2015 4 9

GUYANA

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

No. 104153 THURSDAY APRIL 9, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

I intend to improve the lot of Guyanese …or else I don’t want to be President, says Donald Ramotar

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Diplomatic corps declares Nomination Day ‘fair and transparent’ 11 Page

Guyana’s democracy is a system of ‘ballots not bullets’ – Rohee

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President Donald Ramotar mingles with residents of Alexander Village

Candidates’ lists still being vetted by GECOM Page

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Steve Surujbally

President 8 Ramotar in Jamaica today Page

OAS confirmed as elections observer – Country Rep 8 Page

Clement Rohee

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I intend to improve the lot of Guyanese 2

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

…or else I don’t want to be President, says Donald Ramotar

By Rebecca Ganesh PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar last evening told Alexander Village residents, “I do not want to be President if I cannot do things to uplift the welfare of my people.”

Speaking to the very large crowd that gathered at Third and Cross Streets in the village, he said over the last three years the Opposition had stifled development in the country. “Some $89B was cut from the budget in very important areas that were allocated to be spent to improve the welfare of the people. They set out to deliberately damage Guyana,” he said.

He continued to list benefits to be had 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. He said that with the return of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, the hydro project would be high on the administration’s agenda.

The Head of State noted that in all aspects of this project, “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

President Ramotar and Attorney at Law Christopher Ram in conversation last evening

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.”

President Ramotar noted that one major project that seeks to improve further

the lifestyle of Guyanese through the development of the Tourism Sector is the expansion of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

“In the 2013 budget the Opposition voted for the new airport and we started to build; and in 2014 they voted against giving the money for airport expansion”, he noted.

The President also spoke at length on the consequences the country will face because of the non-passage of the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Bill; he explained that the only people set to benefit from the non-passage of the bill were the criminals who are friends of the Opposition.

“The international community can blacklist your financial institutions. It is not accidental that they voted against the AML Bill because they have long

standing relationship with criminals. These people do not care for development they only seek power. I do not want to be President if I cannot do things to uplift the welfare of my people,” he said.

President Ramotar noted that this is why “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 said,

were all implemented to assist parents in having their children remain in school so that Guyana’s population would be an educated one.

He reassured farmers too 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 as well -- 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 noted too that “very soon I will be visiting the rig on our shores and Guyana will very soon be an oil and gas producing country. We are preparing our people for this by providing them with access to technical education.”

“We in the PPP/C have been standing by you all these years. Stand by the PPP/C, and stand by me and let’s return the PPP/C to a majority Government,” President Ramotar urged his supporters.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Candidates’ lists still being vetted by GECOM STAFFERS of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) worked until the wee hours of yesterday morning, up to 4:00 am, to review the lists of candidates submitted by eight political contenders in the 2015 elections race.

The disclosure was made by the Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Steve Surujbally, who added that the vetting

process has included the corrections of omissions, as well as clarifications from the political parties.

He maintains that his team is an “exact” group who are committed to “ensuring that all the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted.”

According to GECOM, once the checks are completed and the lists are

signed off by Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, the approved lists will be published.

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. The 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 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).

TIP surveillance conducted in Region 8 THE Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) yesterday reported that a team of representatives from the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (MTFTIP) visited the Mahdia community in Region 8, as well as surrounding areas, from March 27-29, 2015 to conduct surveillance on suspicious business establishments and other locations in the area.

The visit was conducted as part of the implementation of the National Action Plan for 2014-2015 of the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons (TIP).

The team while in Mahdia made extensive efforts to obtain information from police officers, mines officers, villagers, shop owners and Toshaos in and around Mahdia about suspicious activities in the area, MOHA added.

While in Mahdia, the team surveyed several night

spots in the area, inclusive of those that demanded special attention as a result of information received by the Task Force. While females were witnessed frequenting these locations, investigations revealed that patrons of those business premises were above the age of eighteen years.

The Task Force also visited seventeen business establishments in Central Mahdia, St. Elisabeth, Pamela Landing, Jumbie Creek, 35 Backdam, Konawaruk Junction and Micobie and questioned the owners and other individuals present on the premises.

At each of the locations, shop owners were requested to produce their business registration documents and state their number of employees, while employees were requested to produce their identification cards for name and age verification along with work permits.

Employees’ interviews were

not conducted in the presence of employers. All buildings were inspected by the team inclusive of the shops and domestic quarters.

The team did encounter labour violations involving two females, one under-aged and one adult, who were employed at a shop in the area.

The owners of that shop were charged with employing a child on a premises selling intoxicating liquor contrary to Section 52 of the Protection of Children Act No. 17 of 2009 and placed before the Courts. The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security commenced the provision of psychosocial support to this under-aged female.

The findings of the Task Force on its visit to Mahdia are in sharp contrast with sentiments attributed to the Head of the Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) in an article featured on page 3A of the February 15, 2015

edition of the Stabroek News titled ‘Child Care Agency rescues girl being pimped by her mother’.

It is evident that members of the GWMO seek to automatically apply the term ‘trafficking in persons’ in all instances when they encounter minors or young adult females in interior regions. The Task Force has repeatedly sought to distinguish between terms such as ‘child labour’, ‘prostitution’ and ‘trafficking in persons’ in its awareness sessions and workshops as they are respectively unique in nature.

In addition, to the activity in Region 8 and in keeping with the aforementioned National Action Plan, the Task Force from January, 2014 to date has conducted community and secondary schools trafficking in persons awareness activities in Regions 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 along with maintaining a presence at a number of national exhi-

Sleuths to soon crack case of schoolgirl’s nude body at seawall SLEUTHS on the East Coast Demerara have registered their determination to crack the Alicia Ali homicide, but no arrests have yet been made although several persons have been questioned.

Lead Divisional Detective, Hugh Jessemy told this publication that apart from several relatives, including the teenager’s mother, they have also questioned others and are hoping to have a breakthrough shortly.

He added that they have received pertinent information which will aid in their probe, so the investigations are active.

The nude body of Ali, 15, of Sixth Street Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara,

was found by passersby at the University of Guyana (UG) seawall on March 25, 2015.

An autopsy revealed that Ali was strangled but died of asphyxia due to drowning. She had also received a blunt trauma to the head.

Police in a statement said that Ali, whose body was discovered at the Turkeyen seawall at about 08:00 hrs on March 25, 2015, was murdered and the cause of death was given as asphyxia due to drowning, compounded by compression injury to the neck and blunt trauma to the head.

Speculations were rife following the discovery of the body when a letter was found in the teen’s room, indicating that the schoolgirl

probably took her own life but after the post-mortem was made known, police deemed it as murder.

Ali’s mother, Maylene Williams, told police that she had sent her daughter

to a nearby shop to make a purchase on the evening of March 24 but she failed to return home and a search was launched for her. However, she was never reported as missing.

bitions, such as GUYEXPO. The Task Force also deployed its ‘Surprise Inspection Framework (SIF)’ in business establishments, including shops, night spots and other locations in Central Georgetown, East Bank and East Coast Demerara in Region 4; Mahaicony, Rosignol and Blairmont in Region 5; Corentyne Coast in Region 6; Bartica, Tamakay Landing and Backdam, Itaballi and 14 Miles Issano in Region

7; Lethem in Region 9 and Linden in Region 10.

In light of the foregoing, it must be noted that the Ministerial Task Force on Trafficking in Persons respects the right of non-governmental organisations to operate independently but wishes to reiterate its willingness to collaborate with any non-governmental organisation to reduce incidences of trafficking in persons in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

APNU sidelines Kissoon, Solomon -did not make list which will ‘move Guyana forward’

LONGSTANDING People’s National Congress (PNC) member and former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament (MP) Vanessa Kissoon and APNU Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon have been officially sidelined by the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, following the submission of their National Top Up list of candidates which their names failed to appear on.

Following the submission of his list of candidates to contest the General and Regional Elections this year, presidential candidate of the coalition, David Granger, confirmed that Kissoon’s name was not on the list which he considers is a list designed to “move the country forward.”

The leader then refused to respond to whether Kis-

Former APNU MP, Vanessa Kissoon soon had been informed prior to the submission of the list, that her name had been excluded.

Subsequent to this confirmation, Granger acknowledged that the list had been a “balanced” one, adding that Kissoon had already served two terms in her political career.

When prompted however on whether two terms were the maximum for any party member in the APNU, Granger responded in the negative, positing that, “We have a list of criteria and those criteria were applied

because of the work that is ahead of us.”

The APNU+AFC presidential candidate further added that, “We have a list of criteria and we selected persons on the basis of those criteria. We’ve committed ourselves to competence and balance. We have a list that is going to move this country forward.”

However, Kissoon has over the last few years found herself in the midst of controversy with the PNC and other members of the party, including General Secretary, Oscar Clarke.

The former PNC/APNU parliamentarian was demoted last year February in the National Assembly, from a front bencher to a backbencher, also without prior knowledge of this decision.

Kissoon had confirmed that is was only upon her arrival that she was made aware of this development.

Additionally, Kissoon and three other Linden-

Act 16:03.”

She later revealed in a statement that the case against her had been put down until May 6, 2015.

Kissoon was appointed a Member of Parliament (MP) back in 2006 on the People’s National Congress Reform One Guyana (PNCR1G) platform.

Solomon too, who had been excluded from the list submitted on Tuesday, had not escaped controversy which surrounded the PNC’s 18th biennial congress.

The Region 10 Chairman, who is the youngest to ever hold such a post, had been running for the presidential candidacy against David Granger in the PNC’s camp. However, following much controversy, Sharma signalled his intention to withdraw from the electoral process.

A week after the congress, Solomon related that there was nothing democratic about the electoral process of the PNC’s congress.

According to Solomon at that time, the secretariat’s decision to approve the use of National Identification

APNU Region 10 Chairman, Sharma Solomon ers were on Tuesday last slapped with a joint charge of provoking a “breach of the peace” following their attack on a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) campaign meeting last week at Blueberry Hill, Linden.

Kissoon’s charge read, “That on Tuesday, 24th March, 2015 at Blueberry Hill, Linden at a public meeting, [I] used insulting words to Joe Hamilton with intent to provoke a breach of the peace” contrary to Section 10 of the Public Order

cards or passport as a means of identification opened the electoral process for manipulation, because those documents do not have the needed information to prove membership and eligibility as delegates.

He further added a significant portion of Linden’s members and delegates were affected by the non-issuance of cards.

The Region 10 Chairman then disclosed that while he was nominated for the positions of Leader, Chairman, Vice Chairman (VC) and Committee Member a letter sent to him excluded the nomination for VC. The secretariat he said, had been advised of the oversight, with the accompanying evidence attached but this was never corrected as the nomination was not reflected on the ballot at the PNC’s congress.

Up to last evening, both Kissoon and Solomon had been unavailable for a comment when this publication contacted them.

Murder trial of 74-year-old Shakir Mohamed begins

By George Barclay JUSTICE Brassington Reynolds and a mixed jury at the Demerara Assizes yesterday began hearing the murder trial of 74-year-old Shakir Mohamed of Echilibar Villas, Campbellville.

The prosecution, conducted by Miss Mercedes Thompson, is alleging that Mohamed in the course or furtherance of robbery on 24th day of May, 2011, in the county of Demerara, murdered Shewraney Doobay, called ‘Monica’.

The 12-member jury was empanelled on Tuesday.

Two policemen were among the witnesses called on the resumption yesterday.

The accused, Shakir Mohamid, has pleaded not guilty and is being represented by former High Court judge, Mr. Jainarayan Singh in association with Mr. Moti Singh.

The hearing is continuing.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Obama to offer alternative to Venezuelan crude on Caribbean swing

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – BARACK OBAMA is the first US president to set foot on Jamaican soil in more than three decades , as the United States bids to check Venezuelan influence in the Caribbean.

Obama arrived in Kingston yesterday for a meeting with the 15-member CARICOM Caribbean bloc, the first time a sitting US president visits the island since Ronald Reagan in 1982.

Obama will be keen to offer an alternative to cheap Venezuelan oil, which has enticed many of the Region’s struggling economies, but looks set to end.

Obama will have to woo countries that while geographically close to the United States, sometimes feel

Barack Obama politically distant.

“We absolutely feel that the CARICOM Region does deserve greater attention and engagement from the United States,” said senior Obama advisor Ben Rhodes on the eve of the visit.

He pointed to a recent energy initiative led by Vice President Joe Biden.

“We are looking to continually deepen our relationship with the Caribbean and can play an important role in enhancing the energy security of the Region,” said Rhodes.

The United States had “significant” energy resources and infrastructure, he added.

If the US has not always made its presence fully felt in the Caribbean, that vacuum was filled by Petrocaribe, an initiative by Caracas’ stateowned PDVSA -- Petroleos de Venezuela.

The program offered Caribbean and some Central American nations the opportunity to defer payment for oil under low interest rates.

But as Venezuela’s own

Fears of more floods in Diego Martin (Trinidad Guardian) -SOME of the major rivers in Maraval and Diego Martin are impeded by bushes almost ten feet high.

This concern was raised

by Diego Martin North/East Member of Parliament Colm Imbert after a release was issued by the Diego Martin Regional Corporation (DMRC) highlighting the condition of the area’s waterways.

In the release, the DMRC blamed the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) for not fulfilling its mandate to have all waterways dredged and cleared in the Diego Martin area.

Imbert, who toured his constituency over the fourday Easter weekend, said he noted the absence of proper maintenance. He urged the ministry to start clearing the rivers immediately.

“All the rivers are full of bush. The Maraval River has bush ten feet high. I have not seen the bush so high in quite some time, maybe last year.

“The ministry cannot wait till the rainy season to begin for them to come and clean and clear the waterways,” Imbert said.

He added that it was not political but noted that it was something that affected the people.

According to the release issued by the DMRC, it has requested dialogue with the MEWR in hopes of arriving at a solution on the matter.

“Several attempts have been made with respect to correspondence having been sent requesting the basic maintenance and repair of the Diego Martin River to the Minister and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry,” the release stated.

The corporation expressed concern over the failure to clear the waterways and drainage system within the constituency, just two months ahead of the official start of the rainy season.

“The corporation has begun cleaning a section of the Diego Martin River near the Four Roads Recreational Grounds. It has not been cleaned or desilted in months and poses a major health hazard for residents of the region. We do not want our residents to be vulnerable to flooding,” the release stated.

The regional corporation launched its second “All

Hands on Deck” programme in February to address the issue of the cleaning and maintenance of secondary drains and minor water courses under its purview.

The two other MPs for the area are Diego Martin West MP and Opposition Leader Dr Keith Rowley, and Diego Martin Central MP Dr Amery Browne. Neither could be reached for comment.

Efforts to reach MEWR Minister Ganga Singh for comment also proved futile as calls to his phone went unanswered.

economy has faltered as oil prices slid, Caribbean states have faced stricter terms and shorter supplies, leaving them vulnerable.

Venezuela “has been reducing its subsidised oil exports to Petrocaribe and the smaller states that receive those subsidies including Cuba,” said Ted Piccone, a former advisor in Bill Clinton’s White House.

Piccone, now of the Brookings Institution, said the cuts to Petrocaribe are estimated to be anywhere between ten and thirty percent of supply.

“The goal of the United states now is to try to break up Petrocaribe and offer in particular the Caribbean

states that are so vulnerable and so dependent on energy imports some extra special attention.”

Obama arrived in Jamaica late yesterday. Before the CARICOM meeting today he will hold talks with Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller.

- AUSTERITY FOR JAMAICA Her government has been forced to adopt tough austerity measures in order to correct a fiscal crisis and meet the demands of IMF creditors.

With domestic pressure building, the White House is lending its “strong support for Jamaica’s work to deal

with a debt crisis” said another senior Obama advisor, Ricardo Zuniga.

Critics say Jamaica has been forced to adopt what the US-based Center for Economic and Policy Research called “the most austere budget in the world.”

“Jamaica actually has a lower per capita GDP in 2015 than when Obama was elected more than six years ago,” the economic think tank said, urging less strident cuts.

Before departing for a Summit of the Americas in Panama later today, Obama will take part in a “town hall” meeting with young leaders in Jamaica and participate in a wreath-laying ceremony.

Chinese community distraught over murder (Trinidad Express)-THE entire Chinese community is “distraught” and “very shaken up” as a result of the murder of Chinese national Hi-Hong Huang, who was gunned down during a robbery outside his grocery in Curepe on Tuesday.

The community is taken aback and reflecting on the past incidents in which Chinese nationals were murdered, said Ibrahim Ali, a friend of the Huang family. But this time around, he said the community is hopeful that based on the “large amount of information” police have received so far, the ones responsible for the latest murder will be charged and prosecuted.

He was speaking with reporters outside the Forensic

Science Centre at Federation Park, St James, yesterday where an autopsy was performed on Huang’s body.

None of Huang’s relatives wished to comment on the murder.

Ali said in previous murders involving Chinese nationals over the past few years, no one had been charged but based on the information now in the hands of the police, the Chinese community has the expectation that the killers will be arrested.

Huang, 35, was shot just

seconds after he arrived at his businessplace, Happiness Supermarket, along the Southern Main Road and died a short time later while at the Eric Williams Medical Science Centre in Mt Hope. The incident, which was captured on CCTV cameras, showed Huang exiting his white panel van with a cardboard box before he was attacked by one of the robbers who attempted to get a hold of the box which contained a sum of money.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

EDITORIAL Lawlessness and hatred in Opposition camps LAST Tuesday was Nomination Day in Guyana, and as the various political parties approached City Hall, the mood of expectancy and exuberance was paramount.

However, there was chaos and confusion instead of an orderly procession in the APNU/ AFC contingent wending its way to City Hall, as happened in 2011, and again the leaders had to

fight their way into the compound of City Hall to present their lists to GECOM. This was converse to the order and regulated approach of the PPP/C marchers, the leaders of which entered the City Hall compound without any effort whatsoever.

Among the crowd was initially heard the shouts of “We want Granger, Ramotar must go”; that was

until they spotted Town Clerk Carol Sooba standing on the balcony of City Hall. Then the chants changed to “Sooba must go!”

The mindless hatred was palpable in the air as the chants took on a menacing timbre and one could not help but wonder what would have happened if Carol Sooba had been within hand reach of the mass of teeming hu-

GUYANA

manity intent on placing their leaders in maximum positions, whether this eventuality heralds good for them and their offspring or not.

But it would be improbable for saner heads to reason with those persons who blindly follow destructive and obstructive leaders, even if they prove, time and again, to be cheats, charlatans and wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Then, again as happened in 2011 on Nominations Day, the Opposition crowd attempted to create pandemonium by breaching the gates, but the security this year proved effective and they were prevented from doing so

by Commander Hicken and his police ranks, ably supported by members of the City Constabulary. Kudos to the security forces that literally defended the gates and figuratively held the fort.

But the unruly crowd was intent on gaining en-

try into the compound of City Hall and tried to breach the iron grillwork fence that was covered by a hedge, assaulting a constable who tried to stop them and only retreated when police ranks intervened.

And the chants of “Sooba must go” intensified. The purpose for which they had amassed – to support and cheer their party leaders on, was consumed in the unreasonable and unfathomable hatred they harbour for this woman.

Starboy ketch Moses pimpin’ in New York

STARBOY cussin’ like a sailor all week. Sham, yuh see mi crosses, he complained. I heard the name yellow plantain; it is a very beautiful bird. Growing up, during the rainy season, we used to see a lot of them.

What troubling you now, Starboy?

Starboy start fe get bex.

Sham, dis is serious binness man.

Sham, I taakin serious business here, and you talking bout bird. You chupity or Really! What’s going on? wot? Sham, the man was playing second banana to Granger. Every time Moses, wid Well, fasten yuh seatbelt. A ketch Moses pimping in the Big Apple. him lying, prepossessing face made his pitch for the Indian votes, Granger bruk a What! Starboy, are you telling me that Nagaas is now a big-time Pimp? wicket smile like a Cheshire cat. Sham, mi gat fe laugh. David Granger chanting: Word up, said Starboy.

‘I am not Burnham; my name is David Granger. Is that his claim to fame?

Well, give me some details man, I asked.

But Starboy, what is wrong with that? After all, Granger is running for office, so he is coming clean.

Sham, de man bin pon TV dress like a yella plantain in a yella suit, yella Clean, Sham? Yuh kiddin me, rite? Lemme me tell yuh: Dey aint gat enuff cabshut, and yella tie wid him partner-in-time, Granger, pimping his ethnicity fe indian alic soap pon dis earth dat can remove the stench from David Granger. Him want fe votes fe Granger. come clean? Then why him refuse to testify at the Rodney trial? A gwine tell yuh Hold on, hold on, hold on. I think you are wrong here, Starboy. Not Moses. why, Sham. Granger was a high-ranking officer in the GDF at the time of Rodney’s Moses was an outspoken critic of the PNC since 1961. Moses suffered repeatedly death. Like him haff sumtin fe hide? Is it the blood of Dr. Rodney on the hands of at the hands of the PNC dictatorship. The man spent most of his life exposing their the GDF? Starboy got a message for Moses: ‘Yuh can fool some of the Hindians dirty dealings -- the murder, mayhem, rape, and torture of his fellow countrymen some of the time, but you cyaant fool all de Hindians all the time. Rememba, yuh and women. Now you expect me to believe that this same Moses from Whim, can be Puttagee, Indian, Black, Chinee, Dougla, Mulatto, Amerindian and still be Corentyne, is now buddy-buddy with Granger? a proud and loyal citizen of Guyana. One is ethnicity and the other is nationality.

Sham, listen; just listen. Is the same Moses from Whim, but now he is a wimp Moses, yur a so-called teacher; yuh shudd know the difference. Unless yuh ah play and a pimp. De rascal was pimping fe Indian votes fe Granger. De man deny him dead fe see wot votes funeral yuh gwine get. indianess to sell Granger to the Indians inna New York. But wot him a read, de Guyanese voters inna New York done spell. Pon de same TV show, Granger try fe And with that, Starboy began to sing: distance himself from the indecencies of Forbes Burnham; but him cyaant, because, A pimper’s paradise, that’s all he was now yuh cyaant separate the duck from the quack.

A pimper’s paradise, I am sorry for the victim now Now Starboy, you know full well that all this political stuff is a little bit over Soon, soon their heads will bow my head. I never really understood this socialism/communism thing. But like Bob Pimper’ paradise, don’t lose track Marley caution us: Don’t be fooled by ism or schism. At the end of the day, you Don’t lose track of yourself, oh, no! still have to work for a living.

Anyway, let’s get back to Moses. You know, Starboy, it’s been a long time since DR. SHAM SAMAROO

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Mark Ross among new additions to APNU+AFC I, too, checked National Top Up list my passport

-aims to push youth agenda

By Ravin Singh INFANT member of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, Mark Ross was revealed to be among those making their first appearance on a National Top up list of candidates for the coalition at the upcoming General and Regional Elections, fixed for May 11.

Other new additions to the list who would be making their first appearance include, among others: Shamir Ally, Mark Archer, Simona Broomes, Joel Edmund, Vladimir Glasgow, Donna Mathoo, Surendra Persaud, Tabitha Sarabo, Abel Seetaram, Sheba Thomas, Reynard Ward and Malika Ramsey.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Ross, who joined the Alliance For Change some time last year, expressed his appreciation towards the coalition for the confidence they had invested in him, adding that he will continue to work heavily, in or out of Government for youth development across the country.

Being a co-founder of Global Youth Movement – Guyana

(GYM-G), a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Ross explained that his experience thus far on the campaign trail has allowed him to understand the plight and suffering of his countrymen, especially young people and he promised to continue his humanitarian work in and out of politics.

Among the proposed areas of interest for the young politician are education, suicide, domestic violence and a continuous push for the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE). “We want to ensure education is of high priority, especially in Region 5,” he said.

Ross noted too that “Education of the country’s youths and children must be high on the national agenda if we are to develop the natural resource and move the country forward.”

He further stated that special focus must be placed in Berbice to raise the standards of the secondary schools to that of the city public schools so that young people in Berbice are guaranteed to enjoy equal access and benefits.

“Suicide too, which has been a national issue particularly among youths, we will seek to focus heavily on, to

reduce the number of cases,” Ross disclosed, adding that domestic violence will attract the same attention.”

Other members included on the APNU+AFC list are; AFC’s treasurer, Hans Gaskin; Lawyer, Joel Persid; Head of the Amerindian People’s Association, Jean La Rose; Medical Doctor, Surendra Persaud; President of the Guyana Women Miners Association, Simona Broomes, who is known globally for her valiant fight against Trafficking In Persons and former Vice- Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor, Harold Lutchman.

Member of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association and AFC Councillor, Naith Ram and prominent Essequibo Coast businessman, Sam Bacchus, also made their appearances on the coalition’s list.

Presenting their National top up list of candidates on Tuesday, were: the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the United Republican Party (URP), the Independent Party, Healing the Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP) and the United Force (TUF).

Puran Bros resumes garbage collection in ‘good faith’ PURAN Brothers Disposal Inc. has resumed working in Georgetown’s ‘Group 7’ although no payment has yet been made to the company by the Mayor and City Council (M&CC). They are doing so in “good faith,” Manager Kalesh Puran told the Chronicle.

According to him in an invited comment, the city councillors have promised to make the payments available soon.

The company has been waiting on payment of some $40M owed them by the M&CC since last year August.

The amount owing is for services carried out in Georgetown’s ‘Groups 7 and 8.’ Citizens in these areas had been left with minimal garbage -collection services ever since the city council’s trucks have been assigned to clear these locations.

Group 7 takes in areas in the city such as Costello Hous-

ing Scheme, West and East La Penitence, North-East La Penitence, Middle Road, La Penitence, Jeeboo Land, and Extra Nuclear.

Group 8, which has recently been awarded to Cevons Management, includes Queenstown, Alberttown, North and South Cummingsburg, Kingston and Woolford Avenue.

Contacted for a comment recently, Acting Town Clerk, Carol Sooba said contracts are being prepared for Puran Brothers and that certain office difficulties were preventing this from happening in a timely manner. For instance, she lamented the fact that there were no computers and that councillors were refusing to sign vouchers.

Meanwhile, Puran had told the Chronicle recently that the last payment made

to them by the City Council was last October for services outside of Groups 7 and 8.

He lamented the fact that they cannot continue to work without being paid for so many months. The company has time and again checked with the Treasury Department but could not secure a proper answer with regard to payment, or at least a proposal that they might be able to work with.

“We are hoping for some payment soon. This is an ongoing issue. It’s a new year; we need to move forward. We have been going through this for many years,” said Puran.

He had observed that Georgetown was recently cleaned to a certain level, but is now returning to a deplorable state. He believes this is so because the company’s four garbage trucks were pulled off the road.

I REFER to Christopher Ram’s letter, “Storm in a teacup” (SN, 5 April 2015) in which the learned gentleman says he checked his passport and it said “Guyanese” and not “Indian”.

I also checked my passport, and it says “British”. Does this mean I am not Guyanese, even though I have dual nationality?

Many Guyanese living in America, Canada and Britain have American, Canadian and British passports, respectively. Are we to infer from Christopher Ram’s letter that we are not Guyanese anymore?

Then, why did David Granger go on a mission to court the Guyanese Diaspora for investment in Guyana?

Hear that Guyanese living abroad? Thank you for the remittances that allow us Guyanese living in Guyana to buy cellphones, big-screen tv, etc. But you are not Guyanese anymore, according to Christopher Ram. Let me take this opportunity to inform Christopher Ram that he can change his nationality, but he can never change his ethnicity.

Do, you, Christopher Ram, deny that you are

descended from Indians?

It seems as if some Indian Guyanese have had their “Indianess” whipped out of them, so now they are ashamed to be called Indians.

Why are African Americans, Jewish Americans, and Native Americans allowed and accepted, but not Indian Guyanese?

If the border is redrawn and Essequibo becomes part of Venezuela, does this mean that the vast majority of Amerindians cease to be Amerindians? No, it does not!

SEAN ORI

Does Nagamootoo believe elections under the PNC were free and fair?

MIKE Persaud, a resident of Queens, NY takes issue with some of us who were surprised about the now infamous statement attributed to Moses Nagamootoo in which he said “I am not an Indian”. I watched the video tape of Moses Nagamootoo’s presentation at Naresa Palace several times. Your readers can find the information on the internet, just Google it. There is no point in the presentation where Moses attempted to reaffirm his ethnicity as an Indian. Let us assume for now that Moses may have mis-spoken about his ethnic origin, his words tell another story.

Rather than taking on the challenge of accepting his ethnicity, why could he not

simply say that he hopes to be the representative of the Indian interests on the coalition and they have nothing to fear. He could have avoided the current controversy. Mike Persaud has also directed us to Moses’ book Hendree’s Cure, as evidence that Moses is an ethnically-conscious Indian at heart. I am not convinced this represents evidence to this effect because this piece of fiction, a valuable piece of literature, I would add, was more about life and culture of the Madrassi villagers of Whim. I am willing to concede that Moses was probably not denying his ethnic background. However, if the majority Indians vote for the PPP/C, Persaud must respect that as their

choice. Mr. Persaud should focus on one question which remains troubling to many voters in the upcoming elections in Guyana. For most of his adult life Moses argued that the PNC rigged elections. Why is it that because he now joins the APNU, Moses can now argue that there were “alleged rigging of elections” under the PNC? This is precisely what Mike Persaud was disappointed about when he hosted David Granger at his home. He was disappointed that Granger would not apologise for historical wrongs done by the PNC. Mr. Persaud, there are guilty parties on both sides. Let’s play fair.

VISHNU MAHABIR

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

President Ramotar ELECTIONS FLASHBACK in Jamaica today Stolen ballot – expects takeaways in security, energy, other areas boxes of 1973

CITIZEN security, fighting crime, tackling the drug trade and advances in the energy sector are areas that President Donald Ramotar expects will have major takeaways for Guyana at today’s meeting of regional leaders.

US President Barack Obama is scheduled to meet with President Ramotar and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government in Jamaica.

“The issues that are being addressed at today’s meeting are important ones, in particular security in the Caribbean and development of the oil and gas sector,” Mr. Ramotar said, in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Over the last several decades Guyana and the USA have been engaged in mutually beneficial undertakings in several areas.

To this end, President Ramotar explained that he expects to address, in particular, the country’s oil and gas potential and hydropower, in line with the ruling party’s vision for the next five years.

GROWING RELATIONS The last word from the U.S. Embassy here was that investment relationships between Guyana and the United States are growing.

According to the former U.S. Ambassador, Brent Hardt, several U.S. companies are interested in doing business here.

“We’re each other ’s closest trade partners in the sense that I think the trade relations between us is the biggest of any countries,” he said in an interview with the Chronicle, prior to his departure.

Noteworthy is the fact that the Ambassador highlighted Guyana’s potential in the oil and gas field, which he said is increasingly becoming a point of interest for U.S. investors.

H a r d t s a i d , “ We ’ v e worked to encourage U.S. investors to come here, and I know as the oil and gas field becomes increasingly of interest here in Guyana, we’ll hopefully see more U.S. companies engaging in that area. There is already interest, and we look for-

ward to seeing more and more companies here.”

In the area of security, Guyana has sought from the North American nation.

The Caribbean Basin Security Initiative, President Obama’s initiative, is one such area of cooperation, which was launched in 2010, has so far provided over US$263M in support to the Caribbean, with Guyana being a major recipient.

The U.S. has also provided metal shark boats to the Guyanese Coast Guard, facilitated training from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and worked on improving security at Guyana’s main entry points.

T h e U S P r e s i d e n t ’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is another programme where much work has been done, particularly in ensuring delivery of medications in a timely manner.

In the non-traditional agriculture and aquaculture, USAID offers support to continuously advance in this regard, as well as in the area of eco-tourism and in addressing social issues.

MEMBERS of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), in 1973, proceeded to remove ballot boxes from polling stations for “safekeeping.”

The lives of Guyanese were lost protecting ballot boxes. A memorable incident is one that occurred at No. 63 Village, Corentyne. There, Jagan Ramessar, 17, and Bholanauth Parmanand, 25, were shot by soldiers while peacefully protesting the illegal removal of the ballot boxes from the place of poll at the end of voting.

International reports on the electoral process of that year have concluded that the 1973 polls were not free and fair.

OAS confirmed as elections observer – Country Rep THE Organisation of American States (OAS) elections observer mission will be in Guyana in early May, according to its country representative, Jean Ricot Dormeus.

He told the Guyana Chronicle yesterday, in an invited comment, that a preliminary assessment mission is expected in Guyana next week to meet with stakeholders and make determinations on the size of the team and the length of stay.

AGREEMENT SIGNED Additionally, the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, and the Permanent Representative of Guyana to the Organisation, Bayney Karran, signed an agreement yesterday to field the electoral observer mission.

The signing took place in Panama City, in the lead-up to the seventh Summit of the Americas.

A statement from the OAS said that the Secretary

OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, and the Permanent Representative of Guyana to the Organisation, Bayney Karran, sign an agreement for an electoral observer mission to be fielded to Guyana

General has expressed his hope that “this will be a very good moment for Guyanese democracy,” and his conviction that, “as always, the Government of Guyana will give the Mission all the facilities they need to do their job well.”

Insulza noted that this will be the fifth electoral observation mission that the OAS has deployed in Guyana.

The OAS observed elec-

tions in Guyana in 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2011.

CHIEF OF MISSION The OAS Secretary General has designated former Foreign Minister and Ambassador of Belize to the OAS, Lisa Shoman, as Chief of Mission.

Commenting on the agreement, Ambassador Karran said, “The role that the OAS plays in strengthening

democracy in the Hemisphere is because democracy and good governance are fundamental to the development agenda, to human rights, to security and to so many other important areas of work. “…this election that is about to take place on May 11 is going to be a very pivotal election in Guyana, and will have far reaching consequences for the governance of the country irrespective of the result.”

PROTOCOLS Meanwhile, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, confirmed this and added that the presence of international observers is welcome.

The traditional observer missions, aside from the OAS, include the Commonwealth, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR).

Dr. Surujbally noted that the United Nations and the

Commonwealth have already fielded needs assessment missions to Guyana.

Additionally, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has approached the Commission for accreditation as a local election observer. The Electoral Assistance Bureau (EAB) is also expected to revamp its operations and act as another local observer.

The GECOM Chairman maintained that all observers, local and foreign, will be required to sign onto certain protocols before they are accredited as observers.

The Guyana Chronicle was able to get an exclusive look at these protocols, which outline the roles and functions of the observer groups.

Relative to foreign observers, the missions, according to the protocol, will be expected to adhere to more than 35 guidelines. In addition to the guidelines, the rights and privileges of accredited election observer groups were also outlined in the protocol.

Similar rights and guidelines apply to local observer groups, which were detailed in a separate document seen by this newspaper.

Under the Election Law (Amendment) Act No. 15 of 2000, Section 20 states that: “The Commission may approve of local organisations observing the democratic process involved in any election provided such organisations fulfill such conditions as may be stipulated by the Commission.”

Both protocols, for foreign and local observer groups, state clearly that if GECOM considers that an observer group “wilfully, without restraint, overtly and/or with malice aforethought breached the modus operandi and protocols” outlined by the Commission, GECOM has the authority to and may rescind/withdraw its accreditation from the individual errant observer or even from the entire observer mission.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

President Donald Ramotar HUMBLE, quiet, a man without much fanfare, Donald Ramotar toiled in a modest back office at Freedom House in Georgetown for decades, content to remain in the background, happy with his lot in life, playing a reticent role in the shadows of power, shunning the limelight, serving his nation.

Born and raised in Karia Karia, an isolated small-farming and logging community aback of Parika, with deep roots in the land and close affinity to the Amerindian way of life, Ramotar moved to West Coast Demerara to attend school, moving on to the Government Technical Institute, before winning a scholarship to study in Europe.

As his life journey wandered a normal course, however, his soul soared with his developing a deep love for the vastness of Guyana’s potential. In his move from Karia Karia, that tiny village community, to West Coast and then to Georgetown, he experienced how we Guyanese could move from our small world to our massive potential. The Guyanese nation grew in his heart as he grew up from that hinterland lifestyle to serve at Freedom House with the great Dr. Cheddi Jagan.

Yet, he never sought self-glory, or high office. Content to cook at home and help out with domestic chores; happy to manage internal affairs at head office of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP); enjoying singing soulful country songs at night clubs, Donald Ramotar walked among us a man of intense humility, a soul of magnanimous service.

He did not desire even to become a Parliamentarian, or a Minister of Government, or to benefit from his Party’s power and prestige.

Such men fate chooses to exalt and elevate, simply because leadership requires such qualities to succeed.

Fate chose Donald Ramotar to lead us in this hour, and we stand amazed at him because we could not recognise the depth of character, the inner resolve, the enormous reservoir of strength such men built up over the years of their quiet living.

Because of that quiet, almost retiring nature, the world takes men like Ramotar for granted, not recognising the great swell of leadership stamina that causes them to rise, quietly, unceremoniously, to greatness.

Today, Ramotar tackles the task of winning his place in our history, of securing the electoral right to govern our nation for the next five years, with such deep resolve and commitment, such passion and energy, such engagement and connection with Guyanese citizens, that we could only watch him in awe.

What an extraordinary performance we’re seeing from this titan of 21st century Guyana, as he tours the country, meeting with people in villages and towns and the city, rubbing shoulders with his nation on holidays, with those dark shades and illuminating smile erasing the lines of fatigue from long hours on the road.

The extraordinary power of Donald Ramotar’s leadership character shows up in what others say about him, as he himself remains modest, almost shy, refusing to bring attention to himself. His wife, Deolatchmie, herself pleasant and gracious, fit and healthy, always with a brilliant, genuine smile, engaging and conversational, sings the praises of her husband with authentic gratitude. She remembers the days he helped with the three kids when they were babies, changing diapers, preparing meals, babysitting as she worked as a nurse, after he had spent a day at the PPP office in the trenches working to secure for Guyana free and fair elections.

Today, we see outstanding

Guyanese citizens adore and love the President. People like Clinton Urling, former head of the Private Sector Commission, and Peter Ramsaroop, along with Elisabeth Harper, believe in Ramotar, not because of their political ambition, but because meeting the President is an eye-opening experience.

One realises he’s not your average politician. He’s open, authentic and real.

It’s unfortunate that Opposition leaders refuse to see the man Donald Ramotar, his heart, his love and passion for our nation, his selfless service, his adamant refusal to let the power and prestige of the Presidential position get to him.

He’s quite content to serve, to be the President who serves, rather than wield power.

Instead of Opposition Leaders looking to him with openness and willingness to know the man, to see how he’s grown and cultivated that posture of service in the Presidency, they spew verbal attacks on him, and on anyone associating with him.

We see Opposition folks now starting a vicious tirade of verbal abuse against Ramotar’s Prime

Ministerial candidate Harper, just because she’s got so close to the President, not only as running mate, but as friend and confidante.

Also, Urling is starting to feel the heavy-handed pettiness of Opposition members who scream at him for choosing to be on the Ramotar team.

Anyone who objectively meets with Ramotar would recognise the man’s heart for the Guyanese nation. He loves his people. Yet, ask him what’s his great ambition, or his intended legacy, and he shrugs. All he wants is to do his best. That’s all he’s ever done in his life, and his best has taken him to become a world statesman, Head-of-State of the Guyanese nation, a leader of a 21st century South American nation, head of a Caribbean powerhouse.

In the three years of his Presidency, he served us with patience, taking with quiet resolve the bullying and torment of the Opposition Parliament, and when time came to call it quits and reshape the political landscape that was so depressing citizens, he willingly gave up two years of his Government.

Donald Ramotar shows his

mettle, his strength, his outstanding uniqueness as a Guyanese President, in his convening of the historic Presidential Commission to probe the 34-year-old cold case of the suspected political assassination of our greatest scholar, Dr. Walter Rodney.

The Commission stands as a symbol of who Ramotar is as a leader, demonstrating his character, his love for national justice and righting of historic wrongs, his commitment to service to his nation.

This is our President, and before his time is over, one feels confident every Guyanese everywhere would simply love this man, for he showcases a Guyana that is set to own its place as a 21st century society, a Guyana where Harper, Urling, Ramsaroop, Clement Rohee, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Priya Manickchand, Anil Nandlall, Juan Edghill, Dr. Frank Anthony, Kwame Gilbert, and so many others, could join hearts and hands around a President so humbly immune to the self-aggrandisement of power and prestige, so willing to serve the Guyanese nation.

Guyana’s democracy is a system of ‘ballots not bullets’ – Rohee WORRY over the involvement of ex-military officials in the political fray, first voiced by Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, was echoed by General Secretary of the ruling party, Clement Rohee, yesterday.

Speaking at a news conference, held at Freedom House, he underscored the fact that for decades Guyana’s democratic system has promoted “civilian rule” not “military rule” – a welcomed move considering the impositions of the ‘party para-

mountcy’ under the People’s National Congress (PNC).

He said, “The PPP wishes to make it abundantly clear that there is no place in Guyana for military rule whether directly or by proxy in a new and democratic Guyana and will do everything possible to prevent the subversion of our democracy by the Granger-led military cabal. “…this apparent militarisation of the Opposition political structures certainly does not auger well for the political culture of our

country, especially when seen against the role played by the military under the previous PNC regime in the suppression of our democratic rights through the seizing of ballot boxes, the assassination of Walter Rodney and the killings of several others, including the two Corentyne ballot box martyrs.”

The PPP General Secretary underscored the fact that the “influx of retired military and police personnel” has been particularly noticeable since Brigadier (rtd) David Granger took over the lead-

ership of the PNC. He said, “This emerging scenario in the Opposition political camp is pregnant with dangers and could potentially bring an end to civilian rule and in the process take this nation back to the dark days of de facto military and quasi-military rule with devastating consequences for the country.”

‘BULLETS AND NOT BALLOTS’ As such, Rohee called on the Guyanese to be vigilant and reject those who are

seeking to return this country to the days of authoritarian rule when “bullets and not ballots” were used to acquire and perpetuate political rule.

“The days when the military and the disciplined forces were compelled to pledge allegiance to the PNC under the doctrine of Party paramountcy are now over.

The police and army are now respected national institutions in the maintenance of law and order and in defence of our territorial integrity,” he said.

The PPP General Secre-

tary stated too that the ruling party remains committed to ensuring the provision of the necessary resources to advance the professionalism and capability of the disciplined forces to discharge its responsibilities and functions in an effective and efficient manner.

Rohee stressed that the “prime movers and shakers” of Guyana’s “crippled past” ought not to be allowed to perpetuate the crippling policies they supported in the past, on a developing country.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Diplomatic corps declares Nomination Day ‘fair and transparent’ FAIR, transparent and organised were terms used by members of the diplomatic corps who had congregated at City Hall Tuesday to observe Nomination Day proceedings.

The Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Mr Keith Lowenfield received the lists of candidates from several parties, including the two major contenders, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the coalition of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC).

The Commission came in for kudos for the way it received the political contenders in what was the culmination of energised parades by the PPP/C and APNU+AFC. Chargé d’Affaires of

GECOM Commissioners, in front row, and members of the diplomatic corps, are seated at City Hall to observe the Nomination Day proceedings (Photo by Adrian Narine)

the US Embassy, Mr Bryan Hunt, told the Guyana Chronicle in an invited comment that the proceedings were “well organised; and from all indications, it is a transparent, credible and fair process.”

He said that GECOM and the political parties ought to be applauded for

the conduct of the afternoon’s affairs.

Echoing similar sentiments was the Consular officer at Canadian High Commission, Mr Robert Hart, who said the open and transparent manner in which the day’s proceedings were handled bodes well for bolstering confidence in the elector-

al process.

Russian Ambassador Nikolay Smirnov was also on hand to speak to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday. He said: “GECOM is doing a good job. The responsibility to manage a country’s elections is a big responsibility, and today’s activities were democratic and transpar-

ent. It is good to ensure that there is a peaceful election, absent of violence,” he said.

Smirnov added he is of the opinion that the 2015 polls would be a free and fair process if yesterday’s proceedings were any yardstick by which to judge future management of the process.

Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana, Nisha Kurban-Baboe, was another member of the diplomatic corps with kudos for GECOM. “It (Nomination Day activities) is done in an orderly manner. The process is not dissimilar to what happens in Suriname. The fact that we (the diplomatic corps) have been invited adds to the transparency of the management of elections in Guyana. It is not a closeddoor session; it is open and credible,” she said.

Representatives of international agencies were also present at City Hall yesterday. United Na-

tions’ Resident Coordinator Dr Khadija Musa told the Guyana Chronicle that the day’s proceedings were “excellent and transparent.”

“It was peaceful, and we hope that the peace continues into the May 11 General and Regional Elections,” she said.

Organisation of American States’ (OAS) Country Representative Mr Jean Ricot Dormeus was the second member of the international community to observe the nomination day activities: “The entire process was very well organised and transparent, which is a plus for the Guyana Elections Commission. So far, everyone seems satisfied,” he said.

N o t a b l y, G E C O M has committed to ensuring that all activities leading up to the May 11 General and Regional Elections, which are just over a month away, will be conducted in an efficient and transparent manner.

Rohee calls out ‘disingenuous’ Roopnarine COMMENTS interpreted as allegations of rigged elections against the ruling party by Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader, Rupert Roopnarine, have been met with strong condemnation.

The rebuke is from none other than General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Mr Clement Rohee, who made no bones about how he felt at a news conference Tuesday at Freedom House.

Wading into Roopnarine, Rohee said: “Mr. Roopnarine should be reminded that it is the PPP that fought for free and fair elections, and a return of democracy to our beloved land; the very democracy that affords him the luxury to make such ludicrous statements with freedom, had Mr. Roopnarine or any of his cohorts tried that during the Burnham era, the rest would have been history.

Roopnarine’s cardinal

sin was, as Vice-Chair of the WPA, which is part of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition, to take to the campaign platform last Saturday at Anna Regina and proclaim: “We have to recognise that after the people vote, we have to protect the vote because we are dealing with a desperate band; all things are possible. So, when we cast that ballot on May 11, let us ensure that we make arrangements to secure every single ballot station, and every single ballot box in the land.”

It’s a ploy that Mr Rohee regards as vintage PNC. “This is reminiscent of the old PNC tactics of taking over Polling Stations and Ballot Boxes to facilitate elections rigging,” he told media representatives at the news conference yesterday.

“Mr. Roopnarine is fully aware that the Guyana Police Force has always been tasked with providing secu-

Clement Rohee

Rupert Roopnarine

rity to Polling Stations and movement of Ballot Boxes.

Under the PPP/C Administration, the Force has been doing so in a professional manner,” he said.

dust in the people’s eyes’ as a cover-up to all that took place under the PNC regime, the very grouping that he now seeks to glorify and in bed with today.”

The People’s National Congress (PNC), a majority partner in the APNU coalition, notoriously has a documented history of rigged elections, from 1964 up until 1992.

According to Ro-

COVERING FOR PNC Moved to describe Roopnarine’s mouthings as smacking of “a level of disingenuousness,” Rohee said: “The PPP views such a statement as ‘throwing

hee, Roopnarine is either “trapped in a time warp, or must have been hallucinating.”

The PPP General Secretary said, “We wish to assure the Guyanese people that the PPP has never, and will never ever be involved in any elections rigging.

“In fact, there is no need to do so, since our support has been overwhelming throughout the country in the 2015 campaign. What is worrying for the Opposition is that there has never been so much Afro-Guyanese support for the PPP as now.”

He underscored that fact by saying that over 160,000 Guyanese voted for the ruling party at the 2011 General and Regional Elections.

RIPE WITH PROVOCATION He added that Roopnarine’s “scandalous” comments are also “ripe with incitement and provocation,” and ought to be noted by

stakeholders in the electoral process.

As such, the ruling party is calling on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to condemn the comments Rohee said, “Any act of rigging will have to involve GECOM and its personnel.

We are confident that the Police is capable of protecting polling stations and ballot boxes. All Guyanese must also voice their condemnation against rigging of elections and be vigilant against any attempts by Opposition force to disrupt the electoral process.”

He contends that Roopnarine’s comments seem to be an attempt to prepare the political Opposition’s supporters for a loss at the upcoming polls.

“In our view the Opposition appears to be preparing their supporters not to accept the May 11, 2015 results after their defeat,” Rohee surmised.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Clinton Urling among new faces in PPP/C – says ‘PPP represents the party of the future’

Newcomer Clinton Urling hugging PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mrs. Elisabeth Harper (left) and the party’s Presidential Candidate, H.E. Donald Ramotar

Roshini Boodhoo (centre), another newcomer to the PPP/C can be seen rallying along towards City Hall on Tuesday

By Navendra Seoraj

by both the PPP/C and APNU but after accessing both parties he chose the PPP/C.

POPULAR entrepreneur and former leader of the Blue Caps, Clinton Urling, is among some of the new faces in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), as political parties presented their list of candidates for the upcoming May 11 Elections to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Tuesday at City Hall.

Apart from Urling, the list consisted of other newcomers such as former A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) member,

Africo Selman, attorney-at-law, Charles Ramson Jr., popular businessman, Peter Ramsaroop, daughter of Home Affairs Minister/ PPP/C General Secretary, Clement Rohee, Rima Rohee and broadcaster, Roshini Boodhoo, just to list a few.

DEMOCRACY – NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT Members of the media managed to catch up with Urling who stated that “Democracy is not a spectator sport, and at some point in time people always have two choices, either to sit and accept what is happening or

get in the game and be a part of the whole policy-making machinery of your country.”

When asked why he chose the PPP/C, he said that “the PPP represents the party of the future, and also when you look at the list of candidates the number of young people compared to the Opposition's is overwhelming.”

Apart from that he noted that the PPP/C has the best set of people to carry forward the economic agenda to improve people’s economic welfare.

Urling disclosed that in the past, he was approached

OBJECTIVE PERSON Meanwhile, when questioned about his past criticisms of the PPP/C, he said: “I criticised every group and that’s me being objective, as I remain an objective person in any organisation, in the Chamber and even now with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)… of course everybody won’t agree with everything that I do, but right about now my job is to convince the majority to

come around on my side of things or to get on the bandwagon with the other side if I’m convinced otherwise.”

Nevertheless the new-comer reiterated that the PPP/C is the party for the future, and he prefers to look forward to building Guyana from today, noting that “my involvement being now and I look forward for the future.”

CONTRIBUTION TO PPP/C Urling disclosed that he offers the party his energies and commitment towards developing Guyana, as he

has been involved in many service-oriented organisations over the past four years and intends to continue being a member of the PPP, in return gaining the gratification of contributing towards the development of Guyana.

In closing he stated that people will say anything, but we need to put in the work that is necessary to build and grow Guyana, as the PPP/C has a “fantastic manifesto” and he is looking forward to working to realise the objectives of that manifesto.

Arrangements in place for staffers at embassies, consulates to vote

SOME 67 Guyanese based at Guyana’s Embassies and Consulates at 15 locations in 13 countries will be casting their votes at the upcoming May 11 General and Regional Elections.

This was confirmed

by Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, in an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle yesterday.

This newspaper’s que-

ries on the matter followed the publication of the names of Ballot Officers based in the overseas territories last week.

The countries listed include: Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, India, Kuwait, South Africa, Suriname, United Kingdom, United States of America and Venezuela.

The Ballot Officers in the country include: Mr. Michael Brotherson – Barbados; Ms. Bevon Mc-

Donald – Belgium; Mrs. Merlin Udho and Mrs. Marissa Carmichael – Brazil; Mr. Harry Narine Nawbatt and Mrs. Saryawaattie Sawh – Canada; Mr. David Dabydeen – China; Mrs. Mitra Devi Ali – Cuba; Mr. Ronald Gajraj – India; Mr. Safraaz Shadood – Kuwait; Ms. Barbara Hayley -South Africa; Mr. Keith George and Mr. Arlington Bancroft – Suriname; Mr. Laleshwar Singh - United Kingdom; Mr. Bayney Karran and

Brentnold Evans - United States of America; Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva – Venezuela.

Guyana’s Ballot Officer is Ms. Paula Maxwell.

According to the GECOM Chairman, the votes will be cast and sealed in an envelope and the data will be transmitted to the Commission.

“They are Guyanese and they will be allowed to vote,” Dr. Surujbally assured.

Given Guyana’s historic experiences with rigged elections from the 1968 and subsequent investigative reports detailing the incidents from international news agencies, legal changes were made to ensure that Guyanese who have migrated are not permitted to cast a vote from an overseas country.

Dr. Surujbally agreed that the past experiences have left a bad taste in the mouths of Guyanese.

Section 159 of Guyana’s constitution states that: “No person shall vote at an election unless he or she is registered as an elector” after being qualified to be registered as an elector. This provision also detailed that the qualification criteria includes being a Guyanese citizen and resident in Guyana for a year prior to a pre-determined qualification date. (Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Suspect held over murder of 9-year-old boy

A MAN has been arrested and is in police custody as investigations continue into the killing of nineyear-old Shaquan Gittens of 2950 North Ruimveldt, who was found dead and floating in a North Ruimveldt canal on Saturday, a few days after he went missing.

Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed that a 22-year-old man from the area was arrested after he supplied information to the police which effectively placed him at the crime scene.

According to the Crime Chief they are looking for another suspect in the murder.

A post-mortem was performed yesterday on the boy’s body and the cause of death was given as compression injury to the neck and asphyxiation due to drowning. However, there were no checks to see if the young man was sodomised.

Dead: Shaquan Gittens

On the day the young man was last seen, persons said that he was in the area flying his kite with other youngsters from the North Ruimveldt community.

His body was found on Saturday several miles into the ‘backdam’ with his pants missing and his jersey rolled up to his chest. He appeared

to have been in the water for some time as his body was already bloated and there was a stench.

When relatives received news about the bloated body, which at the time had not been confirmed as the nineyear-old boy, they were still out looking for the missing boy.

His mother was even thrown off course when a strange call was received informing her that her son’s body was found somewhere in Region 3.

When this publication visited the scene in North Ruimveldt on Saturday afternoon, it was observed that the child’s body was floating face down in the canal and his pants and briefs were missing while the jersey that he was last wearing was rolled up to his chest.

The discovery of the body angered several persons from the community who vowed to avenge the child’s killing.

FITUG calls for ‘free, fair and peaceful’ elections THE Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) is calling on all political parties and stakeholders to ensure that the May 11 General and Regional Elections are “free, fair and peaceful.”

Elections Day from today is some 32 days away.

The major political parties, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), along with several small parties on Tuesday handed over their lists of candidates to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

FITUG, in a release, said one of the pillars of democracy, especially post1992, has been the periodic conduct of National and Regional Elections.

“Since 1992, these elections have had the distinction of being free and fair and have been held in conditions that were relatively peaceful. We look forward to and urge that the upcoming May 11, 2015 elections be also free, fair and peace-

ful.”

FITUG added: “The elections season is a time for various and heightened political activities. These myriad activities should keep our citizenry to become more politically aware and so be able to be very informed when exercising their franchise. Leaders and activists who are engaged in these activities, whatever the type, need also to appreciate the need to be tolerant, respectful and responsible, particularly as this could also be an emotionally charged season.”

Several past experiences would have shown that a free, fair and generally peaceful elections atmosphere depend so much on the work of GECOM. Given the range of issues to be addressed and the challenging logistics entailed, GECOM has done a praiseworthy job in previous elections.

“FITUG takes this opportunity to urge GECOM to yet again pursue its task of conducting the forthcoming elections in a business-like

way and taking the care and precaution to ensure that they turn out to be unquestionably free and fair, and thus, contributing to maintaining and even strengthening our democratic culture.”

FITUG is also encouraging all those who are eligible and registered to vote to do so.

“It’s our right and duty.

We need to be mindful that the elections and their outcome will play a major role in determining our country’s future path and its development prospects.

“On May 11, through our vote, let us mandate the political leaders to continue to build and maintain economic vibrancy and ensure our country’s all-round social advances and progress,” FITUG said.

FITUG is the nation’s largest majority bloc of registered, unionised workers. The trade union body said it highly values these periodic elections, as it sees them as an indispensable factor for the well-being and stability of the Guyanese society.

Man charged over post office heist, G-3 rifle recovered

By Leroy Smith

INTELLIGENCE information has led the Criminal Investigations Department to the recovery of a service G-3 rifle and matching rounds which were snatched from a police constable last week Wednesday during the Regent Street Post Office heist.

Police investigators who spoke with the Guyana Chronicle said that after receiving information, they went to East La Penitence where the weapon was found in a trench.

Crime Chief Leslie James confirmed this information when contacted. He said the force is now happy that the weapon is no longer in the hands of criminals, even as the investigations into the $42M Post Office heist continue.

James, when asked if the police were able to lift any fingerprints from the weapon, responded by saying that up to late yesterday afternoon that was not done. He said, however, that despite the weapon was found in a trench that was filled with water, they should still be able to lift prints from it.

The weapon was found in the same area where the bandits reportedly dumped the police constable and the driver of the Guyana Post Office Corporation vehicle after they held them at gunpoint and hijacked the minibus containing money for pensions and other public assistance funds.

The minibus which the bandits hijacked

A G-3 Rifle similar to this one has been recovered

Meanwhile, yesterday Stravo Evans, 31, who has dual addresses had his bail request refused and he was remanded to prison

by Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry when he appeared before her charged with armed robbery at the Regent Street Post Office in Georgetown.

The court was told that Evans was the person with the gun on Wednesday last when he and others pounced on the post office minibus and hijacked it with the driver and policeman following

which they relieved them of the G-3 Rifle and 20 rounds of ammunition which valued $688,000 property of the Guyana Police Force $42,522,000 cash property of the Guyana Post Office Corporation.

The man was also charged with robbing the minibus driver of the vehicle which was valued $3.5 million which was also the property of the Post Office.

The court was told that the men were able to escape the area in a waiting fielder motorcar.

Dismembered woman died of facial fractures, haemorrhage – autopsy finds ONE day after Kevin Ramsawck appeared in the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court charged with murdering Buxton clothes vendor, Samantha Benjamin, the police have released the results of the post-mortem.

It was found that the woman died as a result of asphyxiation due to multiple facial fractures and brain haemorrhage. The post-mortem was performed yesterday by the government pathologist.

Meanwhile the police are continuing their investigations into the death of the woman, and two other persons are in custody for

the murder, after 21-year-old Ramsawck named them as his accomplices.

The men are also from the community of Buxton and the police are awaiting advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions with respect to possible charges to be laid.

On March 26 the torso of the woman was discovered on the Annandale seashore among the boulders near the Atlantic Ocean.

At that time she was not identified but hours later her head and limbs were discovered not far from her torso after the tide had receded.

Last week Tuesday the

woman’s remains were identified by relatives who became alarmed after she had not been seen for some time.

Police investigators have contended that the woman was dismembered in the house and later taken to the seashore in a wheelbarrow and dumped. Her head was taken off from her body when the men took the body to the seaside.

The murder accused allegedly told investigators that they decided to dismember the woman to allow for easy disposal of her body. He also told the police that the entire motive for the crime was robbery.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Justice sector plan seeks to advance national developmental trajectory CREATING a “safe and secure environment” that allows every Guyanese to realise their potential is the underlying focus of the recently released plan for the justice sector, which comes on the heels of the ruling party’s manifesto excerpts, Guyana 2.0.

A statement from Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, said, “[Our plan is to] enact a series of some of the new legislation designed to advance our national developmental trajectory, develop our people’s social welfare and most importantly, strengthen the State apparatus and its law-enforcement agen-

cies and capacity to effectively and successfully wage war against crime and criminals, thereby creating a safe and secure environment in which every Guyanese can aspire and indeed, realise his or her potential, while at the same time making our nation a safe and secure destination for local and foreign investments, as well as [for] tourism.”

NEW LAWS According to him, the new legislation will include: a Bail Act; a Jury Act; an E -Transaction Act; a new Arbitration Ac; a Hire Purchase Act; a Whistle Blower Protection Act; Electronic Communica-

tions and Transactions Act; Juvenile Justice Act; a Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Amendment Act; and amendments to the Anti-Money Laundering & Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act. Institutional strengthening was another major feature of the ministry’s plan, moving forward.

“We will continue to make resources available to strengthen the institutional capacity and capability of the judicial system at every level and to partner with them in implementing initiatives designed to bring greater speed to the system, addressing the

backlog of cases and ensuring timely delivery of decisions, as we strive to create a society that is just, democratic and one in which the Rule of Law reigns supreme and the constitutional rights and freedoms of all are respected and protected,” he said.

According to him, special emphasis will continue to be placed on bringing greater dispatch and speed to the judicial system, targeting specifically the backlog of civil and criminal cases that are pending in the system.

“The judiciary has committed to the commissioning of a study by experts to examine the real reasons for the sloth in the judiciary and to generate recommendations designed to rectify the identified deficiencies,” Nandlall said.

He added that his ministry will continue to enhance the

human resource base of the justice system by the appointment of more Judges, Magistrates and other personnel.

Nandlall said, “We have already increased the statutory complement of judges in the High Court from 12 to 20, laying the foundation for more appointments to be made with every convenient speed.

“We will partner with the judiciary to ensure that there are more frequent sittings of the Magistrate’s Court in the rural communities and in particular, the hinterland communities. In this regard, new court houses which are being built in these areas are being done with residential facilities for magistrates to encourage longer stints in the hinterland communities.”

RESOURCED The instillation and operationalisation of a modern

Anil Nandlall

voice recording system at the Court of Appeal, as well as in the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara, New Amsterdam, Berbice and Suddie, Essequibo, is also part of the ministry’s plans.

The Legal Affairs Minister noted that the establishment of a new mediation centre Turn to page 19 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

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Small parties ready GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

– Theocracy Party leader ‘rolling-up’ his

By Tajeram Mohabir NOT daunted by the great fanfare staged by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), the leaders of several small parties strode into

historic City Hall Tuesday to fancy their chances at the May 11 polls.

After leaving the horseshoe table inside the City Chambers, the majority of them spoke glowingly about their chances of doing well at the elections, going alone.

But at last minute, the Godism Party,

also known as the Small Man’s Liberation Party and the Organisation For the Victory of the People Party, threw their support behind the APNU/AFC Alliance.

Dressed in a gray suit with a flat white cap, Noah Yahshuarun, who looks more like a man from the Middle East, told the Guyana Chronicle that the Go-

dism party has decided not to contest the election and intends to join the Alliance.

According to him, the party has since sent a letter to the Alliance, expressing a desire to join it, and is awaiting a positive response.

He also indicated that Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has been notified.

Yahshuarun said his Godism party will be pushing the Alliance and the Government to become more “Godly” and pass laws in Parliament that are reflective of the holy scriptures.

He said there is n the fighting in Parlia liament, ensure natio the many social issu The Godism le symbol is the Holy T there is need for gre from holders of pub Leader of the O Victory of the Peo Pereira said his part testing Region 4, bu support to the Allian On a ballot pap

GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield receive Victory of the People

TUF Leader Marissa Nadir handing over her documents

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y for their big rivals GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

sleeves to deal with APNU+AFC Alliance

need for love to end ament and out of Paronal unity, and solve ues in the country. eader, whose party Tabernacle, also said eater accountability blic offices.

Organisation For the ople Party Gerald ty will only be conut will be giving its nce. per, a voter casts a

regional and national vote.

Pereira explained that his supporters will be putting an X next to the Organisation For the Victory of the People Party for a regional vote, and the other X for the Alliance for the national vote.

He said his party has been doing some groundwork, and based on feedback, it has made a decision to support the Alliance.

Pereira said if successful in obtaining a seat in the Regional Democratic Council (RDC), his party will put “a whole lot of pressure” on Central Government to

es documentation from Leader of the Organisation For the e Party Gerald Pereira

s to GECOM’s Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

speed up infrastructural projects.

The pressure, he said will start in the boardroom and could end up in the streets, in the form of street protests.

LONE DEMONSTRATOR Before City Hall opened its doors for

the candidates of the various political parties to present their documents to GECOM to be checked, and given the go-ahead to contest the May 11 Elections, there was some action on Regent Street and Avenue of the Republic by a lone demonstrator.

Bedecked in a colourful outfit, the demonstrator beat his chest and shouted, “The country is we own”, “All of you are my children”, “Go to work and work hard”.

He then tried to remove posters of Turn to page 18 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Small parties ready for...

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

President Donald Ramotar and Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper on the palls at the Recent Street entrance of City Hall.

He shouted, rolled and lay on the road before moving close to a Police barricade, and jammed knuckles with an officer, much to the amusement of bystanders.

Leader of The United Force (TUF) Marissa Nadir was the first of the political 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) Lead-

From centre

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

er 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 ‘fullthrottle’.

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

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 know what they are about, who they are, and what they want.

GOOD VALUES

Turn to page 22 ►

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Justice sector plan seeks to advance... in Essequibo to complement centres already established in Georgetown and New Amsterdam, Berbice.

He said, “Staff is currently being recruited for the Family Court. It is expected that this court will become operational soonest and will be yet another specialised court that will deal specifically with Family Law matters, including divorces, disputes in relation to matrimonial property and adoption, guardianship, access, custody and maintenance of children. This will yet be another measure that will remove these types of cases from the system and have them speedily heard and determined by a specialised court.”

The new civil procedure rules, Nandlall explained, will soon be brought into force and this will revolutionise

and indeed completely modernise civil litigation bringing Guyana on par with other jurisdictions in the Caribbean and elsewhere.

“This will yet be another initiative that brings speed to the justice system,” he said.

These new rules are expected to be followed by the operationalisation of the Judicial Review Act. “This ground-breaking legislative intervention will provide the citizenry with an unprecedented repertoire of legal remedies which they can seek against officials of the State, officials of Government, and indeed every public officer or organ when there is any actual, threatened or perceived violation of the Constitution, misbehaviour, abuse of authority, or wrongful or unreasonable exercise of power,” he said.

USER-FRIENDLY Nandlall committed to providing the requisite resources to ensure that Guyana’s justice system continue to remain accessible and user-friendly to all our people wherever they may be located.

“In this regard, we have rebuilt or repaired every single Court House right across the length and breadth of this country. Within the next few weeks, a new Magistrates' Court with residential quarters and a sub-Magisterial district office will be commissioned at Lethem,” he said.

To this end, the minister disclosed that two contracts have been awarded for the construction of two Magistrates' Courts at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara and a new edifice in the Supreme Court compound, Georgetown

that will accommodate two Land Courts with Judges’ Chambers and Registries.

He said, “[There will be] a continuation of the modernisation of the process at the Supreme Court Registry and the Deeds and Land Registries, including the continuation of digitisation of the records, as well as the process at these institutions.

“The Commercial/Land Registry in Georgetown will move to its new location on Avenue of the Republic (the old NBS building) within the next two (2) weeks. Shortly, the Land Registry in Berbice will move into its new accommodation at Main Street, New Amsterdam.”

Continued cooperation and consultation with the Guyana

19 From page 14

Bar Association and other organisations were underscored as important to the move forward.

“We continue to chart a course forward in building a justice system that is truly competent, impartial, efficient, accessible and one of which every Guyanese can be proud,” Nandlall concluded.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Police targeting ‘after-midnight’ drunk drivers IN an effort to reduce the incidence of drunk driving, Traffic Chief Ian Amsterdam told this publication that the police have a rigid traffic campaign which starts after midnight targeting drivers, who may be returning home after consuming alcohol.

Recently, traffic ranks at several police stations started their enforcement campaign in which they have been stopping drivers in the early hours of the morning about 02:00 to 03:00 hrs,

asking them to submit to breathalyser tests after reviewing their documents.

Several persons-including women drivers-were found to be above the legal alcohol consumption limit, were charged and subsequently made court appearances.

Amsterdam added that they will not let up on their enforcement campaign against drunk driving, but also sees the need for more education campaigns in which they will use Disc

Jockeys (DJs) at parties and other social events to spread the do–not-drink- and-drive message.

He said that once drivers are drinking alcohol they should not drive, instead, they should have a designated driver; but he added that some people want to learn the hard way.

The traffic chief stated that they will be going to bars and other places where drivers are inclined to consume alcohol, and once they decide to get behind the

wheel of a vehicle, they will act and pull them over.

Amsterdam pointed out that they are hoping that the Ministry of Health will assist them in their enforcement campaign in which some drivers may refuse to take a breathalyser test and prefer a blood test instead.

He explained that in the past, some doctors were reluctant to appear in court to

testify against drunk drivers; as such, their cooperation is minimal.

He noted that this year they have seen a reduction in drunk driving and is optimistic the figures will be reduced significantly.

The senior officer said that they will continue with their enforcement campaign and will start during the wee hours of Friday until the

weekend is over and it will happen countrywide.

Amsterdam revealed that for 2014 they had recorded 238 drunk-driving cases, while in 2015 they have tallied 459 for the corresponding period.

As for speeding cases, he said that in 2014 they had recorded 4163 and for this year, 6791 cases for the corresponding period.

Sophia lad represents Guyana at Quranic competition in Kuwait THE CENTRAL Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) has proudly announced that Brother Melanik Simeon James of Sophia represented Guyana at the Sixth International Quranic Competition in Kuwait.

President of CIOG, Fazeel Ferouz, explained that Brother Melanik Simeon James of Sophia, Georgetown, who has memorised the Quran represented Guyana at the Sixth International Quranic Competition for memorisation, recitation and interpretation of the

Holy Quran during the period 1st April – 8th April, 2015 in Kuwait.

This competition, he noted, was hosted by His Royal Highness The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah and the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs of Kuwait. Brother Melanik Simeon James who is 22 years of age was selected and recommended by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana to represent Guyana at this competition.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Paltry fine for littering needs to be revised – Deputy Mayor – bemoans lack of collaboration between M&CC, EPA

GEORGETOWN Deputy Mayor, Patricia ChaseGreen believes that the meagre City Constabulary sum of $10,000, which is the fine for someone caught littering, should be revised if the problem is to be dealt with successfully.

Chase-Green observed that the amount is quite inadequate and that a higher sum might discourage citizens from engaging in the dastardly act.

In an invited comment recently, Chase-Green also said that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must collaborate with the Mayor and City Council (M&CC) on a regular basis if the city’s littering crisis is to be resolved.

She said the EPA hardly makes contact with the M&CC and that only a collaborative effort will effectively combat the scourge.

While the City Constabulary’s fine is $10,000, the EPA has advised that if found guilty, fines should range from $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses. Should an offender accept responsibility for his/her action, a fixed penalty of $15,000 will be imposed and has to be paid within 10 days.

The EPA reiterated in a recent statement that the Litter Regulations state

that, “depositing litter in a public place and on other people’s property without their consent is a criminal offence.”

Meanwhile, in their efforts to combat the illegal dumping of solid waste a l o n g M a n d e l a Av e n u e during last year, the EPA through the Litter Enforcement Unit conducted stakeout exercises within this littering “hotspot.”

The statement further disclosed that investigations done at this “hotspot” earlier this year revealed the identity of several residents who were caught committing the act of improper solid waste disposal.

These persons were: Mr. Lynden Colin Shipley of East Ruimveldt, Mr. Nicholas Jermaine Cameron of East Ruimveldt, and Ms. Grenda Smith of West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme. “The agency intends to take legal action against these individuals and others found littering and illegally dumping,” the EPA admonished.

Clean-up Orders were also issued to Tejram Lall (WCD), Ravindra Shivpersaud (Plantain Walk, ECD), Fedel Gordon (WCD), Kodvatalli Ramujohn (WCD), G. Basdeo (Hadfield Street, Lodge), Jagnarine Singh (Better Hope NDC Chair-

man), Hardeo Ganpat (ECD), Adrian Desouza (Campbell Avenue, Georgetown), Maxi Prince (Better Hope, ECD), Sharmilla Vishnand (Better Hope, ECD), and Mr. Amin (Success, ECD). Further, two Litter Removal Orders were issued to Mr. Devon of Better Hope, ECD, and A. Bacchus of Success Gas Station Road, ECD. From their investigations, the agency was able to record Ms. Kamwattie Boodhoo of C&F Supermarket located on Regent Street as a polluter. The discovery was made through business documents including bills and statements at an illegal dump site at Church and Camp Streets.

Also, the dumping of construction waste was acknowledged by Mr. G. Basdeo of Regency Hotel Inc. who, the EPA said, “improperly disposed of the waste on the Government reserve in front of Regency Hotel Inc.” Both parties, they said, acknowledged their wrongdoing and were fined a Fixed Penalty of $15,000, and a Clean-up Order to remove the waste in their respective areas.

To report cases of illegal dumping, contact the Litter Enforcement Unit on 600-0620, 219 2630, 225-0506, or email greenguyana@gmail.com.

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Small parties ready for...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

From page 18

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

Thursday, April 9, 2015 - 08:30 hrs Friday, April 10, 2015 - 09:00 hrs Saturday, April 11, 2015 - 09:30 hrs

at Government’s handling of crime in the country.

He said crime-fighting in Guyana is woefully poor, and should he obtain 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 a constitutional 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 requisite papers to GECOM. He said the Independence Party is about change, and it will focus on delivering change. Benschop said as a servant of the people, he wants a few seats in Parliament, and when he gets them, he will move to ban duty-free concession for parliamentarians.

This move, he said will save the Government some $400 million, which he said can be spent on more important things that will benefit the people.

The small parties contesting the May 11 Elections are being seen by sections of the electorate as termites, rearing and ready to eat away at the support base of the big parties.

Aries It's important to turn your attention to more spiritual matters now. Consider enrolling in a yoga class that combines meditation with the physical practice.

It's vital to link your mind, body, and soul together. The more you can integrate these three parts of your being, the healthier you will feel. A high-energy dance class would also be a good way to achieve this goal.

Taurus Reach out to those people you know will make you feel better today. There's no reason to sit in your room alone and depressed when you know there are people who would love to hear from you. Don't think that others are too busy to listen to your thoughts and feelings. Your emotions are strong, and your incredibly sensitive mind can offer a great deal of insight.

Gemini Don't get bogged down by past events today. It's time to move forward. Leap out of bed as if it were your first day on the planet. Realise how lucky you are to be alive and how much power and influence you have. Use your power wisely, for you will find that it's stronger than usual. Note that relationships with women are apt to be especially rewarding on a day like this.

Cancer Emotional conflict is likely to ensue today if you aren't careful. People may step on your toes if you give them the opportunity. Make sure you aren't vulnerable to attack. Someone may be ready to confront you, so you must be ready to defend yourself. The best way to combat whatever force tries to shoot you down is to have confidence in yourself even if you don't have everything perfectly planned.

Leo People may have missed your company lately. Make an appearance where you know it will be noticed and appreciated. Look for the good points in others instead of being so judgmental about the bad points. People aren't going to miss you at all if you talk about them behind their backs and only mention the unappealing parts of their personalities.

Virgo Don't act like you have all the answers today. This attitude will get you nowhere.

Remember that everyone you encounter has something to teach you, so don't disregard that homeless person on the street. The looks you exchange with a stranger may make or break your attitude for the afternoon. Maintain a positive demeanour instead of a sour one and you will be quite successful.

Libra There's a special power to your words today, and an internal confidence that rarely comes around this strongly. You should notice strength in your emotions and personality. Take this opportunity to get one step ahead of the game. You have a special influence that can't be matched by anyone. Don't let others convince you of anything you aren't 100 percent sure of yourself.

Scorpio Break open any door that seems to block you today. It won't take a great deal of effort on your part to accomplish this. The key is to be more flexible in your approach and merge with the group effort instead of trying to fight against it.

You will find that when you open yourself to the people around you, there are a significant number who want to break down that same door.

Sagittarius If you feel like you're running on reserve battery power, remember that you always have a reserve tank ready to kick in. Don't disregard this. It might help you to know that there's only a little time left on the clock. You work more efficiently under pressure. Just remain calm and remember that it isn't the end of the world if things don't work out exactly the way you'd like.

Capricorn Add a bit of spark to your day. Get yourself into gear. It might feel like there's a great deal of anticipation in the air, but don't get ahead of yourself. Enjoy the day you've been given, and make sure you use every minute to its fullest potential. Small annoyances may turn into large headaches unless you maintain an honest mind and neutral standpoint.

Aquarius Fire up your energy today and demonstrate your power to conquer. Create a bonfire of activity that gives off a great deal of heat to the people around you. Some might not be able to stand too close now. Don't worry - that's their problem, not yours. The key for you now is to be yourself. In this way, you will attract those who enjoy the intense heat.

Pisces Get out of "gimme" mode, in which every new toy or gadget you see calls out your name. If you keep thinking that you need these material things in order to be happy, you will never be truly satisfied no matter how much you have.

In this same vein, don't think that you need to buy tangible things for others in order to demonstrate your love for them.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

GRFU president confident ...

From Backpage the ladies and that’s about $2M.” The game will be played at the Fatima College ground, which Green said is similar to that of the National Park which will make his side comfortable, as compared to the University of the West Indies (UWI) ground where they played two years ago.

“The last time they took us to their ground, which was a little small and they had an advantage. This time we’re using a ground that will make the players feel right at home, so I believe in this team, and I know the entire country believe in them as well and we’re going to win,” Green said.

Biker Dhoni cops a fine

MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI likes to ride his motorbikes around his hometown Ranchi but his latest joyride brought an unexpected visitor to his house.

A traffic cop. Pictures of Dhoni on his bike had made the local newspapers and the authorities noticed that the mandatory number plate was absent from both the front and rear ends of the machine.

Instead, the bike’s number was painted on the left side of the front mudguard. A policeman was promptly dispatched to the India captain’s house, where his father had to pay a fine of 450 rupees ($7.25).

It was not clear whether Dhoni’s autograph was also taken, but an official receipt was issued for the fine. (ESPN Cricinfo)

WICB reschedules Australia Tests THE West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has announced changes to the dates for the two-Test series between West Indies and Australia, with the matches being advanced by two days.

The first Test will now start on June 3 in Dominica, while the second Test will be played from June 11 at Sabina Park in Jamaica. The three-day tour game, originally scheduled to begin on May 30 at North Sound, will now be played from May 27 to 29.

“We are fully aware that there are a number of fans planning to travel around and to the Caribbean for the Australia tour, and we want to explain to them that the change was absolutely necessary, due to a number of logistical challenges beyond our control,” WICB Manager, Cricket Operations Roland Holder said.

South Africa Racing Tips 08:20 hrs Rascality 09:55 hrs Red Scimitar 09:30 hrs Gems A Plenty 10:05 hrs Kwinta 10:40 hrs Orchestrated 11:15 hrs Go Gold

09:30 hrs Y A Bon 10:05 hrs Shot In The Dark 11:15 hrs Willem 11:50 hrs Vesperal Dream 12:25 hrs Green Du Ciel 12:55 hrs Beau Phil

English Racing Tips Aintree 08:40 hrs Vibrato Valtat 09:15 hrs Hargam 09:50 hrs Silviniaco 10:25 hrs Jezki 11:05 hrs On The Fringe 11:40 hrs Next Sensation 12:15 hrs Call The Cops

Irish racing Tips Tipperary 11:35 hrs Hasselnott 12:10 hrs Great Wide Open 12:45 hrs Mohini 13:20 hrs Jacobean 13:50 hrs Sir Raston 14:20 hrs Pepparpot

Southwell 09:05 hrs Raise The Game 09:40 hrs Compton Mill 10:15 hrs Trust Me Boy 10:50 hrs Caged Lightning 11:25 hrs Rosenbaum 12:00 hrs Tarooq 12:35 hrs Pabusar

American Racing Tips Aqueduct Race 1 Alice and Trixie Race 2 Zippity Zoom Race 3 Watergate Race 4 Rapid Repair Race 5 Colonel Juanita Race 6 Best Man Race 7 Saluda

Taunton

Race 8 Ride of Your Life

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

KKR beat Mumbai Indians in IPL 8 opener NEW DELHI: Gautam Gambhir scored a half-century as Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) defeated Mumbai Indians in the opening match of the Indian Premier League’s eighth season by seven wickets at the Eden Gardens yesterday Chasing 169, KKR lost Robin Uthappa (9) early in the third over following which captain Gambhir and Manish Pandey came together to add 85 runs for the second wicket.

Gambhir scored 57 before getting out while Pandey scored a quick-fire 40 off 24 deliveries.

Later on, Suryakumar Yadav played a whirlwind of a knock scoring 46 off just 20 deliveries with the help of one four and five sixes to help his side chase down the target in 18.3 overs. KKR finished at 170/3.

Earlier, continuing his dream run at Eden Gardens, Rohit Sharma smashed an unbeaten 98 to power Mumbai Indians to 168/3 against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL 8

Rohit Sharma strikes 98 off 65 balls for Mumbai Indians but ends up on the losing side. (2/18) but Sharma, who had as his bunny en route to Twenty20 cricket tournament opener at Eden Gardens.

Put in, the visitors lost two wickets in three balls and looked shaky 37/3 after a fiery spell from Morne Morkel

struck an ODI world record 264 here in November last year, was again in his element.

Sharma dissected the field with elegance and picked Indian speedster Umesh Yadav

his 22nd IPL half-century.

Sharma’s 98 not out came from 65 balls studded with 12 boundaries and four sixes and was ably supported

by New Zealand all-round-

er Corey Anderson, who remained unbeaten on 55 from 41 balls (4x4, 3x6) in a 131run undefeated partnership.

After all the hoopla surrounding his action, Knight Riders trump card spinner Sunil Narine did not look his usual self and returned wicket-less with 28 runs from his four overs.

The West Indian looked under pressure and the umpire was seen talking to him during his second spell.

Narine began with a widish full toss and the Mumbai skipper was quick to punish it for an easy boundary.

Sharma had earlier made his intention clear hitting Yadav for three boundaries in the third over.

The star Indian opener was at his explosive best when he smashed three fours and one six as Yadav leaked 21 runs in the 15th over.

It gave the much needed impetus to MI run-rate that went under six after the three quick wickets and some clever captaincy by Gautam Gambhir.

While Yadav was expensive, Morkel was the pick of the lot and Gambhir made the South African speedster run through his quota of four overs from the High Court end.

Morkel dismissed Mumbai Indians star recruit Aaron Finch (5) cheaply when the Australian World Cup-winning opener top-edged one to deep square leg and gave a second breakthrough in Ambati Rayudu (0) in his penultimate over.

In-between, Gambhir cleverly brought in Shakib Al Hasan who foxed Aditya Tare (7) with his flight as the Mumbai wicketkeeper stepped out but only to mistime it to long off.

But he was severely let down by his fielders.

Andre Russell dropped Corey Anderson on 23, a regulation catch at mid-on, while part-time wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa not only missed an outside edge of Sharma but missed a stumping when the Mumbai Indians skipper was on 70.

Wisden: English cricket chiefs ‘repeatedly lost touch’ in 2014 ENGLAND’S cricket leaders “repeatedly lost touch” in 2014, says Wisden editor Lawrence Booth.

Writing in the 152nd edition of the yearly almanac, Booth criticises the England and Wales Cricket Board’s handling of the Kevin Pietersen affair.

He also raises concerns with the decline of the Test and one-day sides and a fall in grassroots participation.

England internationals Moeen Ali and Gary Ballance are among Wisden’s five cricketers of the year.

Yorkshire’s Adam Lyth, Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews and New Zealand’s Jeetan Patel make up the list CRITICISM OF ENGLAND PERFORMANCES England’s 2014 started with an Ashes whitewash at the hands of Australia, took

Aintree is all set for the three-day Grand National event

AINTREE is expecting dry, warm weather as its threeday Grand National meeting starts today - with a hint of history in the air.

Retiring 19-time champion jockey AP McCoy is riding at the meeting for the final time and will be on Holywell in the Betfred Bowl.

He also rides Jezki as the horse takes on fellow former champion hurdler Rock On Ruby and this year’s Cheltenham runner-up Arctic Fire in the Aintree Hurdle.

The first action over the National fences sees amateur jockeys compete in the Fox Hunters’ Chase.

Sam Waley-Cohen rides leading contender Warne with the jockey looking to add to his fine record of five career wins over the big obstacles.

Holywell was fourth in last month’s Cheltenham Gold Cup and renews rivalry with dual King George VI Chase winner Silviniaco Conti, who finished seventh when favourite. (BBC Sport)

Gary Ballance enjoyed a breakthrough year in the England Test side. in losses in 28 matches across all formats, and included a humbling by international minnows the Netherlands in the World T20.

“In 2014 English cricket repeatedly lost touch - not just with things it wished had never happened, but with the basic idea that the national team belongs to us all,” said Booth, who went on to link a lack of conviction among ECB decision-makers with the team’s poor form.

“The power brokers indulged in mutual backslapping .... It was a nexus of self-preservation - yet, as the wagons circled, the wheels kept threatening to come off.”

The ECB declined to comment on Booth’s criticism when contacted by BBC Sport. However, incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves, who is set to take over in May, has already suggested he expects to make sweeping changes to improve the game

THE PIETERSEN FALLOUT Pietersen, 34, was sacked

by England after the 5-0 Ashes defeat by Australia and, while the South African-born batsman has said he would like to return to the international fold, his future remains uncertain.

“It was typical of a story beyond the ECB’s control that their best moment was not of their own making,” said Booth.

“Having searched in vain for the words that justified his sacking, they were gifted a 324-page solution: an autobiography so full of rancour that BBC chat-show host Graham Norton suggested to Pietersen, ‘Maybe, just maybe, team sport’s not for you …’.

“All the while, he kept insisting how happy he was in the land of Twenty20 franchises - and agitating for an international recall. The whole thing would have been sad, if it hadn’t been so absurd.”

COOK’S SACKING AS ONE-DAY CAPTAIN Alastair Cook had looked set to lead England into the World Cup - despite a 3-1 oneday series defeat by India in the autumn - after ECB managing director Paul Downton said he would be “surprised” if the batsman was removed as captain.

But he was sacked in December, just two months before what turned out to be a disastrous World Cup. “To leave the sacking of Cook so late made little sense,” said Booth.

“Trouble was, Cook had become more than just a cricketer: cast by his employers in the role of latter-day saint to Pietersen’s fallen angel, he was now an article of faith.

“England overplayed their hand: the Test win over a supine India did not mean Cook would effect a similar transformation of the one-day side. This seemed obvious to everyone - except to the men who run the game.”

IMPROVING ASIAN PARTICIPATION The ECB found that the number of people playing cricket in teams fell 7% between 2013 and 2014, from 908 000 in 2013 to 844 000 in 2014.

And Booth has called on the ECB to do more to advance the game in Asian communities: “The English game needs an Asian player

to prosper beyond a few Tests here and there.

“If the England team really want to unlock their full potential, it is perverse to be so reliant on (white) southern Africans and smash-and-grab raids across the Irish Sea, and so ignore the more natural solution on our doorstep.

“There remains a damaging perception among Britain’s South Asian communities that its best young cricketers are not wanted.”

CRICKETERS OF THE YEAR All-rounder Ali, 27, was named as one of Wisden’s five players of 2014 in a year in which he took 19 wickets in the Test series victory over India, while 25-year-old Ballance registered three Test centuries and averaged 60.75.

Lyth, 27, helped Yorkshire to the County Championship title by leading the scoring charts with 1 489 runs, while spinner Patel, 34, was commended for his 107 wickets for Warwickshire across all formats.

And Mathews was included for his influence in Sri Lanka’s first-ever Test series victory in England.

Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara was named leading cricketer in the world, while Australia batter Meg Lanning is Wisden’s first leading woman cricketer in the world. (BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Coutinho goal sends Liverpool into FA Cup semi-final

LONDON, England (Reuters) - Philippe Coutinho thumped home a second-half winner as Liverpool broke the resistance of Championship Blackburn Rovers to reach the FA Cup semi-finals with a gritty 1-0 replay victory yesterday.

Brendan Rodgers’s side, who came into the game after back-to-back Premier League defeats that all but ended their hopes of a top-four finish, will face Aston Villa in a Wembley semi-final.

They came out on top at Ewood Park having dominated possession but struggled to break down the hosts who got men behind the ball and restricted Liverpool to

Philippe Coutinho celebrates after scoring the first goal for Liverpool. (Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine) very few sights of goal.

The breakthrough came in the 70th minute when Coutinho exchanged passes

with Jordan Henderson from a corner, drove into the box and drilled the ball low into the bottom corner.

“From start to finish, I thought we were brilliant tonight,” Liverpool’s captain on the night Jordan Henderson told BT Sport.

“Now we have a tough game against Villa at Wembley, but it gives the club a good lift.”

The victory kept seven-time Cup winners Liverpool on course to win Rodgers’ first trophy for the club after a disappointing league campaign that has left them out of the Champions League qualification places.

Rodgers had said winning the FA Cup would represent progress for his side despite failing to make any

impact in the league after last season’s second-place finish.

It was far from a convincing performance from Liverpool, however, who looked like the confidence had been knocked out of them by consecutive losses to Manchester United and Arsenal.

With the bone-hard and bubbly-playing surface making possession difficult, Liverpool, who lost defender Mamadou Sakho to injury early on, spent the first half probing at a pedestrian pace with little success.

Blackburn were rolling their sleeves up and keeping numbers in defence, the tried and tested formula for lower league teams hop-

ing to cause a cup upset.

Liverpool had little more than glimpses of goal in the first half, with Coutinho prodding an effort that was saved

by Simon Eastwood and Daniel Sturridge trying his luck with a speculative effort that drifted a fraction too high.

The hosts had two efforts saved by Simon Mignolet at the start of the second half, with the Liverpool keeper tipping Tom Cairney’s 25-metre effort over the bar and palming Ben Marshall’s firm header on to the post.

Liverpool maintained their stranglehold of the ball, however, and Coutinh o ’s m o m e n t o f c l a s s proved the difference.

Star Party Rentals supports Busta Soft Shoe tourney STAR Party Rentals on Tuesday became the latest business entity in corporate Guyana to throw its support into the Petra Organisation’s inaugural Busta Soft Shoe football tournament, following Guyana Beverage Company who last Monday pumped over G$4M into the event.

At a simple handing-over ceremony hosted at their Craig Street,

Star Party Rentals representative hands over the symbolic sponsorship cheque to Director of Petra, Troy Mendonca, in the presence of Star Party Rentals’ Kesheke Washington.

Campbellville-based business outlet, the popular rental service committed to providing lighting as well as rails and seats for the tournament whenever needed.

Director of Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, thanked proprietor of the Star Party Rentals, Lennox Cush, for the support and noted the importance of the sponsorship.

“What they are providing is a key component to the success of the tournament and we are grateful for it at this juncture,” Mendonca stated.

The tournament will kick off tonight at the Georgetown Football Club ground from 19:00hrs with eight matches and a number of community teams will be involved. The top prize is $600 000.

Downton departs as managing director of England cricket PAUL Downton has left his job as managing director of England cricket after 15 months in the job and leaves

after a disastrous World Cup campaign where England failed to make the knockout stage.

Downton’s position was under scrutiny with meetings taking place last month to discuss the fallout from the

Gabon to host 2017 African Nations Cup

By Mark Gleeson

CAIRO, Egypt (Reuters) - Gabon was named yesterday as the host of the next African Nations Cup finals in 2017.

Gabon beat rival bids from Algeria and Ghana in a vote by the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) executive committee at a meeting in Cairo.

Gabon replaces war-torn Libya, who withdrew last year as 2017 host because of the civil conflict raging in the country.

It will be the second time that the country will stage the finals after co-hosting the 2012 edition with neighbours Equatorial Guinea. Gabon will use four venues for the 16-team tournament, set for January 2017.

They will be Libreville and Franceville, which were used in 2012, plus Port Gentil and Oyem where the stadiums will be ready in 14 months, Gabon Football Federation officials said. All three candidate countries made presentations to the CAF executive committee yesterday before the ballot was taken. CAF did not make details of the voting immediately available.

CAF has already designated the hosts of the 2019 (Cameroon), 2021 (Ivory Coast) and 2023 finals (Guinea).

Paul Downton was responsible for the hiring of new coach Peter Moores.

World Cup. But his role has now been made redundant by the ECB with a new Director of England Cricket set to be appointed, a more cricket-focused role with the remit to “deliver a world class performance environment for all formats”.

“The England cricket department needs to deliver performance at the highest level and our structure needs to be accountable for reaching the standards we aspire to,” ECB

chief executive Tom Harrison said.

“The new role we are putting in place will deliver an environment where world class performance is at the heart of everything we do. The process for appointing the new role, with sole responsibility for the England set-up, will begin immediately.”

Harrison, who took up his role in January, has previously spoken of streamlining the ECB with incoming chairman Colin Graves also voicing his

desire for change.

D o w n t o n ’s d e p a r t u r e could be the first move in a restructuring process that is aimed at “putting a plan in place for 2019 and beyond”.

Downton took over from Hugh Morris in October 2013 and endured a turbulent reign with the Ashes whitewash and defeat to Sri Lanka in a home Test series.

More damning for Downton was his personal backing of Alastair Cook as one-day captain shortly before Cook was sacked before Christmas.

England then beat only Scotland and Afghanistan at the World Cup as they crashed out at the group stage.

Downton was also responsible for the sacking of Kevin Pietersen and the public-relations battle that followed and caused some embarrassment for the ECB. He was then undermined

by Graves who appeared to open the door for Pietersen to return for England.

(ESPN Cricinfo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Ronaldo reaches 300 goals for Real in Rayo win

By Iain Rogers MADRID, Spain ,(Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo headed his 300th goal for Real Madrid in a laboured 2-0 La Liga victory at neighbours Rayo Vallecano yesterday that kept the gap to leaders Barcelona down to four points with eight games left.

Fresh from thrashing Granada 9-1 at the weekend, when Ronaldo hit five, Real needed a win at Rayo’s Vallecas stadium after Barca strolled to a 4-0 home win over Almeria to open a seven-point advantage over their arch-rivals.

In-form Luis Suarez scored twice and Lionel Messi ended a three-game goal drought, with Marc Bartra also getting on the scoresheet at the Nou Camp.

Real struggled to exert any control over lowly Rayo and missed a host of chances before Ronaldo netted his 37th La Liga goal of the campaign with a header from Dani Carvajal’s cross in the 68th minute.

The prolific Portugal forward, who is five clear of Messi at the top of the scoring chart, is the third player after Raul (323) and Alfredo Di Stefano (307) to reach 300 goals for Real, but has

Real Madrid’s James Rodriguez is congratulated by his team mate Cristiano Ronaldo (R) after scoring a goal against Rayo Vallecano during their Spanish first division soccer match at Vallecas stadium in Madrid, yesterday. (Reuters/Sergio Perez) needed only 288 matches, compared with Raul’s 741 and Di Stefano’s 396.

James Rodriguez made it 2-0 with a sharp finish from Ronaldo’s layoff six minutes later to leave Real on 70 points, five ahead of thirdplaced champions Atletico Madrid, who won 2-0 at home to Real Sociedad on Tuesday.

After edging to a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo on Sunday, Barca dominated Almeria at the Nou Camp to record their 20th victory in 22 matches

this year in all competitions.

Messi, who had not netted since his double against Eibar three weeks ago, opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when he skipped in from the right wing and whipped a left-foot effort inside the far post.

Almeria, who are third from bottom, defended doggedly but conceded again when Suarez netted an almost identical goal 10 minutes into the second half.

C e n t r e b a c k B a r-

tra, one of several second-choice players coach Luis Enrique deployed, added a third when he nodded in a Xavi corner with 15 minutes left and Pedro set up Suarez to make it 4-0 in stoppage-time.

“We know that if we don’t stay focused in the league we will not get the three points,” Suarez said in an interview with Spanish television.

“We have our fate in our own hands and we have to keep playing the same way,” added the 28-year-old, who netted the winner in last month’s 2-1 ‘Clasico’ victory at home to Real.

Barca have a chance of repeating 2009’s historic treble under Pep Guardiola, the only time a Spanish side have won the domestic league and Cup and Champions League in the same season.

They are through to the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition to face Paris St Germain and play Athletic Bilbao in the King’s Cup final at the end of May. Real were drawn to play Atletico in the Champions League quarter-finals, a repeat of last year’s final which Real won 4-1 after extra time.

Former England captain interested in ECB post MICHAEL Vaughan has stated his interest in taking over the newly-created job of director of England cricket.

Paul Downton lost his job as the England and Wales Cricket Board’s managing director of cricket after a little more than a year in the job, with new chief executive Tom Harrison abolishing Downton’s job description and replacing it with the new position.

Vaughan, captain of the England team when they regained the Ashes in 2005, said on Sky Sports News HQ: “I’m not going to give my phone number on here - but I think they (the ECB) have got it.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan

“I’m always open to chat about trying to help English cricket, make them a better unit, see these young players go out and express their talent. It’s a big year.”

On Downton’s departure, 40-year-old Vaughan continued: “It’s inevitable

there would be change but there’s a deeper rooted problem within England cricket.

“Removing one man doesn’t make us go in the direction of being the number one side in the world.

“A cultural change

needs to happen. In Test cricket we are all right but the Kevin Pietersen issue has been a debacle from the start right through until now.

“The World Cup was a disaster because of the way the team played. Many fingers were pointed at the backroom team but 15 players didn’t play to the standard they’d expect and it’s important they take responsibility.

“This is going back 20 years. We’re dated and always chase the game.

Teams like South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and India are some distance away from the way England are playing at the moment.” (PA Sport)

GCANA of North America stages successful fundraising venture THE steering committee of the Guyana Cycling Association of North America (GCANA) recently staged a resounding successful fundraising venture at the Woodbine Ballroom in Brooklyn, New York.

According to a release, this was the fifth annual cycling reunion and fundraising dance and was attended and supported by former national cyclists residing in North America.

The GCANA in its release said it is thankful for the support the organisation received from former national cyclists and other supporters.

According to the release, GCANA’s mission is to raise the standard of cycling in Guyana and the committee strives to do this by working conscientiously with affiliates in Guyana. “Most importantly, all proceeds from the fundraising ventures over the years go towards achieving the GCANA’s mission.”

They have assisted with funds to Guyana and North American cyclists to defray travelling expenses to cycling events overseas, defrayed costs for Guyanese cyclists training in North America, sponsored races in Guyana and North America and awarded trophies and monetary prizes to race winners.

This is only a synopsis of activities GCANA performs.

The Committee plans to do more this year for the cyclists as funding permits and the association is currently planning a raffle which will be drawn in September this year.

The relevant information will be published soon regarding the sale of raffle tickets.

Meanwhile, the Committee is planning its next cycling reunion and fundraising dance to be held at the Woodbine Ballroom in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday March 13, 2016.

GCC and TSC to clash in NBS second division final Saturday

THE Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and Transport Sports Club (TSC) will contest the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) New Building Society (NBS) second division 40-Overs final competition this Saturday at the Malteenoes Sports Club ground from 10:00hrs.

GCC, having won the tournament in 2013 and 2014 will be chasing their third consecutive title.

Meanwhile, action in the GCA Noble House Seafood second division two-day competition will continue this weekend.

Competition starts at 11:00hrs each day (Saturday and Sunday). Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) will host Diplomats Sports Club and Everest Cricket Club will travel to the GNIC ground to do battle with GNIC. Third Class collide with Ace Warriors at the University of Guyana ground and Sophia Cricket Club visit Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) at their ground.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

Busta Soft Shoe football action kicks off tonight

… Teams briefed, handed tournament fixtures

By Calvin Roberts HAVING launched its inaugural Guyana Beverage Company Incorporated Busta Soft Shoe football tournament last Monday, the Petra Organisation on Tuesday night briefed the teams and at the same time issued them with their playing jerseys at the Spice Garden Restaurant.

Present at the function were Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company Robert Selman, his Marketing Manager Shameiza Yadram, Christine Kellawan - Marketing Director of S.M Jaleel of Trinidad and Tobago, Troy Mendonca and Marlon Cole of Petra and team captains and representatives.

Prior to the presentation of the jerseys to the 24 teams, Mendonca in his opening remarks informed those gathered about the playing conditions as well as rules and stipulations which will govern this tournament which has at stake $600 000 for the winner.

According to Mendonca, the Soft Shoe Tournament is similar to Futsal football, with the difference being the goals are a bit smaller and the players play in sneakers instead of cleats on a scaleddown football field.

In addition, teams will have only five players, including a goalkeeper, on the field at any time and all teams will be divided into six groups of four where they will play each other once, with the top two from each and the best four third-place finishers going forward to the knockout stage.

“I think this tournament will be an exciting one, not only for the players, but the

Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company, Robert Selman (right), Marketing Director Shameiza Yadram (extreme left) and Petra Director Troy Mendonca (2nd left) share the moment as Christine Kellawan, Marketing Director of S.M Jaleel hands to Sherwin ‘German’ Grimes, his team’s jerseys. fans as well and I wish to thank Mr Selman of Guyana Beverage Inc., for partnering with us to make this a successful tournament,” said Mendonca.

He informed his audience which also included well known Futsal referee Wayne ‘Harry’ Griffith, that the second- to fourth- placed finishers will respectively pocket $300 000, $200 000 and $100 000, while in the group stage, the first- to fourth-placed finishers will respectively receive $30 000, $20 000, $15 000 and $10 000.

“The group stage prize is in keeping with Petra Organisation’s aim to not let any team who compete in certain tournaments under our umbrella, go away empty-handed.

However, in order for a team to collect their respective prizes for the group stage, they must complete all their matches,” stated Mendonca.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Thursday April 09, 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: Brendon McCullum-158* (KKR vs RCB) Rajasthan Royals Today’s Quiz: Who was declared ‘Man of the Tournament’ in the augural IPL? Who delivered the first ball of an IPL game?

Who faced it?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

He called on the teams to demonstrate discipline at all times during the tournament, in order to remove the stigma of ghetto youths not being proper role models in society, while urging them to care the jerseys and wear them with pride.

“We know that when people hear about certain areas, most of them think negative so I am urging you to be

disciplined at all times and demonstrate that at the community level, you can organise yourselves, be disciplined and can display a level of responsibility especially with the uniforms.”

In his brief remarks, Selman applauded the organisers for their initiative, saying his company, having plugged over G$4M into the successful staging of the tournament, was

pleased to be a partner with Petra Organisation.

Guyana Beverage Inc. has been a part of Guyana for more than 20 years and always plugs back money into sports and only sports.

“Our main objective is to get the youths off the street and when the organisers approached us, we told ourselves that not only will we sponsor the tournament, but jerseys for all the teams who will be competing for supremacy,” said Selman.

As he has done time and time again when it comes to handing over sponsorship for any tournament in Guyana, be it cricket or football, Selman reminded the players that his company is not the organiser of the tournament and should not be approached if any unusual occurrence takes place.

“We are only the sponsor, not the organisers so I don’t wish for anyone to approach me and make complaints about any decision that has not gone in their favour, etc.

Our aim is to help get the youths off the streets and away from the ills of society.

“By doing so through this tournament, they will not have idle minds to do the things that will land them in trouble, while at the same time we

are keeping them away from drugs and other ills that currently plagues our society,” said Selman.

Kellawan said it was an exciting time for Busta who continues to remain motivated and committed to sports in Guyana, this being its the head company’s policy - giving back to the people, with the sponsorship of this tournament being Busta’s chosen way.

She informed her audience of some of S.M Jaleel’s goals and objectives when it comes to sports in the Caribbean, even as Busta products continue to bloom around the Caribbean and urged them to stay engaged in positive things and help Busta shape this event and make it a successful one.

Meanwhile, the action will kick off tonight at the Georgetown Football Club ground from 19:00hrs, with six exciting first round matches which will be played for a duration of 30 minutes each, whetting the appetites of those fans.

In the first game, Ballerz will take on D’Urban Street, Leopold Street and Tucville will engage each other, and Broad Street will collide with Sophia before the Busta 30 minutes break. The action will resume with Alexander Village opposing Charlestown, Sparta Boss meeting California Square and Albouystown matching strides with Hope Street-Tiger Bay.

Bairstow provides reminder of his talent

By George Dobell in Basseterre IT MAY prove to be his only innings of the tour, but Jonny Bairstow provided a welcome reminder of his talents with a fine innings of 98 on the first day of England’s latest two-day warmup match against a St Kitts Invitational XI at Warner Park.

The invites to that XI have clearly been sent far and wide.

For the St Kitts team yesterday included Jonathan Trott, Gary Ballance, Joe Root and Bairstow.

And while Trott and Ballance failed to take the opportunity to shine against the bowling of their England colleagues, Root and Bairstow took the chance to impress with accomplished innings.

Bairstow, with the squad as a reserve wicketkeeper and destined to spend much of the next few weeks ferrying drinks and batting gloves to his colleagues, looked in fine form.

Cutting especially sweetly, he punished Chris Jordan for dropping short, looked compact in defence and balanced in attack. He eventually fell

two short of a well-deserved century, poking at one that left him outside off stump.

Until he came to the wicket, it seemed England might endure a pretty wretched day.

The early departure of Trott, drawn into poking at a decent ball that bounced and left him, for a third-ball duck was far from what was required at this early stage of his comeback.

While England will be pleased that Anderson found movement and bounce with the new ball, they would dearly like to have seen Trott provide further evidence of his replenished confidence.

As ever with these things, the real test will be how Trott deals with the setback. The evidence here - he soon played a part as 12th man and had a brief net with batting coach Mark Ramprakash - was mildly reassuring. Trott remains his most fierce critic and might reflect that he is far from the first opening batsman to edge an Anderson delivery to the slips.

Ballance also struggled.

While he picked off Anderson, straying on to the left-hander’s legs uncharacteristically often,

comfortably enough, he was nicely caught behind by Jos Buttler when attempting to cut a delivery just a little close to him.

Worse still, Stuart Broad slipped as he delivered the fourth delivery of his spell and went over on his left ankle.

After a lengthy stoppage for treatment of both the ankle and the pitch - overnight rain rendered it slippery and, for a while, England’s seamers had to be content with bowling around the wicket - the bowler limped off. But England’s anxiety was eased when Broad returned after about an hour and bowled a couple of decent spells at something approaching full pace.

Ben Stokes was the pick of the seamers; James Tredwell the spinners. While Stokes gained movement that few of his colleagues could replicate, he also bowled with admirable control. Tredwell, gaining a bit of turn and benefiting from a strong wind to assist his drift, was far more consistent than Adil Rashid, who probably bowled himself out of contention in a display

containing more full-tosses and long-hops than could be acceptable in international cricket.

The original plan was for Adam Lyth to open the batting with Alastair Cook today, with the St Kitts side using Liam Plunkett and Mark Wood as bowlers. The failure of Trott and struggles of Ballance may well change that, though England also hope to give Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes some time at the crease. If Lyth bats especially impressively, he might yet displace Trott for the first Test team.

Meanwhile it has emerged that Peter Moores and Paul Farbrace will manage the team in the ODI in Ireland on May 8.

While it was originally decided that the pair - and all the players involved in this tour - would be rested from the Ireland trip, it has now been confirmed that Moores and Farbrace will return from the Caribbean to Gatwick at around 06:00hrs on May 7, catch a flight to Ireland that morning and take training in the afternoon.

31

GUYANA CHRONICLE Thursday April 9, 2015

RAJ SINGH INSURANCE/GCB U-19

Harry snares 7 victims for Essequibo … Berbice and U-17 locked in battle On resumption of play and with just two runs added, Akshaya Persaud was lbw to Harry without any addition to his teatime score and even though Hubbard got his 50 from 82 balls while batting for 77 minutes with nine fours, he too was sent back by Harry in his next over at 195 for 5.

The home team’s low-

By Calvin Roberts LED by some mesmerising bowling from left-arm orthodox spinner Keanu Harry, the perennial whipping boys in local cricket Essequibo - fought gallantly with Demerara on the opening day of their Raj Singh Insurance/Guyana Cricket Board Under-19 Inter-county three-day fixture yesterday.

Playing at the Everest Cricket Club ground, the visitors won the toss, chose to bowl first in sunny conditions and reduced their hosts to 261 all out. Tevin Imloch 51 and Malcolm Hubbard 50 led the way with the bat, while Harry took 7 for 66 and Loaknauth Chinkoo 2 for 53.

Earlier, Imloch and Ronaldo Renee 29 (117 mins, 98 balls, 3x4), added 78 for the first wicket, with both batsmen scoring boundaries off the new-ball pair of Jewmal Hartman and Leyland Cadogan, before Renee was brilliantly caught by Parmesh Parsotam at extra cover off Chinkoo three minutes before lunch.

The home team took the break on 82 for 1, with Imloch on 36 and Sherfane Rutherford 4. After the break, they were forced to endure seven successive maiden overs from Chinkoo who operated

er-order batsmen struggled to come to grips with Harry on a turning Camp Road track, the result being Demerara 224 for 9 within the last hour of play, before Vivian Albert and Carlton Jacques brought some respectability to the total with their 37-run 10th wicket partnership.

It ended when Jacques, who struck one four in his 20 (35 balls), pushed tamely at a delivery from Adams (1 for 50) and picked out Harry at short extra

cover, leaving Albert unbeaten on 35 (88 mins, 85 balls, 3x4), 20 minutes before the scheduled close of play.

Asked to bat two overs before the close, Essequibo reached 1 without loss, with both of their openers Satesh Latchman and Nathan Persaud yet to score, while play on the second day today will resume at 09:30hrs.

Across at the Wales Community Centre ground, the Ronaldo Ali-Moham-

med led National Under-17 team were bowled out for a meagre 94 against Berbice, with Kevin Sinclair 30 (3x4) and Richie Looknauth 27 (4x4) leading their batting.

However, the national youths who are currently preparing for the Regional Under-17 tournament in Trinidad and Tobago, responded, reducing their opponents to 34 for 2 at tea and later 136 for 6 at the close, a lead of 42 with four wickets in hand.

Keanu Harry from the Atlantic Ocean End, while Harry kept things under control at the other end.

Harry took his first victim in Rutherford who never suggested permanence, when he went back to an arm ball and was bowled for 16 at 103 for 2, following which Imloch got his 50 from 140 balls faced, batting for 158 minutes with six fours. Demerara were 110 for 2.

That became 114 for 4, following the demise of both Imloch 51 (146 balls, 165 mins; 6x4) and skipper Travis Persaud (1) via lbw to Harry, allowing Hubbard and Akshaya Persaud to add 66 for the fifth wicket, taking Demerara to tea on 178 for 4, with Hubbard on 35 and Akshaya Persaud 27.

Chronicle Sport photographer Samuel Maughn was on hand at the venue yesterday to catch umpire Delvin Austin paying keen attention as Demerara opener Tevin Imloch gets ready to play at this delivery from Essequibo fast bowler Leyland Cadogan, during the opening day action yesterday.

ABCA chief says Antigua in good shape to host England Test ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) president Leon Rodney says the country is ready to host the curtain-raiser for upcoming three-match Test Series between West Indies and England.

Speaking in the local media yesterday, the ABCA chief said the cricket-loving island had all systems in place for the five-day event which is set to bowl off next Monday at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium. “ We w i l l h a v e e v erything in place for the players and offi-

ABCA president Leon Rodney

cials and fans from all over the world to enjoy the experience at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds,” Rodney told Observer Radio here.

“We are a hospitable people and we love our cricket and we are serious about setting high standards as we host this match.”

Rodney, a former Antigua and Barbuda and Leeward Islands coach, backed the idea that Monday, the opening day of the Test, be declared a public holiday.

Reportedly, there have been discussions at government levels to facilitate this

move but authorities here are yet to decide.

“I don’t think it’s a bad call. With the England Test series, giving Monday off wont be considered a waste day or being unproductive.

It would give the local people a chance to go out and support their team,” Rodney contended.

“The ground is in lovely shape. We have a professional team working to get things right for the start of the match. The Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association is doing all it can, with the assistance of the Government and the people to make sure we have

a great start to the series.”

Original estimates suggest between 2 000 and 3 000 visitors, most of them from the United Kingdom, are expected on the island for the match.

Antigua suffered embarrassment in 2009 when the Test match between West Indies and England had to be abandoned after just ten deliveries because of a sandy outfield at Vivian Richards Cricket Ground that was deemed unfit for play.

The game was subsequently moved to the ancestral home at the Antigua Recreational Ground where the teams played to a close

draw.

Rodney urged Antiguans to turn out in their numbers and support the upcoming contest.

“We urge the people to come out and support the Test match in Antigua and the West Indies team. We want to back the team,” he said.

“The best day would be the Monday – the opening day of the match and the start of the series. It would be a chance to give that absolute momentum and full support to our team and tell them ‘go out and beat up the English team’.”

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Harry snares 7 victims for Essequibo

See Story on Page 31

GRFU president confident of team’s success against T&T

Members of the ‘Green Machine’ in training yesterday at the National Park Rugby Field (Samuel Maughn photo)

By Rawle Toney GUYANA’S National 15s rugby team – the defending NACRA champions – will depart for Trinidad and Tobago tomorrow to face their long-time foes in a must-win game.

The Green Machine will travel to the Twin Island Republic for a rematch of their 2013 match where the ‘Trinis’ defeated the Guyanese 20-0 when they met at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Campus ground.

With the North American and Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Southern Zone title on the line, the winner will go on to play the winner of the North Zone to determine who will be the NACRA 2015 champions.

Boosted by the inclusion of Australia-based Kevin McKenzie, Guy-

ana, who defeated Barbados 48-22 in their first game of NACRA tournament at the National Park, also feature Rondell MacArthur, Jason Tyrell, Rockford Cummings, Dwayne Schroeder, Vallon Adams, Richard Staglon, Jamal Angus, Jermaine Prowell, Ryan Gonsalves, Peabo Hamilton, Theodore Henry, Claudius Butts, Avery Corbin and Ronald Mayers.

The reserve players are Jacques Archibald, Kevon David, Delroy Gordon, Troy Arjoon, Blaise Bailey, Lancelot Adonis, Leon Greaves and Randy James.

President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Peter Green told Chronicle Sport yesterday that he’s 200% confident that Guyana will defeat Trinidad despite the opposition being one the most difficult they’ve faced.

Green, speaking at the team’s practice session at the National Park, believes that his men are hungry to not only hold on to their NACRA trophy, but also have a score to settle with the Trinidadians.

“These guys are not going to settle until they bring back home the title. You ask any of the players what is the goal and they will tell you it’s to bring back the bacon.

They’re going not on vacation, they are going to win,” said the GRFU boss.

As it relates to funding, Green noted that the team is doing “fine” in that regard, adding “we have money coming in through the 7s team and prudent management that we’ve had so far has helped us to be in a good place. We’ve bought a new set of playing gear for the 15s, 7s and See Page 26

Biker Dhoni cops a fine See Story on Page 26

MS Dhoni was fined for a number-plate violation.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2015