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GUYANA No. 104032 FRIDAY DECEMBER 5, 2014

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

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PSC calls for end to prorogation – stay of no-confidence motion

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Magistrate Chandra Sohan appeals indefinite suspension

by JSC

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Attorney-General...

Opposition has ‘made a fool 3 of everyone’

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– at inaugural wine-tasting event

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PPP apologises for wrongfully labelling Shaquille Grant

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Argentine Embassy treats Guyanese to a taste of the Andes

INCLUDING VAT

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Transparency International faces mounting criticism worldwide – for reliance on questionable data Page

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McDoom fowl fight murder case ends today Savouring the moment

–eleven witnesses testified Page 9

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

PSC calls for end to prorogation – stay of no-confidence motion

PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud

GUYANA’S Private Sector Commission (PSC) has called for an end to the November 10 prorogation of Parliament, as well as the stay of the Alliance for Change (AFC) sponsored

no-confidence motion.

The Commission’s call was made in a statement that was made public yesterday, in which several actions were detailed as necessary to move past the current political gridlock that is pushing Guyanese to early elections. The statement essentially includes three calls: ● An end to the prorogation and stay of the no-confidence motion; ● A one-month period of dialogue before any consideration is given to dissolution of Parliament and subsequent general elections; and ● An agreement that representatives of civil society will be allowed to observe

the dialogue process in full once commenced during this period.

“There is still room for the life of the 10th Parliament to be preserved once the prorogation comes to an end and the no-confidence motion is stayed to make room for a meaningful attempt to dialogue on the important issues that will persist even after elections are held,” PSC Chairman Ramesh Persaud said.

DIALOGUE INTENDED President Donald Ramotar has always maintained that the need for dialogue was uppermost in his mind when he made his decision. Paving the way for greater dialogue among political parties, he contends, would have kept the 10th Parliament alive to address critically important issues currently before the National Assembly.

The effect of ending the first session of the 10th Parliament via prorogation is the termination of the

The declaration of agreement, proposing the PSC’s solution to the current political impasse

business of the National Assembly.

As a result the AFC sponsored no-confidence motion was not considered.

Also A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had, prior to November 10, signalled its intent to support the push through of the motion.

Had it not been for the proclamation to prorogue Parliament, if the no-confidence motion was passed, Guyana would have been h e a d e d t o e a r l y g e n e ral elections within three months.

However, Mr. Ramotar has made it clear that if these efforts prove futile, there will be a move to early general elections.

Since the prorogation, APNU and the AFC have made it clear that they will not engage the President in talks unless the prorogation is lifted and Parliamentary work resumes. The rejection of talks was also formally communicated by APNU Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger in a December 2 letter responding to the President’s November 18 invitation for talks.

The most recent contention of the current Administration, following these positions, is that the prorogation objectives have been lost.

LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES “This is the time to look at alternatives,” the Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS) said yesterday at his weekly post-Cabinet press conference on Wednesday.

He added that, “There can be little doubt that general elections are gaining currency as a reasonable and acceptable alternative to talks among parliamentary political parties.”

AGENDA FOR TALKS All considered, the PSC Chairman noted that a proposed agenda for talks could address several issues, including: ● The composition and implementation of all outstanding commissions required by the Constitution; ● Agreement on a date for Local Government Elections some time before the life of the 10th Parliament comes to an end; ● Mechanism by which the bills not receiving assent can be resolved; ● Mechanism for approval of 2014 supplementary financial papers and statements of excess; and ● An inclusionary mechanism for budget talks of 2015 and 2016. This could be a meaningful start on forming a longer term agreement on Guyana’s

Economic Development Agenda.

“We further request that our representatives of Civil Society be included as observers to any dialogue process agreed upon so that we could be kept meaningfully informed as to the agreements and commitments by all parties in pursuing the interests of those they represent and hold each accountable for the delivery of results,” Persaud stressed.

According to him, in line with the Article 13 of the Constitution, the principal objective of the political system of the state is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organizations in the management and decision-making processes of the state, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their wellbeing.

The PSC Chairman added that the mandate of the 10th Parliament, elected via free and fair general elections on November 28, 2011, should be accepted by all, since it is given by the Guyanese electorate.

“This (the mandate of the 10th Parliament) created an opportunity for the needs of both minority and majority stakeholders to be adequately represented and solutions negotiated for the benefit of all the citizens of Guyana. On the contrary, the opportunity is being squandered by standoffs and deadlocks to the detriment of all stakeholders,” the PSC Chairman said.

It was also noted that the Commission’s calls come after consultations with various civil society organizations such as representatives of Labour and Religion.

“Guyana our beloved country, a land with a people of diverse culture and bestowed with many natural resources, continues to encounter challenges in its path to development as the governance architecture is not effective in equitably meeting the needs of all stakeholders,” Persaud concluded.

T h e P S C ’s p ro p o s al was sent to President Donald Ramotar, Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Granger and AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

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Attorney-General...

Opposition has ‘made a fool of everyone’ WHEN presented with the real opportunity to deliver on local government elections, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) kicked it aside.

This was the emphatic assertion from Attorney-General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

According to him, in the process of calling for local government elections and mobilising the support of local and other groups, APNU has duped the very stakeholders it reached out to. “In the process they have made a fool of everyone,” he said.

For more than two months now, APNU’s leaders and supporters have been engaged in protest action, which initially had started in different parts of the country, demanding that the Government set a date for local government elections.

The protests followed

the expiration of an ultimatum given President Donald Ramotar by APNU Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger. He had called on the Head of State to set a date for local government elections before September 15 or face the “mobilisation of national and international” support by the party to ensure the elections are hosted.

The deadline has passed and President Donald Ramotar subsequently announced that local government elections will be held by the second quarter of 2015.

Nandlall said, “They held countrywide meetings feeding the public with the same type of information.

They lured the Stabroek News to publish a daily statement on their front page emphasising how important local government elections are. They even got the international community to jump on their

Anil Nandlall bandwagon in their quest.” comments come in light of the rejection of President Donald Ramotar’s invitaCOULD HAVE tion for talks, following the ENGAGED November 10 prorogation The Attorney-General’s of Parliament.

He said, “They could also have engaged the President on a date for local government elections, which they have clamoured for so vigorously and in so doing, advancing numerous arguments of how important it is for our people, national development and democracy.”

The President has always maintained that the need for dialogue was uppermost in his mind when he made his decision. Paving the way for greater dialogue among political parties, he contends, would have kept the 10th Parliament alive to address critically important issues currently before the National Assembly.

Some of these matters include: The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) (Amendment) Bill, which is currently with the Parliamentary Special Select Committee; and the second reading of the Edu-

Albouystown man shot in early-morning High Street robbery A CITY resident, who was shot and robbed of $2,800 while walking along High Street, Georgetown, has been hospitalised with a gunshot wound to his right foot.

The police reported that at about 06:20hrs on Wednesday, Joel Kirpaul, 45, of Hogg Street, Albouystown, was walking along High Street, Georgetown, when he was held up by a man armed with a fire-

arm.

The robber shot Kirpaul to his right foot, took away $2,800.00 and escaped on a bicycle.

Kirpaul has been admitted to hospital, as the investigation continues.

In a separate incident, two men are in police custody following a botched robbery at a dwelling house.

According to a police report,

at about 05:30hrs on December 3, 2014, two men entered the home of Narine Dyal at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara and confronted his wife who was in the kitchen.

The woman put up a struggle during which one of the men dropped an object that was in his hand and the two men ran out of the home.

An alarm was raised and neigh-

bouring residents pursued the men who hid in the nearby canefield.

The police responded to the report, went into the canefield and were able to arrest the suspects.

The object dropped by one of the suspects was found to be a toy gun, while the other man was found in possession of a screw driver.

The men are in police custody and charges will be laid shortly.

cation Bill 2014, the Land Surveyors Bill 2014, and the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2014.Also among the Bills scheduled for a first reading are the Food Safety Bill 2014, and the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) (Amendment) Bill 2014.Other important matters before the National Assembly include the appointment of Members to the Rights of the Child Commission (ROC) and the Women and Gender Equality Commission.

The AG bemoaned APNU’s position on talks, given the obvious merits of dialogue.

“APNU has demonstrated that they are prepared to not only mislead our people, but also the international community and taking them all on a joy ride,” Nandlall concluded.

Since the President’s move to prorogue Parliament, there have been varying sentiments from different sections of society, many being in support of the prorogation, which would facilitate dialogue in face of the current political impasse.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

Transparency International faces mounting criticism worldwide --for reliance on questionable data

PPP apologises for wrongfully labelling Shaquille Grant THEPeople’s Progressive Party (PPP) has noted the call for an apology by the mother ofShaquille Grant concerning a statement issued in the name of the Party in which Shaquille Grant was wrongly deemed a “criminal”.

A clarification was sought at the weekly press conference of the Party where the PPP general secretary, in response, had promised to ascertain the veracity of the contents of the statement.

The Party has since done so, and has determined that there was no justification in describing Shaquille Grant as a criminal.

In the circumstances, the Party offers an unequivocal apology to the mother of Shaquille Grant for this unfounded assertion, and for any hurt and harm caused.

IN THE Caribbean Region, countries such as Barbados have been ranked above Guyana in Transparency International’s (TI) 2014 Corruption Perception Index (CPI). The report, released on Wednesday,sees Guyana ranked at 124, with 30 points.

And TI’s admission with regard to its methodology in compiling the report have not served it well in debunking the mounting criticisms, at both regional and international levels, which continue to be laid at its doorstep.

FACTS IGNORED For example, Guyana has signed and ratified the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, as well as the United Nations Convention against Corruption, and is subject to reviews by both groups.

Barbados, on the other hand, is not bound by any of these Treaties, even as it is ranked 17th with a score of 74, a fact that is ignored by Transparency International’s report.

Barbados signed on to the Inter-American Convention against Corruption in 2001, but is yet to ratify it, which means that it is not bound by the stipulations of the Convention.

Guyana signed the same Convention in 1996 and ratified it in 2000. As recent as June 16, 2011, Guyana had designated the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as its central authority to deal with matters related to the Inter-American Convention against Corruption.

Under its obligation, Guyana had is first review in 2006, second in 2008, and third in 2011.In September 2011, when the thirdround review of all the countries was complet-

ed, the committee decided that the fourth round will include visits to countries, as well as a follow-up on the implementation of the recommendations that were made during the first- cycle review in 2006.

As it relates to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the areas addressed include prevention, criminalization, international cooperation and asset recovery.Guyana signed on

QUESTIONABLE YARDSTICK Additionally, grounds for questioning the methodologies and, by extension, the credibility of Transparency International are also seen when comparing Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

In order to rank Trinidad and Tobago, only four surveys were used. The country has a population that is half a million more

‘Guyana has taken steps to address the issue of corruption. By becoming party to the two anti-corruption conventions, the country has undertaken obligations and expectations for the enactment of the standards and rules that are central to both conventions’ to the Convention in 2003 and ratified it in 2008.

Barbados also signed the Convention in 2003, but is yet to ratify it.Under this Convention, some of the obligations are mandatory ones.

Guyana has taken steps to address the issue of corruption. By becoming party to the two anti-corruption conventions, the country has undertaken obligations and expectations for the enactment of the standards and rules that are central to both conventions.

than Guyana’s. Still, however, the same number of surveys was also used in Guyana.

A similar trend is seen in Cuba with a population of over 11 million; yet again, only four surveys were used.

The yardstick used against which countries are ranked is widely inconsistent, as seen in TI’s report.

This point was underscored last year by the World Bank itself, which is cited as one of Transparency International’s sources.

The World Bank, at the

time of the last report’s release, had criticised the Index as a method of ranking corruption, saying “Changes in sample base and methodology have complicated yearto-year comparisons,” while “survey respondents in different countries describe corruption in different terms.”

The World Bank report goes on to state that the methodology used by the CPI is also flawed. “There are two main problems: (1) Previous survey results have an impact on new survey results and (2) because indices combine several measurements, it is difficult to set one number that accurately reflects a country’s level of corruption.”

The report also noted that a cyclic system easily develops where reports are based on a previous year’s report and actual efforts implemented to fight corruption are ignored.

All considered, for several years now there have been calls from different sections of the Guyanese society for Transparency International to review its sources and make public its methodology and sampling techniques in gathering the data used to arrive at the ratings.

Last year, Guyana was ranked 27th, one place up from the 28th spot in 2012. This year’s index includes 175 countries and territories.

MUSIC cart vendor remanded over murder of co-worker A MUSIC cart vendor at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court Wednesday was remanded to prison on a murder charge.

Quincy Messiah of Lot 9 Camp and D’urban Streets, Georgetown, made his appearance before Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not

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required to plead to the indictable offence.

Particulars of the matter stated that on Friday, November 28 at Lot 9 Camp and D’urban Streets, Georgetown, he murdered Trevor Raghubeer, who is said to have been a co-worker.

The unrepresented man

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told the court that he is a push cart vendor who sells CDs. Police Prosecutor, Dinero Jones did not reveal the prosecution’s facts to the court. However, he indicated that the file is incomplete and the matter was put off to January 5, 2015.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

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Pedestrians urged to exercise greater care

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – HEAD of the Police Traffic Division, Senior Superintendent Calvin Allen, is appealing to pedestrians to exercise greater care on the roads.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Tuesday (December 2), SSP Allen said that 92 pedestrians have lost their lives on the roads so far this year, which is three more than the total number of pedestrian fatalities in 2013.

According to SSP Allen, approximately 50 fatalities were related to the actions of motorists, while about 42 lives were lost as a result of pedestrian error. This includes people crossing the road at the wrong time and using cell phones or earphones while crossing.

“We continue to appeal to our pedestrians to use the road with the greatest

Head of the Police Traffic Division, Senior Superintendent Calvin Allen, urges pedestrians to use the roads with care during his address at a JIS Think Tank held on December 2. amount of care,” SSP Allen said.

“The pedestrian crossing is not a right. It must not be engaged unless all vehicles come to a complete stop,” SSP Allen said.

He said that the police

will be intensifying its public education thrust “to make pedestrians more aware of the critical role they play in road safety and protecting their own lives.”

“If we could cut pedestrian fatality in half, we would

be way down the ladder in terms of the overall world standard as it relates to fatalities.”

SSP Allen urged pedestrians to always walk facing the oncoming traffic, “so you put yourself in a better position to take some evasive action…in order to save your life.”

Pedestrian fatalities often involve motorists losing control of vehicles and crashing into embankments or sidewalks, he said, adding that this is particularly a problem in areas where there are no designated walkways for pedestrians.

SSP Allen said the police will be working closely with the Transport Authority and the Island Traffic Authority to ensure order on the nation’s roads particularly during the holiday season.

Caribbean legislators angry about US chokehold case (Jamaica Gleaner) CARIBBEAN American legislators are expressing outrage over a grand jury’s decision not to indict a white police officer in Staten Island in the death of a black man who died when the officer used a chokehold to restrain him.

The grand jury’s decision Wednesday not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the killing of father of six Eric Garner, comes on the heels of a similar decision last month in Ferguson, Missouri in which a

white police officer shot and killed 19-year-old Michael Brown.

Caribbean American congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, who is the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, and who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, says the latest decision defies comprehension.

Clarke has asked the US Department of Justice to conduct an investigation of the killing.

And she notes that the chokehold has been prohib-

ited under New York Police Department (NYPD) regulations for more than 20 years.

The New York medical examiner had ruled that Garner’s death was a homicide.

Garner died from a heart attack while being arrested for allegedly selling illegal cigarettes in Staten Island last summer.

A disturbing video of Garner’s arrest went viral online, showing Pantaleo holding Garner in a chokehold prior to his death.

Clarke says she will not

accept the continued devaluation of the lives of men and women who are AfricanAmerican.

Meanwhile, Grenadian American Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, says there are no words to adequately describe how he feels, saying he was vacillating between numbness and abject anger.

He says while the Staten Island prosecutor, Dan Donovan and the grand jury failed, the Mayor and Commissioner cannot fail.

150 health workers receive Ebola training from Cuba

Ebola gear KINGSTON, Jamaica – THE Ministry of Health today announced that more than 150 health care workers will be trained by two Cuban experts over the next three weeks as part of the Ebola preparedness, response and management activities.

The training will cover epidemiology, patient management, safety, infection control, use of personal protective equipment, risks associated with Ebola and isolation, the ministry said in a release Thursday.

The training, which started on Monday, consists four sessions, each conducted over a three-day period.

Among the participants being trained are doctors and nurses from the public and private health sector, representatives from the University Hospital of the West Indies and the School of Public

Health, University of Technology, the ministry said.

These persons along with the 30 Cuban workers who arrived in the island in November will be a part of the team of health staff in preparation for any possibility of Ebola reaching Jamaica.

The training being done by the Cubans is part of an agreement reached during a mission to Cuba in October led by Minister of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson.

The two Cubans, who are experts in the field of Microbiology and Epidemiology, arrived in Jamaica on Saturday, November 29th from the Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine (IPK) in Havana.

According to the release, Cuba has also agreed to deploy doctors and nurses to assist in the response if Jamaica experiences an outbreak of Ebola.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

GUYANA

EDITORIAL

Quality of education successes accelerating nationwide THE country watched in awe as students from the Annai Secondary School defeated Guyanese students from schools countrywide, even the much-touted top secondary schools, in a quiz competition telecast across the country on various media channels, to take home the championship trophy.

Annai won the semi-finals against St. Stanislaus College to face off semi-finalists Covent Garden Secondary School, another school that defeated the nation’s ‘top’ secondary schools to reach the finals, from which Annai Secondary School emerged victorious.

Annai is a small village in Region 9 - the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana. Annai stands at an altitude of 95 metres (314 feet), at the edge of the Rupununi savannahs, where the cattle trail to the Atlantic coast begins. It is nestled in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains, and is close to the Rupununi River. Annai, considered to be the gateway to the Rupununi, is approximately 15 miles north of Karanambo and is 416 km (258 mi) by road from the nation’s capital, Georgetown.

Most of the citizens in the area are members of the Macushi people. Annai is one of the northern-most Macushi Amerindian villages in the North Rupununi

Savannahs. The students of the Annai Secodary School have also excelled at inter-school sporting competitions.

Yesterday Guyanese students brought home four of eight regional awards that were handed out by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC). These four Guyanese students performed exceptionally well at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

The Council presented the awards to outstanding achievers Elisa Hamilton, Queen’s College, who copped the award for Overall Outstanding Achievement; Aliyyah Abdul Kadir, Queen’s College, who stood out as the Most Outstanding in Humanities; Ryhan Chand, Queen’s College, who will be recognised as the Most Outstanding in Business Studies; and Kishan Crichlow, New Amsterdam Multilateral School, who copped the spot as Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational.

Last year Guyana won five of the eight awards offered. The winners from Guyana were: Yogeeta Persaud of Anna Regina Secondary School, Overall Outstanding Achievement; Rafena Mustapha of Saraswati Vidya Niketan, Most Outstanding in Humanities; Cecil Cox – Queen’s College, Most

Outstanding in Sciences; Sasha S. Woodroffe of Queen’s College, Most Outstanding in Business Studies; and Zimeena A Rasheed, from Anna Regina Secondary School, Most Outstanding in Technical Vocational.

Of recent times, more schools from rural areas have been excelling in CSEC/CAPE exams, with Guyana copping most of the top awards achieved by any one country, which speaks to the equity achieved in the delivery of optimum quality of education countrywide.

The initiatives that Government has implemented to ensure all Guyanese are employable through various educative mechanisms are manifold, and only last Monday, 78 persons of Bartica in Region 7 graduated in several disciplines, including engineering (29), building construction (5), health services (8), information technology (16), and home economics (10), while 10 single parents completed training in catering.

The President’s Youth Choice Initiative, the National Training Programme for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) and the Single Parent Training Programme, administered by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), have been providing accessible opportunities to school drop-outs desirous of ac-

quiring employable skills.

In a speech laden with words of encouragement to the new graduates at Leanna’s Kiddie Park in Bartica, Minister of Labour, Dr. Nanda Gopaul, adumbrated some of Government’s people empowerment initiatives through educational programmes countrywide.

Government has been supporting families to educate the nation’s children through, among others, uniform, school feeding, transportation programmes, and more recently its $10,000 education grant initiative, which are all motivating factors for resurgence in the attendance of children to schools countrywide.

Overall, about 3,000 persons graduated in 2013 from the BIT programme, and in excess of 8,000 people have accessed training under the programme.

The NTPYE was in-

troduced in 2005 to allow out-of-school youths an opportunity to learn a skill and make themselves marketable as most of the participants do not have the requisite CSEC qualifications to enter the job market, or may not have completed secondary education.

While some political leaders encourage the country’s youths to pursue lives of crime and justify their criminal forays on the basis of poverty, marginalization, and discrimination, anyone looking at the statistics would recognize the equitable distribution of resources for education and skills-development training countrywide that is consistently delivered by the Government, which has achived the MDG for Primary Education, and is on the fast track for in reaching the targeted MDG for Secondary education.

Privacy fundamental to civil society

NOW that the dust has settled on the fiasco of the taped conversation between Nandlall and Gildarie, perhaps we should do some reflection. It is undisputed that the conversation was private and recorded without Nandlall’s consent and made public also without his consent. Many have condemned what Nandlall reportedly said in that conversation, these include the political Opposition, the lawyers associations, the press association, the human rights association and even some in his own political quarters.

None of these persons and organizations have addressed what I consider to be the real issues that this whole fiasco has unearthed.

These are: 1. that a man’s privacy was invaded, his private conversation

made public without his consent and then the public being outraged at what they heard, knowing fully well that they were not supposed to hear it; 2. a media house owner openly confessing that he tapes people’s conversations on the telephone without their permission and as is demonstrated, is prepared to use those conversations to blackmail persons and worse yet, to use them and his press outfit to shove himself over and above the law.

Unfortunately, in their haste to criticize Nandlall, these important persons and organizations have turned a blind eye to these atrocities. In my view Nandlall’s utterances are completely harmless when compared with the gravity of these atrocities. What is worse, because of the silent treatment these wrongs have received,

one gets the impression that they are being condoned. If they are, I have no doubt that they will be repeated in the near future. This is a clear demonstration of the depth to which we have sunk as a society.

Just imagine for a moment that the association representing lawyers seem to have no regard for privacy, private conversations and confidentiality. What this means is that, in principle, they will condone the public disclosure of clients private information. It means they have no moral authority to tell the doctors not to disclose confidential information about their patients.

Christopher Ram cannot speak on similar ethical breaches in the accounting profession and that profession can disseminate confidential information about

clients with impunity. Commercial Banks are now free to publicly disclose the accounts of their customers. The tax authorities would do the same in relations to person’s tax records. The Commissioner of Police, Minister of Home Affairs, the Director of Public Prosecution, the Attorney General himself and many other important government and state functionaries who receive very sensitive information about important people in our society can freely disclose that information to the public. What is worse is that the political Opposition is supporting this societal chaos.

The above is not exhausted, but I hope that a sufficiently clear picture has been painted which should demonstrate to the rational mind that society will disintegrate should those occurrences takes place and

then to add icing to the cake, you have a media mogul using his newspaper to make himself invincible. I am convinced that this man enjoys this delusion.

As regards what Nandlall said on that tape, while I may disagree with some of what he said, I would not be critical of him since quite frankly, I was not supposed to hear it. Those who claim to be offended by it are simply hypocrites. You cannot want to eavesdrop on others conversations and be outraged at what you hear. My grandmother would say “you too blasted fast and yo look fo wha yo get.” The real problems are those I have identified. It is left to be seen who will address them. In the end privacy is fundamental to civil society.

BALRAM PERSAUD

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

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Those in authority must take Granger’s words very seriously OPPOSITION Leader David Granger is seemingly doubtful about the usefulness of international intervention into the current political gridlock, despite writing to several regional and international bodies requesting their involvement.

The former Army Commander said that even though external influence is meaningful, it is neither necessary nor sufficient to effect real change in Guyana’s current

situation, no matter who intervenes.

“No matter who intervenes,” says Granger.

Those in authority must take Granger’s statement to mean he has a very sinister plan and he just doesn’t care who says what, he will do what he has to do.

Why sinister? Granger and the entire world know that PNC cannot win an election with 30% support, while the other 10% PNC

supporters never show up at the polls to vote.

It is easy to read Granger and the PNC and understand that they are not interested in contesting elections anymore, since they know they cannot win.

Granger and the PNC want the presidency, with full access to power and the treasury, which is their main concern.

PNC will never accept an Indian President, espe-

cially since they were forced to accept Jagan and all the other PPP presidents, whom they claim were installed by the United States’ Jimmy Carter. They say it loud and proud on SN blog sites.

Nigel Hughes’ wife Kathy Hughes and Granger say their respective parties do not need money to win the next election, and that they will win it because they have the people behind them.

But PNC wants the same

Why are ‘good’ people silent on PNC/APNU’s atrocities?

WHAT pomposity! “If the President fails to act, then the people of Guyana will have to take the necessary steps and … the entire Government should be asked to resign.”

This is one of the recent utterances of David Granger, a man of utter temerity who has a history of acting with impunity.

Let me revisit the notorious 1973 slaying of the two Berbicians at the No. 64 Village Polling Station, during the elections of 1973.

Granger was in the leadership of the army at that time, and therefore he still bears responsibility for the horrific act of the murder by army ranks of the two ballot box martyrs.

We need to remember (and inform the public too), that post-April 1970 saw Burnham subverting the Guyana Defence Force and making it into an entity totally subservient to himself.

That was when he wickedly launched the Army “Education Corps,” so as to have a set of henchmen to do his bidding. One of his leading abettors at this juncture was David Granger, a fanatical member and leader in this Education Corps.

In Burnham’s owns words, we have a synopsis of what was the invidious mindset behind this operation was.

“I do not share with the British the concept that the Army is separate and distinct from everything else and loyal to the Government of the day. As Prime Minister, I expect you to be loyal to this Government … (and) as far as I am concerned, I don’t want any abstract loyalty.”

David Granger is from this school of thought.

I recall the PNC and its perceived collaboration with Bouterse’s son, who according to revelations from WikiLeaks, supplied high-powered weapons to criminal elements holed up in Buxton, during the 20022006 crime wave sprees.

Where was Granger in all of this? Here is a man who all the time was pandering to criminality, but is now making accusations against and sending threats to the PPP/C Government about crimes.

His very accusation (and APNU’s by extension) is most criminally laced: “If the President fails to act, then the people of Guyana will have to take the necessary steps.” Joseph Harmon embodied the same kind of thinking, saying, “APNU is giving the President an opportunity to do what is right (and) “If they fail to act, then the APNU will have no choice but to act in favour of the people and act on what is right.”

By implication, this is very violent talk; it is tantamount to giving the PPP/C an ultimatum, and if not acceded to, Granger and Harmon are effectively saying that President Ramotar and his Government will pay a heavy price.

Let us put violence as something that APNU, par-

ticularly David Granger, will resort to. It is like the only thing available. As mentioned before, there is the proclivity for violence, as was evident in the notorious 1973 slaying, of the two Berbicians at the No. 64 Village Polling Station during the elections of 1973.

Now we come to this ‘mixing and meddling’ with Dino, who is now in jail, awaiting sentencing; it is something worth consideration.

I go back to the recent Wikileaked cable from then US Ambassador to Guyana, Roland Bullen, who noted that “Desi Bouterse’s son, Dino, organised a Surinamese soccer team trip to Buxton, a few years ago. It is believed that the team bus carried weapons to Buxton, and the local contact was Joseph Harmon.

Later, the said Dino entered a plea deal with federal prosecutors for a possible lower sentence in his trial in New York. His plea deal came after he was arrested

by US authorities in Panama on drugs, weapons and terrorism charges.

Dino appeared in court in 2013 and admitted that in “In 2013, (he) knowingly provided a false Surinamese passport to a person (he) believed to be associated with Hezbollah, an organization

(he) knew to be designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.” Dino, 42, also once served prison time in Suriname for weapons theft (but was named the commander of the country’s Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) when his father became President).

I come now to last year, and proffer another case in point, showing the kind of person David Granger really is. The Opposition Leader had the Facebook picture of him and gunman Kevin Fields removed after Fields was killed during a robbery.

The picture told volumes as regards the kind of associates this man Granger has around him.

I want to know of whom we should really be afraid. I want to know why civil organisations and legal bodies are not asking that David Granger and his cohorts be investigated. Shame on those who are condoning the intent of APNU! Should I add the utterance of Carl Greenidge?

He wanted the President to take cognisance of King Charles. Why? King Charles was beheaded. Yet so many ‘good’ people did not rebuke him; and Carl Greenidge is basically promising to kill President Ramotar.

JUSTIN CARMICHAEL

GECOM list as is, before going to the polls.

Something is terribly wrong at GECOM and the PNC knows it.

It is up to PPP right now to address the nation and the international community to ensure that PNC does not go after PPP/C supporters when elections results are declared not in favour of the PNC. Many Guyanese are coming to that very conclusion - that the East Indians

in Guyana will feel PNC’s wrath as usual if the PNC does not win.

PPP must ask for International help to ensure elections are free, fair, transparent, and that every vote counts.

If the International Community chooses to come, but turns a blind eye, then it will take the help of God to save the Guyanese people from the PNC. TED KING

Mahaicony Branch Road needs immediate repairs PLEASE publish this letter and spread some light on the condition of the Mahaicony branch road. I hope someone from the Government, with responsibly for roads, can come out to see and have the road repaired.

Mahaicony branch road is in a terrible bad condition, with huge pot holes at several locations, which is causing real difficulty for farmers, drivers and people living in the area. With the present rainy season, the road is getting from bad to worse daily and no one is doing anything, even though the Region-

al Chairman travels here often.

Drivers do not know where to drive their vehicles to avoid falling in the big holes. A few weeks ago a truck loaded with paddy overturned and the truck driver barely escape death; but the paddy was spilled on the roadway and the vehicle was damaged.

Mahaicony branch road is a vital access way for all farmers to transport paddy, rice, lumber and other produce.

Also, Burma Road and Cane Grove Road are all in bad condition.

ROOPCHAND

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

2015: YEAR OF PLENTY ELECTIONS IN CARICOM

President Donald Ramotar

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves

Prime Minister Denzil Douglas

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit

By Rickey Singh – in Bridgetown

with a landslide 18 seats to the opposition United Workers Party’s mere three for the 21-member parliament. But the UWP’s new, young and quite militant leader, former journalist Lennox Linton, is bravely predicting victory this time around.

Other parliamentary elections due in 2015 would include those in St.Kitts and Nevis, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and also expected in Jamaica—months prior to Guyana’s expected snap poll.

The snap poll is coming against the background of the recent prorogation of parliament ahead of a planned no confidence motion against the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government of President Donald Ramotar, by the

combined opposition coalition which holds a one-seat majority in the 65-member House of Assembly.

Across in T&T, official campaigning for control of state power would intensify after the Christmas season.

Currently, Dr Keith Rowley, leader of the opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), appears agitated over the findings of a recent independent voters survey, conducted for the ‘Trinidad Express’, that points to a ‘photo finish’ when voters trek to the polling stations, possibly by mid 2015.

Rowley, a seasoned politician and first-time leader of the PNM—a party that has been accustomed to recurring electoral victories under its founder-leader, the now late

Dr Eric Williams—feels that the “photo finish” prediction is “only propaganda” to boost the morale of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s incumbent People’s Partnership administration.

The dominant party of the ‘People’s Partnership’ coalition is the United National Congress (UNC), of which the Prime Minister is its first woman leader. Indications are it is likely to develop a new leadership structure and strategies for the 2015 election. She lost no time in declaring that the results of the Express poll could well further energize her party’s campaign for the coming 2015 elections.

Portia Simpson-Miller is also the first woman Prime Minister and leader of the People’s National Party (PNP) which, like the PNM, is also accustomed to state power, new elections could well be held before next year’s Christmas.

The by-election victory scored by the PNP just this past Monday, against the JLP in the Westmoreland West constituency, could well further boost the PNP’s hope for a second term.

The PNP had won a smashing victory at the snap general election called by the then new JLP leader, Andrew Holness, in December 2011, when it secured 42 of the 63 seats against the then incumbent. But Simpson Miller faces more complex governance problems than

Persad-Bissessar.

Coming 2015 elections in the Eastern Caribbean will for sure include St.Kitts and Nevis, where Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas is looking forward to securing a fifth consecutive term for the 15-member elected parliament, as well as in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

In the latter case, the incumbent Unity Labour Party of Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, which had retained state power with a one-seat majority in the 15-member House, is expecting to again return to government, this time with a comfortable majority, a prospect certainly not shared by the opposition New Democratic Party’s leader, Arnhim Eustace.

WHEN THE Christmas holidays are over, citizens of some five countries of the Caribbean Community would be faced with a series of parliamentary elections.

Between this month and during next year, a quartet of of parliamentary polls are expected, plus a snap general election, likely before mid 2015.

Dominica is already in the final phase for next Monday’s general election amid forecasts of a return to state power by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit’s incumbent Labour Party, for a consecutive fourth term.

At the last general election, the DLP retained power

IN JAMAICA Across in Jamaica, where

Mabaruma man hospitalised with multiple injuries after minibus accident

By Shirley Thomas PLANS for 19-year-old Leroy Mendonca of Mabaruma,North West District (NWD) to take up a job working at sea two Sundays ago, went awry one day before, when on Saturday afternoon he became involved in a horrific accident on the Parika Public Road, East Bank Essequibo.

In the process, he suffered a fractured right arm and leg, severe cuts to his head and face and multiple abrasions to his rib cage. And now, folks are wondering whether it was an act of grave misfortune

that he was involved in the accident, or whether it might have saved him from greater disaster which might have been in store for him, had he gone out to sea.

Mendonca, who had travelled from the NWD one month ago to take up employment, has been residing temporarily at Uitvlugt. Last Saturday he visited a friend at Parika and was walking along the roadway with the friend, after having had “a few drinks.”

He recalled that around 18:30 hrs, a speeding minibus was trying to overtake a motor car on the road when it

ploughed into him. He was hurled into the air and landed prostrate on the road, badly injured.

The victim was picked up by the driver of the minibus and taken to hospital. Mendonca is currently warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital and is expected to return to theatre for surgery to implant steel in his arm and leg, which were badly crushed.

Mendonca, who hails from Thomas Hill, Mabaruma, is the youngest of six siblings. He gives his mother’s name as Millicent Williams of Mabaruma.

The injured Leroy Mendonca on a hospital bed

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

GPOC advises on essential documents for posting Christmas parcels AS the countdown to Christmas is underway and postage of parcels to overseas destinations is peaking, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) wishes to remind the general public that persons posting parcels are required to present to the Customs officials at GPOC, some valid form of identification such as a passport or national identification card as well as a valid proof of address.

Proof of address accepted by the Post Office include a GT&T bill; GPL bill or a bank statement not older than three months prior to the date on which the parcel is being posted.

The GPOC further wishes to advise clients that bills from the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) will not be accepted as proof of address, since such bills do not bear the Post Office Corporation’s date stamp.

Customers are urged to pay strict attention to this advisory in order to avoid inconvenience and save time lost through having to return home to secure the required documentation.

Please also be advised that parcels will not be accepted for postage after 15:00 hrs. on the working days, Mondays through Fridays.

Son finds businessman father stabbed to death in Canje house - but licensed firearm, other valuables intact THE bloated body of businessman Terrence Malcom McLean, 62 years, with several wounds, was discovered in his house at Lot 6 Sheet Anchor Village, Canje, just before 08:00h Wednesday.

The discovery was made by one of his sons, Fredrick, who had gone in search of him after failing to make contact with him via his mobile phone.

Fredrick Mc Lean told the Guyana Chronicle that he last spoke with his father, who lived alone, on Monday but had made several unsuccessful calls thereafter.

However, he decided to visit the home yesterday morning. He shouted for his father, but there was no response. Then he peeped through a window after partially removing the insect mesh, and he noticed his father’s mobile phone on a table.

“I alled again but there was no answer. I then took a piece of wood and lashed at the door to gain access.

When the door opened I saw my father slumbered on the floor in the sitting room. There were several wounds on his abdominal cavity. His body was beginning to decompose,” he recounted.

The younger Mc Lean opined that whoever killed his father had gone to the house to do business and his father would have opened the door to allow that person in.

“There is no breakage in the house. The house was not ransacked. His licensed firearm remained at the head of his bed. His metal safes were left untouched. I don’t think robbery was a motive. My father has a record of all persons with whom he has a business transaction… that book is with the police.”

According to one of the deceased several sons, his father’s business includes resale of fiberglass boats, outboard engines, and gold jewellery.

Investigations are continuing.

9

McDoom fowl fight murder case ends today --eleven witnesses testified

JUSTICE Navindra Singh, the trial judge in the Mc Doom fowl fight murder trial, is expected to sum up the case to the jury today.

Thereafter, he will hand the case to them for their consideration and verdict.

Prosecutrix Mrs. Judith Mursalin closed her case yesterday following the testimony of 11 witnesses.

Defence Counsel, Mr. Peter Hugh and the prosecutrix addressed the jury yesterday afternoon.

During the trial the

jury heard that following an argument over a fowl fight, Abiola Eadie was shot in the head and a metal object that caused death was recovered in the brain stem.

Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh, who performed the autopsy on the body of Abiola Eadie, disclosed this to the jury.

And witnesses stated that the ‘deformed’ bullet was handed over to the police for examination by the analyst department.

Mark Assing, called

had opened fire during the argument, inflicting the injury to Abbie who subsequently died.

The Prosecutrix told the jury that “If after hearing all of the evidence in this case, you are left in doubt or you are unsure of his guilt, then it is your duty to find him not guilty.

However, if after hearing all of the evidence, you feel sure that this accused murdered Abiola Eadie, then you must find him guilty.”

The trial is expected to conclude today.

Corriverton robbery victim died from lacerations to head, diabetes - aged mother recounts home invasion ordeal

OUTAR Ramphal, 50 years, died as a result of lacerations to the head coupled with shock and haemorrhage, along with diabetes.

These findings were revealed after Government Pathologist Dr.Vivikanand Brijmohan performed an autopsy at the Skeldon Hospital Mortuary yesterday.

Between Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday morning, bandits forced their way into the man’s home where he and his elderly mother were beaten by the intruders, who were armed with cutlasses and demanded cash and jewellery from the family.

Ramphal, of Lot 54 Princeton, Corriverton, Corentyne, Berbice was pronounced dead on arrival at the Skeldon Hospital while his mother Champwattie Ramphal, 74, had to receive medical

care.

It was also reported that $35,000, along with a pair of boots and a finger-ring were stolen from the modest home.

Ramphal reported that she along with her physically challenged son were sleeping when the bandits attacked them.

According to her, the men dragged her from her bed, before asking, “Whey the money deh?” Then she received a stab below her chin and several cuts on her hands.

During the ordeal, the masked men threatened to kill her great grandson who was sleeping with her on the bed. “They placed a knife on his neck” and I pleaded with them to save his life, she recounted .

In the meantime, the pensioner

heard the voices of two other bandits as they attacked her son, who was sleeping in the living room of the one-bedroom house.

“If you heard how they were beating him mercilessly, he couldn’t ah seh anything…now he is dead,” she cried.

“I then called out to the neighbours but no one heard me... but my grandson came home afterwards and he sought assistance to take his unconscious uncle to the hospital.

“Me nah know how dem come fu rob we… sometimes neighbours give me food… I am a pensioner and my son receives public assistance … We are very poor people. Why would people do this to us,” she lamented as her eyes filled with tears.

Meanwhile, one person remains in police custody.

NA businessman to stand trial in Canje man on two counts of house demolition murder case Henry, a remigrant of MAGISTRATE Sherdel Marcus Issacs has committed New Amsterdam businessman Charles Henry, called Charles Bristol or Wheels , to stand trial for murder at the next session of the Berbice Assizes.

The committal followed a ruling which indicated that a prima facie case had been made out against the defendant who is accused of fatally shooting Errol Lindo, a resident of Caracas, West Canje.

Police Sergeant Godfrey Playter, prosecuting, had led eleven witnesses who testified at the Preliminary

Inquiry that commenced on August 26.

The defence team, led

by Attorneys-at-Law Nigel Hughes and included Mortimer Coddett and Horatio Edmondson declined to call witnesses for the defence.

However, lead attorney Hughes made a successful application for certified copies of the court’s file.

Meanwhile, as the committal was being read, Henry was motionless as he gazed ahead in the direction of the bench where the Police Prosecutor and other officers were sitting.

Psychiatrist finds murder accused unfit to plead - jury agree MURDER accused Andre Hurdle appeared at the Demerara Assizes to face trial for murder but Government Psychiatrist Dr. Bhairo Harry testified that the accused who was his patient, was not fit to stand trial.

Presiding Judge, Mr. Brassington Reynolds directed a

“Jessie”, is charged with having between the 19th June, 2012 and 3rd July, 2012, murdered Abiola Eadie called “Abbie”.

The pathologist report showed that Abbie died from gunshot injuries to the head.

At the time of her death she was 38.

Witnesses said that the killing followed an argument between the accused and others when he was criticizing persons for using his fowl to fight, causing his pet to become blind.

The accused, it is said,

12-member jury who heard the doctor’s testimony to determine whether the accused was fit or not to face trial.

After deliberating for a short while the jury returned a verdict that the accused was unfit to plead.

Judge Reynolds directed that the accused be taken back to

prison where arrangements will be made for him to receive the necessary psychiatric treatment.

The prosecution was led by prosecutrix Mrs. Tashana Lake in association with lawyers Orinthia Schmidt and Stacy Goodings.

Attorney-at-law, Miss Sonia Parag represented the accused.

Lot 17 Lad Lane, New Amsterdam, is alleged to have fatally shot Errol Lindo, called ‘Son Son’, during a house demolition on April 16, 2014, which incidentally was the Christian Holy Week.

The incident allegedly stemmed from an ongoing feud between the businessman and some residents in the area over the illegal occupation of land.

On the day in question Bristol, along with his employees, were in the process of dismantling a house belonging to Lindo, when there was a disagreement resulting in the squatter being shot.

The injured man was taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where he succumbed while receiving medical intervention.

Meanwhile, two eyewitness including the sister of the now deceased, Dolly Rahaman, has since died following the commencement of the Inquiry .

raping minors

A MIXED jury has been sworn in before Justice James Bovell-Drakes to deliberate in the case in which Muntaz Yassim is indicted on two counts of rape allegedly committed on a girl, then aged 11, and another who was 12 years.

However, the case was further adjourned to today after Defence Attorney Perry Gossai was reportedly unavailable for the commencement of the trial.

At the adjourned date, State Prosecutrix Ms Renita Singh is expected to present the facts to the twelve-member jury.

Particulars of the indictment alleged that between January 1 and December 22, 2006 he had carnal knowledge of a girl aged eleven years.

The second count alleged that between December 22, 2006 and November 20 2007, he had carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl.

The accused of New Street Cumberland, East Canje, has pleaded not guilty to the indictments.

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

Magistrate Chandra Welder bailed for Sohan appeals indefinite threatening quartet suspension by JSC MAGISTRATE Chandra Sohan is appealing his indefinite suspension, a decision handed down by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) on Wednesday.

The suspension followed a complaint to the JSC by a virtual complainant (female), whose case relative to a domestic violence charge, was being heard by Sohan.

The JSC, in the last few weeks, has been taking firm action over the behaviour of professionals in the judiciary.

Only last week, Sparendaam Magistrate Alex Moore was suspended by the JSC, also indefinitely, after allegations of inappropriate behaviour that were made by an East Coast Demerara businesswoman.

Moore and several other magistrates have come in for criticism by both members of the public and organisations, the most recent coming from the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The GPF, in a statement yesterday, noted its disappointment with the “slap on the wrist” sanctions given to persons convicted of Noise Nuisance by the court. The Force was referring to the decision of Magistrate Zameena Ali, who is currently

Magistrate Chandra Sohan

presiding over matters at the Sparendaam Court in Moore’s absence.The police believe that the magistrate’s decision could undermine their work and could deter citizens from pursuing such matters in the courts.

Magistrate Moore himself was the subject of criticism after a most controversial ruling in a cocaine-related matter.

Moore granted a suspended sentence of five years to confessed drug trafficker, Ray Bacchus, and ordered that he pay a fine of $2.5M

by June 30, 2015.

Bacchus was arrested,

along with his son and wife back in 2011, when the police raided his home following a tip-off that the family was in possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. A police raid unearthed $300M worth of narcotics, which were concealed in the false bottoms of kunds (Hindu religious urns). The drug was found at Bacchus’s Block 20 Enmore/Haslington New Scheme, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home. Since his arrest three years ago, Bacchus had changed his initial plea from guilty to not guilty.

Upon changing his plea, A Partnership for National Unity(APNU)parliamentarian James Bond was retained as his legal representative.

In relation to the most recent suspension, Sohan has faced the force of the JSC before. In September 2010,he was suspended for one month after a complaint from the police. However, he refuted the report, which were related to allegations of failure to carry out his duties.

Attempts to contact Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh for a comment yesterday proved futile.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that he was unavailable.

WELDER Ganga Krishna, 70, of Lot 11 North Road, Bourda, Georgetown, was yesterday placed on $20,000 bail after he pleaded not guilty to four counts of using threatening language.

Before Magistrate Ann McLennan, he denied that on November 25

at Georgetown, he used threatening language to Naresh Singh, John Findandi, Lakeram Visram and Andrew Gilbert, thereby occasioning a breach of the peace .

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones did not reveal the prosecution’s facts, but asked that conditions be

applied with bail.

The man,who was unrepresented by counsel, was bonded to keep the peace pending the outcome of the matter and will make his next court appearance before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond on January 12, 2015.

Miner granted bail for threatening behaviour

By Clestine Juan A TWENTY-year-old miner was yesterday granted $15,000 bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan on a charge of threatening behaviour.

Quincy Marshal pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on December 2 at James Street,

Albouystown, he behaved in a threatening manner towards Giselle Francis,the virtual complainant(VC).

According to reports, on the day in question the defendant and Francis had an argument. When she tried to leave the house, he picked up a hammer and threw it at the door. He then reportedly told Francis that he had a

gun to kill her and used a number of expletives to her.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones did not object to bail. The father of two was bonded to keep peace pending the outcome of the matter and will make his next court appearance before Magistrate Geeta Chandan-Edmond December 19.

Man denies threatening De Hoop rice bond to shoot partner destroyed by fire A RICE storage bond at De Hoop, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, was completely destroyed by fire early yesterday morning, resulting in millions of dollars in losses.

Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle told this publication that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) responded to a fire call at about 02:25hrs yesterday by the police and the Mahaica Unit responded but by then the entire zinc bond, which stored cargo rice, paddy, pesticides and equipment, was engulfed.

He added that the zinc shed bond collapsed after it was gutted by the blaze and firefighters concentrated on saving the two other buildings in the compound.

They were backed up by the Onverwagt Fire Station and GuySuCo unit.

Gentle said that they ably contained the inferno to that zinc shed bond despite mechanical problems encountered with their water pumps after it took in silt and rice/ paddy dust from the nearby canal where they had sourced water.

The Chief Fire Officer stated that the zinc shed bond is the property of Khemraj Sukhlall and noted that poor storage contributed to the fire since the area was overloaded.

He said the cause of the fire is being probed.

However, the GFS saved two dwelling houses in separate incidents early yesterday morning.

At 02:35hrs firemen were summoned to Lot 114 Garnette Street, Kitty, when an ignited incense which was

left unattended caught alight on a chair.

It destroyed several pieces of furniture, including the chair, but the fire was contained by firefighters.

In another incident, at Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, a mattress caught fire somehow and the GFS responded and contained the conflagration in that house at about 04:30hrs.

Meanwhile, Gentle has advised that persons exercise caution during this festive season when there will be extensive cooking, baking and use of electricity to illuminate fairy lights, etc.

He also urged that persons avoid overloading their household electrical system, and encouraged businesses to invest in a fire and smoke alarm system.

SEON Charles (no address given) was yesterday placed on $15,000 bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan for using threatening language.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on December 3 at Cummings Street, Georgetown, he threatened to kill his common- law wife Nikesha

Roberts.

Police Prosecutor Dinero Jones told the court that Roberts and Charles shared a relationship and on the day in question, she told him that she wanted to go back with her “child father.” As a result, the defendant drew a gun and placed it to her head.

The unrepresented man

denied the allegation, stating that he and Roberts indeed had an argument but he never threatened her with a gun as he was told by the police.

He was bonded to keep the peace pending the outcome of the trial and ordered to stay 50 feet away from Roberts. The matter stands adjourned to December 10.

Food vendor shot during robbery attempt A FOOD vendor was shot, injured and hospitalised early yesterday morning when he was confronted by a lone gunman at Ketley Street, Charlestown.

The police reported that

at about 05:45 hrs, Vincent Ramkissoon, 48, of Canal No. 1, West Bank Demerara, was attacked by a man armed with a firearm in an apparent robbery attempt at Ketley Street, Charlestown.

Ramkissoon was shot to his left foot by the perpetrator who escaped after residents came out and accosted him.

He was admitted to a hospital as investigations continue.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

11

Gov’t suspends Executive Jet Club operations ahead of investigation - Minister Benn

FOLLOWING the arrest in Puerto Rico of Executive Jet Club LLC’s CEO Khamraj Lall, Minister with responsibility for Aviation Robeson Benn has confirmed there will be an investigation by the relevant aviation authorities into the company’s operations in Guyana.

While the Office of the President is said to be one of the many clients who used the services of the company, Minister Benn told reporters on Tuesday during a press conference at his Kingston office, that “the operation has ceased as a result of this incidence, [and] we will do our internal review based on all information we have here and the information we could access from overseas.”

The incident which the Minister referred to surfaced in late November this year when Khamraj Lall, a Guyanese-American pilot, was arrested in Puerto Rico with some US$620,000 in his possession. The Puerto Rican authorities have since seized that air-

craft and he remains in custody.

The Minister disclosed the likelihood of a response from Guyana’s aviation authorities but this would only occur after investigations and then those authorities would “make a recommendation for a decision higher up.”

Commenting on whether actions have been taken by the Government to suspend the operations of the company until a probe is completed, Minister Benn said: “There are no operations going on. For now, I will not approve anything [and] they will not recommend [anything].”

While Minister Benn urged that the matter surrounding Lall be separated from the company, since according to him, “[Lall] is not the company,” he similarly called for an end to media speculations on the matter and to allow for the US law enforcement system to do its duty.

“We want to have our operations with integrity and transparency,” Benn maintained

in the presence of aviation authority representatives, adding that “the information that we’re given... with respect to the operations have shown in spite of that which was written in the Press that from the Government side... operations were conducted with integrity and transparency.”

“We know what he was held for in Puerto Rico,” Benn said, “Obviously it’s a law enforcement issue and obviously he would have to go through law enforcement processes in the United States with respect to the infringement of their laws.”

He did, however, express frustration at the matter saying, “We of course are unhappy that this could have happened and it would disrupt the provision of what we see now as a vital service.”

Speaking directly to Lall’s arrest, the Aviation Minister said “since he’s accused and he’s not guilty until proven in the court as is normal for democratic law, law enforcement

and reviews, we would have to await the outcome of the judicial process in the United States.

Throwing a vote of confidence behind the efforts of the authorities to conduct “due diligence” measures with the operations of the executive jet service, Benn maintained that such measures were upheld by the relevant agencies. “Executive Jet was never granted a blanket approval to operate into or out of Guyana but approval was obtained under normal circumstances by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority.”

“We were satisfied at the time that this activity went into operation of the ‘bona fides’ we had of the company,” Benn said while noting that the Executive Jet Club Limited Liability Company had been authorised as a United States company and “I would also like to rely on their due diligence.”

Wisroc excavator operator LaRocque: Work on harmonised customs found dead, with hands tied Towards making CSME more effective…

legislation ‘almost complete’

AT the top of the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) five-year strategic agenda is the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

This assurance, despite criticisms of the effectiveness of the initiative, was given by the CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, while delivering remarks at the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association’s (GMSA) annual awards dinner, last Friday, at the Princess Hotel.

The Secretary-General disclosed that work is almost complete on “harmonised customs legislation” and similar efforts, in the area of laws and regulations governing securities, are to be advanced soon to allow businesses to raise capital anywhere within the CSME. “To put it simply, an enterprise operating in the CSME should be faced with the same regulations, wherever their business is conducted. That will make doing business easier. It is all about a single space,” LaRocque said.

He added that, “We [CARICOM] recognise the need to improve the business environment in the Community, and align it with international best practices. That includes

the harmonisation of business-related rules and regulations within the CSME.” SEVERAL MEASURES Harmonisation of law, such as the harmonisation of company, intellectual property and other laws is one of several elements of the CSME initiative.

There are also a number of economic, fiscal and monetary measures and policies which are also important to support the proper functioning of the CSME. The key elements of the Single Market and Economy include: free movement of goods and services; right of establishment; a Common External Tariff; free circulation; free movement of capital; a common trade policy; and free movement of labour.

The CARICOM Single Market and Economy is intended to benefit the people of the Region by providing more and better opportunities to produce and sell their goods and services and to attract investment. It will create one large market among the participating member states.

COMMITTED According to LaRocque, CARICOM is moving forward internally to reform its procedures and operations to deliver on its

priorities.

Ambassador Irwin LaRocque He said, “This is to ensure that the opportunities afforded by such mechanisms as the CSME, are accessible to, and seized by all. “…full utilisation of the provisions of the CSME would undoubtedly enhance competitiveness for businesses throughout the Community,” he acknowledged, adding that CARICOM is committed to realising the objectives of the CSME initiative.

The main objectives of the CSME are: full use of labour (full employment) and full exploitation of the other factors of production (natural resources and capital); competitive production leading to great-

er variety and quantity of products and services to trade with other countries.

It is expected that these objectives will in turn provide improved standards of living and work and sustained economic development.

The Secretary-General was emphatic as he noted that through CARICOM’s five-year strategic plan, the Caribbean Community is setting itself on a path to resilience, through deliberate and systematic action.

“We (CARICOM) are using our collective voice in the international arena, to gain support for our development efforts. The ultimate aim is to ensure that the people of the Region experience the positive impact of regional integration on their daily lives.”

CARICOM’s five-year strategic plan identifies a number of concrete, achievable priorities with tangible benefits for citizens. Among them are: macro-economic stabilisation; building competitiveness; unleashing key economic drivers to create growth and generate employment; human capital development; climate adaptation and mitigation; disaster mitigation and management; and a single Information Communication and Technology (ICT) space.

--East Canje man found dead at home with stab wounds POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of excavator operator, Edgar Trotman, 46, of Wisroc Housing Scheme, Wismar, whose body was found with his hands tied behind his back at about 06:30 hrs yesterday in the vicinity of Washer Pond Road, Linden.

The body was found next to an excavator that Edgar Trotman operated and for which an electronic control part was found missing.

The body is at the Wismar Hospital Mortuary as the investigations continue.

In a separate incident, police are probing a separate murder in which Terrence Mc Lean, 62, of Lot 6 Old Road, Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice, was found in his home with multiple stab wounds to the chest and abdomen.

‘B’ Division Commander Brain Joseph reported that nothing seems to be missing from the man’s house and even his firearm was intact in the building and there are no signs of a break-in nor was the place ransacked.

The partly decomposed body was found shortly after 08:00hrs yesterday morning

by Mc lean’s son and a friend, who had showed up at the residence for a visit.

After numerous calls to Mc Lean’s cell phone which was heard ringing

from inside the house with no answer, the man’s son realised something was amiss since the lights at the house were also still on. When he peeped through a window they saw the man’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 customary, riding around the neighbourhood on his bicycle.

Mc Lean lived alone but from time to time his son and other relatives would pay him a visit and it was during one of those visits 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 at a loss at his murder yesterday.

It is believed that Mc Lean’s killer is someone he knew since it is suspected that the person(s) gained entry to the house after he would have opened the door to let them in.

However, robbery has since been ruled out since everything in the house seems to be in place including, valuables and the man’s licensed firearm.

The Divisional Commander said no arrests have been made yet in the homicide but as the probe widens they are hopeful for a breakthrough.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

GRC’s annual silent auction gets underway at Pegasus Hotel

– lots of appealing items still available

Chairman of the GRC, Mrs. Yvonne Hinds commences the auction by cutting the ribbon Mrs. Yvonne Hinds with Mexican Ambassador to Guyana, Francisco Olguin looking at the items on auction

THE annual silent auction held by the Guyana Relief Council (GRC) got underway Wednesday at the Victoria Lounge, Pegasus Hotel, where a variety of appealing items were up for auction.

The viewing and bidding continues today from 10:00hrs to 17:00hrs and will close tomorrow at 12:00hrs.

Head of the Welfare Committee of the GRC, Ms.

Rohini Bonar in her remarks to the gathering said the items for the fundraiser were donated by generous persons in Guyana and corporate citizens in the Diaspora.

In addition to silent bidding at the auction, there was a ‘Cash and Carry’ at the event which will greatly help in enhancing the Welfare Programme.

Chairman of the GRC, Mrs. Yvonne Hinds officially commenced the auction

by cutting the ceremonial ribbon. She said that for the year so far, the Council had helped in 42 cases of fire that affected 179 persons and two cases of high winds that affected 14 persons. The GRC also did a hinterland outreach where they helped 235 students of Annai and 13 teachers by donating much needed knapsacks and stationery supplies.

The items on display for auction included electrical

items, furniture, glassware, vases, unique pieces, books, jewellery and alcoholic beverages. The Cash and Carry section had designer shoes and handbags along with household items.

Ms. Bonar explained that the bidding process required persons to write their bid, name and telephone number on the relevant paper attached to their bid.

Mrs. Hinds appealed to the public to take part in the bidding and be a part of the efficient and effective work that the Council does to help people who

suffer through disasters like fires and floods or find themselves in other difficult circumstances. She also called for volunteers

to join the organisation, particularly males, noting that “we cannot help people, if we don’t have people.”

Members of the public looking at items at the ‘Cash and Carry’ section

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

Argentine Embassy treats Guyanese to a taste of the Andes – at inaugural wine-tasting event

By Alex Wayne

WITH a simple but classic ceremony Monday at the Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown, the Embassy of the Argentine Republic hosted its first ever wine-tasting event.

The event showcased some of the most sophisticated and assorted wines from Argentina, especially brewed from Argentinean grapes and berries.

Speaking at the event, Argentinean Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Alberto Martino welcomed the gathering, nothing that it was the first such event hosted since their re-opening in 2011. He added that this initiative also served as a positive forum for the exchange of products between the two countries.

In his presentation, Martino noted that another reason for promoting the event was to contribute to the wine sector of Guyana,

since Argentina is a major wine- producing state. He added that since there has been awkward showcasing and promoting of local wines, the event would serve as a booster in that arena.

He especially lauded the efforts of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), Pegasus and Marriot Hotels, and several other entities which came on board with them as they embarked on the drive of promoting the Argentinean wines.

He noted that original grapes are used in the brewing of wines on display, emphasising that Argentina boasts a great diversity of some 504,485 acres of cultivated areas designated to the cultivation of grapes for wine- making.

He added that Argentina is the fifth largest state in world-class wine production, and the eighth largest wine exporter in the world.

He also added that this country has been labelled as the eleventh largest wine consumer in the world, with some 1,301 wineries, and 504,485 acres of land designated for cultivation of grapes and berries for wine production.

After his presentation invitees gathered for sampling of the delectable wines on show and exclamations of surprise and satisfaction were echoed all around as persons displayed their delight at the different flavours.

Up for display and tasting were the Beviam-Sauvignonasse (sweet), Beviam-Cabernet Sauvignon (2007), Beviam-Malbec (2007), Grand Beviam-Special Reserve-Malbec (2008), and the Beviam-Malbec (2013).

Up for tasting also were the Beviam-Malbec-Rose (2013), Imperio De Sentidos-Malbec (2013), and the

Even members of the media were allowed to sample the Argentinean flavours

Some of the wines on display at yesterday’s wine tasting event

Imperio De Sentidos- Torrentes’ (2013-White) There were also the Trapiche- Pinot Grigio 2011 (white), Trapiche- Malbec,

2010, Trapiche- Merlot, 2012, and the Trapiche- Torrentes’, 2012 (white).

Rounding off the order of the evening were

the Trivento-TRIBU-Malbec, 2012, Mixtus-Merlot-Malbec, 2012, and the Mixtus-Cabernet-Merlot, 2012.

Argentinean Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Luis Alberto Martino, as he explained the origin of the sophisticated Argentine wines

Minister Webster donates $150,000 to Radio Needy Children’s Fund – pledges Gov’t’s continuing support MINISTER of Human Services and Social S e c u r i t y, M s . J e n n i fer Webster last Friday made a donation of $150,000 to Radio Needy Children’s Fund (RNCF) with a pledge to continue to support the humanitarian work of the organisation.

M i n i s t e r We b s t e r made this commitment as she addressed a fun-

draising dinner at the Guyana Pegasus, in celebration of RNCF’s Diamond Jubilee (60th anniversary) last Friday.

It was to a loud round of applause that Ms. Webster, in a surprise gesture, handed over the cheque to Chair of Radio Needy Children’s Fund, Mrs. Molly Hassan, who expressed gratitude on behalf of

the foundation.

M i n i s t e r We b s t e r said: “This evening I would like to encourage all of you here in whatever way you can, to support the work of RNCF. And I am going to start off by saying that I, this evening, will give to RNCF $150,000 [ f o r e d u c a t i o n a l p u rposes], because I feel that education is the

key to success in any country, and I feel that the children of Guyana must be given access to education, which our Government is doing, and to all social services and other services,” she said.

Ms. Webster, on behalf of His Excellency President Donald Ram o t a r, c o n g r a t u l a t ed the Radio’s Needy

Children’s Fund, adding that she was particularly proud to be associated with the Fund. This is against t h e b a c k d ro p o f t h e work RNCF does for c h i l d re n i n G u y a n a , especially those who are underprivileged, not only at Christmastime, but throughout the year, the Minister said.

Ms. Jennifer Webster

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

Graduates of Bush Lot Secondary urged to always remember those who assisted them

POLICE Assistant Commissioner, Brian Joseph last week encouraged young people of the Bush Lot Secondary School, on the West Coast of Berbice, to always remember those who have played a role in assisting them to achieve their goals in life, despite how little those goals may seem.

Addressing graduates, teachers, parents, education officials and other invitees who were present at the graduation ceremony for

children who had completed their stint at the secondary school over the past five years, the senior police official declared: “Your parents have made many sacrifices in the last few years, and (have) provided you with the enabling environment at home, (and with) financial and moral support to help you through to this stage.

“Next, let us pay respects to the teachers, without whom none of this would be at all possible,” the commander remarked during his

presentation to the gathering.

The senior police officer also commended the teachers for being able to mould the lives of the children, who have been drawn from various backgrounds, with different social and other issues.

He said it is often something challenging for any educator to deal with.

He cautioned the graduands that their graduation from the classes should not be taken lightly, since it proves that they would have exhibited determination and

Those gathered during the event held in their honour on the West Coast of Berbice

discipline. Moreover, he advised that once they build on their strengths, the future for each of them would be secure.

The commander also told the young people to be mindful of the peer pressures -- which would always come along, given the different environment that they would be exposed to -- as they enter the world of work.

He further made a pitch for some of the graduands to join the disciplined forces. Moving onto adulthood

would require emotional adjustment for both parents and children, he advised, but cautioned that this would also border on parents being anxious to see their children become independent while worrying about the unforeseen circumstances which comes with everyday life.

“Open yourself to speaking with your children on various issues that may confront them,” the commander encouraged parents, as he pointed to the need to have a healthy parent/child rela-

tionship.

“Your children are entering a new phase in their lives, and your management styles may have to change. Equally, the graduating students must realise that when you leave home, your parents are faced with managing a major change in their lives. You must also change your style of parent management to avoid adding to what is a very stressful life they lead in this day and age,” Commander Joseph admonished.

Commander Brian Joseph sits among members of the graduating class at the ceremony on Friday

Oil and gas companies find amicable settlement over exploration in Georgetown Block OIL and gas exploration companies, CGX Energy and Repsol Exploración, S.A., which have been locked in a court battle over a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) on exploration in the Georgetown Block have arrived at an amicable settlement to the dispute, CGX announced Wednesday.

Under the terms of the settlement, CGX Energy received approximately US$900,000 from Repsol Exploración, S.A., pursuant to the terms of the Georgetown JOA .

Neither party was responsible for costs or damages.

The two companies ,

CGX said, were looking forward to the prospect of working together again in the future if and when the right opportunities arise.

The court battle started months after CGX had announced in July 2012 that drilling operations at the Jaguar -1 well which it had done in partnership with Repsol Exploración S.A. (15%), as operator, YPF Guyana Limited (30%) and Tullow Oil plc (30%) had ended because of safety precautions.

In May 2013 Repsol Exploración S.A which is a Spanish oil company signed an agreement with Guyana to undertake further oil ex-

ploration activities off the country’s coast but in the same area where the Jaguar No.1 well was drilled.

In response CGX had complained that it was of the view that the terms of the JOA governing the Georgetown Block were still in effect when Repsol Exploración S.A. l allowed the PPL to expire and sought out a new petroleum prospecting license covering virtually identical acreage offshore in Guyana.

CGX described the act by Repsol Exploración S.A. as a blatant theft of its property, moreso since Repsol Exploración S.A. was aware of CGX Energy’s continued

interest in the Georgetown PPL and had an obligation to seek renewal of the Georgetown PPL alongside CGX Energy.

In effect Repsol Exploración S.A. which only owned 15% of the license allowed it to lapse and then subsequently applied for an entirely new license covering substantially the same area covered by the old license and had acquired 100% ownership, renaming it the Kanuku Block.

Repsol subsequently sought to sell out 30% of the Kanuku petroleum prospecting license to a German oil exploration company named RWE Dea AG.

CGX had stated that these actions amounted to a blatant act to deprive the CGX shareholders of their rightful percentage of ownership over the license and had taken the matter to the London Court of International Arbitration in December 2013.

Yesterday the company which is focused on the exploration of oil in the Guyana-Suriname Basin announced that the matter had been settled in its favour.

Under the settlement too, CGX said, Repsol Exploración S.A. agreed to evaluate opportunities in the Guyana-Suriname basin.

In keeping with this

agreement Repsol Exploración S.A. was granted by CGX a ninety (90) day option to present a farm-in proposal to acquire at least a 10% participating interest in any of the three blocks, namely the Corentyne Block , the Demerara Block or the Berbice Block.

In addition, CGX Energy and Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp., another oil and gas exploration company, have been granted a similar option on the Kanuku Block.

In the event that a proposal is accepted, any definitive agreements are subject to the terms of any pre-existing petroleum agreement or JOA, CGX disclosed.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

CAHFSA to stimulate intra-regional trade in ‘agri’ products THE Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) will drive greater CARICOM trade in food and agricultural products, giving impetus to the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) as well as increase the Region’s share of the global trade in these products.

CAHFSA will ensure a harmonised regional approach to intra-regional trade in agricultural produce, agricultural health and food safety.

The long-awaited CAHFSA has been fully operationalised.

This announcement came on the heels of a meeting of the Board of Directors of CAHFSA at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat from November 17-19, 2014.

We l c o m i n g t h e a n nouncement, a reliable local source said that the work of the Board will be significant for intra-regional trade in agricultural products, because CAHFSA is the agency which the Region will depend on to strengthen agricultural health and food safety, and ensure the highest standards for such trade.

He said: “Sections of the private sector in Guyana have long complained about difficulties they have faced in seeking to access regional markets for goods produced here. They have gone so far as to name some CARICOM territories which they say, have been seeking to maximise their own intra-regional exports, while blocking imports from Guyana using Non Tariff Measures (NTMs).”

He said that CAHFSA will devise arrangements to eliminate the abuse of Sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) measures such as deliberate administrative delays in the clearance of perishable agricultural goods.

The Chairman of the Board is Ms. Audine Mootoo of Trinidad and Tobago.

Other members are: Dr. Helena Browne of Antigua and Barbuda; Dr. Beverley Wood of Barbados; Mr. Emir Cruz of Belize; Mr. Ryan

Anselm of Dominica; Dr. Bowen Louisan of Grenada; Dr. Max Millien of Haiti; Mr. Thomas Jackson of St. Kitts and Nevis; Dr. Auria King of Saint Lucia; Dr. Kathian Hackshaw of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Mr. Rajendrekoemar Debie of Suriname; Ms. Sheila Harvey of Jamaica; Mr. Claude Brown of Montserrat and Dr. Dindyal Permaul of Guyana.

Agricultural Health and Food Safety has been identified by the Ministerial Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED) as a key thematic area that must be addressed to remove the non-tariff measures (NTMs) that impede the trade of agricultural products both intra-regionally and extra-regionally.

The CAHFSA was decided on in 2010 when CARICOM member states agreed to its establishment, given the importance of agriculture as a key driver of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME).

CAHFSA’s operations will be vital to fulfilling the provisions of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which calls for the establishment of effective SPS regimes and for the harmonisation of laws, administrative practices and procedures in respect of agriculture.

A source at the CARICOM Secretariat last week disclosed that the board has been working closely with the Secretariat in developing the rules and procedures, the administrative structure and the strategic plan for CAHFSA. The Chief Executive Officer of CAHFSA, Mr. Lindley Collins, was appointed during Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2014 which was held in Suriname, where CAHFSA’s offices are located In a brief interview at the CWA 2014, Mr. Collins indicated that among his priorities would be the establishment of an operational plan that will secure the Region’s agricultural health and ensure its citizens of safe and healthy food.

He added that this would

entail, inter alia, the updating and harmonisation of laws across the Community, the strengthening of national institutions and physical facilities and the training of personnel to allow the Region to effect Articles 57 and 74 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to meet its obligations under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) SPS requirements.

The WTO SPS agreement requires that countries conform to SPS laws, standards and guidelines that are internationally recognised.

Workforce training and upgrading of national laboratories to conduct the required tests are among the priorities.

In its inception stages, the agency will benefit from the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) SPS Programme (‘SPS Measures’ and ‘SPS Measures for Fisheries’) funded by the European Union (EU).

This programme is being implemented by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) on behalf of CARIFORUM, with the CARICOM Secretariat, and the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) as the key co–implementers for CARICOM.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

UG launches first newspaper The logo of the newspaper

FIFTY years after its establishment, the University of Guyana (UG) recently launched its first newspaper, Splash, with the motive of capturing “a bit of everything” at its two prestigious campuses at Turkeyen and in Berbice.

The newspaper aims to target a daily scope of the campuses activities as well as a synopsis of the neighbouring Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) students’ life.

Reasonably priced at $100, ‘Splash’ is a bi-weekly publication that will provide a platform for airing students’ voices to help in heightening its current standard.

‘Splash’ was ideally an online media entity with the mentioned motive birthed by recently graduated law student, Sherod Avery Duncan. Duncan told this publication that the idea of a newspaper on both

campuses had been long conceived. However, after positive feedback from his ‘Splash’ page he then gathered a few students who were willing to collaborate for the initiative, thereafter leading to the birth of the University of Guyana’s first newspaper: Splash.

Thus far, the newspaper has caught advertisers such as Camex Restaurants Inc alongside other advertisers.

Moreover, the newspaper is currently funded by Duncan among a few students who are all in hope that the pace of the newspaper will accelerate.

Students of the University of Guyana are highly intrigued by the ‘Splash’ Newspaper

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

In wake of $3M pensions heist...

BV Post Office remains closed until further notice FOLLOWING the armed robbery at the Beterverwagting Post Office, Canterbury Walk, East Coast Demerara, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) Wednesday asked pensioners to visit the Plaisance Post Office for pension payments and other business, since the BV Post Office will remain closed until further notice.

GPOC Public Relations Officer, Telesha Whyte said they are working with the police as it is.

Meanwhile, ‘C’ Division Commander, Christopher Griffith told this publication that they have not made any arrests yet, but the case is active and sleuths are pursuing several leads.

More than a dozen pensioners who had showed up at the Beterverwagting Post Office were forced to return home empty-handed after the robbery was committed in their presence by two gunmen at about 09:50hrs.

‘C’ Division Commander, Christopher Griffith told this publication that the bandits went into the post office shortly after it had opened for business and broke the glass window with a hammer after which they asked for the postmaster.

The postmistress was then accosted and they demanded that she hand over the money “they just bring in”; they then took her to the safe and she quickly handed over the bag containing $3M which had been transported to the location a short time before the bandits struck.

Griffith added that both men were armed with handguns and arrived and left in a white 192 Toyota Carina motorcar bearing a false number plate PKK 4302.

He stated that the police found a hire car with the same number plate at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, but it was not the getaway car.

Bandits had robbed the Campbellville Post Office in similar manner on June 10, 2014, when a lone gunman made off with $3M in cash and vouchers after kicking in the inner door to an office where the money was stored.

It happened at about 07:30hrs, shortly after the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had escorted a canister with cash and had lodged same in the storage area.

The gunman made his way into the post office and kicked in a door that leads to the tellers and the office, after which he cornered several staffers who were manning the counter and

demanded money, before going into the office and taking the money.

The bandit pounced on, and robbed, the place in a timely, well-orchestrated

manner, as if he had been observing the movements of employees.

His accomplice awaited him in front of the post office on a CG motorcycle

upon which they made their speedy getaway before the police showed up.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

Police arrest ex-cops believed to be ‘cop’ bandits

POLICE managed to apprehend two suspects believed to be the men who have been donning police uniforms and perpetrating armed robberies on persons travelling to and from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

The men’s arrest comes in the wake of an article published in the August 7, 2014 edition of the Guyana Chronicle, headlined: “Police making every effort to nab ‘cop’ bandits—Crime Chief”.

Sleuths in ‘A’ Division reported that acting on information, they raided a dwelling house in North Ruimveldt in which they found items and other articles, including documents belonging to robbery victims; consequently, the men were taken into custody.

The duo was identified as ex-cops who was interdicted and his colleague, who was dismissed from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) sometime ago; this most likely explains how the men

acquired police uniforms.

The suspects are believed to be behind the recent carjackings and robberies of several taxi operators, who are yet to recover their vehicles.

The initial article had said in the wake of recent armed robberies perpetrated by men purporting to be members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Crime Chief Leslie James had asserted that these matters are of grave concern to the force and that it was only a matter of time before the suspects were apprehended.

Speaking to this publication, James explained that for men to be dressed like cops and execute crimes is a serious issue and the GPF was expending all efforts to ensure that these men are caught and put behind bars.

He said, “We cannot have a few people out there running around terrorising citizens while posing as cops and how will people know who the real police are”?

CARREX to be fully operational by yearend – to enhance consumer product safety THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Rapid Alert System for Exchange of Information on Dangerous (non-food) Consumer Goods (CARREX) is expected to be completely operational at the national and regional levels by the end of 2014.

Representatives from national standards bureaux in CARICOM are being trained at a Regional Workshop in Suriname on matters relating to the CARREX and consumer product safety, a press release said.

The workshop, which started yesterday, ends today, and is facilitated by the CARICOM Secretariat in collaboration with the Organisation of American States (OAS).

Participants will focus on the study of risk assessment concepts and methods in order to enhance national interagency networking in creating and sharing information. There will be sessions aimed at strength-

ening national capacities to detect unsafe products and to take timely measures to tackle the circulation of such products.

The training will enable CARICOM Member States to more effectively implement the CARREX system and market surveillance processes for non-food consumer goods.

The intervention is funded with assistance under the Tenth European Development Fund (10th EDF) CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and Economic Integration Programme (EIP).

The Community Strategic Plan 2015-2019 identifies, among other areas for priority focus, the accelerated implementation of the CSME, building competitiveness and unleashing key economic drivers to transition to growth and to generate employment and the development of human capital.

Additionally, James had urged citizens to continue cooperating with the police, since they were mandated to execute their duties and they could stop, search and detain any person or vehicle they see fit while probing crimes.

At the same time, he encouraged citizens to be alert

and report to the police while travelling if they see a police patrol, a roadblock or anything police-related to Force Control to verify police activities. He further advised citizens to be alert and observant, so that if the necessity arose, they would be able to take evasive action.

On August 2, 2014 a husband and wife along with a taxi driver were stopped on their way to the CJIA by two men who identified themselves as policemen, claiming that they were investigating an accident. The men then took them to a desolate area at Soesdyke, where they were

tied up and robbed of cash and jewellery amounting to millions.

One week before, Pastor Sewnauth Poonalall of the Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church was gun-butted and robbed shortly after returning from the airport with overseas guests.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

Pursuant to better Agri Market Info System…

FAO donates four desktop computers to NGMC THE Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) on Monday handed over four desktop computers to the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NGMC).

According to a release, this donation was given to NGMC to help them collect and analyse production data of non-traditional agricultural crops in a better and timely manner.

The donation is part of the FAO/TCP project titled, “Support for the Enhancement of the National Agri-

cultural Market Information System in Guyana.”

Agriculture Minister, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in brief remarks reiterated the importance of such a programme.

He noted that the programme will pave the way for the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) to have a more functional Market Information System.

“This will ensure that that we readily have available, appropriate price and volume data at local markets, market requirements and price data

for export as well as crop forecasts for local production among others,” he said.

OTHER PROGRAMMES Apart from the purchase of the five computers the US$121,000 project also saw the production of a Data Collection strategy for Non-traditional agricultural crops being finalised, the development of a training curriculum as well as training programmes for extension officers, crop reporters and price collectors.

Ms. Khadija Musa and Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy (both centre) along with other officials, display one of the donations

According to Dr. Ramsammy, the project will ensure that Guyana significantly contributes to the promotion of regional food security and also alleviate one of the key binding constraints of the Jagdeo Initiative, which is the lack of market information.

FAO’s Country Representative to Guyana Ms. Khadija Musa, who also holds the

portfolio of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, spoke of the importance in ensuring that farmers readily access information as to what, when and how much of a particular crop to plant.

This, she says, is necessary so as to better capitalise on the high prices and avoid gluts on the market.

Gov’t pushes ahead with development agenda SEVERAL contracts for infrastructural works, in line with Government’s development agenda, received Cabinet’s approval this week, at their weekly meeting on Tuesday.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, at his weekly post Cabinet press briefing disclosed the details of the approved contract awards.

Phase Three of the widely lauded transformational project, the National Synthetic Track, located at Leonora, Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara) was one of the contracts that received the go-ahead from Cabinet.

The contract is valued at $16.6M. SPORTS DEVELOPMENT In the 2014 Budget, some $960M was allocated for sports development, monies that are expected to see focus placed on improving the quality of facilities available throughout the country, as well as offering quality programmes in the area of sports for both athletes and officials. Of the $960M, $344M was allocated for continuing works at the Leonora athletic track.

Additionally, Dr. Luncheon disclosed that a $265.9M contract for the upgrading of roads at Belle West, West Bank Demerara, Region 3, was also approved.

The contract falls under the Ministry of Housing.

COAST GUARD SCHOOL In the Public Works sector, a $182.3M contract for the construction of 350 metres of rip-rap river defence was approved. In the same sector, another contract valued at $19.9M for the completion of the Coast Guard training school, located at the mouth of the Demerara River, East Bank Demerara, was also approved.

Under the Ministry of Health, Cabinet approved a contract for $19.3M to facilitate the renovation of houses at Richmond Hill, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice), to be used as doctors’ quarters.

Cabinet also gave the green light for a $42.4M contract for the construction of a storage facility at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, to be used by the Pesticides and Toxic Chemical Control Board (PTCCB).

Contracts above the $15M mark are taken to Cabinet for its statement of no-objection.

Section 54 of the Constitution deals with Cabinet’s involvement in reviewing the award of procurement contracts, as well as the phasing out of its functions with the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission (PPC), in the interest of decentralising the procurement process.

Currently, the procurement process is decentralised at the level of ministries, regions, district tender boards and the Ministry of Finance’s tender board.

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Westside braces for massive King/Queen of Sharon’s Mall launches the Dancehall ‘Christmas Promotion’ showdown Telephone contact#: 616-0301 or 699-6156

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HE new Sharon’s Mall, located at the corner of Charlotte & King streets in Lacytown, Georgetown, just recently officially launched its Christmas Promotion inside the City Mall.

The promotion, which will run through December 2014, has the grand drawing slated for December 31, when a lucky customer will ride away with a new, stylish and comfortable unisex Jialing Trip motorcycle for

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HE West Demerara District is poised for one of the most smashing events of 2014 -- the ‘Westside King and Queen Dancehall Showdown’.

Slated for December 24 at Butcher Shop Street in Parika, EBE, this event will see fiery clashes among some of the hottest dance groups and personalities from the Westside. The best dance group will cart of $20,000 and one bottle of Black Label Rum, whilst the runner-up group will take home $10,000 and a bottle of the same rum.

Besides the prizes, winners will have the satisfaction of owning bragging rights to being called the best dance group on the Westside.

This event is presented by Tony’s Taxi Service & Grocery and Jai’s DVD Centre at Parika, who

hope that it will be fully supported by the ‘Westsiders’.

During the festivities, Bar-b-Que will be sold, with Slingerz Family and Matrix Sounds creating the musical vibes.

JOKE OF THE DAY! A blonde, a redhead, and a brunette were all trapped on an island, and the nearest shore was 50 miles away. The redhead swam 15 miles, trying to make it to the other shore, but drowned. The brunette swam 24 miles before she, too, drowned. The blonde swam 25 miles, got tired, and swam back to the island.

the New Year.

Additionally, ten other lucky persons will win attractive consolation prizes.

All persons need to do is visit the new Sharon’s Mall, check out the many offers, and get a free coupon as appreciation for their visit. If they shop, they are then entitled to an extra coupon and a greater chance of riding off in style for the New Year, or winning one of the 10 consolation prizes.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

Blu Martini staging ‘Kanghan

Nites’ on Wednesdays E VERYONE craves and dreams of a club that offers ‘real time entertainment’ and can still manage to put on a platter a blissful serving of ambience, intimacy, sophistication and entertainment.

The Blu Martini Club at 161 Lamaha and De Abreu streets in Newtown, Kitty, George-

town is taking things to the edge of insanity to do just that.

In a recent interview with the Blu Martini folks, Bombshell was informed that management will now be hosting their new and exciting ‘Kanghan Nite’ feature on Wednesday nights, and not Fridays, as was previously

announced.

Persons wanting to stage the same feature in a different setting can also contact the venue for reservations and more information.

The aim of this event is to showcase the East Indian traditions, and keep them revolving in an atmosphere that is upbeat, pulsating and exciting.

The interior of the club will be transformed to reveal a real-life-event-styled ambience that allows patrons to believe they are still revelling in the out-

doors; and the Blu Martini Kitchen will, of course, be serving up steaming hot curries of mutton, duck and chicken, not to mention that patrons can enjoy finger-licking ‘seven curries’ a little later.

This is truly exciting, as the Blu Martini brings a unique festivity from open yards to the glossy interior of a nightclub. And man, the Blu Martini DJs will be blasting an ethnic storm with music ideally suited for the occasion.

Moreover, folks there have informed that families can now also make bookings and have their Kanghan Nights hosted at the very spacious venue.

Patrons are urged to rush down to this venue, which begins its ‘Weekend Fiesta’ on Fridays with mixed music to tease their senses. Then, on Saturdays, the fun continues inside this location, built and decorated to ooze fun, romance and tropical sizzle.

Check out the Blu Martini for an ‘after-work bar lime’ practically any day of the week. Hurry down and indulge in the ‘Blu Martini Experience’. Of course you can call them on phone numbers 231- 9480, 231-9481 or 231-9482 for bookings and more information.

It’s the only place to be – the Blu Martini!

PRINCE JP releases his best new song PRINCE JP has just released his latest single, titled “One Woman Lover”, on Mega Mix Reload at 15:00h with WR Reaz.

Expected to create a stir on the airwaves, the song will also be released in Trinidad and Tobago and on a few radio stations in New York.

This new single was written by Prince JP, and was produced and mixed by Avenash Roopchand, the lead keyboardist of the Shakti Strings Orchestra. The song was recorded in the Shakti Strings Studios.

The song showcases that persons in relationships must remain faithful to their partners. Despite each partner having a past, the new and future life must be one based on trust and honesty.

According to the young artiste, the song is based on his personal experience.

With the release of this new tune, Prince JP is still to decide whether or not to participate in the upcoming Chutney Competition organised by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry in observance of Guyana’s Republic Anniversary in

February.

However, he said he would continue to release songs to please his fans, who have been his driving force.

“One Woman Lover” has the potential to reach the top, as Prince JP has several hits under his belt, but based on initial reviews, this is the best thus far. The artiste is in the process of recording another song, titled “Guyana”, which will be done in a slower rhythm.

Santa comes to Parika at Annual Christmas Tree Light Up

Palm Court adds Sunday Brunch to its offerings P

ALM COURT has raised the bar on Sundays with the addition of a brunch service to its menu.

Palm Court will be providing a buffet brunch every Sunday, with a variety of breakfast and lunch options from which customers can select for the affordable price of $1500. The Palm Court brunch will be a delicious combination of breakfast and lunch that is intended to ensure those customers who are in the habit of not eating on time, or missing breakfast, have a fulfilling meal that refuels the body and satisfies the palate in a tranquil atmosphere.

This will be done to the sounds of live steel pan music, and there will be a sweet corner for customers who like sweet baked goods for brunch, such as cinnamon rolls, fruit cake, and black cake.

As for drinks, there are 100 per cent homemade fruit juices with no additives, and tea and coffee as well as a signature cocktail that distinguishes the Palm Court brunch – a mimosa which consists of natural orange juice and champagne.

Palm Court is urging members of the public to bring out their families and friends to enjoy a “home-style breakfast away from home” on Sundays from 10:30h at the Original Palm Court at 35 Main Street, Georgetown.

P

ARENTS are urged to deck the kids in their best ‘dandies’ and bring them out in their numbers to have a rollicking time with Santa Claus when he comes to the Parika Play Ground (White Fence) on December 13, 2014.

The Mora NDC, in close collaboration with the West Demerara business community, will be hosting the much-anticipated Annual Parika Christmas Tree

Light Up and Gift Sharing event -- an initiative that is created for families.

While music will be supplied by Slingerz Family, parents are urged to attend with the kids, since Santa Claus will be ready and waiting to have photo opportunities with them all.

The kids will be enticed with fantastic giveaways all evening, as Santa Claus and the promoters spread joy at Christmas.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

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Gravity Lounge reveals ‘Christmas Calendar’ collaboration with Southland International G

RAVITY Lounge has announced its collaboration with Southland International, specifically Carlsberg beer, for the Christmas events. The nightclub has noted: “We have something catering to every taste.”

Speaking to media operatives at a press conference held at Gravity Lounge, owner Navin Singh gave an update on upcoming Christmas events, which he called a “Jingle Jam”. “The Jingle Jam we are doing is even bigger in 2014, with five soca artistes, three international DJs (disc jockeys), and even lower prices. We have something catered to every taste,” he said.

Kerwin Du Bois, Shurwayne Winchester, Lead Pipe, Saddis, Titan VCD and Private Ryan are some of the performing artistes who will be associated with Gravity’s events, Singh revealed.

This year, Singh noted, the club will be launching a Gravity Passbook which will give patrons VIP access to all three events slated to take place in December. “Each passbook costs $5000, and this means you pay once and have access to every event, with special perks,” he elaborated.

Singh noted that, every Friday in December, “we will be hosting a special after-work social between 5pm and 6pm; we are offering an open bar.” He explained that through the collaboration with Carlsberg beer, the events can “fit everybody’s pockets”; and he also noted that “we are grateful for the continued support of Southland International and (for their) showing faith in us time after time.”

Moreover, he explained that, this year, Gravity “is taking it way back for New Year’s, where patrons can dance and party the night away ‘soca style”. He disclosed that soca sensation Patrice Roberts and Nuphoric would be performing at this signature event; and he explained that both companies will have fun competitions to win tickets.

“We want to make it interactive for persons to win tickets, and we do a lot of giveaways for

CEO of Southland International Inc, Irzad Zamal, and owner of Gravity Lounge, Navin Singh, are seen together during a symbolic handing over of Carlsberg beer, the official beer of all events. the season,” he declared.

The company will culminate its activities with its annual Toys for Tots event, Singh noted. In 2013, Gravity worked alongside the Volunteer Youth Corps, and this year the company will be donating gifts to the Joshua House Orphanage. “We will be donating gifts to the orphanage that houses 62 children aged from 3 years to 18 years,” Singh said. hief Executive Officer of Southland International Inc, Irzad Zamal, explained that, for the festive season, the company is happy to be on board with such a prestigious entity as Gravity Lounge.

He stressed that, at all events, the main refreshments with be Carlsberg beer, Blue waters and CranWater; and said: “With this, Southland is very proud to be involved”. He urged persons to purchase their tickets early, “since we all know they will be going fast.”

Ticket locations for these signature events are Gravity Lounge, Oasis Café, Electronic City and Exclusives.

(Rebecca Ganesh-Ally)

C

Tips for the wives from ‘Madame Suave’

HOW TO KEEP A MARRIAGE FRESH AND EXCITING KEEPING a marriage fresh and exciting can be challenging amidst the stress of daily life.

Thankfully, there are small deeds that you can perform to keep your husband happy and let him know that you love him more and more each day.

Share in the responsibilities of marriage, and try different approaches to leading a happy, spontaneous life that gratifies you and your spouse in every possible way.

Try some of the ideas below to tug on your husband’s heart strings and make your marriage sizzle.

extremely provocative.

Sometimes nothing is better than a spontaneous text or voice message to your lover.

BE ROMANTIC. Romance can easily become a back burner priority after years of marriage.

Make sure you save time for romantic activities like candle-lit dinners, beach walks at sunset, and cuddling up to watch a movie.

CREATE A SENSUAL ENVIRONMENT. If you’re used to getting real groovy with the two choices of “lights on” and “lights off”, try something else to set the mood a little more. There are several things you can do to add a little zest to any bedroom.

Try adding some of these embellishments to spice up any space: Add candles and/or dim lights. Choose scented candles if your lover likes a particular scent. Christmas lights also give off a soft yellow hue that can be

PROJECT YOUR DESIRES Send your lover flirty text messages throughout the day.

Call just to say “I love you”, or send your hubby a flirty message that contains ‘something’ for him to look forward to.

DRESS TO IMPRESS Get some new sexy outfits.

If you’re constantly wallowing around the house in sweatpants, it might be time to take a trip to the mall for some new clothes.

There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable in front of your hubby, but be sure not to lose track of taking care of yourself as a result.

Spice up a plain outfit with a sexy blouse or dress. Put of a pair of stilettos to elongate your legs. Every man loves long, sexy legs.

A pair of heels is a quick and easy way to make any outfit look sexier.

Get some new lingerie. Lingerie is a positive way to spice up your bedroom life and make your hubby see you in a new light.

HAVE AN ATTRACTIVE ATTITUDE. Being attractive isn’t all about looking sexy, it’s about exuding a compassionate attitude as well. Be sure to retain a kind disposition towards your husband, and be considerate of his feelings.

Exude happiness! As humans, we’re all going to have good days and bad days.

While you shouldn’t try to mask your feelings if you are feeling sad or depressed, you should try to be a pleasant person to be around whenever possible.

Smile! Visual signals are just as important as words. Avoid walking around with a scowl on your face all day, and try to smile as much as possible.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 05, 2014

Survey surprisingly finds…

MOST WOMEN WANT A BIGGER BUTT G

YM classes that promise a plump posterior are in high demand among females, and a surgery that pumps fat into the buttocks is gaining popularity.

Padded panties that give the appearance of a rounder rump are selling out, and the US booty business is getting a big bump.

Companies are cashing in on growing demand from women seeking the more curvaceous figures of their favourite stars, who flaunt their fuller rear ends. Nicki Minaj, for instance, raps about her “big fat” butt in “Anaconda”; Reality star Kim Kardashian posts photos of hers on Instagram; and in the music video for “Booty,” Jennifer Lopez and Iggy Azalea, wearing leotards, spend four minutes rubbing their curvy bottoms together.

At one point, they even slap each other on the booty.

As a result of the pop culture moment the butt is having, sales for Booty Pop, which hawks US$22 foam padded panties on its website, are up 47 per cent in the last six months from the same period a year earlier. The company, which declined to give sales figures, has sold out of certain styles and colours this year, including its pink cotton candy boy shorts.

Susan Bloomstone, Booty Pop’s co-founder, says customers have asked for larger sizes, so the Boston-based company plans to begin selling pads that are 25 per cent larger this month.

“People just want more booty,” she says.

Feel Foxy, another maker of padded panties, says 2014 has been its best year since launching nearly a decade ago. Sales are up 40 per cent from a year ago, but the company declined to give sales figures.

“The Nicki Minaj song gave women the idea to pay attention to their rear end,” says Jessica Asmar, co-owner of the Houston company.

Deborah Santiago squeezed into a US$40 Feel

Foxy one-piece for her 30th birthday. The shapewear flattened Santiago’s waist and boosted her backside. A flat butt can ruin an outfit, says the New York stay-athome mother of two.

She idolizes the butt Lopez has, but also covets the bottoms of reality TV stars on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and Love & Hip Hop. “I always wanted a big butt,” Santiago says. “Something you could look twice at.”

To be sure, the desire for big butts isn’t new.

Large booties have long been preferable in Latino and black communities, says Dr Dionne Stephens, an associate psychology professor at Florida International University, who has researched sexuality in popular culture. And this is not the first time big butts have been in songs. (Think: “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot in the 1990s.)

But recently, the desire

for a bigger bottom became more mainstream, in large part due to pop culture influences. Mainstream celebrities like Lopez and Minaj, accepting their ample assets on camera, have given the butt cachet. “When people see things repeated on TV, more and more it becomes normalised,” Stephens says.

French sociologist JeanClaude Kaufmann says this is true overseas, too: “In Europe, and in France especially, there’s a trend to show off the buttocks in place of breasts. This has to do with Latin American influences, but also the rise of Beyonce and stars like Rihanna,” says Kaufmann, author of Women’s Bodies, Men’s Gaze: Sociology of Naked Breasts.

Kaufmann also suggests economic reasons are at play: “In uncertain times, people look for security,” he says.

“Men are attracted to women’s hips and the buttocks for security and reassurance.

Women respond to this. It’s

deeply psychological.”

Whatever the reason, the widespread interest in larger hind parts seems to have started when Kardashian’s reality TV show, Keeping up with the Kardashians, began airing seven years ago.

In a 2011 episode, she had an X-ray to prove she didn’t have butt implants.

Kardashian still frequently posts shots of her backside to her 21 million Instagram followers.

But the desire for big buns has intensified. This summer, the music video for “Anaconda”, which showed Minaj in a pink thong, was viewed 19.6 million times within 24 hours of its release — a record for music video site Vevo. It has racked up nearly 300 million views.

The song has been on the top of the Billboard charts, too, right behind another anthem for curvy women, Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass.”

“I’m bringing booty back,” Trainor sings.

Some businesses that specialise in butts say pop culture has had a direct impact on their bottom line. A Brazilian butt lift in which fat is sucked from a patient’s stomach, love handles or back and put into their buttocks and hips is increasingly popular in the US. This type of surgery, along with buttock implants, was the fastest-growing plastic surgery last year, with more than 11,000 procedures, up 58 per cent from 2012, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Dr Matthew Schulman, who performs the procedure in New York, says this year has been busier than last.

Schulman, who charges from US$10,000 to US$13,000 for the three-hour surgery, does six to eight Brazilian butt lifts weekly, up about 25 per cent from a year ago.

He says that when he asks patients which celebrity butt they want, the top names are Kardashian, Minaj and Lopez. Recently, more wom-

en have asked for a butt like Kardashian’s sister, Khloe, who also stars in the reality show.

The downside of the new interest is that women desperate for cheap options have risked their lives, going to phony doctors that inject silicone, and even bathroom caulk, into their buttocks. Deaths have been reported in Miami, New York, Las Vegas and Jackson, Mississippi.

Another problem is that some doctors performing butt-enhancement surgeries don’t have the experience.

Schulman says about 20 per cent of his patients come to him so he can fix lumps, bumps and uneven butt cheeks done by unskilled doctors.

Not everyone is trying surgery, though. Those looking for more natural ways to enhance their derriere are attending workout classes and

watching workout videos that target the butt.

DailyBurn, which streams workout videos, says views for its “Butt, Hips and Thighs” video doubled in January and have remained popular. The video is so popular that DailyBurn is adding another butt workout clip in December.

At a gym in Boston, there’s a waitlist for a US$30 class that fits in 120 squats in 45 minutes. The class, Booty

by Brabants, was started by Kelly Brabants a year ago.

Brabants starts most classes held at the club by George Foreman III gym with Lopez’s “Booty” song.

By the end of the year, she plans to expand her brand by selling US$65 workout leggings that help perk up the butt.

“It’s not about being stick-thin anymore,” says Brabants. “Every girl now wants a booty.”

Adrian Dutchin releases new track called ‘592 Posse’

ADRIAN Dutchin has released a new track, called “592 Posse”, for the Mashramani 2015 Soca Monarch competition which is just around the corner.

“592 Posse” speaks for itself in every respect. It is a song about our Mashramani festival, our vibes and people, and our country code that we are known by the world over. The song is written by Dutchin out of the Kross Kolor Studios, and is produced

by Shawn Mastermind Nowel in New York. He is the same producer Dutchin has been working with for a number of years.

“592 Posse” will be available on iTunes from today.

“The song was written with all Guyanese in mind, wherever they may be, and it was constructed for a feel of happiness, love and togetherness. I hope you all do enjoy this one, it is my official release for the Mashramani 2015 Soca Monarch and Road March entry,” the X2 member told Gtvibes. com.

He went on to thank all his fans for their undying support, love and well wishes over the years. More importantly, he thanked the Almighty Father for the strength and light of life to move forward.

The new song, which has a party vibe feel to it, will also be distributed to all local clubs as a means of getting the music into the public domain.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

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Nations Cup 2015:

Algeria handed tough Nations Cup draw ALGERIA, the highestranked side on the continent, face a tough draw for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

The Desert Foxes, who reached the second round of this year’s World Cup, will face Senegal, Ghana and South Africa in Group C. Hosts Equatorial Guinea will play neighbours Gabon, Congo and Burkina Faso in Group A. Group B features Zambia, DR Congo, Cape Verde and Tunisia, while in D it is Ivory Coast, Guinea, Cameroon and Mali The tournament, which will be played between 17 January and 8 February, was originally due to be held in Morocco but their request to postpone the event over fears of the potential spread of the Ebola virus was rejected by the Confederation of African Football.

Equatorial Guinea, who have been reinstated in the competition despite fielding an ineligible player in qualifying, will face Congo in the opening match.

The Congolese will be coached by Claude LeRoy, who will be appearing at his eighth Nations Cup tourna-

ment with his fifth different country.

Both Equatorial Guinea and Gabon reached the quarter-finals when they co-hosted the tournament in 2012.

Burkina Faso will be looking to prove their run to the final in 2013, when they lost to Nigeria, was not just a one-off achievement.

Zambia, who are the seeded side in Group B , lifted the trophy in 2012 in the Gabonese capital Libreville but only after playing all their matches before the final in Equatorial Guinea.

Tunisia were also at the 2012 finals but played their games in neighbouring Gabon, while DR Congo and Cape Verde did not qualify.

In Group C , Senegal will be hoping to improve upon their performances from their last trip to Equatorial Guinea when they lost all three of their matches, despite being some people’s tip to win the tournament.

However Alain Giresse’s side will have their work cut out for them in an extremely tough group.

It includes a resurgent South African side, who were unbeaten in the qualifiers, an

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

Algerian side ranked number one in Africa by Fifa and Ghana, who will be under the leadership of experienced coach Avram Grant.

Group D reunites Cameroon and Ivory Coast, who were in the same pool for the qualifying stages.

Cameroon put a poor World Cup behind them to qualify unbeaten for the 2015 finals, a run that included a 4-1 win over Ivory Coast in Yaounde.

The defence will be a worry for Ivory Coast, given they conceded 11 goals en route to the finals and lost 4-3 at home to DR Congo along the way.

The Guinea squad will be representing a nation that has been ravaged by the Ebola virus, which has claimed almost 7,000 lives in west Africa up to 24/25 November according to the World Health Organisation, and will be determined to give fans back home something to cheer about.

The Syli Nationale had to play all their matches away from home after being prevented from playing in Conakry because of Ebola.

Mali will have fond memories of Equatorial Guinea as it was in the capital Malabo that they clinched the first of their consecutive third place finishes at the Nations Cup. (BBC Sport)

Fluent Sarfraz steers Pakistan to victory over New Zealand (REUTERS) - Pakistan opener Sarfraz Ahmed’s belligerent 76 not out secured a comprehensive seven-wicket victory against New Zealand in the first Twenty20 International in Dubai yesterday.

Sarfraz hit two sixes and eight fours in his 64ball knock to help Pakistan reach their target with five balls to spare after Pakistan restricted New Zealand to 135 for seven.

Asked to bat first, New Zealand slumped to 15 for three before Martin Guptill (32) and Corey Anderson

(48) halted the slide with a 46-run stand.

Leading the team in the absence of rested Brendon McCullum, Kane Williamson was dismissed for a golden duck when Anwar Ali’s third delivery trapped him lbw.

After Guptill’s departure in the 10th over, Anderson added 51 runs with Luke Ronchi (33) but his 37ball knock studded with four sixes came to an end when Saad Nasim leapt to take a brilliant catch on the boundary.

Anderson’s exit in the 16th over robbed New

Zealand of the momentum and the visitors scored only 25 runs off the last five overs.

Pakistan made a flying start with Sarfraz and Awais Zia (20) taking them past the 50-mark in the eighth over.

Zia and Mohammad Hafeez fell in quick succession but Sarfraz looked unstoppable and he hit Anderson for a six in the 11th over to bring up his maiden 20-over fifty.

Umar Akmal chipped in with an unbeaten 27 off 14 balls, sealing Pakistan’s victory with a six off Jimmy Neesham.

England’s Cook suspended for second over-rate offence (REUTERS) - England captain Alastair Cook has been handed a one-match suspension for a second slow over-rate offence within 12 months, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday.

England beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in a rain-shortened match at Hambantota on Wednesday but were one over short of their target at the end of the match when time allowances were

Alastair Cook taken into consideration, the ICC said in a statement.

“As Cook had previously been found guilty of a minor over rate offence in One-Day

Internationals within the last 12 months, this offence constituted his second minor over rate offence...,” the governing body said explaining the suspension.

Cook, who scored 34 on Wednesday, was also fined 20 percent of his match fee, while his team mates were docked 10 percent.

He will miss the fourth one dayer to be played in Colombo on Sunday with Sri Lanka 2-1 up in the seven-match series.

Sparta Boss remain ...

From Back Page equalising goal for Cross Street in the 34 th minute, handing them a lifeline in the process, after Akeem ‘Too Cute’ Fitzpatrick had found the back of the small box goal for West Back Road in the 30th minute of play.

A Rickford Jones 4th minute goal was all North Ruimveldt needed to defeat Hope Street-Tiger Bay 1-0, with Colin Nelson’s 23rd minute strike handing West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ a similar margin of victory over Island All-Stars.

Following the Guinness break, Globe Yard and Albouystown ‘A’ played to a nil all draw, but Globe Yard held their nerves to win the penalty kicks shoot out 2-1, a game that was followed

by Albouystown ‘B’ issuing Back Circle with their marching orders, thanks to Marlon Nedd’s 32nd minute goal.

Festival City Street Warriors proved to be just that, as they battled their way to a commanding 2-0 victory over Alexander Village, courtesy of goals from Eon Alleyne (1st) and Dwayne Lawrence (15th).

The final game of the night brought together the unbeaten Sparta Boss and South Sophia, who like

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Cross Street, was given a lifeline back into the tournament, following the expulsion of Broad Street Bullies and North East LaPenitence for un-sportsmanlike conduct.

However, while Cross Street made good use of their opportunity to come away with the win, South Sophia were not so fortunate as goals from Sheldon Shepherd (19th) and Devon ‘Don Don’ Millington (23rd), sent them packing from the tournament for a second time.

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 sponsors has introduced a Fair Play Award of $50,000 as well for this year’s edition.

Sunday night’s quarterfinals matchup will see Leopold Street meeting West Front Road, Cross Street and Festival City Street Warriors doing battle, North Ruimveldt facing Globe Yard and Sparta Boss clashing with Albouystown ‘B’.

These matches will be preceded by several exhibition matches, while the semifinals will be held three days later at the National Cultural Centre tarmac and the National Park will host the finals, third place encounter and exhibition matches next Saturday.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

Harris says to play Adelaide, Marsh called up

By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY, (Reuters) - Australia fast bowler Ryan Harris has declared himself a certain starter for the first test against India but cannot say the same for all of his team mates a day after Phillip Hughes’ funeral.

Harris wrote in a column for Fairfax Media that Wednesday’s funeral in batsman Hughes’ hometown of Macksville, New South Wales, had reminded him that, despite the solemn occasion, people wanted the team to play.

“Seeing the green and gold streamers was a reminder these people want to see some cricket played, want to see us get out there and beat the Indians,” he said in comments published on Thursday, refer-

Ryan Harris and Steven Smith arrive at Adelaide airport, Adelaide, yesterday ring to Australia’s nationa few conversations about al sporting colours. getting back to playing.

“One thing I noticed The funeral was a bit of a late on Wednesday was how milestone. As well as to pay the mood in the group had your respects it gives you a begun to shift. There were bit of closure.

“I know some guys have really struggled -- some haven’t even picked up a bat or ball yet since it happened. They’re just not going to know, until they pick a bat or ball up, whether or not they’re going to be capable of playing.”

Harris spent most the year recovering from knee surgery and missed the 2-0 test series defeat against Pakistan in United Arab Emirates, but said he felt fit and ready for India.

“My knee that got operated on after the South Africa series is going really well -- so well it’s almost scary,” he said.

Most of Australia’s players arrived in Adelaide yesterday on the same day they were originally to start playing the first test in Brisbane.

The Brisbane match was

postponed until after Adelaide, which was brought forward to start on Tuesday.

MARSH BROTHERS Batsman Shaun Marsh has been called up, joining his brother Mitch in the squad, in a possible indication that captain Michael Clarke is still an injury doubt.

Clarke, who has been suffering from a hamstring problem, took a leading role in comforting the Hughes family after the death last week of his friend and former team mate from injuries suffered in a domestic match.

Shaun Marsh, 31, has played nine tests for his country since his debut in 2011 and was dropped after failing to score a single run while batting at number four

in the second test against South Africa in February.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann said in a newspaper column that he accepted that next week might still be too soon for some of his players to return to action.

“We hope the boys can find the inner strength to play the game in the way Phillip would have wanted in Adelaide next week and that they can honour what he had done,” he wrote in The Australian.

After their preparations were disrupted in the wake of Hughes’s death, India finally got a chance for some serious match practice yesterday when they took on a Cricket Australia XI in a two-day tour match at Adelaide’s Gliderol Oval.

No place for 2011 hero Yuvraj in India’s World Cup squad

By Amlan Chakraborty NEW DELHI, (Reuters) All-rounder Yuvraj Singh has been left out of the India squad which will defend the 50-over World Cup title he helped them win in 2011.

Adjudged player of the tournament when India won the World Cup at home, there was no place for the southpaw in the preliminary squad

announced yesterday.

Gautam Gambhir, who top scored for India in the 2011 World Cup final against Sri Lanka, was also omitted from the squad for the Feb. 4-March 29 tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

Fellow opener Virender Sehwag, paceman Zaheer Khan and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh are the three

other members from that victorious team who were not considered for the tournament.

The Indian board did not elaborate on the make up of the squad in a statement issued after the selectors met in Mumbai.

Though all those excluded are prominent names, their omission was not a big surprise since none of the players had featured in India’s recent one-day squads.

Yuvraj returned to international cricket this year

following cancer treatment having been named in the squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh but he struggled to regain his form.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, top and middle order batsmen Virat Kohli and Suresh Raina and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin are the only survivors from the successful 2011 squad.

Squad: M S Dhoni, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Robin

Uthappa, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Kedar Jadhav, Manoj Tiwary, Manish Pandey, Wriddhiman Saha, Sanju Samson, Ravichandran Ashwin, Parvez Rasool, Karn Sharma, Amit Mishra, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ishant Sharma, Bhubaneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Dhawal Kulkarni, Stuart Binny, Mohit Sharma, Ashoke Dinda, Kuldeep Yadav and Murali Vijay.

Varun Aaron in a two-day match at the same venue last week.

He looked even better on Thursday.

Aaron was handed newball responsibilities after being used as a first-change

bowler in the corresponding fixture last week.

He didn’t disappoint, dismissing Ashton Turner for a duck in the second over when the highly-rated CA XI captain dragged the ball onto his stumps.

Tasmania opener Jordan Silk and Alex Keath put on a stand worth 71 runs after the hosts collapsed to 3-34.

Aaron returned to break it, with Silk out edging for 58.

He finished with figures of 4-41 from 14.3 overs, with Evan Gulbis playing on and Sam Rainbird well caught by third slip Suresh

Raina.

Mohammed Shami struck twice with the new ball, removing Ryan Carters and Matthew Short in his six-over spell that cost 20 runs.

India’s tour game at Adelaide Oval last week was cancelled following the shock death of Phillip Hughes.

The two sides lined up for a minute’s silence before play, while both sides are wearing black armbands.

At stumps, India were 2-99 with Virat Kohli 30 not out and Murali Vijay 39not out. (AAP)

Kayo’s and Tallo’s Under-13 , Under-15 football fiesta Aaron’s pace impresses in Adelaide warm-up kicks off tomorrow Yuvraj Singh

THE fourth Kayo’s Academy and Rickland ‘Tallo’ Hutson’s Youth Challenge One Day Under 13 and Under 15 Football Club Fiesta 2014 will be staged tomorrow at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground beginning at 10:00hrs.

Several teams from Linden, Georgetown and West Demerara have been invited including the defending champions in the Under 13 category Net Rockers and Under 15 champions Eagles United.

The tournament was formulated by former youth and senior nationals Kayode McKinnon and Rickland ‘Tallo’ Hutson who are now based in the United States of America.

The registration of the clubs will be at 09:00hrs and the March past of teams at 9 . 3 0 h r s b e f o re t h e k i c k o f f a t 1 0 : 0 0 h r s .

Among the sponsors of this year’s fiesta are Aaron Fraser, Marilyn Waterton, Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, Vonetta Jarvis, Fizal KJhan, Bella’s lumber yard, Ryan Clarke, Collin Aaron, Monette McKinnon and Banks DIH. The top prizes will include trophies for the winners and runners-up, Most Valuable Player and Most Disciplined. (Joe Chapman)

VARUN Aaron’s unbridled pace powered India’s attack in their final two-day tour game before the fourTest series against Australia starts at Adelaide Oval.

Aaron continued to impress in local conditions yesterday, snaring four wickets at Adelaide’s Gliderol Stadium as the Cricket Australia XI were rolled for 243.

The 25-year-old has played only three Tests due to a series of injuries, but he could most likely expect to add to that next Tuesday.

The right-armer was the leading wicket-taker when the two sides met

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

National women’s darts champion dethroned THE CURTAINS came down last Sunday on the LENS sponsored 2014 Guyana Darts Association (GDA) National Championships at the Malteenoes Sports Club, which saw the crowning of a new Women’s singles champion.

Hemwattie Amyan took the 501 singles title from her younger sister Rosetta Hiralall, winning 4-0 in the best of seven contest, to be crowned the new Women’s singles champion.

Despite the win, the margin of victory does not give a true picture of what was indeed a keen tussle, as Hiralall just could not hit her doubles to finish games, appearing to be tired, having competed in two other finals, prior to her matchup against Amyan.

Defending Men’s singles

Congratulations and well done! These must be the words being said to newly crowned Women’s singles champion Hemwattie Amyan (left) as she proudly accepts her spoils from president of the GDA Grantley Culbard. champion Sudesh Fitzgerald turned in another brilliant performance to retain his title in another keen contest with Anil Lachman, coming back from 0-2 to win the next five games

and take the best of nine contest 5-2.

In the other games played on November 29 and 30, All Stars got the better of Bank of Guyana in the third

place playoff in the Team Event, even as the trio of Hiralall/Sherwyn Greene and Lallchand Rambharose took the Triple 701 category from Miguel Ramirez-Merlano/ Mary Correia and Delon Correia 3-1.

The third place contest in this category was won by the trio of Fitzgerald/Veronica Seepersaud and Guy Wharton who defeated Nicholas Seetaram/Jean DeSouza/Mark Persaud 2-0.

Men’s Doubles 501 category was awarded to the pair of Fitzgerald and Seetaram, following the disqualification of the other finalists in Anil Lachman and Colin France when France breached the tournament’s rules.

The pair of Andrew Balchand and Chris Fulton, who originally won third place from Wharton and Ravi Budhu 2-0,

was elevated to second place with Budhu and Wharton taking third.

In the Women’s Doubles 501 Hiralall and Amyan teamed up to defeat the pair of Melissa Smartt and Natisha Fordyce 3-0, with Jean DeSouza and Mary Correia taking third, while Rambharose and Hiralall teamed up to take the Mixed Doubles 501 3-1 from Miguel Ramirez-Merlano/Mary Correia.

With France’s disqualification still in place, his third place spot in the Mixed Doubles 501 which he took while pairing with Shondell Hyles was awarded to the pair of Smartt and Adrian Damon.

The following incentive prizes were also awarded – Lachman for the highest check-out (139), Rambha-

rose for the shortest game (14 darts) and being the only player to register a maximum throw of180 points, Fitzgerald for scoring a record 75 100s, bettering the 66 he set last year and Hiralall for scoring the most 100s by a woman, 21.

At the presentation ceremony, the GDA president Grantley Culbard thanked LENS for being the new sponsor of the Championship and even recalled the days when the late managing director of LENS, Len Rambharose, was head of the GDA. It was also announced that France would have to face the disciplinary committee of the GDA to answer several charges of gross misconduct, including threatening Culbard after being cautioned about his misconduct.

T&T Players gutted after painful loss, says captain PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC)-Captain of Trinidad and Tobago’s senior Women’s football team Maylee Attin-Johnson has lamented her side’s failure to qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

The Trinidad and Tobago footballers lost to Ecuador 1-nil, in the second leg of their playoff at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Tuesday night.

A number of players have been visibly affected by the loss including Ahkeela Mollon who was unable to breathe and was rushed away by ambulance, while goalkeeper Kimika Forbes sobbed uncontrollably after conceding the goal which denied her team’s dream of

creating history.

“We still did not accomplish what we set out to accomplish. We are very much disappointed in ourselves,” said Attin- Johnson.

“Goals win matches. We were not able to put away ours.

They (Ecuador) got one chance and put away their own. So, it was a bit unfortunate.”

Both teams battled to a goal-less full time before Monica Quinteros converted in the first minute of extra time to ensure the South Americans advance.

Before that T&T attacked consistently and dominated for long periods without finding the back of the net.

“For some reason the ball wasn’t going into the back of

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Friday December 05, 2014) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 225-6158; 223-6055) Answers to Tuesday’s quiz: (1) AUST vs SA, Johannesburg, 2009 (2) 2 Today’s Quiz: (1) When and where did Phil Hughes once score twin tons in a Test match?

(2)How did he distinguish himself on his Test debut?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

The Trinidad and Tobago girls in action against Ecuador.

that net,” the captain lamented.

“We got a lot of chances, we didn’t put it away. They got one and scored”.

Attin-Johnson says many of her teammates were gutted after the defeat including 23-year-old goal keeper Forbes who came off her line but was unable to stop Quinteros from converting.

“Kimika is a very passionate player. So, it very hard to calm her down at this

monent,” Attin-Johnson said.

“Kimika and they have sacrificed a lot. They have been through the good, the bad, and the indifferent.”

The defeat against Ecuador was T&T’s third missed chance at qualification after losing in the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Women’s Championship last October and then in the third place play-off.

The top three teams qualified.

49 athletes to compete at Flex Night Int’l Best Poser trophy on offer

By LeeronBrumell A BIG sign up for Sunday’s Flex Night International at the National Cultural Centre.

There are 49 entrants at the event.

Fitness Paradise and Tej Mohall Gym, Skeldon, have both entered nine athletes, while the Republican FlexIn Gym has eight entrants.

Team Suriname is bringing five athletes.

Other athletes are coming from Buddy’s Gym (2), Extreme Fitness (2), Fitness Zone (2); Genesis Fitness (2); House of Pain (1); Precision Body Max (4); Skeldon Community Centre (1); Top End Fitness Centre (3); Universal Barbell Club and one from the Mining Town of

Linden.

The Surinamese begin arriving in Guyana overland today. Of the four arriving, two are Bikini athletes, one judge and one ‘monster’ as Director Donald Sinclair called it.

The athletes will make stops at the Tej Mohall Gym on the way to the Georgetown. In the city they are due to make brief stops at Buddy’s, Fitness Paradise and Precision Body Max Gyms.

On Saturday, eight more members of the Surinamese delegation are due to arrive.

The organisers of this year’s event are also giving to one athlete on the night – The Best Poser Trophy – donated by former President of the Bodybuilding

and Fitness Federation – Frank Tucker.

Mr. Tucker’s gesture, a release from Flex Night International stated, is aimed at encouraging bodybuilders to refine and perfect the art of displaying their muscularity in the most pleasing and effective way, including the choice of music, the sequence of his movements and the projection of overall stage personality in 60 seconds.

The best posing routine will be judged as part of the normal assessment of the different weight categories and not as a separate segment, so no accessories or props will be allowed.

On the night, the males will compete in Men’s Physique (Open); Bodybuilding

– Under 143lbs (64.8kgs), Under 154lbs (69.8kgs), Under 165lbs (74.8kgs), Under 176lbs (79.8kgs), Over 176lbs (79.8kgs+).

The Male events will be pre-judged.

Females will be in the Short class (Under5ft.

4ins. – 162.6cms), Tall Class (over 5ft.4ins. – 162.6cms) and Miss Best Legs (Open).

Flex Night also has support from Southland International Incorporated; distributor of the Blue Waters bottled water, Royce energy drinks and the owner of the Carlsberg brand in Guyana and Gizmos & Gadgets, through its Fitness Factory.

Weigh-in for athletes is 13:30hrs while the show starts at 18:00hrs.

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday December 5, 2014

WICB PCL Regional 4-Day Round 4 matches begin today ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Every team has a reason to approach this weekend’s fourth round of matches in the WICB Professional Cricket League Regional 4-Day Tournament with purpose.

Following the contest of these matches, the Tournament will take a near two-month hiatus due to the Christmas/ New Year’s holiday season and the shift to the NAGICO Super50 Tournament, so teams will jostle to put themselves in a favourable position.

This round today will test the relative strengths of each team against their opponents, as Windward Islands Volcanoes meet Barbados Pride at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex in St. Vincent, the Jamaica Franchise hosts Leeward Islands Hurricanes at Sabina Park and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force welcome leaders Guyana Jaguars at Queen’s Park Oval.

In St. Vincent: Both teams will be looking to ride the wave of victories in the previous match that spurred their season after early setbacks.

The Volcanoes rebounded from two straight defeats in their first two matches to roll over the Hurricanes in a home match at the Grenada National Stadium, and the Pride defied the weather that has dogged all three of their matches to

stun the Jaguars with a sensational, two-run loss, defending a modest target of 69, at the Guyana National Stadium.

Recent results make this match very interesting, as the two teams have done well on each other’s briar patch which does not bode well for the hosts.

Four of the Volcanoes’ six victories over the Pride in the modern era of West Indies first-class matches have come since the turn of the century and all have been on the road in Barbados, where they have won the last two fixtures between the two sides.

But the Pride have won all but one of the seven matches the two sides have played in the Windwards since the turn of the century, including twice at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex.

The Pride travelled with an unchanged squad from Guyana, but the Volcanoes have brought in talented batsman Kavem Hodge following the elevation of veteran opener Devon Smith to the West Indies Test squad in South Africa.

In Kingston: Two sides at the opposite ends of the standings will seek the same result, but take different approaches.

The Jamaica Franchise, flying high from their victory

over the Red Force in Port of Spain, face the Hurricanes, aiming to put together a complete performance that will turn their season around.

History favours the home team. They have won the last five matches between the two teams, including twice at Sabina Park.

But he visitors however, can take comfort in the knowledge that their previous victory over their hosts came at the same venue five years ago.

Both sides have made changes to their line-ups.

The Jamaica Franchise have brought left-handed opener John Campbell in to replace Nkrumah Bonner and Gavon Brown is included following the elevation of fellow left-arm fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell to the West Indies Test squad in South Africa.

Leewards have included former captain Steve Liburd and heavy-set all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall for a bit more experience, and spinner Colin Hamer has been called up for the first time. They replace Anthony Martin, Akeem Saunders and Jacques Taylor.

In Port of Spain: Both teams will be looking for a shot of confidence, following defeats in their previous match, when the Red Force sunk to a deflating,

GFF’s Normalisation Committee/FIFA officials meet with Dr. Anthony on way forward OFFICIALS of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Normalisation Committee and representatives of football world governing body FIFA met with Guyana’s Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony on Monday at the minister’s office.

According to a GFF release, Chairman of the GFF’s Normalisation Com-

mittee Clinton Urling led the GFF’s delegation and the FIFA team included Howard McIntosh and Anton Corneal.

The discussions centered on collaboration between the GFF and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport including support for Grassroots Development programmes and the GOAL Project which

was on the GFF’s card for a number of years.

A team comprising members of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the GFF’s Normalisation Committee is expected to work together to complete a Memorandum of Understanding that would pave the way for the implementation of the GOAL project.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony (fifth right) and Director of Sport Neil Kumar (fourth left) strike a pose with officials of the GFF’s Normalisation Committee and FIFA officials after the meeting on Monday.

second straight defeat on home soil this season against the Jamaica Franchise and the Jaguars crashed to gut-wrenching, two-run loss against the Pride, chasing a modest 69 for victory.

Recent results favour the Red Force. They have won three of the 10 matches between the two sides over the last decade including twice at this venue and have held the first innings advantage in five of the six matches that ended in a draw, with the other ending in a no-result.

Also in favour of the Red Force is that the Jaguars have not won a match at any venue

in the two-island republic for quarter of a century and, more precisely, at Queen’s Park Oval for 27 years. In fact, the Jaguars have just two wins in the modern era of West Indies first-class matches here.

The visitors have travelled with an unchanged squad from the previous round, but the hosts have welcomed back leg-spin all-rounder Yannic Cariah following a toe injury and he will replace the uncapped Kerwin Sirju.

Tinidad & Tobago Red Force, Guyana Jaguars squads: TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

RED FORCE (from): Rayad Emrit (captain), Yannic Cariah, Akeal Hosein, Steven Katwaroo, Imran Khan, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Yannick Ottley, Nicholas Pooran, Marlon Richards, Lendl Simmons, Jeremy Solozano, Daniel St. Clair GUYANA JAGUARS (from): Vishaul Singh (captain), Christopher Barnwell, Ronsford Beaton, Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rajindra Chandrika, Narsingh Deonarine, Trevon Griffith, Shimron Hetmyer, Keon Joseph, Veerasammy Permaul, Raymond Reifer

Michael Clarke’s eulogy in full AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke was among the speakers to deliver a eulogy at the funeral service for Phillip Hughes.

The batsman was laid to rest in his home town of Macksville, with about 1,000 people in attendance.

Clarke praised Hughes, who died after being hit by a ball during a match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), as “a man whose soul enriched all of our lives”.

You can read the full transcript of his speech below.

Full transcript of Michael Clarke’s eulogy I’m deeply honoured to have been asked by Phillip’s family to speak today. I am humbled to be in the presence of you, his family, his friends and his community.

He was so proud of Macksville and it is easy to see why today.

Taken from the game, his family and loved ones at the age of just 25, he left a mark on our game that needs no embellishment.

I don’t know about you, but I keep looking for him. I know it is crazy but I expect any minute to take a call from him or to see his face pop around the corner.

Is this what we call the spirit? If so, then his spirit is still with me. And I hope it never leaves.

I walked to the middle of the SCG on Thursday night, those same blades of grass beneath my feet where he and I and so many of his mates here today have built partnerships, taken chances and lived out the dreams we paint in our heads as boys. The same stands where the crowds rose to their feet to cheer him on and that same fence he sent

the ball to time and time again. And it is now forever the place where he fell.

I stood there at the wicket, I knelt down and touched the grass. I swear he was with me.

Picking me up off my feet to check if I was OK. Telling me we just needed to dig in and get through to tea. Telling me off for that loose shot I played. Chatting about what movie we might watch that night. And then passing on a useless fact about cows.

I could see him swagger back to the other end, grin at the bowler, and call me through for a run with such a booming voice a bloke in the car park would hear it.

The heart of a man who lived his life for this wonderful game we play, and whose soul enriched not just our sport, but all of our lives.

Is this what indigenous Australians believe about a person’s spirit being connected with the land upon which they walk? If so, I know they are right about the SCG. His spirit has touched it and it will be forever be a sacred ground for me.

I can feel his presence there and I can see how he has touched so many people around the world. The tributes to him from cricket lovers kept me going. The photos, the words, the prayers and the sense of communion in this loss from people across the globe have shown me his spirit in action. It has sustained me and overwhelmed me in equal measure.

And the love of my band of baggy green and gold brothers and sisters has held me upright when I thought I could not proceed. His spirit has brought

us closer together - something I know must be him at work because it is so consistent with how he played and lived. He always wanted to bring people together and he always wanted to celebrate his love for the game and its people.

Is this what we call the spirit of cricket? From the little girl in Karachi holding a candlelight tribute to masters of the game like Tendulkar, Warne and Lara showing their grief to the world, the spirit of cricket binds us all together.

We feel it in the thrill of a cover drive. Or the taking of a screamer at gully, whether by a 12-year-old boy in Worcester or by Brendon McCullum in Dubai. It is in the brilliant hundred and five-wicket haul, just as significant to the players in a Western Suburbs club game as it is in a Test match.

The bonds that lead to cricketers from around the world putting their bats out, that saw people who didn’t even know Phillip lay flowers at the gates of Lord’s and that brought every cricketing nation on earth to make its own heartfelt tribute.

The bonds that saw players old and new rush to his bedside. From wherever they heard the news to say their prayers and farewells. This is what makes our game the greatest game in the world.

Phillip’s spirit, which is now part of our game forever, will act as a custodian of the sport we all love.

We must listen to it. We must cherish it. We must learn from it. We must dig in and get through to tea. And we must play on.

So rest in peace my little brother. I’ll see you out in the middle. (BBC Sport)

Sport CHRONICLE

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

WICB PCL Regional 4-Day Round 4 matches begin today See Story on Page 35

All hail the ‘King’ as Guyana secure 7th NACRA Sevens Rugby title

By Rawle Toney THEY were down 21 – 7 at half time but Guyana’s new found star Patrick King put his team and country on his shoulders and carried the Land of Many Waters to their 7th North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Sevens Championship when they defeated Mexico 33 – 28 in the finals last evening in Mexico City.

King is one of Guyana’s most explosive 400M and long Jump athlete and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) winger was playing in his first ever NACRA Championships; in fact it was his first time representing Guyana in the sport of Rugby in any form of the game.

It was one of the tourna-

Local track star Patrick King

ment’s most mesmeric and unforgettable finals and also sweet revenge for Guyana who lost to Mexico by one point in the Championship 2012 finals.

He was selected for his outburst of speed and the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) even touted him to be the team’s break out star in Mexico and King certainly didn’t disappoint.

Upon the resumption of the second half, King collected a pass from Ronald Mayers and burst down the Mexicans left wing, breezing by his obviously slower defenders.

Captain Ryan Gonsalves made good of the conversion but then a breakdown in communication in defence saw the home side scoring

and pushing the scores to 28 – 14.

Avery Corbin then bullied his way down the middle and scored again, while Gonsalves made sure that his kick counted and allowed Guyana to stay within striking distance of the Mexicans (28 – 21).

Again showing his superiority and speed on the pitch as if he was a seasoned campaigner at the Championships, King outpaced Mexico’s defenders to put Guyana closer to the title and Gonsalves converted yet another kick.

With time ticking away and down 28 – 26, Richard Staglon came up big in defence after the Mexicans were able to slip through Mayers and Corbin at the back.

Staglon’s defensive heroics paid off, thanks to King’s sublime speed and agility along with his ability to evade the tough Mexican defenders; pushing Guyana to their first lead of the game (28 – 31).

Gonsalves kick sealed the game at 33 – 28 in favour of the South Americans who had missed the same tournament last year due to lack of financing.

The Guyanese played undefeated in the tournament and the players were visibly emotional, lying in the centre of the pitch, some in tears reminiscing on their rocky recovery to the top of the NACRA Sevens table.

Guyana now holds both the NACRA 15’s and 7’s championship.

GEORGETOWN GUINNESS ‘GREATEST OF DE STREETS’

Sparta Boss remain unbeaten as quarterfinalists decided

By Calvin Roberts FUTSAL Football action in this year’s sixth edition of the Banks DIH sponsored Georgetown Guinness ‘Greatest of De Streets’ tournament has reached the quarterfinals stage, which will be contested Sunday night at the Demerara Car Park, known as the home of Futsal football.

Eight teams, namely the unbeaten Sparta Boss, North Ruimveldt, West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’, Cross Street, Festival City Warriors, Globe Yard and Albouystown ‘B’, have booked their places in the quarterfinals, ensuring they remain in the hunt for the $500,000 top prize and a place

in the national playoffs.

The second, third and fourth placed finishers is set to pocket $300,000, $200,000 and $100,00 respectively, while all four teams will collect trophies and the second placed team will join the winners in the national playoffs.

In last Wednesday night’s round of 16 action at the National Cultural Centre tarmac, Leopold Street defeated Festival City Street Fighters 3-2 on sudden death penalty kicks, following a nil all stalemate, while Cross Street won with a 1-0 margin over West Back Road, after both sides played to a 1-1 scoreline.

Ronaldo Dover scored the

See Page 32

North Ruimveldt’s Joshua Browne (centre green bib), goes after the ball during his side’s quarterfinal matchup against Hope Street-Tiger Bay last Wednesday night at the National Cultural Centre tarmac. (Photo by Sonell Nelson)

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014