2015 5 6

GUYANA

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

No. 104180 WEDNESDAY MAY 6, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

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AT ‘ARRIVAL DAY’ CONCERT AT ALBION...

President urges nation to stand tall – be proud of who we are as a people

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President Donald Ramotar takes time out to meet the artistes of the ‘Hamara Guyana concert’ held yesterday at the Albion Community Centre Ground

Harper takes umbrage at Granger's Guyana/ 16 Venezuela comments

JAGDEO WARNS...

APNU ‘majority’ myth will only instigate violence Page

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IMF PROJECTS…

Bharrat Jagdeo

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Guyana’s economy to grow 3.8 per cent this year

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

AT ‘ARRIVAL DAY’ CONCERT AT ALBION...

President urges nation to stand tall – be proud of who we are as a people

President Ramotar addressing the audience at the ‘Hamara Guyana concert’ at Albion yesterday

AS all Guyana observed Arrival Day yesterday, President Donald Ramotar called upon the nation to celebrate the tremendous sacrifices our ancestors made, but most importantly to jealously protect the inroads they made in the quest for the many freedoms we now enjoy.

He made the call at the Albion Community Centre Ground where a huge gathering was assembled for the Indian Arrival Committee’s (IAC) Arrival Day ‘ Guyana Hamara Concert’.

Said the President at the outset of his brief address, “Arrival Day applies to every Guyanese. As we struggled to build this country, we had to fight against slavery; fight for independence from colonialism…”

Noting that independence and democracy are two of the gains all Guyanese enjoy today, and that they should not be taken for granted, President Ramotar said: .

“We had to fight against a dictatorship; and freedom

only came after 1992. And since then, we have been able to live in freedom to transform our country.”

President Ramotar alluded to the fact that Guyana has been transformed from a Highly Indebted Poor Country to a middle income developing country and that in itself is cause to celebrate.

“Today,” he said, “we are a middle-income developing country, and we could have gone much further. The people in opposition are doing their best to hold back the country, but we have been growing by 5% every year, and even in an economically challenging environment.”

Going forward on May 11 when Guyana is set to hold general and regional elections, the Head of State said the citizens of Guyana have in their hands the power to decide how fast Guyana will grow.

“Our future lies in building a strong and modern economy. I know what we went through for the fight for freedom.” He highlighted the

importance of a modern state, and a growing economy, for which the foundations have already been set.

“While we celebrate Arrival Day, we must be proud of who we are, and the culture we brought here. We are not ashamed of who we are, we must be proud of who we are.”

Pledging his government’s commitment to the sugar industry, which the indentured labourers helped to build, President Ramotar said that once re-elected, his government will, over the next five years, invest $20B to support the industry.

“I will see the sugar industry meet better days. Once more, this is an occasion for celebration, and we must commemorate the sacrifices of our foreparents. We would have never met this stage, so we have to reflect on that and not forget history.”

The event was a part of three major “Hamara Guyana Concerts” which coincided with activities to commemorate the 177th anniversary of

President Donald Ramotar interacting with patrons at the IAC ‘Hamara Guyana concert’ at the Albion Community Centre Ground yesterday

Indian arrival in Guyana.

Trinidadians KI, Artie Butkoon and Satnarine Raghu, along with International Guyanese artiste Terry Gajraj and Marissa Deodat, put on a splendid show for the large crowd at Albion. The first concert was held on Friday, May 1 at the National Stadium, Providence; and the second on May 2, at the Anna

Regina Community Centre Ground.

Also later in the evening, the President joined the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha for their Arrival Day celebration and concert at the Uitvlugt Mandir ground.

There, the President echoed similar messages as he called for Guyanese to unite and to celebrate the sac-

rifices and protect the gains fought for by their ancestors.

He noted that when the ancestors came they all made a significant contribution to the rich and diverse culture all Guyanese enjoy today.

East Indians first came to then British Guiana in 1838 as indentured labourers to work on the sugar plantations. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

Republican Mike Huckabee launches presidential bid with fiery speech

By Steve Barnes HOPE, Ark. (Reuters) Republican Mike Huckabee announced a run for his party’s 2016 presidential nomination yesterday with a fiery, populist speech aimed at energising support from the Christian right and blue-collar Americans struggling to make ends meet.

The 59-year-old former Arkansas governor and former host of a popular Fox News television show is a long shot in the widening race to represent the Republican Party in the November 2016 election. Huckabee is the sixth Republican to make a formal bid.

The former Southern Baptist pastor rode support from social conservatives opposing abortion rights and gay marriage to an early surprise victory in the 2008 White House race. Huckabee will again face competition for those voters.

He said that, if elected, he would change government polices to focus more on working-class Americans.

“I don’t come from a f a m i l y d y n a s t y, b u t a working family. I grew up blue-collar, not blue blood,” he said, in an apparent refer-

Republican Mike Huckabee ence to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton.

Huckabee chose to announce his bid in the small town of Hope, Arkansas, which both he and former Democratic President Bill Clinton call their hometown.

At a community college where the event was held, audience members chanted, “We like Mike!”

Huckabee spoke of his life in Hope, recalling daily prayers, fishing and hunting.

He met his wife at the high school they attended.

The candidate said hard-working Americans are being left behind in today’s economy, and blamed Democratic President Barack Obama for U.S. economic

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woes.

“Ninety-three million Americans don’t have jobs,” Huckabee said. “And many of them who do have

seen their full-time job with benefits they once had become two part-time jobs with no benefits at all.

“We were promised hope, but it was just talk,” he said, referring to a major theme of Obama’s successful 2008 presidential bid.

Huckabee reiterated his long-held opposition to abortion and gay marriage, deeply held concerns for evangelical Christians and other social conservatives. In recent years, they have seen same-sex marriage gain wider support and win legalization in an increasing number of states.

“We’ve lost our way, morally,” Huckabee said, referring to abortion as “slaughter” and to “the biblical principles of

natural marriage.”

Huckabee became a national figure in 2008 by staging an upset win in Iowa’s kickoff presidential nominating contest.

This time around, he has competition for social conservative votes such as Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. Polls show Huckabee’s support among Republican voters is in the single digits.

Huckabee was also tough on Islamic State, saying he would change the U.S. approach from attempting to contain the militant group and instead would “conquer” it.

“We will deal with jihadis just as we would deal with deadly snakes,” he said.

Huckabee vowed strong U.S. support for Israel and took a dim view of international negotiations aimed at keeping Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. The negotiations between Iran, the United States and other countries have become a bone of contention in the U.S. Senate.

Said Huckabee, “Hell will freeze over before they get a nuclear weapon.”

In addition to Huckabee and Cruz, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Marco Rubio of Florida, former Hewlett-Packard Co chief Carly Fiorina and retired neursurgeon Ben Carson are seeking the Republican nomination.

French parliament approves new surveillance rules

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Main provisions of the new law: Define the purposes for which secret intelligence-gathering may be used Set up a supervisory body, the National Commission for Control of Intelligence Techniques (CNCTR), with wider rules of operation Authorise new methods,

The Socialist government says the law is needed to take account of changes in communications technology.

But critics say it is a dangerous extension of mass surveillance.

They argue that it gives too much power to the state and threatens the independence of the digital economy.

THE French parliament has approved a controversial law strengthening the intelligence services, with the aim of preventing Islamist attacks.

The law on intelligence-gathering, adopted by 438 votes to 86, was drafted after three days of attacks in Paris in January, in which 17 people died.

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such as the bulk collection of metadata via internet providers.

The government says it wants to bring modern surveillance techniques within the law rather than outside any system of control.

A new watchdog will oversee the intelligence services, which will have broader powers to look at classified material and handle complaints from the public.

But none of this has satisfied the critics, who range from civil liberties groups to major internet providers.

Their main worry is the way French intelligence agencies will be able to collect massive amounts of metadata from the internet - the detail of communications such as times and places rather than content.

Critics say this amounts to a mass intrusion of privacy, which in the hands of an unscrupulous government could have worrying consequences.

Apart from some dissident voices, both the governing Socialists and opposition centre-right were in favour.

(BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

CARICOM calls for reversal of policy preventing development financing to the region U N I T E D N AT I O N S , (CMC) – The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) took its case for a reversal of the existing criteria for development financing to the United Nations urging the international community to re-examine the policies under which most Caribbean have been designated as Middle Income states.

“Adequate financing is critical to our Region’s sustainable development,” said Bahamas Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell, as he deputised for Prime Minister Perry Christie, the CARICOM Chairman, at the high-level Thematic Debate on Strengthening cooperation between the United Nations and regional and sub-regional organizations international community on Monday.

Mitchell told the conference that while CARICOM had adopted several strategies to ensure its socio-economic development, “ the United Nations system itself must lend its weight to securing reliable, accessible and adequate financing for development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) such as those of CARICOM. “New approaches are required for development financing. As it now stands, CARICOM states are particularly affected by graduation into Middle Income status, primarily on the

Bahamas Foreign Minister Fred Micthell addressing high level UN conference basis of (gross domestic product) GDP-per-capita.

“This designation denies access to grant and concessionary financing, at a time when the effects of global financial and economic crisis still resonates in the Region, and members are strapped with particularly high debt burdens.”

Mitchell said that there is no doubt that GDP alone is an inadequate measure of development, particularly given the Region’s vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, including sea level rise.

“We have said this repeatedly and cannot sufficiently underscore this fact.

For CARICOM Member states, countering climate change and sea level rise is a matter of priority. It is critical to our survival,” he told the conference, adding that the Region was looking forward to a successful outcome to COP21 in Paris in December 2015 “with the conclusion of a legally binding agreement which would lead to the stabilization of global average temperature to well below 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“Anything less will subject SIDS to irreparable loss and damage,” he added.

Mitchell said that CARICOM recognizes and encourages the initiatives of the United Nations and others to

take fully into account, and to give weight to the vulnerability of SIDS in determining grant and concessionary financing.

He said the importance of this approach is evident in the statement of the President of the Caribbean Development Bank, which confirms that “seven Caribbean countries are among the top 10 countries, which, relative to their GDP, suffered the highest average economic losses from climate-related disasters during the period 1993-2012”.

“In advancing our proposals in the negotiations for the Post-2015 Development Agenda, CARICOM joins

with SIDS in advocating that the agenda incorporates broader measures of progress to complement GDP as an indicator of development.

We will continue to cooperate closely with the United Nations and its agencies in this, and other areas.”

Mitchell said one such area is strengthening data collection and statistical analysis in CARICOM member states.

“The provision of technical cooperation and support to enhance capacity in this area, as well as in other regional priority areas identified in General Assembly resolution 69/265 entitled “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Caribbean Community”, adopted on 16 January 2015, will be critical to our implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda. We call for the organization’s continued support.”

The Bahamian foreign minister said the global community is at a critical juncture, focussing as it is on a wide range of issues demanding new paradigms for addressing global priorities.

“Building and fostering effective partnerships is pivotal to the success of our strategies and priorities moving forward. This partnership

should mean a coordinated effort across all agencies in the UN and Hemispheric system so that each is accountable to the other, to avoid duplications of effort and resources and to ensure that efforts on all fronts are coordinated.

“We are particularly concerned about the work done for youth development, human resources generally but particularly in solving the problem of joblessness and a sense of despair amongst our young people.

CARICOM recognizes the strong partnership developed between the Region and the United Nations and its Specialized Agencies, Funds and Programmes.”

Mitchell said that the 15-member CARICOM grouping stands ready to continue to work with the United Nations, and in this regard, looks forward to the exchange of views with Secretary General Ban Kimoon at the forthcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in July 2015 in Barbados.

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EDITORIAL

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

GUYANA

Reaching for the stars THE nation celebrated Arrival Day yesterday. It is time for reflection on the journey this nation has travelled to extant times – from where we were to where we have reached, and the bylanes and bypasses along the way.

While the space on this Editorial column does not offer much leeway for an in-depth analysis of the experiences, travails and triumphs of our ancestors, we yet need to bring to the fore the journey from darkness to light, and some of the persons who reached for the stars, even while their feet were deeply implanted in the mud.

In 1834, the slaves had been set free and in British Guiana most of the freed slaves chose to pursue agriculture, only intermittently seeking paid employment on the sugar estates, so it was imperative for a new source of cheap labour be found to sustain the sugar industry. They reverted to contract, on an indentureship basis, labourers from Madeira (Portugal), India and China.

According to a report by Trev Sue-a-Quan, “The first batch of Chinese landed in Georgetown, British Guiana in 1853, and for the next few years all were men, most being taken forcibly. To curb the excesses of this trade in human cargo the British and Chinese authorities in Canton agreed to a formal supervised recruitment process and families were encouraged to emigrate.

Chinese women began arriving in 1860, but in small numbers. The period from 1860 to 1866 saw a relatively large influx of immigrants, bringing the local Chinese population to a peak of 10,022 in 1866. Subsequently only two boats arrived with Chinese immigrants, one in 1874 and the other in 1879. After this Chinese immigrants came of their own free will and at their own expense.”

Peter Rohoman states in his ‘Centenary History of the East Indians in British Guiana 1838-1938’: “It will be the author’s main purpose to prove by the incontestable evidence of facts that Indian Immigration has not only been the salvation of the colony at a most critical juncture in its history, when after the abolition of Negro slavery, there was a general trek away from the plantations, resulting in the economic structure of the Colony being shaken to its very foundations through the lack of a dependable labour supply, but that the Indians themselves have proved to be the most valuable assets to the industrial welfare of the Colony as is unaided efforts, of the rice and cattle industries.”

Richard Mahase relates in his ‘Journey of the Guru’ the unutterable suffering and deprivation faced by descendants of the Indian immigrants, not least being denial of an education and upward mobility unless they denied their religions and converted to Christianity and, in the process, anglicised their names. The fact that many did and turned out to be brilliant professionals testified to the grave injustice done to Indians in then British Guiana, and it was only with the advent of the

Jagans in the socio-political fray; and His Holiness Swami Purnanandaji Maharaj, who established educational systems whereby all were welcomed, irrespective of ethnicity, gender, religious convictions, poverty or any other consideration that disqualified them from entering Government or Christian-based schools that Indians could at last see a glimmering of hope to transpose out of the debilitating plantation world and carve a niche for themselves in the upper echelons of society.

However, there were those indomitable entrepreneurial pioneers who became giants of industry without sacrificing either their traditions, the religions of their foreparents and blazed trails now being trod by others.

Toolsie Persaud, Edward B. Beharry, the Gafoor father and son, the Kissoon brothers and Lyla Kissoon, Resaul Maraj, Bish Panday, Kayman Sankar, all of whom blazed trails and created wealth and jobs, not merely elevating themselves out of poverty, but also thousands of employees.

Dr. Cheddi Jagan is an iconic figure who also traversed uncharted territory to carve a future full of promise and prospects for achievement for this nation.

The great hearts of these gentlemen and women in turn contributed in many ways to better the lot of their fellowmen – many sharing generously of their bounty. Sattaur and Ameena Gafoor go beyond the mandatory zakaat in their charitable drives, as do Bish and Ahilia Panday. It was later brought to attention that Toolsie Persaud, Resaul Maraj’s wife and son-in-law, as well as many others contributed tremendously to the establishment of the Guyana Sevashram Sangha and its schools and library, thus all these persons not only facilitated the upward mobility of their fellow men, but also created avenues whereby they could sustain the religions and traditional mores and cultures of their forebears.

An investigative team showed findings to the effect that every 12% paid in wages to the Indian workers, 100% in profits was remitted to shareholders in Britain. Also, taking their figures from the then best managed estate, Rose Hall, it reported, according to Peter Rohoman, that “An abled-bodied man, working as a shovel man for 7 hours a day, during the slack season, and 15 hours per day, during the period of grinding, is able to save, after a period of 10 years of unremitting toil, not more than a sum of $162, while a male weeder saves nothing, in view of stringent living expenses, but has a debt of $37 at the end of the period. A female weeder fares even worse. Her budget, prepare on the same basis, actually shows, after 10 years, a deficit of $153. If she gets a return passage of $225, then her share of the cost of the passage money is included.”

Rohoman concluded: “Indians, by their strenuous labour, have filled the coffers of the absentee landlords.

They have been unable to lay by anything for themselves from labours on the plantations, and the inconsiderable sum

of 30 or 40 dollars, amassed after 20 or 30 years labour, has been the result of a systematic policy of hard thrift, achieved at the expense of their health, happiness, and physical well-being.”

Whereever they have settled, Indians have demonstrated their ability to survive with nothing but natural resources, primarily earth, and their own grit and determination. Even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles and against all odds, the immigrants, utilising their land grants (most mere marshland) issued as an incentive to colonisation, and by dint of tremendous, almost superhuman, effort and soul-searing sacrifices, created thriving industries that propelled them out of the ranks of the servile into self-respecting, respected members of their communities.

Rohoman writes: W.E Henly has expressed the soul of the Indian immigrant in his “Invictus” when he wrote: Out of the night that covers me Black as the pit from pole to pole I thank whatever gods may be For my unconquerable soul In the fell clutch of circumstance I have not winced nor cried aloud Under the bludgeoning of chance My head is bloody but unbowed Beyond this place of wrath and tears Looms but the horror of the shade And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unfraid It matters not how straight the gate How charged with punishment the scroll I am master of my fate I am the captain of my soul Longfellow wrote in The Slave’s Dream verse 1 of which reads: “Beside the ungathered rice (cane) he lay, his sickle in his hand/His breast was bare, his hair was buried in the sand/again, in the mist and shadow of sleep, he saw his native land” and verse 6,7 and 8 which read: “At night he heard the lion roar, and the hyena scream/and reeds beside some hidden stream/and like a glorious roll of drums, through the triumph of his dream.

“The forests, with their myriad tongues, shouted of liberty/and the blast of the desert cried aloud, with a voice so wild and free/That he started in his sleep and smiled at their tempestuous glee/.

“He did not feel the driver’s whip, nor the burning heat of day/For death had illuminated the land of sleep, and his lifeless body lay/freed of the iron fetter that the soul had broken and thrown away.”

In a situation where dreams and death occasioned the only freedom from utmost cruelty and abject servility of the total being, perhaps none of us could possess the depth of insight to visualise the sheer guts, to put it vulgarly, yet graphically, it took a people, born into conditions of subjection and degradation, to rise above their own traumas and courageously carve a path of freedom whereon their descendants could stride with pride and dignity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

APNU+AFC insults sugar workers again

-- they ignored sugar workers in their manifesto

WHEN the story of the 2015 General Elections is written in less than one week from them, the most intriguing and disgraceful occurrence will be the stupidity of APNU+AFC in insulting the sugar workers. It is appalling that APNU+AFC has no plans for GuySuCo and has presented a manifesto in which sugar has been relegated to no significance.

Sugar workers will be extremely vigorous in rejecting APNU+AFC on May11th for this absurd transgression.

As Minister of Agriculture, I continue to be concerned about the intentions of APNU+AFC relating to the sugar workers and the sugar industry. In their “official” manifesto for the 2015 Elections, they have virtually nothing to say about the sugar industry or the sugar workers.

Like for most of the important economic areas, they simply stated that they will establish a Commission of Inquiry to determine the way forward.

For APNU+AFC to have nothing in their manifesto about the sugar industry and for them to actually tell the nation that they have no idea what is the way forward for GuySuCo, they disqualify themselves for consideration to form the next Government in Guyana. No political party can seriously talk about governing Guyana without firm ideas on how to sustain and further develop sugar in Guyana.

GuySuCo accounts for a significant part of Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), one of the largest contributors to the GDP. No political party of worth can afford

to ignore sugar in Guyana.

Indeed, it is unconscionable and unforgiveable for any political party to so visibly ignore sugar.

We cannot talk about development in Guyana and good governance while ignoring an industry that employs almost 20,000 sugar workers and that contributes significantly to a drainage and irrigation network that supports the rice industry, livestock and cash crops. More than 120,000 Guyanese are directly dependent on the sugar industry. GuySuCo also plays a role in supporting both the health sector and youth and sports in our country.

It is absolutely incredulous that APNU+AFC is so irresponsible as to ignore this important sub-sector in our economic and social development. This, however, while shocking that APNU+AFC would completely shut sugar out of its manifesto, is not inconsistent with its stance on sugar. Its main economic and finance spokesman, Carl Greenidge, had openly stated in the recent past that any money invested in sugar is a black hole. He further asserted in Parliament that the sugar workers are not the responsibility of APNU+AFC, but that they are the PPP/C’s problem.

While APNU+AFC considers sugar workers as not their concern, the PPP/C has always stood with the sugar industry and the sugar workers. The PPP’s history is integrally intertwined with sugar. In colonial days, post- independence until 1992 and since 1992, the PPP has always stood firmly beside sugar workers. Whatever the challenges, we will remain resolutely dedicated to the

welfare and betterment of sugar workers. This is manifested in the fact that we have always ensured that sugar workers get increases in their wages and salaries every year we have been in Government, no matter how well or poorly GuySuCo performed.

In ignoring the sugar industry in their manifesto, APNU+AFC has confirmed an often open commitment to close sugar. In early 2014, they stated at an official APNU media briefing that they will close sugar and replace it with tilapia. In less than 24 hours after that media briefing, Mr. Ramjattan of the AFC stated in very emphatic language that he agreed with that position. During the entire budget debate in 2014, in spite of a challenge from me to dissociate themselves from that policy statement, no member of APNU or the AFC took the opportunity to deny that closure of sugar is in their agenda.

More recently, another economic advisor of APNU, Mr. Stanley Ming, again called for the closure of sugar, but he suggested that Guyana replace sugar with quinoa. I have consistently asked APNU+AFC to either own up to this policy decision or dissociate themselves from it. Again they have ignored me. But their silence on sugar in their manifesto is a loud confirmation of their real intent on sugar – close sugar. There can be no other conclusion.

Adding credence to my view that APNU+AFC is determined to close sugar are two further facts: • They spoke of a 10% increase in salaries and wages

for public servants, but have made no provision for any increases for wages and salaries for sugar workers. This is an insult to sugar workers and exposes their dishonesty.

In 2011, the AFC had promised sugar workers 20% pay increases. Yet throughout the period 2011 to presently, in the 10th Parliament, they have rejected any financial support to GuySuCo and the sugar workers.

• Prior to the “official” release of their manifesto last Thursday, they had released another version of their manifesto. But there was an immediate backlash and they withdrew that initial release.

Part of the reason is that they had included this statement in the manifesto: “We believe that our sugar fields are tailor-made for aquaculture. The farming of tilapia is proving to be very lucrative.” They inadvertently exposed their wild, irresponsible and devious plan to close sugar.

Their insult to sugar workers was even more palpable in that version of the manifesto.

In that initial release, they had made provisions for 20% pay increases for military and police officers and 10% increases for public servants and teachers. But they ignored sugar workers in that earlier release.

The sugar industry is not only important to sugar workers and their families, it is important to all of us. Importantly, businesses in Regions 3, 4, 5 and 6 can attest to the indispensable role sugar plays in the economic and social lives of people. Region 6 will almost become a ghost region without sugar.

APNU+AFC not only ex-

poses its disdain for the sugar industry and the sugar workers, but displays unpardonable ingratitude to an industry that kept Guyana alive for many years during the PNC’s rule.

The sugar levy was the main source of revenue for the PNC Government. The sugar industry subsidised the bauxite industry and provided an important source of revenue for the PNC Government to meet its payment to public servants.

Now when the industry is facing serious challenges such as a low sugar price and climate change, APNU+AFC, the surrogate for the PNC, wants to bury sugar. The PPP/C stands firmly in its unequivocal rejection of APNU+AFC’s ingratitude.

The PPP/C had to rescue sugar in 1992 from the PNC which now parades itself as APNU. Sugar was almost dead in 1992. The PPP/C brought sugar back and restored its glory. We acknowledge that GuySuCo has had difficulties in recent years and that our flagship project, the Skeldon expansion, has not reached its potential. But we are convinced that GuySuCo is again on an upward trajectory. We are confident that GuySuCo will meet its target of more than 300,000 tons of sugar by 2017 and surpass 400,000 tons by the end of 2020.

The PPP/C has presented its plan for sugar in a GuySuCo Business Plan and we have also presented specific proposals in our 2015 manifesto.

Further, we have articulated our position on sugar in many public presentations. Both the President and I have provided specific details on how we

will invest to improve the sugar industry, including an investment of $20B. There can be no doubt – sugar defines in stark details the differences between the PPP/C and APNU+AFC and between Donald Ramotar and David Granger. The PPP/C and Donald Ramotar stand for a strong sugar industry and we are willing to invest in the industry and in sugar workers. APNU+AFC speaks in riddles, but clearly intends to close the sugar industry.

The PPP/C will never allow APNU+AFC to touch sugar.

For this reason I call on APNU+AFC to abandon their plans to close sugar. I demand an apology from David Granger, Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan for their callous treatment of one of the most important industries in the Caribbean. In the case of Nagamootoo and Ramjattan, they have betrayed the sugar workers and for that reason they will feel the power of the sugar workers on May 11th.

In recent weeks, the sugar workers have been making their position clear – they reject APNU+AFC. They feel betrayed and no longer trust anyone in APNU+AFC. It is now too late for APNU+AFC to try to fool sugar workers, it will simply not work. We had given them a chance to say honestly and simply whether they would close the sugar industry. We wanted no ifs or buts. They refused to give a simple answer. Moses Nagamootoo’s 11% has now evaporated.

DR. LESLIE RAMSAMMY

Commonwealth observers arrival is welcome news indeed

THE announcement by Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma that an observer team headed by Kate Wilkinson has arrived in the country to observe the May 11 National and Regional elections is welcome news.

Guyana is a member of the Commonwealth, and the preservation and consolidation of democracy and democratic rule must be a matter of concern to that body.

This is especially so,

given Guyana’s past history of rigged elections and concomitant dictatorial rule for a period that spawned some 28 years, during which Guyana was reduced to the shameful status of the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

Guyana, during those years, was regarded as a pariah state known for rigged elections, poverty and backwardness which came to an end only following the restoration of democratic rule on October 5, 1992.

Indeed, were it not for the presence of the Carter Centre, led by former US President Jimmy Carter himself and other credible international observer groups such as the Commonwealth Group, the OAS and CARICOM, the elections might have once again been rigged in favour of the PNC. There are those who credited Desmond Hoyte for the restoration of democratic rule, ignoring the fact that the biggest electoral fraud

in this country took place in 1985 following the death of Forbes Burnham and the assumption of Desmond Hoyte as President. In elections held later that year, Hoyte took roughly three-quarters of the votes cast, in full view of local and international observers.

It took sustained pressure from the local and international community before Hoyte finally agreed to electoral reforms, which included a new voters’ list, a bal-

anced elections commission, and, more importantly, the counting of votes at the place of poll, which he declared would have been “a logistical nightmare.” Elections which were due in 1990 was postponed by two years to allow Opposition demands to be met.

President Carter and his Carter Centre, along with other western countries and the donor community were mainly responsible for the restoration of democracy to

Guyana.

Today, 23 years later, they are once again in Guyana, this time not to bring an end to dictatorial rule, but to ensure that our hard-won democracy is preserved and consolidated.

The presence of GECOM-accredited observer teams is most reassuring, and will certainly help to boost voter confidence and morale.

HYDAR ALLY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

When corrupt people speak of corruption THE APNU+AFC coalition is peddling the idea that the PPP/C needs to be removed from office because of its corrupt practices.

According to their claims, the PPP/C is so corrupt that they were forced to vote down all the programmes earmarked for this country.

Seeing all of the programmes are of a developmental nature and beneficial to the nation as a whole, I sincerely ask the question: Where is the corruption?

The answer I got was that these projects were not designed for the country, but were corrupt schemes made out to put money in the PPP/C and their lackeys’ pockets.

They are trying to sell the idea that the PPP/C Government has done this country untold evil by robbing its citizens of well-needed tax dollars; monies they claim that was shared by them and their cronies. According to them, the ill-gotten gains were siphoned off to build large mansions and other luxuries for the PPP/C cabal.

So, let us begin with the alleged ill-gotten wealth amassed by the PPP/C. As required by law, aren’t all parliamentarians to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission? By declaring one’s assets to the Commis-

sion for scrutiny, it will clear you of all corruption charges.

If all of the PPP/C parliamentarians have declared their accounts and financial transactions to the Integrity Commission, then I ask if any of the Opposition have declared theirs. And the answer is not one of them. So, how could you cry corruption when you haven’t declared your assets, at least for the people of this country to see and judge for themselves? It tells me that the Opposition have lots of things to hide, and they are the ones that are corrupt elements.

Our next stop is Pradoville and the alleged enormous pension of the former president. Now, presidents and their spouse’s emoluments in and out of office were decided upon by both Government and Opposition way back. One former president and his wife who benefited from this scheme was Desmond Hoyte; so why is Dr Jagdeo not entitled?

How are his benefits tainted as “corrupt” assets? And should I add, is Pradoville the only gated community?

As I write, I am looking at an advertisement directed

by Dwayne Bravo, a Trinidadian, on Windsor Estates, encouraging foreigners to purchase houses in this upscale community. If a Trinidadian of such great immensity could invest in Guyana,

and is calling on others to do the same, then it tells me that foreigners have confidence in the PPP/C administration.

Most of the persons in some of these upscale communities are re-migrants; and they too are expressing confidence in the investment climate. So this nonsensical talk of corruption is giving someone a proverbial “basket to fetch water.”

Chief among the accusers is Carl Greenidge, former finance minister under the PNC Administration.

He claims that the present finance minister is corrupt.

Well, I have news for him.

Dr Ashni Singh is (if I’m not mistaken, he is the chairman) on the IMF Committee of finance ministers. Do you think those people would appoint a vagabond and a thief to such a prestigious position? The answer is: Never! They would have seen his impeccable track record, and judging from that record, asked him in on their team.

Carl Greenidge, even in his best of times, could not attain such a position because of his lousy management here in Guyana, as well as his time at the ACP. I challenge the PNC/APNU+AFC “mishmash” to tell us of his stewardship whilst he was at the ACP. Let me help them with the answer: It was the most dismal of times, seeing they were led by a corrupt deputy

Well done, Minister Benn and the PPP/C!

secretary general who was clueless as to economic or fiscal matters. They simply had to get rid of Carl Greenidge before the entire ACP grouping collapsed. This is the onerous record of this man, who now files corruption charges against the PPP/C. What they need to tell the people is that they are the ones who are corrupt, because Greenidge and his cohorts jealously eye a treasury with foreign reserves.

They are the ones who want to get their filthy, corrupt hands on the treasury.

Further to our discussion is the fact that the finance ministry now boasts of foreign reserves for many months. This is an unheard of story when the PNC was in office; Greenidge and his government were bankrupt.

So, what corruption brought us to the place where we now have foreign reserves?

The answer is no corruption at all, but the educated and skilful management by the finance minister in a PPP/C Government.

Let us turn our attention to the airport expansion and modernization scheme. This is a project meant to enhance the airport and bring it into respectable 20th Century rating. We are well aware of the scare we got when that Caribbean Airlines aircraft skidded off the runway and the high price the Guyana Government would have

had to pay had those investigations revealed that it was due to the airport’s short runway? Thank God the results proved otherwise; that it was due to pilot error.

We are not out of the woods yet, because the airport has to be lengthened, as well as its facilities brought to international standards.

This is capital investment, where a lot of finance has to be expended. I was so mad when I saw splashed on the front page of a prominent anti-government tabloid that the planned expansion reeks of corruption, and the example cited was the cost for toilet facilities. The cost cited was some US$238 for toilets. Now, this outrageous claim of corruption compares the erroneous fact that a common household toilet costs about G$20,000, and these toilets should be used instead. Now are these guys for real! Are you talking about outfitting an international airport with toilets that we commonly use in our outhouses? This is what they want for the first impression a traveller gets of our country?

The Opposition cabal travels a lot, and they go into modern washrooms equipped with marble stone outlay. In these washroom facilities, you do not have to manually operate anything; it is all automatically done. The facilities I’ve mentioned are

expensive ventures; they call for a lot of money to install.

So, my question is: Why can’t our airport get into the modern era? Why must our airport remain a hovel? The answer again is, these guys want us to remain in the present backwardness, then turn again and blame the government of corruption.

Our airport needs a complete overhaul, and this has been negotiated and is about to be executed by the Chinese, who, by the way, are earmarked to do it at a reduced cost. But the corruption word is a shameless excuse for them.

There are many more examples of this trash talk of corruption I could expose, such as the Amaila Falls HEP project and the Opposition who benefited from it and who now turn again and cry foul, but will stop here to make way for other letter writers who are eager to nail another lie promulgated by the Opposition.

My advice to the APNU+AFC coalition is: don’t try to fool the people with this corruption nonsense; it simply wouldn’t work. Because when the people look at what you are saying and what you have done, they will see who really are the corrupt individuals. Clear as glass, they would see straight through your schemes.

NEIL ADAMS

Desmond Hoyte did not restore free and fair elections

IT SEEMS everyone I talk to wants me to express appreciation for your inspiring presentation at the last PPC/C rally in Bartica 2015.

Your years of service to the people of Guyana, particularly the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and as Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, your depth of understanding of user interfaces, and your ability to present the subject in such an interesting way produced one of the most memorable evenings in our history.

I personally appreciated your honest and straightforward approach towards the progress in our country under the PPP/C. The subject enthuses me, and I plan to continue being a PPP supporter, even though that was always so.

Please consider doing more speeches at upcoming rallies and meetings.

I appreciated the remarks you made about the history of the APNU/AFC. You had clearly researched the subject, and many of us felt that yours was a voice of sanity in the midst of an emotional and divisive discussion. I wish that more people would try to see all sides of the issues that came up.

No matter how the final vote goes, I want you to know that what you said had a significant impact on many of us.

Again, I would like to personally thank you for your presentation. Judging from the comments of those who attended, the meeting was very successful. Most of the credit goes to you and the others who gave such interesting presentations.

I WAS looking at a televised broadcast of the APNU+AFC rally in Essequibo. There is no doubt that a lot of half truths and downright lies were peddled by Mr. Imaam Baksh. He said that Mr. Desmond Hoyte was responsible for bringing back free and fair elections in Guyana – this is a lie. He was pressured by the USA, Canada, UK and other countries to hold free and fair elections after the PCD, GUARD and the diaspora had requested them to intervene. Even after the results in 1992 showed that the PPP/C had won the elections, Mr. Hoyte had refused to accept defeat. His party members rioted in Georgetown burning buildings and beating anyone who looked like a PPP supporter. It was not until President Carter read the riot act to him (Mr Hoyte) that he accepted the election results.

Mr. Imaam Baksh said that it was Mr. Hoyte who brought back flour and other banned items to Guyana. I want to ask Mr. Baksh, “Who banned flour and other goods?” It was Mr. Burnham who made it a crime to have these goods. Mr. Hoyte was the prime minister during that time. Did he not agree to have these goods banned? If he didn’t, then, if he was such a principled individual as Mr Baksh made him out to be, he should have resigned his position as prime minister. It showed that he agreed to the banning. Why praise him for lifting the ban?

Mr. Baksh told the gathering that it was Mr. Hoyte who granted rice millers (like himself) permission to export rice. This may be true, but at what cost to the rice industry?

The millers took advantage of the poor rice farmers and forced them out of the market by offering them prices that made it impossible for them to exist. They abandoned their rice fields which caused production to drop so low that Guyana had to import rice for domestic consumption. It should be noted that this happened under Mr. Hoyte’s tenure as President.

What a shame Mr Baksh! Let the truth be told.

PPP/C SUPPORTER

A PERSAUD

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

Pushpanjali 2015 highlights cultural diversity of East Indian Community

– as Guyanese celebrate the origin of their Indian roots

Some of the distinguished guests who were present at the ceremony yesterday: from left, Mr. Hemraj Kissoon, Dr. Yesu Persaud , Mr. Ashook Ramsaran and United States Charge d’Affaires, Brian Hunt

PUSHPANJALI 2015 was bigger and better than previous years as our East Indian Guyanese brothers and sisters celebrated their 177 years since arrival to the homeland.

Apart from the distinguished guests, many, not just Guyanese of Indian extract, joined in the celebration of Indian Arrival Day, as they gathered at the Indian Monument Garden to witness an array of Indian cultural activities.

Featured during the programme were cultural dances, songs, presentations and other activities which were all presented by the Indian Commemoration Trust in honour of the 177th Anniversary of the arrival of Indians to this country.

Speaking during the ceremony, prominent businessman, Dr.Yesu Persaud underscored the fact that “this is a special day for us, as this generation owes our foreparents gratitude for coming to this country,”as he highlighted the difficulties faced during their travels to the land now called Guyana.

In closing, Dr. Persaud urged the young generation to build on what their ancestors have accomplished and also live together in unity and peace.

Meanwhile, giving the feature address, President of the Global Organisation for People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), Ashook Ramsaran, took the audience back in time explaining the journey of our East Indian brothers and sisters from India in 1838.He noted that: “The perseverance of our people has been remarkable,because our ancestors came here by choice; therefore, we must pay homage to those who came before from India.”

Mr. Ramsaran also underscored the fact that we are a single nation, so we must be entitled to mutual benefits to unify the people of Guyana and ensure that we live as one.

Therefore, he stated that he joins with the entire Guyanese population in celebrating the 177th anniversary of the arrivals of East Indians to this country and also acknowledge the fact that we must move forward and work as one nation to build this country further.

A dance done by the Nadira and Indranie Shaw troupe (Photos by Samuel Maughn)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

JAGDEO WARNS…

‘Do not be fooled’ by AFC’s singular campaigning – a vote for AFC is a vote for Granger as president that even if APNU+AFC were to be successful at the upcoming polls, Granger would be president and

Bharrat Jagdeo

‘Now they are subsumed; Granger will decide everything. They are baggage to APNU; they are peripheral to APNU’s main thrust. So when they come into the village, they only come with a little yellow flag to fool people; they no longer exist’ -- Bharrat Jagdeo THE singular campaign outreaches being conducted by the Alliance For Change (AFC) are seen by former president, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo as a tactic to mislead the Guyanese people.

As such, he is warning Guyanese to be very wary of this undertaking and not be fooled, since a vote for AFC is a vote to make Brigadier (rtd) David Granger president.

“There is no more AFC; what you are voting for effectively is to make Granger president of Guyana,” Dr Jagdeo stressed at a news conference last Friday at Freedom House.

“Now they are subsumed; Granger will decide everything,” he said, adding: “They are baggage to APNU (A Partnership for National Unity); they are peripheral to APNU’s main thrust. So when they come into the village, they only come with a little yellow flag to fool people; they no longer exist.”

According to Jagdeo, the Alliance For Change no longer has any “leverage”, given their “marriage” with APNU. Referring to the promise from Moses Nagamootoo, APNU+AFC prime ministerial candidate, to deliver “11 per cent of the Indian votes” in Berbice to APNU, he reasoned that the singular campaigning is premised on the fact that he is looking to deliver.

“A number of people have come up to me and ask me why the AFC continues to campaign as if it were a party again in their villages…that is an elections ploy,” he declared.

Dr Jagdeo said, “There is absolutely no AFC. They exist on paper only. That from nomination day, when a single list of candidates was presented to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and from that day onwards, the AFC we knew in the past ceased to exist.”

He highlighted the fact

executive powers reposed with him.

“He would be Head of State and Head of Govern-

ment. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President, and if on day two, Granger decides to fire Nagamootoo, he has absolutely no recourse… even if they disagree on issues and Naga-

mootoo were to vote against projects in Parliament from APNU, Nagamootoo can be recalled, because it is against the legislation to vote against its own party,” Jagdeo said.

Similar sentiments were reiterated when the former president took to the campaign platform on Sunday at Bath Settlement, Region 5. (Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

West Bank youths acquire hydroponics, vegetable gardening skills

By Clifford Stanley

they can continue to develop and expand on the skills TWENTY-NINE young acquired. people between the ages Mr. Kelvin Craig, Projof 10 and 19 from the West ect Manager (POA) disDemerara area last Sat- closed that the programme urday graduated from a had been executed under six-month programme the Sustainable Livelihoods with skills in the areas of and Community Economic hydroponics and natural Growth through Hydroponvegetable gardening in con- ic and Organic Vegetable tainers.

Production and Marketing The programme was Project funded by the Inorganised and jointly exe- ter-American Development cuted by the Partners of the Bank / Japanese Trust Fund.

Americas (Guyana Chapter) The programme comand Caribbean Self-Reliance menced in December 2014 International (CASRI) . and aimed at empowering T h e p a r t i c i p a n t s children of those commuwere children comprising nities in the areas of hydronine females and twenty ponic and natural vegetable males from Stanleytown gardening in containers. and Vive-la-Force commu For the training they nities on the West Bank De- were exposed to site selecmerara, Region 3 (Essequi- tion, container selection, bo/West Demerara). substrate preparation, plant Winners of an end of ing, caring, fertilizing and programme competition were harvesting crops such as given shade-houses so that lettuce, celery and pakchoy.

They participated in a farm tour on January 10th 2015 in Regions 3 and 4 (Demerara/Mahaica) where they visited existing shade-houses on the West Bank Demerara and in Georgetown and had the opportunity to interact with shade-house producers and to ask relevant questions.

Of the twenty-nine participants, twenty-five were honoured with certificates of participation at the closing ceremony at the Goed Intent Community Centre, West Bank Demerara on Saturday last.

POA disclosed that the immediate benefits to the respective families and communities included improved nutrition, food security and self-esteem as well as longterm future benefits.

With respect to the end of course competition, the first and second place winners from each community

were awarded shade-houses as prizes.

Joel Caldeira and Shanequa Boyce were first and second place winners respectively for Stanleytown while Jude Mars and Nafeesa Hosein were first and second place winners for the participants of Vive-la-Force.

POA disclosed that both first place winners will receive a 20x8 ft. shade-house and both second place winners a 10x8 ft. shade-house.

The children were told that they were all winners in terms of the skills they had learnt .

Partners of the Americas is a private, nonprofit, non-partisan organisation with international offices in Washington, D.C The local chapter in Guyana, linked with Mississippi, works on projects in diverse areas, including health, climate change and

Fist place winner for Vive-la-Force, Jude Mars receiving his certificate also

environmental protection, agriculture, women and gender equality and education.

Caribbean Self-Reliance International is a Canada-based international development organisation which was founded in 1999 and began work in Guyana in 2003.

The core of CASRI’s

work is the nurturing and development of community and local government leadership for community capacity building and transformation.

In doing so, CASRI ensures the involvement of the younger generation, their families and the communities where they learn, work and live.

Indian Gov’t pledges $35M E-Day declared a towards bronze monument public holiday – in memory of our Indian forebears

By Jeune VanKeric AN iconic monument, a tribute to our Indian ancestors, will soon be a reality thanks to a $35M pledge from the Government of India towards its construction here. The bronze memorial will be situated at the ‘T’ junction at Palmyra Village, on the Corentyne, just off the eastern side of the Berbice River Bridge.

The announcement, made

by India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. V. Mahalingam, was greeted with loud applause from those attending the yearly pilgrimage of Indian descendants to Plantation Highbury, on the East Bank Berbice, where the first batch of immigrant Indians arrived here as indentured labourers on May 5, 1838.

The diplomat disclosed that since his arrival here nine months ago, he has been working in collaboration with the local Ministry of Culture to establish an Indian Arrival Monument, which will be erected on a decorated one-acre piece of land.

He described the sculpted artistry as being a fitting tribute to our Indian ancestors who came to the then British Guiana.

“Remembering history

Indian High Commissioner, Mr V Mahalingam addressing the gathering yesterday at the Highbury memorial service

is a must,” Mr Mahalingam said, adding: “And in this regard, remembering our ancestors is always good. When your first batch of ancestors descended on May 5, 1838 as indentured labourers, they never had any idea of the harsh realities of life that were awaiting them.”

He said: “They worked

hard with their fellow African brothers and sisters to make their adopted land a better place for future generations.

“Today, you are better off because of their hard labour and the immense pain that they had gone through. So it is time to pay your gratitude and respect to them.”

In addition to the monument, the envoy gave G$30,000 to the Berbice Indian Cultural Committee, and pledged support in promoting and enhancing culture between the two lands.

"Please count us in all your activities to promote your culture and to enhance people- to-people contacts between your beautiful country Guyana and India. I know we all, not only you, but also we at the High Commission feel that we are separated by large distance …. and to add to that there is no direct transport communication between the two countries. It is our endeavour to see that this difficulty is eased for all of us to get in touch with India physically in a comfortable way.”

Earlier in the day, hundreds of persons, though a disappointing crowd compared to previous years, had motored to the East Berbice village where they witnessed a skit, a re-enactment of the arrival of Indians to the then British Guiana in song and dance skilfully portrayed by their descendants.

Also in attendance were Regional Chairman David Armogan; former Local Government Minister, Mr Harripersaud Nokta; and APNU+AFC prime ministerial candidate, Mr Moses Nagamootoo, among other dignitaries.

ELECTION DAY, May 11, has been declared a public holiday by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

“The Ministry of Home Affairs wishes to inform the general public that in pursuance of the powers conferred on the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs by Section 6 of the Public Holiday Act, the Minister has declared Monday, May 11, 2015 as a Public Holiday in observance of General and Regional Elections,” the Ministry said in a statement.

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

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

President Donald Ramotar, on January 20, announced May 11 as the date for General and Regional Election, which were not constitutionally due until 2016. Three years of political gridlock and the consequent prorogation of Parliament preceded the move.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

Celebrating East Indian Arrival in Guyana – a story of survival against tremendous odds

By Tota C Mangar MAY 5, 2015 commemorates the 177th Anniversary of the arrival of East Indian indentured immigrants in Guyana the former colony of British Guiana. For over three-quarters of a century (1838-1917), Indian indentured labourers were imported from the sub-continent of India to the West Indian colonies, ostensibly to fill the void created as a result of the mass exodus of ex-slaves from plantation labour following the abolition of the despicable system of slavery and moreso the premature termination of the apprenticeship scheme in 1838.

This influx into the Caribbean in the post-emancipation period of the 19th and early 20th Centuries was only one segment of a wider movement of Indian labourers to other parts of the world, including Mauritius, Ceylon, Fiji, the Strait Settlements, Natal and other parts of the African continent.

Overall, where the English-speaking Caribbean is concerned, substantial numbers of indentured Indians were imported. Based on statistical evidence, Guyana was the recipient of 238,909 East Indian immigrants up to the termination of the system in 1917; Trinidad 143,939; Jamaica 36,412; Grenada 3,033; St. Vincent 2,472; St. Lucia 4,354; and St. Kitts 337. In addition the non-English speaking Caribbean also imported Indian Indentured labourers during this period. Of the French colonies (now Overseas Departments) Martinique received 25, 509; Guadeloupe 45, 844 and French Guiana

ed to rid themselves of white planter class, social, cultural and political domination, and to assert their economic independence. With great enthusiasm and in the face of tremendous odds they started the village movement and peasantry in the immediate post-emancipation era.

The importation of indentured labourers from the Indian sub-continent was part of the continuing search for a reliable labour force to meet the needs of the powerful plantocracy. In the case of Guyana, Indian immigrants

As a result of the acute labour problem, Gladstone wrote the Calcutta recruiting firm, Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Company inquiring about the possibility of obtaining Indian immigrants for his estates. The firm’s prompt reply was that it envisaged no recruiting problems and that Indians were already in service in another British colony, Mauritius.

Subsequently, Gladstone obtained permission for his scheme from both the Colonial Office and the Board of Control of the East India

Tota Mangar

19, 276. Neighbouring Suriname, while under Dutch rule, imported a total of 35, 501 immigrants.

BACKGROUND TO ARRIVAL Following the abolition of slavery in 1834 and the termination of the apprenticeship system in 1838, a state of fear, uncertainty and gloom was uppermost in the minds of the then British Guianese planters. They were very conscious that a grave labour shortage on the estates would certainly mean economic disaster to themselves and the sugar industry in general.

The mass exodus of exslaves from the plantations during this crucial period of ‘crisis, experimentation and change’ merely served to confirm planters’ fear and uneasiness. This movement was not entirely surprising as several decades of slavery had resulted in the plantation being seen as the symbol of dehumanisation, degradation and demoralisation, and the victims, quite naturally want-

A typical day in the life of an indentured immigrant

had its origin in the “Gladstone Experiment”. John Gladstone, the father of British statesman, William Gladstone, was the owner of two West Demerara plantations, Vreed-en-Hoop and Vreeden-Stein, at this juncture of the country’s history.

Rural women selling milk door-to-door circa 1922

Company. The first batches of Indian indentured labourers arrived in Guyana on board the steamships “Whitby” and “Hesperus” in May 1838, and these first arrivals were on a five-year contract.

This initial experimentation was not confined to Gladstone’s two estates but it involved plantations Highbury and Waterloo in Berbice, Belle View, West Bank Demerara and Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast as well.

This immigration scheme, involving Indian immigrants, commenced in 1838 with a temporary halt from July 1839 to 1845. It continued virtually uninterrupted to 1917 during which time 238, 909 immigrants landed in Guyana. Of this figure 75,547 returned to the land of their birth while the remainder who survived the system chose to remain here and make this country their homeland.

THE INDENTURESHIP SYSTEM In the main, the system of Indentureship could be characterised as one of “struggle, sacrifice and resistance”

where the Indian immigrants are concerned. The system itself was closely linked to slavery. British historian, Hugh Tinker, who did extensive work on East Indian Labour Overseas, describes it as a “New System of Slavery”.

Anthony Trallope, who visited the Caribbean in the 1850’s, viewed it as “A depotism tempered with sugar”.

Chief Justice in the second half of the Nineteenth Century, Charles Beaumont, aptly describes it as “ a rotten, monstrous system rooted in slavery.”

The late distinguished Guyanese historian, Dr. Walter Rodney highlighted the harshness of the Indentureship system and its “neoslave nature”. Another Guyanese historian, Dr. Basdeo Mangru argues that slavery and indenture showed remarkable similarities in terms of control, exploitation and degradation. In any event it is reasonable to conclude that the very nature of the Indentureship system that prevailed, lent itself to struggle, sacrifice and resistance on the part of the indentured labourers.

From the very inception the system was plagued with controversy. True enough there were strong “push” factors which motivated the people to leave their homeland such as high levels of unemployment, chronic poverty, indebtedness and even famine and at the same time many were disposed to respond to promises of better times and what they perceived as “greener pastures”.

Even so, professional recruiting agents, the arkatis’ in North India, and the ‘maistris’ in South India, resorted largely to deception and coercion to get supplies.

Many were lured by way of glowing promises, and were assured of lucrative employment and enriched opportunities. Recruiters exploited their ignorance and simplicity, and some were hoodwinked, cajoled and lured to leave their homes under false pretences while some were even kidnapped.

Indeed, fraud, deceit and coercion permeated the whole recruiting system between 1838 and 1917.

Against tremendous odds the immigrants struggled for their very survival on board ship. Overcrowding of the emigrant ships, inadequate food, lack of fresh water, water-borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and diarrhoea, and the long and arduous voyage, made life unbearable.

In many instances, the consequence was a high mortality rate to as much as 20 to 30 percent. Immigrants

consoled themselves through singing, drumming and story telling, and of greater significance was the lasting friendship that developed among the ‘jehazis’ or shipmates.

In the colony indentured labourers had to endure the critical period of ‘seasoning’ or adjusting to their new environment. This is itself was no easy task, and some found themselves introduced to plantation labour very quickly after their arrival.

On the estates, the indentured labourers experienced the harshness of the system.

It was obvious that the powerful plantocracy had effective control of the immigrant labour force. An important aspect of this control was the contract under which the immigrant was recruited. While it stipulated the obligation of the labourer and the employer, the labour laws weighted heavily against the former.

As in the case of the slave laws, the plantocracy benefited immensely under the contract laws. After all, the implementation of the laws and the period of industrial residence were taking place thousands of miles from the labourer’s homeland, in a social and political environment dominated by the employer.

It was not surprising therefore that the laws were easily varied and very often abused by the plantocracy to suit their ‘whims and fancies’. Of added significance was the fact that some Immigration Agent-generals and Stipendiary Magistrates tended to side with the planter class. As a result cases of intimidation, assault and battery were often covered up.

Moreover, court trials were subjected to abuse and were, in many instances, reduced to a farce as official Interpreters aligned with the plantocracy while the labourers had little opportunity of defending themselves.

Throughout the period of Indentureship, immigrants were faced with meagre wage rates and unrealistic task work. Weekly earnings depended on the number of tasks, the nature of the tasks, whether it was weeding, shoveling, manuring, planting or harvesting and the speed with which they were completed. In any event, it was the employer who invariably determined the wage rate and whenever there was a fall in sugar prices immigrants found their earnings minimised.

One immigration agent was baffled to know how immigrants at Plantation Bel Air existed due to insufficient earnings to support life, while Coljar, a spokesman Turn to page 21 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

Jagdeo warns...

APNU ‘majority’ myth will only instigate violence --welcomes home those who strayed from the fold

By Gary Eleazer

THE Alliance For Change (AFC) is a dead party, and those who would have voted for that party in 2011, being misguided by former Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) members Moses Nagamootoo and Khemraj Ramjattan, are now being called upon to ‘return home’, as a vote for the coalesced APNU+AFC is in fact a vote for Opposition Leader Brigadier (rtd) David Granger.

This is the message of former president Bharrat Jadgeo on the campaign trail. Along with Dr Peter Ramsaroop, himself a trained economist, Jagdeo has also been speaking to the fact that the APNU majority, as touted by its leaders, is in fact a myth.

While in Berbice over the weekend, Jagdeo explained to supporters that, on Nomination Day, when the respective parties contesting this year’s elections would have had to submit a list, only one was submitted on behalf of the APNU+AFC coalition, with Granger named as contesting for the Executive Presidency.

Jagdeo argued that Nagamootoo and Ramjattan hold no negotiating leverage with APNU, that the AFC is dead, and that its members are still attempting to hoodwink the electorate into thinking they would still be voting for the likes of the two former PPP/C members on Election Day. Jagdeo told supporters

Former President Dr. Bharrat Jadgeo that Messrs Ramjattan and Nagamootoo have betrayed the trust of the people; the party; and its founder, Dr Cheddi Jagan; and he had this to say to those voters who had been “misguided” in 2011 and had “listened to the sweet words (of Ramjattan and Nagamootoo): “I say to all of them (that) the PPP is your home; come back home!”

Interrupted by loud cheers, the former president continued: “Do not listen to them again!”

Jagdeo is joined on the PPP/C List of Candidates by a number of party stalwarts and new faces, including Dr Peter Ramsaroop, who has sought to dispel what he described as a misconception among the APNU supporters that is peddled by its leaders.

Dr Ramsaroop’s argument is that, following the 2011 General and Regional Elections, APNU supporters should be aware that that coalition received only 40 per cent of

the votes cast at the time, compared to nearly 49 per cent for the PPP/C. This equated to 26 seats for APNU and 32 by the PPP/C —- the incumbent clearly enjoying the plural majority of votes and seats allocated in the National Assembly. Dr Ramsaroop points out that “the AFC was a distant third.”

As he joins PPP/C Leaders on the 2015 campaign trail, the economist and local businessman predicts that “the APNU supporters’ misconception will lead to violence after (the elections), as in previous engagements….

“I have been there within the belly of the PNC (Peoples National Congress) and know how the violence starts and how it is instigated,”Dr Ramsaroop has declared.

The PNC serves as the largest bloc in the APNU partnership.

According to Dr Ramsaroop, Opposition Leader, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, needs to ensure “we have a peaceful election from his supporters, especially since recent polling numbers show that the AFC cannot maintain their 2011 levels.”

Dr Ramsaroop has also observed that some businessmen who are now supporting APNU “such as Jacob Rambarran, owner of RBS Channel 13, complimented Brigadier (rtd) Granger for holding his coalition together since 2011.”

Dr Ramsaroop points out that Rambarran, in his disingenuousness, “failed to ac-

PPP/C Candidate, Economist Dr Peter Ramsaroop engaging the Berbice Rally over the weekend port, but them taking back

knowledge the destabilising tactics of the 10th Parliament under Granger’s leadership.”

He has been reminding supporters that “Granger’s coalition only received 40 per cent of the votes and did not hold any majority in Parliament.”

Dr Ramsaroop says that many of his past criticisms of the PPP/C have been implemented and achieved. He says there are many more programmes that he has advocated for, and are scheduled as part of the PPP/C’s 2015 Elections Manifesto, ‘Guyana Version 2.0,’ “which will radically transform our national posture and add critical higher level paying jobs, which ultimately will allow for career progression for many of our people.”

Dr Ramsaroop is of the opinion that the PPP/C’s 2020

Vision of moving to a transport-led and energy-driven economy, which includes the Hydro Plant and paving of the road to Brazil, “will radically change our local economics.”

Transportation infrastructure, according to Dr Ramsaroop, “means we will get goods to market faster with the Brazil connection, (and) using our Deep Water Harbour will see increased income in many villages.”

The economist predicts that “the connection between a village’s proximity to a new road is estimated to increase as high as 25 per cent, based on other samples done around the world.”

He has since deduced that there will be a positive impact on villagers’ agricultural activities and their ability to get to markets and increased income.

“It is not just about the trucks bringing goods to the

our products, such as our cash crops, coconuts and other products to Brazil as one example,” Dr Ramsaroop argues.

In addition, Dr Ramsaroop says, “The bridging between Guyana and Suriname will rapidly increase trade…. Since the building of the Berbice Bridge, goods and people movement between the counties has had a major economic return to both business and people.”

Dr Ramsaroop has, over time, been arguing on the campaign trail that “Version 2.0 is exciting, and every Guyanese must study and be part of the development….

As President Donald Ramotar said: “Our future is bright, and the achievements that have been accomplished across Guyana now allow us to move to the next level of development.”

AFC’s Nigel Hughes chides APNU+AFC supporters –for ‘unruly behaviour’ at PPP/C ‘Warlock’ rally AGAINST the backdrop of what has been described as “unruly behaviour” from supporters and activists of the coalesced APNU+AFC at a recent PPPC rally in Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Alliance For Change Chairman Nigel Hughes, a list candidate of the coalition, has issued a condemnation post on social media denouncing such actions.

Warlock was, earlier last week, transformed into a most unfortunate scene when a public meeting hosted by the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) was interrupted by a band of supporters of the political Opposition. Involving children in their nefarious activities, the supporters

urinated on and burned PPP flags, and hurled missiles at the rally speakers, including party stalwart Dr Roger Luncheon.

The person reported to have urinated on the flag and subsequently setting it ablaze was Child Welfare Officer Abigail Baveghems, who is also the daughter of an APNU member.

That incident has been widely criticised, given that it occurred on the same day that political parties had signed on to a Code of Conduct aimed at guiding the manner in which campaigning is conducted.

The incident has also been labelled as another move to intimidate PPP/C supporters, and it follows similar acts, including the destruction of PPP/C campaign parapher-

nalia and the stoning of the home of a PPP/C supporter in Linden, Region 10.

That unwarranted attack on the PPP/C meeting in Warlock has caused Nigel Hughes, like many others, to issue via Facebook a statement which reads: “Tonight we condemn all acts of indecency and disrespect; whether it’s urinating on someone’s flag, burning someone’s flag, or any other similar act. We must hold ourselves to higher standards than we expect of others.”

The APNU+AFC candidate added: “We are better than that.”

Although there had been no reported case of injury, the ruling party had registered its concerns with related authorities.

The Facebook post made by APNU-AFC list candidate Nigel Hughes

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

IMF PROJECTS…

Guyana’s economy to grow 3.8 per cent this year – and a further 4.4 per cent in 2016

By Tajeram Mohabir THE confidence expressed by foreign investors in the economy and prudent management noted by Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh has been attested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Bank, in its latest report, has projected Guyana’s economy to grow 3.8 per cent this year, the third highest in South America behind Bolivia 4.3 per cent and Paraguay 4 per cent.

And in 2016, the local economy is expected to experience a 4.4 per cent growth, second only to Peru, whose economy the IMF projects will grow 5 per cent.

If the projections hold, it would mean that Guyana will enjoy 10 years of consecutive economic growth.

British High Commissioner James Quinn at a recent function had also pointed out that Guyana, currently a lower middle-income country, is set to overtake Belize and move into the upper middle-income category.

Former Senior Advisor to the IMF and Finance Minister, Asgar Ali last Wednesday told the Guyana Chronicle that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has always focused on building a strong economic base.

This, he said, coupled with prudent management has set the stage for the rapid and sustained economic growth Guyana enjoys today.

The former IMF Advisor also predicted that based on current outlook, the economic growth that Guyana enjoys will continue and accelerate.

This forecast has been supported by the latest IMF report which has projected the local economy to grow 3.8 per cent this year and 4.4 per cent in 2016.

REPORT In its latest regional forecast, IMF reported that growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is expected to decline for a fifth consecutive year— dipping below 1 per cent in 2015 - although there are clear differences along North-South lines.

The IMF’s Regional Economic Outlook for the Western Hemisphere, released April 29 in Santiago, Chile, projects growth in Latin America and the Caribbean at 0.9 per cent in 2015, down from 1.3 per cent in 2014.

Near-term prospects remain fairly dim for South

In Argentina, exchange rate pressures have eased recently, but output is still projected to decline modestly in 2015, extending last year’s slowdown.

In contrast, Central America’s economies are expected to benefit from the current external environment, particularly from the US recovery.

Growth in 2015 is projected at a solid 4¼ per cent, close to last year’s number.

America, with output contractions projected in three of the largest economies for 2015—Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela—while only Chile and Peru would see a pick-up in growth.

In contrast, growth is projected to be steady in Central America and the Caribbean, and strengthen in Mexico, thanks to lower oil bills for importers and robust economic recovery in the United States.

For 2016, growth in the Region is expected to make a modest recovery to 2 per cent.

The Regional Economic Outlook draws attention to the downside risks that could further complicate the outlook for Latin America.

Further possible weakness in commodity prices - perhaps related to a sharper downturn in China - would increase pressures on South America’s net commodity exporters.

At the same time, financial risks have increased, following a long period of strong capital inflows and credit growth regionally and low interest rates globally.

Faster-than-expected US growth would benefit its closest trading partners in the Region, notably in Central America and Mexico, but could lead to faster normalisation of US monetary policy than currently anticipated.

The continued weakness in regional economic activity

also heightens the risk of domestic policy missteps, especially attempts to stave off a structural slowdown with excessive policy stimulus.

GROWTH DYNAMICS Growth dynamics among the Region’s financially integrated economies - Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay - are expected to diverge over the period ahead, reflecting differentiated exposures to global commodity markets and other country-specific factors.

Brazil is experiencing the most serious economic downturn in more than two decades, with output projected to fall by 1 per cent in 2015. Mexico, the second largest economy in the Region, faces a comparatively favourable outlook.

Growth is projected to expand by 3 percent this year.

Among the other financially integrated economies, Chile, Colombia, and Peru are all facing headwinds from lower commodity export prices and the related cuts to corporate investment. However, strong macroeconomic fundamentals provide an important buffer.

Economic conditions in some of the other (less financially integrated) commodity exporters of South America are particularly challenging.

Venezuela slid into recession in early 2014 and is expected to severely contract in 2015.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY Economic recovery is also expected to continue in the Caribbean, although external, fiscal, and financial vulnerabilities remain high in several economies. In the tourism-dependent Caribbean, growth is projected to improve to 2 per cent, in 2015.

This is quite below the 3.8 projected for Guyana in 2015. High Commissioner Quinn had said the consecutive growth enjoyed by Guyana is laudable, but noted it is important that the country continues on the upward trajectory, creating more wealth and encouraging more investment into the country.

In March, Nearshore Americas Founder and Managing Director, Mr. Kirk Laughlin, had identified Guyana as a special place for investors, especially those in the Business Outsourcing Industry (BPI).

Nearshore Americas produces authoritative and independent news, analyses and research on the fast-emerging Latin America and Caribbean business process, Information Technology (IT), software and

call centre industries.

He noted that Guyana has incredible potential for business, and importantly it has begun to execute it.

The entrepreneur said investors are coming and seeing the opportunities here, the right infrastructure is being put in place to encourage business and there are ready “associates” [Government and other partners] to “enact the dream and make it come alive.”

More recently, Saju Bhaskar, founder of Texila American University, a global education provider in the field of medicine, at the turning of the sod for the construction of a US$20 million state-of the-art campus at Providence, East Bank Demerara, said: “We believe in Guyana.”

ELECTIONS FLASHBACK Struggle for the people

AT THE 13th Congress of the PPP, Cheddi Jagan declared in his address: “We must carry out a relentless struggle against the government in defence of the people’s vital interests…we must concentrate on day-to-day work in every front to achieve racial integration and unity of the working class.”

He referred to the unemployment figure which was 17% in the city and 23% in the rural areas and to the cost of living which had jumped 5 points in only 1½ years compared to 10 points in the 7 previous years of the PPP government. He also noted that when the PPP left office at the end of 1964 there was $5.4 M in the Treasury but at the end of 1965 this was reduced to $0.6 M with a debt of $8 M. This is a famous quote made by Dr. Jagan in 1966: “Those who say that we are irrelevant, that we are finished, should be reminded that the same tune was sung after the dark days following the rape of our constitution in 1953 and the breakaway by the right and left opportunists in 1955 and 1956. But we won in 1957 and 1961. Today, though defrauded and cheated, we remain the strongest force in the country. Difficulties there will be; the battle will be long and hard. But win again we will. History and time are on our side!”

Pictured are PPP members protesting the budget advanced by the coalition of the People’s National Congress and the United Force (PNC+UF).

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Harper takes umbrage at Granger's Guyana/ Venezuela comments – urges he ‘stop playing politics’ with such sensitive issues PEOPLE’S Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mrs Elisabeth Harper, has taken strong objection to comments made by A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Leader David Granger on the recent Guyana/Venezuela border controversy.

Mr Granger has reportedly declared his disappointment in Guyana’s response to the illegal actions taken

by Venezuela against operators of concessions offshore Guyana and the equipment of those operators; but Harper, in a statement, said Granger’s pronouncement is nothing but exploitation of a key national issue for narrow political gain.

“Mr Granger himself had supported the actions

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper

APNU+AFC Leader David Granger

of the Government in relation to those very violations and threats from neighbouring Venezuela. To describe Guyana’s actions as weak when we were able to gar-

ner the public support of the Caribbean Community and the Commonwealth can be nothing but dishonest,” Harper said.

Granger is quoted in sec-

tions of the media as saying that other options were open to be explored by the incumbent Government. However, he failed to say what he would have done or would do differently if he were to become the president of this country.

“Any Government led by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic will not play politics with Guyana’s most important asset, its territory. In fact, utterances like those of Mr. Granger are what make us appear weak, because such a stance demonstrates disunity in regard to the protection of our national patrimony when it is unity of purpose and action that is required at all times,” the clearly disappointed prime ministerial candidate said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

PPP/C Guyana Version 2.0 (Excerpts)

Local Government and Regional Development THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) views an effective system of local government as an essential component in people-centered development, especially at the community level. Our vision for Local Government seeks to address all issues of local democracy and to remove the constraints, red tape and bureaucracy that prevent local government bodies from doing their work in an effective and efficient manner.

In the last few years, much emphasis has been placed on the co-ordination between central government agencies and the local government bodies. However, we intend to expand the collaboration between local government bodies and community development groups. We remain committed to enhancing accountability and transparency in the operations of local government bodies.

Our plans will include: ● Ensuring that Local Government Elections are held

by June 2016, once the required conditions stipulated by GECOM are met and approved by the National Assembly. ● Finalising the Local Government Amendment Act (Chapter 28:02); ● Establishing the Local Government Commission; ● Enacting the Solid Waste Bill, establishing the Solid Waste Management Authority and creating Regional Solid Waste Landfill Sites across Administrative Regions 2 to 10; ● Improving the capacities of Local Authorities to effectively collect and manage revenues; ● Increasing citizens’ participation in Local Development by facilitating greater participation of local citizens in developing the Budgets of Local Authorities and in Monitoring and Evaluation mechanisms; ● Assisting NDCs in applying ICT to discharge their functions.

Rohee: APNU+AFC ‘mischief’ will be exposed

By Vanessa Narine EVIDENCE of ‘wild accusations’ made by the political Opposition must be produced, according to General Secretary of the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee.

“The evidence must be produced…present the evidence that the PPP is going around buying identification cards to do what. We don’t have to do things like that.

We have never done it in the past,” he said at a news conference at Freedom House on Monday, in response to comments made by Brigadier David Granger.

“I hear some business people are buying ID cards and taking the ID cards from their employees,” Granger said to Barticians in the latter part of April at a rally.

Rohee also waded into the leader of the alliance of A Partnership for National

Clement Rohee

Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) for peddling the assertion that the PPP rigged elections from 1992 to 2011, an assertion that belies an indictment on the international election observers who deemed those polls free and fair.

The retired Brigadier reportedly said, “My brothers and sisters, the PPP thinks it

is very clever. It doesn’t steal big; it steals small. There are 2,400 Polling Stations, and the PPP are going to steal votes; the PPP stole votes in 1992, 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2011. Every time the PPP competed in an election, you had surplus votes. Make sure there are no surplus votes in 2015. And I want all of you to be the elections watchdogs on elections day.”

Rohee’s rejoinder to this was to question Granger’s rationale. “I don’t understand what is wrong with this gentleman, Mr Granger; the bee in his bonnet is buzzing so much, that I can’t find the words,” he said.

Rohee stressed that the “mischief” of APNU+AFC will be exposed.

DOSSIER OF CONCERNS Turning his attention to other ‘troubling’ sentiments expressed by the leadership

of the political Opposition, he disclosed that work on the PPP’s dossier of concerns continues.

“We will include all the facts and details….this is not a concoction or something done for political mileage… this party has a track record in every single election, from stating our position up front… of all the political parties the PPP is the most experienced,” the PPP General Secretary stated.

The most recent concern he said is the call by APNU+AFC to take photos of how they voted.

“We were made to understand, and we are trying to get the evidence to this effect, that the APNU paying $10,000 per person who goes to the polling station, takes out photograph of how they voted and when they leave the polling station, they show that photo and they are given the $10,000… this is what we understand, in

addition to that we have this GSM issue where they are asking their polling agents to take a photo of the result of the poll and send it to a central location and it will be disseminated across the country,” Rohee said.

The dangers in this call, according to him, are clear. “(This will mean) shear confusion and I don’t think it would end so easily, because there is bound to be trouble in the streets of Georgetown… if we don’t want confusion in this country, we better control ourselves,” he said.

The General Secretary stressed that the upcoming General and Regional Elections are a serious matter.

News of a dossier of documented concerns in the works was first disclosed in midApril and the PPP General Secretary, at an earlier news conference, stated that the document will be handed to the election observer missions

that are fielded to Guyana, if requested.

“We have documented these incidents so that when the observers are fully ensconced in their responsibilities, we should be in a position to present to them dossiers reflecting our concerns…this is normal practice of the PPP, we document our concerns,” he said.

The PPP General Secretary added that this approach reflects the responsible approach taken by the ruling party.

Asked about what is being done in the interim, Rohee said, “From time to time we will be assessing the situation as it evolves with a view to determining our response. In the meantime, because we believe in operating within the confines of the law, we will keep the Commissioner of Police and other stakeholders informed.”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

SURPRISE! SURPRISE!

Granger accuses PPP of rigging – GECOM chairman unaware multiple elections of those incidents

By Ravin Singh I N wh at h as been d e scribed as a startling revelation, Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger, Presidential Candidate of the APNU+AFC coalition, last week accused the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of rigging multiple general elections in the past.

Granger was at the time addressing the coalition’s unity rally at the Bartica Community Centre ground.

Following the submission of his plans to “develop” the mining township of Bartica, Granger took his speech to great heights by accusing the PPP of rigging

multiple elections -- for the first time on his campaign trail.

The PPP is “very clever”, Granger told Barticians, adding that the ruling party “doesn’t steal big, they steal small.”

Granger said that with 2,400 polling stations countrywide, “the PPP are going to steal votes.” He revealed that, “the PPP stole votes in 1992, 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2011. Every time the PPP competed in an election, you had surplus votes.”

Urging Barticians to ensure that there are no surplus votes, the APNU+AFC leader charged them to be elections watchdogs on elections day.

David Granger

Moreover, he accused the PPP of paying persons $25,000 to stay at home on elections day, subsequent to the APNU paying them to work as polling agents at

GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally

the last elections.

“This is true story!” a politically spirited Granger told the gathering as he further unrealistically accused

the ruling party of winning 105% of the votes at polling stations where APNU polling station staff were not present.

“Do not believe the PPP have clean hands! We will investigate all that rigging the PPP has been doing. I don’t see how they can get 105% of votes at a polling station,” Granger said, adding that May 11 will be the longest day in the lives of Guyanese.

But Dr. Steve Surujbally, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), has expressed views that are in stark conflict with Granger’s, who is currently challenging the PPP for office.

Celebrating East Indian Arrival... for immigrants, was quoted in October, 1869 as saying: “Times are hard. We cannot live on the wages we are getting: our stomachs are not being filled”.

Indian indentured labourers experienced a persistent problem surrounding the “muster roll”, which was held every morning. Non-attendance meant the penalty of a fine, which was arbitrarily deducted from their wages.

The pressure of getting into the fields early in order to complete unrealistic tasks at the expense of missing the muster roll, was very great.

On the other hand, if he attended the muster roll and failed to complete the day’s task, the end result was the same arbitrary deduction of wages. In effect the labourer had little choice. One way or the other he was penalised.

The Indian immigrant often went before the courts as victims of the labour laws and the legal system in general. The planter had at this disposal several instruments of prosecution. He could prosecute for refusal to commence work, or work left unfinished, absenteeism without authority, disorderly or threatening behaviour, or even neglect. Punishment resulted in fines or imprisonment.

Moreover an immigrant imprisoned for misconduct could have his indenture extended to include the period in jail. This meant the immigrant was effectively punished twice for the same offence. At the same time convictions of immigrants were inordinately high.

Charges could be made on mere orders of managers, and for even trivialities. In 1863 for example of the 4,936 prisoners who were in the Georgetown jail, 3,148 were indentured labourers.

Moreover, The Annual Report of the Immigration Agent-Generals for 18741894 showed an alarmingly high figure of 65,084 convictions of immigrants for breaches of the labour contract. This development reinforced the fact that the indentured labourer was far from docile. He was struggling, sacrificing and resisting. The numerous instances of cases under the labour contract were ample proof of his restlessness and non-compliance with a harsh and oppressive system.

Throughout the period of indentureship, the immigrant suffered from a paucity of social amenities. The tenement ranges or “logies” were small and unventilated, potable water was virtually non-existent, and medical facilities and sanitation were poor. As a consequence outbreaks of diseases tended to assume epidemic proportions.

Through vagrancy laws immigrants had their movement restricted. This was an integral part of planter’s strategy to localise labour and to place restraints on workers’ liberty. The labourer had to get a ‘pass’ signed by the estate manager if he wanted to leave the estate of residence. This pass system exposed the labourer to indignity at the hands of colonial police who were empowered to apprehend

him without a ‘pass’. Managers used it as an effective control device and also as a means of preventing workers from making comparisons of wage levels at different estates. The fear was that such knowledge could easily lead to discontent and desertion.

It was because of their powers of control over the indentured labourer that planters became increasingly arrogant. Some repeatedly, and openly, boasted that the labourers on their estates should be “at work, or in hospital or in goal” – during working hours, such was their attitude. On Demerara planter publicly stated, “give me my heart’s desires in Coolies and I will make you a million hogsheads of sugar”.

RESISTANCE It was not surprising therefore that from the 1860s onwards the myth of Indian docility was to be seriously challenged. Indian indentured labourers began to openly defy the system. As a consequence there was a steady deterioration of industrial relations, increasing working class protests and imperial investigation.

“Struggle, Sacrifice and Resistance” manifested in numerous labour unrests.

Violent eruptions were occasioned by many specific and localised grievances, such as overbearing behaviour of managers, wage rate disputes, disagreement over tasks, sexual exploitation of women by overseers and the arbitrary deduction of wages of labourers.

The first such disturbance

took place at Plantation Leonora, West Coast Demerara in July 1869. The shovel gang complained that wages were withheld because they could not complete a job on waterlogged soil. They also demanded extra pay to do the job. A confrontation between armed police and the labourers was narrowly avoided, but the ringleaders were arrested, convicted and incarcerated at the penal settlement, Mazaruni. The following year violence erupted at Plantations Hague, Zeelugt, Vergenoegen, Uitulugt, Success and Non Pariel.

Another major disturbance took place at Plantation Devonshire Castle in 1872. The root cause of this uprising was widespread dissatisfaction with the allocation of tasks, prices offered, long hours of work, unilateral pay deductions from labourers, wages and general ill-treatment and abuse. This time there was confrontation with colonial police who opened fire and five labourers lost their lives while some were seriously injured.

Riots and disturbances continued with regularity in the 1890s and in the early years of the twentieth century. Four years before the termination of the Immigration scheme, five labourers from plantation Rose Hall lost their lives during a strike and disturbance.

Indeed, towards the end of the indentureship system labour protest had assumed various forms including work stoppage, mass picketings, violent demonstrations,

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Surujbally disclosed that he is unaware of any rigging that had taken place in the 2006 and 2011 General and Regional Elections.

Further, Dr Surujbally advised that no issue of this nature had ever been raised at the observer mission, or at the level of GECOM, which comprises commissioners from both major political parties.

“I don’t know about anything of that nature!

First time I am hearing 2006 and 2011 elections were rigged, and the PPP rigged them,” declares a surprised GECOM Chairman.

From page 13

marching to the Immigration Department, assaults on managers and overseers, coupled with passive resistance such as feigning illness, malingering and deliberately performing poor work.

CONTRIBUTION Indentured labourers also struggled and made tremendous sacrifice in other areas, as for example in the face of an often harsh and oppressive environment, they persisted with their religious and cultural practices. From the late Nineteenth Century, temples and mosques began to dot the coastal landscape and their traditional languages, music, dress, food and folklore were made to prevail. In the face of language barriers, they adjusted to the needs of a Western education in order to enhance their upward social mobility. In the long run they, and their descendants, emerged in the professions to become teachers, headmasters, doctors, lawyers, accountants and civil servants.

They toiled unceasingly to ensure the survival of the sugar industry and the emergence of the rice industry.

They contributed significantly in the areas of village development, cash crop cultivation, cattle-rearing, milk selling and other economic activities during the period of indentureship. From the late nineteenth century Indian immigrants displayed a high occupation profile in several off-plantation economic activities including cab- drivers, bankers, tailors, carpenters, boat-builders, charcoal makers, goldsmiths,

porters, small scale manufacturers and fishermen.

In recent times their descendents have made, and continue to make tremendous strides in the social, economic cultural, education, political and trade union fields. Many of them are today leading sports personalities, entrepreneurs, educationists, doctors, lawyer, accountants, politicians and trade unionists in their own right. Indeed, descendants of immigrants are actively engaged in every facet of life in Guyanese society of today.

Our forefathers of yesteryear have certainly been inspirational in the furtherance of national development through their grit and determination. Clearly ‘Struggle, Sacrifice and Resistance’ were ‘part and parcel’ of the Indian immigrant psyche during the neo-slavery system of indentureship, 1838-1917. They and their descendants have survived largely through their resilience, persistence, custom, tradition and commitment to family which invariably promotes thrift, industry and self-esteem. Let us show a greater sense of purpose and maturity and exercise more mutual respect, tolerance, appreciation and understanding of each other as we commemorate Arrival Day, May 5th. Let us remember there is strength in diversity. Let us give true meaning to our Motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

A HAPPY 177TH ANNIVERSARY OF EAST INDIAN ARRIVAL IN GUYANA TO ONE & ALL!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

Lowenfield dismisses Ram’s contentions as ‘total rubbish’

FOUR concerns about Saturday’s vote by the Disciplined Services were raised

by Christopher Ram, a vocal critic of the current Administration, in a letter to the press, which was published in sections of the media yesterday.

And the Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, was emphatic in rubbishing these. “It is total rubbish,” he declared.

Ram in his letter highlighted the fact that President Donald Ramotar and member of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Dr Frank Anthony, visited Camp Ayanganna to observe the process, thereby violating the provisions of the Representation of the People’s Act. Section 67 (1) of the law stated that: “The election agent of each group of candidates may appoint one of the candidates…to attend the poll at a polling place.”

Lowenfield told the Guyana Chronicle that all the political parties appointed one of their candidates as an agent and for the purpose of the visit at Camp Ayanganna, Dr Anthony was that agent.

He added that President Ramotar’s presence at the place of poll at the same time

the Deputy Chief Elections Officer, the Returning Officers, the Deputy Returning Officers, Election Clerks, Presiding Officers, Assistant Presiding Officers and poll clerks. Members of the Disciplined Services who are working on Election Day are also issued with Certificates of Employment.

President Donald Ramotar

David Granger

Keith Lowenfield

Christopher Ram

does not contravene any law.

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with that,” the CEO stressed.

Meanwhile, the presidential candidate for the next major political party in the running, Brigadier (rtd) David Granger, was also pictured at some of the locations, including at Camp Ayanganna to observe the proceedings.

VOTERS LIST PROVIDED Ram’s second contention was that the President “was permitted to handle and examine what looks suspiciously like the voters lists” for that particular polling place.

GECOM’s CEO underscored the fact that this was not so, particularly when one

considers that all the contesting political parties and their selected representatives were provided with hard copies of the list.

“The lists were provided to the parties and they were posted at the polling places,” he said.

Another senior GECOM official present at Camp Ayanganna confirmed this for the Guyana Chronicle.

of employment.

GECOM Commissioners, in the absence of a ruling from the Acting Chief Justice Ian Chang, decided that Certificates of Employment which would allow voting by its holders outside of where they are registered will continue to be issued to the routine group of Election Day staffers as was done in past elections.

The issuance of Certificates of Employment was raised as a concern by the political Opposition, which contends that the certificates should be issued to a wider class. As such, an originating summons was filed by Senior Counsel Ashton Chase. However, Chang determined that the final decision should be

made by GECOM. The Commission’s legal officer, Ms. Juanita Barker, in an earlier comment told the Guyana Chronicle that the court was approached for a definitive pronouncement, given the call for the certificates to be issued to a wide cross-section of E-Day staffers.

She said, “We are seeking an interpretation of article 162:1B of the Representation of the People’s Act. It would determine whether GECOM has authority to issue Certificates of Employment outside of what is stated in the law.

Currently, the law states that Certificates of Employment can be issued to election officials only – meaning the Chief Elections Officer,

RULE OF LAW The third concern raised

by Ram was that, “GECOM unreasonably in my view, last week, decided to deny citizens the right to vote if they choose to do conflicting duty to assist the elections process as party agents” – a reference to the issuance of certificates

Sugar refinery in the offing

By Tajeram Mohabir GUYANA is expected to build a sugar refinery from the $20 billion the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration said it will plug into the sugar industry in the next five years, if re-elected to office.

The sugar used by local manufacturing companies is a specialty sugar, which is liquid in form. The sugar crystals bought from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) are converted to specialty sugar and sold to the manufacturing companies.

For example, a beverage company that needs sugar may not buy it from GuySuCo directly, but from another company buying from GuySuCo, which then converts it to specialty sugar.

“Why don’t we take over that role, produce the sugar and then do value-added. So when we talk about $20 billion or more, we are talking

Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

about not only upgrading of our factories to produce sugar crystals at a more efficient rate, we are also talking about converting our factories to do other things,” Agriculture Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy told the Guyana Chronicle in a recent interview.

With a refinery, he said, it will allow GuySuCo to pick and choose products to

produce by keeping an eye on how global prices shift.

“So that’s where we are going with this. Packaged sugar is important, we have been selling bulk sugar and other people have been packaging it. There was a time when our sugar went to another country, gets packaged and was sent back to Guyana,” he told this publication.

The refinery is part of a wide plan by GuySuCo to return the industry to economic viability through diversification. And the refinery will be of great benefit to Guyana.

“Right now we sell sugar to Europe, they convert it to refined sugar for their own market and some come back here. Every time we use refined sugar, remember that it is Guyana’s sugar that went somewhere else and came back here more expensive,” Dr Ramsammy said.

work continues on crafting a legislative framework that will create a US$100 million market from the sale of blended fuel for the transportation sector.

But the work begins with the upgrading of all the sugar factories throughout Guyana.

This is one component of an overall plan the current Government will roll-out if re-elected to office, preferably with a majority in the Parliament.

And the funding will also come from the minimum sum of $20 billion promised in the PPP/C’s Manifesto.

Dr Ramsammy acknowledged that significant work has been done on the Skeldon Sugar Factory in Region 6 (East Berbice-Corentyne), and part of the $20 billion will be spent on further work to ensure the factory functions at optimum.

BIO-ETHANOL Extensive focus is also being placed on the production of bio-ethanol as

LIFELINE The Guyana Sugar Corporation Modernisation Project at Skeldon is to be

ACCUSATIONS OF POLITICKING Ram’s last problem was to contend that Mr Ramotar and Dr Anthony engaged in politicking last Saturday.

“Was Mr Ram there?”

Lowenfield questioned.

According to the Chief Elections Officer, comments like Ram’s ought to be made with greater consideration of the facts.

Interviews with several other persons, including senior GECOM officials, who were present at locations visited by President Ramotar, including Camp Ayanganna, also rejected this claim.

The consensus was that Ram ought to produce the evidence to support his fallacious claims.

With the ranks of the Disciplined Forces having cast their vote last Saturday, the civilian Guyanese population goes to the polls next Monday, May 11.

– to support value-added, restore GuySuCo’s economic health the lifeline of the sugar industry in the future.

The project involves expanding cane cultivations, the establishment of a refinery and facilitating the co-generation of electricity for the national grid.

The factory enhancement will see the boiler systems at the plants at Albion and Rose Hall, Region 6; Blairmont, Region 5 (Mahaica-Berbice); Wales and Uitvlugt, Region 3 (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); and Enmore, Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica) being upgraded to improve their respective capacities.

NEW BOILERS In some cases, new boilers will be added to improve production capacity over a 24-hour period. Dr Ramsammy said the broader intention is to equip the factories to be on slate as the industry moves to diversify its commodities.

“In the case of Albion, we have made it very, very

clear. Albion will become a major producer of bio-ethanol. The plant there is a small plant but it allows us to develop the skills to operate a bio-ethanol plant.

So GuySuCo workers are gaining valuable experience in running a bio-ethanol plant. We are also doing work to ensure that the bio-ethanol plant, once we are very familiar with how it operates, we have the skills to expand it.”

The objective, the Minister explained, is to produce bio-ethanol for local commercial use, supporting value-added in the industry while aiding in its economic buoyancy and health.

Government spends about US$5 million annually on the purchase of ethanol. The ethanol imported is used primarily in food production, cleaning of hospitals, factories and laboratories. A portion of the $20 billion will also go towards the mechanisation of the sugar industry.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

Wildlife Authority Hinterland policies issues whale advisory to fisherfolk APNU+AFC MANIFESTO

THE Wildlife Scientific Authority (WSA) says it has noted with concern the repeated entanglement of whales in fishing nets in recent times, resulting in the death of two whales.

In a media release, the WSA said that while the cause of the entanglement is to be determined, it is reasonably sure of the cause of death of both whales.

To prevent the death of the animals in future, the WSA has advised that fisherfolk should utilise their expert/traditional knowledge to determine onsite if a large animal entangled in their nets is a marine mammal or fish.

It noted that the requirement for mammals to surface to breathe air would be a guide in this regard.

Additionally,WSA stated, if it is determined that there is a marine mammal in a net,fisher folk must take no action to free the animal, but

should immediately inform one or more of the following persons of the incident: ● Mr Denzil Roberts, Chief Fisheries Officer, Fisheries Division – 225-9559; 6419331; ● Mr. Sean Mendonca, Senior Environmental Officer, EPA – 225 5467; ● Mr. Calvin Bernard, Chairman, Wildlife Scientific Authority – 617-4288; and ● Ms. Alona Sankar, Head, Wildlife Division – 223-

0940; 624-0049 (after working hours only).

Further, if a marine mammal is observed stranded on land, the persons listed above should be contacted immediately.

Once contact is made with any of these individuals, efforts would then be made to coordinate resources— human and otherwise--- to rescue and free the animal with minimal damage to both animal and gear.

HINTERLAND development will be a top the international demand for ‘organic’ beef, while priority because the hinterland remains a the nascent sheep and goat rearing enterprises disadvantaged, depressed and vulnerable will be strengthened to address the animal prozone in spite of its rich natural resources and tein dietary needs of villagers in the first instance human capital. and, as flocks are built up, to meet the significant The hinterland also provides opportunities local and CARICOM demands for sheep and and viable alternatives to the coastal zones and goat meats. communities under threat from sea level rise ● Implement policies aimed at the Intermediate due to global warming and climate change. AP- Savannahs, Upper Demerara and Berbice ReNU+AFC’s vision also addressed the need for gion, long touted as the ‘next frontier for agrithe hinterland communities to be food secure. cultural development,’ as well as the Rupununi APNU+AFC in government will: Savannahs of Southwest Guyana are effectively ● Work with all stakeholders for a Hinterland used for integrated, industrial crop and livestock Policy which includes building and sustaining production and agro-processing. vibrant region-specific agricultural and economic ● Focus programmes on the production of development. substantial portions of regional food needs, ● Promote environmentally sensitive food such as grain and other concentrate feeds for production systems based on agricultural di- the local animal production sector. versification, management and efficient use of water, and the establishment of well-resourced extension services to facilitate technology adoption by farmers and farming groups. ● Facilitate access to affordable credit for individuals and groups. ● Establish a Hinterland and Depressed Areas Fund, controlled by the leaders of the Indigenous hinterland communities, to be Wednesday, May 6, 2015 - 05:00 hrs utilized in a manner consistent Thursday, May 7, 2015 - 05:00 hrs with the expressed priorities, Friday, May 8, 2015 - 05:00 hrs needs and aspirations of indigenous and local communities. ● Facilitate the acquisition of appropriate technology and equipment for various levels of production. ● Enhance arrangements for producers for marketing of primary and value-added commodities. ● Place the hinterland cattle-rearing industry on a scientific footing to take advantage of

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Daniels, Aaron fire Amelia’s Russians to Guinness Street football title

By Rawle Toney A GOAL each from Shawn ‘Dash’ Daniels and Terrence Aaron was more than enough to see Amelia’s Russians defeat Wisroc 2-1 on Monday to lift the Guinness Greatest of the Street title and the tournament’s $300 000 first place prize.

A mammoth crowd turned up at the Mackenzie Market Square to witness the final, most of whom were fans of Wisroc, the team who eventually lost.

Wisroc had to settle for the runners-up prize of $150 000 but will join the

Russians as the representatives from Linden in the National Championships later in the year.

The game, though thrilling in the end, saw very little chances but the Russians capitalised on theirs the most.

Daniels, nine minutes into the game, hammering down the right side of the square, let loose a right-footed shot that found its way to the left corner of the goal and the crowd went silent.

Aaron could have doubled his side’s lead in the 17th minute but his attempt grazed the goal and slammed into the barricade.

Omar Archer had a chance to equal the score but, after getting open and going one-on-one with a Russian player at the back, his shot on goal was eventually blocked by the defender.

Randy Wills in the 25th

South Africa Racing Tips Scottsville 08:35 hrs Balance Sheet 09:10 hrs One Way Ticket 09:50 hrs Balkan 10:25 hrs Azincourt 11:00 hrs Fly At Em English Racing Tips Brighton 09:00 hrs Port Gaverne 09:30 hrs Stone Of Folca 10:00 hrs Steevo 10:35 hrs Sandy Cove 11:10 hrs Cosmic Ray 11:45 hrs Chandrayaan 12:15 hrs Whitecrest Chester 09:10 hrs Rah Rah 09:40 hrs Diamondsan drubies 10:10 hrs Gbrial’s King 10:45 hrs Mappin Time 11:20 hrs Sir Issac Newton 11:55 hrs Normal Equilibrium 12:25 hrs Recently Acquired Kelso

minute pulled one back for Wisroc. With the game coming close and down a goal, Wills sent the crowd into frenzy went he connected on a flick from his teammate.

But the Russians seemed not to be worried, knowing they had the fire power to get them the title.

Just before the end of regulation, Amelia’s Ward’s Quacey Johnson sent a pass through to Aaron who unleashed a ‘one-time’ volley that not only scored but put sheer dejection on the faces of the Wisroc supporters.

Meanwhile, the third place playoff ended when both Retrieve Unknowns and Star Boyz were involved in a fight, forcing the organisers to disqualify both teams.

At the time at the disqualification, Retrieve Unknowns were leading 3-0.

With the two teams disqualified, Main Street Panthers were awarded the third-place position and the $100 000 prize and Hard Knocks were promoted to fourth place and pocketed $50 000.

09:20 hrs Mr Hopeful 09:50 hrs My Friend George 10:20 hrs Resolute Reformer 10:55 hrs Amilliontimes 11:30 hrs Chanceofa Lifetime 12:05 hrs Gully’s Edge 12:40 hrs Down The Line French Racing Tips Longchamp 08:20 hrs Don Bosco 08:50 hrs Baghadur 09:20 hrs Manatee 09:50 hrs Convicted 10:20 hrs Lieu Marchand 11:00 hrs Bilge Kagan 11:30 hrs Wingland American Racing Tips Belmont Race 1 Eastern Rose Race 2 Be Bullish Race 3 Groupthink Race 4 Cody’s Notes Race 5 Saluda Race 6 Path Race 7 Matterhorn Race 8 Whoopie Pie Race 9 Rose of Sicily

Griffin triple-double leads Clippers past Rockets HOUSTON, USA (The Sports Xchange) - Blake Griffin recorded a triple-double and received plenty of support in the absence of Chris Paul, as the Los Angeles Clippers claimed a 117-101 road victory over the Houston Rockets in Game One of their Western Conference semi-final on Monday.

With Clippers point guard Paul sidelined by a strained left hamstring, the Clippers rode a balanced scoring and the Rockets’ benevolence to a 1-0 lead in the best-ofseven series.

Griffin, Clippers star power forward, finished with 26 points 14 rebounds 13 assists. Guard Jamal Crawford scored 21 points off the bench and forward Matt Barnes added 20 points on BLAKE GRIFFIN 8-of-11 shooting.

The Paul-less starting backcourt of J.J. Redick and Austin Rivers combined for 34 points and the Rockets committed 23 turnovers, resulting in 34 points for the Clippers.

Centre Dwight Howard posted 22 points and 10 rebounds while guard James Harden tallied 20 points and 12 assists but also had a game-high nine turnovers.

Houston forward Trevor Ariza scored 11 of his 17 points by the midpoint of the first quarter. Otherwise, Houston did little offensively.

Rose, Gasol lead Bulls past Cavaliers in opener CLEVELAND, Ohio (The Sports Xchange) - Derrick Rose scored 25 points and Pau Gasol added 21 points and 10 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-92 in Game One of the Eastern Conference semi-finals on Monday.

The Bulls led by as many as 16 points and never trailed. The Cavs tied the game twice in the third quarter, but the Bulls countered by scoring the next 15 points, leaving the Cavs to play catch-up the entire evening.

The Cavs were within 94-90 in the final minute but Chicago guard Jimmy Butler banked in a jump shot over centre Tristan Thompson, sealing the victory and immediately shifting home-court advantage to the Bulls.

Cavs guard Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 30 points and forward LeBron James had 19 points 15 rebounds nine assists, but the Cavs lost their first playoff game this postseason after sweeping the Boston Celtics in the first round.

They will be without forward Kevin Love (shoulder) for the rest of the postseason and guard J.R. Smith (suspension) for the first two games of this series.

Coach David Blatt kept his starters a secret until minutes before tipoff, ultimately deciding on Iman Shumpert to replace Smith and Mike Miller to replace Love.

Game Two is in Cleveland today.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

Tevez penalty stuns Real in absorbing contest

By Brian Homewood TURIN, Italy (Reuters) - Juventus striker Carlos Tevez smashed home a second-half penalty as the hosts stunned holders Real Madrid with a 2-1 win in an absorbing Champions League semi-final, first leg yesterday.

The irrepressible Argentine, playing some of the best football of his career, won the spot kick just before the hour when he was upended by Dani Carvajal following a breakaway and tucked it away in a pulsating, wide open game.

Juve’s Alvaro Morata had opened the score against his old club in the ninth minute in front of a boisterous home crowd but Cristiano Ronaldo headed the equaliser for Real in the 27th.

“We need to give an exceptional performance in Madrid to get to the final. Small episodes can change the result in the Champions League and you also need a bit of luck,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri told a post-match news conference.

The game could have turned out very differently for Real but forward James Rodriguez wasted a glorious chance when he headed against the bar from point-blank range before the break.

“We did well in parts, we played some good football, with patience, and we have had some good chances,” said Real manager Carlo Ancelotti. “We set out to win this game, the result is not good but it is not bad either.”

Ronaldo’s goal meant the Portuguese regained the lead from Lionel Messi as the Champions League’s all-time leading scorer with 76 goals, although the Argentine is in action for Barcelona against Bayern Munich in the second semi-final today.

Juventus’ Carlos Tevez celebrates scoring their second goal from the penalty spot. (Reuters/ Stefano Rellandin)

MORATA STRIKES Ronaldo had already wasted one free kick, which he drilled into the wall, when Juve, who wrapped up their fourth straight Italian title on Saturday, took the lead with a simple goal.

Claudio Marchisio threaded the ball to Tevez whose shot towards the far corner was saved by Iker Casillas but went straight to Morata who tapped home but did not celebrate.

Real briefly wobbled before regaining their composure and equal-

England’s Trott ends international career

(REUTERS) - England batsman Jonathan Trott has retired from international cricket with immediate effect after a disappointing tour of the West Indies, the 34-year-old said on Monday.

Trott only returned to the England side last month following an extended break from the game due to a stress-related illness but scored a meagre 72 runs, including three ducks, at an average of just 12 in the three-Test series against West Indies.

“This was a tough decision but I don’t feel my game is at the level needed to play for England,” Trott said in an England and Wales Cricket Board statement.

“I was honoured to come back and play international cricket again and I’m disappointed it didn’t work out.

“I want to wish the lads all the very best for what will be an incredibly exciting summer.

“I’ve had incredible highs and some real lows in an England shirt but wouldn’t change a thing. I look forward to continuing my career at Warwickshire and hopefully helping us win more silverware.”

Before Trott left England’s

disastrous 2013-14 Ashes tour due to illness he was one of the most consistent performers in a side that

Jonathan Trott scores a meagre 72 runs in six innings against West Indies. climbed to the top of the world Test rankings.

As a number three batsman the right-handed Trott was a calming influence in the England side and was renowned for his ability to score runs in any situation.

“It has been an absolute honour to play alongside Trotty in every one of his 52 Tests,” England captain Alastair Cook said.

“He can be incredibly proud of all he has achieved in his career and it is no coincidence that his time in international cricket has seen the team achieve some very special things often with Trotty at the heart of our success on and off the field.

“I speak on behalf of this current team and all those who have shared a dressing-room with him over the years when I say it was a privilege to play alongside him.

“He’ll be sorely missed by all in England cricket and our supporters will thank him for some incredible memories.”

South African-born Trott played 52 Tests, scoring 3 835 runs at an average of 44.08 after scoring a century on his debut in the 2009 Ashes series.

Trott played in three Ashes triumphs and was named the international cricketer-of-the-year in 2011. He also played 68 one-day internationals, scoring 2 819 runs at an average of 51.25.

ised when Rodriguez cleverly flicked a bouncing ball over a defender for Ronaldo to head home at the far post.

A delightful Real passing move then ended with Isco getting free on the left to leave Rodriguez with an easy header which the Colombian inexplicably crashed against the bar.

Real seemed poised to take control of the match but fell behind again after an attack broke down.

The ball was cleared to Morata who sent Tevez charging away and the Argentine’s run ended in the Real penalty area where he was bundled over by Carvajal. Tevez got up to beat Casillas from the spot with a shot straight down the middle.

“We expect a much more difficult game than today in the second leg,” said Juve midfielder Arturo Vidal, whose team are in next month’s Italian Cup final with Lazio. “It’s everyone’s dream to win the treble and we are close to doing it.”

England drop to fourth in ICC Test rankings … Pakistan must win Mirpur Test to retain third position ENGLAND have slipped one place to fourth in the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings following their five-wicket defeat in the Barbados Test, which has helped the West Indies to level the three-Test series at one-all.

England had entered the three-Test series in third place on 104 points, while the West Indies had begun in eighth spot on 76 points But following last Sunday’s result, Alastair Cook’s men have dropped behind Pakistan into fourth position, while the West Indies, after gaining three points, have reduced the gap with seventh-placed India to 14 points.

Pakistan, who face Bangladesh in the second and final Test in Mirpur today, must win to retain their latest Test ranking.

Should Pakistan succeed in doing so, Misbah-ulHaq’s side will fall to 102 points but will be ranked above England when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point.

Conversely, a Bangladesh win would see Pakistan drop behind England (102) and New Zealand (99) in fifth position on 96 points, while if the Test is drawn, then Pakistan will join New Zealand on 99 points but will be ranked above the Black Caps by a fraction of a point.

The Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings predictor function is available here. The Test rankings table, unlike the ODI & T20I tables, is updated after the series.

Meanwhile, the annual Test team rankings, update like last week’s ODI and T20I tables, will be carried out after the Mirpur Test.

Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings (as on May 4, following West Indies-England series and ahead of Bangladesh-Pakistan second Test) 1. South Africa 124 2. Australia 119 3. Pakistan 103 4. England 102 5. New Zealand 99 6. Sri Lanka 96 7. India 93 8. West Indies 79 9. Bangladesh 32 10. Zimbabwe 18 (Developed by David Kendix)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

Jamaicans play second fiddle to dominant U.S. NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – Jamaica snatched the men’s 4x200 metres relay and the women’s 4x100m relay last Sunday but United States dominated the IAAF World Relays, capturing the golden baton for the second year straight.

Devoid of the presence of sprint king Usain Bolt, the team of Nickel Ashmeade, Rasheed Dwyer, Jason Livermore and Warren Weir brought the baton around in a time of one minute 20.97 seconds.

France were second in 1:21.49 with Germany third in 1:22.65.

The victory made up for Jamaica’s disappointment in Saturday’s 4x100 metres when Bolt failed to get them past the line first, as the United States raced to a championship record 37.38 seconds.

Bolt, who ran the anchor leg, joined Nesta Carter, Nickel Ashmeade and Kemar Bailey-Cole to clock 37.68 seconds, with Japan third in 38.20.

Mike Rodgers led off for the Americans with Justin Gatlin running a sensa-

tional second leg. Tyson Gay delivered a solid third leg and Ryan Bailey then held off Bolt down the stretch to claim the win.

The victory equalled the seventh

Usain Bolt fails to get Jamaica over the line in the 4x100m.

fastest time ever and was the second fastest by a U.S. quartet.

Jamaica’s women’s sprint team also grabbed a share of the honours on Sunday when they clocked a world-leading 42.14 seconds to win the 4x100m event.

The United States were second in a season-best 42.32 with Great Britain third in 42.84.

Trinidad and Tobago, meanwhile, were forced to settle for fifth in 42.88.

In the 4x400m, the United States eased to victory in 2:58.43, leaving the Bahamas to be second in 2:58.91 and Belgium third.

Jamaica could only manage fourth spot in 3:00.23.

In the women’s equivalent, the USA dominated again in a meet record time of 3:19.39, forcing the Jamaicans into second spot in a time of 3:22.49.

Overall, Jamaica finished second in the points standings with 46, behind the USA, who totalled 63.

Poland were third with 34, followed by Australia on 25.

Warriors’ Curry wins NBA’s Most Valuable Player award (REUTERS) - Sharpshooting guard Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who set a single-season record for three-pointers made, won the NBA Most Valuable Player award for the 2014-15 campaign, the league said on Monday.

Curry led the National Basketball Association’s top regular season team in scoring, assists and steals, becoming the second Warriors player to take the honour, joining Wilt Chamberlain, who won it in 1959-60 when the franchise played in Philadelphia.

The 6-foot-3 Curry captured 100 of 130 first-place votes, from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada, as well as the fan vote on NBA.com.

Curry, whose Golden State team posted a league-best 6715 mark in winning the Pacific Division, triumphed over a group of worthy candidates.

Rounding out the top five in the voting were the Hous-

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Wednesday May 06, 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: 23 times Once (2013)

Today’s Quiz:

Who is the first player to score a Test hundred in Barbados?

Who was declared ‘Man of the Tournament’ in the inaugural IPL tournament?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

ton Rockets’ James Harden, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook and the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis.

Curry averaged 23.8 points (sixth in the NBA), 7.7 assists (sixth), a career-high 2.04 steals (fourth) and 4.3 rebounds a game.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (centre) poses for photos with teammates and coaches at a basketball news conference announcing him as the NBA’s Most Valuable Player, Monday in Oakland, Calif.

The 27-year-old guard made 286 three-pointers, breaking his own NBA record of 272 set in 2012-13, sinking 44.3 percent from long range while shooting 48.7 percent overall from the field.

Curry also led the NBA in free throw percentage (91.4), converting a career-high 52 consecutive free throws from March 9 to April 4.

A strong defender as well, Curry registered the highest plus/minus for any NBA player this season.

Simmons fails, Pollard inspires and Mumbai win again

MUMBAI, India (CMC) - Lendl Simmons failed with the bat while Kieron Pollard scored an unbeaten 26 that inspired, as Mumbai Indians recovered to beat Delhi Daredevils by five wickets with three balls to spare in the Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday.

Simmons was removed for a duck in the first legal delivery of the innings while his Trinidad and Tobago colleague Pollard smashed 26 from 14 balls, pushing Mumbai to 153 for five after Daredevils posted 152 for six at Wankhede Stadium.

Mumbai had lost four wickets for 40 runs on the chase including Simmons who was beaten by a length ball swinging back into the right-handed batsman to pin him in front.

However, Simmons made amends to some extent with a marvellous, diving catch at point in the penultimate over to dismiss Yuvraj Singh.

Singh was the man of the innings for Delhi Daredevils scoring 57 off 44 balls to help them recover from a poor start.

Pollard’s knock was punctuated with three sixes including one from the second ball he faced and the first ball from the penultimate over that set the tone from there.

Pollard’s hitting seemed to have inspired Ambati Rayudu who was also undefeated with a top score of 49.

Earlier Rayudu teamed up with Rohit Sharma, who scored 46, to stage a healthy recovery for Mumbai.

Pacquiao to undergo shoulder surgery: ESPN

(REUTERS) - Manny Pacquiao will undergo surgery this week for a torn rotator cuff, with the recovery time expected to put the Filipino out of action for 9-12 months, ESPN.com said on Monday.

Pacquiao claimed a shoulder injury hampered his bid to hand Floyd Mayweather a first loss as a professional in the richest fight in boxing history at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Mayweather won a unanimous decision in the four-belt unification bout to improve his record to 48-0.

The injury would appear to rule out any chance of a rematch after the 38-year-old Mayweather said he would have one more fight in September before retiring.

“We have an MRI scan that confirms he has a rotator cuff tear. He has a significant tear,” orthopedic surgeon Neal ElAttrache told ESPN.com.

Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs), known for his aggressive and all-out attacking style, was clearly not his typical offensive-minded self in Las Vegas.

After the fight, Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Pacquiao suffered a shoulder injury in training camp about two-and-a-half weeks earlier and that it hampered him in the fight.

Top Rank and Pacquiao confirmed the account of the injury in a statement on Monday, saying that the 36-year-old and his doctors had concluded that with rest, treatments and monitoring, he would be ready for the fight.

However, they said the Nevada Commission stopped the treatment a few hours before the fight, telling them it was unaware of the shoulder injury.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday May 6, 2015

Ramdin: England win gives Windies fresh belief BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Captain Denesh Ramdin believes the drawn series against World number three England has injected a new level of confidence and belief into West Indies.

The Caribbean side bounced back from a heavy nine-wicket defeat in the second Test in Grenada last week to stun England by five wickets inside three days in the third and final Test here Sunday.

Following the drawn first Test in Antigua, Sunday’s result left the series in a 1-1 stalemate.

“We have more belief in ourselves now that we can bat out a last day, that we can chase down scores on a last day and beat teams that are ranked higher, and if we show that commitment and belief, we can go out there and execute our plans,” Ramdin told reporters.

“We will take it one game at a time, put in our work in the nets and off the field, analWest Indies yse the opposition and try and captain Denesh Ramdin execute our plans as best as we can. Australia are coming up and they are a very tough team but we will try to play some good cricket and see what happens.”

West Indies were written off before the start of the threeTest series, with in-coming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves describing them as a “mediocre” side.

However, the Windies put aside their poor results on the previous tour of South Africa where they lost the three-Test series, 2-0, to string together several strong performances against the English.

Brooklyn X2 Linden Inter-ward football final tonight

A RIVETING final is anticipated when the Brooklyn X2 Linden Inter-ward final is played tonight as Silvercity/Valley Combined face the might of Blueberry Hill at 21:00hrs for $400 000 while the losing semifinalists Christianburg and Amelia’s Ward battle for third spot from 19:00hrs at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

Marlon Washington, coordinator of this tournament, said after a long break due to the Linden Town Week activities, all systems are in place for the final which should bring out fans from across Linden to witness a highly anticipated battle, not only for the cash and trophies at stake, but also for bragging rights.

Blueberry Hill pounded Amelia’s Ward 4-2 to reach this final as Randy Small executed two breathtaking fee kicks which scored, to dent all hopes the Amelia’s Ward side had of reaching the final.

Small will spearhead the Blueberry Hill side along with Renee Gibbons and national player Clive Nobrega, who is back from national duty.

Their opponents Silvercity/Valley Combined are looking to take top honours after they eliminated a strong Christianburg side 2-1 and their main hopes to bring them glory will hinge on the likes of Oswald Benjamin, Lloyd ‘De De’ Gilbert and Leon ‘Woody’ Clement.

In the third place match Amelia’s Ward will seek to make amends for their loss to Blueberry Hill and score a consolation win, but they will have to get past a resurgent Christianburg side who will bring along their strong supporters to urge them past the Ward side.

This will be an East versus West match and from all indications the football fans will be treated to top class football this evening.

All this has been made possible by solid sponsorship from Ansa McAl Trading through its Stag Beer brand while Star Party Rentals, Mohammed’s Jewellery and Petra Organisation have also chipped in with the Georgetown business support.

Not to be outdone are the sponsors from Linden including the bauxite firm BOSAI Minerals Group (Guyana) Inc, Bella’s Lumber Yard, JACS Snackette and Hotel, Snooks’ Variety Store and Germane and Sons Grocery.

Several door prizes for lucky patrons and trophies and cash incentives are on offer for the participating teams tonight. (Joe Chapman)

Ramdin said after the South Africa tour, the squad had prepared well and were hungry to do well.

“We played some good cricket in South Africa but didn’t see the results there but we came back home to our conditions and worked on our game,” the glove-man pointed out.

“We had a new head coach (Phil Simmons) and we worked really hard for the last four weeks. I’ve never seen a team work and push themselves so hard and want success.

“All of the young guys who have been coming through have been pushing themselves to do well. It’s going to be hard in the next series but we’re up for it.”

Victory in the third Test seemed farfetched when West Indies were bowled out cheaply on the second day for 189, in reply to England’s first innings of 257 - a deficit of 68.

In a sensational turn of events, however, England were reduced

to 39 for five by the close and dismissed for a paltry 123 in their second innings.

Set 192 for victory, West Indies stumbled to 80 for four before coasting to victory on the backs of a 108-run, fifth-wicket stand between Darren Bravo (82) and Jermaine Blackwood (47 not out) “We believed once our new-ball bowlers picked up wickets (on the second evening) it was going to be an open game and we did that. Mr Ambrose came down on the boundary and said to us, ‘we have it in us, just believe and we can go out there and do it’,” Ramdin related.

“Jerome Taylor since he’s come back into the team has done a tremendous job for us and he did it again yesterday (Saturday) afternoon. We were looking for three to four wickets so I think the fifth wicket was a bonus for us.”

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Daniels, Aaron fire Amelia’s Russians to Guinness Street football title see story on page 32

Banks DIH Linden Branch Management Manager hands over the winning trophy to Amelia’s Ward Russians captain Travis Whatterton after the team won the Guinness Greatest of the Street final on Monday.

Chronicle Sports reporter Calvin Roberts to be buried today THE funeral of the late Chronicle Senior Sports Reporter Calvin Roberts will take place today.

Roberts who died last Tuesday after a short illness worked at the Guyana Chronicle for just over five years after serving as a senior sports reporter at the Stabroek News for approximately 12 years as a senior sports reporter.

Roberts’ death came as a shock to his colleagues and many sports administrators, sports men and women as well as sports journalists in the Region.

He was well known for his coverage of local and Regional cricket as well as horse and car racing events, but he was also very knowledgeable about many other sport disciplines.

The Berbice Cricket Board, the Georgetown Cricket Association, the GuyCALVIN ROBERTS ana Cricket Board as well as the Demerara Cricket Club and the Guyana Softball Cricket Association have all expressed shock at Roberts’ passing.

The public viewing will be held at the Merriman’s Funeral Home located at Lime and Bent Streets, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown, from 10:30hrs to 11:30hrs.

His body will then be moved to the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) Sports Club ground, Woolford Avenue for tributes from 12:30hrs to 14:30hrs, after which the funeral service will be held before a final viewing at 15:30hrs and burial at 16:30hrs at Le Repentir Cemetery.

Mayweather open to rematch with Pacquiao - report

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines enters the ring for his WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight title unification fight against Floyd Mayweather, Jr of the U.S. in Las Vegas, Nevada, last Saturday. (Reuters/Steve Marcus)

(REUTERS) - Floyd Mayweather added another wrinkle to the fallout of his fight against Manny Pacquiao by saying he would be open to a rematch after the Filipino southpaw recovers from shoulder surgery, according to an ESPN report yesterday.

Mayweather has one fight remaining on his Showtime contract and has repeatedly said he intends to retire after a bout/ fight in September, although after Saturday’s fight he told reporters that he is “human” and occasionally contradicts himself.

“I will fight him in a year after his surgery,” Mayweather, who earned a unanimous

decision over Pacquiao, told Smith in a text yesterday, according to ESPN. His reported comments added to the complicated aftermath of the so-called “Fight of the Century,” with possible lawsuits in the works and Pacquiao likely to face disciplinary action for failing to disclose a pre-bout shoulder injury.

Barely one hour after the contest ended, Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum, said the 36-year-old southpaw had been hampered by a previous injury to his right shoulder.

On Monday, an MRI scan in Los Angeles confirmed the boxer has a torn rotator cuff that will

require surgery.

Apparently neither Pacquiao nor his team informed the Nevada Athletic Commission about the shoulder issue until a couple of hours before the start of the fight when they asked for an anti-inflammatory injection.

At that point, it was too late for the commission to investigate whether Pacquiao was suffering a genuine injury and there were no MRIs or medical paperwork to support the claim made by the boxer’s team, the commission said.

When Team Pacquiao filled in its pre-fight medical questionnaire on Friday, a query about any shoulder injury was

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clearly marked “No” before the form was signed by Pacquiao and his adviser.

The fact that Pacquiao did not disclose his injury until the night of the fight could also lead to possible lawsuits from boxing fans who may feel cheated after paying record sums for tickets in the MGM Grand Garden Arena or pay-for-view (PPV).

Some of the ringside spots in the 16 800-seat arena demanded up to $350 000 (£230.390) on resale site StubHub while a record $300 million or more is expected in PPV revenue from at least three million customers who paid $100 to watch.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 06, 2015