2015 4 22

GUYANA No. 104166

WEDNESDAY APRIL 22, 2015

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

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In face of unprovoked attacks ...

Dr Ashni Singh urges calm Page

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... respect for democracy Billboard saboteurs beware!

Dr Ashni Singh

Bandits surprise, shoot visiting 16 British citizen outside sister’s residence Page

Hospitalised, Glendon Cadogan

Police to step up patrols in 2 Region 3 Page

––female companion in custody

Wrecked 17 catamaran washes up at Wakenaam Page

This Catamaran is moored at a boating facility in Wakenaam

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Billboard saboteurs beware!

Police to step up patrols in Region 3 FOUR campaign billboards and 60 per cent of flags mounted by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) were lost on Monday night alone, in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/ West Demerara).

The disclosure was made by the PPP/C regional representative, Irfaan Ali, who, in an invited comment last night, added that up to 21:00hours there were additional reports of destruction of the party’s campaign materials.

“Tonight (last night) already we have had addi-

tional reports that our flags have been taken down, I have spoken to the Commander in this district, Commander Marlon Chapman, and he has assured that the police will step up patrols to ensure that this does not reoccur,” he said.

The ‘D’ Division Commander, last evening, told the Guyana Chronicle that the “appropriate action” will be taken by ranks if, during the patrols, unusual activity is observed relative to the destruction of election campaign paraphernalia.

The police actions follow four reports made by

PPP/C activists regarding the destruction of campaign materials.

Activists aligned with the political Opposition were seen on the West Coast of Demerara, between Cornelia Ida and Blankenburg, late Monday night, removing the flags of the ruling PPP/C. The PPP/C flags were being replaced with those of the alliance of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

In the last week, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has made public advertisements that warn against such endeavours. The law on activities like removing, damaging or defacing any election campaign material is clear: those acts are criminal.

(Vanessa Narine)

Yesterday morning after APNU+AFC activists were seen tearing down PPP/C flags between Cornelia Ida and Blankenburg. Pictured is a section of the Hague public road, where only APNU+AFC flags remain

One of the many PPP/C campaign posters that have been defaced on the West Coast Demerara

The scene at Crane, West Coast Demerara, where the PPP/C billboard has been torn down, in addition to the party’s flag. The APNU+AFC flag is the only thing remaining up (Photos by Vanessa Narine)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

In face of unprovoked attacks ...

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Dr Ashni Singh urges calm, respect for democracy

By Vanessa Narine

“I wish to say emphatically that this is a dastardly attack. It is an

“YOU need not be intimidated!

You should not be intimidated, because if you allow yourself to be intimidated, then every right that you enjoy will be taken away... Do not be intimidated! Remain calm!

Do not be fearful! Do not respond in kind; demonstrate to them and to Guyana that the supporters of the PPP/C are people who respect democracy and freedom, and who are peaceful people.”

The foregoing appeal reached the ears of Berbicians after People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) member and a lead organiser of the rally, Dr Ashni Singh, appeared on a televised programme in Berbice, Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne) to condemn last Sunday night’s attack on party supporters.

Several persons, including two

HISTORY OF VIOLENCE Dr Singh drew the nexus between Sunday night’s attack and the political Opposition’s history of violence.

“Given the threats and the history of violent behaviour of the Opposi-

ligans. These are young Guyanese people engaged in their democratic right; their right to say we support a democratic party.”

He insisted that the Guyanese people have the right to freedom of choice.

“People have a right to support a party of their choice. People have a right of freedom of association. People have a right to attend a political rally and go home in safety,” the

tion and the Opposition’s refusal to

PPP/C member stressed.

‘Without a doubt, there is an element of desperation setting in among the leadership and for that reason this incident can only be interpreted as an assault on the democratic process’ – Dr Ashni Singh Dr Ashni Singh

‘Given the threats and the history of violent behaviour of the Opposition and the Opposition’s refusal to accept the outcome of the democratic process, it is an extremely alarming development’ –Dr Ashni Singh children, were injured by missiles thrown by unknown assailants at two vehicles transporting supporters returning from a PPP/C Rally held at Albion on Sunday night. The scurrilous attack occurred on the Corentyne Coast, and information received indicates that the vehicles were bombarded by bottles containing sand, rocks and a corrosive substance.

Dr Singh denounced the dastardly attack as an assault on democracy.

cumstances is it justifiable for a person to do this to another person or to a vehicle carrying other people,” he said.

assault on democracy and it is to be condemned in the harshest possible way. There can be no justification.

There can be no excuse. There can be no defending this vile act,” he said.

The PPP/C member added that under no circumstances can such acts be condoned.

“In fact, under any circumstance, put aside election, put aside election supporters, put aside election rally; under no cir-

accept the outcome of the democratic process, it is an extremely alarming development,” he said.

He cited the 1973 incident where two young Berbicians were killed.

Jagan Ramessar, 17, and Bholanauth Parmanand, 25, were shot by soldiers at No. 63 Village, Corentyne, during the 1973 elections, while peacefully protesting the illegal removal of ballot boxes from the place of poll at the end of voting.

Dr Singh said, “This incident at Number 51 Village is so reminiscent of the Ballot Box Martyrs. Mr Granger’s army took the lives of two young Guyanese, two young Berbicians, who were engaged in defending the democratic process, who were engaged in protecting the ballot boxes.

“Mr Granger today has the audacity to call them gangsters and hoo-

Echoing sentiments expressed by members of the party’s leadership, the PPP/C member added: “We have already signalled that the Opposition is preparing their supporters to not accept the results of a democratic process, because they see that the writing is on the wall already…. without a doubt there is an element of desperation setting in among the leadership and for that reason this incident can only be interpreted as an assault on the democratic process.”

All considered, he saluted the supporters of the ruling party for having braved the incident.

“I will reiterate, I will join with the leadership of the PPP to condemn in the strongest possible terms this vile act, this assault on the democratic process,” Dr Singh concluded.

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Guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Ashni whips Berbice into ‘V-Day’ mode Declares: ‘It’s not over till it’s over!’

By Vanessa Narine “THE race is not over.

There is a lot of work to do. The same energy that you demonstrated in getting to Albion and participating at Albion, the same energy needs to be used between now and May 11… You need to ensure that you come out to the place of poll and put your ‘X’ next to the ‘Cup’.”

T h i s e m p h a t i c c o mment was made by People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) member, Dr Ashni Singh, who who was instrumental in organising the Albion Rally, which has since been rated as one of the largest in Guyana’s recent history.

Appearing on a televised programme in Berbice, Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne), the Minister thanked Berbicians for their sterling

PPP/C member Dr Ashni Singh addresses the masses at Albion on Sunday (Photos by Adrian Narine) support, and stressed that of the event needs to be the show of loyalty at the sustained. party’s Albion rally on SunDr Singh said, “We have day needs to be translated at every right to celebrate a the polls. successful rally; it was a “It is important that this resounding success. But in show of commitment trans- the same breath, I would lates into demonstrated sup- say that our work is far from port,” he said. over. We need to ensure According to him, the that we use the momenrally was a “resounding suc- tum of the rally to continue cess”, and the momentum working hard to ensure that

The massive gathering of thousands of supporters at Sunday’s Albion rally this strong signal of support indicated by attendance at the rally translates into real support at the place of poll on May 11.”

He acknowledged that this undertaking requires much work, but added that the race is not over.

“This [demonstration of support] requires a lot of hard work by all those involved in the party machinery, and discipline on the part of party supporters. We are not at the end of the race until the polls are closed; the votes are counted; and the results declared. There is still much work to be done; we need to continue the work that is before us,” the PPP/C member said.

NO RENT-A-CROWD Drawing a parallel to the political Opposition’s Whim rally, held in the latter part of March, Dr Singh said the ruling party did not have to resort to “rent-a-crowd.”

He said, “What was crystal clear was that this was a Berbice crowd; I saw faces

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of people who I know living in Number 57 Village or in Crabwood creek…if you looked around this was a Berbice crowd. This was Berbice coming out to say we support the PPP/C. “…that is an important distinction. We don’t have to rent a crowd….this was the people of Berbice saying that we would like to wear a shirt that says ‘Vote Donald Ramotar’….this was a crowd that supported the PPP/C.” He added that the mammoth gathering of supporters in Albion was a “record -breaking” show of support.

“Our rally in Albion had a record crowd….Berbice certainly did prove that it continues to be the centre of major political consciousness and political activity… it really was an electric atmosphere. The mood was fantastic too….in every instance the mood was alive and exciting. I think even the speeches that were given was encouraging,” Dr Singh said.

All considered, he reiterated the PPP/C gratitude

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to Berbicians. “I want to say thank you to the people of Berbice and say that the leadership of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic is moved by the strong expression of support that we saw.

Even the President was at a loss for words when he saw the response.”

The PPP/C member expressed also his appreciation to the many volunteers and members of the private sector who made the rally possible. “All those persons who volunteered to make the rally a reality I would like to thank them.”

The tangible energy that sounded along the Albion Estate Road was “encouraging and inspiring,” according to Dr Singh, who added that the atmosphere bolstered the speeches made by both the young and experienced speakers.

The ruling party’s leadership at Sunday’s rally detailed a 23-point plan of other initiatives for Region 6, which forms part of its five-year plan going forward, which was well received.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Shakir Mohamed murder trial…

Justice Reynolds to rule on voir dire today

SHAKIR Mohamed has been indicted for the murder of Shewraney Doobay called Monica on May 24, 2011, in the cause or furtherance of robbery.

This morning, Justice Brassington Reynolds who has been conducting a voir dire (a trial within a trial) to determine the admissibility of an alleged caution statement will deliver his ruling.

Some days ago at the original trial, as the prosecutrix Miss Mercedes Thompson was about to tender the alleged caution statement said to have been voluntary given by the accused, Senior Defence counsel, Mr Jainarayan Singh, a former High Court Judge, objected to the tendering of the statement on the ground that it was not taken in accordance with the Judges’ Rules.

As a consequence, Presiding trial judge Mr. Brassington Reynolds decided to conduct a voir dire in the absence of the jury, to decide the admissibility of the statement.

The judge will deliver that ruling this morning.

In the event that the judge’s ruling is in favour of the defence, the trial is likely to end at this stage.

But should the ruling favour the prosecution, Mr. Jainarayan Singh who is associated with Mr. Moti Singh for the defence, will be told that the prosecution would lead its final witness before closing its case, thus placing the defence in readiness to lead a defence.

And if that happens, the trial will continue.

Murder accused appears in court as patient, trial postponed

YESTERDAY, Ramotar Sidnauth called “Stack” and “Macko” was supposed to have appeared before Justice Roxanne George as a prisoner for trial, instead, he was lifted into court as a patient.

The judge looked surprised at the sight of the Signauth being lifted into her court.

The jury were on hand to be empanelled for a murder case, but this did not happen; they (the jury) were told to return to court on May 13 and the “sick” Sidnauth was sent back to prison for further investigations.

Again, the accused, in his 60s, was lifted on his way back to prison.

The prosecutrix in the matter is Miss Diana Kaulesar.

Sidnauth is accused with having on July 3, 2011 murdered Sabitre Sidnauth also called “Buckie.”

The state had expected to call 11 witnesses in the matter .

US-bound Guyanese woman pleads not guilty to trafficking cocaine A GUYANESE national with US citizenship who was “busted” with cocaine in the false bottom of her suitcases at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) was yesterday remanded to prison by Magistrate Judy Latchman.

Patina Dalripple, 27, pleaded not guilty to the charge, par-

ticulars of which stated that on Monday, April 20, 2015 at the CJIA, she had in her possession 937 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Keri Boswick told the court that on the day in question, the woman was an outgoing passenger on a Caribbean Airlines flight to New York when officers

Miner remanded for trafficking ganja A miner who was recently held with marijuana in the Cuyuni backlands was yesterday refused bail when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Gabriel John of Karasabai Village pleaded not guilty to the charge that read on Saturday, April 18 in the backlands,Cuyuni River, had 477 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Sean Gonzales told the court that on the day in question, police ranks on patrol at the said landing saw the defendant

acting in a suspicious manner with a black plastic bag lodged under his arm. Consequently, John was stopped by the ranks and a search was conducted on the said bag where the narcotic was concealed. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

The prosecutor objected on the ground that no special reason was raised by the defendant for bail to be granted and the prosecutor ‘s objection was upheld. Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Bartica Magistrate Court for April 29.

attached to the Police Narcotics Branch decided to carry out a search of her checked bags and discovered over 937 grams of cocaine stashed in the bottom of the suitcase.

The woman was immediately arrested and charged for the offence.

Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson representing Dal-

ripple told the court that the investigation is still in progress and stated that his client has no knowledge as to how the narcotics got into her suitcase.

Bail was objected to by the prosecutor due no special reason being advanced by the attorney. Bail was refused and Dalripple will make her next court appearance on May 7.

Boat captain remanded for possession of ganja A THIRTY-seven-year-old boat captain who was found with 1589 grams of cannabis in a bucket was yesterday remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Marlon Joaquin of Kamaka Stretch, North West District, denied the allegation which read that on April 18 at Dukwani Landing, he had in his possession 1589 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Police Prosecutor Sean Gonzales told the court that on the day in question, ranks on patrol at the said landing saw the defendant

disembark a seaboard with a red five- gallon bucket and was acting in a suspicious manner. The ranks then conducted a search on the said bucket and unearthed a brown parcel and two white transparent plastic bags. Thus he was arrested and charged for the offence.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the ground that no special reason was raised by the defendant for bail to be granted.

The prosecutor’s objection was upheld and bail was refused. The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates’ Court for April 29.

Kwakwani man charged for unlawful possession of shotgun A KWAKWANI man was yesterday remanded to prison after he was charged with unlawful possession of a shotgun.

Wesley Campbell pleaded not guilty to the charge which stated that on December 9, 2014 at Old Plane Site Road, he had in his possession a 12-gauge single-barrelled shotgun

without being a licensed firearm holder.

Police Prosecutor Sean Gonzales, explained that on the day in question, police ranks went to the defendant’s home and conducted a search, during which the firearm was allegedly found concealed in one of the rooms of the said home. He was there-

fore arrested and charged for the offence.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the ground that no special reason was raised by the defendant

for bail to be granted.

Consequently, bail was refused and the matter was transferred to Kwakwani Magistrates Court for May 15.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Investing in a healthier Guyana

HEALTH is key to a nation’s socio-economic development and eventual success, for it is about the inherent involvement of the physical and mental health of citizens that are central to daily productivity which makes for economic success.

For example, without a healthy workforce, economic production is not assured. However, the truism is that a nation from which the workforce is derived has to be having its medical needs met by a highly competent and professional corps of medical personnel, executing their critical functions in an environment that is ade-

quately funded.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government understood this imperative from the time it took office, as it inherited a country with a State health infrastructure that had deteriorated to the point of dissipation. Just ask any adult in their 50s about the state back then of the Public Hospital Georgetown (PHG), as it was then named, and they would describe buildings and services that were scandalous.

Of course, to the credit of the prior PNC regime, the Accident and Emergency Unit had already been built. But what about adequate staffing and fa-

cilities that made for the proper functioning of such a unit? We all know the answer: They were never provided then.

But it has taken multi-billions, invested by the PPP/C Government, to effect the multitudinous changes that have resulted in the many new services and improvements that are now available and accessed by citizens who are in need of medical assistance.

As an indication of this exponential investment, it is instructive that during the period 2009-2014, a total of $97.7B had been allocated towards this sector. Indisputably, no government spends this kind of money because it is

available, or for mere grandiose reasons. The fact that it does is because it wants its citizens to have a better service, performed in a satisfactory manner.

It is a legitimate expectation that is to be had of any Government, and concomitantly comprehended by health personnel, since Government expects quality work for its dollar.

Therefore, the still unsettled controversy surrounding the death of four-year old Jaden Mars, who died after receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) sometime ago, and the most recent death of four-month-old Kevon Critchlow after re-

ceiving a vaccine at an East Coast community health centre are unfair to an administration that has been doing so much for better State healthcare delivery to citizens.

And this is not to exclude those maternal deaths that have elicited great concern and strong reprimanding language from the Minister of Health over time. The fact that families, of especially the deceased young, have already taken to publicly expressing their dissatisfaction over what they perceived to have been questionable circumstances as to the deaths of their very young children, should finally signal to the State medical services that better care and professional competency have

to be exercised in rendering medical aid.

We are not in any way prejudicing the outcome of whatever investigations are underway in both the cases. It is merely a case of reiterating what we have done in many prior editorials: That health workers should understand and appreciate the grave responsibility endowed them when rendering medical aid to those in need.

Again, Government should receive its value for its big dollars invested in the State’s medical services. It has continued to provide the means for a healthier Guyana. Is this so difficult to discern by those entrusted with the care of those who are ill and seek aid?

Contrary to APNU-AFC Facebook page...

‘Taps’ served the PNC up until his death -- despite being jailed by Hoyte

MY attention was yesterday drawn to an election poster on the APNU+AFC Facebook page in which the following is stated: “Desmond Hoyte jailed Rabbi Washington and Errol “Taps” Butcher for crimes committed. When the PPP/C gained power, they set them free!”

The contention that Errol “Taps” Butcher was somehow freed by the PPP after being imprisoned by Hoyte was

first made by disgruntled ex-PPP member, now turned David Granger c h e e r l e a d e r, M a l c o l m Harripaul. The truth is that my father was freed after winning his case on appeal. Myself and Senior Counsel Bernard De Santos who successfully challenged the earlier conviction pointed out this inaccuracy on separate instances. Unfortunately my dad, who served the PNC (now APNU+AFC) “so well”along

with Rabbi Washington and the House of Israel, is once again fodder in the APNU+AFC’s quest to obtain the votes of Indo-Guyanese.

The insinuation here is that after Hoyte would’ve done the right thing by jailing these two “monsters”, the PPP upon ascension to office released them.

The truth, though, is that my father continued to “serve” the PNC even after being jailed

by Hoyte. He provided

an enormous amount of “service” during Hoyte’s “Mo Fyah, Slow Fyah” campaign in 1997. I recall listening in on a telephone conversation in which Hoyte’s “creature” was being instructed which and which businesses were not to be targeted. In fact, my father served the PNC so well that during the 1997 elections a command centre was set up at one of his properties and was run by a female of

“Bourne” identity. From this centre persons were mobilised and transported to various locations to participate in multiple voting.

When the 2001 elections came around being overseas denied him the opportunity to “serve” once again.

H i s s e r v i c e s w e re s o important to the PNC’s cause that numerous efforts were made to have him come home.

H e d i ed a year l at er

and up until his death remained in service to the PNC (now APNU+AFC) despite being “jailed by Hoyte” and “freed by the PPP,” as its Facebook page now asserts.

JASON ABDULLA (For the purpose of verification, I live at lot 56 James and Barr Streets Albouystown and can be contacted on Tel: 231-2739)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

AFC’s racist incitement continues unabated

I HAVE made many urgent appeals to the Guyana Elections Commission to put a stop to the racist incitement being perpetrated

by AFC presenters on their programme, “Alliance on the Move”. Ramayya, Charrandass, and Mark Ross have been most vociferous in calling the Indians racists and that they do not want to vote for a “Blackman” to be the president.

They have also attributed these statements to PPP /C leaders, which is totally false and misleading. This has caused racial confrontations between Indians

and Afro-Guyanese and it is the Indians who have so far received the brunt of these attacks.

Mark Ross on 16th April even called on APNU+AFC members and supporters to collect the PPP ‘T’ shirts at the Albion Rally and burn them. However, these members and supporters had other plans in place.

At Number 51 Village, an estate lorry was attacked by a group of residents from that area. Missiles, which include bottles, bricks and what appear to be containers with sulphuric acid were hurled on the unsuspecting

PPP members and supporters. Many persons received injuries and a female minor was burnt on her hand with the acid. Another minor was also injured by the missiles thrown. Luckily, the lorry driver did not stop and he drove on to the Skeldon Hospital where the injured persons were treated. This is a dastardly attack on democracy in this country. It could have been worse since the lorry was packed.

I am wondering what will happen when the results of the upcoming election is announced and it indicates a PPP/C victory.

GRA security distracted by non-security activities I WISH to bring to your attention an observation made yesterday whilst visiting the GRA office on Camp Street, Georgetown.

The security personnel stationed at the entrance of the building was occupied with activities, mostly not security related. The security staff was busy directing and conversing with the public visiting the office for various services.

This is a disadvantage for the security, since I am almost sure that the security are paid to perform only security duties and may not be adequately equipped to “manage” the flow of the incoming public to the GRA. This is obvious by the long waiting encountered daily by the public. The lack of an efficiently managed system is obvious.

The distraction of the security from their main

functions can also be disastrous in the event of any security issues, such as a robbery, etc.

I hope that someone in authority at the GRA would look into this important matter and have it rectified within the shortest possible time to ensure quality service to the public and the fair treatment of security staff.

M. PERRY

Should I be asked to love someone I fear?

I’D be grateful if you would allow me to share this with Guyana. I never wanted to get caught up in the act of writing letters to the press, but the current atmosphere has forced me to ask questions of myself, questions for which I can find no easy answer.

My Christian Faith calls me to love my GOD first, with all of my being, and then to love my neighbour. I fully embrace this, for if I did not, I could not claim to have been created in GOD’s Image and Likeness!

My confusion comes when I recognise that though I love my neighbour, I must at election time and generally at all times live in fear of that neighbour; that neighbour

who sees me not as a person with dignity, entitled to my own views and opinions, but as a “coolie” only good to be kicked around and taken advantage of. How can I love someone and live with a dread that comes another hour, another day, another time, they may turn upon me like Judas turned against CHRIST, and seek to destroy me because of the texture of my hair, or my political views.

The truth is, I really fear some of my neighbours!

It is not easy to live the standards of JESUS when we need to be constantly on edge when we encounter those neighbours, to always be on the alert around them, never relaxed.

The horrors of the decades from the 1960s to this moment, are things we are

not allowed to forget and move forward. The scary thing is that my neighbours joyfully justify their actions, damaging and disgusting actions, simply because we are different from them.

My prayer continues to be that GOD will allow me to continue to embrace His desire for me to love unconditionally, hard though it may be, as He loved from the Cross; to declare every day, after every incident of hate, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” What else can we do?

Certainly not retaliate in like manner, because an eye for an eye will only leave the entire Guyana blind.

DAVID A. MORTLEY

Ramayya claims to be addressing the issue of the people, but this is another issue he will not address since he is the instigator of this racial violence.

A few weeks ago an intensive investigation was carried out at Chesney Village when a corporal from Whim Police Station arrested a group of married men who were playing cards and told them that they do not want a “Blackman” to rule them and that they would normally go to PPP rallies by the truckloads. The residents of Chesney are still awaiting the outcome of this investigation. Ramayya claimed that this was a false allegation against the police, since he is now on the side of the police after lambasting them for several years. It is anyone’s guess as to why he is defending

the police at this time!

These AFC racists must be condemned in the strongest terms possible. Where are the human rights Organisations in this country?

Where are the religious organisations? Suddenly, everyone is mum. They have become deaf, dumb and blind. Indians are being targeted once again and the 1960s are slowly creeping on us, but this time it is wrought by those same people who had condemned the racial strife of the 1961-1964 period, namely, Ramjattan and Moses Nagamootoo. Nagamootoo had not only spoken about the atrocities in the 1960s and during the 28 years of PNC dictatorship, but he has also written extensively on those events.The AFC cannot get the Indians’ vote, so they are willing to get

rid of them. This is how the AFC leaders such as Nagamootoo and Ramjattan want to extract their pound of Indian flesh since they cannot get their votes.

They are willing to let Indian blood flow once again. I cannot imagine that these are the same people who fought against the very thing that they are now practising. They are now leading the PNC band of cut-throats from the front.

This type of thuggery, bullyism, hooliganism, vandalism, and violence carried out by the PNC members and supporters must be stopped before it is too late.

The racial violence is slowly coming to life and this time it is being fuelled by a group of vengeance-seeking Indians from the AFC. HASEEF YUSUF

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Our integrity

L

IFE’S not about what is so now, but what we could create, what we could imagine and come up with in our minds and what we could dream of and aspire to and envision, and bring into reality.

Life’s about seeing a Marriott standing tall and elegant and graceful decorating the edge of the ancient Atlantic Ocean, palm trees and a sandy beach replacing the mud and mangroves of wild nature. Life’s about standing on the muddy edge of the roaring Berbice River in the crab-bush of d’Edward Village and seeing a modern high-tech bridge making it easy for us to travel from Corentyne to Parika. Life’s about re-imagining Providence and Diamond and Parfait Harmonie, seeing 21st Century residential communities where rows of cane-fields hugged the land for centuries.

Life’s about seeing an Olympic-style swimming pool on the East Coast of Demerara, a high-class athletics track on the West Coast of Demerara, a modern roadway along the Essequibo Coast. Life’s about seeing how we could turn empty space into aesthetic wonders of technology for a 21st Century Guyanese nation.

Whatever we may think of former President Bharrat Jagdeo, he’s got imagination. He sees what’s possible for the future. A quintessential politician who knows how to get what he wants, Jagdeo saw the possibility of Providence, imagined the Marriott opened for business, envisioned the Berbice Bridge a reality.

Jagdeo worked to move heaven and earth to bring these things into the Guyanese reality.

Imagining what’s possible calls for mastering the words that flow through the mind. We see, think and create the future with words, with language in the mind defining, designing, shaping the chaos of wild nature, the piece of wasteland on which the Marriott now stands, into the most valuable, aesthetic, elegant thing.

When President Donald Ramotar walked into the Office of the President after winning free and fair elections in 2011, he imagined a Guyanese society of good conscience, facing ourselves in the mirror, stirring

up the courage and humanity in us to ensure that national social justice become a reality.

So he signed into being the Presidential Commission to probe the suspected political assassination of our most outstanding history scholar, Dr Walter Rodney. In this singular act of immense courage, good conscience and a profound sense of social justice, President Ramotar accomplished what no other Guyanese leader delivered to us: National social justice.

President Ramotar re-defined who we are as a nation: No longer would we allow this international political stain to bedevil the Guyanese body politic.

After languishing for 34 years in a state of shameful head-hanging over how the Guyana Government under the People’s National Congress (PNC) treated our greatest international scholar, President Ramotar rose to the Presidential podium to give our nation back our humanity, causing the heart and soul of the Guyanese body politic to stir again with the confidence that we are a people of humane justice.

That’s an astonishing accomplishment.

If President Ramotar were to never accomplish anything else, he wrote his name at the top of Guyana’s history: He gave us back our humanity, lifting up the carpet of the past to reveal the darkness of our soul, and shedding light on our hidden sins to reveal how grotesque we had become after Independence. With the Walter Rodney story told, never again would we descend to those days, to a time when Guyana became notorious with the Jim Jones mass suicide tragedy, when a US fugitive could find refuge in Georgetown under a cult of thugs aligned to a repressive PNC State.

President Ramotar imagined what could be, what’s possible, for us as a people, and, without fanfare and chest-thumping and self-glory, quietly, humbly, even shyly, set about righting this terrible wrong that bedeviled our national conscience for so long, to the point where we wanted to forget, because we thought we could never find justice for Dr Rodney. Now we know what’s possible: we’re a noble-hearted people, our humanity fully alive, our belief in humane social justice real.

Fifty years into our coming into

being as a nation, we’re still learning how to imagine ourselves, how to design the language in our national head and mind to shape our landscape into our potential, into the Guyana Dream.

This is where our writers and creative souls become important and foundational to our development.

We must cultivate dreamers, visionaries, writers of a new language, a deeper way of seeing, a keen awareness and profound consciousness, as V S Naipaul urges us, of where we are and where we want to be.

Once we design such a national way of thinking and talking, such a cultivated mindset, where our words create the future rather than cuss the present, we would witness a massive transformation of the Guyanese cultural evolution, social development and economic advance.

We’ve got a track record of this. Even as the Guyanese Government since free and fair elections worked to restore the broken walls and collapsed foundation of our society and State, so devastated after the PNC experimentation with the ideas of democracy and development, we’ve built, developed and advanced ourselves as a global 21st century nation.

So we know that if we imagine ourselves achieving our amazing potential in the future, we would get there. But it calls for one thing: integrity.

Integrity is simply this: the aligning of our actions with our words. If we think certain thoughts, if we talk about what we want, if we employ language to create the social space we want, to design our social environment, then we’ve got to align

ourselves to our words. That’s what integrity is, us remaining true to our words, living for the purpose of our mindset.

In aligning ourselves to what we create and design in our national mind using the tool of words and language, we become a people of integrity.

Jagdeo and President Ramotar demonstrate integrity of character in imagining the Guyanese society, and determining, in the face of enormous opposition and myopic vision and an Oppositional language of tearing down and destructiveness, to overcome our limitations and to build our dreams into reality – in fact, to dream new dreams and envision new visions for us.

We’ve got to see these things, tell the true story of our nation, encourage and motivate and inspire Guyanese to think high and noble.

Low-mindedness has no place in our national conversation. We’ve got to employ this depth of seeing our national soul, to build our social space with conversations of objective critical thinking, seeing not what is so, but what’s possible: it’s in our possibility that we create the Guyanese nation, seeing the Amaila hydroelectric power project and a classy international airport and every Guyanese educated at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, as real, a done deal.

In the integrity of us coming into alignment with those words of vision in our national mindset, we walk forward confident, full of that Guyanese resolve to make it in the world.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

PSC calls on parties to List of polling sign Code of Conduct places to be ––says move will demonstrate ‘good faith and respect for Guyanese’

ALL political parties ought to sign onto the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Code of Conduct, according to the Private Sector Commission

GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally (PSC) yesterday in a public missive.

“The Private Sector Commission wishes to urge all political parties in Guyana to sign onto this Code of Conduct and, in so doing, to

dorsed the idea of a self-regulatory code and also commended GECOM on the initiative.

“This is in keeping with the mandate of GECOM which is to deliver peaceful, free, fair and credible elections,” the PSC said.

The body added that the Code, in its estimation, sets out basic standards of behaviour required by political parties which seek to compete for leadership of our country.

“The Private Sector Commission believes that the voluntary adoption by political parties of a clearly defined Code of Conduct will demonstrate the commitment of all our political parties to ensuring that the well-being of the nation itself is their primary goal,” the PSC declared.

WEDNESDAY DEADLINE Meanwhile, GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, in an earlier interview, explained that the Code has been circulat-

‘The Private Sector Commission wishes to urge all political parties in Guyana to sign onto this Code of Conduct and, in so doing, to demonstrate the good faith and respect for the citizenry which is the least that can be expected of those who seek to govern us’ -- PSC demonstrate the good faith and respect for the citizenry which is the least that can be expected of those who seek to govern us,” the Commission said.

The Commission also en-

ed, and political parties are expected to respond to GECOM with recommendations to inform the finalisation of the document today.

Bolstering the legal

framework, the Code of Conduct for political parties is a guide to expected behaviours in the lead-up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

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published before Saturday

––at 2,299 locations in 10 electoral districts

PSC Chairman, Ramesh Persaud Once political parties sign onto the Code of Conduct, it is expected that they would abide by the protocols documented in the Code, all in the interest of free and fair General and Regional Elections.

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

GECOM regards contesting parties signing the Code as demonstrating their willingness to craft their respective election campaign strategies in ways that contribute to the maintenance of peace and tranquility throughout and beyond the elections.

(Vanessa Narine)

Elections flashback…

WITH a little more than two weeks before the General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has committed to the publication of the list of polling stations across the length and breadth of Guyana before the weekend.

T h e C o m m i s s i o n ’s Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle stated that there are some 2,299 polling stations in the 10 electoral districts across Guyana, of which approximately 166 are private residences.

He explained that, prior to the publication of the list of polling places, GECOM was involved in ensuring that the private residences were locations that all stakeholders in the electoral process were in agreement with.

“We will make the list public in a timely manner and hope that when we do this there won’t be any changes… historically we have not changed the pri-

vate residences in a massive way, but there is the possibility that there may be a few last minute changes,” Dr Surujbally said.

GECOM’s CEO, Keith Lowenfield He also assured that the polling stations are positioned as close as possible in the district where the population of eligible voters resides.

“We don’t want voters to walk ten miles to a polling station,” the GECOM Chairman said.

Dr Surujbally’s assur-

ances follow questions from the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, over the approval of the final list of polling places.

“It is expected that voters will be given adequate time to familiarise themselves with their respective polling places,” Rohee said at a news conference on Monday at Freedom House.

Additionally, GECOM’s Chief Election Officer (CEO), Mr. Keith Lowenfield indicated that as far as is practicable, GECOM will be contacting political parties promptly and notifying them about any changes in the location of any polling station, should any such changes occur.

Reports are that copies of the proposed list were given to the GECOM Commissioners for them to study and comment on.

Thereafter, the proposed list of polling stations will be discussed at Commission level, with a view to bringing it to finality and publication. (Vanessa Narine)

A vision for the future

“I HAVE never promised our people more than the opportunity to work and the right to the full fruits of their labour with equal justice and freedom for all. In the new period we have just entered, there will be plenty of opportunity for hard work and we shall take such steps as are necessary to implement the rights and freedoms which have been written into our Constitution.

“The good life is just beginning.

From this day forward we shall need the goodwill and hard work of all our people so that we may proceed to make our country a fit and proper home for heroes in the struggle for political and economic independence. Let there be an end to sectional racial quarrels and suspicions so that national unity may be restored. There is work ahead.

Let us get on with it.” (Dr Cheddi Jagan in 1961, after the PPP won the General and Regional Elections)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Young Nokta puts Triumph on notice ...

‘To vote PPP/C is to secure democracy’

By Navendra Seoraj

“THE young generation doesn’t know about the past Guyana, which was once broken by the PNC. Therefore, we must enlighten them on what Guyana was, and what it is now: A country which has gained democracy in 1992.

“Come May 11, we must secure democracy in Guyana, and that can only happen when you vote for the PPP/C!”

youths need to know how we were a broken and bankrupt country without democracy under the PNC, before the PPP/C came into office in 1992 and restored democracy and advanced Guyana to what it is today.”

Nokta said there is visual evidence of the wrongdoings of the Parliamentary Opposition even today, ergo the budget cuts of the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Expansion project, and many other projects

Residents of Triumph listening keenly to Shyam Nokta during his address Voicing this strong message to the large gathering on Monday evening at the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic’s (PPP/C’s) public meeting at Triumph, East Coast Demerara was one of the younger members of the incumbent party, Shyam Nokta.

The young Nokta declared that the younger generation needs to be sensitized on the work of the PPP/C over the years, and this must be juxtaposed against the wrongdoings of the People’s National Congress (PNC) during that party’s term as the Government of Guyana.

He emphasised that youngsters of today need to know about the situation which the country was in under the leadership of the PNC. “The

made advancements in all the various sectors. Some which he underscored are the transformation of the education sector; the development of the housing sector, which allowed over 110,000 persons to each get a house lot; and also strides within the agricultural sector, just to list a few.

Nokta reiterated the promise of President Donald Ramotar to strengthen the agricultural sector, and spoke at length on the President’s promise to inject $20B into the sugar industry. He said that the Opposition has promised to privatise the sugar industry; in other words, he declared: “Sell it out!”

He disclosed that the PPP/C also has plans to implement a new price mechanism for rice, once given the chance to serve Guyana again.

As the crowd warmed to the vibrant message of a younger generation member of the PPP/C, Nokta reminded that the work wasn’t finished as yet, as there are still lots more to be done and lots more development to be made within the various sectors; and this, he declared, could only be done under the PPP/C Administration.

Accordingly, he urged the crowd

to go out on May 11 and “vote for the party that will continue to develop Guyana! Vote for the PPP/C!” ATTACKS ON PPP SUPPORTERS PPP/C stalwart Dr. Ashni Singh condemned the recent attack on PPP/C supporters and officials by the APNU+AFC supporters.

He disclosed that the attacks that came after the Albion rally last Sunday, and the others before that incident, are just a typical example of the Opposition’s behaviour.

He said the PPP/C respects democracy and fairness, and this is a matter which must not be treated as insignificant. “These are some of the Opposition’s tactics to intimidate the PPP/C supporters!” he declared.

“We must stay strong and do not let these people intimidate us, as I ask you to ensure that these criminals are never returned to office.

That’s why, come May 11, I urge all of you to come out in your numbers and vote for the party which has a positive vision for Guyana. Vote for the PPP/C!” Dr. Singh urged.

which would have been beneficial to Guyanese of all walks of life.

He said that the now coalesced A Partnership For National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) are urging Guyanese to vote for a change. “I know (that) when we speak of change, it is usually for the better, but a vote for the Opposition is a vote for the worse, considering their wrongful acts over the years.”

Nokta said that, on the other hand, there is the PPP/C, who changed the country for the better.

GOVERNMENT ADVANCEMENTS Over the last 22 years, he said, the PPP/C Administration has

A section of the gathering on Monday evening at the PPP/C public meeting at Triumph, ECD

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

PPP/C wants more public places for polling stations

BOTH the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition have recommended that the use of private residences as polling stations be reduced as much as possible.

This was according to PPP/C stalwart, Ms. Gail Teixeira during a press conference last Friday at Freedom House.

Ms. Teixeira recalled an incident involving a resident of Middle Road, La Penitence, whose house has been used as a Polling Station since 1997, and who was constantly threatened by various groups of men and women, who said to him that no one will vote there.

Therefore, she added that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) needs to make the decision on whether to change the location of the polling station or not.

That brought up the question of whether or not polling stations should be publicised and in response to that,

Ms Teixeira disclosed that “the polling stations should be advertised because we need to know where to put polling agents [and] because the number of polling stations have increased from

Ms. Gail Teixeira 2006 to 2011, and has increased again from 2011-2015, as we need to find over 2000 polling agents.”

Meanwhile, apart from that when asked about the public vetting of poll-

ing day staff, she stated that the PPP/C has spoken on that issue before, but she believes that there is some representation of the citizens of Guyana.

She further explained that “We’re asking for fairness, balance [and] neutrality of the polling day staffers come May 11.”

Ms. Teixeira also highlighted the fact that during the 2011 elections, there were some instances of presiding officers wearing green ribbons, and the rule is that any candidate of either political party is not allowed to go into any polling station with the party’s colours, and this is a matter that ought to be looked into for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

In closing,M.Teixeira noted, “If Polling Agents are being intimidated, it can only be a tactic of the Opposition to intimidate and frighten people.” She said “Whilst that might be a concern, it is a matter for GECOM, as we are calling for elections that are‘Free and Fair and Free from fear’ come May 11.”

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BBCI donates cash,trophy to Disabled People’s Network THE Berbice Bridge Company Inc. (BBCI), last Tuesday donated a cheque and one trophy to the Disabled People’s Network in Region No. 5 for the first prize of the organisation’s fundraising football competition.

The cheque for G$20,000 was handed over

by Mr. Amarnauth Singh, Administrative Supervisor, BBCI. Upon receiving a letter in March from the Disabled People’s Network Region No. 5 requesting a donation for the first prize of its fund-raising football competition, the BBCI was pleased to make the donation towards the cause, since the proceeds will be used to promote awareness in the Berbice area of people living

Agriculture Minister reports ...

Over half of rice crop harvested ––Yields per acre at all-time high COUNTRYWIDE, yields of rice per hectare average 5.9 metric tonnes and Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy, noted that this is among the highest in history.

He disclosed in an invited comment yesterday, that harvesting of the first rice crop is approximately 67 per cent completed, with a production of 258,283 tonnes to date.

Altogether, some 238,698 acres are currently under cultivation across Guyana: 37,710 in Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam); 22,047 acres in Region 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara); 8,757 in Region 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica); 107,224 acres in Region 5 (Mahaica/ Berbice); and some 62,159 acres in Region 6 (East Berbice/ Corentyne). An additional 800 acres are also being cultivated in Region 9 (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

According to the Agriculture Minister, the completion of harvesting stands at 95, 92, 97, 64 and 54 per cent in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively.

Of these regions, Region 4 is maintaining the highest yield at seven metric tonnes per hectare, followed by Regions 5 and 2 with 5.9 metric tonnes . Region 6 has recorded a production of 5.7 metric tonnes per hectare, while Region 3 has recorded a production of 5.1 metric tonnes per hectare.

Details of production for Region 9 were not available up to press time.

“With the remaining rice to be harvested, if

the yield is maintained then we should surpass 350,000 tonnes of rice for this first crop and break another record in terms of yield per hectare,” Dr Ramsammy said.

Asked about markets, he disclosed that shipments to Venezuela have already commenced and by the end of the month, some 30,000 tonnes of rice should be exported.

As per the most recent agreement, exports to the neighbouring country will include 120,000 tonnes of paddy and 74,000 tonnes of rice.

Guyana currently has export agreements with several countries in the Caribbean. Also, given the continuous success of the rice industry, efforts are being made to secure a greater foothold in Nicaragua and other Central American countries, including Belize and Panama. Markets in Africa are also being courted.

All considered, the Agriculture Minister stated that the first four months of 2015 have represented a record four months of exports.

The target for exports in 2015 is some 514,000 tonnes, whereas the target for rice production is 618,000 tonnes.

Last year was another record-breaking year for the rice industry. Production was recorded at 635,238 tonnes, of which 501,208 tonnes were exported. Production in the final crop of 2014 surpassed that of the first crop, which recorded just over 300,000 tonnes. (Vanessa Narine)

Mr. Amarnauth Singh, Administrative Supervisor, BBCI, hands over the cheque and trophy to the Disabled People’s Network, Region No. 5 with disabilities.

The company has supported the Disabled People’s Network Region No. 5 immensely over the years (2012 – 2014), and has played an integral part in the development of education, sports, supported national events and made donations to charitable and non – charitable organisations in Regions5 and 6.

The BBCI had also sponsored events in other counties as far as the hinterland and has sponsored many events that benefited the communities both on the eastern and western sides of the Berbice River Bridge.

For the year 2015, the company has so far received 49 public relations requests and managed to approve 44 of these requests comprising sponsorships of Mashramani 2015 events, donations of trophies to various Non – profit and educational institutions, facilitated tours of various schools and waived toll charges for tour buses. (Raveena Mangal)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Health crisis looms ––expired dumpsite in Bartica still functions

By Leroy Smith

VICE-Chairman of the Bartica Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in Region 7, Steven Belle is of the view that if the dumping of garbage continues at the community’s present landfill site, a health crisis could result.

Belle, who explained that the site has expired and should have been closed a long time ago, told the Guyana Chronicle that the local authorities are forced to continue dumping at the site while they await permission to open a new landfill site. This site, he added, is ready to go into operation as all the preparatory works have been completed.

According to him, what obtains at the present expired site is merely the shifting around of garbage at the facility to accommodate the constant dumping of fresh garbage, which is collected from around the community.

Mr. Belle told the Guyana Chronicle that when the present NDC took office in 2013, they had several issues to tend to which included the garbage pile-up around the village, clearing the area for the present landfill site and the efforts to have a new dumpsite operable.

Today, while the garbage pile-up around the village and the cleaning up of the landfill site has been effectively addressed according to Belle, the issue of getting the new landfill site operable is still pending.

Several garbage receptacles located in front of a nightclub on First Avenue, Bartica (Photos by Leroy Smith)

The expired dumpsite with garbage overflowing on one of the streets in the community

NDC Vice-Chairman and businessman, Steven Bell It was noted that the body responsible for issuing the permit had initially told the NDC that the permit would have been issued within three months, but like the old dumpsite, that three-month period has expired a while now.

The vice-chairman told this publication that the new site has been identified and developed to open and operate as the new landfill site; the environmental permit is the only thing keeping it inoperable. Belle said the new site will be operated on lease land that both the Government of Guyana and the regional body assisted in developing.

Bell further explained that once the permit is issued for commencement of the works, then it will take the burden off of the regional body of ensuring garbage collection and disposal. He added that they have also been advised that once operational, the new facility should be able to service the community for approximately 10 years before a new site will again be required.

The contract to operate the facility was first awarded to Cevon’s Waste Management of Georgetown, but after a year that company gave up the contract which brought development works at the facility to a standstill for a period until the second contractor, General Sanitation which is headed by Mr. Wayne Nurse took up the contract.

This publication was told by the Neighbourhood Democratic Council executive that families are living in the area where the present dumpsite is located and because it was never meant to be operated beyond the stipulated period, flies have proliferated. Additionally, once leeching begins to occur, then it could cause an even bigger issue for the region as water could be polluted, thereby triggering the crisis he earlier alluded to.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

GMSA ...

Using Marriott for business luncheon devoid of any political influences THE Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Limited said the decision to use the Marriott Hotel for its April 22 Luncheon was devoid of any political influence as it was driven purely by the needs of member companies and to optimise financial returns.

The GMSA, in a release Monday, explained that the decision to utilise the spacious hotel was made based on value of discounts/rebates received, value of sponsorship from the business community, the size of the Marriott’s conference room, and the availability of the Marriott’s room for the entire duration of the business luncheon.

The GMSA is a proactive business support organisation, and one of its key objectives is to maintain political neutrality.

“It was this association that introduced in 2011 the concept of political discourses between presidential candidates and the business community. In April and May of that year, we hosted three successful business luncheons with Messrs Khemraj Ramjattan (AFC); David Granger (APNU); and Donald

Ramotar (PPP/C).

“We are repeating the series of political parlays this year for the same purpose, i.e., to provide a platform for the business community to engage the candidates of the main political parties on their blueprint for business development. Coalition Leader David Granger took the opportunity we offered to engage with the business community on 17 March last,” the GMSA said.

The organisation said for many years, the Guyana Pegasus has been its venue of choice for conferences, training programmes, business luncheons and other activities.

However, the GMSA said that it is not the first time that the GMSA’s Board of Directors took a decision to hold an activity away from that venue.

“There were occasions when the Pegasus was unavailable on our chosen dates, or the seating accommodation was insufficient for the size of the audience or participants. We have made use of a number of alternative venues in and outside of the city (including Regency Suites and the Princess Hotel). It would be useful to point out that two of our last

three major events were held at the Princess Hotel due to the unavailability of the Savannah Suite at the Pegasus.

“The GMSA sincerely hopes that this contretemps does not tarnish the

good relationship we enjoy with the Guyana Pegasus since we intend to continue to utilise this venue on conditions that are mutually beneficial,” the release concluded.

Civil society organisations make recommendations for better Guyana ––say focus should be placed on political, financial and environmental accountability

A NUMBER of civil society organisations have identified political, financial and environmental accountability as three key areas the parties contesting the May 11 elections should endorse.

In a statement, the organisations say following two consultations, a range of recommendations to address issues of concern to the citizens of Guyana was condensed to a set of implementable priority issues.

The exercise aimed to engage political parties contesting the upcoming elections with a view to seeking their endorsements of recommendations.

The organisations, which include the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), Blue Caps, Church Women United, Guyana Human Rights Association, National AIDS Committee and the Guyana Society for the Blind, said some of the priority issues could be implemented promptly, while others

would require further examination.

While a formal engagement will be sought with parties, ownership of the recommendations rests with any citizen or groups interested in taking them up with the political parties whenever an opportunity presents itself, the organisations agreed.

It said sustainable development equals human rights combined with environmental rights.

Complacent and reckless exploitation of the earth, forests, rivers, wildlife and bio-diversity in the pursuit of individual wealth is neither ethical nor sustainable, the civic organisations say.

It noted that economic activity affecting the environment must be subordinate to the respect for life on earth as governed by human rights and the laws of nature.

The organisations are recommending that all international contracts in the extractive sector be reviewed to

enforce conformity with improved environmental standards and the laws of Guyana; citizens must be educated on their responsibilities as the owners/ guardians of environmental resources, recognise the rights of future generations; licenses for mining and forestry should only be granted in areas which can be effectively monitored and regulations enforced by the relevant Government agencies; mining bonds must cover the economic costs of environmental restoration; river mining should be banned; ban on Styrofoam should be enforced and strategies implemented for the reduction of plastics; and a national consultation on the future of the Guyana coastlands is urgently needed.

In the area of financial accountability, the civic organisations are recommending better salaries for public servants together with stringent penalties for bribe-taking.

The organisations also said that incentives should be available to whistle-blowers to encourage revelations of illegal and corrupt practices as well as to act as a deterrent to perpetrators and steps must be taken and the necessary standards enforced to transform the image, inefficiency and lack of professionalism of the Guyana Police Force.

Regarding political accountability, it was recommended that in any process of Constitutional Reform, attention should be paid to the creation of single-seat constituencies with a National List comprising only the number of names required to ensure over-all fairness in the distribution of seats.

The civic organisations also said the equality of males and females on lists of candidates must be reflected in the allocation of seats and GECOM Commissioners should be selected independent of party recommendations and subject to term limits.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

NFMU hosts ‘Tech Day Camp’ at UG ––to mark ‘International Girls in ICT Day’

By Shivanie Sugrim THE National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU), in collaboration with other stakeholders, on Monday hosted a ‘Tech Day Camp’ at the Centre for Information Technology at the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen Campus.

The camp, held in light of ‘International Girls in ICT Day 2015’, marked the third activity for the International Girls in ICT Day 2015, which will be observed tomorrow.

which will aid in improving their academic thinking. They were, however, inspired about the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector by receiving direct information on ICT institutions.

The activity was also geared at empowering the students to consider careers in the field of ICT. Given that the ICT sector worldwide is dominated by males, the NFMU has been planning and executing a number of activities in an effort to ensure that Guyanese women are knowledgeable in

Some of the students participating in Tech Day Camp at the Centre for Information and Technology at UG in honour of ‘International Girls in ICT Day 2015’

Students interacting with the NFMU collaborators The camp saw 20 female Information Technology (IT) students from St. Joseph High School, Christ Church Secondary and Central High, along with a few representatives from the NFMU. The aim was to develop the girls’ interest in computer programming and logical problem solving.

Initially, the girls were tasked with an exercise to develop critical thinking,

the field of ICT. The Government of Guyana, through initiatives such as E-Government, One Laptop Per Family (OLPF), and computer labs for schools, has been making significant investments in ICT; thereby availing technology to every Guyanese, and building the foundation upon which female citizens can expand their boundaries.

‘International Girls in ICT Day 2015’ is an initiative launched by members of the International Telecommunications Union at its 2010 Plenipotentiary Conference.

The idea is to create a global environment that will empower and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in the field of information and communications technology (ICT).

Guyana has, for the past three years, celebrated/observed InternationWednesday April 22, 2015 - 05:00 hrs al Girls in ICT Day. As such, this year the NFMU Thursday April 23, 2015 - 08:30 hrs plans to once again play its part in the celebration Friday April 24, 2015 - 09:00 hrs by hosting such activities for girls/women.

The other collaborators with the NFMU are the Ministry of Education, the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), the E-Government Unit, the One Laptop Per Family Project, Digicel, Qualfon, GT&T, NT Computec, the Brainstreet Group, Global Technology, the Guyana Society for the Blind, and the University of Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Guyana commits to signing agreement with EU ––to boost market access for its timber

THE Government of Guyana has committed to signing a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the European Union (EU) in the latter part of 2016 to facilitate greater market access for its timber.

As part of the VPA process, the EU and Guyana successfully concluded the third negotiation session on April 16, 2015.

Guyana was represented at this session by the National Technical Working Group (NTWG), a multi-stakeholder group comprising representatives of the private sector, indigenous bodies and Government agencies selected through a participatory process.

At this negotiation session, the parties committed to maintaining the momentum to reach an agreement that considers the views of all relevant stakeholders.

The parties also committed to further promoting the identification of synergies among Forest Law and Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT), Reduction of Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) and the Low-Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) processes.

Additionally, the parties agreed to continue examining the framework under which these initiatives can be further integrated and be mutually supportive.

Both parties acknowledged the progress that has been made since the last negotiation session and during this session, including the revision of the joint roadmap.

It was agreed that the next negotiation session would be held in Brussels in November 2015.

The Government of Guyana formally entered into negotiation with the EU for a VPA in December 2012.

The VPA is a key element of the EU’s FLEGT Action Plan. A VPA with the EU would facilitate increased market access for Guyana’s timber into the lucrative EU market.

The FLEGT VPA process also provides an opportunity for Guyana to further strengthen and mainstream its consultation and engagement process to enhance forest governance, improve legal compliance and build in-country capacity for community engagement in forest policy development and implementation.

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Guyana has committed to signing a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) with the EU in the latter part of 2016 to facilitate greater market access for its timber

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Bandits surprise, shoot visiting British citizen outside sister’s residence --female companion in custody

By Leroy Smith

UP to last evening, UKbased Glendon Cadogan, 83, was said to be stable in an Intensive Care Unit nursing gunshot wounds which he received yesterday just after arriving at his sister’s Shirley Field Ridley Square home in

a taxi from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with a locally-based female companion, said to be in her 40s.

According to information reaching the Guyana Chronicle, the man, who has lived in the United Kingdom for more than two decades, was shot after he exited a taxi and was about to

greet his 70-year-old sister, Gloria David, who was anticipating his arrival and had even cooked special meals which he requested.

The Guyana Chronicle was told that after the man was shot, the gunmen snatched a black carry-on bag that he had in his possession but they

left his other two pieces of luggage.

Speaking with the media yesterday afternoon at her lot 10 Shirley Field Ridley Square home, the woman explained that she was inside her house when the taxi with the woman and her brother showed up. She said she was

Hospitalised, Glendon Cadogan going to greet him at the gate, but turned back and went into the house to get something when she heard gunshots.

Immediately, her neighbour began screaming, telling her not to come out as her brother was being shot. David said she peered out the window and saw her brother clutching his chest while she heard the continuous hollering from his female partner who was seated in the back seat of the vehicle.

Reporters were told that the shooters were waiting for the man to show up from the airport as they saw the getaway car in the area prior to the man’s arrival in the airport taxi.

After the man was shot, a taxi from the community rushed to the scene and assisted them to take him to the hospital as the police were summoned and they arrived within ten minutes, according to the woman.

David added that her brother seems to be out of danger as he was resting in the Intensive Care Unit of a private hospital following surgery, even as his eyes remained closed.

Asked about the advice she would be giving her brother should he pull through and is discharged, the woman swiftly said that she already plans to instruct her brother to get back to England and never return to Guyana.

She told reporters that her brother only recently bought a house in one of the new housing schemes in Eccles which he is yet to move into.

She is of the view that her brother might have had plans to return to this country to live. The father of five lost his wife in January this year when she passed away in the United Kingdom.

Asked about the female companion the man showed up with and if they feel that she had anything to do with his attack, one relative responded in the positive.

Meanwhile, family members are not of the view that airport staff had passed on any information to the bandits about where the man was going upon his arrival as he reportedly offered them an incorrect address given the recent robberies committed on persons returning to this country.

Up to late yesterday the female companion who works as a security guard at a distribution company was still in police custody assisting with the investigations.

The woman had caught a minibus and travelled to the airport to receive the man and used the airport taxi to return to the city upon his arrival.

Up to late yesterday afternoon, there were still traces of blood stains from the wounds the pensioner sustained as well as shattered glass from the taxi which he arrived in. There were also family members who kept pouring into the yard to offer words of comfort to the man’s children and his sister as they prayed for his recovery.

Family members and friends who showed up at the home

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Wrecked catamaran washes up at Wakenaam

By Leroy Smith

THE wreckage of a German-registered catamaran was on Saturday found in deep waters off the coast of Wakenaam, in Region Three.

The Guyana Chronicle was informed that the vessel was found with a note inside, along with what appeared to be a national identification card and a telephone number.

This was confirmed by Crime Chief Leslie James during a telephone interview.

James told this newspaper that the Guyana Police Force would call the number sometime today with the intention of locating the owner of the vessel or some other person(s) of interest.

Transport Minister Robeson Benn confirmed that the vessel was indeed a wreck. He said the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) would, sometime today, issue a press statement on the discovery.

Persons in Wakenaam told this newspaper that the vessel was pulled from the water through the resources of a businessman on the island. It was noted that the vessel was first spotted in the rough, but by the time the businessman was ready to pull the wreck from the waters, it had already moved closer to the shore and was flooded with water.

The vessel is presently moored at a facility belonging to the Wakenaam businessman, who has accommodation for such.

There were no registration markings on the vessel, according to persons who would have examined the vessel.

With the exception of the identification card and a note which contained a telephone number, there was nothing of value, evidential or otherwise, inside the flooded out vessel.

Based on the geographical location of Wakenaam, it is possible that the vessel might have ended up in this part of the world from either Florida or Europe, said Regional Chairman Julius Faerber.

An Internet definition of the catamaran says the vessel is usually propelled by sails, and is formed by two hulls or floats which are held side by side by a frame above them that stabilizes the vessel on the water.

The Catamaran of modern day has been first introduced sometime in 1991, although its use in various forms with the use of logs and other objects was in operation from time immemorial. The vessel functions better outside of rough waters, and is described as a light object.

This Catamaran is moored at a boating facility in Wakenaam

An Internet photograph of what a complete Catamaran looks like

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Guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

England founder ...

From back page

Chris Jordan, too, had an early success but England’s four-man seam attack was only intermittently probing.

If their figures looked tidy enough, this was as much down to the batsmen not being required to play, as anything particularly unplayable.

Cloud cover remained throughout the day but the feeling persisted that their lengths had not been full enough to exploit it and a couple of dropped catches added to the sense of frustration.

West Indies were in need of some doughty defiance and it came from an unexpected quarter in Samuels, whose dismissal as they attempted to salvage the Antigua Test, bore the mark of lazy profligacy so often associated with his batting.

On this occasion he

showed the stomach for a fight - noticeably so during some feisty exchanges with Ben Stokes in the evening session and having taken 21 balls to get off the mark, Samuels battled through to a half-century and finished the day six runs shy of a seventh Test hundred.

He spun the wheel on occasion - too much selfdenial is not good for such a carefree soul - but was blessed by fortune, surviving an lbw review against the returning Moeen Ali on umpire’s call and then dropped by Cook at first slip on 32, driving at Jordan.

England did succeed with a review against Jermaine Blackwood, shortly after Stuart Broad had missed a chance off his own bowling, but Samuels opened up his shoulders during an unbroken sixth-wicket stand with his captain Denesh Ramdin.

From 44 off 139 balls, Samuels hit 50 from his next 47, his blade flashing in more familiar style and when their fifty-partnership came up, Ramdin had contributed four.

It was a position of security that looked unlikely earlier on. With the ball darting around, the footing for West Indies’ batsmen was equally precarious, runs were hard to come by and both openers fell before lunch.

Darren Bravo had twice edged Anderson short of the cordon during his first spell a sign that the pitch was not overly quick - but he buckled up and left well alone until inexplicably guiding Broad to slip after two hours of hard work in seeing off the new ball.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul then scooped a full Stokes delivery into the hands of Moeen Ali, diving forward at point, and West Indies were indeed wobbling at 74 for 4.

The line of England’s attack was not as threatening as it could have been but they removed both openers

inside 14 overs - though Devon Smith was perhaps unfortunate to be given out caught behind after appearing to hit the ground whilst driving.

In Jordan’s second over, Smith was put down

by Gary Ballance, stationed at leg gully for the flick off the pads, but the batsman did not last much longer, given out attempting an expansive cover drive three balls later.

There was no doubt about the delivery that cleaned up Brathwaite, which was vintage Anderson, as Brathwaite edged the final delivery on the bounce to second slip, before he served up one that swung in late from well outside off to hit middle and leg, his 385th Test wicket.

That hinted at a potential clatter of wickets but there was little to rouse a healthy crowd, disappointed at the failure of Smith, the first Grenadian to play a Test at the ground, at least until Samuels’ riposte.

Festival City humiliate ...From page 31

The dreadlocked Konata Manning, who scored Alpha’s lone goal in their Caribbean Football Union Club Championships match which they contested earlier in the day and lost, sent an early warning to Albouystown and their fans with a low powerful shot from inside his own half that was

saved.

At the other end, Marlon Nedd emulated Manning with his shot, but Forde who is his Chase Academy teammate was equal to the task as both sides finished the half with a clean sheet, before Daniel Wilson handed Bent Street the lead with his first of two goals, scored in

SCOREBOARD WEST INDIES 1st innings K. Brathwaite b Anderson 1 D. Smith c Buttler b Jordan 15 DM Bravo c Cook b Broad 35 M. Samuels not out 94 S. Chanderpaul c Ali b Stokes 1 J. Blackwood lbw b Jordan 26 D. Ramdin not out 6 Extras: (b-5, lb-3, w-1, nb-1) 10 Total: (5 wickets, 70 overs) 188 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-28, 3-65, 4-74, 5-129.

Bowling: Anderson 15-8-18-1, Broad 165-42-1, Jordan 16-340-2, Ali 12-1-45-0, Stokes 10-4-33-1, Trott 1-0-2-0. the 21st minute.

One minute later Manning made it 2-0 before he fed Wilson a wonderful pass which he positively converted to complete his double in the 24th minute while Sheldon Holder left Albouystown in a daze with his 26th minute strike, to hand Bent Street a 4-0 win and a spot in the knockout stages.

Guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Racing Tips French Racing Tips

Perth

Auteuil

09:20 hrs Antilope Du Seuil

08:35 hrs Vanilla Crush 09:05 hrs Defi D’Anjou 09:40 hrs Ancolie De Cotte

09:55 hrs Indian Stream 10:30 hrs Caracci Apache 11:05 hrs And The Man

10:10 hrs Blue Dragon

11:40 hrs Ryton Runner

South Africa Racing Tips

12:10 hrs Aye Well

Kenilworth

12:40 hrs Swantykay

08:50 hrs Air Chief Marshall

Irish racing Tips

09:25 hrs Surfer Girl 10:00 hrs Line Break 10:35 hrs Panga Panga 11:10 hrs Winter’s Eve English Racing Tips Catterick 09:00 hrs El Che 09:35 hrs Spring Bird 10:10 hrs Tinseltown 10:45 hrs Mudammera 11:20 hrs Evanescent 11:50 hrs Nercury 12:20 hrs Major Muscari Epsom Downs 09:10 hrs Secret Missile 09:45 hrs Jakey 10:20 hrs Future Empire 10:55 hrs Mount Logan

Fairyhouse 11:55 hrs Carried 12:25 hrs Sister Annie 12:55 hrs Ballyfinboy 13:25 hrs Jarob 13:55 hrs Shamar 14:25 hrs Windy Millie 14:55 hrs Delegate American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Call for the Clock Race 2 Snake Pit Race 3 Regulus Race 4 Theresas Candyrose Race 5 Days Ride Race 6 Sakonnet Race 7 Jilly Mac

11:30 hrs Mezajy

Race 8 Coach Inge

12:05 hrs Lear’s Rock

Race 9 Mama’s Red Hat

27

Pakistan confident of hosting Zimbabwe in May (REUTERS) - After being forced to play designated ‘home’ matches in the United Arab Emirates since March 2009 following an attack by militants on a Sri Lanka team bus in Lahore, Pakistan are poised to host top-level international cricket for the first time in six years with a short limited-overs series against Zimbabwe next month.

However, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Shaharyar Khan said he was assured of the tour by Zimbabwe counterpart Wilson Manase on the sidelines of an International Cricket Council meeting in Dubai last week.

“He (Manase) told me they are coming and they are coming with their full team, but for a week,” Khan told reporters in Lahore.

“They will send a security team to assess the situation, following which they will confirm the tour. So they will come in the middle of May and our efforts will be to host matches in Lahore and Karachi.”

The matches would have international status and the ICC had also granted Pakistan special dispensation to use local umpires to officiate in them, PCB chief operating officer Subhan Ahmad added.

The Sri Lankans were ambushed while travelling from their hotel to the Gaddafi stadium for a Test match, in an attack that left six Pakistani policemen and a van driver dead while some players and a local umpire sustained injuries.

Afghanistan played a couple of low-profile series in the country in the period following the attack while Kenya completed a five-match one-day series against a Pakistan A side in December.

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Guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

Kings XI end Royals’ run in Super Over

By Abhishek Purohit

and while Miller took his time to get going, Marsh kept the runs coming in his usual flowing manner, timing boundaries on both sides of the wicket and straight down the ground.

Still, the asking-rate continued to climb steadily, and after Marsh topedged a slog off Pravin Tambe, Kings XI needed 72 off the last five overs.

Saha arrived and played a vital hand, swinging and pulling four fours in the

Johnson and Axar brought it down to 14 from the final over, and ran four (CRICINFO) - The man with the twos and a single off the first five balls most runs for Kings XI Punjab from James Faulkner before Axar had been on the bench for their sliced the last one to the deep point first four games of the season, but rope to take it to the Super Over. brought in because regular captain That they would be part of such George Bailey had a shoulder a tight finish would not have been injury. Shaun Marsh played two remotely on the Royals players’ crucial innings to give Kings XI minds after the total they put up. their second win.

Asked to bat by stand-in Kings He first made 64 XI captain off 40, the highest Virender Sehwag, score in a chase of Ajinkya Rahane 192, as Kings XI and Watson levelled the scores came within five with Axar Patel’s runs of making last-ball four. it successive Marsh then century-opening watched David Miller partnerships. depart off the first Rahane was ball of the Super Over troubled initially and went on to hit by the swing the Chris Morris for three Kings XI bowlers successive fours, generated, but he before Rajasthan responded with Royals lost both their some stinging wickets halfway into shots through the Mitchell Johnson’s covers and Watson over, which ended took his time and their five-match was on 14 off 23 winning streak. at one stage before Shane Watson was he sprung into bowled first ball by action, hitting his a yorker and James next six deliveries Faulkner, pondering for four fours and a bye, was run-out by Kings XI Punjab’s leading runscorer Shaun Marsh swats the ball away during two sixes to end their 2015 Pepsi IPL encounter against Rajasthan Royals, yesterday.

Wriddhiman Saha. on 45 off 35.

Earlier, the chase Steven Smith had been slipping away from Kings eight balls he lasted. and Faulkner managed a run XI as they were reduced to 59 for 3 in Miller had found his range just between them but Royals’ young the ninth over when Glenn Maxwell before Marsh departed, and was now Indian batsmen contributed swift top-edged a slog off leg-spinner effortlessly launching sixes over deep cameos with Stuart Binny ending Rahul Tewatia. midwicket. When he eventually failed the innings with a four and a six off But Marsh and Miller kept their to clear the off side boundary and fell Anureet Singh but Marsh’s twin side alive as they put on 58 off 35 for 54 off 30, 25 were required off 12. innings would overcome them.

Hashim Amla signs Derbyshire deal

Hashim Amla SOUTH AFRICA Test captain Hashim Amla will join Derbyshire next month for three NatWest T20 Blast and two LV= County Championship matches, as he was recruited to replace Martin Guptill after the New Zealander was called up by his country for the Test series against England.

The 31-year-old Amla will begin his short stint with Derbyshire in the Division Two championship fixture at home to Northamptonshire on May 10.

He said: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to play in England this summer. Derbyshire is an ambitious club with an exciting young team and I’ve enjoyed working with (coach) Graeme (Welch) before.”

Welch added: “Hashim is a world-class batsman and a proven matchwinner on both the Test and limited-overs stages.

He’s a player I have worked with before, and I know he will be a great influence on the younger lads.”

CSK target final-overs bite, RCB early boosts (CRICINFO) - “Ideal” was how a beaming Virat Kohli described Royal Challengers Bangalore’s start. But since beating Kolkata Knight Riders at their Eden, his postmatch quotes have been considerably subdued.

He wouldn’t bother masking the weakness of the bowling attack, and was equally unflattering last Sunday after his batsmen made a dysfunctional start - 24 for 0 in the six

Powerplay overs - in a chase of 210. Now they have to contend with Chennai Super Kings.

Only there are cracks in MS Dhoni’s team as well, starting with his own form.

His struggle for timing is explained by a strike-rate of 118 and it has impacted their charge in the final overs. Ravindra Jadeja has 17 runs in the tournament so far, and hasn’t batted in the last two innings.

Dwayne Bravo hit 62 of

his 76 runs in one match.

It almost seems like Super Kings have done a 180 on their strategy - from being a line-up that did most of its damage in the final overs, they now rely on the openers Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith to do so.

And that is why Mitchell Starc will be priceless for Royal Challengers. He is likely to start his IPL season tomorrow and gives the attack much needed

venom, and perhaps more importantly he can lead it.

A potential one-stop fix for a problem that has begun to weigh on them. They look a team in dire need of a boost, and downing arguably the most successful T20 team would be the perfect tonic before going on the road again.

Nine overs, 95 runs and one wicket. A duck and a 17 in the only times he’s been able to bat. This IPL season has been taxing on

Ravindra Jadeja. As quick as his darts are, batsmen have managed to get under them and use the additional pace.

He’s also been hidden whenever left-handers are at the crease. But he doesn’t look like the kind of player who pays much mind to statistics. Rather like the kind who functions on confidence, and he rarely lacks that.

In the other camp is another spinner who

likes tossing the ball up.

Yuzvendra Chahal is young, eager to impress and has been Royal Challengers’ most dependable bowler so far.

The team’s trust in him has been growing and he often looks for Kohli for the first highfive after his wickets, as if thanking his captain for the faith. Royal Challengers would hope those little interludes grow more frequent.

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Guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

CARICOM and WICB reach agreement ST GEORGE’S, Grenada (CMC) - The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the Caricom Committee on Cricket Governance say they have ended a “productive” meeting where an agreement has been reached on “the way forward” for West Indies cricket.

However, both parties have declined to comment on the specifics of the agreement following their meeting, which ran for nearly five hours at the upscale Spice Island Beach resort in Grenada’s southern tourist belt late Monday.

WICB president Dave Cameron and Grenada’s Prime Minister Keith Mitchell said details of the agreement will be contained in a joint press release to be issued shortly.

“We also agreed that we will have a joint press release from the West Indies Cricket Board and of course

the Prime Minister’s team,” Prime Minister Mitchell told the media at the end of the meeting.

“I believe we have reached a positive conclusion which will chart the way forward. We will be working together with the board and all concerned to move West Indies cricket forward.”

Prime Minister Mitchell chaired the meeting, which was also attended by Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie, the current CARICOM chairman; Antigua & Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne, and St Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

All 18 directors of the WICB, including President Cameron and Vice President Emmanuel Nanthan, along with Chief Executive Officer Michael Muirhead and Corporate Secretary Verlyn Faustin met with the CARICOM Committee

Hafeez cleared to bowl by ICC PAKISTAN all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is free to resume bowling in international cricket after remedial work and a retest on his action.

New Zealand, but played as a specialist batsman in Pakistan’s one-day international defeat against Bangladesh on Sunday, making a duck at number

which also included CARICOM SecretaryGeneral Irwin LaRocque.

“I think the meeting was

“I think the meeting was very positive. We have a shared vision. All of us want to see West Indies cricket

abandoned tour of India last October, the reform and governance of West Indies Cricket, and the relationship

St Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves (left) shares a light moment with WICB president Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron. very productive. We have agreed a way forward and a joint release will be issued.

So you will get the details very shortly,” said Cameron.

back at the top and we are committed to making this happen.”

The two sides were expected to discuss the

between the CARICOM Committee on Cricket Governance and the WICB. Also in attendance were West Indies cricket legends

who met with the four CARICOM Prime Ministers earlier in the day at the same venue.

Reports from inside that meeting say the legends - Andy Roberts, Vivian Richards, Deryck Murray, Wes Hall, Gordon Greenidge, Garry Sobers and Michael Holding on the telephone from Miami and the Prime Ministers were united on the need for change in the Governance structure of the WICB. “Today was a very important one for West Indies cricket in the sense that we had the views and of course clear passion of the legends that have built West Indies cricket,” Mitchell said.

“They were here with us and expressed strong support for moving this process forward and eventually we were able to meet with the board to express the view for the necessity for change and I think we have reached a conclusion in that respect.”

The second meeting brought Cameron face to face with Prime Minister Gonsalves who criticised the WICB chief following the abandoned tour.

However, both men were cordial to each other and were heard engaging in occasional friendly banter before and after the session.

Powerlifting Federation looking to expand sport across Guyana

Mohammad Hafeez Off-spinner Hafeez, 34, three. was banned from bowling But after the International after being reported for a Cricket Council confirmed suspect action five months his action has been proven ago in the first Test against legal in Chennai this month, New Zealand in Abu Dhabi Hafeez can bowl again for and then failing an initial his country. test on its legality.

Javeria Khan, an allHe was therefore unable rounder in Pakistan’s to be selected to bowl in women’s team, has also the World Cup, but injured had her action cleared his calf anyway and was almost five years after it ruled out of the global was first reported and then tournament in Australia and failed an initial ICC test.

THE GUYANA Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPF) last Sunday reelected Peter Greene as its president and has immediately signalled their intent to charter a way forward for the sport.

Greene was re-elected unopposed for his eighth year with most of his executives still intact, except for Deon Dutt who was replaced by Dr Osmond Mack as treasurer, while Karl Marks and Jagdesh Budhram replaced Erwin Smith and Wendell McPherson as committee members.

Speaking with the Federation Public Relations Officer (PRO) Denroy Livan, he disclosed that the GAPF is working on more community outreach programmes to further promote the sport.

Livan said, “We are

trying our best to get among the conversations of people, so they could start talking about powerlifting; we are trying to get women and younger folks involved so we need to get into the schools and communities to do such.”

“We expect powerlifting to take-off - we have had, I would like to say, general success over the past few years and we want to see power lifting grow further,” he added.

The GAPF wants to take the sport to the highland areas such as Rupununi, as they think there are capable persons in that area and this they view as another effort to take on general growth, even as Linden, Berbice and Essequibo have also been identified on the Federation’s map.

Meanwhile, the body has its radar on the Paralympics

Peter Greene with lifters responding admirably, and they are expected to make their mark soon.

According to Livan, the GAPF will be bidding again to host international tournaments despite futile efforts to host the Caribbean Championships this year and the first on

the GAPF’s agenda is the tournament dubbed ‘Clash of Champions’, which will only feature invited athletes.

The event will give lifters the much needed opportunity of making qualifying marks for the Pan American and Commonwealth Championships set for September and December respectively.

The Federation’s calendar of events will commence with the hosting of a referee and coaches clinic on Sunday April 26, at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

Interested persons are asked to register with International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) Certified referees, John Edwards and Gordon Spencer and all national referees and coaches are invited to attend. (Photo – DenroyLivan)

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Guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

GCB/RAJ SINGH UNDER-19 INTER-COUNTY

Imloch named man-of-the-match, as Demerara qualify for final … E’bo shock Berbice

THANKS to a robust knock from Tevin Imloch, backed by superb individual innings from Travis Persaud and Shurfane Rutherford, Demerara defeated the National Under-17s by 66 runs, booking for themselves a place in Saturday’s final of the Guyana Cricket Board/Raj Singh Insurance Under-19 Inter-county limited overs tournament.

Imloch struck 17 fours and three sixes from the 161 balls he faced for his unbeaten 131, which, together with Persaud’s 73 and Rutherford’s robust unbeaten 70 n(19 balls, 10x6, 2x4), guided Demerara to a massive 326 for 4 from their 50 overs at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

Skipper Ricardo AliMohammed and Asif Ally had identical figures of 2 for 33 for the Under-17, who in reply were restricted to

260 for 9, with contributions coming from Ramnarine Chatura (39), Gavin Boodwah (35), Raymond Perez (33), Bhaskar Yadram (32), Adrian Sukhwah (31) and Ali Mohammed 27.

Tariq Dharamlall took 2 for 32 while Rutherford returned with the ball after his whirlwind innings to claim 2 for 50, to continue his impressive performance with the ball for Demerara throughout this tournament, having led all fast bowlers with 17 wickets in the threeday tournament played earlier.

Across the road at Everest Cricket Club, Essequibo shocked the recently crowned three-day champions Berbice, with a stunning three-wicket victory, to chalk up their first win in the tournament, following their shocking first round loss to the Under-17, while efforts to get the scores

Skipper Travis Persaud looks on from the non-striker’s end as centurion Tevin Imloch pushes this delivery into the offside, during his unbeaten ton against the National Under-17 lineup, yesterday. for this game proved futile, since both book scorers refused to answer the several calls made to their phones.

Following today’s rest day, the final round will bowl off tomorrow,

with Demerara facing Essequibo at Enmore under the guidance of Yosef Yisrael, Ryan Banwarie and Deon Feassal, while Berbice will be looking to redeem themselves against

the Under-17, when they clash at the Police Sports Club ground, with Delvin Austin, Zaheer Mohammed and Chetnarine Persaud being the men in charge. (Calvin Roberts)

GABA ‘King of the Hard Court’ tourney bounces off tonight

(L – R) GABA Secretary Cheryl Thomas, president Junior Hercules, assistant secretary/ treasurer Nadine Luthers-Williams, GNYC representative Tricia Teekah, vice-president Adrian Hooper and treasurer Joyce Sullivan.

TWELVE teams, at three venues namely Burnham Court, National Gymnasium and Plaisance Basketball Court, will play four weeks of basketball as the Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) searches for the ‘King of the Hard Court’, starting tonight at the Burnham Basketball Court in Middle Street.

The event which was launched yesterday by the recently installed GABA

would be the first of three tournaments planned for the year and according to president Junior Hercules, the ‘King of Hard Court’ is the start of a new chapter and sets a primacy on how basketball will be played under his Association.

From 18:00hrs tonight, Knights and Colts will clash in the first game which is an Under-23 fixture, while national champions Pacesetters collide with Melanie Patriots in the

second fixture.

Matches will be played every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the 12 participating teams being Ravens, University of Guyana, Plaisance Guardians, Eagles, Sonics, Nets and a team representing the ‘West Side’ (West Demerara), along with those listed to compete tonight.

Hercules pointed out that unlike previous tournaments, the teams will not be placed in groups, but

rather face each other in a round-robin format and the team to accumulate the most points at the end of the 51-game championship, will be adjudged the winner.

For each win, teams will be rewarded three points; one point for a defeat but will not be given any (points) for matches forfeited.

Sponsored by Ansa McAl under their Mackeson brand, Giftland OfficeMax and Starr Computers, the tournament will not be played for monetary gains but the winning club will receive equipment and other prizes.

“Most of the tournaments are played both outdoors and indoors and we thought that we were never really given the opportunity to crown a ‘Hard Court’ champion, so GABA felt that it was important to have that so the club can claim the right to be called ‘Hard Court’ Champion”, Hercules told the Media at yesterday’s launch in the boardroom of Starr Computers.

He added that “the tournament is a precursor to what we (GABA) hope to

have in August which is our annual league”.

The new format, according to Hercules, will allow the GABA to seed the teams prior to the League and also put in perspective which club is First or Second Division.

Meanwhile, with the country preparing for

its May 11 Regional and General Elections, the GABA teamed up with the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC) to help in its ‘Vote Like A Boss’ campaign, targeting young and first-time voters, educating them on what is expected at polling stations on ‘E-Day’.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER Compliments of THE TROPHY STALLBourda Market & The City Mall (Tel: 2259230)& AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) George Headley (WI vs ENG, Bourda, 1930) (2)

76 games

Today’s Quiz: (1) How many Test matches Alf Valentine played? How many wickets he took?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Match in the very first game of the last IPL tournament?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

31

Guyana CHRONICLE Wednesday April 22, 2015

PETRA/BUSTA SOFT SHOE TOURNAMENT

Festival City humiliate Leopold Street in largest margin of victory … Ramsay hat-trick ensures Ballerz qualify

By Calvin Roberts FROM THE time Solomon Austin latched onto a Daniel Favorite pass in the first minute of play and found the back of the net, the question was how many goals would Festival City score against Leopold Street in their Petra Organisation/ Guyana Beverage Inc. Busta soft shoe tournament last Sunday night.

Playing in the fifth match of the night, Festival City answered that question when the final whistle sounded as they scored an 8-1 victory, to record the largest margin of victory to date in the tournament which has at stake $600 000 for the top team.

On the same night, Ballerz became the first team to play unbeaten, following their enthralling 4-2 win over Broad Street, thanks to Steffon Ramsay’s hat-trick, which helped pull them from behind to claim the win.

The action got under way with Kitty Weavers, through a Sherwin ‘Dribbler’ Vincent 26th minute goal, needling Tucville 1-0, followed by Stevedore defeating Cross Street Werk-en-Rust 2-0, thanks to a brace from Mark Campbell in the 14th and 28th minutes.

Globe Yard, who on the previous night had overcome Back Circle 4-1, suffered a similar margin of defeat at the hands of West Back Road, with Phillip Rowley (4th and 11th), Jorel Tyrell (5th) and Jamal Haynes (21st) scoring for the winners even as Adami Hoyte scored Globe Yard’s solitary goal in the 16th minute.

Steffon Ramsay scored his first of three goals in the 5th minute through traffic, before Miguel Cummins equalised for Broad Street in the 14th minute, followed by Jamal Cozier’s go-ahead goal in the 19th minute.

Amos Ramsay ensured Ballerz remained in the contest, by nullifying Cozier’s goal in the 21st minute, then watched four minutes later as Steffon Ramsay scored his second goal, before completing his hat-trick in the 27th minute to give Ballerz a 4-2 lead, converting a penalty he won after being brought down by Broad Street

custodian inside the area.

Cozier had the opportunity to make it a onegoal possession for Ballerz, but his shot from a Jimmy Gravesande pass soared high and wide over the bar in the 28th minute, creating little or no trouble for Ballerz custodian.

As both Leopold Street and Festival City were undergoing their knockaround drills before the game began, the pundits and fans on the other side of the barrier were questioning among themselves, what the margin of victory would be for Festival City.

More so, when Austin converted Favorite’s cross and Stellon David drilled home a low powerful leftfooted drive from midway inside Leopold Street’s half in the third minute to make it 2-0, tongues were wagging uncontrollably as to the outcome of the contest.

Jermine Somerset pulled one back for Leopold Street in the 6th minute, but his goal reignited Festival City’s hunger to score and they did so at will, with Dwayne Lawrence finding the back of the net in the 12th minute to give them a 3-1 lead at halftime.

When play began in the second half, Favorite made it 4-1 with his 23rd minute goal, then celebrated with Carl Lockhart, who scored a double, with the first coming in the 27th minute after he received a pass from Lawrence and the second in the 28th when he intercepted a pass between the defenders.

Andrew Sookhoo, who was working hard for Leopold Street but failed to find the back of the net due to some strong defensive works from Austin and Favorite, succeeded when he rocked the small goal in the 28th minute to make the scoreline 6-2.

But a hungry Eon Alleyne cashed in on the goal-scoring feast for Festival City, scoring a double of his own in the 29th and 30th minutes to hand his team the largest win of the tournament and at the same time increasing their chances of taking home the top prize.

Like Ballerz, whose team comprised players from Rhythm Squad, Bent Street fielded a side that was

made up mainly of players from Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United, except for prolific striker Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams and upcoming custodian Amanackie Forde.

Turn to page 26

Part of Sunday night’s action in the inaugural Petra Organisation/Guyana Beverage Inc. soft shoe football tournament. (Photo by Samuel Maughn)

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Festival City humiliate Leopold Street in largest margin of victory See story on page 31

West Indies middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels cuts loose late in the day to finish unbeaten on 94.

(Photo courtesy of AFP)

England founder on Samuels’ defiance (CRICINFO) - At the end of another day of hot sweaty toil, West Indies had provided another show of the character that Phil Simmons hopes to instil in this side.

The scene had moved from Antigua to Grenada but West Indies, thanks to an innings of discipline and application from

Marlon Samuels, were once again feeling in the pink. England were left looking a little bit red and a little bit ragged, despite only having to get through 70 overs after rain cut the morning session in half.

The portents had been more promising for England, after winning the toss and inserting

West Indies in helpful conditions.

Having called correctly, Alastair Cook then received a second stroke of luck, with the news that Jerome Taylor, who menaced England’s top three in the first Test, had been ruled out with a shoulder injury.

When James Anderson produced a sonic-

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booming in-swinger in his second over to remove Kraigg Brathwaite it appeared everyone had received the script and the sight of England’s leading Test wicket-taker bending the ball adroitly in either direction was doubly heartening for the tourists, after his struggle for lateral movement in Antigua.

Turn to page 27 WEDNESDAY APRIL 22, 2015