2015 4 18

GUYANA

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

Benefits from Marriott will be huge for Guyana PRICE: $80

No. 104162 SATURDAY APRIL 18, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

INCLUDING VAT

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President Donald Ramotar, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, Ms Brenda Durham – Senior VP for Marriott International, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Tourism Minister Irfaan Ali, Mr Winston Brassington – Chairman of NICIL and Atlantic Hotels Inc; Ms Marcia Nadir-Sharma – Deputy CEO of NICIL; Mr Roberto Grissi - General Manager of the Guyana Marriott Hotel, and other officials on stage at last Thursday evening’s gala reception at the newly opened Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown (Adrian Narine photo)

PRESIDENT WARNS…

‘Consider what is at stake’

Businessman died from single stab wound 7 Page Farouk Ghanie Hamid

MOUNT SINAI FATAL SHOOTING

Boodie received seven gunshot wounds 2 Page

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– ahead of May 11 polls

Campaign launched to help ‘Apostle’

– suspect still ‘on the run’ Patrick Boodie

– suspect's house destroyed by fire – the jaguar

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Sarturday April 18, 2015

Mount Sinai shooting fatality sustained seven gunshot wounds – suspects still ‘on the run’

By Jeune Bailey Van Keric THE police search is on for the suspect who fatally shot 38-year-old Patrick Boodie as he attempted to enquire about a squabble involving his sibling at High Dam, Mount Sinai, commonly known as Angoy’s Avenue, a squatting community on the eastern fringe of the Berbice township of New Amsterdam.

A post-mortem determined that Boodie sustained seven gunshots about the body.

Investigations have revealed that at about 17:20 hrs on Wednesday last, 44-year-

KILLED: Patrick Boodie

old Calvin Charles, brother of Patrick Boodie, was involved in an argument with a man over a grass fire that had spread from Charles’s

Calvin Charles demonstrating to the media his position when he sustained injuries to his head and shoulder

yard to the man’s neighbouring premises. The argument escalated into a confrontation involving the man and his brother, respectively armed with a cutlass and a handgun, and Calvin Charles and Patrick Boodie. Calvin Charles sustained incised wounds to his head and shoulder, while

Patrick Boodie was shot several times to his body, and succumbed to his injuries.

Hospitalised overnight at the New Amsterdam Hospital, Charles was discharged just in time to relate the incident to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, who was visiting the Angoy’s Avenue commu-

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, along with Regional Chairman David Armogan, extending condolences to Mrs Sonia Boodie at her home at Levi Dam in Angoy’s Avenue

nity during midday hours on Thursday.

Recalling the incident, Charles said his sister had died and left her children behind, and those children were told on Wednesday that they have to find alternative accommodation. “So, along with my brother and nephews, we decided to erect a

house for them.”

Pointing to the lumber, which had evidently been left lying for an extended period, Charles said: “We had partially erected the frame. I took my lighter and light the grass. Whilst walking to see where the material burn, I pushed my head to see where Turn to page 5 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

President warns…

‘Consider what is at stake’ - ahead of May 11 polls

PPP/C presidential candidate addressing the large gathering of party supporters last evening (Delano Williams photos)

By Vanessa Narine ‘NO rain, storm or thunder’ ought to prevent the Guyanese people from casting a vote – in a General and Regional election where every vote counts – for the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

This was the message that was sounded last evening to a large turnout of supporters, armed with umbrellas and braving the rains, at 10th Street, Foulis, East Coast Demerara where the ruling party held its most recent public campaign meeting.

Joining his supporters, the PPP/C presidential candidate and incumbent President Donald Ramotar, mounting a truck, underscored what is at stake, come May 11.

“These elections will determine if our country will go forward or reverse and go backward…we have taken this country a far way, from where it was in ruins…,” President Ramotar told the PPP/C supporters.

Noting that elections is about records, President Ramotar alluded to the abysmal record of the former PNC administration that destroyed this country and making it one of the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Warning that the APNU+AFC is the same PNC, President Ramotar declared: “They changed their name, again, to try to fool you…but comrades, don’t be fooled.”

Mr Ramotar pointed to the successes in education, with new schools and Guyanese students topping regional examinations, as well as in other

social programmes advanced by the party.

“We will continue to invest in our people,” he assured.

Mr Ramotar stated too that the political Opposition’s imposition of hardships on the Guyanese people was “deliberate” – the nature of the beast being expressly exposed in the last three years of the 10th Parliament.

“The Opposition is trying constantly to stop progress… they want to make things bad.

That is what they want to reduce us to, so this election is about our future and where we want to go,” he said.

The President also chastised the political Opposition’s ‘solution’ to the challenges that face Guyana, for example their call for the sugar industry to be closed and replaced by fish farming, when the European Union (EU) price cuts were brought to bear.

“I am not going to do what the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change) is saying to do, close sugar and mine tilapia…I am going to put in $20B to ensure that sugar survives and strives,” Mr Ramotar declared.

He also said prudent investments, especially investments in Guyana’s youth, will continue to be made to ensure that Guyanese and, by extension, Guyana is positioned to take advantage of emerging opportunities.

These opportunities will be created by advances in renewable and cheap energy, via the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, and the ad-

Anil Nandlall addressing the gathering of PPP/C supporters last night at Foulis

vances in the oil and gas sector with ExxonMobil presently conducting oil exploration activities.

“Our goal is to make Guyanese the most educated people…we want investments that This little tot was among the many who braved the rains and turned would take advantage of a high- out at the PPP/C’s most recent public meeting cesses of the former People’s ly educated workforce, higher National Congress (PNC) addropower. by the political Opposition. paying jobs…there are huge “They keep saying (a lot of ministration, which featured He questioned how prompossibilities; we have to take thing)…but they must be judged rigged elections, intimidation ises of increased salaries, penGuyana forward and we have and the handing over of Guyby their actions,” he posited. sions and a “whole host of to put in the infrastructure to Despite the challenges ana Defence Force (GDF) other things” will be paid for, ensure we have this,” he said. of the PPP/C’s development weapons to the PNC, must not if on the other hand there are On that note, Mr Ramotar thrust being thwarted, Nand- be repeated. also promises of reduced taxes. detailed the PPP/C vision, ‘Guy“These are the people who lall assured, “We will continue “What they are telling ana 2.0’, for moving this beautiwant to run this country…they to build.” you is that we will become a ful country of ours forward.

“On May 11 we cannot have destroyed this country, bankrupt country…they did “We are the party of barely win. We must win a but they are not satisfied... that to us already, using the change…on May 11 we have to landslide victory. Never again when they left office we did same policies. You have to tell face our destiny and I am calling must we allow our children’s not have a cent in the treathem that you are an educated on you to ensure that everyone welfare to be exposed by the sury….they had nothing to people and you will not be goes out and vote…remember Opposition. History shows show,” Nandlall said. the faithful cup and put your ‘x’ fooled,” Nandlall told Foulis Both PPP/C officials, that when PPP is out of Govresidents. at the cup and we must win this ernment things go bad…when among other speakers last Nandlall stressed that election with the biggest majoriwe are in Government there is evening, committed and asprogress, peace and prosperity ty ever,” he urged. progress. That is the history of sured supporters of a stable of Guyana demands a strong, The central themes of ‘Guyand secure Guyana going Guyana.” workable and realistic vision. ana 2.0’ include: Economic Nandlall stated that the ex- forward.

“How are they going to do Growth: Jobs, Income & Wealth it?” he questioned. According Creation; Transformative Into him, the political Oppofrastructure; Enhancing the sition, while it has outlined Well-Being of Our People; broad areas of work, has not Fighting Crimes & Protecting brought to the Guyanese peoOur People; Fair Governance; ple a vision for the future. and Guyana in a Modern World.

“When political parties go “The biggest obstacle to to the polls they must present development is the Opposition to you a record of what they parties…they are now being have achieved…let them presvery dishonest about it,” the ent to you their record of acPPP/C Presidential candidate complishment. What have they bemoaned. done for you?” he questioned.

He also railed into Moses President Donald Ramotar gestures to Nandlall also decried the Nagamootoo and Rupert Roosupporters at Foulis last evening “race appeal” by the political pnarine, both now supporters Opposition. of APNU for the sake of pow“They cannot campaign er, after publicly criticising the on record, principles, achievevery party. ment, policies or on merit…

“We cannot trust our futhe only way they can get peoture, our country’s future, ple to vote for them is to apour children’s future, to these peal to race, that is what they people. They have a record are doing. Are you going to of deceit and betrayal. That buy into that propaganda?” the is the record they want to PPP/C member questioned, to hide…I want to urge you ‘do which he received a resoundnot take anything for granting ‘NO’. ed’…you have the power in Nandlall also cited the poyour hands,” Mr Ramotar said. sitions taken by APNU+AFC Also speaking at the pubin the 10th Parliament and lic meeting last evening was underscored the ‘about turn’ Anil Nandlall, who said the that has been made in repeople of Foulis were not “dry cent weeks, with the political weather revolutionaries,” but Opposition now endorsing supporters firmly behind the support for the sugar sector, ruling party. monies for the University of He also highlighted the Guyana and support for hy“empty promises” being made

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GRA urges businesses to comply with VAT pricing

– says advertising policy for products still lacking THE Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) continues to note with concern and disappointment the persistent failure of registered businesses to adhere to the policy regarding advertising products and services that are VAT inclusive.

GRA, in a statement yesterday, said taxpayers continue to vent their concerns to the media and the GRA about this infringement to the Law and the negative impact it has been having on their spending power as consumers.

A letter which appeared in the Thursday April 9 edition of Stabroek News titled ‘Prices on supermarket shelves should include VAT’, reiterated that consumers continue to suffer ‘tax shocks’ when they get to the cash register or payment area only to be made aware then of the final value price for the selected item.

It is even more appalling that those found culpable are businesses which had initially ensured that they were in

compliance with displaying prices for their goods, following the implementation of VAT but have now seemingly taken the policy for granted.

GRA noted that with reference to Section 90 (2) and (3) of the VAT Act, where a registered person advertises or quotes a price for a good or service that is subject to 16 % VAT, the price is required to include the tax and the advertisement or quotation must state that VAT is included. The customer or consumer then makes a single payment.

However, the registered person may advertise or quote a price that excludes VAT, but, apart from the price of the good or service, the advertisement or quotation must also state the amount of tax to be charged on the supply and the final price when the tax is added.

Businesses are also required to issue a tax invoice for every taxable supply (inclusive of goods or services taxed at 16% or 0%), made to

the customer as proof of purchase. It is also necessary for audit purposes with respect to claiming VAT refunds.

“Consumers and businesses should however not confuse a tax invoice with a sales invoice,” warns GRA. It pointed out that the latter is issued when the taxable supply is paid for in cash and does not exceed $10,000. The sales invoice should include the name, address, and VAT registration number of the registered person making the sale, a description of the goods sold or services rendered, the price of the sale, the amount of VAT if separately stated; and the issue date of the sales invoice The GRA is once again urging businesses to ensure that their pricing methods are reflective of the stipulations under the Law. Consumers who continue to be on the receiving end of discriminatory business practices are urged to bring these to the attention of the GRA.

Dynamic Airways flight rescheduled – Back-up Jet used to ferry affected passengers

Dynamic Airways’ flight 2D402 departing Cheddi Jagan International Air-

port in Guyana, destined for JFK Airport on Thursday April 16th, 2015 was

cancelled due to a maintenance issue at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). This has then affected all Dynamic Flights following this delay.

Dynamic Airways flew in its back-up Jet out of Miami and had arrived in Guyana on Friday Morning at 01:00 hrs to accommodate its passengers out of Guyana 24 hours after the originally scheduled flight time.

Flight 2d402 was re-scheduled to depart Guyana yesterday at 16:00hrs and scheduled to arrive in New York at 21:20hrs.

Dynamic Airways said it deeply regrets any inconveniences caused and is working assiduously to ensure an on-time departure of its upcoming services.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Sarturday April 18, 2015

SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL…

Rampant vandalism affecting GT&T, Customers THE Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company Ltd (GT&T) is lamenting the fact that, within recent months, the national telecommunications network has been repeatedly vandalised.

“This deliberate, mindless destruction of, or damage to, the country’s telecommunications facilities is not new. But, in recent months it has spiraled out of control,” GT&T said. The giant telecommunications company pointed out that, so far for the year, it has recorded 52 acts of vandalism in communities from East Berbice to Linden.

It said the cumulative effect of these acts have been the disruption of the lives and livelihoods of thousands of households and businesses; the threat posed to personal and national security; the unplanned expenditure of millions of dollars by the company in civil works, repairs and service restoration; the diversion of materials and personnel from routine activities to address emergencies; and the loss of millions in revenues consequent upon the cessation of telecommunications traffic.

GT&T said this state of affairs is unacceptable and unsustainable. “And, insofar as network vandalism affects all of us, all of us must participate in this scourge.

We have done everything in our power to protect the network and in the process we have received continued support from the Guyana Police Force. Now, we need the support of the Government, the regulatory agencies and the entire populace,” GT&T said in a statement yesterday.

“We are appealing to individuals and institutions to partner with us in the protection of the national telecommunications network. Observe what is happening in your neighbourhood or community; call us on 0908 to report suspicious activities directed at the network; in short, act as our eyes and ears,” GT&T urges.

“The network facilities that serve your home or business may be targeted next, so it cannot be wise to see something and not say something. It cannot be sufficient to simply press the company to expedite repairs and service restoration after the fact. Remember too that any information you share with us will be treated with the strictest confidence and that GT&T will offer a meaningful reward to anyone who provides information that leads to the apprehension of vandals and their prosecution,” the company stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

African Union Commission OAS team pays courtesy seeks best practices from call on President CARICOM Secretariat SECRETARY-GENERAL of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque has described as “important and historic” a working visit to the Secretariat’s headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana by a team from the African Union Commission (AUC).

The three-day visit, which began on Wednesday, forms part of a comparative study of various multilateral and inter-governmental organisations being conducted by the AU delegation.

CARICOM is among integration movements including the European Union (EU), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the East African Community, where the team is examining systems and procedures of operations to extract best practices to ultimately improve the working methods of the AUC. The Secretary-General told the delegation that the Community valued its relationship with the AU and stressed the importance of integration movements

CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque (right) presents a copy of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas to Ambassador Baso Sanqu (left), Chief Adviser to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission during a courtesy call at the CARICOM Secretariat on Thursday 16 April, 2015

among developing countries working closer together.

The visiting delegation was led by Ambassador Baso Sanqu, Chief Adviser to the Chairperson of the AUC. The other members were Mr. Agbor Ambang, Mr. Adewale E. Iyanda, and Dr. Jide Balogun.

Ambassador Sangu stated that CARICOM had a “special place” in the AU and that he considered the

visit as a way of “resuscitating our ties.”

The working sessions included discussions on the CARICOM Secretariat’s institutional architecture, key conference processes, agenda setting and decision-making processes, mechanisms for implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation. The visit ended on Friday.

Mount Sinai shooting fatality sustained...

From page 2

Prime Minister Sam Hinds, Regional Chairman David Armogan, and CEO of BRHA, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, were at the scene of the fatal incident

was burnt. The suspect then chucked me, and I chucked him back. Shortly afterwards, I received a lash to my head while his brother, who was armed with ‘a pen knife’ inflicted an injury to my right shoulder.

“I then ran to my brother Patrick, who lives about two hundred metres away. I say to him, ‘them people want trouble’. My brother gently walked with me to find out what was happening, but before he can ask what happen, it was rapid gunfire. My brother continued to walk, although he was shot. He walked several feet before he stumbled and fell into a

drain. He was then pulled out then taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital, where he later succumbed.”

Meanwhile, over at Patrick Boodie’s home, his widow Sonia, while expressing sorrow over the loss of her husband, noted that if other persons had been around, a bloodbath might have ensued, as the shooter was ‘trigger happy’ to be firing shots indiscriminately.

She said that after taking her critically injured husband to the New Amsterdam Hospital, one of the doctors there, instead of helping to save the patient, allegedly said she could not “nasty her

skin”, as she referred to the bloodied state of the injured man. “She refused to assist, until she got a gown,” the widow recalled.

CEO of the Berbice Regional Health Authority, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, who, along with Regional Chairman Mr. David Armogan was accompanying Prime Minister Hinds, promised to have the incident investigated once the widow can identify the doctor who had made the statement.

In seeking to rationalise the shooting, Armogan questioned the source from whence guns were proliferating the society.

THE prestigious Organisation of American States (OAS) will be fielding an electoral observer mission for the upcoming General and Regional elections in Guyana on May 11, 2015.

F o r m e r F o reign Minister of Belize, Ms Lisa Shoman will Head the team of about a dozen observers, who will be strategically placed across the country during Election Day. The OAS election observers are expected to be in Guyana on May 5th, and are expected to remain here for some time after Election

Day. Ms Shoman was selected as the head of the OAS Election Observer Mission after OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and the Permanent Representative of Guyana to that organisation, Ambassador Bayney Karran, recently signed an agreement to field the electoral observer mission.

Ms Shoman is expected to meet with the presidential candidates, civil society representatives, and representatives of the international community in Guyana. She and her team met with President Donald Ramotar during a courtesy call yesterday at Office of the President (as seen in above photo).

Fire destroys home of Mount Sinai fatal shooting suspect A FIRE suspected to be an act of retaliation following the fatal shooting of Patrick Boodie has completely destroyed the single-storey Mount Sinai home of one of the persons suspected to be involved in the shooting, but quick response of the Guyana Fire Service prevented nearby buildings from being engulfed.

Neighbours said that just after 23:00h on Thursday night, fire was seen coming from the residence of one of

the suspects whom police are seeking as they continue their investigation into the death of 38-year-old Patrick Boodie.

Eyewitnesses report observing flames emanating from within the unoccupied building, and those flames quickly consumed the wooden edifice.

Moments later, smoke was seen emanating from another building, located about sixty metres away. It is suspected that a mattress and pieces of fabric were deliberately set

alight.

The gutted building was situated in the very yard where Calvin Charles, brother of the deceased Patrick Boodie, was beaten and stabbed after he had ventured there to investigate allegations of grass fire.

When the Chronicle visited on Friday morning, several fruit-bearing trees in the yard had been destroyed.

Police have yet made no arrest, but investigations are continuing. (Jeune Bailey Vankeric)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

It takes great courage for a woman to publicly reveal she was abused ABUSED women carry the scars from their wounds until they die, but a largely unfeeling, insensitive public often callously and figuratively say “Get over it already”, implying her traumas are a bore, without recognising that they are adding to her relentless and enduring pain.

But someone who has endured domestic abuse and moved on with her life with great fortitude and indomita-

ble courage could relate, as no university graduate who has never experienced that particular scourge that plagues society, to someone who is still submerged in the pits of their own hell.

Effective leadership is about recognising the weaknesses and travails of citizens and transforming their lives by addressing their problems, issues and concerns, without criticising them that they are delinquent or problematic in any way, thereby adding to their

degraded self-esteem and depleted emotional energies, which consequences a multiplicity of additional problems, including the deterioration of the victim’s physical health.

When the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C)’s Prime Ministerial candidate said recently to the women of Linden: “I am proud to stand before you, representing all facets of the Guyanese woman,” stressing that she can relate to what they want to achieve as women, and

noting the need for recognising the imperative of women, she found instant rapport with the females in the audience because this societal scourge does not recognise boundaries or borders.

She promised that, “We will review all the laws that will encourage and promote women’s rights and equality”, and adjured: “We must exercise zero tolerance on domestic violence.”

This, she noted, is the bane of (almost) every woman, “… in that it de-

stroys who we are, and everything we stand for; and as a community, we should take a stand against it.” She encouraged the men to participate in this fight also.

Indeed, the male protagonists need to realise that when they demolish and devastate their life partners they are inflicting punishment on themselves also, because they are demolishing, in the process of inflicting pain and degradation on their spouses, their strongest support system and that of their children. This consequently destroys family constructs and, as a natural progression, most often produces juvenile delinquents.

Legislation has been enacted to protect women,

and many policies and programmes have been formulated specific to the education and empowerment of women, yet the scourge remains rooted in the socio-psychology of the nation.

It takes great courage for a woman to stand up at a public forum and admit to allowing, and maybe even enabling the abuse and degradation of herself at the hands of someone who should have protected her instead.

But if her promise s f r u c t i f y, t h e n e v ery woman in Guyana should take hope for the resurrection of family ideals and the strengthening of familial bonds – with reciprocal respect, trust and love being the bonding factors.

PPP/C’s education policy alive and well THE fever of elections in Guyana produces protean manifestations of unimaginable infections and Stabroek News of the 15th inst provided a ready and willing waiting room for the patients to congregate.

The column of Dr. H. Jeffrey, “Alliance did not bring down the PPP”, and Jerome Khan’s letter, “We should not be held to ransom by our history”, respectively, were worth reading, if only in the context of their earlier but discrete involvement with the machinery, practices and ambitions of the two juggernauths of politics, i.e PPP/C and PNC/R. However, not only did they have one common nemesis in mind, i.e former President B. Jagdeo and, by extension, the PPP/C, but a common

artifice by way of revisionist history, as has now become fashionable.

Jeffrey, in a somewhat ingenious tactic but meretricious strategy, terminated his discourse by concluding “a strategy much wider in scope had to be developed, for alliance alone could not bring down the PPP.” Tucked away at the beginning, 14 lines earlier, his analysis did identify 1961 as the year in point, artfully omitting that in 1964 a post-electoral alliance, staged managed by the USA/UK via the Governor of British Guiana, did oust the PPP from Government.

This fact is made clear in a stunningly researched publication “US intervention in British Guiana – a cold war story” by Stephen G. Rabe, Professor of History

at the University of Texas, authographed and presented to me in 2009 by a former Senior Vice-President in the Burnham Government, a Guyanese of rare erudition and universal recognition.

At p. 123 appears this passage: “Kennedy had, however, paved the way to power for Forbes Burnham, a political leader who had exacerbated racial tensions in British Guiana. What the President would have thought of Burnham’s two decades of misrule cannot be determined. But the President’s fervent admirers, like Arthur Schlesinger, subsequently regretted the administration’s opposition to democracy in British Guiana.”

At p. 137 appears another: “The 7 December electoral results generally met CIA expectations. Jagan and the PPP made an impressive showing, winning 45.8 percent of the vote, up from the 42.6 they won in 1961.

But under proportional representation in the single national constituency, the PPP merited only 24 of the 53 parliamentary seats. About the same percent of the electorate as in 1961, 40.5 percent, voted for the PNC, whereas D’Aguiar’s UF fell from 16 percent to 12.4 percent. Governor Luyt asked Burnham, who controlled 22 parliamentary seats, to form a government in conjunction with D’Aguiar, whose party earned seven seats. The Burnham-D’Aguiar coali-

tion took power in British Guiana on 15 December 1964.”

And for completeness I would add at p. 162, this passage: “Forbes Burnham and his People’s National Congress practiced the politics of squalor in Guyana. Burnham, who created a personality cult, dominated the nation until he died from a heart attack in August 1985.

The PNC, under Burnham’s henchman, Desmond Hoyte, carried on until 1992. Burnham and his followers perpetrated despicable crimes against the Guyanese. They rigged elections, murdered political opponents, persecuted Indians, stole money, ruined the economy and impoverished the nation.

They created a society of

crime, misery, fear and hunger. International observers began to compare the squalid nature of life in Guyana to that in Haiti under the crazed dictator Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier (1957-71) and his venal son Jean-Claude Duvalier (1971-86).”

And in another 2006 publication “Safe for Democracy – The secret wars of the CIA”

by John Prados, a National Security Historian at p. 1819, “But because Jagan did not obtain an outright majority, a coalition would have to follow. The British governor simply refused Jagan the opportunity to put one together..…Burnham went on to rule like a dictator until he died in office, as racist and imperious as

See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

Businessman Farouk Hamid died from single stab wound

One of Hamid’s vehicles being examined by police investigators and relatives on Thursday

By Leroy Smith A POST-MORTEM performed on the remains of businessman Farouk Ghanie Hamid found that he died as a result of a single stab wound to the chest.

Police sources told this newspaper that the wound also caused food that was recently digested by the man to scatter inside his body as a result of a punctured organ.

Yesterday the Chronicle

was told that the police are seeking to question a handyman and a man who was previously in the employ of the businessman at his Regent Street store.

There were reports earlier this week that there was a strange man who was seen visiting the businessman’s home, but no one seemed concerned with the man’s presence.

It was only after the businessman was found dead on Thursday that reports surfaced that a stranger was seen at the premises and the handyman and another who worked at the place stated that they were not familiar with the man. A brush-cutter operator, however, indicated that he was familiar with the stranger

‘MURDERED’ Businessman Farouk Ghanie Hamid and was puzzled as to how the businessman’s employees were not suspicious or claimed not to know the man.

Businessman Ghanie is said to be someone who did not entertain persons at his home once he is not sure about the type of persons they are. On Thursday the man’s body was discovered with a stab wound in his backyard and investigators are suspicious that the man may have been killed on Wednesday evening, moments after he had arrived home.

Police are not treating the case as a robbery/murder, since the man’s house did not appear to have been ransacked, neither was anything reported missing.

The man’s body was found by his reputed wife on the day in question, after she made several calls to his phone and got no answer,

but decided to travel to his home. After making the discovery, the woman informed the man’s brothers and other relatives and the police were subsequently informed.

Meanwhile, on Friday a police source told this publication that investigators did not recover a murder weapon from the scene.

The man’s death has sent shock waves among his business partners and the community of Nandy Park, as he was regarded as a very peaceful and humble man.

His employees who were at the scene on Thursday spoke very highly of him and the manner in which he dealt with his employees. An investigation into the matter is in progress.

PNC/APNU at it Jimmy Carter and team most again: Vandalism! welcome on Elections Day THE PNC/APNU is at their usual pastime, that is, vandalism and violence. Their thugs are ripping down PPP/C’s posters and throwing missiles at their meetings. This is an age old intimidating tactic employed by that party in an attempt to show “support” for the party. They have grossly violated the code of conduct set up by theElection Commission for this election season, and in this regard, I call on the Elections Commission and civil groups to condemn these intimidatory tactics of the Opposition. But I shudder to think of the future because I sagely believe the worse is yet to come when the reality of a lost election dawns on them. At that time they will go on an all out offensive.

Come the evening of May 11th, we are going to hear those ghoulish stories of channa bombs and burning buildings, of looting and beatings of supporters of the ruling party. I therefore call on the police and the disciplined services to be on

high alert for such uncivil behavior.

But far more distressing is the fact that these occurrences are taking place in a constituency that benefitted enormously from the housing and other infrastructural works of the PPP/C. Sophia, of all places should at least show some gratitude to the PPP/C. They are now living comfortably on lands that have been regularized and modernised due to the effort of the PPP/C, a party that has expended time and money to the development of this squatter settlement.

When the party they now give support to violently routed them off with dogs, we, the PPP/C, gave them a place they now call home. The PPP/C came to the rescue of the Sophia residents.

These hired vandals should be aware of this fact, that they are being used by a party who has nothing to offer them by way of stability and a good life. They must be aware of the fact that the PNC/ APNU only views them as thugs and vagabonds. If a

party can only see me in this light, then I ought to do the honest thing, reject them!

I call on all my fellow brothers and sisters in the Opposition to rebuke the evil plans of their party.

NEIL ADAMS

THE announcement that former US President Jimmy Carter would lead a team to observe the elections in Guyana on May 11 is most re-assuring.

The Carter Centre was instrumental in the restoration of democracy in Guyana and there are many who felt that were it not for the actual presence of President Carter on

elections day in the elections of October 5, 1992, the elections would have once again been rigged in favour of the PNC. President Carter and his team must be commended for the role they have played in the restoration of democratic rule, not only in Guyana, but the world at large.

This is why their pres-

PPP/C’s education...

From page 6

many had feared. Guyana’s export industries of sugar, rice, and bauxite atrophied. By 1984 the wheel had come full circle and Burnham publicly accused Washington of trying to undermine his government by encouraging striking bauxite workers – shades of the CIA in 1963. Guyana did not have another free election until 1992. When it did the nation elected Cheddi Jagan. Washington still had trouble coming up with a reasonable policy – Jagan had to reject an American nominated for ambassador who had been one of the

labour leaders the CIA had arrayed against him.”

As for Jerome Khan’s assertion about 21 year-old Saieed I. Khalil’s apparent embrace of history not peddled by the PPP/C, was the result of his education (“The answer is education”), well, well! It seems that the PPP/C’s education policy is not only alive and well but is commendable. Credit must go to the current government for this achievement. Young people, take note. A word of caution to young Khalil – Education is a continuing process and I am sure that Jerome will be the first to admit that his experiences, both academ-

ically and politically, since he returned to Guyana, are prime examples of this. For his information “critical support” was given only for the nationalisation of the Bauxite industry.

Mr Editor, permit me this final observation. The aphrodaisiac of oil, which seems to enhance Uncle Sam’s economic interests, now appears on Guyana’s horizon and hence, the upsurge in its activities on Guyana’s mainland.

JUSTICE CHARLES R. RAMSON SC OR (Retired Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs)

ence in Guyana on elections day is so important in terms of confidence building and enhancing the credibility and integrity of the electoral processes.

President Donald Ramotar has taken a commendable step in inviting the Carter Centre and other observer missions to monitor the elections. This will serve as a deterrent for those who may be inclined to reject the will of the electorate as happened in previous elections.

It will be recalled that, in the 1997 elections, the PPP was forced to give up two years of its elected mandate, even though it won the largest margin of victory due to post-election violence and disturbances unleashed by the PNC. What was even more disturbing was the fact that the elections were declared free and fair by all local and overseas observers. The Carter Centre was not present at that election, but there were several others reputable missions drawn from CARICOM, the OAS and the European Union.

The will of the majority must be respected and any departure from this time-honoured and universal norm is fraught with danger.

HYDAR ALLY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Sarturday April 18, 2015

Better management could advance aquaculture industry – Dr. Chin – calls for private-public partnership

By Tajeram Mohabir CHAIRMAN of the National Aquaculture Association of Guyana, Dr. Leslie Chin said efforts are being stepped up to enable the aquaculture industry to realise its full potential.

Aquaculture about a decade ago was touted as a new emerging industry, enjoying the full support of the Government with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

But poor management and internal wrangling prevented the industry from taking off, but it has not fizzled out. Currently, there are about 12 significant players in the industry who combined operate an area of about 3,000 hectares.

Dr. Chin said with better management and support, the industry can regain momentum and become a force to be reckoned with.

He said focus will be placed on rearing tambaqui, also known in Guyana as fresh water pacu, which is accepted in European markets and less attention will be given to tilapia, as the market for this fish is very competitive.

Guyana is blessed with an abundance of land, water and an ideal climate for aquaculture, and according to Dr. Chin, if rearing of these two species is successful, attention will be expanded to include shrimp and crayfish.

FAST GROWING SUB-SECTOR Today, aquaculture is the fastest growing sub-sector in agriculture, and aside from tourism, it is the second fastest growing sector globally.

the industry, Dr. Chin told the Guyana Chronicle, are producing for export, pointing out that at the time the industry was vigorous and strong emphasis was placed on sustainability.

But good practices were not heeded, contributing to a lack of sustained growth in the sub-sector.

Dr. Leslie Chin

More than 50 per cent of all fish consumed worldwide come from artificial ponds on land and marine cages, compared to some 7 per cent 45 years ago.

According to Dr. Chin, some Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) experts have unofficially estimated that in the next 50 years, some 99 per cent of all fish consumed will come from aquaculture.

But attention to ensure further growth in the industry would not be a ‘walk in the park’. Years ago when the industry was fervently promoted, it was receiving funding from USAID. That organisation is no longer funding the project, and has since centralised its operation in the Eastern Caribbean, moving from Georgetown to Bridgetown, Barbados.

But funding, he said has not dried up, pointing out that when the USAID funding came to an end, UK AID came on board, and is probably still on board with some remaining in the industry.

It was related that the funding was being administered by Carana Corporation, a US consultancy firm active in the promotion of aquaculture, birding and fishing tourism, drip irrigation and shade house technology.

Some of those still in

RICE-FISH CULTURE The rice-fish culture (the rearing of fish in rice fields) was also actively promoted but flopped, due to poor attention by farmers. The practice was intended to serve a value-added for small scale farmers to supplement

Aquaculture ponds at the Satayadeo Sawh Aquaculture Station at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara

level.

This, he said, would perhaps create a culture which can grow, develop and become ingrained in farmers, much in the same way as how rice cultivation practices have been embedded in rice farmers.

Dr. Chin, a seasoned private and public sector manager, also said that the New Guyana Mar-

Attention will be placed on tambaqui, which has a ready market in Europe

their income.

Dr. Chin, who is currently Chairman of Sterling Products Limited, said in theory, the idea is good, and the returns are there, but it boils down to commitment from farmers to make it work.

“It requires attention,” he said, pointing out that a rice farmer plows his field, throws the seeds and waits after three months for harvesting, but if he is involved in the rice-fish farming, it will be mandatory that he attends his field every day.

He said for the practice to gain traction, it would probably require the involvement of many farmers at the community

keting Corporation and the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) can play a helpful role in this process.

He said generally speaking, it will be helpful if these two organisations study the cost structure of the industry, pointing out that such an undertaking will enable them to know where to intervene and offer critical support.

Much like rice, he said, critical support has to be given in research, extension and funding from the banks.

The banks, Dr. Chin added, will be least inclined to fund an aquaculture operation here be-

cause there are not many outstanding aquaculture businesses.

But, he said, this can change with the Government assuming a role as an active facilitator in promoting the industry.

CRITICISM On this note, he said he admires the business models instituted by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) under its Executive Director Winston Brassington.

Brassington, he pointed out, has developed models of Private Public Partnership, where Government has taken the lead in major projects before handing them over to private operators. Two such projects are the Berbice River Bridge and the Marriott International Hotel.

However, Brassington and the Government have been criticised for their efforts in this regard.

But Dr. Chin said while the models are not perfect, they can be replicated for similar operations in aquaculture.

He emphasised that there must be genuine dialogue, pointing out that many local entrepreneurs have the drive and interest to get into the business, but they would want to see a demonstration effect.

Dr. Chin said with close support given to farmers, along with assistance in helping them to locate markets for their produce, the industry can become the leading economic sector in Guyana.

The Ministry of Agriculture says the fishing industry continues to grow in economic importance in Guyana. This industry employs around 6,500 people in harvesting and a further 6,000 people in processing, with many more benefiting indirectly through fishing related industries such as boat building and gear supply and repair.

CHEAP ANIMAL PROTEIN It provides a source of relatively cheap animal protein (estimated per capita annual consumption of fish was 54kg in 2003), among the highest per capita consumption of fish and fish products within the Caribbean Region.

Aquaculture production occupies about 3,000 hectares of aquaculture space around the country.

For 2013 alone, the Satayadeo Sawh Aquaculture Station at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara produced in excess of 93,180, fingerlings compared to 20, 000 in 2008; 85,872 for 2009 and 74, 950 in 2010, 86,689 in 2011 and 81,000 in 2012, which has been distributed to farmers countrywide.

The Ministry of Agriculture, in its National Strategy for Agriculture in the Guyana 2013-2012 plan, said the aquaculture sector will continue to be given prominence in its agriculture diversification drive.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

LCDS awareness session conducted in Region 9 – Pearson says ‘Guyana is a model to the world on how to address climate change’ FOLLOWING the launch of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) in 2009, awareness activities have been conducted by the Office of Climate Change (OCC), with the most recent being held on April 14, 2015 in St. Ignatius, Region 9.

The awareness session held at the St. Ignatius Benab saw participants from many villages of Region 9, including St. Ignatius, Moco Moco, Yupukari, Potarinau, Nappi, Kaicumbay, Quarrie, Katoka, Hiowa, Meriwau, Baitoon and Fly Hill. The participants were educated on the causes and effects of climate change, as well as actions taken by the Government of Guyana to address this matter.

The session was chaired by the Regional Chairman Lorentino Wilson, and presentations were made by Ms Yvonne Pearson, Adviser to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs; Ms Gitanjali Chandarpal, Head, Office of Climate Change and Mr Peter Persaud, Leader of the Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) and a member of the Multi-Stakeholder Steering Committee.

Persaud indicated that Guyana has earned an international profile for climate action through the work done under its LCDS. He stated that Guyana is one of the leaders in climate action, and that forests reduce greenhouse gas from the atmosphere which causes global warming and climate change. He indicated that Guyana’s partnership with Norway is currently scheduled to conclude in 2015, but the two countries are engaged in discussions so that this agreement can continue beyond 2015.

OCC Head, Ms Chandarpal, in her presentation, provided an overview of the impacts of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and global warming both locally and internationally. Ms Chandarpal indicated that 2014 was the hottest year on record. Scientific studies have shown that there has been a ‘1 Degree Celsius rise in temperature’ over the last century, which has resulted in changes in precipitation, melting of ice caps, decrease in snow cover and a consequent rise in sea level. Ms Chandarpal indicated that Guyana has a high concentration of persons living in vulnerable areas, for example, the 2005 floods which occurred as a result of heavy rains in a short period of time, resulted in major

One of the participants raising a question during the discussion segment of the awareness session

Head of the Office of Climate Change, Gitanjali Chandarpal making her presentation

Yvonne Pearson, Adviser to the Minister of Amerindian Affairs during her presentation

A section of those gathered at LCDS stakeholder awareness session at St Ignatius Benab, Region 9

losses to the country. As such, Guyana must understand how climate change affects people and how they can address this problem locally and internationally.

She indicated that the two major factors in addressing climate change are adaptation and mitigation and elaborated on them. At a global level, some key actions have been taken, one of the most important is the formation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to which Guyana is a signatory. She further stated that approximately 87% of Guyana is covered in forests and the country has one of the lowest deforestation rates worldwide. By protecting its forests, Guyana is strengthening the capacity to cope with this issue of climate change.

Ms Chandarpal indicated that the LCDS is unique and many

countries are moving towards low carbon development. However addressing climate change is very costly. Fortunately, Guyana has a partnership with Norway where a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in 2009 where Norway has committed to providing US$250 million to Guyana depending on Guyana’s delivery of results as measured against indicators of enabling activities and of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation Plus (REDD+). To date, Guyana has received US$150 million. Payments earned under the MoU will support a number of key projects including renewable energy initiatives like the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project. This project, once developed, is expected to provide the country with renewable energy which is cheaper and will reduce ‘Green House Gas’

emissions.

Additional projects under the LCDS are the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF), Amerindian Land Titling (ALT), Micro and Small Enterprise Development (MSE), Climate Resilience Adaptation and Water Management, among others.

Ms Chandarpal mentioned that in addressing adaptation several initiatives have been implemented such as the Cunha Canal project which seeks to improve drainage and irrigation (D&I) and flood management and the Climate Resilient Strategy and Action Plan (CRSAP), which is developed by OCC to build climate resilience in the country. Additionally, under the LCDS there are investments in low carbon sectors such as eco-tourism, aquaculture, sustainable forestry and mining. Further, Ms Chandarpal noted that there are

other initiatives being undertaken such as the Opt-In Mechanism (OIM) to allow titled Amerindian villages to participate in the national REDD+ model.

Ms Chandarpal indicated that the LCDS does not intend to stop activities such as mining. However, it seeks to promote sustainable operations in the mining and forestry sectors.

The feature presentation was made by Ms Yvonne Pearson who informed participants that now more than ever, the hinterland communities have been affected by climate change; hence it is important that the residents be informed of the issue, in terms of what is happening in Guyana and around the world.

In this regard, she indicated that awareness sessions are important because Guyana must have an understanding of the impacts of climate change so that actions can be taken in communities. She reported that Amerindians have been among the first to benefit from the LCDS. In particular, she spoke about the ADF, which is funding Community Development Plans (CDPs) in Amerindian communities across Guyana.

Ms Pearson indicated that the ADF is expected to benefit more than 180 hinterland communities.

In the first Phase of this project, 26 communities were selected and received disbursements to implement their CDPs. She indicated that Amerindians are also benefitting from the ALT Project. Ms Pearson emphasised that climate change is real and the people must be aware of actions Government is taking to address the issue. She urged participants to continue to use their lands in a sustainable way.

She said that Guyana is a model to the world on how to address climate change. Even with the current agreement with Norway, Guyana is still able to conduct mining and forestry activities in a sustainable manner.

Ms Pearson further noted that every year, independent audits are conducted to ensure that Guyana is meeting the conditions of the agreement and to ensure that payments are made.

This is the fourth LCDS awareness session for 2015, conducted by the OCC under the LCDS, the other three sessions were held in Regions 5 and 7.

(GINA)

10

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

Why citizens blame Government

By Shaun Michael Samaroo SMALL, little things cause Guyanese to feel discontented, and in resorting to blaming Government and venting their frustration in negativity, Paul Bennet, a Liverpool Village, Corentyne, resident, told former President Bharrat Jagdeo Thursday night at a youth forum in Berbice.

Bennet interacts with his fellow citizens in Berbice, talking to people on the ground about their problems and their frustrations, and told Jagdeo that he finds it’s “the little things” that frustrate people.

That’s a profound insight. Guyanese know we’re developing, and that Government is propelling our nation forward, but we feel local leaders don’t care about our issues.

Opposition folks take advantage of these small, little issues that cause citizens to become frustrated and fed-up, to find a platform to tarnish the image of the freely and fairly elected Government.

However, many local public servants and community leaders and activists treat citizens’ complaints with callous disregard, an uncaring attitude, and intense impatience, frequently brushing aside citizen discontent as unnecessary inconvenience, thus causing a bad light to fall on Government.

The national media largely ignores ordinary citizens in our highly politicised society, so that citizens feel they lack a voice, and thus gravitate to those who listen to them and indulge them in fancy promises.

For example, several farmers with land grouses on the Corentyne found ready representation from a battery of Opposition lawyers, as they vent anger at “Government”, when

local leaders failed to listen to and address their complaints.

But Opposition folks listen to citizens, and promise them the moon and the stars, if elected to Government. Citizens, in their frustration, blame Government, and embrace these Opposition promises.

Travel through this land and talk to Guyanese citizens in an open, authentic conversation, and it’s astonishing to feel the deep discontent and constant complaining against Government, with people pin-pointing sore points they experience in interacting with middle level public managers.

Leaders like President Donald Ramotar, Head of the Public Service Dr Roger Luncheon, and our Ministers, in travelling around the country, listen to citizens, and work hard to deploy solutions, but how much could a Minister or the President micro-manage our communities?

Government delegates micro-management of our communities to middle level managers and community supervisors.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall made the telling point on a national TV programme recently that, in some instances,Government sometimes faces poor supervising of the execution of public works contracted to firms, such as building of roads and construction of buildings. This the Opposition labels as corruption.

Government expects middle managers to constantly self-develop, always work on their leadership and service skills, and to interact with the public with good manners and selfless consideration and good conscience. Government cannot baby-sit its micro-managers employed and deployed across the country.

But this level of Public Servants fail citizens

daily, and Guyanese vent their frustration against the vague idea of their “Government”.

We must take these things seriously if we’re going to satisfy citizens that we care about them, that we hold their best interest at heart, that we work for their development, that we put them first.

We now operate a fully democratic society, and President Ramotar’s style of leadership is for his Government to allow these middle managers and community micro-managers to show initiative, self-leadership and a penchant for personal development in their quest to serve our nation.

Police officers, nurses, doctors, managers, teachers, regional health and administrative folks and so on must serve first and foremost out of care for the citizens of our nation.

Repairing the brokenness that we suffered after our collapse in the 1980’s, remains today a major priority for Government, even as we embark on groundbreaking 21st century projects like the Amaila Falls hydroelectric project, and the expansion of our international airport.

That socio-economic collapse crippled our developmental wel-being so much so that we hold the world record for national brain drain. From the 1960’s, when thousands upon thousands of our citizens fled Guyana to Europe, North America and the Caribbean, we’ve bled our skills, talents, experience and bright minds. For decades our people fled the dictatorship with their feet, abandoning homes, land and businesses to escape the severe disruption of democracy and development in their homeland.

It’s only now that Guyanese are travelling with ease, vacationing in the US and Caribbean, to come back home. We’ve repaired major structures and systems over the past couple

decades.

But we still suffer the crippling effect of that brain drain. Across the nation, our local communities feel the crushing weight of middle managers, public servants and bureaucrats who lack fundamental leadership skills.

Citizens across the nation fall back on blaming Central Government for their woes.

Why we see Guyanese citizens blame Government for every ill they encounter?

Many times, in encountering the Public Service, or in interacting with the State, citizens feel harassed, uncared for and under-serviced, even in our court system and law enforcement agencies.

Citizens vent their frustration on “Government”, an abstraction so vague and broad, so lacking concreteness, that the scapegoating process provides a sort of comfort for those fed-up with poor public service.

In Berbice, Essequibo and across wide swaths of our communities, farmers, housewives and hard-working citizens complain against their freely and fairly elected Government, focusing not the stunning achievements of Government in repairing our country and developing our lives, but instead on their problems.

What fuels this unfortunate negativity across the land is the attitude and arrogance and pride of local leaders, who see their position as a chance to lord it over their fellow citizens.

We’ve got to face these challenges as we propel ourselves forward. Opposition elements move into areas and foment citizen discontent and discouragement with hype against Government, instead of trying to offer workable solutions to the problem of our gutted Public Service.

It’s not the President’s fault, or any Minister’s, if a contractor executes poor work on a road in Parika, or if sections of roadways in Berbice lack street lights. Government governs to align our macro-economic systems, to operate a smooth justice system, to manage from the higher level.

On the lower rungs of managing our society, Government, as much as citizens, depend on State employees to perform with optimal service to citizens.

This aspect of our society we’re yet to fully repair, after the absolute collapse it suffered under the dictatorship period.

We cannot operate smooth Government until we see a fully trained, competent, efficient professional national pool of public servants deployed around the country to serve citizens.

These tough issues and challenges we must face and acknowledge and authentically discuss. Too many folks use such national anomalies to stir up mass hysteria among local communities and seek opportunistic positions of power, taking advantage of the discomfort and discon-

tent among citizens.

Opposition folks ignore why this problem exists in the first place, claiming we should never discuss the past when the dictatorship crippled our human resource capital, when our citizens fled their homeland in fear.

We saw in the 1960’s and early 1970’s the entire national brain and economic class, comprising mostly our citizens of British and Portugese and Chinese background, flee this nation, with their private property forfeited to a paranoid State machinery that proceeded to stifle all our freedoms, assassinate our scholars and strangle our knowledge pool under the practice of paramountcy of the party, with the People’s National Congress (PNC) declaring itself god of Guyana. We cannot ignore this root of the problem we face today, whereby our citizens face a middle layer of public managers and operators of State agencies who lack people skills and effective service training.

People like Bennet, a public school teacher, care, and he talked to Jagdeo about the problem. Such open, authentic conversation brings the necessary healing we need to overcome the crippling of our society under PNC rule. We’re recovering, and it’s a process, but we’ve got to make sure community leaders treat every citizen with respect, care, consideration and good conscience.

11

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

Former President tells businessmen Opposition making wild promises FORMER President of Guyana Dr Bharrat Jagdeo told businessmen at Anna Regina on Tuesday that the Opposition was making wild promises on its campaign trail, speaking of proposals that were unsustainable and would take the country backwards.

At a forum for businessmen and women, Dr Jagdeo, who has been asked by President Donald Ramotar to head the Government’s Economic Coommittee, said the Opposition’s agenda would take the country back to those days when they [the PNC] ate up every cent of reserve the country had. He said the PPP/C Government has US$800M reserve in the

Central Bank. Dr Jagdeo said the Opposition has that old philosophy not to accumulate wealth. The former President warned businessmen/women about the opposition economic philosophy and their promises. He said they will give everybody everything, it sounds attractive but has no means whatsoever of being financially productive. Dr Jagdeo said the economic energy of the country will disappear if the Opposition is elected to office.

The Former President said the Opposition blocked the Hydro power project because they don’t want such a big project like that to come on stream under the PPP/C.

At the end of the meeting businessmen/women were allowed to raise questions with the Former President, One of the questions raised was why goods being brought in via the Charity Port of Entry had to wait some three weeks before documents were processed in Georgetown. Dr Jagdeo in reply said the office at Charity should be integrated into the system in Georgetown so documents can be processed quickly. He promised as head of the Economic Council to look into the matter. Another question raised with the Former President was the internet system which is not very efficient on the Essequibo Coast. He said

The crowd of the business community at the meeting with Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

the Government will bring in more internet services with bigger bandwidth. Dr Jagdeo said the network has not being completed because of the Opposition cuts to the National budgets

in the National Assembly during the past three years.

One resident from Lima Sands said the road in the area is in very bad state and need to be paved. The Former Pres-

ident said the cuts in the National also affected the construction of the much needed roadway. Reports said money was budgeted for the construction of the road.

Dr Luncheon rubbishes allegations about gov’t minister involved in ‘cash jet pilot’ matter ALLEGATIONS that a Government minister is involved in the embattled ‘cash jet pilot’ Khamraj Lall were rubbished by Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon on Wednesday, during his post- Cabinet news conference.

“I can assure you that we have absolutely no informa-

tion whatsoever from any source official that a Government Minister or specifically Minister Webster is in any way associated with or engaged with pilot Lall in those offences of which he was accused and charged in North America,” he said.

When Minister Jennifer Webster was named as the ‘Government minister’, Dr

Luncheon maintained his sentiments and made it clear that the Human Services and Social Security Minister resigned as a Cabinet Minister due to ill health.

“The Minister came with a letter of resignation which primarily dealt with the status of her health condition that she felt was not improving and a commitment to this

Administration to continue to serve in the context of her personal concern of her health. I think she plucked down her preference, my health in preference to my job. It was on that basis that she offered her resignation,” the HPS said.

He also dismissed the possibility of any other Government minister being investigated by international bodies.

“I am not aware of any investigation by any international organisation or country into activities of Cabinet members,” Dr Luncheon stressed.

Lall, who was travelling with his father and the co-pilot of the aircraft, had initially told officials that he and his father had only US$5,000 but later

allegedly said they had US$12,000. On closer inspection of the plane, officers found US$150,000 wrapped in plastic bags and a blanket under an exit seat. As the search continued, several black garbage bags with another US$470,000 in cash were found in a compartment near the engine.

12

GUYANA CHRONICLE Sarturday April 18, 2015

Cassava business opportunities touted by FAO rep

By Clifford Stanley CASSAVA and its by-products can help reduce the high Regional food import bill and also has the potential for creating big business opportunities for Guyanese producers, local representative of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Mr Reuben Robertson has said.

The official made the assertion during the formal launch of an FAO/Government of Guyana (GOG) project aimed at expanding cassava production, processing and utilisation within the Region.

The launch in Guyana took place in the boardroom of the National Research and Extension Institute (NAREI)

at Mon Repos last Wednesday and was attended by senior officials of the FAO, NAREI, cassava farmers and food processors, including bakeries.

The intention of the project for integrated development of the cassava industry in the Caribbean is to develop cassava as an ingredient replacement for such purposes as a proportion of wheaten flour in bread, in corn in livestock feed, and for malt in the production of beer to reduce the volume of high priced food imports. .

SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE The project is based on scientific evidence that the cassava has the capacity to replace at least 20% of wheat flour imports , up to 40% of

the corn in poultry ration and other animal feed and by itself might address 25% of the food import bill.

Guyana is among seven other CARIFORUM countries participating in the FAO project.

The others are Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent, Grenada and Belize.

The objective of the launch was to raise local stakeholders’ awareness of the programme and to get their input into the development of a national action plan.

The programme included presentations by Dr Oudho Homenauth, Director of NAREI, Mr. Roberston and the Regional Project Coordinator, Ms Vermaran Extavour.

Robertson told local

“We want you to come out of the cocoon where you operate your little cassava production here and see the bigger picture of where we want to go within the rest of the Region.” - local FAO representative, Mr Reuben Robertson

FAO Representative in Guyana, Mr. Reuben Robertson and Director of NAREI, Dr Oudho Homenauth at the launch of the cassava development project in Guyana

producers that Guyana has the capacity to produce cassava as the raw materials for its many valued- added uses in the rest of the Region and urged them to start thinking big.

“We want you to come out of the cocoon where you operate your little cassava production here and see the bigger picture of where we want to go within the rest of the Region.

Meanwhile, Dr Home-

nauth told participants that NAREI currently has ongoing a number of research activities focussing on production of disease-free planting material, best practices for crop husbandry, management and reduction of harvest and post-harvest losses.

He said that these research activities and consequent technology transfer to Guyanese farmers would place them in a very good position to cash in on the

growing demand for cassava within the Region.

And Ms. Extavour said that cassava has a potential market for food, fresh chilled frozen, ground flour, starch, animal feed, chips, beer and biofuels.

RED STRIPE BEER She mentioned developments in Jamaica last year where the Red Stripe beer company created thousands

Turn to page 14 ►

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

‘Runaway’ Mabaruma teen was seeking refuge from mother’s ‘constant abuse’ PYO PEERS...

– Kaieteur News article ‘far from the truth’ THE hours-long disappearance of a Mabaruma teenage girl was attributed to “constant abuse” from her mother by her peers within the community’s Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO).

After a PYO event on Sunday, the teenager went missing and was subsequently found to be staying with friends.

“It is widely suspected in the community that the mother’s constant abuse of her daughter has resulted in the teenager running away from home on many occasions and seeking refuge from residents,” the PYO group said.

The Mabaruma PYO group’s comments were included in a statement yesterday that slammed the embattled Kaieteur News for an article in its Wednesday edition, under the headline ‘Permanent Secretary at the center of missing teen report in North West.’

The report called into question the involvement of Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Ministry, Collin Croal in

the teen’s decision to run away. “Not only is the article misleading but rather it is far from the truth,” the group said.

FULL ACCOUNT According to the group, the teen was indeed involved in an activity on Sunday, when the District Committee (Mabaruma) of the People’s Progressive Party held the finals of the Dr. Cheddi Jagan Memorial Games in the community of Kamwatta.

The team of PYO members was accompanied by Mr. Collin Croal, who is a representative on the National Steering Committee of the PYO and is also one of the Geographical Representatives of the PPP for Region 1 (Barima/ Waini).

H o w e v e r, t h e P Y O group noted that the teen was subsequently publicly berated by her mother for supporting the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), after the team of campaigners for the political Opposition visited the same village in her company.

The group in their statement said, “At no time was the teenager in question missing, since her mother was fully aware of her involvement in our activities and also saw when her daughter, a member of the PYO, joined the minibus that was transporting the group to the games.

“About an hour after the PYO team reached the community of Kamwatta, a team of campaigners for the coalition APNU+AFC arrived at the said village in the company of the teenager’s mother. The child’s mother then came to her in a rude and harsh manner and threatened her verbally in front of the entire group, an ordeal which was witnessed by other spectators at the games.

“As if that was not enough, moments later the child was called away from the group by her mother and some minutes later came back crying. When asked what happened, she related that her mother and other members of the coalition team scolded and berated her because of her affilia-

tion with the PYO. “About fifteen minutes after the teenager returned to our group, her mother came once again and began embarrassing and abusing her daughter verbally, saying things like: ‘You nah weary embarrass me,’ etc, ‘furthermore, get up from there and leh we go now.’

“The teenager while in tears, without hesitation and in a respectful manner, complied with her mother’s instructions. The mother and her daughter left the community in one of the two buses filled with APNU+ AFC coalition supporters.

Children under fourteen years were among them.”

RIGHT OF ASSOCIATION The PYO Mabaruma group stressed that it is the right of every citizen of Guyana to have their political affiliation.

“For the APNU + AFC coalition across the nation it seems not to be so. Since the games were held on Sunday which is not an official day of work, no member of the team was there in their offi-

cial capacity, especially as Community Support Officer (CSO), however the writer of the misleading article is also a CSO and has been using the official working hours and days which she is paid for, to campaign for the coalition,” the group said.

It also addressed charges that the teenager was intoxicated. “It is totally untrue and lacks merit in every sense, since the consumption of alcohol is a practice that is not condoned at any given time during PYO activities.”

The Mabaruma PYO group added, “While this outright propaganda is being facilitated by Kaieteur News, the fact is that supporters of the APNU+ AFC Coalition are peddling malicious lies to discredit PYO and the PPP/C members in an attempt to garner support, however they are being seen for who they really are.”

Consequently, the group charged that the political Opposition has employed tactics to “intimidate” sections of the Guyanese population and rejected strongly

this approach.

“They have been intimidating our young people, Amerindian brothers and sisters because they do not and would not share their dangerous ideologies. Is this the way they intend to run our nation? God forbids… the Progressive Youth Organisation stands by truth, progress, and development and will not be subjected to false claims, bullyism and intimidation... That is for thugs, criminals, and gangsters,” the group said.

It also noted that all persons that were a part of the team are members of the PYO which enlist youths as members from age 14 to 35 years.

“The PYO is one of the oldest Youth Organizations in this beautiful country of Guyana, and whose members live and abide by rules and regulation. The organisation guides its members in a positive, progressive and proactive direction since its main objective is to help young people to become leaders of worth,” the PYO group stressed.

Man found hiding Convicted sex offender found hanging in Mazaruni prison cell under bed facing cocaine A CONVICTED sex offender identified as Navar Edwards called “Ramesh,”of Number Naught Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was found hanging from a sheet which was tied to the door of his cell at the Mazaruni Prison on Wednesday.

According to the police, the incident occurred around 15:00hrs on the day in question and Edwards was pronounced dead on arrival at the Bartica Hospital.

Edwards had been serving a five-year sentence for a sexual offence and was admitted to the Mazaruni Prison on April 9, 2015.An investigation is in progress.

Meanwhile, a post- mortem performed by Pathologist Dr.Nehaul Singh on Wednesday on Roy Bovell, of Tabatinga, Lethem, gave the cause of death as asphyxiation due to hanging.

On April 12, 2015, Roy Bovell was found hanging in

the lock-ups at the Lethem Police Station where he was in custody in a matter that was under investigation.

The Police Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is investigating the incident.

The police in a press release said at about 08:00hrs on April 12, 2015, the body of Roy Bovell, 36, of Tabatinga, Lethem, who was in custody at the Lethem Police Station, was found hanging from the grill work of the station lock-ups.

It added that the police had earlier visited the lockups at 06:15hrs that day and found him alive and well.

Roy Bovell was the only prisoner in the lock-ups at the time and had been arrested at about 19:45hrs on April 11, 2015, at Tabatinga, after he was found in possession of 60 grams of cannabis sativa (marijuana).

In an unrelated incident in which another prisoner

was found dead while in custody in the lockups at Parika Police Station on February 25, 2015, an investigation by the OPR was also done.

Police reported that Zaharadeen Razan, 28, of Cornelia Ida, WCD, was found alive and lying on the floor of the lock-ups during a visit to the lock-ups by the police.

Following questioning of other prisoners in the lock-ups, Razan was taken for medical treatment at the Leonora Cottage Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

It was noted that Razan was arrested and taken into custody at about 21:10hrs on February 24, following a report of damage to property that was made against him.

A few years ago another prisoner was found dead in the lockups at the La Grange Police Station, West Bank Demerara.

trafficking charge

By Clestine Juan A LABOURER was remanded to prison by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry on a drug trafficking charge.

Neaz Osmon, 27, pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that on April 3 at Cross Street, Albouystown

he had in his possession 3 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Gonsalvas told the court that police acting on information went to the apartment where the defendant was staying in Cross Street and conducted a search.

Gonsalvas explained that

the defendant was found hiding under the bed and a search was conducted and the illicit drug was found in his pants pocket. He was arrested and charged for the offence.

Osmon was remanded to prison until April 30 when he will appear before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

Seaman on fraudulent conversion charge granted $40,000 bail CHIEF Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry granted $40,000 bail to a 31-yearold sea captain charged with fraudulent conversion, when he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Seapaul Lakeram of 133 1st Street Mocha, East Bank Demerara denied the charge.

It is alleged that on April 7 at Houston, East Bank Demerara. Lakeram being solely entrusted by Jarmain Dharma with $190,000 to purchase groceries, converted

the said money to his own use and benefit.

The prosecutor did not reveal the facts to the court nor objected to bail being granted. Lakeram will return to court before Magistrate Annett Singh on April 27.

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Campaign launched to help ‘Apostle’ – the jaguar

GUYANA CHRONICLE Sarturday April 18, 2015

THE SWEET LIFE JUST GOT SWEETER!

Marble Slab Creamery joins Guyana’s dessert industry

– support from private entities needed

By Shivanie Sugrim THE education volunteer who recently launched an online campaign to improve the current enclosure for ‘Apostle’, the jaguar at the Zoological Park (zoo) in the city is calling on private entities for assistance.

Sarina Kawall, the zoo’s education volunteer in a brief interview with this publication, disclosed that the campaign has been faced with slow responses from the public so she is urging the private entities for their support. Thus far, she has managed to raise US$1,950 from private donations around the world.

The rehabilitation will, however, cost approximately US$8,300 to properly repair Apostle’s enclosure.

Administered by the Protected Areas Commission (PAC), the zoo has drastically moved from a focus on entertainment to a focus on conservation, rehabilitation and education.

PAC Officer, Annalise Bayney, who supervises such issues at the zoo, told the Guyana Chronicle that it would be great if the private sector in Guyana can be involved in providing financial donations since it will benefit the development of the zoo and ideally improve Apostle’s life.

Apostle is about seven or eight years old and came

From left are: Navin Singh, Managing Director of Gravity Lounge and franchise holder of Marble Slab Creamery; Paul Probst, Marble Slab Creamery’s Franchise Business Consultant; and partners Clairmont and Dwayne Cummings

‘Apostle’ the jaguar

to the zoo as an abused animal. She was captured in a mining camp and subjected to extremely brutal treatment before being rescued by other miners. Thereafter, she had been tied up in a bag and beaten and consequently had large open wounds on her skin. Due to the care of the zoo keepers, Apostle has fortunately made a complete recovery.

This campaign, Kawall said, is geared at raising funds to improve Apostle’s life at the zoo by rehabilitating her enclosure, which is in a rough condition since at present she is confined to the concreted portion of her enclosure for security reasons.

Kawall noted that the “green” space behind the animal’s enclosure which is

used for exercise and recreation is currently termite-infested and it is not a safe environment for a 250 lb animal to be in, nor would it be safe for zoo patrons to be around.

Additionally, she indicated that although there are plans for a full ‘open’ cat enclosure for the future, this seems unlikely for the time being without the assistance of private entities and the public.

The plans include a complete dismantling of the current structure behind the concrete space and rebuilding with concrete and metal fences to safely contain the feline while allowing Apostle the freedom of exploration and usable ‘green’ space.

Cassava business... of jobs as part of a project to replace imported inputs with locally grown cassava in the production of beer.

The beer maker signed a lease agreement with the Agro Investment Corporation of Jamaica for 36 acres of land to be used as a pilot farm for cassava cultivation.

Red Stripe managing director Cedric Blair said that he was absolutely confident that the company will be in a position to replace approximately 20 per cent of its imported brewing raw materials by 2016.

Extavour said that the cassava project will develop, test and promote cassava products and recipes and develop and implement a campaign promoting/highlighting the use of cassava and its nutritional and health benefits.

It will seek to identify, standardize, upgrade and promote the use of best-performing processing equipment (good prototypes of graters, pressers, stoves etc.) and create private sector stakeholder partnerships to develop high quality cassava flour (HQCF)

From page 12

T h e FA O w i l l a l s o network with the CARICOM Secretariat, the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the Caribbean Farmers Network( CaFAN) the Caribbean Business Association (CABA) the Commission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) NAREI and the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure synergy within the overall effort.

Paul Probst, Marble Slab’s Creamery’s Franchise Business Consultant, treating the gathering to any ice cream of their choice

By Shivanie Sugrim THERE is a bit of good news making the rounds in Guyanese society: Gravity Lounge has joined the dessert industry; the ‘Marble Slab Creamery’ is set to offer the Guyanese public a wide array of top quality ice-cream.

Managing Director of Gravity Lounge, Navin Singh, took friends, family members and media operatives on a tour and menu sampling exercise at its location situated alongside the Footsteps mega-store on America Street in downtown Georgetown. He explained that, after much success with Gravity, he felt there was need for a dessert entity; and, as such, he began researching franchises and discovered Marble Slab Creamery, which will be officially opened on Monday “Marble Slab Creamery

shares the same vision with us in terms of providing top quality products that everyone could relate to; and (it) is also price conscious,” Singh emphasised.

He added that this is a “huge plus” for him and other collaborators, since Guyana has been longing for more in its ‘dessert’ industry.

Given that the competition has now begun in this industry, with competitors like Brusters and Dairy Queen in the arena, Singh noted that this dessert entity will offer more than just the best customer service. He said there are approximately 70 flavours with over 13 different toppings which will rotate every week.

Singh also disclosed that he is currently on the verge of expanding Gravity’s portfolio so that Guyana can be among the best in the food and entertainment industry.

Paul Probst, Marble Slab Creamery’s franchise business consultant, told the Chronicle he was excited about this venture, and is hoping that it expands in the near future.

Marble Slab Creamery has been serving chef-created, super-premium and handmixed ice cream since 1983.

Every batch of Marble Slab Creamery ice cream is fresh made in small batches in the store, using ingredients from around the world and dairy from local farms.

Marble Slab Creamery is today enjoyed by consumers across the globe, and is obtainable at locations in Bahrain, Canada, Guam, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, the United States, and now Guyana.

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Food safety plugged at World Health Day Street Fair - further strengthening of food inspection regimes on front burner

By Shirley Thomas THE Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), in collaboration with Safety and Security Partners, yesterday hosted a massive World Health Day Street Fair on Main Street Avenue, between Quamina and New Market Streets in Georgetown.

Held under the theme “From Farm to Plate: Keep it Safe”, the venture was a huge success and attracted hundreds of students from secondary schools around the city, as well as the general public who all showed keen interest in the information shared by the stakeholders.

Among the partners joining with PAHO/WHO in hosting the Street Fair were the Food and Agriculture Organization; Guyana National Bureau of Standards; Mayor and City Council; the National Food Safety and Control Committee of the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, Wellness Warriors and related departments of the Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Education.

World Health Day is observed on April 7 each year, commencing in 1948, the year in which the WHO was founded.

In a statement issued by the local PAHO/WHO Office, PAHO’s Resident Representative, Dr. William Adu Krow noted that the theme for this year’s observances “From Farm to Plate, Make Foods Safe” provides an opportunity to alert governments, manufacturers, retailers and the public about the importance of food safety and the part each can play in

ensuring that the food on people’s plates is safe to eat.

Noting that every day people around the world get sick from the food they eat, Dr. Adu Krow disclosed that foodborne diseases kill an estimated 2.2 million people annually, most of whom are children. He pointed out that food-borne illnesses are usually infectious or toxic in nature. They are usually caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions or chemical substances entering the body through contaminated food or water.

“Food-borne diseases not only adversely affect people’s health and wellbeing, but also have negative economic consequences for individuals, families, communities, businesses and countries. These diseases impose a substantial burden on health-care systems trade and tourism and markedly reduce economic productivity and threaten livelihood,” the PAHO Representative said.

Dr. Adu Krou added that food safety and control systems need to adapt to today’s food production and distribution practices, moving their focus gradually from the end-product testing to process control throughout the food chain.

Towards this end, he cautioned that, “Education and training of food safety workers need to take these challenges and development into account.”

Meanwhile, PAHO/WHO, on the occasion of World Health Day 2015, has stressed the importance of global prevention, detection and response to public health threats associated with unsafe foods; ensuring the achievement of consumer trust in their authorities and confidence in food supply.

Dr. Adu Krow challenged the public sector to play a pivotal role in build-

ing a community of various stakeholders and partners who share common goals and responsibilities. Further, that the partnership should encompass consumer and school education, science and research, agriculture and fishery, tourism, trade and industry, as well as regulatory authorities.

Moreover, he warned that key players need to have a timely access to reliable and up-to-date information, including emergency alerts so that collective action can be taken.

Noting that a food safety problem in one country immediately puts other countries at risk if not addressed promptly, Dr. Adu Krow assured that PAHO/WHO will continue to work with all their member states to ensure ‘the food we eat from our plates is safe for all individuals and their families.’

Meanwhile, Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, in his World Health Day message, said that the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Health, has placed Food Safety on the front burner. “Our interventions seek to protect consumers from the risk of food poisoning and food borne diseases, acute or chronic and shoddy food products,” the health minister said. He added that the Ministry of Health’s Food and Drug Department is committed to ensuring that Guyanese have confidence in the foods they buy and eat.

Having recently strengthened this unit, the minister pledged that his ministry will also strengthen its capacity to execute its mandate of inspection and enforcement, through expansion of its already robust training programme. He said that the Government of Guyana will continue to work with its strategic partners such as PAHO/WHO; the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture (IICA); Food and Agriculture Organization; Guyana National Bureau of Standards and others, to further strengthen food inspection regimes.

Booths showcasing approaches aimed at heightening food safety and strengthening responses to food safety emergencies

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

Benefits from Marriott will be huge for Guyana - President Ramotar GUYANA’S first five-star hotel is up and running under the Marriott International brand and the country’s Head of State is optimistic that the benefits will be huge, inspite of the numerous challenges to the project.

“The service standards of the industry can be expected to rise. We can expect increased training and commitment to service as a result of Marriott setting the standard. We can also expect continued investment by other hotels in improving their rooms and other amenities. Our capacity to host events/conferences will be considerably expanded, and this will spill over to all users of the hospitality sector,” the President told invitees at an opening reception at the Kingston Hotel on Thursday evening.

The 197-room structure employs 230 Guyanese and boasts a magnificent Presidential Suite, large and small meeting spaces and banquet facilities, a modern restaurant, executive lounge, a great room and outdoor bar and dining area among other features. Soon to be made additions include its entertainment complex, inclusive of a casino, night club and specialty restaurant, by yearend.

“The number of persons looking to visit Guyana knowing that we have a global brand like Marriott will increase; indeed the Marriott marketing brand will promote Guyana and this hotel. I expect as our economy continues to grow, more international brands, more Marriotts will be built.

This project represents part of an integrated strategy to improve our travel and tourism sector,” President Ramotar said.

He noted that increased international arrivals and departures for the last decade have led to an investment

of about US$150 million to expand the airport. Similarly, he noted that the proposed dedicated hospitality school will start this year and there has been an increase in the number of international airlines in Guyana. “So now we have more passenger lift to bring many visitors and overseas-based Guyanese friends and relatives.”

The President noted that these initiatives are supported by a growing and vibrant economy, which will see new projects in gold mining, an expanding Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, the infrastructure of the country, including the hydro-electric project, new roads and expanded ports and oil and gas drilling. “ H o p e f u l l y E x x o n ’s US$200 million well will provide positive results by next month. Others are expected to drill soon, such as Repsol and CGX.” While the Marriott has become a reality shortly after it began in 2012, President Ramotar said the road has been bumpy and “making this project happen has been a challenge. It had to overcome considerable odds, but today despite these attacks and slanders by people specialised in negativity and destroying things, it has become a reality…this property and hotel should make all Guyanese proud.”

Among the challenges has been financing for the project, since it was denied Parliamentary approval following the political Opposition’s refusal to accept the project.

Government secured a private equity investor. However, the legal actions, along with the risks associated with the non-passage of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Bill have been of concern to the investor resulting in the non-conclusion of their investment.

“Once the legal action

In photo, from left, are Ms Lisa Ramotar, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, President Donald Ramotar, Ms Brenda Durham – Senior VP for Marriott International, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Mr Roberto Grissi - General Manager of the Guyana Marriott Hotel, and Mr Winston Brassington – Chairman of NICIL and Atlantic Hotels Inc. at last Thursday’s gala reception at the newly opened Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown to its success and is imaffecting the financing is reDurham, this hotel is one in flects not only the Guyanese pressed by the hard work solved, my Government will more than 3,000 under the culture and artefacts, but determine how we proceed… brand, but is very special to the warm hospitality of the put in by those Guyanese hired by the brand to get Following the fallout from the the group. people, hence, Marriott Inthe hotel started. (GINA) failure to pass the Anti-Money She said the hotel reternational is committed Laundering Bill, Marriott has agreed to be the operator of the Entertainment Complex.”

The President said that US$27 million debt financing via Republic Bank has been committed and all legal documentation executed to allow disbursement. Of this, US$15.25 million has been disbursed and “we expect the balance to come after the current legal challenge is overcome.

Marriott Guyana is an iconic building sitting on the Kingston waterfront of the Atlantic Ocean, transforming the landscape and, according to Marriott International Senior Guests at a gala cocktail reception to mark the opening of Marriott Hotel Vice President Ms. Brenda

President Donald Ramotar addressing guests at a cocktail reception to mark the opening of Marriott Hotel

Guests at the Marriott reception

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Institute of Internal Auditors conducts two-day workshop --auditors updated on new practices

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

Participants at the Regency Hotel

Mr. John Seeram receives an award for being a long-standing member of the IIA from Ms. Mandie Mickie INTERNAL Auditors were on Thursday sensitised to the latest developments in the practice of internal auditing, as they participated in the Institute of Internal Auditors(IIA) Guyana Chapter seminar and workshop at the Regency Suites, Hadfield Street,Georgetown.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the programme, President of the IIA Guyana Chapter, Jaigopaul Ram, said that ever since their resuscitation in 2009 they have hosted three such seminars per year, which have yielded very good dividends thus far.

According to Ram, they have been continuously conducting programmes such as these, so that persons could be sensitised on updated developments in the practice of internal auditing.

He told participants that is time that they realise the profession of internal auditing in Guyana as an institution; therefore, they are advising and inviting persons to become members of the association as soon as possible.

“From the last financial year we have moved from 35 to 36 members, which is a huge leap towards getting this profession out there, as we continue to sensitise all the organisations and promote good governance,” said the IIA Guyana Chapter’s President.

Currently, he noted that they have received 18 more additional persons who want to join the institute and they are working to have them on stream very soon.

GOLD STATUS Ram emphasised that over the last five years they we were able to attain gold status, which is the second highest in the tranche of performance excellence, while the highest is platinum which requires the chapter to get 10 out of 11 years of performance, and they have promised to work over the next five years to achieve this goal.

“The Guyana Chapter is one of the fastest growing in the Caribbean, therefore, we will continue to make a significant contribution to the growth and development of the internal auditing profession,” he disclosed.

Meanwhile, he stated that this seminar will be the final one for the year, because of the approaching General and Regional Elections., while also advising the participants that they are not in elections mode, but they want to meet their mandate and move the profession further.

Also speaking at the programme, member of the IIA chapter and President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Ramesh Dookhoo, underscored the fact that the IIA Guyana Chapter has come a long way.

He noted that we have to adapt to the changing business environment, and a step in doing so is developing internal auditors, therefore, this initiative by the IIA Guyana Chapter is one of good nature.

Dookhoo emphasised the responsibilities of the different types of auditors and how the IIA contributes to the development of internal Auditors.

Meanwhile in brief remarks, facilitator for the first workshop and former head of the IIA Guyana Chapter, John Seeram, said that the Guyana Chapter of the IIA is here to stay.

“It has developed after 15 years of existence and will continue to serve the needs of this country, and this is all through the teamwork with our colleagues,” he said. In concluding, he shared the IIA’s Motto: “Progress Through sharing,” with participants.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

From back pagebut ‘Our young people deserve nothing the best’ - President Ramotar

By Tamica Garnett

PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, speaking to a huge audience of mostly school students and young athletes, declared that Guyanese youths deserve nothing but the best, as he declared the synthetic track facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, officially open yesterday during a festive ceremony.

“Our young people deserve nothing less than the best and we must have the best”, the President exclaimed to an applauding crowd. ”It is indeed a good time to be young, a very, very good time to be young (with) all of the facilities that we are putting down to help in the welfare of the country.

“And this facility is only one of a series of facilities that we have been putting down to help the development of our people, we have the stadium ... we have the aquatic centre, another world class standard.”

Branded the ‘National Track and Field Centre’, the facility, costing just outside US$5M, extends over some 22 acres of land and includes a certified allweather synthetic track, as well as a football field, and complementary spectator stands and facilities.

The opening of the facility marks a major developmental realisation for the track fraternity who have struggled in their need for such a facility to train national athletes.

Additionally, a former lack of a synthetic track facility has been a principal impediment in Guyana bidding to host regional and international track events, a point the President touched on in his remarks.

“This facility gives us the possibility of holding

many events in Guyana where we could not have done so in the past. We will now be exposing our people, our sports men and women, to more regional and international competition and many of (those competitions), we hope, will take place right here to help inspire our children, our young people to participate in sports and bring glory to themselves … with this we hope that sports will bring our country great glory,” Ramotar said.

Outside of the hopes for the hosting of regional and international events, the President noted that he is very much looking forward to seeing the track being utilised locally for competitions such as the annual Schools Track competitions.

“I would like to see all the schools’ sports activities, their track and field sports activities being held here on this facility, so that it can also serve to inspire them to achieve higher and higher goals. I hope that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Sport will work closely together to ensure that sports play a bigger and bigger role in the curriculum of schools.”

Ramotar stated.

Ramotar further remarked on how the development of sport could lead to development of even the economic sector, with the potential to favourably contribute to Guyana’s tourism industry.

“It also has many economic benefits it can bring to us. We need to attract more regional and international competitions here. By doing so we would be able to attract more people to our country, more tourists will come to our country, and more people will be aware of the beauty of Guyana and more will want to come and see what Guyana is all about.”

Meanwhile, also making remarks at the event were the Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Permanent Secretary, Alfred King, as well as president of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, and representative from the Guyana Football Federation, Stuart May, among others.

The ceremony was chaired

by Deputy Permanent Secretary, Steve Ninvalle.

Minister Anthony reminded the audience of the great role that sports could play in breeding social cohesion in our multicultural, multiethnic society, which is why the government continues to invest in the sector.

“We want to see sports being used as a unifying force, and that is why the government has spent so much money, and will continue to spend on the development of sports in our country.

“With this facility, it would open up new possibilities, new opportunities for the young people, opportunities that the generation before them could not have experienced because they did not have certified facilities like this one,” Anthony said.

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Tamim, Mushfiqur shine as Bangladesh beat Pakistan at last (REUTERS) - Centuries from Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim powered Bangladesh to their highest total and a victory against Pakistan in one-day internationals after a gap of 16 years yesterday.

The 79-run win in Dhaka gave Bangladesh a 1-0 lead in the three-match series and their second victory in the 50over format against Pakistan.

The minnows also defeated them in Northampton during the 1999 World Cup in England.

Tamim (132) and Mushfiqur (106) added 178 in 130 balls for the third wicket as Bangladesh recovered from a sluggish start to post their highest ODI total of 329-6 after winning the toss and opting to bat first against a newlook Pakistan side.

In reply, the visitors were bowled out for 250 in the 46th over, despite halfcenturies from Azhar Ali (72), debutant Mohammad

Rizwan (67) and Haris Sohail (51).

Azhar, who replaced the retired Misbah-ul-Haq as Pakistan’s new ODI captain, would have been delighted with the performance of his

13 fours and two sixes, turned the momentum in Bangladesh’s favour with their record stand - the highest for any wicket for the side in the 50-over format.

Tamim Iqbal impressed with 132 for Bangladesh. bowlers in the first 20 overs as Bangladesh limped to 67 for two.

But Tamim, who scored his first ODI hundred since March 2013, and former captain Mushfiqur, whose 77-ball knock contained

HIGH HOPES With some of their firstchoice bowlers ruled out with injuries before the start of the series, Pakistan had high hopes of off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who has returned to international

cricket after remodelling his illegal bowling action.

Ajmal bowled well for his first five overs, giving away only 11 runs, but ended with figures of 0-74 from his 10, his worst figures in ODIs. Left-arm paceman Wahab Riaz, who was impressive during the recent 50-over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, was once again the pick of the Pakistan bowlers with figures of 4-59.

Azhar, playing his first ODI in two years, gave Pakistan a strong start, putting on 53 with Sarfraz Ahmed for the opening wicket and then 89 with Haris Sohail for the third.

But after his dismissal to fast bowler Taskin Ahmed in the 28th over, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals and the required run rate climbed steeply.

Taskin and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny took three wickets each for Bangladesh.

Caribbean Sensation making another gallant effort

TORONTO, Canada --After seven years competing in the Ontario Softball Cricket League (OSCL) and reaching five consecutive finals in the

any team, be it softball or any other sport, he’s making great efforts to also preserve the culture that has been adopted from his native country Guyana.

However, there was some consolation for Sukhu, as the Over-50 side captured the Over-50 championship in the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket League (OMSCL)

OSCL while the Over-50 will compete in the OMSCL. The club has decided not to field an Over-40 side this season.

The senior team will once again be led by

Super Kings make mockery of 184 chase

KIERON Pollard and Rohit Sharma did their best to help Mumbai Indians set a challenging target for Chennai Super Kings, but a whirlwind opening partnership between Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum made a mockery of a 184-run chase.

The six-wicket win at the Wankhede Stadium was Super Kings’ third in as many games, even as their opponents suffered their fourth consecutive loss of the season.

Scores: Chennai Super Kings 189 for 4 (Smith 62, McCullum 46) beat Mumbai Indians 183 for 7 (Pollard 64, Rohit 50, Nehra 3-23) by 6 wickets That Mumbai posted a total as challenging as 183 was down to the knocks from Rohit and Pollard, who lifted the side after yet another top-order collapse.

This time, it was Ashish Nehra’s accurate bowling that left Mumbai reeling at 62 for 4 at the halfway stage.

Their partnership of 75 came off only 33 deliveries and played a large part in helping the home team add 121 runs in the last 10 overs.

That partnership paled in comparison to the onslaught

by McCullum and Smith. By the time the batsmen holed out in the deep to Harbhajan Singh in the eighth over, Super Kings had raced to 115 and the target was almost down to less than a run-a-ball for the remaining 12 overs.

The pair were at their harshest between the fourth and sixth overs. They combined to hammer ten fours and two sixes as the three overs fetched 61 runs.

The bowler at the other end didn’t matter - Lasith Malinga, J Suchith and Harbhajan Singh were each hit for four boundaries in their overs. The assault helped Super Kings raise the second-highest Powerplay tally in the IPL overall.

The highlight of McCullum’s 20-ball 46 was the glide over the keeper off Pawan Suyal in the seventh over. McCullum was almost facing Parthiv Patel when he helped the ball over the fineleg fence, bringing up the hundred for Super Kings.

Both batsmen fell within five balls but the stage was set for Super Kings to bring their batting depth into play and improve on their net run rate. Suresh Raina achieved the objective with a trademark cameo, helping Super Kings overhaul the target with 20 balls to spare.

Just like their batsmen set up the chase in the Powerplay overs, the Super Kings bowlers set up the game in Mumbai’s Powerplay.

The hosts had a new opening pair in Parthiv Patel and Lendl Simmons, who replaced the injured Aaron Finch, but Parthiv was trapped in front of the wickets for a golden duck by Ashish Nehra off the fourth ball of the innings.

In Nehra’s next over, Faf du Plessis pulled off a stunning catch to see the back of the dangerous Corey Anderson. When Simmons gave du Plessis catching practice off Ishwar Pandey, Mumbai had been reduced to 12 for 3.

If Mumbai’s decision to make Rohit bat at No. 4 was not surprising enough, Harbhajan was sent in at No 5, ahead of Kieron Pollard and Ambati Rayudu.

Harbhajan stemmed the fall of wickets with a 45-run partnership, before Rohit and Pollard set the up the innings.

Between the 10th and 15th overs of the innings, Mumbai raced from 62 for 4 to 132 for 5, with Pollard and Rohit taking 26 runs off one Ravindra Jadeja over.

In the end, a score of 183 proved to be far from enough for the home team.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

CRICKETQUIZ CORNER (Saturday April 18, 2015)

SOME members of Caribbean Sensation, with president Harri Sukhu third from left.

East Division, Caribbean Sensation have no intention of “calling it a day”.

Instead, they are raring to go and hoping to go one step better when the various competitions, organised by the OSCL get under way next month.

An undaunted president Harri Sukhu told Chronicle Sport, while winning should obviously be the main aim of

In the most recent final, played last October, Caribbean Sensation seemed on the way to breaking the jinx after limiting opponents East Coast to a challenging 136 for seven in their allotted 20 overs but once again stuttered to 128 for six in their allotment of overs, thereby losing by eight runs.

while Over-40s placed fourth overall, also in the Masters.

Sukhu recalled migrating to Canada at the tender age of 10 and while not playing much cricket in Guyana, is grateful not only for being part of his team but also for what he termed “helping to find our identity”.

For this year, Caribbean Sensation will continue to field its senior team in the

Navin Singh and includes stalwarts Anil Samuel, Anand Balwant, Sheik Khan, Richard Driffield, Suresh Persaud, Zaheer Allard, Shane Murli, Terry Mathura and Sukhu himself. These players have been undergoing rigorous indoor practice due to the sodden conditions of most of the grounds here.

(Frederick Halley)

Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)

Courtney Walsh (WI vs ENG, Antigua, 1994)

(2)

Shaun Marsh-616 runs (Kings XI Punjab)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI player made 112 runs in the only innings of his Test career?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Tournament in the very first IPL competition?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

33

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

Holder’s maiden Test century earns West Indies a draw … James Anderson becomes England’s leading Test wicket-taker (REUTERS) - Jason Holder struck his maiden first-class century to lead West Indies to a draw in the first Test in Antigua yesterday after James Anderson had become England’s leading Test wickettaker.

Denesh Ramdin and Holder shared a resolute seventh-wicket stand of 105 and although the former became Anderson’s 384th Test victim in the final session, the hosts did enough to ruin England’s hopes of going 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Holder ended unbeaten on 103 and Kemar Roach was 15 not out as West Indies finished on 350 for seven, 88 runs short of their improbable victory target of 438.

Paceman Anderson surpassed Ian Botham’s tally of 383 Test victims when he had Ramdin caught by captain Alastair Cook at first slip for 57.

Holder held his nerve, however,

and he reached three figures by hitting James Tredwell for four in the penultimate over of the match.

Earlier, England looked to be closing in on victory when they dismissed Devon Smith, Marlon

Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul in the morning session, leaving West Indies on 162 for five at lunch.

First-innings centurion Jermaine Blackwood fell for 31 soon after the interval, aiming a wild heave at

Man-of-the-Match Jason Holder leaves the field beaming after his maiden Test century saved the opening Test for the West Indies .

Chris Jordan and edging a catch to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

But Ramdin and Holder comfortably survived on a flat pitch and the hosts took tea at 268 for six.

Anderson equalled Botham’s total in the morning session when Samuels, on 23, flashed at a wide ball and was well caught by Tredwell in the gully.

Off-spinner Tredwell had already tempted Smith to try to drive him over the top but the opener holed out to Gary Ballance at mid-on for 65.

Tredwell should have dismissed Samuels in his next over, Buttler missing a difficult stumping chance from a sharply turning delivery.

Samuels soon fell to a full delivery from Anderson before Chanderpaul and Blackwood dug in.

The limpet-like Chanderpaul appeared well set for another marathon knock but, on 13, he was trapped lbw by part-time spinner Joe Root.

AGCB/RAJ SINGH INSURANCE U-19 INTER-COUNTY

Mohammed hits 50 before showers run things … Berbice strengthen lead over E’bo

By Calvin Roberts NATIONAL Under-17 Select XI skipper Ronaldo Ali-Mohammed emulated Raymond Perez and Adrian Sukhwah, by hitting a halfcentury of his own on the raintruncated second day of their final round Guyana Cricket Board/Raj Singh Insurance Under-19 Intercounty fixture against Demerara.

Resuming the day on 211 for 9 with Ali-Mohammed on 44 and Tameshwar Motieram yet to score after the entire first session was not played due to rain and seepages on the pitch, AliMohammed posted his 50 from 135 minutes and 92 balls with eight fours.

A sweetly-timed drive through point

for his eighth four off Carlton Jacques, enabled a calm-looking Ali-Mohammed to become the third batsman in his team to score a half-century. He added 51 valuable runs with Motieram for the final wicket, before Akshaya Persaud (1 for 28) removed Motieram for 3.

Shurfane Rutherford (4 for 43), Ershad Alli (3 for 28) and Malcolm Hubbard (2 for 28) had done the damage earlier for Demerara, who later saw Rutherford and Ronaldo Renee add 53 without loss off 10 overs at tea, at which point another shower forced the players off the field.

Rutherford opened his account with two fours through cover off Joshua Jones and struck two more in his 30, with Renee’s contribution to the total

being 17. Demerara will be looking for an additional 198 runs for first-innings points, when play starts at 09:30hrs today.

At Enmore, Berbice resumed the day on 196 for 6 and after being forced to stay indoors for most of the day, made great use of the limited playing time they got to reach 273 for 7 at the close for a lead of 134, in reply to Essequibo’s first-day 139 all out.

Daniel Lewis and Ritesh Omrao were the not-out batsmen for the Ancient County on 27 and 34 respectively, after they lost Kassim Khan, who was dismissed by left arm orthodox spinner Akini Adams who has so far taken four of the wickets to fall.

King of swing Anderson passes Botham’s record (REUTERS) - James Anderson became England’s highest wickettaker in Test cricket when he claimed his 384th victim in the drawn first Test against West Indies in Antigua yesterday.

The 32-year-old fast bowler surpassed Ian Botham’s haul of 383 wickets when he had Denesh Ramdin caught for 57 by Alastair Cook at first slip in the final session on the last day of his 100th Test.

“My immediate emotion was we were back in the game,” Anderson told Sky Sports television.

“We were hoping to get the win.

Great to have my family here as well and taking over from an English legend is a hugely proud moment for me.”

Despite Anderson’s record England failed to win as West Indies,

chasing an unlikely victory target of 438, finished on 350 for seven to keep the three-match series level at 0-0.

“We got into a great position,” Anderson said. “We got ourselves back in the game with great hundreds from Belly (Ian Bell) and Gaz (Gary Ballanc e) but we couldn’t find anything in that pitch whatsoever. We tried our hearts out.”

Anderson made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in 2003 and has been the mainstay of England’s pace attack for the last few years thanks to his ability to swing the ball.

He has 16 five-wicket hauls and has twice taken 10 wickets in a match, his best figures of seven for 43 coming against New Zealand in Nottingham in 2008.

“I think the difference from when I started is that I know my game now,” Anderson said.

“When I started I didn’t have a clue, ran up and bowled as hard as I could. I developed skills. (The record) has not been a target. I love taking wickets for England.

“My target is to keep my place in the side. We have a hugely talented side at the minute and everyone is very excited about where we go.”

Former all-rounder Botham, now a Sky commentator, was gracious after losing his record to Anderson.

“I’m delighted for Jimmy. It’s been a burden for him and for me. He was always going past it,” Botham said.

“I’ve watched him develop those skills. It’s not easy to bowl the inswinger and away-swinger with very little detail change but it’s great to watch those skills. I enjoy watching him bowl, it’s a pleasure to commentate.”

Scoreboard ENGLAND 1st innings 399 West Indies 1st innings 295 England 2nd innings 333-7 decl.

WEST INDIES 2nd innings (target: 438 runs) (o/night 98 for two) K. Brathwaite c Root b Broad 5 D. Smith c Ballance b Tredwell 65 DM Bravo c Jordan b Root 32 M. Samuels c Tredwell b Anderson 23 S. Chanderpaul lbw b Root 13 J. Blackwood c wkp.

Buttler b Jordan 31 D. Ramdin c Cook b Anderson 57 J. Holder not out 103 K. Roach not out 15 Extras: (b-2, lb-2, nb-2) 6 Total: (7 wkts, 129.4 overs) 350 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-90, 3-119, 4-127, 5-155, 6-189, 7-294.

Bowling: Anderson 24.43-72-2, Broad 21-5-61-1, Tredwell 40-14-93-1, Jordan 18-6-48-1 (nb-2), Stokes 130-50-0, Root 13-6-22-2.

Man-of-the-Match: Jason Holder.

Racing Tips South Africa Racing Tips

08:50 hrs Powerstown Dreams

Turffontein

09:25 hrs Kilkenny Kim

08:15 hrs Blazing Brave

10:00 hrs Dan’s Quest

08:55 hrs King And Empire

10:35 hrs Askamore Darsi

09:35 hrs Rockin The Daisies

11:10 hrs Azure Aware

10:10 hrs Love Token

11:45 hrs Bearly Legal

10:45 hrs Mai Thaiga

12:20 hrs Monkhouse

11:20 hrs Fort Navidad

Irish Racing Tips

English Racing Tips

Navan

Newbury

09:20 hrs Chillie Billie

09:15 hrs Lunasea

09:55 hrs Rich Jade

08:45 hrs Arab Spring

10:30 hrs Pleascach

09:15 hrs Tiggy Wiggy

11:05 hrs Ringside Humour

10:25 hrs Big Baz

11:40- hrs Annadiamond

11:00 hrs Mr Singh 11:35 hrs Ice Lord 12:10 hrs Wheat Sheaf Ayr 08:25 hrs Runswick Royal 09:00 hrs Top Gamble 09:35 hrs Sign Of Victory

12:15 hrs Chinese Light 12:45 hrs Just Be Lucky American Racing Tips Keenland Race 1 A. P. Sonata Race 2 Defer Heaven Race 3 Fortutious Race 4 Hootenanny

10:10 hrs Dunraven Storm

Race 5 Yap Yap Yap

10:45 hrs Harry The Viking

Race 6 Delaunay

11:25 hrs Rock The Kasbah

Race 7 Seeking Alpha

11:55 hrs Seaviper

Race 8 Warriorscmoutoplay

12:30 hrs William Henry

Race 9 Dynamic Sky

Bangor

Race10 Silver Morgan

34

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

‘Sharks’ bite into Inter Moengotapoe 2-0 ... Central FC set up proverbial ‘final’ with Alpha United tomorrow

Team P W D L GF GA GD P Alpha United 1 1 0 0 3 0 +3 3 Central FC 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3 Moengotapoe 2 0 0 2 0 5 -5 0

Part of the action between Central FC (T&T) and Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium

The release went on to state that Khan was also a keen supporter of tennis development, always willing to lend a helping hand to the GTA especially for juniors while genuinely recognising the efforts of the association to keep tennis alive in Guyana.

“His donations to tennis and unwavering contributions to various sports will never be forgotten and will continue to serve as an inspiration to other sports enthusiasts and players,” the release stated.

“Our condolences go out to his beautiful family, especially his respected sons Javed and Imran.

… Matches shifted to tonight

Khan (left) makes a donation of tennis equipment through West Indian Sports Complex to top seeded Jeremy Miller in 2011.

GDF exit CFU Club Championship despite 2-2 draw with SAP FC IT ALL unfolded like a bad dream for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), debutants at this year’s Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship. They were booted from the tournament despite their 2-2 draw against Antigua and Barbuda’s SAP Football Club.

The GDF fell 7-1 to a powerful W-Connection side in their first game and were hoping for redemption against the Antiguans but could only salvage a tame draw at the

IT WAS not a match to ‘wow’ about, but Central FC, with a double from Trinidad and Tobago International striker Willis Plaza (53rd and 57th), outclassed Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe 2-0 in their first Group 1 game of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday.

With the win, Central FC set up a proverbial ‘final’ with Guyana’s Alpha United on Sunday from 13:00hrs while the loss - the second for the Surinamese top club meant that they have no chance of advancing to the next round.

For the T&T ProLeague side, the clash with Alpha United is a mustwin situation, given the face that the Guyanese hold a superior goal difference and will only need a draw to advance.

Nonetheless, despite their win, the Trinidad unit dominated the contest with the side featuring some of the island’s prominent National players.

Plaza, however, would turn out to be the difference on the pitch for the

men from the Twin Island Republic, especially in the second stanza since the first finished goalless.

With heavy downpour at the Providence venue, Central FC seemed to adopt faster to the conditions, as Plaza hits it flat and hard to the bottom corner of the net, collecting a pass after a brilliant play by Nathaniel Garcia down the right wing. He sent the ball into the 18-yard area for the 27-yearold forward to score his first of two goals on the day.

The lanky forward was not done yet.

Four minutes later, Plaza picked up on a ball just at the top of the ‘18’ and hammered in a powerful rightfooted volley, much to the delight to their all but four supporters in the stands.

Inter Moengotapoe really did not trouble the TT ProLeague points leaders with goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams hardly being threatened all afternoon.

The winner of the Group Stage will advance to the second round of the tourney and the final round matches, set for May 20-22, will help to select the region’s top three teams for the CONCACAF Champions League.

Rain forces postponement of Busta soft shoe tournament

GTA mourns the passing of veteran tennis player Feroz Khan THE Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) and the local tennis community at large have been sent into mourning with the passing of veteran tennis player and sports enthusiast Mohamed Feroz Khan.

In a press release from the association, the GTA said it mourned the recent passing of sports enthusiast Mr Mohamed Feroze Khan, proprietor of West Indian Sports Complex. Feroz was an avid tennis player who ensured that he made his mark in tournaments on the local scene over the years with his consistent form of maintaining long rallies.

By Rawle Toney

Ato Boldon Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago.

Delwin Fraser, the lone goalscorer in their first match, scored both goals in last evening’s encounter. He netted first in the eighth minute then got his second in the 63rd minute.

SAP FC will now face W-Connection tomorrow and with a colossal goal difference, the Trinidadians can start booking their flights for the second round.

(Rawle Toney)

THE SUDDEN change in the weather conditions has hampered several sporting events, with the Petra Organisation/Guyana Beverage Inc. Busta soft shoe football tournament, being the latest event to suffer at the hands of Mother Nature.

Six more second-round matches were scheduled to be held at the Georgetown Football Club ground last night, but persistent and at times heavy showers, forced the organisers to postpone those matches to tonight at the same venue.

With Sparta Boss and Ballerz pushing themselves into the knockout rounds following backto-back victories, several other teams, who have chalked up firstround victories, will be looking to join the above-mentioned two in securing a place in the knockout round.

Weather permitting tonight, Broad Street and D’Urban Street will square off in the opening encounter, with both sides looking for their first win. This game will

be followed by Back Circle versus Globe Yard, before Festival City seek to become one of the teams securing their spot in the knockouts, when they oppose Tucville.

After the Busta break, Albouystown and North East La Penitence will also seek their debut win in the tournament, even as Cross Street and West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ look to triumph, and move further to compete for the $600 000 top prize.

The action will culminate with Bent Street, who defeated North East La Penitence in their first-round game, looking to make it two out of two and gain a place in the next round, when they face Hope Street-Tiger Bay, who were held to a draw by Albouystown in their first-round fixture.

Apart from the first-place prize, the second- to fourth-placed finishers will respectively pocket $300 000, $200 000 and $100 000. In the group stage, the first- to fourthplaced finishers will respectively receive $30 000, $20 000, $15 000 and $10 000. (Calvin Roberts)

35

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday April 18, 2015

Scores of schoolchildren were present yesterday to witness the official opening of the National Track and Field Centre.

Rupert Perry (#136) storms to victory in the men’s 100-metre race at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora yesterday.

Kenisha Phillips christens National Track and Field Centre with impressive 100m victory

By Michael DaSilva

THIRTEEN-yearold Kenisha Phillips christened the National Track and Field Centre with an exciting victory in the Girls’ 100-metre event when the facility was officially opened yesterday by President Donald Ramotar. at an impressive ceremony.

The 13-year-old, who promises to be one to watch in a few, got off the starting blocks together with her counterparts and out-sprinted them across the finish line, to become the first Guyanese to win a track event on synthetic surface here in Guyana.

The commissioning of the facility attracted a large turnout of schoolchildren and teachers from the West Demerara area and they filled both the North Eastern and North Western stands that were constructed by BK International.

There were several presentations by officials of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCY&S), representatives of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Interim Management Committee and the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG).

The day started off with invitees being treated to some steel pan music by the National Steel Orchestra then there was a dance presentation by members of the National School of Dance.

This was followed by

inter-faith prayers offered by representatives of the Hindu, Muslim and Christian denominations.

Permanent Secretary in the MCY&S Alfred King then gave a project review

a welcome move by the government as it will boost their respective disciplines and hopefully put Guyana on the world map as a powerhouse in track and field and football.

there were hiccups during the construction period and four contractors had their contracts terminated, but in the end, the facility was completed one month ahead of the projected

50.4 acres of land allotted for the facility only 22 acres have so far been developed to date.

Dr Anthony said the already constructed car park will soon be asphalted and

Kenisha Phillips (extreme right) breezes past the finish line to go on record as the first athlete to officially win a track event on Guyana’s first synthetic track at Leonora yesterday. (Delano Williams photos) of the facility, while there were brief remarks from GFF representative Stuart May and AAG president Aubrey Hutson.

Track athlete Tirana Michell and footballer Vurlon Mills then gave their impressions of the facility, which is not only for track and field, approved by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAG), but it also boasts a Federation International Football Association (FIFA)-approved football pitch.

The two athletes both said the facility is

King, in his review noted that $1.4B was earmarked for the project in 2011, but on completion a few weeks ago, the Government of Guyana spent $1.084B to construct the facility with all its amenities.

King said the MCY&S had discussions with the AAG since 2011 and after the project started on December 16 of that year, consultants, contractors and officials of the Ministry worked overtime to ensure the works on the three phases of the project were achieved on time.

According to King,

time.

GFF’s Stuart May in brief remarks thanked the Government of Guyana for offering them (GFF) to use of the facility and stated that his organisation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the MCY&S under its FIFA GOAL Project.

Hutson also thanked the Guyana Government for constructing a state-ofthe-art synthetic track that will take the level of the sport to higher heights in Guyana.

Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony said of the total

apart from it being a car park, a stage will be set up on it for entertainment purposes.

He noted that every area on the track was carefully measured and marked by international experts, hence the facility received a gold marking from the world international body.

Minister Anthony also said apart from track and field and football, he wants to make the venue a home for the Guyana Rugby Football Union.

In the past he said, many athletic meets were cancelled because of rain, but now that a synthetic

track is in place at Leonora that hurdle will be a thing of the past.

The minister said approximately 24 persons will be employed on a permanent basis and they will oversee the administration and security of the facility.

Two Cuban coaches are also expected to be among the 24 persons and according to Minister Anthony, one will be responsible for training track athletes, while the other will deal with field athletes, “and I hope with them (Cuban coaches), our standard of athletics will rise,” Dr Anthony stated.

According to the sports minister, very soon the Government will procure internationally-certified track and field equipment to be used at the Leonora track.

Meanwhile, A. Powley and C. Small placed second and third respectively in the Girls’ 100-metre event.

In other results from the day’s athletic programme, Rupert Perry won the Boys’ 100-metre race ahead of Kevin Abbensetts and Terin respectively.

The men’s 1500-metre was won by Guyana’s top distance athlete Cleveland Ford.

Second was Cleveland Thomas, while Winston Missigher placed third.

Tricia Hooper won the Girls’ 400-metre ahead of Avon Samuels and Phillips respectively while on the men’s side Shawn Semple prevailed ahead of Devon Barrington and Quacy Clemenson respectively.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Kenisha Phillips christens National Track and Field Centre with impressive 100m victory See story on page 35

‘Our young people deserve nothing but the best’ - President Ramotar

… as West Coast Synthetic Track facility comissioned

Officially Open! President Donald Ramotar (third from right) unveils the plaque declaring the National Track and Field Centre open. Assisting him is Prime Minister Samuel Hinds (third from left) and Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony (second from left). Looking on is Director of Sport Neil Kumar (second from right). (See story on Page 31)

President Donald Ramotar (front row, second from left) challenges Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony, (third from left), and others to a race on the synthetic surface of the National Track and Field Centre. (Photo by Delano Williams)

West Indies’ Jason Holder celebrates his maiden Test century at the close of play yesterday.

Holder’s unbeaten Test century denies England in Antigua

(See story on Page 33)

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SATURDAY APRIL 18, 2015