2015 5 8

GUYANA

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

No. 104182 FRIDAY MAY 8, 2015 GUYANA’S MOST WIDELY CIRCULATED NEWSPAPER

Norway pays over $8B to Guyana

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OFFSHORE GUYANA…

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PRICE: $80

INCLUDING VAT

Buxtonians urged to vote on future, not on emotion

Esso Exploration

strikes oil!

Intl. Commonwealth observers deploy countrywide Page

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…to keep vigilant watch before, during, after May 11 Elections

President Donald Ramotar

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Bond dismisses US envoy’s opinion on exit poll as

‘stupid’ James Bond

Chairperson of the Commonwealth Observer group and former Member of Parliament of New Zealand, Kate Wilkinson (seated, centre) along with a team of persons from several Commonwealth countries who are in Guyana to observe the May 11 General and Regional Elections (Delano Williams photo)

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Bryan Hunt

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68 members on US Embassy Observer team 10 Page

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Buxtonians urged to vote on future, not on emotion – Don’t let your emotions guide you, judge the PPP/C on its record, President tells community meeting

By Tajeram Mohabir THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) last evening pleaded with residents of Buxton to vote for the continuation of development of the country and the future of their children and not on their emotions on Monday.

The public meeting held at the Buxton Line Top, grew in number and became more vocal as it progressed, as the ruling party pressed home its message that it will never neglect the prominent and once violence-prone East Coast Demerara village in the process of developing Guyana.

Buxton has seen notable developments over the past 23 years, with new roads, better access to health care, potable water and a safer community.

If re-elected to office, the PPP/C promised that it will focus on expanding agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises in the village to provide jobs and raise the standard of living of residents.

Resident of Buxton, Mr Joseph Hamilton, who was the first to take the podium, urged the gathering not to be fooled by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) alliance, pointing out that Guyana has been transformed under the ruling party.

Those that say that there is no development under the PPP/C, he said are either “mad” or are parading “ignoramuses”.

He told the gathering that

the development that Guyana has witnessed from 1992 to now only happened because the ruling administration, through sound management of the coun-

supporters not to vote for the PPP/C, but said even they have benefitted under the current Government, and they run to the Government when they

President Donald Ramotar urging Buxtonians to vote for the PPP/C to ensure progress and development continue

Minister Irfaan Ali addressing Buxtonians last evening

try, created the environment for growth and development to flourish.

A vote for the PPP/C on Monday, he said, is a vote to secure the future of their children and grandchildren, as he asked Buxtonians to move away from the blind loyalty shown by their grandmothers and great-grandfathers, and look to a brighter future for their children.

According to Hamilton, senior leaders of the APNU+AFC alliance have been telling their

need help.

NO LONGER HAVEN FOR CRIMINALS Urging his villagers to give their support to the PPP/C on Monday, Hamilton appealed to them to do some introspection, pointing out that today, their village is no longer a haven for criminal elements supported by the People’s National Congress (PNC).

The former PNC Executive said that residents of the once

Attorney General Anil Nandlall making an impassionate plea for Buxtonians to vote for the PPP/C on Monday

troubled East Coast Demerara village today can not only celebrate development, but also celebrate that their village is no longer held ransom by a few pushing an extremely narrow political agenda.

President Donald Ramotar, who received a noisy reception, told the gathering that Guyana has come a far way, as more Guyanese today own their own homes and their children have better access to education.

Prior to 1992, he said many Guyanese were unable to own their own home since the interest rates at the commercial banks were over 35 per cent; today, he said, it is 4.2 per cent for low-income housing and below 7 per cent for housing in the middle-income category.

During the past 23 years, the Government has distributed some 100,000 houselots, and has almost succeeded in elim-

Presidential Adviser on Empowerment Odinga Lumumba rallying his villagers

inating squatting.

In support of educating the nation’s children, the highest sum in the national budget

Clinton Urling addressing the residents of Buxton

is chanelled in the education sector, more schools have been built; teachers receive better remuneration; and students Turn to page 16 ►

Some vocal Buxtonians at the public meeting last evening (Adrian Narine photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Intl. Commonwealth observers deploy countrywide …to keep vigilant watch before, during, after May 11 Elections

Some of the international participants as part of the 2015 Commonwealth Election Observer Mission to Guyana (Delano Williams photos)

By Gary Eleazar

yesterday at the Cara Lodge.

THE International Community continues to pay keen attention to Guyana’s 2015 General and Regional Elections and yesterday Head of the Commonwealth Observer Mission, Kate Wilkinson, met with members of the local media corps and assured that a watchful eye will be kept before, during and after the historic polls on Monday.

“We will assess whether the elections have been conducted according to the standards to which Guyana has committed itself, including through its constitutional and legislative framework and relevant Commonwealth and international commitments,” Ms Wilkinson told journalists,

E-DAY Having arrived in Guyana on Tuesday last, Ms. Wilkinson told reporters that already the team has met with a number of key stakeholders, including the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), political parties, members of the press corps and other international organisations.

She told media operatives, as the Elections date draws near, the observer team intends, “over the next two days (today and tomorrow) we will continue to meet with a range of relevant stakeholders, including domestic and other international Observer groups, youth representatives and members of the business

community…We plan to take every opportunity to see and understand the election process for ourselves.”

Ms Wilkinson informed that by Saturday, “Our teams will deploy to Regions across the country to observe the election environment and preparations for Election Day.” On ‘E-Day’, according to Ms. Wilkinson, Head of the Commonwealth Elections Observer Mission, “our teams will observe the opening and closing of the polls, the polling itself, counting of votes and transmittal of results.”

Ms Wilkinson, a member of the House of Representatives of New Zealand, up until last year is accompanied to Guyana with a contingent of

A clarification first, from Head of the Commonwealth Observer Mission, Ms Kate Wilkinson (centre) and Albert Mariner (right)

seven from different regions of the Commonwealth and from a range of professions and areas of expertise.

Those accompanying Ms Wilkinson as part of the Commonwealth Observer Mission includes: Dr Noor Mohamed, the former Deputy Elections Commissioner of India; Rajwantee Bullock, the Trinidad and Tobago Government Consular; Ahmed Hassan, the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission from Kenya; Nana Afadzinu, Executive Director of the West African Civil Society Institute of Ghana; Dr Hume Johnson, a Professor of Public Relations and Media Studies out of Jamaica along with leader of the Commonwealth Secretariat

Staff, Head of the Caribbean/ Pacific, political division, Albert Mariner.

endeavour to cover the regions and the areas we think deserve the most attention.”

CONSULTING Cognisant of the local terrain and limited resources available to effectively monitor the election process and with more than 2,000 polling stations scattered across the country, Ms Wilkinson informed that the Commonwealth Group will be consulting extensively with other Observer groups which will have teams throughout the country.

“That’s where we work well with the other international observer groups to ensure that the coverage is as broad as it possibly can…Of course we cannot be in all 2,000 plus polling stations but we will

FINAL REPORT While the Mission Head, did commit to an Interim Statement being made public on the key findings, shortly after the May 11, elections, the final and substantive report will be prepared and submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, who will in turn forward it to the Government of Guyana, the Elections Commission, the leadership of political parties, and then to all the Commonwealth governments.

The report, Ms. Wilkinson assured, will also be made publicly available, in Guyana Turn to page 14 ►

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Norway pays over $8B to Guyana

TOTAL payments from Norway now stand at a whopping $38B, with another $8B being the latest payment yesterday under the Guyana-Norway forests and climate change partnership, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) agreement.

President Donald Ramotar, via a public missive last evening, made the disclosure and underscored the fact that Norway’s move is a clear indication that it willing to pursue a second agreement up to 2020. “(This is) a policy that only the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/Civic) supports in Guyana. And all Guyanese should feel proud that we have earned the most money from a forest partnership in the world, after Brazil, money that is being directly spent on the people.” he said.

Mr Ramotar also committed to ensuring that the funds are utilised for the Guyanese people.

He said, “I think that some of you might still ask the question: “but what does the LCDS do for me? I will

- signals willingness to partner with Gov’t until 2020

President Donald Ramotar give you a clear answer: The LCDS is not just a strategy for the future; it’s a strategy for today. That’s what the LCDS is all about, and that’s what’s in it for you….the LCDS is about earning real money that is being spent on addressing serious problems faced by normal Guyanese.

“That’s where all the money, including the $8 billion received today, will be spent. The LCDS is about fixing the drainage systems in your coastal neighbourhood to ensure that your yard will not be flooded. The LCDS is about making sure that the dry regions of our country have sufficient water all-year round. The LCDS is also about helping farmers to earn more money, about

providing cheap electricity for everyone, about stopping the waste problem and about allowing your children to get the highest level of education right here in Guyana.”

Since 2009, Norway has been contributing to Guyana’s efforts to enhance economic development while maintaining over 99.5 per

complex problems isn’t easy.

We also understand that fixing complex problems takes investment. That’s why, we have to continue to come up with innovative technical and financial solutions to problems that many claim are impossible for a small country like Guyana to solve. The LCDS is a perfect example

means that we can live in a better Guyana, and leave an even better country for our children. To me, development is about listening and understanding the unique problems that Guyanese face in their everyday lives – no matter where we live or what we do for a living. And most importantly, development means

‘I think that some of you might still ask the question: ‘but what does the LCDS do for me?’ I will give you a clear answer: The LCDS is not just a strategy for the future; it’s a strategy for today. That’s what the LCDS is all about, and that’s what’s in it for you.’

– President Donald Ramotar cent of its 185, 000 square kilometer forest.

of this.”

President Ramotar stated that prior to the launch of the LCDS, many skeptics believed that the undertaking was too modern and complicated for Guyana, it was the kind of thing that only rich countries could do.

“We, Guyanese, have proven them wrong. Today’s (yesterday’s) payment is concrete proof to any of these skeptics of what Guyana can achieve as a country. That is the story that the payment announcement today is telling us, and therefore, I think we all should be proud of this achievement,” he said.

The President added, “Today, Guyana is one of the leading countries in the world in managing natural resources sustainably. And every Guyanese is benefitting from this.

Our most recent deforestation rate was even lower than the previous year.”

coming up with solutions to these difficult problems,” he said.

Mr Ramotar acknowledged that Guyana has been the fastest growing economy in the Caribbean over the last five years and noted that by 2016 the country is projected to be an upper middle income country.

“That can be clearly considered development,” he said. “I believe that not a single Guyanese living on the coast should need to worry when there’s heavy rainfall that their community will flood. And not a single Guyanese in the hinterland should need to worry about not having water during droughts.

Nor should any Amerindian community need to worry about having enough economic opportunities to support their development.”

REAL DEVELOPMENT The President noted that development often times is viewed from the prism of economic growth. However, he stressed that development for his Administration must translate to a human impact.

“To me, personally, development means even more than that. To me development

UNEASY TASK AHEAD According to him, the task ahead is an uneasy one that demands innovative and creative solutions.

He said, “Solving these

SOURCE OF PRIDE The successes, he urged, are something that Guyana can be proud of, particularly

given the steps being taken to be recognised as a country that follows the highest standards of sustainable timber exporting in the world under the European Union (EU) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) programme.

The Guyanese Head of State said, “We are also working to be among the few countries in the world that have already set mechanisms to ensure the highest level of transparency in the natural resources sector through the EITI standard. And this is not me or the Government of Guyana saying it. It is being said by global experts, hired by the Government of Norway to carry out independent, fact-based assessment. All Guyanese should feel proud of the vote in confidence expressed by Norway.”

NONSENSICAL THINKING He detailed the fact that the LCDS could have resulted in lower electricity bills, were it not for the anti-development and anti-national positions adopted by the political Opposition (APNU/AFC).

“We would have brought a cut in our electricity bills starting next year if the Opposition hadn’t yet again decided to play politics with the people’s development by voting down the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project,” Mr Ramotar said.

He lamented the fact that without such politicking Guyana would have been on the cusp of cheaper and more reliable energy supply.

“Sadly, we will never get back the time and money wasted by the partisan games played by the Opposition…we can’t afford this kind of simplistic and nonsensical thinking, because there is no easy way

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Bond dismisses US envoy’s opinion on exit poll as ‘stupid’

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- says he’s disappointed by response of ‘cowards in public office’ AS the publisher of a controversial exit poll of the Disciplined Services’ vote, member of the political Opposition, James Bond yesterday questioned the rationale of recent comments made by United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Bryan Hunt regarding the issue.

“I think that it is tremendously dangerous, in the Guyanese context, to claim that they know what the results were either on Disciplined Forces Day or on Elections Day,” Hunt said Wednesday evening on a televised programme, ‘News in Conversation’, aired on the National Communications Network (NCN).

According to him, the elections law does not allow for anyone in or near a Polling Station to ask a voter how they voted.

“That is how an exit poll is done. You have to either be very close to a Polling Station or inside a Polling Station,” Hunt said, adding that the way the system is set up, there is no statistically valid way to know.

The Chargé d’Affaires added, “If you are not allowed to be there, you cannot do a credible poll… So, to throw out a number, there is no way for anyone to know that until the results are there; it does not do any good to anyone for specula-

Bryan Hunt

James Bond

tion to be thrown out there.”

Hunt pointed to the dangers in speculations, premised on concerns of validity, coupled with Guyana’s unique circumstances.

to respond to him; let him deal with GECOM. GECOM has said there was nothing illegal about what was done.”

On the question of legality, Attorney General Anil Nandlall, in an invited comment, explained that there is not one law, but a combination of legal provisions which repose the authority with GECOM relative to the declaration of the election results.

UNIMPORTANT The A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) member, also an attorney-at-law, last Saturday posted on Facebook “An example of what occurred today (yesterday) at Whim Police Station…total number of voters 165….number of votes cast 147…..APNU+AFC 140…..PPP 7…”

Yesterday, in a telephone interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he deemed Hunt’s comments as unimportant.

“GECOM (the Guyana Elections Commission) has said there is nothing wrong with the exit polls. Has he read what GECOM said?

Isn’t that stupid?” Bond questioned.

He added, “I don’t have

QUESTION OF VALIDITY Also, GECOM did indeed address the question of Bond’s exit poll and, like Hunt did, the Commission addressed the question of the validity of such polls.

GECOM, in a statement released on Monday, said, “The duty of declaring the final official results of the 2015 General and Regional Elections rests exclusively with the Guyana Elections Commission. Any other information provided by any source(s) other than

GECOM must not be considered as legitimate or valid by the citizenry.

“GECOM wishes to advise the public that only official elections results announced by GECOM are to be accepted. Any other claims to results would be spurious and unofficial.

“GECOM is also calling on all individuals and/or groups purporting to conduct exit polls and announcing their ‘findings’, to desist from this potentially dangerous and reckless practice, since their utterings may serve to stir unrest and create further uneasiness in an environment which is already tense.

“Moreover, extant electoral laws and guidelines mandate only GECOM as the sole legal authority to announce official election results in Guyana. In addition, it must be recognised that while there may be no specific Laws making Exit Polling an offence, there are

Laws relating to the molestation of voters entering and exiting Polling Stations.

“The secrecy of the Ballot must remain sacrosanct.

In any case, the reliability of results emanating from an Exit Poll is dubious, unreliable and very possibly inaccurate.”

NOT AT WHIM Additionally, Bond disclosed that he was not present at Whim to physically conduct the exit poll.

“I was never at Whim.

Why would I be at Whim? I am saying we conducted an exit poll, myself and others.

I am saddened that the dissemination of information triggered the response that it has,” Bond said.

He noted that he is disappointed in the way “cowards in public office” are treating the exit poll.

CONDEMNED Brigadier Mark Phillips, in his capacity as Chairman

of the Joint Services, was among the many who condemned Bond’s action in the strongest possible way.

He said, “This is distasteful at best and extremely irresponsible behaviour by a former member of Parliament, given that there is no way the results of any polling place of today’s Joint Services voting can be known.

“The Joint Services is therefore calling on the authorities at GECOM to explain to the public whether there exists any possibility for a process they assured the nation would be secret to have been made public.

“This development is extremely worrying since Mr Bond, an Attorney and Candidate on the APNU+AFC list, is expected to exercise good judgment in all matters pertaining to the electorate and the electoral process, and not seek in any way to incite mayhem among the populace.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Guyana Editorial

Guyana’s economic stability much lauded CARL Greenidge, addressing Parliament during his penultimate Budget presentation, declared the country “bankrupt.”

Greenidge, who was the Minister of Finance in the PNC Administration, played an integral role in the mismanagement of the country which led to wiping out of the entire middle class, according to former IMF advisor Asgar Ally.

Ally, in a recent interview with this newspaper, revealed that the Guyanese economy became so bankrupt in 1990 that the PNC Administration was forced to go to the IMF, which later advised them to cut the budget and devalue the dollar, but they didn’t manage the fiscal affairs (sensibly) and the deficit widened, making them unable to pay the debts.

Therefore, he noted, there was no alternative, because the country was bankrupt and the IMF called the shots.

Ally said this led to the wipeout of the entire middle class, as people who were working for reasonable salaries were working for nothing because of the devaluation and inflation.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, James Quinn, speaking at the recent launch of the sixth edition of the Guyana Business Magazine, said Guyana - currently graphed as a lower mid-

dle income country, is set to overtake Belize and move into the upper middle income category, which he lauded as a significant development.

However, he warned that while Guyana has enjoyed nine years of consecutive growth, it should not become complacent, while noting the importance of this country to continue on the upward trajectory, creating more wealth and encouraging more investment into the country.

Various heads of international bodies have lauded the sound fiscal management that has catalysed the country’s economy from subterranean levels to a consistent growth pattern, despite global financial meltdowns and other deleterious factors, such as a destructive and obstructive Opposition that has, to a great extent, stymied social development and economic growth during the Tenth Parliament.

Ally also told the Chronicle that Guyana remains a leading light in the Caribbean, enjoying sustained economic growth of five per cent over the past decade.

But he noted that for the development to continue, Guyana has to move away from the “pulling down” political culture to one of “pulling up” pointing out that development is not about any

political party, but the people of the country.

According to Ally, it is time the deep political hatred which is manifest in the political Opposition come to an end, and both the Government and the Opposition find a way to work together, so that decisions are made in the best interest of the people.

Ally, who was once Deputy Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, was brought to Guyana when the PPP/C emerged victorious at the polls in 1992.

He recalled at the time that all the international financial institutions, from the World Bank to the IMF, had stopped lending to Guyana. All the financial programmes, he said, had been suspended until free and fair elections were held.

This, he said, reversed when the PPP/C was returned to power. In its first year in office, the economy grew 8.5 per cent and the following year 5.5 per cent.

But problems began to develop in the international community and Guyana was affected. It did not stop Guyana from pressing on. However, through strident advocacy by Dr Cheddi Jagan, Guyana was able to benefit from debt write-offs through the Paris Club agreement and from the commercial banks.

Guyana was also taken off the list of Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC).

On assuming office in 1992, Ally, who also served as President of the National Investment Bank of Jamaica, said the PPP/C focused on building a strong economic base. This, he said, coupled with prudent management set the stage for the rapid and sustained economic growth Guyana enjoys today.

And the former IMF advisor said the current outlook indicates that growth of the economy will continue and accelerate.

The Donald Ramotar Administration has based his governance on continuity of the projects and programmes of the former administration, because, while governmental constructs may change under a PPP/C banner, the Manifesto is the yardstick guiding the administration of the Government; and the Manifesto of respective PPP/C Governments are all premised on one theme: The enhancement and escalation of social development as well as a stable and sustained economic growth.

Guyanese who are cognisant of the inherent dangers of a change of Government after elections, in a few days’ time, are hoping that continuance of this growth trajectory is enabled with the elected Government of 2015.

You can’t teach old dogs new tricks!

NOW that it is clear that the APNU-AFC is nothing but the old PNC, now that it is revealed that the race is again PPP versus PNC, the track records of both in Government become of great importance.

Guyana’s experience of the 28 years of the PNC in Government is a matter of public record, a recent past that is rejected by even them.

The Guyana experience of the 23 years of the PPP in Government is also a matter of public record, still being written and being implemented to Guyana’s eternal pride and satisfaction.

Successful re-elections in 1997, 2001, 2006 and 2011 can only be explained by satisfaction of the electorate with their Government.

So for the PNC to succeed on May 11,

they will have to convince the majority of Guyanese on May 11 that they have a new approach; one that is better than the incumbent PPP/C’s approach.

Leaving out their manifesto of promises, an experienced electorate would ask for evidence of the new PNC approach and how it works.

Having renounced their past, they now can only promote the new approach, applied in the 10th Parliament and outlined in their 2015 Manifesto.

Sadly, the new PNC (APNU) is still promoting the old PNC’s ways.

Our old people said it best. “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks”.

Like the old PNC, APNU is riddled with old PNC leaders and consequently old PNC

ways.

The APNU-AFC is a collection of age old historic figures who are unapologetically renouncing their past and promising new things.

The disconnect between their new promises and their implementation is unbelievably bad and distressing to all Guyanese including their supporters.

Elected in the 10th Parliament (20112015) to represent APNU interests, APNU has confirmed it is PNC, proudly embracing old PNC ways, unashamedly power grabbing and oblivious to public opinion.

Their new ways include the old ways of intimidation, bullyism, violence, brinkmanship, lies, misinformation, double standards and downright deception.

Their behaviour in the 10th Parliament was nothing short of an unpatriotic force dedicated to prevent PPP/C plans to develop Guyana. Consumed/obsessed with grabbing Executive power to humble the PPP/C Administration was their obvious and persistent motive.

Their failure in the 10th Parliament joins their 28 years of failure during the first five (5) Parliaments of Guyana. It is as the old people say: “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks”.

This APNU/AFC is a collection of old dogs with no new tricks, new approaches to continue the good work of the incumbent PPP/C from 1992 to 2015.

ROGER F. LUNCHEON

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Statement by H.E. Donald Ramotar, President of the Republic of Guyana ON GOVERNANCE

BASED on our hundreds of meetings around the country, we recognise that the competence and integrity of the

PPP/C Government must be maintained.

My new administration will have changes at every level of governance for Cabinet, Regional Government and the Neigh-

bourhood Democratic Council.

This will be done to improve the level of Government services and management of the entire country.

Those persons, who have been committed and served with distinction at the various levels of Government services, will be retained.

The PPP/C’s commitment

has always been to ensure that there are improved Government functions to all citizens, and to allow for greater accountability and transparency.

The PPP/C will continue to operationalise modern and equitable governance approaches in the areas of governing fairly, justly and with respect for the rights of citizens.

ON TAXATION POLICY In response to media questions on the Opposition’s intent to increase the tax on vehicles imported, my Government will reduce the tax on new and used vehicles being imported.

The new administration of the PPP/C will reduce the taxes to ensure that more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles are used by citizens.

The new amendments to the importation costs of vehicles will ensure that more of our citizens including young people can own their own new and eco-friendly motor vehicle.

This commitment is in keeping with our plans as set out for a Green Economy. This new incentive will provide for an economy that is characterised by sustained and inclusive prosperity, as well as one in concord with low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

OAS, Caricom Observer Missions pay courtesy call on President

Two members of the CARICOM Elections Observer Mission pay courtesy call on President Donald Ramotar

AS Guyana heads for General and Regional Elections of May 11, several countries and organisations have dispatched Observer missions to monitor the conduct of this historical event.

Yesterday, members of the Organisation of American States (OAS) and a CARICOM observer missions paid separate courtesy call on Head of State, Donald Ramotar, at the Presidential Complex.

The observer missions intend to focus on electoral organisation, financing, and

the equal participation of all citizens in the electoral process. At least seven internationally based observer missions are expected in Guyana.

These include the United Nations, the Carter Center, the Commonwealth and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). The observer mission members have signed onto protocols, that cover their actions during the election period, and they are expected to visit most of the 2,299 polling stations across Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Guyana set to surpass one million tonnes of paddy production this year LOCAL rice farmers are set to deliver a record 1,000,000 tonnes of paddy production for 2015, as already 83% of the first crop has been harvested, and the yields are record breaking, Minister of Agriculture Dr Leslie Ramsammy said.

The minister was at the time addressing rice farmers, on Tuesday, at the newly commissioned Number 56 Village Seed Cleaning Facility.

According to Minister Ramsammy, in Region Two, farmers have yielded six tonnes of paddy per acre, while in Cane Grove, Region Four, farmers have yielded seven tonnes per acre. These figures, the minister said, were projected production for 2020.

Comparing these figures with what obtained in the 1980s and 1990s, Minister Ramsammy said farmers merely yielded two tonnes of paddy per acre then. “Much came from the efforts of our farmers and improved farming techniques through the field school…”

These achievements, he added, are also owing to the significant contributions made by research and the local researchers, who have been introducing new varieties.

“Between 1995 and 2015, we have introduced 14 new varieties of seed paddy, and that is an astonishing improvement in terms of research.”

The achievements, the minister added, are as a result of the generous investments made by the Government in building local capacity.

Further, Minister Ramsammy said the rice farmers must be lauded for their efforts; applying the new techniques, that have added to the rice industry’s growth.

“Today we can be proud because the rice industry, that has evolved from more than 100 years, today is one of the strongest industries in Guyana, and is one of the strongest rice industries in the Americas, and for that reason we all need to be proud as farmers and as Guyanese.”

Showing how much the industry has grown, Minister Ramsammy pointed out that in 1964, for the first time, farmers produced 200,000 tonnes of rice, and it was a land mark achievement, because at that time, few people had believed that Guyana could have reached

that milestone.

Also, in the same year, Guyana reached an export value of over 100,000 tonnes.

“Between then and the early 1990s, Guyana surpassed 200,000 tonnes only once, and by 1990, our production was 90,000 tonnes and our export was just about 37,000 tonnes. Today,

we have grown to where our production in 2015 can in fact surpass 700,000 tonnes of rice and for the first time reach a magical number 1,000,000 tonnes of paddy.”

All these, the minister said, are clear indications that Guyana’s rice industry and its many achievements have made it one of the best in the region. (GINA)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

68 members on US Embassy Observer team - according to Head of Mission Bryan Hunt

A TEAM comprising 68 members representing the Georgetown-based United States Embassy will be deployed as Election Day observers across Guyana, except for Region 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), according to its Head of Mission, Bryan Hunt.

The Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires on Wednesday evening was featured on ‘News in Conversation’, aired on the National Communications

Network (NCN), and noted that the United States local representatives will be in collaboration with other local and international election observers.

“By the end of this we should have a fairly good view on the electoral process,” Hunt said.

Guyana, he said, is unique when it comes to the role of electoral observers, in that there is a desire to have 100 per cent coverage of all its

Polling Stations, a desire endorsed by political parties as well as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“We are trying to meet the expectation to build confidence in the electoral process,” he said, adding that the Commission itself has proven itself credible.

“The observers are committed to supporting (Guyana) with large groups until so required, for credibility sake,” Hunt said.

GECOM LAUDED On the question of GECOM’s efforts, the US Head of Mission lauded the Commission’s operations to date. “GECOM does as good a job as anywhere else in the world,” he said.

Hunt noted that, internationally, the Commission is seen as a body that produced credible elections, largely in part to its logistical planning.

BACKUP PLAN The Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires expressed confi-

dence in the Commission’s current work plan, highlighting that there is a “backup to that plan and a backup for the backup.”

“Everything will proceed smoothly I feel,” he said.

On that note, Hunt made it clear that it is the responsibility of the leadership of political parties to ensure that they raise their concerns, in an effort to ensure the process is smooth, but noted too their responsibility to have supporting evidence.

He said, “Asking questions is not irresponsible.

But when allegations are thrown out without facts to back them up, that is where the irresponsibility is…it is fine to say we are concerned about an area, but you need to sit down if you feel it is the problem and produce the evidence.”

The US official acknowledged the fact that GECOM engages regularly with political parties and other stakeholders in the electoral process.

In addition to the United States Embassy, there are nine other local Observer groups that have indicated their intention to be part of the May 11 General and Regional elections.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

No one can renounce, deny or reject their DNA MR. Gordon Forte must know that DNA is part of the human physiology that evolves quite on its own.

If I traced mine it would take me to the home of my ancestors, India. And hasn’t that Indian DNA contributed in great and glorious ways to the advancement of human civilisation!

Each one of us is trapped – to use Mr Forte’s word – by our individual DNA. It is the hereditary and family lineage of our biological makeup and no one can renounce, deny or reject their DNA. How much DNA has to do with behaviour, and with spiritual and cultural evolution is still a matter of debate.

However, evolution is not limited to DNA alone. It is because of my evolution as a free spirit that I reject degraded culture and embrace traditions and values, learned from my ancestors, that uplift the human spirit rather than diminish it.

If Mr Forte has no DNA in his family lineage that he wishes to similarly emulate this is truly unfortunate and must be pitied. We can only hope that his personal evolution will eventually catch up with that of the civilised world where ethnic, cultural, and every other identity – gender, sexual orientation, religious, etc, - are guaranteed, protected and respected through constitutional laws, human rights charters, and by a sense of plain moral correctness on the part of every citizen.

Not many of us wish to repudiate our ancestral past and, in fact, my hot-mouth is very much part of my DNA. It comes to me from my ‘nanee’, an Indian woman from Port Mourant who gave as good as she got and took no eye-pass from anyone. She would be so proud of me for continuing the tradition and might have a thing or two to tell Mr Forte herself if she were still alive.

My nanee and aja and chacha and poowah have all contributed to making me the person that I am and if Mr Forte has no similar family bonds to speak of then his happiness as a person must be truly limited.

RYHAAN SHAH

‘Exit polls’ fraught with danger

THE statement by GECOM Chairman Dr. Steve Surujbally that only results released by the Guyana Elections Commission should be considered final and legitimate is most helpful especially in light of attempts by the APNU-AFC to have a ‘parallel’ release of results via the social media.

So-called ‘exit polls’ based on hasty generalisations and fabrications are particularly harmful as in the case of the Disciplined Services balloting and should be discouraged.

This is fraught with danger and has the potential to create confusion and doubts as to the true polling outcome based on verifiable polling results.

The use of the electronic media to transmit polling day results has room for all manner of manipulation by unscrupulous elements. This medium of transmission of polling day results should be condemned by GECOM, elections Observers and all those interested in a free, democratic and peaceful elections.

Still fresh in the memory of Guyanese were attempts by a senior official of the PNC who took to the airwaves to announce that the PNC had won the October 5, 1992 elections even though a Carter Centre quick count mechanism gave the PPP/C a majority of the votes cast and the final results had not been released by GECOM. There is an urgent need to guard against a repeat of such unsavoury practices which is not only counterproductive but could potentially create great harm to our democracy and our image as a politically matured and tolerant society.

HYDAR ALLY

I fully support Rhyaan Shah’s expressions

I WRITE to endorse the contents of Ms Ryhaan Shaw’s letter (published in the media on May 6, 2015). As we celebrate 177 years of Indian Arrival to this country, Indians who articulate their ethnic pride (while not denying the right of others to do so) are castigated to the nth degree.

Simply look at the blogs associated with Ms Shah’s letter where the slogan “a vote for the PPP is a vote for racism and corruption” dominates the platform. The electoral battle lines are clearly drawn and, this election will do little to change previous electoral configurations when it comes to ethnic support,

largely because political leaders refuse to confront this anomaly in our body politic.

Suspicions among Indians are fuelled by the continued refusal of the PNC (APNU) to confront its past transgressions and, in the absence of leadership and organisations that sincerely and frontally advocate for Indians in our plural society, the PPP, though not the ideal, represents the best choice for Indians. Most Indians will hold their noses and look beyond the corruption issue, as they ask themselves which party best represents their security and political

Can this election fix it?

PAUL Simpson, a British business journalist, writing in a recent publication of the professional Human Resource Management institution, the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development) asks this question (Can this election fix it?) of the British public whose General Elections this week virtually coincides with ours here in Guyana. I believe it is not only a good question for us Guyanese to ask but for us to also ponder, as Simpson advises, a slight re-working of JFK’s famous phrase: “Ask not what the Parties can do for our country, but what kind of country do we want” General Elections result in many faces changing but often with little substantive change; old, long-standing

issues remain unresolved leading to increasing cynicism among the electorate about election promises which proliferate with each passing election.

But it appears that election promises are a sine qua non. Professor of political thought at Cambridge University, David Runciman, put it this way: “You cannot get elected without promising you will do something”.

Getting the ‘something’ done requires leadership, the kind of leadership which Timothy Bale, professor of politics at my alma mater, Queen Mary University, London says requires “tempering zeal with pragmatism, and vice versa.”

Professor Bale adds that some leaders have more of one than the other! There can be no doubt that a good dose of personal conviction together

interests. Others will do the same.

In a post-election period, regardless of which party emerges victorious, we should strive to promote ‘Unity in Diversity’, as we seek to uphold our national motto of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’. In addition, Guyanese need to look towards a decentralisation political system, one that takes power away from the node in Georgetown and transfer meaningful power to local communities in the three counties (Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice).

DR BAYTORAM RAMHARACK with ‘political will’ are also necessary ingredients, but as Paul Simpson adds: “We seem to have regressed from an age of ‘conviction politicians’ to one where “politicians are convicted”.

As a committed Human Resource Management disciple, one promise I would have liked to see underscored is the need for improved productivity in Guyana in order to enable the natural expectations for improved compensation and related benefits; but I suppose that is the kind of medicine from which most politicians selfishly shy away.

I take this opportunity to express my hope and wish for a peaceful election process and may the deserving party win; obviously only one party can win but that party can resolve to work with others to deliver on promises made.

NOWRANG PERSAUD

Why I support the PPP/C, like the majority of Guyanese

THE elections campaigning in Guyana is going very well and I am very confident of not only a PPP/C victory, but one with a resounding majority.

I have great confidence that the people of Guyana will make the right decision on Elections Day. I firmly believe that the majority of the Guyanese people ‘do not’ want to see our country regress to the dark days of rigged elections; lack of freedom of speech; no freedom of the press; denial of basic human rights; long line ups for basic food items; banned essential staples - like flour, split peas (dhal) etc., etc.; empty shelves in supermarkets and stores; high unemployment; high illiteracy rate; high migration rate; high crime rate; kick-down-door bandits; a bankrupt economy; and a huge foreign debt...all of which characterised the dark era of the PNC (now APNU) dictatorship between 1964 - 1992.

Of course, the biggest challenge would be to educate and inform the younger generation which was not born during that dark period and hence, unaware of it...and, of what it was like to live through the horrible period of the PNC dictatorship/rule.

The PPP leadership needs to do more to remind the younger generation of what we and our parents went through when many of us were left

with no choice but to ‘vote with our feet’.....that is, we left the country and escape to any other country on this Planet.... many as Refugees!

The results were that Guyanese of all races, religion and creed desperately fled Guyana to the tune of approximately:- 250,000 to the United States; 200,000 to Canada; 50,000 to Suriname; 50,000 to Venezuela; 35,000 to England; and another 20,000 -25,000 elsewhere. This from a country of approximately 750,000 people! Do you remember this? Lest we forget!

Even the Canadian Government recognised in 1995, after only approximately three years of the PPP/C in Government, that Guyana is no longer a refugee producing country.

Again, thanks to the PPP/C. Today, the PNC-led APNU coalition, their cohorts and sympathisers, want us to forget the past and not educate nor inform the present generation of what they did to us, just twenty-three years ago.

Can you imagine asking the Jews to forget what the Nazi did to them, even though that was 70 years ago?

Try telling the Americans, the Canadians and/or the British People that they should forgive and forget all the atrocities the Germans committed during World War 2, or even worse, during World war 1?

After all, that was 70 years and

100 years ago respectively. How do you think they - the Jews, the Americans, the British and the Canadians - will respond to you telling them this?

My Friends, the PPP/C may not be perfect and is certainly not flawless, but incredibly, they have turned our country around in the past twenty-three years, like no other party could do; with fair, just and prudent fiscal and economic management.

The PPP/C Government has given us back free and fair elections and democracy; given us freedom of speech and freedom of the press; restored our basic human rights and dignity; created equal opportunities for all Guyanese; created universal primary education; created almost Universal (93%) secondary education; re-built our collapsed judicial and justice system; re-vamped our Constitution and our Parliamentary System; instituted a two-term limit on the Presidency; set-up an Ethnic Relations Commission to address ethnic and racial concerns; established many Parliamentary Committees and Sub-Committees headed by Opposition Members as well; and established the National Procurement Committee with full participation by the Opposition See page 12

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Offshore Guyana …

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Esso Exploration strikes oil!

- no confirmation yet if it is available in commercial quantity

ESSO exploration well, the Liza-1 on the Stabroek Block, using the drill-ship, ‘Deepwater Champion’ located approximately 120 miles offshore Guyana, has encountered hydrocarbons.

This is according to Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment Mr Robert Persaud, during an interview reflecting on the

usually the primary component of crude oil, their composition can vary from 50 per cent to 97 per cent depending on the type of crude oil and how it is extracted, leading oil and energy website ‘oilprices.com’ said.

The majority of hydrocarbons found on Earth naturally occur in crude oil, where decomposed organic matter provides an abun-

of commercial quantities which will further transform Guyana’s economy for the benefit of all Guyanese.

In the first half of 2015, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) drilled an exploration well, the Liza-1 prospect, on the Stabroek Block, using the drill-ship, Deepwater Champion.

a potential of 15.2 billion barrels of oil and, were a discovery to be made, production targets would be estimated at 50 million barrels per year, which would be equivalent to 140,000 barrels per day.

PREPARING GUYANA At a deep water exploration and energy governance and capacity initiative workshop held recently, Minister Persaud noted that Guyana has started a very elaborate and comprehensive process in preparing for the oil and gas economy.

He also commended the US Government for its continued technical and other forms of assistance in this regard, the Government Information Agency (GINA) reported.

“I want to commend the

US Government and the staff for their abiding support over the years in facili-

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud tating workshops in building capacity as we prepare our oil and gas sector in all of its aspects in terms of how do we manage revenues

and ensure transparency, and also how do we look at safety and technology and very critically how do we reach out for investment,” the Minister pointed out.

In addition, he emphasised that the US has been an important ally in ensuring that Guyana mobilise the investment and undertake the efforts to develop the country’s natural resources even in the face of some unjustified and unwarranted attempts by some external forces, who seek to push back Government’s efforts in developing the natural resources both off and on shore.

In January this year, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry launched a policy on upstream oil and gas at a national stakeholders’ forum at the Herdmanston Lodge, Georgetown.

(Tajeram Mohabir)

‘FLASHBACK’: President Donald Ramotar and Minister Robert Persaud listen keenly to an official on board the ExxonMobil’s Deepwater Champion oil rig, during a visit to the drillship last month performance of natural resources and environmental sectors.

Minister Persaud, however, pointed out that it is too early to confirm whether there are commercial quantities of hydrocarbons, specifically light crude.

Crude oil, commonly known as petroleum, is a liquid found within the Earth comprised of hydrocarbons, organic compounds and small amounts of metal.

While hydrocarbons are

dance of carbon and hydrogen which, when bonded, can catenate to form seemingly limitless chains.

Minister Persaud revealed that a full evaluation of the results is underway from the exploration company.

OPTIMISTIC Further, the Natural Resources and the Environment Minister remains optimistic of a hydrocarbon discovery

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), an affiliate of ExxonMobil, holds 45 per cent interest. Hess Guyana Exploration Limited holds 30 per cent interest and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 per cent interest.

In 2012, the United States (US) Geological Survey ranked Guyana as having the second most attractive under-explored basin in the world, with

Esso exploration well, the Liza-1 on the Stabroek Block, using the drill-ship, Deepwater Champion, has encountered hydrocarbons

Why I support the PPP/C, like the majority ...

From page 11 yet again. It is the PPP/C which has restored our pride and dignity.

Guyanese are now running back home to Guyana and boldly, with pride and dignity, reclaiming Guyana as their native land. Thanks to the past and present Leaders of the PPP/C. The PPP/C has built over 1,000 miles of new and re-paved roads, built/ repaired over 150 Primary Schools and over 50 Secondary Schools, many new Hospitals and Health Centres, many new Police Stations and Police Outposts, built a Bridge over the Berbice River, a new Sugar Factory at Skeldon, a new stateof-the-art Conference Centre, Sports

Stadium and Hotels in Georgetown and vicinity, and given out over 100,000 free house lots to our poorest countrymen and women to build their own homes, created thousands of jobs for young and old people, modernised our International Airport, etc., etc.... in all 10 Regions of the country.

And my friends, if this is not economic progress then tell me, what is?

Yet we Guyanese are supposed to forget what the PNC (now APNU) did to us 23 years ago. And if we do not, then we are labelled all sorts of vile names: “Indian Racists”, “Collie Bullies”, “PPP Stooges”, “Corrupted”, “Backward”, etc.

We must Thank God for having strong, intelligent and courageous leaders in the

PPP/C - people like President Donald Ramotar, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, Dr Roger Luncheon, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Dr Jennifer Westford, Mr Clement Rohee, Mr Samuel Hinds, Ms Gail Teixeira, Mr Anil Nandlall, Mr Clinton Collymore, Dr Frank Anthony and the many others who have stood up and are still standing up for our Rights and our Dignity!

Guyana has advanced from a depressed past with a bankrupt economy and a massive foreign debt burden, to today being an almost debt-free country with a foreign reserve of over 3/4 billion US dollars! Can you see why the PNC (APNU) along with their newfound bed fellows both inside and outside of Guyana - would

like to get their gummy and dirty hands back into our Country’s Kitty/National Treasury? Can you see why they hate our great and relentless leaders like President Ramotar, former President Jagdeo, Dr Luncheon and Mr Rohee and others??

Guyanese everywhere, are now holding their heads high, and glowing with pride and dignity, returning home by the tens of thousands, many permanently, to reclaim their heritage and splendour, thanks to the PPP/C! I have great confidence that the people of Guyana will make the right decision on Election Day. They will vote for: ‘Forward EVER! Backward NEVER!’ They will vote PPP/C! I Salute my fellow Guyanese.

MANI SINGH Toronto, Canada

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Here we dwell together, one people

By Shaun Michael Samaroo

FROM our corner of the earth we prosper, a people chosen to be together out of far-flung ancient lands in that wide swath of Europe, Africa, India, China, now spread across the Caribbean, North America, the world, a global diaspora, our homeland sandwiched on this thin coastal strip between the vast swelling murky depths of the roaring Atlantic Ocean lapping at those sturdy Dutch stonewalls guarding our shores, and the live, verdant, mysterious sweep of our paradisiac forests, so raw in virgin ecosystem, our days blessed with fertility, kitchen gardens flourishing at our doorsteps, our land of many waters absolutely free of natural disasters and ethnic strife and social unrest and gross poverty, here we, the Guyanese people, dwell in peace, progress, prosperity.

This is our story on the world stage.

With that great swelling of the heart, aware of this astonishing beauty of who we are as a nation, knowing that our land decorates the earth in lush nature with a peaceful people and a democratic body politic and a leaping socio-economic abundance, as we progress from gross poverty a quarter century ago to today being a middle-income developing nation, we rise, unique on the world stage, South America’s only English-speaking nation, the Caribbean’s only mainland nation, we the Guyanese people walking tall, again, on the world stage.

We once dwelt among the exalted peoples of this part of the earth, back in the early 1960’s, when we rose to the top of the Caribbean. Then we collapsed in a spectacular downward spiral as we plunged from our noble heights to become the second poorest country, behind Haiti, in the Western Hemisphere by 1990. We suffered

two and a half decades of incredible socio-economic collapse, our experiment and subjective interpretation of the concepts of democracy and development causing us our place in the world.

In the two and a half decades, from 1992 to today, we’ve repaired the broken walls and reconstructed the damaged systems and realigned our structural foundation, enjoying again our exalted place in the world, again at the top of the Caribbean, in education achievement, pace of socio-economic development, and macro-economic performance.

Next Monday we face the real choice of where we go from here.

With hundreds of thousands of new homes re-making our landscape and re-designing our social space over the past two decades, with 1,000 plus school buildings now spanking new and brightly painted, with heart surgeries for kids a reality in our public healthcare system, oh we’ve come a far way.

We’re set to achieve the Guyana Dream, that ancient El Dorado vision of who we could be as a nation, our people hugging this fertile belt of land straddling the wild Atlantic coast and skirting the virgin aliveness of our grand forests.

We’re set to dream big again.

So it is with President Donald Ramotar’s clarity of vision to see the Amaila hydroelectric project a done deal, a reality humming across our land. So it is in our President’s courage and social conscience and sense of natural justice in the Presidential convening of the Rodney Commission to right our most tragic political wrong, in cleansing this awful stain from our history. So it is with President Ramotar’s visions, plans, projects and programmes as we move forward from here. So it is with Guyana becoming a glowing beauty on

the world stage, a nation awakening to our great potential, conscious that we could indeed be a great people, dreaming the dream of our 21st century potential.

President Ramotar walks among us, so humble, so engaging, so becoming the father-figure we aspire to at this time of our coming into being as a 21st century society.

He serves with growing confidence as our servant-leader, wanting nothing but to do his best, to serve with all his heart and soul, to be President in this hour of our nation’s evolution, not for personal aggrandisement, but as a duty to serve his people, chosen of fate for such a time as this.

This son of the soil, listed in the column of Mixed Race Guyanese, that unique sixth race of our peoples, born in the obscure little logging and farming community of Karia Karia aback of the Essequibo, rose to become our Head-of-State.

Squaring off in a political contest against the might of an accomplished military commander in Brigadier David Granger, a man of imposing intellectual and military accomplishment, a historian and media entrepreneur, facing this giant army man, President Ramotar stands out for his depth of character and leadership wisdom and his immense love for the Guyanese nation.

Elections flashback …

Pictured is the Ministry of Works building and the MMA building on the East Coast which were also targetted

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In him and Prime Ministerial candidate Elisabeth Harper, our nation looks forward to the next five years, this humble son of the soil and this career diplomat teaming up to take us to our new place in the world.

If our natural landscape shapes our character as a people, if the vast wideness of the wild Ocean that we wake up to every morning, this untamable constant roar of nature stretching out to the horizon, if this makes our worldview, if the mysterious music of the immense jungle of our sweeping forests molds our vision, then our natural environment makes us a unique people, with a distinct destiny.

That destiny now lies in the hands of President Ramotar, a man of the land, this Karia Karia village boy who grew up to cross massive rivers and traverse counties and conquer our history of colonialism and dictatorship and to rise to lead our most enduring, historic political movement and to become Head-of-State of the Guyanese nation, this humble soul showing the strength, stamina and depth of character and inner courage to face off against political foes who underestimate who we are as a people, culled together from far-flung lands to come together, dwelling in this blessed pastoral beauty of a land.

Protecting a fragile balance THE end of the elections, as recent as 2001, brought the start of violence.

Many buildings were burned down in ‘mystery fires’. A typical example occurred on March 21 when the home of Ms. Devika Persaud on Peter Street, Annandale, was burnt down, leaving her and her two daughters, Nazir, 7, and Nazeela, 11, homeless at the time.

Many politicos contend that given Guyana’s history and the cultural underpinnings, maintaining peace is a fragile balance that must be protected at all costs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

GPHC responds to KNews article on ‘misplaced dead babies’ – says Roger Smith did locate his son’s remains

IN response to the Kaieteur News article headlined, “GPHC misplaces dead babies in overcrowded morgue,” the hospital has stated that the man, Roger Smith, who claimed that he did not find the body of his eight-day-old

son, did in fact locate the body.

According to a release from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), “the article alleged that the bodies of a number of dead babies in the morgue are untagged,

h o w e v e r, t h e h o s p i t a l would like to emphasise that this is completely untrue since bodies are “always tagged” so deceased persons can be easily identified.”

The hospital said that currently there are a num-

ber of dead babies’ bodies at the morgue, as families sometimes refuse to collect the bodies. In these instances, the hospital cannot bury the bodies until a certain amount of time has elapsed and it is determined that the families will not take on

burial responsibilities.

This is the procedure since burying someone whose family turns up to uplift their body subsequently can put the hospital in serious hot water. Thus far for the year, the hospital has done 17 burials.

Intl. Commonwealth observers... and throughout the Commonwealth.

She used the opportunity, as have numerous other local and international organisations, to also call on the various political parties contesting this year’s General and Regional Elections, “to take a constructive approach to campaigning in these remaining

days before the election…We also strongly urge the parties to respond to the officially declared results in a responsible manner.”

‘OP’ INVITATION She informed that the group was constituted

by Commonwealth Secretary-General, Sharma, fol-

lowing an invitation from the Office of the President of Guyana and the findings of an assessment team which was in Guyana last month.

“It is our responsibility as observers to consider factors relating to the credibility of the electoral process as a whole…

This includes observing and evaluating the pre-election

period, election day itself, as well as the post-election period,” she said.

Ms. Wilkinson also sought to assure that members of the Commonwealth Observer group are participating in their individual capacities and “we act with impartiality, objectivity and independence…We do not have a supervisory role.”

CONCERNS Following the vote of the Disciplined Services on Saturday last, some concerns were raised by at least one political party and according to Ms. Wilkinson, those concerns have been documented and will form a part of the final report to be issued to the Commonwealth Secretary General.

She cautioned that the Commonwealth team at this

According to the release, the GPHC sees the article as a deliberately misleading one since no one from the newspaper contacted the Chief Executive Officer of the hospital or the Public Relations Coordinator.

From page 3

time would refrain from speaking publicly to any of the specifics raised by any of the political parties, following the vote by the Disciplined Services.

According to Ms Wilkinson, the team will be guided by its specific terms of references which speak to impartiality and independence.

She did stress that as it relates to the Guyana Elections and the 2015 date with the polls, “we are not here in an executive role, we are not here to supervise.”

STRONG CALL Fielding criticisms, to the effect that recommendations

by Commonwealth and similar such groupings over the years have consistently failed to be taken on board by adminis-

trations, Ms Wilkinson made it clear, the body was not responsible for the enforcement of any of its recommendations and are only present as observers at the request of Office of the President.

Mariner, also defended the role of the international group in Guyana as part of the Elections process.

He told media operatives it was during a recent assessment mission by the Commonwealth to Guyana, following the Office of the President invitation, “there was a strong call that we need the Commonwealth observers to come in.”

The assessment mission was held with GECOM, the various political parties, private sector and a host of other stakeholders in Guyana.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Buxtonians urged to vote on future... benefit from a $10,000 school voucher and a uniform programme.

These, the President said, are some of the steps taken by the ruling party to ensure every child receives a sound education and go on to become professionals in their chosen fields, imbued with the spirit to make a meaningful contribution to the development of their country.

Speaking to a restive crowd, President Ramotar said the past three years have not been an easy one for his Government, pointing out that the combined Opposition did all in their power, using their one-seat majority in Parliament to block the development of the country.

They voted down the Amaila Hydro Project which would have enabled the generation of cheaper energy, spring-board-

ing development in the manufacturing sector, creating thousands of jobs through a mushrooming of large, small and micro-enterprises.

WILL NOT GIVE UP But the Government will not give up, the President said, noting that once re-elected, the PPP/C Administration will bring the Hydro Project on stream, benefiting residents of Buxton and the rest of Guyana.

The deep-water harbour in Berbice, the President said, will also be built to scale up commerce, creating jobs and improving the standard of living of Guyanese, more particular, ordinary Guyanese.

The PPP/C, he said, is not about making wild promises but is about making dreams a reality, noting that Buxton has

changed from a state of ruin in 1992, to a village on the move.

In recent years, the Government has reconstructed the Tipperary Hall, build new roads and open up new farm lands in the once troubled East Coast Demerara village.

Minister of Housing and Water Mr Irfaan Ali, told residents when he took to the podium that the development will continue with focus on expanding agriculture cultivation, livestock rearing and the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the village through low interest loans.

These, he said, will provide employment for residents, thereby improving lives in the village.

New member of the PPP/C Mr Clinton Urling, who addressed the gathering as the

crowd was building and becoming more vocal, told the residents of Buxton that the PPP/C is about progress, prosperity, peace, diversity, inclusionary democracy and about a secured future for all Guyanese.

DO NOT GAMBLE The young businessman said Guyana has been transformed under the ruling party.

He urged Buxtonians to vote for the PPP/C on Monday and not to gamble their future by placing trust in the hands of the Opposition as they do not have caring politicians.

The PPP/C, he emphasised, does not make promises but make things happen, and this is testimony of the transformation that Guyana has witnessed over the past 23 years.

And it will continue on the

development path after Monday, as attention will be focused on expanding the banking system, further bringing down interest rates, developing small and medium-sized businesses and the building of canning and packaging factories, Urling said.

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, also addressed the public meeting, telling the very vocal gathering that the PPP/C is a better team, and has done more for Buxton than the PNC did.

He went at great length to explain his contention, but the crowd was not too approving, shouting “David Granger! David Granger!�

The Attorney General nevertheless told them that notwithstanding the unwelcoming reception, he still loves them,

From page 2

the PPP/C has their interest at heart, and it is their democratic right to controllably express themselves.

The PNC, he said, took away that freedom and made them suffered greatly. Nandlall also urged the Buxtonians to not allow themselves to return to those dark days, and vote solidly for the ruling party on Monday.

Presidential Advisor on Empowerment, and Buxtonian, Mr Odinga Lumumba, who chaired the public meeting, told the gathering that the PPP/C is about love and unity, peace and progress and growth and development, and they should vote solidly to ensure that Guyana does not return to the hands of the PNC, the controller of the APNU+AFC alliance.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

PPP/C Guyana Version 2.0 (Excerpts) THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic is building a country in which no one should feel left out from development. As such, the PPP/C commits to: ● Focusing on the economic empowerment of women in all regions through incentives and programmes to access microfinance programmes in the commercial banking system. ● Encouraging women to establish micro and small businesses through support from the Small Business Council, with appropriate training and mentoring. ● Encouraging and assisting in the establishment of day-

care centres for working women at affordable costs. ● Encouraging women and educating female students on new careers and self-employment opportunities which are available to them. ● Encouraging the establishment of more “Safe Homes” for Abused Women and children in unserved regions, which will provide accommodation, health and counselling services, and skills training facilities. ● Strengthening capacity of the relevant agencies (MLHSSS, DPP, GPF, Family Court etc.) to implement the modern and relatively new legislation in place regarding

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In support of Guyana’s women women and children in a timely and efficient way. ● Expanding access to Legal Aid Services across Guyana. ● Strengthening prosecutorial and judicial capacities to act in a timely manner and attain greater conviction rates for sexual offences. ● Reviewing laws that relate to women and strengthening legislation and policies where necessary in order to further promote women’s rights and gender equality. ● Providing more skilled human, technical financial resources to address the im-

plementation of the National Plan of Action on Sexual and Domestic Violence. ● Developing effective complaints mechanism in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, and the private sector to prevent and address allegations of discrimination against women. ● Implementing more effective programmes and interventions for the prevention of gender-based violence. ● Involving FBOs and Com-

munity-Based Organisations (CBOs) in playing a more active role in condemning domestic and sexual violence. ● Initiating Community Counselling Centres to provide support for the eradication of family violence and other types of violence as well as other social ills. ● Working with young people to break the cycle of violence. ● Working with communities to educate against violence. ● Organising enhanced and regular training and oversight of the police with regards to

handling of cases. ● Increasing the presence of women in leadership and governance in public institutions, and encouraging their elevation to leadership positions in the business community and the labour movement.

The PPP/C wants to give a good life to all citizens, so that they can live with dignity and security.

Therefore, we aim to address the needs and meet the expectations of all our people, including our women.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

IRFAAN AT METEN-MEER-ZORG MEET...

‘We have a choice to make come May 11’ – one that must be based on trust

By Rebecca Ganesh “WE ARE the children of Dr. Cheddi Jagan; we came from the stock that fought for independence.

And in less than six days from n ow, w e h ave to make a choice; that choice is between a progressive and developed country or a backward and empty one with unfulfilled promises; it is between the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C,” Senior member of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Irfaan Ali told residents of Meten-Meer-Zorg on the West Coast Demerara.

Ali told the PPP/C supporters, “They try to harm us, but they will not take away the dignity of the PPP/C; we are a people of development and peace.”

He went to note some of the recent activities that took place, and inferred that the APNU+AFC (Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change) supporters were trying to deter and scare PPP/C supporters. He, however, assured them that they need not fear; and neither should they retaliate.

TRACK RECORD “ Yo u h a v e a s i m p l e choice that will determine how we move forward in this country: The future of your family. And that choice must be based on trust; nothing can be developed without trust,” he said, explaining that the PPP/C has a track record that points to achievements and development of the country.

Ali shifted gear as he stated that for someone to

acquire a job, that individual will need to show their qualifications and have creditable references. “Let us examine the leaders that come for your support: Khemraj Ramjattan said he would never collate with the PNC (People’s National Congress), but he collated.

Can you trust him?” he asked, and the answer was a resounding “NO!” Continuing, he said, “In 2011 when we were decid-

‘Under this Government, home ownership has moved from 57 years to 34 years; this is the change; the positive and realistic change under the PPP/C’ --Irfaan Ali the Minister of Finance post.

“When Guyana was the second poorest in the Western Hemisphere, he was the Minister of Finance.

When we could not produce enough rice, and had to import rice for the people, he was the minister; and when

‘The investment of the fibre-optic cable project will create 6,000 new jobs countrywide, and in Region 3, a call centre is currently being built and will create 1,000 jobs. Another call centre will be built at La Parfaite Harmonie with another creation of 1,000 jobs’ --Irfaan Ali ing who will be the Speaker of the House when Moses Nagamootoo’s name came up, David Granger said he cannot be trusted; but today Granger is presenting him to Guyana as their prime ministerial candidate. Can you trust them?” Again, the answer was “NO!” Warming to the topic, Ali said, “They have started a marriage on shallow grounds. On May 11, we must let them know we are not fools; we cannot be manipulated; we understand the political situation and we are going to vote solidly for the PPP/C. May 11 is about protecting Guyana’s democracy and continued development under the PPP/C; it is about safeguarding your dignity and ensuring that Guyana never returns to the Dark Ages of the PNC.” According to Ali, the APNU+AFC coalition candidate Carl Greenidge is their present nominee for

home loans were beyond the hands of the people, Greenidge was the Minister of Finance.”

He mentioned also that “the Housing Ministry had to resort to closing its doors when inflation was triple digits and when the country was bankrupt, when we had the highest migration rate.

More than 70% of Guyanese was living in poverty.

He is a failure.”

ONLY COUNTRY IN WESTERN HEMISPHERE Pointing to the track record of the PPP/C Government, he noted that Dr Ashni Singh has recorded for Guyana nine consecutive years of growth. He stressed that Guyana was the only country in the Western Hemisphere to have grown while other countries were faced with an economic strain.

“Inflation is now 0.9%, house loan is now less than

5%, commercial loans are now less than 13%; this is the progress under the PPP/C Government.”

Ali, during his remarks on the achievements and further development of the country, noted that the PPP/ C’s manifesto is one where you will be able to see and examine positive growth in the next four years - “a strong macro-economic country with strong footing that has many benefits for all Guyanese.”

HOUSING Ali also focused attention in an area that he is quite versed in, stating that the APNU+AFC manifesto speaks of giving the Guyanese citizens access to rental monies instead of assisting them in the ownership of their own home.

“They will give us rent money but under the PPP/C Government you will get your own home. The poor man only option is to rent how we are going to create wealth this is not strange to see where they place their importance. They don’t see the importance of home ownership.”

He stressed that under this Government home ownership has moved from 57years to 34 years - “this is the change the positive and realistic change under the PPP/C.” Alluding to some aspects of the PPP/C vision for the future, he noted that some 30,000 house lots will be created and for the people of Region 3 (Essequibo

PPP/C Senior Member, Irfaan Ali speaking at the Meten-Meer-Zorg meeting on Wednesday (Photo by Vishwanauth ‘Adrian’ Narine)

Islands-West Demerara) 5,000 low income house lots will be constructed.

“We will do this because it will empower you. We believe in the empowerment of our people and building wealth in the family.”

EDUCATION Speaking on education, specifically to Region 3, Ali noted that years ago when he wrote the then ‘common entrance examinations’, only five persons from Region 3 received schools in Georgetown.

“Now we got more than 25% out of the top 100 performers of the country and children from all across the country are able to top the CSEC exams.”

He noted too that under different programmes started by the Government, children and young adults are able to educate themselves in technical vocations without having to leave the Region.

JOBS Ali stressed that, “Not a single point for jobs in

Region 3, nothing for economic policy and no new form of job creation was mentioned in their (APNU+AFC) manifesto.”

He said further that the investment of the fibre optic cable project will create 6,000 new jobs countrywide and in Region 3 a call centre is currently being built and will create 1,000 jobs. Another call centre will be built at La Parfaite Harmonie with another creation of 1,000 jobs.

He noted also that they will create jobs in the different sectors, mainly the tourism sector.

Ali spoke at length about the creation of infrastructure such as roads and sport facilities, among others. He noted too that the manifesto speaks specifically on the PPP/C vision for the rice and sugar industries. These industries, he noted, “will be safeguarded by the PPP/C and would never be allowed to fail.”

“The future is bright - vote PPP/C and secure your family and children’s future,” Ali urged.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

WITH JUST THREE DAYS TO GO...

Rallying call is for peace, calm on Election Day

By Navendra Seoraj

WITH just three days to elections (E-day), the average citizen is calling for peace and prosperity as Guyanese head to the polls come May 11.

The Guyana Chronicle managed to catch up with a few citizens who were asked what is the situation like in the streets leading up to elections; and what do they expect subsequent to May 11.

The responses are as follows: ANAND SAW, a vendor,

by destroying campaigning things… Business remains neutral and slow, which is expected also; but we are all hoping for the best, and a most peaceful elections.”

said: “There are one-and-two racial people, which is only to be expected at this time; and there are also people who would throw hints at Parties

WENDELL, a 76-yearold citizen, said: “The tension is determined by the mentality of persons, and the young people are contributing to the tension... But we should expect a peaceful elections.”

VINCENT WICKHAM,

wins, we got to still continue going about our business... but I expect a peaceful elections.”

FRANKLIN GONSALVES, a mechanic, said:

DIONNE NORVILLE,

Gary Semple

Vincent Wickham

Anand Saw

or creed, or who dead before.

Vote fuh who yuh think go’n get progress in this country.”

who described himself as an average guy, said: “Right now, things slow up a lot; I expect things to remain normal, but I don’t know how the rest gone start behaving…

But I think everybody should still live as one.”

GARY SEMPLE, one of the many youths in Guyana, had this to say: “Business has slowed up and stuff where normally we have

been working from 9-5... But come Monday, I just want everything to work out properly and just peace; I ain’t want no fighting, and the big looting and thing; I just want everything to go normal.”

ALLISON HARRISON, a Guyanese who is back home after a while, said: “In terms of tension, the destruction of Party’s campaign stuff is petty stupidness which won’t get them where they want go; they need to vote for who they believe in…

Coming down to the last days, the tension go’n start building, but you don’t know

Allison Harrison

what go’n happen after. But I hope everything work out real good; avoid violence and stuff, because it ain’t serve no purpose. Vote fuh who yuh believe in; not fuh yuh colour

Franklin Gonsalves

Dionne Norville

Wendel

a saleswoman in response to the questions said: “Things are the same way; there is no difference; everybody going about their business. And whenever yuh done, whoever

“We just looking to get peace and harmony after elections; I ain’t want see no devastation. Be calm; let we see what is de outcome.”

Meanwhile, out on the streets, vendors in particular have started to implement their own rules and regulations among colleagues, one of which is that come Monday, if your finger is not inked, then you won’t be able to sell.

Police to engage in countrywide Alleged child rapist remanded exercise today

By Leroy Smith THE Guyana Police Force will today be engaged in a security exercise countrywide as part of its efforts to test its readiness for the National and Regional Elections and any eventuality that may occur.

These exercises, which are nothing new, will be spearheaded by Assistant Commissioner of Operations, David Ramnarine and will start at 06.00 hrs. today and conclude at 18.00hrs, the police stated in a release yesterday.

The exercises are being dubbed by the Guyana Police Force as “a security exercise” and the force is calling on citizens not to be alarmed at the increased presence of police around

the country, mostly dressed in uniform.

The police would be testing their readiness and strength for elections day on Monday, as well as the post-elections period.

The exercise would involve personnel from the Criminal Investigation Department, bomb squad, recruits and traffic as well as the intelligence arm.

The exercise today would be focusing on bomb threats, jail breaks, crowd management, cordon and search, and other key points of police operations.

The exercise will see an increase in the number of police vehicles, both marked and unmarked, as well as senior and junior officers on the ground of the operations.

In this Delano Williams photograph, a Police Sergeant hammers a picket into the ground 200 yards away from the St. John’s College on Waterloo Street. That school is one of the places to be used as a Polling Station by GECOM on Monday

Additionally, police yesterday from the various divisions began marking the 200 yards limit at polling stations beyond which candidates and other persons are prohibited from soliciting voters.

It is against the laws of

Guyana for anyone to be carrying out certain campaigning activities within 200 yards of a polling station on elections day, which can interfere with the rights of the electorate to exercise their franchise without fear or favour.

TWENTY-year-old Yoganand Ramnarine, who allegedly penetrated a threeyear-old toddler, was remanded to prison following his appearance at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court, where he was not required to plea to the charge of rape.

The unrepresented labourer of Number 60 Village, Corentyne was remanded by Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh until May 18.

Police Inspector Godfrey Playter, prosecuting, related to the court that on April 17 last, the victim and her three older brothers had gone, as customary, to the suspect’s home, where she would normally pass the time playing.

At the time of her visit, just after 07:30hrs, the suspect and his father had been consuming alcoholic beverages in the yard.

Thereafter, it began to rain, and as a result, the parties entered the suspect’s home.

At 14:00hrs, the suspect’s wife left the children behind to make a purchase from a nearby shop. Fifteen minutes later, on her return home, she heard

Alleged child rapist, Yoganand Ramnarine

cries coming from a room. On checking, she saw the suspect pulling up his pants, and the toddler standing in a corner trembling, as blood flowed from between her legs.

The witness raised an alarm and the suspect fled the premises. The child was taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital, where she was medically examined. Subsequently, the suspect was arrested and a charge of rape was instituted.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Man shot dead during argument in ‘Warlock’ SHERWIN Barrow succumbed Wednesday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after being fatally shot following an alleged argument with two men at Warlock, East Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Nineteen-year-old Barrow, according to eye-witnesses was involved in an argument with two men in the said area, after which he was riddled with bullets.

He was subsequently rushed to the GPHC where he later succumbed; the incident reportedly occurred around 08:55hrs.

The body of the man being carried out

According to a release from the police, the suspects have not yet been arrested as the investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the Guyana

Chronicle failed to gather any information about Barrow, because the family was traumatised and refused to speak with the media.

Norway pays over... to develop a country. Things have to be done well to develop a country. The Opposition still doesn’t seem to get it,” the Head of State said.

In 2013, Norway transferred some US$45M for the project and coupled with 2014’s transfer of US$35, the Amaila project now stands to benefit from an accumulated sum of US$80M. Norway was expected to transfer the US$80M to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to be used as Guyana’s equity contribution to the AFHP. “The money earned for Amaila – US$80 million – is sitting in a bank account in Washington D.C. It is ready to be deployed, and Amaila will be built in accordance with the due diligence, social, financial and environmental standards of the IDB, which are among the highest in the world,” Mr Ramotar said.

He decried the fact that it is unfortunate that the Amaila project is not the only thing under the LCDS that the Opposition has tried to stop his Administration from doing.

PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT Consequently, he charged that May 11 is an opportunity for Guyanese to ensure that these “shameful events” do not reoccur by supporting a real plan for development, the PPP/C’s plan.

The President said, “Development comes by building new things and generating new, brave ideas and by learning from others - not by trying to destroy the hard work done by others. I’d like

to remind you once more that when the LCDS was done back in 2009, no other country had tried anything as ambitious.

“Now there are countries all around the world trying to learn from Guyana’s knowledge and experience to do something similar. It is these kind of new ideas that will make our country prosper. We have always been fighting to protect our nature so that we can leave an even more beautiful Guyana as a legacy to our children – and today we are leading the world in showing how finances can flow to forest countries.”

Highlighting the fact that Guyana was once known for rigged elections and economic decay, Mr Ramotar contends that the programmes under the LCDS provide an opportunity for the country to be recognised globally as an environmental leadership.

“The benefits are for all our people and we must not throw them away…this is just the beginning. A lot more will be done and I am confident that soon every single Guyanese will have a personal story on how the LCDS affected their lives,” he said.

Moving forward, he noted that the innovative ideas of successive PPP/C Administrations have brought Guyana far and similar moves will take the country further.

“The Opposition has shown that this is not their approach. They have fought against the development of our country in the past and they are likely to continue to do so in the future. Instead

From page 4

of giving credit or coming up with new ideas, they have been using their time only on discrediting and destroying the work done by others,” the President said.

He was emphatic in making clear that the PPP/C fixed a country that the Opposition destroyed once and we will not “stand idle and watch them destroy it again.”

“I urge every Guyanese to think hard about what is at stake and to make the best decision next Monday to continue down a path of development and progress,” President Ramotar appealed.

The LCDS was launched in 2009, and as a pioneer, Guyana had to solve many issues during the early years. Since then, the LCDS has done a lot. Guyana has now deployed US$120 million into projects, which are enabling the rehabilitation of Cunha canal that will protect Georgetown, and the communities and farms along the Mahaica River from floods like we saw back in 2005. Using money earned under the LCDS, the Government has also been working with local financial institutions to create hundreds of low carbon jobs. The LCDS has supported ecotourism operators in several regions, which is now attracting more and more tourists to Guyana. The LCDS has also supported hundreds of Amerindian villages in preparing their community development plans, which will help to generate new job opportunities in the hinterland.

Father of four charged with causing ‘Six Head’ death A FATHER of four was on Wednesday charged with causing the death by dangerous driving of former World Boxing Association welterweight champion, Andrew “Six Head” Lewis.

Thirty-three-year old Man X Powers of Lot 102 Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown, made his appearance before Chief Magistrate Priya Sewnarine-Beharry and denied the allegation against him.

The defendant, a miner, was placed on $250,000 bail for the offence that said on May 4 at New Hope Public

Road, Georgetown, he drove motorcar PNN 596 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Andrew ‘Six Head” Lewis.

Representing Powers was Attorney-at-Law Mr. Peter Hugh, who told the court that the incident was an unfortunate one, which could have happened to anyone.

According to reports, the former world boxing champion was riding along the roadway when he was struck

by Powers’s car. Badly injured, he was rushed to the Diamond Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Defence counsel how-

ever stated that Powers was proceeding south along the East Bank Demerara road and the deceased was also heading in the same direction. Suddenly, the deceased dashed in front of the vehicle driven by Powers.

Attorney Hugh further stated that his client does not have any pending or prior matters and asked that bail be granted in a reasonable sum. In addition, Powers was ordered to report to the subordinate officer at the Grove Police Station on a fortnightly basis, commencing May 22.

Miner charged for ‘ganja’ possession A MINER of South Ruimveldt Squatting Area, Georgetown, who was “busted” with over 1,000 grammes of marijuana was on Wednesday refused bail by Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Dillon Barrows, 40, denied that on May 4 at Pomeroon Junction, Essequibo, he had

in his possession 179 grammes of cannabis-sativa (marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.

Bail was subsequently denied and he was remanded to prison, until July 13.

The matter was transferred to the Bartica Magistrates Court.

Mother of six charged for illegal ammo A MOTHER of six who was caught with four rounds of live ammunition in her bag was on Wednesday released on $75,000 bail by city Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Ann Maria Bowen, 39, pleaded not guilty to the charge that said on May 4 at Pomeroon, she was found with four live rounds of .38 rounds of ammunition, when she was not the holder of a firearm licence in force at that time.

According to the prosecution, Bowen was searched in a minibus and the ammunition was discovered in her bag.

Bowen’s attorney Mr. Glen Hanoman asserted that the bullets alone are not dangerous. However, he pleaded with the court to grant bail, since his client is likely to be remanded for the next six months if bail is denied on her first court appearance.

Bail was opposed by

Police Prosecutor, Denero Jones, after he cited that no special reasons were presented to the court for bail to be granted. He added that due to the gravity of the offence and the penalty attached thereto, bail should be denied.

The prosecution’s objection was overruled and the pregnant woman was granted pretrial liberty.

The matter was transferred to the Mahdia Magistrates Court, for July 13.

Fisherman remanded for robbery with violence A TWENTY-year-old fisherman was on Wednesday remanded to prison on a robbery with personal violence charge at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

Kevin Batson of Lot 128 Grove, East Bank Demerara, made his appearance before City Magistrate Annette Singh and denied the allegation.

It is alleged that on March 28 at Diamond Public Road, he stole a Blu cell phone valued $12,000 property of Latchman Luckiram.

In addition, he used personal

violence during, before or after the offence was committed.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru told that court that the young man was known to the virtual complainant (VC), who on the day in question was proceeding along the Diamond Public Road when the defendant attacked, pushed him into a fence, while proceeding to choke the man and relieve him of the article from his pocket. The matter was reported by the VC at the Grove Police Station, and Batson was subsequently

arrested and charged for the offence.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness, prevalence and penalty attached to the offence. Mangru revealed that Batson was recently convicted at the Providence Magistrates Court for a matter similar in nature.

He also argued that since the defendant is known to the VC, he might tamper with him. Bail was refused and Batson will return to court on May 20 for statements.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

and 120 private security Women Gender Equality officers get election security training APNU+AFC MANIFESTO…

The private security officers during their elections security training

IN readiness for the May 11 General and Regional elections, the Guyana Association of Private Security Organizations (GAPSO) on March 24 completed a series of specialised security training for private security officers.

The exercise, which was conducted in three batches of forty officers, was held on February 17, March 10, and March 24 respectively, according to a release from GAPSO. .

Private security officers play a critical role in protecting public safety, critical infrastructure, and property across Guyana.

Private security is responsible for thousands of lives and billions of dollars in assets and this training was designed to augment security officer’s skills with specialty training in effective election security issues, the release stated.

Instructions provided basic knowledge, skills, and a conceptual understanding

East Bank women on narcotics possession charges TWO women who were recently “busted” with narcotics by the police at a home in Providence made an appearance Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates Court before Magistrate Annett Singh.

Susan Ann Rowe, aged 52 and unemployed, of Lot 69 Providence, East Bank Demerara and Andrea Cupido, 29, a drink vendor who lives with Rowe, her aunt, at the same residence, denied the two narcotic charges.

Particulars of the first charge alleged that on May 1 at Providence, they had in their possession 33 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

It was further alleged that they also had ½ grams of cocaine in their possession on the said date and place.

The women’s lawyer, Mr. Adrian Thompson, argued that his client has no knowl-

edge of the drug in the house hence the case is based on multiple occupancy of the house. Thompson revealed to the court that a male individual was also arrested; however, he was released on station bail and was supposed to return to face the charges jointly with his two other clients.

Police Prosecutor Bharat Mangru explained to the court that the narcotic was found in a room in the presence of all three defendants, when Rowe, under caution, admitted to the police that the drug belonged to her, hence the charge.

Both defendants were granted $20,000 bail for the possession of cocaine, while an arrest warrant was ordered for their male partner. In addition, the duo were refused bail on the trafficking cannabis charge. The matter stands adjourned until June 5.

so that officers could effectively and efficiently make the right decisions and act decisively in executing their duties during this period.

Using classroom lectures, discussions, and practical exercises, the course covered the Public Order Act, Orders for Opening Fire, Potential Election-related disturbances, and the role of private security during the electoral period.

Participants represented were Banks DIH, Security Alliance, Federal Manage-

ment Systems, MMC, Bank of Guyana, Kalibur, Sentinel Security and Integrated Security Services.

Course instructors included Lt Col Randy Storm; Mr. Whittington B r a i t h w a i t e ; M r. D a vid Moore; Mr. Carlos Beaton; and Mr. Stanley Leitch. On completion of the course, it is expected that the graduates will in turn train more than 5,000 officers in their respective organisations, the release concluded.

APNU+AFC recognises that “Women” are the custodians of the fundamental values that sustain families, and are critical for success in generating social wealth and creating an environment of peace, justice, security and stability.

APNU+AFC also recognises, supports and celebrates women’s leadership, participation and contributions to society, and pledges to uphold and promote the full rights, dignity and wellbeing of all women, thus creating a greater voice for women, the girl child and children in general, within the broader society.

APNU+AFC’s Platform for Women & Gender Equality will: ● Work closely with local, national and international bodies to increase women’s entrepreneurial activities. ● Increase microcredit programmes and access to small business loans/grants. ● Establish Job Centres in each administrative region to facilitate job search and employment matching. ● Advocate the introduction of lower interest rates at financial institutions for female headed households and first time home owners. ● Promote gender-friendly banking services especially in the area of loans to women. ● Implement a Child Tax Credit programme for employers. ● Introduce tax credits for companies providing in-house daycare facilities. ● Increase government-funded childcare centres to support women, especially estranged mothers, single mothers, victims of various forms of abuse. ● Amend the Labour laws to incorporate “flexitime,” which permits women to work from home and promote increase part-time employment opportunities. ● Implement immediately remedial programmes for women focusing on Literacy, Numeracy and Matriculation. ● Encourage women to enter non-traditional areas of employment including information technology, auto mechanics, electrical repairs, carpentry and to enter technical training institutes. ● Establish with assistance from national and international agencies scholarships for disadvantaged women to pursue tertiary education.

In Guyana, several constraints limit our women’s collective capacity to transform these principles into everyday practice.

Autopsy: Nabaclis man drowned in own blood TWENTY-year-old Okemy Yearwood, who was found dead in his home on Saturday, succumbed after suffering a bout of epilepsy.

According to a post-mortem conducted o n t h e b o d y y e s t e r d a y, Yearwood bit his tongue and lips during the attack, which caused him to bleed and accidently drink his own blood in the process.

Police sources stated that according to an autopsy report, the blood made its way into the young man’s lungs, and that is what caused him to drown.

The post-mortem report

stated that the man died of natural causes.

Yearwood, a construction worker of Nabaclis, was found dead in his bed on Saturday afternoon in a house which he shared with two other boys.

According to the information received by this publication, the young man earlier in the day complained of feeling unwell and was left at home alone while his other housemates left to go about their daily routine.

When one of the young men returned and tried to gain access to the house, the door was locked and

knowing that Yearwood was left at home, he began calling for him but got no response.

At that point the man decided to smash the door in and enter the house where he proceeded to the room of the 20-year-old, where he was found lifeless and face down on his bed.

His relatives, including his mother who lives a street away, were informed and they rushed over to the location where they saw the body. The police were called in and an investigation was launched.

His mother who spoke with this publication on

Dead: Okemy Yearwood

Monday said that she did not suspect any foul play in the death of her child, even as relatives were awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination. (Leroy Smith)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Carter Centre says polls ‘an important test’ for Guyana – cites need for reforms

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, left, talks with Democracy Programme Director, David Carroll pictured at the Carter Centre in 2013 (Carter Center photo)

ON May 11 Guyanese will head to the polls, the most significant General and Regional Elections since 1992, and the Carter Centre, one of three international observers in Guyana, contends that the upcoming polls will be “an important test” for Guyana.

“There’s a strong sense that this could be a closely contested election,” said Director of the Carter Centre’s Democracy Programme, David Carroll, in a release from the Centre.

He added, “This election is likely to be very competitive. Depending on the quality of the electoral process, there might be reluctance to accept the results. It will be an important test for Guyana and its people.”

In response, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Dr. Steve Surujbally, told the Guyana Chronicle that all efforts are being made to ensure that the electoral process is free and fair and without hiccups.

However, he bemoaned the fact that “singular” hiccups are sometimes unfortunately portrayed as the status quo.

“Whether or not the elec-

toral process is optimal, there may be a case of a glitch, a singular occurrence, that is not acknowledged as a singular occurrence…we are trying our best to have no episodes,” Dr. urujbally said.

REFORMS Additionally, Carroll, turning his attention to reforms said, “While most political leaders acknowledge the need for constitutional reform, progress has been lacking. The key question is whether serious reforms will proceed after the elections.”

Acknowledging that the ruling People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) and the alliance of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) have dominated politics in Guyana, he expressed the concern that there seems to be some polarisation, as opposed to inclusion.

“While the population and political scene are changing, the country’s electoral and governance systems foster polarisation rather than inclusion,” Carroll said.

T h e P P P / C a n d A PNU+AFC have both made commitments to address reforms aimed at greater in-

clusion.

The PPP/C in its manifesto, Guyana 2.0, said, “We need to engage more young people in the benefits of our public service and civic life, while achieving greater diversity at all levels of governance. We aim to restore trust in Parliament and its members, and reform the institutions of our Government to bring people in, not shut them out…we will work within the framework established in our Constitution to strengthen social justice and address ethnic insecurity wherever it exists.”

APNU+AFC on the other hand has committed to appointing a Constitutional Reform Commission consisting of representatives of all major stakeholders - trades unions, the private sector, religious and faith-based organisations, women, youths, professional organisations and the university. Its mandate will be to undertake the urgent task of fashioning comprehensive reforms, for early implementation, designed to guarantee a democratic society.

The alliance’s manifesto stated that, “APNU+AFC will establish and entrench

an inclusionary democracy through the appointment of a Government of National Unity which would create opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decision-making

processes of the state, with particular emphasis on the areas of decision-making that affect their well-being.”

Guyanese will head to the polls in five days.

The Centre deployed six medium-term observers in

mid-April to assess the political climate and electoral preparations. In the week before the election, they will be joined by about 50 short-term observers who will deploy across the nation. (Vanessa Narine)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

‘Clean and Green’ campaign implements solid waste programme in 15 secondary schools UNDER the ‘Clean and Green Guyana’ campaign, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development in collaboration

with Guyenterprise, implemented a pilot school-based solid waste management (SBSWMP) programme in 15 secondary schools in

Region 4 (Demerara-Mahaica).

Staged at the Georgetown Club on Wednesday with representatives from the

From left are Deputy Chief Education Officer, Ms. Doodmattie Singh, along with Mr. Gordon Gilkes from the Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme, and Guyenterprise’s Mr Oliver Insanally in full discussion at the workshop

participating sectors, students were able to develop a project to deal with the issue of solid waste management in their respective schools. The workshop was one that featured interactive, informal, informative and practical sessions.

Each school was charged

with developing an action plan where they brainstormed ideas to identify waste problems. The goals were to provide opportunities to minimise waste discharged from schools along with practicing proper waste disposal. Once the approach would have

proven successful, it would be adopted by the Ministry for regional and national adoption.

Also present at the workshop were Deputy Chief Education Officer, Ms. Doodmattie Singh; Guyenterprise’s Turn to page 29 ►

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IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN…

Half of road traffic deaths occur among pedestrians and cyclists (PAHO/WHO) - IN Latin America and the Caribbean, over half of road traffic deaths occur among pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists, according to a regional report on road safety published by the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO). The report warns that stronger traffic law enforcement is needed to reduce the number of road deaths and especially to protect vulnerable groups.

In the Americas, some 150,000 people died in 2010 as a result of traffic injuries.

PAHO/WHO’s “Report on Road Safety in the Region of the Americas” notes that the risks faced by different types of road users differ significantly across sub-regions.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, 27% of road traffic deaths occur among pedestrians, 20% among motorcyclists and 3.7% among bicyclists. In North America, the highest proportion of deaths is among car occupants (70%), with pedestrians accounting for 12% of road deaths. In the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, 44% of road traffic deaths are among mo-

torcyclists.

As motorcycles have become a more common form of transportation in the Americas, they have also grown as a road safety concern, the report notes. Motorcycle-related mortality rose significantly between 1998 and 2010 in all sub-regions.

“The challenge for the Americas is to have adequate public transportation policies to cope with the increased use of motorcycles and to ensure measures that will protect all vulnerable road users,” said Eugenia Rodrigues, PAHO/ WHO’s Regional Advisor on Road Safety. “The Region has made progress in terms of legislation in recent years, but there is still a lot that needs to be done.”

The regional report on road safety notes that 42% of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean is now protected by drinking-and-driving laws, but only five of the 14 countries with such laws consider their enforcement as good. The report also warns that laws on motorcycle helmet use have improved, but more efforts are needed to enforce those laws and to ensure that helmets meet quality standards.

‘Clean and Green’ campaign...

From page 24

Mr Oliver Insanally; and Mr. Gordon Gilkes from the Georgetown Solid Waste Management Programme.

In delivering her remarks, Singh reflected on her adolescent days when resources were not readily available for proper solid waste disposal.

She noted however that today there is the ‘Clean and Green’ campaign, and that Guyana now has the resources and it is time that citizens utilise them to the fullest.

She urged that schools continue grasping the concept of ‘reduce, recycle and reuse’ to address the solid waste problems they face.

Insanally, a Project Manager of the workshop, illustrated the importance of solid waste management by defining the goals and need for the event via a vivid PowerPoint presentation. He outlined the number of different players in this initiative which included the public and private sectors, consultants, schools and communities.

Additionally, he disclosed

that the various collaborators will oversee the performance of each school on a monthly basis as they carry out their projects.

On the other hand, Gilkes highlighted the basics of proper solid waste management and reiterated the points made by the previous speakers.

However, this project when established at the end of the workshop on Friday, will seek to foster partnerships between schools and businesses in which interested businesses provide financial or other support. The establishment of partnerships will therefore help make this initiative sustainable.

The campaign is part of a community participation and public awareness programme being implemented

by Guyenterprise that is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank and administered by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

(Shivanie Sugrim)

The report also notes that policies that promote walking or biking must be accompanied by investments in public transportation systems to provide alternatives to motor vehicle transport and in particular to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

The countries of the Americas in 2011 collectively

adopted a regional road safety action plan that calls on countries to adapt their legislation to address the top five risk factors for road safety: speed, alcohol, helmet use, seat-belt use and child restraints.

The Third United Nations Global Road Safety Week, observed May 4-10, seeks to draw attention to

the plight of children on the world’s roads and to spur action to better ensure their safety. PAHO/ WHO is joining the call for the adoption of 10 key strategies to ensure child safety on roads and streets: controlling speed, reducing drinking and driving, using helmets for bicyclists and

motorcyclists, restraining children in vehicles, improving children’s ability to see and be seen, enhancing road infrastructure, adapting vehicle design, reducing risks for young drivers, providing appropriate care for injured children, and supervising children around streets and roads.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Murder accused Shakir Mohamed to face new trial – as jury disagrees on verdict

By George Barclay AFTER deliberating for over four hours, a Demer-

ara Assize jury trying Shakir Mohamed for the murder of a doctor’s wife, Shewraney Doobay, disagreed

on a verdict on Wednesday night.

Justice Brassington Reynolds, the presiding judge who

had earlier given them further directions, discharged them without their giving a verdict and ordered the accused Mohamed to face a new trial at the next session.

The accused was remand-

ed to prison to await his new trial.

The jury is also entitled to disagree among themselves on a verdict.

In cases where this happens and the jury are satisfied

that no further directions from the judge would be of help, they are discharged without giving a verdict and the accused will be ordered to face a new trial at another session.

Accused Shakir and another man named Mark Singh were jointly charged with the murder of Shewraney Doobay, called Monica.

But as fate would have it, Mark Singh died during the preliminary hearing, and Shakir alone survived to face trial at the Assizes.

During the investigations, Singh, it is said, had made a confession statement alleging that he had killed his aunt because she had been responsible for him paying heavy taxes.

But Shakir, who up to that time had been denying any knowledge of the crime, according to the police, had been shown, a copy of Singh’s statement, which after reading same, he Shakir wrote a statement of his own in which he disclosed how Singh had hammered his aunt to death on May 24, 2011.

Shakir, represented by former High Court Judge, Mr. Jainarayan Singh and Mr. Motee Singh, from Berbice, denied making any statement to the police but admitted signing a paper at five places after the police had placed two black bags over his head from which a poisonous odour had emanated, and left him almost lifeless.

It was at that stage Shakir said, that he was forced to sign the two-page document which the police had in their possession.

The defence lawyers had told the jury that the alleged statement was a concoction by the police.

In addressing the jury, Attorney Jainarayan Singh urged the jury to find that his client who led an alibi defence was not around when the woman was killed and that the police had fabricated the story in an effort to secure a conviction.

On the other hand, State Prosecutrix Miss Mercedes Thompson had contended to the jury that the statement was that of the accused Shakir Mohamed and requested the jury to return a verdict in accordance with the evidence and the oath they had taken.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Phone#: 616-0301 or 699-6156

Hilarious play with unprintable name to be staged at NCC SOMETIMES we have to confront the shadows that lurk deep in our minds.

That thought, more a question than a statement of who we really are, The new play -- as advertised -- evokes such thoughts with its bold and hilarious satire of the real cause of homosexuality. That alone should get you tickled.

The PLAY WITH THE

UNPRINTABLE NAME is on at the National Cultural Centre on May 16 & 17, 2015 from 20:00 hrs.

Playwright Mike Bartlett has the latter usage of the word that is the subject of the play. However, because the meaning of the word is easily changed from person to person, however well-intentioned its most common usage, the symbol

of a rooster is placed on the poster to keep the wayward mind on track. The hilarious plot is as follows: A young man, unsure of his sexuality, leaves his partner and bumps into a lonely but very pretty and slightly older divorcee. She, too, is unsure of her future. They fall hard for each other. Confused by his feelings for the woman, he returns to his partner and

tries to get affectionate with his partner, who arranges to meet with the lady; and so what is brewing is the showdown.

That is a potent recipe for a riot, as the journey in search of a resolution is filled with side-splitting laughter. The play is downright outrageous!

Tasked with keeping straight faces through all

this are Guyana’s best comedians: Chris Gopaul, Michael Ignatius, Leza “Radica” Singh, and of course the popular Godfrey Naughton.

They have starred in the most notable “Laffariots” like ‘Nothing to laugh about’, ‘Uncensored’, ‘the Two’s a crowd saga’, ‘Anybody see Brenda’, ‘House of Pressure’, Mori j’von comedy jam and more.

Tickets are being sold at Nigel Supermarket, Giftland Officemax, Ashmins Trading, and the National Cultural Centre’s Box Office. They are very affordable @ $2000, $1500, and $1000. The producers advise that you leave the false dentures and the children at home.

“Cause you will laugh till yuh belly bus”

Oquela Jones wins first leg of Amateur Singers Karaoke Competition

The very exciting Oquela Jones after winning his leg of the competition recently

AIMING to discover and unleash untapped vocal talent around Guyana, Sukerpunch Promotions h as emb ark ed on i t s monthly ‘Amateur Singers Karaoke Competition’, which will be staged at various venues around the city of Georgetown.

Last Monday 21-yearold Oquela Jones, an employee of the new Marriot International Hotel, unleashed a ‘vocal tornado’ to cart of the whopping cash prize and trophy up for grabs in the first leg of the contest, held at the Brick Magnet Sports Bar on Durban Street.

This competition does not allow participation of professional singers or persons who would have won similar competitions. Recording artistes or those employed in popular bands are not eligible to enter, and members of the promoting agency are also debarred.

Representatives of the agency say the second leg

of the competition is slated for Monday, May 27, 2015 at the said location, before moving to the Cody’s Palace Nightclub on a date to be announced in June.

Organisers are presently soliciting much needed monetary support to make the venture a success, since monies for the first segment were obtained from fund-raising ventures.

Interested corporate and individual sponsors desirous of donating are asked to call phone number 699-6156 for more information.

Come on now, folks!

Here is a chance to put your money where your mouth is and support a venture that is truly local, positive and truly Guyanese.

Organisers have related that they are finding it difficult to obtain ready spon-

sorship, and are peeved that monies are poured into similar initiatives as long as it entails participation by foreign or international entertainers.

Come on folks, this is a special appeal to you: Please let’s join hands in taking our local musical talent to the next level.

Trophies for the first leg of this event have been provided by the Trophy Stall in Bourda Market.

JOKE OF THE DAY! A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his customer, “This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you.”

The barber puts a dollar bill in one hand and two quarters in the other, then calls the boy over and asks, “Which do you want, son?”

The boy takes the quarters and leaves.

“What did I tell you?” said the barber. “That kid never learns!”

Later, when the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of the ice cream store. “Hey, son! May I ask you a question? Why did you take the quarters instead of the dollar bill?”

The boy licked his cone and replied, “Because the day I take the dollar, the game is over!”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

2015 Annual Mother and Daughter Pageant set for riveting contest THE drums are rolling as a ‘fashion rumble’ like never before is broiling from the ‘Fungs’ Pageant Cauldron’, and it is heading for the National Culture Centre with scalding intensity.

Come out tomorrow evening at 8pm and be caught up in a whirlpool of flashing smiles, bubbly laughter, saucy pivots and sashays, as a melee of pretty daughters and charming mothers takes centre stage to battle for supremacy in the Junior, Middle and Senior categories.

With pleasure, Bombshell brings you the dazzling hopefuls in the 2015 leg of this prestigious pageant. Do enjoy, folks!

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

2015 Annual Mother and Daughter Pageant cont’d...

Alicia Bess crowned Miss Global International Guyana 2015

The jubilant Alicia Bess, moments after being crowned

A NIGHT of sheer elegance, poise, intelligence, talent and solid competition was the aim of the game last Saturday evening at the Theatre Guild Playhouse when the Miss Global International Guyana 2015 Pageant was held.

The evening got started with a patriotic dance to Courtney Noel’s Arrowhead by the six (6) stunning contenders, holding high their Guyana Flag before executing a sassy routine to a remix version of Pitbull’s Fire Ball, closing it off with the Introduction segment, which saw all the ladies inviting the patriots to an entertaining evening.

Host and Hostess, WR. Reaz and Radio’s Diva Surida Nagreadi, were the life of the evening, as their unmatched collaboration was well received by the audience. Founder and Chairman of Miss Global International Pageant, Mr. Lachu Ramchandani, addressed the audience, telling them that he was bringing to Guyana a decision and pride that will become a boost in the tourism sector, as he announced Guyana being the Home for the 2016 Miss Global International Pageant, hosting a delegation of almost 60 countries and the prestigious pageant which aims to promote tourism through the beauty pageant right here in our beautiful land.

The swimsuit segment commenced with the contenders sporting an off-white swimsuit with gold prints created by upcoming designer Quinton Pearson of House of Pearson Designs. Next up was the talent round, in which the contenders displayed their form of talent. The frontrunner in this segment was contender #3, Faydeha King, who executed a dramatic piece on drug abuse.

The contenders next paraded in their elegant evening gowns, each star-stunning piece being creativity put together to create an aura of sheer class and elegance.

Following this was the Question & Answer segment, wherein many were spellbound by the articulated respons-

es of the contenders. However, the favourite contestant in this segment was definitely the lady of the evening, Ms. Alicia Bess. She spoke about our economy being a work in progress, and outlined the different parts of the economy, making special reference to the Tourism sector when asked the question “Do you think our economy is doing better or worse?”

In the end, securing the second runner-up spot was Ms. Faydeha King, while Ms. Kiswana Jefford was first runner-up. Alicia Bess was crowned Miss Global International Guyana 2015, and will represent Guyana at the 11th Miss Global International pageant, schedule to be hosted in Trinidad & Tobago later this year.

Quote of the Day

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Sherwin Adams and Amelia Sukhu take top spots in Georgetown PYARG Pageant THE competition was intense last Saturday at the GNS Complex on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown as several talented dons and divas battled for top honours in the Georgetown leg of the 2015 Mr and Miss PYARG Pageant.

The contestants battled in various segments before the eventual king and queen were declared. Many who had gone to the event marvelled at the level of class and sophistication that attended the pageant, and the evidence of proper planning was evident in its exquisite presentation. The

event kicked off promptly at 19:30 hrs, and the contestants wasted no time in bringing their ‘A’ game to the stage as they battled fiercely for the top positions.

In the end, it was the intelligent and talented Sherwin Adams who carted off the coveted King’s title, while the delightful Amelia Sukhu demolished the rest of the field to earn a well-deserved place in the Queen’s corner.

In the male corner, it was Mark Smith copping the first runner-up spot, with Dominic Bowen and Purnell Allsopp placing second and third re-

spectively.

The competition was fierce in the female arena, and following the queen was the talented Gabriella Whittington, while the ever-smiling Shekira Baksh and Romichelle Brumell placed second and third respectively.

Whittington also copped the prize for best gown, Baksh took home awards for Best Talent and Miss Congeniality.

The king was also awarded for Best Male Talent, while the queen won the prize for Best Smile.

The Royals had their say in an exclusive interview with

Mr and Miss PYARG Georgetown (Sherwin Adams and Amelia Sukhu) pose for the Bombshell cameras with their respective runner-ups the king yesterday. He told Bombshell that though he was excited at winning, he never

expected to be crowned king, since he was only enjoying a one-month membership in the

PYARG body.

He added that he was intimidated by all the male contenders, since they were all talented and creative; but he said he was thankful for the experience, since it helped him to work on his public speaking skills and self-esteem. And although he is not optimistic of winning the national leg of the pageant, he would however enter that leg of the event with boosted confidence and every intention of ‘shining bright like a diamond’ The excited queen said her new found fame has in no way changed her from the humble and simple individual she has always been. She assured that she was in no way intimidated by her female competition. She is presently focused on furthering her education, but has every intention of tackling the Miss Guyana Talented Teen, Miss Guyana Universe, and Miss Guyana World Pageants.

Our own Alex Wayne was represented on the judges panel.

You Shouldn’t Do That!!!

Chain snatcher sprints into the waiting arms of a ‘plainclothes policeman’ WELL, a popular ‘chain snatcher’ enjoyed an embrace of a different kind yesterday when he snatched a gold bracelet from an unsuspecting female (far right in photo) and sprinted into the waiting arms of a ‘plainclothes detective’, who happened to be standing nearby.

The young lady was in the city to do her usual grocery shopping, according to sources, when the young man, intent on making a ‘pre-election bus park heist’, pounced upon her in the vicinity of the Sophia Bus Park.

He wrenched the bracelet from her wrist, and as the young woman raised an alarm, his supposed accomplices just merely looked on as she attempted to chase after him. But as he rounded a corner like a roaring expressed train, he slammed into the waiting arms of a plainclothes detective who was doing his daily routine rounds on the park.

A few seconds later, the hapless young woman arrived, fuming in hot pursuit, and vehemently began hollering: “Give meh back me band!!I want me blasted band!!!”

The police officer wasted no time in whisking the bandit off to the nearby outpost at the Stabroek area, a large crowd following and voicing their complete approval of the unfortunate fate of the bandit.

Of course, his accomplices were mad that he was caught, since this meant no share of the spoils for them.

I hope this serves as a warning to those lazy young men who prefer to lime on the bus parks and terrorize citizens.

Officah, yuh doing yuh jab! Clean our society of dese detestable hooligans!

Serves you right, you lazy thief! Dem should lack yuh up forevah!

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French Racing Tips Chantilly 08:50 hrs Numbers Talk 09:20 hrs Blue Kimono 09:55 hrs War Dispatch 10:25 hrs Albegna 10:55 hrs Lowenstein

11:25 hrs Raiponce Greyville 11:30 hrs Jay Again 12:05 hrs Pena Palace 12:40 hrs Whistling Duck 13:15 hrs Corker Stalker 13:45 hrs Black Jade 14:15 hrs Fire The Rocket 14:45 hrs Discourse 15:15 hrs Military Leader 15:45 hrs Temple Rock ENGLISH RACING TIPS Market Rasen 08:20 hrs Magnimity 09:20 hrs Thoresby 09:50 hrs Silver Roque 10:25 hrs Gone Forever 11:00 hrs Yes Daddy 11:35 hrs Gone Forever 12:05 hrs Brave Richard Chester 09:10 hrs Alejandro 09:40 hrs Disegno 10:10 hrs Tac De Boistron 10:45 hrs Merdon Castle 11:20 hrs Intisaab 11:55 hrs Vibe Queen 12:25 hrs Villoresi ASCOT 12:35 hrs Brassbound 13:05 hrs Diusmantle 13:40 hrs French Dressing 14:10 hrs Boy In The Bar 14:45 hrs Four Seasons 15:15 hrs Suffused IRISH RACING TIPS Cork 12:10 hrs Aldo Raine 12:40 hrs Kimbay 13:10 hrs Barbeque 13:45 hrs Goulane Davina 14:15 hrs Golden Ticket 14:50 hrs One Cool Princess 15:20 hrs Perfect Woman AMERICAN RACING TIPS Belmont Race 1 Dynamo Flotilla Race 2 Ghost Ship Race 3 Desert Bliss Race 4 Pennymine Race 5 Lahinch Classics Race 6 Identity Crisis Race 7 In Spite of Mama Race 8 Rubindy Race 9 Andrew’s Got Zip

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Pakistan in control after Azhar’s double ton DHAKA, Bangladesh (Reuters) - Azhar Ali struck his Azhar holed out in the deep trying to hit a six maiden Test double hundred and Asad Shafiq regis- against off-spinner Shuvagata Hom, who also distered his sixth century as Pakistan took firm control missed Shafiq after the batsman had completed his of the second and final Test against Bangladesh yes- hundred. terday.

Pakistan lost four wickets for 27 After declaring their first innings on runs trying to increase the tempo, a commanding 557 for eight, the visitors with left-arm spinner Taijul Islam consolidated their position by blowing (3-179) taking two wickets in an away the top half of the Bangladesh batover prompting Misbah to declare ting order to reduce them to 107 for five at tea. at the end of second day’s play.

The declaration ended the misShakib Al Hasan (14) was unbeaten ery for Bangladesh’s bowlers but at the crease for the hosts, who trail trouble started for their batsmen.

Pakistan by 450 runs with five wickets Left-arm seamer Junaid Khan disin hand and still need 251 runs to avoid missed last Test’s double centurion follow-on.

Tamim Iqbal (four) in the first over and Pakistan’s 50-over captain Azhar, unsent back Mominul Haque (13) to give beaten on 127 overnight, brought up his Pakistan a strong start with the new ball. double-hundred with a six over long-on Leg-spinner Yasir Shah bowled off left-arm spinner Shakib and went on Azhar Ali hits 20 fours and two Imrul Kayes (32) before dismisssixes in his innings of 226. to make 226. ing Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur The right-hander added 207 for the Rahim (12) with the last ball of the fifth wicket with Shafiq (107) after Pakiday to compound the hosts’ crisis. stan lost captain Misbah-ul-Haq (nine) early in the first Paceman Wahab Riaz accounted for Mahmudullah session.

(28).

Rockets rally past Clippers to tie series at 1-1

THE Sports Xchange) - Dwight Howard carried them early and James Harden took over in the fourth quarter as the Houston Rockets rallied past the Los Angeles Clippers for a 115-109 win on Wednesday to tie up their Western Conference semi-final series at 1-1.

Harden scored 32 points and dished out seven assists, while Howard posted 24 points 16 rebounds and four blocks, playing doggedly at both ends despite picking up his fourth foul early in the third quarter.

The Rockets also drained 42-of-64 free throws as they made regular trips to the charity stripe.

Clippers forward JAMES HARDEN Blake Griffin scored 34 points and grabbed 15 rebounds but shot just 2-for-9 from the field in the second half as the Rockets fought back from a nine-point deficit.

Center DeAndre Jordan added 16 points and 12 rebounds, while guard Jamal Crawford chipped in 19 points, five rebounds and five assists off the bench.

Hot on the heels of a 71-point second half that propelled them to a 1-0 series lead, the Clippers continued their offensive assault against the Rockets in the first half of Game Two. Griffin was electric, switching roles from facilitator to unstoppable scorer en route to 26 first-half points on just 14 shots.

However, by stepping up their defensive efforts, the Rockets worked their way back into contention in the third quarter as Griffin made just one-of-four shots in the period and the Clippers hit only 7-of-24 on the way to 20 points.

Houston centre Howard earned the defensive assignment on Griffin, but the Rockets also scrambled better on the defensive end.

The Rockets scored the final five points of the third quarter, all on free throws, to head to the fourth just 85-83 adrift and Harden stepped up to bag 16 points in the final frame to help Houston pull clear.

Bangladesh blanked Pakistan 3-0 in the ODI series and also won the lone Twenty20 match before drawing the first Test at Khulna, despite conceding a huge first-innings deficit

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN 1st innings (o/n: 323-3) M. Hafeez c Rahim b Shahid 8 S. Aslam c S. Hossain b T. Islam 19 Az. Ali c Mahmudullah b Hom 226 Y. Khan c Hom b Shahid 148 Misbah-ul-Haq b Al Hasan 9 A. Shafiq c Mahmudullah b Hom 107 S. Ahmed not out 21 W. Riaz c Kayes b T. Islam 4 Y. Shah lbw b T. Islam 0 Extras: (lb-8, nb-5, w-2) 15 Total: (for 8 wickets declared, 152 overs) 557 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-58, 3-308, 4-323, 5-530, 6-545, 7-552, 8-557.

Bowling: S. Hossain 0.2-0-4-0, S.

Sarkar 17.4-1-57-0 (nb-2, w-1), M. Shahid 31-10-72-2 (nb-3, w-1), T. Islam 51-3-179-3, S. Hom 16-0-76-2, S. Al Hasan 30-3-136-1, M. Haque 3-0-12-0, Mahmudullah 2-0-12-0, I. Kayes 1-0-1-0.

BANGLADESH 1st innings T. Iqbal lbw b J. Khan 4 I. Kayes b Shah 32 M. Haque c S. Ahmed b J. Khan 13 Mahmudullah c Az. Ali b Riaz 28 S. Al Hasan not out 14 M. Rahim b Shah 12 Extras: (lb-2, w-2) 4 Total: (for 5 wickets, 27.5 overs) 107 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-38, 3-69, 4-85, 5-107.

Bowling: J. Khan 6-2-26-2 (w-1), I. Khan 7-0-31-0, W. Riaz 8-1-33-1 (w-1), Y. Shah 5.5-1-15-2, M. Hafeez 1-1-0-0.

Lebron leads Cavaliers past Bulls to tie up series THE Sports Xchange - LeBron James recorded 33 points eight rebounds and five assists as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Chicago Bulls 106-91 on Wednesday to knot their Eastern Conference semi-final series at 1-1.

Bulls forward Pau Gasol, who tormented the Cavs with 21 points and 10 rebounds in Game One, was limited to 11 points and did not score his first basket until the final two minutes of the first half.

Chicago point guard Derrick Rose

had 14 points 10 assists but shot just 6-for-20 from the floor, while guard Jimmy Butler scored 18 points on 5-of-14 shooting.

The Bulls, however, return home for Game Three tonight holding home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series.

The Cavs never trailed, forcing seven turnovers in the first quarter and jumping out to 22-point lead late in the period before settling for a franchise-record 38-18 lead at the first buzzer.

It was quite a contrast with Monday’s series opener, when the Bulls opened a 16-point lead in the first quarter and never trailed.

The Cavs were again without suspended guard J.R. Smith, and they temporarily lost Iman Shumpert in the third quarter to a left groin strain.

While Shumpert was being treated in the locker room, the Bulls chopped a 25-point deficit down to 11 in the third, but they could not get to within single digits.

Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis’ daughter ...

From back page tumbled over to do his bidding.

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo immediately declared a public holiday while the gifts, which included a house and duty-free concessions for motor vehicles among others, were doled out indiscriminately.

A gym was also built and named in his honour.

Lewis’ next fight, a defence against Larry Marks, was not as incisive as his world title win but nevertheless, the pundits were satisfied that he exited the ring with his crown on his head.

His second defence against Ricardo Mayorga, ended in a no-contest after a clash of heads early in the bout but in a rematch, the Nicaraguan won via a fifth round TKO. “You know despite what a lot of people said about him, he was really a nice person. He was the

one I use to talk to about anything. People who don’t know him and know about his life had a lot to say about him, but we knew the real ‘Six Head’. To me, he was just my father, nothing else and we loved him; all his children loved him a lot.”

The former World champion’s daughter said that she had spent the weekend with her father at his Hutsonville residence and the day before he met his demise, she said goodbye to him not knowing it would be the last she would see of her father.

“Words can’t really explain how I’m feeling and even my brothers and sisters,” said the shaken Lewis, speaking about her father’s passing, “we will miss him so much. There’s a lot to love about my father and what we will remember him for is not about boxing. He was a kind man, he

had a good heart and he was there for me and others so we will miss him.”

She added, “I don’t know much about his boxing because maybe I never paid attention to that part of his life, but we are very proud of him. He will be missed – trust me – by those that knew him and loved him; we’ll miss him.”

Several attempts to climb back to the top failed dismally after Lewis was also knocked out by Antonio Margarito for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) welterweight title.

His subsequent return to the local ring saw him suffer defeats to Denny Dalton, but while the former world champion managed to avenge the Dalton defeat, he disappeared into oblivion after losing to Howard Eastman in 2008.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

An Icon has fallen, says Director of Sport Neil Kumar

JUST days after the cricket and media fraternities were deprived of the services of one of their very own; the boxing community has suffered a similar blow.

Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis is dead via a motorcar/Special cycle accident, on Monday May 4, 2015. Our roads have claimed yet another life.

This loss is indeed unbearable and has sent shockwaves across Guyana, the Caribbean and the world at large.

‘Six Head’, who incidentally got the alias after knocking out an opponent, who on revival saw six heads instead of one, was born and raised in Georgetown.

He had a considerable amateur career, including representing Guyana at various competitions.

In 1993, this athlete switched to professional boxing with tremendous success knocking out eight of his nine opponents.

After dominating at home, Andrew realised that for him to make it at the big times, he must move beyond the boundaries of his homeland.

He and two other boxers were encouraged, wished well and seen off by Mr Neil Kumar, Director of Sport, at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport en route to the USA. As a consequence, Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis left Guyana and took up residence in the USA. There he continued from

where he left off at home by knocking out eleven of his first twelve opponents.

Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Like most Guyanese, regardless of their potentials, skill, ability, Andrew was not given the kind of representation necessary for a fighter of his class.

As a true Guyanese warrior, he did

Much excitement heading into day five of EBFA U-13 League EXCITEMENT in the inaugural Lens Craft Optical/East Bank Football Association Under-13 League is heating up as day five of the tournament approaches tomorrow at the Grove Playfield.

Grove Hi Tech after losing to Herstelling 1-0 on day one have rebounded well to notch up three wins on the trot and are in pole position, ahead of Herstelling Raiders on goal difference. Both clubs have recorded a similar amount of wins along with one loss apiece.

Agricola Red Triangle (6 points) have the best goal difference so far and have shown that they are a lethal unit, blasting in a total of 13 goals in three matches while conceding just two. They have in their lineup the leading goalscorer so far in Leon Moore who has netted two hat-tricks accounting for his six goals.

Herstelling Raiders’ Shoran James who was the leading goalscorer in the MCYS-sponsored Pee Wee Under-11 League, has one less than Moore. James also netted a hat-trick. Akeem Williams of Grove has 3 goals.

Diamond United are also on six points but from four games, one more than Agricola while Mocha (3 games) have 4 points, Kuru Kururu Warriors (3 games) 1 point and Craig, yet to come off the mark after three matches.

not give up. Instead, he persisted and finally got the opportunity to prove to the world that he did not go to the USA on a joyride or holiday.

In 2001 ‘Six Head’ stepped into the ring at the MGM Ground in Las Vegas and punched and destroyed the known tremendous power-puncher James Page for the vacant WBA welterweight title, winning by way of a TKO in the seventh round, Guyanese present at the fight, those watching on television in the USA and in other parts of the world and, of course, those at home who were glued to their television sets, at clubs, shops, restaurants and wherever it was possible, were not disappointed - a sensational victory was achieved by a son of the soil.

On February 17, 2001, Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis won Guyana its first-ever Boxing World Title. America and the rest of the world got to know who and what he was and were very impressed. So impressive was Andrew that after unanimously defeating Larry Marks, the powerhouse ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley, the-then WBC champion, backed out of a talked-about welterweight unification against the Guyanese.

Andrew Lewis’ victory inspired other Guyanese boxers who went on and emulated their countryman and idol and recorded their names as World champions including our female boxers, in various categories.

Unfortunately, Lewis’ reign as World

Champion ended when, through improper management and preparation and incorrect fighting technique, he was stopped by the slugger, Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga.

He attempted a comeback in 2003 but was again defeated, this time by WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito in two rounds.

On his return to Guyana and after a few showings, he called it a day.

However, it was difficult for him to stay out of the ring and answered a call from Jamaican Mullings. Because of illness, he was unable to keep that ring date.

His professional record stands at 234-3 with 20 KOs. It was sad that such a boxer with World Class potential was unable to be counted among the all-time Greats.

In his honour the Government constructed a boxing gym named the ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym. It is with a feeling of sorrow that the NSC expresses heartfelt condolences to yet another outstanding Guyanese professional and wishes him the best on his journey and stay with his Almighty Father.

To his immediate family and friends and the boxing and sports fraternity we extend our sincere condolences.

May his soul rest in Peace!

NOTABLE DATES WELTERWEIGHT Lennox Beckles is still considered one of the best from Guyana to have laced up the gloves.

To many, his skill and ring craft are unmatched by any of the current crop of pugilists. In his prime Beckles had beaten the likes of Rugged Mack, Caesar Barrow, Eddie Perkins, Vernon

Lewis and Johnny DePeiza to name a few.

Beckles was 22 years old when he tackled Venezuelan Vicente Rivas on May 7, 1965, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The slick Beckles won the 10-round contest via points decision and improved his record to 16-2-1.

NOTABLE DATES EXACTLY 21 years ago Joseph Murray was in Russia to fight Anatoly Alexandrov. The two super featherweights met at the Sports Palace in Perm, Russia on May 7, 1994.

The Guyanese had celebrated his 27th birthday one day before, but the Russian unwrapped a gift that Murray was not happy to receive.

With the World Boxing Council International super

featherweight (junior lightweight) title at stake Alexandrov unleashed early on his opponent to win by KO in the second round. It was only the second defeat in 20 fights for Murray whose first loss had come at the hands of Winston Goodridge six years earlier.

Alexandrov moved on to win the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) super featherweight title while Murray’s career took a

Beckles made his professional debut on September 26, 1960 and his first fight ended in a draw. He totalled 10 fights without being defeated. However, his first loss came on May 16, 1964. Coming against Percy Hayles at the National Stadium in Jamaica, Beckles was defeated via unanimous decision.

Brian Muller was Beckles’ last opponent. The fight took place in Guyana on May 27, 1979 and Muller was adjudged the winner. Beckles won 33 fights, lost 13 and drew two.

nosedive after that. On April 18, 1993 he won the World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX super featherweight title following a hard-fought and wellearned points-decision over Frenchman Jacobin Yoma.

The fight was considered by many to be his best performance of his career that spanned 13 years. Murray also fought Sugar Shane Mosley but suffered a third-round knockout. He had his final fight in December of 2000 and ended with a total of 19 victories and six defeats.

50

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

OCA youngsters wing out for ICC Global Cricket Academy

By Frederick Halley TORONTO, Canada – Kishaan Anandjit, the nephew of Guyanese umpire Davteerth Anandjit, was among a group of 15 young cricketers who flew out from here on Tuesday for a week-long training camp, set to be held in Dubai, compliments of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Cricket Academy.

The camp, to be conducted by former Pakistan opening batsman Mudassar Nazar, will also comprise three matches at the Dubai Oval.

The aspiring cricketers and officials, under the aegis of the Ontario Cricket Association (OCA), were given a rousing send-off at a press briefing, held at Alam Law Office, Dixie Road, Mississauga with first vice-president Melvin John heaping praises on all those responsible for making the tour a reality.

According to John, who was flanked by several of his executives including Guyanese Bisham Singh (second vice-president) and Vish Ja-

dunauth (treasurer/junior coordinator) as well as members of his advisory board, the cricketers were an elite bunch who are sure to benefit from the training camp.

Questions were again raised over the ongoing strained relationship between the OCA and the governing body of cricket in the country, Canada Cricket, with John pointing out that several attempts were made to mend their differences but to no avail.

He, however, disclosed that the OCA is ready and willing to talk with Cricket Canada with a view of bringing an amicable end to the ongoing saga. This view was also shared by Past President Mike Kendall.

Jadunauth, who will serve as Team, Skill and Development Manager urged the youngsters to endeavour to maintain discipline as this was the hallmark of any sport while Singh, Tour Director and Operations Manager was also full of praise for the efforts of the OCA and the sponsors.

The unique and first-ever training camp of this nature was offered through the OCA

MEMBERS of the touring party and officials at Tuesday’s press conference shortly before their departure for Dubai. Newly-appointed women’s coordinator Priti Lamba is seated third from left. to cricketers under the age of 25 who are the best prospects to represent Canada in the near future.

The camp will focus mainly on improving batting and bowling skills, fielding, and physical fitness which will include bio-mechanics, mental preparedness, technical analysis and strategy.

Blueberry Hill blank Silvercity/Scheme 2-0 to take title and $400 000 prize

By Joe Chapman TWO clustered area goals which came in the second half off the boots of Christianburg Wismar Secondary School players Shane Luckie (62nd) and Kurd Johnson (81st) were enough to see Blueberry Hill past Silvercity/Scheme by a 2-0 score line on Wednesday night, as the Brooklyn X2 Promotions Linden Inter-Ward football championship concluded at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

Playing in the final in front of an appreciative crowd, Blueberry Hill were off to a fine start as one of their forwards made his way through the centre splitting two opposing players but shot the ball wide of the goal as early as the 4th minute.

Ten minutes later another Blueberry Hill chance went a-begging as the intended header missed its mark. Silvercity/Scheme then failed with a shot to goal in the 28th minute which was held

by Blueberry Hill goalkeeper Edward Robertson, who was later named the best goalkeeper of the tournament.

One minute later, as the Silvercity/ Scheme goalkeeper Deon Tyrell was asked to clear a drive the resultant play saw a shot which was flat go past the left upright.

Silvercity/Scheme built on their pressure in the first half and pressed forward in the opening minutes of the second stanza of play but the defence of Blueberry Hill

stood the test.

However, the Blueberry Hill players regrouped and launched a counterattack which forced a free kick as a player was fouled outside the 18-yard box on the right side.

The free kick taken brushed past one defender for Silvercity/Scheme and the free ball was latched on to by Luckie who made no mistake in finding the back of the net in the 62nd minute, for a 1-0 lead by the boys in blue and white.

Blueberry Hill was able to double their lead when Johnson pounced on the ball in the 81st minute, during a goalmouth scramble.

Popular Linden businessman Beresford Harry, who was on hand, promised to give the player from the Blueberry Hill side who scored the first goal $25 000 which was won by Luckie and the second goal scored worth $50 000 to Johnson.

The eventual winners also won $400 000 compliments of Ansa McAl Trading and the New Era Trophy.

The third place playoff game was won on penalty kicks 4-2 by Christianburg, who defeated Amelia’s Ward in the first game of the night’s double-header after a goalless regulation and extra periods of play.

Coordinator Marlon Washington promised more football promotions in the near future as he thanked the many sponsors who came on board for this tournament.

Apart from Anandjit, the other players are Milind Patel, Deep Panchal, Hard Trivedi, Kush Razdan, Sahil Razdan, Krishen Samuel, Prassana Paul, Amreek Singh, Rahul Rohra, Shiva Sharma, Sunny Mangart, Abdullah Khalid, Hrishi Modi and Zain Mahmood. The other officials are Taquir Uddin and Nadeem Kokhar.

Meanwhile, the OCA also took the opportunity to announce the appointment of Priti Lamba as its women’s coordinator.

Among the major sponsors were Alam Law Office, Centennial College Alumni Association, Khalid Usman, Hilrich Sports, St Andrews Insurance, Green Bird Electric,

The Scarborough Hospital and Pan Express Travels Limited.

The ICC Global Cricket Academy (ICC GCA), based at Dubai Sports City, was officially launched in April, 2010 with the worldclass, state-of-the-art facilities being put on show for the first time in the Dubai sunshine.

Narine goes wicket-less again in KKR win KOLKATA, India (CMC) – Embattled off-spinner Sunil Narine went wicket-less on his return from a two-week break after having his action reported, as his Kolkata Knight Riders beat Delhi Daredevils by 13 runs at Eden Gardens here, yesterday.

On the same day the Indian Premier League announced he had been cleared to resume bowling off-breaks, the 26-year-old sent down four overs for 30 runs to help restrict Delhi to 158 for six off their 20 overs.

Shreyas Iyer topscored with 40 from 35 balls, while opener Manoj Tiwary and JP Duminy chipped in with 25 apiece.

Narine’s West Indies teammate Andre Russell was superbly economical in his four overs of pace, conceding just 24 runs while picking up the wicket of Angelo Matthews, bowled for 22.

Since remodelling his

action after it was reported during the Champions League Twenty20 last September, Narine has been less effective, picking up just two wickets in six matches this season.

Yesterday’s contest was his first game since being again reported following KKR’s game against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam

on April 22.

Earlier, KKR rallied to 171 for seven off their 20 overs, after opting to bat first.

Yusuf Pathan struck 42 off 24 balls in the middle order while opener Robin Uthappa struggled for 32 off 31 deliveries.

Russell fell cheaply for five batting down the order.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday May 08, 2015) COMPLIMENTS OF THE TROPHY STALL-Bourda Market &The City Mall (Tel: 225-9230) & AUDREY’S TASTY SNACKETTE-176 Charlotte Street, Georgetown (Tel: 226-4512)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: 92; 11,867 runs 6 centuries

Today’s Quiz:

How many players have now represented the WI in Tests?

How many sixes Chris Gayle struck in the last IPL tournament?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

51

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday May 8, 2015

Cameron hails ‘remarkable’ West Indies ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) – West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron has labelled the Caribbean’s side third Test win over England as “remarkable” and said the performance proved the team could compete at the highest level.

In a statement yesterday, Cameron also praised the team’s development, noting that the players had exhibited “fight and tenacity” as they stunned England by five wickets inside three days in the third and final Test at Kensington Oval on Sunday.

“On behalf of all stakeholders in West Indies cricket,

JERMAINE BLACKWOOD I want to applaud the captain Denesh Ramdin, head coach Phil Simmons and the entire team for what was three weeks of fascinating Test cricket,” Cameron said.

“We saw true team spirit and matches with fight and tenacity. We were especially pleased with the tremendous performance at Kensington Oval to win the third and final Test of the series inside three days.

“It was a truly remarkable on-field performance. The team left fans captivated and it was great to see the fans’ appreciation of the efforts of the players.”

Get illegal actions early, says Sir Everton WEST Indies legendary batsman Sir Everton Weekes believes more should be done to identify illegal actions of regional bowlers during their formative years.

The issue has come to the fore in recent years, with several of the region’s bowlers called for illegal bowling actions.

Most recently was Windies top spinner Sunil Narine, whose career now hangs in the balance after being called for an illegal action during the Indian Premier League, called for the third time in fewer than 12 months. Weekes, however, believes more can be done at the high school stage.

“If the situation (suspect action) is noticed at the beginning, it should be dealt with at that stage. With the authorities being very stringent on bowling actions, it is best to be dealing with such problems at age 10, 11 or before, rather than later,” he said.

Weekes admitted, however, that he found the Narine situation peculiar, stating that initially he thought the concern with was with the spinner’s straighter delivery and the ball that went away from the right-hander.

Now the authorities have a problem with his offbreak. I find it all rather peculiar,” he said.

Weekes, however, backed Narine to make a full recovery.

The victory earned West Indies a share of the series, after the first Test in Antigua finished in a draw and they lost the second in Grenada by nine wickets.

Importantly, the third Test result was largely shaped by the team’s younger players. Darren Bravo top-scored with 82 in a 108-run fifth-wicket stand with Jermaine Blackwood, who finished on 47 not out, as West Indies recovered from 80 for four to reach their target of 192.

The 23-year-old Blackwood, in only his eighth Test, hit 85 in the first innings to be adjudged Man-of-the-Match.

Jason Holder, 23, in his sixth Test, also starred with the

ball, grabbing three for 15 to ensure England collapsed for a paltry 123 in their second innings.

Cameron praised the youth development of the squad.

“We witnessed the growth and promise of a number of young, talented players, as they were put in pressure situations. During the series, they gave proof of their ability to function and perform at the highest level,” he noted.

“We now look forward to the series against Australia which will be the true test of their improved performance.”

West Indies face the Aussies next month in two Tests, in Dominica and Jamaica.

Sport CHRONICLE

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

Cameron hails ‘remarkable’ WestseeIndies story on page 51

Busta ‘Soft Shoe’ Football here to stay - Selman

By Rawle Toney

IT was a first in Guyana and, thanks to Guyana Beverage Company and its Busta imported soft drinks, football players can have another format of football to look forward too.

Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company, Robert Selman, teamed up Petra Organisation to launch the tournament that saw the Trinidadian-based company invest close to $4M where 24 teams battled for close to a month for a winners’ purse of $600 000.

Selman, at the launching of the inaugural tournament, had said the event brings back memories of his youthful days, noting it was a very popular version of the sport played in his home country of Trinidad and Tobago.

Last Tuesday, Sparta Boss walked away as champions of tournament, following their 4-2 win over West Front Road at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground.

After the tournament, Selman spoke of how pleased he was with the outcome and lauded the organisers for what he said was a compe-

Champions! Guyana Beverage Company Managing Director Robert Selman presents the winners’ trophy to Sparta Boss captain following their 4-2 over West Front Road. tition that was run to perfection.

Selman said that after watching his imagination come to life, next year his company will be investing

more money with the intention of taking it to other areas.

“Next year we’ll make this big. I’m happy with how it was organised, I think the guys (Petra Organisation)

did a wonderful job and I like how the tournament was played. The tournament is here to stay and next year we’ll make it even bigger, invest more money,” Selman

said.

The investment, he said, will come since it’s his view since their products are sold all across Guyana, “everyone should get a chance. We sell

our products all over, so I will sit down with the guys (Petra Organisation) and work things out so we can take the tournament to Linden, Berbice and Essequibo.”

‘Guyana has lost a World champion; we have lost a father’

Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis’ daughter remembers him

By Rawle Toney

In happier times, – Guyana’s first World Champion Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis is seen with two of his daughters, Annastatia (left) and Omalesa Lewis.

SHE was just six years old when her father defeated American James Page to win the vacant WBA welterweight title and become Guyana’s first World boxing champion, but Annastatia Lewis says that she never saw her father as a boxer, but rather the man who catered to her every need.

“My father was the funniest person I know. I will miss his jokes, his smile, his laughs and most of all, the times we shared,” Lewis said in an exclusive interview with Chronicle Sport yesterday.

On Monday May 5, Guyana and the boxing world were sent into

deep mourning. Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis, 44, was riding his bicycle, heading to a popular ‘coconut’ spot near his home – somewhere he visits daily- when he was struck from behind by a motor car.

The driver, 33-year-old man, Mannex Powers appeared in court last Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to the causing death by dangerous driving charge and was granted $250 000 bail.

Lewis left boxing with a record of 23 wins from 30 fights; 20 of which came by knockouts, but suffered four losses and three draws.

However, for his daughter Annastatia and his eight other children, their father was always a

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fighter – the best in their eyes.

Annastatia is the former champion’s second child and she noted that the ‘Champ’ made them all feel as though they were his first.

“I wasn’t old enough to remember much about when he became a world champion, other than going to the airport with my mother in the VIP (lounge) and seeing him, holding me and stuff, but I watched a lot of videos online and heard a lot of stories,” the grieving daughter noted.

Lewis’ return to Guyana was widely heralded and the politicians and other important persons See page 48 FRIDAY, MAY 8, 2015