2015 3 31

GUYANA

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No. 104145 TUESDAY MARCH 31, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

SELMAN CONCEDES...

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Africo Selman

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Only APNU+AFC stood to benefit from Crum-Ewing’s assassination

JAGDEO TELLS KITTY RALLY...

Granger ‘chasing away’ investors

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– found willing pawn in AFC

Andrew ‘SixHead’ Lewis ‘suffers’ memory blackout

Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

Counterfeit police 5 remanded to prison for series of offences

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Fake Cop, Orin Arthur

Fake Cop, Rayon Paddy

Three dead, six hospitalised in West Berbice accident Page 4

Taxi driver killed in 4 Zeeburg ‘hit-and-run’ Page

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‘Six-Head’ Lewis

Dead: Omadat Narine Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 31, 2015

NANDLALL URGES WEST COAST SUPPORTERS...

Vote ‘issues and track record’ on May 11 – warns of Opposition’s propensity for hijacking democracy

By Vanessa Narine EVERY voter at the upcoming May 11 polls ought to vote on issues and track records. This was the appeal of Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, as he took the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) 2015 elections campaign to Groenveldt Square, Leonora on the West Coast Demerara.

Addressing almost 100 persons in that section of the community at the party’s most recent public meeting, held last evening, he detailed the comparisons between the contesting parties relative to several issues, and pointed to the difference in track records of the PPP/C and the Alliance of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

RIGGED ELECTIONS Nandlall highlighted that the majority partner of APNU+AFC is the People’s National Congress (PNC), a party whose track record is infamously characterised by the rigging of elections – a hijacking of democracy.

“What does it (rigging

elections) mean? What impact does it have on your life? That is what is important…it means that the people were not important. The people were not important because the people did not elect them,” he said, lamenting the “authoritarian” approach to governance.

According to him, this authoritarianism was seen in the use of the army for political purposes – an era where the APNU+AFC presidential candidate, David Granger, was a member of the Guyana Defence Force.

“What would a political party want to do with 155 high-powered rifles?” he asked, adding that those weapons were found in the early 2000’s in the hands of criminals.

Last August, Lieutenant Colonel Sydney James, who spent three days at the Walter Rodney Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on the witness stand, testified and submitted documentation that the GDF loaned high-powered military weapons to the PNC’s Ministry of National Development. The records that Lieutenant Colonel James tendered as evidence to the Commission show that the

GDF loaned 200-odd weapons to the Ministry, as well as paramilitary organisations and other agencies. Of those 200-odd weapons, 155 are still missing today. Even as calls have been made for answers to be given regarding missing weapons the current Administration insists that the Army is actively engaged in trying to locate them.

“The people were irrelevant to the political process of this country…the nation fell into disrepair…they dealt insult after insult to the people of the country,” Nandlall said, citing the ‘dismal’ state of affairs relative to education and health care, as well as other social sectors, and the economy.

He charged that APNU is no different from the PNC and turning his attention to the AFC, he pointed to their actions in the 10th Parliament, which found them on the same side as the PNC. “We know what their track record is….that is why they do not want us to talk about it. No one wants to own a track record like theirs,” Nandlall stressed.

A CLEAR CHOICE The Attorney-General was emphatic in stressing the difference between the PPP/C and APNU+AFC and made clear that on May 11 “every vote must count” given the importance of the elections.

“On May 11 this country will go to one of the most important elections in our independent history,” he said.

Nandlall added that the upcoming election is about the “future, legacy, future and country” that the current generation wants to leave for their children and grandchildren.

“Do we want to leave and unsecured future for them? That is what this election is about…we want all our children to reach their full potential…that they can live the life we want them

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, addressing PPP/C supporters (Adrian Narine photo)

to live. It is a clear choice between the PPP and APNU+AFC,” he said.

Nandlall added that a name change does not change the history, character or the propensity – as evidenced in the past three years – of the political Opposition.

“They come to you with a name change, but there is no change…the choice is clear,” he stressed.

Nandlall pointed to the successes of the PPP/C and its impact on improving the lives of the Guyanese people.

“Twenty years ago we saw a very different country

from the Guyana we have today…the indignity we were subjected to…this is our history and we must never forget our history. We must never return to that history,” he urged.

On that note, the Attorney General reiterated the need for the Guyanese people to vote on the basis of issues and track records.

“You must make an informed decision…it is our duty to speak to our people to ensure that we secure a stable future for our country,” Nandlall posited.

Public meetings were

also held at several other communities across Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara), at Aurora, Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), Good Faith in Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice), Auchline, Light Town and Liverpool in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) and Moblissa and Bamia in Region 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice).

These meetings have been the tactic employed by the incumbent PPP for decades as a means of maintaining and nurturing support at the grassroots level.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

JAGDEO TELLS KITTY RALLY...

Granger ‘chasing away’ investors – found willing pawn in AFC

By Tajeram Mohabir FORMER President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has said Guyana has moved from being a country where the national wealth could not sustain its investment needs to a nation on a stronger footing.

Speaking at the launch of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)’s campaign at the Kitty Market Square on Sunday, Dr Jagdeo told the thousands in attendance that there was a time when Guyana could not get any investment because it was managed by an insular administration.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), he said, has not changed, and has found a willing partner in the Alliance For Change (AFC) in chasing way investors.

The two parties, which have since joined forces to form the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Alliance, had deemed the Amaila Falls Project, a US multimillion investment, as corrupt and voted it down.

The project was expected to bring cheap energy to the country, and serve as a stimulus to springboard development in the manufacturing sector.

But the combined Opposition, the APNU and the AFC, had said apart from being corrupt, it was poorly conceived, but the Government strongly maintained that move by the Opposition was vindictive and geared at blocking its

developmental agenda.

At the time, several civil society groups, led by the Private Sector Commission (PSC), condemned the move by the combined Opposition, but its leaders were unmoved.

DEAF EARS Even former US Ambassador D Brent Hardt made an appeal for the project to stay, but his words fell on deaf ears.

Ambassador Hardt, in one section of the media, had said: “Until recently, the project, which has been under development for six years under Sithe Global, appeared to enjoy the implicit support of all political parties… In recent weeks, however, the project suddenly became enmeshed in political battles that had little to do with the potential of the project to generate cheaper, more reliable, and more environmentally-friendly energy for decades to come.”

Following the Ambassador’s comments, a prominent trade unionist in support of the decision by the APNU and AFC, accused him of looking out for the interest of US investors.

Dr Jagdeo said while Guyana is not without challenges, the PNCR/APNU and AFC should stop chasing away investors.

“So we have to keep this country open to investors from all around the world, while ensuring that they contribute to the upliftment of our people,” he said.

APNU+AFC’s David Granger

Granger had warned that if elected to office, the Alliance will review all the big projects that it sees as dubious.

THREAT But the former President said Granger’s pronouncement should not be taken lightly.

“He has already stated threatening the investors, when the United States of America seeks investors, when Canada seeks investors, although they are developed countries, Granger has started chasing away the investors,” Dr Jagdeo said.

According to the former President, this does not bode well for Guyana if Granger and his men get into power.

“You know what’s gonna happen, I predict that if they were to win, we will have the exchange rate going to G$500 to US$1, they will eat up all

Former president, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the Kitty rally on Sunday

the money that we have in the Central Bank, because that’s their way of doing things.

They will eat it up; the interest rates are going to skyrocket again. Then you will have a mass exodus like in the past from this country and the US Embassy will have to clamp down once again on issuing visas,” he contended.

ISSUING VISAS Today, he said the US Embassy has been quite liberal in issuing visas, because not all of them who go to the US stay there.

“They (US) themselves say that… of the 51,000 who got visas, 48,000 came back.

Well, in the future, you put the PNC in, and with their philosophy of development, you will see what will happen in this country.”

Guyana has moved way from these ‘dark days’, the former President said, telling the massive gathering that there must be no return.

Guyana has enjoyed nine years of consecutive growth and has enjoyed decent reviews from the World Bank.

The bank says Guyana is rapidly emerging as one of the countries with the highest economic growth rates in Latin America.

“Economic growth between 2000 and 2007 averaged slightly over two per cent, below the regional average of about 3.7 per cent.

Growth in the economy has accelerated significantly since then averaging over four per cent per annum.

“Guyana weathered the effects of the recent global financial crisis very well

compared to other Caribbean countries or the rest of the Latin American and Caribbean Region,” the bank said.

Dr Jagdeo also told the massive Kitty Market Square gathering that the PNCR has begun threatening businesspersons, telling them that “if you don’t give us money for our campaign... when we get into office, we gonna deal with you.”

But sources close to the PNCR have denied the charge.

However, the former President said, “That is the nature of the beast,” and if they are elected to office, “it’s not only on the economic side that we gonna get white mouth again,” but also in the area of security, as it will be managed by persons with a murky past.

Surujbally subscribes to ‘early adoption’ of parties’ Code of Conduct CONCERNS about the language employed on campaign platforms by political parties contesting the May 11 General and Regional elections were raised by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) last week.

And the body has called for the “early adoption” of the Political Parties Code of Conduct to ensure that its tenets and philology resonate on the campaign trail.

The PSC said, “The

Commission is deeply concerned about the current rhetoric being uttered by political campaigners from their platforms and strongly condemns all language equivalent to incitement and breeding of hate amongst the citizens of our country.

“In this regard, the Commission also calls upon all political parties to facilitate early adoption of the Political Parties Code of Conduct and comply with its tenets and intended philosophy.”

Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr Steve Surujbally, when contacted by the Guyana Chronicle yesterday stated that he subscribes to the PSC’s sentiments “in toto.”

He added that the Code of Conduct is currently getting its “final touches” before being circulates to political parties for their “perusal and comments,” which would inform the final document.

The code of conduct for political parties is a guide of expected behaviours in the lead up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Once political parties sign onto the Code of Conduct it is expected that the parties abide by the protocols documented in the code, all in the interest of free and fair General and Regional elections.

The General Secretaries of the Coalition, A Partnership for National

Unity (APNU), Joseph Harmon, and the Alliance For Change (AFC), David Patterson, were unavailable for comment when contacted by this newspaper.

The advantage of having such an agreement in place, according to GECOM, relates to being able to guard against confrontational and vitriolic election campaign meetings/rallies and statements.

Contesting parties signing the code are viewed as demonstrating their willingness to implement their respective election

campaign strategies in ways that contribute to the maintenance of peace and tranquility throughout and beyond the elections.

Rallies and public meetings, hosted by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the Alliance of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), are in full swing. The two major political parties are expected to hit the campaign trail with greater intensity closer to Nomination Day, April 7. (Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

Three dead, six hospitalised in West Berbice accident

By Leroy Smith A DRUNKEN spree at a Sunday night pool party in New Amsterdam in Region Six ended in an horrific accident on the shoulders of the Good Hope Public Road on the West Coast of Berbice in Region Five in the wee hours of Monday morning, and the consequent deaths of three New Amsterdamers plus hospitalisation of six others at the New Amsterdam and Georgetown public hospitals respectively.

Tommy Thomas, Jeron James and Jevon Gregory James all lost their lives when rented Toyota Raum PRR 1163, crammed with nine persons, according to the police, became uncontrollable and collided with two lorries parked on the shoulder of the road at Good Hope, West Coast Berbice.

Brian Simpson, Janelle Blackman, Luanna Ross, Jamacey Monroe, Demville Hemthor and Devon Pydana

This composite photo shows the damage to the car after the accident were all hospitalised as a result of this accident up to late yesterday afternoon.

Pydana was said to be the driver of the ill-fated vehicle.

Information reaching the Guyana Chronicle has indicated that the young people, imbibing at a pool party in New Amsterdam, decided to travel to Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, to continue partying at a location there.

Police sources have said that as the Toyota Raum came to the junction on the road which takes traffic into

Dead: Jeron James two separate directions, Pydana, attempting to negotiate the turn, lost control of the vehicle, and it barreled into the two parked lorries.

Persons from the area immediately rushed out of their homes to render assistance to the injured. Yesterday’s police press statement reported that the accident victims

Driver of the ill-fated car, Devon Pydana were all taken to the Fort Wellington Hospital before being dashed respectively to the New Amsterdam and Georgetown public hospitals.

Several huge trucks presently park along the West Coast Berbice roadway in the vicinity of rice mills as they await the offloading of paddy from their trays.

Dead: Tommy Thomas Police sources confirmed yesterday that all of the trucks which were parked awaiting the offloading of their paddy loads were off the road, were way down into the corner, and were not in any way obstructing the free flow of traffic proceeding in either direction.

Taxi driver killed in Zeeburg ‘hit-and-run’

By Leroy Smith THIRTY eight-year-old Omadat Narine Singh, called Ravi, of 720 Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo was killed at approximately 23:45 hrs on Sunday when a car, the driver of which was suspected to be under the influence of alcohol, struck him down as he was standing awaiting transportation on the Zeeburg Public Road, West Coast Demerara.

That driver was reportedly attempting to overtake another vehicle when the

incident occurred. He fled the scene following the accident, abandoning the rented vehicle a short distance away without stopping to render any assistance to his accident victim.

In a tearful telephone interview, a sister of the dead Ravi told the Guyana Chronicle that family members were at home when a driver from the West Side Taxi Service, where Ravi had worked, informed them that Ravi had been involved in an accident.

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Dead: Omadat Narine Singh

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

Counterfeit police remanded to prison for series of offences

By Leroy Smith TWENTY-five-year-old Orin Arthur, a construction worker of Block X, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara and 26-year-old Rayon Paddy, a vendor and Ex-Guyana Defence Force rank of 278 South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown were both remanded to prison when they appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at that Georgetown magistrate’s court on Monday last.

Both men were slapped with eight charges each stemming from their illegal activities of posing as police officers and setting up roadblocks primarily along the Region 5 Main Road where, according to police documents, they perpetrated several robberies on persons they encountered during their illegal activities.

Over the past months, police have been working on intelligence as they sought to get their hands on the persons who have been setting up the illegal roadblocks. The incidents were occurring primarily along the East Bank Demerara corridor, but after the police intensified their operations in that area, the men moved their activities to the police ‘C’ Division -- East Coast Demerara.

The police have said that one other person, identified as a former police officer, is still on the run after he had managed to escape from a police dragnet set up on Friday following police receipt of information regarding the men’s hideout in a Diamond, East Bank Demerara home.

In court on Monday, it was proposed that on March 27, at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, the two had in their possession eight

grammes of cannabis sativa, but they pleaded not guilty to that charge.

It was also proposed that on March 18, at Mahaicony, ECD, being in company of others and armed with a gun and offensive weapons, the men robbed Ishmael Subhan of a wallet, cellular phone and cash, all totalling $25,000,

Fake Cop, Orin Arthur while also relieving him of $900,000, said to be the property of Shameer Mohamed. Again, the two pleaded not guilty as charged.

The court further heard that on March 18, again at Mahaicony, ECD, the men robbed Ravendra Mohitram of a wallet and cash totalling $11,500; while the charge of robbing Anand Rahaman of a Samsung cellphone and wallet together with $3000 were all again pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Beharry also read them charges of being in possession of one gramme of cocaine; 17 live rounds of .233 ammunition without either man being

Taxi driver killed...

From page 4

The car which was under the control of the errant driver That sister disclosed that family members were also told that the driver of the car involved in the accident with Ravi, who also lives two streets away from where they live, had earlier evaded the police before becoming involved in the accident that claimed the life of her

brother.

She reported being informed that the impact of

the accident was so severe that her brother was thrown into the air. He landed on the bonnet of the car, smashing the windscreen; and as the driver slammed the brakes, her brother was pitched off the vehicle and his body rolled under a parked lorry.

The lorry owners had to remove their vehicle before Ravi’s body could be retrieved.

Ravi’s sister has said the family is not interested in monetary compensation, but is concerned in seeing the driver of the vehicle that killed Ravi is brought to justice. The family is contending that this is not

holder of a firearm licence; 12 live rounds of .32 ammunition without either man being the holder of a licence; and charges of being in possession of a .32 pistol without either man being the holder of a firearm licence.

All these charges represent offences the

Fake Cop, Rayon Paddy men had committed on March 27 at the Diamond premises; but, again, the men pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecution informed the court that the victims who were robbed on March 27 were on their way back to Garden of Eden, EBD from Berbice, as they are in the business of transporting and delivering chicken.

At approximately 21:00 hrs, while the VCs were returning from Berbice, they were stopped at a roadblock set up at Grove by the accused, who were dressed in police uniform and were armed with guns when they stopped the canter the victims were travelling in at the first time this driver has been involved in an accident; some time ago, he was involved in an accident that had registered severe injuries

the time.

The victims were then ordered out of the canter truck and placed in its enclosed back prior to being robbed of their valuables and the day’s earnings. The victims were then driven a short distance from where the men had committed the “stop and robbery”.

With the use of a metal instrument found inside the tray of the canter, the men were eventually able to free themselves from being confined in the tray of the canter, following which they made a report to the police station located some distance away.

After the police had successfully nabbed the suspects, they placed them on an identification parade, and they were positively identified by their victims.

The magistrate upheld the prosecution’s objection to the granting of bail to the accused after he pointed out that there were additional charges to be levelled against the duo, coupled with the fact that, if granted bail, they may fail to return for their trial.

Attorney-at-law Mr. Paul Fung-a-Fat represented Arthur. He told the court that his client is not a flight risk, and, if granted bail, he would return for his trial.

Both men were nevertheless remanded to prison. The matters allegedly committed at Mahaicony were transferred to the Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court for calling on April 8.

The East Bank matters will see the duo appearing before the Providence Magistrate’s Court on April 7.

Paddy was additionally charged separately for escaping from lawful custody.

Paddy was arrested earlier this year after robbing the Popeye’s fast food outlet, but had managed to escape from the Georgetown Public Hospital while under police guard.

to the body of a motorcyclist.

The late Omadat Narine Singh, called Ravi, is survived by his wife and three children, aged 14, 12

and 6. He had worked as a taxi driver for the past ten years, and according to his relatives, had never been involved in an accident.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 31, 2015

EDITORIAL Spousal murder and substance abuse ABUSE, especially domestic abuse, is spiralling out of control, to the extent where there has been an inordinate loss of lives over the recent years because of domestic violence.

The abuse of substances – societally acceptable such as alcohol, as well as illicit substances such as hard drugs - has risen in direct correlation with what now seems to have become epidemic, spousal murders.

There seems to be no end in sight and various interventions to address this social ill seem ineffective as the headlines continue to highlight the continuum of spousal murders.

One of the suggestions made is to make a report to the nearest police station, but the police seem to be untrained in addressing the social ills of the nation. Those who are supposed “To Protect and Serve” most often provide the catalyst for a tragedy to occur by their attitude, attention, or lack thereof, and plain ‘don’t-care-adamn’ behaviour when a complainant drums up the requisite courage (most often with great difficulty) and lodges a complaint.

Many victims of continuous abuse are killed because of the complacency of the members of the Police Force who refuse to investigate complaints and lay

charges, or take the actions necessary to protect the victim from further abuse.

Guyanese have stopped being their brother’s (and sister’s) keepers because, in many communities, neighbours witnessing a continuum of escalating instances of abuse refuse to become involved. They prefer to enjoy the unfolding tragedy, even adding to it with malicious rumour-mongering and strife-making, because the titillation of feuds and wars within families find a corresponding resonance in the dark nuances resident in every soul, and the average person refuses to rise above their more decadent

GUYANA

equivalencies to achieve a higher plane of thoughts and actions, enough to maybe intercede – and probably save, a family from ultimate destruction.

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

ling out of control, to the extent where many lives have been lost, with many more dislocated, and there seems to be no end in sight. Unless there is an holistic, proactive approach, where all stakeholders in the nation are made aware that this cause and this fight is a national one, for more often than not, it is our children – the future generations of our nation - who are the statistics of domestic violence, every effort made, valiant and committed as they may be, will prove woefully inadequate, because domestic violence is a national tradition entrenched in the Guyanese psyche.

Nagamootoo queries Harper’s domestic violence platform

– urges hometown not to vote for her IN his round of swinging attacks on several persons of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Prime Ministerial candidate of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, Moses Nagamootoo refused to spare the PPP’s Prime Ministerial candidate, Ms. Elisabeth Harper, questioning her credentials based on her domestic violence platform.

Harper, who is the former Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had detailed in an interview with former Ms. Guyana World, Olive Gopaul that the central theme of her

Ms. Elisabeth Harper

Moses Nagamootoo

political career would be domestic violence as she was once a victim.

According to the Prime Ministerial candidate during the interview, “Domestic violence is real in

our society and me being able to tell my story, from where I came from, what I’ve become, how I did it, I feel that I could encourage women, I could also encourage interest groups in society to help to rid us

of this.”

Against this backdrop, several of her speeches since her appearance in the political sphere have sought to promote a reduction in the cases of domestic violence while underscoring the importance of eradicating such a social ill.

But this genuine attempt

by Harper was documented

by Nagamootoo in an attempt to launch an assault, against her platform, which he did at Whim, Berbice, last Sunday evening.

Addressing the gathering at Whim, his hometown, Nagamootoo sought to urge the Berbicians not to vote for Harper at the upcoming elections, simply

because they didn’t know who she was. Rather, he questioned the crowd, who responded positively if they knew who he was, while at the same time, hinting that he should be voted for based on this principle.

“Do you know me?” a confident Nagamootoo asked the people of his hometown, while receiving a positive feedback.

“Do you know who Elisabeth Harper is?” he further questioned, while adding sarcastically, “Well, this Harper lady says she wants to be Prime Minister because she was a victim of domestic violence.”

Rhetorically he then questioned how was it that

Harper could stand on the same platform as former President Bharat Jagdeo if she was advocating against domestic violence, thereby implying that the former president was guilty of such practices.

T h e A P N U + A F C ’s Prime Ministerial candidate then confidently charged the crowd to consider that if something happens to the President, the Prime Minister assumes office of the President and they should examine Harper in that regard, holding the portfolio of Prime Minister, should the PPP win the next General and Regional Elections.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

WITH NCN AS HOST…

No confirmation of APNU+AFC participation in town-hall style debates THE political opposition did not, as expected yesterday, confirm their participation in three rounds of debates proposed by the National Communications Network (NCN).

“The initiation invitations were sent out last Thursday; we expected to hear from the participants by today (yesterday), but we did not. Letters were resent to both Congress Place and the Leader of the Opposition’s office yesterday. We had an acknowledgement that the

invitations were received,” said, Mrs Molly Hassan, Managing Director, in an invited comment.

She added that the request made was that, at a minimum, two persons be nominated to participate in each round of debates.

The debates were scheduled to commence tomorrow.

The first round is slated for the University of Guyana’s Tain Campus, in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne), where the topic up for discussion is the future of

the sugar industry. On April 8, political representatives will debate national security at the Theatre Guild. The last debate in Round One is set for the Linden Concert Hall, on April 15, where issues pertinent to the bauxite industry would be addressed.

Relative to the issues up for debate in Round Two, Mrs. Hassan explained that the presidential candidate for the Alliance of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), David Granger,

has been invited to make recommendations.

The logistics of Round Three are still to be finetuned.

Additionally, NCN is also expected to begin airing a new programme, ‘News in Conversation’, which is a 30-minute programme.

H o w e v e r, t h e p r o gramme’s producer, Ms Wanita Huburn, told the Guyana Chronicle that as of yesterday, there still has not been any confirmation regarding the participation

of the Political Opposition.

Both the debates and the ‘News in Conversation’ programme, expected to be televised live, are intended to be an opportunity for politicians from the two major political parties – APNU+AFC and the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) – to address topical issues, the day’s news, and share their views.

NCN, like other sections of the State media, has borne the brunt of criticisms from the Political Opposition regarding opportunities to be

featured.

Meanwhile, representatives from the two major political parties, PPP/C and APNU+AFC, have indicated their willingness to engage each other in public debates. These include a debate hosted by the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the body’s Chairman, Ramesh Persaud, told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday that the PPP/C and APNU+AFC have confirmed their involvement.

GECOM to meet with political parties today – OLE to be available after April 12 POLITICAL parties will meet with officials from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) today to address a number of pertinent issues, Nomination Day, and the Official List of Electors (OLE) among others.

The scheduling of the meeting was confirmed by GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, via a tele-

phone interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday.

Asked again about the recent “dirty list” comment from the leadership of the political Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), he reiterated that APNU+AFC has not communicated any such concerns to GECOM.

“All of the correspondences we have reflect an expression of confidence in GECOM by APNU+AFC,” Dr Surujbally said.

He added that he has no reason to believe that the legitimacy of the Official List of Electors will be questioned.

“The OLE will be available after April 12,” the GECOM Chairman assured.

Currently, copies of the Revised List of Electors (RLE), a list modified using the Preliminary List of Electors, are posted at locations across Guyana for perusal by stakeholders in the electoral process.

Dr Surujbally also repeated that the Commission has a “menu of measures” to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, particularly to ensure that no one person votes more than

once.

The list includes the names of 570,786 eligible voters and the list will remain in public view for 21 days – which ends in April 12 – as is the statutory requirement, during which time members of the Guyanese public and eligible voters are invited to review the list to ensure the details are correct.

Any inaccuracies can be communicated to the

Commission, and the Chief Elections Officer, (CEO) Mr. Keith Lowenfield, has the authority to make the corrections.

Once that review period comes to an end, the CEO is then expected to certify the RLE and, from this, produce the Official List of Elections, which will facilitate voting at the upcoming May 11 General and Regional Elections.

(Vanessa Narine)

Nadia Batson & ‘Ravi B’ for Bartica Regatta extravaganza COME Easter weekend, all roads will be leading to the gateway to the interior, Bartica in Essequibo, for the annual Bartica Regatta celebrations.

While this usually entails a packed weekend of activities, organisers have, this year, scaled back on several events due to financial constraints.

The much-anticipated Miss Bartica Regatta pageant has been cancelled, but patrons can still look forward to an exciting new feature – a fashion show which will be featuring the work of three local designers – Tiffany Alleyne, Jo Ann Lynch, and Dwight Beaton.

According to Bartica Re-

gatta Committee Coordinator Elisabeth Moonsammy, this new activity will provide a forum for fashion designers from the mining community to showcase their talents, as they do not get many opportunities to so do.

The Bartica Regatta weekend will retain most of its traditional activities, and the celebration will commence on March 29 with a Kiddies Fun Fair at the Bartica Community Centre.

Budhesh Chatterpaul, Chairman of AJ Promotions, a promoter of the event, explained that this new feature was added because there previously were hardly any activities that catered for the

Ravi B

Nadia Batson

children. They can now look forward to exciting games, trampolines and other fun activities.

Then on April 3, Good Friday, the Gospel Concert

will be held. On Saturday, the finals of the football tournament will be hosted, and some eight teams are expected to compete for the title.

This will be followed by

the customary Street Party in the evening, which is expected to be “off the hook”.

Sunday’s activities will kick-off with the annual “Run Bartica Run” road race around the community. Afterwards, patrons will head down to the beach for the power-boat races that will feature prominent participants such as Dave Scott and Neil Gonsalves.

This year, there will be no hold-over for the boat races, unless the weather and water conditions do not favour the completion of the races. The fashion show will follow in the evening, complete with a showstopper that will be auctioned off, and the proceeds will go towards a local

non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Bartica.

Then on Monday, patrons can wind down throughout the day as they enjoy the mining community before heading to the Community Centre in the night for the “Wash Down” Chutney/Soca Concert, which will feature local and international artistes. The sensational and energetic party boss ‘Ravi B’ is slated to perform alongside Nadia Batson and other local artistes.

Sponsors for the Bartica Regatta Weekend include: BK International, Banks DIH, Digicel, ANSA McAL Trading, DDL and RY Mining.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 31, 2015

SELMAN CONCEDES...

Only APNU+AFC stood to benefit from Crum-Ewing’s assassination

– labels Granger, Greenidge leadership style autocratic FORMER Member of Parliament (MP) under the umbrella of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Africo Selman, believes that based on a strictly analytical perspective she is in agreement with former President Bharrat Jagdeo that the political Opposition stood to benefit from the execution of Courtney Crum-Ewing.

The activist was shot and killed in Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) earlier this month and was at the time using a bullhorn urging people to vote on May 11.

Selman’s comments come a day after Jagdeo took to the podium at the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) rally over the weekend at the Kitty Market Square and suggested that the Opposition stood to benefit from Crum-Ewing’s killing.

Mounting the PPP/C’s platform for the first time since resigning from APNU, Selman during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle yesterday stated that her conclusion has nothing to do with any political

persuasion and points out that the slain man was in fact an Opposition activist.

She suggested that the PPP/C would have absolutely nothing to gain from being a part of Crum-Ewing’s killing, saying that the analytical conclusion points to the Opposition benefiting.

By Tajeram Mohabir

section of New Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara while using a bullhorn in encouraging residents to vote.

Dr Jagdeo, expressing disgust over the incident, said Crum-Ewing, whether he was a patriot or a criminal, did not deserve to die.

“But I was thinking again and I think this point has been made about who benefited from this; definitely not the PPP, we have had the Kaieteur News cussing us every day and there were people who have done worse than walking around with a loud hailer cussing the PPP and nobody has touched them in this country.

They are on TV every day, but who benefits from this?

And then I couldn’t help but thinking that it sounds like a military thing,” the former President said.

Following the killing,

GRANGER’S LEADERSHIP Selman, during the brief interview with the Guyana Chronicle, also defended her decision to mount the PPP/C’s platform and fired back at the leadership of APNU, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, in particular.

She was adamant that to date she has received no offers from the PPP/C, nor is she a member of the party.

In fact, Selman told the Guyana Chronicle, she frankly does not even know how to go about becoming a member of the PPP/C. According to the former APNU Member of Parliament, who has been serving in the ranks of the Opposition since 2006, it is a policy such as free education and literacy

Prime Ministerial Candidate, Elisabeth Harper (L) along with Africo Selman following the rally on Sunday

that has attracted her to publicly support the PPP/C. She told the Guyana Chronicle the political Opposition cannot seriously preach a pro-education stance, then chop chunks of allocation from the national expenditure that has been set aside specifically for education.

NO CHOICE Confronted with the fact, she along with the other members of the Opposition voted against the allocation - Selman said she did not

have a choice.

This is something the young Parliamentarian said needs to be reformed, since one is not allowed to voice internal opposition to any of the party’s position, whether it is agreed with or not.

Ranks cannot break the party position and vote conversely or they will be dealt with condignly, according to Selman.

Pointing to the dismal leadership provided in the National Assembly by Granger et al, Selman told the

Guyana Chronicle that the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), under the leadership of Robert Corbin, would meet for hours on end before Parliamentary sittings, so as to allow for consensus positions to be taken.

This, she said, became a thing of the past under Granger’s leadership. According to Selman, when a Parliamentary sitting is called, the Opposition Members of Parliament would meet a half hour before the session actually begins at which point they are told what the voting position would be.

Such an ad hoc manner it was, according to Selman, that there were occasions where the ranks in the back benches, minutes before a vote, would be informed by the party’s Chief Whip, Amna Ally, who would turn around and signal to her colleagues whether it would be an affirmative or negative vote.

According to Selman, on matters related to finances, if a member voices a different opinion to that of Carl

Greenidge, it would be in vain.

She explained that on matters of finance, he has been appointed ‘point man’ and so whenever he adopts a position, it is a hardline stance taken.

These, she said, were among the numerous instances that led to her recent resignation from Parliament.

Selman over the weekend donned the PPP/C colours and took to the podium to urge Guyanese to return the incumbent administration.

“Never allow yourself to be deceived by the APNU+Alliance for Change (AFC), stay far away…This party is for unity, not for racial division, this party is for progress and this is the party you should all vote for,” she stressed.

She also continued to express her dissatisfaction with her treatment from the APNU and urged the youths to get themselves educated about what the PPP/C has to offer and has been doing for the development of the country.

racism,” he said.

The former President told the massive gathering at Kitty that the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the controller of the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Alliance, should not be taken for granted.

He said that they should not believe that the PNCR is “benign” and APNU+AFC Leader, retired Brigadier David Granger is harmless.

Dr Jagdeo said he respects Granger as a Guyanese, but contended that the Alliance Leader being unrepentant of the PNC’s past is disturbing.

“I will always respect Granger and everyone else, but because of his philosophy and policy, because of his unrepentant past, it is very dangerous. So today, it’s not about jumping up at

this rally, it’s about our future, it’s about the future that we want to build, it’s about how much we are willing to give over the next 45 days to protect that future, and we need all of you to give, not only of the people of this platform to go to meetings,” he said.

Jagdeo: PPP/C did not benefit from – says nation will be shocked if Crum-Ewing’s killingreal architects are revealed FOLLOWING a flood of criticism, former President Bharrat Jagdeo has distanced the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) from the killing of political activist Courtney Crum-Ewing.

He told a mammoth gathering at the Kitty Market Square on Sunday that the ruling party did not benefit from the dastardly act, but said if the police find out who killed the ex-soldier, the nation will be shocked.

Crum-Ewing, a father of three who had resided at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, died as a result of three gunshot wounds sustained to his head and two to other parts of his body, delivered at point blank range, a post-mortem report said.

He was gunned down on March 10 in the upscale

Former President, Bharrat Jagdeo

some have blamed the Government for being the architect, but Dr Jagdeo said the real authors want ex-soldiers and policemen to get angry with the PPP/C, and they are using the tragedy to aid their whisper campaign in Afro villages, like they did in 2011.

Courtney Crum-Ewing

TOOL TO MOBILISE “They need something to whisper about to mobilise people, now, the police need to find out urgently who did this and I am telling you that if they do that, you will probably be shocked to find out who killed this guy. But they need things to campaign on; their message is about

PROPAGANDA He also urged the gathering to stay strong and not to succumb to the Opposition propaganda.

“Bring out everyone, every single one of you must become an activist… like I would do, like all of us would do, you go to your neighbours and your friends, call your friends and go on Facebook and encourage every single person to come out on Elections Day and ensure that the PPP wins a resounding victory,” he urged.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

Journalists covering our cool country

COVERING our country to tell the stories of Guyanese living and breathing the pure natural air of our land, of people building and constructing their homes and buying cars and attending the University of Guyana and thriving in achieving their dreams: Oh what a great privilege and rewarding pursuit to encounter the throbbing Guyanese heart!

Journalists stand owning this opportunity to travel through our communities, to look into the eyes of our people, to see the dreams and aspirations of Guyanese, to feel the pulse of our aliveness as we launch out with boldness and courage and freedom as a 21st Century society.

Our farmers, our women escaping the trap of domestication, our children in colourful uniforms peacefully traversing village streets and hinterland rivers to attend school, this is the Guyana that breaths alive today, feeding ourselves, dressing with fashionable clothes, building stylish houses, aiming for grand careers.

And Journalists and Reporters writing for the national media own the opportunity to showcase the drama and theatre and humanity of the Guyanese soul.

A HIGHER CALLING Journalists should never, ever become stooges, or express their natural biases and prejudices in their work. Journalists should embody the noble ethics of a higher calling, a greater pursuit than merely working as puppets to their personal feelings, or kowtowing to the Editorial policy of the media organ, or commercial interests, or their friends: Journalists rise above the frailty and flaws inherent in human nature to lift us with their words, stories, documentaries, features, pictures.

As much as Journalists perform a watchdog role, this serves the high ideal of conveying in-

formation to the powers that be of what needs fixing as we work to iron out the kinks and rough edges of our socio-economic development. Never should the Journalist embark on a crusade, subjecting the public space to personal agendas.

The Journalist who approaches his or her work with arrogance, pride, ego, seeking to satisfy his or her personal beliefs in covering stories, lacks the basic ethics of the profession.

There’s no place in the repertoire of the Journalist to engage in propaganda, revenge, vengeance, or public relations, or to crusade for a certain political, social, commercial or economic viewpoint, or to represent any socio-political interest whatsoever. The ultimate belief of the Journalist is in social justice, such stories told with objective professionalism.

The job of the Journalist does not in any way align with propagating subjective irrationalities.

Rather, the job of the Journalist, the high, noble calling, is to steer clear of unfounded allegations, to insist on proof and evidence before publishing or broadcasting material that would influence the public mind.

The objective of the Journalist is to inspire and motivate the public to rise up and build our nation, to cause citizens to exercise personal responsibility in modern Guyana, to get citizens to play the role of their civic duty to engage in community transformation. The Journalist’s truth is not in tearing down society’s morale, but in lifting our nation to believe in ourselves.

The Journalist converses with the people, the public mind, and in that conversation takes the lead, and so such a sacred role calls for a profound understanding of the professional ethics of the profession.

The Journalist, in other words, cannot afford to be wantonly irresponsible, cannot go

about abusing the sacred trust of the public, in using scarce airwaves, bandwidth or print space to propagate personal insecurities, festering hatreds or narrow-minded self-interest.

GUYANESE MEDIA LANDSCAPE The Guyanese media landscape today sees scores of high profile Journalists and Reporters wantonly disregard the noble ethics of the profession, insisting on filling the national social space with their own views and emotional irrationalities couched in reports, comments, editorials and features. This ugly deformation of Journalism especially plays out online, as many take to the unstructured social media landscape to vent their irrationalities.

Guyana today offers the ambitious, enterprising, professionally-minded, ethical Journalist the grand opportunity to shape the social space of our land, to walk with our people through the rice fields and cane lands and kitchen gardens, to sit with students in a class at the University of Guyana, to travel across the Pomeroon with farmers and community entrepreneurs, to walk the new roads of villages across Berbice and Essequibo and Linden, to showcase the contemporary Guyanese story.

The Journalist owes it to the Guyanese nation, as a reward for the profound privilege of his or her sacred access to the public space, this hallowed public trust, whether through TV, radio, the Internet or newspaper or magazine, to construct stories that lift our national soul, that motivate and inspire us to know what a blessed nation we are, what a truly paradisiac land we occupy as a nation.

Too many Journalists and Reporters fill the public mind with grotesque stories, deformed opinions and undefined questions. We see crime, gore and misery fill our airwaves and newspapers, and in fact the State newspaper took a policy to avoid demotivating the Guyanese nation with constant reports of front page crimes.

DEFACING THE PUBLIC SPACE This is responsible Journalism in the State newspaper, because to take one crime, no matter how serious, and plaster it all over TV and radio and the Internet news sites and our national newspapers, is to deface the public space, taking one isolated criminal act and subjecting every single Guyanese with its horror and inhumanity. To stoop to such a low, Journalism itself becomes inhumane, inconsider-

ate and unethical.

The Journalist, in today’s free Guyanese media landscape, owns a great opportunity to exercise initiative, personal responsibility and enterprising ambition to become a national icon, a star on the social scene, not for personal grandeur, but to be able to play an influential, empowered, leadership role in shaping the public landscape and the social space.

Media technology today rewards the media practitioner who develops the essential life skills and professional ethics and story-telling expertise to design a personal brand in the public domain. Such a brand works to reward the Journalist for telling the evolving story of the people of this nation, a role that lifts the Guyanese from mundane plodding in routine rote, to aspirations of exciting personal development.

In travelling this stunning landscape to understand the Guyanese psyche, and creating inspiring stories to showcase the farmer aback of Parika to the length and breadth of the country, the Journalist designs and shapes and moulds the public space. For the journalist who does not violate and abuse this sacred trust, it’s a noble, humbling, beautiful way to live and serve.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 31, 2015

GGMC Board commences in-depth review

THE Board of Directors of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has disclosed that departments and divisions of the Commission are being reviewed with a view to bridging potential gaps within the management system that could lead to unwanted practices.

A release from the Board has said that a review of the management systems and practices for critical departments and divisions of the Commission is being undertaken due to numerous reports against the Commis-

sion and following resultant recommendations from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MNR&E).

The review by a team of consultants targets the Mines Division and the Land Management and Geological Services Divisions of the Commission to determine the coherence of the structures and functions, the adequacy of staffing, the flow of their operations and systemic problems and other conflicts and deficiencies The team of consultants is also required to investi-

gate whether the activities of the specific departments and divisions were aligned to the overall strategic plan for the sector.

The review is expected to provide critical input in the conclusion of GGMC’s Strategic Plan to be approved by the Board.

Providing the rationale for the review, the Board said that it was cognisant that any deficiencies within the management framework and current practices, can contribute to non-fulfillment of the Commission’s objectives, and can possibly lead to the presence or pos-

sibility of undesirable acts of malfeasance.

The review by a team of consultants commenced in December 2014 and the inception report, the Board said, was submitted by the review team to the Chairman of the Board of Directors Clinton Williams in February 2015.

The inception report provided insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the various departments along with areas of conflict that required specific interventions at the level of the policy makers.

Reformation of the Min-

ing Laws and Regulations to address “landlordism” and “beneficial-occupancy”; the upgrading of small scale properties to large scale properties; restructuring of the Divisions of the Commission to ensure that similar functions are not done by various divisions and ensuring the adequacy of trained and professional staff for the Commission, were some recommendations made by the consultants for the consideration of the Commission .

The consultants presented the report to stakeholders of the sector, namely,

the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) on March 24th last.

At this presentation, the critical gaps and deficiencies that were identified by the review team were highlighted along with clarifications on specific matters contained in the report.

The Board said the consultants are expected to engage the stakeholders, the GGDMA & GPSU, over the next two weeks to address areas of concern and finalise their work, the release added.

Child molester ‘Stammer’ Linden lad charged with jailed for 18 years break and enter, larceny LEYRONE Sandiford, called ‘Stammer’, two weeks ago pleaded guilty to having sex with a nine-year-old child, and Judge Franklyn Holder postponed sentence to yesterday to await a probation report.

Following the presentation of the report yesterday, the plait-haired accused was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment.

Before imposing sentence the judge not-

ed the frequency with which the particular offence is being committed and expressed the hope that the sentence imposed would have a deterrent effect upon the accused and other would be offenders.

The accused took the sentence calmly as he walked from the dock in chains to begin serving his jail sentence.

State counsel Mrs. Teshana Lake prosecuted.

Quartet facing break and enter, larceny charges FOUR men on Friday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court, to answer a joint charge of break and enter and larceny before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

The quartet, construction workers Suniel Gaj of Section C, and Chabbivnauth Persaud, 24, of Section C, Andrew Calendar, along with Jamal James, all of Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Particulars of the charge said between March 15 and 25 at Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, he broke and entered the dwelling house of Nankishore Deoraj and stole two toilet bowl sets and two complete sink sets, together valued $98,000.

The prosecution alleged that on March 15, Deoraj secured his house, leaving the articles mentioned in the charge intact.

On his return on March 25, he discovered

one of his windows broken. However, subsequent checks revealed that the articles stated were missing. The matter was reported to the Grove Police station and ranks acting on information, went to Gaj’s home where they found the items. He was then arrested and investigations revealed that the defendants were jointly soliciting markets for the items.

According to Gaj, he was at a Chinese shop when a man offered him the items to buy and he bought them. After his explanation, a not guilty plea was recorded.

Police Corporal Bharat Mangru, prosecuting, opposed bail on the grounds that the police are investigating several other matters in which the men are allegedly involved. He added that if granted bail, the accused men may not return to answer the charges.

The prosecution’s objection was upheld and the matter was transferred to the Providence Court.

AN unemployed young man Ameila’s Ward, he also of Lot 6 Constabulary Combroke and entered the house pound, Linden, was on Friof Royston Leon and stole day remanded to prison one music set, and one

by Chief Magistrate Priya television set amongst other Sewnarine-Beharry on four items valued $479,000. counts of break and enter The teenager who and larceny. resides with his parents Martin Fraser, 18, pleadwas represented by attored not guilty to the charges, ney-at-law Mr. Gordon Gilone of which said that behuys who requested bail tween January 28 and 30, at for his client, stating that he South Amelia’s Ward, Lintook him to the station conden, he broke and entered the cerning an assault charge, house of Dian Phillips and however, Fraser is now stole a refrigerator amongst Defendant Martin Fraser charged with breaking and other items, together valued entering offences. $195,000.

Defence counsel said he also represents The second charge stated that between the other accused persons being charged January 29 and 30, at Central Amelia’s with the said offences. He brought to the Ward, Linden, he broke and entered the court’s attention that, when other accused dwelling house of Nikesha Fiedtkou and persons made their first appearances in court, carted off a quantity of electronics which the charge involving Jennings totalled over include one Avantie refrigerator, two Vasko $1M and now the amount has changed to fans and one HP Laptop computer, together over $4 M. valued $329,000.

Police Prosecutor Bergette Grant sucAnother charge said that between Oc- cessfully opposed bail on the grounds of the tober 28 and 30, 2014 at Linden, he broke nature and prevalence of the offence. and entered the dwelling house of Lennard Counsel further argued that he took his Jennings and stole one Sharp television set, client himself to the station, after the prosone DSM Modem, one Cooler box, one gold ecutor had informed the court that he was chain, two gold earrings and one gold and arrested and then taken to the police station. diamond earring, together valued over $4 M. Bail was refused and the matter was And finally, it is alleged that between transferred to the Linden Magistrates' January 25 and February 1 at Phase Three, Court for today.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

Ramkarran criticisms based on ‘pathological hate’

JAGDEO SAYS...

– that Cheddi Jagan’s integrity ‘unquestioned’ “PATHOLOGICAL hate” was the term used by former president, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, to rationalise the distortion of his comments made two weeks ago by former PPP member, Ralph Ramkarran.

During a press conference on March 9 when he’d fielded questions about his perceived wealth among other matters, the former president had pointed out that living in a “nice house” does not weaken one’s commitment to the “cause” at hand.

He used as a fitting example of what he meant the fact that though People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) founder, Dr Cheddi Jagan, had lived relatively comfortably, yet he remained committed to the goal of a better life for all Guyanese.

Ramkarran subsequently penned a column that up-

braided Dr Jagdeo for comparing his lifestyle to that of Dr Jagan. The daughter of Dr Jagan, Nadira Jagan-Brancier, quoting Ramkarran, subsequently expressed similar sentiments in the letters column of at least two dailies.

At his most recent engagement with the media last Saturday at Freedom House, Dr Jagdeo laid blame for the ensuing brouhaha squarely at Ramkarran’s door.

“The mischief started with Ralph Ramkarran,” he said.

According to Dr Jagdeo, had he read the former PPP member’s column, his response would have been similar to that of Dr Jagan’s daughter or even harsher.

The former president said: “Ramkarran pathologically hates me. For three years he has been criticising me and to stay relevant again,

he deliberately distorted what I said. “…if you read my statement I made it clear that Dr Cheddi Jagan’s integrity is above board, that he is a person of high moral standard.”

Dr Jagdeo surmised that this “hate” could be based on the fact that he supported incumbent President Donald Ramotar as the presidential nominee in 2011, not Ramkarran.

INTEGRITY UNQUESTIONED He stressed too the integrity of Dr Jagan was never a question, when asked if he was back-pedalling on his March 9 comments.

“I would be the last person to question the integrity of Dr Jagan!” said an emphatic Dr Jagdeo.

The integrity of Ramkarran on the other hand, accord-

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo explaining his position to media operatives yesterday at Freedom House (Adrian Narine photo)

ing to the former president, is what is currently in question.

He referred to a recent expose that liked the former speaker to fraudulent activities that spans at least four Caribbean territories.

“Those who present themselves as the conscience of the PPP must ensure they

are pure and lily white and Ramkarran is far from pure or lily white,” he charged, declining to comment further given that the courts are involved.

Dr Jagdeo added: “Some of the reasons why he hates us so much is that we will not cover this up. We will

speak up.”

The former president surmised that Ramkarran’s “attacks” will not stop and he chalked up this expectation to his, as well as the political Opposition’s “obsession” with him.

However, he maintained that his comments were distorted and stressed that he would never malign the integrity of Dr Jagan, particularly considering that it was Dr Jagan who had afforded him the opportunities to serve in the capacities he had served, as well as the fact that he spent enough time working and travelling with Dr Jagan to know first-hand of his commitment to his country.

Former President Jagdeo assumed Office in 1999 from Mrs Janet Jagan, the wife of the Dr Cheddi Jagan, and served for 12 years until 2011. Prior to that he served as Minister of Finance. Dr Jagdeo was mentored by the late Dr Jagan. (Vanessa Narine)

IRO plugs peace pact among political parties Linden Town Week set for April 25 - May 4

IN a strategic effort to ensure that peaceful and responsible political campaigning and elections are held in Guyana, members of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) met with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) last Tuesday to initiate discussions on ways in which the Commission can assist the IRO in its peace initiatives at this time.

Signing a peace pact is one critical action the IRO indicated it would like all political parties to be a part while contesting the General and Regional Elections on May 11, 2015, a press release stated.

Several other peace building initiatives, as well as their involvement in civic and voter education were also raised by the IRO. GECOM’s Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally welcomed the initiatives outlined by the IRO and promised that the Commission would provide

any help needed by the IRO, within a knowledge sharing framework of election processes and civic and voter education issues.

Dr. Surujbally also outlined the process for organisations applying for and being granted Domestic Observer Status during the May 11 elections. In so doing, he carefully underscored some of the key areas to which potential domestic observers must adhere as they get about their respective activities during Election Day.

KEEP THE PEACE GECOM recognises that violence has no place in democratic elections. Therefore, the Commission would like to echo the call of the IRO in encouraging political parties and supporters alike to behave responsibly, to engage each other with mutual respect, and to refrain from all words and/or actions which may have a tendency to incite, support or provoke any

kind of violence – before, during, or after the votes have been counted. Citizens have a responsibility and a right to keep the peace, no matter who wins.

Representing the IRO was its Chairman, Rev. Ronald Mc Garrell, Ms. Jennifer Dwar (Secretary), Mr. Neal Bacchus (Assistant Secretary), Mr. Krishnalall Persaud (Vice Chairman), Mr. Rajmatti Nauth (Treasurer) and Pastor Wendell Jeffrey (PRO).

GECOM was led by its Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally. Other key GECOM personnel in attendance were Chief Election Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Election Officer, Mr. Vishnu Persaud; Legal Officer, Ms. Juanita Barker; Public Relations Officer, Mr. Richard Francois; Commissioner Sandra Jones; Commissioner Mahmood Shaw; Commissioner Athmaram Mangar; and Commissioner Charles Corbin.

– ‘Ms Big and Beautiful’ carded for April 30 DEVINE Entertainment has the exclusive franchise for the Linden Town Week event, and the group has been working around the clock to make sure that it is well-coordinated and executed.

And activities will be held in various villages in the mining community.

The list of activities, which will be held in various wards of the town, will commence on Saturday, April 25 with three exciting events: The Bob Semple Yankee Party; Wisroc Village Day; and the most anticipated Miss Linden Town Week Pageant.

There will be several other activities aimed at assisting the elderly, including the Senior Citizens' Luncheon.

Reunions, a visual arts exhibition, Labour Day March, Heritage Day and Culinary Display are among the other events slated to enliven the community.

Meanwhile, the children will not be left out, since there will be a variety of educational activities during the weeklong celebrations, including Job Fair, Essay Competition, Spelling B, Health Fair, Fitness Walk and Storytelling.

MISS BIG AND BEAUTIFUL The most talked-about event of the week, the Miss Big and Beautiful Pageant, is set for April 30 at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground.

The final events of the week of celebrations are the Kiddies Fair and the International Concert, featuring Demarco, Daune Stephenson, Skinny Fabulous, Jumo Primo, Lil J, George Abrams, Jackie Jaxx and Rawlo, also slated for April 30, followed by the Big Wash Down the next day at Watooka Pool.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Andrew ‘Six-Head’– now Lewis ‘suffers’ declares support memory blackout for APNU+AFC

By Tajeram Mohabir LESS than a week after declaring his endorsement of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), former world boxing champion Andrew ‘SixHead’ Lewis has recanted this statement, saying that he is now firmly behind

the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) alliance.

Lewis, at a PPP/C rally in Albouystown last Monday, had told the Guyana Chronicle in the presence of former Labour Minister, Mr Manzoor Nadir that he endorses the ruling party, and

is on board to ‘knock out’ the APNU+AFC alliance.

On his bold disclosure, he was invited by Nadir to make the declaration at the podium, but declined, opting instead to remain a low-profile supporter.

During the conversation, Lewis told this publication that the PPP/C is

a people-oriented party, which has always been there for him, and he will never turn his back on the ruling administration.

The PPP/C, he said, was there for him when he won the World Championship, supporting him as a poor youth from Albouystown, hungry for success in a

clean way, and he would encourage the underprivileged to vote for the Cup on May 11.

Lewis also said that he is not too familiar with the leaders of the Alliance, but from all indications; they appear to be opportunists and not suitable people to lead the country.

Following his ‘endorsement’, the former boxing champion came in for some harsh criticism on social media, with one post questioning his fighting ability of late.

It was noted that Lewis last fought about 10 years ago, and during the encounter he failed to knock out his opponent, and instead came close to suffering a bowel disruption in the ring.

The former boxing champ, apparently moved by the pillorying, on Sunday told another section of the media that he never said he endorses the ruling administration.

“I don’t know you can take my picture and say I endorse a party just so.

This is a scandal, a lie. I am with the APNU+AFC

Former world boxing champion, Andrew ‘Six-Head’ Lewis

coalition. They have lied on me making I look like I disrespect people who look up to me. No. I can’t do that…

People are saying people in Guyana suffering, people getting killed and I’m going with the PPP. It’s not true,” Lewis reportedly said.

Given the former boxi n g c h a m p i o n ’s l a t e s t pronouncements, it appears as though he was not knocked out, but ‘suffered’ a memory blackout from the stinging rebuke on social media.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Wednesday, April 1, 2015 - 14:30 hrs Thursday, April 2, 2015 - 14:30 hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

‘Kite Man’ sets up shop in Buxton

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--gainfully employs some 20 youths

This young man proudly displays the kite he has made from scratch Kite frames all made by Marvin Cole

By Michel Outridge THIRTY-eight-year-old Marvin Cole is all about making children happy, and he does it in his own special way -- with kites, in all colours, sizes and shapes.

The father of nine told the Guyana Chronicle that every year, as the Easter holiday approaches, he

will close shop on Easter Monday.

He disclosed that he enjoys kite making because the youths in the village would come around and assist him. At the same time, they would engage him in pleasant conversation, and it gives them something to do when school is closed.

Cole said his very first kite flying experience had

would apply for his annual leave from his full-time job at the Ministry of Public Works and spend about two weeks making kites for sale.

Cole said that kite making is a ‘side hustle’ for him, and it attracts some 20 youths to his kite tent, which he locates at Public Road, Buxton in the vicinity of Church of God Road.

In that tent, there are kites of all descriptions, made of both plastic and kite paper imported from Brazil and from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to be used in kite-making.

Cole and his team of youths have been at the location for about eight days, and they will spend about two weeks at the venue, but

been short-lived, because he was gifted a Chinese kite, and before he could get it into the air, it broke, and he was very disappointed.

That experience motivated him to start making durable kites, so the children of today will have a good experience at kite-flying, and not suffer the way he had.

He added that, in 1988, he decided to get into the kite-making business; and he started off making pointer broom kites in various shapes, which were a hit as he walked around the village selling them. He said if there is a special kite one would want, he can make it.

Turn to page 14

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

‘Kite Man’ sets up ...

From page 13

Marvin Cole posed with several of his kites at his kite tent last Friday

Marvin Cole with several youths at his kite tent displaying some of the kites they made for sale Based on orders, Cole said, he can make from the smallest to the largest kite. He normally makes kites ranging in size from one-footers to five-footers, in both plastic and kite paper. He Kites galore in a kaleidoscope of colours (Photos by Samuel Maughn) and his team make about 30 kites

per day.

There are more than 1,200 kites at his tent, but before the Easter season ends, Cole averages, he and his team would have made about 2,000 kites for sale, starting from $800 and going

to as much as $10,000.

Cole says that plastic kites are more durable and suitable for children than their paper counterparts, because if it rains, they do not get soaked and soggy; therefore, they would last longer.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday, March 31, 2015

SmartSure Guyana app launched for easier marketing

WITH the intention of making shopping and marketing easier, Guyanese Sheldon Blair has just launched his SmartSure Guyana Mobile APP. This new initiative, according to Blair, was formulated since many Guyanese shop online and are more prone to do so because of

their geographical locations.

He feels that Guyanese are in dire need of this service since it makes their shopping ventures much easier and simple.

With plans to cover the entire Caribbean, the app will be launched in Antigua this August, as well as in Trinidad and Tobago. Plans

are onboard to use this forum to link the entire Caribbean together via this app.

The newly-created app called ‘Smart Sure Guyana’ by local IT Solution company ’Broadlink Development’, was launched on March 20th.

The mobile app is an e-commerce solution dedicated to all Guyanese.

SmartSure Guyana App is the first of its kind on the mobile platform and e-commerce industry in Guyana and the Caribbean. The new mobile app allows online shopping (buy, sell and bid) on items locally.

All payments for the SmartStore are secured by PayPal Inc., which makes

CEO of Broadlink Development, Sheldon Blair

the app a comfort to users so they can enjoy shopping with confidence in the palm of their hands.

The Mobile App also features a News & Sports section powered by Demerara Waves and News Source Guyana and in addition, entertainment updates powered by the Guyana Chronicle Online.

SmartSure Guyana mobile app has some key highlights: ● Live Radio Player (Free Streaming of HJ 94.1 Boom FM &Radio Guyana) ● Real Estate (Property listing for houses, apartments and office spaces) ● Vehicle Showroom (Listing of vehicles for sale in Guyana) ● Online Orders (Ordering

from other websites e.g. Amazon & eBay) ● Cellphone Top-up (Local top-up for Digicel and GT&T subscribers) ● Employment Listings ( Local employment opportunities ) CEO of Broadlink Development, Blair, disclosed that SmartSure Antigua mobile app should be releasing in May 2015, followed by Trinidad in July 2015. The SmartSure services aim to create a localised mobile solution for countries in the Caribbean.

Smartphones & Tablet users will be able to reach markets across their respective country and around the Caribbean in the near future using SmartSure mobile apps.

Welder granted bail for forgery

A thirty-eight-year-old welder of Lot 260 Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, was on Friday placed on $50,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a forgery charge.

Ramdeo Persaud pleaded not guilty to the charge that said between March 12 and 24 at Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he conspired with person or persons unknown, to forge one Republic of

Guyana passport purporting to show that same was issued by the Central Immigration and Passport Office.

He was represented by attorney-at-law Mr. Peter Hugh, who requested reasonable bail .

Persaud was ordered to report to the subordinate officer (SO) at the Criminal Headquarters, Eve Leary, every Friday.

The matter stands adjourned to April 17.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

Man gets one month for assault causing actual bodily harm DESHAWN Pitt was on Friday sentenced to one month imprisonment by city Magistrate Annett Singh for assaulting to cause actual bodily harm, a man he accused of “selling him out.”

Pitt during his appearance denied the allegation that on February 3 at Georgetown, he assaulted Edward Dowridge to cause him actual bodily harm.

According to prosecutor Adonni Innis on the day in question, the two parties had an argument over a traffic ticket, with Pitt accusing the man of “snitching” to the police. Pitt became annoyed and dealt the man several cuffs to his head, which rendered him unconscious.

Innis noted that when the man recovered, he reported the matter to the Stabroek Police Outpost, where Pitt

voluntarily surrendered.

After he was found guilty, Pitt begged for leniency, stating that his parents have passed away and he is the sole provider for his two siblings.

The magistrate considered the extenuating circumstance before handing down her sentence for an offence which carries a maximum penalty of 18 months imprisonment.

Chopped prisoner granted bail – says fears for his life in prison ROBBERY accused, Tambico Mackenzie, who was recently chopped in the Camp Street prison was granted $75,000 bail by city Magistrate Judy Latchman on Friday.

Mackenzie was remanded to prison early in February after he and his accomplice, William Evans, were accused of robbing a woman of a gold chain, gold and diamond ring, three gold bands and an Apple iPhone, worth a total of $370,000. The robbery reportedly occurred on February 6 at Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt Park.

The duo when caught were found with the articles in their possession. The three gold bands were found on McKenzie while the other items were recovered from Evans.

Mackenzie showed the magistrate several gashes to his face and about his body, for which he still needed to seek proper medical attention. He also told the court that he fears for his life while being an inmate at the prison. Bail was granted to the defendant, while his accomplice remains on remand.

According to reports

on Thursday, March 19 at the prison, Mackenzie was brutally attacked by two inmates who entered his cell while he was asleep and dealt him several chops about his body with an improvised weapon, fashioned from components of steel beds inside the prison. After the chopping incident, that reportedly stemmed from an argument earlier in the day with his attackers who were placed in isolation, Mackenzie was kept at the correctional facility and treated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

We’ll get better for the World Cup Qualifiers – Danns ... Briggs looking to recruit players of similar calibre in England

By Rawle Toney ENGLISH duo Matthew Briggs and Neil Danns earned their first international caps, playing for Golden Jaguars in Guyana’s 2-0 win over Grenada at the Guyana National Stadium last Sunday.

It was both players’ first visit to Guyana, only knowing of the country through their families. For Danns, he’s eligible through his grandfather and Briggs, thanks to his mother.

Ever since landing in Guyana last week, the two players have spoken profoundly of the treatment and reception given by fellow teammates but more importantly, the embrace by the fans.

With Guyana set to face St Vincent and the Grenadines in June, Briggs and Danns have

already committed their services to the Golden Jaguars and have said they will be part of the winning formula for the Jamaal Shabazzcoached squad.

Danns, the Bolton Wanderers dapper midfield player, enjoyed a superb night on the pitch, playing a role in both goals scored in the game by Pernell Schultz (18th, 32nd minutes).

“We know that we can get better and the game was just test for us,” Danns said after the game, adding, “We’re all playing together for the first time so hopefully we keep growing and learning about each other’s game and come the World Cup Qualifiers we’ll be even better.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Briggs, who still holds the English Premier League (EPL) record

for being the youngest player to feature in the League when he, at age 16 years 65 days, turned out for Fulham, said that for him, the experience was one which will leave a memory to last a life time.

The Colchester United FC (on loan from Millwall FC) defender was the crowd favourite on the pitch, mesmerising the thousands in attendance with resolute defending in the left back position and showing off his attacking skills.

On a play that could have seen him score his first international goal, Briggs was brought down by harsh play and upon getting back to his feet, the crowd all stood and cheered loudly in satisfaction.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Briggs pointed out: “We just have to keep growing and gelling

together as a team and encouraging more players overseas to join us so we can take this nation all the way.”

He emphasised that the team has the potential to better their performance in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers where the Golden Jaguars had advanced to play Mexico, Costa Rica and El Salvador but insisted that it would take a unified effort and the help of some top players overseas.

Shabazz, commenting on the pair’s performance both on and off the pitch, lauded the Englishmen for the level of professionalism shown and also said, “It’s so important what they have brought to the table in terms of helping the younger players; it makes us very confident going forward.”

Guyana Beverage Company joins Petra Organisation to launch ‘Busta Soft Shoe Football’ tournament

By Rawle Toney

A NEW form of football will be introduced to Guyana, as Petra Organisation yesterday teamed up with Guyana Beverage Company to stage its Busta Soft Shoe Football tournament.

Twenty-four teams, all from Georgetown, will be placed into six groups of four. At the end of the group stage, the top two teams along with the best four third-place finishers will advance to the knockout stage.

Ten players, the maximum, can be registered but only five will be allowed on the field which measures 50ft x 3ft and with the goal being 12ft x 6ft. No football cleats, only sneakers or turf will be the footwear required. $600 000 will be up for grabs for the winners of the inaugural event, while second-placers get $300 000. Third and fourth pocket $200 000 and $100 000 respectively.

Winners of the group will also be given $25 000, second-place group finishers $15 000, third $10 000 and fourth $5 000.

North East La Penitence, North, Brazilian Team, Stevedore Housing Scheme, Festival City, Alexander Village, West Front Road - Gold is Money, Ruimveldt, West Back Road, Sophia, Queen Street Tiger Bay, Holmes Street Tiger Bay, Albouystown, Tucville, Globe Yard, Leopold Street, Cross Street, Kitty, Bent Street, D’Urban Street, Sparta Boss, Charlestown, Broad Street, California Square and Back Circle are the participating teams.

Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, the Ministry of Education ground and Tucville Community Centre ground will be the venues used in the tournament.

Robert Selman, Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company, said that the tournament brings back profound memories of his childhood, playing on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago.

Selman, who’s known for his continued generosity to sports, is of the opinion that the tournament will allow those who are not playing or can’t afford to play for ‘top team’, a chance to cash in on the lucrative tournament in which the company has invested $4M. “I know it will be a hit in the country and the players will come out and represent their villages and the streets where they live,” Selman said, full of optimism for a successful staging of the inaugural event.

Co-Director of Petra Organisation and tournament Coordinator

Guyana Beverage Company Managing Director Robert Selman hands over the winning trophy for the inaugural ‘Busta Soft Shoe Football’ tournament to Petra Organisation’s Troy Mendonca yesterday.

Troy Mendonca said that his entity is pleased to be “associated with a grass-roots initiative” and spoke of the sport’s popularity in Europe.

Mendonca said that the sport is one which also opens up for spectators’ interaction and upon paid entry to the various venues, a bottle of Busta soft drink will be given to the person.

Racing Tips

11:20 hrs Mondo Cane

13:25 hrs Viuking Hero

English Racing Tips

11:55 hrs Two Swallows

12:00 hrs First Dance

Exeter

Southwell

12:35 hrs Gold Bank

09:00 hrs Murty’s Delight

09:20 hrs Sellingallthetime

15:10 hrs N oor Dubai

09:35 hrs Ohio Gold

10:25 hrs Spowarticus

10:05 hrs Tom Neary

11:00 hrs Caged Lightning

10:40 hrs Roll The Dice 11:10 hrs River Dancing 11:45 hrs Billy My Boy

11:30 hrs Sherian 12:05 hrs With Hindsight

15:45 hrs Woody Glow German Racing Tips Krefeld 10:55 hrs Navigator

South Africa Racing Tips

11:25 hrs Hippocrene

Turffontein

11:55 hrs Jogi’s Boy

11:05 hrs Artic Blast

12:25 hrs Lavolo

09:45 hrs Flash Crash

11:40 hrs A Million Dreams

12:55 hrs Alexandre

10:15 hrs Ultimatum Roy

12:15 hrs Lady On Fire

13:25 hrs Big Moon

10:50 hrs A Little Bit Dusty

12:50 hrs Formal Request

14:10 hrs Key

12:15 hrs Aerial Huntingdon 09:10 hrs Southfield Royale

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

New Zealanders dominate World Cup team-of-the-tournament (REUTERS) - Five players from World Cup runnersup New Zealand and three from winners Australia were named in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) team-of-the-tournament yesterday.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was joined by fellow Kiwis Martin Guptill, Corey Anderson, Daniel Vettori and Trent Boult following their team’s brilliant run to the final.

Australia, who crushed their neighbours by seven wickets in the showpiece match in Melbourne on Sunday, were represented by batsman Steven Smith, all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and pace bowler Mitchell Starc, who was named player-of-the-tournament.

South Africans AB de Villiers and Morne Morkel and Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara completed the side with Zimbabwe’s Brendan Taylor named as 12th man.

“The panel had an extremely difficult choice of selecting a 12-member squad at the back of an outstanding tournament, highlighted by some eye-catching individual performances including two double-centuries, 38 centuries, two hat-tricks and 28 four-wicket hauls,” ICC general manager Geoff Allardice said.

New Zealand’s Trent Boult (C) is surrounded by team mates as they celebrate dismissing Australia’s Aaron Finch for a duck during their Cricket World Cup final match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Sunday. (Reuters/Hamish Blair)

Woods drops out of world’s top 100 (REUTERS) - Tiger Woods has dropped outside the top 100 in the world golf rankings for the first time since 1996.

The 39-year-old former world number one and 14-time major champion, who has not played since pulling out of the Farmer’s Open in early February due to back problems, has slipped to 104th in the

Williams sisters head into last eight in Miami

By Simon Evans

Azhar Ali

Pakistan name Azhar as one-day captain

(REUTERS) - Pakistan have named Azhar Ali as their one-day captain following the retirement of Misbah-ul-Haq from one-day internationals after this month’s World Cup. Azhar, 30, played the last of his 14 one-day internationals over two years ago but is a regular in the Test side batting at

number three.

“In view of his character, leadership and team spirit, the decision has been made to make Azhar new ODI captain,” Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shahryar Khan told reporters in Lahore yesterday.

Pakistan lost to hosts Australia by six wickets in the World Cup quarterfinals 10 days ago.

Tiger Woods rankings.

The American first topped the list in 1997 and has spent 683 weeks as world number one, more than twice as long as any other player.

Woods’ last major title was the 2008 U.S. Open but he won five PGA Tour events in 2013 and topped the rankings in May 2014 before suffering injury problems and a loss of form.

He shot a round of 82 at the Phoenix Open in January, the worst of his professional career.

Woods hopes to return to play in next week’s U.S. Masters, the first major of the year.

MIAMI, Florida (Reuters) - Sisters Serena and Venus Williams marched into the quarter-finals of the Miami Open after straight-set wins at Key Biscayne yesterday.

World number one Serena beat 24th seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-3 producing 29 winners and 20 unforced errors.

Kuznetsova, who owns two grand slam titles, had beaten Serena twice in their previous nine meetings but the outcome of this contest never looked in doubt.

“I know Svetlana is super tough and we always have super tough matches,” said Serena.

“It seems like I’m cruising but don’t think I’m cruising. I

Serena Williams have my matches and I’m really focused in my matches because all these players I play are really good,” she added.

Serena has now won 18 straight matches and she is looking to add to her seven titles in Miami with her third straight triumph after winning in 2013 and 2014.

Venus continued a winning streak of her own -- making it seven wins in seven against fellow former world number one Caroline Wozniacki with a 6-3, 7-6(1) victory.

The win also made it seven wins in her last eight against top 10 opponents, highlighting Venus’s return to form after her health problems.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

Power reigns supreme at 11th World Cup

By Nick Mulvenney

MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) - The ICC hailed the 11th Cricket World Cup the “most popular ever” and although most neutrals would have preferred New Zealand to win Sunday’s final, there is no doubt Australia were worthy of their fifth title.

Michael Clarke’s side had the best blend of deep batting, strong fielding and, most importantly, wickettaking bowlers which made them fitting winners of a tournament where power was king.

The big hitters, extraordinary batsmen like New Zealand’s Brendon McCullum, South Africa’s AB de Villiers and Australia’s Glenn Maxwell, lit up the tournament and showed how much the 50-over game has transformed.

With improvised shots that sometimes defy conventional description, they punctured the boundary at all points as six became the new four while 400 became the new 300.

And popular it was.

Fans crammed into grounds all over Australia and New Zealand in their hundreds of thousands - the final tally for all 49 matches was just over a million - and record numbers tuned in around the world on TV. Yet when the last six had been hit, the final batting power play concluded and the majority of the 93 013 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground were celebrating a home win. the Player-of-the-Tournament was left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc.

TAKING WICKETS The Australian was, by consensus, a worthy recipient.

The days of containing batting sides in one-day cricket appear to be over and the best way to stop runs being scored is now simply to take wickets.

Starc took 22 at the cost of just over 10 runs apiece, his stingy average putting him ahead of New Zealand’s Trent Boult, who formed the most dangerous new ball attack in the tournament with Tim Southee.

New Zealand’s aggressive play was a major highlight in a pool stage that took a month to whittle 14 teams down to eight.

Afghanistan made a welcome World Cup debut and secured their maiden victory over Scotland in a Dunedin thriller, while Ireland beat West Indies and Zimbabwe only to miss out on the knockout stage in the final game of the pool phase.

Both advanced the cause of the “associate members” though their battle to prevent the ICC reducing the number of teams in the 2019 tournament to 10 is one they look like losing.

England came and went unloved and unmourned after a calamitous campaign in which they failed to beat any of their Test-playing opponents.

Jason Holder’s West Indies scraped into the last eight only to be pounded into the ground by New Zealand, for whom Martin Guptill scored a record 237 not out, surpassing Chris Gayle’s bludgeoning 215 earlier in the tournament.

Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin holds aloft the Cricket World Cup trophy alongside team mates after they defeated New Zealand in the final match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday. (Reuters/Hamish Blair) Likewise, Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara proved that prolific batting could still be about stroke play and not just destructive violence with an ODI record four successive centuries in his and Mahela Jayawardene’s last campaign.

Misbah-ul-haq’s Pakistan briefly revived memories of their triumphant 1992 campaign by starting poorly before storming into the knockout stages only to bow out to Australia.

Champions India brushed off a poor run-up to the tournament to romp

unbeaten into the semifinals, where they too fell victim to Australia’s pace with skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni conceding they had done well to get that far.

South Africa went some way to shedding the ‘chokers’ tag by winning their first World Cup knockout match in the quarter-final against Sri Lanka only to re-acquire it after defeat to New Zealand in the semis.

That Eden Park match, decided on the penultimate ball by a Grant Elliott six, was sporting drama at its very best, even if it was

Major Pompey elected head of DVA THE Demerara Volleyball Association (DVA) recently held elections to fill vacant positions on the board, namely the positions of president, assistant secretarytreasurer, treasurer and Public Relations Officer.

Major Andy Pompey was elected unanimously as the president of the body to govern volleyball in the county, while Kevin Vieira was voted in as assistant secretary/ treasurer, Jana Edghill as treasurer

and Allana Bose as the Public Relations Officer.

President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) John Flores witnessed the process and congratulated the newly elected members and urged them to take small bites and to focus on volleyball at the grassroots level.

The meeting also saw the handingover of volleyball nets and balls to the newly elected DVA president.

NOTABLE DATES

Public Relations Officer of the GVF, Mark Bradford (left), presents a volleyball to newly elected president of the DVA in the presence of GVF president John Flores.

T&T champion cyclist passes on PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - Champion Trinidad and Tobago matchsprint cyclist Clive Gardiner passed away on Saturday after a brief illness, according to media reports here. Gardiner, 65, represented T&T at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Clive Gardiner represented T&T at the Canada and in the same year participated in Commonwealth Games in Canada and the Central American and Caribbean Games the CAC games in Colombia in the same (CAC) in Colombia. year. (Picture courtesy of Express)

the only one of the seven knockout matches that proved a contest.

Australia skipper Clarke bowed out of the 50-over game a world champion for a second time after the final, hoping quitting one-dayers might extend his career in Test cricket, which he still regards as the pinnacle of the game.

While he is not alone in that thought among the game’s purists, the 2015 World Cup proved, if nothing else, there is still a place in cricket for a format between the Test and Twenty20 games.

Gardiner won two national match-sprint titles competing for the Vello Club after spending ten years with the Barbican Wheelers.

In 1977, at the National Championships, he staged an upset by winning the match sprint against pre-race favourite, Ian Atherly and repeated the feat in 1978, again against Atherly.

Gardiner retired from competitive cycling in 1979.

LIGHTWEIGHT Lennox Blackmoore upgraded his record to 2-0 when he defeated Roy Smith on March 31, 1974. `Blackie’ had turned pro two months earlier. He defeated Smith via a decision in the four-rounder. However, the talented counter-puncher tasted defeat in his next fight held in May. Fighting against `Tiger’ Green, the crafty Blackmoore lost by points after six rounds. It was one of four fights he had with Green and the only loss to his nemesis.

Blackmoore won the national lightweight title in June 1975 after knocking out Green in the 14th round. He met Jonathan Dele on October 1, 1977 in Lagos, Nigeria with the Commonwealth lightweight title at stake.

Blackmoore’s record was 13-1 at the time and his performance in Lagos sparked wild celebrations back home, as he was crowned champion after defeating Dele on points.

He later challenged WBA super lightweight champion Aaron `The Hawk’ Pryor in June 1981 but came out on the wrong side. Once considered one of the best counter-punchers in the business, the Guyanese was in trouble from the opening bell. Pryor gave no room for his taller opponent to settle and knocked him down several times in the brief encounter to win by a TKO in round two.

Blackmoore engaged in his last professional battle in June 1986 when he defeated Wayne Harris to be crowned Guyana’s super welterweight champion. He is currently training fighters at the Gleason’s Gym in New York.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

KKR threaten to pull-out of IPL 8 over Sunil Narine clearance issue

By Jayanta Oinam |

NEW DELHI, India The eighth edition of cash-rich Indian Premier League is merely nine days away, but the champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are yet to settle in for their title defence.

According to reports, the Kolkata-based franchise has unresolved issues with the organisers of the tournament, the all-powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding

two matches during KKR’s 2014 Champions League Twenty20 campaign, where they finished runners-up to Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

His bowling action was first reported in the semifinal against the Hobart Hurricanes that resulted in his missing out the final against the CSK, which KKR lost by eight wickets.

According to BCCI rules, a player who has been reported for suspect action cannot play in the

test in Loughborough, which was approved by the International Cricket Council (ICC), despite the sport’s governing body staying away from conducting the test.

However, the Indian board has refused to accept ICC’s letter of clearance and insisted on conducting another round of tests at the Sri Ramachandra University in Chennai.

In the light of these latest developments, KKR’s team management

Sunil Narine one of their star players, Sunil Narine.

The reports said that KKR are even considering a pull-out from the 2015 edition over the West Indian spinner’s clearance issue.

The 27-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago was banned for his suspect action for a second time in

competitions sanctioned by the Indian board.

Subsequent to that, he was not considered for the West Indies’ tour of India last November and the offie pulled himself out of the 2015 ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Narine underwent a biomechanical

feels that the Indian board is targeting their player and if Narine is not allowed to take part in this year’s competition, they will boycott it.

The two-time champions are even considering a legal recourse to resolve the matter, reports added. (Zee Media Bureau)

Barbados to host World Cricket Festival

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) The Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival, an international tournament for semiprofessional and retired players, will be held in the Caribbean in 2017.

Barbados has won the rights to host the festival which will run from May 6 to 13 in Bridgetown.

Cricket legends, Sir Garfield Sobers and Joel Garner, have joined a delegation to promote the tournament in Cape Town, South Africa, at this year’s edition of the festival.

“What is particularly interesting about having the 2017 Golden Oldies Cricket Festival is that it takes place during the month of May, which allows us to increase arrivals during a traditionally slower month,” said Alvin Jemmott, chairman of the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI).

Joel Garner

Nahki Wells scores twice for Bermuda against Bahamas on Sunday.

Bermuda will need to step up game against Guatemala, says coach HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) - National coach Andrew Bascome says Bermuda will need to step up their game when they face Guatemala in the second round of qualifiers for the 2018 World Cup after demolishing the Bahamas 8-0 on aggregate in the first round.

Despite winning the first leg 5-0 in Nassau on Wednesday, Bermuda struggled to break down the Bahamians in the second leg at the National Sports Centre here on Sunday before notching three late goals, two from UK-based striker Nahki Wells and the other from Tyrell Burgess, to win the game 3-0.

Bascome said he was happy to see his players stick to their passing game, even when a goal looked unlikely.

“I respect the tactics of the Bahamas team - they had two banks of four and were very disciplined,” Bascome said.

“I told the players we must keep believing in our philosophy and get the result.

“The minute you start questioning your philosophy, that’s when things can go wrong.”

Looking ahead to June’s second round, Bascome added: “We need to press Guatemala and get up on them early because if we sit back, then they’ll pull us apart.

“We’ll need to increase our fitness and improve our technical ability and we need to stay organised for longer periods.”

Bascome was delighted by the support from a crowd of more than 2 000.

“It goes to show that we do love football in Bermuda,” he said.

Dion Godet, the Bahamas coach, said: “We wanted to come out and put up a fight, and the team did that. We had a few mental breakdowns and Bermuda were able to take advantage of that.”

Dwayne Whylly, the visitors’ captain and goalkeeper, said his side had played valiantly.

“Our game plan was to stay compact defensively and to be free-flowing going forward,” he said.

“We played well for 79 minutes -- the first goal came from a mistake and that was that.”

Wells, who scored a penalty in Nassau in the first leg after missing two

“No less than five hotels are expected to benefit from this event. In addition, our support services – restaurants, attractions, car rentals, nightlife facilities, etc. – are expected to gain additional business as the games are structured as a festival allowing participants to adequately enjoy the host country”.

About 600 visitors are expected in

spot-kicks for his English Championship club Huddersfield Town in their last game against Fulham, a 2-0 defeat, admitted he was far from his best.

Wells missed four clear chances, including a penalty on the stroke of half-time when his spot-kick rattled the bar, said frustration had been mounting before the breakthrough goal arrived 11 minutes from time.

“Anyone could see that many of us weren’t at our best today and I will hold up my hands and say I was one of those,” Wells said.

“It was frustrating, and when you don’t take chances, negativity starts to creep in.

“But once we unlocked the defence and got one goal, then we got two more quickly and everyone went home happy.”

He added: “We will go into the Guatemala tie as underdogs and all the pressure will be on them.

“As long as we prepare the squad well, do our best and have our 12th man (the home crowd), then there’s no reason we can’t do it.”

Guatemala are ranked 82nd in the world by FIFA while Bermuda lie 169th.

Barbados for the festival, a brainchild of cricket enthusiast Peter McDermott.

The Golden Oldies Festival, which has been held in destinations such as Adelaide, Birmingham, Brisbane, Auckland and Sydney, is not limited to cricket but also has editions catering to those who play rugby, golf, hockey and netball.

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

NESTLE MILO UNDER-20 SCHOOLS FOOTBALL COMPETITION

Dolphin face Chase Academy in final tonight … Lodge, Morgan Institute clash for third place

By Calvin Roberts HAVING dethroned the defending champions Lodge Secondary in theie semifinal last Thursday, Dolphin Secondary would be looking to make it two out of two, when they face pre-tournament favourites Chase Academy in the final of this year’s Petra Organisation/Nestle Milo Under-20 Schools Football competition, at the Ministry of Education ground today.

Prior to the final which kicks off at 19:00hrs, ousted champions Lodge Secondary will take on Morgan’s Learning Institute in the thirdplace playoff, which kicks off at 17:00hrs.

But while many would have loved to see a Lodge-Chase Academy showdown for the title, they can still have their appetites whetted by the Dolphin-Chase Academy encounter, especially since both captains showed mutual respect for each other at yesterday’s arranged press briefing.

Certainly, no additional hype is needed for this final, but both the sponsor and organiser of Petra Organisation took nothing for granted and arranged a media briefing in the boardroom of M. Beepat and Sons yesterday.

It provided the opportunity for both finalists to disclose their preparations ahead

of today’s final, with same being done in the presence of Nestle representative Renita Sital, Petra Organisation coDirector Troy Mendonca, Chase Academy Principal Henry Chase and Dolphin’s teacher Joel Porter.

At the end of the discourse, both captains, Kareem Knights (Chase Academy) and Shawn Mohamed (Dolphin), took the opportunity to pose with the silverware which will be up for grabs at the end of today’s contest.

Prior to such, Sital who gave the opening remarks revealed the company’s joy at the talent that is on display this year, adding that the entire running of the tournament has shown significant improvement allround.

According to Sital, another heartening aspect of this year’s tournament was the fact that many parents, guardians and fans responded to her plea to come out and support their children and the players. For this she expressed gratitude, even as she urged both teams to exceed their semi-final performances and give 100% during the game.

Mendonca in his presentation assured all that all systems are in place for a riveting conclusion to a tournament that has made its mark in terms of developing the future generation of players to the national grid, while it also

Whose will it be? The two captains Kareem Knights (3rd right) and Shawn Mohamed pose with Nestle Brand Manager Renita Sital, Petra Organisation co-Director Troy Mendonca (2nd right) and teachers Henry Chase (right) and Joel Porter, yesterday, as they proudly display the championship trophy. served to inculcate discipline among the schools.

Like Sital, Mendonca also expressed his sentiments to the family and supporters of the teams especially the finalists and called on the players to display 100% commitment in today’s final, adding that he believes all the parties involved are raring and ready to put on a good show for the fans.

“I think we’ve had a very good tournament to date, despite a few hiccups which saw three schools being expelled for infringing the rules, but we’ll learn and come back even stronger next year. It was another good learning experience for us and you can be assured that come next year we will certainly eliminate those issues,” Mendonca stated.

He said in reflecting on the tournament over the past three years, it has definitely made strides and in collaboration with the sponsor they will continue to help develop young people as the years go by.

In his address, Chase said he was delighted that his school has reached

the final saying that it was no easy task, but one that needed a lot of planning and financing.

“I don’t think that the society realises that this tournament is more than just football; it is actually giving a lot of them another opportunity to attend school after passing the age of eligibility to remain in the public system,” said Chase, who also highlighted the number of dropouts who have been afforded the opportunity to return to an academic institution and have another chance to realise their dreams.

Chase added that he is delighted that the tournament is happening; pointing out that it is helping to instil discipline among the youths and also reconditioning them to be better citizens in the society, while he also recognised the huge effort that Nestle Milo is making and called on other members of the corporate community to come on board and assist the youths.

Porter too expressed delight at his team’s performance to date and credited their tireless work during

preparations for their final berth, noting that very often they are singled out as unworthy, but pointed to their dedication to the task as ample evidence that if given the opportunity how productive they could be.

Porter said today’s game is the right platform for them to dispel the notion of their unworthiness and go on the field and show all and sundry that they are capable of being high achievers if presented with the chance.

He extended gratitude to Nestle Milo for having the foresight and fortitude to put their money into such a tournament, even as both captains exuded confidence, but also agreed that it will be a tough encounter worth watching.

Mohamed along with Leon Richardson, Job Caesar and Joshua Pereira will lead Dolphin’s charge against a Chase lineup that includes several players who would have represented other schools in the tournament last year, such as Knights, Shemar Barrow, Josiah Charles and Marlon Nedd, among others.

AAG encountering problems to get CARIFTA team to St Kitts ... Team training at synthetic track THE Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) was up to yesterday still uncertain about the fate of Guyana’s attendance to the XLIV CARIFTA Games set for this weekend in Sugar City, St Kitts and Nevis, even as the team continues to rigorously train under head coach Julian Edmonds.

According to a press release from the Association, the AAG has been encountering some difficulties in securing flights for the team of 12 athletes including US-based Guyanese Brenessa Thompson.

“The Executive Council of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) is encountering difficulties securing flights to

the games set for April 4-6 in St Kitts & Nevis.

The AAG is, however, exploring all avenues to get its team to the Games set for St Kitts & Nevis. AAG president Aubrey Hutson said ticket prices to the destination are high, so too are chartered flights, which are priced between $5M and $7M, yesterday’s press release noted.

A final decision on the team’s participation at the esteemed event is expected to be taken later today.

Should the team be able to attend the championship, it will be one of the biggest team that Guyana has sent to the event in recent years.

Meanwhile, Edmonds, who is

being assisted by GDF coach Robert Chisholm, Running Braves coach Sham Johnny and Challengers head coach Linden Phillips and Moses Pantlitz in training the team, is pleased with how training for the team has been coming along so far.

The team has been able to procure the use of the newly constructed synthetic track at Leonora, the first of its kind in Guyana, which Edmonds expressed has been a big plus for the team.

“The training has been coming great. Majority of the team have been able to train at the synthetic track and it’s helping them to familiarise with the surface they will be running on over there, which is a plus for

The CARIFTA team at the synthetic track facility in Leonora

us,” Edmonds said.

Edmonds has been working with the local team, while Thompson has been in training in the U.S. with her coach Shaun Dietz who related earlier this month that the 18-year-old athlete is “on top of her game”.

Thompson will be in the Girls’ Under-20 100m and 200m, while the other athletes, on the Girls side are Michelle Powley

(U-20 100m and 200m), Avon Samuels (U-18 200m and 400m), Kenisha Phillips (U-18 200m), Girls’ Under-18 1500m champion Cassie George (U-18 1500m), Clauderice McKenzie (U-18 3000m), Chantoba Bright (U-18 long and triple jump), and Natricia Hooper (triple jump).

On the Boys side are qualifying athletes Compton Ceasar

(U-18 100m and 200m), and Matthew McKenzie (1500m and 3000m), while athletes Linton Mentis (U-20 100m and 200m) and Ernesto Thomas (800m and 1500m) were added to the team, based on how close they came to the qualifying times in their respective events.

Manager for the team is Yvonne October.

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday March 31, 2015

Shabazz reiterates call for corporate Guyana to support Golden Jaguars

By Rawle Toney

HEAD coach of Golden Jaguars, Jamaal Shabazz, has once again pleaded with the corporate community to support his side, as they prepare for the FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.

Behind Shabazz, the Golden Jaguars are unbeaten in three International Friendlies this year; drawing 2-2 against Barbados in Bridgetown, while playing at home and defeating both St Lucia and Grenada by a 2-0 score line.

“We, as coaches, ideally would want to play next week. We want to have a camp, we want to keep the players but we want money also and this is the election season but we need money for the programme,” Shabazz said.

Shabazz, who also served as Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), sitting at the helm of the Jaguars during their most successful period, pointed out “to bring players cost money, to encamp cost money.

“We have been giving the nation our all. Guyanese from overseas came

together and in a short time we’ve given our best and we have the result and now we want the Government and the politicians and corporate Guyana to put something in.”

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee was also showered with praise by Shabazz who said that team efforts on the pitch match those done off the field of play.

“We see a team coming together, matching what we see in the Administration and this is what the Caribbean (countries) need. We need administrators who are committed and businesslike and able to raise the bar so that players and coaches want to go out there and achieve and it’s important to acknowledge what was done in this short time to bring the players and everyone together.”

Shabazz added, “We have a lot to do and based on how the FIFA calendar is set up we wouldn’t be able to get everybody back until May but we will keep working and looking for players plus we want Neil Danns and Matthew Briggs, based on their experience here, to be

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Tuesday March 31, 2015) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL CO. LTD-83 Garnette Street, Campbellville (Tel: 2256158; 223-6055) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Melbourne, 1876-77 (AUST vs ENG)

(2)

Melbourne, 1971 (AUST vs ENG)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Where was the first Test match played in the Caribbean?

(2) Where in the Caribbean the very first ODI was played?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

able to convince other players of Guyanese parentage in England to come and join the ranks and The Golden Jaguars after their 2-0 victory over Grenada at the Guyana National Stadium strengthen the team.”

Sport CHRONICLE

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

AAG encountering problems to get CARIFTA team to St Kitts See story on page 26

We’ll get better for the World Cup Qualifiers – Danns ... Briggs looking to recruit players of similar calibre in England

See story on page 22 Matthew Briggs (left) and Neil Danns during their International debut for Guyana against Grenada at the Guyana National Stadium. (Delano Williams photo)

KKR threaten to pull-out of IPL 8 over Sunil Narine clearance issue

See story on page 25

Shabazz reiterates call for corporate Guyana to support Golden Jaguars

See story on page 27 Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

TUESDAY MARCH 31, 2015