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GUYANA

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

RACE TO POLLS No. 104152

WEDNESDAY APRIL 8, 2015

GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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Nomination Day over, D-Day ahead

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2015 poll a likely eight-party contest Page

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President fires up PPP/C Page 2 supporters ...

‘We just handed over the winning list’ to GECOM Thousands of PPP/C supporters outside the party’s Freedom House headquarters on Robb Street yesterday (Delano Williams photo)

Small parties ready for their 5 big rivals Page

APNU+AFC see healthy mobilisation of supporters on Nomination Day Page 9

The Opposition alliance of APNU/AFC received massive support for its Nomination Day march yesterday (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

President fires up supporters ...

‘We just handed over the winning list’ to GECOM - ‘That’s the list that’s going to take us to victory’ URGING Guyanese to stand by him and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), incumbent President Mr Donald Ramotar presented yesterday, at City Hall, what he describes as “The winning list” for the 2015 national elections to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“I ask all of you to individually and collectively stand by the PPP/C; to stand by me, and together I’m sure we can make our country realise its dreams of being a developed and strong country,” the President implored enthused supporters gathered outside the party’s Freedom House headquarters.

workers; we have housewives and farmers; we have all races on our list. Our list represents this country in every way; we have a fully balanced list, and I am sure that list is going to take us to victory. And as far as I know, we are the only party that has as its Prime Ministerial Candidate a woman of substance in Elisabeth Harper.”

CAMPAIGN TO INTENSIFY Back at Freedom House after the die had been cast, he told Party supporters gathered there that the PPP/C fully intends to intensify its campaign.

“Our campaign will be a very positive campaign,” he said. “We want to win back the majority in the National Assembly, and I think we have a very good programme to do so.”

He then proceeded to list as being among the many positives achieved under the current administration the fact that Guyanese students have consistently succeeded in topping the Caribbean Region at CSEC in the last ten years. “Our investment has been in our people; we are the only country in the Region where more than 30 per cent of our budget goes to the social sector: For education, health, housing, water, old age pension, $10,000 per child in school, assistance for university students,” the President said, adding that the Government also provides text books and other ancillary support to the education sector, such as school feeding programmes for children to stay in school.

He couldn’t help but observe that these successes of which he spoke are in spite of the Political Opposition sabotaging the development efforts of the Government at every turn over the past three years.

As to the challenges, the President readily identified as being among them the airport expansion project and the hydro-power project, saying, “And that is why I promise you that when we win the elections on May 11, the Amaila Hydro-power project will be very high on our agenda, because we need to grow, not by four-and-a-half and 5 per cent.

He went on to say: “Impressive as that is when you take into consideration the Opposition’s anti-development thrust and the international economic development, we will grow by 10 and 12 per cent per annum when we get cheap electricity in our country.”

President Donald Ramotar gives the ‘thumbs up’ outside City Hall yesterday. Also in photo are First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar and Alexie Ramotar

He added: “I ask you when you leave here to take a resolution; to ensure that you redouble your efforts to work even harder. And we all must work even harder to ensure the direction of our country will be forward, and never again will we allow Guyana to stand still or go backward!”

With an aplomb born of confidence, President Ramotar, who heads his Party’s list of nominees, led thousands of supporters from Freedom House to nomination point, City Hall.

There, in the company of Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mrs Elisabeth Harper and PPP/C General Secretary, Mr Clement Rohee, as well as their families and other representatives on the Nomination List, he presented the PPP/C’s national topup and regional lists to Chief Elections Officer, Mr. Keith Lowenfield.

He then turned to his colleagues and said: “We just handed over the winning list to the Elections Commission, and you will see we have a very good list: We have a blend of maturity and youth; we have professional

PARTY PLANS Speaking of his Party’s future plans, President Ramotar said that high on the agenda is creating investment opportunities and jobs, as well as a highly skilled and capable workforce.

Those plans also include improving the quality of life of the populace; securing more markets for rice farmers; spending at least $20B to keep the sugar industry afloat; building the promised Specialty Hospital; expanding the Cheddi Jagan International Airport; continuously improving the country’s infrastructure; supporting farmers; and creating a stable and progressive economic environment.

Added to the impressive list of to-dos is the redoubling of efforts to capitalise on the local tourism sector by improving the relevant infrastructure.

“This election is about jobs for the people of our country; better health services. It’s about better and more housing for our people, to solve the housing problem once and for all,” he said.

When asked about his Government’s plans to establish

Please turn to page 4

2015 poll a likely eight-party contest 3

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

By Vanessa Narine THE proverbial bell has been sounded for the homestretch leading up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections; and out of the 11 parties that initially expressed interest in contesting these elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has counted eight political contenders in the running.

By all accounts and historical underpinnings, the two major political contenders are the incumbent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the coalesced A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

The other parties submitting their National Top-up List, Geographical Constituencies List, and Regional Democratic Council Lists included: The United Force (TUF); the Healing The Nation Theocracy Party (HTNT); the United Republican Party (URP); the Independent Party (IP); the Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP); and the National Independence Party (NIP).

The Guyana Small Man Party, Guyana National Congress and the Liberation Party did not make the 6:00pm deadline to enter a bid for the national leadership posts that are up for grabs.

Last time around, on October 27, 2011, some 32 parties had expressed their intention to make a bid, with only seven making their submissions to the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO).

PPP/C, APNU, AFC, TUF, as well as the East Berbice Development Association (EBDA), Fundamental Structure Group (FSG) and Horizon and Star were the parties that submitted their lists of candidates. The latter three have not been heard from since.

WINNING LIST During yesterday’s Nomination Day, TUF was the first party to make its presentation, then the atmosphere became filled with a tangible enthusiasm as the leadership and members of the PPP/C made their way up the refurbished stairs of City Hall, with hundreds of supporters who rallied

around the party’s leadership lining Regent Street.

His Excellency President Donald Ramotar, incumbent President and current PPP/C Presidential Candidate, said in an invited comment: “It is a winning list.”

He added, “Nominations Day is here…everything will be now much more open to the Guyanese, they will

House, the enthused procession made its way back to the party’s headquarters for a rally.

Hundreds have been included on the PPP/C list of candidates in respect to its National Top-up List, Geographical Constituencies List, and Regional Democratic Council Lists, which included dozens of new faces.

‘We are confident that the PPP/C has the best manifesto and the best list.

Promises have been made out there all the time, but we have been making great efforts of creating the social and physical infrastructure to take our country to higher places’ – President Donald Ramotar

APNU+AFC New faces were also noted in the large contingent from the APNU+AFC Alliance, which marched from the Square of the Revolution to City Hall.

Presidential Candidate for this (APNU+AFC) Alliance, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, boasted confidently about supporters included on the APNU+AFC list of candidates. “We have committed ourselves to competence and balance…

We have a list that is going to move this country forward,” he stressed.

After that alliance had submitted its

have a chance to examine our list of candidates…very important is that the public has these materials in front of them.

“We are confident that the PPP/C has the best manifesto and the best list.

Promises have been made out there all the time, but we have been making great efforts at creating the social and physical infrastructure to take our country to higher places.”

The President said the aim of the PPP/C is to win a majority in the National Assembly, as this would allow the Party to advance programmes, policies and legislation to improve the lives of all Guyanese.

“When I get the majority this time, we will grow…we will provide a much better quality of life for the Guyanese people. We are not promising to buy the sky. Our promises are realistic… we’re identifying sources of finances; the country will have a great future with the PPP/C in government,” President Ramotar posited.

The PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mrs Elisabeth Harper, echoed similar sentiments: “It is an inclusive list,” she told the Chronicle.

Having followed the PPP/C Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates and other party members from Freedom

‘We have committed ourselves to competence and balance…We have a list that is going to move this country forward” - Brigadier (rtd) David Granger lists, the APNU+AFC procession moved onto Parade Ground for a Unity Rally, where Granger’s running mate, Moses Nagamootoo, touted the success of the coalition.

He said the Nomination Day milestone is evidence of the fact that there will be ‘no divorce’ between APNU and AFC. The political alliance between the two parties was inked on February 14 and detailed in the historic Cummingsburg Accord. Going into the coalition negotiation with APNU, the AFC controlled 21 per cent of the combined Opposition seats in Parliament, but came out with a guarantee of 40 per cent of the Cabinet and at least 12 parliamentary seats, should they succeed at the May 11, 2015 General and Regional polls.

APNU held 79 per cent of the Op-

position seats in the House going into the negotiation.

GECOM’S WORK GECOM’s Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally, in an invited comment, noted that GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer Mr Keith Lowenfield and his team are an “exact” group who are committed to “ensuring that all the ‘t’s are crossed and the ‘i’s are dotted.”

“Positive,” he declared, when asked for his view of the day’s proceedings.

Dr Surujbally said there was a notable level of camaraderie among political

‘My swansong has always been: (a) that everyone accepts the results and (b) that there is peace’ – GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally contenders at yesterday’s Nomination Day event.

Looking forward, he said, “My swansong has always been: (a) that everyone accepts the results and (b) that there is peace.”

The Chronicle was also informed by a senior GECOM official that the lists are expected to be completely vetted

by Thursday. “Once the lists have been checked, GECOM will be able to say who qualifies to contest, and we will publish those lists. We will be good to go.”

In accordance with the electoral system of Proportional Representation, in order to qualify for a seat in the National Assembly, contesting parties must contest a minimum of six (6) of the Geographical Constituencies -- totalling at least 13 seats -- for eligibility to contest and submit Geographical Constituencies Lists and National Top-up Lists. This arrangement will provide for qualified contesting parties to submit, on Nomination Day, two separate Lists of Candidates.

Any political party can contest the election of members of any of the 10 Regional Democratic Councils. For this purpose, a List of Candidates must be submitted on Nomination Day.

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‘We just handed over the winning list’...

From page 2

President Donald Ramotar addressing thousands of PPP/C supporters outside Freedom House yesterday

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015 a dedicated unit to fight corruption, President Ramotar said: “We have always been fighting corruption; we have been the ones that established all the systems. When we got into the Government, there was no system to fight corruption; no bidding system. The Auditor-General was not allowed to audit Government’s accounts; there was absolutely no transparency in Government. We have established those systems. So what we are doing now is a continuation of what we started a long time ago. We have nothing to hide; we are ready to take any measure to stamp out corruption in our country.”

HARPER WEIGHS IN Adding her voice to the call for continued progress under the PPP/C, Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mrs Harper said the candidates will work with the people to ensure that the majority in the National Assembly is restored to the PPP/C. She expressed confidence in the list of names presented yesterday, adding that “the second ‘P’ in the PPP, ‘Progressive’, will have been written again yesterday, because it shows that the list which was presented is an inclusive one. “It is a visionary list; it shows that we have people that will represent your Party and your Government; your country across the spectrum…women, young people,” she said, adding that the ‘C’ component of the Party’s moniker is for ‘Continuity’.

Addressing the exuberant crowd at Freedom House after the presentation of the List, Party General Secretary, Mr Clement Rohee thanked supporters for their continued solidarity, saying: “At every election since 1957, the people have been confidently behind us because we stand for Peace; we stand for Progress; and we stand for Prosperity. You must leave no stone unturned; every single day from today we must mobilise; we must energise; and we must get our people out to make sure that on May 11, they vote resoundingly for the PPP. Every one of us has a stake in the future.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony noted that the PPP/C is a people’s party, and has been with the people through “ups and downs” working for the betterment of Guyana.

US commits G$65M for elections Observer missions - to assist GECOM with voter education, outreach efforts

By Leroy Smith

into the elections assistance programme, Hunt said that for the Observer missions, the OAS and the EAB will be splitting US$325,000, which

THE United States Government, through its Embassy here, will be contributing the sum of US$325,000 towards financial support for the May 11 General and Regional Elections in Guyana.

The sum at reference is specifically in support of the work of the Observer missions organised by the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Elections Assistance Bureau (EAB).

Speaking with the media yesterday at City Hall after observing Nomination Day procedures, US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Mr Bryan Hunt said the Embassy will be involved in the observation process of the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Asked about the total amount the United States will be directly injecting

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U.S. Charge d’Affaires, Mr Bryan Hunt is the equivalent of G$65M. He also added that the Embassy is looking to assist the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) with its voter education process, and voter outreach efforts, but the

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final dollar figure has not yet been determined.

In a press statement late yesterday, the United States Embassy in Georgetown said that the assistance being given to the election process is to ensure fair, free and credible elections in Guyana on May 11.

The Embassy said that both Observer missions have proven track records of successful elections monitoring, and are widely respected.

“The U.S. Government is pleased to support the two organisations in bringing their credible and critical analysis to Guyana’s 2015 electoral process,” the release said, adding: “The United States of America continues to advocate globally for the expansion and strengthening of democratic governance.

Regular free and fair elections are critical in this regard.”

It said too that the Guy-

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ana Elections Commission has established a strong track record of ensuring ‘free, fair, and credible’ elections for the people of Guyana, and the US has full faith and confidence in its ability to do so once again in 2015.

Meanwhile, on the issue of the conduct of candidates on the campaign trail, the senior US diplomat said it is his expectation that all candidates contesting the polls would adhere to the soon-to-be-released Code of Conduct by the Guyana Elections Commission for the candidates.

He also stated that given the present political climate here, he is of the “strong view” that candidates should do all that is necessary to avoid making statements that can be seen as derogatory on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion and sexual orientation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

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Small parties ready for their big rivals

- Theocracy Party leader ‘rolling-up’ his sleeves to deal with APNU+AFC Alliance

TUF Leader Marissa Nadir handing over her documents to GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield could end up in the streets, in you are my children”, “Go to work and work hard”.

By Tajeram Mohabir to become more “Godly” the form of street protests.

He then tried to remove and pass laws in Parliament posters of President Donald LONE NOT daunted by the great that are reflective of the holy Ramotar and Prime MinisteriDEMONSTRATOR fanfare staged by the Peoscriptures.

Before City Hall opened al Candidate Elisabeth Harper ple’s Progressive Party/ He said there is need for on the palls at the Recent its doors for the candidates of Civic (PPP/C) and the A love to end the fighting in ParStreet entrance of City Hall.

Partnership for National liament and out of Parliament, the various political parties He shouted, and even to present their documents to Unity + Alliance For Change ensure national unity, and rolled on the road, before GECOM to be checked, and (APNU+AFC), the leadsolve the many social issues given the go-ahead to contest moving close to a Police barThe lone, but colourful demonstrator in ers of several small parties in the country. ricade, and jammed knuckles front of City Hall yesterday strode into historic City Hall The Godism leader, whose the May 11 elections, there to fancy their chances at the party symbol is the Holy was some action on Regent with an officer, much to the amusement of bystanders.

May 11 polls.

Tabernacle, also said there is Street and Avenue of the ReLeader of The United public by a lone demonstrator.

After leaving the horse need for greater accountability Force (TUF), Marissa Nadir, Bedecked in a colourful shoe table inside the City from holders of public offices. was the first of the political outfit, the demonstrator beat Chambers, the majority of Leader of the Organisathem spoke glowingly about tion For the Victory of the his chest and shouted, “The See Page 7 country is we own”, “All of their chances of doing well People Party Gerald Pereira at the elections, going alone. said his party will only be But at last minute, the Gocontesting Region 4, but will dism Party, also known as the be giving its support to the Small Man’s Liberation Party Alliance. and the Organisation For the On a ballot paper, a voter Victory of the People Party, casts a regional and national threw their support behind the vote.

APNU/AFC Alliance.

Pereira explained that his Dressed in a gray suit supporters will be putting an with a flat white cap, Noah ‘X’ next to the Organisation Yahshuarun, who looks more For the Victory of the People like a man from the Middle Party for a regional vote, and East, told the Guyana Chronthe other ‘X’ for the Alliance icle that the Godism party for the national vote. has decided not to contest the He said his party has been election and intends to join the doing some groundwork, and Alliance. based on feedback, it has According to him, the parmade a decision to support the ty has since sent a letter to the Alliance.

Alliance, expressing a desire Pereira said if successful to join it, and is awaiting a in obtaining a seat in the Repositive response. gional Democratic Council He also indicated that (RDC), his party will put “a Guyana Elections Commiswhole lot of pressure” on sion (GECOM) has been noCentral Government to speed tified. up infrastructural projects.

Yahshuarun said his GoThe pressure, he said, will dism party will be pushing the start in the boardroom and Alliance and the Government

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

EDITORIAL

GUYANA

Working together for the national good

YESTERDAY, April 7, was Nominations Day for Elections 2015, and the political parties used the occasion to display their numbers, both large and small. But General and Regional Elections are not about numbers, but of leadership of a nation, and here it is imperative that one reflects on the realities of what we need for our country to achieve its maximum potential for economic growth and social development.

It is incumbent upon all national leaders to pursue the primary objective of transforming the unity of Guyana’s national celebratory occasions to transcend these festive and/or commemorative occasions, and impregnate the continuous processes of endeavour and development as a priority,

if this nation is to withstand natural and global forces that make our country’s survival, and the quality of our survival, vulnerable to natural and external forces.

Our freedom is subjective, dependent on the not-so-tender mercies of the international power-brokers, who use Third World countries as pawns on their chess-boards in their eternal quest for resource acquisition and domination.

The ostensible Conference of Freedom with the granting of the instruments of independence was a mere symbolic gesture, because constitutional delinquency then prevailed, and the seven-year development plan (See Dr. Jagan’s ‘West on Trial’ for details) depended heavily on support from Britain, which never quite relin-

quished its stranglehold on this nation’s economy, thus compromising its autonomy.

Kwame Nkrumah, defining neo-colonialism and the subjective independence granted to colonised countries in his book, ‘Neo-colonialism, the Last Stage of Colonialism’, states: “The essence of neo-colonialism is that the State which is subject to it is, in theory, independent and has all the outward trappings of international sovereignty. In reality, its economic system, and thus its political system, is directed from outside.”

In essence, liberty is relative. When we are not allowed by those who have orchestrated themselves into guardians of this country’s purse-strings to determine the processes of this country’s revenue management, then that subjectivity

is comparable to national captivity, equating a government and its people to mere pawns on an internationally-scaled economic chessboard.

Economic domination by foreign powers and the resultant national subservience as the Guyanese workforce bends its knees before the inhuman conditionalities of external funding agencies -- to which the human factor is an entirely negligible quotient in their fiscal programmes, ostensibly targeting human development -- is irony indeed.

Factored into this equation are the forces fighting to divide this nation in primary pursuit of agendas configured towards self-aggrandisement and self-enrichment.

So, the Guyanese nation remains, in many ways, divided unto itself; blind to the reality that true freedom, eco-

nomic and otherwise, does not fructify from the destruction of the production systems, the infrastructural networks, and the social construct, but rather from a unity of purpose to reach a common goal: the goal of a nation united in the struggle for a liberated economy, which is the primary factor that would eventuate in national prosperity and optimum social development.

It is only when this nation has broken the shackles of economic dependency can we realise our potential as a truly free people, with all the resultant implications, all resonating with upward-spiraling mobility and indicators.

Centuries after giving Socrates hemlock, that nation still carries the stigma, but the ideas that that great philosopher expounded soars over the centuries and into the minds and souls of the world’s greatest thinkers.

Enchaining our potential for true freedom – a liberated economy, freedom of expression - so courageously pursued by successive PPP/C leaders,

especially Dr. Cheddi Jagan and Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo in their struggles on the various international fronts, even when some of their adversaries are internal aggressors who benefit directly from their contentions and interventions against adverse global imperatives, freedom of association; in effect all the freedoms that constitute democracy, would forever keep us a captive nation.

Slavery and domination are relative; and to be a truly free people we need to allow the concept of unity and peace inherent in the spirit of our national celebratory occasions to prevail over our prejudices and myopia so that we can break all frontiers in our development dimensions.

Yesterday’s Nominations Day heralded more than various political parties submitting their lists of candidates.

Yesterday was the promise that, with maturity and the will to work towards the national good, our nation could achieve the best that it could for its people.

Whoever says there’s a coalition is only fooling themselves IT was Nomination Day, and I was there at City Hall for the event. The PPP/C’s team came first, bedecked in their red outfits, and looking cool, calm and confident as they waved their flags.

It was a large contingent, and it was peaceful, and most of all dignified in demeanor.

They handed in their Nomination Papers and then left.

The supposed ‘coalition’ folks came next; large, lewd loud, and obnoxious. Before I go on, you would have noticed my use of the word “supposed” coalition, because there was nothing collated about the colours I saw; nor was there any mention, I repeat, any mention of Prime Ministerial nominee and co-partner, Moses Nagamootoo. It was all Granger; from the very start.

The madding crowd shouted for Granger! APNU! in a cacophonous mixture of

sounds. What I heard, and I am not deaf by any stretch of the imagination, was a whipped-up call for Granger. Ah, boy! There was no shout like “Granger!” and “Moses!” or “Victory for the coalition!” It was “Granger!” and “APNU!” everywhere. The few persons who represented the other race, and I could’ve counted those individuals on my hand, were seen walking around, aimlessly, disoriented.

I believe they were stunned by the spontaneous exuberance of the crowd for Granger and not the coalition. They would have been shocked at the reality of the moment that “The Coalition” is nothing but a shore-up for PNC/APNU. Quite frankly, I would advise Moses to look into the mirror and hang his head in shame. I would say to Moses, “I told you so.”

So my question to the AFC team is: “Is there a coalition?

Is there a prime ministerial candidate? And why wasn’t he a prominent feature as was the PPP/C’s candidate, Mrs Elisabeth Harper? Well, the question is really rhetorical, because Moses was there, but in actuality was not recognised by his APNU counterparts. He was lost in the background as a nobody.

The PPP/C’s Team was led by the two prominent can-

didates, Donald Ramotar and Elisabeth Harper. There was also a unified representation of the six races in the supportive back-up crowd.

What is crystal clear is that this election is all about the PNC/APNU getting a firm grip at power again. That unity coalition is a misnomer; it is all about the PNC/APNU. The coalition is a total failure from

the very start. The supposed coalition is a beneficial arrangement for one obnoxious group only. Again I say don’t you think that section of the populace are taking keen note of this? How could you speak of a unity party coalition when in reality there is only talk of the major entity only? It just does not make any sense.

Finally, Moses, tonight

you will not have a peaceful sleep; you will be asking yourself: What have I done.

You will look back at the Cummingburg Accord as the worst day in your life, when you traded your birthright for a mess of PNC/APNU pottage. I say, “Moses, you are doomed!”

NEIL ADAMS

GECOM corrects letter writer’s Polling Day misconception THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) would like to take this opportunity to respond to a letter published in the Stabroek News newspaper on March 31, 2015, entitled “Wrong Sequence”, by an individual whose name was withheld.

In that letter, the writer queried a point raised in one

of GECOM’s “Elections Corner” features, published in the Stabroek News on Saturday March 28, 2015, captioned “The role of the Poll Clerk, Ballot Clerk and Information Clerk”, which examined some of the roles of Polling Day staff. The writer was particularly concerned with an aspect of the Ballot Clerk’s duties

in which it is written that the Ballot Clerk must “ensure that the elector’s finger is stained with ink, and allow him or her to cast their ballot.”

The writer went on to state: “This gives the impression that one’s finger is stained prior to voting, which is incorrect.”

GECOM would like to categorically state that on

Polling Day, the elector, after marking and correctly folding his or her ballot paper in the voting compartment, must have his or her finger stained before casting his or her ballot in the Ballot Box. The Ballot Clerk must

See page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Small parties ready ...

From Page 5 parties to present documents to GECOM, and she did so without any hiccups.

She said the rejuvenated TUF boasts of members of a wide cross-section of society.

These, she said, includes lawyers, doctors, businessmen, carpenters and housewives, but not househusbands.

According to Nadir, the TUF has been receiving overwhelming support from the hinterland regions, its traditional base, saying that the “party is here, and here to stay”.

“You can expect great things from the TUF, not only in this election but in the elections to come. We are young people; we have the drive; and we know what the electorate wants. We are fighting for job security, good security and efficient government services,” she said.

ROLLING-UP OF SLEEVES Healing the Nation Theocracy Party (HNTP) Leader Alfred Parks had some glitches in his documents, but said he will get it rectified because he intends to ‘roll-up his sleeves’ and begin campaigning at ‘full- throttle’.

Parks was short on his promise to deliver a 300-strong contingent of ‘bald heads’, those with hair and dread-locks Rastas yesterday.

But nevertheless, he described the Nomination Day as a “bright” and “beautiful day”, noting that he is ready to unleash the “truth”.

This is what the Theocracy Party is all about, he said, as he hopes to nibble away at the APNU+AFC support base in Region 4, after the Alliance failed to accept them into their fold.

The HNTP is contesting only in Region 4, where it is hoping a win at least a seat, to better champion its dream to legalise marijuana in Guyana.

United Republican Party (URP) Leader Vishnu Bandhu, whose party’s symbol is a cow’s head, also had some issues with his documents.

He promised to get it fixed, as he is ready to go to the May 11 polls.

Bandhu said he will be contesting all the regions, except Region 2, where he said the PPP/C supporters were not too accepting of him.

The URP Leader, who was accompanied by a dozen supporters into City Hall, said his party knows what they are about, who they are, and what they want.

GOOD VALUES He said the URP is focused on building a stronger and more supportive education system, providing more support for farmers and instilling good moral values in the citizenry.

Dressed in a gray suit, Bandhu said his chances of doing well at the elections are good, because the people have lost interest in the PPP/C, AFC and the APNU. National Independence Party Leader Sappier Hussain, who has been in the habit of resurfacing close to elections, took a hard swipe at Government’s handling of crime in the country.

He said crime-fighting in Guyana is woefully poor, and should he obtained two seats in Parliament, he will put a helicopter each in Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice to enable faster response to crime and emergency.

But aside from this, Hussain, who is an Attorney-at-Law, said he will institute land reforms, revamp the cattle industry and bring the Amaila Falls Project on stream.

At close to 18:00 hours, the closing time for Nomination Day, leader of the Independent Party Mark Benschop emerged, presenting his

Theocracy Party Leader Alfred Parks and party General Secretary Ras Leon Saul offering an explanation to GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield receives documentation from Leader of the Organisation For the Victory of the People Party, Gerald Pereira a few seats in Parliament, and million, which he said can be are being seen by sections requisite papers to GECOM. He said the Independence when he gets them, he will spent on more important things of the electorate as termites, move to ban duty-free con- that will benefit the people. rearing and ready to eat Party is about change, and cession for parliamentarians. it will focus on delivering The small parties con- away at the support base of This move, he said, will testing the May 11 elections the big parties. change. Benschop said as a servant of the people, he wants save the Government some $400

GECOM corrects letter ...

From Page 6

GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield makes a point to United Republican Party Leader Vishnu Bandhu

indeed “ensure that the elector’s finger is stained with ink, before allowing him or her to cast the ballot.” The reason for this procedural sequence is mainly because GECOM would like to eliminate any situation in which an elector, after casting his or her ballot, refuses to have his or her finger stained.

Therefore, as is correctly stated in GECOM’s Manuals

and in the “Elections Corner” column, each and every elector will have his or her finger stained just before depositing the ballot into the Ballot Box. GECOM hopes that this letter clarifies any misunderstanding or misinterpretation that might have arisen.

RICHARD FRANCOIS Public Relations Officer Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Our differing viewpoints ONE crucial impact of the historical political schism that harms our nation sees us holding opposing, hostile viewpoints, causing us to see each other as enemy.

And, as the natural stance of enemies facing off against each other, one side acts as the hostile provocateur. Which side is it that causes this perpetual rift in the Guyanese society? Which side refuses to apply the healing balm of mutual understanding and respect, of cooperation and collaboration?

It behooves us to consider these questions as we prepare to progress the Guyanese nation into a fullfledged 21st century society. We cannot propel ourselves to our potential unless we heal ourselves of our historical woundedness.

We define such important ideas like democracy, freedom, development and rights from our vantage point, our viewpoint, and too often refuse to consider the “other” side’s point of view.

With the split in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in the 1950s, we saw a wall wedged into our national consciousness, which today acts as our default way of seeing the world. We peer suspiciously over the wall at each other, focused not on the big picture of the Guyanese Dream, but on how to keep the other side down.

So we harbour among us discontents who set out to stifle the Amaila Hydro project, and the expansion of the international airport, and all the big projects we take on and dream of and determine to build.

Even the Marriott, which put us on the international map, took a nasty tongue-lashing from these disgruntled souls, who see development as a bad thing, just because the PPP proposes it.

The constituents of the breakaway political party in the 1950s, the People’s National Congress (PNC), caused a re-shaping of how some sections of Guyanese see our nation, and in fact this party radically experimented with the terms democracy, development, freedom and rights for close to three decades.

Today, the PPP governs our society with its own viewpoint of what

we mean with the terms democracy, development, freedom and rights.

The PPP insists that Guyana is a democratic nation, fully free and open. The Opposition disagrees, and, astonishingly, sympathisers of the Opposition viewpoint lobbied the US Congress claiming that Guyana is “dictatorial”.

The PPP says that Guyana today harbours a free and fair media atmosphere, with freedom of the press now an entrenched culture in the land, after two decades of independent media operation. But the Opposition claims Government controls the media landscape, and even some misguided private media houses claim Government is against freedom of the press.

Then there’s the talk of rights, with the Opposition claiming that Guyanese enjoy little or no rights today under this Government, even as Government and the PPP extol the rights and recourse to justice that citizens enjoy, including rights to challenge Government at the Caribbean Court of Appeal, and to challenge Government Ministers on constitutional and administrative matters.

And the term development generates such heated rows that citizens feel depressed listening to Parliamentarians talk of our nation. We see development all around us, yet Opposition leaders, with disingenuous straight faces, claim there’s no development today in Guyanese society.

So we see this schism, this awful dichotomy, bedevil our nation, whereby the two sides face each other using the same words, but meaning thoroughly different things.

It takes the neutral, clear mind, untainted of the irrational and unreasonable, to consider these terms in relation to Guyana today.

Those who try to assert that we’re a dictatorship, and that we lack democratic functions, speak with generalised anger, never zeroing on specifics. They use anomalies like the delay in local government elections to scream at the top of their lungs that all Guyana is dictatorial, refusing to consider the fact

that the system for local government elections needed major reform for it to effectively work.

We see the impact of the warped local government system with the demise of our capital city, Georgetown, over the past two decades.

Mayor Hamilton Green won the Mayor’s seat in the last local government elections, and the maladministration, mismanagement and gross inefficiency that emanated from that Mayor and City Council caused the literal collapse of City Hall, and Georgetown.

Yet, instead of our nation working through a national conversation on what went wrong and how to repair the system, discontents wildly scream irrationalities and unreasonableness, claiming Guyana is not a democracy.

Incredibly, though, the same people who condemn Guyana today with this wild juvenile rant of bandying around the word dictatorship without context or rational meaning, just irrational tantrum, these same people applauded when Opposition folks acted to terminate two freely and fairly elected Guyanese Governments, within the last ten years.

As in the days of rigged elections, these folks stubbornly ignore the voice of the Guyanese people, the free and fair voting of Guyanese citizens, and moved to end the Governments of late President Janet Jagan, and current President, Donald Ramotar.

Such grotesque misapprehension of the term democracy leaves one flabbergasted, and the only explanation one could settle on is that the

proponents of the dictatorship word are blind to their own folly, unable to grasp their own foolishness.

But their understanding of these crucial terms – development, democracy, freedom, rights – impacts every single Guyanese citizen.

We saw with the PNC experimentations with our social, economic and political systems from 1964 to 1992 how the misunderstanding of those terms could cripple our nation. So devastated and broken we became that for the past quarter century we’ve been repairing fundamental structural damage to our society.

At the end of the day, what matters is one’s worldview, how we understand the terms and ideas and concepts that we employ in our rhetoric and public discourses.

So we need to fully consider, with clear minds, what we mean when we talk of development, democracy, freedom, rights, and such important ideas. How we understand these ideas, this makes our nation, for we saw how devastating the misunderstanding of these ideas could be, in that long period from 1964 to 1992. Since 1992 to now, we’ve applied a sane, sensible understanding of these ideas.

It’s crucial that we choose with care those of our leaders who hold the sensible, rational, clear meaning of these ideas to lead us, as we set out to heal that historical schism that causes us today to harbour a divided society, a division rooted in the meaning of words like democracy, development, freedom and rights.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

APNU+AFC see healthy mobilisation of supporters on Nomination Day

A section of the crowd at last evening’s APNU+AFC rally

By Ravin Singh A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) supporters yesterday braved the light showers which swept across Georgetown and, in their green and yellow attire, turned out in substantial numbers to eagerly march from Square of the Revolution to Georgetown’s famous City Hall to submit their List of Candidates for the May 11 General and Regional Elections.

Despite a below-anticipation turnout of supporters, the rendezvous point began recording substantial numbers from approximately noon yesterday. An organised motorcade comprising cars, buses and motorcycles followed, and Brickdam was the preferred route taken to destination point, City Hall.

Heading west along Brickdam, the enthusiastic APNU+AFC supporters marched vibrantly, waving their green and yellow flags. The soca music that accompanied this procession penetrated the atmosphere and did justice in promoting a culture of dancing, as people gyrated and chanted throughout the procession.

Arriving at Avenue of the Republic, the delegation then

proceeded north, with Presidential Candidate David Granger and Prime Ministerial Candidate Moses Nagamootoo leading the way.

Unable to control themselves, a large faction of the crowd which had already assembled within the vicinity of City Hall forced their way in close proximity to the leaders to touch and acknowledge their presence, which evidently was highly acknowledged.

Persons abandoned their rallying spirit and shifted gear to protesting the removal of acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba from managing the affairs at City Hall -- a call which has been made since last year.

The party’s representatives, which included David Granger, Moses Nagamootoo, Basil Williams, Joseph Harmon, Khemraj Ramjattan, Rupert Roopnaraine and Nigel Hughes, among other persons, made their way into City Hall Chambers, where they submitted their electoral list to GECOM. Following submission of the candidates’ lists in the Chambers of City Hall, the leaders then rejoined the waiting crowd on Regent Street, and the procession then headed to Parade Ground, where a Youth Unity Rally was hosted.

Presidential Candidate of the APNU+AFC coalition, David Granger gives a unity dance at the APNU+AFC unity rally yesterday (Samuel Maughn photos)

Guyana’s songbird Lisa Punch strikes a pose with APNU member James Bond as she throws her support behind the coalition

The APNU+AFC crowd which assembled at City Hall yesterday during the submission of the Party’s list

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

PPP/C fired up and ready to rumble on Election Day

By Rebecca Ganesh AS the massive People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) crowd returned from City Hall to Freedom House on Robb Street, President Donald Ramotar declared: “My comrades, we just handed over the winning list to the Elections Commission!”

Amidst the cacophony of excited chanting emanating from fired up PPP/C supporters, longstanding member Dr Frank Anthony set the pace for the Nomination Day Rally by exciting the crowd in front of Freedom House on Robb Street in explaining: “The PPP/C party has been around for many years, and they have been working for the people of this country through the ups and downs and through rain or shine; the PPP/C has been there with the people of this country!

“If you follow our track record, you will notice progress; and today we handed in our list for continued progress!”

Dr Anthony asked eager party supporters: “Are you ready for another victory?!” and this was met with a thunderous “Yes!!!” that must have shaken the very foundations of all the buildings in close proximity to Freedom House.

He noted that, over the last several months, the PPP/C, as a unit, has been working very hard, going from house to house and from Region to Region. “We have been walking this country and inspiring people to join us as we continue to build this country. We are enthused by your responses, and we are coming together to make sure that every Guyanese has opportunities and is prosperous across Guyana!” he declared.

“We are coming together for our children; for better jobs, better health, and altogether a better Guyana! We are together because of the vision of President Donald Ramotar and his government; and with their policies we will move Guyana forward!” Dr Anthony declared.

THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS “We just handed over the winning list to the Elections Commission, and we have a blend of maturity and youth on our list. We have professionals, housewives, farmers, all races and religions.

We have a balanced list, and I am sure that this list is going to take us to victory!” a very upbeat President Donald Ramotar declared.

Continuing, President Ramotar noted: “As far as I know, we are the only party that has as its Prime Ministerial Candidate a woman of

Dr Frank Anthony emphasising his point to PPP/C supporters

Prime Ministerial Candidate Mrs Elisabeth Harper thanking her supporters for their first step to victory

Mr Clinton Urling is one of several ‘new faces’ seen on the PPP/C campaign trail yesterday

Supporters gathered outside Freedom House to listen to ‘the winning team’

substance -- Elisabeth Harper.”

This election, he explained, is a very important one in that it would determine the future of our country; and this Government, he said, will work steadily and with great dedication to ensure a better future for the Guyanese people.

“Over the years,” he said, “we have taken Guyana from being a heavily indebted poor country to today being described as a middle income developing country. We have moved our country from having the poorest education standard in the Region, and today Guyanese students top the Caribbean!”

President Ramotar noted that this is because “we have been investing in our people! We are the only country in the Region where more than 30% of our budget goes to the social sector -- to education, health, housing and water.”

President Ramotar highlighted all the achievements of the education sector, noting the recent $10,000 per child programme and the ongoing hot meals programme. He also noted the free textbook and exercise book distribution and the school uniform vouchers. These programmes, he disclosed, were all implemented to assist parents in having their children remain in school so that Guyana’s population would be an educated one.

“Over the last three years, the Opposition did everything to stifle the development of our country.

They cut the budget in some of the most important areas; they cut the budget and prevented us from delivering a cheap source of energy to our people,” the Head of State noted.

He continued for some time to relate the seminal benefits accruable from the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, and declared that this project was vital for the rapid growth of our economy and further development of Guyana.

“I promise you (that) when we win the elections on May 11, the Amaila Falls Hydro Project will be very high on our agenda, because we need to grow but not by 4.5%.

But with this project, we will grow by 10% or 12%!

“We will create new jobs. We will not be a Third World country that is short of investments, where we will have cheap labour; but we will be able to attract the high-end investments because we will have a highly educated population (that is) capable of handling sophisticated equipment,” the President disclosed.

Turn to page 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

PPP/C fired up ...

From page 10

He reassured farmers that, under this Government, they will continue to benefit from a higher quality of life. “Not only will we continue to provide the social services for you and your children, but for the sugar industry -- the industry that has been responsible for having all our people here.

We will ensure the survival of this industry, and, over the next five years, we will invest a minimum of $20B for its survival.”

President Ramotar also disclosed plans for the rice industry. He noted: “We have not forgotten you, but have been fighting for you all along.

We will continue to search for higher paying markets for our rice; we will work to create a system of price support to ensure our farmers have a more predictable and better standard of living,” he said.

He also spoke on the critical importance and absolute imperative of the Specialty Hospital, and how vital it is for the Guyanese people.

The President highlighted that, if developed, the Tourism Sector will create a high standard of living for this country.

“A major development for this sector was the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, which was voted down by the Opposition. And

ROHEE SPEAKS General Secretary (GS) of the ruling party, Mr Clement Rohee, said: “May 11 is victory day, another resounding victory for the PPP/C!” He thanked all citizens for coming out and showing their support for the PPP/C as that party presented its list on Nomination Day. “Every single time, from 1957 to 1992, we have given

Parliament must return to the Guyanese people, because every single statement in our manifesto must become a reality!” Rohee stressed.

Jagdeo agrees to be on PPP/C List of Candidates - at insistence of Party and supporters

PRIME MINISTER IN WAITING SPEAKS Prime Ministerial Candidate Mrs Elisabeth Harper thanked all supporters for coming out, “because today is a special day and this is to show you what will happen after May 11.”

Dr Bharrat Jagdeo during his last public appearance, at the PPP/C’s Kitty Rally

GS Clement Rohee making sure that PPP/C supporters come out and vote on May 11 to them; and every year since then, the people are with us, and the people stand confidently and firmly behind us.

And this is because of what we stand for! We stand for peace,

“This event allowed you to be a part of history in Guyana,” she declared.

“The list that was presented today at City Hall is an inclusive list; it is a visionary

“I WILL be part of the race. I am supporting the People’s Progressive Party. I will put every bit of energy and strength that I have in my body to make sure that (Donald) Ramotar remains the President of our country, and Elisabeth Harper becomes the Prime Minister.”

This was the contention of former President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, at his last public appearance, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Kitty Rally.

And he made good on his promise by acceding to requests of his Party and supporters to be on the PPP/C’s list of candidates, which was submitted to Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Mr Keith Lowenfield yesterday.

He however insists that he is not in favour of a return to the National Assembly.

“I maintain my position that I will not go into Parliament. I did not want to go on the list, but the Party and many of our supporters encouraged me to have my name on the list, because the thinking was that me not being on the list sent a signal that I was in some way distancing myself from the Party. I thought that this was important so I acceded to their request,” he told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday in an interview.

Prior to agreeing to the insistence of his Party and PPP/C supporters, the former pres-

ident had indicated that his name will not be on the list of candidates.

“I will not be on the list… I have no intention of going into Parliament,” he had said, adding that he had not been included on the 2011 list.

“It was not my original decision to be on the list of candidates, but Party and membership convinced me to be part of the list of candidates,” Dr Jagdeo said.

Speculations have been rife regarding the future role Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo in managing the affairs of this nation, but his position remains an emphatic ‘no’ when it comes to resumption of public office in a political capacity.

Incumbent President Donald Ramotar recently announced that his predecessor, a former Finance Minister, had been appointed Chairman of the impending National Economic Council; and Dr. Jagdeo made it clear yesterday that he would serve in that capacity because he believes he has “some skills” he could leverage to support the new Government.

Dr Jagdeo yesterday made it clear that his position on holding a constitutional office has not changed.

“I remain fully engaged in the struggle of the PPP and I will support the party,” Dr Jagdeo emphasised. (Vanessa Narine)

GECOM’s Surujbally says…

Parties’ Code of Conduct to be out by Friday

PPP/C members during yesterday’s Nomination Day with that deed, he said, the country lost billions of dollars in investments.

President Ramotar stressed that, with much “fight down” on April 16, Guyana will be opening the Marriott Hotel, which will boost the Tourism sector. “Comrades,” he said, “the future looks very bright, but we have to work together and help those who are misguided. I know that corruption exists in our society, and we will fight on every front to stamp this out”, he emphasised.

“Stand by the PPP/C, and stand by me and we’ll make our country into a developed country”, President Ramotar urged his supporters.

we stand for progress, we stand for prosperity, and we stand for continuity!” Rohee explained.

The GS urged: “Every single Guyanese must make sure they come out on May 11 and vote, so that the PPP/C can have a resounding win. We must leave no stone unturned; every single day we must mobilise, we must energise, and we must get our people out to make sure on May 11 we vote resoundingly for the PPP/C! “We don’t only want to win the Presidency with Donald Ramotar; we want to win every single seat in Parliament! The Parliament must return to the PPP/C! The

list; it shows we have people that represent all across the spectrum of our country!” Mrs Harper said.

She explained to the supporters: “We are going to make sure that, between now and May 11, we will secure the majority in the next Parliament!”

Speaking proudly and confidently to her party supporters, Mrs Harper stressed: “I pledge full support alongside the President; the Government; and to you, the people of Guyana, to work to build this nation into a better, safer, stronger and secure nation. Let progress continue after May 11 with the PPP/C Government!”

POLITICAL parties contesting the imminent Regional and General Elections will, by Friday, be in possession of a Code of Conduct drafted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), which hopes to engage those political parties sometime next week to address the contents of the Code of Conduct.

GECOM Chairman Dr Steve Surujbally, in an invited comment, explained that political parties will have a chance to peruse the document and make recommendations before a final document is published.

He said the Code of Conduct for political parties is a guide of expected behaviours in the lead-up to the May

11 General and Regional Elections.

Once a political party signs onto the Code of Conduct, that party is expected to abide by the protocols documented in the code, all in the interest of free and fair General and Regional Elections.

The General Secretaries of the coalesced parties of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU + AFC), Joseph Harmon and David Patterson respectively, were unavailable for comment when contacted by this newspaper.

The advantage of having such an agreement in place, according to GECOM, lies in being able to guard against confrontational and vitriolic

election campaign meetings/ rallies and statements.

Contesting parties signing the Code are viewed as demonstrating their willingness to implement their respective election campaign strategies in ways that contribute to the maintenance of peace and tranquility throughout and beyond the elections.

Rallies and public meetings hosted by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the coalition of APNU+AFC are in full swing. The two major political parties are expected to hit the campaign trail with greater intensity, this being a mere month away from General and Regional elections.

(Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Nominations Day and promises to fulfill

NOMINATIONS Day was, apart from the real intent and practical agenda, a symbolic muscle-flexing of the various political parties, some of which had maxed their resources of manpower to display their strength to their respective constituencies.

Incumbent President of the PPP/C Government and former PPP

coalition, and in between the smaller parties were reflective of the democracy and absolute freedom to exercise one’s rights and choices in Guyana – post elections of October 1992.

The strength, unity and energy of the PPP/C contingent was no contrived arrangement of convenience, but a genuine bonding of Guyanese across every di-

which was bolstered with the inclusion of the Civic component headed by Prime Minister Sam Hinds since 1992. Today, another former General-Secretary of the PPP is poised once again, after his truncated first term in office, to assume the leadership of the nation.

Donald Ramotar is not seen as an individual, but

ister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, described Guyana as CARICOM’S only shining star, because this country is the most dynamic in the Region in terms of social development and economic growth, having already achieved several of the United Nations’ MDGs.

* CLINTON URLING – WILL HE BE THE NEXT MAYOR OF GEORGETOWN? President Ramotar has said that the list of candidates include ‘surprises.’

Prior to Nominations Day he had indicated that “The list of candidates will reflect our national diversity. We have new names on the list, many professional

Street would be equally large and exuberant; and indeed it was.

The jubilation displayed, especially by its youthful members, was indicative of a victory forecast and it is hard to imagine that a Government formed by this party of Dr. Cheddi Jagan would once more be forced to endure the anti-developmental stale-mate and impasses driven by a vengeful Opposition collective, which never displayed any concern for the embattled Guyanese nation, even their own constituencies as they vindictively and obdurately flexed their muscles – in and out of Parliament, to impede every transformative developmental project crafted

the process.

As the age-old iron grillwork in the fencing threatened to give way one member of the city’s constabulary attempted to bring order to the chaos and was assaulted as a female member of the coalition grabbed his genitals and squeezed, forcing him to retreat.

The prehistoric relic of City Hall and former strongarm of the PNC, was observed at one point to be gyrating against a post on the stairway. The vulgar display only stopped when an official of GECOM practically pulled him away from his romantic encounter with the unyielding wood of the stairway post.

Nomination Day 2015 heralds much promise for the nation. However,

‘LEADING FROM THE FRONT’: President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, PPP/C Prime Ministerial candidate Elisabeth Harper, First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar, PPP General Secretary Clement Rohee, and Dr Clive Jagan at the forefront of yesterday’s march to City Hall (Delano Williams photo) General Secretary, Mr Donald Ramotar, is again the People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s presidential nominee. He heads the PPP/C List of Candidates for the upcoming General and Regional Elections on 11th May this year. * JUBILANT, UPBEAT MOOD OF PARTY SUPPORTERS Nomination Day yesterday in downtown Georgetown saw supporters of the contesting political parties wending their way from their various starting points to City Hall amid colourful displays of party and national flags.

The processions entertained the crowds lining the streets en route to City Hall, where party leaders tendered their lists of candidates to GECOM, with their upbeat mood and spirited dancing to upbeat jingles, while waving party and national flags and other symbols unique to their respective parties and chanting slogans.

The contingents - first of the TUF, then the PPP/C, followed by the APNU/AFC

vide in what outgoing Prime Minister Samuel Hinds described in 2011 as a united Guyanese group, and which then President Bharrat Jagdeo called ‘a PPP family of Guyanese in action.’

This is a Cheddi Jagan dream come true, because the unity that party has created in the national construct was evident from the eclectic blend of races that marched with jubilation, led by the leaders of a partnership that has endured for over two decades – the PPP/ Civic.

Ever since the split of the PPP and the consequential rift that divided the Guyanese nation because of manipulation by material and profit-driven external and power-hungry internal forces, Dr. Jagan’s dream was to re-unite the Guyanese people in the spirit of 1953, when all Guyanese people joined forces in a common struggle for freedom from colonial domination.

That dream of Cheddi’s continues to be nurtured under the banner of the party that he helmed since its creation in 1950 to the time of his demise, and

as representative of all that the Party encapsulates in its vision for the nation, according to party leaders.

Speaking to party supporters after the formal tendering of the lists of candidates at the Nomination Day ceremony, Ramotar recalled the hopelessness and apathy that pervaded the country prior to the PPP/C victory in 1992, which the PNC totally destroyed since they took office in 1964.

The PPP is a colour-blind party that only recognises people – differentiating between no community in its development paradigm, according to the leaders, and President Ramotar urged the Party’s supporters to take nothing for granted, because the PPP/C needs a massive win to ensure that the progress continues with an intensified momentum and is not stymied anymore through gerrymandering in the National Assembly.

He drew brief parallels of a then and now scenario, where hope was not only restored but the development took Guyana on an upward trajectory where the Prime Min-

‘ONE STEP AT A TIME’: Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green and Leader of the APNU/AFC Mr David Granger ascending the stairs at City Hall yesterday (Samuel Maughn photo) people, working people, and many youths.”

Well, all the ‘surprises’, beginning with Elisabeth Harper as Prime Ministerial candidate, are pleasant inclusions to a PPP/C list.

Notable among the new faces was young and dynamic entrepreneur, Clinton Urling, who is slated to become the next PPP/C candidate to replace the now archaic Hammie Green as Mayor of Georgetown, according to reliable sources from within the PPP. * MASSIVE CROWD The massive crowd at the recent rally launching the PPP/C’s elections campaign led to the expectation that the Party’s contingent marching yesterday to City Hall from its headquarters at Freedom House in Robb

by the Government. * LAWLESSNESS ONCE AGAIN FROM APNU/AFC SUPPORTERS AND MEMBERS The APNU supporters’ behaviour on Nominations Day of 2011 was a reflection of their traditional conduct pre-and post elections. They stormed the guarded gates of City Hall and broke down the barriers then poured en masse into the compound. This was in direct contrast to the orderly behaviour of the PPP/C contingent that had preceded that party to City Hall.

Again yesterday, impeded by heavy security from gaining access to the compound through the gates, the coalition’s supporters tried to breach entry into the compound through the fencing, damaging the hedge in

in whatever way events unfold prior to elections of 2015 and subsequent to the declaration of the winner, Guyanese could only pray that the losers will be gracious in defeat, as happened in Nigeria, and let the nation breathe. All the parties made promises to the nation; and paramount among those promises is the furtherance of the country’s development and the enhancement of the people’s welfare. The collective Opposition has a past history of breaking promises and plunging this nation into devastation. May an ethos of honesty and integrity be a new paradigm governing APNU/PNC/AFC political dramatics in Guyana so that the nation can at last exhale in safety and peace.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Mystery fire ravages La Parafaite Harmonie home ––leaves six homeless

FIRE of unknown origin on Monday night quickly swept through a huge two-storey house at Lot 55 Block 33, La Parafaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara, leaving in its wake a family of six homeless.

Fire victims Julian Craig, his wife and four children were not at home when the fire struck, and they have consequently lost all their worldly possessions.

Residents report the blaze as starting soon after electricity had been restored to the area. They report observing thick smoke billowing from the dwelling house even as the Guyana Fire Service was alerted at about 19:30 hrs.

It was not certain at which part of the building the fire started, but within minutes the entire edifice was destroyed.

The family has estimated its loss as running into millions of dollars because the house was fully furnished and mechanical equipment for their mining business had also been stored there.

At time of the conflagration, the family was out participating in the Easter Monday celebrations, but they received a call informing them of the fate of the house.

By the time they reached home, the house had been reduced to ashes.

TUSCHEN FIRE Meanwhile, on Sunday April 5, a farmer, in a drunken rage during a domestic quarrel, set his own house on fire at Phase One, Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo.

The family of three -- husband and wife and a relative – were sole occupants of the two-storey building.

The housewife, Christine Isbran was almost killed by her husband, Bo Isbran, who threatened to slit her throat with a cutlass during a row. She was saved when one of her two sons, who reside nearby, intervened.

Bo Isbran then said he wanted to sleep, and locked himself inside the building, leaving his wife outside; but whilst inside, he ignited a blaze which devoured his house.

He was arrested at the scene and taken away by the police. (Michel Outridge)

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Search continues for missing miner ––in Pomeroon River accident

THE police, relatives and friends of late miner, 23-year-old Kelton Benjamin, are searching desperately for his body after he disappeared in the Pomeroon River on Sunday night at about 19:30 hours.

The incident occurred while the boat in which Benjamin was travelling collided with another vessel that was powered by two 200 hp engines a short distance from the Charity Farmers’ Stelling.

Reports are that the young Coffee Grove, Essequibo Coast resident was travelling with his sister, Keralisa Benjamin, and other church members to attend a service at Friendship, in the Lower Pomeroon River.

The impact of the collision between the two boats caused Kelton to be tossed into the dark river amidst the panic and confusion that descended on survivors of the acci-

Missing in Pomeroon River mishap: Kelton Benjamin

dent, according to his grieving sister.

She said passengers started to scream after they learnt that her brother had been pitched into the river and could not be found.

Reports are that Police and relatives searched all day Monday without finding the body. The search continued yesterday, but up to late afternoon, the body was still not recovered.

Relatives have also used private divers to try and locate the body under the water, but that has also proved unsuccessful so far.

The captain of the boat which collided with the one in which Kelton Benjamin had been travelling is in police custody assisting with investigations.

Neither boat was reportedly carrying a light at time of the accident. (Rajendra Prabhulall in Essequibo)

Home Affairs Ministry reports impounding 264 animals last month THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) yesterday reported that a total of 264 animals -- comprising 36 horses, 81 cows, 107 goats, and 40 sheep -- were caught and impounded at the police pounds in ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ police divisions during the month of March, 2015.

The figure, however, represents 35 animals less than what had been impounded during the previous month.

MoHA added that the Georgetown Unit accounted

for 46 cows, 73 goats and 25 sheep; while the Berbice Unit accounted for 36 horses, 35 cows, 34 goats and 15 sheep.

The Ministry continues its appeal to all cattle owners to ensure that their animals are properly controlled during their grazing period, thereby ensuring their safety from being involved in accidents that can result in their deaths, damages to vehicles, and injuries to persons using the main roadways.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

No room for the press in April Criminal Session in Demerara

By George Barclay THE April Criminal session in the Demerara Assizes opened yesterday with pomp and ceremony, with drums and music creating a befitting spectacle to the eyes and ears of spectators.

But unlike what obtained in the past, when the press was accommodated by tables and chairs in the well of the court, members of the press are now left to operate without those facilities, and have to be contented with standing positions.

This situation, however, does not obtain in the Appellate Court and in the recently renovated Magistrates’ Courts in the city, Two members of the press stood up to be counted yesterday; the others were not present because their pleas in the past have been met with promises and excuses.

The Registrar, Mr. Raschid Mohamed, who is a friend of the press and has always given the impression that requests from the press would be granted, yesterday lamented that he had not been given the money.

Evidence of what happened yesterday took place in Justice Navindra Singh’s court, where the two press representatives were left standing to do their work in his view. He, however, made no reference to the situation.

Like the Press, he too was suffering yesterday. He gave the impression that the retrial of murder accused Woolford, which the prosecution had been ready to restart yesterday, was postponed because the accused was willing to retain his usual lawyer, Mr. Peter Hugh, but was unable to so do because of financial problems.

After noting that the prosecution could not find another case before a certain date, the judge had to discharge the jury and put down Woolford’s case for report.

The Press and media in this country are looking forward with hope to the day when the Press in Guyana would be treated like their brothers and sisters are treated overseas in relation to accommodation at Courts.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Peacemaker wounded in Baramita fracas

A LONG-brewing feud between two women at Baramita, North West Region ended in a peacemaker being seriously wounded and the aggressor being taken into police custody over the weekend.

Twenty-two-year-old Everson Simon of Baramita, was yesterday air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (G.P.H.C) with chop wounds to the face. She allegedly sustained the injuries while attempting to part a fight between her sister, Velesta Simon, and a woman whose name was given only as

‘Gloria’.

The woman, who sustained injuries to her right eye, nose and across her mouth, told the Guyana Chronicle that the fight developed over an old problem between the two. The fight erupted on the roadway at Baramita around 21:00 hrs on Friday night. But when Everson saw that her sister was under attack

Wounded peacemaker, Everson Simon

from the knife-wielding woman, she advanced, with the intention of disarming the irate aggressor and was wounded.

She was rushed to the Matthew’s Ridge Hospital where she was sutured and given emergency treatment, pending her transfer to the GPHC. Police are continuing their investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Tuesday April 8, 2015

ELECTIONS FLASHBACK!!!

Below rates for April 7, 2015 Currency G$/US$ G$/GBP G$/CAD$ G$/euro BDOS$ G$/EC$ G$/TT$

Buying 205.98375 306.38023 164.64853 223.36878 101.86969 75.45903 32.05919

Selling 208.43594 310.23605 166.55538 226.23637 102.89094 76.21551 32.38059

For Wednesday April 8, 2015: 05:00hrs For Thursday April 9, 2015: 08:30hrs

The British imposition of 1953 THE first general elections under universal suffrage in the then British Guiana came in 1953, and resulted in a victory for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Founder and leader of the PPP, Dr Cheddi Jagan, became Prime Minister. However, after assuming power, Jagan embarked on implementing a series of policies that involved radical social reform, mainly directed at the colonial oligarchy.

The British colonial authorities sent in troops in response to the alleged threat of a Marxist revolution. Governor Alfred Savage suspended the constitution in October, a mere 133 days after the new administration had been voted into office, and set up a transitional government of conservative politicians, businessmen and civil servants.

Aries You might find your energy comes in strong, erratic bursts today. Don’t be surprised if you’re high as a kite one moment and down in the dumps the next.

Even if you’re driving everyone crazy with your yo-yo behaviour, don’t let this stop you from keeping on in this fashion. You’re probably able to keep very good track of the dozens of things going on around you.

Taurus You may feel a tendency to do things the same old way today simply because it’s what feels most comfortable. Even though the familiar route may be tempting now, it’s actually better if you seek a different way to go. Things may feel chaotic, especially in the morning and early afternoon. Still, don’t automatically resist things that are new and different.

Gemini An extra log has been thrown on your fire today, so don’t be surprised if you burn especially hot. Use your internal furnace to make some breakthroughs and bring matters to a higher level. Turn up the intensity on certain issues that require more life. You will bring a great deal of positive energy to just about everything you touch, so use it wisely.

Cancer Don’t feel like you have to rationalise everything. Accept the fact that there are some things in life that occur without a specific logical explanation. More than likely these are the most interesting events and experiences that add the most spice to your routine existence. Embrace the unknown and encourage more spontaneity and playfulness in your world.

Leo In order to reach your destination, you may have to take an unusual route today. Zigzag your way to the finish line. Don’t automatically assume that this is a bad thing. You may find that this is the preferred path. You’re likely to experience many side adventures and make some wonderful discoveries.

Try to remember how you got there so you can find these spots again.

Virgo Get out of the doldrums and enjoy life. The situation is such that if you remain stagnant for a little while, you will soon sink into a spiral of depression and downward thinking. If you stay afloat and focused on your dreams, you will remain active in your pursuit of all your life’s goals. You will have the power of the Universe behind you, supporting you all the way.

Libra This morning is your time to shine. You should be in a good mood, with a positive outlook that helps you attack the day’s tasks with vitality. Elements of the unexpected may pop up and remind you that things don’t always go according to plan. This should be fine, however. You will find that your easygoing approach to life will come in handy when the scheduled route doesn’t work.

Scorpio You may get a bit frustrated in the morning because of a lack of commitment on the part of others. You may find it hard to pin down an answer when everything seems to be up in the air. The good news is that things should run much more smoothly by this evening and well into tonight. Note a major boost in emotional self-confidence now. After dark is definitely your time to shine.

Sagittarius The energy you put out today will most definitely fuel the fire, so make sure you have an extinguisher within reach. There’s a spark of excitement in the air indicating that something new and different is coming around the bend. You may feel anxiety building up. Be patient and you will find that good things naturally come your way.

Capricorn You may feel indecisive today, especially in the morning. Other people’s actions may confuse you. Don’t worry. Concentrate on your projects and goals. Other people can take care of themselves. Don’t feel like you need to make sure everyone is attended to before you start your day. In fact, you may be the one who needs to be cared for by others. Ask for a shoulder to lean on if you need it.

Aquarius Emotionally, you should be feeling quite good today. This is important since you may get thrown off balance by a strange, unexpected force. The more stable you are on the inside, the less disruption this foreign energy will cause.

Keep in mind that unexpected things usually happen for a reason. There might be a key opportunity waiting for you now.

Pisces Free your mind and consider alternative options. This is a time to throw away the old to make room for the new. There’s a distinct advance in original and forward thinking today. You should make it a point to go to higher levels of thought now. The more idealistic in your approach to people and situations, the better off you will be.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Former President enjoys day out at the beach –At Golden Fleece Easter Monday lime

FORMER President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo visited the Golden Fleece beach Easter Monday and interacted with hundreds of persons flying their kites and picnicking there.

Residents and children were excited on seeing the former president on the beach, that many took the opportunity to take photographs with him.

Enjoying the afternoon stroll with him was Minister of Housing and Water, Mr Irfaan Ali, and together they greeted and shook hands with residents and kite

flyers, taking the opportunity at the same time to talk about the importance of the upcoming General and Regional Elections on May 11.

The beach was decorated with dozens of tent-like booths, from which vendors did quick business, selling soft drinks, beers and food.

There was also much laughter and music.

Scores of members of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) also distributed hundreds of kites along the beach to children. (Rajendra Prabhulall)

The scene at Golden Fleece beach, on the Essequibo Coast, Easter Monday

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo enjoying a rare visit to the beach on Easter Monday on the Essequibo Coast

RACE TO POLLS

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Nomination Day over, D-Day ahead Y E S T E R D AY w a s Nomination Day, which means that the big race has officially kick-started between the various political parties jostling for power in Guyana.

Amid fanfare and frenzied support from thousands of ecstatic supporters, the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) yesterday submitted what it described as “a winning list” of candidates on the party’s slate at both the General and Regional Elections billed for May

11.

The Opposition alliance, under a united coalition platform of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), also stormed into the elections race yesterday, presenting its nominations to contest the 2015 polls as the main challenger to the incumbent PPP/C. And of course, there were ‘the usual suspects’ of small parties, a few of which are even labelled as ‘paper parties’ that pop-up around this period known as the ‘silly season’. They

add ‘colour’ to the whole affair, running in a race they obviously can’t win, and even while some may say they are somewhat of a ‘nusiance’ to the electoral process, they serve as timely reminders that our country’s democracy is at work and is on firm footing.

It is apt to note that elections season in this country has, in the past, been more characterised by campaigns built on the politics of mudslinging than the politics of progress. As much as politics is

Members of the Opposition alliance APNU/AFC during presentation of their lists to GECOM yesterday (Adrian Narine photos)

‘LISTS IN’: President Donald Ramotar presenting the PPP/C lists to Chief Elections Officer Mr Keith Lowenfield yesterday (Adrian Narine photo)

YESTERDAY was Nomination Day, which means that the big race has officially kick-started between the various political parties jostling for power in Guyana.

Amid fanfare and frenzied support from thousands of ecstatic supporters, the governing Peo-

The massive crowd marching gallantly under the PPP/C banner to City Hall yesterday (Delano Williams photo)

made out to be a popularity contest, that is not the case.

The whole premise of a democratic political system may be summed up as follows: It is a system which credits the majority of people within a particular society with the collective opinion, information and intuition to decide on whom among them they want to govern the social environment in which they exist, giving them the right to either reaffirm their decision or change their minds periodically.

This key democratic element of socio-political flux means that those who are contesting the political leadership of a country must actually work hard to either retain or gain that leadership. There is no perpetually upheld status quo in which the will and concerns of the people become insubstantial in contrast to the whims and luxuries

of an entrenched ruling class. A natural part of any contest is deconstruction of your opponent, even in a non-contact sport like long distance running, for example, you try to break your rival down by asserting your superior athleticism the first chance you get.

Of course, we expect our politicians to point out each other’s sins of omission and commission in the carrying out of their expected duties; that is par for the course in any political contest. But the contest of politics is not only about showing the deficiencies of your opponent, but also the reasons why you are better suited for the job that you both are contesting.

Mudslinging is the easiest and cheapest alternative in democratic politics – you throw as much dirt on your opponent as possible while

hoping that the scum he or she throws back at you doesn’t stick.

As in many democracies around the world, at elections time, many politicians fail to realise that what they are contesting is in fact the privilege to serve the people of their country, a privilege afforded them by the electors. The ballot box is seen more as a gateway to power and riches than what it really is, a receptacle for the mass investment of trust and responsibility.

While anyone would agree that you can’t separate politics from the people practising it, what the people in politics are supposed to be representative of are the issues facing their constituencies.

DAY OF RECKONING ON HORIZON In our Editorial last Sunday, the Chronicle al-

luded to the fact that the incumbent PPP/C, which is optimistically seeking a successive fifth term in government, has already signalled its preparedness to release its manifesto well ahead of Voting Day. Of much interest is what kind of credible manifesto the PNC/AFC coalition could possibly release within a reasonable time-frame prior to V-Day! After all, the ‘shambolic’ display of the AFC for the 2011 elections is still being recalled with hilarity. Then it had managed to merely release a few pathetic pages of printed material of “promises” to justify the funds it had received from abroad, particularly from overseas-based Guyanese.

This time around, it is contesting as the junior coalition partner of the PNC. It is, therefore, expected that

since they are like peas in a single pod and campaigning from a shared platform, they cannot be at variance in the policies and programmes they plan to pursue as a government.

There lies the rub! For what they really have in common is a shared hatred for the PPP/C; a political hatred that energised them to systematically oppose, for the sake of opposition, a range of major fiscal, social and economic development programmes by the PPP/C Administration. And this, mind you, to the detriment of Guyanese -- across the political divide.

In our reckoning, therefore, the political marriage of convenience that has resulted in a painful delivery of the PNC/AFC pre-election anti-PPP/C coalition, seems destined to suffer the consequences on Elections Day.

The Chronicle Editorial also noted that if early assessments offer a reasonable guide, the price to be paid for reckless, opportunistic anti-PPP governance during the 10th Parliament would be forthcoming in the valid ballots of voters on May 11.

They are quite capable of making their own independent assessments of what’s best in Guyana’s national interest, as distinct from what has resulted from a political marriage of convenience in the form of a PNC/AFC “coalition”, with nothing of substance to support hateful political claims.

The day of reckoning is on the horizon. Those who have betrayed fundamental principles to hamper Guyana’s continuing patterns of progress will soon face the verdict - Progress, YES! Political deceit and sabotage, NO! (Mark Ramotar)

The Opposition APNU/AFC had a massive turnout during its Nomination Day parade yesterday (Samuel Maughn photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Southland International awards second batch of winners –––in Moussy Malt’s ‘Colour Your Life’ promo

A Moussy Malt fan (centre) draws the second entry from the rotisserie at the drawing conducted last Saturday

L

AST Saturday, eager spectators gathered at the Bounty Outlet on Water Street, Georgetown to witness the second drawing of the Southland International Moussy Malt’s ‘Colour Your Life’ promotion.

They witnessed the lucky Samuel Singh of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara taking home the US$50 cash prize, while Sheik Kaaladin of Novar, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara won a grocery voucher valued at $20,000.

Winning the coveted 40-inch Samsung flat screen television was Harsrani Mittelholzer of 689, Cumming’s Lodge, East Coast Demerara, who, only ten minutes to drawing time, had purchased her Moussy Malt inside the Bounty Outlet at Water Street.

This countrywide promotion also allows one lucky person in the nation a chance to change his/her life by winning the grand prize of G$1,000,000 cash in the second edition of the ‘Colour Your Life’ promotion.

Last year, drawings were held in all parts of the country – Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Anna Regina, Linden, to name a few - and consumers were in a frenzy to secure their 3 Moussy crowns by buying as many Moussy bottles and 6 packs as they could, to increase their chances of winning fabulous prizes at each drawing location.

Moussy fans went as far as dispensing the fruit flavoured malt liquid into clear plastic bags and containers to ensure their envelope was spun in the big rotisserie.

The ‘Colour Your Life’ (CYL) promotion provides opportunity for consumers to refresh and enjoy the ‘new generation’ of malta in Guyana, as opposed to the culture of dark malt beverages. The versatility of this Moussy product offers a healthier alternative than soft drinks, shandies or ales.

It has been the most popular and preferred non-alcoholic beverage of choice, especially during religious occasions.

THE PRIZES This year’s GRAND PRIZE will be G$1,000,000. Besides, 18 lucky winners will have the opportunity to win six 40-inch Samsung smart TVs, grocery vouchers worth G$20,000 each, and cash prizes worth US$50 each.

Each prize will be drawn weekly at select outlets countrywide -- in Georgetown, Corentyne Coast, West Coast/West Bank of Demerara, Linden, Bartica & Essequibo.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Police satisfied with security posture on Nomination Day

By Leroy Smith

DESPITE the huge crowds supporting the two main political parties during yesterday’s Nomination Day march, for the May 11th General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Police Force was able to maintain effective control at all times.

The People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition marched through several city streets to the historic City Hall where they presented their respective lists of candidates to officials of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Police ‘A’ Division Commander, Assistant Commissioner Clifton Hicken, in an invited comment, told the Chronicle that the event unfolded without any incidents.

He stated that the success in effectively managing the day’s activities comes on the heels of meticulous planning by the senior management of the force and ranks who were detailed to work.

According to Commander Hicken, there was a beefing up of security in and around City Hall and along the routes to be used by the parties to make their way into City Hall compound. It was also noted that several senior officers from the divisions, including the Deputy Commander, Assistant Superintendents of Police and Inspectors, were on the

ground, complemented by Commander Hicken himself.

In addition to the presence of police in uniform, there were also those in civilian clothing overlooking the process while there was also support given by members of the City Constabulary.

Hicken said that police ranks were present along the route long before the actual processions were expected, even as the barricades for the various streets to be closed were put in place.

Among the streets which were closed yesterday were King and Robb Streets, King and Regent Streets, Robb and Camp Streets, Charlotte and King Streets and several other streets were periodically

Police Patrols outside City Hall yesterday (Adrian Narine photos)

closed to facilitate the procession of the APNU+AFC coalition.

However, Hicken said that he was a bit disappointed by a slight mix-up when the contingent of the coalition arrived at the gates of City Hall. He observed that there was some confusion about the twenty persons who were expected to enter the compound and accompany the leaders of the party who had to present the list.

He was, however, quick to point out that after the issue was brought to the attention of the party executives, one of the executives quickly identified those persons and they were able to enter the compound without a hitch.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

First Lady urges children to emulate the kite in flight ––to soar academically in their quest to overcome poverty

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IRST Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar has compared the ascended kite to that of a child whose parents make education their top priority.

Speaking at the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir (NJASM) Humanitarian Mission Easter Sunday Gymkhana, which was held at Babu John, Corentyne, the First Lady said the onus is on parents to ensure that children make the best of their schooldays.

“There should be no excuse for lack of attendance, because the Government is giving a lot of subsidies.

They are getting free uniforms, a hot meal, and free books, so you have to send your children to school,” she said, adding: “Only an educated child can get out of poverty.”

While addressing the younger members of the audience, Mrs. Ramotar, who was accompanied by several members of the First Lady Foundation, also brought greetings from His Excellency, the President, while explaining that before a kite can soar, it will encounter several difficulties; but that with adjustments made by the flier, it will rise into the skies.

Similarly, the First Lady ex-

I grew up in a poor family, I know what it is being poor and I have been on the other side of the coin too. Being poor is not an excuse for us not to go to school, it is not an excuse for us not to have an education.”

In addition, President of the NJASM, Pandit Suresh Sugrim, who also addressed the gathering, highlighted the many issues which have been affecting the fabric of the family foundation.

Despite the prevailing issues, he challenged the parents to make that change, by not neglecting their children and by helping other children

in the community, even as he made a further commitment for the NJASM organisation.

During the event, which also had beverage giant Banks DIH as another major sponsor, children participated in several games, mixing some old-fashioned games with unique innovations such as lime and spoon and bag race, along with trampoline jumping and face painting.

Certificates of appreciation were issued to the members of the Berbice media, charitable and non-government organisations and volunteers.

First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar showing the chilren at Babu John how to raise their kites “If you look in our society there are a lot of issues, we have suicide, domestic violence, so we have to

There should be no excuse for lack of attendance (at school), because the Government is giving a lot of subsidies; they are getting free uniforms, a hot meal, and free books, so you have to send your children to school. Only an educated child can get out of poverty’ – First Lady, Madame Deolatchmee Ramotar plained that while schoolwork may be challenging, with perseverance and hard work, one is bound to succeed.

“Your future lies before you, and your future is our future; because if we know that you are educated, and that you are good children, you are honest, then we know that Guyana will be in good hands,” she said.

MORAL GUIDANCE In addition, Mrs Ramotar, addressing parents, reminded them of their role in providing good moral guidance.

make sure that our children get the love and understanding to be honest and trustworthy individuals.”

Meanwhile, the main sponsor of the event, Mr. Parmamnad Lutawan of Broadway Poultry of New Jersey, USA, and formerly of Number 48 Village, Corentyne, speaking briefly, noted that he had envisaged returning ‘home’ to share gifts with children during the festive season, but his business did not allow him to have leave at Christmas.

“So I had to choose Easter. I always wanted to come and give gifts, an opportunity that I didn’t have.

The First Lady offers a cup of delicious ice cream to a little girl at the Easter Sunday Gymkhana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Youth charged over dismembering of Buxton woman

By Leroy Smith KEVIN Ramsawck, the first person who was detained after police came upon the dismembered body of Samantha Benjamin at the Annandale foreshore, was yesterday remanded to prison when he appeared in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court charged with the capital offence.

He will make his next court appearance later this month at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court.

Meanwhile, his two alleged accomplices were arrested by police over the weekend and are likely to appear in court today to also face a murder charge.

The court was told yesterday that the 22-year-old who resided in Berbice skipped that region and came to Georgetown following several pending matters he had there.

The murder accused who was described as a substance abuser reportedly told investigators that he was out smoking marijuana with the other two suspects one night when the idea of robbing Samantha Benjamin was

Samantha Benjamin was found but her head and limbs were missing. Shortly after the police returned to the scene where the woman’s head, hands and feet were discovered not too far away.

Last week Tuesday the police acting on information searched the house where the woman had been staying.

The police apprehended the man after finding overwhelming evidence that the house might have been the place where the woman was killed as there were extensive traces of blood.

The suspect after he week Tuesday floated.

He alleged that on the night of the murder, the men showed up at the home where he and the woman were staying and lashed her to the head. They then proceeded to ransack the house for valuables, particularly the room she had occupied.

After the men hit the woman to her head they proceeded to chop off her hands and feet and then placed her in a wheel barrow and wheeled her to the seashore

was picked up last under cover of darkness.

At the seashore, one of the men reportedly decided to cut the woman’s head off and carve out her eyes.

The police are continuing their investigations and are weighing what the 22-yearold said to them and the implication of the other two young men who are from the community of Buxton.

The DPP is to advise in the matter shortly.

Two weeks ago the torso of the woman who was subsequently identified as

AROUND THE COURTS...

With Geeta Rampersaud & Clestine Juan

Teen on murder charge remanded to prison until April 13 NINETEEN–year-old Nicholas Hercules of Lot 44 Princes Street, Georgetown appeared yesterday before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore on a murder charge, and was remanded to prison until April 13.

Particulars of the charge are that he murdered Carlos Solomon on Wednesday, April 1, at Princes Street.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne told the court that the accused and Solomon both resided at the same address, and on the day in question, Hercules dealt Solomon a knife stab to his armpit. Solomon was

Murder accused, Nicholas Hercules

rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he later succumbed to the inflicted injury.

Attorney-at-law Mr. Lyndon Amsterdam, representing Hercules, told the court that his client received injuries as a result of the incident. Defence Counsel indicated that Hercules was taken to the Hospital but was unable to receive a medical certificate because Monday, April 6, was a holiday.

Hercules displayed the injuries he received, which he alleged were inflicted by the deceased.

The matter stands adjourned until April 13.

Samantha Benjamin on her wedding day

The house in which she was murdered

Linden trio on $300,000 bail each --for larceny of bus and car

NINETEEN-year-old Preston Skeete, a mason of Amelia’s Ward; Harold Rogers of Lot 1103 Central Amelia’s Ward, and 20-year-old labourer, Shawn Wilson of Central Amelia’s Ward, all Linden, Region 10 addresses, were not required to plead to charges of having stolen a minibus and a car when they appeared yesterday before Georgetown Magistrate, Fabayo Azore.

It is alleged that: (1) Between March 1 and 2 at Wisrock in Wismar, Linden, they stole one minibus valued at more than $3.5M, property of the Linden Mayor and City Council; and (2): Between April 2 and 3 at Amelia’s Ward, Linden, they stole one silver grey 212 motor car, PPP 2664, valued at more than $1.8M, property of Renson Rawlins.

The men were represented by attorney-at-law Ms. Konyo Thompson-Sandiford. She told the court that she was aware of her clients being charged in relation to the motor car, but was surprised to hear about a minibus.

Defence counsel said the car was rented from a car rental service, and on the day in question, Rogers was the driver while the other two accused were passengers.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne did not disclose the prosecution’s facts, but informed the court that a confession statement had been obtained from Skeete. She also did not object to the men being granted bail, and they were each placed on $150,000 bail on each of the two charges they face.

The matter was transferred to the Linden Magistrate’s Court for April 14.

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Labourer placed on $30,000 bail ––for indecent exposure, disorderly behaviour

THIRTY-seven-year-old Jomo Gordon, a labourer of Lot 153 Wisrock in Wismar, Linden, appeared yesterday before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore, charged with disorderly behaviour and indecent exposure.

Particulars of the charges are as follows: (1) On April 5, at Jeep Landing, Kwakwani, Upper Berbice River, he exposed his genitals to Keon Alexander and another person; and On the same day, at Jeep Landing, Kwakwani, Upper Berbice River, while in public hearing, he behaved in a disorderly manner.

Gordon pleaded not guilty to both charges. According to his attorney, Ms. Konyo Thompson-Sandiford, he was convicted on a narcotics charge.

The court heard that the defendant works in the inte-

rior, and on Sunday last, police were rounding up persons in relation to a murder investigation and Gordon was one of the persons they contacted.

Defence counsel said Gordon’s charges resulted after her client heard that he was being investigated for murder.

She requested bail on ground that Gordon does not pose a flight risk.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne did not reveal the prosecution’s facts.

The defendant was ordered to post $25,000 bail for the indecent exposure charge, and $5,000 for the behaving disorderly charge.

The matter has been transferred to the Kwakwani Magistrate’s Court for April 17.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Labourer remanded for illegal possession of ‘ganja’ THIRTY-year-old Leevan Griffith of Lot 99 Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown appeared yesterday before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore to answer to a charge of illegal possession of cannabis.

The court heard that, on March 4 at Barrack Street, Kingston, the labourer had in his possession 35 grammes of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Prosecutor, Inspector Stephen Telford, did not relate the facts to the court, but objected to bail being granted Griffith on grounds of the prevalence of the offence and the penalty attached thereto.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the offence, but bail was refused him, and the matter was put down to April 13 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Alleged chain snatcher remanded until April 13 TWENTY-two-year-old Milton Cameron, a former Guyana Defence Force (GDF) rank, appeared yesterday before City Magistrate Fabayo Azore, accused of snatching a $300,000 gold chain (SRD5,000) from Aziz Ganga on April 6 at Stabroek Market in Georgetown.

The father of one, a New Amsterdamer, denied the allegation; and his attorney, Mr. Paul Fung-a-Fat, told the court that his client normally sells drinks in front of the Foot Steps store, and that this is his first brush with the law.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne did not reveal the prosecution’s facts to the court, but objected to bail being granted Cameron on ground of the seriousness and prevalence of the offence.

Cameron was remanded to prison, and will make his next court appearance on April 13 before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry.

Well-dressed gunmen pull off brazen daylight robbery at city hotel

––police review camera footage, hunting suspects TWO well-dressed gunmen, with hats pulled down in their faces, invaded the Sleepin Guest House, Bar and Car Rental of Lot 151 Church Street, Georgetown on Monday at about 12:20 hrs, held up the receptionist and others and demanded cash.

Facing down weapons pointed in their direction, hotel employees immediately complied with the bandits’ request, and the bandits swiftly escaped in a waiting vehicle which was reportedly parked outside.

They carted off an undisclosed amount of cash, but their actions were recorded on security cameras in the premises. Thus the police who were summoned at the scene were able to review footage of the incident in an effort to identify the audacious bandits who had struck in broad daylight.

Up to press time, sleuths were still hunting the men.

Unlicensed firearm, ammunition unearthed in Campbellville AT around 19:15hrs on Monday, police, responding to a report of threats, conducted a search on a house at Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown, and unearthed an unlicensed 9mm pistol with five live rounds.

A man has been arrested and is in police custody assisting with the investigations.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Liverpool target FA Cup glory in bid to salvage season LONDON, England (Reuters) - With Premier League results on the slide and Champions League qualification hanging in the balance, Liverpool’s season seemingly rests on FA Cup glory, starting with a quarter-final replay against Championship side Blackburn Rovers tomorrow.

Back-to-back league defeats by Manchester United and Arsenal have slowed Liverpool’s pursuit of a top-four finish and Champions League qualification as they trail fourth-placed Manchester City by seven points with seven games remaining.

After a 0-0 draw against second-tier Blackburn in the first game at Anfield, Liverpool, who have not won the FA Cup since 2006, travel to Ewood Park in the hope of setting up a semifinal clash with Aston Villa

Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho celebrates after scoring the second goal for his side. at Wembley.

“Winning the cup would save our season,” midfielder Philippe Coutinho told the club’s website.”It is very important for us to have that as an objective.

We have to pick ourselves up

after what happened against Arsenal to get the results that we need.”

Brendan Rodgers has played down reports of dressingroom unrest after Saturday’s 4-1 mauling at Arsenal but the

Liverpool boss is aware they must address their lack of goals.

Liverpool scored 101 Premier League goals last season as they finished runnersup but with Luis Suarez joining Barcelona and Daniel Sturridge injured for much of the campaign, they have only managed 45 in 31 league games.

“We are still trying to find solutions at the top end of the field,” Rodgers said. “It’s about finding what suits the players. We have obviously got a number of players out now and when we changed the system it suited them.

“When everyone is fit and available we are able to compete with this squad. Three players on six goals. That’s the reality of where we are at, and we have to find solutions.”

Steven Gerrard, Martin Skrtel and Emre Can will be suspended against a Blackburn side dreaming of adding Liverpool to their list of Premier League scalps after beating Swansea City and Stoke City in previous rounds.

“It’s a chance to get Ewood Park rocking and it should remind us all of the Premiership days,” manager Gary Bowyer said.

“We’ve done particularly well at home to Premiership clubs in the FA Cup and, hopefully, there will be a real buzz around Ewood Park come kickoff time.”

Urling promises growth and Alpha United ... development of football From back page

By Rawle Toney CHAIRMAN of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee Clinton Urling had stated that his focus is on football and not on the political arena, following his resignation from his NGO Group ‘Blue Caps’, as mentioned in an article published March 7 in Chronicle Sport.

“Even if I decide on a political party, that shouldn’t affect my position as Chairman (of the Normalisation Committee). A lot of politicians around the world are involved in football but all FIFA is concerned about is that your political leanings don’t affect your decision-making when it comes to football,” Urling had pointed out in the Chronicle Sport exclusive.

Now, one month later and as Guyana heads steep into the political season with the May 11 General and Regional election around the corner, Urling yesterday announced his alliance with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) appearing on their National top up list of candidates.

Urling, the former Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, vice-president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Dr Karen Pilgrim, former squash player and executive Tariq Williams, Stewart May and Rabin Chandarpal were named by FIFA and CONCACAF as the Normalisation Committee responsible for football in Guyana.

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) through Head of Member Associations Premo Cavaro and CONCACAF’s Director of Legal Affairs Marco Leal announced last October that a Normalisation Committee will run Guyana’s football until September 2015 after disbanding the Christopher Matthiasled GFF. In an interview with Chronicle Sport

yesterday, Urling insisted that he will manage his politics and responsibilities in the GFF, noting “I made a commitment to complete the tenure of the Normalisation Committee and my decision to enter into formal politics will not affect that.”

“Moreover, both FIFA and the GFF Statutes recognise the responsibility to abolish all forms of discrimination in football, including political discrimination,” Urling said.

Strict on political interference in the sport, members of the football fraternity in Guyana were already sharing concerns over how world governing body FIFA will sit with the head of one of its member associations directly involved in a country’s political scheme but insisted that “the work started under the Normalisation Committee will continue in an objective and nonpartisan way towards the growth and development of football.”

“I have raised the issue with FIFA and there is no objection on the grounds of my political involvement. Across the globe with Member Associations of FIFA there are examples of political leaders being the president of the respective Member Association.”

“In fact, Article 3 of both the FIFA and GFF Statutes states: “Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.” Urling noted.

Football in Guyana is in its most testing times. Fragile is how some experts described the situation, and all stakeholders are zeroed in the Normalisation Committee and especially its chairman, to see how everything unfolds.

“We had some concerns with how we played in the early part of the competition. In four games of the Kashif and Shanghai tournament we scored only eight goals. That is very low by our standard. It tells me that we need to do some work on finishing and a few other areas,” Dover said.

“We have to learn from the past. We have been defeated on Sunday but my club would not dwell on that. Our focus now is on the CFU competition.

The deficiencies highlighted during the Kashif and Shanghai tournament would be fixed before we get into the regional competition,” the coach added.

Alpha United have just over a week before they plunge into the regional Club Championship. The local side will play nemesis Inter Moengotapoe of Suriname in the opening match scheduled for April 15 at the National Stadium.

The Suriname club

had defeated Alpha in their last five meetings but Dover reasoned that the psychological advantage held by Inter Moengotapoe is only one part of the equation.

“Of course they may have the psychological advantage but on any given day Alpha United are up to the task and can make an impact. I am confident that we will qualify out of our Group.”

Inter Moengotapoe clash with Central Football Club of Trinidad and Tobago on April 17 at the National Stadium while Alpha and the Trinidad side meet on April 19 at the same venue, to end competition in the Group. The winner of the Group will qualify for the semifinals.

“With just about a week left for the CFU tournament, our area of concentration would be fitness and finishing.

I think that if we get those two areas right there would be no stopping us,” declared Dover.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Africa pledges support for Blatter in FIFA presidency election … CAF president Issa Hayatou declares continent’s backing for incumbent (REUTERS) - Every one of Africa’s 54 member countries will vote for Sepp Blatter in next month’s FIFA presidential election, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, said yesterday.

“Africa is comfortable having you. Africa stays with you,” Hayatou said in a speech to open CAF’s annual congress in Cairo, at

which Blatter is present.

Although the individual countries do not have to follow Hayatou’s directive, Africa is expected to be a strong base of support for Blatter.

With 54 of the 209 FIFA member countries eligible to vote in the presidential election in Zurich on May 29, Africa is the largest of the six continental confederations.

Blatter is seeking a fifth

term in office to extend a reign that began in 1998.

The FIFA vice-president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein of Jordan, the Dutch FA head, Michael van Praag, and the former Portugal international Luís Figo are standing against him. Those three challengers will not be addressing CAF delegates.

In his speech to the congress in Cairo, Blatter reflected on Africa’s achievements during his

Sepp Blatter, left, and Issa Hayatou at the CAF annual congress in Cairo.

(Photograph: Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images) time as FIFA president, including the continent’s first World Cup in South Africa in 2010.

Africa votes in two new members of FIFA executive CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) - Tarek Bouchamaoui of Tunisia and Constant Omari Selemani of the Democratic Republic of Congo were voted in yesterday as new members of FIFA’s all-powerful executive committee to represent Africa.

Bouchamaoui swept in with an unprecedented full house of 54 votes while Omari got 34 to 20 for incumbent

Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast, now ousted from the committee he has served for the last eight years.

Mohamed Raouraoua of Algeria, the other incumbent, withdrew before the poll at the congress of the Confederation of African Football in Cairo.

The new members will serve a twoyear term after which they will be up

for re-election as Africa has changed its rules on how it fills its four places on the 25-man FIFA committee.

From 2017, Africa will reserve one seat for the CAF president, one for a French speaker, one for a candidate from an English-speaking country and one to be shared among the Arabic-speaking and Portuguesespeaking countries.

Blatter wants tougher punishment for racism

By Mark Gleeson

CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) - FIFA president Sepp Blatter called for tougher punishment for teams and associations found guilty of racism and discrimination yesterday and said monetary sanctions were increasingly ineffective.

Statutes allowed for stiffer sanctions which now

had to be implemented as the battle against ‘the scourge of racism and discrimination is not being won’, he told the Confederation of African Football (CAF) congress.

“We have to punish not only through fines and stadium closures but we have to use our rules to suspend teams, to take away their points or even to relegate them if racism continues,” Blatter said.

Blatter reminded African countries of extensive financial support to the continent’s football associations from world football’s governing body as he opened the congress in a Cairo hotel yesterday.

Blatter, who is expected to get extensive support from the continent’s 54 countries when he stands for re-election next month,

said FIFA had spent some $700 million on various programmes across Africa.

“We should maybe spend more to prepare a better future for the children,” he added, mirroring the promises of his three rivals in the FIFA election for more financial assistance for member countries.

Blatter was met with a warm ovation from the African delegates in contrast to having to sit through stinging criticism when he attended the UEFA congress in Vienna last month.

Yesterday’s CAF congress was also attended

by Prince Ali bin Al Hussein of Jordan, Dutch Football Association president Michael van Praag and former Portugal international Luis Figo, who are all standing against Blatter, but they were not permitted to address the assembly.

CAF president Issa Hayatou, who last year pledged his members’ support to Blatter’s bid for another term in office, repeated his call for Africa to back the incumbent.

“He has been a faithful partner and in Africa we acknowledge our friends and offer them what they deserve,” added Hayatou.

He said Hayatou, who has led CAF for 27 years despite allegations of corruption and an

official reprimand by the International Olympic Committee, was a pillar of African football.

MVP Terron Welch pilots Bulls to resounding 75-63 win

By Joe Chapman HALF Mile Bulls, led by recent national selectee guard Terron Welch with a fine allround performance including a game-high 28 points, deservedly scored a rampaging 7563 win over Retrieve Raiders to cart off the 3rd Rock Entertainment Super Eight Knock Out basketball championship title last Saturday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court.

Welch showed his prowess as an emerging player of great potential as he led them admirably in a third-quarter routing of the more established Raiders on a 26-7 run, which paved the way for the Bulls to hold a 42-24 advantage at halftime; after they were trailing 16-17 at the end of the first quarter.

Welch, who led all scorers with his 28 points, also grabbed six rebounds, five steals, two assists and one blocked shot in a dominant display to

be the Most Valuable Player of the final, as support came from teammates - former junior nationals Dennis Niles with 12 points and Travin Dryden with 11 points.

The Bulls were coasting along into the third quarter 60-37, as the trio of Welch, Dryden and Niles (all former junior national players) showed their mettle, combining to good effect to keep the spirited Raiders at bay.

National forward Neil Marks had 17 points for the Raiders while another Raiders forward Louis James added 12.

In the third-place playoff game, Amelia’s Ward Jets beat Kings 4837 after the Kings had taken a half-time lead 1814 and were still holding the edge 31-30 at the end of the third quarter.

Joel Webster with 18 points and Allister Webster 14 were the top shoots for the Jets. Omally Sampson scored 15 points and Quincy Easton 12.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

IPL hopes to cure World Cup hangover

By Nagraj Kolkata

Gollapudi

in

WITHIN ten days after the World Cup final, the IPL is here. But one factor that will draw Indian crowds in is that after Australia and New Zealand, cricket is now closer to the fans.

Kolkata is under the spell of Kalboishaskhi jhor (thunder showers). But within 24 hours from now this grey, besieged city will erupt in joyful technicolour as the eighth season of IPL starts at Eden Gardens with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders playing Mumbai Indians.

Seventy thousand fans are likely to fill the majestic ground not just to watch the cricket, but also to sing and dance at a party to be hosted

by Knight Riders’ owner and in-house DJ Shah Rukh Khan.

But in contrast to the past, the hype this time has been restrained, eclipsed by the build-up for the elections for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, which take place next week.

Take a walk or a drive

across Kolkata and you will see more faces of local politicians staring and reaching out from cut-outs hanging across the city than cricketers.

Add to the fact that the IPL is being played so close to the World Cup and it might be heading to a damp squib.

But IPL has faced bigger challenges before.

One factor that will draw crowds in is: cricket is now close to the fans. The World Cup was played far away in Australia and New Zealand. A lot of those match-winners are now in the IPL. It would be a great opportunity to watch the heroes in person.

But it is the stories and feats that will build the excitement.

Will there be an almost famous story that Sanjay Bangar’s Kings XI Punjab scripted by finishing runners-up last season?

Riveting moments like Corey Anderson smashing Rajasthan Royals’ fast bowlers to capture an insurmountable asking rate which forced the usually stoic Rahul Dravid to

Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Shasrma throw his cap in disgust as Mumbai Indians made the playoffs.

The new season has its own attractions: Ricky Ponting enters the coaching arena for the first time as the head coach of Mumbai Indians. Would his team be the no-holds-barred outfits he

led wearing the baggy green?

Can Virat Kohli, back after a dominant season in the Test series in Australia in his first stint as India’s captain, finally inspire Royal Challengers Bangalore to their first IPL title? How many and what kind of records can Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers, Glenn

Maxwell, Brendon McCullum break in a tournament that favours batting?

Theatre is a huge part of IPL’s fabric. One of the most controversial moments of IPL history was witnessed when a verbal tussle between Royal Challengers’ Mitchell Starc and Mumbai’s Kieron Pollard virtually came close to physical blows. Starc threw the ball at Pollard who responded by flinging the bat in the direction of his opponent.

Even at the World Cup, sledging was one of the biggest talking points and the IPL is bound to witness more. As reported last week players want to sort the issue among themselves as far as possible without being suffocated by the match officials.

But would the new BCCI administration allow such leniency? Jagmohan Dalmiya, the BCCI president, even when he was the interim BCCI chief two years back when the corruption scandal broke, has always favoured austerity. In his second stint as the BCCI head, Dalmiya

wants to get the focus back on cricket.

His administration reportedly did not want to spend too much on hiring very expensive A-list entertainers for the opening ceremony and instead set a restricted budget for the occasion. Probably Dalmiya understands the real entertainment remains in the tournament. It is a place where both cricket and Bollywood come together.

Even the skeptic taxi driver is getting curious. He wants to know the big buys of this year’s auction. Who bought and dropped whom? How many matches are Kolkata playing at home in April?

Despite the weariness, the cart puller, the taxiwallah, the man on the street knows the IPL is here.

The skies are clear. They know their team are the defending champions. Soon the addas and kattas and local trains will be raging with debates about matches from around the country.

The IPL might start on a muted note but the volume is only going to get louder by the day. (ESPN Cricinfo)

Saunders upset England’s Group One clubs bid for victory start arriving Monday OVERSEAS clubs participating in Group One of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship would start arriving in Guyana early next week.

Suriname’s leading club Inter Moengotapoe are scheduled to arrive here next Monday while Trinidad’s Central Football Club are due two days later. The Suriname side are down to face Alpha United on April 15 at the National Stadium.

The two foreign clubs meet on April 17 at the same venue while Alpha and Central Football Club clash on April 19. Guyana’s Alpha United is hosting Group One competition and according to president Odinga Lumumba, preparation is smooth.

Lumumba said that as host, his club is responsible for local transportation, accommodation, meals and making venues available

Odinga Lumumba for practice. Apart from the overseas clubs, Alpha would also have to provide for eight officials. Two referees, four assistant referees and two match commissioners are expected, the president said.

The hosting of the

three matches is expected to cost approximately $10M - a hefty price tag by Guyana standard.

However, CFU has offered $3M to assist in offsetting expenses. The CFU Club Championship is an annual competition involving top clubs from member countries.

This year Guyana is being represented by Alpha and the Guyana Defence Force. The top three teams from the CFU will qualify to the CONCACAF Champions League.

Last year, Alpha United topped Group Three in the CFU tournament.

The group included Trinidad Defence Force, Sporting Notch of Suriname and Harbour View of Jamaica. All Group matches were played in Jamaica.

… Cook hits first ton for England in 18 months

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – An unbeaten knock of 20 from Akeem Saunders thwarted England’s efforts to force an outright victory against St. Kitts Invitational X1 as their two-day match ended in a draw at Warner Park here yesterday.

Saunders, a middleorder batsman, hit four fours in a defiant innings that repelled England’s push for victory, with the homeside losing second innings wickets quickly after the visitors had piled up 379 for six declared.

Leon Clarke contributed 17 and Jacques Taylor was not out on 13, the only other batsmen to get into double figures for St Kitts.

England fell narrowly short of securing a win, needing

Alistair Cook just three more wickets when the players shook hands on a draw.

Captain Alastair Cook hit a century, his first century for England in 18 months, after resuming from his overnight score of 95.

Cook scored 11 fours and a six before retiring out.

Half-centuries from Ian Bell and Joe Root allowed England to declare and push for victory as the hosts, who managed 59 in their first innings, slipped to 24 for six inside 18 overs.

Taylor, Elvin Berridge, Steve Liburd and Clark each picked up a wicket for the local side.

For England, James Tredwell claimed 3-25 while Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood, who were drafted in to bowl in the second innings, took a wicket each.

England will now prepare themselves for another twoday game, starting today, against the same opposition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

44th CARIFTA Games

Jamaicans top again as Fraser wins third gold ... Burke completes double

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Pint-sized Barbadian Mary Fraser snatched her third gold medal of the weekend to earn the coveted Austin Sealy Award for the most outstanding athlete while compatriot Mario Burke completed the sprint double, as the 44th CARIFTA Games climaxed here Monday.

However, the duo were forced to share the headlines with the outstanding Jamaicans who made a clean sweep of the distance relays and captured three of the four sprint hurdles events, to end on top the medal standings for yet another year.

Overall, they claimed 85 medals, four short of last year’s tally with 41 gold, 25 silver and 19 bronze.

The Bahamas finished second in the medal

standings with 31 overall, taking eight gold, 13 silver and ten bronze.

Barbados, meanwhile, powered by the amazing Fraser and speedy Burke, captured 16 medals overall with seven gold, four silver and five bronze.

Trinidad and Tobago, lifted by gold medals in the 200 metres on Monday

by Kayelle Clarke in the Girls Under-20 and Akanni Hislop in the Boys Under-18, finished with 22 medals – six gold, eight silver and eight bronze.

Hosts St Kitts and Nevis enjoyed their most successful CARIFTA Games ever, picking up one gold, two silver and six bronze medals.

Fraser, with gold medals in the Girls Under-18 1500 metres and the 3 000 metres, entered Monday’s 800m seeking a third and did not disappoint.

Outstanding Barbadian athlete Mary Fraser She produced a careerbest time of two minutes 11.63 seconds to cross the line first ahead of Jamaican

Chrissani May who finished second in 2:13.28.

St Kitts’ Reanda Richards claimed bronze in 2:14.48.

With her clinching of the Austin Sealy Award, she became the second Barbadian in as many years to win the honour, following Akela Jones’ success last year.

Burke, too, kept Barbados in the news, when he streaked to victory in the Boys Under-20 200 metres, to add to his 100m triumph on Saturday.

He clocked 21.51 seconds to outrun Vincentian Reuberth Boyde who clocked 21.70 for silver, and Kittitian Warren Hazel who was good for bronze in 21.81.

T&T also found their feet in the half-lap with Clarke and Hislop posting impressive victories.

Clarke successfully defended the title she won last year in Martinique, racing to 23.12 seconds to beat Jamaica’s Saqukine Cameron (23.32) into second and Bahamian Keianna Albury (23.49) into third.

Hislop, meanwhile, clocked 20.91 seconds, with Bahamian Javan Martin – who took bronze last year – finishing second in 21.16.

Jamaican Xavior Angus earned bronze in 21.17.

In the sprint hurdles, World Youth champion Jaheel Hyde of Jamaica won his second gold medal in as many days, cruising to victory in the Boys Under-20 event in 13.36 seconds.

Bahamian Xavier Coakley kept Hyde honest with silver in 13.51 seconds, while Seanie Selvin of Jamaica took bronze in 13.57.

SCA Premiere League

HACC set sights on sixth championship title

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Winning has certainly become a habit with the Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC).

An unprecedented five consecutive championship titles, highlighted by 17 wins on the trot in the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) Premiere Division One tournament, tell the relentless story of a club which see the sky as the limit to their achievements.

At the club’s last year’s presentation dinner and dance, long-standing president Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan had expressed the view that he was extremely proud to be part of the HACC family and while “I have been proud to be raising the five fingers on my right hand, I am eagerly looking forward to start raising those on the left.”

That assertion was a clear indication to the other participating teams that HACC have no intention of sitting on their laurels when the 2015 season gets under way with Mohan also pointing out that “the taste of joy and winning is undoubtedly so sweet”.

The club’s reign of successes in finals started in 2010 when they defeated

In the Girls Under-18 race, Janeek Brown reset her own record from last year, winning in 13.29 seconds to better her 13.48.

Jamaica’s third sprint hurdles triumph came in the Girls Under-20, when Yanique Thompson (13.21) led a one-two, with Jeanine Williams finishing with silver in 13.40.

Bahamian Tavonte Mott denied Jamaica a fourth medal in the Boys Under-18, streaking down the middle of the track to out-lean Jamaican Jordan Roberts at the line in a record time of 13.1 seconds.

Jamaica’s dominance of the relays was headlined by the Boys Under-18 team of Leonardo Ledgister, Devaughn Ellington, Jauavney James and Christopher Taylor, who clocked 3:12.07 to erase their one-year-old mark of 3:12.63.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday April 08, 2015) Compliments of THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)Jim Laker (ENG vs AUST, Old Trafford, 1956) & Anil Kumble (IND vs PAK, Delhi, 1999) (2) AUST vs ENG, Birmingham, 1977 (Gary Cosier 5/18; Greg Chappell 5/20) Today’s Quiz:

FLASHBACK: The victorious HACC cricketers, family and supporters pose after last year’s final against East West.

Panoli Cricket Club and this was followed by triumphs over East West XI in 2011, Victoria Park in 2012, Bawa XI in 2013 and East West in last year’s aborted engagement.

With outdoor training still not possible because of the dampness of most grounds, HACC players are desperately hoping for a quick change in the current weather to “hit the ground” but some are reportedly involved in rigorous indoor exercises and Mohan is extremely happy with their progress and told Chronicle Sports that his charges are raring to go.

The predominant Guyanese squad will once again be led by former National Under-19 batsman

Hemnarine Chattergoon and hopefully will be strengthened by the inclusion of former West Indies oneday middle-order batsman Royston Crandon and former Guyana fast bowler Trevon Garraway. However, their absence last season, after previous participation, did not prove all that costly as it seemed to have galvanised the other players.

HACC’s domination was reflected at the SCA’s annual presentation and dinner where former Guyana youth player Harrinarine Chattergoon stole the spotlight. Chattergoon, the younger brother of Hemnarine, had an outstanding season, tallying 548 runs, registering the highest score, a belligerent 268 against Durham Cricket Club and being adjudged

Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the aborted final versus East West Cricket Club.

The slim-built opening batsman, however, had to share the headlines with teammates, all-rounder Zaheer Allard, brother Hemnarine and Mahadeo Moonasar as HACC carted off the lion’s share of the Premier Division awards.

The burly and big-hitting Allard had the distinction of recording the second highest aggregate (467), slamming two centuries (122 and 138) and also claiming a hat-trick with his left-arm seamers.

Hemnarine joined his brother as the two double centurions in the tournament, his brilliant 217 versus Bawa XI being an innings of immense class, while

(1)

Who is the first player to make a hundred in an IPL game?

(2)

Which team won the first ever IPL Championship title?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Moonasar was outstanding with the ball, capturing two six-wicket hauls for 17 and 27 runs respectively. Two other HACC players who were also in the limelight were former Guyana opening batsman Krishna Arjune for his swashbuckling 169 and Azhad Amidon for a wellcomplied 102.

Allard was also voted the MVP for his outstanding all-round efforts at the club’s presentation dinner and dance.

An excited Mohan is full of praise for the contributions of his players past and present, pointing out that they must be commended for their sterling efforts both on and off the field.

He pointed out that success

has been attained through hard work and determination and once the players maintain the same attitude there’s no reason why they should not continue their winning ways.

HACC was formed some 20 years ago and Mohan stressed that its current achievements are a testimony to the dedication and perseverance shown by the founding members. Mohan also had special praise for vice-president Iqbal Rahaman, secretary/treasurer Eon Gunraj, whom he described as being loyal and dedicated.

“They have been the pillars along with Doodnauth Singh, Rishi Samuel, and Vish Singh, the walls on which this great club has been successful.”

39

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday April 8, 2015

Brathwaite confident as Windies start preparations with new head coach NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) - Kraigg Brathwaite, the West Indies opener, says he is quietly confident of doing well against England as the home team started their preparations for the upcoming three-Test Series.

The 22-year-old was speaking as the Windies started their preparations at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground on Monday.

The Barbados batsman has been in terrific form scoring three centuries in the recently concluded inaugural WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) and a hard-fought century against South Africa in the second Test at Port Elizabeth last year.

“I am obviously looking forward to this home series against England. England is a tough opposition so you know you got to work hard,” said Brathwaite, who scored three Test centuries last year.

“And in terms of my form I am coming from first class cricket feeling quite confident and just keep believing in myself and carry that into this series.”

Windies begin training under new head coach Phil Simmons.

Raj Singh Insurance onboard with GCB for U-19 Inter-County 3-Day … Tournament bowls off today

RAJ Singh Insurance Brokers is onboard with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) for the 2015 Under-19 Inter-County 3-Day competition which bowls off today.

This insurance company has partnered with the GCB over the years for various competitions and is proud to be associated with the U-19 age group this year.

This year’s U-19, 3-Day and 50-Over competitions will see a Select Guyana U-17 squad compete as the fourth team. This move is to prepare the players for the regional U-17 competition.

The GCB believes that giving the younger agegroup squad the opportunity to compete in the U-19 competition will boost their mental strength and give them a lot of confidence.

The first round of the 3-Day contest is from April 8 to 10, 2015, with Berbice and the Guyana U-17 in action at the Wales

Community Centre ground, and Demerara and Essequibo at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Then the second round is from April 12 to 14, 2015, with Demerara and Berbice clashing at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, and Essequibo and Guyana U-17 meeting at the Demerara Cricket Club ground.

And the third round is from April 16 to 18, 2015, with Guyana U-17 taking on Demerara at the Everest Cricket Club ground, and Essequibo challenging Berbice at the Enmore Community Centre ground.

Also, during the competition, former West Indies player, Alvin Kallicharran, would visit the various venues to assist the coaches with the players.

Kallicharran is in Guyana to work mainly with the Under-15 and the Under-17 and will travel around the country to conduct special clinics at various locations with the main objective being

to motivate and galvanise the youths back towards the game of cricket.

The teams read: BERBICE: Balchand Baldeo (captain), Leon Andrews, RiteshOmrao (wicketkeeper), Samuel Kistasammy, Brandon Persaud, Kassim Khan, Daniel Lewis, Joel Seetaram, Ameer Khan, Omar Weatherspoon, Grisean Grant, ParmanandRamdhan, Clifton Lindie, and Zachary Persaud. The manager is Julian Cambridge and the coach is Adrian Amsterdam.

DEMERARA: Travis Persaud (captain), Ronaldo Renee, Malcom Hubbard, Akshaya Persaud, Sherfane Rutherford, Tevin Imlack, Carlton Jacques, Gavin Moriah (v-captain), Ershad Alli, Vivian Albert, Daniel Basdeo, Tariq Dharamlall, Mark Hamilton, and Chetnarine Pooran. The manager is LatchmanYadram and the coach is Trevon Garraway.

GUYANA U-17 squad: Raymond Perez, Joshua Persaud, Adrian Sukwah (vice-captain), Ramnarine Chatura, Bhaskar Yadram, Kevin Sinclair, Richie Looknauth, Ronaldo Ali Mohamed (captain), Timothy McAlmont, Steve Deonarine, Ashmead Nedd, Joshua Jones, Sylus Tyndall, Asif Ally, Sagar Hatheramani, Romain Muniram, and Tameshwar Motieram. The manager is Nazeer Mohammed and the coach is Garvin Nedd.

ESSEQUIBO: Nathan Persaud, Parmesh Parsotam (v-captain), Travis Drakes (captain), Jadewnel Hartman, Neiland Cadogan, Jonathan Fernandes, Keanu Harry, Denzil Harry, Akinie Adams, Sachin Persaud, Looknauth Khinkoo, Mahendra Mahase, Satesh Latchana, and David Williams. The manager is Harvey Gobin and the coach is Vibert Johnson.

Brathwaite’s recent centuries include 102 and 112 against Guyana Jaguars and 106 against South Africa last year.

The West Indies continued their preparation with a full training session at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground yesterday morning under the supervision of new head coach Phil Simmons, the former West Indies all-rounder.

“I think we had a good practice session.

All the guys enjoyed it,” he said.

“The new coach seems pretty cool and relaxed and I enjoyed the first day working with him. I thought it was a good day for the team.”

The last time West Indies and England played a Test series in the Caribbean, the regional side emerged victorious one-nil.

“It would be phenomenal (winning the series),” said Brathwaite.

“Obviously the team is a little bit young but we have some good experienced guys and coming out on top would mean a lot for the region and I believe the guys can do it.”

Walter Moore inks two-year deal with Finnish Club FF Jaro GUYANESE Walter Moore’s whirlwind rise in the sport in which he earns his living now takes him to Finland where he recently signed a two-year deal with FF Jaro.

The Club competes in the Finnish Premier League; the top flight of professional football in the Nordic countries.

Though not giving much details with regard to the terms of his contract, Moore told Chronicle Sport Walter Moore dons his Club FF Jaro yesterday that he’s player’s jersey. happy to play topAIA (2007–2013) as well flight football and is committed to the Golden as Charlotte Eagles Football Jaguars, Guyana’s senior Club in the USA. In 2013, Moore signed National football team.

Moore, 30, whose with FC Vostok in the Premier first taste at professional Kazakhstan making 31 football was at Trinidad and League, Tobago Pro-league Club appearances for the outfit North East Stars in 2006, but moved to the club’s had played for the Jamaal rival FC Astana-1964 the Shabazz-owned Caledonia following year.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Brathwaite confident as Windies start preparations with new head coach See story on page 39

IPL hopes to cure World Cup hangover

The IPL might start on a muted note but the volume is only going to get louder by the day. (See story on Page 37)

Urling promises growth and development of football

Alpha United shifts focus to CFU competition - Dover

... despite political affiliation See story on page 35

GFF Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling turns out with the PPP/C at yesterday’s Nomination Day.

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ALPHA United’s 2-0 defeat by Slingerz in the Kashif and Shanghai final is history and the club is now focused on the imminent Group One competition in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championships.

Coach Wayne `Wiggy’ Dover yesterday revealed that losing to Slingerz on Sunday was not a setback but offered him a chance to better analyse his players ahead of next week’s CFU competition.

Turn to page 35 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2015