences in different parts of our country and witnessed at first-hand how these have impacted on the lives and livelihoods of people. But there should be no denying that there are systemic issues to be resolved by our collective efforts. Now is as good a time as any for us to re-group, re-engage and re-double our efforts at shaping a caring, enlightened and civil Guyanese society that will work in unity and harmony with unselfish and responsible leaders at all levels who can be relied upon to put institution, village, district, region and country, above self.

JOSEPH G. SINGH Major General (ret’d)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

GRA’s performance has been epic over the past 10 years - urges businesses to clean up their act and journalists to be more professional and ethical

THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) continues to view with grave concern, the fact that journalists would seem to have a hidden agenda to sensationalise the reports they present in their news stories on the agency.

Only recently the office of the CG was misquoted in a state TV and radio news report as referring to the achievement of revenue collection for 2014 as not being on target. This was no doubt reported with a view of putting the GRA in a negative light concerning its main area of performance which is revenue collection.

Quite recently also, the former Auditor General, now Political activist, Mr. Anand Goolsarran, who has a weekly political column in the Stabroek News, deliberately misquoted and omitted vital information in an extensive article on the Revenue Authority and the CG, in which he was also highly critical of the CG’s stewardship of the agency.

In the views of the agency, it was deliberately and maliciously done to paint a negative image of the organisation and its Head, Mr. Khurshid Sattaur, whose tenure at the helm so far, of under twelve years, has seen the phenomenal growth of revenue collection from 41.5 Billion in 2003 to a record breaking of in excess of 126.5 Billion representing over 205 % increase. Notable among the increase has been the revenue performance of Corporate Taxes and PAYE taxes which have seen in excess of 206 % and 60% increase respectively over these years.

These phenomenal increases in the area of revenue collection of the agency have been as a result of the direct targeting of private sector businesses for false declaration in their imports and in the inaccurate reporting of their income detected through the highly effective work

conducted by the Revenue Protection and Audit and Verification Units which, on an annual basis, rake in excess of 2.5 Billion in additional revenues. In addition, revenues are being garnered from many private sector businesses that continue to withhold the payment of their taxes or that of their employees or vat payers, even though such payments were due and even in some cases as their returns suggest, such payments were made. This area, for which the GRA is proud of its performance, is mainly responsible for the collection of in excess of $5 Billion in taxes every year.

It is to be noted that while on an annual basis no new taxes are introduced and, quite on the contrary, the rates of taxes have been reduced in respect of the two major revenue categories, personal income tax and corporate taxes down from 33 1/3 % to 30% ; and 45% and 35% to 40% and 30 %respectively, and economic growth did not exceed more than on average 6% percentage points annually, yet the average increase of the revenues has shown a remarkable performance of over 11 % on an annual basis reflecting increasing levels of performance year after year.

The CG continues to bemoan the fact however, that even though these facts were presented to a journalist through a telephone conversation, yet the Guyana Times reporter sought to refer very extensively in an article covered in its Friday December 5, 2014 edition on the lack of cooperation with the Private Sector no doubt done to sensationalise the report more than anything else.

It is no secret that, increasingly there is a high frequency in which private sector businesses offer bribes to tax officers not to unveil their fraudulent reporting; and more alarming is the fact that billions are granted

in concessions to business in the areas of machinery and equipment and raw materials that are either diverted for other purposes or sold to persons who are not entitled to such benefits.

The GRA spends millions of its rather scarce resources as well as the officers’ valuable time every year to police such criminal activities.

This does not include the billions that are being

Mr. Khurshid Sattaur evaded annually from fraudulent claims for VAT refunds even as many businesses continue to engage in the very insidious practice by the private sector of offering not to charge VAT on condition not to provide receipts of such sales.

It is to be noted, that in a recent meeting held with the Private Sector Commission umbrella organisations and the Government, at which the senior management of the GRA was present and chaired by the Minister of Finance, a major section of the meeting was to discuss how the private sector can better access more efficiently concessions

and duty free on various items that generally attract taxes to the ordinary citizens of the country.

The CG is of the view that there is a strong correlation of corruption in the Agency with the incidence of aiding and abetting by the Private sector which is responsible for a significant loss in revenues. In a recent publication in one of the tabloids, in an article entitled “Stop Attacking Citizens who identify Corruption”, the Private Sector Commission Head is reported to have expressed concern over the perceived level of corruption.

While the GRA head applauds Mr. Ramesh Persaud for attributing corruption in the Public Sector to the support of some members of the business community, and calls upon the private companies to hold themselves to a higher standard and desist from spreading this cancer in Guyana, the CG is of the view that not enough private sector captains in industry and commerce who represent a larger section of the business community are prepared to condemn this scourge, choosing instead to remaining silent at the expense of all blame being levelled at the door of the public sector, including the highly controversial Corruption Perception Index of the TIGI Reporters who understand the English Language would know that the placement of a comma makes a whole lot of difference in meaning as well as a shift in construction.

Hence, in their efforts to put a spin on their articles for which information was provided, they should be careful not to misconstrue what was said or deliberately twist information for their own aims.

KHURSHUD SATTAUR Commissioner-General, GRA

Response to a defamatory letter OUR attention was drawn to a letter written by Mike Persaud and published on pages 4 and 5 of Kaieteur News, dated Wednesday December 10, 2014, under the bold caption, ‘Anil Nandlall and his role in fraudulent powers of attorney’. We regret that (the Kaieteur News) has rushed to publish this defamatory letter without, at least, affording us an opportunity to respond. Nevertheless, we do so now with the hope that our response will be given equal prominence.

Firstly, we wish to make it clear that our Attorneys-at-Law do not engage in the preparation of Powers of Attorney. Powers of Attorney are prepared by our secretarial and clerical staff.

In the instant case, our record reflects that a Power of Attorney was prepared for Mr. Rampersaud of 57 Waterloo Street, Identification number 068610. The Power of Attorney was prepared upon the instructions of Mr. Rampersaud who appeared personally and gave those said instructions. In those instructions he appointed Narine Persaud of Dornhagg, Leguan to act as his duly constituted attorney.

That document was then taken by the parties and duly executed before a Notary Public and filed at the Deeds Registry. The said Rampersaud would have been required to appear personally and sign before that Notary Public and provided his Identification Card in order to verify and confirm his identity. We

have no Notary Public in our office.

After the Power of Attorney had been filed and returned to us, we were then instructed to use that Power of Attorney to prepare and file certain conveyances by way of transport, whereby Rampersaud transferred certain properties to Narine Persaud. We did so in the year 2001. The transports were passed on the 13 October, 2001. All these transports were advertised in the official gazette allowing for Mike Persaud and anyone else to oppose them on certain grounds stipulated by law. No opposition was filed. As a result the transports were passed.

We now learnt that Rampersaud died only in 2009. Therefore, assuming that Rampersaud was the victim of some wrong doing, as

is contended, he could have challenged all the aforesaid documents during the period 2001 to 2009, i.e. nine years during his lifetime. He did no such thing. We are aware that several years after a third party has challenged the transports and those proceedings are pending in the High Court.

We hope that there will be no further publication of the defamatory matter contained in the letter to which we are responding. We will file legal proceedings if there is a repetition.

SHAMINA KHAN Confidential Secretary Mohabir A. Nandlall & Associates, Attorneys-at-Law

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Date for elections Post-mortem confirms Edinburg can’t be ‘recklessly Village alcoholic died by hanging set’ – Dr Luncheon

– being done in collaboration with GECOM “THERE is a clear understanding and necessarily so that the date for, whether it be Local Government Elections or General Elections, could not be recklessly set,” the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon declared yesterday.

The HPS during his weekly press conference at Office of the President explained that the date for either elections, Local Government or General Elections, has to be deliberated upon so as not to have a date set that will then have persons not ready for the said elections.

ENGAGING GECOM Responding to the ques-

tion as to whether the Head of State is engaging the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the date for general elections, the HPS explained: “It cannot be set without the densest collaboration with GECOM because at the end of the day GECOM’s timetabling of the preliminary events would be what is needed at the D-Day,” he said.

Dr. Luncheon emphasised that President Donald Ramotar publically recognises the necessity of engaging GECOM forthrightly and in a transparent way to ensure that complications will never arise with a date that “heavens forbid that GECOM might not be comfortable with.”

“When the President an-

nounces the date, you could take it for granted that that date could only have been done after confirmation with GECOM about its readiness for D-Day,” Dr. Luncheon stressed.

On December 6 during a press conference, President Ramotar announced that Guyanese will go to early general and regional elections to elect a new government come next year – 2015.

GECOM, however, is currently rolling out its 7th cycle of continuous registration with its first week seeing some 925 new registrants, while 222 persons have made corrections to their information and there were 152 transfers.

Copa Airlines begins direct flights from Panama to Santa Clara, Cuba

With Crew members of COPA (L_R) 2nd Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Cuba in Panama, Alberto Garcia; Vice Minister of Foreign Trade of Panama, Néstor González; Director of Cuba Consul in Panama, Hilda Garcia and Senior Director of Government Relations and Alliances Copa Airlines, Pablo De La Guardia

ON Tuesday December 9, COPA Airlines announced their direct flights to Santa Clara, Cuba, from the Hub of the Americas at Tocumen International Airport. The airline will be plying the Cuba route twice weekly, which they described as one of the most idyllic destinations in the Caribbean Sea. Santa Clara is Copa’s second destination in Cuba, bringing the airline’s total number of destinations served to 69 in 30 countries. From its Hub of the Americas in Panamá, Copa offers flights to more international destinations than any other airline in Latin America.

Flight CM237 will operate Tuesdays and Saturdays, departing Panama City, Panama, at 09:05hrs and arriving at the Abel Santa María Airport in Santa Clara at 11:30hrs. The return flight, CM238, will depart Santa Clara at 12:20hrs the same days of the week, arriving at Tocumen International Airport in Panamá at 14:42hrs.

“People who love nature, idyllic beaches and exotic locales will want to vacation in this fantastic destination, which offers a diverse tourism experience,” said Copa CEO Pedro Heilbron. “On one hand, they’ll have the city of Santa Clara, full of history and Cuban tradition, and on the other, just one hour away, Cayo Santa María, with its great variety of all-inclusive hotels and eight five-star hotels.”

The new Copa flight not only strengthens the airline’s route network by increasing access to destinations in Cuba, it also significantly enhances Cuba’s connectivity with Latin America, offering the most direct and quickest way to connect from Santa Clara to cities such as Santiago, Chile; Cali, Barranquilla and Bogotá, Colombia; and Lima, Peru.

In-transit passengers do not have to go through Customs or Immigration.

In addition, visitors and tourists can drive the 48-kilometre seaside highway to

Cayo Santa Maria, called the Caibarién Causeway, which has earned the international “Puente de Alcántara” award for the best civil works of Iberio-America.

Copa Airlines’ on-board service on the flights includes complementary meals and drinks, a 12-channel audio-visual entertainment system in English, Spanish and Portuguese, with new movies each month and free headphones.

Copa Airlines and Copa Airlines Colombia, subsidiaries of Copa Holdings, are leading Latin American providers of passengers and cargo services. The airlines currently offer service to 69 destinations in 30 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean.

During Copa Airlines’ more than 65 years of uninterrupted operations, it has transformed the Hub of the Americas in Panama into the leading hub on the continent.

For more information visit www.copa.com.

AN autopsy report has confirmed that alcoholic Parmanand Dhanraj of Lot 9, Edinburg Village, died as a result of self-suspension (hanging).

A post-mortem was performed by Government Pathologist, Dr. Vivikanand Brijmohan at the New Amsterdam Hospital on Wednesday.

The findings have erased speculation by some relatives that the married father of one; was mur-

dered.

Last Sunday, thirtyeight-year-old, Parmanand Dhanraj was found suspended underneath his home at East Bank Berbice at approximately 06:15hrs.

The discovery was made by a passerby, who raised an alarm before informing sleuths at the Central Police Station in New Amsterdam.

Dhanraj lived alone and was last seen on Saturday afternoon at 16:30hrs when

he was consuming a half bottle of white rum.

Dhanraj was a labourer who did odd jobs in the community.

Investigators said that the man had utilised a piece of rope from his hammock to make the hangman’s noose, which he used to hang himself.

The motionless body had been taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.

E-Government project is ‘remediable’ – Dr. Luncheon – $1B project still onboard THE Guyana/Brazil fibre optic cable project has not collapsed as “it is obvious that it can be remedied,” Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon confirmed yesterday.

The E-Government project will feature a data centre, a transmission network and data network.

The data centre, or control centre, is to be housed in the compound of Castellani House, in the same building that is used for the Central Intelligence Agency.

During his weekly press conference held at the Office of the President, the Head of the Presidential Secretariat put media speculation to rest, noting that the project is currently being discussed regarding how to conclude the rehabilitation, and he maintained “it is remediable.”

The project started some four years after the agreement was signed between Guyana and Brazil for a fibre optic cable to link Government facilities.

He noted that the cable was to provide the bandwidth to the network and with this connectivity it would have allowed the project to mature into its ideal proportions.

Dr. Luncheon noted that

at present he is engaging in negotiations and discussions with a local firm in collaboration with a neighbouring country “to conclude the rehabilitation of the existing cable that traverses over 200 km from its entry point at Lethem to its termination point at Castellani House, Georgetown.”

He explained that the project which Government has invested approximately $1B in is still onboard.

The HPS further explained that in 2011 and 2012 it was recognised that the project had encountered significant failures in meeting obligations in its development.

CORRECTION “This is what the talks and discussions are about, to give some correction and renovation of the defects that have been documented along the way,” he said.

Right now, he said, the connectivity is unavailable, and this project has “cost a pretty penny and this is construction itself. I can’t be accurate but I am pretty certain that it exceeds over a billion Guyana dollars.”

LEGAL ACTION Dr. Luncheon clarified that the Government has

filed legal action against contractors and supervisory firms for their non-compliance with contractual obligations. He confirmed, however, that no action has been taken against any firm as yet since the paperwork is going through the proper procedures and awaiting a judicial ruling.

Guyana, as confirmed by the HPS, was reportedly paying Brazil US$76,000 annually for internet connectivity but noted that since the mechanism for a connection to access the bandwidth has not been accomplished, the “Brazilians have been understanding.”

MAJOR BENEFITS The completion of the project would allow for, in addition to connectivity, a range of services such as “E-Health”, allowing for video consultation, movement of information from one health centre to another and tracking disease outbreaks.

The project would also allow quick transmission of information, including video and data between police stations. In education, the project would set up an “E-library” which would allow for access to textbooks and other teaching aids that can be used by students and schools, thereby lowering cost.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

GPL moves to set record straight … on negotiations with NAACIE and GPSU

GUYANA Power and Light Inc. (GPL) said yesterday that it wished to set the record straight in response to a recent publication carried on December 10, 2014, captioned, “NAACIE urges GPL workers to prepare for struggle against imposed wages.”

In a GPL press release yesterday, the power company said: “Let us begin with the incontrovertible facts (pardon the redundancy, but it is intended to emphasise). Guyana Power & Light Inc. (GPL) has two separate and distinct collective labour agreements: one with the National Association of Agricultural Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE), and the other with Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU).”

GPL noted that NAACIE represents non-managerial staff, whilst GPSU represents managerial staff. These are two distinct and separate categories of staff, each with its own level of responsibility and accountability.

The collective labour agreements

expired since December 2003. GPL has submitted proposals to both Unions to re-negotiate the terms and conditions of the agreements and invited the parties to enter negotiations, but neither Union appears inclined to do so.

Indeed, between October 2013 and August 2014, GPL has written to NAACIE and GPSU twelve times inviting them to commence negotiations, including negotiations for wages and salaries.

Both Unions refused to attend meetings, GPL said.

The Unions have proposed to enter into joint negotiations with GPL. They have proffered not a single valid or commonsense argument in support of their argument. However, GPL has rejected the proposal based on the following: SEPARATE AGREEMENTS GPL has distinct and separate Collective Bargaining Agreements with each of the two Unions; Each Union has distinct certificates of

MARAD probe refutes harassment allegations

by West Bank fishermen OFFICIALS from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) travelled to Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara on December 3, 2014 to investigate allegations of harassment made by some fishermen, who are based in the area.

The allegations were reported in the Stabroek News under the caption ‘Goed Fortuin fishers allege harassment’.

During investigations by MARAD officials, the fishermen stated that they told the reporter they were harassed by the Marine Police and that was perhaps

misconstrued and interpreted as MARAD officials.

In that light, MARAD has refuted all of the false claims contained in the newspaper article. Further, it is advising all fishers to immediately report any incident of harassment to the Department or the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, MARAD once again is taking this opportunity to urge all fishers and other users of Guyana’s waterways to have their boats and themselves certified to operate.

recognition as sole bargaining agents for different categories of workers at GPL; GPL has in the past negotiated separately with the two Unions and there is nothing in the existing collective labour agreements with the Unions, or in law, to require GPL to agree to joint negotiations.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST The power company has considered the arguments put forward by the Unions in their demand for joint negotiations and finds them to be without substance or merit. Non-managerial and management staff negotiating jointly for salaries and wages will likely engender conflicts of interest.

On October 30, 2014 GPL received a notice of ultimatum from both Unions giving the company one month’s notice that they will take the necessary actions they see fit, if the Company does not agree to joint negotiations to take place between the two Unions and GPL. Following the ultimatum, the Ministry of Labour intervened, as a conciliator.

Two meetings were held at the Ministry and both Unions and GPL presented their

respective arguments. The Chief Labour Officer declared the matter deadlocked.

GPL once again pleaded with the Unions and invited them, yet again, on December 9, 2014 to commence negotiations. Mr. Kenneth Joseph, General Secretary of NAACIE, agreed verbally that his Union will commence negotiations on 9th December, 2014.

“Lo and behold, representatives of GPSU turned up at the meeting. This was contrary to the letter, spirit and understanding of our letter of invitation to NAACIE and the verbal telephone conversation between our HR Director, Mr. Balgobin Parsaud and Mr. Joseph.

We expressed our continued desire to start negotiations, but that GPSU representatives would not be permitted to be present during the negotiations.

NAACIE refused and left,” the release stated.

“We reiterate our call to enter separate negotiations with NAACIE and GPSU and will strongly encourage them to participate early so that our staff can be paid in time for the holidays,” GPL concluded.

Defence in stepfather murder conspiracy begins today - Prosecution closed its case yesterday

FOLLOWING the close of the prosecution’s case in the stepfather murder conspiracy trial at the Demerara Assizes yesterday morning, defence counsel, Mr. Bernard De Santos, S.C. asked the court for permission to begin his defence today.

Presiding judge, Madame Justice Dawn Gregory, granted the request.

The accused, Bibi Shamiza Khan, also called ‘Sham’, Hoosman Khan, called ‘Strongman’, and Bibi Farida Khan, called ‘Pum’, are indicted for the murder of Motilall Singh, on September 7, 2009.

They were charged following the death of their stepfather after they made statements claiming that they had instructions from their mother who sent them US$700 from overseas to hire a killer, to kill their stepfather who was at the time on a visit to Guyana.

In caution statements which the court found they had voluntarily made to the police, they gave an account of the plot and persons whom they hired to kill their stepfather who was murdered on

September 7, 2009 on the West Coast of Demerara.

Defence Counsel is contending that the police used various methods to get the witnesses, who have a history of diabetes to sign make-up statements, while they were ill from fatigue and stress.

In answer to questions under cross-examination Government Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, who performed the post-mortem, disclosed that a person suffering from diabetes could find themselves in a coma.

The doctor who was the last witness to testify for the prosecution yesterday said that Motilall Singh died from multiple incised wounds.

On the external examination, the doctor said he found 20 incised wounds on the body of Motilall Singh.

The trial has so far lasted three weeks during which 13 witnesses have testified.

State lawyers Ms. Natasha Backer and Ms. Mercedes Thompson are prosecuting.

The trial continues today.

Manslaughter accused Bacchus challenges caution statement

A MARAD official as he addressed concerns raised by fishermen at Goed Fortuin, WBD

PRESIDING judge, Mr. Justice Brassington Reynolds will this morning rule whether or not a caution statement made to the police by Fazal Bacchus is admissible in evidence.

The Judge conducted a voir dire yesterday to determine the admissibility of the statement after Counsel for the accused, Mr. Nigel

Hughes objected to Prosecutrix Mrs. Teshana Lake putting the statement in evidence.

The manslaughter charge against Fazal Bacchus accused him of having on January 16th 2011, in the county of Demerara, unlawfully killed Dhanpaul Rambarrack, also known as ‘Papalo’.

The hearing is continuing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Police record 11% drop in serious crime up to November – 5% decrease in murders but 10% increase in gunpoint robberies THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday reported that at the end of November 2014, they recorded an 11% drop in serious crimes when the period January 01 to November 30, 2014 is compared with the corresponding period in 2013.

Among the serious crimes are murder, robbery under arms, robbery with violence, robbery with aggravation, larceny from the person, break and enter and larceny, burglary, rape, and kidnapping.

Police added that a total of 127 murders were recorded at the end of November 2014 in comparison to 133 murders for the same period in 2013, a decrease of 5%, police added.

At the end of November 2014, robbery under arms overall had increased by 6% in comparison to the

same period in 2013. The statistics indicate an increase of 10% in the number of armed robberies involving the use of firearms, and a 2% decrease in armed robberies where instruments other than firearms were used by the perpetrators.

INCREASE IN ROAD FATALITIES In relation to traffic, 130 road fatalities from 121 accidents have been recorded at the end of November 2014, in comparison to 100 fatalities from 92 accidents for the same period in 2013; a 32% increase in fatalities.

The other categories of accidents – serious, minor and damage – have seen reductions unto the end of November this year, in comparison to same period last year.

Pedestrians have been

the main road users affected with 57 such persons having lost their lives at the end of November 2014. In addition 24 motorcyclists, 18 pedal cyclists, 13 drivers, 17 persons travelling in motor vehicles and one person being towed on a bicycle also lost their lives.

Speeding continues to be a major contributing factor to fatal accidents and was the cause of 75 of the 121 fatal accidents recorded at the end of November 2014.

Tr a ff i c e n f o r c e m e n t by the police has resulted in a total of 61,853 cases being made against errant motorists up to the end of November 2014; of this total, 17,493 cases were for speeding.

Meanwhile, one person to date has lost his life due to a fatal accident during December 2014.

Four men fined $7,500 each for driving under the influence THE Guyana Police Force yesterday said the following persons have been charged and found guilty by the courts for driving under the influence of alcohol.

1. Hafeez Persaud, 28, of Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2014-11-27 while driving motorcar HC 4429 on the Sheet Anchor Public Road.

He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate Court on 2014-12-01 where he pleaded guilty and was fined $7,500.

2. Ruel Jagroo, 25, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2014-11-27 while driving motorcar PSS 7332 on the Sheet Anchor Public Road, East Canje, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on 2014-12-01 where he pleaded guilty and was fined

Ruel Jagroo

Kenard Basdeo

$7,500.

3. Jaipersaud Lallbeharry, 34, of Adelphi, East Canje, Berbice, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 201412-02 while driving motorcar HB 785 on the Cumberland Public Road, East Canje, Berbice. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court on 2014-12-04 where he pleaded ‘guilty’ and was

fined $7,500.

4. Kennard Basdeo, 20, of Anna Catherina, WCD, was stopped and tested with a breathalyzer on 2014-1203 while driving motorcar PKK 1729 on the Leonora Public Road, WCD. He was found to be above the legal limit in terms of the consumption of alcohol. He was charged and appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court on 2014-12-04 where he pleaded guilty and was fined $7,500.

New coconut association Minister Baksh encourages Wakenaam farmers to try formed in Pomeroon – production, marketing to be on front burner shade-house farming

PPP/C Regional Democratic Councillor (RDC), Mrs. Vilma Da Silva has said a new coconut association has been formed in the Region Two area of the Pomeroon to take advantage of the high demand for water and dried coconuts on the international market.

Addressing Councillors at Tuesday’s statutory meeting of the RDC in the Regional Boardroom at Anna Regina, Mrs. Da Silva said she had recently attended a seminar in Trinidad and Tobago on the “Development of the Coconut Industry in the Caribbean” and she has learnt about the great demand for water and dried coconuts on the international market.

Mrs. Da Silva, who has responsibility for the Pomeroon area of Region Two, has a great passion to see the

development of the coconut industry in the Pomeroon move upwards. She said the new coconut association has some one hundred farmers as members, and that it will primarily address production and marketing.

She also reported that Mr. Alfro Alphonso, who owns the Pomeroon Oil Mill at Charity, Essequibo Coast, is slated to play a leading role in this new coconut association.

According to the councillor, her aim is to boost the coconut industry to adequately address the needs of the international market.

She said Pomeroon was declared at the T&T seminar as the area with the biggest cultivation of coconuts in the entire Caribbean, and she said she felt very elated to hear the news.

The members of the

Mrs. Vilma Da Silva, RDC Councillor and farmers’ representative in the Pomeroon

executive committee of the Coconut Association of the Pomeroon are Chairman: Bradley Griffith; Secretary: Mrs. Vilma Da Silva; and Treasurer: Eric Gomes. Mr. Alfro Alphonso is one of the committee members. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

MINISTER within the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Alli Baksh, has encouraged farmers of Wakenaam Island to move into shadehouse farming.

The minister visited the island recently and told farmers at public meetings at Success and Marias Pleasure that shade-house farming would boost their income, because there is great demand for cash crops such as Pakchoy, cabbage, celery, eschallot, tomatoes and poi, all of which are grown under shade houses.

He also encouraged farmers to use the drip irrigation fertiliser method, which is very effective in shade-house farming.

Minister Baksh, moreover, encouraged farmers to use compost fertiliser to grow organic food for themselves. He said the island of

A farmer interacting with Minister Alli Baksh after the meeting at Success, Wakenaam on Sunday

Wakenaam is very fertile and is ideal for agriculture development; therefore residents must make full use of the land to cultivate crops on a large scale.

The minister said that Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has already desilted many drainage and irrigation canals and

trenches with an excavator machine, in order to improve drainage on the island.

Farmers who attended the meetings said the desilting of the canals and trenches will cause more lands to be put under cultivation, thus boosting the national Grow More Food drive.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Global Shapers raise over $400,000 to construct library in Sophia

GLOBAL Shapers from the Georgetown Hub held an Ultimate Communications Workshop recently which served as a fundraising event that earned just over $400,000 for the construction of the Hub’s “Save the Libraries” project in Sophia.

The project aims to construct a library in Sophia and will be complemented by literacy and reading classes for young

The event was hosted by Roraima Duke Lodge and there were a number of speakers, including Chairperson, Mr. Gregory Shaw, Dr. Dawn Stewart, Godfrey Scott, Sherod Duncan, and Dr. Rosh Khan.

They delivered lectures on public-speaking, general communication skills, dynamics of social media and platforms for greater connections as well as enhanced ‘employability’, as well as lessons on how

my communication skills.”

She also noted that attending the workshop provided her with insights that would enhance her communication, presentation and proposal writing skills. And “as a young Guyanese, this makes me positively optimistic about Guyana’s future,” McCalman added.

Meanwhile, the Georgetown Hub has expressed its gratitude to its sponsors Roraima Duke Lodge who provided the venue free of cost; Southland International for their hearty donation of beverages and W&T George Group of Companies for their contribution of over 300 pastries.

The Hub plans to carry out a series of similar events based on various topics in 2015, since the Ultimate Communications

Workshop had a positive outcome.

The Global Shapers Community is a worldwide network of more than 350 city-based Hubs developed and led by promising young leaders between the ages of 20 and 30.

These are persons who want to build on their achievements and entrepreneurial drive to make a positive contribution to their communities. Together, they embody the “community of the future”, bringing together empowered youth in a community that is diverse, decentralized, and digitally hyper-connected. The Global Shapers Community is an initiative of the World Economic Forum and is independent, neutral, non-political and not for profit.

Dr. Rosh Khan, facilitator of the event, delivering his address at the Ultimate Communications Workshop 2014 children.

The funds raised will enable the Georgetown Hub to start construction of the library in the new academic year. The half-day workshop saw over 100 participants, all of whom were enlightened by topics such as communications and social networking.

to craft effective letters and proposals.

One participant, Ms. Ayana McCalman said, “It was a truly inspiring, learning event. The speakers made great use of technology and each of the presentations were very engaging. As a lawyer and a communicator, I am always eager to expand

Attendees at the Global Shapers of the Georgetown Hub’s Ultimate Communications Workshop 2014 at Roraima Duke Lodge

DNA results confirm body to be missing St Stanislaus teacher THE results of the DNA tests conducted by the Forensic Science Centre of Trinidad on the samples taken from the body that was recovered aback of Pattensen, East Coast Demerara, on July 24, 2014, are back and Crime Chief, Leslie James confirmed yesterday the body to be missing St Stanislaus school teacher, Nyozi Goodman.

Goodman, 34, of William Street, Kitty, Georgetown, was reported as missing on July 06, 2014 following a basketball game.

After the remains of a female were found on July 28, 2014 samples were taken and dispatched to the twin-island republic to determine whether the remains were that of the missing teacher.

At the scene at Pattensen, a belt belonging to Goodman had been found near the

Confirmed dead: Nyozi Goodman skeletal remains and it was identified by her mother.

Goodman failed to return home after she had accompanied a group of students to the Inter-Secondary Schools Basketball Championship in

the city on June 3.

She had sent her students ahead while informing them that she would be picked up by a friend, and was never again seen alive.

A suspect was arrested for questioning after the remains were discovered but later released due to the lack of evidence as the 72-hour holding period expired.

However, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Goodman was shot dead during a robbery attempt when he was reportedly confronted by police in Alexander Street, Kitty. The man who was identified as Royston Waldron, a taxi driver of Kitty, had reportedly picked up Goodman the night she went to a basketball game.

He was also the main

suspect in the disappearance of a policewoman earlier this year with whom he reportedly also shared a relationship.

Her body has never been found.

A post-mortem conducted by Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh on the remains of the unidentified female found aback of Pattensen in a bushy area on July 28 gave the cause of death as incised wounds to the abdomen.

Relatives of Goodman, including her mother Carol Greene, said they did not wish to comment at this time.

FORMER MFK BOSS

Meanwhile, samples taken from the body that was found at Graham’s Hall, East Coast Demerara, on September 22, 2014, have been forwarded to

the Forensic Science Centre of Trinidad for DNA testing.

It is suspected that the

Missing: Mohamed Khan body is that of businessman, Mohamed Farose Khan.

The decomposed remains of a male of East Indian descent was found on a dam aback Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, on

September 23, 2014, a month after former MFK Trading owner disappeared while on a short visit here from Venezuela to conduct business.

Khan, 54, fled Guyana and sold his Hadfield Street business after his life was threatened and during a visit to Guyana in July 9 this year he was shot and injured by a gunman at La Grange, West Bank Demerara.

He was last heard from on August 21, 2014 after he left his wife and children and came to Guyana.

The skull which was wrapped in a plastic bag was found several feet from the skeletal remains of an unidentified man.

Following the discovery, samples were taken by sleuths and sent to Trinidad and Tobago to determine whether it is that of Khan, who is still missing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Human Rights Day...

10 worst Human Rights violations of 2014

CELEBRATED yesterday under the theme, “Human Rights 365”, is Human Rights Day, whose theme encompasses the idea that every day is Human Rights Day, according to the official UN website.

The UN General Assembly proclaimed 10 December as Human Rights Day in 1950, to bring attention to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the Common Standard of Achievement for all peoples and all nations.

In his message to mark the Day’s celebration, UN Secretary-General, Ban Kimoon said: “I call on States to honour their obligation to protect human rights every day of the year. I call on people to hold their governments to account.”

In observance of the 2014 Human Rights Day, IBTimes India has gathered a list of the ‘Worst and gravest Human Rights violations’ that have occurred throughout the year of 2014: 1. All ISIS Beheadings, Rapes, Child Abuses:

The brutal executions of innocent people by the deadly Islamic State (ISIS) militants who continue to wreak havoc in northern Iraq and Syria after swallowing a swathe of land, which they arbitrary call a caliphate, are the gravest crimes and human rights violations.

It all started with US journalist James Foley’s murder on August 19. It was followed by the execution of American-Israeli journalist, Steven Sotloff on September 2nd. Another video showing a similar murder of British Aid worker, David Haines shocked the Western world.

Then the group killed the UK aid worker, Alan Henning before finally beheading Peter Kassig, another aid worker.

2. US Police Shootings of Blacks Police atrocities against blacks have been in the headlines for much of this year and have sparked one of the worst protests in recent memory. What incensed the already angry members of the black community were

the two grand jury decisions not to indict police officers charged with the killings.

A St. Louis County grand jury declined to indict Ferguson, Missouri, police Officer, Darren Wilson, who is white, in the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager, Michael Brown.

Days later another white police officer involved in the choke-hold death of Eric Garner, was allowed to walk free. The last words of the man, ‘I can’t breathe’ have been used as a slogan in the series of protests that have rocked New York City over the past week.

In a similar incident, a 12-year-old African-American boy was shot by a Cleveland Police officer on 22 November in a park. The child died the next day.

3. ‘Virginity Test’ in Indonesia Female applicants to Indonesia’s National Police had to go through a mandatory “virginity test”, which the authorities require woman – and not men – to undertake

as part of the application process, the HRW reported.

4. Saudi ‘Woman Drivers’ Arrested Even in 2014, Saudi authorities continue to detain women for driving. In the latest case, two women driving on the Saudi side of the border of the UAE were detained for over six days.

protest are persecuted and even executed in China. In the latest example of human rights violation in China, Beijing-based activist Cao Shunli was detained after she was barred from boarding a flight to Geneva ahead of the UN Human Rights Council review of China on 22 October.

5. Iranian Woman executed for killing Rapist Rayhaneh Jabbari, 26, was hanged by an Iranian court for the 2007 killing of Morteza Abdolali Sarbandi, who had tried to rape her.

The case has become a symbol of the worst human rights violation in Iran.

7. Operation Likofi, Congo A recent report detailed how uniformed police in the Republic of Congo dragged suspected gang members from their homes at night.

The unarmed young men and boys were brutally shot and killed outside their homes.

Many others were taken without warrants to unknown locations.

6. China’s Use of Executed Prisoner’s Organs China has been infamous for using the organs of executed prisoners for transplantation. Under pressure from the Human Rights activists, China recently said that it would stop the practice.

There is curtailment of free speech and media in the country and those who

8. Russian Abuse of Crimeans Another HRW report released in November highlighted how Crimea residents who opposed Russia’s actions were intimidated and harassed. Many proUkrainian activists were reportedly forced to disap-

pear and Russia compelled Ukrainian citizens in Crimea to adopt Russian citizenship or leave.

9. Life Prison for Being Gay in Gambia The Gambian president Yahya Jammeh signed a new criminal code decreeing life imprisonment for “aggravated homosexuality”. The law sparked a “witch-hunt” against LGBT people in the country with at least 14 documented arrests in the days following the new decree.

10. North Korea Torture M o re t h a n 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 North Koreans, including children, are imprisoned in camps, where many perish from forced labour, inadequate food and abuse by guards. 2014 has also seen episodes of arbitrary arrests, lack of due process and torture. There is no independent media, functioning civil society, or freedom of religion inside the reclusive communist autocratic country ruled by Kim Jong-un.

Irrigation pump issue at BBP…

Region Six Chairman blasts Opposition misconceptions, lies REGION Six Chairman, Mr. David Armogan has blasted the misconceptions and lies being peddled by some sections of the Opposition media and allied forces with respect to the water situation at Black Bush Polder, Corentyne.

“There is no crisis, it’s just a question of waiting!” he told members of the Berbice media during a mid-morning press briefing on Tuesday at the Regional Complex in Vryman’s Erven, New Amsterdam Berbice.

Armogan said it was brought to his attention that an AFC activist had, via his

Facebook page, stated that there was a water situation in the Black Bush community, that it had become unbearable for farmers, and that the farmers were beginning to react.

“I want to say categorically that that is not so!

We have five pumps operating at Black Bush Polder.

Prior to that, we had three pumps operating to provide irrigation water. We have 17,000/18,000 acres under rice cultivation and 6,000 under cash crop farming. In the front lands we have 20,000 rice lands under cultivation,” Armogan disclosed.

Chairman Armogan further said the pumps commenced operation on October 15, but where these pumps are located at the back lands farmers have large pumps, and once the water goes into the irrigation system, the water would then be channelled into the rice fields.

“So the front areas will not get water until the back areas would have taken their quota of water. The problem exists with the front lands areas. Now that the backlands have been satisfied, the water will move to the front land areas,” he assured.

“All the farmers cannot get all the water supply at the same time. It has to take time to reach all sections of the polder. About 90 (to) 98% of farmers have been supplied with irrigation water for this crop”, he declared.

“Nevertheless, to circumvent the problem, we have sectionalised the water; so, within three to four weeks, the entire Black Bush Polder will get water. This has been a normal situation, and has never been an issue,” Armogan contended.

However, addressing another issue with respect to an abandoned Blackstone

pump, he said there is a Blackstone engine that has been bought since in the early sixties, when the scheme was opened. ‘That engine should have been rehabilitated, but the company that made the components for the engine is now out of existence.

In his Alliance For Change posting on Facebook on December 8, recently elected executive member Mark Ross wrote: “Two weeks after my first visit to Black Bush, and after the installation of additional pumps to supply water to farmlands,

five pumps cannot still do the job of the abandon “Blackstone” pump, which was purchased decades ago. One engineer said the Blackstone pump could be repaired, but the PPP isn’t interested in fixing it, because to repair 5 pumps on a monthly basis provides their cronies with an income at the expense of tax payers while farmers suffer. A source told us, on a visit to the pump station located at Mibicuri, that the Blackstone pump could do 10 times the job the current 5 pumps are doing, and will solve the water problem.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Education roundtable told ...

Boys lead secondary school drop-outs, graduation rates below 30% THE Ministry of Education in collaboration with the private sector and several other stakeholders on Monday hosted a roundtable discussion on male participation and achievement in education.

The discussion was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, and is the third in a series of workshops surrounding issues

related to education. As explained, this event focused on male participation and achievements in the education system, along with constraints and means of overcoming them.

The Ministry of Education has achieved universal primary education which is one of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and is currently focusing on eliminating gender disparity in secondary education, and

Participants during the Roundtable Discussion

NA stall-holder accused of murdering 62-year-old man NEW Amsterdam stall-holder, Deon Sunthgolam, has been charged and remanded to prison for the murder of 62-year-old Terrence McLean, whose partly decomposied body was found in his living room with multiple stab wounds last Wednesday.

Sunthgolam, 38, a goldsmith of Canefield Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, appeared on December 5, 2014 at the New Amsterdam Magistrates Court before Magistrate Rhondell Weaver.

He will make his second court appearance on December 12, 2014.

The elderly man had stab wounds to the chest and abdomen and everything in his house was intact, including his licensed handgun, money and other valuables.

The body was found shortly after 08:00 hrs last

Wednesday by Mc Lean’s son and a friend, who had showed up at the residence

Murdered: Terrence Mc Lean for a visit.

After numerous calls to Mc Lean’s cell phone which was heard ringing inside the house with no answer, the man’s son realised some-

thing was amiss since the lights in the house were also observed still on; the man then peered through a window and saw McLean’s body.

It was then he alerted residents and summoned the police, who showed up and cordoned off the scene.

Villagers said they last saw Mc Lean on Sunday afternoon when he was, as was his custom, seen riding around the neighbourhood on his bicycle.

Mc Lean lived alone, but from time to time his son and other relatives would visit; it was during one of those visits that his son made the gruesome discovery.

Mc Lean, a former store-owner and goldsmith, often travelled overseas and was well-liked in the community and residents were shocked at his murder.

in all levels of education no later than 2015.

During a report done on the MDGs of education, the research and surveys which were conducted found that the ratio of girls to boys in education is 0.96 (primary) and 1.02 (secondary), whereas the survival rate in primary education was 89.8% for males and 94.7% for females in 2012. The report explained that more females complete up to secondary education than males.

The primary to secondary school transition rate was 93.6% for males and 96% for females; additionally, females were found to spend 11.2 years in school as opposed to 9.1 years for males in 2012. These results indicate that there is a higher rate of school drop-outs in the male population in the secondary education category.

Leslyn Charles, Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) (secondary), pointed out that the majority of school drop-outs are males and that the secondary school graduation rates of males are below 30%. She also explained that fatherless children are more likely to drop out, as they have less positive active males in their lives. Charles disclosed also that most activities within the school curriculum focus on females, and revealed that this trend is currently engaging the ministry’s attention.

Further, she noted that other contributory factors could be the fact that girls are praised more often than boys and that males are disciplined more harshly than females.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Programme Analyst, Trevor Benn noted that the agency has been providing funding for these workshops for the promo-

tion of the MDGs. Benn explained that the private sector through the National Working Group has been playing a major role in partnering with the Government and the UNDP in these activities.He emphasised that UNDP will continue to support such activities and expressed his hope that the event will aid in identifying long-term solutions and creating a better work force.

“Guyanese should be proud of the fact that their country is one of few that give equal educational opportunities to both genders,” Private Sector Commission (PSC), Chairman Ramesh Persaud, said. He added that though the focus is on male achievement, more opportunities should be given to females in the private sector to be able to hold high managerial positions. He however added that females are able to hold higher positions within the public sector.

He explained further that at previous workshops which dealt with gender equality in employment, it was recognised that less than 10% of board positions in Guyana are held by females, and less than 15% of top managerial positions are held by females. He added that it seems inconsistent, because the percentage of females completing secondary and university education is higher than that of males.

Persaud noted that the focus of today’s event was creating ways to have more males complete secondary education.

The theme of the discussion was: “Raising the participation and achievements of boys without endangering the progress of girls.”

No arrest yet in excavator operator murder FOLLOWING the murder of machine operator, Edgar Trotman, 46, of Lot 690 Block 22, Wisroc Housing Scheme, Linden, police yesterday reported that although the investigation is still active, no arrest has yet been made.

Trotman was found dead last Wednesday with his hands bound behind his back at his work site, Washer Pond Road, Linden. A vital part of his machine –the computer box worth about $1M-was missing from the excavator which he had been operating. Trotman had been employed with Bosai Minerals Group Inc. Initially, several persons

Murdered: Edgar Trotman

were questioned including his colleagues, but no one was detained for the crime.

A post-mortem revealed that Trotman died from multiple blunt force trauma to the head and asphyxiation.

The Linden resident was found at about 06:30hrs by an employee, who had gone to the site to do some work when he made the discovery.

A worker said Trotman was last seen on Tuesday evening about 19:00 hrs having dinner in the Crusher Room and had reported for his shift as per normal. Trotman leaves to mourn his wife and six children.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

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Over 400 graduate from BIT GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

––Gov’t determined to educate young people

By Rebecca Ganesh-Ally FOUR hundred and twelve students graduated at the Mahaicony Technical and Vocational Training Centre on Monday, having participated in the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) National Training Project for Youth Empowerment and Single- Parent Training Programme.

The Government has, over the years, been working to ensure that all Guyanese have a chance to be trained in some aspect of work, which is being administered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).The BIT has been providing opportunities for persons to qualify themselves with various skills.

The work force is empowered annually by skilled

persons who have undergone training under BIT. This year’s batch represents a three-fold increase over the number of persons trained in 2013 in the region under the programme. The programme consists of onthe-job training and exposure to life skills education. The youth who are targeted are between the ages of 15 and 25. Most of them do not have

the requisite CSEC qualifications to enter the job market, or may not have completed secondary education.

At the Mahaicony Centre, Region 5, some 343 trainees graduated in the following occupational sectors: 59 persons in engineering; 38 in building construction; 22 in electrical installation; 28 in health services; 134 in information technology

and clerical skills; and 62 in home economics. There were also 69 persons who graduated under the Single-Parent Training programme.

The Guyana Chronicle spoke with a few of the graduating students, who were unanimous that they have benefited tremendously from the programme. Ms. Andrea, a cosmetology teacher, explained that she taught a class of 30 girls, of whom the youngest is 16 years old and the oldest 45. “All of them have shown interest to

learn; there are shortcomings, but we manage to work through them,” she said.

A student from the nursing assistant programme explained that she now has the confidence and self-esteem to approach the world of work: “Before I was scared because I was not qualified in anything.” Miriam Hussain, a student of Food and Nutrition, noted that the programme was very educational, “I am able to feed my family a nutritional meal and able to practise what I

GDF Sgt Maurees Skeete is a rising star in football and the military

FRESH back from the 2014 CAC Games women’s football tournament in Veracruz, Mexico, where she continued to impress on and off the football field, GDF Sergeant Maurees Skeete is a star rising both at home in Guyana and within CONCACAF. The 2014 CAC Games is her fourth inter-

Sgt. Maurees Skeete shows off her CONCACAF Women’s Championship Medal national officiating appointment since being appointed a FIFA Referee on January 1, 2014.

A press statement from GDF yesterday added that Maurees is currently the only Female FIFA Referee out of Guyana! Sergeant Skeete, a former female footballer, hunkered down to pursue and deliver excellence ever since she made the decision a few years ago to switch from being a player to becoming a Referee.

The CAC Tournament saw Maurees officiating as the Referee in the Group B, Dominican Republic (DR) vs Nicaragua and DR vs Costa Rica (CR) matches, and as the Fourth Official in the Venezuela vs DR match and the third place

play-off between Venezuela and CR. “This was an exciting tournament that provided more opportunities for me to shine,” Maurees has said.

Her prior appointment was for the CONCACAF Women’s Championship 2014, her biggest stage yet. A World Cup qualifying event for the teams involved, SGT Skeete officiated as the fourth official in the Group A clash between Trinidad and Tobago and Guatemala, and refereed another Group A match between the USA and Guatemala.

Also in this championship, she officiated as fourth official in the semi-final match between the USA and Mexico and the Finals between Costa Rica and the USA. Speaking about her experience during this championship, Skeete says it was her most serious test yet as a young FIFA Referee.

“At this level of competition, with star teams such as Mexico and the USA in play, the standard of women’s football is high, and as a match official, one’s officiating standards must match the intensity of the matches,” she explained. “The pace of the matches and the professionalism with which the players and other officials approach the game demand and drive you to perform. While it is possible for mistakes to be made, you can never entertain such possibilities. Your mind and your focus must be sharp, and of course your fitness level has to be excellent,” she added.

“For this championship, we travelled to four different states in the USA. The travelling was hectic but comfortable at all times.

As a FIFA Referee, you are provided with the best and are expected to deliver your best.”

The GDF has said that already being touted as the next Dianne Fererria-James, Guyana’s most accomplished and outstanding female FIFA Referee, SGT Skeete smiles and adopts a very humble disposition.

“It is nice to be seen in such a light,” she says, “but I am still in the infancy of my career as a FIFA Referee; I cannot hope yet to reach the level of excellence of Ms. James. I have a long way to go; many, many more matches to officiate, and lots more experience to gain. It’s not going to be easy and I shall have to keep studying, learning and broadening my knowledge of the game; learning from others and, of course, ensuring that my level

of fitness is always geared toward optimum performance,” she says.

“Dianne has provided me with much support ever since we met up in the Cayman Islands for the CONCACAF Under-15 Girls tournament, my first international exposure as a FIFA Referee. She has become my mentor.

On each of the international appointments I’ve had, Ms. James has been present, and she teaches and guides me at every turn. Her advice and guidance are always solid.”

Maurees has also officiated at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2014 Women’s Championship.

On the local scene, Sgt Skeete last officiated at the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Second Division Championship. She has also officiated in matches of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Premier League, Digicel School’s Football Championship, and numerous other GFF and GFA tournaments.

Enlisting in 2004, Maurees has served the GDF and Guyana as a soldier for the past 10 years. She now holds the rank of Sergeant and is the IC of the GDF’s G5 Branch’s Materials Production Unit. She has successfully completed the Junior Leader and Drill Courses, and also has a Diploma in Computer Science at the Government Technical Institute. “I am a soldier first and foremost; and despite my new role as a FIFA Referee, my military duties demand service to Guyana. I will have to strike a balance between my career as a soldier and my obligations to FIFA and football. Thankfully, I am receiving the necessary support from the GDF, which allows for my sport development,” she says.

“The way I see it, the GDF and Guyana are benefitting from my service in both endeavours.

Militarily, I strive to be a role model for young female soldiers, and also to aid in grooming young male soldiers for whom I have responsibility from time to time. Additionally, because of my involvement in sports within the GDF, and now because of my role as a FIFA Referee, I serve as an inspiration to others within the GDF who are seeking opportunities for excellence.”

Chief of Staff, Brigadier Phillips, lauds Sgt Skeete’s achievements to date, and says that she will be encouraged to continue pur-

suing excellence in the military and in her endeavours in football. “I am proud to know that the Guyana Defence Force has produced a female soldier worthy of recognition in Guyana and across the Region. Sergeant Skeete is making waves in her football career as a FIFA Referee. She has also excelled as a soldier, and I know that there are higher heights for her to conquer. I am proud of her,

Sgt Maurees Skeete is captured in a pose that demonstrates an on-field call and the entire Force is proud of her. We wish to see her continue to achieve and deliver excellence in both her military and football careers,” he says.

So what’s next for this rising star? “Well, I have to focus on the development of my military career, since I aim to be elevated to the rank of Warrant Officer Class One, the highest rank attainable for an ‘other rank’ in the GDF. In addition, I will continue to train, stay fit, and learn as much as I can to continue growing as a FIFA Referee. As a mother, I strive each day to ensure that my son understands that he must never settle for less than the best. I wish to thank my parents, siblings, the Chief of Staff, and all those who have supported and encouraged me to dream and pursue my dreams over the years. You all are invaluable to me,” Maurees declares. (Michel Outridge)

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programmes at Mahaicony GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Labour Minister, Dr. Nanda Gopaul during his address to the graduating class at the Mahaicony Technical Centre have learnt.” She explained that she is the mother of two young children and this programme will assist her with feeding them properly

as well as contribute to her household financially.

Speaking at the ceremony, Regional Chairman Region 5, Bindraban Bisnauth

noted that he is grateful that the BIT programmes are relevant to the area, as he urged the graduating class to make full use of the opportunity and when the courses have been completed, “lend your services where it is needed.”

Maria Khelawan, Chief Executive Officer of BIT, congratulated the graduating class, noting that for the first time since the programme started, this year the board commenced evening and Saturday classes in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.

Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, during his remarks congratulated the students and urged them not to become complacent, explaining that the Government has always placed a lot of emphasis on educating its young people. “The Government is determined that our young people have to be educated and has placed a considerable sum of money from the na-

tional budget into the education sector,” the minister said.

The minister explained that over the years, persons have believed that technical education is for school dropouts, but asserted that this is not so “Technical education must not be seen as a substi-

tute for secondary education, it must be seen as a supplement,” Dr. Gopaul said.

In recent years, he noted, technical education was restricted to Georgetown and New Amsterdam, “but not anymore, we have a centre in almost every re-

The graduating class

gion and have extended our hands to our young people throughout the length and breadth of this country.”

Dr. Gopaul emphasised that “wherever we [government] see a shortcoming, we will move immediately to correct it.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

2015 Budget preparations ongoing

– Finance Minister says will be ready to produce one when called upon to do so FINANCE Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh yesterday stated that despite the lack of dialogue with the political Opposition, preparations for Budget 2015 which is constitutionally due by the end of the first quarter of the new year are continuing.

This however depends on the evolvement of the Parliamentary situation, and whatever the outcome, the Finance Ministry will be ready to produce a budget when called upon to do so, Minister Singh said.

Speaking on ‘Political Scope’ on the National Communications Network with Wanita Huburn, Minister Singh agreed that in Budget 2014 the many positive outlooks for Guyana’s economy and projections were boosted by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) predictions which balanced the country’s performance over the past eight years.

Observing that preparations for Budget 2015 are ongoing, Minister Singh explained that the cycle begins early each year. The private sector continues to display confidence in the economy, and other contributions towards the budget come from workers and householders.

The Minister also observed that a commitment by Government to the country has seen a lot of technical work already done. This includes meetings with ministries and other units with the budget preparation team working towards the expectation of the requirement to produce a budget.

With the ruling party maintaining its commitment to dialogue, engagement and consultation, Minister Singh explained that the President has remained consistent in making himself available for this purpose, but the political Opposition has consistently rebuffed this, as their most recent move has indicated.

The Minister pointed

Dr. Ashni Singh

also to the Opposition’s rejections of talks before the 2013 budget, and rejection of talks on the Amaila Falls project which met the same fate after an initial meeting.

“The unavailability of the Opposition for talks is beyond dispute,” he stated.

However, this unwillingness by the political Opposition to engage the Government does not hinder the preparation of the 2015 Budget. Minister Singh noted that Government is aware of the requirements of the Opposition through various means such as public statements and calls made in previous budget debates, all leading to an accumulation of information on what are their views.

Observing that the Opposition has cut every budget presented in the 10th Parliament, Minister Singh noted that they have never presented any alternative which the Administration could accept instead. He highlighted the ‘bundle of objections’ which were laid without alternatives and adjusting priorities. Reiterating the need for the Amaila Falls project, he noted the abundance of criticisms without any credible alternative being put forward.

The Administration has had continued engagements with various sectors and stakeholders which allow inputs into the Budget preparation. He said that there is significant input from non-governmental sectors

including the private sector and labour groupings. These bodies bring forth national priorities for the country’s economy.

All the national policy documents have benefited from national consultations and the Administration will remain close to those stakeholders who contributed, he stated.

While hesitating to put a figure forward, Minister Singh observed that the growth prediction for Guyana’s economy is positive.

He indicated that with regard the sugar sector, the Administration will continue to support it and assistance through the national budget will continue as necessary.

Speaking about Guyana’s rebuilding process which began in 1992, and which continues, the Minister noted that it took considerable effort to make the country’s economy viable.

This viability, which restored the country’s attractiveness to investors, has ensured that the international confidence in Guyana remains strong. He pointed to the elevation of international confidence in Guyana over the past eight years, to investments in gold and bauxite and the search for oil by international companies. This is supported by the domestic economy, as he pointed to Courts, Massy and the commercial banks which continue to open branches. Home-owners have also contributing by investing in homes, he pointed out.

Noting that particular initiatives have contributed to the housing boom, such as mortgage reliefs and other initiatives, Dr. Singh said this has led to multiplier effects, such as the construction boom and the expansion of goods and services which also lead to job creation. All of these eventually lead in the same direction, that is growth for Guyana. (GINA)

Amalgamated Security trains first batch of 15 officers

Former policeman, Mr. Cortland Gordon (left); General Manager, Mr. Wayne Clarke (kneeling at centre); and former Deputy Commissioner of Police of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. David Douglas (right) with the new batch of security officers following the graduation ceremony

AMALGAMATED Security Services Guyana Inc., with over 30 years in the security business, recently produced 15 graduates after three consecutive weeks of training.

At a small gathering at Regency Suites/Hotel on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, General Manager, Wayne Clarke, in his opening remarks, said that it took three years to reach the destination of producing their first batch of efficient and professional security officers.

“Training is an important aspect of running an organisation and as such we intend to use it to better our company and change the security paradigm positively in Guyana,” Clarke told this publication.

The initial training batch consisted of 21 persons, including females, from various regions in Guyana who would have had experience

in the security field.

DRUG TEST Moreover, prior to being accepted into the training programme, the trainees were sent for academic testing as well as a mandatory drug test. However, only 15 successfully made it through as security officers.

The training, which was held under the guidance of David Douglas, former Deputy Commissioner of Police of Trinidad and Tobago, had several sessions with respect to topics that are relevant to the security sector.

Douglas has 38 years of experience in the police service, alongside 10 years at the Amalgamated Security Services Inc. He was assisted

by Mr. Cortland Gordon, a former Police Officer with over 30 years of experience.

Amalgamated was launched in Trinidad and Tobago in 1983 to meet the security needs of both the

private and public sectors in the country. Thereafter, they branched off to Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia and now Guyana.

The firm holds a close relationship with the Firearms Training Accreditation Institution alongside the United States National Safety Council network of instructors for First Aid, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillation (AED) as well as Defensive Driving.

Moreover, over the past two decades, the organisation has grown in size to become one of the leading security organisations in the Region with more than 3,000 employees. They offer a comprehensive range of value-added services delivered by security professionals such as guarding services, cash management services, electronic security services and firearm services.

Toyota Spacio ends up in the drink – after taking evasive action AROUND 10:00 hrs on Tuesday morning, along the railway embankment in the vicinity of Blygezight and Conversation Tree, Greater Georgetown, a Toyota Spacio PRR 3450 swerved from a speeding vehicle and ended up in the nearby canal.

Fortunately, the driver managed to escape from the up-turned vehicle, albeit in a traumatised and unstable state.

The unnamed driver sought help from passers-by, which then resulted in traffic slowing to a crawl along the railway

At the scene of the accident Tuesday morning. Floating on a bed of Water Lilies is the up-ended Toyota Spacio

embankment. He was unable to provide any comments to this publication.

Eyewitnesses confirmed that there were a few persons

travelling in the vehicle when it swerved into the canal.

Fortunately, no injuries were caused. Eventually, the police arrived and eased the tension.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Region 3 taking stringent measures to – three fined for dumping on Crane curb illegal dumping Embankment Road TO address the issue of illegal dumping in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), the Regional Democratic Council has taken stringent measures to counteract the problem across the region by way of prosecuting persons who are caught dumping at road corners and in drainage systems.

In an invited comment,

Regional Chairman, Julius Faerber said that there are a growing number of illegal garbage piles around the region which are very “unsightly”.

Faerber stated that recently, through an intervention by the Regional Office, three persons were charged and placed before the court for dumping along the Crane Embankment Road.

According to the Chairman, these persons who were reportedly in the habit of dumping along the Crane Embankment Road were subsequently caught.

The motor lorry number was recorded and taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station. The lorry was tracked and subsequently the culprits were arrested and placed before the court

where they were required to pay a fine.

Chairman Faerber stated that communities are monitored on a daily basis

by Environmental Health Officers (EHO) and/or by Environmental Health Assistants (EHA). Should anyone be found littering, the EHO has the mandate to take that person to court on behalf of the Regional Democratic

A team removing garbage along the roadside in Region 3

Council (RDC).

During last week, the Clean-up My Country Regional Community CleanUp and Bulk Waste Removal Programme conducted a community clean-up exercise with all 14 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) of Region 3 to remove illegal garbage piles and bulk waste from residents in the communities.

During the clean-up exercise, several parapets along the West Coast were littered with garbage. On Zeelugt Public Road, a team of community workers under the national clean-up programme took close to two hours to remove a pile of garbage which some residents said was created by persons from the area.

When asked what might have been the contributory factors that are causing the unconscionable behaviour of illegal dumping, the Regional Chairman pointed directly to persons lacking education about the impact of littering

on the environment.

To bridge the gap, he said, “more radio and television awareness programmes are needed”. He further stated that “at the NDC level, we need to do more to reach out to the people and equip them with the knowledge of the negative impact of littering, and encourage them to use other avenues (Solid Waste Service Provider) to get rid of their garbage.

Meanwhile, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Norman Whittaker has been calling on persons to be more environmentally conscious and dispose of their garbage by utilising the Solid Waste Service Providers operating in the regions or the service provided by the RDC/ NDC. Further, the Ministry would like to encourage members of the public to lodge a report at the nearest police station or NDC should a person be caught dumping/littering.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

GAPSO calls for swift justice in security guard murder THE Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations (GAPSO) has called on the police to act swiftly in bringing to justice those responsible for the fatal shooting of the security guard at Sterling Products Limited on Monday evening.

The organisation in a statement Monday said that they were deeply saddened at the loss of a veteran in the security sector and urged police investigators to obtain satisfactory answers to the questions surrounding the incident.

The organisation in its

statements said that it is essential that investigators take swift action, provide answers and assure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.

This will help to ensure that a similar act is not committed against other security officers.

According to GAPSO, it will continue to provide the necessary resources so that security officers can get their job done while investing in training to prepare those on the front lines for potentially deadly situations.

“At this time Guyana Association of Private Security Organisations members’

thoughts and hearts are with Officer Stewart’s wife, two children and his family and friends. Our prayer is that God will encourage them in this difficult time,” the organisation said in a release.

It added: “Security officers provide a difficult, dangerous, and often thankless work of safeguarding and protecting. As we mourn Officer Stewart, let us also remember it is a dangerous job that people take for granted. Fortunately, this incident does not happen that often, but it can happen. Nevertheless, with unflinching commitment, security offi-

cers protect our schools and businesses; and keep us safe as we go about our lives. To Officer Stewart’s family, we owe an unpayable debt. And to the men and women who carry his mission forward, we owe our unyielding support.”

“Just as security officers are trained to never let down their guard, we must never let slide our thanks. We should extend our thanks not only in times of tragedy, but for every tragedy averted - every

accident avoided because of the actions of security officers. In other words, we must show our gratitude every day to security officers because of the job they have chosen to do,” the press release concluded.

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Albouystown youth remanded to Jan 6 on robbery-under-arms charge

NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD, Earl De Souza of Albouystown, Georgetown was on Tuesday remanded to prison

by City Magistrate Ann McLennan for a robbery-under-arms charge, particulars of which detail that on December 5 at La Penitence, Georgetown, being together with another and armed with a gun, he robbed Jasper Carter of one gold chain worth $115,000 and one gold

ring valued $100,000, to a total value of $215,000.

Police Prosecutor, Dinero Jones objected to bail on grounds of the nature and gravity of the offence, and the penalty the charge attracts.

The defendant will remain on remand until his next court appearance on January 6, 2015 before Magistrate Fabayo Azore. (Clestine Juan)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

ARIES A journey by air to a distant place might be on your mind, though you might not make it for a long time. Knowledge is important to you, and you can be insatiably curious. This is likely to be one of those days. A friend or lover could bring some new information that sparks your curiosity, perhaps something related to astrology or the occult. You will want to pursue it.

TAURUS The desire to beautify your home could hit you full force today. Perhaps you’re expecting visitors or house guests and want to make a good impression. You could prowl through antique stores looking for knickknacks. You might set your sights on doing something a bit more ambitious than you originally planned. Enjoy yourself, but be careful. You don’t want to tire yourself out.

GEMINI A new neighbour could arrive who you feel especially drawn to. You might have high hopes for a friendship with this person. He or she may seem especially congenial and share a lot of your interests, and this could seem almost too perfect. However, you’re in just the mood to idealise new relationships, so don’t get too excited until you get to know this person better CANCER You could be feeling especially sociable today. Maybe there’s a party of some kind in your neighbourhood. You could hear some good news, and there is probably some truth to it, but take everything you hear through the grapevine with a grain of salt. Not everything you hear is based on fact. If you can, go to someone in a position to know and find out from him or her.

Thursday, December 11, 2014 – 08:30hrs Friday, December 12, 2014 – 09:00hrs

LEO You’re feeling especially loving, attractive, and romantic, so romance is likely to be on your mind. Romantic novels and movies could seem especially appealing. If you’re currently involved, you will probably receive a lot of attention from your mate. If not, expect to receive admiring glances from those around you, including strangers! You could meet a potential date, but take care to get to know this person before getting too excited.

VIRGO An increased level of ESP and imagination could have you feeling more creative and artistic. You might want to channel this energy into writing, painting, or adding touches to your living room. You’re likely to be especially attuned to the thoughts and feelings of others, particularly family. You could grow closer, especially if you sense what they need even before they do. .

LIBRA An attractive neighbour with whom you seem to share a bond could become a friend. A group you’re affiliated with could be expressing highly idealised goals and purposes. These goals are likely to be admirable, but they may not be all that realistic. Bear that in mind before committing to any course of action.

You need more facts before you can proceed.

SCORPIO Dreams of a new career could fill your mind today, perhaps because of too much stress in your current one. You might even think of becoming a movie star! Go for your dream if you feel it’s what you want. Remember that any moneymaking enterprise, no matter how creative, is still a business. Make use of your natural business talent to find out what you need to know.

SAGITTARIUS Spiritual goals may be at the top of your priority list now. You may be looking for metaphysical seminars or meditation workshops, perhaps taking place in a distant state or foreign country. You’re likely to find it difficult to make a decision about any options right now. Whatever you’re considering, make sure you know all the facts before making a choice of any kind.

CAPRICORN Lovely dreams could spark your imagination and get your artistic abilities going. You could learn a lot about yourself and whatever has been limiting you. Write down whatever comes your way so you can work with it later, but don’t try to make sense of it today. Wait a while and then consider everything in a more practical light. You may be surprised at the difference in you.

AQUARIUS A new friend could arrive today. You’re probably going to like this person very much. He or she probably shares many of your interests. You could become close friends. The downside is that you aren’t likely to see anyone as they really are, only an idealised picture. When you meet this person, make an effort to see the real person behind the mask and accept them as they are.

PISCES If you’ve been thinking about a job change or even a new career, a chance encounter could provide the opportunity. However, remember, “If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.” Get the facts as clearly as you can.

Consider all the ins and outs before committing yourself or getting too excited about it. If you still want to pursue the opportunity, go for it.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

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North Ruimveldt ...

FROM BACK PAGE It was heartening to see the shooting ability of Eon Alleyne who carried Festival City Warriors attack in true herculean fashion, drawing oohs and aahs whenever he fired a shot to Leopold Street’s goal area. He worked in tandem with the dreadlocked Daniel Favorite and the experienced Solomon Austin.

Except for a Fraser shot which rocked the box goal late in the first half, the contest was a bruising affair that went down to extra time after a goalless regulation period and with the scoreline remaining unchanged, penalty kicks were needed from which Festival City Warriors advanced with a 1-0 win.

North Ruimveldt and Festival City Warriors will confront each other in the final that is scheduled for Sunday night at the National Park, with the winners taking home $500 000, trophy and medallions along with a place in the National playoffs set for next year.

The runners-up will pocket $300 000, a trophy and medallions and a place in the national playoffs while Sparta Boss and Leopold Street will meet in the third/fourth place playoff, from which the winners will receive $200 000 and a spot in the National playoffs, leaving the fourth-placed team with $100 000.

The Skills Challenge category of the tournament is still in action, but this time players and non-players can compete for the top prize of $20 000, while the sponsor has introduced a Fair Play Award of $50 000 as well for this year’s edition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Hing, McKinnon win year-end Practical Pistol Championships

All the Smallbore participants in last Sunday’s meet strike a pose.

NATIONAL Smallbore captain Dale Hing and leading handgun shooter Ryan McKinnon won the Production and Stand divisions respectively when the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) Smallbore section ran off its year-end Practi-

cal Pistol shooting championships last Sunday at the Timehri ranges.

The programme consisted of three stages which were categorised into Standard and Production division and saw shooters with stock firearms with no modifications shoot

under the production division while shooters with modified firearms were placed in the standard division according to the I.P.S.C. rules.

Stage one of the Production division saw Hing come out ahead of Randy Sarjoo who finished second while

Ray Beharry placed third.

McKinnon was also victorious in the Standard division at the first stage beating into second position Gordon Richards while Murtland Smith finished third.

In Stage two of the Production Division, Beharry

turned the tables on Hing while Sarjoo placed third.

McKinnon was beaten into second position by Stage Two Standard division winner Joshua Ramlakhan while David Dharry came in third.

Stage three proved to be critical for the shooters but in the end Hing and McKinnon won their respective category, Beharry finished second in the Production division while Rajiv Latchana was third and in the Standard division, Dharry was second and Dr Johan DaSilva third.

The overall standings were: Production – Hing first place, Beharry second and Sarjoo third; in the Standard McKinnon placed first, Dharry second and Richards third.

GCC Tigers, Hikers Veterans make PSP U-17 Inter-Secondary successful defence of DMW titles School Invitational THE GEORGETOWN Cricket Club Tigers and veteran side Hickers both repeated their 2013 victories in this year’s Diamond Mineral Water (DMW) Indoor Hockey Festival while the PEPSI Hikers returned to former glory with a win in the men’s division.

Last Sunday’s final night of the festival produced three highscoring matches that entertained the crowd with displays of skill and speed.

The pre-tournament favourites and national champions, PEPSI Hikers squared off against a determined Old Fort for the men’s final and the losers who had just come off their third comeback win of the tournament with two goals in the closing minutes of their semi-final encounter against GCC, entered the final with confidence and strong fan support.

However, the Hikers had experience, a sound game plan and a boisterous cheering section of their own and both teams regarded each other carefully as the game began with Old Fort falling off to a half-court defence and the Hikers quite predictably enjoying most of possession.

A moment of brilliance however by MVP Jamar Assanah changed the evening completely as he outpaced his marker and latched on to the end of a Robert France pass to deflect the ball into the open goal for a 1-0 Hikers lead.

Old Fort responded like a disrupted nest of ants as the pace of the game immediately elevat-

ed to fever pitch, with Aderemi Simon and Jason Dos Santos try-

Jerazeno Bell ing to make inroads to the Hikers defence.

During this time, Andrew Stewart completed a Hikers counterattacking move and took his team’s lead to two goals, which was later made 3-0 when overlapping right back Shane Samuels scored in the final minute of the first half.

Old Fort showed moments of skilful hockey in the second half and had it not been for outstanding goalkeeping by Tony Cole, the Hikers would have scored more than the two goals they managed in the second half to come away with a 5-0 win and their sixth festival title.

The GCC Tigers rounded out a dominant performance by improving on their pool match result against Spice with a score of 9-0 in the final.

The one-sided affair saw a

hattrick of goals from captain Sonia Jardine who led her team throughout the competition with her entertaining stick skills and clinical finishing while Kerensa Fernandes and defender Trisha Woodroffe both scored doubles.

Promising juniors Ashley DeGroot and Dacia Woodroffe rounded out the score sheet for the winners with solitary strikes of their own.

The Hikers managed to retain the Carib Veterans trophy for the third straight year in upstaging Old Old Fort by 4-2 margin, as the duo of MVP Jerazeno ‘Skillaxe’ Bell and midfielder Devin Munroe proved too much for the red army to handle.

Munroe scored two of his three goals in the opening minutes to see the Hikers to a comfortable lead from the start and despite two goals from Dexter Wyles and Chris Low-Koan, Bell unleashed a bullet of a penalty corner into the roof of the net and Munroe netted his third to claim the 4-2 victory in the end.

Hikers’ Assanah was named the Most Valuable Player for the male category while the award fell to GCC Tigers’ Sonia Jardine on the distaff side, with Bell being named the MVP for the Veterans category.

In the goalkeeping category, the best goalkeepers on show were definitely Tony Cole of Old Fort for the men, Brianna Gordon of Spice for the ladies and Audwin Graham for the veterans Old Old Fort.

off to false start

THE quest for supremacy and $200 000 first prize in the inaugural Premiership Sports Promotion (PSP) Georgetown Under-17 Schools football competition got off to a false start yesterday at the Ministry of Education ground.

A strong and determined-looking St George’s lineup graced the venue from 12:30hrs in preparation for an intense battle with their nemesis Dolphin Secondary, but lo and behold, Dolphin did not turn up, thus St George’s got the win via a walkover.

In the second game of the day, the organisers’ efforts to contact Charlestown Secondary with regard to their 15:00hrs clash with St Stanislaus proved futile and St Stanislaus were also awarded the win via a walkover.

In the interest of not having both St George’s and St Stanislaus’ efforts go in vain, a friendly encounter to kick off the tournament was played between the two, with St George’s winning 3-0.

A restart of the tournament will be held today at the same venue, with East Ruimveldt opposing Tutorial in the first encounter at 13:00hrs, followed

by Bishops’ High taking on Queen’s College from 15:00hrs.

The schools listed to participate are: St George’s, Charlestown, St Stanislaus, East Ruimveldt, Tutorial, Lodge, North Georgetown, Bishops’, Queen’s College, Tucville, North Ruimveldt Multilateral, St Mary’s, Christ Church, Queenstown and St John’s College.

The team placing second are guaranteed $150 000 while third- and fourth-place finishers will receive $100 000 and $75 000 respectively, with all matches being played at the Ministry of Education ground, including the final which is scheduled for Sunday, December 21. (Calvin Roberts)

Racing Tips French racing Tips Lyon La Soie 12:25 hrs That’s Crazy 12:55 hrs Caroz 13:25 hrs Della Star 13:55 hrs Romina 14:25 hrs Footprint 14:55 hrs Sindara 15:25 hrs Wirtuel 15:55 hrs Theo Danon English Racing Tips Newcastle 08:20 hrs Jonny Eager 08:50 hrs Three Kingdoms 09:20 hrs De Chissler 09:50 hrs Trust Thomas 10:20 hrs Innocent Girl 10:50 hrs Be A Dreamer 11:20 hrs Western Rules Warwick 08:30 hrs Rathealy 09:00 hrs Dresden 09:30 hrs Attimo 10:00 hrs Carningli 10:30 hrs Georgian King 11:00 hrs Seas Of Green 11:30 hrs Lady Of Lamanver Taunton 08:40 hrs Upsanddowns 09:10 hrs Bladoun 09:40 hrs Daveron 10:10 hrs The Skyfarmer 10:40 hrs Mr Cardle 11:10 hrs Money For Nothing 11:40 hrs Chocca Wocca South Africa Racing Tips Vaal 08:25 hrs Moonlit Venice 09:05 hrs Taiwan Treasure 09:40 hrs Winter Star 10:15 hrs Isphan 10:55 hrs Victor’s Folly American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Piscesbymoonlight Race 2 Coachinge Race 3 Betty Bing Bing Race 4 Kool Charli Race 5 Two Seventeen Race 6 Coral Beach Race 7 Village warrior Race 8 Celebrated Talent Race 9 Qui C’est Moi

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thurday December 11, 2014

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D’Edward rally through to Championship D’EDWARD Cricket Club of West Bank Berbice are the champions of the 2014 Berbice Cricket Board/ New Building Societysponsored second division 40 overs competition, after holding their nerves to win an exciting final against Corriverton by three wickets last Sunday at the Number 69 ground.

In a match which was reduced to 28 overs-a-side due to rain which resulted in a late start, Corriverton who were first-time finalists lost the toss and were inserted by their opponents.

They enjoyed a good start of 39 runs from Errol Byass and Jeremy Moore, but the introduction of medium pacer Heeralall Bridgelall saw Corriverton lose two quick wickets including that of Byass for 11.

Another medium pacer Navin Rampersaud got into the act and took two quick wickets as well, including Moore for 24, to see them slip from 39 without loss to 53 for 4.

Skipper Jermain Reid

Mr Rana Persaud, Manager of NBS hands over the winning trophy to D’Edward captain Jaipaul Heeralall in the presence of other staffers of NBS, players from the victorious team and BCB officials. stopped the slide with an intelligent innings of 41, adding 35 for the fifth wicket with Victor Pedro (3) and 24 for the sixth with Gary Phil-

lips (6) to take the score to 113 in the 19th over.

They, however, collapsed as off-spinner Devendra Lalsa picked up three

Clarke grafts to Bradman-like dominance in Adelaide

By Ian Ransom (REUTERS) - Injured Australia captain Michael Clarke completed an inspiring century after lunch on day two of the first test against India yesterday, having returned to the crease following pain-killing injections on his back.

The 33-year-old flicked a single off his pads to bring up the milestone on a rainy afternoon and was given a standing ovation by the Adelaide Oval crowd.

Clarke’s 128 was a record seventh ton by a player at Adelaide Oval and came after centuries to his New South Wales team mates David Warner (145) and Steven Smith (162 not out).

It was also the skipper’s fourth in succession in tests at the ground, a streak of dominance dating back to an imperious 210 against the same opponents, and left him with a Bradman-esque average of 100.50 in Adelaide.

“He just came out and played beautifully,” Smith told reporters.

“I think a few shots hurt him but he got himself into as many good positions as he could I guess manipulated the field a little bit as well so he played beautifully under the circumstances.”

Though Warner and Smith both looked up to the sky in trib-

ute to their fallen team mate Phillip Hughes, Clarke’s celebration was more muted, raising his bat to acknowledge the applause before kissing the crest on his helmet.

He was on 60 on Tuesday when he retired hurt after twisting to avoid a short ball. The injury immediately raised doubt over his playing the rest of the four-match series as well as his ability to lead Australia into the 50-over World Cup early next year.

Clarke was only playing after coming through a fitness test on a third hamstring strain in three months, problems which are related to his long-term degenerative back injury.

Though helped by some inconsistent bowling from India and a flat wicket, he was in clear discomfort as he battled to the ton, grimacing after certain shots and running slowly between the wickets.

Team physio Alex Kountouris said the skipper was struggling with “quite a significant back injury” related to his spinal discs but had been determined to “give it a go”.

It emerged Clarke had hardly slept, having been worked on by staff for most of the night, a point underlined by the tired sweep shot that saw him caught at square leg late in the day.

wickets and former Berbice Under-19 leg-spinning allrounder Kevon Jawahir two wickets, to reduce Corriverton from a relatively com-

Ponting appointed Mumbai’s head coach

Ricky Ponting (REUTERS) - Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been appointed head coach of Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians, the club announced yesterday.

The 39-year-old, who retired from international cricket in 2012, previously captained Mumbai in a short spell with the team in 2013 and takes over from John Wright ahead of the new season, which starts in April next year.

“We are delighted to have Ricky back with us and look forward to his contribution based on his experience and expertise,” former India spin bowler Anil Kumble, who is part of the Mumbai Owners Group, said in a statement on the club’s website (www.mumbaiindians.com).

Ponting, one of international cricket’s most successful captains with 48 victories in 77 Tests, worked as an adviser to Mumbai as they finished fourth last season but this will be his first head coaching role.

fortable position of 113 for 5 to 123 all out in 22.5 overs.

Lalsa took 4 for 27, Jawahir 2 for 18, Rampersaud 2 for 30 and Bridge-

lall 2 for 31 for D’ Edward, who in their reply lost early wickets and were reeling at 12 for 3 in the 5th over, before Heeralall came to the crease and quietly started to pull his team out from the jaws of danger.

He added 56 for the fourth wicket with Jawahir (12) in 9 overs and 43 for the fifth with Lakeraj Sookraj, before he was dismissed for 33, at 111 for 5, following which his side lost two quick wickets to be 121 for 7, including Sookraj for 33.

Despite the late scare, D’Edward reached 124 for 7 off 25.4 overs, with Reid picking up 2 for 18 and Faoud Bacchus 2 for 19 for Corriverton, who watched the victors collect $60 000 while they (Corriverton) received $30 000.

Devendra Lalsa was the man-of-the-match and for his efforts he collected a trophy and $5 000. Reid was named Best Batsman while there were several other cash incentives for overall performances leading up to the final.

Pakistan on edge as Kenya arrive in Lahore

(REUTERS) - Kenya’s national cricket team arrived in Lahore amid tight security yesterday for the most high-profile series in Pakistan since a March 2009 attack on the Sri Lanka team.

The Kenyan players and officials were whisked away under police escort to the National Cricket Academy adjacent to the Pakistan board headquarters at the Gaddafi stadium.

Kenya, who will play five oneday matches against a Pakistan A side, are only the second team to play international cricket in the country since tours were suspended after militants attacked the Sri Lankans in Lahore.

Six Pakistani policemen and a van driver were killed in that attack, while some Sri Lanka players and a Pakistani umpire, Ahsan Raza, sustained injuries.

Although Afghanistan have played a couple of low profile series in Pakistan since 2009, a senior PCB official told Reuters the Kenyan visit was much more significant.

“We are doing everything to ensure we don’t have a repeat of the 2009 incident. We are coordinating closely with the police and government to provide top security to the visitors,” PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said.

The Sri Lanka team were attacked while travelling by bus from their

hotel to the Gaddafi stadium for a test match.

SECURITY CONCERNS This time the PCB has housed the Kenya team at the NCA residential quarters and with a bustling commercial food street operating outside the stadium, the board has even asked those businesses to close for two weeks.

Pakistan have had to play all their “home” games in the United Arab Emirates because of security concerns, losing out on significant revenues, but Khan hoped that would change.

“Once this tour goes smoothly then we will be in a position to start more concerted efforts to invite other teams to play in Pakistan,” he said.

Kenya captain Shem Ngoche and coach Steve Tikolo told a news conference they were not worried about security.

“We have no apprehensions about playing in Pakistan. We know we will be taken good care of. This tour for us is all about cricket and gives us a great opportunity to give exposure to our new players,” said Ngoche.

Kenya, who were once regulars at the ICC World Cup, have struggled in recent years and failed to qualify for the 2015 tournament.

They will play their opening game in Lahore on December 13.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday December 11, 2014

Smith shines on gloomy day at Adelaide Oval

By Ian Ransom (REUTERS) - Michael Clarke’s gritty 128 after pain-killing injections in his injured back may have lit up a rain-soaked Adelaide Oval yesterday, but it was his baby-faced batting partner Steven Smith who offered hope of a brighter future.

Smith’s unbeaten 162 was almost overshadowed

by Clarke’s courage on day two of the first Test against India, but it provided another endorsement of the 25-yearold’s leadership credentials in case the skipper’s body finally gives out.

Having battled on the fringes for three years after his 2010 Test debut against Pakistan at Lord’s, Smith’s improvement and maturity as a batsman over the past year has been little short of staggering.

A key component in Australia’s brutal 5-0 whitewash of England in the

last home summer, he has continued to pile on the runs, scoring four Test centuries in the last 12 months.

He came three runs short of a fifth ton in the year against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates but erased that disappointment by flaying South Africa’s world class attack during the one-day series win last month.

“I probably wasn’t quite as patient as I am now,” Smith told reporters after stumps, having pushed Australia to 517 for seven wickets.

“I tried to play too many shots early on and that got me in trouble. I know if I do that (be patient) then I’ll be able to make big runs and today’s a good example of that. Every hundred is nice and hopefully I’ve got a few more this summer.”

Like Clarke and opening batsman David Warner, also in career-best form, Smith was a former team mate of

... Neymar scores for Barca

MANCHESTER CITY beat Roma 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico, a result that sees them qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Understandably given the uncertainty of who might qualify in the group, with only Bayern already qualifying, neither team risked much in the first half, and chances were at a premium.

It was Roma who started the best, putting City under pressure in the very early stages. That brought the best chance

AUSTRALIA 1st innings (o/n 354-6) C. Rogers c Dhawan b I. Sharma 9 D. Warner c I. Sharma b K. Sharma 145 S. Watson c Dhawan b Aaron 14 M. Clarke c Pujara b K. Sharma 128 S. Smith not out 162 M. Marsh c Kohli b Aaron 41 N. Lyon b Shami 3 B. Haddin c Saha b Shami 0 M. Johnson not out 0 Extras: (lb-4, nb-2, w-9) 15 Total: (for 7 wickets, 120 overs) 517 Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-88, 3-258, 4-345, 5-352, 6-354, 7-517.

Bowling: M. Shami 24-2-120-2 (w-1), V. Aaron 23-1-136-2 (nb-2, w-3), I. Sharma 27-5-85-1 (w-1), K. Sharma 33-1-143-2, M. Vijay 13-329-0.

brilliant tons at Adelaide.

Upon raising his century, Smith walked over to the 408 painted in the Adelaide Oval turf in recognition of Hughes, the country’s 408th Test player, waved his bat over the number and like Warner on Tuesday, peered up at the sky as many of the 15 000 at the ground stood to applaud.

“We had that long (rain) break when I was on 98 and I Australia’s Michael Clarke (left) and Steven Smith walk off the field of play yesterday, thought that if I got the two more runs, it would be nice to go over as rain stops play in their Test match against India. there and stick my bat in the air Phillip Hughes at New South Wales and ago. and say thanks to Hughesy for was fielding when the batsman was struck The three men who might be the most being with me all the way,” he down during a domestic match two weeks affected by the tragedy have now all made said.

Nasri gives City victory against Roma to qualify for knockouts

Neymar

Scoreboard

for Roma, when Holebas blasted a shot at Joe Hart from close range after being left free at the back post.

City and Roma then exchanged occasional chances, with James Milner failing to convert from a one-on-one with Morgan De Sanctis, and Gervinho going close twice.

In the second half, City were the side to break the stalemate, with Samir Nasri scoring a superb effort from distance, crashing in off the near post. Roma then had chances of their own, with Kostas Manolas having a header tipped onto the post by Hart as they chased an equaliser.

Pablo Zabaleta sealed victory with a late goal to make it 2-0, teed up by the impressive Nasri. Without Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany, City achieved a memorable victory.

SCREAMER Neymar scored a sensational strike as Barcelona came from behind to beat Paris St-Germain 3-1 and take top spot in Group F. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored against his former club to give the visitors an early lead before Lionel Messi hit back soon after.

Neymar then gave the hosts the lead

with a sublime long-range effort before Luis Suarez sealed victory to ensure Luis Enrique’s side knock PSG off first place in the group.

Barca dominated possession in the early stages but against the run of play the visitors scored with their first attack when Blaise Matuidi laid the ball off to Ibrahimovic to fire the ball in first time.

The lead lasted just three minutes though with Javier Mascherano’s pinpoint pass played across by Suarez for Messi to slide in for his 75th Champions League goal.

Laurent Blanc’s side should have regained the lead when Lucas Moura had a golden chance from close range but he failed to find the target.

And the home side made them pay when Neymar ran at the defence and curled a stunning effort from 25 yards into the bottom corner.

The second half was tame in comparison with Barca hanging on, but they sealed the game 13 minutes from time when Neymar’s shot was saved and Suarez was there to tuck in the rebound, a win that sees the Spanish giants win the group by two points and hand PSG their first defeat of the season.

GSCL INC. PRESIDENT’S CUP

Tournament bowls off Saturday with four teams battling for $180 000 … Winner-take-all top prize ACTION in the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc.organised inaugural President’s Cup Open and Over-40 big ball competition is set to bowl off on Saturday at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Ogle Community Centre grounds respectively.

At DCC, the teams who have entered to compete in the Over40 category will be doing battle while the Open teams will journey to Ogle and battle for supremacy, with the finals set for the DCC ground on Sunday from 10:00hrs.

At DCC on Saturday, Regal Masters will take on Savage on pitch number one, even as Fishermen XI go up against Mike’s Wellman on pitch number two. The second set of matches will commence at 13:00hrs with the losers meet-

Patrick Khan ing on pitch number one, while the winners battle it out on pitch number two.

At Ogle, Regal will take on Speedboat in the first game, followed by SPR Enterprise against Farm XI, with the winners meeting in the finals the following day at DCC. The upcoming GSCL Inc. President’s Cup will have a winner-take-all first place prize of $180 000 and follows on the heels of the entity’s Republic and Independence Cups that were hosted earlier this year.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thurday December 11, 2014

31

Cottrell five-for sets up dominant day … Samuels strokes unbeaten ton

(CRICINFO) - If South Africa’s Test outfit thought taking on West Indies was going to be easy, Stiaan van Zyl will tell them it might not be quite so simple.

He was the only member of the squad playing in Benoni, where the tourists dominated an Invitation XI with both bat and ball.

Left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell claimed five wickets with a display of swing that sliced through the South Africans, with his first wicket coming in the sixth over and he barely stopped plucking them all the way through to the 37th, when the last man fell shortly after the second session began. van Zyl was not one of Cottrell’s victims, though.

He was dismissed by Jason Holder, after scoring just 23 and interestingly, van Zyl

batted in his regular number three spot, not the number seven position he is expected to occupy during the first Test in JP Duminy’s absence, or the opening position he is targeting in the long term.

The South African Invitation side’s batting line-up didn’t contain any other big names and it showed when it was their number eight Aviwe Mgijima who top-scored with 35 and the only other contribution of significance came from Under-19 World Cup winning wicketkeeper-batsman Clyde Fortuin, who scored 34.

In reply, the West Indian batsmen were put on the back foot by Rory Kleinveldt, who was making his comeback from a groin injury, getting

rid of Kraigg Brathwaite and Leon Johnson early.

But the visitors soon recovered, as Devon Smith, called up to the squad to replace Chris Gayle, and Marlon Samuels shared in an unbroken third-wicket stand of 182, which came at a rollicking 5.20 runs per over.

Samuels, the dominant partner, went to stumps on an unbeaten 102-ball 103, with 76 of his runs coming in fours, while Smith was on 83 off 144 balls, with a six and 12 fours.

Kleinveldt and Daryn Dupavillon were the only Invitation bowlers to concede less than four runs an over, while Beuran Hendricks, who returned from a stress fracture, put in 10 overs without any trouble.

Sheldon Cottrell

Scoreboard SA INVITATIONAL XI 1st innings G. Cloete c & b Cottrell 5 D. Hendricks c Fudadin b Cottrell 13 S. van Zyl c Blackwood b Holder 23 K. Petersen c Fudadin b Cottrell 0 J. Nqolo b Cottrell 3 C. Fortuin b Benn 34 M. Mosehle run-out 6 A. Mgijima b Cottrell 35 R. Kleinveldt c Holder b Taylor 0 T. Shamsi lbw b Taylor 0 D. Dupavillon not out 0 Extras: (b-2, nb-4) 6 Total: (all out, 36.1 overs) 125 Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-38, 3-38, 4-48, 5-48, 6-55, 7-124, 8-125, 9-125.

Bowling: Roach 6-1-30-0 (nb2), Cottrell 6.1-2-16-5, Holder 6-1-22-1, Gabriel 5-0-14-0 (nb-2), Benn 8-1-29-1, Taylor 5-1-12-2.

WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Brathwaite lbw b Kleinveldt 12 D. Smith not out 83 L. Johnson c van Zyl b Kleinveldt 0 M. Samuels not out 103 Extras: (b-5, lb-3, w-3, nb-8) 19 Total: (2 wkts, 47 overs) 217 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-35.

Bowling: Hendricks 10-4-46-0 (w-1), Dupavillon 7-1-25-0 (w1), Engelbrecht 10-0-53-0 (w-1, nb-2), Kleinveldt 9-0-34-2 (nb5), Shamsi 7-1-37-0, Mgijima 4-0-14-0 (nb-1).

Scotiabank inks multi-year England’s Woakes dazzles before play abandoned after rain (REUTERS) - England will return the lone slip off Woakes. other ideas as the 25-yeardeal with CONCACAF today to chase down a 240-run victoSangakkara played old paceman ended San-

(CMC) - The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) on Tuesday announced a wide-ranging agreement with Scotiabank covering several international tournaments.

The multi-year agreement makes Scotiabank the first official partner of CONCACAF, and covers a number of tournaments through 2018.

They include the region’s most important club competition, the CONCACAF Champions League, now to be known as the Scotiabank Champions League, beginning February 2015 with the Championship Round of the ongoing 2014-15 edition.

“I am extremely proud to welcome Scotiabank to the CONCACAF football family and commemorate this strategic partnership,” said CONCACAF president Jeffrey Webb.

“This agreement exemplifies the growing value of CONCACAF’s properties and demonstrates the trust and confidence in our Confederation.”

In addition to title sponsorship of the Champions League, Scotiabank becomes an official sponsor for the CONCACAF Gold Cup – the Confederation’s flagship event for national teams – for 2015 and 2017.

Scotiabank will also support several 2016 Olympic Qualifying events, and men’s and women’s tournaments at the Under-20 and Under-17 levels, starting with the CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Championship Jamaica 2015, set to kick off in January.

Jefffery Webb The deal further includes sponsorship for the next two editions of the CFU Caribbean Cup and the UNCAF Central American Cup, as well as upcoming CONCACAF championships in Beach Soccer, Futsal and at the Girls’ and Boys’ Under-15 levels.

“Scotiabank is proud of our deep roots and strong commitment in the CONCACAF regions – supporting customers, businesses and communities for over 180 years,” said John Doig, Scotiabank’s Chief Marketing Officer.

“This partnership is a natural fit for Scotiabank. Football is a passion we share with our customers and we’re excited to support current and future football stars.

We are looking forward to celebrating the sportsmanship and teamwork of this beautiful game.”

Headquartered in Toronto, Scotiabank has a presence in over 55 countries including Latin America, the Caribbean and parts of Asia.

ry target and stay alive in the sevenmatch contest against Sri Lanka after rain forced play to be suspended in the fifth one-day international in Pallekele yesterday.

Kumar Sangakkara hit a cultured 91 but England paceman Chris Woakes (647) tore through the Sri Lankan lower order to bowl out the hosts for 239 in 49 overs, before a torrential downpour kept the players off the pitch and prompted the match officials to finally abandon the day’s play.

England, who are 3-1 down in the series, will return to chase down their target in 50 overs.

For inspiration, the tourists can look back on the 2004 Champions Trophy match at Southampton against the same opponents that spilled into the reserve day, before England captain Michael Vaughan and his men won it under the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Current skipper Alastair Cook returned to the side after serving a one-match suspension for a second slow over-rate offence in the third ODI and won the toss, putting the hosts in to bat.

He had reason to feel vindicated as the scoreless Kusal Perera edged the third delivery of the match from Steven Finn to second slip, while the other opener, Tillakaratne Dilshan (35), hit six boundaries in his breezy 31-ball knock before dragging a Chris Jordan delivery onto the stumps.

Sri Lanka slumped to 59-3 when Jordan, involved in the first four dismissals, caught Mahela Jayawardene at

with characteristic cool as he and captain Angelo Mathews (40) added 85 runs to steady the innings even though they found boundaries hard to come by.

Jordan dismissed Mathews in the 34th over but Sri Lanka, at 172-4, looked well-placed for a late assault in the final 10 overs.

Woakes, however, had

gakkara’s 123-ball stay, claiming five wickets in his last 15 deliveries to hasten Sri Lanka’s collapse.

Sangakkara hit 10 boundaries in his fourth successive fifty-plus score.

England’s bowlers delivered 15 wides -- with Woakes contributing a third of that total -- in an otherwise disciplined performance.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 2236055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

8032 Test runs

(2)

WI vs AUST, St. John’s, Antigua, 1978

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Test runs Rohan Kanhai made?

(2) How many ODI centuries Shiv Chanderpaul has made to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Sport CHRONICLE

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

PSP U-17 Inter-Secondary School Invitational off to false start See story on page 28

GUINNESS ‘GREATEST OF DE STREETS’

Sparta Boss’ Devon ‘Don Don’ Millington (yellow bib) is closely monitored by this North Ruimveldt player, while his teammate Eusi ‘Boneyman’ Phillips (centre) and Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant (right) look on anxiously.

North Ruimveldt end Sparta Boss unbeaten streak

By Calvin Roberts HAVING played unbeaten in all their matches leading up to the semifinals, pre-tournament favourites Sparta Boss saw that streak come to an end, courtesy of North Ruimveldt’s 2-1 penalty kicks win at the National Cultural Centre tarmac last Tuesday night.

The two sides were meeting in the second semifinal of this year’s sixth annual Banks DIH Georgetown Guinness ‘Greatest of De Streets’ Futsal football tournament, after Festival City Warriors cruised past Leopold Street in the first semifinal.

A large and vocal crowd, probably the largest to witness the action so far, thronged the starlit venue and listened to the sounds from the King Scorpion Stereo System played at intervals, even as the disc jockey kept them alive with

… meet Festival City Warriors in final cheer-leading chants, when the two second semifinalists graced the venue for their fixture.

Players’ names were shouted from all corners, a testament of the support both teams were receiving and when certain infringements were upheld by the two referees, the words of encouragement that flew from the spectators, strongly underlined the emotions the contest brought with it.

Sparta Boss, who throughout the tournament found the net during regulation time, with their top marksman Sheldon Shepherd and playmaker Devon ‘Don Don’ Millington in their lineup, faced a determined North Ruimveldt unit, who used Gerald Gritten in their defence all night.

Several goal-scoring opportuni-

Gerald Gritten

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ties were created by both sides, but strong defensive work from Gritten and Sparta Boss’ Jerome Richardson, ensured their teams kept a clean sheet at the end of regulation and extra time, forcing the game to be decided on penalty kicks.

This is an area North Ruimveldt have excelled on over the years, while Sparta Boss, who are two-time Mackeson ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ champions have failed to improve despite their opponents and it was shocking to see their technical staff substitute Millington seconds before the final whistle blew.

However, when the die

was cast at approximately 01:25hrs yesterday North Ruimveldt, who scored their first and last spot kick, were the victors over their opponents who missed their first and last spot kicks, sparking off wild celebrations on and off the playing area.

In the first semifinal, Festival City Warriors were the underdogs but thrived on knowing that their more illustrious opponents were lacking unity in their play and even though Okenny Fraser signalled his intentions in the first minute for Leopold Street who played attacking football throughout, Festival City kept their composure.

Turn To Page 27 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014